Musical Crossroads Brings Local Scene Together

If you missed the Musical Crossroads show at the SAPAC this Saturday, make sure you don’t let it happen again. Eleven local bands performed. Everyone from the old pros of the San Angelo scene, to the up and coming local talent. 

SAPAC director Yuki Kuniyuki developed the idea, an easy way to get all the local talent together, and make for a wonderful evening in the air conditioning. 

“We’re hoping this will be a regular event, with shows coming up in the new year and into the summer.” said Kuniyuki. 

He also hopes the event will inspire young musicians in town, and give them a low-pressure place to debut their acts. 

“Jacob Soto said to me ‘I’m surprised I got selected’, and I said to him ‘why wouldn’t you be selected?’

“The old guys like myself have to let these younger artists step up.” 

It was no “battle of the bands”, all the musicians know each other well of course. And one, Chris Coleman, plays in both Nasty Nate Band and Chill AF, on bass and percussion respectively. 

Even though it wasn’t a contest, lets hand out some awards. The San Angelo Scene Music Awards, brought to you by The Concho Observer. 

Best New Artists

Jacob Soto has been making a name for himself recently: you might have caught him at Spam’s earlier this summer, and for good reason. He’s got a great voice, solid backing band, and plays the crowd. His style is steady mix of country, blues and gospel.

Chico and the Man played their blend of traditional Texas music, opening with a sweet little Norteño ballad, and a tribute to Flaco Jimenez. Accordion is just one of those instruments that warms the heart. 

Most Original Music: 

When I saw that this band was going to play at the Brooks and Bates, my first thought was “how are you supposed to watch Amma play sitting down?” 

I think the show turned out great. Really solid riffs, and heavy metal that’s loud-as-hell, but still musical. And they definitely had the most original concept: a song called “Robot Delta Blues” about an AI that becomes self aware and grows bored.

Best Guitar Solos

War Child kicked off the night with some amazing guitar solos. Combined with some tasteful pedal-work, mixing in synthesizer as well. I personally overheard a handful of guitarists praising their work. 

Best Genre Blend

I must declare this one a tie. 

Nasty Nate Band combined traditional rock and country instrumentals with saxophone, which is an instant 5 star rating in my book. Their sound was at times a little Grateful Dead, a little more classic rock, that just worked really well. 

Chill AF consisted of a bass, acoustic, and a cajon. With these three instruments, they made an incredibly full sound, which goes to show you the power of a good rhythm section. And you can ask anyone who’s tried to play a cajon, but it takes effort to make it sounds like a rounded out percussion set in the mix. Something that Coleman did very well. 

Best Instrumentalist

At best, most of us can play one instrument at a time, let alone do it well. 

Billy Dan is a One Man Band. Harmonica and microphone guitar, and a double kick drum setup worked with both legs, combined with a tambourine and a few other accessories, and I’ll be damned if this wasn’t one of the best blues performances I’ve seen in a while. 

Best Rhythm and Poetry

MC Josiah freestyles on beats of his own making, playing off his console. Rapping about his life experience at a pretty impressive rate. 

Best Country Soloist

Dan Tucker and T. Gozney Thornton both took it back to their roots, which were a big hit with the crowd. Thornton, a veteran of the Austin songwriter scene kept it simple, sans Old Hat Band, just a man with his guitar, and the crowd.

Best Band

Rita Capuchina y Animo had hands down the best sound of the night. Their sound was full, and I’m a sucker for any band with eight members on stage. All around they were the most polished act, and with a new album out this year they’re definitely one to keep an eye on.