the hum / By Bob Doran

Post-genre

Mark Growden’s moving songs, plus Lila’s return, some poetry and an Alibi venue history

(June 10, 2010) Mark Growden is described as a composer/performer rather than a singer/songwriter, although he sings his own haunting songs, sometimes with a band, but often on his own, accompanying himself on accordion, banjo and the droning shruti box.  His tour in support of a new album, Saint Judas, is solo. It brings him to Garberville on Thursday.

Asked what it is he does, he hesitates before answering. “I sing songs,” he begins, “and I get people singing, hopefully, and move people emotionally — move them — that’s my goal.” His songs are indeed moving, and difficult to pigeonhole. But why bother? As he notes, we’re in a “post-genre era — the world is moving away from categories. For me the music is more about deep presence — that’s what live art can do, bring people to the moment.”

Mark Growden PHOTO BY ERIC GILLET

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He goes on to describe the songs, “Some are light and playful, some are deeper, even dark.  I hope it’s cathartic for people. That’s what I look for in art: depth.”

If you’re ready for some depth — and something different — catch Mark Growden at the Garberville Civic Club (477 Maple Lane) on Thursday, June 10. Showtime 8 p.m. Tickets sliding scale, $12-20.

Our favorite folksinger Lila Nelson is back in town for a show that same Thursday at Humboldt Brews. Since her usual Mom and Pop back-up duo, Tim Gray and Marla Joy, are in the midst of preparation for Blue Lake: The Opera (debuting June 24 at Dell’Arte’s Mad River Festival) she’ll be backed by bassist Chris Wixson and drummer Tofu Schwartz, “my young man band,” as Lila put it.  She’s on a brief NW tour with Myshkin, a like-minded alt. folky from Southern Oregon who you might remember as the core of Myshkin’s Ruby Warblers. “She’s amazing,” says Lila. “She takes melodic risks and is just all over the jazz map.” Judging from the Ruby Warblers album I have, Sigh Semaphore, I’ll have to agree with Lila — amazing. (So’s Lila.)

Poet Jerry Martien and stand-up bassist Shao Way Wu have been working together for years in the tradition of beatnik spoken word/jazz collaborations. Since they recently gathered some material for a CD, The Road to Heaven, they’re celebrating with the proverbial album release party on Friday evening at Northtown Books during Arts! Arcata. “The poems come from familiar places: local beaches, the coast range, moving inland all the way to the Great Basin and the land of dreams,” says Martien, adding, “It’s like the soundtrack to a Northern California road movie.”

More poetry and music the night before (Thursday) at Accident Gallery: “Last Accident Lab of the season,” says the Reason to Listen crew. “Come share your original spoken word in our unique open mic format. Featured poet: Patrick Kingshill from Santa Cruz; Live music by The Johnson Brothers; live art by Julia Finkelstein. We will re-open Sept. 9th.”

Benefit of the Week: One on Friday at Humboldt Brews with UKEsperience and the local tribute to Neil Diamond, The Solitary Men raising money to help with the Gulf oil spill cleanup. The hosts are Humboldt Baykeeper, the Humboldt Surfrider Foundation (expect surf flicks on the wall) and Ocean Conservancy (O.C. basically being Journal columnist Jen Savage). The money goes to Save Our Gulf, a project of the Waterkeeper Alliance that Baykeeper is affiliated with.

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