LISTEN-May 2011
Text + photograph by Bryan Bruchman

Bryan Bruchman doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to music happenings around Maine. Every issue, he fills the calendar with the best concerts, album releases, and news from your favorite artists and venues.

Playing Favorites:  Covering Portland

Every music fan loves a good cover song. And Portland serves up some noteworthy performances, including Clash of the Titans—an endlessly evolving series in which local musicians pay tribute to iconic groups and battle for audience votes (Wednesday evenings at Port City Music Hall)—and Cover to Cover—a new series that features local artists performing original music followed by their favorite classic songs (Tuesdays at Big Easy). We’re betting on the Holy Boys Danger Club for a startlingly accurate rendition of the Strokes’ hit “Is This It” at the Big Easy on May 17.

News + Upcoming Releases

One of Maine’s favorite blues-inspired performers, Samuel James, is overseas this month playing shows in Ireland, England, and Germany. Direct your European friends to sugarsmallhouse.com for tour dates.Back home, Portland band This Way has finished their new eleven-track record, Goodbye Forever, which was recorded by Abel Adame of Drumshow Productions and mastered by Jeff Lipton of Peerless Mastering. The release party will take place on May 21 at Port City Music Hall.

Upcoming Concerts

Reverend Horton Heat
May 3 | 8 p.m.
Now more than twenty years into his career, Jim “Reverend Horton” Heath is still kicking out roaring punkabilly jams with his band, a tight trio of Southern not-so-gentlemen. Look out for the opener, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band—a frenetic bluegrass trio that indulges in intense washboard solos (not for the faint of heart).
Port City Music Hall | Portland | portcitymusichall.com

Rosanne Cash
May 7 | 8 p.m.
The daughter of Johnny Cash has quite a lot going for her beyond the famous name, including her latest album, The List, which pays tribute to classic songs from her father’s repertoire and features the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jeff Tweedy, and Rufus Wainwright. Here she’ll perform as a duo with her husband, John Leventhal.
Strand Theater | Rockland | rocklandstrand.com

Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble
May 14 | 8 p.m.
Appearing bimonthly as part of Mayo Street’s Performing Arts and Culture Series, this group plays an eclectic mix of music, from Turkish folk to classical Arabic and Armenian dance. All performances are accompanied by hypnotic belly dancing.
Mayo Street Arts | Portland | mayostreetarts.org

Steve Martin + the Steep 
Canyon Rangers
May 18 | 7:30 p.m.
Imagine that you’re a local bluegrass band in North Carolina. And then imagine a famous comedian calls up and asks you to be his backup band. What do you do? If the comedian is Steve Martin, who also happens to be a Grammy-winning banjoist, you say, “Yes…please, Mr. Martin!” Their new album together, Rare Bird Alert, is out now.
Merrill Auditorium | Portland | porttix.com

Brett Dennen
May 24 | 7:30 p.m.
Touring in support of his fourth album, Loverboy, native Californian folksinger Brett Dennen is already well on his way to pop fame, with major music festival appearances and television soundtracks under his belt. Dawes—a four-piece Americana band—opens the show.
State Theatre | Portland | statetheatreportland.com

Samuel James
May 26 | 10 p.m.
Back in the States after a tour abroad (see News + Upcoming Releases), Samuel James and frequent collaborator D. Gross share the stage again at the most intimate venue in Portland. Arrive on the early side if you want a seat.
Blue | Portland | portcityblue.com

*Always confirm start times and ticket availability with the venue before heading to a show. Details sometimes change after listings are published.