The Phoenix Network:
 
 
 
About  |  Advertise

Get

Browse by Tags
All Tags » venue:Middle East (RSS)
Dave Virr

Dave Virr



When it comes to knowing the Boston music scene, no one is as plugged in as Dave Virr, aka Dave Duncan. The Middle East in Cambridge recently announced Dave as their new local booking agent. He also serves as a weekend personality and host of New England Product, Boston’s premiere local music show, which airs on Sunday nights at 11 p.m. on 101.7 WFNX. Plus, Dave is a fellow British band nerd and has a sweet beard, so he’s of course the first person I’ve chosen to feature in Sound. Here are five questions to help you get into Dave’s head.

Local booking agent sure sounds like a fancy title. Explain your new role for the people. The local booking agent is responsible for booking bands based in Boston and around New England, as well as other areas around the Northeast (bands from NYC, Philly, NJ, etc.). I’ll be booking bands both upstairs and downstairs, ranging from big downstairs CD release shows to local openers for touring bands.

What makes the Middle East Boston’s best venue for live music? Plug it. The Middle East is a locally owned, independent venue that supports both local and national up-and-coming acts. They also have Harpoon Munich Dark on tap, a major plus!

What local bands have a legit shot at breaking out of the area in 2009?
This could be the year for a band like Hallelujah the Hills or The Everyday Visuals, both of whom have anticipated new records due out later this year. In terms of newcomers that could make a splash, keep an eye on The New Collisions, Vivian Darkbloom, and Giantess.

What are your favorite albums (local or national) of 2009 so far?
The new Taxpayer record is pretty great, and Morrissey never disappoints. I’m still listening to Throw Me The Statue, Army Navy, and Okkervil River, all of which [had albums that] came out in ’08.

So in what local venues or bars can we have a beer with the Dave Virr?
I love seeing shows at Great Scott, the Paradise, Lizard Lounge. I love grabbing drinks at Deep Ellum, Charlie’s Kitchen, and Lanes & Games.

Hear more of Fletcher’s picks and rants on 101.7 WFNX’s The Sandbox every morning from 6 to 10.

...
The Pains of Being Pure of Heart at the Middle East

The Pains of Being Pure of Heart at the Middle East


We’d like to officially declare 2009 The Year of the Rebirth of Reverb. We’ve been listening to a surprising number of bands whose hazy, dreamy sounds bring to mind The Jesus and Mary Chain, the Cocteau Twins, and all sorts of other precursors to grunge. If you missed the Danish duo the Raveonettes’ latest gig or the recent underthe-radar shows from Brooklyn’s Vivian Girls, head to the Middle East Upstairs (472 Mass Ave, Cambridge, 617.864.3278) tonight and drift away with The Pains of Being Pure of Heart. This quartet, from the same mighty borough, writes songs that are melodramatic yet playful in ways that anyone who’s ever been a teenager can understand. They’re touring to support their self-titled debut album. Go for the voices soft as feathery pillows, stay for the guitar racket that warms like a scratchy wool blanket. Local Smiths-esque crooners Pants Yell! will be there too. Doors open at 8 p.m. For tickets ($9) stop by the box office or visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 617.931.2000....
Saturday, December 6: Noah and the Whale

Saturday, December 6: Noah and the Whale


Folk-rock Brit band Noah and the Whale’s single “Five Years Time” may have been featured in a Saturn commercial, but we won’t hold that against them. The four-man-band’s first album, Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down, was released this summer and has been making small waves in the UK for its combination of somber lyrics and more upbeat acoustic-guitar melodies ever since. The group plays the Middle East (472?480 Mass Ave, Cambridge, 617.864.EAST) tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets ($10 in advance; $12 at the door) are available at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Middle East box office....

Filter further:

Missing Resource: tag
Daily
more in Daily Stuff
Best Body Boston 2009

The Week in Party Pics

advertisement

About Get

Subscribe:  RSS feed Rss

Favorite Links


The Week in Party Pics

One Night in Boston

Features Photos