Last year, they were voted the band with the “Most North Bay Vibe” in the Bohemian’s Best of The North Bay readers’ poll. This week, they’re seizing the moment—in both name and deed—with the release of their new album, In This Moment.
Ladies and Gentlemen—there’s no denial, it’s on vinyl!—meet Petaluma’s own… The SoulShake!
A beacon of laid-back charm and infectious melodies, the hometown quintet is comprised of Charlie Sisemore on bass, Matt Katzin on drums, Ross Barbieri on guitar and backup vocals, recently added Tino Molinari on saxophone and Domenic Bianco as the driving force on guitar, vocals and occasionally ukulele.
Together, the band blends the spirited essence of rock with reggae vibes, an outdoor surfer lifestyle infused with wacky humor and a profound message of love, life and the pursuit of a better world (imagine the lyrical acumen of Jason Mraz and the instrumental stylings of Sublime).
Bianco reflects on the band’s journey, explaining, “The creative ideas behind this album have been transpiring for the past—it’s like the culmination of the last three and a half years.” Their latest album, a testament to resilience and growth, encapsulates the essence of their collective experiences, some of which incubated during the pandemic.
“There’s a lot of history on this album,” Bianco shares. “A lot of these songs… they’re going to be brand new. But to us, these are songs that have been written and recorded and worked through for the past two or three years.”
Yet, amidst the challenges, their music remains a celebration of the present moment, as highlighted in their single, “The Present,” a rallying cry to embrace life’s fleeting joys.
For Sisemore, the album represents the band’s evolution and newfound momentum. “It’s the best yet, and there’s still better yet to come,” he enthuses. With an exciting lineup and a fresh perspective, The SoulShake seems on the brink of a major breakthrough.
Bianco echoes this sentiment, expressing his anticipation for what lies ahead.
“It feels like we’re on the precipice of this next great chapter… this album is going to be the turning point,” he predicts. With upcoming gigs at renowned venues like Sweetwater in Mill Valley and the San Francisco Brew Fest, the band’s trajectory is squarely focused on reaching new heights, including in surf-culture-friendly locales from San Luis Obispo to San Diego.
“It feels like we’re about to leap into the unknown, and it’s going to be something special and something pretty remarkable,” Bianco affirms, adding that The SoulShake has been redefining their sound and refining their live performances. “With this new album and the new members, we’re trying to make it the best show we can,” says Bianco. “Now we’re officially a five-piece, and that’s what we’re going to start to showcase to the world.”
The SoulShake performs with Lumanation at 8pm, Thursday, May 16, at the Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. $20.
