October Feature Artist: Julie Rhodes Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - November 4, 2014February 3, 20160 There is always a story to be told about how you come across an artist. Most of the folks I really dig into and listen to over and over come from suggestions or other folks, you know, “word of mouth”. I heard about Jonah Tolchin through Eric Lichter. Gained a great respect for Jonah both as a musician and as a genuine and kind person. So when he sent me a link to a new project he just worked on I clicked and listened…then listened again…and again. The voice coming through on the other end had a feverous soul. There was a fire burning in the chest of that singer. Fast forward 10 months and that person has been gigging, going
September Monthly Featured Artist: Connor Millican Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - October 1, 2014February 3, 20160 About a year and a half ago I saw a video of Ian Fitzgerald playing a shitty old kay acoustic guitar in a coffeehouse storefront window with Courtney Gallagher singing along. The video was awesome, the people behind the camera just had an eye for shooting great, organic feeling videos. Ones that make you feel like you are getting a little glimpse into what was unfolding. Well, a year and a half later and I have my own video playing that shitty guitar (except I was under a bridge) and forged a friendship with the man behind that camera that is stronger than most relationships that I have had 10 times that amount of time. The man behind the lens
August Monthly Featured Artist: Ian Fitzgerald Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - September 2, 2014February 3, 20160 I don’t think it’s any secret how I feel about this month’s Featured Artist here on Red Line Roots. For the past year and half Ian Fitzgerald has become a friend, an occasional music collaborator, and most significantly, one of my all time favorite songwriters. His last release “No Time To Be Tender” was one of my favorite records of 2013 (really a tie for my favorite alongside Jason Isbell’s “Southeastern”). His previous release isn’t favorite behind in my list of need to listen to albums and his live shows and onstage banter are something that one might call genius…ok, I’ll call them genius. Ian is a songwriter's songwriter, the type of musician that people who write great songs aspire to
July Monthly Featured Artist: Mark Whitaker Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - August 1, 2014February 3, 20160 When I decided last month that I would begin highlighting artists for the Monthly Feature, the most important part was that they be people who are highly deserving. Not just because they are incredible talents, but also because they display a form of humbleness that is rare. July’s banjo toting, song singing, maestro is probably one of the most sincere and modest people I have ever had the pleasure of playing with or watching play. That man is Mark Whitaker. Mark isn’t just a good musician, I would go so far as to say that his playing is bordering on genius. Local, national, regional, unknown or world famous, I truly do not think that there are more than 5 people in
June Featured Artist of the Month: Dan Blakeslee Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - July 1, 2014February 3, 20160 Some people come into your life for a reason. Sometimes to challenge you, sometimes for good reasons, sometimes for bad reasons. I believe Dan Blakeslee came into my life for good and I am better for knowing him. Dan is the kind of guy who makes you smile with his music, his personality and his performances. More than just a songwriter or a guitar player, he is a performer and an artist. His shows are as entertaining as they are moving. I am extremely happy to showcase Dan, his music, and who he is for the month of June. Blakeslee's roots run deep in the performance realm. While attending art school in Baltimore, he would sneak into the galleries to play
Community Love – Featured Artist: Dan Blakeslee Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - June 23, 2014February 3, 20160 I've said it once and I will say it again and again, our community here in the Northeast is one of the strongest musical factions in the world. And that group extends to our friends who may have moved throughout the years as well. We are able to lean on each other for things, its a wonderful thing to have really. And usually, its not merely superficial. The people around here genuinely care about one another and respect each other's art. Someone who's art, attitude and involvement in the community that is hailed as top of heap is our featured artist...Mr. Dan Blakeslee. People who know Dan personally love him, people who are only meeting Dan for the first time
Bob Dylan Tribute Spotlight Artist: Patrick Coman Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - April 23, 2014February 3, 20160 Patrick Coman: songwriter, musician, radio host, series promoter, booking agent, sound engineer, and just a damn good guy. He checks in about the big Dylan Tribute show on April 30th at Johnny D's below. And remember, get your tickets early at the link directly below! http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4206574&pl=jds 1) So…Bob Dylan. How has listening to Dylan shaped you as a songwriter over the years? Anything in particular stand out as steering you down this road? PC: Bob Dylan is such a singular songwriter it's hard to parse out one particular area of influence. Without him I probably wouldn't be writing songs, and the people who inspired me to write songs probably wouldn't have written songs either, it's not just a matter of style but
Dylan Tribute Show Spotlight Artist: Ryan Fitzsimmons Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - April 17, 2014February 3, 20160 The second intro in the series is one of my all time favorite performers, songwriters, and just a hell of a good guy, Ryan Fitzsimmons. The dude plays with a passion unmatched anyone I have ever seen locally (I mean, he breaks like 37 strings a gig). Seeing his take on Dylan songs is going to be a real treat as I am sure he will own them and really give you something you wouldn't expect. The details of that show are as follows: April 30th, JOHNNY Ds in Somerville (note venue change!), 7:30 PM Tickets: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4206574&pl=jds 1) So…Bob Dylan. How has listening to Dylan shaped you as a songwriter over the years? Anything in particular stand out as steering you down this road? RF:
Bob Dylan Tribute Show Artist Spotlight: Greg Klyma Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - April 10, 2014February 3, 20160 On April 30th a handful of the most talented performers and songwriters from Camber-ville-ton and beyond will gather at the Davis Square Theatre in Somerville to pay tribute to the one and only Bob Dylan. A man who has influenced so many songwriters over the years it only seems right to pay homage in song. We will be catching up with those songwriters over the next few weeks leading up to the show...today the very first artist on our list is the incomparable Greg Klyma. 1) So…Bob Dylan. How has listening to Dylan shaped you as a songwriter over the years? Anything in particular stand out as steering you down this road? GK: How has Michelangelo shaped sculpting? How has the Bible influenced
Must Know Musician Monday : Laurence Scudder Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - March 10, 2014January 21, 20160 The true mark that distinguishes a great musician from a good musician is their ability to create a conversation on stage with other artists. Someone that can take a piece of music, a folk song, a blues number, and bring it to a whole different level than the original composition or the songwriter's idea of what the song could be. They are able to transcend verbal communication in someway and speak through wood and steel in such a clear and profound way that its almost like they are actually speaking to you and the other musicians (using words that is). Laurence Scudder, ladies and gentlemen, is a great musician.If you frequent any of our favorite local clubs around town you