Gregory Page

BY BART MENDOZA © MUSICSCENESD // MUSICSCENESD.COM

One Hell Of A Memory

Singer-songwriter Gregory Page’s most recent album, One Hell Of A Memory, is the latest in a string of aural gems that mix acoustic guitar based tunes with earworm melodies. Under normal circumstances Page would be in the midst of a year of promotional appearances and globe trotting to promote it, however the past twelve months have been anything but normal. Several proposed tours to date have been cancelled, but there are still hopes Page can make it to Europe before summer. Page arrived in San Diego from England in 1976 and began performing music soon after. “I am a local musician here in this city, I play all sorts of gigs around town which keep me busy and inspired,” he said. “But I’m also an international Artist representing San Diego when I’m on stage at The Paradiso in Amsterdam or performing at the Woodford Folk Festival in Australia.” Page’s music is popular the world over, but seems to have special resonance in the Netherlands, where his concerts are sold out events. He credits a fellow musician for help with his breakthrough there. “The Dutch people and I have a fondness and appreciation for nostalgia and history,” he remarked. “Fifteen years ago I released an album, Love Made Me Drunk, on AJ Croce’s record company. It was a collection of original songs I wrote while I lived in Paris with my family. It’s drenched in nostalgia. AJ sent the album to a Dutch radio program and the rest is history,” Page said. Plans are underway for a tour there later this year to promote the new album. “My label in Holland, V2 Records, whom I’ve released seven albums with, is hopeful I will be there in the Spring,” Page said. “In this new found reality I am optimistic that touring will resume (then) for me. I am already a mild germaphobe, so not much is different other than wearing a mask, which I’m ok with. For me, it depends on the timing of the vaccine. I will be standing in line with Personal Trainers and Hairstylists to get the jab in the arm.” Page notes One Hell Of A Memory, is meant to be more than a collection of tunes. “I don’t write songs I write albums,” he said good naturedly. “In a world of singles and compilations the art of deep listening to an album from start to finish is becoming lost.” He’s proud of the work put in to making this recording. “The engineers, Robbie Robinson and Jeff Berkley labored over each special microphone, it’s placement on the instrument,” he said. “Whether it be a Mandocello from 1905 played by Steve Peavy or a set of Uillieann Pipes played by Eric Rigler, each instrument, with its unique tone, requires much thought and a strategy to record. For me the recording is the icing on the cake in the creation of the songs.” Asked to cite a favorite from his vast catalog of tunes, Page is quick to name “Ballad Of Bridget Healy” from the new album. “It’s one of my most recent songs. I had been trying for ages to write a song about my Irish Grandmother Bridget Healy who grew up in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising. I lived with my granny and she would tell stories of what that war was like for her and her family,” he said. While being a musician seems to get harder by the day, Page’s motivation remains strong. “There are many extraordinary adventures yet to experience,” he remarked. Page considers his guitar a traveling companion. “What keeps me going is always the hope that I travel more and experience cultures and places beyond my backyard,” he continued “Travel is one of the most important ways to find empathy and understanding with my fellow humans. Music for me is my language.” www.gregorypage.com

Lis Viegas

Cymbal of SucCess

For a musician there is no doubt that the highest honor is to have a signature instrument. Most often the domain of guitarists, the most recent area musician to partner with a manufacturer is drummer / percussionist Lis Viegas, who co-designed a series of cymbals called “Glow,” for Red Cymbals, based in Australia

Viegas has toured internationally, performing with a long list of performers from Vokab Kompany to Balkan Bump, but the initial contact with Dylan Redman, the owner of Red Cymbals, was via a random post on social media. “Sometime in 2019, Dylan commented on one of my outdoor drum videos at Sunset Cliffs and I started checking out their videos about their marvelous sounding cymbals,” Viegas said. The pair met in person at the NAMM Show 2020, with Viegas joining the Red Artist family soon after. Viegas is happy with the amount of input she had into the cymbals design. “I researched sounds, materials and vibe that matched my playing and a sound that wasn’t quite out there already,” she said. “Dylan and I nerded out over a few zoom meetings with great intention and together we co-designed an innovative sound, what is known as the ‘Glow Series’. I am so proud of how these cymbals turned out, they are absolutely stunning!”

Viegas is hopeful she’ll be able to resume touring later this year, but in the meantime is proceeding full speed on new projects. “Touring and performing is what I live for as an artist so I always prioritize those opportunities. With the shutdown, I’ve learned to DJ, edit videos, and produce music which I hope to release sometime in 2021.” She notes the difficulty uncertainty adds to each project. “Each day is different during this unique shift and at times it’s extremely hard to find the inspiration to create when we have no idea when we will be able to

play an in person concert again.” For her part Viegas remains positive about making music. “I just allow each day to ride out as it wants to,” she said. “I’ll take the inspiration when it comes and try not to force creating music when the drive isn’t quite there. If that’s the case, I’ll focus on something else and revisit music at a time when the creation path and energy is more clear.”

www.redcymbals.com www.lisonthedrums.com

Be Mine Phantom Valentine

End State

Be Mine Phantom Valentine release their debut album, End State, this month. Co-produced and mixed by James Doviak, guitarist and keyboard player in British music legend Johnny Marr’s Band, “guitars are a main element of the album but there are some tracks that are predominantly synths,” said guitarist Dean Primicias. The chance to work with Doviak came through an initial meeting as an audience member. “It was one of those shows, during Johnny Marr’s Call The Comet tour, in Los Angeles,” Primicias recalled. “My brother, Wes, and I didn’t have a ticket so we went up early in hopes to get overflow tickets at the box office. We ended up meeting Johnny and I also struck up a nice conversation with James. I later had a chance to meet up again with James when they played the House of Blues in San Diego. This time I spent more time asking him questions in preparation to record this album. I don’t think he knew what I was up to at the time, but he was very encouraging and shared some valuable information.” The album’s first single is “I Never Dream.”

beminephantomvalentine.bandcamp.com

The San Diego Music Awards

have extended their deadline for submission until January 31, 2021. All albums must have been issued between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 for consideration. More details, including the event date are tba. www.sandiegomusicawards.

San Diego Music Notes

sengers, aka Randy Hodge, Paul McGee, and Jef Kmak, guests will include keyboardist Scott Gorham (Richard Marx Band). “I’m attempting to bring more healing to the world with this album,” Larsen said. “There will be certain Solfeggio (ancient healing) tones integrated into the music, and all the lyrics will be spiritually centered. It’s not going to be rock, but it won’t put you to sleep either!” she said each tune, quoting vocal melodies, orchestra parts and solos,” Riker said. “There is a short pause between the tracks of about 1 1/2 seconds to separate the tracks but give the feel of a medley.”

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Jack Habegger’s Celebrity Tele-

thon has a new E.P., “Ov Yey!” out on January 15. Label Bud Tapes of Portland will be putting it out on a limited lathe cut vinyl 7” along with a mini comic produced by Habegger and Bailey Bast. “I feel very honored to have collaborated with so many of my talented friends on my first ‘solo’ release,” Habegger said. “Combining my comic art and my music into one package has been very special and I can’t thank Bud enough for believing in it!”

Baritone saxophonist Gabriel Sundy has a new project, Invisible Sky People, with a debut album, Human Like An Animal, out this month. In lieu of a live band, the album was composed using software instruments along with the addition of a live saxophone. “(The band) could be described as a “progressive punk-jazz-noiserock” power trio,” Sundy said. The ensemble is comprised of baritone saxophone, bass, and drums. “The bass on the album was eventually re-recorded by Mackenzie Leighton, and the album was mixed, mastered and co-produced by Rafter Roberts.”

Singer/ Guitarist Donna Larsen is working on a new album, Songs of Light, at Track Star Studios with Josquin Des Pres . Backed by her band, The MesFans of the blues or early rock ‘n’ roll will want to pick up S.

Mathias & The Honeycombs

new album, appropriately titled, authentic sounding, Nothin’ But The Blues. Already available digitally, the album makes it’s CD debut this month.

New film Promising Young Woman, directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Carey Mulligan, includes North County based singer, Juice Newton’s version of “Angel of the Morning.” Fun Fact: Juice Newton sings harmony on Bob Welch’s (Fleetwood Mac) hit “Ebony Eyes” (#14 / 1978)

Acclaimed guitarist Wayne Riker is working on his next album at Studio West. Titled A Beatles Overture from A to Z, the album is essentially a medley of 21 Beatles tracks. Details: “It’s just me, with overdubbed high voltage electric guitar parts entering after opening chord melodies of Power pop singer-songwriter Steve Rosenbaum is the latest artist to have his music archive raided for gold. A collection of his demos, both home and studio recordings made between 1979 – 1989, is being released by Dead Media Tapes later this year, available as a digital download or 8-track tape

The Sea Monks are working with Alan Sanderson at Pacific Beat Studios on a new album due this spring

The trailer for the new Marvel Cinematic Universe television / Disney + series, WandaVision, features a new take on The Monkees version of “Daydream Believer” as it’s soundtrack. The song was written by long time San Diegan John Stewart who passed away in 2008. Stewart is perhaps best known for his work with 1960’s era folk icons Kingston Trio, and the hit, “Gold” (#5 / 1979), which featured Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks.

Early 90’s ska favorites, Spy Kids have finally gotten around to recording and releasing their debut album, Covert Action on Chicago based label, Jump Up. Featuring and produced by Matt Hensley (later of Flogging Molly), the nine tracks include covers of Jimmy Cliff and Judge Dredd classics.

Ringo Starr’s latest song and video, “Here’s to the Nights,” feature Nathan East on bass - Plus vocals from Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Lenny Kravitz, Joe Walsh, Steve Lukather and more. The song has been issued in advance of Starr’s upcoming EP, Zoom In. New Singles due soon include;

Lauren Leigh Martin “Trust Fall,” Suzanne Gladstone “Aphrodite’s Kiss,” Thea the Band with “The Worm,” The Strawberry Moons “Love in the Time of Virus,”

New EP’s include Dave Preston’s Americana opus, Lost & Found, Paige Koehler “Sorry, I’m Late”, The Naked I They Got Thomas, Dapoolparty Hot Sands

New albums include: A.J. Croce By Request, an all-covers album; the first single is “Ooh Child” originally a hit by the Five Stairsteps in 1970, Tom Geck and the After Party Trip West, The Go Heads The Suspect, Steve Nichols with The Guitar Sounds of…, Sometimes Julie with Where Are You

New Videos include: Lele Rose – “Nothing Lasts Forever,” Kevin Begin & Tori Roze “All You’ve Known,”