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Prepare for an unforgettable evening of music as three exceptional singer-songwriters join forces for a co-bill performance. Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards, celebrated contemporary folk artists, bring their heartfelt harmonies and insightful songwriting from their latest album, “Making Promises (2024).” Alongside them, Emily Drinker, an independent talent from Philadelphia, shares her soulful blend of folk, pop, and rock. With a mix of introspective lyrics and captivating melodies, these artists guarantee an evening of genuine, down-to-earth musical experiences.Making Promises (2024) is the fourth eponymous studio release by contemporary folk songwriters Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards. This album replete with poetic lyrics, sophisticated musical arrangements, and mellifluous vocal harmonies will be a welcome addition to your collection from their twenty-year partnership. Much of the material inspired by their recent marriage in 2021 reflects on themes of love, desires, perseverance and promises, with much of the music sparsely arranged as duets with upright bass accompaniment by longtime friend Zack Ciras (see indie-folk trio the accident that led me to the world). Two compositions recorded between 2021-2023 include bandmates Doug Williamson (piano) and Peter Hart (pedal steel), with the majority recorded in Northfield Massachusetts during December 2023.
In addition to writing and performing, Mark and Raianne have founded the Massachusetts Walking Tour now in its fourteenth year. The annual tour raises awareness of local greenspace throughout their home state, organizing daily public hikes and free community concerts each June. www.masswalkingtour.org
They also serve as music educators for local community music school Blackstone Valley Music located in Uxbridge Massachusetts, leading one-on-one classes, yearly rock band camps for teens, and community ukulele groups. Mark and Raianne will be taking the reins of BVM in 2025 through their recently established nonprofit to further develop the quality music instruction and programs provided to the area since 2009. www.blackstonevalleymusic.com
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Emily Drinker is an independent, award-winning singer-songwriter from Philadelphia. Her soulful brand of folk, pop, and rock goes down smooth, whether she’s performing with her powerhouse band, the Funky T, or in a more intimate format, incorporating live looping. Emily is an artist who has found a way to do what she does using every weapon in her considerable arsenal. Emily has been featured by NPR Music, Philadelphia’s WXPN, and played at many regional festivals including Firefly, Musikfest, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. In the last few years, Emily has opened for Pat Benatar, Rufus Wainwright, JD Souther (Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, James Taylor), Switchfoot, Joey Dosik (Vulfpeck) and Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon’s Graceland). In addition to a busy performance schedule in Philly and its surrounding areas, Emily enjoys working as a session vocalist doing sync work for national TV shows, performing in half a dozen local bands, and hosting a festival in her backyard with her band/housemates. (CINNAMiN Fest!)
Some parts of this bio were borrowed – with permission – from Episode 27 of John Faye’s podcast “Talking at the Diner.”
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Godfrey Daniels, 9 E 4th St, Bethlehem, PA 18015-1655, United States,Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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