archives - frogstop

Published on: September 9, 2014

Christine Parker (Saturday, October 4, 2014)

Raised in Southern California, Christine Parker began playing piano at the early age of 4 when her parents noticed her affinity for all things music. She fell in love with songwriting as a teenager after composing her first song on the guitar, and continued to write and play music as she pursued education and a career.

After realizing music and songwriting needed to become more center stage, Christine began playing venues while living in the midwest. Drawing on such musical influences as Colbie Caillat, Ingrid Michaelson, and Brandi Carlile, Christine Parker has won over crowds with her pure and soulful vocals and engaging lyrics. Her self-released debut EP, “The Journey Home,” was released in January 2012. Her full length studio album, "Looking Glass", was released in October 2013.

George Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune: "Drawing from folk, country, urbane pop and jazz, the 11-song 'Looking Glass' shows Parker to be an accomplished singer-songwriter whose understated music makes some of its biggest impact in its most quiet moments."

Mark Pulliam, San Diego Troubadour: "Parker draws her influences from artists as varied as Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, and Alison Krauss, but to my ear the clarity and purity of her voice most closely resemble Joni Mitchell. Looking Glass is an auspicious debut."

Christine Parker will be joined for this concert by Marc Intravaia and Rick Nash (of the Eve Selis band), both of whom backed her on "Looking Glass".

More on Christine Parker at http://www.christineparkermusic.com/

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$15 (all proceeds go to the artists)

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The concert will be held outdoors.

Published on: July 19, 2014

Maia Sharp (Saturday, August 16, 2014)

Maia Sharp's songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Keb' Mo', The Dixie Chicks, Lisa Loeb, Art Garfunkel, Trisha Yearwood, Edwin McCain, David Wilcox, Paul Carrack and many more. And her own performances are as strong as the songs. As noted by the New York Daily News, "Bonnie Raitt often covers Sharp's songs, and no wonder. She writes melodies wide enough to let singers show their range, with lyrics that cut to the bone. Here Sharp proves she has the goods to do all that on her own." And as Bonnie Raitt put it, "Maia is making some of the most innovative and soulful music around, with songs that are head and shoulders above the rest. She has become one of my favorite artists."

As you might guess from the quotes above, there's a lot of good press about Maia Sharp. We won't copy it all here, but check it out. Her albums (including "Hardly Glamour", "Maia Sharp", "Fine Upstanding Citizen", "Eve and the Red Delicious", "Echo and Change the Ending") have all been very well received.

For those of you not already familiar with Maia, we've put together a YouTube playlist for you of live and live-in-the-studio performances, plus an interview.

More on Maia Sharp at http://maiasharp.com/.

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$20 (all proceeds go to the artists)

Listen

The concert will be held outdoors.

Published on: June 21, 2014

Sara Petite (Saturday, July 12, 2014)

Sara Petite was last here in 2011, and we're really happy and excited that she's back with us this year.

”There is no medical evidence to prove that Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith and Carrie Rodriguez joined forces to mother a fully-grown musician daughter. But if they did, San Diego singer-songwriter Sara Petite would be the likely outcome.” – George Varga, San Diego Union Times.

Named “Best Americana or Country” in the 2009 San Diego Music Awards, Sara Petite has been called everything from “Outlaw country” to “AAA singer-songwriter”.

Often described as an Americana artist, Petite’s sound is an earthy fusion of folk, bluegrass, country, and mountain music with surprising flashes of pop and rock. She steadfastly affirms that "it's all Americana". Her singing voice, which has been likened to that of June Carter and Dolly Parton, is the tie that binds the varied styles she blends. Her songs, whose inspiration comes from broken hearts and those full of hope, revive fond memories of history, home and travels.

On stage, Petite has opened for such major headliners as Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, Josh Turner, Shooter Jennings, Dave Alvin, Trent Thomlinson, Richie McDonald, John Eddie, Todd Snider, Ralph Stanley, Steve Poltz, Lance Miller, John Doe and Bert Jansch.

More on Sara Petite at http://sarapetite.com.

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$15 (all proceeds go to the artists)

Listen

The concert will be held outdoors.

Published on: May 12, 2014

Eve Selis (Saturday, May 31, 2014)

This is one of our most well-attended concerts each year, and with good reason: Eve Selis is an exciting presence on stage, bringing great songs and outstanding musicians to each show. This year Eve will again be accompanied by bandmate and songwriting partner Marc "Twang" Intravaia, and we think we'll be seeing another member of the Eve Selis Band (just can't say who quite yet).

"Eve is a deeply creative, caring artist who gives everything to her craft. As a live performer she is awesomely powerful, as a recording artist she is both sensitive and strong. I love her spirit and I love her music. She deserves to shine."
BBC Radio Legend Sir “Whispering Bob” Harris

"The most requested local artist in the history of our station."
Robert Hughes, Station Manager, KPRI, 102.1FM San Diego

“The Eve Selis Band erupted in an acute explosion of Americana, wailing and twanging and thundering and throbbing, conjuring demons and angels alike. Damn, that woman can sing!”
Buddy Blue - Blue Notes

“Eve Selis isn’t just a “singer” — she’s an emotion transducer who converts country, R&B, blues, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll signals into a megawatt zap that galvanizes everyone in its path. The power of Selis’s voice can arc-weld material from almost any genre into a personal manifesto.”
John D'Agostino - Taylor Guitars On Review.

More on Eve Selis at http://eveselis.com.

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$20 (all proceeds go to the artists)

Listen

The concert will be held outdoors.

Published on: May 11, 2014

Thanks, and announcing Maia Sharp at frogstop (August 16)

Thanks to everyone who attended our 2014 season opener last night. As always, Berkley Hart delivered the goods. Couldn't have been better!

Last night we announced an exciting addition to our 2014 lineup: Maia Sharp will join us here on August 16.

Several of you mentioned seeing Maia open for Bonnie Raitt. Maia's songs are extraordinary, and have been recorded by a range of artists including Bonnie Raitt, Keb' Mo', The Dixie Chicks, Lisa Loeb and Art Garfunkel. And her own performances are as strong as the songs. As noted by the New York Daily News, "Bonnie Raitt often covers Sharp's songs, and no wonder. She writes melodies wide enough to let singers show their range, with lyrics that cut to the bone. Here Sharp proves she has the goods to do all that on her own."

We really believe you won't want to miss this one. Much more information is available on the Maia Sharp website. For reservations, go to frogstop reservations.

"Maia Sharp conjures the allure of yesteryears Brill Building luminaries....Sharp wields her crisp, alluring choruses like a temptress; listeners will surely be ensnared. Her tear-soaked lyrics and high-cresting melody conspire for a finely crafted lesson on invincible pop."
— Billboard

Published on: April 17, 2014

Berkley Hart (Saturday, May 10, 2014)

After we took the year off at frogstop last year, it's fitting to start the 2014 season with Berkley Hart, who played our first house concert in 2008 and have joined us every year since. Berkley Hart never fails to deliver, and this has become one of our most well-attended concerts each year.

About the artists: Berkley Hart have found something that works. The combination of Kerrville New Folk Songwriter Award winner, Jeff Berkley, and stand-out wordsmith, Calman Hart, creates a pairing that, over their ten-plus years together, continues to build fans all over the country. Their unique sound is at once playful and poignant as they deftly combine down-home humor with masterful lyrics delivered with stunning harmony and musicianship. Beginning with their debut award-winning album, "Wreck 'n' Sow," the duo set a precedent of excellence that they have lived up to with their subsequent, and also award-winning, releases: "Something to Fall Back On", "Twelve", "Pocket Change", "Las Vegas" and "Crow".

Berkley Hart have traveled the folk circuit, making appearances at the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Folk Alliance International conference, regional Folk Alliance conferences (FARWest, SWRFA) as well as playing some of folk's most prestigious venues including the Birchmere and The Bluebird Cafe.

More on Berkley Hart at http://berkleyhart.com.

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$20 (all proceeds go to the artists)

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The concert will be held outdoors.

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