“I don’t compliment many singers, having been spoiled with the likes of recording for Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, Sam Cooke, The Righteous Brothers, Joe Cocker and Barbra Streisand but was very impressed with John, his ideas, his complete professionalism and the way he sings. Takes a lot to knock me out, but he did - it was fun to record for him. He should do well with his fine recordings.”
Carol Kaye, The Wrecking Crew
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OC Arts & Culture, March 24, 2009
Open Mic Night at The Gypsy Den
by Lamia Larkin
Walking into The Gypsy Den in Santa Ana, is like walking into your eccentric grandmothers house. Tall walls are covered with eclectic framed paintings of all different styles, colorful dusty lamps and chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, and mismatched tables and chairs are some of the jewels that make The Gypsy Den so unique and wonderful. The bohemian decor makes this a comforting space that manages to make its customers feel like they are family. This laid back cafe is located in the center of the Art District in Santa Ana and seems to have something going on almost every night.
Monday and Thursday nights starting around 7:30 The Gypsy Den becomes a place where locals can come and listen to Open Mic Night. Now Open Mic, to some people, brings up memories of bad karaoke or episodes of American Idol. In reality, The Gypsy Den’s Open Mic Night is anything but. Instead, its a celebration of the local folk singers, aspiring poets, french guys singing Pretty Woman, and even comic book artists. In a few short hours The Gypsy Den manages to offer a varied collection of OC’s finest performers, musicians and artists. Some performers are regulars and have managed to develop a sort of cult following. Their songs never get old and seeing them gets everybody in the cafe excited. The next time you are at The Gypsy Den be sure to check out these performers:
Memphis Bobby; a Johnny Cash lookalike (shades and all) who sings the blues, and who firmly believes that, “there’s no crowd like The Gypsy Den crowd.” Both his music and presence are expected and enjoyed at every Open Mic Night.
One word, two letters, Al. Al is The Gypsy Den’s Piano Man. The lamp that sits on the old out of tune piano shakes and jumps to Al’s upbeat music about being in love and even making love. Amazingly even with an instrument that hasn’t been tuned in years, Al still manages to make it sound like butter.
Steve L’s his quiet demeanor makes his U2 covers much more beautiful. His rendition of With or Without You is much slower and softer than the original, and that much more romantic.
John Carrillo (above) helps to host the Open Mic Nights and performs with the best of them. Both his music and presence are known to the locals, as he seems to know everybody. His soft melodies on the guitar seem to be working out for him just fine And everybody seems to agree that his music is well done.
At first glance, Steve and Eric are the last guys you would expect to see performing at The Gypsy Den, especially with their Hawaiian shirts. They tower over average indie performers. Even their style of music is unexpected, with soft melodies about helping people out and being in love, all of which they claim “are true stories about their lives.” Steve and Eric are definitely an entertaining duo.
There are also some new performers that are quickly becoming classics at The Gypsy Den…
Adrian Watkins sounds like a younger John Legend and does an amazing rendition of Otis Redding’s Sitting on the Dock of the Bay. Two songs weren’t enough to fully enjoy what this guy has to offer.
Though Kacie has only performed once, her performance did not go unnoticed. She plays the guitar and harmonica like they were meant for her. She is a talented singer and performer, and it would be no surprise or displeasure to see her performing again.
So if you are in the neighborhood, make sure to pop in and listen. You will be greeted by a variety of people all eager to hear the night’s lineup, who are all more than willing to give shout outs of encouragement to those performing. But if you want a seat make sure you get there early! Tables and chairs are scooped up pretty quickly.
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Orange County Register, December 29, 2006
A Music Top 10, O.C.-style
by Robert Kinsler
8. John Carrillo, “Von Karma”(independent) - Boasting the pleasing and distinctive voice of Orange-based singer-songwriter-guitarist John Carrillo, “Von Karma” includes electric folk (“In the Market Square”), a kid-minded singalong (“The Fish Man”), Britpop (“Milking Cows”) and a powerful Thin Lizzy-styled guitar rocker (“Turn It Up Dave”). Information: www.JohnCarrillo.com.
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Von Karma was “album of the week” in my radio show Pop Dreams (3 songs broadcasted) very cool stuff, a fine mix between rock, pop and…something else!! Really appreciated the sound of guitars on Von Karma and finally your voice, great vocals on all the stuff.
Gerard Girard, Pop Dreams Radio Show, France
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‘60’s psych folk popster John Carrillo relies heavily on vocal harmonies and jangled fuzzed guitars. This type of guitar centric rock-n-roll has been attempted plenty of times since the ‘70’s were properly treated to a blanket of dust but most bands and acts have gotten it wrong. Authentically reproducing The Byrds, The Who, and The Beatles among others, John Carrillo surely has command of a long lost sound. It’s good stuff and you’ll find yourself humming a bar or two in no time flat.
J-Sin, Smother Magazine, March 2006
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Orange County Register, March 3, 2006
Orange Pop: O.C. singer takes his time
by Robert Kinsler
John Carrillo is a prolific songwriter, but he releases few albums. His new CD, “Von Karma,” has a significantly different feel than his sophomore effort, 2001’s “A Wink to His Career.” “This one, I consciously set out to make it more organic,” said Carrillo, noting that “A Wink to His Career” included electronic effects added in the studio. “Von Karma” has a wide range of styles such as electric folk (“In the Market Square”), a kid-friendly sing-along (“The Fish Man”), graceful Britpop suggestive of the latest work by Embrace (“Milking Cows,” “This Chapter Is Closed”) and a Thin Lizzy-style guitar rocker (“Turn It Up Dave”).
“It has more live performances, and I got musicians who I know have a lot of feeling,” Carrillo said. The lineup of guest artists is impressive, notably the appearance by bassist Carol Kaye on four tracks. One of the most celebrated studio musicians of the rock era, Kaye’s career dates back to the late 1950s and includes guitar or bass-guitar work on classic recordings by Ritchie Valens (“La Bamba”), the Beach Boys (“God Only Knows,” “California Girls”), Ray Charles (“America the Beautiful,” “Feel So Bad”) and Barbara Streisand (“The Way We Were”).
“(I) was very impressed with John and his talents,” said Kaye in an interview completed by e-mail earlier this week. “I’ve recorded for some of the heaviest in the business and so I’m particular who I record for these days. I loved his material, loved his singing; his style is simply right in tune with someone’s emotions and feelings for today.”
Carrillo met Kaye at the NAMM music-industry trade show in Anaheim several years ago and asked her if she would be interested in playing bass on his next album. She told him she would have to hear his material first.
“She was the first (guest artist) to say yes,” said Carrillo. “Von Karma” also features other talented players, including virtuoso guitarist David Koval (Breakfast With Amy), drummer Shawn Nourse (Dwight Yoakam), guitarist Bob Boulding (the Young Dubliners) and guitarist John McDuffie (Rita Coolidge).
Carrillo admits that because he is an independent artist, he takes his time fashioning each album. “I will usually have a bunch of songs learned and play them here (at the Gypsy Den in Santa Ana, where he hosts an open mic every Thursday night) for a while.
“The editing process is the songs that stick,” said Carrillo, interviewed at the Gypsy Den. “I feel good about it (‘Von Karma’). I enjoy playing the majority of the songs.”
Carrillo began working on “Von Karma” in 2002; it is only the third album he has released since his self-titled debut was released in 1998.
“It’s good that I can record at my own pace,” said Carrillo, when asked about the pros and cons of being an independent artist. “The negative part is if I was signed, (the record label) would force me to work faster.”
Carrillo will celebrate the release of “Von Karma” when he performs a free show at 8:30 p.m. March 24 at the Gypsy Den, 125 N. Broadway Ave., Santa Ana. His band will include artists featured on his new disc, including Nourse (who co-produced “Von Karma” with Carrillo), Koval and bassist Brian Cram.
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Daily Pilot, December 10, 2004
He couldn’t Karaoke less
by Paul Saitowitz
John Carrillo’s been blown away, bored, impressed, on the verge of laughter, mildly amused and more. On a three-times-weekly basis, he bears live witness into the souls of Orange County’s creative conscience.
There’s the old folk singer who recalls the sounds of yore, the oblivious guy who just got a guitar and thinks people want to hear him play power-chord versions of modern rock songs, the girl who finally worked up the courage to get on stage and sing, the comedian, the poet — they’re all here.
As the host of three open-mike nights — Tuesdays at Alta Coffee in Newport Beach, Wednesdays at the Sol Grill in Newport Beach and Thursdays at the Gypsy Den in Santa Ana — Carrillo provides an avenue for people to exploit their creative or not-so-creative talents in public.
The common denominator is that everyone, no matter the skill level, is welcome.
“Open mikes give people a chance to see what it’s like to be on stage and perform in front of people,” Carrillo, 36, said.
“It’s an opportunity to prove to themselves that they can do it. There is a big difference from someone playing guitar in their room to working up the courage to do it in public.”
In an area known for sterility and lack of culture, the diversity that spills into open-mike night is eye-opening. It can be more entertaining than watching an episode of “American Idol,” and there are usually one or two diamonds in the rough.
Depending upon how many show up, participants are allowed to play between one and three songs, or if they are performing comedy or poetry, they each get 10 minutes on stage.
On any Tuesday night at Alta Coffee, you’ll find soul singers playing keyboards, a woman with no clue openly strumming an out-of-tune guitar and seemingly making up the lyrics to a nonmelodious melody, guitar whizzes singing like Dave Matthews and college types reciting poetry.
“It really is for everyone … I have people that show up every night to all three of them and some that come once every few weeks,” Carrillo said.
A singer-songwriter himself, Carrillo has released two albums, with another one on the way.
He has been a fixture on the Orange County scene since 1998, playing at the Coach House and serving as a regular on the Starbucks Music Program — his first shows were at open mikes in Los Angeles.
“When I first started, there were like no open mikes down here, but now they are slowly starting to creep up,” he said.
“I’ve had people drive from L.A. and San Diego, and there have even been a few from out of state.”
He first started hosting the open mike at the Gypsy Den in Santa Ana in February last year.
Now it’s common to have upward of 20 people show up. Carrillo admits that’s partly due to the schlock teen drama, “The O.C.”
“Orange County is like the cool place now,” he said. “The L.A. scene is very different, much more competitive. Up there, a lot of people have aspirations to make music a career. In Orange County, people seem to do it more for fun.”
Think you’ve got the chops to get up on stage? For information on open-mike nights or seeing Carrillo live, go to http://www.johncarrillo.com
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Orange County Register, May 2, 2003
Orange Pop
By Robert Kinsler
Best to be careful if you raise your voice around John Carrillo. Your words might end up as lyrical fodder.
“One song started when I overheard a conversation,” he said. “A lady said to her son, ‘This is the last game I’m buying you. Son, there is too much evil in your life.’ As if evil was a product, like too much sugar.”
So it’s not surprising that Carrillo recently made a visit to Children’s Hospital of Orange County to sing and play his acoustic guitar for some of his newest fans, giving them the gift of music rather than the latest mind-numbing video game.
“I played as part of Discovery Arts; it provides music, drawing and other art for kids with cancer. It helps the kids keep their mind off whatever is ailing them,” Carrillo said. “If you have talent, you have to use it for something good.”
Last June, Carrillo’s sophomore effort, “A Wink to His Career,” was named one of the year’s top independent releases by Performing Songwriter Magazine. It was around that same time that the disc’s first single, “My Sister (You’ve Grown So Cold),” was put in regular rotation on 94.3 FM Cool Radio’s “Go Loco” program.
Not bad for a recovering karaoke singer whose memorable songs sound more like collaborations between Coldplay and Rufus Wainwright than someone doing a poor Elvis Presley or Frank Sinatra impersonation.
The Brea-based artist has been working on his third commercial release since December but has no set schedule for finishing the as-of-yet- untitled disc.
“It is lots more organic than the last one,” Carrillo said.
Whereas his last album featured several guest players (notably War lead singer-keyboardist Lonnie Jordan), Carrillo is joined on the new tracks by drummer-producer Shawn Nourse, guitarist John McDuffy and keyboardist Brian Cram. Original material ranges from the territory of loud-rock champions such as Neil Young & Crazy Horse to the artful pop of Travis and Radiohead, all displayed with Carrillo’s characteristic voice blending lyrical satire and inspired melodies.
For now, discerning listeners can catch Carrillo when he opens for singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano at 8 p.m. May 10. Orange County’s most notable alt- country artist, Fletcher Harrington, will also perform on the promising bill.
Carrillo also hosts an open-mike night on alternate Thursdays and Mondays at the Gypsy Den in Santa Ana.
” Those are a great opportunity to offer something I don’t think Orange County has had for a while,” said Carrillo, who usually performs a few songs at the open-mike nights as well.
” They are great because provide a lot of people in Orange County - maybe they just moved here and want to get their feet wet - a chance to be heard. We started last summer and it was only on Mondays and we added an extra day in February because we have so many people,” said Carrillo, adding that the owners of the Gypsy Den have been instrumental in fostering the local scene.
The Gypsy Den hosted weekly acoustic showcases in connection with the 2003 Orange County Music Awards this year.
” Joe and Catherine (Ongie) have been really supportive of the musical community concept, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Anyone interested in purchasing tickets to the May 10 performance featuring Bonoff (who will perform her set with guitarist Kenny Edwards of Stone Poneys fame), Carrillo and Harrington should e-mail Carrillo at carrillojg@aol.com. For more information on Carrillo, visit his Web site at www.johncarrillo.com.
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“So-Cal singer-songwriter, John Carrillo, has come a long way since his karaoke days. After finding his distinct voice by singing to tracks at an Anaheim club, Carrillo learned to strum the guitar and write his own verses. This led to writer’s nights, small club gigs, and a developing career as a solo artist.
His second CD, A Wink To His Career, gives a nod to both ’60s Brit-pop and contemporary power pop. Throughout his latest release, Carrillo maintains the quirky sense of humor one would expect from a recovering karaoke singer. Subject matter ranges from silly to sentimental, with musings on socks with toes and a forlorn ‘Hathead,’ to sensitive love songs such as ‘Wendy’ and the metaphoric ‘All Levels.’ Carrillo sings in a pleasing, Matthew Sweet-ish tone, but his ironic wit separates him from the sensitive male singer-songwriter norm. On A Wink To His Career, John Carrillo proves that he’s done a fine job developing his talent in a short amount of time, creating a body of work that’s fresh and certainly far more innovative than any karaoke cassette.”
Heather Johnson, Performing Songwriter Magazine, June 2002
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“…John Carrillo is my hero (that sort of rhymes, wink). I have just listened to his self-produced release, A Wink To His Career three times over. A Wink is singer-songwriter genius a la Elliott Smith and Rufus Wainwright, but with a hip, sunny slant. The cover art is reminiscent of a ‘60’s border ballad LP while the songs are handy all-American folk ditties like ‘Brought to You by: Socks With Toes,’ and ‘Percy’s Gone Unconscious.’ Each song is delivered with a 20/80 ratio of humor and sentimentality, guaranteeing a hundred percent satisfaction. Beautiful! Relaxing! Intricately arranged! Approved! Approved! Approved! Please visit www.johncarrillo.com for more fabulous information! Alright so I’ve got the candles lit, the lights dimmed, tea brewing in the pot. Calming tunes are absolutely covered. I’ll call you when I wake up in April.”
Diana Nguyen, Mean Street Magazine, March 2002
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“John Carrillo’s self-titled debut released in 1999 was a pleasing collection of original songs that demonstrated his gift for combining witty lyrics and strong melodies into winning songcraft. The Brea-based singer-songwriter’s latest collection, ‘A Wink To His Career’ is a far more mature and far-reaching work, with emotional ballads (‘Wendy’) and rockers (‘Nowhere To Run’) delivered with the same formidable strength as quirky gems such as ‘My Sister (You’ve Grown So Cold).’ You might enjoy if you like: Travis, the Beatles’ White Album, Big Star “
Robert Kinsler,The Orange County Register, October 2001
