Closed - TOAD

*SIGH*

I was looking at various venues in Boston to see if there were any interesting live shows coming up, and sadly, I stumbled upon an old hangout only to find out that it's closed its doors for good.

TOAD in Cambridge was a huge haunt of Jay's, and I spent many evenings over the years bending my elbow with him at the bar. It was a nice little place at the top of the mountainous stair climb of the Porter Square T stop.

Often there was live music, and we (Jay, Brian, Gavin, etc...) got to see a few good shows there, including blog favorite Abbie Barrett doing bluesy versions of her "Dying Day" album songs, plus a lot of Neil Young covers. Add in the bonus of Christopher's Restaurant being right next door, and TOAD was truly the place to be for a night of inexpensive fun with friends...

Thanks for the great service, fun lineups, awesome beer and fantastic memories. You will be missed.

Abbie Barrett - New Video

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.

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!

2nd Annual Wyman's Pond Music Fest

What a day! The sun was out, and it was sunny and pretty dry, with temperatures in the 80's. This year we had about 20 more people than last year's 70, but instead of staying all day, there were early departures and late arrivals, which gave the day a busier feel.

Two big changes from last year were: a) power for microphones (and other things, as you will soon discover), and b) I let the musicians announce themselves. Also, since there were so many more in attendance than last year, the children spent more time in the water and playing games in the upper field, and less time glued to the front of the stage area.

• Elizabeth Lorrey began the day, and surprise #1 old high school chum (and local musical wunderkind) Kris Lucander plugged in his bass and accompanied her for her entire set. She ran through songs both old and new, plus a cover or two, and Kris sang Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out With Him?". Also, Pete Rathier (another old friend from high school) sat in on djembe for a few songs.
• Next up, married duo The Rafters cruised through an energetic set of their original material and a few covers (U2 and others). And in addition to their organist Glenn Compagnone, they had Elizabeth, Kris and Pete all come up at various times to fill out their crowd-pleasing sound.
• In between sets by the pros there was a short "Amateur Hour" wherein several of the girls in attendance (and a couple of the youngest boys) took turns singing at the mic for the crowd. One girl covered Taylor Swift's "Love Story", and later she accompanied one of the twins on an original song. In between, the other twin followed with an original of her own, and the crowd cheered all three of them for their efforts.
• (continued later)
  

Springtime Sounds

If you have no outdoor barbecue plans, and are looking to be out & about on Saturday (April 30th), why not check out one of two amazing local musicians?

If you enjoy the drive down to Rhode Island, why not check out the full bill at Firehouse No. 13, featuring Abbie Barrett? For ten dollars you get to hear her and another half-dozen quality New England musicians (from across a broad spectrum) all in one place. Located at 41 Central Street in Providence, this venue is going to be abuzz all night, and packed with musical talent.

Or head up to The Press Room in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and check out Almanac Mountain. He will be performing at this Seacoast institution on a split bill with Winterstar for the price of one good pint ($5 at 9 pm), and along with old favorites, you will get to hear some of his new songs for the first time anywhere.

So if you can't wait until July 30th the hear both of these fine folks, hop in your car tomorrow night, and road trip in support of local music at a pair of New England's finest venues. You'll get to hear bands you already love, and with the packed bills, perhaps even discover a few new ones! Either way, you won't regret it.

Abbie Barrett - Free Song

Somerville, MA sensation Abbie Barrett has put out a brand new song for free for all of her fans, both long-time and new. Head on over to her Reverb Nation page and grab "Marry Me (The Wedding Song)" for your computer, iPod, or other digital music player. And don't forget to check the top of our page for all of her New England shows, including this year's Wyman's Pond Music Fest. Tell your friends about the new song, and please let us know how you like it!

Friday Music Slate

If you are looking for something to do tonight, and you live in the eastern part of New England, why not check out an unusually-packed list of local music performances?

• Abbie Barrett is in week two of her month long Friday night residency at Bull McCabe's in Somerville. She goes onstage at 10 pm. Check out her great voice, and while you're there, why not try the best burger in town? And if you can't get there this week, you still have two other chances to head on over: on the 19th and the 26th...
  
• Also in Somerville, Endless Wave is taking part in the two-day Deep Heaven Now 2- Ambient/Psych Rock Festival. They go onstage just after midnight, but for your ten bucks, you get admission to two venues (Precinct and P.A.'s Lounge) and TEN bands! Show up at 8 pm if you want to maximize your evening. Or if you so choose, go tomorrow instead (beginning at 3 pm), and get a mind-boggling 18 bands for that day's ten bucks (may we recommend Dirty Dishes @ 7 pm and 28 Degrees Taurus @ 12:30 am, both at Precinct).
• Elizabeth Lorrey is sharing the bill with Ocean Born Muse and Daniel Ouellette at Speakeasy Under 121 in Providence, RI. Three sets for five bucks. And whether you can make it there or not, grab Elizabeth's song demo "Eleanor" for free here!
• And last (but never least), old pal Christopher Cote is hosting the fourth in a series of his Goodnight, John Boy shows at The New Studio up in Rollinsford, NH. There is a $5 suggested donation, and it is BYOB. head on over and check out Dover, NH's own Winterstar in this intimate venue.

And as always, we'd love to hear where you went, who you saw, how the food was, and which songs are your favorites...