The region’s best up-and-coming musicians face off on Sunday, November 15, at the 14th annual New England Music Awards. As determined by a board of journalists, music publications, radio personalities, talent buyers and label execs, the NEMAs honor musicians in a variety of categories, from Act, Performer and Producer of the Year to genre-specific categories to the Rising Star in each New England state — last year’s Vermont winner was Lily Seabird.
There’s plenty of Vermont talent nominated this year. Greg Freeman’s Burnover is up for Album of the Year; Ruth Garbus and Lily Seabird are competing for Songwriter of the Year; Ryan Montbleau and Ryan Sweezey for Performer of the Year; High Summer for Live Act of the Year; All Night Boogie Band for Blues Act of the Year; Robber Robber for Rock Act of the Year; Greaseface for Punk Rock Act of the Year; and Ali T and (weirdly) indie-chill act Paper Castles for Pop Act of the Year. Other notable Vermont artists nominated include Bow Thayer, Jaded Ravins, the Wormdogs, Emma Cook, Reid Parsons, the Tenderbellies, Mavstar, Astral Underground and Myra Flynn.
Winners will be announced during the Sunday ceremony at the Six String Grill & Stage in Foxborough, Mass. Burlington singer-songwriter Blake Matteson, who is also nominated for Vermont’s Rising Star, is set to perform.
That’s a pretty big collection of Green Mountain musicians up for a prize. Good luck to them all! To learn more or get tickets to the ceremony, visit nemusicawards.com.
Burlington’s master of all things psych, kevin bloom, is back with a new album from their project the Dead Shakers. Fittingly titled SONGS FROM BURLINGTON, VERMONT (you’re killing me with this caps lock shit, Kev) the record drops on streaming platforms on Friday, November 6, via their own label, Raytheon Defense Contractor Company Recording Artists of Northern Vermont. Smells like a lawsuit to me, but what do I know? Maybe defense contractor companies have a great sense of humor?
Fresh off a campaign for the Chittenden County sheriff seat that was ultimately won by incumbent Dan Gamelin, Bloom is still full of political piss and vinegar. The musician has dedicated the new record not only to the people of Burlington but also to former mayor Miro Weinberger, whom Bloom called “a Trump for Burlington in the 2010s.” In an open letter on social media, Bloom invited Weinberger to the Dead Shakers’ November 6 album-release show at Junktiques Collective in Burlington. Bloom wrote, “I will make no bones about it, I do not like you or your politics” but expressed hope that Weinberger might consent to come to the show and sit down for a chat.
I have no idea if Weinberger plans to show or even has a clue that a local indie-rock musician wants to roast him, but I’m a sucker for political theater, so fingers crossed. Actually, what if Weinberger elevated this to a Kendrick Lamar-and-Drake-level feud, went into the studio, and dropped a massive Dead Shakers dis album? Just a thought, Miro.
On past albums, Bloom has worked with other Burlington indie heavyweights such as Greg Freeman and Lily Seabird. SONGS FROM BURLINGTON, VERMONT is a collaboration by Bloom, Robber Robber, Dari Bay and Unknown Mortal Orchestra drummer/multi-instrumentalist Zack James.
“This album is drenched in psychedelia, hard boiled in reverence for the song as an artform, and meticulously painted and carved with a deep and never-ending love for the greatest city in the world,” Blood wrote in a press release.
You hear that, Burlington? Facebook comments might say you’re a socialist hellhole, but Kevin Bloom wants you to know you’re beautiful.
Vermont singer-songwriter Allison Fay put out a new single titled “This Old Grave” just a week or so before Halloween. Title and release date aside, the song is hardly some grim, horror-themed tune but rather a delicate folk ballad featuring Fay’s velvety smooth vocals, soft acoustic guitars and a subtle cello.
While the song is inspired by death, it treats life’s ending with a poetic, philosophical bent, recounting Fay’s experience witnessing an old friend die from bone cancer in hospice care.
“The basement with old beams / all alone the girl gets ready / Spiders weave homes in the windows and nicotine curtains the eves and curling smoke and silk and memories,” Fay sings, painting the picture of the strange sensation of waiting for a loved one to pass on.
“This Old Grave” is streaming now on major services.
This article appears in November 4 • 2026.
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