{"id":11332,"date":"2017-05-04T08:53:56","date_gmt":"2017-05-04T12:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=11332"},"modified":"2017-05-04T08:54:01","modified_gmt":"2017-05-04T12:54:01","slug":"on-stage-tommy-castro-hits-sellersville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=11332","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Tommy Castro hits Sellersville"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Staff Writer, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Tommy Castro and The Painkillers<\/p><\/div>\n

Award-winning guitarist\/vocalist Tommy Castro and his band The Painkillers will return to this area for a show on May 4 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve played the Sellersville Theatre a number of times and always had a lot of fun,\u201d said Castro, during a recent phone interview from \u201csomewhere in New Jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great place to play. We\u2019re looking forward to it. It has good sound, good food and great audiences. We always had good shows there \u2013 and it\u2019s the closest we\u2019re getting to Philly on this tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers are currently on tour in support of their latest album, \u201cMethod to My Madness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dubbed by Castro as the \u201cSix Strings Down Tour,\u201d this is a special tour with fellow guitarist\/vocalist Mike Zito.<\/p>\n

Zito is a guitarist, singer, producer, and songwriter from St. Louis<\/a>, Missouri<\/a>. He is a co-founder of Royal Southern Brotherhood<\/a> that features Cyril Neville<\/a>, Devon Allman, Charlie Wooton and Yonrico Scott.<\/p>\n

Castro has released 15 albums in the last 20 years. His most recent \u201cMethod to My Madness\u201d was released in 2015 on Alligator Records \u2013 the label on which he has released five records since 2009.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis tour will have me and Mike playing together,\u201d said Castro. \u201cI\u2019ve toured three times with \u2018Method to My Madness\u2019 so I wanted to do something different when we came out on tour this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cMike and I had been taking about doing shows together for a while. I hadn\u2019t really played with him before although we sat in with each other\u2019s shows here and there. I think we jammed together on some blues cruises.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis tour together was another brainstorm I had when I was booking shows for a spring tour. My new album won\u2019t be out for a while and I wanted to do something new.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Castro\u2019s music might be a bit different from Zito\u2019s, the two musicians\u2019 styles are complementary.<\/p>\n

Over the course of his four-decade career, Castro, who is a six-time winner of the prestigious Blues Music Award-winner, has played thousands of shows to hundreds of thousands of fans.<\/p>\n

Castro, one of San Francisco\u2019s veteran music acts, has put together a top-flight band. The Painkillers feature bassist Randy McDonald, keyboardist Michael Emerson and drummer Bowen Brown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started the Painkillers about four years ago,\u201d said Castro. \u201cRandy (McDonald), who has been with me for over 25 years, and I wanted to do something fresh and exciting — somewhat modern and somewhat traditional — and really rocking.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy music isn\u2019t so much about guitar as it is about songs. I\u2019m probably more a singer than a guitar player. I like a good hook and I want songs that people remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

Castro and Zito are working on making music that people remember.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have two guitar players and two singers with different styles,\u201d said Castro, who grew up in San Jose, California. \u201cI suspected that we would get along well. From the first night we played together, it clicked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our shows on this tour, we play a couple songs from \u2018Method to My Madness,\u2019 a couple of my older songs, some of Mike\u2019s songs from Mike\u2019s \u2018Make Blues Not War\u2019 record and some covers of blues classics.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe show is pretty high energy with lot of guitar going on \u2013 a lot of jamming and letting it fly. We\u2019re also doing a Chuck Berry tribute every night because Mike is from St. Louis.\u201d<\/p>\n

St. Louis was the home of recently-deceased rock-and-roll legend Chuck Berry.<\/p>\n

Castro will likely be on the road again later this year after the release of his next album.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ll have a new album out in the fall,\u201d said Castro. \u201cIt\u2019s mostly done. My idea was to make a really strong blues album.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I started working on the songs, they sound like me \u2013 soul music, blued and rock. This album actually might be more rock-and-roll based \u2013 music I listened to growing up in San Jose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Tommy Castro \u2013https:\/\/youtu.be\/JG2y7yEd3us<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show in Sellersville will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $39.50.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the Sellersville Theater are Lez Zeppelin on May 5, Dana Fuchs on May 6, and Joe Lynn Turner on May 7.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Emel<\/p><\/div>\n

Also on May 4, there will be an area concert featuring music that is about as different as possible from the rocking music of Castro \u2013 a concert at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>) featuring Tunisian singer\/songwriter Emel (whose full name is Emel Mathlouthi).<\/p>\n

Emel, who is touring in support of her new album\u00a0\u201cEnsen,\u201d has a unique musical style that blends elements of electronica, North African rhythms, and Western rock. She is best known as a protest singer and an icon of the Tunisian revolution.<\/p>\n

Her song \u201cKelmti Horra (My Word Is Free)\u201d went viral online and became the unofficial anthem of the Arab Spring (despite being banned from Tunisian radio play).<\/p>\n

\u201cEnsen\u201d was recorded in seven countries with numerous producers including Valgeir Sigur\u00f0sson (Sigur Ros). Her debut album \u201cKelmti Horra (My Word is Free)\u201d introduced her groundbreaking marriage of sounds steeped in Tunisian rhythms and electronic beats.<\/p>\n

On \u201cEnsen,\u201d Emel has developed a style that is even more her own — combining organic and electronic sounds to produce a truly innovative record.<\/p>\n

According to Emel, \u201cIt took a couple of years to realize the visions that were popping up inside me. I faced resistance from people wanting to keep me confined to an \u2018ethnic box\u2019 and trying to limit my creative freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite government censorship in Tunisia, Emel found relief and strength in the music of Baez, Dylan, Lennon, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. She soon became known on the Tunisian alternative scene for her protest songs.<\/p>\n

Emel recalled, \u201cLittle by little, more and more people started coming to my shows, telling me my words were a relief. But, I knew I\u2019d never get anywhere in Tunisia, no matter how talented I was.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the songs on my first album developed on stage over a six-year period, \u2018Ensen\u2019 is a fully realized studio album. Producing it was a process of soul searching and liberating musical experimentation. I was looking for a deeper, limitless way of expressing myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe initially recorded acoustic takes of the songs using piano, guitars and Tunisian style drumming. I then had the idea of creating my own library of electronic beats by running percussion and recorded sounds through several homemade setups.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we added in analog keyboards, mixers, effects and distortion, and the result sounded nothing like anything we\u2019d ever heard before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Emel \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/VgZifcSzVB8<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which has Briana Marela as the opener, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the venue are Start Making Sense on May 5, Out of the Beardspace on May 6, Eddie Jobsoin and mark Bonilla on May 7,\u00a0 and La Misa Negra on May 8.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Talay<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cTalay\u201d in Thailand means \u201cseafood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTalay\u201d in New York means something entirely different \u2013 something tasty but hardly something fishy. It is the name of a music act from New York City.<\/p>\n

Megan Talay is a talented rock musician based in the Westchester area just outside New York City, New York who performs simply as Talay.<\/p>\n

On May 5, Talay will do a solo show at the Headhouse Caf\u00e9 (122 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, www.headhousephilly.com<\/a>, 215-922-2515).<\/p>\n

On May 6, she and her band will perform at the \u201cgood! how are you fest\u201d at Trafalmadore & Slime Time Live (Ellsworth Street between 24th and 25th, Philadelphia, goodhowareyou2017.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Talay will release her self-titled EP on June 2. Co-produced by Greg Mayo (Bernhoft, Delta Rae) and Zach Jones (Sting, A Great Big World, Wakey! Wakey!) and mixed by Ducky Carlisle (Demi Lovato, Rooney), it showcases her infectious pop-punk vibe and clever, snarky lyrics.<\/p>\n

Talay has been playing iconic New York venues since she was 16, winning over fans with her infectious on-stage persona. In addition to her own project, she has become a sought-after session musician and spent some time playing in the highly-praised Guns N’ Roses tribute band Guns N’ Hoses.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always listened to music as a kid but I did the suburban thingh with dance classes,\u201d said Talay, during a phone interview Monday from her home in Irvington, New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, when I was 12 or 13, I started listening to pop-punk \u2013 bands like Fall Out Boy, Blink 182 and Green Day. I picked up a guitar in sixth grade and started taking lessons locally. Then, I got an electric guitar and started taking lessons with Greg Mayo, who is now my producer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI put an EP out in October 2015. It was definitely a different style than what I\u2019m doing now so it doesn\u2019t count. It was called \u2018Piece by Piece\u2019 and was acoustic-based folk-punk rock. It\u2019s still the same songwriting but my voice is a lot different now. My vocals really developed between records.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played a lot of lead guitar in bands when I was in high school and then did the acoustic stuff when I was in college. A friend heard me play the acoustic stuff and said \u2013 where\u2019s your Strat (Stratocaster electric guitar)? So, I became more of a rocker and adopted my mononym.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, she started working on her new \u201cTalay\u201d EP.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took a long time to make the EP because the musicians in my band are also busy with a lot of their own projects,\u201d said Talay. \u201cDrummer Zach Jones played with Sting. We made the record at Greg Mayo\u2019s studio in White Plains.\u201d<\/p>\n

The EP, which Talay describes as \u201cPunkyPoppyRockNRoll,\u201d features five infectious tunes including an autobiographical song about her living conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat song is \u2018Parents\u2019 House\u2019,\u201d said Talay. \u201cI still live in my parents\u2019 house just outside New York City. It makes more sense than paying all that rent to live in Manhattan or Brooklyn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Talay \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/vhtWnA1e7zI<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Headhouse Caf\u00e9 will start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8.<\/p>\n

Talay\u2019s set at Trafalmadore on May 6 will start at 5 p.m. Tickets for the \u201cgood! how are you fest\u201d are $9 and can be purchased athttp:\/\/goodhowareyou2017.brownpapertickets.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

J.D. Malone<\/p><\/div>\n

J.D. Malone may not be living in his parents\u2019 house but on May 6 will be playing a show at a location that is almost in his own backyard.<\/p>\n

Malone, a versatile singer-songwriter-guitarist from New England who now lives in Phoenixville, will be headlining a show with his band the Experts at the Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cI released my latest album \u2018Town and County\u2019 in March 2016,\u201d said Malone, during a phone interview Wednesday from his home in Phoenixville. \u201cI produced it and published it on my own. I do perform solo at times but I\u2019m more of a band guy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the sound of a band and it will be a band show at Steel City. I spent a lot of effort on building the band sound. When I\u2019m making records, I have my band contribute rather than be session guys. I try to cultivate the band mentality.\u201d<\/p>\n

The current line-up for J.D. Malone & the Experts features Avery Coffee on guitar, Tommy Geddes on drums, Nate Gonzalez on keyboards, Jim Miades on bass, Tom Hampton on lap steel, Michael Ronstadt on cello and Malone on vocals and guitar.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s usually a five-piece,\u201d said Malone. \u201cThis group \u2014 I call it the \u2018First Call Guys,\u2019 because they\u2019re the first guys I call when I want to record or play a show. I\u2019d rather not play an instrument. I\u2019d rather just sing and be a front man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Malone not only lives in Phoenixville, he made his latest album there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded the album at The Hacienda in Phoenixville with my friend Cliff Hillis,\u201d said Malone, who celebrated his 52nd birthday last summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is mostly with my band. There are a couple tracks that have less of the band. My view for a song is to write a good basic song without the instrumentation written in stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made the album from April 2015 through February 2016. Cliff Hillis co-produced it and played on some of the tracks. I\u2019ve already started doing some pre-production work for my next album.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, I just go over to Cliff\u2019s house to work on the stuff. It will take a few months to do the pre-production so I\u2019m looking to take the band into the studio in September.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe majority of the songs for the new album are already being played by the band in our current set \u2013 \u2018The Strangest Oak,\u2019 \u2018Blue Impala,\u2019 and \u2018Soft Place to Land.\u2019 I always like to road-test songs before I record them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for J.D. Malone and the Experts \u2013<\/p>\n

The show at Steel City will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12. On May 5, Steel City will present \u201cJohn Flynn Live.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Kim Richey<\/p><\/div>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) will host Countdown to Ecstasy on May 5, John Cassidy and Friends on May 6 and Kim Richey on May 7.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will have Splintered Sunlight on May 4, She Became Grey (Reunion Show)<\/a> on May 5, Adrian Belew Power Trio on May 6, Countdown to Ecstasy on May 7 and Shannon McNally on May 10.<\/p>\n

Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0www.burlapandbean.com<\/a>) will present John Craigie and Jessy Tomsko on May 5, and Tin Bird Choir and Hinton, Bower, Jones on May 6.<\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) presents Marsha Ambrosius & Eric Benet on May 4, Dwight Yoakam on May 5, and Raffi on May 6.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Award-winning guitarist\/vocalist Tommy Castro and his band The Painkillers will return to this area for a show on May 4 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com). \u201cWe\u2019ve played the Sellersville Theatre a number of times and always had a lot of fun,\u201d said Castro, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11334,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4357],"tags":[5616,3162,4606,2130,5617,5615],"class_list":["post-11332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-emel","tag-featured","tag-j-d-malone","tag-kim-richey","tag-talay","tag-tommy-castro-and-the-painkillers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11332"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11332\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11333,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11332\/revisions\/11333"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}