The Lowell Spin

11/19/2020

Flashback: The Quaker Cannons - Lowell Spin

It's Throwback Thursday so we are throwing it way back to the 90s telling the story of a local band with a familiar face many of us know well.

Harmony and Melody are the first words to come to mind when you are talking about the Quaker Cannons. There were two singers but there were three distinctive voices in the band. When Heather and Michael harmonized, their voices melted into one becoming an entirely new voice which was captivating to....

11/18/2020

A Holiday Challenge Fundraiser for the LTLC, organized by Lowell Spin

Here's a casual reminder you can donate to get band's free studio time + more! If you're an artist or band, you can promote this to have people donate in your name to win as well! We still have a couple weeks left and may even extend the deadline if more bands want to compete.

Right now we have donations in for Bullpup Band, Hyber, and The Secretariat. Will you be next?

Be sure to read the directions very carefully, GFM makes commenting not so easy. If you donate and have trouble commenting, just shoot us an email who the donation was in the name of [email protected]

Important Note: **The very last step of the donating process after you pay you… Lowell Spin needs your support for A Holiday Challenge Fundraiser for the LTLC

11/17/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's topic: Which instrument do you wish you could play well?

11/16/2020

Fall 2020 Playlist - Lowell Spin

Our Fall Playlist is here featuring: SoloArtist, Chi Tashi & Chuck Kennedy, Phil Cambra & the Space Cadets, RoseR, Senseless Optimism, Jasper Cystal Wizard & Na. Wrong, Timi O w/ l.ucas & Meltycanon, Wax On, Circus Trees, and Fomosurfer!

Here’s our writers’ local recommendations for the fall season! This season features: SoloArtist, Chi Tashi, Phil Cambra & the Space Cadets, Roser, Senseless Optimism, Jasper Crystal Wizard & Na.Wrong, Timi O w/ l.ucas & Meltycanon, Wax On, Circus Trees, and Fomosufer. 

11/13/2020

Review: KNOCK OVER CITY - FOGERTY - Lowell Spin

Was Knock Over City crazy enough to put out a release with 7 different versions of the same song? Yes. We were crazy enough to cover it? Yes.

The specific sound of Lowell, MA garage-punk heroes Knock Over City was once described to me by a friend as “The Jesus Lizard with a touch of joy”. I’m inclined to think it’s a bit more complex than that, but further unpacking and examination of that description left me thinking my friend mi...

11/10/2020

It’s TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today’s topic: Our LTLC Fundraiser!...who would you like to see win the recording/mixing/photography prize package?

11/09/2020

5 QUESTIONS FOR: Samantha Hartsel of Tysk Tysk Task

Samantha of Tysk Tysk Task was given the task to answer 5 Questions.

A mainstay of local music radio programming, and a regular of Somerville’s ONCE Ballroom even post-quarantine, Tysk Tysk Task are one of the Lowell scene’s great recent success stories on a local level. Their’s is a sound that combines the classically crunchy fuzz guitar of indie rock acts of ...

11/06/2020

A Holiday Challenge Fundraiser for the LTLC

Everyone is waiting for the election results. We completely understand that. But some people are waiting for a winter coat or their next meal. You don't have to wait for an election result to help your community. We have a great prize to give away easily worth a few hundred dollars to any given band or artist who takes up this challenge. Whether it's today, this weekend, next week, or in the coming weeks, we hope you'll take this on.

Like everyone else, we’ve had to adapt our plans due to the current world situation. We had originally planned to do an on-street food drive collection and fundraiser for the Merrimack Valley Food Bank featuring live music on the street. We had also planned on doing our 3rd Annual Holiday Party Fu...

11/03/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's Topic: Voting. GO VOTE.

11/02/2020

A Holiday Challenge Fundraiser for the LTLC

With so much happening lately, it's easy to forget those who are often the most vulnerable in a community. That's why we're excited to announce a new fundraiser for Lowell Transitional Living Center, Inc.

If you're a musician and/or in a band, you're really going to want to pay attention to this because we put together a pretty sweet PRIZE we think you're going to love.

Huge should out to Wonka Sound Recording Studio, Quiethouse Recording, and Petra Dollet Photography for your generous donations.

Now let's raise some money.

Like everyone else, we’ve had to adapt our plans due to the current world situation. We had originally planned to do an on-street food drive collection and fundraiser for the Merrimack Valley Food Bank featuring live music on the street. We had also planned on doing our 3rd Annual Holiday Party Fu...

10/30/2020

Vote - Boston Music Awards

Last reminder that we're nominated for this year's Boston Music Awards for Music Publication of the Year. Additionally, one of our main writers, Lillian "Lilz" Martin, is also up for a nomination for Music Journalist of the Year. Lastly, there's a TON of bands & artists from the area nominated.

Go vote! (and of course, vote on Election Day November 3rd)

The Boston Music Awards 2020 is now open to the public vote. Winners will be announced December 11th.

10/29/2020

PHOTO OF THE MONTH – OCTOBER 2020

October 📸

Our October Photo of the Month features a self-portrait taken by Jon Maciel. “Rediscovering the joy of playing and dusting off the camera and strobe setup.” If you have a photo you’d like us to feature, send us your best to [email protected] or tag us #lowellspin

10/27/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's topic: Hypothetical Halloween Show! Tag a local band and the artist they should cover!

10/26/2020

Review: StrangeColorSky - "Glass"

StrangeColorSky has a new single making the charts and winning hearts.

Light and airy guitars aren’t enough sometimes, and the same can be said about those of the heavier variety. “Glass,” by StrangeColorSky is an exciting new single, the second released by them this year, that fits the rare sweet spot in between. With its honest lyrics, fantastic instrumental ba...

10/23/2020

5 QUESTIONS FOR: Curtis Ambe of SoloArtist

Get to know the man behind the mic of SoloArtist

The Lowell music scene is a hotbed for musical talent from a wide variety of genres and subgenres, with rap and hip-hop being no exception. Nestled within its lofty mills lie a wide swath of different sounds ranging from the timeless old school of D-Tension to the noise experimentations of Kofi The....

10/21/2020

Review: Fatigue - Illusory Things

"... suffice it to say that my first experience with “Illusory Things” by Lowell-based synth master Fatigue, in a dark room with the headphones on, felt less like listening to an album and more like being taken by the GRU to some defunct Soviet-era industrial zone and introduced to an underground music scene filled with seedy characters and lots of repurposed military equipment."

I’m going to level with you here. This review is a complete re-write; my first go-around was, essentially, what would amount to an attempt to recap an acid trip. Sparing Dear Reader such a tale, suffice it to say that my first experience with “Illusory Things” by Lowell-based synth master Fati...

10/20/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's Topic: What was your most recent gear purchase? (post pics if you've got'em)

10/19/2020

Review: Class President - Ellipses

Since it's election season, we're making an endorsement for Class President.

Drifting, pausing, distance, trailing, gaps, spaces. Class President’s new EP Ellipses captures the restless vibes that many of us feel these days—spaced out from people, places, and ourselves, but, you know, kind of feeling like dancing if the mood strikes. A carefree desperation, if you will. ...

10/16/2020

Review: Threat Level Burundy - Gold

Threat Level Burgundy came out with a new EP which is named very appropriately. 🏅

It’s been said that the best music for the Halloween season is ska… because it’s dead. But that couldn’t be less true with bands like Threat Level Burgundy keeping the ska punk genre alive and picking up. Their latest release, five track EP Gold, with its perfect blend of lively guitar and b...

10/14/2020

Review: Roser - Fools

RoseR came on the Lowell scene like a sudden tidal wave in early 2020 when there were still shows. They've held the #1 song on Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood for the last 5 weeks now? Read our review of their debut EP, Fools.

I’ve personally never been a big fan of the piano outside of jazz and classical contexts. Admittedly it’s a strange opinion to have, but I can count on just my own two hands the number of albums I enjoy that are largely piano-centric. One example I can recall as I type is Elton John’s Tumblewe...

10/13/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's topic: What band or artist are you most looking forward to seeing live in 2021? (Don't forget to tag them!)

10/12/2020

Video Alert: Senseless Optimism - "My Mind"

Senseless Optimism has a new single, a new video, and from what we're told, more coming out very soon.

“My Mind,” off Escapism by Senseless Optimism (Brit Tsewole), is the first song in a while that’s hit me as hard as it has, and it’s a welcome feeling. Accompanied by a great music video, it’s shown me that bedroom pop doesn’t have to be light and airy to be good. Listening to the swelli...

10/10/2020

Don't forget to follow our:
Twitter @LowellSpin
Instagram @theLowellSpin

We also run a FB group called Greater Lowell Music Scene which people can post about local shows, releases, ask questions, etc.

10/09/2020

Review: Black Harvest – Sun Across the Field

We don't always cover local metal, but when we do, it's the best metal. Check out the latest from Black Harvest.

First thing to mention about Black Harvest from Lowell, Mass is that calling this project an “atmospheric black metal” project is such an understatement. Their technical song writing has fantastic elements of atmospheric, progressive, and folk fusion melodies, that giving them a simple genre dev...

10/07/2020

Review: Circus Trees - Delusions

Circus Trees has done a lot in a short time but their latest release and first true full-length debut shows just how strong they've become.

With multiple music videos and singles, an acclaimed EP, and multiple nominations for Boston Music Awards, Five By Two Records’ Circus Trees are one of the more captivating power trios to emerge from the hallowed mills of Lowell. Hailing from Marlborough, sisters Finola, Giuliana and Edmee McCarth...

10/06/2020

It’s TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today’s topic: Jeffrey Borski. Please share your favorite photos, stories, and memories of Jeff.

10/05/2020

Lowell Music Community Mourns a Loss

This is the kind of article we never wanted to have to write. Several us of at the Lowell Spin knew Jeff personally. We're heartbroken.

  It goes without saying that life is a precious gift and we are incredibly grateful to be able to enjoy its beauty everyday. It should also go without saying that a loss of life – a loss of that precious gift – is devastating. It is with a deep sigh and a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of ...

10/02/2020

Mass Mix: Maren Morris, Soccer Mommy, And Other Artists Boston Has On Heavy Rotation

Our contribution to GBH‘s monthly Mass Mix features a new single from Amber Sage.

It's fall in New England - that most wonderful time of the year. With it comes that gorgeous foliage and an opportunity for Mass Mix contributors to ponder what the changing season means to them. Here's what they said.

10/01/2020

Photo of the Month - September 2020

Local rap artist and producer Bersurke has been using his quarantine time to create more music with a recent EP drop, a music video, and more on the horizon.

Our September Photo of the Month taken by Clyde Carmant of C. Visuals, features Bersurke laying down some tracks and rhymes in the booth. Be sure to check out Bersurke’s latest EP Tricks Are for Kids on Spotify or watch his latest video “Peep the Theory” on YouTube. If you have a photo you’d...

09/30/2020

Review: Needle Play - Death by Dying

There's a reason why Needle Play received a Boston Music Awards nomination this year.

No band has made a more striking impression in the music scene than six piece jazz-fusion mathcore band Needle Play. From their debut 19 track album Cruel Spring to their latest release, Death by Dying, Needle Play continues to dazzle everyone who has the pleasure of hearing them. It’s nearly impo...

09/29/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's topic: Now that the Boston Music Awards nominations are out and voting is open, who do you think should win a BMA this year?

09/28/2020

The Town & The City Festival 2020 Update - Whistle While We Wait

With The Town & The City Festival not happening this fall and shows not occurring much in general, what should we be doing in the meantime?

In light of this year’s turbulent sequence of events, The Town & The City Festival reasonably canceled their October dates. Understandably to ensure the safety & livelihood of their community, this difficult decison hasn’t gone unnoticed in the Lowell sphere. Local businesses, both sponsors & ve...

09/25/2020

We are beyond grateful and humbled to be nominated for Music Publication of the Year for this year’s Boston Music Awards. Its been such a crazy year for everyone so this is a very nice gesture. Thank you to everyone who has supported us.

We're also ecstatic to see our own Lilz Martin nominated for Music Journalist of the Year. We would not be the publication we are today without all of her amazing articles and efforts.

Not only that but a lot of the other nominees are quite familiar to us as we've written about many of them. Fellow nominees like Knock Over City, Hyber, Liz Bills , PVRIS, Needle Play, Pillbook PLBK, Circus Trees, Glacier, SkyTigers, Carissa Johnson, Clairo, Marcela Cruz, and Gish all have strong ties to the Greater Lowell area so we're proud that our music scene is very much represented.

Now go vote! https://bostonmusicawards.com/vote/

09/24/2020

Hi everyone,

Although we do our absolutely best to publish 2 - 3 articles every single week (which we've been pretty good at since launch), we're taking this week off from putting out new content for a few reasons both internally and externally. We'll see you next week!

09/22/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's topic: What was the last show you went to? Do you remember?