BY BRITTANY DANIELLE for WEEKLY VOLCANO 11/14/25 |
On November 23 at Jazzbones, enjoy a night filled with Americana soul-pop featuring original music from a group of Tacoma legends: Erina McClaren, James Coates, and Kurt Lindsay, with harmonies by Gina Belliveau. It is a Friendsgiving celebration with music community members, friends, and family, both local and from out of town.
Music is better with friends. While musicians are often friends with one another, they generally are not able to fraternize outside of playing shows together. They can resemble ghostly ships passing distantly on a cold, foggy night.
Greg Garcia, the new booking agent at Jazzbones, is dedicated to building events that reflect the Tacoma scene. Tacoma gets to enjoy this holiday friends ensemble and have a place to hang with those traveling in for the festivities, thanks to Greg partnering with Erina McClaren’s community vision.
Erina McClaren has been a supporter of the Tacoma music scene for more than a decade, during which she has formed friendships with Kurt, James, and Gina through various music hangs and open mics. As both an educator and volunteer, Erina has been ride-or-die for her local music. In 2023 she came out swinging with her own solo project. In March 2025 she released her single Oh My Love.
Erina expands her love of music by running after-school songwriting and band jam-session clubs at Hunt Middle School, where she shares her knowledge and passion with the younger generation. She also serves on the board for Ted Brown Music Outreach, where she was recently voted in. She will help plan events, lead fundraising efforts, and assist in developing new rentable rehearsal spaces on Tacoma Avenue. Erina is the kind of person the Tacoma music scene needs on its side.
To find out where and what Erina is doing next, visit erinamclarenmusic.com.
On November 23 Erina brings her friends together to highlight each one and to celebrate the music they bring to the Pacific Northwest. Kurt, James, and Gina have their own music careers, playing live consistently and releasing an impressive amount of original music over the years. In true community, friendship, and respect for what each artist brings to the table, Erina collaborates with all three as much as she can, both on stage on November 23 and throughout the rest of the year.
James Coates recently gave us a new song, 7-Year-Old Summer, an ode to the fun-loving summers of the 1980s. James has been releasing singles in 2025 and does not plan to stop in 2026, so be ready for more music from him as well. His online presence goes back to 2010, but he has been playing and making music for years before that. His soulful and heartfelt songs emerge from a deep ocean of memories and love for his community, family, and friends. Even his most heartfelt tunes are danceable, and with James’s sense of humor, you are always going to laugh, even if you are not sure you should.
James has been performing with people who share his values and work in similar genres. Keep an eye out for new full-band shows. When he is not planning larger shows with a full band, James plays at wine bars every weekend. His art and upcoming events can be found on Instagram @musicbyjamescoates.
On November 23, James and Erina will incorporate the stunning harmonies of Gina Belliveau. You can find Gina in many of your favorite wine-tasting rooms up and down the Pacific Northwest.
“It has been pretty amazing to witness each other grow into ourselves as musicians and songwriters and as people just peopling,” she said. “Every time I get to sing harmony with Kurt, James, or Erina, it feels like soul-bolstering musical synergy, where the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Sonic sorcery. There is just something so magical about playing music with people you love.”
“To anyone on the fence about coming, it will be a love fest of friendship and joy and belly laughs. James and Kurt are two of the most hilarious humans I know!” exclaims Gina.
Keep up with Gina on her Instagram @ginabelliveau for monthly schedules.
Kurt Lindsay will open this Friendsgiving night with his soulful voice and brilliant guitar playing. Kurt has the ability to tug at heartstrings you did not know you had. His songwriting captures the bittersweet flavor of the human experience. His schedule can be found at kurtlindsaysongs.com.
The giving continues as Kurt and Erina prepare to release a single together with their label, Young Outlaw Music. The song is called Thunder in the Clouds.
Erina says, “Kurt and I have been singing songs together for quite a few years. When I recorded my first EP, we recorded a song that my husband and I wrote. We had such a great experience that we wanted to write a song together to record. It is about those relationships that just do not work out, but you cannot seem to get them out of your head.”
She continued, “I imagined people driving through an early Sunday morning fog to church, which then made me recall an old relationship I had been in. The song is about idolization, faith, and reflection. He worshiped her while she worshiped at the church.”
“It is about reflecting on something after it is over and wondering if it was as real as it felt while it happened,” added Kurt.
Hear the song before it comes out. Come to Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, on November 23. Doors open at 5 p.m.; the show starts at 6 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 and $20 at the door. Ages 21 and over.
“It is not often that Kurt, James, and I have the opportunity to play a show together. I do not think people will want to miss this one. Lots of great music and fun surprises that night,” says Erina.
