{"id":38340,"date":"2018-02-08T14:06:02","date_gmt":"2018-02-08T19:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=38340"},"modified":"2018-02-08T14:06:08","modified_gmt":"2018-02-08T19:06:08","slug":"on-stage-dirty-rotten-scoundrels-brings-the-laughs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=38340","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ brings the laughs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

\"\"<\/a>

Larry Lees<\/p><\/div>\n

When audiences watch \u201cDirty Rotten Scoundrels\u201d \u2013 the current production at the Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) \u2013 they fall into three categories.<\/p>\n

There are those who have seen the film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, those who have never seen the film and are unfamiliar with the story, and those who have seen the musical (which isn\u2019t very likely because it only went out once on a brief national tour).<\/p>\n

One thing is common to all three groups watching the musical comedy at the Candlelight \u2013 they will laugh\u2026actually, they will laugh a lot. The show is funny, and the humorous activity never stops.<\/p>\n

Candlelight\u2019s top-flight production features Larry Lees as Lawrence Jameson, Tristan Horan as Freddy Benson, Timothy Moudy as Andre Thibault and Morgan Sichler as Christine Colgate \u2013 and they all nail their roles.<\/p>\n

\u201cAudiences love this show because it\u2019s funny,\u201d said Lees, during a phone interview this week form his home in suburban Philadelphia. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to find a musical in contemporary language that is as funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a 2004 comedy musical, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane; it is based on the 1988 film of the same name. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005<\/p>\n

It is the story of two men competing to swindle an American heiress out of $50,000. Caine plays the educated and suave British con man Lawrence Jameson, who stages elaborate ruses to acquire the wealth of rich women, so he can spend it on culture and a lavish lifestyle. Martin plays his less-refined American rival, Freddy Benson, a small-time trickster on the hunt for free meals and twenty-dollar bills. It takes place in the French Riviera.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw the show in its very first public run-through years ago,\u201d said Lees. \u201cThen, I saw it six more times om Broadway. I do love this show very much<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s completely original in its voice. David\u2019s lyrics are so funny and contemporary. The music is so good. The jokes are priceless. I wish more people knew about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lees was not originally planning to audition at the Candlelight.<\/p>\n

\u201cI generally don\u2019t seek things out,\u201d said Lees. \u201cPeter Reynolds, the director, mentioned to me that he was doing the show. I told him that it was a dream role of mine. So, I auditioned and got the part.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had seen the movie when it first came out. Then, I watched it again going in to the Candlelight production. It is one of the rare movie-to-musical translations where the musical is better. It goes from \u2018very funny\u2019 to \u2018laughing in the aisles.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m having a great time working at the Candlelight. It\u2019s an incredibly professional organization with lovely people. And, I\u2019m inspired beyond belief by all these talented young performers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDirty Rotten Scoundrels\u201d is running now through February 25. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m.\/show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m.\/show, 3 p.m.) with a matinee performance on February 14 and an added evening show on February 22. Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $63 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jerry Joseph and Jackmorons<\/p><\/div>\n

Three months ago, Jerry Joseph released his newest album \u201cWeird Blood\u201d on Cavity Search Records. Now, Joseph and his band the Jackmorons (Steve Drizos on drums andSteven James Wright on bass) are touring in support of the new disc \u2013 a tour that brings them to the area on February 8 for a show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Joseph has released close to 30 albums in the last 30 years \u2013 including seven since 2010. \u201cWeird Blood\u201d ranks among the best.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded the new album in Portland, Oregon where I live,\u201d said Joseph, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Baltimore.
\n\u201cWe cut it at Jackpot Studio two Januarys ago. We were there for a long time. Dave Schools was the producer.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2015, Joseph and the Jackmormons went into TRI Studios with Schools and recorded 20 songs. Those songs became the albums \u201cIstanbul\/Fog Of War\u201d (10\/2015) and \u201cBy The Time Your Rocket Gets to Mars\u201d (4\/2016). The plan was to release a third album, an EP, with the remaining three finished songs supplemented by couple of new songs that Joseph would write. The plan went sideways.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were starting over when David Bowie died,\u201d said Joseph. \u201cThat definitely had an effec on us.<\/p>\n

\u201cI rented one of these tiny houses here not far from my home so I could tuck the kids in at night and then head to the studio to work on music. I ended up writing eight ore nine songs. When Dave Schools heard them, he said \u2013 let\u2019s record all of these.\u201d<\/p>\n

When after a week of writing, Joseph arrived at Jackpot Studios, Schools was adamant they record all the new songs. They also recorded a couple written in Scotland, \u201cSweet Baba Jay\u201d and \u201cLate Heavy Bombardment\u201d and a few that they\u2019ve been performing but had never recorded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I never write another song, I could probably record five more albums with the songs I\u2019ve already written,\u201d said Joseph.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tend to write in flurries. I see the moment in my life. I\u2019m very political \u2013 super radical on social media and with what I say on stage. But, that can date songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe song \u2018Peace in Our Day\u2019 wasn\u2019t about war. I\u2019ve been in many war zones over the years but I don\u2019t want to write political songs about it. The songs I wrote in Afghanistan were about magic.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the past couple years, Joseph has traveled to war-torn regions to bring supplies and teach and share music. In 2015, he brought instruments and volunteered as a music instructor at an underground co-ed rock school in Kabul, Afghanistan. Last year, he brought guitars and supplies and taught and performed for the residents of a permanent refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.<\/p>\n

According to Joseph, \u201cFor me, it was pretty profound. There were these teenage girls learning to play — Syrian Kurds. I wonder sometimes about the power or magic of music, but we certainly attach a lot to it. I think that there are these moments that I\u2019ve found where music does make a difference. Showing these kids how to play a few guitar chords or teaching them \u2018Three Little Birds\u2019 by Bob Marley and teaching them about empowerment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s clay or dance shoes, no one can take it away from you. They can take the guitar or the paint, but they can\u2019t take your creative thinking. A lot of these kids and adults feel isolated and alone, and you go — here [hand them a guitar and a social media account], you\u2019re not alone. You\u2019re part of something beautiful and bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

World travel was nothing new to Joseph.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad was a marine biologist when I was growing up so we travelled a lot,\u201d said Joseph. \u201cWith Afghanistan a few years ago, they asked me to come and I did. That started a path for me. Last year, I was in Iraq. It\u2019s redefined my narrative.\u201d
\nVideo link for Jerry Joseph and the Jackmorons \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/XS8YnTSdAUk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

WHY?<\/p><\/div>\n

Another show on February 8 will feature WHY? at Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, 215-232-2100, www.utphilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

WHY? is an indie rock\/hip hop band founded in 2004 by Cincinnati rapper and singer Yoni Wolf, who had been using Why? as his stage name since 1997. In addition to Wolf, who serves as lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, the band features multi-instrumentalists and backing vocalists Doug McDiarmid and Matt Meldon, and drummer and backing vocalist Josiah Wolf (who is Yoni Wolf’s older brother).<\/p>\n

The band has released five studio albums, along with several extended plays, demo albums, and live albums, since their inception. Their first, 2005’s \u201cElephant Eyelash,\u201d came two years after Yoni Wolf’s final release as Why?. They followed this album with \u201cAlopecia\u201d (2008), \u201cEskimo Snow\u201d (2009), \u201cMumps, Etc.\u201d (2012), and \u201cMoh Lhean\u201d (2017).<\/p>\n

\u201cMoh Lhean<\/a>\u201d\u00a0streamed on Consequence of Sound and was released on March 3, 2017 via Joyful Noise Recordings. A follow-up to \u201cMumps, Etc.,\u201d it is the first fully\u00a0home-recorded WHY? album since the\u00a0project\u2019s 2003 debut.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like to keep it fresh,\u201d said Yoni Wolf, during a recent phone interview from his home in Cincinnati. \u201cEach album has its own feeling. \u2018Moh Lhran\u2019 is not a hip hop labum. It has some psych-rock influence. The music is about being grateful to be alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

This cosmic sense of calm and acceptance woven throughout the album is due in part to Wolf’s circumstances during the writing process. He suffered a severe health scare far from home, but rather than let it drive him to depression, he gained a stronger connection to the living.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cut the album in Cincinnati,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cIt was the first time we recorded and mixed at home. I have a studio in my home and my brother has a studio at his house.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it has its own flavor. It sprawled out a bit nad took a lot of time. But, it didn\u2019t matter financially how long it took because we were using our own studios.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took several years altogether \u2013 four years or so. But, I was also doing other stuff. I\u2019m working with a band called the Ophelias. It\u2019s a band from Cincinnati and I\u2019ve been doing the producing and mixing for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wolf\u2019s involvement with music goes back a long time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got into music through my dad,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cHe taught my brother and me piano and drums. He\u2019s a rabbi and we grew up in a Messianic Jewish home. We went to synagogue two times a week and there was always music there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started recording when I was in my late teens. Rap was the primary music I was listening to but also 60s-70s music like classic rock. I started making a career out of it pretty early.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Why? \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/EPDBjjJ3qzk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Union Transfer, which has Open Mike Eagle as the opener, will start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $17.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at Union Transfer are Mum on February 9, First Aid Kit on February 10, John Maus on February 11, and Phillip Phillips on February 13.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>You can talk about Los Angeles, London, San Francisco and Nashville as music hot spots but New York City is \u2013 and always has been \u2013\u00a0 the music capitol of the world.<\/p>\n

Rock music as we know it now \u2013 especially folk-rock \u2013 grew and flourished in New York City.<\/p>\n

In the mid-to-late 1960s, folk music and rock music came together with some jazz influences on the side to take popular music to a whole new place.<\/p>\n

It was when folk-rock was born and when the DNA for country-rock was starting to come into existence.<\/p>\n

The epicenter of this music was Greenwich Village \u2013 especially the 20-square-block area near Washington Square that included Bleecker Street.<\/p>\n

It was an area that was home to such legendary music clubs as the Bitter End, Caf\u00e9 Au Go Go, the Gaslight Caf\u00e9, the Village Gate, Caf\u00e9 Wha?, Gerde\u2019s Folk City and the Village Vanguard.<\/p>\n

Richard Barone, a veteran New York rocker, knows the area and its history extremely well. And, he has a deep respect for the area\u2019s musical history and the world-famous musicians it spawned.<\/p>\n

His new album \u201cSorrows & Promises: Greenwich Village In The 1960s\u201d casts light on the songs that sprang from the singer-songwriters in and around Greenwich Village during that pivotal decade.<\/p>\n

While Top 40 hits were being churned out uptown in the Brill Building and at 1650 Broadway, the downtown writers were weaving folk, blues, R&B and rock into songs that still sound fresh and inventive 50 years later.<\/p>\n

Barone\u2019s choices cover a broad range of writers, from Buddy Holly, who was living and demoing songs in his Greenwich Village apartment just before he died, to upcoming artists such as Paul Simon, John Sebastian (of the Lovin\u2019 Spoonful) and Janis Ian; to artists who were redefining folk music for a new generation: Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Tim Hardin, Fred Neil.<\/p>\n

Ever since the album was released, Barone has been performing it live. His current tour brings him to the World Caf\u00e9 Live on February 9.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mission on the road is to bring \u2018Sorrows & Promises: Greenwich Village In The 1960s\u2019 to people everywhere,\u201d said Barone, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from his home in Greenwich Village.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s become the story of Greenwich Village as well as the story of the music. These shows also feature special guest\u00a0 Anthony DeCurtis (acclaimed author & contributing editor of Rolling Stone). He\u2019s written a lot of great stuff, including the biography of Lou Reed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this show, he takes the role of historian. He tells about what Greenwich Village was like fromn 1960-1967. Jeffrey Gaines in the opener and he is going to play songs he chose from that era.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat era created so many songs. When I have guest artists in my shows, they pick their songs. The idea is to keep these shows like they would have been in the mid-60s. This story ends at the \u2018Summer of Love.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

When Barone brings his \u201cSorrows & Promises: Greenwich Village In The 1960s\u201d show to the World Caf\u00e9 Live, he will be accompanied by Steve Addabbo. His guest is a Grammy-nominated producer, musician, writer, and recording engineer who mixed all 400-plus tracks from the 2017 Grammy-winning Bob \u201cDylan Bootleg XII\u201d and mixed Barone\u2019s new album.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just gave myself totally to this project,\u201d said Barone, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from his home in Greenwich Village. \u201cWe\u2019re taking it around the country with different artists in different cities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barone explained the catalyst for his current project.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve lived in Greenwich Village since the mid-1980s and have always been aware of its history. I was taught about its history by Tiny Tim when I was younger and living in Tampa, Florida.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe talked about how there were all these great artists living in the same area \u2013 artist like Dylan and the Lovin\u2019 Spoonful. As a kid, I had an idea that I\u2019d visit Greenwich Village one day. I had no idea I\u2019d ever live in the Village.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still an amazing place. For years, I thought about all these artists living near Washington Square. They were a new generation of singer-songwriters. They wrote their own music and it was a big deal. My new album is a tribute to the genius of songwriting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Led by Fred Neil, the roster of artists Barone covered is more than impressive \u2013 Tim Hardin, Lou Reed and John Cale, John Sebastian, Janis Ian, Buddy Holly, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Richard Fari\u00f1a, Dion and Eric Andersen.<\/p>\n

According to Barone, \u201cEach time I walk out the door of my Greenwich Village apartment with guitar in hand, I\u2019m aware that I stand in the long shadow of those who walked these streets before me. In the early 1960s, the Village became epicenter for one of the most revolutionary movements in the history of popular music.<\/p>\n

\u201cInspired by the folk revival of the 50s and early \u201860s, the voices of a new wave of young songwriters emanated from the local coffee houses to radios all over the world. It was a cultural phenomenon that forever changed the way we perceive popular music.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo pay tribute to those trailblazing troubadours for their artistry was a privilege and also a duty. Some of these writers and singers are household names, while others are less widely remembered.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn \u2018Sorrows and Promises,\u2019 they are all inspirational, all worthy of being discovered all over again, or for the \ufb01rst time. Making this album has been a journey of self-discovery through their words and music that continue to echo in my neighborhood and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some are dead \u2013 Tim Hardin, Lou Reed, Buddy Holly \u2013 and some are still filling arenas with their live shows \u2013 Dylan, Paul Simon. All are legends.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least half of them were bona-fide pop stars,\u201d said Barone. \u201cThey are great artists. Most of them at the time were from 20-24 years old except Fred Neil, who was around 30.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite artist on the album is Phil Ochs. I grew up with Phil Ochs songs. I love his topical songs \u2013 and I also like his songs that are not political. He was always really good no matter what he was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barone, who also has a gig as a music professor at New York University, has started turning his thoughts to his next project.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be starting to work on my next album soon,\u201d said Barone. \u201cThese songs are inspiring me to write for my next album of originals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Richard Barone \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/Nnb00JafOUQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which has Jeffrey Gaines as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the World Caf\u00e9 Live are PhillyBloco\u2019s Brazilian Carnaval\/Mardi Gras Bash! w\/ special appearance by Unidos da Filadelfia Samba School on February 11, Mardi Gras with Wild Bohemians – 34th Annual Mardi Gras Show on February 13, and \u201cA Special Valentine\u2019s Day Jazz Concert: Celebrating the Music of Gamble & Huff and Curtis Mayfield\u201d featuring Marcell Bellinger with special guest Larry Brown Jr. on February 14.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Busty and the Bass<\/p><\/div>\n

Busty and the Bass is a band that doesn\u2019t have a typical band history.<\/p>\n

Busty and the Bass is a Canadian electro-soul and hip hop band. It\u2019s an English-speaking band from Montreal, Quebec and there aren\u2019t a whole lot of them around in the Francophile city.<\/p>\n

Julian Trivers, one of the founding members, is from Los Angeles and there aren\u2019t many musicians from California active in the Quebec music scene.<\/p>\n

And, Busty and the Bass are making their mark in the states \u2013 and only a small percentage of Canadian rock bands are able to find success south of the 49th parallel<\/p>\n

The band is known for its unique brand of music, which incorporates two vocalists, a horn section, and a diverse range of musical genres. The line-up features Scott Bevins \u2013 Trumpet; Chris Vincent \u2013 Trombone; Nick Ferraro – Alto Sax, Vocals.; Louis Stein \u2013 Guitar; Milo Johnson \u2013 Bass; Julian Trivers \u2013 Drums; Eric Haynes – Piano, Keyboards: and Alistair Blu – Keyboards, Synths, Vocals.<\/p>\n

The band is now touring the states in support of its new album \u201cUncommon Good.\u201d The tour touches down locally on February 9 when the band headlines a show at The Foundry at Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m from L.A. and I came up here for music school,\u201d said Trivers, during a phone interview last week from his home in Montreal. \u201cMy parents\u2019 friends had a daughter in school here so I decided to check it out. Montreal is a great city.<\/p>\n

After meeting in their first week of the McGill University jazz program, the nine-piece collective quickly shot up from packed house party jams to scorching live performances in front of thousands of fans across the US, Canada, Europe and the UK. On previous efforts the group recorded in the \u201cbusty basement\u201d, a place that guitarist Louis Stein says allowed for \u201cexperimentation and fun\u201d.<\/p>\n

This time around they decided to step up their game, enlisting the skills of veteran producer\/mixer Neal Pogue, best known for his work with acts like Outkast, Snoop Dogg, Earth Wind and Fire, MIA, Nikki Minaj, Aretha Franklin, and Lil Wayne.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all met each other at McGill University,\u201d said Trivers. \u201cWe started doing a weekend thing. Eventually, we started writing our own music after a year-and-a-half.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were all in the same grade at music school. And, we were in the same community of musicians. We started playing together and had good chemistry from the very beginning. Montreal is a good music city and it\u2019s easy to book shows here.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrior to the album, we made two EPs \u2018GLAM\u201d in 2015 when we were still in school and \u2018LIFT\u2019 in 2016 after we graduated. Then, we got Neal Pogue to produce the album.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe came to Montreal several times over the course of a year-and-a-half. He\u2019s back in Montreal now and we\u2019re already working on new stuff. And, we\u2019re working on mixtapes with different artists from our region. That will come out on a mixtape album later this year.<\/p>\n

Each song on\u00a0\u201cUncommon Good\u201d\u00a0feels like a single, from the brassy disco groove of\u00a0\u201c<\/a>Up Top\u201d to the Outkast-esque\u00a0\u201cMemories and Melodies\u201d<\/a>\u00a0and the sensual, lyrical flow of \u201cDance With Someone.\u201d Compared to their previous EPs, their first full-length album finds them focused on the project as a whole, rather than just a collection of songs. It synthesizes a swirling mixture of funk, soul, rock, hip-hop, dance music, and gospel that is layered, polished, and unified.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a bunch of songs that were going different places,\u201d said Trivers. \u201cIt was really important to have Neal on board to put things together \u2013 to be a part of the whole process \u2013 to make sure the sound was sonically cohesive.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to show all the things that make up our music \u2013 soul, jazz, hip hop, electronic, funk, experimental and a bit of rock. Most importantly, we\u2019re hoping to make music that people actually feel.\u201d
\nVideo link for Busty and the Bass \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/54aem8qFnWU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at The Foundry, which has Max Swan and STS x Khari Mateen as opening acts, will start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $13.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at The Fillmore\/The Foundry are Lauv on February 10, Steve Aoki on February 11, and The Academic on February 14.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Contortionist<\/p><\/div>\n

On February 9, The Contortionist will visit Philly as one of the opening acts on Nothing More\u2019s \u201cThe Stories We Tell Ourselves North American Tour,\u201d which will take place at the Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The Contortionist is a prog-metal band from Indianapolis, Indiana. Formed in 2007, the band currently features guitarists Robby Baca and Cameron Maynard, drummer Joey Baca, vocalist Mike Lessard, bassist Jordan Eberhardt, and keyboardist Eric Guenther. The group has released four studio albums and three EPs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHome for the band is all over the United States but the primary base is in Indiana,\u201d said Lessard, during a phone interview Monday afternoon from a tour stop in Richmond, Virginia. \u201cI\u2019m from Maine. Jordan, our bass player, is from Denver and our keyboard player Eric is from Georgia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maynard and the Baca brothers are founding members. Lessard joined the band in 2013. Jonathan Carpenter left The Contortionist and Lessard departed Last Chance to Reason to replace him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first, it was a temporary thing,\u201d said Lessard. \u201cThey needed a singer so I joined for two months of touring. Then, it became a permanent thing. I had toured with them before because our bands shared management. The old singer left with two weeks\u2019 notice. They called me and I jumped on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Contortionist was a death metal band in its early days and has gradually evolved into a prog-metal band.<\/p>\n

The Contortionist\u2019s fourth album \u201cClairvoyant\u201d belies the band\u2019s roots. Death metal is gone and sonically-layered, hard-edged progressive rock has taken over.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe change has been a natural development,\u201d said Lessard. \u201cThe original music goes back to when the guys were 16 and 17 years old. Now, we\u2019re in our late 20s. Songwriting is a group effort and the change is natural.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Clairvoyant\u2019 was written when we were in a cabin in Maine for a month. We recorded the album in Winston-Salem, North Carolina early in 2017. Jamie King, the producer, had done our previous album and one of my previous albums. We knew there was chemistry there. He has a home studio so it was very natural.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Contortionist represents fearlessness in musical expression, designed to please artist as much as audience. This band makes progressive metal music, anchored in the heavy sounds that first drew the individual players to the stage, yet unmoored by convention or expectation.<\/p>\n

The band\u2019s first two records, \u201cExoplanet\u201d (2010) and \u201cIntrinsic\u201d (2012), are wall-shaking heavy. The character of The Contortionist\u2019s sound expanded greatly with\u201cLanguage\u201d in 2014.<\/p>\n

On \u201cClairvoyant,\u201d the band\u2019s distinctive fingerprints remain, even as their atmospheric flourishes broaden to encompass ever-richer textures and mine the beauty of simplicity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt didn\u2019t feel like it called for aggressiveness,\u201d said Lessard. \u201cThe vocals are a lot cleaner \u2013 but I still have to scream. I enjoy both but I like singing better. Live \u2013 it\u2019s a fairly good mix. This tour, it\u2019s a little more rock than metal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for The Contortionist \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/KJu3-qGap_k<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Theatre of the Living Arts will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the TLA are Machine Head on February 8, Coin on February 11, ZZ Ward on February 13 and Dave East on February 14.<\/p>\n

Fans of rap and hop hop will be flocking to the Electric Factory (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215-627-1332, www.electricfactory.info<\/a>) this weekend with Datsik, Space Jesus, Riot Ten, Wooli, and Cookie Monsta on the bill for February 9 and a show on February 11 featuring Big Daddy Kane<\/a>, Biz Markie<\/a>, Roxanne Shant\u00e9<\/a>, MC Shan<\/a>,Kool G Rap<\/a>, Craig G<\/a>, Masta Ace and Marley Marl<\/a>, Tuff Crew<\/a>, MC Breeze<\/a>, with special guests MC Lyte and Nice & Smooth<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Riot Ten<\/p><\/div>\n

Riot Ten is the stage name of Christopher Wilson \u2013- an American<\/a> DJ and producer based in El Paso<\/a>, Texas<\/a>. Riot Ten burst into the world of electronic music at age 22 with his unique blend of hardtrap, dubstep and electro. With original music out on Dim Mak, Never Say Die Black Label, Rottun Records, Firepower, and Buygore, and two Number 1 dubstep chart-topping singles in 2017, Riot Ten\u2019s music can be heard at clubs and festivals around the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are four acts on this tour, which is headlined by Datsik,\u201d said Wilson, during a phone interview Monday afternoon. \u201cAnd, we have special guests in different cities.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had an EP with Datsik \u2013 first it was a single and then an EP. I think our relationship started with him using one of my songs. He\u2019s kept his eye on me ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boasting an expansive catalog of bootlegs, remixes, and original releases on Buygore, Rottun, Firepower, Elysian Records and Dim Mak, Riot Ten is quickly becoming a global ambassador of heavy bass music.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of times, when I try to plan a song out, it doesn\u2019t go very well,\u201d said Wilson. \u201cTypically, I start it with the main sound \u2013 usually a bass lead and then I add drums. Then, I keep adding on. The vocals usually go on last.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riot Ten\u2019s latest single \u201cRail Breaker,\u201d which was released by Dim Mak, reached Number 1 on the charts and has yet to leave a Top 10 position. It has already seen big support from the likes of Excision, Datsik, Steve Aoki, and Never Say Die label boss SKisM. Riot Ten’s debut EP was released in 2016 on Datsik\u2019s Firepower Records. His 2017 \u201cRail Breaker World Tour\u201d spanned 40 cities and had numerous sold out shows — including runs in Asia and Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cRail Breaker (feat. Rico Act)\u201d spawned a five-track remix package of monstrous proportions. Harnessing the fury of dubstep growls, both SQUNTO & PerilEyes and MONXX utilize otherworldly sound design to full effect on their unapologetically heavy mixes. YOOKIE takes the original into a static-filled wasteland before EXSSV supercharges it with a bass house face lift. Rounding out the package, Code: Pandorum brings on the mayhem with their ruthless machine gun interpretation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith my collaborations, I\u2019ll send my basic song to someone,\u201d said Wilson. \u201cAll the stems are separated and he goes and completes it. Other times, we\u2019ll just go back-and-forth until it\u2019s done. The most I\u2019ve gone back-and-forth with someone has been five or six times.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, there are about 14 remixes of \u2018Rail Breaker.\u2019 Most are unofficial. To do an actual remix, they have to have the stems. Without the stems, it\u2019s a bootleg and sometimes the bootlegs are really bad. With remixes, I\u2019m usually the one who will reach out to somebody else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Riot Ten \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/0cloLXzheuI<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Electric Factory, which includes Datsik, Space Jesus, Riot Ten, Wooli, and Cookie Monsta, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $37.50.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the Electric Factory are Black Veil Brides + Asking Alexandria on February 10 and The Juice Crew Reunion<\/a> with Big Daddy Kane<\/a>, Biz Markie<\/a>,Roxanne Shant\u00e9<\/a>, MC Shan<\/a>, Kool G Rap<\/a>, Craig G<\/a>, Masta Ace and Marley Marl<\/a>, Tuff Crew<\/a>, MC Breeze<\/a>, with special guests MC Lyte and Nice & Smooth<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Hoppin’ John Orchestra<\/p><\/div>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) will have Better Than Bacon on February 8, Mardi Gras Party with The Hoppin’ John Orchestra on February 9, Seventh Sojourn – The Moody Blues Experience on February 10, and Fresh Faces of The Kennett Flash with Think Machine, Vodka Moms, and Drivers Ed<\/a> on February 11.<\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>) will host Mike Agranoff on February 9, The McCruddens on February 10 and Steve Pullara Cool Beans Music on February 11.<\/p>\n

The Colonial Theatre (Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610- 917-1228, www.thecolonialtheatre.com<\/a>) will present Al Di Meola on February 10.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will present Kermit Ruffins with special guest New Sound Brass Band on February 8; Philly Gumbo: Mardi Gras Happy Hour on February 9; Eric Roberson with special guests Killiam Shakespeare feat. Reesa Renee on February 10; and \u201cWinter Doldrums – Concert for Suicide Prevention\u201d with Mason Porter, Kuf Knotz, Matt Duke, Andrea Nardello Band, Christine Havrilla, John Faye, Black Horse Motel, Tin Bird Choir, Everything Turned to Color, Lovers League, Michele Lynn’s Vilomahed Project, Vilebred, Hannah Taylor & The Rekardo Lee Trio, Brian Flanagan Band, Sonja Sofya, Sweetbriar Rose on February 11.<\/p>\n

Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0www.burlapandbean.com<\/a>) will present Danielia Cotton on February 9, and Laura Shay Band on February 10.<\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) presents George Clinton on February 8, Masters of Illusion on February 9, Who’s Bad: The World’s #1 Michael Jackson Tribute Band on February 10, and Celebrating David Bowie on February 11.<\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>) will have BeauSoleil Avec Michael Doucet<\/a> on February 8, Kasim Sultan\u2019s Utopia on February 9, John 5 and Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius on February 10, Marcia Ball on February 11, Al Stewart on February 13 and Kalimba: The Spirit Of Earth Wind & Fire<\/a> on February 14.<\/p>\n

The Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577, www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/a>) \u00a0hosts Band Called Honalee on February 10, The Orchestra with former members of ELO on February 10, and \u201cAn Acoustic Evening with Trey Anastasio\u201d on February 13.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times When audiences watch \u201cDirty Rotten Scoundrels\u201d \u2013 the current production at the Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) \u2013 they fall into three categories. There are those who have seen the film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, those who have never seen the film and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38342,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[10863,10860,7426,10861,9981,10865,10864,10866,10862],"class_list":["post-38340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-busty-and-the-bass","tag-dirty-rotten-scoundrels","tag-featured","tag-jerry-joseph-and-the-jackmorons","tag-richard-barone","tag-riot-ten","tag-the-contortionist","tag-the-hoppin-john-orchestra","tag-why"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38340","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=38340"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38341,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38340\/revisions\/38341"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}