One of the region's fastest ascending female-foursomes, Antigone Rising, has a new member at its helm.
Valley fans got a sneak peek at powerhouse vocalist Nini Camps, who was "sitting in" for then-singer Cassidy at the time, when Antigone opened for The Bangles at The Calvin in June. Based on that performance, the band was offered a headlining Iron Horse slot this Thursday, Sept. 10.
And as drummer Kristen Henderson explains, the newest member of the AR camp is here to stay. "Nini is the official lead singer… and actually an old friend of mine," she announced. "In 2006, she and I started writing songs together, and she has actually filled in on several occasions—even when Cassidy was in the band—playing bass and guitar. But, yes, the singing gig is hers now!"
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In other news, local musician/producer/educator Tony Lechner says that he is similarly searching for a few heavenly voices for a new community-based vocal ensemble.
"It's called the Valley Jazz Choir, and it's a pretty big deal because to my knowledge, the area does not have an official one yet," he adds. The ensemble is open to adults and high school students and will explore all types of vocal jazz (from old-fashioned to modern), Gospel and swing, both a cappella and accompanied.
Valley Jazz Choir is slated to meet on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the East Street Studio in Hadley, and there is a $150 per person fee for the entire season. Those interested can attend a special free information session at the studio on Monday, Sept. 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. or contact the instructor via his website, tonylechner.com.
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Meanwhile, as Lechner corrals the choirboys (and girls), singer/six-stringer Ryan Quinn checks in to report that his band, Los Hijos Unicos, is seeking a few crafty characters to attend their Sept. 10 Sierra Grille engagement.
"We'll be releasing a single CD from our upcoming album, Los Hijos Unicos Present The Pioneer Valley Rose and Other Favorites, and we realized we weren't graphic designers," he explains. "So that plus the fact that Jason Bourgeois (of Bourgeois Heroes) gave us a big stack of blank sleeves led to this special Create Your Own CD Cover show."
In addition to the new single and blank slate, Quinn says that the band will provide audience members on September 10 with boxes of markers, crayons, stamps and stickers to help them realize their artistic visions. Then they plan on taking pictures of the masterpieces and their makers and posting them on their website—loshijosunicos.com.
While the Hijo frontman wouldn't divulge many details on the full-length release proper, he did say the two older country tunes—the Bob Wills-penned "The New San Antonio Rose" and Harlan Howard's "Foolin' Around"— were recorded during the sessions.
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Last up, us New Englanders may just be getting around to covering the pools and swapping the screens out again for glass, and those Big Bad Bollocks want us to start thinking about green beer and leprechauns already? The Guinness-guzzling folk rockers will celebrate the "Halfway To St. Patty's Day" mark at the Iron Horse this Saturday, Sept. 12.
That same evening, experimental/indie alt rocker Jesse Sterling Harrison takes to Smith College's Davis Ballroom for a gig he says he was never even remotely on the fence about taking.
"I have a long history of playing music for, and/or in front of competitive fencers," he reveals, "so when they asked me to play a benefit for the local fencing club, I of course accepted." The local play will be a full band show, open to the public. For more information, check Myspace.com/jessesterlingharrison.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
