Saturday, December 12, 8 p.m
Join us for an evening of incredible solo performances by 3 seasoned and beloved Philly artists, each offering a rich and unique sound, together a shared commonality of pure talent and gracious hospitality.
Andrew Gray
of Hoots and Hellmouth
After a long stint of touring with Philadelphia’s Hoots and Hellmouth, Andrew Gray will be making a rare solo performance featuring songs of his own as well as from friends he met through his years of traveling with the band. Stripped down and simple, his voice creaks like embers in a fire of wood and steel, embracing songs in their purest form.
Steph Hayes
of Steph Hayes and the Good Problems, Slo-Mo, Stargazer Lily
Steph Hayes is a singer and songwriter who spent several years in pop/rock group Stargazer Lily. She signed with Arista Records in 2000, has written with Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Roy Orbison), John Shanks (Ashlee Simpson, Melissa Etheridge) and Shelley Peiken (Meredith Brooks) and many other top industry songwriters. She has also recorded with Nelly Furtado, The John Lennon REMIX project, and Ben Arnold.
After the break-up of Stargazer Lily in 2005, Hayes formed The Good Problems, an “urban folk” group including other local musicians and songwriters. They released Dirty Beauty in the fall of 2006. Songs from the record have been featured on the teen T.V. drama South Of Nowhere. Touring followed, and in 2008, Hayes released a live solo record of travel inspired songs. Mostly True Stories is an account of life on the road told by a D.I.Y. folksinger.
Steph is currently recording a new record with local legend Mike Pfeiffer (of The Asscoiates) and current proprietor of the newly inspired Hopetown Records. The working title is Made To Change and it will be a double-E.P; one side rock, one side folk. It’s literal interpretation of the term “folk-rock” and an exploration of Hayes’ duality. With no functional band set up in place, Hayes and Pfeiffer did most of the tracking themselves, stretching their combined creativity to play all of the instruments. The result is a totally unique sound that draws on the influences of Hayes and Pfeiffer’s shared idols: Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, The White Stripes, Wilco, Neil Young and most importatly Wyld Stallions. “If people get half as much of a rush listening to this record as Mike and I got from recording it, it’ll be successful.”
With no release date set, Hayes continues to play solo and in a variety of Philly bands including hip-hop/dance band Slo-Mo.
Andrew Lipke
Andrew Lipke has been making music in Philadelphia for over eleven years now and has kept himself very busy: From leading the rock band Metagroove to local, national, and critical acclaim, to composing music for original and innovative Philadelphia theater productions. From writing, performing, and producing his first full length solo record, to producing several records for up and coming regional artists. This broad range of experience gives Andrew’s lyrics a sense of subtlety and meaning that is refreshing and engaging, and his powerful voice has drawn comparisons to Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright and Elvis Costello – to name a few. This unmistakable voice and the beautiful and often haunting melodies of his songs continue to garner him new fans and praise from across the nation.
suggested contribution: $8 ($5 – $10 will get you through the door)
oh yeah! AND everyone will have a chance to WIN FREE STUFF:
yoga/pilates classes, CDs, and surprise contributions by the artists!
