
Like a rain-swollen river, the late Spring rush of music from blogs, readers, labels, and other friendly pass-along sources continues unabated. The bounty is rich, and though we remain committed to bringing you only the best and brightest of the coverfolk world, there's more than enough gems to tempt the palate and confound our preference for tightly organized artist-centered features and themes. Happily, however, much of this month's flood calls us back to themes and artists previously covered in these pages. Which makes it high time for yet another edition of [...]
Annalivia is a Boston-based acoustic quintet adept at combining neo-traditional Anglo-Celtic folk with its Appalachian-styled American off-spring. Fronted by singers Liz Simmons and Flynn Cohen , the group juxtaposes lamenting ballads with spry uptempo reels with a virtuosic array of string instruments from Cape Breton fiddle to clawhammer banjo to acoustic bass. New sophomore album Barrier Falls (May 18, 5 String) is another shining example of classic folk moving easily into a modern setting as traditional compositions sit comfortably next to original songs. We [...]
Throwing a multi-venue music festival in the dead of a finally frigid New England winter may seem a bit anomalous, especially so soon after the streets have been swept clean of the detritus of First Night celebrations. But music has always been a way to drive away the chill. And with the weather slowing touring schedules for many local musicians, winter can also bring a high concentration of well-rested musicians back home to roost, just waiting for a catalyst to celebrate. At its best, then, heading out to see local live music [...]