weekend plans

~ Adam Johnston

We have a double-header weekend!

Tonight (Friday), we’re sitting in at our recurring gig at the Grand America Lobby Lounge, 7:30-10:00p. We play a set of our own design followed by requests after the break and late into the evening.

Saturday night at Two-Bit Bistro from 7-9p is a special duo version of us (Standard & Substandard rather than Standards & Substandards?), breaking in their new space and looking forward to more potential shows there in the future. Drop by for great food and drink and cheer on the whole endeavor. (And next time we’ll bring the bass and drum kit!)

Diva + Piano at Unspoken in 2022 (photo: Just James)

April Sessions, in Vans and Otherwise

~ Adam Johnston

April snuck up on us and now we’ve got an exciting collection of gigs packed together.

This Friday, 4/4, join us for Van Sessions at the Monarch, a tradition of First Friday Art Stroll in Ogden. It’s a live podcast set and interview, and we’re playing some brand new stuff. It’s a good time, following The Proper Way and leading into Resonomics & Sa Lopez. 7-9p, we’re probably 7:45ish but come for the whole thing and say hi.

The following Friday, 4/11, we’re back at Grand America in the big city, 7:30 – 10:00p. It’s the usual scene there, which is to say it’s always different and always a good time. Hang out on the comfy chairs and call out something you want us to play.

And then, the very next evening, Saturday 4/12, 7-9p, we’re breaking in the stage at the new Two-Bit Bistro on the corner of 25th & Washington in Ogden. This is a rare, pared down duo set with just Caryn (vocals/diva) and Adam (keys/diva) — but we’re looking forward to scheduling a set for all four of us. Good food and drink and a great vibe in Two-Bit’s new space.

A mere week after that, Friday 4/18, 7-10p, we get our first chance to play at Sidebar of Ogden’s Own Distillery. We’ll have to pack tight, but we’re determined and excited about it. This is 21+, so bring your i.d. (We’ll be back later in the summer to play their outdoor series, too!)

And then there’s more in May! Stay tuned or look ahead at our gig calendar. See you out there!

party at the Funk ‘N Dive

~ Adam Johnston

It’s been a long time since we got to play Funk ‘N Dive, so this Saturday, Feb 15, 9p – midnight ($5 cover, 21+) will be a great celebration for us and a fun party for you. We still have this fond memory of FND from early on in our gigging, everything from setting up to hanging out in the green room to having people behind us sing along to Sesame Street in one of the best dive bars in the country.

This time around it’s even more meaningful. We’re honoring the life of our first patron and number one fan, Caryn’s mom, Sherri, who died this week and whose funeral is earlier the same day as this show. We’re all out to support our Diva from all corners, the rhythm section to the folks on the floor to the people calling out from the bar stools. Join in as we turn it up and celebrate a life by playing favorite songs at this after party. Come sing along, raise a glass, and cheer on Caryn.

jazz for the loins

~ Adam Johnston

Here at the home of the plinky pianist, we were listening to music from the parallel projects Vulfpeck and Vulfmon. (If you’re unfamiliar you should change that — we’re big fans here in the band.) Plinky piano’s partner reflected that she really likes the Vulf projects. They’re jazzy in that funky groove way rather than the traditional jazz club way. And then she said the words that moved us: “They’re like Standards & Substandards. Instead of jazz for the mind it’s jazz for the loins.”

We’ll take it, happily. A comparison to Vulf? That’s probably a bit too much. But a suggestion that we play music that makes sense to our gut rather than something more academic? Absolutely. Thanks to one of our biggest fans for helping us with a good description of what we’re trying to do — and maybe our next t-shirt design.

If you need some more jazz for the loins, the heart, or even a little for the mind, join us tonight at Grand America Lobby Lounge, 7-10p, Friday January 10. All ages, no cover. We’re pulling out a long list of standards and working our way into contemporary songbook twists. Hope to see you and friends there.

our one holiday show this year

~ Adam Johnston

We almost forgot to alert you! Tonight we’ll be playing the Grand America Lobby Lounge, 7-10p; Friday, December 20th; free / all ages. It’s a nice evening out and the setting is festive, AND it’s the one gig of the year when we have the full set of holiday music readied: Bluesy twist on “What Child Is This,” an upbeat version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” a newly learned jazz take of “My Favorite Things.” Yes, and so much more. And other stuff, too. Call one out and we’ll play it.

And have a Merry Christmas. We’ll see you again in the new year!