Last Thursday, I got the chance to check out my first Rock & Soul event, which is a music showcase put on by Heidi Klotzman and her team at HeidnSeek Entertainment (who we’ve previously named one of the most powerful people in local nightlife).
Rock & Soul is a monthly event that features local musicians in an intimate, somewhat unlikely setting. This time around, it took place on the deck of Captain James Crabhouse right on the water. I first want to acknowledge the fact that the event didn’t get canceled, despite Thursday night’s torrential downpour, and Klotzman and her team made the show go on—with the help of Captain James’s staff cleaning up the flooded space and the persistent musicians who went on to play.
The first act up was three-piece cover band Gutter Rose (pictured, top), who performed about a 20-minute set featuring songs like “Proud Mary,” “Rolling in the Deep,” and an original they had never performed before. Their up-tempo guitars and soulful singing were a perfect way to kick off the event.
Next up was singer-songwriter Jennifer Schimpf—who sounded like a hybrid of Jewel and Fiona Apple (especially with her rendition of “Criminal”) and, a little later, were The Sisters, who did some twangy, country covers. Both were backed by guitarist Andrew Bell and bassist Tyler Sherard of Nelly’s Echo, and drummer Brett Schatz.
No doubt the liveliest act was TT The Artist (pictured, right), who first got her big break opening up for Dan Deacon a couple years ago and has since performed at various dance parties in D.C. and Baltimore. She, along with her two energetic back-up dancers, delivered a powerful set that fused hip-hop, Baltimore club, electronica, and pop. Check out tracks “New New” and “She Rockin'” to get an idea.
Before I left, I also got to check out Julian Roso, who, judging by his loyal fanbase and joyful acoustic covers, is probably well on his way to being famous. I couldn’t stick around to see the last two acts, Karla Chisholm and Idrise, but I’m sure they equally entertained the audience.
I haven’t even mentioned the best part of the event—that it was totally free, which was pretty amazing considering all the local talent that was packed onto the breezy deck of Captain James that night.