Now Playing: Low Down (Live 8.15.08)
“Tight vocal harmonies, incredible virtuosity, and a sense of humor about themselves and their music make this one of the greatest live bands in the county.” ~Glen Starkey, New Times –
“Their down-home music, filled with stories of moonshine, guns and jailhouses, features lots of acoustic fingerpicking, with four-part vocal harmonies and up-tempo, snare-heavy rhythms. Though they do have a clear bluegrass influence, at times they might sound like the Doobie Brothers, other times the Grateful Dead. They can also dip into jazz, funk or reggae, which reflects their other musical projects.” ~Patrick S. Pemberton, The Tribune -
“This morning YOU guys were the breakfast of champions!”
~Joe Craven to Cuesta Ridge (while posing for a picture, backstage at the 2006 Live Oak Music Festival, following a 9am performance by the boys)
Thanks again for voting for us in the Santa Barbara Independent's 2008 "Road to West Beach" battle-of-the-bands first round. We received more votes than any other artist from Santa Ynez to Paso Robles!
Band Bio:
Cuesta Ridge is a band born in the sweet confines of the Santa Lucia Mountains, on California's central coast. This five-piece, bluegrass-injected, Americana-rock conglomerate has been together since 2004, and their experience in the local music scene is broad. With members also playing in variety of other local bands such as Resination, Hip Deep, Tripledub, Stank Finatra, Ouroboros, The Tipsy Gypsies and Goza, their SLO roots sustain consistent growth.
A standard Cuesta Ridge show includes a variety of flavor and there is always something new for the die-hard fans. Constantly writing new originals, this talented bunch also likes to challenge themselves with fresh covers at each gathering. Influences range from Django Rheinhardt, Bill Monroe and David Grisman all the way to Bob Marley, Janes Addiction and Motorhead. The band's upbeat nature attracts movers and shakers while their sophistication corrals musicologists and aficionados.
Previous venues include the Live Oak Music Festival, Sunset Magazine's Celebration Weekend, Morro Bay Harbor Festival, Downtown Brew, California Mid State Fair, SLO Concerts in the Plaza, Mother's Tavern and Stone Soup Music Faire to name just a few. The band also has a live CD now available for purchase at shows or at www.cdbaby.com/cuestaridge and plans to release their debut studio album soon.
The all-acoustic, Cuesta Ridge includes Toan Chau (guitar/vocals),
Patrick Pearson (guitar/vocals), Dan Keller (mandolin/vocals),
Brent Vander Weide (percussion/vocals) and Matt Reeder (upright bass/vocals). Cuesta Ridge is also happy to welcome their newest member in Julie Cooper (fiddle/vocals). Have a listen. I reckon you'll be back for more!
For booking or more information,
please contact Patrick (Email: patrickpearson@cuestaridge.com)
