Live eTown Radio Show Taping with Donavon Frankenreiter and Donovan Woods

Doors: 6 PM

Show: 7 PM

All Ages Welcome

No Refunds or Exchanges

More than just a regular concert, eTown Radio Tapings are a unique live experience! The show includes performances and interviews with both of our visiting artists, and an interview segment with changemakers from our local and national community who are doing their part to make the world a better place. As an attendee, you serve as a vital part of our eTown show, which will be broadcast across the country on our affiliate radio stations and all streaming platforms. Listen for your cheers on the radio, and to hear how it all comes together, in just a few weeks following the night!

Cell phone use, photos (from phones and professional cameras), and audio and video recording are all strictly prohibited during the radio taping. Thanks for your understanding, and for your help in allowing the artists and audience to be present for this special evening together!

About Donavon Frankenreiter:

For nearly four decades Donavon Frankenreiter has been traveling the globe, first as a professional surfer and now as a musician. Born in Southern California, Donavon spent most of his youth chasing waves, turning pro at the age of 16.

These days instead of surf competitions, it’s concert halls that bring Frankenreiter to town, where he entertains audiences with his unique blend of laid-back grooves, philosophical lyrics and soulful delivery.

This year, Frankenreiter is releasing his first studio in 9 years, out September 20, 2024. The album, entitled Get Outta Your Mind, marks the 20 year anniversary of his self-titled debut album.

About Donovan Woods:

Since he released his first album a decade ago, singer-songwriter Donovan Woods’ blend of

folk, country and pop has resonated with audiences all over the world. In recent years, the

acclaimed, award-winning singer-songwriter has seen his profile grow with his breakthrough

album, Without People.

Touring behind (2020’s) Without People saw Woods play to his largest audiences to date. That

included a stint opening for New Jersey-based retro rockers Gaslight Anthem on their recent

reunion tour.

Throughout his distinguished career, Donovan Woods has built a devoted following who cling

to the acclaimed songwriter’s every word. Never one to mince words, Woods is one of music’s

most vulnerable storytellers and on his forthcoming studio album, Donovan takes that a step

further. Honest and unflinching, on Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now, his

upcoming seventh studio album, Woods takes a long look inside and isn’t necessarily thrilled

with what he sees. For an artist who isn’t afraid to bear his soul, this is as emotionally gritty as

he has ever been.

Long known as a masterful storyteller, Woods is at his absolute best on Things Were Never

Good If They’re Not Good Now. Across the album’s 12 sparse, intimate songs, Woods finds

himself reflecting on the ups and downs he has been through since 2020. His writing allowed

him to open up and address the complexities of life that he has been going through.

The album, he notes, serves as “a funeral to the life he was living.”

Sonically, Woods decided to take a different approach.

“We had our boundaries and made things sound beautiful within them,” he says. “And what’s

left is scrappier than Without People, but I feel like moments of creation are much more

accessible on this record.”

Many of the songs that comprise Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now focus on

the intricacies of friendships and relationships, and looking at the little moments in life.

Co-produced with longtime collaborator James Bunton over much of 2023, the album’s

delicate nature is reflected in its lyrics.

The psychology of people’s actions always fascinated Woods and informs much of Things

Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now. Focusing on happy, party feelings doesn’t appeal

to him.

Once he gets down these darker paths (“It was a warts and all album in a way that I never had

done before”), which he admits can be uncomfortable, the songs flow and are universal.

In particular, on the heart-wrenching “Rosemary”. Co-written with Connor Seidel, “Rosemary”

contemplates what happens in the aftermath of a heated argument.

“Have you ever had a fight by text message? And it’s long, and existential,” he says. “Someone

did something wrong and maybe that’s it.” Continuing, he explains that “Rosemary” is about

“finally admitting all your faults, showing your actual self and asking, can you still love me? And

really wanting an answer either way.”

Not everything is doom and gloom.

On “When Our Friends Come Over,” Woods sings lovingly about a couple who rediscover their

affection for one another. Featuring Madi Diaz on vocals, the song highlights how two partners

are able to appreciate each other in the presence of others. Even though they're going through

a rocky patch, Woods shows how even the tiniest of gestures are the true signs of love.

Throughout an album of heart wrenching songs, none hit harder than “Back for the Funeral.”

Taking place in a small town, a group of friends who haven’t seen each other in years return to

memorialize a schoolmate after they overdosed on pills.

“There's so much writing done about being back in your hometown and what it does to you,”

Woods explains. “But there’s the idea that you only go there with bad news—which can be

true—and what it does to your feelings about your hometown.”

However, the song poignantly shows that even though someone may return to their hometown

for unfortunate reasons, reconnecting with old friends is a positive byproduct of the

circumstance.

As Woods continues to work on himself, Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now is

the portrait of a songwriter at his creative best. Addressing the truths and pains of life is never

easy, and here, he does so in a way that’s brutally honest. After all, that’s what great

songwriters do.