Hasn’t this month of folk been awesome?  You’ve been going to lots of concerts in and around the square, right?  Attending the discussion groups, speeches and workshops?  You’ve at least been noticing the photos in shops all over the square?

Okay, maybe not.  Noice hadn’t realized either until recently, but it turns out that the entire month of November marks the celebration of “Forever Young: Folk Music History Month in Harvard Square,” an effort co-organized by the New England Folk Music Archives and the Harvard Square Business Association.  More information on the concerts and other events happening in the Square all month long can be found here.  To name a few, the legendary Club Passim has folk concerts every night, Tommy Doyle’s has a few special events planned, and the Brattle Theatre is showing “Festival!,” a documentary on the Newport Folk Festival.

The most exciting part of the History Month is that businesses all over the Square from J.P. Licks to The Tannery have exhibits on folk history set up.  At each business, photographs are set up in the window and a page of history about an influential photographer, club owner, concert promoter, band manager, musician, or artist is displayed.  The full list can be viewed here.  This blogger recommends not walking the distance to the Irving House because he couldn’t find any set-up there, but the rest of the businesses have some great photographs displayed in the window.  Examples follow after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

Sad you missed Girl Talk last night?  You probably should be.  It was probably great.  This blogger is a little disappointed himself for skipping it.

But don’t stay sad for long.  November is full of great music in the city.  Click on the date for ticket info, the band name for band website, and the venue name for venue website.

Beautiful Grace Potter will be rocking the House of Blues on 11/19.

11/3: Monsters of Folk, Orpheum Theatre:

This supergroup is made up of Conor Oberst (aka Bright Eyes), M. Ward, and My Morning Jacket’s Jim James.  Those three have been doing the occasional show or recording together for years, but finally have an album out and an official tour.

11/4: Ray LaMontagne, Citi Performing Arts Center:

This raspy singer-songwriter from Maine is probably best known for his single, “You Are the Best Thing.”

11/5 & 11/6: Lotus, Paradise Rock Club:

Lotus is a quntessential jamtronica band, meaning that they fuse live instrumental jam rock with the sounds of dance and electronica.  This show is sure to be a party.

11/7: Girls, Great Scott:

This Pitchfork darling will warm up this dark, intimate bar with its fresh sounds from San Francisco. Read the rest of this entry »

NOICE IRONIC RAP SKILLZ!

Presenting: A handful of good songs that happen to have a Harvard shout-out in them. Why? Because we love lists and we love us.

Tapes N Tapes – Insistor
Bob Dylan – Baby Let Me Follow You Down
Jay-Z - What More Can I say?
Pavement – Gangsters and Pranksters
The Lonely Island - Natalie’s Rap
Estelle – Magnificent
and more!

Check them all out after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »