2008 Woodie Awards
Rox Bar presents Winter Blues and Bluegrass
Dana Johnson
Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: Intermission
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The Winter Blues and Bluegrass Sessions will feature a line-up of, well, of blues and bluegrass groups from all over Minnesota. Sponsored by In The Wind...Promotions, these 18-plus sessions kicked off Feb. 6 and will continue every Wednesday night through Feb. 27.
The crowd was modest last Wednesday night as The Sans Souci Quartet took the stage. Based out of Minneapolis, The Sans Souci Quartet is new to the St. Cloud music scene. Soon, a few audience members began dancing to the upbeat songs the Quartet was laying out.
As a quartet, Sans Souci have rocked the Twin Cities music scene for about two years, playing up to six gigs during a busy month. They are currently in the process of completing a home recording.
Armed with a mandolin, acoustic guitar, five-string banjo, an upright bass, lead and backup singer to harmonize, the group took the stage for a full set of bluegrass songs. The quartet was excited to play for a fresh set of faces in the audience to introduce their non-traditional bluegrass sound to.
"It's always fun to play for people you don't recognize," said Eric Roberts, the group's five-string banjo player. "Between people dancing and smiles that you've never seen before, that always kind of helps you on stage."
"Plus we can repeat the set list and nobody will know," said Zach Gusa, the quartet's acoustic guitarist.
The quartet members also include Eric Larson on lead vocals and mandolin and Bob Responder on the upright bass.
On any given weekend, the quartet can be found in the Minnesota music scene playing with groups including Pert' Near Sandstone, Loudray, The Pistol Whippin Party Penguins and Charlie Parr.
Their next show in Minnesota will be at the 331 Club in Minneapolis with Loudray. For a complete schedule of the group's upcoming shows, visit www.myspace.com/sanssouciquartet.
Doug Otto and the Getaways followed the Sans Souci Quartet last Wednesday night with a sound they classified as folk rock, blues and country.
Band members include Doug Otto covering vocals, guitar and harmonica, Rich Casey on the upright and electric bass, Albert Perez on the electric guitar, Shane Akers on lap steel and Chris Gray playing the drums. The musicians played a full set for the crowd at the Rox Bar.
Also based out of Minneapolis, the five-piece group can be found on the same music scene as the Sans Souci Quartet.
Their next show in Minnesota will be at the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis Feb. 19. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/doubottoandthegetaways.
More Minnesota local music will be featured at the Winter Blues and Bluegrass Sessions throughout February. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/donnganske.