Rooted in Santa Cruz CA, Yaya’s Kitchen is ready for the world. Sarah Cruse (AKA Yaya) and Toby Salciccia, original members of the band met in a Reiki healing class, setting an energetic tone which permeates the lyrical content and soulful vibes of the project.
They have been playing together for 10 years, and have cultivated a rich ground for the creative voice that is now emerging in collaboration with their newest band mates Jason Cooper on guitar, Renato Annicchiarico on drums and percussion, and Emma May on the fiddle.
Together they weave a beautifully cosmic tapestry of SoulFolk, Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk, and Alternative R&B
Stealing Time is an acoustic cover band out of San Jose playing a wide variety of music including Grateful Dead, Phish, Neil Young, Bowie, Stones, Clapton, The Band, Dylan and much more. Popular and deep cuts.
Trivia at Discretion Brewing every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month. Hosted by Rich Berkery aka “Rich the Trivia Guy!”No sign-ups required — just show up early to grab a seat in the Beer Garden, and get ready to exercise your brain while enjoying Discretion!
About Rich the Trivia Guy:
“My 4th grade teacher inquired why I answered “John Adams” when the question was, “Who was the first U.S. President?” Despite my knowing the answer as George Washington, I wryly replied, “but isn’t knowing who the first Vice President more challenging?” I suspect this was the moment trivia was born for me.
I started playing and eventually hosting trivia nights at the “Grand Daddy” of all trivia locales, King’s X in Oakland, which is the longest continuously running pub trivia game in the U.S.. I have also had fun hosting fundraising tournaments, including the Juvenile Hall Auxiliary, “9/11 Project” and the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.
I only appear trivia savvy because I have all of the answers.”
As the lead guitarist for the China Cats and Painted Mandolin, Matt Hartle has established himself as the preeminent jam band guitarist for Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. You can also find him hosting a weekly deep dead jam, where he welcomes Bay Area players for Grateful Sunday shenanigans. Matt’s unique voice and intricate playing style always gets the audience on their feet and feeling their groove. You’ll be dancing to songs from legends like Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, as well as rock, blues, jazz, americana, and of course some Matt Hartle originals. Stop by for a “Friday after work” brew and some hot hartle licks when Matt plays his first show at Discretion Brewing in Soquel on 7/15.
Acoustic string band out of Marin Country drawing from traditional bluegrass and old-time, plus some country, blues, rock, and jazz to create a contemporary California bluegrass sound.
An offshoot of Santa Cruz’s iconic rock band Snail, the Messiah’s original melodies, hot guitar riffs & killer vocals will transport you to rock nirvana. Featuring Bobby O’Neill, Ken Kraft & Craig Owens.
The Trolley Drops play songs from the good-time, prohibition-era folk jazz genre known as Jug Band music, which blends the call and response of gospel with the drive of the delta blues and the ruckus sounds of New Orleans Jazz.
The “B-Keepers” are an eclectic grouping of long-time Monterey Bay musicians with a love for Country/Rock music with 3-part harmonies. A six person band made up of B-Bender guitarist – Billy Ingram, pedal steel guitarist – Alex Stewart, 12-string guitarist – Mike Osgood, rhythm guitarist – Aaron Osgood, bassist – Marty Lydon, and drummer – Chuck Watson. The B-Keepers put their own twang on classic Country, Alt Country/Rock & Americana tunes originally played by the Byrds, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Tom Petty, The Eagles, Merle, Buck and more. Melodic 3-part harmonies, the ringing of the 12 string guitar breaks, the ethereal sound of the pedal steel guitar, and the ripping breaks of the classic Telecaster equipped with a b-bender will surely have you eight miles high.
Acoustic rock trio, ranging from The Beatles to Chuck Berry to very catchy originals. You may find yourself wanting to get off your bar stool and dance.
Stormin Norman is long time lead singer for Stormin Norman & the Cyclones. Ken Kraft is lead player and singer for the Cyclones, plays with the White Album Ensemble and was formerly with the legendary Snail band. Jo Jo Fox is bass player and singer for the Cyclones and also with Karen Phoenix Band.
The Dirt Rakers (acoustic trio) are an Americana band featuring Erik Rozite (guitar and vocals), Jayne Williams (mandolin and vocals), and Sean Woodward (lead guitar), a home-brewed group out of the redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains, blending a high octane / cask-fermented feel, purdy harmonies, and a deep love of all rootsy genres of music. Rock, country, bluegrass, and folk all swirl together in their magical musical brew.
Love Creek is a psychedelic rock group from the Santa Cruz Mountains, performing funky originals and beloved covers that are sure to get you dancing and singing along.
Moonshine Crossroads plays Rollicking Americana Music – everything from jazz standards and doo-wop classics to outlaw country and classic rock. With strong vocal harmonies and vibrant electric guitar and kanzoo solos, their eclectic repertoire is sure to include a song that is “your” song and will get your toes tapping.
Ezzie DeGiovanni was born into music, with two musician parents and a house full of guitars, accordions, fiddles, drums, and horns. Joel Murach has spent the last 30 or so years in the SF Bay Area music scene playing in bands such as Paddlefoot, 86, and the Low Rollers. Together, the multi-generational duo of Ezzie and Joel bring timeless songs, sweet harmonies, and sublime acoustic guitar interplay for your listening enjoyment.
Alt folk rock a la Jewel, The Cranberries, Alanis Morisette
Singer and musician Alecia Haselton is excited to be back in her hometown for this show, visiting from Nashville where she now sings professionally full time. She plays original music and covers, and is happy to play any song request! Her originals can be found online wherever you listen to music.
Katalysst is a progressive folk rock duo that smoothly fuses both simplicity and complexity through thoughtful chord progressions and dynamic bass lines. Combining cheeky lyrics and classical vocal finesse, their music interweaves memorable melodies with compelling motifs. Fueled and inspired by the tumultuous times, Katalysst provides listeners with an unflinching and at times lighthearted interpretation of modern life.
S.R. Laws is an American singer/songwriter, musician and recording artist from Northern California. Inspired by storytellers like John Hiatt, Rodney Crowell and Chuck Prophet filtered through early life experiences wandering the train tracks through wheat fields and smelling the fruit ripening in the orchards in his hometown Marysville, Ca.
S.R. cut his teeth as a songwriter in Austin, Texas. The “live music capitol of the world” and a thriving music scene yielded a bounty of musical and life experiences like no other. Each passing season allows provisions of a burgeoning sound peppered with wry attitudes and energetic rhythms to develop “lyrical pictures,” showing the humanness in the common walks of life. It is through heartfelt performances that allow him and the characters in his songs to “break the ice” with any toe-tapping crowd. He lives in Sonoma County. You can find him performing all over California and with his band The Heartsleeves. His new release “A.M. Sessions” is out now and available at his live shows and on all platforms!
Local contemporary folk artist Lucas Lawson teams up with songwriter, entertainer, multi-instrumentalist Dan Frechette for an evening of unforgettable tunes.
About Lucas Lawson:
Lucas Lawson is a young contemporary folk artist who grew up on a farm just north of Santa Cruz, California. In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, while spending time alone on the farm, Lucas developed the 5 songs that make up his debut EP, Revisited Harbor. This isolation encouraged him to complete the process of recording Revisited Harbor by himself. Once finalized on October 23rd of 2020, Revisited Harbor came to the ears of Lucas’s growing community.
Lucas’s upbringing on an organic farm exposed him to the balance and harmonies that all living things have to offer. At a young age, Lucas began attending bluegrass barn dances on the farm, where he first learned to play the guitar alongside local group, the County Line Pickers. When those sadly came to a halt in March of 2020, Lucas found himself writing songs more than ever.
The BlueLightning Duo features Robin Randle Ellison on vocals & guitar, and John Gullic on guitar & vocals. Rockin-boogy-country-twangy-Americana-hillbilly-footstompin’ great music!
Singer/Songwriter Gary Blackburn returns to our Beer Garden.
Central Coast celebrated singer songwriter based in Santa Cruz, Gary Blackburn, brings together his smooth vocals, and stylized guitar picking to his original compositions, and cool covers in the Country, Rock, Folk, Blues genres. Blending old school with contemporary, the Gary Blackburn Band will weave a memorable musical performance of songs that tell stories of love, forgiveness, and the paths that we choose. With a well-rounded repertoire, Gary will show both his versatile soft folk blues side along with his high energy rock side.
The Coast Ridge Ramblers draw from the roots of American folk, country, and blues music. Expect harmonies, the sound of mandolins and guitars, and songs that are timeless.
Cement Ship was launched on January 1st, 2017 in Santa Cruz, California by singer/songwriter Tim Brady, just three weeks before the SS Palo Alto (the band’s namesake) was torn apart by heavy storm waves.
The music is inspired by the sea and it’s dynamic nature. The acoustic guitar style and singing tone from Tim can fit a wide array of genres, but maintains a natural and stripped down approach for the sound. Honest and raw, sweet and smoky. It has been described as ‘Americana Soul’ and ‘Beach Folk’.
Less then two years after playing it’s first show, Cement Ship won 2019 NEXTies ‘Band of the Year’ for Event Santa Cruz, and in 2020 was voted ‘Santa Cruz County Runner-Up Best Local Band’ for the Good Times Magazine best of 2020. They have played shows in various states in the USA as well as a 10 show tour of the U.K. in July 2019.
International guitarist/singer /songwriter Brad “Guitar” Wilson has a soulful contemporary sound, tapping into all his sources of inspiration. His performances have made him a stand-out hit at countless shows. Considered more than a talented guitarist by his audience, Brad is an exciting entertainer.
As a charismatic guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Brad has become known as a modern hot guitar player who can entertain the house with the best of them. His show features his songwriting and great renditions of dance cover songs. Brad’s live show is presented with spirit and class.
The BACK PORCH BOYS dig into the glorious roots of American music from the Delta blues in Mississippi to New Orleans up to Memphis over to Austin and jumpin’ to Chicago. Singer-guitarist RICH COWAN and harmonica enthusiast VIRGIL THRASHER put their combined 90 odd years of playing music on display. You will hear the likes of Tampa Red, Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino among other icons from the early days.
Based in Santa Cruz, The Shady Characters have been playing together for nearly 10 years.
They feature many styles of popular music from such artists as Lucinda Williams, Marvin Gay, Eilen Jewel, Boz Scaggs, The Cure, Black Keys, Rolling Stones, Hall and Oates, and many others, and enjoy choosing songs that will inspire dancing!
Jenny and The Bets is a local jazz quartet led by the swinging and talented vocalist Jenny O’ Leary. Jenny sings standards, blues, and bossa novas while accompanied by guitar, bass and drums.
