Fri, 01/27/2012 - 9:06 am

Like a drive-in double feature on a hot summer night, singer-songwriter Mick Reed returns with his compelling sophomore album, filled with tales imbued with nostalgia, hope, and yearning that celebrate the human heart in all its grit and beauty.Goodnight Texas is a carefully-crafted work of pure Americana in which the accomplished New Englander, who has recorded with artists such as Hugh Pool and multi-platinum selling jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux, brings extraordinary insight and a distinctly cinematic vision to this musical journey into the American experience with vivid imagery, haunting characters, and contagious hooks. Reed, who doubles as an award-winning filmmaker, calls his songs “Yankee Americana,” blending elements from country, blues, jazz, and bluegrass to create unique and original music with a timeless feel.“His lyrics are so visual....and that's the common denominator of his songs: his lyrics paint rich and vivid images. But it’s more than that. It's that he's so damn convincing.”-Janet Schwartz, The Mass. Beat“Reed really shines on the ballads, and there are plenty of those here... Based on the music on Goodnight Texas, it will be well worth seeing what he does next.”- Darius Rips, No DepressionBuy the album at CD Baby

Thu, 04/19/2012 - 3:45 pm

Come celebrate the 10th Annual StrangeCreek Campout at Camp KeeWanee in Greenfield, MA. Brought to you by the kind folks at Wormtown Trading, this year's StrangeCreek will be better than ever with an outstanding musical line-up headlined by Max Creek, Strangefolk, and Donna the Buffalo. The weekend will also feature 80 musical acts including; Ryan Montbleau Band, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Toubab Krewe, Kung Fu, Jimkata, Dopapod, Adam Ezra Group, Cabinet, The Alchemystics, Van Martin, Rhythm Inc, The McLovins, and many, many more! Additionally, several bands were just added through their victory at the StrangeCreek Battle of the Bands. Congratulations to Rebel Alliance, The Jauntee, and Relative Souls!

In addition to great music, StrangeCreek also features three nights of wooded camping, FireWormz fire spinning show, food and crafts vendors, community bonfire, cabin jams, roaming entertainers, and plenty of good times. Coolers & Grills are welcome. This event sold out last year, and has become a staple of the festival calendar. Many folks view the StrangeCreek Campout as the start of festival season, when the Northeast's music fans bask in the sunshine and music at Camp KeeWanee.

The StrangeCreek experience embodies a true sense of community and compassion in a beautiful, scenic setting. There is something for everyone at this festival, where culture and diversity are celebrated through music, nature, and the people that gather. StrangeCreek is very much a family-friendly festival. The Fest has a special Kid's Cabin, featuring arts and crafts, face painting, and more. A big part of the StrangeCreek experience involves giving back. A portion of the festival's proceeds go back to Camp KeeWanee - a summer day camp for children. Camp KeeWanee provides a safe, nurturing environment for children where they develop self-esteem through exploring nature and the arts.

Other beneficiaries of StrangeCreek include the town of Greenfield, and Camp Quinebaug, a summer camp for children and young adults with special needs.

Strangers Helping Strangers will once again host a food drive for the Franklin County Community Meals Program.

Tue, 05/12/2015 - 12:46 pm

DeadBeat, the area's premier Grateful Dead tribute band, returns to play their 10th Anniversary Show at The Bull Run on Friday, May 29th. With such a large catalog of music to draw from, DeadBeat has the opportunity to bring their own unique style to the music, and also honor the flavor and flow that was the showmanship of the Grateful Dead. They are currently joined on stage by more recent additions to the band, vocalist Jenna Markard, formerly of the Zen Tricksters, and keyboardist, Rich Cessarini. This show is anticipated to be another great success at this beloved and historic venue!

DeadBeat has been performing the original music of the Grateful Dead and its family of bands, as well as music covered by those groups, since 2005. Lead guitarist Brian Stormwind and bassist Mike "Bails" Bailey have been playing together since 1988 and met rhythm guitar and vocalist Gary Barth in 2003. The band was finally formed when drummer Joe Pulitano answered a Craig's List ad in 2005. When these guys got together to play they decided to form a new band that focused on their mutual love of the music of The Grateful Dead and the Jam Band sound and experience. DeadBeat was born! They are currently joined on stage by more recent additions to the band, vocalist Jenna Markard and keyboardist Rich Cessarini.

DeadBeat has been playing up and down the New England Coast, including their highly successful benefit shows in early 2014 for the Oral Cancer and Dana-Farber Cancer Foundations. More recently, DeadBeat has played at the Old 78 Farm Fall Festival in Warwick, MA, Brighton Music Hall in Allston, MA, and the Opus Underground in Salem, MA. Back in February, in the cold, rain and snow of the bucolic New Hampshire town of Peterborough, NH DeadBeat played to a sold-out at Harlow's Pub. Check out the review. Now that the weather has turned, the band is now looking forward to returning to the much loved venues of the Riverwalk Café in Nashua, NH and The Stone Church in Newmarket, NH. DeadBeat has been keeping its chops in shape this winter and spring and the band is looking forward to hitting the stage this summer. Come celebrate with them and and dance to some good old-fashioned Grateful Dead music!

"There is nothing more special than when the music fully 'clicks.' Sometimes this can be in rehearsal, and sometimes onstage. Sometimes it is just a jam within a song, and sometimes it is a full show. No matter where and when it happens, there is nothing like being able to completely lose yourself in the moment...while the music plays through the band collectively."
~ Gary Barth

"There are lots for great memories from the last 10 years and it's hard to pin down the best - however for me it's real hard to beat the first time we played Brighton Music Hall, a place I used to frequent 30 years ago when it was called Harper's Ferry, never for a moment thinking that one day I will be playing on that stage."
~ Joseph Pulitano

"Love this band and its members; Bails (bass) and I have been playing together since 1988, met Gary (guitar) in 2003 through our wives, found Joe (drums) through Craigslist in 2005, and Jennifer, who I saw play in the Zen Tricksters in the early 80's, joined the band and hooked us up with Rich (keys) about 4-5 years ago. And now I am living the dream!"
~ Brian Stormwind

"My favorite gigs are the ones where the audience sings along and dances their butts off, we feed from their energy and the night becomes better for all involved, always at Harlow's and Stone Church and Brighton Music Hall. I liked the time we sold out up in Nashua at the Riverwalk Café and Bar even before sound check."
~ Jennifer Markard

"The music of the Grateful Dead is relatively new to me. While I am still not a "real" Dead-Head I have a new found respect for the material, the songwriting, and for their unique approach to performing music which was so very groundbreaking fifty years ago. The Grateful Dead are an American icon who have withstood the test of time. This is very apparent when we play for such appreciative audiences with members young and old. It has been a real learning experience and so much fun "Playin' In the Band."
~ Rich Cesarini

"The Riverwalk was a standout because it lead right into that very emotional Harlow's gig the following weekend." (Feb 13, 2015)
~ Mike "Bails" Bailey

Friday, May 29th
The Bull Run
215 Great Road Shirley, MA 01464
(978) 425-4311
Doors 6pm, show 8pm
Tickets $10, all ages

 

May 02

The Stone Church
Newmarket, NH

May 29

The Bull Run - 10th Anniversary Show
Shirley, MA

June 20

Riverwalk Cafe
Nashus, NH

July 22

Concert Series
Wellesley, MA

 
Fri, 02/26/2016 - 9:08 am

Jungle Jam returns to the beautiful beaches of Jaco, Costa Rica on March 11-13, 2016. In addition to the many intimate performances that can be expected at this unique event, Jungle Jam provides a special opportunity to enjoy all that Costa Rica has to offer. While soaking up the sunshine, fans spend time walking the beautiful shoreline on the beach of Jacó, exploring shops and native attractions on bike, or savoring the sights and sounds of Costa Rica's diverse wildlife. There are also several workshops and exclusive tours covering a wide variety of interests offered. Yoga, surfing, ziplining, deep sea fishing, nature tours and more are available.

In terms of music, in that arena this experience is again top-notch and all-star.

Grammy Award-winning bassist Oteil Burbridge headlines along with an all-star band of friends, including Jeff Sipe (currently touring with Warren Haynes and the Ashes to Dust band), Scott Murawski (Max Creek, Mike Gordon Band), John Kadlecik (Dark Star Orchestra, Furthur and the John Kadlecik Band), and Jason Crosby. Oteil's first step into the national spotlight came in 1991 when he became a founding member of the Aquarium Rescue Unit featuring Col. Bruce Hampton, a cult classic that has stood the test of time. That led to his membership in the classic rock group The Allman Brothers Band. Over the years, Oteil has shared the stage with rock and blues legends such as Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Levon Helm, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Johnny Winter, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow and Trey Anastasio. In 2015, Oteil joined Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, as well as John Mayer and Jeff Chimenti, to form "Dead & Company." Oteil is also currently working on his fourth solo record, "Water In The Desert," for which he has assembled an all-star group of musicians, including brother Kofi on keyboards and flute, Little John Roberts and Sean O'Rourke on drums, vocalists Alfreda Gerald and Mark Rivers, and producer David Ryan Harris. The record is expected to be released in 2016.

Ryan Montbleau will also be exciting fans at Jungle Jam. The Boston-Ma folk rocker will be joined by Congo Sanchez, Mike Love, Santos y Zurdo, Un Rojo, Talawa, Julio Najera, Matos, Matt Carey, and Esquina. The Costa Rican band, Sonumbulo, and the American DJ Jacques have also been added to Jungle Jam. To close out Friday night, we have The Bob Marley Jam, featuring Oteil Burbridge, Congo Sanchez, Mike Love, and many more!

The event will be held at the Hotel Doce Lunas, a four star hotel and yoga center located in Central Pacifica Costa Rica's Jaco Beach at the base of the jungle covered Rainforest Mountains. All hotel and condo packages include a VIP Ticket. All VIP tickets include:

♪ Early entry into Doce Lunas day of show
♪ Camping near the beach
♪ Exclusive access to Main Stage VIP Area
♪ Round Trip Ground Transport From SJO to Jaco
♪ VIP Pool Area
♪ VIP only Drink Specials
♪ Dinner in Band / Staff Catering Friday, Saturday and Sunday
♪ Plant a Tree on Hermosa Beach with Costas Verdes to help reforest Costa Rica's Beaches.

"I can't wait to get down there and jam in the jungle!" ~ Scott Murawski

"I have such great memories from past Jungle Jams. Great food, warm weather, yoga in the morning, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, great music and dancing, no military and no Monsanto! What more could you want?" ~ Oteil Burbridge

"I'm really excited for Jungle Jam with Oteil and Friends. I go way back w Jeff Sipe and Oteil and am thrilled to be playing with them again ... And in Costa Rica!!"~ Jason Crosby

Event Info
Hotel Doce Lunas
Quebrada Seca, 400 M E del Costanera, 61101 Jacó, Costa Rica
Tickets link
Tickets are $40 a day $99 for the weekend
VIP tickets are $420
March 11-13, 2016
Facebook
Website

Thu, 03/03/2016 - 12:07 pm

The Joe Marcinek Band comes to the Midwest for a 4 day run of shows March 16-19, 2016. Joe will be joined by an all-star line-up, including Ropeadope Recording Artist Freekbass and Steve Molitz of Particle and Phil Lesh & Friends. This run of shows will take the acclaimed line-up through Columbus OH, Evansville IN, Kalamazoo MI and Neenah WI.

Known for his work in Fresh Hops and Terrapin Flyer, Joe Marcinek heads the Joe Marcinek Band, an ever evolving mixture of original compositions and incredible musicians. Each show has a slightly different lineup and interpretation. The music is a blend of jazz and funk with a cerebral emphasis on groove and improvisation. Using the super jam format, the music of JMB blends funk and jazz into a high energy groove fest to the delight of improv-jam fans.

Recently, the Joe Marcinek Band performed for former president Bill Clinton's Clinton Global Initiative at the Field Museum in Chicago. The group has featured many prominent guests including Kris Myers (Umphreys McGee), Bernie Worrell, Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident / EOTO), Erik "Jesus" Coomes (Lettuce), Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), Mike Greenfield (Lotus), Borham Lee (Break Science), Steve Molitz (Phil Lesh & Friends / Particle) Joey Porter (The Motet / Juno What), Fareed Haque, Scott Metzger, Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy) Garrett Sayers (The Motet) Allie Kral (Yonder Mountain String Band), Freekbass, Vinnie Amico and Jim Loughlin (moe.) and more!

Ropeadope Recording Artist Freekbass joins the Joe Marcinek Band for this special run of shows. Fresh off a national CD release of his latest album, CINCINNATI, funk veteran Freekbass' shows have gained legendary status over the years for the music, showmanship, and the "you never know who will show up" status. "Freekbass isn't just another funk artist who regurgitates traditions. Despite growing up in the same Cincinnati/Dayton funk hotbed that produced James Brown's pioneering King Records catalog and Bootsy Collins and the Ohio Players, he's produced a 21st century style over the course of six releases that meshes traditional elements of funk with decidedly more modern soundscapes" (Relix Magazine).

Steve Molitz, of pioneering livetronica band Particle, is also featured in this all-star line-up. A keyboardist and songwriter, Molitz's innovative approach to keyboards and improvisational music has made him a mainstay on the national music scene since he first founded Particle fourteen years ago. Well-known for programming and playing vintage keyboards and analog synthesizers, Molitz appeared at the inaugural Moogfest (A Tribute to Bob Moog), and was later tapped to help design Moog's Little Phatty synthesizer. Molitz has also toured, recorded and performed with a wide range of artists, including: Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Robby Krieger (The Doors), Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), G Love and Special Sauce, Tricky, Eve, The Allman Brothers Band, and many more.

THIS MONTH
16MAR
Wed 8:00 PM in EDT · 23 guests
Columbus, OH, United States
 
17MAR
Evansville, IN, United States
 
18MAR
Kalamazoo, MI, United States
 
19MAR
Neenah, WI, United States

 

Wed, 05/11/2016 - 10:30 am

The Joe Marcinek Band comes to the Midwest for a 4-day run of shows from Wednesday May 18th through Saturday May 21st , 2016. Joe will be joined by an all-star line-up for this run of shows, including Jason Hann (of String Cheese Incident/EOTO), Steve Molitz (of Particle and Phil Lesh & Friends), and more. The band will be playing at Cabooze in Minneapolis, MN, Cranky PatÕs in Neenah, WI, Country Club BBQ in Peoria, IL and The Rave in Milwaukee, WI.

Known for his work in Fresh Hops and Terrapin Flyer, Joe Marcinek heads the Joe Marcinek Band, an ever evolving mixture of original compositions and incredible musicians. Each show has a slightly different lineup and interpretation. The music is a blend of jazz and funk with a cerebral emphasis on groove and improvisation. Using the super jam format, the music of JMB blends funk and jazz into a high energy groove fest to the delight of improv-jam fans.

Recently, the Joe Marcinek Band performed for former president Bill Clinton's Global Initiative at the Field Museum in Chicago. The group has featured many prominent guests including Kris Myers (Umphreys McGee), Bernie Worrell, Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident / EOTO), Erik "Jesus" Coomes (Lettuce), Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), Mike Greenfield (Lotus), Borham Lee (Break Science), Steve Molitz (Phil Lesh & Friends / Particle) Joey Porter (The Motet / Juno What), Fareed Haque, Scott Metzger, Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy) Garrett Sayers (The Motet) Allie Kral (Yonder Mountain String Band), Freekbass, Vinnie Amico and Jim Loughlin (moe.) and more!

When Jason Hann joined the rhythm section of the String Cheese Incident in 2004, he was no stranger to the big stage. Performing professionally since the age of 12, he has toured and recorded internationally with the likes of Isaac Hayes, Loreena McKinnett, Dr Dre, Rickie Lee Jones and Vinx. His depth and knowledge of percussion has taken him around the world to study in countries as far as Mali, Ghana, Haiti, and Korea allowing him a rare deftness to switch seamlessly through a variety of genres of music, whether it's Rock, R&B, Pop, Jazz, Latin, Latin-Jazz, Flamenco, African, Persian, Electronica, Techno and World music. With an extended biography that reads like the who's who of music, it's no wonder he found himself naturally drawn to developing a more experimental sound of his own, with EOTO.

Steve Molitz, of pioneering livetronica band Particle, is also featured in this all-star show. A keyboardist and songwriter, MolitzÕs innovative approach to keyboards and improvisational music has made him a mainstay on the national music scene since he first founded Particle fourteen years ago. Well-known for programming and playing vintage keyboards and analog synthesizers, Molitz appeared at the inaugural Moogfest (A Tribute to Bob Moog), and was later tapped to help design MoogÕs Little Phatty synthesizer. Molitz has also toured, recorded and performed with a wide range of artists, including: Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Robby Krieger (The Doors), Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), G Love and Special Sauce, Tricky, Eve, The Allman Brothers Band, and many more.

UPCOMING JOE MARCINEK SHOWS

May 18  Cabooze | Minneapolis MN  w/Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident) and Steve Molitz (Particle)

May 19  Cranky Pats | Neenah WI  w/Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident) and Steve Molitz (Particle)

May 20  Country Club BBQ | Peoria IL w/Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident) and Steve Molitz (Particle)

May 21  The Rave | Milwaukee WI w/Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident) and Steve Molitz (Particle)