{"id":34743,"date":"2020-05-21T08:55:13","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T12:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=34743"},"modified":"2020-05-21T08:57:10","modified_gmt":"2020-05-21T12:57:10","slug":"music-spotlight-chesco-native-zell-see-album-plans-put-on-hold-but-finds-silver-lining","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=34743","title":{"rendered":"Music Spotlight: Chesco native Zell sees album plans put on hold, but finds silver lining"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

\"\"<\/a>

Nicole Zell<\/p><\/div>\n

When America screeched to a halt in early March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, everything was turned upside-down and inside-out. Nothing was the same.<\/p>\n

The music industry got slammed. Venues closed and tours got cancelled. Recording sessions were put in limbo. Album releases got put on hold indefinitely.<\/p>\n

The shutdown was bad for the entire music world, but the timing actually could have been much worse for Chester County musician Nicole Zell and her band THRILLCHASER.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe finished making our sophomore album late last year and were looking at a release early this year,\u201d said Zell, during a phone interview Tuesday evening from her home in Bala Cynwyd.<\/p>\n

The usual pattern for bands is to release an album and then follow with months and months of touring \u2013 playing live shows to support the album and introduce the songs.<\/p>\n

Had THRILLCHASER\u2019s album dropped just before the bottom dropped out it would have been a worst-case scenario.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in a holding pattern now,\u201d said Zell. \u201cIf the shutdown didn\u2019t happen, we would have had shows booked and been touring the album.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, if we had released the album and then been unable to tour, it would have been a disaster. Having a new record to promote and being unable to present it to the fans live would have been a really bad situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The band\u2019s fans do have one album to stay attached to.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first THRILLCHASER album, which was called \u2018A lot Like Love,\u2019 came out in February 2018,\u201d said Zell. \u201cWe recorded it with Taylor Larson at Oceanic Recording Studio in Bethesda, Maryland.\u201d<\/p>\n

The THRILLCHASER line-up on the band\u2019s debut LP featured Zell on guitar and vocals along with two musicians from Providence, Rhode Island \u2013 Rod Pires on vocals and Rob Lundy on bass and synthesizer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe met online in 2014 through Facebook,\u201d said Zell, who was raised in Chester County. \u201cIt was just kind of meant to be. They were looking for a female guitarist. I went to Rhode Island to meet them and we instantly connected.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe album came out early 2018 and Rod left the band in late 2018. When Rod left, I took over as lead vocalist. Rob\u2019s still playing synth and bass and we now have Chris Spousta on drums and percussion. He\u2019s from Boston but he lives down here now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started making the new album in late 2018 and finished it in September 2019. Just like with \u2018A Lot Like Love,\u2019 we recorded the new album with Taylor Larson at Oceanic Recording Studio.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a concept album. Each song will have visuals \u2013 a video to tell the story. We have a few singles and some lyric videos. But, with the shutdown, we haven\u2019t been able to make any music videos.<\/p>\n

For Zell, pursuing a career in music was natural. Born into a musical family, she grew up singing, songwriting, and playing instruments from an early age. Since then, she has established a successful career\u00a0for herself as a solo artist \u2013 as former guitarist for alternative rock band, American Wolves \u2013 and as guitarist\/vocalist for THRILLCHASER.<\/p>\n

Zell\u2019s\u00a0songwriting achievements are equally as\u00a0impressive as her extensive\u00a0track record as a live performer.\u00a0She has honed her craft by writing hundreds of songs, co-writing and collaborating globally, and working in numerous genres spanning from pop, indie, alt\u00a0rock, country, folk, soul, funk, spoken word, to rap.<\/p>\n

In 2014, Zell released\u00a0the EP,\u00a0\u201cTake Heart<\/a>,\u201d followed by 2016 single, \u201cHeart Open Wide<\/a>“, which premiered on Fuse TV.\u00a0 Zell also has experience as a radio host personality. She has been the\u00a0host of local music radio show,\u00a0SoundStage<\/a>, on WCHE 1520 since 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor my original music, I\u2019ve been recording in my home studio with Rod Pires,\u201d said Zell. \u201cI haven\u2019t released any solo stuff in years. \u2018Heart Open Wide\u2019 was my last single and that was a while ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just released a single I did with Rod. It\u2019s called \u2018This Time\u2019 and is a song about COVID-19. It dropped at the end of April. We recorded it together remotely \u2013 each of us in our own studio.\u201d<\/p>\n

On April 24, Zell posted the following on her Facebook page \u2013 \u201cRod Pires<\/a>\u00a0and I wrote this song about and amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Our hearts go out to everyone being affected by this. From our hearts, to yours – here is “This Time”. Available on all music platforms — https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/5vZgMnNErTeJQphYxYWlfH<\/a> and https:\/\/music.apple.com\/us\/album\/this-time-single\/1510385378<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Zell also has another duo thing going — a one-of-a-kind duo act with Chris Spousta.\u00a0Featuring Zell on vocals and guitar\u00a0accompanied by Spousta on his handmade vintage suitcase drum kit, these two artists have developed a unique, timeless\u00a0sound that is entirely\u00a0their own.<\/p>\n

Born partially deaf, Spousta\u00a0never allowed\u00a0that adversity\u00a0to thwart his aspiration to pursue a musical career.\u00a0He grew up in school playing all 13 orchestral instruments and their scales. He played in a Florida state superior ranked jazz band at East Ridge High School in Clermont, a suburb of Orlando.<\/p>\n

Spousta was the drummer for several bands including the hardcore metal band Far From Truth, which toured three years in a row on Warped Tour from 2008-2010. He also studied conducting and composing at Berklee College of Music prior to joining THRILLCHASER.<\/p>\n

Video link for Zell and Spousta \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/3VHbCqdVDvY<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The pandemic has brought dark days for musicians but for Zell, the cloud has a silver lining.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been a full-time touring musician for 10 years so I\u2019m enjoying the break,\u201d said Zell. \u201cI\u2019ve been getting into other things like making jewelry and doing a podcast, \u2018Follow Your Art,\u2019 with Alexandra March.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFollow Your Art\u201d is a home for art creators and appreciators. Hosted by artists, Alexandra March & Nicole Zell, their podcast promotes collaboration and community through hearing the stories of creatives from all different walks of life.\u00a0It is available on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and Buzzsprout.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Alexandra Kay March<\/p><\/div>\n

Alexandra Kay March, a native of Coatesville, released her debut EP, \u201cWhen the Garden Reveals Itself,\u201d in February 2018 on legendary producer Joe Nicolo\u2019s Blacbird Records. Her most recent single, \u201cCommittee in the Sky,\u201d came out on January 24, 2020.<\/p>\n

Video link for Alexandra March and Nicole Zell — https:\/\/youtu.be\/bMt-0fdwAog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Zell is also\u00a0is the creator of\u00a0Conjure Jewelry<\/a>, a line she launched in 2020. This facet of the multi-talented artist allows her to rock out in a different way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been making jewelry for years \u2013 rings, pendants, bracelets,\u201d said Zell. \u201cI think I got it from my dad who was an amateur rockhound. I did it for fun, but people kept telling me that I should do it as a business. So, now I\u2019m doing it as a business and it\u2019s called Conjure Jewelry. I really enjoy working with stones like turquoise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zell\u2019s fans can enjoy her podcasts, buy her jewelry and listen to her duo projects.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, THRILLCHASER fans will have to wait \u2013 for the album and for live shows — for who knows how long. Hopefully for Zell and her bandmates, the old saying \u201cabsence makes the heart grow fonder\u201d will apply.<\/p>\n

Music may not be \u201clive\u201d right now but it\u2019s still \u201calive\u201d — virtually.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Kennedys\u2019 \u201cBob Dylan Birthday Special Livestream\u201d is scheduled for May 24 at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

According to the Kennedys\u2019 Facebook notice, \u201cThis week we were scheduled to play the Warwick Valley Winery’s Annual Bob Dylan Festival in Warwick N.Y. and the Sunday Street Annual Bob Dylan Tribute concert in Stony Brook N.Y. In lieu of these canceled shows which we will dearly miss, we’ll be playing your Bob Dylan song requests during our weekly livestream<\/p>\n

The link for the Kennedys\u2019 \u201c Bob Dylan Birthday Special\u201d is — https:\/\/youtu.be\/kGC6rCyO7u4<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia Orchestra plays Elgar’s \u201cPomp and Circumstance\u201d because it believes that this year’s graduates deserve the very best.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Philadelphia Orchestra<\/p><\/div>\n

The Philadelphia Orchestra is pleased to provide this recording of Elgar’s\u00a0\u2018Pomp and Circumstance<\/em>\u00a0No. 1,\u201d which was recorded at the Academy of Music’s 163rd Anniversary Concert, for graduation ceremonies and celebrations.<\/p>\n

Link for audio — https:\/\/www.philorch.org\/globalassets\/philadelphia-orchestra\/education\/hear\/philadelphiaorchestra-pompandcircumstances.wav<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A good source of live\/virtual music every week is the Philadelphia Orchestra (www.philorch.org\/virtual<\/a>).\u00a0Audiences can watch both past and previously unreleased Philadelphia Orchestra performances every Thursday night at 8 PM ET. Tonight\u2019s performance will be Mozart’s \u201cClarinet Concerto.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other presentations of Virtual Philadelphia Orchestra in the upcoming week are \u201cSelections Featuring Ricardo Morales\u201d on May 22 at 8 p.m.,\u00a0\u201cFr\u00fchbeck Conducts Lalo, Ravel, and Debussy\u201d on May 23 at 8 p.m., \u201cPanel Discussion with Erina Yashima and Lina Gonzalez-Granados\u201d on May 26 at 6 p.m. and \u201cTuba Master Class With Carol Jantsch\u201d on May 27 at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n

The Metropolitan Opera (www.metopera.org<\/a>) is offering \u201cLive Opera Streams\u201d nightly with a schedule that this week includes such classics as \u201cMacbeth,\u201d \u201cDon Carlo\u201d and \u201cIl Barbiere di Siviglia\u201d (\u201cThe Barber of Seville\u201d).<\/p>\n

The schedule for the upcoming week features Puccini\u2019s\u00a0\u201cTurandot\u201d on May 21, <\/i>Mozart\u2019s \u201cDon Giovanni\u201d on May 22, <\/i>Gounod\u2019s\u00a0\u201cFaust\u201d on May 23 and <\/i>Massenet\u2019s\u00a0\u201cManon\u201d on May 24.<\/p>\n

Now that the 2019-20 season of Opera Philadelphia (operaphila.org<\/a>) has been cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is extending its season online with\u00a0video streams of five recent productions, including four new works\u00a0that received their world premieres from 2015-2019. Following each digital premiere, the operas will remain available on-demand for varying lengths of time through Aug. 31, 2020.<\/p>\n

Week Four of the company\u2019s Digital Festival O features the digital premiere of \u201cSky on Swings,\u201d which had its world premiere during Festival O18. The production features music by Lembit Beecher and libretto by Hannah Moscovitch.<\/p>\n

An unflinching yet uplifting exploration of Alzheimer\u2019s disease from the company\u2019s inaugural Composer in Residence\u00a0Lembit Beecher, his longtime collaborator, librettist\u00a0Hannah Moscovitch, and celebrated stage director\u00a0Joanna Settle, the opera launched\u00a0O18, the second edition of\u00a0Opera Philadelphia\u2019s annual season-opening festival, and earned a nomination for \u201cBest World Premiere\u201d at the\u00a02019 International Opera Awards.<\/p>\n

\u201cSky on Swings\u201d addresses the impermanence of memory that threatens us all and explores the new hallucinatory experiences that can follow the onset of dementia.<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cSky on Swings\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/OsDNg4qWfNw<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Philadelphia Youth Orchestra<\/p><\/div>\n

WRTI 90.1 is broadcasting four concerts by the talented young musicians of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) during the month of May in 2020. Performing with exceptional soloists and conducted by Maestro Louis Scaglione, the four-week schedule includes full concerts from 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020.<\/p>\n

The broadcasts \u2013 two of which will feature works by West Chester\u2019s Samuel Barber — will take place throughout the month. The remaining two are scheduled for May 24 and 31 from 4-6 p.m. and will be co-hosted by WRTI\u2019s Kevin Gordon and Maestro Scaglione. It is available on the radio at WRTI 90.1, streaming at WRTI.org<\/a>, and on the\u00a0WRTI App<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n

The May 24 PYO Concert features violinist Michael Ludwig, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Boys Choir, and guest vocal soloists Alexandra Nowakowski, Eric Rieger, and John Viscardi (Performance Date: June 4, 2017).<\/p>\n

The musical selections include the winning composition by Alan Mackwell in the Inaugural Young Composers Competition titled\u00a0Secretly Ramses\u00a0the Second, Glazunov\u2019s\u00a0Violin Concerto with Michael Ludwig and Orff\u2019s\u00a0Carmina Burana with the Mendelssohn Club Chorus, Philadelphia Boys Choir, and vocal soloists Alexandra Nowakowski, Eric Rieger, and John Viscardi.<\/i><\/p>\n

Troubadour 77, which features Chester County native Anna Wilson<\/a> (Piano\/Lead Vocals) and her husband Monty Powell<\/a> (Guitar\/Vocals).<\/p>\n

is inviting music fans to join the duo for their weekly\u00a0“T77 SQUARED CONCERTS”\u00a0featuring songs from their new album, \u201cRevolution & Redemption,\u201d which was just released on April 10.<\/p>\n

The next edition of “T77 SQUARED CONCERTS” is scheduled for May 21 at 8 p.m. at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Troubadour77music\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Video link for Troubadour 77 — https:\/\/youtu.be\/Nidewi0Z3-s<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sofar Sounds (https:\/\/www.sofarsounds.com\/v\/listeningroom<\/a>) has these streams upcoming \u2013 Mavica on May 21 at 3 p.m.; Scarypoolparty on May 22 at 3 p.m. and Tuyo on May 23 at 3 p.m.<\/p>\n

ONCE Somerville<\/a>\u00a0(https:\/\/www.oncesomerville.com\/<\/a>) is a place for fans of the venue to interact and enjoy performances under the ONCE Presents identity. The programming will range from music to comedy, yoga, tutorials and more. The following is the lineup for the upcoming week: Gabby’s World x ONCE VV on May 21; Social Shutdown Show v6 x ONCE VV<\/a> on May 22; Coffins on May 23; Kaia Wilson of Team Dresch x ONCE VV on May 23; Negative Approach on May 24; and Prism Bitch on May 24.<\/p>\n

Live Nation\u2019s \u201cLive from Home\u201d series (www.livenation.com<\/a>) will feature performances by Usher, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Norah Jones, Linda Perry, Rhiannon Giddens, Sofi Tukker, Airborne Toxic Event, DJ Questlove, TokiMONSTA, Diplo, Daryl Hall and Patti Labelle.<\/p>\n

Some of the top shows on May 22 will be Steve Aoki, Blackstone Cherry, Lola Parks, Drew Holcomb, fredo disco, Ghastly and RAC. On May 23, major shows will include Dead & Company, Dylan LeBlanc, Jesse Malin, Sublime with Rome, Ben Folds, Barely Alive and All Good Things.<\/p>\n

Jorma Kaukonen\u00a0<\/b>performs his newest free solo \u201cQuarantine Concert from the Fur Peace Ranch\u201d on May 23 at 8 p.m. For two months, Kaukonen has been performing, telling true-life tales and talking about his songs, often playing them on the very guitar he wrote the song on. It is a fascinating look at this artist’s history and influences.<\/p>\n

The Fur Peace Ranch Station Live Stream Concert link is — https:\/\/m.youtube.com\/watch?v=7iq_cd06otU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

National Public Radio (https:\/\/www.npr.org<\/a>) is keeping music alive with its highly-regarded \u201cLive Sessions\u201d (https:\/\/livesessions.npr.org\/live<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Upcoming shows are Home But Not Alone on May 21, David Ramirez on May 23, Yo Yo Ma on May 24, Bowerbirds on May 26 and Maggie Rose on May 28.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times When America screeched to a halt in early March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, everything was turned upside-down and inside-out. Nothing was the same. The music industry got slammed. Venues closed and tours got cancelled. Recording sessions were put in limbo. Album releases got put on hold […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[12140,6518,9827,4511,12061,12139],"class_list":["post-34743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-alexandra-kay-march","tag-featured","tag-nicole-zell","tag-philadelphia-orchestra","tag-philadelphia-youth-orchestra","tag-thrillchaser"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34743","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=34743"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34746,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34743\/revisions\/34746"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}