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A combination of folk and alternative influences gives Steel City Sunrise, a Lehigh University student band, its unique sound, according to percussionist Evan Eckersley, of Clarks Summit. And it is the band’s high energy which attracts its large student following at the school.
But the group doesn’t wish to limit itself and its fan base to one college, which is why they began talking about a tour.
“We basically asked, ‘Where do we want to take this?’” Eckersley said. “We have a really strong student following on campus. We consider our fan base to be our friends, because we have really great times with them when we perform. But basically, we said, ‘Why don’t we take this performance that kids at Lehigh love so much and take it to other colleges and see what other college students think?’ And that was the idea of the tour.”
The band is taking to the road during spring break, targeting college towns with the goal of having fun, making new friends, growing its audience and gaining valuable feedback. The shows, however, are not just for the college-aged — all ages are welcome, both young and old.
Steel City Sunrise will appear in Eckersley’s hometown for a concert at 8 p.m. Friday, March 13 at Heritage Theater at Heritage Baptist Church, 415 Venard Road, Clarks Summit. Opening the show is Master Fox, a local band of which Eckersley is also a member. Admission is free, thanks to some previous paid gigs and Internet fundraising. Band merchandise will be available for sale.
Eckersley’s Steel City Sunrise band-mates are Mikale D’Andrea, lead vocals and guitar; Jacob Newman, ukulele and vocals; John Pehnke, banjo; and James Copti, bass and backup vocals.
Master Fox features Daimen Seid, lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Eckersley, percussion and background vocals; Dave Sorokanich, lead guitar and Evan’s brother Brad Eckersley, bass and synth, all of Clarks Summit.
Eckersley said one of Steel City Sunrise’s goals for its live shows is to involve the audience in the music, whether or not they previously heard of the band. They do this through upbeat music that people can’t resist dancing to and by playing some well known covers in addition to their own music.
“There’s a thrill, a sort of adrenaline rush to performing.” he said. “I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but nothing has compared to performing live, especially in front of a receptive crowd.”
Of the Clarks Summit tour date, he said, “I’m really excited to see what people in the area think. If any of my friends from home are home for break during that week, I’m excited to show them and just show people what we’re about.”
The band recently recorded its second album, which it hopes to release in time for the tour. An official music video is available on YouTube and via the band’s Facebook page for its song, “Breakin’ the Booze” from the upcoming EP.