Raising the Bars

Review: Audrey Ryan at the Precinct

Posted on May 14, 2008 by David Rogers
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Somerville musician Audrey Ryan has such a reflective and intuitive voice that her singing seems almost effortless. It’s also powerful enough to allow her to stand back from the microphone and let the room acoustics do the work. But too often during last night’s show at The Precinct she used her voice for tasks other than singing. At least for the first hour of her set inside the Washington Street night club, Ryan told stories between most of her songs. They seemed to entertain the many friends of hers who were in attendance, but to a casual fan, her tales on parking tickets, a shabby amplifier and a drinking session with her former high school classmates were deflating.

When she stuck to singing and playing either electric guitar, banjo or accordion, she was right on as evident in songs such as “Took Me There,” “People,” and “Panda Song.” But upon finishing a song, she would flip through a notebook containing song titles and ask her band if they wanted to play along with her or if they’d rather grab a beer at the bar. That kind of banter sapped away any energy she and her two-piece backing band generated.

Ryan is a polished singer and songwriter who has toured the country and overseas in support of her two CDs “Dishes & Pills,” and “Passing Thru.” It’s obvious she expends great energy and effort to establish a fan base. She’s worthy of such a fan base because she’s one of the most talented musicians in the Somerville scene. Which makes her casual attitude exhibited at Tuesday night show all the more perplexing. One got the feeling watching her that she was putting on a private performance for friends as opposed to attracting the new fans she, at least on the surface, is vying to enrapture.

Pub crawl tonight

Posted on May 13, 2008 by David Rogers
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Union Square is the scene for tonight’s pub crawl that takes place in several bars/pubs in the area. Among the places expected to participate are Sally O’Brien’s on Somerville Avenue, the Independent and the Precinct. Not sure how many people would like to end up crawling on a Wednesday night but it sounds like fun. The “grand opening” for the Precinct (formerly known as Toast) is scheduled for Friday.

All signs point to The Precinct

Posted on May 6, 2008 by David Rogers
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The folks at ADK Construction in Somerville were in Union Square this morning (Tuesday), removing the signs for the former Toast lounge. In its place will be two new signs for The Precinct lounge and restaurant. The grand opening for the newish music club will be a week from Friday, according to one of those taking down the old signs. The Precinct is owned by the guy who owns The Independent.

Bob Trane visits The Precinct

Posted on May 2, 2008 by David Rogers
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State representative candidate and city alderman Bob Trane was spotted chatting and drinking with friends last night at The Precinct formerly known as Toast. One of his supporters suggested I take a photo of Trane but I decided against it. Really, if you’re off duty do you want someone flashing you while you’re knocking back a round or two? Unless you’re Sen. Hillary Clinton and you’re pandering to potential voters, of course.

Toast to become The Precinct

Posted on April 30, 2008 by David Rogers
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It’s true, according to the Toast Web site (toastlounge.com.), Toast will be renamed The Precinct. The change shall take place within the next few weeks. In the meantime, a new sound and lighting system will be unstalled. The new Web site will be:precinctbar.com.

Toast may change name

Posted on April 30, 2008 by David Rogers
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Following up on Steve Bagley’s blog of last week, Dyke Night is history but Toast has not closed. The rumor going around is that the club’s name will be changed to The Precinct. That would be a fitting name considering the nightclub is housed within the former police station. I’ll keep on this and get back to yous.

Nog to re-open

Posted on March 12, 2008 by David Rogers
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Yes, it looks like The Tir na nOg will be open once again for business. Speaking with The Independent owner Ken Kelly, this evening, he said owners of the Spirit Bar and Restaurant on Mass Avenue in Cambridge purchased the former Nog less than 14 days ago. It is unclear whether the folks at Spirit purchased the business or the building. My guess is that it’s only the business. That because when I checked the real estate listening for the former Nog site this winter, it didn’t mention anything about the building being for sale.

The Somerville Avenue fixure for more than 10 years closed last March after its owners were unable to secure a new lease from the building owner. Last summer, the building’s owners opened the pub/restaurant Union Square in its place. The restuarant closed months later and the spot has been dormant since.

Kelly said those who bought it plan to call it the Nog. Expect many months to pass before the Somerville Avenue pub re-opens as it will need to go through the liquor license process with the city.

This is great news for those who miss the Nog. But there’s an element of sadness involved considering that those who made the place special (Robert Elliot, Feargal O’Toole and Ronan Geary) aren’t going to be part of it. Elliot and Geary are busy managing Toast next door for Kelly, the aforementioned owner of the Independent. You can call any building the Nog, but it’s a lot to assume that it will have the same awesome vibe that it once had.

Still, loyal Nog patrons who vowed not to frequent the former Union Square pub may have a change of heart now that the place will be re-opened as the Nog. Count me in among those who will give it a whirl or two or three.

I wonder if this means local musician, and my friend, James Christensen will have to return the drink menu board he inherited when the Nog closed.

Ruby Wednesday

Posted on February 13, 2008 by David Rogers
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Those looking for something to do next Wednesday (Feb. 20) could do a lot worse than checking out the bluesy band Ruby which will be performing that night at Johnny D’s on Holland Street. The new band features vocalist Dana Shellmire. Stevie Wonder or Aretha Franklin fans especially should enjoy the show.

More from Audrey Ryan

Posted on February 11, 2008 by David Rogers
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It was good to hear from Union Square’s Audrey Ryan who checked in recently. The talented singer-songwriter is going to be headed to the South By SouthWest festival in late February. The SXSW festival , according to its Web site showcases hundreds of musical acts from around the globe on over fifty stages in downtown Austin. That’s the capital of Texas for all those who don’t excel in geography. She’ll be gone for three to four weeks. Hopefully, she’ll send along some photos of her performances.

So, is any other Somerville-based acts attending the festival as well? Let me know. I’ll write about you.

Ward 4 kinda slow this morning….

Posted on February 5, 2008 by David Rogers
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There were more election officials inside the Ward 4 voting area around 9:30 a.m. than people voting. Come to think about it, there were more firefighters and police officers too. Notice one of the election workers shielding her face from the camera?