{"id":31908,"date":"2019-06-06T06:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T10:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=31908"},"modified":"2019-06-05T11:00:23","modified_gmt":"2019-06-05T15:00:23","slug":"on-stage-son-step-comes-home-to-drop-new-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=31908","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Son Step comes home to drop new album"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

\"\"<\/a>

Son Step<\/p><\/div>\n

Son Step has a new album to drop and the band knows when and where it wants it to drop.<\/span><\/p>\n

On May 17, Son Step released its third full-length album, \u201cFossilillies\u201d on the Grind Select label. The Philly-based band will start its support tour with a hometown album release show at Johnny Brenda\u2019s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The band also released the title track as a single along with an accompanying video directed by Bucky Illingworth on the same date.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a press release, \u201cthe video culls together footage from various themes and eras. It is about how humanity\u2019s exertion might just be a fossil one day and nothing more, memorializing the fight for collective identity, the disillusioned exchange of one\u2019s identity for the material imagination, and the drive for humans to live and tell stories.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Son Step\u00a0is a guitar-less, synth-drenched outfit featuring twin brothers Jon and Chris Coyle (vocals, synthesizers, bass), Joel Gleiser (vocals, electronics), and Matt Scarano (percussion).\u00a0With its distinctive setup, the group assembles twisted percussive layers and electric textures that build upon each other. Maintaining a firm pop sensibility, complex rhythmic backbone and affinity for natural sounds, Son Step weave repeated vocal phrases and colorful, unpredictable instrumentation into a cacophonous collage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis band has been together in some form for around nine years,\u201d said Jon Coyle, during a recent phone interview from his home in Philadelphia\u2019s Mount Airy neighborhood. \u201cWe were all friends when we were going to school at Temple University.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis group is more of a pop group \u2013 song structure with chorus and verses. We try not to worry too much about labels. This lineup with the four of us has been together five years and change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Son Step\u2019s previous album was 2016\u2019s\u00a0\u201cNatural Majique,\u201d\u00a0which was preceded by\u00a0\u201cHere Comes The Dreamboat\u201d\u00a0and two EPs — 2011\u2019s\u00a0\u201cSpooky Tooth\u201d\u00a0and 2014\u2019s\u00a0\u201cOva Nova.\u201d \u201cFossilillies\u201d is very different from its predecessors.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFosslillies\u201d\u00a0is Son Step\u2019s most dynamic, evolved offering yet — a whirlwind of novel soundscapes where each member is an integral part of the songwriting process. Raw, impromptu synth phrases and harmonies run rampant through each track with a dream-like atmosphere propelling the record forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were originally a four-piece and then the guitarist dropped out,\u201d said Coyle, who graduated from Spring-Ford High School in Royersford.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were a trio for a while. Then, we got a fourth member and had two synthesizer players in the band. When Joel jumped in, we knew we wanted to dive further into synthesizers. We gelled with him as a musician. He does a lot with synthesized texture.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe like really dense rhythms a lot. We like to bury catchy melodies under rhythms. We want our songs to take time to unfold. We think about more than just melodies over top of chords. We want to challenge listeners to a degree, and we like to wrap a lot of things musically around that. Recording the album was a long process.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Son Step\u2019s influences range from sonic pioneer Brian Eno to current bands such as Animal Collective, Jerry Paper and Palm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll of us listen to synth-pop,\u201d said Coyle. \u201cJoe liked to het into analog synthesizers and he has a Moog. Each member of the band contributes to the writing of the sings and influences where the music is going.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Son Step \u2013 https:\/\/fanlink.to\/SonStep_Fossilillies<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Johnny Brenda\u2019s, which has Data and Great Time as opening acts, will start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the venue are Pat Finnerty and the Full Band on June 8 and Rooney on June 9.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Meghan Cary<\/p><\/div>\n

On June 7, Meghan Cary, a Montgomery County resident, will bring her Mid-Atlantic Book-Signing Concert Tour to a venue close to home with a show at the Mermaid Inn (Germantown Avenue and Mermaid Lane, Philadelphia, www.themermaidinn.net<\/a>). She will perform with her band \u2013 Analog Gypsies \u2013 and have a meet-and-greet\/book signing for her just-published book, \u201cSing Louder — Stories Behind the Songs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be a full band show,\u201d said Cary, during a phone interview from her home in Erdenheim. \u201cThe doors open at 8 p.m. and the music starts at 8:30 p.m.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cary handles guitar and lead vocals. The current incarnation of Analog Gypsies features Peter Farrell, keyboards, guitar, vocals; Jocko MacNelly, bass, mandolin; Jimmy Coleman, drums; and Stacy Weathers, banjo, vocals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many people have favorite mantras. Cary\u2019s favorite \u2013 and very own \u2013 mantra is \u201cSing Louder\u201d \u2013 and for good reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSing Louder\u201d is one of her most popular songs. It was the title track an EP \u2013 \u201cSing Louder \u2013 the Festival EP\u201d in 2015. It is also the title of her latest album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 album came out in November 2017, but I think of it as a 2018 album,\u201d said Cary. \u201cMy book \u2013 \u2018Sing Louder — Stories Behind the Songs\u2019 \u2013 is all about the songs that inspired the \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 album \u2013 10 first-person stories. I released the book on March 8 \u2013 International Women\u2019s Day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cary explained the inspiration for the book.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI share a lot of my stories on stage,\u201d said the veteran singer-songwriter. \u201cI do a lot of storytelling in my shows \u2013 but it\u2019s also a concert. My band would go crazy if I talked too much between songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter shows, people ask me to tell them more about the songs. I\u2019m a firm believer in sharing my stories \u2013 not only for the stories but also to help other people. People come up to me after shows all the time and say things like \u2013 I jut lost my mom and didn\u2019t realize that it was still affecting me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was making the record, I said I was going to write a book and let people pre-buy it. That way, I wouldn\u2019t let other things get in the way. I knew I had to write the book and get it finished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere I one story for each song on \u2018Sing Louder.\u2019 It\u2019s pretty straightforward. I think it\u2019s a good read. The book I\u2019m working on now is a companion to my first album \u2018New Shoes\u2019 from 1998. It\u2019s about how I began my music career.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201cSing Louder\u201d album was in the works for a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe released the record to folk radio \u2013 which is something I never do,\u201d said Cary. \u201cThat was in November 2017 and \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 became a Number One single. The second single \u2013 \u2018Responsbility\u2019 \u2013 got to Number Six.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe decided to send it to mainstream radio in the spring and it did well. We never really did anything at all with radio before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith this record, the groove has evolved. We went back and re-recorded stuff because I didn\u2019t have a deadline. Without a record label, I could do it on my own time at my own pace. That\u2019s one of the benefits of not being signed to a label.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cary and her band Analog Gypsies produce a sound that is a blend of folk, rock, gypsy jazz and jam band. At the core of the band are Cary and Farrell. The keyboard and guitar duo produces a big musical footprint with cool grooves and tight vocal harmonies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were totally immersed with this record,\u201d said Cary. \u201cWe had done a record as an acoustic trio. This time, we wanted to capture a full band flavor with Analog Gypsies. The \u2018Sing Louder Festival\u2019 EP was a trio with Stacy Weather on banjo, Bob Beach on harmonica, flute and vocals and my husband Peter Farrell on keyboards and vocals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been playing together a long time. We have a signature sound. We went into the studio with a bunch of new songs. It\u2019s the next phase. The subject matter is different \u2013 more universal\u2026speaking to the times. The song \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 is a fan favorite \u2013 and very uplifting. The song that feels like it is the heart of this album is \u2018River Rock.\u2019 It\u2019s more a social statement than a political one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSing Louder\u201d is a foot-tapping, bouncy song that gets fans singing along \u2013 even if they\u2019ve never heard the song before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe key line is \u2013 \u2018if you don\u2019t know the words, sing louder\u2026sing stronger\u2026sing louder, sing stronger for all of the world to hear\u2019,\u201d said Cary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the album at Morning Star Studio with producer Glenn Barratt. Glenn\u2019s input on production is amazing. \u00a0We even brought 48 people \u2013 fans and friends \u2013 into the studio to sing on the title track.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the time, when Cary spends an evening entertaining her fans, it\u2019s as a singer-songwriter — a talented guitarist\/vocalist with a pleasant voice and interesting songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, there have been times when Cary has taken the stage in a different role — when she has entertained audiences as an actress performing a one-woman play she wrote called \u201cOn the Way to the Waterfall!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This autobiographical play with music\u00a0was originally created as a short piece for E.A.T.\u2019s One-Woman Standing play festival in NYC in 2013 and was developed into a\u00a0full-length play this past summer by Hypothetical Theatre Company. Two years ago, Cary performed it in the Boulder International Fringe Festival\u00a0and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the both the audience and the critics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I lived in New York, I used to help this playwright Tina Howe,\u201d said Cary. \u201cShe heard me playing my music and told me \u2014 you have to write a play. I didn\u2019t know how to do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The play she was about to write was based on a personal tragedy.<\/span><\/p>\n

While performing in the musical \u201cPump Boys and Dinettes\u201d years ago, Cary met and fell in love with Matthew Black, one of the show\u2019s musicians. Cary performed with Black as his backup singer with occasional solos. The pair became engaged and things were going great. But, Black died suddenly in 1995 and Cary\u2019s life path took another unexpected twist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMusic carried me through that time period,\u201d said Cary. \u201cMatthew and I made music together. When he died, I lost everything I had for the future. Music was something that I could keep. I wanted to keep making music. But I was writing songs with no intention of ever playing them for anyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I thought about the play, I knew had already written the story in songs. I had written music as a way to heal through this traumatic experience. The play is about going through the same thing \u2014 getting knocked off-course and ending up somewhere else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Cary graduated from Hershey High a few years back, she headed off to Duke University to major in biomedical engineering. But, the path of life goes through many twists and turns and that\u2019s why Cary now wears a guitar instead of a lab coat. She switched majors at Duke and finished with a bachelors\u2019 degree in drama.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I wanted to be a biomedical engineer,\u201d said Cary. \u201cI looked at Cornell, but it was freezing up there, so I chose Duke instead. I was on a pre-med track and then got interested in theater. I finished Duke with a degree in drama with a minor in chemistry. Then, I got my MFA (master\u2019s in fine arts) in acting from Florida State University.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI realized back then that I wanted to perform. When I started, I wanted to do regional theater. I also did Off-Broadway shows and I\u2019m a charter member of New York\u2019s Actor\u2019s Shakespeare Company. I love Shakespeare\u2019s work. I love the way he used words.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, Cary has established herself as a singer, actress, songwriter, playwright and author. She is also the mother of two musical kids who have already participated in making music with their family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a mom of two kids in school — Clara in middle school and Quinn in elementary school — means I inhabit two entirely different worlds in a given week\u2026or day,\u201d said Cary. \u201cAnd, I was thinking how important it is for me to have both.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that sometimes trying to figure out the business of music can be pretty anxiety provoking \u2014 you know, how to afford to make records, if and how to sell records, and (most important for me) how to get the music out there so people fall in love and want to connect to and be a part of the music.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, for me, even the creative part of music-making can be less than peaceful at times. I sometimes suffer from writer\u2019s block, lack of inspiration, over self-editing or just plain self-doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019ve been blessed \u2013 and challenged \u2014 with this other side of life that balances it all out. When I\u2019m with the kids and just being and doing whatever it is we\u2019re doing together, the drama that can be a part of the DYI musician\u2019s world seems really inconsequential.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, the fact that both of our kids are musical and inspired to make music is really a gift. It means I don\u2019t have to keep the two parts of my life so compartmentalized. Both of them sang on the new album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Meghan Cary — https:\/\/youtu.be\/S1_NhpRwhe4<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Mermaid will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the Mermaid Inn are Steve and the Bluescasters on June 6 and the Dukes of Destiny on June 8.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another show in the area on June 7 will be a concert that is not just a concert.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The DIO Returns Tour featuring the Ronnie James Dio Hologram<\/p><\/div>\n

On Friday night, the Keswick Theatre (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) will host \u201cThe DIO Returns Tour featuring the Ronnie James Dio Hologram.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe DIO Returns Tour featuring the Ronnie James Dio Hologram\u201d features a line-up of DIO band members performing aside the stunning Ronnie James Dio hologram. This 90-minute celebration of Ronnie James Dio, who died of stomach cancer in 2010, will include all of the great fan favorites such as \u201cHoly Diver,\u201d \u201cKing of Rock N\u2019 Roll\u201d and \u201cWe Rock\u201d — taking fans on a DIO journey from Rainbow to Black Sabbath, to his own DIO material.<\/span><\/p>\n

The official band line-up will feature Craig Goldy on guitar, Simon Wright on drums, Scott Warren on keyboards, and newer DIO family member Bjorn Englen on bass. The show will also feature renowned metal vocalists Tim \u201cRipper\u201d Owens (Judas Priest\/Yngwie Malmsteen) and Oni Logan (Lynch Mob). <\/span><\/p>\n

In August 2016, Eyellusion surprised fans when it debuted the Ronnie James Dio hologram at the Wacken Open Air heavy metal festival in Germany. The hologram was also tapped to open the 2017 Pollstar Awards, wowing bookers and promoters in attendance and creating excitement for the forthcoming tour. Most recently in December 2017, thousands of fans in Germany, Poland, Spain, Romania, the UK, Netherlands, and Belgium experienced DIO like never before via the \u201cDIO Returns Tour.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For the past year, the presenting team at Eyellusion have been perfecting the production and unbelievable visual effects behind the amazing new Ronnie James Dio hologram.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Jeff Pezzuti, CEO of Eyellusion, \u201cRonnie James Dio was not only known for his amazing vocals, but also his incredible stage shows and performances. This show is a must see for all fans of Ronnie, new and old. The new stage production we have created plus the brand-new Ronnie James Dio hologram have to be seen to be believed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a first of its kind metal show! We are celebrating Ronnie, with his live vocals, with his band he toured with for the last 17 years, and with a show that his fans will love. It\u2019s an over the top metal experience that will have the fans raising their horns throughout the show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wright, Goldy, Warren, Englen and Owens also have a band called Dio Disciples which was formed to keep touring Dio\u2019s music.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019DIO Returns\u2019 is different that Dio\u2019s Disciples,\u201d said Wright, during a recent phone interview from his home in Los Angeles. \u201cThe biggest difference is no hologram. This tour will take a good block of our time. Our first hologram show is in May and then we\u2019re out all of June.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe lineup for both projects is pretty much the same. Me, Craig, Scott, Bjorn and Oni have been playing together quite a while. We\u2019ve been rehearsing the last week for the hologram tour and it sounds great. We\u2019ve put in some older DIO songs and other songs that Ronnie wrote.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were out in Europe with the hologram tour in 2017 and it went great. The crowds kept getting bigger and bigger.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For some, adjusting to seeing a dead person on stage in holographic form is hard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome people have trouble getting used to it and say it\u2019s blasphemous,\u201d said Wright, a native of Manchester, England. \u201cWe\u2019re not trying to raise the dead. I wish people would see it before they put it down. A lot of people never got to see Ronnie Dio live. Now, they can see the hologram.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cThe Dio Returns Tour featuring the Ronnie James Dio Hologram\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/S94odyYYdKs<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Keswick Theatre, which also has Jizzy Pearl\u2019s Love\/Hate as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ticket prices range from $39.50 – $75.00<\/span><\/p>\n

Another show this week at the Keswick will feature the Robby Krieger Band on June 6.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jamie Lin Wilson<\/p><\/div>\n

Jamie Lin Wilson just released her sophomore album \u201cJumping Over Rocks\u201d and now is out on a national tour in support of the new record \u2013 a tour that brings her to Philly on June 9 for a show at Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-639-4528, www.bootandsaddlephilly.com<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded the album in February 2018,\u201d said Wilson, during a phone interview Tuesday from a tour stop in Nashville.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI cut it at <\/span>Arlyn Studios in Austin. It\u2019s a great historic studio. Willie Nelson has recorded there. It\u2019s got a lot of great vibes. I\u2019ve known about the studio for a long time. I sang harmony on a couple records there. I really like the room. It\u2019s got a lot of great old equipment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The studio\u2019s gear wasn\u2019t the main factor in Wilson\u2019s choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to record there mainly because it has a big live cutting room,\u201d said Wilson. \u201cI wanted the album to be live with everyone in the room playing together. We cut all the tracks live. The only thing we added alter were the harmony singers. We did it digital. I\u2019m not sure why. My last album was done to tape and it was fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just love cutting live so much because it makes everybody play together and play with each other instead of just creating parts. It\u2019s all about playing as a band and everybody\u2019s energy feeding into each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The album gets its title from standout track \u201cDeath and Life,\u201d an epic it took Jamie four years to write — a widow mourning her husband and not quite ready to let go; a son who copes with his father\u2019s death by getting to work with his hands, hammers, nails, and 2x4s: the two true tales became intertwined thematically as Wilson mulled them over.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Wilson, \u201cI realized the song is how people who are still here deal with death. It\u2019s life after death, but not heavenly life. It\u2019s how the living deal with death.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Wilson recorded \u201cJumping Over Rocks\u201d at Arlyn Studios, a great group of players joined her,\u00a0including\u00a0Charlie Sexton. Co-writing credits include\u00a0Jack Ingram\u00a0and\u00a0Evan Felker\u00a0of the\u00a0Turnpike Troubadours.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe cut the record quickly \u2013 four days and it was done and, in the can,\u201d said Wilson. \u201cI\u2019ve been influenced a lot by the later stuff by Emmy Lou (Harris) and Lucinda\u2019s essence, but I\u2019ve never been able to do it because I\u2019ve been in bands my whole life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted this album to be less country and honky-tonk because I already have country in my voice. I hired Charlie Sexton to come and play on it. I wanted each song to speak for itself. I wanted it so that you hear the words and you hear each instrument.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tour with my band a lot but right now I\u2019m doing solo acoustic shows. I\u2019m on the road with my nine-and-one-half-month-old son Griffin, his nanny and my tour manager.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Jamie Lin Wilson \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/TrCOsmkAvns<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Boot and Saddle, which has Samuel Herb as the opener, will start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at Boot and Saddle are Anika on June 6, Grapetooth on June 7, The Rural Alberta Advantage on June 8, Nots on June 10 and Jesse McCormack on June 12.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Matt Andersen<\/p><\/div>\n

On June 11, Canadian blues artist Matt Andersen will bring his stateside tour to the Locks at Sona (4417 Main Street, Manayunk, 484- 273-0481, sonapub.com<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

A powerhouse performer with a giant, soul-filled voice and commanding stage presence, Andersen has built a formidable following the old-fashioned way — touring worldwide and letting his audiences spread the good word of his righteous tunes. As a result, he has amassed more than 18 million views on YouTube.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to headlining major festivals, clubs and theatres throughout North America, Europe and Australia, Andersen has shared the stage and toured with Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Greg Allman, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Bachman, Little Feat, Jonny Lang, Serena Ryder, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Nova Scotia resident won the 2013 and 2016 European Blues Award for Best Solo\/Acoustic Act, three Maple Blues Awards in 2012, and was the first ever Canadian to take home top honors in the solo\/duo category at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Andersen has just released a new album on True North Records called \u201cHalfway Home by Morning\u201d and has embarked on a solo acoustic international tour with stops in the U.S., U.K., Europe and Canada. He will also appear as an opening act for the Steve Miller Band\/Marty Stuart tour this Summer. This solo tour will feature Anderson performing an acoustic show.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverything I write, I write on acoustic guitar,\u201d said Andersen, during a recent phone interview from his home in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. \u201cI have a band in the back of my mind, but it always starts acoustic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Andersen is known as one of Canada\u2019s hardest-working musicians, averaging around 200 live performances per year. Specializing in an earthy blend of blue-collar folk, electric blues, and roots rock, the New Brunswick native began his musical career in 2002 with the group Flat Top. He issued his solo debut, \u201cSecond Time Around<\/a>,\u201d in 2007, followed in 2008 by \u201cSomething in Between<\/a>\u201d and in 2009 by \u201cPiggyback<\/a>,\u201d the latter of which was a collaboration with acclaimed harmonica player Mike Stevens<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

That same year he issued his first concert album, \u201cLive from the Phoenix Theatre<\/a>,\u201d and later his first collection of holiday music, \u201cChristmas Time<\/a>.\u201d A pair of studio albums, \u201cPush Record<\/a>\u201d (with Mike Stevens<\/a>) and \u201cCoal Miner Blues<\/a>,\u201d followed in 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWeightless<\/a>,\u201d which was produced by Los Lobos\u2019 Steve Berlin, was released in 2014 and was his debut long-player for the True North label. It earned Andersen<\/a> a Juno nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. For his follow-up, he traveled to New York, working with producer Commissioner Gordon<\/a> (Amy Winehouse<\/a>,Joss Stone<\/a>) to record 2016\u2019s \u201cHonest Man<\/a>.\u201d The concert album \u201cLive at Olympic Hall<\/a>\u201d appeared in 2018, and featured Andersen<\/a> backed by his band the Mellotones<\/a> at the historic Halifax, Nova Scotia venue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got into the blues just from hearing it,\u201d said Andersen. \u201cMy brother had Eric Clapton\u2019s \u2018Unplugged\u2019 album and that got me started with an interest in blues.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen, I got into musicians like B.B. King, Sonny Terry and Roy Buchanan. I also liked Creedence Clearwater Revival ands the Allman Brothers because they were influenced by the blues. As time went on, I got more into acoustic folk and blues. I grew up with an acoustic guitar. My parents wouldn\u2019t get me an electric guitar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, Andersen is equally comfortable playing a solo acoustic set or performing with a band.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just finished a full band tour in Canada, so I played electric guitar,\u201d said Andersen. \u201cWhen I play the states, it\u2019s mostly solo. When you\u2019re playing small rooms, it\u2019s too expensive to tour with a band.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been lucky with my career in the U.S. I\u2019ve gotten certain pockets where I\u2019ve done great. Also, with this kind of music, you don\u2019t need airplay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Matt Andersen — https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=inVZlx_tvto<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Locks at Sona, which also features Erin Costello, will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the Locks at Sona are Bill Kirchen with special guest Dharmasoul on June 7 and Phil Roy on June 9.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Eilen Jewell<\/p><\/div>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) will host \u201cSeventh Sojourn \u2013 A Tribute to The Moody Blues\u201d on June 7, Muriel Anderson with special guests Tim Farrell and Dave Feder on June 8, Eilen Jewell on June 9, and Reece Ratliff with special guests Amanda Nolan and Evan Fox on June 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>) will host<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer Writer’s Series with Camille Z\u00e9lan on June 6, and Philadelphia Main Line Ukulele Group on June 9.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will have Paul Gilbert with special guest Nita Strauss on June 6, Bonerama on June 7, Billy Joel Tribute on June 8, and Christian McBride and Tip City on June 9.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, www.kimmelcenter.org<\/a>) is presenting \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d through June 9.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>) presents The Subdudes on June 6,<\/span><\/p>\n

Sawyer Fredericks with Brianna Nelson on June 7, Candy Volcano on June 8, Rhett Miller on June 9, and Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials And Selwyn Birchwood on June 12.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Son Step has a new album to drop and the band knows when and where it wants it to drop. On May 17, Son Step released its third full-length album, \u201cFossilillies\u201d on the Grind Select label. The Philly-based band will start its support tour with a hometown album […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31910,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[9400,6518,11275,11276,6114,11273,11274],"class_list":["post-31908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-eilen-jewell","tag-featured","tag-jamie-lin-wilson","tag-matt-andersen","tag-meghan-cary","tag-son-step","tag-the-dio-returns-tour-featuring-the-ronnie-james-dio-hologram"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31908","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=31908"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31909,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31908\/revisions\/31909"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/31910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}