Val Esway + El Mirage: News

Howdy friends,

I don't know about you, but it feels like Fall has crept up on me,
and suddenly, there are shows galore!

Tuesday, 10/14 - Loretta Lynch plays the City Sessions Music Seriesat Club Waziema!  Come enjoy some tasty Ethiopian food and get serenaded by the likes of Joni Davis, Yard Sale and Loretta Lynch. It's a free show, but feel free to feed the tip jar!  Starts at 8 pm. Club Waziema is located at 543 Divisadero, between Fell/Hayes in SF.

Sunday, 10/26 - Hot as Balls at the Bazaar Cafe -   Hot as...huh??
Yes, that's right, there's a new band in town, and we're called Hot as Balls!  You may know the fabulously talented High Diving Horses, featuring the musical talents of Danny and Laura Allen, and featuring Danny's songs.  Well how talented can one family be, my friends? Danny's songs are so damn good, and as it turns out, Laura's are too. And I'm pleased to play music with both of them, and in this capacity, as the slinger of the bass.  We'll be joined by Corey from the Shut-ins on the drums, and there will also be sets from the wonderful Luther Monday and his Magic Hammer, and someone named simply, Paulette.  Don't miss it!  It's an early show, starting at 6
pm at the Bazaar Cafe, at 5927 California Street near 22nd in SF.
All ages and free!

Friday, 10/31 - It's the 7th annual Murder Ballads Bash at the Starry
Plough - all kinds of good music happening, and more details coming, but please do mark those calendars if you haven't already.  I'm doing a special duet with Joe Rut that night and there will be LOTS more, so don't miss it!

Howdy folks,

Just a quick update to let you know that you can now listen to my music via this really cool new site called bandcamp. More coming soon, but one of the things that I love about this site is that you can download a player (like the one below) to post on your own site, and you can listen for free, or if you'd like, purchase my songs individually. Lots of cool options for the modern listener! Please give the player below a listen, and click on the link below that to see and hear more. Thanks!







http://valesway.bandcamp.mu/

Howdy friends,

It's been a whirlwind summer so far, with no signs of things slowing down any time soon. Lots of good shows coming up in September and October, so please join us somewhere along the way! All details can be found on the calendar page.

First and foremost, El Mirage will be performing at the Starry Plough on September 13th as part of the CD release bash for Dylan Champagne's new and wonderful album, "New Equation". With Joni Davis and Michael Hamm on the bill too, it's a night not to be missed. Tonight's El Mirage features Lucio Menegon and Berge Thomasian on guitars, plus John Shiurba on bass and Suki O'kane on drums. Show starts at 9 pm and we'll take the stage around 10:30, but do come early and stay late for a great night of music!

Next up, it's Loretta Lynch at the Webster Street fair in Alameda on Sunday, September 14th. Come on down and stroll the streets of Alameda and let us serenade you in three-part harmony. We play at 1 pm.

Sunday September 21st, it'll be time for the Bazaar Cafe monthly series again, and this time Val will be joined by John Shiurba on upright bass, and also on the bill we'll have Paul Pot and Mokai. As always, it's early (6 to 8:30 pm), free and all ages.

Tuesday, October 14th, Loretta Lynch is excited to perform at the City Sessions series at Club Waziema in SF. More details will be coming, but the show starts at 8 pm and is located at 543 Divisadero.

Sunday, October 26th will find us back at the Bazaar Cafe again, but this time I'll be pulling bass duty with my pals Laura and Danny Allen in the new band Hot as Balls. I'm really excited to be playing with these folks - Laura's songs rock, and so will we! Also on the bill - Paulette, and Luther Monday and the Magic Hammer.

You DID mark your calendars for the 8th annual Murder Ballads Bash on Friday, October 31st, didn't you?! This will be a night not to be missed, featuring all manner of "ballad" in the vein of murder, misery and despair, with sets by Conception Vessel One, Scott Simon, Fuzzy Cousins, She Mob, High Diving Horses, Joe Rut, Ultralash, Kneel, and of course, yours truly!

Lastly, El Mirage will reunite once again to play a Sunday afternoon BBQ at Thee Parkside on Sunday, Nov. 9th, and things will probably quiet down considerably around here for the next couple of months after that. So it would be great to be able to serenade you before then!

Thank you, as always, for your kind support. Happy Summer-into-Fall!

Cheers,

Val

Howdy friends,

Hope everyone is enjoying summer. June was a busy month for music around here - Loretta Lynch had a blast playing on KPIG and played a handful of fun gigs to boot. Earlier this month, we also had a blast playing a lunch time concert at the Girls Rock Camp in Oakland.

Though things might be quieting down a bit in the next few months, there are a few shows not to be missed:

Sunday, July 20th, the Bazaar Cafe series resumes, with Val solo, Joe Rut, and Bernie Jungle. I'm a big fan of both of Joe and Bernie, so am very excited to hear the both of them sitting around with their guitars and singing songs and telling tales. As usual, it's early, free, and all ages, starting at 6:00 pm and ending at 8:30.

August 8th, I'm playing a short solo set at a benefit for the ICS documentary at the Uptown. You've heard the music made by ICS participants, and soon there will be a movie documenting this experience.

Sunday, August 18th, I'll be back at the Bazaar Cafe w/ special guests Misisipi Mike's Boiled Peanuts, and the Everlovin. More details coming about that one.

Looking waaaay ahead, mark your calendars for the 8th annual Murder Ballads Bash at the Starry Plough on Friday, October 31st. Lots of great music by some new and old friends. Don't miss it!

More details later, but for now, enjoy summer and hope to see you soon!

Cheers...

Howdy folks,

It's been a little quiet this month on the El Mirage front, but Loretta Lynch has been busy busy busy. We're excited to be performing live on KPIG this coming Saturday, June 14th at 2 pm. If you're in the Bay area, tune in to AM 1510 and give it a listen, won't you?

By the way, did you know you can buy an El Mirage CD easily and securely by clicking on the boxes below? Well, now you do.

Howdy friends,

Come on down to Lanesplitter in Berkeley this Saturday, May 10th to help celebrate their 11th anniversary. Eat pizza, drink beer and swoon to the tunes of El Mirage. We'll play around 4 pm, but come early because Joe Rut and Band (aka Jose Con Queso) will play at 3 pm (with yours truly on harmony vocals!) and after El Mirage, High Diving Horses will be sure to get every toe in the place tapping. It's all ages, and it's free! Hope to see you there!

Howdy and thanks to each and every one of you who came out to enjoy Loretta Lynch at the Great American Music Hall. We had a blast and we hope you did too!

The Spring and Summer calendars are filling up fast around here, beginning with an upcoming whirlwind weekend with the Widows (the legendary all-female "supergroup" featuring members of Loretta Lynch, Yard Sale, Pickin' Trix and Bermuda Triangle Service). After a day spent in the studio for our first recording ever, we'll play a backyard BBQ on Saturday April 19th, and a set at the Bazaar Cafe on Sunday April 20th. As an added bonus, Loretta Lynch will also perform a set at the Bazaar that night. And the icing on the cake will be a tasty little set from Chris Jones. It's gonna be good!

Then on May 1st, El Mirage comes out of hibernation for a show at Ashkenaz, opening for Pat Nevins and Ragged Glory. Tonight's Mirage features Berge Thomasian and Joe Rut on guitars, John Shiurba on bass and Nathan Moy on drums.

More shows coming later in May and June, but more about that later!

For now, we hope to see you at one of these upcoming shows, and thanks, as always for your support.

Cheers

Howdy friends,

It's been awhile, hasn't it? It's been a long winter or so it feels that way, and I for one am happy to report that I survived nearly a month of illness, and I hope this finds you and yours healthy and feeling well!

There is a busy weekend coming right up, featuring Loretta Lynch at the Great American Music Hall on Saturday March 15th! We've been longing to play on that stage again and are excited that the day approaches. And we would LOVE to share that day with you. It's going to be a great evening of music, with Devine's Jug Band opening, and the Stairwell Sisters headlining. We'll be in the middle slot and we sincerely hope to see your smiling faces there!

Then on Sunday, March 16th, it's my regular once-a-month series at the Bazaar Cafe, and I'm excited to be joined by the fabulous Joel Murach, and local jug band heroes the Goat Family. I'll do a little set in between, possibly with a guest or two. As always, the Bazaar show is early (6 pm sharp!), free and all ages. Come on down!

Greetings and Happy Winter,

There are a couple of fine, fine shows coming up that you won't want to miss.

First, on Tuesday Feb. 12th, yours truly, along with Joe Rut and Joel Murach, will spend an evening covering songs by local songwriters at Club Waziema in SF. Come early and enjoy delicious Ethiopian food, and stay for a night of great music. The music starts around 8 pm, cause it is a school night after all!

Then on Sunday, Feb. 17th, I'll be joined by the fabulous Koa Stephens and the equally wonderful Joni Davis for a free, early night of music at the Bazaar Cafe in SF. Music starts at 6 pm, so come join us and we'll provide a feast for your ears.

Lastly, Loretta Lynch is thrilled to be performing once again at the Great American Music Hall on Saturday March 15th, so we hope you'll mark your calendars and plan to join us for the fun!

Hope to see your smiling faces soon.

Greetings and Happy 2008 to one and all!

There's a nice little cluster of shows coming right up, both near and far. For each show, we (El Mirage, Loretta Lynch, et al) will be sharing the stage (or, corner of the room, as it were) with the wonderful Nellie Bly. You may have heard us raving about them previously; well now's your chance to hear them too so you can go and rave about them some more!

For these shows, El Mirage will be a lean and mean power trio, with yours truly slinging the bass, and Berge Thomasian and Lucio Menegon rocking and twanging the guitars.

We're packing up the stationwagon and we're headed back to Fresno - the raisin capital of the USA, home to Brian Kenney Fresno, and the place where there is one of the best taquerias we know of, if only we could remember the name! See, it's been awhile since we've wandered the streets of Fresno, but we can't wait to do it again this Thursday, January 17th. Check the calendar page for more details.

You can also find El Mirage in Grover Beach (SLO) at O'Reilley's Bar & Grill on Saturday January 19th, and then Loretta Lynch & Nellie Bly will be at the Bazaar Cafe on Sunday January 20th.

In other news, the El Mirage song Whiskey Lullaby was featured on Richard Taylor's Roots Rock Radio show #104, and we are in some very fine company, so head on over to: http://rrradio.com/ and give it a listen!

Until next time, stay warm, friends!

Warm Winter Greetings, friends!

In fact it *has* been a pretty warm winter so far. I'm still spending a lot of time in the kitchen baking and making soup, and spent many an hour in November at the computer spewing out (almost)
50,000 words which do not really amount to a novel, but my best attempt at writing one. I'm also beginning to narrow down the song
selection for the next El Mirage album (all covers!) and brewing up
lots and lots of plans for next year!

As 2007 comes to a close, I'm excited to be launching a new acoustic music series at the sweet and cozy Bazaar Cafe in SF. Now that I'm no longer an "official" booking agent, I can get back to doing what I love most, which is putting together cool shows featuring music that I love. And there sure isn't any shortage of great music 'round these
parts!

Please mark your calendars for the third Sunday of every month, and
join me at the first installment of this series on Sunday Dec. 16th
from 6 to 9 pm. Yes folks, it's early for the old folks, it's family-friendly for the kids, and the price is right, as in,
FREE!***

Come and get your ears soothed by the (bitter-)sweet sounds of yours
truly, along with Dandeline and Denise Funari. We'll cure what ails
you. Or at least if we don't cure it, we'll sing about what ails you
and then you won't feel so alone with your misery. Cause misery loves company, no? Why not give it a little harmony too?

That'll be my last official show of the year, but there's lots more
coming in January and beyond, so scroll down for more info about
what's in store for 2008.

In the meantime, keep breathing & stay warm.

Howdy folks,

It's looking like Fall is upon us. In my world, that means it's time for butternut squash, chicken soup, fake fur coats and mulled wine (not necessarily in that order!).

In between those endeavors, there is always lots of great music happening!

The Sixth Annual Murder Ballads show is just around the corner, and I'll be not only harmonizing with the lovely ladies of Loretta Lynch, but also with the most awesome force of nature known as Joni Davis.

In November and December I plan to attempt to write a novel, bake a lot of biscotti, and launch a new monthly acoustic music series at the Bazaar Cafe.

I'm very excited to be hosting an acoustic music series again, because I am lucky to know so many talented souls and it will be a great pleasure to help spread their music a little bit further, so be sure to check the calendar page for all the details! It's an EARLY, FREE, ALL AGES, Sunday night series on the third Sunday of every month. So mark your calendars please!

That's it for now friends; thanks for reading this. Over and out!

Well, there's a mouthful. Welcome to my site, which has been sorely in need of an update.

This site is a work-in-progress.

Read this rant, check out the other pages, and then go and pluck yourself a tomato from the vine and enjoy the end of summer as the days grow shorter.

And then come back every now again and visit, as the tomatoes fade away and the squash start to mature, and surely there will be more tales to be found here.

For now, here are a few tidbits to chew on, in no particular order:

*Loretta Lynch just celebrated our FIVE year anniversary of harmonizing and stirring up trouble together, with an awesome show on the stage where it all began in May 2002 at the Hotel Utah. I'll drink to that! Our new album Concrete & Ether has been getting rave reviews, and plans are already under way for the recording of our next album. It's still a joy to sing with these ladies after all this time. (http://www.lorettalynch.com)

*El Mirage is doing a bit of hibernating save for our upcoming show at the Lounge Theater in Hollywood with our friends Missy & Mike of Breech. This is going to be delightful! Then it's back to fine tuning the batch of covers that we'll be going into the studio to record around the end of this year. More details will be coming as they unfold.

*Yours truly and Joni Davis are joining forces for a foot stomping set of Murder Ballads at the Starry Plough on October 27th. If you've been lucky enough to hear Joni's gorgeously chilling, deep, soulful voice, you'll know why I am so excited to sing harmony with this woman. Mark your calendars, friends! (http://www.jonidavismusic.com)

Hope to see your smiling faces soon!

Just a reminder to those of you just joining us: you've landed here in cyberspace at staggeringsiren headquarters: the home of all things musical for Val Esway - singer, song writer, guitar mangler, bass slinger, torch singer, murder balladeer, harmonizer, insomniac, chef, writer, wisecracker, ham. Peruse this site to learn about my musical happenings. Surf on over to http://soupandsong.blogspot.com to read more random musings on music and food and various & sundry.

Enjoy your tomatoes and corn. Thanks for stopping by!

Howdy friends,

It sure has been awhile, hasn't it?

June and July found yours truly laying a little bit low, in a new quest to learn about this mysterious phenomena they call "relaxing". Yes, some of us are slow learners and can only be dragged into a relaxed state while kicking and screaming. Go figure!

But recently, our new quest for relaxation has taken us from the heart of Oakland to Jackson Hole Wyoming, to the little coastal town of Gualala, on Highway One at the bottom of Mendocino County, and many places in between, all the while with guitar and trusty sidekick Spider the Dog in tow.

Oh yes, new songs have been born. And old songs have been revisited. In some cases, the songs being revisited are songs written by others! And that brings us to our next exciting musical adventure, known as the Spin the Bottle Song Cycle.

But wait; there's more! We wouldn't want to get too relaxed, would we? In case there should be any threat of that, the Second Half of August promises a multitude of musical adventures for you and yours, courtesy of um, me, and mine.

So please check the calendar page for all the details. Thanks for stopping by!

Well it sure has been awhile since this page has been updated, hasn't it?

Yours truly was having too much fun roaming the open roads of places like Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Ah, those big crazy skies. It could almost make a person start to relax. Almost....

But alas, it's time to get back into the onslaught of life!

Lots of good shows coming up, so please do come and join us, won't you?

Howdy


There are lots of good shows coming for folks and freaks of all ages, even a couple of radio gigs for those who hate to venture out of the comfort of their homes.

Thanks to everyone who came to see El Mirage at the Lanesplitter recently, and apologies to those who came but missed us, due to our miscommunication about the time. It seems some folks got the second email and others didn't.

One thing's for sure; the upcoming El Mirage show at the Twang Cafe is happening this Sunday, June 3rd at 9 pm! Doors at 7:30, with the Blushin' Roulettes playing at 8 pm. Please come out and enjoy the music and help support this little non-profit arts space.

And we've got quite a few other shows happening in June, so be sure to check the calendar page for all the dirt.

There are now two places that you can see Val and El Mirage live video footage:

Here:
http://www.youtube.com/v/oFgKn_Pti6E
and here:

http://the-open-mic.org/MamaBuzz/
And there's more coming soon, too. So stay tuned!

Happy summer, friends!

Howdy!

Much to catch up on, my friends. But first, did you know that little independent internet radio stations are in great danger of being shut down? Geez, why is it always the little ma & pa organizations that get stuck by the Man?

Please click on the link above to find out what you can do to help. It's little stations like these that support little artists like me, and long may they live!

In other news, it's been busy as a beehive around here... a few highlights:

El Mirage has finally joined the U-tube nation! Paste this link into your browser and check out those alien eyes!

http://www.youtube.com/v/oFgKn_Pti6E
Val & Heather recently joined forces w/ She Mob for a little 60's girl group meets riot grrl recording, complete with shouting, la la's and hand claps!

http://www.shemob.com
Loretta Lynch is currently featured on the home page of the Oakland Magazine web site. Wander on over and pay a visit at:

http://www.oaklandmagazine.com
And, we've got shows galore coming right up, featuring Val vocalizing, harmonizing and generally stirring up trouble in coffeehouses, backyard BBQs and saloons, and over radio airwaves far and wide. So please DO be sure to check out the calendar page for all the juicy details!

Happy summer, friends!

Spring has Sprung and music is in the air... and there is a lot of it coming up in the next couple weeks, so please do mark your calendars, friends!

Check the calendar page for the complete lowdown.

Catch Val solo, early and free at Mama Buzz on April 17th, opening for Acoustic Virgin...

And we've got two kinds of Val music on April 21st - a daytime show at the KWMR hootenany in Point Reyes, and an evening time El Mirage show at the Rite Spot in SF.

On April 28th, Val will lend harmony vocals to the fabulous Luther Monday at a benefit for the New School on Berkeley. Come for the clever songwriting and sweet harmonies, stay for the booze, food and rummage sale. Oh - and raise money for the school.

Then in May, Loretta Lynch heads to the North Bay on May 12th.

And hell, why not plan for June now? Loretta Lynch has a CD release show booked at the Cafe du Nord on June 14th, and you know we want to see your smiling faces there.

And lastly, we'll soon be posting some video clips from the recent El Mirage CD release at the HOtel Utah, so stay tuned.

Enjoy the Spring sunshine, and see complete details below.

x o

Hello and thanks for stopping by!

Finally, a couple weeks without gigs after a very busy couple of months.

The ladies of Loretta Lynch are happy to report that our new album, Concrete and Ether, is finally here!

We're hard at work getting it out into the world, and rumor has it there will be a CD release show happening at the Great American Music Hall sometime in June, so we'll keep you posted on that.

In other news, the VE + El Mirage album Pretend to Believe has recently received a couple of reviews which you can check out here...

http://www.whisperinandhollerin.co.uk/reviews/review.asp?id=4627
and here (but bring your translator for this one!):

http://home.scarlet.be/~tpm76025/cd%20reviews.htm#25
Happy Spring to one and all, and please come out and play in April - check the calendar page for details about gigs in Oakland, SF and Pt. Reyes on April 17 and April 21st...

x o x o x

A hearty and heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the CD release show at the Hotel Utah a screaming success!

It was an incredible night of music and an overflowing crowd - we promise next time we'll do it at a place with more seating!

And speaking of seating...there are a couple of really cool shows coming right up!

Friday March 9th it's the long awaited Widows-meets-Ramona the Pest, et al-farewell to Camille show at the Koi Pond. Not only do we have seating, but we have ambiance, great sound and lovely lighting. This is gonna be a treat!

Then on March 10th, it's a tiny little house concert at Dylan Champagne's place in Oakland. You'll definitely need to reserve a seat for this one, cause seating is way limited! Val is playing solo at this show, along w/ Dylan Champagne and more. Tasty tasty musical treats!

If you want to catch either (or both!) of these shows, drop a line to info@staggeringsiren.com for details.

Lastly, Val recently found herself on the other side of Myles Boisen's camera, and you can take a peek at some of the results here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21341545@N00/
Til we meet again, cheers to one and all!

p.s. Listen to Val Esway & El Mirage radio at http://www.pandora.com

Greetings friends,

Well sadly we had to cancel our radio appearance on KWMR last week due to getting bitten by the sick bug - this cold has been a brutal one, so here's hoping you all stay healthy!

Besides all the good stuff happening this month (live on KALX Fri. 2/16, CD release show 2/24) there's some fun stuff happening in March, too!

On March 9th it's a double whammy at the Koi Pond, featuring the last Widows performance for quite some time (to refresh your memory, we're the all female trucker's widows supergroup!) - AND - the first Ramona the Pest show in quite some time - you won't want to miss this one!

In other news, VE + El Mirage were recently featured on the Roots Rock Radio Podcast #88, along with music by lots of other fine indedependent roots artists. You can listen to it right now, by going here:

http://rrradio.com/
Pretend to Believe has recently received a couple of nice reviews in faraway places - look for us at
http://altcountry.nl/ and also at http://www.ctrlaltcountry.be/ We don't know what they said, but we're pretty sure they liked it...
... and if you can accurately translate for us, we'll gladly send you your very own copy of the new CD!

And lastly, the links page here at staggeringsiren has been freshly updated - give it a look and check out the many great bands and artists.

Til we meet again, stay dry and take that vitamin C!

Howdy folks,

Well, it was a nice little period of hibernation and February promises to be anything but quiet.

We've got shows, shows, shows! Solo and with El Mirage! On the radio, in living rooms, and in bars. Little bit 'o something for everyone, including of course, the big CD release show on February 24th at the Hotel Utah!

But if you just can't wait that long, try tuning into KFJC or KALX (both of which are already playing cuts from Pretend to Believe), AND, if that's not enough, then surf right over to www.cdbaby.com/valesway2 and get your very own copy.

Alright-y, thanks for your continued support, and be sure to check the calendar page for all the details.

Till we meet again, happy trails!

Howdy friends!

Hope everyone's new year is off to a good start.

I hope you'll pretty please save Feb. 24th on your calendar to come celebrate the release of Pretend to Believe at the Hotel Utah!

Trust me, you'll be so glad you did, cause it's going to be a swell night of music at the Hotel Uteah, featuring short sets from...

The Shut-ins!

Jason Kleinberg!
Joe Rut himself!
Val Esway solo!
20 Minute Loop!
... and lastly ...
Val Esway and EL Mirage!

It's not often that I get to play w/ the whole lot of those magically talented El Mirage-ers (Myles Boisen, John Hanes, Wil Hendricks, Lucio Menegon, Joe Rut, Berge Thomasian), and it's going to be a treat. For me, and for you.

So save the date, will ya? And in case you're wondering, the CD will be available on CD baby very soon!

And in the meantime... come get serenaded in three part harmony by Loretta Lynch:

Saturday, Jan. 20th - kinda early show, 8 pm! at Epic Arts Teahouse in Berkeley. (1923 Ashby Ave., Berkeley - www.epicarts.org)

Until we meet again, may all of our buns remain warm!

The long awaited brand spankin' shiny new El Mirage release, Pretend to Believe, is finally here!

The official CD release show will happen on Feb. 24th at the Hotel Utah, but the CD will probably be available online before that.

In the meantime, please do mark your calendars for the show at the Hotel Utah, cause it's going to be a rip roarin' good time, with many special guests, including The Shut-ins, Joe Rut, 20 Minute Loop and Jason Kleinburg.

Come help us celebrate!

Happy holidays to one and all; more updates coming in January.

Cheers!

Howdy!

Just a smattering of shows coming up in the next couple months, and then it'll be mostly quiet till early 2007 which will see the release of both El Mirage's Pretend to Believe, and Loretta Lynch's Thistleweeds and Concrete.

Lots of work to be done in order to get those babies out into the world and thusly, it's time for a little rest and rejuvenation.

Stay tuned!