Americana Roots in L.A. (from The Temeculan)

FROM THE ROOTS OF LOS ANGELES’
MUSIC SCENE GROWS AMERICANA

By Jeff Fuller

So, what is this music genre called Americana you ask? Well, you are not the first to wonder, as I am often asked this question when I describe my band’s sound. The word “Americana” refers to American history, materials, characteristics, etc. Americana music (aka Alternative Country, Alt-Country) is a melting pot of Folk, Country, Rock, and the Blues. The Americana Music Association developed the radio format called “Americana” because of the polished sound of bands that melded American roots music and the traditions of Country, that did not fit in either the Country or Rock genres.

The Americana music scene in LA is top notch and prevalent, you just have to know where to look. It can be difficult in a city so large, diverse and over-saturated with Rock and Metal so bad that you feel sorry for the bands and the people that like them. I see the birth of America’s Americana music scene beginning in LA in the late 1960’s when bands like the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, CSNY, and the Eagles romped around the infamous Laurel Canyon and Sunset Strip. (Not a lot of people know how strong the folk-rock-country scene was in LA in the 60’s and 70’s because it gets over shadowed by the scene in the 80’s, but if you really want to know you should pick up the book LAUREL CANYON written by Michael Walker.) Take these aforementioned LA bands and sprinkle a little blues on top, and you end up with one of today’s most exciting genres of music, Americana.

There are a lot of venues in LA that cater to this scene, and then there are ones that have a specific afternoon or night devoted to Americana. You can pop into the Cinema Bar, The Redwood Bar or Taix 321 Lounge on most any night to catch some Americana. If you want to go to a strictly Americana music event, head to the Echo where they have an event on Sundays from 5-9 pm called The Grand Ole Echo, or spend a Saturday night at the Original Farmer’s Market at 3rd and Fairfax for an evening called Ranch Party. You could also spend your early Sunday afternoon starting at 12 at The Redwood Bar for Brunch Americana, or the first Monday of every month at Joe’s Great American Bar for Ronnie Mack’s Barn Dance, all are sure to please and all are free or just a few bucks!

If you like Folk, Rock, Country and Blues music then you like Americana music, trust me. Keep an eye out for all the great happenings in the LA Americana scene by seeking out one of the venues mentioned, or an LA band that plays this style of music. Once you dig around, you will be rewarded with a growing snowball of bands and events. Be sure to check out the Topanga Days Festival this Memorial Day weekend (May 29-31), as that may just be your best bet for catching a number of Americana bands, as well as being surrounded by a sea of music lovers. And when all is said and done, all that matters is the music, forget the genres, and hopefully it’s music that makes you feel good.

Jeff Fuller is a Los Angeles drummer providing the beat for the Americana bands The Marietta James (TheMariettaJames.com) and Sam Mellon and The Skylarks (myspace.com/smats)