the hum / By Bob Doran

Seen and Unseen

Trevor Hall, plus Haiti benefits, Jeff DeMark, Maria Muldaur and genrefication

(Jan. 28, 2010)  When Trevor Hall first started writing songs he was still in junior high and was emulating punk/skater bands like Rancid and NoFX. “But I liked all kinds of music,” he said, calling from his home in Laguna Beach. “From there I kind of went into a reggae era — I got into Bob Marley, Burning Spear, roots reggae — and that stuck with me.”

You can hear the reggae vibe in the songs on his eponymous album (Matisyahu shows up as a guest), but there’s also influence from artists like Michael Franti (Hall opened for one of his tours) and the laid-back SoCal lyrical style of Jack Johnson.

GALLERY >

Songs like “Unity” seem laden with deep meaning: “Whatever path you follow, push on ’til tomorrow. Love all, serve all and create no sorrow. So many rivers, but they all reach the sea… Love is the glorious and everyone shall reach it; whoever seeks it, seen and unseen.”

Hall says he doesn’t think about the lyrics too much. “The music comes first, then the words just come naturally. I try not to reason too much or think, like, ‘what’s this about?’ Not until afterwards do I think, ‘what does that mean?’ The lyrics don’t always represent where I am in my life — they may represent where I want to be or the path I want to follow. I think I learn from the songs.”

Who knows, maybe you can learn something from his songs too. Give him a listen on Thursday, Jan. 28, when he and his band play at Humboldt Brews along with L.A. reggae-rockers Tomorrows Bad Seeds, who bring to mind a kinder/gentler Sublime.

The devastating earthquake in Haiti certainly made our big shake seem relatively minor. There are still some repairs to be done, but it seems that even the Old Town Bar & Grill building will survive. (Kudos to Kurt Kramer for stepping up.) Shortly after the news from Haiti hit the newswire, I got a Facebook message from local scenester/promoter Pam Johnson saying she was working on a Haitian relief fundraiser. With the Red Fox Tavern’s Every1 Productions on board, a benefit show was arranged for this Thursday, Jan 28, at the Red Fox (of course) with reggae luminaries Ishi Dube, Jah Sun, Jah Tory, Elhadji, AkaBoom Sound and Madi Simmons (Madi also plays Friday at Mosgo’s with his new group, The Solar Riddim Band). Bonus: West African drums and dancing by Dun Dun Fare.

No cover charge, but donations are strongly encouraged, and there’s a Dutch raffle for goodies from local businesses. The focus is on the local outfit World Shelters, who is supplying much-needed shelter to folks whose homes have turned to rubble, along with something called a “Field Hospital in a Box.” Need a ride? Lost Coast Limousine service is offering free transport (in style) from the Arcata Plaza with pick-ups starting at 7:30 p.m. and drop-offs until 2:30 a.m. Call 530-227-4737 for reservations, or if you want them to come by your place. (That would definitely require a donation.)

Meanwhile Taffy Stockton is spearheading something called Humboldt Helps Haiti to support sending a team of doctors to Port-au-Prince (including her dad and her sister). Go to www.humboldthelpshaiti.com for details on what they’re doing and how to donate.

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