Jim Olsen has long since established himself as a man with an uncanny knack for finding local talent. When it comes to the latest project his Signature Sounds has lent its support to, the label pres admits it was actually a knock at the door that led to a collaboration with the Knack (knack.org).
“They asked for a donation of unused CDs, jewel cases and LPs,” he says of the for-profit business that has set up a “Pop Up Shop” in Olsen’s new facility on 32 Masonic Street in Noho to showcase and sell “creatively used/donated materials once destined for the landfill.”
“We donated quite a bit,” says Olsen, “and as a thank-you gift they gave us a gorgeous chandelier made of jewel cases which now hangs in our entranceway.”
In addition to the art shop featuring the work of local “upcycling” artists, the Knack Pop Up Shop will be accepting donations of reusable goods, offering inexpensive arts and crafts supplies and materials and hosting classes and workshops Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through Dec. 22.
In related news, Olsen reports that the new Signature Sounds structure has enabled the label to engage in a few “parlor” tricks, too.
“It’s a beautiful, newly renovated space in the front of our new headquarters,” he says of the Parlor Room. “And since the venue has a limited seating of 50, we’ll be doing two shows a night—one at 7 p.m., one at 9 p.m.”
New label signee Heather Maloney and regional string-rock quartet Darlingside christen the Room Nov. 24, followed by Boston-based Joy Kills Sorrow with opener Margaret Glaspy Dec. 1.
For tickets or more information on any and all of the aforementioned, kindly point your browser to signaturesounds.com.
*
Meanwhile, Judy Lemay of Bright Lights Music in Connecticut checked in to illuminate yours truly on the details surrounding her upcoming exercise in altruistic audio with edibles.
Dubbed the Skyline Supper Club, Lemay says, her Nov. 18 dinner show at the Windsor Locks restaurant of same name will feature the musical stylings of celebrated crooner Jimmy Mazz while raising cash for the Hole In The Wall Gang camp.
“Jimmy is such a great talent and entertainer, and we have the area’s own Hannah Dessert opening for him with some songs by Adele and other songs,” she revealed. “I don’t know where else you could see what is essentially a Vegas-caliber show with great dinner, dessert and coffee, and be a part of a night of giving—to Paul Newman’s great charity, no less—for only $39, tax and tip included?”
If you concur, call the Skyline Restaurant at (860) 623-9296 to reserve your tickets/table today.
Back in the Valley… and fresh off the nation’s top festivals, including Coachella, Wakarusa, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo—the “open-sourced musical project” Bassnectar comes to the UMass Mullins Center Thursday, Nov. 15 with supporting acts Gramatik, GRiZ and Gladkill in tow. Tix are $36 and available at ticketmaster.com.
*
Last but not least, the Crawler is once again thankful to have his own standing Thanksgiving Eve gig at the Hazard Grill (hazardgrille.com) in Enfield with his band Summer’s High set in ink.
And per tradition, it’s an opportunity he’s equally enthusiastic about sharing with fellow musicians. In years past, members of Maxxtone, the Crystal Blue Project, Johnny Sixgun and more have stopped by to sit in for a tune or two (then adjourn to the bar for three or four). If you’ll be in that neck of woods and interested in setting up a similar scenario, please email garycarra@aol.com so all parties involved can set up some tentative times/get on the same page song-wise. The show starts at 7 p.m.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
