Protest Rock, Funk, Post-Minimalism And More: A Local Music Spotlight

This region is packed with great musicians. Our annual music series is a chance to highlight some of the amazing artists who live here, in southern Vermont, throughout western Massachusetts and around Hartford. 

It's all part of an effort to tell local stories, and spotlight artists. We highlighted 10 musical acts in this most recent series, and also some unique venues.

In basements throughout the Pioneer Valley, the underground music scene thrives. Some performers say they actually prefer playing in houses over more established venues.

Then we head down the Connecticut River a little to hang out with the band Phat A$tronaut. Members claim they hail from the "funkier parts of Connecticut" – not literally, but musically.

And we meet a Puerto Rican composer who teaches in the music department at Trinity College. Dan Román's contemporary classical music swings to the beat of beloved Puerto Rican dances and songs.

How about some protest rock? The genre was once fueled by the Vietnam war and civil rights. But every era has musicians who use their art to make a point, and these days, there are plenty of points to make.

We finish up with a multi-generational chorus based in Pittsfield, that brings together singers from around Berkshire County – and beyond. We visit with the chorus as they prepared for their big concert last June.

There were a lot of stories from the music series we couldn't fit in the podcast. Check them out.