29 November 2016: James Logan Cole and Hashshashin


James Logan Cole, a singer/songwriter from Kodiak, Alaska (and a student of mine when I taught English at Kodiak High School), grew up performing in a multitude of musical ensembles including Jazz, Funk, Classic Rock and his high school drum line.  Upon graduation, like his father, he joined the United States Coast Guard to serve his country.  Although Logan was raised in Kodiak, Alaska, most of his family resides in Mississippi, where his "southern-style" mentality and influence originates from.  With a vocal sound that some have compared to artists such as Lee Brice, Darius Rucker and Brett Eldredge, Logan's warm tone and soulful lyrics are a welcome respite from today's political and economic climate. Logan is also a multi-instrumentalist performing every track on his collections.  From the far corners of this great country, Logan has extended his voice to many fans, friends and music lovers.

    Logan has performed his original music solo and with his band Saltwater Heelers throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the U.S. west coast and Alaska.  He has performed at venues such as Hard Rock Cafe Waikiki and Seattle, Room 5 Lounge Los Angeles, Santa Rosa's Harmony Festival (2011) and opened for major recording artists such as John Cruz, Paula Fuga and Jack Johnson.  This exposure prompted his current sponsorship by worldwide instrument manufacturer and distributer Cole Clark Guitars of Melbourne, Australia. You can find James Logan Cole's albums "Reflections" (2008) and  "Where I Belong" (2011) on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody and many more.  He returns to Kodiak for two nights this Thursday and Friday at The Rendezvous - get there early for a good seat!
Hashshashin, the Australian experimental progressive drone trio, led by a bouzouki (!), crafts wonderful melodies and Eastern European atmospheres that also can infringe on Middle-Eastern territory. Songs like “The Ascetic” let the prog side shine, while “Levitation” is almost pure drone / post-metal, but there is always some portion of each throughout the record.  This is their latest release on Art as Catharsis records.
http://wp.me/p3mIfa-nFz