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Joel Smith is the best all around songwriter-singer-musician Spokane has ever seen. Lofty statement I know, but I believe it wholeheartedly. Joel’s voice is unique, splendid and full of character. His multi-instrumentalist skills are beyond impressive from the fast picking banjo licks to the soulful guitar solos and just about every other instrument he can get his hands on. Not to mention his writing.

One time I stopped at Joel’s house, for a rehearsal I think, and I picked up a book that I saw on the kitchen table about boat-making. I noticed it was a library book and inquired to Joel, “Why do you have a library book about building boats?” He followed with, “oh, I’m just doing some research for a song.” I just kind of rolled my eyes and laughed. But secretly I wished I was better at putting so much meticulous thought and research into my songs. In my opinion, there’s too many uneducated, whiny, emotional, post-break up songwriters out there and not enough writers like Joel. Now, I have to take some responsibility on the first category. I have definitely written my fair share of purely emotive songs. But Joel has inspired me to stretch my creative mind and explore all angles of why a song should be written. He endlessly impresses me with his new material. The concepts of each song are so wide and deep and full of imagery.

So, what I’m trying to say in so many words is that I love Joel Smith. His music has had such an impact on me the past few years and really helped me grow through my own mediocre musical skins and into a musician that I didn’t think I could be.

Joel is releasing a new album (FINALLY!) that he’s worked really really hard on. I had the chance to play some accordion on the album and sing on a few songs. It’s a wonderful record, full of color, dynamic style, impressive musicianship and conceptual songs. If you like Josh Ritter, Andrew Bird, Lyle Lovett or Paul Simon…you will love this album.

The release show for the album in next Tuesday on the 11th. I’ll be opening the show and joining Joel’s band on a few songs. It’s at the Masonic Temple in the Commandery Room which is a really cool old room where some scene’s from the Basket were filmed. Please come and pick up an album!

Joel’s links: www.joelsmithmusic.com and www.myspace.com/joelsmithsings

Summer is rolling by quickly already and I’ve got a really fun tour coming up in July that hopefully all you northwesterners can make it out to. I’m playing 7 shows with Scott Ryan from LA and his band. Scott is the brother of my really cool, amazing, nice, talented, fine-looking drummer, Caleb Ingersoll (I really like him if you couldn’t tell), who is also the manager/booker at the Red Room in Kennewick. Caleb and Scotty were raised in a very musical family and have grown up playing in bands since Junior High. Scotty has a really great backing band who are all coming up to perform the July shows with him and Caleb. I am lucky enough to have them learn some of my songs for the tour, making it a full band outing for Scott and myself. These shows should be awesome and we have some great local support/headliners in Spokane, Seattle and Portland.

I’m heading to Colorado with my family right after the tour and will play some shows there (solo) in Mid-July. AND…shortly after that I get to open for the Cave Singers, with whom I’ve been infatuated with since January when I saw them play at the Doug Fir. So, a busy July coming up…

Full band shows…

JULY 4th – River of Fire – Kennewick
JULY 5th – The Red Room – Kennewick, WA
JULY 6th – The IKE Box – Salem, OR
JULY 7th – Mississippi Studios w/ Ezra Carey – Portland, OR
JULY 8th – Comet Tavern w/ The Beautiful Clarks – Seattle, WA
JULY 9th – House of Paine w/ Tony Kevin – Marysville, WA
JULY 10th – Downtown Crossing – Sandpoint, ID
JULY 11th – Empyrean w/ Widower – Spokane, WA

Solo shows…

JULY 16th – The Meadowlark (solo show) – Denver, CO
JULY 17th – Everyday Joe’s (solo show) – Ft. Collins, CO
JULY 24th – Empyrean w/ the Cave Singers – Spokane, WA

Oh, I almost forgot! June isn’t even over yet! haha, I have some cool shows coming up in Spokane. Rocket Market on Sunday, June 21st (Father’s Day). Every song will be dedicated to my dad and your dad and my grandpa! Emma Hill from Portland and Brittain Ashford will be playing too. Show starts at 6pm. June 27th I have a full band show at Empyrean and June 29th is a free show at Zola that I’m playing solo…catch some new songs at that one!

Phew…that’s it. Eat some pears, sit in the rain, read a book, check out the latest issue of crunk roost and give your dad a big hug or a nice phone call.

Corn Pasta, summer beers, hot sun, kids and crazy folks dancing around, seeing lots of friends and not to mention a whole heck of a lot of good music.

Elkfest continually succeeds to be Spokane’s best independant music outdoor festival, or festival of any kind for that matter. The lineup looks great this year of you ask me, [minus the fact that I'm not playing (; ]. Today I’m heading out to see my brother’s band, the Booze Fighters play and hopefully catch some of the Globes later on. Best part is, it’s free.

As far as Saturday highlights go, Kaylee Cole has a fun new band setup she’s rolling out tomorrow for the first time and the Maldives are back in town. Sunday, my favorite band from Seattle, Pickwick will be playing and also one of the best bands to dance to, Vellella Vellella (or however you spell it) will be performing. Fun times at the Elk! See ya’ll there.

To finish off a great weekend of music I’m playing a show with Laura Gibson and Musee Mecanique on Monday evening at Empyrean. So, load up on corn Pasta and rock n’ Roll this weekend so that come Monday you will be ready for a glass of wine and some indie folk glory to ease you into another work week.

soak up that sun spokane!