{"id":38246,"date":"2018-02-01T09:02:32","date_gmt":"2018-02-01T14:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=38246"},"modified":"2018-02-01T09:02:38","modified_gmt":"2018-02-01T14:02:38","slug":"on-stage-anna-meredith-is-not-like-anyone-else","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=38246","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Anna Meredith is not like anyone else"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,<\/strong> Staff Writer, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Anna Meredithna Meredith, Abbie Gardiner, Chosen Dance, Hannah Wicklund, Sin City Band,<\/p><\/div>\n

In 1966, the Kinks had a hit with a song titled \u201cI\u2019m Not Like Anybody Else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, more than a half-century later, another Brit musician could adopt the title as her motto.<\/p>\n

Anna Meredith, who will headline a show at The Foundry at Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/a>) on February 2, makes contemporary music that is not like anything else coming out these days.<\/p>\n

Meredith is a British composer and performer of electronic and acoustic music. She is a former composer-in-residence with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and former PRS\/RPS Composer in the House with Sinfonia ViVA.<\/p>\n

In 2016, Meredith released her debut studio album, \u201cVarmints\u201d \u2013 an album that impressed critics and won awards. The album, which featured strong compositions and interesting electronica treatments, won the 2016 Scottish Album of the Year Award.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a bit of a geek when I was really young and, at my school, music was a place to hide away \u2013 and avoid P.E.,\u201d said Meredith, during a phone interview Wednesday night from a tour stop in Boston.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I started, I was playing clarinet and singing. I chose clarinet because I could get free lessons. My mom liked it because she thought I would play jazz. But, I hated jazz.<\/p>\n

Meredith was born in North London and moved to South Queensferry, Scotland at the age of two. She read for a degree in Music at University of York, where she was awarded first class honors, and gained her master\u2019s degree from the Royal College of Music. In 2003, Meredith was made the Constant and Kit Lambert junior fellow of the Royal College of Music.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in the Edinburgh area of Scotland and then came to England for university,\u201d said Meredith. \u201cThe music I was listening to was what kids listened to at the tine like grunge. I also listened to composers like Mahler and Shostakovich. I didn\u2019t write a tune until my music exam at school in Scotland.<\/p>\n

\u201cI studied all-around music at York and then composing at the Royal College. I didn\u2019t originally realize I was attracted to composing. I heard other people\u2019s stuff and came up with instinctive ideas like \u2018why didn\u2019t they do that?\u201d After a while, I stopped doing what my teachers wanted and started writing what I wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meredith is a composer and producer not bound by genres. Her work spans contemporary classical, art pop, electronica and experimental rock.<\/p>\n

After building an established career in the classical world and two-critically acclaimed EPs, she released her much-anticipated debut album,\u00a0\u201cVarmints\u201d\u00a0on Moshi Moshi Records.<\/p>\n

Her impressive CV includes being Composer in Residence for the\u00a0BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, a piece written for MRI scanner, sound tracking\u00a0PRADA\u2019s Spring\/Summer 2015\u00a0campaign, symphonies created for nursery children, music for park benches in Hong Kong and sleep-pods in Singapore.\u00a0Her body-percussion piece\u00a0\u201cHandsFree\u201d\u00a0received rave reviews from its performances at Southbank Centre, Royal Albert Hall, Barbican Centre, Utah Youth Symphony and even flash-mobbing the M6 services.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy compositions have a strong character \u2013 an identity that isn\u2019t just color and texture,\u201d said Meredith, who now lives in London.<\/p>\n

\u201cStructure is important. When I write, I draw a shape. I want to make sure the music has a strong structure. Before I go to a piano or a computer, I make sure the shape is right. From there, it\u2019s fleshing out that sketch with chords and rhythms.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even when she\u2019s touring and playing on stage, Meredith is not like everybody else \u2013 especially with the line-up of instruments in her band.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are five of us on tour,\u201d said Meredith. \u201cWe have drums, electric guitar, tuba and cello. I play clarinet, some drums and electronics \u2013 computer and MIDI. And, we all sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Anna Meredith \u2013\u00a0 https:\/\/youtu.be\/92o2Qci6ozo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at The Foundry will start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at The Foundry are The Dangerous Summer on February 5 and Scorpio for Puerto Rico on February 7.<\/p>\n

The schedule for The Fillmore includes Greensky Bluegrass on February 1, Kayzo on February 2, and G. Love & Special Sauce on February 3.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Abbie Gardner<\/p><\/div>\n

Abbie Gardner has built up a strong fan base in the Delaware Valley. And, she has done it in a variety of ways \u2013 as a solo act, as one-third of Red Molly and, last year, as part of a duo project with Jesse Terry.<\/p>\n

Garner is returning to the area this weekend \u2013 as a solo act. On February 2, she will headline a show at the Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Gardner, the fiery Dobro player with an infectious smile toured with Americana darlings Red Molly for eleven years. The band took an indefinite hiatus in 2015, so Gardner started doing gigs with different bands, backing up her friends and stepping out into the spotlight for her own gigs.<\/p>\n

She has released three CDs as a solo act and her first songbook was published in December 2016. Now, she is treating fans to a brand-new album \u2013 \u201cWishes on a Neon Sign.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe album just came out on January 19,\u201d said Gardner, during a phone interview Monday afternoon from her home in Jersey City, New Jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gotten to radio. I already did a couple CD release shows. Steel City will be my Pennsylvania CD release show. It\u2019s self-released. I use CD Baby. It\u2019s a great company for indie artists.\u201d<\/p>\n

The album shows Gardner\u2019s depth as a songwriter and professionalism as a musician.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted good songs,\u201d said Gardner. \u201cI wanted them to come across well and have a really good rhythmic pocket. Grooves were important. I made the whole record as demos first so we had a good idea of what the songs were.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started making the album last April. It took most of last year to get it done. The album was recorded at Big Orange Sheep Studio in Brooklyn. It\u2019s a brand-new studio in a big warehouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe songs go back as far as 2012. I went back-and-forth. I wrote a bunch of different songs and ended up with 13 \u2013 lucky 13.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had 15 or so with possibilities. One song was written with Chris Stapleton after I won a songwriting contest. But, we never finished the song. When I was putting songs together for the album, I remembered the song. So, we finished it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played dobro on the album and a National that I turned into a lap-style guitar. My main dobro was made by Paul Beard. I play a Hipshot dobro which is like two instruments in one. You can pull a lever and change the tuning. It\u2019s a throwback sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gardner\u2019s songwriting has brought her much acclaim including 2008 Lennon Award Winner (folk) for \u201cThe Mind of a Soldier\u201d and 2008 American Songwriter Magazine Grand Prize Lyric Winner for \u201cI\u2019d Rather Be\u201d. Her song \u201cHoney on My Grave\u201d was also published in Sing Out! Magazine in 2008.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, probably half my show is new songs,\u201d said Gardner. \u201c. The other half is a mix of old and new songs \u2013 some of which have been re-arranged \u2013 and a few covers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Abbie Gardner \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/nEXyjBkWYps<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Steel City will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.<\/p>\n

Another weekend show at the venue will be Jim Boggia on February 3.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Hannah Wicklund<\/p><\/div>\n

American roots music will also be featured on February 2 — and February 3 — when Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones play a pair of shows in the area.<\/p>\n

On February 2, the blues-based rocker from South Carolina will headline a show at MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455, www.milkboyphilly.com<\/a>). The following night, Wicklund and her band will perform at Havana Night Club (105 South Main Street, New Hope, https:\/\/www.havananewhope.com).<\/a><\/p>\n

Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones is an American rock band from the popular vacation resort — Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Wicklund, who is closing in on her 21st birthday, has been performing music for most of her life.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad got me into music,\u201d said Wicklund, during a phone interview Monday from a day off in Ocean City, New Jersey. \u201cMy mom is an artist. She did the cover for my latest album.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents got me a piano when I was three \u2013 and a \u2018Beatles Easy Play.\u2019 By age six, I knew 60 Beatles songs. My dad \u2013 Matthew Wicklund –influenced my music tastes \u2013 Tom Petty and Janis Joplin. He introduced me to Susan Tedeschi.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got my first guitar at eight and started a band six months later. We were playing cover songs and doing three-to-four-hour shows.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen my dad was younger, my dad was the drummer for the first homegrown band in Hilton Head. They were called the Bonzo Brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad was also my chauffer. Me and him did 1,200 shows together until I was 16. The first one was when I was nine. Once I was 16, I started driving myself. I graduated high school and I\u2019ve been on the road ever since.<\/p>\n

Wicklund lists other primary influences as Jimi Hendrix, Ravi Shankar and Jeff Beck. But, one influence from that era stands apart from all the rest.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy biggest influence was Janis Joplin,\u201d said Wicklund. \u201cJanis Joplin was my first female role model.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones just released a new album on January 26. The self-titled album, which was produced by Sadler Valden, shows her classic rock influences \u2013 especially Fleetwood Mac, Petty, Beck, the Tedeschi-Trucks Band and, of course, Joplin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my third full-length album,\u201d said Wicklund. \u201cI consider it my new starting point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/EfMlZoRWwgc<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The tour, which is titled \u201cThe Sibling Rivalry Tour,\u201d also features The High Divers \u2013 a band fronted by Wicklund\u2019s brother, Luke Mitchell.<\/p>\n

The show at MilkBoy Philly will start at 8:30. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

The show at Havana Night Club will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at MilkBoy Philadelphia are iNFiNiEN, L\u00f6r, Moonstriker, and Something Like A Monument on February 1; Man About A Horse + Yarn and The Hoppin’ Boxcars on February 3; and Glen David Andrews: Mardi Gras Celebration and Ocean Avenue Stompers on February 7.<\/p>\n

Another upcoming show at Havana is PROTOCOL 4 featuring Simon Phillips, Greg Howe, Ernest Tibbs and Otmaro Ruiz on February 2.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Chosen Dance Company<\/p><\/div>\n

This weekend, Chosen Dance Company will make a return visit to the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, 610-356-2787,www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>). Chosen Dance will perform \u201cEvvolution\u201d at 7:30 p.m. on February 2 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. on February 3.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvvolution\u201d is the story of hip hop dance in \u201cAmerica 2.0,\u201d an upgrade to the company\u2019s prior performance. The show is billed as \u201cfamily friendly, intended to entertain and enlighten audiences of all ages.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chosen Dance Company\u2019s goals are the validation of hip hop dance as a true art form and the accessibility of hip hop to audiences regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender. Through entertainment and education, Chosen strives to enhance the global appreciation of hip hop culture and take hip hop beyond its traditional boundaries while preserving its purity.<\/p>\n

According to Clyde Evans, Jr., Founder and Artistic Director of Chosen Dance, \u201cIf you think you know all about hip hop, you need to see this show. It\u2019s informative and interactive. It encourages young people to make good choices, understand their value as a human being and the importance of being true to themselves even in adverse circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a guiding principle, Chosen Dance Company produces and participates in Hip Hop projects that are positive, constructive and uplifting, free of violence and bad language.<\/p>\n

Hip hop styles such as Lockin’, Poppin’, and Breakin\u2019 will be showcased in \u201cEvvolution.\u201d The show will also feature other current dance genres such as Getting\u2019 Lite, Waacking, House and Krumpin\u2019.<\/p>\n

The production gives an overview of the development of hip hop in dance and examines the history of a movement that defined this social dance era. It ranges from the 1960s \u2013 think \u201cSoul Train\u201d \u2013 to the current dances found at inner-city raves. Chosen Dance looks at the evolution of hip hop with a focus on promoting unity, peace and love.<\/p>\n

Video link for Chosen Dance Company — https:\/\/youtu.be\/r_WVUp–Qhs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The shows at Uptown will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on February 2 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. on February 3. Tickets are $17.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) will host Buffalo Chip and the Heard<\/a> along with Naked Blue<\/a> on February 2 and Sin City Band on February 3.<\/p>\n

Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/a>) will present Florida Wayne on February 2, and Near Nightmare, Resting, and Presidential Top Knot on February 3.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will have Steal Your Peach (playing The Dead & ABB) w\/ special guest Ron Holloway (Sax- The Allman Bros & Warren Haynes)<\/a>, Darlingtyn, Andy Mowatt’s Steely Jam<\/a> on February 1; Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad<\/a> and Jah Works<\/a> on February 2; and Echoes, the American Pink Floyd<\/a> and Rausch on February 3.<\/p>\n

February 3.<\/p>\n

Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0www.burlapandbean.com<\/a>) will present<\/p>\n

No Sailor with William H. Travis on February 2, and John Byrne Band with Heather Pierson on February 3.<\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) presents Tommy Emmanuel on February 3 and a production of \u201cThe Cat in the Hat\u201d on February 6.<\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Stanley Jordan<\/a> and Trevor Gordon Hall<\/a> on February 1, Masters Of The Telecaster Ft. GE Smith, Jim Weider & Jon Herington<\/a> on February 2, and \u201cBattle Of The Sexes Stand Up Comedy Night\u201d starring late night TV comedians<\/a> on February 3<\/p>\n

The Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) is presenting \u201cDirty Rotten Scoundrels\u201d now through February 25.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times In 1966, the Kinks had a hit with a song titled \u201cI\u2019m Not Like Anybody Else.\u201d Now, more than a half-century later, another Brit musician could adopt the title as her motto. Anna Meredith, who will headline a show at The Foundry at Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38248,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[10145,10845,10846,7426,10847,10848],"class_list":["post-38246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-abbie-gardner","tag-anna-meredith","tag-chose-dance-company","tag-featured","tag-hannah-wicklund","tag-sin-city-band"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38246"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38246\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38247,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38246\/revisions\/38247"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}