{"id":20142,"date":"2016-06-18T11:00:49","date_gmt":"2016-06-18T15:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=20142"},"modified":"2016-06-18T10:51:31","modified_gmt":"2016-06-18T14:51:31","slug":"on-stage-extra-tord-gustavsen-cooks-up-something-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=20142","title":{"rendered":"On Stage (Extra): Tord Gustavsen cooks up something special"},"content":{"rendered":"

If\/Then comes to Philly for six-day run, June 21<\/em><\/h2>\n

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

\"tord

Tord Gustavsen, Jarle Vespestad and Simin Tander.<\/p><\/div>\n

Tord Gustavsen\u2019s latest project is like the musical equivalent of a master chef fusing together culinary elements from a number of very diverse cuisines — elements that do not seem as if they are at all compatible — and coming out with a very tasty new dish.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gustavsen, a jazz pianist and composer from Norway, will bring his trio to town on June 20 for a show at Fringe Arts (140 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, 215-413-1318, http:\/\/fringearts.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

His current trio features Norwegian drummer Jarle Vespestad and Afghan-German vocalist Simin Tander. The three talented musicians are touring in support of their new album \u201cWhat Was Said,\u201d which was recently released on ECM Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

The album features music set to Sufi poems by Rumi, Norwegian Lutheran hymns sung in Pashto, a poem by the Sufi-influenced poet Kenneth Rexroth, and several instrumentals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve done 50 concerts since the album came out in January,\u201d said Gustavsen, during a phone interview last week from his home in Trondheim, Norway. \u201cWe\u2019ve been growing tighter and freer at the same time. It\u2019s a beautiful paradox.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never had the urge to do something different just to do something different. There were several processes leading up to this trio. I had completed a double circle of album trilogies \u2013 first in the classical piano-bass-drums trio format and then in a quartet\/extended ensemble format. Then, the bass player left the band to pursue a solo career.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had done six albums the old way so I figured it was time to try a new soundscape. I started with electronics and optical sensors that trigger MIDI from movement on the keys of the piano. It fascinated me. I incorporated some synth bass. I wanted to keep playing with my drummer — to keep that interplay we had developed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt the same time, I heard Simin\u2019s quartet album and was so struck by the colors and timbres of her voice. I was also impressed with the sound of her voice singing in Pashto — the intriguing mysteriousness of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gustavsen also tapped into his Scandinavian roots — the traditional Norwegian Lutheran hymns he grew up singing and playing in church.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to connect with my roots of playing in church,\u201d said Gustavsen. \u201cIt was a crazy idea but not a crazy idea of translating the Lutheran hymns into Pashto. I realized it might be possible. I met with Simin and she already knew some of my music.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe met a tried a little bit — exploring the potential of interplay. And, it worked out. It\u2019s a liberal Sufi-Christian amalgam. We became a new trio and recorded the album a year ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for the Tord Gustavsen Trio — https:\/\/youtu.be\/rWJGYA18i5Y<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Fringe Arts will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/span><\/p>\n

Philadelphia and Wilmington are great cities for fans of touring Broadway shows with full seasons presented by the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia and the Playhouse on Rodney Square in Wilmington.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"If\/Then\"

If\/Then<\/p><\/div>\n

Most of the shows that are presented each season are tried-and-true winners — favorites such as \u201cCamelot,\u201d \u201cAnnie,\u201d \u201cThe King and I\u201d and \u201cCabaret.\u201d Fortunately, there are also a few new ones thrown in here and there — national tours of productions making their area debut.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of these new shows is visiting Philly for a six-day run from June 21-26 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, www.kimmelcenter.org<\/span><\/a>). The show, which is part of the Kimmel Center\u2019s \u201cBroadway Philadelphia\u201d series, is \u201cIf\/Then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf\/Then\u201d is a hit musical that opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in March 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

Produced by David Stone, of the team behind the record-breaking musical \u201cWicked,\u201d the first National Tour of this production brings together original Broadway cast members Jackie Burns (\u201cWicked,\u201d \u201cHair\u201d) and Anthony Rapp (\u201cRent,\u201d \u201cSix Degrees of Separation,\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re a Good Man, Charlie Brown\u201d) with Tamyra Gray (\u201cAmerican Idol Season One Finalist,\u201d \u201cRent\u201d), and Matthew Hydzik (\u201cSide Show,\u201d \u201cWest Side Story,\u201d \u201cGrease\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf\/Then\u201d is an original Broadway musical which reunites composer Tom Kitt, book writer\/lyricist Brian Yorkey, and director Michael Greif — the creative team behind the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical \u201cNext to Normal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This contemporary new musical follows two distinct storylines in the life of Elizabeth, a city planner who moves back to New York to restart her life in the city of infinite possibilities. When her carefully-designed plans collide with the whims of fate, Elizabeth sees her life split into two parallel paths. \u201cIf\/Then\u201d follows both stories simultaneously as this modern woman faces the intersection of choice and chance.<\/span><\/p>\n

She meets her friends Kate, a kindergarten teacher, and Lucas, a community organizer, in Madison Square Park. Kate suggests that Elizabeth start using the name \u201cLiz\u201d and seeking out new experiences. Lucas suggests that she go back to her college nickname, \u201cBeth,\u201d and start making professional connections in the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cLiz\u201d stays in the park with Kate while \u201cBeth\u201d leaves with Lucas, and the remainder of the show depicts two paths that Elizabeth\u2019s life could take. One of the other main characters is \u201cAnne,\u201d who is Kate\u2019s girlfriend\/partner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Janine Divita plays the role of \u201cAnne\u201d and also is the understudy for \u201cElizabeth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a very interesting and funny show,\u201d said Divita, during a phone interview last week. \u201cIt holds people\u2019s attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Divita, a native of Kansas City, was a music theater\/communications major at Michigan State University. After graduating in 2007, she immediately moved to New York.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout a year after I moved, I got the role of Rizzo in \u2018Grease\u2019 on Broadway and then also did a national tour with the show,\u201d said Divita.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know much about \u2018If\/Then\u2019 when I auditioned. But, I knew Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey so I knew it would be really good. We started rehearsals in New York and L.A. and then teched and opened in Denver. It officially opened in October.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis show is about choice and destiny — about chance and connectiveness. The message is that we should trust the process, trust the journey and trust the universe. It\u2019s a beautiful and powerful show — and the music is wonderful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cElizabeth\u2019s split comes in the very first scene. She makes one decision. From that, she takes two paths. My character is one of her friends who encourages things. Kate is the first person Elizabeth meets and I play Anne, Kate\u2019s lover\/wife.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The show is entertaining, inspirational and motivating.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a message about moving forward — about the importance of keeping that forward motion. People who see the show love it. They come up to us all the time and say that their lives have been affirmed and changed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cIf\/Then\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/-JscWhkRLT0<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Academy will be performed June 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m., June 24 at 8 p.m., June 25 at 2 and 8 p.m. and June 26 at 1 and 6:30 p.m.\u00a0 Tickets start at $20.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On June 21, the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, philly.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>) will host a singer who had her own \u201cIf\/Then\u201d situation. She has a highly successful career as a backup singer and is also an established artist on her own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Judith

Judith Hill<\/p><\/div>\n

Judith Hill, a Los Angeles native, has provided backing vocals for such artists as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Josh Groban.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2009, Hill was chosen as Jackson\u2019s duet partner for the song \u201cI Just Can\u2019t Stop Loving You\u2019\u201d during his \u201cThis Is It\u201d concert tour. She also is a talented and versatile solo artist.<\/span><\/p>\n

A number of her original ballads — including \u201cDesperation\u201d — were featured in the 2012 Spike Lee film \u201cRed Hook Summer.\u201d In 2013, Hill became a contestant during the fourth season of the TV show \u201cThe Voice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been an artist on my own,\u201d said Hill, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. \u201cTouring with Michael Jackson was like a dream come true — and Stevie too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFinally, I realized — I\u2019ve got to stop doing these dream gigs and do what I\u2019m called here to do — even if it was tough financially. Still, I\u2019m really thankful for those opportunities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hill has been praised by Rolling Stone for her \u201cstellar powerhouse vocals.\u201d Hers is one of the stories told in director Morgan Neville\u2019s acclaimed \u201c20 Feet From Stardom,\u201d a film that shines the spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century.<\/span><\/p>\n

The film has won the Film Critics Award for Best Documentary and an Academy Award for Best Documentary. The film also won the 2015 Grammy for Best Music Film. Hill, who was also featured on the film\u2019s soundtrack, was a contestant on season four of \u201cThe Voice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As a solo performer, Hill has already garnered much praise for her live performance as opener for Josh Groban, John Legend and Prince both in the US and the UK. Her debut album, \u201cBack In Time,\u201d produced by herself and Prince is out now on NPG Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve already finished making another record but I\u2019ll be touring this one until the end of the year,\u201d said Hill. \u201cI\u2019ve got a band with a lot of great musicians — including my mom and dad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hill\u2019s mother is a classically-trained pianist from Tokyo who met Hill\u2019s father in a funk band in the 1970s. Her father played in Sly and the Family Stone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the songs on \u2018Back in Time\u2019 were older and some were written in the two-month period prior to making the record,\u201d said Hill.<\/span><\/p>\n

Obviously, having Prince produce the album was a life-changing experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was doing a television interview and was asked who I would like to have produce my album,\u201d said Hill. \u201cI said \u2018Prince.\u2019 Not long after, he reached out to me. I had songs that I had already written. Prince invited me up to Paisley Park in Minneapolis, and I jammed with his band.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe sessions were fun. It was old school — just jamming with the band. We kept coming up with cool arrangements. We were recording to tape. All the recording was analog. Everything was very organic — and very refreshing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another break for Hill\u2019s career was her time spent on \u201cThe Voice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to break out from just being a backup singer,\u201d said Hill. I was ready to put out a solo record and \u2018The Voice\u2019 was a good way to get exposure. It did what it was supposed to do for me. And, it came at the right time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Judith Hill — https:\/\/youtu.be\/2bzPrQvs1fo<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which has Ginger Coyle as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"grand

grand shell game<\/p><\/div>\n

Also on June 21, the grand shell game will be in Philly for a show at the Tin Angel (20 South Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-928-0770, http:\/\/www.tinangel.com<\/span><\/a>). The grand shell game just released its debut album \u201cman on a wire\u201d on June 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

The band\u2019s line-up features e-s guthrie (guitar and vocals), Daniel Fields (electric guitar), Dylan Turner (bass\/vocals), Joe MacPhail (keyboards), Rob Davis (drums\/percussion\/vocals) and Rob DiMauro (drums\/percussion\/vocals).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had been touring solo but I got burnt-out doing it for so long,\u201d said Guthrie, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from the band\u2019s home base in Carrboro, North Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis band had its start in May 2014 when we all ended up in the same room at the same time. \u201cI met Daniel first and he brought in Joe M. Dylan was in a band with Rob Davis. Then, Rob Davis was unable to play shows for awhile so we got Rob DiMaura. The first Rob came back and now there are six of us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy stuff has always been interpreted as fairly folky because I was playing my acoustic guitar. I had songs so I gave them to the band to see what they could do with them. Now, I write lyrics and come in with skeletons of songs. The band has a lot of influences but, basically, it\u2019s just good music.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe went to Bridgeport, Connecticut — to Tarquin Studios — for a week at the beginning of 2015. We went back up in April to do the mixing and then went to Sleepy Cat Studio in Carrboro to finish it. But, most of the magic happened in Bridgeport.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The magic resulted in a debut album that rocks out — and works on both physical and intellectual levels. It is also an album with just six songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not really a concept album but there is an arc between the songs,\u201d said Guthrie. \u201cIt\u2019s a choose-your-own vibe. We don\u2019t explain it. The only thing we\u2019ll say about it is that you can do anything if you allow yourself \u00a0to. You just have to look beyond for greater potential.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for grand shell game — https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7U8-e9MxeHA<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Tin Angel, which also features Shadowplay and Kid Felix, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"whitforOn June 22, Whitford\/St. Holmes will headline a show at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>). This act is a band that brings a lot of rock-and-roll history with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brad Whitford gained world-wide fame as guitarist for Aerosmith — a job he still holds today. Derek St. Holmes is best known as the vocalist and rhythm guitar player for Ted Nugent\u2019s successful early solo career.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1981, they got together and recorded one album. Then, they put the project to bed — until last year when they joined forces again. They released a new album called \u201cReunion\u201d and now are touring in support of the album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a simple matter of geography,\u201d said Whitford, during a phone interview Monday morning from his Tennessee home.\u00a0 \u201cDerek and I have been buddies ever since the day. Then, a few years ago, we ended up being neighbors in the south side of Nashville.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been hanging out together — playing together rand writing some songs. So, we decided to take it up to the next level and we put a band together. It was just like putting on a pair of old slippers. That\u2019s how well it fit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This project is about the interaction of the players and the quality of the music. It\u2019s not about musicians\u2019 egos.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Whitford, \u201cWe loved the idea of being in a rock band that\u2019s really about the music, not about personalities. We don\u2019t have to worry about a Steven Tyler or Ted Nugent or anybody else. We\u2019ve all been guys in a more supporting role in big bands so an opportunity like this is really rare, where everyone brings so much talent and excitement and openness to the table.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The quintet also features Tesla drummer Troy Lucketta, bassist Chopper Anderson and keyboardist Buck Johnson.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the album at Castle Recordings in Nashville,\u201d said Whitford. \u201cWe had a great experience and got great results. We cut the album about a year ago and did the whole thing ourselves — no record company. We figured we\u2019d just make the album and see if anybody was interested after the fact<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the whole thing basically live. It\u2019s not cluttered up with a lot of production. The intent was to keep it very straight-ahead — the kind of music that was played by Humble Pie, Bad Company and the early Yardbirds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Whitford\/St. Holmes — https:\/\/youtu.be\/b1584v5lCbE<\/b><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show in Sellersville, which also features Stolen Rhodes, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $33 and $45.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The

The Mystery Lights<\/p><\/div>\n

The show on June 22 at Kung Fu Necktie (1248 North Front Street, Philadelphia, 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com<\/span><\/a>) featuring The Mystery Lights will have a vibe that is up-to-date and directly linked to the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mystery Lights are a garage rock band that started in California, and relocated to New York City. The group\u2019s music blends garage rock and punk rock and filters it through those two genre\u2019s influences — the raw guitar rock and the smoky blues found in the DNA of a number of bands in Britain in the late 1960s.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mystery Lights\u2019 line-up features Mike Brandon (guitar, vocals), LA Solano (guitar), Alex Q Amini (bass) and Kevin Harris (organ).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all come from Northern California,\u201d said Brandon, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. \u201cWe grew up together in Salinas. L.A. and I have been in bands together since we were 15 years old.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe got a punk band together — Shameless Wonder — for what was supposed rto be a one-off show. We got along really well and realized that we all liked 60s garage rock. It wasn\u2019t trendy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cSome of our main influences are the Seeds, Chocolate Watch Band, the Kinks and the Pretty Things. Kevin is a big fan of Krautrock — bands like Neu, Kraftwerk and Can. I love the bands that go under the radar and then get discovered 15 years later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mystery Lights also stayed under the radar as they developed as a band.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe played together for three years and never told anyone about our band,\u201d said Brandon. \u201cThen, we thought — wouldn\u2019t it be fun if we played out and people liked it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, that\u2019s exactly what happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

They built a reputation as one of New York City\u2019s best garage rock bands and became known as a band with one of the best live shows in the city. That led to a recording contract with Daptone\u2019s new rock imprint, Wick Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

The self-titled album, which will be released out June 24, was made at Daptone\u2019s House of Soul studio with Wayne Gordon at the controls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe tracked everything live in one week,\u201d said Brandon. \u201cWe did it all analog on eight-track, two-inch tape. We really did a good job of capturing the raw sound of our live show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for The Mystery Lights — https:\/\/youtu.be\/wSeTtJ5hBvk<\/b><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Kung Fu Necktie, which also features The Snails and J.A.K., will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On June 22, Philadelphia will be host to two Canadian music acts — Pkew Pkew Pkew and Eilbacher \/ Moskos \/ Moore \u00a0— while another act from north of the border — SonReal — will be in town on June 21.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"SonReal\"

SonReal<\/p><\/div>\n

SonReal, whose real name is Aaron Hoffman, will be sharing a bill with Jon Bellion at the Trocadero (10<\/span>th<\/sup><\/span> and Arch streets, Philadelphia, 215-922-6888, www.thetroc.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Son Real is a Juno and MMVA nominated artist whose unique approach to hip-hop has allowed him to sustain a loyal and growing domestic fan base.<\/span><\/p>\n

SonReal\u2019s success took shape online when several of his music videos racked up over hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. He was able to maintain buzz around his music with the release of a number of mix tapes over the years. He recently signed with Black Box Recordings.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the help of a label for the first time (Black Box Recordings), SonReal embarked on the journey of his first collaborative project with fellow Canadian rapper\/producer Rich Kidd. Rich Kidd had popularity on the East Coast of Canada and SonReal had conquered the West Coast. \u201cThe Closers\u201d (their collaborative album) was an introduction for each of them to new markets.<\/span><\/p>\n

His most recent record \u201cEverywhere We Go\u201d was SonReal\u2019s first release coming away from \u201cThe Closers\u201d campaign. The plan was to seed and test the market, engage his fans and deliver a different caliber of music, all while delivering amazing visual pieces that set him apart in the hip hop world (both domestically and internationally).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SonReal\u2019s new single, \u201cCan I Get A Witness\u201d on Capitol Records has hit Spotify\u2019s Global, U.S., and Canadian Viral charts — already racking up more than 1.8 million plays. Spotify showcased the song as part of its coveted \u201cNew Music Friday\u201d Playlist, along with \u201cMost DefiLitly\u201d and \u201cHip Hop Hits.\u201d In addition, Apple Music featured it on the \u201cBest of the Week\u201d Playlist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known for his comedic larger-than-life videos which have over 8 million combined views, SonReal upholds this tradition with the clip for \u201c<\/b>Can I Get A Witness,\u201d <\/b>with a concept inspired by the song\u2019s lyrics in which the rapper explains how some of his old fans are accusing him of changing his musical style. Rocking in a court room, he presents a wild lyrical case as the jury sits astonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

On this tour, SonReal is doing more than just rapping to the accompaniment of beats. He is presenting a performance with a more real, more organic vibe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn stage, it\u2019s me and my DJ Rich-A,\u201d said SonReal, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. \u201cAnd, I have a guitarist — Joey Resley. Having the three of us onstage is definitely something different. We wanted to give our fans more that what they expect from rappers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re putting out an EP in August and we\u2019re performing all the songs from the EP on this tour. It\u2019s fun to test out the music. The EP was done with all sorts of producers, including DJ Khalil and Rocky.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe EP is very musical with a lot of live instruments. It\u2019s a different approach to rap music. We just tried to think outside the box. It\u2019s not for everybody because not everybody can sing. As long as I\u2019ve been doing rap, I\u2019ve also been singing and dabbing in melodic stuff. I\u2019m not a one-trick pony.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to write more simple songs — just really expand my horizons. I\u2019ve been writing songs about things that mean a lot to me. We\u2019ve been focusing on content a lot. I love staying connected with my fans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

SonReal conquered western Canada first and then expanded his popularity to Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Now, he has his sights set on America.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAmerica is a huge challenge for any Canadian artist,\u201d said SonReal. \u201cEveryone in Canada looks to America for music and trends. We really want to make the leap. We signed with Capitol Records for a reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for SonReal — https:\/\/youtu.be\/pyXhsTTD0Tk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Troc, which also features Jon Bellion and Blaque Keyz, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"pkew

Pkew Pkew Pkew<\/p><\/div>\n

On June 22, Pkew Pkew Pkew, a Toronto-based band that just released its self-titled album, \u201cPkew Pkew Pkew\u201d on Royal Mountain Records on June 10, will visit the area for a show at PhilaMOCA (531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, 267-519-9651, www.philamoca.org<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Pkew Pkew Pkew is four guys from small towns in Southern Ontario — Mike Warne (vocals, guitar), Ryan McKinley (guitar, vocals), Emmett O’Reilly (bass and vocals) and Dave Laino (drums and vocals). Their new album features a raucous 21 minutes of punk frat-boy party anthems that are made for the mosh pit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had the current line-up for just over two years,\u201d said Warne, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. \u201cWe were just friends — hanging out and having beers. We started making songs and I forced everyone to be in the band with me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started with Ryan. We all met in Toronto. Actually, me and Ryan met through a Craigslist ad. I was working in a music industry licensing company and so was Dave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up on punk rock. We all did. When we got together, it was the music we wanted to make because it was fun. And, it was easy to do. Whatever the four of us can do is what you hear. You won\u2019t ever hear a song over four minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur influences are Bouncing Souls and Rancid — and I can\u2019t forget Diarrhea Planet. We try to put as much energy into it as we can. It\u2019s really hot in the state so we\u2019re going to sweat a lot — and so will the audience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With Pkew Pkew Pkew\u2019s new album, the songs may be short but the recording process was far from short.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the album over a long period of time over the last year,\u201d said Warne. \u201cIt took a bit longer than we expected to record it. And, we\u2019re having it pressed on vinyl and that takes a lot of time too. We\u2019re really excited that it\u2019s finally coming out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Pkew Pkew Pkew — https:\/\/youtu.be\/yrQKW6ijrK0<\/b><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at PhilaMOCA, which also features Pup and Rozwell Kids, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/span><\/p>\n

On June 22, Eilbacher\/Moskos\/Moore will be in Philly for a show at The Vat (1026 Arch Street, Philadelphia) and the trio will be performing music that is hard to describe. It will be music from the group\u2019s new album \u201cSEF III,\u201d which will be released on June 24 on Ehse Records. It is music that has sonic collages, spoken word and outrageous electronics slamming into each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recorded in Montreal, Quebec by Duncan Moore (reel to reel tape, voice, electronics), Max Eilbacher (electronics, synth, voice) and Alexander Moskos (voice, programming), \u201cSEF III\u201d presents a series of visions and vignettes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had another project called Dranolith so I asked Max and Duncan to tour with me,\u201d said Moskos, during a phone interview Monday evening from his home in Quebec.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were rehearsing for the tour. We put together a set for a show the two of them were doing in Baltimore. It started with the track \u2018I\u2019m Sitting in a Room.\u2019 It was piece Duncan had written and I wanted something that I could recite during the performance. After that, we decided — let\u2019s make a record.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And so they did.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe three of us got together in the studio in August last year,\u201d said Moskos. \u201cWe made the album at my studio in Montreal. We all brought ideas we were interested in to the table and then spent three weeks playing together. A lot of the electronic playing comes from different stuff we\u2019ve done on our own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSEF III\u201d presents the trio\u2019s vision as post-music — Everything reduced to a process\u2026 the dream of creating a story-based record for the age of memetic fractal echoing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we\u2019re making music live onstage, I do voice and electronics,\u201d said Moskos. \u201cMax plays synthesizer and uses layered sound. Duncan uses tape machines and tape loops. Right now, it\u2019s about a 45-minute show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Eilbacher\/Moskos\/Moore — https:\/\/youtu.be\/JFm_IyM45Ng<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If\/Then comes to Philly for six-day run, June 21 By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times\u00a0 Tord Gustavsen\u2019s latest project is like the musical equivalent of a master chef fusing together culinary elements from a number of very diverse cuisines — elements that do not seem as if they are at all compatible — and coming […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[7617,7613,7615,7614,7616,7611,7612],"class_list":["post-20142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-grand-shell-game","tag-ifthen","tag-pkew-pkew-pkew","tag-sonreal","tag-the-mystery-lights","tag-tord-gustavsen","tag-whitford-st-holmes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20142","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=20142"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20143,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20142\/revisions\/20143"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}