Music
by Advocate Staff | Jan 24, 2018 | Articles, Music, Newsletter
Darklight creates dark ambient electronic meditations and is this week’s Valley Advocate Sessions performer. You can check out a teaser for his performance set to be released this Friday. Darklight
by Jennifer Levesque | Jan 24, 2018 | Articles, Columns, Music, Newsletter, Valley Show Girl
I love it when music collides with a charitable fundraiser event, especially when that event involves human rights. The happenings at The O’s Music Bar in Sunderland last week were just that. Rise Up Productions, a liberal activist group of musicians and actors based...
by Chris Goudreau | Jan 16, 2018 | Articles, Music, Review
Amherst-based OroborO’s debut album, Laughing Death, is a furiously upbeat apocalyptic vision of doom metal, hardcore punk, math rock, and jazzy psychedelia with a wry dark sense of humor that’s like going for a quaint and pleasant stroll while sirens wail and...
by Jennifer Levesque | Jan 8, 2018 | Articles, Columns, Music, Newsletter, Valley Show Girl
The smell of strong coffee warms me from the cold as I open the door to Iconica Social Club for the first time. From the outside, it looks like an odd brick building in the middle of a parking lot behind Haymarket in Northampton. But upon entering, you’re engulfed...
by Chris Goudreau | Jan 2, 2018 | Featured, Music, Newsletter, Review
This past year Winterpills member and Northampton-based singer-songwriter Phillip B. Price remastered a dozen of his past solo albums recorded from 1988 to 2004, which had never seen the light of day. With a back catalogue of more than a hundred songs to choose from,...
by Chris Goudreau | Dec 26, 2017 | Articles, Music, Newsletter, Review
Holyoke-based Behold! True Believers combines genres that you wouldn’t initially think would pair well together — pop punk, alternative rock, psychedelic pop, doo-wop, and experimental rock. This synthesis of influences works surprising well on the sextet’s recent...
by Jennifer Levesque | Dec 26, 2017 | Articles, Columns, Music, Newsletter, Valley Show Girl
I don’t know about any of you, but 2017 kicked my ass. But, as always, one of the things that keeps me sane, is music. So let’s bid a farewell to this year with some kick ass shows that are sprinkled throughout the Valley. There is literally something for everyone,...
by Advocate Staff | Dec 22, 2017 | Articles, Music
Singer-songwriter Nate Martel plays acoustic roots rock music that doesn’t skimp on soul. Martel is also a member of local psychedelic rock group, Outer Stylie, which previously performed on Valley Advocate Sessions. He recently released his first solo album, “Short...
by Chris Goudreau | Dec 18, 2017 | Featured, Music, Newsletter
Joe Louis Walker has a voice out of classic soul and blues guitar chops that were inspired by some of the greats — B.B. King, Muddy Waters, the list goes on. Walker, a Blues Hall of Fame inductee, grew up in San Francisco playing blues before entering into the...
by Gina Beavers | Dec 11, 2017 | Articles, Featured, Newsletter, Review
Celebrating 10 years of performance theater, The Royal Frog Ballet trades the wild outdoors for the pristine white walls of A.P.E. Gallery in downtown Northampton this month. Their retrospective, HINDSIGHT/FORESIGHT, is a thoughtful and vivid collection of paintings,...
by Jennifer Levesque | Dec 11, 2017 | Articles, Arts, Columns, Featured, Music, Newsletter, Uncategorized, Valley Show Girl
About a month ago, Valley musician Nate Martel came into the Advocate office to drop off his debut solo album “Short Stay.” Being a fan of his role in rock group, Outer Stylie, I was pumped to get the CD into my car as soon as I left work. And that I did. Recorded at...
by Chris Goudreau | Dec 4, 2017 | Articles, Featured, Music, Newsletter, Review, Review
Northampton-based funk sextet Fat Bradley’s new self-titled five-song extended play (EP) recording is an acid jazz fusion of instrumental kaleidoscopic funky rock that grooves along with frantic energy and a sense of reckless abandon that’s downright entertaining....
by Chris Goudreau | Nov 27, 2017 | Articles, Music, Review
Northampton-based garage pop and indie rock trio Hammydown excels at tapping into youthful angst with charming, sarcastic glee on its debut five-song extended play recording, “Pizzaface,” released July 21. At its heart, Pizzaface is a record about dual identities and...
by Jennifer Levesque | Nov 27, 2017 | Articles, Columns, Featured, Music, Newsletter, Review, Valley Show Girl
A couple weeks ago I wrote my column based on the fiasco that is Wikipedia Vs. Women, where locally and nationally non-male musicians are getting edited out of the popular DIY online encyclopedia due to male editors not accepting articles from certain publications...
by Will Meyer | Nov 20, 2017 | Articles, Basemental, Columns, Music
Last week my colleague Jennifer Levesque reported on musician and rock documentarian Tanya Pearson’s efforts to challenge Wikipedia edits. While trying to revise entries on the free encyclopedia, Pearson discovered that many edits and entries weren’t getting...
by Advocate Staff | Nov 17, 2017 | Articles, Music
Ritmo Gitano is a local duo that plays traditional gitano and Romani music on fiddle (Zoe Darrow) and Spanish guitar (Tony Silva). Check out the group’s complete Valley Advocate Sessions performance in video below. Interview with Ritmo Gitano:
by Jennifer Levesque | Nov 13, 2017 | Articles, Columns, Featured, Music, Newsletter, Valley Show Girl
Tanya Pearson has been accumulating a continuous list of female musicians for her Women in Rock Oral History Project which she started at Smith College in December 2014. Accompanied by 29 video interviews (so far!) with some of them available on www.womenofrock.org,...
by Chris Goudreau | Nov 13, 2017 | Articles, Music, Newsletter, Review
Northampton-based singer-songwriter Jake Klar has undergone a metamorphosis from an acoustic driven folk artist to an alternative rock-poet who fuses psychedelic instrumentation with his knack for lyrical storytelling on his newest record, Until the Wild Fire Become...
by Dave Eisenstadter | Nov 6, 2017 | Arts, Featured, Film, Music, News, Newsletter
Ted Neeley is not the second coming of Jesus Christ. But he does play one in the extremely popular show and accompanying 1973 movie Jesus Christ Superstar. The show went from being protested in the streets to one of the biggest Broadway sensations, touring around the...
by Will Meyer | Nov 6, 2017 | Articles, Basemental, Columns, Music, Newsletter, Review
When I heard there was a local band called Landowner, I thought: “Surely, they’re joking. This is satirical, right?” But punk is weird these days — everyone is on Facebook hoping companies will sponsor them — so I wasn’t completely sure. I started asking friends,...
by Advocate Staff | Nov 3, 2017 | Articles, Music
Lisa Martin writes original songs ranging from country to folk roots music, but with a dash of bluesy rock. Check out Lisa Martin’s complete Valley Advocate Sessions performance below. Interview with Lisa Martin:
by Advocate Staff | Nov 1, 2017 | Articles, Music
Check out a video teaser for Lisa Martin trio’s upcoming Valley Advocate Sessions performance, which will be released this Friday. Martin plays country, folk roots with a dash of bluesy rock.
by Jennifer Levesque | Oct 30, 2017 | Articles, Columns, Music, Review, Valley Show Girl
Later this month, Chicopee’s Maximum Capacity will close and open at some point in the future with new ownership. Will there still be shows? If so, will they include metal/rock shows? Only time will tell. But in the meantime, you still have a chance to get to “one...
by Jennifer Levesque | Oct 27, 2017 | Articles, Music, Uncategorized
Reverend Dan and the Dirty Catechism, Springfield-based preacher rock n’ roll with a side of post punk. BONUS: Reverend Dan and the Dirty Catechism interview: Check out our past Sessions performers, including Seth Newton, Old Flame, Shokazoba, and Tang...
by Advocate Staff | Oct 26, 2017 | Articles, Music
This week’s Valley Advocate Sessions artist is Reverend Dan and the Dirty Catechism, preacher rock n’ roll with a side of post punk. RD&tDC’s full Sessions performance will be released this Friday. Until then, here’s a teaser video.
by Will Meyer | Oct 23, 2017 | Articles, Basemental, Columns, Music
The Young Tricksters have returned. After what felt like forever, the Amherst quartet have broken their quiet to give the people what they want: a full-length album. After releasing a couple self-recorded demos back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth (March 2013 to...
by Advocate Staff | Oct 20, 2017 | Articles, Music
Seth Glier is an Easthampton-based multi-instrumentalist pop and folk singer-songwriter, who switches between guitar and keyboard. He’s been nominated for a Grammy and has released numerous past records, including his most recent album, “Birds,” released in 2017....
by Advocate Staff | Oct 19, 2017 | Articles, Music
Check out a teaser video for multi-instrumentalist pop and folk songwriter, Seth Glier. His full Sessions performance will be released this Friday.
by Chris Goudreau | Oct 16, 2017 | Articles, Music, Review
Northampton-based indie rock band LuxDeluxe’s newest 12-track record, Let’s Do Lunch, is a meditation on crafting the perfect two to three minute pop song. The group draws its influence from classic bands like the Beatles, NRBQ, and the Rolling Stones, and excels at...
by Jennifer Levesque | Oct 16, 2017 | Articles, Columns, Music, Review, Valley Show Girl
After having a so-long get together at Galaxy in Easthampton with my coworkers to send off Kristin Palpini on her next adventure, I dragged my sad ass down the street to Luthier’s Coop. And I tell ya, there’s nothing like seeing Pee Wee Herman’s inviting...
by Advocate Staff | Oct 13, 2017 | Articles, Music
Mark Schwaber is an indie folk artist with punk rock influences from Easthampton, MA. Check out his complete Valley Advocate Sessions performance and interview in the videos below. Interview with Mark Schwaber:
by Advocate Staff | Oct 12, 2017 | Articles, Music
Check out a teaser indie folk rock artist Mark Schwaber on Valley Advocate Sessions. His full performance will be released this Friday. Can’t wait until Friday? Check out our Sessions page to watch past performers such as Tundra Toddler, Lonely Whale, and Court...
by Chris Goudreau | Oct 9, 2017 | Articles, Music, Newsletter, Review
Northampton-based psychedelic pop and garage grunge quintet, Sun Parade, delivers a hard rocking album that doesn’t skimp on delivering quiet moments of poignancy on its 12-track record, Shuggy Mtn. Breakdown, released on Oct. 12. Sun Parade consists of Chris...
by Advocate Staff | Oct 6, 2017 | Articles, Music
Electronic punk and glitch pop artist, Tundra Toddler, played a set for Valley Advocate Sessions on Sept. 20, which is now available to stream. Interview with Tundra Toddler:
by Advocate Staff | Oct 5, 2017 | Articles, Music
Check out the Valley Advocate Sessions teaser video for electro punk and glitch pop artist Tundra Toddler. Tundra Toddler’s full performance will be available for streaming online this Friday.
by Gary Carra | Sep 29, 2017 | Articles, Columns, Music, Nightcrawler
Still haven’t secured your Maine baked spud or lobster-laden Mac N’ Cheese from the New Hampshire building? Better hurry. Its almost time to shepherd the Clydesdales back into the trailers and put the burlap sacks of the Giant Slide in mothballs. But that...
by Advocate Staff | Sep 29, 2017 | Articles, Music
Court Etiquette is a Northampton-based indie pop band fused with rollicking roots rock. The band performed on the Valley Advocate Sessions stage on Sept. 5. Check out the band’s full performance in the video below. Interview with Court Etiquette:
by Advocate Staff | Sep 28, 2017 | Articles, Music
Court Etiquette is a Northampton-based indie pop band fused with rollicking roots rock. The band performed on the Valley Advocate Sessions stage on Sept. 5 and their full performance will be released this Friday. Check out a teaser for Court Etiquette on Sessions...
by Chris Goudreau | Sep 25, 2017 | Articles, Music, Newsletter, Review
Mama’s Marmalade is a burst of sunshine that makes dark clouds dissipate with the band’s lush vocal harmonies and jammy acoustic newgrass blend of mandolin, banjo, violin, bass, and guitar. On June 2, the Northampton-based bluegrass quintet released its debut 10-track...
by Advocate Staff | Sep 22, 2017 | Articles, Music
Lonely Whale is an electric singer-songwriter with rock and indie folk influences. She played Valley Advocate Sessions on September 5 and her entire set is now available for viewing. Check it out in the video below. Interview with Lonely Whale: Like what you’re...
by Jennifer Levesque | Sep 21, 2017 | Articles, Arts, Music
The Pixies rocked out a 31-song set, which was close to 2 hours of non-stop jams last night at the John M. Greene Hall, at Smith College in Northampton. Here’s a sample of some pictures and video from their show. — Jennifer Levesque,...
by Jennifer Levesque | Sep 18, 2017 | Articles, Columns, Music, Newsletter, Review, Valley Show Girl
For the last six weekends of summer, Millpond.Live puts on a free grassroots festival at Millside Park in Easthampton for all ages to enjoy. Produced by Laudable Productions, a creative agency in Easthampton that has a plethora of services including community...
by Advocate Staff | Sep 15, 2017 | Articles, Music, Uncategorized
Local indie folk trio, Parlicium, performed on the Valley Advocate Sessions stage on August 15. The band has roots in acoustic folk rock and was one of five bands to perform at the Green River Fest 2017’s Next Wave Stage. Interview with Parlicium: Like what you’re...
by Advocate Staff | Sep 13, 2017 | Articles, Music
Parlicium is an indie folk trio from Western Mass with acoustic roots. The band is one of five to perform at the Green River Fest 2017’s Next Wave Stage. Check out Parlicium’s full set when it’s released this Friday. Can’t wait for Friday to see more...
by Chris Goudreau | Sep 13, 2017 | Articles, Music, News, Newsletter
Peter Wolf, the dynamic rock and blue-eyed soul frontman singer for the J. Geils Band, who co-wrote some of the band’s most popular songs such as “Love Stinks,” and “Must Of Got Lost,” is gearing up to play the Academy of Music in Northampton on Oct. 13. Valley...
by Advocate Staff | Sep 8, 2017 | Articles, Music
The Buddy McEarns Band is blue roots rock n’roll with a voice out of classic soul. The band performed on the Valley Advocate Sessions stage on August 15. Bonus Interview with the Buddy McEarns Band:
by Advocate Staff | Sep 7, 2017 | Articles, Music
The Buddy McEarns Band is blue roots rock n’roll with a voice out of classic soul. The band performed on the Valley Advocate Sessions stage on August 15 and their full performance will be released this Friday. Until then, here’s a teaser of the Buddy...
by Chris Goudreau | Sep 5, 2017 | Articles, Arts, Featured, Music, News
There’s no band quite like the Pixies with its blend of dissonant noise pop, psychedelic hard rock, surf-drenched reverb, punk rock-ish DIY leanings, and surreal lyrics that cover bizarre topics from extraterrestrials to biblical violence. Since the band’s 1986...
by Kristin Palpini | Sep 5, 2017 | Articles, Arts, Music
Unband bassist Michael Ruffino doesn’t bullshit. Outside on the deck at Northampton Brewery, I ask the rocker with a new memoir about music, the Valley, LA, the creative process, his book; and he’s refreshingly candid. How do you feel about the music in the ‘90s,...
by Chris Goudreau | Sep 5, 2017 | Articles, Arts, Music, Newsletter, Review
Easthampton-based basement rock band Tundrastomper is an experimental psychedelia mutant grown from a vat of math rock that explodes into a storm with manic ferocity. There’s more than a glob of progressive rock stylings thrown into the mixer with the band’s new...
by Advocate Staff | Sep 5, 2017 | Articles, Arts, Music, Newsletter, Staff Picks
Lady Snowblood at Amherst Cinema // FRIDAY Ah, the classic story of bloody and brutal revenge. There’s nothing quite like it. Although many think Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill films are the peak of stylized action in the sub-genre, there is another film...
by Advocate Staff | Sep 1, 2017 | Articles, Music
Valley Advocate staff writer – Chris Goudreau – is this week’s Sessions performer. Goudreau sings with an operatic sounding voice and has plenty of 12-string guitar chops. Goudreau is also a member of 10-piece avant-garde pop/ experimental theatrical band, The Leafies...
by Advocate Staff | Aug 31, 2017 | Articles, Music
Our very own Valley Advocate staff writer – Chris Goudreau – is this week’s Sessions performer. Goudreau sings with an operatic sounding voice and has plenty of 12-string guitar chops. Goudreau is also a member of 10-piece avant-garde pop/...
by Will Meyer | Aug 28, 2017 | Articles, Basemental, Columns, Music, Newsletter
I kept hearing that Ian (Thee Arcadians) and Androo (ex-Spirit Ghost, Nancy Drool) would disappear into different basements and jam on one chord for hours at a time. The roommates tolerated it (within reason), the neighbors were never “chill” to begin with. But that...
by Advocate Staff | Aug 28, 2017 | Articles, Music, News, Newsletter
Crash, Mmm, Moo, Whee! Sounds Like a Fair to Me It’s a few days away, but I can already smell a unique blend of corn dogs, funnel cakes, old engines, smashed buses, and livestock that can only mean one thing: It’s fair time, baby! The Three County Fair is...
by Advocate Staff | Aug 28, 2017 | Articles, Arts, Music, Newsletter
THURSDAY 8/31 Buccaneer Lounge: DJ. 86 Maple St., Agawam. Christy’s Lounge: DJ. 278 Main St., Indian Orchard. Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee. Froggy’s Saloon: DJ karaoke. 846 Airport Industrial Park, Westfield. Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center:...
by Advocate Staff | Aug 25, 2017 | Articles, Music
The Jeremy Turgeon Quintet from Springfield, MA, is a funky jazz band set to an R&B and neo-soul groove. The band performed on the Valley Advocate Sessions stage on August 8. The group released its debut EP, New Journey, in 2015 and is planning to record a future...
by Advocate Staff | Aug 21, 2017 | Featured, Music, Newsletter
THURSDAY // Old Crow Medicine Show The originators of the open mic sing-a-long phenomenon “Wagon Wheel” are upbeat bluegrass band Old Crow Medicine Show. Although the band’s single is well known, there’s more to Old Crow Medicine Show than just...
by Kristin Palpini | Aug 21, 2017 | Arts, Featured, Music, News, Newsletter
Chicopee’s Downtown GetDown The Downtown GetDown is funneling people in this weekend to check out all the cool stuff going on in The Pee. This year’s GetDown will feature a Bike Rodeo, an event usually for kids under age 13 that teaches them good ridership...
by Advocate Staff | Aug 23, 2017 | Articles, Music, Newsletter
The Jeremy Turgeon Quintet is a Springfield-based funky jazz band with an R&B and neo-soul groove that performed on Valley Advocate Sessions on August 8. The band’s full performance will be released on Friday. Until then, here’s a teaser of the band in...
