22-20s - Free Live EP

UK indie rock band 22-20s have a new album out called "shake/shiver/moan", and they are also giving away a free 4-song live EP! You can get the free EP several ways: it's included free with purchase of the high quality digital download of their new album, or just go here and snag the live EP as an appetizer for their performance September 8th at The Middle East Downstairs. They are opening for Hot Hot Heat (along with Canada's Hey Rosetta!), and it should be amazing. So check out 22-20s for some fast, fun loud music. It'll send you back to school in style.

The Tumbled Sea - Free Album

A one-man ambient project out of Boston, The Tumbled Sea has a free album available for download.

If you are a fan of Harold Budd, Brian Eno, or other ambient and/or instrumental musicians, I highly recommend snagging this album, "Melody Summer", while you can. It is a quiet collection of songs that would be great to write, wake up or draw to; or to have dancing through the back of your mind as you read a book or look out at the ocean. A soothing, creative blend of piano/organ and strings, with the occasional woodwind intertwined makes for a truly magical listening experience. And check out his other music (and the other bands) on the Future Recordings page.

Goodnight, John Boy II

If you weren't able to make it up to Rollinsford, NH last night for the second in a series of "Goodnight, John Boy" shows, here is a good chunk of Almanac Mountain's performance, including the classic "Surry Hospitality", the mesmerizing "Spiral Onion Shoots", and some new songs:

Chris Cote of Almanac Mountain Performs at the New Studio from Alan Ammann on Vimeo.

WPMF: Alumni Shows This Weekend

If you were at July 31st's Wyman's Pond Music Fest, you got to hear stripped down versions of some fine musicians' work. If you'd like to hear them in a different setting this weekend, here are some dates:

• Tonight (8/13) @ Lidio's in Leominster: Lee Villaire and Elizabeth Lorrey will be trading sets from 6- 10 pm as they perform outdoors on the patio of this fine local restaurant. Grab a good meal, have a few drinks, and enjoy a four hour mix of rousing and thoughtful songs during Lidio's “Acoustics Under The Stars”. And best of all it's free!
  
• Tomorrow (8/14) @ The New Studio in Rollinsford, NH: Almanac Mountain will be headlining the 2nd "Goodnight, John Boy" show at The Upper Mill at 8 pm. For $8 you get to hear him fully-plugged with backing musicians, plus hear a few new songs! And FYI, it's BYOB.

Let us know if you went, and how the shows were. When we cannot attend, we always enjoy hearing about what we've missed!

"Goodnight, John Boy" image by Christopher A Cote

Octo Octa

A few months ago when I first heard a handful of songs from Brooklyn's (formerly of Dover, NH) Octo Octa, I walked away feeling a bit underwhelmed. His being a fan of Aphex Twin and Squarepusher, as well as being a label mate of the amazing Almanac Mountain, seemed to bode well for the listening experience, but alas, I initially found the music to be cold and tinny.

Fast-forward to this weekend when the head of Spiragraph sent me a pair of new songs to listen to. Now this was more like it. After listening to "Let Me See You", I was instantly transported in my mind to a friendly non-pretentious club, with smiling people all around me, the sun shining down through a hole in the roof, and everyone having a joyous time moving on the dance floor. It's four minutes of pure happiness.

The other new song I heard was "I'm Trying". In a dark room, freshly-scrubbed bodies packed in on all sides, and multi-colored lights flashing on the other side of closed eyelids, the crowd moves to the entrancing beats. Six strong minutes of electronic togetherness. Every time the song ends I want to hear more, and that is always a good thing. I'd go to that party.

After hearing these fantastic new offerings, I went back to listen to Octo Octa's older stuff. I can now see where the artist was coming from. A person needs to be in the mindset of having just spent several hours playing old Nintendo games, and having to burn off some nervous energy after sitting on his/her backside all day. I had to transport myself back to a time when the bleeps, blips, and 'doodle-dee-dadas' of Pac-Man and Donkey Kong and Super Mario Brothers filled my head to truly appreciate songs like "Kid Wobble", which I have a new respect for, and especially the 'Peek Into The Future Version' of "Game Over", which can be found on Soundcloud.

Overall I like the direction Octo Octa is going. I missed his appearance at the first "Goodnight, John Boy" series, and am not sure if he is performing at the next one on August 14th (see "Upcoming Events" at the top of the page), but if you care to see him live, check his Reverb Nation homepage from time to time for gigs. And check out this early performance of his from the Ello Gallery in Portsmouth, NH:

Wyman's Pond Music Fest - Wrap Up

On Saturday July 31st, 2010 several local New England musicians gathered down at scenic Niemi Cove on Wyman's Pond in Westminster, MA for a day of unplugged music. The Wyman's Pond Music Fest began at noon on the sunny lakefront (it was a perfect day, blue skies, 78 degrees and dry), and the music ran from 2 pm to just before 8. The artists played anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour each for the crowd of 60-plus (of whom 20 were kids), who spent the day swimming, eating grilled meats, and listening to the finest gathering of local talent on the East Coast. And best of all, admission was free!

The roster included (in order of performance):

• Seacoast NH - Almanac Mountain
• Groton, MA - Elizabeth Lorrey
• Central MA (via Montreal) - Lee Villaire
• Brighton, MA - Vanessa Kafka
• Dover, NH - James McGarvey III
• Boston, MA - Kenneth Budka

The kids all had a blast, sitting in the front row, and asking the musicians for autographs. Vanessa even let some of the girls sign their names on her guitar case! The artists could be seen chatting with each other, and several of them did a cd swap amongst themselves. One copy of each performer's cd was given away in a simple raffle at the end of their set, as well as a t-shirt with the event roster, which was a welcome surprise. After nearly six fantastic hours of original music (and a few covers), the incredible day ended with new friends made, new fans found, new music connections, and happy people all around.

Pictured (l to r, bottom): Almanac Mountain, Elizabeth Lorrey, Lee Villaire, Vanessa Kafka (and bandmates). Photos by Ken M.