west-county-music

INTERVIEW BY MERCY BARON, BARON’S BBQ BEAT

Randy LeRuth, of West County, plays acoustic sets of singer-songwriter covers and acoustified classics – coffee shop style – with some original music mixed in. He had this to say.

What is the most interesting place that you’ve ever performed?
Waikiki, Honolulu with my good friends (hanai, in Hawaiian)

What are some of your favorites spots to perform in San Diego?
We’ve played private parties, busked on the PB boardwalk, jammed in parking garages (great acoustics), dropped-in at open mic nights, played everything from dive bars to wine bars.  In every case, the best part is sharing the music with people. We try to engage people and get them involved in the music. That’s the best possible outcome, and that makes it one of our favorite spots/memories when it happens. I’m never further away from a guitar than the trunk of my car, so anywhere can be the next favorite place

Who inspires you?
Musically, musical artists. There are so many, but what I mean is those musicians for whom music is their art, their passion.  It could be household names like Clapton, the Beatles or Hendrix or people you’ve never heard of that we’ve met through music and joining in music wherever we go. The best demographic I know is people who play music because they love it, because it’s in their blood and they have to do it. Not to be famous, just because they need to play music as much as they need to breathe.

Generally, those I admire are those who have a balanced, expansive view of life, who see the grandeur of existence and can bring that to the moment. Old souls is one way to describe this. Music, like life, is full of patterns. I seek those patterns everywhere and admire those who have broad views and understanding of how those patterns play out in the now.

What’s your favorite food?
I love the flavors of ethnic foods: Thai, Cajun, Peruvian, Indian, more. American cooking tends to cater to the sensitive diet too much (in my opinion) and foods are less savory as a result.  A wonderful blend of interesting flavors and spices presented well — what could be better?

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Away from work I spend time with friends, try to stay fit, and am always listening to, playing or learning music. I’m fortunate that work allows me lots of free time, and I try to fill it with things that feed and fill my body, mind and spirit.

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