Archive

October 28, 2008

  • Sounds of ‘Gossip’
    Ray LaMontagne, whose third album “Gossip In The Grain” recently debuted on top of the iTunes charts, is a true Mainer whose music…

October 15, 2008

  • A solid groove
    Although Southern Maine is sometimes dismissed by those upstate as an extended arm of big-city Boston, one of the state’s most tightest…

September 30, 2008

September 16, 2008

  • Backstage with Jaye Drew
    Megan Jo Wilson was in Spain when she got the call from Kenya Hall about the project she was putting together in Maine. Kenya had assembled a lineup…
  • Underappreciated gem
    The new millennium has redefined “Coffeehouse Couture.” The intimacy of artists from Joan Baez to James Taylor, waxing about politics…

August 20, 2008

  • Welcome ‘Distraction’
    One underappreciated local release this summer was the debut of young folkie Marie Moreshead, whose “The Distraction E.P.” is one of the…

August 5, 2008

  • Bringing it ‘Home’
    In a genre as steeped in tradition as bluegrass, it is risky for a group to efficiently experiment within genre restraints. But while Portland-based…

July 16, 2008

  • ‘Take’ two
    Strangely enough, Phantom Buffalo likely owes some of its local popularity to television star Zach Braff, whose 2004 film “Garden State”…

July 8, 2008

  • From rocker to writer
    After 20 years of living the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, Freeport resident J.A. Landry has turned his talents to literature. Early this year…

July 1, 2008

  • Carrying their ‘Weight’
    You rarely hear a bad Americana group. If bandmates are mature enough to find the beauty in this simple, yet emotionally raw, type of music, chances…

June 25, 2008

  • Melynda Amann has battled -- and won
    After a fight and victory over breast cancer, Melynda Amann, frontwoman of By Blood Alone, is back on stage for a summer full of gigs. I interviewed…

June 17, 2008

  • Pubcrawlers drink ‘Again’
    Unsurprisingly, The Pubcrawlers’ sophomore album, “One Too Many Again,” is best listened to in the midst of the ultimate social…

June 11, 2008

  • Jonesin’ for country-pop
    With a new self-titled CD and a summer tour, Laurie Jones is on fire. Playing what some might call country-pop or folk rock — or maybe…

June 4, 2008

  • Creative ‘Urges’
    It is often difficult to understand how some bands make the leap from humble beginnings to creative genius. A classic example remains The Beatles…

May 28, 2008

  • The real band
    Pinsky is a brand-spankin’ new band in Portland driven by the love of rock, musical growth and community. Band members Andre Tranchemontagne…

May 21, 2008

  • Usher takes a ‘Stand’
    Usher’s massive career has yielded three smash records, yet with the release of his next surefire smash, “Here I Stand,” he has…

May 14, 2008

  • Attack ...
    Giraffe Attack is a new-ish three-piece rock band comprised of Eric Bettencourt (lead vocals and guitar), Chris “The Cheese” Chasse (bass…

May 7, 2008

  • Expanded horizons
    Death Cab For Cutie faces a mixed relationship with success. On one hand, it is the inherent goal of any rock group to issue its music to their…

April 30, 2008

  • Greetings from ...
    Charlie Gaylord, executive producer of Cornmeal Records, has made a name for himself in several aspects of the local music scene. He played for the…

April 24, 2008

  • Tokyo Police Club develops sound
    Music critics love to categorize and recategorize music until it is properly pigeonholed in an easily digestible explanation. But sometimes the…

April 16, 2008

  • What'd I Say - Darien Brahms
    Darien Brahms, a local singer/songwriter, released her first album, “Hello, Hello to the People,” in 1992. She’s been working on…

April 10, 2008

April 3, 2008

  • Gotta have that funk
    Sly-Chi, a local funk, soul, R&B, rock and jazz band, released its second album, “The Space,” and celebrates with a release party at…

March 26, 2008

  • Gnarls Barkley’s odd success
    The meteoric rise of Gnarls Barkley was as unexpected as it was deserved. After climbing the charts with the ubiquitous 2006 anthem…

March 19, 2008

  • All that JAZZ
    Originally from Canada, Titus Abbott has been living in Maine for six years and playing alto and soprano saxophones and bass clarinet in local…

March 12, 2008

  • Crowes fly high again
    Rumors of a Led Zeppelin reunion tour must strike fear in the hearts of The Black Crowes. With a blues-soaked crunch reminiscent of the classic…

March 5, 2008

  • Maine blues
    Samuel James, one of my favorite local musicians, is a one-man show of steel guitar playin’, story-tellin’, toe-tappin’…

February 27, 2008

  • Mountain ‘Pride’
    One band struggling over the fine balance of remaining hip while not slanting precocious is The Mountain Goats, a little-known but fervently-adored…

February 21, 2008

  • What’d I Say - Call & Response
    Playing acoustic guitar, harmonica and soulful melodies, Jon Call is captivating audiences all over Maine. After Call opened for Livingston Taylor…

February 13, 2008

  • In the studio ... with Vanessa Torres
    Since she was old enough to pick up a pencil, Vanessa Torres has been exploring life through song. A passionate singer, guitarist and songwriter…

February 7, 2008

  • Slap-tastic tour
    Local punk band The Hi-Fivin’ White Guys, made up of Josh Malia (guitar and vocals), Leon Samson (bass and vocals), Shane Problem (new guy on…

January 30, 2008

January 23, 2008

  • What’d I Say - Gothic hip hop
    Brzowski, an indie hip hop artist, is mostly labeled as “New England Gothic Hip Hop.” But don’t get him mixed up with today’s…

January 17, 2008

  • Rocking back to basics
    In the face of plummeting music sales, record execs are eager to push artists who marginally satisfy many ears, no matter how thin the results may…

January 9, 2008

  • Doomed for Success
    Moss Mountain Project is a local “doom folk” band comprised of Tim Ouillette, Peter Hill, Jeff Harmon and Matt Blanchard. The band has…

January 4, 2008