Happy New Year everyone.
*** Special shoutout and thank you to Danny Pepper for covering for me at several open mics. My oldest son is a senior in high school and in his final wrestling season. Many of his matches have fallen on open mic nights, and I truly am grateful for Danny holding the wheel and you all still enjoying the stage and community.
COMMUNITY
*** See below for Zack's EP release, but first I want to share a bit about the credits... I met Zack (Zack Bolles Band), Ken Carter (Cold Car) and Eric (Just Another Guru), all separately many (10-12?) years ago at the old Mick Morgan's open mic in Newton, MA. They didn't know each other then, but look at the way our fantastic music community unfolds. All connecting to help ZB create an album, which also includes the infamously hard working, Abe Dewing. It's a wonderful thing.
*** There is a new open mic happening in Wellesley at Lockheart Restaurant. Um, it's a big deal. Lockheart is currently the only place in this historically 'dry' town that is licensed to host live entertainment! It is a new program, and the local music community is excited for its future. Check it out!
Acoustic Style Open Mic every 1st & 3rd Wednesday
- 7pm - 10pm
- hosted by : Steve Robb
- details: sign up at door, 2 song sets.
- Lockheart Restaurant, 102 Central St., Wellesley, MA
MUSIC BIZ
*** N.E.R.F.A. 2024
This is for those of us who work on building our career and footprint as singer/songwriters. The new 2024 location for the North East Regional Folk Alliance conference has been announced. It will be held in Portland, ME, Nov. 21-24. Nice and close to Boston!. Links to register for the NERFA conference and book your hotel room will be live by January 16th. Here is a link for programming suggestions and to stay in the know: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y81zSVoC3he4eWV4OPKg3-I_1Csfvh3jnily9Iq4h4c/viewform?edit_requested=true
*** Spotify: While it is not the best streaming app for paying out to musicians, it does seem to be the most popular and most geared towards allowing musicians to promote themselves. That being said, I recall at a NERFA convention I went to in 2022, a panelist stressing the importance of getting 'likes' in Spotify for the algorithm. So, if you're ever listening to someone local and unsigned, please remember to give them a like. It goes a long way.
NEW RELEASES
*** Zack Bolles Band - "Boatload of Whiskey"
A 5 song EP featuring original songs by Zack Bolles. Credits include Abe Dewing - fiddle. Ed Cardenas - percussion. Zack Bolles - guitar, vocals. Eric Arnold - Bass. Recorded in one day at Ken and Jocelyn Carter's dance studio. Self mixed by Zack using his car speakers. what? yep!
Anyone recognize where the cover art was taken? Hint: a Wednesday night open mic.
This link should take you to your preferred streaming service:
More info at:
*** TIMKO & Co. - "Live 2020"
Since we've been mentioning Zack, here's refresher... Zack held a house concert in Feb. of 2020, featuring 2 artists: Timko, and Lady Malory. It was a warm evening, and I was able to record my performance and release it during Covid. The concert was held just a few weeks before the shut down! The album also features our friend, Leah Lodato, on vocals for the song, "Coup d' etat".
This link should take you to your preferred streaming service:
*** Dante - "The American Gene"
Credits: Dante Conti: guitar, lead vocal, 6 and 12 string guitars, sitar, percussion. Jim Detore: lead guitar, pedal steel guitar. Pete Abajoli: bass and backing vocal. Mark Thill: drums, Justin Klosek: keyboards. Heather Grunwald: harmonica. Recorded at Home in Boston by Dante Conti. Mixed and mastered at Earthling Studios by Mike Kamoo, El Cajon, CA
This link should take you to your preferred streaming service:
UPCOMING SHOWS
>>> If you have an upcoming show beyond this month, and want it listed in the next email blast, click this link to fill out the form.
For mobile, turn your phone sideways for best viewing.
| Artist Name | Gig Date | Venue Name | Venue City | Start Time | End Time | $ ? | Additional info, if needed |
| TIMKO | 01/01/2024 | Devlin's | Brighton | 12pm | 3pm | FREE | Pajama Party and Brunch at Devlin's on New Year's Day. Walk-ins and reservations accepted. |
| TOKYO TRAMPS | 01/05/2024 | East Regiment Beer Company | Salem | 6 | 9 | free | acoustic duo |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | 01/05/2024 | Cook Restaurant | Needham | 6 pm | 9 pm | Free | Friendly neighborhood grille serving super fresh food at reasonable prices, with a complimentary side of rock ‘n roll! |
| The Nick Haddad Trri | 01/05/2024 | Waterfall | Canton | 8 pm | 11 pm | Free | Friendly neighborhood grille serving super, fresh food, at a reasonable price, with a complimentary side of rock ‘n roll! |
| TIMKO | 01/07/2024 | Devlin's | Brighton | 12pm | 3pm | FREE | Brunch! |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | 01/11/2024 | Cook Restaurant | Needham | 6 pm | 9 pm | Free | Friendly spot for inventive, New American comfort food, wood-fired pizza & cocktails. |
| Stan Lyness | 01/12/2024 | Sally O'Brien's | Somerville | 7:30pm | 9:30 | $10.00 | Join me Friday 7:30 at Sally O'Brien's in Somerville MA for the wonderful Patsy Hamel Band! I'll be singing some songs during the set break. |
| TOKYO TRAMPS | 01/14/2024 | Hard Rock Cafe at Foxwoods Casino | Mashantucket, CT | 11:30 | 3 | Free | electric duo |
| TOKYO TRAMPW | 01/19/2024 | The Red House Restaurant | Cambridge, MA | 6 | 8 | Free | acoustic duo |
| Sudden Relic Band | 01/20/2024 | Cantab Lounge | Cambridge, MA | 9:00 pm | 12:30 | $5.00 | |
| TIMKO | 01/21/2024 | Devlin's | Brighton | 12pm | 3pm | FREE | Brunch! |
| TIMKO | 01/26/2024 | Lockheart Tavern | Wellesley | 8:00pm | 11pm | FREE | The FIRST restaurant to be allowed to host live music in Wellesley! (six degrees of Kevin Bacon?) This is a brand new program. Check it out! The food is awesome, as is the staff and atmosphere (and music). |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | 01/27/2024 | City Streets | Waltham | 8 pm | 11 pm | Free | |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | 01/27/2024 | City Streets | Waltham | 8 | 11 | No Cover | |
| Cold Car | 01/27/2024 | Raven's Nest | Walpole | 8pm | 11pm | FREE | Ken Carter, TIMKO, & guests. Great local pub. Playing a mix of ear-candy original tunes and fun covers. |
| TIMKO | 01/28/2024 | Devlin's | Brighton | 12pm | 3pm | FREE | Brunch! |
| The Acemakers | 02/03/2024 | Morse Tavern | Natick | 9:00 | 12:00 | Free | |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | 02/08/2024 | Cook Restaurant | Needham | 6:00 | 9:00 | Free | Fantastic food! |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | 02/17/2024 | The Red House Restaurant | Cambridge / Harvard Sq | 6:00 | 8:00 | Free | |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | 02/22/2024 | Hearth Pizzeria | Needham | 6:00 | 8:00 | Free | |
| Acemakers | 03/30/2024 | J&G Hillside Grill | Stoughton | 8:00 pm | 11:00 pm | Free |
(I welcome any feedback on if this process was easy and if you felt it added value to your gig promotions. Thanks in advance!)
ACOUSTIC OPEN MICS
***Hosted by TIMKO (unless otherwise noted)
Mondays
- Porter Belly's Pub, 338 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135
Wednesdays
- Ward 4, 277 Auburn St, Newton, MA 02466
Thursdays
- KofC (Knights of Columbus) 23 W. Foster St., Melrose, Hosted by TIMKO (3rd & 5th), Mark T (1st) ., Johnny O.(2nd & 4th)
***For further details and more area open mics, visit: https://bostonlovesmusic.com/open-mics
CHECK THIS OUT!
***This US company makes really cool guitar straps out of old seat belts!
ABOUT
***This newsletter is intended to connect our evolving Boston area open mic community, including 6 degrees of separation. Compiled by Tim Kochanski, aka, TIMKO. www.timkomusic.com