This year marks Year 3 of the Emerge Festival. Originally started to raise money for CT artists traveling to SXSW, this year the Emerge Festival is raising money for Interval House in Hartford to help in their efforts to eradicate domestic violence. Emerge Festival also has a new venue this year moving from their original home, Arch Street Tavern in Hartford, to the confines of The Outer Space and Ballroom in Hamden, CT.
The Emerge Festival goes down Friday and Saturday, March 6 & 7. Each night will feature eight amazing artists rotating on two stages, and the line-up is so eclectic that there is literally something for everyone. Today we look at the acts playing on Saturday, March 7…
Liz Frame and the Kickers (Outer Space Stage – 7:45-8:30) – Coming all the way from snowy confines of Boston is Liz Frame and the Kickers, a four-piece Americana/roots rock act. Led by their band’s name sake, Liz Frame and the Kickers combine the best of acts like Waylon Jennings and Jason Isbell with a little Mellencamp and Springsteen for good measure. Get down to The Outer Space for an early beer and make sure you catch these guys on their first trip through.
Oh, Cassius! (Ballroom Stage – 8:30-9:15) – One of the brightest stars in the Connecticut musical stratosphere is Bridgeport’s Oh, Cassius! The songwriting duo of John Torres and Meredith DiMenna have had their praises sung on this site quite a bit, and with just cause. Their debut album, released in 2014, was an absolutely mesmerizing stunner of a record. Make sure you arrive early enough to watch them kick-off the Ballroom Stage on Saturday night. You won’t regret it.
Laundry Day (Outer Space Stage – 9:15-9:45) – Laundry day in real life is something to be dreaded. But Laundry Day in the world of New Haven indie rock is something to be cherished. Their almost ethereal brand of shoegaze infected, alt rock is a breath of fresh air in a scene that tends to occasionally and unknowingly replicate itself.
Political Animals (Ballroom Stage – 9:45-10:30) – One of the most exciting acts in all of the CT hip hop scene is New Haven’s Political Animals. They also happen to be one of the best live acts in the state. Featuring a killer live rhythm section combined with one of the best DJs and MCs around Political Animals consistently deliver the goods at an exceptional level.
Cult of Ulysses (Outer Space Stage – 10:30-11:00) – Born from a womb of riffs and desert sunsets, Cult of Ulysses is a fantastic amalgamation of stoner and psych rock. Their 2014 debut album, Anesidora, pulled together members of CT stalwarts, Farewood, 1974, Violent Mae, and Phonosynthesis under the watchful eye of riff monger (and Lonesome Noise founder) Christopher Mariotti. Their appearance at Emerge will be special for two reasons: 1) It will feature the vocal talents of the amazing Angela Piccoli (formerly of 1974) and 2) it will be the final Cult of Ulysses show ever as the band’s founder and current members move towards a new musical project together. Don’t miss your last shot to see one of the best stoner rock bands to ever ’emerge’ from CT.
The Backyard Committee (Ballroom Stage – 11:00-11:45) – The loose and relaxed roots rock of CT’s The Backyard Committee should easily find a home on the shelves of young hipsters and old hippies alike. Their jam sensibilities are equally matched by a strong Americana ethos that allows fans of a wide array of music to find something to groove along to. Emerge Festival is their first show of 2015 so make sure you welcome them back home to a live stage, where they are at their absolute best.
Straight To VHS (Outer Space Stage – 11:45-12:15) – The Outer Space stage is closing with a bang as New London, three-piece, garage rock outfit Straight To VHS come down I-95 to make some serious noise. As we wrote about their most recent album last year, “They are modern day musical outlaws who’ve stolen the secrets of what lies between the 60’s forefathers of the punk genre and the 70’s innovators. Fans of everything from MC5 and The Stooges to The Buzzcocks, The Damned, UK Subs, Avail, and even The Pixies will find something to dig on this album for sure.”
Winterpills (Ballroom Stage – 12:15- 1:00) – Northampton’s Winterpills have been called “elegant” by the New York Times and “A specimen of near-perfect musical pacing…” by Daytrotter. Their phenomenal blend of indie folk with a pop sensibility is continually awash in haunting melodies and rich instrumentation. Their sound is one to behold and cherish for sure. Winterpills are essential viewing on Saturday night and an exceptional way to close out the entire festival.
To say that Willie Nelson is a legend is a bit of an understatement. Songwriter, performer, actor, activist, Nelson is a true American icon. On Friday, May 9, nine CT musicians come together at Arch Street Tavern in Hartford to celebrate his music and one of his causes. The 2014 Willie Nelson Birthday Bash is not only a celebration of the life and times of Nelson, but of his work with local, independent farmers. Nelson, of course, is one of the founders of the Farm Aid franchise that’s raised millions of dollars to help independent farms stay afloat in the face of the dreaded factory farm system. All proceeds on Friday night from The Willie Nelson Birthday Bash will benefit the Connecticut chapter of NOFA – the Northeast Organic Farmers Association. Great music for a great cause indeed. If you need any other reason to be there that night here’s nine of them:
Krizta Moon – Phenomenal singer/songwriter from the burgeoning Northwest corner of CT. Check out her cover of one of Willie’s dear friends…
Andy Wakeman – Wakeman is a young guy with an old soul and that’s reflected in his brand of country-infused folk.
Hannah Fair – One of the best young voices to come out of CT in a long time. Hannah Fair has already performed at the CT Music Awards and done a Daytrotter Session and we’re not even positive she’s old enough to drink yet.
Frank Critelli & Mark Mirando – Critelli and Mirando are CT music vets whose collaborations never get stale. Critelli has a new album due out soon and advanced listens have been very, very promising.
The And Band – You fancy your country mixed with a little punk rock? Then you’re in for a treat because these “cowpunks” are going to light up the stage.
Lys Guillorn Band – Her Winged Victory album was one of our favorites last year. Now Lys Guillorn is hitting the stage with a full backing band and fresh off a killer performance at the Meriden Daffodil Festival.
The Backyard Committee – Big things are brewing for this band and for good reason. In a state littered with some truly amazing alt country/Americana acts, The Backyard Committee are one of the best around.
Them Damn Hamiltons – Connecticut’s masters of the new American Gothic. Their brand of Americana is a dark, noir brand of influences that coalesce into something rootsy yet ethereal.
Elison Jackson – Fresh off being nominated in multiple categories for this year’s CT Music Awards (including song of the year for “2009” which will be performed at The Bushnell on June 10), Elison Jackson cap the night off with an electrifying blend of what they have dubbed “stoner soul” and “Garage folk.”
On Saturday, May 3 the three venues we’ve lovingly dubbed “The Space Complex” (The Space, The Outer Space and The Ballroom) in Hamden, CT will host the Fauxchella Indie Music Fest. Bringing together over 30 acts over the course of roughly nine hours, Fauxchella has quickly become one of the premiere musical events of the year in CT. Fauxchella brings together a wide range of “indie” acts from pop to rock to hip hop to punk. It’s an amazingly good time and the fact that there are four stages (the patio outside The Outer Space being used as one this year) in four very unique and sonically pleasing settings is an audiophiles dream come true.
But with four stages and only one night it means making some tough choices. Acts will unfortunately have to be missed completely or only taken in for part of their set in order to maximize your listening pleasure. While we encourage all attendees of Fauxchella to take in as many bands as humanly possible on May 3 (because this is a seriously killer line-up with a lot of talent) we also thought we’d give to you a short list of some truly not-to-miss acts. (Again, please see as many acts as possible…just don’t miss these if you can help it…)
Ports Of Spain – Indie pop/post rock duo from New Haven, CT. Their live set is electric and their songs are super catchy and full of melodies you’ll be humming all day. Playing – 4:20 pm at The Space
Heavy Breath – Super sludgy, punk-infused hardcore out of CT. Picture Fugazi if Ian MacKaye was still pissed off all the time. These guys write some really discordant and non-traditional stuff, also one of the heaviest bands of the Fest so right away they have that going for them. Playing – 6:50 pm at The Space
The Guru – You will most likely see one of the biggest crowds of the evening at The Guru’s set. Danceable rhythms layered on top of indie pop and surf rock make for an always enjoyable live set from these guys. Don’t be afraid to bust a move during their set. They’ll appreciate it. Playing – 7:40 pm at The Space
Pissed Jeans – Speaking of heavy bands at Fauxchella, one of this year’s headliners is hardcore punk/noise rock act Pissed Jeans from Allentown, PA. They play it fast, they play it loud, and they play it at maximum rock ferocity. They are going to lay waste to anyone hanging out to see them. Playing – 10:10 pm at The Space
The Morning On Fire – One of the best live bands in the state of Connecticut (and one of the best kept secrets) is New Haven’s The Morning On Fire. A fierce blend of post-hardcore, post-punk, and indie rock this band delivers the goods every single time they hit the stage. Make sure you give TMOF front man, John Flynn, an extra high five when you see him too for also doubling as Festival organizer. Playing – 5:00 pm at The Ballroom
Wess Meets West – New Haven’s Wess Meets West are an intriguing band and one that really defies easy genre classifications. Post-rock, indie rock, dream pop, shoegaze, there are elements of a half dozen genres deliciously melded together to create some unique sonic outputs. Their new album, When The Structures Fail Us, is a gem. Playing – 5:50 pm at The Ballroom
Fake Babies – The electro/synth/psych/soul of New Haven’s Fake Babies is a trip…literally and figuratively. Dance beats combined with tripped out psychedelics and a heart that beats funk and soul define a sound that is indelibly their own. Be prepared to get a little sweaty when these guys are on stage. Playing – 7:50 pm at The Ballroom
Political Animals – Playing with a live rhythm section alongside one of the best DJs in the state, New Haven’s Political Animals are easily one of the most intense hip-hop acts in New England today. There’s a reason why this band finished as a finalist for Best Hip-Hop act at the Connecticut Music Awards last year. Because they are. Playing – 7:20 pm at The Outer Space
Ceschi – One of the most unique hip-hop artists around is New Haven’s Ceschi Ramos. His influences are as varied as 60’s prog and folk rock to classic 80’s and 90’s rappers. He’s a multi-instrumental talent and one of the best rappers on the East Coast. His rhymes are thought-provoking and poignant. His live set is always a fantastic display of intelligence and soulfulness. Playing – 10:30 at The Outer Space
Rusty Things – New Haven’s answer to the question: What happens when country and punk rock make a baby? Rusty Things are like a bastard hybrid of Avail and Waylon Jennings. This is not some average rockabilly band either. They’re as country as a cactus in the Arizona desert but as punk rock as a New York City alleyway. Somewhere between the two is Rusty Things. Playing – 5:50 pm at The Outer Space Patio
The Backyard Committee – New Haven’s Backyard Committee are as Americana as Fauxchella get. Their brand of roots rock reminds one of lonely, dusty roads and picket fences in some back water burg. They are also a stellar live act and the perfect band to listen to on a beautiful late Spring evening. Playing – 6:50 pm at The Outer Space Patio
Violent Mae – Our love for Violent Mae is well-documented here at Lonesome Noise. We’ll just say that they are not only one of the best bands on this stacked line-up but also one of the best bands in the entire damned state. Don’t miss these guys. Period. Playing – 7:50 pm at The Outer Space Patio
Here’s a look at the entire Fauxchella line-up. Enjoy!
In connection with our six-part preview of this year’s Daffodil Festival, we’ve consolidated all the original acts into one concise post for you. Review it, Print it, Take it! Happy concert-going, friends!
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The last weekend in April is one of the best weekends on the calendar. Why? The Meriden Daffodil Fest. Over the course of two days and three stages, roughly 30 Connecticut bands will play for absolutely free. You can’t beat that. But like all festivals, trying to figure out which bands you are going to take in can be difficult, especially when multiple stages are going simultaneously. We here at Lonesome Noise are here to help. We present our six-part series highlighting the bands playing the Daffodil Fest stages. Each part will focus on one particular stage on one particular day. Happy listening…
By far the youngest band to play the Daffodil Fest, with an average age somewhere in the 12-13 year old range…that’s right. Middle school aged. But if you’re a fan of infectious pop punk that will have you skanking old-school style then make sure you get to the fest early on that Saturday. These kids are going to kick off the Welcome Stage with a bang.
Mercy Choir is the brainchild of Paul Belbusti. His output under the Mercy Choir moniker is as eclectic as it is prolific…and it’s a lot of both. From ambient noise pieces to poppy indie folk, the Mercy Choir catalog really does run the gamut. Seeing Mercy Choir perform as a full band is a rare treat and is sure to be one of the highlights of the entire festival.
Violent Mae comes to the Daffodil Fest by way of their win for Best New Band at the 2013 Connecticut Music Awards. Their powerful brand of indie rock woke everyone up at last year’s Daffodil Fest (where they made a surprise debut as the slot was scheduled to be a Becky Kessler solo performance). This year we all know what to expect and that’s 45 minutes of one of the best live bands CT has to offer. Check out this video of Violent Mae performing in a cave…they even sound great inside caves…
New Haven’s Happy Ending has been rocking CT stages for a long time and their brand of garage rock meets post punk still plays as fresh today as it ever did. Their first album, Have A Nice Day!, was originally released back in 1983. But don’t let their long history fool you because their brand of psych-infused indie rock is still as engaging as it was 30 years ago.
You better bring your dancing shoes on Saturday afternoon because Amy Lynn & The Gunshow are going to have you moving. Their brand of soul blends in elements of rock, funk and jazz or as they put it, “Horns, Soul and Sass”. Their debut album drops on April 29. If we’re lucky they’ll have some copies in advance for purchase. Check out the video for the track “Clearly It’s Me”.
Before they were international indie superstars, MGMT was a band from Wesleyan who played the Daffodil Fest. Will Grand Cousin be the next in a long line of Wesleyan bred bands to ‘make it’. Possibly, so make sure you see them on Saturday at the Daffodil Fest. Their brand of indie rock, complete with the occasional falsetto vocal, is downright infectious. Check out the video for the track “Take You Out”.
New Haven’s The Backyard Committee are downright righteous. Their brand of Americana/roots rock has a fantastic sort of indie rock aesthetic to it. It’s like Bob Dylan, Son Volt, and early Band of Horses all rolled into one phenomenal package. Simply put, these guys are absolutely not to be missed. Here’s the recently released video for the track, “Festival”.
For the second year in a row Mark Mulcahy graces the Welcome Stage at the Daffodil Festival. Mulcahy is nothing short of a Connecticut music scene legend. The former Miracle Legion and Polaris front man has seen his songs appear both on the silver screen and network television. Don’t miss your chance to see Mulcahy and his talented backing band as the sun is setting over the park and right before the night sky lights up with fireworks.
CT music scene veteran Jennifer Hill brings her brand of pop-infused rhythm & rock back to the Daffodil Fest this year. With her voice and piano front and center, and a cavalcade of talented musicians rotating around her, Hill will prove to be a lunchtime spark at this year’s festival.
Big Fat Combo are stalwarts of the Meriden Daffidil Fest and one of the reasons why is because they always get asses shaking. Their brand of rock n’ roll is a throwback, mixing elements of surf rock and the blues with rockabilly and a style that screams 1950’s greasers. One of the live acts that always brings some of the most fun and rollicking sets to the Daffodil Fest stages. Here’s a clip from a performance at Best Video in Hamden:
The Manchurians can best be described as raucous. Picture the British version of the Delta Blues and you’re probably close. Toss in a little Paul Butterfield Blues Band and you get even closer. Shredding guitar, rip-roaring harmonica and a rhythm section that isn’t afraid to step out front are all there for the taking. The Manchurians are another band that makes a stop at the Daffodil Fest an annual affair. If you like your rock n’ roll giving a nod to Chicago by way of Mississippi then make sure you check these guys out.
New London’s Pocket Vinyl take the concept of ‘mixed mediums’ to a whole new level. While Eric Stevenson sings and bangs out soulfully rich tunes on piano, Elizabeth Jancewicz is busy painting gorgeous, original pieces of art. It’s a unique and fascinating way to take in live music and not to be missed. Pocket Vinyl have spent the last year or so touring pretty extensively so their Daffodil Fest set is not going to be one you should miss. Besides, you may luck into a beautiful piece of artwork as well! Check out the video they did for the track, “Don’t” from last year’s Death Anxiety album.
Appearing at this year’s Daffodil Fest courtesy of their win as Best Overall Band at the 2013 Connecticut Music Awards are Fight The Fear. Super catchy, pop-centric, rock n’ roll that has a wide appeal to fans of all ages. Drawing from a vast well of pop and rock influences, Fight The Fear, are electric in the live setting and front woman Gabrielle Lakshmi absolutely owns whatever stage she steps on. Their appearance on the Bandshell Stage should be a fun one. Here’s a video they recently released of the song, “The Green Eyed Monster” off their 2013 album, No Sugar Added.
If you are looking to do some line-dancing at the Daffodil Fest this year your best bet might just be the country-twinged rock n’ roll of the Paul Brockett Roadshow. New London county’s contributions to the realm of Americana and roots rock has been immense over the years and the P.B.R. are no exception. A truly excellent country-fried power trio. Check out this video from the CD release party this past December at The Oasis Pub in New London:
When you’ve got Zydeco right in the band name you probably have a good idea of what to expect. Sounding like the floated straight up from swamps of Louisiana, River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs get people moving and dancing at every show they play. They’re a high-energy outfit blending roots music with elements of the blues, rock, and of course zydeco.
Coming down out of the Litchfield hills is CT music veteran, Tracy Walton. An extrememly accomplished bass player, Walton started playing under his own moniker a few years back. His brand of roots rock is Americana meets the blues. Walton is in the process of penning a brand new album. He’s likely to treat us to some of his newest creations so his set is not to be missed. One of our favorite songs from his last album was the track, “Walls”. Check out the video here:
To say that James Velvet has been a staple of the local music scene here in CT is an understatement. The New Haven vet is nothing short of a local legend having been playing in varying styles of bands for what seems like forever and a day. Yet with each project Velvet hits the refresh button and still creates unique and engaging original compositions. The Lonesome Sparrows are one of Velvet’s current projects and feature a group of local pickers playing a rootsy brand of folk music. The Lonesome Sparrows are a great addition to the Food Tent stage as they’ll be serenading the early dinnertime crowd with some acoustic love.
Quite possibly the most soulful act of the entire festival is New Haven’s Greg Sherrod. Sherrod and his band play a fantastic mix of soul music, funk, the blues and R&B. He’s somewhat of a throwback hearkening back to the late 70’s/early 80’s when radio stations and smokey clubs were filled with the kind of soul music this man is producing today. Check out this original tune, “Ray of Hope”.
There’s a very good reason why Lys Guillorn’s most recent album, Winged Victory, made one of our writer’s top albums list from 2013. Guillorn is a little bit country and a little bit folk but a whole lot of storyteller. She’s a great enough songwriter that she can perform solo (see the video) or with a backing band and sound fantastic either way. She’s somewhat of a musical savant as she played what seemed like dozens of instruments on her latest release. No telling what she’ll bust out on stage.
Every year the Daffodil Fest tries to supply some family friendly entertainment. That includes a set by some playing “children’s music”. Here’s your chance to get the kids dancing as well.
Winner at the 2013 Connecticut Music Awards for Best Folk/Traditional Band, New Haven’s Goodnight Blue Moon are an absolute force to be reckoned with, especially in the live setting. Performing as a six, and sometimes seven, piece band on stage, Goodnight Blue Moon fill a room (and in this case a park) with an amazing array of Americana. Simply put this band is one of the acts you absolutely should not miss during the Fest. Check out the video for their track, “Captain’s Church”.
Bringing together some of the most established musicians in the CT Blues scene, The Mighty Soul Drivers are about to embark on the recording of their debut album. Featuring original tunes and sprinkling of soul music gems, The Mighty Soul Drivers are a high-energy act that should close out the Welcome Stage weekend with a bang.
Every year there’s that one band that comes out of nowhere that we get introduced to thanks to the Daffodil Fest. This year that band is Meriden’s All Riot. Their infectious blend of indie rock, post punk and alt pop is a refreshing addition to this year’s lineup. Last year it was Breakthrough Frequencies that woke up the Bandshell Stage crowds milling around waiting to get on the rides. This year it will most likely be this band that does it.
Meriden’s Farewood might be the band that we’ve written about the most on this site. Their ethereal blend of 90’s alt rock mixed with shoegaze and post-rock elements really transcends conventional labels. They are one of the hardest working and most underrated bands in the entire state. Do yourself a favor and get over to the Bandshell Stage on Sunday afternoon to catch these guys. In lieu of some upcoming video footage will be bringing you from Farewood, check out this live footage from their last Daffodil Fest appearance…
If you’ve been reading some recent reviews on this site, you’ll know how much we loved the upcoming Oh, Cassius! debut album. John Torres and Meredith DiMenna make beautiful music together. They put the emphasis back into both “singer” and “songwriter”. If there was ever, ever a reason to be up early for live music on a Sunday morning Oh, Cassius! provides a pretty good one. Check out the lyric video from the track, “Carpenter”, off their upcoming release…
Them Damn Hamiltons play a dark brand of indie-infused Americana that conjures up distinctly New England like images. Stone walls, picket fences, and a cold nor’easter blowing down from Canada way while the Autumn leaves tumble through the apple orchard. Their “gypsy swagger and sea chantey stomp” make them a formidable live act and one certainly not to be missed at this year’s Fest. It’s highly recommended that you bring your dancing shoes to the Food Tent Stage on Sunday afternoon.
New Haven’s Summer Edeen is a young talent with a big voice and bright future. She’s got a pop sensibility to her music that should appeal to a wide array of festival goers. We assume by the name that she’ll be playing with a full backing band which will be a departure from the videos up on her YouTube channel. We look forward to seeing what that will look and sound like.
The last weekend in April is one of the best weekends on the calendar. Why? The Meriden Daffodil Fest. Over the course of two days and three stages, roughly 30 Connecticut bands will play for absolutely free. You can’t beat that. But like all festivals, trying to figure out which bands you are going to take in can be difficult, especially when multiple stages are going simultaneously. We here at Lonesome Noise are here to help. We present our six-part series highlighting the bands playing the Daffodil Fest stages. Each part will focus on one particular stage on one particular day. Happy listening…
By far the youngest band to play the Daffodil Fest, with an average age somewhere in the 12-13 year old range…that’s right. Middle school aged. But if you’re a fan of infectious pop punk that will have you skanking old-school style then make sure you get to the fest early on that Saturday. These kids are going to kick off the Welcome Stage with a bang.
Mercy Choir is the brainchild of Paul Belbusti. His output under the Mercy Choir moniker is as eclectic as it is prolific…and it’s a lot of both. From ambient noise pieces to poppy indie folk, the Mercy Choir catalog really does run the gamut. Seeing Mercy Choir perform as a full band is a rare treat and is sure to be one of the highlights of the entire festival.
Violent Mae comes to the Daffodil Fest by way of their win for Best New Band at the 2013 Connecticut Music Awards. Their powerful brand of indie rock woke everyone up at last year’s Daffodil Fest (where they made a surprise debut as the slot was scheduled to be a Becky Kessler solo performance). This year we all know what to expect and that’s 45 minutes of one of the best live bands CT has to offer. Check out this video of Violent Mae performing in a cave…they even sound great inside caves…
New Haven’s Happy Ending has been rocking CT stages for a long time and their brand of garage rock meets post punk still plays as fresh today as it ever did. Their first album, Have A Nice Day!, was originally released back in 1983. But don’t let their long history fool you because their brand of psych-infused indie rock is still as engaging as it was 30 years ago.
You better bring your dancing shoes on Saturday afternoon because Amy Lynn & The Gunshow are going to have you moving. Their brand of soul blends in elements of rock, funk and jazz or as they put it, “Horns, Soul and Sass”. Their debut album drops on April 29. If we’re lucky they’ll have some copies in advance for purchase. Check out the video for the track “Clearly It’s Me”.
Before they were international indie superstars, MGMT was a band from Wesleyan who played the Daffodil Fest. Will Grand Cousin be the next in a long line of Wesleyan bred bands to ‘make it’. Possibly, so make sure you see them on Saturday at the Daffodil Fest. Their brand of indie rock, complete with the occasional falsetto vocal, is downright infectious. Check out the video for the track “Take You Out”.
New Haven’s The Backyard Committee are downright righteous. Their brand of Americana/roots rock has a fantastic sort of indie rock aesthetic to it. It’s like Bob Dylan, Son Volt, and early Band of Horses all rolled into one phenomenal package. Simply put, these guys are absolutely not to be missed. Here’s the recently released video for the track, “Festival”.
For the second year in a row Mark Mulcahy graces the Welcome Stage at the Daffodil Festival. Mulcahy is nothing short of a Connecticut music scene legend. The former Miracle Legion and Polaris front man has seen his songs appear both on the silver screen and network television. Don’t miss your chance to see Mulcahy and his talented backing band as the sun is setting over the park and right before the night sky lights up with fireworks.
Lonesome Noise 