Sisters singer-songwriter to open Gorka show

The audience at Saturday’s concert by John Gorka will not only enjoy a return performance by one of the most popular performers at the 2005 Sisters Folk Festival, it will also be treated to a solo performance by Sisters singer-songwriter Brent Alan.

Alan is best known locally as a member of the band Stone Soup. He was tapped by folk festival event organizers to open the Gorka show on Saturday, April 1.

The Sisters artist is working on a five-song set list that will cover a range of themes and textures. Primarily a guitarist, he said he will also “probably do a song on the piano.”

Alan told The Nugget that the solo gig gives him a chance to do some songs he does not perform with Stone Soup.

“I’m going to play some stuff from my past, way back, and some current stuff, too,” he said.

Alan started writing songs in college and has kept it up for the past 15 years or so.

“I don’t know how I’d live without it,” he said. “It definitely helps me deal with my experience as a human being. It’s a way of opening myself up.”

He said he was honored to be asked to open for Gorka. While his own style is distinctive, he said he has learned some things from the headliner.

“What I’ve gotten out of Gorka’s work is mainly lyrical inspiration,” he said. “I think he’s a genius poet.”

Noting that Gorka is eclectic lyrically, Alan said he’s inspired to be the same in his short set. He plans to cover a variety of moods lyrically as well as mixing up tempos and styles.

Tickets are still available for the concert, which kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Sisters High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased in Sisters at Angeline’s Bakery and Café or Paulina Springs Books, in Bend at Boomtown Records or online at sistersfolkfestival.com. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students. Tickets at the door are $20 or $15 for students.

For more information on John Gorka, his April 1 performance or the Sisters Folk Festival, visit http://www.sistersfolkfestival.com or call 549-4979.