Scranton multi-instrumentalist Steve Werner releases debut album ‘Incantation’ in Dunmore on May 6
From a press release:
Steve Werner, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, will host the release of his debut solo album, “Incantation,” at The Wonderstone Gallery in Dunmore on Sunday, May 6 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
A Scranton-based musician with over two decades of experience, Werner has contributed to over 20 musical projects with over 1,000 live performances at events ranging from intimate solo shows for formal events to jam-packed arts festivals, including meditation, yoga, and musical experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities. He is best known as a solo handpan player and the drummer for Scranton indie rock band Blinded Passenger and singer/songwriter Patrick McGlynn.
“I’ve stayed with the hanpan over the years because it gives me a unique sound and allows me to play solo. Also, it was a shit-ton of money,” Werner joked last year when NEPA Scene premiered his handpan song “Síorghrá.”
“I’ve been writing this kind of music in my head since I was a teenager; I just didn’t have the ability to make it. I wasn’t good enough then. The handpan opens up a lot of opportunities for me to create the music that I always wanted to make. It has so many different tones and textures. You can play lead, rhythm, or bass parts. It’s also limiting, which is very challenging sometimes, but then I just fill it in with other instruments I play. When I find something I want that I can’t play, then I just call one of my awesome talented friends and they do it.”
“Incantation” fuses industrial, Celtic, and classical influences to create an ethereal new age sound. The nine-track album was recorded at JL Studios in Olyphant and features the diverse sounds of handpan, cello, and synth. The album is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and on CD at The Wonderstone Gallery (100 N. Blakely St., Dunmore).
The release show on May 6 includes an album listening party, live performances, and light fare. Other performers include local artists Dan King, Michael “Duds” McDonald, and Matt Montella. $10 admission includes a copy of the CD.
“My goal is to make original music and for people to hear it. I love making music. It’s very important to me. Eventually, I would like to sell music and get it licensed,” Werner said in 2015 after performing in WVIA’s “In the Office” series.
“Right now, I’m just going to perform and record. That seems to be what most of us do around here. There’s a very talented pool of musicians and people willing to promote them, like all of you wonderful people. It’s nice to be around it.”
Listen to Werner’s handpan cover of the “Game of Thrones” theme song here and learn more about him in his “In the Office” interview here. Stream or download his live set from the 2016 Electric City Music Conference here.
