Music
Pick of the Day 5/31: A night of music at Luthier’s Co-op
Say goodbye to May 2018 — it’s been real. But you have one last night together so go spend it with a line of up of music at Luthier’s Co-Op in Easthampton. The music starts at 7 p.m., and three acts are scheduled to perform. Pamela and Anand at 7 p.m.,...
#LOCAL gallery brings a big city feel to Easthampton’s cultural district
Earlier this month Lennie and Elizabeth Applequist opened #LOCAL: A Gallery with a Twist on Cottage Street in Easthampton, happily joining the eclectic array of shops, galleries, restaurants, and watering holes that make Easthampton center special. In 2013 the...
The CDs You Gave Me: Uncluttering the genre tropes with magic realism and psychedelia
When you think of a psychedelic rock band, you don’t tend to think about uncluttering the gutter spouts or other mundane tasks , but Greenfield-based alternative psych-folk band, The frost heaves and hales, does just that — marrying everyday tasks with a dash of magic...
Pick of the Day 5/30: Sir Sly
Clean and sleek, L.A. indie group Sir Sly comes to Northampton Wednesday, May 30. Front man Landon Jacobs’ cool, light voice combined with instrumentalists Jason Suwito and Hayden Coplen make this synth-rock trio a must see. Their 2017 Don’t You Worry, Honey...
Valley Show Girl: Stoned to Death III – A day full of doom, sludge, stoner metal, and the memory of Joe Magrone
Churches are the most beautiful architectural buildings, in my opinion. I’m not a religious person, so when I do get a chance to enter these beauties, it’s because of a wedding or a funeral and I just look forward to leaving — the religion part of it just makes me...
Pick of the Day 5/29: The Northamptones at the Iron Horse
The Northamptones are an audition-based advanced a cappella group at Northampton High School. They’ve performed all over New England, including at the Academy of Music, John M. Greene Hall, the Calvin Theatre, the Iron Horse, Fenway Park, and the Massachusetts...
Local Calendar: Monday 5/28 – Thursday 5/31
MONDAY 5/28 MUSIC Strange Creek Campout: Camp Kee-Wanee, 1 Health Camp Rd., Greenfield. Baby and Me: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Free. Wheeler Memorial Library, 49 East Main St., Orange. 978-544-2495. Paradise City Arts Festival: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Live music, 260...
Pick of the Day 5/28: Paradise City Arts Festival
It’s year 24 for the Paradise City Arts Festival, and 250 artists from 20 states are prepared to thrill you with their original works of art and one of kind crafts. Because the Festival is directed by artists, you can be sure the very best in ceramics, painting, art...
Pick of the Day 5/27: Let the Sunshine In
Zut Alors! If you’re in the mood for a little french with English subtitles, Let the Sunshine In is the film for you! Juliette Binoche plays a divorced Parisian painter searching for love, but she refuses to just settle for any ol’ body. Amherst Cinema...
Pick of the Day 5/26: The Soul Rebels at Mass MoCA
New Orleans brass always sounds good. The phenomenal brand of brass music that originates out of the bayou is personified by the eight-piece powerhouse group The Soul Rebels. The Village Voice says the Soul Rebels are “the missing link between Public Enemy and...
Gabe’s Band on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Check out the full Valley Advocate Sessions performance of local anarchistic rock n’ roll group, Gabe’s Band. Make sure to watch until the end for some classic rock styled chaos. A Not So Serious Interview with Gabe’s Band:
Staff Picks: Bishops Lounge, Open Hearth Cooking Demo, and Fiddlers Green Contra with Luke Donforth
Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration // SATURDAY Mmmm, there’s nothing like home cooked food; but what’s even better is learning how to cook food from scratch an open hearth flame. Explore old cookbooks with Historic Deerfield’s Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration, which...
Pick of the Day 5/24: Pope Francis: a Man of His Word
Granted, religion is one of those polarizing hot buttons, but it behooves us to take a look at one another’s points of view. Check out this doc written and directed by three-time Academy Award® nominee Wim Wenders. Described on Amherst Cinema’s site as...
Local Calendar: Thursday 5/24- Sunday 5/27
THURSDAY 5/24 MUSIC An Evening Peter “Archguitar” Blanchette: 7 p.m. $15 – $45. Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center, 289 Main St., Greenfield. Buddy McEarns Band: 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Whetstone Station Restaurant and Brewery, 36 Bridge St., Brattleboro....
Pick of the Day 5/23: Mantis Toboggan
Welcome to Hump Day! You might know Mantis Toboggan as a Dr. with … uh … let’s say dubious credentials: Danny DeVito’s hysterical and obscene Dr. Mantis Toboggan on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is sheer madness. But local Valley...
VIDEO: Gabe’s Band on Valley Advocate Sessions Friday
Check out a teaser for anarchistic local rockers, Gabe’s Band. The group’s complete Valley Advocate Sessions video will be released this Friday.
Pick of the Day 5/22: Scott Guberman Band
Keyboardist Scott Guberman’s band is in town tonight at Hawks and Reed in Greenfield. He’s kind of the psychedelic cousin of the Grateful Dead; known for his work with the Dead’s bassist Phil Lesh and keyboardists Tom Constanten and Vince Welnick....
‘Big-hearted’ Problem with Dragons bassist Joe Magrone dies at 38
Known as a big-hearted guy, a talented musician, and, sometimes, a gruff-but-lovable curmudgeon, Joe Magrone, bassist for Problem with Dragons, died on May 18 at the age of 38, two weeks shy of his 39th birthday. Dave Fournier first met Magrone in 1985, when he went...
Blame Cadence on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Blame Cadence is a one woman chorus of looped soulful a cappella pop. Watch Blame Cadence’s full Valley Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Blame Cadence:
Pick of the Day 5/17: Matthew Logan Vasquez
Matthew Logan Vasquez is a bit of a modern Bob Dylan … no really. He’s got similar qualities but his music is meatier and his vocals are better — which isn’t that difficult. Dylan insults aside, Vasquez brings his storytelling and agreeable sound to...
Local Calendar: Thursday 5/17- Sunday 5/20
THURSDAY 5/17 MUSIC CLICK Music Presents: Annie Patterson & Peter Blood: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Advance Sales $12, Door Sales $15. Join Annie Patterson & Peter Blood in an in evening of music and stories. CLICK Workspace, 9 1/2 Market St., Northampton....
VIDEO: Blame Cadence on Valley Advocate Sessions Friday
Blame Cadence is a one woman chorus of looped soulful a cappella pop. Check out a teaser video of Blame Cadence’s Valley Advocate Sessions performance, which will be released this Friday.
Holyoke-based granola business features blends of local bands
Maple Local Granola, a Holyoke-based granola business that uses locally-sourced ingredients, has released different blends of granola inspired by local bands such as indie pop group, And the Kids, as well as bluesy Amherst-based art rock band Old Flame. Tony...
Pick of the Day 5/16: Rising Appalachia
Two sisters from New Orleans bring the sounds of the Appalachians to Northampton tonight. Multi-instrumentalists Leah and Chloe Smith pick, strum, drum and sing — nothing fancy but appealing all the same. It’s quiet music that expects you to listen to the...
Pick of the Day 5/14: The Sea and Cake
The Sea and Cake is an indie band formed in the way back — 1992. They’re straight out of Chicago and they’re in Northampton tonight at the Iron Horse. Their sound is light and airy, a friendly flurry of melodies and hooks that are very hard to dislike....
Pick of the Day 5/11: The Wailers
The legendary Wailers band is at Hawks and Reed tonight. Yep, Bob Marley’s bandmates Aston “Familyman” Barrett, Julian Junior Marvin and Donald Kinsey are in Greenfield to carry on what Spin Magazine listed as #4 in the “50 Greatest Bands of All...
Amber Belle on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Amber Belle is a singer-songwriter with a honey toned voice who performs original folk and country music. (To watch Amber Belle’s performance click on the video below) Interview with Amber Belle:
VIDEO: Amber Belle on Valley Advocate Sessions Friday
Amber Belle is a singer-songwriter with honey toned vocals who performs folk and country songs. Check out a teaser video of her upcoming Advocate Sessions video to be released this Friday.
Staff Picks: The Invisibles, Mudbound, and Christa Joy and Scott Meyers
Mudbound MASS MoCA // SATURDAY, MAY 12 Mudbound has been on my list of things to see since it first started making waves at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. While it is available to watch online, MASS MoCA is bringing in the director of the film Dee Rees for a...
Pick of the Day 5/9: Brand X at the Iron Horse
Brand X has been on the music circuit off and on since 1975, and they’re coming to the Iron Horse tonight. They’re “a multi-national jazz fusion band formed in London by the great Phil Collins and a couple of other blokes. They’ve recently...
Pick of the Day 5/7: Bob Schneider at the Iron Horse
Bob Schneider is a bona fide artist. Not only is this guy an award winning singer/songwriter, he’s a terrific visual artist, as well. The Dallas Morning News says of his musical stylings: Bob Schneider is “a musical omnivore eager to devour any genre that...
Valley Advocate Q&A with YouTube star and political song parodist Randy Rainbow
Randy Rainbow achieved Internet stardom with his series of political spoofs and song parodies satirizing mainstream media and conservative leaders such as Donald Trump through green screened mock interviews and now he’s set to bring his unique brand of song comedy to...
The Gaslight Tinkers on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
The Gaslight Tinkers perform traditional Celtic fiddle music mixed with Afrobeat, funk, reggae, and Latin grooves. Check out the band’s Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with The Gaslight Tinkers:
VIDEO: The Gaslight Tinkers on Valley Advocate Sessions Friday
The Gaslight Tinkers perform traditional Celtic fiddle music mixed with Afrobeat, funk, reggae, and Latin grooves. Check out a teaser video of the band’s Advocate Sessions performance, which will be online this Friday.
From the Palace to the Parlor Room: Celtic fiddler Jamie Laval on playing for Dave Matthews, Queen Elizabeth
American Celtic fiddler Jamie Laval is world renowned for his unique approach to traditional Scottish music by adding virtuosity and a contemporary ear to ancient reels or jigs. Laval will be performing in Western Massachusetts on Sunday, May 13 at the Parlor Room in...
Pick of the Day 4/28: OroborO, John Trudeau, Rebel Base, and Joy on Fire
Chris Goudreau is a music aficionado; he thinks this show at Hawks and Reed is a must see. He says, “It’s a night of awe inspiring, shredding, progressive bands this Saturday at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield, including Amherst-based math...
Pick of the Day 4/29: Salt City Shakedown at the Stone Church in Brattleboro
Syracuse may be one of the dreariest cities in the union, but that doesn’t mean their music scene doesn’t have a few bright spots. Check out Salt City Shakedown, a three band tour featuring Sophistafunk, who combines spoken-word, old-school hip hop, and funky rhythms;...
Pick of the Day 4/27: Gaslight Tinkers at Hawks and Reed in Greenfield
This pick is like a nesting doll: My buddy and co-worker Meg Bantle gave the green light for The Gaslight Tinkers performing tonight at Hawks and Reed as her Staff Pick. Her pick is based on our buddy and co-worker Chris Goudreau’s description. Here’s how...
World Renowned Saxophonist and Valley resident Charles Neville dies at age 79
One of the brightest music stars in the Pioneer Valley and the world succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Saxophonist Charles Neville, age 79, passed away Thursday, April 26, at his home in Huntington. A member of the acclaimed Neville Brothers band, Charles...
Izzy Heltai on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Izzy Heltai is an indie folk singer-songwriter with a penchant for storytelling. Check out his full Valley Advocate Sessions performance in the video below. Interview with Izzy Heltai:
Local jazz legend Charles Neville dies at 79
Charles Neville, Grammy award winning saxophonist and member of R&B, soul, and funk group, The Neville Brothers, died on Thursday at the age of 79. He had been battling pancreatic cancer for the past several months. Aaron Neville, Charles’ brother and...
Valley Show Girl: Snacktime! Musical story time with a pirate from the Valley
Valley Advocate writer alum Tom Sturm has a new gig these days. Dressing like a pirate and singing the songs of pirate life for kids — but pleasantly appealing for adults as well. With the album glued in my CD player in my car for weeks, my 7-year-old son and I knew...
Basemental: Attention to detail sets new Taxidermists’ record ‘Tax’ apart
Tucked away in an old house in Hadley live two musicians named Sal and Cooper, who collectively make up the rock duo The Taxidermists. The band has nurtured something of a cult following from DIY persistence and their 2015 record Honesty Box. One showgoer recently...
VIDEO: Izzy Heltai on Valley Advocate Sessions Friday
Check out a teaser for video for Izzy Heltai, a North Adams-based indie folk songwriter with a penchant for storytelling. A full performance will be released this Friday.
Pick of the Day 4/23: Ana Popovic at the Iron Horse
“Raw power,” “emotional complexity,” and “vibrant,” are words that have been used to describe Ana Popovic’s sound. She’s a singer and guitar slinger and she’ll be at the Iron Horse tonight. Big Blues Bender says,...
Pick of the Day 4/22: After the Gig Fest in Easthampton
Have you ever heard of “a weekend-long DIY/punk fest full of bands, workshops, and skill shares?” Well you have now; After the Gig is at the Flywheel in Easthampton, and 100% of what you pay will be split between the Pioneer Valley Workers Center and...
Anders Warringer on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Anders Warringer performs eclectic acoustic originals with a side of absurdity. Interview with Anders Warringer:
The CDs You Gave Me: ‘Hush Money’ is pure catharsis
Last year, I reviewed psychedelic bluesy rock band, Old Flame, with their debut extended play (EP) “Wolf in the Heather.” Now, a year later the band has released a new six-song EP called “Hush Money” continuing to create political charged art rock that takes an...
VIDEO: Anders Warringer on Valley Advocate Sessions Friday
Anders Warringer performs eclectic acoustic originals with a side of absurdity. Check out a teaser for Anders’ upcoming Advocate Sessions video to be released this Friday.
Staff Picks: What Cheer? Brigade, Holyoke Innovation Week, Poor People’s Campaign
What Cheer? Brigade and Landowner at Hawks & Reed // SATURDAY, APRIL 21 Odds are you haven’t seen a band like What Cheer? Brigade. The 20-piece brass band from Providence, Rhode Island, is basically a dance party version of a marching band and returns to Hawks...
Pick of the Day 4/15: Fatai at the Parlor Room
Fatai is a big deal. She’s sold-out multiple headline tours in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, and is touring again internationally. She’s making stops at SXSW and The Parlor Room in Northampton! Check out this young phenom up close and personal tonight at...
Fuzz Puddle on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Fuzz Puddle is an alternative rock duo that mixes indie jazz influences with an experimental approach. Interview with Fuzz Puddle:
Staff picks: Ingmar Bergman, Katherine First, and Mtali Shaka Banda
Ingmar Bergman’s Persona // SUNDAY, APRIL 15 It’s tax time and to increase your psychological stressors, check out Ingmar Bergman’s film Persona. Amherst Cinema has been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Swedish master’s birth. Hooray! Persona is another...
Pick of the Day 4/11: Jesse Cook at the Academy of Music
Guitarist Jesse Cook says, “I want to take people to places they haven’t been,” and he’s traveled the world looking for and mastering sounds that speak to him. His new album, Beyond Borders, is an expression of that world music combination his...
VIDEO: Fuzz Puddle on Advocate Sessions Friday
Fuzz Puddle is an alternative rock duo that mixes indie jazz influences with an experimental approach. Check out a teaser video for the band’s upcoming Advocate Sessions performance to be released this Friday.
Easthampton-based singer-songwriter Seth Glier takes home three Independent Music Awards
Easthampton-based folk pop multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Seth Glier won three Independent Music Awards on March 31 during the 16th annual awards ceremony at Lincoln Center in New York City. Glier, an Emmy nominated musician, took home awards for best...
Ginja Low Main on the Valley Advocate Sessions Stage
Ginja Low Main mixes its blend of jazz fusion and funk with a side of psychedelic rock. Check out the band’s complete Advocate Sessions performance filmed by Northampton Community Television and recorded by Signature Sounds Recordings. (Click on the video below)...
VIDEO: Ginja Low Main on Valley Advocate Sessions Friday
Ginja Low Main mixes jazz fusion with funk and jammy psychedelic rock that doesn’t skimp on the groove. Check out a teaser for the band’s upcoming Valley Advocate Sessions video to be released this Friday.
Basemental: What happens ‘After the Gig’
What happens after the gig is over, the room is reset, and everyone goes home? This is the prompt being posed by a new collective that is organizing a festival later this month by the name, well, After the Gig Fest. “We wanted to use the phrase ‘After The Gig’ in...E-Edition
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