Cue the song, “Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles; it is the 41st anniversary of MTV as I write this. Do you remember the days when MTV actually played music videos? Yes Virginia, once upon a time that was most of what they did. On August 1, 1981, video did begin to kill the Radio Star…in the only song ever heard on broadcast media (?) by that band. Oh, the irony.

But fortunately the music is still what rules, what counts, on the air at WUMB and in the still fertile Greater Boston & New England music scene.

Area “supergroup” The Mystix have just released a new album, TruVine. I do not know why they spelled it funny. But like the last one it was produced by Marco Giovino who is also on the drums, so it must be worth checking out.

Marco himself has put himself on somewhat of a crash course on Jake LaBotz. The reason? He just got a call to do a few gigs with Jake. Check them out on Aug 4th at the Starlite Gallery in Southbridge MA, Aug 5th at the Extended Play Sessions in Norwood MA, Aug 6th in Mason NH at Blues On The Range, and Aug 7th at Cafe Nine New Haven CT (that one’s an afternoon show at 3:30).

Then Marco takes his drums to Club Passim to play behind Kerri Powers on August 10th. Perhaps Kerri will play some of the songs she’s been storing for a new release…?

Congrat’s to Ali McGuirk. Her Signature Sounds debut album, ‘Til It’s Gone is set for a September release. Ali co-produced the album with singer Jonah Tolchin (Jonah co-produced Julie Rhodes’ debut album in 2015, so we know he is a supporter of other artists). But you don’t have to wait until September to hear at least one of the new songs. Days ago, Ali released a video of the song “All Back” from the album.

Fiddle roots music meisters EJ Ouellette & Crazy Maggie finished off July with a show in Newburyport. Another July accomplishment for EJ was to finish mastering the band’s new album. Due for release in August, EJ says “think Nor’east fiddle dance!” Could that mean a storm of good sounds for your ears and your feet? Sorry, I could not help myself there…
EJ also gives prop’s to his harmonica player on the new album, Scott Billington, noting that Scott has a new book out called “Making Tracks: A Record Producer’s Southern Roots Music Journey.”

Russell Chudnofsky, the stringbending lead guitar player in Tim Gearan’s band among other attributes, is lending his talents to a new Tonya Donnely project called The Loyal Seas. You can see them live August 6th at City Winery. Or if you feel like traveling to New York City, they will be opening for Bill Janovitz & Buffalo Tom at the Bowery Ballroom on Aug 13th.

And finally, Porchfest rolls on into the month of August. Jamaica Plain holds Porchfest on August 20 (a nice thing to have on John Hiatt’s birthday…). Wellfleet will follow suit exactly one week later on August 27th

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. Thanks for listening. And whenever you can, go out and support live local music.* Because live music supports you (makes you feel good).

~ Perry

* Continue to be smart to be safe. Check with the venues for their mask/vaccination policies. It can’t hurt to take a mask and your vaccination card with you so that you are flexible, etc.