Fifteen Bakersfield bands gave back to the community with their musical talents at the Giving Tree Project Battle of the Bands.
Acts ranged from jazz to hip-hop to indie rock during the all-day event held at the renovated Nile Theater where musicians, parents, artists, and teachers gathered to rock out and raise money for The Giving Tree Project. Proceeds will help build a garden for schoolchildren at William Penn Elementary.
Spearheaded by local activist and organizer, Amber Beeson, the project aims to help fix local schools and to teach children environmental conservation.
Beeson, sporting bright green pants and a top hat, spoke between performances to remind the crowd of the importance of using the power of the downtown art and music scene to improve the quality of life for the area’s residents.
The variety of musical styles at the event showcased the breadth of the music scene’s talent. Kicking off the show, the Candace Freeman Nujazz Trio and the Jay Smith Group brought in a sophisticated foot-tapping crowd to watch Smith’s fingers rushing across the keyboard and his hair flying wildly as he played. 2Faded, a hip-hop group with an aggressive performance style, pumped up the crowd with energetic hip-hop/rock fusion songs that would appeal to hardcore rap lovers but were also danceable.
Early afternoon performers were all-male rock group The Aviators, Crooked Folk, and indie pop-rock band The Bird Channel (THE EYE's own Missy Wiggins! A biased favorite of site founder Nick Belardes).
Winning second place at the competition and a full recording/production and photography package, The Aviators played classic rock influenced songs complete with Led Zepplinesque manly screams, wild frenetic guitar solos, and a whole lot of head banging.
The Bird Channel, fronted by lead singer Missy Wiggins, treated the audience to their signature sound that’s been described as “everything you loved about music in the '90s.” Their upbeat, smart set ushered in the late afternoon group of folk-acoustic style bands which included The Nature, Alex Mitts, and Kenny Reeves and the Clones who took third place.
The evening ended with a group of bands who frequent the Indiemashup series and bring a large group of fans and downtown hipsters to each performance. Ruby Skye’s set was followed by always impressive Holy Beast whose performance brought couples of all ages onto the floor. They swayed to singer Chanell Hall’s sensual voice whose range matches the musical intensity of guitarist Edy Hernandez, bassist Carlos Contreras, and drummer Alejandro Tuesta.
Packing the dance floor, Choirs upped the energy of the atmosphere with a powerful head-banging, foot-stomping set that gave the audience a taste of their upcoming album release show at Riley’s on Feb. 25, where they will give copies of their EP “We All Need Closure” to those who pay a cover charge.
Sporting sweaters and suspenders, indie rock band The Architecture took home first place for their sweeping sound which exceeds the traditional garage rock sound to include the cello and trombone. Though their music may sound a bit pop at first, a second listen reveals a dark and philosophical undertone that makes The Architecture a downtown favorite.
Funeral Club, founded by Bakersfield couple Joseph and Jenny Andreotti, closed the competition with a few dreamily surreal, nightmarish songs that pay homage to avant-garde noir filmmakers.
An opportunity to serve the community, the Giving Tree Project Battle of the Bands demonstrated the power local musicians, artists, and fans have in improving Bakersfield culture and life. With an impressive turnout that packed The Nile, the event could be proof that bands and activists are coming together to promote music and social change.
IMAGES FROM THE EVENT:
2Faded photo by Jane hawley
Choirs image by Jane Hawley
Crooked Folk image by Jane Hawley
Holy Beast image by Jane Hawley
The Bird Channel image by Jane Hawley
The Aviators image by Jane Hawley
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