It takes the crowd at the Bowery Poetry Club some moments to figure out just what Julia Easterlin is up to on stage. She stands alone, in front of a looping machine, humming into the microphone, then plays back the sound. She adds another vocal tone, and then some others, harmonizing with herself. She snaps [...]
Author Archives: Allen Bush
2010 Berklee CMJ Showcase: The Honors
October 27, 2010 – 1:01 pm
Following Liptease’s electro-pop and disco sound at the Berklee CMJ Showcase, was a blast of rock and roll from highly energized the Honors. The four-piece Boston-based band is riding high on its debut disc, xoxo, and a growing reputation for crunching live shows. Lead guitarist Andrew Bayardi, a Berklee alumnus, riffed, soloed, and sustained feedback [...]
2010 Berklee CMJ Showcase Liptease
October 26, 2010 – 9:23 am
Liptease performs a highly-dancable brand of r&b influenced electro-pop. Vocalist John Engle urged everybody at the Bowery Poetry Club to dance from the first notes Michel Heyaca played on his laptop over Tom Manning’s funky drumming. The band counts house and Latin music, Mozart, and classic soul among its influences. Liptease is a dedicated trio; alumni Engle and [...]
Performers and fans talk music, mingling, and making new fans at BeanTown Jazz Fest
September 30, 2010 – 8:31 am
The Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival turned 10 this year, and celebrated New Orleans style with the Wild Magnolias and Jonathan Batiste, Cajun food on the concourse, and temps in the 80 degree range. Jazz, blues, soul, and Latin music added to the festivities that stretched over six blocks for six hours. I spoke with [...]
Mississippi scholarship winners announced in more intimate confines
April 29, 2010 – 1:18 pm
The Berklee Mississippi Exchange Band headed to the Delta Blues Museum’s outdoor stage, ready for their first set of the day. It would be during the Juke Joint Festival debut by a Berklee group when the summer scholarship winner would be revealed. Both contenders, with family members and close friends were stage side, waiting, smiling [...]