Playhouse Sessions: Rob Morrow, We Are The West, Hayley Reardon (5/11/18)

April 22, 2018 by 1888media

On Friday May 11, The California Consortium of Song is proud to present the second edition of Playhouse Sessions.  In association with The Miracle Foundation, a superlative evening of musical exploration and soul-baring storytelling will transpire at Santa Monica Playhouse with sets by Nashville’s Hayley Reardon, LA’s Rob Morrow Band and Santa Monica’s WE ARE THE WEST.

HAYLEY REARDON (8PM)

Named a Bostonian of the Year by the Boston Globe Magazine in 2012 in celebration of not only her music but her work to use it as a vessel for empowerment, this show marks Reardon’s Los Angeles debut.

With a voice that is distinctively rich and a contemplative sincerity in her songwriting, Reardon has far more in common with Patty Griffin, Lucinda Williams, and Tracy Chapman than many of today’s young pop singer/songwriters, boasting a lyrical and melodic weight far beyond her years.

Her latest album, entitled “Good,” (produced by Lorne Entress know for his work with Lori McKenna, Catie Curtis, and Erin McKeown), is a dazzling reflection of a period of immense growth and change, as lush arrangements surround the heartfelt and humble rawness of Hayley’s writing. The light in her voice, her lyrics, and her unique approach to both life and song has the uncanny ability to draw the listener inward to a place of clarity and reflection.

“A Jewel-like storyteller who is equally insightful.” Music Connection

“Brilliantly moving folk/pop with a lyrical depth and soul.” Performer Magazine

WE ARE THE WEST (9PM)

A convergence of sound and space, WE ARE THE WEST are dedicated song-stylists who have developed a uniquely immersive approach to performance. Brett Hool [voice/guitar] and John Kibler [bass/voice] formed We Are The West in a shipping container on a sheep farm in Holland, and began performing as a duo in an abandoned convent in Brooklyn, before moving back to California.

Originally described as “a two-man orchestra of stunning vocals, meditative guitar, and exploratory double bass” [ABQ Journal], the group now includes an extended family of musicians with Elizabeth Goodfellow [drums/voice], Sylvain Carton [clarinet/saxophone], Ben Tolliday [cello], Joe Kennedy [keys], Paul Cox [organ], and Mathias Künzli [percussion].

The band’s debut album, The Golden Shore, is available now.

“Feels like the wave of the future.” Los Angeles Magazine

“One of the lifeblood bands of LA’s music scene.” Under The Radar

ROB MORROW BAND (10PM)

Known for his nuanced acting on hit shows Northern Exposure (which garnered him three Golden Globe and two Emmy Award nominations), Numb3rs, Billions, Entourage, American Crime Story: The People Vs O.J. Simpson, and Designated Survivor, Rob Morrow has been co-writing songs with musician Carlos Calvo, a Hollywood Film & TV Coach who’s taught Adam Levine, David Duchovny, Ambyr Childers, Marg Helgenberger, David Oyelowo, Gethin Anthony, and many others to play guitar.

In Calvo, Rob found a simpatico collaborator with many gifts. The two work seamlessly together creating the band’s original songs which will appear on their debut album, set for release this fall. Key tracks include the Paul McCartney-flavored “As Good As Dead,” the moody Eagles-tinged “Man With Many Names,” the soul-searing “Nobody Wins,” the epic tour-du-force, “Tyranny of Beauty” and the George Thorogood boogie of “Out and About,” which was featured in an episode of the hit TV show, The Fosters.

In addition to Calvo on lead guitar, Rob’s All-star band includes keyboardist Jason Libs, bassist Carlos Costa, and drummer Sam Aliano (Lukas Rossi, Billy Sheehan, Nuno Bettencourt, Slash).

A portion of the proceeds of the evening to benefit The Miracle Foundation which provides Arts Education & Community Outreach in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Santa Monica Playhouse is located at 1211 4th Street in Santa Monica.
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