Singer and songwriter to offer free performance at Roma’s in East Troy
By Kellen Olshefski
SLN Staff
A local singer and songwriter and a fellow musician are hosting a free concert tonight at Roma’s Ristorante and Lounge in East Troy.
The performance by Robert Trader of East Troy and fellow musician Matt Bednarsky, based out of Nashville, Tenn., will kick off at 8 p.m. this Friday at the restaurant, N8416 Highway ES, East Troy. The pair will be holding a “Nashville-style” performance, as Trader called it, meaning the two will share the stage, accompanying each other and taking turns sharing their music with the crowd.
Trader is an Americana and Folk songwriter from East Troy. Those from East Troy and the surrounding areas might just recognize his last name, being the son of two of East Troy’s most influential music teachers in recent years, something which he said has had a profound effect on him.
“When both your parents are music teachers, their passion for music is bound to rub off on you,” he said.
Returning to perform in his hometown, Trader said it’s great to be back, to see friends and family who support him and are familiar with his songs and the stories behind them.
“It’s always great to play in that kind of a supportive environment,” he said.
Trader found his way to singing at a very early age and studied classical voice through his teens, even touring through England as a youngster.
While his first love during high school was the theatre – which carries on today as he works as a circus ringmaster at Circus World Museum in Baraboo – Trader said he found his next love, songwriting, at about the age of 19 when he picked up a guitar and started playing folk songs while interning at Northern Sky Theater in Door County.
Trader said it was something he had always wanted to do, though never really thought he could until he found himself in that supportive environment.
“People told me to go for it,” he said. “I wrote my first couple of songs and thought to myself, hey, maybe I can get better at this and keep doing it.
“Then, when you write your first song that you’re proud of, you kind of get hooked.”
While initially it wasn’t something he was looking to do as a serious project, Trader said it ended up becoming something like that deeper writing drew him in.
Trader said he’s looked towards his influences – such as Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Iron and Wine, and Damien Rice – for inspiration, drawing from their honesty in their music.
For more on Trader’s music and for updates on future performances and more, visit facebook.com/tradecraftwi.
Matt Bednarsky
Nashville-based, Singer and Songwriter Matt Bednarsky’s unique music blends pop/rock, folk, jazz, and blues and is characterized by poignant, thoughtful lyrics and soothing yet powerful vocals.
Originally from Connecticut, he has an expansive internet presence, with more than 3 million cumulative views on YouTube, and two full-length studio albums, “A Bigger Picture” (2014) and “Two” (2015). He has opened for British legend Joan Armatrading on multiple occasions and was named a 2015 Artist of the Year by Concerts In Your Home.
Bednarsky arrives to East Troy fresh from a European tour and is slated to tour Canada and Australia later in 2016.
Bednarsky opened for Trader last year when Trader officially released his record at a show at Ivan’s Backstage in East Troy last July.
“It’s not just for me, I appreciate people seeing and listening to his music too because he’s an extraordinary talent,” Trader said.
For more on Matt Bednarsky, including a link to his YouTube channel, visit mattbednarsky.com.
