Big Fun with Bertha and the Belles, and Gray Buchanan!

Had a blast with Bertha & the Belles and special guest Gray Buchanan! We had a nice full audience, and everyone was bopping to the upbeat tunes from the ‘Bells! And Gray Buchanan delivered a wonderful old-time influenced opening set!

If you were there, you know! And if you were not, you should have been! Don’t miss another SongSpace show. Next one is March 23 with Liz McBride, Lenni Green, Ol’ Whitetail and Louie Castle!

Great night with Alex Meleshenko & Christopher Mark Jones!

It was a fun night at SongSpace! Chris brought along Mark Perna on upright bass, Eric George on his percussion kit, Dave Gillespie on guitars and vocals, Brad Yoder on sax & vocals, and Jeff Jones on vocals. And Alex introduced us to everyone from JS Bach to Leo Kottke! Here are some pix from the evening…

Upcoming Radio Interviews with Christopher Mark Jones and Alex Meleshenko!

Christopher Mark Jones (https://christophermarkjones.com/) brings an acoustic band to SongSpace for this special show, featuring Mark Perna on upright bass, Eric George on his percussion kit, and Dave Gillespie on guitars and vocals.

Listen to interviews previewing the show with Christopher and opener Alex Meleshenko (https://www.youtube.com/@alexmeleshenko4834):

Saturday October 28 live at 11am on the Saturday Light Brigade (https://slbradio.org/radio/) and streamed later on Neighborhood Voices (https://neighborhoodvoices.org/)

Wednesday Nov 1 at 11:20am on Whiskey Before Breakfast (https://www.wrct.org/show/896/) and streamed later on Mixcloud (https://www.mixcloud.com/mandorichard/)

Christopher Mark Jones with Special Guest Alex Meleshenko
Saturday Nov 4, 2023

Doors 7:00pm
Show 7:30pm
General: $15 advance / $20 door
Student: $10 advance / $15 door
Or Pay what you Can – support live music in Pittsburgh at a level you can afford!

Get advance tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, Shadyside
605 Morewood Avenue, Pgh., 15213. 
All ages; wheelchair accessible.  
For more information: 412.621.8008,
uusongspace@gmail.com or uusongspace.com.

This Saturday! Rachael Kilgour and Eve Goodman at SongSpace

Did you get a chance to listen to Rachael Kilgour on the Saturday Light Brigade this past Saturday?  Go back and listen to her interview with Mando Richard on Whiskey Before Breakfast?  Or you can read a recent newspaper profile of her!

Rachael’s coming to SongSpace this Saturday, 7:30pm, to celebrate the release of her new album My Father Loved Me.  The music, lushly produced by Rose Cousins, explores the life and death of Rachael’s father and her relationship to him.  She touches on themes of mortality, inheritance, and the meaning we make for ourselves.  Away from the studio, the songs are just as powerful:

We are so lucky to host her for this special event!

The show opens with beloved Pittsburgh singer-songwriter Eve Goodman, who has been cooking up some new recordings in Christopher Mark Jones’ Studio256.  Here’s a great example, lovingly set against scenes of downtown Pittsburgh:

We’re looking forward to seeing you at this first show of the 2023-2024 SongSpace season!

Rachel Kilgour 
with special guest Eve Goodman
Saturday Sept 30, 2023
Doors 7:00pm
Show 7:30pm
General: $15 advance / $20 door
Student: $10 advance / $15 door
Or Pay what you Can – support live music in Pittsburgh at a level you can afford!

Advance tickets are available at Eventbee.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/247584261588109/

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, Shadyside
605 Morewood Avenue, Pgh., 15213. 
All ages; wheelchair accessible.  
For more information: 412.621.8008,
uusongspace@gmail.com or uusongspace.com.

Rachael On the Radio!

You already know Rachael Kilgour is returning to SongSpace September 30, with special guest Pittsburgh blues and ballads songwriter Eve Goodman, to celebrate her haunting and beautiful new album My Father Loved Me.  But coming up prior to the show are two great chances to learn more about Rachael in interviews on local radio!

  • On Wednesday Sept 20 just after 11:15am, Rachael will chat with “Mando” Richard Gordon on Whiskey Before Breakfast, WRCT, 88.3 FM Pittsburgh & www.wrct.org.  They’ll talk about SongSpace, songwriting, the new album, and so much more… And if you miss it, staring later Wednesday afternoon you can re-play it from www.mixcloud.com/mandorichard!  
     
  • Then on Saturday Sept 23 (one week before the show!) at 8:35 am Rachael will be chatting with Larry Berger on the Saturday Light Brigade also at WRCT, 88.3 FM Pittsburgh & www.wrct.org, or using one of the many links at the bottom of https://slbradio.org/radio/


And, of course, come see Rachael and Eve on Saturday September 30, 7:30pm!  It’s a show you won’t want to miss!

Rachel Kilgour 
with special guest Eve Goodman
Saturday Sept 30, 2023
Doors 7:00pm
Show 7:30pm
General: $15 advance / $20 door
Student: $10 advance / $15 door
Or Pay what you Can – support live music in Pittsburgh at a level you can afford!


Advance tickets are available at Eventbee.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/247584261588109/

SongSpace at First Unitarian
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, Shadyside
605 Morewood Avenue, Pgh., 15213. 
All ages; wheelchair accessible.  
For more information: 412.621.8008,
uusongspace@gmail.com or uusongspace.com.

The 2023-2024 Season is here!

Rachael Kilgour with special guest Eve Goodman – Saturday September 30, 2023, 7:30pm

Rachael Kilgour

Rachael Kilgour returns to SongSpace!  Rachael is a Canadian-American songwriter and performing artist whose plain-spoken, lyric-driven work and intimate performances have endeared her to listeners and fellow artists alike. The 2015 grand prize winner of the NewSong Music Competition and a winner of the 2017 Kerrville New Folk Contest, she has been featured at NYC’s Lincoln Center and The Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Her forthcoming album, written in memory of her late father and produced by Rose Cousins, will be released in September of 2023.  Her oft-noted “unapologetic lyrics” (Rolling Stone) and “master crafted indie folk” sensibilities (Billboard) are on full display in this latest collection of songs.

Hailing from Boston, MA by way of Nashville, TN, Eve Goodman has made Pittsburgh her home since 2001. With four CDs in her collection, in 2022 she started a new video project “Pittsburgh Songscapes” with Bridget McKenna on video production and Christopher Mark Jones on audio production. Performing original material in different Pittsburgh neighborhoods, you can view the finished pieces on youtube at Eve Goodman Music. Check out the Behind the Scenes.

Christopher Mark Jones with special guest Alex Meleshenko – Saturday November 4, 2023, 7:30pm

Christopher Mark Jones draws from folk, country, blues, jazz and R ’n’ B sources to stage his literate folk rock meditations. Using diverse points-of-view to narrate and critique life and love in uncertain times, he invites listeners to think, feel and dance. Recorded and live arrangements leave space for his musical co-conspirators to both express their personalities and honor the host creation. 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. Looking for the Light (2021) is his sixth recording of original folk/roots songs, while Montréal Encore (2022) is a French-language recording created in collaboration with the poet Bernard Pozier.

Alex Meleshenko is one of Pittsburgh’s most wonderful and best-kept secrets.  Alex plays amazing instrumental pieces on guitar, ranging from Augustin Barrios and Miguel Llobet to Jerry Reed, Leo Kottke and more.  If that weren’t enough, Alex is an outstanding luthier, creating custom-built 6-, 12- and nylon-string guitars that are treasured by players and listeners alike.  As a performer, Alex’s goal is to send you to a peaceful place for a time of quiet reflection.

An evening with Bertha and the Belles – Saturday January 27, 2024, 7:30pm

Bertha and the Belles brings together four of the finest Country, Swing, Folk, and Old-time players in Pittsburgh.  The band features the powerful singing of Pam Hawley, the remarkable fiddling of Alice Backer, the lovely, rootsy vocals of Annie Trimble, AND some of the best duet and trio vocal harmony around. In addition, the powerful rhythm section of Annie’s guitar, Pam’s banjo uke, and “Bertha” — Richard Gordon’s bass — provides a solid backdrop for an exciting mixture of country, swing, spiritual, old -time and other folk music.  Your toes will be tappin’ and your fingers will be snappin’!

Songwriters’ Showcase with Liz McBride – Saturday March 23, 2024, 7:30pm

In March we bring together four of the freshest singer-songwriter voices in Pittsburgh.  Liz McBride will share music and conversation with Lenni Green, Louie Castle and Ol’ Whitetail:

Liz McBride has been playing guitar since she was 7 and is predominantly self-taught. She has built her skills and her audience through the creation of web content and has released 9 albums. Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Liz has been living and performing in Pittsburgh since she moved here in 2016 to attend Duquesne University. She graduated with her masters and has been working as an outpatient therapist since 2018. In addition to her beautiful and insightful songwriting, Liz gives new life to music you know and love with her own unique arrangements.

Lenni Green is a Multi-genre / Multi-instrumental / Composer / Songwriter / Producer.  Originally on the track to receive a Master’s degree in classical clarinet, Lenni Green has since taken her musical endeavors on a completely independent creative path, wearing many hats as a multi-instrumental, multi-genre songwriter, composer, producer, performer, and teacher.

Louie Castle returns to SongSpace with a blend of Latin roots, psychedelic rock, rap, gospel and freestyling, with a little jazz and soul thrown in for good measure.  He’s played everywhere from The Saturday Light Brigade community radio show to The Abbey in Lawrenceville and The Rocks Landing Bar & Grille in McKeesport, the Sleeping Octopus Art Jam, and more.

We’re also very pleased to welcome Ol Whitetail bacjk to SongSpace.  Ol’ Whitetail is a singer-songwriter who grew up in rural northern Appalachia and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She uses literary devices and elements of visual design to create cinematic folk songs with hints of country blues, ragtime, and jazz. Her lyrics are inspired by philosophy, magic realism, activism, and nature. Her style of guitar playing is a variation on the Piedmont blues, inspired by Etta Baker.

An evening with Peter Mulvey – Saturday May 4, 2024, 7:30pm

We’re thrilled about the return of Peter Mulvey to SongSpace!  Peter Mulvey has been a songwriter, road-dog, raconteur, and almost-poet since before he can remember. In 1989 he spent a year in Ireland, busking on the streets of Dublin and hitchhiking to whatever gigs he could find. Back stateside, he spent a couple years gigging through the bars of his native Midwest before taking off for Boston, where he returned to subway busking and coffeehouses. Small shows led to larger shows, which eventually led to regional and then national touring. The wheels have not stopped since.  Twenty albums, one illustrated book, thousands of live performances, a TEDx talk, a decades-long association with the National Youth Science Camp, opening tours and gigs for luminaries such as Ani DiFranco, Greg Brown, Emmylou Harris and Chuck Prophet, appearances on NPR, an annual autumn tour by bicycle, emceeing festivals, hosting his own Lamplighter Sessions for years in Boston and in Wisconsin… he has built his life’s work on collaboration, on an instinct for the eclectic and the vital.

Great Show with Phat Man Dee!

We had a blast last night with Phat Man Dee and her band!

Here are some pictures from the show…

Phat Man Dee on the Saturday Light Brigade, Saturday Jan 15, 11:05am

(Photo: Elizabeth Kivowitz)

Join host Larry Berger on the Saturday Light Brigade for conversation and live music with Phat Man Dee, Saturday January 15, 11:05am. Live on WRCT 88.3 FM, or streaming with Radio Garden or other streaming services.

And of course you can always catch the recording later on Neighborhood Voices!

Phat Man Dee will be performing at SongSpace — in person and online! — Saturday January 22 at 7:30pm, with pianist Victor Garzotto, drummer Dennis Garner, and saxophonist Tony Campbell!

$20 advance or online (see below)
$25 at the door (in person)
$10 less for students and restricted income
$75 Pre-show online, zoom only, meet and greet with Phat Man Dee at 7 pm!

In Person Tickets HERE: songspace.brownpapertickets.com
Online zoom tickets HERE: https://sidedooraccess.com/shows/OENQh84zkrUNPWUdMT3T

To attend in person, we require masks, vaccination cards, and contact information (e.g. email), should contact tracing become necessary.

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, Shadyside
605 Morewood Avenue,
Pgh., 15213.

All ages; wheelchair accessible.

For more information:
phone: 412.621.8008
email: uusongspace@gmail.com
on the web: uusongspace.com