{"id":54904,"date":"2024-11-29T09:27:27","date_gmt":"2024-11-29T14:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=54904"},"modified":"2024-11-29T09:27:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-29T14:27:28","slug":"on-stage-soraia-plays-special-show-at-milk-boy-philly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=54904","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Soraia plays special show at Milk Boy Philly"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/div>\n
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Soraia<\/p><\/div>\n

Thanksgiving Weekend is a tough weekend for music acts wanting to play live shows.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Many potential audience members have other plans based on holiday meals and family reunions.<\/div>\n
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On the flip side, there are music fans who are eager to get out and hear live shows.<\/div>\n
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Both groups can be satisfied on November 29 when Philadelphia-based, nationally acclaimed rockers Soraia play a special show at MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455, www.milkboyphilly.com<\/a>) — A \u201cShed The Skin Release Event.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Soraia\u00a0have reissued the band\u2019s 2008 album \u201cShed The Skin\u201d via Stevie Van Zandt\u2019s\u00a0Wicked Cool Records,\u00a0to coincide with the LP\u2019s 15th anniversary.<\/div>\n

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Available digitally and on both blue and gold vinyl, the record’s 10 tracks have been newly remixed and remastered by the band’s own Travis Smith and Grammy-nominated engineer Joe Lambert.<\/div>\n
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The album features guest appearances from Richie Sambora, Lorenza Ponce, Bobby Bandiera, John Shanks and Jeff Kazee.<\/div>\n
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With every release,\u00a0Soraia\u00a0continues to gain experience, momentum, and strength. They have garnered the attention of many soulful rock legends in the music business, including Jon Bon Jovi, Steven Van Zandt, and Joan Jett.<\/div>\n
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The core band features ZouZou Mansour (lead vocals), Travis Smith (bass), and Brianna Sig (drums). Together, they have unmatched chemistry and passion for the music they play.<\/div>\n
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Mansour\u00a0said,\u00a0\u201c\u2018Shed The Skin\u2019 was our first attempt at not only a more crafted and collaborative songwriting, but also a journey to finding what we had to say and if we could say it.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe were in a different time in life, and very green, which has brought up both a joy recalling that time and also an admiration for how far we’ve come.<\/div>\n
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\u201cOne thing is true:\u00a0Soraia\u00a0keeps going. And that is the greatest thing that these songs have gifted to us. We hope you enjoy hearing them live when we perform them on tour this fall. We are having the best time bringing them back into our set!\u201d<\/div>\n
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The band recently returned from Sweden where they were hard at work on new music for release in 2025. In the meantime,\u00a0Soraia\u00a0will be supporting the re-release of \u201cShed The Skin\u201d with a fall tour that concludes this weekend.<\/div>\n
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\u201cTravis and I are the core of the band and we\u2019ve been together for over 10 years,\u201d said Mansour. \u201cWe released our album \u2018The Valley of Love and Guns\u2019 in 2013, \u2018Soraia Lives\u2019 in 2014 and \u2018Less Than Zero\u2019 in 2015.\u201d<\/div>\n
Soraia had just signed a deal with Wicked Cool Records to release new material as well as the band\u2019s back catalogue<\/div>\n
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\u201cWicked Cool Records is owned by Little Steven Van Zandt from Bruce Springsteen\u2019s E Street Band,\u201d said Mansour. \u201cDavid Fricke, a senior writer at Rolling Stone Magazine, contacted us out of the blue and said he loved our music. He has a show on Sirius Spectrum.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Soraia\u2019s lineup solidified four years ago when Brianna Sig took over on drums and added backing vocals.<\/div>\n
\u201cA few years ago, I was playing in another band and someone told me I looked like Soraia,\u201d said Sig, during a phone interview. \u201cOur bands shared a bill, and I hinted that I wanted to be their drummer.<\/div>\n
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\u201cNot long after that, Soraia needed a drummer for a tour and contacted me. I played on that tour and eventually, it turned into I was her drummer. That was two-and-a-half years ago.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Sig grew up in Norristown\u2019s West End and was the daughter of local jazz musician Bill Signorovitch.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI began drumming when I was about 10,\u201d said Sig. \u201cMy dad was a jazz guitarist, so I was exposed to music early. I graduated high school in 2007 and had my first band in 2010. It took a while.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Sig found a home with Soraia and fit in well with the band\u2019s veterans.<\/div>\n
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Mansour said, \u201cI\u2019m all about playing a fun song and throwing myself around, that\u2019s Rock \u2019n\u2019 Roll at its heart,\u201d ZouZou remarks. \u201cBut I\u2019m also about telling the stories of resurrection and life and hope and darkness.\u201d<\/div>\n
According to Van Zandt, \u201cYou do not want to miss one of the greatest of the new bands! For those of you who think rock is dead – come have your faith renewed!\u201d<\/div>\n
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Video link for Soraia — https:\/\/music.youtube.com\/watch?v=TQCA7rxUEWQ<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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The show at MilkBoy on November 29 will start at 8:30 p.m. Opening acts are Bobby Mahoney and Pink Soap.<\/div>\n
Tickets are $15.<\/div>\n
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Many entertainers are \u201clegends in their own minds\u201d \u2013 an idiom that means \u201cbelieving that they are of greater importance than is actually the case\u201d or simply put\u2026being delusional about their popularity.<\/div>\n
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Kenn\u00a0Kweder<\/p><\/div>\n

Kenn\u00a0Kweder\u00a0is not a \u201clegend in his own mind\u201d \u2013 but he is a \u201clegend in his own city.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n

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The veteran rocker has been a mainstay of the Philadelphia rock and folk scene since the early 1970s and is still going strong.<\/div>\n
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On November 29, Kweder will perform at 118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, www.118northwayne.com<\/a>)<\/div>\n
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Kweder\u00a0has played just about every Philly area music club at some point in his five-decade career \u2013 from historic and long-gone venues such the Second Fret, The Hot Club and Ripley\u2019s to current favorites such as the Locks, the Living Room and Ardmore Music Hall.<\/div>\n
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The answer to the question why\u00a0Kweder\u00a0never became a national act can be found in his need for independence.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI had conversations with major labels and executives like Clive Davis (president of Columbia Records and the founder of Arista Records) but I didn\u2019t want to go along with the program,\u201d said\u00a0Kweder.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI was a government worker early in the \u201970s and quit because I didn\u2019t like taking orders. I had played basketball in high school at West Catholic and wanted to play pro basketball — but I was too small. After I quit the government job, I decided to try music.<\/div>\n
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\u201cMajor labels wanted to sign me, but they wanted to tell me what to do \u2013 like get rid of my band. I didn\u2019t want to do that. I wanted to do it my way.\u201d<\/div>\n
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When he embarked on his music career,\u00a0Kweder\u00a0played solo gigs \u2013 singing and playing acoustic guitar. The next step was putting together a band — Kenn\u00a0Kweder\u00a0& the Secret Kidds.<\/div>\n
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Over the years, he formed and fronted a variety of bands including the Radio Church of God, the Men From K.W.E.D.E.R., the Men From P.O.V.I.C.H., the Employees, the Codependents, and the Enablers.<\/div>\n
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Kweder\u00a0built a reputation for putting on wild and unpredictable shows featuring great music and a lot more. His fans learned to expect a good time and to expect the unexpected.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s hard to explain what I do,\u201d said\u00a0Kweder. \u201cEvery night is different.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Early in his career,\u00a0Kweder\u00a0was a hit with the Philly college crowd and played more than a few frat gigs and toga parties \u2013 especially at the University of Pennsylvania. His relationship with Penn and its campus continues to this day.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve been playing on the Penn campus for 30 years,\u201d said\u00a0Kweder, who was born in Upper Darby (hometown of Todd Rundgren and Tina Fey). \u201cEvery Tuesday for 29 years, I\u2019ve done shows at Smokey Joe\u2019s.<\/div>\n
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Kweder\u00a0is a performer \u2013 not a recording artist.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI put out a lot of records on my own over the years,\u201d said\u00a0Kweder. \u201cNow, it\u2019s not worth it. The younger audience doesn\u2019t even have a way to play CDs. Kenn\u00a0Kweder\u00a0is all about performing live. At this point, I just keep gigging.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Video link for Kenn\u00a0Kweder\u00a0— https:\/\/youtu.be\/k0mw9jJCHFA<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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Other shows at 118 North this weekend are Melt With You on November 29, US Rails on November 30 and Swing That Cat on December 1.<\/div>\n
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Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) will host the Dirk Quinn Band on November 29 and the Bobby Messano Band on November 30.<\/div>\n
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Quinn\u00a0is the guitarist for a high energy funk\/jazz band based out of Philadelphia that travels extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada.<\/div>\n
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Learning from a decade of steady performing, Quinn has developed a unique and progressive style — one that appeals to a wide variety of music listeners with fans ranging from the jam band hippies to the jazz snobs.<\/div>\n
\u00a0Working the club and coffee house circuit, Quinn became increasingly in demand, playing as many as three gigs a day while getting the occasional call to share the stage with musical legends such as Steve Kimock, Bernie Worell, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Keller Williams, Booker T, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Kofi Burbridge (Derek Trucks Band), and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.<\/div>\n
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The Dirk Quinn Band is jazz\/funk improv group featuring Dirk Quinn on guitar, Rory Flynn on bass and Cody Munzert on keyboards.<\/div>\n
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Video link for\u00a0the Dirk Quinn Band \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/H3-lkb274gc<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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The show on November 29 will start at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n
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Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.<\/div>\n
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The Bobby Messano Band will take the stage at the Lansdowne venue on Saturday night.<\/div>\n
Messano\u00a0has almost always been a part of the American music scene. He has toured with STARZ, Lou Gramm, Stevie Winwood, Clarence Clemons, Frankie & the Knockouts, Peter Criss and more.<\/div>\n
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His past five releases have garnered 26 Grammy First Round ballots in eight categories. He teamed up with Queen legend Brian May for the 15 cuts that comprise his latest effort, \u201cBad Movie\u201d which debuted at #1.<\/div>\n
Messano is a legendary guitarist and contemporary blues artist who has released nine solo CDs, placed songs in many TV and cable shows and played on over 50 major label and indie albums.<\/div>\n
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Messano\u2019s newest project, \u201cMUSIC and OTHER SUNDRIES,\u201d was released on vinyl in April 2022 and was released to iTunes and Digital stations on August 1, 2023.<\/div>\n
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On September 17, 2024, his song, \u201cIn the Depths of Love,\u201d was the first-place winner for BEST BLUES SONG in the UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC AWARDS COMPETITION.<\/div>\n
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Video link for\u00a0the Bobby Messano Band \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/y5RAvlm7Q94<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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The show on November 30 will start at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n
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Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.<\/div>\n
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Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) is presenting Quick Change! with Wring Me Out on November 30 and \u201cCharlie Brown Holiday Jazz\u201d featuring the music of\u00a0Vince Guaraldi\u00a0interpreted and performed by\u00a0Dave Mattock and the Taproom Trio on December 1.<\/div>\n
Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will host Boat House Row on November 30 and Romeo Delight on December 1.<\/div>\n
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City Winery (990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, www.citywinery.com<\/a>)\u00a0will be showing some diversity this weekend with shows by Sun Ra Arkestra on November 30 and Rhett Miller on December 1.<\/div>\n
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The Met (858 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, http:\/\/themetphilly.com<\/a>) will present Brett Eldredge on December 1 while Brooklyn Bowl (1009 Canal Street, Philadelphia, www.brooklynbowl.com\/philadelphia<\/a>) will host Dopapod on November 29 and Four Year Strong on November 30.<\/div>\n
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For an international flavor, check out World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>)\u00a0which will have \u201cMinas Quintet \u2013 Tribute to Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66\u201d on November 30.<\/div>\n
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Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, 215-232-2100, www.utphilly.com<\/a>) is presenting two nights with Marc Rebillet on November 29 and 30.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Thanksgiving Weekend is a tough weekend for music acts wanting to play live shows. Many potential audience members have other plans based on holiday meals and family reunions. On the flip side, there are music fans who are eager to get out and hear live shows. Both groups […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54902,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[7426,13596,9203],"class_list":["post-54904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-kenn-kweder","tag-soraia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54904","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=54904"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54904\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54905,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54904\/revisions\/54905"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/54902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}