By Danny Coleman
originally published: 12/01/2016
"I grew up not being able to watch TV so I found other alternatives," says a laughing Lily Virginia as she preps for a tour which coincides with the release of her new effort, "Play Me Twice."
Growing up on the west coast, Virginia made the transfer east for love and music; choosing to stay in New York City to further the latter. ""I'm originally from California and moved to New York seven years ago with my then boyfriend. Things didn't work out as planned but I stayed for the music. I have always been interested in music and film as well as documentaries; it's that sonic part of those things that I have always been interested in. Hey; this is New York right? The media capital pretty much of the world? This is where I need to be."
A debut EP in 2014 was the one and only release of this engaging artist's career; until now. "Play Me Twice" is an "Audiovisual" album which Lily calls "Intentional" and combines the songs with videos, making this a CD that you can actually watch/listen to one tune at a time. "I just want someone to be able to listen to it and then play it again," she explains with an almost infectious giggle. "There's nine tracks and the oldest one I wrote seven years ago but I like it and felt that it was a good fit for this album so I kept it. My drummer and my producer as well as my friend, Alessio Romano, did an amazing job of putting this all together at his place, "Studio 42" and the rest all fell into place."
A career in music or the arts has been something that Lily has wanted seemingly all of her life and makes every foray into the field a personal one. From the stage to the studio to engaging her fans, she feels the need to wear her intentions and emotions on her sleeve. "I want to play to audiences full time, I want to live a creative life and bring my vision of making music to those audiences. I love expressing something that feels true to me in that moment on stage, doing so through music is so fulfilling. My music comes from my heart, my very soul or something along those lines; it comes from needing to say something spiritually and from deep inside myself. Over time things have changed, shifted or morphed and at times my music reflects that. I lived in this place in Brooklyn and I would illegally climb onto the rooftop of my building and write songs while I watched Manhattan off in the distance. It was so peaceful seeing the lights and watching the city and I'd start off just strumming on my guitar at first but I'd usually wind up feeling something from being up there and it would just evolve."
This talented songstress is constantly adapting to her environment both on stage and off and feels a solid connection between her live and studio performances as well as to that of her songwriting; claiming that all are "Intertwined." "I really think that the writing process and performance end go hand in hand. When I go on stage my number one thought besides being in tune (laughs) is to stay focused; honoring the moment. I need to get my music out there as to what I'm feeling right then. Every time that I step on stage I am grateful for being there, I truly am. I learn every time or I may find a new way to perform one of my songs and it all comes out either then or in a future song but most times I focus on trying not to think too much (laughs)!"
With a tour already planned including a few sold out performances, Lily is already looking to the future and her next release. "This CD was intense and I've already got some ideas for the next one; it'll be less lyrical and more music heavy so we'll see how that goes."
One thing is sure, Lily captivates her audiences with a combination of haunting melodies and siren like vocals. Her innovative approach to songwriting, production, live performances is nothing short of genius and she has only scratched the surface of her potential.
To discover more about Lily Virginia, please go to www.lilyvirginia.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amalfi's Restaurant & Bar146 Lawrenceville Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 9 p.m. Jon Savage Trio
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Living The Dream
Sat. 8 p.m. Lonnie Youngblood
Artworks Trenton19 Everett Alley Trenton
(609) 394-9436
Sat. 11 a.m. Crash Course In Silk Screen Printing
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Condition Critical, Euphoria,Graviton, Into The Infinite, Paralysis, Xenophile, No Gods. All ages, $10
Tues. 6 p.m. Terraform, Unwill, Perennial, (TBA). All ages, $10
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6 p.m. Hazelrigg Brothers
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Shery St. John
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Monnette Sudler Guitar Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Cedar Gardens Banquet Hall661 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 931-9464
Fri. 8 p.m. "Old Skool Holiday Concert & Toy Drive" Hosted by Gary Ponder and Helen Jones-Walker. Feat. This Friday, Xclusive, Amazing Grace & The GLB, Spoken Word by Angela, DJ Slow Ice. Doors at 7 p.m., $20 (advance) includes a "light" dinner.
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Kym D. $21.69
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. Tangled
Sat. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dane Rosenfeld
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (8 p.m.) Bobby LoRusso
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (4 p.m.) Wizard Duo
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (4 p.m.) Gypsy Mother
Mon. 8 p.m. The Keith Lesnik Trio
Wed. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson
Dr. Lou's Place1501 Hornberger Avenue Roebling
(609) 447-0158
Fri. 9 p.m. "Open Stage" Hosted by No Man's Band
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. 3 Second Memory
Hamilton Winter Wonderland at Kuser Mansion390 Newkirk Avenue Hamilton
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton & Linda Lee
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Rik Emmett, Doors at 6 p.m., $35 (advance)/VIP $50 (Includes after show meet and greet).
Sat. 8:30 p.m. FM Band
Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Ambiance The Duo
Fri. 6 p.m. John & Carm
Sat. 6 p.m. Acoustic Road
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Darla & Rich
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Ed Wilson
Sat. 2 p.m. Jeff & Karen
Sun. 2 p.m. Tony Rivel
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Ernie White Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Sat. (1 p.m) "Santa's Here" (6:30 p.m.) "Walking The Line" A Johnny Cash Christmas Concert Experience
Sun. (10 a.m.) "Brunch With Santa" (1 p.m.) Living The Dream (7 p.m.) Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girl's Night Out" / Holiday Centerpiece Making
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. LeCompt
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
PANJ RadioBridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Tom Vicario
Pasquale's Bar9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(267) 202-6268
Fri. 9:30 p.m. "DJ Dance Party"
Sat. 9 p.m. "DJ Dance party w/ Live Band"
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Receptor
Sat. 8 p.m. Kevin Toft & The All Stars
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9:30 p.m. DEB n the Sons Of RoCk
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Please check web site for upcoming events
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Mr. Chris & Alley
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
Tues. "$2 Tuesday"
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 7 p.m. Calvary Chapel of Mercer County Night of Worship
Sat. 7 p.m. Darla Rich Jazz Quartet. $20
Sun. 3 p.m. Jameson Sisters "Advent/Christmas Carols"
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. Psycho Misfits
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Round Trip
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. The Grip Weeds "Christmas Show." All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9 p.m. Sideways Willy
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
The Temperance House5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Sat. 7 p.m. John & Maggs
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Oliver McElhone
Sat 9 p.m. Mike BRILL
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Kathy DeAngelo & Dennis Gormley
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Mo Lowda & the Humble Pressing Strings. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
Tues. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
All shows 21+
About the author:
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
