Just Added!
The Ballroom Thieves
with special guest Frank McGinnis
Saturday, August 27, 7:30 p
at the Roxbury Arts Center
5025 Vega Mountain Road
Roxbury NY
Sponsored by Blue Spark Consulting
In this increasingly virtual world of ours, what makes music authentic? For some, songs are no more than tiny sentimental decompressions. But others treat music as an extension of their roots, a mirror of their travels and relationships, and a testament to both their craft and passion.
For The Ballroom Thieves, the band’s journey has only just begun, but their roots already run quite deep.
Stylistically, the trio (Martin Earley, Calin Peters, and Devin Mauch) finds a captivating mélange of acoustic styles, blending folk conventions with modern hymnals, delta blues grit with rich harmonies, exploring the basic constructions of pop music while almost wholeheartedly rejecting its restrictions at the same time.
“Our own personal growth and explorations in songwriting and musicianship caused us to end up in this unique spot where we can generally feel free to be who we are at all times, which is sadly not a luxury enjoyed by all,” says guitarist Martin Earley. “I think we have a certain sound at the moment, but that sound is constantly evolving, and I hope it keeps doing that.”
Perhaps it is a blessing, but the band has a certain awareness and interest in all of its surroundings that equates to a form of musical intelligence. See them live and this becomes tremendously clear. They are a product of their community. They wager it all with every song and every performance. They study those with whom they share the stage. They feed off of the spirit of their audience. They grow from each other.
“The experiences we have with friends, fans, and strangers when we perform is what keeps me wanting to explore this art form further and discover all that it has to offer,” says Earley. “Simple human connection is a beautiful thing and I’m very grateful to be playing music that allows me to experience such feelings on a regular basis.”
This Roxbury Arts Group is thrilled to announce that Frank McGinnis, a singer-songwriter with Roxbury roots, will open for the Ballroom Thieves! Frank McGinnis (whom many have known as Frankie or Frank Jr) grew up in Roxbury, NY as the middle child of seven children. After years of trying to play every instrument he could get in his hands, his parents bought him a department store guitar for Christmas at age 8. After years of self-teaching and many literal garage bands, he eventually formed the band Frankie and His Fingers. That band served as the primary growth for Frank as a musician and songwriter until it’s natural finale. Since then, he has written, recorded and performed catalogs of songs under various projects and personas, settling on the solo creation of a lush and layered recorded sound.
McGinnis portrays his vocal prowess within his upcoming EP, Be Content With Your Light, Child, weaving focused guitar tone and indie dynamicism. Working with producer Jeremy Backofen (The Felice Brothers, Frightened Rabbit, PAWS, Mice Parade), “Frank McGinnis is dexterous in his able handling of the anti-solo-riff guitars and the vocally dense and emotive verse,” says Chronogram. Either solo or supported, McGinnis brings the energy of the record alive on stage.
Brimming with discovery and rooted in the music scene of the Hudson Valley, Frank McGinnis is the culminating sustain of a local scene’s passing and rebirth. Called “timeless” by Roll Magazine, the resulting compositions are a sonic balance of wisdom and haunting iconic melody.
Advance ticket sales for this event has ended. Tickets will be available at the door. All tickets purchased on the day of the event are $24.