For the fourth year in a row, the people running the Weinberg Center for the Arts will be kind enough to open its doors for a Frederick Music Showcase. Yes, we can’t believe it, either. Some of the area’s best local original talent gets to play the biggest most prestigious room Frederick has to offer. And considering this year’s concert is set to go down on Thursday, Feb. 15, it’s (kind of) a Valentine miracle.
But I digress. This year’s installment promises to be mind-shattering as the event will feature three top-shelf local acts: R&B outfit SoulXChange, math/prog-rockers Time Columns and bluegrass stalwarts, The Plate Scrapers. We caught up with each act to ask them some questions about what it’s like to be on this year’s bill … and, of course, who they would book if they could organize their own show at the Weinberg.
The Plate Scrapers
You guys have played the Weinberg before as part of its Americana fest. What was the thing that stuck out the most to you guys when you first played it?
The Americana fest was a great show to be a part of. We got to open for Keller Williams — that was a highlight for us. For sure, the thing that stuck out in our minds from that gig was getting to jam with Keller in the dressing rooms under the stage before our set.
Along those same lines, what does it mean to you to play the Weinberg?
It means a lot that we were invited to play the Weinberg. It basically just reminds us how far we have come as a band, and that hard work does pay off. We would have never thought five years ago that we would be getting to play that stage.
The Frederick Music Showcase is held in February, in part, to help kick off each year. What do the Plate Scrapers have planned for 2018?
We are currently hard at work plotting out our plans for 2018. You will definitely be able to find us at a slew of festivals around the east coast as well as a tour to Colorado and hopefully a new album.
Do you have a favorite show you have ever seen at the Weinberg through the years? Any favorite memories of the theater that you could share?
I recently got the chance to see the Steel Wheels at the Weinberg last month and that was a great show. The sound was top notch and the band put on a very captivating performance.
If you could build your dream Weinberg lineup — bands/solo artists — dead or alive, what would it be? You can only pick four.
This was a really fun question. Everyone in the band chipped in on this and I think we came up with the concert of the century.
Oscar Peterson Trio
John Hartford and Doc Watson Duo
Tony Rice Unit
Radiohead featuring Bill Monroe
This show would also feature an acoustic show in the lobby by the Plate Scrapers at intermission.
Time Columns
You guys have never played the Weinberg before. Was this the Frederick venue that always appeared to be the golden goose for you guys? Also, have you attended any Frederick Music Showcases before and if so, what do you remember about them?
Guitarist Kenny Eaton: The Weinberg honestly was never even on my radar as a place to perform until the last few years when these showcases started, despite going there for plays and stuff growing up. It’s such a beautiful venue and I’m glad to see the owners/management opening their doors to a younger crowd to support loud music like this. I’ve been to the showcases to support bands I’ve worked with/recorded and it was awe-inspiring to see them the way they were meant to be — on a big stage where I can hear everything.
Along those same lines, what does it mean to you to play the Weinberg?
Eaton: It means that Frederick isn’t dead and that our music community is very much alive and well. Our city is overflowing with creators and almost more importantly, we’re starting to see more people in positions of power mobilize and support artists on a grassroots level. I never would have imagined a loud, somewhat challenging band like us being allowed to play at a space like the Weinberg, so cheers to that.
The Frederick Music Showcase is held in February, in part, to help kick off each year. What does Time Columns have planned for 2018?
Eaton: By the time February rolls around, our new record will be pretty much done. We’ve been working on a full-length for the last three years and it feels like the process is finally nearing completion. String arrangements and a bit of vocal tracking will be completed in January and once I’m done mixing, it’s just a matter of shopping to labels and coordinating the release (i.e. touring, manufacturing, etc.). I don’t want to speak for my bandmates, but for me, this is the first time I’ve felt like a Time Columns album actually reflects our sound properly and realizes what I’m trying to communicate as a musician/engineer. It’s been a long and difficult process self-producing a record of this size and complexity, but I think 2018 is the year where it all comes full circle. It will be our biggest year as a band.
Do you have a favorite show you have ever seen at the Weinberg through the years? Any favorite memories of the theater that you could share?
Eaton: Hearing songs from Heavy Lights, Old Indian and Cheshi that I know front to back from recording them on a stage like that literally gave me goosebumps.
Drummer Jordan Miller: I have participated in the 72 Film Fest several times and always enjoyed the screenings held at the Weinberg. It’s the real time big screen and a wonderful space, so it’s always fun to see your work screened there.
If you could build your dream Weinberg lineup — bands/solo artists — dead or alive, what would it be? You can only pick four.
Eaton: Steve Reich, Toe, King Crimson and Explosions in the Sky.
Miller: I would put Explosions and Toe in mine as well. I would probably include The Mars Volta, too … and of course, Time Columns.
SoulXchange
I know that members of the band have played the Weinberg before as part of its Americana fest. What was the thing that stuck out the most to them when they first played it?
The biggest thing that stuck out to us was the excellent collection of local talent and the overwhelming show of support for that talent. Frederick is growing and continually diversifying and it’s a beautiful thing to see.
Along those same lines, what does it mean to you to play the Weinberg?
It’s an incredible feeling for us to be welcomed into such a cherished and historical community landmark. We’ve seen several of our favorite artists perform at the Weinberg — the Roots, Esperanza Spalding, Snarky Puppy, just to name a few. To get a chance to stand where those incredible artists have stood and look out into the crowd we’ve sat in is a great honor.
The Frederick Music Showcase is held in February, in part, to help kick off each year. What does SoulXChange have planned for 2018?
We are currently working towards finishing up a second EP, so definitely look forward to that in 2018. Otherwise, we’ll be playing shows all year from here to Austin, Texas.
Do you have a favorite show you have ever seen at the Weinberg through the years?
Our favorite show we saw at the Weinberg would have to be the Corey Henry and the Funk Apostles show. We had the whole band there and a bunch of friends and local musicians came out. With that and Corey Henry and the band’s incredible performance, it made for a truly memorable night.
If you could build your dream Weinberg lineup — bands/solo artists — dead or alive, what would it be?
We’d have to go with Prince as the lead singer and playing guitar, Questlove on the drums, Mark Lettieri on lead guitar, and Pino Pallidino on the bass.
