Raddison Courtyard Series - Christopher Gold - July 20

It was a very hot day and a last minute call to perform, but Christopher Gold rose to the occasion and performed well. A versatile musician with a booming voice, he is worth a listen either solo or with his band Christopher Gold and the New Old Things. follow the links below.

Facebook  Website  On Spotify and I-tunes

Art in the Park in Neenah - July

Once a year in the summer the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum in Neenah hosts an art fair in Riverside Park. A variety of art can be found including pottery, photography, paintings, many glass vendors, jewelry, etc. These artists are the ones that interested me the most.

 Leif Kutschera - Glass

Leif has been making glass objects since he was 12. He is now 18 and some beautiful pieces. The blue coral bowl in front of him was my personal favorite. Click here to see more of his work.

Bambi's Lint (Bambi's Corner) - Recycled Paper Bead Jewelry

All the necklaces you see below are made of recycled paper, strips of junk mail, discarded music books and maps, and magazines. Click here for Facebook and here for Etsy.

Debbie Rades (Maggie E) - Handmade Glass Bead and Chainmail Mesh Handbags and Accessories

These beautiful purses are all beaded with the tinest beads. This must have taken so much time to make! My favorite is the black and white one, almost looks like a textile.

Facebook       Etsy

Annette Renee (dragonmar) - Pencil,  graphite, color pencil, charcoal, pastel, acrylic and oil. 

The whimsy of Annette's work put a smile on my face. A variety of fantastical critters could be found ranging from the lightness of baby dragons climbing a garden gnome and steampunk kitties to the more gothic crows.  Click here to view her fantastical work.

Jim Hatton - Jim's Custom Metal Art

These sculptures are actually made out of new metal and then treated to accelerate the rusting process.  My favorite is the dragon in the foreground. Jim Hatton can be found in Crivitz, WI. Phone number is (920) 851-6022 for custom ordering

 Jerry Aronowitz (A1 Woods) - Scroll Saw Artist

Jerry uses a scroll saw to create his highly detailed work. Check out that Cheetah! Click here to see more of his work.

Joseph Larsen - Chainsaw Creations

This really impressed me. I can't fathom how he has that much control that he can actually sculpt with it. Here he is making a leaf for me.  Call (920) 460-7004 for custom orders of visit his Facebook page.

The artist at work

The finished piece

Neenah Farmer's Market - Adria Ramos - July 16th

Adria Ramos performing at Neenah Farmer's Market

I enjoy spending a Saturday morning at either the Farmer's Market in Downtown Appleton or in Shattuck Park in Neenah. What may be surprising is that there usually is a local musician serenading the attendees. It was on such an occasion in Neenah where I heard Adria Ramos perform for the first time. What caught my attention to the singer/songwriter was her smart lyrics and soft easy to listen to voice. "Buzz" on her album Apollo is why I purchased her cds. I also wanted "Itch", "Mercury", and "Biting" in my collection because of the original way she worded them.  When lyrics are written well they are a type of poetry. To me, that is what Adria brings to her music. What I realized after listening to the cds is that she is a talented violinist as well.  Below is a video for "Mercury" and some links to help you discover Adria Ramos's music for yourself.

Facebook  Website  ReverbNation  Can be found on I-Tunes, Spotify, and Amazon

For more information on the Farmer's Markets, check my summer local schedule page on this blog.

Karate School Listening Party - July 15th

Karate School's Test Printing of their first self-titled album

My husband and I had the lovely opportunity to attend my first listening party at Ryan of Karate School and his girlfriend Sheena's home where we made some new friends and music connections. It was so awesome listening to vinyl again, hadn't done it years due to the lack of a record player.  As I listened, I was transported to a time when I listened to albums on the stereo components I received for my 18th birthday.  Due to the Exclusive Company gift certificates that I received every year since junior high (I had started with an all in one) I had a decent collection of albums. I remember how much of a treat it was going to Exclusive Company spending time filing through the albums and viewing the album art as I chose my newest treasure. There is something more authentic and timeless about albums that's hard to describe. I wish my Dad had saved his collection which included almost every Beatles album recorded. An entire wall of a room was devoted to storing his collection.  I think I made the transition to cds not only because it was the newest technology but because they were easier to store and for the same reason made the switch to few years ago to digital. Over the years my husband and I have collected hundreds of different albums.  But I missed the album art and that physical presence so I  have started to collect cds again, mainly to support the local artists whose music I enjoy.  Now that I have figured out where to put it, I may even get a record player and a few records starting with Karate School. 

Raddison Courtyard (Ballroom) Series - Oh My Love

Once again due to weather conditions the Raddison Courtyard series went indoors. This time with Oh My Love opening. Due to a dance class, I was not able to stay for the main act Myzica, but Oh My Love from Madison made up for it with its slick electronic melody, pulsing beat, and hauntingly beautiful voice.  Here are the usual photos and video along with the official video to "Spark".

ReverbNation    Facebook   Website  You Tube  can be found on Spotify, Amazon, and I-Tunes.

Spark - video from Oh My Love's You Tube Channel

602 House - FEATherWOLF - July 6

Hanging out with FEATherWOLF at the inviting 602 Club was a relaxing way to end my day. The country/folk duo's music was sweet on the ears and the story behind the songs enhanced the experience. Created as a project by Appleton's Sam Luna, FEATherWolf's concept album "To:You From: Me" tells the tale of a relationship between a man and a woman. All of the songs are sung as a duet starting when the two meet then progresses to falling in love, having an argument, and consider leaving one another. The album ends with a hopeful song about the two working it out. What makes it even more meaningful is through this project the two have developed a fondness for each other. One of the songs is even entitled Miss Marie after Shaun Marie who uses the softer side of her vocals to compliment Sam Luna's.  I recommend this album, you can find it on I-tunes, Spotify and Amazon.

FEATherWolf Facebook  / Sam Luna's Website /  Sam Luna's Facebook /  Sam Luna's ReverbNation  /  Shaun Marie's Website

FEATherWOLF is a duet between Sam Luna & Shaun Marie

 

Shaun Marie performs a solo with Sam Luna improvising on harmonica

FEATherWolf performs "Miss Marie"

Shaun Marie performs a solo

                                                        with the band video by Astrid

                                     Official video - Miss Marie (video by Aaron Jankowski)

602 House

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Nordlund and The Fast Romantics - Raddison Courtyard Series - Jul 6

The show must go on! Due to possible inclement weather and much humidity the Courtyard series was moved to the ballroom in the Raddison.  Still a fun show! First thoughts: Nordlund = That Voice! Fast Romantics:  =  Fun and great stage presence! Below are the usual photos, videos and links.

Nordlund - Oshkosh

RJ Nordlund has such a bluesy gravely voice that will grab at your heart and tug especially in Times Were Hard.  The three brewers (beer that is) are self-described as a multi genre band but I will go with Americana with some outlaw country twinge thrown in. Due to the diverse crowd gathered I think they were a good choice as an opener for Fast Romantics. Look for them in Mile of Music.

from Local Spins You Tube Channel

Bandcamp       Facebook      Website

Fast Romantics - Toronto, Ontario

I dare you to listen to this group and not want to tap your foot or nod your head along to the music. The lead singer's commanding stage presence swill not allow it. Sadly, I wasn't able to stay for the entire set due to dance class but I had reports of people dancing along to the music. Their alternative sound with some synth pop added fun that carry over to their You Tube videos, check them out through the link below. 

 Julia Official Video from Fast Romantics You Tube Channel

Facebook     Bandcamp  Website   You Tube   can be found on I-Tunes