Quick Q and A with Cindy Bullens, October 2011
 by Kathy S-B  ·  21 October 2011

Cindy Bullens is a me&thee favorite. Her songs range from the most tender and heartfelt tunes you’ll ever hear to some of the rocking-est. Cindy’s personal touch shines through in everything she does. Cindy’s contributions to music have been memorable, as has her important work with parents who have lost children. Read below and also check out her website, which is full of great information.

Here’s a video of Cindy playing “In a Perfect World” from her latest album. And here’s a more rockin’ number (piano courtesy of Sir Elton John).

I just spent some time reading comments about all your albums and it’s so wonderful to see such wonderful accolades about your body of work. You’ve done more than just supply some great music for the world-at-large but you have provided incredible solace and comfort for others who have lost children. I’m assuming that your work with grieving parents has meant a whole lot to you and your family and has proven to be Jessie’s legacy.

Absolutely! I really can say that my music saved my life. And while it was saving mine, the songs from my album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth continue to touch people. I have been blessed with the opportunity to perform those songs around the world, meeting the most courageous and wonderful people. That album is truly a huge part of my own legacy, while keeping Jessie’s incredible spirit and memory alive.

Howling Trains and Barking Dogs has recently been released . . . yet it was written and recorded many years ago. What’s the story behind the story of this CD?

That title came from living in East Nashville years ago. I loved it there. It was funky and hip and that’s what you heard: howling trains and barking dogs. I had in the back of my mind that someday I would record some of the Nashville co-writes I had done in the early 90’s and give the album that title. So finally, that’s what I did! Ironically, I usually record my CDs in Nashville — this one I recorded in Maine with the awesome musicians here who I have used for years as my local back-up band. They are as good as anybody in Nashville.

Your career has taken you into various musical milieus — pop, rock, country, folk / singer-songwriter which shows your versatile talents and appeal. You’ve played in huge stadiums and in intimate coffeehouses, do you take all of this in stride because you’re still able to do what you want to be doing — and that is playing music and interacting with an audience?

It is amazing to me that I have had that breadth of experience! I love performing in all types of venues and seem to adjust one night to the other no matter how big or small. Yes, it’s playing the music for PEOPLE! Of course, you interact with the audience in different ways depending on the size of the venue. But I always want to keep it “personal” no matter what.

Tell us about your life up in Maine. How are you able to make your music career mesh with the low-key homebody atmosphere up in your Maine digs?

Though I grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts, we summered in Maine. I knew I always wanted to live here.

It’s a great balance for me. First of all, my family is in Maine. My daughter and grandkids live literally across the street from me. A two and a four year old will keep you busy, vibrant and laughing!

Plus, when I am home for long stretches, usually in the winter time I work part-time as a fitness trainer at the local Y. That helps me stay connected to my community and to give back a little. My soul seems to thrive and always has in Maine-saltwater in my veins.

What have the Refugees been up to? Still having fun on the road with Wendy and Deborah? Never mind the “Senior Barbies” — how about some Refugees action figures?

Ah, we already thought of that! We are releasing our new CD THREE in January. (Though it’s already available on our website www.therefugeesmusic.com). We are REALLY excited about this CD. We added drums to our signature sound and the incredible Sam Bush adds fiddle to several of the tracks. We toured a bunch in June and July, just got back from Calgary and Alaska and are on our way to Colorado this month before I see you. Then we meet up again back east in early November. We’d love to come back to Me & Thee next year!

Quick Q and A with Hayley Reardon, October 2011
 by Kathy S-B  ·  20 October 2011

Hayley Reardon is an extraordinary young woman. She’s got talent and she’s got a creative spirit that can’t be questioned. Her compassion and willingness to use her music to help others is a sign of maturity beyond her years. We’ve had the pleasure of having Hayley on our stage a few times and we’re thrilled to have her opening for one of her favorite songwriters, Lori McKenna. To learn more about Hayley, check out her website. Here’s a video that I shot at the Boston Area Coffeehouse Association One-Day conference.

Since the last time we chatted, you’ve begun work on a new album. Tell us all about it.

I’m so beyond excited about this album. I just finished signing a deal with Kingswood Records, an independent label based out of Ohio and will be making the album with them. Lorne Entress, who actually produced Lori McKenna’s Bittertown, is producing it and has put together an amazing studio band for me to work with. We hit the studio officially in December and will hopefully have the album out by spring time. I have a lot of work ahead of me but I’m so excited to dive in!

You’ve been learning more guitar technique this past year. How’s that going? Does it come naturally?

Yes! I’ve been working with Raymond Gonzalez right here in town. He’s stretched my songwriting and musicality in a lot of ways and has me writing music that I wouldn’t have been able to a year ago . . . like jazz songs!

You’ve also made some appearances to reinforce your anti-bullying stance. What were your school visits like? Did you meet kids who have had bullying incidents and, if so, what was their reaction to your music?

A lot of what’s moved me forward in the last year has been figuring out what’s really important to me and how I can use my music to make a difference. I’ve furthered my relationship with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and am now working as a “peer spokesperson” for them. I have also had the opportunity to put together an in-school performance based around finding your voice and the outlet my music has given me to be able to stand up for what I believe in. Playing in schools and connecting with kids in person and through the internet has been the most rewarding experience I’ve had so far. I’ve done about 20 in-school performances and they just keep getting more and more fun for me.

Are you involved with any other activities besides music now that you’re in high school?

As of now, no. Keeping up with my school work and this new album is definitely going to be a challenge, so I’m trying not to add any new activities into the mix.

Quick Q and A with Ariel Parkington (Parkington Sisters)
 by Kathy S-B  ·  16 October 2011

I got to hear the Parkington Sisters a few years ago at a folk conference in New York. I was immediately taken with their harmonies, not to mention their exquisite instrumentation. There’s something so ethereal about their music but it’s ethereal with an edge which is a good thing. It makes each and every song interesting. Listening to their music is like taking a walk in the woods and not knowing what’s around the next corner — a tranquil pond or a rugged and rocky path. Just enjoy it.

To learn more about the Parkington Sisters, take a swing by their website. Check out this cool video taken at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

It’s clear that music has always been a big part of your family’s life. What are your earliest memories of growing up with music in the house?

Our parents are both musicians so we have many music memories . . . We remember our mother recording her songs to a cassette tape while all us kids played in the room. We remember our father in the music room listening to Stockhausen and John Cage. We remember falling asleep to my older sisters practicing violin in the basement and being sung to sleep. We remember babysitting our younger sisters while our parents went to their recording studio on Friday nights. We remember our father playing Bach concertos with us, our mother clapping the beat, reminding us to stop rushing. We remember five minute piano lessons. We remember all of us sisters singing Shirelle’s songs and made-up operas.

Do you recall the first time that you played before others?

The first time we performed all together was on the streets of Provincetown, MA.

How big an influence has Cape Cod been on your music? Does the environment in which you have lived for so long had an impact on your songwriting?

Yes, the Cape has been a huge influence on our music. There’s a reason why it is an artist haven; the light is beautiful and there are a variety of landscapes from the oceanside, to the bay scenes, kettle ponds and scraggly pines. It is packed with activity in the summer, and cold, wet, stark and isolated in the wintertime. It’s impossible for this type of environment to not leave a lasting impression when your childhood was spent immersed in exploring it.

What was it like going on tour with the Dropkick Murphys? Did you have to add some Irish tunes to your repertoire?

Touring with the Dropkick Murphys has been an awesome experience! We are forever grateful for the opportunities we’ve shared over the past year; recording on their album which went to #6 on the Billboard charts, touring the States and Canada, playing House of Blues in Boston with Bruce Springsteen. Every show was unreal! It was super fun to play for a pumped up crowd every night and from day one, their fans welcomed us with open arms.

Sometimes one of the girls would pull out an Irish jig from our street playing days, but we mainly played our own original tunes and arrangements. We all love the Pogues cover of “Dirty Old Town”, so had we a great time playing that on tour with DKM’s Ken Casey jumping in for a few versus and it’s now one we play often.

Your year has been one wild ride — playing Fenway Park and playing small venues like this! How do you keep it all in perspective?

Being in a band with your sisters definitely keeps you grounded. No matter what comes our way, good or bad, we’re always there to remind each other of who we are and what’s important to us. Playing Fenway Park was a dream come true, but we’ll always love the intimacy of a smaller venue.

What are your immediate plans? Where do you see yourselves five or ten years from now?

We’re working on new material for our next album and plan on touring a lot this year. In five to ten years? We’ll still be performing! We’re grateful to do what we love.

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