The annual LiveWire Awards celebrates the best local releases of the year.
The annual LiveWire Awards celebrates the best local releases of the year and hopefully sheds a bit of light on the amazing work done by local artists.
One of the surprise breakouts of 2012 was The Go To, formerly known as MAT, a pop-rock group that spent the summer busking in Times Square (look for the YouTube video of NYPD shutting them down) and putting together a three song EP at Spirithouse studios in Northampton.
The result is a recording that has grabbed the attention of labels and producers and could catapult the local group into stardom. Led by singer and songwriter Matt Fernandez, the band has an amazing combination of musical chops and charisma that could land them a deal.
The music is a mixed-breed of modern rock (which might now be considered retro) and the effervescent pop that comes out of the Disney Channel. Green Day meets the Jonas Brothers. Spirithouse has signed them to a production deal and will do a full-blown launch in 2013. The band is currently raising money through a crowd funding site and you can check them out at indiegogo.com/thegoto
Eric Bascom has released a new work of original material titled “No Enemy” that consists of compositions that (as he says in the liner notes) “have been kicking around in my head and part of my musical repertoire for years.”
The pieces come together wonderfully on this disc that was recorded over two sessions at Warren Ammerman’s Rotary Records in West Springfield. The heartfelt compositions include tributes to fallen friends and great inspirations like John Coltrane.
If Bascom was an actor he would be considered “generous” in that the tunes are more showcases for the amazing players he has aligned than his own brilliant jazz guitar stylings. Bascom liberally scatters praise for the performers who have brought his works to life. The disc is available through ericbascom.com
The Criollo Clasico Trio is one of the Valley’s musical treasures and under the direction of Jose Gonzalez has released some of the best Latin music recordings in the region. This time out, the guitarist and Cuatro player joins with Ahmed Gonzalez (flute, percussion) and Rene Gonzalez (bass, conga, timbales) to present “World Christmas.”
The ensemble has culled 14 Christmas classics from around the world and placed their indelible stamp on the entire lot.
The diversity of the release is what makes it so stunning, as the trio twirls from “Latin Christmas” to “Celtic Dream” and includes cuts like “Catalan Folk Song,” and “Navidad Puertorriquena.”
The CD was recorded at MarkaMusic Studio in Amherst during the summer of 2012 co-produced and engineered by Freddie Chapelliquen. More information on the group and the CD are available through criolloclasico.com.
Other local CDs that deserve mention include Kelsey Veillette’s “Infinite Clock” a collection of 10 originals from the aspiring singer-songwriter that only touch upon her true personality (search YouTube for her video submission to “The Voice”).
Wayne Morphew’s “Spoon Fed America” is another disc that is worth searching for (try waynemorphew.com). Morphew’s first release in seven years for the former Drunk In July front man is a great collection of personal stories wrapped around a theme (how Americans are crushed under the weight of marketing messages).
The latest Fancy Trash release is a must have for fans of the indie-folk/rock group. Available through fancytrash.com.
Fear Nuttin’ Band’s “Vibes, Love, Revolution” can be found by searching iTunes and Amazon as the band’s release charted on both.