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Val Esway + El Mirage: Home

Hello and welcome to staggeringsiren - the home of all things musical for Val Esway, singer of torch songs, twang ballads, murder lullabies and oh so much more...

Happy New Year! - December 26, 2008

Howdy friends,

Here's wishing everyone happy holidays and all the best for 2009.

I feel so fortunate to be able to play and sing with so many talented musicians year after year, and am excited to say that Loretta Lynch is starting the new year off with a bang - we're headlining Slim's on Friday, January 16th, and we hope you can make it!

In fact, there are lots of great musical adventures planned from January through March.

I'm happy to be continuing my third-sunday-of-the-month series at the Bazaar Cafe, playing both solo and in duo w/ John Shiurba, plus who knows who will show up and join us on guitar? I'm delighted to be hosting some fabulously talented songwriters and performers for this series, including Maurice Tani of 77 El Deora and Denise Funari of Yard Sale on January 18th, and Nellie Bly and Tara Linda on February 15th, and Joel Murach and Ted Savarese of Octomutt on March 15th.

We also have a full on El Mirage show to look forward to on March 1st, so please mark your calendars for that!

As always, thanks for your support of live music and us little independent folks who strive to bring it to you. Hope to see you out there soon, and happy 2009 to one and all!

Sliding into 2009 - November 25, 2008

Howdy and forgive the recent lack of updates. Thanks to everyone who came out to all the shows over the last couple of months! I thought we were all finished for 2008, but it turns out, Loretta Lynch will be playing a short set at Joni Davis' Food Drive Benefit at the Orchard Spotlight in Santa Rosa on Friday, Dec. 12th. Tell your North Bay friends, and come on out to support this very worthy cause at this beautiful venue.

As for 2009, the shows are slowly trickling in and the calendar is starting to fill up, so please do check the calendar page to see what's in store, and check back often as it is updated.

Happy holidays to everyone, and here's wishing all of us a wonderful 2009!

City Sessions and More - October 13, 2008

Howdy friends,

I don't know about you, but it feels like Fall has crept up on me,
and suddenly, there are shows galore!

Tuesday, 10/14 - Loretta Lynch plays the City Sessions Music Seriesat Club Waziema!  Come enjoy some tasty Ethiopian food and get serenaded by the likes of Joni Davis, Yard Sale and Loretta Lynch. It's a free show, but feel free to feed the tip jar!  Starts at 8 pm. Club Waziema is located at 543 Divisadero, between Fell/Hayes in SF.

Sunday, 10/26 - Hot as Balls at the Bazaar Cafe -   Hot as...huh??
Yes, that's right, there's a new band in town, and we're called Hot as Balls!  You may know the fabulously talented High Diving Horses, featuring the musical talents of Danny and Laura Allen, and featuring Danny's songs.  Well how talented can one family be, my friends? Danny's songs are so damn good, and as it turns out, Laura's are too. And I'm pleased to play music with both of them, and in this capacity, as the slinger of the bass.  We'll be joined by Corey from the Shut-ins on the drums, and there will also be sets from the wonderful Luther Monday and his Magic Hammer, and someone named simply, Paulette.  Don't miss it!  It's an early show, starting at 6
pm at the Bazaar Cafe, at 5927 California Street near 22nd in SF.
All ages and free!

Friday, 10/31 - It's the 7th annual Murder Ballads Bash at the Starry
Plough - all kinds of good music happening, and more details coming, but please do mark those calendars if you haven't already.  I'm doing a special duet with Joe Rut that night and there will be LOTS more, so don't miss it!