{"id":22429,"date":"2016-12-15T08:44:14","date_gmt":"2016-12-15T13:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22429"},"modified":"2016-12-15T08:44:20","modified_gmt":"2016-12-15T13:44:20","slug":"on-stage-pink-martini-is-tough-to-define","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22429","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Pink Martini is tough to define"},"content":{"rendered":"

Final rush of shows coming this weekend before holidays<\/em><\/h2>\n

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

\"\"<\/a>

Pink Martini<\/p><\/div>\n

With the arrival of the homestretch for the 2016 concert season, many acts are on the road \u2013 trying to get in a few more shows before the holiday season arrives in full swing.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a full slate on interesting area shows for December 15 including a multi-genre \u201clittle orchestra,\u201d a top Americana act and a young local band on its way up.<\/span><\/p>\n

The multi-genre \u201clittle orchestra\u201d is Pink Martini, which will headline a show at the Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Saying that Pink Martini\u2019s music is hard to describe is putting it mildly. Putting a label on the music made by Pink Martini is about as easy as finding a Hatchimal on a store shelf \u2013 just when you think you\u2019ve got it, it slips away.<\/span><\/p>\n

In one of its earlier press releases, the 15-piece group from Portland, Oregon is described as \u201csomewhere between a 1930s Cuban dance orchestra, a classical chamber music ensemble, a Brazilian marching street band and Japanese film noir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to form your own opinion of the talented and very versatile band, head to the Keswick Theatre tonight to catch Pink Martini on its current tour in support of its most recent album \u201cJe dis oui!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pink Martini is the brainchild of classically-trained pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale and consists of a musical lineup featuring trumpets, trombone, violin, cello, congos, upright bass, bongos, guitar, koto, harp, mandolin, vibraphone, percussion, piano and the vocal talents of China Forbes and Storm Large.<\/span><\/p>\n

Featuring more than a dozen musicians, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and North America. Pink Martini made its European debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony in 1998 under the direction of Norman Leyden.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since then, the band has gone on to play with more than 50 orchestras around the world, including multiple engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Boston Pops, the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, the San Francisco Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony at the Sydney Opera House, and the BBC Concert Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in London.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other appearances include the grand opening of the Los Angeles Philharmonic\u2019s Walt Disney Concert Hall, with return sold-out engagements for New Year\u2019s Eve 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2011; four sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall; the opening party of the remodeled Museum of Modern Art in New York City; the Governor\u2019s Ball at the 80th Annual Academy Awards in 2008; and the opening of the 2008 Sydney Festival in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n

In its 20th year, Pink Martini was inducted into both the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. Pink Martini\u2019s debut album \u201cSympathique\u201d was released in 1997. \u201cJe dis oui!,\u201d which was released earlier this year, is the band\u2019s 10<\/span>th<\/sup><\/span> studio album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe started working on the album in May and it went really fast,\u201d said Lauderdale, during a phone interview from a tour stop in Raleigh, North Carolina. \u201cIt took a couple months and it was done.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded it in Portland at Kung Fu Bakery, a studio we\u2019ve used for years. Then, the studio closed. We were the last ones to record there. So, we had to finish the album at other studios around Portland.<\/span><\/p>\n

The album title — pronounced \u201czhuh dee wee\u201d — means \u201cI say yes\u201d in French, and is the optimistic mantra of the album\u2019s first single, \u201cJoli garcon\u201d (Pretty Boy), one of three songs co-written by the band for the soon-to-be-released film \u201cSouvenir\u201d starring legendary French actress Isabelle Huppert. The LP\u2019s 15 tracks, many of which are original, are sung in eight languages — French, Farsi, Armenian, Portuguese, Arabic, Turkish, Xhosa and English.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Lauderdale, \u201cThis is the happiest album we\u2019ve made in years. And it affirms the band\u2019s 22-year history of global inclusivity and collaborative spirit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Like all Pink Martini\u2019s albums, the new disc has been released on the band\u2019s own label \u2013 Heinz Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe album started with three French songs,\u201d said Lauderdale. \u201cThey told the story of a singer who has faded into obscurity after losing to Abba in the Eurovision song competition and was working in a pate factory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of songs were ones I had been listening to for years \u2013 listening to non-stop for years. I wrote some new songs and recorded others that I really love. When we record in another language, we work with a language professor for each country.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPink Martini albums are like diaries. They reflect who I\u2019m spending time with and countries I\u2019ve visited. It\u2019s like an aural diary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Pink Martini \u2013https:\/\/youtu.be\/nuzaSmVyBlA?t=10<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Keswick will start at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $35-$75.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Cruz Contreras of The Black Lillies<\/p><\/div>\n

The Black Lillies began as a solo project by Cruz Contreras. Recorded in Contreras\u2019 home in 2009, the album showcased his skills as a writer, guitarist and arranger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since then, the Black Lillies have released three more albums and are still basically a solo project \u2013 albeit a solo project in a band format. Cruz and his current bunch of players are still touring in support of the Black Lillies\u2019 most recent album \u201cHard to Please.\u201d The tour will touch down locally on December 15 at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been a band but it changes,\u201d said Contreras, during a phone interview last week when he was driving out of New York City. \u201cRight before we recorded \u2018Hard to Please,\u2019 two of the oldest members left the band. Now, we basically have rotating players filling in different positions. We do have a steady rhythm section.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the unusually compressed writing timeline, \u2018Hard To Please\u2019 is also different in that it marks the band\u2019s first time recording with an outside producer. Contreras handed the reins over to Grammy-winner Ryan Hewitt (The Avett Brothers, Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers), who led the band into the legendary House of Blues Studio D, originally constructed in Memphis in the 1960\u2019s and relocated to Nashville in 2010.<\/span><\/p>\n

The room had hosted recording sessions by such musicians as Isaac Hayes, Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Eagles in its storied history.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was outfitted with a custom API console originally commissioned by Ryan\u2019s father, David Hewitt, for The Record Plant in New York City back in 1978. The list of artists who recorded on the console is a who\u2019s who of music icons — Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, The Band, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tom Petty, and Prince.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe room we recorded in was actually an old studio from Memphis,\u201d said Contreras, who is based in Knoxville. \u201cThey took it and moved it to Nashville \u2013 to the Berry Hill area where there are more than 100 different studios.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRyan Hewitt was our producer. It was the first time we ever used an outside producer. I knew it was time to take it to another level sonically. Ryan had moved from L.A. and set up shop at the House of Blues. When we made a list of producers we\u2019d like to work with, his name came up right away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe set up a meeting. He listened to the songs and said \u2013 great, you\u2019ve got three\u2026let\u2019s get another eight or nine. Those three were ones I had written in the past. I had other songs but he thought they didn\u2019t fit. In February 2015, there was a freak snowstorm in Knoxville and the town shut down. I live in downtown Knoxville so I used that time to write. I worked \u2019round the clock for a week-and-a-half.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe cut the album in March 2015. It was the first time we did legitimate pre-production. Ryan is also a drummer. So, he had a lot of influence on our grooves. We tracked for four days at House of Blues. We also brought in some extra guys for the sessions. It was a good combination of veterans and youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur set list for this tour is pretty varied. \u2018Hard to Please\u2019 has been out for a while so there\u2019s no longer a heavy emphasis on songs from that record. We have four albums and it\u2019s a pretty even mix from all four. And, we also throw in some covers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for the Black Lillies \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/LevTHf9k9jM?t=58<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which also features the Jayplayers, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Spelling Reform<\/p><\/div>\n

Unlike the Black Lillies, Spelling Reform is a tight-knit band \u2013 a band that has kept the same line-up through its three years of existence. That line-up features Andrew Ciampa on lead guitar, Tom Howley on bass and backing vocals, Mark Rybaltowski on drums and Daniel Wisniewski on rhythm guitar and lead vocals.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Philadelphia-based quartet had a CD release party at Johnny Brenda\u2019s last month for its new LP \u201cNo One\u2019s Ever Changed\u201d and will be back in the city for a show on December 15 at Bourbon and Branch (705 North Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-238-0660, bourbonandbranchphilly.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re a Philadelphia band even though none of us actually grew up in the city,\u201d said Wisniewski, during a phone interview Monday from his home in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. \u201cAndrew is from Delaware County. Tom is from New Jersey and Mark is from Delaware. I grew up in Havertown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all met playing music in Philly. Our music scene here feels tight. Mark and I had played together in bands for years and Andrew and I were in a band called Bird Watcher. I met Tom through my girlfriend \u2013 who is now my wife. The band Mark and I were in broke up in 2013 and he put out an album under the name Monday Appreciation Society. We worked on it together and he wrote all the songs. That album came out in the summer of 2014.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Spelling Reform came to life in 2105 and the band released its debut EP \u201cDiving Bell\u201d later that year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first band I\u2019ve ever been in where I\u2019m writing or co-writing all the songs,\u201d said Wisniewski. \u201cWhen I wanted to start the band, I called Mark. Eric Krewson from The Chairman Dances had asked me to open for him at hi0s record release show at The Rotunda. That was the kick in the rear to get my project going.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The next recording project was this year\u2019s \u201cNo One\u2019s Ever Changed\u201d back in March.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded it in Kensington at a studio called The Head Room,\u201d said Wisniewski. \u201cWe made the album with Joe Reinhart, who is the guitarist from Hop Along. We spent one weekend recording and eating donuts and then we mixed it the next weekend. The record is lean. There\u2019s not a lot of stuff going on \u2013 but it\u2019s not empty.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe songs were written over a number of years. I always have a huge batch of tunes I\u2019m working on. I write almost entirely on acoustic guitar but most of the album is electric.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe record came out on November 18 on a New Jersey label called Black Road Records. We released it digitally and on CDS. We also put it out as a transparent green cassette. We also had a cassette for our \u2018Diving Bell\u2019 EP. Cassettes are fun.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Spelling Reform \u2013https:\/\/youtu.be\/aOQgUROTagg?t=22<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Bourbon and Branch, which also features Dear Forbidden, FuzzQueen, Lee Charleston and Bile Greene, will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at Bourbon and Branch are Three Fourteen and Local Smokes on December 16, Josh Nussbaum and Julia Hudak on December 18, Canyon on December 19 and The Collingwood on December 20.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Allen Tate<\/p><\/div>\n

Another act with roots in the Philadelphia suburbs will be performing on December 16 at the World Caf\u00e9 Live. Allen Tate will headline a show on the venue\u2019s Upstairs Stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Music fans are familiar with Tate as a singer and stage performer but not with Tate performing his own material. The singer with the golden baritone voice has been delighting ears for years as the vocalist for the band San Fermin.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he has a break from San Fermin, Tate works on his solo career \u2013 a career that saw him deliver his debut solo album. \u201cSleepwalker,\u201d which was released earlier this year on Votiv Music, is the first work ever released under his own name.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tate began composing \u201cSleepwalker\u201d in the fall of 2014 during a three-week stay in Copenhagen, where San Fermin had performed to an enthusiastic reception.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a break with San Fermin at the end of summer in 2014 so I took off for Copenhagen,\u201d said Tate, who grew up in nearby Chalfont and was a basketball standout at Germantown Academy. \u201cIt was at the end of touring after our first record. I wanted to go to Copenhagen because I didn\u2019t know anybody there. Scandinavian cities are interesting because everyone is nice but everyone also keeps to themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was able to do my own thing without interruptions. I\u2019d walk eight or nine miles a day and then work on music. By October, Copenhagen gets pretty grey and that influenced the album. I think it\u2019s a sparse album. On a lot of the tunes, you can feel the space that it\u2019s happening in. If you feel the space, it can be nice or it can be empty. The themes are about different times when you either feel alone \u2013 about being lonely or wanting to be alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I\u2019d get there and write two songs a day. I got there and it was the first time I was writing music on my own in a while. I wrote six songs and four of them made it to the record. All the songs I wrote after the initial six were songs I had to write between touring with San Fermin. I recorded the album with San Fermin\u2019s engineer Mark Rengston at the Rumpus Room in Brooklyn. It was relaxed \u2013 really comfortable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m a self-taught musician, so musical complexity has never really been one of my aims. But, moments when the right words are delivered over the right sounds are what draw me to music. I wanted to translate my experience of feeling optimistic and doubtful at the same time — both into the sounds and the lyrics.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

San Fermin is an American baroque pop band, started by Brooklyn-based composer and songwriter Ellis Ludwig-Leone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllis and I met at a songwriting workshop at Berklee College in Boston,\u201d said Tate, who attended New York university on a basketball scholarship. \u201cWe put the first album out in September 2013.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI graduated for NYU and was working as a legal clerk for a non-profit firm. I was studying for the LSATs. But, I never took the test. The plan was to study and go to law school. The success of the first San Fermin album changed the path. San Fermin told me \u2013 we\u2019ll pay you to go on tour. San Fermin has had a lot of success over the last few years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot of TV appearances and we\u2019ve played to huge crowds in other countries. We\u2019ve played 300 shows in the last two-and-a-half years. And, we just finished making our third album which will be out at the beginning of April. That\u2019s why I wanted to get my solo album out in October and have some time to play live solo shows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Allen Tate \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/qVXV-_szpG0?t=36<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which also features Pavo Pavo, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the World Caf\u00e9 Live are the Stray Birds on December 16, Jeremiah Tall on\u00a0 December 17, The Peek-a-Boo Revue on December 18, and Jeff Campbell on December 20.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Nalani and Sarina<\/p><\/div>\n

Delaware may be the \u201cFirst State\u201d but for Nalani & Sarina, Pennsylvania\u2019s southern neighbor is the \u201cFirst State\u201d and their \u201csecond home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nalani & Sarina are 23-year-old twin sisters from central New Jersey who have been building a huge fan base in the Mid-Atlantic region for the last four years. The duo has performed at a variety of venues around the area — including Kennett Flash, the Eagleview Concert Series in Exton, the Puck in Doylestown, the Bryn Mawr Concert Series and MilkBoy Philadelphia.<\/span><\/p>\n

All along the way, Nalani & Sarina have been making their presence felt in Delaware.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the last few years, the twins\u2019 Delaware performances have included shows at World Caf\u00e9 Live at the Queen, the Ladybug Festival, the Wilmington Flower Market, Grain Craft Bar in Newark, and the Cool Springs Park Farmers Market. On December 16, they\u2019ll be back in the Diamond State for a show 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

\u201cDelaware is like a second home for us,\u201d said Nalani Bolton, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from the twins\u2019 home in Flemington, New Jersey. \u201cWe\u2019ve played a lot of shows there and the audiences have always been great.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The vivacious twins have already established themselves as top-flight vocalists, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been working in the studio a lot lately,\u201d said Sarina Bolton. \u201cWe\u2019ve been recording a lot. We\u2019re taking a pretty relaxed approach — doing it piece-by-piece\u2026song-by-song. There are no deadlines and that makes it a lot less stressful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been recording at Carriage House Studio in Stamford, Connecticut and at the home studio in Wayne (PA) or our engineer Julian Herzfeld. We\u2019ve spent a lot of time this month in Connecticut.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nalani said, \u201cWe have close to seven tracks done and we\u2019re working on a few more. I guess there are 10-11 in the woodwork. We\u2019re looking to complete them in the next few months. Most likely, there will be a single released first. After that, I don\u2019t know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sarina said, \u201cWith the songwriting, we had a new approach this time. The songs on our last album were based on personal experiences. This time, it\u2019s other people\u2019s stories \u2014 more of a world-wide approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a combination of first person and third person. We\u2019re writing about people our age \u2013 observing other people\u2019s stories. It\u2019s like a story about kids\u2019 lives from their early to late 20s \u2013 love, first relationships, work. The songs are about what life is like for people our age. But, people of all ages can relate to these songs. We\u2019ve had older people tell us that they can identify with these songs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With roots based in rhythm-and-blues, soul, rock and especially funk, the sisters create vocal harmonies that only twins can make.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re sonically alike and there is this telepathy,\u201d said Sarina. \u201cWe\u2019ll be singing a new song and when one of us gravitates to a harmony, the other knows exactly where to go. We\u2019ve been singing together ever since we were three. Being twin sisters, there was nothing else to do. We started singing professionally when we were 15.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nalani and Sarina have been able to remain in harmony with each other in all facets of their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re identical twins,\u201d said Nalani. \u201cWe graduated early from Hunterdon Central High a few years ago and we\u2019ve been doing music ever since. We both started playing classical piano when were six and then studied operatic vocals when we were in sixth grade.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClassical music and opera provided good basics for us. Our mom was a folkie so we listened to a lot of folk music when we were young \u2014 great songwriters like Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. And, we\u2019ve listened to a lot of classic rock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sisters have already released an EP titled \u201cScattered World\u201d and an album titled \u201cLessons Learned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter we released our last album \u2014 \u2018Lessons Learned\u2019 \u2014 we just continued to write\u201d said Nalani.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sarina said, \u201cWe tested all the new songs before we recorded them. We\u2019ve learned that the best way to test a song is by the audience\u2019s reaction. Another test is the way it feels to us as we\u2019re playing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf a song works out well live then we know it\u2019s a good song to record. We go with the mentality that you have to have 10 songs to get one good one. We\u2019re really hard on ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe just go and see where a song will take us. We want the song to direct the production. The band that we used in the studio really helped with how the songs sound on the album. We are huge fans of groove and funk and it shows on the new record.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nalani said, \u201cWe always have the funk. It\u2019s impossible for us to keep the funk out. We\u2019ve always had funk in our blood. We play shows with just the two of us, it always sounds more singer-songwriter. When we do shows with our band, it gets more funky.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Nalani & Sarina \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/SBpqsaHYaRE?t=6<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Queen, which also Lovebettie, Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz, Noelle Picara, and Prima Donna, will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the World Caf\u00e9 Live at the Queen are Cartoon Christmas Trio on December 18, and Bayside and Hawthorne heights on December 20.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Badfish<\/p><\/div>\n

Sublime may be gone but the music of the ska punk band from Southern California lives on.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a trio loses its guitarist\/vocalist\/primary songwriter, it usually spells the end of the band. Such was the case with Sublime when the trio\u2019s main man Brad Nowell died in 1996.<\/span><\/p>\n

The music of Sublime lives on through two music acts \u2013 Badfish, a Sublime tribute band that is one of the premier tribute acts in America, and Sublime with Rome, a band put together by former Sublime bassist Eric Wilson that plays original songs and Sublime covers.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many, many Sublime fans who are too young to have seen the band play during its eight-tear run from 1988-1996. Fortunately for them and for longtime sublime fans, there is Badfish, a trio from Rhode Island featuring Joel Hanks on bass, Scott Begin on drums and Pat Downes on vocals and guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n

Badfish, which is performing December 16 at the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/span><\/a>), covers virtually the entire catalog of songs from Sublime\u2019s three albums \u2013 1992\u2019s \u201c40oz. to Freedom,\u201d 1994\u2019s \u201cRobbin\u2019 the Hood\u201d and 1996\u2019s \u201cSublime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve pretty much learned all the tracks from all three albums,\u201d said Begin, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from his home in South Kingston, Rhode Island.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe middle album \u2013 \u2018Robbin\u2019 the Hood\u2019 \u2013 has some instrumental tracks that we might not do exactly as they were recorded but the rest is all pretty true. With \u201840oz\u2019 and the self-titled album, we know them front-to-back. We\u2019ve even performed them in their entirety from start to finish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Badfish has always been a Sublime tribute band.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe band started in 2001 at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston,\u201d said Begin. \u201cI met Joel there. We started the band as college students looking to do something on weekends. When we first started, we were jamming on reggae and punk tunes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe decided right away to be a Sublime tribute band. We booked a show two weeks out and rehearsed every day. Our first show was April 13, 2001 at Ocean Mist in South Kingston. We still play there. Actually, our last show the other day was there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a while, we started taking it seriously. It evolved into a full-time touring band. Joel and I both were computer science majors at URI. We graduated in 2002 and 2003\/2004 was when we really started to get serious. It was a lot of risk but we knew it was worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur old singer \u2013 David Ladin \u2013 was with us for five or six years. He was a local guy from Kingston. He left the band because he had started a family. Then, Pat Downes, who had played sax with us at times, took over vocals and guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPat is a great singer. That\u2019s a good thing for us because the main challenge for any tribute band is to sound like the vocalist. For me, the biggest challenge was learning the distinctive style of Sublime\u2019s drummer Bud Gaugh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, Badfish have conquered all the challenges and that has allowed the music of Sublime to live on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Badfish — https:\/\/youtu.be\/dGvmQwcYXZI?t=97<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The show in Ardmore, which also features Spiritual Rez and Reef\u2019d, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other shows at the Ardmore Music Hall over the next week are Deadfish Orchestra and Cabin Dogs on December 15, Beru Revue on December 17, Caf\u00e9 Ole on December 18 and NRBQ on December 21.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Aubreylyn<\/p><\/div>\n

Allen Tate will not be the only Bucks County-born performer to take the stage for a show in Philly on December 16. Aubreylyn, a young jazz singer from Buckingham, will share the bill with cello trio Rasputina at Johnny Brenda\u2019s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Aubreylyn (Zazyczny) is a 19-year-old singer\/songwriter from the New Hope area — a multilingual artist who blends elements of early French-cabaret-style music with contemporary pop sensibilities and her signature powerhouse vocals. Backed by her talented three-piece string section, Aubreylyn has performed at several notable venues including the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, PA and the Bitter End in New York City.<\/span><\/p>\n

She is currently writing and recording with Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum engineer and producer David Ivory (Halestorm, Silvertide, The Roots). The emerging talent also is majoring in jazz voice and music education at McGill University in Montreal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I decided I wanted to continue studying this music, I found that not many schools in the U.S. offer majors in jazz vocals,\u201d said Aubreylyn, during a phone interview Tuesday from Montreal. \u201cI\u2019ve been here at McGill for a year-and-a-half and am just finishing my third semester.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Aubreylyn\u2019s music roots go back to when she was a pre-teen and a student in the Central Bucks School District. She graduated from C.B. East in 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in a musical family,\u201d said Aubreylyn. \u201cMy mom was 10 years classically trained and my dad plays piano and composes. I started piano lessons when I was six and was in the church choir when I was seven.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI always loved singing and I had an early fascination with poetry. When I was eight, I came down and showed a poem to my dad and he said \u2013 have you ever thought about adding music to a poem sand creating a song? The first song I wrote that way was called \u2018The Paintings of the World.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I have lots of songs with piano accompaniment\u2014two books full of songs with melodies. I always write on piano. Typically, I\u2019m inspired by a story of some sort about my life or my friend\u2019s life. I always start with lyrics. Then, I come up with a melody without piano to accompany the lyrics. Then, I transcend to piano.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy songs have always had some personal connection. I think, for me, music and songwriting have always been an outlet to say thigs \u2013 to express how I\u2019m feeling. The emotional connection to a song is extremely important. If I can\u2019t connect emotionally, then I have a hard time performing it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Aubreylyn has been making music for almost half her life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started performing my own music at talent shows and coffee shops when I was in ninth grade,\u201d said Aubreylyn, who lists Melody Gardot, Etta James, Billie Holiday and Kurt Elling as her main influences.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen, I got into city venues like the Legendary Dobbs and the Tin Angel. I also sang at galas and church events. When I was 14, I got into songwriting. My dad had worked with David Ivory. So, I began working with David Ivory too and recorded my singles with him and now we\u2019re working on my debut album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Aubreylyn \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/mdSvcI3LIuo?t=93<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show, which has Rasputina as the headline act, will start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $17.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at Johnny Brenda\u2019s are Jesse Malin and Hollis Brown on December 17, and Caveman with Bell Heir on December 18.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

ONI<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the freshest new acts to emerge in the metal scene in years will be making its area live debut on December 17 when ONI performs at the Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

ONI — Jake Oni (vocals), Martin Andres (guitar), Brandon White (guitar), Chase Bryant (bass), Joe Greulich (drums), Johnny D (Xylo-Synth) —\u00a0 released its debut album \u201cIronshore\u201d on November 25 via Blacklight Media\/Metal Blade Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been together for two years now \u2013 with the same line-up,\u201d said Oni, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from a tour stop in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe line-up and name had changed before. Then, I recruited the guys for this line-up. We\u2019re from Ontario but we\u2019re spread out now. Three of the guys live in Canada \u2013 two in Toronto \u2013 and the two other guys live in L.A. We\u2019re all over the place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The band members may be \u201call over the place\u201d but the band\u2019s intricate metal music is very focused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe album is all new material,\u201d said Oni. \u201cWe wrote everything for the album in four months. We didn\u2019t want individual songs. We wanted to write all the songs together. It will start with an idea from Chase or Brandon. My input is more the arrangement for the music. As a band, we tear it apart and then bring it back together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe did a lot of pre-production with our producer Josh Wilbur. He helped me with the choruses. He also helped with some arrangements. He did a lot to make us more accessible \u2013 which is necessary for prog-metal. We get called prog-metalcore because of my clean singing but I\u2019d say we\u2019re just prog metal. I love bands like Slipknot and Mastodon. That\u2019s a lot of what I listen to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

ONI has its influences but it is carving out its own niche already.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to find a path that hasn\u2019t been walked a lot,\u201d said Oni. \u201cJazz, pop \u2013 you have to try to find uncharted territory. Our influences range from Jaco Pastorius to Beethoven to Mr. Bungle with funk music thrown in too. We want to take different genres and turn it into our own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn this tour, we\u2019re playing a lot of cities we haven\u2019t been to before. I can\u2019t wait to come to Philadelphia. This will be our first time to play Philly and we\u2019re really excited about that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for ONI — https:\/\/youtu.be\/xnEqo4EvXwQ?t=13<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the TLA \u2013 \u201cI Worship Chaos Tour\u201d with Children Of Bodom, Abbath and Exmortus \u2013 will start at 7:30 p.m.\u00a0 Tickets are $26.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/span><\/a>) will present \u201cStand Up at The Flash\u201d with Buddy Harris<\/span><\/a>, Jon Koppel, Bradley Beck, Chris Walker, and Marc Staudenmaier along with live music from Ides of March on December 15, Better than Bacon on December 16, Elastic Karma on December 17 and Matt Sevier on December 18.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Jim Boggia on December 16 and Hotlanta on December 17.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/span><\/a>) will have Vocal Fusion and Alex Allegra on December 16 and MTS Presents: A Better Class of Criminal, Self Help Me, More Than Sound, Little Beast, the Ramparts and Jason Ray on December 17.<\/span><\/p>\n

Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0www.burlapandbean.com<\/span><\/a>) will present<\/span><\/p>\n

Post War Dream, George Engel Brooks, and Vessna Scheff on December 16, and Matthew Rineer, Katie Buxton, and The Boy Jones on December 17.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/span><\/a>) will have Kate Voegele and Tyler Hilton on December 15, Taylor Hicks on December 16, Annie Haslam with Jann Klose on December 17, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap on December 18 and Spoken Hand Ensemble on December 21.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Final rush of shows coming this weekend before holidays By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times With the arrival of the homestretch for the 2016 concert season, many acts are on the road \u2013 trying to get in a few more shows before the holiday season arrives in full swing. There is a full slate on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[8320,8321,8319,8322,6518,8323,8324,8318,8325],"class_list":["post-22429","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-allen-tate","tag-aubreylyn","tag-badfish","tag-black-lillies","tag-featured","tag-nalanai-sarina","tag-oni","tag-pink-martini","tag-spelling-reform"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22429","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=22429"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22429\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22430,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22429\/revisions\/22430"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}