2008 Woodie Awards
Wild Oak plants seed, hopes to find new talent
By: Jesse Seilhan
Issue date: 11/12/08 Section: Entertainment
What: Songwriters Guild competition
When: 6 p.m. tonight
Where: Woodstock's Pizza
First-timers and veterans alike will vie for the time and attention of pizza-eating patrons at a singer-songwriter contest tonight at Woodstock's Pizza. Looking to bring together the best and brightest original minds in Chico, an assortment of musical acts should provide a nice preview for future Wild Oak performances.
Keep the slam poetry books and spoken word at home, as the Wild Oak Songwriters Guild is giving musicians the chance of a semester to express themselves musically.
Starting at 6 p.m., an assortment of singers and songwriters will be showcased in an attempt to find three talented people or duos - sorry, no Slipknot or Polyphonic Spree cover bands - to perform in a post-Thanksgiving event, also sponsored by Wild Oak Music Group. The event will highlight the skills of various themes and instruments - mostly guitar, piano or just a voice and an idea.
Not just any wayward crooner will be accepted. There is an emphasis on originality and expansion, according to the guild. Wild Oak has been promoting live acts in Chico for years and is looking to find artists who can push talent to a new level.
"What we want are songwriters who have new ideas, some experience writing and the potential to enhance songwriting in Chico, regardless of what instrument they play," said Rurik Schtaklef of the guild.
A bevy of talent has spent days crafting, articulating and sculpting what could be a hit song one day.
Just about all genres are acceptable, and although it is considered a competition, participants should not let the aggressiveness of the word keep them from attending, he said. The relaxed artistic vibe shall be maintained throughout the evening.
"This event isn't extremely competitive," Schtaklef said. "Although it is a competition, we want it to be a chill and relaxed event."
Wild Oak has spent most of its energy bridging students with the tools and venues needed to springboard a career, he said.
People can register by writing to songwritersguild@wildoakrecords.com.
Woodstock's has collaborated with Wild Oak on various projects throughout the years, said Gretchen Hoegen, marketing representative for Woodstock's. The restaurant is excited to promote local artistry, especially for students.
"Anything Woodstock's can do to help!" she said in a phone interview.
Walk-ins should show up a bit early if they have not registered yet. The group's Web site states that it will be a first come, first serve show with plenty to do, see and listen to. After the 5 p.m.
signups, the show will run until 10 p.m.
"The main message I want to get out is for people to have a good time and enjoy the musical talent that our best songwriters in Chico have to offer," Schtaklef said.
The guild expects a good turnout for what could be a simple start to someone's illustrious career. Consider it an initiation into the industry, as just about everyone has to play a pizza shack on a Wednesday night sometime during his or her career.
Jesse Seilhan can be reached at
jseilhan@theorion.com
When: 6 p.m. tonight
Where: Woodstock's Pizza
First-timers and veterans alike will vie for the time and attention of pizza-eating patrons at a singer-songwriter contest tonight at Woodstock's Pizza. Looking to bring together the best and brightest original minds in Chico, an assortment of musical acts should provide a nice preview for future Wild Oak performances.
Keep the slam poetry books and spoken word at home, as the Wild Oak Songwriters Guild is giving musicians the chance of a semester to express themselves musically.
Starting at 6 p.m., an assortment of singers and songwriters will be showcased in an attempt to find three talented people or duos - sorry, no Slipknot or Polyphonic Spree cover bands - to perform in a post-Thanksgiving event, also sponsored by Wild Oak Music Group. The event will highlight the skills of various themes and instruments - mostly guitar, piano or just a voice and an idea.
Not just any wayward crooner will be accepted. There is an emphasis on originality and expansion, according to the guild. Wild Oak has been promoting live acts in Chico for years and is looking to find artists who can push talent to a new level.
"What we want are songwriters who have new ideas, some experience writing and the potential to enhance songwriting in Chico, regardless of what instrument they play," said Rurik Schtaklef of the guild.
A bevy of talent has spent days crafting, articulating and sculpting what could be a hit song one day.
Just about all genres are acceptable, and although it is considered a competition, participants should not let the aggressiveness of the word keep them from attending, he said. The relaxed artistic vibe shall be maintained throughout the evening.
"This event isn't extremely competitive," Schtaklef said. "Although it is a competition, we want it to be a chill and relaxed event."
Wild Oak has spent most of its energy bridging students with the tools and venues needed to springboard a career, he said.
People can register by writing to songwritersguild@wildoakrecords.com.
Woodstock's has collaborated with Wild Oak on various projects throughout the years, said Gretchen Hoegen, marketing representative for Woodstock's. The restaurant is excited to promote local artistry, especially for students.
"Anything Woodstock's can do to help!" she said in a phone interview.
Walk-ins should show up a bit early if they have not registered yet. The group's Web site states that it will be a first come, first serve show with plenty to do, see and listen to. After the 5 p.m.
signups, the show will run until 10 p.m.
"The main message I want to get out is for people to have a good time and enjoy the musical talent that our best songwriters in Chico have to offer," Schtaklef said.
The guild expects a good turnout for what could be a simple start to someone's illustrious career. Consider it an initiation into the industry, as just about everyone has to play a pizza shack on a Wednesday night sometime during his or her career.
Jesse Seilhan can be reached at
jseilhan@theorion.com
Be the first to comment on this story