Bands on the run

Erin McKeown, the Green Music Network, and more

by Bob Gulla

Erin McKeown

Lots of good stuff happening out there these days, proactive stuff, things we in the area's music scene can be proud of. This week there are a few substantial local music developments.

First, Brown scholar and Signature Sounds recording artist Erin McKeown had quite a time of it lately and one can assume it will only get better. She has been coast to coast cultivating her fanbase, and her recent album, Distillation, garnered kudos in several year-end tallies, including landing at No. 4 in the rather dignified online zine Salon.

In fact, McKeown is so busy we couldn't even get a little catch-up chat set to discuss it all. "Hot" is what you call it, and our loss is her gain. You can catch McKeown's latest presentation when she joins the fabulous Eric Andersen at Stone Soup this Saturday. Andersen, who counts Dylan, Lou Reed, and Tom Paxton among his friends, and who has been responsible for work like Blue River and Violets At Dawn, makes a return visit to the Soup after his triumphant debut there last year.

The show, which will only cost you a tenner, begins at 8 p.m.; advance tickets are available at Books On the Square on Angell and the Slater Mill Gift Shop in the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center across the street from the Mill.

IT AIN'T EASY BEIN' GREEN. This just in: Musical talent is now being sought for something called the Green Music Network, a non-profit group of artists that raises money and awareness of progressive, liberal or "Green" projects or causes. Solo artists, bands, and other musical entities are invited to submit tunes and other materials for consideration. All styles are encouraged. GMN founder Tim McKee began the group to rally musicians to promote and raise money for social or political causes. The loose network helps promote things such as the environment, women and human rights issues, and other social justice ideals.

The way McKee explains it, the many network members are "Greens" or Green Party members, folks inspired by guys like Ralph Nader. Ralph's musical supporters already include national acts like Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eddie Vedder, and the Indigo Girls, to name a few. Of course, you don't have to be green to join the GMN. But while some of the causes may not be for everyone, the overall goal of the organization is to build a better world. And we need one. Potential members are invited to send materials to GMN, P.O. Box 881, Providence, RI 02901. Information may also be obtained by writing the above address or e-mailing GreenMusicNetwork@excite.com.

RADIO, RADIO. This should interest you. On Sunday, February 4, 103.7 FNX, a station that just happens to be in the Phoenix corporate family, will debut a radio show focusing on local music called Southern New England Product. Hosted by Peter Bayard, the program will highlight bands from Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Not only that, Bayard and the area's music won't be relegated to some dead-of-night time slot, as is usually the case. Southern New England Product will take to the airwaves every Sunday from 9:30 to 11 p.m. -- not exactly plumb drive-time, but not in the wee hours.

The Boston hub of the FNX Network airs its own version of the show, aptly titled Boston Product, and it's enormously popular. It has been airing for 19 years and has proven to be a key factor in the success of more than a few bands.

You can contribute to Southern New England Product with both your ears and your music. It's an excellent way to elevate your profile from local to regional, and a great way to sell a few CDs. And you never know who could be listening.

For more information, contact Bayard at (401) 273-6397 ext. 255 or producer Ed Garcia at ext. 243.

PUNK AND DISORDERLY. If you call yourself punks, or at least punk rockers, Pete Walsh from Meat Depressed writes in with some pretty cool news. "I'm working on a compilation that I thought might be of some interest to you and your readers," he says. "As we know, there are too many compilations out there, so if you're gonna do one, it's gotta be different."

What Walsh and Good Cop Bad Cop Productions have come up with is Scene of the Crime, a compilation of punk rock designed to record 24 bands in 24 hours. "That's right," he iterates. "We're gonna record 24 punk/ska bands in 24 hours for a compilation that your band needs to be on!"

Here's the deal: The disc will be recorded on either May 5 and 6 or May 19 and 20, whichever works best for the most bands. The festivities will take place at Big Sound Studios in Westbrook, Maine; from what Walsh tells us it is, like its name implies, a big studio with rehearsal rooms upstairs. "And it's also just down the street from a topless donut shop."

Walsh continues: "All bands will share gear for the project. We will mike up three or four guitar amps, a drum set and bass rig." If other instruments are required, let Pete know in advance so he can be prepared. "Each band will have 40 minutes to record one previously unreleased original song. No covers! You can only record one song, regardless if it takes less time. We have to budget time for Murphy's Law -- the philosophy, not the band!"

Producers on the project include Jim Tierney, Huck Bennert, and Walsh, with mastering by David Locke at JP Mastering.

Money? OK, funny you should ask. Walsh explains: "It's a co-op at first. Cost is $600 per band. Each band will get 200 CDs they should sell for no more than $5 each. The idea is to get as many of these CDs in the hands of the fans as quickly as possible. That means 5000 people will be hearing all of our music. Each band will have a half- page in the booklet to include lyrics, band info, and mug shot [taken at the recording session]. We are planing a July 13 release date."

But it doesn't end with the compilation. Walsh, like many of us, are more interested in the greater good here, like building the Providence-area scene. "[After the release] we should then work together by booking other Scene of the Crime bands on our shows whenever we can." Walsh is entertaining the idea of setting up a show in Portland, Maine on that night to keep some of the bands busy. He is also gathering info on local motels for accommodations.

Walsh has even lined up some advance press. "So far Radioboston. com has committed to covering the entire event. We also have interest from Soundcheck, Punk magazine, and Askew Reviews. There is also a film crew that is interested in doing a documentary on this major event."

If you have any questions or you're interested in submitting your music for consideration on this very excellent project, e-mail Walsh at goodcop_badcoppr@hotmail.com

WANDERING EYE. Jim Carroll is playing at the Columbus Theater on Broadway this Saturday. It's under the aegis of AS220, which should make for an interesting union. Carroll has been an evocative performer for the better part of two decades. Local riser Eric Fontana, who seems to have good news every time we check, will take the stage promptly at 9 p.m. for a half-hour set. Tickets are $10. Call 831-9327.

E-mail me with any news at b_gulla@yahoo.com. I've gotten some shit lately about printing information people didn't want printed. If you don't want your correspondence to me considered for reprint, don't send it!