Friday, February 13, 2009
The Red Room @ Society Hill Playhouse
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147

On Friday, February 13, BCKSEET Productions will trash another Hallmark Holiday when they host their fifth annual fundraiser: Valentine's Day Sucks Singer-Songwriter Competition 5. Headlined by last year's winner, the rock cellist DeJesus, and emceed by BCKSEET's Artistic Director G DeCandia, the event will feature the original music of six local artists battling it out in front of judges from Philadelphia's music scene.

The evening's guests will also get a first glimpse into BCKSEET's future, when DeCandia announces the plays chosen for 2009-2010 season.

The pre-Valentine's Day party starts at 8 PM at the Society Hill Playhouse's Red Room located at 507 S. 8th St. in Philadelphia. Musical acts take the stage at 9 PM. Tickets are $21 and include a drink from the Red Room's bar, a compilation CD of this year's artists, as well as a raffle ticket for a variety of drawings. Tickets are available at the Society Hill Playhouse or by calling 215.923.0210.

Philadelphia's favorite rock cellist and last year's winner DeJesus to headline BCKSEET'S annual fundraiser. If you never thought a cello could rock, come hear Daniel DeJesus. A classically trained cellist and native Philadelphian with influences ranging from Bach to Radiohead, DeJesus began writing at the age of 14, experimenting with the guitar and piano before setting his lyrics to cello. With a voice reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, DeJesus has played original music from his first CD From The Subconscious at local haunts World Café Live and The North Star Bar.

Kelly Carvin: New Jersey native Kelly Carvin is a young, powerful, and lively singer/songwriter making a name for herself in the music scene in NYC and Philly. Combining the classic sounds of rock with blues and folk, She has played at venues such as The Apollo Theater, The Tin Angel, The Trocadero, KatMandDu, and more, displaying a voice that "slices right through the cookie-cutter world of folkies and Americana wannabe's to deliver her songs with intimate grace" (Aquarian). Find out more about this young rocker at www.myspace.com/kellycarvin.

Charles Ramsey: Penn State grad and area native Ramsey has played clubs in Philly and New York, performing "quality pop music" that reminds of The Cars and the Smiths. He recorded his first album Something New in 2005, and the 2006 EP So Much Better Off, being featured three times at the Jezebel Music Songwriter Showcase in Brooklyn. For more information, visit www.charlesramseymusic.com and http://www.myspace.com/charlesramsey.

Phil Murphy: Philadelphia native Phil Murphy formed his first band in 1999 with guitarist Joe Woods and vocalist Jim Wible (now of Doyle's Law), before leaving the group to front Outset in late 2002. Outset released two award-winning albums, 2006's Define a New Beginning and 2007's Dreaming Out Loud, and opened for national acts The Rembrandts, Sister Hazel, and The Spin Doctors. In 2009, Murphy recorded his first EP, Long Way From Home, showcasing his unique sound in original compositions influenced by The Beatles, Lifehouse, and Howie Day. Find out more about Murphy at www.myspace.com/philmurphymusic.

Aiden James: Currently living in downtown Philadelphia, this talented, twenty-something independently released his debut album Have You Ever in July 2006 and quickly gained a devoted local following that feathered out across the region. After a successful tour where he played in clubs from Boston to San Francisco, he recorded his new album On the Run, which is already generating quite a buzz. With a voice that's quietly powerful and strongly captivating, Aiden James is not only finding a place in our hearts... he's on the run with them. Find out more at: www.myspace.com/aidenjames.

Kevin Stuart McQuiston: This Buddhist Minister-who studied at an interfaith seminary in NYC-fronts local indie rock band Refurb, writing songs that "sing of the human condition in us all" (Borders Bookstore News). Refurb released their debut EP Sway in November, 2008, and after playing gigs in NYC and Philly, will begin touring later this year. For more on this local rocker: www.myspace.com/Refurb.

On deck to judge the competition: Cindy Wuollet (VoltaRadio.com), Origivation Magazine's Annamarya Scaccia, and from Blue Light Digital Sound, Matthew Bogaki.

Valentine's Day Sucks 5...promises to be a hot and heavy evening of fabulous music, prizes and fun. At BCKSEET, we believe that everyone deserves a happing ending on Valentine's Day.

Visit www.bckseet.com for more show info.