As I write this column — Monday morning — we stand on the brink of an event that could permanently fracture relations between two significant portions of our local population: fans of the New England Patriots and fans of the New York Giants. For the non-sports fans out there, or anyone who awoke from a coma this week, those two NFL teams will meet this Sunday, February 5, in the Super Bowl. Especially as Vermont is uniquely located both in New England but next to New York, this year’s game is indeed a very big deal around these parts.... Read more

Well, that was just awesome. ... Read more

It’s the middle of January, which in Vermont means three things. One, it’s cold, and will remain so for at least three more months, possibly four. Two, thanks to seasonal affective disorder, half the state’s population is depressed, and maybe contemplating a move to California. But I’d urge folks to put a hold on that U-Haul rental because of our third January thing: the annual Higher Ground Comedy Battle, which takes place this Saturday, January 21, at the Higher Ground Ballroom. ... Read more

Aaaand we’re back!

Raise your hand if you were irked last Wednesday to go to the newsstand, hot to pick up the latest edition of Seven Days, only to discover there was no new issue. I know! Before entering the employ of Vermont’s Independent Voice, I used to get fooled by that every year. Never failed to ruin my day — a man needs his News Quirks and I-Spy, dammit. Now? I love it, since it means we’re on vacation. Sweet, sweet vacation … where was I? Oh, right. Back from vacation. ... Read more

Ah, New Year’s Eve! Though on the surface, NYE would seem to be a favored holiday of this here party-loving column, I’ve gotta admit, I’ve never been a fan. First of all, NYE is amateur night, as scores of people who only go out once or twice a year get hideously hammered and overcrowd our favorite nightspots. It’s kind of like St. Patrick’s Day, only without the vaguely offensive cultural stereotyping. Second, has there ever been an NYE that’s really lived up to the hype?... Read more

Last week, I wrote about I Make Music, a battle of the bands at Nectar’s and Club Metronome, put together by Broke in Burlington and Thread Magazine. It was a massive, two-floor rock-analia on Wednesday, December 14, featuring more than a dozen acts from all over the genre spectrum. Punk, house, hip-hop, indie rock, singer-songwriter, ’90s funk-metal — you name it. The range and diversity of the local music scene was on full display. ... Read more

As the old song goes, ’tis the season to be jolly. And also to be seasonally depressed, drunk, overextended on your credit limit, gorged on unhealthy food, watching Jimmy Stewart or Bing Crosby flicks, decking out your house with lights like Clark Griswold on an eggnog bender, listening to increasingly obnoxious music — looking at you, Mariah Carey — and donning gay apparel — still looking at you, Mariah Carey. Fa la la la la, la la la la.

It’s Christmas, folks. Can ya feel it? ... Read more

Whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks has come under fire from rankled governments around the globe that have taken exception to the site airing their innermost dirty secrets — or, you know, doing major media journalists’ jobs. So pissed are they, in fact, that a financial blockade has been erected in an attempt to cripple the site — which it has, at least for now. WikiLeaks has suspended its publishing indefinitely, since no one who lives in the current century can send it money.... Read more

A couple of weeks ago, I received a Facebook message from a man named Bryan Hunt. To my knowledge, I have never met Bryan. But it’s not unusual for me to get friend requests and FB messages from total strangers. Musicians and other interested parties frequently contact me that way. Comes with the turf in our brave new e-world, I guess. ... Read more

Well, here we are once more. Another Thanksgiving and another incredibly slow week for local music. Every year, this is one of the most challenging columns to write cuz there’s just not much on the docket. So as has become Soundbites tradition, we’re leading off with a few things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving week. ... Read more