The Howling Kettles

Dusted Magazine review

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:59:55 -0500

Jennifer Kelly wrote a very kind review of The Parlor Is Pleasant On Sunday Night for Dusted Magazine:

“giddily communicative, celebratory, and wildly, rhythmically physical.”

We’re also selling the album for very cheap (digital: $2, CD: $7) on bandcamp right now. Pick up a copy!

The Parlor Is Pleasant On Sunday Night

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 14:07:00 -0500

&amp;lt;a href=”http://thehowlingkettles.bandcamp.com/album/the-parlor-is-pleasant-on-sunday-night” data-mce-href=”http://thehowlingkettles.bandcamp.com/album/the-parlor-is-pleasant-on-sunday-night”&amp;gt;The Parlor Is Pleasant On Sunday Night by The Howling Kettles&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

We don’t mean to be pushy, but please stream/purchase/share and enjoy, our glorious new album. Happy New Year, one and all. See you in 2013!

These photos are from our 2nd stretch of the November tour. A...

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:11:00 -0500

Jackson and Sam pose in Holden, MA. Photo by Kelly Dolen.

Jackson reaches out to Sam. Photo by Kelly Dolen.

The Kettles jam with Michael Addis. Photo by Kelly Dolen.

At the Legendary Blue Plate. Photo by Kelly Dolen.

Lea Chiara holds her audience captive.

Evan Cory Levine tunes his tin-can geetar.

Evan spawns a new generation of jazz geeks.

Jackson and Sam in Florence, MA. Photo by Dave Madeloni.

Inappropriate typo and behavior at the Mole Hill Theater, Alstead NH. Photo by Anna Coe.

Soundcheck @ Mole Hill Theater. Alstead, NH. Photo by Anna Coe.

These photos are from our 2nd stretch of the November tour. A couple videos surfaced as well from the Mole Hill show:

Tour Update #2

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:08:11 -0500

This tour has been our best yet. Lea Chiara hosted the Friday show in her studio, and charmed us all with her spiderweb songs. Evan led the group in a bizarro dancefreakout with commands like “Be a bird without wings!” and so on. It was a real treat to hear both Lea and Evan perform, as each of their sets were truly inspired and bold.

The Mole Hill Theatre (our Sat. night venue) is part machine, part man, 100% charming-as-heck. Many thanks to Dennis for booking us and running such a great spot. Buck 55, Brian Canning, and Evan Levine joined us on stage, and things got far out. One outstanding couple did some dirty dancing during Evan’s set (imagine brutalized jazz standards wafting across the skin of two beer-soaked lovers in a room full of scrap metal). It was a sublime moment.

*The stage of the Mole Hill. Alstead, NH.

Sunday brought a visit to Hudson, NY. We performed at the Spotty Dog, our favorite venue, and at the local music shop- Musica. The Spotty Dog turned raucous after sets by Pat, Andrea, and Evan, with most of the bar patrons stomping, shouting, and dancing hard. Sam broke strings and bled on his guitar, as usual, and I lost my voice during a medley of Ida Red, Wild Bill Jones, Cluck Old Hen, Hook n Line and Cattletsburg. It was a marathon effort.

*Live romp @ Musica in Hudson, NY.

Monday and Tuesday were spent teaching, jamming, and performing at Skidmore and Bennington College. John Kirk, Trish Miller, and Kitty Brazelton were our hosts and John joined us for our entire set at Bennington. It was an honor and pleasure to play so much music with him this week. Also, students roasted smores in the fireplace behind us while we played. Too cute.

This-coming Friday and Saturday are our last band performances until early summer 2013. Please join us in Collinsville, CT where we’ll be opening for the Steel Wheels.

Thank you for supporting live music.
-Jackson-
(The Howling Kettles)

These pics illustrate part 1 of our November tour. Get ready for...

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:21:30 -0500

a. Sam and Jackson celebrate John Hartford at the Cantab Lounge. Pic by Tim Reeder.

Sam digs deep.

b. Jackson takes a highly contemplative jug solo. Pic by Tim Reeder. John Mailander in the background!

c. Sam and Jackson at the Cantab. Pic by Tim Reeder.

d. Lukas, Owen and John finish playing the perfect song at "The Pen."

e. We spotted the notorious, GGW bus in Worcester... apparently they're on tour as well.

f. The Kettles play Holden, MA. Pic by Kelly Dolen.

g. Sam and Jackson receive a generic welcome. Pic by Kelly Dolen.

h. Lewiston, ME marks the spot. Pic by Amanda.

These pics illustrate part 1 of our November tour. Get ready for round two. Click for captions/descriptions!

Tour: Part 1

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:37:00 -0500

Hello Folks,

We’ve finished the first leg of our tour. Many thanks to Carl, Jim, and Sean at Union Music for hosting us in Worcester, and to Michael, Kelly and Ed for showing us a good time at the Blue Plate Lounge in Holden, MA. Below is a video of us playing “Shady Grove” for the good people of Union Music (primo instrument shop, and rare distributor of our new album!**also available at Turn It Up in Brattleboro).

Bates College was incredible. We performed at their cafe “The Ronj” and Jackson met his long-lost cousin! Ursula and Amanda were gracious hosts, and Eric and Margaret started the show off right with their own set of acoustic/quebecois-themed music. It was positively charming. A high point of the show included a dueling-jug solo between 2 Bates students in the audience, while Sam conducted (measure for measure) from behind his thunderous guitar… It was a moment worth bottling.

Our appearance at the Cantab Lounge (thanks, Geoff!) in Cambridge, MA was enveloped on all sides by a memorable stay at “The Pen,” home to Amy, John and Lukas. Us Kettles slept on the floor of their cozy living room, and we all jammed late into the night. We also had the pleasure of interviewing a few of our hosts about their musical life, which will be published via podcast in the coming weeks/months.

Click image for more pics from our visit to Mass.

Photos by Tim Reeder.

This weekend we’re be teaming up with a surprise guest and honorary Howling Kettle: Evan Cory Levine, for 3 shows. Evan can sing the grease off a pig, and these shows will be very special (our last appearances as a band for several months). We’d be delighted if you’d join us.

11.9.12 - Florence, MA. @ Studio 310, 221 Pine St. Lea’s studio. 8pm *** w/Evan Cory Levine + Lea Chiara

11.10.12 - Alstead, NH. @ Mole Hill Theatre. 8pm *** w/Evan Cory Levine, and Buck 55

11.11.12 - Hudson, NY. @ Musica *in-store video shoot and mini-show. 2pm *** w/Evan Cory Levine

11.11.12 - Hudson, NY. @ The Spotty Dog Books & Ale. 8pm *** w/Evan Cory Levine

11.12.12 - Saratoga Springs, NY. @ Saratoga Guitar. *in-store video shoot and mini-show. Time TBD.

11.12.12 - Saratoga Springs, NY. @ Skidmore College w/John Kirk- teaching in afternoon.

11.13.12 - Bennington, VT. @ Bennington College w/John Kirk- teaching all day.

11.13.12 - Bennington, VT. @ Bennington College Down Caf. Students only.

11.15.12 - Sheffield, MA. @ Down County Social Club. (below Stagecoach). 8pm

11.16.12 - West Hartford, CT. @ Private.

11.17.12 - Collinsville, CT. @ Bridge St. Live w/The Steel Wheels. 8pm

new music

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:35:00 -0400

This is physical. Advance praise for our upcoming release:

“Richly patterned revelations of familiar songs. The Kettles find new perspectives on standards and mostly forgotten old-timers. The collection captures their good nature, generosity and delight in making old-time music modern.” -Whit-

Pre-release copies of the album will be available at our shows on the upcoming album release tour. See you on the road!

Album Release - November Tour

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:40:00 -0400

Hello Folks,

On November 20th we’ll release our sophomore album: “The Parlor Is Pleasant On Sunday Night.” You can preview 2 tracks from the album below, and see gorgeous cover art by the inimitable Anneke Dunnington. Get a load of this:

&lt;a href=”http://thehowlingkettles.bandcamp.com/album/the-parlor-is-pleasant-on-sunday-night” data-mce-href=”http://thehowlingkettles.bandcamp.com/album/the-parlor-is-pleasant-on-sunday-night”&gt;The Parlor Is Pleasant On Sunday Night by The Howling Kettles&lt;/a&gt;

Want to get the album early? I thought so! Join us on the road for our NOVEMBER TOUR in celebration of this release. We’ll have physical copies available at all of our 12 performances. In addition to the usual “live-music-at-an-established-venue,” we’ve partnered with a few small music shops to present mini in-store performances along the tour. We’ll be posting videos of these store visits on our websites, as will the shop owners. We hope this will offer us the chance to reach a new audience, and support the businesses that support us.

See you on the road!
-Sam and Jackson
(The Howling Kettles)

TOUR DATES:

11.2.12 - Worcester, MA. @ Union Music Inc. *in-store video shoot and mini-show. 3pm

11.2.12 - Holden, MA. @ Blue Plate Lounge, w/M.Addis and Mr.Ed - 8:30pm

11.3.12 - Lewiston, ME. @ Bates College. Students only.

11.5.12 - Cambridge, MA. @ The Cantab Lounge. 10pm

11.9.12 - Florence, MA. @ Studio 310, 221 Pine St. Lea’s studio. 8pm

11.10.12 - Alstead, NH. @ Mole Hill Theatre. 8pm

11.11.12 - Hudson, NY. @ Musica *in-store video shoot and mini-show. 2pm

11.11.12 - Hudson, NY. @ The Spotty Dog Books & Ale. 8pm

11.12.12 - Saratoga Springs, NY. @ Saratoga Guitar. *in-store video shoot and mini-show. Time TBD.

11.12.12 - Saratoga Springs, NY. @ Skidmore College w/John Kirk- teaching in afternoon.

11.13.12 - Bennington, VT. @ Bennington College w/John Kirk- teaching all day.

11.13.12 - Bennington, VT. @ Bennington College Down Caf. Students only.

11.15.12 - Sheffield, MA. @ Down County Social Club. (below Stagecoach). 8pm

11.16.12 - West Hartford, CT. @ Private.

11.17.12 - Collinsville, CT. @ Bridge St. Live w/The Steel Wheels. 8pm

This week is our last string of shows before the deep fall....

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 10:47:00 -0400

This week is our last string of shows before the deep fall. Please join us tonight in Stowe, VT, or on Friday in Bellows Falls, VT. Otherwise, we’ll see you in November during our album release tour. Thank you for listening, and keeping up with what we do.

Best,

Sam and Jackson

(The Howling Kettles)

***Photos by Denise Maccaferri, at Club Passim, Cambridge, MA.***

photo by mick melvin.

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 20:56:53 -0400

photo by mick melvin.

Old Music in New England

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 01:24:00 -0400

Hello Folks,

August has been a fantastic month for us. We just finished recording our new album with sonic-maestro Evan Levine, and we’ve got several shows coming up before Fall takes a strong hold on Vermont. You can view a few blurry photos of our recording session here (photo credit to Willie Gussin). We are looking forward to the release of our 2nd album in November, along with an extensive Northeast Tour to support the release. In the meantime, please join us for one of these events:

8/16 - Morrisville, VT @ The Bee’s Knees (w/Katie Trautz)
8/17 - Montpelier, VT @ The Black Door, 9:30pm *$5
8/21 - Brattleboro, VT @ Mocha Joe’s Cafe, 6-7:30pm *pass the hat
8/22 - Brattleboro, VT @ Mocha Joe’s Cafe, 6-7:30pm *pass the hat
8/24 - Brattleboro, VT - HOOTENANNY/PICKIN’ PARTY at our house. Email for details.
8/25 - Alstead, NH @ Mole Hill Theater, 8pm (w/Bradford Bog People)
9/01 - Cambridge, MA @ Club Passim’s Campfire Festival, 5:15-5:50pm
9/02 - Guilford, VT @ Guilford Fair
9/11 - Stowe, VT @ Crop Bistro, 9pm-12
9/14 - Bellows Falls, VT @ Farmer’s Market, 4-7pm

Thank you for listening,
-The Howling Kettles-

Artwork by Anneke Dunnington. GIF credit to Willie Gussin.

We had a great time playing 10 shows in the past couple weeks....

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:18:00 -0400

We had a great time playing 10 shows in the past couple weeks. Many photos have been posted on our Facebook page. We’ll be taking a short break from performing to work on our next record, which should be released this Fall. Thank you to all who made our travels great.

-Jackson and Sam-

Photos by Mick Melvin.

3 more shows this coming weekend. Please tell your friends in...

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:16:16 -0400

3 more shows this coming weekend. Please tell your friends in these places:

*Bradford, NH - Friday, 7pm @ Town Meetinghouse.
*Worcester, MA - Saturday, 7pm @ House. 1 Bay State Rd. byob
*Putney, VT- Sunday, 11-2 @ Putney Farmers’ Market.

More info here:
http://www.thehowlingkettles.com/calendar

Thank you again for the spectacular tour last weekend!

TOUR STARTS TODAY: 7/12- Sheffield, MA, Down County Social Club,...

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:54:27 -0400

TOUR STARTS TODAY:

7/12- Sheffield, MA, Down County Social Club, 8 pm
7/13- West Hartford, CT, Backstage Pizza, 6:30 pm
7/14- Brattleboro, VT, Headroom Stages, 7:30 pm doors/8 pm music
7/15- Hudson, NY, Spotty Dog, 7 pm
7/16- Brooklyn, NY, Red Hook Bait & Tackle, 9 pm

More details on Calendar page.

July Tour /// Album Contest

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:23:00 -0400

This month, The Howling Kettles (formerly known as STRING BAND), will be very busy. Next weekend we’re going on a five day tour with extraordinary country-blues/jazz guitarist and singer Evan Levine, which includes a rare appearance in Brooklyn, at the Red Hook Bait & Tackle. Don’t miss it! Additionally, if you “like” us on facebook you will be entered in a contest to win a copy of our forthcoming album (due out fall 2012). Do it!

View our full calendar.

LikeLikeLikeLikeLike = Entered to win.

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:59:56 -0400

This summer we’ll be recording a new album, to be released in the fall. As a small, supportive gesture towards us musicians, please consider “liking” our Facebook page. If you do “like” our page, you’ll automatically be entered to win a copy of our new CD.

Visit The Howling Kettles on Facebook.

Live music 30x this summer. Come see us!

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 11:10:56 -0400

Click the link to view our calendar. Live music is really where it’s at. Please join us for a concert, show, or hootenanny (players and listeners welcome!). The word “Invitational” is intended to scare off bozos, but really: All are welcome! *except bozos.

Hello Folks! We’ve got 10 musical events booked, thus far,...

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:00:00 -0400

Hello Folks! We’ve got 10 musical events booked, thus far, for the next month. Please visit our calendar, and join us for a show or Hootenanny!

Photo by Jeffrey.

NAME CHANGE

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:16:06 -0400

Hello Everyone,

Just a heads up, we are now called “The Howling Kettles.”

Thank you for listening.

-Jackson and Sam-

Sam Moss (of SB) interviewed on Uprooted Music Revue.com

Wed, 09 May 2012 21:50:42 -0400

Sam Moss (of SB) interviewed on Uprooted Music Revue.com