John Byrne Band

Dublin native and Philadelphia resident, John Byrne leads his eponymously-named band. Their latest recordA Shiver in the Sky, recorded at Spice House Sound in Philadelphia and produced by long-time collaborator Andy Keenan, shows his band of multi-instrumentalists vibrantly executing ten new originals. Strings, banjo, accordion and guitars escort Byrneʼs vocals through a set of songs about living and pushing forward through negative times. Following up After the Wake (2011), Celtic Folk (2013) and The Immigrant and the Orphan(2015), A Shiver in the Skyfocuses on triumph over trauma and on Jan 13th reached #1 on the Roots Music Report Alternative Folk Album Charts. It has also reached #18 on the overall Folk Album Charts. With influences ranging from Tom Waits to Planxty, Johnʼs songwriting honors and expands upon the musical and lyrical traditions of his native and adopted homes. Critics have called his writing “powerful, deeply moving work that will stay with you long after you have heard it” (Michael TearsonSing Out); Both as a solo/acoustic act, and a full 6-piece band, John logs in over 150 shows per year, building a loyal and devoted following. John spent 2017/18 recording and releasing an album of folk songs and Dublin Street Songs with his father John Sr. Released under the name John J.Byrne and the Twangmen,the album has been included in the National Folk Music Archives in Ireland. Previous Festival experience includes Adams County, Erie Folk Festival, The Philadelphia Folk Fest (on 4 occasions), Celtic Classic (Bethlehem, PA), Pipes in the Valley (Hartford CT), Saltwater Celtic Fest, Phila Irish Fest, Phila Fleadh, Musikfest (on 4 occasions), Maine Celtic Celebration (twice headlining), Hollywood Irish Festival (Florida) and performing for former President Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in a celebration of the Good Friday Agreement at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia native, Dave Cope, has been making music since his days in the illustrious Chestnut Hill St Paul’s Church children’s choir. His compositions reflect a broad array of styles, from pop and rock songwriting, to classical, to South Indian classical music and more. He has studied with renowned teachers such as master vocalist and flutist in the South Indian classical tradition Tanjore Viswanathan, respected classical composers Harold Boatrite and Neely Bruce and legendary rag time pianist Don Kawash. In the summer of 2012 Dave released his debut album, “Davey Cope & The English Breakfast: A Proper Record”. The album was both tender and fun with heavy Beatles-y influences. Dave’s love of British musical hall, 1960s pop and even world music can be heard on the record. Since then, Dave has expanded his output, writing music for plays, television and film. His song “Lush Life” was featured in the 2005 film “Pizza”. He composed music for the Quintessence Theatre’s celebrated 2014 production of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. His current project under the name LeBon LeBon blends a myriad of styles from the 1980s new wave zeitgeist. Dave has collaborated with noted songwriters and producers throughout his career, including Larry Gold (string arranger for a host of Philadelphia R&B tracks from the 1970s to the present), Henry Hirsch (producer and engineer for Lenny Kravitz), Chuck Treece, David Ivory, Santigold, Andres Villamil and Eric Bazilian. Older songs of Dave’s can be found on iTunes under David Cope and the video for his holiday classic, “All I want is Megan Fox for Christmas” can be viewed on YouTube. In addition to writing music, Dave teaches music at the Boys Latin Charter School in West Philadelphia and gives private lessons in voice and guitar.