How are music scenes born? How does a school of artists form? From collaboration and proximity, I think. We live in a valley. The walls of the teeny mountains keep us all close together. Put a bunch of friendly musicians in a room with some instruments and they will start to play together. Collaboration is the key to this music scene. Because of the creative nature of this environment, we find that we have a high number of songwriters. To get all these songwriters the backing musicians that they need, people share each other. Just try to find me a band in this scene where at least one of the members is not in another band.
Each musician has his or her own style, just as each has their own voice. As these musicians interweave with each other, their styles start to rub off. That's how a communal sound is born. Is there a Pioneer Valley sound? I think there is. It might be subtle, but we all learn from each other.
Just to name a few examples: From running into outdoor shows by The Lonesome Brothers over the years, I've learned about a true love of just playing music and of the possibilities and pureness of sound that can come from three passionate performers. From Thane Thomsen I learned how a simple twist of a phrase can make the hearts of an entire audience do a double take. From Lord Russ, Drunk Stuntmen, Steve Westfield, Angry Johnny and Jason Bourgeois I learned how important a good show and a confident stage presence can be. From Frank Padellero and Mark Mulcahy I learned that it's always worth it to put in the extra time to strew the stage with interesting players and musicians. From Mark Schwaber, Kevin O'Rourke, Philip Price, Dennis Crommett and Matt Hebert, I learned that an honest voice and simply strung guitar can shut up a room. From Jose Ayerve I learned to push my own voice and that, from an audience standpoint, you can always feel it when a performer gives it his or her all. And from my own current bands, Brian Marchese, Max Germer, Ken Maiuri, Tony Westcott and Lesa Bezo, I am constantly learning about my own writing and how to play along with others. There is so much more that I've picked up and am still picking up daily from the talented people who surround my life that have seen me develop from a nervous, squeaky, shy performer into a less nervous, squeaky, shy performer. We all learn from each other and that is how a school of artists is born, that's how a region develops a sound.
