Musical rumble in Moscow

By SHANON QUINN

INLAND360.COM

The Rendezvous in the Park gang is gearing up for their 10th Annual Rendezvous Showcase: A Night at the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kenworthy Theatre in Moscow.

In addition to the traditional battle of the bands, in which six bands vie for three spots at the summer music event at Moscow East City Park, there will be Ukrainian egg painting by artist Christopher LaPagila and performances of Poetry Out Loud by Moscow High School students between band performances.

Here are the contestants:

Saigon County

On inspiration: “A lot of it is country living”

This groups manager Luke Zwanziger said the folksy trio found its name by combining a respect for frontman Brian Buck’s Vietnamese heritage and love for their own sweet home in Wallowa County, Ore., most often called only, “The County.” The group refers to its unique sound as “Americana for the urban moonshiner” and gathers inspiration from the love of their rural locale. Less than a year old, Saigon County came together last fall and started playing live shows as recently as February. They mix banjoes, keys, kick drums and guitar for a mild folk sound. Members:

Brian Buck: vocals/guitar/harmonica/banjo/keys; Joel Stein: bass/kick drums; Eric Sinclair: vocals/guitar/banjo/keys/drums

 Jeremiah Akin and the Bards

Jeremiah Akin and the Bards

On writing: “Lyricism has always been really important to me.”

This group of Moscow natives place a special emphasis on lyrics, particularly “making them meaningful and and matching them to the right music.” Akin loosely defines the band’s genre as alternative rock/folk noir, but says they are careful to remain true to their own “natural sound.” The band finished recording its second full length album, “From Mercury to Cupid” in November and has no shortage of local and regional gigs, most recently Jones Radiator of Spokane March 29. The band has a long list of influences, including Leonard Cohen and Eliot Smith in Figure Eight. Members:

Jeremiah Akin: vocals/guitar; Gus Simpson: lead guitar; Andy Abrams: bass; Caleb Murdock: drums

 Tumble Down Badger

Tumble Down badger

On writing music: “We do most of our writing on the front porch on summer days”

Tri-Cities-based Badger is freshly home from a trip to Pullman for Washington State University’s Battle of the Bands, but bassist Branden Mellgren says they’re “super-excited” to be back in the Palouse Saturday. Playing a blend of reggae, folk and indie rock, this trio has influences as diverse as their output, including Cake, Bob Marley and Sublime. Frontman Bruno Ginieis brought their name back from a hiking trip on nearby Badger Mountain, after a gust of wind caught him at the top and he almost “tumbled down.” Members:

Bruno Ginieis: Classical guitar/vocals; Branden Mellgren: bass; Jason Watson: drums

Simba and the Exceptional Africans

Simba and the Exceptional Afrikans

On the future: “I’m looking forward to this thing blowing up and traveling the world”

This Moscow-based African rhythm/folk/reggae group is growing to epic proportions – exceeding that even of Chicago – with a member base of 12. But front man Simba Tirima sees no reason to pare down. “Maybe when we hit 22 or 23,” he said. The original band members have been together – on and off – since 2011. Since their first gig in the University of Idaho’s SUB ballroom for Africa Night, they’ve played churches, Hempfest and the Moscow Farmer’s Market as well as other local venues. Tirima, who fell in love with music as a young child in his home country of Kenya, says rhythm and musical ability are accessible to everyone who has a heartbeat. They will be recording their first album this summer. Members:

Simba Tirima: lead vocals/rhythm acoustic guitar; Brian Zabriskie: acoustic/electric bass/backing vocals;

Ben Walden: lead guitar/vocals; Paul Anders: mandocaster/harmonica/percussion/backing vocals;

Sara Ziemann: flute/saxophone/vocals; Betsy Boyles: vocals; Isaac Greenfield: percussion; Caleb Murdock: drums; Alex Keeney: saxophone; Skyler Mendell: trumpet/flugelhorn; Ryan Tarinelli: trombone; Bowen Walcott: trumpet

Henry C and the Willards

Henry C. and the Willards

On being a band: “Our love of the same types of music, and the power we feel when playing together, has kept us together.”

Formed in October 2012, the band was just going to play for a friend’s  birthday party. All longtime Moscow residents, Henry C. Willard said they are bonded by their love of the same music genres: blues and rock and roll. Each band member has a long resume of musical experience, including playing with Lonesome Divas, Gasoline Alley, The Hot Flashed, Charlie Sutton, Idlers Rest, Solstice, Spare Time, Gypsy Dawgs, Snake River Six,  Moscow Volunteer Peace Band, Kelly Riley, John Treasure, Beargrass and Undiscovered Country. Willard has been playing in bands since 16. Members

Henry C. Willard: singer/songwriter/dobro/guitarist; Donna Holmes-Parks: lead and harmony vocalist/percussion; Nels Peterson: drummer; Terri Grzebielski: lead and harmony vocalist/rhythm guitarist; Jeanne McHale: lead and harmony vocalist/keyboards; Doug Park: bass and electric bass guitar

Over and Out

On performing: “I love writing music and no one else is gonna play my music.”

The Showcase gig will be the first this Moscow-based rock/blues/Americana/folk ensemble has played together. Front man Garrett Clevenger said he and Pat McFarland have been writing music together for about 10 years, since McFarland moved up from Tennessee, but their drummer and bassist are new. That’s not to say they’re inexperienced. All band members have been playing music for a decade or more. This band gains inspiration from live circumstances, nature and, for the most part, relationships. Clevenger said he’d love to make music for a living, but at this point, he plays when he can and tries to keep things going in a musical direction.

Quinn can be contacted at squinn@inland360.com or (208) 883-4632

If you go

WHAT:  10th Annual Rendezvous Showcase: A Night at the Arts

WHEN: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Kenworthy Theatre, 508 Main St ., Moscow.

COST: $10, $5 for students, at the door