City Rain: Topless. In a Vacant Lot.
Text and image by G.W. Miller III.
Jarrett Zerrer (left) and Ben Runyan grew up together. Sort of.
They went to the same middle school and then the same high school. But they never spoke.
They both wound up at Temple University and they barely talked there, despite living on the same floor of a dorm during their freshman year.
“I don’t think we talked once,” Zerrer says.
“We were friends,” Runyan offers. “But we weren’t butt buddies like we are now.” Read more…
Nazir Ebo: The 11-Year Old Drum Prodigy.
Video, images and text by Mariel Waloff.
When I first met Nazir Ebo he was nine-years old.
In his spare time from the 4th grade, he was building a professional music career. Or perhaps it was the reverse—in the time between concerts, jam sessions and lessons at the Philadelphia Clef Club, he managed to go to school and do his homework.
He looked like a typical 4th grader might – often showing up to lessons wearing the requisite khaki and navy blue school uniform. He also conducted himself as you might expect a nine-year-old would, confessing to performance anxiety and a fear of the stage. It was only when the sticks hit the drums that it became clear that he was not an ordinary kid.
These days, at a ripe old age of eleven, Nazir has matured musically and personally.
When I stopped in on a rehearsal at the Philadelphia Clef Club, where Nazir has been taking music lessons for three years, he was stylishly-clad in an outfit almost entirely purchased from Zara, the hip Spanish retailer – a puffy down vest, scarf and hipster glasses.
He looked like a college student.
He has also grown comfortable being on stage. His resume has grown to include performances at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Michener Museum, a 76ers game, WHYY, the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival and numerous gigs at Chris’ Jazz Café, among others. Read more…
Enter to Win a Free Flip Video Camera!
We have another Flip video camera to give away. To enter, send a tweet and include @JumpPhilly and @FlipVideoBrand. We’ll choose a winner at random on Friday (6/3) at noon.
The video above is from Alison Stuart, a teacher at McCall Elementary. Alison won a Flip video camera from JUMP in April. She plans to integrate the camera into her classwork.
To stay up to date with JUMP giveaways and events, follow our facebook page.
By the way, the summer issue of JUMP hits the streets on Friday.
Why Sit In Traffic When You Can Chill in Philly?
Forget the beach. Stay in Philly. We have a ton going on this weekend (including great street performers, like these guys at Rittenhouse Square).
On Saturday, for instance, there is a free outdoor music festival at 3rd and Girard, the Sundrop Music and Arts Festival. The festival is actually three days, starting tonight (it’s only free from 3 to 9 on Saturday).
This week, we spoke to Ron Gallo of Toy Soldiers, who will play on Saturday, and Arrah Fisher of Arrah and The Ferns, who play on Sunday.
SUNDROP Music Festival: Arrah and the Ferns.
(The video above is on the roof of The Ox and it was created by these folks).
Between your first album, Evan is a Vegan and your sophomore album, All the Bad in One Place, there is an evident change in mood – from a jovial, light album to a slightly more introspective album. What do you think caused that change?
Well, when I first started writing music for the first album, I kind of didn’t really know I could sing. It was my first kind of, like, project where I was writing and I was trying to keep things fun and lighthearted and I was younger too. I was 20-years old. I just kind of grew up more. I guess I wanted to get a little bit deeper with my writing and songs. All the Bad in One Place was recorded in December 2007, so even now, me looking back on that album, I’m really like, “Eh, I’ve got better things to say.” I think I was writing about my life, too and I was just questioning a lot and I guess growing into a woman, as cheesy as that sounds. But, I guess I think confidence helped, too. Just being more comfortable with writing and myself as a performer.
How did you find your voice?
I always grew up singing in my room and I loved singing but I never thought that I was any good. My parents got me voice lessons for a year when I was 12 and I still didn’t like it. I didn’t like singing in front of people ever. So when I first went to college my freshman year I played in this band. I played keys, and I started singing backup. I was really scared to sing, even backup.
And then, I don’t know then one day when I met Carl, and we were just kind of jamming with some of my songs and his songs, I just started singing. I was very timid at first, and for a long time. I was scared to perform. So nervous. I had to close my eyes the whole time. I think maybe just over time I became more comfortable onstage, more comfortable singing.
And now my voice has really changed. A lot of what’s changed is that I’ve learned how to use it more properly. I’m really comfortable onstage. I find that it’s where I’m most comfortable, really, in my life, when I’m performing. I couldn’t say that when I first started singing with Arrah and the Ferns in 2005. I was mortified. Read more…
Ron Gallo, co-founder and frontman of the roots rock band Toy Soldiers, will be playing the Sundrop Music and Arts Festival on Saturday at The Fire. Our Chris Diehl sat down with him to talk about the band.
You found the name Toy Soldiers while looking at art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, correct? What is the significance to you?
I was working at Black and Brew in South Philly and someone told me I look like the kid in this painting by Antonio Mancini. No real significance we just liked the sound of the title.
What drives you to write music?
I feel like it is something I kinda live to do. I just love the process of writing.
Do you find Philly audiences receptive to your music?
It’s weird, yes. There is a certain type that is into what we do. It’s a lively show. We don’t want a wall between us and the audience. When we play it is like a big collaborative celebration. We want the audience invested in the show.
People down in the south love it. That kind of music is rooted there. Read more…
Balance and Composure @ The Troc.
Friend of JUMP Kylee Messner caught Balance and Composure at the Troc on Friday and sent us this video. It features the band performing their song “Stone Hands,” a new track off their just released album Separation.
If you see music happening – on the street, at shows, in people’s houses, whatever – shoot it and send us your pics. We’ll show them off here, and maybe in the print edition.
Sunshine and Art in Kensington.
Our Tess Bishop spent a beautiful Saturday at the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival (featuring the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby) and brought back these images. An estimated 10,000 people attended the event.
If you see music happening – on the street, at shows, in people’s houses, whatever – shoot it and send us your pics. We’ll show them off here, and maybe in the print edition.
Win a Free Flip Video Camera!
Did we mention we have one more Flip video camera to give away?
We do.
Send a tweet and include @JumpPhilly and @FlipVideoBrand.
The winner will be chosen at the end of the month.
MusicTown: Sleigh Bells @ The Troc.
Here’s even more great stuff from Claire Fishkow, who photographed Sleigh Bells on May 8, 2011 when they played at The Troc.
If you see music happening – on the street, at shows, in people’s houses, whatever – shoot it and send us your pics. We’ll show them off here, and maybe in the print edition.
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 