Round at the Rock Has Local Songwriters Share the Stories Behind Their Songs

Round at the Rock: Songwriters is an event that looks for local songwriters to share the stories behind their music. This event will explore the meaning and inspiration behind the songs of four local songwriters. These talented artists include Brooke Mackintosh, Alicia Stockman, Mel Soul, and Shannon Runyon. Each artist brings their own style and present their own perspective when it comes to creating music. This is because they all come from a variety of backgrounds and this event gives us a chance to come together and share what we’ve learned along the way. Here is a preview to each of the four artists that will be performing at Round at the Rock.

Brook Mackintosh

Brooke Mackintosh is the Creator and Host of “The Spice of Life Variety Show”, where she books, promotes, performs and collaborates with local and touring Special Guest Artists. She claims that she is a natural born singer with a gypsy soul, born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her mother states she's been singing since day one and her father taught her to play the piano as soon as she could reach the keys and pick a guitar at the age of 15.

Here 1st step into the music industry came after a year of submerging herself deep in the San Diego Songwriter's scene, she released her debut album, "Blue Skies Await," under her stage name, Brooklyn with Producer, Sven-Erik Seaholm. It wasn't long before she became an established singer-songwriter, and a live, local music promoter & show producer. For years, she maintained weekly residencies at many locations, including the Gaslamp District and Pacific Beach. Her show, "Brooklyn & Friends," was supported by local celebrities, promoted by local TV shows and news stations, and her song, "Believe" was placed in a local MyTV13 show, which aired every week.

Since Brooke began her musical journey, she has shared the bill and the stage with renowned artists, such as Eagles Hit songwriter, Jack Tempchin, "You Were Meant For Me" Co-Songwriter, and touring artist, Steve Poltz, Nashville artist and songwriter, Erin McCarley, Grammy Award Winning Songwriter, Monty Powell, Lumineers Guitarist, Maxwell Hughes, Jason Mraz Produced, Gregory Page, Musician & Hollywood Actor, Brad Carter, Django Soundtrack Artist, Brother Dredge and Teen Folk Sensation, Sammy Brue. She's performed the National Anthem for many motor races such as the first Utah NASCAR race, (Nationally televised with over 10,000 in attendance,) and Motorcross Races around the state. She has since performed original work for hundreds of venues, festivals and events in the Western U.S, including the The Belly Up, Humphreys By The Bay, Prestigious Ski Resorts, San Diego Fair, La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, OFOAM Ogden Music Festival and The Sundance Film Festival, etc.

Alicia Stockman

The next participant that is scheduled for Round at the Rock is Alicia Stockman. She is a singer-songwriter who connects with her audiences through memories, experiences, and stories. She states that her songs are intimate moments, meant to draw listeners in and leave them hanging on every word. It is quite simple, but it gets straight to the point. With strong rhythm guitar, creative yet tasteful phrasing, and soulful sweet vocals the experience is brought full circle. Alicia states that she is influenced by the likes of Patty Griffin, the Indigo Girls, and Susan Tedeschi – all strong female vocalists and songwriters. She takes inspiration from stories, places, and memories to craft songs that draw listeners into an emotional journey.

“These are songs about moments – moments that seem fleeting at the time, but we soon come to see them as a major turning point in our lives – that these small moments represent so much more.” Stockman described. Currently, Alicia is hard at work writing new songs and performing as a solo singer-songwriter. She released a series of singles over the winter of 2018-2019, then compiled them into a 6-song EP and released it summer of 2019. She is currently playing shows throughout Utah and looking for her next tour route to take her to various cities across the country.

Mel Soul

The third participant is Mel Soul. She is a singer and songwriter from Orem, UT. She has been vocally trained by vocal professionals such as Rebecca Chock and Mindy Pack. In 2009 she had the great opportunity singing with the Provo High School Chamber Singers for an exclusive concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. However, 2012 was when her love of songwriting began. Since then she has worked with songwriter professionals such Rich Parkinson, Shane Adams, Johnny London and for a brief review of her work the well-known accomplished singer and songwriter Natasha Bedingfield. Her goal as a songwriter and performer is to inspire her fans to love themselves to love everyone else. She will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Round at the Rock.

Shannon Runyon

The fourth and final participant is Shannon Runyon. She is a singer/songwriter and that is based in Park City, Utah. However, she has been more than willing to travel around to sing. Shannon has been immersed in music her entire life.  Her parents and four siblings all played instruments and sang throughout her childhood and she sites that doing this together as a young family were some of her favorite memories growing up. Shannon would move to Park City in 2012 where she claims that when she really started to thrive and find her place and voice in the world of music.

She loves collaborating with and supporting other musicians as much as she does performing. She acknowledges that music is meant to be shared and finding that pure joy in sharing her talent with others is a massive aspect when creating music.  She is often told she reminds people of Jewel and Natalie Merchant and she believes that as long as she is true to herself in voice and music and give her best, that’s the sweet spot of being a musician.

Round at the Rock: Songwriters takes place Thursday, November 14th at the Rockwell Listening Room. For more information and ticketing info, follow the link here.