Jill Fleming Q & A for new EP release - "Whiskey Heart"

Young people making excellent music is really making me feel old...and like I wasn't doing anything worth talking about when I was in college. One young lady who is doing a lot of great stuff is Jill Fleming. Jill is a local South Shore gal (something I hold close to my heart) currently up at UNH and she has a new EP about to be released. She was kind enough to answer a few questions about her music, the recording process, and what has shaped her as a musician now. Check it out below, and check back for my thoughts on the EP before its out later this month...

1: What projects are you currently working on? You have a release on the horizon, tell us about it!

JF: For the past year I’ve been recording and working on my first real project, the Whiskey Heart EP. It was recorded at Joe Merrick’s Guilty Dog Studios in my hometown of Marshfield. The process has been really exciting and I’ve learned so much from being in the studio. For my debut project, I’m proud of the work we did and I can’t wait for people to hear it.

2: What do you think makes a good music community and scene great?

JF: I feel so lucky to have grown up on the south shore because the music community is so incredible and unique. What makes it so great is the support between musicians. There’s so much talent in our area but I’ve never been made to feel intimidated. Since getting into the scene fairly recently I have made some wonderful friends and everyone truly cares for and supports each other. In theory, music should be a sort of “dog-eat-dog” competitive trade, and I think in most places it is, but here it’s just not and that’s awesome. I think we all benefit from it.

3: Favorite OR least favorite/most embarrassing moment on stage from your career?

JF: Oh jeez. A few months back I was a guest on WATD’s Almost Famous show. I told a story about a frog from when I used to work at a wildlife rehab center. Then I started playing a song and half way through it I got a ‘frog in my throat’ while singing. I think it was the frog’s ghost coming back to haunt me.

4: If you could collaborate with anyone from the area (general New England) who would it be? Any favorite local musicians we should all be listening to?

JF: This is hard.... I feel a rant coming. I’ve actually never met her but I think Sarah Borrello is awesome. In the future I want to do more bluesy stuff so I could definitely take some notes from her. Boston Catalano is another one of my favorites. Boston is probably the person who has made me feel most comfortable coming into the local music community. She’s such a sweetheart but is still somehow so badass in performing and songwriting and I envy that. I’ve worked with Joe Merrick in the studio but I think it would be cool to get a chance to write with him. He just has such a musical brain. Les Sampou was the person who got me into songwriting and taught me the basics of it. I love her style and I think she has influenced me a lot. Hopefully when I graduate college this spring we can find some time to write together because we make a good team. My favorite songwriter of all time is probably Lori McKenna. Everything she does is so raw and genuine. I would be thrilled if I ever got the opportunity to write with her. This is the last one I promise.... Susan Tedeschi. Like I said, I want to get more into blues and Susan just has so much soul I often forget she’s from Norwell. Her vocals and guitar playing are incredible and I would love to get the chance to meet her and pick her brain a bit.

5: 3 records that shaped you when you first started playing and 3 records that best represent who you are now/are listening to now?

JF: Three records that shaped me: The first record I remember falling in love with was when I was about 5 and it was Duane Allman’s ‘An Anthology’. Even now when I see the cover to that album I remember holding it in my five year old hands and begging my parents to put it on. Another record would have to be Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They are A-changing’. That’s the album I started playing when I first picked up a guitar and the title track is the first song I performed in front of an audience. The last one would have to be John Mayer’s ‘Where the Light is’ live album. I was really acoustic and folk minded before I started listening to his guitar playing. Songs like ’Vultures’ and ‘Slow Dancing in a Burning Room’ opened my eyes to blues.

Three records for right now: Lori McKenna’s ‘Lorraine’ is such a beautifully written record. She has the rawness that I aim for when I write songs and was one of the biggest influences on ‘Whiskey Heart’. Kacey Musgraves’ ‘Same Trailer Different Park’ is another one of my more recent favorites. It’s so well written and I think she is the best thing in country music right now. Finally, the album that’s been in my headphones almost constantly lately is The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s ‘Made Up Mind’. Derek Truck’s guitar style combined with Susan Tedeschi’s powerhouse vocals are absolutely unmatched. I love blues rock and I hope to get more into it in the future.

6: Why is creating music important to you?

JF: I really don’t know and I think I like that because it keeps me interested. What I do know is that whether I find success in this industry or not, I’ll always be writing music. I’ve never felt more myself than I have in the past year and I really think that's because I started pursuing music. I don’t expect it to be easy but I’m excited to see what will happen with this EP and going forward.

7: Aside from music, do you have any other pastimes? What would you want people to know about you aside from your musical endeavors?

JF: I’m a big fan of the outdoors. I’m in my senior year of studying Wildlife Biology at the University of New Hampshire. I’ve always felt a strong connection with nature and wildlife, and it’s a big part of who I am. When I’m not playing music, I really enjoy hiking.

8.  Anything else you want to plug or we should know :

JF: I starting playing music because my best friends all chipped in to buy my first guitar for my 16th birthday. They knew I had a passion for music and they gave me not only instrument I needed to pursue it but the confidence as well. I am very thankful for them and that gift. My mother has also been extremely supportive of my music. I wouldn’t have been able to get to this point without her help. 

The Whiskey Heart EP Release party will be October 19th at the Wildflower Café in Duxbury from 7-9 PM. You can buy an EP there before it’s available for digital download on October 22nd.

Do yourself a favor and check out Jill's Facebook page, on youtube, on whatever internet thing you can (or just catch her in person at her release on the 19th)! 

https://www.facebook.com/JillFlemingMusic 

My New England Americana Fest: Day "3"...daytime

Well, last I left you I was sitting at Passim watching mando maestro Jimmy Ryan and Hayride playing a fierce set on Friday night…Day “3” starts early in Harvard Square outside, setting up stages, moving stuff around and trying to make this festival feel…festive?

Setting up the Brattle stage with a less than sufficient PA may have seen it challenges, but the fest got

kicked off in a timely manner with Nate Leavitt playing his excellent, emotion drive tunes for a slowly forming crowd. The gal with the kitty hat from the night before even made an appearance. I swear she was all over the place this weekend. He had Dan Nicklin sitting in with him on vocals and some harp, and some handsome mandolin player was sitting in with him too…

Jenee Halstead was up next at Brattle. I won’t go into detail, because quite frankly, I don’t need to. If you know Jenee and have seen her perform, you just know. This gal has got it all. She is always incredible and absolutely wonderful to hear sing. Jenee simply exudes beauty in her performances. Go see her right away if you have never been to a show.

I ran myself to the Winthrop stage because I just HAD to catch some of Fiddlin’ Quinn…and man the fest table for a bit. The crowd was growing quick to see this little guy belting out tunes and setting his fiddle on fire. Such a treat to see this guy, can’t wait to see him grow up and what he accomplishes in his music career.

I think Sonny Jim found his new home at Goorin Brothers hat shop. The place just fit him to a T. Sonny loves hats, they have hats, Sonny loves snazzy old time dressing, they are all about that, Sonny plays awesome delta blues inspired music, they have a little stage he can do that on. A beautiful day, the sun shinin’ through the front shop window and really just making this a magical set by my friend. The hat shop folks were slinging drinks for the good patrons, the music was great, and the atmosphere was simply perfect.

North of Nashville…yeah. I would have to say that these guys were likely the talk of the festival. Other musicians loved them, I love them, my MOM loved them (she bought two of their CDs and has apparently been playing them over and over again). Energy, energy, energy. Seriously, Andrew and Jay, where the hell do you guys get these energy reserves? Ridiculous showing by these guys. They just rock. 

Cold Chocolate was up next over at the Brattle Stage and I was not going to miss them. Bluegrass, soul, funk, rock n’roll all rolled into one tight package. Ethan Robbins has this awesome, awesome voice that just sits so well within the instrumentation…plus he picks like a mother f….. Drummer Ariel Bernstein even fastened a box to his leg in lieu of a drum kit, and it sound friggin fantastic. Rounded out by James McIver on the banjo and Kirsten Lamb on the upright made this one of my favorite sets of the entire weekend.

Having to break down the Brattle stage was a bit of a pain, but it was done. I was able to catch a song or  two of Brian Mckenzie before packing it in for Passim…Always a pleasure to see him. Great guy and great songwriter.

(sorry for the lack of decent photos from the daytime sets...camera was in the car all day)

My New England Americana Fest: Days 1 and 2

Back in July I attended the Newport Folk Festival and recapped my day-by-day here on the blog. Well, two weeks ago I attended the New England Americana Festival (yeah…shocker for all of those who know who I am. I realize I am a little bias here, so bear with me). As heavily as I am involved in the festival and community here in the city, there was a ton that really surprised me, both how it played out as well as new artists I discovered through roaming from stage to stage. The entire weekend was a complete whirlwind of setting up, breaking down, running from place to place, and in between it all being completely and absolutely humbled by what was accomplished and the overall sentiment of sincere love and care within this scene. Amazing stuff.

I thought it important to document my time at the fest, the pre-party, and the aftermath of emotions that took over my mind. Come on the trip with me…

“Day 1” (not officially, but technically) was the special invite only, CD release, kick-off event at the Lizard Lounge right up Mass Avenue from the NEAF’s heart in Harvard Square. Aside from my own set, this was likely the highlight of the weekend for me. Basically, it was one of my favorite rooms in the city completely filled to the brim with amazing musicians and incredible people supporting one another and being excited for the next 3 days. It was a loose kind of night, people jumping in with each other in the middle of songs, sporadic jam sessions, and the two NEA recording projects playing through the speakers in between all cast over the Lizard’s “speakeasy/opium den/relaxing” vibe of a listening room.  I won’t go on much more, but all I can say is if you were there you “got it”, and if you weren’t, I am sorry that you missed it. It was truly something special.

Friday night, “Day 2”

I am pretty sure that every time I have had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Eva Walsh perform she is surrounded by a bunch of other talented folks. Whether she is adding her incredible fiddle and harmony skills to other people’s music, or sharing a stage with others and highlighting her own tunes, I am pretty sure I haven’t seen “just Eva on a stage, singing and playing”. Passim was the perfect stage for her to kick the entire 3 day shebang off at. The dimly lit room was deathly silent as she went back and forth between fiddle, guitar, and ukulele singing in her soulful, sultry, yet playful and joyful, voice. She just really makes me smile when I get to catch her playing. You just know that she absolutely loves the art and being on a stage…and it’s where she belongs.

I sauntered over to Tasty Burger to see what else was going on to see Liz Frame and her band, the
Kickers setting up shop. I was intrigued by the gal bass players upright stick bass, so I stuck it out for a bit and was damn happy I did. They play an upbeat, rocking kind of music. Liz kind of sways and dances along to the songs in a hypnotizing way during the breaks and the whole set is really just intriguing. The band plays off each other really well, you can tell they are all pals and just having a blast. Though, throughout the weekend Tasty’s acoustics were an issue, the band sounded great getting people moving and grooving to their buoyant and raucous set.

From Tasty I ran across Winthrop to Tommy Doyle’s to catch my pals Sam Reid and Riot Act. Not only was Mr. Reid tearing it up on stage, but I had the pleasure of doing my damndest to catch Joe Kessler on camera as he moved around the stage playing the hell out of his blue fiddle. With John Ransom holding down the low end, the boys rocking brand of bluegrass tunes really kept the crowd moving, stopping for a second to be in awe of the solo that was just played, and then start moving again. These guys never disappoint.

I figured I hadn’t had enough of the Tasty Burger, or bluegrass music for that matter, so ran back across Winthrop for my buds the Whiskey Boys. Every one of the fellas in this band are top notch musicians on their respective instruments, but what has really left me pleasantly surprised is Dave Delaney’s development as a front man and songwriter. His voice has really settled into its comfort zone and his writing has matured like…well…a really excellent whiskey! The gents played to a great crowd who were really digging what they were laying down, always good to see good friends appreciated!

Girls playing mandolin and banjo…did I die and go to some strange Americana heaven? Oh right, and the gents in this band are absolutely INSANELY talented too. Chasing Blue took the stage at Passim and the juxtaposition of crowd being “pin drop” silent and out of their seats applauding was remarkable. There is the “wow” or “it” factor that industry folks talk about and whatever that may be, these guys have got it 10 times over. Really amazing, amazing and beautiful set of music to witness.

Man oh man…can I just say that I know Mark fairly well. I have seen him perform many times, performed with him many times, but this night he was on fucking fire. His inner performer really ripped itself right out of him this night and he was just impossible to turn away from. Mark Kilianski and Moonshine Ramblers in this instance were a crew of stringed things picking out bluegrassy folksy originals, a few instrumentals, and just great music for all the folks at TB to hear. I have to say, my highlight was a fiddle tune penned by the Ramblers fiddler player, John Mailander. It was a really incredible arrangement and the band just got in an undeniable groove that you don’t witness all too often.

 
I caught the tail end of The Mallett Brothers set leading into Coyote Kolb's set and couldn't take any pictures the room was so rambunctious. Holy hell, people dancing, drinking and just having a raucous ol' time. It was something to be seen!

The final set of the night for me was Jimmy Ryan and Hayride at Passim. This was a special set for me, as Jimmy approached me after the show and let me know he has been in a bad spot lately and a little sick...by the way the band played you would never have even guessed it. The man was just unstoppable on the 8 string. They guys played some old favorites, did a couple tunes I hadn't heard before, and it was just a really great close to day 1 leaving me with full energy for the rest of the weekend.

Day 2....coming up next....

Show you should know!: Harmony for Humanity at Lizard Lounge

There is a really great show coming up this Thursday night at the Lizard Lounge...not only is it a great line up of some really talented artists, but its also for a great initiative to bring music and remembrance to Daniel Pearl.

Dino Cattaneo is the man behind the scenes, bringing this all together and he was nice enough to clue us in on the event, who is playing, and why its so important to embrace this great ideal.

1) First of all, who are you and what is your involvement in the local music scene to begin with?

DC: I am a fully naturalized greater Boston resident (I moved here in 1994). By day I am a digital marketer, whatever that means.I grew up playing in bands in Italy and always had a passion for music. I do play guitar and bass - mostly with friends amd at local blues jams. I occasionally sit in with Tony Savarino and the Savtones. I started getting involved with the local and national music scenes when I started managing Susan Cattaneo, a local singer/songwriter and songwriting professor at Berklee. I have also been part of the New England Americana Festival organizing committee, primarily helping with Sponsorships. 

2) How did you first get involved with the Daniel Pearl Music Days? Does the series hold a special place in your heart?

DC: As you know, Daniel Pearl was an American journalist who was kidnapped and killed in Pakistan in 2002. The week that he was kidnapped, a good friend of mine who also worked at the Wall Street Journal was visiting with us, so we followed the events very closely. My daughter had just been born, and when I found out that his wife was pregnant, it really struck a chord with me. Being a recent father, the idea that this man would never meet his child was incredibly sad to me. When I found out about Daniel Pearl Music Days, it was very natural to participate. In addition to the personal connection, this initiative stands for two ideas that are really important to me. The first one is the idea that a free press is crucial to the existence of a democratic society and that we need to protect journalists. The second is the idea that the arts, and music in particular, can foster dialogue, communication and ultimately tolerance among people of different backgrounds and beliefs. I started out dedicating one set to him when I went to the Johnny D's Blues Jam in October probably in 2007. I always had a dream of creating a very collaborative show, with a house band and some of my favorite singers rotating through. Last year, Billy Beard was kind enough to let me do the first show at the Lizard Lounge, and this year we are bringing it back. And after I emailed the Daniel Pearl Foundation, we are lucky enough that we are one of the five events highlighted across the globe (it's us and Herbie Hancock in the US...)

3) Why October 10th?

DC: October 10 is Daniel Pearl's birthday, he would turn 50 this year. It also happens to be my birthday, which is one more reason why I felt very emotional connected to him.

4) So, who is playing the event this year? Any exciting collaborations we should look forward to?

DC: The house band for the second year in a row is Tony Savarino and The Savtones. We have a great lineup of local singers, mostly from the New England Americana family: Brian Carroll, Susan Cattaneo, Noel Coakley, David DeLuca from Highway Ghost, Scarlet Keys, Jenee Halstead, Danielle Miraglia, Sam Margolis. Plus Beggar's Ride, a great duo from Baltimore, who is touring around here this week will stop by. We also have a very special guest: Mia Dyson is starting her East Coast tour by playing a guest set at the show.

5) Do you have any special and favorite moments from last year that you hope to re-live or even over shoot?

DC: What made last year special was that there was a looseness to the show, where people were just enjoying the process of making music with people they had never played with. When you have that energy on stage the audience can feel it. And of course the late late part of the show is where it really comes through. At the end of the shows there were a number of songs that were not even planned, with people calling them and the band just jumping in. I am hoping to recreate the same spontaneity, create an environment where the musicians are really having fun and the audience gets a glimpse of why we play music.

6) Lastly, plug the show and let us know why we should be going to it!

DC: Hopefully reading the answers to the questions before made you want to go, but here is one more reason: where else are you going to hear covers of The Band, Gram Pasrons, Dolly Parton, RIchard Hell and Thin Lizzy on the same night?

Get your tickets online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/475217