This weekend brings jam-band music, folk-rock singer songwriters, and an all star trio of new-music virtuosos to the greater Berkshire region.
Several years ago, Phish bassist Mike Gordon and his bandmate, guitarist Scott Murawski, holed up in different spots around New England on a traveling songwriter’s retreat. During a weeklong visit to North Adams, Gordon and Murawski haunted the galleries of MASS MoCA in search of inspiration. They then adjourned to a converted mill down the street from the museum, where Gordon’s mother, abstract painter Marjorie Minkin, is among dozens of artists who keep studios. In one of a series of exercises, Gordon and Murawski each wrote a poem based on artwork found hanging in hallways of the building. Portions of these poems later wriggled their way into song lyrics on Gordon’s latest solo album, “Overstep.” On Saturday night at 8, the music will come full circle when Gordon, Murawski, and the other members of Gordon’s band perform the music inspired by their visit to MASS MoCA at MASS MoCA itself. At 3pm, before the concert, Gordon and Murawski will host a special song dissection in Club B-10 at MASS MoCA, in which Gordon will take fans on an intimate journey through the creation of one of the songs from his new album.
Tonight at 8pm, in the old train station in West Stockbridge – now home to No. 6 Depot Gallery - New York City-based singer-songwriter Emily Mure will perform her original songs with her chamber-folk trio. Mure is a classically trained oboist turned folk singer-songwriter. Her grandfather, musician Billy Mure, bought Emily her first guitar when she was in college. After just one week of playing and a lesson with Ithaca College student and current Howlin’ Brothers’ guitarist Jared Green, she immediately started writing songs. At Ithaca, Mure also discovered a love for Traditional Irish Music. During the summer before her senior year, she pursued studies in Celtic music at The University of Limerick – and that’s no joke. Mure fell in love with Ireland, and after she graduated, moved to Galway and began her performance career as a songwriter, making her living busking on the streets of Ireland for 6 months.
On Saturday night at 7 over in Hudson, Eviyan, an all-star trio of new music virtuosos and composers, will bring its unique blend of Eastern European folk, Western classical, Asian traditional, jazz and minimalist music to the Hudson Opera House. The trio consists of new-music avatars Iva Bittová on violin and vocals; Gyan Riley on guitar; and Evan Ziporyn on clarinet – three of my favorite musicians.
And tonight, singer-songwriter Heather Maloney brings her unique blend of folk, rock, jazz and pop to Club Helsinki Hudson at 9. Critics have likened Maloney's blend of pop songcraft and outspoken lyrics to those of Aimee Mann, Erin McKeown and Ani DiFranco. Some have also invoked Ella Fitzgerald and the Beatles to encapsulate her broad, commanding range of styles and her unique voice.
I’m Seth Rogovoy, and that’s the Rogovoy Report for this weekend.