Medford Brewing Company, Medford, MA
12/19/24
Its a cold December night that kicks off with a bang with Damian Israel Shiner of The Displayers. Diving right in, he strums away on his acoustic guitar and the crowd immediately gathers. Damian’s songs walk the line between folk and pop punk, leaving you with a positive feeling. With Damians powerful and versatile voice, the good vibes flow freely as he caps off his set with a Christmas carol (as it is December).
Up next is The Dave Sammarco Band. These guys bring it all and don’t pull any punches. Their set, complete with fiery fiddle solos bring an air of authenticity to the New England Americana Fest. Dave and his boys have been masters of the Americana circuit for a long time. It is good to see they can still rock out hard.
Nick Zaino is a guy who always seems to stand out in a crowd. He exudes kindness and can bring a smile to just about anybody’s face. Perhaps it’s his background running Boston’s Comedy Radio (https://bostoncomedyradio.com/) or it could also be his penchant for writing clever songs with witty hooks. Tonight it’s no surprise that he wins the crowd over,auplase echoing through the room with each song..
Keeping in the comedy theme, Robby Roadsteamer, a Boston legend infamously known for his antics stirring up trouble, combining comedy and activism takes the stage. Robby was a last minute addition to the bill after one artist had to drop out. Saving the day, Robby takes the New England Americana Fest stage decked out in a red suit, with his usual brash confidence. His rants are less political than some of the viral videos from Instagram but no less controversial. “Construction Boots” is called out as a request and in a flash you can tell who is in on the joke and who is not. Some people are confused, and many more laughing as Robby exits the stage and hurriedly departs the venue for his next appearance elsewhere.
Replacing the DJ is a jazzy new band featuring Americana veterans guitarist, Jay DiBiasio & bassist, John Stump, performing instrumental grooves. The musicianship is tight as guitar and bass weave complex melodies and rhythmic patterns grazing on influences from jazz, to jazz manouche to even hints of surf rock and chicken-pickin’ country rock. They are a delight and their set ends too soon.
Stone country rock is the trademarked sound of Sunfisher. Despite the fact that they are without their regular drummer, the band seamlessly plays a tight set that has the crowd swaying and stomping along. Singer and acoustic guitarist, Scot Fitzsimmons, commands the stage like a young George Jones and delivers alt country with an edge. The band is as tight as George Jones’s Smoky Mountain Boys too, holding things down like pros. With ripping lead guitar and steadfast bass playing, this is a band to watch.
Comanchero have been making waves in the Americana scene for a long time, and it’s evident by their unique take on Americana twang fused with jam rock. Tight grooves, funky basslines and even a bit of reggae are mixed together in a soup that would make your mama jealous. Behind the kit, Greg Moon croons out tunes, blending perfectly with their other singer Sam Margolis, who can sing to the rafters. Whether they are trading off lead vocal duties or harmonizing with each outer, their vocal display is dazzling.
Chuck Melchin, the frontman of the Bean Pickers Union, has a new project called “The Bluest Sky”. The music is more up-tempo recalling the alt-country bands of the mid 90’s. There isn’t any room to get closer during Chuck’s set, as the crowd has squished into every possible nook and cranny in front of him, craning their necks to get a better view of his performance.. Chuck responds in kind by belting out a dramatic performance with his trusty acoustic guitar, raising it above his head Pete Townsend-style, at one point.
If you like Lester Flatts level flatpicking, three-part harmonies and a driving rhythm section, you would have had a smile the size of Texas on your face as Sam Reid & The Riot Act perform. Sam Reid lays down breakneck bluegrass solos speckled with Caribbean rhythms, and mandolin player, Aaron Goff, plays the mandolin with the precision of an MGH surgeon. In a room with a very high percentage of musicians, there were a lot of people in the crowd left with their jaws dropped open in stunned disbelief at the virtuosity of this band. There’s never been an Americana roots and bluegrass band like this.
Representing Wayward Vine is Valerie Rachel on lead vocals and keys and Greg Lawrence on acoustic guitar and harmonica. The music has a singer/songwriter feel; a blend of folk and country with poignant lyrics and well crafted hooks. Valerie’s voice is tender and heartfelt, supplemented by Greg’s melodic harmonies. The music is passionately delivered and catches the crowd’s attention. A big two thumbs up for Wayward Vine.
Daniel Miller & The High Life are a hard working Americana band that aren’t afraid to play with a little twang and kick some ass. Knoxville, TN transplant to New England, Daniel Miller writes songs that have grit, fury and a truckload of heart. A highlight of the festival is when the boys play “Mad as Hell,” a song that rocks super hard and has the whole room bobbing their heads along in rhythm.
Celebrating his recently released debut album, Andrew Mason McIntosh is joined on stage by Andrew Vincent and Jeffrey Finkelstein. Andrew has a knack for putting together undeniably catchy originals. His set is quirky and fun and when he plays his song “Dónde Está el Baño?” he has the whole bar singing along. Though he’s still relatively new to the Americana scene, Andrew Mason McIntosh shows a lot of promise. Definitely keep an eye out for this up and coming artist.
Pushing the Christmas theme hard is Lonely Leesa and The Lost Cowboys. Clad in a Christmas tree dress, Lonely Leesa music has a lot of flash, sparkle and holiday spirit. Their over the top set includes a cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” featuring Jason McGorty of The Kettle Burners on accordion and Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home”. With Christmas only a few days away, even the Grinchiest of Grinches would be moved to celebrate a little winter holiday cheer after hearing Leesa’s set.
A newcomer on the Americana scene and a welcome surprise was the soft folk and bluegrass stylings of Katie Leigh. Katie’s soft and gentle vocal approach enabled her to craft magnificent harmonies with her guitar. There were a few small technical issues during her set but those who hung out for her set got treated to some really nice bluegrass tunes with hauntingly beautiful singing. She is another one to watch.
When I heard Tigerman Woah! was going to be a part of tonight’s lineup, I couldn’t help but smile. This quarter has been one of my longtime favorite bands and one of New England’s heaviest hitters when it comes to the Americana scene. The band comes out with a bang, firing on all cylinders in a folk-punk onslaught. The crowd chants along with lead singer, Adam Kazynski, who wields his banjolele like it’s a loaded weapon. Kevin Landry’s stand up bass and Adam Lentine work behind the kit equal a monster of a rhythm section. Jonathan Feinberg ripping it up on lead guitar caps things off nicely. The crowd loves it and eats up every second of it.
Other Brother Darryl not only won the Boston Music Award for Country Artist of the Year, but they also won the award tonight for most stringed instruments on stage; two acoustic guitars, an electric guitar, a bass guitar and a banjo. That being said, the crowded room of folks tuning in to see them play at the New England Americana Fest are getting quite a special treat of “Cosmic Canyon Rock” reminiscent of Gram Parsons, Jayhawks and Uncle Tupelo. The soulful dulcet voice of Dan Nicklin is complimented by the euphonious harmonies sung by Nate Leavitt, all wrapped in an embrace of acoustic guitar. Listening to the band perform, I get the feeling like I’m being transported to a faraway place where everything is calm and at peace.
As the music ends, I snap out of my dreamlike state only to be pulled suddenly across the venue to hear music from the next band. Growling guitar, thunderous bass, swirling hammond organ and powerful drums rally around Nate Perry’s voice and hollow bodied electric guitar. Nate Perry and Ragged Company were recently nominated for a Boton Music Award for “New Artist of the Year”, and upon seeing their high-energy, raw and uplifting performance tonight I can understand why. The show ends too quickly and leaves everyone wanting more. I am looking forward to catching this band on Boston Calling this summer.
2024 Boston Music Award Nominee for Country Music Artist of the Year, Elisa Smith and her fiddle playing partner in crime, Erin Bonnie, are a fiery duo. Headlining the acoustic stage, Elisa sings with the voice of an angel and Erin plays like she’s got a fiddle of gold on the line. This charismatic duo keeps the crowd captivated, with the onlookers hanging on Elisa’s every word. Though Elisa is no stranger to Nashville, we are glad she calls Boston home.
In closing, this was an amazing night of music and community, raising over $2,000 for the Boston Children’s Hospital. As this chapter closes in New England Americana, please feel free to revisit this year’s performances on the NEAF Youtube page or Rock’n in Boston Youtube page, thank you Just Bill!). Until the next New England American Fest, thank you everyone who made this possible! (Kier Byrnes)