Features / Upcoming Talent

A semi-regular column exploring new and rising local bands and artists deserving of attention.

Browse all 9 features in this category

Scene Point Local: Central Massachusetts

Upcoming Talent / Scene Point Local • July 7, 2011

Scene Point Local: Central Massachusetts

In the first of a new style for our Upcoming Talent section, Scott W. highlights three bands from the central Massachusetts area that we're recommending you check out. Without further ado, here they are. --- Central Massachusetts has always been a hotbed of great musicians and artists, everything from acoustic folk to death metal can be found here if you look hard enough or know the right clubs. Having gone through a slow period a few years back I am glad to say that the new crop of bands are better than ever. The following three bands are just a mere sampling of what's out there today, and they are some of the most talented to come along in years. Beg, Scream & Shout! This band is made up of some of the more seasoned musicians in this area and I’ve been catching them in various different bands over the years. This is a gathering of some of the best musicians in town and when you see them live you get one hell of a party. They can churn out a steady stream of incredible songs from the peak of the Motown era, the 60’s. Inspired by the likes of Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, Howard Tate, Rufus Thomas, The Isley’s and James Brown to name a few. I have been lucky enough to catch them live a couple of times and the shows were a dance party out of control. Craig Rawdings gritty soulful vocals, along with the backing singers … Read more

Upcoming Talent #8: Infernal Stronghold

Upcoming Talent • October 16, 2010

  The world of heavy metal is endlessly going through phases of popularity. Amidst the hordes of current thrash and black metal trend followers are genuine artists, writing music because … Read more

Upcoming Talent #1: Sundowner

Upcoming Talent • October 16, 2010

My original intention was to introduce this article explaining the disappointment we all come to upon realizing that youth is fleeting, however I'll spare the euphemisms. Growing up sucks! Aside … Read more

Upcoming Talent #2: I Rise

Upcoming Talent • October 16, 2010

Forming in the latter part of 2006 and almost immediately playing shows, Worcester?s I Rise is making quite some noise for such a young band. Featuring former members of the … Read more

Upcoming Talent #3: Lemuria

Upcoming Talent • October 16, 2010

When I first immersed myself in the independent music scene, most of the songs I loved were worthy of the term "feel-good hit." Bands kept things simple and catchy, making … Read more

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Browse all 9 features in this category

Our series

We post a variety of features in recurring series – click below to browse them.

  • Against Orthodoxy

    A regular series by Robert F.

  • Beyond Casual Observation

    A wide-ranging guest column written by BJ from Ancient Shores, mainly covering film but extending into philosophy and aesthetics too. Check out BJ's work on the A389 podcast.

  • Don't Quit Your Day Job

    How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their time, and how their careers influence their music – or, alternately &ndash

  • era vulgaris

    Guest column by T of Vegas

  • Feast with the Famine

    A cookery column by Nick, vocalist with metal band The Famine. Veggie/vegan friendly!

  • Fest 11

    A roundup of coverage of the annual punk rock festival held in Gainesville, Florida

  • Fest 12

    Our annual roundup from Gainesville, FL's famous Fest.

  • Fest 13

    SPB's coverage of the annual festival in Gainesville, Florida.

  • Fest 16

    Our coverage of the annual Fest extravaganza.

  • Only Death Is Real

    There’s so much music released, whether physically or digitally, that keeping up with what’s going on becomes almost like a full time job. With Only Death Is Real, the aim is to bring you something new.

  • Remember that one time...?

    A life lived and lessons learned by Eddie Spaghetti of Supersuckers.

  • Running on Nothing

    Welcome to Running on Nothing, the latest addition to our stable of columns at Scene Point Blank. Running on Nothing offers a look at the world through the eyes of Kole, bassist of The Lippies, who have been working on a new LP for Red Scare Industries

  • Scatenato Ma Non Troppo

    We survey some of the other music releases out there.  Results may vary...may get weird, but hopefully something covered here piques your interest.

  • Scene Point Local

    A semi-regular column where we choose a specific area and give a local scene report.

  • Table Talk

    Discussing the state of the music business at the kitchen table

  • The Greatest Story Ever Told

    A brief but englightening chat with an artist who reveals an interesting or unexpected story from their career

  • The Set List

    A collection of items grouped by topic, eg. "Top 5 Worst Beatles Songs" or "Top 10 best '77 punk releases".

  • What's That Noise?

    One-question interviews with artists where we find out about the gear and equipment they use to achieve their sound.

  • Year End 2012

    A collection of coverage rounding up the year 2012, covering our favorite albums, shows, bands, and more, as well as asking record labels and bands about their past twelve months in music

  • Year End 2013

    It's the end of 2013, so here's our best-of roundup for the last twelve months.

  • Year End 2014

    Our annual round-up of the best music of the year 2014.

  • Year End 2015

    Our annual round-up of the best music of the year 2015.

  • Year End 2016

    Our annual round-up of the best music of the year 2016.

  • Year End 2017

    Our annual round-up of the best music of the year 2017.  

  • Year End 2018

    Our summary of the best music (and more) of 2018.

  • Year End 2019

    Our wrap-up of the best music and more from 2019

  • Year End 2020

    Our wrap-up of the best music and more for the year we'll all want to otherwise forget, 2020.

More recent features — Upcoming Talent

Upcoming Talent #4: Mouthbreather

Upcoming Talent • October 16, 2010

Unless you're one of those people that consider D.C. to be a part of Virginia, then it's safe to say that Richmond is the punk capitol of the state. With such a tightly knit community, bands are constantly springing up and coming out with new and innovative music. Mouthbreather is one of those bands, forming from the ashes of popular … Read more

Upcoming Talent #5: Police & Thieves

Upcoming Talent • October 16, 2010

D.C. punk and hardcore always seems to be categorized by highs and lows: great bands starting and breaking up, venues opening and closing, etc? It's been that way since the days of Minor Threat and will probably continue to be a constant, a reliable seesaw over time. Regardless of the change, new bands will always rise up from the ashes … Read more

Upcoming Talent #6: Foot Foot

Upcoming Talent • October 16, 2010

The poetic styling of Josh and Robin Brown, making up the band Foot Foot, carry a certain feeling I can't quite place. Their bibliography states, "This is music to dream to, evoking the sand-scabbed knees and street-tarred soles of Los Angeles." And while that's not exactly what I'm trying to say about the folk-esque melodies or the comforting drawls of … Read more

Upcoming Talent #7: Idle Tigers

Upcoming Talent • October 16, 2010

With the amount of time I've been doing interviews for, it's pretty rare that I find myself intimidated by a group of people. A few nights ago, however, entering a full venue of late-twentysomethings or older, I was nervous as a first timer. The crowd, consisting of literary types, including a former professor of mine, were there for Ross Hawkins. … Read more