Category Archives: Josie Reviews

Weapons Of Anew show review By Josie Janci

“Weapons of Anew” September 19, 2017 Santander Performing Arts Center Reading, PA By Josie Janci   I was a lucky music lover on Tuesday night, when I got to meet the band Weapons of Anew before the show and stick around for opening night of their tour with Tesla.  The interview was fast and fun,…
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Weapons Of Anew cd review

Weapons of Anew – “The collision of love and hate” New release from the band from New Jersey is stellar! CD Review by Josie Janci, Steel Notes Magazine and Steel Waves Radio   Ray West, frontman, Vocalist Freddy Ordine – guitarist Stefan “Reno” Cutrupi – bassist Chris Manfre – drummer Kris Norris – new guitarist…
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KAYLA AVITABILEJosie Presents: Kayla Avitabile

Sherman Theatre, March 4, 2017

Last issue, we shared a press release for a young singer/songwriter named Kayla who was releasing a single. This month, I had the opportunity to hear her play. I was invited to see her at East Stroudsburg, Sherman Theatre by her manager, Bob Robertson. We spoke a while about Kayla’s high school career – (she’s still in high school, and number 10 in her class) her plans for the future, (college with a degree in possibly social policy??) and her family (she comes from a family of brilliant scholars as well as musicians, her brother Michael plays flute in a classical music ensemble).

She has a passion for music but a gift for maturity beyond her years. I knew by the time dinner was over, that this young lady had an amazing future before her ;regardless if she made it in the music industry or not.

Her set at the Sherman theatre was part of an alternative music showcase featuring bands such as Sad Lips, Joe Billy, and Summer Scouts. Kayla certainly held her own in a room of differently thinking, musically gifted people. Her lyrics were dotted with angst and her chords were hard and sometimes angry…quite the contrast to her amicable nature and sweet appearance. She has found a voice in her music, and it’s quite an agreeable one!
By the time she was done, I wasn’t sure what she did better – sing, or play guitar. Needless to say both were impressive. She has an alternative edge to her lyrics and her playing and her timing is impeccable. The changes and middle eights she writes into her songs have a difficulty level that you wouldn’t expect from an up and coming musician. He stage presence, although small is stature, was large in confidence.

Thanks to her manger, Bob, I’m attaching a link so you can take a listen. If Kayla is playing in your area – make a point to stop by-you’ll see what I mean. We will keep an eye on her…and I’ll update you as her career grows. I hope to have her on my live interview show this summer, and if I do, you will all certainly have a front row seat!