Peterborough Folk Music: Fall Season Preview

The foliage is beginning to reveal itself right in time for a great fall lineup of music announced by the Peterborough Folk Music Society (PFM). Because of the generous response to the PFM fall annual fund drive, they are able to pay the musicians more, explained Deb McWethy, president and program director of PFM. "After expenses, 90% of all ticket sales go back to musicians. At my house concerts they get 100% of ticket sales." Another PFM supporter is NHPR's Kate McNally who is in her 30th year of a weekly folk radio show. "Peterborough Folk Music (Society) with Deb McWethy and her small but steadfast board has worked tirelessly over the last 30 years to bring folk music to the Monadnock Region, filling the void since the closing of The Folkway…," McNally said. "… Deb has brought some of the club's most cherished performers … to venues in Peterborough and Jaffrey and even her backyard in Chesham, while also introducing audiences to new artists …," McNally continued. The PFM fall season includes: Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. (Doors at 6:30 p.m.) Location: Bass Hall at Monadnock Center Online Tickets: $30 Day of Show: $35 Harmony, rhythm, indelible songs — these are the hallmarks of Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, the New England-based folk quartet now in its 20th year. From the Newport Folk Festival to California World Music Festival, this band's steadfast brew of wit, camaraderie and musicality leaves audiences everywhere humming and hopeful, spirits renewed. Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem are Rani Arbo (fiddle, guitar), Andrew Kinsey (bass, banjo, ukulele), Anand Nayak (electric and acoustic guitars) and Scott Kessel (percussion). (www.raniarbo.com) Folksoul Saturday, Sept. 13, at 1:45 p.m. (Doors at 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. potluck) Rain Date: Sunday, Sept. 14 at 1:45 p.m. Location: Deb's House, Chesham Online Tickets: $20 Day of Show: $25 Folksoul draws new impulses from old traditions in the living tradition of Mardi Gras dance music and New Orleans that is celebrated there. They go back to the roots to find the spirit that has its source Down There, and follow its branches of Motown, Soul and R&B, that reach out to all of us as Americans and beyond. It's new and old music, coming out of the oldest and most vibrant of American traditions. The American Folksoul embraces all. This band enjoys a good Mardi Gras parade, parading in Peterborough's Children In the Arts Festival, during Mardi Gras season and at their own Folksoul Music Festival. Their music is music that's alive and gets the party going. Garnet Rogers - SOLD OUT Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. (Doors 6:30 p.m.) Location: Bass Hall at Monadnock Center Online Tickets: $30 Day of Show: $35 Garnet Rogers (Second show added) Sunday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. (Doors 3:30 p.m.) Location: Bass Hall at Monadnock Center Online Tickets: $30 Day of Show: $35 "Garnet is from Canada and he's like the 'King of The Folkway.' He has a real heart of gold," McWethy said. "Garnet Rogers is capable of awe-inspiring and unpredictable stuff — and that includes more than just music." In a darkened bedroom, two young brothers aged six and 12 lay in their beds, listening to the country music broadcasts from the Grand Ol' Opry, and practiced their harmonies. Within 10 years, and barely out of high school, Garnet Rogers was on the road as a full-time working musician with his older brother Stan. Together they formed what has come to be accepted as one of the most influential acts in North American folk music."(www.garnetrogers.com). Pierre Bensusan Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. (Doors at 6:30 p.m.) Location: Peterborough UU Church Tickets: $30 Day of Show: $35 After releasing "Azwan," an album about our oneness and interconnectivity amid a unifying global crisis, French-Algerian guitarist, vocalist and composer, Pierre Bensusan is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his career. "With only his steel-string-acoustic guitar — and sometimes his rich, affecting voice — Mr. Bensusan can disassemble your heart and hand it back to you restored and renewed; as he did to mine tonight. A true giant." – James Volpe Rotondi, Guitar Player magazine. This show will sell out. There are no refunds or exchanges for purchased tickets. Order tickets through Pierre's online site only: www.pierrebensusan.com Jud Caswell Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Location: Deb's House, Harrisville, NH (address in ticket email) Tickets: $30 Jud Caswell is an award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has been performing in his native Maine for more than 25 years. In 2006, he made a splash on the national scene winning the Kerrville New Folk competition. His record "Live at the Seagull Shop" was the number one album on the Folk Alliance International radio charts in March of 2020. Jud is currently releasing several albums of music that he recorded during the early months of the pandemic. (www.judcaswell.com/home) "I found Jud through my friend Kate McNally … on NHPR Radio … She played Jud Caswell, and I liked his songs so much … I'm doing a house concert … and we are thrilled," McWethy said. Le Vent de Nord Sunday, Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. (Doors at 3:15 p.m.) Location: Park Theatre, Jaffrey Online Tickets: $35 Day of Show: $40 Considered an incomparable francophone ambassador, Le Vent du Nord is a driving force behind the Quebec progressive folk movement, and a leading group in the revival of traditional Quebec music. Since its founding (2002), it has experienced a meteoric rise that never ceases to amaze. Le Vent de Nord has performed over 2,000 concerts, released 12 albums and has received numerous prestigious awards. It was named Artist of the Year at the International Folk Alliance Conference (2006) and was the first recipient of the Transatlantic Bridge Award (2015). (www.leventdunord.com/en/) David Wilcox Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. (Doors at 6:30 p.m.) Location: Bass Hall at Monadnock Center Online Tickets: $30 Day of Show: $35 There are songwriters who chronicle life, and then there's David Wilcox — a quiet force in American folk music; a musician whose gift lies in making the personal feel universal. With the upcoming release of "The Way I Tell the Story" (2025), Wilcox proves that resilience isn't just a survival skill — it's an art form. The record shimmers with musical sophistication but leaves space for the listener to feel what Wilcox has always done best: tell the truth, gently but without apology. (www.davidwilcox.com/) The Nields Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. (Doors at 6:30 p.m.) Location: Bass Hall at Monadnock Center Online Tickets: $25 Day of Show: $30 The Nields is a folk-rock band that started in 1991. As a five-piece band, they toured much of the US, performing with artists such as Dar Williams, Moxy Früvous, 10,000 Maniacs, Ani DiFranco and Catie Curtis and appeared at many folk festivals. (Wikipedia) The Nields story begins with the two sisters. Nerissa and Katryn who grew up singing folk songs. Katryna learned to sing melody. Nerissa, on the other hand, tackled the harmonies. "I knew I wanted to be a singer and songwriter from the time I was seven," explained Nerissa. "I remember I wrote my first song that I was really proud of when I was 13, and right away I had a harmony for it, so I dragged Katryna out of her room and taught her the harmony. It was instinct — I knew that my sister should be there." (www.nields.com/) ___ "Over the years Deb has nurtured the local folk music scene, building a much-respected wall-less space full of heart and love whose home is where the folk is. Thank you, Deb McWethy and the PFM board for bringing us great music and filling our hearts and spirits over the years," said Kate McNally. For more information and to buy tickets for the PFM fall season, visit www.pfmsconcerts.org or email pfmsconcerts@gmail.com.