a&e | POP, ROCK & JAZZ PREVIEWs shawn peters
GreGory Porter
Brings Take Me To The alley To s.B.
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etting a Best Jazz Vocalist Grammy nomination never gets old for Gregory Porter. “You can’t line these things up and expect them to happen,” he said of his good fortune. “When they do happen, it’s amazing.” The singer/composer — who won 2014’s Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for Liquid Spirit (2013) —plays the Granada on January 24 in support of his fourth record, Take Me to the Alley. The lyrics on Alley explore navigating romantic relationships: The hard gospel of “Don’t Be a Fool” presents a remorseful cheater dispensing advice to the listener after faking love to the woman who truly loves him. Other songs also revolve around the concept of reappreciating one’s partner. Porter admitted that his lyrics are inspired by his own life but that he “sometimes [switches] the roles to protect the innocent.” Alley possesses many aural pleasures, too, such as when his commanding baritone pounces ahead of his band on “Don’t Lose Your Steam.”“In Fashion” obsesses about a chic lady over a “Bennie and the Jets”–style sonic spine. Born in Sacramento and raised in Bakersfield and Los Angeles, Porter picked up the sax after a shoulder injury curtailed his lineman stint for the San Diego State University Aztecs. Still, Porter emphasized that music has always been in his soul. “Sometimes I was singing in the locker room,” he said. Music also gave him solace as his mother died of cancer when he was 21. Porter’s song “In Heaven” includes “elements from one of my mother’s sermons in the style of that Pentecostal church experience.”
Gregory Porter
Certainly, Alley provides a diversity of stylings. “I’m all over the map,” Porter said of the record. “Some is bebop, some ’70s spiritual era. Hard bop energy definitely fuels “Fan the Flames” and the rollicking “French African Queen.” And while, as expected, New York and San Francisco have been receptive live, he’s also discovered “pockets of love” in unlikely places such as Texas and Iowa.“I have to stop underestimating myself or where the music is finding ears.” he said. And while, at 45, Porter may appear too young to embrace jazz, he scoffs at any notion that the genre is dated.“Jazz is a living music,” Porter said.“The current story has to be told.” Gregory Porter plays Tuesday, January 24, 8 p.m., at the Granada Theatre (1214 State St.). Call 899-2222 or see granadasb.org. For a longer version of this article, visit independent.com/greg oryporter —Michael Aushenker
Switchfoot Plays The arlingTon
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witchfoot: one word, two definitions.
For most, the term refers to a rock band that just released its 10th album, Where the Light Shines Through (July 2016). But for others, the word means changing footing on a surfboard to get a new perspective. The aforementioned rock band—which was formed in 1996 by brothers Jon and Tim Foreman and drummer Chad Butler and is perhaps best known for its hit “Dare You to Move”—fully embraces the dictionary definition as part Switchfoot of its namesake. The members are surfers themselves, and much of their music is about inspiring hope, which can come with a simple shift in to real life and regardless of people’s backgrounds or viewpoint. On tour for Where the Light Shines Through, beliefs. I think the great thing about our audience is the band will be performing at the Arlington on January [when] I look out and see people of all ethnicities, all 26. I recently spoke with Butler about their music career faiths, all different beliefs singing the same song. That’s and the bandmates’ unbreakable bond. the power of music. Does playing live ever get repetitive? How do you keep the shows fun? We never play the same set twice. Even when we write out a set list, it always changes during the show depending on the energy in the room and how we’re feeling. We have to keep it interesting for ourselves first, to really push ourselves and keep it fresh. I think that’s one of our strengths, that each night is unique. It’s not all about the band; it’s a two-way conversation with the audience. I grew up listening to your music at church. How do you appeal to audiences who may not identify with Christianity? We’ve always just tried to make honest music that relates
TICKETS AVAILABLE: SB BOWL OR AT AXS.COM / SBBOWL.COM / GOLDENVOICE.COM
What do you want people to take away from your music? Hope … The title track of the record is “Where the Light Shines Through,” and here in our country, that’s been something important to find. We live in turbulent times, and everybody is looking for hope. I am just thankful through music we are able to explore the world together and shine a light in dark places. Switchfoot plays with Relient K on Thursday, January 26, at 7 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre (1317 State St.). Call 963-4408 or see thearlingtontheatre.com. For the full interview, see independent.com/switchfoot. —Savanna Mesch
TICKETS: ARLINGTON THEATRE / WALMART / CHARGE BY PHONE 805-963-4408 TICKETMASTER.COM / THEARLINGTONTHEATRE.COM
independent.com
JANUARY 19, 2017
THE INDEPENDENT
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