Photographed And Written By Liv Foltiny

On April 20th, Ardmore, PA had its very first Spring Fest, an all-day outdoor event everyone could attend free of charge. Hosted by Mirror Image Events and JFS4 Enterprises, Ardmore Spring Fest sought to bring the community together through music (with live performances throughout the day) as well as the products and services from local businesses and artists. Even though I was only there for the second half of the event, one thing was utterly clear: the festival not only met its goal of fostering togetherness and communal support but also ended up surpassing any initial expectations I would have had regarding its magnitude.

Walking up to the lot behind John Henry’s Pub a little after 2:30 pm, I encountered a mass of people, the first being children and their families playing games, which included corn hole and a large-scale version of Connect 4. While I didn’t stay in that area for long, I did end up having a few laughs as a boy who was playing corn hole with (whom I presumed was) his mom accused her of cheating or not playing fair after being told (something along the lines of) one of his shots didn’t count because it hit her before landing elsewhere. Despite this short-lived accusation, the game continued and was just as lighthearted as when I arrived.

Moving on, I found myself in the second section of the lot: the vendors’ area. From books, paintings, and vintage clothing to hoagies, local brews, and funnel cakes, the vendors’ section had a little bit of everything and welcomed everyone, including visitors’ four-legged friends. Multiple dogs visited throughout the day and added to the joyous ambiance through their presence. Many of them enthusiastically received pets from attendees, and others were shy but affectionate (yes, I’m referring to Coach, a dog I met later who snuck up and gave me a kiss while I was focused on taking a photo). Overall, the vendors’ section effectively served as a networking platform for the local community; however, it wasn’t the festival’s main attraction. That particular title was reserved for the stage at the end of the lot.

Flagged on each side by colorful Ardmore Spring Fest banners (courtesy of Mirror Image Media), the stage functioned as the primary focal point, both visually and audibly, in the lot. It not only was where each of the bands performed but also included DJ Korvez’s station. All of the music, announcements, and introductions came from the stage, and the first artist introduction I was present for was that of Melt With You.

DJ Korvez

Donning graphic tees, jeans, jackets, patterns, sequins, or a combination of those things, the members of Melt With You took to the stage. Covering a variety of songs, ranging from “I Want Candy” (The Strangeloves) to “Tainted Love” (Soft Cell’s cover), Melt With You’s set touched upon the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s and led to many attendees dancing. The band commanded the crowd’s attention and made sure to include everyone in their performance; this was most evident during their performance of “99 Luftballoons”/“99 Red Balloons” (Nena). Playing upon the title of the English version of the song, Melt With You, with help from family, tossed red balloons into the audience. Following this, the band continued to play as adults and children happily threw, kicked, and swung the balloons around. Moments like this undeniably established a genuine connection between the artists and the crowd, and it was this connection that ultimately created the positive energy that persisted through the final performance of the day.

Melt With You

After Melt With You finished their set, there was a brief intermission; then, the Atomic Rock Band gathered onstage and began to play. Like the previous band, they performed covers of various songs; however, their setlist covered a larger span of time as it incorporated contemporary hits. Not being familiar with the band and assuming they only played rock music, I was surprised when, seemingly out of nowhere, they played a medley of Taylor Swift songs in the style of rock n’ roll. Needless to say, seeing a group of grown men confidently belting out lyrics to songs typically associated with a female audience was great; the juxtaposition of it all stood out and presented the music in a slightly different way (which was a welcome change for those who weren’t Swifties).

Atomic Rock Band

Besides demonstrating their musical prowess, the members of Atomic Rock Band also showed their ability to play up to the camera and the crowd. I undoubtedly witnessed this firsthand as there were multiple instances when I, upon being spotted by one or more of the band members, was presented with dynamic poses or funny facial expressions (e.g.- tongue sticking out). Their relationship with the cameras went further than this, though, since one of the members intermittently used the tablet embedded in his instrument to record the crowd. When he wasn’t recording the audience, he would switch the images displayed on his tablet, so pictures of MegaMan, zombies, etc. were all fair game. Unfortunately, a technical issue ended the Atomic Rock Band’s set earlier than expected; the band explained this to the crowd and, after thanking everyone for coming, broke down their equipment and stuck around to interact and take photos with fans.

After attendees left, vendors, artists, organizers, and staff stayed to clean up the lot and, even though the festival had come to an end, continued to exhibit that sense of togetherness that permeated the day. From chatting and telling lighthearted jokes to helping one another move things, everyone connected in some way, and, by the end of the day, two things were irrefutably clear: Brian Cronin, the man behind the festival and Mirror Image Media, was more than capable of organizing a successful event, and Ardmore Spring Fest, despite being in its infancy, was on its way to becoming an invaluable asset to the surrounding community.

Brian Cronin (Organizer)

You can learn more about the festival by visiting the links below!

Website丨Facebook 丨Instagram

My dream of being able to listen to live music while sitting on comfy couches finally came to fruition this past Saturday night at The Living Room in Ardmore. I had the absolute pleasure of attending a night of music hosted by the one and only That Mag of Philadelphia. The MC for the evening was no other than Brian Cronin, the publication’s publisher. That Mag has always presented live music nights and sponsored various open mic nights in Philadelphia. Due to the pandemic, it had stopped, and this was the first artist showcase since then.

It was a cold and stormy fall night, and the rain fell in buckets. As I walked into the venue, I was greeted with a wave of warmth from inside. The lights were dim to almost a candle lit, and the seats were full. It was exactly what I hoped for, with a welcoming, intimate atmosphere. The way that the living room is set up is that the room is sectioned off into two separate sections. The room starts at the front of the stage and goes almost all of the way back, and that part is filled with couches, which is the VIP. The rest of the room is GA and filled with comfy chairs and tables to sit at and enjoy as well. Couples and people were cozied on the couches, awaiting the night’s performers.

The lineup consisted of Maria Arroyo, Nick Lombardo and The Decent OK Duo, and Pawnshop Roses. All are local musicians who have been weaving themselves throughout the Philadelphia Music scene.

Maria was first up, and she is a local singer-songwriter. While opening the show, she explained that she makes “sad girl” music. I couldn’t have been more excited because I’m the biggest emo girl at heart. Like any true artist, she turns her pain into a work of art, with her ballads of heartbreak and pain. Maria made the stage look like her home with how she commanded it. Not to mention, her song’s lyrics are relatable to anyone with a pulse. From heartbreak to taking back your power, she covers it all, and you don’t want to miss out on her powerhouse voice and runs.

Next up was Nick Lombardo and The Decent OK duo. Typically, they play as a band, but this night, they featured Nick Lombardo and his Lead Guitarist, James Gaffield. Nick would come out to MilkBoy South‘s Home Grown open mic nights before the pandemic and play there. Now he had the stage and was sharing it with his exceptionally talented Lead Guitarist James. Watching the two of them on stage was a real treat. If it wasn’t Nick belting out those lyrics, it was James countering on the guitar. I couldn’t tell if I was listening to 90’s indie music or was at a rock concert in the 70s. Either way, I was getting lost in the sound and loving every second of it.

I am looking forward to seeing them again and with a full band. If you can listen to them play live, I highly suggest it.

Last but not least, Pawnshop Roses headlined the night. A Folk-Rock band that mixes influences of bluegrass and sounds of Americana into their sound. Pawnshop Roses is a five-piece band who have nothing but a blast as they perform on stage. They have been a staple in the Philadelphia music scene for the last twenty-one years, and they continue to push out music that is uniquely their own. Their sound reminds me of if The Avett Brothers had a hard rock cousin, from how they tell a story through their music to how they sound only like themselves. One second, I was in my feels with some of the lyrics, and the next moment, my foot wouldn’t stop tapping. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what they sound like because each song differs from the next. They are certainly in a league of their own, to say the least, I’m pretty mad I have just discovered them because they are that good. The energy the guys bring onto the stage is refreshing and rare. The band’s frontman was jumping around the entire time and feeding off the bassist living in his world while ripping away at the chords. It was a blast hearing musicians play just for the love of the music. These days, the set lists consist of newer and older songs from the last 21 years. The evening ended with the most recent digital release from The Pawnshop Roses called “Not What it Used to Be,” which is them tipping their hat at growing older and growing up and living life differently at 40 than 20.

This evening was action-packed and full of talent from start to finish. I think it is a wonderful platform,That Mag gives for local musicians. It enables them to show off their talent and continue to work towards their dream of being musicians and performing. I am eager to see when the next one happens and what is brought to the table.

Pawnshop Roses

Website丨Facebook 丨Instagram 丨YouTube 丨Spotify丨Apple Music 

Nick Lombardo and the Decent OK

Facebook 丨Instagram 丨X 丨Tik Tok 丨 YouTube 丨Spotify丨Apple Music 

Maria Arroyo

Website丨Facebook 丨Instagram 丨Tik Tok 丨Sound Cloud

In this two-part series, contributing writers and musicians Maria Arroyo and Dustin Sclafani partake, perform, and report on the Play Music Conference.  They each give us an inside look at the spectacular annual event with an artist’s perspective to attending the music education panels as well as performing on their respective nights. That Mag readers, it’s time to prepare your favorite beverage and sit down to read a real treat.

We begin Part One with singer, song writer Maria Arroyo:

“She networked her ass off and that’s why this room is full. Give it up for Maria!” – Jim Logrando, Co-founder of Play Music Conference

Hearing this had me in tears for the best event of 2023! I’ve been writing for That Mag since 2019, and in that time, I haven’t really introduced myself. Aside from being a writer, I’m a singer/songwriter from the Philly area. I moved to the city to continue furthering my music career. Being able to see this conference come to life as the first Music Conference in the City of Brotherly Love is truly something special.

I was ecstatic when getting the email confirming that I, a singer/songwriter who just started playing live shows last year, got accepted to perform Play.  I was beside myself with excitement, anticipation, and a whole lotta nerves. 

I’ve gotten pretty comfortable performing my own songs, but there’s something about knowing that the professionals who live and breathe this industry every day are going to be watching you perform that really brings those nerves to a new level.

Some industry professionals I’ve known for a couple of years are co-founders of the Play Music Conference. Brian Cronin of That Mag and Mirror Image Media, Jim Logrando of Craft Services, and Rob Schwartz of Who?Mag. This also includes speakers Lou Plaia of Sentric Publishing, and Gino Caporale of 418 Music. This even includes some speakers who I’ve heard of through the grapevine during covid but never met in person like, Fiona Bloom of The Bloom Effect, Barry Heyman of Heyman Law, and producer Steve “Me. Mig” Migliore.  All of which I finally got to meet and were all lovely. 

I say all that to say there were a lot of industry professionals speaking and attending the conference, so I always want to make the best impression I can. 

Take me out to Play Music Conference: 

Thursday night was the kickoff party at Milkboy on Chestnut. I’ve been to a handful of conferences in the past years, and the kickoff parties are always one of my favorite parts. This is because it allows artists like me to network without the pressure of the official conference with other artists and industry professionals that we get to hear speak through the weekend. The introduction at the kickoff party makes it easier for me to approach people during the conference, because we’ve already met, but in a more low-key setting. 

The kickoff party was a blast. There were a ton of artists that I got to network with, that ended up being great conference buddies throughout the weekend. The atmosphere was great and I think went off without a hitch! Throughout the night, there were performers of all types that kept the music diverse and interesting. They also had a special award ceremony for “Play Recognized Champions of Music” highlighting Dyana Williams of Influence Entertainment, councilman David Oh, talent buyer John Harris, and producer/engineer David Ivory, who continue to help music creatives in any ways they can. 

Throughout the night, everyone I spoke to agreed that this type of event in Philly was long overdue. Another similarity was everyone’s excitement to be a part of this inaugural event. All the artists that were playing, myself included, were just so grateful to share their music with others but also revel in the success and promotion of each other.

Early Friday morning (but thankfully not too early as we were out wayyyy too late the night before) was the start of the official Play Music Conference at the University of the Arts.

Their space was incredible and I really loved their support for this event. Most of the day was full of incredible panels with topics on Touring, NTFs, and Networking, to Publishing, Distribution, and Finance. They were all incredibly insightful and educating. My favorite panel on Friday had to be the “Collecting Royalties: Distribution, Publishing Admin, & Mechanical” with speakers like Jennifer Costello of JC3 Publishing, Lou Plaia, creative Tim Pattison at BMI, and others. Panels that touch on publishing and distribution are always on all conference agendas because of how important it is in making sure you’re being paid for your work, and that your work is heard. This is also one of the most confusing parts of the music industry so it can’t hurt to hear it explained to you a couple more times. 

After each panel, the speakers were able to chat and answer any questions the crowd had in a smaller, more personalized setting upstairs. It allowed conference attendees to seize their moment to talk more with speakers that really stuck out to them. 

After the panels, there was a Networking Event in the host hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City, who created a fantastic atmosphere for the weekend. These are always fantastic times to try to catch the speakers that you weren’t able to during the day. I was able to network with a ton of different people, one being Nikisha Bailey, global Co-chair of D&I for Women in Music. We had a great conversation about the Philadelphia music scene and I got to know more about her on a personal level, which you can’t always get during the panels. She was open and incredibly honest about her experiences and truly inspired me to keep doing what I’m doing. 

After the Networking Event, it’s music time! 

Sometimes at conferences, you run into the issue of not being able to catch everyone that you want because the venues are so spread out. Having attended countless conferences before, the Play team knew this and stayed smart by keeping all the venues within a block or two of each other. With all of the sets being 20 minutes, the short walk made it easier to catch all of the acts throughout the night.

Since I didn’t perform until Saturday, I could take Friday night to just soak in as much music as possible, which is exactly what I did. Some of my favorite acts of the night were Supreem Da Rezarekta, Sean Eric, Madison Ryan Band, Big Rick Energy, and Nitro Nitra. Their stage presence, energy, and remarkable songs made the weekend a night to remember. The other thing I loved about all these acts was their approachability after their sets. They were all just as excited as we were about their music and conference, and that always makes the connections better. The sense of community with a ton of the acts that were selected to perform was immense and really added to such an amazing atmosphere to be a part of. 

Day Two of the Play Music Conference was just as amazing as the first one! The panels of this day included talks about radio, producing, music marketing, music videos, and knowing when to need a team. I felt that they did a great job in formulating the panels so it covered a lot of different aspects of the industry that are important to know. They also chose to not have panels running at the same time. A lot of bigger conferences will have multiple panels at the same time and you have to decide which one is of more value to you, which is a tough call to make. Having one panel at a time ensures you don’t have to miss anything unless you’re just not interested in the topic. And if the interest in that particular topic wasn’t there, the speakers from the previous panel were around so you can continue that conversation. 

I really loved the Music Videos and Visuals panel as I haven’t seen a panel on this specific topic before. Speakers included Rob Schwartz, Andy Gesner of HIP Video Promo, Dwayne McCleary of Uplifted Inc, and Anthony Flores of Obie Records. They all had different paths leading to where they are now, so they were able to offer a ton of different perspectives while remaining unanimous in the fact that the visuals are an increasing importance to the music being released today. They really dove deep into the fundamentals of visuals and how they can be used in a multitude of ways to help and enhance the music you’re releasing. Another panel that I really took an interest in was Knowing When To Need A Team which had everything from a publicist and an artist manager to an entertainment lawyer. Panels like this always interest me because it shows that there are many paths to take in order to be immersed in the industry that we love, even if it’s not as an artist. Once again, Play Music Conference knocked it out of the park with its panels and speakers and really did a great job of having something for everyone attending. 

The biggest thing that stood out for me for this conference in particular was the way that the advice and tools given to us were ones that actually pertained to the level that the majority of attendees were at. Most of us attending are either just starting out, or have been in the game, but only for a short period of time. We don’t have thousands of dollars for recording, or three grand to drop for a publicist to work our music. They gave us tangible advice for the level of our journey RIGHT NOW.

There were a lot of realistic tricks and tools shared that we could implement straight away and even if some of their services were out of our price range or not right for this stage in our career.  They were upfront about it, and also provided alternatives that suited our needs, and our pockets. The speakers were all well-spoken, talented, and stayed engaged throughout the conference, which I just appreciate so much. 

After the last set of panels, most everyone headed to the last networking event before the night of music, but not me. I had to head to soundcheck for my show at O’Neals Pub, which is really where the fun began!

They were incredible and had a loaded baked potato to die for.  Soundcheck went, well, okay. Honestly, it wasn’t great but to no fault of anyone. I just get super nervous before a show, overthinking until I explode, ya know, all the things you do when you are a perfectionist. I get back to my hotel room to warm up, get ready and give myself the biggest pep talk I can. 

I should also add that through the last two nights, I’ve been talking about my show, inviting people to check me out, handing out business cards, sharing my socials, etc. All the things you do when networking with others. While there were a lot of faces I remember from other conferences, there were definitely a lot more new ones, so I want to make a great impression and hope that I’ve engaged them enough that they’ll want to check me out in person! I try not to have a high expectations of a full house because sometimes things come up, people have friends that they want to see, and sometimes, they’re just not interested. With this in mind I try not to worry about who will/won’t be there. You have to put on a great show either way.

Fast forward: Back to O’Neal’s

That room, from the front of the stage to the end of the bar, was PACKED. Packed with all the people I invited, packed with those people telling OTHER people about me and them wanting to check me out for themselves. It hit me. “Maria, you are about to perform your first packed show full of music industry professionals and artists,” and my heart couldn’t be racing faster.

I try my best to settle my nerves, but it’s hard. I want to put on a great show. I want everyone to enjoy coming to listen to me, but I always think about the worst-case scenario. Luckily, I had a ton of day-ones on my side. The entire Big Fat Meanies band was there to support me, all of whom I went to college with and are the best cheerleaders,  and my fiance,who is truly my biggest fan, was there so I knew that even IF my worst-case scenario of “everyone is going to hate me” was true, I at least knew these guys didn’t. 

It’s now 8:10 pm and the biggest knot has formed in my stomach. I get on stage and start setting up. I look out and pinpoint my day-ones. My fiance, Todd, is in the back corner, just in eyesight where I need him, and BFM is in the other corner. My other cheerleaders, who I actually met at ANOTHER conference, Elle Taranis and Pepe were front-row recording for me. 

Showtime!

I sing my final song, and the loudest applause erupts from the crowd. I have absolutely put on the best show to date and I couldn’t be prouder of myself. I sang and sounded great, I didn’t fuck up the chords, and I really gave it my all. I said my thank yous and was about to head off the stage when the co-founder of Play Jim Logrando jumps on stage and hugs me and tells me what an amazing job I did. He looks to the crowd and says “This room is packed. She networked her ass off and that’s why this room is full. Give it up for Maria.”

This had me in tears. All my hard work of fiercely networking and creating relationships paid off in ways that I will never forget. I got off stage, and with the help of my friends tore down my set, and then got to enjoy the rest of the night knowing that I left it all on O’Neal’s stage. I spent the rest of the night on cloud nine knowing that this rush of adrenaline and excitement is what makes all the nerves worth it. We spent the rest of the night listening to some fantastic artists like Minerva, Big Fat Meanies, Shame Penguin, and so many more. This was truly a weekend to remember. 

Final thoughts

If you’re just starting out in your music career or you’re a seasoned vet, go to the music conference. You can’t learn enough, and this industry changes every day. The friends and people you met? You remember them for a long time and already looking forward to the next get-together. 

The inaugural Play Music Conference was definitely one of the biggest wins for 2023, and the sky is the limit with them. I know they are going to step it up even MORE for 2024. 

You can see Maria Arroyo perform this weekend at the “Women Against Abuse” Benefit Show on Saturday, March 4 in honor of International Women’s Week, located at The Fire, on West Girard Ave. Come out and support these incredible women, including Jershika Maple, finalist of NBC’s The Voice.

Click here for event and ticket information! 

Play Music Conference

Written and Photographed by Eric Sperrazza

On September 25th of 1994, a much younger me arrived at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, New Jersey, to attend the WYSP Be-In Music Festival. There, I would stand with my family and see The Band perform every song I had ever heard played in our home. “The Weight,” “Forever Young,” “Up & Cripple Creek,”and “Atlantic City,”all vibrantly in living color and just a few feet away from where I stood. Looking back, it’s relatively easy to point to that night in my fledgling musiciophile days when that particular sound spoke to me. Today, bands like Marcus Young, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band & The Dead South live in my audio collection in direct lineage to that moment.

 And although that first experience was special to me, it paled in comparison to the first time I sat down and watched the 1978 release of Martin Scorsese‘s documentary of The Band’s swan song, The Last Waltz. The concert that the documentary chronicled took place at the Winterland Ballroom and was not just a goodbye to the members of The Band but a goodbye to the passion in which Folk, Americana, and even good ol’ fashioned Blues-y Nashville Rock were consumed by the mainstream. More importantly, it is the single most perfect concert experience ever on recording, a platform often imitated but never duplicated. Well, almost never. 

 Much like everything else in the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia music scene is a tight-knit and fiercely protective community. In fact, it’s less a ‘scene’ and more of a congregation in a sense, supporting & cheering each other on while sharing passions in song. And much like congregations are wont to have, Philly had anchors embedded in the community. And if Fergie Carey sat at the heart of it all then Bryan Dilworth surely lived in its soul. Dilworth was not only a Booker Extraordinaire but the driving force behind one of the most incredible showcases of Philly Music. In 2013, Dilworth recreated the famous Last Waltz concert, artist for an artist, with Philly Music Mainstays, Rising Talents & Legends. He even got Garth Hudson of The Band to appear as the proverbial papal blessing to the show. It was such a spectacle that he did it again at The Underground Arts in 2018. Regarded as the highlight of his career, Dilworth would not live to do it again, as he passed away in 2020 at the devastatingly young age of 51. 

Enter Kristin Thomson, musician, former co-owner of the record label Simple Machines & wife to the late Bryan Dilworth. Thomson, with the help of Get The Led Out‘s Andrew Lipke, Philebrity.com‘s Joey Sweeney, and even the great Fergus “Fergie” Carey, was able to realize a dream…one more Waltz. Together they would once again assemble a cavalcade of Philly talent at Franklin Hall, the original Electric Factory where Dilworth’s legacy echoed from shows booked and gone by. The night was billed as a tribute to Dilworth and as a charity event for Former Eagle Connor Barwin‘s nonprofit, Make the World Better Foundation, of which Dilworth sat on the Board. The metaphorical stage was set to be a grand night of music, memories, and celebration of Dilworth’s sheer love for the music community of Philadelphia. 

Walking into Franklin Hall feels more like walking into a time capsule for a song and a drink than a run-of-the-mill venue. The history of all the memories and sounds created within those walls is palpable, and no better place to fill the air with the music of The Last Waltz. With that, the chandeliers were hung and lit over the stage, and the night began with Connor Barwin introducing the work of MTWB. The West Powelton Drummers would set the pace and officially kick off the show.

The House “Band” consisted of Andrew Lipke alongside musicians Freddie Berman, Andrew Napoli, Matty Muir, and Adam Flicker, with Hailey Brinnel, Matt Cappy, Jay Davidson, and Sean McCusker on horns. With the same seamless precision of the source material concert, special guests transitioned on and off stage and put different sounds and styles on display. 

There were some truly mind-blowing performances of note. First, Low Cut Connie‘s Adam Weiner tore up “Who Do You Love?” while flying off the stage, into the Media Pit, over the rail, and into the fans, while not missing a note. His high-energy stage presence turned up the crowd for a long night of artists, setting the bar for everyone else ahead.

Chelsea Mitchell of the band, Dirty Dollhouse, gave a rendition of “Coyote” that could not have been any better had Joni Mitchell stepped onstage with her. Mitchell’s Americana vibe and her resilience in her musical projects earned her the nickname “The Queen Coyote.” In no small way did her contribution to The Last Waltz galvanize that. 

R & B Rock wunderkind and Retro Groove Assassin Mutlu brought warmth to his rendition of “The Weight.” So much so that I was backstage talking to the publisher of That Mag, Brian Cronin, but when I first heard Mutlu utter the first few words, “I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin’ bout half past dead” I took off around the front to see what I was hearing, seemingly abandoning my literary employer. But I was taken aback by the sincerity of the delivery and was immediately brought back to a place of youth with my mom singing along while my father played this song on our rack stereo system. And I was not alone. Gen-X’ers and Baby Boomers surrounded me, and even children swayed and sang along like they were joining in with a familiar holiday carol beaming with the same kind of joy on their faces. 

Let’s talk briefly about what you would expect if you knew you would see the M-A-The-Double-D, Maxx Madd D Williams, of the Philly Rap Innovators, The Goats and Black Landlord. You would not be alone if you were expecting slick bars and funky backbeats. But Williams hit you with a hard two-piece of soul & blues as he hammered out the Muddy Waters classic, “Mannish Boy.” Williams’ version had the grit & ‘seen some shit’ sprinkled on top; that is the only way that song truly can be delivered.  

What do you get when you combine the power of Nina Simone, The showmanship of Tina Turner, and the fierce vibe of Mary J. Blige? You get Philly’s own, Tanqueray Hayward. Taking on the classic, Further on up the Road, Hayward exploded onstage and stayed in constant motion, corner to corner, the entire time. She made you feel that song with her whole self, emoting in a way that you rarely see or hear in modern-day artists, almost a vintage delivery of song. And when the wig was thrown off in defiance, and she hit her knees in the testimony of song, like the spirit was moving her, you had no choice but to second-guess the decision to have Clapton be the one to have covered it at the original Waltz. It was like Hayward’s sole purpose was to show the world how that song should be sung.

John Train and The Philly King of the Slide Guitar, Slo Mo, gave the audience a venerable clinic in how to perform “Baby Let Me Follow You Down,” giving it that feeling of being in a smoky & dimly lit Blues Club with a stiff drink in your hand after midnight when no one is making good decisions. Chef’s kiss. It was perfection.

The Most Badass of Poets and wife of musician Joey Sweeny, Elizabeth Scanlon, did a scorching word-for-word reciting of “Loud Prayer.” Even Fergie Carey got on stage to recite the “Intro to the Canterbury Tales.” 

And just as the first Waltz came to a close, this one ended the same way. All the musicians and guests, from David Uosikkinen of The Hooters to Dan Reed, Music Director of WXPN, came together onstage to sing “I Shall Be Released.” And as the theme from The Last Waltz played on the monitors, the lights came on.

It’s tough to articulate what an amazing experience this was. In one night, the very finest in Philadelphia’s performance artists got together in one historic place to play arguably the greatest music documentary concert ever put on film, and all in tribute to one man who left the world too soon and all for a great cause. What else can you say? 

The best picture I can paint is this – In my entire career of writing, I have had the pleasure of getting great photographs from press vantage points. I have interviewed some epic musicians over the phone that I personally admire and listen to. And I have seen some of the best shows anyone could see in this world. But in all this time, I have never been backstage just chatting with musicians, managers, and the crew. I have never been walked to dressing rooms and introduced to entertainers. For whatever reason, I never asked, and I never tried. Call it being simply grateful for what opportunities I had. But on this night, that changed. 

I got to chit-chat with the owner of my magazine. A conversation continued into the back, where I was introduced to everyone, and I had access to new fantastical vantage points for pictures. However, as I write this now and think back on the night, my mind does not instantly go there and celebrate that. My first knee-jerk memory of reminiscing about that show goes right to hearing Chris Kasper belt out “Up on Cripple Creek.” It sent a wave of nostalgia right up my spine as memories of my parents playing this cassette (Google it, Kids.) and making me tie-dyed shirts with my cousin while seeing The Band swirled in my head. I missed people no longer with me and felt them in my heart all at once, hearing that mere music feet from where I stood once more. That’s what I remember, and that was the point. 

If I have one wish, Kristin Thomson & Friends can capture lightning in a bottle and make this happen again. I’m not ready for this to be my last waltz.

 Make The World Better Foundation

By Sophia Varoumas

Preparations have begun for the 7th Annual PHL Live! talent show. Sponsored this year by Dunkin’, musical talent from across the city of brotherly and sisterly love, are encouraged to take a chance and showcase their talent in one of 10 musical categories. PHL Live! is looking for musicians to showcase their original music, for a chance to take their musical career to the next level, and it all starts at home in Philly. 

This year, for the first time there will be a People’s Choice category. The other categories include: Country/Folk, DJ,/EDM, Hip Hop, Jazz, Pop, Rock, World, and R&B. There is also a Gospel and Classical category where you do not have to perform original music. 

Registration closes this week on September 30, and it’s free to register. All you have to do is upload a 3-5 minute performance of you and your original work to Phllive.org That means, bands, solo artists, DJs, all of you! There are 11 chances to win a thousand bucks and recording studio time to bring your music to a bigger audience. 

Among the talent judges this year, is our very own That Mag publisher, Brian Cronin, who looks forward to, “seeing all the new talent of music this great city has to offer!” As well as, Philadelphia Councilman-At-Large, David Oh, who does fundraising and hosts PHL Live! “Only 300 applicants have uploaded their videos thus far, so [Philadelphians] really have a great chance to actually go home with a grand prize.” With so much untapped talent, PHL Live! is a platform to help musical citizens get bigger opportunities to accomplish their dreams. 

When Councilman David Oh ran for office, one of the platforms he ran on was the economy. Through the economic development side Councilman Oh was able to create a platform where the Creative Arts economy can thrive while proving talent if given the chance to be discovered.  Thereafter maintaining a career and life in Philadelphia. 

Councilman Oh researched lifting Philadelphia’s music platform. What inspires him year to year is the city of Philadelphia. “My job is related to the city of Philadelphia, not New York, not LA, so as a councilman, my mission is to our city and make the city of Philadelphia a place where [we] can become who [we] want to be.” He explains “You can do it through education, through a job, through a great neighborhood, but for people to want to be somebody, [some feel they have] to leave and we want to make Philadelphia a place where it’s citizen’s stay and maintain success.”

Click here to register

Toby & Zach of Dr. Dog

Written by Brian Cronin  Photos provided by Lisa Schaffer

The first annual We Live On benefit concert was held on March 13 and March 15 at Ardmore Music Hall (AMH) in Ardmore, right outside of Philadelphia, and was hosted by Dan Fein. The benefit was set up to raise money for Derek Dorsey, a longtime music promoter, manager, and talent buyer in the Philadelphia music scene.

Sunday’s show brought out many artists and folks to support both Derek and this new foundation.  

I attended Sunday’s show that featured: Dr. Dog‘s Toby and Zach, Hoots & Hellmouth, Hezekiah Jones, John Faye, Anjuli Josephine, Stargazer Lily, Ben Arnold, Illinois, Andrew Lipke, Don McCloskey, Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket, to name a few. It was a great night of music as each one of the artists had been covered by Origivation/THAT MAG at some point throughout the years.

Personally, for me, it was good to reconnect with the artists both performing or showing their support in the crowd. AMH did a great job, as always, with their house sound and keeping the night on a constant flow. Derek has touched so many lives throughout the years, and to see and feel the energy in the room, was electrifying.

I regrettably did not attend Tuesday’s night’s show, as they had another great lineup featuring Talib Kweli, Karl “Dice Raw” Jenkins, Schooly D., Chris and Herb of Fathead, Mike Voss, Flipside Esq., and Wardell Piper. Tuesday night’s festivities were hosted by Elements of Hip Hop. Not only were the funds raised to help Derek with his immense medical bills, but also for his new foundation, We Live On. The foundation has the goal of creating a space for people with rare diseases to network and to provide information on services and providers available. We Live On strives to create that safe community space as rare diseases are isolating and often end in suicide rather than death by disease. Most importantly, the foundation will serve its community of individuals and families who are facing medical adversity, establishing that people are not alone and that there is hope.

By Hannah Zaic

As fans, judges, and musicians, anxiously await the start of the show in the Hard Rock Cafe’s dimly lit dining room, the mood is excited, perhaps even optimistic. Patrons, expecting just dinner with a side of rock & roll relic, are pleasantly surprised by a bonus concert by some of Philly’s best country and folk artists.

Tonight’s leg of the city-wide battle of  PHL LIVE Center Stage will be judged by three of the most influential figures in the Philadelphia music scene: That Mag publisher, Brian Cronin; Executive Director of the Philadelphia Folksong Society, Justin Nordell; and WXTU Music Director and Radio Personality, Mark Razz.

Before shifting their full attention on the PHL LIVE country and folk finalists, the judges could be found socializing at the marble slab bar, catching up with fans, friends, and other individuals, sipping drinks, and trading war stories from the grueling music industry. The finalists performing this night were Man About a Horse, Ami Yares, Alex Mery & the Townsmen, Jessica Graae and Black Horse Motel.

You can log onto iRadioPhilly to see the highlights and to listen to the performances.

Our master of ceremonies is the illustrious Jennifer Logue of Rock On Philly. Logue is the first talent to take the stage before our finalists join her one-by-one for a discreet and organized mic check.  

It was a great night to be in Center City and regardless of the competitive nature of the event, everyone in the room was eager to show why our arts community is unlike any other in the world. Simply put, fans, judges, and musicians came for a friendly competition, but also stuck around to cheer each other on.

This display of mutual respect between artists, to and from the fans, is right in line with what PHL LIVE’s creator, Philadelphia Councilman-at-Large, David Oh, first imagined for the contest. During its second run, the multi-venue, genre-crossing event series is bigger and better than ever and shows no sign of slowing down.  

That Mag was lucky enough to sit down and talk with the councilman between acts. Otherwise, for most of the evening, he could be found at one of the tables near the stage, enjoying great music, as well as a few jokes told by our finalists and MC.

You wouldn’t think that a Republican Councilman would be inspired to create a music events series as successful as PHL LIVE. However, after attending a film festival, Councilman Oh was inspired and wondered if his music series should be structured similarly to the film festival.

Unlike most inaugural music festivals, adding a competitive spin would attract a fair amount of local, independent artists who are actually paid for their work. Since 2011, Councilman Oh has been bringing his notoriety (and cash) to local artists, while also serving as our city’s first Asian-American elected official! How cool is that?!

The culmination of 2017’s contest is going to be the PHL LIVE Awards Show held at the Trocadero, tonight, December 15th. For those of you looking to get involved next year, there are ten genres you could compete in for the grand prizes, which are as follows:

ANNOUNCING PHL LIVE CENTER STAGE

Coor’s Light Presents PHL LIVE Center Stage: 2017 Prizes

Grand Prizes for each of the 10 music category winners and the People’s Choice winner:

1. $1,000.00 for each of th 11 winners (total of $11,000.00 in prize money)
2. City Council Citation awarded to each of the 11 winners at the Awards Show in December at the Trocadero Theater
3. Resolution presented to the group of 11 winners in City Council

(You can find more information about PHL LIVE’s 2017 finalists, terms, conditions and prizes at www.phllive.org.)

Since the finalists are beating out so many other acts to play for a judge’s panel of industry heavyweights, the concerts held around the city at stellar venues like Milkboy #1 & #2, The World Cafe Live and The Hard Rock Cafe are guaranteed to be Philly local talent at its best. Better get out there and see them play before they aren’t so local anymore!

Here is to another epic year with PHL LIVE and to many, many more to come. Onwards, to the Trocadero!

Ace Frehley in Ardmore?  That’s what exactly what I thought when I first heard that original KISS guitarist was headlining a show in support of his latest album, Origins Vol. 1.  Even Ace himself commented that same thought when he thought he was playing Philly and recognized that he wasn’t. Space Ace played The Ardmore Music Hall this past Sunday and left us all wanting more.

The night started out with lines going down Lancaster Ave, then once inside, lines forming at the bar.  Some people paid for priority seating, while others had general admission. I remember thinking, who wants to sit down at a rock concert because you know you won’t be sitting long.  The look around the room was your typical atmosphere from young ambitious fans to the young at heart fans that grew up along with the spaceman.

The stage lights go on and here comes Jacky Bam Bam (WMMR radio jock) introducing one of Philadelphia’s break-through bands, Mach 22.  Jacky is definitely the right man for this job and his knowledge of music is outwardly obvious.  He knows everything from legendary rockers to the local unsung heroes just making their name.  The house gets quiet as the band enters the stage; the pause was intense just before (Lamont) Caldwell breaks into song.

Photo by R. Reinhardt

Now I have seen this band emerge throughout the years and to witness their growth spurt before my eyes was just amazing.  This wasn’t their first big opener as they previously were local support for Gene Simmons (KISS),  Brett Michaels (Poison), Bon Jovi and last year’s Gun N’ Roses reunion.  So opening for someone of Ace’s stature is obviously the perfect choice for these guys.  And there was no short of a performance at all, they gave it their all and the crowd was definitely not disappointed.  Folks throughout the audience seemed to have been more than impressed.  Side note, I can’t wait to see where these boys go from here, only up I would imagine.

The only downside about the show was the LONG wait between Mach 22 and when Frehley finally came out.  Hitting the stage in order was Richie Scarlet (Frehley’s Comets, Mountain), Chris Wyse (The Cult, Ozzy), Scot Coogan and of course, Frehley.  Opening the show with a KISS classic, “Parasite” went off without a hitch.  The roar of the audience as he continued to play “Toys” and “Rip it Out” from his previous solo records which were such a crowd pleaser for sure.

Photo by R. Reinhardt

As the night continued on they performed songs from Origins, his solo hits, “New York Groove” and “Rock Soldiers” as well as other KISS classics “Love Gun”, “Shock Me” and ending with “Cold Gin”.  Just when you think the night was over, they return to the stage with encores of “Detroit Rock City” and “Deuce“ which literally made the crowd instantly go insane.  To say that the show was good is an understatement, these classic rockers showed us all where their place is in the world.

Time and time again I like a band that sounds great until I see their live shows then I just fade in the back with disappointment.  It’s a shame that a lot of the musicians today do not know how to entertain their audiences.  It’s more than the music we come to watch a show, it’s the performance.  We want excitement as we sing along to their songs that we connect with.  We want a band to get us up and that is exactly what Ace Frehley and band did to us. They made us feel the music and not just fade into the back.

Photo by R. Reinhardt

Frehley will be joining Gene Simmons in St. Paul, MN tomorrow for a show benefiting victims of Hurricane Harvey then joining Alice Cooper’s tour in Australia and New Zealand.  If you ever get a chance to see the band, I strongly urge you to go as you never know when he will join KISS again for another tour.  Maybe I am just hoping, or am I?

Show review by Brian Cronin

Rating: BAD ASS

Photo by R. Reinhardt

Photo by R. Reinhardt

Photo by R. Reinhardt

Tin Angel on 2^nd street right near Penn’s Landing is a great place to frequent if an intimate musical atmosphere with local artist is something you enjoy. That is why your very own That Music Magazine chose Tin Angel to host their showcase this past Thursday. That Music Mag’s Showcase featured Liz de Lise, Giada J., and The Tony DeSimone Band. Three bands with their very own unique sounds, styles, and stage in their career graced the stage as they engulfed the small crowd with their inspiring talents.

all photos by Jaz Bowens

Liz de Lise, originally of Ambler, PA, is a folk music songstress who draws influences from jazz. As the first on stage she set the tone for the rest of the night. It was just de Lise, her two guitars (acoustic and electric), and a loop pedal. They both churned out light slow paced melodies; her voice with similar depth and tone, eased along each song. To best describe her music I’d use the word light. It was soft and airy. Something you would imagine when modern folk music is described. You can learn more about Liz de Lise on her website and various social media sites like Facebook or Bandcamp.

The next on stage was Giada J accompanied by her two acoustic band mates; Brianna Sig on the cajon and Tai Dash on bass. The trio sounded great and bought a little spark into the darkly lit venue. Originally from Italy, Giada J sang both originals and covers in English and Italian. Her singing was great live and the audience was impressed. Giada J’s song, “The Secret”, which can be found on YouTube was nice back drop to the atmosphere in the room. I also recommend the video for her song “Crazy”. I’m sure some of us can relate to it.

Last but not least, Tony DeSimone and his energetic band were up. What was most impressive (besides their music) was their ability to fit five people and a drum set on Tin Angel’s very small stage. They made it look effortless just like their instrument playing and songs. The seasoned musicians knew what they were doing and got right down to business. It’s no surprise that his band can be heard on radio stations all over the world. They sounded seamless. A classic American rock band. “Finding Me” and “After Thought” were songs that stood out. He engaged the audience by inviting people on stage to play the tambourine and telling us what certain songs meant to him. “After Thought” is a song he wrote after his divorce, and it can speak to many people in a number of situations. Tony DeSimone’s set was great as was all the other artists’ sets.

It’s unfortunate there wasn’t a larger audience because the music was great, the venue was appropriate, and the drinks were strong. The weather was nice and it would have been a nice place to take a date or a friend. That Music Mag’s showcases give local artist a place to shine while introducing bands to new audiences. All in all each artist was given an adequate amount of time on stage to perform a number of songs. They each brought something different to the scene, and I now have three more bands/performers to keep an eye on.

Photos courtesy of Melody Rose

“I have wanted to be a musician for as long as I can remember. I had my first recital when I was six. This is just who I am,” singer/songwriter Melody Rose tells me. Here at That Mag we’ve been keeping an eye on the budding artist.

Recently she’s released her debut self-titled EP and plans on following that up with her first full length album later this year. Melody Rose will be a part of our showcase at Tin Angel in Philadelphia later this month on March 26th and we were lucky enough to catch up with her in between a busy schedule and preparing for the gig.

Rose comes from a family who are no strangers to the music industry. “My mom was a singer and my dad and step-mom work in the touring/transportation industry,” she explains. Her free time and weekends were split between theatre and singing lessons with her mother and working at concerts with her dad and step-mom. She later sums everything up with a simple understatement, “I learned a lot growing up in such a musical family”.

With a strong musical upbringing, it was only a matter of time until Rose went out to lead her own musical journey. Her mix of smart, sophisticated jazz and pop music provide the groundwork in each of her songs to let her soaring, soulful voice take center stage. “I think my musical training helped lay a foundation for me when it comes to songwriting,” Rose adds, “but I definitely think that the music I grew up listening to is reflected in my sound.”

And just what exactly are some of the bands and artists behind this unique sound? It’s not quite the blend one would expect and the list certainly reaches to all different kinds of corners in the musical universe. “Some of my favorite band and artists include The Beatles, The Beach Boys, David Bowie, Billy Joel and The Rascals,” Rose says; but influences don’t stop there. She goes on to say, “I am also influenced by jazz music and the songs of the Great American Songbook.” Throw in close to a decade of studying classical/opera and vocal jazz/contemporary music and you have a lengthy and complex musical makeup that is behind Melody Rose.

“I have so many unfinished ideas for songs that have no particular meaning,” Rose describes as she discusses the songwriting process behind the current album on which she is working. Whether it’s just a lyric or two that pops into her head or a subtle hook coming in her sleep, these mini-brainstorms are almost never the same. With so many to work with, Rose has enlisted the help of her boyfriend in making her full length debut. “We collaborate a lot, so we will probably be producing the album together.”

On the night of Thursday, March 26th Melody Rose takes the trip down I-95 from her hometown in New York for a special performance at Tin Angel. Along with Rose, Matt Santry and Alexis Cunningham will also be performing. Tickets are still available online and can be purchased at the venue’s website. The Tin Angel is located at 20 S 2nd St in historic Old City, Philadelphia. Mark it on your calendars now and we’ll see you then!