Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
Lake Tahoe has invited Diego’s Umbrella to Live at Lakeview for the second straight year, and the gypsy rockers from San Francisco answered the call, directly thanking North American’s largest alpine lake.
“We are excited to play your shores again for the second year in a row,” singer-guitarist Vaughn Lindstrom told the lake. “You are a wonderful body of water that has long been kind to us and we realize that you have recently had your bounty filled. While we don’t understand the science involved in that, we would appreciate if you keep the currents low and the sun high for us! Thank you very much.”
Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
The band made a big splash last year, which of course was before the lake was filled to its brim. (The scientific explanation is that it snowed a lot last winter.) Concertgoers can expect to be inundated with a joyful, stomping show, which will be led by musicians who won’t be constrained by a stage.
Violinist Jason Kleinberg and bass drummer Jake Wood no doubt will march onto the beach and into the fray of dancers, playing their American take on Eastern European folk music.
“I like to reference The Police when asked about what we’re doing musically,” Wood said. “The Police started off playing punk rock and they kind of sucked at that. Then they started playing reggae and they screwed it up and they acknowledged that they just couldn’t play it correctly. And it was their kind of cockeyed approach that made it interesting and unique.
“And while I am not going to say we are close to being as musically talented or original as The Police, we definitely have that element of trying to grab from other cultures and kind of screw up but hopefully in a pleasant way.”
The band’s latest album, “Edjka,” is a Russian-sounding word that could mean something. Mysteries tend to unfold with Diego’s Umbrella.
Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
“We have had an exciting year so far,” Lindstrom said. “With the release of our brand new album, ‘Edjka,’ we have been back on the road in support of it, all the while promoting new videos, a new show, new merch and a new lease on life. 2017 ushers in a new era for Diego’s Umbrella.”
The band’s new lease on life includes Kevin Gautschi, who a couple of years ago replaced founding members Tyson “the Facehorn” Maulhardt and Ben Leon, “the Token Ecuadorian.” Red Cup plays bass, coordinates e-mail interviews and sometimes hangs out with VoKab Kompany.
Thursday’s Live at Lakeview opens at 4:30 with a South Lake Tahoe funk and jam band whose members also have nicknames. 4 Piece Puzzle is Seth “Sethro” Hall, saxophone; Chad “Wick Star” Laurence, keys and bass; Ryan “Rippin’ Riff” Cassidy; and the all-caps, exclamation-mark drummer “MARTIN!” Bush. 4 Piece Puzzle has played all six season at Live at Lakeview.
Live at Lakeview, where everybody knows your nickname, is held every summertime Thursday at Lakeview Commons. Car parking is free nearby but cycling to the event is encouraged.
Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
