Local Musician Spotlight – James Domizio
Most 16 year olds are typically thinking about getting a drivers license, maybe a job, but James Domizio has one thing on his mind. Music. Having gone to a Waldorf methods public school here in Sonoma, Woodland Star, part of the curriculum is that you learn to play a different instrument each year, and you learn to read music, so music was just like painting or spelling for young Domizio. With the skill almost taken for granted, it wasn’t until sixth grade that he started to play around with a guitar. This one only had 2 strings on it, so the prospect of actually playing it wasn’t good, but something clicked. Earlier in life, when he was nine or ten, his father Dean, a drummer and currently on tour with Molly Hatchet, tried to teach him the rudiments of drumming, but much like many kids, Domizio just wanted to play.
He then focused on learning instruments and writing songs and taught himself drums, bass, piano, guitar and even banjo and started putting things together. Since he couldn’t play all the instruments in a band, once he got his first act sorted, he became the guitar player and singer-songwriter. The first project he put together was a three-piece and they played the scores from video games, and they learned much from the experience. “If you’re going to be in a band” said Domizio, “you don’t go out and book a gig without actually knowing any songs.” Some might call that motivation, but to Domizio, it was lesson learned.
Once he started writing original songs, he found acts like Weezer and the Foo Fighters suited his feel, upbeat pop hard rock songs that were short and sweet. Since then, he has put together two discs, one an early demo, and an EP called “&” on which he wrote and performed all the tracks on all the songs. He named the act “Stone Marigold,” after two of his favorite words.
On the current release, simply titled after the name of the band, he also wrote and performed all the tracks, minus three that his dad Dean laid down drum tracks on when he was in town recently. Dad has also done all the mixing and mastering, with files exchanged over the internet, as dad lives in Florida.
The CD release party is scheduled for August 15, in Napa at a private event, but you can get full versions of the songs from the demo and the EP, and even a sample from the new album by pointing your browser to stonemarigold.bandcamp,com
Primarily the guitar player and singer in the band, we asked about how Domizio felt now that he has a band together to perform all his original compositions and going forward to write new songs, how much influence would his bandmates have in the direction of the music, Domizio replied, “I do have a musical vision for the act, but I’d be hard pressed to not let my bass player say he’s hearing something in the song that I’m not hearing and at least hear that out.”
Look for the act to be in Sonoma Valley sometime in the future, but in the meantime, point your browser to stonemarigold.bandcamp.com.
Featured Weekend Event – Independence Day on the Plaza
If it’s your first time being at the “Hometown Fourth of July Celebration” on the Historic Sonoma Plaza, get ready. Lovingly referred to by some as “Mayberry on acid,” the day begins with a real hometown parade, that goes off at 10 a.m. with marching bands, horses and even dancing bears (we might be wrong about that one). Close to 15 thousand people will be lining the streets of the Plaza. After the parade, the festivities shift to the Plaza right about 11:45 a.m., where there will be patriotic readings and songs by the Hometown Band. After things settle down, it’s time for some live local music, kicking off at 1 p.m. with the band Never Fear. The act consists of winemakers Rich Little and Jeff Bundschu, along with Scott DiMartini on drums playing versions of classic rock songs. 3 p.m. brings the Cork Pullers to the stage playing a variety of folk and rock classics from the ‘60s and beyond. The vocals are a key feature with this act, and they are regularly asked to perform the National Anthem at ATT Park for the San Francisco Giants.
Not to be outdone, a few years back Murphy’s Irish Pub unveiled the “All American Music Festival” in the alley out in front of the pub and featured a number of acts all day long. Paired down a little this year, there are three acts that will be performing, starting with local favorites Ten Foot Tone playing a number of original rock songs with a tasty cover or two thrown in, kicking off the day at 11:30 a.m. Next up is the Timothy O’Neil band for a 3 p.m. start time. The evening is wrapped up by Sue Albano’s band Tsunami playing classic rock and rock standards starting at 6 p.m. and going until the fireworks go off in the evening. There is no cover for the day.
Set list – The Rundown
The Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall
452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma – 996-1364
Tonight, July 3, Ron Dubin and the Rosetown Ramblers – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, Chris burns, Freddie Hughes & Kelvin Dixon – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 5, Diva Singer Night and Community Jam with Dallis Craft and Karla Downey – 7:30 p.m.
Monday. July 6, Graceland Unplugged with Dallis Craft – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 7, Big Chief with Lou Rodriguez
Annex Wine Bar
865 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 938-7779
Tonight, July 3, Full Circle – 7:30 p.m.
Epicurean Connection
122 W Napa St. Sonoma – 935-7960
Tonight, July 3, Kyle Martin – 7:30 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
464 First St. E. Sonoma – 935-0660
Tonight, July 3, Andrew Freeman – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, Ten Foot Tone – 11 a.m. Timothy O’Neil Band – 3 p.m. Tsunami – 6 p.m.
Sunday, July 5, Million Dollar Giveaway – 7:30 p.m.
Sonoma Plaza
1 Broadway, Sonoma
Saturday, July 4, Never Fear – 1 p.m. the Cork Pullers – 3 p.m. .
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards
389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma – 933-3230
Tonight, July 3, the Cork Pullers – 6 p.m.
Plaza Bistro
420 First St E. Sonoma – 996-4466
Tonight, July 3, the Wayne De la Cruz Trio – 7 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall
401 Grove St. El Verano – 343-0044
Tonight, July 3, Sean Carscadden Quintet – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 5, Tri Tip Trio – 5 p.m
HopMonk Tavern
691 Broadway Sonoma – 935-9100
Tonight, July 3, Hannah Jern-Miller – 5 p.m. – Laura Zucker – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, Wesley Woo – 1 p.m. Hand Me Down – 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 5, Kurt Huget – 1 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
400 First St. E. Sonoma – 938-7110
Tonight, July 3, Gentelmen Soldiers – 1955 – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, DJ Lionize – 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 5, 3 on a Match – 3 p.m.
B.R. Cohn Winery
15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen – 800-330-4064
Sunday, July 5, the Cork Pullers – 2 p.m.
Schug Winery
602 Bonneau Road, Carneros – 939-9363
Saturday, July 4, Rhythm Dept. – 1 p.m.
Viansa Winery
25200 Arnold Drive, Carneros – 995-4740
Today, July 3, Richard Olsen Duo – 12 p.m. .
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood- 833-6288
Tonight, July 3, Funky Friday’s with the Funky Dozen – 6:30 p.m.
Swiss Hotel
18 W Spain St. Sonoma – 938-2884
Sunday, July 5, Rett Hamer Blues Band
Schelville Grill
22900 Broadway, Sonoma – 996-5151
Saturday, June 6, Butch Engle – 12:45 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House
18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs – 938-7587
Sunday, July 6, Karaoke – 7:30 p.m.
Blue Moon Saloon
19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma – 996-3055
Saturday, July 5, Karaoke – 9 p.m.
Sunday, July 6, Blues Jam – all welcome – 10 p.m.