Flying in from the Big Island, soulful Ron Artis II & The Truth will headline our upcoming Fall Benefit Concert for Bread & Roses on Thursday November 14 at the Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley. Lyrical and witty David Luning will open the evening with multi-instrumentalist Ben Dubin. Siren songstress Megan Slankard will be our Musical Host and emcee the night. This intimate evening of uplifting live music will support Bread & Roses programs that bring hope and healing through live music to isolated Bay Area audiences in over 600 annual shows. General Admission tickets are available online through Sweetwater. Contact Bread & Roses for VIP and General Admission tickets by calling (415) 945-7120.
RON ARTIS II & THE TRUTH
Fall Benefit Headliner Ron Artis II & The Truth are a Hawaiian-based act who perform funk, soul and blues with hints of that slow island groove. Playing all original music in a positive vein, they are known for their soulful songwriting and storytelling with powerful lyrics. “Putting The Truth, Back in The Funk” is their motto.
Ron Artis II says, "To me, music is about giving. When I'm performing, I let go of everything. I look out into an audience and ask: 'What do they need right now?' We as artists have been given a gift and gifts are meant to be shared."
Notable artists such as Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Jack Johnson and Jake Shimabukuro have recognized the burgeoning talent of the band, formed by Ron Artis II in 2015. Comprised of Ron Artis II on vocals and guitar, Stevon Artis on drums and Ernie Ecraela Jr. on bass, the band recently unveiled the video for their new single “Broken.” The track comes from their forthcoming Love Is Love studio album that is due out September 9.
Ron’s family moved to Oahu, Hawaii when he was four-years-old, the eldest of his eleven brothers and sisters. He starting playing music at a very young age, taught by his father and artist, Ron Artis. He also credits his mother as being a beautiful singer and his biggest influence on his approach to singing. Ron grew up with strong family values, which are instilled in his music. His brothers are in two of his bands, and his wife and children are often in attendance at their shows.
DAVID LUNING
Recent winner of the 2019 NorBay Music Award for Singer/Songwriter, witty Americana songwriter and guitarist David Luning will open the Fall Benefit Concert with multi-instrumentalist Ben Dubin. Bread & Roses volunteers since 2017, David and Ben have played at homeless shelters, as well as juvenile detention and recovery centers. David's clever songwriting and deft guitar playing on upbeat songs like "Danger," with his sidekick Ben, a veritable one-man-band on stand-up bass, harmonica and kick-drum, continue to captivate audiences all over. David and Ben won a coveted spot at the prestigious Americana Showcase in Nashville in September.
Paul Liberatore of the Marin IJ says “Luning has what I’d call an effortlessly resonant voice that allows him to play with a band or solo, standing alone on a stage strumming an acoustic guitar.” His reputation for exhilarating live performances has earned him dates with celebrities like Jackie Greene, Dave and Phil Alvin, and Elvin Bishop, as well as headlining dates at major festivals like The Kate Wolf Music Festival, Redd Sun Festival, BottleRock, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.
His latest CD Restless received rave reviews and reached number nine on the charts on Billboard. Ralph Anybody from KPIG Radio said, “David Luning’s new CD Restless is a fun ride, with something for everyone…it rocks hard, then it rocks soft, then it rocks hard some more! Love it!” He recently released an animated lyric video for “In Hell I Am” from Restless. Luning's music has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, including the use of “In Hell I Am” on the soundtrack for the Netflix series Lucifer.
MEGAN SLANKARD
We are so pleased to have nationally touring singer-songwriter/guitarist Megan Slankard as Musical Host for our Fall Benefit Concert where she will emcee the night and perform a couple of songs. San Francisco-based Megan Slankard has been a dedicated volunteer since 2003, performing shows for Bread & Roses at a variety of facilities, including mental heath hospitals, special needs schools, adult recovery and juvenile detention centers.
The spirited indie rocker has independently sold 40,000 copies of her five self-released albums, was a finalist in multiple national and international songwriting competitions, and is currently working on a new album with multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter Alex Wong. As the folks at the Yellow Couch Sessions put it: "San Francisco's Megan Slankard has more going for her than seems reasonably fair. She's whip smart, funny, a really solid guitar player and then she starts singing and blows the (unfinished) roof off the joint."
This event is nearly sold out! Get your tickets now and support Bread & Roses mission of hope and healing through live music and make a positive difference in the lives of those isolated around the Bay Area who need it most.
Photo Credits:
1) Ron Artis II & The Truth by Sunny Golden.
2) Ron Artis by Ben Konfrst.
3) David Luning and Ben Dubin.
4) Megan Slankard by Philip Koenig.