{"id":31221,"date":"2019-03-14T09:08:59","date_gmt":"2019-03-14T13:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=31221"},"modified":"2019-03-14T09:09:10","modified_gmt":"2019-03-14T13:09:10","slug":"on-stage-todd-snider-has-stories-to-tell-still","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=31221","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Todd Snider has stories to tell, still"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span lang=\"EN\"><strong>By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, <\/span><em><span lang=\"EN\">Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_9200\" style=\"width: 278px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/snider-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9200\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-9200\" src=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/snider-2-268x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"268\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9200\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Todd Snider<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">In the 11th century, Occitania had troubadours. Starting in the mid-14th century, West Africa had griots. In the 20th and 21st centuries, America has Todd Snider.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Troubadours, griots and Snider all are travelling performers who tell stories and make music. They move from town-to-town entertaining and enlightening listeners with their musical narratives.<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">On March 14, Snider will bring his songs and stories to the area when he headlines a show at the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ardmoremusic.com\/\">www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI\u2019m touring all this year \u2013 and next year too,\u201d said Snider, during a phone interview last week from his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. \u201cBut it\u2019s pretty easy \u2013 especially alone, Next year, I\u2019ll do the same tour with my band \u2013 the Hardworking Americans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Snider is touring in support of his recently-released album \u201cCash Cabin Sessions, Vol 3.\u201d Oddly, there has never been a \u201cVol 1\u201d or \u201cVol 2\u201d &#8212; sort of like when The Residents released three albums in their \u201cMole Show Trilogy\u201d called \u201cVol 1,\u201d \u201cVol 2\u201d and \u201cVol 4\u201d and never issued a \u201cVol 3.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cCash Cabin\u201d is the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Cash Cabin Studio<\/span><span lang=\"EN\"> is a private recording studio with an astounding history. Not only did Johnny and June Carter Cash record most of their later music there, but many other talented musicians and famous entertainers recorded albums in the historic studio.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Johnny Cash<\/span><span lang=\"EN\"> built the original cabin in 1978. The studio is now owned and operated by John Carter Cash. It sits on 40 acres of woods and fields. There is also a large fishing pond stocked with largemouth bass, bream and catfish.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cCash Cabin is out here near my house,\u201d said Snider. \u201cI could go there by boat. I\u2019ve gotten to be good friends with John Carter Cash. It\u2019s a really nice studio with great analog gear and a lot of old instruments including some of Johnny Cash\u2019s guitars. The studio is way out in the woods \u2013 kind of creepy in a way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWith the new album, it took a long time to figure out what I wanted. Once I got in the studio, it only took a few days. I\u2019m always working on songs. I wake up, drink coffee, smoke weed and write songs. At night, I like to be in places where songs might happen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt had been a really long time since my last studio album. That was \u2018Eastside Bulldog\u2019 in 2016 which was like garage rock. The new one feels a little more like a folk album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">As usual, the album showcases Snider\u2019s storytelling expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">My writing is word-driven,\u201d said Snider. \u201cThe topic comes first. Once I realize the point of the song \u2013 if it has one \u2013 I\u2019ll keep working on it. I keep very little \u2013 one song for every six I write. I just make up songs all day \u2013 and throw out most of them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIf I write songs that are melody-driven, people don\u2019t like them as much. A lot of times, the stories are not about me but rather a story I heard. Anything can get a song going.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIn my live set on this tour, at least half the show is new songs. And, I go all the way back to my very early albums. I play them all. I still know them all, so I play them and give the fans what they want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for Todd Snider \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/BBydsvJX8vM\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/BBydsvJX8vM<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at the Ardmore Music Hall, which has Reed Foehl as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Other upcoming shows at the Ardmore Music Hall are \u201cAnniversary of the Allman Brothers \u2018Live at the Fillmore East\u2019\u201d on March 15, Lucky Chops with special guest Nik Greeley &amp; The Operators on March 16, Ghost-Note\/Taz on March 17 and Oz Noy on March 19.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">This weekend, the color you\u2019ll see the most will be green because it\u2019s the weekend when people celebrate St. Patrick\u2019s Day. Prior to that, there is an event tonight that will feature a huge array of colors \u2013 and music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">On March 14, the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldcafelive.com\/\">www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>) will host \u201cFestival of Colors,\u201d which is Red Baraat\u2019s annual Holi celebration tour. It will also feature Vidya Vox as the opening act.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The tour had its debut in 2012 and has since expanded to a major annual tour. Each year, bandleader and dhol player, Sunny Jain curates a vibrant night of music and art highlighting the South Asian Diaspora in America and beyond through a diverse range of styles and mediums.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Holi is a Hindu holiday marked by public gatherings of families, friends, and strangers rejoicing in song, dance, and the exchange of \u201ccolors.\u201d The holiday signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, an opportunity to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships. It is celebrated at the approach of vernal equinox on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon). The festival date varies every year, per the Hindu calendar, and typically comes in March in the Gregorian Calendar.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_9201\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/RedBaraat.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9201\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-9201\" src=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/RedBaraat-350x233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9201\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Red Baraat<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">It is not an exaggeration to say that there is no other band in America like Red Baraat. Brooklyn-based Red Baraat is a Bhangra band \u2014 and a whole lot more. Bhangra is party-style folk music from the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Red Baraat\u2019s founder and leader is Sunny Jain, a New York jazz musician of Indian descent whose main instrument is the dhol (a double-headed drum from India).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI had been playing drums and tabla before I started playing dhol,\u201d said Jain, during a phone interview from his home in New York.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cOne time when I was in India, I was in a shop buying a tabla. I saw a dhol there and decided to buy one. I took lessons in New York and instantly fell in love with it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt was a great feeling because I wasn\u2019t confined to a drum set. And, with the drum hanging at your gut, the sound resonates through your entire body.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cMy family are Jains from Punjab, so I grew up listening to music that had dhol in it. I did a lot of learning how to play it by watching dhol performances on YouTube. I also listened to old recordings \u2014 especially Pappa Saen, who was a Sufi dhol player.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Red Baraat is a six-piece band featuring Sunny Jain (dhol), Chris Eddleton (drum set), Jonathan Goldberger (guitar), Jonathon Haffner (soprano sax), Sonny Singh (trumpet) and John Altieri (sousaphone).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The band\u2019s influences extend beyond bhangra and include jazz, Latin, funk, brass band and Bollywood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI wanted to play something that was upbeat and joyful,\u201d said Jain, who is a respected drum and percussion player in the New York jazz scene.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt was just another project of mine \u2014 drums and a brass band with no guitar and no electric instruments. That changed when we added Jonathan Goldberger on guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI wanted horns, drums and sousaphone. I didn\u2019t want jazz musicians. I didn\u2019t want it to be perceived as a jazz project. I wanted smaller, tighter songs. And, I wanted it to be mobile so we could get down into the audience and play there too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Red Baraat has released seven albums. The most recent is \u201cSound The People.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201c\u2018Sound The People\u2019 came out at the end of June 2018,\u201d said Jain. \u201cWe recorded it in Brooklyn at Studio G.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">On \u201cSound The People,\u201d the Brooklyn-based band continued its exploration of South Asian culture while firmly placing it within the context of a globalized generation as demonstrated by the diverse backgrounds of its members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">According to Jain, \u201cWith the migration that\u2019s happened, there is all this varied and expressive music that has erupted from the South Asian diaspora. \u2018Sound The People\u2019 is a shout out to, and celebration of, this community around the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The universality of Red Baraat\u2019s music \u2013 and its driving rhythms \u2013ignite audiences at every show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cSpontaneity and improvisation are at the heart of playing our music, but moreover, the energy of the crowd is something we feed off,\u201d said Jain. \u201cThe purpose of Red Baraat is to bring joy and togetherness &#8212; to take people on a journey and let our music fill the room and do all the talking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for Red Baraat &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/lgmw41CY1Fo\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/lgmw41CY1Fo<\/a><\/span><span lang=\"EN\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which has Vidya Vox as the opener, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Other upcoming shows at the World Caf\u00e9 Live are Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers on March 15, The Hip Abduction on March 16, Barleyjuice on March 17, Tom Rush on March 17, Damian McGinty on March 19 and Kat Edmonson on March 20.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">If you looked up the definition for \u201croad warrior\u201d in the dictionary, it could well be accompanied by a picture of Andy Frasco and his band The U.N.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Averaging 250 shows per year, 10 countries, at least 10,000 hours playing music, countless satisfied fans, and about one million beers kicked, the past decade has been nothing short of an odyssey for Andy Frasco &amp; The U.N.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">On March 14, Frasco brings his band and its raucous music to Philly for a show at Johnny Brenda\u2019s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-739-9684,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.johnnybrendas.com\/\">www.johnnybrendas.com<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">At the Wakarusa Festival in 2014, Frasco &amp; the U.N.\u2019s performances were described as a \u201cboisterous blend of harmonic funk and jazzy influences, all topped with boundless energy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI grew up in L.A. \u2013 in North L.A. where all the porn is made, and in the Valley\u201d said Frasco, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon form a tour stop in Buffalo, New York.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWhen I was 19, I took my Bar Mitzvah money and left L.A. I went to school at San Francisco State. A philosophy professor there told me to quit school and do what I loved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI\u2019ve been touring and living on the road since I was a teen. I worked for a record label \u2013 Drive Through \u2013 and booked bands for Capitol Records. I loved the music industry since I was a kid, but I always wanted to be a musician.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI decided I wanted to live on the road. I drove to the city and hired local musicians. I call it U.N. because everyone is from everywhere \u2013 Holland, California, Texas. I love travelling so much so I wanted to hang out with people who also loved it. Three-quarters of this journey is in the hang.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Frasco has released seven records in the 2010s &#8212; \u201cLove, You&#8217;re Just Too Expensive\u201d (2010), \u201cRoad Life Revival\u201d (2012),\u201dJust a Good Ole Time\u201d (2013), \u201cHalf A Man\u201d (2014), \u201cHappy Bastards\u201d (2016), \u201cSongs From The Road\u201d (2017), and \u201cChange of Pace,\u201d which was released February 22, 2019 on Fun Machine Records.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt took five years to really get a groove and find a band I love hanging with,\u201d said Frasco. \u201cIt\u2019s like a chemistry thing \u2013 like being married to five people. This group has been together eight years now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201c\u2018Change of Pace\u2019 is my third album. I wanted to get out of the party boy\/fratboy mentality that helped me build my career. I had an anxiety attack that changed my approach. I really dialed it down and dove into being a songwriter. We write most of the songs on the road.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Frasco is so hooked with being on the road that he didn\u2019t even stop and block out a chunk of time to record the album.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI recorded the album at three locations,\u201d said Frasco. \u201cI did a lot at Tom Waits\u2019 studio in California. I did some at a studio in Brooklyn and four songs in New Orleans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI called it \u2018Change of Pace\u2019 because I did a song a day in a different genre. There are two themes. One is living in the moment. The other is mental health\u2026to not be afraid to speak up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Fortunately for Frasco, his serious songwriting hasn\u2019t altered his way of performing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWhen I play live, I want people to be in my space,\u201d said Frasco. \u201cI want people to crowd surf over me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for Andy Frasco \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Ao9sTiKaSOc\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/Ao9sTiKaSOc<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at Johnny Brenda\u2019s, which has Wild Adriatic as the opening act, will start at 8:30 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Tickets are $15.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">On March 15, Johnny Brenda\u2019s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-739-9684, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.johnnybrendas.com\/\">www.johnnybrendas.com<\/a>) will host a long-awaited show by the Flesh Eaters.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_9202\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FleshEaters-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9202\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-9202\" src=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FleshEaters-2-350x232.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"232\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9202\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Flesh Eaters<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Flesh Eaters, a legendary Los Angeles punk rock band, got their start in the late 1970s and were no longer active by the early 1990s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The band released its debut album \u201cNo Questions Asked\u201d in 1980 and followed with \u201cA Minute to Pray, a Second to Die\u201d in 1981 and \u201cForever Came Today\u201d in 1982.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Now, the Flesh Eaters are back together and kicking ass across the country with their signature dark and powerful punk rock. The current edition is the legendary \u201call-star\u201d edition of the band featuring vocalist Chris D. (Chris Desjardins) along with Dave Alvin\u00a0(guitar) and\u00a0Bill Bateman\u00a0(drums) of\u00a0The Blasters;\u00a0John Doe\u00a0(bass) and\u00a0D.J. Bonebrake (marimba and percussion) of\u00a0X; and\u00a0Steve Berlin (saxophones) of\u00a0The Plugz\u00a0(and later\u00a0The Blasters\u00a0and Los Lobos).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThe first album with this lineup was \u2018A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die\u2019 in1981,\u201d said Chris D., during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon as the band was travelling to a stop in Syracuse, New York. \u201cI\u2019ve had many lineups of the band since \u2013 but not with these guys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Flesh Eaters were started in the fall of 1977 by Desjardins, a punk poet\/singer known for morbid lyrical themes. Their first gig was December 21, 1977 at The Masque in Los Angeles. The Flesh Eaters initially broke up in 1983. Desjardins performed with his new band, The Divine Horsemen until 1988.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIn 2006, I hadn\u2019t been doing it for a few years,\u201d said Chris D. \u201cThe guys from Mudhoney called and asked us to play at the All Tomorrows Party Festival in England. John Doe was up for it, so we reached out to the other guys. We did three warmup shows in California and then went to the festival.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Then, it was time for another hiatus for the band.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cAfter that, I got a day job in film programming the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles,\u201d said Chris D. \u201cThen, I spent four years flying back-and-forth to San Francisco to teach a film history course at a university.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIn 2015, a record label re-issued \u2018A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die\u2019 and \u2018Forever Came Today.\u2019 I went to the guys and said \u2013 these re-issues are happening. We ended up doing five shows in January 2015 and then we did it again last January.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe had enough material to make a new album. I brought it up to the guys and we went in the studio April last year. Within a week, Yep-Roc Records signed us without even hearing the record. Yep-Roc was really enthusiastic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Before long, the Flesh Eaters had their first new studio album in 15 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe recorded it in a studio in Hollywood that Dave uses &#8212; Winslow Court Studio on Santa Monica Boulevard. Craig Parker Adams who did the engineering was simpatico. Everything fell into place nicely. We took four days to do the basic tracks, one day on overdubs and then the mixing went on for a while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The result was a hard-hitting new LP titled \u201cI Used to Be Pretty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThe album came out on January 16, 2019,\u201d said Chris D. \u201cWe\u2019ve been promoting the album for the last three months. There are a few songs that sound like \u2018A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die\u2019 along with 35 years of other influences. The new record might be a little more accessible. I\u2019m happy with the way it came out. We\u2019ve done five videos to keep the album alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for The Flesh Eaters \u2013 <a title=\"Protected by Outlook: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WkWOf-C2AAE&amp;feature=youtu.be. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWkWOf-C2AAE%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C9eaa7f86168447a70b7008d6a67124e5%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636879402213271113&amp;sdata=zcuk2pNjkVT%2FF916MLcZ%2Ft9aCsTycUNu%2FjIlnviTaIc%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WkWOf-C2AAE&amp;feature=youtu.be<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at Johnny Brenda\u2019s, which has Porcupine as the opening act, will start at 9 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Other upcoming shows at Johnny Brenda\u2019s are Stella Donnelly on March 16, \u201cThird Annual St. Patty\u2019s Day Metal Massacre\u201d on March 17 and The Tough Shits on March 20.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Flesh Eaters are sure to have their fans at the show on their feet and moving \u2013 even if it is nods and shoulder shakes rather than full-scale pogo.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_9203\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/MINKA-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9203\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-9203\" src=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/MINKA-3-350x233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9203\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MINKA<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">There will be another show in Philadelphia on March 15 that will have audience members dancing and gyrating. On Saturday night, MINKA is hosting \u201cMINKA Masquerade\u201d at Warehouse on Watts (923 North Watts Street, Philadelphia, 215-853-6358, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wowphilly.com\/\">www.wowphilly.com<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">MINKA is the musical project of Ari \u201cDick\u201d Rubin featuring Philadelphia-based musicians supporting the multi-platform rocker from Delaware County.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">This year\u2019s \u201c<\/span><span lang=\"EN\">MINKA<\/span><span lang=\"EN\"> Masquerade\u201d<\/span><span lang=\"EN\"> event is an all-encompassing experience with MINKA doing what it does best &#8212; embracing eclecticism and celebrating life. Attendees should dress to impress, and Rubin will be giving out masks at the door to the first 200 revelers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI really like getting people to move,\u201d said Rubin, during a phone interview Wednesday from his home in Philadelphia\u2019s Fishtown neighborhood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI always loved having parties \u2013 even back to when I was in high school. At \u2018MINKA Masquerade,\u2019 I\u2019ll be handing out masks. With a mask on, there is no need to feel inhibitions. I\u2019m doing it at a warehouse in North Philly and it will definitely be a party.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Rubin graduated from Haverford High about a decade ago and then was a history major at New York University. His involvement with music began a long time before that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI started with classical piano when I was six,\u201d said Rubin. \u201cWhen I was 11, I started breaking off into jazz. I also played gospel music. In college, I played a lot of jazz gigs in New York. After graduating, I got a job through Craig\u2019s List and in 2009 toured the country with a reggae band called Tariii.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThen, I started my own project which, after a few years, became MINKA. I\u2019ve been working on it for five years. I started off imitating Talking Heads and David Bowie. As we evolved, we started putting out new music which was closer to my origin as a player.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">MINKA\u2019s current recording project is a trilogy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cEnd of the Affair\u201d was released on February 14 and is a showcase for Rubin\u2019s <\/span><span lang=\"EN\">love of \u201980s R&amp;B and soul. \u201cMysteries of the Heart,\u201d which will be released on March 29, is a potent blend of intrigue and sexuality \u2013 an R&amp;B exploration of all things forbidden. \u201cReincarnation,\u201d which is set to come out on April 12, experiments with modern pop interpretations of 19th-century classical repertoire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThe single that came out on Valentine\u2019s Day is romantic rock-and-roll,\u201d said Rubin. \u2018Mysteries of the Heart\u2019 is up-tempo R&amp;B. The point of the band is to make people move and get them dancing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">MINKA may be a band but it is mainly a vehicle for Rubin\u2019s musical visions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI wanted my own band to make music that felt really authentic,\u201d said Rubin. \u201cI realized that if it\u2019s going to be something meaningful, it has to be my decision. It had to shift so I can be the creative voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cMy new band is very talented \u2013 and very cohesive. I play synth, sing and write all the music. The other three pieces are drums, bass and guitar. I\u2019ve had this lineup for about six months. It\u2019s been good \u2013 fresh blood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for MINKA \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/MXsmAi6kQyA\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/MXsmAi6kQyA<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at Warehouse on Watts, which has OOLALA as the opener and DJ Humble spinning post-concert, will start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org\/\">http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_9204\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/beyond-the-pale-kenett-flash.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9204\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-9204\" src=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/beyond-the-pale-kenett-flash-350x197.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"197\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-9204\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beyond The Pale<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">One More Tric Town with The Knobs on March 15, Beyond The Pale on March 16, and Open Mic with guest host Karter Jaymes on March 17.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>) will host JD Malone &amp; The Experts on March 16.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/chaplinslive.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/a>) presents Rhythm of Recovery featuring Marcus David and Jake Currie on March 16.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Burlap &amp; Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.burlapandbean.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.burlapandbean.com<\/a>) will present Auld String Theory on March 16.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.keswicktheatre.com\/\">www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) will host <a title=\"More Info\" href=\"https:\/\/www.keswicktheatre.com\/events\/detail\/362459\">Bert Kreischer <\/a>on March 16.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Annenberg Center (3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, <a href=\"https:\/\/annenbergcenter.org\/events\">https:\/\/annenbergcenter.org\/events<\/a>) is presenting Michael Londra and the Celtic Fire on March 16.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.st94.com\/\">www.st94.com<\/a>) presents \u201cBand Of Friends: A Celebration Of The Music Of Rory Gallagher\u201d featuring Davy Knowles, Gerry McAvoy and Ted McKenna with Nick Schnebelen on March 14,\u00a0 Sponge with Eighteenth Hour on March 15, Glengarry Bhoys on March 16, Luther Dickinson, Amy Helm &amp; Birds Of Chicago Present The Sisters Of The Strawberry Moon on March 17, and Big Brother &amp; The Holding Company on March 20.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Locks at Sona (4417 Main Street, Manayunk, 484- 273-0481, <a href=\"http:\/\/sonapub.com\/\">sonapub.com<\/a>) hosts Kinky Friedman &amp; Dale Watson on March 18.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times In the 11th century, Occitania had troubadours. Starting in the mid-14th century, West Africa had griots. In the 20th and 21st centuries, America has Todd Snider. Troubadours, griots and Snider all are travelling performers who tell stories and make music. They move from town-to-town entertaining and enlightening listeners [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31223,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[11048,8662,6518,11050,5838,11049,11047],"class_list":["post-31221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-andy-frasco-the-u-n","tag-beyond-the-pale","tag-featured","tag-minka","tag-red-baraat","tag-the-flesh-eaters","tag-todd-snider"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31221","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=31221"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31222,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31221\/revisions\/31222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/31223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}