Tag Archives: support local

PHOTOS: Handheld, VoirVoir and Sing, Bird of Prey at Warhouse Collective

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Last week, we were introduced to Warhouse Collective, an incredible new DIY music venue created by five friends in an abandoned Phillipsburg warehouse. We spoke of the Collective’s impressive dedication to their music scene, and we predict that the venue will be a great indie music destination for years to come.

As it turns out, they put on a heck of a show, as they did when Handheld, VoirVoir and Sing, Bird of Prey made their first appearances at the upstart venue. We got some shots of the show for you to check out, as well.

Sunday Thought Series: Something is Happening

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I had the opportunity to go out on the scene three nights in a row this week.

On Thursday, I went to The Original Music Series, as I typically do, to see Quadraplay and Aniqatia.

Friday night afforded me my first-ever trip to Northampton’s Gin Mill and Grille for a night of hard rock with KILLCODE, Autoerotica, and Vegafuse.

Then last night, I went back to Phillipsburg’s Warhouse Collective for a night of indie rock from Handheld, VoirVoir and Sing, Bird of Prey.

Through it all – three distinctly different nights of great music, some hard-working, amazing people people and my own opportunity to connect more deeply with our music scene – I have come away with this thought.

Something is happening in the Lehigh Valley, and it’s big.

Those on the Lehigh Valley’s original music scene have waited years and, in some cases, decades for these days to come. These are days where more opportunities continue to arise for artists of any genre in the region. The folks on the scene are realizing that it will take teamwork and commitment to bring all of our efforts to prominence, and it appears that these people have begun to find each other and team up for the greater good.

We’re talented, we’re dedicated, and our voices are getting louder. We’ve made it this far, so let’s keep it up.

QSLehighValley: Mar. 24, 2016

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This week, QSLehighValley gains the distinction of hosting Michael Meade’s first-ever podcast interview! Michael is a singer-songwriter from nearby Bucks County, and he telsl us about his musical history, his teaching endeavors, and his debut album, “Everyday Man.”

Track listing:
REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become (Opening theme)
Julius – Sunlit Day
Michael Meade – Never Grow Up
Michael Meade – Everyday Man
Marc Ambrosia – Take Good Care of Me
Rofo Audio – Hushed
JingerKroa – Sicko
Threatpoint – Careful What You Wish For

Artist Q&A: JingerKroa

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JingerKroa is one of the most exciting rock bands to come out of the Lehigh Valley in recent memory. Learn about their history, and the exciting summer that lies ahead!

As a starting point, tell us how JingerKroa began and what you guys were doing beforehand.
JingerKroa was originally formed in 2011 by J.Goth, Mike and HillBilly. Each member has a background in several previous bands, but the common thread that eventually united us was a mutual dedication to playing original music, and a need to step outside of commonly drawn genre boundaries to create something that was uniquely our own. We didn’t want to just sound like “another rock band.” We wanted to be different; to be way out there and stand out in a crowd.

Unkl Nicky later joined the threesome, completing the band and sealing the deal. It was at this point that the energy in the band flowed naturally, and we went with the natural flow. The band finally was, after transitional periods, complete as JingerKroa.

Your influences are varied and come from just about every point on the rock spectrum. Who are some of the biggest ones?
Part of what gives JingerKroa our unique style is the diversity in our musical palates. Yet, we share a common thread in musical likes. As a team, we are rockers – no doubt about it. Some of the top guns for us are Pantera, Steve Vai, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Korn, Frank Zappa, Tool, Rammstein and Depeche Mode. We can go on forever here. There’s so much amazing musical talent that we have been inspired by.

How does it all mesh together to give JingerKroa its unique sound?
We couldn’t even tell you! (laughs) It’s magic. It really is. In an instant upon our union, the music flowed. The writing process and creativity comes naturally and effortlessly. I guess you can say we are really lucky when it comes to this. But then again, it all has to do with the energy of the people in the band. It just works and always comes together. The best way to explain it is like making a pot of soup. You put all of the right ingredients in, and it comes out tasting great. I guess you can say we are the vegetables meshing together. Wait, that really doesn’t sound good. (laughs)

Your touring history is already extensive, having toured with the likes of Powerman 5000 and venturing as far south and west as Texas. What do you attribute to your touring success?
It’s our passion, love of playing music, dedication to our fans, and desire to please them with our music. Without our fans, we are nothing. They fuel our desire and are what keeps us moving forward with stealth speed. Mix this into our love of what we do, and it’s a potion for success.

Tell us a great story from the road!
Oh, boy. Not sure we can talk about this! (laughs) Let’s just say, A LOT of crazy stuff has happened. People have added to a wide range of craziness. It’s all good. Maybe when we write our book, we will share some of those stories. (laughs)

The band has also performed at numerous charity gigs, including those for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Wounded Veterans Annual Fundraiser and Dream Come True. Explain the importance of giving back.
You have to give back, especially to those in need. There are people who are hungry, homeless, lonely, and depressed.  It’s important for everyone to step forward and try and help personally or through a good cause. We love to help others, and always get called to perform for organizations. There is no better feeling than knowing you helped someone achieve the first step toward a better future.

You guys are currently working on new music, which is expected later this year. How far along is the project, and what can listeners expect when it hits?
Our album is expected to be released in the summer of 2016. As of now, Unkl Nicky is finishing laying down the guitar tracks. HillBilly is up next, with J.Goth finishing on vocals. We are almost there.

Listeners can expect diverse, high-energy, meaningful, personal music with a twist of lunacy and a smidge of “sickness.” You always have to have a little “sickness” in the mix.

Do you guys have any shows coming up?
You bet! April 1, we are headlining at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ with host Don Jamieson from VH1’s That Metal Show, sponsored by DAA Entertianment.

May 7, we are opening up for Buckcherry at the Sherman Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA.

August 6, we are at the Stanhope House in Stanhope, NJ for a two-day RockFest, sponsored by JarJam Entertainment.

We’ve reached the end! Tell us where people can learn more about you online.
You can find us on our website, on Facebook, and on Twitter. We’re also on ReverbNation and SoundCloud, but the best place to find all of our info is on our webpage. That will direct you to all of our sites.

Make sure to stay connected. We have a lot of exciting things coming up!

The Quinn Spinn: Mar. 21, 2016

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We’re going country on today’s edition of The Quinn Spinn as we welcome special guest and Season 6 contestant on NBC’s The Voice, Audra McLaughlin. Audra joins us to talk about her experience on the show, her anti-bullying efforts, new music and more!

Track listing:
REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become (Opening theme)
John Scargall – Two Face Factory
Meghan Cary – Sing Louder
Audra McLaughlin – Tennessee Cowboy
Audra McLaughlin – You Lie (Reba McIntire cover)
Michael Meade – I Don’t Mind
Gene P. Kelly – High Life
The Stunt People – Carried Away

QSLehighValley: Mar. 17, 2016

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The Wayside Shakeup has been a longtime mainstay on the Philly scene. Rob Volansky from the band joins us to talk about their projects, past and present. Also, we have a brief preview of some of the things to come on the scene in the next few months.

Track listing:
REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become (Opening theme)
John Scargall – Harder They Fall
The Wayside Shakeup – Optimistic
The Wayside Shakeup – Stay Up
Lauren Marsh – Dear Love
Avi Wisnia – Something New
uMan ERA – It’s All About Me
Mo7s – Make a Stand

Sunday Thought Series: Are We All a Bunch of Hipsters?

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Over the course of time – both while running Lehigh Valley Underground, and in The Quinn Spinn’s previous run – I’ve encountered quite a few people who don’t quite grasp the concept of enjoying and discovering indie music. Surely, they believe, those of us on the indie scene only are here as a revolt against “the machine.” We only explore indie music to feel unique, and to set ourselves apart from our peers by knowing about something that they don’t.

In other words, we’re all hipsters. We have to be, right?

I am here to drop some knowledge on all those who dismiss indie music as a pretentious counterculture and who, by proxy, regard those who support it as full-blown hipsters.

While I cannot speak for everyone, I can assure you that most of us are not here because what we hear on the radio is “too mainstream” for us. True, we may not agree with much of what goes on in the music “business” – please do me a favor and Google Dr. Luke, if you think everything and everyone in Top 40 is as without fault as one of his impeccably auto-tuned songs – but the majority of us are savvy enough to not dismiss something as soon as we hear it on FM radio.

Personally, I love plenty of mainstream artists. Bon Jovi, one of the most egregiously mainstream bands of all time, was my favorite from age 13 up until a couple years ago, and they remain near the top. In case you’re wondering, Our Lady Peace has supplanted Bon Jovi as my favorite, and they’ve had their share of mainstream success here in the U.S., as well (and they’re still huge, regularly headlining festivals in their native Canada). I’m listening to Macklemore right now who, if you haven’t heard, has been quite popular with the kids over the past few years (and I was actually late to that party). On the flip side of that equation, while Twenty One Pilots became a revelation to me before their recent, arena-packing explosion, their spike in popularity did not make me like them any less. If anything, I’m happy that their music is reaching more people than ever, because I think it needs to reach the world.

The Killers. Linkin Park. Incubus. Weezer. I could go on. The point is, the artists who have helped me form my musical tastes are *gasp* all mainstream! I know, I know: how dare I, as the head honcho of an underground hipster blog, like any of that manufactured rubbish? I better turn in my fake glasses, scarf and fixie immediately!

Ha! My glasses are real and necessary to tolerate my abundance of screen time, and I don’t even know how to ride a bike, let alone a fixed-gear one! The joke’s on you!

But for real, ask most people on this indie grind with me, and they’ll probably tell you a similar tale. Not about glasses or bikes, necessarily, but about their tastes.

See, most of us indie music supporters are not above what’s popular. We just think critically about what we’re listening to, and are able to distinguish, in our own minds, what’s good from what isn’t, regardless of its popularity with the youth these days. We also realize that there’s an endless supply of undiscovered music out there, in any genre you can think of, as good as or better than the popular artists of today and yesterday (If you’d like, I’m happy to provide you plenty of examples). In that case, why pigeonhole ourselves into only hearing what the major labels have to offer, when the world is quite literally at our fingertips?

To come to that realization, however, one must keep an open mind to seeking out new music, new artists, and new experiences. That’s what life is about after all – learning, growing, and expanding your horizons. You did it by trying the new Thai food joint down the street last week. Why not let your ears in on the action?

I and many others like me take pride in our decisions to educate ourselves on the world outside of our respective bubbles. It’s a good road to travel, and all are welcome to join the journey.

Review: Rofo Audio – Now Broadcasting

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Raymond Short from Rofo Audio joins us on an all-new QSLehighValley, sponsored by The Valley Ledger, tomorrow on SoundCloud and iTunes!

Artist: Rofo Audio
Album: Now Broadcasting (LISTEN)
Release Date: Oct. 1, 2015
Genre: Rock

It took Rofo Audio 18 months to complete their debut, “Now Broadcasting,” from start to finish. When it came out last October, the rock world was treated to an album well worth the wait and spoken in a voice that is unique to the band

The ability to make so many different styles play nice on the record is a testament to the chemistry of Rofo Audio, comprised of veteran musicians Raymond Short, Erik Lindermoyer, and Andy Mihalcik. One particular highlight “From the Bottom,” which showcases the band’s songwriting prowess and concludes with a two-minute instrumental jam that features a progressive bass groove reminiscent of Tool, followed by a guitar solo that calls Lynyrd Skynyrd to mind.

Another nice feature on “Now Broadcasting” are the vocal harmonies, performed by all three members of the band at various points. These harmonies are especially crisp on the album’s closer, “Tell Me Something,” which seemingly and seamlessly appears to equally derive its sensibilities from modern blues rock and 50s pop rock.

Rofo Audio is “Now Broadcasting” its members’ collective talents to the world. The album’s eight well-seasoned rock tracks make certain that listeners won’t be tuning out anytime soon.

‘Hungry?’ Roi and the Secret People Serving Up New Video on Friday

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We have an addendum to our Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week.

Easton-based rockers Roi and the Secret People will premiere their music video for their song, “Hungry,” at Rivals Sports Bar & Restaurant, located at 5 Lehns Ct. in Easton.

The video premiere will be followed by a full live show featuring the band, with openers Employees Only, comprised of School of Rock instructors from Easton and Allentown locations.

The night of music will take place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. There is no cover, and it will remain an all-ages show until 11 p.m.

For more information or to let the band know you’re coming, check out the official Facebook event.

Check out a live rehearsal version of “Hungry” below!

 

Whether or Not You Won an LVMA…

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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.

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