Category Archives: opinion

Rockin’ Ronnie’s Mega Musikfest Recap, Pt. 4: What a Lively and Eclectic Lineup!

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I returned to Musikfest on Wednesday, August 5, heading right up after work.

My first stop was Plaza Tropical, where Reggaelar People were playing. These guys were fun, funky, and their reggae- inspired tunes made me feel like I was on the beach! They are from the East Coast, and I even got to talk to the one member a bit as I was leaving later. Friendly, fun, enthusiastic and super entertaining!

After that energizing performance I stopped in the Yuengling Lagerplatz to see Sophie Rice, a singer-songwriter from the Lehigh Valley. Her folksy-pop vocals kept the audience captivated, and you could clearly see she belonged on that stage.

Then, it was off to Festplatz, where The Castaway Band was playing. They are a party band from the Lehigh Valley, and they had the whole crowd on their feet! I walked in just as they were playing Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” — and if you know me, you know I’m picky about who I like singing Bon Jovi. They passed the test! But seriously, many phones were up recording and lots of happy people were singing and dancing, and that’s what you want to see!

After that it was off to Zinzenplatz to see Lehigh Valley Favorites CPR and Sarah Ayers. Made up of some of the Lehigh Valley’s top talent, they had some killer harmonies! Sarah has always been one of the Lehigh Valley’s top stars, and I could see why after listening.

Next up it was back to Festplatz to see The Wonton Soups. I had wanted to catch these guys for years and I’m glad I finally got the chance to. Their big brass pop was lively, fun, and charismatic. Definitely a crowd favorite! From there, I made a quick stop at Lagerplatz again for Maria Woodford, an acoustic pop country musician. She had a really nice sound; it was bluesy and soulful, and I could have listened to a lot more of her.

After checking in with the North Side Sheriff himself, I ended my Wednesday night back where it began, catching Big Wahu Caribbean Band at Plaza Tropical. Their laid back Caribbean – Calypso sound is pleasant and relaxing, and made me imagine myself sailing off on a yacht. (I DO have a captain’s hat, yacht rock lover that I am…

After that, it was time to head home. I’ve got one more recap coming, highlighting the festival’s final Saturday. Keep an eye out!

Rockin’ Ronnie’s Mega Musikfest Recap, Pt. 2: Poutine, Many Must-See Acts, and Must-Buy Hand Sanitizer

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On Saturday, August 1, I parked on the South Side and shuttled my way up North for more ‘Festing, more music, and more photos.

One thing I noticed about the shuttles was how friendly everyone was. I suppose it was because they knew they were in for a fun and entertaining day. The nice woman sitting next to me offered me some watermelon smelling hand sanitizer that she said she got at Five Below. Immediately I noted to myself to make sure to get there to get some! We had a nice chat, and then we arrived on the North Side.

My first stop was up the hill at the Hotel Bethlehem Platz, where the Artisan Jazz Trio was playing. You can’t go wrong with a little bit of funk mixed in with a lot of jazz! I enjoyed their smooth sound, but then it was time to move to my next stop. My next stop was getting some poutine from The Flying V, which I have wanted to try for many years! Let me tell you, after eating that I was left wondering where that has been all my life! It was as incredible, as everyone said it would be.

It was time to get back to work, so I sauntered into the Service Electric FestPlatz, where I saw the Grammy Award-winning Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra. Although they are known for being one of the most popular polka bands in America, they played so much more than that! They mixed a lot of pop and oldies into the mix, and the crowd was eating it up. I could see why they were so popular!

Moving right along, I ventured to the other side of Festplatz to the Yuengling Lagerplatz stage, where I caught indie singer-songwriter Temma, whose storytelling ability was on full display through her strong voice and powerful lyrics. From there, I went right back down to Festplatz and found a seat to get ready to see Coverfire!, a rock and pop cover band (with a few originals) comprised of musicians from Pennsylvania’s Army National Guard. (Side note: I saw an empty chair between random people and asked if I could sit there. Of course they said yes, because there was not one unfriendly soul at Musikfest!). The tent was packed, and it was easy to understand why from the first note. Every member showcased their many talents by playing multiple instruments, switching between them throughout the show. I highly recommend catching these guys (and ladies) if you can.

(Actually, I highly recommend catching all of these acts!)

After that show, I headed to Plaza Tropical because I wanted to catch Coquettish, an alt-rock band from New Jersey, Coquettish. Their bass-heavy originals can be best described as a mix of alt-rock, grunge, and jam with a vibe – and I will say the bass player had most of that vibe. She was definitely the main character, and she owned it! Some songs were heavily reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, and they were awesome.

After that, I was spent for the day, and it was time to head home. Stay tuned for Part 3!

Rockin’ Ronnie’s Mega Musikfest Recap, Pt. 1: The Verve Pipe, an Air Conditioned Bus, and an Alleged Gallon of Lemonade

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When Gerard Longo asked me if I wanted to take photos this year at Musikfest on behalf of UMC, how could I even think of saying no? So, I grabbed my handy dandy Nikon and started out on opening night (Friday, July 31), taking the new air conditioned shuttle bus from the South Side to the North Side.

My first stop was the Yuengling Lagerplatz stage, where a very soulful Lehigh Valley native Melody Cruz was playing. Her powerful vocals kept the attention of me and the rest of the audience.  My next stop was Zinzenplatz, where I was captivated by Amelia Day, a folk singer/songwriter from Sumner, Washington. Her comfort on that stage showed, and her bluesy pop rock songs were fun and alluring.

From there, I grabbed a quick grilled mozzarella and shredded beef on cornbread sandwich – who knew that combination could taste so good? – from MozzArepas and what seemed to be a gallon of fresh squeezed lemonade and headed up the hill. As I was questioning my decision to walk up the hill in the heat, the sound of marching drums caught my attention. If you know me you know I will follow the sound of that anywhere! It was there that I stopped to watch Orbital Drums, a drumline from right here in Bethlehem. These percussionists are all Liberty High School alumni and former members of the Grenadier Band. Not only do they have killer drum skills, they also incorporate bagpipes (of course they do! They’re Liberty graduates!). The way they interact with both kids and adults, it’s easy to see why they had such a huge crowd watching them!

When they finished, it was time for me to think about heading back to the South Side. But first, I heard the sounds of Salsa filling the air. The strains of reggaeton music brought me to Plaza Tropical, where Adrian Anthony’s Grupo Hipnosis from New Jersey were entertaining the crowd with their Latin rhythms. I was ready to dance! (Actually, I wasn’t, but I was dancing in my head. How can you not move when you hear that?)

It was then time to board the nice air conditioned shuttle bus back to the South Side, where 90s alt rock band The Verve Pipe were going to be playing. After zoning out for a while (again, it was hot!), I made my way to the front along the gate so I could get some good shots. By this time, I was pretty beat, and only intended on staying a little bit in that spot before going back to the sidewalk to find a table to listen to the rest from there. I had thought, “OK, I know the song ‘The Freshmen’ and that’s it, so I’ll leave after they play that, if it’s not at the end.”

Well, they played it in the middle of their set… but by that time I had become a huge fan and stayed put, right until the end. Singer Brian Vander Ark was funny, charming, and having the best time of his life up there. Of course, “The Freshmen” had the entire audience singing, but I was extremely wowed by their other songs that, admittedly, I had never heard until that point.

(Also worth noting: backup vocalist and keyboardist Channing Lee has a spectacular voice! I could listen to a full concert of just her. So, I did a deep dig, and she does indeed have some solo stuff out.)

The Verve Pipe started strong and finished stronger, so much that I bought a ticket to their show at The Sellersville Theater later this month! After that awesome performance, it was time to head home. 

REVIEW: Sam Plourd’s ‘Evergreen’ a Testament to Lasting Friendship

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The best friendships are the ones that stand up against the test of time, and that can withstand any distance.

That’s the type of friendship Sam Plourd has with her friend, Marissa, and it is the topic of her latest single, “Evergreen,” released on July 10.

The bouncy indie pop tune was years in the making. The initial demo was recorded with a training keyboard from Plourd’s childhood, with vocals recorded on a Yeti microphone. From there, the Nashville-based songwriter took the project into the studio, where the idea was brought new life — while maintaining its youthful spirit.

“We started with grand piano and programmed in some drums to get a groove going. Then my producer wrote a bass line to ground everything,” Plourd recalls. “The bell-like tones heard throughout the song are actually from a Melissa and Doug learn-to-play piano that my producer had lying around his house. Not only did it capture the youthful and quirky energy of the song, it also felt very full circle for me, since the demo used a keyboard meant for children as well. To tie it all together, we added in the Rhodes and tons of funky percussion to lift the choruses and give them some flair. The vocal layering was very much inspired by Jacklen Ro, specifically their song titled “Self Control.” All of their songs have a very specific and interesting vocal timbre that comes from the layering, harmony, and panning.”

She continues, “There are seven total vocal tracks: a tripled main vocal, a doubled high harmony, and a doubled low harmony. We panned the harmonies hard left and right and kept the main right up the middle to get the desired surrounding vocal effect.”

The masterfully crafted “Evergreen” is the second single from Plourd’s forthcoming album, Butterfly Kisses (out Sept. 4). — and, according to Plourd, we have one more single to look forward to before the full-length project makes its way into the world.

For now, let’s appreciate this celebration of everlasting friendship.

“We had the type of instant connection that is both rare and beautiful, and I am so lucky to have experienced it. To me, evergreen means forever. The resilience of an evergreen tree and its ability to keep its foliage throughout every season is representative of the type of relationship that can never falter,” Plourd said. “Through every season of life, through every hardship, through every celebrated moment, Marissa is there. I wrote this song after she moved to New York for college and I was still stuck in our boring hometown. Although there was distance between us, I knew that nothing could ever get in the way of the connection we had. Five years later, and that’s still true.”

Stacey Kelleher Just Wants to ‘Laugh About It’ Already!

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Have you ever wished you could just skip ahead to the part where you’ve moved on from your ex?

Stacey Kelleher released “Laugh About It” to capture that feeling. Released on June 12, the lush alt-country tune is an opportunity for the Nashville-based artist to look ahead to brighter days… even if she’s still stuck in the post-breakup muck, feeling like the joke is on her.

“‘Laugh About It’ is how you feel when you’re just waiting on the day you’ll finally get over someone,” Kelleher said. “You’re broken up, you know it’s not going to work out, you’re not going to get back together… but you’re still caught up on them and heartbroken. You know that one day you’ll be over it; it’s just a matter of waiting on that day.”

If you’re subscribed to Apple Music’s ‘New in Country’ playlist, “Laugh About It” might sound familiar. It was added to the playlist on release day — another milestone for this rising artist, as she prepares to release her first full-length project this fall.

Written alongside Robyn Ottolini and Taylor Macres, “Laugh About It” was produced by Kelleher alongside Justin Wilson, with mastering duties performed by Joe Hutchinson. And now, it’s here for you!

On ‘Butterfly Effect,’ Noelle McFarland Longs to be the Life of the Party

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Have you ever been in the presence of somebody who is so good with people, that it leaves you feeling envious?

Noelle McFarland explores this phenomenon on “Butterfly Effect,” the country-tinged folk-pop banger released back in May. The rollicking tune positions our protagonist as a fly on the wall, observing a girl who seamlessly stands out as the life of the party.

“The girl described in these lyrics is excellent with people; she knows how to read a room and bring life to it, a skill that seems to come naturally to he,” McFarland notes. “As the narrator, I sing about her with a mix of jealousy, curiosity, and almost romance at times. This is intentional and meant to hint at some underlying projection. Perhaps human connection can feel unnatural to us all sometimes, but we all long for it just the same.”

“Butterfly Effect” was written by McFarland on guitar and co-produced with Aidan Rex, who teamed with McFarland to create a lush soundscape that is ready for festival season.

“We had a great time playing around with instruments to really fill up the track and give it a big atmospheric sound,” McFarland said. “There’s a combination of live drums and digital percussion. Most of the synths and pads you hear we created ourselves. We also used some layered vocal tags as their own sample/instrument, which is one of my favorite ways to use my vocal degree!”

The release was accompanied by a surprise B-side, “Father’s Daughter, Mother’s Son.” The dreamy, introspective ballad is the perfect companion to “Butterfly Effect” as it compounds on the theme of projection, with regard to the ways old relationship habits pass through generations.

“It’s about the way we try to evolve from the generations before us in relationships and parenthood, oftentimes overcorrecting and learning brand new lessons in the process,” McFarland said. “To me, it’s an extension of ‘Butterfly Effect,’ highlighting the shadow work and self-reflection that follows.”

There you go: two songs, where you were only expecting one. What a treat!

LISTEN: Shoemaker Levee Soars into the Stratosphere with ‘Flying’

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It’s the peak of the summer, and it’s just about time to venture out of our cozy confines of the Creator Lab and go on an adventure.

We’re looking forward to the road ahead which, of course, includes a trip up to Cookstown, ON for this year’s Gussapolooza Music Festival. It takes place from Aug. 21-23 at the Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds, and it features three days of music, art, food, camping, and community. You should do more than think about joining us, and grab your passes here.

This will be our third year in attendance. In that time, one of the artists we’ve become acquainted with is a band by the name of Shoemaker Levee. The former Gussapolooza headliners have been making a splash around Greater Toronto for quite some time, performing at a who’s who list of legendary downtown venues including El Mocambo, Supermarket, The Reverb, The Opera House, The Horseshoe Tavern, Lee’s Palace and the Rivoli.

While we were tending to the ranch here in Nashville this spring, the guys were getting busy releasing new music. Their latest single, “Flying” (released May 1), is as bright and breezy as the Ontario countryside during the golden hour, complete with warm acoustic guitar tones, a soaring melody, and lush vocal harmonies. It’s the perfect song to listen to on a long summer’s drive, as you leave the world’s chaos in the rearview in favor of the precious here and now.

Wherever you’re “Flying” to this summer, keep this one on your playlist!

PHOTOS: ARREIS’ ‘Angel’ EP Release at The East Room

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As we could have expected, ARREIS walked into The East Room on Wednesday night and put on a show that put the EP in EPIC!

The Chicagoland native — set to release her new EP, Angel, at the end of this week — delivered a high energy performance that was equal parts dynamic and vulnerable. The 45-minute set featured a bevy of high-powered anthems, like the arena-ready rocker “Five More Minutes,” to softer moments of empowerment and inspiration. Recent singles “Aurora” and “To My Younger Self” uplift the listener, offering respite to the inner child who struggled to embrace themself and live life fully, without the need for permission.

Supporting ARREIS on this special evening were REHAAN, whose prowess as an alt-pop vocalist is complemented by his immense skill as a saxophonist, creating a live experience quite unlike anything else in Nashville. Limestone Loveseat was a delight to listen to, with a folk sensibility craftily weaved into their energetic rock offerings. Mandy Moon opened the evening, starting us off with a potent dose of soul, complete with a rich tonality that contributed to a warmth in sound and spirit.

Oh, and the best part of all? We made some headway toward funding the UMC Creator Lab on Indiegogo. We are now just about 40% funded with three weeks to go!

Check out the full gallery below!

LISTEN: With ‘So I Love (Acoustic)’, Billy Bauer Re-Imagines a Fan Favorite

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Eight years ago, Bethlehem, PA-based acoustic rockers Billy Bauer Band released “So I Love.” The song — a dedication to Bauer’s late father, who passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer — quickly became a fan favorite, and has been a staple of the band’s live show ever since.

Now, “So I Love” has gained new life, with Bauer taking it upon himself to record and release an acoustic version just in time for Father’s Day. Recorded and produced with Bobby Siegfried of Chasing Daylight Studios, the stripped-down version brings out the song’s tender, contemplative nature, with a gorgeous reverb effect on the vocal that shines particularly bright in the chorus.

The best news? You don’t have to wait until Father’s Day to pick it up AND support the band. Bauer has made it available for early purchase on his Bandcamp page for just $2. While you’re over there, you might as well pick up Bauer’s previous solo effort, “Queen of Her Town,” released in March.

One note on the artwork: it was designed by yours truly to represent an inverted version of the artwork from the 2018, full band studio recording of “So I Love.”

With ‘Aurora,’ ARREIS Empowers Every Princess to Save Herself

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As we get set for the arrival of ARREIS‘ forthcoming EP, Angel — and the dynamic and exciting release show that will serve as its precursor on Wednesday, June 17 at Nashville’s The East Room — let’s treat ourselves to a preview with the Chicago native’s latest single.

“Aurora” was released on May 29, and is a cinematic rock anthem about a woman finding her own independence through heartbreak, and in spite the societal structures that often discourage such autonomous growth. Named after the princess featured in the Disney classic, Sleeping Beauty, the song features an awakened heroine who has dusted herself off and picked her own tiara up off the ground.

“A song written about feeling abandoned by a boy has turned into an anthem for women to reject the systemic teachings that have been forced upon us for generations,” ARREIS said in an Instagram post prior to release. “It’s not about not needing a man— it’s about delivering ourselves from the ones who wish us harm. My wish is for every woman to live comfortably and freely in whatever life she chooses.”

“Aurora” is one of the many songs featured on Angel that have been re-imagined from ARREIS’ 2020 debut album, Blindside. You’ll hear more when it’s released on Friday, June 26 (and you’ll have a chance to snag it earlier, if you buy your ticket to the East Room show).

While you wait, get to know “Aurora” below!

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