Willie Nelson - Marymoor Park - Redmond WA

What is there to say about Willie Nelson that has not been said...

Willie is an iconic singer/songwriter that is relevant in all age groups and music genres. At the age of 80 he does not seem to slow down at his concerts. Willie puts on a full energy performance and does not miss a beat on his old (beautiful) roughed up guitar. When he opened with "Whiskey River" I was so captivated that I almost forgot I was there to take pictures! Willie ended with a rousing version of "I Saw the Light." I cannot help but see the significance in his song content from his opening songs alluding to alcohol and drug abuse to his closing of gospel tributes. 

Newport Folk Festival - 2013 Slide Show

The Newport Folk Festival does a great job of recognizing its illustrious history without being burdened by it. The times are always a-changing, and the festival has done a masterful job of adapting along with it.

In fact, some of the weekend’s best attended and most memorable acts hardly belong within the folk genre. Like Bombino, whose guitar playing wizardry conjures up sandstorms of hypnotic grooves; or the UK-punk rock of Frank Turner; or Trombone Shorty, who has successfully weaponized jazz and funk for mass consumption.

 The festival has broken new wave artists and expanded bands’ audiences, audiences that now stretch multiple generations. And each year sell-out crowds come to experience music that push buttons, blur borders and even inspire change - and that’s what folk music, and the Festival, is all about.

Enjoy some memorable moments from NFF 2013 in this slide show!

Photos // Adam Richert

Words // Photos // Brian Hodge

Joe Fletcher - "Oceanside Motel" - Newport RI

We met up with Mr. Joe Fletcher from Joe Fletcher and the Wrong Reasons in Newport, RI for a Visible Voice session. He pulled out his guitar and with the first strum he broke a string... Fortunately Kingsley Flood was standing by to loan their guitar.

Joe Fletcher has a cool factor and general swagger that translates into every song he plays. Despite the windy conditions, Joe was kind enough to perform "Oceanside Motel" from his up and coming album "You've Got the Wrong Man". 

Like Joe Fletcher on Facebook and follow him on twitter for updates and tour dates!

Video // Words// Adam Richert

Photos // Joy Asico // Web Site  and Twitter

Kingsley Flood - "Quiet, Quiet Ground" - Newport RI

We are massive fans of Kingsley Flood! It was an honor to have Jenée Morgan on vocals, Naseem Khuri on Vocals/rhythm guitar, and George Hall on lead guitar representing the band in full force for this private Visible Voice session. Their playful banter and non-pretentious demeanor made this session in Newport RI a genuinely good time.

Be sure to follow Kingsley Flood on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and catch them on tour!

Sep 12, 2013	Back to Mercury	Mercury Lounge	New York, NY	10:00pm
Sep 13, 2013	w/Toy Soldiers	Johnny Brendas	Philadelphia, PA	9:00pm
Sep 20, 2013	Back to DC	Black Cat	Washington, DC	9:00pm
Oct 11, 2013	NH bound	Stone Church Music Club	Newmarket, NH	8:00pm
Oct 12, 2013	hometown flood	Paradise Rock Club	Boston, MA	8:00pm
Nov 01, 2013	Back to New Haven	Cafe Nine	New Haven, CT	9:00pm
Dec 03, 2013	supporting Lucius	Iron Horse Music Hall	Northampton, MA	7:00pm
Dec 04, 2013	supporting Lucius	Empire	Portland, ME	9:00pm
Dec 06, 2013	supporting Lucius	World Cafe Live	Philadelphia, PA	8:00pm

Video // Words// Adam Richert

Photos // Joy Asico // Web Site  and Twitter

The Last Bison - "By No Means" Newport RI

After The Last Bison's stage performance in Newport RI they welcomed us out of the rain and into their "home" (aka the zebra tour van) for a truly visceral experience. Although one may know and love a particular band's music, it's hard to know what to expect of their character and hospitality. Within moments we felt as if we were a part of the "family" and were thinking of staying in the van and finishing their tour with them. Lead singer Ben Hardesty offered an exclusive solo version of an unreleased song called "By No Means." The cheers in the background from an ongoing performance might as well have been for the private session in a zebra printed van.

Visit The Last Bison on their facebook and twitter for more info and tour dates.

"By All Means"

Rayland Baxter - V.V. Session - Newport, Rhode Island

Rayland Baxter, armed with a guitar and accompanied by violinists Odessa Jorgensenn and Kristin Weber, snuck away from the stages and summer sun and down a quiet tunnel for an acoustic performance exclusively for Visible Voice. They eased into a pair of tunes that seemed to make us forget about the festival going on around us, but certainly remind us that Baxter & co. are talents worth writing home about.

Video // Adam Richert

Words and Video // Brian Hodge // Twitter

Photos // Joy Asico // Web Site Twitter

Video Editing // Brad Cordova // Email

The Young Evils and LEAGUES - The Nectar in Seattle Wa

Thanks to Paste Magazine and American Family Insurance this show was an amazing success! The Nectar in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle was the host for an energetic mid-week performance by local Seattle band The Young Evils and Nashville's  break through band LEAGUES! These up and coming bands are both notable and bands to look for in the near future. 

The Young Evils

Leagues

Rachael Yamagata - Tractor Tavern - Seattle WA

You may not recognize the name Rachael Yamagata but you've most likely heard her songs in various TV shows and in collaboration with other artists that you know and love. 

Rachael was not only charming and captivating but she was more importantly an accomplished musician and singer/songwriter. Every song was impelled by personal, emotional experiences. In a laughing manner Rachael made it clear that she "was not crying!" during her songs, and that many reviewers write that she was crying during her set. I will not report that she was crying but I will say that she went to "another place" while performing which portrayed an intimate side of her life.

Photos/Video/Words by Adam Richert

Vikesh Kapoor * New Video-"Searchin' for the Sun" * On Tour Now!

Vikesh Kapoor is an old soul that produces heartfelt and compelling songs. He keeps you in the moment and tuned in to a feeling of purpose. Vikesh is truly enjoyable to watch live and I cannot wait for his up and coming album!

Three years ago, Vikesh Kapoor performed at Howard Zinn's memorial service in Boston, in front of Zinn's family and colleagues (including Noam Chomsky). Inspired by Zinn's lifelong battle against class/race injustice, Kapoor spent the next two years in Portland, Oregon working on a concept record based on a related newspaper article. His debut album, The Ballad Of Willy Robbins, out this Fall, chronicles the brutal but hopeful story of a working class man who slowly loses everything: ambitions, health, family, shelter. The album was co-produced by Adam Selzer (M. Ward) and features stellar participation from Nate Query (Decemberists, Black Prairie), Jeff Ratner (Langhorne Slim) and Birger Olsen (Denver). 

For more information visit Vikesh at facebook or his web site.

"Searchin' for the Sun" is from the upcoming debut album "The Ballad of Willy Robbins" due out in the Fall. This live video was shot at the beginning of this run of tour dates in Portland, Oregon at Star Theater when he supported the amazing Laura Marling.

VIKESH KAPOOR / SEARCHIN' FOR THE SUN / STAR THEATER from Vikesh Kapoor on Vimeo.

 Tour Dates:

• Wed June 19 TT the Bears, Cambridge MA w/ Sam Amidon
• Thur June 20 Spotty Dog Books & Ale, Hudson NY
• Fri June 21 Make Music Philly (multiple shows), Philadelphia PA
• Sat June 22  Rockwood Music Hall, New York NY
• Sun June 23 Hillstock Festival, Brooklyn NY w/ Saintseneca
• Sun June 23 The Port at 745 Westminster, Providence RI
• Mon June 24 The Red Door, Portsmouth NH
• Tue June 25 Wooden Dinosaur House Show, Guilford VT
• Wed June 26 Cameo Gallery, Brooklyn NY
• Fri June 28 Iron Horse, Northampton MA w/ Night Beds
• Sun June 30 Mississippi Studios, Portland OR w/ Frontier Ruckus
• Thur July 18 UMS Festival, Denver CO
• Fri July 19 Daniels Hall w/ Tift Merritt
• Fri/Sat July 26-27 Timber! Outdoor Music Festival, Carnation WA