Welcome Back My San Diego: Guest Blogger Collyn Pankratz has an idelogy of artistic expression.

Name/ Band Name - Collyn Pankratz/ Shrewd Lucy

Position in Band (Lead singer/ instrument)
Live: Lead Singer/ Guitarist/ Harmonica.
On Albums: I wrote,performed, recorded, mixed, and produced every song on each Album (Mirror and Hey Mother).

Lives in: Oceanside


My San Diego is my home away from home as I've lived in this beautiful area for over three years now.

I finished college in 2002 in Buffalo, NY earning a Bachelor's degree in Architecture. Two years after I graduated I moved to sunny San Diego where I became the Architect for my music project Shrewd Lucy.

Shrewd Lucy is an Alternative/ Rock project along the lines of Seattle 90's Rock and beyond, but based on the reflection of myself and my ideology of artistic expression. I've been forming a 4 to 5 piece band to play two albums worth of material, in order to gig the San Diego and Southern Californian music scene. My album's "Mirror" and "Hey Mother" have been receiving
great reviews and attention from press and fans as they're both featured on myspace.com/shrewdlucy and promoted as I play local showcases, venues and open
mics weekly.




Both self-released Shrewd Lucy albums, "Mirror" and "Hey Mother," can be purchased as a
digital download on myspace.com/shrewdlucy. "Mirror" is already for sale at Lou's Records in Encinitas and Spin Records in Carlsbad, and "Hey Mother" will soon be the same.






*If you would like to be featured as part of My San Diego email cutchawrites@gmail.com for more details.*

My San Diego: Neil Hamovitch plays music (listen!)

Neil Hamovitch/Non-Prophet
Guitar
Lives in Hillcrest

My San Diego is filled with music. I run a fully-equipped rehearsal studio in Miramar called Hindsight Rehearsal Studios where local bands practice by the hour. I'm constantly in contact with musicians and bands and it's great to be a part of that community. There are so many great bands in San Diego that just aren't in the public eye and I'm lucky to have the opportunity to hear a lot of them.

On top of that I have my own band, Non-Prophet, and we play around town and have gotten to meet and play with some great San Diego (and out of town) bands. So music is a big part of my day/life.

I'm from San Diego (El Cajon originally) and I've lived in a few other cities, but this will always be home to me. Plus, even if I weren't from here, SD has so much to offer that I'd probably have moved here from whatever other city I was unfortunate enough to be born in (just kidding, other cities). Great food, beaches, desert, national parks, museums, music venues, and local bars. And it's damn near impossible to beat the weather (in case you didn't know).

One thing I really like is how different parts of San Diego have such distinct feels. North Park, OB, Kensington, La Jolla, PB, Encinitas, and Little Italy. It's almost like you're in a different city in each of those places. And the people here are nothing short of entertaining. Everyone here seems to be interesting in their own way. It must be something in the mexican food.

All about Non Prophet:

We've been a band since 2004 and have undergone a few line-up changes, but I think we've finally gotten the official roster in place. Our influences are bands like Strung Out, Lagwagon, Bad Religion, and many more. We like technical guitar riffs and drumming, but we also like simple chords and melodies. Whatever makes for a good final song. But words are rarely as good as just listening, so feel free to check us out at www.myspace.com/nonprophetband

We recently released a 6-song EP called The Catalyst, produced by Ryan Greene at Crush Recording. Our music as well as upcoming show info and merch sales can be found at www.myspace.com/nonprophetband. Our music is also available on iTunes or at www.CDBaby.com/all/nonprophet.

And they have videos!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CnyVRg4NaXs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rS7inN4GwCc

Transfer still loves me AND is playing Friday at The Ken Club

Transfer is back from their UK Tour, I still love them and still encourage everyone to check them out.

In case you missed it the first time...

Come have a little taste of what Transfer brought to the United Kingdom on their fall tour - go to our MySpace page and view the UK pics:www.myspace.com/transferband

Then, after you've been visually ravished - come to the Ken Club this Friday Nov.16 for an earful of tastiness as Transfer plays with their good friends Chango Malo of Tuscon, AZ.

Saturday, Nov.17 - If you still have a craving - Transfer heads west, playing Plush in Tuscon, AZ with Chango Malo.

Also, don't forget to check out the new videos from the Karl Strauss Fest, as well as some footage shot in Leeds, England while on the road - all on our Myspace page.

And remember...Transfer loves you.
www.transferband.com
www.myspace.com/transferband

My San Diego: Guest Blogger Toni Valdez escapes from Los Angeles

Toni Valdez: Singer/ Songwriter/ Composer

Band name: Fahl Guyz

My San Diego is an escape from Los Angeles.

I moved here five years ago to attend UCSD. I recently graduated with a degree in psychology. I love the laid back atmosphere of the beaches in San Diego mixed with the nightlife of the Gaslamp district. After graduating from college I decided to stay in San Diego because it is a beautiful city full of culture and the arts.

My typical day starts at noon since I am an entertainer and don't do mornings. Sometimes I wake up with a melody or poem and just start writing a song. I never try to write; it just happens. I feel that this city has given me the peace to allow my creative energy to flow.
I like to go walking downtown and people watch. There are so many interesting people from different cultures. I enjoy walking on the beach since we have such beautiful beaches in San Diego and the weather is great. I go to the gym and go swing dancing in the evenings when I am not working. I usually work weekends singing which really isn't work since I am getting paid to do what I love. I would like to stay in San Diego for a long time because I love it here. This is my home. I was raised in San Diego and moved to Los Angeles because of show business. Yet here I am doing what I love. Who could ask for more?

About Toni and The Fahl Guyz:

Toni Valdez currently sings with the local blues band Fahl Guyz. They are a local blues band that she describes as "talented and easy to work with."

Toni writes: I find the more talented the musicians the more humble they are. Mark Fahl who plays lead guitar has been playing guitar for 30 years and has beautiful solos and a great blues singing voice too. We play at casinos, bars, restaurants, and private parties. I was vocally trained in Los Angeles for musical theater and discovered my voice about ten years ago when I started singing jazz. I play a little guitar and use my instrument to write my original music.I have an old 1974 Strat that plays like butter.I am the featured vocalist and sing with several other bands including the Dry Martini Orchestra, Le Jazz Hot, the West Coast City Orchestra, and Double Play. I have traveled all over the U.S. singing, performed in Japan, and enjoy experiencing new cities and cultures.I live in downtown San Diego.

If you would like to learn more about Toni and her music check out her site: http://www.tonivaldez.com/ . All gigs are posted on her site as well.

*If you would like to be featured on our site and tell us about your San Diego email cutchawrites@gmail.com . Artists, musicians, writers, all welcome. *

JLo is taking some time to be pregnant but not confirm it

Yeppers, there will be no Jlo and Mark Anthony conference in San Diego this weekend due to "scheduling conflicts." You can get refunds for your tickets at the point of purchase.

Since the woman is carrying twins (In Touch AND Us Weekly AND Perez Hilton have said so) I'll cut her some slack. She's missing out though, nobody rocks it like San Diego rocks it.

It's alright Mamacita, I've been there.

Image from Perez Hilton, cause I'll admitt it, I like that site, deal.

Does the San Diego music scene have a sound?

A Transfer sound MAYBE... That's the way you find local music here in San Diego, you just go out and find it, it's EVERYWHERE.

I've dated a few San Diego music-abees (musicians I suppose) and the scene is quite an experience to behold. You can't get away from it, San Diego is proud of their local music and it's everywhere. I got a chance to see behind the scenes and, FYI, Almost Famous was a little too on the money. This one guy I dated was pretty tied in, and sometimes it seems more like a little club of people, once you're in, you're in and you know EVERYBODY (this guy had once been in a band that was courted by a major label only to have the band implode right before they went into the studio to record, would probably make a really good movie if Cameron Crow wrote it). The key to San Diego's music scene seems to be diversity and not "one sound." Say Seattle and people scream "grunge", say LA and people yell "STD's!" kidding, they probably yell "Rock and Roll!" But despite it's reputation, San Diego doesn't have a sufer sound or an acoustic sound or even a hipster music sound, San Diego has something for everybody.

San Diego Magazine wonders if this prevents the scene from taking off.

“There’s a ton of people in bands, a ton of people coming to see bands, a lot of places to play,” Casbah owner Tim Mays says of the local scene. “I think it’s very healthy.” Many insiders echo Mays’ optimism, but exactly how that health should be measured is open to debate. Is it calculated in sheer numbers—of bands, venues, record sales, awards? Is it an aesthetic question, as when a city develops an unmistakable signature sound, like grunge or garage rock or hyphy (Bay Area hip-hop)? In an era when digital distribution has led some to declare record labels obsolete, does anyone still define success in terms of major-label signings? Or is vitality determined by a more ineffable quality, a certain je ne sais quoi they call “buzz”?

They also give a shout out to Cat Dirt Sez (Scott Pactor) who has his own label and his own blog!

The support offered by these smaller labels can range from strategic (distribution in record stores) to financial (paying for CD production expenses, studio time and other hard costs) to symbolic. Attorney Scott Pactor, the head of Golden Hill–based Cat Dirt Records, concedes that, apart from some legal perspective, he offers his tiny, two-band roster “pretty much nothing, except a flair for getting them in the local media.” Pactor does so via his blog, catdirtsez, which is among a handful of sites that have fast become required reading among local journalists and scenesters. Monitoring the music coverage of outlets including the Reader, CityBeat and The Union-Tribune, Pactor’s sarcasm-heavy blog is a mix of media criticism and rah-rah enthusiasm for bands he likes, including (not surprisingly) those on his label.

We've only got 100 years to live... on You Tube

Speaking of You Tube perusing. This guys a San Diego piano teacher and has a 10 year old named Josh who likes to play easily recognizable pop tunes on the piano. Like this one:



And this one.
And this one.

Transfer at The Casbah: Wednesday

I was just LOOKING for a reason to post this video...


Transfer and The Visual Underground will unite for the last time this week!!!!

Wednesday, Sept. 26 @ The CasbahTransfer is playing The Visual Underground's second to last showing at the Casbah... Attendance is MANDATORY, because the show will be an amazing mix of art, music, and stunning visual effects. Also, you will be fired if you don't show up (sorry, our hands are tied on this one).

Catch the indie film extravaganza starting at 9pm, then have your face rocked off by our good friends VITRO!! Their music is the perfect soundtrack for a shot of good whiskey followed by a tall-boy of Pabst.mmmmm.VITRO hits the stage around 10:30pm, followed by Transfer at 11:15.

Get there early peeps... this show will probably sell out quick.

TVU + VITRO + TRANSFER = The Best Wednesday night you'll see in a long time!!!!!
~T R A N S F E R C O N T R OL~
http://www.transferband.com/www.myspace.com/transferband

And in "Transfer doesn't need an award, we just KNOW they rule" news

The San Diego Music Awards were tonight. As I am currently not able to attend the local music scene event... I had to read the live blog done on signonsandiego's blog Street. Maybe it's just the jaded existance of the lucky person who gets paid to live blog the awards, but it felt as if there was a certain excitement missing... come on JASON MRAZ, that's quality progamming and an OUTLET SHOPPING MALL?! (Perhaps sign on doesn't allow for excessive beer consumption whilst live blogging, which is a tragedy in itself).

Anyway, the list of winners is here.

After party is probably still moving on through the fast lane (I don't know what that means, I'm getting old and it's past my bed time). Somebody buy Transfer a shot for me, tell them I voted for 'em...

San Diego Music Awards: Vote Transfer!

We are shameless Transfer Hussies…

The San Diego Music Awards are on September 17, 2007. I voted for Transfer (because they love me, well okay they love everybody) and Anya Marina (cause she’s cute. I once saw her at this bar and I went all "oh my God you're Anya Marina, I saw you play once and you were so good." I stopped just shy of asking her to autograph my boob, thank God).

Until then, hit up the Acoustic Show on September 14 @ Clare De Lune from 7:00pm-12:30am. Lori and I went a while ago and guess what, it was really fun. A few quick tips:

1. if you get a seat, keep the seat.
2. Bring someone who is good at saving seats (preferably not Kid Rock as we all know where that leads).
3. Order some cake, they have good desserts there. Don’t worry if you have no idea who any one is (we didn’t) you’ll soon hear your favorites and they are bound to pop up again (It is San Diego after all).

Cutcha talks some good rock

Transfer is playing The Viper Room.

And since they rule (which they do) if you can be there (I'll be there in spirit) you should GO, GO, GO!

Because it's Transfer and they are gonna rock it like, well you're gonna wish you were OG fans like me and Lori. (Apparently after reading the email I realize Transfer loves more than just me. They get around... I'm okay with it, I can share.)

Hey Chappy Chaps -

Transfer is playing the Viper Room (L.A.) this Friday, Sept.14.

Here's the bill:BUILDING A BETTER SPACESHIP (headliner)

TRANSFER

BORN AS GHOSTS

HI FI HAND GRENADES

Doors open 8:30pm, show at 9pm.

This is a damn fine lineup, so don't miss this show!! It's the VIPER, Duude... THE VIPER!!!!

We love you.~

T R A N S F E R C O N T R O L~

www.transferband.com

www.myspace.com/transferband