You know Philly musician Ross Bellenoit, even if you don’t realize it. The versatile player has lent his guitar savvy to Birdie Busch and Sun Airway, his production know-how to Ali Wadsworth and Aaron and the Spell, and countless more in between. Somewhere in the mix, he also writes his own songs – a wholly different exercise from accompanying other artists on stage, or helping them shape their songs in the studio – and this week Bellenoit is celebrating the third installment in his series of EPs he’s been self-releasing since spring. Home Songs Volume 3 has been online for a month and will be available on CD in a release party at Underground Arts this Friday. With the return of UNLOCKED – The Key’s regular series spotlighting new and significant releases by Philadelphia-area artists – we’ll dig not only into the most recent installment, but the series as a whole, and Bellenoit’s quest to make his life making music. He’s succeeding so far, and today we’ve got evidence of such that you can download and pop on your mp3 player. “Down to One” is a jaunty number from the new EP that’s an unapologetic homage to Harry Nilsson; Ross will tell us more about it in our interview later in the week. Tomorrow we’ll have a review of the Home Songs series, later in the week we’ll have some video and a (maybe) a Bellenoit musical genealogy. Today, though, you can get started with “Down to One” - thanks to Ross, we’re making it a free download for the next 24 hours. UPDATE: 24 hours are up! Enjoy the song in the streaming player below.
Ross Bellenoit
RECENT POSTS
Documentary about J.C. Dobbs to screen at inaugural Liberty Music Fest
Not to be confused with the similarly-titled festival that the Phonographic Arts gang threw at The Level Room earlier this year, the inaugural Liberty Music Fest at The Legendary Dobbs on South Street showcases some 40 up-and-coming acts on two stages over the course four days. Some of the notable names on the lineup include Wilmington new-folk combo New Sweden (you can download their raging Key Session here), Philly rockers Black Stars, versatile local guitarist Ross Bellenoit and his band The Goods, emotive Americana trio The Parsnip Revolt, and many more. The festival begins on Aug. 16, runs through Aug. 19, and you can get the full lineup and set times here. Sure to be a highlight for longtime denizens of the Philly music scene is the opening night screening of Meet Me on South Street a look at the history of J.C. Dobbs by documentary filmmaker George Manney. Check out a trailer for the film below.
Tonight’s Concert Pick: “Philly Sings Philly” local cover series kicks off at The Fire
Andrew Lipke performs 11/2 at The Fire
Love Andrew Lipke‘s “Mindgames,” but want to know how the rocking anthem would sound after being given the whimsical treatment by Hezekiah Jones‘ Raphael Cutrufello? Curious to hear how Suzie Brown‘s yearning vocals can completely change the tone of Ryan Tennis‘ road-weary “To The Moon?” Who eventually covers what is anybody’s guess, but one thing is for certain: the month-long, five-performance “Philly Sings Philly” series at The Fire features just about every acoustic-guitar-wielding singer-songwriter in town playing each others’ material. The series begins tonight, with performances by Andrew Lipke, Wissahickon Chicken Shack, Dawn Iulg, David James, Jessica McDowell, Scott Silipigni, and Susan Rosetti; notable names from later shows include the aforementioned Hezekiah Jones, Suzie Brown, and Ryan Tennis, as well as The Spinning Leaves, Sisters 3, Ross Bellenoit, Phil D’Agostino, and Joshua Park. Tonight’s performances begin at 8 p.m.; tickets to the show are $8.