Folksinger Rupert Wates Headlines June PVFS Song & Story Swap
Rupert Wates
Source: Pioneer Valley Folklore Society
Award-winning, transatlantic singer-songwriter Rupert Wates will be the guest artist at the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society’s June Song and Story Swap. The monthly performance will take place at First Church, 165 Main St. in Amherst on Saturday, June 6, from 7-9 p.m. Admission is free, with a suggested minimum donation to the artist of $10.00. Free parking is available in the lot behind the church.
At song and story swaps, people of all ages and experience levels gather to share traditional, newly written, or personal stories and songs. You can tell, sing, or lead everyone in singing, or request a song or a story. Listeners are always welcome. The theme for the opening round of sharing for the June event is “Portraits”.
About the Artist
Born in London and educated at Oxford University, Wates began his full-time songwriting career in the late 1990s after signing an exclusive publishing deal with Eaton Music. Since relocating to the United States in 2006, he has released twelve solo albums and earned more than 50 awards for songwriting and performance. His music is an eclectic blend of melodic acoustic art-folk infused with elements of jazz, vaudeville, and cabaret. Described by Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange as “a prime figure in American music,” Wates performs an average of 120 shows annually across North America and Europe,
focusing on connection and storytelling in intimate listening rooms.
Wates is highly regarded for his haunting, melodic style and “phenomenal” guitar work. His 2010 concept album, Joe’s Café, which explores U.S. history through personal narratives, was named Best Music Revue at the San Francisco
Fringe Festival. His prolific output has inspired more than 20 cover recordings by other artists and two full-length tribute albums comprised entirely of his material.
Learn more about Rupert Wates at https://rupertwatesmusic.com/.
The monthly Song & Story Swap, now in its thirtieth year, is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society of western Massachusetts. Visit the Folklore Society website at https://pvfs.us. For more information contact Paul Kaplan, 413-687-5002