In 2004, Adam Sweet of Granby traveled to Anping, China, the source of 99% of the world's bow hair, and toured violin factories in Hebei and Beijing. At one of them, a middle-aged violinist shared a portion of The Butterfly Lovers with him. Adam, of course, answered with Ashokan Farewell. No common language, just four strings on the wood. This is that song.

Chorus: He played the Butterfly Lovers, the tune his people know, and I answered with a Farewell from a mountain valley show, two melodies like ferries from opposite shores at dawn, and we met in the middle of a room in Beijing, gone.

Buy your copy for $1.50: https://vervemusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-butterfly-farewell

An early spring walk across the Quabbin dam — the light, the air, the feeling of starting again. A fiddle piece written for the Quabbin, where the old towns went under and the water keeps moving.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WkRWlFb01eE Buy for $1.50: https://vervemusic.bandcamp.com/track/walking-across-the-dam

A new klezmer bulgar written for Valley Light Opera's Fiddler on the Roof, playing Nov 5-8 at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Fast, festive, and full of the old East European joy that Fiddler on the Roof's dance hall needs.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/im2sMtyzvb8 Buy for $1.50: https://vervemusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-fiddler-s-coming-to-northampton

A singable Irish folk ballad from Adam Sweet, based on tales his mother told of Grandpa Kielty, a handsome soldier who traded his lungs for his comrades' lives and sang right through the linen tent. Sergeant Kielty brought wit, song and a dapper spirit home to the valley from the Great War.

Buy & download for $1.50: https://vervemusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-ballad-of-sergeant-kielty

#SergeantKielty #PioneerValleyRoots #IrishFolkBallad #FolkMusic

This one's about Adam Sweet's great-grandfather, Duxbury's butcher and fire chief. He pulled an elder out of the ruins of a burning coastal mansion, hitched his horse back to the wagon and went on with his deliveries. When the town called him before the magistrate, he figured he was in trouble. He got a certificate instead, and the family still has it.

Fiddle, guitar and mandolin. $1.50 on Bandcamp: https://vervemusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-reluctant-hero-of-duxbury-another-verve-original

https://vervemusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-hadley-witch-a-verve-music-original

This time of year, families from all across the region come out to pick pumpkins for their porches and stoops. Adam Sweet wrote The Pumpkin Dance after one of those sunny mornings.

https://vervemusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-pumpkin-dance

Western Mass is kind of a little mecca for incredible independent musicians, and one of my favorite parts of working on the Pond Lily Project has been watching artists come together not just to perform, but to create community around original music.

Full disclosure: I’m involved with the project. It’s supported by the Montague Cultural Council and Massachusetts Cultural Council, and this Saturday it culminates at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls with Eight Voices, One Stage.

Making independent music isn’t getting any easier. This project has made me think a lot about the creative ways communities can support working artists, and what becomes possible when musicians, local organizations and venues come together to make something happen.

I’m really excited to see what these eight voices create together Saturday night. Let's witness how the experiment turns out, together. 💙💫

I can put more info in the comments if youre interested. Either way, check us out if you feel called. Sat 9/26 at rhe shea.

Featuring: Tobey Sol LaRoche, Luke DeRoy, Olivia Nied, Rachel Davis, Matt Emmer, Carly Lara, Lilah Asbornsen, and E Horace Winston III.

There have been a lot of people around here who were every bit as good as musicians with national careers. Who comes to mind?

Not necessarily a club or concert hall. A barn, someone's kitchen, a field, a church basement, a street corner...where was it and who was playing?

We have a lot of musicians, venues and different kinds of music here. But what don't we have enough of?

Venues? Affordable rehearsal space? All-ages shows? Jams? Certain kinds of music? Better ways for musicians to find each other?

What would make the local music scene better?

If you'd like to support future songs and my studio in Granby, I'd be grateful for your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/sweetsongs

hey we’re merry brigade, let us know if you wanna join the bill. we’re like alternative rock so any emo/punk/alternative/indie/grunge/post hardcore bands would be a good fit

Do you like heavy music? Have you been to THCC yet?

Drummer and guitarist wanted for deathcore project

what's up everyone we're looking for a guitar player and drummer for a deathcore project. some of our inspirations are bands such as Chelsea grin, suffokate, girl of glass etc.

we're looking for non toxic people who share the same passion for music as us. preferably between the ages of 18-25 with your own gear and transportation.

at the moment we don't have a space yet.

dm for more info!

波族尚在 A new collaboration with members of the Qin Silk Consort. We shaped a song inspired by recent research showing the Bo people’s story continues. Quiet melodies, steady textures, and a sense of endurance.

#SweetSongsRecords #BoPeopleLive #QinSilkConsort