Soundbytes
There’s a new rapper in town, and his name is Ian Elkin, or “Elkinz” as he’s know in the music circles. Elkinz, now 16 years old, has been rapping and making his own beats since he was 13, and garnered quite a following in Petaluma when he was living there the last couple years, with shows at the Phoenix Theater, videos on youtube and giving his music away. He was even signed to a music label, but like many older artists have also discovered, the conflict between management and creativity can be a sticky wicket. When asked what initially inspired Elkinz to begin rapping, he cites seeing Kanye on television, but Kanye turned out not to be his musical inspiration, but old-school rappers such as Tupac Shakur, Biggie and many from that generation.
He prefers to perform without a “Crew”, the rap equivalent of a backing band, and lay down his beats as a solo artist. He starts by finding beats on the internet, free legal ones of course, then begins to mix them together and then adding words to the tracks. He then performs them live and records to digital media.
Elkinz will be at the Hanna Boys Center tonight, May 13, as part of a show presented by the new Shop, and the Sonoma Teen Center. Also on the bill is Cutty Vibez and MCLJ. The show is limited to those between the ages of 14 and 18 and tickets will be available at the door.
###############
It’s a double-header of sorts at Rossi’s 1906 Roadhouse tonight, May 13, with the popular Beatles tribute act Rubber Soul opening the night for a dinner set at 7:30 p.m. The act has added strings to the show, with Meghan Peddicord, a classically trained violinist now in the act, so the show will have some new songs to showcase the strings.
Then it’s time for a tribute to a musician that influenced and inspired many, Prince. Local musicians Pascal Faivre and Dmitra Smith are presenting an old school DJ dance party for Prince. In the philanthropic spirit of the “Purple One,” which came to light after his passing, the proceeds from the event will go to the Valley Vibes Orchestra, a program serving students of the Springs. Valley Vibes Orchestras is a youth development program started by the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, and according to Smith, one that “…uses music to help create skilled, community oriented and healthy youth and young adults. It is a long-term, high-intensity preventive intervention that invests in young children; expanding access to musical opportunity, empowering youth with individual and group skills and unifying people in common pursuit of artistic, personal and community excellence.”
Jeremy Sommier, performing as “The French Disconnection” will be spinning the discs and folks are encouraged to dress up in their most fabulous plumage. Tickets will be available at the door and for more info, point your browser to rossis1906.com.
###############
Set List – The Rundown
Annex Wine Bar, 865 W. Napa St. Sonoma, 938-7779
Tonight, May 13: Full Circle. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 14: Silver Horse. 7:30 p.m.
Barking Dog Roasters, 18133 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma, 939-1905
Saturday, May 14: Michael L. Castle. 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 15: Dave Bingham. 3 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen, 800-330-4064
Sunday, May 15: Kristen Van Dyke. 2 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille, 400 First St. E. Sonoma, 938-7110
Tonight, May 13: DJ Hi – C. 9 p.m.
Saturday, May 14: DJ Riddim. 9 p.m.
Friday Farmers Market, Depot Park, 270 First St W. Sonoma
Today, May 13: Stewart Degner. 9:30 a.m.
Hanna Boys Center, 17000 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, 996-6767
Tonight, May 13: The Shop Presents Elkinz, Cutty Vibez, MCLJ and more. 7 p.m.
Show is ages 14 – 18 only.
HopMonk Tavern, 691 Broadway Sonoma, 935-9100
Tonight, May 13: Hawkline Monster. 5 p.m. Grateful Bluegrass Trio. 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 14: Dave Hamilton. 1 p.m. Erica Sunshine Lee. 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 15: Benyaro. 1 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub, 464 First St. E. Sonoma, 935-0660
Saturday, May 14: Mostly Simply Bluegrass. 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 15: Lisa Stano. 7 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House, 18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs, 938-7587
Saturday, May 14: Karaoke. 7:30 p.m.
Plaza Bistro, 420 First St E. Sonoma, 996-4466
Tonight, May 13: Mary Jenson Trio. 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 14: Full Circle. 6 p.m.
Ravenswood Winery, 18701 Gehricke Rd, Sonoma, 888-669-4679
Sunday, May 15: The Cork Pullers. 1 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall, 401 Grove St. El Verano, 343-0044
Tonight, May 13: Rubber Soul Acoustic Beatles Experience. 7:30 p.m. Prince Dance Party. 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 14: Tommy Thomsen. 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 15: Cannon School of Music Spring Show. 5 p.m. Blues Jam. 9:30 p.m.
Schellville Grill, 22900 Broadway, Sonoma, 996-5151
Saturday, May 14: Butch Engle and Styx. 12:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards, 389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma, 933-3230
Tonight, May 13: Poyntlyss Sistars. 6 p.m.
Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall, 452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma, 996-1364
Tonight, May 13: T Luke and the Tight Suits. 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 14: Wildflower Weed Organic Jam. 1 p.m. The Marks Brothers. 5 p.m. Freddie Hughes, Chris Burns, Calvin Dixon and Willie Riser. 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 15: “Open Mic and Mimosas.” 1 to 7 p.m. The Acrosonics. 4 p.m.
Vintage House senior center, 264 First St. E. Sonoma, 996-0311
Sunday, May 15: The Vinifera Trio. 2 p.m.
If your gig isn’t in my column, you didn’t tell me about it.