Powerhouse Philly

Emily Drinker is an independent award-winning singer-songwriter from Philadelphia. She blends folk, pop, and rock with a high-energy band and soulful 3-part harmonies through live looping. Emily has been featured by NPR Music, Philadelphia's WXPN, and played at many regional festivals including Firefly, Musikfest, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. In the last few years, Emily has opened for rock icon Pat Benatar, songwriting legend JD Souther (Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, James Taylor), baroque-pop singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, alt-rock band Switchfoot, singer-songwriter Joey Dosik (Vulfpeck) and bass virtuoso Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simonʼs Graceland). In addition to a busy performance schedule in Philly and its surrounding areas, Emily enjoys working as a session vocalist doing sync work for national TV shows, and performing in half a dozen local bands.

With expressive, soulful vocals soaring over a mix of ambient pop, electronic, and R&B sounds, Lia Menakerʼs music moves beyond genre to sit in a world of its own. Dubbed “noirtronica” by WXPN radio, Menakerʼs music calls back to jazz vocalists like Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse, while also experimenting with space and ominous electronic elements. She has performed in 50+ cities around the U.S. and wrote and produced the score for Welcome to Campfire's danceplay and film "Subject", currently streamable on Broadway on Demand. Lia performs and produces regularly in the Philadelphia tri-state area and is a proud teaching artist with Carnegie Hall/Musicopia's Lullaby Project - a project that pairs parents and caregivers with professional musicians to co-create personalized lullabies for their child.

Sug Daniels is a Delaware born, Philadelphia based, singer-songwriter, story teller, and producer who is using the tools around her to capture the emotions of an era. Daniels’ work is as colorful, vulnerable, and charismatic as her personality. She thoughtfully combines elements of folk, rock and soul alternatives to create personal and tender music interlaced with messages of truth and positive change. Growing up in the rural town of Smyrna, Delaware, Daniels had felt first-hand both the extreme joy and the major isolation that many LGBTQ+ people experience in churches. After coming out, she left the church but continued her journey armed with the love of powerful music and celebration of community. She currently resides in the city of Philadelphia continuing to create music to share and inspire those around her. After leading two successful musical projects, Hoochi Coochi and FlowCity, Sug has set out to create solo music that reflects her current views and personal stories. Daniels’ electric ukulele inspired music has been featured on WXPN, NPR, and Good Morning America on ABC. After a successful release with author and singer songwriter John Faye (Lighting In A Bottle, 2022) and a single release on Don Giovanni Records (When I’m Gone, 2023) Daniel is back in the studio. Surrounded by an encouraging and supportive musical community, Daniels has been recording an EP of the catchy and joyful music she’s been playing while on touring the MidWest and NorthEast regions of the country solo and with The Black Opry Revue. Daniels plans to release several singles from her forthcoming collection of music and continue touring in 2024.

Nardelloʼs fans describe her as relatable, passionate, soulful, and unapologetically real. A modern torch bearer for the powerful, independent female folk singer. Janis Ian meets Janice Joplin! Nardello's refined accessibility draws from folk, rock & pop. She can tug at your heartstrings with her softer tunes and get you dancing on your feet with her upbeat songs and powerful voice. Nardelloʼs recent career highlights include singing with Brandi Carlile at Carlileʼs all womenʼs festival in Mexico and was then named a top “Emerging Artist To Know” by NPR. Nardello has toured extensively opening for well known artists like Colbie Caillat, Gabe Dixon, Emerson Hart of Tonic Fame, Tim Reynolds of The Dave Matthews Band and Ron Pope. Her fans are anxiously awaiting her new EP “Rise” which will be released in the Fall of 2024!