The Cut Live Podcast

Boston Filmmaker Vinnie Straggas recently screened his film here at The Cut about the the 1970s and 1980s Boston music scene, “Life on The Other Planet.” After the screening, Vinnie joined in a Q and A with musicians Brad Halen and Steve Cataldo of the Nervous Eaters, along with Willie Alexander, Fred Pineau and Thomas Hauck—All live on stage at The Cut.

Sean Kelly tells us about going from high school drop out to playing at the White House. He talks about being controlled by a big label vs. the freedom of being an independent artist, his ten-minute songwriting technique, and The Samples touring as the headliners with the Dave Mathews Band as their opening act.   MUSIC: Feel UsShaking Little Silver Ring Could It Be Another Change

Life On the Other Planet is a film by director Vinnie Straggas about the Boston music club scene of the late 70s and 80s, and it's going to be screened on Sunday April 26th at The Cut in Gloucester, following a live performance by the Nervous Eaters, and then followed by a live Q&A with Straggas, Willie Alexander, members of the Nervous Eaters and others. In this preview episode, Vinnie talks about making the movie and what the music and the musicians mean to him, and this historic period in Boston.  MUSIC: At The Rat--Willie Alexander and the Boom Boom Band When Things Go Wrong--Robin Lane and the Chartbusters American Fun--The Stompers Lonely Hearts--The Atlantics Ocean in Motion--Jon Butcher

Ryan Montbleau is one of the most original singer/songwriters to come out of the North Shore, and his twenty-year career is a portrait in changing tastes, interests--and his voice. In this episode, Ryan talks about building a band, his songwriting process, and how nothing beats playing live.

This episode spotlights one of the most creative musical minds in the music business--Dave Gutter is the founding frontman of Rustic Overtones. Since the Nineties these folks have been pushing the envelope of musical styles and some famous collaborators. We talk about getting started in Portland Maine, vocal chord injuries, flying high  with some music deals and embracing the DIY environment that is today's music industry. MUSIC: Girl Germs Sector David Bowie Gas On Skin

Starting as a bluegrass band from Maine, 10-OC members Will and Reid Nichols learned guitar sitting around the campfire with their dad. In this episode they go on to tell about the lessons they learned from working and recording in Nashville, and how the band earned its name. MUSIC: Forever Bound Peace of My Hometown Hurtin on Whiskey

Danielle Miraglia is one prolific songwriter--she's been writing for most of her life. But she's also a fingerpicking, blues singing star, and she has been performing around Boston and her native North Shore long enough to have a big loyal following. In this episode she talks about her writing, why trying to duplicate a favorite performers style is not the point, and her favorite venues to play at. Besides, of course, The Cut... MUSiC: Turtle Blues Monster All My Heroes Are Ghosts

One of current rock's unheralded acts, The Cold Stares brought a high-powered performance to The Cut. We talked with Chris and Brian about starting out as a guitar and bass duo, their surprise win at a talent show, bringing Bryce on as their bass player, their blues roots, and their coming up around the world tour. Catch these guys live if you ever get the chance!  MUSIC: Election Blues The Night Time Nowhere to Go

The Irish band Altan has been bringing the music of Donegal to these shores for over 40 years, and the changing lineup of musicians always keep their shows fresh. We talked with founder, singer and fiddle player Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh about her growing up in a musical family. She speaks about Altan's mission to bring a fresh take on traditional Irish music to world audiences, and how some at the time tried to discourage the band from singing in Gaelic. And what is the Greek bouzouki doing being played in an Irish band? MUSIC: Altan "Liostáil mé le Sáirsint (song)" The Yellow Tinker Port Árainn Mhór/Port Kitty Rua Mooney (Jigs) Faoiseamh a Gheobhadsa (Song)  

Quinn Sullivan's first visit to The Cut sent a packed house the high energy tunes he's been writing and playing since a very early age. We asked him about playing on stage with blues legend Buddy Guy when Quinn was 8 years old; touring with Buddy for the next 10 years; and  finding his songwriting voice by trying new creative techniques and collaborations. Oh, and the time BB King gave Lucile over to Quinn to play! MUSIC: In a World Without You Wide Awake Salvation Dust to Dust

In this episode we're talking with Tantric frontman Hugo Ferreira about founding the hugely popular grunge band in Louisville, his musical family, his fondness for Frank Sinatra, the power of yesteryear's recording industry, and putting together his first new album in over  decade.

Luciano Messenjah captures the roots reggae vibe in his Conscious Reggae Music. Here he tells us about learning guitar on one his father made for him, working to get a break in the Jamaican music industry, his early experiences with record producers, and his philosophy that music is not a competition.   MUSIC: Stay Away Messenger Sweep Over My Soul

Steve Sweeney has a new film that will be screening here at The Cut on January 16th. It's about his childhood growing up in Charlestown, and in this episode he talks about his voyage from there to his life now.

Johnny A has been establishing himself as one of the North Shore's outstanding guitar virtuosos, and his Jeff Beck tribute project, Beck-Ola, has been leaving crowds in heartfelt standing ovations. In this episode he talks about his beginnings, some of the stars he's played with, his recording technique, and his dedication to the art of groundbreaking rock musicianship.   MUSIC:  Ghost Morning Dew You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away

Performing since he was in his mid-teens, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Zane Christopher has his musical roots in Americana, The Beatles,  and classic rock. Along with his lead guitarist Nick Fawza, Zane talks about his recording process, the many hats musicians have to wear today to get heard, and how coming back to The Cut rates out of all the music venues in New England. MUSIC: Road Song Young Gaslight

Founder and ex-Outlaw guitarist/vocalist Chris Anderson leads his new band Once an Outlaw and talks to us about his roots in the blues, playing with Stevie Ray Vaughn's Double Trouble as his backup band, rumors of the death of rock, AI in music today and the importance of the human element in all art, and songwriting vs. performing. MUSIC: Old Friend Born to Be Bad Once an Outlaw (The Outlaws)

Danielia talks about growing up in New Jersey in a "Small White Town," retreating into a room with a guitar as a child to teach herself how to play, the trap of social media for young people , country music's first black superstar, and advice she's received from the musicians she's shared a stage with. MUSIC:  It's Only Life Good Day So Afraid of Losing You

Talking with Mike Francis, lead vocal and guitar for Soul Rebel Project. Mike remembers some of the reggae legends SRP has shared the stage with, why reggae became his chosen path, the music industry's cycles and business advice for musicians. YOU CAN HELP: The island of Jamaica is reeling from the devastating damage caused by hurricane Melissa. There are several relief agencies actively helping Jamaicans, one of them is  The American Friends of Jamaica based in NYC (theaft.org) With US international relief funds at an all-time low, the help is needed urgently. MUSIC: Spark Pure Love Mellow Down

Austin guitarist/songwriter Jackie Venson tells us about: surviving the pandemic just as her promotional tour was supposed to start, reveals her songwriting process, why she switched from classical piano to blues guitar, and why she doesn't tour in the winter. MUSIC: Keep On Rollin on Destruct

Growing up in a blues-heavy neighborhood in Chicago, Toronzo Cannon started out playing reggae ("Jamaican Blues" he calls it,) but quickly moved into the inspirational music of his local blues heroes. His song writing topics are drawn from street life and his time driving a city bus, always putting the emphasis on the story and the lyrics and the true roots of the original "message music," the blues. MUSIC: Can’t Fix the World The Preacher the Politician or The Pimp Shut Up and Play!

Black Uhuru founder Duckie Simpson has been in the pantheon of Reggae royalty since the 1970s, and he has seen a lot of life's joys and challenges. In this episode we hear about being brought up by Rastafarians as a child, finding his way in music, the brutal realities of the recording industry, and his positive way of seeing the future. MUSIC: Sinsemilla What Is Life New Day

Connecticut jam-rock band Residual Groove has the improvisational and technical chops to make each of their performances a musical journey. We sat down with drummer Adam Fink and keyboardist Kiran Edwards to find out what goes into their unique musical expeditions, and what drives them to keep creating.

Six-piece funk and soul band The Far Out have been playing together since they were kids growing up in Ipswich, Massachusetts. With influences as wide-ranging as Jimi Hendrix, Maceo Parker and Miles Davis, they put on a show that has become a favorite of audiences at The Cut. MUSIC: Packed to Go Laurel Funkadelic Gas

We're talking with 18-year old country rock phenom Gavin Marengi about his high school playing his first hit song at his hockey team's victories, learning music from his father (now his band's lead guitarist,) his approach to song writing, and the thrill of being on stage. MUSIC: Restless Legs Southbound Back to Boston 

We're talking with James Austin Johnson about his rough start in comedy in middle school, breaking into Saturday Night Live, developing his Donald Trump impression and wrestling with what it does to people.

Duane Betts, son of Allan Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts, has created his own stellar career as a writer/musician. In this episode he talks about growing up in a musical family, switching from playing drums to guitar, playing with G. Love and Devon Allman, and his creative process. MUSIC: Stare at the Sun Sacred Ground Circle in the Stars 

The newly formed Cape Ann Guitar Society presents Fabiola Mendez at The Cut. She's a musician, composer, educator and documentary film producer. As a child, she started playing the cuatro, a ten-stringed instrument beloved in her native Puerto Rico. As her talents have continued to grow, she has toured and collaborated widely and is in demand for her interpretations of folk music, jazz and pop. MUSIC: Cielo Campesino Seis Chorreao Doña Santos

Robert Ellis Orrall first gained audiences' attention as part of Boston’s New Wave of musicians in the early 1980s. He and his band have toured to worldwide fame ever since. We talk about the Boston New Wave era, how fast musical success can be, Robert's songwriting process, working in Nashville, and some of Roberts biggest hits. MUSIC: Glad All Over Ultimate I Couldn't Say No

In this episode we're talking with Florida bluesman Albert Castiglia about discovering the blues thanks to British artists, sleeping in Jimi Hendrix's bedroom, keeping healthy, and the importance of live music.   MUSIC: Help Yourself (feat. Mike Zito) Cadillac Assembly Line Bad Year Blues

Coming on the Boston music scene in the late 1980s, the Heavy Metal Horns have re-interpreted many musical styles with a powerful new horn-centric sound. They've put out several albums and this time they've come to The Cut to drop their new album, "Heavy Metal Horns--Live From The Cut." We go back to their Boston club beginnings at Ryles, Bunratty's and times at Berklee College of Music.   MUSIC: Everybody Fall Back Pepper Pot Horns In The House

This episode we’re talking with turntablist DJ Logic and guitarist/vocalist/songwriter G. Love.  DJ Logic has been wowing audiences with his skills using vinyl on turntables as an instrument performing with live musicians. G. Love has attracted many, many fans of his unique style of blues and rap. Together they talk about the records they hunted down when they got started, their shared interest in discovering something new, and G. Love talks about his latest album he cut with Mississippi bluesman R.L. Boyce.  

This episode we’re talking with Roger Lewis, saxophonist and founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.  Since their forming 45 years ago, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has redefined brass band music with what they describe as a musical gumbo that has carried them across five continents and over thirty countries. Roger talks about the roots of New Orleans Jazz, how modern jazz influenced their sound, and the freedom the band has to play the music they love. MUSIC THIS EPISODE: Lil' Lisa Jane My Feet Can't Fail Me Now Do It Fluid Caravan

Donna the Buffalo--a mondegreen (mis-hearing) that stuck--came out of New York state's Finger Lakes Americana scene I'm 1989 with a blend of roots music, zydeco, folk and reggae. Since then they have been performing almost 50% of each year, with an enthusiastic community of followers called The Herd. In this episode we talk with vocalist and fiddle player Tara Nevins and guitarist Jeb Puryear about the origins of their band, their songwriting, and their unique material.   MUSIC: Dance in the Street Working On That I Love My Tribe

This episode we talk with vocalist DD Bastos, guitarist Chris Vachon, and saxophonist Rich Lataille of Roomful of Blues. The band has been around for 55+ years, Rich and Chris have been with them for 30+ years, but DD is their newest member. They talk about how they got into the music business, what formed the band's sound, how they embrace the wide range of blues, who has inspired them and their incredible variety of material. Music on this episode: I Get Evil Zydeco Boogaloo Last Train From Overbrook

This episode of Artist Spotlight at The Cut we’re talking with George and Charles Clements, twins and co-founders of The Clements Brothers. These Cape Ann natives first appeared together in 2012 and have been touring and recording their own brand of grass-roots music ever since. Tonight, they’re back, appearing once again here at The Cut. Music from the Clements Brothers this episode: Out of the Blue Morning Train Dandelion Breeze

Boston-based blues warriors GA-20 resurrect the raw energy of the Chicago blues--inspired by Otis Rush, J.B. Lenoir, Howlin’ Wolf, Junior Wells, Hound Dog Taylor, Earl Hooker, Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson and so many others, guitarist Matt Stubbs, guitar/vocalist Cody Nilsen and drummer Josh Kiggans bring a mix of classic blues along with fresh originals to the stage at The Cut in Gloucester. MUSIC: Chicken Picking Stranger Blues

The eclectic Martha's Vineyard-based six piece Entrain has been thrilling critics and fans alike since its inception. Formed and led by drummer Tom Major in 1993 while on hiatus from touring with rock legend Bo Diddley, Entrain has been blessed with a list of top tier musicians over the years. Tom takes the stage with lead singer/guitar wiz Brian Alex. Often joining them is bassist M'Talewa, saxophonist/percussionist Hilary Noble, saxophonist/accordion Klem Klemik, trombone/keys Lennie Peterson, and percussionist Eggiest Castrillo. Their collective resume includes stints with such diverse players as Bo Diddley, Carly Simon, Chuck Berry, Southside Johnny, James Mongomery, Gary Burton, and Blood, Sweat, and Tears.  In this episode: Tom and Alex talk about what inspires them, how they write their songs, and the challenges of recording an album on a porch on Martha's Vineyard

On this first episode of Artist Spotlight at The Cut, we’re talking with Johnny Trama and Tim Gearan, guitarists/songwriters for Reckoners. The Boston-based band delivers its own brand of R&B, Soul, Funk and good old rock and they performed here at The Cut tonight. MUSIC: Gone Hungry Looking for a Reason

There’s a new sound coming from a new Gloucester landmark—It’s The Cut at 177 Main Street, the North Shore’s premiere destination for live entertainment. Hi, I’m Ted Reed, and we’ve just launched our new podcast, Artist Spotlight at The Cut. We’ll be bringing you show-night interviews with the headliners coming to the Cut so you can get an up close, backstage seat to the entertainers who are making waves in America’s Oldest Seaport. Stay Tuned!