Music Makings of Tommy Link

Man, I’m getting behind on these posts. I can’t believe May is already half gone. Things have been busy, in all the right ways. Playing out and about, writing songs, and working with bands. Be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming shows.

Strangers and Liars will also hopefully be getting some more shows together in the near future, but that’s not to say we haven’t been keeping busy. The band has spent the past few weeks in studio(s) with our dear friend Tavon Markov and our very own drummer Tom Hitt. Things are coming together nicely. We currently have a little preview of some of the progress up on Facebook. Be sure to check it out, and keep an eye and ear open for more to come!

Strangers and Liars studio preview

Big plans today for Strangers and Liars. Working with our good friend, Tavon Markov, on getting some tracks down with the hopes of an upcoming album.  With any luck we’ll have some previews soon for all to see soon.

The group is still pretty fresh out of the gate, but we’re pushing to get out in the local scene as soon as we can, and hopefully these recordings help give us that push. We have some solid original music lined up, so keep your eyes and ears open for what comes next.

To all the local NW Pennsylvania yokels, let it be known if you don’t already! Riverside Inn Music Festival starts today at 4:30pm! (Gosh, that’s kinda soon.)

The Riverside Inn, located in the heart of Cambridge Springs, PA.

From then till Sunday, there’s some spectacular music lined up for this event, on two different stages.Some personal friends who I know put on a great show include Broke Boland and the Dirty Pickles, East Clintwood, Scarlet Ledbetter, Birdsong, Lucy & Glenn Rankin,  Root 5th to name a few. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! They’ll be tons of local vendors, activities for all ages, and who knows what other craziness.

I myself will be playing tomorrow (Saturday the 21st), on the pub stage from 1 to 2pm. Very excited to be a part of it. Here’s hoping you make it down at least part of the weekend!

Well, things are rapidly picking up as this year’s summer season ebbs closer, so allow me to make a futile attempt to cover the grounds for an update.

Still writing when the chance occurs. I may or may not throw up some new rough cuts soon. While I do love sharing new songs, I’d hate to show all my cards so readily. The idea of preparing another new solo album is lingering in the back of my mind, but as of now, it’s a far off notion. I have a good deal else to juggle until then.

Strangers and Liars greatly enjoyed playing for Arts n Drafts. We intend on searching for some more upcoming gigs as readily as possible. In the near future, we are looking to be involved with a benefit show at Conneaut Lake Park closer to the end of April. There are also album plans for this group.  Keep an eye out!

Lost My Good Hat, the songwriters band including myself, Tom Hitt, Frank Marzano and Jerry Gaff, is still coming along as well. Local Artist Brian Toy has joined in with some animation work to go with some of the tracks we intend on recording, as well as for the future website.

Other than that, just excited to be getting busier for the summer. Some of my favorite seasonal venues will be opening up soon (like the Edinboro Lake Resort), I’m much more inclined to travel to play shows (like to The Erie Kai Tavern in Huron, Ohio) and there’s some great festivals and events lined up (like the Riverside Inn Music Festival). With any luck, I’ll have more to say about everything soon.

March is going out with bang, ending with the 9th Bi-Annual Arts & Drafts at The Brewerie! This will be the third time I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of it, and the FIRST time I’ll be involved in it with band: Strangers and Liars!

That's us in the 7:45 slot on Thursday!

Ecstatic for the line – up for when we play Thursday. So many friends who’s music I love, playing before and after us. Tom Hitt, Tony Kellogg (of Amicus), Justin Tapper (of Meanderthall), and the fine folks of Scarlet Ledbetter, one of my favorite groups in Erie. Not mention the friends playing on the following nights, the always extraordinary Jackie Clarke with her new piano partner Joyce Criner, the unfathomable talent of Seth Brewster, and the exquisite stylings of Chris Beiswanger.

And trust me, that doesn’t mean all the other musicians aren’t going to rock the house as well. The ones mentioned are the ones I’m familiar with and have the Tommy Link stamp of approval. Really, there’s no reason not to be there. The art, the food, the beer, and always always always, the music. March 29th, 30th and 31st are 3 nights, 3 chances for you to make them count. Don’t pass it up!

You may have noticed on the friendly sidebar to the right one of the performances listed mentions “Strangers and Liars performing”. For those of you saying “what might that be?” inquisitively, feel free to jump back a few posts, or hell, I’ll just tell you now, updating those of you already in the know!

Strangers and Liars is a now completed band (we had some difficultly in finding a drummer in the beginning) that will be making some debut performances this month. The group consists of:
Myself as primary songwriter, lead singer and rhythm guitarist
Justin Anderson on lead guitar and vocals (also bringing some songs to the table)
Russ Straub on bass
And our exciting newest addition, Tom Hitt on drums, vocals, and hopefully contributing some songs of his as well (the man is a hell of a songwriter)! Tom answered the call as we searched for the drummer who could tie it all together, turning us into a true force to be reckoned with.

Strangers and Liars will be making their first scheduled appearance as part of the upcoming semi-annual event Art’s N Drafts, but if you don’t want to wait till then, we do plan on making a brief appearance at the Crooked i’s open mic this Sunday (the 18th).

Eyes forward, ladies and gentlemen. You won’t want to miss this.

I’m a bit ashamed of myself, considering that I haven’t made any mention to this event (which is rapidly becoming more like a club or society) even as it’s nearly been a year since it began. It’s becoming more involved all the time, and has created an excellent outlet and opportunity for those stand-alone singer songwriters to do what they do best.

Original poster for the Songwriter Showcase. Since then, The Vermont Tavern has been sold and bought, and the event has moved down the street to a bar called The Crooked i, and is held in it's "Rustbelt Lounge".

The Songwriter Showcase was started in the late winter/early spring of 2011 by Dominick DeCecco, who’s earned mention on this website more than once already. Dom being one of the greatest allies and advocates a songwriter could meet, had already began hosting an open mic in downtown Erie PA, but wanted to create something more focused on local original music. Creating a weekday night event, Dom began the weekly show involving 3 local songwriters coming out to play 45 minute sets. All original music. Since its beginning, the SWS has involved some 30 plus songwriters in the group. And more are joining in everyday.

I myself have been asked to play several times, being one of the ones fortunate in being part of it from the beginning. Even in the face of adversity (such as the location of the event recently being sold and canceling all music), Dom has hardly skipped a beat and found a new home for the show in less than two weeks. Beyond that, I’m excited to say that I’ve been working closely Dom as of late, and discussion has been made considering expanding the SWS further, to perhaps a second night and a second location. They’ll be more to say about come summer.

So, in it’s current state, if you should be in the Erie area and looking for original music on a Tuesday night, head down to the Crooked i at 7:30pm. Everybody’s got a song to sing.