YOUR MUSIC IS FILLED WITH BISCUITS AND DRESSING - BY N.L. BELARDES February 19, 2005 8:40 am - Lately I have put my blog time into news links and music reviews. This Bakersfield band scene is so strong, with such rich talent and kind folks. I've shaken so many hands in the past month since launching the website that I have a heck of a time not getting names backwards and all zigzagged in my numbskull. These artists aren't people who don't work for a living. These are people who take care of the city of Bakersfield. They're real estate folks, construction workers, family counselors, music teachers, college professors and more. You can't ask for better people than that because this town is filled with hard working folks who want to make it on many levels, musicians being just one. My hats off to the downtown scene: to Jimmy at Kosmos, Alex at Gigantic, Dagny's (Apparently I missed Banshee in the Kitchen last night--darn it!), the new coffeehouse, the Syndicate on Eye Street that is so well hidden (It's hard to remember the name; they need a sign! Inside there are couches and a cool bar; It's awesome and relaxing), and Jake of Downtown Records who are doing what they can to pump up the scene, and to be there for kids and kids-at-heart: people who don't give up on local music and the talent that is intensifies such a lively scene. I said to Gary Enns of the Dalloways last night, "I don't remember there ever being such comraderie here amongst bands and downtown people. The support amongst each other's art is incredible and must continue."

I have to mention my morning walks to the Haberfelde building are filled with such lively discussions, though usually about food and books. Yesterday I plodded throught he rainstorm to have a couple of Angelina's biscuits. She has them in a covered tray. You serve yourself; you grab a banana, or coffee, and she's waving and smiling and shining in her good morning cheer. That's refreshing when taking a brief reprieve from the corporate world. The comraderie is great. And I like her because she understands what writers and musicians must do. She travels almost every weekend to the Central coast to sell her own home brewed salad dressing, Bella Nonna. Her granddaughter goes with her to sell jewelry and they make the best of it and sell sell sell! They're just some of the coolest and hardest working people of the downtown scene I know. If you haven't been to the Haberfelde on a weekday morning, you have to. The people are cool, there are two food courts, a book store, a music store, a computer store, hairstylists, and more. Check it out, because it's definitely not just about the music; it's the scene...