Nick Belardes' Anhinga: Bakersfield Spoken Word at Bakotopia Unplugged

Local author Nick Belardes performed the first chapter of his novel Anhinga as poetry at Bakersfield’s best open mic Bakotopia Unplugged. The novel examines a dual-ethnic’s experience of the San Joaquin Valley and post-9/11 life with lyrical intensity and a power rooted in the images common to Bakersfield residents: the boxcars of South Pacific trains, neon graffiti, and the cool water of backyard swimming pools. Addressing a broad range of topics at the heart of Valley life, the chapter explores questions regarding families, race, mythmaking, and rebuilding.

Musician Landen Belardes accompanied his father on guitar, layering the poetry with added emotional resonance. Available on iTunes, Landen’s album Listen contains all original tracks that are both sophisticated and direct. The honesty of his lyrics can be heartbreaking at times, but the album has an overall uplifting quality—as if we might have learned something about ourselves after we’ve listened. Here's the video, filmed by Jesse Rivera and Nick Belardes.

Bakotopia Unplugged, hosted by Matt Munoz, takes place each Wednesday at Fishlips Bar & Grill (21+). Sign-ups start at 7:30 pm and the event continues until closing. No cover charge. For more information and to watch recent videos of performers, check out its Facebook page here.

On a personal note, the final few minutes of Nick's performance resonated with me as we enter Bakersfield summer. One of my first memories of my mother is of her teaching me how to float in the pool, her hands holding me from underneath--much like the father and son featured in the chapter. The father's advice should be remembered when we find ourselves simply needing to float.

"Just relax. You're buoyant. Let yourself feel lighter than the water. Look up at the heavens. Be with the air. Breathe deep, feel your heart, trust the water."

Contact Information

NICK BELARDES is the illustrator of "West of Here" (2010). He's also the author of "Random Obsessions" (2009), "Lords: Part One" (2005), and the first literary Twitter novel "Small Places" (2010). He has worked as a creative writer in animation for the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, has written for TV and film, as well as news for television news, various magazines, news sites and newspapers. He can be contacted through his Facebook page here.

LANDEN BELARDES is known for cranking out the jams with fellow indie rockers Dirty Spanglish and the alt country/Irish duo Black Dog. His solo venture is a mix of eclectic indie rock and passionate acoustic-driven ballads. Think the Shins meet Wilco with a poetic edge that only a Bakersfield singer/songwriter could offer. “I think there’s still room in the world for songs that are a little bit rocking and a little bit heart and soul,” Landen says. Please check out his album Listen on iTunes. Visit his Facebook page here.

Suplex That Sweater!: The Ease's EP Release Party at Sandrini's

Local indie surf rock duo The Ease welcomed Easter with a packed Sandrini's for the release party of their EP Not Now, But Soon. Each guest received a free EP with the cover charge and band members Jose (Jo) Berlanga and Sam Garcia (Sam G.) mingled around the bar before their performance. I love that these guys are so upbeat and approachable.  They genuinely like to meet their listeners.

Jose, frontman and guitarist, stopped by to greet a group of my friends and chat for a few minutes before the show. He told a story about one of The Ease's earlier shows where a man took off his sweater during their song "Sweaters" (listen here) and slammed it into the wall and on the stage.


The Ease EP Release at Sandrini's
Courtesy of The Ease
Photographer Joey Greer



"He was just going crazy with that thing--throwing it around everywhere, dancing with it," Jose said.



"Next time I come to a show, I'm going to bring a sweater to do that with," I joked.

"Suplex that sweater!"



The Ease took the stage soon thereafter (with fog machine!) and the usually somewhat stiff Sandrini's crowd danced even with the first song. Each time I watch The Ease, I'm amazed by how much raw sound comes out of the two man band. Their polished low-fi style strikes a balance between garage rock and sounding over-produced. Jo's upbeat, streamlined melodies keep the songs tight while Sam G.'s beats add a dynamic intensity to the music.



Sound to stage, The Ease is dynamic. From Jo's use of the entire stage as he performs to Sam G.'s intense drumming, the band gives the audience something not only to listen to but to watch.  They look so involved in their performance that you can't help but get into the music too.



 Easter Bunny rocks out to The Ease at Sandrini's
Courtesy of The Ease
Photographer Joey Greer

The band has captured a surf rock sound with a dark edge that's still danceable. Think the Violent Femmes with a little California sunshine (and perhaps slightly more sensitivity). I've never seen the crowd at Sandrini's dance so much--except for maybe at the New Years Eve concert with the fun and loveable 80s cover band Members Only. In particular, I remember an appearance from the Easter Bunny who jumped up on stage to dance with the band to celebrate around midnight.

Justin Foss, owner of Sacred Gypsy Tattoo and Art Studio (826 18th Street) and local artist, was among the dancers at the show. He's done live painting at recent Indie Music & Art Shows held monthly at Jerry's Pizza. The event brings Bakersfield artists and musicians together to showcase their work in one venue. The Sacred Gypsy has also hosted art shows and concerts together (and with any luck, we'll see some poets and writers added to the mix soon). 

It's refreshing to see the two communities come together and to promote each other's talents. Too often different types of artists find themselves separated from each other and I applaud the organizers and promoters of these cross-genre events for reaching out to each other. I appreciate the de-institutionalization of the arts. Not that I mind the more traditional ways of distributing culture, but it's time that our ever expanding DIY culture make the jump over to the arts. The next time you find yourself complaining that there's nothing to do in Bakersfield, then do it yourself. Or at least promote the people who are.

You can find more information about The Ease on their Facebook profile here. If you missed the show, you can pick up a copy of the EP at World Records (2815 F St.). The band has made two music videos (with a third slated to be released within the coming week). My favorite is "One Is A Lonely Place" which you can watch here. Hope to see you at the next show!