Leather Tramp

Even though they're relatively new on the Long Beach music scene, Leather Tramp already feel like a supergroup. Let's face it, any outfit that can organize band practice with 10 members is pretty damn super. Plus, it's the way all of those members use their variety of strings, percussion, brass and woodwinds to create a sound self-described as folkestra (folk + orchestra). The winners of this year's Busker Fest made a sterling impression on the roving crowd of live music fans with a backwoods sound that's fresh, whimsical and wise. Crowd favorites such as "Strays," "The Bear Prayer" and "Sunday Come Soon" showcase their ability to build each track from a contemplative campfire song to a lush, harmonious bloom of concert-hall perfection. - OC Weekly

Whatever the endeavor, somebody has to go first.

Friday, that responsibility went to Leather Tramp. The Long Beach band was the first act to go on stage the first night of Music Tastes Good, a three-day festival celebrating music and cuisine taking place for the first time in Long Beach.

Leather Tramp calls itself a “folkestra” band, a group that mixes the tones of acoustic guitar with the sounds of keyboard, brass, woodwind and percussion instruments. Friday, the group took the stage while the hot September sun still illuminated the sky above the city and the festival’s first guests ambled into the festival grounds.

The evening’s early arrivals included Julie Reynosa, a Carlsbad resident whose niece, Elizabeth Chavez, plays violin for Leather Tramp.

“This girl has worked hard. That makes it so amazing,” Reynosa said. “That’s why I’m so proud of her, because it takes guts to do what she’s doing.”

LONG BEACH BOULEVARD STAGE

Festival organizers set up the night’s stage — dubbed the Long Beach Boulevard Stage — on the asphalt parking lot next to the former Acres of Books site. About 15 music fans had gathered when Leather Tramp began their set, but that number grew bit by bit over the course of the band’s set.

Leather Tramp already had a chance to cut its teeth on the Long Beach festival scene. The group performed at this summer’s Buskerfest competition, and one fan attending the Music Tastes Good show tossed a few wooden nickels left over from that event at Leather Tramp. That’s not an insult — those Buskerfest nickels are tokens of appreciation.

That fan, 48-year-old Greggory Moore, said he first saw Leather Tramp at Buskerfest and opined the Long Beach band got Friday night off to a good start.

“This is a great opportunity for them,” Moore said.

MORE BANDS TO PLAY

Another Long Beach band, Spare Parts for Broken Hearts, had the second run at the stage and followed the opener’s folk-influenced songs with the aggressive roar of dimed-out alternative rock.

Rival Sons, yet another Long Beach band, was scheduled as Friday’s headliner. Rival Sons’ members are disciples of the titans of 1970s heavy guitar rock.

Saturday, Music Tastes Good’s venue is expected to grow beyond the parking lot where Friday’s show took place. The festival grounds are set to expand, taking along a stretch of E. Broadway as well as blocks of Elm, Linden and Atlantic avenues in Long Beach’s East Village area. The main entrance for fans attending on Saturday is mapped out to be near the crossing of Broadway and Atlantic.

Saturday’s musical lineup includes The Specials, Deltron 3030, The Melvins, Dr. Dog, Warpaint and many other performers.

Long Beach restaurateurs scheduled to offer their culinary wares during the event include Robert Earl’s BBQ, The Pie Bar, Sophy’s Fine Thai & Cambodian Cuisine and Roe Restaurant.

Other eateries within Saturday’s festival grounds that are scheduled to be open include Padre, Great Society Cider & Mead, Utopia Good Food & Fine Art and District Wine.

The festival is scheduled to continue Sunday on the asphalt lot where Friday’s concert was located. The final day’s acts include Las Cafeteras, De La Soul and Sylvan Esso.

For more information, visit mtglb.co. - Press Telegram

The other day I was talking to my buddy on the phone when he recommended I check out Leather Tramp. I’ll admit, at first I was a bit confused. Before my mind wandered too far, he quickly added they are an indie band that I might enjoy. He was right. A leather tramp is a person who lives a nomadic existence who walk and hitchhike their way across the country. Simply put, a leather tramp is one who wanders. Leather Tramp’s music fits this perfectly. This week’s featured band is the unique and intricately balanced, indie folk/rock ensemble, Leather Tramp. Leather Tramp, based out of Long Beach, is a wide-ranging ensemble where folk meets symphony. They consider themselves “folkestra” which combines indie rock with elements of an orchestra. There matchless sound stems from the work of 10 musicians. The “Tramp Family Members” include Jake Abernathie, Gracie Gray, Marc Encabo, Flint Lidar, Lucas Cathey, Elizabeth Chavez, Jay Hemphill, Scott Dagg, Lawrence Pi, and Gary Soland. The band was founded in 2013 at the California State University, Long Beach and have been playing together ever since. Ever since my friend’s recommendation, I have been down a rabbit hole searching for everything and anything I can get ahold of. After many hours of listening and viewing, I decided to review their self-titled EP, Leather Tramp.

Their debut EP, Leather Tramp, was released last September and holds true to their self-abiding classification of folkestra. Through and through, the EP is a beautiful work of art and is composed of six songs that each tell a story yet each seem to serve its own purpose. The EP starts out strong with “To Live For Love” which is an excellent representation of what to expect for the rest of the EP. This song builds from beginning to end and makes it impossible to tap along with the beat. The balance of strings, percussion, brass and woodwinds was flawlessly balanced and left me wanting so much more. “Strays” follows and the upbeat instrumentals immediately puts a smile on your face. After listening several times, this song seems fitting for what the band stands for as evidenced by the elegantly written lyrics. For instance, “For when I’m lost and wandering, it’s exactly where I want to be. And where I lay my head tonight, I know my heart, it will be right.” To me, this excerpt signifies the band’s name and what they stand for, the wanderers. “Honeydew” is a wonderfully complex song with a playful sound present throughout. This is an excellent example of storytelling at its finest, and possibly my favorite track on the EP. Though it may sound playful, it holds a powerful message of heartache and declaration of love. The next track is the upbeat “Sunday Come Soon” which charmingly features the horns. “If I Never Say Hello” is a charming song that left me in goosebumps where the lyrics compliment the instruments and vice versa in a truly distinctive way. The EP is capped off in an unforgettable fashion with “The Bear Prayer.” When listening to this song, the first thing that comes to mind is sitting around a campfire. This track is certainly more folk, though the strings and horns tastefully make an impact. What a way to end the EP!

Leather Tramp’s EP was a fantastic journey that truly brought stories to life, which is rather important to us at Setlist. True storytellers are few and far between. Thus, when you stumble upon them, they certainly deserve the recognition. It is evident that this is a band with incredibly talented musicians, but where they differ is their originality. After reading their band description, I was intrigued to see how they would combine two differing genres of music. Not only did they live up to my expectations, but they exceedingly surpassed them. I look forward to all of the future stories that will share with us! If you are a fan of indie music, I strongly encourage you to check out Leather Tramp by clicking here.



-AB - Setlist Independent Music Co.