In theory, former Baltimore Raven Ray Rice would have a better shot at getting a job as an elevator attendant than a record label born before the digital age should have surviving and thriving since the collapse of brick and mortar stores.
But as other labels squeezed artists for flavor-of-the-month singles then discarded them like empty juice boxes, Northampton’s Signature Sounds took the time to carefully cultivate and support its burgeoning cast of talent.
On Nov. 28-30 of this year, the local label celebrates its 20 years of sonic excellence—and its recently received bumper crop of kudos and national exposure—with a weekend-long concert at Northampton’s Academy of Music.
“The music industry has changed so much since we started,” Signature President Jim Olsen reflects. “We launched several years before there was any online music retail. Our early albums were released on cassette as well as CD. These days over half the music we sell is by download. The Internet has allowed the label’s artists to gain an international audience for their music.”
Need a case in point? Just consider the Signature-signed Lake Street Dive. In February of this year, Lake Street released the CD Bad Self Portraits on Olsen’s imprint. It promptly entered Billboard’s Hot 100 at number 18, and in the weeks and months that followed, the band found itself on network shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Late Show With David Letterman, The Colbert Report and CBS Saturday Morning.
Fittingly, the Lake Streeters have been tapped to conclude November’s festivities, performing Sunday evening. Other acts confirmed for the anniversary bash include Eilen Jewell, the Winterpills, The Sweetback Sisters, Mark Erelli and many more. For the complete rundown, kindly point your browser to signaturesounds.com.
Also riding the current of Lake Street Dive’s swell of media attention is Noho’s own The Sun Parade (thesunparade.com). Last Thursday, Sept. 11, the local psyche-rock-folkers celebrated the release of their latest sonic labor of love—an EP titled Heart’s Out—at Hinge.
Immediately following, the band embarked on a national tour that includes three shows—Sept. 21 in Omaha, Sept. 23 in Wisconsin and Sept. 25 in Chicago—opening for the Lake Streeters.
Meanwhile, over in Warwick, the folks at Old 78 Farm (oldfarm78.com) have hatched quite a line up for what will be their fifth annual Farm Festival Sept. 20.
Boston rockers/2013 New England Music Award Band of the Year winners the Adam Ezra Group anchor a multi-band lineup that also includes post-Beatles tribute After Fab, DeadBeat, Lovewhip, Flux Capacitor and locals the Wildcat O’Halloran Band. Admission is $10.
Last but not least, a little dust-up at the Big E… or, the latest on the recent hip injury to ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill as it pertains to the band’s scheduled performance at the Eastern States Exposition Sept. 26.
While the little old band from Texas did cancel a string of dates with Jeff Beck back when Hill’s hip woes were announced in August, Big E officials were told that that tour ended Sept. 13 and would not affect local plans.
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, however, the Top camp reported that recent developments in the severity of said injury will mean that there will be no “sharp-dressed men” at the Big E this year after all. All tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.
Perhaps a great opportunity for a free, impromptu performance by the Valley’s own ZZ Top tribute Sharp DreZZed Man?•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
