Monthly Archives: April 2014

VIDEO: The other accordion player’s tattoo

Gary Chapin plays a button accordion given to him by his mentor, Sylvain Piron of France, at his house in Gardiner on Wednesday. Chapin has a tattoo of the instrument on his left arm. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Tattoo Tale: Gary Chapin was visiting his friend and accordion mentor Sylvain Piron in France. They were at a dinner party and, as he is known to do, Piron began to play his accordion. But the crowd wanted Chapin to play and shouted for, “L’Autre Diatoniste,” which is French for ‘the other accordion player.” The moniker stuck. […]

VIDEO: One last go round on Thompson’s Point before they tear it down

Casey McCurry, leader of the Portland band Sunset Hearts, performs at his longtime rehearsal space in an unused industrial building on Thompson's Point Friday night with his lyrics painted on the walls. The band hosted a show in the space to say goodbye. The building is slated for demolition as the point is redeveloped. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

While development of the “Forefront”  — which will include a home for the Maine Red Claws and a clown college — goes forward, bands are losing their homes. It’s the same all over town. As Portland becomes cooler and more upscale, the rents go up and space for art gets hard to find. Ben McCanna and […]