A nice healthy slate of live music happenings on this Sun., April 19. Check it out below…
John Gorka John Gorka’s distinctive sound — a rugged baritone with undertones of sweet melancholy – has entranced folk fans since his early ‘90s breakout album, Land of the Bottom Line, which established both his sympathy for the down-and-out, and his gift for writing lyrics that can break your heart and make you chuckle at the same time (“I saw a stranger with your hair, tried to make her give it back… And by the way, how is my heart? Haven’t seen it since you left.”). His 12th studio album, 2014’s Bright Side of Down, finds him mining similar territory, backed up by such fellow beloved folkies as Eliza Gilykson and Claudia Schmidt, going from a jaunty tune about being trapped in an Iowa blizzard (“Holed Up in Mason City”) to a tentative welcome of a warmer season in “Really Spring.” In between, he mourns for a crumbling town “where the new jobs don’t pay” in “High Horse”; sings what may be the cutest dad-to-daughter ditty ever, “Honeybee”; and strikes a characteristically self-mocking note in “Mind to Think”: “If I had a mind to think, I might do some damage.” In “Procrastination Blues,” he allows that he’s “well aware of the limits of my appeal,” but he doesn’t seem in danger of reaching those limits any time soon. Two chances to see him this week: tonight in the intimate setting Craftsman House, and Monday at the Straz Center’s Jaeb Theater. Don’t miss him (Craftsman House, St. Petersburg) —David Warner
Artillery with Striker Artillery is living proof that Vikings know how to swing an axe. The Copenhagen thrash metal vets have gone through some ups and downs over the years, breaking up and reforming twice, but have always stayed true to their sound: tons of riffs and a ride-the-lightning tempo that invades your ears and sets them on fire (in a good way, of course). Brothers Michael and Morten Stutzer wield the axes backed by Peter Thorslund’s cutting bass and Josua Madsen’s rhythmic barrage on drums, all led by the battle cry vocals of frontman Michael Bastholm Dahl. Hair-flipping, headbanging metal outfit Striker hits first with screeching guitar licks and vocal vitriol. (Brass Mug, Tampa) —Seth Peterson
James Suggs Tribute to Louis Armstrong Internationally known and currently Tampa Bay-based trumpet phenom James Suggs impressed and awed with his Miles Davis tribute back in December. For this Tampa Jazz Club presentation, he takes on another genre heavyweight, Satchmo himself, as joined by trombonist/singer Marius Dicpetris, guitarist Nate Najar, bassist John Lamb, clarinet player Terry Myers, and drummer Ed Metz, Jr. The afternoon is topped off by a special guest appearance by Louis Armstrong’s daughter, Sharon Preston-Folta. (HCC-Ybor Mainstage Theater, Ybor City)—Leilani Polk
The Real Clash Wednesday Benefit Show Ever since The Real Clash premiered its powerful brand of full-band hip-hop, the SPC-spawned ensemble has been working on material for a full-length debut. This fundraising concert is supported by a few other friends — jazz trio La Lucha and indie-rock outfit Lions After Dark — and featuring special guest sit-ins by David Manson, Austin Vickrey, and Fae Nageon De Lestang of Flat Land. Proceeds go not only towards completing the recording, but also to post-Typhoon Haiyan restoration efforts in the Philippines. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)—LP
Alchemy Fest 10 The 10th annual family-friendly affair celebrates music, art and Mother Earth with its usual assortment of unique activities and high-quality local entertainment. Sounds range from the ukulele-and-horns-fueled ska-punk tunes of UNRB to the soulful, funky family-band jams of Ronnie Dee and The Super Stars to Rebecca Zapen’s lush and sweet jazz-pop songs. (Also performing: Zulu Wave, Camille Dupree and Broken Fetters, Kirtan with Shankh and Friends, and Rampello Pirates Steel Drum Band.) Interactive arts, crafts, games and activities for kids, an organic vendor marketplace, dance performances, yoga, meditation, workshops and various other diversions round out the day’s offerings. (Unity Campus, St. Petersburg)
ALSO TODAY
Sisters Singing for Sisters featuring: Lucie Blue Tremblay, Maggie Council, Jun Bustamante, Christie Lenee, Liz Hollister, Iris Calling, Mele & Crescendo Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa
Sunday Jazz with Johnson & James American Stage, downtown St. Petersburg
2015 DMC Tampa Regional DJ Battle feat. DJ Boogie Blind Crowbar, Ybor City
Gravy Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin
Sage Francis Orpheum, Ybor City
This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2015.