The ones to watch

Posted by Stephen Centanni | Aug 28, 2019 | Music Briefs | 0 |

Band: On the Rise: A Concert of Musicians to Watch
Date: Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
Venue: The Steeple on St. Francis, 251 St. Francis St., thesteeplemobile.com
Tickets: $20, available through Eventbrite

Mobile Bay Magazine dedicates its September issue to the arts. To commemorate the occasion, this local monthly will be holding “On the Rise: A Concert of Musicians to Watch.” This lineup of Azalea City favorites will be a chance for the public to sample a plethora of homegrown sounds in The Steeple’s acoustic-friendly environment.

With her pristine, soulful vocals, Symone French has become a local favorite. In recent years Mobile has watched French gain momentum as a solo artist. Now she has taken her music to the next level with the formation of Symone French & the Trouille Troupe. Whether performing solo or with a band, French’s performances are always a treat.

Advertisements

Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Laurie Anne Armour will also be performing. This local artist has used her life experience as fuel for her creative fires. With her gentle delivery and poignant lyrics, each of the songs found on her EP, “Ebb and Flow,” is a passionate musical embrace. When she takes the stage at The Steeple, Armour will be introducing her audience to her latest single, “Led by the Light.”

For years, violinist/singer-songwriter Melody Duncan has been a constant in the local scene. Duncan has provided her talents for musical acts ranging from The Mulligan Brothers to Roman Street. This event will be a chance for Duncan to showcase her own material.

Wendell Kimbrough will provide original material from the spiritual side of life. This artist-in-residence/worship leader at the Church of the Apostles in Fairhope views his compositions more as psalms than songs. Kimbrough’s use of alt. country and folk elements gives his songs an edge in the world of inspirational music.

Nappie Award-winner Yeah, Probably will fill The Steeple with its rhythm and grooves. This Azalea City group specializes in fresh soul, funk and R&B sounds. Those unfamiliar with this band will fall in love with Yeah, Probably’s smooth live delivery and danceable originals.

The Marlow Boys complete the evening’s lineup. Marlow Boys have used two eclectic albums to gather a dedicated following. The Steeple crowd can expect a set filled with cuts from the band’s albums “Green Room, Vol. 1” and “Green Room, Vol. 2.”

About The Author

Stephen Centanni

With the exception of two years spent at Auburn University, Steve Centanni has spent his life in Mobile County while focusing on his two passions: music and the written word. As soon as he was issued his driver’s license, Centanni began to explore the local music scene in the early ‘90s. He filled his weekend with visits classic local venues such as the Four Strong Winds Coffee House, Vincent Van Go-Go’s and Culture Shock, all of which welcomed those who had yet to reach 18. After high school, Centanni traded Mobile for Auburn to complete his B.A. in English with an emphasis on general writing. While at Auburn, he had the honor of studying under the Pulitzer-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, who served as the nation’s Poet Laureate in 2012 and 2014. After receiving his diploma, Centanni quickly moved back to Mobile and completed the University of South Alabama’s graduate program with a M.Ed. Eventually, he was tapped by the nationally distributed Volume Entertainment Magazine to serve as the magazine’s managing editor/senior writer. His time with Volume allowed him to exercise his love for both music and writing. As Volume began to fade, Lagniappe recruited Centanni as their Music Writer and later their Music Editor, where he has remained for a little over a decade. As far as his involvement in the local music scene, Centanni organized Cess Fest at the Langan Park, which was a mini-festival focused on original local music in a time when original local music was veritably taboo in Downtown Mobile. For a short time, he brought original music to Downtown Mobile as the in-house promoter for the now deceased venue Cell Block. He managed local underground powerhouse Fry Cook, until the members parted ways. Centanni has lent his bass to bands such as Keychain Pistol and The F’n A-Holes, and he toured nationally as a member of Abstract Artimus & the Torture Children. Currently, he provides vocals for the garage blues rock outfit Johnny No. Ultimately, Centanni’s experience in the local music scene as both a participant and an observer has allowed him to witness the ever-changing persona of Mobile’s enigmatic music scene, which continues to leave him with more questions than answers.