The Clements Brothers bring “Dandelion Breeze” to the Parlor Room 4/19.

Charles and George Clements joined me on Nine Volt Heart to talk about their musical careers and their upcoming shows including a stop at The Parlor Room on 4/19. We begin with one of four songs from their debut release “Dandelion Breeze” called “Out of the Blues”. Our chat with these identical twins begins with their separate musical paths. Charles began the journey as a jazz saxaphone player while George went to Miami to go the classical music route. After some time, Boston became their focus and The Lonely Heartstring Band became their shared passion. The band recorded two excellent records but COVID and a decade together found the brothers searching for new approaches. Less bluegrass centric and totally emphasizing their incredible vocal interplay, the songs from that period became “Dandelion Breeze”.

Our segment includes a cut from Lonely Heartstring’s “The Roads Salvation” and the Clements’ “Morning Train”. Charles and George speak about the recording process and their creative song-writing methods. They’ve recorded a brand new album to be released later this year but songs will be debuted at the Parlor Room show on Sunday 4/19 . We discuss the songs and their shared and evolving meanings. We also talk about the uniqueness of being an identical twin (Editorial note: I am also an identical twin) in a creative duo. The DNA shared harmony vocals are astounding and featured on every cut. The songs “Help Myself” and the title cut finish the segment.

Parlor Room’s intimate seating is an ideal space to hear the Clements Brothers music. Don’t miss your chance. Details at ParlorRoom.org

Mattie & Debbie bring “Satan’s Junction” to the Parlor Room 4/11.

Sean Trischka and Stash Wyslouch will appear locally at the Parlor Room on Saturday 4/11 as their alter-egos “Mattie & Debbie”. I had the pleasure of chatting with these two creative guys about their collaboration and all the other projects they are part of. The segment begins with a old bluegrass standard “I’m Just Here To Get My Baby Out of Jail” from the debut release entitled “Satan’s Junction”. We begin our chat by delving into the two musicians history together and their choice of alter-ego names! We listen to the Deadly Gentlemen song “Fall Back” from an early band they both worked with. We chat about the creative process, the time frame of some of these songs. Some are newly minted in the studio and some are a decade old. We listen to their take on Dylan’s “Masters of War” from “Satan’s Junction”.

Both of these musicians are busy creatively (and personally; Stash is cradling his second child just a few months old) and we discuss a number of upcoming projects. Stash is part of Freshgass Institute’s “Great Fiddle Hang” at Mass MocA in June while Sean is touring with Carsie Blanton and appearing with his dad Tony Trischka’s project on Emily Dickinson’s poetry.!

We hear Stash on Molsky’s Mountain Drifters “The Dreary Black Hills” live in studio while we also hear Carsie Blanton’s protest song “Little Flame”. We chat about the songs and concepts on “Satan’s Junction”. You NEVER know what to expect from a Mattie & Debbie show. One thing not on your bingo card is a Sacred Harp Shape Note tune! Yet our segment finishes with the tune “Montgomery” from page 189 of the hymnbook. Give the segment a listen or better yet; head over to Northampton’s Parlor Room on Saturday 4/11. Details at ParlorRoom.org

Acoustic duo, Zoe & Cloyd, celebrate Ancestors roots while performing new original songs. Parlor Room show on 3/13.

Natalya Zoe Weinstein and John Cloyd Miller use their middle names for the band who will be arriving at The Parlor Room on 3/13. Together, this couple have looked back into their grandfather’s musical heritage to craft their latest album, Songs of our Grandfathers”. It is an intriguing mix of Natalya’s fathers Jazz and her grandfather’s Klezmer styles combined with John’s grandfather’s pioneering Bluegrass fiddle work. We begin with the band’s take on the bluegrass “Rocky Road Blues” followed by “Klezmer Clave Medley”.

Our conversation is wide-ranging. We cover the musical lineage of the recent release as well as the Western Carolinian’s experience recovering from Hurricane Helene in 2024. A recent single from Zoe & Cloyd is directly inspired by the recovery. It’s called “Lineman” and recounts the fears and isolation of this mountainous region during the rare Category 4 hurricane.

We also hear the latest single, “The Road That Might Have Been”. The storyteller contemplates the past with some regret and curiosity. The maturity of an aging person told with compassion and wisdom. We finish with an earlier song called “Neighbor”.

The band will be hosting a trip to Ireland for music fans. A real treat for folks who want to discover the destination in the company of these two excellent musicians. Make sure to check in with them when they play at The Parlor Room on March 13. The segment concludes at 39:00 minute mark with additional music following our chat.

Details at ParlorRoom.org for tickets. ZoeandCloyd.com for band info.

Tim Eriksen previews The Sacred Harp Convention at Bombyx; A Nine Volt Heart conversation.

Tim Eriksen is a musician, musicologist, professor known for his solo work, his band Cordelia’s Dad and currently Chair of the Annual Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Singing Convention held on 3/7-8 in Florence’s Bombyx Arts Center.

Our segment begins with Tim’s solo performance of “I Wish the Wars Were All Over” a song he recorded a number of times. He mentions that “I made the music, but the story comes from a manuscript of favourite popular songs written down by an American named Timothy Connor while he was imprisoned in Plymouth, England during the Revolution.It sometimes seems like the best words have been worn out through use, and I’m reluctant to tire them further. Then, sometimes, the simplest and most exhausted words and themes appear in a light that pierces. There’s something in this song.” The song has subsequently been recorded by many others including Joan Baez.

Tim Eriksen’s musical and intellectual curiosity seems to have no boundaries. He’s interested in topics like Bosnian folk pop, traditional New England hymns, South Indian Classical music, film, dance theater….He’s taught at most of the Western Mass University’s including Amherst College, Hampshire College and Smith College as well as in Poland and Czechia. He received his PHD from Wesleyan.

Tim begins with a haunting version of “Wayfaring Stranger” which is a nod to our first topic, the film “Cold Mountain”. Tim’s influence on that soundtrack is everywhere. From singing the vocal parts for actor Brendan Gleeson to contributing a number of traditional shape note songs to the soundtrack. Tim performs with Tim O’Brien, Rile Baugus, Dirk Powell, Stuart Duncan among others in the film. T Bone Burnett put together the score which was nominated for two Academy Awards. Tim tells his experiences in working with this amazing crew and cast.

We talk about Tim’s latest projects including a new punk influenced album, a new duo project with Peter Irvine as well as touring with Eliza Carthy in Europe (filling in for ailing Martin Carthy).

I ask Tim to play a song for us. He’s brought a banjo and a guitar along. He performs a song off his forthcoming duo project with Peter Irvine (also part of Cordelia’s Dad project). The album will be titled “Absence And Her Sister” with a song called “The Jolly Tinker”. We talk extensively about the history of Shape Note singing especially here in New England and the rural South. Tim details the process, the technique of learning and compiling these tunes. This is a participatory experience as opposed to a concert. March 7-8 in Bombyx. Experienced and novice singers are encouraged. Info about the event and details can be found at Bombyx.Live

We finish with Tim Eriksen illustrating a shape note song from “the book”. We also hear an example of a recording of 1999’s Western Mass Shape Note Singing Convention. This is followed by Tim’s “Better Day’s Coming”, Cordelia’s Dad do a live version of “Granite Mill” recorded at Northampton’s Iron Horse, and we finish with a song from “Cold Mountain” with Tim O’Brien.

Scott Metzger of LaMP joins Nine Volt Heart. Local show at The Drake 2/26.

Scott Metzger is a guitarist in the trio LaMP. They are playing at The Drake in Amherst Ma on 2/26 and we discuss the upcoming tour, the most recent album, “One of Us”, and much more in this radio segment. We begin with a cut from that release called “Nice Girl (Walks Loud)” a soul groove that gives you a sample of this organ-based funky trio. We talk with Scott about his early days playing jazz guitar and some of the life long lessons he learned in the NJ club scene as a teenager. Scott sets the scene when he first met Trey Anastasio and Tom Marshall ( Phish guitarist and frontman along with the band’s lyricist) in a small club in Princeton NJ. Little did the teenager know he was auditioning for a job in Tom Marshall’s band AMfibian.

We talk about the night in 2018 at Burlington Vt’s Nectars when LaMp became a band instead of a one time gig. They returned to Vermont the following spring to record their self-titled EP. The band has a serious resume! Russ Lawton (drums) and Ray Paczkowski (organ, keys) were both part of Trey Anastasio’s band while Scott Metzger’s many collaborations include a long stint with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. Their free-wheeling improvisational sets are wholly instrumental and decidedly funky.

Our conversation also touches on Scott Metzger’s work in Joe Russo’s Almost Dead where Scott takes on the Bob Weir songs from the Dead’s catalog. We reminisce about Bob Weir’s influence and his loss. We end our segemt with JRAD’s take on “Looks Like Rain” with Scott on vocals and guitar.

Scott introduces a cut from “One of Us” called “Backfire” to end our conversation claimimg it gives him space for a bit of a guitar solo which the catalog doesn’t feature.

Tickets are available for the 2/26 show at The Drake Amherst.org

Ramblers Take us to Church; Happy Valley Bluegrass Church at the Iron Horse 2/15.

Jim Henry and Chris Brashear are Deep River Ramblers who are joined by Annie Patterson for a fun project coming to the Iron Horse for three dates. It’s called The Happy Valley Bluegrass Church with the audience becoming the choir with the band (including Paul Kochanski on bass) accompanying. The lyrics for all the selections will be posted on a screen for easy sing-alongs. The trio premiered a four pack of songs live in-studio as examples of the Church’s repetoire. They opened with “Keep On The Sunny Side” popularized by The Carter Family, followed by an amazing version of “I’ll Fly Away” by Albert E Brumley. That song is likely the most recorded gospel song ever (with over 700 versions). Both songs became popular once again by their inclusion in the film ” O Brother, Where Art Thou”. Our segment includes a recorded version of Annie Patterson with Mary Witt covering Gillian Welsh’s “Orphan Girl”. The group did Tom Paxton’s “The Last Thing On My Mind” as well as The Carter Family’s “Gold Watch and Chain” to finish off the in-studio performance.

I included Chris Brashear’s “Mamas Opry” and the Deep River Ramblers “So Early” as well as Jim Henry’s ” Windy And Warm”.

Throughout the segment we dive into each band members career and projects. We discuss Annie Patterson’s work with an extensive song book “Rise Up Singing” and “Rise Again”; making Annie an obvious choice for the Bluegrass Church events. We talk about Jim Henry’s many sidegigs with musicians including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Paula Cole, Eliza Gilkyson and more. Chris Brashear chatted about his Jazz standards project “Jazz Sketches” and his Outdoor River Projects in the SW with Peter McLaughlin. Of course, there is a Deep River Ramblers show in Bernardston Ma’s Incandescent Brewing on 2/8 in the afternoon.

The Deep River Ramblers will also be the house band at Signature Sounds Tribute to Johnny Cash on March 22 at The Academy of Music. Special guests include Lisa Bastoni, Ward Hayden, Lonesome Brothers, Steve Sanderson and Christa Joy.

Tickets to the Happy Valley Bluegrass Church are still available for all three dates (Feb 15, March 15 and April 12) at IronHorse.org

Jackopierce visit the Iron Horse Feb 5; A NineVolt preview with Jack O’Neil.

Jack O’Neil and Cary Pierce have been making music together for over 35 years. Their original songs are harmony-laden folk perfection. They began their creative work as theater students at SMU in Dallas TX in 1988. Our segment begins with their autobiographical song, “This Is Our Time” which chonicles some of the band’s early success from independents to major label status. Our conversation covers their early Dallas roots and constant touring through the 90’s. We discuss the massive changes in the music industry over these thirty-five years and how the duo adapted. Jackopierce has created “Destination Shows” to allow their ardent fans opportunities to travel to exotic destinations for concert/vacation experiences like Napa Valley,Ca and Aspen CO as well as Martha’s Vineyard MA and many more. We chat about their creative partnership and how longevity has helped them work together. Jack O’Neil ends the segment by introducing the song “87” which describes the cultural and musical touchstones at the band’s inception. We follow that with their recordings, “Vineyard” and “Please Come To Boston”.

You don’t have to arrange to ” Go To Boston! “Your opportunity is at The Iron Horse in Northampton MA on Feb 5. Info at IronHorse.org

Michael Daves Re-Imagines R.E.M.’s Fables; A Conversation With Song.

Michael Daves is the long-time ringleader of NYC bluegrass scene with residencies at Rockwood and now Jalopy Theater in Brooklyn. His uber-talented band consists of Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, Jacob Jolliff on mandolin and Erik Alvar on bass. Michael plays guitar and sings. His latest project is an acoustic stringband reworking of R.E.M.’s 1985 album, Fables of the Reconstruction.

Michael as a youngster attended a summer camp in Georgia with counselors who all were R.E.M. fans from nearly Athens Georgia. Of course, those influences stayed with Michael over the years. He decided to give his band musical creative projects like recreating the music of Jimmy Webb and recently the music of R.E.M. and Fables came to be. We begin with the band’s version of “Driver 8” and include Michael’s versions of “Green Grow The Rushes”, “Feeling Gravity’s Pull” and finish with “Can’t Get There From Here”.

Along the way, we hear Michael’s approach and inspiration for this project and his new record label “Wild Geranium Records”. Give a listen to the original album as it celebrates it’s 40th anniversary or delve into these virtuosos versions; either way you’ll be rewarded with the creativity of those involved.

LeFever raise the temperature on NineVolt Heart! Parlor Room show on 2/7.

The duo of LeFever is Jeff Starns and Dawn Lepere. Their music has a way of raising the collective temperature of the room. Our in-studio segment featured five songs from the band ; four live and one was the title cut from their recent CD “My Kind of Life”. The segment starts with a live version of “In My Mind” followed by a new song, “Turpentine”. We discuss their take on the blues music scene including Blues Challenges; LeFever was a national semifinalist in Memphis in 2024. We preview their upcoming Parlor Room show on Saturday 2/7 and the full band joining them including Drummer Tommy Diehl, Bassist Diego Marque and guitarist Trevor Collins.

We talk about their search for authenticity in the blues genre as well as some of their favorite blues artists and singers. They talk about their creative process and their preferred elements such as composing, recording or performing. We finish the segment with live in-studio versions of “Down To Me” and “Sweet Tooth”. It was an astounding performance with strong vocals by Dawn and excellent guitar work by Jeff Starns. Folks interested in this local show should go to ParlorRoom.org for ticket information. Band info can be found at LeFevertunes.com

Tobey Sol Laroche previews his Parlor Room show on 12/18 on Nine Volt Heart.

Tobey Sol Laroche is a tireless advocate for music in our Valley. For almost a decade, he’s been an active force in many elements of our area’s musical eco-system. From venue booking and promotion to hosting an endless number of open mics as well as performing as a singer-songwriter; Tobey is involved in every layer of the creative heartbeat of our area. He makes his first appearance on Nine Volt Heart with a trio of original songs. We begin with “A Sweetness”, followed by “Afterglow” and finished with “Meaningful Conversation”.

Our conversation covers a lot of topics including his debut at Northampton’s Parlor Room on 12/18 with Matt Emmer. We talk about how his drumming background influences his songwriting and his optimism and spirituality which fuel his community-building. We discuss his work promoting the Marigold Theater in Easthampton while he coordinates multiple Open Mic events. Marigold Theater has an Open Mic on Thursdays while the National Spiritualist Alliance Open Mic in Lake Pleasant happens on the Third Tuesday night of every month. We chat about the difficulty in finding time in his schedule to focus on creativity and song-writing as his biggest obstacle in his songwriting regimen.

Details about his Parlor Room show on 12/18 THURSDAY can be found at ParlorRoom.org