Tag: Summer 2025

Bellforge Arts Center, Medfield, MA 6/29/25 I’ve just returned from my first New England Americana Fest, though it’s been going on since 2007.  The question is, ‘Where have I been?!’  I believe this was the first one at the Bellforge Arts Center in Medfield, and it was on the Great Lawn, a wonderful backdrop for…

Festival website North Atlantic Arts Alliance, South Hiram, Maine 7/24/25 to 7/29/25 Ossipee is a lovely little 4-day music festival in Hiram, Maine, 2 ½ hours from Boston.  It used to have the name ‘Bluegrass’ in the title up until a few years ago, and there’s still a heavy bluegrass bent, along with an effort…

Allston, MA 8/4/25 The Muckers are a melting pot of musical influences, combining Celtic, Romani music, sea shanties, country, rockabilly, and anything else they can get their hands on. Front man and multi-instrumentalist, Jeff Shaw, used to call Boston home, playing in several prominent bands in town but now he and his band, The Muckers,…

Jamaica Plain, MA 8/2/25 Much to my 13-year-old’s chagrin, I did not buy her a $600 ticket to see Megan Moroney at Roadrunner for her birthday.  I’m not sure where my moral code would cap off – maybe $100?  Who can afford, much less be willing, to pay these prices?!  I’m almost as flummoxed about…

Listen on Spotify Single  The band Wayward Vine is categorized under the Folk genre, but their latest song “End of May” has a definite crossover feel, not quite pop but not quite folk in the literal sense. Beginning with a melodic piano opening,  Valeria Rachel breaks through with beautiful undertones of Joan Baez and Joanie…

Boston, MA 6/10/25 At one time (a long, long time ago), he was a small-time singer/songwriter from the New York/New Jersey area making his name. These days, Paul Simon calls Connecticut home and sits on the Board of Trustees of Boston’s own Berklee College of Music.  His show tonight is at the Wang Theatre in…

Listen on Spotify Single Floating somewhere between Americana and indie rock is Billy Dodge Moody, soaring through the space like a meteor composed of the same elements that made Radiohead and Jason Isbell.  “Meaning to Disaster” is a somber, richly orchestrated ballad and the instrumentation and production are top notch, as are Hannah Foxman’s backup…

Listen on Spotify 7 song album My first exposure to sidebody was watching them perform “He’s Dead” online as part of the band’s Tiny Desk concert. I was immediately hooked.  That led me into a deep dive of their latest studio album, Full Time Job. I’m glad I did as I’ve really been enjoying the studio version…

Cambridge, MA 5/28/25 Before it closed in September, 2024, Toad was known as a cozy little venue that made a reputation as a hub of the Americana scene. Under new ownership, Toad recently reopened with some minor renovations but with the same magical vibe.  One of the elements the new ownership brought back is the…

Listen on Spotify Single Nick Zaino’s recent single “In a Day Dream” is a folk song with a modern twist. The song structure plays with rhythm and melody, and the song’s multiple parts flow together with a laid back groove.  Nick’s acoustic guitar and powerful voice guide the song through verse and chorus  There are…

Listen on Spotify 13 SONG ALBUM  Chances are if you’ve been to a porchfest, brewery or music festival in the Greater Boston area, you’ve seen the band The 94s at some point. Known for supporting local venues, The 94s have been a staple on the scene for years, playing an array of original and cover…

Listen on Spotify Single Lisa Bastoni has received nominations from both Boston Music Awards and New England Music Awards over the years but the most important reason to celebrate her may be due to her latest single, “No Kings in America.”  It’s not just a catchy folk song, it channels Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and…