Soren Staff Pays Homage To Eau Claire's Open Mic Scene
ahead of his next residency shows with LIVE at LEONA's, Them Coulee Boys singer-songwriter reflects on long lasting friendships with the area's 'true blue' creatives
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Luong Huynh |
For Soren Staff, the lead singer and songwriter of Them Coulee Boys, performing live remains one of the foundations of his artistic identity. It embodies his core values: to foster community, promote collaboration and celebrate venues and spaces which have influenced his musical journey.
“I have been playing solo (for) a really long time and the opportunity to step (back) into that space is way easier than I think a lot of people expect,” Staff reflected. “Performing and being artistic – it is a sacred thing.”
The same has been true for his latest solo residency, “Soren Staff & Friends,” in partnership with the LIVE at LEONA’s venue (406 Galloway St., Eau Claire) and its pizzeria next door.
The inaugural residency began on Jan. 16 and featured Eau Claire instrumentalist, Ben Lester, on pedal steel. This collaboration was a first between the two, having previously only collaborated within the Them Coulee Boys group.
The January setlist featured select, notable tracks from the ensemble’s newest album, No Fun In The Chrysalis, alongside other original compositions by Staff.
Founded in 2013, Them Coulee Boys now celebrates its 16th year as a musical ensemble, Staff said. Despite touring various venues across the country, Staff expressed his continued fondness for the LIVE at LEONA’s setting – largely crediting the careful curation by his close friend, Jordan Duroe.
After all, the event venue’s first sendoff was originally launched by a Them Coulee Boys performance on Feb. 1 of last year.
“I wanted to lift up the friends I met at open mic; I love so much of what these people do. The beauty of open mic – and why I think it’s valuable not only to me but as a space in general – is that it is so welcoming and inclusive.”
SOREN STAFF
SINGER-SONGWRITER OF THEM COULEE BOYS, ARLEN
Duroe, the events organizer for LIVE at LEONA’s, characterized Staff and their longtime friendship as profoundly genuine.
He described Staff as a “big feelings folk” who wears his “heart on his sleeve”; he also noted their mutual affection for the art of music and the community it brings – coupled with a strong commitment to authentic human connection.
“That's the same ethos that drives Leona’s,” Duroe said. “Our respective ventures are different, but many of the same values underpin both. We are kindred spirits, no question.”
As Staff and Duroe look to the second iteration of “Soren Staff & Friends,” the performance will spotlight another pivotal space which has shaped Staff’s career in songwriting and live performance: Eau Claire’s open mic scene.
On Feb. 27, Staff will welcome a handful of local folks – Shane Leonard, Evan Walton, Two Castles, among others – who have graced the stages of downtown Eau Claire’s open mic nights at The Plus (208 S Barstow St.) and other venues around town.
“I wanted to lift up the friends I met at open mic; I love so much of what these people do,” Staff said.
“The beauty of open mic – and why I think it’s valuable not only to me but as a space in general – is that it is so welcoming and inclusive. You get to see this cross section of people growing,” he continued.
Staff and Duroe’s initial meeting took place, as Duroe recalls, at the very open mic nights where they both performed exactly 10 years ago. Soren's dedication to collaboration – both within Them Coulee Boys and as a solo artist – has never wavered since their meeting, Duroe added.
“(I have) seen (Soren) time and time again find ways to similarly share the spotlight with friends, to cross-promote other artists and other mediums, to always make room for smaller or newer bands,” Duroe said. “They are always trying to bring everybody up the mountaintop with them. How can you not love that?”
As Staff will continue to perform songs and tracks from Them Coulee Boys and his latest ensemble, Arlen, fans should get excited for the third installment of the residency on March 20, Staff teased.
To mark the one-year anniversary of Them Coulee Boys’ original LIVE at LEONA’s performance, Duroe will soon announce the ensemble’s return for a homecoming celebration at the residency’s finale.
“(Leona’s is) just true blue, rock solid folks that have been around for a long time, care about the community, (and) lift up others,” Staff reflected. “I could tell a story about pretty much everybody there, doing something good for Eau Claire.”
View Volume One's photo set of Staff's debut residency show on Jan. 16, here. Catch the second and third installments – on Feb. 27 and March 20, respectively – of “Soren Staff & Friends,” with LIVE at LEONA’s (406 Galloway St., Eau Claire). To purchase tickets online ($15 advance/$20 doors) visit volumeonetickets.org.
