Sunday, october 13 - 2pm-4pm (No cover)

Abbott, Texas. Oildale, California. Hibbing, Minnesota. Points on a map. Signposts marking Brian Ballard’s musical journey. While growing up west of the Rockies in Northern California records by the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan could be found on the families turntable. Brian learned to appreciate the beauty and power of a few primary chords paired with a heartfelt story. The essence of true country music. Gravitating toward rock and roll as a teen Brian’s tastes always favored the artist who was not afraid to print their lyrics on an album sleeve in black and white for all the world to see. Eventually his journey led him to the doorstep of the great Texas singer-songwriters: Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell, Robert Earl Keen and Steve Earle. In the mid ’90’s he put out his first album under the band name The Tubbs. This record was a proving grounds allowing him to experiment in mixing country, rock and pop; what now might be considered Americana. His latest release due out in the fall of 2023 finds Brian leaning more into the great country tradition of “three chords and the truth”. With songs like “Haggard” and “Easy To Fall” Brian is able to get to the pure and honest emotion of a story in the simplest of ways.

Sunday, october 20 - 2pm-4pm - NO COVER

 Dan Martin has been writing songs and performing in bands since 16 years of age, forming his first band with a group of friends upon moving to Sonoma, CA from the mountains of Wyoming. Born to a musical family, he was surrounded by song from the get-go.  Dan began in his youth gigging on the ska and punk scene at such places as the famed Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, CA and helping friends found and run a DIY venue known as "The Shop" in the industrial side of Sonoma in a converted warehouse space. This experience proved invaluable and gave Dan insight into the DIY music scene as a performer and promoter. As he began college, Dan took to studying drums and recording arts in Sacramento, CA. These studies led him down a path of rhythm and song-craft, and  ultimately ignited his love of early reggae and ska music and the raw energy and feel of the early recordings. In 2009, Dan began performing locally as a solo artist, refining his sound at open mics and backyard jams and creating a local buzz with his honest songwriting and upbeat feel.

      In 2010,  Dan formed The Noma Rocksteady Band to back him up, beginning as a group of friends and local musicians that got together to share in the rocksteady vibes. By 2012 the band had grown into a full 7-piece band, ready to move dance floors everywhere. Together they have played numerous venues throughout Northern California, and have shared the bill with such acts as The Melodians, Pato Banton, Israel Vibrations, The English Beat, and Burnt. Named "Best Reggae Band in the North Bay" 2020 by readers of the North Bay Bohemian!

     Dan Martin and the Noma Rocksteady Band continue to lighten the spirit and shake the dance floor with old-school rocksteady rhythms, while maintaining a unique contemporary sound. You can also find Dan playing solo style at pubs and clubs throughout the Bay Area, so keep a lookout!

Saturday, October 26 - 9pm - 11pm ($5 Cover)

In a time drenched in escapism, where an unceasing barrage of synthetic shine promises comfort and relief from facing the complexity of our natures, Taylor Kingman’s new album Hollow Sound is an antithetical long night in a solitary cave, with nothing but a small fire and a hard look inward to keep you company.

Between his work fronting TK & The Holy Know-Nothings and his 2017 solo debut Wannabe, Kingman is no stranger to the darkness. But here he transcends the desolate rock bottom, as Hollow Sound whispers, then howls us into that place beyond brokenness where breathing begins again. To listen deeply to these songs is to lay down naked on the wet, unforgiving earth, pushing the ground through your fingers; it is to be soothed by the wholeness of who we are, filth and all. Kingman pulls no punches with his writing, and requires us to listen with the same honesty.