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With "a voice for the gods that can transport listeners to other realms" (Boston Globe), Mary Fahl is an expressive, emotional singer/songwriter who first achieved fame as lead singer and co-founder of the mid-1990s NYC- based chamber-pop group October Project. As a solo artist, she's had more freedom to pursue her own muse, whether that means writing and recording songs for movies (including the theme for the Civil War epic "Gods and Generals"), singing arias and medieval Spanish songs for Sony Classical or releasing a unique album-length take on Dark Side of the Moon. As befits a former Catholic schoolgirl who went on to major in medieval studies and develop a lifelong interest in Hermeticism, Mary Fahl makes music that feels timeless, esoteric and ecumenical. Her elegant, cinematic songs draw on classical and world music sources, American art song, as well as thinking man's folk-pop which she performs with an earthy, viscerally powerful contralto that bridges the generational gap between Fairport Convention's Sandy Denny and London Grammar's Hanna Reid. Fahl's sound has a hauntingly gothic romanticism that inspired Anne Rice to portray it emanating from a dead woman's room in her 2013 novel The Wolves of Midwinter. Over the past few years she's been touring and recording on her own label, Rimar Records and her recent releases are garnering awards including an Indie Acoustic Award for Best Live Album for "Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House" (filmed for PBS) and an Independent Music Award for her recent holiday album, "Winter Songs and Carols". Her latest release, a Blu-ray 5.1 surround DVD, "From the Dark Side of the Moon", brilliantly mixed by Bob Clearmountain, has been called "Immersive Album of the Year" by Life in Surround.
Best known for her stop-you-in-your-tracks voice, Liz Longley is an accomplished singer-songwriter based out of Nashville, TN. With her deeply emotional music, Longley has earned accolades from some of the most prestigious songwriting competitions in the country, including the BMI John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship Competition.
Her self-titled debut album received critical acclaim, being described as "something more; a cleverness, a wit and a mix of musical styles" (Dallas Morning News) and "stunning" (HuffPost). Her follow up album Weightless, released in 2016, was praised as "a thing of beauty" (Pop Dose) and "packed with instantly memorable pop rock songs…" (Popmatters).
The Berklee College of Music grad worked alongside 5-time Grammy-nominated producer, Paul Moak, on her much awaited sixth album, Funeral For my Past. The journey of her self-release made music industry headlines when her devoted fanbase raised over $150,000 to help her purchase the rights to and independently release the album. Longley became the #4 most funded solo female musician in Kickstarter history - a story covered by Billboard Magazine.
Embraced by the press and music fans alike, Funeral For My Past was described as a "…stunning new album!" (Forbes), "…from Americana to gospel-flavored soul to shimmering pop anthems" (Billboard), and included in "100 Albums Released in 2020 to Put on Your Radar" (Newsweek). The Nashville-based musician has found a loving give-and-take with listeners: Longley shares her music with the world, enriching fans' lives, and in return, they provide her with the means necessary for her to make music on her own terms.
Best known for her stop-you-in-your-tracks voice, Liz Longley is an accomplished singer-songwriter based out of Nashville, TN. With her deeply emotional music, Longley has earned accolades from some of the most prestigious songwriting competitions in the country, including the BMI John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship Competition.
Her self-titled debut album received critical acclaim, being described as "something more; a cleverness, a wit and a mix of musical styles" (Dallas Morning News) and "stunning" (HuffPost). Her follow up album Weightless, released in 2016, was praised as "a thing of beauty" (Pop Dose) and "packed with instantly memorable pop rock songs…" (Popmatters).
The Berklee College of Music grad worked alongside 5-time Grammy-nominated producer, Paul Moak, on her much awaited sixth album, Funeral For my Past. The journey of her self-release made music industry headlines when her devoted fanbase raised over $150,000 to help her purchase the rights to and independently release the album. Longley became the #4 most funded solo female musician in Kickstarter history - a story covered by Billboard Magazine.
Embraced by the press and music fans alike, Funeral For My Past was described as a "…stunning new album!" (Forbes), "…from Americana to gospel-flavored soul to shimmering pop anthems" (Billboard), and included in "100 Albums Released in 2020 to Put on Your Radar" (Newsweek). The Nashville-based musician has found a loving give-and-take with listeners: Longley shares her music with the world, enriching fans' lives, and in return, they provide her with the means necessary for her to make music on her own terms.
www.theseathesea.com | Facebook | Spotify
Chuck E. Costa and Mira Costa, is an Upstate New York based indie folk-pop duo featuring what Bob Boilen (NPR's All Songs Considered) calls "excellent harmonies" & Huffington Post calls, "Two of the loveliest male-female voices you might ever hear this or any other year." The group's 2020 release, Stumbling Home, dubbed "otherworldly" by RollingStone marks the duo's third full-length album, and the duo's first primary recording / engineering credits on one of their albums, as well as that of co-producers—teaming up with recent Grammy and Tony award winner Todd Sickafoose (Hadestown, Anais Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Andrew Bird). Previous releases from The Sea The Sea—Love We Are We Love (2014), In the Altogether (2016 / EP), and From The Light (2018)—have been praised by outlets including NPR, American Songwriter, and No Depression, and the animated video for their song "Waiting" sparked viral interest from Buzzfeed and Pitchfork, as well as inclusion at the international TED 2015 conference. The band has garnered features across all music platforms including Apple Music "Best of the Week" and "A-List Singer/Songwriter," gathering 20+ million streams on Spotify to-date. Live performance broadcast appearances of The Sea The Sea include Mountain Stage, whose host Larry Groce calls them "ready to take their place among the best young male/female duos now performing," Audiotree, and Paste Music / Daytrotter—recently describing the band as "defined by their infallible vocal harmonies and their unconventional song arrangements. The Sea The Sea is a pop band only in their melodic infectiousness—otherwise they are at their best when subverting conventions."
Growing up in the Texas Hill Country of New Braunfels, Leigh Nash officially started her music career singing country music and learning old country songs on the guitar when she was just 12 years old.
With a desire to be on the stage, she started calling clubs on her own to book herself to perform. Before long, the young teen was singing Loretta Lynn and Tanya Tucker songs, such as "You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man" and "Texas When I Die," on open mic Sunday nights while being backed by a middle-aged band of town locals. It was in the early 90's when she met guitarist and songwriter Matt Slocum and together they formed the band Sixpence None The Richer, a famed pop group that went on to win numerous awards and accolades, including two GRAMMY® Award nominations.
In their career, Sixpence None The Richer recorded four full-length albums. Their debut, which released when Nash was just 16, was 1994's critically acclaimed LP The Fatherless & The Widow. In the years that followed, the band released numerous timeless songs and huge radio hits, from the GRAMMY-nominated "Kiss Me" to "There She Goes," among many others.
Leigh Nash also recorded the song "Need to Be Next to You," written by famed songwriter Diane Warren, for the 2000 movie Bounce, which became Nash's first solo single. She also made guest appearances on albums from bands such as Los Straightjackets and Delerium. Nash eventually pursued a solo career and debuted her first album, Blue On Blue, in 2006 (One Son/Nettwerk). She also became a member of Fauxliage and Movement Nashville. Today, Nash is based in Nashville working as a touring solo artist and songwriter, and she continues to tour with Sixpence None The Richer. She is currently writing and recording, with new songs projected to release throughout 2019.
The Pat McGee Band is what is commonly referred to as a band of journeyman musicians. In the 25 years since their initial formation, they've acquired a fanatical popular following, one that was so determined that it produced sales of over 100,000 copies of their first three albums and eventually caused Warner Bros. Records to take notice and sign the group to an exclusive contract at the end of the '90s. The band's dedication to working the road was so steadfast that at one point in their ten year touring stint, they played a remarkable 98 concerts in a period of 103 days. They shared stages with the Who, the Allman Brothers, James Taylor, and many more, and also achieved the ultimate honors -- performing for president Bill Clinton, touring with the USO and sharing their songs onboard the USS Eisenhower with 5,000 servicemen and servicewomen serving a tour of duty in the Arabian Sea.
"There was no plan B," McGee says in retrospect. "We sold 12,000 copies of our first album out of the trunk of our car. We had a rabid fan base that supported us every step of the way. We never had that huge pop hit, but in a way that helped assure our success. We never had to count on replaying a single song in order to move forward. It was our diligence and devotion, our steadfast approach to making music that was honest and expressive that became the backbone of our sound."
Sadly, the band's progress came to a tragic end in October 2006 when drummer Chris Williams succumbed to a heart condition. McGee struck out on his own, adding five solo albums to the half dozen efforts recorded under the band's own banner.
It's significant then that the band -- McGee (lead vocals and all guitars) Al Walsh (backing vocals), Jonathan Williams (keys, backing vocals), Chardy McEwan (percussion), John Small (bass), and new drummer Matt Calvarese -- have reconvened and will release their first new effort in 14 years early next year. Dubbed Sugar Packet -- after the nickname affectionately given Williams by his bandmates -- and recorded at 38 North Studio in Falls Church, Virginia with producers Kit Karlson and Chip Johnson, it reunites the original members of the Pat McGee Band and signals a return to the musical bedrock that was their calling card all along. Once again, the emphasis is on melodies that are both memorable and evocative, an upbeat party vibe that weighs heavily on the familiarity factor, three part harmonies, ringing guitars, steadfast rhythms, sparkling keyboards, and a sound that's certain to revive their populist appeal.
"The music and the grooves came quite naturally, and once these songs started coming, I knew that the only musicians that were right to record them were my original PMB bandmates," McGee maintains. "It's also appropriate that the lyrics dig deep into life experiences common to us all, which can only find genuine perspective and reflection at a certain point where maturity replaces adolescence, and adult responsibility takes over the carefree existence we had in our youth. I take pride in the fact that I've been able to do this for 25 years, but that I'm still mature enough to be a good husband and a dad to four kids."
Longevity has always been at the core essence of the band's music from early on. Weaned on the classic influences of such tightly knit ensembles as the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers, as well as the Laurel Canyon glow evoked by preeminent '70s singer/songwriters such as James Taylor and Jackson Browne, McGee and his comrades effectively captured their own sense of optimism and exuberance. They reminded listeners why music is both important and inspiring, particularly to those experiencing both the discoveries and disappointments that accompany one's coming of age.
"The new album boasts the vintage approach that the band made its signature sound at the end of the '90s," McGee maintains. "It's got that same earnestness, excitement and spontaneity that were the hallmarks of our music during our peak and prime. When I listen to it, I feel the years melting away, and the time we spent apart filling in behind us. We had an amazingly successful Kickstarter campaign, and that provided proof that our fans are still supporting us all the way."
In the meantime, McGee is remaining as active as ever. His last solo album, an eponymous effort, found him working with such luminaries as Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Waddy Watchel and Danny Kortchmar (better known as The Section), David. Crosby colleague Jeff Pevar, Paul Barrere of Little Feat, John Popper of Blues Traveller, Pat Monahan of Train and Punch Brother Gabe Witcher. If one's reputation is bolstered by the company they keep, then there's no better evidence that McGee has achieved high status indeed.
Of course, that was evident early on given the audience reaction that greeted the band during their frequent tours throughout every region of the country. The gatherings McGee continues to preside over -- "Down the Hatch" and "Ocean State of Mind" -- continue to attract the faithful on an annual basis while reconnecting friends and fans through that common bond that McGee and company have nurtured so successfully over the past 25 years.
Now, with a new album on the horizon, their first quarter century is really only the beginning of their continuing career. Indeed, this welcome return of the Pat McGee Band makes this a reunion to relish. As we head into a new decade, it is only right that Pat McGee should be back on our stage!
www.petemuller.com | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
The Kindred Souls is an instrumental and vocal quartet consisting of Pete Muller, John Whooley, Missy Soltero, and Martha McDonnell.
Pete Muller, a singer, songwriter, and pianist who lives in Santa Barbara, California, has released four solo albums to date. Muller most recently toured the country with the other Kindred Souls in support of his latest solo album, "Dissolve," which features three Top 30 charting AC singles.
Muller says of the group, "John, Missy, and I have been playing together for years and we share a great chemistry with one another. When we started playing more and more with Martha we realized we had something truly special as a group. We decided to make it official and call ourselves the Kindred Souls."
"Touring as the Kindred Souls went so well that we thought that maybe we should make a record. Producer Peter Katis (Interpol, The National) helped it all come together and we created our first official EP release, The Sound. Building on each other's strengths allowed us to offer some fresh takes on songs we all love." The covers album's first two singles "For What It's Worth" and "The Way" have both reached Top 20 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Hailing from Western Colorado, multi-instrumentalist John Whooley is primarily a saxophonist. He's also a recording engineer and acclaimed for his guitar playing and harmonizing. "The joy that I feel when we are harmonizing and playing together is one of the most special feelings," says Whooley about the band's chemistry. At 6'5" tall, Whooley likes to perform sitting down with TKS so everyone ends up about the same height.
Missy Soltero has been performing with Muller since they met at a mutual friend's rehearsal dinner 10 year ago. "Pete truly has a knack for bringing together talented individuals and making magic happen with them. I'm proud to be part of such a strong and unique group of musical forces," adds Soltero. Enamored with making noise since she was a toddler, Soltero's mother started her in tap dance classes at age three. By age ten, she was acting on camera. After being invited by Muller to sing on his third album, she joined the Kindred Souls as a vocalist. Without a percussionist in the quartet, she took it upon herself to learn the cajon before their first tour. She lives in Mammoth Lakes, CA.
NYC-based classical violinist and fiddler Martha McDonnell is no stranger to the limelight, with stints with major orchestras and Broadway shows, such as the world premiere of "The Last Ship" with Sting, performing on stage with the original Broadway cast of Steve Martin's "Bright Star", and the acclaimed "Girl from the North Country". Her success has led to performances on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, Charlie Rose, and the Tony Awards. Commenting on the band's chemistry, Martha adds, "I think we each bring something unique to the table. We also laugh a lot, which makes the whole experience that much more fun."
Kim Richey was in our record collection and CD collection long before there was a venue called Seven Steps Up. As a venue, Kim is one of the greatest musical joys we have brought to our stage because, well, we are such huge FANS ourselves! In fact, we might be a little groupie-ish.
Frontman. Singer-songwriter. World-renowned upright bassist. Multi-instrumentalist. For the past decade, Scott Mulvahill has left his unique mark on the intersecting worlds of Americana,bluegrass, folk, jazz, rock & roll, and roots music. Already acclaimed for his work alongside icons like Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby, he turns a new page with Himalayas, a versatile solo album that celebrates the full spread of his abilities.
Raised in Houston, Mulvahill cut his teeth as a member of Ricky Skaggs' acclaimed band, Kentucky Thunder. The group toured internationally for five years, backed by the bottom-heavy pulse of Mulvahill's upright bass. Along the way, he also composed music of his own, shining a light on the genre-jumping influences — Paul Simon's sophisticated pop, James Taylor's folk, Jaco Pastorius' innovative jazz, and more — that would eventually inspire the material on his solo debut, Himalayas. His performances as part of Skaggs' nightly shows laid the brickwork for Mulvahill's transition from hotshot sideman to compelling frontman.
Encouraged by musical mentor Bruce Hornsby, Mulvahill developed a unique approach to his songwriting — one that mixed his chops as an upright bassist with hook-heavy melodies and compelling narratives. Himalayas spotlights that distinctive style. A true "musician's musician," Mulvahill fills his solo debut with complex fingerwork and innovative progressions. At the same time, Himalayas is a song-driven record that focuses its attention not upon Mulvahill's virtuosity, but upon the sheer listenability of his material. This is acoustic-leaning roots music of the highest caliber, shot through with elastic vocals, dobro, fiddle, and the honest, biographical lyrics of a songwriter who gave up an enviable position in Skaggs' band to pursue his own muse.
"I wanna go over where I've never been," he sings during the sparsely-decorated title track, one of several tracks to deal with the universal themes of facing one's fears, taking leaps, and chasing down new horizons. Those messages are reflected in Mulvahill's own career, as he pioneers a sound centered upon his voice and upright bass.
"As important as the bass is to the sound of my music, it's not a crutch," he says. "To me, the songwriting, the voice, and the message are what really matter. Himalayas is based upon this idea that there's more to your life than your current challenge — that any setback is surmountable. There's a 'we're in this all together' mentality to these songs."
Although bound together by universal themes, Himalayas also makes room for a diverse range of sounds. "Begin Againers" kickstarts the album with several bars of gorgeous a cappella, while "Gold Plated Lie" nods to the galloping urgency of rock & roll. Elsewhere, Mulvahill duets with Alanna Boudreau during a gospel-inspired cover of Paul Simon's "Homeless," then serves as a one-man band during tracks like "Fighting for the Wrong Side" and "Indefensible." Together, these songs bridge the gap between disparate worlds — roots music, chamber music, free jazz, classic pop, and beyond — with ease and eclecticism.
"For years, I had a split personality to my music career," says Mulvahill, whose solo career has already racked up a long list of milestones, including a tour with recent multi-Grammy winner Lauren Daigle, an NPR Tiny Desk concert, and a performance on the Mountain Stage radio show. "I was known as a bass player, but I was also a singer-songwriter. Himalayas combines those two halves together. It makes a statement about what can be done with an upright bass, while leaving room for me to explore other sounds on future albums."
For a lifelong musician like Scott Mulvahill, the climb is never over. Himalayas marks his latest summit, showcasing the work of a songwriter whose songs swoon, soothe, and startle in equal measure.
We heard two measures and we were hooked. This is another don't-miss-this-one!
www.emilyscottrobinson.com | Facebook | Spotify
North Carolina native Emily Scott Robinson has traveled a quarter million miles and counting, paying her dues along the dusty highways of America's wild country in the RV she calls home. Along the way, she's captured the stories of the people she met and expertly crafted them into the songs featured on her gorgeous debut studio release, "Traveling Mercies." Named one of Rolling Stone's "10 New Country and Americana Artists to Watch in 2019," Robinson received critical acclaim from Billboard, No Depression, and American Songwriter for the stories captured on her new album and performed on the main stage of the 2019 Telluride Bluegrass Festival as winner of the Telluride Troubadour Contest.
The diner where the waitress knows everyone by name. The World War Two veteran reflecting on the end of his life. The windswept trailer park where people prefer to keep their curtains closed. As she meditates on human frailty and the power of resilience, Robinson is at times vulnerable, at others, defiant and absolutely free. Rolling Stone called "Traveling Mercies" a collection of "country-folk songs about America in all its pain and glory with the literate, Southern gothic sensibility of Flannery O'Connor." Robinson is on the rise with her new record— a tour de force from an elegant chronicler of her own existence and those of her fellow humans.
Here's what we know: one measure into her first song, we were hooked. And now she's coming to Spring Lake!
jeffreygaines.com | Spotify | Twitter | Insta | YouTube
Jeffrey Gaines has been heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances.
With only his voice and a guitar for accompaniment, Jeffrey Gaines has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, entertaining audiences everywhere he goes.
Raised in Harrisburg, PA by parents more inclined to spin soul classics by Aretha and Otis than the New Wave and Brit Rock blasting from their son's room, a teenaged Gaines began singing and playing guitar in several local garage bands. He soon decided to set out on his own and quickly landed a record deal, releasing Jeffrey Gaines, the first of his five studio releases. The album garnered four stars from The Philadelphia Inquirer, describing Gaines as "…an ethereal soul…insistent, impassioned, full of self-knowledge." Somewhat Slightly Dazed, and Galore followed. Interview Magazine called Gaines' music "soul-searching" and "refreshingly free of jargon, sentiment or cliché."
Jeffrey Gaines released Always Be (Artemis) to both critical and commercial praise. Featuring his emotional interpretation of "In Your Eyes" and his own soaringly beautiful "Always Be," the album hit #5 on R&R Callout America CHR/Pop list, also reaching #45 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. The New York Post proclaimed Always Be as "a dozen-song mix…that completely illustrates the depth he is capable of."
Gaines' impressive catalogue grew with Toward The Sun, produced by Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, and Crowded House). The Boston Globe declared that "Gaines' soulful, wounded vocals make a case for his being one of pop's finest singers…an artist who deserves far more attention than some of his more hyped, yet less talented peers." Mojo noted, "This established soul-folkie's sexy growl has an underlying edge, making it a memorable album. Heartfelt unpretentious."
Throughout his career, Gaines has built a rapport with his fans unlike any other in popular music today. Gaines goes as far as letting his fans influence the songs he performs each night. "When it's just me playing, I only know the first song I'm going to play, but from there the energy and the vibe tell me what the next song is going to be. Someone may yell a song, and I'm like 'Exactly! Good call.' That's so fun to me, keeping it exciting and spontaneous. I don't even know what's around the corner, and the crowd doesn't either." Based on that relationship with the audience, Gaines released Jeffrey Gaines Live (CD / DVD) followed by Live In Europe, which was recorded during his 25-city tour with Joe Jackson.
Seven Steps Up alum JD Eicher opens the show. This is definitely a Saturday night worthy of your time!
heathermaemusic.com | Facebook | Insta | Spotify
crysmatthews.com | Facebook | Insta | Spotify
Crys Matthews
DC's Crys Matthews is nothing if not ambitious. In August, she simultaneously released both a new full-length album, The Imagineers and an EP, Battle Hymn For An Army Of Lovers. These collections showcase two sides of Matthews' dynamic songwriting; The Imagineers is a selection of thoughtful songs about love and life while Battle Hymn For An Army Of Lovers tackles social justice themes. Songs from both projects have already won her recognition and awards. She was one of ten finalists (from a pool of 5,000) in this year's NewSong Music Competition and, after performing at Lincoln Center on November 30th she was named grand-prize winner. Matthews also won the People Music Network's Social Just Songs contest at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance.
Matthews blends Americana, folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass and funk into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies and punctuated by honest, original lyrics. Having been compared to everyone from Toshi Reagon to Tracy Chapman to Ruthie Foster, Matthews' eclectic infusion of genres has won her honorable mentions at the 2013 and 2014 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest and extensive radio play from Woman of Substance radio to WTJU-Charlottesville and WMRA-Harrisonburg to KBOO-Portland. Matthews has shared stages with Melissa Ferrick, Chris Pureka and Liz Longley, as well as several regional artists such as Owen Danoff, Eliot Bronson, and Heather Mae.
Equally at home in an acoustic listening room as she is on stage at large music festivals, Matthews has quickly gathered a loyal following on the east coast playing such prestigious venues as The Birchmere, The Hamilton, and Jammin' Java. Matthews' festival and showcase roster has included BMI's Island Hopper Songwriter Festival, the 40th Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, 30A Songwriters Festival, Northeast Regional Folk Alliance and many more.
A prolific lyricist and composer, Matthews has found inspiration in her surroundings; from driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the compelling and heart-breaking love story of Richard and Mildred Loving. Thoughtful, realistic and emotional, Matthews' songs speak to the voice of our generation and remind us why music indeed soothes the soul.
Heather Mae
Unfazed by what a typical pop artist today is "supposed" to look or sound like, Heather Mae, an award-winning songwriter whose evocative vocals and rhythmic piano style call to mind artists like Stevie Nicks and Sara Bareilles, creates intoxicating music that tackles complex topics surrounding mental health, LGBTQ+ issues, self-love, racial injustice, social inequality, and women's rights. Inspired by her own personal experiences and identities - a queer, plus size woman living with Bipolar Disorder - Mae is an on-fire musical and emotional experience. In her most sonically adventurous project yet, GLIMMER (Sept 2019) - her second produced record and first full length album - breaks the stigma surrounding mental health, reminding us all that we are not alone.
www.briandunnemusic.net | Facebook | Spotify
Brian Dunne once traveled 12 hours to play Seven Steps Up. We fell head over heels in love with Brian that night. He's the kind of guy you would want to take home to meet your mom. And he's the kind of singer/songwriter you can listen to all night long.
Hailing from the Red Roof Inn, the driver's seat of a Honda Fit, the floor of the airport, the guest bedroom at your Aunt's and Uncle's house, the back seat of a 15-passenger van, and New York City, Brian Dunne is the companion you never knew you wanted. Equipped with a Telecaster, a Gibson Hummingbird and 17 dollars, he is coming to your town to play his guts out and then stand by the merch table.
"Bug Fixes & Performance Improvements" was produced by Brian and released in May of 2017 independently. It garnered a great deal of attention based on the quality of the songwriting and musicality, landing Brian on NPR's Mountain Stage and 2017's Cayamo Cruise, and tours with The Secret Sisters, Will Hoge, Rosanne Cash, Robert Earl Keen, Joan Osborne, Delbert McClinton, and a myriad of other songwriting heavyweights. The first two singles were picked up by SiriusXM radio, and if you visited a shopping mall during the spring of 2017, you probably heard the lead single "Don't Give Up On Me" being interrupted by an announcement that someone had lost their kid at the food court.
Brian followed the release of "Bug Fixes" with a live EP of stripped-down versions of previously released songs entitled "The Timber House Sessions". In early 2019, Brian returned to the studio to begin his next LP with producer Andrew Sarlo which is slated for release sometime before we're all dead and expected to be "totally the most amazing thing you've ever heard," according to Brian's mom. In the meantime, his newest single "New Tattoo" has been played extensively on XM radio and become a huge hit amongst a very niche group of people that fly JetBlue and frequent Starbucks.
peterbradleyadams.com | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
No matter the form, when it comes to art, there are a number of different tacks to take. Some artists continually push their work across new horizons. Neil Young, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Joni Mitchell come to mind, in that regard. Others — Claude Monet, Jason Isbell, and Bonnie Raitt, among them — stand a bit more still in order to continually refine the capturing of their vision. Singer/songwriter Peter Bradley Adams falls into the latter category of perfectionists chasing their own perfection. With A Face Like Mine, he may well have caught it.
There's a confidence, a completeness in the song cycle that listeners have gleaned throughout Adams' illustrious career, but A Face Like Mine, his sixth solo effort, brings it all into sharp focus. As Adams sees it, "On the long plod of finding my voice as a singer and a writer, the singing has slowly developed from the sound of a scared guy to someone who believes what he's saying and the writing, I hope, has become less rigid — both in the lyrics and the phrasing."
Less rigid, indeed. Adams' brand of Americana nestles his often delicate, always heartfelt voice in the warm embrace of gentle guitar, tasteful dobro, subtle banjo, supportive bass, and unhurried percussion. The result is a sonic scape that, in turn, wraps itself around the listener like a soft blanket on a cold day.
Americana duo The Contenders return to Spring Lake! There is something truly special about a Contenders live show. The way their voices melt together. Their easygoing chemistry and banter on stage that draws you in.
The legend Levon Helm said that if you give it good concentration, good energy, good heart, and good performance, the song will play you. If that's true, then Jay Nash and Josh Day are well and truly played by the set of songs in their debut EP, "Meet The Contenders." The collection breathes with musicality and grit in the tradition of heroes—The Band, Tom Petty, The Dead, Dylan.
Thrumming and heady, with a steady heartbeat and a hint of honky-tonk, this EP speaks of wanderers and highways, lovers and losers, good times and missed chances, swimming pools and movie stars, all with a ferocity born of hard work and honed skill. Nash and Day have been players and poets for the better part of two decades; they have been making music, telling tales, drinking whiskey, and having fun touring together as The Contenders since 2012.
With an earnest ability to create a delicate balance of harmony, melody, deep emotion and subtlety, Lee DeWyze's depth as a songwriter call to mind some of his earliest influences like Simon and Garfunkel, Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens) and Johnny Cash.
His last 4 releases Victims Of The Night (April 2020), and the EP Castles (Oct 2019), have garnered over 1M streams, while his latest 2 singles, Weeds (Oct 2020) is currently highlighted on the largest folk playlist Chill Folk, streaming 3500x per day, and Horizon (Apr 2021) was featured in the motion picture The Secret: Dare To Dream starring Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas.
Over the last 10 years, Lee has released five albums, including his critically lauded Frames (Vanguard Records, 2013), which included the top 40 Billboard Hot AC hit "Fight." In 2014, his song "Blackbird Song" (20M streams + ) was placed in the show "The Walking Dead." After signing with Shanachie Records in 2016, Lee released the album Oil and Water, which hit Number One on the iTunes folk and singer/songwriter chart, followed by Paranoia (2018), which hit Number One on the Alternative chart. As the winner of American Idol Season 9 in 2010, he made his major label debut with Live It Up (RCA).
Lee's songs have appeared in over 70 movies, TV shows, and commercials. His latest synch was for his song Castles, which highlighted the season finale of Station 19 (#1 show on ABC). His video for Castles won 11 awards world-wide (Los Angeles, NY, and London) for best animated video with TIFF (The International Film Festival). Lee is embarking on a summer/fall 2021 US tour called Ghost Stories.
The Talbott Brothers have been here before. And, man oh man, are they good. Blood is thicker than water and there's nothing like family creating music together to prove it. With contrasting blood-harmonies and left-handed/right-handed guitar playing, singer-songwriter duo The Talbott Brothers combine rock, blues and pop with honest storytelling.
Nick and Tyler were born and raised in Imperial, a small town in Southwestern Nebraska, just a stone's throw from the Colorado border. They began writing and performing together before relocating to their mother's birthplace of Portland, Oregon. Tyler, the youngest (lead vocals, baritone guitar, harmonica) and Nick, the oldest (backing vocals, lead guitar) discovered their love of music after digging their dad's old dreadnaught guitar out of the basement and teaching themselves to play along to Johnny Cash, Bob Seger and the Beatles on vinyl.
Following the release of 2017's GRAY, they found themselves in front of sold out crowds in the US and sharing the stage with ZZ Ward, Johnnyswim and AJR. Ear to the Ground Music dubbed the record as one of the 'Top 5 Albums of the Year' stating it as, "equal parts optimistic and captivating, inspiring and hopeful." Through rigorous touring and over half a million streams on Spotify, they continue to build a strong and loyal fanbase wherever they go.
These gentlemen have created huge fans of ours! Come see why. These boys folk'n'roll!
makingmovies.world | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter
Known for an innovative approach to music inspired by American and Latin cultures, Latinx rock'n'rollers Making Movies are "breaking down walls in the U.S" (Rolling Stone). From their Panamanian & Mexican heritage to their fusion of international sounds and genres, Making Movies melds reinterpretations of cumbia, mambo, son, and salsa with blues and rock'n'roll, as well as traditional Mexican and Panamanian folclór, while singing in Spanish and English. Making Movies "synthesizes what's happening in Latin music better than anyone else out there today" (MTV), having collaborated with salsa legend Rubén Blades on the Latin Grammy nominated song "No Te Calles", as well as Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, and the late Lou Reed.
The band has toured extensively, appearing with the likes of Arcade Fire, Rubén Blades, Los Lobos, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Bomba Estereo, Galactic, Jesse & Joy, and Thievery Corporation.
"this band is breaking down walls in the US." — Rolling Stone
"lyrically and sonically one of the best albums of the year," — NPR
"(Making Movies) an icon of pro-immigrant advocacy" — Chicago Tribune
"A pointed social statement from a group who's sound is its own form of protest" — KUTX Austin
"Making Movies is breaking down barriers for Latinos in the US Heartland" — Remezcla
"… tough to classify into one genre, which … makes them that much more appealing." — CNN en Español
"The band synthesizes what's happening in … Latin music better than anyone else out there today." — MTV
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Mick Flannery is one of Ireland's most acclaimed songwriters and singers.
A cliché has it that you have to beware of the quiet ones, because most of the time their voices speak sharper and with more range than the loudmouths. Every cliché, however, has a grain of truth in it, and so it's fair to say that while County Cork singer-songwriter Mick Flannery is outwardly reserved, his songs are fluent in expressing layered aspects of the human condition, its flaws, triumphs, and general uncertainty.
An award-winning, double-platinum selling artist, Mick Flannery is on the brink of releasing not only his self-titled sixth album, but also overseeing the worldwide premiere of the stage musical, Evening Train (so named after his 2007 debut album). He began to write songs as a teenager in his home of Blarney, County Cork. As musical influences from albums by the likes of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits seeped into his creative DNA, Mick absorbed, learned and honed the craft that would send him on his way into the world. The path was smoothed somewhat when, at the age of 19, he became the first Irish songwriter to win the Nashville-based International Songwriting Competition. By the time he turned 21, he had signed to a major label and released his debut album.
With his latest release, Mick touches on loose themes of ambition and the search for a meaningful life in the context of a musician's sometimes feckless and dysfunctional lifestyle. The central character, he reveals, is someone like him, "although this person achieves more notoriety than I have. He is properly famous, and he has to deal with that." The loose theme is just that, however. "I'm not going to hammer it home. Facets of the theme are on the album, but the storyline itself isn't an overarching one - each song can stand on its own, and not need to be part of a narrative."
This is the new date for previously scheduled shows. All original non-refunded tickets are still valid. You can check your online account for your reserved seat.
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Spotify Everything in Jon McLaughlin's life makes its way into his music, whether he's conscious of it or not. The artist, raised in Indiana and based in Nashville, brings all of his experiences and beliefs into each song he creates, something that is especially true now that he's the father of two young girls.
Jon released his debut album, Indiana, in 2007 on Island Def Jam, attracting fans with his heartfelt, hook-laden songwriting and impassioned delivery. He's released six full-lengths in the years since and revealed a true evolution in both his piano playing and singing. He's played shows with Billy Joel, Kelly Clarkson and Adele, collaborated with longtime friend Sara Bareilles, co-written with Demi Lovato and even performed at the Academy Awards in 2008.
Jon's album, Like Us, dropped in October of 2015 via Razor & Tie, and he spent the past few years touring extensively before heading back into his Nashville studio to work on new music. Jon released a Christmas EP in 2017 titled Red & Green with two originals and his take on a few holiday classics. In November of 2018 Jon released his album Angst & Grace which features "Still My Girl" written for his youngest daughter.
Another project started in 2018 is his Dueling Pianos video series. Every episode features a new guest artist and they perform mashups of never been heard arrangements.
In Fall of 2019 Jon released an instrumental piano album titled Mood. This record demonstrates Jon's artistry and captivates his talent as a pianist.
As with everything he does, Jon's goal is to create connections. He wants to translate his experiences and ideas into music that reaches fans everywhere. His passion for music and playing is evident in each note he plays.
Striking Matches
"We met in guitar class" is not a thing many people can say...but Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis performed together for the first time on the very same day they met...in guitar class.
Striking Matches went on to release their debut album produced by T-Bone Burnett, and have since released 3 more EPs, many singles, and have had their songs featured on Grey's Anatomy, American Idol, Nashville, and Monday Night Football, to name a few.
Both lead guitarists, singers and songwriters, Sarah and Justin's music spans a wide array of sounds and genres, combining pop choruses with blues guitar riffs. Their musical prowess creates an electrifying and unique experience with each live performance.
They are currently in the middle of releasing a new 3 EP project titled "Morning, Noon and Night" each with a different sound and sonic space. While morning, noon and night are three parts of a day, Morning, Noon and Night are meant to be three parts of what makes up Striking Matches
"Morning" and "Noon" were released in 2019 with Night to release March 27th 2020.
"Rising Star" is not a phrase one would normally use to describe an artist like Griffin House, who has been touring for over 15 years and has recorded 12 studio albums.
The title of Griffin House's upcoming release,"Rising Star," references the first track on the album, which tells the story of a character who moves to Music City, like so many do, with a guitar and a dream. Although not intended to be auto-biographical, the listener gets the sense that this comical and fictitious tale could hardly have been woven by someone without a similar life experience to the protagonist in "Rising Star."
Indeed, House's story began in much the same way. He moved to Nashville in 2003, as a young man, with not much more than a guitar, and a handful of songs. He took a part-time job downtown on Broadway at Legend's Gifts, biding his time before he caught his big break. That big break came, after just a few months, in the form of a phone call from Island Def Jam records that jumpstarted his career and led to him signing with CAA and Nettwerk Records.
After that, things happened quickly for House. His 2004 debut album "Lost and Found" was lauded by music critics such as Bill Flanagan (Executive VP MTV/VH1 Networks) who featured House on the CBS Sunday Morning show as one of the "best emerging songwriters." House began touring, opening for acts like John Mellencamp and the Cranberries, and found himself meeting people like Bruce Springsteen and Willie Nelson. House seemed poised to be more of an "overnight success" rather than a "rising star," but that's not exactly how things turned out. "I've been a "rising star" for the past 15 years" House jokes, "it's a slow rise."
Although House has enjoyed plenty of success as national headliner for over a decade and has earned a great deal of respect as a well-known performer and singer-songwriter, he seems to not take himself or his career in the music industry too seriously. Now married, sober, and a father, House has learned to balance his career by making his family and his sobriety his first priority. He pays tribute to his wife and children (with) "When the Kids are Gone," a song about watching his daughters grow up and imagining he and his wife as empty-nesters.
There's a lightness in his new record that comes across especially in the first fews songs, such as "Mighty Good Friend," where you can hear his kids on the recording, as well as the sense of humor in "15 Minutes of Fame."
House acknowledges that his new album is a collaborative effort. "I teamed up with my old buddies Paul Moak and Ian Fitchuk who helped me make my very first record Lost and Found. It was so good to reunite with them and work together again. It's amazing that these guys I started out with in the very beginning are now world class musicians and producers being nominated and winning Grammys. This album seemed to come together with a little more grace and ease than records I've made in the past, and I think so much of that is attributed to how good the people I got worth with on this record are, they all just happen to be really good friends too."
Several songs on House's album are also co-writes with friends and fellow Nashville musicians, including Brian Elmquist (The Lone Bellow) and Joy Williams (The Civil Wars).
"I usually lock myself in a room for 8 hours at a time until I have enough songs done," House says, "But with touring part time and being a dad part time, that adds up to full time job, so I decided to call in a little help from my friends to write some of these songs. Some songs come easier than others," says House. "I wrote Mighty Good Friend with Brian (Elmquist) and it's a song about how I'd been fighting through writer's block, and then there are songs like Change that I wrote with Joy (Williams). We sat on her couch one morning and I remember showing her the idea for the verse. We worked on the words for an hour or two, and then out of nowhere she sang this beautiful chorus. We broke for lunch and came back and finished it that afternoon. It was one of those songs that took years to live and only one short day to write."
"I love making music with friends," says House. "Hindsight was another one with my friend Brian (Elmquist). We share some similarities including our journey into sobriety together. There's a line in the song "I've been thinking lately, of a boy young and on the run" that always makes me imagine Brian as a little boy with a dream, both running away from a hard past and on toward a brighter future. We've formed a bond and friendship through music and sobriety, and I think you can feel that in the songs we wrote together."
Just when you think you have House's album pegged, there seems to be a surprise around every corner. Each song is distinct in its own own way. The heavy guitar on "Hung Up On You," a song that House says is a break up letter addressed to alcohol, gives way to the intro of "Cup of Fulfillment" which starts with a bag pipe solo and leads the listener on an epic journey that crescendos into one of the record's most moving moments.
We catch a glimpse of a much more rock n' roll side of House than we've heard before from the Pink Floyd-esque "Crash and Burn" to the rowdy punk influenced "Natural Man."
House's new album "Rising Star" is set for release on June 28th 2019. Also set for release in 2019, is a full length film called "Rising Star," in which House stars and co-produces with music video director and film-maker Shane Drake. The film features music from House's new album as well as his previous catalog and chronicles his life as a musician.
For nearly 20 years, singer-songwriter Michael McDermott buried himself in drugs and alcohol, and he surveys the toll his addiction took on his personal and professional life with remarkable candor. "I burned a lot of bridges and screwed things up pretty bad," he states. "I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that it was just short of suicide by cop. I knew I had to stop, but it took a while for me to get the message." He credits his wife and their young daughter, Rain, for finally pulling him through. "Seeing the way they look at you when you're messed up – after a while you go, 'I just can't do this anymore. Something has to change.' I'm so grateful I turned things around. I know it sounds cheesy, but I'm grateful for every day now. I try to lead a good life, and I'm making up for lost time. I've re-dedicated myself to making music I can be proud of."
McDermott poured those emotions into his writing, and a bracing, hard-driving song, "Never Goin' Down Again," came roaring out. As he finished its lyrics, he realized that it was bigger than he first imagined: it had become a mission statement. Four years sober, McDermott has won a hard-fought battle with addiction, and when he defiantly sings, "I swear that I'm never goin' down again," he's hitting back at his demons. " As for me, no matter what the odds and how the ground shifts under me, nothing can stop me."
"Never Goin' Down Again" is but one of the standout tracks on McDermott's 11th studio recording, Out From Under, due for release April 27 on Pauper Sky Records. The poignant new album sees him riding the crest of a critical and commercial upswing following the unprecedented success of his previous effort, 2016's Willow Springs, which reached No. 1 on EuroAmericana charts. But Out From Under is more than a victory lap: brimming with richly autobiographical songs that mix stunning frankness with wicked, idiosyncratic humor, it's the sound of a clear-eyed, dedicated artist, now a contented husband and father, giving in to his heart's most urgent commands and trusting his instincts in ways he never thought possible.
"I could say that this is the record I always wanted to make, but the real truth is, this is the album I was always supposed to make," McDermott observes. "I had put out a lot of records that I didn't feel confident about, but when I took control of my life and made Willow Springs, I felt like a new man. The success of that record stayed with me on Out From Under. I had a belief in myself and this overarching sense of ambition." He laughs, then adds. "At the same time, I learned how to stop being so damn self-aware. Letting go of your fear can allow you to stop overthinking things so much. I just got out of my own way and let it happen."
This is apparent on the album's brave and daring opening cut, "Cal-Sag Road," a cinematic slice of nightmarish folk, in which McDermott re-imagines his past drug-and-booze-addled life and rackets up the drama to an almost Tarantino-like degree. "Your first instinct is, 'Can I really go there?' he wonders. "But you have to fight that off. And there's a lot of truth to the song – only I didn't kill two girls in a threesome."
The sound of "Sad Songs" is that of carefree, breakneck rock 'n' roll – it's a roll-the-car-windows-down-and-crank-it gem. But as McDermott points out, there's darkness lurking under the hood: "That's me looking at my self-involved period. I would do these solo shows, and afterwards things would get so heavy. One time, an ex-drug buddy who found Jesus came to my room and started to pray for me. It made me feel so sad, and that was the jumping off point for the lyrics – you just get so tired of the way you're living your life."
Likewise, on the sparkling shuffle "God Help Us," McDermott juxtaposes the song's shiny veneer with a message that strikes to the very core of his being. "I'm questioning my faith," he admits. "In recovery, a lot of people substitute Jesus for booze, and they become addicts in that way. So here, when I'm saying, 'God help us,' I leave it open to interpretation: Am I talking about somebody in general, or am I questioning the existence of God? I'll let people think whatever they want."
As he's done for several years now, McDermott produced and recorded Out From Under at his home facility, Pauper Sky Studio, in Willow Springs, Illinois. In addition to vocals, he played guitar, bass, piano, and keyboards, and then called up band members and guest players – some in the studio, others who contributed remotely – to fill out the sound. (His wife, Heather Lynne Horton, a recording artist in her own right, sang backups and played fiddle.) "Having my own studio allows me to be very workman-like," he notes. "I'm Irish, from the south side of Chicago. I get up and work every day. And it's great to be able to send files to musicians in Nashville. People feel free when they can work on something on their own. I know I feel that way."
Working from home also allows McDermott to seize the moment whenever the creative urge strikes, as he did on the elegiac ballad, "This World Will Break Your Heart." "The record was finished and mastered, but I was meditating one morning and the song just came to me," he says. "I wrote to [bassist] Lex Price and said, 'You're gonna kill me, man,' but when he heard the song, he said, 'Oh, yeah. We've gotta do this.' I'm so glad that we recorded it, because now I can't picture the album without it."
Like many of the vivid stories and hard truths on Out From Under, "This World Will Break Your Heart" could serve a cautionary tale for young artists, and when McDermott says that he's "glad to be here," he's not being flippant. Signed to a major label when he was just entering his 20s, he seemed destined for a lightning-fast ride to the top. "It all came fast and easy," he says. "I was the 'new Dylan.' Label deal – easy. MTV, the New York Times, CNN – easy. I thought, 'This is awesome. This is the life I knew I'd have." And then he notes, "It all went away just as fast. I was like the Elizabeth Taylor of the recording industry, bouncing around to eight different labels. The records came out and didn't connect. I became disillusioned. It was a fast shot to the top and then a long way down, and it was hard."
Longtime fans of McDermott's music will no doubt note that the artist they first fell in love with years ago has regained every ounce of his creative powers on Out From Under, and the poetic brilliance of the record is bound to attract new listeners, as well. Drawing a parallel between his early work and his new music, McDermott makes the following assessment: "They say, 'You're as sick as your secrets,' and for a long time I was very sick. This record is a big step in being honest and less sick. In some ways, I feel like I'm living out the title of that book The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner. I stumbled, I fell, and I hurt a lot of people. But I'm back up and I'm still running the race. I use everything I've been through, and that makes me stronger – and I think it makes my music more meaningful."
sethglier.com | Facebook | Spotify | Patreon
Grammy-nominated Seth Glier is a singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. NPR describes his voice as "otherworldly" while praising him as "an engaging performer and storyteller." His critically acclaimed, emotionally dense catalog of work often draws upon traditional roots music, experimental instrumentation, and moody atmospheres that result in soulfully intelligent stories that can alternatively fight the power or break your heart.
"The music of Seth Glier veers towards being indefinable." – Paste Magazine
With five albums, five Independent Music Awards, and even a U.S. State Department-sponsored international tour under his belt, Glier has also played with a diverse list of artists such as Ani DiFranco, Martin Sexton, James Taylor, Ronnie Spector, and Marc Cohn. He's currently on tour and is debuting new music, including his two latest songs "If It Wasn't For You" and "Stages", both releasing in 2020. Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, "If It Wasn't For You" echoes the young activist's own concepts about the transformative power of turning one's trauma into gratitude and awareness. "Stages" captures the magic and secret joy that's shared when close relationships evolve using the universal art of ritual. Both singles are available on exclusive, collectible 7? vinyl in a very limited run offered only at his live shows. Glier plans to put out more music throughout the year while continuing to connect with audiences using his eclectic, often humorous, and always insightful artistry.
"Also a producer and multi-instrumentalist, Glier is recognized for his intelligent storytelling, moody atmospheres and emotive soulful vocals that tug at the listener's heart." – Earmilk
"'Stages' rides a steady, low-key beat with vibrant tones escalating by degrees until you're hit with the song's potent emotions." – Popdust
"The singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist has been garnering worldwide acclaim for his "otherworldly" vocals and ability to craft a sound which is entirely his own." – Gigslutz
Meet Dan!
Hi, I'm Dan. I'm a whiskey & beer drinking, fishing & hunting loving, motorcycle riding, quality food eating, hippie sympathizing, people loving, husband & father who lives in Minneapolis and shares a life with my amazing wife Megan and two adorable sons named Oak and Alder. I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, MI, and moved to Minneapolis when I was 18 to study music. I ended up staying because I'm one of those crazy people that enjoys the snow and cold weather.
Music is my trade & performing it for people is my passion. When I'm not in my studio writing songs and cutting records, or on the road playing shows, I'm usually tending to our backyard chickens, eating fresh veggies from my wife's huge garden, making syrup from our city maples, or doing one of my many outdoor hobbies.
Now here are a few things about my music career that I should probably share in a music bio:
• In September 2014 Budweiser released their "Friends Are Waiting" commercial campaign featuring me singing my song When You Come Home and it premiered during the Super Bowl.
• In February, 2018, I released my newest album 25 Years and is the most prolific and widely distributed album to date, featuring songs that have been placed in major ads as well as widely played Spotify playlists.
• In October, 2018, Miller Lite featured my newest single "So Good" in one of their commercials that played for months during NFL games on ESPN & more.
• In March, 2019, my song "You Feel Like Home" was featured in Explore Minnesota Tourism's newest ad campaign.
• Over the years I've had the honor of sharing the stage with some really cool artists & bands including The Civil Wars, Andy Grammer, Eric Hutchinson, Matt Nathanson, NeedtoBreathe, Augustana, Tyrone Wells, Haley Reinhart, John McLaughlin, Will Hoge, Drew Holcomb, Sister Hazel, and more.
May returns. We don't know about you, but this just feels right.
After 18 months of performing virtually, Michigan songwriter May Erelwine returns to live venues this September. The songwrtier, knowfor her caathartic and emotionally rich songs brings you an evening of community and togetherness. Joined once again by her bandmates, Phil Barry, Erick Kuhn, Joe Heeinga, Max Lockwood and Michal Shimmin, May is crafting an intimate set list that honsors all we've been through and welcomes us into the new now.
Here We Are
By some great hand
or by will and by heart
we made it here.
How do you talk about time?
It falls away
with each word
already gone.
belongs and lives
in us.
So the story begins
Here we are.
The Pat McGee Band is what is commonly referred to as a band of journeyman musicians. In the 25 years since their initial formation, they've acquired a fanatical popular following, one that was so determined that it produced sales of over 100,000 copies of their first three albums and eventually caused Warner Bros. Records to take notice and sign the group to an exclusive contract at the end of the '90s. The band's dedication to working the road was so steadfast that at one point in their ten year touring stint, they played a remarkable 98 concerts in a period of 103 days. They shared stages with the Who, the Allman Brothers, James Taylor, and many more, and also achieved the ultimate honors -- performing for president Bill Clinton, touring with the USO and sharing their songs onboard the USS Eisenhower with 5,000 servicemen and servicewomen serving a tour of duty in the Arabian Sea.
"There was no plan B," McGee says in retrospect. "We sold 12,000 copies of our first album out of the trunk of our car. We had a rabid fan base that supported us every step of the way. We never had that huge pop hit, but in a way that helped assure our success. We never had to count on replaying a single song in order to move forward. It was our diligence and devotion, our steadfast approach to making music that was honest and expressive that became the backbone of our sound."
Sadly, the band's progress came to a tragic end in October 2006 when drummer Chris Williams succumbed to a heart condition. McGee struck out on his own, adding five solo albums to the half dozen efforts recorded under the band's own banner.
It's significant then that the band -- McGee (lead vocals and all guitars) Al Walsh (backing vocals), Jonathan Williams (keys, backing vocals), Chardy McEwan (percussion), John Small (bass), and new drummer Matt Calvarese -- have reconvened and will release their first new effort in 14 years early next year. Dubbed Sugar Packet -- after the nickname affectionately given Williams by his bandmates -- and recorded at 38 North Studio in Falls Church, Virginia with producers Kit Karlson and Chip Johnson, it reunites the original members of the Pat McGee Band and signals a return to the musical bedrock that was their calling card all along. Once again, the emphasis is on melodies that are both memorable and evocative, an upbeat party vibe that weighs heavily on the familiarity factor, three part harmonies, ringing guitars, steadfast rhythms, sparkling keyboards, and a sound that's certain to revive their populist appeal.
"The music and the grooves came quite naturally, and once these songs started coming, I knew that the only musicians that were right to record them were my original PMB bandmates," McGee maintains. "It's also appropriate that the lyrics dig deep into life experiences common to us all, which can only find genuine perspective and reflection at a certain point where maturity replaces adolescence, and adult responsibility takes over the carefree existence we had in our youth. I take pride in the fact that I've been able to do this for 25 years, but that I'm still mature enough to be a good husband and a dad to four kids."
Longevity has always been at the core essence of the band's music from early on. Weaned on the classic influences of such tightly knit ensembles as the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers, as well as the Laurel Canyon glow evoked by preeminent '70s singer/songwriters such as James Taylor and Jackson Browne, McGee and his comrades effectively captured their own sense of optimism and exuberance. They reminded listeners why music is both important and inspiring, particularly to those experiencing both the discoveries and disappointments that accompany one's coming of age.
"The new album boasts the vintage approach that the band made its signature sound at the end of the '90s," McGee maintains. "It's got that same earnestness, excitement and spontaneity that were the hallmarks of our music during our peak and prime. When I listen to it, I feel the years melting away, and the time we spent apart filling in behind us. We had an amazingly successful Kickstarter campaign, and that provided proof that our fans are still supporting us all the way."
In the meantime, McGee is remaining as active as ever. His last solo album, an eponymous effort, found him working with such luminaries as Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Waddy Watchel and Danny Kortchmar (better known as The Section), David. Crosby colleague Jeff Pevar, Paul Barrere of Little Feat, John Popper of Blues Traveller, Pat Monahan of Train and Punch Brother Gabe Witcher. If one's reputation is bolstered by the company they keep, then there's no better evidence that McGee has achieved high status indeed.
Of course, that was evident early on given the audience reaction that greeted the band during their frequent tours throughout every region of the country. The gatherings McGee continues to preside over -- "Down the Hatch" and "Ocean State of Mind" -- continue to attract the faithful on an annual basis while reconnecting friends and fans through that common bond that McGee and company have nurtured so successfully over the past 25 years.
Now, with a new album on the horizon, their first quarter century is really only the beginning of their continuing career. Indeed, this welcome return of the Pat McGee Band makes this a reunion to relish. As we head into a new decade, it is only right that Pat McGee should be back on our stage!
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THIS SHOW IS A RESCHEDULE FROM SEVERAL PREVIOUS DATES.
Shawn. Freakin. Mullins. Shawn has been one of our favorite artists since we first heard him. Long before the venue. But, once we opened our doors, we just knew that he would be magical here. We didn't actually think we would ever get him here, tho and now this is Shawn's 4th time to perform here. Oh, my, that baratone!
After a series of indie record releases, Shawn Mullins' critical breakthrough came when 1998 Soul's Core album shot him to fame on the strength of its Grammy-nominated No. 1 hit, "Lullaby" followed by AAA/Americana No. 1 "Beautiful Wreck" from 2006's 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor. His song, "Shimmer" was used in promotion of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and was included on the Dawson's Creek soundtrack. He co-wrote "All in My Head" which was featured in episode one of the hit TV sitcom "Scrubs." Mullins also co-wrote the Zac Brown Band's No. 1 country tune "Toes." In early 2002, he formed super group The Thorns with Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge. For the 20th anniversary, Shawn revisited the music on Soul's Core and recorded two new versions of the album. He calls this Soul's Core Revival. This is not a remix or a remaster of the original, but rather brand new recordings with new arrangements of the songs – one album is new stripped down solo performances, some on guitar, some on piano and maybe one a cappella and the second is a new studio recording with his full band, Soul Carnival.
Dar.Freakin.Williams. We were at the Folk Alliance and tried to get in to see her. We couldn't even get close. Dar was on our personal playlist long before there was even a thought of a venue. This one is really special to us.
Dar Williams has always followed her muse. When she was up in Somerville, Massachusetts in the early nineties, knowing that she wanted to pursue music or theater, she worked backstage at the Opera Company of Boston and wrote plays on the side. But she was in Boston, and the muse led her into the myriad open mics and tip jar gigs of booming folk revival. She opened a trunk of old songs and started writing new ones.
She went to three or four open mics or song circles a week and recorded two cassettes. Yes, cassettes. When she felt like the noise of Boston was getting to be too much, the muse led her to the cornfields and college towns of Western Massachusetts where she sat on her futon and wrote the songs that would become The Honesty Room, her first CD, which she recorded in the basements and back woods studios of Amherst. She hoped the songs she was writing, with titles like When I Was a Boy, You're Aging Well, and The Great Unknown, would lead her into an idiosyncratic part-time music career.
Little did she know that the coffeehouse scene and the beginnings of internet communities were building to a crescendo and eager to receive her warm, witty songs. By the end of 1994, when The Honesty Room came out, she had rock-solid management, the best booking agency in the country for singer-songwriters, and a career-making slot at the Newport Folk Festival. She also signed with Razor & Tie records and penned the material for her next album, Mortal City.
The mid-nineties were a heady time, and Dar did her best to keep up with an exciting mix of concerts in forty plus states, Canadian festivals, and her first British dates. With the release of Mortal City came an invitation to play throughout Europe and the United States with new friend and folk legend, Joan Baez, a tour that changed everything, as Dar was quick to discover by 1997 when she released End of the Summer. She wrote the title track in hotel rooms down the west coast on her tour with Joan. She continued to write about all the eclectic things that inspired her, never questioning the muse. Psychotherapy, veterans with PTSD, and late night radio DJs among other themes.
Booked in large theaters, she went out with her first band on her first tour bus with The End of Summer, playing more colleges and festivals, including Lilith Fair, for which one of her songs became part of the festival's gold-selling CD.
Her good friend Richard Shindell joined the official End of the Summer album tour. Somewhere around Portland, Oregon, they decided to make an album that would showcase all the great writing that was happening in their tightknit musical community. They invited Lucy Kaplansky to join them and Cry Cry Cry was born in 1998, with a short tour that kept getting longer, stretching out for over a year and a half. For all three artists, dubbed a Folk Supergroup (not by them), it was both a musical education and huge life adventure.
Dar says, "We were trying to get this one line for the last chorus of Sweet Sir Galahad that we were going to sing with Joan [Baez]. The bus was careening down the highway from Denver to Aspen, and we spent hours trying to find the perfect notes. We were in heaven. The bus driver was in hell."
All of this time steeped in the music of her fellow musicians inspired many of the songs for The Green World, Dar's fourth studio album, recorded with seasoned musicians and future bandmates in Woodstock and New York City. On her return from the ten-week Green World Tour, Dar got a letter from Scholastic books, inviting her to an open-ended lunch discussion about a possible young adult or children's book. Dar said she couldn't imagine it, but the muse said, "Just have lunch." By the end of the meeting at a Mexican restaurant, where there may or may not have been sangria, Dar was already brainstorming Amalee, a young adult novel about a girl whose father's eccentric friends come forward in all their strange glory when he gets sick. Infused with magical realism and Dar's well-remembered youth, Amalee and the muse took a winding path of creation from 2002-2003. City living and time spent with the Green World musicians provided the a whole new palette of imagery, and an opportunity to collaborate with Rob Hyman of the Hooters, that became The Beauty of the Rain, released in 2003, her most successful album to date, named People magazine's album of the week when it came out, and she started her tour with a performance for PBS's Soundstage. Her song, Closer To Me, written with Hymen, doubled the number of commercial stations that played her music is it went up Billboard's Heatseeker's chart, while songs from the whole album were in heavy rotation on Americana stations throughout the United States and Canada.
The following years saw a return of the Green World crew with My Better Self in 2005. While out on tour, Dar edited a sequel, Lights, Camera, Amalee for Scholastic for a 2006 release, which led to a whirlwind two years of concerts, readings, and school visits. In 2008, Dar headed to Electric Lady studios to record Promised Land. Dar set out with a trio that included keyboardist and jazz composer Bryn Roberts, with whom she's been touring ever since. In 2010, after seven studio albums, Dar released a greatest hits retrospective called Many Great Companions, produced by Gary Louris, with touring companions of the previous fifteen years, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, her best friends Nerissa and Katryna Nields, and Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek.
It was now that the muse started pointing in some new and unexpected directions. As Dar was writing songs for In the Time of Gods, her eighth album, she was asked to create a college course to teach at her alma mater, Wesleyan University. She toured with In the Time of Gods in the spring of 2012, followed by teaching Music Movements in a Capitalist Democracy in the fall. Teaching a university course was one of the happiest moments of Dar's career. A friend advised her to lead a songwriting retreat. Dar said "I would only lead a retreat if it were called, 'Writing a Song That Matters', focused on the process of writing a song, not the industry that brings it to the public." In 2013, Dar led her first Writing a Song That Matters retreat at The Garrison Institute in the Hudson Valley of New York. It was another highlight of Dar's life and career. The next year, she added another retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York. All the while, as Dar wrote songs for the album Emerald and prepared 20th anniversary tours for both The Honesty Room and Mortal City, the mists were swirling for a project that was both a departure and arrival point in her career.
In the decades that Dar had been touring, she had been seeing how towns and cities, like people, had been coming into their own, becoming more resilient, unique, and prosperous. While so many people said that towns and cities were "dead", she had been seeing them come back to life. She realized that the key ingredient in the success of these places was what she called "Positive Proximity", where there was an understanding that living side by side with other people was a good, constructive thing. Positive proximity was a civic state of being that could be built and sustained, and Dar was collecting stories and notes to support her growing theory. She said, "Someone should write a book about this." And the muse said, "You've written fiction books, you interviewed people for your green blog at Huffington Post, you've written about towns and cities in your songs since day one. The person who should write this book is you."
In the spring of 2015, just before setting out on the tour for her ninth studio album, Emerald, Dar signed a contract with Basic Books, now Hachette Publishing Group. In September, 2017, she started touring new venues, speaking in bookstores and at city planning conferences in support of her book, What I Found in a Thousand Towns, a Touring Musicians Guide to Rebuilding American Communities One Dog Run, …. At A Time. 2018 was a time to deepen her connection to these themes of town and city building and planning as Dar gave keynote speeches at the Boise Downtown Association, the Vermont …, the Southern New England Planning Association conference, and the Congress of New Urbanism, among others. It was also the year for a very emotional and exciting reunion of Cry, Cry, Cry, where the trio returned to sing songs by newer songwriters. Dar still loves every minute of her job and always advises folks to "follow their muse." She still goes wherever the muse leads her, which, presently, is right back on her couch, coffee on the coffee table, guitar in hand, writing her next batch of songs.
tonylucca.com | facebook | spotify | 2020 By Request Retrospective
Tony Lucca is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter whose catalog of music runs the gamut from soul-infused pop to tear-jerker folk balladry. His music has been featured in shows like "Parenthood," "Friday Night Lights," "Felicity," and "Brothers and Sisters." He was a frequent member of the house band on "Last Call with Carson Daly," where he performed alongside then fellow up-and-comers like Kamasi Washington, Zane Carney, Brian Wright, and stalwarts like Marc Ford and Cordovas front man, Joe Firstman. In 2012, Lucca took third place on NBC's "The Voice," earning himself a record deal with coach Adam Levine's 222 Records. He has toured alongside such artists as Sara Bareilles, Jonny Lang, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Rachael Yamagata, Emerson Hart, and Gabe Dixon.
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