Before we get into the business of the day, I’d like to take a moment to address the big topic on the lips of area music fans this week, namely: What the hell happened to Neko Case?
In case you hadn’t heard, the recently Vermont-based songwriter was a no-show for her appearance with the New Pornographers last Friday at the Higher Ground Ballroom. According to HG’s Alex Crothers, she was at sound check earlier in the evening. And according to several folks I spoke with who went — I chose all the killer local rock at Nectar’s over HG that night — there was even a mic set up for her throughout NP’s set, which I’m told was pretty rockin’ all the same. But there was no Neko. So, again: What the hell happened to Neko Case?
The answer: Nobody knows. Or, if they do, they’re not talking.
I spoke with Crothers at Nectar’s following Case’s disappearance and he was as baffled as everyone else. Emails to the club and to both the New Pornographers’ and Case’s reps have, as of press time, gone unreturned.
With any luck, we’ll get to the bottom of it at some point this week. In the meantime, here’s hoping Case’s no-show was the product of something innocent, like oversleeping or getting lost at Quiznos, and not some more serious problem. Stay tuned…
(UPDATE: Shortly after this column went to press, we got our answer -- Neko had food poisoning. Read all about it on Solid State.)
You Can Always Go … Downtown
In news that has nothing to do with truant rock stars — as far as we know — Saturday, Sept. 11, the folks at Montpelier’s Three Penny Taproom and booking maven Ed Dufresne are set to unveil the second annual installment of the Montpelier Downtown Music Festival in the Farmers Market parking lot on the corner of Elm and State streets. As was the case last year, the 2010 lineup looks to be tailor-made for swilling fine, handcrafted ales in the shadow of the golden dome. My favorite part of the fest — next to the music, of course — is the adjacent beer garden run by Three Penny.
Leading off, we have the area’s finest (only?) pirate-drinking-songs ensemble, the Shanty Rats. Next up, North Haven, Maine-based punk-grass outfit (and honorary Vermonters, as bestowed by me) the Toughcats take the stage for some fingerpickin’-good rocking. And, the coup de grâce, glory-rocking Beantown favorites Township headline this year’s not-quite-Oktober-fest. It’s gonna be a hot time in the old town. Good thing there’s also cold beer.
BiteTorrent
Listening In
And finally, this week’s totally self-indulgent column segment, in which I share a random sampling of what was on my iPod, turntable, CD player, 8-track player, etc., this week.
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