{"id":28775,"date":"2018-06-12T14:35:26","date_gmt":"2018-06-12T18:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=28775"},"modified":"2018-06-12T14:35:33","modified_gmt":"2018-06-12T18:35:33","slug":"on-stage-river-whyless-is-another-reason-app-state-is-famous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=28775","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: River Whyless is another reason App. State is famous"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

River Whyless<\/p><\/div>\n

For sports fans, Appalachian State University is known for producing what has been called \u201cone of the greatest upsets in college football history.\u201d<\/p>\n

For music fans, Appalachian State University is known for giving the world one of the best American folk\/rock bands in the past decade \u2013 River Whyless.<\/p>\n

The sports world was stunned in 2007 when Appalachian State, an NCAA Division II school, upset Michigan, a Division I school that was ranked fifth in the nation. Michigan was such a favorite that Las Vegas sportsbooks did not give a betting line.\u00a0The final score showed ASU on top 34-32.<\/p>\n

The emergence of River Whyless didn\u2019t register as highly on the Richter Scale but was still important \u2013 especially for fans of folk\/rock, Americana and indie rock.<\/p>\n

On June 8, River Whyless \u2013\u00a0 Ryan O\u2019Keefe: vocals, guitar; Halli Anderson: vocals, violin; Daniel Shearin: vocals, bass, harmonium; Alex McWalters: drums — released its third studio album\u00a0\u201cKindness, A Rebel\u201d via\u00a0Roll Call Records.<\/p>\n

The band has embarked on a tour to support the new disc and will arrive in Philadelphia on June 12 for a show at Johnny Brenda\u2019s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-739-9684,<\/p>\n

www.johnnybrendas.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all met at Appalachian State, which is located in Boone, North Carolina,\u201d said O\u2019Keefe, during a recent phone interview from his home in Asheville, North Carolina.<\/p>\n

\u201cDave was a music major but not the rest of us. I came into music late in the game. I never played music until I was in college. Alex and I roomed together. He taught me how to listen to music more critically. Then, I picked up guitar and started to learn how to play.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe played music together through college and then decided we wanted to start a band. Halli came in to play violin. Slowly, the band started to develop \u2013 basements to house parties to bars to out-of-town shows. It\u2019s been a slow build \u2013 one foot in front of the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

The band\u2019s self-released debut album \u201cA Stone, A Leaf, An Unfound Door\u201d came out in 2012 and the next LP was \u201cWe All The Light,\u201d which came out on 2016 on Roll Call Records.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe played a lot of shows on the first album,\u201d said O\u2019Keefe. \u201cWe toured endlessly. We really spent a lot of time developing how we sound. For the second album, we had a new bass player who was also a songwriter. With three songwriters in the band, it\u2019s definitely a group effort.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the band members finished their education at Appalachian State, it was time to relocate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been here in Asheville for eight years,\u201d said O\u2019Keefe. \u201cBoone is really a college town. Asheville definitely is a progressive town. It\u2019s an oasis.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur latest album came together pretty quickly. Little pieces came in and developed quickly. It\u2019s indie rock with a lot of folk music thrown in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have band sessions here at our rehearsal space \u2013 a house in Boone. We did a lot of writing in the studio when we were recording the album. That was different from what we had done in the past. There needed to be a lot of flexibility in the studio.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the album at Sonic Ranch Studio in El Paso, Texas \u2013 a great studio on a huge pecan farm in the middle of nowhere. We spent three weeks there. We made the album with producer Paul Butler. He\u2019s an exciting producer who is eager to let things happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, the album has finally been released and we\u2019re out on tour. We love the new album and we\u2019re going to play every song in our live show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for River Whyless — https:\/\/youtu.be\/374V10dsREs?list=PLHYawg-Kn–yhSW3YBQnBF5z4SS-ezPzY<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Johnny Brenda\u2019s, which has Gracie and Rachel as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>On June 13, there will be a show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>) featuring a new act and an old act that has become new again \u2013 a show that will delight fans of both acts.<\/p>\n

The headline act is The Posies, a veteran rock band that released its first album in 1988. The opening act will be Terra Lightfoot, a Canadian solo artist whose first album was released just a few years ago.<\/p>\n

Two years ago, there was a shroud of mystery around The Posies\u2019 show in the Delaware Valley.<\/p>\n

Touring in support of their eighth album —\u00a0\u201cSolid States\u201d — The Posies hit the road with their \u201cSecret Pop Up Show Tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

None of the full band shows were in clubs, but rather in cool, alternative event locations in each city — with the actual address of the show being released to ticket holders not more than 24 hours in advance.<\/p>\n

Now, The Posies are coming back \u2013 and there is no mystery why.<\/p>\n

Celebrating\u00a0their 30th anniversary this year by the reissue\u00a0of three classic albums — \u201cDear 23,\u201d \u201cFrosting on the Beater,\u201d\u00a0and \u201cAmazing Disgrace,\u201d The Posies have embarked on a very ambitious world tour.<\/p>\n

The Posies have had several lineup changes over the years, but the band has always revolved around the founding duo of Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow.<\/p>\n

To take this celebration around the world, The Posies tour band will feature the 1992-1994 lineup that made\u00a0\u201cFrosting on the Beater\u201d — drummer Mike Musburger and bassist Dave Fox along with Auer and Stringfellow. It\u2019s been almost a quarter century since this quartet has been on the road.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did over a hundred shows for \u2018Solid States\u2019 and almost all the shows in the states were pop-up shows,\u201d said Stringfellow, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Birmingham, Alabama.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, we did a European tour \u2013 actually, two European tours, two American tours and then a follow-up in Spain. That tour cycle was longer than this 30th anniversary tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are two main reasons behind this tour. It\u2019s an anniversary tour. And, there is the re-issue of three of our early albums from the 90s \u2013 records that we did with Geffen Records.\u201d<\/p>\n

Omnivore Recordings\u00a0has embarked on ambitious reissue of three classic albums by\u00a0The Posies. \u201cDear 23\u201d\u00a0will arrive\u00a0June 15, 2018, while \u201cFrosting on the Beater\u201d will be released on August 3, 2018. Each of these titles\u00a0comes as a two-CD set featuring the original album remastered from original master tapes, plus almost all previously unissued bonus tracks, and on vinyl as a two-LP set of the original album \u2014 mastered at 45 rpm.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazing Disgrace\u201d\u00a0will be released\u00a0October 28, 2018\u00a0as a two-CD set, also with the original album remastered from original master tapes, plus almost all previously unissued bonus tracks, and as a two-LP package \u2014 unlike the others, mastered at 33 1\/3 as it was simply too long for 45 rpm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been working on the re-issues for a while,\u201d said Stringfellow. \u201cIt\u2019s been a very long process. We knew the 30th anniversary tour should reflect these re-issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got in touch with Dave and Mike and they were available and into it. So \u2013 why not?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was 30 years when The Posies began by releasing a home-recorded cassette called\u00a0\u201cFailure,\u201d which to their complete surprise became an instant favorite around the Northwest, earning them critical accolades, radio airplay, and major label interest all in a very short time. They were lucky to find themselves living just a few doors down the road in Seattle from\u00a0Arthur \u201cRick\u201d Roberts\u00a0and\u00a0Mike Musburger, who joined the band on bass and drums, respectively.<\/p>\n

Signed to\u00a0Geffen Records, the Posies recorded their second album,\u00a0\u201cDear 23,\u201d and toured the U.S. Roberts left the Posies in 1991,\u00a0Dave Fox\u00a0joined on bass, and they made the album that put them into the international spotlight: 1993\u2019s\u00a0\u201cFrosting on the Beater.\u201d<\/p>\n

The band changed the rhythm section yet again with\u00a0Brian Young\u00a0on drums and the late\u00a0Joe \u201cBass\u201d Skyward\u00a0on bass. This is the lineup that recorded\u00a0\u201cAmazing Disgrace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since people heard this music performed by these guys,\u201d said Stringfellow. \u201cThat line-up (Musberger, Fox, Auer, Stringfellow) didn\u2019t last that long.\u201d<\/p>\n

With major changes in the way music is consumed having largely arrived after these albums were originally released, the albums have not been regularly available — CDs out of print, inconsistent presences on streaming, LPs either long out of print or not issued at all. Omnivore Recordings is changing all that.<\/p>\n

\u201cOmnivore is entering into a licensing deal with Universal Music Group and it\u2019s very costly,\u201d said Stringfellow. \u201cUniversal gets money from their rights and they want their share when the record drops \u2013 on the day it comes out. So, we\u2019re in the middle of a PledgeMusic campaign. We\u2019re three-quarters of the way to the goal \u2013and we\u2019re not going to stop pushing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans of The Posies can support the band by participating in the PledgeMusic at\u00a0https:\/\/www.pledgemusic.com\/projects\/the-posies<\/a><\/p>\n

Video link for the Posies —\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/U0sbmOLJUTM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Terra Lighrtfoot<\/p><\/div>\n

Lightfoot, who grew up in Waterdown just outside Hamilton, Ontario, is currently touring the states in support of her new album \u201cNew Mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new album came out in October, but it hasn\u2019t been until now that it\u2019s had its real release in the states,\u201d said Lightfoot, during a phone interview Monday morning as she travelled from Charlotte, North Carolina to a gig in Annapolis, Maryland.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the album came out initially, we toured Australia, Japan and Europe before we started anything in North America. Now, we\u2019re focusing on the states. We\u2019ll be out with this tour until July1.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the album in March last year. The cool thing is that we\u2019re finding new ways to play the songs live. We\u2019re inside them now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not only are Lightfoot and her band more familiar with the songs now, they are using a different line-up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a new bass player,\u201d said Lightfoot. \u201cWe\u2019ve been a trio since January. It\u2019s just bass and drums and me on guitar \u2013 no frills, more fun. There is improvisation happening. It\u2019s less cluttered. We cut the album on Six Nations Reserve near Hamilton.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lightfoot and her bandmates went to the reserve and laid down the tracks at Jukasa Recording Studios in Ohsweken, Ontario.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe went and lived there while we were recording the album,\u201d said Lightfoot, who graduated from McMaster University with a degree in anthropology.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was like the 70s. I started writing the songs a year before I recorded them. I was touring a lot and had all these road songs \u2013 songs about the concept of travelling and being away from home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an honest writer. I can\u2019t write about anything that didn\u2019t happen to me or my friends and family.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe concept of just a trio was new.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t need keyboards or another guitar. As a person who plays all guitar, it made sense that I stepped out as lead player. That means there are more opportunities to improvise. Now, anything goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The songs keep evolving and Lightfoot is comfortable with the process.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sing the same words every night,\u201d said Lightfoot. \u201cIt\u2019s about me being confident enough to carry it \u2013 to realize that I can do it. But, it was difficult to restructure a lot of the songs to the new format.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Terra Lightfoot \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/VWjcASRTNOI<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live featuring The Posies and Terra Lightfoot will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22.<\/p>\n

When a touring Broadway musical comes to Philadelphia or Wilmington, it is usually for a six-day run from Tuesday-Sunday. If a show visits the area for a longer run, it\u2019s a safe assumption that the show is something special.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Michael James Scott as Aladdin<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cDisney\u2019s Aladdin\u201d appears to be in the \u201csomething special\u201d category.<\/p>\n

Disney Theatrical Productions in conjunction with the Kimmel Center\u2019s Broadway Philadelphia will be presenting the long-awaited Philadelphia premiere of\u00a0\u201cDisney\u2019s\u00a0Aladdin\u201d\u00a0for a three-week engagement from June 13 through July 1 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, www.kimmelcenter.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The all-ages favorite, which offers adventure, comedy, and romance, features all of the cherished songs from the famous Academy Award-winning animated Disney film and the popular musical soundtrack.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisney\u2019s Aladdin\u201d\u00a0opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre to critical acclaim in March 2014 and quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters in recent years. It broke 12 New Amsterdam Theatre house records<\/p>\n

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the show\u00a0features music by Tony\u00a0Award and eight-time Oscar winner\u00a0Alan Menken along with lyrics by two-time Oscar winner\u00a0Howard Ashman, three-time Tony\u00a0Award and three-time Oscar winner\u00a0Tim Rice,\u00a0and four-time Tony\u00a0Award nominee\u00a0Chad Beguelin. It has a book by Beguelin and is directed and choreographed by Tony\u00a0Award winner\u00a0Casey Nicholaw.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisney\u2019s Aladdin\u201d is adapted from the Academy Award-winning animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including \u201cOne Thousand and One Night.\u201d This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.<\/p>\n

The pivotal role of the Genie is performed by Michael James Scott.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe stage adaptation is obviously influenced by the animated movie \u2018Aladdin,\u2019\u201d said Scott.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cool thing is that they went back to the original aspects of \u2018Aladdin.\u2019 Songs that were cut from the film are now on stage. The show is a melding of the two. Aladdin has three friends that were in the original script.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are little things with Jafar. His sidekick is not a parrot but rather a character they created for the stage. Casey was really adamant that there wasn\u2019t going to be animals on stage. This was a real fantasy world with real people. They had to do some things to make it work.\u201d<\/p>\n

The animated film\u00a0\u201cAladdin\u201d\u00a0was released by Disney in 1992. It was a critical and box office smash and became the highest-grossing film of the year.\u00a0The film won the Oscar for Best Original Score and introduced the hit song \u201cA Whole New World,\u201d which won the second of the film\u2019s two Academy Awards as Best Original Song.\u00a0 The Peabo Bryson\/Regina Belle recording of the tune soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlaying Genie is a dream role,\u201d said Scott. \u201cI originated the role of Genie in Australia. I did the show on Broadway. Then, I left to do \u2018Dirty Rotten Scoundrels\u2019 on Broadway. Then, they brought me to L.A. to join the North American tour of \u2018Aladdin.\u2019 I\u2019ve had a pretty successful career on Broadway.\u201d<\/p>\n

The list of Scott\u2019s Broadway credits includes \u201cThe Book of Mormon<\/a>,: \u201cElf,\u201d \u201cThe Pirate Queen,\u201d \u201cMama Mia!,\u201d \u201cAll Shook Up,\u201d \u201cHair,\u201d \u201cTarzan\u201d and, of course, \u201cDisney\u2019s Aladdin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAudiences love this show because they get transported to a movie which is so beloved,\u201d said Scott. \u201cThe cool thing is that there is a new wave of audiences who don\u2019t know the show. Another big attraction is Alan Menken\u2019s songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, in this world, we need to smile, to laugh and to love. This is a show of love, happiness and fantasy.
\nThe Genie can grant three wishes. Scott described what he would ask for if granted three wishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy three wishes would be stability in our world, family care and having it so my partner and I can go anywhere we want on vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cDisney\u2019s Aladdin\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/2K-9vrwilEQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisney\u2019s Aladdin\u201d will run June13-July 1 at the Academy of Music. Tickets start at $20.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

American Aquarium<\/p><\/div>\n

American Aquarium will perform at Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-639-4528, www.bootandsaddlephilly.com<\/a>) on June 13 as part of its tour supporting the album \u201cThings Change,\u201d which was just released on June 1 via New West Records.<\/p>\n

The band\u2019s seventh studio album is its finest collection of southern rock-n-roll to date and the group\u2019s first release on a label after selling thousands of records on its own.<\/p>\n

Since the release of his highly acclaimed solo album\u00a0\u201cRockingham\u201d\u00a0(2016), there have been numerous changes in BJ Barham\u2019s life. The previous configuration of American Aquarium, which he helped found in 2006, dissolved last year, allowing him to successfully put together an entirely new lineup last fall.<\/p>\n

While past members have left indelible marks, the band has always been anchored by the literary songs and sometimes roaring, sometimes whispering, drawl of Barham.\u00a0American Aquarium\u2019s current lineup includes Shane Boeker on lead guitar, drummer Joey Bybee, bassist Ben Hussey, and Adam Kurtz on pedal steel and electric guitar \u2013 along with a reinvigorated front man in Barham.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made the record in December,\u201d said Barham, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce you create a piece of art, you want to put it out as soon as possible. But, the powers that be said \u2013 you have to wait until June to put it out. Now that it\u2019s out, it\u2019s been worth it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last six months have definitely been the decanting period for the band. If we had toured right out of the gate, it wouldn\u2019t have the weight it does now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recorded at 3CG Records in Tulsa, Oklahoma,\u00a0\u201cThings Change\u201d\u00a0was produced by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter John Fulbright and features cameos from Americana standouts including John Moreland and Jamie Lin Wilson.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the record was arranged in the studio,\u201d said Barham. \u201cOnly two or three were done before we went in. I stated writing in September and October \u2013 me and my guitar sitting in the living room \u2013 peace and quiet waiting for the muse. It starts with lyrics or maybe a melody. It starts with one line. Everything I write is like a folk song \u2013 three-chord songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important part is the lyrics. The ultimate goal as an artist is to bring about hope \u2013 about finding light in hard times. When I\u2019m done with the forts part of the writing process, I take it to the band. That\u2019s when you put the meat and muscle on the bones.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time, there were new players receiving Barham\u2019s songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince 2006, I\u2019ve had over 30 members in the band,\u201d said Barham. \u201cLast year, the real core group had a mass exodus. In February 2017, they came to me and said \u2013 we don\u2019t want to play music with you anymore. I wouldn\u2019t have fired anybody \u2013 but this was a blessing. When it all happened, it didn\u2019t come as a surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings happen for a reason. I was invigorated. I got new guys and I was excited about being in a band again. I was excited about playing music again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re a rock-and-roll band but there is also a twangy thing coming. We\u2019re a full-time rock-and-roll band and a country band. People come up to us all the time and say \u2013 I hate country music, but I love you guys. If we can accomplish that, I\u2019m happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for American Aquarium \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/0SbP7GKTyr0<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Boot & Saddle, which has Cory Branan opening, will start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times For sports fans, Appalachian State University is known for producing what has been called \u201cone of the greatest upsets in college football history.\u201d For music fans, Appalachian State University is known for giving the world one of the best American folk\/rock bands in the past decade \u2013 River […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[10340,6518,10339,10341,7450],"class_list":["post-28775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-aladein","tag-featured","tag-river-whyless","tag-terra-lightfoot-american-aquarium","tag-the-posies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28775","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=28775"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28775\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28776,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28775\/revisions\/28776"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/28777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=28775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=28775"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=28775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}