The Local Spin: Supporting live, local music

By George V. Nostrand

To stretch my Rutland Long Trail Fest write-ups one more week, I’m going to both start off by thanking all the people that were involved by name, (just kidding).

More importantly, I’d like to ask people who came and enjoyed to help out next year. It was a great event that involved a lot of local folks’ time and effort, and they will need you next year. There will be a wrap-up meeting next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Dana School in Rutland, room 22 (to your right and upstairs) to go over this year’s pros and cons, and start looking ahead to next year.

Personally, I was really impressed with the professionalism all the bands showed and will one more time thank Phil Henry for his masterful job on the second stage. There are some pics posted on the MySpace at www.myspace.com/rutlandlongtrailfest and we’re looking forward to next year already.

Friday Night Live wraps up a fantastic season this week with a killer pair of bands. Kicking off the night, the small-town hero himself, Duane Carleton, with his Backwoods Messiahs. Headlining the night is The New Groove Orchestra (www.newgrooveorchestra.com/index.cfm). Coming off a big gig at The Montreal Jazzfest, they are ready to funk things up here in Rutland. My friend, Kevin Loso, who knows good music when he hears it, sent me some press on these cats. This 10-piece band is going to turn this town inside out, with some serious horns and a 20-year old female vocalist, Meghan Patrick, who will bring you to your knees. Don’t believe me, check out the Web site or their MySpace at www.myspace.com/ngorchestra. Rumor has it if you get there earlier enough, you might also catch a local hobo playing some guitar on the street as well …

While you are downtown, make sure to swing by Saints ‘N Sinners on Wales Street and check out Charlie and Jeremy Woods, who will be entertaining both saints and sinners alike with their great mix of tunes.

The forever-young boys of Carnival Hill will be pulling back-to-back nights up at the Grist Mill in Killington this Friday and Saturday. After a summer of playing outdoor parties, they are looking forward to a performance where their setlists don’t blow away and they don’t have to worry about leaky tarps over sketchy decks …

I’d also like to thank Sacred Euphoria for their most excellent performance at Monday’s Open Mic Night at Chaser’s on Evelyn Street this week. These guys are dedicated to their music and to trying to make something happen in this town, and I really respect that. I also really like their material and appreciate them coming down and playing two great sets. The Open Mic is on Monday’s from 7-11 p.m.

… and by George, keep supporting live, local music!

George Nostrand is a local musician and music fan, who is looking forward to Harvest Moon Labor Day weekend.

Give me some Spin! What’s going on with your band, your venue, or your cousin’s uncle’s brother’s band? If it’s musical and it’s happening in the Rutland area I want to hear about it. Send me an e-mail at localspin@gmail.com.