NERFA 2015
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With 48 artists showcasing in the Quads over two days, it was impossible for me to see as many as I would have liked, and this tome is already taking on epic proportions, but let me briefly mention a few of my favorites from the Quads:
Rant Maggie Rant – I only wish this group had more showcases. Simply brilliant! Combining a strong Celtic background with music from the seven Celtic nations, the group throws in some extra spice with flavorings of Latin, African and Mediterranean music as well as as jazzy/rock/blues percussions. I wanted a second helping!!
Dave Rowe – to look at his youthful appearance, you would not suspect that Dave has 27 years of experience as a professional musician, but as soon as he takes the stage you can tell that this man is a consummate artist. Dave graces the stage and brings everyone under his spell. The son of the late Tom Rowe of Schooner Fare, Dave has folk music in his heart and soul. Based in Maine, I hope Dave will spend more time performing at venues throughout the country so others can discover the magic he creates. Unfortunately, Dave had some health issues at NERFA, but I understand he is doing fine and making great music!
Micheal Ronstadt and Aaron Nathans – Coming from a musical family (his aunt is Linda Ronstadt), Michael Ronstadt is a virtuoso cellist with an eclectic background. Aaron Nathans is a songwriter from Philadelphia with a unique perspective and a welcome sense of humor. Together they are creating a throughly enjoyable and thought provoking performance that is a breath of fresh air.
Heather Pierson Trio – The New England based pianist/singer-songwriter/vocalist/arranger/bandleader has created a new trio that embraces Americana styles and gives it a new perspective. Blending jazz, folk, blues with three part harmonies and stellar instrumentals, this band turns heads!
There were a number of names that should be familiar to listeners to my radio show, as well as folk music fans throughout the country. Artists like Joe Crookston, David Massengill, the Nields, Carla Ulbrich, Scott Ainslie and folk music icon Eric Andersen all had showcases. Sort of like speed dating, these showcases give presenters an opportunity to sample performers for possible bookings.
In addition to the Formal and Quad showcase events, there are dozens of “Guerrilla” showcases that take place throughout the conference. These showcases are primarily held in specially designated hotel rooms with no amplification. Individuals and organizations book rooms and schedule these showcases on their own, with the blessing of NERFA. A carnival like atmosphere occurs in the wee hours of the morning when the bulk of the guerrilla showcases are held. Wandering from room to room is an experience unlike any other musical happening. The creativity of the hosts rule the day as they decorate their rooms with strings of Christmas lights and other knick-knacks to give a feeling of a performance space. Often you will find bottles of wine, microwbrewed beer, coffee, tea and munchies for the guests. The audience sits on folding chairs or beds and watches the performer in the most intimate house concert you will ever attend. While it is quite different from normal performance spaces, you can get a decent impression of the artist, and I’ve heard some great songs in this fashion.
Amy and Rachel Beck
All weekend long, people were thrusting postcards with information about their guerrilla showcases. If I wasn’t handed one, I could not help but find them as people post the cards and posters on designated boards as well as elevator walls and leave them on piles on furniture in the lobby. I’m not sure how effective this is. Over the years, I’ve given up on trying to follow any planned schedule with the Guerrillas. As each host has a different schedule and time is not set by any particular clock, it is nearly impossible to follow by time. The rooms are spread out over several floors, so I simply start on one floor and keep walking until something catches my ear.
One of the most intriguing acts I discovered through the Guerrilla showcases this year was Amy and Rachel Beck. Two sisters from Prince Edward Island, this was their first experience at NERFA and they were there to make some connections for future touring here in the states. With harmonies that only sisters can create, the duo sang some catchy pop-influenced songs that should make them a draw in contemporary folk circles.
Saturday featured more workshops plus many additional hours to schmooze and do business. There was one event on Saturday that everyone looks forward to – the Wisdom of the Elders panel discussion. The concept was brought to NERFA in 2010 by Sonny Ochs, a folk music DJ, a concert presenter, a stage manager at festivals all across the U.S. and Canada and also the sister of the late Phil Ochs. A few years ago Sonny realized that many of the people who helped create the Folk Revival back in the 1950s and 1960s (and earlier) were beginning to pass on, but many of these community leaders were still with us, so Sonny started bringing them to NERFA where they would share their stories. While there have been interview-type workshops in the past that would allow for guests to share their living histories, Sonny’s idea was to create a panel discussion that would combine interviews with discussion among a couple of these honored guests so they could interact and share their perspectives about the music and our community. It has been a huge success, bringing well known names and leaders like Theodore Bikel, Oscar Brand, Gene Shay, Happy Traum, Jackie Washington, Andy Spence and many others together for moving and memorable discussions. Anyone who has attended has learned a bit more about how the folk music community was built and also left with inspiration to carry on for the future.