If It's Too Loud...

Doing Anything this Weekend? is a feature here at If It's Too Loud... where we feature some live shows in and on the far outskirts of the Boston area. Our main rules are that they have to be reasonably priced shows that you can attend last minute. They'll feature If It's Too Loud... approved bands, and we'll provide event links when possible. If you're looking for last minute plans this weekend, we recommend: March 22 Consumer, Tysk Tysk Task, Vivid Bloom, and Little Fuss at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA Cody Nilsen and Abbie Barrett at Lizard Lounge, Cambridge, MA Jake Xerxes Fussell and Alex Dupree at Club Passim, Cambridge, MA Marc Valentine, The Chelsea Curve, and Little Billy Lost at The Burren, Somerville, MA March 23 Mephiskapheles, Mamadou, and The Riki Rocksteady All-Stars at Old Town Hall, Salem, MA Happiness, Julie Rhodes & The Electric Company, and How's About Charlie at Askew, Providence, RI Galaxy Cake, The Daylilies, Lonely Leesa & The Lost Cowbo...

Boston "rock, sometimes not rock" artist Abbie Barrett has released a Christmas single for 2023. "Christmas Star" is a little more holiday sounding than most songs we've been covering this season. It has a dreamlike quality that somehow lives in the worlds of New Wave, art rock, and folk. It's a beautiful track that gives you a feeling of floating, and is both laid back and epic at the same time. "Christmas Season" is the perfect mix of traditional holiday and hipster rock to keep things interesting.  You can listen to "Christmas Star" below. The song is available on Abbie Barrett's Bandcamp . For more on Barrett, check out the artist's website . Christmas Star by Abbie Barrett

Boston's Abbie Barrett has released a nearly straight up rocker for her latest single. I only say almost since there are New Wave elements to the song, mainly because it features Greg Hawkes of The Cars on keyboards. If you're going to bring Greg Hawkes in for a song, there's a very specific sound you're going for and "I Will Let You Know" delivers. It's a song that leans towards the poppier edge of garage rock, but it's still heavy for a pop/rock song, especially with this level of Hawke's keys. It's a wonderful modern Boston rock song that gives dues to the ones that came before. You're going to need to check this one out. You can listen to "I Will Let You Know" below. The song is available as a single via Bandcamp. For more on Abbie Barrett, check out the artist's Facebook . I Will Let You Know by Abbie Barrett