Heather Maloney releases “Exploding Star” and sells out three local shows! NineVoltHeart interview.

Heather Maloney joined me for an in-depth discussion of her carreer and her latest album, “Exploding Star”; the local writer’s ninth release. She has two sold out shows at the Iron Horse on Feb 7&8th to begin a full tour featuring her most personal album yet. We begin and end the interview with the capstones of her album; “Labyrinth in the Weeds” and “Leave It To Them”. In between, our conversation touches on many topics including making Western Massachusetts her home base, her song writing approach to this new material as well as her visual artistry (creating linocuts for each song). We chat about the incredibly difficult chapter of losing her Dad to Parkinsons in 2021. She went to her childhood home to find it vacant of residents but not of ghosts and nostalgia among many emotions. Two of her new songs ended up being recorded at the home; literally using the walls and floors percussively! We chatted about the intensity of this formative experience to the process. The results are astoundingly touching, emotionally complicated and starkly beautiful! Heather talks about lessons she learned about grief and loss among these songs which weren’t originally scheduled for an album release at all. They were simply a creative artist working through issues. We are collectively glad that she reconsidered that decision.

Check out more about the album, the tour and all things Heather at HeatherMaloney.com

High Tea and Wallace Field preview their Iron Horse show 1/31; In studio on NineVoltHeart

I had the pleasure to host two fine young bands on the show in advance of their Iron Horse Music Hall show on January 31. High Tea (Isabella DeHerdt and Isaac Eliot) along with Wallace Field entertained us with conversation and song for the hour. We heard four live in-studio songs (most of which were new and unreleased) from the pair of indy-folk Valley favorites. High Tea performed “Whole Lotta Lovin'” and “Paper Mache” while Wallace performed “The Common” and “Lighthouse Man’. We also played “The Tale of Billy and the Void” and “Tender Heart Attack” from High Tea’s recordings. We also heard “Stranger” from Wallace Field’s latest record.

Both bands are clearly excited about their Iron Horse premieres having both sold-out Parlor Room gigs in the past. They will be welcoming full band versions of these songs at the Iron Horse. We chatted about each of their musical journeys and their song-writing styles. We also discussed our Connecticut Valley music scene and it’s viability along with it’s emphasis on collaboration and community building. Both bands have new material they’re working on with upcoming recording sessions scheduled. High Tea is also touring this month with Heather Maloney as part of her band (also playing the Iron Horse Feb 7&8)

Info on the bands can be found at WallaceField Music.com and HighTeaBand.com

Info on the venue and tickets can be found at IronHorse.org

The Secret Chord channels Leonard Cohen on NineVoltHeart.

Three members of The Secret Chord joined me in-studio in advance of their local show in Amherst Massachusetts on Feb 7. Gordon Kramer, Ruth Critcher and Jody Spitz performed four Leonard Cohen songs and discussed his music and influence during our lively discussion. In concert, the trio are usually joined by Ray Gregonis (bass), Jess Sproule (keys), and Patrick Kelley (drums). Their local show will be help at the Cherry Hill Cohousing Commons at 120 Pilpit Hill Road in North Amherst. Doors at 6:30 for their 7:00 concert.

Leonard Cohen had a long and interesting musical career from poet/songwriter to the leader of a large choir/ensemble. He wrote three novels, thirteen books of poetry and released fifteen albums of his own original music during a fifty year span. He started later than some at age thirty-two (debuting at Newport!) and had his career derailed by difficult producer Phil Spector, a stint on a Greek island, five years in a zen monastery in California, as well as having his manager embezzle all his earnings and his sell copywritten songs! Despite these setbacks, Cohen perservered and became a beloved artist to many culminating in a Canadian Hall of Fame honor and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction.

The Secret Chord has learned dozens of Cohen’s songs and performed “The Window”, “First We Take Manhattan”,”If It Be Your Will” and “Tower Of Song”. Along the way we heard Cohen recite Joni Mitchell’s “The Jungle Line” with Herbie Hancock on piano.

Our discussion entails several other musical projects from our members beyond Cohen’s music as well as a discussion of Leonard’s spiritual messages and musical impact. Give the segment a listen and head to Amherst on February 7 to hear the full band treatment of this amazing catalog of songs. More info on the band can be found at The Secret Chord.band

Eric Phelps talks songwriting and upcoming show; Luthiers on 1/25.

Eric Phelps works hard at his craft. He visited NineVoltHeart to play a handful of new songs that will be premiered at Luthiers in Easthampton on 1/25. We start with one of the fifty-five “new’ songs he’s written this year called “Never Had a Doubt in You”. We talk about the song writing process, his sources of inspiration as well as the impact workshops have had on his craft. Eric released an exceptional batch of songs in 2022 called “Let It Rain”. Since then he’s released a batch of singles and we heard both “Glad That I’m with You” and “Letter To Myself”. We also got another premiere live in-studio with “That’s Why They Call it a Crush”. We talk about his stellar band which performed on “Let It Rain” most of whom will join him on January 25. That show is free to the public! We finish our segment with “Unchanged” a rocking song from “Rain” to finish an excellent discussion on songwriting with the songs to prove that Eric is a real master craftsman.

Stephen Kellogg previews his Shea Theater all-request show on Nine Volt Heart.

Stephen Kellogg appears for the first time at Turners Fall’s Shea Theater on December 19. He was kind enough to join me on NineVoltHeart to talk about his career and this unique show. We began with his song, “If Anyone is Listening”, from his most recent release “Keep It Up, Kid”. Our conversation touched on a wide variety of topics including his early start in our Valley at both U Mass and as an intern at the Iron Horse Music Hall. We talked about his ability to learn from these early experiences and see the ecosystem of music as a possible career. We also touched on the importance of his family life (he has four daughters!) and how he’s been able to create a better work/life balance over the years.

We also talked about some of his most recent albums which lean towards “concept” albums such as his “South West North East” which was recorded in four different studios across the US with different producers, different bands and different musical vibes! His newest work, “To You, Old Friend”, not yet released features the concept of friendship from different angles.

Stephen Kellogg is not afraid to take calculated risks. He explored Job satisfaction in a TEDX talk, he wrote a book on his perspectives on life and family based on his album, “Objects in The Mirror”. He’s been a stand up comedian, a storyteller in addition to being a musical troubadour. His latest approach will be debuted at the Shea, Stephen is doing an all-request show! Fans write down their favorites and he picks from a hat to determine the setlist. That’s a considerable challenge considering his 17 album catalog plus random requests for covers? Should make for a fun night for his fans (and Kellogg, I hope).

We finish the segment with the song Kellogg had finished his shows with….”See You Later, See You Soon”.

Tickets and information at Sheatheater.com or Stephen Kellogg.com

December 19th, Shea Theater, Turners Falls, MA

Peter Newland, legendary leader of FAT, joins me in-studio. Iron Horse show on December 22.

Peter Newland brings his band, FAT, to the Iron Horse on December 22. He was generous to come by the studio and sing a few favorites and talk about what is now a 56 year career. We began with a cut from their RCA Records debut, which started this amazing run, called “Black Sunday”. Our discussion gives an overview of the band’s extensive history of “the next big thing” and “near misses” over the decades. Peter gives us background to the ups and downs of the music business over the years. Peter played a pair of FAT songs live in-studio starting with “Livin’ Like an Outlaw” and “When Will I Meet You?” alongside the title cut of the 1976 independent release “Footloose”. We finish with another signature tune from their debut, “House on the Corner”. Great stories along the way. Give it a listen and better yet, get your tickets to December 22 show at IronHorse.org

Maggie Shar brings her Clawhammer skills to the Solstice Show, Parlor Room 12/12.

Maggie Shar, Winston Salem NC native, brought their banjo in-studio to play a few tunes on NineVoltHeart. Maggie will be part of the Winter Solstice concert along with the Low Lily on December 12 at the Parlor Room in Northampton, Massachusetts. We chatted about her early influences in NC finding her way to the banjo. We discussed why she enjoyed playing in this style as well as her teaching style and philosophy. Maggie teaches private lessons in person or online at MaggieShar.com

She started off with a tune called “Half Irish” and followed that with some of her important influences and teachers. Maggie Shar is in a number of creative projects such as The Ephemeral Stringband, The Moon Shells, and Little Roots; a music education program for young players. Little Roots has appeared locally many times at Luthiers, The Parlor Room, The Academy of Music, the Iron Horse. The Little Roots program has been featured many years at both Arcadia Folf Festival and the Green River Festival.

We talked about the upcoming Parlor Room show that Maggie will be playing, along with fellow-“MoonShell”-er, Brian Slattery on fiddle. We played a version of “Sally Ann in C” that Brian and her recorded as well as a song from the Moon Shells called “Fireworks”. Maggie played a spirited tune called “Goldrush” solo banjo style and we finished the segment with a Moon Shell tune appropriate for the Solstice show called “Let Out the Light”.

The remainder of the hour featured songs from We Banjo 3, Mark Erelli, Mark O’Connor and Tony Trischka; all in the wintery spirit.

Tickets for the Winter Solstice show on December 12 can be found at ParlorRoom.org

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.