‘Think Globally, Sing Locally’
I’d like to celebrate the extraordinary variety, high quality and diversity of music in Humboldt County and the fascinating constellation of musical subcommunities in our music scene.
As an eclectic musician who has lived in Humboldt for 23 years, I’ve had the opportunity to play with other musicians from many musical genres and styles.
Irish/Celtic music gives me the pleasure of playing exhilarating Irish tunes and rousing songs with various fiddlers and players of traditional music. Gallagher’s Irish Pub in Old Town hosts an informal open Irish music session on Sundays.
Folk music is one of my specialties. I have hosted song circles for 20+ years, friendly and welcoming gatherings where we sing a variety of hopeful and uplifting folk songs together. The Folklife Society (humboldtfolklife.com) is an outstanding local musical resource and its annual Folklife Festival is, in my opinion, the best music festival in Humboldt.
Humboldt offers an astounding variety of bands performing rock ’n roll, classic rock, jazz, swing, Latin, blues and more. Farmers’ markets are always enlivened with a vast variety of live music. I have the great pleasure of playing in the Beatles tribute band Ticket to Ride! It’s always wonderful to see people young and older enjoying and singing along with and dancing to the ever-magical songs of the Beatles.
Humboldt is also blessed with live classical and choral music of remarkably high quality. Other musical subcommunities include jams, where musicians play in fun spontaneous gatherings, and our rich array of theatre productions are another outlet for excellent music.
I’m also thankful for Humboldt’s world music scene. Some musicians play sacred Indian music such as Kirtan devotional singing; by singing these ancient Sanskrit chants, we join a stream of consciousness and devotion that’s been flowing for centuries.
Humboldt also has some top-notch recording studios and engineers. I was fortunate to do projects with the late-great Tim Gray. I also teach music to children both privately and at two charter schools in Arcata; I believe music education for kids is of utmost importance.
Everyone can appreciate how much this abundant music scene adds to the quality of life and the well-being of our North Coast community. When people come together for music, there is life-giving conviviality and joy. In times when so much in the country and in the world feels so dire and uncertain, people can be grateful to be uplifted by the beauty and excitement of live music.
Pete Seeger, my musical hero, set an example of outstanding musicianship as well as community-building and environmental activism. I have tried to follow his example to “Think globally, sing locally.”
Song is powerful. “The right song at the right moment can change history,” Pete said. “It’s been my belief that learning how to do something in your hometown is the most important thing.”
Seabury Gould is a Humboldt musician and storyteller.
