With new CD and tuned-up bus, Sedacca's ready to hit the road
Few mistake Billy O's in Ventura for a bus stop, but that may be the case Saturday night when Rachel Sedacca alights from her 1971 GMC school bus, making a scheduled layover long enough to host a CD party for her latest, "Patience Pays."
Sedacca's bus connection is more than a title — she lives in one. So when she tours, there's no packing, no unpacking and no Bates Motel scenarios. Also, there's no rent (but obvious gas issues) for this strong-willed, independent young lady having a blast.
For Saturday's gig, Sedacca will be ably supported by several of the best local musicians. The album is good, too — always a plus. In addition to her originals, she covers Bob Dylan and Grateful Dead songs. When the gig is over, another will begin: a band scramble featuring all the musicians doing their jam-band thing.
The show is $20, which includes a signed copy of the CD plus dinner. Cocktail attire is suggested.
The Oxnard-based bus babe discussed the latest during a recent e-mail exchange.
Does patience really pay or is it a sign of a weak mind?
Patience is crucial for me. I've always been a "now" type of kid, so it's been a real exercise in perseverance to build a music career from scratch over the past 10 years. As an independent musician, I've worn every hat there is from booking agent to sound guy, wardrobe to bus driver, artist to tour bus mechanic. Without my foundation of patience, I'd have given up or gone crazy years ago.
What's your take on the new album?
This is an album I have dreamed of for years. Had it not taken as long as it did, it wouldn't have included some of my favorite new songs or tell the complete story. The title track, "Patience Pays," tells of the Young & Beautiful tour in the spring/summer of 2006, my trip as a solitary vagabond and the 5,600-mile journey around the Wild West. The first track, "Wheel of Fortune," tells of this crazy dream and how it's like playing my favorite game, "Wheel of Fortune," every time I stick my neck out.
Clearly, a bunch of rock stars have helped out.
This album has an all-star cast of characters — accomplished artists in their own right. Producer Steve Temmel has been my right-hand man on stage for several years now. He's the lead guitar, Dobro and kitchen sink of the project. Danny Wilson played the mandolin on my first album, "Lucky Like Me," in 2001 and I'm happy to have him work on this album. Mark Parson's amazing work on the fiddle takes the songs to a different level. "Your Best Friend," a song written for my brother Dave, is especially sweet with the fiddle parts. Hippie Mark graces the album with his famous harmonica work and the best kazoo solo I think to be recorded west of the Mississippi.
Why cocktail attire for the party?
It's so rare that we all get to dress up, I thought it'd be fun to break out the sparkles and feathers. I want the night to be special, not just another gig. I have worked so hard to get where I am now, I suppose it warrants the dress duds.
What's up with the jam-band scramble on Saturday?
With so many of my friends being musicians, I thought it'd be sort of weird to have another whole band come in when we're all already there! I thought it'd be a great opportunity to showcase some of my talented peers; it's how our circle grows ever bigger. Many of my friends will be there alone or with parts of their band; many are already friends and it'll give 'em a chance to scramble it up and play together just for fun!
How'd you choose that cool Bob song to cover?
I covered Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" on this album because it's such a great song. Bob's brand of sarcasm has always struck me as so insightful. I think most people can relate to the sentiment of the song.
Oil is $100 a barrel and gas is almost $4 a gallon, so how's the giant bus thing working out?
It's not just my mode of transport; it's also my home. I can't be touring nationally and living out of a suitcase. My bus has my own mattress, a full kitchen, a bathroom and even a front room where I can entertain guests. It keeps me grounded, always being able to go "home" to the bus. I couldn't imagine doing what I do out of a car or something. I know I'm not saving money, but I don't have lodging expenses and I make my own meals in the bus. I come from a long line of bus folks; it's been part of my education as a traveler and vagabond. I'd get on our family school buses to Grateful Dead shows and music festivals when I lived in Humboldt. I had some of the best times of my life on tour with my friends Lee and Cassie in their bus, The Cramalot Inn, out of Chico. Believe me, we did cram 12 people and two dogs aboard. During that time that I was totin' around my first guitars, scribbling down lyrics and chords. This is how I built my repertoire. Now I've got two albums and new juice to hit the road. I'll have the bus at the CD release party to show it off.
You have a reliable mechanic, I would assume?
The guys at HJK Performance in Santa Paula put this engine in, and I've made it 5,600 miles without any major problems, so I'd call that reliable! Since we changed out the engine, transmission and rear end, the bus has run like a champ. I'm not saying it's without problems, but they're mostly minor things that I learn about as I go. It takes us back to the patience thing. If I melt down and lose it every time something happens with the bus, I would have given up long ago. I've learned so much from having a bus, mostly about patience and perspective.
When you tour, do you take the bus, or does it take you?
Both! Definitely a symbiotic relationship. She keeps me grounded and somewhat organized, and gets lots of love and attention from people who get a peek inside.
What have you learned on the road?
Well, I learned how to tighten my alternator belts, and how to change out all the belts on the side of the road. And the dust that collects under a school bus can turn to mud during the rain, which acts like glue to a throttle cable and gives you a great runaway bus story.
How does a single DIY artist survive in the music biz?
Still figuring that out. I guess it's like dealing with anything — with patience and one day at a time.
And Rachel music sounds like?
Groovy, bluesy folkabilly. I've been told I have a very unique quality to my voice and I have to agree. My influences are Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, Nancy Wilson and of course Janis (Joplin). But I don't think I necessarily sound like them. I've heard Natalie Merchant.
And the grand master plan is ?
See the world! I'm booking dates for the "Patience Pays" Northwest fall tour right now. Starting off at the Strawberry Music Festival in Yosemite on Labor Day, I'm going up through Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, then through Yellowstone to Jackson Hole. I plan to wind up in Phoenix for the Folk Alliance Regional conference at the end of October. I'd like to return to Japan. I headlined a country music festival and some other events there in 2003 and it was a blast. Maybe next year?
— E-mail music writer Bill Locey at blocey@pacbell.net.
