Waking Windows Returns; New Music by Paper Castles, Madaila

The folks over at music-booking collective Waking Windows announced on Tuesday that the annual Waking Windows art and music festival is returning in 2025. The weekend-long party in Winooski has been one of the most popular and eagerly anticipated events on the Vermont music calendar since its inception in 2011. Though it has faced tough times in recent years, going dark for a while during the pandemic, the fest has roared back — albeit with a slightly smaller scope.

“It’ll be similar to 2024, with some really great artists lined up and all (y)our friends will be there!” reads the press release, which served as a save-the-date rather than a lineup drop. Stay tuned for more details ahead of the fest, which takes place May 2 through 4 in downtown Winooski and, of course, smack-dab in the rotary. See you there!

One of Vermont’s most unsung indie bands is getting some needed love. Paper Castles, the band fronted by Jericho musician and Waking Windows honcho Paddy Reagan, have been relatively quiet since releasing the excellent 2018 album Acceptionalism. But it looks like that lull might be coming to an end: New Orleans-based music promotion company Sipsman, founded by Vermonter Mike Caulo, is putting Paper Castles’ back catalog on streaming services at long last. To mark the occasion, the band — which includes drummer Brennan Mangan, bassist Emily Tompkins and guitarist Wren Kitz — recently dropped a never-released B-side from Acceptionalism titled “Crooked and Narrow.”

Sipsman’s press release also promises a new Paper Castles record in 2025, so stay tuned.

There are few scenesters in the area with more stories to tell than Kyle “Fattie B” Thompson and Craig Mitchell. The two musicians and DJs have been ubiquitous in the local music scene for more than 30 years. On Thursday, February 27, at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington, the duo will drop some serious knowledge and plenty of tunes for a stripped-down evening fittingly called Story Tellers.

Backed up by a band consisting of JD Haenni on upright bass, Dwight Ritcher on guitar and drums, and guitarist Collin Craig, as well as Fattie’s former Belizbeha bandmates Shawn Williams and Shauna Anderson, the Queen City legends will perform songs from across their deep catalogs. All proceeds benefit Spectrum Youth & Family Services. Visit vermontcomedyclub.com for more info and to purchase tickets.

It’s been a busy few weeks for new singles from Vermont artists. First up is the new Madaila track “Clementine,” which dropped on February 21. The single is part of an upcoming album that front man Mark Daly says will be titled Night Cuisine. “The new songs are short, energetic, dancey, catchy-ass bangers that are a little playful as well,” Daly wrote in an email. “This record will feel like an ongoing musical diary.”

Folk and Americana act the Sleepy Weasels have a new single and video out, titled “Fever Dream.” The duo of David Cron and Beth Monroe recorded the track with producer Vincent Freeman at his studio and venue, the Underground, in Randolph. The tune also features guest musicians Jakob Breitbach on fiddle and bass, Fez Silk on piano, Titien Tolbert on drums, and Freeman making a cameo on backing vocals. The video is streaming now on YouTube.

Eye on the Scene

Last week’s live music highlights from photographer Luke Awtry

Willverine with Kyle Saulnier, Wallflower Collective, Burlington Credit: Luke Awtry

Willverine with Kyle Saulnier, Wallflower Collective, Burlington, Wednesday, February 19: When a band is booked once a week for a month, it’s called a residency. But what do you call it when that extends to nearly four years, with no intention of stopping? At this point, I’m inclined to call Willverine Wednesdays at Wallflower Collective an institution. Will Andrews‘ first Wallflower gig was actually on a Tuesday back in 2021, but Wednesdays soon became the thing — Andrews says he’s hit at least 150 of the 185 weeks since. For a producer of original music, that’s pretty incredible. An accomplished composer and multi-instrumentalist, longtime member of Japhy Ryder and Freeway Clyde, and go-to collaborator all across town, Andrews knows just about everyone and often shares the stage. Last week featured Kyle Saulnier on bass guitar, baritone saxophone, flute and beard duties, and all boxes were checked as the duo laid down the perfect groove to complement a mellow hump-day hang.