Last night I went to see The Oracle. I took Eric Struthers to see the Troll, because since he hadn’t, he had to. I sat down with him right before this with hot coffee, and the mists of Autumn about us. He gave me sage advice and approved of one of my ideas that will change the course of my career.
Then I spoke with the Younggblood. As Eric was playing set 1 with Marmalade that night Tyler Trerise, one of my great friends I rarely get to see but should, gave me some amazing feedback and guidance. I wanted to really hear him and reconnect, so with his brand new camera, the young filmmaker / seasoned actor, and I popped over to the Red Star right next door.
Eric Struthers looking for his friends at Jive Time. Red Star was once TosT, the location of my first NYE party in Seattle, in maybe 2008? It was also where Marmalade used to hold court each Thursday, building their legend and Seattle’s longest running soul funk tradition.
Things are changing. But in some ways, the faces and places change, so the same old story can remain the same.
I got songs. I can sing them. I have some great musicians with mother loads of skill and soul.
But as I can only paraphrase Eric, I am entering a different league now. It’s time to step up into some more major league ball parks and hit homers that more people can see.
The right people need to hear the crack of that bat.
I have been hitting homers in Fremont since I recorded the first Staxx Brothers EP at Commonfire in 2003 as a student at WSU.
But if nobody sees that homer or knows where the ball really landed, is it even a home run?
With music even the things you leave behind is the story, and in my case also the songs I take with me.
Because the songs are DOPE. I didn’t waste a minute writing songs. I got catalog baby. And soon enough I will have great charts for everyone.
Because the world has players. The question is, how good of a frontman am I really?
Let’s see.
Eric Struthers looking for his friends at Jive Time.Got lined up with Aaron A McCabe for this last Seattle Staxx Brothers show before I put this thing On Ice and focus on pushing ‘Free Your Mind’ with one of your favorite labels.
I am getting my shot, and somehow I still have some decent hops. Just wait till BBC finally lets that beat…..droooooooop.
The Staxx Brothers might come around in again in another shape or form, they might not. But The Staxx Brothers with Eric Struthers and my incredible 12th St Horns is FIRE. That’s a show the world shoulda seen. And you can tomorrow night.
Those horns, Tracy Ferrara, Amelia Albert, and Mike Barber. Those three were among my dreams that came true with Mark 5 of The Staxx Brothers’ calculated evolution as a college band into the Brothership to give me a career in the soulful side of Rock & Roll.
But the Brothership needs a rest if she shall ever sail true again. I have ships in the ports of New Orleans, Brighton, and Kingston that have good Captains. They got 21 guns and a local crew.
Let my days as a buccaneer begin. But even a Pirate needs to get lined up before the next raid.
Come see me.
Eric Struthers and Stingshark Sting on stage for the first time. Both of these guitar players are cutting on my West Indian Rock album.
It’s going down at Marmalade at High Dive tonight. Saturday Eric is one of our guitar players in the last Staxx Brothers show in Seattle at The SeaMonster Lounge, before I bring that ship back into the harbor and dry dock.
It feels good to get such a fantastic New Orleans artist plugged into this deep funk scene.
Last night I went to see The Oracle. I took Eric Struthers to see the Troll, because since he hadn’t, he had to. I sat down with him right before this with hot coffee, and the mists of Autumn about us. He gave me sage advice and approved of one of my ideas that will change the course of my career.
Eric Struthers and Stingshark Sting on stage for the first time. Both of these guitar players are cutting on my West Indian Rock album.
– Musician and writer Davin Michael Stedman has many ventures, such as the AMAZING blog, 100milesofmusic.com, and is one of the driving forces behind the Staxx Brothers. This past spring he spent weeks networking in and reporting from Kingston, Jamaica. He will return there soon for more recording. His single with British band Sherlock Soul is now available as well.
