Pressing Strings w/ Zac Townsend & The Mudcats

DOORS, BAR, & KITCHEN OPEN at 6PM

SHOW at 7PM

GENERAL ADMISSION: $20 + admission tax & processing fee

DAY OF SHOW: $25 + admission tax & processing fee

Advance ticket sales end at 11:59PM on April 18th, 2025. If tickets are not sold out by this time they will be available for purchase when the doors open.

ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS. NO EXCHANGES unless the show is cancelled or postponed.

GENERAL ADMISSION

This is an all-standing show. Limited bar stool seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Be sure to wear your party pants and come ready to dance!

ALL AGES

FOOD & BEVERAGE available for purchase

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BIOGRAPHY 

PRESSING STRINGS 

When music is given the benefit of instinct, imagination and inspiration, the results are  guaranteed to be good. So it ought to come as no surprise that the critically-acclaimed Annapolis  Maryland-based trio, appropriately dubbed Pressing Strings, has infused those elements within  their musical mantra from the beginning. The band —Jordan Sokel (Guitar/Vocals), Nick Welker  (Bass, Vocals), and Justin Kruger (Drums, Vocals) can trace its origins to Sokel’s initial  fascination with some iconic influences, among them, the usual suspects — Dylan, Marley,  Simon, Withers, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Led Zeppelin, etc., as well as some more under the  radar artists like Taj Mahal, R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, and Nick Drake. 

Fascination became fulfillment once he picked up the guitar and started writing songs. That’s  when his course became clear. After growing up in New Jersey and Arizona, he eventually  moved to Arnold, Maryland to attend high school and eventually university at Salisbury  University. However once there, he found he began having doubts about his career choice. That’s  when he made it his mission to pursue his musical muse. Still in college, he formed Pressing  Strings with one of his buddies. Those early efforts, beginning in 2006, found Sokel’s desire and  determination taking hold, eventually coalescing into a career that now spans six albums —  Where We Are (2008), Episodes (2010), Pressing Strings (2012), Life of a Tree (2013), Owe the  Source (2015), Settle In (2020) — and two EPs — Most of Us (2016) and Morning Takes (2021). 

“This band has had a lot of different parts and personalities over the years and if you listen closely, you can hear that in the music,” Sokel reflects. “It’s never been static; the chemistry and  creativity has morphed and evolved and it’s still doing so now. However it has changed, one  thing has stayed constant. Music has moved and motivated me ever since the first time I realized  I could write songs and share them with an audience. That’s been my motivation ever since I was  20 years old and had my first opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. And after I  learned how to record and shape songs in the studio, that was it, I was hooked.  

Kruger was similarly inspired. He grew up in the Bay Area of California, the offspring of two  working musicians and spent much of his youth behind soundboards and in green rooms. Like  Sokel, college felt unsatisfactory so he began jumping into tour vans and onto festival stages in  the western U.S. Giving him years in Jazz, Rock, Reggae, World, Country, Americana/ Songwriter and even Comedy shows. After a decade plus, he moved to Maryland where he  would begin again. First with the Annapolis scene. Then Baltimore city, Philadelphia, New  York. Always knowing of Sokel and Welker's forward motion and staying in close  communication. JK was tapped to join full time in 2021. A singing drummer, adding 3 part  harmonies and a new life to older tunes. 

Welker is a local boy who was raised in Annapolis. He first picked up the bass in 6th grade, and  eventually started performing in his school’s orchestra before going on to form a band with some 

high school friends. He joined Pressing Strings in 2013 and has been with the group ever since. 

Not surprisingly then, Pressing Strings’ upcoming album, due for release on _____, And I For  You, is the group’s most fully realized set of songs yet, one that touches on timeless themes that  resonate and find meaning at a time when turmoil and tenacity seem so predominant within a  weary world. They remind us that gratitude, devotion, and the wisdom, to recognize that even in  the midst of uncertainty, there are virtues that are important to cling to and which, in turn, can  ultimately lead to true satisfaction.  

The melodies reflect that upbeat optimism, from the easy, affable designs of “Down for You” and  “We Will Be Alright” to the instantly engaging sound of “Weather the Storm,” the playful yet  persistent “No One Else” and the emotive and expressive “Home To You.”  

So too, the infectious first single, “Your Love,” immediately sums up their stance. Propelled by a  catchy rhythm, soothing sentiment and absolute joy and desire. It’s an ideal introduction to the  album, and like each of the songs that surround it, it immediately takes hold, and resonates well  after the final notes fade away. 

Somewhat surprisingly then, the new project came together on the heels of a shift in the band’s  musical ranks. Sokel says that when Kruger came on board, it brought them added impetus when  it was needed the most.  

“We regained our focus,” he notes in retrospect. “It found us digging deeper than we ever had  before, rehearsing and woodshedding the songs in order to come up with a varied approach. Our  producer, Steve Wright, was a big part of the process as well. On the other hand, this is the first  record we’ve made that has everyone sharing the singing and helping with the harmonies. It was  challenging at first, but it was also fun and fulfilling.”  

Sokel had spent a considerable amount of his down time during the pandemic demoing the  material, and as a result, the band found it easy to make critical decisions when it came to their  approach to the material and the direction the album would take overall. Once they resumed  touring, the band took the opportunity to road-test the songs in front of live audiences, giving  them the feedback needed to ensure their recordings reflected the energy of their stage shows.  

Indeed, it’s a far cry from Pressing Strings’ formative years. The members found themselves  waiting tables and stocking shelves in order to pay the bills. It also meant taking whatever gigs  were offered and selling CDs they burned themselves out of an old Samsonite suitcase.  Fortunately though, their efforts paid off, and they not only were able to pay their bills, but also  pay their dues as well, leading to headliner status at home in Annapolis, as well as in Baltimore,  Washington DC, and Maryland's eastern shore. Their fame eventually spread to the entire Eastern  Seaboard, leading them to make frequent festival appearances at Peachfest, Firefly, Sweetwater  420 Fest, Floydfest, Cavefest, and WTMD’s First Thursdays. It also found them opening for the  likes of The Beach Boys, Government Mule, Toad the Wet Sprocket, JJ Grey & Mofro, Rachael 

Yamagata, Neil Francis, The Toadies, Jerry Douglas, the Sam Roberts Band, Rayland Baxter  Michael Glabicki (Rusted Root), Rayland Baxter, and Junior Marvin of the Wailers. 

Soon, radio began taking notice, with national AAA and public broadcasters across the U.S.  eagerly embracing the band and taking them to the top of their charts. As a result, they’ve been  featured on WTMD’s “Top 89 Songs of the Year” five times and WRNR’s “Top 103” four times. WRNR Program Director Bo Waugh declared “[Band frontman] Jordan Sokel’s voice is insanely  unique and compelling. One day, the world is going to wake up and wonder why it’s taken too  long for Pressing Strings to receive the national recognition they so richly deserve.” 

These days, Sokel himself finds reflecting on all that Pressing Strings has accomplished thus far  and how it’s impacted his life overall. "Music is an extension of who I am, what I'm going  through, what I'm feeling, and the people who are meaningful in my life,” he maintains. “It offers  me an avenue to share my feelings and, in doing so, connect with people. It's never failed to give  me comfort, in both the best and worst of times.” 

That’s what great music is all about. It’s comforting to have Pressing Strings providing that  comfort and concern. 

For more information, go to https://pressingstrings.com

Is there lodging nearby?

There are lots of great and affordable lodging options — from hotels and motels to camp grounds and bed & breakfast spots — just minutes away from Bright Box. Right around the block is the elegant George Washington Hotel, and Courtyard Marriott is quick drive and within a stones throw to the beautiful (and highly recommended) Shenandoah Valley Museum. Check out these websites to explore your options and discover all the wonderful opportunities in Winchester:

• http://www.visitwinchesterva.com/lodging/hotels-and-motels

• http://oldtownwinchesterva.com

Where do I park?

Bright Box is located at 15 N. Loudoun St. on the beautiful pedestrian mall in Old Town Winchester. The nearest parking is the Braddock Auto Park at 30 N Braddock St. This is about a block away from the venue. The parking garage does have several handicap parking spaces available.

Once you've parked in the garage you'll exit toward the pedestrian mall. Once you hit N. Loudoun you'll make a right and Bright Box will be on your right a few storefronts up, directly across from the Old Court House Civil War Museum

More information about the garage can be found here: https://www.winchesterva.gov/parking/garage-information

Is Bright Box handicap accessible?

Absolutely. The venue is handicap accessible and ADA compliant. The infrastructure in Old Town Winchester is friendly toward those with physical challenges or in wheelchairs. Park in one of the close-by parking garages and come to the main door at 15 N. Loudoun St. (the walking mall). We ask that you arrive when doors open, and we will be happy to escort you to a place best suited to your needs in the theater or to take you to the elevator to access the upstairs Out of the Box room.

Host or Publisher Bright Box Theater