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september 6 This happens, like, never. I strike up a conversation with a young guy waiting to go to the men’s room in a bar. (This time it happens to be the Middle East Corner.) Turns out he’s a musician. Ok, stands to reason. He has a CD and wants to give it to me for obvious promotional reasons. Ok, fair enough. I take it home, listen, and go, whoa, I like this guy! The guy in question is the eminently likable Josh Cole, and his third album, “hypocrticool,’’ I dig a lot – it’s got country, alt-rock, punk and all kinds of melodic sounds on it. Oh, did we mention that after an early brush with potential stardom, he skipped to the West Coast and worked on his brother’s farm. He’s back in the music world now, playing with his backing trio the Household. Cole, 29, was born in Dorchester, raised in Lynn and grew up in Mendon. “I’m the ornery child of the New England weather,” he sings in “I Could Turn To You.’’ 
photo by Jon Strymish |
The “farmer” thing is part of the lore, but Cole says he moved to Oregon after a year studying philosophy, mostly, to get over a girl. He did help his brother farm and clear. And he has a view that’s informed by nature. “It’s a neo-traditionalist worldview,” he says. “To look to the past for wisdom, trying to see the human in things rather than letting technology determine what is human.’’ Cole feels that the more you travel in America, the more you see what amounts to the same town and same city. When he discusses roots he says, “I got a lot of hick in me but I grew up with a lot of loud music. ‘Punk Rock Revival’ is about growing up in the hardcore scene, dealing with homogenization, learning to take care of each other.’’ As to the variety in his music, Cole says, “I get so bored with records that sound all the same. My music is basic in the arrangements, there’s just a couple things added for fun. I listen to all kinds of music and write what comes out - however I digest what I listen to.” Main songwriting tools? “Humor and irony.”
They’re on for free at 9:30 p.m. at The Burren Wed. Sept. 6 and, down the road a spell, at Newton’s The Attic Sept. 23.
247 Elm St., Somerville, 617-776-6896 |
