Resolution

2017 will find us posting a great deal more frequently.

On deck:

• Several live show recaps.
• Free music links.
• The usual updated local music dates.
• And finally, a 5th Wyman's Pond Music Fest!

Time to get back to work...

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.

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)
  

A Week of Great Live Music

"And lo, the sun burst forth from behind the mountain, and the songs of angels danced in mine ears..."

This week has several great chances for you to get out and hear some fantastic local musicians:

• Wed 7-27: Abbie Barrett will be at Bloc 11 (Union Square, Somerville). A solo show at 7 pm featuring songs both old and new!
• Thu 7-28: Elizabeth Lorrey can be found at the Main Street Cafe in Groton, MA with old pal Kris Lucander sitting in on bass! They will be onstage from 7 - 9 pm.
• Sat 7-30: This is the big one! The 2nd Annual Wyman's Pond Music Fest will be sending out soundwaves from 5 New England bands in a day-long extravaganza that should surpass last year's inaugural event. Catch lakeside sets by both Abbie and Elizabeth, plus Almanac Mountain, The Rafters and Vanessa Kafka (her only live show in 2011). Definitely a day not to be missed!

So find your way to one (or all) of these great music venues and enjoy the sounds and company of your local talents - you won't regret it!

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!

:::Cricket Noises:::

It's been a pretty quiet month here at Not Lame Minus.

I had posted a music survey, but life being what it is (folks just getting through the winter, hunkering down with family, the economy), there was very little interest, so I deleted it. Money has been tight all around, so there were no NLM group adventures (though not for lack of trying). Thus there really hasn't been much to write about.

That being said, here are a few notes:

• Rob has opened up a "solo shop" of his own over at "The Amazing Adventures of Mediocre Man!". Check him (and his writing) out, but be warned: his musings are usually rated PG-13, and sometimes veer beyond R (haha). he has a sharp wit, and a keen eye for the absurd.
  
• There have been some cool musician additions for the music festival I am producing this summer. Keep an eye on them at "Wyman's Pond Music Fest". And save the date of Saturday July 31st for an amazing day of local musicians and fun in the sun.
• Speaking of "solo shops", I have been keeping a more personal blog since last October at "Kendar Keep" for when I feel like babbling about non-NLM stuff. Feel free to poke around and comment. There are more photos than there usually are here, and I end each entry with a playable song from whatever cd I am spinning as I write (thanks Lala).
  
• Spring is nearly upon us! When it's warm enough to sit around outdoors for a few hours at a time, the LakeFest season for 2010 will launch.
• And as always, keep an eye on the top of our page for local live music dates (updated weekly) and outdoor activity links sections for fun stuff to do.

In-Blog Play:

10 Mile Stereo - Beach House

Wyman's Pond Music Fest

Instead of just being incredibly supportive of our local musician friends by listing their live dates and attending many of their shows, I have taken it upon myself to produce a one-day music festival this summer!

So Saturday July 31st will be a day-long lakeside live music event. Some of the artists you see listed in the live dates above, and in the Local Musicians section on the right will be playing acoustic sets that day.

Further details and updates are posted as they occur at the official site. Become a follower to stay in the loop! And if you play guitar or percussion of some sort, and would like a slot in our "Amateur Hour", drop me a line at NotLameMinus@gmail.com for consideration. There is limited space for both performers and attendees, so save the date!