Lewes band creates series to benefit musicians

Called “The Biggest Little Band on the Shore,” Hope For Success is a rock ‘n’ roll band from Lewes that has been performing together for almost two years. 

The band includes bassist and vocalist Drew Fitzkee, 15; lead singer Elaina Marsch, 13; drummer and vocalist Alex Fitzkee, 13; and guitarist Jasper Isaacs, 12. Recently they have put together a concert series called Hope in Your Hood, where they give free performances around local developments to benefit local musicians struggling from the pandemic. 

The band says they came up with the idea for the series at the start of the pandemic. They would draw a small crowd around them while they practiced outside, which turned into them performing at the clubhouse in their development. They then reached out to other neighborhoods in the Lewes area. 

“We thought, if we can’t have people come to us, we’ll go to them. And that’s what we did,” Drew Fitzkee said. 

The concerts last about two hours and include songs from artists such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Beatles, Tom Petty, The Zombies and The Clash, as well as some original songs. The band says they wanted to bring an evening of live music to the neighborhoods where people feel comfortable, so they can relax and enjoy themselves while also safely social distancing. 

“Music is mostly used to make people feel a certain way. If you can make music that makes people feel better, then that’ll sort of help them get through the coronavirus and the tough times,” Alex Fitzkee said.  

Although the first Hope in Your Hood concert started with nine people, the band has now had concerts with up to 100 to 200 people attending. Some of the venues even partner with local food trucks. 

Since the band says they have been “locked inside” from the pandemic, they’ve been working on new, original music. Before the pandemic they had three original songs, including one called “We’re Too Young.” The inspiration for the song came after winning Battle of the Bands at the American Legion, which won the band a performance at Harrington Raceway & Casino. However, since none of them are 21, they were unable to play there.

Hope For Success now has five finished songs in their setlist, with six in progress. “Look on the Bright Side,” written by Alex Fitzkee, is specifically about trying to remain positive amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. 

The Hope in Your Hood concert series is free, though the band does take donations; 20 percent of what they earn goes to local charities to help the community. 

For information, visit www.hopeforsuccess.com or find the band on Facebook.