“Can I tell you a story? Would you want me to? ‘Bout a girl in a humble house with one pair of shoes. It was a hard life made easy, or an easy life made hard. Either way she grew up freely, friends with the dog, and she learned to find the flip side of the coin with the pennies in your pocket, and if your glass is half empty, then find a way to top it. See the forest for the trees, see the branches for the leaves. Know when to hold tightly and when it’s time to drop it. Don’t stay busy pulling weeds when you could be planting seeds.”
Both in melody and lyrics, I’m getting real Joni Mitchell vibes from Amalia Fleming‘s newest single, “Planting Seeds,” which was named a Top 40 song by the Nashville Songwriters Association International recently. Fleming moved from the Central Coast to Nashville a few years ago, where she attended and graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor of Arts in songwriting and music business in May.
Since then, the folk/pop artist has immersed herself in Nashville’s music scene, “co-writing weekly and crafting songs for both commercial releases and film/TV projects,” she explained.
This past summer, she also attended a music study abroad program in London, where she “explored the world of sync music and collaborated with fellow songwriters and producers on projects for film and television.”
This experience led to an ongoing partnership with a London-based sync company, for which she is currently writing and producing an album.
She’s now preparing to release her next single, “Widow’s Wall,” inspired by Morro Bay’s Widow’s Wall beach and its history. She’s performed at Central Coast venues for more than a decade, beginning at The Savory Palette in Morro Bay at age 11. Now, she returns with a two-hour set of all new music and stories to share of her journey in Nashville.
See Amalia Fleming on Friday, Dec. 27, in Morro Bay’s The Savory Palette (7 to 9 p.m.)
The Siren
Morro Bay seems to be where the action is this week, with The Siren pumping up the rock ‘n’ roll homage train. Yep, get ready to jump or be hot for teacher or run with the devil when Fan Halen presents its Van Halen tribute show on Friday, Dec. 27 (doors at 7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $24.41 at goodmedicinepresents.com).
According to press materials, they’re known as “The World’s Most Authentic Tribute to Van Halen,” and the band “sets the stage for a night with Dave, Eddie, Alex, and Michael with a true-to-life tribute to not only the band but the spirit of an era!”
Together for over a decade, Fan Halen is fronted by Ernie Berru as David Lee Roth, whose performance “is so uncanny and convincing it’s got to be witnessed to be believed.
“From Diamond Dave’s unmistakable costumes to his signature scream and unique vocal delivery, Ernie delivers the swagger and bravado second only to Roth himself! Derek Fuller as Edward Van Halen re-creates Edward’s classic guitar tone, playing every riff and solo with as much fury and technique as Edward himself, while capturing all of the enthusiasm and flash of Eddie’s engaging live personality. Andy Catt as Michael Anthony looks strikingly like Michael and supplies the low-end bass groove, high-end energy, and most importantly the high harmony backing vocals, which is essential in delivering the quintessential signature sound of Van Halen. Michael Thompson as Alex Van Halen behind his enormous circa 1981 18-piece double-barreled bass drum Ludwig kit delivers the thunderous rhythms and heavy artillery with all the enthusiasm, energy, and ear-to-ear grin that Alex brought to Van Halen. You won’t believe your eyes or ears.”
The Siren also hosts a celebration of vintage Morro Bay with a Sailors & Sirens New Year’s Eve Party on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with Americana act Moonshiner Collective and alternative rockers Carbon City Lights (doors 7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $57.67 at tixr.com). Both these acts are New Times Music Award winners who are guaranteed to deliver amazing performances.
“We’re paying homage to the long lineage of generations of noble sailors of our tiny port town, and the sirens who called them out to go drinking and dancing at our humble bar for nearly 100 years,” the club announced. “Dress in your finest or funnest sailor and siren outfits, and help us bring in a colorful and optimistic 2025 new year! Tix include light appetizers and a Champagne toast at midnight.”
SLO Brew Live
at Rod & Hammer Rock
Rod & Hammer Rock presents NYE 2025: Rio Carnival, with Próxima Parada, Strange Cake, and Hot 45 on the main stage, Dante Marsh, Grambo, Okay AJ, and The Gipsy Allstars in the taproom or distillery, and roaming artist Samba Loca on Tuesday, Dec. 31 (doors at 8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $139.90 at ticketweb.com).
“Celebrating New Years Eve has become a tradition at The Rock, and we consider it our favorite event of the year!” the club announced. “Come join us for an evening packed with as much fun as you can sneak in before 2025! We will transform our entire 2 acres into a Brazilian inspired Carnival playground for your pleasure and enjoyment.”
SLO’s Hot 45 is a super fun R&B group fronted by singer-songwriter Reese Galido. Proxima Parada formed at Cal Poly but now tours the country. Local funk act Strange Cake is influenced by The Meters and the jam band Phish. Your ticket includes three drinks, light bites all night, a “massive balloon drop,” and a midnight countdown across the entire property. Get a designated driver, people! It’s amateur night! Δ
Contact Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Year in Review 2024.