Shape & Nature Press’ (shapeandnature.com) anniversary gathering at Bishop’s Lounge June 2 is shaping up to be an impressive collection of area authors and fine audio.
Founded in 2011 with the mission of printing the best contemporary literature, the local indie publisher has tapped Poet Laureate of Northampton Richard Michelson, Mary Koncel, Jedediah Berry, Dennis Finnell and others to read selected sections of their respective works for what they are officially calling their Summertime Reading & Music Party.
In between, a who’s-who of Valley musical acts, including Glad Machine, Liz Tonne and lowercase g’s, perform original music sets.
e_SDLqLesa [Beso] and I are acquaintances with Maria Williams-Russell from Shape & Nature, and we had discussed working on a different project that would combine music and poetry,” says songwriter Henning Ohlenbusch, who is slated to perform with his Fawns bandmate Beso from 6:40- 7 p.m. “This eventually led to us getting involved in the June 2 show, and of course, we are no strangers to the concept. In fact, I have spent many hours putting music behind the writings of Connolly Ryan for performances in the past.”
Cover is $10 and includes 20 raffle tickets for prizes. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
In other news, fans of Valley indie-folk band Woodford Way (woodfordway.com) won’t have to wrack their brains trying to remember if they need to be at the early (7 p.m.) or evening (10 p.m.) Iron Horse show to catch their favorite’s official CD release party on June 1. In what is indeed a rare honor for any act—local or otherwise—Woodford Way headlines both.
“The last two times they played the Iron Horse, they sold it out,” explains Joe Urban of Zing Studios, where the new disc (There & Back) was recorded. “Between that and the fact that this is their first full-length as a quintet, they really wanted to up the stakes.”
Tix are $10 in advance, $13 at the door for both shows.
On a decidedly more downbeat note, the regional rock scene is lamenting the recent loss of singer/guitarist Grayson Minney. The 28-year-old frontman and his Connecticut-based band Columbia Fields were perennial winners of the Hartford Advocate’s readers’ poll for Best Indie Band and bested the competition in a 2010 contest that landed them an opening slot for Bon Jovi at the Mohegan Sun.
According to police, Minney lost control of his car on Route 94 in Hebron, Conn. around 3:40 a.m., and struck a guardrail, went airborne and crashed into two large trees.
He was reportedly driving home after his closing shift at Wood ’n’ Tap in nearby Vernon.
“We played many shows together, and I was honored to share the stage with him,” posted friend Trent Gerbers of the band Addison Station on the Columbia Fields Facebook page.
“I saw you guys play only once at Black Eyed Sally’s [and] it was amazing and unforgettable,” echoed fan Kim Albro. “I was in a state of awe watching and listening to you perform.”
Memorial donations in Grayson’s name may be made to Frederick Minney c/o First Niagara Bank, 31 Main St., Hebron, CT 06248.
Last but not least, the core members of alt-rock icons Stone Temple Pilots utilized the occasion of their May 18 KROQ Weenie Roast performance to let fans meet their new frontman.
Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington took to the mic for a surprise 40-minute STP set—throttling through a collection of chestnuts (“Dead & Bloated,” “Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart”) and chart-toppers (“Sex Type Thing,” “Interstate Love Song”) and the world premiere of a new tune, “Out Of Time.”
While initial statements from both the band and Bennington were quick to dub the tune and performance a “collaboration” and noted that Bennington’s allegiance would always be to Linkin Park, a slew of newly released press photos and upcoming tour dates suggests the alliance may be a little more permanent. To monitor the situation yourself, be sure to check in at stonetemplepilots.com on a regular basis.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
