Last Night: OC Music Awards Showcase No. 2, the District at Tustin Legacy
The Hype: OC Music Awards Showcase's debut of the Best Live Acoustic category featuring local faves Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob, Barrett Johnson, Billy Kernkamp, Stacy Clark and Canvas took place outside at the District at Tustin Legacy. A shopping center courtyard instead of the coffeehouse setting one would expect for such a show? Interesting.
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| Christopher Victorio |
| Stacy Clark is all smiles |
Stacy Clark turned in a strong set goosed by her endearing personality. She's a most capable singer/songwriter who won the audience over with introspective lyrics and an easygoing self-confidence marked by infectious charm. Wether cajoling the crowd to clap along or move in closer because her band doesn't "bite or spit," people responded. When not strumming a guitar Clark casually gripped the mic with two hands like a singer who belongs on stage--and deserves to be heard. A keyboardist, guitarist, drummer and multi-instrumentalist who went form guitar to sax to ukulele fleshed out Clark's confessional tales delivered in cheery earnest.
Two acoustic guitarists, a drummer and keyboardist backed Kernkamp, who also accompanied himself on guitar. The melodies were more heartland than beach-y, revealing a hearty folkiness that proved catchy without coming across as cloying. The churchy keys brought an element of soul to the arrangements, matched by Kernkamp's rich, sonorous vocals. The mustachioed front man can sing. His voice is capable of breezy, organic pop and some irony-free crooning, although he only hinted at the latter. Sure, some lyrics skewed greeting card--"I need you now more than I used to"-- but the right set of pipes can sell eating the moon with a spoon in June. And KernKamp's got 'em.
The Crowd: Just slightly older than what you find when forced to enter a a mall after school hours or over the weekend.
Overheard: "Where's the bathroom?"
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