Concert stream to benefit Red Cross
Boulder-based singersongwriter Dave Tamkin has crafted a career out of feel-good folk.
Known for his memorable live shows that range from intimate solo sets to highenergy gigs — where he is joined by fellow musicians — he remains a notable par t of the Front Range music scene.
With a passionate and percussive guitar-playing style uniquely his own and songs dispersing poetically relatable truths and sound advice, the Chicago-born creative has clocked many days playing to crowds at Boulder’s etown Hall, Den- ver’s Bluebird Theater and various venues throughout the countr y.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, Dave Tamkin and Co. will perform a livestream from Stone Cottage Studios. Wanting to make a significant difference in the lives of locals impacted by the devastating wildfires that burned in 2020, the trio is donating 20% of ticket sales to Red Cross of Colorado and Emergency RV — an organization that provides transitional housing to displaced survivors of natural disasters by connecting RV donors with qualified recipients.
This isn’t the first time Tamkin has used his artistry for the greater good. In April 2020, he released a single “Shoes” — a fast-paced track recounting the importance of not judging others and staying one’s course — directly inspired by the growing lines of homeless people he saw waiting to get into a nearby shelter. When he learned that shoes were one of the most-needed items, he penned the tune and donated a por tion of the proceeds from song sales and a previous Stone Cottage livestream to Boulder Shelter For the Homeless, so that the funds could be used to obtain socks, sneakers and boots for those in need.
Tamkin, who began writing and playing music in the four th grade and star ted his ver y first band by the sixth grade, doesn’t just sing about the power of kindness and making a dif ference, he walks the walk.
At times he channels bits of Ani Difranco, at others he is reminiscent of Martin Sexton.
Prior to the pandemic, Tamkin shared stages with Rusted Root, Guster, The Violent Femmes and a roster of industr y greats.
Tickets for the upcoming livestream start at a suggested $15 donation and a variety of other priced tiers allow fans access to a postshow Q&A and additional perks. Viewers can get $5 of f the vir tual show with the coupon code SAGAMORE5, provided by sponsor Sagamore Spirit Rye.
We caught up with Tamkin and other members of Dave Tamkin and Co. — guitar player Brad Huf fman and drummer Chad “Chadzilla” Johnson — to find out what viewers can expect from the group’s upcoming livestream, what 2020 has allowed them to explore and, in a time where most live music has come to a standstill, what artists’ recordings they’ve looked to for solace.
Daily Camera: I love that you guys are using this opportunity to raise money for Red Cross of Colorado and Emergency RV. What prompted you to want to rally around these organizations?
Dave Tamkin: A Boulder musician friend of mine posted on socials about his dad losing his house to the Calwood Fire in Boulder County. It was a video of his dad standing in ash looking at his motorcycle where his house used to stand. My friend Ben (Hanna) captured his dad walking around the property with a sense of disbelief while also conveying a sense of hope.
You could see where Ben (Hanna) got his optimism, kind demeanor and sense of humor. I called Ben (Hanna) to see if his dad had a place to stay, as I was just introduced to Emergencyrv.org through a marketing client of mine. His dad was safe and with his family. All the other information I found to help our Boulder community led me to the Red Cross of Colorado. When I called them to see if we could suppor t them with this livestream, they were quick to respond and of fered us resources to help promote and were very grateful.
DC: What can fans expect from your upcoming livestream and what are you most excited about returning to Stone Cottage Studios?
DT: Our friends and fans can expect three musicians that are hungry to get together and play some music. We were able to play outside gigs over the summer, but haven’t played music together since August. Brad (Huffman) and I will play some new instruments that we haven’t played live, ever. Stone Cottage Studios’ engineer, Avery Johnson, will join us on a few tunes with his cello. And with the hi-def video and pro audio that Stone Cottage Studios provides, ever yone can expect to feel the energy in the studio right into their homes. We’re ready to play.
Chad “Chadzilla” Johnson: I think our audience is looking forward to hearing Dave’s (Tamkin’s) songs played with sincerity and creativity. We enjoy each other as both people and musicians so much and I know that will translate to the audience. Stone Cottage will provide us a great opportunity to share that
spirit in a great listening and viewing environment.
Brad Huffman: Some of the songs will have a guest musician contributing on cello and I will be attempting to perform some of the songs on instruments I would consider myself a novice on, but am excited to see how they sound with a unique approach to the instrumentation.
DC: Did 2020 inspire you musically at all? Did the downtime from touring allow you to embark on other creative quests you had been putting off?
DT: I really pushed myself to try and play music as much as possible while exploring some other projects I’m working on. Brad (Huffman) and I tried to meet up at a distance after the summer shows slowed down, but too many close calls with COVID ended that quickly. We have some new songs we’re working on and can’t wait to start recording.
My friend Chris Webb and I spend our Wednesday nights recording a podcast called “Musicians Tip Jar” where we talk about music and money. As this is the first podcast I’ve ever done, I’m learning more each week and hopefully providing some useful information to our musician community as well. The first episode went live on Feb. 16.
I also work with Stone Cottage Studios. Owner and CEO Jamie Maynard is an expert videographer and built a beautiful studio. He is meticulous when it comes to setting the studio to ensure the artists and audience experiences a hi-def, threeto four-camera livestream to remember. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help the studio with their marketing, curate their artist sessions and structure a strong business foundation that not only builds our team but allows the studio to give back to our music community and provide some income to musicians.
CJ: 2020, albeit a strange year in our lives, provided me some time to connect with other musicians and fans in a new way. I also released two solo albums as well as producing a number of other projects.
BH: 2020 was musically inspiring at times, but also not conducive to creativity from a collaborative perspective. Since we are not able to safely get together as a band we haven’t been able to “woodshed” as we call it. I have always been more inspired by group collaboration and coming up with arrangements together in person. Unfortunately, it’s just not that easy to include everyone in our social circles due to some of the restrictions and safety precautions we are adhering to. As much as modern technology has allowed for remote collaboration, it just isn’t the same and it has been challenging, to say the least.
DC: Now that we are in Level Yellow and shows are starting to slowly pop back up, can we expect any upcoming in-person performances from Dave Tamkin & Co?.
CJ: I’m sure hoping so. The few shows we played last year were lifeblood for me and helped me realize the power of music and community as even more of a blessing.
DT: I’m with Chad (Johnson). Though I think it will be some time before we hit the road again, I look forward to playing around the Front Range as much as possible this spring and summer.
DC: I’m curious, did you discover any new music in 2020 that you couldn’t get enough of? What artists have been on heavy rotation in your home?
CJ: I didn’t really discover much new music, but I was able to delve deeper into some of my favorite artists and spend more time really digesting their catalog — Beck, Jose Gonzales, Whitest Boy Alive, The Bahamas, Toro Y Moi and, of course, Public Enemy’s fresh fall 2020 album (“What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?”).
BH: The new Fleet Foxes album “Shore” has been the only thing I’ve been listening to for the last three to four months. I’d say it’s my favorite album that was released in 2020. I had never heard of the band until I heard the song “Can I Believe You” on 105.5 The Colorado Sound one day. I immediately noticed the sonic beauty of the song and am glad I took note of it to listen to the rest of the album. Ever y time I hear it, my spirit is uplifted.
DT: I’ve broken up my Lake Street Dive obsession by listening to some incredible tunes by Madison Cunningham, Birdtalker, Scary Pockets, Maggie Rogers, Dawes and local Boulder artists Kind Hearted Strangers.