{"id":18663,"date":"2016-03-03T10:17:02","date_gmt":"2016-03-03T15:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=18663"},"modified":"2016-03-03T09:28:27","modified_gmt":"2016-03-03T14:28:27","slug":"on-stage-robust-calendar-of-live-music-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=18663","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Robust calendar of live music this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

From punk to jazz, there’s something for everyone<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Staff Writer, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Wolfmother_Silver_Wall_0066\"<\/a>

Wolfmother<\/p><\/div>\n

Area music fans who want to enjoy a live concert (or two\u2026or three) are in for a treat this weekend. The calendar of live shows around the area features music in a large range of styles and genres by bands from very diverse locations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start with the list of some of the bands set to play the area on March 4. There will be shows by a punk-influenced grunge band from Oakland, California (SWMRS), a psych-pop band from New York (Zuli), an indie-pop sister duo from Indianapolis (Lily and Madeleine) and a hard rock band from Australia (Wolfmother).<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the acts set for March 5 are a jazz group from New York (Ben Williams) and an internationally-acclaimed bass player from Australia (Tal Wilkenfeld) while the schedule for March 6 includes a pop band from New York (Sunflower Bean), a singer-songwriter from Philadelphia (Lizanne Knott) and a reggae-influenced band from Orange County, California (Common Kings).<\/span><\/p>\n

Wolfmother, which will headline a show at the Trocadero (10<\/span>th<\/sup><\/span> and Arch streets, Philadelphia, 215-922-6888, www.thetroc.com<\/span><\/a>), is a band that is a combination of a band and a solo project by Andrew Stockdale.<\/span><\/p>\n

The group currently includes vocalist and guitarist Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Ian Peres, and touring drummer Alex Carapetis.\u00a0 Stockdale\u2019s band had a different line-up when it released its self-titled debut album in 2005.<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201cWolfmother\u201d album has since sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide and won the band a number of industry awards. It was certified Gold in the States, UK and Canada and 5x-Platinum in Australia. Lead single \u201cWoman\u201d hit Top 10 and won a Grammy for \u201cBest Hard Rock Performance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, Wolfmother\u2019s songs have appeared in films (\u201cShrek,\u201d \u201cJackass,\u201d \u201cDue Date,\u201d and the trilogy of \u201cHangover\u201d movies), video games (\u201cNeed For Speed,\u201d \u201cMLB: The Show\u201d and \u201cSaints Row\u201d) and television commercials (Apple, Mitsubishi).<\/span><\/p>\n

Wolfmother is now touring in support of its new album \u201cVictorious,\u201d which released February 19, 2016 through Universal Music Enterprises.<\/span><\/p>\n

The album was written by Stockdale at his studio in Byron Bay and recorded at legendary Henson Studios in Los Angeles with two-time Grammy winning producer Brendan O\u2019Brien. Stockdale handled vocal, guitar and bass-playing duties on the album with drums split between Josh Freese and Joey Waronker.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started working on the album in January 2015,\u201d said Stockdale, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from a tour stop in Washington, D.C. \u201cI started making demos of all the songs on bass, drum kit and guitar — just banging out ideas and working on them. The mindset was to just have fun — keep it fresh and get some good energy into it — good riffs and strong drumming.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI spent 13 days in the studio in Australia and then sent the music files to Brendan in Los Angeles. My management hooked me up with Brendan. I just left it in their hands. Brendan got back to me in June and said I had to leave immediately to come there because that was when he was free to work with me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI flew to Los Angeles the next day. I didn\u2019t even take my guitar. He said he had 200 guitars at his studio so I didn\u2019t have the need to carry around a guitar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once in L.A., Stockdale and O\u2019Brien got down to business.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI did the guitar and bass,\u201d said Stockdale. \u201cI was really keen on having Joey Waronker on drums because I like his style. It took a month-and-a-half to finish the album. We did a song every three days. At the end, we worked two weeks straight from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI sent the demos to my band. Ian came over one month into the recording and laid down the keyboard parts. We stayed in L.A. for a few weeks. My daughter wanted to go to Disney World. Then, we came back to Australia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stockdale hails from a part of Australia know for its surfing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the finest waves in Australia are in Byron Bay — 200-meter rides,\u201d said Stockdale. \u201cI\u2019ve spent many days catching waves there — being out in the water with dolphins and turtles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stockdale formed the band in 2000 in his hometown of Byron Bay, which is located along the ocean in New South Wales, Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Wolfmother — https:\/\/youtu.be\/PZDg_MLmp7M<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Trocadero, which has Deap Valley as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"swmrs\"<\/a>

SWMRS<\/p><\/div>\n

SWMRS (pronounced as \u201cSwimmers\u201d) is an American rock band from Oakland, California that will be in Philly on March 4 for a show at the Fire (412 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, 267-671-9298, thefirephilly.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The group features Cole Becker (lead guitar, lead vocals), Max Becker (bass, lead vocals), Joseph Armstrong (drums, backing vocals) and Sebastian Mueller (bass, backing vocals). Originally known as Drive North, the band released a number of EPs from 2008-2010 and albums in 2011 and 2013.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rocking quartet\u2019s third studio album — and their first under the name SWMRS — is titled \u00a0\u201cDrive North.\u201d It was released on February 12, 2016 \u00a0\u00a0on the band\u2019s own label — Uncool Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the album last summer in Oakland,\u201d said Max Becker, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon as the band travelled between gigs in North Carolina and Virginia Beach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother Cole and I write the songs. Once we finish the demos, we bring them to Joey and Sebastien. With the new album, we came into our own with our writing. We got rid of the pop-punk and went more with modern grunge — drums up high and guitars down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason it sounds so fresh is that the guy who mixed our record — Jeff Ellis — works with hip-hop groups. He\u2019s used to the low end being more important than guitar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The foursome\u2019s earlier albums were produced by Billie Joe Armstrong — Green Day\u2019s guitarist\/vocalist\/songwriter and Joey\u2019s dad.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBillie Joe produced our first two albums,\u201d said Becker. \u201cIt was kind of unsaid that he\u2019s do it. My brother, me and Joey started the band. When we were 10 years old, he was recording our stuff on a four-track.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the new album, we had Zac Carper as our producer. He\u2019s the lead vocalist for Fidlar so he understood where we were coming from. Having him do the record definitely helped season us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all have pretty eclectic music tastes. We all listened to Bay Area bands and other bands like the Replacements. And, I\u2019ve always been into bands like Credence Clearwater Revival and Tom Petty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDrive North\u201d is more than just the title of the album and the previous name of the band. It is also a message.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about having pride in where we\u2019re from,\u201d said Becker. \u201cA lot of time, when people hear our music, they think we\u2019re another band from Southern California. We don\u2019t want to be associated with them. The whole album stems from the ideas that you have pride in your hometown. We\u2019re from Oakland.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDrive North\u201d is also a track on the new album — a song with a repeated chorus of \u201cI hate Los Angeles.\u201d It\u2019s all about the guys\u2019 love for their hometown just across the bay from San Francisco — the home of the Raiders, the A\u2019s and SWMRS.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for SWMRS — https:\/\/youtu.be\/NKbNDIigdlg<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Fire, which starts at 6 p.m., features a trio of opening acts — The Frights, Spill and Skyline the City. Tickets for the all-ages show are $10.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"lily<\/a>

Lily & Madeleine<\/p><\/div>\n

On February 26, Lily & Madeleine\u2019s new full-length album \u201cKeep It Together\u201d was released on New West Records. Now, the sisters from Indianapolis are on tour supporting the new disc — a tour that brings them to the area for a show March 4 at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, philly.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Lily & Madeleine\u2019s goal was to release an album-a-year for three years and they\u2019ve done it. \u201cFumes,\u201d the duo\u2019s second LP, was released October 28, 2014 — 366 days after 2013\u2019s \u201cLily & Madeleine.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first two albums were put out by Asthmatic Kitty Records. Just over a year after \u201cFumes,\u201d the Jurkiewicz sisters released \u201cKeep It Together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe started writing the album in January 2105,\u201d said Lily, during a phone interview Wednesday morning from a tour stop in Boston. \u201cWe finished it in July. It was a long process. We had written and arranged everything before we went into the studio. We recorded it at a studio in Bloomington, Indiana.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From the beginning, the sisters\u2019 calling card has been the breathtaking and intuitive union of their voices — and their sisterly, collaborative songwriting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been singing together always,\u201d said Lily. \u201cOur mom is very musical so we\u2019ve been singing together for a really long time. In 2012, we did our first performance when we were still in high school.\u00a0\u00a0 We had two sold-out shows at a local venue. It was a lovely time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat got us noticed originally were all the cover songs we did videos for and put up on YouTube. With Asthmatic Kitty, what got them interested were our original songs on YouTube.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After two releases for Asthmatic Kitty, the sisters recorded \u201cKeep It Together\u201d for New West Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe did it in a different process this time,\u201d said Madeleine. \u201cInstead of writing together, we wrote all the songs separately and then brought them to each other. It was interesting to see how that worked out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know why we decided to do it that way. It just seemed natural. Lily was writing on her own and I was starting to write by myself. Prior to this album, our songwriting was very collaborative.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lily said, \u201cYou can tell which songs are Madeleine\u2019s and which are mine. My songs are more understated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Madeleine said, \u201cThe songs that I wrote are more of a narrative. The songs Lily wrote were more imagery-based — stream-of-thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the studio, we messed around with the songs\u2019 vibes so that each song had its own special feel. We weren\u2019t thinking about what kind of songs they were. Once we had it narrowed down to 10 songs, it was easy to figure out their order on the album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe album is also coming out on vinyl. So, there is an \u2018A\u2019 side and a \u2018B\u2019 side. When you flip it over, you have to think about the re-start. You have to get the energy going again. We\u2019ve wanted to do a vinyl release because vinyl is making a comeback.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Lily & Madeleine — https:\/\/youtu.be\/iStHZStfWqM<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which has Shannon Hayden as the opener, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"zuli\"<\/a>Zuli, an indie\/psych-rock band put together by Ryan Camenzuli, will play a show on March 4 at Everybody Hits Philadelphia (529 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-769-7500, http:\/\/everybodyhitsphila.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The band called Zuli is the latest project by Camenzuli, a New York-based songwriter and musician. Zuli has a new EP — \u201cSuper Natural Voodoo,\u201d which has yielded a well-received single and video called \u201cBetter All the Time.\u201d Zuli\u2019s music is a swirling blend of glam rock, psych-pop and straight-ahead rock.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had the band together for about a year,\u201d said Camenzuli, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from his home in Long Island. \u201cPrior to that, I played in a band called Wild International for a few years. They disbanded so I formed my own band.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zuli is now on a nationwide tour in support of the \u201cSupernatural Voodoo\u201d EP. The tour kicks off on in Philadelphia and will take the band from New York City to Washington DC, Nashville, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, and other stops along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a four-piece band on the road — keys, drums, bass and me on guitar and singing,\u201d said Camenzuli. \u201cWhen I started the band, I was writing songs and experimenting to see what would work.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I write, I keep all the elements in mind — spacey music and strong melodies with choruses behind them. I definitely pay a lot of attention to lead guitar. I\u2019d say all of it comes into play. I focus on a melody and guitar work at the core and then start experimenting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn the latest EP, I recorded it by myself over the course of six months. I have a studio in my house. It\u2019s not big or elaborate but it gets the job done. I\u2019m working on the LP now with the band.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been friends for awhile. It\u2019s been more of a group effort so I brought them into the studio. I\u2019m a couple tracks into the new album. But, I had to re-prioritize with all the touring we\u2019ve been doing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Camenzuli recently graduated from Marymount Manhattan where he was a theater major.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to round out as a performer so I went to acting school,\u201d said Camenzuli. \u201cBut, making music has always been my primary goal — making EPs and albums.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe album I\u2019m working on now expands on ideas from the EP. All the songs on the EP were very personal. Now, I\u2019m writing about people in my life and universal themes. It\u2019s still pop — but it\u2019s getting harsher.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Zuli — https:\/\/youtu.be\/v0udAqKfnKQ<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Everybody Hits , which starts at 9 p.m., also features Static Mt, Souldiers of Soul and RR Perkins. Tickets are $10.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ben<\/a>

Ben Williams<\/p><\/div>\n

Stanley Clarke Jr. and Christian McBride are two jazz bassists who have achieved international fame as musicians, composers and group leaders. Now, Ben Williams is forging a similar path — a path that could lead to similar heights.<\/span><\/p>\n

Williams, an accomplished session man in New York, has his own band called Sound Effect. On March 5, Williams and his musicians will perform two shows at Chris\u2019 Jazz Caf\u00e9 (1421 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, 215-568-3131, http:\/\/www.chrisjazzcafe.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be my third or fourth time to play Chris\u2019 over the last few years,\u201d said Williams, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from his home in New York. \u201cWe really enjoy playing there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The bassist and his band are touring behind his most recent album \u201cComing of Age,\u201d which features Marcus Strickland (tenor and soprano saxophones), Matthew Stevens (electric guitar), Christian Sands (piano), and John Davis (drums).<\/span><\/p>\n

Williams, who plays upright bass and electric bass, actually got his start in music on another instrument.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy first instrument was piano when I was about seven,\u201d said Williams. \u201cI grew up in a pretty musical household. My parents were into soul music from the 60s and 70s so there was always music playing in the house. My brother and I were listening to Prince and Michael Jackson.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started playing bass when I was 11. I grew up in D.C. and took art classes and music classes in school. They had a jazz program in middle school when I was 11 and that\u2019s what got me started. When I first heard jazz, it was always a hands-on experience because I was learning to play it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy teacher gave me a cassette tape with two albums on it — Miles Davis\u2019 \u2018Kind of Blue\u2019 and Charles Mingus\u2019 \u2018Blues & Roots.\u2019 It\u2019s hard to put into words the feelings I got from listening to those albums. A new world opened up for me. It awakened my curiosity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought — whatever these guys are doing, I want to do that. My mom had a couple Mingus albums that I found and played. And, I went to Tower Records to find more jazz music.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Williams discovered jazz and he was hooked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUI wrote my first tune during my senior year in high school,\u201d said Williams, who has lived in New York for the last eight-and-a-half years. \u201cBut, I didn\u2019t really start to write until I was in college. I also put together a couple bands when I was in college.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2009, Williams won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition as judged by Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Dave Holland, Robert Hurst, Christian McBride, and John Patitucci. The honor included a recording contract with Concord Records through which he released his debut album \u201cState of Art\u201d in 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt really started to take off when I formed my own band after the Monk Competition,\u201d said Williams. \u201cI did my first gig as a bandleader. I started writing original compositions and discovering m voice as a composer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, composer, bassist and bandleader exist in the same world and serve the same purpose. As a leader, I could explore compositions. I started to get a feel for what I really wanted to say as a musician. That informed the way I play.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cComposition — it comes from you and invokes a lot of soul-searching. Composing for a band has helped me as a bass player. I have my own band and I have them in mind when I\u2019m composing and arranging.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI compose on piano but a lot of my ideas come from my voice. I use voice memo on my phone a lot. My voice recorder is filled with random sounds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Ben Williams — https:\/\/youtu.be\/I5_okFr-vDc<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The shows at Chris\u2019 Jazz Caf\u00e9 are scheduled for March 5 and 8 and 10 p.m. Tickets for either show are $25.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"sunflower<\/a>

Sunflower Bean<\/p><\/div>\n

Sunflower Bean, which will play on March 6 at Kung Fu Necktie (1248 North Front Street, Philadelphia, 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com<\/span><\/a>), has been getting noticed lately. Last month, the New York-based band was the subject of a story in Rolling Stone and a few days ago the foursome was the feature of an MTV interview.<\/span><\/p>\n

The group, which includes drummer Jacob Faber, bassist Julia Cumming and guitarist Nick Kivlen, is now out on tour in support of its new album \u2018Human Ceremony,\u201d which was released on Fat Possum on February 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been together for two-and-a-half years,\u201d said Cumming, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon as the band was travelling through Canada on its way to a show in Detroit.\u00a0 \u201cWe tried to do the album a couple different ways. We made demos of different songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnce we started working with Matt (producer Matt Molnar), he was able to help us organize ourselves. We recorded the album in Brooklyn in August and did 11 tracks in seven days. We did a lot of pre-production — three months of preparing songs and formatting them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Faber said, \u201cSome of the songs we had been playing live for a year. Some were new and had never been played live. A lot of it was trying to figure out how to make them work in a studio setting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think lyrically the album can be interpreted many different ways. People can come up with their own meanings. The instrumental part is more universal. We have about five or six songs we\u2019re working on for the next album. They still sound in the same vein — but we\u2019re progressing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The three band members all have their roots in classic rock — from the Velvet Underground to the Beach Boys to T. Rex. They also all have their roots in New York — Cumming is from the East Village while the other two grew up in Long Island.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe and Jacob went to high school together,\u201d said Kivlen. \u201cI was playing in another band. Our drummer went off to college and Jacob joined the band. We jammed a lot together and decided to put a band together. We knew Julia from the New York music scene and asked her to join. Julia and I do all the vocals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunflower Bean spent most of February touring Europe. The trio started its stateside tour on February 25 at the Bowery Ballroom in New York and will be on the road until the tour\u2019s final show in Pittsburgh on April 9. The band has played Philly a few times already with shows at Boot & Saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited to be playing Kung Fu Necktie,\u201d said Cumming. \u201cWe\u2019ve heard a lot of good things about that club.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Sunflower Bean — https:\/\/youtu.be\/8RplDJ08s8Y<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Kung Fu Necktie, which has Honduras and Cold fronts as the opening acts, will start at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"lizanne<\/a>

Lizanne Knott<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re up for a full musical meal on March 6, you could sandwich the Sunflower Bean show between a pair of shows at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, philly.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>) — Lizanne Knott at 1 p.m. and Common Kings at 8 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knott\u2019s show is a \u201cCD Release Brunch\u201d — and a great deal for fans. Tickets for the matinee show are $15 and include a signed copy of her soon-to-be-released album \u201cExcellent Day,\u201d which will be out on April 8.<\/span><\/p>\n

A longtime mainstay of the Philadelphia music scene, Knott is also the managing partner of Grammy Award-winning MorningStar Studios in East Norriton. She has performed at some of the most prestigious listening venues, theaters and concert halls throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost of my audience is in the U.K.,\u201d said Knott , during a phone interview Wednesday morning from her office at MorningStar. \u201cI\u2019m touring the states a lot this year but I\u2019ll also be in Scotland in June and in the U.K. in October. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

Knott has other local shows coming soon including \u201cSongwriters in the Round\u201d on April 2 at Trinity Presbyterian Church (640 Berwyn Ave, Berwyn) and a show with special guest Katherine Rondeau on April 7 at the Mermaid Inn (7673 Winston Road, Chestnut Hill).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started writing for this album two years ago,\u201d said Knott. \u201cI finish one album and then start writing for the next one. I started working in the studio in fall\/winter 2014\/2105. Some of the vocals were cut in Nashville at Studio Z with Saul Zonana. The rest were all done at my studio with Glenn Barratt producing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Philadelphia music legend Jef Lee Johnson, who passed away unexpectedly three years ago, had a big influence on Knott\u2019s new album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe passing of Jef affected me greatly,\u201d said Knott. \u201cIt was a life-changer because he was my go-to person for everything. I was greatly influenced by his spirit and his music. He did a lot of touring and it nailed him. He died from complications from pneumonia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Knott followed her usual M.O. when it was time to make the new album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI usually get all my writing done and then record everything together,\u201d said Knott. \u201cI bring my players in for a few days. As always, I used Philly musicians. I finished it up February 2015. It took a year to come out because I\u2019m part owner of a recording studio and that takes up a lot of my time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith this album, I went back to my jazz roots — Delta Blues, New Orleans soul and other roots music. I\u2019m by no means a jazz musician but these have all been influences on my music. I\u2019m moving back to what I originally started to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m playing with a great band — upright bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums and trumpet. This Sunday\u2019s brunch show with the free CD is just kind of a thank you to my fans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Lizanne Knott — https:\/\/youtu.be\/vzveKgyJAmk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"common<\/a>

Common Kings<\/p><\/div>\n

The Common Kings are a multi-cultural pop\/rock band with vocals inspired by soul music and a heavy reggae influence. The four band members have island roots but none are from Jamaica — or even the Caribbean.<\/span><\/p>\n

All four have Polynesian roots —\u00a0 guitarist Taumata Grey (Samoa), bassist Ivan Kirimaua (Fiji\/Kiribati), drummer <\/b>Jerome Taito <\/b>(Tonga) and lead singer Sasualei \u201cJR King\u201d Maliga (Samoa\/Hawai\u2018i). They all live now in Orange County, California.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe band started a few years ago,\u201d said Kirimaua, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from a tour stop in Pensacola, Florida. \u201cWe met through mutual friends. We all got together at my house in Newport Beach at a barbecue and started jamming. We\u2019re Pacific Islanders and we all stick together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taito said, \u201cWe actually started just jamming. After that, we learned a few songs. We got offered a gig at a luau at San Diego State University. From there, we started doing cover gigs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout four years ago, we became Common Kings. As Common Kings, we became more committed to our own music. It\u2019s \u2018feel good\u2019 music — a true representation of who we are. Everything is all about feeling good and having a good time. We do a lot of songwriting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Grey said, \u201cObviously, our Polynesian families and friends supported us in the beginning. Then, it gradually moved to a wider audience and a wider variety of people — white, black, Asian and Hispanic. And, we\u2019ve picked up a younger audience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A major factor in the addition of younger fans has to be the band\u2019s last two tours. Common Kings just came off tour as direct support to\u00a0Justin\u00a0Timberlake\u00a0and just completed a tour with platinum girl group 5th Harmony.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common Kings are riding high with the independent success of over 350,000 downloads of their EP\u2019s and singles. They will release their debut album later\u00a0in\u00a02016 via their own label Island Empire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the EP \u2018Hits and Mrs.\u2019 early last year,\u201d said Maliga. \u201cWe\u2019ve been working on our album for about a year now. The album is pretty much done. There are a couple more songs we have to cut when we get back. The problem is that we\u2019re on the road a lot. We\u2019re out on this tour until the end of March and we have a couple more tours coming up this year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Common Kings — https:\/\/youtu.be\/PK3l2o5Gcj0<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live will start at 8 p.m. with Tomorrows Bad Seeds as the opener. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 day of show.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) will host Jane Lee Hooker with Vinyl Artifacts on March 3, Soften The Glare and Downingtown School Of Rock House Band on March 4, Beatlemania Again on March 5, Open Mic with guest host Butch Zito on March 6 and Corey Glover (from Living Colour) on March 8.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Dann Pell on March 3, Barleyjuice Trio on March 4 and the Fallen Troubadours and Jonathan Monument on March 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Glass Eyed Ghost, Danny Justice and Chemical Waste Land on March 4 and Rofo Audio on March 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/span><\/a>) will have Splintered Sunlight with special guest Still Hand String Band on March 4, Tal Wilkenfeld on March 5, \u201cDavid Stone: The Johnny Cash Experience\u201d on March 6 and Pitchblak Brass Band on March 9.<\/span><\/p>\n

Doc Watson\u2019s Public House (150 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, 610-524-2424, www.docwatsonspublichouse.com<\/span><\/a>) will present Brazen on March 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King Of Prussia, 610-354-8118, www.vfcasino.com<\/span><\/a>) will present The Rockets on March 5 at The Vault.<\/span><\/p>\n

Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0www.burlapandbean.com<\/span><\/a>) will present Charlie Phillips and John Childers on March 4, and Tin Bird Choir and Everything Turned to Color on March 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/span><\/a>) presents The Musical Box on March 4 and 5, Rachelle Ferrell and Carol Riddick on March 6 and TheatreWorks USA Presents \u201cMiss Nelson is Missing\u201d on March 8.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) will have Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas on March 3, Selwyn Birchwood & Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials on March 4, Jesse Cook Band on March 5, and Oak Ridge Boys on March 6.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577, www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/span><\/a>) will present the Russian national Orchestra on March 4 and Pinkalicious on March 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From punk to jazz, there’s something for everyone By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times Area music fans who want to enjoy a live concert (or two\u2026or three) are in for a treat this weekend. The calendar of live shows around the area features music in a large range of styles and genres by bands from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18655,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51,4],"tags":[7198,7195,5457,7196,7197,7200,7194,7199],"class_list":["post-18663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-entertainment","category-featured","tag-ben-williams","tag-common-kings","tag-lily-madeleine","tag-lizanne-knott","tag-sunflower-bean","tag-swmrs","tag-wolfmother","tag-zuli"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18663"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18664,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18663\/revisions\/18664"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}