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Kelly

Dubiel

Silsby

Many local musicians who play original music are quick to say it can be tough to put out special material in an area in which jukeboxes and cover bands dominate.

Katie Kelly of local folk rock/indie band Ashes for Trees hopes to put the wheels of change in motion through singer/songwriter nights, one of which will take place at 7 tonight at New Visions Studio and Gallery in Scranton.

This is the second of the series, the first having what Kelly deemed an “OK turnout as far as the crowd goes, but for the musicians it accomplished exactly what we wanted.”

“A lot of the musicians interacted, exchanged numbers, were very attentive to whoever was playing and were interested to know where the others would be playing again.”

Kelly said this camaraderie helps musicians push forward when looking to display their talents.

Maria Dubiel, who also will play at the showcase, agrees.

“Nights like this are important in our own music community because it gives artists exposure to other artists we may not have been able to hear otherwise. We get a chance to talk to one another and exchange ideas, maybe even ask to work together.”

Dubiel has played the local scene for more than 15 years. The singer/songwriter, who plays “acoustic pop,” released her album, “Goin’ Back,” in 2008.

Kelly and Dubiel said the audience is a big factor for original artists.

“Even if you do land a gig as an original band, it’s possible you’ll still end up as background music,” Kelly said. “You can’t blame the crowd for that, of course; it’s just how things are. A game could be on, they could be out with friends and engaged in conversation; it’s just a part of their typical Friday night.”

“It’s hard to beat out that extra noise when you might just be a guitar and a voice.”

Kelly put the show together with New Visions to provide a quiet venue with full attention on the artists.

“They’ve been really great and supportive in giving us the space and time to make this happen,” she said.

Gallery owner Adam Weitzenkorn also worked with Kelly to help put together a novel line-up for the all-acoustic night.

“We tried to get a mix of not only strictly solo singer/songwriters but people who play with a band,” Kelly said. “Chuck (Silsby) comes from a metal band, TheWay, Rafael (Pimentel) comes from Silhouette Lies, a rock band, but when you strip the music down to the instrumentation, to the words, you can see that no matter what genre you’re coming from there’s a lot to be appreciated.”

The line-up for the night includes Charles Havira, Dubiel, Ed Randazzo, Pimentel, Kelly, Silsby and Donnie Kirchner.

Dubiel hopes nights like these become more prevalent and has high hopes for the local scene.

“Now people are more open to hearing original music in a club. If you go back even a decade ago that might not have been the case. Clubs that bring all types of live music have popped up, and others are becoming more receptive to it, so I hope that’s the direction we go in.”

If You Go

What: Singer/songwriter night with Charles Havira, Maria Dubiel, Ed Randazzo, Rafael Pimentel, Katie Kelly, Chuck Silsby and Donnie Kirchner

When: Doors at 6 tonight; show starts at 7

Where: New Visions Studio and Gallery, 201 Vine St., Scranton

Admission: $5