According to their press materials, musicians Jay Nash and Josh Day—who have been touring together as The Contenders since 2012—don’t play songs. Instead, they let the songs play them. Influenced by acts like The Grateful Dead, The Band, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan, this songwriting duo strives to combine poetic lyrics with a classic Americana sound (and a hint of honky-tonk).
The subject matter of their debut EP, Meet the Contenders (released in 2014), encompasses themes of love and the pain of missed opportunities. Their latest album, Laughing With the Reckless (released in 2017), explores notions of individuals separated by politics, religion, or any other circumstances coming together despite their differences—even if it’s just to share a few laughs over some whiskey and ramble the night away.
Nash and Day are heading to Buellton as part of their current national tour, performing at Standing Sun Winery on Saturday, July 27, in between stops in San Francisco and Atlanta. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. The winery is located at 92 Second St., unit D, Buellton. General admission to the show is $15, while reserved seating starts at $20. This concert is open to all ages and is part of the winery’s Standing Sun Live series.
Call (805) 691-9413 or visit standingsunwines.com to find out more about the venue. For more info on The Contenders and access to their music, visit wearethecontenders.com.
They’ve got you covered
Classic-rock centric cover band Rock Odyssey performs at Blast 825 Brewery in Orcutt on Friday, July 26, from 10 p.m. to past midnight. This Arroyo Grande-based group specializes in covering rock hits from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s and consists of David Apodaca (band leader and lead guitarist), Michael Nunez (vocalist), Marty Black (drummer), Donnie Caravayo (guitarist), Anne Dunbar (saxophonist and back-up vocalist), Will Dunbar (keyboardist), John Harrison (bassist), and Darlene Azevedo (vocalist).
The brewery also hosts local solo artists Ron Miller, on Saturday, July 27, starting at 7 p.m., and John Alan Connerley on Sunday, July 28, starting at noon. Admission to each performance is complimentary. The venue is located at 241 S. Broadway, Orcutt. Call (805) 934-3777 or visit rooneysirishpub.net for more info.
Going south
Ventura-based country group Moonridge performs at the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez on Friday, July 26, from 8 to 11 p.m. The saloon also hosts ’90s tribute band Flannel 101 on Saturday, July 27, from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Guests can expect to hear covers of hits from Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Sublime, Blink 182, and other big names of the decade. Switching gears, solo singer-songwriter Wil Ridge blends Americana and roots at the saloon the following afternoon, Sunday, July 28, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Cold Spring Tavern’s weekend lineup kicks off with Studio C on Friday, July 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. Rankin’ File takes the tavern’s stage on Saturday, July 27, from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by country rock group The Nombres, who perform from 6 to 9 p.m. The lineup concludes with a performance from rock, blues, and swing band Paradise Kings on Sunday, July 28, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Also in Santa Ynez, award-winning singer-songwriter Gerardo Ortiz performs at the Chumash Casino Resort on Friday, July 26, at 8 p.m. The concert takes place in the resort’s Samala Showroom and tickets range from $59 to $89. Ortiz’s longtime fans can look forward to hearing some of his biggest hits, including “Entre Dios y El Diablo,” “Hoy Mas Fuerte,” and “Archivos de Mi Vida.”
More music
The Naughty Oak Brewing Company in Orcutt presents eclectic artist Conner Cherland on Friday, July 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. Cherland, whose influences include Hozier, Ed Sheeran, and Shakey Graves, uses live guitar looping to perform his distinctive mix of indie, folk, soul, and Americana. Admission to the concert is free, and grub from Lido will be available for purchase, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Also in Orcutt, country-blues band Juke Joint Jammers performs at Vino et Amicis Wine Bar on Friday, July 26, from 7 to 10 p.m. The bar hosts acoustic indie-folk artist Kevin Graybill the following evening, Saturday, July 27, from 7 to 10 p.m. Entry to both performances is complimentary.
Local singer-songwriter Amaris Laurette Taylor performs at Moxie Cafe in Santa Maria on Thursday, July 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The cafe’s ongoing live music series continues with acoustic duo About Time (featuring Aaron Salazar and Caitlyn Vassaur) on Friday, July 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and local rock band Carter on Saturday, July 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wrote this week’s Local Notes. Contact him at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 25 – Aug 1, 2019.