September 24, 2025
Maxwell Landry, Amber Skies, James Ibur, Karen Choi
The September Songbird Concert had a natural rhythm. Each artist stepped in with a distinct point of view, yet somehow built a cohesive emotional arc as the night unfolded.
Maxwell Landry opened with a reflective, steady presence that felt immediately grounding. His songs carried a quiet depth, the kind that doesn’t need to push to be felt, setting an intentional and thoughtful tone. Karen Choi followed with a more dynamic and expressive energy, weaving precision and feeling into a performance that felt both controlled and deeply alive. She brought a sharpness that elevated the room without overpowering it.
James Ibur leaned into storytelling with clarity and warmth, delivering songs that felt conversational in the best sense: personal, accessible, and anchored in real experience. His set created a sense of ease, like being let into someone’s world without pretense. Amber Skies closed the evening with a broader, more atmospheric presence, expanding the emotional range of the night and leaving the audience with something that lingered just a little longer than expected.
What made the night stand out was its pacing. It wasn’t about contrast for contrast’s sake. It was about how each artist added a new dimension, building toward a finish that felt earned rather than expected.
📸: Auset Sarno
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
Maxwell Landry
James Ibur
Karen Choi
Amber Skies
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Maxwell Landry is a singer-songwriter whose sound feels like it was pulled straight from a sun-drenched Laurel Canyon daydream. With a voice that echoes the warmth of 1970s vinyl and lyrics that speak to timeless themes of love, loss, and longing, Landry bridges the past and present with effortless charm. His songs are equal parts nostalgic and refreshing—full of familiar grooves, rich harmonies, and melodies that settle in like an old favorite.
Whether you're a longtime lover of folk-rock or just discovering the magic of that golden era, Maxwell Landry is here to make you believe—in melody, in memory, and in the power of a really good song.
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For decades, the twin worlds of Art and Music have intertwined, informed and inspired St. Louis based multi-media artist James Ibur.
After stints in two noteworthy 90’s indie bands, he co-created the soulful Folk/Pop/World/Rock band Flying House in 2008 where he is the sole writer and guitarist of what is now an 8-piece band. That project is currently working on its fifth record with Producer Sean Garcia after releasing its fourth record, Blood Red Moon, in May 2025.
Ibur released his first solo record with Producer Sean Garcia (Floating) and video (Floating People) in December of 2024.
He is a nationally exhibited ceramist and mixed-media artist and Professor of Art at Stlcc-Meramec.
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Karen Choi is a singer-songwriter whose music is steeped in the rich soil of Americana tradition—where folk, country, and roots-rock meet lyrical storytelling with heart and grit. Raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and now based in the Midwest, Choi first found her voice through her father’s bluegrass records and a well-loved Martin guitar. Since then, she’s been crafting songs that turn everyday encounters into timeless narratives, full of nuance, place, and emotional honesty.
Whether she's singing about heartbreak, resilience, or the quiet corners of everyday life, Karen Choi brings a steady hand and a sharp eye—reminding us that the most meaningful stories are often the ones we’re already living.
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Amber Skies is a St. Louis-based singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music floats somewhere between a sun-soaked daydream and a late-night city drive. Blending beachy indie rock with shimmering electronic textures, her sound is both laid-back and layered—equal parts chill and charged. She creates immersive sonic landscapes that feel cinematic, introspective, and undeniably cool.
Her presence is both ethereal and grounded—delivering performances that are intimate, atmospheric, and always infused with emotional honesty. Whether you're catching her live or vibing with her on Spotify, Amber Skies invites you into a world where indie rock shimmers, synths sparkle, and the feeling lingers long after the last note fades.