October 22, 2025
The October Songbird concert showcased the talent and storytelling of JJ Loui, Kip Loui, Mattie Schell, and Gerard Erker
📸: 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.