FINESTKIND FLYER #1
Hey, hey! Dan Boyden here, writing to you cause I’m launching this newsletter (frequency TBD) to share with you what I’m up to, musically and otherwise, what’s cooking at Finestkind Music, and to share other happenings around the Portland scene. If this ain't for you, no worries. There's an unsubscribe button below.
This landed in your inbox cause, well, you're a great human that I appreciate. And with the current state of the world, I'm finding comfort in connection with my community, particularly outside of the social media landscape. My other solace is in making music These letters will mostly be about those two things: a way to connect with you, to share snippets about new sounds and some opportunities to feel some collective joy.
Here it goes….
I'm starting to come out of hibernation. Been a winter of swinging a hammer and laying low. I just returned from the Hudson Valley after tracking the new Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds album. We also played at Levon Helm Studios again. One of the many perks of performing there is I get to sit behind his drums. If you haven't been, I highly suggest taking a pilgrimage to this mecca of music.
You can also find me every Tuesday at Oxbow in Portland playing with Damn B from 7 to 9. Come for a beer and some fries from the Duckfat Frites Shack and to hear some killer instrumental hip hop/vibe/jazz band with Stu Mahan, Kyle Friday, Tyler Quist and Charlie Sichterman on drums. Yup, I get to play everything else for a change. It's a vibe.
Now for the BIG announcement…
The Finestkind Review Live at the Waldo, April 12th
Mark your calendars, we're taking the show on the road! Spread the word up and down the coast, The Finestkind will be joined by three incredible artists: Kenya Hall, Dominic Lavoie and my sister Sarah Boyden at the historic theater in downtown Waldoboro. Tickets are available HERE!
For this review show we have Stu Mahan on bass, Max Cantlin on guitar, Tyler Quist on keys, Emma Stanley on trumpet and Brian Graham on sax. Come hear this stellar band perform behind three incredible featured artists. 
New Releases from Finestkind Music
The debut single from Sarah Boyden “Faith Through The Wrong” is out on Bandcamp HERE. It'll be available on all streaming services next Friday.
A raucous roots rendition of a song penned by Connor Garvey, the track features Dawson Hill on piano and Josh Duym on guitar. Imagine if Jon Cleary and Derek Trucks backed Bonnie Raitt on a run-away train-beat song. Yeah, it's fun. Recorded at Stu Mahan's studio in Damariscotta, Mahan also mixed and laid down the low end on this thumper.
Scene & Heard:
Here are some happenings around town that you should check out! I'll be behind the kit for a few of them.
Tonight! Red Eye Flight Crew: The Lonely Hearts Club Ball at PHOME, Feb 14th:
Portland's favorite party band is back with another love song fueled dance party. These shows sell out. Hope you got your tix already. Remaining tickets will be available at the door.
The Merch Table at 144 Fore St, Feb 22nd
The brainchild of drummer Ryan Curless (Spose, Wolff Sisters, Dave Gutter), this is an event for all Maine music fans. From 12 to 2 pm at Austin Street Brewery on Fox St, there will be a music merch flea market. This is also guaranteed to be a great hang. Put it in your calendar. Hopefully this will be a recurring event.
Kenya Hall and Suzie Assam at Blue, Feb 22nd
If Kenya is singing, then you go. It's good for the mind and the soul. Same for Suzie. Enough said. Tickets here.
Dominic Lavoie, Cilla Bonnie, Is She? at Oxbow, Feb 28th
Lavoie and Full On Voltron have assembled a stellar line up to celebrate the release of their new album, Round Trip. Scoop the album now from bandcamp here or at the show. It is another incredible work of art, musically and visually, from the Madawaska man and his band.
Get there early for Cilla Bonnie and Is She?, two incredible musicians, writers and singers. I started playing with Is She? last year. Her music is ethereal, imaginative and fresh. Also Cilla is a BAD ASS but you probably already knew that. Tickets available here!
Bess Jaques
I recently caught Bess at Frog & Turtle in Westbrook. She's a fantastic musician. You can hear her regularly at Blue in Portland and on the grand piano at the Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. Go check her out!
Hi-Fidelity Brewery
This tucked away spot on Anderson St. has a full calendar of music and a great vibe. Some regular events include a weekly original open mic on Mondays as well as Groove Space, an open jam hang on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays hosted by Space Fog Collective.
So there you go, a sample of what's in store with these letters. And being a letter, this is also an invitation to write back at finestkindmusic@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you.
Keep your head up. Keep loving each other. See you soon,
Dan
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