Syracuse University's Dean Speaks Interviews Patrick Ahearn FAIA
Dean Michael Speaks of Syracuse University's School of Architecture interviews graduate Patrick Ahearn FAIA, one of America’s top classical architects and author of Timeless: Classic American Architecture for Contemporary Living.
Patrick began his career with ambitious adaptive-reuse public projects, and for the past 25 years has focused primarily on historically motivated, site-sensitive private residences in New England. Today, he oversees a firm of 12 designers working in studios in Boston’s Back Bay and in Edgartown, on Martha’s Vineyard.
Listen in as they talk architecture and discuss the value of learning business, law, and real estate development in an architectural education as Patrick provides examples from his 40+ years of experience.
Upstate Rubdown live from City Winery, Boston
Twisted Pine Dreams EP Release [Signature Sounds Recordings, June 8] with Upstate Rubdown
@ City Winery
On June 8, discover Dreams, the new EP from Twisted Pine. Praised by NPR for their “upbeat, poppy vibe; energetic, driving rhythms; virtuosic solos” and “tight harmonies,” the acoustic quartet deftly reimagines seven pop, rock, and disco favorites. Twisted Pine wrote every song on their acclaimed, self-titled 2017 debut album. Now, after their mashup of Vulfpeck and father-of-bluegrass Bill Monroe went viral, they’ve turned to Sam Kassirer of Great North Sound Society (Lake Street Dive, Josh Ritter, Elephant Revival) to record inspired interpretations of Blondie, The Beatles, The Cranberries, and others.
The Cranberries’ late Dolores O’Riordan was a major influence on bandmates Kathleen Parks (fiddle) and Rachel Sumner (guitar), who weave a sweet and spooky harmony on O’Riordan’s 1993 hit “Dreams.” Sumner revs things up with Joni Mitchell’s “Raised on Robbery,” an unforgettable cruiser sped along by the airtight rhythm section of Dan Bui (mandolin) and Chris Sartori (bass). The two singers blend cool seduction and high wattage on Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” and Scissor Sisters’ “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” which, in spite of its name, makes you feel like doing nothing else.
Instrumentally, the group shines on “Funky Kentucky,” a surprising, swinging reinvention of Monroe’s “Kentucky Waltz.” Parks doesn’t so much bend the lyrics as sculpt them, while she, Bui, and Sartori dig deep into the groove bag for a dexterous and soulful string interlude. Vulfpeck’s “El Chepe” and an elegantly far-out “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” complete the fun and free-spirited offering.
Though steeped in traditional music, these musicians are also fearless, tuneful improvisers and passionate lovers of pop. Each member impresses on their own, but the ensemble playing and arrangements, incorporating tasteful hints of percussion and keyboards, create a sound that is more than the sum of its parts. Even when Twisted Pine plays the music of legends, what you hear most of all is their singular voice.
Dreams is a proud production of Signature Sounds Recordings. Be sure to see Twisted Pine on tour throughout the spring and summer of 2018, bringing what one critic has called a “charming as hell” live show to stages from Maine to Texas.
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Upstate Rubdown is an acoustic septet drawing inspiration from every corner (and decade) of America's musical heritage. Based in New York's Hudson Valley region, the band has spent years cultivating its sound, and continues to grow by the tune. The instrumentation includes Harry D'Agostino on upright bass, Ryan Chappell on mandolin, Dean Mahoney on cajón, and Christian Joao on flute and alto/baritone saxophone. The dynamic rhythm section supports a three part vocal harmony powerhouse of founding members Mary Kenney and Melanie Glenn with recent Nashville-transplant Allison Olender.
Over its six year history, the band has played in more than thirty states, from intimate house concerts to prominent festival stages, including Mountain Jam, Frendly Gathering, Green River Festival, and Otis Mountain Get Down. The band has shared the stage with Cory Henry, Phox, Marco Benevento, The Felice Brothers, Commander Cody, Marcus King Band, and many others.
Otis Mountain Get Down captures the heart of the matter:
Pulling from the greatest corners of American music, this group has the power to get feet moving with or without amplification. Like fresh-farmed vegetables, their music is as organic as it is good for you. From foot-stomping bass, highlighted by the slap of a cajon, to the familiar strums of the mandolin over a wailing saxophone – there’s so much going on instrumentally that when the harmonious lead vocalists chime in, the result is nothing short of a homegrown hurricane of sound.
More Info: twistedpineband.com