From Christmas to country, Pittsburgh-area natives have new music coming out

Patrick Varine, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·3 min read

Dec. 3—From original Christmas tunes just in time for the holidays to a self-empowerment anthem, native Pittsburghers have released new music in a variety of genres.

Kels, 'By This

Christmas Tree' EP

Pine-Richland High School graduate Kelsey Hillock, who performs under the stage name Kels, released her first batch of original holiday songs, an EP titled "By This Christmas Tree."

"The biggest challenge is maintaining a unique lyrical perspective," Kels said of writing songs with the season in mind. "I feel like a lot of holiday songs say the same thing over and over again. I worked hard to maintain a holiday theme while telling my own stories."

A driving piano and energetic beat kick off the first track, "Mistletoe," and the title track reflects her notion that waiting to spend time with friends and family at Christmas isn't all that different from waiting up for Santa Claus as a child, while also incorporating echoes of the holiday classic "O Christmas Tree" into the melody.

"Soundwise, it was really important for me to choose melodies and sounds that were nostalgic," she said. "In my opinion, the best holiday music takes you back to a sweet memory."

"By This Christmas Tree" is available on Spotify, iTunes, Tidal and other services.

TEEJ, 'Millennial Gideon'

Swirling synthesizers and a stuttery hip-hop beat power "Millennial Gideon," a new single by T.J. Cornwall, who records under the stage name TEEJ.

TEEJ —Millennial Gideon (feat. Fedd The God)

A Bethel Park native who has lived in Dallas for the past decade, TEEJ partners with rapper Fedd The God, taking inspiration from the Biblical story of Gideon and chronicling personal experiences making their way through depression and hardships.

A stripped-down piano performance of his debut single, "Twilight," racked up more than 3.4 million views on TikTok, and TEEJ said he tries to create a blend of vulnerable lyrics and piano-forward, synth-laced pop.

Valentina Cherico,

'Believe in Yourself'

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School graduate Valentina Cherico, 19, of Pittsburgh recently released a new original song, "Believe in Yourself."

"My mission behind the song was to share my story and show the world that you're capable of anything if you have a positive mindset, work hard and never stop dreaming," Cherico said.

Produced by Bob McCutcheon and Cherico's father, Michael, who is also the frontman for Pittsburgh R&B group Casanova and the Divas, "Believe in Yourself" rides atop a driving beat, Spanish-inflected horns and guitar, with Cherico's confident alto cutting through as she sings about making your dreams come true through perseverance.

Molly Alphabet, 'Broken Record' vinyl release show

While it was originally released in 2019 via Bandcamp.com, Pittsburgh country singer Molly Alphabet will host a release party tonight for the vinyl version of "Broken Record" that will also include a complete performance of the album.

Alphabet, who lives in the city's Lawrenceville neighborhood, combines sturdy classic country melodies with quirky, often-cheeky lyrics on songs like "Naked in the Eyes of the Lord" and "Mother's Temperament."

The release show is at 8 p.m. tonight at The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls in Millvale, and also includes a performance by Pittsburgh country band The Beagle Brothers. Tickets are $12 via Ticketmaster.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick by email at pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter .