NIGHT out Incubus Offers

25 NIGHT OUT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 MUSIC Eleanor Ellis sings the blues at Kennedy’s Millennium Stage By Marie Gullard Special to The Washington Examiner ONSTAGE Whether she sings or speaks, no Eleanor Ellis one listening to blues artist Elea- » Where: Millennium Stage, nor Ellis mistakes if for anything Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. other than pure New Orleans. Her NW ● music, performed Sunday at Ken- » When: 6 p.m. Sunday nedy Center’s Millennium Stage, » Info: Free; 800-444-1324 or is an delightful of her Louisiana 202-467-4600; kennedy- upbringing. center.org “I think you absorb the culture CORY SCHWARTZ/GETTY IMAGES FILE that you grew up in,” she said. “A Incubus is touring behind its first album in five years, “If Not Now, When?,” including a stop at Merriweather Post Pavilion. lot of the music I grew up with, I couplel of f good d ffriends i d at t theth Millen-Mill found out later was indigenous to nium show. She will be using locals Louisiana. I didn’t know that back Jay Summerour on harmonica and Incubus offers ‘If Not Now, When’ then; I thought everyone listened to percussionist Eric Selby on the this music.” snare drums. As a product of her blues envi- The trio will play a one-hour set By Nancy Dunham glimmer of hope, that is what kept ronment, Ellis was able to transition list. Ellis expects to do two songs by Special to The Washington Examiner us going.” ONSTAGE smoothly to the D.C. scene with a gig an early artist that influenced her, That type of musical passion still ● back in the early 1980s. She moved Memphis Minnie, whom she consid- Think of Incubus’ new album and Incubus exists within the band members, soon after to Silver Spring, where ers a “great guitar player, singer, THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER tour as a rebirth of sorts. said Einziger. » When: 6 p.m. Sunday she became a founding member songwriter and roll model for other Not only are the band members “I don’t know what it is people are » Where: Merriweather Post of the D.C. Blues Society and the women singer/guitar players.” readjusting to their renewed part- connecting with in the music,” said Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Archie Edwards Blues Heritage She also plans a version of “Kan- nership, they are introducing their Einziger, who studied at Harvard Parkway, Columbia Foundation. sas City” and some works from her fans to the most stripped-down, University while the band was on » Info: $40 to $55; ticketfly. Ellis, who was fortunate enough album “Comin’ a Time” released on direct music they’ve ever released. break. “People seem to identify with com; 877-4FLY-TIX to travel with the late gospel street the Patuxent label. Now touring behind their first new it. Music helped me get through dif- singer Flora Molton, even some- So beloved is she at the recording album in five years, “If Not Now, ficult times … when I was growing times accompanying Delta Blues company, one of Patuxent’s assistant When?,” the band introduced the has once again mixed up its stylestyle, up. That inspired me to make my great Eugene Powell, has developed executives, Barbara Bamberger album with a host of night concerts, its fan base is ready for the ride. own music. Now I’m able to pay that a distinct and personal approach to Scott, recently said, “For Eleanor online chats, and meet and greets at Some 20 years after setting forward.” the music. Ellis, her musical career was what a temporary Los Angeles storefront. about to emulate their idols, which Just what they hope fans take “There are a lot of good old songs happened while she was doing what “The biggest challenge of that included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, away from the music, is what they that people have done, wonderfully she liked to do. Fortuitously, what was spending so much time apart,” Incubus is still not one to play it safe. took from their musical favorites, original,” she noted. “I like to find she likes to do — creating, recre- said guitarist Mike Einziger. “You Frontman Brandon Boyd likens the Einziger said. the songs I can relate to; to sing and ating, preserving and performing get back together and have to figure creative path the band took to a “I guess my hope would be that play them and have a good time.” basic American blues — is also out how you agree on this, how is wandering stream and, even now, [fans] connect with it in some way While she often performs solo, what she believes in. And what she this going to work now, how can we seems a bit surprised by their suc- that makes them feel good when Ellis has chosen to play with a does well.” [craft music] to a point that we’re cess. they are listening to it,” he said. happy with it? That’s a big chal- “There are definitely instances “That’s really simple, but that’s all lenge.” that I look back on with less than you can expect from music.” A challenge that the band seems fond memories,” he said in a past to have readily met, as evidenced interview. “We were continually by the fan excitement at struggling, facing one upset the Los Angeles events after another. But when and the sold-out con- there was cert dates on this tour. even a That reception to the band’s return has arguably shown that even though it COURTESY PHOTO Eleanor Ellis’ music pays tribute to her Louisiana upbringing..

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