Even in today’s technology-dominated musical landscape, the singer-songwriter continues to endure. There is nothing quite like experiencing an artist on stage, playing guitar or piano, and sharing their honest thoughts while connecting with the audience through genuine emotions. Whether they sing about a broken heart, protest the world’s injustices, or tell a story that makes us laugh, their words resonate deeply with our own lives. From legendary figures like Bob Dylan to the street musician strumming his guitar, these authentic artists hold a special place in the music world.
We are very fortunate in that some very talented singer-songwriters will be performing in the area in the upcoming weeks.
For starters, Peter Mulvey, a Milwaukee native now residing in Northampton, will play a show at the Mill in Shelburne Falls on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. The Permaculture Place presents the show, which will be held on the lawn outside the Mill (also home to Raven Books). This concert is the final show in the Permaculture Place summer music series.
Mulvey has deep ties to our Valley, having recorded for Signature Sounds and shared the stage many times with other Valley-based musicians, including Jeffrey Foucault, Kris Delmhorst, and Chris Smither.
Throughout his over-30-year career, his many accomplishments include releasing 19 albums, playing thousands of shows around the world, delivering a TEDx Talk, and illustrating a book. His music is often labeled folk, but he draws far too many influences into his work for that description to be accurate, and the term roots or Americana is a more apt description.
A self-described “almost poet,” Mulvey strives to express his feelings and observations about the world around him in his songs.
He also hopes to bring about positive change in the world through his work as an activist and environmentalist.
One of the ways he works to improve the environment is by mounting a bike tour every fall, where instead of taking a plane or car to his gigs, he bikes there. Mulvey launched his first bike tour in 2017, determined to reduce his carbon footprint and break free on the manner in which musicians usually tour.
When he plays in Shelburne Falls this weekend, he will grab his guitar and pedal the two-and-a-half-hour hilly ride to the gig. Now that’s commitment, and it’s something we can all admire and support.
For more information and tickets, visit thepermacultureplace.org. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on; picnics are welcome. In the event of rain, the show will be moved to a location in downtown Shelburne Falls.
It has been a busy summer for Shelburne Falls native Seth Glier. The singer-songwriter, who now resides in Holyoke, has toured across the country, taught songwriting workshops, and produced music for other artists. Given his packed schedule, we are fortunate to have him perform locally at the 1794 Meetinghouse in New Salem on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m. This concert is one of the final shows in this year’s 1794 Meetinghouse summer music series.
Glier, who accompanies himself on guitar and piano, started performing locally before he even reached his teens. Now in his mid-30s, he has toured the world, released seven albums, won five Independent Music Awards, and was nominated for a Grammy for his album “The Next Right Thing.” Additionally, he has worked as a producer, music director, and studio musician.
And like Mulvey, Glier is a committed activist who has supported various causes and is a staunch environmentalist, whose latest album, “Everything,” looks at solutions to climate change.
His shows are always engaging events and reminders of how lucky we are to have such home grown talent here in western Mass.
Tickets are available at 1794meetinghouse.org. Children are admitted for free.
Eilen Jewell will return to the Shea Theater on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. Jewell, who records for the local Signature Sounds record label, is a popular artist with a strong fan base in western Mass. She is known for her roots alt-country sound and her unique, slightly twangy voice. Her most recent album, “Get Behind the Wheel,” explores the end of her marriage and the disintegration of her band, both of which occurred during the pandemic. The album features some of her finest songwriting, wrapped in her distinctive Americana sound.
Last year, Signature Sounds re-released Jewell’s Loretta Lynn tribute album, “Butcher Holler” on deluxe vinyl, remastered and expanded with three brand new tracks and artwork.
Tickets for this show are reserved seating and are moving fast and can be purchased at sheatheater.org or at DSPshows.com
Singer-songwriters Lucy Kaplansky and Patty Larkin will appear at the Shea Theater on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m.
Rounding out the singer-songwriters who will be visiting the area, is Harry Remer of Hadley who will perform at the Great Falls Coffeehouse in Turners Falls on Friday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. The coffeehouse takes place in the Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center.
Remer is a singer-songwriter who is known for his quirky songs. He has played all over New England and released his first full-length album, “Clean Break,” this past spring. The album includes contributions by such local musicians as drummer J.J. O’Connell and multi-instrumentalist Adam Rothberg.
Suggested sliding scale donation $7 to $20, free for children, and no one will be turned away.
Coffee, tea and baked refreshments are available with donations.
Donations help the Friends of the Discovery Center provide free nature and historical programming for the public.
For more information; call the Discovery Center at 413-863-3221 or online at greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Kaleo at Tree House Brewing Co.
Kaleo, the hard-driving blues rock band from Iceland, will play the summer stage at Tree House Brewing Co. in South Deerfield on Monday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. The group is led by JJ Julius Son and is on the road in support of their latest album, “Mixed Emotions.”
While the band originates from Iceland, don’t expect the artsy sound typical of Icelandic artists like Björk and Sigur Rós. Julius Son grew up with a deep passion for blues and classical music, and since moving to America 10 years ago, he has further explored blues rock music, a style that shines through on their new album. Songs like “Rock N Roller” are energetic tracks, as the title implies, while “USA Today” addresses the mass shootings in this country that Julius Son found shocking, considering they are a regular occurrence in the United States.
The American influence on their music is evident; even their name, Kaleo, is Hawaiian for “the sound.” The band formed in 2012, and many people discovered Kaleo through their song “Way Down We Go,” which was the second single from their 2015 album, “A/B.” This track has garnered over a billion streams on Spotify.
Kaleo promises a high-energy show and will have two openers: rock band Quarters of Change and Junius Meyvant, who is a singer-songwriter from Iceland.
There are three more shows in the Tree House summer stage series after this one.
Tickets are available at DSPshows.com.
Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.