Up next at Experience NoHo Plaza 2017 is Angel City Fiddle Squad on Thursday, July 27 7:30 – 9 PM.
The Angel City Fiddle Squad is what transpires when Johnny Cash is handed a fiddle and plays with The Ramones.
The Angel City Fiddle Squad is a party band at its core. Their unique fiddle-driven rockin’ bluegrass is mashed-up with a “thrash-country-cow-punk” sound that routinely results in bursts of dancing. From original tunes that stimulate to covers that are refreshingly re-imagined, Angel City Fiddle Squad always serves up a dynamic show. From festivals, private events, to bars and clubs, the Fiddle Squad unfailingly delivers infectious energy for every affair.
Enjoy Thursday evenings this summer, outside under the stars at Experience NoHo Plaza. Always FREE. Always FUN.
WHEN:
Thursday, July 27 7:30 – 9 PM
Thursdays June 29 – August 3 from 7:30 – 9PM
COST:
FREE
WHERE:
NoHo Plaza Located between 5223 & 5225 Lankershim Blvd. (the green alley!)
Who makes up Angel City Fiddle Squad (ACFS)?
Austin : fiddle, lead vocals
Kaya : guitar
Brian : bass
Alan : drums & percussion
How did you all come up with the idea?
“The idea of forming the Angel City Fiddle Squad is similar to that of a shotgun wedding. Moments of desperation followed by screaming, cheering, and the occasional flying beer bottle.”-Austin
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What is each of your backgrounds?
Austin: I grew up in Carlsbad CA. I am a music teacher and have a background in classical as well as roots in punk, bluegrass, and heavy metal music. After studying music in college I started Los Sindicate which is when I became a full time fiddle playing frontman and started my long friendship with Brian Bushway. Ten years later, after playing with many different bands and composers I have met the coolest and most talented musicians ever in ACFS, who continue to make this unique high-energy fiddle driven California outlaw style rock-n-roll, a force to be reckoned with.
Brian, nicknamed “The Bat Man”, was born and raised in Southern California and became totally blind at age 14 due to optic nerve atrophy. To cope with his circumstance he picked up guitar and hasn’t stopped writing music since. Brian received his undergrad and Masters degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu. In spite of his blindness Brian is an avid mountain biker, backpacker and skateboarder. He has been featured on radio, television and film documentaries ranging from BBC, National Geographic, Discovery, NPR, to name a few. Presently, he serves as a Perceptual Navigation Instructor for World Access for the Blind. Brian trains blind students, their families and educators, in over 40 countries, on the use of FlashSonar™ (a specialized form of Human Echolocation) and Perceptual Navigation strategies. His mission is to help the world realize that, with the right set of skills, the blind are not disabled but have the super power of seeing in the dark. He is a lover of life and creativity.
Kaya: Starting with piano and trumpet then switching to drums and percussion, I have been playing music my whole life. Surprising to most it wasn’t until I turned 20yr old that I picked up a guitar. I think having played so many other instruments has helped me become a well rounded guitarist. I take pride in learning about different styles and genres. I am the newest member of ACFS and it has been challenging and fun to learn all of the great original songs. I feel like everyone in this band truly loves playing music and it is fun to be a part of.
Alan: Born in Germany raised in Colorado, I moved to LA in 2006 after completing my Master in Arts Education. I have been working in the field of visual arts, music and science/outdoor education for nearly 2 decades. I own and operate a recreational and therapeutic drum circle company (Rumbling Rhythms) that allows me to work in schools, with at risk youth, in prisons, and with special needs populations. I also help train music educators and therapists on how to use drumming as a tool for their own populations. I also work with exotic animals and bring them to schools/events to teach about them. (ReptacularAnimals.com). Growing up I drummed on everything in my house and began formal percussion training in middle school. Attending a performing arts secondary school I started voice training in addition to my drumming for jazz & marching band, drum corp, as well as beatboxing for our acapella & hiphop groups. Over the years I have written, recorded, & toured with various band/projects ranging from singer-songwriters to punk, jazz to reggae. After filling in on drums a handful of times for A.C.F.S. I was asked to become a permanent fixture in 2016.
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What are some things you enjoy about the NoHo Arts District?
“I enjoy how the NoHo Arts District differs from both the WeHo, EaHo, and SoHo Arts district in the fact that in has that more northern flavor and appeal. There is definitely something about this place that continually brings you up, never down.” – Austin
Check out the full Experience NoHo Plaza 2017 lineup here>>
The Series is produced by the NoHo Business Improvement District (NoHo BID) and Councilman Paul Krekorian’s office with talent coordination by nohoartsdistrict.com.
“Experience NoHo Plaza 2017 – NoHo’s Free Summer Entertainment Series is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and with the support of Community Partners.”
**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.