x

dirtysailors / Blog

The Beat

Tristan Omand

Selected to play at city events by In Town Manchester, has played at Tupelo Music Hall numerous times and reviewed by many including the Hippo Press and www.newsburner.com, with radio air time on stations such as NPR. Obviously, Tristan is a pulse of this town. His educated lyrics match his faces of honesty while he plays. He has a new album titled "Wandering Time" available December 4th 2012. He works constantly. "…Practice. Lot's of practice," The young man had told me with a humble grin, answering my rhetorical 'Beatlemania' question of 'How are you so amazing?' He has fans across New England and keeps wowing us with his talent. This Americana artist was born to be a songwriter. He sings of hard lessons of truth, how he perceives the world and the feelings that take a hold of you thru everyday experiences.

How can you see him? You should whenever you can. You can start by watching his video for "When the Cows Come Home". It was filmed in a style that captures his essence. Like his Facebook page for upcoming events he is participating in and see his latest news.

It is hard to pick out just a few songs to describe from Tristan, as his whole set seems to flow in together, like a story that has no ending, from broken hearts to politics. He uses vintage equipment and also has a hand in art. For his album "Tolled Stories" he designed his own T-shirts with a drawing of I guess what you could say his "staple" vintage Shure 55 microphone. He is notably an artist of NH that should have recognition as much as possible.

The Beat

Josh Lessard Why you should check him out: One of the handful of bands/musicians currently responsible for the sound coming out of New England. Punk/folk/dirty sailor rock & roll. Songs that stick out at shows: "Whiskey Waterfalls" A working-class type of song. Relatable song about women, work and whiskey . It has a 'born to lose so might as well have fun' attitude. It makes you feel like your hands should be covered in truck grease while holding a poker hand with pocket aces. An easy sing-a-long song. Kenny Rogers has some pretty badass songs with content like this but Josh Lessard blows him out of the water. "The Toll" I have heard this song played with all members of his former band Port City Arson. The bass line is gripping, drums perfect to the effect of angry waves crashing to shore. BUT- sometimes Josh has been known to do this one solo. The first time I saw them play it this way, Josh said, "It's time to give the boys a break…" Elijah's drum sticks went flying, Tim set down his bass while walking off stage, both in a heartbeat, both straight-faced, straight to the barkeep. Josh hammered on his acoustic with the voice of 100 sailors lost at sea. My jaw hit the floor with how naturally badass this song sounds with unbelievable lyrical content. "Bushmills" Here's the song that shows off what all the boys can do. Motownesque bass, a romantic tune until the chorus. Then it goes to the darker, rip shit up , soulful, Bruce Springsteen/Gaslight Anthem influenced sound of PCA. Though you can sing to it, "LET'S TAKE A WALK!" this is a song that you raise a glass, dance a little bit and just watch. If you never heard them before, this song is a great introduction.

Port City Arson took a break but Josh is staying on his own as a song writer with his fierce vocals, wise-beyond-his-years lyrics and high energy.

The Beat

Mike Graton (of Down to the Well)

He books the shows, he links the bands of sound together. The lead singer of Down to the Well. He is the crooner of the music scene, not necessarily by choice. His lyrics are of relationships, life and lessons learned (most with a mention of drinking involved of course). The music sounds of old time instruments; stand up bass by Jason and banjo by Mark, Mike on guitar and has been known to whip a ukulele out time to time. Punk and blues influenced, maritime type of folk.

The crowd dances, claps along in rhythm while singing along. There has been times when DTTW and Yankee Cockfight join as one called "Yankee Cockfight goes Down to the Well". It makes you laugh of its perfectly suited title, much like the personality of the bands. The stage becomes PACKED. Harmonica, bass drum, banjo, upright bass, fiddles, guitars, gut wrenching vocals whaling in unison…It is something anyone with an appreciation for this music should see and hear. There are plenty of videos out there on the internet of these guys playing, as well as a music video for the song "Trial and Error" you can see on www.reverbnation.com Songs that stick out live and/or recorded:

"Run"- A dark song from the band. I suppose 'haunting' would be the perfect adjective. It has a kind of hooligan vibe to it. Like you are running down a cobblestone alley to either kick someone's ass or run from the troubles following you.

"Train Wreck"- This song recorded is absolutely amazing. Mark sings this one while Mike does the harmony in the background. I honestly think this song is best described as making you feel like: Standing in a field at the break of dawn, the sun comes out, you light a cigarette, look around, you feel the warm sun, see a deer, take a deep breath, look down and shake your head. Obviously one of my favorites. You can hear this song on www.reverbnation.com

"The Ruin"- The song that proves my point of Mike being a crooner. It has honest lyrics and a banjo breakdown that sticks in your head. The crowd can't resist to clap along at the end of this one.

"The Ocean"- A high energy sing-a-long with the words, "I hope this ship don't run to shore and we'll drink until day light" The crowd usually starts swinging their drinks to this chorus. (Who wouldn't sing a line like that aloud?) Again, this song can also be found on www.reverbnation.com

The Beat

The Power of Song

by Charlotte C. Rider

The best music seems to come from times of struggle or times of great romance, doesn't it? Also, it always seems to come in waves of groups. Like gangs of friends making one scene that spreads like wild fire. It starts small.

In the 1920s the south boomed the start of recording country music. According to some articles I've read (okay, it was Wikipedia but still…) Atlanta's music scene flourished as the Appalachian people moved to the city to work in the cotton mills, bringing their music with them. A man named Ralph Peer (a talent scout) packed up his recording equipment, was hired by numerous recording companies and carried on his mission. He aimed at African-American music in particular, "The Blues." He recorded the The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers in his travels. See? Something so amazingly significant started so small.

The next wave I'd like to mention is the 1961 Newport Folk Festival. A festival which gave the chance to small time performers to play. Joan Baez got a gig and had Bob Dylan come along. (It helps to know people that do what you like, I guess.) Yeah, he got booed for going alternative in front of his fans, and good thing too. The times they were a changin' and he kicked ass and took names. He wrote songs that were recorded by other artists like "The Mighty Quinn" preformed by The Byrds. He tapped into the 60's culture with Andy Warhol and the socialite Edie Sedgwick. Romantic drama aside, America was in a revolution and his music captured the heart of it. Again, you can't have a chain in history without little links.

Hitsville U.S.A. ( Ever heard of it?) It's the home of Motown. A little house, some recording equipment, a name and a flood of talent at its door. Start small. I'm going to assume you are knowledgeable enough about Motown and skip to the next subject.

So let's see… from hard times comes the people's music, with a heritage attached. The more it grows, the more it is listened to. Here we are today. What's our history? World War II had Benny Goodman. What do we have? Lets start small and appreciate what we have and see where it goes. In my opinion, New England should be watched. Manchester, NH in particular. We are from some of THE OLDEST TOWNS SINCE AMERICA STARTED. Fuck yeah, we have a heritage!!!!!! I grew up listening to traditional Irish folk music. I came across punk rock, I was already into oldies and found an appreciation for all music. Constantly adding to my knowledge and taste. As a youth, you tend to find other kids into the same things you are. When you are adults, you have the ability to keep it going. Here I write, so profoundly awe struck by what has become the local scene of this town.

It links to all of New England, the east coast in general. Close your eyes. What comes to mind? The ocean? Brick buildings and cobblestone? Smokestacks and mill workers? Old tavern pubs? Greek, Irish and French neighborhoods? Yeah. Because that’s what Manchester is. Do you know what it sounds like, the beat of Manchester's heart? I'll tell you:

TRISTAN OMAND, MIKE GRATON and JOSH LESSARD.

Like a speakeasy, they are the thing to look forward to. I have never seen people get together, doll up and have the best of times like I have at these bands' shows. It has to be a mark in time and we should all do our part to make sure of it. Though sometimes things shift a little, venues, band members, whatever, the songs have already been made; memorized by fans, clapped and danced to.

So let me focus on the specifics of who I've mentioned and why they pump the blood thru the veins to Manchester's heart...