The Loomers

Band on the Run

L to R: Tom Simons, Michael Cahill, Jon Svetkey, Rob Laurens, Jack Cavalier, Everett B. Pendelton (Jeff Isen and Heather Quay, not pictured)

More for the length of my hair and less for my keyboard technique, I believe, I was asked to play in my good friend Jon Svetkey's band, The Loomers, a few years ago. And by play I mean I get to lay down big washes of background chords using the Hammond B-3 setttings on a Nord Electro3. It's heaven. There have been few musical experiences in my life that have been as fulfilling as playing with these very talented and fun-loving musicians.

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The Bigfoot Research Organization

What do cryptozoology and folk music have in common?

The answer is as elusive as ever.

That’s what Dave Dersham, Lloyd Thayer, and Rob Laurens — The Bigfoot Research Organization — have been trying to decipher for something like 15 years now. Presuming that surely some evidence has been revealed at this point, we put this perennial, Thanksgiving weekend question to the members of the BRO once again. What did we learn? You be the judge:

Dave: “Well, it’s really a blending of very different songwriting styles and musical genres, with geo-political analysis, pseudo-science, and, what some have called ‘unique world views.’ Taken together, it undergirds a new realm of esthetic academia — by name, crypto-musicology. I think you can get a degree in it now at Oberlin — or maybe Hampshire. Also, sometimes there are shows where we each, at one point or another, play harmonica on a rack.”

Rob: “The question is probably best answered with another question — does Pete Seeger roll over in his grave when we play together? The answer is yes, but we think we’ve heard him singing along.”

Lloyd: “One year, Matt Smith booked me to play a Campfire round with these guys…and, well, it’s a gig on a Saturday at Club Passim.”

Dave: “It’s music with a message…and that message is, ‘What the hell is going on?!’”

Rob: “If Bob Dylan knew we did this, he wouldn’t come to the show.”

Lloyd: “I try to focus on the music part.”

Susan Levine: “I was really surprised they incorporated PowerPoint into the show.”

Abby Altman: “Hmm…well…”

Matt Smith: “I’m just glad they’re getting out of the house.”

Jon Shockey: “Yeah…I can’ help you with this…”

What do cryptozoology and folk music have in common? Clearly, the answer is as elusive as ever.  

Lloyd: “Does anyone have any questions about that?”