You may have not heard of Chris Hanlin yet, but you will soon. He’s new in town, arriving just a couple years ago from the Indiana music scene, via Los Angeles, Hanlin has just released his latest disc, entitled “Hand to Mouth” and an accompanying video, filmed on location at his home in Bennett Valley. While in Los Angeles, Hanlin connected with other musicians and soon found himself at a Lakota Sioux Indian reservation in South Dakota. It was there that he was told by the medicine man of the tribe that he was to write and play music, music that would ease specific feelings in people like anger and loneliness. The vibe was so strong that Hanlin knew what he needed to do. With his wife Kelly, he packed up the car and moved to Sonoma Mountain. Like many that arrive in Sonoma Valley, he came for a visit and knew this was where he needed to live to fulfill the dream. We caught Hanlin for the first time at the Meadowcroft Winery Sonoma Songwriter series a couple weeks back and were pretty impressed with the music and vocals laid down by the singer-songwriter. Hanlin will be appearing at Lokal for one night, on Saturday, May 28, at 9 p.m. If you happen to miss him there, you can catch him at Hopmonk Tavern Sebastopol on Sunday, May 29. Check www.chrishanlin.com for more info.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards is kicking off its fourth year of the Friday night music series, with local bands playing in the tasting room, and tonight, May 27, it’s the Rolling Blackouts. The Friday night series features music, a local caterer providing dinners to those interested and even discounts on wine. Once a month, six food purveyors will grace the parking lot for what the winery is calling “Food Truck Friday,” and that starts tonight, and continues every fourth Friday of the month. There is no cover for the evening.
Western Swing Hall of Famer Tommy Thomsen brings another all-star band to Little Switzerland on Saturday, May 28, for an 8 p.m. show. Thomsen has just returned from France where he had a mini-tour. Saturday, Thomsen will have with him Ken Emerson, who has won a Grammy for his acoustic-electric and lap steel playing, Sean Allen, who has worked with Carlene Carter, Commander Cody and many others on lap and steel guitar. Stogy Buckhorn, former member of the Texas Playboys will be playing sax and trumpet and the rhythm section consists of Trevor Kinsel on stand-up and electric bass and Bob Morrell on drums.
The Vintage House senior center will have the Julian Pollack Trio for an encore performance on Sunday, May 29, at 4 p.m. Now based in New York, Pollack grew up in Albion in Mendocino County where he returns for reflection, solitude and creative efforts when his performance and academic schedules allow. This summer, he performs and serves as artistic director of the Mendocino Music Festival’s Jazz Series. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in composition at New York University where he also serves as an adjunct professor of piano studies. Pollack met trio members Evan Hughes and Noah Garabedian in high school in Berkeley, and says about the band “it really works because we all kind of have this same sonic vision, I’m not telling them what to play, we all just go for it.” After Sunday’s performance, the trio will be on hand to mingle and sell CDs. Advance tickets are available by pointing your browser to www.vintagehouse.org, or calling 996-0311.
Steiners Tavern will have the debut of a new local act calling themselves Loosley Covered tonight, May 27, at 10 p.m. The band consists of David Grohol on vocals, Graham Edwardson on guitar, Keith Stater on bass and Scott DeMartini on drums. There is no cover for the show. Saturday, May 28, has the DJ grooves laid down by Sweet Lou, also at 10 p.m.
The Olde Sonoma Public House has the Dark Lord Byron on Saturday, May 28, for a 7:30 p.m. show.
Sonoma Springs Brewing Company will have Dan Martin tonight, May 27, for a 7 p.m. show. Rumor has it that his dad, Tom Martin may be sitting in for a song or two. There is no cover for the show.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has a weekend full of music, kicking off tonight, May 27, with Out of the Blue for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, May 28, has local bluegrass favorites the Perfect Crime, also at 8 p.m. The Cork Pullers wrap up the weekend on Sunday, May 29, for an early show, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.
The Friday night concert series, hosted by Steve T. Ney continues tonight, May 27, at the Katmandu Corner in the back room of the Taste of the Himalayas with multi-instrumentalist, Dierdre Egan, kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
The Town Square is starting a new “Acoustic Sundays” show, hosted by Jon Williams, which will feature various local acts. The show kicks off at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 29. Local musicians are encouraged to come down and join in the antics with Williams.
The Plaza Bistro has music tonight, May 27, from Pearl Django at 7 p.m. The bands repertoire includes original compositions, with the influence of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Saturday, May 28, the bistro welcomes Sonomas Sweetheart Dana Land to the back room, with guitarist Jeff Massanari and special guests, also for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.
The Blue Moon Saloon has the DJ sounds of XXXenos tonight, May 27, at 10 p.m. The Sunday night blues jam also continues at the Blue Moon kicking off at 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 29.
Chi McClean makes an appearance at Landmark Winery and Vineyards on Saturday, May 28, for a 1 p.m. show. You may have caught the long blonde haired singer-songwriter in the back lot at the Sonoma International Film Festival this year.
Adam Traum is on the road all weekend, starting tonight, May 27, at the High Street Station in Alameda for a 7 p.m. show. Saturday, May 28, Traum takes his act to San Francisco for a show at Martin Macks for a 7 p.m. show.
Jon Popenoe will be in St. Helena on Sunday, May 29, as part of the St. Clement Winery Summer Music Series for a 1 p.m. show.
The Hellhounds will be at Spanckys in Cotati tonight, May 27, for a night of blues, kicking off at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28, brings the bluesmen to Mack’s in Penngrove for a 9 p.m. show.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
Vinyl – Friday, May 27.
Peri’s – Fairfax
415-459-9910
The Pulsators – Saturday, May 28.
Peri’s – Fairfax
415-459-9910
Wonderbread 5 – Friday, May 27
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121
Gillian Welch – Tuesday, May 31
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121
Aaron Neville – Sunday, May 29.
Napa Valley Opera House
226-7372