“I’m lost in the space between the stars and the galaxies and I never meant to be alone“

ALLISSA is an up-and-coming songwriter from Pittsburgh, PA. Formerly a solo act, ALLISSA is now backed by the guitarist (Michael DeGruttola) and drummer (Ron Bender) from the retired touring rock band, Third From First. The cutting vocals of front-woman Allissa Logsdon, now paired with melodic-rock guitar tones and classic rock drum beats, gives ALLISSA a truly unique and unparalleled sound as evidenced on their latest single from last July entitled “Stranded.” I want to thank Allissa (Piano/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
The Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus album! “Life’s what you make it, so let’s make it rock” is still my life’s motto. Lol!

Your last album bought?
Flyleaf’s New Horizons album!

Favorite album of all time?
I would have to say Flyleaf’s Memento Mori album. I was around 13 and just starting to get into music at the time. The overall sound, passionate vocals of Lacey Sturm, and authentic messages within all of the songs really spoke to me. It was the album that inspired me to become the kind of artist I am today.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I don’t have a least favorite album, but one thing that really bothers me is when every song from an artist sounds the same. I also hate whenever a really good band decides to change their sound (for the worst) and they sound like a completely different band.

First concert attended?
I think it was a Toby Mac concert in Pittsburgh!

Last concert?
The last concert I went to and my most favorite concert ever was a Lacey Sturm (former singer of Fyleaf!) She’s my favorite singer/artist of all time, so seeing her in concert was a dream come true. I got to meet her afterwards and tell her what an inspiration she was to me.

Favorite concert ever?
See previous answer.

Least favorite concert?
I don’t think I have a least favorite concert. Even if I didn’t particularly enjoy a certain band I’ve seen, I can always appreciate live performances and find something that I can be inspired by and learn from.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love Pittsburgh so much! I grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, but I found a new appreciation for it when I went to college in the city. Downtown Pittsburgh is my favorite place to be. There’s something so magical about it during all seasons, but especially during Christmas! I am really proud to be from Pittsburgh.

Thanks, Allissa. I too used to spend countless hours downtown. I would take the bus and just walk around hitting certain stores and just enjoy the bustling ambiance. I really haven’y done that in many, many years.

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Image courtesy of the artist

“This is my heart, who reminds me to run free and with every pulse I can see clearer…“

Yunge Xiao (AKA yoonj) is a self-proclaimed musician and song-writer. At 19 years old, she has been writing chill, original songs since she was 12, and would love to start putting her work for the rest of the world to see. Originally from Philadelphia, she now resides in Pittsburgh and has always been immersed in the world of art–from dance to painting to, of course, music. She also loves content creation, and making visual representations of her art to go with her music. She recently came in first place in the 2021 WYEP Singer-Songwriter Competition and is hoping to release a collection of raw voice memos of some of her favorite songs that she’s written over the years. I want to thank Yunge (Piano/Guitar/Ukulele/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Taylor Swift’s Fearless album on my sister’s iPod touch. Ah, nostalgia! While Taylor Swift is not my go-to artist, I respect how much she loves taking ownership of her songwriting.

Your last album bought?
Haven’t bought one in a hot second, but probably Hozier by Hozier. I love Hozier in general, but from this album are some of my favorites. I appreciate how all the songs remain unapologetically Hozier, while playing around with different vocals, tempos, the whole 9 yards. “Work Song”, “Cherry Wine”, and of course “Take Me to Church” have a special place in my heart.

Favorite album of all time?
Honestly anything by Dodie, but probably Human. She is just so creative with her harmonies/instrumentation, and I love her voice. Not to mention, her lyrics just hit you in the heart, and thoughtful lyrics are definitely something I gravitate towards.

First concert attended?
My first, last and only concert was Dodie Clark.

Last concert?
See previous answer.

Favorite concert ever?
Only been to one so I guess that!

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Anyone who knows me knows I love walking, so my favorite thing about Pittsburgh is how walkable it is from neighborhood to neighborhood. My partner and I walked 22.5 miles clockwise and 27 miles counter-clockwise on two separate occasions–the best part is going to all of our favorite coffee shops, food stops, running into random art and music pop-ups, and finding all the hidden gems that we couldn’t get to otherwise. It always reminds me how lucky I am to be in a city with a spectrum of natural and manmade environments, and to co-exist with people who are both alike and unlike myself.

Thanks, Yunge. First off, congrats. There were so many songwriters that I know of personally in the competition and it’s always so nice to discover new talent during the annual event. Looking forward to hearing what new music you come up with!

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“America, what the fuck? America, good luck. America, take me home. America, leave me alone…. leave me alone.“

Red Star Sky is the alt-country/Americana pandemic-project-turned-band of Pittsburgh songwriter and musician Corey Layman. Album contributors include Erik Cirelli and Read Connolly. Current band members are Erik Cirelli, Darin Palilla, and Adam Thompson. Layman’s former and current projects include Hovland, Karl Hendricks Trio, Developer, and Line Forms. Red Star Sky songs range from snarly classic alt-country to somber folk, all of which draw from the feelings of loss, anger, and abandon that have been present during the pandemic, and which permeate Appalachia and much of its musical legacy. The band’s just released debut entitled On New Ghosts will no doubt be featured as the band performs live for the first time tonight (Friday, Oct. 15th) at Mr. Smalls Funhouse supporting the Mike Shanley + Michael Cunningham Birthday Fest. I want to thank Corey (Guitar/Bass/Drums/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
I’m going to go with the first real Alt-Country album I ever owned, which is Still Feel Gone by Uncle Tupelo. It’s still one of my favorite albums of all time, regardless of genre. I had completely missed Uncle Tupelo and had frankly tried to avoid any music with the word “country” in it after having grown up in a place where Popular Country was everywhere and unavoidable (think “Achy Breaky Heart”). Still Feel Gone just rocked, and was beautiful, and connected directly to something in my roots and so tangibly to Appalachia. Still does.

Your last album bought?
Well, I’m fixing to pre-order the debut album of the Australian band Springtime. I’m just waiting for the next Bandcamp Friday to roll around. There’s only one song available to listen to, and it’s freaking fantastic. I’m familiar enough with the artists, as I’ve been digging the current and former bands of singer/songwriter Gareth Liddiad, Tropical Fuck Storm and The Drones. This is a side-project along with a member of The Dirty Three, and a member of The Necks. You gotta hear this song “Will to Power.” You’ll probably forget all about my music, but it’s worth it.

Favorite album of all time?
That feels impossible. I’m going to have to go with Silkworm’s Libertine, which was beautifully remastered and reissued by Comedy Minus One a number of years ago.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I’m just so thoroughly disappointed by Mark Kozalek, and am disappointed with his later output musically, sure, but much more upset at the revelations that he is a creep of a human, who took advantage of and assaulted his fans. Sheds a completely different light on much of the lyrics and really just ruins Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon, which is a shame because of how much I loved that music.

First concert attended?
I’m pretty sure it was Christian hair metal band in a High School auditorium. Maybe that wasn’t my first. There was a lot of random stuff like that growing up in the bible belt in the 80’s. First concert that mattered? I saw Jawbox play a college music festival right around the time For Your Own Special Sweetheart came out. That changed everything.

Last concert?
Pretty sure it was Sebadoh and Flower from sometime before the pandemic.

Favorite concert ever?
That’s another really tough one. It’s probably one of series of shows that I played while in the Karl Hendricks Trio where we played with our friend-bands, the Kyle Sowashes, and Bottomless Pit.

Least favorite concert?
Probably that time when my 90’s band Hovland got our break from Elko to open for Modest Mouse in their prime. It was gonna be huge and we had a great set planned. We got on stage, sound checked, and we waited, and waited, and waited… until we got the word that Modest Mouse took a wrong turn, or just didn’t bother coming to Pittsburgh, and Elko was going to have to refund everyone’s money and we didn’t get to play a note.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I’ve been in Pittsburgh now for 25 years. It is home to me. I feel extremely lucky to have been able to share the stage with some of my musical heroes. And then to get to be in a band and have a friendship with Karl Hendricks, who was one of the greatest humans, and is a criminally underappreciated songwriter and musician, that still humbles me. I guess my feelings on Pittsburgh are feelings of gratitude. Thanks, Pittsburgh.

Thanks, Corey. Album sounds awesome, buddy! And with the lineup you have backing you, I’m sure your gonna kill it tonight!

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“In the deepest dark, in the blackest sky, at the speed of light do the rules apply?“

Dominic Bartoli is an audio engineer and artist, who has been involved with the Pittsburgh musical landscape for over 20 years. He’s had a busy year, releasing an album of classical lo-fi music under his own name, that has already received more than 9,000 plays on YouTube, featuring sound patches that he designed. Dom is also half of the musical act called Oceans Of Mercury, who released their first album early in 2021 and recently released a music video for the band’s version of the Bob Dylan classic, “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” which was filmed and puppeteered by Dom and band member Tim Nelson. Dom has been in numerous long-standing local bands including local Ska/Rockers The Hang Lows, and is also the Senior Systems Engineer for Carnegie Mellon University and sound designer, making patches for Korg and Elektron synthesizers which he uses in his newest upcoming release Fossil Fuel which is a solo project by Dom Bartoli Music. The full album was released this morning, which also happens to be Dom’s birthday! I want to thank Dom (Multi-Instrumentals/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
First CD I remember buying in a store with my own money was Temple of the Dog. Still a great album.

Your last album bought?
Evita, the cast album with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin. I collect recordings of my favorite musicals /cast members. I have a thing for Bernadette Peters as well 🙂

Favorite album of all time?
Bob Marley – Legend. I know greatest hits album, ew… but if I have to pick a favorite it’s gotta be this, because over the years I’ve listened to this more than any other album of any genre. Every song is a masterpiece. The message is so positive, the music vibin’, every musician filling the pocket perfectly.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Hard to answer. I remember being a kid and my first album disappointment was the Spin Doctors second album. I was really looking forward to it, and It was a ploppin’ big bummer after Pocket Full of Kryptonite. Also, bands that I loved for their original energy, like the Chili Peppers or Weezer, I haven’t listened to since their first albums.

First concert attended?
Metallica / Guns n Roses / Faith no More. To be fair, I was pretty young. I hitched down and tried to sneak in and ended up listening in the parking lot. First one I got to actually attend was Primus at the Penn State Beaver Dome. (lol… this all dates my old ass.) Primus played so loud that pieces of the stadium ceiling were falling into the pit and they blew out the PA, and just kept playing with stage sound only until the crew got it back up and running. Great memory. Also, the Meat Puppets opened that show and I love them.

Last concert?
I hope it wasn’t my last. I saw Squirrel Nut Zippers right before the pandemic and am itching to return to stage and crowd.

Favorite concert ever?
Snuff at Laga in the late 90’s was amazing. They opened for Less Than Jake and I only remember Snuff destroying that show.

Least favorite concert?
The last two Warped Tours I attended were pretty lame shells of what they once were.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love Pittsburgh and its musicians. I hope that the changes brought on by the pandemic will meet with positive responses and change from within the arts. I hope that new greater venues emerge from the ashes of the old. I hope that new owners with better ethics replace the greedy awful promoters of the past. I hope the musicians of the future band together to form a better, stronger, and more supportive community, where they build each other up instead of working against one another.

Thanks, Dom. I hope as much as you do that the pandemic could change behavior and bring us more together as a collective to uplift Pittsburgh music but to be honest, I am not holding out hope that some promotors will suddenly not be greedy and awful. Unfortunately, I have already seen it on a personal level.

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“I see you disappear so far and fast away from here just take what you need and leave the rest“

Thrown-Out Bones is a San Francisco-based high-energy swanky rock group known for their experimental approach to genre and performance. With 10+ years of playing together, this power trio has developed a unique sound that blurs the lines between funk, jazz, classic rock, and even the occasional deep, contemplative jam. The shows themselves have gained a following for the creative ways the band breaks down the fourth wall with audience-inspired improvisation or even occasionally invites fans onstage to sing lead. Touring behind there latest single “Come Home”, the stop in Pittsburgh this Thursday, September 30 at one of my favorite spots to see a band in the city, the intimate Snake Hill with support from blog faves Buffalo Rose. I want to thank Liliana Urbain (Drums/Vocals), Nick Chang (Guitar/Vocals), and Sam Miller (Bass/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

 

The first album you ever bought?
Liliana Urbain: Oops I Did It Again – Brittany Spears.
Nick Chang: Nimrod – Green Day.
Sam Miller: No Strings Attached – N’Sync.

Your last album bought?
Liliana: Stand Up – Royal Jelly Jive.
Nick: Fever Dream – Everything Everything.
Sam: Sylva – Snarky Puppy.

Favorite album of all time?
Liliana: The Color Spectrum – The Dear Hunter.
Nick: Continuum – John Mayer.
Sam: Black Holes and Revelations – Muse.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Liliana: Love Song – Jane.
Nick: I Don’t Think It Is – Say Anything.
Sam: The 2nd Law – Muse.

First concert attended?
Liliana: Juanes.
Nick: Fleetwood Mac.
Sam: Yellowcard.

Last concert?
Liliana: Sarah Bareilles.
Nick: SF Gay Men’s Chorus.
Sam: Vulfpeck.

Favorite concert ever?
Liliana: Rainbow Girls Festival, with Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra and Calvin Arsenia. They were otherworldly.
Nick: Outside Lands 2015 – Jack White, Foo Fighters, Alabama Shakes, Justice.
Sam: Umphreys McGee.

Least favorite concert?
Liliana: Sometimes I perform at retirement homes, and people fall asleep.
Nick: Angels and Airwaves.
Sam: I don’t go to bad concerts.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Liliana: Came through on tour for the first time with another band and Brad Yoder put a house show together for us on a Tuesday. He paired us with this band that he said we needed to listen to and it was Buffalo Rose! I had seen so many shows living on the road for 2 years and they are one of the three bands that I remember clearly watching and being totally transfixed by.
Nick: Visiting my grandma in Pittsburgh, there was a huge thunderstorm. It was my first thunderstorm ever. I was watching through these giant windows. My sister loved it… I was terrified.
Sam: I haven’t been to Pittsburgh yet.

Thanks, all. As you know, Snake Hill is such a cool spot to see bands. I think my man Matt secretly has a PhD in hospitality!

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“Coming into realization baby it was meant for me, good intentions but wrong places needed the catalyst to be seen“

Emily Thomas is a Pittsburgh based singer/songwriter who shakes up pop tradition with a soulful vibe & sensual instrumentation. The East Coast native currently resides in Pittsburgh traveling back and forth between LA and NY. Emily has been featured on George Takei’s platform featuring her music video, “Taste Of You” with over 400k views. Along with that release, Emily was interviewed with PRIDE magazine. She has stretched her dreams to write for others, and live out life making music. Emily has built up a catalogue of many songs over the last few years holding onto her independence. You can check out Emily live tomorrow Saturday, September 4th at 1pm for a free show at 1700 Penn Avenue in the Strip. I want to thank Emily for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Britney Spears – Baby One More Time. I listened to a lot of Britney as a kid singing her tunes dancing in the mirror, lol.

Your last album bought?
Tapestry by Carole King on vinyl. My Mom was a big fan so I grew up listening to a lot of her music. Was pretty excited when I saw Tapestry on vinyl in LA at Amobe Record Store so I decided to splurge a little more than my usual $2-5 record budget. Best $20 bucks I’ve spent in a while.

Favorite album of all time?
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. I could listen to Lauryn any day, all day.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Prefer not to answer.

First concert attended?
Backstreet Boys! The best! I was 16 when they made a comeback, and a friend took me for my Birthday. We got to see them get on the bus after the show, and Howie winked at me, lol.

Last concert?
Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden. Great show! Also grew up listening to a lot of his music so was fun seeing him live.

Favorite concert ever?
Sara Bareillis was a huge inspiration as I was developing as a songwriter. A friend of mine took me to see her in NY. Cried the entire show!

Least favorite concert?
Never been to one I didn’t like!

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
It’s good to be back after a 12-year hiatus. From what I’ve seen so far, looks like there isn’t a big music scene outside of Jazz. I plan to create an underground artist scene here by starting an independent artist showcase. Stay tuned this fall! 😉

Thanks, Emily. Indie artist showcase? That’s the kind of stuff I love hearing about. Keep me posted!

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“Be safe, have fun, call if you need bail money“

Sh’Bang is an alternative punk rock quartet from Philadelphia laying out some groovy tunes designed to enchant and confuse. They encode their lives into rugged rock lines that will leave you dancing and crying at the same time. Following the release of their debut EP from 2020 entitled The Woman Who Changed the World, they are  prepping a short EP in November called The Sex Files which will include the songs “Makeup Sex” and “Stop Getting Naked In Front Of My Mom”. I want to thank Noah Fluck (Bass/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
I remember stealing a lot of my dad’s CDs but I think the first album I bought with my own money was Pure Guava by Ween.

Your last album bought?
LW by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard on vinyl.

Favorite album of all time?
The Mollusk by Ween. Ween is pretty dang cool to have made the album that inspired SpongeBob.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Neighborhoods by Blink-182. It took a while to grow on me but 13 year old me was just kinda pissed that’s what they put out after their hiatus.

First concert attended?
The Rush ‘Snakes and Arrows’ tour in 2008. I just started playing drums around then so getting to see Neil Peart play was the coolest thing ever.

Last concert?
There was a couple bands but the one I went to see was called Jerry, At the Beach. Went solely because of the name.

Favorite concert ever?
July 3rd, 2021 we played in someone’s backyard while it was raining. First show since lockdown and it was awesome.

Least favorite concert?
Crown the Empire. It was kind of a letdown cause the one guy left the band and everyone who was playing looked like they were on mad drugs, but I’m not really sure if they were to be honest.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
One behalf of our manager, Pittsburgh might be America’s best kept secret. Views of the water and the culture are what makes him happy there. We have yet to come to the city, but we’re definitely looking forward to playing shows there.

Thanks, Noah. Yeah, buddy… make a trip to Pittsburgh. Might want to wait until all this Covid mess is behind us. Who knows what will be happening until then?

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“If you go running, I’ll go chasing I’m not looking back ’cause giving up was so much worse than taking one step back it’s better off we take a chance than leave our hearts intact“

Lifeguard is a fun-loving, high-energy, and emotionally-driven Pop/Rock band based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band derives influence by artists such as Death Cab For Cutie, Joy Division , The Killers, and others in a wide spectrum of genres. Combining Elijah Bill’s (Drums/Percussion/Synth/Background Vocals) fast-paced and dancey drums with Jake Faigen’s (Guitar/Bass/Lead Vocals) heartfelt chord progressions, infectious guitar riffs, melodic bass lines, and personal lyrics, Lifeguard cultivates a sound that easily gets fans hearts’ racing, feet moving, and minds thinking! Formed in June of 2020, Elijah and Jake spent months writing and rehearsing to record their debut EP: Back to Square One. Given the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, they decided to write and record as a two- piece, handling multiple duties in-studio. They are currently seeking members to fill positions for live performances. With two singles released from the 3 song EP, the remaining tune drops next week on 8/27. I want to thank Jake and Elijah for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Jake Faigen: If we’re counting Who Let The Dogs Out by The Baha Men, then that. But if not, then Any Given Thursday which is an early John Mayer live album. I don’t listen to John Mayer anymore but I do like his songs from that album a lot in a guilty pleasure kind of a way.
Elijah Bill: Toxicity – System of a Down.

Your last album bought?
Jake: I guess this question makes me realize how much I stream music now because I don’t even really remember the last album that I downloaded. Lately, I’ve been streaming Faye Webster’s album I Know I’m Funny Haha. They are super groovy and chill, and Faye Webster’s voice is so nice.
Elijah: 6 Sounds for 6/6 – deleTR

Favorite album of all time?
Jake: That’s a tough question, I feel like my musical taste is always kind of changing with my mood but I think a good pick would be Emergency & I by The Dismemberment Plan. The music hits a lot of different points and keeps it very interesting, while exploring a lot of different emotions. I really appreciate how simple, yet relatable the lyrics are and can always help a twenty-something year old who’s feeling alone to know someone else feels the same way.
Elijah: I don’t think I have one sole favorite album – I like too much music, my listening mood changes so often.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Jake: For some reason, I just got into Third Eye Blind’s first album for the first time recently. It smacks, every song is a banger. But I was sad, because I’m not into any of their music after that album.
Elijah: Least favorite is also hard, I often revisit things and end up liking them a lot more later on.

First concert attended?
Jake: My first concert set a pretty high bar for me and is probably still my favorite concert that I’ve been to. The Flaming Lips performed in Pittsburgh about ten years ago, and my friends and I were able to get pretty close to the front row. The show started out with Wayne Coyne coming up from underneath the stage and it looked like he was being born from a psychedelic vagina projected on a screen behind him. A human-sized hamster ball proceeded to inflate around him, and then he crowd surfed on us. Those guys know how to put on a weird concert for sure.
Elijah: Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and Nickelback…hell, yeah!

Last concert?
Jake: I saw MGMT perform a year or two ago, and they killed it.
Elijah: Touché Amoré at the Rex Theater… (RIP).

Favorite concert ever?
Elijah: I’ve been to a lot of shows big and small. In recent memory, though, Tool with Killing Joke has been my favorite.

Least favorite concert?
Jake: I would probably say Matt & Kim at Bonnaroo a few years ago. I was coming up on acid, and I just remember that the drummer was playing off time and they were smiling really wide in this way that was bugging me out a ton, and I had to squeeze my way out through this huge crowd. It was stressful.
Elijah: Fall Out Boy in 2013, Save Rock n Roll comeback – awful live sound and absolutely no energy at the venue that day. Huge disappointment.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Jake: It sounds corny, but I honestly do think Pittsburgh is a magical place with magical people. I’ve been lucky to have made some great memories adventuring around Pittsburgh’s parks and forests with some great people. And have been fortunate to get to know and spend time growing alongside some of the most talented people that I know.
Elijah: Pittsburgh reminds me of my Aunt Aimee. She showed me every inch of the city and was one of the most influential people in my life, so I think about her when I think about Pittsburgh.

Thanks both. I am so loving this music and hope you can rustle up some musicians to be able to play it out live!

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“Super nova demon I wanna steal your touch Super nova demon You’re the one I want“

0nsean (with a zero) is the moniker of Pittsburgh based rapper, singer-songwriter, producer, and videographer Sean Hanulik. He creates hypnotic and uplifting music, mixing elements of hip-hop, electronic, and bedroom pop to create unique sounds as evidenced in the recently released title track to his upcoming project called SUPERNOVA DEMON featuring songs focused on being uplifting and energetic. As 0sean adds, “I want to put people one their feet and out of their heads.” I want to thank Sean for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground from Bright Eyes. One of my favorite albums growing up, Connor made me realize the importance of HOW you say things rather the just WHAT you say.

Your last album bought?
Children of the Future by Steve Miller Band. I like listening to old albums in a single sitting sometimes, it’s not only inspiring but relaxing.

Favorite album of all time?
Either/Or by Elliott Smith. I recommend everybody to listen to Elliott Smith if you haven’t.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
! by Trippie Redd. I was talking about this the other day, everything before and after it is 10x better.

First concert attended?
Remo Drive with my friend. I loved the feeling of music in that environment. It was super fun but had to babysit my friend at the end a little bit, he fell asleep on the drive home.

Last concert?
The Obsessives at Mr. Roboto Project, awesome show. They sound amazing live.

Favorite concert ever?
Juice WRLD concert that I saw. Ski Mask the Slump God played too. It ended early because of rain, but it was packed and the crowd was insane. I never saw that many people at this venue before.

Least favorite concert?
Probably all of the ones I’ve missed. I can’t say I’ve regretted a single performance I’ve ever seen.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Has to be when I used to go to the Pirates games with my dad. Had no idea what was going on, all the people intimidated me back then. It was honestly surreal. I remember just going around town for photos, videos. I do a lot of shoots there. It’s a beautiful city. I’m not much of a Pirates fan anymore.

Thanks, Sean. That Steve Miller Band album is just so good. Nice call. First time any of his early stuff was referenced on the blog.

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Some random band shots from Saturday, August 7, 2021 in Millvale.

Adam Fitz at Mr. Smalls Café

Skye Light at Lumberjaxes

Coltt Winter Lepley at Gardens Solo/Duo Stage

Dirty Old Mill at Gardens Main Stage

The Bleepy Things at Lumberjaxes

King Fez at Sedgwick St. Art District

Le’s Oriental at Gap Park

Byron Nash at Gap Park

Rippin’ Cigs at Butler St. Art District

The Mixus Brothers at Gardens Main Stage

Austen Kerr at Gardens Solo/Duo Stage

Rebel Revolver at Grist House

Trevor Thomas’ Border Radio at Cousins Lounge

Dan Getkin and the Twelve Six at Millvale Community Library

Addi Twigg at Millvale Community Library

Ten Thousand Dollars Cash at Sedgwick St. Art District

Chip & The Charge Ups at Gap Park

Gabriella Salvucci at Mr. Smalls Café

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“The sun doesn’t reach my apartment whiskey bottle dripping like a faucet I don’t mind a couple of those rainy days still in the waves just floatin’“

Pittsburgh based musician Andrew Chris has described his sound as “Mac Miller & Jimi Hendrix’s illegitimate love-child, raised by Tame Impala”. He started on guitar at age 9 and has since developed his chops on drums, bass, and nearly anything a .daw can handle. Andrew consistently pushes the boundaries with his production, offering something brilliantly refreshing; a strangely organic meeting between the old and the new as evidenced in his latest single release entitled “Floatin'”. I want to thank Andrew for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
When I was maybe 5 years old, I got Sounds of the Summer by the Beach Boys from Santa. I didn’t even know who they were, but evidently my parents noticed that I seemed to always perk up when their songs came on the radio. I’ve always adored the feeling their vocal layering gives. The first album I ever bought with my own money would probably be Channel Orange from FYE.

Your last album bought?
Honestly the last time I bought an album was at a meet & greet for Mac Miller’s GO:OD AM release. The morning that it dropped, he was in Pittsburgh. He rolled up 5 hours late to the event, driving himself in his mother’s Prius. I had just opened up for his backing band, “The Internet”, the week before, so I had a lot to talk to him about. I bought a copy for him to sign, which is still displayed proudly in my studio.

Favorite album of all time?
My favorite studio album of all time is Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. I really don’t think an album will ever surpass that. The sheer innovation and thematics throughout blow me away time and time again. But I also really adore Band of Gypsys by Jimi Hendrix, which technically is a live album. Jimi was known for his onstage antics, but for this performance he stood still in one place and focused on the music, playing with a new band that barely rehearsed. The entire thing oozes organic musicianship. I get the chills just thinking about the quiet breakdown in “Who Knows”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
JESUS IS KING by Kanye West.

First concert attended?
When I was a wee-laddy, my sisters wanted to see Aaron Carter at the Scranton Cultural Center. My dad & I sat in the very last row of the venue. I probably sat on my Gameboy Color the whole time. My first true concert was at the same venue, age 9. I had just gotten my first guitar and asked my parents to bring me to go see Deep Purple & Mountain. I stood up on my chair so I could see.

Last concert?
I recently saw Jack Swing play their first show since 2020. Love those guys.

Favorite concert ever?
The Mac Miller Homecoming show at Altar Bar. It was a free show the night of the GO:OD AM release. I also saw him the night afterwards but there was something magical about that free show. It was more like a party. He even plugged his phone into the PA to perform some deep cuts. The venue kicked him off the stage at 3am.

Least favorite concert?
I might have to say The Robert Cray Band. I love slow blues guitar, but some reason I grew bored during that show. I think the brilliance of a great blues guitarist is to inject intense feeling into even the most mundane situations. I didn’t feel much from that show, for whatever reason.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is such a well-rounded city. You can pursue nearly any interest you have. If you really put yourself out there, you’ll find it… not too much, not too little. My one gripe about Pittsburgh though is the bagels. The bagels here are absolutely awful.

Thanks, Andrew. It’s so wild to me what one person can do with the resources at their disposal. I am super impressed.

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“Stuck in this tunnel, I think I’m in trouble
It’s all caving in, it ain’t nothin’ but rubble“

Laroy Grayson Jr. is a poet/model/actor/writer/rapper/hip hop artist born and raised in Pittsburgh who writes his own songs and poems as evidenced on the just released first single entitled “Tunnels” (produced by DBK Beats) from his upcoming debut album. I want to thank Laroy for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

 

The first album you ever bought?
The first album I ever bought was Boyz II Men’s II. I bought it when I was only 10 years old. Boyz II Men are my favorite R&B group of all time and to this day, it’s still my favorite album.

Your last album bought?
Janet Jackson’s last album Unbreakable.

Favorite album of all time?
Boyz II Men’s II.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I don’t think I was ever disappointed with any album I ever bought.

First concert attended?
My mother took me to see James Brown when he performed at Three Rivers Stadium.

Last concert?
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. It was one of my favorite concerts because, not only are they my favorite hip hop group of all time but, I had front row seats and, I got to meet them after the show.

Favorite concert ever?
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Least favorite concert?
I don’t have a least favorite. I liked them all.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
My favorite thoughts about Pittsburgh is, all the good times I had here growing up here in this city and, my favorite experiences in Pittsburgh, all of the fun experiences I had growing up in this city with family and friends.

Thanks, Laroy. First show a stadium show? That must have been quite an awakening of sorts?

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Requiem Witch is the moniker for Carolyn Slothour, a touring audio engineer and musician based in Pittsburgh PA. Through her extensive education & experience playing flute and mixing music, she has been able to craft original music that expresses a part of her that has been digging and clawing to get out. With her new EP Meta Madness, she shares a symphony of heart breaking flute melodies, nature sounds, mind bending synths, & glitchy drum grooves. I want to thank Carolyn for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Probably an Avril Lavigne CD. She’s the one who first inspired me to paint my nails black when I was like eight years old.

Your last album bought?
Totally obsessed with One Tusk by Moth Equals. I aspire to make music that beautiful and strange.

Favorite album of all time?
This is a very difficult question, because I have a favorite album for like 27 different genres. A few of my favorites are Intrinsic by The Contortionist, Amnioverse by Lapalux, One Tusk by Moth Equals, Ex (Performed Live at the Guggenheim) by Plastikman, and = by The Toxic Avenger… plus many more.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I don’t really have a least favorite album… I appreciate the growth and transformation of any artist, and in my opinion it’s not really up to me to be disappointed and call anyone out just because it’s not my favorite.

First concert attended?
Besides small local shows, I vividly remember going to see Alesana (emo post-hardcore band) when I was 15 in Philly. The energy was so intense and I was so obsessed with their music that it was truly a life changing experience for me. One of a few that made me realize I was supposed to work in live music as a career.

Last concert?
The last awesome concert I attended (and worked) was Mija (Live) in Philly where I mixed FOH and played flute at the Boot & Saddle which unfortunately closed permanently due to Covid.

Favorite concert ever?
Electric Forest!

Least favorite concert?
Nothing jumps out at me for being terrible besides shows I’ve worked where things when wrong (losing power, a punk vocalist setting himself on fire, etc).

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
As a freelance audio engineer who has worked in every single part of the city with a very large percentage of local artists, I have met a huge variety of musicians and learned a lot about community, culture, and music in general. Pittsburgh has a bunch of niche genre communities that I never would have known about if not for working with them, and most have been great to work with. Eternally grateful for the musicians who make my career super enjoyable!

Thanks, Carolyn. I cannot imagine the crazy stories you must have running sound for artists. I am sure you have some real gems to tell.

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Pittsburgh Bands Posting Links To Their Music On Facebook
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“Our DNA can’t compete with the cold-blooded elite history is full of lies our presidents had glowing eyes“

The Inpatients are a brand new band from Pittsburgh who formed over quarantine. Starting more as a pop-punk band, their recently written material takes some jazz, blues, and metalcore inspiration as well. With one song out now entitled “Lizards 101”, they make their live debut today (around 2:30pm) at the Rock Out Cook Out in Monaca. I want to thank Leo Rogers (Drums) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Queen, A Night at the Opera. I grew up in the age of music streaming, so I only recently got into buying albums in the form of vinyl records. The first one I ever bought was Somewhere City by Origami Angel.

Your last album bought?
Most recently I picked up I’ve Seen Better by Pittsburgh act Sikes and the New Violence.

Favorite album of all time?
Has to be the aforementioned Somewhere City. It’s a really cool kind of emo guitar pop album. I’m a sucker for concept albums and it really spoke to me. To me, Somewhere City is about finding where you feel at home. Whether that’s a specific place, friend group, environment, it’s up to you.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
It would have to be Glory Sound Prep by Jon Bellion. His previous album, The Human Condition, is one of my favorite pop records, and the sequel just really fell flat for me. It wasn’t coherent, a lot of the production was jarring, it just wasn’t for me.

First concert attended?
A Beatles Tribute band called Rain. I was a huge Beatles fan as a kid, and they blew my mind. It felt like actually getting to watch the Beatles perform in the 21st century.

Last concert?
An outdoor show in Mount Washington featuring Catatonya, Understatement, and Giovanni Orsini.

Favorite concert ever?
Two of my favorite local acts, Jack Swing and Back Alley Sound, did a concert together right before the pandemic hit. They both played killer sets and I have very fond memories of that night.

Least favorite concert?
My parents took me to see Mumford and Sons ten years or so ago. Their first album had just dropped and it was one of my first “big” shows I’d ever been to. We had outdoor lawn seats, and it rained heavily on us for several hours before the show. Right as Mumford and Sons started to perform, a bunch of obnoxious drunk people rolled up and made it very difficult to enjoy the show. It was very disappointing.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I really love the music scene. There are huge touring acts playing big venues like PPG Arena, there’s DIY underground basement shows, and everything in between. I feel like Pittsburgh music has something to offer for anybody, no matter your taste.

Thanks, Leo. Have fun today, buddy! Looking forward to seeing your band grow as you get your ‘show’ legs.

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“Every morning I open my eyes I wake up to find out I’m in paradise with you under great big blue“

The first album you ever bought?
The Simpsons – Sing The Blues (yes, the cartoon family).

Your last album bought?
Big Thief – Masterpiece.

Favorite album of all time?
Steve Earle – The Mountain.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Nirvana – In Utero.

First concert attended?
Kathy Mattea. I went with my mom. I think I was 8 years old?

Last concert?
Stewart Copeland’s “Satan’s Fall” Opera with the Mendelssohn Choir at the Roxian Theater in McKees Rocks.

Favorite concert ever?
Steve Earle at the Rock Club in Pgh, I can’t remember which year specifically, either 2004 or 2005?

Least favorite concert?
Grand Ole Opry 80th Anniversary Show… boring. People were actually sleeping in the seats all around me.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
It always being a destination for attractions and events, like the museums, concerts, the Arts Festival/Regatta, and restaurants. Plus, I bought my latest violin there.

Thanks, Ruby. I am really surprised to hear about the Grand Ole Opry show. You would think that would be such a special occasion that people wouldn’t fall asleep…

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Earlier this year we here at Deutschtown Music Festival made the difficult decision to once again not present our a full-blown festival this year. There were many factors that went into this decision, but we felt and still feel it was in the best interest of all involved. We are however extremely excited to present a new event:  Hands Over Deutschtown. This smaller event will feature the premiere production from post-industrial performance artists Squonk entitled, “Hand to Hand” for two shows at 2pm and 4pm in Allegheny Commons Park near Sue Murray Pool on the future site of the permanent Skyline Stage.

To complement Squonk’s debut performance since 2019, we will have a number of other performances there on the lawn and the concrete stage across from the Allegheny Elks Lodge on Cedar Ave.

Additionally, there will be an artists and vendors market with a busker’s stage in the park above the Hampton Battery to East Ohio St. presented by RedFishBowl. In the Northeastern part of the park we will be our usual Park stage with a beautifully diverse full day lineup of amazing Pittsburgh musicians and bands. There will be community outreach from sponsors, Highmark/AHN and First National Bank focusing on Health with partner AGH and financial literacy and other programs with the bank. There will be food trucks, family friendly activities, Non-profits and other organizations with programs for families and children to sign up for, and as always with us, SURPRISES.

Lastly, we are super excited for the future. There are many many great things in the works over here in the Northside.  Consider yourself warned!

Skyline Party – Outside – All Ages

1pm        Abafasi
2pm       Squonk Hand to Hand
2:30pm Squonk Backstage Tour
3pm       Abafasi
4pm       Squonk Hand to Hand
4:30pm Squonk Backstage Tour
5pm       London Johnson’s Magnificent Street Entertainment
6pm       Timbeleza

Park Stage – Outside – All Ages

11am Samurai Velvet
Noon Care Package
1pm   Lee Robinson & ISKA
2pm   Gaadge
3pm   Royce
4pm   String Machine
5pm   Lindsay Dragan
6pm   KELS
7pm   livefromthecity – *
7:45   Brittney Chantele – *
8:30  Devin Moses & The Saved

*- featuring DJ QRX

From left: Ben Soltesz, London Johnson, Cody Walters, Sarah Platt, Jesse Descutner, Hugh Twyman

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“Call back your soldiers they’re fixing to die for a God or another God’s game“

Christopher Mark Jones is a songwriter from Pittsburgh who sings soulful country and blues-inflected Americana narratives in “a rich voice that’s slightly rough around the edges” (Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), but still grabs the listener along with his “fascinating lyrics” (Melody Maker, UK) and the “intricate guitar-playing” and “wide-ranging textures and exquisite instrumentation” (Larry Berger, Saturday Light Brigade) of his recordings. Listeners hear echoes of “Greg Brown’s pacing and a Lyle Lovett attitude” (Ben Shannon), as well as of John Prine, Bruce Coburn and Darrell Scott. He recently release this latest album entitled Looking for the Light featuring a who’s who of the local music community backing him up. You can catch a live stream performance at 8pm on Thursday, June 3rd featuring Christopher and instrumentalist extraordinaire Bryce Rabideau on YouTube. I want to thank Christopher for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Sam Cook’s Greatest Hits. All of my earliest purchases were R&B records. The Beatles changed that.

Your last album bought?
Tom Misch – Geography. Completely outside any easy categorization. Stunning guitar player, interesting songs and guests, from jazzers to hip-hop artists.

Favorite album of all time?
Somewhere between Are You Experienced (Hendrix) and Sweet Baby James (James Taylor). I saw Hendrix in Central Park on one of his first stateside concerts. When I later listened to the album, my girlfriend and I went out and hugged trees.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
John Fulbright’s second album was almost as flat as his first was amazing.

First concert attended?
Let’s go for Roy Orbison in my high school auditorium.

Last concert?
I’ll say The Brothers Landreth at the Thunderbird. A really fine band from Winnipeg, with brother Joey one of the best guitarists I’ve heard.

Favorite concert ever?
I loved Henri Salvador at the Place des Arts in Montreal, but I probably have a hundred favorite concerts.

Least favorite concert?
Impossible to know, but I’ll say Cream in the Beloit College field house in Wisconsin. I wasn’t ready for them to play 20 minute songs. Left after the first hour.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
One thing I love about Pittsburgh is the diversity of neighborhoods. Lawrenceville, Squirrel Hill, Troy Hill, Polish Hill, the South Side, the North Side, Oakland, they all have unique characteristics and bring back memories, whether it’s a private event of some kind, a meal, a show, or just a walk. 2021 is, however, the after times, and it’s not easy to see how we’ll be generating those kinds of experiences in the near future. But you’ve gotta believe…

Thanks, Christopher. I have to say, the overwhelming majority of bands I feature here are just starting out in their musical journey. To have an ‘old head’ drop names of artists they have seen live like Hendrix, Cream and Roy Orbison is very, very cool to me. Now, about this tree hugging action…

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“You make it easier to breathe. Gave me my eyes so I can see. Made me inevitably free. That’s what you gave to me baby“

KELS is the moniker for Pittsburgh based indie alt-R&B artist Kelsey Hillock who began her musical journey in jazz and uses that foundation in her music, adding elements of neosoul and pop. As she finishes prepping her debut EP, KELS has dropped a new single entitled “No Lie” which perfectly showcases her varied influences. I want to thank KELS for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Something to Live For – Ella Fitzgerald.

Your last album bought?
Choose Your Weapon – Hiatus Kaiyote. The last one I physically bought the rest are downloaded!

Favorite album of all time?
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Ms. Lauryn Hill.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
25 – Adele. I was a day one fan of Adele in 2008, her songwriting to me seems less and less honest each year since her release of 19.

First concert attended?
I don’t remember honestly. I went to see Phantom of The Opera in NYC when I was 5 and that’s my earliest memory of attending a live performance.

Last concert?
Chris Brown at PPG.

Favorite concert ever?
tUnE-yArDs in Millvale in 2012.

Least favorite concert?
O.A.R. – very anticlimactic for me, and maybe it was the crowd.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
My favorite experience in Pittsburgh is the walks I take on our bridges. Every bridge leads to a neighborhood that is different than the one on the other side. I’m very big on walking and biking rather than driving somewhere. We have very distinct neighborhoods here – Garfield feels different than Lawrenceville, The Strip feels different than the North Side, downtown has a vibe of its own. All of our neighborhoods have a character and unique look. I will always remember Pittsburgh as a dynamic and unique city with many neighborhoods all ticking to their own clock. I really enjoy spending time and taking it all in by foot.

Thanks, KELS. I have been loving your music and not only look forward to hearing more but also the opportunity to see you perform live once this pandemic is all past us.

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“Gave blood and bone to what they bumping in the underworld and summer homes.“

Back Alley Sound is a riff-hop six-piece band hailing from the South Side of Pittsburgh. With Shark Parker as lead vocalist, the guitarist Myles Mahoney along with the keyboardist Christian Petrozza, the bassist, Sam Kisic, the saxophonist Robert Ruffner, and finally the drummer, JAYB$, round out the sextet of instrumentalists that create the live experience that is Back Alley Sound. The band’s debut full-length entitled I Wanted to Be was released earlier this year and this Sunday, April 11 at 8pm, they will perform the album all the way through live on a special stream of Sikes fantastic podcast Start the Beat. I want to thank Myles and Sam for taking the time to participate in this edition First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Myles Mahoney: Not sure about which one I purchased but I remember my parents giving me a collection of Motown and funk cassettes. That had a huge impact on my taste in music early on.

Your last album bought?
Sam Kisic: Jacob Collier Djesse Vol.1 on vinyl.

Favorite album of all time?
Sam: As a fan of multiple types of music, from Charles Mingus to Snarky Puppy to RHCP and the Mars Volta, choosing a favorite album is an impossibility. However, relating to Back Alley Sound and in a contemporary setting, Swimming by Mac Miller probably takes the cake. I’ve been listening to Mac since K.I.D.S like many of us in Pittsburgh have, and Swimming revealed a culmination of years of hard work, putting on display a new level of lyricism and musical maturity unrivaled up to his unfortunate passing. Coming from where he started to working with John Mayer and Thundercat is remarkable and inspiring. I think I speak for all of Back Alley Sound when I say we miss and love Mac. He has changed music, and our lives. Mac Miller lives on as a testament to determination and manifests in the hearts and minds of millions every day in the most positive way. I’m a lifelong fan, and I’d say Swimming is my favorite album of all time.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Myles: Honestly, I couldn’t tell you. Music taste change as time goes on. Even if I don’t like a record initially, I’ll find something I like about it over time.

First concert attended?
Myles: I remember going to Hartwood Acres to see shows as a kid. I think the first show I went to on my own was Rise Against and Comeback Kid at Club Zoo. I remember seeing the bands energy and I knew that that’s what I wanted to do.

Last concert?
Myles: Some bandmates and I backed up Shawna Roxanne for Pittsburgh’s Own. Two days later I went to see Allen Stone. Little did I know that by the end of the week everything would be shut down from Covid.

Favorite concert ever?
Myles: It’s so hard to pick just one. The most impactful was seeing Black Milk with the Nat Turner Band in the basement of Spirit. I’d just come off a long three month tour and our manager said we had to come with him to check out this hip hop artist. I was so tired I initially said I just wanted to stay in for the night. I’m so grateful I didn’t because the vibe was absolutely amazing. The band took Black Milk’s energy to a whole other level. I knew that I wanted to shift the style of music I was playing at the time.

Least favorite concert?
Myles: Without saying any names I ran a show at one of the larger local venues. Just about anything that could of gone wrong did. Needless to say, it was stressful.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Sam: Pittsburgh is a major American city, but at <400,000 people each niche be it the arts, sports, clothing, food becomes special to those involved. The arts have blossomed into something spectacular over the course of the last several years and the camaraderie between artists is stronger than ever. The concentration of creativity in a city this size is remarkable. Some of my favorite bands, visual artists, photographers, videographers, graphic designers, and other artists reside in Pittsburgh and many of them, as a member of Back Alley Sound, have become my friends through the numerous events I have participated in as well as attended on my own. Past music, I have developed relationships with staff the restaurants, bars, and other establishments I frequent. In a small city, things become more personal, and Pittsburgh is no exception.

Thanks, fellas. Definitely gonna tune in on Sunday. I am such a huge fan of Start the Beat!

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