EP Release Party and Charity Music Event
So, this summer, we recorded our first EP. Through the process, the music has had some positive, organic growth. Though we had originally intended to get out 5 or 6 songs, we’ve had the chance to really dissect all of the aspects of a few songs and record them as they ought to be recorded. In the end, we recorded “First It Rains,” “Washing Machine,” and “Change.” In order to celebrate, we got together with some friends to have a bit of a party.
Nick Blakey of Church (69 Kilmarnoc Street, near Fenway), was crucial in providing us with the venue to do so. Church is a venue that seems to really be taking off in the Boston music scene. Blakey recently stated in an interview that he really wanted to establish the place as the new home for roots, Americana rock in Boston. So far, so good.
Since we had this opportunity, we thought that it would be important to hold it for a reason that was a bit bigger than ourselves. Keeping in mind the mission statement of Church and the kind of roots music that we wanted to fill the night with, we hooked up with Charity Music Inc. The organization collects instruments, in all sorts of condition, and gives them to children, schools, and veteran hospitals who show interest in developing their musical ability.
“Charity Music is an all volunteer 501©(3) nonprofit public service organization, which provides Musical Instruments on loan, at no charge, to children and other individuals wishing to explore their hidden Musical Talents. Our Mission is to help cultivate the next crop of upcoming artists. The Musical Instrument Donation Program was first established in 1996 by past Macomb Symphony Orchestra President, Roger A. Fachini Sr., Most instruments were in good working condition, and tax deductions were made available to the donors. A detailed history and contact information can be found at http://www.charitymusic.org/.”
We thought, for a show and a band based on real roots music, why not help others develop their roots.
Due to the kindness of others, we were able to collect a good handful of instruments, including two trumpets and a few keyboards.
The bands sharing the lineup were The Patmos Brothers Revival, The Bean Pickers Union, Tin Can Tele, Three Day Threshold and drummer Mark Rooney from Odaiko New England.
The Patmos Brothers Revival (PBR for short – nothing like an homage to America’s finest beer in 17__) opened up the show with some smokin’ bluegrass pickin. Though some bluegrass elitists would outcast them for their inclusion of a drummer, these guys embody roots music in its most basic, unplugged, undistorted form.
We just wish that the crowd that had developed by the end of the evening was their early enough to enjoy them. Though I’m equally guilty of this as a music fan, it seems not to matter ho early you tell people the show is starting (and, yes, we lie all of the time and tell you it starts earlier than it does because we know you’ll be late) everyone seems to remain fashionable(y late).
Up next was Chuck and The Bean Pickers Union. They’ve got a pretty mellow Steve Earl thing going for them. As we saw in a later set with Three Day, Chucks is a nasty, balls out guitar player. You can’t help but tilt your head to listen to the lyrics.
Marc Rooney was invited to play and share his thoughts on roots music. Marc runs a group called Onedaiko New England that consists of Japanese drummers (lessons, community education, cultural preservation). Marc was able to share with the audience a different type of folk music with a visceral drum solo that came from the heart as he walked through the audience.
Tin Can Tele played as a three piece, stand up bass, drums, and guitar. They set a pretty good mood and get people into it by switching genres mid – song. One in particular when from a disco sounding beat into a crisp reggae riff. It sounds a bit like what Jack Johnson would sound like if he had severe attention deficit disorder and a mean cocaine and RedBull habit – not that these clean cut guys condone such behavior. Noel, from Autumn Hollow, sat in with Tin Can Tele for a few songs on banjo and pedal steel.
The Autumn Hollow Band played next. All together, we probably had more fun than we’ve ever had playing live. The bands before us had really set up a great feel for the evening.
The audience was happy and in full participation. This was a crucial aspect to the evening and in sync with why we wanted to put it together in the first place. The bands for the evening are all guys that realize that a member of the band equal or more important than the rest is the audience. The give and take of the energy from everyone in a room being in sync is what makes everything enjoyable. Aside from how different we might all be, for a little slice of time we all get to be equal parts of something collectively. Kinda nice.
Finishing off the night was a set by Three Day Threshold. They’ve been one of the best acts around town and we were lucky to get them involved. Getting into the spirit of why we play music, Kier invited up Chuck on guitar from the Bean Pickers, Jeff from Tin Can Tele, and Mark the Ondaiko drummer. The group had a blast playing everything from some real dirty honky tonk and twisted versions of old Irish tunes to and the ever-requested closer “Free Bird.”
All in all, we hope to put together many more events just like it. Do what we can to bring life to Americana, roots music in Boston – from the youth on up.
…lookin for fun and feelin’ groovy.
We hope you enjoy the music.
Thanks for listening.
autumnhollow@live.com
