While there are no proven theories on the subject, someone should point out the unusual coincidence between the now-famous (and oft-referenced) Pitchfork.com column touting Portsmouth’s indie music scene and the sudden flight of three of the area’s most venerable figures (two of whom were mentioned in the article). First, it was The Hotel Alexis’ Sidney Alexis who, with little warning, skipped town earlier this summer for an undisclosed Western locale. Then, a month or so later, it was The Guts’ Nate Doyle who up and left, also for the sunnier skies and warmer winters of California. Last week Unbunny’s Jarid del Deo, after coming back to Portsmouth a year and a half ago, turned tail, once again, for Seattle.

That said, there are signs this freak trend is already on the wane—last week, while del Deo was packing his trunk, Nate Doyle magically reappeared, back into town to stay, so I’m told.
The first week of August marks the one-year anniversary of The Stone Church music club in Newmarket. You may remember last year, when the club celebrated its grand reopening by hosting an open jam session for area musicians—a move that was, in hindsight, not only a nostalgic nod to the hall’s past but an auspicious sacrifice to the gods of Zion Hill. A year later, and the management has decided the party will last all week (Aug. 1-7) with special performances including, on Sunday evening, a reprise of last year’s boisterous open jam (which this year, taking advantage of the club’s new deck, will be preceded by an outdoor barbecue). 

Earlier this week Dreadnaught bassist and Red Fez Records maestro Bob Lord caught us up on the various and sundry projects keeping him busy. For one, Dreadnaught recently scored itself some serious radio airplay when the band was asked to be house band for Writers on a New England Stage, the upcoming series presented by New Hampshire Public Radio and The Music Hall in Portsmouth. The programs, to be held at The Music Hall, will be based on the format of traditional radio shows—with a host, guest and live audience—and rebroadcast on public radio stations throughout New England. According to Lord, “NHPR and The Music Hall have something special on their hands… it isn’t often that an audience gets the opportunity to see and hear prominent writers in a live setting.” Lord says Dreadnaught is composing new material for the shows and will be performing original arrangements of traditional songs. “We’re going to pull out all the stops and will have an array of guest musicians performing with us.” The series debuts on Dec. 10 with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author, Doris Kearns Goodwin. On a different front, Lord continues to make headway for both himself and Red Fez artists in the area of film—he’s got scoring projects coming in from around the country and has recently placed songs by Analog Method, Duncan Watt and Tess Walsh, among others. You can find details about all of Lord’s projects at www.boblordmusic.com, or talk to Bob yourself on Friday night when Dreadnaught plays the Muddy River.

Regional retail chain Bull Moose Music is looking for walkers. The company recently announced that it will contribute up to $30,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s annual walk, scheduled for Sept. 18. The generous contribution, however, is contingent on the number of walk participants—Bull Moose will donate $25 for each walker who registers for the walk online by July 31. For more information or to register, visit www.jdrf.org.

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