December Music News: Octopus, RoadTrips, Other Desert Cities

A post shared by Deborah Crooks (@deborahrcrooks) on Nov 22, 2017 at 6:08pm PST

Given how 2017 has been for the world, I'm doubly grateful for the music that has carried me through so much of the past months. Thank YOU for continuing to listen to original music and attend live shows! In December, I'm closing out a dynamic year of curating quarterly shows at The Octopus Literary Salon in Oakland. These showcases have been a hoot, and this next one features another STELLAR lineup. Please join me to close out the year with music, hope and community

Octopus Songwriter Showcase #4 Wednesday, December 20, 2017, 7pm

FEATURING:
Amie Penwell
https://amiepenwell.com/
Jeffrey Halford
http://jeffreyhalford.com/
Megan McLaughlin
https://meganmclaughlin.com/
and host Deborah Crooks
www.deborahcrooks.com

The Octopus is friendly hub of literature and music in downtown Oakland. Featuring a full menu of healthy food and drink, and very close to the 19th St BART.
The Octopus Literary Salon 2101 Webster St @ 22nd Oakland, California $5-10 suggested donation

Spotlight: Girls Guide

I'm pleased to have my music included in this nifty Spotlight:Girls holiday shopping guide along with almost 200 other women artists, makers, musicians & business owners. This season #ShopWithHer!

And this December you can get all 3 Deborah Crooks releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%. This includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Beauty Everywhere, Something Special EP, and Little Bird.

Roadtrip Nation's "Changing Gears"

We're one of the featured musicians in “Changing Gears,” a Roadtrip Nation documentary about three young people who take a life-changing road trip! Watch it here: www.changinggearsfilm.com

Performance review

Thanks Dick Miner for reviewing our recent duo show for @breadandroses_ca at New Bridge:
“How do you get love to survive? Just go out and make some.” These are lyrics from the song, “Go Out Sand Make Some” and they are just some of Deborah Crooks’ powerful lyrics that touched the residents of New Bridge. She and Kwame Copeland (Bay Station) brought their beautiful original music to the facility and provided a joyful evening for all. ….
The night continued with upbeat songs that encouraged audience participation and the room became quite raucous. “Look But Don’t Touch”, “Anchor,” and “What To Say (Come Here)” brought about loud clapping and yelling and created a party atmosphere. “Be Your Own Bird” is a song about individuality and so we had a room full of people joyfully providing birdcalls.
The show ended with a lovely version of “Beauty Everywhere” and the audience was on its feet asking for more. The encore song was a very funny piece called “The Bay Station Wiggle.” This song had every one on their feet dancing with complete abandon; a very unusual occurrence at New Bridge.

Deborah’s soulful singing and laid back performance style, combined with KWame’s beautiful bluesy guitar work created an evening of uninhibited joy. The residents of New Bridge, through the music, allowed themselves much needed emotional release. In return, Deborah and Kwame fed off the love that the audience provided. This interaction of audience and artist was powerful and very emotional. It all made for a very special evening at New Bridge.”

New Year, New Music

I've been busy with Bay Station putting the finishing touches on the Other Desert Cities CD that we're looking to release in March 2018 (exact date TBA), and I've been wood-shedding some new material of my own. In 2018, the plan is to get back in the studio and on the road. Email me if you'd like us to play in your town! Booking and more info

This month! Full Digital Discography Get all 3 Deborah Crooks releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%. Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Beauty Everywhere, Something Special EP, and Little Bird.