Adventures of an Open-Miker

ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Milkboy Coffee in Ardmore

POSTED: Thursday, March 10, 2011, 1:00 PM

Filed Under: Music | Adventures of an Open-Miker

(Matt Cantor)

Every Thursday, open-miker Matt Cantor gives you the skinny on a local open-mic night so you'll know which stages to call home. This week, he plays Milkboy Coffee in Ardmore.

Milkboy Coffee has built itself into much more than a coffee shop with a stage: in addition to regular shows, it’s now got a recording studio with a wealth of engineers, and even its own record label. A few weeks ago, I headed to Milkboy’s smaller, purely acoustic stage in Bryn Mawr; this week I checked out the company’s main location in Ardmore. It’s a big café with a roomy stage and plenty of seating, most of which was filled this Tuesday as performers sang through a very crisp sound system. The place has made itself into a brand of sorts, selling Milkboy merchandise and CDs — but with only two locations, it retains a strong local flavor. The same might be said of its tasty hot cocoa. Unfortunately, in the evening, the kitchen is closed at Milkboy — but there are a huge variety of drinks on offer.

Sign-ups were promptly at 6 p.m., and by the time I got there, perhaps 10 minutes later, the list of 20 performers was already almost full. The show began an hour later, and with each player allotted two songs, it moved quickly

Performers were mostly singer-songwriters with acoustic guitars; there was also poetry, a few keyboard acts and a violinist. Since Milkboy is a coffee shop rather than a bar, a wide range of ages were represented, from teenage to middle age. There were amusing poems from Lori, who told the story of her crippling addiction before revealing that the vice in question was peanut butter. The appropriately-named Steven Singer got the crowd singing along with an upbeat solo version of “Under Pressure”; at the song’s wailing climax, one young audience member permeated the room with a pitch-perfect echo of Freddie Mercury. With a powerful high voice, Sam Vile packed a gritty punch into his songs, radiating a dark intensity mixed with moments of humor. And Elliot Levy had a chatty audience completely rapt and silent for a pair of spoken-word pieces. One inspiring poem sought to remind listeners how lucky they were: given human reproductive biology, we’ve got about a one in 21 trillion chance of being born, so let’s make the most of it.

The nitty-gritty for performers: Tuesdays, sign-ups at 6 p.m., show at 7 p .m. Milkboy Coffee, 200 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore. Free entry, two songs each.

Posted by Matt Cantor @ 1:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Mugshots Coffeehouse in Fairmount

POSTED: Thursday, March 3, 2011, 5:00 PM

mugshotscoffeehouse.com

There were only six performers Tuesday night at Mugshots in Fairmount and it was wonderful. Everyone got to play four or five songs, and there was no rush to get through them. Each performer had a chance to chat with the audience; even I, who am normally petrified of talking onstage, managed to squeak out a few words of introduction. Others were much more at ease, telling extended stories about their songs' origins and asking the small audience what they wanted to hear.

mugshotscoffeehouse.com

Mugshots Coffeehouse and Café is divided into several sections, including a cozy nook to the left of the door where the open mic took place. Curtains and art are hung around the dark-red walls; tables, chairs, and couches are distributed in comfortable bunches. The coffee is robust and tasty, and there's a wide selection of reasonably-priced food. It's hip without trying, and sizable without being overwhelming. The open-mic setup was simple: just a microphone and a tiny amp, which many people didn't use, resulting in a night that was very much acoustic.

Performances included a string of guitar players and a single ukulele man. The talent was consistent, though for many it was their first time playing at the venue. Opening things up was Cranston Dean, who fit a great deal of lyrics into his upbeat, bluesy tunes; his ease with words was quite impressive. Check him out if you like story songs. Sean Breslin kept up the quality with some bittersweet, alt-rock-flavored songs. Next was Ross Garlow, who offered some lightning-fast licks on his guitar, including a snappy acoustic version of Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)." Mark Harper had the crowd rapt and laughing with a set of darkly funny, personal songs about drugs, alcohol, girl problems, and the 11 guys who share his intensely messy house. He handed his 12-string to his friend Dylan Loughey, who explained he was from Scranton, where the open mics are a bit less polished but his performance, charged with emotion and lyrical complexity, defied that statement. Following him was another Scrantoneer (Scrantonite? Scrantonian?): Adam Catscratch, who asked the crowd if anyone was offended by the word "dick" before launching into a song about oral sex. That may sound either crass or hilarious in writing, depending on your taste, but his tunes accompanied by a confident ukelele were witty and packed a satisfying punch.

The night, which began at 7:30 p.m., ended by 9:15 p.m., even though there was no host moving things along. Lighthearted, short and sweet, it was a fun way to spend a weeknight.

The nitty-gritty for performers: Tues., 7 p.m. sign-up, 7:30 p.m. show, Mugshots, 2100 Fairmount Ave., 267-514-7145. Performers get four or five songs each.

For more locations, visit the Open Mic section of our online listings database.

Posted by Matt Cantor @ 5:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Fergie's Pub

POSTED: Thursday, February 24, 2011, 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Arts | Critical Mass | Music | Adventures of an Open-Miker | Arts Events Philly Bands

Every Wednesday, open-miker Matt Cantor gives you the skinny on a local open-mic night so you'll know which stages to call home.

Zoe Bachman

Kiley Ryan

This Monday, Fergie's cozy upstairs bar was packed with people, all gathered before an old piano as if it were a fireplace. The open mic was set to begin at 9 p.m., and that's when I arrived. I was too late: the performers' sign-up sheet was completely full when I entered. So I settled in to watch, and was treated to a superior open mic session. The tone was set by a sign scrawled on a blackboard: "Be nice to each other." And under that: "Be in tune." Those pieces of advice summed it up: it was a friendly, chilled-out atmosphere, but people took their performances seriously. And it paid off: the show, which included full bands, jazz pianists, solo banjo and guitar acts, was captivating. Hosts Jonas and Phil kept things well-organized, and lent drum and bass accompaniment to a few acts. They also injected some humor, particularly during a mid-show trivia session. It was Presidents Day, so three contestants were chosen to answer quizzo-style questions; the winner received a free beer. That winner, Andrew Hink, was also one of the night's great performers. He resembled Ben Folds in voice and lyrics (one excellent line: "If I crash and burn/ the world still turns"), as well as a hard-driving piano style. But rather than Folds-esque piano pop, his songs were rooted in jazz and blues. Hink was among a roomful of talent, some traditional, some innovative; some established, some new to the scene. A standout player was Brian Ashby, who delivered string-bending acoustic blues in a wail worthy of the materialwell worth checking out. Bryan Calvetti played catchy reggae-infused rock, and Dave B. put passion into performances on both guitar and piano. Kiley Ryan sang in a warm and steady voice over banjoan instrument she'd learned days before. And Anam Owili-Eger played sleek, jazz-infused soul with a powerful beat. Whether you plan to play or to watch, Fergie's is worth dropping by on a Monday night. Alongside the good music, there's a quality beer selection, and the pub grub is tasty. But if you're there to put your talents on display, be sure to show up good and early. The nitty-gritty for performers: Tues., 8:30 p.m. sign-up, 9 p.m. show, Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom St., 215-928-8118. Performers get 15 minutes or 3 songs each.

Posted by Matt Cantor @ 6:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Tritone

POSTED: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:00 PM

Filed Under: Critical Mass | Music | Adventures of an Open-Miker Local Support

The PBR Band.

Make no mistake: Tritone is a rock bar. The venue at 15th and South had Zeppelin blasting on the jukebox when I entered. The walls are red, the bathroom was covered with graffiti and those black-and-white bumper stickers for angry unknown bands, and the stage was littered with guitar amps as a man assembled a drum kit. This might sound like criticism, but it's not: it's just to point out that this is a venue quite different from those I've covered up to now. This one caters mainly to full bands, not singer-songwriters. That said, performances varied widely, from keyboards to harps to horns.

David Bowden

The night was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., but open-mikers be warned: it didn't get going until about 9:30. Still, the bands on stage Tuesday put on a rollicking good showI haven't seen so many extended guitar solos in quite a while, and it reminded me of why jam bands are so much fun. The band that hosted the night, called the PBR Band (though it stands for Philadelphia Brothers Reunion, not the beer), sounded like a cross between the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brotherstwo bands which they later covered. The guitarist played deft, modal solos reminiscent of Jerry Garcia's, but the overall sound was more stripped-down and punchy than either band. The keyboardist easily transitioned to bass as the night went on. These guys were technically proficient, and had plenty of energyworth dropping by on a Tuesday night to see. As for the other performers: we each got 15-minute, 3-song slots. I was impressed by David Bowden, a solo Irish harpist who confidently took the stage wedged between louder acts. His Celtic tunes were followed by Gray Fox, another standout actand not just because their drummer busted the bass drum head. They were a two-piece band, just guitar and drums, but there was no need for a bass: the guitarist filled the room with his metal-inflected blues riffs even while we waited for the drum kit to be repaired. The electric guitar, with its thin sound, has never struck me as a good solo instrument; you rarely see singer-songwriters come onstage with one. But Gray Fox pulled it off: it was Delta blues on speed. While we listened, we ate fried pickles and drank what's been called the "citywide special": PBR and a shot of whiskey for three bucks. No beers on tap, but a good selection of bottles and cans. Tritone is an upbeat, rocker's nightbands should check this one out, while singer-songwriters might prefer just to listen. The nitty-gritty for performers: Tuesdays, Tritone, 1508 South St. Scheduled for 8, but don't show up until 9. Three songs apiece.

Posted 2011-02-17 14:43:15

Though there may not have been many on this night, singer-songwriters are welcome to play, and often do.

Posted by Matt Cantor @ 7:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Tritone

POSTED: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Critical Mass | Music | Adventures of an Open-Miker Local Support

Make no mistake: Tritone is a rock bar. The venue at 15th and South had Zeppelin blasting on the jukebox when I entered. The walls are red, the bathroom was covered with graffiti and black-and-white bumper stickers for angry unknown bands, and the stage was littered with guitar amps as a man assembled a drum kit. This might sound like criticism, but it's not: it's just to point out that this is a venue quite different from those I've covered up to now. This one caters mainly to full bands, not singer-songwriters. That said, performances varied widely, from keyboards to harps to horns. The night was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., but open-mikers be warned: it didn't get going until about 9:30. Still, the bands on stage Tuesday put on a rollicking good show I haven't seen so many extended guitar solos in quite a while, and it reminded me of why jam bands are so much fun. The band that hosted the night, called the PBR Band ( it stands for Philadelphia Brothers Reunion, not the beer), sounded like a cross between the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers two bands they later covered. The guitarist played deft, modal solos reminiscent of Jerry Garcia's, but the overall sound was more stripped-down and punchy than either band. The keyboardist easily transitioned to bass as the night went on. These guys were technically proficient, and had plenty of energy worth dropping by on a Tuesday night to see. As for the other performers: we each got 15-minute, 3-song slots. I was impressed by David Bowden, a solo Irish harpist who confidently took the stage wedged between louder acts. His Celtic tunes were followed by Gray Fox, another standout act and not just because their drummer busted the bass drum head. They were a two-piece band, just guitar and drums, but there was no need for a bass: the guitarist filled the room with his metal-inflected blues riffs even while we waited for the drum kit to be repaired. The electric guitar, with its thin sound, has never struck me as a good solo instrument; you rarely see singer-songwriters come onstage with one. But Gray Fox pulled it off: it was Delta blues on speed. While we listened, we ate fried pickles and drank what's been called the "citywide special": PBR and a shot of whiskey for three bucks. No beers on tap, but a good selection of bottles and cans. Tritone is an upbeat, rocker's nightbands should check this one out, while singer-songwriters might prefer just to listen. The nitty-gritty for performers: Tuesdays, Tritone, 1508 South St. Scheduled for 8, but don't show up until 9. Three songs apiece, but it's flexible. For a comprehensive list of other open-mic nights in the city, check our event listings database.

Posted by Matt Cantor @ 6:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: MilkBoy Café in Bryn Mawr

POSTED: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 4:00 PM

Huey and the Banjo.

When open-miking at a café rather than a bar, the open-miker must be careful: a cup of coffee is rough on the voice — and more significantly, rough on the nerves. This week, I visited MilkBoy Coffee in Bryn Mawr, a pleasant little place with a mean cup of hot cocoa. I figured, for the purposes of this article, that I should try the coffee, too, and I can recommend it to non-performers. But I regretted the caffeination when I got onstage: to add to my stage fright, there was no microphone to hide behind. It's a truly acoustic venue, with no sound system. Just the open miker and the audience — a challenge, but a worthwhile one in learning to relax onstage. The shop's walls were adorned with art for sale, including an excellent series showing animals wearing extremely specific clothing. One painting's full title was "Rooster in Waterproof Construction Boots." Next to it was "Kangaroo in Patriotic Headband." The room's coziness prompted a fair bit of chatting between audience members and performers, both onstage and off. The interaction was encouraged by an incredibly laid-back atmosphere as the host called performers to the stage. Sign-ups were officially at 6 p.m., an hour before the show started, but this week there were less than 10 people on the list. The host decided simply to cycle through it more than once, so we each played two songs and then had a chance to play another, if we so desired. The ratio between performers and listeners was about fifty-fifty — a healthy balance for these events. And the listeners listened hard: there was hardly any talking during performances. Between them, though, there was plenty. The host, Huey and the Banjo, opened the night with a rollicking original bluegrass tune built around a traditional blues structure. I was impressed: the song could easily have been a traditional tune about troubles with women, work, and drink. Next was Yashaswini Singh, a clear-voiced first-time performer who, descending from the stage, presented a cake to her friend and had the whole place singing "Happy Birthday." The highlight of the night, however, was Harrison, a fearless 9-year-old who whipped out note-for-note piano covers of "New York State of Mind" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." I'd recommend Bryn Mawr's MilkBoy to those seeking their first public performance — if they don't need a mic in front of them for protection, like I do. The nitty-gritty for performers: Wednesdays, 6 p.m. (sign-ups), 7 p.m. (show), free entry, MilkBoy Coffee, 824 West Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-645-5269, milkboycoffee.com.

Posted by Matt Cantor @ 4:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

ADVENTURES OF AN OPEN-MIKER: Lickety Split

POSTED: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 5:00 PM

Zoe Bachman

As the first open-mic blogger I know of, I'm officially declaring "open-mic" a verb. This week, I open-miked at Lickety Split, a long and narrow upstairs bar with the smell of pizza dough wafting up from downstairs and a good indie-pop mix on the stereo. The gregarious host was Kelvin Cochrane of the Absolute Zeros (get it? Kelvin, absolute zero? It's science). With about 20 people in the bar, it felt full, with a remarkably friendly ambiance. I sat at the back, not expecting to socialize much—but as Kelvin made the rounds around the room, his enthusiasm was contagious, and there was much chatter. Sign-ups were mostly in the hour before showtime, though as latecomers arrived throughout the night, they grabbed later slots, running up to about 1 a.m. The show began promptly at 9—impressive for an open mic, in my experience. As our host reminded us, musicians make a habit of tardiness (I'm no exception: I straggled in after missing my train from the suburbs). But no matter: from my vantage point at the back, things sounded good. The sound system was excellent: crisp and powerful without being painfully loud. Performances were mostly acoustic music, with a bit of spoken word and a bit of electronica. Each performer was allotted three songs in 15-minute appearances, while a featured performer got a half-hour slot in the middle of the night. Kelvin kept the atmosphere light and the show moving with hearty welcomes for each act, perched on a small stage at the front of the bar. We listened to a gentleman who introduced himself only as Nathan and offered a sad tune called "Girl on the Radio." An original song built on bright and punchy chords, it rose to a rollicking climax: "the airwaves are full of longing." High-school student Bob LoRusso, a newcomer, lent a sweet, light voice to several originals reminiscent of a cross between Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz. A standout song, "Children," lamented a wired world that keeps kids from "be[ing] kids." The featured act, called South, gave their debut performance at the bar. A three-piece with driving bass, South incorporated Billy Corgan-esque vocals over slow, rich bluesy grooves. By the end of the night, as I dashed off to make my train home, the mood was exceptionally jovial. Fellow open-mikers: this is one to try. The nitty gritty for performers: Tuesdays, 9 p.m., Lickety Split, 401 South St. 215-413-3434. Free entry, three songs each. Drink specials: $5 for a Yuengling plus a shot of Jameson's, $5 margaritas.

Posted by Matt Cantor @ 5:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

1 | 2

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
What we're trying to do this weekend
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
PHILLY LOVE NOTES: An ode to Spruce Street
CONCERT REVIEW & PHOTOS: James Blake @ TLA 5/11
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: The Archbishop meets the Geator, the Mayor goes suit shopping, Le Bec Fin fin.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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