{"id":20241,"date":"2016-06-25T08:30:47","date_gmt":"2016-06-25T12:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=20241"},"modified":"2016-06-25T09:58:14","modified_gmt":"2016-06-25T13:58:14","slug":"on-stage-extra-go-solo-for-some-great-local-performances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=20241","title":{"rendered":"On Stage (Extra): Go ‘solo’ for some great local performances"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yamagata, \u00a0Edwards, Hazlewood and Ellis all performing June 25<\/em><\/h2>\n

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

\"yamagata\"If your taste in music veers in the direction of solo artists — singer-songwriters who craft songs that blend insightful lyrics and pleasant melodies — and you\u2019re looking for a show to attend on June 25, you\u2019re in good shape.<\/span><\/p>\n

There will be a number of top flight solo artists performing around the area tonight including Rachel Yamagata, Jonathan Edwards, Ben Hazlewood and Robert Ellis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yamagata will be performing at the World Caf\u00e9 Live at the Queen (500 North Market Street, Wilmington, 302- 994-1400,\u00a0www.queen.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Rachel Yamagata released her first album \u201cHappenstance\u201d in 2004. The singer, who hails from Fairfax, Virginia, has been working on a new album which was originally expected to released early this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, things rarely go as expected in the music industry. Yamagata has signed with Thirty Tigers Records. The new album \u201cTightrope Walker\u201d will have a birthday release in the fall. Yamagata\u2019s birthday is September 23 — a birthday she shares with other creative artists such as John Coltrane, Bruce Springsteen and me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gripped by the indecisive nature of true Librans, Yamagata weighs all decisions heavily — especially when it comes to making her music.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt took awhile to get the final version of the songs on the new album,\u201d said Yamagata, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from her home in Woodstock, New York. \u201cIt was so close. It\u2019s like \u2014 get it finished already. Even with the tracking, I was making changes right up to the end. At one point, I had to let go. It can be painful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was mostly recorded at my home in Woodstock, New York and we did some at Village Recorders. A lot of it was done in an organic set-up in my living room or outside. I live on 12 acres with a lot of nature that is conducive to being creative.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI worked in a really comfortable environment. I recorded a lot at home \u2014 whenever I felt the inspiration. There were a lot of advantages in doing it at home. Unlike in a recording studio, you don\u2019t have to look up at a clock. I wanted complete freedom without pressure from a studio.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a complete studio set up in my home and my boyfriend is a recording engineer. This is the first record where I took on more of a producer role. I did a lot of trial-and-error with the arrangements and musicians. Producing it myself, I was able to work on instincts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the production ideas I used are ones I wouldn\u2019t have arrived at with another person adding input. I didn\u2019t have to record songs in parts. I worked hard on 15 songs doing a lot of revisions, re-recording and re-tracking \u2014 revising them until they felt really interesting to me. I used banjos, mandolins, sax and drums. I even sampled patterns of rain on a stool.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The new album is organic \u2014 and diverse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven with the songwriting, I had to deal with making decisions,\u201d said Yamagata. \u201cThere was a lot of reworking of the songs. I took a different approach this time. Last time, I had a billion songs. This time, I stuck with 15.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe songs are all very different. It\u2019s like a new sound for me. They are very big and there are edgy, angular arrangements. It\u2019s not as traditional as some of my earlier albums \u2013it\u2019s riskier. It\u2019s more of a positive record.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe theme of \u2018Tightrope Walker\u2019 — I loved the idea of perseverance and of taking risks\u2026of pursuing what you love no matter what. It\u2019s about the relentless pursuit of your passion and not giving up. It\u2019s more empowering than anything I\u2019ve done before. Metaphorically, it aligned with my career.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Rachel Yamagata \u2014 https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=y_0GbrmMxXI.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live at the Queen will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 and $25.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"lizOn June 29, Downingtown native Liz Longley will share the bill with Delta Rae at the Queen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Longley is a talented singer-songwriter who graduated from Downingtown High and Berklee College of Music in Boston and is now one of the brightest young talents in the Nashville music scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her new album \u201cWeightless\u201d will be released on August 26 and she will follow with a headline album support tour in the fall.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jonathan

Jonathan Edwards<\/p><\/div>\n

If it seems like singer-songwriter Jonathan Edwards has been around forever, there is a good reason. He has been around forever. His first album \u201cJonathan Edwards\u201d was released 45 years ago and contained the classic hit \u201cSunshine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Edwards is still recording and touring. Currently, his live shows are in support his new album \u201cTomorrow\u2019s Child.\u201d One of those shows will take place June 25 at The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI pretty much just do shows on weekends these days,\u201d said Edwards, during a phone interview Tuesday while on a family visit in West Palm Beach, Florida. \u201cSome of my shows are solo and some are with other musicians. The show at Steel City will be solo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow\u2019s Child\u201d was produced by four-time Grammy Award nominee Darrell Scott. On the album, Edwards is accompanied by such roots music luminaries as Shawn Colvin, Jerry Douglas, John Cowan, Vince Gill, and Alison Krauss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy manager suggested working with Dale Scott,\u201d said Edwards. \u201cIt was instant bromance and love. He suggested to the album like we all used to. He suggested to have all the musicians in the same room — listening to each other and playing together — and to just let the tape roll.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe album happened so quickly — and so easily. It took just three days. We recorded it digitally but I wish we could have gone to tape. We still used vintage microphones. We recorded it at Southern Ground Studio in Nashville. We got the record to include as much of the room sound as we could.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith the musicians, it was an instant family. We recorded the album like we were singers in the round performing onstage. I don\u2019t think there was a \u2018Take 3\u2019 on the whole album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since 1971, Edwards has released 15 albums, including \u201cBlue Ridge,\u201d his standard-setting collaboration with bluegrass favorites the Seldom Scene, and \u201cLittle Hands,\u201d his collection of children\u2019s songs, which was honored with a National Library Association award.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With such a catalogue from which to draw, putting together a set list for a show can be a daunting task.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPutting together a set list is a low point in my day — and always at the last minute,\u201d said Edwards.\u00a0 \u201cI try to do songs that people know. When I play an old song, I put my brain back into the time when the song was created. And, I try to slip in some new stuff. I keep it as spontaneous as possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Four decades into a stellar career of uncompromising musical integrity, Edwards continues to deliver with songs of passion, songs of insight, songs of humor, all rendered in his instantly identifiable, pure and powerful tenor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Jonathan Edwards — https:\/\/youtu.be\/TfQR724hfoA<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Steel City, which is presented by Diving Cat Studio Gallery, will start at 8 p.m. with tickets priced at $25. The venue will also host The Doubleclicks on June 26.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Robert

Robert Ellis<\/p><\/div>\n

Like Edwards, Robert Ellis is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. Unlike Edwards, Ellis\u2019 career as a professional musician spans just a few years rather than a few decades.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellis, who will be performing on June 25 at MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455, www.milkboyphilly.com<\/span><\/a>), just released his eponymous fourth album on June 3 via New West Records.\u00a0 The 11-song, self-titled set is his most personal statement yet and a summation of his career thus far.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellis\u2019 previous albums were \u201cThe Great Re Arranger\u201d in 2009, \u201cPhotographs\u201d in 2011 and \u201cThe Lights from the Chemical Plant\u201d in 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in a small town is south Texas called Lake Jackson,\u201d said Ellis, during a phone interview Wednesday. \u201cIt was a company town for Dow Chemical. The chemical industry was the driving force there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith all the lights at the chemical plants, it looked like New York City at night. That\u2019s what inspired the title song from my last album. The album was all about finding beauty in an unlikely place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The recently-released album was self-produced by Ellis at Sugar Hill Studios in his hometown of Houston, Texas with engineer Steve Christensen (Steve Earle) and mixed by John Agnello (Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe new album stylistically took on its own life,\u201d said Ellis. \u201c. I think the harmonic choices are pretty incestuous. Lyrically — I was going through a lot so there\u2019s a lot of personal stuff in there. I\u2019m a story writer. At times, I start with me and then the character takes off on his own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellis is not a naturally prolific songwriter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have to work at it,\u201d said Ellis. \u201cWhen I was younger, it seemed a lot easier. Now, it seems like there are so many options. Sometimes, a song will start with a melodic idea. Sometimes, it\u2019s an image. Sometimes, it\u2019s a phrase.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do know that I write a lot of stuff that doesn\u2019t grab my attention and just sits in my computer. To put out something, I have to really believe in it. Some songwriters write 10 songs a year and they go on an album. If I\u2019m constantly grinding away at songwriting, I find nuggets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Robert Ellis — https:\/\/youtu.be\/S420yAdavVQ<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at MilkBoy Philly, which has Tom Brosseau as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ben

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

The television show \u201cThe Voice\u201d has boosted the careers of a number of artists. Ben Hazlewood, will perform at on June 25 at The Voltage Lounge (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215- 964-9602, http:\/\/voltagelounge.com\/<\/i><\/span><\/a>) as part of \u201cThe Grow Wild Tour,\u201d was one of the top competitors on \u201cThe Voice\u201d in 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, unless you were watching via internet, you probably have never heard of him because it was the Australia version of \u201cThe Voice\u201d not the American one.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the original contestants on Australia\u2019s first season of \u201cThe Voice\u201d (Joel Madden\u2019s team), Hazelwood has come to the United Staes to pursue a musical career here. He released his seven-song EP \u201cVanta<\/i><\/span><\/a>\u201d in the states on June 3 and now is out on an introductory tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Hazlewood released the single \u201cWanted.\u201d The video went on to win MTV\u2019s The Freshman<\/i><\/span><\/a> competition in March and was added into rotation on mtvU<\/i><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0The first single,\u00a0\u201cPaint Me Black<\/i><\/span><\/a>,\u201d was released in 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been living in Australia for the last eight years — Sydney and Melbourne — but I was born in Wellington, New Zealand,\u201d said Hazlewood, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in a musical household. My mom was a performing arts teacher. She had her won school. My dad was a singer-songwriter. He was a huge fan of (New Zealand bands) Split Enz and Crowded House.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been around performing and it\u2019s become a big part of me. Even at a young age, I loved singing and performing. I\u2019d sing with my dad and his mates. I also sang at the performing arts school that my mother had.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was younger, I played rugby and field hockey. Then, I\u00a0 gave up sports in high school and spent time making music with bands. And, I\u2019ve always been doing solo stuff even when I was playing in a band.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hazlewood released his debut album \u201cLoveless\u201d in 2013. It was mostly a pop record but it definitely had R&B and soul in its DNA.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started working with a producer named Duncan Sparks in New Zealand when I was 14,\u201d said Hazlewood. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t until a few years go that I went off on a solo career. Duncan had moved to Nashville and we got back in touch. I got him to produce my new record. He knew what the sound was that I wanted — and the vibe that I wanted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole EP was written and recorded in Nashville. We co-wrote all the tracks but one, which I wrote myself. We started writing together about a year ago and got a lot of stuff together. This is just the first installment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The EP was recorded at Sparks\u2019 studio with some of additional recording done at Ocean Way Recording in Nashville.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of the instruments on the album were played by Jeff Duncan (real name of Duncan Sparks),\u201d said Hazlewood. \u201cWe used the drummer from my band and had a girl come in and play cello. The whole vibe if the EP is pretty anthemic with a lot of space. The live show has more of a rock element.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Ben Hazlewood — https:\/\/youtu.be\/dGUIOrCS7tI<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Grow Wild Tour, which also features Round2Crew, Bad Feelings, Will Jay, Dylan Holland, Zach Matari, The House On Cliff and Rivers Monroe, will start at 4 p.m. at the Voltage Lounge. Tickets are $15.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Yamagata, \u00a0Edwards, Hazlewood and Ellis all performing June 25 By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times\u00a0 If your taste in music veers in the direction of solo artists — singer-songwriters who craft songs that blend insightful lyrics and pleasant melodies — and you\u2019re looking for a show to attend on June 25, you\u2019re in good shape. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[7652,6518,7651,5506,7653],"class_list":["post-20241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-ben-hazlewood","tag-featured","tag-jonathan-edwards","tag-rachel-yamagata","tag-robert-ellis-liz-longley"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20241","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=20241"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20244,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20241\/revisions\/20244"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}