Everyone needs a biggest fan. And in Vermont, the giddy teenager in the front row is Big Heavy World, which has been archiving and promoting local music since 1996. In addition to releasing annual-ish compilations of Vermont-made music, the nonprofit organizes concerts, programs and satellite projects with related groups such as the Radiator and the Vermont Music Library. In short, Big Heavy World acts as an advocate, educator, archivist, promoter and — not to get all sappy on you — friend.   

SEVEN DAYS: Using musicians from any era of local music, create the ultimate Vermont supergroup.

JIM LOCKRIDGE,DIRECTOR: Here’s my ambient post-avant-surf-jazz supergroup: drums: Troy Pudvah; guitar: Bill Mullins; bass guitar: Aram Bedrosian; clarinet: Richard Haupt; tambourine: Chris Stecher (Tads) and Eugene Nikolaev; vocals: Gabrielle Douglas, Maryse Smith and Bernie Sanders; backing vocals: Nate Meunier (Crackwhore) and Tim Lauben (My Own Sweet, etc.).

—Dan Bolles