BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The more interviews that Phillip Reese did with music artists for his Lehigh Valley-based podcast "Your Next Favorite Band," the more he noticed how often they “would share their struggles with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and more,” he said.
“Audience members approach them after the show and thank them for being so brave and so open, and that they, too, struggle and now they don’t feel so alone, perhaps a little more empowered to face the next day.”Phillip Reese, host of the Your Next Favorite Band podcast
Reese said he also saw “first hand at concerts how when these artists share those stories, that audience members approach them after the show and thank them for being so brave and so open.
"And that they, too, struggle and now they don’t feel so alone, perhaps a little more empowered to face the next day.”
Reese said he hopes to capture that ray of hope when"Your Next Favorite Band" offers Listen to the Dissonance: Songs & Conversations About Mental Health at 2 p.m. Feb. 4 (doors and vendors open at 1:30) in the Charles Brown Icehouse, 56 River St., Bethlehem.
The show will feature interviews and solo performances by five regional performers, then a songwriter roundtable with all the participating artists.
Tickets at $10 at the door or in advance at Eventbrite.
All proceeds will go to the musicians and the organizations to be spotlighted, such as Backline, an organization offering mental health and wellness resources for the music industry, and National Alliance on Mental Health.
Donations of more than $10 will be donated accordingly.
'More than just a concert'
The "Your Next Favorite Band" website describes the event by saying, “Join us as we seek to create a safe space for brave stories and powerful music about mental health, featuring incredible artists.
“Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who believe in the power of music to heal and inspire. Whether you’re a music lover, a mental health advocate, or simply an empathetic listener, this event is for you.
“My general feeling is that if we can bring together people in a safe space and ... listen, hopefully reduce stigma, hopefully feel less alone…that will be a special day and time well spent.”Philip Reese, host of the Your Next Favorite Band podcast
“Listen to the Dissonance is more than just a concert — it’s a platform for open conversations, breaking stigmas, and fostering a supportive community. Come and be a part of this movement to promote mental health awareness through the universal language of music.”
Reese said organizers “are seeking to have organizations who offer services have tables set up so that people can know what is out there too.”
“But we aren’t looking to pressure anyone or think we are solving anything,” he said. “Just want to raise awareness and a sense of belonging.
“We felt we could bring some of those musicians who’ve shared back together, in-person to share the stories of their struggles and perform the songs that have come out of it,” he said.
“My general feeling is that if we can bring together people in a safe space and... listen, hopefully reduce stigma, hopefully feel less alone… that will be a special day and time well spent.”
The lineup and format
The event will be headlined by Carli Commando of Slingshot Dakota, the rising Lehigh Valley indie rockers who are making waves nationally and caught a lot of industry attention at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, in recent years.
Also performing will be:
- Multi-instrumentalist Rachel Ana Dobken, who debuted her bluesy rock music on the 2016 EP “Detach” and 2018 LP “When It Happens To You." Her newest single, “Cruel Cruel Cruel,” is from her upcoming LP, “Acceptance,” which features special guests including members of The Parlor Mob, The Front Bottoms and more.
- Mike Mains & The Branches, whose artful pop rock has gotten millions of streams and released its fourth full-length offering, “Memory Unfixed,” in 2023.
- Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise, who pair poetic lyrics and beats with soaring vocals and harp. Knotz was Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Rapper of 2022. Their releases include 2018’s “Higher Grounds” and “Community” in 2021.
- Seán Barna, who describes himself as a queer performer who has been drummer of Deaf West Theatre’s Los Angeles production of “Spring Awakening” and the national Broadway tour for “The Producers.” He has released two albums, the newest of which, May 2023’s, “An Evening at Macri Park,” is a “character study of the dimly lit Brooklyn queer bar, Macri Park, and the creatures who thrive within its walls.”
Listen to the Dissonance: Songs & Conversations About Mental Health will begin at 2 p.m. Feb. 4 with interviews and solo performances from each artist, followed by a 15-minute intermission. The songwriter roundtable will begin at 4 p.m.
