Low Lily brings the Light. Solstice Show at the Parlor Room 12/05.

Low Lily visited the studio to preview their upcoming series of Winter Solstice shows including a 12/05 date at Northampton’s Parlor Room. Liz Simmons, Flynn Cohen and Natalie Padilla comprise the band who will feature songs from their catalog along with seasonal favorites that focus on the Solstice; songs of darkness and light! They begin our segment with the appropriately titled original, “We Bring The Light”. The trio have a large repetoire of songs and tunes to choose from. Flynn and Liz have three albums as Low Lily as well as two as Annalivia. All three players have solo projects too. Among the live in-studio versions of four songs, we chat about the upcoming tour, the concept of a solstice celebration, as well as the mentors that helped each member’s careers. Natalie Padilla features a fiddle tune, the title cut from her album, “Fireweed” and the band finishes with a powerful acappella version of “Hope Lingers On”.

We premiere a brand new song for the Winter Solstice show, it’s a Kate Rusby song called “Night Lament” to finish.

Please join me at the Parlor Room on December 5 at 7:30. Details at Parlor Room.org

Deep River Ramblers preview new release and upcoming Parlor Room show 11/14

The Deep River Ramblers are Chris Brashear, Jim Henry and Paul Kochanski. They’ll be appearing this Thursday, 11/14, at the Parlor Room with their friend; the legendary Jim Rooney. The band just finished their debut EP for release in the Fall but listeners can hear most of the songs this week at the show. The band visited in-studio to play some favorites such as “Deep River Blues” which opened the segment. This Doc Watson favorite is responsible for the band’s name and their origin story. Signature Sounds suggested a tribute to Doc Watson as part of a Back Porch Festival lineup and these valley veterans were amazing. Ten tribute shows later and they continue to be the house band for the series.

One of the series centered on the music of Nanci Griffith and featured Nanci’s good friend and producer Jim Rooney. Chris Brashear’s history with Rooney goes further back to his early album recorded in Nashville with Jim Rooney producing. Jim Rooney has received LifeTime Achievement Awards from both the International Bluegrass Music Association and the Americana Music Association. Jim is a great story-teller, author, singer, and picker. The night promises to be a very special one.

Ticket info at ParlorRoom.org

For Joshua David Thayer, “It Will Still Keep Feeling Rough”; New solo record out.

Josh Thayer has just completed a number of creative firsts. His new album, “It Will Still Keep Feeling Rough” is the first time he’s written and sung songs. Ever. The first time he’s played guitar extensively on a recording, first time arranging strings, first time he’s released music alone with himself at the front of any musical outlet! Yet, he’s no beginner! He’s been a performing musician for 35 years, primarily as a bass player for bands like Hadley Transfer Station, Slumberland, Love Minus Zero and Fancy Trash!

Josh experienced all this because he made a decision to make a truly solo album; playing a number of diverse instruments; three types of basses, six styles of guitars, mandolin, ukelele, banjo, keyboards and synthesizers. He even played a Glockenspiel and programmed all the drum parts too. All recorded at his Massachusetts home studio, Brave Tiger Studios.

Our segment delves into his process and his songwriting ideas. We also get an insight into some of what influenced these efforts; his turning 50 and the death of his father whom the album is dedicated to.

We hear a trio of diverse songs from the new release beginning with “Anything But What You Want’ followed by “Peaceful Passing” and finished with the song that finishes the disc, “Mantra #2”.

The conversation is thoughtful and sometimes emotional. It’s an insightful look at an artist discovering himself channeling difficulty and turmoil into creativity. Give the segment a listen.

East Pointer Tim Chaisson updates Nine Volt Heart on new album and their Iron Horse show on November 11.

The East Pointers will be appearing at the Iron Horse on November. Fans of their celtic-indy folk music are eagerly awaiting their return. I spoke with Tim Chaisson of the East Pointers about their North East tour and touched on a great deal more. We discussed the band’s decision to carry on after the untimely death of Koady Chaisson in 2022 along with their decision to continue as a duo. We chatted about their pandemic live streamed project, Annedemic, involving reading a chapter of “Anne of Green Gables” as well as tunes and songs nightly at 6PM. The hugely successful stream went through three Anne books and concluded with the trio reading Dicken’s “Christmas Carol”!!

We talked about their collaboration with the Acadian folk band Vishten; creating the project dubbed Six Hearts which has continued. Both trios lost a core member in 20222 and got together informally to heal. The mix is alchemy at its best, thrilling festival crowds with the blending of traditions.

Tim is an eighth generation fiddler (let that sink in) and continues the tradition of the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival now entering it’s 49th year on Prince Edward Island. We talked about the community that this traditional music fosters and reinforces. Our conversation discovers a new East Pointers album is done and will be released in 2025! The band will debut an orchestral version of their music with the Nova Scotia Symphony in May of next year as well. But for now, Tim Chaisson and Jake Charron will be touring New England with dates in Portland Maine on 11/10, Northampton on 11/11 and Boston on 11/12.

Details at IronHorse.org

Kathleen Parks of Twisted Pine previews their Iron Horse debut, October 18.

Twisted Pine is playing a CD Release Party at the Iron Horse on Friday October 18 with the emphasis on PARTY. Kathleen Parks and her bandmates will be celebrating “Love Your Mind” which is released on the local label, Signature Sounds, for the occasion. The disc is full of upbeat songs and tunes guaranteed to turn the Iron Horse into a room of happy fans; new and old. Kat visits with Nine Volt Heart along with a batch of new songs! “Goosebump Feeling” and “Chanel Perfume (with Ali McGuirk)” from the new album along with “Ragin’ Cajun” from Kat’s latest solo work, “Rolling Down the Line” open up the segment.

Kat talks about the development of the band over time; personnel changes prompting stylistic decisions which lead to the latest album. It’s a mix of all the members influences as well as a collaborative effort, There’s fiddle tunes, danceable pop songs, special guests and even a Frank Zappa cover! We chat about the making of the album with co-producer Dan Cardinal at Dimension Sound. This is the third album in a row at his recording studio and the comfort level shows. There’s a great mix of instrumentals and songs; great mix of instrumentation with bass, guitar, mandolin, fiddle and flute throughout. The band sounds cohesive without being bored. They all are credited with songwriting as well on most cuts. There’s party songs, love songs, and everything in between.

Kat introduces our last song, “After Midnight (Nothing Good Happens)” as a phrase her Dad mentioned off-hand. He was a trumpet player in a jazz band so likely know this bit of advice first hand. It discusses the dilemma all players experience when the urge to pick all night at a festival clashes with the need to sleep and be ready for an important set the next day. You’ll have to listen to find out what choice gets made!

Twisted Pine with Ali McGuirk at the Iron Horse. Friday night October 18. IronHorse.org for details.

Sami Braman to perform her “Riveting” set of fiddle tunes at the Parlor Room, Wed 9/4.

Sami Braman is an accomplished old time fiddler. She’s been at it since she was six, leading a band since she was eight! Early training at Pacific NorthWest camps and festivals has led to many musical projects such as The Onlies, Willie Watson’s Band, and her own stringband. Frank Evans on banjo, Jake Stargell on guitar and Emily Mann on bass join Sami’s fiddle for a show at Northampton’s Parlor Room on Wed 9/4.

Our conversation is interspersed with tunes from her band release, “Riveter” alongside her work with The Onlies. We talk about her musical journey, her college choices, her playing with Willie Watson on record and on tour. Sami talks about the pride she has in running the Fiddle Tunes camp that she grew up attending. She discusses her move to Nashville Tn, a town jammed full of amazing fiddlers as she continues to grow as an artist. Catch the next phase of that growth when she leads her talented band on tour as the Parlor Room reopens for the Fall season. Details at ParlorRoom.org for details.

Wendell’s Town Crier Kathy-Ann Becker joins my radio show, The Town Crier!

I’ve had lots of guests on the Town Crier in the last three years but never a REAL Town Crier! Kathy-Ann Becker, Wendell MA’s Town Crier, joined me to talk about her role in this now rare public service. Along with her handbell, 1781 Farmer’s attire and a proclamation to start the show, Kathy-Ann was a joy to chat with. We got a thorough history of the role that a Town Crier played in the eighteenth century as well as a look into more current duties as well. We chat about what makes a good Crier, how to become one (There’s only four in Massachusetts), we even compared what I attempt to do on my radio show to a Town Crier’s role.

Kathy-Ann will be heading to Provincetown this Fall for the American Guild of Town Crier’s competition. We know she’ll represent her Town of Wendell well! After, she’s been the Town Moderator for 29 years and stays active in Town festivities. She’ll be appearing at Wendell’s Old Home Days this Fall as well; ringing her handbell and proclaiming the news to all!

Anyone curious about applying for Town Crier themselves? Check out AmericanTownCriers.org for details.