PODCAST: NEPA music scene problems and solutions discussed in ‘State of the Scene’ panel at 2015 Electric City Music Conference
As part of the 2015 Electric City Music Conference, NEPA Scene presented a “State of the Scene” panel discussion in front of a live audience at the AfA Gallery in downtown Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 19. The whole hour is now available in podcast form to stream or download for free.
Moderated by Mark Dennebaum, president and owner of TwentyFiveEight Studios in Scranton and co-host of the NEPA Scene Podcast, the former and current state of the Northeastern Pennsylvania music scene is discussed, problems are addressed, and creative solutions are offered. Towards the end of the program, they take questions from the audience.
The panelists are Rich Howells, Joe Caviston, and Greg Shaffer.
Rich Howells is an award-winning journalist, blogger, podcaster, poet, and photographer from Scranton. Covering the local arts and entertainment scene for over six years, he is the founder and editor of NEPA Scene, host of the NEPA Scene’s Got Talent open mic and talent contest, and co-host of the NEPA Scene Podcast. He has also performed his original poetry at First Night Scranton, Scranton Zine Fest, Synaesthesia Social with improvised musical accompaniment, and at many local venues, including the F.M. Kirby Center.
Joe Caviston is the co-producer of the Electric City Music Conference and the Steamtown Music Awards and recently co-founded Meat and Potato Productions. He has been part of the Scranton music scene for 15 years and has worked in the music industry in one form or another for the last 10 years. As the former owner of Burnt Carbon Productions, he promoted concerts at Fagan’s, Tink’s, Crocodile Rock Cafe, the Sherman Theater, and various other venues throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey from 2005-2008. He also spent time working with East Coast Independent Concerts, which allowed him to work with legendary music festivals like the Vans Warped Tour and Bamboozle. Additionally, Caviston had a part in the music festivals Big Giant and the Extravaganza and Heart On Fest and served on the advisory board of the original Steamtown Original Music Showcase.
Greg Shaffer owns and operates NEPA-based promotion company Glory Torch Productions, which specializes in live music, DJs, event planning, and stage management. Glory Torch is rapidly becoming the go-to entity in the area for emerging and established artists alike to get their music heard in front of a crowd.
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