Podcast #93: The Young Lancaster Music Scene

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Jesse Baker, The Districts, and Unusual Suspects are on the program to talk about life as young independent musicians in Lancaster. The average age of the members these bands is about 19. We wanted to feature a few of these young bands on the show, but also wanted to tap into their thoughts on launching their music careers here in Lancaster. How do you balance school and music? How is the Lancaster music scene for bands finishing or just out of high school?
Jesse Baker
Jesse Baker is a pop-rock singer-songwriter who broke into the Lancaster music scene in a big way over the past year. Working as a power trio with a rhythm section including one musician still in high school and another in college, 20 year old Baker released his debut full-length album, Tearin’ Down the Walls (FREE Download) in 2012. Jesse started the new year with a brand new four-piece band that he’ll be working with going forward.

The Districts
The Districts are three high school seniors and a 2012 high school graduate who play a unique flavor of gritty blues and soul inspired rock. Frontman and guitarist Rob Grote attacks the music with a passionate intensity well beyond his years. The band broke into the Philly scene last year and all members plan to move to Philly in the fall where a couple of them will be starting college.
 
Unusual Suspects

Unusual Suspects is a folk, blues, and gypsy jazz quartet from Lancaster built around singer and guitarists Jordan Rast and Tuck Ryan. Jordan is a sophomore at Millersville University and Tuck is a senior in high school. The Suspects evolved from a band that Jordan put together in 2011 to support his latest solo album, Fractured Love, that included the same rhythm section, Evan Graver on drums and Peter Reist on upright bass.

Skirtin’ the Curtain with Joanna Underhill

• The Fulton Theatre presents Good People from January 29 to February 17 at 12 N. Prince Street, Lancaster. TICKETS
• Lancaster Dramatists’ Platform presents New Short Plays (play readings), Friday, February 1 @ 9 pm at 24 N. Prince Street, Lancaster. DONATIONS
• Lancaster Dramatists’ Platform presents Two New Plays by David Nice (play readings), Sunday, February 3 @ 2 pm at 24 N. Prince Street, Lancaster. DONATIONS
• The Philadelphia Alumni Writers House presents playwright Sarah Ruhl, Tuesday February 19 @ 7:30 pm at Rochel Performing Arts Center, Franklin and Marshall College. FREE

Other Upcoming Events

• Sign of the Wagon presents Andrew Combs and Ron Gallo (Toy Soldiers), Wednesday, January 30 @ 8 pm at 154 East Philadelphia St, York. $10 TICKETS
• World Cafe Live presents The Stray Birds and Beaucoup Blue, Thursday, January 31 @ 8 pm at 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. $8 + fee TICKETS
• The Ware Center presents the First Friday Performance Series with Adam Blessing and Austin Criswell, Friday, February 1 @ 6 pm at 42 N. Prince St, Lancaster. FREE
• Carmen and David’s Creamery presents International Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, Saturday, February 2 from 8 am to 12 pm at 25 N. Prince St, Lancaster. 10% of sales will be donated to Wood Stove House and 10% of sales will be donated to Creative Works of Lancaster.