Vine Street Music Nights is honored to welcome nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Malcolm Holcombe to our stage. Malcolm is the real deal, as they say. He's been writing songs and performing for over 30 years throughout the country with a catalog of over 13 albums. He'll be making a stop out our concert series on Friday, April 13th on his national Pretty Little Troubles tour and we couldn't be more honored to present him for your listening pleasure.
Malcolm's music sounds like a freight train on the verge of busting off the tracks. His acoustic guitar playing is frenetic and seemingly chaotic, but there's a smoothness and exactness to this chaos that is a sight (and sound) to behold. I first saw him on a flatbed trailer turned outdoor stage at the wonderful SLO Tracks venue in San Luis Obispo. He was headlining an evening of music that also included the talent of Vincent Bernardy and Travis Warren and he owned the stage that evening. With Holcombe perched precariously on an old chair and rocking and swaying back and forth, it seemed like something would break that evening, whether it be the chair, or his guitar that he was plucking at with furious abandon. But instead it was our hearts that broke as his gravelly voice rasped the beautiful poetry of his Appalachian roots, telling stories that would have brought weaker men to their knees. His voice is defiant in the face of sorrow and frustration, but not with the power of anger and violence, but with the understanding of a man who has seen it all and takes it all in with a wink and an infectious smile. He's a magical cross between Bob Dylan and Tom Waits, though even these comparisons don't do justice to the entirety of this man's performance both live and on his many records. You can check out those records and find out more about the man at www.MalcolmHolcombe.com.
Also on the bill for the evening will be none other than Vincent Bernardy, whom we must thank for bringing the amazingly talented Malcolm Holcombe to our corner of the woods. Vincent is an amazing singer/songwriter who has been featured here at Vine Street Music Nights in the past and who has been a local treasure for introducing so many amazing artists to so many appreciative ears. His venues from the past, The Sanitarium and SLO Tracks, were renowned for the quality of the performances and the intimacy the artists could share with the audience. He recently finished recording his latest record Big Illusion Pacifier Machine at Deer Canyon Studios which you can hear, along with his other great records, at stvincentfolk.bandcamp.com. You can also check out his art work currently on display at Studios on the Park in downtown Paso Robles.
This is going to be an amazing show that you will not want to miss. We are requesting a $10 donation as opposed to our normal $5 to support our traveling headliner. As always, all proceeds from tickets and the door will go directly to the artists to show them our appreciation for their craft. Bring extra cash for merchandise and CD purchases as well; we know you'll be wanting to pick them up directly after the show. Vine Street Music Nights is a BYOB/Potluck affair, so feel free to bring your favorite drinks and something to snack on. Have no fear if you come empty handed, however, as there's always libations and snacks available for those who come without. See you soon!