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In the summer of 2005, Easton, Pennsylvania’s DJ Lehara became the first electronic dance music DJ ever invited to perform at Bethlehem’s MUSIKFEST. Up to that date In the 20-plus year history of the largest, free music festival in the U.S., no other dance/electronic DJ had yet to grace its stages, all the while opening for the now-deceased California phenom known as skylab2000.
DJ Lehara is Carl Noone Jr., a freelance photographer and writer for over 16 years and former Morning Call columnist, His musical influences range from the West Coast legends known as The Hardkiss Brothers, to Rabbit in the Moon and Van Halen. But his biggest influences in life remain to be his two young boys, his strong pre-Christian spiritual beliefs and his appreciation of art history and turn-of-the-century American illustrators.. He is a child of the 60s Hippy generation, with roots planted squarely at the beginning of Generation X and began his journey by DJ as a child, collecting vinyl until the time was right in 1996.. Lehara has recorded over a hundred original compositions, some available on bandcamp.com. His 2017 major release, “Bass Drum Booty Buzz” on the Atlanta label Kaleidoscope, is still available across the internet on every major streaming platform.
This past Memorial Day Lehara made local history again by bringing to fruition his plan (OVER 4 YEARS IN THE MAKING) to bring dance music to the North side of Bethlehem by transforming the outdoor deck at Big Woody’s Pizza on Easton Ave into a mini Ibiza. Looking out over Bethlehem Raiders Sell Field which his grandfather Bill McCullough helped build, Lehara shares his energy, knowledge, and love of music every Thursday night from 6pm to 12 midnight. With hi-tech sound and lights, Lehara creates a vibe that is unmistakable, and with the addition of guests and live performances, brings a quality usually found in big markets like Miami or New York.
In preparation for another Musikfest bid in 2023, this time as LIVE performer, Lehara will be presenting an entire set of synthesizer and drum machine music, accompanied by futuristic processed vocals and percussive elements. Taking listeners on a journey through genres and textures, this promises to be something special. This August 18th event also includes an all-vinyl DJ set by Easton’s MARI NELLI. The outdoor season ends September 1st with a back-to-back 6-hour bash with DJ Grimz.
https://reverb.com/shop/carls-gear-depot-124
https://lehara.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.beatport.com/artist/lehara/642842
Information provided to TVL by:
Carl Noone Jr.
