Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/11545
DLBA's Summer of Sam By>>Nate JacksoN A s SoCal's warm weather and sunshine reach their peak, another season of summer concerts is right around the corner. And in Downtown Long Beach, that statement is more than just a figure of speech. Sometimes all it takes to stumble into live music is the ability to walk outside your front door. Surveyors of the city's local music scene will be happy to know that the Downtown Long Beach Association's popular SUMMER AND MUSIC (better known as SAM) series is almost underway. It will feature performances by bands from all over the region, and handpicked favorites from the LBC's own backyard. But aside from the obvious essentials needed to make this grass roots concert series happen, it requires (and usually always receives) love from the diverse community around it who've shown up to infiltrate the city's premier dens of culture during SAM events like Busker Fest, Battle of the Bands and the big, blustering grooves of Funk Fest. Don't worry--you'll have another crack at all these events again this year, and then some. The series, staged at various locations in Downtown Long Beach from June to August, will feature 13 music events and 64 bands of varying genres over 90 days--from chord-strumming indie rock, to spastic jazz, grease-fueled rockabilly and styles that simply defy classification. The idea is to cultivate the city's music community while still making SAM relevant to fans and practitioners of multiple art forms. In addition to live music, local artists, graphic designers photographers and writers of all pedigrees will have outlets to spill some of their talent into the public consciousness. It's a multi-faceted approach that pays tribute to the local scene, which is not surprising, considering the guys that are throwing the party in the first place. With the support of it's founders Justin Hectus (also founder of Long Beach event Schooled in Song) and Rand Foster (owner of Fingerprints Records) SAM is all about bringing hand-picked local talent to your attention. The first event kicks off on June 12 with a performance showcase called Future Legends. As the title suggests, a cavalcade of buzz-worthy talent is highlighted by bands who are on the bleeding edge of invention and who have a very real shot at being the next major export from the Long Beach music scene. Performances include The Smoldering, Indie folk of Deep Sea Diver, Jay Buchanan, Korey Dane, Boris Smile and experimental rock mavericks So Many Wizards. You can find the show in the East Village of Downtown Long Beach. But this year, the community spirit of SAM is trying to be about more than just going to a concert, dancing around and screaming your head off. Though that's definitely still a big part of it. However, an eye toward invention and environmental responsibility adds a slight, unexpected twist to the festival. For SAM 2010, all shows will be held on self-contained solar power stages. Yes, that's right, in addition to knowing their music, the folks at SAM can be pretty eco- savvy. Working with the DLBA City's Redevelopment Agency (RDA), SAM's founders are also partnering with Austin-based concert stage production company Sustainable Waves to pull off a concert series that takes advantage of the sunlight, a vital ingredient in the sonic alchemy of summer sounds offered up to the public. The company promises to make SAM a pollution-free affair. And judging by the fact that they even make show banners out of soy-based ink and Bioflex (biodegradable vinyl), we tend to believe them. Finally, SAM's appeal to the local business community in Long Beach is easy to identify. Simply put: people show up to Long Beach to see great live music and some of them even stay to shop, eat and play inside local businesses. With that added traffic, comes the ever-expanding promise of revitalization growth and increased revenue for a city that supports almost all the talent on stage at SAM this summer. As more and more details are revealed about specific parts of the series this year, LBC music junkies stand by-- to become a participant in the sounds emanating from the sweaty, raucous bar scenes and crowded out door stages teeming with people looking for some new, exciting sounds. 4 LIVEMAGS.NET JUNE>>10 With the support of it's founders Justin Hectus (also founder of Long Beach event Schooled in Song) and Rand Foster (owner of Fingerprints Records) SAM is all about bringing hand-picked local talent to your attention. The first event kicks off on June 12 with a performance showcase called Future Legends. As the title suggests, a cavalcade But this year, the community spirit of SAM is trying to be about more than just going to a concert, dancing around and screaming your head off. Though that's definitely still a big part of it. However, an eye toward invention and environmental responsibility adds a slight, unexpected twist to the festival. For SAM 2010, all shows will be held on self-contained solar power stages. Yes, that's right, in addition to knowing their music, the folks at SAM can be pretty eco- savvy. Working with the DLBA City's Redevelopment Agency (RDA), SAM's founders are also partnering with Austin-based concert stage production company Sustainable Waves to pull off a concert series that takes advantage of the sunlight, a vital ingredient in the sonic alchemy of summer sounds offered up to the public. The company promises to make SAM a pollution-free affair. And judging by the fact that they even make show banners out of soy-based ink and Bioflex (biodegradable vinyl), we tend to believe Finally, SAM's appeal to the local business community in Long Beach is easy to identify. Simply put: people show up to Long Beach to see great live music and some of them even stay to shop, eat and play inside local businesses. With that added traffic, comes the ever-expanding promise of revitalization growth and increased revenue for a city that supports almost all the talent on stage at SAM this summer. As more and more details are revealed about specific parts of the series this year, LBC music junkies stand by-- to become a participant in the sounds emanating from the sweaty, raucous bar scenes and crowded out door stages teeming with people looking for some new,