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Why Bluesic? While this website was essentially designed to be the home of Clean Slate, we wanted to recognize that this endeavor is much more than about a band. Our lives revolve around a bigger picture, and certainly Clean Slate is a large continent on our map, but we are also involved in our recording studio, Oregon Coast Recording, collaborative projects with other musicians, writing/producing/recording our own original songs and the many other wonderful things that make up our world. And the word Bluesic seemed a good place to start. Like our planet, it incorporates the aquatic, fluid sense of our musical world. And it is a cool word! As Clean Slate, we play "Electracoustic Rockin’ Dead Bluesic"... not a blues band – but bluesic does convey that bluesy-ish feel that much of our music possesses. It is electric, acoustic and sometimes rockin’ with a bit of spirit of the Dead, and for that we are grateful! Why Clean Slate? On the tragic day of 9-11-2001 the trio of Gus Willemin, Lorenzo Smith and Gary Brooker honored their commitment to entertain for the good folks at the Yaquina Health Care Center in Newport Oregon. After a three hour set as we packed up to go we talked about a name for our new trio. Gary suggested the name Jubilee – as in the lyrics from the song Sugaree. When the guys asked “why Jubilee?” Gary replied “Jubilee was a periodic event in Europe that pardoned criminals and debtors from their crimes and debts. In other words, they got a clean slate.” “Yeah! Clean Slate!” the other two said in tandem. And that is the story. Why the song selection? We do select the songs, but sometimes it seems more that the songs select us. No particular style of music or genre, just songs that fit our experience or outlook that we seem to be able to express. From folk to reggae, classic rock to pop, obscure to original and once in awhile we learn a song to please a fan’s request. Why haul gear around and play music at all? That is a tough question. Of course we love to play music, and we love good gear. Frankly, it sucks to haul it around, but what is the alternative? Play good music on other people’s crappy gear and guess what, it sounds…well, not so good. So we do the best we can to play good music through good gear to good people- and we’ve sure met a lot of them and made some new friends these last couple of years. Kind of makes the hauling part less painful! How has Clean Slate changed over the years? We actually used to be a four piece. Gus Gary and Lorenzo as mentioned above were joined by Vallorie Hodges. Lorenzo took his keyboard and soulful voice and drifted off to the state of Washington. Gus needed to focus on his new house and horn playing so retired as the Clean Slate percussionist. Gary and Vallorie, then created an interesting and unique sound - each adding a percussion instrument to their primary instrument. Vallorie on bass, vocals, and ankle jingles. Gary playing acoustic-electric guitar/slide, harmonica, vocals and kick/shaker djembe. So as a duo, Clean Slate can actually make nearly as much sound as a four piece. Or, when it is needed for those smaller, more intimate venues we can move toward a much more acoustic sound. But we also like the flexibility to add a drummer/percussionist and up the intensity when that is called for. So when we stumble upon drummers with the same obsessive intensity to play music as we have, we like to use the opportunity to make something special out of our madness for music. We have been graced with the talent of Dan Norton, Joe Armenio, and David Wood who all have each added much to our musical experiences. And so the magic began...and continues... Interview conducted by Cindy Hanson - radio personality, photographer and Public Relations Officer at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. |
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For Bluesic, Blusic or just really cool music....here on the Oregon Coast and beyond. Send mail to
muse@actionnet.net with
questions or comments about this web site www.bluesic.com
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