Category Archives: reviews

PHOTOS: Billy Bauer Band’s Dave Matthews Band Tribute at Musikfest Cafe (w/ Cass Noelle)

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I told Gerard — or as I know him, GUARAD (courtesy of a Starbucks order gone wrong) — that I was ready for my next assignment up here in the Lehigh Valley. To reward my eagerness, he presented me with the opportunity to take photos at Billy Bauer Band’s Dave Matthews Band tribute. It took place inside the Musikfest Cafe at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, and featured an opening set from Cass Noelle (who was recently a part of our Musikfest coverage).

First of all, Cass is always top notch. Not only did she do her originals, but she did some covers and put her own spin on them. Sometimes, it took me a minute to realize it was a cover! And then she pulled out her cover of “Zombie” by The Cranberries. And boy — her chops really shone through on that one! If you can pull that off, you can pull anything off, and Cass definitely can.

Onward to the main event. Full disclosure: I was never a Dave Matthews Band fan. Many people threatened to unfriend me over that fact, but I just couldn’t get into them.

With that said, I started to actually listen a little bit more a couple years ago. Listening to Billy Bauer Band (with a couple members of Chasing Daylight, for good measure) actually made me want to dig into the DMB discography! Maybe because Billy’s voice was just a little smoother than Dave’s, or because the band was super tight. I’m not certain of the reason, but I WILL go see this tribute show again. And, in general, I plan on getting out to see the Billy Bauer Band and Chasing Daylight much more.

Till next time, this is Rockin’ Ronnie, UMC’s Lehigh Valley Correspondent, signing off…

Ty Warner Announces Release of New Instrumental Single, “Nora’s Jump”

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Composer and performer Ty Warner has released “Nora’s Jump,” his second instrumental recording. The song was written especially for Warner’s granddaughter, Nora, giving the recording a deeply personal meaning and making the release a celebration of family as well as music. The new single brings together vintage guitar tones, modern studio production, and a collaborative team of musicians and producers.

The recording features a collaborative effort with Wyoming Wave Studios, which provided the foundational production track. Asha Henshaw, a recent graduate of the Berklee College of Music, contributed to the project with background vocals and her musical and production expertise. Henshaw also handled the recording’s mixing and mastering, taking the project from the initial tracks through to the finished master.

“Nora’s Jump” features three distinct guitar tracks, each selected to contribute a different tone and character to the arrangement.

The primary rhythm guitar was recorded using a rare 1981 Ibanez “Ragtime” guitar. The second guitar track features a 1971 Gibson J-40 played in Drop D tuning, adding depth and resonance to the composition. The melody was then layered using a 1979 Ovation 1116-4 Concert Classic nylon-string guitar, providing a contrasting tonal quality to the arrangement.

Henshaw took the three guitar tracks recorded at Wyoming Wave Studios and developed them into the finished arrangement with an expressive and carefully crafted production approach. Her contribution helped capture the atmosphere and musical feel Warner envisioned for the recording.

“The goal was to capture a particular feeling and let the character of these guitars come through,” said Warner. “Working with Wyoming Wave Studios and Asha allowed the original tracks to develop into something much bigger than I had initially imagined.”

The release of “Nora’s Jump” follows Warner’s first instrumental recording and continues his exploration of instrumental music built around distinctive guitar sounds and collaborative studio production. The song’s inspiration as a piece written for his granddaughter adds a personal story to the project and reflects the connection between music, family, and creativity.

“Nora’s Jump” is available beginning September 18, 2026, on major music and media platforms. A digital copy may also be purchased directly through Warner’s website, and it comes with the song’s official sheet music as a free bonus item.

Rockin’ Ronnie’s Mega Musikfest Recap: The Finale

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Saturday, August 8. My last day at Musikfest.

It was hot, I was tired, and I wanted to enjoy as much music as possible.

My first stop was at Plaza Tropical, where Inkwell had a variety show going on. I walked in to hear a killer sax solo, and then a comedian. Unfortunately, I didn’t get their names. Inkwell is an incredible venue on Hamilton Street. They have all kinds of artists – musicians, comedians, spoken word. They are keeping original talent alive and that, to me, is a great thing.

I wanted to head to Festplatz, but first… I needed nourishment. A chicken taco from Aqui Es did the trick.

At Festplatz, I got to see some polka dancing in action while All the Kings Men: A Jolly Joe Timmer Tribute played. Jolly Joe Timmer was a Lehigh Valley polka legend who passed away in 2015. His music and legend lives on with All the Kings Men.

Lagerplatz was my next stop where I saw Koyal, a pop group from L.A. The fun part about them is they are not just musicians; they met in college, where they earned engineering degrees! I could easily hear them being played in a club or on the radio. Smart AND talented!

It was time to head up that darn hill to Hotel Bethlehem platz to see Cass Noelle. She has been a Lehigh Valley staple for years, and had the crowd to prove it. Her voice is amazing, and she did a lot of pop covers acoustic style, as well as her own songs. There were a few raindrops that decided to come down, but that didn’t deter her or the crowd! After I sat there a bit, I headed even further up the hill to Main Street (platz?) to see Ted Donatelli, formerly of the Aardvarks.

Ted was the drummer for the ‘varks, but on this stage played guitar, keyboard, and sang covers from all genres. This man clearly needs to be behind the microphone! There are very few artists I say this about, but he could sing Google and it would sound great. This was made clear by the size of the crowd.

It was time to head back home, but I made one more quick stop at Lagerplatz, where DMac (Dan MacRae) was entertaining the crowd. A little country, a little folk, and a smooth pleasant voice was the perfect way to end my Musikfest day. Hot and tired once again, I hopped the shuttle to the Southside and headed home.

This was such an incredible experience. As I was walking around doing my thing, I was in complete awe over what was in front of me, behind me, next to me. There aren’t many places you can go to for 10 days once a year and pay NOTHING to get in, and see so many different bands, so many different genres. Every year, when the list of performers comes out, I hear the same thing, – “This is Bethlehem. Why aren’t there a lot of local bands playing?”

There are. They are absolutely there. But, what makes this unique is the artists from around the country that come perform. One night, I was going to make a point to go see a popular Lehigh Valley act, but then I thought, “I can see them any time. Let me check out something new.” And I’m glad I did! While I did see quite a few local acts, I saw just as many not-so-local.

Also, the shuttle rides between the North and South sides have really been improved with the addition of LANTA buses. There was no better feeling after a long, hot day than hopping on that air conditioned shuttle and relaxing for about 10-15 minutes. And, on every shuttle ride, everyone was friendly. There was nothing but friends on there! Yes, they were friends we haven’t met and may never see each other again. There was a special camaraderie going on. Everyone had that one end goal – to have a great time. And clearly, everyone did.

Until next year, Musikfest. This is Rockin’ Ronnie, Underground Music Collective’s Lehigh Valley Correspondent.

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!

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