Written by Angel Park

Milkboy Philadelphia is a live music venue, bar, and restaurant located amongst the hustle and bustle on Chestnut Street in Center City. The venue was opened in 2011 by co-owners Tommy Joyner and Jamie Lokoff and has since been the host to some locally and nationally recognized musicians.

Tommy has been involved in the music industry for over 20 years wearing many hats, including roles as a music producer, sound engineer, and even as a singer/guitarist in Pep Rally, his band. We had the chance to chat with him about the origins of Milkboy, its role in the Philadelphia music community, and precisely what Pep Rally’s latest single, “Turn the Radio Up” really means.

For Joyner, the concept of Milkboy began when he was barely a teenager, inspired by his early love of recording music. 

“The idea for Milkboy started as a recording studio,” He explains. “I’ve been interested in recording since I was 14 and started experimenting with track recorders around the same age. A few years later, I started recording my band and made tapes for us. And then other bands asked me to make tapes for them. I and some of the guys in my band ran it as a recording studio for years before we got into the venue side of things.”

Milkboy had a recording studio in Ardmore where various acts would come through the doors to record. The concept of utilizing its space as more than just a recording studio reared its head in 2006 after some talks with his business partner and co-founder, Jamie Lokoff.  

“In 2006, Jamie and I decided to open up a little coffee shop associated with Milkboy Recording (down the street), so we could start getting into the venue side of the business,” Joyner recalls. “We also learned we wanted to provide a stage for bands, widen our footprint in Philadelphia’s music scene, learn more about it, and meet more people. With what we do with recording, it was all about the studio and giving us better access to more musicians.”

Milkboy Studios added Milkboy Coffee until 2011 when Joyner and Lokoff decided to move it to Philly and convert it to a two-floor bar area with stage space, and it’s been that way ever since.

When it comes to getting talent through Milkboy’s doors, Joyner is no stranger to the process.

“We have relationships with different agents and bands locally and across the country,” Joyner explains. “We’ll have an agent reach out to us and say, ‘hey, we think you should book this band because they’re gonna be big in six months, etc.’ And from there, we decide if we can book the band within two months before the album comes out or after it comes out. We work out a deal that’s best for both parties.” 

But the real key to booking great shows -according to Joyner, it’s about your network. 

“When it comes to finding new talent, It’s all about relationships, loving music, liking people and the different music pathways out there,” Joyner says.

 “Philadelphia music is a broad category,” Joyner quips, “There’s not just one genre dominating the city. For example, Philadelphia has a large gospel scene, hip-hop, R&B, and urban scene. But it also has this niche folk and indie rock scene, which you hear a lot of on, on stations like WXPN, which has been very influential in cultivating all of that.”

 In addition to the variety of music available in Philadelphia, Joyner also credits the community for being incredibly welcoming. 

“I think that we’re in many ways, we’re blessed because there’s a lot of quality artists in Philly,” Joyner explains, “And we don’t judge each other in Philadelphia by the color of our skin or the church that we worship or any of that stuff, we really judge each other by the contents of our record collection. Generally, there’s something for every genre fan here, and people find their groups in Philadelphia.” 

When he’s not busy booking shows to running Milkboy’s recording studio, Joyner writes music along with his bandmates in the group Pep Rally. 

“Pep Rally was a musical project that was a long time coming and has been with me for ages,” He states, “I’ve worked with so many other people on their records and never got around to finishing my own stuff.” 

As far as the inspiration behind the name itself? It’s all about feeling.

Tommy explains, “The name Pep Rally is really more a way to describe a feeling. What we’re trying to do with the band is have it feel like a fun time, which is good to listen to. Pep Rally’s music is really about fun and happiness and love.” 

On the subject of the band’s single “Turn the Radio Up,” Tommy said, “The song’s inspiration is from an idea about what would happen if everything was possible. Like what would life be like if you could do anything? It’s about the feeling of freedom. What if you could just grab the wheel and live life till you’re gone without all these kinds of day-to-day worries and concerns that we all have and without worrying about other people and what they think of you? I think you’d turn the radio up and drive around the world.”

 In addition to the studio and Chestnut Street’s venue, there is Milkboy South Street, where they host Open Mic every Monday night. During the summer, you can also go to The Oval XP on the parkway and check out the Milkboy Beer Garden.  

As for what’s next for Milkboy and Pep Rally? “We’re building out our show calendar for the upcoming fall and winter for Milkboy, so there’s a ton going on with that. And There’s more Pep Rally music coming out for sure! We released a second single, “South Street,” and are releasing a Remix for “Turn the Radio Up” by Klubjumpers in a couple of weeks, following our full-length album. We’re hoping to have it all completed by October.”

Milkboy Philadephia

Pep Rally on Spotify

Milkboy the Studio

Milkboy South Street

The Oval XP

By Nick Hopton

“Where is the magic in the world today?”

Given the state of the world that we live in…no greater question could be asked. Pep Rally, a Philadelphia based band created by MilkBoy founder Tommy Joyner, poses this question to us in an upbeat, whimsical manner in the debut single “Turn Up The Radio (Own The Night)”. One that ignites a sense of hope, rather than fear. Optimism rather than pessimism.

That glass half full mentality.

A funky, pop rock number that invokes fond memories of the late 80s/early 90’s, Joyner builds a simple guitar riff into a broad, city cruising landscape. Though simple in its structure, it is dynamic in its nature. This song sounds like a Philly summer. You can feel the humidity in the air it creates, and the freedom in the words it exhumes. This is all about ignoring the world around you and living in the here and now. A theme that many have forgotten over the past few years. As the progression builds, there are heavy Talking Headsvibes that resonate from its soul, especially evident in the bridge, which sounds like David Byrne could have been standing over Joyner’s shoulder while he recorded.

A sound like this is welcome in an age so heavily saturated in the “normal”. It screams to a time of innovation and creativity, one that is so desperately needed now. If this is a sign of things to come, Pep Rally certainly has a bright, sunny future ahead of it.

By: Brittany Rotondo

Photos by: James Foley Photography

Fresh off the heels of American Idol, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Louis Knight (Pronounced Louie) releases “Twisted Conversations” and explores the navigation and promises of the infinite what-ifs of a young man’s life on the road and the way back home.

British born native, Louis Knight was the top seven finalists on the most recent season of American Idol and was dubbed “Best Breakout Artist” of 2020 by Main Line Today and has garnered attention not only across the country but more importantly here in Philadelphia. The current Narberth local’s popular stint on American Idol began with his audition as Luke Bryan was quoted to say; “I think you might be the biggest star we’ve had here on American Idol” following the performance of his original composition, “Change.” Katy Perry also professed, “he’s such a big star!” … And they were right.

Knight wasted no time getting back into the studio and eventually released “Twisted Conversations” earlier this month to an international audience, eagerly awaiting material from the young songwriter. This is Knight’s second single of 2020 and has already accumulated attention from resident news patriarchs: The Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, and The Philadelphia Tribune.

This past February he placed as one of the finalists to Milkboy’s Home Grown Open Mic series. During that same month, he had a weekly residency at Milkboy South St and joined their ranks. Knight declares very thoughtfully, “It was just so special to be a part of Milkboy with all the other rising talent in Philly. It gave me the opportunity to get my original music out there locally and really work on my performing skills, which I needed! Not to mention Tommy [Joyner] and Jamie [Lokoff], the owners of Milkboy, they’re truly great people, and it’s been awesome getting to know them!”

His life post American Idol has metamorphosed into creative downtime for the nineteen-year-old aspiring songster. “It’s definitely been a weird transition, but an amazing one. I didn’t have the time to focus on my music. It’s great to be getting back to it and seeing how my sound is maturing. I’ve grown so much, and I’m seeing the world through a little bit more of an adult lens. I’m so grateful.”

Looking toward the future, Knight explains his long-term goals with rigor and excitement, of which only a nineteen-year-old can expel. “At the moment, I’m focused on just honing my writing and recording new songs. I’m hoping to sign a record deal this year! There’s been a lot of time to re-evaluate. Some of my dreams are playing at Madison Square Garden and headlining at the Glastonbury Festival in England.” Lofty ambitions, but not unobtainable, even Knight’s father is a seasoned musician, passing the torch of melody unto his young son.

Across the globe, artists are now creating music currently in a social media-driven market due to COVID, even Knight teases upcoming tracks. Explains Louis, “All there really is to do is write and record right now… I’m working in my studio, Gradwell House Recordings, and planning to release a new song every 6-8 weeks!”

Knight is also a passionate advocate for suicide prevention awareness and penned his original, “Change” as a tribute to his friend he lost to his mental illness. The songwriter’s philanthropic efforts include partnering with The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to help carry the message of hope to those that continue to suffer.

In parting, Knight has shown the maturity of an experienced, veteran musician, knowledgeable, eager, enduring, and shows a quiet simmering of soon to be ascendance across the boards. Louis ends our conversation with gratitude and a certain British charm alike to his family, friends, and fans:

“Thank you for believing in me, I’m so excited to really start this journey with you all.”

Official:  http://louisknightmusic.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louisknightmusic

Instagram: http://instagram.com/louisknightmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louisksmusic

by Brittany Rotondo, Contributing Writer

Philadelphia’s MilkBoy is a charming chameleon of the City’s backbone. The restaurant, café, bar and live music venue has had its fair share of attributes throughout the years, most notably in its humbled beginnings, founded by owners Tommy Joyner and Jamie Lokoff.

“To us, that means that we could take a risk eventually and it could go as professionals, which we did. It became caught up in what we thought it would,” explains Joyner about he and Lokoff’s partnership.

What started as a local recording studio in North Philly has turned into more than a brand, more than a business, and is gradually scaling the summit that is the entertainment and hospitality industries of Philadelphia and beyond.

Grammy-nominated MilkBoy the Studio (Located adjacent to Franklin Music Hall, formerly Electric Factory) offers premier recording spaces that have captured the sounds of artists spanning from Kanye West to James Taylor, Erykah Badu, and Miley Cyrus.

MilkBoy Recording offers four separate studios that specialize in customized mixing, monitoring and expertise. The SHAKE offers audio post for film, TV, web and sound design. They have earned 2 EMMYs, 4 CINEs, 10 ADDYs and 2 dozen TELLYs.

After relocating its original setting to Ardmore, then subsequently on to Center City, MilkBoy was officially born. Located at 11^th and Chestnut, the two-floor building caters to resident foodies with a fully stacked food and beverage menu downstairs featuring the Hangover Burger and an endless list of draft IPAs. Live entertainment echoes upstairs, highlighting local and national touring musicians alike. See upcoming events here.

You keeping up?

The venue recently expanded onto the most infamous and interesting strip of Philadelphia: South Street (401 South St) The addition sees That Mag’s sponsored weekly open mic night amplifying with each passing week, cultivating to a greater audience.

The open mic, Homegrown Showcase, features local artists and musicians competing for the ultimate reward of a cash prize, a record contract with Milkboy Studios CDs/Printing from Mirror Image Media, Promotions through REC Philly and a publishing contract with Pint Publishing.

“It feels really good for us to be doing an open mic and working in this way to connect with artists who are not famous yet, as well as people that are well known,” explains Joyner. “The music, the connections. That’s why it’s been successful because there’s a lot of heart in it. It comes from the studio and how we started the whole thing.”

The battle royale takes place every Monday with a winner announced, each week, each month and finally, an ‘End of the Year’ full set showcase brings the frontrunners to a finale face-off.

“We make our open mic a little more exciting by setting it up in a way where there’s a standout performer each week. It’s low pressure, but we’ve got folks who are bringing their ‘A’ game,” says Joyner. “We’re looking to break an artist out of our market and out of Philadelphia. The talent is all over the map.”

On the addition of MilkBoy on South Street coming to fruition, “It’s very humble and the only normal bar on South Street! When I first moved to Philly, South Street was Philadelphia,” Joyner exclaims. “I lived at 4^th and Monroe when all the venues kinda started to drift away. The opportunity came to take over the lease on that building and we were encouraged by some of the people in that neighborhood. It’s been very cool. It’s wild the stuff that we’re seeing. It’s fresh, it’s special. We’re excited!”

MilkBoy’s trademark seeps into neighboring avenues and continues to grow with a brand-new venue in College Park, Maryland. The empire has fathered three locations, and now the expansion to another state entirely at MilkBoy Arthouse. Say that five times fast. What sets this location apart from the rest, is the multitude of creative channels available within the setting itself.

“The reason it’s called MilkBoy Arthouse is that it’s in conjunction with the University of Maryland, we’ve partnered with them on the space. We’ve done art, dance, theater, it’s more overall artistic than just a music venue,” Joyner describes.

Owners Joyner and Lokoff not only have dabbled into the local music scene, but they also have an agenda that includes sound design, audio production TV and film. Notably, the pair’s producer credits of Slow Learners, a romantic comedy the two conspired on, that has reached Sundance and the Tribeca Film Festival’s radar. Talk about a resume. Also in the works is another movie project, quietly under wraps. “We continue to push ourselves artistically,” Joyner states.

When asked if there’s more expansion in the future, without missing a beat, Joyner undoubtedly counters, “Definitely. We’re not done.”

Whether you want a Pharmacist cocktail, crabcake sliders, a kicking rock and roll show, a road trip or a simple cup of coffee, just follow the addresses in these lines. MilkBoy is forging a certain class of cool and keeps on cementing their name’s in a special place of Philadelphia history.

Photos by MilkBoy’s Sites.