Just a taste of what I like in very random order: Bjork, Coldplay, Tori Amos, Radiohead, Damien Rice, Joni Mitchell, Elliott Smith, Squarepusher, DJ Shadow, Rage Against the Machine, Sinatra, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Belle and Sebastian, David Bowie, Sarah McLachlan, U2, Nick Drake, Travis, Velvet Underground, Dashboard Confessionals, Sonic Youth, Beck, Postal Service, Catpower, Chevelle, Ani Difranco, Rufus Wainwright, Incubus, and much much more.
Each successive CD release from Sacha Sacket has marked a dramatic chapter in his artistry. From his debut, Alabaster Flesh, through Shadowed, Lovers & Leaders and Live At The Zone, what remains constant is Sacketís ability to move beyond his comfort zone and surpass creative expectations.
Hermitage is a vital link in this narrative. As the title suggests, after frenetic phases of recording and touring, Sacket disappeared into the Southern California mountains. "It was snowing. There was a dirt path to a cabin. I had to chop wood to stay warm," he says. For the singer/songwriter, raised in the suburbs, the wilderness offered space for reflection and renewal. "When you are on your own and havenít seen anyone for more than a week, strange things rise to the surface," says Sacket. "In some cases, issues you didnít even know were there. You think about your life completely differently." This experience brought forth the five extraordinary songs of Hermitage.
Sacha returned to the cabin to record, bringing a producer/engineer for the duration, and inviting a roster of musicians into the mountains to add to the tracks, which were then completed in Los Angeles. Sacket generally preferred his first take vocals, which invests Hermitage with an intense emotional immediacy. Lifted by the thunder of drums and the edges of a cello, the sound is rich, orchestral and epic, with Sachaís impassioned vocals alternately intimate and bravura.
The theme of the song suite is introduced on the opening track, "Running Away," and its prophetic lines "Deep within their astral plane/ You can see the light again." "Used" is ushered in with obsessive bells, as anger echoes in the refrain and turns inward with the line, ìBut you know itís your fault/Begging for what you want,î an incendiary electric guitar fanning the flames of self-recrimination. The vulnerable, open veined ìYou Couldî begins with an expression of doubt before segueing a litany of hope, as the songwriter blurs the lines between love, life and art with his words, ìGot to rise about the precious stuff/Gotta just say what I mean.î
ìHold Onî is a mantra to the future, ìYou can hate it/But you canít erase the stretch of time.î Clarifies Sacket, ìMy music isnít there for me to sit and listen to. As an artist, my process is making it and going through that catharsis. I could easily recreate the same situation every time, but I like to go where Iím not comfortable.î
In keeping with that philosophy, upon the completion of Hermitage, Sacha traveled solo to Russia for two weeks. In the land of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, his vision became even more significant. ìI already had the title, but when I went to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg it made even more sense. It is a palace ñ the size of the Louvre -- that Catherine the Great had constructed so that she could spend time alone. "That idea encapsulated the album for me. This grand, opulent palace for solitude and reflection."
Etched in eerie falsetto and sonorous cello, Hermitageís conclusion, ìThe River,î distills a complex theme into an effortless couplet: ìYou canít win if you canít swim.î Sacha Sacket survived the currents by moving to higher ground. Hermitage is a postcard from a remote outpost, a missive to anyone who feels overwhelmed by the relentless demand to fulfill otherís needs. The message is simple: the truth exists within; we need only the solitude to hear it. ìSometimes you have to shut the world off to find out who you really are,î says Sacha. Hermitage reveals the answer.
With the release of his second album, Shadowed (2004) Sacha Sacket took his artistry far a field touring relentlessly with concerts at hundreds of colleges and music venues while garnering airplay on 150+ independent, college and NPR stations. With the advent of myspace, his audience grew exponentially and national media outlets soon took notice. Noted one reviewer, ìSacketís music is not one for easy comparison. His remarkable and plaintive sensitivity conjures thoughts of a young Elton John, while a beautiful, textured piano recalls his classical past ñ a young obsession with Beethoven. His talent, however, is undeniable from any perspective. Armed with a unique and powerful voice, which is perhaps his greatest asset, Sacket grabs you right in the gut and never lets go.î
With Lovers and Leaders, even though Sacket confronts emotional vulnerability, his position is one of strength. ìIím not crying, walking down the street or anything,î he laughs. ìMy music balances me. Itís a super shot, an ëespressoí shot of me. In my music, I say things that Iíve never said to anybody. Itís private stuff that I donít really talk about: except to the world.î
Again, you amaze. Thanks Sacha I have been looking forward to this since you started to debut it at your very last few shows in LA...I miss you and love you lots..mil besos!
I have three new poems located in my blog, if you have the extra time to read them and give me feedback on them. I would greatly appreciate it. If you don't then that's ok I understand. You have a very nice day.
Thai Palms Restaurant and Bar (Palm/Nees) "Fresno's Premier Comedy Club" 7785 N. Palm Ave. Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93711 Call Me for info (559)760-1798 Aaron
Honest John's return! With John's visit in December last year there still hasn't been a bigger show to date! John had every person in the club leaving, begging for more! Long awaited and massively requested HONEST JOHN returns this weekend @ Thai Palms! From Productions such as Comedy Central, BET Comicview, and multiple movies! He is the only white comic Ive ever known to recieve a standing ovation at "The Apollo"(during his SHOWTIME taping)!! Also 3 more absolutely funny comedians including ANDRE COVINGTON from Fresno's B95 "morning juice crew"! Also giving away free promotional prizes! Get your tix thru me on presale right here for only $10ea. To purchase at the door you will pay $20ea! Show starts at 9p sharp and general seating will fill up quickly. As always we have our great drink specials and Limited Reservations are available! Get your tix ASAP because THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT!
Check out this youtube clip of Honest John http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpsbUWUUPSQ
Also Checkout our WEEKLY SHOW!! PACKED OUT EVERY WED.! Valleys best Amatuers on the mic along with the best drink specials all night! $1beers, $5pitchers, and $4kamakazi's! 9p-close! "Happy Hour Comics Gone Wild"!! Only $5 @ Door
Call me for Reservations and questions! Aaron (559)760-1798
Thai Palms Restaurant and Bar (Palm/Nees) "Fresno's Premier Comedy Club" 7785 N. Palm Ave. Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93711
CHECK OUT OUR HALLOWEEN PARTY!! Thai Palms Halloween Party on Oct. 31st doors open @ 8p!! Alright ya'll! We got the hottest sexiest costume party in the Valley for Halloween!!!! We have "Out of Order" Adult Novelty store Co-hosting this years WICKED FANTASY COSTUME FASHION SHOW AND COSTUME CONTEST!! Red Carpet Entrance and Professional Photo Shoot! With 15 Female models and 5 Male models to walk the runway with the hottest adult erotic costume collection, DeJavu mixin on the 1's n 2's all night!! OVER 1,000 LASER BEAMS(synchronized w the beats), Blacklighting, Strobe lighting, Fog machines, and 10ft VIDEO MIXING!! Free handouts all night: Adult novelty gifts, freaky drinks, and BEDROOM FANTASY SWING!!! Also offering Hair coloring, Facials, Waxing, Permenant Make-up, eyelash perms, and Nails!! DON'T FORGET THE Mr. & Mrs. Costume Contest
Wednsday Nights @ Thai Palms are now the funnest Newest thing in Fresno!! "Happy Hour Comics Gone Wild"!! With 8 comedians each night, 1 Headline Comic, Yours Truely, Aaron Stewart as Host, $1beers, $5 pitchers, and 120+ ppl EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT!!! The whole show starts at 9p sharp! This weeks comics include Intnational 3 new Valley Comics, and some of Fresno's Finest performers! Call Me for info (559)760-1798 Aaron
Thai Palms Restaurant and Bar (Palm/Nees) "Fresno's Premier Comedy Club" 7785 N. Palm Ave. Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93711
Wednsday Nights @ Thai Palms are now the funnest Newest thing in Fresno!! "Happy Hour Comics Gone Wild"!! With 8 comedians each night, 1 Headline Comic, Yours Truely, Aaron Stewart as Host, $1beers, $5 pitchers, and 120+ ppl EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT!!! The whole show starts at 9p sharp! This weeks comics include Intnational Traveling Comics "JD", & "Terry Micheals", "Christian the Teenage Comic" (trained by Adam Carolla and his staff), 3 new Valley Comics, and some of Fresno's Finest performers!
ALSO CHECK OUT OUR HALLOWEEN PARTY!! Thai Palms Halloween Party on Oct. 31st doors open @ 8p!! Alright ya'll! We got the hottest sexiest costume party in the Valley for Halloween!!!! We have "Out of Order" Adult Novelty store Co-hosting this years WICKED FANTASY COSTUME FASHION SHOW AND COSTUME CONTEST!! Red Carpet Entrance and Professional Photo Shoot! With 15 Female models and 5 Male models to walk the runway with the hottest adult erotic costume collection, DeJavu mixin on the 1's n 2's all night!! OVER 1,000 LASER BEAMS(synchronized w the beats), Blacklighting, Strobe lighting, Fog machines, and 10ft VIDEO MIXING!! Free handouts all night: Adult novelty gifts, freaky drinks, and BEDROOM FANTASY SWING!!! Also offering Hair coloring, Facials, Waxing, Permenant Make-up, eyelash perms, and Nails!! DON'T FORGET THE Mr. & Mrs. Costume Contest
"DJ Monkey …soul-stirring, excitingly edgy music…just disturbing (read ‘mind-f**king’) enough to demand attention. There is a whole spice rack of auditory flavors here, served up like fractured poetry on a collection of intensely listenable Hallmark cards from Hell." Bill Margold, Cinema Seen, L.A. X..Press http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/djmonkey http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/djmonkey2