{"id":22878,"date":"2017-01-26T08:50:58","date_gmt":"2017-01-26T13:50:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22878"},"modified":"2017-01-26T08:51:02","modified_gmt":"2017-01-26T13:51:02","slug":"on-stage-rubblebucket-gets-things-going","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22878","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Rubblebucket gets things going"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

\"\"<\/a>

Rubblebucket<\/p><\/div>\n

Rubblebucket is a band that has no trouble getting things going.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Brooklyn-based\u00a0indie-pop band got 2017 going with the release of an impressive EP — a brand-new collection of four songs titled \u201cIf U C My Enemies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rubblebucket got the EP going with a high-energy song called \u201cDonna,\u201d a lively track that features movement-inducing brass parts along with intense vocals by Kalmia Traver.<\/span><\/p>\n

The EP was released on January 20 and now the sextet is out on a seven-city support tour \u2013 a tour that touches down on January 28 at Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, 215-232-2100, www.utphilly.com<\/span><\/a>). The band features Alex Toth (trumpet, vocals, percussion), Jeremy Phipps (trombone), Dandy McDowell (bass), Maddie Rice (guitar), Jacob Bergson (keyboards) and Traver (lead vocals, baritone saxophone).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe started writing the EP in summer 2015,\u201d said Toth, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Rhode Island. \u201cWe\u2019ve been working on a full-length since then \u2013 on-and-off. We recorded the EP tracks last spring and got them finished by summer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rubblebucket\u2019s fourth \u2013 and most recent \u2013 full-length album was \u201cSurvival Sounds,\u201d which was released in 2014 on Communion Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the main reasons it\u2019s taken so long to make a new album is that we\u2019re on the road a lot,\u201d said Toth. \u201cWe toured a year-and-a-half after th release of \u2018Survival Sound.\u2019. We really do spend a lot of time on the road and it\u2019s hard to dig into touring and writing at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, we Have 10 songs that are almost finished. I do most of the writing at my home studio in my apartment in Brooklyn. I\u2019ve been able to demo the stuff there and then go to various studios to do drums and overdubs. Kalmia does the same thing at her place in Vermont.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI also have my own project Alex F. I\u2019ll be taking Alex F out in February. After that, Rubblebucket will be back in the studio and not touring much. We hope to have the album out by late summer or early fall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Traver and Toth were bandmates and a couple for many years but that changed within the last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKal and I were together for a long time and then we broke up in March,\u201d said Toth. \u201cIt was a lot for us to try to keep the band and the relationship going at the same time. It was consciously uncoupling. We did get matching \u2018Triangular Daisies\u2019 tattoos (title of an older Rubblebucket song). We do still want to do Rubblebucket and be creative partners. We love what we do and we care about each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two highly-creative musicians share a special bond.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlex and I met when we were at the University of Vermont,\u201d said Traver, during a previous phone interview. \u201cWe played together in John Brown\u2019s Body for two-and-a-half years. Then, we moved to Boston. After that, we moved to Brooklyn. Ever since college, we\u2019ve been throwing ourselves into it \u2014 not looking for full-time jobs. I like to show people the importance of following your own creativity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Back in 2013, Traver underwent surgery to remove what doctors expected to be a benign ovarian cyst. Instead, they discovered that Traver was in the early stages of ovarian cancer. Two surgeries and nine weeks of chemotherapy treatments later, Traver and her Rubblebucket band mates were back on the road \u2014 within a week, in fact, of her final treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy cancer had an effect on Alex too,\u201d said Traver. \u201cThe shock wave hit my people. For me, I took it as a message to smooth out my energy channels \u2014 inside and outside. I found out the need for true healing. It was terrifying and scary. That\u2019s where it was at for us at the time. Music is always cathartic. Music in general is my number one therapy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Toth said, \u201cBoth of us are into meditation and healing stuff. It opened a new perspective in everything. That led to the title of the new EP, which is based on a quote from the Dalai Lama where he said that our enemies are our greatest teachers. Life presents obstacles and challenges for all of us and you can come out the other side stronger and happier.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith Rubblebucket, we want to keep evolving \u2013 searching for freshness in the sound. It would be easier to turn around a record if it was more formulaic but that\u2019s not us. We\u2019ve written about 35-40 Rubblebucket songs. We write a lot and then choose the best fir the studio. Right now, we have 14 songs that we\u2019re excited about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Rubblebucket \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/OEVpAefIrU0<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Union Transfer, which has Sam Evian as the opening act, will start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at Union Transfer are Austra, Ela Minus and Moor Mother on January 27; Cloud Nothings and LVL UP on January 30; Parquet Courts and Mary Lattimore on January 31; and Greensky Bluegrass and Fruition on February 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lively music that will have people up and dancing on January 28 will also be on the menu at The Block at Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia (777 Harrahs Boulevard, Chester, 484-490-1800, https:\/\/www.caesars.com\/harrahs-philly<\/span><\/a>) when Elena Brokus Productions presents \u201cHarrah\u2019s Future Stars Showcase.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The concert will feature live performances by the area\u2019s hottest new stars including Nalani & Sarina, Epoch Failure, Three Fourteen, Dead Sea Squirrels, First Impression Band and Steal Revenge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

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

The highly-talented 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. We\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. It\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 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. Classical 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\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

\"\"<\/a>

Epoch Failure<\/p><\/div>\n

Epoch Failure is an urban pop duo featuring singer Billy Joe Marrero (aka \u201cBilly The Kidd\u201d) and rapper Nick Young (aka \u201cNickey Knoxx\u201d). Both have overcome major obstacles in their lives and now are paired together in a successful music act.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really excited to be playimg a show at The Block,\u201d said Young, during a phone interview Wednesday night from his home in Bucks County. \u201cIt\u2019s our first time to play Harrah\u2019s. Actually, it\u2019s our first time to play any casino. The lineup for the show is pretty great \u2013 Nalani & Sarina. Three Fourteen \u2013 we\u2019re really excited to be playing with them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most recent good things happening for Epoch Failure is an\u00a0American Airlines in-flight\u00a0Cigna ad that features the duo\u2019s song, \u201cEvery Day Great (Dreamers)\u201d. The spot has been airing regularly on AA flights since September. It is just one of many placements earned by Epoch Failure over the last year-and-a-half.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really happy that they\u2019ve used our song \u2018Dreamers\u2019 on all those flights,\u201d said Young, during a phone interview Wednesday morning from his home in Bucks County. \u201cThings like this give us a big boost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Epoch Failure\u2019s message is one of hope and ambition — an attribute gained from overcoming hard times in their respective lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marrero and his family have experienced extreme poverty, which was actually highlighted in a 20\/20 profile of community hardships in Camden, NJ in 2007. The response to the Marreros\u2019 plight was so overwhelming that his family was chosen for a home renovation by \u201cExtreme Makeover: Home Edition\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Young committed to securing a brighter future for himself and his family. When he turned 18, he enlisted in the Army as a way to get a college education and open up more options for his future. He attended West Virginia University and now, in addition to penning brilliant lyrics and rocking crowds, he serves full-time in the New Jersey Army National Guard as a photographer and broadcast journalist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discovered via ReverbNation by North Star Media\u2019s John Sepetys, Epoch Failure is poised for a bright future. The duo\u2019s five-song debut EP was mixed and co-produced by Grammy-nominated producer Billy Hume (Lil\u2019 Jon, Ying Yang Twins, Pitbull).<\/span><\/p>\n

Epoch Failure\u2019s first single \u201cChampion\u201d has become a breakout sync track in the sports world. This past February, it was played during the post-game celebration of Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco. It\u2019s also been featured by The NFL Network, ESPN, Fox Sports, NASCAR, WWE, NBC Sports, NY Knicks, NY Giants, Denver Broncos, the Australian Football League, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

The group\u2019s follow-up single was a reinvention of Bon Jovi\u2019s legendary anthem, \u201cLivin\u2019 on a Prayer.\u201d It reached the Top 10 on Spotify\u2019s Viral 50 USA chart, which highlights the most shared and trending tracks in the country. The song was also featured by ESPN during their NFL Sunday Countdown programming throughout the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl lead-up coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon discovering the Epoch Failure version, Bon Jovi shared the song across all their major online platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe realized that a lot of bands gained attention by doing covers,\u201d said Young. \u201cBut, we didn\u2019t want to do it the traditional way. We also wanted people to find us. We\u2019re from New Jersey and, in New Jersey, Bon Jovi is God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, Jon Bon Jovi and cowriter Desmond Child have offered the following joint statement of praise — \u201cThe powerful new version of \u2018Livin\u2019 On A Prayer\u2019 by Epoch Failure retells the intimate story of Tommy and Gina, set in an urgent urban landscape. It captures the song\u2019s timeless message, lifting the banner of hope and faith for a whole new generation of working class heroes. Epoch Failure is a winner!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Epoch Failure is ready to soon release its second EP.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur second EP is going to be even better,\u201d said Marrero. \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be dope. It should be out soon. We\u2019re just waiting for the post-production on the last two songs. With the new EP, we\u2019ve stayed true to what we do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Three Fourteen is a band featuring a mashup of music — a four piece band composed of young guys with old souls who perform protracted sets of reggae and blues-influenced rock. Some songs consist of clear-cut melodies with order, while others offer a sense of flexibility with heavy, variable jams. Along with their originals, they love to play songs by their favorite artists such as The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, and many other rock groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

The band, which has been in existence for two years, has already played The Haverford Music Festival, the Ardmore Music Hall, World Cafe Live, Parx Casino, Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia, Legendary Dobbs, Brother Jimmy\u2019s Live (New York), Kung Fu Necktie, Bourbon & Branch and The Fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Nalani & Sarina \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/brxtDnPxes4<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Epoch Failure — https:\/\/youtu.be\/TFRzozU5_h4?t=39<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Three Fourteen — https:\/\/youtu.be\/7KtVHwCTD6U<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are priced at $15. On February 4, The Block will present \u201cI Heart the 80\u2019s featuring Taylor Dayne, Stacey Q and Weird Science.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jerry Blavat<\/p><\/div>\n

Another show on January 28 that will have the audience rocking out and dancing in the aisles will take place at Kimmel Center (Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, www.kimmelcenter.org<\/span><\/a>) \u2013 \u201cJerry Blavat\u2019s Gospel, Soul and Doo Wop Reunion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re over the age of 40 and you grew up in the Delaware Valley, the odds are good that you know who the \u201cGeator with the Heator\u201d is. He\u2019s the \u201cBoss with the Hot Sauce\u201d \u2013 Philadelphia\u2019s legendary disc jockey Jerry Blavat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blavat has been associated with the oldies since back when he first got on the radio in the early 1960s. He has been a host of record hops, dance parties and oldies extravaganzas ever since. Blavat, who will turn 77 in July, has been a radio and television personality for as long as anyone can remember.<\/span><\/p>\n

The lineup for Saturday\u2019s show features Eddie Holman, The Chi-lites, The Stylistics, \u201cA Celebration of Kenny Vance and the Planotones\u201d\u00a0featuring Ladd\u00a0Vance, The Dixie Hummingbirds with Dee Dee Sharp and Mashed Potatoes, the Tokens and Johnny Gale,\u00a0\u201cA Tribute to Johnny Maestro\u201d with the Crests featuring Tommy Mara.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m blessed to be able to do what I do,\u201d said Blavat, during a phone interview. \u201cI started doing these shows at the Kimmel several years ago. The first show I did there had Little Anthony and the Imperials, Lloyd Price and The Chantels. It sold out immediately. When you go back 40 years, artists like these would play in theaters or at dance shows with minimal music backup. With my shows, they\u2019re in a concert hall backed up by a 30-piece orchestra.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a lot of oldies shows, the acts onstage bear only a slight resemblance personnel-wise to the artists that originally made the music. Such is not the case with the acts that Blavat brings to his shows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI only use artists that are still intact,\u201d said Blavat. \u201cThey have to be the original artists \u2013 and they have to still sound like the original recordings. It takes a long time to put a show together because I plan on artists that audiences in our area haven\u2019t seen in a while. I pick the songs for the groups that can emulate the original recording — with the lead singer and the arrangement. When audiences come to the show, they can close their eyes and hear what they heard on the record.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for The Stylistics — https:\/\/youtu.be\/tFPTXxrZ31s<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJerry Blavat\u2019s Gospel, Soul and Doo Wop Reunion\u201d will start at 8 p.m. on January 28. Ticket prices range from $49-$95.<\/span><\/p>\n

More dancing to rock music from previous decades will take place closer to home this weekend when Kategory5 Band performs a pair of shows at Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Kategory5<\/p><\/div>\n

On January 27, Kennett Flash presents \u201cKategory 5 plays the 70s.\u201d. On January 28, the comfortable music room in Kennett square will present \u201cKategory 5 plays the 80s.\u201d If you are a fan of 70s classic<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe play mostly music from the 70s — pop, rock, one-hit wonders, and classic rock, said Pigliacampi, during a phone interview from her home in Unionville. \u201cWe do songs by Kansas, Boston, Led Zeppelin and Abba. I think we\u2019re the only band around that plays Abba and Led Zep in the same show. People really enjoy being taken back to that era.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kategory5 Band is a cover band featuring a diverse group of veteran musicians.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll of us have played music in the area for decades,\u201d said Pigliacampi. \u201cWe have a big fan base from our solo work. We\u2019re all in our 40s and 50s and wanted to do the music we loved. Our goal is to play a really good mixture of nostalgia. We are all good singers so we have a lot of four-part and five-part harmonies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Kategory5 Band — https:\/\/youtu.be\/bkt2V1ky7Ks<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kategory5 Band\u2019s shows this weekend will start at 8 p.m. each night with tickets priced at $15 and $22. Kennett Flash will also host \u201cStand Up at The Flash\u201d with Chris Coccia, Missy Grynkiewicz, Chris Stenta and Jeremy Hall on January 26.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Cuddle Magic<\/p><\/div>\n

On January 27, Cuddle Magic will release its new album \u201cAshes\/Axis\u201d on Northern Spy Records. The band\u2019s local fans will be able to hear a preview of the new disc on January 26 when Cuddle Magic visits the area for a show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Cuddle Magic is Benjamin Lazar Davis, Christopher McDonald, Dave Flaherty, Alec Spiegelman, Kristin Slipp and Cole Kamen-Green — a six-piece avant-pop band based in Brooklyn with one \u201coutsider\u201d who calls Philadelphia home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all live in Brooklyn except for our keyboard player Christopher McDonald, who still lives in Philly,\u201d said Lazar Davis, during a phone interview Tuesday. \u201cWe\u2019re in Philly now because we just did a radio show on WXPN last night. We\u2019re heading to D.C. to start the tour tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cuddle Magic was formed a decade ago in Boston by multi-instrumentalists Lazar Davis and McDonald, who were shortly joined by the other four. Cuddle Magic has been described as \u201cdance-listening music\u201d that unfolds in waves of vocal harmony, contrapuntal brass and woodwinds, dense wordplay, and overlapping rhythmic cycles.<\/span><\/p>\n

As in-demand participants in New York\u2019s musical community, members of Cuddle Magic have collaborated with a wide range of artists ranging from pop superstars like Beyonc\u00e9 to critically lauded independent musicians like Anais Mitchell and Amanda Palmer, as well as with respected figures of the avant-garde like Fred Frith and Ran Blake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAshes\/Axis\u201d is Cuddle Magic\u2019s fifth full-length album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe new album is our fourth project as our own band,\u201d said Lazar Davis. \u201cWe also did a collaboration with Phyllis Chen. That was more a classical album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chen is a pianist\/toy pianist\/composer<\/span><\/a> from New York. In 2011, she and Cuddle Magic teamed up to release an album on FYO Records called \u201cCuddle Magic & Phyllis Chen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe released our third album \u2018Info Nympho\u2019 in 2012,\u201d said Lazar Davis. \u201cSince then, we\u2019ve all been doing a lot of things on our own. And, we spent a lot of time making the new record. We\u2019re excited to be releasing it with Northern Spy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt first, we had this retreat in Long Island. We stayed together at someone\u2019s house in the middle of winter for two months. It ended up turning into a situation where we were making demos and trying to record it ourselves. We ended up taking it to Bryce Goggin, a great engineer who has worked with bands like Antony and the Johnsons, Swans and Pavement. We recorded it at Trout Recordings, which is Bryce\u2019s studio in Brooklyn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe spent a lot of time in that studio. It has all this incredible gear. So, we got the best of both worlds \u2013 recording demos on our own and recording at a great studio. We probably spent about 45 days in the studio at Trout. We got really acquainted with sounds in that studio. For example, we ran drums through a vocoder to get different pitches.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe finished the album about a year ago and then spent a year finding a home for it and figuring out a plan for its release. We were shopping it around. Northern Spy was so excited about the record we knew they would be the best for us. The album has a bunch of different co-writes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAshes\/Axis\u201d features songs written by McDonald, Lazar Davis and Spiegelman — all of whom take turns as lead vocalist. In addition, Slipp, whose voice is prominent from the very start of the album, takes the lead on \u201cSlow Rider,\u201d \u201cThe First Hippie on the Moon, Pt. II\u201d and \u201cVoicemail.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The album also features several co-writes — \u201cThe First Hippie on the Moon, Pt. II\u201d was co-written by Lazar Davis and his brother Tim Davis; \u201cThe First Hippie on the Moon, Pt. I\u201d was co-written by McDonald and Davis; \u201cVoicemail\u201d was co-written by Lazar Davis and Spiegelman; \u201cSpinning\u201d and \u201cRound And Round\u201d were co-written by Lazar Davis and Sarah K. Pedinotti of Lip Talk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three of the songs on the album were co-written by Lazar Davis and longtime collaborator Bridget Kearney of Lake Street Dive. Those tracks, \u201cSlow Rider,\u201d \u201cTrojan Horse,\u201d and \u201cGetaway,\u201d are all pop songs hung over the frame of Bawa music from Northwestern Ghana. Parts of these songs were conceived just for the gyil, a type of wooden xylophone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBridget and I went to Ghana together,\u201d said Lazar Davis. \u201cI studied the Ghanian xylophone known as gyil and wrote some songs based on that. I also went to Burkina Faso and Mali and explored music there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Ashes\/Axis\u2019 is a lot more minimal than our previous albums. We came into the studio with a lot of knowledge of the songs from making them before. And, we put Kristen\u2019s vocals through an amp and captured a really great vocal performance. Now, we\u2019re playing a little more than half of the songs on the new album in our current set. We have some old songs \u2013 including one song from our second record \u2013 and some new ones.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The show also features PHOX, a quintet from Baraboo, Wisconsin that is out on its \u201cGoodbye (For Now) Tour.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After buzz-generating performances at SXSW and summer music festivals in 2014, PHOX released its debut album followed by extensive touring that spanned the globe and lasted well over a year. The band ended 2015 with a much-needed break.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the months that followed it started to become clear to the band members that the time on the road has distracted from other creative pursuits. As they settled back into normal life, a conversation within the band started to slowly gain momentum. The band member all had numerous creative goals outside of the band so they decided to take a step back from PHOX to give everybody the opportunity to work outside of the band. In October 2016, the band announced an indefinite hiatus that will be preceded by a short run of dates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Cuddle Magic — https:\/\/youtu.be\/cc0LQ8bL3Q8<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for PHOX — https:\/\/youtu.be\/tcnQ9-qWSfc?list=PL_k7hRwXEcaPIjRFcSKqDTLh6LUkQcFz8<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The attractive twin-bill at the World Caf\u00e9 Live on January 26 will start at 8 p.m.\u00a0 Tickets are $17.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the World Caf\u00e9 Live are Bronze Radio Return and Air Traffic Controller on January 27; The Infamous Stringdusters: The Laws of Gravity Tour and The Brothers Comatose on January 28; Tiffany Jones Quintet and V. Shayne Frederick on January 29; Bill Laurance of Snarky Puppy<\/span><\/a> and Darla<\/span><\/a> on January 31; and Birds of Chicago and Levon Henry on February 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>If you\u2019re a fan of Paul Simon, you should check out the show at the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/span><\/a>) on January 27.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a fan of Simon\u2019s classic album \u201cGraceland,\u201d then there is no place else you should be on Friday night other than the Ardmore Music Hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ryan Tennis is a Philly musician — a singer\/songwriter\/guitarist who in last two years has mounted successful tours through Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Colombia, and Argentina.\u00a0 He will spend February 2017 doing a massive tour in Colombia from Bogota to Barranquilla and from Cali to Cartagena.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, before Tennis heads to the diverse country that had both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, the veteran musician will present a very special show at the venue in Ardmore \u2013 \u201cAn All-Star Tribute to the 30th Anniversary of Graceland, featuring Bakithi Kumalo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGraceland\u201d is the classic album released by Paul Simon in 1986 \u2013 an album that featured Simon\u2019s appropriation of South African township music. Kumalo, who was born in Johannesburg\u2019s Soweto Township, is a <\/span>bassist, composer and vocalist. He has worked with artists such as Harry Belafonte, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper and Gloria Estefan and was the bass player on five of the 11 tracks on \u201cGraceland.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been making music for eight years,\u201d said Tennis, during a phone interview last week. \u201cI\u2019ve recorded three albums and two EPs. I\u2019ve been chipping away and making music for a while with my band Ryan Tennis and the Clubhouse Band. I also perform as a solo artist with one percussionist. I\u2019ve done six tours of Europe, four in Colombia and two in Argentina. Lately. \u2018Graceland has been the main thing I\u2019m working on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I started to play, \u2018Graceland\u2019 influenced me a lot. I was raised with \u2018Graceland.\u2019 A few years back, I started to dive back into South African music. Mahlathini influenced me a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mahlathini is Simon Nkabinde, a South African mbaqanga singer who passed away in 1999. Known as the \u201cLion of Soweto,\u201d he was the leader and writer for Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, an internationally-acclaimed mbaqanga group backed by the Makonga Tsohle Band. Mahlathini was a charismatic entertainer who performed in tribal garb and sang with a unique basso profundo voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s joyous music and it was at the time of apartheid,\u201d said Tennis. \u201cI definitely incorporated it into our music. It really affected me a lot. I even based one of my songs on a Mahlathini groove.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The band that Tennis assembled for the \u2018Graceland\u2019 tribute includes David Bravo (Harry Belafonte, Bo Diddly) — Keyboards; Zach Djanikian (Amos Lee) — Sax, Vocals; Tom Spiker (Groove Alla Turka, Calvin Weston) \u2013 Guitar; Jaron Olevsky (Amos Lee) \u2013 Accordion; Joseph Keim \u2013 Drums; Shawn Hennessey — Percussion, Vocals; Aaron Parnell Brown \u2013 Vocals; Kumalo (Paul Simon) — Bass, Vocals; and Tennis — Vocals, Guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of us played together in the summer and did a show in the Lehigh Valley where we did a few songs from \u2018Graceland\u2019 and ended with a South African song,\u201d said Tennis. \u201cWe thought it would be nice to put a \u2018Graceland\u2019 show together for winter and Ardmore Music Hall seemed like the best spot to do it. We put the band together and they\u2019re all Philly people who grew up with the album. We\u2019re basically going to do the whole \u2018Graceland\u2019 album along with a few other Paul Simon songs that fit. This is a pilot to see how it goes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The show will open with a program of Simon & Garfunkel songs performed by various artists from the Philadelphia Folksong Society\u2019s Music Co-op, including No Good Sister, The End of America, Griz, A Fistful of Sugar, Bethlehem and Sad Patrick.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Ryan Tennis \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/w9v5RInhdCs<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Bakithi Kumalo — https:\/\/youtu.be\/qshldMtI_Uw<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Ardmore will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 day of show and $25 reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other shows over the next week at the Ardmore Music Hall are Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead tribute)<\/span><\/a> and Atlas Road Crew<\/span><\/a> on January 28;<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Funky Brunch & Market<\/span> with <\/span>Local Vendors, Local Music, Beer, & Brunch<\/span>\u201d along with music by <\/span>The Whiskeyhickon Boys<\/span> and <\/span>Ladybird<\/span> on January 29 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.); and <\/span>Bill Jolly\u2019s Hard Drive All-Stars on January 29 (6 p.m.).<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the years, there have been many rock and folk musicians who continued to perform as they got older and, at the same time, watched their sons also embark on careers in music \u2013 musicians such as Woody and Arlo Guthrie, Bob and Ziggy Marley, Tim and Jeff Buckley, Frank and Dweezil Zappa, John and Sean Lennon.<\/span><\/p>\n

The list goes on and on. A relatively recent addition to the list is Charlie Cooper, the father, and Curtis Cooper, the son. This week, they both have shows in the area. On January 26, Curtis Cooper and his band will play at Johnny Brenda\u2019s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-739-9684,<\/span><\/p>\n

www.johnnybrendas.com<\/a><\/span>). On January 27, Charlie Cooper and his long-time group The HumblemanBand will perform at the Mermaid Inn (7673 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-247-9797, www.themermaidinn.net<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe HumblemanBand was formed in1999,\u201d said guitarist\/songwriter\/vocalist Charlie Cooper, during a phone interview Wednesday morning from his office on Philadelphia. \u201cI was in a band with our drummer Buck Buchanan. Three of us were living near each other in South Philly and we gradually picked up people.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe third guy was bassist Bruce Koch, who just died a year ago from a massive heart attack. That was a real loss \u2013 as a friend and as a bandmate. We weren\u2019t sure we were going to pick up the pieces. We were using hired hands to fill in. We just recently added a permanent bass player \u2013 Boz Heinly, who lives in Plymouth Meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, there are five of us in the band and four of us live on the same block of Johnson Street in Germantown. We get along really well musically and as friends. We have a lot of respect for each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The band\u2019s current lineup includes Wain Ballard on guitar, Kim Empson on vocals and percussion, Heinly on bass, Buchanan on drums and Cooper on vocals and guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe put out an album a few years ago called \u2018Least Bad of Humbleman 1984-2009\u2019,\u201d said Cooper. \u201cThat album was a 25-year compilation starting with our days in 1984 as a punk band called The Proles. We released our most recent album \u2018Late Bloom\u2019 in fall 2015. It was self-produced \u2013 mostly D.I.Y.in my basement using CakeWalk. We went into the studio for the rhythm section and then put on overdubs and the rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re actually due to do some recording. We hope to put out an EP later this year. We went out to Standing Rock (Indian Reservation) on Thanksgiving and a brand new song about the American Indian in the 21<\/span>st<\/sup><\/span> century came out of that. We have another new song called \u2018Tattoo Removal Man.\u2019 As a band, we try to play good-time music — and be smart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Curtis Cooper recently released an impressive debut full-length album titled \u201cLaughing In Line.\u201d One of the area\u2019s bright prospects in the acoustic singer-songwriter genre, Cooper writes and sings about issues such as depression, substance abuse, handling violent tendencies, love, and heartbreak. His sidemen are Scott Stitzer on drums and Jack Zaferes on Bass.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for the Humblemanband — https:\/\/youtu.be\/uDk9751ZLd0<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Curtis Cooper — https:\/\/youtu.be\/v7Yq9CMCL1k<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The HumblemanBand show at the Mermaid Inn will start at 9 p.m. on January 27. Curtis Cooper\u2019s show at Johnny Brenda\u2019s, which also features Clique and Mumblr, will start at 9 p.m. with tickets priced at $10.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times Rubblebucket is a band that has no trouble getting things going. The Brooklyn-based\u00a0indie-pop band got 2017 going with the release of an impressive EP — a brand-new collection of four songs titled \u201cIf U C My Enemies.\u201d Rubblebucket got the EP going with a high-energy song called \u201cDonna,\u201d a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22880,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[8463,7839,6518,7017,8464,7639,8465,8462],"class_list":["post-22878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-cuddle-magic","tag-epoch-failure","tag-featured","tag-jerry-blavat","tag-kategory5","tag-nalani-and-sarina","tag-phox","tag-rubblebucket"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22878","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=22878"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22878\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22879,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22878\/revisions\/22879"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}