- Connecticut Live Music News - A close look at the local CT Live Music Scene, detailing interactions with bands, songwriters, performers and venues. This blog supports the venues who support the local live music scene.
I don't know about you, but music is soothing to my soul! I bet you agree, otherwise you would not be on this site. Send your own band, venue updates and stories for publication to scottbounty@yahoo.com. Advertising inquires, please call 203 -885-6174.
I recently caught up with Seth David-Christian of "Our Burgundy" based in Pomfret CT. He and Alex Herr have been busy lately playing some serious sounds in CT and RI.
What I found listening to their music is they do a great job of putting you in the room with them while they are recording.I noticed they like to capture their live sound, and keep the real sound that is in the room at the time.
Personally I record the same way and find it really interesting. Live performance recording is a whole different thing than recording in the studio. You have to be really good to record live. And when people hear you playing out, that is what they are going to get, and it is the same sound as the CD. That is the cool part.
Many bands rely on effects and mixing that can take away from the raw and natural feeling of the actual recording. Read up on Neil Young, Keith Richards, some of the Led Zeppelin III recordings and Physical Graffiti by Zeppelin. They left the live sounds in the recordings. As a fan you get to like those parts a real lot. Like an old friend.
"Our Burgundy" let's that happen on their recordings and I admire it. Some of the room sounds and dialog with the audience is recorded. Good Stuff.....
Here is the Question and Answer part with Seth...oh, and you can tell Seth is a bright guy...
CMN - What are the plans\goals for the band, immediate and longer term?
Seth:
It's
an obvious and expected answer, but we want to keep playing live more
than we do now. We feel that the songs that we recorded and wrote for
"Itinerant Statesmen" sound their best when performed live. They're all
live songs. I also never really stop writing songs, either, so the more
we are
able to play live the more we can play
both old songs and brand new
ones that may have been written the day before. Every one of our shows
is different, we don't like our set lists to get stale and repetitive.
We're booking a lot of shows in June, so our plan is to play as much as
we can this spring and summer.
Seth and Alex of "Our Burgundy"
left
Seth David-Christian (guitar/vocals)
Age:18
right
Alex Herr
(percussion)
Age: 16
CMN: Where are the spots you guys play repeatedly,
can you something on them?
Seth:
The
News Cafe in Pawtucket RI is one of our favorite venues. We've played
their with one of our favorite bands, Melt Into Place a couple times.
That, and the Stomping Ground in Putnam CT, which is this new music bar
that opened up last summer and has been getting a ton of attention,
which is great, because north eastern Connecticut
definitely needs more live venues for local bands. We've played there
three times and we love
it every time. They also feed us, which is fantastic. http://the-stomping-ground.com/
-- That's the link to the stomping ground, they're always looking for
bands to play at their bar. Tell them Our Burgundy sent you!
CMN: Which songs off the new album are written by you guys, and which ones are covers?
Seth:
All
of the
songs on the album
are written by us. I (Seth) write all the lyrics, and Alex and I
collaborate to make the final versions of the songs that we record.
Whether I bring in a guitar/melody idea and we go from there, or if we
just start jamming, the songwriting process with us is very organic and
true.
CMN: What inspires you the most, what started you on music, who are your influences, etc?
Seth:
Musical
inspiration
comes from
anywhere. I can be at
home with my guitar sitting in my kitchen and a song will come out of
no where, or I can be walking by someone in public and make eye contact
with them-- and suddenly I hear a song or a chord progression or a
melody in my head. I can't force myself to write a song, it's never
worked for me. Some people can sit down and think hard about a song and
what they're feeling, but with me it's always been luck... or just the
right time for a song to show itself.
I
grew up with a mother who is an artist and a father who is a music
teacher, so art has always been around me. I found my own artistic
medium that has become my life's passion when I started playing the
guitar when I was fifteen. Alex has been drumming since he was in middle
school, and he's got his own sound to him that really is hard for
others
to
replicate. Our influences as a band would definitely be Neil Young,
Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Del Shannon, Johnny Cash, Garnet Rogers and
pretty much anyone with a do-it-yourself kind of attitude.
CMN: You mention on one of your recordings that the CD sales go to feeding your cats..LOL What are the cats names?
Seth:
We've
got one cat named Mem. He's called Mem because he doesn't really
"meow".... it's more of a buzzing kind of "mmmm" sound. He's a tuxedo
cat and he's a boss. He's our excuse to
get people to
buy our CD. They won't
turn down buying some good music if the money's going to go towards
feeding a cat... right? So far, it's worked out pretty well...
CMN: Do you have any videos online?
Seth:
This is a cool live videoof us at The News Cafe this summer.
It's of one of
our songs called "Bad Things"
CMN: Do you want to say anything else to your fans and new fans?
Seth:
We
support and
praise the imperfections that come from rock and roll, because that is
what has defined the genre. Truth and
imperfection. There's beauty in that, and we hope people find their own
ways of expressing whatever they're feeling with the help of our music.
We don't want to convey any specific messages with our music. Our songs
are about whatever people are feeling when they hear it. It's a
different story for everyone. Our Burgundy, is all yours.
Every once an a while I feel the urge to write about artists outside of CT. California is often ahead of the rest of the world in style, music and art trends. From the surfer sounds of the 60's to the Hollywood fashion trends on the red carpet on Oscar Night, California sets trends. Recently, I had the opportunity to reach out to the young artist know as, "The Tiger Living In The Dragon's Den" Melinda Burns, who is based in the Bay Area and produces Tecno\Electric music.
"Her music reminds me of cross between a hot NYC club and a cool late night street vibe. It's get out and pump it up music!"
Several things inspire me about Melinda. They include her visual theme and identity, her determination to move forward with the band that started over seven years ago, and her energy to share her art. After purchasing her latest tracks I realize she has a lot of talent in this electric side of our world.
Although she does not play any instruments, she uses tracks found on a computer program and produces songs. This art form is new to me, and I realize the creativity relies mostly on production,similar to creating a great recipe for a meal, or painting a portrait. It is taking the "ingredients" and producing a finished product that she feels is worth sharing. That is art in the perfect sense.
From the official bio:
"The Tiger Living In The Dragons Den" is a band that had started in 2005,
The name of the band didn't come in to play until a few years later.
Currently there is one member that is a part of this band but is
looking for more members join in. The Band leader is living in Hayward
and trying to do her best making music and trying to make a living as
well. You can also fallow this band on Twitter, Minda91." Here is a Q&A session with Melinda:
Melinda: I started my music back when I was in middle school around 2005. My
influences were Jimmy Hendrix and Janis Joplin but also the fact that
when I heard bad music that I didn't really like I wanted to make music
so that people would have a better option for music to listen to.
CMN: Most artists draw from their life experiences to create art. Can you describe that for you and your work?
Melinda: Well I've always wanted to learn real instruments like the guitar or
the Drums but I never did because I never had the money to take the
lessons or get the instruments. So once I got the program to make my own
music on the computer I used that.
CMN: How is your music produced? Is it pre-recorded tracks or is it musical instruments?
Melinda: I use a program on my
computer and put loops together. Most of what I use are already recorded
and put together in a loop and I just put the loops together in a way
that I think sounds good.
CMN: What artists do you listen too the most?
Melinda: I mostly listen to Jimmy Hendrix, AC/DC, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Deadmou5 and a few others. CMN: What positive, or negative things do you see happening in the music
industry regarding the trends, technologies and the entertainment
business?
Melinda: I don't really see to many positive things happening for music sense
there a lot of people listening to crappy music now a days.
CMN: What inspires you the most to create music?
Melinda: What inspires me the most is that I just want people to have more of an option and a better variety of music to listen to.
CMN: Do you perform live, maybe as a DJ? Or do you only distribute your
music online? Is there another way people can find your music?
Melinda: I have never performed live before but I have always wanted to though. I
just don't have the materials to do so. So far people can only listen
to my music online but can buy it on my Reverbation profile. I have been
planning on coming out with a CD with my music on it but I want to have
enough songs on it to fill it up and make it worth while selling to
people.
CMN: Thanks for your time Melinda, best of luck with your music. Melinda: Thanks for your time too~
This filming for a test pilot for a new "Open Mic Reality Show" in Trumbull CT is exciting, and I wanted to share Steve Gaspar's own words with you. Steve is the organizer of this series of events and filming..
This is our actual Facebook messaging on 2/22/13.
PLEASE NOTE: THE FILMING WILL CONTINUE ON THURSDAY 3/7/13 AND FRIDAY 3/29/13.
Hi
Scott, the auditions went great last night. Open Mic will be filming
this segment on Thursday 3/7.
Also the Hollywood Allstar show is at Marisa's on Good Friday March 29th at 10:00PM.
This segment of Open Mic will be culminating with this performance,
which will also be filmed.
I saw Dave
Anderson for the first time perform recently and understand the level of
players the Hollywood Allstar band, including yourself. Can you explain the filming more please?
Led by Grammy Nominated Songwriter/Producer/Keyboardist
& Former Epic/CBS Recording Artist “Hollywood” Steve Gaspár, The
Hollywood All-star Band is a 9 Piece Collection of musicians whose
credits read quite literally like a “who’s who” in Contemporary Music.
All too often the term “All Stars” is used when referring to a band, but
it this case the moniker applies. The band is led by classically
trained pianist “Hollywood” Steve Gaspár on Hammond Organ and Piano,
who in addition to having played & recorded with
such notable “Pop/R&B” artists as B.B. King, Edgar Winter, James
Brown, Peter Criss (from KISS) and Liberty DeVito from the Billy Joel
band, has also appeared as piano soloist with the New Haven and
Bridgeport Symphony Orchestras. In addition, Steve has written songs
that can be heard on American Idol, ABC Extreme Makeover Home Edition,
and numerous artists’ albums domestically and internationally. The
Hollywood All-stars play a booty shakin’ blend of Funk/Jazz/R&B!
The rest of the All-stars are:
Jay Stollman / Lead Singer:
Writer of the NBC/Today Show Theme, Jay has achieved unparalleled
success as one of the most popular vocalists in the Greater New York
region. Jay has shared the stage with James Brown, Wilson Pickett, The
Temptations, The Four Tops, Jose Feliciano and Tower of Power…
Bill Harris / Sax: Sheryl Crow, The Allman Brothers, Keith Urban, Chaka
Khan, Joss Stone, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. John, Celine
Dion, Natalie Merchant, Bobby Caldwell, Brenda Russell, Jonathan Butler,
Bruce Willis, Maxi Priest, Patty Smyth, Robbie Dupree, Isacc Hayes...
Don Harris / Trumpet: Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Bobby Caldwell,
Michael McDonald, Tower of Power, Robben Ford, The Temptations, Ben E.
King, Bob James, Celine Dion, The Four Tops, Sister Sledge, Michael
Bolton, Paul Shaffer, Spyro Gyra, Will Lee, The Spinners and Phoebe
Snow, Nile Rodgers….
John Fumasoli / Trombone: Roger Ball
(Average White Band), Bob Baldwin, Marion Maadows, The Rippingtons,
Chiele Minnucci, Funkasoris Rex, Gil Evans Band, Gerry Mulligan, and The
Four Tops...
Joel Rosenblatt / Drums: Joel Rosenblatt is best
known as the drummer for Spyro Gyra, one of the most successful pop-jazz
groups on the Planet! Additionally Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Robben Ford,
Larry Carlton, Chieli Minucci and Special EFX, Ken Navarro, Oz Noy,
Chuck Loeb, Mike Manieri, Steve Khan, Randy Brecker, Lee Ritenour, Dave
Grusin, Russel Ferrante, Manhattan Transfer…
Dave Anderson /
Bass: Michael McDonald, Art Garfunkel, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Patti
Austin, James Ingram, Ashford & Simpson, The 5th Dimension, Little
Anthony & The Imperials, Petula Clark, Deniece Williams, Darlene
Love, Phoebe Snow, Andrea McArdle, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, The
Crystals, The Shirelles, The Drifters, Taj Mahal, Rory Block...
Andy Abel / Guitar: Dave Valentin, Chieli Minucci, Chuck Loeb as well
as with world renowned songwriter Chip Taylor (Wild Thing, Angel Of The
Morning) Late Night drummer Anton Fig and Bruce Hornsby’s David
Mansfield, Jan Hammer, Leslie West, & Michael Bolton….
It's
just been confirmed by the producers of the Television Reality Pilot
I'm associated with "Open Mic Reality", that this performance of The
Hollywood Allstar's WILL BE FILMED!! This is your chance to be on TV.
Don't miss this one!! ;-)
Saturday night February 9th was a great night to go out to eat! Why? We just had the "Blizzard of 2013" and Southern CT had 38 inches in one storm, and that made for cozy and quite setting, for an early Valentine's dinner out. One of the only places open for dinner was La Roue Elayne, at the Cobb's Mill Inn in Weston CT.
The main reason we chose to go was that they normally have great live music. I called and found they did not because of the storm, which made sense, but we decided to go anyway since the food is excellent and the setting is so nice.Known as "Weston’s Premiere Social Happening", La Roue Elayne at the Cobb's Mill Inn is a really special place.
We were seated by Elayne, one of the owners who was extremely gracious and friendly. After some great "chit chat" we realized we had a lot in common with her. BothCorrine and Elayne are originally from Brooklyn NY, so that was trouble right away! They hit it off like"badda bing". I also asked Elayne about her music career, since I had read her bio recently.
Elayne is in the band "Original Sin" who was booked to play that night, they had to cancel due to the storm naturally. Although we LOVE LIVE MUSIC, it did not stop us from having a great time! Elayne was so friendly and nice she made us feel right at home. IT WAS A SPECIAL NIGHT FOR SURE!
We are really excited about our International Readers!!!
Please post some comments (postingin your language is fine, we can translate if
it is not English), and we would really love to hear from you!!! THANK YOU!! International Views in the last 2 weeks: 9 United Kingdom 3 Germany 1 Canada 1 Russia 1 Venezuela
DANNY DRAHERThis past SAT. FEB. 16th 2013 --WHAT A GREAT NIGHT. Video and Pictures and Review to Follow Soon Here.. - Scott
I recently discovered Fast Eddies Billiards Cafein New Milford
CT. Now a Billiard’s hall is the last place I would expect really great live music, except
maybe the New Milford laundromat, but...
Eddie is a professional pool player. There is a good Danbury News Times article here on him and his
place.
Withtournaments played at Eddie’s in Jan 2013, these guys
are on TV all the time.Oh yeah..they are the pros..Jeremy
Sosslie who won at "Fast Eddies" in New Milford on 1/7/13. Jeremy is shown here:YouTube.
Back to the live music... After
a long and interesting talk with Eddie, it turns out not only is he very passionate
about pool, he is also passionate about live music. “I want to be musician
friendly here” he said, more than once, and
he is. Advertisement Check Out Studio Production Software
He opens his large venue for musicians every Wednesday night, and the Open Mic started
around 9:00 PM. The place is big enough for the pool playing to continue,there are16 tables, the big
bar to keep going which has a full liquor license and a HUGE beer selection. They have over 100
types of bottled beer to choose from. Also, the couches and various areas allow for plenty of space to
sneak off, talk and mingle.
I
only played one Open Mic before in my life. I normally play for a party
or pre-rehearsed gig. But what I liked the most Wednesday night at Eddie's
was that I set up my amp, signed
up for the Open Mic, and plugged in and quickly played. NO HASSLE.
They have an extra amp, keyboards, and a good drum kit. John, the
open mic host was very polite, and a fantastic player. He played keyboards that night,
but he is known for his guitar playing.
Phil Spillane was playing harmonica and singing early on. I sat
in with him and he wailed. He is in a band called “Delusions of Grandeur” and
they play there at Eddie’s sometimes.
There
were many great players Wednesday, a poet, singers and songwriters, but I have to
say my favorite part was when a guy showed up and asked if we were still
playing, and he said "I have a sax". It turned out to be Scott Chamberland who is
the owner of “New Milford Music Center”.
Scott’s dad was the famous “Linc Chamberland”. Look both up. Scott is an
amazing sax player and we had FUN JAMMIN' !
I will provide
everyone’s full name, but it was John on keys,Scott
Chamberland on sax and myself on guitar. We never rehearsed and this was the
first time I played with these guys and it was a “ad hoc” jam. Trust me, no
rehearsal. But it has some magic and it was really, really fun. These guys are great players, and they are open, cool and really fun. If you play yourself, or just like
great music, come buy Wednesday nights.
_____________________________________________
*Update - another great open mic session on 2/13/13 this time Phil Spillane on vocals and harmonica singing"Spoonful", click herefor the recording.
There are some great plans for music from
Fast Eddie's Billiards Cafe. He said he is booked for Saturday nights for music.The big show coming that I know of is Danny Draher as a trio with Liviu Pop on drums and, Dave Anderson on bass, this Saturday February 16,
2013. Read Danny’s bio here: dannydraher.com.
I once hired Danny for Music for Veterans in October. WOW!
He is a true Chicago Blues\Jazz player. I heard his bass player this Saturday
is over the top.
Bobby Paltauf
Also,
the amazing 13 year old Bobby Paltauf's band is opening for Danny this
Saturday Feb 16, 2013 at Fast Eddie's..If you have not yet seenBobby Paltaufperform you are in for a real treat. If you have heard him, you already know!! Well,
there will be more info to come so stop back at this blog. Thanks for hang'in out,
and listening, don't forget to get out, and support live local music, wherever
you are! Every musician loves what they do but it's still hard work!!
PS: Please post comments below, so I know you are out there! And stay tuned...I have some more really fun news coming up...stop back soon... Thanks for reading, ~Scott Scott Bounty
Scott
Bounty is a musician, software developer, freelance blog writer, father and
husband who has lived in Fairfield County CT his entire life. He has an
insight of the local music scene and entertainment news. Please feel
free to send stories, and updates for publication to Scott Bounty. Scott can be reached booked for his guitar playing, and other needs by phone by calling 203 885-8174. He can also be found on Facebookor his websitescottbounty.com
There
were many great players Wednesday, a poet, singers and songwriters, but I have to
say my favorite part was when a guy showed up and asked if we were still
playing, and he said "I have a sax". It turned out to be Scott Chamberland who is
the owner of “New Milford Music Center”.
Scott’s dad was the famous “Linc Chamberland”. Look both up. Scott is an
amazing sax player and we had FUN JAMMIN' ! 
