A quick stamp of the “Aum” symbol under the wrist led into a smoke filled room where Soulajar, along with Joel Jacob, performed at the Spotlight Theater for the Extended Play release by Soulajar on Feb. 10.
It was a warm and intimate atmosphere as “I Shot the Sherriff” by Bob Marley blasted from the speakers upon entrance. Patterned rugs were draped around the stage to provide a comforting surrounding. “It was awesome,” said guitarist Ryan Fergon, “It felt like a practice. It was real chilled.”
The band is trying to bring a “scene” to Bakersfield that they feel it lacks. “We’re avid concert goers,” said drummer Brian Boozer, “we go to a lot of shows around the Bay Area and we’re trying to create that same feeling here.”
“You’ll forget you’re in Bakersfield,” said manager Mike Cornett, “that’s our goal.”
Accompanying the rugs were colored lights of purple, crimson, green and blues. A backdrop screen displayed visuals of Ravi Shankar playing the sitar as well as kaleidoscope visions of various objects including flowers, a bottle of jagermeister and pictures of the band members, who are guitarist Ryan Fergon, drummer Brian Boozer and bassist Greg Bettis. Helping out with the album were vocalist Jim Ranger and electric piano and organists Chris Pederson and Stacey Ericcson.
In the center of the “scene” was a bass drum, a kick snare, a keytar and an acoustic guitar. This was the set-up of Joel Jacob. With a harmonica around his neck, Jacob grabbed his acoustic, gave a slight introduction and then proceeded to play his first song. Using all four of his limbs to project his music, he played about seven songs with his acoustic and drums before busting out the keytar and rapping over a self-created loop.
Soulajar opened their set with a cover of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine.” They extended it out and improvised on it.
It was interesting and luscious to hear the mellow sound they provided along with the deep colors of the surrounding lights.
“The thing with our covers is that they’re played in our own style,” said Fergon.
It wasn’t the only song they covered. To end the night, Jacob came back out and together they all performed “Small Axe” by Bob Marley with Jacob replacing the horn section on the song with his harmonica. Soulajar like to throw a few cover songs into their live line-up. They also like putting their own style on songs by the ’60s/’70s funk band “The Meters”.
They played all their songs from the E.P as well as a few others. The songs translate better live than on recordings. They’re sound is a mix of slow funk, lounge, blues, and a slight tinge of country soul, the later a dimension that Ranger creates with his vocals. The mixture equates to radio friendly music one might here on Kelly 95.
Soulajar can go from very mellow, almost downer music like “Wake up Love in Time” to funkier music like “Jagerfunken.”
“I listen to them while studying,” said concert attendee Natalie Witham, “and also when I want to rock out.”
Their EP is available on CDBaby.com as well as Soulajar.com.