Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast

The Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast team had the pleasure of hosting an in-person episode at the Icehouse Punk & DIY: Open House + Artist Meetup on Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 1-4 pm at the Ice House (56 River St. Bethlehem, PA). While there, we got to sit down with a few of the vendors, attendees, and artists!

This event was in partnership with Elise Schaffer and Brandon Dominguez, who have been hosting artists meetups all around the Lehigh Valley. All types of artists are encouraged to attend these events and enjoy hands-on art making and networking with other artists!

The list of guests on today's episode and where to find them will be updated throughout the day on the Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast post about this episode!

On this episode, Elise and podcast alum Robin Gow (@robin_gow_poet) sat down with Chloe Cole-Wilson from Basement Poetry (@basementpoetry) and special guest Khalid Taylor (@khalidantonio).

Basement Poetry is an organization dedicated to empowering diverse communities through the performing arts and poetry. They create opportunities for cultural participation and education in theatre, focusing on works that address contemporary issues while amplifying the voices and talents of women, LGBTQ, and BIPOC individuals/communities.

Chloe Cole-Wilson is a multi-disciplinary artist as well as Artistic Director of Basement Poetry. Khalid Taylor is a teacher, podcaster, musician, and Music Director for Basement Poetry's program "Joyful Voices."

You can follow Basement Poetry on Instagram (@basementpoetry) or Facebook. If you would like to get in contact with them, you can email them at [email protected].

This episode's opportunities are:

Joyful Voices is back! Join Basement Poetry for their second choir experience on February 22nd from 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM—come sing, connect, and enjoy some snacks on us at the Boys and Girls Club in Bethlehem.

Keep an eye out for our brand-new Inspire Cr8tivity Micro-Grants, designed to support artists and small businesses that uplift the arts community.

And coming April 2025… Basement Poetry presents DreamLAB: An Artist Escape—an overnight retreat designed to fuel your creativity. Scholarships will be available for artist to attend! More details coming soon! 

Follow Basement Poetry on social media for information about all of these upcoming opportunities.

This week, we interview Damian Appiotti.

Damian Appiotti is a multi faceted musician and educator who has been playing the guitar for about as long as he can remember. He grew up with parents who both have musical backgrounds, and has had a life surrounded by music, film, and art at large. The style that Damian often works in is referred to as Prog, which some have gone on to describe by saying it’s not so much a genre as is just people making music on the guitar and making unique and interesting compositions. His experiences to date have culminated in his first EP, Automoton. And since its release, he has been hard at work on his next project which is expected to release in the coming months. 

Over the next 2 months (as of the release of this episode), Damian be will giving free live online soloing masterclasses via zoom. They’ll be free to attend but the dates are tbd. Follow him on social media to stay up to date about this opportunity and when it is officially starting up. 

In addition, he recently started a Facebook group for people stuck in the intermediate stages of guitar playing. This group is free to join for anyone and he is posting multiple times a week with advice and exercises that should help push past plateaus in the learning process.

To stay up to date with all of these opportunities and more, make sure to give Damian a follow on Instagram @Damian_appoitti, as well as Facebook, and your favorite streaming platform.

Streaming Links:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/damianappiotti/automaton-ep/

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/damianappiotti/flannel-single/

Social Media Links:

https://www.instagram.com/damian_appiotti?igsh=MTNmeGt1ejh2ajF2eg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BK8QF9agZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://bsky.app/profile/damian-appiotti.bsky.social

Intermediate Guitarist Group:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DEmUMUYMr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In this episode, Ben sits down with Doug Boehm and Josh Berk of PLANET INFAMY.

PLANET INFAMY is an art rock collective of Lehigh Valley musicians playing innovative original compositions and irreverent improvised jams. The group features Josh Berk and Bryan Lazewski on guitar, Doug Boehm on bass, "Big Dom" Haberstumpf on drums,  Shaun Adickes on keyboards, and Al Johnson on percussion--with many talented instrumentalists joining in the jam from time to time. Berk says of their lyrics: "I like to write songs with equal parts heartbreak and humor." They draw inspiration from experimental rock forefathers like Frank Zappa, Grateful Dead, Ween, and Flaming Lips--each PI show is a one-of-a-kind experience!

Their debut EP, Forever, was just released (August 2024) and can be found on all the streaming services. 

• Planet Infamy on Apple Music
• Planet Infamy on Spotify
• Planet Infamy on Amazon Music
• Planet Infamy on YouTube

Instagram: @planetinfamy

Planet Infamy has 3 upcoming shows:

March 8, 2025 - Soft Machine Gallery with Bombs Eat Sharks

Allentown, PA 

March 14, 2025 - Godfrey Daniel’s 

Bethlehem, PA

May 3, 2025 - Eleven20 Art Studios

Easton, PA 

For more information about their upcoming shows, follow them on social media!

This episode, Ben and Elise talk with Derick Fiedler.

Growing up, Derick never saw his father without a camera in his hand. His Father’s passion for photography inspired him to become a photographer himself. After graduating from College, Derick made backpacking throughout the world a priority. He took with him his Fathers Olympus mirrorless camera with a 20mm lens that easily fit into his pack.

Derick traveled throughout the US and places such as Spain, the Sahara Desert, Thailand, Galapagos Islands and Peru, where he captured moments of beautiful places, people, and cultures. Behind each photograph is a story that means everything to Derick. 

After the pandemic, Derick switched gears and was able to combine his love of music and photography. He now photographs DIY live music shows and band portraits in the greater Philadelphia area.

You can follow Derick on instagram at @tumbleweed_photographer.

This episode's opportunity is for Derick's solo show opening at The Gallery at Steel Pixel Studios titled "What A Long Strange Trip It's Been." It features both the band and travel photography of Derick. The opening reception will be on December 14, from 6-9pm, and will feature acoustic performances by Kaile of Mars Counsel, Wyatt Davidick of Felt Rite, and Miles H of Food Truck. The Gallery at Steel Pixel Studios is located at 701 N New St, Bethlehem, PA 18018. For more information, check out the gallery's website or instagram.

This week, Ben, Elisabeth and Elise all got to sit down at the start of this episode to both catch up about what they've been doing and talk about a few events and opportunities they're excited about. That includes the Pennsylvania Playhouse looking for directors for their upcoming season, Allentown Art Museum's 2024 Cocktails and Collecting's Sunday Free for All, and Touchstone Theater's Festival Unbound!

This episode's interview is with Oliver Reilly and Becca Maye of Soft Guts Collective.

Oliver Reilly & Becca Maye started Soft Guts Collective in 2019 with their friend Lee Nobody. The trio strives to create safe spaces and uplift marginalized identities. Their mission is to host events that prioritize and uplift bands/musicians that are women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, & other marginalized identities. Reilly and Maye are also multi talented musicians and members of various music groups in the Lehigh Valley. You can follow them on instagram at @softgutscollective and follow their band Ghost Lilly at @ghostlilyband. You can follow Oliver at @ohholiver and Becca at @dancepartyghoul.

Join Soft Guts Collective at their 3rd annual Goth Prom. Come get spooky, dance your moody black heart out, and dress for the occasion, darling. Costumes welcome.

Live performances by:
THE NORMAL COLLEAGUES (performing STRAWBERRY SWITCHBLADE) - LV/NJ/NY
SOFT NO (originals) - Philly
NOW IS NEVER (performing THE VELVET UNDERGROUND) - Lehigh Valley
CIGARETTES FOR BREAKFAST (originals) - Philly
LOVE THEM (performing THE SMITHS) - Philly

Vendors will be announced closer to the date.

This event is on Friday October 11th, 2024 at National Sokols. Doors open at 6:30pm and Music starts at 7:00pm. Masks are strongly encouraged. Cover charge is $10-20 on a sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds. A portion of proceeds will be donated to a local nonprofit. For questions and/or accessibility, [email protected]. Get your tickets to reserve your spot at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/softgutscollective/1382173. 

On this week's episode, Ben sat down with We're from Antarctica!

Easton, Pennsylvania’s very own indie quintet, We’re From Antarctica, emerged onto the scene in late 2018 through a series of serendipitous events that would lead Carlos “Paco” Brown (Vocals, Rhythm guitar), Jessie Rae (Vocals, Keys), Jon Blanco (Lead guitar), Mackenzie Kressley (Bass) and Christopher Kendall (Drums) to meet. The group’s debut album, “The People We Knew”(2019) took off to much acclaim. The reviews are in: “The kind of music you play in the background as you make dinner for the friend you’ve been secretly in love with for two years now.” “Wistful make-out music.” While extensively touring through the years, the band has had the opportunity to open for national touring acts such as: Frankie Cosmos, The Unlikely Candidates, and Ryan Cabrera.

Their sophomore album, “We’ll Figure It Out” is releasing on September 27. Recorded December 2022-January 2024 at Headroom Studios, the album is a culmination of the sonic stylings of each member entering a new era that defines this group’s sound. The album is being produced by Kyle Pulley, who has engineered artists such as Alex G, Cafuné, and Dr. Dog.

You can follow We're from Antarctica on Instagram at @werefromantarctica, or TikTok, Bandcamp, Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud. You can also email them at [email protected] for scheduling/booking. You can find Jon Blanco at @jonny_devito, Carlos “Paco” Brown at @timespentpoet, Mackenzie "Mack" Kressley at @theturtlehouse24, Jessie Rae at @jr.jrae, and Christopher Kendall at @organic_coconut. You can follow their manager, Ryan Susko, at @musicgardenpa.

Some upcoming show dates are:

9/21 - West End Food Festival (Allentown, PA)

9/27 - Free Parking with Death By Indie (Newark, DE - DM Band or Venue for Address)

10/4 - Album release show with My Cousins Girlfriends House and Just at sokols (Bethlehem PA)

For details on these shows and more, follow We're from Antarctica!

This week, Ben talks with Daniel Djuro-Goiricelaya.

Daniel, a native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, was the second of three sons of a Cuban Basque mother and first generation Ukrainian/Russian Father. He was raised in a colorful, multicultural home where different languages were spoken, and traditions upheld; opening the windows of his imagination and awakening his artistic soul and curiosity at an early age.

In 2004, due to the turbulent political climate in Venezuela, Daniel and his family received political asylum and moved to the US.

As an interdisciplinary artist, he describes his process as Chromatic Immersion Journeys.  He uses the language of color to develop works through different concrete forms such as pigments, materials, and textiles as well as non-tangible forms such as light and performance, bodies of work in which he involves political, social, aesthetic and universal issues.

Aesthetically he has a great influence by the arts and crafts of the Wayuu people. He grew up as child exposed to the work of Venezuelan artists such as Armando Reveron, Carlos Cruz Diez, Jesus Soto, Francisco Hung, Lia de Bermudez. He learned directly from Frank O'Cain in the Arts Student League New York.

Daniel was featured in Italian L’UOMO Vogue as one of New York’s up and coming artists.

Daniel is the Art Director and Co-Founder of the artist community project EL PATIO DE MI CASA (@lptdmcs) and Residency program La Casita de Bambú.

Today, Daniel lives in Bucks County PA working in both his studio sharing with people the power of emotional growth through art making and as a Community Engagement and Arts Integration Manager for Arts Academy Elementary Charter School (@artsacademyelementary) in Allentown, PA And Art Commissioner of the Allentown Arts Commission (@allentownarts), and the Art Community and Action Fellow with the Allentown Arts Museum (@atownartmuseum).

You can follow Daniel Djuro-Goiricelaya on Instagram at @ddjuro or check out their website at https://www.ddgart.com/.

This week, we interviewed the multitalented Michael B. Judkins.

Michael B. Judkins is creating stories that reach, teach, and empower. He has 10+ years of experience in the creative industry as an independent Creative Director, Screenwriter/Writer, Content Creator, and Mental Health Advocate. Michael believes that art can truly change lives! He holds an Associate Of Science in Journalism, a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. In addition, he has a Product Management Certification, Safe Set Certification, and is an Award Winning Director/Writer/Producer (Lonely Girl - Short Film 2022) Michael was Signed to AOIS 21 Media Publishing House, which published his Second Poetry Collection titled “Interlude to Sentimental Me.” Later, he turned the poetry collection into a stage play with two sold-out nights In Bethlehem, PA.

You can follow Michael by checking out his instagram at @oct14entertainment or his linktree by clicking here.

Michael wants to spotlight the upcoming film "Steve Brosky: Living in Allentown" which will delve into the life of a young man growing up in the inner city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, during the late '60s. With a logline that promises a journey encompassing happiness, personal conflicts, the allure of substance, and ultimately finding salvation, the biopic will provide a deep insight into Brosky's transformative experiences.

Written collaboratively by Michael B. Judkins and Steve Brosky during the development stage, the film is poised to become a significant milestone in the singer-songwriter's remarkable career. By sharing his story with the world, the aim is to inspire and uplift audiences while showcasing the vibrant city of Allentown.

For more information about the film and to contribute to the fundraiser,
please visit the official indiegogo link!

This episode's opportunity of the week is for the 2nd Annual Arts and Care 2024 held on August 30th & 31st, 2024 at the Charlie A. Brown Ice House. The purpose and mission of this event are to merge the worlds of creative arts and mental health/self-care through education, information, and accessibility. Arts and Care's core mission is to create a place of creative expression, education and community. Stay tuned to Oct 14th Entertainment's social media, website and linktree for more information about this upcoming event!
 

In this episode, Ben talks with Danny Finocchio.

Danny Finocchio is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Easton, PA. A designer by trade, Danny has enjoyed a long career producing graphics, apparel, and footwear for brands like Mitchell & Ness, Reebok, and La Colombe. Danny meshes his diverse design experience and a love of experimentation within his art practice drawing upon memories, abstraction, pop culture, and sport as touch points of inspiration. With deliberate playfulness, Danny's pieces reflect a perpetual pursuit to develop his own artistic voice through story, illustration, color, repetition, and form.

You can follow on instagram at @dannyfinocchio, visit his personal website at https://dannyfinocchio.com/ and his studio website at https://studiofinocchio.com/. To inquire about a project, you can email him at [email protected].

To check out Danny's episode of The Social Tour Podcast, check it out here! And to check out Danny and Brandon's short conversation about the Bodies of Knowledge Sketch Book he designed for Lehigh University Art Galleries, check out this post.

This episode's opportunity of the week is for the Dear Misty x Glass Mask show on June 1st at the Bethlehem Rose Garden as part of the Live in the Garden series. It’s a free, outdoor, all ages concert with food trucks, wine and beer vendors, a nearby playground for the kids, and all the summertime neighborhood vibes you could dream of. Festivities start at 5:30PM. This event is organized by @bethlehemchamber and @tapeswapradio for @cityofbethlehempa. There is such a variety of good music through the whole series, so be sure to check out all the dates, every Saturday in May and June. The gig poster and custom animation for this show were done by Danny Finocchio! To learn more about his event and the Live in the Garden series, check out this post or this web page.