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.

Bandcamp Friday

Today Bandcamp is waiving all of its fees so the musicians receive 100% of all sales of their music. Naturally I've been hyping it all afternoon, and so far I've spent $34 on great new music from several old favorites and a few new finds:







I also grabbed a pair of songs from Tiny Fireflies, including the previously-available only on YouTube "Melody", and a pair from The Bilinda Butchers. Plus I'm considering a few more...

So race on over if you want to snag some great music, and help out musicians who cannot tour to support themselves during this Covid-19 pandemic.

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!

RECORD STORE DAY - Saturday April 17th

Record Store Day is celebrated every year on the third Saturday of April. It is a day-long celebration of independent record stores: places that used to be the backbone of musical discourse, as well as a weekly destination for new stuff. This year it takes place next Saturday, April 17th at a local independent record store near you. Visit the site for a store finder with participating locations all over the US, and the rest of the world.

When I was a kid in my hometown of Westminster, MA I was fortunate enough to have a store right on Main Street called Stop and Cop. I bought nearly all of my 45's there as a little kid, my first of many cassettes (REO Speedwagon's "Hi Infidelity"), and my first import CDs (several by Cocteau Twins) in college. Whenever I had extra money, I'd walk or ride my bike down to the store either alone or with friends, and figure out what favorite songs I could afford, and talk to the owner (the supremely knowledgeable Ray C.) about what he thought was good. Several of my friends worked there during and after high school, so it was a great place to hang out when the owner wasn't around, and talk about music, girls, or where the next party was. And it was conveniently sandwiched between Cumberland Farms and the local pizza place (Mike & T's Pizza, now called Town House of Pizza). Sadly, Stop and Cop is no longer there (r.i.p. 2005), as Ray decided to focus on his eBay store. I can't imagine what my musical exposure would have been like without such a convenient place and friendly atmosphere so close at hand.

Once I was in college, stores such as Nuggets on Commonwealth Ave, Mystery Train in Harvard Square (now in Gloucester), Planet Records in Kenmore Square, and Newbury Comics in several places drew my friends & me in anytime we were on walkabout in the Greater Boston area. To be honest, I loved the big Tower Records on Newbury Street as well (for their selection), but their staff wasn't as knowledgeable (or nearly as friendly) as any of the indies, and I always felt like I had to rush (and was being watched) when I was in there.

As an adult I've always opted to patronize an indie store over a chain when I can. Newbury Comics is still going strong; Bull Moose Music in Portsmouth, NH was a frequent destination during my 6 years on the Seacoast; and anytime I go on vacation, I always seek out the local record store. In fact, last spring Brian, Gavin & I were at Aboveground Records in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard during last year's Record Store Day! There was a festive vibe, tons of people, lots of music chatter, and I walked out with 3 CDs that I got for 99¢ each! Sweet.

So if you have some free time next Saturday, stop in at your local participating independent record store and take advantage of the atmosphere, exclusive promos, live performances by acts both local and national, and other fun stuff, and talk to the educated staff & fellow music-loving customers you run across. Bring the kids!

In-Blog Play:

Life Boat - Miranda Lee Richar...

Made in Massachusetts

It has been proven many times over that if you spend locally, your dollar spends more time in your community, and works harder for everyone. If you are as much a fan of helping local businesses as I am, then you may want to check out the following links to companies in Massachusetts that I learned about on Wednesday night's Chronicle on ABC Channel 5 Boston. Each company listed below started small, puts a lot of care and handiwork into their products, and provides jobs which are a boon to the folks of the region.

• Sterlingwear - High quality winter wear. They make the peacoats for the US Navy.
• Vanson Leathers - For all of you motorcycle riders, and all-around fans of leather clothing.
• Best Friends Cocoa - Hot cocoa in four spectacular flavors! It's not just for winter (think fireside, after dark down at your lake/beach/camp, or for quiet backyard sunsets).
  
• Bay Shore Chowders - A variety of seafood chowders and bisques, both old favorites and exotic recipes.
• Aunt Sadie's Candles - If you're tired of your usual candle company, try this one. In addition to many standards and old favorites, they have several unique scents I've never seen before (iced tea! pipe tobacco! leather! beer!), and a $16 candle burns for 75 hours in a classy designer tin. The company even turned down bigger accounts to avoid having to ship the labor overseas!
  
• Wachusett Brewing Company - Sure, they weren't on the show, but how could I pass up a chance to plug my hometown brewery! Whether you are skiing at Mt. Wachusett, or dining at any number of restaurants all over New England, you have to try their beers if you get a chance. I recommend the Nut Brown, and the award-winning Blueberry Ale ("#9 Best Beer in America" - Stuff Magazine, 2005).
  

Also, check out this cool article about experiments where creating and utilizing a local currency could actually help the economy where you live. Creative and fascinating stuff.

Tell us about YOUR favorite local business (either in MA, or where you currently reside), and you could win a sampler of Best Friends Cocoa! Either leave an interesting plug in the comments section of this article, or send us a note at NotLameMinus@gmail.com We will choose a winner at the end of the month!