universal accessibility

Accessibility Info

Please Note: This event has expired.

XPN Welcomes: Donavon Frankenreiter

Presented by Appell Center for the Performing Arts at Appell Center for the Performing Arts, York PA

Aug 23 2019
XPN Welcomes: Donavon Frankenreiter

Donavon Frankenreiter’s new album, “The Heart,” officially marks the start of the singer-songwriter’s second decade as a solo recording artist. It’s been over ten years since the release of his self-titled debut, and in that time he has grown, not only as a musician, but also as a man. He’s raising a family and nurturing two creative careers-one onstage, one in the waves-but on top of all that, he’s still learning what makes him tick. And so, naturally, he named his album after his ticker. “All these songs are as close to me singing from the heart as I can,” says Frankenreiter. “It’s a complete record; the songs are intertwined. I had to call it ‘The Heart,’ that was the theme of the record.”

The songs here are seriously sentimental, without question the heaviest material he has released to date. Part of that inspiration came from his co-writer, the prolific songwriter Grant-Lee Phillips, with whom Frankenreiter had collaborated in the past on his album “Pass It Around.” He recognized the ease with which the two worked together and sent Phillips a handful of new tunes and ideas. He was astonished at the brilliance of the songs that came back, and so quickly, but also by one of Phillips’ suggestions in particular.

To record them, Frankenreiter booked two weeks of studio time in May of 2015 at Blue Rock Studios in Wimberley, Texas. But unlike the privacy afforded by most studios, these sessions were to be live-streamed on the Internet in a soul-baring exhibition for his fans-talk about intimate and honest. With just two bandmates and a studio engineer, Frankenreiter knocked out a song each day and recorded the entire album in full view of a watching public. He had never been so inspired, and embraced every aspect of the situation: the landscape, the lodging, the isolation, the overall challenge.

“I feel really lucky that I got into the game when I did,” he says. “I’m still lucky I’m able to make records and that we have a fan base and are able to tour. I started my own record label; it’s a way for me to make my own music the way I want to, on my own time, and to put it out my way. So many things have changed and I feel a little wiser than ten years ago. I learned a lot over the last decade, it went by really quick. It’s fun to have a new album done and to hit the road with a bunch of new songs, it rejuvenates you to do your thing.”

A decade into his career, Donavon Frankenreiter has learned to listen to his ticker above all else. Doing so has allowed the light to come in from all the corners of his world, even those where there is darkness. Sharing the load with those he trusts, and especially with those he loves, he has seized the opportunity to take control of his craft, on his own terms, and to follow his own beat.

“I went into this album saying I wanted to make songs I love,” he says. “Whatever feels right, go ahead and record it, and worry about what happens after, afterwards. I’m proud of it. I go back to the title of the album, and in the song ‘You and Me,’ that chorus: ‘It’s gotta be from the heart/for it to start’… There’s so many things going on out there, everybody’s moving to the beat of a different drum, but I feel like all good things start from the heart.”

ADMISSION INFO

LOCATION

Appell Center for the Performing Arts

50 N George Street, York, PA 17401

PARKING INFO

Several convenient garage parking options and outdoor parking lots are available. Parking fees and hours of operation vary among the lots and garages below. For exact fees and hours, please contact the individual parking location directly. – CGA Parking Lot (George Street) – King Street Parking Garage – Market Street Parking Garage – Philadelphia Street Parking Garage – Central Market Parking Deck (Beaver Street) – St. John’s Parking Lot (Beaver Street)

CONNECT WITH Appell Center for the Performing Arts

    Email
/
    Website
/
    Facebook
/
    Twitter
/
    Instagram
/
    Donate

COMMENTS

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

Sign Up To Receive Our Monthly York365 E-News

* indicates required
artist-directory-banner

FEATURED VIDEO