Uncategorized
Donkey Coffee To Host Renaissance Rocker
By: Colin Roose
Posted on:
Donkey Coffee and Espresso has featured all sorts of art over the years. On any given week, the venue hosts a variety of music styles, as well as poetry readings and local artwork.
So it's no surprise that it's bringing ranter, raver and all-around Renaissance man Stuart Davis to Athens this Friday.
A writer-director-actor-comedian-songwriter by his own description, Davis is an artist of many trades.
Beginning his career as a rock songwriter, he has remained active in the music industry for 20 years. His large discography is a testament to his experience in the music business, sporting such dadaist titles as Self Untitled and The Late Stuart Davis.
Those album names only hint at his eccentric nature, which he expresses through philosophical and self-revealing lyrics.
Davis has received critical acclaim from numerous media outlets, such as The Minneapolis Star Tribune, which stated "Not since Bob Dylan burst through has Minnesota produced such a confident and creative songwriter and social observer."
Since launching his music career in the early 1990s, Davis has branched out into several other ventures. In 2006, he began a web series called The Stuart Davis Show, featuring himself and several clones engaging in silly sketches, along with discussions on more serious topics.
He currently hosts a musical comedy show called Sex, God, Rock 'n Roll. Along with his television pursuits, Davis is also a calligraphy artist and screenwriter.
So what can the audience at Donkey expect? Well, imagine a nostalgic, reflective number that segues without warning into a cover of Kenny Loggins' "Footloose." Or a cover of Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" with a perfect one-man recreation of the mentally imbalanced title character's wild ramblings.
"On sheer quirk-appeal alone, Stuart Davis is a really worthwhile watch," said Donkey booking manager Troy Gregorino. "He's a dynamic and colorful performer who takes his craft very seriously, all while infusing everything with heavy doses of humor and thoughtfulness."
Davis has certainly expressed interest in his latest venture into the Buckeye State. In a post on his blog, he admitted that he had never written any songs about Ohio but that he "intends to correct this oversight."
The blog also states "We know Ohio has numerous bizarre laws, and I can promise you, I will BREAK THEM ALL. Prosecute me?"
While it's doubtful Davis will get a fish drunk on stage (an actual Ohio law, look it up), Gregorino says to expect the unexpected on Friday night.
"Whatever you might think of Stuart Davis, he's about as compelling as they come."
Friday's show time is 8 p.m. Visit www.donkeycoffee.com for more information.