Roots & Rambles

An Evening Full of Inspiration Featuring Songwriting, Stories and Soulful Performances

San Pedro saw a rousing night of high-energy roots music on May 4 at the Grand Annex. To lay out the whole affair, this piece will unfold in the same order as the evening did. First was the Intro to Songwriting workshop, followed by the talented and engaging duo, Joselyn & Don, who performed their latest work. The evening concluded with two amazing sets by headliner Abby Posner & The Big Fall. This show was the last in the Grand Annex’s annual Roots & Rambles series made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (more on that below).

Workshop Intro to Songwriting 

Abby Posner, assisted by Joselyn Wilkinson (another great songwriter) of Joselyn & Don, led an encouraging and open-minded workshop for nearly 20 people. Nothing was off the table, positive or negative. This exercise was about getting your ideas to flow. Posner noted there are rules to song-making — “but rules are made to be broken.” 

Posner had participants think about the elements that make up a song and then expanded to discuss the pre-chorus (a sample or a build to the chorus). She had people consider the differences between the pre-chorus and the bridge, which she described as “almost … its own journey toward the end of the song.” 

At the end of a verse that repeats, Posner encouraged songwriters to change it “ever so slightly.” The goal she said is to stretch as a songwriter and expand the melodic landscape.

On expressing feelings in a song, Joselyn emphasized it could be any feeling that rises in you,  it could be like a dream or as simple as a bird landing on the windowsill.

The workshop participants shared what was on their mind, then Posner, after some votes, narrowed those thoughts down to a single subject to write just one verse, which was, “Let them judge me.”

This was a worthy exercise to tap into your inner artist and share with fellow songwriters or those who want to be. Participants learned, collaborated, and encouraged each other. It was all together fun. And we discovered there are some insightful songwriters amongst us. 

Joselyn & Don

Joselyn & Don, who have performed in venues throughout the West (Hotel Cafe, Lost Chord Guitars, The Lost Church, Nakano Theater) are always a joy to watch. The duo opened their set with the hypnotic number, Deep Down, from their album, Seeds & Bones. Inspired by the LA River, Deep Down is a powerful ode to nature’s resilience and our unbreakable bond with it. Later in the set featured Workin’ the Hi-line, a story of Don’s late father, who immigrated with his father as a young man to the U.S. from the Philippines. Don’s elders helped build the “Empire Builder” rail line, also known as the Hi-Line, “with men of every color, together we’re a team, building the American Dream.” Joselyn & Don were a perfect opener, between the workshop and to pique inspiration with their poetic lyrics, ahead of The Big Fall.

Abby Posner & The Big Fall

Abby Posner, a working musician in Los Angeles for the past 18-plus years, is known for her ability to play nearly any instrument. A songwriter, performer and producer, Posner twists genres and pushes the boundaries of folk, roots, electronic and pop music.

The CalArts music graduate has composed and produced music for commercials/TV, films, and radio shows throughout the U.S. and UK. Additionally, she was selected for the ad campaign promoting Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary and has scored the music for several films including the award-winning Lady Buds. Posner received official showcases at Americana Fest 2023, and Folk Alliance International 2022 and 2024.

All of this experience has made space for talent to attract talent. Posner’s band, The Big Fall is a mighty band comprised of singer and songwriter Paula Fong; Philip Glenn on fiddle, mandolin, and keys; Elissa Moser Linowes on upright bass; Ari Brattkus on guitar; and Alexa Brinkschulte on drums. The night featured several numbers from the band’s recent album Second Chances.

Posner told the audience the show would be a rollercoaster ride. Ironically, she’s a bit of a comedian on stage, while ultimately, the night was comprised of love ballads/anthems, material written during COVID-19 — and during a silent retreat, tributes (Bob Dylan, Memphis’ Stax Records and Men at Work with a jazzy version of Land Down Under) — all of which were highlights.

Showcasing its talent, the band opened big with a great sound on Night Train, a solid country number featuring guitar picking, fiddle and beautiful vocal harmonies “trying to get to that night train state of mind.”

One Good Thing is Posner’s favorite song to perform live. No wonder. It’s dreamy mandolin, easy sound and Posner’s sincerity just pours over you. Continuing with sincerity, a mea culpa — Darkest Hours shares a broken heart, pleads forgiveness and promises to never leave again, all over the deep comfort of soulful keys, upright bass holding it all down, Posner’s agile blues guitar declaring these truths and powerful harmonies.

Posner and Paula Fong’s harmonies on I’m Doing Fine were amazing. The two singing together sounded as one. Posner’s rendition of Land Down Under, by Men at Work featuring Glenn on keys, was excellent. Who knew such an iconic sounding song could transform so enticingly into jazz?

For its finale, The Big Fall performed New Orleans, which is also Posner’s favorite city.

A real shit-kicking jam featuring Glenn on fiddle and Posner on guitar with ample use of the wah wah pedal. The band came all the way back around to the same big, loud, strong sound it kicked off with. Posner’s crystal clear voice belted out, “poison in the water, poison in my head. Poison drippin’ slowly on your side of the bed,” as the band’s energy crescendoed to reap a comparatively big standing ovation.

Roots & Rambles, NEA Grant Recipient 

Roots & Rambles explores the cultural roots and future of folk music in the United States, featuring musicians who are dedicated to the preservation, creativity and evolution of American music. Audiences can meet the artists at pre-concert workshops, as they share history, stories and music-making styles. Grand Vision has received this grant from the National Endowment for the Arts or NEA to present artists who keep folk music traditions alive and carry them creatively into the 21st century. The NEA is an independent federal agency that funds, promotes, and strengthens the creative capacity of communities by providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation.

Roots & Rambles 2024 series is a mini-series within the Grand Annex’s multi-genre live music calendar. In four concerts, these artists’ music and on-stage storytelling reflect the cultural roots and convergences that allow American folk music to evolve. To dig deeper and connect with the community, each concert includes a pre-concert audience-participation workshop led by the artist on a unique aspect of their craft.

20024 Workshops included:

John Kraus & the Goers: Sea Shanty Stories & Sing-Along

Street Corner Renaissance: Historic Harmonies & the Future of Doo-Wop

Mara Kaye: A Storyteller’s Guide to Singing the Blues 

Abby Posner & the Big Fall: Intro to Songwriting

The Roots & Rambles Series is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts with a grant called Grants for Arts Projects, which began in 2019. 

The Grand Annex has received other NEA grants since 2012. One in particular helped (for two years) the San Pedro Dia de Los Muertos festival become a larger, coordinated event featuring a main performance stage.

Details: https://www.abbyposner.com