11/5/2011

Our "Stars Above" music video shoot was a great success. With participation from some local friends and under direction of Jacob Langhoff and crew we have an amazing film currently in post production. We are rushing to beat the deadline to submit to South by Southwest 2012 music festival in Austin, Texas. We will keep you posted on a local release party. Stay tuned for more exciting TWT news! 

9/20/2011

This has already been an exciting year for The Whiskey Thieves and we intend to go out with a bang! We hope you have heard the two singles we released earlier this year; "Hard Love" and "I Don't Care". If not, the cd is available and you can hear it on our website. We expect to have them up on ITunes soon as well. These singles showcase our second album due to be released in time for the holidays. We are also re-releasing our first album, "Almost Time" and it is available for purchase if you missed it the first time or wore it out because you played it so much! Under new management, we are busy booking holiday parties and setting up bookings for the 2012 festival circuit. We also have our eye on a late 2012 western states tour.

Our most exciting news is the anticipated filming of the music video, "Stars Above" based on a song from our first album. The video is in pre-production right now and due to shoot the first weekend of October. Watch for updates and press releases about this exciting project! If you would like more info about the video or how you can have an opportunity be a part of this thrilling experience with us contact linda@thewhiskeythieves.com.

Thanks for reading what we've been up to. See ya out there!!

 

6/5/2009

Sonoma’s own Whiskey Thieves continue to open for big-name entertainment

Tickets are on sale now for the 31st Annual Harmony Fest, held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. This “green” festival promotes community activism, eco-awareness, spirituality, art and music. This year, the musical acts include Cake, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Bad Brains, India.Arie, Matisyahu, ALO and our very own The Whiskey Thieves opening for Dead Kennedys. This is just a small sampling of all artists performing June 12-14. In addition, there are two evenings of techno-tribal dance in the Mystic Beat Lounge. Tickets can be purchased at harmonyfestival.com. Kids 12 and under are free and camping is available.
Where else would the 7th Annual Rock Paper Scissors Tournament be held than at the Roshambo Winery? Combat is held Saturday, July 6 from noon to 5 p.m. Entertainment throughout will be provided by Space Cowboys DJs and Sonoma County indie rock band Crazy Famous. For ticket info call 707.431.2051.
The Hellhounds are competing for the title of hardest working band in Sonoma. They will be playing the “Garden Party” at Saddles Restaurant Friday, June 5. The affair begins at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, the Hounds will be opening the annual foot race, Hit the Road Jack, as part of the Ox Roast. Music starts on the Sonoma Plaza at 8 a.m. Also performing at the Ox Roast this year beginning at 1 p.m. are Air Force band, Mobility, as well as Tudo Bem of Sonoma.
One of my favorite bands, which you may remember from Friday Mornings in Sonoma, is Five AM. If you don’t mind a short drive out of our valley into Napa’s, they are playing a free show at the Veterans Memorial Amphitheater on the corner of 3rd and Main. The show is tonight, Friday June 5 at 8 p.m. It’s an outdoor setting so bring a picnic and the whole family. They will be returning to KSVY 91.3 Sonoma in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for the announcement.
The Sonoma Community Center will present a one-man show, High Road to Doomsday, featuring Jeff Falconer this Saturday, June 6 at 8 p.m. It is a benefit for Seeds of Learning and is a combination of entertaining lectures and song. Tickets are available at Readers’ Books and the Community Center. For more details call 707.495.0640.
Sonoma loves jazz. Get your fill this weekend starting with solo pianist John Groves at The Lodge at Sonoma. Or if strings are more your thing, check out guitarist Terrence Brewer with Joe McKinley on bass and Carrie Jahde on drums at the Plaza Bistro. Both venues are Friday, June 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. with no cover. Also on Friday, The Ledson Hotel Harmony Lounge has the Jess Petty- Ken Chambers Duo performing at 6 p.m. This event does have a cover so call 707.996.9779 for more info. Wrapping up the weekend’s jazz events, vocalist Dana Land performs with Ross Gualco and John Hoy at The Lodge, Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m.
Showcase the Band will be performing with a twist at Little Switzerland this weekend. Patti Perez is putting down the bass and strapping on the accordion for an afternoon of Latin, swing, Cajun and more starting at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 7. The rest of the weekend’s lineup includes live Latin music on Friday, June 5 and western swing from Lost Weekend on Saturday, June 6. For details call 707.938.9990.
And don’t miss all the live music to be had at Murphy’s Irish Pub. Friday, June 5 has bluegrass from Sonoma Mountain Band. Enjoy Americana on Saturday, June 6 from Andrew Freeman. Both shows begin at 8 p.m. On Sunday, June 7 at 6 p.m. join in or listen to a classic Irish pub jam session. No cover for any event.
Cat Smith is host of KSVY Sonoma’s The Mix Tape every Saturday from 1-2 p.m. on KSVY 91.3 Sonoma.

5/26/2009

Jazz + wraps it up …

 

Cat Smith

As a hometown Sonoma girl, I have to admit that of the five years Sonoma Jazz + has been around, this is my very first year attending the festival. It was nothing as I expected.

I was thinking, “Field of Dreams. This must be a tiny hometown festival that somehow arranged for big names.” Boy, was I wrong. First, I should admit that I love large venue concerts and have been to my fair share. The Sonoma Jazz + temporary tent rivals many of the permanent venues I have attended. The lighting was extensive, the sound was incredible, and thanks to the two large screens at either side of the stage, there were no bad seats. Myself, and friends included, chose not to go the route of seating and stood along the sides of the tent in the standing room only areas so we could dance while having what I considered the best view of the stage, aside from that of the patrons’ area. Outside the main event tent was a festival area, with many sponsors, food and drink tents, and of course souvenirs from your favorite acts. I would suggest that, if you had an inkling of going this year and didn’t make it, that you pencil it in right away for next year. If you didn’t make it, here’s what you missed …

Thursday night is different than any other night of the festival as it is the official opening night dance party. A popular event with the locals, the set-up is completely unlike the rest of the weekend. Chairs are removed to make way for the giant dance floor, and a band guaranteed to move you is provided. Last year, I remember walking around town hearing the sounds of Kool & the Gang. This year, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was what brought the town to swing.

On Friday night, Joe Cocker was truly the hit of the night. “Up Where We Belong” had the entire audience singing along. “Come Together” brought the crowd to its feet. My personal highlight of the evening was seeing local favorite, The Whiskey Thieves, playing on the special outdoor stage set up in the festival area for music between the larger acts. Tourists and locals combined were dancing in the grass as the band with added guests on keyboard and sax showed that they had the chops to run with the big dogs.

Lyle Lovett commented on how honored he was to share the stage with Shelby Lynn as opener and Willie Brown, two-time Mayor of San Francisco, who addressed the crowd between acts. This was Lovett’s first time in Sonoma and he played a song requested by couple, Ted and Alison, whom he met wandering the Sonoma Plaza that afternoon. At one point he shrunk the band to four members, Lovett included, to do a traditional bluegrass song titled “Keep It in Your Pantry.” Whether the big band or the foursome, listeners were not disappointed by Lyle Lovett and his Large Band.

Finally, the closing night and Ziggy Marley probably had the greatest buzz in Sonoma since the announcement of the 2009 Jazz + lineup. Whether they were there for Chris Isaak or Ziggy Marley, the crowd sucked up every available ticket in the Valley. Isaak had the girls screaming with the likes of his hit song “Wicked Game,” combined with his rhinestone studded pink suit, complete with colored fog at his feet. On the other hand, not only was the town excited to see Ziggy Marley, whose father is the legendary Bob Marley, but they were also happy just to be in the vicinity to hear him, a direct descendant and heir to the legacy of his father.  The field outside of the festival was something to rival the 4th of July in the Congregational Church field. Families gathered outside the festival boundaries on blankets with picnics to enjoy a subdued version of the sold-out show inside.

According to festival staff, preliminary numbers show that Thursday’s show was a little light this year. Friday and Saturday were at 90 percent capacity, and Sunday was sold out or just under. If you have not attended Jazz +, mark your calendars for Memorial Day weekend 2010: Thursday May 27 to Sunday May 30. You won’t be disappointed. And as an avid concert-goer, I can attest that we are so lucky to have an opportunity to see world-class musicians in a large performance venue without leaving our comfort zone of Sonoma Valley.

5/19/2009

Celebrating its 31st anniversary, The Harmony Festival (and the adjoining Eco Cup environmentally conscious skate festival), will be taking place at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA, from June 12th - 14th. It’s set to be quite a shindig this year with musical headliners including Michael Franti & Spearhead, India.Arie, Matisyahu, CAKE, Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains, Pepper & Rebelution. From the Pro Skate world, Bob Burnquist and Danny Way, plus PLG, Jake Brown, Andy MacDonald and Buster Halterman will compete on the mini-MegaRamp (175-feet long, 30-foot drop, 25-feet gap, 18-foot quarter pipe), and skate legends Steve Caballero and Christian Hosoi will be on site for judging, demos and meet-and greets. Many speakers will also give the 411, and these include Julia Butterfly Hill, George Noory and Daniel Pinchbeck, among others. Plus, there’s plenty of camping for this all ages, family friendly event.

The Best Part: Synthesis is giving away two pairs of tickets for any day of the festival, and one grand prize winner receives a pair of tickets for the ENTIRE WEEKEND. Sign up at http://www.synthesis.net/sweepstakes/ and get yourself into the game!

For more information about Eco Cup and Harmony Festival please visit their web sites (here and here), or read the full press Release After the Jump:

The Harmony Festival has been going on for 31 years and they’ve added the Eco Cup presented by Rude Boyz and MegaRamp which has bands performing like Bad Brains, The Dead Kennedys and the Megaramp with pro skaters and a $40,000 prize. One of the main focuses with the Harmony Festival is to encapsulate community activism and being environmental responsible.

HARMONY FESTIVAL, RUDE BOYZ PRESENT, and MEGARAMP PRODUCTIONS
ANNOUNCE FIRST EVER ECO CUP SKATE COMPETITION
WITH MUSICAL LINE-UP AT 31ST ANNUAL HARMONY FESTIVAL
June 12-14 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA

April 29, 2009 (San Francisco North Bay, CA) — Celebrating 31 years of “Harmony From the Roots Up”—and continuing its focus on progressive ideals, community activism, and uplifting music—the producers of the Harmony Festival (www.harmonyfestival.com

The three companies are collaborating on a world-class professional skate expo and competition dubbed the Eco Cup, featuring many of the biggest names in professional skating competing on the mini-MegaRamp, 175-feet long with a mind-blowing 30-foot drop (the equivalent of a three-story building) across a 25-feet gap, ending in a massive 18-foot quarter pipe. The event includes a full contest with the first-ever mini-Mega Ramp contest in America (over the gap and 20-feet airborne) with $40,000 in prize winnings.

The world’s top MegaRamp riders will be battling for the Eco Cup including Thrasher magazine skaters of the year and X-Games Gold medalist Bob Burnquist and Danny Way, as well as multiple medal winners PLG, Jake Brown, Andy MacDonald and Buster Halterman.

Also expected are Adam Taylor, Lincoln Ueda, Rob Loriface and Omar Hassan. Some of the world’s top skate legends including Steve Caballero and Christian Hosoi will be present for demos, judging, and Meet and Greets. The Eco Cup trophy will be created out of recycled and repurposed mixed media, and the steel and plywood-constructed Eco Cup skate zone will be reused, making this a truly eco-friendly attraction.

In addition to the mini-MegaRamp, the family-friendly Eco Cup skate zone will feature the public-access Consciousness in Motion Youth Zone, plus action sports and eco-conscious vendors and exhibitors, all surrounded by majestic redwoods and blue skies—right off the 101 freeway but feels a world away.

Adding to the excitement of the skating is the live music stage featuring action sports-friendly headline bands including performances by the legendary punk/reggae/activist bands Dead Kennedys and Bad Brains plus fast-rising new bands Pepper and Rebelution. Also performing over the weekend are Hightower, Tall Black Girls, Zepparella, Egypt Central, local bands The Whiskey Thieves and American Drag, and MC Radioactive.

10/17/2008

9/25/2008

September 25, 2008 | e-mail this story Whiskey Thieves thrive with new CD, local gigs Daedalus Howell | Sonoma Valley Sun The Whiskey Thieves will be performing on the main stage at the Vintage Festival. Photo by Doug Thompson. Smooth and smoky with a penchant for stealing hearts – such is the modus operandi of Sonoma-born band The Whiskey Thieves. A perennial at local taverns and festivals, the Whiskey Thieves are on the eve of launching the next phase of their collective careers, a notion hinged on the prospects of a new CD, appropriately titled “Almost Time.” “We spent two and a half years. We broke down each individual song to every note, every drum-fill, every word, every melody, and we all pitched in – each of us saying ‘This is what I like,’” said vocalist Codi Binkley, who fronts a tight garrison of accomplished musicians that features guitarist Gabe Brueske, bassist Zakk Murphy and drummer Thomas Bottari. The new album was produced by music industry veteran Jimmy Goings of Redwood City-based GFI Entertainment and recorded at Prairie Sun in Cotati. The creative process marked something of a turn for the band, which, according to Binkley, is currently putting its professional ambitions front and center. “Now we have presentable music – we can physically bring ours to any record company straight up,” explained Binkley, who, with the band, enlisted the aid of Los Angeles-based marketing firm Big Rig Media to create a polished Web site and MySpace page for the act. The investment is indicative of an act a long way from its days fooling around with, as Binkley tells it, the “random fun, pointless” name “Splash Guard.” The band’s new footing is also evident in “Whiskey and Women,” a soulfully rendered track in which the narrator reflects, “Whiskey and women all the time can’t be good for me.” For a band named for the titular beverage and lauded for its appeal to a certain demographic, the line surely has a personal resonance. The band kicks off its CD release this weekend with a gig at Steiner’s Tavern, followed by an appearance at the 111th Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival. In the meantime, a national tour is in the works to further promote the band’s music. “I just think it’s all about hoping somebody likes our song and it gets used in certain areas – I don’t care if it’s a Gap commercial. It’s just making people know – I want my music playing in stadiums. If we all go to a basketball game or a football game, and then all of a sudden you hear the tune,” said Binkley, letting the thought trail. “As long as you can keep your head on your shoulders and it’s directed in the right area and you don’t get screwed out of a situation, I think it could be positive.” The Whiskey Thieves celebrate the release of “Almost Time” with a performance at 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 at Steiner’s Tavern, 465 First St. W., Sonoma. The band also plays at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival at the Plaza in downtown Sonoma. Visit www.thewhiskeythieves.com.

9/18/2008
Welcome to our new site. Feel free to browse through the site. Listen and purchase music on the Media page. Check out photos on the Gallery Page.