Vermont's Best Live Music Venue - for 10 years

It doesn't matter what area of Vermont you live in, Higher Ground owns the live music circuit in Vermont. It is every local band's dream to play there (and fill the room) and anyone who enjoys live music in Vermont needs to check out a show there. I think lots of folks, especially those older than myself, seem to think it's just for kids or something. There is no type that goes to Higher Ground. It is a live music venue, meaning you don't go there for a night at the bars - you go there to enjoy live music. The crowd depicts what music is playing. From bouncy hippie music to two-steppin' country - um, vastly different audiences at those shows. From intelligent folk music to rap - more vastly different audiences.

Ok, I have done enough bossing around to have people check out Higher Ground. What I really wanted to write about was three coolio areas/aspects of Higher Ground (besides that they have music for everyone, unless of course you belong to the lame group of people who say you don't like music).

1.) They have really stepped it up from their old venue in Winooski.
While I still have nostalgic memories of my times at the old Higher Ground, especially it being the first place in Vermont I actually would go out by myself because I had too many of the "lame type" of associates in my early 20's. It was also one of the first places I actually ran into an ex with a better looking dude - that rocked. And of course my days of drooling over some of the bouncers...


The new venue off Williston Road - it is just top notch. First of all the bathrooms are always clean and never sketchy and that rocks. It's easy to get to and easy to park. The sound is incredible and there are two different venues in one. More than anything though is how close you can actually get to the music if you so choose. I love seeing nationally touring bands and being able to actually get up close and see (even if it is crowded up there). Personally I prefer the "back bar" where I get rowdy with all of my fabulous friends I have made over the years - all due to our love of music - and get served great drinks by my most favorite bartender from any bar.

2.) The owners actually care about the people. And that rocks. They are accessible, pleasant, and generous. For instance, right now until October 1, you can get five tickets for $50. I usually spend an average of $50 for two tickets! And the list of participating bands is impressive - check out the Higher Ground link for how to purchase.

3.) They are hip and do neat things, like their partnership with JDK, the uber-cool design shop in Burlington. The partnership creates art worthy posters. As stated in the new design book the partnership just published, "Poster design announces an art form that is neither the sole province of the museum nor the rarefied art collector - it belongs to the masses." Certain shows have fantastic posters made and are sold to patrons to keep the music alive in their own spaces. Many of these posters make up the decor of our music room in the farmhouse!

While I sit here romanticizing about Higher Ground, I realize I have tickets to a show tonight and want nothing more than to get off the computer and out the door, so here I go!

And you go - to www.highergroundmusic.com!

Contact Oops

I just saw that my post has my email wrong below (well, had, I just fixed it). My email is raecarter@hotmail.com.

I am also realizing my farmhouse, VT PR business life is leaving less and less room to get out and see the music I used to see and less time to be able to research to write! Yikes! I'd like to keep this blog going and have heard it's a helpful resource for many.

Sooooo, I am looking for a few writers. No, there is certainly not any pay, but if you are a Vermont musicians or Vermont music lover, this may be a cool way to share your thoughts on Vermont music with others. The only "rules" are the music has to be made by Vermonters and music news and activities in Vermont. This is NOT a place to promote out of state bands coming through Vermont.

Please email me - raecarter@hotmail.com. I'll change the blog up to reflect the writers!

The Vermont Music Blog Needs Your Help!

I need more submissions from Vermont musicians! I am glad those of you I have written about send me info, but I am looking for new bands and folks I haven't written about to get in touch and let me know about you! I am happy to list any Vermont musician or band with an active website on the blog as well as Vermont music venues and other Vermont music related websites and blogs. The best email to us is raecarter@hotmail.com as that is where I manage my music activities.

The Mitch is also now reviewing bands! If you have a CD you would like him to review, please sent to:
Mitch Pauley
564 Garen Road, Suite 4
Charlotte, VT 05445

We also want to get the Farmhouse Improvisational Series going and are looking for musicians who would like to come play old Americana, blues, and jazz standards and see what interesting Vermont twists we can create. We plan to hold the Farmhouse Improvisational Series on Monday evenings from 6:30/7 - 9:30-10 in our Farmhouse Music Room in Charlotte. Please email me at raecarter@hotmail.com or The Mitch at pauleymitch@yahoo.com to sign up!

Look forward to hearing from folks!

Trey

I will only write a pre-entry for this and will then turn over to my now FIANCE, The Mitch. F-ing Trey.

Of course with Trey playing his first show in part time home state Vermont in over two years, everyone is talking about it so I guess I will jump on the bandwagon too. Not because I want to be on the bandwagon, but because I am letting all you Phish-hooligans out there know if you want tickets you better show up at Higher Ground next Friday, Sept. 12 in the am to get in line for when tickets go on sale at 11. Bring your peeps and chill because it's only 2 tickets per person. See you there - F-ing Trey.

I for one, am PUMPED!!! After the hiatus of Phish, I was still needing to get some some traveling out of my system. I ended up following the original TAB around for some time, and I sure had a blast. My highlight of TAB was 10/31/02 in Asheville, NC where they opened with a thirty minute Night Speaks. It was definitely a face melting moment. Of coarse for that show the incredible horn section was helping Trey explore a new line up of amazing musicians. As a drummer, I instantly was drawn to the metronomic style of Russ Lawton. Turns out, a few years later in Burlington, I ended taking lessons from him!! He was an awesome teacher and became a really good friend. Ok, enough digressing!!! Seriously though, TAB has meant something special to me, and I know for some of you out there as well. If is not your cup of tea, it is understandable, but this is Vermont, and our musicians kick some serious ass!!! Peace, the Mitch

TAB is a cheesy drink. The Shwilly Spunions WILL NOT have a gig - they are for moe. and Umphrey's only. And maybe in Phish lot in '09...

Liberate!

This past weekend, The Mitch and I trekked down to Waitsfield, Vermont in the Mad River Valley where our destination was the Bundy Center for the Arts for the First Annual Liberate Music and Arts Festival. There's something really cool about going to the first annual anything - especially if it really continues and you go to every one. I sure wish I had gone to the first several moe.downs instead of jumping on the band wagon like a n00b after Phish was done. (All I can think about is moe.down because I leave tomorrow and it's the best weekend of the year for me!)

Liberate was a relaxing pre-game to the craziest festival of the year. It was very, very green, family friendly, and not at all typical of a music festival scene - definitely a zero sketch factor. On the other hand, it wasn't uberliciously annoying Vermont either. This is probably due to the healthy mix of vending artists, holistic activities, and live music. While on the one hand this was pleasant because you weren't over inundated with too much of one thing, the concept of trying to be everything to everyone can also cost you participants. While this certainly doesn't affect the crowd experience, it does affect the financial situation and my guess is it will play a factor in the second annual.


My favorite part of the festival was watching the Dead Sessions. I love seeing this fantastic collaborative project of Vermont musicians. The core members are Ben Yurco and Adam King of Turkey Bouillon Mafia with a rotating cast of players, with this performance including Dave Hyman of Blues for Breakfast, guitar prodigy Seth Yacavone, and Trevor Ainworth of Liquid Dead - to name a few.

I also enjoyed catching up with Vermont friends in the Magic Hat beer tent. I have to admit while Magic Hat is not my favorite tasting beer, I give it up to them for their overgenerous support of Vermont events, musicians, artists, etc. Way to go Magic Hat! I certainly pay to drink it when it's the sponsor.


And kudos to Liberate founders and organizers, Jane Jarecki and Ben Lanza of Eclectic Music Productions. This was a very well run event and I think the Vermont music scene can look forward to many more great musical outcroppings from this partnership.

My good friend Taraleigh of the Healthy Hippie Magazine was not only a vendor and magazine distributor, but also made the festival T-shirts (as seen on Jane and Ben) into tank dresses (as seen on Taraleigh with me).


I look forward to returning next year and for now - time to get .down!!!

Hot Neon Magic

I was at a friend's birthday party this weekend and as part of the fun I brought my Band on the Run kit - otherwise known as the blow up instruments of the Shwilly Spunions and the Blow Up Band - we blow it up! (This is a fun little side project of myself and moe.rons where we play blow up instruments at moe. shows and other impromptu performances.)

Anyway, one of these impromptu performances took place this weekend at my friend's party. As the stereo blasted a fantastic live version of a favorite moe. tune, all us "Shwilly Spunions" were in total rock out mode playing our instruments to the song, laughing, dancing, and enjoying a great moment in musical fun. Right as the song was building to a most bodacious guitar release, some late night bar honey shut off the song and put in some late night bar honey dumbness. The whole lot of us wilted like deflated keytars, each feeling like we had just been abruptly stopped prior to an explosive orgasm.

This experience led me to ponder how people are so clueless - especially when it comes to music. I live in a world where music is the most important pleasure in my life (which can be proven if looking over the past ten years of what built credit card debt). But, I have definitely learned the world does not revolve around me, no matter how much I wish it would! However, it still blows my mind that with so much exceptional, diverse, and easily accessible music out there in the world, there is such a high compilation of provincial, uninterested, and quite frankly boring twits. These are the folks who say "I like all kinds of music." Or when asked if they go out to see music respond with "I love 80's night."

A few of my blow up band members pondered these same questions and one asked the girl and her cloned friends what kind of music they liked and her response was an unbelievable, "I don't really like music." I am so glad I did not hear this conversation in the flesh. Apparently they had just come from 80's night.

Now I am certainly not one who does not enjoy my share of 80's music - especially at a dance party following a great live concert. But as a fan of live music, the 80's just does not have a home...until now.

Hot Neon Magic, a Burlington-based Vermont band is the area's premier (and only as far as I know) live 80's band. They have a full on list of the 80's songs they currently play on their website - www.hotneonmagic.com. They are also willing to learn specific songs for shows not currently on their setlist. Stemming from a well rounded background in pop, funk, and rock music as well as skilled in the level of shenanigans required of a live 80's band, these guys (and gal) put on one live, neon, and fun show - and help people who like 80's music actually enjoy something live - this is, in my opinion, their biggest contribution to the Vermont music scene.

They have a great start with gigs around the state this fall, kicking off with a show at The Monkey House this Friday - featuring a Rick Springfield toast in honor of the guitar swinging fellow's birthday.

Once again, they are Hot Neon Magic, playing 80's covers for 80's lovers - live!!! Visit them at www.hotneonmagic.com and check out a show near you - or book them for your own live 80's night - no dumb broads can change the music then!

Your own Music Room

Hey All! This is the Mitch. How many of us who love music have always wanted their very own music room? I know for myself, I have always had a need to have a space dedicated to music. For those who love music, a music room of some sort is a great thing to have. I have recently made my music room in my new farmhouse. I do not have a huge space, but do have enough room for my drums, a couple of guitars, a keyboard, and a xylophone. I also made everything in the music room about music (posters, old play bills, sheet music, or anything having to do with music). It is absolutely understandable that not everyone will have the space to do this. Even if you are not a musician, and do not have any instruments but love to sit and listen to music, you can turn any available space, big or small, into a music room. I am finding out that it is the coolest thing to have. One of the greatest things about a music room, is it can serve as a time machine taking you through all of your musical escapades. Depending on the size of the room, you can also double it as a guest bedroom. So if you can, gather some old ticket stubs, records, posters, or anything musical you have, and create a nice space for yourself. We all need a sanctuary now and then!! Peace, the Mitch