The AT&T Performing Arts Center announces the 2014 Spring lineup of Patio Sessions, a free music series in the Center’s Sammons Park. The weekly Patio Sessions features a diverse schedule of local musicians from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the first week will feature Doug Burr with Tyler Rougeux of Whiskey Folk opening.
The performances, aimed at the downtown, after-work crowd, begin at 5:30 p.m., adding to an already vibrant lineup of activities in the downtown Dallas Arts District on Thursday evenings. Patio Sessions is sponsored by DC9 at Night, the Dallas Observer Music Blog and is funded by a grant from TACA.
Patio Sessions will take place outside the Center’s Winspear Opera House, in Sammons Park. We encourage our guests to come and enjoy food and drinks at the Southwest Porch.
Local food trucks will be on site for concessions for purchase and visitors are also welcome to bring their own food. The only alcoholic beverages permitted will be those purchased at the Center’s concession stands.
Patio Sessions is scheduled for every Thursday in April and May. The following lineup is comprised entirely of area musicians, including emerging new artists and favorites of the area’s indie rock scene:
April 3 – Doug Burr (headlining) and Tyler Rougeux of Whiskey Folk
(opening)
Doug Burr's flavor of backwoods roots and smart pop hooks has been described as conjuring Lucinda Williams on a revival high. After years of wood-shedding his songwriting in Denton, Texas, Burr emerged from a local favorite to quietly winning people over receiving international press. He gets the Daniel Lanois meets Johnny Cash, Bazan/Bon Iver, Costello with Waits/Kozelek thing sometimes, but it’s obvious Burr clearly has his own unique sound. One blogger put it best, “If Doug Burr is not your favorite singer-songwriter, it's because you have not heard of him yet.” See the site.
Whiskey Folk “founding member and lead singer Tyler Rougeux, possessed of exactly the same voice in person you'll hear on record - a smooth, rich, specifically Texan drawl of the kind made to hold together a rambunctious country-folk-rock band (Gavin Cleaver, Dallas Observer)” ….”with heavenly ascending group-sung harmonies, romantic escapism and working-class ballads sung with a poet’s grace — groups like Whiskey Folk reminds us that some things never go out of style...Songs this homespun and charming are rare antiques.” See the site.
April 10 – Yells at Eels
Dennis Gonzalez’s Yells at Eels, winner of the Dallas Observer’s Best Jazz Group of 2012 award, marks its 15th year as a jazz trio in May of this year. The ensemble, which frequently plays live and tours with guest musicians all over the world, records mainly for the French jazz label, Ayler Records, even though their first CD’s were released on their own Oak Cliff-based record label, Daagnim Records, starting in 2000. The Gonzalez family cooperative features patriarch Dennis Gonzalez on trumpets and percussion, as well as sons Aaron Gonzalez on upright bass and Stefan Gonzalez on drums. Decidedly a step away from traditional jazz, their music is lively, creative, highly energetic and original. See the site.
April 17 - Holt & Stockslager perform the songs of Simon & Garfunkel
Long-time arch nemeses Chris Holt (Sorta, The Slack, Olospo) and Chad Stockslager (The King Bucks, The Drams, Budapest One) knew that one day things would come to a head. Years of mutual respect, suspicious glances and competitive riffing for prestigious local music awards finally gave way to friendly banter in the bars, and the inevitable talk of joining forces. But who could have guessed that it was the shared passion for the songs of Paul Simon that would finally bring them together? It’s been less than a year since a fateful late-night text message spawned the city’s most unlikely tribute act – Holt & Stockslager performing the music of Simon & Garfunkel. In that short time, the boys have earned a dedicated fashion of followers, each bringing attentive ears to hang on every plucked string, thoughtful lyric and gentle harmony. Come get lost in the dangling conversation between Chris and Chad, who truly channel the collective genius of Paul and Artie, with love and respect for one of popular music’s most cherished catalogs.
April 24 – The Cush (headlining) and Diamond Age (opening)
In the time-honored tradition of husband/wife duos (think Yo La Tengo and Sonic Youth) providing the creative core and identity of a band, Burette and Gabrielle Douglas bring a sound and musical vision all their own to The Cush. Formed in Dallas, TX in 2000, The Cush features sympathetic songwriting armed with vintage tape delays and a batch of psych-pop mini suites. Over the years, The Cush has opened for artists including Cat Power, Broken Social Scene, Stars, Deerhoof, The Fiery Furnaces, Dead Meadow, Centro-matic, and James McMurtry, among many others. In 2007 the band played a series of dates in the UK, including the Dream Machine Festival. See the site.
May 1 – Zhora (headlining) and Ronnie Heart (opening)
Formed in 2011, by vocal and instrumentalist Taylor Rea, Zhora was introduced to North Texas audiences as a pop-electronic duo working in Dallas, Texas. By 2012, the group’s high-energy shows and genre bending aesthetics garnered them a Dallas Observer Music Award nomination and a slew of memorable shows as regional music fans started to take notice of Rea’s latest project. With a reputation for high-energy performances and striking visual imagery with addictive melodies, Zhora's music gives Dallas fans a thirst for a fresh pop voice and new and exciting flavor. See the site.
Former Neon Indian guitarist, Ronnie Heart “…discoes to his particular brand of throwback ’80s R&B/funk/rock while picking out squealing solos on his guitar and singing. If you’re thinking, “Prince,” you would be correct. The 28-year-old Fort Worthian, though, is much more interested in the creative force that drives us all than in little red Corvettes, and he goes much deeper than the inside of a raspberry beret. Creative energies? Funk? R&B? Rawk? That’s Ronnie Heart. ” – FWWeekly.com. See the site.
May 8 – Brent Best of Slobberbone (headlining)
Alternative country-rock unit Slobberbone comprised singer/guitarist Brent Best, lead guitarist Jess Barr, bassist Brian Lane and drummer Tony Harper. Formed in Denton, TX, in early 1992, the group originally approached their music with the same seriousness with which they chose their name (a reference to a dog's chew toy, incidentally), gigging in the pursuit of free beer and little else. However, in 1995 Slobberbone self-released an LP titled Crow Pot Pie that caught the attention of Doolittle Records founder Jeff Cole, who quickly signed the band; in 1997 they issued their sophomore effort, Barrel Chested. Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today followed on the New West imprint three years later. After hooking up with producer Don Smith, the band recorded Slippage in the spring of 2002 for a summer release. The band played its final show in Denton in 2004, and Best, Barr, and Harper went on to form a group called the Drams. See the site.
May 15 –Somebody’s Darling Acoustic (headlining) and The Days (opening)
Somebody’s Darling Acoustic is an alt-country band hailing from Dallas TX. Since their start in 2007, they have managed to play over 450 regional and national shows. Headlining and supporting artists like Lucero, Deer Tick, Band of Heathens, Chris Knight, Joe Ely, Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights, among many others, Somebody’s Darling Acoustic has fostered a unique style described as a, “proudly messy blend of rock and country with a rolling rhythm that rips out of the speakers like a wild night on the town (Preston Jones, dfw.com).” "… their dose of Southern hospitality complete with rolling keys, sassy strings, and Amber Farris’ raspy chords feels distinctly Texan. “…the band’s laid-back approach make crowds crave more.” (BrennaRushing – The Dallas Morning News)” See the site.
The Days was once the collaboration between brothers Addison and Robert Day. The two began writing together while sharing a one-bedroom apartment in Arlington, TX. Robert (guitar) was studying architecture at UTA and Addison (keyboard) was studying classical voice. The brothers moved to Denton and spent the next year playing with musicians until meeting Abdon Gonzalez (drums) and Glen Farris (bass). Their music is a blend of old styles, the result of years glued to oldies radio stations, and they make no apologies. "Sometimes I imagine us being The Jackson 5 or Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem," admits Addison (keys) whose vocals and harmonies bear little resemblance to the traditional style of his training. In February 2013, The Days released their first demos. They recorded the two tracks in Abdon's home-studio, and made them available on their website. (Pegasusnews.com) See the site.
May 22 – Bravo, Max! (headlining) and Daniel Markham (opening)
Bravo, Max! is a band from Dallas. With members each hailing from vastly different musical backgrounds, they combine an intricate and sometimes orchestral musical approach with cutting, conversational lyrics steeped in deep imagery and understated rhyme. Dog’s Light the debut album from Bravo, Max! alternates between soulfully raucous pop and aggressive Americana. The debut LP was produced by analog hold steady and Grammy winner, Oz Fritz (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Iggy Pop). See the site.
Daniel Markham formerly fronted Lubbock-based rock act One Wolf, who recorded their first record with Jason Martin of Starflyer 59 and toured with rock powerhouse Deer Tick. He has opened for a wide range of acts including The Meat Puppets, David Bazan, Casiotone For the Painfully Alone, Wovenhand, Thee Ohsees, Magnolia Electric Co. and many others. See the site.
May 29 – Vanessa Peters (headlining) and Rahim Quazi (opening)
In a world made small by airplanes and email, Vanessa Peters is at home everywhere she goes - an essential trait for a wandering gypsy songwriter. Her music reflects the influences of growing up in Texas as much as it reflects how her music has matured out on the road. Voted as one of the top 10 folk artists in Austin a few years ago, Vanessa took her show on the road, and hasn’t looked back since. In the last six years, she has released four albums and played over 700 shows in 10 countries, both as a solo artist and backed by her band. See the site.
Rahim Quazi writes and performs melodies more comfortable than a feather bed and comfortable as your favorite sneakers. A troubadour or full band, Rahim gets inside of you with his feel good melodies. Rahim is currently recording his 3rd solo album, Born on a Sunday, in Dallas. See the site.
Information provided by AT&T Performing Arts.