A few months ago, some friends and I were out on the town and we decided to get some pizza over at Rocco’s in Walnut Creek. I especially love going there because of the music on Saturday nights. It was the best decision I have made in a long time. In walked this young girl with a keyboard; she set up in about twenty minutes, sat down and proceeded to blow the roof off the place! When Irish singer Sin Silver started playing, the usually boisterous crowd fell silent and was thoroughly entertained. She sang everything from Journey, Van Morrison, and Billy Joel to some traditional Irish tunes. Needless to say, I became a fan from the first note. Being the shy person I am, I went over, introduced myself and asked her if she would like to be a part of a benefit I was putting on (which means FREE, NO PAY, and from someone she didn’t even know). Without hesitation, she accepted. I’m thinking to myself, no one could be this talented and nice (did I mention she did not know me?) Well, long story short, she played an original song, had a few in tears, and instantly made a roomful of new fans. Sin Silver is “The Real Deal”! She is an amazing singer songwriter and an awesome human being, so it was time to put her in the Focus!
Silver says she was only four years old when she started playing piano and was taught by her concert pianist mother. (She also plays violin.) She was born in England to Irish parents, moved to Ireland when she was two, and after she visited the United States at age nine, she vowed to come back and did so after getting a special P3 visa to play music.
When asked about her musical heroes, Silver responded: “Bob Dylan – incomparable; Neil Young - a force of nature; Sinéad O'Connor - love her or hate her, she always speaks her truth; David Bowie - charismatic, chameleon like; Jack White - brilliant and, in my mind, hasn't reached his peak; Bruce Springsteen - the Boss!! And, of course, Townes Van Zandt -- one of my all-time greatest heroes – under-appreciated genius.”
Silver says she is inspired to write a song when “a melody won’t leave me alone. I go to the piano…the music comes first and then the lyrics.” She regards one of her most memorable performances to be at a Happy Hour and a Half at Armando’s in Martinez where “The music flowed like wine, the crowd was perfect and there was no script.” As always, I asked my last interview question, “If you were a song, what would you be and why?” to which Silver answered: “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin. California is where I found my voice. And even though so much music has passed through my fingers, there's still an 'aching in my heart'....a longing if you will, for something more.”
I can’t say this enough, get out there and support local music, and get out there and support Sin Silver; you will not be disappointed.
Sin Silver’s solo schedule is:
Petar’s lounge in Lafayette every Tuesday night, 7:30 - 10:00pm (except on 7/9 or 7/17).
Armando’s in Martinez every 1st Friday of the month for Happy Hour and a Half, 4:30 - 6:00pm.
Peasant and the Pear in Danville on Sunday 7/1 and 7/29, 11am - 2pm.
Bridges in Danville on Wednesday 7/25, 5:30pm - 9pm
The Peasant’s Courtyard in Alamo on Saturday 7/28, 6 – 9pm
Sin Silver will appear with her band, “Sin Silver and the Avenue,” at Armando’s in Martinez on Thursday, August 9, 8- 10pm.
Like Sin Silver and the Avenue on Facebook.
Music available at www.sinsilverandtheavenue.com and on iTunes.
Quote of the month:
“The most beautiful music of all is the music of what happens."
-- Irish Proverb
Paul’s Picks for July:
July 8: Hopeful Romantics, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 3pm
July 8: Petty Theft, Summer by the Lake Series, Pleasant Hill City Hall, Gregory &
Cleveland, 6pm
July 14: Lumberyard, Dallimonti’s, 1932 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, 9:30pm
July 21– 23: Annual Pleasant Hill Blues and Brews, featuring Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, The Chris Cain Band, Tip of the Top, Jinx Jones and the Kingtones, and Blue Conspiracy, Pleasant Hill Park, Gregory and Cleveland, 12pm
July 21: Annie Sampson, Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez, 8pm
July 24: Sin Silver, Petar's Pub and Restaurant, 32 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette ,7:30pm
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