We’ve filled January and February with comedy shows because winter is the worst.

The start of a new year can often be a daunting thing: You’ve got resolutions that -let’s face it- you’re going to eventually break, it’s still dark and cold out all the time, and the sheen has worn off your Christmas presents so you once again have nothing to do ever.

Don’t panic. That’s where this handy list of comedy shows coming to SteelStacks comes into play. Seeing live comedy is the best way you can spend a night. Especially in winter, when everything is cold and scary. It’s scientifically proven, probably.

So don’t hibernate this winter – put on your fancy sweatpants and make your way to SteelStacks for any/all of the following:

The Regularly Scheduled Shows

There are a handful of shows that happen on a regularly scheduled basis. That doesn’t make them less special, on the contrary, it makes them dependable ways to get out of the house.

• ManDudeBro: Every Friday, 10:30pm – Longform improv comedy from Lehigh Valley Style’s “Best Local Comedian” 2015
• The Associated Mess: Every-other Saturday, 10:30pm – Shortform improv in the style of “Whose Line is it Anyway”
• TWO LAUGH MINIMUM: Every-other Thursday, 8pm – A showcase of stand-up comedy featuring some of the area’s best stand-ups:
  • Pat House: 1/7
  • Alex Marx: 1/21
  • Michele Biloon: 2/4
  • Alex Grubbard: 2/18
• Improv Comedy Power Hour: Every-other Thursday, 10pm – Improv comedy from our very own house teams

The “Best” of YouTube – 1/9 – buy tickets

It’s an improvised take on viral videos, weirdo vlogs, and everything that is YouTube. Be prepared for shock and awwwww-that’s cute. Also, weird stuffs. You’ve been on YouTube before right? This could be all-sorts-of amazing weird.

Dry Humor: Stand-up for Recovery – 1/13 – buy tickets

January 11th, 2016 will mark Liz Russo’s 5 year sober-anniversary and she wants to celebrate with laughter, while also giving back! Liz and her clean and sober comedian friends will entertain you by sharing their experience, strength, and hope through humor. This show is a benefit for the non-profit Livengrin Foundation For Addiction Recovery.

Ban Bailey of “Cash Cab” – 1/16 – buy tickets

Before he got behind the wheel of The Cash Cab, Ben Bailey began his career as a Stand Up comedian. Don’t just believe this sentence you’re reading, google it. Dude even has two Comedy Central specials. Why not have someone drive you to this show? Who knows, maybe “Cash-Uber” is a thing now.

SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival – 1/22 and 1/23 – buy tickets

It’s two marathon days of non-stop comedy featuring more than 50 different improv teams from around the country! Friday is headlined by New York’s Christian Capozolli (RECKLESS THEATRE). Saturday features a performance from Chicago’s Improvised Shakespeare Company! Check out the complete lineup here.

Cameron Esposito with Rhea Butcher – 1/30 – buy tickets

Chances are that if you own a TV, you’ve seen Cameron Esposito. For example, she’s appeared on (deep breath) Comedy Central, TBS, CBS, NBC, E!, IFC, HBO Canada and Cartoon Network. Cameron has also been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Marie Claire and has performed at top festivals like Montreal’s Just for Laughs, Bonnaroo, Outsidelands, SF Sketchfest and many more. So basically, there are lots of people who are telling you she’s awesome so SEE THIS SHOW!

Chris Gethard – 2/5 – buy tickets

Comedian Chris Gethard is the creator and host of “The Chris Gethard Show,” a variety and talk show that began as a stage show at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre in New York before becoming a weekly live public access show during the summer of 2011. Last year, TCGS was picked up by Fusion which aired 10 hilarious episodes, including one just for dogs. The AV Club says the Chris Gethard Show “undoubtedly belongs in the conversation with the best of TV” and the New York Times called it “an often riveting experiment in seat of the pants broadcasting.” Chris also plays the role of Derek in the Comedy Central series “Broad City,” had a recurring role on the last season of NBC’s The Office and can be seen on the silver screen in “The Heat” and “The Other Guys.”

After his show, Chris will be joining ManDudeBro to perform some improv at 10:30.

Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding – 2/12-14 and 2/19-20 – buy tickets

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! It’s the return of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding – a one-of-a-kind night of entertainment. It’s an Off-Broadway show staged as a festive celebration in which the audience doesn’t just watch but participates directly, from the first toast to the last slice of cake. The New York Times calls it “audaciously imaginative” and Variety says “it’s worth not missing.”

The “Best” of OK Cupid – 2/14 – (tickets aren’t on sale yet)

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than by making fun of the best-of-the-worst of internet dating? It’s an improvised show tackling internet creepers, online dating and all-things OK Cupid. Perfect for a first date, a 300th date, or no date at all.

Ryan & Steve Bust-a Movie: Cool As Ice – 2/20 – buy tickets

Stop, collaborate and listen. Ryan and Steve are back with a brand new edition of their “Bust-a Movie” franchise! Watch as comedians Ryan Hill and Steve Bost make fun of one of American cinema’s worst achievements: Vanilla Ice’s “Cool As Ice.” It’s two comics, two microphones and one hella terrible movie.

Top Songs of 2015:
ArtsQuest Staff Picks

None of the ArtsQuest staff would work here if they didn’t live for music and the arts. To share our passion, we put together a list of top song choices from 2015. We hope you’ll enjoy our eclectic mix of musical tastes and discover some great new tunes.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Since he’s in charge of booking most of our acts throughout the year, we let Patrick pick his Top 5 and gave him top billing. The rest of our staff picked their favorite song and they’re listed in order of when the pick was submitted (slackers are at the bottom).

CLICK HERE FOR OUR SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

Patrick Brogan – Senior Vice President of Programming

1. MisterWives – “Our Own House”

I can’t stop playing this song. In truth, I can’t stop playing this whole album (Reflections, Not Your Way, Best I Can Do all solid entries competing for this spot) of which I am choosing the title track as my favorite single of the year. It is playful and fun, catchy, and simply makes me want to dance. I can’t sit still listening to this song. It was an instant hit with my three kids too and has been regularly requested by them alongside Taylor Swift & Meghan Trainor in the car. And I can’t get enough of Mandy Lee, the lead singer for MisterWives, you can’t take your eyes off of her and her bandmates as they have fun through the whole video.

2. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats – “S.O.B.”

I love funky, soulful, Americana rock music like St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, and along comes this single this year from breakout artist Nathaniel Rateliff. A little country, a little soul, a little rock, it is a fun jaunt into a nostalgic sound of American music. His vocals are gritty and the band is barroom hot. I can listen over and over again.

3. Florence & the Machine – “Ship To Wreck”

If you know me, you know my passion for Flo. We’re on a first name basis, obviously. This driving rock anthem is filled with big chords and gutty emotions. It is catchy, yet powerful and even angry. I find it hauntingly beautiful, stunning, and the next level of sophisticated pop from Florence & her band.

4. The Wombats – “Give Me A Try”

While their album Glitterbug came out early in 2015, my favorite song off of it was a single as early as 2013 Your Body Is A Weapon, so I picked my favorite single from the album released this year –Give Me A Try. I like it for the sing-song bridge to the chorus and the drop that starts the chorus. That whole section from “London can try….…the drug that doesn’t bite” is just fun and I particularly love the more acoustic rep of it later in the song. In a current wave of Brit rock bands, The Wombats turned in a solid album at the start of the year.

5. The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face”

This is my most pop entry in a year of some great pop from Mark Ronson to Drake to another favorite of mine Selena Gomez (can’t stop playing her songs right now), but The Weeknd ruled the year break-out pop wise with Beauty Behind The Madness. While I loved the sultry and suggestive Earned It, Can’t Feel My Face is the party anthem of late summer for me.

Ben Youngerman – Marketing Manager

Ghost – “Cirice”

Ghost is the total package. Their imagery and music is interwoven to create the ultimate musical experience. The Swedish doom metal band may look scary, but the mix of melody and traditional metal sound remind me of a more modern Blue Oyster Cult/Black Sabbath hybrid. From their incredible 3rd album, “Cirice” is a GRAMMY nominee for “Best Metal Performance”. They got the chance to perform the song on national television for Stephen Colbert, a rarity for metal bands nowadays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMWeIRX-ZHE

Brittany DeSantis – Graphic Design Assistant

Pentatonix – “Sing”

Its catchy, and always make me want to get up and dance. As someone who sings everywhere I go (loudly, quietly, publicly or to myself at my desk or in the car), “Sing” just resonates with me because it expresses perfectly how I feel whenever I sing or listen to music. It lifts my spirit and just makes me feel lighter, like I can handle anything.

Chris Stubbe – Volunteer & Internship Programs Coordinator

Eagles of Death Metal – “Save a Prayer”

This album is by far my favorite release in a year of amazing albums across the board. It was really difficult for me to make a choice regarding which song to pick, but I ended up with Save a Prayer because a) Duran Duran played Musikfest this year and absolutely killed it! One of the best shows I’ve seen in years, and b) This rendition is haunting and beautiful. It’s worth noting that Duran Duran and EODM have recently declared that all of the proceeds from this song will go to charity in light of the Bataclan shooting in Paris this year.

Michelle Veresink Richmond – Membership Manager

Hamilton (The Musical) – “My Shot”

The music for the whole musical Hamilton is just amazing. The lead actor and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda has such a talent for sewing together these awesome melodic ideas and words. On top of that, I love that it takes history and presents it in a very new and interesting way. The songs are just so complex and I hear something new in them every time I listen.

https://youtu.be/VK4Wk_8PbcI

Kailee Baylor – Public Relations Coordinator

Smallpools – “Killer Whales”

I am in love with this song. No matter what my day was like, this song always makes me want to dance. Definitely turn-it-up-so-loudly-that-everyone-on-the-bus-can-hear-it-and-stares-at-you-but-you-don’t-care-because-it’s-so-catchy worthy.

Ryan Hill – Programming Director

Hot Chip – “Dancing in the Dark”

I know it’s a little cheap to pick a cover as your favorite song for a whole year in which a lot of great original music was made (I specifically liked the new Chvrches, Father John Misty, and Grimes releases), but I put this song on repeat for a good month or so, which I hadn’t done with any other 2015 release. Bonus points for throwing in LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends” into the mix, and for providing a excellent counterpoint to Pete Yorn’s stripped down version of “Dancing in the Dark” from 10 years ago.

Russ Waterhouse – Operations Assistant

Kurt Vile – “Pretty Pimpin”

I’ve been listening to Kurt Vile’s music for a long time, and “Pretty Pimpin” is up there with his early classics. I was hooked the first time I heard it.

Hilary Harper – Sr. Manager of Visual Arts

St. Paul & The Broken Bones – “Call Me”

I’m loving this on-going resurgence of artists who could have been recording decades ago.

Jon Lunger – Marketing Director

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – “S.O.B.”

Asa former saxophone player, I’ve always got my ears open for pop songs that utilize horn sections. Additionally, I was one of those guys who lost his mind when the “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” soundtrack came out. This track is so fun – it brings that folky Appalachian thing together with Nuevo-soul goodness. Plus, it kinda swears a little bit (by 1960s standards, at least). Also, I’m a sucker for large groups clapping in unison.

Nicole Dotta – Director of New Business Development

Thomas Rhett – “Crash and Burn”

Tt makes me (and my 3 year old) break out in spontaneous dance anytime we hear it!

Mike Matuczinski – Web Development Manager

Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds – “Mama Knows”

With a throwback mix of R& B, soul, funk and blues how can you not like Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds? Their song ‘Mama Knows’ gets my vote. The super sticky chorus of ‘You ain’t got love then you ain’t got nothin’ is icing on the cake. Here’s a live version that’s almost as good as their SteelStacks performance.

Jimil Ataman – Volunteer & Internship Program Coordinator

Courtney Barnett – “Elevator Operator”

The whole album (I Just Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit) is really great, but this song is my favorite because it highlights her unique ability to write a song better than most people write novels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm2d_HrNPLQ

Emily Martin Fickes – Marketing & Development Coordinator

Father John Misty – “I Love You, Honey Bear”

This concept album is a raw account of Josh Tillman’s personal life and relationship with his wife Emma. You can really feel the love in the most honest way. Its adorable and entrancing, and surely not lacking soul.

Rebecca Hannon – Retail Operations Manager

twenty one pilots – “Tear in My Heart”

I just got into them last year and they have quickly become my favorite band! They are going to be HUGE- keep an eye out for them!

Nicole Willers – Ticket Services Manager

Bomba Estéreo – “Mar (Lo Que Siento)”

The passion in Bomba Estéreo’s music for me transcends past language barriers as you can feel the music and loose yourself in it. But what is special about this particular song is the lyrics. She talks about “flying around the world non-stop when it was found inside what he wanted close to my happiness will live in a House by the sea” meaning she is searching all over the world for what has been right in front of her all along, in a little house by the sea……. “only what I feel is only a moment” – all I can think is Pura Vida (enjoy life)!

Curt Mosel – SVP of Marketing & Corporate Partnerships

X Ambassadors – “Renegades”

I like the message about overcoming challenges.

Autumn Fink – Customer Experience Representative

WALK THE MOON – “Shut Up and Dance”

It’s a catchy dancefloor hit with a frequent chorus and a bop-worthy drop, but I think that the true magic and fun of “Shut Up and Dance” is the memory it inspires in me. I just graduated from college, and for the close-knit DeSales Theatre Class of 2015, it was “our song.” Somewhere in the beat and the surface lyric was a confidence that seemed to overwhelm all of us. Anything was possible if we just allowed ourselves to be swept away by a dream or passion. Now we’re scattered from Bethlehem to Broadway between East and West coasts and across the pond, but life is happening for all of us!

Chuck Kuczynski – Director of Donor Relations

JJ Grey & Mofro – “Every Minute”

Good old soulful southern sermon to the people, it’s a song that lives as a reminder to focus on the good that is around us everyday. Derek Trucks offering his talents to a ballad about how much we have within us. You can almost feel the warm rays shining through in this song. Makes me smile on a cloudy day.

Lauren McAloon – Performing Arts Coordinator

The Japanese House – “Sugar Pill”

Captivating from the her first note! The Japanese House is brilliant and I can never stop listening to each song.

Andrew Suborits – IT Assistant

Muse – “Reapers”

This is my favorite song from 2015 because it’s just an intense, fast-paced rock song. It has a powerful riffs and a face melting guitar solo.

Helen Smith – Programming Specialist

Foals – “Mountain at My Gates”

One of many favorites from 2015…the lyrics are absorbing and I love the build-up to the end. I’m also a sucker for that psychedelic guitar sound.

Rhonda Gillespie – VP of Finance

Phillip Sayce – “Out of My Mind”

I love this guy and happened to just stumble across him on YouTube one day, then realized he had an album coming out in 2015, “Influence”. This is Philip Sayce (from Canada, former guitar player for Melissa Etheridge and also with Jeff Healey). This video clip is one of my faves of 2015 because it is one off his new album and demonstrates the power this guy (and his trio) have. This guy live is something to see and hear if you’re a blues/rock/psychedelic blues fan.

Cindy Karchner – VP of Human Resources

The Mavericks – “All Night Long”

Stacie Brennan – Senior Director of Visual Arts Education

Leon Bridges – “Smooth Sailin'”

I love the way Leon Bridges infuses multiple music genres and bridges old school and contemporary music.

Painting Their Way to an Inclusive World

By Kailee Baylor

Though she has never spoken a word, Mikayla’s Voice is now being heard.

Without specially adapted equipment or the fine motor skills to paint with her hands, Mikayla Resh, a young woman who was discovered to have severe, permanent brain damage at only 5-days-old, has learned to create large acrylic paintings using just the wheels of her wheelchair.

In the spring of 2009, when Mikayla was only 14, two art classes at Nazareth Area Middle School taught and helped her to apply acrylic paint to large canvases with her wheels. The two works that were created that day, titled “One World. Many Friends.” and “The Road to Helping Hands,” are now on permanent display at the school.

Modeling itself after that initial painting project, Mikayla’s Voice, the nonprofit created by Mikayla’s mother, Kimberly Resh, developed an inclusive painting program called Wheels of Friendship to give other children the same opportunity.

“Our goal is always to include students with disabilities and their peers at school when we create these paintings,” Kimberly says. “It’s important to show the kids that everyone can be included… but the beauty is really in the process.”

Resh also emphasized the importance of having the works on permanent display in the schools in which they are created. “Being able to see those paintings all the time reminds them [the students and faculty] that they are a school that supports inclusion.”

In an effort to highlight the importance of inclusion, the Wheels of Friendship program has started a traveling exhibit, where patrons of all walks of life can experience the magic these children create.

If you’d like to see work from the program, several paintings will be on display in the Hallway to the Arts on the first floor of the Banana Factory from Dec. 18-Feb. 7. Mikayla and her mom will also be on hand at PEEPSFEST® presented by Just Born Quality Confections Dec. 30 and 31 working with guests to create their own unique works of art.

See the Exhibit

Get Out of the House!

By Ben Youngerman

For most, the holiday season is a great time for spending quality time with family. For others, it’s trying to avoid the crazy people you’re unfortunately related to. Either way, SteelStacks has a list of ways to bond with your loved ones or completely blow them off and have some fun away from home.

Get out of the house on Christmas Day…

Oscar Contenders: Joy and The Danish Girl

Your annoying aunt Carol can’t talk in the theater! Academy Award winners Jennifer Lawrence (Joy) and Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl) are getting Oscar buzz again this year. Joy also features Oscar winner Robert De Niro and former Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper.

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ManDudeBro

Does your funny cousin make you laugh? Well this is like have four funny cousins on stage at the same time! Let Lehigh Valley Style Magazine’s 2015 “Best Local Comedian” fill you with holiday laughter in a night of improvised merriment!

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COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR 12/25

Get out of the house on Saturday, December 26…

The Last Will and Testament of Santa J. Claus

Congratulations! You made it past Christmas unscathed! We wish we could say the same for Santa. See what characters show up to the reading of his last will and testament in this scripted comedy show.

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COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR 12/26

Get out of the house on Sunday, December 27…

The Home for the Holidays Standup Show with headliner Jim Tews

Lehigh Valley-grown comedians now living in New York, LA, and points in between come back home to make you laugh and show their families they’re not giant disappointments. Headlined by Allentown-raised Jim Tews (Last Comic Standing/Louie).

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COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR 12/27

Get out of the house on Monday, December 28…

Double Headliner Comedy Show: Aliens that are Ancient / The Incredible Shrinking Matt & Jacquie

Did your Grammy only give you $8 worth pennies in your stocking? Get TWO comedy shows for the price of one. One improvised show, one sketch comedy show. It’s the perfect compromise!

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COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR 12/28

Get out of the house on Wednesday, December 30…

PEEPSFEST ®

You could let your kids make a mess doing crafts at home, or bring them to PEEPSFEST for free family arts, crafts, music and FUN!

Information

COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR 12/30

Get out of the house on Thursday, December 31…

PEEPSFEST ®

PEEPSFEST continues with the world-famous PEEP drop to ring in the New Year! It’s earlier in the day, so you can still call the babysitter and party on New Year’s Eve…

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The Red Elvises New Year’s Eve Spectacular

The Red Elvises always rock the house at Musikfest. Now, your new favorite band is back to ring in 2016 with belly dancing, conga lines and, of course, BACON! Come party with Igor and his cast of talented musicians.

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COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR 12/31

Get out of the house on New Year’s Day…

ManDudeBro

You’re not seeing double because of all the booze you drank the previous night. ManDudeBro will perform TWO completely different, improvised comedy shows at 8pm and 10:30pm. The perfect cure for a hangover.

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COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR 1/1

Get out of the house on Saturday, January 2…

Craig Thatcher Band presents The Music of CREAM

Were you forced to listen to your niece’s auto-tuned nonsense this week? Tune it out with some real musicianship from the Craig Thatcher Band.

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The Associated Mess

Stuck playing charades with kooky uncle Lou? Come watch improvised comedy games in the style of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” instead!

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COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR 1/2

Get out of the house on Sunday, January 3…

Three Kings Celebration

El Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) is a cherished religious and cultural tradition of many Latin American countries, where children receive gifts from Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Kings). Afterwards, go home and sleep like a king because you’ll be tired from the last two weeks of awesome events at SteelStacks.

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COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR 1/3

Echosmith’s Sydney Sierota Talks Dreams and… Babies?

By Kailee Baylor

On Dec. 10, the Musikfest Café welcomes the “Cool Kids” – Echosmith (@echosmith) – as the band travels from Canada to Mexico as part of a short winter tour. ArtsQuest recently caught up with Sydney Sierota (@sydneysierota), lead singer of the multi-platinum selling indie-pop group. Read on to discover more about the upcoming show, her thoughts on the soon-to-be addition to the Sierota family and what she really wants for Christmas:

Echosmith started nine years ago and you were all pretty young. How do you feel your music has changed since then?

Sydney Sierota: It’s really evolved. We were really young nine years ago and the life we’ve lived especially in the last three years has helped shape the stories we want to write about. It’s been a fun process too.

What’s it like always being around your siblings? Do you argue, and if so, what do you usually argue about?

Sydney Sierota: Being in a band is like family for all other bands, the difference is that we are actually family. The same kinds of things that would bother anyone in a band can bug us, but early on we made the decision to not go there with each other. If we’re annoyed it’s usually because we’re tired or jet lagged or hungry or all three. Life is short and the last thing we want to do is get hung up on dumb things that will only divide us.

What’s one thing you’d want first time listeners to know about your music, and who you are as a band?

Sydney Sierota: We want to spread hope and love through music to the world. That’s our actual mission statement and if people even just for an hour at our show, or an hour listening to our music wherever they are, forget about the craziness of the world and find some kind of hope, then we’ve done what we’ve set out to do. We’ve heard from fans all over the world who in some way have felt better from the music we make. That’s really as great as it gets. I love our job – I really do!

The last few years have been crazy for you guys with the success of your album ‘Talking Dreams,’ you doing a duet with Taylor Swift on her 1989 tour, TWICE… you guys were even recently featured on The Muppets! So what’s been your most amazing moment from the past few years?

Sydney Sierota: Yeah it’s been crazy! Now that we are finished with our first album cycle we’ve been really hit with the fact that all this stuff has happened to us. It’s really changed our lives and we’re really happy and grateful. Those moments with Taylor who is such a great friend and artist to us were surreal. Touring in Asia was amazing too. We sold something like 2,500 tickets at our Singapore show and we’d never ever been there before and to see kids singing every word of every song was just so incredible. I cried because it was just overwhelming that this is really working and affecting people.

Amazing time!!! We love you Taylor. Thank you for the most incredible night!!!! @taylorswift

A video posted by echosmith (@echosmith) on Jun 12, 2015 at 7:14pm PDT

Your oldest brother Jamie is going to be a father soon, so he took some time off from touring. How has it been touring without him?

Sydney Sierota: It’s been a real adjustment but we’ve gotten used to it. He’s about to have his life changed in a way none of us can even imagine. We’re all gonna be uncles and myself an aunt. We can’t wait. Jamie has really enjoyed these past four months completely off working and he’s getting ready for it all.

You’re about to begin the process of writing and recording your new album. Is there anything you’re hoping to come out of this album? Any theme or message you really want to try to incorporate?

Sydney Sierota: We’ve already started writing and it feels really exciting to start to tell some new stories. Because we’ve toured so much we can’t help but imagine all these songs being sung in a big concert. The live aspect of what we do has for sure affected how we are writing. We hope people can really see the progression of our writing and art, and most importantly we hope they really feel something as they listen. As far as themes we aren’t sure yet other than these songs will match our mission statement.

What’s the number-one thing on each of your Christmas lists this year?

Sydney Sierota: To rest and relax with friends and family and some great music.

What can fans expect to see from you at your show in Bethlehem.

Sydney Sierota: To smile and have lots of fun. We try and leave our hearts on the stage every night so let’s have a fun night!

Echosmith with special guest Summer Scouts
All Ages
Thursday, December 10
Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling

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In the Trenches with Matt Webb of Marianas Trench

By Kailee Baylor
Vancouver-based Marianas Trench has produced chart-topping hits like “Fallout,” “Haven’t Had Enough” and “Stutter” and won the 2013 Canadian JUNO Award for Group of the Year. Touring behind its most recent release, “Astoria,” the band will perform Nov. 22 at the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling. In anticipation of this exciting show, ArtsQuest spoke with guitarist Matt Webb. Here’s how the conversation went down:

How are you feeling now that you’re officially back on tour?

You know, I’m so excited. It’s funny, we had jumped on the bus in Vancouver, Canada yesterday and then drove down to Portland last night, and it’s like we didn’t miss a beat. I jumped back into my tour bus bunk and fell asleep like a baby. It was great!

Do you guys have a band agreement, or rules that you agree to follow on the road?

That’s a good question! We encourage everybody to be showered and clean on the road so that the tour bus doesn’t smell too bad, and to just come prepared—everyone’s rehearsing hard. Oh, and also we make sure that our pants are very tight. We like to try and ‘out-tight-pants’ the other guys, especially on this tour because it’s a lot of ‘80s themes and we’re trying to really rock it up this time around. So a lot of leather, tight pants and no shaving of the chest hair.

How does touring with Marianas Trench differ from touring as Matt Webb?

Well, you know, it’s on a much grander scale. The Trench is a family, man. I much prefer traveling with the group, with my friends and family. We have a big, happy, healthy crew. Touring solo is just for fun every once and awhile, but the band is where my passion lies.

Have you ever had old enemies, or even crushes, ask for tickets? How did you react?

Yeah, sure that’s happened from time to time with friends and enemies in different towns looking for tickets. I never have a problem with that. I mean if they’re people I hate I’m not going to give them any tickets, but if it’s just friends from the past that’s fine; it’s easy to keep yourself isolated from weirdos in the crowd if you need to.

How would you say the band’s music style has changed over the years? What do you attribute that change to?

Just growing up and getting a little bit older. I think we’ve always stayed true to ourselves and released music that we loved to make and perform every night. I guess as you get older you have a lot more life experience that reflects lyrically. I think this record is the most lyrically candid record we’ve ever done, which we’re all very excited about. In terms of sounds, we wanted to go for an ‘80s sound on this record and we tried hard to get gear and instruments and studio equipment that were all period correct so that we could recreate these ‘80s sounds, because that’s what we all sort of grew up listening to and loving.

How does the image of the band translate into your personal lives? How does your personality and style differ off-stage compared to on-stage?

That’s a good question. There’s no doubt that being on stage has kind of, I wouldn’t call it a costume (look) because we don’t think that we look ridiculous like it’s Halloween or something, (but) this is stuff that we love to do and when you see a rock band on stage they should look like a rock band. The style definitely ties over into our personal lives; maybe not as flamboyant perhaps, but no one is really dressing out of their comfort zone. The style that you’ll see on stage reflects just a more extreme side of our personalities.

You do a lot of contests and promotions for your fans through social media. How much do you think your online presence impacts the band and its success?

It’s huge! I’m not sure that we’d be successful without it. The social media platforms allow us the ability to be able to connect with our fans which I think is awesome. People can sort of get to know us and see what we’re all about, and also it’s great for marketing and spreading the word, which I think helps to grow a band. We’re very thankful to have all that stuff and all the followers as well. It’s great. I love the social media and being able to interact with people and get to know our fans.

I see that Josh’s Labrador retriever gets an executive producer credit on Astoria. How does she like the band’s music?

Yeah! Her name is Benny and the Jets and she likes to step on cables and peddles and turn knobs accidently, but sometimes that leads to favorable results.

‘Astoria’ is your first physical release in the U.S. Now that the album is out, how are your fans reacting to it?

The response has been overwhelming. We were all over the iTunes charts in the states, which is really encouraging to see. Tonight (Nov. 3 in Portland) will be a good gauge because it’s our first show on this tour and I’ve been seeing on social media that there’s good buzz about the tour and the shows, and we’ll see what the crowds are like. But as far as the overall reaction, it’s been really positive and I’m excited that we finally have a U.S. release and we can get down here and tour our asses off and make some new friends. It’s awesome! I love America, man. I have family here, I have friends here and I’m excited to tour like crazy.

Which song is your personal favorite on the album?

I love the opener, “Astoria,” and “Wildfire,” and I like “Burning Up.” They’re all great. We haven’t played a lot of these songs live yet so after the first couple of shows I’ll have a better gauge of that. Sometimes you really love listening to songs but you don’t enjoy playing them live as much, and vice-versa.

You guys have shown up to award shows in everything from oversized hamster balls to bouncy castles. Can we expect a unique entrance from you when you’re in Bethlehem?

That’s a good question. I wonder if we still have those hamster balls lying around in the back of the tour bus? Typically we don’t put that much thought into the entrance to the shows because we just roll in in a tour bus, but now that you mention it, maybe we’ll think of something!

Marianas Trench
Nov. 22, 8 p.m.
Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling

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Our 3 Favorite Leon Russell Collaborations

By Ben Youngerman

With a legendary half-century career in music, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell has performed with so many star musicians it’s easier to list who he HASN’T worked with: Kanye West, The Wiggles and the Times Square Naked Cowboy. That’s basically it.

In honor of Leon Russell taking the stage on Wednesday, November 11 at the Musikfest Cafe, we compiled three videos of our favorite Leon Russell collaborations!

Leon Russell and Elton John – “Hey Ahab”

The 2010 Grammy nominated album The Union was a collaborative effort with Sir Elton John that reinvigorated Leon Russell’s career. It gave us some awesome piano duets like “Hey Ahab” (performed here on the Late Show with David Letterman).

Leon Russell and Willie Nelson – “Heartbreak Hotel”

Back in 1979, Leon Russell and Willie Nelson put out an album entitled “One for the Road”. This Elvis cover is definitely one we’d listen to during a long road trip.

Leon Russell and Joe Cocker – “With A Little Help From My Friends”

This 1971 cover of the famous Beatles tune is fitting since Leon Russell has previously worked with George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Russell’s guitar work paired with Joe Cocker’s one-of-a-kind voice makes this a powerful number. Plus…that…HAT!

Leon Russell
Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling

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