Introducing: Jess Williamson - gorgeous indie folk drenched in stirring tales of self-discovery

Introducing: Jess Williamson - gorgeous indie folk drenched in stirring tales of self-discovery
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
January 31, 2014


Austin native, Jess Williamson is a folk-rock singer/songwriter that is more folk than rock, not usually following the standard “verse-chorus-verse” structure. Upon hearing the first words from the lead track and opening single “Blood Song” from her newly released debut full-length Native State, I immediately thought of Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Meiko in terms of Williamson’s vocals. Williams perhaps has a bit more range than her L.A. counterpart. The separation between the two talented musicians begins with the lyrics and continues with the strummy guitar you’ve come to hear from acts like Mumford & Sons. Like Mumford and similar artists, you’ll hear your share of banjo and slide guitar, but Williamson somehow still manages to stand out from that genre.

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NorCal boxing in disarray in 2014

NorCal boxing in disarray in 2014
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
January 19, 2014

2004 Olympic gold medalist and undefeated super middleweight king Andre Ward of Oakland fought just one time, battling a myriad of injury woes and contractual issues with promoter Goossen-Tutor Promotions. Ward earned a lopsided unanimous decision over unbeaten Edwin Rodriguez, but enters 2014 with his promotional situation still unsettled as he battles his promoter in the courts.

Gilroy’s Robert Guerrero got the chance of a lifetime, fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr., in a Showtime pay-per-view televised event back in May at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Prior to the bout, Guerrero dealt with legal issues stemming from a gun charge he faced in New York. Guerrero was later soundly defeated by Mayweather in their welterweight contest and went dark for the remainder of the year. As 2014 opens, Guerrero is also trying to get out of his contract with his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions.

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Dawes, Nick Waterhouse, and others rock the Echoplex for a good cause

Dawes, Nick Waterhouse, and others rock the Echoplex for a good cause
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
January 13, 2014

This past Saturday night at the Echoplex, a variety of mostly L.A. based musicians turned up in support of fellow musician Richard Gowen in an effort to raise money for mounting hospital bills. Those that showed up at the posted doors time saw more than six hours of live music for $20, as good of a value as you’ll get anywhere – even better when taking into account the quality of music on display. Though each act played between roughly 30 minutes to a full hour, you got nothing but quality from each.

Los Angeles foursome Dawes can most certainly be considered a consistent powerhouse, opening 2014 as the headlining act. I first heard Dawes not from a studio recording, but at the inaugural Life is Beautiful Festival in Las Vegas this past October. I had heard good things and took them in and they were easily one of my favorite sets of the festival to the point I anxiously awaited another tour date.

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Quick thoughts on ESPN2 FNF season opener last night

Quick thoughts on ESPN2 FNF season opener last night
Mark E. Ortega
January 5, 2014

Fights like Ward-Sanchez prove you can't write a fighter off before a fight is over.

 Last night was the much anticipated 2014 season opener of ESPN2's Friday Night Fights. Just as there was controversy in the 2013 opening telecast, history repeated itself. Ironically, junior lightweight Rances Barthelemy was once again the beneficiary.

In the main event, Argenis Mendez (21-3-1, 11 knockouts) was defending his IBF 130-pound title against Barthelemy. Last year, Barthelemy won an unpopular decision over Arash Usmanee in ESPN2's opening broadcast (Usmanee fights in next week's main event against Juan Antonio Rodriguez).

Barthelemy got off to a great start as he fought from the proper range with Mendez unable to answer. In the second round, Mendez was floored in the final 30 seconds. Mendez was in big trouble but with very little time left, seemed a good bet to make it to his corner.

Ten Best Things in Boxing in 2013

Ten Best Things in Boxing in 2013
Mark E. Ortega
January 3, 2013

 At the end of last year, I pessimistically counted down the list of ten of the worst things that happened in boxing during the calendar year. Here I take a more positive look at the sport and examine things that really worked out greatly for the sweet science.