It’s Saturday and Boston GreenFest 2013 is Happening Now!

By Doug Ruffin

President,

Boston Music Coalition  

You are going to want to bring the entire Neighborhood to Boston GreenFest today at City Hall Plaza by the Government Center T Stop from now until 10: 00 PM. Boston GreenFest 2013 launched was a bang musically and the music explosion is still taking place. However, today is the last day. We are here live covering Boston GreenFest 2013 and the crowds are already making their way to City Hall Plaza. One thing we’ve noticed. The family crowds whom are attending this event during the last few days are orderly and the well planned out design leaves more than enough room for more people to get around the plaza.

To recap Friday we talked with a newly formed Jazz band in the EcoSoul tent. The NWA Soul Project formed in November and has already gained attention here in Boston. They write original music and hope to have a CD out soon. In addition, they are planning smart marketing strategies such as social media and E Newsletters.

Soon after, we heard some great acoustic sounds taking place in the Eco Lounge. RSO (that stands for Really Small Orchestra) offered up big sounds described by the band as, “Genre Bending Acoustic Music”. The band is busy with several gigs. When we talked to them at GreenFest, they were on their way to Bedford for a gig later Friday night. We asked RSO what the altermate goal is for the band and the lead singer, Grace Morrison, (no, not related to That Morrison answered),“To do this (perform) full time”. At this pace, their goals could indeed be realized.

The main stage at Boston GreenFest is always a buzz with activity and entertainment during Boston GreenFest 2013. The music powered the evening and well in to the night.

McAlister Drive performed at “Outside the Box” earlier this summer to rave reviews include from all of us at the Boston Music Coalition. They are the only acoustic band that positively sounds electric with an international sound that plays well to any local audience. When the band jumped off the stage, we jumped in to an interview.

BMC: You guys really got this crowd going.

McAlister Drive: Thanks, but by the looks of things, the next bands going on this main stage are about to explode.

BMC: How did you get involved with Boston GreenFest?

McAlister Drive: We’ve performed here at GreenFest for three years now. Our manger, Kyle is friends with Karen Weber, The person who puts this thing together. Kyle helped out with one of the stages and we were happy to perform all these years at GreenFest.

BMC: Is it a performance thing for you? Or, Are you in to the environment?        

McAlister Drive: We’ve always been concerned about the environment. Band member have in fact road a bike to this gig or took the subway.

BMC: Where are you guys from?

McAlister Drive: We’re from Arlington and all around Boston.

BMC: You seem to have an international sound. Have you performed outside the US?

McAlister Drive: We have done some international shows in England, Ireland and we are popular up in Toronto.

NOTE: McAlister Drive has a CD, “The Goddess” out now.  A new CD is in the works for a likely release in the early 2014.

Topping off the night was an R&B / Gospel Group that brought the croud to its feet. “Rayz” they told us back stage that the group was formed mostly by friends who attend church together. Raenya, the lead singer, is surrounded by her family on stage and back stage as well.  On stage performing, she has a strong enough voice to cover nearly any kind of music she sets her mind to do.        

Now that Boston GreenFest is underway for a Saturday full of Eco info and Great Music; we’ll be here live covering all the music. Visit www.BostonMusicCoalition.com for updates throughout the day. Better yet. Get you self over here to City Hall Plaza to see and hear Boston GreenFest 2013.

  

NOTE: Read below to get updates you may have missed. 

Afternoon Update at Boston GreenFest. Folk and All That Jazz

By Doug Ruffin

President,

Boston Music Coalition

What a great summer day weather environment for the first full day of Boston GreenFest 2013 at City Hall Plaza. The event, free for all and open until 10 PM tonight and concludes Saturday August 17^th us underway. Many exhibits, activities for kids, and great food. After the Mayoral EcoForum, it was time for some music.

When you go to the Boston GreenFest site, you will find a list of music and entertainment for the day. Several stages and tents emulate music without disturbing each other. With all that music and entertainment going on, this well planned event makes it easy to talk with one another.

I heard a guitar and a set of bongos and some fun eco lyrics emulating from the Eco lounge. I went in and enjoyed a set from writer; singer and recording artist, Mike Delaney. If you remember the song, “Love that Dirty Water”, you will not forget the fun Mike Delaney has with that song to send an important ecological message. Mr. Delaney has a day job at the NWA at the lab testing water. So we had to ask him the obvious.

BMC: How do you get away with writing, recording and performing songs about the environment while employed at the NWA for twenty years?

Mike Delaney: We have an agreement. I can continue to do this (perform) as long as they (the NWA) preview my work.

BMC: You could perform any music you would like. Why the environment?

Mike Delaney: I’m an environmentalist. That’s why I work at the NWA.

BMC: You have been performing for fifteen years; what was your biggest gig?

Mike Delaney: Playing the Boston Falk Music Festival. 

NOTE: Mike Delaney has a new CD out and will continue to perform. His CD, “Boston Harbor: No Longer Dirty Water” is out now.

We’ll have more on the other performers I talked to in our next update including a great jazz performance that was standing room only. 

An Eco Fashion Show is taking place now. Lot’s more music going on and we’ll have more updates as everything takes place.

We are live at Boston GreenFest 2013

Morning Update: Live from Boston GreenFest 2013

By

Doug Ruffin

President,

Boston Music Coalition

It may be Friday morning but anyone who attended the Boston GreenFest kick off may still be wearing the glow of Thursday night on their faces.

Among everything else; if the live music performances that took place Thursday night are any indication of the next two days ahead (Friday and Saturday) Boston GreenFest will have its greatest success to date.

Things got underway with a good start at 5:00 PM yesterday. And the sun set fueled the energy as music and energetic performers lit up the night throughout Boston from one stage at City Hall Plaza. The Creek River String Band electrified the audience with original and popular acoustic sounds.

Melodeego a great band with a rhythmic rock vibe with a mix of blues and Gospel, amped up the large crowd at City Hall plaza with the help of bike peddlers who provided the natural energy for the bands’ performance. The lyrics in the songs from Melodeego are strong and motivating. Apparently, this group has something to say. So we interviewed them.

BMC: What made you decide to become the musical voice on the environment?

Melodeego: We have been playing for a while and four years ago, the issue of the environment caught our attention. It effects social justice, human rights, animal rights and more.

BMC: You guys are from the Boston area. Have you influenced other music performers to sing about the environment and social issues?

Melodeego: One example of an artist who speaks out on social issues like us is an MC called Tem Blessed from New Bedford. We worked with him in a music video.

Note: Melodeegos’ latest song available on You Tube is, “Digging us a whole”. The also have an, “action” coming up as they plan to march with thousands to protest the pipelines.

Next on stage was Santa Mamba. The name means to “Celebrate Life”. And the world pulse of international influences brought the crowd to its feet.

Last on stage were Phunk Phenomana and Lil’ Phunk. The crowd danced and watched in amazement as they seem to bring Michael Jackson back to life. Phunk Phenomena is MTVs Americas best Dance Crew. The crew is from Everett and they offer dance lessons in Everett as well. The night was not only exciting but likely to be influential enough for attendees to bring entire neighborhoods with them today for more green Energy info, Great food and phenomenal entertainment!

We’ll be here live. Bring the entire neighborhood. You’re not gonna want to miss a Single Green Beat!

Check back often for more updates live from Boston GreenFest 2013

GreenFest: Eco Info And an Abundance of Live Music!

By

Doug Ruffin

President,

Boston Music coalition  

If you think GreenFest, free for all to attend, taking place at Boston City Hall Plaza by the Government Center T stop taking place August 15-17, is about a bunch of speeches from people reminding us how we all are gonna die if we use one more paper plate; Get your dancin’ flip flops on. Come on over to City Hall Plaza for some cool eco info, great food, kids entertainment and yes, an abundance of live music. 

Let me clear the air with a disclosure. The Boston Music Coalition is indeed a media partner of Boston GreenFest 2013. That said. I have been attending Boston GreenFest for years.  Just like a fine wine, Boston GreenFest improves with age.  This year, you can find out what the Boston Mayoral candidates have to say about the environment, catch a film festival and so much more.

Diversity has always been key to the entertainment menu at Boston GreenFest. This year however, it’s different. They found a way to be even more diverse. For example, performers include a Marching band from El Salvador, Great acoustic bands like McAlister Drive and a Native American Drum and dance Company. Wow! And that’s just for starters.

Boston GreenFest 2013 is going on now, Thursday through Saturday August 17. You’re not gonna want to miss a single green beat!

NOTE: The Boston Music Coalition will be covering Boston GreenFest live throughout the weekend.

Resources

Boston GreenFest 2013

www.bostongreenfest.org

Live Music, Performances and more at Boston GreenFest 2013

http://bostongreenfest.org/performanceschedule.html

City Hall Plaza

www.celebrateboston.com/events/city-hall-concerts.htm

Boston Mayoral Candidates 2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_mayoral_election,_2013

McAlister Drive

http://mcalisterdrive.com/band

   

Live! Recap of the Outside the Box Festival from the Boston Music coalition.

By Doug Ruffin

     President,

     Boston Music Coalition

Please try not to mistake me for a top 40 radio announcer, but I have to tell you that much more music is on the way. I say that because while we accept the end of the Outside the Box festival in Boston; Boston is rich in great music talent and venues where they perform. So stay tuned … Oh, here I go again with the top 40 thing... stay tuned to this blog for several new live music events.

Just as the greater Boston area is rich in music talent, greater Boston enjoys a wealth of diversity. Combine the two and you get the amazing live instrumental and vocal performances of Women of the World. This group of women who met at Berklee School of Music in 2008 found a way to brilliantly take the musical sounds of the world and take the audience to any region this bands chooses to take you. It’s up to the audience to hold on, let loose and enjoy the ride as Women of the world bring you the musical pulse of the world.

Music of the World performed on the last day of the Outside the Box Festival in Boston on Sunday at City Hall Plaza. After an extraordinary musical tour the Boston Music Coalition landed an interview with Women of the World.

BMC (Boston Music Coalition): What countries did you take us to this afternoon?

Women of the World: Oh goodness, Haiti, Greece and France to name a few

BMC: I must say; that French café song you invited the audience to interact with you had me singing a long with you.

Women of the World: That’s great, that’s what we want you to do.

BMC: Tell me. Who is the lead singer of Women of the World?

Women of the World: We have no lead singers. We are a group. We take turns with lead vocals and we share performance ideas.

BMC: Your group, Women of the World, is made up of 10 women from all over the world. Where are you based?    

Women of the World: Boston. In fact, one is a student at Berklee and another one of us teaches at Berklee.

BMC: Musically speaking; What countries or world genres would you like to discover and perform?

Women of the World: That’s hard to answer. .. I mean … with so many counties and cultures … I would have to say Arabic … Hawiian so many more.

BMC: You mentioned Arabic music. Things are changing fast musically in the entire middle east. Electronic Dance Music radio stations are all over the middle east now, Last years number one singer in Iraq cam from Isreal and in some middle eastern countries, moany college aged kids demand English lyrics from live performers at night clubs. What kind of Arabic music do you hope to perform?

Women of the World.: We want to present the musical tradition of the culture from what ever country we are performing.

NOTE: In addition to a new CD, Women of the World will head to New York City for the 92^nd Street workshop. Through music, Women of the World will have the opportunity to teach students music styles and more related to music.       

Live: Outside the Box Recap from the Boston Music Coalition.

By Doug Ruffin

     President,

     Boston Music Coalition   

I have to tell you.  Being here at the Boston Common, right now, feels different. Just like many other people; I’m spoiled by Outside the Box. I’ve grown used to expecting a cool band to play at noon time on the Boston Common, or dancing in to the night at City Hall Plaza. Now; you hear a few street musicians and that lady who clanks her change jar looking for donations in front of Park Street Station. Not to say that Boston is, or ever will be, a sleep when it comes to music and the arts; But what a great time Outside the Box was! This event not only brought a huge assembly of people together to enjoy music and the arts, it also brought, many people in music and the arts together. For me; it demonstrates that a dream can indeed come true and it proves once again, that greater Boston truly supports the arts. The Outside the Box Festival in Boston successfully brought a world of entertainment to the largely diverse populous of greater Boston.  Let’s hope this takes again place next year.

Good times go fast. Still, its hard to believe that the Outside the Box event started on July 13^th and ended Sunday, July 21^st. Hundreds of Thousands of people attend Outside the Box. The music portion provided outdoor audiences with performances covering Opera with The Boston Opera Collaborative to Synth Pop Rock with Gentlemen Hall and so many additional styles in between. That doesn’t count the abundance of programs for kids, Theatre, Comedy and more from the arts.

One of the key events that took place during the Festival was the a cappella contest. The winner, Kristen Merlin, who got to perform on stage with Bryan White cheerfully met with the Boston Music Coalition for an interview.

BMC (Boston Music Coalition): Congratulations on winning the a cappella contest. Tell us the story of how you got involved in the contest.

Kristen Merlin: A friend told me about the contest. So, I went. They told me that I would  find out if I would be accepted as a contestant during the Outside the box Festival the same day as the try outs. The day ended … I didn’t hear from anyone. I thought .. oh well … I didn’t make it. Then the next day, I got the call telling me that I got in!.

BMC: That alone must have been exciting for you

Kristen Merlin: Yes! It was very exciting!

BMC: And then you end up winning and you just performed with Bryan White. How exciting was that?

Kristen Merlin: Oh .. I can’t tell you how happy I am .

BMC: What’s Next for you?

Kristen Merlin: Well, I do cover gigs so I’ll do more of that. But I want to get back into the studio to finish my indie CD,

NOTE: We’ll keep in touch with Kristen Merlin to announce where she is performing and the release of her CD. 

Tomorrow we’ll be back for our final recap of the Outside the Box Festival in Boston.

We will conclude an interview with, “Women of the World

Live Recap of Day 6 of the Outside the Box Festival in Boston

Day 6 of the Outside the Box Festival in Boston was the strongest day yet for great music and arts events. The good news is that Friday is just the start of a tremendous weekend of music and arts at the Outside the Box Festival in Boston.

Here are just a few of the music highlights of Day 6.

Hundreds of people Danced, bobbed their heads to the music and got in to some Boom Boom clappin’ with the ever popular Shea Rose at City Hall Plaza this afternoon.

The team at the Boston Music Coalition could not escape the infectious sound of Shea Rose’s band and her great voice that never needs to command attention but instead, absorbs your attention from anything you may be doing. Proof of that is how crowds of people passing by seemed to stop, look up and move closer to the stage. Or, start moving to dance right where they were standing.

Shea Rose performs a diverse joke box of original songs and a hot cover by the B52s, “Dance This Mess Around” the title track of her new EP to be released this Fall.

We interviewed Shea Rose immediately after her performance.

BMC: (Boston Music Coalition) Good to see and hear your performance today

Shea Rose: Performing at the Outside the Box Festival is a big highlight for me and the band. I like what this whole thing stands for

BMC: You seem excited about the EP. When does it come out?

Shea Rose: It’s very exciting.  It’s called, “D.T.M.A” The title track is, “Dance This Mess Around”. It’s our cover track for the EP that comes out this Fall.

BMC: Relating to music; tell us something no one knows about you and music.

Shea Rose: Hmm, I’d say… I have a secret interest to strip down musically and perform acoustic songs I wrote. I’d like it to be like Joni Mitchell.

At the end of the interview, Shea Rose thanked the Boston Music Coalition for the interview.

Later that evening, Country music could ne heard throughout the Boston Common emulating from the Beacon Stage. Country Stars shined with performances by, McAlister Drive, The Frontmen of Country Music and Platinum artist, Bryan White.

 

We sat down and talked with Bryan white after his show.

BMC (Boston Music Coalition): That was a great show.

Bryan White: Thank you. I love being here in Boston.

BMC where do you go next?

Bryan white: Atlanta

BMC: To catch a Braves game?

Bryan White: Oh I wish … that would be nice. No, I’ll be performing out there.

BMC: Let’s talk about Country Music. How do you see Country music received in different parts of the US or where ever you tour?

Bryan White: The following for Country music is everywhere. People love it where ever I go...

BMC: I’ve noticed that Country music videos tell better stories in three minutes at times than a two hour movie.

Bryan White: Country music tells great stories. It’s the music that heals.

BMC: While you are a Country artist; have you ever thought about secretly getting in to a studio and making a record in a different genre under a different name?

Bryan White: Oh, that would be no secret. I would love to perform in front of some horns. I’d love to do some blue eyed soul or Jazz standards in front of a brass band.

BMC: What s next for you?

Bryan White: The release of my second independent album, “Shine” in the late Fall.

BMC: Is doing an independent album challenging?

Bryan White: It is more challenging. You have to drive the ship and get your own marketing people and everything. But ... It’s way more rewarding!

BMC: For any artist working on an independent album; what are the pitfalls to watch out for?

Bryan White: Learn from your bad decisions and especially for young artists, pay attention to your contracts.

We thank Bryan white for his informative interview and wish him success with his Fall release of his independent album, “Shine”.

Editors Note: Inside the Box had an acappella contest and the winner, Kristen Merlin, got to perform with Bryan White. While we were back stage we asked Kristen Merlin how it felt to win and how it all happened. We’ll provide you with our complete interview with Kristen Merlin on Monday.