Book Reviews 54/57 Sounding Off

This month, I am reflecting on the Kay County entertainment scene. From the time Ponca City was established to now, our city continues to place a priority on ensuring the public enjoys a wide variety of quality music. In our earliest days, the building of the Poncan Theatre brought movies and celebrities to our community. For decades the Community Concert Series continues to follow suit. Our city’s legacy includes the best clubs and weekly live entertainment in Kay County. And if all of this isn’t enough, just a couple of minutes away, Tonkawa has Roustabouts and other performances at NOC, along with the Full Moon Concert Series. Blackwell hosts the “Top of Oklahoma Jam” festivals. And not to forget, we have casino event centers north of Newkirk, just south of Ponca City and a major venue opening soon in Braman that all bring top touring acts to within just a few minutes of our home. We are blessed to live in an area that places an immense emphasis on music, and I believe this influence is instrumental as to why we have so many incredibly talented musicians in our midst. Life is good!

The Listening Room

This month I am reviewing the greatly anticipated EP (extended play) debut album by sibling duo “Five-Year Gap.” I featured this band (comprised of Ciara Brooke and Brody Farrow) in the December 2021 column just as they were emerging on the Oklahoma music scene. They were tracking songs for the EP, and as I am writing this column over a week before the formal release, the band graciously allowed me to listen to the tracks for this review.

How many times have you purchased an album only to end up playing a few tunes, and choosing to ignore those that simply “don’t meet the bar”? Every song on this EP meets and exceeds expectations. This is one of those rare play it from start to end records without interruption. The songs are that strong. Albums are usually written with a common theme. Five-Year Gap holds true to their vision, as every song is a ride through the raw, emotional but honest perspective of being young in small town America, dealing with romantic relationships, friendships and insecurity. The album opens with two electric guitardriven powerpop songs, “Karate” and “Pressure.” The rock influence is very apparent, and includes a 1980s technosynth line in “Pressure.” There is a lot going on in the complex arrangement of both songs, but the skill of the artists to bring it all together is something to be admired. The next couple of songs on the album are more folk-oriented. “Chalk Houses” was released a couple of months ago, with a YouTube video (made by local company “Speak Now”) that takes the listener back to a simpler, more innocent time of life, reflecting upon what has been lost in today’s modern relationships. “You Get Me” also has a YouTube video and brings out the softer side of the band. This is followed by “Concrete Sneakers,” a folk-rock song describing the enormous emotional weight people can carry and is a return to heavier guitar and synth lines. The album closes with “Stumbling,” a fitting tune that wraps up the journey through the band’s creative mind.

Instrument choice is as much a part of a song’s entirety as the music itself. Five-Year Gap knows exactly how to produce their songs. Everything comes together behind Ciara’s commanding vocals. The instrumentation never overcomes the lyrics, so the listener is drawn into each song.

Over the decades I’ve fallen in love with albums by several different female singers. It takes a special voice with presence and conviction to catch my attention, and that is why I have allegiance to singers like Joni Mitchell, Carole

King, Edie Brickell, Alanis Morissette and Sheryl

Crow. With this EP, I added a new name to my personal list: Ciara Brooke. And Five-Year Gap proved, without a doubt, they deserve to be ranked with the best pop artists to emerge from the legendary Oklahoma music scene.

The Bandstand …

Ponca City’s Larry Newsom is taking his guitar and smooth voice on the road throughout April. He will be at the Cape Brewery in Jenks on April 1, Zanotti’s in Stillwater on April 8 and 23, the Flowershop Winery and Pizzeria in Yukon on April 15 and Aces High in Perry on April 16. Are you ready to ROCK? Back2Sighs has it covered! New Dynasty will be on stage April 1, OLDSKOOL on April 22 and “the one and only” Curtis Moore Band on April 29. Ridin’ High, Northern Oklahoma’s trend-setting music and dance club, is featuring Brody Caster on April 2, Native Stone on April 9, Krislyn Arthurs on April 30 and Savannah Chestnut on May 14.

Finally

The music scene still seems to be somewhat affected by “The Omicron Shuffle.” But I am so grateful for the establishments who continue to support our local artists, revive our community and revel in the beauty of live events. It’s getting better. Trust me!

If anyone has information on live music events, please write me at smscott54@hotmail.com.