What a great month April was. The weather is (mostly) starting to get pretty nice, making for outdoor music which is my favorite season and I’m really looking forward to all the music coming to our area this summer. I got out for a fair bit of music, hit two new (to me) spots, and even got a few promo shoots in for some local bands. It was a good month for sure.
First trip out was to a new (to me) place in Camp Hill, Sworn Brewing. My dad was in visiting and my son joined us to check out Shine Delphi playing with his long-time buddy Nathan Rivera from Southern California. It’s been a bit since I’d gotten the chance to catch one of Shine’s shows, but I’ve always loved his unique style and personality (anyone that’s seen him knows his laugh!) and Nathan added a great southwest sort of flavor as they went back & forth playing songs together on the fly. Sworn is a pretty small venue and it was packed to the gills which I hear is a pretty common thing there. I definitely recommend checking them out!
The following week, I headed over to Lovedraft’s (rebranding as Capital City Music Hall and moving to 2nd Street in Harrisburg) for 717 Entertainment’s final show at this location…and boy, was it a ripper! Opening up the evening was a project I’ve followed pretty much since they started, and this was their debut live show: Beautiful Divide. Having heard and seen so many of their videos on social media, I was very excited to finally see them live and they absolutely did NOT disappoint! Tony & Rachel put on a great show with their beautifully haunting original tunes that have a great energy including the debut release of their new song Live. Next up was York based The Borderline, a hard rock band that occasionally went in to a sort of party rock style singing their original high energy tunes that kept everyone moving. Taking the stage third was a band that has quickly become a favorite of mine…and they just get better each time I’ve seen them: Ruiness. I’ve no idea what to say about them that I haven’t said already, but I’ll give it a shot: Their music is just down right banging, their energy is simply infectious, and they are growing quickly! In short: just go see them, I wouldn’t steer you wrong 😀 The fourth band of the evening was one that was described to be as indescribable…and they weren’t wrong. Source comes out of Colorado with this wicked style of melodic metal with an intense light show that is just amazing. I can’t really put them in any single category, but it struck me that they gave me the same feels a jam band does, but metal. It doesn’t make sense, but yet it fits. They definitely added a bunch of new fans after this show. Ending the evening was Lehighton PA based Another Day Dawns. The crowd went nuts for these folks, putting an exclamation point on the evening and showing how strong of a following they have put together since they began playing in 2010. They cranked out their original hard rock tunes with awesome energy, hard driving rhythms and tight riffs all blended perfectly with great vocals. Lovedrafts will be missed…but this wasn’t the end of the story, just this chapter and I’m looking forward to the next one for sure!.
A few days later we got to head just a few miles down the road to Franks’ Farm in Boiling Springs for his first party of the year. My brother just knows how to throw an epic party and this was no exception. The music started off with Dave Gates cranking out tunes like Last Dance with Mary Jane, No Diggity, All Along The Watchtower, and more. Dave’s always great, I’ve enjoyed his shows since I first met him five years ago…but I have to admit, I was anxious for the next band which just so happens is fronted by Mr Gates as well: Innavibe. This was the 5 piece reggae band’s debut show, and what a perfect place for it. Now, I admit, I’ve never been to a reggae show but I’ve always enjoyed the music when I hear it. That said, Dave and the guys are the most non-reggae-looking band I could have imagined LOL, until they start playing: it was unbelievable to me that this was their first show as they were incredibly tight with a solid sound and made for such a great time playing songs like Badfish, Good Times, Bring Me Along and more. It looks like their schedule is filling up pretty quickly so definitely keep your eyes open for these guys.
The following week, Wendy and I headed over to New Cumberland to finally see The Swisher Sweets at Dead Lightning’s new room downstairs called Level6Seven. First I just want to say, what a cool little underground club vibe this room had. This was only the second show in there and I foresee great things in the future. The Sweets cranked out tunes for a packed room with great covers of songs like Mr Brightside, Last Dance w/ Mary Jane, Living On A Prayer and more. Everyone was dancing and having a blast.
My last trip out for the month was over to the Ridge Run Tavern in Elizabethtown for a CPMHOF Open Mic hosted by John Rossey of Cold Spring Union. I tried catching all the names of everyone that played, but if I missed anyone I do apologize: John Rossey, Bob, Quincy Rogers, Kate Bush, Rick Snyder, Jay, Clifton Brian with Whiskey & Wildflowers, Zack from Spirit Of Division, Scott Crash of Crash & Cross, and we even had a wild Hank The Buffalo sighting! There were originals and covers, country, classic rock, 90s alt rock and more. It made for a great afternoon of music from a lot of talented musicians!
So there it is, my month of music through my eyes and ears. I want to once again thank all the bands, venues, and everyone else involved in our incredible local music scene for everything they do. Just a reminder: if you’ve got a show coming up that I should see; make sure to send me an invite, shoot me an email or a message, let me know about it. Venues: please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as well. The majority of the shows that I go and shoot I find out about through invites from all of you or your friends. Hit me up on facebook: @chrisriderphotography or email: chrisriderphotography@gmail.com, stop me if you see me out and say hi.
Until next month…go find some live music and give them and the venue your support; they need it more than ever.
