A musical preview of tracks we love from Hope Fest 2023 artists.

Catch this band waiting at the side of the stage on St. Patty’s Day and you might mistake them for an easy listening Celtic folk ensemble. With the banjo and standup bass… You know, A Mighty Wind fodder. But Time and Place are all about the ‘rock’ in ‘folk rock’ and the ‘punk’ in ‘folk punk’ on our highlighted track “Repent!” Repent for what? Sounds like a wake-up call for all those tempted to give in to political apathy. The world is on fire! Grab a bucket of water instead of a load of kindling…

Justin Arena

“Literal Jazz” as an album title feels like a misdirect. Our highlighted track “Laundry List” hits more like folk rock with twee leanings. A pert banjo line dances atop the acoustic strum as Justin Arena and Friends sing introspective jams at the campfire’s edge. A real singer-songwriter heart beats through verses and chorus; songs written on a single guitar, and brought to life with a kind of boho symphonic flair. Extra points for the pancake reference.

Conor Ryan Hennessy

Folk yeah! Salem’s Conor Ryan Hennessy brings it all back to the roots in the soil. From the mournful lilt to the fiddle backing the acoustic guitar, the soil smells like a peaty bog on some island in the North Atlantic. The vocals on our highlighted track “The Big Race”, though, have a driving flow that feels closer to Americana hobo jive, if not proto-hip hop… It’s the kind of true blue amalgamation of influences that folk music was made for.

Pink Slip

Nobody ever accused the ska scene of lacking a sense of humor. Boston ska punks Pink Slip deliver a satirical sendup of the “Live, Laugh, Love” scene. Who are Wine Moms? Do they have more voting power than Soccer Moms? With the brass section blazing and the upstroke on fire, the lyrics don’t miss a chance to share a laugh with the listener. Preferably over a glass of chilled rosé. RIP to the Christmas Tree Store reference.

Megan From Work

Our highlighted track “Girl Suit” comes from a collection of demos by Megan From Work. Spare, minimal, acoustic. It’s a coffeehouse vibe where all the heavy lifting is accomplished by the right chord progression and a sweet voice floating above. What’s a girl suit anyway? It’s a mystery wrapped in an enigma. It’s a metaphor! Or is it a simile? Or are those the same things? Extra points for rhyming ‘suit’ with ‘soup.’

Here’s the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of Hope Fest 2023.