First/Last - Sierra Sellers

"Sewickly native Seirra Sellers grew up on a steady stream of R&B, rock, country and gospel thanks to her family’s eclectic taste. She found herself gravitating towards neo-soul artists like Jill Scott, India Arie and Lauryn Hill. Sellers found encouragement in a very good group of friends she’d met throughout her life, especially at St. Vincent College, where she recently graduated." - Cindy Howes (WYEP)

Sierra Sellers is an up and coming Pittsburgh based R&B/Soul songwriter who recently released her latest single "Gimme" produced by Washington D.C. based K-Ron. Sierra will be bringing her festive vibe (along with a who's who of local musical talent) as part of the 7th annual Holiday Hootenanny presented by WYEP on December 7th at the August Wilson Center. I want to thank her for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Dangerously in Love by Beyoncé.

Your last album bought?
A vinyl of Carlos Santana live.

Favorite album of all time?
Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, or The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I was disappointed with Drake's most recent album. There was so much hype with it and I just could not catch a vibe.

First concert attended?
Britney Spears and *NSYNC.

Last concert?Chance the Rapper.

Favorite concert ever?This local band called Starship Mantis was nothing like I have ever experienced, and for that reason they were my favorite concert.

Least favorite concert?
Jesse McCartney... my sister made me go...

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh? Pittsburgh has been great to me. I think it is a great place to build my sound and grow in such a supportive environment. My only wish is that there are more r&b/soul shows for me in the future.

Thanks, Sierra. Yes... I am definitely on board that Starship Mantis love vessel! They are so much fun!

First/Last - Tears of Joy

Tears of Joy is a Pittsburgh power pop band who recently dropped a 'mini-album' called Fat Money Summer. The band recorded with Jake Hanner of looooongtime blog faves Donora and it's hard not to hear the influence he had on the proceedings. I want to thank Evan Kadan (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
The first record I really remembering picking out in a store and buying with my own money was the self-titled The Clash album, I think was in like the fifth grade.

Your last album bought?
Goths by The Mountain Goats.

Favorite album of all time?
This one is really hard but as far as my favorite record to hear in one sitting, it's Madvillany by Madvillan (MF DOOM + Madlib).

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I bought Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division on vinyl because I thought I was into it and got home and threw it right on and had this epiphany that it was just awful. Still my least favorite album.

First concert attended?
Bob Dylan did a tour of farm team baseball stadiums and I caught him when he came through Frederick, MD where I grew up.

Last concert?
The Gorillaz at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Favorite concert ever?
My mom took me and some friends to see The Cure for a 14th birthday present. They played for like three hours and did so many encores we left before it was over because it was 2:00 am. That ruled.

Least favorite concert?
I saw A$AP Rocky at PPG when it was Consol and some twerp got sick on my new shoes.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
It has been cool to move from the DMV to another area with a good music scene and history, I even got to see shows at Garfield Artworks and 222 Ormsby before they closed down.

Thanks, Evan. There are many 'beloved' bands that just I never got. Joy Division might be at the top of that list.

First/Last - Brad Abbott

"With a combination of a soft yet powerful vocal style and the gently flowing music behind it, Brad manages to take you back to the 90's. Best described vocally as a mix between John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls and Jason Wade from Lifehouse, his 90's influences show vividly in his music."

Brad Abbott is an alternative acoustic singer-songwriter from Irwin, PA who's debut EP called Memories was released this past week. You can snag a free copy this Saturday (10/21) as Brad will be playing The Radioactive Events Center in Kittaning. I want to thank Brad for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Pearl Jam Ten.

Your last album bought?
The Revivalists Men Amongst Mountains.

Favorite album of all time?
Augustana Can’t Love, Can't Hurt.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Augustana Life Imitating Life.

First concert attended?
Elton John solo (late 90s).

Last concert?
Guster at the Three Rivers Arts Festival in 2016.

Favorite concert ever?
Guster at Three Rivers Arts Festival.

Least favorite concert?
The Spill Canvas at St. Vincent College.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
It's thought to narrow it down to one thing, but I love the feeling I get when I see the the skyline coming down 376.

Thanks, Brad. What's up with that Spill Canvas show that made it so bad? The band, the venue? I am surprisingly intrigued?

First/Last - Kahone Concept

"I put a lot of thought into each song and everything about this project. Except grammar. I am terrible at grammar, but that is besides the point. Everyone has their own beliefs and or thoughts and it is very important to be aware of those things. Without questioning ourself or our existence we would never be able to progress as individuals or as a whole. Although just listening to music to hear noise is very very enjoyable to myself, I want to make it mean more than just a pattern of frequencies that keep myself and others entertained for a few minutes. I want the music to be the trigger that sends your brain exploding with thought and positive growth and hopefully inspire you to become aware of yourself and everything. You will never be able to find every answer in this world, but you can learn a lot along the way just by being concious that there is more to life than what society promotes. In this world there are two kinds of people, you either get it, or you don't. Kind of like grammar. "

Kahone Concept is the moniker of Pittsburgh based alternative songwriter Ben Orvick who has independently been releasing music for a couple of years now. His latest EP is called Towers. You can expect some very cool things from him in the future. I want to thank Ben for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Oh geez… growing up I didn't really buy albums I basically stole from my dad’s CD collection. One of the earliest CDs that comes to mind is Green Day's Dookie but as for me personally buying I think it could have been a Van Halen album.

Your last album bought?
I don't usually buy albums unless they are super good then I'll go back and buy them after I listen. I normally just use a streaming service. The last album I downloaded was Pinegrove’s Cardinal. I've just been getting into them lately.

Favorite album of all time?
This is a really hard question. I can't name a certain single one but I can rattle off a few that I think are fantastic, Coldplay - A Rush of Blood, Bastille - Bad Blood, Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago, Catfish and the Bottlemen - The Balcony.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I don't know that I have a least favorite. Maybe an album I haven't heard.

First concert attended?
My family never really went to shows so I never got to go to one until I was like 17 and could drive myself. Anyways my first official concert was Twenty One Pilots.

Last concert?
I think it was Kings of Leon this summer at KeyBank. I went with a friend ‘cause he got us free tickets. Although I woulda ended up paying for tix and going anyways because I really like KOL. “The Immortals” is one of my favorites. The chorus gets me every time especially with the bass line.

Favorite concert ever?
I really enjoyed seeing Smallpools. It's a mixup between them and Twenty One Pilots ‘cause it was my first.

Least favorite concert?
One time I went to see Milky Chance with some friends and a few drunk older ladies kinda ruined the show for us. They kept grabin’ us and being a little overly friendly if you know what I mean. I just wanted to watch the show and they wouldn't back off. I think I made one cry ‘cause I might have told her off a lil bit. In the end I felt bad for being mean and gave her my spot and left ha-ha.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I genuinely love Pittsburgh. Every time I come around the bend and see the skyline I get a little fuzzy feeling. It's ridiculous but I don't care I love it. I like how small it is yet so diverse. Walking down the street you'll hear 5 different people speaking 5 different languages. It's just a nice place to be and learn a little bit about different cultures all in one city.

Thanks, Ben. I am totally with you (as many people are I am sure) about that skyline of ours never, ever getting old each time I see it.

First/Last - vireo

vireo is a lo-fi psych folk band from Pittsburgh who's excellent debut release vireonidae dropped last year. The band is finishing up a mini state-wide tour this Thursday (10/19) opening for out of towners Esme Patterson and SUSTO at Cattivo. I want to thank Chris Beaulieu (Guitar/Vocals/Loops) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Oh boy! I think the first album I ever bought was the soundtrack to the Fellowship the Ring. When I first started developing a taste in music as a youngster it was mostly all symphonic soundtrack music. It wasn't until I was about 11 until I started really listening to solo artists and bands.

Your last album bought? 
I just bought Julie Byrne's first album off of iTunes. She makes such gorgeous and lush music. The last physical album I purchased was Deerhoof's Friend Opportunity.

Favorite album of all time?
Gosh, this is always one of the toughest questions. I feel inclined to list a whole bunch but I'll just say that every winter I end up listening to Greetings from Michigan by Sufjan Stevens at least a bajillion times.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all!

First concert attended?
Ha! My first concert ever attended was a ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic show. I was probably 12. I'll never forget feeling amazed by the amount of spit being sprayed into the air while he sang. It was great.

Last concert?
I went to see Deerhoof a little bit ago and it was incredible! They didn't bring any background sets or extra lighting rigs, no bells or whistles, just the four members standing in a line and rocking out. The entire band looked like they were genuinely having the time of their life on stage. Satomi, the lead singer/bass player, is such a gem and by far has the best dance moves of any front person I've ever seen.

Favorite concert ever?
Another toughie. tUnE-yArDs puts on a really fun, unique show with a refreshing stage set up, I had a blast seeing them. Fleet Foxes and Animal Collective also put on fantastic shows as well. In high school I saw the band Mutemath and they put on one of the most energetic and interactive live performances, I'm not the biggest fan of their music anymore but seriously one of the best live shows ever.

Least favorite concert?
I saw Lady Lamb play in Portland, Maine and the show was really lackluster. I was pretty bummed out because she is one of my favorite singer/songwriters and I had pretty high expectations. However, I saw her again here in Pittsburgh about a year later and it sounded wonderful! I guess it just goes to show that everyone has off performances now and then, even your inspirations.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I'm constantly being blown away by the amount of talent that's in this city. There are so many artists (both musical and visual) that I would still be a huge fan of had they come from anywhere else! It's really inspirational. I also love spending time walking in Frick Park and Schenley Park. Lastly, the voices that tell you when to cross at crosswalks fascinate me. Why do some parts of the city use different voices? To whom do the voices belong? How does one be selected to be a crosswalk voice? So mysterious!

Thanks, Chris. I have never once noticed the 'crosswalk voices' enough to realize that there were different ones? That is kind of fascinating!

First/Last - Cisco Kid

"In September of 2015, drummer Marc Martinka started putting together a live band to support his recent solo album, River Rat. In order to do that, he called on former bandmates Brian Swed, Richard Stanley, and Martin Connolly. This iteration of the band quickly realized that they were on to something bigger than the River Rat material, as they quickly began to develop new material and work up their own unique sound. As fall progressed to winter, the foursome rounded out their line up with vocalist Nick Guckert and keyboardist Andrew Van Treeck, finalizing the Cisco Kid lineup."

Cisco Kid is a psychedelic-soul rock band from Pittsburgh who just released their full length debut this month called Beautiful Day to Die. Out of the ashes of the late great Pittsburgh band Coronado, River Rat, and (still going strong) My Friday Slacks comes a new 'supergroup' who are quickly making their mark on the local scene. This album is really good and you shouldn't miss them live. I want to thank Martin Connolly (Bass) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Poison - Open Up and Say.....Aaaaah!

Your last album bought?
Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger.

Favorite album of all time?
Allman Brothers Band - Live at Fillmore East.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I think the last one I remember feeling was a real dud was the second Fun. album. I liked that first one so much... the second one was kind of a heartbreaker.

First concert attended?
Aerosmith - Get A Grip tour, must've been '94? Star Lake Amphitheater.

Last concert?
Just saw Millvin and the Etnoids, Smoke Wizzzard, and Fuck Yeah, Dinosaur.

Favorite concert ever?
In recent memory, Bruce Springsteen on 9/11 of last year. It was incredible.

Least favorite concert?
I remember seeing the Avett Brothers last year and thinking the folks in the lawn were talking so much I couldn't even hear the band. It was super annoying.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

My favorite thing about Pittsburgh is coming home from a trip away from the city and coming through the Fort Pitt tunnels.  I always feel like I am home when I see the point and the skyline coming out of those tunnels. We really have quite a beautiful city.

Thanks, Marty. I experienced a similar bummer as your Avett Brothers experience with Steely Dan at Star Lake. The band was so hard to hear that normal chit chat on the lawn made it unbearable. I think a bunch of people complained and they actually turned up the band but not much. Crazy!