John Colvert

Artist Information

Biography

There’s an ache. There’s always an ache, or some complex string of pains, compulsions, and desires. John Colvert shows us that the aches that are the most palpable, the most intense are the ones that define who we are. And the measure of strength that’s used to harness those aches, well that’s the on-going war worth writing about.

Colvert says, “There’s no sense in pretending that we win all of our inner battles. I certainly don’t. ”

Colvert and his band, John Colvert and the Great Brighton Fire are gaining recognition within the Boston music scene for Colvert’s style of poignant and barrier-free songwriting and their passionate and fiery live performances.

John has performed on the side stage for John Prine and Lucinda Williams. He has also opened for Adam Ezra Group, Langhorne Slim, The Dunwells, and Keith Kane (of Vertical Horizon).

“…the emotion behind John’s music is barely contained within his frame, telling all in the audience that there’s a story behind his singing, and he’s here to share it with all of us.” The Noise (Boston, MA)

“His songs are poignant and his delivery is sincere.” The Weekly Dig (Boston, MA)

Instrumentation

John Colvert - Vocals, guitars, Harmonica
Jon Aanestad - Fiddle
Bruce Pierce - Drums
Casey Abrams - vocals & guitar
Hugh Allen - Bass
Brendan Cooney - Piano, organ, and Banjo

Discography

Songs for the Northern Belle (2010)

Official Website

http://www.johncolvert.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• YouTube

Audio

• Adeline (currently unreleased)
  Listen  
• Marionettes
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• Shame
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• Static
  Listen  
• The Great Brighton Fire
  Listen  

Lyrics

• As Is
• Shame
• Treason
• Just Another Pawn
• Marionettes
• Faith
• Static
• Halfway to Baltimore
• The Great Brighton Fire

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Review of performance at Harpers Ferry [+ Show ]
  

  WEEKLY DIG SHOWCASE featuring DEATH BY FAME, THE ICE CREAM TRUCKS, THE NORTH LOT, MARK MANDEVILLE & ...WEEKLY DIG SHOWCASE featuring DEATH BY FAME, THE ICE CREAM TRUCKS, THE NORTH LOT, MARK MANDEVILLE & RIANNE RICHARDS, JOHN COLVERT, Harpers Ferry, Allston, MA 6/30/10
  
  John Colvert starts up the night. Tonight feels like a lazy summer evening, but John and his band waste no time diving right into their set which is heavily dosed with Americana and folk influences. His songs are poignant and his delivery is sincere. He’s backed by a great band that features Noel Coakley, a prominent member of the New England Americana scene and a new comer on drums, Rick Cranford. Rick is a transplant from Seattle, WA who recently relocated to Massachusetts and holds his own quite nicely up to this stellar line up of musicians. John Colvert and crew set the stage and raise the bar high; it’s going to be a great night. - Kier Byrnes

• Review of performance at the New England Americana Festival [+ Show ]
  

  "...the emotion behind his music is barely contained within his frame, telling all in the audience t..."...the emotion behind his music is barely contained within his frame, telling all in the audience that there’s a story behind his singing, and he’s here to share it with all of us."
  
  http://www.thenoise-boston.com/content/view/312/10/

• Preview of the New England Americana Festival [+ Show ]
  

  "...introspective songwriting accompanied tastefully by banjo, lap steel, harmonica and other instru..."...introspective songwriting accompanied tastefully by banjo, lap steel, harmonica and other instrumentation..."

• Preview of the April Music Festival [+ Show ]
  

  STORIES BEHIND SONGS: Like many songwriters, folk-rock musician John Colvert of Arlington draws ...STORIES BEHIND SONGS:
  
  Like many songwriters, folk-rock musician John Colvert of Arlington draws inspiration from a variety of sources. He wrote “Ain’t Done No Wrong’’ about what would have happened if he hadn’t mended his once-strained relationship with his father. “Shame’’ is a fictional story about a man in the Midwest who leaves everything behind as he sinks into a downward spiral.
  
  “I let my imagination go, thinking about what someone in a certain situation might do and say,’’ Colvert said. “Then I’ll clean it up afterward if it doesn’t make any sense.’’
  
  Colvert is one of several musicians participating in the April Music Festival at the Arlington Center for the Arts next weekend. The three-part event will begin on Friday at 8 p.m. with the Songwriters’ Round Table Confessional featuring Colvert, Chris Brenne of Arlington, and Katie McD of South Boston, who will perform and discuss their music and songwriting processes.
  
  On Saturday, a kid-friendly concert from 2 to 4 p.m. will feature the lyrical voice of McD and the world beat of Brenne and Parul Vakani of Arlington in Red Velvet Slide. Ages 12 and under get in free. The show at 7 that evening will feature the touch-tap guitar style of Amherst resident Jonathan Keezing, followed by Colvert and Red Velvet Slide.
  
  Tickets are available at the door for $25 (three events) or $15 (one event) at the Arlington Center for the Arts, 41 Foster St. For more information, call 781-648-6220 or go to www.acarts.org.
  
  - Cindy Cantrell (Boston Globe)

• Review of performance at Club Passim (opening for Adam Ezra) [+ Show ]
  

  Adam Ezra kicked off the Fifth of July festivities by introducing opener John Colvert, who took fans...Adam Ezra kicked off the Fifth of July festivities by introducing opener John Colvert, who took fans on a roller-coaster ride with his half-hour opening set. Colvert began the set with slow, melodious songs, including “As Is” and “Static,” then moved into a faster mix of country and folk, and closed the set with a stirring rendition of “The Great Brighton Fire.” Ezra joined Colvert on stage, not only during Colvert’s cover of the Band’s “The Weight,” but also to handle washboard duties during the performance. - Daniel Kobialka

• Preview of performance at the Second Friday Coffeehouse [+ Show ]
  

  Colvert tells his life’s stories in song and tints them with his spirited imagination. Attendees are...Colvert tells his life’s stories in song and tints them with his spirited imagination. Attendees are destined to enjoy a memorable performance from this Rhode Island-based singer-songwriter.

• Preview of performance at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham, MA
  

  ...Colvert has earned a reputation as a fine lyricist...

• Review of the 2012 New England Americana Festival [+ Show ]
  

  It’s time to meet one of the founders of the NEAF, John Colvert, along with his band, the Great Brig...It’s time to meet one of the founders of the NEAF, John Colvert, along with his band, the Great Brighton Fire. These guys never fail to impress, and it’s always a pleasure to see them perform. John’s a powerhouse on stage, with an infectious energy that flows off of him and into everyone at Oberon. Things get a little political with one of the songs, “Oil,” which talks about the effects that corporations have on the world around us. That’s something to which we can all relate, and it’s what makes this band so great—they echo what we’re all feeling.

Setlist

Set Length: Flexible, can perform up to 2/45' sets.

Some Originals:
Adeline
Just Another Pawn
Shame
Liberty Bell
Marionettes
Sinners
Marigolds
As Is
Faith
Food Stamps
Halfway to Baltimore
Remember Me Well
Static
Treason
Late Train
August
Done No Wrong
The Great Brighton Fire
Where You Been?

Some Covers:
The Weight - The Band
Wagonwheel - Old Crow Medicine Show
Two - Ryan Adams
Oh My Sweet Carolina - Ryan Adams
Chocolate Jesus - Tom Waits

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Stage Plot

Calendar