We get our MoJo back and much, much more this week!
It’s a big week at Lehigh Valley Underground. Not only are we coming off of an insane lineup of great shows from last week, but we’re going to keep the momentum moving right along. From free shows to big tickets, it is our duty this and every Monday to bring you the…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Thurs., Apr. 14 | 7 p.m. The Originals Music Series Venue: Chicago Restaurant, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown Admission: FREE Description: It’s singer-songwriter night with Adam Jacob, Jonny Cornelius and MoJo.
Sat., Apr. 16 | 10:30 p.m. Soundtrack Comes Alive: This Way to the Egress in front of Reefer Madness Venue: ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem Admission: $15/$13 student/$12.50 ArtsQuest member Description: One of the Lehigh Valley’s most revered (and unique) bands plays in front of this cult propaganda film from the 1930s.
St. Paddy’s week is upon us! While making your plans this weekend, be sure to check out your local music scene. Particularly, keep an eye on the…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Thurs., Mar. 17 | 7 p.m. The Originals Music Series Venue: Chicago Restaurant, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown, PA Admission: FREE Description: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by attending Dave Goddess Group’s CD release show, also featuring the Crossroads Duo.
Fri., Mar. 18 | 8:30 p.m. Wild Adriatic, Animal Years and The Wayside Shakeup Venue:Milkboy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA Admission: $10-12 Description: Take a trip to see our good friends The Wayside Shakeup as part of this great night of music in Philly.
On Sunday, the 17th annual Lehigh Valley Music Awards emanated from the Musikfest Café, located on the third floor of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. Of the many winners on Sunday afternoon, local mainstay Scott Marshall received top honors with a record-breaking nine LVMAs.
Naturally, many people feel good for Marshall. He’s assembled a band of talented musicians who play seamlessly across genres. They’re good, and you’d have a difficult time honestly denying that. Moreover, Marshall appears by all accounts to have remained hard-working and humble throughout his ascent to the top of the scene.
Others, however, decry Marshall’s nine awards as a perceived flaw in the system – one alleged in certain circles to play favorites and select the same artists, year after year.
While cruising social media Sunday night into Monday, I saw my fair share of both opinions. I know and respect numerous people who believe different things across the board. With that, I feel compelled to say…
Congratulations are in order for Scott Marshall and all of the event’s winners. You all work hard to perfect and present your talents, and you deserve recognition for that. My hat’s off to you and your continued success.
As for those who came up empty-handed – including those who weren’t nominated – you deserve recognition as well. I know for a fact that many of you work every bit as hard as Sunday’s winners, and none of you should feel like your efforts are in vain.
Most importantly, remember this: No matter where you find yourself in the wake of the LVMAs, you’re now on a clean slate.
The LVMAs come but once a year. It is one day out of 365 – or, in 2016’s case, 366. This is not to downplay the event’s significance or popularity, but to point out that there are more opportunities than ever to make your musical voice heard in the Lehigh Valley throughout the year.
New opportunities for Lehigh Valley musicians to perform and network are popping up all the time. For the vast majority of the year, it doesn’t take a large festival or awards gala to make waves. Small venues, as well as musicians and fans on the scene, expand these possibilities every day. Folks who work full-time “day jobs,” and who work on music as a passion project, are transforming the scene into one that is increasingly focused on the artist with open mic nights, weekly showcases, radio shows, blogs and more. These people and their ideas are the gears that make the Valley’s music scene turn on a daily basis. Without them, there would be nobody and nothing to recognize at larger-scale events.
It is your responsibility as a musical citizen to find opportunities, learn from the folks around you, and add your own ideas to the musical landscape. Perhaps your efforts will find you accepting the LVMA you covet in 2017. If not, or if you aren’t the “awards show” type, maybe it will gain you more respect and admiration from your musical peers. For some of you, perhaps the self-satisfaction derived from doing what you love is enough.
No matter what, your pure efforts are contributing greatly to the musical landscape in the Lehigh Valley. Whether you realize it or not, your unique voice is making this scene better, stronger, and more diversified as time marches forward – and that, my friend, is what we need around here.
If you won on Sunday, congratulations, but now is not the time to get complacent. Keep up the good, hard work.
If not, don’t let it get you down. It doesn’t mean that what you’re doing isn’t deserving of recognition.
Nine awards or zero, you have talent and a voice. The Valley needs those voices working together to thrive, and everybody knows it.
Following the Lehigh Valley Music Awards on Sunday, it’s a musical New Year, fresh with possibilities for the Lehigh Valley and its many talented musicians.
Many of them will look to start it off strong at these…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Thurs., Mar. 10 | 7 p.m. The Originals Music Series Venue: Chicago Restaurant, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown, PA Admission: FREE Description:The Fyre & Ice Show on Neue Regel Radio presents its weekly showcase, sponsored by Fireball Whisky.
Fri., Mar. 11 | 10 p.m. VoirVoir’s SXSW Kickoff Show Venue:The Funhouse, 5 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, PA Admission: $4 Description: The Funhouse serves as the launch pad for the local band’s trip to Austin’s South by Southwest Festival. Under the Clothesline is on to support.
I was discussing the local arts scene in the Lehigh Valley with a former colleague yesterday, and I continue to find interesting how many individuals and small organizations are doing great things in the arts. Yet, it is often the case that these folks have a hard time bringing widespread recognition to their efforts.
Perhaps the lack of advertising dollars or powerful, influential allies is the root cause of the issue. Even so, there are more voices to be heard and layers to be experienced in the Valley’s music and arts scene. Plenty of folks have great, original ideas that they are trying to bring to fruition. But can the “little guy” stand out without the resources – time, personnel, and capital – and have his voice heard in the current musical landscape?
When you look at an organization like ArtsQuest, you see a long-established and well-oiled marketing machine, with the resources and popularity to draw top talent and have a louder voice than all the rest. There is no doubt that the organization has brought great programming to our community over the years, thanks to a combination of vision and community support.
Perhaps this is the blueprint for individuals and smaller arts organizations to follow in their own endeavors. Whatever your idea is – whether you’d like to add another powerful, long-lasting voice to the arts conversation, stage a one-off benefit concert, or begin an indie music blog hell-bent on world domination… *cough* – you have to know where you’re going in order to get there. Develop a clear vision that includes a consistent brand image, a mapped-out timeline with realistic goals, and a plan to gather resources.
Of those resources, money is the trickiest – and typically the most important – to acquire. I can share a related horror story in a future Sunday Thought. Trust me when I tell you, it’s a long story meant for another day.
In the meantime, don’t underestimate the value of another very important resource: manpower. There are so many like-minded people in the Valley, who all have platforms and a shared goal of helping our arts scene grow and evolve. The problem is that many of these folks believe that they exist on an island. I know that, because I was one of them before launching Lehigh Valley Underground and finding the many great, like-minded contributors to the scene we’re currently working with.
All across the region, there are people with great ideas and similar desires to yours but, like you, they may feel that they are having trouble getting over the hump. Whether they are starting from scratch, or are missing just one or two pieces of the puzzle, it is important to go in search of these like-minded people. Once you’ve found them, and once you know that they are as dedicated to our scene’s health as you are, share ideas and efforts to make your collective voice stronger, and to make tomorrow even better for arts in the Lehigh Valley.
It takes a scene to build a scene. Together, we can make sure we continue #BuildingBetter.
March begins this week, which means that winter in the Lehigh Valley will soon come to an end! While you keep warm with that thought, make plans to enjoy these…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week
Mon., Feb. 29, 10 p.m. Open Mic Jam Venue:The Funhouse, 5 E. 4th St., Bethlehem Description: Show your stuff at this bi-weekly jam at this iconic South Bethlehem music venue.
Sun., Mar. 6, 4 p.m. The 17th Annual Lehigh Valley Music Awards Venue: Musikfest Café, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem Tickets: $20 Description: Performances include Brosky & Meyer, Craig Thatcher Band, DJ Menace Collaboration, Erin Kelly, Fusion Jazz Trio, Larry Werner, MindMaze, Whiskeyhickon Boys, John Carelli, Rick Bouley & Lane Conklin, and a Student Showcase from The Lesson Center, School of Rock and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts.
Last week, we reviewed The Groove Merchants’ self-titled album. Get to know this Kutztown-based band, and catch the latest news on their musical evolution, with this Q&A with the guys themselves!
First, tell us a bit about the band members’ individual musical backgrounds. Here are the guys’ own personal bios:
Tye Vallone, Vocals/Rhythm Guitar/Percussion: Music runs in the Vallone family, so it is no great surprise that Tye would eventually find his calling in music as well. Tye Vallone began his musical journey on the drums at age 5, eventually taking lessons under Todd Scheid of the California Drum Shop in Bethlehem. Tye eventually picked up the guitar, following in his father Tom Vallone’s footsteps. Tom led the oldies cover group The Wandells in the Lehigh Valley throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and currently leads and plays in Cover Story and the Front Page Horns which he founded in the late 90s. So, Tye took up the family business forming his first band in high school behind the drums and singing lead vocals as well. It was not until college, however, that Tye really dug into the guitar, even while still playing drums in the KU Jazz Ensembles alongside eventual Groove Merchants drummer Anthony Guidotti. After meeting John Evin Groome and Anthony, Tye formed The Groove Merchants. Once the trio teamed up with Luke Ferracone on lead guitar, the rest all fell into place. Tye draws his influences from legendary guitar players and vocalists alike including Hendrix, SRV, Robert Plant, Freddie King, Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, Joe Cocker and John Mayer.
Luke Ferracone, Lead Guitar: Luke Ferracone’s interest in music developed at an early age, as he would frequent the West Chester jazz and blues bar Vincent’s to see his father (Glenn Ferracone) perform. Notably, he gravitated toward the music of Johnny DeFrancesco, Philadelphia native guitarist, who lead his own group, The Johnny DeFrancesco Power Trio. Hearing DeFrancesco and his father play gave him inspiration to pick up the instrument himself. Since then he has been growing as a musician, sitting in with his father’s projects, performing with the band The Groove Merchants and collaborating with various other bands and musicians.
John Evin Groome, Bass: John Evin Groome started playing bass guitar when his father inadvertently bought him one as a Christmas present in middle school. Not knowing the difference between bass and guitar, John Evin’s fate was sealed. Taking private lessons led to an interest in the blues and funk music and the emphasis on energetic improvisation that he now brings to the band. John Evin attended Kutztown University for a degree in Electronic Media, where he met and began performing with The Groove Merchants.
Anthony Guidotti, Drums: Anthony Guidotti had an early start in music, beginning violin lessons at age 8 and piano lessons at 10. Eventually, because of a drum set left at his house by a friend of his brother’s, Anthony decided to start getting drum lessons, studying with many area musicians until college. At Kutztown University, Anthony majored in Percussion and studied under Dr. Frank Kumor, Dr. Willis Rapp, Dr. A.J. Merlino, Dr. Kevin Kjos and consistent private lessons from famed New York Jazz drummer Allison Miller. As a musician, Anthony has always been particularly drawn to rhythm, and most of his “drum heroes,” such as Danny Carey, Bill Bruford, Tony Williams and Elvin Jones advocate polyrhythmic and odd-metered approaches to musicality. His aim is to bring new dimension and energy to the instrument to help others think differently, as his heroes have always done for him.
Dylan Hinnershitz, Trumpet: Dylan Hinnershitz fell in love with music at the age of four when the household television broke. It couldn’t be turned off and the channel couldn’t be changed, so VH1 was stuck on. He fell in love with the tone of the trumpet after hearing famous trumpet player Lee Morgan play in dedication to his great teacher Clifford Brown. Dylan studied the Bill Adam trumpet method at Kutztown University under Dr. Kevin Kjos, and has also studied jazz with New York bass player Scott Lee.
What first led to you all getting together as The Groove Merchants? Well, John Evin Groome (bass) and Tye Vallone (vocals and guitar) met during their freshman year at Kutztown University and formed a duo which later added on Anthony Guidotti, whom Tye met playing in the KU Jazz Ensemble, on drums. The group then added Luke Ferracone on lead guitar after a double booking situation arose with two bands being booked. The only difference between the two was that one included Tye, John, and Anthony, and the other included Luke, John and Anthony. So, we decided to all join forces and form the foundation of The Groove Merchants sound you hear today in the fall of 2012. Now, we’re evolving our sound, and have added Dylan Hinnershitz in trumpet as of the summer of 2015.
Your music is a terrific blend of rock, funk and blues. What artists have most influenced that sound of yours? We like to take a little bit from everyone. Tye, Anthony, and Dylan have all played in KU’s Jazz Ensembles, while Luke is pretty into African rhythms and John Evin is a big alternative fan (Radiohead, Victor Wooten). But, the constants remain rooted in the blues and funk, like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, SRV, The Meters, and B.B. King.
You released your self-titled debut album over the summer. Who worked with you guys on the record? We wrote all the tracks ourselves, and the record was produced, mixed, mastered, and recorded by Luke’s dad Glenn Ferracone at The Music Centre in Exton, PA, which Glenn owns and operates.
“Curtis,” from The Groove Merchants’ self-titled EP.
Talk about the songwriting process; how did these tunes come together? Our songwriting has evolved a lot since we started playing together. Originally, we would jam on a riff or a hook and then piece together all the other parts. Now, Tye or Luke will come in with pretty much a whole tune prepared, and then the rest of us will add to it and help it grow. But sometimes, we do things off the cuff, and if something’s clicking, we’ll put it together right there at rehearsal or in the studio.
Which moment on the record stands out to you as being “great?” The whole record overall is something we really take pride in. We feel it serves as a sort of stamp on everything we’ve accomplished thus far, and a great stepping stone off of which we can continue to evolve our sound.
We had the chance to see you open for Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds as SteelStacks not too long ago. How did you land that opening gig? We actually only booked the gig two days before. The original opener had cancelled, and we were approached by ArtsQuest to fill in. Thankfully for everyone, it ended up working out and became an amazing experience.
We thought you rocked! Aside from us, though, what kind of feedback have you gotten from playing at such a well-known local venue? All of the feedback was excellent. We sold out of CDs at the show and everyone we talked to, including some of the guys in Sister Sparrow, loved the band – which was a really great response. It can be hard to put your best stuff out there in only a half hour set, so we were glad it went over well.
Do you guys have any upcoming shows planned? We will be at The Social Lounge in West Chester on Feb 13, The Grape Room in Manayunk on Feb 20, and The Funhouse in Bethlehem on Feb 27 and March 19. Plus, we have a show April 2 at The Nail in Ardmore, and April 9 at The Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA. We also hope to be back at the Dogfish Head Brew Pub in Rehoboth, DE soon!
“John the Savage” from The Groove Merchants’ self-titled EP, now with trumpeter Dylan Hinnershitz.
You have a new EP currently in the works. Tell us about the new material, including when we can expect it. We’re really excited about it. Our main focus right now is writing new material for the EP, and it’s probably the most involved our stuff has been up to this point. We’re really utilizing both guitars and the trumpet. We can’t wait to start laying it down. We hope to have it out by the early summer.
How would you say the band has evolved since the release of the self-titled album, and how can we expect that to show up on the EP? Probably the biggest evolution or change has been the addition of Dylan on trumpet and the other dimension he brings to the band. We’re really trying to use all of the musical tools we have at our disposal right now, and hopefully this EP captures that.
Our Q&A is almost over! Let people know where they can learn more about you guys! You can always check out our Facebook and Bandcamp for more info!
Here at Lehigh Valley Underground, we want to make sure you’re catching the very best independent music eastern Pennsylvania has to offer. That’s why, every Monday, we’ll help you make plans by keeping you abreast of the…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Mon., Feb. 1 Open Mic Night Venue: The Funhouse, 5 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, PA Description: The stage is yours! Come prepared to play some tunes, or see what other musicians are cooking up around the Valley
Thurs., Feb. 4 | 7 p.m. The Originals Music Series Venue: Chicago Restaurant, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown, PA Admission: FREE Description:The Fyre & Ice Show on Neue Regel Radio presents its weekly showcase. This week, the Series features local acts RED and MoJo.
Fri., Feb. 6 | 8 p.m. Gianna LaBar Venue: ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks Admission: FREE Description: Singer-songwriter Gianna LaBar performs an acoustic set at SteelStacks.
