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Q&A Videos

Video Interview with Amber Rubarth

Video Credit: Wendy Hu

Last summer, I chatted with Amber Rubarth after her intimate show at Rockwood Music Hall. A beloved musician to many, she has collaborated with numerous artists including Jason Mraz and Martie Maguire and Emily Robison of the Dixie Chicks and Court Yard Hounds, not to mention toured the California coast on a vespa with Jason Reeves.

During our interview, Rubarth filled me in on her journey to following her passion, something her boss engrained in her while she was an apprentice to a chainsaw sculptor in Nevada, her songwriting process and the inspiration by some of her songs.

To find out more, watch the video below and be sure to purchase a copy of her latest album, A Common Case of Disappearing, which features collaborations with Jacquire King, Brad Bivens, Adam Levy, Frank Swart, Marco Giovino, Oliver Kraus, Zac Rae, Jason Reeves and Jason Mraz. Catch Amber Rubarth live tonight at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2.

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Artist of the Week

Artist to Watch: Amber Rubarth

Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

During Amber Rubarth‘s first night back in New York after touring Japan, she invited several friends to share the stage. Performing for nearly 90 minutes, Rubarth’s girl next door charm and witty, emotion-filled vocals captivated all at the newly opened Stage 2 at Rockwood Music Hall.

Being familiar with the New York music scene, I quickly realized how close knit the singer-songwriter crowd is. Having interviewed numerous New York musicians, Amber Rubarth’s  name has come up on several occasions as a source of inspiration. I quickly realized why last Friday.

Rubarth kicked off the night with the moving “In the Creases.” With oboe accompaniment and her comforting vocals, the room stood still. Throughout the night musician friends took the stage to provide backing vocals, piano and guitar accompaniment or perform tracks of their own.

The rustic country-esque “This Is Real” showcased Rubarth and Peter Bradley Adams on vocals and Tony Maceli on bass while jazzy ballad “Full Moon In Paris” introduced Ian Axel on piano. French songstress Julie Peel took the stage for “Song to Thank the Stars,” a track Rubarth joked about writing in France. “It’s a lot harder to write a love song than a breakup song. So I only have one,” she said.

Before crowd favorite Ari Hest took the stage, Rubarth concluded, “It’s more like a party than a show tonight.” And that it was. The audience, mostly filled with fellow musicians, didn’t seem to mind.

Debuting her newest song, “Letter From My Lonelier Self,” alone on guitar, Rubarth reminded everyone why they were there. With moving lyrics, “You’ll hear the answers if you listen/When it’s love don’t wait to say what it is/And don’t trade love for an aimless embrace of the wind/Please don’t lose your love like I did,” and her wavering vocals, the song struck a chord.

Original tracks “Pilot,” written with Nate Campany, “Good Mystery,” “Edge of My Seat” and the award winning “Washing Day,” co-written with Adam Levy, rounded out the set with additional guest appearances. Ian Axel, Greg Holden and Ari Hest performed a few songs of their own before Rubarth and Hest closed the night with a cover of Tom Waits’ “Hold On.”

While Rubarth’s touring schedule takes her to Europe next month, New York fans will be relieved to know Rockwood remains her favorite venue. “This is the greatest place I’ve ever been. Hands down. Expanded it’s more beautiful then I ever imagined,” she said.

Fellow singer-songwriter Nate Campany summed up the night. “Amber is a rare talent and we’re all lucky to have her as a friend and inspiration.”

For the latest tour dates and music, be sure to visit Amber Rubarth on MySpace.

Related Links:
Introducing the Vespa Experiment
The Vespa Experiment Recap
Q&A; with Greg Holden
Artist of the Week: Ari Hest

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Features News

The Vespa Experiment Recap

A few months back I wrote about The Vespa Experiment, where musicians Jason Reeves, Brendan James and Amber Rubarth traveled throughout California on Vespas while bringing music and environmental awareness to the forefront.

For two weeks the musicians traveled up the California Coast on Vespas performing in clubs as well as on mountaintops, beaches and town centers. They camped out along the way, showered in the ocean and documented their entire journey.

“If we could just possibly learn ourselves and help other people learn, by any means, even if it’s just sparking curiosity, then that’s what this is really about,” Reeves said.

Rubarth agrees. “I feel like this whole tour was all about getting to the core of life and purity and innocence. And, just getting back to the musical part and not in the business of it.”

Watch the video below and for more information, visit The Vespa Experiment on MySpace.

The Vespa Experiment from Vespa Experiment on Vimeo.

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Features News

Introducing The Vespa Experiment

Those who are friends with me know about my obsession with Vespas. Imagine my excitement then, when I heard about The Vespa Experiment — three musicians traveling throughout California on Vespas while bringing music and environmental awareness to the forefront. Pretty inspiring.

Here’s the official description from MySpace:

“THE VESPA EXPERIMENT’S primary mission is to send a message to stop global warming by using the power of music. Co-founders Jason Reeves and Brendan James will be joined by their friend and ally, Amber Rubarth, on this purposeful journey. Supported by Greenpeace, the three musicians will ride Vespas up the California Coast, honoring the natural beauty of the West and performing at traditional (club) venues, as well as on mountaintops, beaches and town centers. For two weeks they will engage their fans in thought-provoking ways, through music and honest dialog, while living as simply as possible by camping along the way. In a modern twist, they will film a documentary as they travel, posting daily footage to the web so fans at home can follow along. Fans will be able to communicate with the artists in a communal dialog as they seek to change the world together.”

Their first time doing this type of tour, the musicians need your support. If you’d like to help write to vespaexperiment@gmail.com. They’ll hook you up with promo material, tickets to shows, CD’s and more! Man, I wish I lived in California right about now!


See tour dates below:

4.30 (CARLSBAD, CA) The Museum of Making Music
5.01 (COSTA MESA, CA) Sutra Lounge
5.02 (HERMOSA BEACH, CA) Saint Rocke
5.03 (LOS ANGELES, CA) Roxy
5.05 (VENTURA, CA) The Lodge At Zoey’s
5.07 (SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA) Downtown Brew
5.10 (MONTEREY, CA) Monterey Live
5.12 (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) Cafe Du Nord