SERPENTONE
www.myspace.com/serpentone
serpentone.com

About Serpentone
Band formed in 2004, with the longest standing members being Erika (vox/songwriting/guitar-playing/diva-bitch), Cyrus (original drummer, who has done fill-in work since 2005), and most recently, the adorable multitasking almost-sober chick-magnet bassist known as Skot. Somehow, these three managed to eke out time on Sundays during 2007 to record an album of sorts at Marty Vincelli's "Big House." Which is a house, that is big. Many amazing musicians have supported this band by filling the rhythm slots for live shows, including Carl Keil, Morgan Grace, Sam Henry, Tom Drama, Tim Flanary, Carl Keil, nolan void, and Susan Costa.

'Erika Meyer's voice is quite something else: she often reminds me of the raw-throated polemic of Vi Subversa—especially in the lyrical structure—and sometimes, when she really reaches into herself, as on the blistering 'Folding,' the unmatchable Thalia Zedek.'
-- Everett True, Village Voice

1. Name your influences and why?
1. my dad's record collection growing up, which featured a lot of old
folk, some Broadway show tunes, and sixties San Francisco psychedelia,
as well as The Beatles.  I listened to all of it.
2. all the folk music (Pete Seger, Leadbelly) taught to kids in the 70s.
3. the hardcore punk scene I got into in high school
4. a lifetime of classic rock FM radio
5. Pacific Northwest music I got into after moving to Portland in 2000.

2. If you could open for anyone passing through town, who would it be ?
I am still kicking around so many songs, I really would like to make
another record.  So, pretty much anyone talented, who could hook us up. 
Steve Albini?

3. What songs do you cover and why ?
Though we have covered songs before, we haven't done any covers in a
long time.

4. Who do you get told you sound like ?
The most common are: Babes in Toyland and Hole.  Everett True cited a
1970s British band, The Poison Girls, and Thalia Zedek.  I was excited
by that.  I think that with a rhythm section able to focus on the music
for a period of time, the music will really be able to come into its own.

5. Name a musician/band in town (male or female) that everyone should go see.
I guess if you are counting musicians who are from Portland, musicians
who moved to Portland, and musicians who claim Portland as a home base
even though they live on the road, and only occasionally play a show
here... Scout Niblett.  She's in the latter category.  Also, Morgan
Grace w/ Sam Henry.

Tell us what you are up to these days.
Our CD release show is at Ash Street Saloon this Thursday, June 26.  I'm
really excited to play with Amoree Lovell and Polly Panic.  This Ash
Street CD release show was supposed to be Cyrus's hurrah with us, but he
broke his hand on Saturday, so our friend M'liss will be sitting in for
him.  We're looking for a drummer who can commit to the band regularly.

Tell us about the song you are giving us
'Minivan Mom'
Minivan Mom is one of my first songs.  I'd lived in Portland about a
year, single mom, no family in town, my daughter was four.  I was busy,
overtaxed, exhausted.  My daughter and I spent an afternoon at OMSI and
I remember these suburban soccer mom women there with their kids, and
their nice clean clothes, white Nikes, professionally highlighted
hair... I was thinking about how I felt like these women in some ways,
yet also worlds apart.  I felt like a twisted minivan mom.

SEE SERPENTONE LIVE HERE:
June, 26 2008 09:00 PM -
CD RELEASE! at Ash Street Saloon w/ Polly Panic and others....
June, 28 2008 10:00 PM -
Jolly Inn ACKBASH w/ thebrotheregg and Hand That Bleeds

REINA COLLINS
'Roots Rockin' Songstress'
www.myspace.com/reinagcollins   
www.reinagcollins.com

About Reina Collins

Roots rockin' songstress Reina G. Collins has sung for her supper for the past twenty years. She spent her first thirty years in sunny, salty Florida. Born in Miami. Grew up in central Florida. Lived most of the 80's in St. Petersburg. She played in pop rock band Multi Color House and then changed direction toward jazz and Brazilian music with pianist composer Kamau Kenyatta.
In 2003 singer songwriter mandolinist Ben Winship assisted Reina in making her roots folk cd Kitchen Sink.
Following her fall 2005 relocation to Portland Reina had the good fortune to cross paths with songwriter Rob Barteletti. With producer guitarist Terry Robb, they joined forces to record Even If I Fall at Dennis Carter's Falcon Studios. Tony Furtado, Terry Robb and other Portland players provide first class musicianship on this collection of witty, poignant, dark, and yes, even catchy roots country tunes.
You may have just recently learned about Reina but for two decades she's been playing honky tonks, bike rallies, five star restaurants, ski resorts, casinos, weddings, community fundraisers, music festivals and any local bar that'll have her!

"Reina Collins brings a lifetime of living and loving to her big voiced, big hearted performance. Whether fronting a down home ensemble or strutting it up with her big rock act, or even solo, Collins evokes comparisons to a charismatic chorus of brethren" ~ Lisa Lepine, Promotion Queen

"Collins is obviously a highly accomplished musician and performer with that Judy Collins, Kate Wolf, Joan Baez feel."
~ Cheryl Bruedigam, womensrising.com

"This is just damn good music."  ~ Don Gilliland

"Reina Collins's music has the carefree vibe you would expect from a flower child and avid traveler. All the while, Austin to Boston is filled with energy and a certain country twang that has me longing to catch a live show and experience Collins's "Hair Flinging and Booty Shaking." 
~ Trevor Dye, contributor to JamBase, FREE Magazine & HypeZine

1. Name your influences and why?
(As I started writing, this turned into a trip down memory lane. Feel free to edit!) The first music I remember listening to as a young girl was by Motown artists like Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Temptations (& The Monkees, too). All great to dance to! My mother would take me to JC Penney and buy me 45s. A few years later my sister Elana & I would be playing piano & singing Billie Holiday songs from a Lady Sings The Blues songbook. Junior high I really got into Carole King, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne, Neil Young and later fell in love with Joni Mitchell. I harmonized while I sang along to their songs. I discovered Heart during this time -- Dreamboat Annie mixed in tender, beautiful songs with rock. ROCK! I started moving into the classic and southern rock BIG TIME especially Allman Brothers. Then Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and The Pretenders made it onto my radar. Punk & new wave hit Florida late but when PATTI SMITH entered my world (via Don Gilliland's Murmur Records in Orlando) she became my musical-everything. Energy, intensity, poetry, sexuality. A real awakening. I always had classic country threading through the years and eventually, through my jazz mentor Kamau Kenyatta, I was introduced to the timelessness of standards. In the eternal search for a brilliantly told story song, I stumbled upon Richard Thompson's 1952 Vincent Black Lightning….

2. If you could open for anyone passing through town, who would it be ?
The Saloonatics would be a great opening act for Willie Nelson. I think our music would appeal to the broad range of music lovers in his audience. (Social time on the bus after the show would be icing on the cake).

3. What songs do you cover and why ?
Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes is one of my favorites to sing. People are moved by this song -- and Hal's harmonies are so beautiful. Another one is Emmylou Harris' Deeper Well. We joke about it being a one chord song but we make it rock and the lyrics are for lack of a better word -- deep. Not to mention when I look over at Rob I think to myself, 'Wow, Flea's in our band!'

4. Who do you get told you sound like ?
Most often it's Natalie Merchant and Carly Simon. When we rock I hear people say Grace Slick.
(Editor's note: She "is" Patti Smith)

5. Name a musician/band in town (male or female) that everyone   should go see.
Not fair! But without sounding preachy, we should all be out as often as possible to support live music. Bands I really enjoy: Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags, Pilar French & The Intention, Justin Jude, Blue Moon Highway, Ruby Red, Paula Sinclair, Kate Mann, Rob Barteletti & Friends, Lisa Mann, Sonny Hess, Marie Black, Beth Willis, Town Rill, Alison Rice & The Wheel (The Saloonatics other band), Ken DeRouchie Band….

Tell us what you are up to these days.
Mostly promoting Austin To Boston and getting to know The Saloonatics as we tighten up. We've only been playing together a few months and our sound is jelling so quickly. It's such a high when you know the band chemistry is there and everything's clicking. We have some cool shows this summer – the next big one is the CD release party Saturday the 21st.

Tell us about the song you are giving us.
'Keep Your Heart Fed'
This is one of the last songs on Austin To Boston. Some may know the album was inspired by my big solo road trip last year. Toward the end of the trip and almost in the home stretch I cross into South Dakota. It's pretty desolate out there and the billboards have a captive audience. I thought it would be fun to form a song based ..words from signs. This was a fun one to write and knowing I would be in Portland soon gave me a boost. The last line of the chorus sums it all up: "What it is that keeps your heart fed – lies straight ahead."

SEE REINA LIVE HERE:

June, 19 2008 06:00 PM - Music Millennium In Store Performance!
June, 20 2008 07:00 PM - McMenamins Edgefield
June, 21 2008 06:00 PM - Jax Rooftop *CD RELEASE* 
July, 10 2008 07:00 PM - McMenamins Grand Lodge

FIONA BOYES

"The Blues Empress"

http://www.myspace.com/fionaboyes  
sonicbids.com/fionaboyes 
www.yellowdogrecords.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 
AMANDA RICHARDS
Bohemian Country Songstress
www.myspace.com/amandarichardsband
www.cdbaby.com/all/amandarichards
www.amandarichards.net 
 
About Amanda Richards
Amanda is currently recording her 3rd album due to release this fall. 
Here are some of her recent accomplishments: 3rd place in a 
NATIONAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS– FAMECAST!--- Made a music 
video with the directors of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS--- Headlined Portland's 
ALADDIN THEATER with 500+ in attendance--- Been featured on NPR's 
RIVER CITY FOLK in a 1 hour long interview--- Had her song "Words" 
featured on AIR AMERICA RADIO'S "Randi Rhodes Show"--- 
A Grandfather who sang Tenor for 18 years with the SONS OF THE 
PIONEERS--- Released 2 FULL LENGTH ALBUMS --- PLACED 2ND in a 
Songwriting competition held by the OREGON SYMPHONY--- Was a 
semi-finalist in an INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION --- 
Performed at OVER 100 VENUES in the Pacific Northwest--- Received 
GREAT REVUES from local and national writers--- Written OVER 
150 SONGS--- Studied music at Mt. Hood Community College--- 
Written songs for local THEATER groups and NON-PROFIT 
organizations including the TILLAMOOK RAINFOREST COALITION 
and GRESHAM LITTLE THEATER.
 
"This rising local songwriter has a voice that commands instant attention 
— alternately clear, cutting, gritty, sultry and full of longing" 
~ Barbara Mitchell, Portland Tribune
 
"Richards has a bluesy, dark-hued voice; it can soar with unbridled passion, 
or melt into 3 a.m. melancholia" 
~ Michael Sutton, cdreviews.com
 
1. Name your influences and why?
I have so many influences I couldn't possibly name them all but here's a few: 
Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, 
Tracy Chapman, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, my Aunts, my Grandpa, my Dad, 
my Mom, Pat Benetar, Laura Branigon, the list goes on. I can really identify with 
the songwriters of the group. Even the folks that do covers can channel the music 
so well that they own it, it's their song and I love that!
 
2. If you could open for anyone passing through town, who would it be ?
If I could open up for any band passing through Portland right now it would 
definitely be Calexico. They are by far my favorite touring band and I think 
that our sounds would compliment each other so well
 
3. What songs do you cover and why ?
I don't do very many covers any more. Actually, that's not entirely true. It's not that 
I don't do covers, it's just that I'm not learning any new ones. The folks that I do cover are: 
Willie Nelson, Van Morrison, Pat Benetar, Janis Joplin… pretty much the same folks that 
I listed as influences. My favorite song to cover right now is "Always on my Mind" by Willie Nelson
 
4. Who do you get told you sound like ?
I get told I sound like every female artist out there. The latest and most far reaching comparison 
was 'Christina Aguilera.' But I get the "Jewel" comparison all the time, it's actually kind of annoying. 
The last time I played with Skip VonKuske, he said I played guitar like Jobim and sang like Dolly Parton. 
I think it was a compliment?
 
5. Name a musician/band in town (male or female) that everyone should go see.
The latest and greatest show I've seen lately was the Blue Cranes. Their mostly instrumental jazz 
but their energy is great and the show was very engaging.
 
Tell us what you are up to these days.
I have so many shows coming up but I'm very excited to play Imbibe on June 27th. I love this room. 
I'm trying to keep my myspace updated regularly so folks can see the when's and where's of my schedule. 
I am also currently recording my third album with a hopeful release date in October.
 
Tell us about the song you are giving us.
The Balls Song
Here's a little snipit from my album. Keep in mind that this is unmixed and is no where near the final 
stages of production. Right now we're tentatively calling it "The Balls Song." I was feeling a little 
vengeful at the time I wrote this song and was wanting to even the score with a few ex-boyfriends. 
So I funneled my energy into this sadistic little masterpiece.
 
See Amanda live at one of these shows !!
 
June, 6 2008 08:00 PM - Pine Street Bistro
June, 7 2008 03:00 PM - Mosier Cherry Festival
June, 12 2008 08:15 PM - Macadam's Bar & Grill
June, 14 2008 08:00 PM - Blaze Jose
June, 27 2008 09:30 PM - Imbibe
June, 30 2008 07:00 PM - McMenamin's Edgefield- Little Red Shed

AUTOPILOT IS FOR LOVERS

www.autopilotisforlovers.com
www.myspace.com/autopilotisforlovers
www.stereotyperecords.com

Autopilot is for Lovers are Adrienne Hatkin and Paul Seely - Adrienne is from Montclair, New Jersey. Paul is from Salem, Oregon. Adrienne is the great-niece of Henny Youngman, the "King of the One-Liners", author of such classic phrases as "Take my wife - please." When Paul was seventeen his choir sang at Carnegie Hall, but he and some friends were sent home early when a bottle of whiskey was discovered in their hotel room. They never even got to drink the whiskey.

"When other musicians—musicians who are being interviewed about their own work—can't help but gush about one of their peers (in this case, Adrienne Hatkin of Autopilot is for Lovers), you know there's something special going on." ~ Willamette Week

1. Name your influences and why.

I hate the influence question! I think people are tired and scared of living in a modern world that feels like it could end any minute, so we make art that seems like something people who lived in the woods a hundred and fifty years ago would make. I think that's where all these blues/folk/rock amalgams are coming from. I think that's why I do it. It is a desperate reach into the past.

2. If you could open for anyone passing through town, who would it be ?
I really wish we could open for Devotchka. I'm also in love with Akron/Family right now, it would be nice to play with them. Also maybe White Magic.

Paul and I do a cover of Low's "Sunflowers". Sometimes I play "Elephant Gun" by Beirut on my accordion. I used to try to do "Masters of War" by Bob Dylan - it's only two chords, but I think I have one of them wrong. I've always wanted to do "If I Was a Carpenter" in the style of June Carter and Johnny Cash, where I would sing Johnny's part and Paul would sing June's. Maybe that's dumb.

I'm trying to remember all the comparisons we've gotten... Cat Power, PJ Harvey, Shannon Wright, Devendra Banhart, Stevie Nicks, the lady from Arcade Fire.


5. Name a musician/band in town (male or female) that everyone should go see.

It is quite stunning to watch my friend Amoree Lovell play the piano.

We've got a bunch of dates around town this summer. I would say the shows I'm most excited about are the Independent Film Nights at AudioCinema hosted by Los Moustachios, who are a small group of guys who make really brilliant shorts that are hilarious. I'm also excited to play with Wooden Indian Burial Ground at the Waypost on July 4. WIBG are a duo that play creepy, awesome folky stuff, obviously I'm into that.
We just put out an EP on Steretype Records, to be officially released in June, and we're finishing up recording an LP for Bladen County Records. Another fun fact is that Doug Jenkins of the Portland Cello Project has amazingly offered to sit in with us, so we'll see where that goes! We've also added Matt Radtke from Porches on viola and bass, and I've been meeting with a very talented lady named Emily Nelson (a great songwriter, check out her Myspace in my top friends) who may be our new violinist.

June, 8 2008 9:00 PM - Towne Lounge with Bela Karoli, Porches and Ezra Carey

Morgan Grace

http://www.myspace.com/morgangrace

http://morgangracemusic.com/

I was raised in a small town by two crazy alcoholics who one day took a break from beating the crap out of each other just long enough to buy me a nylon stringed acoustic guitar.
I released my first album the Rules of Dating on my own Lady Lush Records in 2003. It was a nickel and dime operation, literally burning discs on my computer and doing printing at kinko's.
I met legendary drummer Sam Henry in 2004 and we recorded my second album The Sound of Something Breaking in early 2005 to mixed reviews. Was I a jazz singer? an angry rocker? a tragic singer/songwriter? I dunno...
In summer of 2006 my song The Rules of Dating won 1st prize at American Idol Underground to the tune of $10,000. I was finally able to master and press my first album with bonus tracks from the first demo I put out in 2000. They like me, they REALLY like me!
In Oct 2007 I disbanded my band and forged ahead by myself, recording songs at home and performing solo. So far it's been great - look for a new MG album in 2008.
I played guitar with Kleveland for almost a year, and I sometimes sing the part of Exene Cervenka in an X Tribute band called Gimme an X!.
My music has been used on American Movie Classics, and my songs have been recorded by The Decliners and Rob Daiker. And I like tacos. The End.

1. Name your influences and why.
my dead father, small towns, oppression, and guys that don't love me. you know, stuff you can really dance to.

2. If you could open for anyone passing through town, who would it be ?
I'd rather be so popular that cool people want to open for me. I find my humility to be a great strength.

3. What songs do you cover and why ?
I like to cover stuff that no one's expecting, like Hands of Doom by Black Sabbath or Skulls by the Misfits, two amazing songs that sound damn fine on an acoustic guitar. A good song will always translate, and a revamped cover with your own spin is always great.

4. Who do you get told you sound like ?

Comparisons are usually just an embarrassing window into that person's frame of reference. I've never been told I sound like Toni Basil which is secretly what I really want.


5. Name a musician/band in town (male or female) that everyone should go see.

Michael the Blind, Autopilot, Amoree Lovell, Michael Jodell, Paper Cameras, Podunk, Drunken Prayer.

Eyes in the Back of My Head

Here is a quote from Rick Emerson after listening to "Eyes in the Back of My Head"

"To say that I was shocked is an understatement. I don't know what I was expecting, but the song that emerged from my speakers was like a warm breath of billowing, aching fog...made all the more perfect and painful because you can't quite touch it."

Michelle House

http://www.myspace.com/michellehouse

1. Name your influences and why.
I've been influenced by all types of music. When I was younger, my parents were in a drum/bugle corps, my dad sang in a barbershop quartet and my mom played CCR and Kenny Rogers & the First Edition at home. Quite a mix! I played trumpet throughout high school/college and I'm proud of my band geek roots. I'm inspired by girls with guitars, great storytellers and strong, nuanced voices. Some of my favorites are Ani Difranco, Melissa Ferrick, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, Neil Young, Shawn Mullins, Patsy Cline, kd lang.


2. If you could open for anyone passing through town, who would it be ?
I'd have to say Brandi Carlile. I'm a fan and attended small shows at the Aladdin before she really broke out. It's been really exciting to watch her progress as an artist!

3. What songs do you cover and why ?

like to cover songs people might not expect to hear me sing or lesser known songs from my favorite artists. For me, picking a song to cover has a lot to do with how I connect to the mood of the song. The songs I enjoy covering the most tend to be sung by male artists originally. I cover Neil Young's The Needle and the Damage Done, Shawn Mullins' Beautiful Wreck and Danzig's Mother. (Editors note: Michelle's version of "Mother" makes my horns wave high in the air !!)

4. Who do you get told you sound like ?

There is so much talent in Portland. . . . . . I'm always game for Dirty Martini, Ashleigh Flynn, Scott Gallegos, Yoyodyne.

TIFFANY CARLSON

tiffanycarlsonmusic.com

Tiffany Carlson is a Portland area singer/songwriter and currently performs with two local bands at various fairs, festivals, farmer's markets and restaurants. She has been featured on The Back Porch Show, a nationally syndicated radio program, and KUPL FM radio. Coming from a musical family, Tiffany was singing at an early age in churches throughout the north and mid-west and traveled in two college bands as well. In 2005, she had the opportunity to work on her own project and began a musical collaboration with singer/songwriter, Jim Walker, who recorded and produced her first album, Long Way Back. "This young lady grabs you with her lyrics and keeps you there with her sound—a mixture of folk, country and blues.

"If this project is any indication of what we can expect from Ms. Carlson, the folks in Nashville had better sit up and take notice." - Alathea Johnson, Moozikoo.com Staff.

1. Name your influences and why.
Alison Krauss had been the longest running influence because of her beautiful, haunting vocals, great harmonies, and her ability to pick songs that are so captivating. As far as writing goes, local singer/songwriter and my producer, Jim Walker, has had a tremendous impact on my writing because of his ability to put imagery in lyrics and capture ideas. We have been co-writing together for several years and he has influenced me greatly. Other influences include KT Tunstall, Lucinda Williams, Johnny Cash...my family who I grew up singing with in church.. the list goes on.

2. If you could open for anyone passing through town, who would it be ?
Alison Krauss or KT Tunstall

3. What songs do you cover and why ?
I cover several Lucinda William's songs because they're so real. I also do a few of Johnny Cash's and Tom Petty's songs because they're some of the great classics and it makes everyone happy. Alison Krauss and Robert Plant together get a lot of coverage from me too because I have fallen in love with the entire Raising Sand record and feel it's my duty to let everyone know about it. KT Tunstall is another favorite songwriter to cover because I want to believe that it was me that wrote those songs. :)

4. Who do you get told you sound like ?
I haven't really been told of anyone...but if you think of someone, I would love to know.

5. Name a musician/band in town (male or female) that everyone should go see.
Jim Walker and Tim Ellis (JVA). Check out www.jvamusic.com for upcoming shows. I have been listening to these two for a few years and still am impressed by what they do. If you haven't seen them play yet, you are missing out. They do more with two guitars than I have seen with a whole band. I also recommend seeing Sarah Gwen play live as well. She has this amazing, raw sound that is so moving.

I have been working on a new album which we should be finishing up in a few months! I have done both of my recording projects with Jim Walker and love the direction we have been taking with my music. He has been amazing to work with. I could talk about it for hours! :)
I have been playing locally with fellow singer/songwriter, Carrie Peters (a very talented girl), at the Highland Stillhouse every third Sunday of the month. We play our originals together as well as covers that we love and feel fit us. Coming up, we will be playing at East Burn and Blaze, for songwriter nights, both in Portland and at Mt. Hood Roasters in Welches. I am also in two local bands, Sawtale Ridge and Tiffany Carlson & the Soundwaves and will be playing a lot through the summer with both of them.

MARIE BLACK

http://www.myspace.com/marieblack  

On the edgier, noir side of acoustic driven rock, Marie Black's lyrical tales of existential, political and emotional groove dwellings take you from a starry desert night . . . to a moonless night in the Tenderloin . . . where you can get in touch with your insides.

Austin Music Magazine called her voice "a unique blend of heartbreak and defiance." Most of the songs sway with elements of rock and a touch of twang, each having its own feel and personality, yet woven together by the personal style that makes her unique

"Her sultry voice, smooth and sweet as honey, is a perfect foil to her  bittersweet songs"   -    SF Weekly

"Raw, powerful, dynamic, silky smooth vocals"  -  Texas Beat

1. Name your influences and why.

I guess I feel like everything I see, hear or come across, whether good, bad or indifferent, effects me on some level whether I know it or not. I'm a sponge on a subliminal level that most of the time eludes me when I try to come up with names of people, artists, books, movies.  As far as music, I've never tried to sound like anyone else. But I've tried not to sound like some people!! Here are a few people or bands that have been my favorite at one point or other:  Joni Mitchell for her sentimentality and lush sounds, Neil Young & Crazy Horse for rawness and unabashed political commentary, Black Sabbath with Ozzy for rebelliousness, Beck for versatility, Prince & the Revolution for sensuality and discordant beauty, Sarah Vaughn for her velvet voice, Alice in Chains for raw emotion and gorgeous vocal harmonies on their unplugged DVD. I would have to say that for the last four years, I've been completely in love with Elliott Smith, although I haven't been listening to him much lately. I didn't know about him until after his death. His use of wit and metaphor and his harmonic sense are unequalled as far as I can tell. When I'm writing I don't actively listen to much music unless it's for reference, like how did they get from here to there in that song? I am subject to what others around me listen to, which, unless I really love something, is how I prefer to get my music. Luckily most of my friends have good taste.

2. If you could open for anyone passing through town, who would it be ?

I'd like to open for Michael Franti & Spearhead. I used to see him in his first band, the Beatnigs, and his Guitar player, Dave Shull, played with me a couple times in SF. I saw Spearhead in Golden Gate Park about two years ago and it was magical. Our similarities end at the social and political commentary in our songs, his having more than mine at that, but it would be fun just the same.

3. What songs do you cover and why?

I used to cover "Kiss" by Prince because both Prince and Tom Jones (who also covered that song) are born on June 7, which is my birthday too! Currently I have a handful of covers that I enjoy for various reasons. Sometimes the delivery is really different than the original and that makes it fun.

4. Who do you get told you sound like?

Two artists I've been told I sound like at least three times each are Maria McKee and Chrissy Hindes.

5. Name someone in town (male or female) that everyone shouldgo see.

Everyone should come see me at the White Eagle on Tuesdays! Tuesdays are a hard night to draw, so your support is really appreciated.

Tell everyone about the song we are showcasing of yours, in complete detail.

Amphibian

This song is about my mother. I remember her always saying that she was cold-blooded. Then when she wrote me a letter a few years ago telling me never to "call or write or come to see" them ever again because I denounced their religion when I was still a child, I finally believed that she was really cold blooded. My father was on his death bed when she wrote it and I never saw him again.  I was shunned from their religion when I was sixteen and most of the time after I left home they had nothing to do with me except the obligatory phone call to see if I was still alive. They would do things like invite me to their anniversary parties and then call me up after I'd spent money on a ticket and tell me that "their consciences wouldn't allow them to have me around their grandchildren" or that they were being threatened by the elders that if they saw me they would also be shunned from their church, which is all they knew.  A lot of people have told me that I'm very strong for leaving home when I did and yet for me it was strictly survival. Most religions start out as cults with charismatic leadership, which instills an "us versus them" mentality. There is a lot of that going on today.  My story is just a microcosm of the larger picture. I hope the song reaches a broader audience