 Sweet Sounds and Sangria
Sangria at the Caterina Winery is this little refreshing glass of “awh!” and so was the music Saturday night. Matt and I headed down to the Caterina to see Matthew Winters play with Betty and the Boy and Marshall Mclean. I was in for a few surprises that night, but I will get to that later. The Caterina was lightly filled with people of all ages and types as Matt and I sat at my favorite table there (yep I have a favorite table after only a few visits). The first to play for the evening was Marshall Mclean and there under the moon (we were inside) stood one man and his guitar. Marshall stood out because of his vocals - he was talented and didn’t sound like anyone else I have heard play in Spokane. To me it is as if Jack White and Conor Oberst were to have a child – okay maybe not to have a child but were put into one person – yep that sounds better. I loved how he was just himself; he was very kind thanking the crowd for being so cool and playing songs about his 20 month old son while his wife was in the crowd because they were on a date. I truly enjoyed how personal he was and how happy he is with his life; it put a smile on my face! Not only does he have this distinct voice but he is a super fast guitar player, at some points during his songs his hands were moving like a Viper on the Autobahn. And speaking of foreign, he has a great song about his friend moving to Belgium titled “Trail of Dust.” His set was very serene and relaxing and I look forward (as you should too) to his album due out in October titled “Time For Everything!” Keep a look out for it, you’ll be in for a treat and who doesn’t like those?
 Up next for the evening was Betty and the Boy. A girl with an acoustic guitar and notes on a music stand and then a boy with a banjo, when do you get that in Spokane (other than Blind Pilot)? I was surprised when the duo played their first song “My Ghost.” All I could think of was how “Betty” had a really pretty voice, not the vocals you would expect from a singer/songwriter. “I’ve been told my music makes people want to fall on a knife,” said Betty … I have never ever heard an artist say that and it made me laugh and get a little nervous about what I was in for next. After that they decided to step it up a notch with a song about love and the ocean, that doesn’t have a name to it – but was enjoyable. The two will have an album out titled “Pretty Ugly” and the cover will feature a photo that Betty took when she was 15 of her toes next to a dead bird. It was really cool to see a tattooed almost punk looking boy play a banjo extremely well, as Matty said “It’s a cool touch using the banjo, it’s classy and sounds clean…it’s used perfectly in each song.” “We’re a fan of not ever practicing,” said Betty and for not practicing it sounded pretty darn good. Oh and by the way it didn’t make me want to fall on a knife.
 “OH MY GOSH- the kid that drew a skateboard on my hand at the door is the kid up next… he is Matthew Winters,” I excitedly kept telling Matt. “He’s the bartender, soundguy, douche bag…and my best friend… but aren’t all best friends douche bags,” said Matthew Winters about Patrick as he stood on stage. The crowd giggled. He invited everyone to bring their chairs up to the front and got ready to play. Before he was about to start I am pretty sure I almost tinkled myself as a girl walked across the front of the room to go use the restroom and Matthew whispers “She has to potty,” over the mic. He has a great personality on stage and a love for the wine! I would say that Winters is Spokane’s edgier singer/songwriter. He should be in a punk band but instead rocks on an acoustic guitar. But Matty nailed it on the head “He’s like Spokane’s Paul Westerberg… during his Replacement days … like the song “Answering Machine”… he’s blunt and he just go’s for it.” That sums this kid up, he is so talented, and is a incredible songwriter. I loved how he explained his tour too, “its bittersweet… it can be really lonely but you also have a lot of fun.” Both Matt and I agree that he is Spokane’s most honest musician. I love the song “Dandelion,” and thought the Dr. Depresso version of it (where he took the fret down once and made it the saddest song) was really cool too. He has a way with writing songs that will make you feel all warm inside, and then songs that will make you feel a little blue. I am excited to see and hear more from this amazing local musician. Matthew Winters is in the studio and has been so keep a look out for his new album and when you are at the Caterina, say hi to him – he wears the read beanie and is normally at the door. He also might draw a pretty mean skateboard on your hand.
See the gallery of photos HERE!
Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com |
