Events

Open Mic Night

Hosting this Thursday will be Kyle Swartzwelder.

Please review the house rules here.

Madison Violet and Chris O'Brien

 

Both hailing from Scottish small towns in Canada, Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac have chosen another musical path; one that channels their parent’s vintage record collection that comprised of the likes of Neil Young and Dolly Parton. Madison Violet came to be nearly 9 years ago after a chance meeting at an appropriately titled restaurant 'The Green Room'. Since that fateful meeting, the pair have come into a sound of their own, which has been described as both city-folk and tumbleweed pop. With 2 recordings under their belt, both which were recorded in London, UK with producer John Reynolds (Sinead O'Connor, U2, Damien Dempsey) the pair have found themselves on the industry the radar. To listen to samples, visit www.madisonviolet.com

Boston based singer/songwriter Chris O'Brien is an artist on the rise. Since the release of his February 2007 CD "Lighthouse," Chris has caught the attention of many. He was chosen from a pool of nearly 1,000 contestants to appear on Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion" in the "People in Their Twenties" talent contest. The next week "Lighthouse" was the 5 Bestselling Folk Record on iTunes April 21-27. Chris O'Brien's debut CD, "Lighthouse", produced by O'Brien, Austin Nevins and Ethan Baird, was recorded at Glowdog studios in Georgetown, MA. It features some of the finest musicians in the Boston area. Guitarist Austin Nevins (Deb Talen, Edie Carey), Zack Hickman (Josh Ritter) on Bass, John Sands (Aimee Mann, Lori McKenna) on Drums, Sam Kassirer (Josh Ritter) on piano and keyboards and Singer/Songwriters Antje Duvekot and Frank Marotta Jr providing backing vocals, bring this record to life and fully expose the depth of O'Brien's songwriting. To listen to samples, visit www.chrisobrienmusic.com

$5 Cover

Doors Open at 7:00pm

Dave Spencer Trio with Danielle Miraglia

 

This Phoenixville, PA-based group has a sound both sophisticated and minimalist. The trio is actually a duo, and Eli Wenger joins Dave Spencer on vocals, guitar, ukelele, and piano. Eli and David met as employees of Steel City Coffee House. Working open mic nights they started to collaborate. Eventually Dave became the host of the Thursday night open mic and in 2009, the Dave Spencer Trio started to share their music with a wider audience to rave reviews.

Dave, a lifetime musician has been playing music since grade school. By age 13, Dave was composing his own music on piano and learning to play guitar. In high school he performed with the band, the Hot Fossil Project. They played school events, parties and won numerous battle of the bands contests. After high school, the band members split up to go to different colleges, but Dave has continued to write and play as a solo guitarist. The Dave Spencer Trio has played private gigs and top area venues like Burlap and Bean, The Grand in Wilmington, Puck in Doylestown, the Eagleview Concert Series,as well as selling out Steel City Coffee House for their last three shows.

Reviews: -New artist on my radar in Dave Spencer Trio as Dave emcees shows at Steel City CoffeeHouse in Phoenixville, Pa. out in the suburbs west of Philadelphia. He does a bang up job as emcee . . . turns out Dave also hosts a weekly open mic there, too. I hear echos of John Gorka's beginnings. - Ellis Paul Online Discussion Group

-- Opening will be special guest Danielle Miraglia

$10 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Liz Longley with Seth Glier

 

Voted the #1 all-time female vocalist in Garageband's acoustic category in May of 2006, Liz Longley's textured voice evokes unconventional reactions from music lovers. "The voice of a goddess" writes seasoned musician Jason Canary. It's rare that a voice can arouse the listener to such levels, but this songstress does it...from the sweet velvet-ness of her voice to the passion in which she sings". Canary nicely sums up how people respond to Liz. Even influential artist Ani DiFranco, known for her starkly frank lyrics, has praised Liz's music as "Gorgeous", adding, "I love it".

Her solo songwriting is garnering praise as well. This spring, Berklee College of Music honored her with their Songwriting Division Achievement Award. What’s more, ‘Whatever Goes Up’, a metaphorical song about life’s highs and lows, was ranked the No. 2 song in Berklee College of Music’s 2008 songwriting competition.

-- Opening will be special guest Seth Glier

$10 Adv / 12 At the Door

www.bitsandwatts.com                      Doors Open at 7:30pm

Dylan McGuire Band and Braxton Parker

 

For Philadelphia area based singer/songwriter, Dylan McGuire, “Another Chapter” is a fitting title to his latest album. The former front man and primary songwriter of Broken Jones, McGuire has seen his share of band changes. Those changes have led him to his burgeoning career as a maturing songwriter whose songs showcase a driving rock style with strong pop sensibilities. The result is an album that pays homage to McGuire’s power pop roots, but with a more refined sound (courtesy of producer Derek Chafin) and songs that range from finely-crafted radio-ready rock to powerful and densely emotional ballads. To listen to samples, visit www.myspace.com/dylanmcguire

Somewhere between indie and mainstream you'll find Braxton Parker. An accomplished unsigned artist with an intense and profitable touring schedule, die hard DIY work ethic, and strong regional fan base, Braxton released his EP in April 2007 to great reception. Since its completion, the songs have been picking up a slew of radio, internet, satellite plays and press support. Friend and producer, Ted Comerford (Army of Me, Virginia Coalition, Zox) brought in the right players, including members from Ben Kweller for the project. With Comerford producing and Paul David Hager (Avril Lavigne, Butch Walker, American Hi-Fi) on board, Braxton Parker was set to show what he's got. Since his start as a solo artist in July 2006, Parker has already managed to secure a regular spot on tours all over the country with Billboard Live and Ellis Entertainment. He has also had the honor of sharing the stage with artists such as Bon Jovi, Yellowcard, Dashboard Confessional, Guster, and New Found Glory. To listen to samples, visit www.myspace.com/braxtonparker

$5 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Frank Cervantes with Anna Jarosz

 

Throughout Frank's college career he recorded about three full lengths with his band Just Like Me, all of these CDs were never officially released. A fourth was released, and it is called "Afraid of Rock and Roll."

Right now Frank is playing with a beautiful band called The Once Was. Hailing from Moorestown, New Jersey, The Once Was is an eclectic four-piece indie rock band. In April 2009 the band released their debut full length album "Post War Parade." Recently the band has released a follow up EP entitled "Rugged City." The 5 song EP was recorded in Philadelphia, and in San Francisco while the band was on tour in California during the summer of '09.

-- Opening will be special guest Anna Jarosz

$7 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Chris Despo with Tim Williams

 

Belting out Jason Mraz, Oasis and Elton John tunes, interspersed with his equally pleasing original compositions, Chris Despo is in his element - in front of people, singing and playing music. His musical genre style is comparable to James Blunt meets Dave Matthews in a controlled angst, breakout rock kind of way.

His cognizance of his feelings and surroundings have helped this budding artist write honest and sincere lyrics about love and life. His first demo CD, recorded in his college dorm, is surprisingly professional and has taken this spirited singer-songwriter to such venues as the Grape Street Pub in Manayunk, Kahunaville in Wilmington, the World Café Live and Khyber in Philadelphia.

-- Opening will be special guest Tim Williams

$8 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Bill O’Meara with Justin Trawick

 

Bill O'Meara picked up a guitar for the first time at the age of ten years old and almost immediately began a love affair with song-writing. A decade later Bill stood on stage at Citizens Bank Park (home of the Philadelphia Phillies) as the lead singer, guitarist, song writer of the band Morning Story and played to tens of thousands of fans as the opener for world renown act Bon Jovi.

Prior to Morning Story, Bill played in and released a full length album with the Philly-local band "Dirty Blue" in 2006, enjoying a few spins by local radio station WXPN and bookings at nationally respected Philadelphia area venues such as The Electric Factory, World Cafe Live, Grape Street Philadelphia, The Tin Angel, and many others.

-- Opening will be special guest Justin Trawick

$10 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

TBD

$tbd Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Blackbird Society Orchestra w/ Andrea Carlson

 

The Blackbird Society Orchestra has as its mission the admirable goal of helping keep 1920s jazz alive. Not by merely recreating the past, but by being creative within the vintage idiom. Led by guitarist-singer Richard Barnes, violinist-singer Michael Salsburg and bass-saxophonist David Kee rounds out the trio this evening.

Focusing on the music of Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti and Adrian Rollini - 3 of the most in demand musicians of the Jazz Age- their repertoire includes many Pop hits of the day as well as obscure, rarely heard Jazz classics by Bing Crosby & the Rhythm Boys, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Ruth Etting and more.

-- Opening will be special guest Andrea Carlson

$10 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

A Leo Sound Wave & Psalmships & Liz Fullerton

 

Andrew Fiorelli began to write and record solo at his home in Delaware County. Later joined by friends Alexis and Cassandra Fitzpatrick, Ian Bainbridge joined up with the upright bass soon after and A Leo Sound Wave was born. To listen to samples, visit www.myspace.com/aleosound

Joshua Britton and his band Psalmships are up there making music even more withdrawn than the Gothic Americana he dished in The Sweetheart Parade. But the stuff he's singing about: way, way heavier. In Psalmships, he digs further into the melancholy, using last year's Smoke + Vein to tackle crises of faith, our place in an uncertain world, and other meaty topics that will fly right over your head if you talk overtop him. To listen to samples, visit www.sweetheartparade.com/psalmships

Liz Fullerton is the quintessential wanderer. Not quite a lost soul; just someone extremely comfortable in her ambling ways. Born in California and raised in Mexico, she is more a citizen of time and memory than any real geography; a whisper of nostalgia and sentiment that is not easily connected to a time or a place. Like a lone mercenary she has travelled through North America’s cities and towns armed with an arsenal of deeply personal songs and an ethereal, evocative voice with which she communicates them. That voice is the personal summation of years spent living; it is the culmination of experience, endurance and raw emotion. To listen to samples, visit www.myspace.com/lizfullerton

$5 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

TBD

$tbd Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Phil Minissale and Mason Porter

 

Influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, Toby Walker, John Hammond, and Chris Smither, Phil is on a crusade to introduce the Blues to younger audiences. "Cats my age know nothing about roots music, and that's a shame." Although Phil is Long Island born, he grew up in the Brandywine Valley of Eastern Pennsylvania. In September 2006, Phil returned to the area and now lives in Stony Brook, New York. "It's nice to be back around my extended family. It's like coming home to my own roots." To listen to samples, visit www.myspace.com/philminissalemusic

Mason Porter sits on the ground where creative songwriting and raw energy meld in to an alternative bluegrass sound that pushes the limits of traditional music. Combining lush harmonies with hand clapping sing-alongs and the unfiltered emotion of a hungry young rock band, Mason Porter is a force that evokes the spirits of each and every person whose life they touch. With a profound affection for the intrinsic and extrinsic powers of music, four guys held together by friendship and musicianship; these are the ingredients that in the end make Mason Porter a family connecting the musical past with the musical future. To find out more, visit www.masonporter.com

$10 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Irene Molloy and Viv Peyrat

 

Irene grew up in Philadelphia, belting out show tunes in school plays and church in hymns on Sunday. After catching the ear of Andrew Lloyd Webber, doors began to open for her quickly in show business. By 18, she had been a soloist on many famous stages including Philly's Academy of Music, Broadway's St. James Theatre, and London's Palladium. In the next few years, she starred in the musical Civil War, and on the small screen (in Darren Starr's Grosse Pointe and FOX's Andy Richter...). She has recently returned to Philadelphia to debut her first album of original songs. To listen to samples, visit www.myspace.com/irenemolloy

Critically acknowledged 22-year-old singer/songwriter Viv Peyrat is on the verge of releasing his debut album and is primed for an exciting year of performing and making a huge splash in the music scene in 2009 and 2010. Producer and Engineer Shelly Yakus –– who produced and recorded the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Madonna to name a few –– has said, "Viv is a guitarist that exhibits ‘chops’, taking us back to the days when guitarists could play so well your jaw would drop." The Philadelphia-based solo artist blends pop, rock, funk, blues and R&B modalities using acoustic and electric guitars that give buoyancy to a versatile brand of hooky material. To listen to samples, visit www.vivpmusic.com

$10 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

The Nerve with Dan Orlando

 

The Nerve are an eclectic blend of progressive melodic rock, funk and latin jazz, The Nerve have blended styles to present a unique experience. Think Toto having drinks with Natalie Merchant, dinner with Dave Matthews and desert with Yes. An Ep has been released and full cd being finished.

The Nerve have been featured on WSTW's Hometown Heroes show and online radio Fame Games program. On deck, we have Christine Dragon - still vocals, hand percussion, puppet tricks and some sax and piano; Scot Silver - still unleashing the demon on guitar, vocals and haberdashery; Eric Schreiber has taken over bass (fretted and fretless), puns and anecdotes and Dave Coccio is now scorching the skins with occasional acrobats; Jim Briggs is handling the second guitar part duties and sporadic drinkin' songs.

-- Opening will be special guest Dan Orlando

$7 Cover

Doors Open at 7:30pm

Chris Bruni with Joe Iadanza

 

Following the release of his critically acclaimed 2007 debut release “Watch Me Burn”, singer/songwriter Chris Bruni is out on his own this time around with his sophomore release, “I’ve Been Here”, a fully fan-funded album. With the confidence provided by the success of his first effort, Chris decided to take more control of his career as an emerging artist and release this new collection of songs using a complete DIY approach.

After two years of heavy touring and an obvious connection with a newfound fanbase, Chris found himself with the need for new music. This Pop/Folk/Soul performer somehow finds a way to create a blend of simple song approach with a one of a kind soulful tone that calls to mind artists like Martin Sexton, Stevie Wonder, and David Gray. With his newfound approach as an independent artist and the support of a loyal and growing fanbase, Chris Bruni has found a way to succeed where many artists may have decided to pack it in.

-- Opening will be special guest Joe Iadanza

$8 Adv / $10 At the Door

Doors Open at 7:30pm