We toss out the old calendars and write a new year on our checks and documents. It’s a time not so much to look back, but to look forward.
Recently, amidst the holiday hassles, we took some time to head down to Water Street Café. My cousin is in a band called the “Wolf Hongos.” They’re a pretty eclectic seven piece group that features an accordion and plays what has been described as “mixing folk music from all over the world with punk and rock feel and sound.”
It’s foot stomping, dance party music, but what’s special is that it feels like home. If you’re Portuguese, it’s spiced with samba and a feel of the guitarra Portuguesa. Lebanese? There’s a Middle Eastern theme. Polish or Italian? The accordion swells to bring a European folk music feel. Jewish? There’s a lot of Klezmer kicking in. Add a little violin, some guitars and drums, and it’s an ethnic musical feast with a contemporary gypsy rhythm.
Like the city of Fall River where they live and were educated, the Hongos provide a sound track to all that is good about the South Coast: rich ethnic traditions that not only provide a strong foundation, but also support and encourage experimentation and celebration. But even more, their musical message shows just how much we’re alike, and provides hope that some day the world will dance to the same tune.
They were joined by Andrea Belanger and the Blind Woods, Max Jeffers, and Day Old Funk. All young, local talents who offer hope that the future of music is more than raunchy rap or pretty boy (girl) whining. January may be cold and depressing, but I dare you to sit through a set by the Hongos or Day Old Funk and not feel like “busting a move” as one listener said.
And to make it even better, they record at Bongo Beach Studios, one of the city’s best kept secrets. Tucked above South Main Street, John Mailloux has digitally recorded, mixed and mastered an array of talent from locals to Grammy-nominated artists. He also shares his knowledge by teaching at Bristol Community College and provides the behind the scenes support and encouragement to keep local music alive.
Across the hall, Mike Herren operates hurricaneradio.net, an online radio station. Just before the holidays, Mike and his crew survived a seven day marathon to raise funds, collect food, and gather toys to help the needy. Like him or hate him, you’ve got to give him credit for offering a helping hand – and for having the courage to take his message to the airwaves.
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