Event Detail
Rustbelt City CD Release with Rudder North
Friday, August 20, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
RUSTBELT CITY is an American Rock band formed in 2009 in Arlington, VA. The band consists of Singer and Rhythm Guitar player Dan Spencer, Backing Vocalist and Lead Guitarist Dale Winburn, Bassist Sebastian Bartlett, and Drummer Dustin Barker. The name Rustbelt City was taken after the original rust belt also known as “the manufacturing belt” which was a series of steel manufacturing facilities shut down shortly after their decline in the 1970’s. Ultimately leaving behind nothing but the rusted gates that once guarded their entrance. The term “Rust Belt” represents the collapse of the steel industry and its hundreds of thousands of displaced workers in cities and states such as Youngstown, Ohio the hometown of the bands lead singer, Dan Spencer.
Alternative / Rock / Powerpop
Cost: $10
For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/rustbeltcity
with Rudder North
Website: http://www.purevolume.com/RudderNorth
Indie/Folk
The duo Rudder North is made up of JD Fahr and Derek Torsan.
Joy Ike with Micah
Friday, September 17, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Singer/songwriter Joy Ike has found herself in the most unexpected of places – living and performing as a full-time touring musician. If you had asked her 5 years ago where she thought she’d be in 2010, her honest answer would have been, “Ummm…I dunno”. But the new decade has dealt Ike some interesting surprises…including being voted Pittsburgh City Paper’s Best Solo Artist for the second year in a row, opening for a number of national touring acts, a recent write-up and radio spot on NPR’s (National Public Radio) All Things Considered, and recording a new Album funded primarily by her fans.
Her fans have compared her vocally to Corinne Bailey Rae and Norah Jones, stylistically to Fiona Apple and Laura Nyro, and have said that her ambiance is much like that of India Aire and Lizz Wright. “Honestly”, she says, “I don’t really spend much time listening to any of the above.” She credits much of her musical influence to more modern acts including her two favorite female artists Sara Groves and Brooke Waggoner, and independent artists Aqualung, Death Cab for Cutie, and Sufjan Stevens. “I really just love soul music and I think soul music has less to do with how a song sounds and more to do with the emotion behind it. I think that’s why these artists mean so much to me.”
Currently based out of Pittsburgh, PA, Ike’s schedule includes an average of 130 dates playing anything from house shows to college events to music and art festivals. She has had the privilege of working with notable organizations such as The Pittsburgh Public Theater, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, WYEP, The Carnegie International Museum, The August Wilson Center, and New York Faith & Justice.
Ike’s music has continually been noted for its lyrical depth- addressing the human condition, thoughts on love, and the search for God in a very tangible way. Her new full-length Album, “Rumors”, is slated to release in May 2010.
Cost: $7
For more information, visit http://www.joyike.com
Kyle Rictor - Coffeehouse Level
Thursday, September 30, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Hailing from Nashville, TN, Kyle Rictor lives among the nation’s most prolific songwriters and artists. “When first moving here four years ago, simply the presence of such talent gave me a clear perspective of my creative youth. That humbling reality can either make you pack your bags and move back to Pennsylvania or learn how to write better songs. I chose the latter.” Rictor has been honing his craft as a writer for the past four years. This focused effort in growing as a writer has culminated in his 7-song debut, The Bitter Pill. Rictor teamed up with producer and guitarist Greg Everett (Mat Kearney, Rebecca St. James, Erin McCarley), Grammy-winning mixer F. Reid Shippen (John Hiatt, How I Became The Bomb, Mercy Me), and mastering engineer Chris Athens (Coldplay, Usher, Ben Folds) to track, mix, and master the intimate, yet hard-hitting 7 song commentary on the less spoken about, stickier aspects of American life. Oozing vulnerability sure to make even the most casual listener squirm in their seat, rewind, and listen closer, The Bitter Pill is a revealing look into the darker strokes of the Norman Rockwell existence.
Immediately following a CD release show in East Nashville on July 28th, 2010, Rictor and his wife (singing background vocals) will be traveling the eastern half of the country for three months playing house shows, colleges, and intimate acoustic venues. The two will be touring tirelessly, performing nearly 25 shows per month from New Orleans to Boston and everywhere in between.
Cost: Free
For more information, visit http://www.kylerictor.com.
DIONNE CD RELEASE
Sunday, August 8, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
This event is sponsored by: UDesignateMe.org and X-Posure Entertainment
With Special Guests Levi Stephens and Lyric
“I wake up every morning singing—whether I’m excited, furious, confused or whatever else I might feel. There is music in my head, coming out of me all of the time,” Dionne says.
With charisma and soul that accents her innate Southern charm, Texas-born singer and songwriter Dionne captivates audiences across the world with her melodic vocals and timeless songs. Her upcoming CD, Unrealistic drops this summer, set to showcase her easy care for lyric and delivery.
“The CD is titled ‘Unrealistic’ because I live in the clouds sometimes. I’m a hopeful optimistic,” Dionne says.
A classically trained graduate of the renowned Arts Magnet School in Dallas, TX that has cultivated such famous acts as Erykah Badu, Norah Jones and Kirk Whalum, Dionne continues a legacy of soul music, following in the footsteps of her musical inspirations Anita Baker, Regina Belle, and India.Arie. Sassy, fiery and alluring, Dionne’s energy can only be personified as high drama which she brings to the stage unplugged. “She’s incredible,” says Maceo Thomas, director of the annual Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest. “When she steps on stage and begins to sing, you forget there are other people around. It’s like she’s singing just to you.”
Formerly touring under the moniker Deedee Kirby, she began using her name Dionne when she felt ready to own her power as an artist. “Life has challenged every conviction I thought I had,” Dionne says. “I live to inspire the listening audience to love themselves, be better, and live life with an open hand so things can freely flow in and out.”
Singing since she was 7 years-old, Dionne debuts her first CD Unrealistic this summer after years of crafting songs that personify who she is as an artist. Her CD is much-anticipated after a string of successful performances that have garnered new fans in states across the country. She is confirmed in her decision to take careful time in putting this new project together.
“Like most artistic folks, I’m a perfectionist. I’ve had to push myself to keep moving, even when things aren’t exactly the way I want them to be. So, I focus on what is going the way I want, and I pull energy from there,” she explains. For the new song collection on Unrealistic, she had the opportunity to collaborate with songwriters and producers she had admired before from afar, including Jocelyn Saunders, Mo Digga and James Collins of the internationally-acclaimed band Fertile Ground. She already has her list of who she would like to work with on her follow-up project. She names the artists Ledisi, Eric Roberson, and Jill Scott at the top of her list. For, she explains, they write and sing about what she also writes and sings about—“people, self-discovery, ideals, love, and the Creator”.
Cost: $15
For more information, visit www.dionnemusic.com
High Street Hymns
Friday, August 6, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
An Evening of Worship with High Street Hymns
High Street Hymns is an independent, non-profit music ministry that came about as an outgrowth of the worship ministry at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, VA. Following the footsteps of hymn projects such as Indelible Grace and Red Mountain Music, High Street Hymns produced its first CD (self-titled) of “re-tuned” (old hymns set to new music) and original hymns in the spring of 2007.
Since that time HSH has had the privilege of sharing its music with churches and ministries throughout the United States and Canada. In 2009, HSH released two CDs, “Love’s Redeeming Work Is Done” (EP) and “Love Shall Be Our Token”. In addition, through it’s HymnShare project, HSH will release 50 new hymns over the course of 2010.
High Street Hymns was founded by singer-songwriters Alex Mejias and Ross Byrd, who had previously teamed up to start the pop-rock band Portrait of Another. A number of other musicians and writers have contributed to project including Greg Thompson, Justin Rosolino, Alex Florez, Davis Gouldin and Alan Miller.
Cost: $10 suggested
For more information, visit http://www.highstreethymns.com
Lelia Broussard with Alexa Wilkinson
Thursday, August 12, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
South Louisiana native Lelia Broussard is releasing her 3rd studio record this fall with Dan Romer producing entitled, “Masquerade”. This record showcases Broussard’s solid songwriting, vocals, and catchy melodies, and is gathering quite a buzz already with the early spread of the first single, “Shoot For The Moon” amongst her loyal fan base. Earlier this year, Lelia raised over $15,000 with her fans through Kickstarter.com to fund the upcoming record and is in the top 5 most successful music projects of all time on the popular site.
Time and again, Lelia’s strong fan base has proven to be active and responsive in supporting her whether its raising money, buying her records, and most importantly, showing up with a bunch of friends when she comes through their city on tour.
Lelia was recently voted as one of the top 3 artists by music fans on the Ourstage.com site to play Lilith Fair in the very competitive California market. She has toured extensively all over the US, and plans to spend most of 2010/2011 on the road in support of her new record.
Of Note: In 2008, Lelia signed a publishing deal with Universal Music/Rondor and relocated from New York to Los Angeles to write and eventually record the “Waiting on the 9” EP which was released in 2009. That EP was distributed through Tower Records in Japan as well as the US.
“I was a lot more honest with myself when I wrote this record. These songs are deeply personal and raw. I want it to sound like I mean it” -Lelia Broussard
Cost: $10
For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/leliabroussard
with Alexa Wilkinson
Website: http://www.myspace.com/alexawilkinson
Alexa Wilkinson is a singer songwriter based out of NYC. She has toured and shared the stage with Ingrid Michaelson, Josh Kelley, Natasha Beddingfield, Mieka Pauly, Bess Rogers, Vanessa Carlton, Dar Williams, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers,Rosi Golan, Kate Voegele and many more.
She has had various songs from her debut album “Lullaby Appetite” and her sophmore album “Lions” (Produced by Marshall Altman) featured on MTV’s “The Hills”, CBS’s “NCIS: NY” & “Make It or Break It”, and many others. She is an active part of JRI’s “Share The Beat” event, promoting the importance and awareness of organ donation.
Rod Picott and Amanda Shires with Val Nebbia and Caleb Hawley
Thursday, September 9, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
A yankee singer-songwriter and a Texas fiddler might seem an unlikely pairing but the natural chemistry between Rod Picott and Amanda Shires is undeniable. Arising from the sun-driven plains of West Texas is fiddler and singer/songwriter Amanda Shires and from the northern mill towns of New England is Rod Picott.
Featuring both dark musings on the themes of love and regret and also jaunty acoustic country, SEW YOUR HEART WITH WIRES is an album to tease the senses and stimulate the soul. All the songs were recorded live in the studio, no overdubs, giving a “caught live “ feel to the collection.
The sound of birds singing, freight trains rumbling and planes flying overhead are all left in the mix to create an album as if performed personally for the listener. Some songs were recorded the day the pair wrote them, songs such as ‘Drive That Devil Out’ reminding the listener of a curious mix of Tom Waits having dinner with Iron and Wine, and ‘Shake and Cry’ which sounds like the Everly Brothers having drinks with Mark Knopfler at Johhny Cash’s house.
On the theme of love,” Mercury” poses the question, just where does love go when it goes and just like the seasons why does it come back? Alternatively, sounding like Johnny Cash and June Carter on the stunning “You Can’t Call Me Baby”; just what do you call your lover when all the pet names have been used up?
Picott has toured as opening act for Alison Krauss and Union Station and has had songs recorded by Slaid Cleaves (Broke Down) Fred Eaglesmith (Gettin’ to Me) Ray Wylie Hubbard (Torn in Two). Picott plays 120 plus shows per year throughout the U.S., U.K. and Europe and has been featured on BBC Radio, World Cafe, XM Sirius Satellite Radio, and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour.
Shires honed her sound as a side woman for Tommy Allsup and the legendary Texas Playboys, with whom she began work at age 16. Though Shires hasn’t left the band she co-founded, raucous Texas indie rockers The Thrift Store Cowboys, she’s shifted her focus to her solo work for the time being.
Cost: $10
For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/rodpicottandamandashires
with Val Nebbia
Website: http://www.myspace.com/valnebbia
The Val Nebbia Band’s newest release, Comet Child, has become the sparkling debut album for this spectacular group. The band is the latest group to rock the alternative folk scene and in their short time together has already gathered a large and loyal local following. They have been declared “innovative,” “promising,” and “the freshest new folk.” Having performed at Rams Head Live On Stage, Cornerstone Music Festival, First Sunday Arts Festival and the Takoma Park Folk Festival among other numerous venues. Comet Child is “worth every penny” as it captures beautifully the “edgy sound, infused with raw emotion,” that the Val Nebbia Band exudes in every performance. The album offers a pleasant swell of tempos, tunes and feeling paired with the unique giftings of Val and her crew.
Born on the crooked banks of Annapolis, Maryland, Val started writing songs as a child to the sound of her family dryer. After studying music and a long hiatus from writing, Val returned to her childhood ambitions and began “creating music for the mind from the soul for all the right reasons.” Joining Val in 2006 as an accomplished violinist and arranger, Care Nebbia became the band’s do-all musician, playing violin, piano, mandolin, and egg shaker. Care’s improvisation and performance skills are unparalleled. Drummer Tim Cefaratti and Bassist Josh McKnew joined the girls in early 2008 and combined their backgrounds in rock, pop, and screamo to bring the band to their current sound. Each band member adds musical complexities to Val’s deliberate lyrics and electric melodies.
and Caleb Hawley
Website: http://www.calebhawley.com
This NYC and automobile-based singer-songwriter is creating quite a buzz across pop, jazz and folk circles with his latest CD, Steps.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music with a degree in Jazz Composition, Hawley has turned some heads with his choice to write and produce decidedly pop-influenced singer-songwriter music. But his success is undeniable with top awards like the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (‘09) and the New York Songwriter’s Circle contest (‘08, ‘09). Hawley is often compared to Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, and Raul Midon. He’s a charming, soft-spoken guitar virtuoso with a great big voice that can sing just about anything.
SAW Young Artist Showcase Hosted by Margot MacDonald
Friday, August 13, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Performances by DC’s top up-and-coming artists:
ALEX VANS http://myspace.com/alexvansmusic
DANA WELLS http://myspace.com/danawellsmusic
OWEN DANOFF http://myspace.com/owendanoffmusic
CHRISTIANA TRENUM http://www.myspace.com/christianatrenum
ADAM SWINK http://myspace.com/adamswink
MARGOT MacDONALD http://myspace.com/margotmacdonald
All Ages
http://SAW.org/
http://EbenezersCoffeehouse.com/
“Like” the Songwriters Association of Washington Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Songwriters-Association-of-Washington/138967007697?ref=ts
Join the SAW Young Songwriters Facebook Group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=328644395457
Cost: $2
For more information, visit http://saw.org/
Modern Underground Hosted by Laura Tsaggaris with Rebecca Loebe and Timothy Bracken
Thursday, August 5, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
First Thursdays. Acoustic Music. On the Hill.
Hosted by Laura Tsaggaris with special guests each month.
Modern Underground is an acoustic music showcase bringing some of the nation’s best talent to the best listening room in D.C. the first Thursday of every month. Each month includes short solo sets by DC’s own Laura Tsaggaris and the featured artists, followed by a session “in-the-round” where all players take the stage and trade songs and stories.
August 5th - Rebecca Loebe & Timothy Bracken
September 2nd - Barnaby Bright & Abby Ahmad
October 7th - Guest Host: Rebecca Loebe, Raina Rose, Chris Velan
The path to Keep Talking, the new record by Laura Tsaggaris on Overtime Records, is an inspiring tale of self-discovery. Seemingly out of nowhere, an artist has arrived fully evolved. But Laura’s true story is a saga of toiling under the radar until the day her music was ready to be heard.
Born in Reading, Pa. and raised in Pittsburgh, Laura’s early life gave few indications of her eventual calling. While working at a Washington, D.C. law firm, Laura recorded her first record, Proof, in 2005. The title is a telling indication of where Laura’s life was headed. With this work, she now had proof of what she had always suspected--she was an artist the world needed to hear. Galvanized by the reaction to her debut, Laura embarked on a tour of the country to promote the album and launch her career as a performer. After the cycle of touring ended in 2008, Laura began working on Keep Talking. From the cautionary “Warning Signs” to the life-affirming “Get Yourself Right” to the hyper-personal “Pilots”, Keep Talking is a rare effort that rocks, soothes and inspires.
Cost: $7
For more information, visit http://www.myspace.com/lauratsaggaris
with Rebecca Loebe
Website: http://www.rebeccaloebe.com/
Rebecca been on the road, making her living as a full time touring indie folk singing songwriter for about three years, give or take (depending on how flexible you’re willing to be in your definition of “a living,” I guess). Before thatshe was a part-time touring folk singer and a part time recording studio engineer. Before that a full time recording studio engineer (also, at times, a part time cash register specialist at Whole Foods, a college student, a bank teller, the token female on the tech crew, a terrible waitress, Ruth in the Pirates of Penzance and a host of other things). As a rule she tries not to put much stock in defining a person by their profession - a dangerous tendency that we have in this culture, I think - “but since my brain, my heart, my music, my life, my ego, my livelihood and my identity are all kind of rolled up in one volatile little package that I load into a station wagon, drive all over the country and hoist on stage every night, it’s sometimes hard to avoid. I’m working on it.”
Press
CREATIVE LOAFING - Atlanta (Mystery Prize Review by James Kelly, March 3 2010)
Within the folk music scene, it is far too easy to be predictable and boring and still get loads of support from the laid-back fan base, as long as you follow the rules. Fortunately, Atlanta resident Rebecca Loebe shirked at that playbook a while ago. Instead, she takes chance after chance on her delightful new album, Mystery Prize. Opening with the gently swaying title track, Loebe delivers a sultry, heartfelt, yet somewhat coy ode to love, belying a deep awareness of life’s foibles that seems incongruent with her rather innocent and youthful appearance. She diversifies the sound with the pure tongue-in-cheek twang of “Redneck Karaoke Bar,” the meditative “California,” and even a little jazzy feel on the witty “Her in That Dress.” Creatively funded by presales from friends and fans, Loebe banked this one on her reputation, and as promised, has made a record that lifts the folkie bar a few notches. There’s no mystery here, the girl has talent. 4 out of 5 stars.
and Timothy Bracken
Website: http://www.myspace.com/timothybracken
Timothy Bracken is a mainstay of the DC music scene, recently returning to his hometown of Baltimore with his new album, Midnight In the Basement. Timothy has been known to deliver performances heralded by The Washington Post as “[definitive of] the genre of alternative pop”, in addition to intimate acoustic sets, but his latest studio effort embodies an almost entirely electronic palate. Timothy’s fans will recognize his usual wit and uncanny ear for arrangement wrapped in an organic-sounding mixture of drum loops, synths, and effects.
Timothy’s first release, Disrepair, was nominated for 4 WAMMIES (Washington Area Music Association award) in 2005, including Best New Artist and Best Roots Rock Album. The album features sparse acoustic ballads, quirky folk, intelligent pop, one long lighter-waving guitar solo, and even some good old-fashioned noise. The album was produced independently by Tim; he recorded and played all the instruments himself (Toadfish Records 2004). Disrepair received positive reviews, including high marks from The Washington Post and Paste Magazine, who described the album as a collection of “brilliant alt-country”.
Timothy is featured on the compilation, A Case For Case (Hungry For Music 2006), a tribute to the music of Peter Case, where he contributed two tracks: “Every Day Things” and “Turnin Blue.” The project also features the likes of Richard Buckner (Timothy mixed Buckner’s track, “Poor Old Tom"), Todd Snider, John Prine, Victoria Williams, and many other acclaimed songwriters. Timothy’s music has been showcased on several other compilations, including the Diamond Cuts series ("Dugout"), and About A Girl (Donovan’s “Clara Clairvoyant"). Tim was added to Washingtonian Magazine’s list of 40 People Under 40 to watch in 2007.
Kids Show: Oh Susannah!
Friday, August 13, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Kids love her music, a tasty blend of familiar favorites and lively originals perfect for singing and dancing along. Parents love her music for the unusual arrangements, clever lyrics and beautiful vocals.
Oh Susannah, singer/songwriter/guitarist Susan McNelis, began her career singing in rock bands for grown-ups, but made the transition to children’s music after her son was born. She‘s never been happier. “This is what I was meant to do. Families and kids are such fantastic audiences. They deserve the absolute best music artists have to offer. It’s the most wonderful opportunity to write and perform for them. I’m enjoying every second of it.”
Oh Susannah! performs at Ebenezers on the 3rd Friday of the month. Note that in August, Oh Susannah will be the 2nd Friday - August 13
Cost: $5 child. Adults free. Children under 1 year accompanying a paying sibling is free.
For more information, visit http://www.susannahmusic.com
Singer-Songwriter Showcase Showdown
Thursday, August 19, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM · Add to Calendar
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Ebenezers loves its local artists and wants you to as well. Each month we will introduce you to three emerging singer/songwriters from the Washington, DC area.
They will battle for your applause and affections from the stage.
This is a show down.
Audience… you have the power.
The artist with the loudest applause and most fans in attendance takes home the prize at the night’s end.
Doors 7 pm
Show: 7:30 pm
Performers: If you are a musician wanting to perform at a showcase, contact events@ebenezerscoffeehouse.com for more information.
Cost: Free