Shannon Kealey--songs, vocals, guitar. James Kopcsay--guitar and vocals (we are currently recording). We're looking for mandolin and/or fiddle and...? If you are based in NYC and are interested, please contact me: shannonkealey@yahoo.com
Influences
Heartbreak and disillusionment, and a good dose of humor. Trips to the shrink. Being a librarian and having access to all sorts of amazing information. Literature. Stories my friends tell me. California's Bay Area and New York City. Western New York. Aimee Mann, Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Ani Difranco, Michael Penn, Ben Harper, Bach, Chopin, James Taylor, Crowded House/Neil Finn, Lucinda Williams, Suzanne Vega, Tori Amos, Alison Krauss, Dan Bern, Judith Edelman, Rasputina, The Dresden Dolls, 90.7 WFUV. James' influences include some of the above (he loves Joni and Patty too), and I know for sure he'd like me to mention Bruce Springsteen. I'll add more of his influences later.
For nerdy folks like myself, the specific article that inspired me to write Centralia is "Fire in the Hole" by Kevin Krajick, and is available online: click here
This is the librarian in me coming out: Another great Centralia resource is available at
Offroaders.com. The Offroaders folks kindly added Centralia to their Multimedia page. Thanks, Ralph!
Been singin' since I was three! Mom had my sister and me playing
weddings with her when we were 4 and 5 years old. Fun times.
I taught myself guitar about ten years ago because I wanted to start
writing songs. I guess I've always known I had something to say.
These four are pretty representative of my style, although those who
have heard me play live are probably disappointed not to have some
of my seriocomic works such as "I Love You (The Asshole Song)"
and "Hairdryer."
I'll record those as soon as I can!
Here are some pics from my 9/21/07 performance at 169 Bar in Chinatown:
I've just listen to your great Song "Centralia" after watching a report on German TV and searching the web about that tragedy in Pennsylvania. A very touching Song ... good work done! :-)
Hey there, I have been going through some pics from the theatre days and thought of you - just wanted to see how things were going - drop me a line sometime.
Hey NYC'ers.
I know. You're making music too. I can appreciate this. But in the event that you need inspiration, allow me to invite you.
This is the first real show i've done in the city since the Imogen Heap tour, and who knows when I'll be back?! That said, this is your (generic. and i apologize in advance for that fact.) reminder:
Friday Night. Dec 14th.
(that's today, technically)
8:00pm
Googie's Lounge (upstairs @ The Living Room)
FREE. (1 drink minimum)
I promise to not be terrible. Nay, I promise to even be pretty good. And if I let you down, I promise to make it up to you.
(No, i haven't decided how yet, but I'm thinking something along the lines of awkwardly long hugs, chocolate milk, or having your back in an argument someday.)
-Levi
Alice and the rest of the boys on the Group W Bench are thankful for Shannon Librarians Rawk Kealey. Mmmm. Remembering a good meal one year ago. Smiles.
dang it! i'm up against Aimee Mann? well if anything falls through, at least now you have a backup plan. and it's (almost) free (1 drink min.)! i'll certainly be back, one way or another :) glad you enjoyed the tunes (and nice harmonies on "well")
I had such a great time seeing you! Short but sweet. Sorry about the rushed goodbye as I tried not to become a snack for the MUNI. I hope you have a safe and easy trip home today!! Love ya.
It was so nice getting to spend some time with you while you were back in Cali. I'm so glad you finally got to meet Olivia!!! She had a great time sharing her toys with you, especially her musical instruments from her Bee Bop Band! :-) Have a safe trip back to NY and keep in touch. XOXOXO!!!
Hey, what's up? Joe Here. Wild profile you got here! I just wanted to pass along one of my many interests, a small town in Pennsylvania named Centralia which is one of my greater fascinations. So much so that I have devoted a piece of my life to documenting and visiting the town ... or what is left it. Centralia is fast becoming but a memory as it disappears piece by piece due an underground coal mine fire that tore this community apart over the last 4 decades.
The fire continues to burn. What you read here is all true. This is not Silent Hill, a work of fiction. This was a real town with real families, real streets and homes and a very real fire burning under foot. Below is a link to my documentary about the story of Centralia. There's thousands of pictures from over the years and many articles and stories. As the story continues to unfold, I'll continue to document the dying days of a town. My town. Centralia PA. Centralia PA - Home of the 45-Year Underground Mine Fire.
