Electrolads

In electronic music news, it's time again for Hoptronica at Red Square in Burlington. This is the 13th edition of the venue-wide house music and hip-hop showcase, curated by Nexus Artist Management and 4Word Productions. And it features, well, pretty much every DJ in town playing over three stages. It also includes a laser and light show, because of course it does.

The main draw is a live performance by Electrolads, a five-member live electronica supergroup of sorts, consisting of instrumentalists Carlo and Giovanni Rovetto, Ben Dunham, Brandon Klarich and DJ Walter Peterson. The band specializes in house, deep house and tech-house. I've never seen them, but, given their pedigrees, I'm guessing they're pretty damn good. - 7 Days VT

Electrolads headline New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, at Zenbarn in Waterbury Center. The show starts at 9 p.m. with an opening set from DJ Gunn, followed by “livetronica” deep house and tech house from Electrolads (Carlo Rovetto, Brandon Klarich, Ben Dunham and Walter Peterson aka DJ Rekkon) until 2 a.m. Tickets for the 21+ show are $10 advance at sevendaystickets.com. Earlier in the evening, fixed-price dinner reservations are available starting at 4:30 p.m. ($55 for three courses, $75 for five courses, with vegetarian options and CBD add-ons available). - Stowe Repoter

Is it ever going to stop raining? I sure hope so, since it is summertime (almost officially), and summertime is all about outdoor events, right? This weekend, I’ll be traveling to Portland, Maine, to see one of my all-time favorite bands, Ween, but for those of you sticking around here, there’s a potentially fabulous outdoor event going on just outside the capital. The Onion River Music Campout takes place in Marshfield this weekend starting Friday evening. The event features over 30 bands on multiple stages, including late-night dance parties, camping, swimming and kids’ activities. I’ll highlight a few of the acts below (the exact schedule had not been announced as of press time). The Nth Power: “Formed during an impromptu late-night jam at Jazz Fest 2012 in New Orleans, the relentlessly funky and soulful band believes in music as a higher power tapping into an energy that is simultaneously sexy and spiritual, with songs that will inspire audiences to dance,” according to the band’s website. The band features Nick Cassarino, a formerly local musician who has moved on to bigger pastures, with this act seemingly the best incarnation yet. DJ Logic: One of my favorite tuntablists, DJ Logic has been doing his thing since the 1990s, performing with the likes of Medeski, Martin and Wood and The Roots amongst others. I’ve caught the guy live a few times and can attest to the fact that he is the real deal; exemplary skills on the wheels of steel and a signature style that never fails to impress. Electrolads: The Lads are a thoroughly local product, coming straight out of the woods of Plainfield, but play a brand of music that is decidedly more urban. The band’s singular mission is to bring people together through dance, which is what their brand of electronica is designed to do. A noble mission indeed. Maiden Voyage: I’ve written much about this youthful threesome out of Windsor, but really I can’t say enough about ‘em. They are currently my favorite local act, and hands down the most talented hip hop group I’ve seen our state spawn. Standout performer Jarv has a rapid-fire delivery and flow that will not fail to impress even non hip-hop fans; do yourself a favor and see Maiden Voyage. Other acts scheduled include NYC-based Tauk, hip hop/reggae star Zion I, The Aerolites and Afri-VT, plus many more. For the full lineup, ticket information and more, visit www.musicvermont.com. If you’re planning on sticking around town, there’s action happening right here in the capital as well. Sweet Melissa’s on the corner of Elm and Langdon has music nightly, and this weekend is no exception. You can kick things off tonight with comedy, as Sweets hosts what is being dubbed Black Out Comedy Night starting at 8 p.m. Dave Langevin plays the early slot at 6 p.m. On Friday, Beg, Steal or Borrow appears at Sweets. They are a tribute to the Jerry Garcia- David Grisman collaboration that produced “Old and in the Way,” so fans of both the Grateful Dead and bluegrass music should find much to like here starting at 9 p.m. On Saturday, Duroc takes the black box stage in the 9 p.m. slot, but I doubt they are the band from Europe that dominates my Google searches of their name; show up and find out for yourself. Finally, on Sunday, you can witness and/or participate in the awesomeness that is live band karaoke starting at 8 p.m. with the uber-talented Butcher Blocks. Heading over to Waterbury Center, Zen Barn starts hosting live music on a regular basis, and tonight they have a good one. You can catch Soule Monde, one of the most talented duos our state has to offer, starting at 9 p.m. The drum/ organ duo features members of the Trey Anastasio Band and enough jazz/funk pyrotechnics to please any fan of the genre. I’ve not yet visited, but might tonight; I’m curious to see the space and how it accommodates live music. Espresso Bueno has kept things going in the Granite City of late, regularly hosting live music and more at their location on Main Street. On Saturday night, the popular event known as Jazzyaoke returns after a brief hiatus. Folks can sign up and sing the standards in front of a live six-piece jazz band. Bring your inner Sinatra or Billy Holiday starting at 7:30 p.m. Of course there is also the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival this weekend, so there is certainly plenty for folks to do. Let’s hope the weather starts cooperating so we can start enjoying our oh-so-short summer. In spite of it all — go see live music! Ed DuFresne has produced concerts and events (which he prefers to call shows) in and around central and northeastern Vermont since the late ‘90s. He is grateful to live in Montpelier with an exemplary Renaissance man as a housemate. - Times Argus

Happy February, everyone. Looks like we are reaching winter's halfway point around these parts; the sun comes back from here so, in spite of it all, have hope. I have a lot of hope now, too (more on that next week). Luckily for me (and for you), local venues have been on top of things this month, and have gotten me their February calendars before my publishing deadline despite the turn of the month (kudos to Sweet Melissa's and Charlie O's for being proactive in getting their calendars to me). Also, a shout-out to Langdon Street Tavern (formerly McGillicuddy's) for hosting a private party for the regulars last Sunday. I, and many others I'm sure, felt duly appreciated for our dedication to the establishment. Nice work. Tonight, Sweet Melissa's hosts local Robert Morgan performing pirate anthems and sea-shanties for your listening and grogging pleasure starting at 8 p.m., with songwriter Erin CB in the early slot at 6 p.m. On Friday night, Warren-based “reggae-inspired” outfit Root 100 takes the black box stage at the corner of Elm and Langdon here in the capital starting at 9 p.m., for donations. Saturday night brings an intriguing lineup to S.M.'s. At 6 p.m., the Acca Fella Vocal Explorations of the 20th Century happen. Though I've never heard of it, the name is somewhat self-explanatory at least, and sounds like something worth checking out on an early Saturday evening. Later on, Sweet M herself hosts “Sweet M's Hot Mess,” a burlesque-variety show open stage that should serve to let the burgeoning scene around these parts enjoy aspiring talents ply their trade. That one starts at 9 p.m. Finally, on Sunday night, the well-established and still-awesome phenomena that is live band karaoke takes place at 8:30 p.m. featuring the Butcher Blocks backing up your terrible singing voice. All shows this weekend are for ... wait for it...donations! Over at Charlie O's on Main Street, there is live music Friday and Saturday night. Sticky Bone, a gypsy jazz outfit according to O's booking maven Beckie Sheloske, takes the back of the barroom at 6 p.m. It'll be followed up by Dr. No, a Burlington outfit with a lot of Red Hot Chili Peppers and hard-rock funk in 'em, starting at 9 p.m. Saturday night will featuring rowdy rock/country/blues /rockabilly/punk act Pariah Beat (welcome back yo', we missed ya') alongside Burlington act Ryan Ober and The Romans (who appear to have some of the Devil Makes Three modernized country-blues style going on). This should be a good one for fans of all those genres, without a lot of polish; rough-hewn, rustic and yes, rowdy, starting at 9 p.m. Outside of the capital proper, there is plenty of live music happening this weekend as well. Up in Cabot, longtime local honky-tonk heroes The Starline Rhythm Boys are playing a benefit for the youthful Cabot-based funk and soul collective known as The Limes, who are planning on touring this June. Nice blending of genres for a good cause. Tickets are $18, $12 for kids, with the event taking place at The Cabot School's Performing Arts Center at 25 Common Road in Cabot on Saturday night. For reservations and more information, call 802-563-2880, or look 'em up on Facebook. Hopping over to Barre, if you are looking for a more high-end experience in a more grandiose venue, look no further than the Barre Opera House above City Hall on Saturday night, when the BOH hosts Quebecois traditional powerhouse Le Vent du Nord. Said to put on a concert that “puts all traditional folk naysayers to shame” (Voir Montreal), the group has garnered worldwide fame for their take on the genre. Tickets and more information can be had at www.barreoperahouse.org. And, being ski season, the out-of-town action goes on. Up in Stowe, the Rusty Nail, the Mountain Road's premier venue, has a full slate both weekend nights. On Friday, Plainfield-based Electrolads provide an opportunity for you to get down to electronic dance music (EDM) in its purest form. It should be noted that the band also uses live instrumentation to augment its sound. The danceable, high-vibing fun starts at 9 p.m. for $10 at the door. On Saturday night, longtime Burlington-based DJ/producer Craig Mitchell brings a seven-piece Prince tribute to the Nail. Purple leads a tour de force of the iconic pop star's career, so get ready to dance. The Renegade Groove opens the show. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, with doors at 9 p.m. Both shows are 21-plus; sorry kids. A couple of more out-of-town gigs, these at the burgeoning Zen Barn in Waterbury Center, before signing out. Tonight you can catch ageless local bluesman Dave Keller, who has defied industry standards by finding success late in the normal timeline. He'll kick things off at 8 p.m. On Friday night, a longtime Burlington-based artist who has paid his dues, Lowell Thompson, brings his band to the Zen. They merge a range of styles that encapsulate the term “alt”, whether it be county, rock or otherwise. They'll start their party at 9 p.m. Finally, on Saturday, the Zen really cuts loose with Zach Nugent's Dead All-Stars. The dude is hands-down one of the best channelers of the Jerry Garcia signature sound out there, and this time will feature Trey Anastasio band alum Tony Markellis among other special guests. That one starts at 10 p.m. The wraps up this week. Let hope spring eternal, and go see live music! Ed DuFresne has produced concerts and events (which he prefers to call shows) in and around central and northeastern Vermont since the late '90s. He is grateful to live in Montpelier with an exemplary Renaissance man as a housemate. - Times Argus