Sometimes, It Takes a Village To Make Music

I used to tell my husband how much I loved the music scene on the East End.  “Is it that different?” he wanted to know.  Joe and I have lived in many areas with high concentrations of musicians and know many wonderful, accessible, successful artists in that field. 

It is different here.  Of course, there’s definitely more money to be had in season.  This is a wealthy area.  And, further, there are gorgeous places to play, on the beach, bay, in vineyards, on cliffs and so on.

Most important--the real difference--is artists’ support for one another. Everyone works like mad during the summer, including the wandering minstrels.  There is competition for the gigs, of course.  Still, most musicians do not bad mouth each other to the venue owners “Don’t book them, they suck.” 

Instead, you’ll see bands lending each other equipment, from strings to public address systems.  They come to each other’s shows and applaud loudly.  Sometimes, audiences are treated to a guest star when an artist shows up and is asked on stage.  And there are regular events that encourage this spirit of sharing.

in Amagansett hosts a wonderful show--Cynthia Daniels’ “On the Air”--where local musicians play live for free in front of a packed audience.  Nancy Atlas created “” where local singer/songwriters collaborate live on each others’ songs.  These are very creative and fun for talent and audience alike. Big favorites, like Gene Casey, and many other favorite local talents, like Klyph Black and Telly have participated in these.

Then there are the special events out here.  The most-publicized recently was the Concert for Mick Hargreaves Recovery, a night in which many many music notables donated their talent to raise money to defray medical costs of a local musician who had been attacked.    Singers and guitarists, etc., were telling each other how great they were all night.  I was lucky enough to sing backgrounds with Joe Delia & Thieves on this and received such heartfelt encouragement by well-established entertainers, that I still feel it.  

Amazing nights like that are created not just by musicians and singers.  It’s the fans of music who create and promote by word of mouth and make it all worth it for everyone.  Peter Honerkamp () and Mike and Christine Clark (Crossroads) and other owners of local establishments make these things happen.  Their generosity of space (an expensive commodity out here) is great.  And there are the movers and shakers, like Laura Perrotti, who was the force of creation, ideas and promotion for the Mick Benefit.  Randy Hudson, always involved in local music happenings, directed music and played all that night. Cynthia Daniels, always on the scene helping things along, performed as Mistress of Ceremonies and recorded the whole night for radio airing later.  Long before the event, local musician, John Hanford (of EastHamptonMusic.com) raised thousands of dollars to defray Mick’s medical costs.

It takes a village to make these things happen.  The musical community of the East End has heart.

This encouragement and cross-pollination is amazing.  It’s rare in most areas.    It's grown in abundance on our bucolic peninsula.  And it’s happening all year.

The mixing happens on recordings too.  Joe Delia & Thieves are recording at MonkMusic Studios in East Hampton.  The amazing Nancy Atlas came by to lend her voice to a couple of the songs.  She asked no questions, made no demands, just came by, shared and sang and blew us away.  (We are playing on Columbus Day weekend at the Talkhouse by the way.)

Right now, Inda Eaton is making the video for her new album.  For footage, she shared the stage at the Talkhouse with many music favorites--Inda’s band, Nancy Atlas (where does Nancy get her energy?), Caroline Doctorow , Lee Lawler , and more.  It was one of those nights to remember and the appreciative audience will probably make the final cut.

Also, “In the Round” is returning for the off season with Inda Eaton, while Nancy Atlas works on bringing another singer into the world.  Joe Delia will host for Inda on Oct. 18. 

Come to these events and see how it takes a village to make some local music and show the love!