2012 OC Music Awards Showcase Series Night 2 Review: Nicole Vaughn, Erick Macek, Allensworth, Moonsville Collective, & Headshine Get Acoustic At The District Legacy In Tustin

[Photos] OC Music Awards Showcase Series…

Celebrating its 11th anniversary, the OC Music Awards kicks off on January 3rd with seven weeks of free showcases at different venues across the county. 35 local artists will compete for the titles of Best Live Band or Best Live Acoustic and a performance slot at the 2012 OC Music Awards, March 3 at the Grove of Anaheim. And, the voting is open now!

There’s something about a coffee in hand and scarf weather on an outside stage that summarily invites chill, mellow musical acoustic vibes–which is exactly what happened last night for Night Two of the OC Music Awards Showcase Series at the District Legacy in Tustin.

Friends, family, and pleasantly surprised shoppers were serenaded by some of the best acoustic-style music I’ve heard in a long time including Nicole Vaughn & Her Lovely Band‘s  stunning, honey-toned country-esque sound, Erick Macek‘s polished acoustic pop melodies, Allensworth‘s groovy, laid-back tunes, Moonsville Collective‘s boisterous barnyard hootenany, and Headshine‘s warm, reggae-tinged strains.

I never thought these words would come out of my fingers, but it was a beautiful night in Tustin, one of those perfectly chilly evenings that makes you feel simultaneously introspective, exhilarated by the crispy air, and longing to go home to cuddle your way to warmth with someone (or something) lush.

Thankfully, there were Mid-Century modern-esque designed heat lamps provided, plenty of tea to go around from the Peet’s nearby, and plenty of excited bodies.

Nicole Vaughn & Her Lovely Band

Nicole Vaughn & Her Lovely Band started the night with their polished, folk-Americana sound. Vaughn’s voice is luminous and pure, while her onstage presence gives off just the right amount of edge to balance out the angelic halo of her soprano.

Vaughn, and the rest of her band really, seem to have a little “country grit” in their energy, which makes Nicole Vaughn & Her Lovely Band’s songs a lot more credible than what one might imagine when looking at their fresh-faces.

One notable moment happened with Nicole Vaughn & Her Lovely Band played Johnny Cash‘s “Ring Of Fire.” Jeramiah Red was on hand to watch. A collab between the two bands would be pretty amazing.

Vaughn could be a superstar overnight, no editing needed.

Erick Macek

The same stands for Erick Macek. Outgoing, effulgent, even a tad jittery, Macek is good-looking, but unassuming–until he gets on stage, that is. Macek shines when he talks about his mother wishing he’d have a 401k instead of playing  music, his journey to the life of a musician, and joking that his mother probably “doesn’t know this song” when he did a fabulous rendition of Foster The People‘s “Pumped Up Kicks.”

After the show, Macek was greeted at his merch table by audience members who can obviously hear the possibility of something big in his voice and his stage presence.

Allensworth

Speaking of unassuming, Allensworth took their show to the floor because there was no chairs for them. Some audience members followed suit while the band played a truly natural set with Jamie Allensworth’s voice like liquid gold, warming and encasing the audience into a sort of subdued luster.

I could tell from the after-show rumblings in the audience that Allensworth was one of the favorites of the night.

Moonsville Collective

Moonsville Collective took the energy in the audience into a whole other direction; someone around me called it a “hipster hoedown.”

A valid assessment even though I don’t agree with the term hipster applying to Moonsville Collective itself, but it was pretty amazing how the band, complete with two generations full of musicians, could make even the most dour-faced waifish thing want to break out into a spirited line-dance.

Moonsville Collective are definitely amazing musicians and songwriters, but it’s their performance that makes them what they are. Everyone in the band is just happy to go onstage and fill their general proximity with positive expression. It’s really heartwarming within the contrived confines of some musical movements to see a band so in love with just having a good time.

Headshine

Headshine, who played at the District Legacy last year, gave another solid performance, this time bringing on stage with them a percussionist and a DJ of sorts.

The addition gave Headshine a much fuller sound, which changed their vibe tremendously from the raw, acoustic set they gave last year. It was nice to see so much progression over the last year.

Want to hang out with the KROQ crew and see more amazing bands next week? Drop by The Slidebar on January 17th for rockin’ artists like We Are/She Is, Midnight Hour, Ceasefire, We Are The Arsenal, & PWest.

The 2012 Showcase Series runs every Tuesday night, January 3 -February 14 with stops at:

Jan 3 – Detroit Bar

Jan 10- The District at Tustin Legacy

Jan 17 – The Slide Bar

Jan 24 -Malones

Jan 31 – Tiki Bar

Feb 7 – The Continental Room

Feb 14 -Constellation Room

Five Showcase Series finalists in each live category will then move on to the Showcase Series Finals.

Feb 24 – Best Live Acoustic Finals

Feb 25 – Best Live band Finals

2012 Best Live Band winner will receive a performance slot on the four Southern Califonia Vans Warped Tour stops!

VOTING:

You have the power to send one Showcase artist to the Best Live Acoustic Finals and Best Live Band Finals.

Cast your vote and enter to win a massive prize pack from the OC Music Awards partners (To be Announced). Voting will begin on December 27 and will be open through the last Showcase on February 14. The votes will be tallied and the band with highest score will automatically move on to their Series Finals! Click here to vote

LEARN MORE AT: OCMUSICAWARDS.COM