Spin of the Week
Bumblin’ Bones – Crumb Bum
It’s kind of unfair that when we go to listen to a new act or CD, we tend to automatically try to make comparisons to existing acts or songs. In the case of the Bumblin’ Bones debut release, “Crumb Bum,” it took three or four listens until we had it; and it wasn’t an easy reach. Think Nirvana mixed with the Smashing Pumpkins, some White Stripes and a little Tom Waits, not for vocals, but for attitude, and you have an idea of what the act delivers.
Formed just about a year ago, the local act has come a long way from the garage to having a CD of original tunes to release. The act consists of Ian Hinkley on vocals, guitar, keyboard and banjo, Matt Ruff on bass and vocals and Taylor Diaz not only laying down drum tracks, but guitar and mandolin as well.
The songs are all unique, some might even be considered “performance poetry” with a backing track, and we’re not sure yet if the “circus” piano that is a familiar theme throughout the album is soothing or haunting, or both. The songs are structured but most would not be considered dance songs, but more to hearing the message Hinkley is trying to lay down.
According to Hinkley, “The music embraces the honesty of life in it’s mundane moments as well as its heartbreaking moments. A song like “Parking Lot Heroes” tells the story of a worn and shallow man who feels truly lucky and beautiful to be drinking a 40 oz in a sun-pounded parking lot, while a song like “No One” is the inner monologue of a man who greedily loves somebody despite knowing that his love is ultimately disallowing her to flourish.”
The band is having it’s CD release party tonight, May 15, at B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille at 9 p.m. where you can check out the act and pick up the disc. There is no cover.
10-questions – Sonoma Music Festival – Oct. 2 – 4
We spent a little time on the phone this week with promoter/philanthropist Bruce Cohn while he was in Nashville with the Doobie Brothers and posed some of the questions we’ve been hearing around town about the upcoming Sonoma Music Festival.
1) What was the reason behind the move from the winery to the Field of Dreams
BC: Basically the festival had just gotten too big for the facility. The hillsides and stairs made accessibility difficult and lets face it, the classic rock acts that we bring to the festival and the crowd aren’t getting any younger. The Field of Dreams is flat and accessible and seeing Jazz+ put on successful shows there, it just made sense. In addition, we will save almost 100 thousand dollars in set up costs, money that can be donated to the charities we support by putting on the festival.
2) Will the winery still be involved with the festival?
BC: Absolutely. All the wines poured in the VIP areas and chalets will be B. R. Cohn wines, but in addition, we’ll have at least ten other local wineries pouring and local restaurants will be there as well.
3) How will the festival deal with parking?
BC: We’ve worked with the city quite a bit on this and we’re going to just see how it goes this year and make adjustments if we have to. We’re encouraging locals to walk or bike to the festival. We are also in talks to have some of the schools or churches that are close to open up their lots for the festival and charge a small fee that they can keep and use to help their organizations. The Fourth of July events bring 10 – 15 Thousand people to the city that day. Our events will bring in a little over three thousand. We’re really thinking it will be a non-issue and our website will be updated as we get closer to the festival with parking options around town.
4) Will there be an auction fundraising dinner?
BC: No, we’ve replaced the Friday night dinner with an additional show. The costs of putting on the dinner were approaching the amount we could actually raise. The concert will be much more profitable for the charities. There will be auctions of one of a kind items during one of the set changes each day of the shows, giving people access to items that were previously only available to the dinner crowd.
5) Can people bring food into the festival?
BC: No, all food profits will be donated to the charity fund so we’re encouraging folks to buy food inside the festival.
6) What about water?
BC: No, that is the same as food. There will be plenty of beverages available for purchase inside the festival.
7) How will the festival deal with the noise ordinance?
BC: We plan to comply with the city’s ordinances. We have a 10 p.m. cutoff time for noise and we’ll likely wrap up the night time shows even before that time.
8) Are any new features or events planned for the weekend?
BC: We’re working on something fun that will raise additional money for the charity fund but we can’t announce anything quite yet. Soon though.
9) Will more acts be announced?
BC: Not really, we really don’t have any more time open. The evening shows can’t run too long and no one wants to get up earlier on a Sunday. The line-ups are set.
10) Who personally are you looking forward to seeing?
BC: Wow, it’s hard to pinpoint one act with this line-up. The Doobies have toured with Chicago in the past and it’s nice to have them together again. In all the years I’ve been in the business, I’ve never seen America live so I’m looking forward to that. Ringo of course, and having him in Sonoma really is a once in a lifetime event. I mean, a Beatle in Sonoma? The man is 74 years old and who knows how long he’ll be touring. Most of the folks in his band we’ve had at prior shows and are friends so that will be fun. I’ve probably seen the Doobie Brothers 3,000 times and they honestly just keep getting better and having Gregg Allman with them the same night is going to be great. We did a rock and roll cruise earlier this year and saw Edgar Winter and were so impressed with his show we knew we had to have him on the bill. The Doobie kids are always fun to see and Tommy Castro as well. The only time he played the festival he was ill but played anyways. Will be nice to see him healthy and play a set. Really, I’m looking forward to all three days, which is why we put together the three-day discount ticket package, and you don’t have to go all three days to buy one, share it with a friend or two.
JMB: For tickets and more info, point your browser to sonomamusicfestival.com
Set List – the Rundown
The Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall
Tonight, May 15, Ron Dubin and the Rosetown Ramblers – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, Flying Squirrels – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, Diva Singer Night and Community Jam with Dallis Craft and Karla Downey – 7:30 p.m.
Monday. May 18, Graceland Unplugged with Dallis Craft – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19, Big Chief with Lou Rodriguez
Annex Wine Bar
Tonight, May 15, Kelly Ann Miller – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, Don Trotta – 7:30 p.m.
Epicurean Connection
Tonight, May 15, Homebrew – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, This Old Earthquake – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, Jon Otis – 1 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
Sunday, May 17, Z and the Benders – 7 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards
Tonight, May 15, Chris Hanlin – 6 p.m.
Plaza Bistro
Tonight, May 15, EaR Candy Trio – 7 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall
Tonight, May 15, DJ Isak – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, Bonedrivers – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, Tri-Tip Trio – 5 p.m.
HopMonk Tavern
Tonight, May 15, Star Bandits – 5 p.m. – Jon Shannon Williams – 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, Mokai – 1 p.m. the Mosey Boys – 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, Kyle Williams – 1 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
Tonight, May 15, Bumblin’ Bones – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, Train Wreck Junction – 9:30 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery
Sunday, May 17, Lee Howard – 2 p.m.
Moose Lodge
Saturday, May 16, Showcase the Band – 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, Showcase the Band – 6 p.m.
Hot Box Grill
Sunday, May 17, Sonoma Soul – 5 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Regional Library
Saturday, May 16, Bach and Verse – 2 p.m.
Jacuzzi Family Winery
Sunday, May 17, Alexander String Quartet – 3 p.m.
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
Saturday, May 16, Sonoma Valley Chorale – Hungarian Organ Concert – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, Sonoma Valley Chorale – Hungarian Organ Concert – 3p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House
Sunday, May 17, Karaoke – 7:30 p.m.
Blue Moon Saloon
Saturday, May 16, Karaoke – 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, Blues Jam – all welcome – 10 p.m.