For the Sake of the Song

Weekly Dig Previews Saturday's Tom Waits Show

2012-02-13T08:24:00.000-08:00

Last week I sat down with Ryan Bray from the Weekly Dig to talk more about our 2012 kick off show and tribute to Tom Waits. Check it out below and remember advance tickets are still available so pick 'em up HERE.

FEEDBACK: PATRICK COMAN

Posted on February 10, 2012 by RYAN BRAY Email

Cover bands? Naw, son. That shit’s for the burbs! And if you don’t believe me you’ve never been to Players in Rockland.

Any group of uninspired wannabe Springsteens can walk up on stage, beer guts and AC/DC t-shirts in tow, and slop their way through a painful rendition of “Livin’ On A Prayer.” Patrick Coman recognizes this, but that hasn’t kept him from trying to free the cover song from the dreaded shackles of cheap sentiment and lazy barroom balladry. As the founder and chief organizer of Boston’s ongoing live music series For The Sake Of The Song, Coman has done the seemingly unthinkable by reinventing cover songs into something fresh and novel. By dedicating each show to a specific artist or album and allowing a slate of bands to take their best shot at reinterpreting the music,

FTSOTS manages to celebrate its music of choice with the kind of honesty and introspection you won’t find from your neighborhood rock stars playing at Chotchkies.

Coman blew up our (read: my) phone last week to talk shop in the midst of preparing maybe the most ambitious FTSOTS installment yet: a Tom Waits themed show at The Armory in Somerville on Feb. 18 alongside Ryan Fitzsimmons, Brendan Hogan and Chris Hutchison-Jones.

For The Sake Of The Song is very collaborative. Did you spend a lot of time immersing yourself in the local music community prior to launching the series?
Patrick: I moved to Boston … I guess two years ago now? I was living in Germany for a couple of years with my girlfriend, and when I came to town I was looking for ways to meet more people and more musicians. We had a house in Allston, so I started hosting house parties. It was a great way to not just hear great music, but to also become part of the scene and to get to know people around town. We did about a year of house concerts, but then it got too big for the living room, so we moved it over to the Armory. It took on more of a church format that you see now, and we’ve just been going from there.

Where did the idea of refocusing the shows around specific artists and albums come from?
Patrick: Well when we got to the Armory, we started thinking ‘Well, what else can we do?’

We sort of felt we had to kind of up the ante,

but also give people a chance to experience original local music. I think it was around Christmas 2010, we got a crazy idea to get a bunch of musicians together to play music fromBob Dylan’s Blood On The Tracks with the idea of playing all the songs in the same key. It ended up working really well. There were a lot of fans of the album, fans of Bob Dylan but also fans of the different artists we got to play.

Does it surprise you looking back that the series has had the staying power that it has thus far?
Patrick: Yeah. It started as a way of ending the year on a high note and just doing something crazy.

But people were like yeah, I want more of that.

So at that point we thought hey, let’s just make this a regular thing. We didn’t want to run around and find 10 people to play a different album every month. It just wouldn’t work. So we focused more on monthly shows built around specific artists, where there’d be covers from that artist as well as original songs by the bands and artists playing them. Then we typically do an album-specific show once every six months.

The process of pulling these shows together must be crazy. How do you decide which albums/artists to cover? Is it tough paring everything down?
Patrick: I try to keep the suggestion format as open as possible. Some of the shows I knew I wanted to do from the very start. Bob Dylan was one, then we did a Neil Young show last March because he’s one of my all time favorites. But then there are other artists I would have never even thought of if someone hadn’t been like ‘Hey, this would be great for the series.’ The Willie Nelson show we did in November worked out that way. Someone suggested it and said he knew a few bands, and I knew him and trusted him and just kind of went with it.

It’s like they almost develop themselves.
Patrick: Yeah, sometimes they develop themselves, but other times you have to plug them in. Right now we’re finishing up our 2012 schedule, and there’s a couple of months where I’m gonna have to pick the artist first and then find people who are a good fit.

Either way it’s kind of an adventure.

There’s so much room for taking the music in different directions, do you ever find yourself reevaluating the music or seeing it in a different light when a show ends?
Patrick: Definitely. I think that’s the greatest thing about it. There’s obviously a familiar starting point for everyone, but people take the songs in so many different directions. We’ve had instrumental Neil Young songs. We had one group do a minor key version of “Shelter From The Storm.” It’s really fun to go back to an album after we’ve just done a show.

So now you’re doing a Tom Waits show….
Patrick: Yeah. Hopefully we’ll get songs from all over the Tom Waits catalogue. There’s just such a diverse number of songs he’s written over the years, it’s going to be fun to see what people pick.

His music seems almost tailor made for what you guys do. It’s so avant and off the wall that it begs for that kind of open interpretation.
Patrick: Exactly. You have to, right? Nobody can do it like Tom Waits did it, so you have to find your own path to make the song your own. I think it’ll be a good challenge, but musicians, I think they like that challenge. There’s some pressure there, like ‘I really wanna try and learn some Tom Waits tunes.’

There’s really no way to learn his songs unless you have, like, an old oil drum lying around.
Patrick: (Laughs) Right.

Or if you have a rooster in your front yard or something.

Are there any songs in particular you’re looking forward to hearing?
Patrick: I would love to hear someone do “Come On Up To The House,” that would be cool. I think anything from Rain Dogs would be great, which is my favorite Tom Waits album. I’ll probably do something from Rain Dogs, but i haven’t decided which one yet.

What’s your personal process for preparing to perform for these types of shows?
Patrick: It’s tough. Often times I’ll let our other artists pick their songs first, so I try not to get attached to anything just in case someone else slips it in. But I’ll zero in on a specific album and find a song that I can relate to personally so I can interpret it in a way that’s true to the song but also unique to me.

It also helps if I can figure out how to play the tune and sing it.

Sounds good. Anything else coming up?
Patrick: In March we’re doing a St. Patrick’s Day show, so we’re gonna do something a little different. We’re gonna do like a sessions night and have people come in and do a roundtable, which should be fun. In April we’re doing Ryan Adams. He’s kind of a newer guy but I feel like he’s definitely influenced a lot of people my age who are songwriters. I guess people have pretty strong opinions about him, but there’s certainly not a lack of songs there to pick from. We’re going to do a Van Morrison show, we’re gonna do Johnny Cash and we’ll probably do aTownes Van Zandt again in October, because For The Sake Of The Song is named for aTownes Van Zandt song.

And we don’t have a date yet, but our next full album show I think will be Exile On Main Street, which I’m pretty excited about.

It’ll be pretty epic.

FOR THE SAKE OF THE SONG PRESENTS A TRIBUTE TO TOM WAITS
WITH PATRICK COMAN AND THE LO-FI ANGELS, RYAN FITZSIMMONS, BRENDAN HOGAN AND CHRIS HUTCHISON-JONES
SAT 2.18.12
THE ARMORY
191 HIGHLAND AVE SUITE 1A
617.718.2191

ARTSATTHEARMORY.ORG

2012 Winter/Spring Schedule Announced!

2012-02-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

Gather round boys and girls, we are very excited to announce the dates and artists to kick off our 2012 season of For the Sake of the Song! We've got some good ones for you, such as ....

Feb. 18th - Tribute to Tom Waits (Buy Tickets HERE)
2012 Kick Off Show! w/Brendan Hogan, Ryan Fitzsimmons, and Dressing the Debutantes!

Mar. 17th - Special St. Patrick's Day Show
w/special guests tba, acoustic jam, and more!

Apr. 14th - A Tribute to Ryan Adams
w/Brian Carroll, Dan Zinder, and Patrick Coman

May 19th - A Tribute to Woody Guthrie

Jun. 16th - A Tribute to Johnny Cash

Hope to see you there and stay tuned for summer and fall show listings!

Weekly Dig Review of Music From Big Pink!

2012-01-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

In case you missed our excellent end-of-year event; here is a great recap from the Weekly Dig. Thanks to Ryan Bray for checking us out!

Some time back I wrote my inaugural Feedback entry, where I spieled on about the importance community plays in Boston’s local music culture. Remember? It got I think three “likes” or something on Facebook.

I could probably rewrite that whole column again when talking about For The Sake Of Song, the ongoing local live music series that brings a host of Boston musicians together to pay homage to various artists and their recorded work. The event is the embodiment of the word “communal.” From start to finish, bands jump in and out of each other’s songs, the grand finale being a big ass singalong where each of the performers take turns in front of the mic.

But it takes a special kind of record to really rally a whole host of bands and musicians to come out in service of it. I don’t care what you say, nobody’s coming out in droves to play their respects to God Shuffled His Feet by the Crash Test Dummies. But there is another Canadian band more than worthy of the reverence. When The Band recorded their 1968 debut Music From Big Pink, they didn’t make a record.

They made an album that froze itself in time, a stone cold fucking classic boasting some of the most powerful and intricate Americana, soul, folk and roots rock songs ever written.

Forty three years after its initial release, the songs still ring as true now as they did then. Evidence of such was plentiful at Great Scott, where a host of bands including Greg Klyma, Dressing The Debutantes, Autumn Hollow, John Colvert and the Great Brighton Fire, Patrick Coman and the Lo Fi Angels and Sam Otis Hill and Co. pulled together to get their Levon Helmand Rick Danko on.

Full disclosure, I’d never heard anything from any of these bands before heading over to the venue. And yet I still got the feeling I had them all pegged. When you’re part of a show playing tribute to the Band, it kind of narrows down your expectations.

I’m just saying there was no way Autumn Hollow was going to be a Scandanavian thrash metal band, ya feel me?

Part of me worried that such predictability would sour the experience, but the bands threw just enough of a monkey wrench into Big Pink’s cozy, folksy rock and roll to keep my attention from drifting. Let’s break it down song by song, shall we?

1. Tears of Rage as performed by Greg Klyma

Taking the stage with an acoustic guitar and what was presumably his finest fedora, Greg Klyma clearly didn’t spend a great deal of time orchestrating a grand production, preferring to just let the music carry itself. And because we’re dealing with some of rock music’s greatest songwriters and musicians in The Band, Klyma’s stripped down approach not only worked, but served as an appropriately warm introduction to the show and the album.

2. To Kingdom Come as performed by Chris Hutchison Jones

After explaining how a google search can prove how Robbie Robertson is an asshole andLevon Helm isn’t (personally I think you could figure that out by watching The Last Waltz), Chris Hutchison Jones of Dressing The Debutantes also went the solo acoustic route, but with a rasp-voiced punch to it. His acoustic breakdown during the chorus kind of reminded me of G Love. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if that’s a good thing or not.

3. In A Station as performed by Autumn Hollow

Finally, a full band steps up to take a crack at shit. Equipped with an upright bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums and vocals, Autumn Hollow’s take on In a Station was by and large pretty faithful to the original. But considering that the original is pretty tight, there’s no use trying to find any fault in playing it straight.

4. Caladonia Mission as performed by John Colvert and the Great Brighton Fire

Not a lot to say here about the song/performance itself, but I have to address the elephant in the room and say I don’t remember anything about some great fire that may or may not have happened in Brighton. Or am I crazy? This one looks like it did some damage, but I doubt it’s the same fire they’re talking about.

5. The Weight as performed by John Colvert and the Great Brighton Fire

Ok, now we’re talking. There had to be one band on the bill ready to shoulder the burden of carrying not only the best song on the album, but arguably the best song in The Band’s epic catalogue, and Colvert and co. stepped up to carry the weight (wordplay!). Colvert’s country rock sound carries the album’s most timeless and resonant track, and at points they almost made it look easy. They also weren’t shy about deviating from the scirpt, drawing out the song by filling in the middle parts with ample fiddle, guitar and even organ solos. Take that Garth Hudson.

6. We Can Talk as performed by Greg Klyma

On to side two, and back to Greg Klyma, who once again took to the stage with little more than an acoustic guitar and the vocal backing of Amy Kucharik (who also did a kick ass job designing the event’s Big Pink-themed program). As one of my favorite tunes from the disc, I would have probably preferred to see We Can Talk get the full band treatment, but oh well. Klyma also dished out a sweet story about trying to call Levon Helm and accidentally phoning Rick Danko.

7. Long Black Veil as performed by Patrick Coman and Autumn Hollow

For The Sake Of Song founder Patrick Coman, not content with simply emceeing the festivities, took the stage to pay his musical respects himself. Backed by the fine fellows in Autumn Hollow, Coman helped deliver one of the more amped up performances of the night, giving the easy going sounds of Long Black Veil a healthy dose of shitkicking alt-country. Probably the best performance of the night thus far….

8. Chest Fever as performed by Patrick Coman and the Lo-Fi Angels

…that is until Coman tooled on Chest Fever. Admitting the song to be his favorite from the album, Coman, now backed by his own band mates in the Lo-Fi Angels, did the song justice by rubbing its nose in some angsty roots rock. It might have just become one of my favorites too.

9. Lonesome Suzie as performed by Sam Otis Hill & Co.

Sam Otis Hill made his turn at the mic count, leading things off with a suitably rootsy cover ofLonesome Suzie. Admittedly it’s not one of my favorite tracks on the record, so it didn’t quite do it for me the way some other songs did. But that’s hardly Hill & Co.’s fault. Dude’s voice slips into a pretty sweet Rick Danko impression at times.

10. This Wheel’s On Fire as performed by Sam Otis Hill & Co.

Hill makes a bold move and decides to play the song in a lower key than the original. Hey man, whatever you want. It’s your world I just live in it. Backed by Coman and Jones on vocals, Hill & Co. stretched the tune out some, leaving plenty of room for solos and improvisation in the middle.

11. I Shall Be Released as performed by , uh, well, everybody.

I realize they’re playing the album in sequence, so of course I Shall Be Released will cap everything off. Even still, it really is the perfect song to stand as a finale. Everything from the song’s tempo to the dynamics work, and it fits the mood for a farewell song perfectly. With everyone jumping up onstage and belting out the lyrics, it was a fitting way to wrap up the night.

Music From Big Pink Tonight at Great Scott!

2011-11-30T19:09:00.000-08:00

Full Line Up Below!
Tickets: $10/Advance (Purchase HERE) or $12/Day of Show

Side I

1. Tears of Rage - Greg Klyma

2. To Kingdom Come - Dressing The Debutantes

3. In A Station - Autumn Hollow

4. Caledonia Mission - John Colvert and the Great Brighton Fire

5. The Weight - John Colvert and the Great Brighton Fire

Side II

1. We Can Talk - Greg Klyma

2. Long Black Veil - Patrick Coman and the Lo-Fi Angels

3. Chest Fever - Patrick Coman and the Lo-Fi Angels

4. Lonesome Suzie - Sam Otis Hill & Co.

5. This Wheel's On Fire - Sam Otis Hill & Co.

6. I Shall Be Released - All of the above

New Show Announced - The Band's Music From Big Pink!

2011-11-15T13:32:00.000-08:00

We are very excited to announce a special end of the year show coming up Wednesday Dec. 21st at Great Scott! We'll be presenting The Band's classic album Music From Big Pink live in its entirety, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofit Music Speaks.

Over the last year we have teamed up with local charities to put on some special one-off full album shows. Maybe you caught our Blood on the Tracks show last December or our Harvest show in May? Or maybe you just read about it in the Globe. Well we're at it again, with one of our biggest lineups yet! Including previous FTSOTS performers like John Colvert and the Great Brighton Fire, Sam Otis Hill & Co., Greg Klyma, Samantha Farrell, Autumn Hollow, Dressing the Debutantes and more!

Show starts at 9pm/ Tickets $10/adv, $12/day of show (buy them in advance here)
Proceeds benefit Music Speaks!

Tickets Still Available for this Saturday's Tribute to Willie Nelson!

2011-11-07T06:56:00.000-08:00

Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys, but do let 'em join us this Saturday for For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Willie Nelson. We're excited for another stellar show featuring Susan Cattaeno, Glenn Yoder, and Highway Ghosts!

Tickets still available through Brown Paper Tickets w/no service charge or fees:

For the Sake of the Song Promo Video!

2011-10-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Exciting times for For the Sake of the Song-ers, we just wrapped our excellent 2nd Anniversary Bob Dylan Tribute and now we're very excited to share this fantastic promo video featuring footage from the show. Thanks so much to Chris DeSanty with DeSant Productions for filming and producing, he does great work so check 'em out if you're in need!

'For the Sake of the Song' Promo from DeSant Productions on Vimeo.

Thanks For Joining Us!

2011-10-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who joined us for our 2nd Anniversary celebration and tribute to Bob Dylan, especially the fine folks at Local Music 101 and DeSant Productions who recorded and filmed the show. Keep your eyes peeled for video and audio from the show soon!

Catch Us on WMBR This Thursday!

2011-10-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

This Thursday we'll be on WMBRs "Droppin' Knowledge" to talk about our 2nd anniversary show and Tribute to Bob Dylan! Tune in on 88.1 FM in the Cambridge-area or catch it streaming online at http://wmbr.mit.edu! Show airs at 4pm and John Colvert will join us to play some tunes and talk Dylan, can't wait!

2nd Anniversary Show and Tribute to Bob Dylan This Saturday!

2011-10-10T06:47:00.000-07:00

Can't wait for our 2nd Anniversary Show and Tribute to Bob Dylan this Saturday with Ryan Fitzsimmons, James Houlahan, and John Colvert! Here's a preview from The Somerville News and remember you can still pre-order tickets through Brown Paper Tickets here:

Passing around the Dylan

On October 9, 2011, in Latest News, by The News Staff

Patrick Coman.

BySanjeev Selvarajah

To quote For the Sake of the Song’sPatrick Coman, “[Bob] Dylan has been such an iconoclast throughout his career. If you, like me, consider a patriot to be someone who questions authority, someone who seeks truth even when it is inconvenient, and someone who confronts the powers that be on behalf of the downtrodden and underprivileged, then I think you have to admire Dylan as someone who, without a doubt, embodies those characteristics.”

These are the sentiments of the man behind For the Sake of the Song, which features Coman along with James Houlahan, Ryan Fitzsimmons and John Colvert. The group performs the songs of their favorite musicians, one by one. Earlier this year, Coman and company covered the works of Bruce Springsteen and they are now preparing a show featuring some of the larger than life tunes by Bob Dylan at the Armory for the Arts on Saturday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Alongside Springsteen, Dylan represents a significant cross-section on the great American musical totem pole. He has influenced so many artists, from the Beatles to present day singer/songwriters who share a love for Dylan’s style and grace.

As these newer balladeers sit and swoon in your favorite bar and download to your child’s iTunes play list, consider taking a loved one who is moved by the styles of these developing musicians to a For the Sake of the Song show and allow them to reflect on the origins of this machinery of hip-ness.

Dylan himself has had conflicting feelings about being pigeonholed into the folk genre. “Clearly, he is an excellent performer and curator for traditional folk music. His early work is full of topical ballads that draw directly from people like Woody Guthrie, Peter Seeger, and Dave Van Ronk,” says Coman. But he has also kept up stylistically with his contemporaries and his songs are so well crafted musically, they strike a delicate balance between cynicism and a love for the common man. There is an aura of a defeated fatalism in Don’t Think Twice It’s Allright. It signifies an individual’s right to question fate, and Coman alludes to its purpose as the retort of a jilted lover. “Yes, I love that song! It is so snide and it has one of the greatest put downs of all time”

Knocking on Heaven’s Door is definitely multilayered, according to Coman. Like many of the earthy themes of early folk, you take of it what you bring with you. It might be about a drug overdose, a general reflection on death, or the relationship between an artist and a muse.

“I was inspired to start this series when I moved to Boston a couple years ago. Being new in town I wanted to have a way to reach out to fellow musicians in the area and get to know people, and one good way to do that is to find songs in common with people,” says Coman. Death, rejection, and gaining blessed love. This Dylan has passed down for all to share. For the Sake of the Song is sharing it with us, too.

Tribute to Steve Earle This Saturday!

2011-09-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

As a reminder our September edition of For the Sake of the Song is coming up this Saturday September 17th! We'll be playing this song but we will not be dressed like this (oh Late 80s what were you thinking?)

September 17th - Armory Center for the Arts
For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Steve Earle
Doors at 7:30pm | Show at 8pm | $8
For the Sake of the Song brings together local musicians to perform their own material and pay tribute the songwriters who have influenced them. In our September edition, songwriters Sam Otis Hill, Mark Stepakoff, and Thea Hopkins perform classic Steve Earle songs, as well as discuss her influence on their own material.

Greg Klyma Live Rust Belt DVD Release This Friday!

2011-08-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have seen Mr. Klyma perform at our Blood on the Tracks show last December (the "Buckets of Rain" guy, you remember ...) know he is master craftsman as a songwriter and live performer and he is absolutely in his element in a great listening room like the Armory. That's why I hope you'll take the opportunity to join us Friday for Greg's Live Rust Belt DVD Release party. Along with live performances by Greg and special guest Samantha Farrell we'll also be showing a special sneak preview DVD!

Tickets are $9/advance and $12/day of show, so get 'em early while you can (advance sales end Thursday at midnight)

Here's a great preview in this week's Somerville News:

Greg Klyma takes Somerville by storm

By Michelle Cooper

Greg Klyma has been playing the guitar since he was an early teenager around 13 years old.
It was something that just came natural to him. His mother had a friend whose daughters took guitar lessons and she saw the talent in her son to do the same.

Since then Greg has been playing and writing his own songs. His inspiration is described as “everywhere and everyone.” He could be playing a game of basketball and come up with a song and go write it down.
At 18 he released his first song and by the age of 21 he had written over 100 songs. He has written mostly about family and friends. From 1993 to 1997 Greg was part of a band, but eventually decided that the time had come to break up the band and go solo at almost the same time he was fired from his job. That was what ultimately put him in the position to pursue his talent to the fullest. He dove headlong into playing guitar and writing songs.
Now he is releasing a DVD that contains a full set of live performances, a music video, and guitar lessons which are “quite entertaining whether you play guitar or not,” Greg says. He is releasing Live Belt DVD on September 2 at the Armory Center for the Arts. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday night and will also feature a special guest, Samantha Farrell, who also plays guitar and offers great vocals. Tickets are available for purchase at the door for $12 or online: www.forthesakeofthesong.com for $9.

Tribute to Patty Griffin This Saturday!

2011-08-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

Wow what a great show this is going to be! Come join us this Saturday at the Armory (191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA) for our August edition of For the Sake of the Song, with Kara Kulpa, Jess Baggia, and Ariel Rubin!

August 13th - Armory Center for the Arts
For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Patty Griffin
Doors at 7:30pm | Show at 8pm | $8 (buy advance tickets here)

For the Sake of the Song brings together local musicians to perform their own material and pay tribute the songwriters who have influenced them. In our August edition, songwriters Kara Kulpa, Jess Baggia, and Ariel Rubin, perform classic Patty Griffin songs, as well as discuss her influence on their own material. Visit www.forthesakeofthesong.com for more info.

"East Meets West" This Saturday at the Armory!

2011-08-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

"East Meets West" w/Heather Maloney
Tickets $8/advance, $10/door (order advance tickets here)
Doors 7:30pm | Show 8pm | Armory Center for the Arts (191 Highland Ave)

In this special double bill songwriters Patrick Coman (Boston, MA) and Heather Maloney (Turners Falls, MA) team up for "East Meets West": A Massachusetts Songwriter Showcase.
Maloney (www.heathermaloney.com) has toured the country in support of her sophomore release "Time & Pocket Change" which the Portland Phoenix dubbed "richly orchestrated post-coffeeshop pop held together by pipes and lyrics well beyond her years," and about which WUMB's Jason Moberg raved "this album is incredible, I'm blown away."

Meanwhile Boston resident Patrick Coman's (www.patrickcoman.com) debut album "Southern Storms" has also received critical praise being called "one of the strongest local albums of the year" by The Noise and "a great album chock full of stellar songs" by Call It Folk.

2nd Anniversary Show Announced - October 15th!

2011-07-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

We're excited to announce that we have confirmed details for our 2nd Anniversary Show on October 15th at the Armory Center for the Arts! It's going to be a great night with a killer line up, free ticket and CD giveaways, and to top it all off we are paying tribute to the best of the best - Mr. Bob Dylan! Read on for more info ...

October 15th - Armory Center for the Arts

For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to BOB DYLAN

Doors at 7:30pm | Show at 8pm | Tickets $8

For our October edition we celebrate our 2nd Anniversary by paying tribute to perhaps the most influential singer/songwriter of all time, Bob Dylan! Featuring Sarah Blacker, Ryan Fitzsimmons, and John Colvert, this special concert will feature tunes from throughout Dylan's career as well as original music inspired by the master himself.

In addition to the music we will be raffling off prizes, free CDs, and much more! Please join us to help celebrate two years of amazing For the Sake of the Song concerts!

A Tribute to John Prine This Saturday!

2011-07-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

July 16th - Armory Center for the Arts
For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to John Prine
Doors at 7:30pm | Show at 8pm | $8 (buy advance tickets here)

Our monthly concert series continues at the Armory Center for the Arts with our July tribute to John Prine! Come hear classics tunes like "Angel From Montgomery" and "Illegal Smile" plus original music from Brian Carroll, Dan Baker, Patrick Coman!

For the Sake of the Song on UnRegular Radio!

2011-07-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Just in case you missed our appearance on Max Bowen's Citywide Blackout on UnRegular Radio last Saturday night you can catch an archived version of the show HERE. Check out the clips below to hear Brian Carroll performing an excellent version of John Prine's "Fish and Whistle" and my own "Boston City Blues":

For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to John Prine

July 16th with Brian Carroll, Dan Baker, and Patrick Coman

(Tickets for sale here)

Patrick Coman - Boston City Blues

Brian Carroll - Fish and Whistle (John Prine cover)

Kickin' Up Red Dirt - June 30th at Precinct

2011-06-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a little promo video we threw together for the upcoming June 30th show at Precinct. It includes a new version of Townes Van Zandt's "White Freight Liner Blues" and all the juicy details you could ask for:

Red Dirt on the Red Line: A Traditional Americana Revue
w/Patrick Coman Band
Dressing the Debutantes and
Sam Otis Hill & Co.

June 30th | 8pm | $8 at the door

It's going to be a foot stompin' good time!

This Saturday's Joni Mitchell show previewed in The Dig!

2011-06-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

A Case of Her
-J Pat
Mizz Mitchell might not have been the first lady-Canadian to settle up on-stage behind a six-string, but considering that the list of artists who cite her as a major influence is pretty much the list of artists, period, she might as well have been. Tributary concert series For the Sake of the Song rounds up the latest generation of ladies of the canyon, as our favorite folkstresses Kristen Ford, Jennifer Greer, Abbie Barrett and Audrey Ryan hum a tune for Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter … hopefully from a better album. Not her best.
[Sat 6.18.11. Arts at the Armory. 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. 617.718.2191. 7:30pm/$8. artsatthearmory.org]

Tickets still available online at Brown Paper Tickets!

Looking Forward to Saturday's Joni Mitchell Tribute

2011-06-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

Our June 18th tribute to Joni Mitchell is less than a week away, so here are a couple videos from Kristen Ford and Abbie Barrett to wet your whistle until then!

Remember you can order tickets in advance through Brown Paper Tickets here!

Kristen Ford "Please Please Please":

Abbie Barrett "Empty Heart Empty Mind"

Saturday's Bruce Springsteen Show Previewed in The Somerville News!

2011-05-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

Check it out, Saturday's Tribute to Bruce Springsteen is featured in this week's issue of The Somerville News! Read below and join us Saturday at 8pm (doors at 7:30pm) at the Armory (191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA) for our tribute to The Boss!

Thanks For Coming Out Last Night!

2011-05-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, what an amazing show! Thank you everyone who came out to support us and raise some money for Music Drives Us, couldn't have been a better night even if it were sunny and 75. Visit our Facebook page for some great pics of the show, and don't forget our Tribute to Bruce Springsteen is coming up May 28th at the Armory Center for the Arts. See you then!

Neil Young's "Harvest" Tonight at the Middle East!

2011-05-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

We are so excited for tonight's Neil Young's "Harvest" show at the Middle East upstairs. This is going to be a killer show and all of the proceeds will benefit Music Drives Us. If you're still on the fence about coming (really? still?), allow our friends from The Weekly Dig and My Secret Boston to persuade you ...

Weekly Dig
-J. Patrick Brown

"Not quite sure if that kickass track you’re listening to is off of Neil Young’s legendary solo album Harvest? Here’s a quick test you can perform to know for sure: take a good look at your ass. Is it gettin’ kicked? Then your answer is yes. Not quite sure if you’re listening to very best of Boston roots covering the whole frickin’ thing in its entirely as part of the For the Sake of the Song’s “Harvest” Benefit over at the Middle East Upstairs? Take a good look at your ass. Is it in the hospital? Then your answer is yes."

My Secret Boston
-Jeff Wallace

For the Sake of the Song presents Neil Young’s Harvest
Wednesday (May 18) at the Middle East (Upstairs) one of Neil Young’s finer collections will get an all-star touch up. Harvest is the chosen canvas, and on the bill will be Sarah Blacker, Danielle Miraglia, the Autumn Hollow Band, James Houlahan, Patrick Coman (above), and Garlic & Moonshine. This will be the second For the Sake of the Song showcase. Last year the crew tackled Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks. But the event is held not just for the love of these relics; proceeds go to a great charity, Music Drives Us, which supplies grants for music programming to people and organizations that use music as a tool for change.

The man behind the concept, singer/songwriter Patrick Coman, runs a monthly show at the Armory in Somerville that pays tribute to a different artist each time. Recently the group did Leonard Cohen (I wish I'd gone), and is scheduled to cover Springsteen on May 28. These guys and girls also have a strong batch of original tunes in their own right, and you can always catch them performing. Actually, that’s the biggest reason why they command respect around town. Tickets are available on Ticketweb and more info can be found on the For the Sake of the Song website. (Wednesday, May 18, Middle East upstairs, 8 p.m., 18+, $10)
(Read Jeff's full "Hearin' the Hub" column here )

May 18th Show Previewed in the Boston Globe!

2011-05-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

Young Folks
Tribute series honors ‘Harvest’ with host of local talent
-Jonathan Perry

FOR THE SAKE OF THE SONG PRESENTS NEIL YOUNG’S “HARVEST’’
Patrick Coman knew he was onto something special when the casual, singer-songwriter-themed house concerts he had been hosting from home became bigger than his Allston apartment.

“I started doing these shows as a series, and would invite musicians I knew and they’d come and play and invite friends,’’ recalls Coman, an Oklahoma native who last year released his roots-flavored debut album, “Southern Storms.’’ “But then we started outgrowing my living room and I had to move, so I lost the space.’’

Not for long. Last year, Coman began hosting a similarly minded monthly music series dubbed “For the Sake of the Song’’ headquartered at the Armory Center for the Arts in Somerville, but whose reach has since extended into clubs in and around the city. Every month at the Armory, “For the Sake of the Song’’ pays local tribute to a legendary artist — next up is Bruce Springsteen on May 28 and Joni Mitchell on June 18 — and then tackles a specific, equally legendary, album every six months at a different venue picked by Coman. All of the proceeds go to charity.

Next Wednesday at the Middle East Upstairs, Coman and a handful of local artists will cover Neil Young’s beloved 1972 LP, “Harvest,’’ in its entirety. The show will benefit Music Drives Us, a New England nonprofit foundation that provides grants for educational music programs. Coman says he sees these album-covering shows, which kicked off last December with a performance of Bob Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks,’’ as a creative “way to give back to the community.’’ The overwhelmingly positive response to the Dylan show, which raised funds for the New England chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, signaled to Coman that there was a lot of good work — and works — yet to be done.

“What was interesting to me when we did that ‘Blood on the Tracks’ show is that so many musicians were not only willing to do it, but they were eager to do it,’’ Coman says. “They were like, ‘I don’t have a lot of money, but this is something I can do.’ ’’ Coman’s also giving back by pairing local artists with well-known works.

“I thought this could be a fun way to draw people in,’’ he says. “Last month we did a Leonard Cohen show and we had all these [Cohen] fans come out. And maybe they haven’t heard of [local artists like] Danielle Miraglia or James Houlahan or Sarah Blacker. But the idea is for them to come hear some of this familiar music — and also hear original music from some of these great artists that we have here in town.’’

Somerville musician Miraglia, who will perform Young’s “Alabama,’’ says she jumped at the chance. “If you’re a singer-songwriter, how can you not be at least aware of Neil Young?,’’ says Miraglia, a bluesy folk singer-guitarist whose new album, tentatively titled “Box of Troubles,’’ is due out next month. “When you have a night like this where everybody is passionate about the artist, it’s a cool thing because you have a mutual love for the artist you’re covering, and I think it comes out in the song.’’

Miraglia chose to perform “Alabama’’ — one of Young’s most searing tracks, and which, along with “Southern Man,’’ provoked Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd to respond with a well-known salvo of their own — precisely because “it’s so biting, and it gets to the point. He’s not dancing around it.’’

Meanwhile, Cambridge singer-songwriter Sarah Blacker will cover “Old Man’’ and “A Man Needs a Maid’’ — songs that represent Young at both his most accessible (the former) and enigmatic (the latter).

“I knew probably about 90 percent of the songs on ‘Harvest’ but [‘A Man Needs a Maid’] is one I wasn’t wildly familiar with,’’ says Blacker, a music therapist and Music Drives Us ambassador whose latest album, “Come What May,’’ was released earlier this year. “But it just drew me in. It’s almost like a classical piece with different movements, and his voice just shimmers.’’ On an album chock full of classic songs, she says, “it was one that made my hair stand on end immediately. That’s when you know.’’

Jonathan Perry can be reached at roughgems@comcast.net

Tickets On Sale Now for May 18th Harvest Show!

2011-04-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

For the Sake of the Song presents Neil Young's Harvest!

Featuring: Sarah Blacker, James Houlahan, Autumn Hollow, Danielle Miraglia, Garlic & Moonshine, and Patrick Coman. Middle East Upstairs, 8:30pm (Doors at 8pm), tickets $10. Proceeds benefit Music Drives Us!

Buy your tickets in advance here

Harvest track listing:

Side I

Out on the Weekend - James Houlahan (w/Noel Coakly and Patrick Coman Band)

Harvest - Patrick Coman Band

A Man Needs A Maid - Sarah Blacker

Heart of Gold - Autumn Hollow

Are You Ready For the Country - Autumn Hollow

Side II

Old Man - Sarah Blacker (w/Noel Coakley)

There's A World - James Houlahan

Alabama - Danielle Miraglia

The Needle and the Damage Done - Garlic & Moonshine

Words (Between the Lines of Age) - Garlic & Moonshine

Pics From Leonard Cohen Tribute!

2011-04-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to the show last Saturday! Here's a few photos:

Tribute to Leonard Cohen This Saturday!

2011-04-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hope you'll join us this Saturday April 16th for our April edition of For the Sake of the Song at the Armory Cafe (191 Highland Ave Somerville, MA)! In the meantime check out our featured performers Dietrich Strause, Ryan Fitzsimmons, and Brendan Murphy on the web or RSVP on our Facebook page to ensure yourself a seat!

Video from March 19th Tribute to Neil Young

2011-04-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of Flightless Buttress performing one of their own songs, "Winter Under Loft" at our Neil Young tribute on March 19th. They just put out a new, so give it a listen at www.flightlessbuttress.com because it's mighty fine!

April and May Previews!

2011-03-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to our March Neil Young tribute! What a great show by our performers Flightless Buttress, Brendan Hogan, and James Houlahan. If you were unfortunate enough to miss it fear not for we have video that'll make you jealous coming soon ...

Here's a quick rundown of our next two events so be sure to visit our performers' websites because they both promise to be stand out shows!

Saturday April 16th - Armory Center for the Arts
Doors at 7:30pm, show starts at 8:00pm | Tickets $8 at the door
For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen

What a lineup we have for you in our April edition! Dietrich Strause and Brendan Murphy return to our series, and we welcome Ryan Fitzsimmons, to perform classics by Canadian poet, author, and songwriter Leonard Cohen like "Hotel Chelsea #2", "I'm Your Man", and "Hallelujah", as well as perform originals and discuss his influence on their material. It's going to be a great show, hope to see you there!

Wednesday May 18th - Middle East (Upstairs)
Doors at 8:00pm, show starts at 8:30pm | Tickets are $10 at the door or at www.mideastclub.com

For the Sake of the Song plays Neil Young's "Harvest" for Music Drives Us!

With Sarah Blacker, Danielle Miraglia, Autumn Hollow Band, Garlic & Moonshine, James Houlahan, Patrick Coman, and more tba!

It's that time of the year again! We're gathering together some old friends and some new ones too to help raise money for a great cause. In addition to providing new takes on classics like "Heart of Gold" and "Old Man" the concert will benefit Music Drives Us, a New England non-profit foundation supplying grants for music programs to effect positive changes for people in need. The Foundation seeks out organizations and individuals that are interested in using music as a tool for all segments of society and for all age groups. Please visit www.MusicDrivesUs.org for more information.

For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Neil Young - March 19th

2011-03-01T17:49:00.000-08:00

Get ready because our next show is coming up soon! March 19th at the Armory Cafe is our next install of the For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute To ... with a tribute to Neil Young. We'll be joined by singer/songwriters James Houlahan and Brendan Hogan, as well as guitar/cello duo Flightless Buttress, so hope you'll join us for another great show! Tickets are $8 at the door and doors open at 7:30pm.

Videos from the Tribute To Townes Van Zandt!

2011-02-26T11:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a few videos from last night's performance. Thanks to everybody who made it out and here's a little taste of what you missed if you couldn't ... see you March 19th for our Tribute To Neil Young!

"White Freight Liner Blues" - last night's closer

"Pancho and Lefty"

"Rex's Blues"

"Rake" - Chris Hutchison-Jones

For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt is Tomorrow!

2011-02-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

This Friday February 25th at the Armory Cafe at 7:30pm we'll be launching our new series For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute To ... with a tribute to the late great Townes Van Zandt.

I'll be joined by singer/songwriters Chris Hutchison-Jones and Greg Klyma to perform classic Townes songs as well as originals inspired by his work. If you're not familiar with Townes Van Zandt's work this is a great opportunity to come learn more about the songwriter that Steve Earle once described as:

"the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.”

Just sayin'.

For a preview of the show check out Boston Band Crush!

Tribute to Townes Van Zandt - February 25th

2011-01-23T18:33:00.000-08:00

2011 is already bringing some changes to our concert series! After a few excellent shows at the Armory Center for the Arts, including our recent Blood on the Tracks Christmas show, we're excited to announce a new monthly concert series in the Armory Cafe: For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute To ...

In this series we'll bring together local musicians to perform their own material and pay tribute the songwriters who have influenced them, beginning Feb. 25th with a tribute to Townes Van Zandt featuring a few performers that should be familiar to anyone who has at our December Blood on the Tracks show; Greg Klyma and Chris Hutchison-Jones. We're really looking forward to it and hope you are as well!

Feb. 25th, 7:30pm
For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt
w/Greg Klyma, Patrick Coman, and Chris Hutchison-Jones
Armory Cafe (191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA)
www.forthesakeofthesong.com

2010 recap .... Thanks So Much!!

2011-01-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

What a year, what a year ....

We had 12 concerts at 6 venues with over 30 different local and regional artists! We hosted shows everywhere from the Middle East to backyards in Watertown. Our Christmas Blood on the Tracks tribute raised $250 for the National MS Society.

All of this to say a big "THANK YOU"! to everybody who came out to a show, joined the mailing list, or bought a CD (paid for music what a concept!) from a LOCAL artist. Couldn't do it without your love and support for our Boston music scene.

Thanks so much and stay tuned for 2011 shows!!

-Patrick

"Maybe she just has to sing for the sake of the Song" - Townes Van Zandt

Dec. 15th show previewed in The Somerville News & Boston Globe!

2010-12-08T06:04:00.001-08:00

Check it out below or read the whole edition at www.thesomervillenews.com!

Here's a preview from Jonathan Perry's Scene & Heard column in the Boston Globe:

FOR THE SAKE OF THE SONG PERFORMS BOB DYLAN’S “BLOOD ON THE TRACKS’’ What goes better with the holiday season than one of the most soul-lacerating, emotionally harrowing albums of all time? Except for whiskey, copious amounts of mood elevators, and a fool-proof method for avoiding in-laws or extended family, not much. The good folks behind “For the Sake of the Song’’ (go to forthesakeofthesongallston.blogspot.com for info) know it’s a perfect time to ponder the wreckage of relationships gone awry. With that in mind, they’re tackling Dylan’s 1975 masterpiece in its entirety with a performance featuring Brendan Hogan, Patrick Yerby, Dressing the Debutantes, Patrick Coman, and others . All proceeds benefit the New England chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. Arts At The Armory Café, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. Tickets: $10. 617-718-1755, www.artsatthearmory.org

Dec. 15th Blood on the Tracks show - Line Up announced!

2010-12-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

Here you go kids, the tentative line up for our Dec. 15th shindig. Performers listed in order of appearance. Hope you're getting excited for what is shaping up to be a great night of music! Reminder, doors are at 7:30pm at the Armory Center for the Arts (191 Highland Ave, it's a big castle so I'm pretty sure you can't miss it) and all proceeds benefit the New England chapter of the National MS Society!

Side 1
Tangled Up in Blue - Patrick Coman and friends
Simple Twist of Fate - Patrick Yerby
You're A Big Girl Now - Brendan Murphy (from Autumn Hollow Band)
Idiot Wind - Matt Borrello
You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go - Brendan Hogan

Side 2
Meet Me in the Morning - Brendan Hogan and Chris Hutchinson-Jones
Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts - Dressing the Debutantes and assorted other folks
If You See Her Say Hello - Patrick Yerby and Matt Borrello
Shelter From the Storm - Dressing The Debutantes
Buckets of Rain - Greg Klyma

afterwards open Dylan jam!

Dec. 15th poster

2010-11-13T18:20:00.001-08:00

Blood on the Tracks show just announced!

2010-10-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

No secret here, I love Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks. It was the first album of his that really grabbed me and I'll always remember the first time I heard "Buckets of Rain" with it's perfect third verse (I like your smile and your fingertips/ I like the way you move your hips/ I like the cool way you look at me/ Everything about you is bringing me misery). To me this album is Bob Dylan at his most relate-able. He's not a Woody Guthrie imposter, he's not the voice of a generation, he's just Robert Zimmerman singing songs about love, life, fear, and regret. This being Dylan he can't help but pen a couplet here and there that sums up the spirit of the times (there was music in the cafes at night and revolution in the air) and a few timeless Biblical references (see: "Shelter from the Storm").

For me Blood on the Tracks is the benchmark by which all singer/songwriter albums can be judged (and for that matter all comeback albums). With that in mind, when planning our December concert the idea came up to bring together artists who have played our shows to perform an album in it's entirety. The album choice was easy. The rest will almost certainly be harder to bring together, but I have no doubt that it will be a blast, so without further ado let me announce ....

For the Sake of the Song performs ...
Bob Dylan's seminal album
Blood on the Tracks in it's entirety!
featuring Brendan Hogan, Dietrich Strause, Dressing the Debutantes, and more tba!

Dec. 15th - 7:30pm - $10
Armory Center for the Arts (191 Highland Ave)
This show will benefit the Boston chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society!

We'll see you there!

Just Announced: Sept. 26th w/Tommy Womack!

2010-09-12T10:28:00.001-07:00

Just announced for September 26th:

For the Sake of the Song presents ...
Tommy Womack
Third Life Studio
33 Union Square
Sept. 26th, Doors at 7pm
$10 (suggested donation)
RSVP by email - ftsots@patrickcoman.com
Limited seating available!

About Tommy Womack - www.tommywomack.com
Tommy Womack is a Nashville based singer/songwriter, his most recent album, the critically acclaimed CD "There, I Said It!", was awarded "Best Of 2007" by several media outlets and bloggers, including No Depression's "Critics Poll" and "Readers Poll", The Tennessean, XM Satellite Radio's X-Country "Top 50 Airplay Albums"; the Nashville Scene and others.

Tommy is co-founder of the band DADDY (with Will Kimbrough) the duo are just coming off a very successful European tour in support of their excellent CD "For A Second Time" and appeared at this year's Roots On The River Festival in Bellows Falls VT.

You may know Tommy as a founding member of '80's post-punk road warriors Government Cheese, the bands adventures are hilariously chronicled in Tommy's first book "The Cheese Chronicles."

One Year Anniversary Show - Pictures!

2010-09-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everybody who came out to our one year anniversary show w/Dressing The Debutantes and Garlic & Moonshine! Also thanks to everybody at the Armory Center for the Arts for helping make sure everything ran so smoothly. See you at the next one,

-Patrick

See more photos on Facebook

One Year Anniversary Show - Just Announced!

2010-08-16T07:48:00.001-07:00

Sept. 11th - 7pm
Armory Cafe (191 Highland Ave)
For the Sake of the Song presents:
A One Year Anniversary Show
featuring ...

Patrick Coman
Garlic & Moonshine
Dressing The Debutantes

We'll also be giving away free CDs, merchandise, and other goodies

Doors at 7pm - $7 - www.artsatthearmory.org for more info

Come Help Us Celebrate A Great 1st Year!!!

Pics from August show

2010-08-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pics from our August show with Kelly Holden and Flightless Buttress! You can see more on our Facebook page.

August Edition - To Watertown We Go!

2010-07-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

We just finalized our August edition of For the Sake of the Song. We're taking our house concert on the road for this month's edition and heading to Watertown for a great outdoor concert featuring ...

Flightless Buttress (www.flightlessbuttress.com)

I've seen these guys play before and they absolutely knocked my socks off so we had to get them back out for another show. Sometimes all it takes is a guitar and cello. Trust me. August 14th @ 7:30pm 8 Hearn St. Watertown, MA BYOB/LC (lawn chair). $5 suggested.

I've seen these guys play before and they absolutely knocked my socks off so we had to get them back out for another show. Sometimes all it takes is a guitar and cello. Trust me.

August 14th @ 7:30pm

8 Hearn St.
Watertown, MA

BYOB/LC (lawn chair). $5 suggested.

For the Sake of the Song - July 23rd

2010-07-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

Howdy folks,

Just wanted to let you know about our July edition of For the Sake of the Song. This month's show is featuring ...

Dressing The Debutantes - www.myspace.com/dressingthedebutantes

These guys were described by greater men than me as "their music is to my ears what fried chicken and mashed potatoes are to my hangover."

Not only that but they recorded a special Townes Van Zandt cover as a special treat for yer listening pleasure before they bring their epic roots rock thunderstorm down to Allston.

They also recorded a version of Townes Van Zandt's "Two Girls" for us!
Check it out here

Hope to see you there,

-Patrick

June 20th - O'Brien's - 8pm

2010-06-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

Preview of June 20th O'Brien's show!

2010-06-14T05:52:00.000-07:00

Check out this preview of our June 20th showcase at O'Brien's (from Boston Survival Guide):

For the Sake of the Song Acoustic Showcase @ O’Brien’s Pub, Allston ~ Sunday 6/20

Patrick Coman, Dan Emino, Levi Schmidt, and Flightless Buttress @ O’Brien’s Pub – Sunday June 20. Doors at 8pm ($5 tickets at the door); 18+.

Dan Emino, Levi Schmidt, Patrick Coman, and Flightless Buttress (photo by Conor Doherty - www.conordoherty.com).

For the Sake of the Song is a Boston area concert series that hosts monthly showcases of folk, roots and Americana featuring local musicians. Founded by Allston-based Patrick Coman and named after a song by the late, great Townes Van Zandt, its mission is to bring together Boston’s best performers in these genres and present them in venues suitable for intimate performances of this type. After living in Berlin, Germany, where there are many underground, ‘DIY’ sorts of places for acoustic music, he became frustrated with the dearth of such venues here in Boston, and ended up first hosting shows in his living room.

Fortunately things have moved on from there, and this month’s show will be at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston. While O’Brien’s is more accustomed to hard rock bands, they share a similar goal with Coman – to provide a spotlight for Allston’s growing original music scene. And O’Brien’s is actually a very nice room with surprisingly good sound. Featured musicians this evening will be local singer/songwriters Dan Emino and Levi Schmidt (acoustic soul); Coman’s ‘Americana-tinged city folk’ group, performing songs from his debut album Southern Storms, and indie folk duo Flightless Buttress (guitar and cello).

For The Sake Of The Song: Blog | Facebook
Artist links: Patrick Coman | Dan Emino | Levi Schmidt | Flightless Buttress

June Show Fix

2010-06-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

We've got two great shows lined up for you this month. Check 'em out below and we'll see you there!

June 12th

I'm very excited to announce a special For the Sake of the Song show
celebrating the release of my first full length album Southern Storms!
To mark the occasion we're pulling out all the stops, including:

Food! Grilled stuff and more!
Beer! The kind that you drink!
Artwork from our good friend, the extremely talented Ms. Nora Creahan
Musical surprises, special guests, and we're even doing a good old fashioned raffle!

For more info check out our Facebook page or hear the album on my website
Grill lights at 6, $5 donation, BYO-Anything You Like

June 20th

For the Sake of the Song presents ...
a special acoustic showcase featuring:
Dan Emino
Levi Schmidt
Patrick Coman
Flightless Buttress

O'Brien's (3 Harvard Ave). Doors at 8pm. $5.

Father's Day just got a little folkier (we're still ironing the kinks out of that slogan)

Photos From May 15th

2010-05-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everybody who came out to our last show with Danielle Doyle and Garlic & Moonshine, it was one of our best shows yet! To see more photos check out our fan page on Facebook ...

May15th! For the Sake of the Song!

2010-05-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

Howdy ya'll,

I just wanted to invite you to our May edition of For the Sake of the Song. Come join us Saturday evening for another great show featuring ...

Danielle Doyle - Newcomer Danielle Doyle has been garnering much attention among audiences and fellow musicians, since she first emerged on the scene at the beginning of 2009. Danielle has been named a 2009 Mountain Stage NewSong Youth Winner, a winner of the weekly Lizard Lounge Open Mic challenge and has earned some incredible supporting slots including opening for Loudon Wainwright III, Dawn Landes, and Heather Masse (of The Wailin’ Jennys)

Check her out at www.danielledoylemusic.com

Garlic & Moonshine - Boston-based Garlic & Moonshine developed roots in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts when long-time friends and collaborators Matthew Rowen (acoustic guitar), Kirsten Lamb (upright bass), and Avi David (electric guitar) came together in January 2009 to record their debut album In Waves (to be released in March 2010). Their eclectic sound is grounded in creative songwriting and strong musicianship. In Waves is at times playful and bouncy, at others sparse and introspective. With just three members, Garlic & Moonshine's is a substantial sound sometimes ambient, sometimes two-stepping, sometimes infectiously groovy.
www.myspace.com/garlicandmoonshine

Hope to see you there!

-Patrick

FTSOTS #7

2010-04-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

We just confirmed the full lineup for our seventh For the Sake of the Song show! The show is April 17th and the full details are below. Hope to see you there!

For the Sake of the Song. April 17th - 7:30pm.
37 Saunders St, Allston, MA.

featuring...

Nadia Swartz - Nadia is local singer-songwriter and music teacher who has been performing around Boston for the past year. Her music is simple and honest and hopes to be felt.
www.myspace.com/nadiaswartz

Cal Folger Day - is "the real thing, straight down the line from Sister Rosetta Tharpe, June Carter, and Memphis Minnie...breaking our hearts and making them sing is no mean feat. A wonderful voice, hot chick, fast mama." (Matt Sage, Catweazle U.K.)
www.myspace.com/calfolgerday

Morgan Heringer - A jazz pianist by training, Morgan crafts her own tunes and plays the ukelele with Dustin Carlson accompanying her on electric guitar; together they have just recorded Summer Songs, documenting the people and places of the sultry season ...
www.myspace.com/morganelizabethheringer

Pics from O'Brien's and the Middle East!

2010-03-31T07:27:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from our shows this month at O'Brien's and the Middle East! For more head over to our Facebook page!

For the Sake of the Song Hits the Middle East!

2010-03-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

No, we're not putting on a show in Afghanistan (at least not this month) but we are running a showcase next Monday at the Middle East club in Cambridge (472 Mass Ave). The Middle East upstairs room is one of the best small venues in town, and we've got a great line up for you that night so it should be fun. Hope to see you there!

Check out these links for a sample of the tunes!

Barna Howard (Folk) - www.myspace.com/barnahoward
Matt Borrello (Roots Rock) - www.myspace.com/mattborrello
James Keyes (Blues) - www.myspace.com/jameskeyesmusic

Spring Kickoff Show Announced!

2010-03-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

Our spring kickoff show has just been finalized! To celebrate the changing of the seasons as well as our 6-month anniversary we have decided to up the ante. We're moving this month's show down the block to O'Brien's (3 Harvard Ave) to accommodate more awesomeness than our living room could otherwise contain. I'll be playing a set along with these great performers:

Patrick Yerby - www.songsinabottle.com
Ian Fitzgerlad - wwwianfitzgerald.com
The And Company - www.theandcompany.com

If you were at our February show then you know firsthand how great The And Company is, so tell your friends, tell your sister, and tell your friend's sister (note: we're not responsible for what happens there) and come on out for what is sure to be a killer night of music.

O'Brien's Pub. March 21st. $5.
Doors open at 7pm.

Pics From FTSOTS #5

2010-02-24T18:46:00.000-08:00

Just a little taste to let you know what you were missing ....

For the Sake of the Song Tonight!

2010-02-19T11:43:00.000-08:00

It's Friday afternoon, mere hours away from the weekend and you don't know what to do. Sure, you could hit up the Joshua Tree (again) but do really want to go through another night of $6 Sam Adams and U2? May we present an alternative ....

7:30pm. 37 Saunders St. BYOB.
featuring....
Ryan T. Jacobs
The And Company

3 shows coming up!!

2010-02-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy few weeks here as we try to stave off the winter doldrums with strong drink, big meals, and great live music. We've got a few shows lined up in February and March to help you survive the lingering effects of winter ...

Feb. 19th - Our 5th installment!
Come join us at our place for a special double bill show featuring ....

Ryan T. Jacobs - Our favorite ex-pat singer/songwriter
"Ryan T. Jacobs is a Singer/Songwriter from Oregon who sings about topics familiar to all: love, family, friends, isolation and loss. His music, described as "Neil Young meets Damien Rice," speaks about the highs and lows of life and is driven by his unmistakable voice and intelligent playing. After having traveled extensively through Europe and living in France, he moved to his new home, Berlin, Germany where he currently lives and works. His 7-song debut EP “The Places You Might Have Gone” is available now"
www.myspace.com/ryantjacobs

The And Company - THE AND COMPANY is the backup band for each audience members psyche. Three Boston singer-songwriters have built a band whose music explores the cracks in a society that is overwhelmed with complication. With their intriguing arrangements invoking something between Children's Theatre and Burlesque accompanied by mature and heartfelt lyrics sung in smooth harmony, THE AND COMPANY asks you to join them in celebrating the simple things...for it's the simple things in life that carry the most weight. www.theandcompany.com

Feb. 23rd - For the Sake of the Song hits the road!!
We're going off site this week and putting on a free show at The Alchemist in Jamaica Plain. A stellar 3 singer/songwriter line up featuring ...
Danielle Doyle - www.danielledoylemusic.com
Patrick Yerby - www.songsinabottle.com
and me, Patrick Coman - www.patrickcoman.com
show starts at 9:30

March 21st - For the Sake of the Song 6 month anniversary show!!
Those last six months went by fast and to celebrate (all the music, all the memories, all the Miller High Life) we're planning a big show at O'Briens in Allston! Details coming soon, suffice to say you're going to want to be there

Further on down the road
This April we are planning our first outdoor show. So hold on for spring, it's going to be worth your while ...

Live tracks from For the Sake of the Song!

2010-01-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple tunes from the November edition of For the Sake of the Song. A big thanks to Daniel Radin from the Novel Ideas for recording the show! Check them out at www.thenovelideas.com

Pics from FTSOTS #4

2010-01-18T14:53:00.001-08:00

Hot off the digital presses .... hope you like them

For the Sake of the Song - Tonight - January 15th!

2010-01-15T06:29:00.000-08:00

37 Saunders St. Allston, MA.
Kicking off at 7:30. BYOB
What more can I say?

Upcoming Events in 2010

2010-01-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

Howdy folks,

Just a quick reminder that we've got a pair of great shows coming up in January and February, so come on by and check them out!

Jan. 15th
Morgan Shaker (feat. "fixtures") - Folk singer/songwriter and part of Jamaica Plain's Whitehaus Family, read more about 'em at www.whitehausfamilyrecord.com

Ms. Carrie Erving - Carrie is a MA native who I ran across when I was living in Berlin and she will really knock your socks off, hear more at www.myspace.com/carrierving

Feb. 19th
Ryan T. Jacobs - Another friend of mine from Berlin, and not to mention fantastic singer/songwriter. Go hear his music at www.myspace.com/ryantjacobs (that's me on the lap steel!)

The And Company - Singer/Songwriters Alle Santiago, Brian Tavener, and Mally Smith banded together to form this awesome group. Check them out at theandcompany.blogspot.com or www.myspace.com/theandcompany music

As always the shows start at 7:30pm, and there is a $5 suggested donation for our performers. We are located at 37 Saunders St., Allston, MA. I hope we'll see you there and if you'd like to save a seat you can always RSVP at our Facebook page!

Pics from FTSOTS w/Dietrich Strause

2009-12-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

It was a cold and snowy night, but Dietrich Strause came in and rocked the house anyway. Good times were had by all. Enjoy the pics,

-Patrick

For the Sake of the Song is tonight!

2009-12-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

Well the weather outside is frightful but house concerts are so delightful, or so the old song goes. Come hang with us tonight and we'll try to erase any lingering memories of Boston snowstorms with a stiff drink and some great music. Show starts at 7:30, hope to see you there!

-Patrick

FTSOTS #4 Announced

2009-12-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

Howdy folks,

Just wanted to let you know that our lineup for January's For the Sake of the Song has just been finalized. This show, on January 15th, will feature two excellent singer/songwriters, Morgan Shaker from far away Jamaica Plain and Carrie Erving from relatively further away Berlin. Head down to our Facebook page for more info and as a reminder our next show is December 9th with Dietrich Strause! Hope to see you there,

-Patrick