New England Americana Association

Tag: Spring 2025

  • New England Americana 2025 Year In Review

    Who rocked our world this year? 10. All the writers and folks who went out into the world, hunting for great Americana bands and came back with music reviews which then they submitted to New England Americana. 9. The New England Music Awards and Boston Music Awards for helping build community, bringing musicians from all…

  • 2024 New England Americana Fest (Nick A. Zaino III review)

    On a logistical level alone, the New England Americana Fest Winter Jubilee was an impressive feat. Nineteen performers [including myself, but I won’t review me here, I have too much pride] played on two stages at the Medford Brewing Company. One corner by the bar was designated the Acoustic Stage [which is where I played,…

  • Damian Israel, Nick Zaino, Replacing The DJ

    Medford Brewing Company, Medford, MA  12/19/24 The New England Americana Fest is back and better than ever. With beer flowing and a SRO crowd, local music fills two stages at The Medford Brewing Company, with little pause in between the 19 acts here tonight; as sound techs and organizers work hard to keep the tunes…

  • 2024 New England Americana Fest (Kier Byrnes review)

    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.…

  • Mike Quinn – at Medford Brewing Company

    Medford, MA 3/19/25 There can’t be many places better than Medford Brewing to enjoy a cold American Pale ale, brewed by brewer/musician/poet, Max Heinegg, while taking in some good ole’ American rock n roll. Boston music veteran, Mike Quinn, has center stage, rocking the red strat and a sweet goatee. He’s dressed casually in a…

  • Elisa Smith – At Plough and Stars

    Cambridge, MA 3/14/25 Got a late start tonight but fortunately for me, the Plough and Stars is one place that’s happening just about anytime of day or night. I’m lucky enough to catch the last set by Elisa Smith.  She cranks out a mix of originals and eclectic, fun covers like “Jambalaya (on the Bayou)”…

  • Comanchero – Darkness

    Listen on Spotify Single Seamlessly blending reggae, classic blues rock, Americana and a little funk, lies Comanchero’s latest single, “Darkness”. Strong vocals and well crafted, misty lyrics pull the listener in but it’s the soulful harmonica mixed with catchy lead guitar riffs that help put the song over the top.  The vocal delivery of the…

  • Zion Rodman – The Lives I’ve Kept

    Listen on Spotify Single/3 tracks Boston-based (by way of Cape Cod and Chicago) artist Zion Rodman brings a refreshing authenticity to New England’s music scene. His soulful voice and melodic guitar work knit together a genre-bending repertoire of originals that include introspective acoustic ballads that wouldn’t be out of place in the closing minutes of…

  • Nate Perry & Ragged Company – The Otherside of Everything

    Listen on Spotify 7 song EP Nate and his band, Ragged Company, are on a steady rise, and their five-song EP, “The Otherside of Everything”, is clear proof. A collection of tracks that feel both classic and fresh, the EP—recorded at Rare Signal Studios by the renowned Brian Charles—strikes a perfect balance between polish and…

  • Sam Reid & The Riot Act

    Satellite – Remnant Brewing, Cambridge, MA 1/27/25 It’s “Bluegrass Mondays” at Remnant;’s Brewing’s Satellite (the old Atwood’s Tavern). Up on stage is Sam Reid & The Riot Act, known for Caribbean infused bluegrass polyrhythms and  witty banter between songs doused heavily with dueling solos between a fiddle, electric mandolin and acoustic guitar. Sam Reid, as…

  • Erin Bonnie – Roger

    Listen on Spotify Single From Big Sky to the Big Dig, Montana-born Erin Bonnie has been sharing her take on classic country, western swing, and acoustic tales of wayward characters and love gone wrong in the Boston area for over a decade. Bonnie’s songwriting and style somehow manages to be simultaneously fresh and timeless. She…

  • Homefried Valentines, Pyewackett

    The Square Root, Roslindale, MA 3/22/25 An eclectic but charming cafe in Rozzie, The Square Root has  built a reputation throughout the northeast for putting on some great nights of music.  The crowd goes quiet as the duo known as Pyewackett, takes the stage for their debut show.  The duo is composed of Julie Kantner…

  • The Velvet Dirtmunchers, Basically Good Puppet Theatre – The Dead of Winter 3 Festival

    The Rockwell, Somerville, MA 2/26/25 Due to other obligations, I only make the second half of the show, but as I walk in during intermission, I can immediately tell I have walked in on something special tonight at The Rockwell. The band hosting the night, The Velvet Dirtmunchers, or as I call them, my favorite…

  • Elisa Smith – I Shouldn’t Drive Around You

    Listen on Spotify  Single Listening to Elisa Smith’s single “I Shouldn’t Drink Around You,” brought me hope that the future of Country music is in good hands. On first listen, the tune has a bit more rock ‘n’ roll feel than a modern-pop-country vibe. The song is gritty and saucy, a little tongue-in-cheek and definitely…