Becca Newell, one third of Fox Twin Trilogy, shares with us some of her fondest memories of Easton's music scene, and how it has grown in the years since she first arrived.  Fox Twin Trilogy will perform their first headline show and celebrate their first EP release in the Stoltz Listening Room this Thursday, December 4th at 8:00pm.  For tickets and other information click HERE.

I moved to Easton in 1999, at the age of 13. Although most teenagers might loath small-town living, I was quite happy to call this little place my home.  For me, Easton helped to cultivate my passion for music, with coffee shops, restaurants, and nearby venues offering me and my high school bandmates – along with other area musicians – a “stage.”

Despite businesses changing hands or, sadly, closing, Easton’s music scene remained steadfast – a sentiment that still holds true today. There’s rarely an evening where live music can’t be found. From jam band nights with friends to sold-out concerts with Grammy-winning artists, it’s all happening right here, in Easton.

And, at the center of it all is the Avalon Theatre.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to frequent that historic stage for piano recitals, open mic nights, and community theater productions - each performance giving me a better appreciation for the arts, our local talent, and, more importantly, the preservation of such a remarkable venue.  But perhaps even more thrilling than being on that stage have been the times I’ve spent sitting - well, dancing - in the audience, watching some of the most renowned artists perform.

Following graduation from college, I accepted a position at the Avalon Theatre. It was one of my first “real” jobs and I loved it. Not only did it reintroduce me to local musicians, but it exposed me to a host of regional and national artists that I might have otherwise dismissed. 

It was at this time that the Stoltz Listening Room opened its doors. An intimate, modern venue, the Stoltz was immensely different from the Avalon’s main stage, but a welcoming – and much needed – addition to Easton.  Similar to the Avalon Theatre, I credit the Stoltz Listening Room with diversifying my admiration for various genres of music and introducing me to some of my favorite bands (Session Americana, anyone?!).

For those who’ve visited either venue – and for those of us lucky enough to live here – it's easy to see how fortunate Easton is to welcome such rich and diverse performances. Whether it’s a music legend (à la Mavis Staples, who gave a stellar performance in October) or an old friend’s new band (I’m still thinking about Pony Bones’ set at last week’s Battle of the Bands!), you never quite know who you’ll find gracing either stage.

Which reminds me… If you're looking for something to do to kick off the holiday season, come out and see my band, Fox Twin Trilogy, tomorrow night in the Stoltz Listening Room. It's our first headlining show and the launch party for our first EP, which, of course, was recorded and produced in town at Sweetfoot Studios.

I may be biased, but I think it’s pretty impressive for such a small town to boast such a not-so-small (and incredibly diverse) music scene.