Just a month before venturing into the studio to record its first LP, local folk rock band Uncle Uncle is debuting its newest material at gig at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club. On December 7 the quartet of UCSB graduates fronted by lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter Kevin Cappon will use the hometown gig as an opportunity to “feel out” its most recent songs, as the vocalist put it, putting the latest candidates for the currently untitled inaugural album up to their “true test.”
“I don’t really think a song is done until it’s had an audience,” Mr. Cappon told the News-Press.
Expected for release in the spring of 2020, Uncle Uncle’s debut LP will most likely consist of 10 tracks including “Two by Two” and “Hold Up,” the two songs premiering at SOhO. While Mr. Cappon can’t choose a favorite from his band’s new batch of songs, he commented that “Cook for the King” is a favorite to perform live as it “gets people’s attention.”
Uncle Uncle came together in 2017 after Mr. Cappon graduated from UCSB. Having written some new songs, he began looking for musicians to jam on them. He first reached out to his UCSB friend Dominick Burnham, who the singer called “an exceptional musician.” Currently the band’s bassist and producer of much of its material, Mr. Burnham originally joined Mr. Cappon as a drummer and the duo recorded Uncle Uncle’s first release, the EP “Say It.”
Eager to play the “Say It” songs in a live setting with a full band, the two members completed the lineup by adding lead guitarist Christian Edstrom, Mr. Cappon knew from UCSB and their time at Dos Pueblos High School, and fellow UCSB graduate Nick Fields on drums. Once the last member was added, Mr. Burnham reverted to bass and the band’s current lineup finally congealed.
While he admitted that his bandmates are superior musicians to him, Mr. Cappon serves as Uncle Uncle’s principal songwriter and works on the group’s songs every day. Inspired by groups like The Band and Wilco as well as folk singer Bob Dylan, he referred to his songs and their lyrics as “deeply personal.” Thematically, his tunes focus on people as well their connection to nature, the latter inspired by him growing up around the natural beauty of Santa Barbara.
“A lot of the lyrics sort of dance between the human condition and getting away from that, getting outside of your head and into nature of some sort,” he said.
For Mr. Cappon, songwriting is not only a daily activity, but a nearly constant one. With melodies running through his head as he’s simply going about his regular day, his writing process isn’t limited to sitting down with his guitar in front of a notepad. While excited to premier their new music live at SOhO and to record their first album, Mr. Cappon told the News-Press he’s just as much looking forward to Uncle Uncle’s sophomore release.
“I’m already looking forward to the next collection of songs,” he said.
Tickets for Uncle Uncle’s December 7 performance at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club cost $10 and can be purchased online at sohosb.com. The show will begin at 9 p.m., with doors to the venue opening at 8 p.m. SOhO Restaurant & Music Club is located at 1221 State St. Ste. 205.
