Last night I took a ride to check out Citizens Here and Abroad, Fooled By April and Ryan Gaughan at The Fire on Girard Ave. in Philadelphia. I had seen the up coming show on the Citizens web site. With all good reviews in mind, I emailed Adrienne and offered to photograph Citizens performance. At the bar, I chatted with the band about blogs and music. The guys encouraged me with my guitar playing fantasy and even though they had just arrived in town, they were really friendly and feeling the unpretentious Philly vibe.

Opening up was Ryan Gaughan. He grabbed a guitar and headed for the stage in the small venue. With a mix of reggae, funk, and speed flamenco, this guy tore up the guitar and vocals. I leaned against the wall and watched people file in like sheep toward the stage. For those of us lucky to be there, Ryan was a new awakening, a real talent. Earlier I had seen this new age Bob Marley and I asked if he would mind the flashes of my camera going off during his performance. Ryan was as gracious as he is talented. He claims he is "new" at all of this, but he is an old soul back to stir the passion of a timeless sound. You can check out Ryan every Thursday night at club 218.

Behind the blue door the Fire rages

A hangout of brotherly love

Ryan Brings A New Sound

Fooled ByApril Hit Philly

Citizens of Philly

Philly's own Ryan Gaughan

How can you resist Fooled By April?

The Citizens Have Arrived!