The band is an eclectic mash up that comes together beautifully.  Ginger A. Thompson, the lead singer, is what I would like to call the love child of Lenny Kravitz and Janis Joplin.  Janis’ soul, and Lenny’s style & rock and roll.  She’s got Janis’ emotional voice, the lyrics to back it up, and a stage charisma that kept me drawn in the entire show.   Her words are truthful, genuine, vulnerable yet bold – that’s what everyone really wants to hear…songs that tell it like it is…one of my favorite’s being the one they closed the night with – “Come Here, Sit Down, Shut Up.”

The bassist, Lee Sadler,  comes from a one-man-band background, and to look at him you would think – a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n roll.  He’s just one of those guys you love to hate, for all of his talent.  Bass, guitar, harmonica, mandolin – he can do it all.  I’m glad he settled on the bass for this band – he provides the perfect smooth undertone that accompanies Ginger’s writing style.  At the same time his style is so complex, that at some points throughout the show, I had to question if he was hiding an extra hand somewhere on his left arm.

Dave Bailey on drums reminds me of Dave Grohl, from the first Foo Fighter’s album.  His style of play is energetic, bordering on spastic – I found my eyes were continuously drawn to the flurry of his  drumsticks, wondering how anyone’s mind and muscles could work so in sync with each other with such ease.  Dave’s high-energy style doesn’t overtake the show however, just adds the perfect touch of high octane to fuel the band.  One of the coolest things I noticed about him was the fact that he uses the entire drum set – another Dave Grohl characteristic.  But I hate to keep comparing, it’s apparent Dave will make a name for himself.

I can count The 7s  lucky they found each other.  I can also count the music world lucky for what they will inevitably bring to the table.

Elyse Haren 

Performing as one of the headliners at this Fall’s Donna Jam on Saturday night at Jovita’s, we wanted to get to know Elyse a little better and help introduce her to the rest of our lovely community of women who will be in attendance Saturday night!

LGA: Tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you from, and how you got into the music industry.

Elyse:  ”A little about me…  I’m a night owl, but not an all-nighter. I love bike riding, the rain, a great real-life TV mystery, good food and better company.  I’ve always been a little fish in a big pond. I’m originally from New York City, but moved to Los Angeles when I was little because of life-threatening asthma attacks. Both my parents sing. My Dad attended the High School of the Performing Arts (The Fame School), so music runs deep through out my lineage. I danced and sang in musicals growing up, wrote poetry, and then after high school, I started writing my own songs.”

LGA: Who are you biggest influences?  Is there any particular event or stage in your life or place you lived that really inspired you to get into music?

Elyse:  ”Musically: Alanis Morissette, the Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, U2, The Killers

              Personally: Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, and Lucille Ball”

LGA: For those who haven’t heard your music before, how would you describe your style?  What other artists past or present would you compare yourself to?

Elyse:  ”Intense pop rock with the intimacy of a singer/songwriter. I’ve been compared to the best of the non-drippy girls of the 80’s and more modernly to Florence + the Machine.” 

LGA: What is your favorite year in terms of music?  Meaning throughout the decades, which year in particular do you think produced the best music to date?

Elyse:  ”I’m going with 1977, which had “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen),  “Dreams” & “Go Your Own Way” (Fleetwood Mac), “Hotel California” (Eagles), “Breakdown” (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), “Barracuda” (Heart) , “Maybe I’m Amazed” (Paul McCartney and Wings) and Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”.”

LGA: What is the craziest show you have ever played?

Elyse: “Craziest show will definitely be one of the shows on the current tour with Dave Schulz. Stay tuned, but Greg Pajer (guitar) and I once played a MySpace Records show where we had to sit in tandem. It was like playing on a school bus!”

LGA: Besides music, what else are you passionate about?  What are your other hobbies? 

Elyse:  ” I’m passionate about the environment, equal rights, suicide prevention, and helping the homeless.  I volunteer at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, but after I saw a man strip-searched on the side of the freeway in LA, it occurred to me how everyone donates clothing, but no one donates undergarments. So, in the next year I plan to start a non-profit organization, which will provide clean underwear, boxers, bras, tanks, and socks to the homeless.”

LGA: Describe a typical week in the life of Elyse Haren.

Elyse:  ”Typically my day starts with walking my Border Collie mut , Melrose, and a soy latte, and of course can’t forget to feed my hefty Orange Tabby cat, Harrison.  Then I’ll move onto email and band biz stuff, most likely picking up the guitar for a break, somewhere along the way.  I spend my days either recording in the studio, rehearsing with the band, writing new songs, or working as the band’s manager.  I am always inspired to write on walks, so after Melly’s late night walk, I’ll usually come back inside and write at least a verse or chorus on the guitar or piano.”

LGA: Have you found that lesbians compromise a large part of your fan base?  If so, why do you think that is? If not, why do you think that is?

Elyse: “I have found that lesbians compromise a decent part of my fan base and I hope it’s because I represent a real woman, who isn’t a size zero, who writes her own songs and plays an instrument.”

LGA: What is your impression of Austin, Texas?

Elyse:  ”Austin feels like home to us. It’s the first place we ever toured outside California and it’s truly the best city for live music. The people of Austin are so unbelievably supportive of the independent music community and it gives me hope for independent artists everywhere.”

LGA: If you could spend a day with any musician past or present, who would it be and why?

Elyse: “I’d love to spend the day Freddie Mercury because he was an original. His songs, his voice, and you just know he knew exactly how to host a party.”

 LGA:  We all know that even straight girls have girl crushes.  Who is yours?!

 Elyse:  ”Rihanna.”

On Saturday, September 4th at the usual hot spot – Jovita’s on South First St., Donna Jam will be showcasing an entirely new line up of both local AND world-wide talent!  We get to tune into some of Austin’s own talented artists, as well as some acts touring across the globe…it’s the best of both worlds!

We know you want the scoop on who is performing, so here it is:  

Savanna Kate Russell
Hannah Hagar
Elyse Haren
Dave Schulz

Savanna Kate Russel and Hannah Hagar are both home-town, ATX, talents, as well as “family!”  So, you know definitely do not want to miss out on their acts early on in the night!  Elyse Haren is an amazing touring artist from LA, while Dave Schulz — formerly of the GOO GOO DOLLS –  will be performing last as our “honorary Donna” of the night!  

We have to tell ya, we are absolutely pumped for this show.  It’s going to be new and different and just as fun (if not MORE) than previous Donna Jams!  So come one, come all!  Lots of great Mexican food, beer, and margaritas as usual!!

Tickets are $8 in advance (email info@lezgoaustin.com to get your name of the pre-sale list), and $10 at the door – same as always!  Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts SOON after that, so don’t be late!

And in case you forgot the date already, it’s SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH – so put it in your Google Calendars!!

That’s right – Donna Jam is back again!  If you’ve already got plans for the weekend…no worries!  Donna Jam is on a Thursday night this time around, and it will be a great fluffer into what’s sure to be a crazy, Rainbow- flagged-filled weekend in the ATX.

Come on down to Jovita’s, our friendly little Mexican food restaurant down on South First street at on June 3rd at 6 pm and grab a table…Donna Jam is presenting all a whole new line-up from the last showcase!

Opening up will be Boys On the Inside, fronted by Ryan Kelsey who brings some soulful lyrics to the stage.  Some would say her style is very Melissa Etheridge-esk.  Robin Smith who has already proven very popular among the lesbian community graces the stage next, and the night ends with a band new to the Austin lesbian scene – The Blue Hit with lead vocals by Grace Rowland.

To get pre-sale tickets for only $5, email info@justbmused.com, otherwise just show up and pay $8 at the door!

Here are the details one more time:
WHEN – Thursday, June 3rd – Doors open at 6pm
WHERE – Jovita’s Restaurant on South First

We’ll be there with our Pacifico’s in hand – hope to see you ladies at the show!

Plans for Sunday, May 16th?? Feel like dancin’, cruisin’, and sippin’ on some free drinks…on the lake?!  Well, jump on this 2 story historic boat because it’s settin sail at 6pm!  Lace up your dancing sneakers because this dance cruise will talk you on a 3 hour excursion down Lake Austin to the 360 bridge for a Sunday sunset showdown between some of the best DJ’s Austin has to offer – Orion, Klassen, and the TMC!

Why are we promoting this event to the lesbian community, you may ask?  Well, the dance cruise is being put on by LegitArt, a part lesbian owned and operated company.  There are bound to be some single ladies lookin’ for ladies on the cruise!

Need more convincing?  Check out what all this party has to offer:

The night heats up with a swimsuit contest sponsored by Cream Vintage.
Cool off with complimentary vodka Red Bull all night and Five kegs of
Pyramid Beer. Put on your sexiest rock-star face for the LegitArt
Photobooth, and dance your way into summer on a river cruise.

-Two stories of indoor dance floors
-Three hours of fat beats and free drinks
-Five DJ’s spinning on the Red Bull DJ tables
-$150 Swimsuit contest sponsored by Cream Vintage
-Sexiridiculous nautical-themed LegitArt Photobooth
-6,000 watts of delicious bass in ya face!
Each contestant will win one of six featured Swimsuits from Cream
Vintage, and the winner will receive a $75 gift card to Cream Vintage
and a $75 gift card to Massage Envy!
Featuring: Orion and Klassen vs. Table Manners Crew
-DJ Orion
-DJ Prince Klassen
-DJ Digg
-DJ Tats
-DJ Kid Slyce

Need we say more???  Want to grab you ticket now?  Just go to http://dancecruise.legitart.com.  Get to the boat dock (1600 Scenic Drive Austin, near Hula Hut) at 6pm because the boat sets sail at 7, and you’ll party till 10!

The goal of DJ’s Sam&tha and Ramesh (lead singer of Voxtrot) is to make Fridays at Red Fez all about the gays!  Both proud gay folks themselves, they want to offer up something a little different than the usual rap beats to satisfy the variety of musical tastes of Austin’s gay community.

They are dubbing the event: Gay Ghey Gaiye and will be pumping Red Fez full of sounds ranging from house to gay disco to kitschy new wave and post punk!  Sounds like fun to us!!

So come one, come all and try something new!  There is NO COVER, cheap drinks, and the party starts at 10 pm!

bMUSEd Music Fest’s ALL FEMALE music showcase is JUST AROUND THE CORNER!! Make your way down to Sister’s Edge II tomorrow, Saturday March 20th!  It’s pretty much an all day event – we’ve got bands playing from 1:30 in the afternoon to 10:30 at night!

Last year bMUSEd Music Fest was a HUGE!  Over 500 ladies showed up to Rainbow Cattle Company to hang out, drink some beers (or red bulls), and listen to GREAT music! 

This year it will be even BIGGER and BETTER!  So, if you’re looking for a music showcase to attend during SXSW where you don’t have to wait in a ridiculously long line for a wrist band and then have to wait even longer for a drink…come down to our neighborhood lesbian bar where everyone’s a friend!

The artists this year include:

Grrlz Will Be Boiz
Ginger A. Thompson
Stephanie Erdel
See Green
Robin Smith
Stephanie Salvo

NOW ANNOUNCING——–GOD-DES AND SHE

Picture Me Broken
Lunic
Elyse and the Aftermath

Some of these bands are our hometown girls while others have come from far and wide to play for you!  The cover is only $5 at the door – pretty darn good for 9 hours of awesomeness.  And with a stamp, you can come and go as you like.

See you lovely ladies there – Saturday, March 20th at Sister’s Edge II!!!

1. A talented group of performers/songwriters
2. No cover
3. Free CDs and swag
4. Free album downloads with t-shirt purchase
5. Featuring a special guest, the beautiful crooner Ginger A. Thompson
6. Headed up by the Mistress of Ceremonies, Saffire T. Stone
7. It’s at Rusty Spurs, which means lots of ladies and cold beer!

So what’s the story on GWBB, you ask? One lesbian couple that played guitars, sang and wrote music together. Another lesbian couple not five minutes away that played bass and drums, sang and wrote music together. The lesbi-gravitational pull was just too much to avoid.

This talented foursome includes:

-   Sami Di Williams – Vocals/Guitar
-   Amy Williams – Lead Guitar
-   Amanda Williams – Bass/Vocals
-   Melissa Nunan – Drums/Vocals

GWBB formed in the Spring of 2008 in Austin Tx and in just over a year has played a large number of shows in Central Texas to crowds that continue to grow weekly. The growing buzz, reputation with venues, and positive response to their independent EP release, “How We Ended Up This Way” have served them well recently, earning them coveted spots in the annual FriendsFest Women’s Music Festival in Dripping Springs, TX in April 2009, the Austin Pride Festival in June 2009 and the kick-off party for the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival in Sept. 2009- the biggest and longest running LGBTQ film festival in the Southwest.

Check them out on Facebook

Download the album here

See you Saturday!

I know.  When you think of SXSW you either think a) YES!! Crowds of people, booze, extremely loud music, late nights and craziness…or  b) BOO!! Crowds of drunk people taking over my city and filling it with craziness.

Either way you think about it – I’ve got just the right thing for you!  It’s called bMUSEd Music Fest and it’s an ALL FEMALE music showcase that takes place at Sister’s Edge II on Saturday March 20th!  It’s pretty much an all day event – we’ve got bands playing from 1:30 in the afternoon to 10:30 at night!

Last year bMUSEd Music Fest was a HUGE!  Over 500 ladies showed up to Rainbow Cattle Company to hang out, drink some beers (or red bulls), and listen to GREAT music! 

This year it will be even BIGGER and BETTER!  So, if you’re looking for a music showcase to attend during SXSW where you don’t have to wait in a ridiculously long line for a wrist band and then have to wait even longer for a drink…come down to our neighborhood lesbian bar where everyone’s a friend!

The artists this year include:

Grrlz Will Be Boiz
Ginger A. Thompson
Stephanie Erdel
See Green
Robin Smith
Stephanie Salvo

NOW ANNOUNCING——–GOD-DES AND SHE

Picture Me Broken
Lunic
Elyse and the Aftermath

Some of these bands are our hometown girls while others have come from far and wide to play for you!  The cover is only $5 at the door – pretty darn good for 9 hours of awesomeness.  And with a stamp, you can come and go as you like.

See you lovely ladies there – Saturday, March 20th at Sister’s Edge II!!!

Both of these music showcases have been tremendously popular events in the past and are only getting bigger and bigger.  Bands from all over the world participate – just take a look at the growing popularity of Porcelain, a band from Australia, that played at both Donna Jam and BMF last year! 

Here are the guidelines to qualify: 

You must have a Myspace page with samples of your music, as well as a list of local or regional venues that you have played at.  This open call applies to ALL female musicians no matter if you’re straight or LBT (dropped the “G” for obvious reasons)!  Local, regional, national, and international solo artists or bands with female leads are welcome!  So sister cities in Texas – Dallas, Houston, San Antonio…we’re talking to you, time to spread the word to your friends near and far! 

If you have any local gigs coming up where Goldstar ATX can go check you out that is definitely a bonus!

All submissions can be sent to booking@justbmused.com.  It is VERY important that you add something like “Female Artist” in the subject line.  Your submissions are important, so get them in as soon as possible.  We want to get you on stage!

Submission deadline is January 15th 2010.