Bandcamp Friday Round Up: Homey Awards 2024 Edition
(Clockwise: Emily Drinker, Melissa Menago, Valendina, Greg Sover, Nervous Nikki and the Chill Pills, Skyler Cumbia)
Even with the popularity of streaming platforms, radio still plays a large part in exposing an audience to potential forever fans. Mark Rogers has been hosting local radio show Hometown Heros, currently through Delaware Public Media, for well over a decade. He’s brought countless artists onto his platform to share their music and stories with listeners across the region and even created an award show honoring the artists and musicians who release music throughout the year on his show. The “18th Annual Hometown Heroes Homey Awards” took place just last month at The Queen in Wilmington, bringing together a fresh new batch of music makers to celebrate all the new music that came out in 2023. We’ve gathered up a handful of musicians and songs from the list of winners for you to listen and support.
For anyone unaware, Bandcamp Friday is when the online record store and music community, Bandcamp, dedicates the earnings made on that day to waiving their fees. This results in more money going directly to the artists who deserve it. Stop by and spread a little local love and support if you enjoy it.
If you’re a musician who wants to be featured in The Gable Verse, send your Bandcamp links here.
Emily Drinker: Best Band, Song of the Year, Best Lead Singer
Emily Drinker is an independent, award-winning singer-songwriter from Philadelphia. Her soulful brand of folk, pop, and rock has kept her and her band booked and busy. Emily has also been featured on NPR Music, Philadelphia's WXPN, and played at many regional festivals including Firefly, Musikfest, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Her song “5th Avenue” won Song of The Year. Check it out and catch her live at World Cafe Live this Saturday. Tickets are on sale now here.
Melissa Menago: Best Songwriter, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year
Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter, Melissa Menago’s latest full-length album, Echo The Optimist, consists of 12 tracks of Menago’s own unique blend of indie-pop, singer-songwriter and alternative-folk, and touches on love, loss, grief, relationships and reflection. The talented artist won Artist Of The Year which is nothing to shake a stick at. Check out the album that won her Album of The Year today and follow her online to see where she’s playing next.
Valendina: Best Rock Song
Valendina is a 4-piece rock band from Philadelphia. Led by vocalist Karina, this band has a sharp edge to their pop punk songs. Their song “Montgomery” won them Best Rock Song of the year. Their live performance has landed them into the midst of a busy summer playing stages including Musikfest, World Cafe Live, and recently Anchor Rock Club in Asbury Park NJ. Listen to their song and follow them live to see where they’ll be rocking next.
Greg Sover: Best R&B Song, Best Guitarist
Anyone within earshot knows that Philadelphia artist Greg Sover has been influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bob Marley, Jay-Z, and Jimi Hendrix. Next to his passionate and emotion-filled lyrics his guitar playing is without parallel. Check out some of his releases and catch him live at this year's Lancaster Blues Festival in Lancaster PA on September 27. Tickets are on sale here.
Nervous Nikki and the Chill Pills: Best Alternative Song
Nervous Nikki and the Chill Pills are an indie, folk, garage rock band with hints of hip hop based in the suburbs of Philadelphia. They are overworked and fed up in their latest single “Day Off”. Check out the song that won them Best Alternative Song and follow them online to keep up with their tour dates and music releases.
Skyler Cumbia: Best New Artist, Best Other Instrumentalist
Wilmington-based singer-songwriter Skyler Cumbia’s debut solo EP Firefly Away is full of folky jazzy perfection. Her award-winning violin playing can be heard on other tracks and alongside her folk-bluegrass trio The Sugar Maples. You can enjoy the 6 song collection of music as MP3s or you can purchase CDs from her site. Follow her online to see where she’ll be playing next.
