{"id":27480,"date":"2018-11-13T09:34:37","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T14:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=27480"},"modified":"2018-11-13T09:34:43","modified_gmt":"2018-11-13T14:34:43","slug":"on-stage-dominque-brings-free-concert-to-wcu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=27480","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Dominque brings free concert to WCU"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

David Dominique<\/p><\/div>\n

West Chester University\u2019s Wells School of Music will present a special show on November 13 as part of its \u201cNew Music Series.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show Tuesday night at WCU\u2019s Ware Family Recital Hall (Swope Music Building, 817 South High Street, West Chester, https:\/\/25livepub.collegenet.com<\/a>) is highly attractive for two reasons \u2013 primarily because it features standout jazz\/avant-garde horn player David Dominique. The second reason is that the concert is free and open to the public.<\/p>\n

Dominique, a professor at William & Mary College who holds a Ph.D. in Music Composition and Theory, is a composer, performer and music theorist living in Richmond, Virginia by way of Los Angeles, Boston, and New York. His compositional output includes contemporary chamber music, jazz, electroacoustic music, installation, rock and theater.<\/p>\n

Much of Dominique\u2019s recent music has been written for a jazz octet, including the albums \u201cRitual\u201d (2013) and \u201cMask\u201d (2018) — collections of compositions for saxophones, flute, violin, viola, clarinet, bass clarinet, valve trombone\/flugabone, electric guitar, electronics, bass and drums.<\/p>\n

\u201cMask\u201d is a surrealist, cross-genre expression of angst and catharsis and an exploration of Dominique\u2019s diverse heritage and musical interests — from 60s jazz to avant-rock to contemporary classical.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded \u201cMask\u201d in Los Angeles and every player on the record lives in L.A.,\u201d said Dominique, during a recent phone interview from his home in Richmond.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded it at Nolan Shaheed Studios. It\u2019s a garage studio in Pasadena. Nolan Shaheed produced the album. I first heard about Nolan by word of mouth. Joe Santa Maria, who plays sax and flute on \u2018Mask,\u2019 recommended him. Nolan is also a great trumpet player who has worked with acts ranging from the Count Basie Orchestra to Lady Gaga.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written over eight years, Dominique\u2019s new Orenda Records release moves about between styles, strategies, attitudes and textures. The project builds on the language Dominique developed on \u201cRitual\u201d while offering a perpetual sense of surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spent a long period of time working on this album,\u201d said Dominique. \u201cI worked a lot on pre-composition, composition and live performance.\u201d
\nDominique holds an undergraduate degree from New York University, a Master of Music degree from California State University at Northridge, and an MFA and PhD from Brandeis University where he studied with David Rakowski and Eric Chasalow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI studied cultural anthropology and music at NYU,\u201d said Dominique. \u201cI got my master\u2019s degree in music composition at Cal. State-Northridge. Then, I got another master\u2019s and my PhD in composition and theory at Brandeis. My credentials were classic chamber music and contemporary.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy music now is in a different direction. On \u2018Mask,\u2019 the harmonies and melodies denote jazz but also has a feel of minimalism. American minimalism with composers such as Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Terry Riley has infiltrated mainstream today.\u201d<\/p>\n

On \u201cMask,\u201d Dominique played flugabone and was joined by a seven-piece band that featured Brian Walsh (renor sax and clarinets), Sam Robles (alto and baritone sax), Lauren Baba (viola), Alex Noice (guitar and electronics), Michael Alvidrez (bass), Andrew Lessman (drums), and Santa Maria (sax and flute).<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be playing with a seven-piece band in West Chester, but it will be different musicians than the ones who were on the album,\u201d said Dominque. \u201cThis is my East Coast band with four of the members from Richmond. In our live show, we\u2019re playing eight or nine songs from \u2018Mask\u2019 and five or six from \u2018Ritual,\u2019 which was my previous album that was released in 2013.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for David Dominique \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/jayNqTiPCUY<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The concert on November 13 at WCU\u2019s Ware Family Recital Hall in the Swope Music Building will start at 8:15 p.m. The show is free and open to<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Elliott Murphy<\/p><\/div>\n

When Elliott Murphy first played shows in this area, he was a young singer-songwriter-rocker with long straight blonde hair and an innocent-looking face. He released his debut album \u201cAquashow\u201d in 1973 and was performing gigs at clubs like the long-gone Main Point in Bryn Mawr.<\/p>\n

When Murphy comes back to the area this week, he is a veteran singer-songwriter-author with medium-length blonde hair and a face not-so-innocent \u2013 a somewhat roadworn face that still features a warm, welcoming smile.<\/p>\n

Murphy, who turned 69 in March, is still rocking and still writing great songs. On November 13, he will headline a show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400<\/a>, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Almost 50 years have passed since the release of \u201cAquashow\u201d (which was declared an \u201cAlbum Classic\u201d by the UK\u2019s prestigious UNCUT magazine). Since that time, Murphy, singer-songwriter, rock troubadour, indefatigable road warrior (more than 100 shows a year) and prolific author of fiction, has once again proven his dedication to his music and his commitment to his growing legion of fans with the release of his most recent LP, \u201cProdigal Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI put a lot of work into the making of \u2018Prodigal Son,\u2019\u201d said Murphy, during a trans-Atlantic phone interview last week from his home in Paris, France. \u201cI recorded it here in Paris. I\u2019ve been living in Paris for the last 28 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murphy may be a long-time resident of \u201cLa Ville-Lumi\u00e8re\u201d (\u201cCity of Lights\u201d), but his roots are in Long Island, New York \u2013 in Garden City, where he grew up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe original impetus for this tour was that I was being inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in November,\u201d said Murphy. \u201cI\u2019m getting inducted by Billy Joel. They do inductions every two years. The Hall of Fame there has an amazing group of artists.<\/p>\n

The Long Island Music Hall of Fame\u2019s list of inductees from over the years includes a variety of internationally-acclaimed musicians such as Al Kooper, John Coltrane, Barbra Streisand, Paul Simon, The Shangri-La\u2019s, Cyndi Lauper, Louie Armstrong, Joan Jett, Connie Stevens, Pat Benatar, Lou Reed, Count Basie, Deborah Gibson, Carole King, Tony Bennett and Billy Joel.<\/p>\n

On November 8, Murphy officially joined the illustrious ranks. It is not his first major international honor. In 2015, Murphy was awarded the\u00a0Chevalier des arts et des lettres\u00a0medal by the French Minister of Culture.<\/p>\n

Along with his virtuoso French guitarist Olivier Durand, Murphy will be performing shows in New York and New Jersey in November as well as a highly-coveted performance at the Kennedy Center\u2019s Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

\u201d On this tour, I\u2019m just playing as a duo with my guitarist Olivier, who has been with me for 22 years,\u201d said Murphy. \u201cIn Europe, half my shows are with my band and half are as duo. This year, I\u2019ll probably have done more than 60 shows. You have to stay on the road or else you forget how to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murphy is also a prolific writer of fiction with two novels and\u00a0numerous collections of short stories published in Europe. One of his earlier stories is currently being made into the film\u00a0\u201cBroken Poet\u201d\u00a0and will feature him in his first major acting role. Cast members include Marisa Berenson, Academy Award nominee Michael O\u2019Keefe, and acclaimed French actress Joana Preiss. A Spring 2019 release is projected for \u201cBroken Poet\u201d by award-winning Spanish Director Emilio Barrachina.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m also working a lot on short stories and novels including a short story for Rolling Stone magazine,\u201d said Murphy. \u201cThe first writing I did other than writing songs was writing the liner notes for Velvet Underground\u2019s \u2018Live\u2019 album. I think I need both types of writing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m always writing music \u2013 bits of songs, bits of lyrics. When I go to my band to make an album, I bring all these things.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor my live shows, I change the set list a lot. We do a lot of stuff from \u2018Prodigal Son.\u2019 With 35 or 36 albums, I have a lot to draw from, but I look at my whole catalog. For example, I still play \u2018Last of the Rock Stars,\u2019 which was on my first album back in 1973.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Elliott Murphy \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/PMZrGjDEDTY?list=OLAK5uy_lsoRh01m74GfUwUhVRBHp6ZvVfhYW3CMU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which has Adam Masterson as the opener, will start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

On November 13 and 14, Real Friends will visit the area for a two-night stand at the First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, www.r5productions.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Real Friends<\/p><\/div>\n

Real Friends \u2013 Brian Blake [drums], Kyle Fasel [bass guitar], Dave Knox [guitar], Dan Lambton [vocals], Eric Haines [guitar]<\/p>\n

\u2013 is a pop punk band that traces its roots back to 2010 in Tinley Park, Illinois \u2013 a suburb of Chicago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all met through playing in different local bands,\u201d said Fasel, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Alabama. \u201cWe\u2019ve been together eight years now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all had been in bands with people without the same vision \u2013 people who didn\u2019t take it seriously and want to take it to the next level\u2026people who didn\u2019t want to make a career out of it. So, we formed Real Friends. We\u2019ve all been in this band since we were 20. I never even envisioned having a normal job and a normal life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all made the commitment \u2013 except our original drummer. He was with us for under a year, so I consider Brian as our original drummer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Real Friends released their debut album, \u201cMaybe This Place Is the Same and We\u2019re Just Changing\u201d in 2014 and then put out their sophomore album, \u201cThe Home Inside My Head,\u201d in 2016.<\/p>\n

The band released its third album, \u201cComposure,\u201d on July 13, 2018 on Fearless Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded \u2018Composure\u2019 in January 2018,\u201d said Fasel. \u201cWe were in L.A. to make the album with producer Mike Green. We had worked with him on a couple songs in the past. We were out there for about five weeks and cut tracks at Mike\u2019s studio in West Hollywood. It was a great experience \u2013 and the weather was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Real Friends went a different route by recording with two producers — three songs with producer Mike Green (Pierce The Veil, All Time Low) and nine with Steve Evetts (The Wonder Years, Dillinger Escape Plan).<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a lot different than tour past recordings,\u201d said Fasel. \u201cWe wrote musically for a year and didn\u2019t work on any vocals until we got in the studio. All the vocals were written in five-to-six weeks. Mike would get the idea and we\u2019d help with the vocals.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the past, I did the majority of the lyrics. Now, it\u2019s half-and-half with the singer. As far as the lyrics go, we had a lot written. The challenge was re-arranging them to fit the songs.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were other differences between \u201cComposure\u201d and its predecessors.<\/p>\n

\u201cSonically, \u2018Composure\u2019 has a crisper sound,\u201d said Fasel. \u201cIt\u2019s a little more polished but still natural. It\u2019s still energetic and loud \u2013 but n0t overbearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe songs we chose for our live set are pretty well spread out. There are at least three from \u2018The Home Inside My Head\u2019 and five or six from \u2018Composure.\u2019 And, we scattered some old ones in there. We\u2019ll be starting to write again after this tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Real Friends — https:\/\/youtu.be\/wkdoATNbEWk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The shows on November 13 and 14 at the at First Unitarian Church, which have Boston Manor, Grasyscale and Eat Your Heart Out as opening acts, will start at 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are $22.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>There could be some confusion if you hear someone referring to Mayday \u2013 especially if they are rock music fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cMayday\u201d is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice-procedure radio communications. It originated in 1923.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay Day\u201d is a public holiday usually celebrated on May 1. It is an ancient Northern Hemisphere spring festival and a traditional spring holiday in many cultures.<\/p>\n

In the world of popular music, there are three bands with similar \u201cMayday\u201d names \u2013 Mayday, \u00a1MayDay!, and Mayday Parade.<\/p>\n

Mayday is a Taiwanese band that debuted in 1999. Mayday won the Golden Melody Award for Best Musical Group in 2001, 2004, 2009 and 2012. CNN calls them “The Chinese Beatles” and they are named “Kings of Concerts\u201d in Asia. They are one of the most influential Taiwanese bands in the 2000s.<\/p>\n

\u00a1MayDay! is an American hip hop group from Miami, Florida. The group consists of rappers Bernz and Ben Miller (a.k.a. Wrekonize or just Wrek) along with producer, and percussionist Andrews Mujica (a.k.a. NonMS).<\/p>\n

Mayday Parade is an American rock band from Tallahassee, Florida featuring Derek Sanders, Alex Garcia, Brooks Betts, Jeremy Lenzo, and Jake Bundrick.<\/p>\n

Ironically, \u00a1MayDay! and Mayday Parade will be performing in Philadelphia less than 24 hours apart.<\/p>\n

On November 13, \u00a1MayDay! will headline a show at MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455<\/a>, www.milkboyphilly.com<\/a>). On November 14, Mayday Parade will headline a show at The Fillmore (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150<\/a>, www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u00a1MayDay! has been making well-received albums for more than a decade starting with its self-titled debut in 2006. The group followed with \u201cStuck on an Island\u201d (2010), \u201cTake Me to Your Leader\u201d (20123), \u201cBelievers\u201d (2013), \u201c\u00a1MursDay! (with Murs)\u201d (2014), \u201cFuture Vintage\u201d (2013), \u201cSearch Party\u201d 92017), and \u201cSouth of 5th<\/sup>,\u201d which was just released on September 7, 2018 on Strange Music.<\/p>\n

\u201cSouth of 5th<\/sup>\u201d has impressively debuted on\u00a0Billboard\u00a0album charts at #1 Reggae, #11 Rap, #19 Indie, and #65 Top 200. The album is the group\u2019s first release to claim the #1 spot on the\u00a0Billboard\u00a0Reggae Chart, and the sixth time the trio has appeared on Billboard\u2019s Rap album chart and Top 200 Chart.<\/p>\n

The new album\u2019s 13 tracks take listeners through the skank and ska riddims of the Caribbean while maintaining \u00a1MayDay!\u2019s signature blend of Boom Bap Hip Hop, Pop, Rock and R&B. The new album is stacked with featured collaborations including\u00a0Danny Acosta,\u00a0Tech N9ne,\u00a0Stige, and\u00a0Common Kings.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded \u2018South of 5th\u2019 earlier this year \u2013 December through February,\u201d said Wrek, during a phone interview Friday afternoon from a tour stop in Buffalo, New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took about three months for us to put it together. We recorded it at Poppa\u2019s House, which is our studio in Little Havana. A few other groups rent space from us and have rehearsal rooms there. We\u2019ve been there about seven years and keep adding gear as we go. It used to be a dentist\u2019s office at one time, but we\u2019ve been changing that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had the idea toward the end of last year for a specifically reggae sound. At the time, it was tricky for me. My wife Ada gave birth to twins \u2013 Corbin and Calvin — in December. It was difficult trying to juggle two babies and recording. Now, it\u2019s at a point where my wife can handle the twins without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving into reggae was a new direction for \u00a1MayDay!<\/p>\n

\u201cOur booking agent put us on tour with Dirty Heads,\u201d said Wrek. \u201cThen, later we did a tour with Common Kings. Coming from hip hop, we found the energy was so different at reggae shows. We were enjoying the energy of reggae.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenny wanted us to try doing reggae. When we started making the music, I realized it would be organic. The result was a \u00a1MayDay! album with a reggae vibe.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur current live show is one of the best sets we\u2019ve come up with. Me and Benny are the MCs and NonMs does percussion and triggering. It\u2019s the most comprehensive set we\u2019ve done. It runs the gamut of every album.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u00a1MayDay! — https:\/\/youtu.be\/utxFRT-D2NA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at MilkBoy Philadelphia, which has D.U. Ivan, and 1 Ton of Potluck as openers, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Mayday Parade<\/p><\/div>\n

Back in June, Mayday Parade released its sixth album, \u201cSunnyland,\u201d on Rise Records. The album got its name from an abandoned hospital where the used to sneak in to explore as teenagers.<\/p>\n

Now, the Florida-based band is on the road with its \u201cWelcome to Sunnyland Tour,\u201d the first North American headlining run in support of the recently released album.<\/p>\n

Mayday Parade\u2019s first five albums were released with amazing regularity \u2013 \u201cA Lesson in Romantics\u201d (2007), \u201cAnywhere But Here\u201d (2009), \u201cMayday Parade\u201d (2011), \u201cMonsters in the Closet\u201d (2013), and \u201cBlack Lines\u201d (2015). The two-year routine was broken when the band waited until 2018 to drop \u201cSunnyland.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe took three years to release this album because we wanted to spend a little more time,\u201d said Betts, during a phone interview Thursday afternoon from a tour stop in Buffalo, New York. \u201cBefore, we did a fall release every other year. This time, we decided to wait and then have a summer release. I think it paid off.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe took a lot more time with the writing process. We usually write individually and then bring it to the band. On this album, we spent more time on the decision process. We spent a number of sessions working on songs together.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded some of the tracks with Howard Benson and Jack Feldman in L.A. We had a chance to work with guys who had some big names under their belt. Most of it we did with Zack Odom and Ken Mount in Atlanta. We used Zack and Ken on several of our records before. Although we took a lot of time to write and organize the album, we wanted to track it quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSunnyland\u201d shows Mayday Parade playing songs with a different kind of vibe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to put together the best songs with good dynamics,\u201d said Betts. \u201cWe definitely wanted a balance \u2013 mid-tempo to ballad to up-tempo songs. We finished with 13 songs and I think all the good ones are there.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur last album \u2018Black Lines\u2019 wasn\u2019t as well-received by fans, so we wanted to focus more on what the fans wanted. \u2018Black Lines\u2019 was dark and a little more edgy so this time we wanted more up-tempo and pop punk feel \u2013 also more ballads.\u201d<\/p>\n

After releasing \u201cSunnyland\u201d in June, Mayday Parade spent the summer playing on the Warped Tour \u2013 which meant playing just 30-minute sets. \u201cNow, we\u2019re playing sets that are an hour to an hour-20 long,\u201d said Betts. \u201cWe try to play a balance of new stuff that people are warming up to along with older songs. And, we\u2019re also playing tracks we don\u2019t play a lot live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Mayday Parade \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/wYURYvj9Meo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at The Fillmore, which has This Wild Life and William Ryan Key as opening acts, will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $27.50.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times West Chester University\u2019s Wells School of Music will present a special show on November 13 as part of its \u201cNew Music Series.\u201d The show Tuesday night at WCU\u2019s Ware Family Recital Hall (Swope Music Building, 817 South High Street, West Chester, https:\/\/25livepub.collegenet.com) is highly attractive for two reasons […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27482,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7441],"tags":[11046,11044,11045,6269,11047,7122],"class_list":["post-27480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-mayday","tag-david-dominique","tag-elliott-murphy","tag-featured","tag-mayday-parade","tag-real-friends"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27480"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27480\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27481,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27480\/revisions\/27481"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}