{"id":48493,"date":"2021-06-24T09:13:47","date_gmt":"2021-06-24T13:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=48493"},"modified":"2021-06-24T09:13:52","modified_gmt":"2021-06-24T13:13:52","slug":"on-stage-mckeown-headlines-peoples-light-drive-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=48493","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: McKeown headlines People’s Light Drive-In"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Erin McKeown<\/p><\/div>\n

The live music scene in the area started to come to life a few weeks ago and has been picking up momentum ever since. The schedule of live shows is getting meatier after months and months of looking anorexic.<\/p>\n

People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern,\u00a0peopleslight.org<\/a>) has resumed its Drive-In Concert Series, following current PA regulations for outdoor events. These drive-in concerts, held in the theater\u2019s back parking lot, are designed for small groups within the same \u201csocial bubble\u201d to safely enjoy outdoor entertainment together. Tickets are limited and social distancing is enforced.<\/p>\n

On June 25, the stage will belong to Erin McKeown.<\/p>\n

McKeown (pronounced \u201cMICK-yone\u201d) is a musician, writer, and producer known internationally for her prolific disregard of stylistic boundaries. She has released 10 full length albums over the last 20 years, all the while refining her distinctive and challenging mix of American musical forms. Her singing voice is truly unique \u2014clear, cool, and collected. Over the last 20 years, she has performed around the world, released 10 full length albums, and written for film, television, and theater, all the while refining her distinctive and challenging mix of American musical forms. <\/p>\n

Leading her own band, she has performed at Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, and the Newport Folk Festivals. A familiar presence on NPR and the BBC, McKeown\u2019s songs have also appeared in numerous commercials and television shows.<\/p>\n

While a student at Brown University, she was a resident artist at Providence, Rhode Island\u2019s revolutionary community arts organization AS220. A 2011-2012 fellow at Harvard\u2019s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, she is also the recipient of a 2016 writing fellowship from The Studios of Key West and a 2018 residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.<\/p>\n

Additionally, McKeown is a 2020-21 Professor of the Practice at Brown University.<\/p>\n

Her first musical, \u201cMiss You Like Hell,\u201d opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in 2018, where it was nominated for five Drama Desk Awards, including Best Lyrics, Best Music and Best Orchestrations. The Wall Street Journal named it Best Musical of 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe musical did great,\u201d said McKeown, during a phone interview from her home in western Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spent a lot of time writing the original musical. Writing a musical takes over your whole life. I\u2019ve probably already written over three albums worth of music. It was first staged in fall 2016 at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. We learned a lot from the run in California.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about a mother and daughter who take a road trip across the country, and it\u2019s set in the Obama years. I did the music and the lyrics and Quiara Alegr\u00eda Hudes did the book and lyrics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Immigration is a focus of the play \u2014 a daughter who is allowed to stay, a mother who may be forced to leave, and the unexpected cadre of American originals they meet on the way to the mother\u2019s citizenship hearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a nice run with the show,\u201d said McKeown. \u201cWe did three full workshops before we had our first production in California. The shows in New York went really well. It\u2019s been great getting to work with artists on this level.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe highest measure of success was that we got to make a cast album. It makes it accessible. We licensed the production and anyone around the country can do it. Eight productions are happening now all over America. Next is writing a new show.\u201d<\/p>\n

McKeown, who has had a strong following in the Philadelphia area for years, has seen her recording career come full circle \u2013 and then some.<\/p>\n

She released her debut album \u201cMonday Morning Cold\u201d in 1999 on her own label \u2014 TVP Records. After releasing another album on TVP in 2000, McKeown recorded albums for Nettwerk Records, Righteous Babe, and Signature Sounds.<\/p>\n

In 2011, she returned to TVP for an \u201canti-holiday\u201d album. Since then, she has added four more releases to her TVP catalog \u2013 \u201cManifestra\u201d (2013), \u201cSmall Deviant Things, vol. 2 + 3\u201d (2013), \u201cAccording to Us\u201d (2016) and the \u201cMirrors Break Back\u201d EP, which was released on March 31, 2017. Her most recent releases are singles \u2013 \u201cThe Escape\u201d in 2020 and \u201cIS \/ HE DOES \/ HE\u201d in 2021.<\/p>\n

Here are the ground rules issued by People\u2019s Light:<\/p>\n

These drive-in concerts are designed for small groups within the same\u00a0\u201csocial bubble\u201d to safely enjoy outdoor entertainment together. Tickets are limited and social distancing is enforced.\u00a0 Each vehicle is limited to 5 people or less and assigned a parking spot and adjacent \u201cHome Space\u201d for setting up lawn chairs. We require concert attendees to remain in their designated area as much as possible and avoid mingling with other parties.<\/p>\n

This socially distanced drive-in concert will take place in the back parking lot of the People\u2019s Light campus at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA. The concert will\u00a0last 75 to 90 minutes in total, including both sets. It is our goal to start and end on time. The musicians will perform on a raised stage at the back of the lot.<\/p>\n

Video link for Erin McKeown — https:\/\/youtu.be\/Oao8Lil52RQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $75 per car and limited to 5 passengers per car (not including children under 12). There are no physical tickets for these events. Attendees will receive a confirmation email receipt immediately following purchase, as well as a reminder email with more details a few days before a concert.<\/p>\n

McKeown will also perform on June 24 at Tellus 360 (24 East King Street, Lancaster, 717-393-1660, www.tellus360.com<\/a>) with Natalia Zuckerman.<\/p>\n

Friends and collaborators McKeown and Zukerman have long been members of a weekly songwriting group, creating wildly different tunes from the same writing prompt. At Tellus 360, they will play separate mini-sets and then in-the-round.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $20 general admission.<\/p>\n

There must be times when fans with broad musical tastes look at the schedule of shows at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>) and seriously consider booking a room for a few days at the adjacent Washington House Hotel.<\/p>\n

This could be one of those weeks because the theater\u2019s line-up includes a new country artist (EmiSunshine on June 24), a veteran prog rock keyboardist (Jordan Rudess on June 25), a nationally acclaimed Fleetwood Mac tribute band (Fleetwood Mask on June 26), a talented young rock trio (The Restless Age on June 27) and a jazz\/blues\/rock duo (Gabrielle Chapman & The Vortex on June 29).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Fleetwood Mask<\/p><\/div>\n

Fleetwood Mask will headline a show on June 25 at the American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-0 648-4102, www.AMTshows.com<\/a>) and then head 75 miles northeast to perform at the venue in Sellersville on June 26.<\/p>\n

The AMT show is a rescheduled date, originally scheduled for May 29, 2020. Any tickets held, and not refunded, from the original date remain valid for this performance.<\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater — and the American Music Theatre — have a history of presenting top-flight cover bands and the band that is performing at both venues this weekend is one of the best \u2013 Fleetwood Mask.<\/p>\n

There are tribute bands of every size and shape for more music acts than you could possibly imagine.<\/p>\n

The list of Fleetwood Mac\/Stevie Nicks tribute bands is huge with such acts as White Wedding Band, Fleetwood Macked, Rumourz, Seven Wonders, Fleetwood Mac Mania, World Turning Band, Fleetwood Max, Dreams Crystal Visions of Fleetwood Mac, True Rumours, and Little Lies Band.<\/p>\n

One thing they all have in common is the reality that none can compare to Fleetwood Mask. The California-based band is on a plateau all its own.<\/p>\n

Fleetwood Mask\u2019s line-up features Christopher Zerbe (guitars, vocals), Barbara Martin (keyboard, vocals), Don Oberempt (drums, percussion), Claudette Rodrigues (vocals, percussion) and Paul Jones (bass, vocals).<\/p>\n

The band was formed to pay living tribute to the legacy of Fleetwood Mac. After meeting with Mick Fleetwood in Maui several years ago, Fleetwood Mask has the distinction of having Mick Fleetwood\u2019s only endorsement in America.<\/p>\n

Fleetwood Mask brings audiences the very best of Fleetwood Mac\u2019s 50-year history with a focus on the 1975-forward version of the band\u2019s line-up that catapulted the group to super stardom \u2013 the line-up featuring John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and Christine (Perfect) McVie.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe band was formed in 2012,\u201d said Zerbe, during a phone interview last week from his home in Alameda, California.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt got started like a lot of projects. People are fans of Fleetwood Mac and get together to see what it sounds like. I joined two years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a point in time a couple years later when a couple band members went to Hawaii. They met Mick Fleetwood and got an endorsement from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a video about Fleetwood Mask, Fleetwood said, \u201cThis band does it right \u2013 a terrific group of musicians who have dedicated themselves to paying tribute to my band, Fleetwood Mac. The members of Fleetwood Mask are here to bring you an experience you will remember \u2013 the Fleetwood Mask experience. They play music as it was intended \u2013 with passion and with style. Not only do they sound great — they even look like us. I\u2019m proud to know the music of Fleetwood Mac is in good hands. Give it up for Fleetwood Mask.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fleetwood Mask has only undergone minor line-up changes in nearly a decade.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe founding members were Paul Jones and Claudette Rodrigues,\u201d said Zerbe, who grew up in Santa Barbara, California.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul and Claudette really started the group quickly. They reached out and got Don and Barb next. Like Fleetwood Mac, they went through guitar players. We had five or six guitarists in the first few years. Now, we\u2019ve got a set line-up. And we\u2019re all Bay Area residents.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrior to COVID-19, we were doing 50-60 shows a year. In the last 15 months, we\u2019ve had about 12 shows \u2013 mostly drive-in concerts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe season starts for us around July typically. This season, our first show is June 19. After that, we\u2019re booked weekend \u2013 and some mid-week \u2013 through December.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur set list changes every show. We make sure of that because we have repeat customers who see us every year. The spine of the set list touches every album since Lindsey and Stevie joined along with a Peter Green song. And we always try to incorporate specialty numbers \u2013 deep cuts. We take this very seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Fleetwood Mask — https:\/\/youtu.be\/six4w40npAU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on Friday night at the American Music Theatre will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28.<\/p>\n

The shows on Saturday at the Sellersville Theater will start at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $33 to attend the show in person. It will also be available via Livestream. Tickets for the Livestream presentation are $19.50.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Restless Age<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re a fan of bands that feature beautiful vocal harmonies and well-crafted songs, you definitely need to check out The Restless Age soon. Once you hear this band, you\u2019ll likely be inclined to buy a ticket for The Restless Age\u2019s June 27 show at the Sellersville Theater.<\/p>\n

The Restless Age is a trio featuring Will Bryant, Lee Falco, and Brandon Morrison.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re based out of Marlboro, which is in New York\u2019s Hudson Valley,\u201d said Bryant, during a phone interview last week from his home along the Hudson River. \u201cI\u2019m originally from Texas. I grew up in Austin while the other two grew up in the Hudson Valley.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met the other two through my uncle and bass player Byron Isaac. We each live in different places in the Hudson Valley and have a recording studio in Marlboro called The Building.\u201d<\/p>\n

Building\u00a0Records is a\u00a0recording studio\u00a0in\u00a0Marlboro, housed in a converted church that was once the original site of music venue The Falcon. In 2013, the space took on new life as\u00a0Building\u00a0Records, a\u00a0recording studio\u00a0operated by musicians Lee Falco, Brandon Morrsion and Will Bryant.<\/p>\n

The Falcon is a legendary Music Venue and Restaurant perched on the banks of the beautiful Marlboro Falls. The site has two venues \u2013 a concert hall upstairs, and the Falcon Underground Tap Room & NY Beer Garden. The Underground is home to music museum, The Avalon Archives.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur studio is located in the building that was the original site of The Falcon,\u201d said Bryant. \u201cWhen it moved, we moved into the old building. We have a nice studio with a lot of analog gear \u2013 including 16-track tape machines.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three musicians have played together for quite a while. It did take them a long time to become a headline act. Actually, it took them a long time just to become their own act.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe played on other people\u2019s bands on recording sessions,\u201d said Bryant. \u201cFor a long time, we were just a backing band for people to use in the Hudson Valley. It just sort of happened naturally where we were playing our own songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started out playing with our friend Connor Kennedy and it spread from there. We toured with Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Kate Pierson (The B-52\u2019s) and Amy Helm. When we toured with Fagen, we were his band \u2013 the Nightflyers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three musicians may have started as apprentices btu now are masters.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Restless Age came to exist as a band three years ago,\u201d said Bryant. \u201cWe had been playing in other people\u2019s bands for eight years. It wasn\u2019t a decision to stop playing with other people. We still do that, but we really liked the chemistry of just the three of us playing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to do it more and more. We loved the direction the music was going. We wanted to play our own songs. We\u2019ve always done harmonies with other people. So, we put special attention to it with The Restless Age. There are only three of us on stage, but we wanted to make it sound like a record. We\u2019re always trying to find ways to make it fuller.\u201d<\/p>\n

The trio is a combination of three strong songwriters, three good guitarist and three beautiful singers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll three of us write songs and sing leads,\u201d said Bryant. \u201cAnd we do co-writes. Then, the song takes on a different look when we finish it together. We have good rapport between the three of us.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve released eight singles so far and we\u2019re coming out with an album in August or September. We\u2019re finishing up the mastering right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for The Restless Age \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/3HF-nEWc_T8<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on Sunday at the Sellersville Theater will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $19.50 to attend the show in person. It will also be available via Livestream. Tickets for the Livestream presentation are $10.<\/p>\n

On June 29, the Sellersville Theater will present Gabrielle Chapman & The Vortex as part of its Soundbooth Sessions Series.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Gabrielle Chapman & The Vortex<\/p><\/div>\n

Gabrielle Chapman & The Vortex is a jazz\/R&B duo fronted by Chapman and featuring guitar work by Robert Reynolds.<\/p>\n

Chapman is from Honduras but don\u2019t expect the duo to be playing anything punta style. Punta is the main \u201critmo\u201d of\u00a0Honduras. It is the\u00a0most common\u00a0Garifuna\u00a0music\u00a0in Central America.<\/p>\n

On their Facebook page, Gabrielle Chapman & The Vortex describe their music as \u201cMelancholy bops to smoke weed to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in Honduras \u2013 in San Pedro Sula,\u201d said Chapman, during a phone interview last week from her home in the Kensington area in Philadelphia. \u201cOur family moved to the United States when I was seven. I\u2019m going back to Honduras for a visit in July \u2013 for the first time in five years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapman\u2019s family settled in South Jersey, and she graduated from Cherry Hill East High School in 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt East, I did theater productions and sang in the chorus \u2013 a small group with 8-to-10 girls.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was always in band. But I always wanted to be more stylized. Now, I do R&B and soul with jazz roots.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter high school, I went to Columbia College in Chicago and majored in jazz vocals. Then, I moved back east.\u201d<\/p>\n

In recent years, she has released several singles including \u201cSide by Side,\u201d \u201cAlone,\u201d \u201cBoundaries,\u201d \u201cSerendipity,\u201d \u201cand \u201cTrigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve released five singles so far,\u201d said Chapman. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be six when the new single, \u2018Twenty Twenty,\u2019 is released this month. We also recently posted a video for our song, \u2018Serendipity.\u2019 We\u2019re going to release an EP this summer and we have a couple albums in the can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapman and Reynolds have established a productive partnership.<\/p>\n

\u201cEd and I started performing together three years ago,\u201d said Chapman. \u201cRobert and I had a mutual friend who was an actor. Robert is an artist and producer, and he was looking for an artist to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Voila! Gabrielle Chapman & The Vortex was born.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kept coming back to him,\u201d said Chapman. \u201cWe were always a duo. I used to just go out as Gabrielle Chapman. So, I added a name to it. Sometimes, we go up to an eight-piece band.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be our first time to play the Sellersville Theater. I do all the booking myself. We had friends that played there before, and they really liked it. So, I contacted the theatre and they offered me this show.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though we\u2019ve been together for three years, we haven\u2019t performed live that much. We\u2019ve only done about 100 shows \u2013 many other shows were cancelled because of the pandemic restrictions. We\u2019re still a very new band.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Gabrielle Chapman & The Vortex — https:\/\/youtu.be\/UCxMT53untE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on June 29 at the Sellersville Theater will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/p>\n

This weekend, Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne,\u00a0www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>), will present a pair of shows that are extremes regarding genres and performers\u2019 ages.<\/p>\n

The show on June 25 will feature a pair of young singer\/songwriters with pop music in their DNA \u2013 Alyssa Garcia and Skylar Love. The show on June 26 features a Celtic rock guitarist who has been making music professionally for 45 years \u2013 Seamus Kelleher.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Alyssa Garcia<\/p><\/div>\n

Alyssa Garcia is a Philadelphia-based, award-winning singer-songwriter and pianist with an indie-pop sound. Living by the mantra \u201cMusic is the cure\u201d, she strives to use her original music as an outlet of positivity and relatability. With influences such as Regina Spektor and Sara Bareilles, Garcia pens soulful tunes telling personal stories her audience can often relate to.<\/p>\n

Like most musicians, Garcia\u2019s schedule of live shows was thrown into limbo by the pandemic shutdowns. Fortunately, the situation is changing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday at Sister Cities Park in Philadelphia was my first show since the shutdown,\u201d said Garcia, during a phone interview last week from her home in Norristown. \u201cI have a show today at the Rail Park and then next weekend at Jamey\u2019s. It feels great to be playing live shows again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garcia has released several EPs including the latest, \u201cYear One,\u201d and one full-length album, \u201cthree little words.\u201d Currently, two tracks on her album (\u201cLoved Actually\u201d and \u201cBetter Life\u201d) are featured in the film \u201cGetting Grace\u201d directed by Daniel Roebuck.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the pandemic, I\u2019ve had a lot of time,\u201d said Garcia, who is entering her senior year at Drexel university with a dual major \u2013 producing and mixing and music business.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done a lot of introspection on who I am. And I\u2019ve been writing songs. One song \u2013 \u2018People Change\u2019 \u2013 was specifically about the idea of being alone in your house with your thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve tried to collaborate with people from around the world including a producer from Australia. I have my own home studio and I use Logic and Ableton.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garcia, who graduated from Pope John Paul II in Royersford, grew up in nearby Conshohocken.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents are big music fans and they started me on piano lessons when I was five,\u201d said Garcia, who lived in Philadelphia for a while before moving to Norristown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a classically trained piano player. I studied at the Music Training Center in Conshohocken. At 11, I had a really good teacher \u2013 Stu Shames \u2013 who was a playwright and a songwriter. He taught me pop music and the art of songwriting. I started writing my own songs around that time. I was writing more as a young girl does \u2013 songs that are journals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was 15, I really started studying songwriting \u2013 and listening to music differently. I\u2019m a big fan of lyrics so I paid a lot of attention to songwriters who could tell stories \u2013 songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Regina Spektor, Sarah Bareilles and Tori Amos.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before long, Garcia was releasing her own recordings.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first EP, \u2018Music Is My Life,\u2019 came out in 2012,\u201d said Garcia. \u201cMy second EP, \u2018Looking Glass,\u2019 came out in 2015. My first album, \u2018three little words,\u2019 came out in 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter that, I did a series of singles and EPs and then released my \u2018Year One\u2019 EP in 2019. The three singles were \u2018Running\u2019 in July 2020, \u2018This Is It\u2019 in October 2020 and \u2018Isn\u2019t It Lonely\u2019 in February 2021.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garcia won the Philadelphia Songwriters Project\u2019s Annual contest in 2015 with her song \u201cBetter Life.\u201d Her song \u201cSincerely, Me,\u201d which is featured on her latest album, won the 2018 \u201c93.7FM Hometown Heroes: Homey Award\u201d for best pop song.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was lucky enough to win the Philadelphia Songwriters Project\u2019s contest. That was the moment I realized that I should make music my career.<\/p>\n

Garcia has opened for artists such as Ben Arnold, Jim Boggia, Rusty Clanton, Crash Test Dummies, American Idol Finalist Bucky Covington, and Sawyer Fredericks, the eighth season winner of \u201cThe Voice.\u201d Her single, \u201cRunning,\u201d was featured on legendary songwriter and producer Linda Perry\u2019s \u201cWe Are Hear\u201d series on July 3, 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point, I\u2019m focusing on making my next album,\u201d said Garcia. \u201cI\u2019m recording it at Chaplin\u2019s in Spring City. Chris Cachuela is working with me as producer and engineer.\u201d
\nVideo link for Alyssa Garcia — https:\/\/youtu.be\/-F9Ks0DE0-0<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Skylar Love<\/p><\/div>\n

Skylar Love, who will turn 16 in July, is an emerging and singer\/songwriter from Bucks County.<\/p>\n

In November 2019, Love won the School of Rock Center Stage contest. As such, she was flown out to Los Angeles by Atlantic Records for a private showcase in front of A&R reps at The Roxy Theatre. She also won studio time at APG Studios where she recorded three songs.<\/p>\n

In early 2020, she released a two-song EP, \u201c5pm in L.A.,\u201d and followed with a six-song EP, \u201cHey, Call Me,\u201d in October 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cI entered the School of Rock contest in 2019,\u201d said Love, during a phone interview last week from her home in Doylestown. \u201cThey pick about 25 musicians out of thousands \u2013 and I was one of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got to go to L.A. and play in front of A&R people from different record companies. I also got to play and record at Atlantic Records\u2019 Studio.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded three songs and they\u2019re available on Spotify. I recorded two originals and one cover. My first EP was the three songs I did in L.A.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her next recording session was closer to home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI released an EP back in October,\u201d said Love, who cites her influences as David Bowie, Queen, Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish and David Shaw. \u201cIt was self-released with six tracks that were all originals. It is just released digitally. I recorded it at Everloft Studio in Chalfant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Love got her start in music when she was 11 and performed at her school talent show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been doing music,\u201d said Love, who will be a junior at Doylestown\u2019s Central Bucks West High School in the fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cI took piano lessons when I was little. Then, I moved to guitar and started taking it seriously. I always wanted to do my own thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met Ed my drummer (Ed Packlaian) and we started doing things together last year. We started playing a bunch of gigs. We played breweries in the summer and then in heated tents when it got colder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Love\u2019s first taste of performing came in 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got called up on stage on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship,\u201d said Love. \u201cI got to perform in front of thousands of people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, performing live is a regular event for Love and Paklaian.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just the two of us on stage,\u201d said Love, whose recent single, \u201cDrunk On Love, High On Emotion,\u201d was a semi-finalist in the International Song Competition.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re booked all the way to October with two or three shows a weekend. I\u2019ve been doing more originals but with a three-hour show at breweries, we also do covers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m working on an album. I have ideas. I guess it could be called indie rock. I just write but I\u2019m more focused on my live shows right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Skylar Love \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/LStdYMTBFIQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Jamey\u2019s on June 25 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 online advance and $18 at the door. Livestream tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

Like Skylar Love, Seamus Kelleher lives in Doylestown. Other than playing guitar and living in the county seat of Bucks County, there are almost no similarities between the two.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Seamus Kelleher<\/p><\/div>\n

Seamus Kelleher, a storyteller and master guitarist started his music career in his hometown of Galway, Ireland in the late 1960s and was the opening act for major groups like\u00a0Thin Lizzy<\/a>. He came to America in 1975 and since then has toured across the U.S. and Europe performing over 7,000 shows in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Excelsior in Rome and festivals across the US and Europe.<\/p>\n

Most recently, he was the lead guitarist with Philadelphia\u2019s legendary Celtic Rock band Blackthorn. He now performs as a solo artist traveling the U.S. and Ireland.<\/p>\n

Now, Kelleher is back on the road after the COVID-19 lockdown forced him to cancel 150 shows in 2020. He will be performing all over the US in 2021 and will continue to spread his \u201cShine the Light\u201d message to help those who struggle with their mental wellness.<\/p>\n

\u201cI lost a ton of work because of the shutdown,\u201d said Kelleher, during a phone interview last week. \u201cI did some online shows, so I kept my skills up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelleher is once again ready to be a road warrior.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m about to go on a road trip, so I need my car,\u201d said Kelleher from an auto repair shop near his home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m heading to Wildwood for a show tonight. My next open period isn\u2019t until next March. I travel a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout his career, Kelleher has battled depression, anxiety and an addiction to alcohol. In his\u00a0\u201cShine the Light\u201d\u00a0presentation, he uses his gift of music, humor and an uncanny ability to engage his audience to tell a compelling story, and to help people focus on their mental wellness.<\/p>\n

Kelleher was born in Galway City, a harbor city on Ireland\u2019s west coast in 1954. The youngest of five children, he studied piano at age nine and continued to do so until he picked up the guitar when he was 14. Within a few weeks, Kelleher knew that he would be a life-long musician.<\/p>\n

When he was 16, he joined a rock group called Spoonful and switched from acoustic to electric guitar. He quickly developed a reputation for his flamboyant blues-style guitar. \u00a0In 1974, he toured the U.S. with a band called Rock & Roll Circus. Shortly after the tour, he packed his bags and moved to New York where once again he quickly developed a large following.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the tour, Rock & Roll Circus was breaking up,\u201d said Kelleher. \u201cI liked America and wanted to study to be a musician here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had gone through a tough period \u2013 depression and anxiety and suicidal tendencies. I was hospitalized for five weeks. I came out and was able to function \u2013 but the process takes a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cI left Galway in 1975. I lived in New York for 20 years \u2013 Manhattan and the Bronx. I moved to Doylestown 11 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 1996, Kelleher joined Blackthorn, Philadelphia\u2019s legendary Celtic Rock band.<\/p>\n

\u201cBlackthorn had heard me play with Sean Fleming in San Francisco,\u201d said Kelleher. \u201cI stopped playing with Sean in 1975. Blackthorn asked me to fill in for a guitarist who was sick, and I ended up playing with that band for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

For much of his life, Kelleher did not reflect the stereotype of an Irish musician who loves the drink equally or more than the music.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t drink alcohol until the early 80s when I was 32,\u201d said Kelleher. \u201cI was working with Sean Fleming in New York and had a drink. One drink led to another, and that drink led to another. Fortunately, I stopped about eight years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe combination of alcohol and depression was a lethal combination. I quit alcohol with the help of a friend. I went through 12 steps and a support system.\u201d<\/p>\n

For most of the last decade, Kelleher has devoted much of his time to the performance of music. He also allocates a lot of time to his career as a motivational speaker.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a recovering alcoholic,\u201d said Kelleher. \u201cMy motivational speech talks about my journey. I want to give hope for those who struggle with mental health and addiction. I also talk about suicide prevention. That\u2019s a big, big part of what I talk about.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave a motivational speech to the faculty at the Texas A&M College of Medicine. \u201cThey asked me if I would talk to faculty and staff because a lot of their people were just starting to really stress out because of COVID-19. So, I did a Zoom meeting for several hundred of their faculty and staff, and some of the students.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter that, I did a few more meetings for them. Then they asked me whether I would consider teaching a two-week class for the med students on mental wellness because the topic that I talked about was mental health in times of crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, in addition to being a top-flight musician, Kelleher is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Texas A&M College of Medicine where he teaches courses on Mental Wellness in times of Crisis.<\/p>\n

He holds a master\u2019s degree in communication and has worked as a speech writer and communications advisor to the presidents of major organizations and Fortune 500 companies. He formerlywas an adjunct professor at Fordham and New York University in the journalism departments.<\/p>\n

In his other career, Kelleher has built a network of fans around the world who support his music.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll my music shows are solo right now \u2013 but I do use some live looping,\u201d said Kelleher. \u201cI\u2019ve released two solo albums \u2013 \u2018Four Cups of Coffee\u2019 in 2007 and \u2018The Other Side of Town\u2019 in 2011. The music is blues with an Irish touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m working on my next album right now at a friend\u2019s home studio. I hope to have it out by fall. It has a bit of techno to it \u2013 some electronic music. It\u2019s still me but using synthesizers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Seamus Kelleher \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/GMtle3Hw5PI<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Jamey\u2019s on June 25 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 online advance and $18 at the door. Livestream tickets are $15. Kelleher will also be performing at Bucks County Brewery in Bedminster on June 25.<\/p>\n

The second show of the 2021-2022 season of Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) has arrived and has audiences dancing in their seats, smiling and laughing.<\/p>\n

The new production is \u201cBeehive: The 1960\u2019s Musical.\u201d<\/p>\n

The members of the all-female cast ask audiences to join them for this rollicking musical tribute to the ladies who left their mark on the music of the 60s. With big voices and bigger hairdos,\u00a0\u201cBeehive\u201d\u00a0will have audience members dancing in the aisles and singing along with many of the iconic songs from the past.<\/p>\n

The show, which was created by Larry Gallagher,\u00a0is a celebration of the powerful female voices of the 1960s. This musical review will transport audiences with timeless hits such as \u201cMe and Bobby McGee,\u201d\u00a0\u201cMy Boyfriend\u2019s Back\u201d, \u201cBe My Baby,\u201d \u201cSon of a Preacher Man\u201d, and \u201cYou Don\u2019t Own Me\u201d.<\/p>\n

There are six performers in the cast at the Candlelight \u2013 Macy (Macy Chaplin), Tiffany (Tiffany Dawn Christopher), Phoebe (Phoebe Gavula), Tiara (Tiara Greene), Jenna (Jenna Kuerzi) and Kaylan (Kaylan Wetzel).<\/p>\n

Wetzel is familiar with the songs in the show \u2013 but she didn\u2019t grow up with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the music from my mom\u2019s era,\u201d said Wetzel.\u00a0\u201cShe grew\u00a0up in the 1960s. And my father too \u2013 he loved the Beatles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeehive: The 1960\u2019s Musical\u201d will run from June 12-July 18. Tickets are $65.50 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12). All seats are reserved.<\/p>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) will present Better Than Bacon on June 25 and One Alternative on June 26.<\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>) \u00a0will be hosting Betterducks on June 26.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will present Friends of the Brothers on June 25, Oz Noy Trio on June 26,<\/p>\n

Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/a>) is presenting Flora Cash June 26 at The Foundry.<\/p>\n

Reverb (1402 North Ninth Street, Reading, 610-743-3069, www.reverbconcerts.com<\/a>) has two live shows this weekend — Craig Owens on June 25 and Madball on June 27.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0 The live music scene in the area started to come to life a few weeks ago and has been picking up momentum ever since. The schedule of live shows is getting meatier after months and months of looking anorexic. People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern,\u00a0peopleslight.org) has resumed its […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48486,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[13886,7799,7426,13884,13480,13888,13887,13885],"class_list":["post-48493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-alyssa-garcia","tag-erin-mckeown","tag-featured","tag-fleetwood-mask","tag-gabrielle-chapman-the-vortex","tag-seamus-kelleher","tag-skylar-love","tag-the-restless-age"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48493","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=48493"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48493\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48494,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48493\/revisions\/48494"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/48486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=48493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=48493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=48493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}