Posts Tagged ‘Music’

Remember, the amazing Rupert Wates will be joining us for March First Friday Scranton.  If you don’t know about Rupert, you should!  Check out is bio below.  His music is awesome.

Bio:
Rupert Wates was born in London. He describes his music as acoustic, melodic art/folk.
He has been a full time songwriter since 1992 when he signed an exclusive deal with Eaton
Music Publishing.

Since his move to the US in fall 2006 his music has found a warm reception and in 2007 alone he
was nominated eight times for songwriting awards. Strong melodies, memorable lyrics, nuanced
and real emotion – these are the hallmarks of Rupert Wates’ music.

Rupert plays 100-150 live shows a year in venues all over the US. He has received over ten
songwriting awards, including Gold Prize in the Folk/Acoustic category of the Midatlantic Song
Contest in Washington DC, Second Prize in the North Carolina Songwriting Contest in Holly
Springs, and Top Prize in the Folk/Acoustic Category of the International Song Wars Contest
headed by Mike Pinder. His CD ‘Coast To Coast’ was voted a TOP 10 Album for 2007 by
Britsound Radio, an independent program based in New Jersey. In 2008 his album ‘Dear Life’
was named ‘one of the best CDs of 2008’ by the Indie Acoustic Project (www.indieacoustic.com).

Reviews for Rupert Wates:
“Truly gripping lyrics with great themes and troubling, witty messages. An inspirational artist”
(Leith FM Radio 98.8FM)

“Man! This guy sings from the heart and then some. Each song yanks the listener fully into the
story and rhythms, not to mention an emotionality imbuing Wates’ plaintively melodic voice.
Every cut’s a gem, completely enthralling, absorbing, and thus we have a new and unique
songwriter-musician already in the front ranks” (Mark Tucker, Folk And Acoustic Music
Exchange)

“A writer who makes you think while he entertains…Rupert Wates manages that tricky tightrope
with great skill” (Chris Kocher, PressConnects.com)

“Mines a far richer vein of songwriting than many of his contemporaries” (Jazz Journal)

“A delight to listen to…These are songs crafted with care and imbued with sincerity and
conviction’” (Rob Quicke, Britsound Radio)

“Wates’ voice sounds like a clearer and more theatrical Gordon Lightfoot. Each song is a single
piece, without any blending into each other, a mark of the true tunesmith. Wates definitely has a
way with words, thought structures and musicianship, and I truly believe (‘Dear Life’) to be worth
a listen” (Jim Testa, www.jerseybeat.com)

“An extraordinary guitarist and singer. Imagine the Moody Blues unplugged. That’s Wates” (T.
Mannis, www.rogersparkbench.blogspot.com)

www.myspace.com/rupertwates
www.rupertwates.com

Zak Zavada Photography

First Friday Scranton this March is going to be an exciting one! Photographer Zak Zavada and Illustrator Kristen Leonard have teamed up again to twist your view of reality. Join us on First Friday to catch a glimpse of an ice monster, spot the slithering creatures on the river bottom and catch the phoenix in mid-flight. All work will be for sale.

Rupert Wates is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your favorite musical venue in Scranton.

“Every cut’s a gem, completely enthralling, absorbing…….” (Mark Tucker)

Rupert Wates was born in London. He describes his music as acoustic, melodic art/folk.
He has been a full time songwriter since 1992 when he signed an exclusive deal with Eaton Music Publishing.
Since his move to the US in fall 2006 his music has found a warm reception and in 2007 alone he was nominated eight times for songwriting awards. Strong melodies, memorable lyrics, nuanced
and real emotion – these are the hallmarks of Rupert Wates’ music.
Rupert plays 100-150 live shows a year in venues all over the US. In 2008 his album ‘Dear Life’ was named ‘one of the best CDs of 2008’ by the Indie Acoustic Project (www.indieacoustic.com).

So stop on in and relax with a nice Chai, or other warm beverage!!!

The infamous Billy Rogan will be joining Sarah Blacker for a show you won’t want to miss at Northern Light. Not familiar with Billy Rogan? Well you should be. Read below….

About Billy Rogan

Billy Rogan is a well-versed guitarist know mostly for his instrumental acoustic work, whose influences include the styles and techniques of artists such as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Keller Williams and Kaki King. His original compositions reflect a unique combination of classical and modern fingerstlye with hints of new age sounds that blend forms with these intricate details.
In 2008/2009, Rogan was awarded the opportunity to study with Tim Reynolds of the Dave Matthews Band, was selected Top Twenty out of three-thousand applicants for the Mass Transit Authority (MTA) of New York/New Jersey’s – Music Under New York (MUNY) rostered musicians for his unique talent, as well as voted “Best One Man Musical Act” by The Abington Journal – a local publication in Rogan’s home town of Clarks Summit, PA.

What others are saying about Billy Rogan’s guitar work:

Eric Bazilian – Grammy nominated singer/songwriter/guitarist – “Billy, I am floored by what you do. I had the pleasure of seeing Michael Hedges several times, meeting and talking with him as well. He was taken way before his time. You’re carrying the torch brilliantly.”

Bill Kirchen – Grammy nominated singer/songwriter/guitarist – “Billy is a fearsome picker, although picker doesn’t do justice to what he does with and to the guitar. Catch him live if at all possible, and see what one dangerous man armed only with a guitar can do”

George Graham – NPR Host, Producer, Music Journalist, Studio Engineer – ” A remarkably talented guitarist…Rogan performs a set of acoustic guitar instrumentals in a virtuosic style, with a distinctive percussive techniques reminiscent of the late Michael Hedges.”

David Hague, Independent Magazine – “Soaring melodic compositions, complex two-handed tapping techniques, and a passion for what he does. These are a few of the characteristics that describe the music of guitarist Billy Rogan.”

WCLH 90.7, Wilkes University – “Billy Rogan definitely had a unique sound with his method of guitar tapping. It’s absolute insanity to see this guy play live! This guy is genuine through and through and it can be seen in his attention and passion to the music he plays.”
Promoters – Poconotes LLC – “The moment we heard Billy, we knew he had it”…He is someone who says something with his guitar.”

Electric City/Diamond City Entertainment Weekly – “Billy Rogan has been quietly dissecting the local music scene – creating numbers with authenticity and performing with inventiveness. The experience of watching him play easily matches the extraordinary sound he produces.”

Watch clips of Billy: www.youtube/billyrogan
Stream some free audio: www.myspace.com/billyrogan

Sarah Blacker’s music appeals to those ready for something truly unique. Her voice is what sets her apart from other female artists, while her songs blend a mix of jazz, folk, rock & blues into catchy poetic, pop-sensible pieces of art. She has written over 400 songs, and toured nationally, supporting Sarah Bareilles, Vince Welnick of the Grateful Dead, laura Veirs, Liam Finn & Ireland’s Paddy Casey to name a few.

Sarah accompanies herself on the acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo & djembe.

Come enjoy the musical talents of Sarah Blacker…

Ron Bowen, WXRV 92.5 The River, Boston’s Independent Radio:
“The perfect blend of Ella Fitzgerald and Joni Mitchell.”

The Skinny Pancake, Burlington, VT:
“We are thrilled to host this rising star’s CD release party.. Obscurely folkish, innately jazzish, all talent singer-songwriter. Sarah combines her signature voice with original, organic, guitar picking to deliver a diverse range of music that goes beyond the genre of singer songwriter.”

Listen to Sarah on Pandora Radio http://www.pandora.com/#/stations/play/153967267612127064

Join us December 4th for First Friday

Art and Music of the Endless Mountains, featuring

Watercolor Artist of the Month Marilyn MacDowall and Classical Guitarist Jay Steveskey.

Marilyn MacDowall has lived in Northeast PA for 32 years and has painted here in watercolor for 10. A love of nature, color, and old buildings translates into scenes from a happy life. She is also enthused about St. Simon’s Island, GA and Cape May, NJ. Marilyn gives credit to well known artists Ruth Brunstetter and Tony Van Hasselt.

Jay Steveskey is active as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher. Jay’s musical interests and repertoire range from the early Renaissance and Baroque masters to the Romanticism and Modern music of Spain, Latin America and around the world as well as Jazz and Popular arrangements for classical guitar.

He is founder and president of the and runs the Classical Guitar Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania and runs the Fiddle Lake Classical Guitar School located in Susquehanna County amid the  beautiful Endless Mts. of Northeastern PA.