Music
Burrie Jenkins on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Burrie Jenkins plays folk rock on 12 string guitars mixed with world music influences. Check out his full Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Burrie Jenkins:
Staff Picks: LAVA Center Opening, Silver Chord Bowl, Vermont Crankie Fest, and Sierra Grille show
LAVA Center Grand Opening Weekend // FRIDAY to SUNDAY Greenfield welcomes a new performing space on Main Street this weekend. The LAVA Center, part black box theater, part art gallery, is opening with three days of activities to reflect the center’s community-oriented...
A flame in the midst of winter: Amherst Winter Fest theme this year is ‘fire and ice’
Hundreds of small flickering candles lighting paths to a live ice carving demo at sunset and a fire juggling event with acrobatics and a unicycle are just some of the things in store for this year’s Luminaria, which kicks off the week of Winter Fest Amherst on Feb. 1...
Groundskeeper’s ‘Ghost Things’ combs the depths of the psyche
The charred remains of a building smolder in patches of fire as gray smoke drifts over autumnal treetops. That image is cut, and layered multiple times on top of one another for the album cover art of Ghost Things, by Northampton-based Americana-infused indie rock...
Zoe Lemos on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Zoe Lemos is a songwriter who plays punk charged indie rock with earworm melodies. You can find her Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Zoe Lemos:
Staff Picks: MLK Celebration, Sessa, musings on Thomas Paine, Pamela Means Jazz Project
‘We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. // TUESDAY Music was a key part of the civil rights movement — African-American music in particular. To celebrate that music and the spirit and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., the Fine Arts...
Rosie Porter and the Neon Moons on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Rosie Porter and the Neon Moons play classic country and honky-tonk with a sentimental croon. Check out the band’s performance on the Valley Advocate Sessions stage. Interview with Rosie Porter:
Staff Picks: Saturns Return, Black Refractions, Mary Jane Jones, a dictionary talk for word nerds
Saturns Return: An Immersive Movement Experience // FRIDAY The Root Cellar in Greenfield is hosting an event titled “Saturns Return: An Immersive Movement Experience,” which, according to the Facebook event, includes a hero’s journey, dancing, live music, advice for...
Swimming in drag theater
An Amherst theater company named Queer & Now will be combining drag performances, lip syncing to contemporary pop music, as well as dance, theater, and mythology from around the world this weekend at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield. Queer...
Steve Rodgers on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Steve Rodgers is a singer-songwriter who plays Americana and indie folk with a dash of rock ‘n’ roll. Check out his full Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Steve Rodgers:
Valley Show Girl: Howl at Lunar Brew
The first full moon of the new decade — the Wolf Moon — will start to howl at approximately 2:21 p.m. on Friday, January 10. Just so happens it’s also my birthday, maybe you’ll hear me howling at her from a distance wearing a crystal crown to welcome my 36th year on...
Turning music into philanthropy: Percussionist Tony Vacca talks about his work in West Africa
When he looks back on more than two decades of forging connections with musicians in Senegal, playing with them both there and in the United States, longtime Valley percussionist Tony Vacca laughs, shakes his head in wonder, and summarizes the situation like this:...
Five Last-Minute Album Reviews for 2019
Music lovers in the Pioneer Valley were blessed by a plethora of great local music this year, whether that was the hauntingly beautiful folk rock of Philip B. Price’s new solo record “Bone Almanac” or what I named as one of the best local albums of the year —...
Valley Show Girl: Don’t Forget to Water Your Leafies
Editor’s note: Advocate Associate Editor Chris Goudreau is a member of Leafies. The opening track to debut album Off Off Off Broadway from The Leafies You Gave Me tells a tale of a man who tends to the elephants and their dirty business at the circus. It is spoken...
Brown Bones on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Brown Bones performs soulful and intimate urban folk with poignant lyrics and heartfelt melodies. Check out the group’s full performance in the video below. Interview with Brown Bones:
Staff Picks: The Frost Heaves and Hales, homelessness films, Parasite at Amherst Cinema, Winter Solstice Celebration
Books, music and a birthday at Federal St. Books // SATURDAY There are few better things to celebrate than the re-opening of a bookstore, and such a celebration comes to us this weekend when Federal St. Books has its grand reopening under the ownership of Hillary...
Opal Canyon on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Opal Canyon plays modern country and folk with a dash of psychedelic rock. Check out the band’s performance in the video below. Interview with Opal Canyon:
Jazz for the holidays: FlavaEvolution to play their take on some holiday classics at Gateway City Arts
David Picchi, who conducts arrangements for jazz quartet FlavaEvolution, labels the group’s sound as “fresh new jazz music for your mind and soul.” “We’re trying to bring something that you haven’t heard or things that you have heard and put them into new contexts to...
Snowhaus on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Snowhaus plays party punk and shredding emo pop. Check out the band’s Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Snowhaus:
Staff Picks: Mad Habits, Rosie Porter, Crooked Still, and a Short Film Festival
Mad Habits, Ananda Luna, and The Hanged Man at Majestic Saloon // SUNDAY This Sunday at Majestic Saloon in Northampton will feature the musical stylings of progressive folk quartet Mad Habits, experimental and world fusion artist Ananda Luna as well as Bella’s Bartok...
StompBoxTrio on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
StompBoxTrio blends together jazz, soul, funk, and rock for a style all their own. Check out the band’s performance in the video below. Interview with StompBoxTrio:
Staff Picks: Leafies, Lucy Wainwright Roche, farm stories, and Kimaya Diggs
The Leafies You Gave Me Album Release Concert // SATURDAY Writer by day, surrealist operatic musical powerhouse by night Chris Goudreau is one of the core members of The Leafies You Gave Me, a 10-piece music and drama group that prides itself on putting on a...
Best Mann’s Debut Album is a Layered Tower of Sound
Best Mann is the art rock and indie folk alter-ego of Nate Mondschein, who produced, composed, and performed all the instruments on his debut album, …And the Sky, released Oct. 25. …And the Sky by Best Mann There are so many musical layers on this 12-song...
Sam Crocker on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Sam Crocker is a teen songwriter from Bernardston who plays introspective acoustic indie folk rock. Check out his Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Sam Crocker:
Staff Picks: Ona Canoa, Zoë Darrow, Mandolin Orange, (Sandy) Alex G
Ona Canoa EP Release Show at the Shea Theater // SATURDAY Advocate Sessions alumni and folk trio Ona Canoa will be releasing their first record this Saturday, a debut extended play (EP) titled “Good Dream.” With that milestone in the bag, they’ll be celebrating the...
Valley Show Girl: Connecting the Living with the Dead
A couple months ago, I was going through the Fall/Winter Fine Arts Center booklet, checking out the upcoming events at UMass. When I started reading the description to the Jen Shyu: Nine Doors performance, I was highly intrigued. I soon after acquired tickets for the...
Tommy Filiault Trio on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
The Tommy Filiault Trio plays bluesy party rock ‘n’ roll. Check out the band’s performance in the video below. Interview with Tommy Filiault Trio:
Staff picks: Lilith of the Valley, ‘Resonate Sessions’, the THE BAND Band, June Millington
Lilith of the Valley: Sea of Change // SATURDAY “Lilith of the Valley,” a music series celebrating female artists, musicians, and business owners in the Pioneer Valley (presented by PRIA Music Marketing), returns for its sixth series this Saturday at Bishop’s Lounge...
400 Years of slavery and inequality, set to music: Bassist Avery Sharpe’s African American Musical Portrait
Bassist Avery Sharpe has been playing and composing music for years, touring and recording with jazz greats like McCoy Tyner, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Yusef Lateef, and Billy Taylor. As a composer, he’s written music not just for his own ensemble but for a...
Snackbeard on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Snackbeard is a musical folk rock pirate for all ages with a beard made of snack foods. Check out Snackbeard the Pirate’s Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Snackbeard:
Staff picks: Scary Jane Jones, ‘Embodied Landscape,’ the art of dyeing, Whiskey Treaty Roadshow
The Scary Jane Jones at Progression Brewing // THURSDAY On Halloween night, be prepared to lose your soul to The Scary Jane Jones, the All Hallows Eve alter ego of local vintage soul band The Mary Jane Jones, which is putting on a special spooky show of two sets at...
No Bones to Pick: Philip B. Price’s forthcoming solo record will haunt and soothe you
Winterpills frontman Philip B. Price is set to release his next solo album on Nov. 8 titled “Bone Almanac,” which fuses haunting psychedelic-tinged folk rock and pop with lyrics that punch you in the gut when they’re not soothing what ails you across 14 songs. Drawing...
Valley Show Girl: Queer Punk Drag Night Take 5
The 5th Queer Punk Drag night is just a week-ish away and it’s the biggest one yet says Tanya Pearson, the curator of these unique shows. I went to the first show back in February and it was one of the most satisfying shows I’ve been to in a while. “For me,” Pearson...
Hivebane on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Hivebane is an acoustic hard rock trio from Springfield, MA, with soaring vocal harmonies. Check out the band’s Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Hivebane:
Philip B. Price on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Philip B. Price (Winterpills) writes finely crafted pop songs mixed with experimental rock stylings. Price will be releasing his latest record, “Bone Almanac,” on Nov. 8 via Signature Sounds. Advocate Sessions is a collaborative project of the Valley...
‘I decided the world was maybe ready for me now’: Julia Clark talks about her post transition return to music
Editor’s note: Julia Clark is transgender, and asked the Advocate to refer to her using she/her pronouns for the time both before and after her transition from male to female gender identity. Chris Clark was about 8 or 9 years old when she heard the classic song “Wild...
Getting Away From The ‘Sea of White Dudes’: Dwellings Festival showcases talented femmes, people of color, and queer people
The Northampton Center for the Arts became a microcosm of art, poetry, and music for 10 hours on Saturday at the first Dwellings Arts Festival. It also set an example for the organizers’ mission of bringing greater diversity to festival lineups and making venues safer...
Cajordion on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Cajordion is a whimsical busking-honed duo, which plays instrumental pop music on cajon, accordion, and a plethora of other instruments. Check out the band’s Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Advocate Sessions is a collaborative project of the...
Staff Picks: Royal Frog Ballet, Gallery exhibits, That 1 Guy, and Strong & Pleasant ‘Rocktober’ Music Fest
The Royal Frog Ballet’s Surrealist Cabaret // FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY Framed as a sunset walk through Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton, the Royal Frog Ballet’s Surrealist Cabaret is a collection of performances which in the past have included music, puppetry,...
Fuzz Puddle’s Debut is One of the Best Local Records of 2019
“Speciecide,” the debut album by local Valley indie electronic/progressive rock duo Fuzz Puddle takes the existential dread of man made climate change induced mass extinction, throws in a smattering of Radiohead-influenced paranoia, and stirs that finely while adding...
Heather Maloney on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Acclaimed Valley indie rock, Americana, and folk singer-songwriter Heather Maloney stopped by the Valley Advocate Sessions stage ahead of her upcoming Oct. 12 album release show at Northampton’s Academy of Music Theatre. Interview with Heather...
Staff Picks: Mill River Rounders, Skate or Paint 2019, Indian classical music, and a ‘Diversity in Art’ exhibit
Mill River Rounders at Mill 180 Park // Friday The Mill River Rounders will be bringing its blend of banjo, washtub bass, and guitar old-timey/bluegrass stylings to Easthampton’s Mill 180 Park this Friday night. Mill 180 features lawn games and a cafe, which works...
Sessions Podcast – Ali Kat and the Revelators
Ali Kat and the Revelators perform rocking funk and soul with sax, guitars, and high energy vocals. For the video recording of this session, as well as over 100 other sessions performances, go to sessions.valleyadvocate.com. Listen here: You can hear more of the...
Valley Show Girl: Life of Brian
I recently met up with Valley country frontman Brian Chicoine to chat about some cool future projects he’s been working on. A unique benefit show, a solo album and, most importantly, working on bettering his health are just a few things keeping Mr. Chicoine busy these...
Podcast: Truck Stop Troubadours front-man Brian Chicoine on his music and a recent health scare
Columnist Jennifer Levesque speaks to Truck Stop Troubadours front-man Brian Chicoine about his music and a recent health scare. He also talks about an upcoming show at Poor Richard’s in Chicopee. Listen here: You can hear more of the Valley Advocate’s podcasts...
Matthew Thornton on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Matthew Thornton combines progressive folk rock on uke and guitar with protest themes. Check out his full performance on Advocate Sessions in the video below. Interview with Matthew Thornton:
Sessions podcast: Amber Belle
Amber Belle is a singer-songwriter with a honey toned voice who performs original folk and country music. For the video recording of this session, as well as over 100 other sessions performances, go to sessions.valleyadvocate.com. Listen here: You can hear more of the...
Fall Arts Preview
Who says the arts have to stop when summer is over? The Pioneer Valley, as always, delivers when it comes to creative nights out and interesting things to check out. Here is a sampling from the Advocate staff. -DE Arcadian sounds Date: Sept. 28 Though summer is prime...
Bethany Killian on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Bethany Killian is an indie acoustic folk singer-songwriter with smoky-toned vocals. Check out her performance on Advocate Sessions in the video below. Interview with Bethany Killian:
Sessions Podcast: Jake Klar
Jake Klar is a local artist who performs folk and blues music with a poetic sensibility. For the video recording of this session, as well as over 100 other sessions performances, go to sessions.valleyadvocate.com. Listen here: You can hear more of the Valley...
Staff Picks: Out! For Reel, Quinn Sullivan, Northampton Record Fair, and Juan Wauters/Jesus Vio/Stoner Will
Out! For Reel LGBTQ Film Fest // SATURDAY Out! For Reel screens films featuring LGBTQ issues throughout the year, and this latest collection looks to be a great one. Showing both shorts and a featurette, the evening at the Academy of Music will have a film about a...
Ona Canoa on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Ona Canoa combines three-part folk harmonies with baritone uke, flute, and guitar. Check out the band’s Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Ona Canoa:
Valley Advocate Sessions Podcast: OroborO
OroborO combines experimental rock with punk, metal, and mathy riffs. For the video recording of this session, as well as over 100 other sessions performances, go to sessions.valleyadvocate.com.
Born IV Blues on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Born IV Blues is a teenage soulful blues band from the Berkshires. Check out the band’s Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Born IV Blues:
Lightning strikes: Valley psych folk band Sweet Lightning makes its music video debut
The lush pastoral sounds of acoustic guitar, flute, fiddle, and upright bass echoed in slow motion through the Pushkin Gallery in Greenfield, before returning to normal time in an effect that’s much akin to rewinding an old VHS tape and hitting play. From there, the...
Valley Advocate Sessions Podcast – Blame Cadence
Blame Cadence is a one woman chorus of looped soulful a cappella pop. For the video version of this performance, go to sessions.valleyadvocate.com.
Staff Picks: Midsommar, Bread & Puppet, Weege & The Wondertwins, and Country Music
Midsommar: Director’s Cut at Amherst Cinema // THURSDAY My favorite film of the summer is director Ari Aster’s sophomore film, “Midsommar,” a folk-horror movie in the vein of classic 1973 British horror flick, “The Wickerman.” Without spoiling too much, this is a...
Valley Show Girl: Opening Night at the 5th Annual RPM Fest
I walked down the forest path of the Millers Falls Rod & Gun Club for the opening night of the 5th annual RPM Fest. Once I got to the clearing, the field was open with people playing yard games, groups of others gathered in small huddles chatting and enjoying...
Cars Go West on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
This week’s Advocate Sessions performer is Cars Go West, which combines psychedelic jams with catchy indie rock. Check out the band’s performance in the video below. Interview with Cars Go West:E-Edition
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