Looking back... Newport Nightcap 2011

Words // Scott Pingeton

Six months ago I was counting down the days to another Newport Folk Festival...and our Newport Nightcap afterparty.  Putting together a lineup of four fantastic artists, organizing beer sponsorships, ticket sales, lighting/sound, coordinating with a venue ill-equipped for an event of its size and everything else that went into the party (not to mention holding down a demanding day job) was tough.  But ultimately so so worth it.  The party was a huge success - great music, a HOT, packed, sold-out venue and even a little mention in Billboard magazine for our troubles.  It was a ton of fun for me personally and hopefully for everyone that could make it.

After Newport weekend we wrapped up our coverage of the festival, but what seemingly got lost in shuffle was coverage of the Nightcap.  I was too busy to take photos or video, and only managed to get recordings of two of the four bands.  Then just a few days ago, the good folks and Kitchen Sessions sent over some incredible videos shot that night - I didn't even know these existed!  The audio is a little inconsistent, but I think these show what an incredible night it was.  Great memories.

Vikesh Kapoor - Mack The Knife

Pearl And The Beard - Sweetness

Swear And Shake - Johnnie

Kingsley Flood - I Don't Wanna Go Home

Vikesh Kapoor added to Newport Nightcap lineup!

We're excited to announce the fourth and final artist for the Newport Nightcap...VIKESH KAPOOR.  The former Bostonian and current Portlander (Oregon, that is) will make his triumphant return to the East Coast to play the Nightcap.  Armed with an acoustic guitar and personal slice-of-life songs, Kapoor's music recalls days gone by, before folk went electric and mainstream and Starbucks-approved.  If you're going to the folk festival, you're guaranteed to dig this.

Vikesh Kapoor joins Kingsley Flood, Swear and Shake and Pearl And The Beard, rounding out a lineup that I can say with certainty is arguably pretty much the best unofficial Newport Folk Afterparty ever.  There are still a handfull of advance "VIP" tickets left - for just $10 these get you guaranteed admission, a poster and some CDs and other goodies (BUY HERE).  There will also be tickets available at the door for $5. Join us at 7pm to cool off and stick around for the live music all night long. 

Check out Ryan's Smashing Life for an exclusive premier of a brand new Vikesh Kapoor video!

Vikesh Kapoor - Sherene, Don't Be Alone

Vikesh Kapoor has been quiet over the last few months, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been busy.  The singer-songwriter moved from Boston to Portland OR and has been working on a follow-up to last year's promising Newspress Scare 7".  No details yet on when we'll hear that follow-up, but a new track has surfaced as part of The Sights Of Sounds video series.  Fans of Kapoor's carefully-spun folk songs will enjoy "Sherene, Don't Be Alone", a sweetly melancholy song to an estranged lover.

Vikesh Kapoor: Lizard Lounge Cambridge 5.11.10

Vikesh Kapoor at the Lizard Lounge. Photo by Maria Cristina Romero

Vikesh Kapoor brought his timeless folk songs to the Lizard Lounge last week.  Standing in the single spotlight with harmonica around his neck and guitar slung off his shoulder, he looked the part of a troubador and sang songs of struggle and heartache.  The excellent 40 minute set featured a mix of songs from his debut EP On the Tail of a White Donkey as well as the recently released Newspress Scare 7".  In the dimly lit basement that is the Lizard Lounge, it felt like it could have been 1962.  The songs are pure folk songs that recall the social commentary of Dylan and Seeger, but are wholly relevant to today's unique issues and concerns.  Vikesh Kapoor is a true songwriting talent, and I'm looking forward to hearing much more from him in the future.  Check out more photos from the show here.

Full soundboard recording is available for stream or download below.  Sound is excellent, but we were only able to get a mono feed, which I think gives the recording a vintage feel.  Thanks to Vikesh and the Lizard Lounge for making this recording possible - please support Vikesh Kapoor by buying his music and visiting his myspace.  Check out his live show at Club Passim's campfire festival on Saturday 5/29 - tickets available here.

Vikesh Kapoor
Lizard Lounge - Cambridge, MA
May 11, 2010

Careless Love
Down by the River
Willy Robbins
Butcher Boy
Newspress Scare
If I Had a Song
Mack The Knife

Full set download:  mp3 zip

I was able to capture Willy Robbins on video, one of many highlights. Video quality is somewhat mediocre, but I think it captures the ambiance of the room and power of the live performance pretty well:

Recommended: Vikesh Kapoor

  

Vikesh Kapoor writes folk songs that sound as if they were teleported from 1960s Greenwich Village - but rather than shallow nostalgia, the songs take real modern issues and wrap them in language and delivery that recall the past.  Newspress Scare, a freewheelin' protest song,  uses a metaphor of a broken newspress to comment on topics such as political deception, the failure of media and public apathy -- or at least that's my interpretation.  Listen for yourself:

Vikesh Kapoor - Newspress Scare

Get the Newspress Scare 7" here.  Vikesh Kapoor opens for John Shade at Lizard Lounge tomorrow (5/11), tickets only $5 - get them here.