5 new releases from Maine musicians worth a listen
Cover art of the album “The Art of Getting By” by Xander Nelson. (Design by Josey Cary, photo by Liv Ivy)
Maine-based musicians have been very busy these last few months, and I’m excited to share that there is a bunch of new music you should know about.
Here are five acts that I’m shining a light on. Be sure to follow them so that you know when they’re playing live.
Name of release: “The Art of Getting By” (album)
Notes: Xander Nelson’s debut full-length album is a power pop gem. He spent four years working on it, and the efforts have paid off. Eleven tracks take listeners on a satisfying ride through upbeat rock landscapes with songs like “Hear Me Out,” “What Are You Waiting For” and the sensational title track. Nelson also shows a tender side on “Walk With Me” and “Calling Your Name.” In an artist statement, Nelson said the album is about the roller coaster of ups and downs he’s experienced over the last few years. “In that time, I played the biggest shows of my life so far, and faced a deep depression and existential crisis,” he wrote.
Cover of the album “Vegas” by Dead Gowns. (Photo by Emilie Silvestri)
Release: “Vegas” (album)
Notes: The heart and soul of Dead Gowns is singer-songwriter Geneviève Beaudoin. The exquisite album “Vegas” was released on Friday, a follow-up to last year’s debut “It’s Summer, I Love You, and I’m Surrounded by Snow.” On “Vegas,” Beaudoin continues on her path of crafting songs that are quietly lush, including “Everything You Wanted” and “Salt Destroyer,” while also creating fully-formed and complex offerings like the track “No Longer Contacted.” The band just launched a string of tour dates that end at Oxbow Brewing Company in Portland on Nov. 21. Dead Gowns has been releasing music since 2018, and there’s never been a misstep. Once you’ve come up for air from “Vegas,” be sure to work your way backwards all the way to the “New Spine” EP.
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Cover art for Lynda Mandolyn’s song “Let’s Hear It for the Monster Squad.” (Photo by Serge Vladimiroff)
Name of release: “Let’s Hear it for the Monster Squad” (single)
Notes: Lynda Mandolyn’s favorite holiday is Halloween, and her throwback tune “Let’s Hear It for the Monster Squad” name-drops Dracula, Frankenstein and Wolfman, among other creepy creatures. “Here they come in the night, here they come to take your life,” Mandolyn sings in a catchy, jangly tune that sounds like a time machine to the psychedelic ’60s. Mandolyn consistently releases fantastic music, as evidenced in songs like “Silver Day,” and her dreamy cover of early ’60s hit “I Love How You Love Me.”
Release: “The End” (single)
Notes: Lest anyone think I don’t appreciate a full-blown rock song, I give you “The End,” the new single from indie rock act Grand Hotel. The track is on the album “Red Flags,” which you can buy on vinyl, and is the only album song available on streaming. Head to grandhotel.bandcamp.com where you can purchase a download of “The End” and order the vinyl of the album. “The End” was produced and engineered by James Bridges (Fall Out Boy, Mike Gordan) and Chris McLaughlin (Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye West). Grand Hotel is Kyle Gervais (guitar and lead vocals), Glen Capen (guitar), Jason Elvin (bass) and Aaron LaChance (drums). The song is a propulsive and enthralling tune that does drop some profanity. Grand Hotel formed in 2008, released three albums in rapid succession, then went on hiatus. Occasionally they re-form. This is one of those times.
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JEFF BADGER
Release: “Dig ‘Em Up” (single)
Notes: Singer-songwriter Jeff Badger is gearing up to release his next album, and its second single “Dig ‘Em Up” is a jaunty, piano-driven tune with a playful bounce and offbeat rhythm. Badger said it’s about digging up old ideas. “All your dead ideas are never really dead. They’re in a shallow grave out back behind the shed. So get yourself a shovel, get yourself a pick. Put your back into it now, it’s time to dig,” sings Badger. Badger initially won me over six years ago with “No Corona,” a hopeful song released in April 2020.
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Aimsel Ponti is a music writer and content producer for the Portland Press Herald. She has been obsessed with – and inspired by – music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town. More by Aimsel Ponti
