House show surprise

Coming to a house near you: In an alleyway near Seventh and I streets, a young man holding a clipboard stood in front of a backdoor and checked in attendees. Down a small set of stairs, the sound of chatter grew louder and louder. A hundred or so music-seekers had gathered in an intimate basement to witness the first Sofar Sounds Sacramento show.

On its website, Sofar Sounds describes itself as a global movement with 340 participating cities that aims to bring “the magic back to live music.” The for-profit company has received criticism for taking a cut of the pay from artists at house shows, which are normally grassroots. But the local Sofar Sounds organizers said they are excited to diversify the company’s shows to include more hip-hop and non-singer-songwriter acts.

Teams of volunteers in each city book musicians in unconventional spaces like basements or living rooms. After paying $15 per ticket, the audience has no idea who will perform until the show starts.

On Friday night, the makeshift stage sat empty before singer-songwriters Andrew Castro and Xochitl opened the show with two duets about love and heartache. Castro finished out his five-song set lightly tapping his acoustic guitar to make beats that were looped and layered with catchy harmonies and fluid guitar work.

Next was another local musician, by the name of I Am Strikes, who performed heartfelt songs accompanied by her electric guitar. The lineup came to a close with two hip-hop performances from Tavis Landry accompanied by a live band and a guest performance by Igwe Aka.

The evening seemed to be a sneak peek of artists performing at the upcoming First Festival, which also showcases local talent. What’s more, First Festival organizer Danielle Vincent was in the crowd, and she gave away two weekend passes to the festival for everyone in the audience who stuck around. Sofar Sac organizers later called it a true Oprah moment.

—Steph Rodriguez

Resurfacing yet again: Saturday’s show at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen was a return out of hibernation in two ways. The Davis restaurant presented its first porch show of 2017 following a dormant winter, and local musician Julie Baenziger of Sea of Bees ended her nearly two-year hiatus from music, opening for Michigan-based spirit rock duo Breathe Owl Breathe.

“It’s good to be back,” Baenziger said, before giving her cat-stickered acoustic a few strums and heading straight into an old tune. To someone like me who had never previously heard Sea of Bees, Baenziger’s voice was immediately arresting. It felt rare; soft-spoken and infantile, earnestly dynamic and charming, quirked with whistles and pretend wind blows with her breath.

Some of the songs had been practiced only recently, and she occasionally halted the song to rediscover it, traveling along her guitar chords and lyrical memory to build into the original ideas. This wasn’t a bad thing at all. The audience was there for the ride; it made for some impressive beats, and watching her find her way felt like part of the story.

Breathe Owl Breathe followed with what felt like a vacation from everything. Steady rhythms, soft organ keys, light guitar strumming and nonintrusive, whimsical vocals created a mental beach house for an hour. The singalong portions felt like guided meditations, and the whole set kept a light heart: One song involved a character trying to get into a wet suit.

“We have records downstairs,” lead singer Micah Middaugh said, and then randomly, “But don’t look under the stairs.”

Following her set, Baenziger talked about the past two years. After her 2015 album, Build a Boat to the Sun, she had felt empty, couldn’t write new music, had been living on the road and eventually got a day job.

Yet again, she feels ready to return to music in full, and she hopes to put out another EP soon. In a way, the show was an opportunity for Baenziger to test herself among old friends, who were scattered in the crowd.

“I just wanted to see how it was, if I could do it,” she said. “It’s in there.”

—Mozes Zarate