By The Keystone Newspaper KU rock band debuts new album in family-friendly show
By Andrew Batista
On Sunday, Feb. 23 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., KU rock band Condor, consisting of members Jonah Teel, Owen Alcott, Sean Werley, and Aiden Sherman, performed a family-friendly show at the Kutztown Fire Department.
Photo Credit: Selfie from Condor
The show followed the release of the band’s first album titled Wallpaper World, which was released on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. The show was a celebration of their hard work in creating the album that enabled them to showcase their talents to the local community.
“The Firehouse show is definitely one of my favorite [of the shows we have done],” Teel said after the show. “I was moved by how many people came out to support us.”
The show also consisted of other acts, Tumbleweed and Bus Stop Minister, who contributed to the environment throughout the evening. According to Teel, “the energy never diminished.”
The show was the culmination of years of work the band put into building their sound and growing their fan base; this led to the release of their first album.
The band formed in September of 2018 with original members Teel, who offers a link to KU through the music education program, and Sherman. In 2021, members Alcott and Werley joined the fray.
Photo Credit: Nicole Barbarito (via email from the Condor band)
The band has performed numerous shows throughout their career. These shows traveled around the Philadelphia area, including venues such as Crystal Cave and Anthony’s Basement.
As the band began making a name for themselves, they found themselves in a community of independent artists who perform at the same shows and define the sound of the local underground scene.
Photo Credit: Nicole Barbarito (via email from the Condor band)
Sherman, when reflecting on the evolution of the band since its inception, said, “Owen introduced us to the PA and NJ underground scene, which was incredibly transformative to all of us … I found myself less inspired by the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s. Instead, I was emulating independent artists we shared a stage with.”
Photo Credit: Nicole Barbarito (via email from the Condor band)
Sherman and Teel were heavily inspired by artists such as The Beatles, The Doors, and Pink Floyd. Werley reflected on the growing bond of the group and the lexicon they have developed through their shared love of music.
“We usually know what we are saying when we say ‘this demo I made sounds Floyd-ian’ or ‘I liked that John Mayer-y thing you did,’” Werley said.
After the release of their album, Condor’s hunger for continued growth has not been satiated. Sherman said, “A new album soon! Apart from music, we would love to play some festival shows. It would be exciting because we have never been on a festival bill before.”
Nonetheless, the group offers a new brand of the PA and NJ underground rock sound to the local community at Kutztown. Condor has an upcoming show on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Round Guys Brewing Company in Lansdale, performing alongside Bus Stop Minister and Feverton. Tickets can be purchased at the door, which opens at 7:30 p.m.