NEWTOWN SQUARE—On Saturday night, Burlap and Bean put together two musicians–both near and far. Headliners The Alfred James Band are only a hop, skip and jump away from Ardmore while opener Megan Burtt hails from the land of the Rockies, Colorado. But despite their geographical disparity, on Saturday night both musicians shared the stage and the show was quite the opposite of boring. Burtt's catchy bluesy tunes were a perfect match for the high-energy James. Opener Burtt has been playing music all her life. She began playing piano at a very early age, but when she found her dad's old guitar …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—The Philly music scene takes a few notes from the city's motto, and it can especially be seen with today's folk players who work together to produce the best sound and product they possibly can. On Saturday, Nov. 20, Newtown Square's local coffeehouse Burlap and Bean had guitarists Brad Hinton and Christopher Bohn showcase the how simplicity of an acoustic guitar can be so much more when placed in talented hands. Bohn's last album's title The Conspiracy of Sleep was taken from Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk who also was a philosophical essayist. The essay discussed how humans …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—On Saturday, Nov. 5, Carolann Solebello took the stage along with duo Beggar's Ride for a night of warmth and music. Burlap and Bean's stage was lined with guitars that were all tuned for some classic folk and country music. Beggar's Ride consists of Claudia SanSoucie and Kate Maguire, who have been playing together since 2008. There had always been a mutual appreciation for each other's music and continually preformed together. In 2010, they officially became Beggar's Ride and recorded their first album. Within one song of their performance, it's easy to see how well they work…

NEWTOWN SQUARE—Music is timeless. Even one-hit wonders continue to live on through radio airwaves. Classical music, centuries old, still hold a place in our hearts and ears. Blues and jazz has taken on many forms in the past 100 years, but it is still as new as it was the day Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul. Everything from Top 40 to hip-hop stations play blues-influenced artists like Adele and Amy Winehouse. R&B still means rhythm and blues. At Burlap and Bean on Saturday, Oct. 22, local musicians Johnny Never and the Solar Pimps paired with Andrea Carlson for an evening of jazz …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—Saturday, Oct. 8, brought two musicians to the stage of Burlap and Bean whose musical dynamic can only be truly appreciated live. Opener Mia Dyson left commercial success in her native Australia to blaze new trails in the states. Headliner Seth Glier's music and vocals are catchy, but his energy was infectious. Dyson embodies the idea of a female rocker. Everything from her snakeskin shoes and pseudo-mohawk hairstyle pairs perfectly with a voice that emulates her heroes Bonnie Raitt, Chrissy Hynde, and Lucinda Williams. While growing up, she would spend hours with her dad as he…

NEWTOWN SQUARE—The rain hit again, making the name of the headliner for Burlap and Bean on Friday, Sept. 30 slightly appropriate or just funny and ironic. Matt Douglas, who had been a headliner for Burlap and Bean's open mic night, recently teamed up with Caitlin Cary to form Small Ponds. The Raleigh, NC, duo are still getting their feet wet and developing a unique sound. Opening for Small Ponds was Philadelphia folk rocker Chris Kasper. Earlier this year Kasper released his third solo album and has developed quite a local fan base. He has played and recorded with other frequent Burlap and …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—As a child, Suzanne Gorman's first passion was riding horses, until around the age of 7 she was diagnosed with a spinal infection. Dreams of going to equestrian championships quickly faded, but during her recovery she discovered music was medicine. Not only did she begin to use music to heal emotionally, but also guitar was good therapy for her hand. Since then, she has used music as a way to heal and inspire others. On Friday, Sept. 23, Gorman graced the stage of Newtown Square's Burlap and Bean with her pop-country melodies and motivational lyrics. "I consider myself a writer…

NEWTOWN SQAURE—On Friday, Sept. 16, Burlap and Bean welcomed back one of their favorite performers, Jeffrey Foucault (pronounced "folk-alt"). He was paired with Dean Fields, who was a first timer at Burlap and Bean. The pair both fit the folk rock genre, but what tied them together in this ideal bill was the lyrical strength each man possessed. For both, songs aren't just about the emotion but the moment that inspires each emotion. Both Foucault and Fields combine a quick turn of phrases with poetic narratives that capture a time and captivated Friday night's audience. Fields was living in …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—Since opening in 2006, there have only been a handful of music nights that didn't quite work out. After five years of bringing Newtown Square live music, Burlap and Bean's Cultural Arts Director Tara Endicott and Sound Technician Kyle Swartzwelder could only think of several instances of which none of them were last minute decisions. Early this past week, Endicott received notice that the scheduled headliners, Corinne West and Kelly Joe Phelps for Saturday were canceling their tour, which included the Burlap and Bean show. For a venue with the reliability of the United Postal …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–If you frequent Burlap and Bean's open mic nights or attend their weekend shows, you may already know Sean Capuano. For the past three years, Capuano has worked as the house photographer for the Newtown Square coffeehouse. Audiences can catch him peaking through the crowd in the shadows snapping away many nights. When he first started working with Burlap and Bean, Capuano could easily have taken a few hundred shots. But after years of experience, he claims there are easily under a hundred on a full night. It isn't just his talent and natural knack for photography, it's also his…

NEWTOWN SQUARE—US Rails band member Ben Arnold posted on Facebook Friday morning, “Really hoping the Burlap and Bean show happens tomorrow.”  The first concern for the team at Burlap and Bean, along with the band, was the safety of their fans. “Although we definitely don't want to put anyone in harms way, we're holding out–hope that we're just facing a wicked rain storm and we just survived that at folk fest,” he continued to post. As the afternoon progressed on Saturday, it appeared the show would still go on. They quickly moved show time to 6 p.m. and the storm did not stop the dedicated …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—Burlap and Bean has always strived to bring music from the city to the 'burbs. Back in May, renowned Philly rapper Kuf Knotz headlined an amazing show at the Newtown Square coffeehouse to a less than packed house. But on Saturday, Aug. 20, he was back with Blaqmel and MH the Verb and this time people got the message. Blaqmel, who performed on Knotz's pervious show, returned to the stage with his signature soul and strong vocal range. His sound is a combination of influences such as Stevie Wonder, Sam Cook, Miles Davis, Living Colour, Steve Perry, Prince, and recent Burlap and …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—Burlap and Bean is known for their weekend nights packed with talented local and national acts, but every so often the local Newtown Square coffeehouse has a great weekday show that you don't want to miss. A few weeks ago they featured the infectious Rachel Platten and this past week the coffeehouse showcased former American Idol Contestant Kenny James and local songstress Maria Maslin. This hot ticket was on a Wednesday night. Maslin's set kicked off four nights of great Burlap and Bean music. Marple Newtown Patch spoke with Maslin and Friday, Aug. 12, headliners Carrie Elkin …

NEWTWON SQUARE—The audiences at Burlap and Bean are generally smart and in tune with their music–they are always looking for something more in the music, something meaningful and personal. On Saturday, a sold-out crowd listened intently to both performers as they reflected on the stories behind the songs and meaning behind the music. Joy Ike and Jeffrey Gaines are singer/songwriters that are honest, raw, and in tune. Opener Joy Ike is fairly new to the music scene, but has been playing almost all of her life. In the past three years she has been able to pursue her musical career full time, …

NEWTOWN SQAURE—Every generation has their music. While we all cling to lyrics and riffs throughout history, we all have few a songs that remind us of single moments in time and usually that time is somewhere in our teenage years. While most of us have pushed the flannels to the back of the closet, some of us still remember when rock stopped being about excess and eyeliner and began being about, well, the music again. On Friday, July 29, Burlap and Bean plugged in and rocked out with Aquaport and The Nodd. Both of these bands feature local guys who capture the artistic integrity and the …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—Saturday night brought together two very versatile and talented musicians from up north to Burlap and Bean. Opener and Brooklyn resident Alan Hampton has made a career as a bass playing side musician, having performed with the likes of Terence Blanchard, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in Southern California, but for Saturday's show he put down the bass and picked up the guitar. Headliner Chuck E. Costa, who normally performs solo, brought a full band with him to embrace his sentimental songs. The evening had a very personal intimate …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—On Saturday, July 16, Burlap and Bean featured two musicians who embodied the idea of coffeehouse music. They weren't really folk, Americana, jazz-influenced, bluegrass, or any of the other beautiful hybrids that have previously graced the Newtown Square coffeehouse stage. Headliner Ryan Cohen and opener Bernie Sweeney made music that was mellow and simple. The idea of summer is for relaxing, but the heat sometimes can get to you, and Saturday's show was just the cool down we needed. Opener Bernie Sweeney has returned to the area after working as a TV editor in Los Angeles. His…

NEWTOWN SQUARE–A night at Burlap and Bean usually consists of an opener and a headliner. But on Saturday, there was an exception. The bill read John Grecia Band with Drew Nielands, but within a few songs of Nielands' set, John Grecia and drummer Mike Windish joined their former bandmate on stage. The chemistry between the musicians was as if Nielands never left. Nielands' husky voice pairs well with the rhythmic thumping and strumming of his guitar. His smooth voice melts over the quick lyrics of his songs like Bruce Springsteen or Johnny Cash. The songs he performed solo had great charisma …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–First Fridays at Burlap and Bean hold special meaning to headliner Charlie Phillips. He began playing First Fridays for about three years and since then, the Newtown Square coffeehouse has grown to showcasing national acts as well as local favorites. Burlap and Bean also never forgets who was there when they first opened their doors. Phillips is grateful for the steady gig, but also takes pride in being able to pick a talented local to be his opening act. On Friday, July 1, Phillips brought the acoustic duo of The Elmira Branch to the stage. This evening also featured a meet-…

NEWTOWN SQUARE—Traditional Irish music is filled with tales of love, loss and perhaps a pint or two, but on Friday, June 24, the audience at Burlap and Bean still raised a mug, even if it was filled with coffee.  A trio of local musicians Mary Malone, Den Vykopak, and John Beatty gave a little taste of traditional Irish music complete with fiddle, elbow pipes, and the guitar-like bouzouki. Headliners Belfast Connection entertained the crowd into the night with two sets of traditional and original Irish music. This was the first time Malone and her crew had played at Burlap and Bean. She and a…