Bio

New England Area Songwriter

With rural Pennsylvania roots

Chris LaVancher released his third full-length album in November 2021 –  “After The Flood” a collection of songs full of heart from a seasoned and skilled craftsman mining life’s subject matter  – family, work, love and love lost, childhood memories, and finding one's place in the universe.


Chris’s performance evokes a mini-movie festival in your head, complete with a full soundtrack. He writes cinematic, character-driven songs.  His song Nostalgia from his second album, Big Fat Love, received an honorable mention in the 2018 Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Contest.  In 2023 and 2014 Chris was selected as a Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist.  He was also selected for the Suzi Wollenberg Folk DJ Showcase at the North East Regional Folk Alliance.


Chris grew up in a small town in the hills of North Central Pennsylvania where he learned to observe the many wonderful characters that inhabited that little town. Today he lives just north of Boston Massachusetts, a Mecca for folk singers and songwriters, but much of his inspiration still goes back to that little town in Pennsylvania.

Honors

  • Rose Garden Coffeehouse Songwriter Competition - 2024 Finalist
  • 2023 Grassy Hill Emerging Artist Showcase at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
  • After the Flood (Chris's 3rd full-length album) charts at #13 on the FAI Folk chart October 2021
  • 2018 Honorable Mention in Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Contest.
  • Big Fat Love (Chris's 2nd full-length album) debuted at #14 on the Folk DJ international charts and stayed in the top album listing for 4 months.
  • 2014 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist.
  • Suzi Wollenberg Folk DJ showcase at NERFA (North East Regional Folk Alliance) selected by Bob Weiser WOMR Provincetown, MA
  • Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge Winner – 10/13/2014 & 12/19/2019
  • Roadside Attractions (Chris's debut album) earns Honorable Mention in Top Picks of 2012 on Four Strong Winds KVMR Nevada City, CA

What People Are Saying

“Somewhere in the universe, there might be an omniscient geek who keeps track of all the best songwriters in the world. If so, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chris LaVancher’s name on that list. Every song he writes tells a story, and he shares them with a humble and relaxing delivery that makes for a truly unique and moving evening of song.”  Kaomi Taylor Mitchell – Vermont house concert host

“I met Chris LaVancher and his wife Esther at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival this year. I enjoyed their performance at the Emerging Artist Showcase so much that I immediately pursued them to perform at Prospect Range.”  Don Duggan – Brooklyn Music Shop Presents at Prospect Range

“A storyteller and singer, who develops the characters in his songs with precision and expertise. His record Roadside Attractions …  is studded with intricate picking and Lavancher’s soothing, friendly vocal work.” Red Line Roots Music Blog

“I listen to too many CDs for the station, but yours has jumped right out at me from the pile I have to screen.  Absolutely wonderful with great songs, vocals, arrangements; it has it all.” Bill Rivell host of Acoustic Blender – WESU 88.1 Middletown CT

“Chris is someone that I had heard about for years and was fortunate enough to meet recently.  His songs are on par with some of the best I’ve heard not just in New England, but across the country.” Robert Mattson – Upton House Concerts

“His work speaks of love and loss, of dreams and schemes, all delivered from the heart-felt place of a keen observer of the human condition.” Music in Melrose Coffeehouse.​

“I’ve really enjoyed playing your album on my show the last few weeks. I have to say, there’s something about your songwriting that feels so genuine. … it seems like you aren’t writing songs just for the sake of writing songs.” Bradley Kolodner host of Hobo’s Lullaby on WICB 91.7 Ithaca, NY

“Great songs from an up and coming songwriter. Chris is definitely one to watch.” Jon Colcord host of Out of the Woods WSCS 90.0

“Chris LaVancher is a singer/songwriter from North Reading with a true folk style. … Through his seamless lyrics, he transports the listener to a different time, a different place, and lets you relive another’s life.” EYEWITNESS: UNLEASHING CREATIVITY IN LYNN –North Shore Art Throb

“LaVancher writes songs that tell stories of love among the ruins. His characters may not be from the highest rungs of society, but their feelings come through loud and clear.” Darius Rips – Oliver di Place Music Blog.