“This winter, EBASS ushers in February with a showcase that’ll inspire you to put on pants, get out of bed, and come to the Burren.” . February is going to be a special one for Red Line Roots as we celebrate 3 years of existence, but this past year has been a mighty special one as we have forged a relationship with our friends at EBASS. That’s why we think this is a show that YOU all should know!

Ariel Strasser will be a part of the EBASS showcase at The Burren but also hits up the same venue this coming Friday for a special show with That One Eyed Kid. You can get tickets for THAT show right on over HERE. Get on out and support local music.

More info on this Friday’s show are THe Burren can be found on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/485397784918869/

And about that later show…

What: EBASS FEBRUARY SHOWCASE at The Burren on February 4^th!
With:
Ariel Strasser (http://www.arielstrasser.com/)
Stains of a Sunflower (http://www.stainsofasunflower.com/)
and Featuring:
Aaron Shadwell (http://aaronshadwell.com/)

How much?: Tickets are $10 advance, $14 at the door.

I caught up with Ariel Strasser, to talk about her own music, this coming showcase at The Burren and being a part of the February EBASS showcase. Read on up, get out to see local music this coming Friday and in early February.

RLR: Why don’t you start with just telling the readers about yourself and your music. How you classify your sound?

AS: I’m a Boston area singer-songwriter – originally from Minnesota. I like to say my music is a combination of Carole King, Sara Bareilles and Norah Jones – like a Jazz/Pop/Soul piano/vocal artist. I’m also a Rufus Wainwright lover.

RLR: How do you feel about the community around town or wherever they hail from. How does it impact you as an artist? Is it a stronghold of the area? How do you personally feel about it? This being an EBASS sponsored show, it seems like a real relevant topic!

AS: I never thought I would stay in the Boston area. I came here for school and ended up loving it here. Growing up in Minneapolis, there was a lot of classical music and theater, but I think the independent music scene in Boston is pretty special. The other musicians I’ve met around town here are really interesting and committed. And there are more than a handful of great music venues – to the point where pretty much any night of the week you can decide you want to hear great live music and you can make it happen. Since EBASS (Emerging Boston Area Singer Songwriters) started, its been even easier to connect with other Artists, collaborate on shows and hear new stuff. I don’t think you’ll find community like that anywhere else.

RLR: Also talk a little about the bill? Are you familiar with the other acts? How do you feel it rounds out the show? Or if you aren’t familiar, what makes you excited about it?

AS: This show is part of The Burren Backroom Series hosted by Tom Bianchi. That One Eyed Kid, a kick-ass local band, rounds out the bill really well. Josh Friedman (lead singer of T1EK) and I are both primarily pianists but we bring different things to the table. He’s got some more synth/electronic stuff in his music which is really cool. This is a full band show for me, which is exciting since I’ve been playing mostly solo and duo shows. Josh and I met about two years ago at the Lizard Lounge Open Mic – one of my favorite spots in town. The LLOMC is also hosted by Tom Bianchi, so I guess you could say its come full circle.