This is a condensed version of Tim Lewis’ monthly blog, which highlights musical events in the Burlington area.

July 5, 2019

I had a great time seeing music on July 5th at The Garage VT. It was a hot sunny day and I was really excited to check out the Garage as a music venue. I think it started as the Growler Garage and certainly still has a nice list of beer on tap. I got going a little early and took the lovely walk to the corner of Main and Battery. I walked in and ordered a drink and some food from the bar in the back and got settled at a table near the band. I had just enough time to eat before they began.

I’ve enjoyed the music of Milton Busker and the Grim Work for quite a while. They opened the Basement song, which was cool since it had been running through my head all day. The sound was great and the person running it was very attentive, both before they started and during the first few songs. They sang about letting you down and being glad to see you go and imploring don’t let me down. They sang of the Devil’s hand and being a Lost Cause and maybe a jerk’s lament. The band sounded super smooth and Milton’s voice was in great form as they played the heartening Baby Let My Money Keep You Warm. They brought the energy up with Jesus In Chains and kept it going with 16 Ton Soul. I missed what the next song was but it was fast and fun. They kept up full speed for a rousing Eleanor Rigby that had smoke coming off everyone’s fingers. They closed the set with a fun version of Let’s and I was in a happy place.

Rather than doing the sensible thing and staying for the second set, I decided to move on to another show. I regret it in retrospect since I’m sure the second Grim Work set was completely amazing too. I wandered up the hill and over to Light Club Lamp Shop and settled in.

Ryan Power and his super smooth band took the stage and lit into his complex and beautiful music. It was gorgeous and stunningly played, but quite challenging. He used to do a show where he sang over prerecorded songs and this show sounded like that, except it was a band playing it live. They sounded so spot on it almost could have been the recording. I hung out for 6 or 7 songs but the length of the day started to creep in. I ducked out and took the lovely walk home.

Part of me thinks I should have hung out at the fun show and skipped the challenging one, and part of me is happy I pushed myself a little. Either way, it was a great night of music in Burlington.

July 8, 2019

I had a lovely time seeing music at The Farmhouse Tap & Grill on July 8th. I got out of work and headed right downtown. I got in and settled and noticed that Charlie Messing was right next to me. The show had started a while ago and both Matt Saraca and John Townsend were on stage and playing a song about what some of us have and haven’t got. They followed with one about a happy boy. At that point, Matt left the stage and John played a few songs solo. He sang about a light in your eyes and asked: “don’t you feel, don’t you know”. He closed his solo portion of the show with a song about a lot of good wood left to burn. He has a warm voice and nicely plays his acoustic guitar, and maybe Matt’s electric guitar at times. His songs are just lovely. The same can be said of Matt who took the stage solo next. He sang of being one day late and calling off the dogs. He sang a song about the 4th of July and one about pointing myself in the right direction. He closed his set with a lovely song about velvet nights. John returned to the stage and the duo played a cheery song about buying her the best funeral that money can buy. They kept up the sunny vibes with a song about life riddled with regret, and while the lyrics may have been poignant, the music really was relaxed and fun. They played a song about it being time to move on and closed the show with one about being in the back yard hoping summer will never end.

I hung out and chatted for a bit and realized they went on later than expected so I did not miss as much of the show as I thought. It was one of those nights where I almost blew it off since it was a 6-8 show and I worked until 7, but I ended up buzzing straight downtown the moment work ended and was well rewarded. I’m so glad I put in the effort.

July 22, 2019

Big breaking news! Out now, for a limited time only, you can get the brand new K-Tel LP’s with all of your favorite songs. All of these powerhouse performances are from the original artists!

We’ve got classics like Heart Of Gold and You’re Going To Lose That Girl. You will rock out to Space Oddity and travel the Country Roads. Gentle ballads like Norwegian Wood and All Apologies will bring tears to your eyes and Wild Horses will rock you rock you rock you! We’ve got classics like Hey Hey My My, Crazy, and Follow The Sun. We’ve got legendary rock songs like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Waterloo Sunsets, and Nowhere Man. If you need a song to help your sweetie swoon check out Love Me Tender, Surfer Girl and God Only Knows what else. You want Old man, you’ve got it. You want And I Love Her, you’ve got it. We’ve got eternal classics like Blue Bayou and Somewhere Over The Rainbow and you will hear how Only Love Can Break Your Heart. We’ve got sentimental favorites like Between The Bars and I Will Always Love You. Paint It Black will rock you hard!

You can get all of these classic songs for one low low price. Just go to wherever new K-Tel albums are sold. Just tell them that you want the new Farmhouse collection and you’ll be rocking in no time. Don’t be a square, go buy it now now now!

(Please note the following disclaimer. All songs were at one time performed by the original artist. This collection is performed by Johnnie Day Durand, Matt Saraca, and John Townsend, collectively know as Silver Bridget. The best way to actually listen to this recording is to invent a time machine and go back to July 22, 2019, and arrive at The Farmhouse Tap & Grill at 7 pm.)

*The High Breaks (not to be confused with Surf Sabbath)*

July 24, 2019

The cooking demo was cool and fun, but when they tossed it to The High Breaks I was in heaven. They strolled through several super-cool songs about breaking an ankle on a non-dairy biscuit beach while the dark and stormy seas threatened to sweep us away. They introduced the next band as Surf Sabbath, and suddenly we were surfing to War Pigs. They kicked out Tequila, dropped it into a full Miserlou, then tequila’d it out. again. They got meaty for Hot Dog, began another original and dropped it into Wipe Out. They were as brilliant as always.

I headed out and took the lovely walk home. OK, in the middle of Church St I wondered who that accordion busker was, but when I heard the voice, I stopped in my tracks and leaned into the nearest tree. Adrienne Cooper Smith played her heart out and I loved every note that I caught. Life bodes well for her career. All the adults just walked on by. All the kids turned their heads to listen.

I made it all the way to Radio Bean when a lovely sound sucked me in. I was lucky enough to hear 4-5 songs from the amazing Ryan Ober. He was as enchanting as always.

I took the lovely walk home and made it all the way to the Light Club Lamp Shop. I saw that Tom Pearo and his band were on. I settled in and let their lovely sound flow over me. I’d been wanting a good Pearo-ing for a while and this lusciously fit the bill. I hung out until their lovely last note, then really took the lovely walk home and began typing this. How was your day?

Oh, and it was nice to hear Luke Adam play.

Sabrina Comellas opened the show with a mellow electric guitar and a voice that reverberated with power, whether she sang quietly, or really let it loose. She opened with a couple of covers about nights with you and being shaky then played a song about running home, from her album. It was a beautiful set.

Up next, Ivamae played a bunch of stunning new songs. It’s been way too long since I’ve heard her perform and I was hooked from the first note. She played songs about moon shadows and truth for two. She sang of being sober and sleeping in me. There was a song about ego masturbation or ships in the night or something, then she closed with a song about reaping the love that you sow. It’s always a wonderful night when she plays.

*Ivamae (guitar, left), Sabrina Comellas (guitar, right), with Greg (bass) and Seamus (drums)*

Sabrina returned to the stage and brought Greg on bass and Seamus on drums. They rocked out songs about learning how to take loving you, and being the weekend, and not closing your eyes. The band was cool and her voice kept the full room enthralled. They played a song about relapsing then Ivamae joined in on vocals for a song about remembering. Ivamae sang lead on a song about being sober in October then they went into duo mode. Sabrina filled in backing vocals as Ivamae sang a couple of songs about the truth then the real magic happened. They sang a song about only saying goodbye with words and they both let their vocals loose. Their voices intertwined in a captivating way. You could sort of feel the whole night leading up to that point, and it did not disappoint.

They closed the night with a song that began sugary sweet then delved into an onslaught of delightfully bad words, often rhyming with duck. Seriously, it’s one of those songs that will become a legend and everyone will beg to hear whenever they play.

I hung out for a bit, chatted with the band and Luke Adam then took the lovely walk home. Wait, what time is it? How long have I been awake? OK, radio show tomorrow, or later today, if we’re back up and running. Sigh, life.

Text and images courtesy of Tim Lewis.

Tim's Triangle Tribune: July