Boise Blast, Randy Kazandy, & Ukeleles, O My

Since the Shoemaker Brothers started their journey at the beginning of January, they haven’t had much time to sit down and write. So, in an effort to meet public demand for Shoemaker updates, here I am. I probably haven’t met you, but my name is Ari, and I’m currently working as their manager. In any case, this post will be meant to bring you up to speed. Just a bit.

This most recent Shoemaker adventure began with a week on the Oregon Coast before returning home to buy their brand new van. I caught a glimpse of their new wheels in Portland—in all its metallic maroon glory. To be quite honest, the color took me a bit by surprise. (I can’t wait until they can commission someone to paint their faces on the side.) They were scheduled to play a benefit concert for Music & Art in Refugee Communities prior to their official departure, but due to freak flooding on I-5 they were unable to make it back in time. And since they were unable to go north, they decided the only way to was south. Three days later they were cruising in southern California, enjoying the winter sunshine so often denied to the Pacific Northwest.

For a number of logistical reasons, they ended up heading back to the Pacific Northwest, making their initial trip south a bit short-lived. CDs needed to be printed, clothes and other basic necessities needed to be retrieved. You know how it goes. Plus, they still had to perform at the Knitting Factory in Boise along with Matt Hopper & the Roman Candles and Devil Whale. They ended up playing eight successful shows in Idaho and were nearly adopted by Boise. Rod Russell, the host of Boise Talent Blast, ended up filming the Shoemaker Brothers performing—videos can be found on YouTube (check the links).

From Boise they shot back down to San Clemente to play some previously booked shows, where they have been making some great contacts. They recently got in contact with Rhonda Fischer, the author of the new children’s book Randy Kazandy, Where Are Your Glasses? Be sure to check out her website at www.randykazandy.com. Exciting things happening on that front.

As for anecdotal adventures that may be of note… Perhaps my favorite story is that of the Ukulele Jam they found on a beach in California. Early, early in the morning after another uncomfortable night in the van, they had driven down to the beach, hastily parked and put on the flashers only to be met by the sound of dozens of ukuleles coming from the sea. They went to see where the commotion was coming from, only to find what appeared to be a large community of recently retired citizens in an enormous circle, jamming. They were apparently very well practiced and included quite a few characters (such as an eighty-something-year old man playing the bongos with unparalleled enthusiasm). Of course, the guys had to get in on this, so they brought out their instruments and played along with them.

As I write this entry, the guys are in Tucson, where they played last night and tonight. They’ve got a gig in Austin next Wednesday, and they’re going to do their best to make some valuable connections in the Texan music scene before heading back to do a private event in Los Angeles mid-March, and then shooting over to New York play a couple of exciting shows. Be sure to mark your calendars for April 1, when their show at Arlene’s Grocery will be streamed live over the internet.