Summer Shakedown
at the Local Dive
w/ Magic Bronson, Elise Testone & The Art of Soul, The Louie D. Project, Dangermuffin, Quasiphonics, Three Piece & A Biscuit, Reid Stone, Justin Burke & Small World, Kentucky Shoes, Green Levels, Jamisun, Stratton Lawrence, Sean Waterman
Sat. June 21
2 p.m.
$12
Pour House
1977 Maybank Hwy.
(843) 571-4343
www.charlestonpourhouse.com
www.radiofreecharleston.com
“What’s really important is that Charleston has a thriving music scene,” says Dangermuffin guitarist Mike Sivilli. His band is one of 13 performing as part of the all-day Summer Shakedown at the Local Dive event planned for Saturday at the Pour House. “You hear about places like Athens, Chapel Hill, Gainesville having great history for producing fantastic bands. But right now, the place is Charleston. This place is loaded with full-time musicians of all styles. I think the Shakedown gives us a little bit of all of that.”
In 2007, Stratton Lawrence — a longtime City Paper staff writer, active local musician, and noted outdoorsman — started hosting an independent web radio show on RadioFreeCharleston.com called Local Dive.
Last December, Lawrence and RadioFreeCharleston presented the first installment in the series.
Over the last two months, Lawrence organized this 13-band showcase with the aim to promote the radio show with artists who have either already appeared on the show or will be appearing on an upcoming series of shows. Sponsors include Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ, Barberitos, Ad-Naps (who are providing compostable plates, cutlery, and cups), and the City Paper.
“I’ll finally have a full length album to present this time, and it will be my first all original show,” says singer/guitarist Jamisun, a versatile strummer who spends a lot of time entertaining audiences in small clubs. “I’m humbled by the names I saw on the roster. Some amazing players. I can’t wait.”
Most of the musical acts performing on the outside stage, located at the far corner of the newly-renovated deck, will play entirely acoustically. Songwriter Sean Waterman kicks things off at 3 p.m. followed by Lawrence himself alongside various guests and members of his roots-rock band, Po’Ridge. Singer/guitarist/pianist Steven Jenkins brings his newly formed trio on at 5 p.m. for a set of melodic groove-pop. Jamisun plays a solo set at 6 p.m.
Country/Americana group Kentucky Shoes — featuring Jamie Resch on vocals, guitar, and banjo — perform on the deck at 7 p.m. Groove/Americana trio Dangermuffin plan to do plenty from their new studio album Emancee during a stripped-down acoustic set at 8 p.m. Singer/songwriter Reid Stone (of Daybreakdown) will close out the outdoor music with his own twangy material. An “open pickin’ session” breaks out at 10 p.m.
The club’s main stage cranks up at 5:45 p.m. as Folly-based singer/songwriter Justin Burke’s latest group Small World leads the way, followed by Three Piece & a Biscuit, a Beaufort-based reggae/rock group featuring former members of Red Moon. Original dub/reggae band Quasiphonics — comprised of Aaron Firetag, John Durham, Ben Wells, and Stuart White — play at 8 p.m.
Saxophonist Louis Dixson — a veteran side man — leads the Louie D. Project through a groovy set at 9:15 p.m. That allows for a smooth segue into the “Collaboration” — a collaborative improvisational set features members of all 13 bands.
At 11:15 p.m., talented vocalist Elise Testone and her latest ensemble Art of Soul bring order to things with a set of cool tunes. “This is a great opportunity for people to hear a variety of music,” says Testone. “I think it will attract a lot of different people. We’re looking forward to playing several new originals — sort of a mix of rock, blues, and funk.”
One of the more experimental groups in the scene, Magic Bronson, close it out after midnight with a funky blend of electronic grooves, hip-hop, and jazz-fusion.
It could be the most diverse and memorable local showcase of the year.
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