news

07/2008 - SUMMER ARTS FAIR
Good grief, I've not updated this page since April. The first part of summer has been very nice. I've enjoyed several of the outdoor gigs that summer brings ... and I've got a few more coming up. This weekend (Saturday, July 26th), I'll be at the Bellevue Arts fair. This year will be my 5th year of playing this great gig. Bellevue is my hometown which makes this one particularly fun. I see that my good friend (and scary good singer-songwriter) Larry Murante is performing there too. For dates, times and directions to more of my events, dash over to my calendar page.

04/2008 - DOWNTOWN
OK, I've planned your Friday night (4/18) for this week. If you've not been to Everett in a while, you ought to check it out. The downtown area has become very pedestrian-friendly, and offers a good variety of restaurants and nice shops. OK ... back to your plan ... here it is: Get up there around dinner-time, enjoy free parking, grab some eats-n-drinks. After the meal, saunter (or mosey) down to the Everett Library, and select your favorite dessert (and/or coffee drink) from the menu, hustle to find a seat and take enjoy the excellent music from 7 - 9 pm. After the show, I'll leave you to whatever the night brings. For directions, and information about more of my events, see my calendar page. Hope to see you there.

01/2008 - TWO THOUSAND OH WAIT
The holidays whooshed by and I missed them all - Yes, even that one. I've got a few performances added to the calendar that you should check out. It will be good to get back to some of my favorite venues - not only to play, but also to catch up with some familiar faces. So if you're a familiar face, an unfamiliar face, or even if you're familiar and have no face, I'd love to see you stop by, and take in a show. See ya!

12/2007 - JOY
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you. Thanks to everyone who bought a record or came to a performance this year. Don't forget to spend time enjoying the people who are most special to you. See y'all in 2008.

11/2007 - CHILLAGE in the VILLAGE
For those of you beginning to wonder, I've not fallen off the face of the earth, nor have I been chosen for the next undersea biosphere project. I'm just taking a short break 'tween public angagements. I've got some private parties on the schedule, but this is the first time in the last 8 years, that I've had more than a 3 week break between public engagements. Nothing to be alarmed about, just a quick break in the action to take care of some other projecty type stuffs, some of which I'll divulge at a later date. Until next time, stay tuned.

8/2007 - AWW-GUST
OK, so I'm late on posting any August type newsies. July was good to me. The arts fair in Bellevue was great... in addition to my spectacular performance ;), (thanks to everyone that came out to see me), some of my friends also had excellent performances on the main stage. Crazy good musicians like Tracy Moore, Steve Markowitz, Wes Weddell and Larry Murante. This month I'll be at Tutta Bella on August 22nd, and then I'm returning to the Evergreen State Fair for a few days. For more detailed information, check out my calendar.

7/2007 - GORFFENHAF
That's just the Welsh word for July. I'm happy to see that it's time for my yearly trip to play at the Yakima Folklife festival. I always enjoy my time playing there and hanging out with everyone. So now if I can just avoid the late-Friday-night low-rider traffic, and manage to score a dangerously BIG breakfast at Waffles, I'll be happy. For dates, times and directions, have a gander at my performance calendar. As for you Seattle-area-folks, just so you won't miss me, I have a few local gigs on the calendar.

6/22/2007 - INDEPENDENT MUSIC WORLD SERIES: I
I just found out about this. (I was selected as a semi-finalist for the Independent Music World Series). I know my odds to win are long, but I can hope. At the very least, it's nice to be selected as a semi-finalist, and it's fun to think about. If the person / people who selected me as a semi-finalist are reading this. Thank you so much for your consideration.

6/2007 - STILL RESISTING MYSPACE
No, I don't have a myspace page, and no I have no plans to make one.

As usual, the NW Folklife Festival was way cool. Their planning, coordination, communication and execution were outstanding. They always take good care of the performers. This month, I've got several shows going on. To check out where, and when, go to my performance calendar.

5/2007 - RAIN 'er SHINE
It appears that the festival seaon already upon us. Typically for me, this usually doesn't happen until late June, or even July. When you're based out of Seattle, it's difficult to consider May, as part of the summer festival season. Nevertheless ... rain or shine, I'll be at the University Street Fair and the NW Folklife Festival this month. If you've not been before, both of these festivals are really well done and fun to attend. Even if you can't make it to one of my sets, I recommend them both ... if only to enjoy the colorful hustle and bustle. By the way ... what is it about the fairs that temps guys to wear skirts, and women to wear wings? If you do go, just remember to select your food vendors wisely, and save room for strawberry shortcake. Locations, directions, and times are on my performances page. Hope to see ya.

4/2007 - MOO
This month I'm light on news so I'll just drop a quick word about the Spotted Cow. For those of you who don't know, I regularly perform at both Spotted Cow locations (both are in the Mill Creek area) once a month. If you've never been to either location, you owe it to yourself to check it out. Not just to hear me play, but you really ought to check out their coffee drinks, different varieties of wine, and (more to the point) their hand crafted ice cream, gelato and sorbet. They make it all in small batches, and it's clear that they take their desserts very seriously. I doubt there are many people who've been there just once. So if you're interested, I've got directions, addresses and maps on my calendar page.

3/2007 - IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING
February had me back to playing at my regular haunts ... and as for March, I'll be performing at the Salish Lodge and Spa (Friday, March 16), and at both Spotted Cow locations (on second and third Satudays). Check out my calendar page for more information on all that. A BIG congratulations to my good friend, Frank Smith, who just released his third CD, "Gardens of Hope." He enlisted the talents of Grammy winner Will Ackerman to produce the CD for him. The whole thing sounds great, and I couldn't be happier for him.

1/2007 - SNOW TELLING
I'm looking forward to what 2007 will bring me. I will say that my last few concerts of 2006 were excellent. In December, at one of my favorite venues up in Everett, I noticed a musician in the audience who also happens to be a good friend. His name is Paul Nyenhouse and he plays the native american flute. Fortunately for me and for the rest of the audience, he brought a couple of flutes with him. After a couple of gorgeous flute solos, we got together on some nice improvisations, which I think were received pretty well by everyone. The unique combination of voices was pretty special, and I think we've only scratched the surface on what we can say together. When I can put together a show for us, I'll post it here, and on my calendar ... so stay tuned for that. If in the mean-time, you're interested in coming to hear me play, stop by my calendar page and see what looks good. Until then stay warm.

11-12/2006 - A HARD RAIN'S A-GONNA FALL
November and (the better part of) December have been all about the NW weather. First wet, then wetter, then cold, then super wet, then beyond windy. Other than the extended power outtages, I like it. Now that it's time to close the book on 2006, I look back and it was a remarkable year for many many reasons. Thanks to everyone who came to a performance, bought a cd, or just clicked and listened for a little while. As for info on any upcoming shows, click here. Until then, see you in 2007.

10/2006 - LEAVES ... LIKE THE COLOR OF HER HAIR
The leaves are changing, summer has passed, my schedule will slow way down, and I'll be doing local shows for the next several months. My next few shows are on the calendar, and I'll be adding more as we go. I'm not usually one to suggest new music to people (particularly the music of hugely popular artists), but right now, I'm listening to Branford's new CD, Braggtown, and it's killing. For info, directions and other info on my upcoming shows, go here.

9/2006 - TRACTORS and CLOWNS
So August was way fun. I got to play at some new venues, and I got to meet some very cool people along the way. And just when I thought that the month was overwith, I got to spend an afternoon at the KPLU studio with Jacqui Naylor and Art Khu. 'Thanks to KPLU for facilitating such a fun afternoon, and especially to Jacqui and Art for being so generous with their time. Now my September schedule opens with a few shows over the Labor day weekend, Sat, Sun and Monday at the Evergreen State Fair. So if you're coming out to get your onion burger on and take in a pig race, clown show and / or tractor pull, make sure you stop by and have a listen to a few of the new tunes. I'm also adding more fall dates to my calendar, so keep a look out for them too. And for the record, summer has not left us yet, so don't let it fade out quietly. Run away from the tv, unplug from the internet, and get outside. See ya out there.

8/2006 - EAST OF THE SUN
July was a very busy month for me. I had more than my fair share of good shows, and I got to spend a week at the beach with some very special people. The two trips east of the mountains were a lot of fun. The new venue in Yakima is everything the people say it is. The sound is great, and the people are the best. I'd love to go back there anytime. If you're (ever) in the area, check their event calendar for something you might like. This month I've got a few shows lined up. The first one is at the KPLU jazz stage at the Anacortes Arts Festival. When I received the festivaI program in the mail, I was suprised to see that I got picked to appear on the cover (see it here). The killer photo is a few years old and was taken by Sue Scott.

7/2006 - A WHOLE NEW YOU
i thought it was time for a change of scenery, thus the new "sunset" look. it goes with the art on the new cd, WHICH, by the way, is now available through me. so if you're interested, drop me an email, or better yet, get outside, come to a performance and snag one from me there. This month i've got some very cool gigs, July 1 at the Lake Union Boat festival, July 7 & 8th at the Yakima Folklife Festival, July 15th at the Spotted Cow, July 28 & 29th opening for the Geoffrey Castle band at the Yakima Sports Club, and then July 30th at the 6th Street Arts and Crafts Festival. For details, times, and/or directions, go here.

6/2006 - LITTLE GIRL SMILE
I've got a new record in the can, and if everything goes like it should, the discs will be available for general consumption in the next few weeks. As far as shows go, June's almost gone, but before it goes, I'll be at the Strawberry festival in Bellevue, on Saturday and Sunday,(6/24-25). Then on Saturday, July 1st I'll be at the Lake Union boat festival. For additional information, directions, show times, and other gigs, visit my calendar.

5/2006 - IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING
I've got loads going on in May from a personal standpoint, and thus I'm keeping a very light music schedule. For June I've got a couple of local shows on the calendar already, and I'll be adding to them very soon. The summer festival season is right around the corner, and I'm looking forward to all that fun. For frequent updates, and details on future shows peep my calendar page. See ya.

4/2006 - MARCHING OUT
Thank you to everyone who came out for the fun show on March 25th. Y'all made my evening. Note: The show originally scheduled for April 8th got moved back to Saturday, April 15th ... so get your taxes done, come out early to get the seats by the 'fireplace,' catch the show, and chase the bass with a cool glass of local wine and one of the heavenly desserts. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. For other dates, times and directions peep my calendar page.

3/2006 - MOONLIGHT IN MARCH
Following the February events in Honolulu, I've got some pretty cool shows. I'll be at Cafe Luna on Vashon. This is an all new venue for me, so I'm anxious to fill up that place with bass. Prior to that show, I'll be doing some radio promotion on Voice of Vashon ... so when I get more details on that I'll post them here. After that I've got shows at the Bellevue Art Museum (3/10), the Spotted Cow (3/11), ElDiablo (3/14), and the P&G (3/25). For times and directions stop by the calendar page.

1/2006 - YEAR OF THE DOG
So we all made it through '05 and I'm looking for only good stuff in '06. This month, I've got a few local shows so come on down and check us out. For dates and directions stop by the calendar page. Note: the show at the P&G on Jan. 21st was cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances." Sorry to all those intending to come out for that.

I deleted all the news prior to 2006. I've archived it, and it's available here.

Copyright 2006 Brendan Wires • brendanwires.com