October 22, 2025
The October Songbird concert showcased the talent and storytelling of JJ Loui, Kip Loui, Mattie Schell, and Gerard Erker.
The October Songbird Concert played out like a perfectly paced narrative. Each artist added a new layer, each set building on the last.
Mattie Schell opened the round by immediately raising the bar. Her voice carried both grit and vulnerability, pulling the audience in with a presence that felt commanding yet deeply human. She set an emotional tone that anchored the entire night, proving why she’s such a defining force in the next wave of Americana.
Kip Loui followed with the kind of ease and authenticity that only comes from decades in the craft. His warm vocals and seasoned storytelling brought a sense of familiarity and balance, like settling into a well-worn chair. There’s a generosity in his performance that makes the room feel connected, not just entertained.
JJ Loui then shifted the energy inward. Her indie-folk style and lyrical honesty created a quiet intensity that felt almost cinematic. There’s something compelling about the way she holds space, inviting listeners to lean in, reflect, and find themselves somewhere between the lines.
Gerard Erker closed the circle with depth and dynamism. His multi-instrumental talent and roots-driven sound added texture and lift, bringing each round to a full and satisfying close. There’s a sense of purpose in his performance that extends beyond the music, tying together community, craft, and story.
Together, the round felt intentional and complete; a reminder that Songbird isn’t just about individual performances, it’s about how those voices intersect to create something larger than the sum of its parts.
📸: Auset Sarno
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
JJ Loui
Kip Loui
Mattie Schell
Gerard Erker
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JJ Loui is part of the next generation of St. Louis songwriters—blending indie-folk intimacy with a lyrical honesty that cuts straight to the heart. With a voice that’s equal parts vulnerability and quiet strength, JJ crafts songs that explore identity, self-discovery, and the shifting terrain of growing up in a complicated world.
Whether performing solo or as part of a duo, JJ Loui brings a fresh voice to the folk tradition—one that’s grounded in family, rooted in St. Louis, and already carving out its own path. With each song, she invites listeners to sit with the uncomfortable, celebrate the tender, and find connection in the in-between.
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Kip Loui is a longtime fixture in the St. Louis music scene, known for his warm vocals, sharp songwriting, and deep love for all things twang. With a sound rooted in classic country, folk, and Americana, Loui’s music carries the easy charm of a front porch session and the storytelling weight of a seasoned troubadour.
With decades of songs and stories under his belt, Kip Loui brings a lived-in authenticity to every performance, delivering classic sounds with a generous heart and a knowing grin.
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Mattie Schell is a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter helping to shape the next wave of Americana music. As a founding member of the beloved St. Louis group River Kittens and a frequent performer with the Allman Betts Family Revival, Schell brings a fearless blend of roots, soul, and rock to every stage she steps on. Her voice—rich, raw, and emotionally charged—cuts straight to the bone, while her songwriting is steeped in truth, tenderness, and hard-earned wisdom.
Whether fronting a band or performing solo, Mattie Schell commands attention with songs that feel both timeless and unmistakably personal. She carries forward the tradition of Americana with a deep reverence for its past and a bold, modern voice that’s entirely her own. From dive bars to big stages, Schell delivers music that hits you in the chest and stays with you long after the lights go down.
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Gerard Erker is a St. Louis native and seasoned multi-instrumentalist whose music bridges the worlds of roots-rock, bluegrass, and Americana with heart, grit, and soul. His live shows are rich with harmony, high energy, and the kind of musicality that only comes from years on the road and deep roots in tradition.
A gifted vocalist and instrumentalist, Erker moves effortlessly between mandolin, guitar, fiddle, banjo, and more—bringing texture and nuance to every arrangement. His songwriting is thoughtful and resonant. In 2023, Erker stepped into the spotlight with his first solo single, “Hey KDHX!”—a protest anthem that channels his community spirit and passion for local music advocacy. Whether performing on festival stages or in more intimate spaces, Gerard Erker delivers roots-driven music with purpose, personality, and plenty of soul.