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Jay Nash / David Ramirez In Concert

Jay Nash and David Ramirez combine forces on their up coming tour.

Jay Nash Biography

Music.

Sure, I had been listening to bands like Def Leppard, Quiet Riot and Kiss on expandable suitcase-record player since I was seven, which was all well and good. But, it was the sound of the Grateful Dead, emanating from my Sanyo boombox, as I laid in my bunk bed, that reconnected me to the world, humanity and I dare say, the universe. There was a language of truth that I had never heard before in Jerry Garcia's fiery playing (circa the 1971, 'Skull and Roses' release), that intertwined in conversation, chorus and harmony with Bob Weir's, glassy, rhythmic punctuations. The entire band was communicating with each other and it's audience in way that I could barely comprehend. Suddenly, I was no longer alone.

Shortly thereafter, I flipped that 90 minute Maxell tape over and discovered a resonance of similar amplitude in the songs and voice of Cat Stevens. Of course, his music was of a completely different shade, but the connection was just as strong. It was clear to me, at that moment, in my eleven year old mind, that Cat had pondered the same questions and fears that I had in my early existentialism. Again I realized, I was not alone.

What followed between then and now, was probably not all that different than the experience that many American songwriters have had growing up. My uncle gave me a guitar, I became obsessed with the recordings of the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and the like, and I began to figure out how to play some songs. Slowly (though not particularly surely) I would also begin to find my voice as a singer, a player and a writer. Eventually, I found my way to New York City, then on to Los Angeles and onto stages all across the land.

All of that stuff hardly seems as important though, as that discovery that I made when I was just a kid. It wasn't necessarily The Dead, Jerry or Cat Stevens, specificallyit really could have been anyone, I think. Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson, Charlie ParkerFrank Sinatra. What I discovered, was the connective power of music. Every once in a while, throughout my life, I will forget and when I do, I suppose that I let my perception of the world around me fade in to black and white. Then, I will hear a voice, or a songor find myself onstage with a particularly open and enthusiastic audience, or sharing a harmony with a friendand BOOM! Everything explodes back into technicolor.

So that is what I do. I seek that connection. I search for that sound. I suspect that the universe has some particular resonant frequencies and I believe that is truth that we are all looking for. Just as it exists in the physical world, I think that we can find that resonance in melody, harmony, rhythm and poetry. I was lucky enough to discover it very early on in my life and so, I take that as a hint from the universe that I should encourage and enable others to make similar discoveries.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and here's hoping you can find it too.

JN

David Ramirez Biography
A man and his guitarhonest, unfiltered and true. In a landscape filled with Top 40 beats and harmonizing folk groups, a lone singer-songwriter definitely has his work cut out for him. But David Ramirez isn't looking to top the charts. He just wants to tell the truth.
"I grew up on 90's alternative radio. It was fun and easy. In college someone gave me a Ryan Adams record, which led me to discover artists like Bob Dylan. From those guys I learned about the power of words and melody and their ability to affect change in people. That honesty made me want to connect with people through music".

Being just as drawn to artists like Dylan and Adams as he is to The National and Arcade Fire is perhaps what draws both young college crowds and folk traditionalists to his live shows. In 2012, Ramirez played over 175 shows in theaters, clubs, bars and listening rooms from Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA. A Fall 2012 co-headline tour with Noah Gundersen saw many sell-out shows and grew his loyal fan base. "I've been humbled by the response I've received from people. Not only do they come to a show or two but they seem to be in it for the long haul. Touring can be tough, but knowing that people around the country are excited to be a part of my music brings so much joy and meaning to the miles".

Ramirez's career has spanned 2 full lengths and 3 EP's. His 2012 independently released album, Apologies debuted at #2 on iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts and #23 on Billboard Folk, garnering praise from The New York Times, American Songwriter and PASTE. Hometown magazine Austin Monthly calls Ramirez "one of Americana's great undiscovered songwriters" His latest release is The Rooster EP. Produced in 6 days by Ramirez and Danny Reisch (Shearwater, Okkervill River, White Denim), the 5 songs explore new sounds and test the limits of the folk/singer-songwriter genre. "The songs themselves are still rooted in folk, but I wanted to experiment with different sounds and textures. It's subtle but it's strong".

David Ramirez knows no luxury. All he needs is an acoustic guitar and the words in his mouth to share his story. One that is honest, unfiltered and true.

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Q Cafe (View)
3223 15th Ave W
Seattle, WA 98119
United States

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Owner: Q Cafe

On BPT Since: Sep 15, 2011

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