Listings 12/29/21-1/4/22

Issue #25

Jimmy James of the Mortadells at Aslan. Photo by Leland Anderson

Not a ton of shows or news this week but it looks like things will pick right up again in the new year. So, open question, what are your music related resolutions for the new year? Share them in the comments.

This week’s live music events:

Wednesday 12/29

Thursday 12/30

Friday 12/31

• Diego Romero Band, Vendovi, Paws for A Beer, 5 pm: rock/ funk

• Cheryl Hodge, Fireside, 7 pm: blues/ jazz

• Petty or Not, Baby Cakes, Wild Buffalo, 9 pm: Tom Petty covers/ R&B covers [Edit: this has been cancelled]

• The Walrus, Nakos and Katie, Twin Sisters, 9 pm: classic rock covers

• Munch Ink, Lyla Minor, Boundary Bay, 9 pm: rock/ R&B

• Daikaiju, Whatcom County Angels, Proud Failures, Shakedown, 9:30 pm: surf/ punk

Saturday 1/1

Sunday 1/2

• The Harris Twins, Kulshan, 5 pm

Monday 1/3

• Peter Ali, Kulshan, 6 pm

Tuesday 1/4

• Open Mic ft. Carrie Bieber and Steven Pitzer, Zeek’s, 6 pm

Picks of the Week:
Well, the only decisions you need to make this week are on New Years Eve, so let’s look at those. You’ve got two choices for early shows, at Paws for A Beer and the Fireside, either one of which would be a good way to get started. Then you’ve basically got four live music choices if you want to party all the way until midnight. The Walrus, Petty or Not, and Baby Cakes are all among our finest local cover bands. Munch Ink are danceable original rock with a classic R&B twist. Over at the Shakedown you’ve got Daikaiju bringing their surf tunes and legendarily wild live show, along with a Murder City Devils tribute and the high speed punk of Proud Failures.

New Artist of the Week:

Neal Marks

Neal Marks is a recent arrival who plays a mean electric guitar. He has one single out under his own name and another coming out on New Year’s Eve. On these he plays all the instruments and sings. Check his solo stuff out if you’re looking for crunchy, melodic rock with just enough classic rock roots to appeal to different generations. He’s also in a jazz/ funk/ fusion type group that is hoping to debut soon, more on that when it happens.

Ongoing weekly events (once again I would have expected many of these to be cancelled or rescheduled this week, even before the snow hit, so check with venues before you head out):

• Wednesday Aaron Guest on piano, Boundary, 6 pm

• Wednesday The Local Jam 102.3 7-8 pm: local music on the radio

• Wednesday Open Mic, Honeymoon, 8:30 pm

• Thursday Open Mic, KPop Chicken, 5-9 pm

• Thursday Irish Session, Uisce, 7-9:30

• Thursday Salsa classes, Love to Move Studio, 7:30 pm

• Friday live music, Lighthouse Grill, 5:30 pm: jazz/ lounge

• Friday Open Mic, Snowy River, 8 pm

• Saturday Singer’s Saturday, Fireside, 3:30-6:30

• Saturday live music, Lighthouse Grill, 5:30 pm: jazz/ lounge

• Saturday Otto’s Hour, local music on KZAX 94.9, 6-7 pm

• Monday Irish Session, Greene’s Corner, 6-8 pm

• Monday Miles Harris Boundary Bay 6-8

• Tuesday Lindy at the Leo, 6 pm: swing dancing

• Tuesday Paul Klein on piano, Boundary, 6 pm

News and Upcoming Events:

On January 5th Hodwall Productions is doing another Karate Church open mic.

Bird Sense Danger just dropped a live recording of their set at West Fest in November. It has great, energetic performances of their quirky guitar-based pop songs, and surprisingly good sound quality for a live recording. I’m starting to develop high hopes for this group.

Thanks to everyone who has subscribed so far. Please share this newsletter with anyone you think might enjoy it so we can continue to grow. Musicians and venues: email bellinghammusicdigest@gmail.com if you’ve got news you want included next week!

Video of the week is a seasonally appropriate song by Philip Hofmann, taken from Robert Sarazin Blake’s online holiday show.