{"id":27932,"date":"2020-08-27T08:30:51","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T12:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=27932"},"modified":"2020-08-27T08:30:56","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T12:30:56","slug":"on-stage-local-musicians-taking-it-outside-for-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=27932","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Local musicians taking it outside for shows"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,<\/strong> Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Nicole Zell and Chris Spousta<\/p><\/div>\n

The era of live music in indoor venues has been paused indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are several restaurants and taverns around Chester County and its surrounding area that have been hosting live performances by musicians — in relatively safe outdoor settings.<\/p>\n

Musicians are loving it because it gives them an outlet to perform their songs. Fans are loving it because it provides them with the opportunity to once again hear music performed live.<\/p>\n

One of the musicians who has been taking advantage of these venues is Chester County\u2019s Nicole Zell.<\/p>\n

Actually, Zell hasn\u2019t been going it alone.<\/p>\n

She is half of a one-of-a-kind duo act with Chris Spousta.\u00a0Featuring Zell on vocals and guitar\u00a0accompanied by Spousta on his handmade vintage suitcase drum kit, these two artists have developed a unique, timeless\u00a0sound that is entirely\u00a0their own.<\/p>\n

Zell and Spousta have played shows this summer at a variety of venues, including Brickside Grille in Lionville, Amis Trattoria in Devon, The Bordley House in West Chester and Steppy\u2019s in East Norriton.<\/p>\n

On August 30, the duo will make a return appearance at the Inn at St. Peter\u2019s Village (3471 Saint Peters Road, Saint Peters, theinnatsaintpeters.com<\/a>). Zell and Spousta recently played a gig there on July 26.<\/p>\n

The shutdown was bad for the entire music world, but the timing actually could have been much worse for Zell and her band THRILLCHASER (which also features Spousta).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe finished making our sophomore album late last year and were looking at a release early this year,\u201d said Zell, during a phone interview from her home in Bala Cynwyd.<\/p>\n

The usual pattern for bands is to release an album and then follow with months and months of touring \u2013 playing live shows to support the album and introduce the songs.<\/p>\n

Had THRILLCHASER\u2019s album dropped just before the bottom dropped out it would have been a worst-case scenario.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in a holding pattern now,\u201d said Zell. \u201cIf the shutdown didn\u2019t happen, we would have had shows booked and been touring the album.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, if we had released the album and then been unable to tour, it would have been a disaster. Having a new record to promote and being unable to present it to the fans live would have been a really bad situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zell\u2019s\u00a0songwriting achievements are equally as\u00a0impressive as her extensive\u00a0track record as a live performer.\u00a0She has honed her craft by writing hundreds of songs, co-writing and collaborating globally, and working in numerous genres spanning from pop, indie, alt\u00a0rock, country, folk, soul, funk, spoken word, to rap. She continues to make music in a band format, as a duo and as a solo artist.<\/p>\n

In 2014, Zell released\u00a0the EP,\u00a0\u201cTake Heart,\u201d followed by 2016 single, \u201cHeart Open Wide,\u201d which premiered on Fuse TV.\u00a0 Zell also has experience as a radio host personality. She has been the\u00a0host of local music radio show,\u00a0SoundStage, on WCHE 1520 since 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor my original music, I\u2019ve been recording in my home studio with Rod Pires,\u201d said Zell. \u201cI haven\u2019t released any solo stuff in years. \u2018Heart Open Wide\u2019 was my last single and that was a while ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just released a single I did with Rod. It\u2019s called \u2018This Time\u2019 and is a song about COVID-19. It dropped at the end of April. We recorded it together remotely \u2013 each of us in our own studio.\u201d<\/p>\n

On April 24, Zell posted the following on her Facebook page \u2013 \u201cRod Pires\u00a0and I wrote this song about and amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Our hearts go out to everyone being affected by this. From our hearts, to yours \u2013 here is \u201cThis Time\u201d. Available on all music platforms \u2014\u00a0https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/5vZgMnNErTeJQphYxYWlfH<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0https:\/\/music.apple.com\/us\/album\/this-time-single\/1510385378<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Spousta arrived in the Delaware Valley via an indirect route.<\/p>\n

Born partially deaf, Spousta\u00a0never allowed\u00a0that adversity\u00a0to thwart his aspiration to pursue a musical career.\u00a0He grew up in school playing all 13 orchestral instruments and their scales. He played in a Florida state superior ranked jazz band at East Ridge High School in Clermont, a suburb of Orlando.<\/p>\n

Spousta was the drummer for several bands including the hardcore metal band Far From Truth, which toured three years in a row on Warped Tour from 2008-2010. He also studied conducting and composing at Berklee College of Music prior to joining THRILLCHASER.<\/p>\n

Even with most of the music world in limbo, Zell and Spousta have persevered and found a way to keep their music alive.<\/p>\n

Video link for Nicole Zell and Chris Spousta — https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NicoleZellOfficial\/videos\/4132549936786977\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Michael Kropp<\/p><\/div>\n

Another Chester County musician who has been staying busy with local gigs \u2013 including the Brickside Grille \u2013 in Michael Kropp.<\/p>\n

Kropp, a singer\/guitarist who is a Downingtown High alum, cites his influences as Ben Vaughn, The Beatles, Nick Lowe, The Kinks, Elvis Costello, and Tom Petty.<\/p>\n

He will definitely be busy this weekend with two shows \u2013 August 28 at Creekside Sports Bar & Grille (765 N Lewis Road, Royersford, http:\/\/www.creeksidesportsbar.com\/<\/a>) at 5 p.m. and August 29 at A\u2019Dello Winery (21 Simmons Road, Perkiomenville) at 2 p.m. \u2013 followed by the \u201cHappy 2 Be Home Guest Beertenders\u201d fundraiser\u00a0at\u00a0Stable 12 (368 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, www.stable12.com<\/a>) on August 31 at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

Kropp also has a lot of shows scheduled for September \u2013 2, Epicurean Garage (570 Simpson Drive, Chester Springs, www.epicureangarage.com<\/a>); 4, Frecon Farms Orchard (Boyertown, www.freconfarms.com<\/a>); 5, Tuned Up Brewing Co. (135 North Main Street, Spring City, www.tunedupbrew.com<\/a>); 6 and 13, Creekside Sports Bar & Grille; 17, Brickside Grille (540 Wellington Square, Exton, bricksidegrille.com<\/a>); 18, Epicurean Garage; 20, Creekside Sports Bar & Grille; 25, Epicurean Garage; 26, A\u2019Dello Winery; and 27, Creekside Sports Bar & Grille.<\/p>\n

Video link for Michael Kropp —\u00a0https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/michael.kropp.54\/videos\/10224200715702524\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This weekend\u2019s schedule for the Creekside Sports Bar & Grille includes John Valerio on August 29 and Side Hustle on August 30.<\/p>\n

Tuned Up Brewing Co. will host Mr Mody on August 28 and September 25 and Bill Ferreri on September 11.<\/p>\n

A\u2019Dello Vineyard & Winery\u2019s list of upcoming shows includes Michael Santiago on August 30 and Joe Miralles & Gary Houk on September 19.<\/p>\n

Epicurean Garage\u2019s roster of live entertainment features Almost Minnesota on August 27, Keith Sullivan on August 28, Dan Frantz on August 29, Tom Guest on August 29, Rob Perna on August 30 and J.D. Malone on September 12.<\/p>\n

Malone, a singer\/songwriter who has been an area favorite for years, also has shows scheduled for August 29 at 8 p.m. at Steppys in East Norriton, September 2 at noon at Lansdale Lunchtime Concert Series at Railroad Plaza (201 West Main Street,\u00a0Lansdale)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Hake and Jarema<\/p><\/div>\n

Local favorites Hake and Jarema will be performing on August 28 at Duffer\u2019s Tavern (192 Middleton Road, Glen Mills); August 29 at the Bordley House; August 30 (Hake solo) at Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, www.pennswoodswinery.com<\/a>); and September 11 at Stable 12 Brewing Company\u00a0(368 Bridge St, Phoenixville, stable12.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Hake will also do a solo show on August 29 at The Bordley House Grille (1520 Tattersal Way, West Chester, www.bordleyhousegrille.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The Bordley House will host Adam McCue on September 5, Chris Lebresco on September 12, Bryan McDermott on September 19 and Ziggy Isaacs on September 26.<\/p>\n

Lebresco, an Exton resident and West Chester East grad, will also be doing a Sunday Brunch show on August 30 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Suburban Restaurant (570 Wellington Square, Exton,http:\/\/www.suburbanbg.com\/<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Chris Lebresco and his daughter Brooke<\/p><\/div>\n

Video link for Chris Lebresco — https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/chrislebrescomusic\/videos\/3266044606818971\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stable 12 Brewing Company\u00a0hosts Kendal Conrad on August 28, Savants Duo on August 29, Rick McSteve on September 19 and Kendal Conrad again on September 25.<\/p>\n

Penns Woods Winery will present Tim Williams on August 29. The venue has a fairly full schedule for September with Matt Spitko on September 5, Joe Grasso on September 6, Adam McCue on September 12, Jason Ager on September 19, Greg Jones on September 20, Pete Marziano on September 26 and Hanna Paige on September 27.<\/p>\n

Another local concert this weekend will feature Larry Roney on August 28 at Downingtown Country Club and Seven Tap-Tavern (93 Country Club Drive, Downingtown,www.golfdowningtown.com<\/u><\/a>)<\/p>\n

On September 4, Whiskey Logic will play a show at the Chadds Ford Tavern (1400 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford,
\nthecftavern.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Other area venues that have been presenting live shows are The Stone Barn<\/a>\u00a0(100 Stone Barn Drive, Kennett Square, www.thestonebarn.com<\/a>), Cedar Hollow Inn Restaurant and Bar<\/a> (2455 Yellow Springs Road, Malvern, www.cedarhollowinn.com<\/a>) and John Henry\u2019s Pub (98 Cricket Avenue, Ardmore, www.johnhenryspubofardmore.com<\/a>). Check their websites for updated information.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the area calendar for live music has included several drive-in concerts.<\/p>\n

The most ambitious drive-in concert series has been taking place in the parking lot of the Philadelphia Phillies stadium (Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia).<\/p>\n

Live Nation Philadelphia, in partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies, is presenting a four-week local drive-in concert series in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies. The\u00a0\u201cLive-In \/ Drive-In\u00a0Concert Series\u201d got underway on August 16.<\/p>\n

Live Nation Philadelphia is creating a unique live music experience by allowing fans to enjoy concerts from the comfort of their car in a drive-in setting with the audio simulcast on an FM frequency. All artists will be performing full live sets on stages set up in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park. The events will also feature large-scale video LED screens so fans can enjoy a true live concert experience.<\/p>\n

Fans can expect contactless ticket scanning through their vehicle window and then will be shown to their designated parking space where they will enjoy the show from inside their own vehicle. Guests can leave their cars, wearing a mask, to use one of the portable bathroom locations which will be continuously sanitized throughout each event.<\/p>\n

There will be dedicated buffer space around each vehicle to ensure social distancing.<\/p>\n

Tickets will be sold in the form of a group car pass. Each car will purchase just one ticket, good for a maximum of four (4) people per car. Car pass tickets are on sale athttp:\/\/www.phillies.com\/drivein<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The schedule is: September 3 – Smith & Meyers; September 4 \u2013 Lotus; September 5 and 6 \u2013 Dark Star Orchestra; and September 7 – Michael Blackson & Friends with special guest DJ Jazzy Jeff.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0 The era of live music in indoor venues has been paused indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, there are several restaurants and taverns around Chester County and its surrounding area that have been hosting live performances by musicians — in relatively safe outdoor settings. Musicians are loving […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5166],"tags":[10054,10051,3912,10053,10052,7412],"class_list":["post-27932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-chris-lebresco","tag-chris-spousta","tag-featured","tag-hake-and-jarema","tag-michael-kropp","tag-nicole-zell"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27932"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27932\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27933,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27932\/revisions\/27933"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}