We kicked off Indiefest‘s Winter Music Fest this Friday night at Bottom of the Hill with Rykarda Parasol and Dave Smallen, a couple of native Bay Area musicians. We forgot what a great spot BOTH is for hearing music. The place was packed before Parasol even went on, and the audience was as varied as Smallen and Parasol are themselves.
Parasol, who’s been compared to Nick Cave and Johnny Cash, actually also evoked a little Concrete Blonde for us as well. She rocked the crowd, stoking the fires perhaps even a bit too much for Dave Smallen, who followed Parasol and whose music couldn’t have been any more different. Smallen’s an acoustic singer-songwriter whose music reminded us bit of Josh Ritter or Greg Laswell. Both shows were awesome, and we’d love to hear more from Parasol and Smallen.
You can check out Parasol on February 18 at the Hemlock Tavern. Find Smallen during Noise Pop on February 27 at the Swedish American Hall. Winter Music Fest continues through this Thursday February 4.
Anyone catch Friday’s later acts – The Action Design and The Trophy Fire? What’d ya think?
Photo of Dave Smallen: Wendy Hill, for the Appeal
