Summertime in the city of Philadelphia always brings new energy to the streets. Outdoor seating is set up as the day inches by, allowing you to appreciate every warm breeze and every ray of sun that illuminates the city of brotherly love every year. Such was the scene at Port Richmond’s Bonk’s Bar, a charming dive bar placed directly across from an 18-wheeler lot and only a stone’s throw away from the historic Graffiti Pier. Known for its killer seafood and nostalgic atmosphere, Bonk’s has become a staple of the city and an artifact of the long-lost “Crab Alley” days of the town. Outback of this warm, welcoming pub is a garage-turned-venue that has become a hotbed for up-and-coming touring acts just starting on the road.
Last Tuesday (July 11), as the blues of the sky turned to an orange-ish purple, Bonk’s Bar opened its door to three internet sensations flipping their online success into a freeing expression of themselves. singer/songwriters Shauna Dean Cokeland, Mel Bryant, and Holander took over Bonk’s with performances that ranged from intimate strumming to theatrical crooning.
The atmosphere of Bonk’s Bar that night was as welcoming as ever. A small crowd, no more than 50 people, gathered in this garage space that has been done up very nicely. A small bar is positioned to your left as soon as you enter the door while a postcard-style mural decorates the opposite side of the venue. This mural will become the backdrop to the night’s performances with the artist performing at eye level with the rest of the room. Despite the actual size of the venue, Bonk’s does a great job of making the space feel open with a garage door-size opening to let that summer air drench the room. A single microphone was set up in front of the Port Richmond postcard art, allowing the artist and their fans to both become immersed in the music being played.
First up was Mel Bryant, a young songwriter whose 2020 album is continuing to build momentum. Typically, Bryant would be joined by her band The Mercy Makers although this solo performance allowed for her potent lyrics to hit even harder. The artist traveled all the way from Nashville to perform her folky-rock anthems to the small yet excitable crowd at Bonk’s. She kicked things off with the fiery vulnerability of “In My Head” then transitioned into the two-part smash hit of “I Love You I’m Sorry” and “ILYIS pt 2”. Bryant took command of the room, the charm that makes her music so enticing was on full display and the acoustic performance brought new meaning to songs that are already so heartfelt. Mel Bryant and The Mercy Makers recently released their single “Pyre”.
Holander stepped up to the microphone next and held nothing back. Disregarding the size of the room, the vocalist used it as her playground while running through her own take on electrifying pop. She kicked things off with a string of infectious songs that brought a new light into the dimly lit venue. Her performances of tracks like “Pangea” and “Blocked Forever” brought a sense of freedom and ambition to the night as Hollander climbed the bar and paraded through the crowd while belting out passionate melodies. Her confidence as a performer took on a new form when she switched things up to an acoustic set with nuanced performances of songs like “Killer Vibe” and “The Graveyard”. Holander put herself out there with an ambitious set that brought a unique energy to Bonk’s bar. Hollander’s new EP Alive is streaming everywhere.
Shauna Dean Cokeland quickly took control of the room from a seated position just before launching into the second headlining set of her tour. For someone so new to live performance her voice never came off as unsure, putting the same confidence found in her writing into the live aspect of music. She found a nice balance between playing original songs and covers, kicking the night off with her successful single “Moving In Place” which transitioned into her track “Andrew”. Cokeland put her own twist on a classic with a terrific cover of “Seventeen” by Marina and if her guitar stylings didn’t prove her love for country music, she covered “Godspeed” and “Jamie” by Zac Bryan. Cokeland then wrapped up her set with originals including the best song of the night, “Nascar Racing Jacket”. For her first headlining road gig, Cokeland moved like a veteran and allowed her natural talents to do the talking. Her single “Moving In Place” is streaming everywhere now.
Within one night, three inspiring performers took over Philadelphia’s Bonk’s Bar to deliver their own takes on songwriting and prove exactly why they are able to stand out from their peers. Cokeland will be traveling to the west coast next for shows in Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
