FAR-West Launches New Concert Series to Promote Songwriting Communities Across Southern California
Cabin Creek Crystals in Venice Beach To Host Monthly Shows
July Show Features PI Jacobs, Emily Zuzik, and Mike Berman
Los Angeles, CA – July 11, 2024 – Folk Alliance Region West (FAR-West) announces the launch of a new monthly concert series aimed at nurturing and promoting songwriting communities throughout Southern California. This new initiative underscores FAR-West’s commitment to supporting local artists and fostering a vibrant musical culture in the region.
Originally conceived by James Lee Stanley and hosted by James Combs, the FAR-West Presents monthly concert series will spotlight a diverse array of talented southern CA songwriters, providing them with a platform to showcase their work, connect with fellow musicians, and engage with wider audiences. The series will be hosted by Cabin Creek Crystals in Venice Beach, CA, Ellie Rollins’ and Chris Murphy’s music space located in historic Gingerbread Court built by Charlie Chaplin in the 1920s.
Each month, featured songwriters will have the opportunity to perform their original compositions, share the stories behind their songs, and participate in collaborative sessions designed to inspire creativity and innovation. This month’s show slated for July 25 will feature SoCal artists PI Jacobs, Emily Zuzik, and Mike Berman.
Who: FAR-West Presents New Monthly Series
What: Cabin Creek Crystals Concerts
When: Thursday, July 25 from 6p-9p
Where: Gingerbread Court, 517 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA
Admission: $10.00 / wine and snacks available with donation
"FAR-West has always been dedicated to supporting and uplifting the music community," said James Combs, FAR-West Board Member. "This new series is a testament to our ongoing efforts to provide songwriters with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. We are excited to see the incredible talent that Southern California has to offer and to create a space where these artists can connect and grow."
About the Artists:
Official 2023 FAR-West Showcase artist Pi Jacobs draws inspiration from her unconventional upbringing in “The Land of Weed and Wine” aka Northern California. Blending roots-rock swagger and storytelling soul, her music has drawn comparisons to Tom Waits, Dolly Parton, and Lucinda Williams. Armed with an old Gibson, a “sultry” (Claremont Courier) “explosive” (Glide Magazine) voice, and a thumping homemade stomp box, Pi creates a show that is a fun, high energy, affair. Glen Starkey (New Times SLO),writes: "you'll forget your problems for a few hours.” Her music has been featured on NPR, DittyTV, Austin Music TV, Americana Highways, American Songwriter Magazine. Her new album, Soldier On, has been described as "a joyous blast of blues, soul, and string-band stomp”(Making A Scene Magazine), and has spent over four months on the Americana Music Association Charts.
Emily Zuzik is an L.A.-based singer-songwriter who has musical roots in a unique eclectic blend of alt-country, rock and electronic music. She brings to her songs a woman’s vulnerability and strength in the tradition of Patsy Cline and Lucinda Williams. She has written, recorded and performed with Moby, The Album Leaf, Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie/Tedeschi Trucks Band), Ted Russell Kamp (Shooter Jennings/Tanya Tucker), Jim Lauderdale and Kramer over the years. She released her lauded 2020 Americana album, Torch & Trouble, produced by Ted Russell Kamp, which gained praises among the Americana press including Ditty TV, Twangville, Americana Songwriter, Americana Highways, and more. Her lead single from the album, “Trouble,” won 2020 Song of the Year from Welsh Online Radio Wigwam. Emily is currently recording a new collection of songs with Ted Russell Kamp and an-all-star band.
Mike Berman writes and performs original songs rooted in the folk and California folk rock traditions. He has performed concerts and showcases at venues across Southern California, such as The Coffee Gallery, The Lost Chord, Jeweled Universe, Universal Bar & Grill, Mission Tile Music, Stardust Concerts, and many other venues, both solo and with his three-piece combo TIMBR. He has appeared at legendary venues McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Los Angeles, the Towne Crier in New York, and Club Passim in Boston. He’s also been a regular performer at online showcases including Bruce Swan’s Music My Mother Wouldn’t Like, Jan Seides “Any Sunday Songwriters” series, and his own Social Distance Café. He recently was awarded “Best Performance” at the Songwriters at Play competition in Solvang. Mike’s first album Where I’m From, released in January 2023, has been featured on dozens of radio programs across the U.S. as well as in Canada, the British Isles, and Europe.
About FAR-West
Folk Alliance Region West (FAR-West), a community based non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, is the western regional chapter of Folk Alliance International. Largely through volunteer efforts and community support, we connect our vast region of listening rooms, festivals, folk societies, organizations, radio DJs, agents, managers, promoters, publications, and fans with the touring artists and troubadours that cross our region.For more information about FAR-West, visit www.far-west.org.
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