Farmer and the Cook: Great Music AND Pizza!

Full disclosure: this is cross-posted on another blog, so I guess you could say I've syndicated myself. But I promised readers here last week I would come back with a full report on the pizza at Farmer and the Cook.

Last week Bill and I were looking to mix-up our Friday date-night routine and ended up at Farmer and the Cook. We heard their pizza was unparalleled and had noticed the new patio was attracting quite a crowd on the weekends. Maybe it was the beer and wine license kicking in or the addition of musical entertainment. We didn’t need much of a reason to check it out and I’m so glad we did.

When we arrived, looking somewhat bewildered I’m sure at the gathering scene, Nicole caught us with a friendly smile and a couple of menus and escorted us to a table. She asked our names and told us the food was excellent. Simple gestures like that are usually a sure sign we’re going to have a great evening.

We ordered the Samuel Smith organic beer, imported from England. Bill had the lager, I had the ale. He said his was fantastic. Mine was very drinkable, but a little thin for my taste (but then again I’m a Guinness girl with a fondness for beer with the consistency and color of motor oil). For our app, we had the deep fried squash blossoms with a fantastic pesto dip. And since pizza was our mission, we had the “Artichokie,” with garlic, pesto, and mozzarella. The crust was thin, crisp and puffy, just like you would get in Italy. The flavors were fresh and not over-cooked. Conclusion: this is the best pizza I’ve had and I will stand on Boccali’s picnic table and say so.

We also shared a chocolate dipped macaroon and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Perfection!

Throughout our evening we were entertained by Jonathan McEuen and a couple of other singer/songwriters toting acoustic guitars and original material (no copycat covers here). The audience of dressed-down comfortable-shoe hippies didn’t seem to match the cars in the parking lot (lots of SUV’s and a giant Mercedes - not a hybrid in sight). The faces were friendly, inviting and enjoying themselves immensely.

Looks like my Friday date-night spot is going to be Farmer and the Cook!

Tomorrow night, I hear local Fred Schmitt will be bringing his guitar around 7:30. He’s got a great interview, a few songs and an intriguing story on Radio Ojai.

Business Time

Among the many who haven't checked out HBO's Flight of the Conchords? Well, what are you waiting for?

The daft Kiwi comedy duo of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement have really put together a wonderful fun and silly show about being undiscovered musicians in New York City with a comically inept manager. They call themselves "Formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo." Their manager, played by Rhys Darby, really steals the show with his Ricky Gervaisian off-kilter optimism.

This show is slowing building an audience. Want to get in the next big thing? Took years to catch the Seinfeld bug? Here's your chance.

Cool Video For Your Friday Viewing Pleasure

French house and brat pop stars Daft Punk are legendary for their low-tech, high-concept music and videos. This one, Prime Time of Your Life, manages to mock just about everyone in sight - from Britney Spears to Michael Jackson's Thriller video. Maybe, perhaps, they have even managed to slip in a "message" about the ephemeral beauty of life. I'm sure they'd laugh at me for even suggesting such a thing.

midomi - No Lip Syncing Here

Here's an interesting concept! Can't remember the name of that song, but you can't get the tune out of your head? Turn on your mic and hum a few bars, because with the sound of your voice, midomi will find it for you. And then it will connect you with others who share your taste in music (even if it is, say, Air Supply). Or maybe you'll want to channel your inner American Idol with midomi's online recording studio? Check it out!

P.S. A few musical opportunities:
Tonight: Myridian rocks the Athletic Club. Hear "Summer Of My Mind" on Radio Ojai.
Tonight: The Farmer and the Cook has Pizza, Beer and Music every Friday now. Their organic pizzas are allegedly awesome (I'll report back to confirm), and Jonathan McEuen will have live entertainment lined up starting at 6:00 p.m.
Tomorrow: Of course, the Locally Grown Concert.

A Really Big Green Show

Food for Thought's Locally Grown II concert strikes up this Saturday at Libbey Bowl with not one, but two, headlining talents - Brett Dennen and our own Perla Batalla.

The winners of the Battle of the Bands competition from Aug. 4 will also be playing. Look at Lisa Snider's prior blog post for all the details.

Tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com . For more information go to www.foodforthoughtojai.org or call 805-640-5044.

As an appetizer, we have a couple of youtube postings of La Perla singing "Bird on a Wire," at the LA Film Festival's screening of the Leonard Cohen biopic, "I'm Your Man," from 2006, and a Brett Dennen show. Dennen is opening for John Mayer at the moment, taking time out from that tour for a great cause.

Spinner Rates Best Opening Lyrics

Spinner just released this list of best opening lyrics:

10. "Tommy used to work on the docks"--Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer'
9. "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine"--Patti Smith's 'Gloria'
8. "Well, it's one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now go, cat, go!"--Carl Perkins' 'Blue Suede Shoes'
7. "In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey"--Beck's 'Loser'
6. "Why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near?"--The Carpenters' 'Close to You'
5. "Don't call it a comeback"--LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out!'
4. "Well, she was just seventeen -- you know what I mean"--The Beatles' 'I Saw Her Standing There'
3. "Hey, ho, let's go!"--The Ramones' 'Blitzkrieg Bop'
2. "I was born in a cross-fire hurricane"--The Rolling Stones' 'Jumpin' Jack Flash'
1. "She's a very kinky girl"--Rick James' 'Superfreak' 'Scuze me???

Disagree? What's missing?

I think this list is lacking for Nirvana, particularly,
"Load up on guns and bring your friends..." - Smells Like Teen Spirit

Your turn...

Food For Thought Announces Battle of the Bands Winners!

Four Youth Bands to Open Locally Grown Concert at Libbey Bowl in Ojai

Food For Thought's Battle of the Bands for youth in Ojai and Ventura took place last weekend and resulted in the selection of four stand-outs who will open the Locally Grown fundraising concert on August 25 at Libbey Bowl. Following the winning openers will be featured headliners Brett Dennen - currently touring with John Mayer - and Perla Batalla - Grammy nominated vocalist and Ojai resident. The event is a fundraiser for Food For Thought Ojai, a nonprofit organization that brings nutrition education, garden-based learning and environmental and agricultural awareness to students of Ojai's public schools. The first Locally Grown concert in 2005 featured singer/songwriter Jack Johnson.

The bands who battled their way into the coveted winning slots are: Emy Reynolds, The Philosophy, Avant Garage and The Imaginative Clams. "The kids were tremendous, and it was tough for the judges to decide. But I think our winners will really shine and add a lot to the show," said Marty Fujita of Food for Thought Ojai.

In addition to opening the Locally Grown concert, the winning bands will record one of their songs in a professional sound studio and receive free CD copies of the recording. John Adair of Wild Ox studios is donating his time, his studio and a professional sound engineer for these sessions.

The concert headliners are two local favorites who have risen to international acclaim. Perla Batalla recently appeared in Leonard Cohen's critically acclaimed tribute film I'm Your Man. She has assembled a new band that brings a rich depth showcasing Batalla's powerful voice and soulful, Latin-tinged ballads. Brett Dennen is a young singer-songwriter who has recently been 'discovered' and is skyrocketing to fame on tour with John Mayer and Sheryl Crow. His pure and timeless vocals and joyous lyrics promise great things.

Billed as a green event, Locally Grown 2 will promote a variety of consciousness-raising actions to minimize the human ecological footprint. For example, concert-goers will be encouraged to bicycle or walk to and from the event to decrease fossil fuel use, bring their own refillable water bottles, and visit a "Zero Waste" station at the event. As an incentive, raffle tickets for unique prizes will be awarded for individual 'green' efforts. Sponsorships to help underwrite the cost of the event are available, ranging from $200 for a program listing to $5000 banner sponsorships.

"This is a great way for us to get our message out to the community," Fujita added. Funds raised will go toward programs that promote good childhood nutritional practices, farm-field trips, school garden programs and salad bar lunches that feature locally-produced, seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Ticket prices range from $20 for rear lawn seats to $100 for front row VIP seats and are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/16914.
More information can be found on the Food For Thought Ojai Web site at www.foodforthoughtojai.org or by calling 805-640-5044.

Flower Power 4-Eva

Devendra Banhart, a 26-year-old singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas, of all places, has been making a name for himself since he landed in San Francisco and was discovered by Michael Gira, of Swans.

His music is hard to classify - at various times people have labeled his work indie, psych folk, Naturalismo and now, my personal favorite, New Weird America. NWA was invented just for him. He owns an entire genre!

His great poetry, combined with folky licks and the distinctive quaver in his voice, make a memorable musician, sure to have a long and influential career. Here's a little listen for your pleasure:

Red in Fang and Claw

Taking a break from the music blogging today, I am posting the horrific, yet ultimately reaffirming video of a pride of lions attacking a Cape buffalo calf at Kruger National Park in South Africa.

The video, shot by a tourist, is a true viral phenomenon, having been seen by nearly 9 million people in just a few weeks.

Before jumping to conclusions about the poor baby buffalo, watch to the end. And enjoy the protective nature of the herd. Therein lie lessons for all of us.

The Bard of Armagh

Tommy Makem died Wednesday at age 74, quietly and without the fanfare he deserved. The Godfather of Irish Music, he etched his way into history with his distinctive baritone, singing richly descriptive folk songs. He came to America in 1955, where he took a job in a mill in Dover, New Hampshire. After an industrial accident left his hand crushed, he came to New York in 1961 to join up with the Clancy Brothers. They were named, along with Joan Baez, as the most promising newcomers at the Newport Folk Festival that same year.

To mark this occasion, the passing of a true bard, here is a photo montage and one of Makem's best known compositions, "Four Green Fields.":

North, to Alaska!

We just returned from our summer vacation cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska. Bill snapped this photo on our approach to Hubbard Glacier just as part of the glacier calved into Disenchantment Bay. This is one of a handful of glaciers that are advancing, yet chunks of ice the size of a house tend to break off now and then with a cacophonous crash that sounds like thunder. The colors of the ice are so beautiful, revealing a gorgeous blue hue you wouldn't believe exists unless you see it yourself (click on the photo to see what I mean).

Where did your summer vacation take you?

BTW, today at the Matilija Junior High School Auditorium from 10am – 5pm is the final Battle of the Bands, and the winners will perform again at the Locally Grown Concert later this month, check it out!