Tours, Shows, and Awards for Maren Parusel

Since days off for me are very limited or are a week long.  It is hard to pick and choose the show that I want to attend due to work scheduling and my constant procrastination.  Not to mention the insomnia that occurs since all I can think about is work  and the local music scene.  


This Sunday was like no other weekend night.  Maren Parusel just returned from an excruciating two month tour.  The night before they were in Las Vegas playing the Artifice.  Hours, and I mean hours later they made it back to San Diego.  Right off the van and onto the Casbah Stage.


The line up was Noel Jordan, Maren Parusel and Jesse Malin and St. Marks Social.  With a total of maybe 60-75 people in attendance for the show, this was still a highlight of my weekend.  Walking into Noel as he was in the middle of his set took me back to my teen years of hanging out watching The Classified his voice is recognizable compared to all the vocalist in San Diego.  


With a quick hellos and hugs to Maren and the band.  The drinks started quick flowing.  (this was probably bad idea number #1) It has been so long since I have seen and hung out with Kyle McGee.   (the few stories of Austin, TX were enough to bond us for a while.)


The time came and Maren Parusel introduced her self and the band. With in seconds the sound that exploded from those speakers were undescribable. Not seeing the band since maybe SXSW and a Bar Pink show in between.  It was time to take note of a band that once held a place to my heart.  Playing songs from their debut album Artificial Gardens.  Songs such as "Dont Take Your Eyes Away," "Artificial Gardens," and  "Ordinary Day."   


Although the line up has changed since the first time ever seeing Maren Parusel.  The music being played out and written by this band is extraordinary. Maybe a reason why Monday night they won Best Pop Album for Artificial Gardens at the San Diego Music Awards this year.  Only predicting that this band is just beginning to see the good out of of all the hard work is now finally paying off.  

Do not miss Maren Parusel next time around. Their next show is August 18th at The Belly Up Tavern with Kevin Martin.  

As I wish I can do a full review, I was too intoxicated half way between Jesse Malin set to write an honest review, however the pictures I took were great!

Maren Parusel trouble in the East Coast.

Reading updates on Owl & Bear or NBC Sounddiego Blog is awesome when it is about the locals on tour.  A tour diary more or less of the ins and outs of what is going on with the band as they travel city to city.  However, when you read a story such as that of Maren Parusel, it breaks my little heart to read that there are people out there targeting touring bands when their van is left unattended.

A few years back I had a few friends have their studio broken into.  A slew of benefit shows began.  Equipment that is irreplaceable or has some kind of significance to the band.  (Their "baby") A few weeks later another tour van disappeared.  Another studio broken into. So on and so fourth.  What do you do when you are in another part of the country and your van gets broken into.  Do as Maren does.. Keep on trucking and don't give up!

Between the early morning of 3am and 7am on W87th street not to far from Central Park, the white ford E250 was broken into.  Taking guitars, merch box, cash box with money inside, food and clothes and almost all the belongings left in the van.  Below is a laundry list of the items with a  description followed by pictures.  If anyone can help out and keep an eye for these items that would be great. Tragic as it seems, if any one wants to donate to the cause of helping Maren out here is where you can lend your donations:

Donations can be made to: Chase Bank
Account Name: Maren Parusel
Account Number: 444 201 2871
4078 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA
619-280-8872



Items gone missing:

1. Custom built bass guitar, in shape of Fender Precision Bass. Red w/ white pickguard.
Black hardshell case with some damage on corners,

2. 1984 Fender Japanese Stratocaster, white w/ white pickguard, lace sensor pickups.
Brown guitar shaped case w/ "Gorilla Coffee" sticker on case. Also "Fragile" sticker.

3. Fender "Telecaster/Esquire". 80's Japanese Fernandes Telecaster body, brown/black sunburst w/ black pickguard. Fender Esquire neck.
Black "Kases" case. Hardshell with soft surround and zipper, rectangular shape. 2 cables in the pocket.

4. Epiphone Casino, Hollow body. TV Yellow.
Black guitar shaped hard case w/ stencil "Maren Parusel"

5. BOSS Pedal board w/ 5 pedals.
-Boss Chromatic Tuner
-Boss Chorus
-Maxon OD-808 Overdrive
-Ibanez Tubescreamer
-Boss Tremolo
-Boss Digital Delay

6. Yamaha Keyboard. Black 88 Keys, weighted.

7. Alesis Micron synth. In violin case with stencil "Maren Parusel"

8. DW-9000 Kick Pedal, in hard-shell DW case, with stencil "GOLD"

9. 1 Rack-Tom. Porkpie 12", Sparkly Red with stencil "GOLD"



Other items:

-Black Cashbox w/ approx $1,100

-Garmin GPS w/ stand and cable.

-HP Laptop computer, black.

-Camping bag full of clothing and personal items.

-Black chest w/ band's merchandise

-Black windbreaker type jacket

-black and red "Trader Joe's" food bag. 

Exciting Weekend Ahead...

First time in a while that I have been so excited for shows!  This weekend has some amazing acts coming into town. I am pretty sure you will see me at everyone of those shows. I know this Friday I will be jumping from two venues..
Lets just make the quick list of shows you should all attend.  If you are not at these shows.  Then I recommend you ask for your testicles back from whom ever is hiding them! 
I am going to make your weekend plans very easy.  

• Tonight 11/18 - Echo Revolution's CD Release Party w/ Wendy Bailey and The True Stories @ Eleven  
• Maren Parusel and Guest  @ Casbah San Diego .

• Tomorrow 11/19 - Images, Jet Kill Radio, and Compton SF @ Eleven
• Flexx Bronco w/ Superbees, and Tuggs at  Bar Pink

• Saturday 11/20 -The Dragons with Lord Howler and DJ Gary Shuffledust ... For Mario's Tearful Birthday (mans getting old but still looking young)

• Sunday 11/21 -  Bloody Mary Recovery time @ Eleven... DO IT!

So Ill see ya at those shows!  

Like a bird ready to fly

For the longest time I knew I wanted to do a small piece on Maren Parusel and her wonderful band.  Every time the opportunity came, so did writers block.  I would sit there and wonder, what is it about this band that puts a smile on my face. Six months ago when at SXSW I was watching the band and something came over me.  It was almost like a form of relaxation and complete bliss.  When headed back to San Diego, I asked for the press kit and started reading their bios and listened to their music more than before.  

Today finally I decided to do what their live music makes me feel, to just go with the flow.  As "Days in Universe" is playing in the background.  I placed my hands on the keyboard and went along for the music journey that is Maren Parusel.  

Ever since Maren step foot unto American soil, only good things have been coming her way.  She grew up in small town in Germany (Tubingen).  As a child, she was classically trained on piano. Then jumping on to a bass and guitar in her teenage years.  Her musical influences also changing.  From composers such as Debussey and Chopin to artist like Chuck Berry, The Pretenders and song writers such as Leonard Cohen.  


From Wild Weekend to her own band, the stylistic music journey is never ending for Maren. During SXSW the legendary Kim Fowley took an interest in her.  The band traveled to Los Angeles to record with him.  Following that was a mini tour up the coast.   Maren is like a song bird ready to wake the morning before soaring the sky with her enchanting voice and dreamy lyrics. 


Her next show will be at Casbah San Diego with Get Back Loretta, Black Hondo, and Gunrunner on Novemeber 18.  Make sure you get your tickets soon.  This one will sell out quickly.  While you're there make sure to pick up her five song EP.