21 October 2016

Connor Garvey & Raina Rose

On Friday, October 21 we welcome back two brilliant singer-songwriters who have played the me&thee as opening acts, Connor Garvey and Raina Rose. The mission of the me&thee is to endorse younger artists in order to keep the spirit of folk music alive and well. Connor and Raina are two such artists whose hard work on the road and in the recording studio is impressive and inspiring. The messages in their songs are full of positivity, which is more important now than ever.

Concert starts at 8:00 pm

Connor Garvey is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Portland, Maine with the amiable presence of an entertainer, the lyrical depth of a poet, and the enchantment of a storyteller. Garvey leaves audiences uplifted and inspired through a positive message delivered in a way the Portland Press Herald says proves you can be optimistic and self-aware without being boring. His unique sandy tenor and masterful blend of rhythm and melody draw comparison to Paul Simon and contemporaries Josh Ritter and Jason Mraz.

First time listeners often are drawn to Garvey’s engaging performance style, accomplished musicianship, and memorable melodies. But his lyrics project a depth and sincerity that allow the observant listener to find meaning beyond the catchy hook. Garvey had earned numerous awards including being named winner of the Kerrville New Folk, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Wildflower Art and Music Festival and Maine Songwriters Association songwriting competitions, voted as Most Wanted artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, nominated for Best Male Performer in the New England Music Awards, and a top new singer songwriter by Sirius XM’s The Coffeehouse.

On his latest release, Meteors and Beating Hearts, Garvey shows further maturity as a songwriter, addressing personal and universal themes through a series of lyrical stories.

. . .

Raina Rose

Americana musician and songwriter Raina Rose revels in sharing her beautifully twisted, yet refreshingly optimistic perspective on the world. Her unique voice and exceptional guitar playing transcend age, gender, generation, and even catch the ears of those who aren’t typically into acoustic guitar driven songwriting.

With a naturalist’s eye, an artist’s pen, and a lion’s attack, Raina lays everything she has on the line: she makes listeners feel as if they are her best friend, inviting them into a joyful and candid conversation. Raina forges her own path in the world of music and it sets her apart from most of her contemporaries.

Raina has toured relentlessly over the course of the past decade and has supported such acts as Jill Sobule, Loudon Wainwright III, and Tracy Grammer and has shared the stage with contemporaries such as John Elliott, Rebecca Loebe, Jonathan Byrd, AJ Roach, and Anthony da Costa. Now married to bass player Andrew Pressman (Jimmy LaFave band) and a mother of two young boys, Raina tours less often so it’s a rare opportunity to see her far from her Austin home. Tracy Grammer sums up Raina like this: “If a bottle of champagne could sing, it would sound a lot like Raina Rose: positively effervescent, sparkling with youthful enthusiasm — she’s a joy!”

Photo of Raina Rose by Jen Hellow

  • . . . when Connor Garvey stepped up with solid singing and playing, the place was silent and I knew that this acoustic music tradition was in the right hands. . . . Vance Gilbert, Folk Legend
  • From the moment he took the stage Connor Garvey became an instant Acoustic View favorite. His engaging style and infectious smile established the rapport necessary to let his wonderful music touch the hearts of everyone in attendance. Since that night, we have been besieged with requests to have Connor back in the living room; something we plan to do again as soon as possible. Stacy Sinner, Acoustic View House Concerts, MN
  • . . . proves you can be optimistic and self-aware without being boring. Aimsel Ponti, The Portland Press Herald
  • One of the brightest young performers on the folk scene Phil Daligan, Songwriters by the Sea
  • The songs of Connor Garvey have that rare and balanced blend of refreshing lyric, inventive guitar work, and mesmerizing grooves, all powered by his clear and agile singing voice. Ranging from funky to sensitive, serious to playful, they convey the kind of inspiration found in a reverent pursuer of life’s depths and joys. Whether it’s hearing him live on stage or on one of his recordings I’m always uplifted and amazed. Chris Cunningham, Storyhill & Basecamp Recording
  • . . .
  • Raina Rose casts forth images by the basket. Rather than using verses to paint scenes, each couplet may describe a snapshot, a thumbnail. A reviewer should not attempt to match the poetry, using images to describe images. It ain’t gonna work. Reverb Raccoon
  • . . . bursting with talent John Platt, WFUV, NYC
  • American folksinger songwriter Raina Rose graces us with her soft, unique voice that captures the heart of anyone who listens. KUTX
  • Raina Rose: even her name reads like a poem. William Harries Graham, The Austin Chronicle

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