The intimate Seaside spot The Venue may be the most appropriate place to experience the duo Willa Mamet and Paul Miller. In addition to describing their music as a “a mix of folk, country, Americana and grassy soul,” the pair breaks down its sound to: “a guitar and a couple of voices, like you’re at the kitchen table with us.”
Gillian Welch’s sublime brand of Americana comes to mind when Mamet’s vocals hit your ears for the first time – nuanced and soulfully delivered with heart, as if she’s experienced life-changing epiphanies alongside each verse. From Richard Thompson’s “Dimming of the Day” to Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel” to Joni Mitchell’s enchanting “River,” the Vermont native grips these tunes using her own life experiences, breathing new life into them.
On tunes like Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” and George Strait’s “The King of Broken Hearts,” Miller employs comparable vocal skills, surging with an intensity and closeness to the material.
Just a few miles away, in downtown Monterey, there will be something very different going on at Bakai Wine & Tapas: Boscoe’s Brood, Sam Regalado’s one-man jam, has a special Cinco de Mayo set planned featuring Craig Jardstrom on percussion. Regalado’s sister, Sus Corez, will make the trip from Ventura to be on hand, providing additional vocals and some of her own material.
“Cinco de Mayo offers the opportunity to celebrate our heritage,” Corez says.
Influenced by everyone from Laura Nyro to Steely Dan, Corez dubs her original music “folky funk.”
“As a songwriter, I make every effort to present my observations with humor and wit,” she says. “Hopefully I’m succeeding.”
Though Corez won’t give any specifics on songs to expect, she promises some traditional tunes and “covers done with a Latin flair.”
There are more options for live music on Cinco de Mayo Saturday below.
THE ELDORADOS BAND 7pm. Salinas Sports Tavern, 9 East San Luis St., Salinas. No cover. 422-5652.
INDIVIDÚO 3pm. Baja Cantina, 7166 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. No cover. 625-2252.
SONGS HOTBOX HARRY TAUGHT US 7pm. Barmel, San Carlos and Seventh, Carmel. No cover. 626-3400.
CINCO DE MAYO PARTY with WILLA MAMET and PAUL MILLER 7:30pm (6:30pm doors). The Venue, 1242 Siddall Court, Seaside. $18/advance; $20/door. 236-0220, instantseats.com.
BOSCOE’S BROOD with SUS COREZ 8pm. Bakai Wine & Tapas, 420 Tyler St., Monterey. No cover. 324-0862.
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