TOAD Tales

 
Abbie Barrett & The Last Date have two more shows left in their January residency at Porter Square's landmark live music venue TOAD. Tonight and next Tuesday night at 7:30 pm the band will be playing music from their catalog (both old and new), plus lots of cool covers. So have dinner at the fantastic Christopher's Restaurant next door, and then get yourselves over to TOAD afterward to hear a couple of hours of free live music from one of Boston's best acts.

And if you can't make it to either of these shows (or they are too far away for a weeknight excursion), then catch Abbie solo on February 16th at Mission Bar + Tapas in scenic Pittsfield, MA. Hers is a voice that begs to be heard in person.

Robin Rütenberg - Free EP

I was looking around Kickstarter for an interesting project to back and I came across Jacksonville, Florida band Robin Rütenberg & Friends and the funding request for their upcoming EP "Sea Legs". When I followed their links I also discovered a 5-song EP of Robin's music from 2009 called "Kitten and a Ferris Wheel", which she is giving away for free.

Check them out, and if you like what you hear, help them fund their little project, and receive some cool rewards depending on how much you contribute. Either way, enjoy some cool local music, and as always, tell us what you think of it.

Travels of a Wooden Nickel

I climbed Temple Mountain today as #12 in a series of hikes I call "Mountain Quest".

Look what I found in the bottom of my backpack:

Laura K - Free EP

If you are a fan of: the voice of Zooey Deschanel and her duo She & Him, the sound of the ukulele, or just smart and sweet songs, then you might enjoy the music of London lass Laura K.

Rush on over to Eardrums Pop for her free 3-song EP, and check out the other bands while you are there. Laura also has a ton of other great songs on her Bandcamp page. Check her out!

Added bonus: She & Him have a Christmas album coming out on October 24th, and you can get the first song. "The Christmas Waltz" for free here!

Rainy Thursday Cures

Ladies and gentlemen, set your DVRs and get out of the house this fine rainy September evening!

Several amazing local musicians have shows tonight all over Massachusetts:

• 7 pm in Groton (free) - The Rafters will be playing at the Main Street Cafe. Head on over for the sounds of Dave & Miki's original songs & covers while you settle down to the cafe's homemade soups & stews, fresh sandwiches and desserts. And feel free to BYOB.
• 8 pm in Norwood (free) - Kristin Cifelli is performing at Perks Coffeehouse. She will be playing songs form all across her catalog, including many from her new album, "Middle of Nowhere". So come for the coffee and stay for the music. And if you can't make it tonight, catch her at Berklee's Cafe 939 on October 4th (next week)! For a preview of her sound head over to Kristin's Bandcamp page to hear the fantastic songs "Not Supposed To" and "Better".
• 9 pm in Jamaica Plain ($7) - Abbie Barrett and her band, The Last Date, will be part of a triple bill at the Milky Way Lounge. You'll get to enjoy their unique sound, as well as the added bonuses of the quirky & frenetic Lauren DeRose, and the original songs and covers of Vanessa Wheeler.
  

So if you're feeling restless this evening and want to be entertained by high-quality music from some of your talented neighbors, pick one of these places (or another) and support local music. It's always a good thing!