First off, thank you all for reading the first letter and for being here for round 2. Means a lot. Extra thanks to the few that wrote back. Great to hear from you!
So my sister Sarah and I just returned from a trip out to California to visit our brother Joshua Eden. It was a week full of tacos, hanging with big trees and writing songs. Before we arrived it had rained. Everything was vibrating green. Hopefully Maine ain't too far behind.
And now we are announcing another Review at The Press Room on Wednesday April 23rd. This night will feature Kenya Hall, Sarah Boyden and New Hampshire native Gina Alibrio! Yes, it's a school night, but it starts at 7pm, and can you really say no to these three incredible women backed by The Finestkind? I don't think so.
New Music from Sarah Boyden
Sarah's debut single “Faith Through The Wrong” is available wherever you stream music. Her follow up, “Tattered Shirt,” another song penned by Connor Garvey, comes out on April 2nd. This lovely tune is a dedication to our Mom, who would have turned 85 on the release day. You can presave the song here!
In this section I'll highlight a few things of note, but if you want to know all the local live music happenings, I highly suggest following Portland Noise. They have the most comprehensive calendar since the back pages of The Phoenix (minus the personals).
Nov•el
Kate and I went to Nov•el to see Whit Walker, Plague Dad and Dan Blakeslee at this sweet spot on Congress Street a few weeks back. Great vibe, lots of books, beverages, games, and an intimate performing space in the basement. I sipped on a high quality negroni, listening to some folk-punk-protest music from these guys. Kate also checked out a bingo burlesque night recently. Something for everybody.
Launch of Filthy Records
This new venture from Jay Caron, god.damn.chan and DJKTF is an “anti-streaming, pro-music label”. Can't wait to see what they are cooking up. Sign up for their mailing list here.
Dave Gutter & The Illuminati Live at PHOME
Gutter celebrates the release of his new album The Music Industry Is Trying To Kill Me on April 18th. Psyched to put my ears on this new record! Tickets here.
Clifford Cameron hosts Jazz Sessions at Blue
A weekly Wednesday night staple that is hosted by a rotating cast of local players; Clifford Cameron takes the reins on April 2nd. I played a few Friday Funk Nights with him at Maine Craft (RIP). He is one hell of a musician. Follow him, and go hear him play!
Live Nation Aims To Build 3k Cap Room Next To Merrill
If you haven't heard, music's biggest corporate monopoly is trying to build a room adjacent to our city-owned theater. My take on it runs parallel in some ways to the recently announced Back Bay Fest. I love the idea of a festival of that scale coming to the area, as well as a larger room (just not Live Nation…), but neither of these projects address the logistical impact of traffic and parking. Both would be better suited in different locations, like say a festival at Cumberland Fair Grounds or Thompson's Point, where infrastructure already exists and it wouldn't be privatizing public land. Or build a new venue in Westbrook or Biddeford to expand the state's access to great live music rather than cramming it all on the peninsula.
The fest is a done deal but the Live Nation room is not. Two overflow rooms at City Hall were full of concerned citizens at a recent planning board meeting. Word is there will be another meeting scheduled soon. Follow Maine Music Alliance for updates.
That's all for now. Stay sane, stay creative. Catch you around the scene.
