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City Winery NYC Presents Sons of Town Hall, the theatrical-folk duo of Ben Parker — celebrated British singer/songwriter/producer and David Berkeley with R.O. Shapiro on September 30th at 7:30pm
Introducing Sons of Town Hall, the theatrical-folk duo of Ben Parker — celebrated British singer/songwriter/producer and David Berkeley — beloved American singer/ songwriter/author. Dressed in threadbare Victorian outfits and armed with old, weather-beaten Gibson guitars, their show is part concert, part performance art, and unlike anything you have ever seen. Whilst crossing the Atlantic on a raft of their own making, Sons of Town Hall crafted songs of wonder and woe, heartbreak, and hope. Their harmonies are sublime. Their stories are hilarious.
In late 2024, Sons of Town Hall will release their sophomore album and an accompanying podcast series. Hosted by British actor Oliver Maltman, the podcast, entitled “The Adventures of the Sons of Town Hall,” is produced in the style of old radio theater — complete with beautifully scored music and lush soundscapes. Each of the fifteen globe-spanning episodes tells one of the duo’s many adventures drawn from their mythic lives together and features a brand-new song from the forthcoming album.
R.O. Shapiro is a purveyor of original Americana music, carefully crafted and soulfully sung. Originally from the very east end of Long Island, NY, he spent several years touring and recording with the acoustic trio Odell Fox. When the members of the group went their separate ways in 2017, R.O. settled down in Austin, TX, where he developed a full-band, electrified sound, as heard on his 2021 release King Electric Sessions. A powerful performer of original heartfelt songs, and with a little bit of New York swagger and Texas twang, he’s drawn comparisons to Josh Ritter, Ray LaMontagne, and Nathaniel Rateliff. R.O. is a winner of the 2022 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk songwriting contest, has recently toured with May Erlewine and opened for Jackie Greene, and in September 2024 will release a two-song 45 he recorded with producer/instrumentalist Phil Cook (Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger.) He is currently based in Northern California, and regularly tours solo in the US and Canada, always on the lookout for new communities and stages where he can share his authentic warmth and wit.