Singer Katherine De Menno says her band, Summer Scouts, were already fans of Echosmith. In fact, the former's rendition of Echosmith's hit "Cool Kids" has been a staple of Summer Scouts' set lists.
So when the group received a phone call from ArtsQuest informing the members of Summer Scouts that the group would be opening for indie pop band Echosmith tonight at Musikfest Cafe, the reaction was unsurprisingly ecstatic.
"We were so shocked, just to hear this news as we were excited by it," De Menno said late Wednesday during a phone interview. "It's so crazy opening for a Top 40 band who we've listened to on our own. We are just so honored and grateful for the opportunity."
Since forming in late 2014, Summer Scouts have steadily been developing a following that has stretched beyond their home base of Allentown. The band -- rounded out by guitarist Brett Begovich, bassist Jared Gibson, guitarist-vocalist Ross Huber and drummer Tommy Geschard -- released their debut EP, The Distance, in April 2014.
Influenced by such bands as Phoenix and M83, Katherine described Summer Scouts' sound as post-rock-influenced power pop. "We joke that we're a family band because (fans) from 8 to 88 (years-old) can get into our band," she said.
The quintet has already checked off several locations on their venue bucket list since they performed their first concert at Allentown's Cedar Beach Park, De Menno said, including the annual Musikfest celebration in Bethlehem and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. Summer Scouts have also become regular performers at The Alternative Gallery in Allentown. "We made a list of places we wanted to play in the Valley and SteelStacks was one of them," she said. "It's been so cool to have venues invite us back and for the audiences to be in into (the music). It's a great feeling to have that support."
The group, according to Katherine, will likely return to Huber's home studio in the winter to record new music for the follow-up to their 2015 EP, Deep Breath, which dropped in August. Deep Breath contains the infectious, high-energy single "Olympic White."
"Every other week we have a new way to describe (the music). Each time we play, we pick up on a different influence," she said. "It's a big melting pot of a lot of different sounds, but I think that's what makes it so fun."
Summer Scouts perform tonight with Echosmith at Musikfest Cafe in Bethlehem. Show time is 8 o'clock. Tickets cost $20-$25. Information: steelstacks.org