Classical music isn’t the typical fare at Montpelier’s Positive Pie 2, but this Friday the venue presents an intimate recital with Nathan Granner & Beau Bledsoe. The musicians, on voice and guitar, perform songs from the classical canon, as well as reconfigured American spirituals and traditional Flamenco music.

The two are among a growing list of classically trained players bringing non-pop music to unconventional venues. For another example of this phenomenon, see the spotlight on Matt Haimovitz (with whom Granner has collaborated) on page 09B.... Read more

Winooski's Monkey House gets its activism on this Thursday with a benefit for the Vermont Workers' Center featuring "peace poet" and singer-songwriter David Rovics. Also appearing are Sweet Justice & the Wildcat Strikers, a band featuring members of the VWC.... Read more

Big news for rock fans this week, as “alternative” legends Sonic Youth are finally making their way to Vermont. They’ll be playing the Higher Ground Ballroom on Sunday, February 18, with bi-coastal drifters Wooden Wand.... Read more

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Vermont jazz legend James Harvey. Seems he’s taken a break from composing and performing, having burned out on gigs in noisy bars. Can’t say I blame the guy; playing high-wire improv for the inebriated or uncaring can take its toll on the musical soul. “It’s not so much how I feel about music,” he recently told me. “It’s just what I feel about how music fits into the culture. I’m just not comfortable with it anymore. But I wouldn’t feel any better if I was a painter.”... Read more

Bassist, bandleader and ex-Burlingtonian Rob Duguay has had his share of adventure — musically and otherwise — since splitting the Queen City a couple of years ago. Following his graduation from UVM, Duguay headed to New Orleans, where he immersed himself in the Big Easy music scene. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina soon sent him packing. Only he didn’t have time to pack much: Duguay was forced to abandon his instrument and all of his written compositions in the dash to avoid disaster.... Read more

Performances by instrumental rock trio Charles, Dead or Alive? are pretty rare these days. Drummer Joe Slaby spends much of the year on the road as a drum tech to the stars, while guitarist Nate Plasha and bassist Gahlord Dewald keep busy with other endeavors. Plasha has lately been performing with the band HellerHighWater; Dewald is the musical director for Viva Voce, the folks behind the Faust Puppet Opera.... Read more