Angel Oak’s Tuesday night open mic has become a sanctuary for local musicians
by Miranda Steadman | Contributing Writer
Tucked behind Angel Oak Restaurant and Bar on Savannah Highway and hidden beyond the bamboo surrounding the back porch is where locals find live electric tunes every Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. Restaurant owner Jay Kees asked local musician Amita Fukui, a former employee, to host live music earlier this spring, and it has now evolved into a regular Tuesday night Open Mic Night, which is both revered by local musicians and appreciated by the patrons of Angel Oak. Fukui recruited fellow musician Josh Gecowets to help him with hosting duties. The two play together in the local indie rock band Black Zola.
“Whether it’s a new song you’re testing out or a song you ‘need’ to play because of how it makes you feel today, we try to encourage tearing the seams a bit and stretching your boundaries as an artist or player,” said Fukui. “A supportive crowd, a venue that matches the vibe, and hosts who understand other artists and put their needs at the forefront of the evening set the tone for what hopefully people deem as a creative, vibrant, fun, and unique experience.
Local musician Drew Prentice can often be found performing Tuesday nights at Angel Oak. Prentice plays with Fukui and Gecowets in Black Zola as well as a host of other projects, incouding Rhodium, Red Right Return, Botanical Selections, Suede Cypress, and Extra Texture.
“What I really like more than anything is seeing people play exactly what they want to play. For some people, especially musicians gigging, sometimes people feel disconnected from pouring their soul out, and this is just that,” said Prentice, who often covers classics by The Beatles as well as fresh, original songs at Angel Oak on Tuesday evenings.
“After the first time, I felt very supported,” said Singer Sam Soto of local rock band Suede Cypress said. “There is a big community vibe here at Angel Oak and I think that is what I really appreciate. I especially appreciate Amita for cultivating that feeling.”
Soto plays her serene original tunes at Angel Oak, but will often throw in some stellar covers by Lenny Kravitz, Rihanna, and Britney Spears.
Red Right Return frontman Tyler Glavin restrung and dusted off his 12-string guitar for his first performance at Angel Oak. “It all sounds very crisp and bright on a 12-string,” said Glavin, who enjoys playing tracks by artists like Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Pink Floyd, Fleet Foxes, and Cage The Elephant. “And when the weather is nice, it’s beautiful out back,” he added.
“Music is good all over town, but the energy gravitates to certain locations and this place is a great conduit,” said musician Greg Dunkle, who plays with Virginia-based musician Sean Castleberry in their band Fresh Canned Mountain Band. The two musicians enjoy sharing their original music and tunes by Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead.
Aside from jamming with Dunkle, Castleberry also performs with the rock band The Approach in Richmond, Vir. and regularly travels south to Charleston to play gigs. Dunkle also plays with his brother in the group Who and the What Now, The Hot Air Machine, and The Ferris Wheel High Flyers, his new folk and country outfit.
A native of Cape Town, South Africa, country musician Gareth James pours his heart out when he performs his original music at Angel Oak. “Josh (Kees) and Amita (Fukui) made me feel so welcome that I felt like singing my music to people I’ve never played for before with ease,” James said.
“I play original music that shares lessons learned from my life experiences, with genres ranging from folk to spoken word to metaphysical hymns,” said Julia Kohn, who performs at Angel Oak with her daughter, Terra.
Indie pop musician Pilot moved to Charleston from Brooklyn back in 2019 and alternates between playing the ukulele, guitar, Omnichord, and keyboard. She has broken out beautiful covers of artists such as John Prine, Melanie, and Nirvana at Angel Oak.
“It’s nice to have a place to try out new things and make connections with people,” Pilot said.
Local musician Edward Charles moved here from Athens in 2016 and enjoys playing tunes by Wilco and using a music looper while performing his original music.
“People definitely come here to hear the music and that’s very inspiring to me,” Charles said.
Open Mic Night is every Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. at Angel Oak Restaurant and Bar
located at 3669 Savannah Hwy. For more information, call (843) 556-7525 or visit www.angeloakrestaurant.com.
