Bandcamp Friday Part Deux

I had to go back and add another $15 worth of music to my day's hunt!

Bandcamp's #BandcampFriday event (no fees, all money direct to the artists) is a great way to get a ton of great music and support musicians who cannot tour during the Corona Virus pandemic. Social Distancing can be overcome, while helping out worthy creators.

Almanac Mountain

Saturday Night Live

If you're not busy Saturday night sitting around a fire or lounging on the porch, and you're itching to get out of the house and hear some live music, we have two fantastic options for you:

♫ - Almanac Mountain is playing songs both old and new as part of a triple bill at the historic Stone Church in Newmarket, NH. He will be sharing the evening with Portsmouth's Joe Young, as well as headliners Shades of Rust. The show is $5 ahead of time, or $7 at the door. What a bargain!

♫ - Winterpills will be performing their particular brand of breezy, thoughtful folk-ish rock in their hometown of Northampton, MA at the WW2 Club. And if for some reason you're free the night before (Friday the 4th) instead, they will be a bit farther west, at the Dreamaway Lodge in Becket, MA! I'm sure there will be fireworks to be seen, from the far side of the Connecticut border (wink wink). Decisions, decisions...

So enjoy the outdoors all day, but then hie yourself into one of the venues above for great local music from talented artists that we here at Not Lame Minus have been enjoying, supporting and recommending for many years.

Wyman's Pond Music Fest 4

The 4th Annual Wyman's Pond Music Fest is scheduled for Saturday July 27th, and the line up is set! Years 1 & 2 featured sunny dry weather. Last year, the final two acts got rained out. This year our fingers are crossed!

3 pm: Almanac Mountain

4 pm: Flair

5 pm: Elizabeth Lorrey

6 pm: The Rafters

8 pm: "Nights @ Niemi Cove"

WPMF IV

And Year 4 begins...

I sent out musician invites to several alumni, including 'lifers' Elizabeth Lorrey and Almanac Mountain. Barely 3 hours in, and Elizabeth has signed on for her fourth year playing my little music festival by the lake, the annual Wyman's Pond Music Fest.

I am going to try something a bit different this year, by both beginning and ending the day later than usual. I want to have an electronic act perform after dark, so there will be something new for everyone to experience. You know, aside from all of the new music everyone has put out in the last year! Check out the performer links for great sounds, both new and classic.

New Music on the Cheap

Here is a short list of cool new songs/EPs that are either free, or cost less than a fancy cup of coffee:

• Go get Seacoast New Hampshire resident Almanac Mountain's "The Responsible Rejection" - 2 songs for a dollar!
• Copenhagen's Cape Canaveral has a free 3-song Ep (including a cover of Galaxie 500's "Oblivious") on the always-great EardrumsPop site.
• Neptune Beach, Florida's Kids on Bikes has a fun 3-song set about (what else?) riding bicycles! Also free on EardrumsPop.
• West London's Lowpines offer three quietly awesome songs for free ("Heavy Hander" is a current favorite of this blog), including a cover of The Be Good Tanyas "It's Not Happening".
• And last but not least, check out Saitama, Japan's Kota-Hori. An array of interesting beats and tempos can be found here to blend your brain...

Sunny Seventeenth

If you are looking for a reason to get into the car and go for a sunny drive this Saturday (it's supposed to be a beautiful autumn day), may I suggest two musical options:

1. The Rafters will be performing their particular blend of poppy folk at the Pepperell Farmers Market starting at 10 am. Enjoy fresh New England produce and even fresher music with your coffee. And if you can't make it to their show today, you can catch them at the Main Street Cafe in Groton on the 29th...
2. Christopher Anthony Cote (of Almanac Mountain fame) will be utilizing his decades of guitar skill to bring down the house at Master McGrath's in Seabrook. They will be hosting their annual "Half Way to St. Paddy's Day Celebration", and Christopher will be supplying the traditional Irish music beginning at 7 pm. Why not spend the afternoon at Hampton or Salisbury Beach, and then have an old fashioned Irish evening afterward?
   

And if for some reason you do not have music on the brain 24/7 (as some of us do), then at least go out and visit your local apple orchard, winery or brewpub. Spend local, and take home a bag of apples, a bottle or two of wine, or a growler of ale. Or go to a state park and hike with friends or family. These sunny, dry and cool days won't be around long, and you'll thank yourself for the memories later!

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)
  

Bits of Business

There have been some 'goings on' lately with a couple of our favorite bands:

• Almanac Mountain has a special running for the next few weeks. You can snag the first full-length "So Many Seas" for a mere five dollars now by going here. He will be performing at the 2nd Annual Wyman's Pond Music Fest, and if you haven't already picked it up, now is the best time to prepare your mind for the live music awesomeness by grabbing the studio versions. Eleven great songs in an instant digital download, with a physical copy to follow in the mail. You can't lose. And check out his other music while you're there.
  
• The other bit of business: Sadly, 28 Degrees Taurus bids farewell to singer/bassist Karina. They had a fantastic 6-year run, but she wasn't working out anymore. According to the band she will still play with her other projects. Meanwhile, if you play bass, check out the band's site, see if you might be a good fit, and send them a note if you are interested in trying out for a fun band with a great sound. And if you just want to grab some of their music, you can find it all right here. See below for their new demo!

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.

Almanac Mountain - Free Live EP

In case you missed your chance to hear Almanac Mountain perform live on Portsmouth, NH's community radio station WSCA 106.1 on Saturday March 5th, you now have a chance to download it free for your listening convenience and enjoyment. Why not grab theses five songs in their raw 'in-the-moment' glory, ready to be loaded onto your mp3 player of choice in several formats, and spruce up your springtime playlist with some quality local music. You won't regret it! And if you get a chance, stop back again and let us know which versions of the songs you prefer (and why): the live takes, or the studio cuts from the marvelous "So Many Seas" album and the "When in Nature" EP.

Local Music Saturdays

Spring has sprung, and it's time for great local musicians to come out of hibernation (or in some cases continue the year-round touring). If you are itching to be out and about on Saturday evening, why not take a drive and listen to some of our favorite artists, most of whom will be performing at this year's Wyman's Pond Music Fest!

• Shirley, MA - 7 pm: Elizabeth Lorrey and The Rafters will be sharing the bill at Shirley Town Hall (on Seth Chandler Road), also featuring Rhode Island's own Becky Chace. With three bands for ten bucks, and a double dose of music from two of this year's WPMF line-up, attending this show is a no-brainer.
• Portsmouth, NH - 8 pm: Almanac Mountain takes the stage at The Blue Mermaid. Hear cuts from his full-length album "So Many Seas", as well as old favorites and new songs. On an additional note, you can also catch Christopher performing traditional Irish music in two places in Seacoast New Hampshire on St. Patrick's Day (Thursday the 17th): mid-day at The Coat of Arms in Portsmouth, and in the evening at Master McGrath's in Seabrook (call ahead for times).

So do yourself a favor and get out and hear some great musical performances, as you enjoy your springtime Saturday night, supporting fantastic local artists, and making some good memories. And as always, please stop back here and tell us how you felt about the event, and to find future dates from the best & brightest of New England's various local music scenes.

Almanac Mountain - So Many Seas

Seacoast NH's one-man outfit Almanac Mountain has released his first full-length album "So Many Seas" today, to much anticipation. You can get it at the artist's page here. For $9.99 you get an immediate digital download of 11 songs and a high-quality 13-page PDF of photos (they are spectacular), lyrics, and more. Later on (early December), a physical copy of the music will arrive at your door.

After a first listen (and having heard a few of the songs in raw form during live shows and in other places), here is a song-by-song set of initial impressions (note: I did not read through any lyrics before writing this):

1. "Rapunzel by the Sea" starts the music off well featuring the familiar Cote sound, along with a great story, and well-timed falsettos sprinkled throughout to good effect.
2. "Boris & Natasha" is an old song that appears to have been freshened up for this disc. It tells an interesting tale, and the new coat of varnish allows it to fit in with AM's current style.
3. "Thomas & Ursula" is a sad and thoughtful piano tune.
4. "Battery Park" is overpowered by the synthesizer and the other tech effects, and feels a bit out of place on this album. I was too distracted to listen to the lyrics properly. That being said, after a few listens, it is definitely an interesting song. It could drop rather seamlessly into a mix of Flock of Seagulls and Psychedelic Furs tunes.
   
5. "My Girl" reminds me of early Liz Phair in meter and tone. A silly little sing-a-long that is well-suited for fireside gatherings.
6. "Eurydice" is a haunting piano song with some interesting background effects. Very heartfelt and moody.
7. "Manzanita" is a carryover that links this summer's EP with the new album. It sounds like a pretty upbeat song by the music, but it is deceptively dark. Dig those harmonies!
8. "Lessons in Laughing" is an epic that wanders all over, but in a pleasing way. It is very ambitious, is interspersed with odd instrumentation, features an interlude with the vocal stylings of one Hannah Bailey, and yet it all meshes together to form an unforgettable song. After several listens I still can't pin down the tale being told, but the images of a frantic cross-country horse race haven't left my mind.
9. "An Emerald Parisian Evening" is perfect for watching the sun set, or for drifting off to sleep on a cold winter's night. Still my favorite after several hours of listening to the album.
10. "Hans & Ursula" - Boy that gal Ursula gets around! A moody piano & organ song that spirals downward a bit melodramatically, and then inexplicably reaches for cacophony. I didn't quite get it the first time through, but it actually works.
11. "My Love is a Lighting Rod" ends the album with a sweet melancholy ditty.

If you enjoy singer/songwriters, you will enjoy this album. There are definite Simon & Garfunkle vibes (without being derivative) on a few tunes, and interesting quirks throughout. You won't be disappointed. And if you missed Almanac Mountain's earlier June EP release "When in Nature", you can get that fantastic five song set here, in either digital form, or a limited edition (only 100 made!) CD-R.

Let us know which songs you like best and why!

New Hampshire Fridays

If you are going to be in the Seacoast New Hampshire area on Friday, why not check out a great local musician or two?

At 7 pm Almanac Mountain (along with The Tyrant Love) will be performing at new hotspot Kaleo Coffee on Main Street in Dover. Bring your friends, and come hear songs both familiar and new, while enjoying some of the best coffee in downtown Dover.

And at 9 pm renowned musician and artist Dan Blakeslee has a cd release at The Press Room on Daniel Street in Portsmouth. Check out his new disc "Tatnic Tales", and listen to him play selections from the album, as well as some old favorites, in the Seacoast's most famous music venue.

Better yet, try to hit both shows! They are only 10 minutes apart by car, so grab a cup of certified fair trade, organic coffee at Kaleo's, and then head over to The Press Room for a late sandwich and a local beer, all to the accompaniment of live sounds from the Seacoast's best & brightest musicians. And finally, as always, feel free to share your stories with us after the show(s)...

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

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.

Stuff To Do On A Saturday

So, you say you've got no plans for this Saturday evening. May I humbly suggest stepping out to a local music event?

By a freak coincidence, nearly all of the bands/musicians who will be appearing at the Wyman's Pond Music Fest on Saturday July 31st also have gigs this Saturday July 10th:

• 5 pm @ Church of Boston: Vanessa Kafka will be playing her amazing songs, both old and new, at this hip entertainment & fine food venue, just a few blocks from Fenway Park. With pool tables, plasma screens for the 1 pm Red Sox game, and a wide variety of beer, it's a great place to escape the heat, and make a day of it. And while Vanessa goes on at five, the music starts at three (bonus!). $8 cover.
  
• 8 pm @ Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA: Lee Villaire and the boys are launching her latest cd, "Curious". Plus you get the added value of experiencing the sounds of both the esteemed Elizabeth Lorrey, and young Rhode Islander Jack Babineau as well! So come spend the evening listening to three quality local acts, and eating some fine food. $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
  
• 8 pm @ "Goodnight, John Boy!": Almanac Mountain is performing at his rustic home base in Exeter, NH. It's an intimate show in an old Victorian house with label mate Octo Octo. If you live nearby and have time to stop in, or if you feel a road trip coming on, you won't regret experiencing Almanac Mountain's infectious brand of 'trip-folk', with a few acoustic numbers and other good stuff mixed in. $5 suggested donation.

As always, show times with links are at the top of the page, or just click the ones in this post. And if you can't make it to one of the events this Saturday, check out each musician's artist page for future dates. Plus, don't forget to respond to the e-vite for Wyman's Pond Music Fest on Saturday July 31st, where you'll get to see Vanessa, Lee, Elizabeth, Almanac Mountain and more, all in one beautiful lakeside place!

Almanac Mountain - EP Update

Now you can get Almanac Mountain's EP "When in Nature" in hard copy. For only five dollars you get five great songs on CD-R, packaged with homemade artwork (in a limited edition of 100). And though you have to wait a few days for it to be shipped, you get it in digital form immediately, for instant gratification! No waiting, plus a cool physical copy, equals fantastic music that you'll want to keep forever. Or share with a friend. Or both!

Click here to get yours, and immediately increase the value of your summer leisure time. And keep an eye on Almanac Mountain's website for live dates (find two listed above in the 'Upcoming Events' section) and more.

And if you are a true A.M. fan like we are, snag "Canopus: Outtakes and Bagatelles" for free! A collection of stuff left on the cutting room floor during the "When in Nature" sessions, with random fun bits mixed in. Six more songs at no cost. How can that be anything but good?

Almanac Mountain - "Boris & Natasha"

The latest video by Almanac Mountain, old favorite "Boris & Natasha", filmed at New Melones Lake in Sonora, California. And don't forget to snag his fantastic new EP "When in Nature" here...