Matty Metcalfe

march, the pride of souza

2009-02-28T18:06:00.003-05:00

Here's where i'll be pickin', strummin', pressin', playin', protrudin', poundin', and plyin' my craft this month:

March 5--private

March 6--playing w/ Marc Carraway (scuffletown) and Vaughan Mairs (Mando Mafia/Guano Boys) opening for god-almighty Buckwheat Zydeco at Gravity Lounge--special guests Paul Freedman and up-n-comer Ryan Scholes will make guest appearances. we start at 7:30

March 6--at Bel Rio w/ Crewe d'Bayou--that's right, Matty 'Alfalfa' Metcalfe (bad Li'l Rascals play there) will be cross town w/ the Crewe at 10 pm. $5 cover

March 13--at the Community Arts Center (old Prism) in Charlottesville--playing bouzouki with Alex Caton (fiddle/vocals) for this benefit to support the Blue Ridge Irish Music School--9 pm

March 21--w/ Jolie Fille at Bel Rio

March 28--playing Italian accordion for the Downtown Business Assn's annual event. Don't know if this is closed or open for public viewing.

March 28--Benefit concert for Steve Riggs, illustrious, indefatigable, and indomitable bassist at Fry's Spring Beach House--all night!!

february, the littlest one

2009-01-31T18:04:00.002-05:00

Here's all the news that's fit to blog for this month (it's a short month, so space is limited).

Feb 6--Jolie Fille at Mono Loco--10 pm--Downtown Charlottesville

Feb 12--private

Feb 14--Valentine's Day dinner--I'll be playing Jazz Piano with another lovelorn cat (tba) from 6-9 at the Boathouse Restaurant in Seminole Square.

Feb 19--w/ Ned Oldham at Bel Rio--opening for Sarah White and Ted Pitney at 8 pm--Belmont, Charlottesville

Feb 21--w/ Jolie Fille at Bel Rio--10 pm

Feb 24--w/ Crewe d'Bayou at Fellini's--special Fat Tuesday show for the beginning of Mardi Gras--9 pm--Downtown Charlottesville

Feb 28--Crewe d'Bayou--special Mardi Gras show for the Charlottesville Downtown Business Association.

slow as manassas in january

2009-01-07T11:28:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year to you, devoted bloggaliers. Here is where and when I'll be out and about this month:

January 8--Private

January 9--i'll be plying my fingers to the banjo and accordion w/ i say i say i say cajun/old-time punk rock juggernaut Jolie Fille at Mono Loco in dntn Charlottesville--start time 10 pm (we'll be inside so no ear muffs needed)--apologies to foghorn leghorn

January 31-private wedding-Farmington Country Club

More shows/public viewings/hearings to come in February!

nog, grog, and agog

2008-12-01T11:09:00.005-05:00

Shows in December, behold the panorama, er...paranorma!

Dec. 5--at Enoteca wine bar--downtown Charlottesville--I'll be playing some jazz-a-ma-tazz and maybe a few holiday songs w/ musical juggernaut Brian Caputo (drums) starting around 7:30

Dec. 10--w/ Jolie Fille at Bel Rio in Belmont--10 pm. Visit www.belriocharlottesville.com for more on this new club, featuring some of the hottest and sumptuous musical and food groups in the 'ville and beyond.

Dec. 12--private--Charlottesville

Dec. 12 and 13--private--Washington, D.C.

Dec. 14--private party--Charlottesville

Dec. 19--private party--Charlottesville

Dec. 20--private party--Charlottesville

Dec. 21--private party--Earlysville

Dec. 24--private party--Gordonsville

Dec. 26--w/ Crewe d'Bayou at Bel Rio in Belmont--10 pm--visit www.belriocharlottesville.com for more info on this exciting new club and restaurant with some of the best food in town. $5

Dec. 27--Solo Show at Gravity Lounge opening for Stoned Masons. I'll be performing all original songs on guitar and banjo w/ my good friend Dan Sebring on fiddle and mandolin...ok, so it's not a solo show...but I've been looking forward to performing these songs I've penned for some time now...we start at 7:30 pm $5

Dec. 31--at Barboursville Vineyard--private party

National Zyde-go-crazy month

2008-11-04T13:09:00.002-05:00

Besides being national 'Write a Novel in Thirty Days Month' (true), I'm declaring this November National Zydeco Appreciation Month. So, to show our appreciation, Crewe d'Bayou will be performing at the Gravity Lounge this Saturday, November 8 at 3 pm for an all ages (and Kid-centric) show. We'll be debuting some of my songs and many other tunes from the playgrounds of New Orleans. The event will be moderated by David Eisenman (famed local WTJU DJ) and we will be taking questions (gulp) since the event is sponsored by the Smithsonian and the Virginia Discovery Museum. Please visit: http://www.vadm.org/programsCamps.html for more details on all the events this month as part of this 'Roots Music Meet the Musicians' series.

Nov. 6--private

Nov. 7--Jolie Fille at Mono Loco--10 pm--explosive cajun dance/party music--200 W. Water Street--Charlottesville, Va

Nov. 8--3-4 pm--Crewe d'Bayou in concert at the Gravity Lounge--David Eisenman--moderator. visit the link above or www.gravity-lounge.com for more info on us and the event!

Nov. 12--private

Nov. 21--w/ Peyton Tochterman--special duo show opening for Sam Wilson and the celebration of his new solo CD.
visit www.peytontochterman.com for more on us and www.myspace.com/samwilson for more on Sam's grooves. We start around 7:30.

Nov. 21--Crewe d'Bayou at Fellini's--That's right, later in the evening, make your way over to Fellini's for a late night Zydeco dance party. We'll be starting at 10 pm.

Nov. 22--private--Horeshoe Farm jazz series.

octoberfest accordion fest

2008-10-01T10:11:00.004-04:00

Here are some dates this October...more to come!

Oct. 2-Private

Oct 3--Beaufort Shrimp Festival--w/ Peyton Tochterman--5 pm--Beaufort, S.C.

Oct 3--Plums--Beaufort, S.C.--w/ Peyton Tochterman--10 pm

Oct 4--The Music Farm--Charleston, S.C.--w/ Peyton Tochterman--10 pm

Oct 6--w/ Ned Oldham at Gravity Lounge--Charlottesville, Va--7:30 pm--check out songs at www.gravity-lounge.com

Oct 11--Georgetown Book Hill Festival--I'll be playing accordion for this wonderful event in Georgetown to support some of my favorite people and small business owners--12-4 pm.

Oct 12--wedding--Crewe d'Bayou--Charlottesville, Va

Oct 14--Private

Oct 17--Greenbriar, West Virginia

Oct 24--w/ Jolie Fille at Mono Loco--10 pm--Charlottesville, Va on Water Street

Oct 30--playing accordion for Cirque du Soleil's opening night performance of 'Kooza' at the National Harbor--Washington, D.C.--visit http://www.nationalharbor.com/Events.aspx?id=1046 for details!

hurricain't

2008-08-31T17:27:00.005-04:00

i'm writing this on the eve of what may be another devastating gulf coast-bound hurricane, almost exactly three years on the heels of hurricane katrina. all traffic is headed out of new orleans this time, and the firmaments and 'second line' of defense are in place. i will continue to hope that everyone in the bayou region makes it out safely and that those of us watching and waiting in brother and sisterhood with our compatriots will uncross our fingers, unclasp our hands, and wake to see the sun shine again on the big easy and surrounding lands.

sept 5--private

sept 6-with Peyton Tochterman at the Purple Fiddle--Thomas, West Virginia. more info at www.purplefiddle.com

sept 10--private--Barboursville Vineyards

sept 12--private--wedding--Boar's Head

sept 13--w/ Crewe d'Bayou at Fellini's #9--downtown Charlottesville

sept 19--at the Omni Hotel, Charlottesville-private function

sept 20--w/ Crewe d'Bayou at the Lovingston Opry--shows at 4:30 and 6-- visit http://lovingstonopry.com/_wsn/page3.html for more info

sept 27--with Verbunk at the Harrisonburg International Festival--12:15 pm--visit http://www.harrisonburg-international-festival.org/online for more.

sept 27--with the Charlottesville Symphony--Caball Hall--UVA--featured artist on accordion for Dominick Argento's Valentino Dances--Please call the Cabell Hall Box Office at (434) 924-3984, Monday-Friday, 12-5pm for tickets

sept 28--with the Charlottesville Symphony--Monticello High School--3:30 pm--see above or visit www.cvillesymphony.org for tickets.

what mice lay plans and where?

2008-08-02T16:45:00.008-04:00

my best laid plans this month, newly hatched:

Aug 1--First Fridays--w/ Peyton Tochterman in Pinehurst, N.C.

Aug 3--wedding--Alumni Hall, UVA

Aug 6--reception for B.B. King at Charlottesville Pavillion--I'll be playing New Orleans style piano for the octogenarian legend to support Charlottesville's CAAR Workforce Housing Fund--5-6:30 p.m.

Aug 8--Private

Aug 9--w/ Chris Leva--guitar, Collin Gallahue--mandolin, Joey Damiano--bass--playing bluegrass banjo in Howardsville, Va--more later!--5-7 pm

Aug 14--w/ Scuffletown in Madison, Va--Concerts in the Park--6-8 pm

Aug 15--with Drex Weaver's 'Drextet' at Maya on West Main Street, Charlottesville.--10-1

Aug 16--private wedding--Barboursville Vineyard

Aug 17--private--Falls Church, Va

Aug 23--Private party--Charlottesville, Va

Aug 30--Locomofus--with Chris Leva--guitar/vox, Jeff Saine--pedal steel, Vaughan Mairs--upright bass, Jim Ralston--drums, myself on accordion and mandolin. Open to the public, at Corduroy Farms, featuring the best in local sustainable farm food, drink, and music. Only 15 - 20 minutes from Charlottesville. We play from 8 - 11 pm. Here's directions:

Take I-64 east to US 15, Zion’s Crossroad Exit (#136). Go north on US 15 for about 7miles to Boswell’s Tavern.
Turn right at light (Holly’s gas station on your left) and go east toward Louisa on Rt 22. Go 3 miles on Rt 22,
crossing the South Anna River. Take first left after river (note Corduroy cedar sign) into Corduroy farm and
go one-half mile straight back (do not make any turns left or right) to house and follow parking signs.

julie

2008-07-02T15:53:00.004-04:00

this doldrumest of months, won't you put on your parasol and come see some live music? i'll be hither, thither, and yon.

July 4--private event

July 5--First Colony Winery--Bluegrass and Burgers--playing banjo w/ Chris Leva (guitar), Joey Damiano (bass), and Collin Gallahue (mandolin). Visit www.firstcolonywinery.com for more info and tickets. We play from 12 - 4 pm

July 9--Cajun Release at The Box--downtown mall, Charlottesville--10 - 12 pm

July 11--keyboards with the Matt Wilner Blues Thang at Maya--West Main Street, Charlottesville 10:30-1:30

July 12--keyboards with the Matt Wilner Blues Thang at Miller's--downtown Charlottesville, 10:30-1:30

July 23--Cajun Release at The Box--downtown mall, Charlottesville--10-12 pm

July 25--w/ Matt Wilner's Blues Thang at Fellini's--downtown mall, Charlottesville--10:30-1:30

July 26--private party

honeyjune

2008-06-04T14:53:00.003-04:00

Here are a few shows this month, more to come!

June 6--Private

June 8--Violino Italian Restaurant in Winchester--accordion and mandolin

June 14--Cajun Release--house party

June 21--wedding--private--Washington D.C.

June 25--w/ Chris Leva at Doctor Ho's--Charlottesville, Va

June 27--with Peyton Tochterman--Fridays after Five--Charlottesville Pavillion

June 28--with Scuffletown--Gravity Lounge--see www.gravity-lounge.com for info/tix--Charlottesville, Va

June 29--private party--Farmington Country Club--Charlottesville, Va

merrimontha

2008-05-05T15:21:00.007-04:00

here's where and when i'll be this month:
may 2--private

may 4--Metcalfe Music Studios Student Performance--Broadus Baptist Church--2 - 4 pm

may 9--at Maya in Charlottesville (West Main St.) with Matt Wilner--10:30

may 10--at Second Street Art Gallery--Family Art Day--1-4 pm--Charlottesville

may 10--at Uncle Charlie's w/ Cajun Release--10 pm

may 14--at Culpeper--Robinson's Tavern--strolling accordion music, a seranade perhaps?

may 17--at Boar's Head--private party

may 19--Downey Selections Wine Tasting--Arlington, Va--I'll be playing Italian music on accordion and mandolin for this yearly event--brought to those w/ eminently distinctive pallets by Shannon Downey and her gaggle of Italian grape growers.

may 20--Private event--Satallite Ballroom

may 23--rehearsal dinner--private

may 24--wedding--private

may 24--w/ Peyton Tochterman at Outback Lodge--Charlottesville, Va--9 pm

may 25--wedding--private

may 26--private

may 31--Miller's with Matt Wilner's Blues Band--downtown Charlottesville--10 pm

subnasal bloom: tulips

2008-04-01T23:59:00.005-04:00

i finished writing and recording a dozen songs for Live Arts' production of Mother Courage and Her Children. i hope to put up some samples of my work at www.myspace.com/music/mattymetcalfe so check it out soon. here's where i'll be in living, breathing form this month:

apr. 9--peyton tochterman and high society--toad's place--richmond

apr. 10--peyton tochterman and high society--private party

apr. 11--private function

apr. 12--private party

apr. 13--at Montpelier with Stephanie Nakasian. See www.montpelier.org for more info.

apr. 19--at Boar's Head--private party

apr. 25-26--Georgetown BID French Market. Check out a pic of your humble blogger at
http://www.georgetowndc.com/events

apr. 27--Gravity Lounge--7:30--w/ Verbunk

apr. 29--Katrina Benefit at UVA Alumni Hall

whale oil beef yuckt!

2008-03-03T10:30:00.003-05:00

i'm doing lots of composing and recording for live arts (www.livearts.org) production of bertolt brecht's 'mother courage and her children'. the play centers around a machiavellian opportunist who uses guile and grift to profit from war...hmmm...that rings some bells. 'mother' wheels her wares around, selling what she can to make a kroner, but loses sight of her two sons and daughter over the twelve year (and twelve scene) period. along the journey, she teams with a cook, chaplain, prostitute, and her family to sing some of the most ironic anthems ever penned for stage. i've taken the lyrics and rewritten the music. the show opens on march 27th and runs for three weekends. check www.livearts.org for a schedule of shows.

elsewhere:
march 9--i'll be recording keyboard parts with the Five Maseratis in Northern Virginia

March 15--Keyboard with the Righteous Friends at Uncle Charlie's in Crozet.

March 21--Gravity Lounge with Peyton Tochterman

March 22--House Concert with Scuffletown--please contact me for info on tix.

jan, u? are we? oh, ate.

2008-01-02T21:57:00.001-05:00

here's where i'll be this month. more syllogistic aphorisms and linguistic twists and turns to follow, but i'm off the clock now.
one regular gig to mention (what is 'gig' short for anyway? ) is at enoteca, a new wine bar on the downtown mall specializing in italian vino. i'm there w/ mr. sam wilson and dave kannensohn on tuesday evenings between 8:30 and 11 playing jazz standards. accordion, guitar, clarinet, it's a scene-o.

Jan 5--i sit in with scuffletown, the dynamic duo of John Whitlow and Mark Carraway, as they expand their sentient borders to allow myself and Vaughan Meirs in on the action. Gravity Lounge, Downtown C'ville, 8 pm. www.scuffletown.net

Jan 12--I perform with the Sam Wilson band at Gravity Lounge starting at 8 pm. if you haven't heard Sam's music, you've been missing out on some of the finest songwriting and guitar playing in the local, i say regional, dern near cosmic realm. from the original son of bill no less. hear sam at http://www.myspace.com/sambowilsonmusic

Jan 19--wedding--UVA Chapel

Jan 26--private

Feb. 1--afternoon-private

Feb 1--Verbunk performs at Sage Moon Gallery as part of 'First Fridays'. Sage Moon is on Charlottesville's downtown mall near the pavilion

Feb 2--Peyton Tochterman and High Society at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas, West Virginia--www.purplefiddle.com

Feb 7--Peyton Tochterman and High Society at Uncle Charlie's smokehouse in Crozet.

Feb 8--Peyton Tochterman and High Society at Woodberry Forest School

Feb 16--**Verbunk opens for the Luminescent Orchestrii at the Gravity Lounge! Get tix early at www.gravity-lounge.com

Feb 21--Private event

Feb 23--Private party

Feb 29--Peyton Tochterman and High Society at the Iota Club in Arlington, Va, a stone's throw from the old folks back at home. help celebrate the leap year w/ us.

tis the sneezin'

2007-11-30T23:39:00.000-05:00

well, young mirabelle has been laid up for a score of days w/ a stop-and-go nose issue. seems like it's worst in the morning then gets better by nightfall. poor thing is keeping a stoic pose, and mom and dad have the sweater stains to prove she's smart enough to not only do away w/ the clogged olfactories, but to remind us whenever we look at our sullied garments that we need more lysol and purell...or maybe a big plastic bubble to live in. the good dr. says it's a sign that her immune system is working so we prefer to encourage that point of view. in music news, there's lots to crow about, though the wren the wren is king of all birds:
Dec. 1--I perform in traditional tattered Dickensian garb at the Georgetown Holiday Market. That'll be me up at 2600 Wisconsin Avenue, strapped firmly to my squeezebox, fighting off the maddening throng. If you haven't got a penny then a ha'penny will do. and if you haven't any idea what a ha'penny is then my you're crude (adapted from the old english lyrics).--11-4 pm

Dec. 1 (evening)--private--Charlottesville

Dec. 2--I again weather the feverish shoppers and revelers at the Annual Georgetown tree-lighting. Come down, take your picture with the mayor, Father Christmas, and Frosty the Accordionist--from 4-7 at 3000 K St. NW

Dec. 2--Verbunk performs at Fellini's in downtown Charlottesville from 9 - 12 pm. we have the definitive minor swing version of your holiday favorites--rudyard, the red-nosed uncle, 'beernuts roasting on an oil-can flame' and 'splinter vunderland (polka)'.

Dec. 5--I perform at Charlottesville's 'Democrat Dinner' at the Sage Moon gallery in downtown Charlottesville 7 - 9 pm.

Dec. 6--Boar's Head--private--6:30-8:30 pm

Dec. 7--Private--3-4 pm

Dec. 8--Bat Mitsvah (private)-12:30-2:30 pm

Dec. 8--private--Holiday Party--7 - 9 pm

Dec. 13--Verbunk performs at the Sage Moon Gallery in downtown Charlottesville--5 - 6 pm

Dec. 14--I perform with Chris Leva and the Guano Boys. Visit www.guanoboy.com for more info on this trans-Atlantic, pan-Caribbean jabberwocky of a band. Lots of fun to insert myself (and my squeezebox) into this groove. But, alas, after baiting the hook, i fear that this is a private party.

Dec. 15--Tell Us a Tale welcomes one and all to the annual radio broadcast from the gravity lounge. This year, Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou are a privileged musical act for the show. We'll be doing lots of New Orleans-inspired Holiday songs, including the Louis Armstrong hits 'Christmastime in New Orleans' and 'Dat you, Santa Claus?' featuring our favorite guests John D'earth on trumpet and Dawn Thompson on percussion and vocals. The event starts at 2 pm and we play at 3:30 sharp. For more info see www.gravity-lounge.com

Dec. 15--Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou perform at Fellini's from 10 to 1 that evening. Come down and catch our zydeco/funk/jazz/cajun brand of New Orleans soul.

Dec. 16--private party -6-8 pm.

Dec. 28th--Peyton Tochterman and High Society at Gravity Lounge--8 pm

Dec. 31st--Verbunk performs at First Night Virginia. Keep your eyes on www.firstnightva.org for info.

And of course, email me about any details i might be forgetting.

veni, vidi, vici, vhyme, oyveh, ab, aram, ees, ahs, eesh

2007-11-01T22:43:00.000-04:00

As your (my/one's) readership may have observed, with the dimmest of wit or eyesight, I have titled most blog entries this year w/ clever-meets-clunky plays upon each month's name--nom-de-gyear, if you will. won't you? ok, then. if that is how it is, then i will tell you that my initial, knee-jerk association with the word 'november' began with my surmisal that it belonged to that class of latin numerology relating to the English (or Arabic, really) number nine. to my great shock, if you count backwards, forwards, or fourswords, you'll keep coming to the inscrutable gaveled verdict that november is not the ninth, but the eleventh month of the year. here is where the roman scholars may pound your fist firmly on the laptop, upsetting your jar of mead and cursing zeus' triton. "by the axe head of prometheus, i know the answer!" you cry, clovened gruel spluttering onto your modern aged 'thunder-book'. "yes, that is correct," i tell you, before you upset the mater, puella, and romulus/remus (ok, that's all i know from six years of latin). the roman calendar began in march and ended in december, making november the ninth month. mystery solved, watson. on a more interesting note, november is a month of sacrifice," or "blood-month," the time when the early Saxons prepared for winter by sacrificing many animals, which they then butchered and stored for food. so here you go, please scavenge on the following musical sacrifices i offer up this month:

November 3rd--Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou--at Fellini's #9 in downtown charlottesville. music starts at 10 pm. call 434 979 4279 for directions. or follow the beaded, masked parade.

November 4th--I return to Fellini's the following night with Verbunk, the ear-scratchingest, goat-wranglinest posse of musical infidels this side of dracula's castle. tico-suave. we start at 6 pm.

November 11th--My students participate in the Metcalfe School of Music bi-annual Student Showcase, showering you with the finest musical talent under my tutelage. I'm particularly excited about my Rock Band 101 class, which I started this semester--including piano, accordion, two bassists, and electric guitar. We will be rocking out on some classic tracks by the Clash, Chuck Berry, Dick Dale, and the Beatles.

November 18th--I perform on accordion at Barboursville Vineyards for a private occasion.

November 24th--I am honored to be the musician at Georgetown's annual tree-lighting ceremony, performed by the mayor of Washington D.C. Festivities start at 3 pm.

November 29th--At the Outback Lodge with Shakesphere--check out more on this Afro-Caribbean convulessence (not a word, webster?)--i'll make it mean a collusion meets a collision of transatlantic proportions, at essence. see www.guanoboy.com for details.

Rocktoberfest

2007-10-03T10:24:00.000-04:00

What with the way of wailing winds, when whipped upon one, i will be blowin' my high-lonesome sounds in the following
p(a)laces this month:

Oct 5--Private

Oct 6--Peyton Tochterman and High Society at the New Canaan Valley Music Festival near Thomas, West Virginia--Visit
http://www.purplefiddle.com/ for info on this festival. It starts at 7:30 but get tickets early.

October 12--Peyton Tochterman and HIgh Society-CD RELEASE CONCERT!!! at the Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville. Shannon Worrell opens. Visit http://www.theparamount.net/calendar_shows_PeytonTochterman.aspx for tickets!!

Oct 13--Private--Veritas Vineyards

Oct 14--Octoberfest--Scottsville

Oct 20--Private

Oct 27--Scuffletown at John Whitlow's House Concert series--email me at metcalfemusic@yahoo.com for ticket info.

come september...i don't remember

2007-09-03T12:43:00.000-04:00

As I look out my window, a parade of yellow schoolbuses is winnowing it's way into the multi-colored strand of whizzing cars (yes, i live on the on-ramp of a major highway). That can only mean one thing, school's in from summer (as callous uper once remarked). I'm back to teaching, so if you'd like to sign up for lessons on piano, accordion, guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, or ukelele, drop me a line. remember my motto, 'nothing blown or bowed, just plucked strings and keys, please'. here are some dates and places i'm to perform this month. come on out, it's a real scene where i'm to be seen. i'm the sine qua non, shee?

Sept. 1--private--Fry's Spring Beach House

Sept. 11--My band Crewe d'Bayou performs at Central Place on Charlottesville's downtown Mall in honor of the people who lost and gave their lives six years ago on this day. We start promptly at 7 pm.

Sept 15 and 16--Peyton Tochterman and High Society heads down to Bristol, Virginia, or Tennessee, depending upon which side of Main Street you're on (true story!). The way we see this is, the Virginia side offers beer posters, they're illegal in Tennessee. We'll be playing the Main stage on saturday at 6 pm and the State Line Bar at 9 pm and the following day (sunday) at 3 pm. Hope to see you there, if you can make it. Lots of great bands to see. Visit http://www.bristolrhythm.com/ for info.

Sept 21--Peyton Tochterman and I perform at a UVA house concert series. More info about this soon.

augustine the first...

2007-07-31T16:23:00.000-04:00

Many summer projects and musical excursions this month, dovetailing neatly with trips out of body and mind with blissful mirabelle who turns .5 yrs young on the 22nd. We'll be taking some family time off to reconnect our dots and finger paint our future. here's where i'll be playing this month: If you're not able to see the following (two!) public concerts this month, and are in the D.C. area, check out the Millenium Stage concert series during August 13-16 for a series of Accordion Orchestras from around the world. It's the next best thing, really, to a barrel of monkeys.

August 2nd--Private show

August 10th--I'll join Peyton Tochterman at Fellini's for a night of frolicksome, rollicking mirthful musaics. Starts at 10 pm.

August 11--I'll be doing double-duty, playing with Verbunk (www.verbunkmusic.com) opening for Peyton Tochterman and High Society at the Gravity Lounge starting at 8 pm. See www.gravity-lounge.com for more info.

August 23rd--Private show

August 24th--Farmington Country Club--private party

August 25th--Private wedding--UVA

August 26th-Private convention--UVA

August 30th--Crewe d'Bayou re-views the studios of WTJU--how's that for 'U'--for a live on-air performance starting at 9 pm. We also revisit our good friend David Eisenmann who is presenting New Orleans music on his show--Induced to Judder--as a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina (two years ago). Check us out on 91.1 this Thursday night at 9 pm.

Hot July Dates

2007-07-01T17:37:00.000-04:00

...brought to you by match.com. Here's where and when I'll be this month. The newly completed 'Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou' album (nine songs) is finished. We're very happy/lucky to have had John D'earth play trumpet on the tracks, and James McLaughlin play engineer. The artwork is still to be completed, but it's never too soon to pre-order your copy. and remember, it ain't no sin to dance around in your skin...it's just creepy to think about.

July 2-3--I perform solo on accordion at a reception to honor the eminent dignitaries from Charlottesville's 'sister city', Poggio a Caiano, and to celebrate the city-sisters' 30th anniversary. The reception will be held downtown on July 3rd at 5 pm and is open to the community. I'll be serving traditional Italian fare such as 'Return to Sorrento' and 'Santa Lucia' spiced with a dash of Sinatra and Dean Martin. You'll be walking down the street with the clouds at your feet afterwards.

July 4--Private event

July 11--Peyton Tochterman with Wells Hanley on drums, Brian Chenault on guitar, and myself on stomach-steinway at Orbit Billiards starting at 9 pm.

July 12--With the closing of Starr Hill--the brewery/performance venue/restaurant--Peyton Tochterman and High Society will move on down the road to the Outback steakhouse...no, that's not right. the outback lodge, that's the one. Blimey...Wells Hanley guests on drums, Brian Chenault on guitar, and we will be playing songs from the yet-unreleased album that we finished this spring.

July 14--Bastille Day!! anyone, anyone? good...I was just testing your patriotism. I, however, will be playing French music at the Del Fosse vineyard tonight for this most, how you say, paramoun't of French holidays. The celebration goes throughout the day, and I will be serenading from 6 to 8 pm. There's wonderful wine and food, and the view of the mountains is spectacular. visit http://www.delfossewine.com/Admin/Shop_Show_product.php?Product_Id=85 for more details.

July 15--Verbunk performs at Fellini's #9 from 6 to 9 pm. hold on to your wallets, the gypsies are coming.

July 20--Peyton Tochterman and High Society return to Thomas, West Virgina (the Twin Peaks of the Shenandoah) to perform ritualistic audio vibrations at the purple fiddle. This is one of the hidden gems for performing musicians. check it out at www.Purplefiddle.com

July 21--I perform with Scuffletown at the Gravity Lounge for mister John Whitlow's annual birthday party there. No one knows why this tradition started, but it's a fun night, so we don't question it. visit www.gravity-lounge.com and see the calendar for more on scuffletown (new album available this night).

July 24--Peyton Tochterman and High Society--featuring John D'earth on trumpet and Wells Hanley on drums--will be performing at the Velvet Lounge at 915 U Street in Northwest Washington D.C. We'll be starting around 10 pm.

July 25--Peyton Tochterman and High Society--with Andy Thacker on mandolin, John D'earth, a drummer, bassist, guitarist, and possibly others--maybe the kitchen sink will make an appearance--perform at Orbit Billiards on the Corner in Charlottesville

July 27--Peyton Tochterman and High Society perform at Floyd Fest in...Floyd, Virginia. See www.floydfest.com for details and a list of the tremendous performers who we'll be gracing the stage with.

July 27--Peyton Tochterman and High Society perform at Charlottesville's Fridays after Five concert series at the C'ville Pavillion beginning sometime after 5, i'reckon.

July 28--Peyton Tochterman and High Society perform at the Bedford County Library for it's Concert Series--starting at 8 pm.

subluminal messages

2007-06-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

...beneath the moon, beyond the stars. I'm enjoying spending what little free time I have writing and recording this new 'Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou' project with James McLaughlin at his Mountainside Studios. Mike D'Antoni lays down some heavy (New Orleans 'heavy', meaning 'phat') guitar grooves and sings, Drex Weaver tightens and wallops the skins, and John D'Earth blows trumpet as if from the mouth of the Delta herself. Whatever happened to Delta Burke anyway? The album should be out by June 16, when we perform at Fellini's on the mall with very special guests Spencer Lathrop on drums, and Robert Jospe--also on drums...and possibly one more drummer. We'll be stacking those toms three-high. John D'earth will also be shredding the brass..and might want a turn at drums too. Here are some upcoming shows, and I hope to post sound files soon.

June 1--Private wedding rehearsal dinner--Orzo

June 2--Solo accordion at Hollins College

June 7--Private party--solo piano

June 9--private--Boar's Head Inn

June 15--private--Farmington Country Club

June 16--Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou at Fellini's #9 with very special guests Robert Jospe and Spencer Lathrop sharing drum roles (har), and John D'earth on trumpet. Set your funk-o-meter to shake and burn.

June 21st--Peyton Tochterman and I play at Culpeper's Third Thursday Festival with the Seldom Scene.
Visit http://www.culpeperdowntown.com/events.cfm for more info.

June 27th--Solo Accordion at Whole Foods in Charlottesville for 'Cool-Aid' Benefit

June 30--Private party with Crewe d'Bayou

may's daze

2007-05-06T22:39:00.000-04:00

Here are some shows I'll be playing this month:
May 5: private--Barboursville Vineyards

May 12--Verbunk performs at the 2nd Street Gallery in downtown Charlottesville from 1 to 4 pm. Gypsy families get in free.

May 17--Verbunk at Starr Hill Cocktail Lounge beginning at 9 pm and then with Hard Rain.

May 20--Verbunk performs at a House Concert. Email for more details or to rsvp.

May 24--Verbunk performs at Fellinis #9 from 9 to 12 pm.

May 26--I perform solo on accordion and piano at the lovely Del Fosse vineyard for their sumptous wine dinner. Bring your woman, they'll provide the wine and i, the song. See www.delfossewines.com for more details on the lovely french villa in the appalachian hills

May 30--Peyton Tochterman and High Society performs with Sons of Bill at Orbit (on the Corner in Charlottesville) starting at about 10 pm.

June 2--I perform on solo accordion at Hollins College in Roanoke, Va.

In addition, I'm in Mountainside studio this month recording an album of classic New Orleans and newly penned tunes of meown for a Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou album. More details to come as we two-step closer to the finish line.

over the heel

2007-03-23T17:03:00.000-04:00

as mirabelle enters her second month on earth, i would never have imagined such a little thing could bring such great joy to her parents or make such prodigious pronouncements of her own vitality. She is a bonzai aphrodite (to borrow from Tom Waits) and reminds me of the Blake poem; "To see a World in a Grain of Sand, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower; Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And Eternity in an hour..." --or something like that. i'm told she has my fingers and toes, in miniature form of course. And she responds approvingly to the six or so songs i penned and played for her while she remained in utero--how do i know? she nods along and 'vogues' with her tiny hands. here's where i'm playing music in april so far. stay tuned...

April 4--peyton tochterman and high society bring their lethal cocktail of bluegrass, jazz, and farmer-funk (hoe-brow) to the gravity lounge--guest starring john d'earth as jack tripper...er...that is, on trumpet--brian caputo (ka-sputnik) on drums--andy thacker on mando-ballet, sam (s)wilson on electrc guitar, and Darrell Muller on bass. see www.gravity-lounge.com and check the calendar for details

April 6--High Society opens for John D'earth, Dawn Thompson and the Miller's band at Starr Hill Lounge (www.starrhill.com) around 9 pm, i reckon.

April 6--I scoot over to Fellini's to join Jolie Fille from 10:30 - 1--with Tristan Puckett (Jolie T) on skins, Colum Leckey (Jolie C) on bass, David Goldstein (Jolie D) on fiddle and vox, and Paul Friedman (Jolie P) on mouth-harp and vox. J'ai te passe, bon ton roulette!

April 7--private party w/ High Society

April 14--Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou perform at the "grand expansion" of Hines Musictronics on Ivy Road in Charlottesville at 4 pm. They cut down the flower shop walls to make room for a stage, many more instruments, and the friendliest, most knowledgable staff you'd ever try to stump.

April 21--Private--Esmont, Va--with Verbunk--see www.alexcaton.com for more info about this gypsy band

April 21--Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou bring le zydeco to Fellini's for a night of stomp-boxing, two-steppin', and heavy fretting. Come for dinner and see the show at 10 pm.

April 22--I join Mike D'Antoni and Crewe d'Bayou on Peter Jones' WTJU radio show (91.1 FM in Charlottesville)--Tell Us a Tale at 1 pm. visit www.tellusatale.com for more info on this inimitable show.

April 27-28--I perform at the DC BID's French Market on Wisconsin Ave. in...Georgetown. Both days I will be clad in l'couffiere, l'beret, and l'martine, playing l'accordion.

April 30--I perform on accordion and mandolin at this year's most prestigous 'Michael R. Downey Selections Wine Portfolio Tasting' in Arlington, Virginia. My good friends Shannon Downey and Guillaume Turpin have a reputation for selecting the finest wines from Italy and importing them to the finest restaurants on our shores. It is a privilege and honor to be asked to add my lustrous bouquet of musical flavors to the aromatically-enhanced festivities.

I'll update the rest of April in a few days, for now it's back to the baby...bottle...

The Eaglet has Landed

2007-02-25T09:48:00.000-05:00

Mirabelle Luna Metcalfe was born ready for prime time at 7:49 pm, Thursday February 22nd. She shares a birthday with such luminaries as Robert Wadlow (tallest human ever 8' 11.1")), Chico Marx ("I wasn't kissing her, I was whispering into her mouth"), George Harrison (whose song 'Something' was our wedding anthem), Neil Jordan (director), and modern American renaissance man 'Carrot-top.' And speaking of tops, she is topped by a deep-brown thicket of wispy hair and, i've been told, has her daddy's (toy) piano-playing fingers. she and her mom are resting, recouping, and reclining now at home after a few days in the hospital. I'll post pictures when i can. In music news, most of the following shows are TBD as far as my presence goes. Being unfamiliar with the duties and (lack of) sleeping habits a new dad finds himself in, i've decided to play my first few measures with Mirabelle by ear and see what happens. It's only natural. I'l have her practicing a diminuative scale and working on our family of sharps by week's end. Here's some shows coming up:

March 3rd--Saturday--Jolie Fille play at Uncle Charlie's in Crozet. Visit http://ucsmoke.com/ourplace.htm for more details.

March 10th--Saturday--Jolie Fille opens for the Guano Boys at the Satellite Ballroom on the Corner in Charlottesville. Visit http://www.satelliteballroom.com/ for details.

March 16th--private show

March 17th--private show

March 24th--Alex Caton (www.alexcaton.com) brings her gypsy soul to the space which used to be called the prism coffee house (now known as 214 Community Arts Center). We will be playing a wide range of eastern european, klezmer, and gypsy jazz tunes starting at 7 pm. Featuring Dan Sebring on guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, Lew Burrus on double bass, alex on fiddle and vocals, and m'self on accordion, followed by the Joel Rubin Klezmer ensemble. All proceeds will benefit the arts space, so come down for a worthy purpose, and a night of raucous high-kickin' fun. visit www.214arts.org for more info.

March 31st--private--bat mitsvah at Temple Beth Israel

March 31st--private party 7-10--Jolie fille

More to come...

baby season begins

2007-01-17T17:01:00.000-05:00

preparing to be a new father has kept me from updating this site in quite some time. here's a brief rundown of non-newborn-related events in january. the new little girl is due to arrive on valentine's day. i've been feverishly writing and recording original nursery odes for her. the album is due when she is, and i must say it's strange having a firm deadline but not knowing exactly when it is. i'll post songs or you can contact me for copies.

jan. 13--peyton tochterman and high society at the purple fiddle--thomas west virginia (www.purplefiddle.com)

jan. 26--jolie fille at atomic burrito

feb 15--crewe d'bayou at uva

feb 16--jolie fille at fellini's

feb 20--private at boar's head ballroom

feb 20--private at del fosse vineyards

feb 20--mardi gras party at fellini's w/ m'self and crewe d'bayou--the band that couldn't spell straight and special guests (and n'laws) john d'earth and dawn thompson. we'll be performing lots of my n'awlins-inspired compositions and a vast array of tunes, spanning the century--from fats waller, louis armstrong, and professor longhair, up to present day zydeco pioneers. come on down for dinner and stay for the show. bring a washboard and get in free. the party starts at 10 pm.

feb 23--jolie fille at atomic burrito--flip your wigs, knock your socks, overturn your apple cart. it's ca-jun-ctivitis

more in a baby lamb's tail!

Gracian Formula

2006-11-28T15:20:00.000-05:00

during the days leading up to america's feast-day, peyton tochterman wrangled the boys in the hoods into crystalphonic's austeerie supraterranian caverns to record the latest 'high society' album. we hog-tied and wrestled fifteen or so songs to the ground and the initial fruits of our collective labor sound delicious, if i might synaesthize a bit. featuring brian caputo--drums, darrell muller--bass, peyton on guitar and vox, andy thacker--mandolin, sam wilson--electric guitar, and this bloggarhiast on accordion and organ, this latest recording is a prosaic mosaic of timbres and tones that sounds by turn jazzy, folky, rocky, and rolly. the whole project, engineered by 'stereo' jack grey, features some of the most incredible, spontaneous and extra-sensory perceptive musicians i've ever had the privilege to work with. we'll be whiddling and wheedling in the coming weeks to get all the ancillary parts down, but i tell you, it's going to be a tremendous album. look for it in stores or coming live to your local den of iniquity in the early spring as well as some exciting summer shows. i will be recording some songs of my own in the coming months for a cd to be released in march. in the meantime, here's where i'll be, when:

December 2--Matty Metcalfe and Creu d'Bayou storm into Fellini's #9 with foot-pounding zydexcitement starting at 10 pm.

December 6--Jolie Fille performs their cajun bugaloo swampy bayou stomp down at Atomic Burrito

December 7--private--Boar's Head Inn

December 11--private--DoubleTree Hotel

December 15--private--North Garden

December 16--TBA

December 17--private

December 20--Jolie Fille at Starr Hill with Sarah White and the Pearls

December 24--Broadus Baptist Church Christmas Eve Services

December 29--Jolie Fille is up to their old tricks at Atomic Burrito--10:30 til last call

December 31st--First Night Virginia--come see Matty Metcalfe and Creu d'Bayou at First Night Virginia's Temple Beth Israel Stage for two shows starting at 8 pm and 10 pm. Visit www.firstnightvirginia.org for more details on all the bands and happenings that evening and where to get your tickets for this illustrious event.

Assume Formlessness

2006-10-23T19:33:00.000-04:00

If the current weather patterns can be made analagous to one's life (i being the one in question), the next few months should prove to be reassuring fierce and robust. Lots going on musically amidst the whipping winds and sunset foliage that have sprung upon charlottesville and neighboring environs of late. A few of the more notable fronts in the system: 1) I'll be recording and releasing a song for Charlottesville's local 'Freedom of Expression' songwriting contest to be judged by local luminaries Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Matthews Band and Poet Laureate Rita Dove. My song is called 'George's Farm' and I hope to have it posted in two and two. 2) Peyton Tochterman and High Society will hit the recording studio (Crystalphonic right here in Charlottesville) in late November to record the upcoming album. The band is currently in flurrisome rehearsals, tying up loose ended arrangements and engaging in terribly wonderful sonic ideas. The album will be out early next year along with some very special shows, so stay tuned. 3)I will be in the studio this week with Paul Currreri and Danny Schmidt working on the latter's new album. Check out his starkly poetic songs at www.dannyschmidt.com and buy an album from www.cdbaby.com, you won't be disappointed. 4) My band 'Creu d'Bayou' has been selected to perform at this year's 'First Night Virginia' which is a supreme honor for us. This event (www.firstnightvirginia.org) is a thirty-plus-year tradition in Charlottesville and features some of the best music from around the country. We will be at the Temple Beth Israel stage downtown at 8 and 10 pm. Visit the site for more details on how to get tickets. 5) I will be hitting the studio with my songs and a few notable c'ville all-star rockers/folkers/mothas in january to record my new album of all originals--tentatively titled 'the murd'rous train'. For now, please come out any one of the following nights to see flurries of musicianship and extended periods of entertainment!

November 8--Peyton Tochterman and High Society perform from 10 pm to 1 am at Orbit Billards which is on 'the corner' at 102 14th Street Charlottesville, VA 22903. Come get a sneak preview of many of the songs that will be making a clear difference in your life come early next year when the new album is released. Call Orbits at (434) 984-5707 for more info.

November 11--Jolie Fille, still looking for the 'beautiful girl' that will fill out the line-up of guys and fulfill the band's collective nom de guerre, will search again by performing at Atomic Burrito on the downtown mall in hopes that the lovely 'fille' will, by audio-osmosmis, hear the songs and start hummming along in French.

November 12--My students take the stage at Broadus Memorial Baptist Church at1525 Stony Point Road Charlottesville, VA 22911. I have about twenty students participating in this year's performance, from age six to sixty-six (credit to mad libs) and the public is welcome to attend if you wish to see some of the work these kids and i have been doing to prepare the musicians of the future.

November 16--Private gig at UVA's Observatory Hall--5 - 8 pm.

November 16--Jolie Fille again takes the stage at Atomic Burrito, to kick off a slew of monthly-thursdays at the hoppinist mexi-joint in town. 10 - 1 am

November 17--Matty sits in with American Dumpster, c'ville's premiere recyclabilly band complete w/ washboard, accord, dashboard, and ripcord--blazing through richmond's poe's pub for a late night set. check www.americandumpster.com for more details and directions for this rollicking ribald rocknroll rodeo.

November 18--Matty performs with John Whitlow and Mark Carraway, otherwise known as 'Scuffletown' at a house concert. More details to follow

Nov 24--TBA

November 25--Peyton Tochterman and High Society perform at Fellinis #9 on the downtown mall from 10 to 1 am

December 2--Matty Metcalfe and Creu d'Bayou storm into Fellini's #9 with foot-pounding zydexcitement starting at 10 pm.

December 6--Jolie Fille performs their cajun bugaloo swampy bayou stomp down at Atomic Burrito

December 7--private--Boar's Head Inn

December 11--private--DoubleTree Hotel

December 16--TBA

December 29--Jolie Fille is up to their old tricks at Atomic Burrito--10:30 til last call

December 31st--First Night Virginia--come see Matty Metcalfe and Creu d'Bayou at First Night Virginia's Temple Beth Israel Stage for two shows starting at 8 pm and 10 pm. Visit www.firstnightvirginia.org for more details on all the bands and happenings that evening and where to get your tickets for this illustrious event.

i do declare

2006-08-26T14:05:00.000-04:00

in the immortal words of foghorn leghorn, 'i say, i say, i say' there's a whole new pod of whale-proportioned shows coming up in the next few months. check back early and often for more details as events line themselves up in marching band order for the fall and winter. lot's of news in the studio world, namely i've finished putting my home rig together and have written more for the accordistra project (see below) which i will be recording over the next few months. also, peyton (www.peytontochterman.com) has us booked to record the new 'high society' record in december, to be released in the spring. my outfit, crewe d'bayou, will be pulling together a few songs i've written for our 'first night virginia' gig this new year's. i will try to post sonic samples when i get a chance. for now you can catch me out here:

sept 2--'High Society' rolls into Thomas, WV for what is sure to be another pyrotochteriffic performance at the purple fiddle, featuring the usual suspects plus very special guest bobby read, fresh off his tour with bruce hornsby. visit www.purplefiddle.com for info on the place and the peeps.

sept 7--private show in c'ville.

sept 11--The Freedom Concert is an annual international event commemorating the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. I will be performing at this year's concert with Thomas Gunn and Matt Wyatt from 6:30 to 7 pm at Central Place on Charlottesville's downtown mall. After the concert and peace-promoting readings, the mayor of Charlottesville will speak and, at 8 pm, lead attendees in a candlelight walk to the free expression wall at the east end of the mall. Please come to celebrate life and peace or visit www.septemberconcert.org for more information.

sept 14--High Society opens for Sons of Bill at the Starr Hill Restaurant/Pub/Club starting at 8 pm

sept 15-16--High Society, featuring Mr. John D'earth on trumpet, plays two sets, Friday and Saturday, at the Rhythm and Roots festival in Bristol, Virginia. We'll take the 'Ireson's Pub Stage at 10 pm on Friday and the State Line Stage at 9:15 pm Saturday. visit www.bristolrhythm.com for more info--lots of great bands to check out including Junior Brown, Railroad Earth, Del McCoury, Seldom Scene, Red Stick Ramblers, and Marty Stuart.

Sept 21--Private show

sept 30--private wedding in c'ville.

oct 6--private show in charlottesville

oct 7--private wedding in c'ville. Peyton Tochterman and High Society at Fellini's #9--10 pm. www.fellinis9.com

oct 10--private show--charlottesville

oct 14-15--I performed at the Colonial Italian American Organization (CIAO)'s annual festival in Williamsburg, Virginia last year around this time. Between the dozens of local wine producers and the guy who could whistle the entire Rocky theme, how could I say no when they asked me back. visit www.ciaowilliamsburg.org for details on the festival--entertainment, attractions, and of course Italian Food.

Oct 18--Jolie Fille at Gravity Lounge opening for 'Scrapomatic.' 8 pm www.gravity-lounge.com

oct 21--Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d'Bayou drag the foot-stompin, butt-whompin' sounds of Louisiana through fellinis #9 on 2nd street and Market. We'll kick it to 11 starting at 10, ending well into the night.

oct 29--Thomas Gunn and I start a new project at Fellini's tonight from 6:30 to 9 pm. 'Songwriter Spotlight' is our tribute to some of our songwriting heroes. This first of (what hopefully will become) a series, we will present some of our favorite songs by four of our favorite songwriters. This week we will perform the songs of Gram Parsons, Fats Waller, Townes Van Zandt, and Shane MacGowan, in addition to bringing out some of our own songs. I'll be on accordion, mando, and piano, and Thomas will be strumming the guitar and pickin' bass for the dinner crowd. For info on both shows, visit www.fellinis9.com

oct 31--private show with Dale Wise in Washington D.C. visit www.accordionplus.com to see more about Dale. What a cat!

Much more to come!

August dates

2006-07-19T12:20:00.000-04:00

Accordistra--a new project I've been working on at my studio for the last few months has been temporarily delayed due to moving my studio and waiting for the dust to settle before doing further recordings. Composition and creating in the lab is moving ahead at an alternatingly furious and fractious pace. one track, 'Evening in the Garden of Dawn,' is completely finished. This track exemplifies some of the foundational elements of the album. There are 24 separate accordion tracks, organized like instruments in an orchestra (the accordion's registers have tones that emulate such instruments as 'bassoon,' 'violin,' 'clarinet,' 'piccolo,' and 'saxophone' and arranged to create harmonies and a veritable symphony of sounds utilizing the accordion's wide melodic and timbric range. I'll post sound files soon. Here are some shows coming up:

July 22--I'll accompany a wondrously gifted songwriter, Bahlmann Abbot, at the Gravity Lounge for his cd release party--visit www.gravity-lounge.com for more info on Bahlmann and his gaggle of friends and admirers who will be there with him. Show starts at 8 pm.

July 27--Jambalaya perform dixieland swing at a private reception.

July 31--Private event for Charlottesville's 'Artini' winners, sponsored by Absolut, on picturesque Water Street's Live Arts/Lighthouse/2nd Street Gallery roof.

August 5--Peyton Tochterman (www.peytontochterman.com) and High Society perform at Fellini's from 10 pm to 1 am tonight. We purposely chose this night so all you Dwight Yoakum fans can walk across the downtown mall after his show to check out some local yokels. Visit www.fellinis9.com for details or call to make dinner reservations before the show.

August 6--Private show--New York City

August 19--Matty Metcalfe and Creu de-Bayou will bring their blend of cajun and eastern european dance music to fellini's #9 at 10 pm. Visit www.fellinis9.com for more info.

August 26--private--Okrakoke, NC

Check back soon for sound files and new dates in September and beyond!

movin' on over

2006-07-17T14:17:00.000-04:00

I spent the last few weeks moving the entire music studio, and the wife's salon, back into our home-headquarters. This all-consuming excavation must excuse the lapse in updates for July, mustn't it? I belatedly present to you a run-down of shows coming up this month and next. The 'Accordistra' project, which i've never spoken of in these postings but which you must by now know about, unless you're not in the know, has been delayed by the aforementioned move, but composing and concocting is occuring at full-throttle. The concept of the project is to write and record orchestral and symphonic pieces for the accordion, using it's various tones, registers, and textures to create grandly designed mellifluence. One finished piece 'Evening in the Garden of Dawn' uses 24 seperately-tracked accordions. I will post an audio sample soon. In the meantime, here's them shows:

July 22-Saturday-Matty will be lending musical accompaniment to Bahlmann Abbot's tunes at his CD release party at the gravity lounge. Mary Gordon Hall opens at 8 pm. Call 434/977-5590 or visit www.gravity-lounge.com or just come on down to 103 South 1st Street Charlottesville VA 22902 at 8 this Saturday.

July 27-Thursday--Jambalaya, that smokin' good Dixieland swing band will be playing a private show. That seems like a let-down, but the next one will be open to all.

August 19--Saturday--Matty Metcalfe and Creu d' Bayou (formerly the Mudflaps) will perform at their favorite local joint Fellini's starting at 10 pm. Stop on down for some southern-fried cajun music.

August 26--Private gig in Okrakoke

Performances, musical and marital

2006-05-13T14:16:00.000-04:00

Having been revived and rejuvinated by four days away after a singularly beautiful wedding ceremony last Saturday, I am back on the er satz scene with new announcements and proclamations, my first as an honest man. First the shows:

May 18--The Mudflaps Hit the Studio? The band too fast to be caught on tape will, in fact, be playing recordable music should the listener have a tape recorder in his 18-wheeler while listening to wtju 91.1 in Charlottesville or on the short-wave between 9 and 10 pm this eve. Yes, through exhaustive research and surveys of local randomers, we have reached the conclusion that our target audience is of the steel-pulling, products and goods-hauling variety. All others, please give a listen to Thomas Gunn (gtr/vox), Matt Wyatt (drums), and myself give zydeco a run for it's country on Dave Eisenman's loosely lousliana-based show and call in w/ your handle so we can find you at the rest stop afterwards. 10-4 good buddies!

May 19--The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, West Virginia is an eclectic little club that hosts eclectic little musicians in a friendly music-first environment. Peyton Tochterman (gtr/vox), Andy Thacker (mando), James MacLaughlin (drums), and I will head west young men as the bastard sons of popeye (if the name sticks) for a night of melliflousity and tonal badinage. directions to follow, or go to www.purplefiddle.com for more info.

May 25--I will be mercilessly tickling the ivories at Fellinis (200 Market St. Downtown Charlottesville) for the dinner crowd between 6 and 9 pm. Come enjoy wine, women, and song--or at least two of three--while you dine in this romantic rustic Italian villa. Call 434 979 4279 for reservations.

May 27--About two weeks ago, I had the honor and privilege to lay down some accordion and banjo tracks on Devon Sproule's yet-to-be-released album. Not only does Devon possess an inimitable talent for songwriting, but her voice can melt candles and ensnare your soul in it's warm radiance. I saw the light! Really, she is a true one-of-a-kind artist and one of the most original voices i've heard in a long time. I will be joining her for a few songs this night at Gravity Lounge with other special guests. The show starts around 7:30 and you won't want to miss her before she goes national. www.gravitylounge.com

June 1--Private function

June 2--Hollands College--Roanoke, Va--Private

June 3--I will be entertaining guests on accordion and piano at High Meadows' vintner dinner from about 6 pm to 9 pm. Folks interested in a four course meal with different wines from the region should take a look at http://www.highmeadows.com/ for more information on this lovely event.

June 13--Jolie Fille, the two-steppinest cajun band in this neck of the land, opens for the Red Stick Ramblers--who hold that title in their hometown of New Orleans. David Eisenman at WTJU listed their album as one of his favorites from last year, and if you know Dave, you know he can put a stamp of pedigree on a cajun band from sixty paces, blindfolded. We open at about 7:30 pm at the Gravity Lounge so come early--we sing in French-Cajun and play all our own instruments. We also take requests, but only when asked. No Depeche Mode, Chris. www.gravitylounge.com

June 16--Jolie Fille performs with the Falsies at the Satellite ballroom. We'll hit the stage at about 9:30 pm so kick up your heels and come down to the corner or visit www.satelliteballroom.com for more details.

June 18--High Society stars an illustrious lustrous list of leonine luminarious and laudable licorice-stick lickers--that is, a horn section for the ages featuring Bobby Read on sax and John 'not of this' D'earth on trumpet. A sprinkle of Pete Spaar on bass, a dash of Brian Caputo on drums, a pinch of Andy Thacker on mando, and myself on the stomach Steinway, and you have yourself a molotov mixture of sonic and epic proportions. Peyton leads the brigade through his unpaved wanderings in audio-texture--from bluegrass to jazz, reggae to pop and back. Catch the blend at Gravity Lounge 8 pm. www.gravitylounge.com

June 23--The Mudflaps take the stage at Fellini's #9 at 10 pm to do what they do best where they best like doing it. That is to say, zydeco/cajun music on a Friday night in front of our hometown revelers.

June 24--Jambalaya, dixieland swing orchestra and purveyors of the Preservation Hall sonicscape play at the Nelson County fair from 11 til noon. More on how to get there, what to wear, and how to dunk that infernal man hovering over the tub later.

I'll post more in a little bit. Hope to see you and, big surprise gift to the first person who comes to a show and says 'I saw it advertised on your website.'

Also, I'll post more on my new album--featuring all original music and to be released by summer's end.

Upcoming Spring Shows

2006-03-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

Friday, March 31st--11 am to 1 pm--Matty and Peyton Tochterman (www.PeytonTochterman.com), stellar singer, songwriter, and performer, will be playing at Richard Bricker's studio in the McGuffey Arts Building for his portrait class. Asking these two boys to play light background music might seem antithetical to laws of reason and logic, but we're going to give it a try.

Friday, March 31st--The Mudflaps track their zydeco/cajun mayhem into Fellinis #9 for a 10 pm show. If you can't make it to New Orleans, catch the Mardi Gras here!
See www.fellinis9.com for more info.

Saturday, April 1st--Matty performs with Jolie Fillie--punkrified cajun music led by the inimitable David Goldstein on fiddle, and a voice meant for singing (in French no less!) cajun songs that sound like they jumped off the 78's and into his hands. Come one and all to the Teahouse on the mall at 9 pm to catch the find blending of drums, bass, harmonica, washboard, and accordion from Jolie Fillie.

Monday, April 3rd--So you missed the Teahouse show? or...more likely, so you want more?? Check out Jolie Fillie as they open the show at Satellite Ballroom tonight at 9 pm.

Tuesday, April 4th--Matty will tickling the faux-ivories at the opening ceremonies for First Night this year from 6 - 7 pm

Friday, April 14th--Matty joinss Peyton Tochterman (www.PeytonTochterman.com) and High Society for an evening of music at the Gravity Lounge. Reeds, saxes, trumpet, mandolin, accordion, guitar, bass, drums, the kitchen sink all chip in to sonically buttress Peyton's amazingly eclectic and acoustic/electrifying songs. Check it out at 7 pm.

Friday, April 21st--High Society performs at the Charlottesville Pavillion for the Fridays after Five concert series. Come on down and join us in kicking off the new season--with John D'earth--trumpet, Andy Thacker--mandolin, Pete Spaar--bass, Brian Caputo--drums, and Peyton Tochterman--guitar and firmly teathered madman. The concert begins (you guessed it) slightly after 5 pm with the Hackensaw Boys to follow.

Friday and Saturday, April 28th and 29th--Matty will be performing French music on accordion at the Georgetown Business Improvement District's party that stretches down Wisconsin Avenue.

Saturday, April 29th--Jolie Fillie, the hottest cajun-punk band this side of the the Great Wall will be performing a special 'Asian meets Cajun' night of music at the White Orchid on Main Street in Charlottesville. The restaurant used to be called the Station Inn and featured lots of live music but a few months ago was bought and converted into the White Orchid--a beautifully decorated place to go to get the finest Vietnamese cuisine in town. Jolie Fillie will be accentuating the succulent meals with a French Cajun flavor that fits the occasion perfectly. We'll take the carpet at 10 pm.

Monday May 1st--The annual Downey wine-distributers party takes place in Arlington, Va. Un poco accordion, un poco mandolin with your wine.

Saturday June 24th--Jambalaya, the dixie'est band this side of the delta, will be performing at the Nelson County Fair. More details about times to follow.

All other shows are private functions at the moment, check back, as I'll be more on top of updating in the weeks and months to come.

February Shows!

2005-12-21T15:02:00.000-05:00

The Cardinal Cafe is a fabulous new venue for music and arts in Scottsville, VA. I performed their a week ago along side my favorite Scottsville gals Mary Hardy Roberts and Nancy Gill. In fact, I sat on the left side of my own accordion teacher--impressario and ambassador extraordinaire--Dale Wise (so I could see what moves he has on the bass side of the instrument!). I will be performing on February 26th with Thomas Gunn and Matt Wyatt from 6 to 9 pm. Thomas is a fantastic songwriter and he and I will be accompanying each other on our original songs for the first few hours with Matt 'Last Word' Wyatt on drums. The third set, we will change into our zydeco guises and perform cajun stomping Mudflaps material. Then on February 28th, we will bust out the Mardi Gras beads on Fat Tuesday and lead the parade through the streets to Fellini's starting at around 7 pm. Get there early for a special solo accordion performance from the rooftop.

Shows in January 2006 and beyond!

2005-12-21T14:50:00.000-05:00

Lots of live shows coming up in January. More to come but for now here are some dates at Fellini's #9. Call 979 4279 for directions. Wednesday January 11th at 10 pm I will be performing w/ the Mudflaps (see previous posts for details on our music) so get your dancing shoes on. Wednesday the 25th of January will be a very special show for me. I will don the Nat King Cole crown and perform with my beautiful fiancee Daphne Latham for the first time LIVE (we do lots of private performances at home for our cats). The show will start at 8 pm and will be packed with hit songs from the swingin' jazz era, classic country tunes, and contemporary pop numbers. Get there early and be prepared to sing along. Saturday January 28th the Mudflaps are back on Saturday night from 10 pm through the night. And Sunday January 29th I will perform solo on piano from 6 to 9 pm. Bring your sweetheart to dinner and enjoy the wonderful food, atmosphere, and music.

Many thanks to Dave 'Blogge' Hogge

2005-12-21T14:44:00.000-05:00

This is an oxymoronic personal post to David Hogge, who created this blog site for me. If any warm blooded creature on this hurtling rock knows this king among men, please give him a generous hug and firm handshake for me. And if you speak Spanish, please say this to him, 'Quitese de sus calzoncilla. Quisiera una muestra de sus heces.' Any questions you might have on Dave's relative greatness can be referred to me. I will kindly pass them along. A million thanks, Dave.

Upcoming Cajun show 12/28

2005-12-21T14:30:00.000-05:00

Well happy holidays and best wishes for the new year. Until that baby rolls over for the first and this 2005 yr. old man rolls away, you may wish to stroll down to Fellini's #9 at the corner of Market and 2nd to see Mighty Mudcalfe and the Mudflaps perform our authentic blend of cajun, zydeco, and Americana music. In addition to our dance-the-night-away material, we will be performing new material for the first time. Come on down at 10 pm to see the show--featuring Thomas Gunn on guitar, Matt Wyatt on drums, Matt Gallup on washboard/percussion, and myself on Cordovox (the instrument that made translyvania infamous). 'Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Kwazy Kwanzaa, a tip top tet, and a solemn, respectful Ramadan'--Krusty the Clown

Update on Lessons

2005-12-14T09:15:00.000-05:00

Matty is accepting music students for the upcoming season, contact Matty to sign up for piano, accordion, banjo, mandolin, guitar, or bass lessons. Get in early, spaces are filling up!

Matty teaches piano, accordion, 5-string banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass to students of all levels and ages at his home studio in downtown Charlottesville. Please contact for rates and a schedule of availibility.

Offering:

A wide range of styles including classical and jazz piano, multi-ethnic accordion, Scruggs-style banjo, and bluegrass and Irish style mandolin

A wide range of methods to complement each student's learning strengths

Lessons for beginner and advanced students, children and adults, designed specifically for your musical goals

Contact me at metcalfemusic@yahoo.com or by phone at (434) 295-4267 for more details.

December 10th at High Meadows' Vintner's Dinner

2005-12-01T07:09:00.000-05:00

Matty performs on piano and accordion
at High Meadows' Vintner's Dinner from 6 - 9 pm.
Please visit www.highmeadows.com to view this
beautiful winery and estate.

November 25th at Fellini's #9

2005-11-11T13:19:00.000-05:00

Mighty Matty and the Mudflaps perform
at Fellini's #9 from 10 pm to 1 am. New zydeco,
cajun, blues, and two-stepping grooves on their way
tonight.

November 18th at Gravity Lounge

2005-11-07T23:18:00.000-05:00

Matty will perform with Thomas Gunn at
his CD 'coming out' celebration at Gravity Lounge at 7
pm. Visit www.gravity-lounge.com/calendar.php for
more info.

A hand in the Jambalaya

2005-11-03T11:03:00.000-05:00

Aside from the Mudflaps, I've joined up
with Jambalaya, a band started by Mike 'Big Easy'
D'Antoni and pals. The eight piece band consists of
clarinet, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, bass,
drums, and yours truly on piano. To me, it's
somewhere between Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the
Funky Meters. Today we performed live in studio to
kick off WTJU's fall fund drive. Check out
www.wtju.net/cpages/marathons/fall2005/sched for more
and I'll post our future gigs on this site.

Fellini's - November 12th

2005-11-02T13:17:00.000-05:00

Matty will perform solo piano tunes
from 6 - 9 pm at Fellini's #9. Call 434 979 4279 for
directions.

Mudflaps Demo

2005-11-02T12:25:00.000-05:00

Mighty Matty and the Mudflaps recorded a
five-song demo album for all interested parties and
will be looking to record more tunes for an album in
the near future. Keep your ears peeled and your ears
tuned. For now, if you'd like to have a free copy of
the demo, please visit the contact page and email me
with your request.

My Zydeco Band

2005-10-17T18:28:00.000-04:00

This same night saw the first live
performance of a zydeco band that I put together with
Thomas Gunn (guitar/vocals), Spencer Lathrop
(drums/percussion), and Matt Gallup (washboard). This
is an extension of a project with Thomas and Matt
Wyatt who will be drumming for an upcoming show on
November 25th at Fellini's #9. I happened upon a
cordovox accordion at a pawn shop in arlington,
virginia a few weeks prior to the show. The cordovox
model is basically an accordion combined with the
innards of an organ and run through a big
cordovox-only amplifier. They were all the rage in
the 1970's I'm told. For our purposes, it fit in
nicely since the bass notes are amplified (obviating
the need for a bassist) and the accordion/organ is
internally miked (I've never met a soundman who enjoys
miking an accordion). Mighty Matty and the Mudflaps
are available for parties, weddings, and any event
that needs a shuffling groove and an accordion laced
melody. The blues never sounds so sweet as when it
has that New Orleans beat.

Stridin' Down Bourbon

2005-10-15T10:22:00.000-04:00

I held a CD release party at Fellini's
#9 for my latest album, 'Stridin' Down Bourbon: A
Tribute to James Booker and the Music of New Orleans.'
Since my brother John first introduced me to Booker's
recordings four years ago, I've been mesmorized by his
inimitable approach to stride piano playing. On this
album, I pay homage to his dazzling interpretations of
classical pieces, harmonically layered original tunes,
and stride reinventions of classics from Beatles to
Broadway songs. I play some selections that he never
recorded but treat them with the same stylistic
conventions he might have used. The album is $10 (s &
h included) and all proceeds will be donated to the
New Orleans Musicians' Free Clinic and victims of
Hurricane Katrina. Please visit the 'contact' page
and email me to place an order.

It's all happening...

2005-09-19T21:25:00.000-04:00

I am teaming up with my longtime
accordion guru, mentor, and co-conspirator Dale Wise
to offer 'Accordions for Kids,' a bold new way to
offer accordion lessons to children between the ages
of seven and twelve. Basically, it works like this:
We offer a 10-week free trial period of lessons and an
accordion to borrow for a refundable deposit fee. The
student receives an educational DVD to watch and learn
from and meets with the teacher every two weeks to
have a formal private lesson. At the end of the ten
week period, the parents and child determine whether
he/she wishes to continue with lessons at which point
the child will start private lessons with the teacher.
The 10-week period is completely free and there's
nothing to lose and everything to gain from learning
to play music at a young age. To give it a try,
please visit the contacts page and email me for a copy
of the DVD, an loaner accordion, and a ticket to a
free music adventure. Or, contact dale or visit his
website at www.accordionplus.com and
accordionplus@aol.com