If you’re ridin’ solo this Valentine’s Day, and possibly a little down in the dumps about it, have no fear! I have the perfect cure for those who are single, or may not care about the most sappy holiday of them all. So, what’s better than flowers, chocolate, and romance? Live music, of course.

WPC Presents and A Robot Booking & Promotions have got your back on this one, as the two have collaborated to bring together four live acts to present a super shindig in honor of those who are “loverless”, or just feel Valentine’s Day is a waste of time. The Anti-Valentine’s Day Prom I & II will take over Portland on Friday, February 10^th, and then work it’s way north bound for a show the following evening in Bangor.  Featuring Portland based-artists, Yes We Kin and A Severe Joy, the shows will also consist of Bangor rockers, When Particles Collide, along with Pretty & Nice, who will be traveling all the way from Boston.  Both shows will include awesome music, along with speciality photo booths, so be sure to sport your finest prom attire!  The Anti-Valentine’s Day Prom in Portland will take place at Geno’s Rock Club on 625 Congress Street, at $7 a pop to get in, and for $5 if you are wearing the proper garb.  The Bangor show will take place at the Mezzanine, located on the second level of ZEN on 128 Main Street in Bangor, and admission is completely free! After all, who needs romance when you’ve got rock ‘n roll?

Yes We Kin

A Severe Joy

When Particles Collide

Nice & Pretty

]]> http://dispatchmag.com/anti-valentines-day-prom-who-needs-romance-when-youve-got-rock-n-roll/feed/ 0 http://dispatchmag.com/the-belfast-free-range-music-festival-gears-up-for-2012/ http://dispatchmag.com/the-belfast-free-range-music-festival-gears-up-for-2012/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:32:58 +0000 Emily Pappas http://dispatchmag.com/?p=4187 Although the Belfast Free Range Music Festival is still a few months away, devoted festival organizers are already gearing up for 2012. The concept of the Free Range Festival is truly every music lover’s dream- all original songs written and performed …

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I’ve always had a slight knack for bluegrass tunes. It’s something about the style- the twang, the improvising, and the collaboration of many stringed instruments playing together all at once. It also gives me a nostalgic feeling within my bones; the type of feeling that makes me want to sit by a campfire, swill off a bottle of whiskey, and jam the night away… but maybe that’s just me.

Portland based group, the Coloradas, resurfaced this exact feeling after I heard tracks off of their debut self-titled album. Originally a duo, the Coloradas were formed by songwriters Roy Davis and Bernie Nye, and eventually expanded into a larger crew of Maine-based musicians, featuring Joe Walsh, Amanda Kowlski, Steve Roy, and Calvin Goodale. Self described as a mixture of “alt-country, Americana, folk, and indie bluegrass”, I’d say the Coloradas are exactly what they claim to be- a skilled group of bluegrass musicians that bring listeners “a collection of songs that combine traditional bluegrass and blues with modern-day stories of life’s many concerns.”

The recent release of the Coloradas’ self-titled album is now available for digital download via iTunes, and completely free to listen to from start to finish on their webpage. As for my personal favorites off of the album, I took particular liking to This isn’t love, Natalie, as well as, 8 Ball Blues, and the raw, mysterious end track of the album, Enid. The Coloradas will host a CD release concert on Friday, January 20^th, at One Longfellow Square in Portland. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 at the door. Show starts at 8PM.

Portland’s mastermind hip-hop crew, Grant Street Orchestra, recently released a new single in honor of their upcoming show this NYE at the Asylum. Titled The Hood, the Badass, and the Funky, the new track is not only named appropriately- it gives listeners a preview of what the band is really all about- a smooth, upbeat sound, that blends horns, thumping beats, and rhymes that create clever, and compelling stories. In other words, GSO’s new single is too cool for school. After all, the opening of the song contains the lyrics: “The Grant Street Orchestra is back- back with a fresh set of funky tracks. Times have changed, but the rhymes remain supreme, still pushin’ against the grain.”

Download The Hood, the Badass, and the Funky via Bandcamp for FREE, and be sure to catch GSO live at the Asylum on New Year’s Eve with Paranoid Social Club, and Sidecar Radio.

According to some, January 1^st, 2012 will mark an apocalypse on planet earth.  Apparently it’s “the end of the world as we know it”, and the zombies are coming in to take over- so you better be sure to catch up on the latest episodes of The Walking Dead, or find the nearest tree- (I heard a rumor that zombies can’t climb them). With all this chat of zombies, the Mayan Calendar, and the world coming to an end, one may ask themselves- what is the best possible way I can spend the last day of 2011?  I can’t help but to jump up and down with excitement, and direct you to the biggest party happening in Portland: New Year’s Eve at the Asylum featuring Paranoid Social Club, Sidecar Radio, and Grant Street Orchestra.

There’s no greater way to ring in NYE then with three of Portland’s finest groups, and if the zombies take over- at least the music will be killer! Tickets are now available at all Bull Moose stores throughout New England at $14 a pop.  Show starts at 9PM, 21+.

Paranoid Social Club

Sidecar Radio

Grant Street Orchestra

It happened before, and it’s about to happen again. This Saturday night will mark an evening where Bangor-based bands hit the highway southbound for a night full of live tunes. First off- according to the Facebook event page- the Bayside Bowl will host “three bands hell bent on rocking as loud as possible”, featuring home turf group Theodore Treehouse, along with Bangor duo When Particles Collide, and a twosome out of Belfast- the Class Machine. As a fan of jamming hard- as well as bowling- I can’t think of a better combination of awesome activities to fill a Saturday night. I guess the only thing that could make it better would be the act of shredding on a guitar while releasing a bowling ball- which in my opinion, Class Machine member, Cody Tibbetts, would have no problem doing, seeing he plays guitar and drums at the same time.  Shine up your bowling shoes and head to the Bayside around 9 PM for live music.

The second crew of musicians heading south down I-95 won’t quite make it to Portland, but instead, will find themselves jamming the night away at Mainely Brews in Waterville. Bangor indie pop group, Temperature of the Sun, will hit the stage to share their collection of original songs, along with solo artist Mike Billings, who will serenade the crowd with an array of tracks that the meld the sounds of blues, funk, and rock. Music starts around 9:30 PM.

(From top to bottom: Theodore Threehouse, Sasha Alcott of When Particles Collide, Cody Tibbetts of the Clash Machine, Temperature of the Sun, and Mike Billings).

KahBang wants to make your holidays special this season, and with the gift they’re giving, you’ll be “rocking out” around the Christmas tree. As one of the biggest musical festivals happening in New England, KahBang will return in its fourth year for the summer of 2012. This holiday season, treat yourself or a loved one to pre-sale festival passes, starting at the low price of $25. That’s one hell of a deal! The pre-sale starts at 10AM on Friday, December 16th, with a limited quantity, so be sure to hop on board and snag KahBang tickets at a super low price while you still can. Sale ends December 21st. Happy Kah-Holidays!
(Photo from the 2011 festival. Courtesy of: KahBang Music & Art Festival)

This Friday Ipanema Bar & Grill presents a full evening featuring some of the best indie rock bands in the city of Bangor. With live music from Temperature of the Sun, Great Western Plain, and the Tree Streets, come prepared to let loose, and get down to some authentic local jams.

The Tree Streets will kick the evening off with a high-energy, half-hour set starting around 9:30. Allison Melton- front woman of Temperature of the Sun- was one of the collaborative forces behind putting together this night of indie rockery. After seeing the Tree Streets debut, Part Deux, she felt inclined to work them into the line up. “The Tree Streets recent performance at the Tavern revealed their latest music. They had new material, and it sounded really good,” said Melton.

(Photo Courtesy of: The Tree Streets)

Great Western Plain will hit the stage for the middle part of the evening, as a trio hailing partially from Portland (2/3^rd’s of the band), as well as one member from the town Orono. Composed of Tim Berrigan, Michael Powers, and Anthony Bitetti, this crew creates noise that is too cool for school- a fervent rock ‘n roll feeling, with a solid, fierce sound.

(Photo Courtesy of: Great Western Plain)

Temperature of the Sun will wrap things up for the evening with a powerhouse indie pop set, that will get listeners moving with a combination of Melton’s smooth vocals, along with a variety of homegrown tunes. With a collection of about 16 songs, the band has grown from a newer musical project, into a well-known fixture in the Bangor music scene. “We’ve really found our collective voice, and that’s given us an opportunity to grow, and get better”, said Melton.

(Photo Courtesy of: Bryan Dubay)

Be sure to check out Temperature of the Sun, Great Western Plain, and the Tree Streets, live at Ipanema Bar & Grill this Friday, December 2^nd. No cover charge, 21+.

This Black Friday, the team from KahBang has got your back. With killer merch specials starting at low prices, you don’t even need to work your way through the obnoxious mall crowds- let alone leave your home! Featuring t-shirts, posters, and wristbands up the ying yang, all KahBang merchandise can be purchased right from your laptop. Keep the spirit of KahBang alive throughout the winter holidays- after all, KahBang 2012 will be here sooner than you think. Click here for awesome KahBang gear at cheap prices.

The handle bar. The pencil thin. The fu manchu. However you like to style your stache, it’s time to bust out the razor and groom your facial hair into shape.

Why you may ask? Paddy Murphy’s Pub will be hosting their first ever “Mustache Party” in Bangor on Friday, December 2^nd. Not only will Bangorians have a chance to flaunt a sexy stache, Ellsworth’s very own soul and funk group – Juicebox – will take the stage and hit the crowd with dance tunes all night long. Honestly, jamming away to the sounds of Juicebox will have never felt so right- especially while showing off a specialty stache.  And no worries if you’re a female- Paddy’s will serve up Guinness pints on special all night long, so you can make your own mustache instantly. There will also be a prize for the best “bearded” lady.  Live music starts around 9:30PM.

Be sure to stretch out those dancing muscles for live, original music from Juicebox, and get that facial hair growing!