Category Archives: Local Buzz
10 Must-See Concerts in Boston this month
Quite a few must-See concerts in Boston this month! A large variety of talent is making it’s way to town, are you going to see any of these shows?
1. The Cure – to perform over four decades worth of music you love! Catch them Thursday June 16th, 7:30 Agganis Arena ($17.50-$77.50)
2. Aesop Rock – June 17th, 8pm at the Paradise Rock Club ($20, 18+) – following the release of The Impossible Kid, Aesop Rock returns to Boston to perform with Rob Sonic and DJ Zone. Don’t miss it!
3. Brian Wilson – You won’t want to miss this Beach Boy’s icon performing with the Boston Pops! This chance doesn’t come around every day! Friday/Saturday performances – June 17/18th- 7pm at Symphony Hall
4. Deerhoof – In anticipation of the bands next album, The Magic (which comes out the same night of this show) – Deerhoof will be performing Friday, June 24th at Brighton Music Hall, 8pm ($16, 18+). Avid fans won’t want to miss out!
5. Bearstronaut *Local Gem!* – If you haven’t seen or heard of Bearstronaut, you should check them out! They’ll be celebrating the release of their new record Telecoast Friday June 10th at the Sinclair, 8pm ($12, 18+) 
6. Motion City Soundtrack– Two decades worth of loyal fans are sure to be present at the two shows (the first is sold out) at the Paradise. Tickets are still available for Monday, June 13th ($30). This So Long, Farewell Tour is in fact, their final tour. If you’ve been itching to catch a show before they’re gone this is your chance!
7. Ellie Goulding– Do you follow commercial pop music? If so you’ve definitely heard Ellie Goulding on multiple hit records recently. Check her out Wednesday, June 15th at TD Garden, 7:30pm ($25-55).
8. Beyonce – “Queen” Beyonce will be dancing her way to Gillette Stadium Friday, June 3rd at 8pm ($50-$310.. but we’re guessing this is sold out?). She’s had quite a controversial year, and will be rolling into town with her Formation World Tour in just a few days!
9. Ceelo Green– Soulful singer Ceelo will be performing many of his catchy hits at the Paradise Rock Club – Friday June 10th, 7pm ($25). This is a great venue to see such a huge talent!
10. Leann Rimes- A fixture on the music scene since her debut in 1996, Leann will be performing at the Wilbur Theatre on Thursday, June 9th (doors at 7pm). In light of her recent release, Spitfire- her set is expected to feature many new tunes as well as the classics you expect to hear.
Local artist White Hinterland sues Justin Bieber/Skrillex for Copyright Infringement
If you listen to mainstream radio, chances are you have heard Justin Bieber’s latest hit song, “Sorry”. The industry was shocked to learn last night that White Hinterland (a local artist from Scituate, MA) is suing Justin, Skrillex and his producers for infringement.
Casey Dienel (White Hinterland) claims a vocal riff from one of her most popular songs, “Ring the Bell”) was sampled without permission and used in the hit song. On Thursday evening, Dienel went public: “Like most artists that sample music, Bieber could have licensed my song for use in ‘Sorry’. But he chose not to contact me. After the release of ‘Sorry’ my lawyers sent Bieber a letter regarding the infringement, but Bieber’s team again chose to ignore me. I offered Bieber’s team an opportunity to have a private dialogue about the infringement, but they refused to even acknowledge my claim, despite the obviousness of the sample”.
Overnight the story went viral and fans across the world of both White Hinterland and Bieber picked which side they were on. However on Friday afternoon, Skrillex took to Twitter to claim his innocence. He posted a video featuring a raw track from singer named Julia Michaels and provided a short tutorial as to how he created the vocal riff in question.
Jamaica Plain Porchfest – Saturday, July 9th
Not to be confused with Somerville’s Annual Porchfest (which took place this past weekend) – in early July, Jamaica Plain will hold it’s third annual Porchfest.
In 2015, JP’s Porchfest featured well over 133 musicians (bands/solo performers) – and over 100 other acts featuring spoken word, dance, storytelling and even circus inspired routines. Nearly 70 porches were turned into stages, satisfying an audience of ~10,000 people!
These events are an amazing experience for the creative community- giving artists and musicians of all kinds a unique opportunity to share their passion with those who reside around them. However, with it’s growing popularity, it is safe to assume that it is becoming an event worth traveling to. Folks outside JP, even the city itself are making the trek to be immersed in a cultural experience hard to find elsewhere.
Join in on the fun! Even though registration for performing is all closed up for this year, be sure to head over to Jamaica Plain on July 9th (12pm-6pm) to enjoy the diverse talent! (Check out the “special arts porches” for Dance, Theater, Spoken word and Storytelling performances!)
Local Music News: Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory to Merge
Two of the best music schools in the country are soon to join forces. Berklee College of Music, founded in 1945 and Boston Conservatory, founded in 1967- announced last year that their programs would be merging. Only recently have we come to learn this will be effective in or around June 2016.
Conveniently, the two campuses are just a couple blocks away from each other near Fenway which will undoubtedly aid the students traveling back and forth. Berklee will retain its name and the Conservatory will become known as the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Separate admissions processes and financial aid will continue for now, but facilities, programs and faculty will be accessible to students from each institution. Students will also be able to transfer between programs and even pursue joint degrees.
Conservatory students will benefit from the new access to performance traditions of other cultures and genres as well as contemporary ‘digital infrastructure’. Currently, Berklee students don’t have access to a music theater program, or a classical music program. While the two schools were never in direct competition, they will be able to attract more musicians and offer a diversified experience to all those who enroll.
Without a doubt, this merger will create a “powerhouse” of sorts for Boston in terms of music, theater and dance.
Boston Calling – May 2016 Line Up
If you’re from Boston and are into music festivals, chances are you’ve already done your research on the upcoming Boston Calling Music Festival for May 2016. If you’re living under a rock (since tickets went on sale January 15th on BostonCalling.com) however- this post is for you.
The biannual festival is set to take place Memorial Day weekend May 27th-29th at City Hall Plaza. At first glance, the lineup appears to be stacked with big names including Australian Pop singer Sia, Swedish popstar Robyn and electronic duo Disclosure. Other notable highlights include Janelle Monáe, Sufjan Stevens, Courtney Barnett and sister trio Haim.
The full lineup:
Sia – Disclosure – Robyn- Odeza
Sufjan Stevens – Haim – Miike Snow
Janelle Monae – City and Colour – Courtney Barnett
Elle King – The Front Bottoms – Børns
Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaries – The Vaccines
Vince Staples – Battles – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Christine and the Queens – Lisa Hannigan and Aaron Dessner
Lizzo – Palehound – Michael Christmas
Boston Music Awards 2014
We’re always excited to help out with this event! December 14th, the 27th annual Boston Music Awards will be taking place at the Revere Hotel in Boston. As always, the event will feature some of the area’s emerging as well as established performers within a wide spectrum of genres, ranging from Rock, Pop, Blues, Metal, Punk, Indie, Americana, International, Jazz and so much more.
For those who are unfamiliar, musicians, producers and industry professionals with strong ties to New England are nominated by a large musically diverse committee, who then allow the general public to help determine the winners of their respective category. The committee, 172 members – is composed of highly valued music industry professionals:
– 47 Music Editors/Journalists who have been published in hundreds of publications across the US
– 28 Promoters and Agents who have booked thousands of shows in local venues
– 19 Radio Programmers and DJs representing a diverse group of genres
– 15 Music Business Executives – Retail, Online, etc.
– 14 Music Promotions/Publicists
– 12 Artist Managers
– 11 Music Producers
– 8 Tour Managers
– 8 Music Attorneys
– 6 Label Executives
– 4 Professors of Music
Voting has closed, but we hope you will keep an eye out within the local music scene this coming year so you can help influence the results for 2015. This all-volunteer organization works year round to ensure the artists that create in Boston are recognized for their contributions to our community and is well worth supporting.
Learn more: http://www.BostonMusicAwards.com
Artist Interview: Denny Dias – David Friend Recital Hall
Check out this interview with Denny Dias of Steely Dan, while sporting a Bergsten Music shirt!
Returning in July: The Levitate Music Festival 2014
On July 12th, the Marshfield Fair grounds will again, serve as the venue for the second annual Levitate Music Festival. This day long event will feature local artists, crafters and food trucks as well as an impressive lineup of musicians.
A family-friendly event, attendees can expect plenty activities for their little ones as they enjoy the delicious food and featured artwork. Bring some folding chairs or blankets to sit on and enjoy the experience!
Steely Dan guitarist Denny Dias plays Berklee concert July 18th, will feature Lisa Jason and Bellevue Cadillac’s Andy Bergsten
Originally posted @ BillCopelandMusicNews.com
Bass player Andy Bergsten, from Bellevue Cadillac, has announced he will be playing with Steely Dan co-founder Denny Dias and vocalist Lisa Jason at the David Friend Hall at Berklee College Of Music on July 18th. Booked as “Denny Dias Of Steely Dan, Introducing Lisa Jason,” the show will no doubt offer many Steely Dan favorites.
Dias was the founding member of Steely Dan, who, in 1971, placed an ad in the Village Voice for a keyboardist and bass player. The ad was answered by none other than Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, hence giving birth to Steely Dan. Dias was the primary guitar player from their beginning until the Aja album, which was when he left the band.
Bergsten and Boston vocalist Lisa Jason recorded a 1999 album which included some of Dias’s newer originals. Ms. Jason has recently been on a mission to get Dias’s Steely Dan history more recognition.
“We’ll be playing some old Dan stuff as well as some of the originals that haven’t been recorded yet,” Bergsten said.
A legendary guitarist, Dias recorded on Steely Dan albums, Can’t Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, The Royal Scam and Aja. He is well known for his guitar solos for “Do It Again”, “Bodhisattva”, and “Your Gold Teeth ll”.
A diverse musician, Dias, in 1991, joined the band Toto on their Summer Festival Tour. In 1992, he performed, in Los Angeles, in a tribute to Jeff Porcar, playing alongside such legendary musicians as Michael McDonald, Don Henley, Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, Eddie Van Halen, George Harrison and David Crosby. Dias has recently been playing with Spanky And Our Gang.
Introducing Lisa Jason who has been called “a breakout performer,” by Stephen Hanks, of Cabaret Scenes in New York City. She has also been written up in Boston publications: “Behind her petite 5’2 100 lb. (soaking wet) frame lays a powerhouse artist with an astounding vocal talent and a dynamite stage presence,” wrote John Amodeo of the Edge in Boston.
Ms. Jason is a nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter and her one woman shows have earned rave reviews from Provincetown to New York, Washington to the Caribbean. She has worked with the original cast of the Jersey Boys, Huey Lewis and the News, KC and the Sunshine Band, Otis Day, The Bonnie Raitt Band, John Cafferty, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Hooters, and many more.
She began collaborating with Dias on several recordings of his new music. She also collaborated with famed sound engineer Dinky Dawson on her second CD “Matter of Time”, featuring songs from artists, Dee Dee Stewart, David Pac, Ambrosia, Harriet Schock, and The Mamas and Papas.
A multi-faceted artist, she has been a featured singer with the Cape Cod Symphony, The No Rules Theater Company in Washington, DC, and she performed the National Anthem at Fenway Park. Her award winning song, Beautiful Child was adopted by The March Of Dimes, for their Northeast campaign efforts.
Ms. Jason and Mr. Dias are currently collaborating on a new CD, and are planning to tour in the near future. For information on their July 18th Berklee appearance, please visit:
Evolution 101.7 no more, “The Bull” is in Boston
At the end of 2012, Clear Channel Media & Entertainment launched the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) station, after a $14.5 million signal purchase from Phoenix Media/Communications Group. Just days ago, however, EDM was replaced by “The Bull”, which claims to be “a new brand of country.”
The new station will run commercial-free for the entire summer. It will feature an award-winning syndicated program, based in Nashville, “The Bobby Bones Show” among other locally based programs, to be announced soon.
In direct competition with Boston’s longtime WKLB Country 102.5, Dylan Spraque, Vice President of Programming for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Boston, in a press release, says “The Bull” is “for the new generation of Country Music fans.”
Evolution 101.7, Clear Channel’s first EDM broadcast station in it’s company history, willcontinue to air on 107.9 HD2 and will be streamed online. Fans of the station have already begun protesting the abrupt switch.
