photo credit: TJ McGlinchey | Brad Hinton

By: Rev. TJ McGlinchey, MFA, MAE

On Tuesday night, April 19, World Cafe Live in Philadelphia featured the next monthly installment of the host, Brad Hinton‘s Philly Sings Philly concert series on their smaller stage in The Lounge. You may recognize Hinton as the author of the WXPN Folk Show’s theme song, “Who’s Gonna Love Me When I’m Gone?”

The emcee for the evening was the host of the Folk Show, Ian Zolitor. That evening, on the bill, was me, Tin Bird Choir, Vilebred, Andrea Nardello, and John Faye. Unfortunately, Tin Bird Choir had to drop off the bill at the last minute, so Brad Hinton filled in as the opener. My band and I played the second slot; after which Andrea Nardello and her crew did their thing. John Faye and Joey DiTullio rocked a version of Lou Rawls’ “Expressway to Your Heart” mashed up with the 76ers and 6-ABC Action News themes.

photo credit: TJ McGlinchey | Vilebred

Vilebred closed the show with some fan-favorite covers including Ween’s “Push the Little Daisies.” By the end of the night, the room had reached peak volume and sing-along-ness and good vibes were shared by all. See below for setlists and photos videos. All proceeds from the show were donated to Musicians On Call. Additional photos and videos here.

photo credit: TJ McGlinchey | McGlinchey, Samuels, and Schwarz

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.

Philadelphia’s The Caulfields will be releasing a new, benefit single, “Love Will Keep Us Together,” for the Philadelphia area non-profit, Philabundance.

On Friday, December 4, 2020, you can purchase the track for a good cause. Philabundance is a Philadelphia-area non-profit that focuses on the ridding of hunger. Proceeds from the sales of the song on Bandcamp will be re-directed to Philabundance throughout December.

The Caulfields are John Faye, Sam Musumeci, Ritchie Rubini, and new lead guitarist, Brett Talley.

Connect with The Caulfields

Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music

Giada J’s music career in the United States began not very long ago, but her musical background goes back to the age of eight when she started taking piano lessons. Eventually, she also learned to play guitar and write music. Fast forward to 2013, Giada traveled from her home country of Italy to the United States initially just to visit her sister, but the visit became the beginning of something incredible.

On a whim, she decided to perform at an open mic hosted by legendary Philly musician, John Faye, which was held at the now defunct Legendary Dobbs (R.I.P.). That performance was the start of new friends, industry connections, and a big career.

“I did the open mic and John Faye liked me. He asked if I wanted to be his featured artist the following week,” Giada explains.

The following week was when she met her current manager and producer, Mariano Mattei, also owner of Philly Sound Studios. “Mariano and I met that week and kept in touch,” she says. At that point, she was still signed to a label, so she wasn’t able to do too much, but once the contract was terminated they began to work together writing, recording and producing.

“The songs were already ready, but [I] had to wait to record. Mariano brought in musicians that he knew and produced the EP quickly,” Giada reveals.

It seems like a long time coming for Giada J with the release of EP on November 28th and her performance at the 2015 Wilmo Rock Circus the same night. 

“I can’t wait for [fans] to hear my new tracks. The entire EP is coming after a long period of time,” she says. “I’m going to share the stage with so many great bands. It’s going to be my first Wilmo Rock Circus event. I can’t wait to have all the CDs ready, all the merch ready, and have everyone hear what I write and who I am.”

Her experiences have been one amazing journey, but she says that “the most important thing is the connection I have with Mariano. He’s a very great manager and producer. I trust in him. I already have made many connections in Philadelphia.”

Giada J’s singer/songwriter and indie pop sensibilities have already set fire to the ReverbNation charts for the Greater Philadelphia Area and she’s bound for amazing things to come.

World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington, DE will be the host for Wilmo Rock Circus. You can also catch Giada J’s performance at the Lancaster Dispensing Company on December 12th. 

If I were to put together a compilation of my favorite Philadelphia area artists, my list would go head to head with the track list on the MECA Music Heals benefit CD Movin’ On. Amazing artists like Eric Bazilian, Ben Arnold, and Lauren Hart amongst others have lent their voice to this CD that benefits the victims of child sexual abuse, available now on iTunes.

The Philadelphia Children’s Alliance (PCA) is a nonprofit organization that provides victim support services who coordinate with DHS, SVU and the DA’s office so a child doesn’t have to keep reliving what happened to them and retell their story to each individual agency. In addition to the CD, PCA is holding a benefit concert on 11/6 at the World Café Live in Philadelphia, and all proceeds will benefit PCA.

The concert will feature artist Cliff Hillis, who performs with Dave Uosikkinen’s “In the Pocket”. He states, “I’ve known Kevin & Peg [Minvera- also performing], who started MECA Music Heals, for a number of years. I recorded & produced their band Lotus Hill’s first CD A New Sun, and got to be good friend with Kevin & Peg in the process. We’ve stayed in touch and occasionally played shows together at times. It was a natural progression when they started writing songs for their new band and setting up this benefit that we would work a bit together. I helped record & mix the song “Movin’ On” along with Ritchie Rubini, and that song is not only an anthem for their cause but also the inspiration for the name of the November 6th benefit show at World Cafe Live. I think MECA Music Heals is a wonderful cause and especially since I am friends also with the other performers at this benefit show. I am very glad to be a part of it.”

Delaware-based singer/songwriter Nik Everett will also perform saying that “it is an honor to be included in one of the most important issues of humanity. Very few of us have not been affected. If we have not been violated personally we know or know of someone who has. That is why I jumped at the chance to a write a song and be a part of this project.”

Also performing are Lauren Hart, whose fame extends well beyond her vocal performances of the National anthem at the Philadelphia Flyers games, and a great “one night only” reunion performance from The Caulfields, a major-label band from the 90’s (and one of my personal favorites).

Lead singer of The Caulfields, John Faye, states: “We were honored to be asked to donate a track to the benefit CD, and we did a remake of a song from our second album called “Atlas Daughter.” It basically looks at how important a parent’s relationship with their child is, and how even little things you do for your kids as a parent make a huge difference. Conversely, the things you fail to do can have a negative impact. I wrote this song well before I had kids of my own but now that I’ve been in those shoes, it rings truer now to me than ever. I’m excited to play again with the band; we’ve done reunion shows in the past, but they’ve all been in Delaware which is where we were based. It’s a big deal for us to have the chance to play a great venue in the city, and coming back to support this great cause makes it all the more special.”

This will no doubt be an amazing and spiritual show for a great cause! Get your tickets today and be there for this unforgettable night of music at the World Café Live.

Philly rock band John and Brittany left a lasting impression on this writer Friday night at The Legendary Dobbs on South Street. I cannot remember the last time I saw a band, with no knowledge of their catalog, and was blown away by every song.  From catchy riffs, to vocal dominance and a wildly energetic stage show, J&B sold me from the second they hit the stage.

Let’s be honest, the formula just works with these guys  (“Guys” being used loosely of course). From the core they have excellent songwriting and incredibly attention grabbing composition.  Then you add John Faye’s frantic stage presence, vocal prowess and hair-do that starts combed neatly, but by the end of the set looks like a Nick Nolte mug shot from rockin’ out.

His counterpart, and half of the J&B title, is the stunning Brittany Rotondo who has as bright of a personality on stage as her shiny purple hair.  Do not for a second think she is all flash and no substance, she holds her own when she picks up the axe.  The two are a perfect on stage compliment to each other.

A big hat’s off to the drummer and bassist who filled in for the members who could not make it, they were so tight I had no idea they were not part of the group.

There are few bands I would say are an absolute MUST SEE, but John and Brittany are with out a doubt one of them.  With new releases and even a music video in the works, J&B are not taking a break.  Congratulations on an excellent show, and adding another fan to the undoubtedly growing list.

Photos by: www.breaktheglassphoto.com

“What we don’t want to do is be that band that’s just touring traditional dingy rock clubs,” says John.

“But we don’t mind that,” says Brittany.

If you’re one of the lucky, in possession of a ticket to Silvertide’s sold out reunion show March 9th at the TLA, and if you haven’t already experienced the opening act, you might be unsure of what to expect. The name doesn’t give much away.

“A lot of bands can say, ‘We sound like this other band.’ And I don’t think that’s possible for John & Brittany. I think we just sound like ourselves,” guitarist/vocalist John Faye says.

Start Sinning, John & Brittany’s second album, released in January, is the realization of, in Faye’s words, “a real, aesthetic vision.”

“The record was titled before we even recorded a note. We knew we wanted it to have a certain kind of dark, organic sound that was still accessible in terms of melody and hooks and that kind of thing. And the themes are a lot more intense [than the first album’s], from a writing standpoint,” Faye explains.

Start Sinning deals grittily with love and addiction, often in tandem. It is certainly dark, but it begs no sympathy. This would appear to define John & Brittany’s direction for 2013—although it may sound like multiple directions.

“It’s super eclectic. We have a bluesy number, we have a punk number, a poppy one, and some straightforward rock,” says Brittany Rotondo, also guitar/vocals.

“That’s just the way we are. We love variety. It’s kind of exciting to not pigeonhole ourselves,” Faye adds.

Although it has the refreshing feel of a diverse playlist, Start Sinning is strikingly cohesive. The breadth of John & Brittany’s influences and stylistic versatility exists within what, despite the sometimes dramatic differences between the tracks’ style origins, remains a unified and identifiable sound.

The album motors forward from the title track, where liberal distortion and grungy intervals make a promise to lovers of bygone rock that is upheld by the rest of the album. Start Sinning is filled with nods to the perennial greats. “ZZZoloft” is a welcome and well-executed reminder of early punk rock. The Latin-swung “El Gato” is a creative, modernized take on the Western ballad. “Mississippi Fred,” the final song, exposes a classic blues influence that finds its way back to the rest of the album in the chorus.

Other songs are evidence of further, bolder exploration. “Paper Planes” features a sweet Beatles-esque transition into a bridge that places strings, courtesy Daniel DeJesus, in the forefront—something almost unforeseeable at the beginning of the album, but which sneaks in nonetheless with no noticeable disjuncture. Throughout the album, John & Brittany manage to change while staying the same.

If you’re one of those lucky ticketholders, you’ll be grateful John & Brittany are on the bill. If you’re not going to the TLA, take heart—chances are you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see them.

“It’s been extremely nonstop ever since the record came out, and we definitely planned it that way. We played six nights out of seven last week. And all of them have been, you know, off-the-beaten-path kinds of shows,” Faye says. “The reaction to the record has been really strong so far, which we’re really happy about. We had a very successful launch show at World Café at the end of December.”

Evidencing that success, along with the upcoming TLA show, was a thoroughly tight appearance on Radio 104.5’s “Live @ 5” Friday, February 15th. They performed “ZZZoloft” and covered The White Stripes’ “Fell in Love with a Girl” in a big, bluesy half-time before jacking it up to the original tempo.

Stops in the band’s future include the Dewey Beach Pop Festival in April. The duo plans to range wider.

“We’re going to be touring a little more extensively in the later spring and summertime. We’re definitely going to be doing some West Coast stuff,” Faye says.

With the deservedly successful Start Sinning under their belt and widening exposure, John & Brittany have a full head of steam going forward in 2013.

The night was kicked off by local Philly scene veteran John Faye and one of his projects, John & Brittany. Their sound is built on complementary guitars, oozing with hooks, on top of a tight drum and bass section. The lyrics are catchy and clever. They tore through their set like only Jon’s vocals can. Vocals sharp like a knife, but rough like a dull serrated edge all at once. Their tones have blended well over the past year plus, with a new EP on the horizon.

Musically the night was closed out by Jackson Rider and their country/rhythm & roots/rock sound. An infectious, pleasing sound that causes onlookers to dance and groove regardless of their musical preferences. Seeing the band multiple times over the past few years, their growth has been measurable. Formed from the remnants of Whiskey Train, they have tightened their craft and widened their audience.

In between the opener and the closer was Soraia, for whom the evening was made. They hit the stage with their well-practiced pro act, much to the aplomb of the 150 plus people at Dobbs. These people were there to support one of the better stories of our beloved, local original music scene. Locally born and nationally weathered, Soraia has worked their ass off for the better part of a decade. Fronted by “alpha front-woman” ZouZou Mansour, Soraia demands attention from their viewing audience. With throwback tunes and throaty vocals, one is reminded of the some of the finer points of rock ‘n roll when listening to Soraia.

The main goal of the night was successfully accomplished. Soraia has opened for Bon Jovi in the past, but Jon has never had the opportunity to see their full live set. Through their work with producer Obie O’Brien, Zou and the band have come in contact with Jon Bon Jovi. It’s to the point where Jon has collaborated with them on their upcoming album. The issue was Jon had yet to fully see a live performance in a natural original music setting.

This showcase event first started to come together when Zou reached out to Jim Thorpe and Vince Volz from DVT Events and asked if she could do the showcase. Zou, Jim, and Vince have all gotten to know each other over the years. Jim has been working with Zou since he booked her at the Chestnut Room in 2005. Vince started working with her when he was booking at Doc Watson’s Pub. Both have had great experiences working with Zou and Soraia. Vince had this to say, “I don’t know if I’ve worked with someone as well rounded. She has it in every facet of the word. Talent. Stage presence. Voice. But she’s also very real, down to earth.” The tables have turned from Zou getting in-touch with Jim and Vince for shows, to them reaching out to her when they have a great line-up they want Soraia to be a part of. It has even gone a step further where Zou calls them to talk up other local bands. A further testament to Zou’s down-to-earth and genuine spirit happened amidst all the post-showcase buzz. She heard that Robyn Welsh of the PSPCA was putting together a Rock ‘n Roll for The Animals night and gladly offered to be part of the line-up. Soraia is joining up with local bands Mach 22, The Better Half, and more, to support this great cause on August 2nd at Dobbs.

Jim and Vince both have a great local, and even national, reputation for working with bands and treating them well. If their names sound familiar it’s because they have been major advocates and supporters of the local scene for years. DVT Events is a hybrid of their respective solo production/booking companies Double V Bookings and Jim Thorpe Productions.

Jim Thorpe, has been booking original music acts since the early 90’s. He has been an independent promoter for local clubs The Middle Eastern, The Khyber, JC Dobbs, The Grape St Pub, to name a few. Jim has been a director of the Dewey Beach Music Conference (DBMC) for the past eleven years. He currently sits on the board for the Philadelphia Grammy Chapter. He is also a co-founder, along with Vince, of the upcoming Liberty Music Fest running at Dobbs August 16-19.

Vince Volz has parlayed his former booking duties as a member of local band Phoenix Rise into his own company, Double V Bookings. The company was founded in 2005. He started booking at Doc Watson’s Pub in 2007. He was able to bring WMMR’s Local Shots to Doc Watson’s in January 2009. This worked out to be a very successful stretch for the Local Shot Series. Weekly shows every Tuesday regularly drew 70-100 people. It was a great way for four or five local bands to get in front of Jaxon, of WMMR, once a week. Bands worked these gigs, trying to make an impression. This has yet to be recaptured at Local Shots new home. It’s hard to blame the venue. Bands more recently had assumed these spots as free promotion instead of an opportunity to hustle and impress. Local Shots has evolved into a mini monthly showcase, where one band receives the station’s attention for a month. Still this new incarnation of Local Shots along with WMMR, willingly came along with Vince when Dobbs was relaunched in January 2011.

The execution of a showcase is not something new to DVT Events. In the past, Jim has showcased local bands Halestorm and Silvertide. Both showcases were very successful in their goals, getting local bands in front of record labels and industry people, and getting these bands signed. This again is the case with Soraia. Immediately after the showcase they were greeted offstage by Jon Bon Jovi, who was able to remain as inconspicuous as possible thanks to the staff at Dobbs. This overflowed to the second floor where a private area was set-up for the band and all interested parties. Bon Jovi’s faithful fans got hold of the Ustream video the next day, and Soraia was blowing up in the ‘twitterverse’. The industry rumblings are that a label supported album and tour will be forthcoming for Soraia sometime this Fall. It looks like this night will pay dividends in the future for Soraia, DVT Events, and The Legendary Dobbs.

by John Dempsey