The Bracken Band Releases Debut Album, “The Day Before the Fair!”

“The Day Before the Fair”

Holidays with the Teahouse Company bands: More music, less stress

You don’t have to look far or hard to see that the holidays are coming up – and we all know how they can get here quicker than we think. However, with the 10th St. Jazz Quartet, there’s one thing you won’t have to worry about when planning your party – the music.

With great bands in every style, the Teahouse Company is an all-encompassing resource for entertainment for your Christmas, Channukah, New Year’s Eve, Kwanzaa or Thanksgiving party. Whether the event is for ten or a hundred; whether you need music that blends subtly into the background or gets guests dancing, you’ve come to the right place. The Wine and Roses Band brings the elegance of swing jazz to the evening, while the foot-stompin’ bluegrass and fiddle tunes of the Silver Mountain String Band celebrates the rich musical heritage of the Appalachians – perfect for a Thanksgiving or Veteran’s Day celebration.  For an exotic touch, Sora Nova evokes the romantic feelings of Italy, France and Spain, while the Bracken Band gets guests dancing with their high-energy traditional and original Irish music.  And for a truly unique touch, consider the modern art ensemble Black Canary, blending all styles of music in a memorable and exciting way.

Although the holidays are supposed to be a time to celebrate, the sad reality is that for many people, they can be stressful.  With the Teahouse Company Bands, the celebration is in and the stress is out.  Having our seasoned professionals in your corner will help you create the holiday party that you and your guests deserve.

Silver Mountain String Band featured in “Destination I Do”

We are proud to announce that the Silver Mountain String Band has been featured in Destination I Do’s blog!  Playing the best of bluegrass, Irish and folk music, the Silver Mountain String Band is one of Teahouse’s most popular ensembles.  In addition to performing at weddings and parties throughout L.A., they have also been a hit at events in Yosemite National Park, Santa Barbara, Ojai and more.   We would like to extend our congratulations to Lisa and Doug, and thank them for making the Silver Mountain String Band part of their special day.  We’d also like to thank Destination I Do for including us in their blog.  (Make sure you scroll down in the blog post to see our mention.)

Labor Day with the Teahouse Company Bands

It may seem hard to believe, but Labor Day is just over a month away.  It’s the unofficial end to the summer, celebrated by millions with backyard barbecues.  Music can not only enhance the atmosphere at a Labor Day party, but it can also help celebrate the spirit of the holiday.

Labor Day celebrates the contributions of hard-working men and women on the front lines of factories, in coal mines, in the transportation industry, and elsewhere.  Many musical styles, including Irish, bluegrass, folk and more, are rich with songs about the struggles of workers.  Pete Seeger, Woodie Guthrie and many other great songwriters have used music to raise consciousness about the plight of laborers, and to help bring about changes in working conditions.

The Teahouse Company celebrates Irish tradition with the Bracken Band, bluegrass with the Silver Mountain String Band and blues and Cajun music with the Blind Blakes.  But besides being an agent for social change through the years, music just makes life better.  Some people might see Labor Day as a chance to honor and reflect on the contributions of countless hard working Americans; others see it as a chance to visit with friends and enjoy good food and drink. However you decide to celebrate Labor Day, the top-notch music of the Teahouse Company bands will make you party truly great.

Gold medal Olympic Games parties with the Teahouse Company!

It’s that time again – when the best athletes from all over the world come to compete and showcase their talents.  If you’re having a party to watch the Summer Olympics this year, why not enhance the mood with some of the best musicians in the world?

It takes dedication and talent to reach the Olympics – just as it does to become a great musician.  The Teahouse Company musicians are among L.A.’s best, and it’s hard to beat L.A.’s best.

Just as the Olympics are universal, so too is the music of the Teahouse Company.  Whether it’s the spirit of the British Isles, as captured by the Bracken Band, the Latin flair of Sora Nova or the homegrown U.S. sounds of the Silver Mountain String Band, the Teahouse Company can transform your Olympics party into a gold medal event!

Declare independence from normal at your 4th of July party with the Teahouse Company bands!

Independence Day will be here in just over three weeks, and if you’re having a party, a great live band can make your event truly memorable.  The versatility of the Teahouse Company can provide great entertainment for all audiences.  Our bands play the music that makes America great.

The Silver Mountain String Band brings the rich tradition of American folk music to life, playing classic bluegrass, fiddle and country tunes.  However, if you want your party to have a little more of an edge, consider the Devil’s Box – also playing traditional styles of music, but with an electric, rock’n'roll energy.

Jazz has been called America’s most important art form, and the Wine & Roses Band plays the best of the genre, from swing to Gypsy to show tunes and more.  Meanwhile, the Blind Blakes band brings the Prohibition era to life with a unique blend of blues, Gospel, Cajun and many other musical styles.

And if you REALLY want to take your party to the next level, check out the Teahouse’s newest band, Black Canary.  Like the U.S. itself, Black Canary is a true melting pot, in which literally everything from classical music to today’s current chart-toppers is mixed.

We’ve all been to parties where the only music comes from an iPod.  Why not make your party stand out this Independence Day?

Remembering Doc Watson with 10 great performances

The music world lost yet another icon recently.  Arthel Lane Watson, best known as Doc, died at age 89.

Blind since childhood, Watson was raised to be independent, and earned the money for his first guitar by chopping wood and selling it to the local tannery.  While he is best known for his folk, bluegrass and country music, his first big professional gig was on electric guitar, with a western swing band.  However, it was during the folk music revival of the 1960s that Watson’s career took off.  In the years since, many musical fads have come and gone, but Watson’s art remains timeless, always reaching new audiences.

The ten songs picked here are no means a comprehensive list of Doc Watson’s best work, but for those not familiar with him, they make a nice introduction, and connoisseurs will undoubtedly enjoy the memories.  Thanks Doc for all the great music!

Deep River Blues - probably Doc’s most faous finger-style number, played and studied by countless guitarists.

Down in the Valley to Pray - sometimes Doc’s singing is overlooked compared to his instrumental ability.  Here he gives a great a capella version of a Gospel classic.

In the Jailhouse Now - classic drinking/gambling/carousing song, with nice slide guitar and yodeling.

Little Sadie - a classic “murder” ballad.

Mama Don’t Allow No Music - a fun, uptempo song which gives each instrumentalist a chance to play the music that “mama don’t like.”  This live version features piano, electric bass and drums as well as banjo, mandolin and guitar.

Old Man Below - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  Doc’s rendition of this Appalachian folk song is simple but classic.

Peach Pickin’ Time in Georgia - great rendition of a country classic, with nice flatpick solos – and more yodeling!

Tennessee Stud - besides murders, jail and train wrecks, Doc liked to sing about horses.

Wabash Cannonball - not all train songs are about crashes, such as this classic foot-stomper.

Way Downtown - apparently the characters in “In the Jailhouse Now” didn’t learn from the experience.

Steampunk: a new trend for events (and how the Teahouse Company can help you with it!)

If you’re planning on having a party, it can be hard to find an original theme or setting.  Let’s face it: poker night, wine and cheese tastings and masquerades have all been done.  But over the last few decades, a new trend has quietly been taking shape, and is poised to break out: Steampunk.

What exactly is Steampunk? It is a counter-culture based on mixing vintage history with modern sensibilities.  It embraces the visual language of the Victorian era (in the name, “steam” refers to steam power), while also taking on an edgier, futuristic flavor.  Steampunk is influenced by the work of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and other writers and artists who lived in the past but always had an eye on the future.  Perhaps it is this balance of yesterday and tomorrow that makes Steampunk a vital and exciting trend of today.

This is all well and good, you might be thinking, but what does Steampunk have to do with the Teahouse Company?  Glad you asked.  The Teahouse Company is known for their traditional bands – such as the classical elegance of Sparrow Lane Strings, the homespun bluegrass of the Silver Mountain String Band and the cosmopolitan charm of Sora Nova.  But we also have several bands that can bring a forward-looking flavor to the evening.  The Devil’s Box brings the energy of rock to the world of fiddle tunes and old-school country music, while the Blind Blakes infuse a modern sensibility to the swing, jazz and blues music that defined the Prohibition era.  And for a TRULY unique touch for your party, consider the Teahouse’s Company’s newest band -  the eclectic, unpredictable Black Canary.

Steampunk culture has already spoken to many people all around the world, yet it is still a relatively new movement.  With the right execution – including a great band to provide the perfect music – the aesthetics of Steampunk can provide the perfect ambiance to create an unforgettable event.

Father’s Day with the Teahouse Company!

He taught you how to throw a baseball.  He took you fishing.  He worked his fingers to the bone to provide for his family.  He taught you how to change your oil.  Now that Mother’s Day is behind us, it’s time to focus our attention on the other parent who made you who you are today: dear old Dad.  

This just in: Dad doesn’t need a new tie.  But why not throw a great party for him so he can wear the tie you got him last year?  And what’s a party without music?  Odds are your dad grew up in an era when live entertainment was the only way that parties were done.  So if you’re having a party for your old man, why not help recreate that with one of the great Teahouse Company bands?  If your dad is a fan of bluegrass and country music, the smokin’ Devil’s Box is sure to be a hit.  You can also bring Ireland to the party with the Bracken Band, or take a musical journey around the world with Sora Nova.  If the party is a smaller, more intimate affair, a solo violinist can provide the perfect touch.   On the other hand, if you want to bring some edge to the party, why not check out our newest band, the progressive string ensemble Black Canary?

When you think of all that Dad’s done for you, from helping you tie your shoes to moving you into your college dorm room to being a voice of wisdom and support, how can you not want him to have the best?

Tips for booking a band for your wedding

In an online article, British bandleader Em Peasgood laid out ten valuable tips for how to find a top-notch band for a wedding.

Peasgood’s first tip is to “shop around.”  ”Start your search earlier rather than later,” she suggests.  She also points out that most bands will “have a website with demos, set lists and references.”  Elsewhere on www.theteahousecompany.com, you can find all of the above.

She also suggests choosing “a band with a varied set list to suit all your guests” and cautions that a “pub band might be cheaper, but may not understand your requirements.”  She also warns, “Don’t be tempted by cheaper quotes from part time or amateur bands; professionalism doesn’t come cheap.”  The Teahouse Company bands are made of some of Los Angeles’s most talented and experienced musicians.

As far as hearing a potential wedding band live, Peasgood says, “It is not always possible to see a band live; wedding and party bands only perform at private events.”  However, the Teahouse Company bands can be seen performing at wide variety of public venues throughout the Los Angeles area, including the Basement Tavern and Finn McCool’s in Santa Monica, Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch, and more.

There’s no question that the unique versatility and professionalism of the Teahouse Company and their bands will help make your wedding planning go smoothly.  You have enough other things to worry about when putting your special event together.  Leave the music to us.