Recording: André Ethier

Artist: André Ethier

Songs: Are You Going? + Nature Compels Me

Recorded at Dina's Tavern, July 5, 2026.

André Ethier - Are You Going?

André Ethier - Nature Compels Me

It's always a treat to hear André Ethier at work. Every few years he puts out another set of finely-observed, low-key tunes, increasingly delivered with breezy avant-mellow arrangements for synth and drum machine. This set, which saw him joined by a keyboardist as well as cellist Eliza Niemi (who also helped open up the night), gave some tastes of that, but left plenty of space for his songs to shine.

Recording: Niemi/Tassonyi/Pearl

Artist: Eliza Niemi/Avalon Tassonyi/Andrew Pearl

Songs: unknown^* + Yes or No + New to Love [Beetsblog cover]

Recorded at Dina's Tavern, July 5, 2026.

Eliza Niemi/Avalon Tassonyi/Andrew Pearl - unknown

Avalon Tassonyi/Eliza Niemi/Andrew Pearl - Yes or No

Andrew Pearl/Eliza Niemi/Avalon Tassonyi - New to Love

Sometimes the show you end up at isn't quite the show advertised on the poster — especially when the border makes its presence felt. Billed as a chance for locals to get to know Greenfield, Massachusetts' Beetsblog, things went sideways in the absence of songwriter Taggie Coppins, forcing some re-organization on the night. Cellist Eliza Niemi, friend to Beetsblog (and already on the night's bill backing André Ethier) swooped in to put together this fine last-minute opener, "a fun variety show-style set" that saw her joined by guitarist Avalon Tassonyi and Beetsblog's Andrew Pearl on winds. Niemi took most of the leads, but there was a bit of a songwriters' circle vibe at hand, with evertyone taking a turn or two and coming up with arrangements on the fly.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Eliza Niemi

Artist: Eliza Niemi

Songs: If My Songs Made You Cry + Dusty

Recorded at Dina's Tavern, March 1, 2026.

Eliza Niemi - If My Songs Made You Cry

Eliza Niemi - Dusty

A homecoming night from tour brought out a packed and attentive crowd. I was thankful for the latter as Niemi brings a wide dynamic range to her performances, from small, intimate confessions to rockin' outbursts. That duality was reflected in her two main performance modes — seated and playing cello and then standing to play bass. Here's one of each flavour.

Recording: Eliza Niemi

Artist: Eliza Niemi

Song: Walking Feels Slow

Recorded at The Tranzac (Southern Cross Lounge), October 9, 2022.

Eliza Niemi - Walking Feels Slow

Opening things up for the Holy Oak Family Singers songwriters' circle, Eliza Niemi just brought voice and cello and some songs from her recent Staying Mellow Blows album, filled with plainspoken slice-of-life observations.