Ear-resistable

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Let the turntables roll! The RPM Challenge entries are in.

The elves are nearly finished their tasks and the big spin is around the corner.

This year there’s EIGHT-HUNDRED CDs my friend. 800! That’s a whole lot of music. Each CD is registered, covers scanned and as we speak – so to speak - the tunes are being computerized into play lists. “It’s like The Factory in here, I tell ya,” says Karen Marzloff; RPM founding organizer and chief elf bottle washer, scanner and logger.

Soon we’ll hear the melodic, the disharmony and the tone deaf - and importantly the passion - at the FREE, RPM Global Listening Party (March 28).

If you can't make it to Berkeley/Oakland, CA, there's four shindigs in Portsmouth. It starts at the Music Hall. Then you stay or head out to harken the sound at the Press Room, Loaf and Ladle, or the all-age Riverrun Bookstore.

Karen says you can truly feel the passion in the work. “It’s moving,” she confided – a bit ferklempt really. ”When you put all this together it’s a powerful statement.”

Right on sister! Power to the people – 800 individuals and groups strong!

RPM is putting together an online Jukebox with all 20,000 songs from the past four Challenges as well. You KNOW the Muses are psyched. Expect the creative vibes to surge.

So listen up Gossip Lovers, (pun intended) be there or be square.

Yours in eavesdropping

Gossip Lady


PS: like so many art projects this is possible through volunteer power – which means STAR power around here. So, a gold star to the RPM volunteers – they sure deserve it.

Hateful Little Cakes

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

So you're probably wondering who the hood in the hood is?

Well it is none other than nice guy, and Music Hall box-office-big-wig,
Chris Greiner.

To the right is the mild-mannered manager version. The hooded edition on your left is Greiner as a Hateful Little Cake.

May I pause here to say it again; Hateful Little Cakes. That has to be one of the best band names ever. LOVE it. Feel the rhythm on the tongue: Hateful Little Cakes.

Anyway, G Lady crashed HLC's rehearsal at its tiny, crammed, cold, room; rugs on the wall, wires snaking everywhere - by musician standards a palatial rehearsal space. The evening's beer of choice , scattered amongst the snaking cables : Geary's, Smuttynose and Pilsner Urqwell.

Alas intrepid videographer DC was unable to come along and tape, so you'll just have to take my word on this, the sound is great. Also enjoyable was listening to vocalist Peter Duschesne and guitarist Rob Braswell (Bobby to those near and dear), pull Chris's chain. Seems the two love telling people the band came in first in the RPM music challenge. Every time Pete says something like "we won hands down," "or we came in first" Chris visibly squirms, clearly afraid Pete will be quoted - and so he is. : )

Yes, yes, the point is RPM is NOT a competition, which is why Rob says (as Chris cringes) "That's why it's so awesome we DID win."

Chiming in on their top prize honors is Michael Palace, synthesizer and and the latest addition to the band Terry Palmer, on bass.

When not engaged in Chris ribbing there's lots of talk about timing - Pete's additional, unannounced moves - and generally who's doing what.

You can catch the boys at Riverrun Bookstore, tentatively April 11. Check the "Portsmouth Herald Spotlight" closer to the date.

Speaking of checking: have you seen Gossip Lady latest videos? This one is not for the sensitive flower, but definitely for the well humored. Gossip Lady and DC dropped in on John Breneman and Chris Elliott while they rehearsed for their "Humor Gazette" video series. See it at www.seacoastonline.com/gossiplady.

All right then, off I go. Drop back in soon. I plan on popping in on Larry Simon this week to find out how things are going with Jazzmouth preparations.

Yours in good natured-gossip
G Lady

(Top two pics, Chris, pic to the left Pete, on right (L to R) Rob, Terry, Michael)

Greetings Gossip Lovers

Okay folk, I'm entering the 21st century. I'll be doing the blog thing, starting tonight. Stay tuned for even more peeks behind the scene s, in addition to breaking news and just some observations on what's happening in our fair community.

I'd like to share my latest video with you (start this thing off right) : the 2008 round up, courtesy of DC, my intrepid videographer.

So, come on back! (and let me know if you hear of anything real juicy).

Gossip Lady

Click here 2008 Round Up