1st & 3rd Wednesdays at ROOTED Cafe at 7 PM

Four songwriters take the stage, seated in a comfortable semi-circle. They take turns playing songs, occasionally joining in with each other on harmony vocals or guitar licks. The format encourages conversation between the writers, which gives the audience an opportunity to hear these creative people talk as if in their own living rooms. Inspired by the “guitar pulls” of the legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville.

You might hear a young up-and-coming pro, an established mid-career performer and mentor, and a cherished elder of the scene — all sharing music. The growing relationships will warm your heart and enrich your soul. Come every week as the lineup shifts and new friends are made.

Hosted by Somerville singer/songwriter David Thorne Scott. Held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Part of the ROOTED Armory Café Series. Café menu is available here. Beer and wine also available!

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SONGWRITER BIOS:

Songwriters in the Round on July 6 will showcase some outstanding performers and songwriters.  Lydia Harrell is a jazz/soul singer/songwriter and ukulele player who has the rare combination of acting range and vocal chops to portray Billie Holiday on stage. Recent college graduate Nora Meier hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she was writing Randy Newman-inspired songs at age 16. Laura Vecchione recorded her albums in Nashville and you can hear the wide rivers of the south in her voice. And your host, Stephanie James, is a young pop performer with versatility and power in the mold of Linda Ronstadt.

Lydia “The LovelySinger” Harrell is one of Boston’s finest musical treasures. Her sultry, soulful voice and evocative songwriting have garnered her the attention and respect of the nation’s finest musicians and venues.  Jazz/Soul is where her heart is, however, Lydia has shown an unbreakable ability to mold herself into any musical situation.  Be it performing with the Boston Pops, serenading NBA fans with America’s National Anthem, or lending her vocal talents to a chart-topping deep house singles by British record label, Reel People Music, Lydia’s dedication to extracting the pure essence of song goes virtually unmatched. Lydia consistently performs in more than 150 shows a year not only as a solo act, but also in collaborations with other artists such as world renowned jazz musician, Bobby Floyd and as one-half of  the duo “The Lady Parts” providing backing vocals for Zap Mama, Ryan Montbleau, Albert Cummings and more. Her most recent musical accolades include singing lead on a Bob Marley Tribute Album distributed by Sony Music Latin, winning the 2015 Duke Ellington Jazz Vocal Competition, performing at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NYC (2016), winning the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Voice Competition and winner of the “Best Of” awards for Best Song at the 48 Hour Film Project Boston. In addition to her accomplishments as a musical artist, Lydia is a film/TV, voiceover and theatre actress. She has appeared in many commercials, films and theatre productions. She is currently, postponed restrictions due to the pandemic, in the New Repertory Theatre production of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” playing the role of the one and only Billie Holiday.

Recording artist Stephanie James breathes new life to pop music, blending the smoothness of jazz singers and classic country singers with her honey-coated voice. With songs ranging from heartstring-tugging ballads to uplifting songs that leave a lasting impression on audiences. Stephanie has established herself in the heart of the music industry performing at venues from coast to coast including Hotel Cafe in LA, Rockwood Music Hall in NYC, and Brighton Music Hall in Boston. A powerhouse of a performer, Stephanie has been likened to legends like Linda Ronstadt, as well as mega-talents of today such as Sara Bareilles and Kacey Musgraves. Whether in intimate rooms or packed venues, Stephanie connects deeply with her audience in ways that elicit both tears and celebration. Stephanie recorded her debut album Unbreakable in collaboration with GRAMMY-nominated producers Jorel Corpus and Simone Torres in Los Angeles. The album is home to her most authentic, unfiltered songs to date, including a tribute to Maya Angelou’s poem, “Caged Bird,” and anthem single “Throw Me a Rope” that encourages listeners to overcome obstacles in their life.

Rich, lush and full of emotion, Laura Vecchione’s voice evokes wide rivers of the south that seem far from her origins in New York and Boston. She has recorded three studio albums in Nashville, and worked with Grammy-award-winning producers and musicians. Her songs have received heavy rotation on the Americana charts and received TV placement in national television shows. In addition to performing, Laura is a sought after voice teacher in the Boston area and Assistant Professor of Voice at Berklee College of Music. “Laura Vecchione hails from New York, lives in Boston, and recorded her debut album in Nashville. Keep this quick bio handy to remind yourself that she’s not from Chicago, because Deeper Waters sounds a whole lot more South Side than Soho, Allston or Grand Ole Opry.” -Valley Advocate

Nora Meier grew up in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by her parents’ expansive vinyl collection and a lot of trees. Encouraged by her mentor Moorea Masa to pursue her love of music, Nora began seriously honing her skills as an artist throughout her teenage years. In January of 2017 she wrote and produced her first single, Icicles, followed by a five-track EP, “With Time,” released in November. Her single “Astraea,” was released in fall of 2019. These projects would not have been possible without support of Portland’s amazing creative community and artists such as Moorea Masa, Rebecca Sanborn, Steve Swatkins and more. She is currently studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
 Meier has a proven ability to connect to the heart of the individual while uniting us through the emotions that make us human. Her newest single “Harvest Song” is out now.

1st & 3rd Wednesdays at ROOTED Cafe at 7 PM

Four songwriters take the stage, seated in a comfortable semi-circle. They take turns playing songs, occasionally joining in with each other on harmony vocals or guitar licks. The format encourages conversation between the writers, which gives the audience an opportunity to hear these creative people talk as if in their own living rooms. Inspired by the “guitar pulls” of the legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville.

You might hear a young up-and-coming pro, an established mid-career performer and mentor, and a cherished elder of the scene — all sharing music. The growing relationships will warm your heart and enrich your soul. Come every week as the lineup shifts and new friends are made.

Hosted by Somerville singer/songwriter David Thorne Scott. Held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Part of the ROOTED Armory Café Series. Café menu is available here. Beer and wine also available!