Other than the release of Seth Myers’ Boston Accent trailer, last week was a quiet one in Boston, both musically and meteorologically speaking. While D.C., Philly, and New York were brought to a standstill by wintery precipitates (NYPD even threatened to arrest anybody seen driving on Saturday), Bostonians had little to complain about. But enough of the weather. Here’s this week’s most important musical moments.
Otter’s I am my brother Debuts
After Otter’s new album I am my brother was available for streaming from Sound of Boston’s site last week, Otter officially released the album Friday. I am my brother gives us a meticulously produced version of the funk quartet, with a new neo-soul flavor. You can read our review of the album here, and you can bathe your ears with the new album on Otter’s bandcamp.
Berklee and Boston Conservatory to Merge
After a unanimous agreement between the two colleges’ boards of trustees, Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory will combine to form one institution. While both schools are arts colleges, the two differ significantly in the skills they develop in their students, and the primary purpose of the merger is to provide students with a holistic, interdisciplinary education that the institutions hope will lead to the most creative, powerful art the students can create.
According to Berklee’s press release, “these new offerings will give Boston Conservatory students enhanced access to Berklee’s leading studies in improvisation and contemporary music, technology, music business, music therapy, sound design, production, film scoring, and online education. Likewise, Berklee students will benefit from access to the Conservatory’s expertise in classical music, opera, dance, movement, acting, and musical theater.”
The review and approval process for the merger should be completed early this summer.
Fundraiser at The Sinclair
On February 28th, The Sinclair in Cambridge will play host to Eat Your Heart Out, a music and food-filled evening to benefit local charities Future Chefs and the Girls Rock Out campaign. Future Chefs helps high school students work towards a career in the culinary arts, and Girls Rock Out is a musical summer program for girls aged 8-17. Local soul singer Jesse Dee, who can be heard singing on Lake Street Dive’s self-titled album, will be one of the artists performing. You can purchase tickets to this event here.
Qwill Releases New Music Video
Salem-based singer and producer Jesse Ciarmataro, who performs under the name Qwill, released a music video to his song “Rage”, which is a track on his EP Phoenix from November. In contrast with the title, the electronic hip-hop track’s beat is controlled and composed. Qwill’s voice and backing tracks are accompanied by white-hot fireworks slowly traversing a black backdrop. You can see Qwill perform at the Opus Underground in Salem on March 5th.