E. Doctor Smith's Blog

This Friday night, the L.A. based group Woven rolls into the Retox Lounge in Potrero. Rolling Stone.com described their music as having "remnants of Curve, Peter Gabriel's soundtrack work, world music rhythms and Massive Attack." They’ve had two major releases on Interscope Records, licensed two songs to CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and toured the country multiple times. They have recently performed and done interviews on the G Living Network and are moving forward as an independent band on a DIY green mission. The band strives for a spiritual approach to music and life, and they don’t just talk the talk.On their current west coast tour, they are traveling in a recently converted veggie oil RV. This is Woven’s second tour with the converted RV; its maiden voyage took them across the country and back last September and October. When touring during growing seasons, they also help spread awareness of organic food, farmers and co-ops. Although well-known bands ...

Always pushing the musical envelope and not content to stay with the same old thing, Grammy-winning guitarist Bill Frisell comes to Yoshi's San Francisco with his trio featuring Joey Baron and Tony Scherr. Frisell is one of the most sought-after guitar voices in contemporary music, and his role as composer and band leader has garnered him increasing notoriety. He won a 2005 Grammy for his CD, Unspeakable, and his recording, East/West, was partially recorded live at Yoshi's. The breadth of his performing and recording situations is a testament not only to his singular guitar conception, but his musical versatility as well. Much has been made of the qualities of Frisell's music that defy categorization and the seamlessness with which his bands have navigated such a variety of styles. Born in Baltimore, Bill Frisell played clarinet throughout his childhood in Denver, Colorado. His interest in guitar began with his exposure to pop music on the radio. Soon, the Chic...