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Great Stuff For You This Week!
Hi y’all, sorry to be so late in writing this, been sick with the flu and I’m running behind in a lot of things the past few days! But here goes (and forgive me, the blog is going to be short this week):
In this week’s broadcast, we are incredibly excited to welcome an extremely ‘hot in the charts’ award-winning Australian singer/songwriter Missy Higgins, and, our old friend, young cello innovator Ben Sollee to our recently opened eTown Hall. This is truly a one-of-a-kind musical matchup:
The last eight years have been nothing short of a whirlwind for Missy. She burst onto the scene after her sister sent in a video of her playing one of her original songs and she won a huge contest in her home country of Australia. Three number one CDs soon followed in Australia, plus multiple Top Ten singles, over one million global album sales and a U.S. gold single! She’s currently showing no signs of slowing down in the world of music. We were happy to grab her for our show in between a gazillion things she’s doing right now; she’s a very cool person and she totally gets the ‘music/message’ thing that is eTown, which we really appreciate.
Cello virtuoso/singer/songwriter Ben Sollee is also one of those people (who totally gets eTown I mean). He’s back with us to share music from Half-Made Man, his recent collection of self-produced songs. Ben has been a shining example of a musician who combines music with his passion for environmental and social causes (some of which you’ll hear about in this week’s show). We love that about him.
Of course, we’ll have the E-Chievement Award segment for you too; this week, we actually revisit with a former winner and hear about his most recent efforts to save abused animals. Lots of great stuff coming at you, so tune in (by broadcast or podcast)! And check out the videos below too.
Stay well (this flu is a doozy).
Best
Helen
Missy Higgins / Ben Sollee
In this week’s broadcast. eTown welcomes award-winning Australian singer/songwriter Missy Higgins and cello innovator Ben Sollee to the newly renovated eTown Hall for a one-of-a-kind musical matchup. For Missy Higgins, the last eight years have been nothing short of a whirlwind. With three No. 1 albums in Australia, multiple Top Ten singles, over one million global album sales and a U.S. gold single, it’s clear that Higgins is showing no signs of slowing down in the world of music. Cello virtuoso/singer/songwriter Ben Sollee is also back with us to share music from his upcoming collection of self-produced recordings, entitled Half-Made Man. Throughout his career, Sollee has been a strong example of a musician that melds music with environmental and social causes, much of what you’ll hear about in this week’s show. As always, it’s an episode full of great music, insightful conversation and, of course, an inspiring E-Chievement Award story. Be sure to tune in!
eTown Live Radio Show Taping Featuring Missy Higgins and Ben Sollee – SOLD OUT
Don’t Miss This Live eTown Taping!
eTOWN WELCOMES AUSTRALIAN SINGER/SONGWRITER MISSY HIGGINS AND CELLIST BEN SOLLEE FOR AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND CONVERSATION AT ETOWN HALL
WHEN: August 23, 2012 / 7:00PM SHOW (6:30 PM Doors)
WHERE: eTown Hall
1535 Spruce Street
Boulder, CO 80302
COST: $22.00 (plus tax and theater fee) / SOLD OUT
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eTown hosts Nick and Helen Forster welcome award-winning Australian singer/songwriter Missy Higgins and cello innovator Ben Sollee to the newly renovated eTown Hall for an intimate evening of music and conversation.
For Missy Higgins, the last eight years have been nothing short of a whirlwind. With three No. 1 albums in Australia, multiple Top Ten singles, over one million global album sales and a U.S. gold single, it’s clear that Higgins is showing no signs of slowing down in the world of music. Among all of this success, she has also dedicated a healthy portion of her adult life focusing on other activities such as a volunteer work and activism for animal rights and environmental causes, making her a perfect addition to the family of artists that have made appearance in eTown over the years. Higgins will make her first visit to the show on the heels of her latest full-length album, entitled The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle, which is her first recording in five years, and her third straight No. 1 album in the ARIA charts.
In addition to Missy Higgins, cello virtuoso/singer/songwriter Ben Sollee will make his second stop in eTown to share music from his upcoming collection of self-produced recordings, entitled Half-Made Man. Sollee first gained major notice with his 2008 debut, Learning to Bend, which led NPR’s Morning Edition to call him one of the “Top Ten Great Unknown Artists” of the year. Later, All Things Considered called his debut “an inspired collection of acoustic, folk and jazz-flavored songs, filled with hope and the earnest belief that the world is good.” Around the same time, Sollee was touring the world with Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet alongside Grammy nominee Casey Driessen and multi-Grammy winner Bela Fleck. Throughout his career, Sollee has been a strong example of a musician that melds music with environmental and social causes. He has used his music to speak out against irresponsible practices such as mountaintop removal coal mining, to empower the movement for local food production and consumption and to address social issues such as poverty. In recent years, Sollee has taken that example even further by biking hundreds of miles between gigs, with gear in tow, to lessen the carbon footprint often associated with being a touring musician.
More than just a typical concert, each eTown taping is a unique live entertainment event that combines musical performance, information and inspiring conversation. In addition to lots of great music, the event will also feature a special E-Chievement Award story, a trademark staple of each and every eTown taping, highlighting one of the show’s listeners who has gone above and beyond to make a positive difference in their community.
Ben Sollee
Cello virtuoso Ben Sollee first gained major notice with his 2008 debut, Learning to Bend, which led NPR’s Morning Edition to call him one of the “Top Ten Great Unknown Artists” of the year. Later, All Things Considered called his debut “an inspired collection of acoustic, folk and jazz-flavored songs, filled with hope and the earnest belief that the world is good.” Around the same time, Sollee was touring the world with Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet alongside Grammy nominee Casey Driessen and multi-Grammy winner Bela Fleck. Sollee’s music drew the attention of My Morning Jacket frontman Yim Yames, who produced his second full-length album, a collaboration with Daniel Martin Moore. In 2010 they released Dear Companion, a stunning collection of songs meant to inspire environmental stewardship. The next year Sollee contributed his cello stylings to My Morning Jacket’s hit album Circuital and released Inclusions, a sonically awe-inspring album about relationships that was called “structurally brilliant” by Slant and “stunning” by No Depression.
Through it all, Sollee has garnered a rabid following of listeners devoted to his music. Throughout his career, Sollee has been a strong example of a musician that melds music with environmental and social causes. He has used his music to speak out against irresponsible practices such as mountaintop removal coal mining, to empower the movement for local food production and consumption and to address social issues such as poverty. In recent years, Sollee has taken that example even further by biking hundreds of miles between gigs, with gear in tow, to lessen the carbon footprint often associated with being a touring musician.
Quick update on eTown Hall progress, plus info about this week’s broadcast/podcast:
A lot of you are asking, so I’m gonna answer here: Construction on eTown Hall continues along (check out video and photos on our website; there’s also stuff on my Facebook page and eTown’s Facebook page to see), it continues to amaze me, to watch this broken down, funky old structure evolving into something remarkable. There’s been a lot of work done so far, with still more to go. But as eTown comes of age (yes, hard to believe but eTown is 21 years old this year!), it’s so great that eTown is so close to finally having a permanent home after all this time.
As many of you know, eTown the radio program is produced by a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We still have funds to raise to complete eTown Hall, and we’re approximately three quarters of the way there. So many of you have inquired about how to help. You can reach the eTown crew at info@etown.org, or go to our website to donate and/or to learn more about this very important project. We’d love to hear from you. Every donation helps. And as I mentioned, we are a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so any contribution you make is tax deductible.
Thanks for listening. Let’s move on to the scoop about this week’s broadcast/podcast:
This is one of those marvelous ‘back by popular demand’ programs that I love! Two talented musical guests are with us: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and also Ben Solee & Daniel Martin Moore.
When this show originally aired a couple years ago, it was the first visit for Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, and we were all collectively blown away by this amazing group. Based in Burlington, VT, they are an interesting collection of musicians, fronted by one of the best singers I’ve ever heard. I mean, seriously. I am not kidding. We have had a ton of great singers on the show, and will continue to do so, don’t get me wrong. But she’s right up there with Janis Joplin. (A little bit of eTown trivia: Grace was sicker than a dog the day we did this show. I wondered if she’d be able to sing at all! But at sound check that afternoon, she just threw her head back and wham! Didn’t miss a note. Wow. Gives me goose bumps to think back on it. I knew then that I was witnessing a truly incredible talent.)
Two of my favorite guys on the planet, the accomplished acoustic duo of Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore (both originally from Kentucky), are with us this show also, with Ben on cello, Daniel on guitar, and the two of them singing as well. Nick & the eTones back them up on a tune or two (I love singing with these guys; anytime there’s a three-part harmony to be done, count me in!). And they are SUCH a great fit for eTown, because they’re both passionately ‘environmentally conscious’ people. They’re especially interested in getting the word out against the environmentally destructive practice called mountaintop removal, which is going on in the Appalachian Mountains (if you tune in, you’ll hear what I mean). They are total advocates of exploring alternative methods of energy use: Ben is known to avoid petroleum-based transportation whenever he can. Can you picture him riding his bicycle, while carrying his cello, from gig to gig? Well, he does . . all across the United States. (This is no joke, again, tune in and hear it straight from the horse’s mouth!).
So … great music and conversations with our artists this week. Its all mighty good stuff. And the E-Chievement Award this week is a great one, too. So, if you can, be there with us in eTown. I know you’re gonna love this one!
Best,
Helen
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals / Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
eTown treats you to an eclectic and exciting musical journey this week. In this rebroadcast, Hosts Nick & Helen Forster welcome Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. Grace and her band are emerging as one of the nation’s foremost rock bands. (Rolling Stone named them one of the Best New Bands of 2010!). There’s also the acoustic driven duo of Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore, featuring Ben on cello and vocals and Daniel on guitar and vocals; Nick & Helen and the eTones add their musical and vocal support to the duo’s sound. The E-Chievement Award goes to a New York State woman who founded an effective grassroots volunteer effort to help those in need in her community. It’s all capped off with a one-of-a-kind eTown finale!
(airing 5/25 – 5/31) eTown broadcast/podcast with Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore
Construction on eTown Hall is cranking away (you can see photos on our website, also on my Facebook page and eTown’s Facebook page too), it’s amazing to watch that funky old rundown building transform slowly but surely into something incredible. There’s been a lot of work done so far, with much more to go. But as we enjoy our 20th year of doing eTown, it’s comforting to know that the organization will finally have a permanent home after all these years. A lot of you have been asking about how things are going and how to support the eTown Hall building capital campaign. You can always reach the eTown crew at info@etown.org. We’d love to hear from you. And as many of you know, eTown the radio program is produced by a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so any contribution you may be inspired to make is tax deductible and helps keep eTown on the air. You can learn about our mission statement etc., right here on our website.
OK, enough of that stuff. Now on to this week’s broadcast/podcast news:
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, a great group that hails from Burlington, VT, is with us this week. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love this band! Rolling Stone Magazine called them one of the ‘Best New Bands’ of 2010, and I totally agree with that. Grace has a voice that, in my opinion, rivals Janis Joplin. She’s fun, too, and absolutely gorgeous (not that that matters for radio, but hey, check out this week’s blog’s photo album and you’ll see what I mean). Plus she’s a terrific entertainer. Her band mates are all stellar in their own right, really talented players; and all of them, Grace included, are really great people.
Our other musical visitors this show are the talented acoustic duo of Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore (both originally from Kentucky), with Daniel on guitar, Ben on cello, and both of them on stellar vocals. Nick & the eTones back them up on a tune or two, and I get to do my favorite vocal thing in the world, join in a three-part harmony blend on a couple songs as well. BTW they’re both very environmentally conscious guys. They’re passionately for sustainable energy and against the environmentally destructive mountain top removal going on in the Appalachian Mountains, all of which they talk about during the program. Ben has even been known to shun petroleum based transportation on a regular basis, proudly riding his bike (while carrying his cello mind you) from gig to gig . . across the U.S.! (I am not kidding, he talks about that too). David and Ben really fit the eTown model to a T. Not to mention they are two truly talented players, writers and singers. Really fun having them with us.
The E-Chievement Award this week goes to a New York State woman, who started an amazingly successful grassroots volunteer effort to help those in need in her community.
So, tune in or podcast or whatever, but be there with us, this week, in eTown. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
xo Helen
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals / Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
eTown treats you to an eclectic and exciting musical journey this week. Hosts Nick & Helen Forster welcome for their first visit, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. Grace and her band are emerging as one of the nation’s foremost rock bands with a rabid fan following. (Rolling Stone named them one of the Best New Bands of 2010!). There’s also the acoustic driven duo of Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore, featuring Ben on cello and vocals and Daniel on guitar and vocals. “Sollee’s deft stringwork adds an uncommon dimension to his songs about life and love.” (Paste Magazine). And Nick & Helen and the eTones add their tasty musical and vocal layers to the duo’s sound on a cut or two as well. The E-Chievement Award goes to a New York State woman who founded an effective grassroots volunteer effort to help those in need in her community. Tune in!
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals / Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
eTown treats you to an eclectic and exciting musical journey this week. Hosts Nick & Helen Forster welcome for their first visit, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. Grace and her band are emerging as one of the nation’s foremost rock bands with a rabid fan following. (Rolling Stone named them one of the Best New Bands of 2010!). There’s also the acoustic driven duo of Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore, featuring Ben on cello and vocals and Daniel on guitar and vocals. “Sollee’s deft stringwork adds an uncommon dimension to his songs about life and love.” (Paste Magazine). And Nick & Helen and the eTones add their tasty musical and vocal layers to the duo’s sound on a cut or two as well. The E-Chievement Award goes to a New York State woman who founded an effective grassroots volunteer effort to help those in need in her community. Tune in!
Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet / Vusi Mahlasela
In this encore eTown broadcast, banjo player and singer-songwriter Abigail Washburn visits eTown with her spectacular ensemble, The Sparrow Quartet, featuring Béla Fleck (banjo), Casey Driessen (fiddle) and Ben Sollee (cello). Plus, poetic lyricist and powerful vocalist Vusi Mahlasela, known as “The Voice” in his home country of South Africa, makes his eTown debut. Nick & Helen Forster and the eTones layer in some lovely harmonies and instrumental support for him. And, there’s a motivated E-Chievement Award winner from the Florida Keys who shares his heartwarming story. eTown brings you one of the finest hours in radio filled with fantastic music and inspiring conversation.
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