It was a rollercoaster evening at SongSpace! Alternatively intense and comforting, a compelling show with Chrissy and Morgan trading off half-hour sets before and after intermission.
Morgan eveloped us in the warm cozy blanket of her music, with able help from guest accompanist Brad Yoder! The audience was spellbound, with one audience member commenting online “You sounded really good Morgan”!
Chrissy took us through some of the desolation and desperation of addiction, and the strength of recovery and love that can follow. “Chrissy was incredible last Saturday night at Pittsburgh’s SongSpace!! Hope to see and listen again soon” commented one audience member, and another said, “She is strong and has been through horrific times but never lost her sense of humor. She is one in a million”.
SongSpace Presents Alice Howe and Freebo! Friday November 8, 2024 7:30pm Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com!
Friday, Friday, FRIDAY!!! The next SongSpace concert is on Friday instead of Saturday!
Interviews, we’ve got interviews!
Right Now: Hear a brief interview with Alice and Freebo from Saturday October 26 on the Saturday Light Brigade!
Wednesday, Nov 6, 11:15am: A full half hour of talk and music with Alice and Freebo on Whiskey Before Breakfast (WRCT 88.3 and streaming soon after on Mixcloud).
To hear Alice Howe (https://www.alicehowe.com/) sing is to be enraptured by the natural, unaffected beauty of her voice, “a marvelous instrument, strong and effortlessly musical, yet also capable of the sort of nuance that adds layers of meaning” (The Patriot Ledger). The Los Angeles-based, Boston-bred singer-songwriter-guitarist was named Best Female Artist at the 2023 International Acoustic Music Awards. On her second and latest album Circumstance, produced by her creative partner Freebo, the legendary rock bassist best known for his decade of touring and recording with Bonnie Raitt, and recorded at iconic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Alice displays her vocal prowess and introspective writing in abundance, mining both her heart and her musical tastes for a deep, personal journey across an Americana soundscape dotted with blues, folk, country, soul and rock. As an old soul inside a 30-something millennial, Alice puts her stamp on Americana’s venerable strands with 10 standout originals evoking both the classic singer-songwriters and the seminal music that once filled airwaves, roadhouses and juke joints.
“Howe’s voice is a marvelous instrument, strong and effortlessly musical, yet also capable of the sort of nuance that adds layers of meaning.”— The Patriot Ledger
Alice is on tour with Freebo (https://freebomusic.com/), her producer and creative partner. Each a compelling performer in their own right, Alice & Freebo lead and support each other in their well-crafted songs with flawless harmonies and tasteful instrumentation. They have worked as creative collaborators in the studio and on stage since 2017. Freebo weaves his unique fretless bass stylings into Alice’s superb vocals for a presentation with undeniable chemistry.
Freebo is best known for his decade of touring and recording with Bonnie Raitt, and has distinguished himself as one of the great bassists of our time, playing on records with CSN, Maria Muldaur, John Mayall, Ringo Starr, Dr. John, and Neil Young as well as appearing on Saturday Night Live, The Midnight Special, The Muppet Show, and in concert with the legendary Spinal Tap.
Photos of Alice and Freebo courtesy of the artists and Jim Shea Photography.
Doors 7:00pm Show 7:30pm General $20+fee advanced; $25 at the door Student/reduced income: $15+fee advanced; $20 at the door Or, pay what you can to support live music in Pittsburgh! Find Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com!
SongSpace at First Unitarian First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh 605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside Pittsburgh PA 15213
Grace Pettisis an award-winning songwriter from Austin, Texas. A little bit folk, a little
bitcountry/Americana and with a whole lot of soul, Pettis has released two DIY albums and the Dallas Morning News has hailed her as “one of the most talented young singer-songwriters in America“. Grace is the winner of many of the nation’s most prestigious songwriting contests, including NPR’s Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, and has received grants from the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation. Grace’s songs have been recorded by other esteemed artists, including Sara Hickman and Ruthie Foster, with 3 co-writes on Foster’s latest, Grammy®-nominated album, Healing Time (2024).
“Alt-country folk artist Grace Pettis packs her music with as much purpose as poetry, and the LGBTQ community is proud to have her as a supportive ally.” — Out Front Magazine
Her debut album on MPress, Working Woman (2021), was produced by lauded singer-songwriter Mary Bragg, mixed by 2x Grammy® award winner Shani Gandhi, and featured an all-female/non-binary band and creative credits. Guest contributions came from Indigo Girls, Ruthie Foster, Dar Williams, and other luminaries. Summer 2024 saw the release of Grace’s next full-length album, Down to the Letter, on MPress Records.
“Grace has a melodic way of writing that not only stays in your head but reads what’s sitting in your soul. She writes what I always wanted to say.” — Ruthie Foster
Photos of Grace by Starla Dawn, (c) 2024.
Tai Chirovsky is opening for Grace. Last seen at SongSpace at one of our Gallery shows, Tai is a Pittsburgh-based singer-songwriter and musician with a resonant voice reminiscent of Shelby Lynne. Her work is characterized by introspective and emotive lyrics, accompanied by acoustic guitar and soothing melodies. She has a number of EP releases on Bandcamp, including City Lights, Open My Mouth and You Come Out, and her latest, Growing Up. When she is not singing, Tai works in community radio, gardens, and is a sustainable fiber artist under the moniker Chaotic Good Embroidery (@chaoticgoodembroidery on Instagram).
“will thoroughly relax and calm your soul”– Pittsburgh City Paper
Photos of Tai courtesy Joe Bray & Tai Chirovsky
Doors 7:00pm Show 7:30pm General: $15+fee advance; $20 @ door Student/low-income: $10+fee advance; $15 @ door Or, pay what you can to support live music in Pittsburgh! Advance Tickets at uusongspace.eventbee.com!
SongSpace at First Unitarian First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh 605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside Pittsburgh PA 15213
Peter Mulvey‘s May 4 show at SongSpace had a large and appreciative audience. He played many songs from the recent CD More Notes From Elsewhere, songs he’s done with Sista Strings, and some from the classic P.M. catalog. Much joy all around!
It was a fun night of music on March 23 in every style from jazzy art songs to old time country to rock, with acoustic guitars, electric guitar, clarinet and banjo!
Ready to go!Liz, Ol W, Louie & LenniOl’ Whitetail Louie CastleLenni GreenLiz McBrideOl’ WhitetailLenni Green
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!
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…
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.
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!
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’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:
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!
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.
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!
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.
