Young Island musicians make waves in music

By Julian Wise - October 25, 2007

As small and out of the way as it is, the Island is home to a growing number of young and talented musicians who have broken out and are spiraling upwards and out onto the national, and in some cases, international, music scene.

Island native Willy Mason (son of folk singer Jemima James) is making a big musical splash. Called a "heavyweight talent,” in a national review, his music has been dubbed "masterful and poignant,” and with comparisons to John Lennon and Tom Waits, his midtempo, Americana sound is securely established. In 2006, he landed the coveted spot opening for Radiohead, introducing his music to thousands of new fans across Europe and North America. Willy and his band — Sam Mason (Willy’s younger brother), Nina Violet, Colin Ruel and Mike Mackey — have been touring the country in support of their latest record, "If the Ocean Gets Rough” (2007, Astralwerks Records).

In their appearance in Austin, Texas, the band was joined onstage by legendary Who guitarist Pete Townshend. Not bad for a local boy.

When Willy’s van broke down in California two years ago in the middle of a national tour, he had to abandon it. When it was time to retrieve the repaired vehicle a year later, Willy devised a novel means of getting across country to claim it. He put a message on his MySpace page asking fans to put him up for the night in exchange for an in-home performance. The results were so successful that he repeated it in England a month later, further developing his already impressive European fan base.

And then there’s Phil daRosa. A native singer/songwriter who relocated to Northampton, he has regularly returned to perform for Island audiences with his former band, Bathtub Mary. In 2002, he recorded, "Bathtub Mary, The ubiquitous demo,” followed in 2003 by "Bathtub Mary, The Change They Want to See” (Jeremy Milligan on drums, Jackson Smith on bass, Jeff Bujak on keyboards).

This year he embarked on a solo career, performing the earthy, pensive lyrics that have garnered positive reviews throughout the Pioneer Valley. His sound — classically infused folk-rock — has been compared to Dave Matthews. In late winter this year, he released his first solo album, "Better Days,” followed by a promotional tour around New England and the Northeast.

Mr. daRosa admits hometown shows have a special feel to them. "It’s kind of funny,” he says. "I think I get more nervous about playing in front of a room full of familiar faces than I do with a room full of strangers. I’m really looking forward to sharing my music with all these folks who have been so close to me over the years.”

Martha’s Vineyard may be hundreds of miles from native bluegrass soil, but a new local band Ballyhoo manages to make their sound authentic. The sextet (Tauras Biskis on standup bass, Ken Dyer on harmonica, Josh Campbell on mandolin, Vinnie Padalino on washboard, Matthew Lozier on banjo, and Brad Tucker on guitar and vocals) stirs up a jump-and-shout good time.

Formed in August 2006, the band has since honed its sound. In their recent live performance at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven, the bass set the indomitable rhythm, while the guitar, mandolin, washboard and banjo were in full force. At the center of the action is Brad Tucker, an affable front man and natural vocalist, who clearly has a grand time with the music. His enthusiasm spreads throughout the band and into the audience.

As long as the temperature allows, Ballyhoo will continue to play, as they did throughout the summer, every Sunday evening at the Menemsha docks. They have also performed at the Outerland and other music venues around the Vineyard. The band’s success rests on their ability to capture the essence of the bluegrass sprit.

Editorial Intern Sam Decker contributed to this piece.