Kids’ Almanac (Dec. 19-26)

Local music

Here are three terrific and easy ways to support local musical offerings here in the Hudson Valley: Buy Rachel Loshak’s wonderful new album So Bright at www.rachelloshak.com; check out Simone Felice’s excellent self-titled album at www.simonefelice.com as we wait excitedly for his new March release Strangers (stream the first single, “Molly-O,” on his website); and support our country’s oldest continuous summer music festival (our family loves its fantastic family music concerts): Maverick Concerts at https://maverickconcerts.org.

As some of you may recall from my previous mention of singer/songwriter and bassist Rachel Loshak’s latest album So Bright, which was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dean Jones, her music appeals in so many ways. Her light and open sound in “Apple Tree” floats through me while the personal, intimate lyrics settle in: “When I was small/I thought by now I’d be me.” Energetically, her songs like “I Don’t Know Why” feel as solidly grounded as her years as a bassist might imply, but the melodies remain alive with movement and not heavy.

And don’t feel like this is music just for the older crowd; give your family a break from the drama-infused pop scene and share Loshak with your teens and tweens. Loshak’s music comes across as honest and authentic, and singing along feels good and will connect with younger listeners too: lyrics like “Come and Get Me”: “I have a reason I have my mind/I make the most of what I find”; and title track “So Bright”: “My sun is rising/Up to the sky/The Earth has never been so bright.” One album highlight is Loshak’s cover of Justin Roberts’ lullaby “All for You,” which I just love.

I asked Loshak to share more about her life and work. Wait until you read what she says about Christmas cake. For more information, visit www.rachelloshak.com.

Best place for people to buy your music:

At my website store, www.rachelloshak.com/store.

Something that you wish that people knew about the impact of buying locally, from local musicians:

It enables us to have careers and families without having to tour all over the country or world in order to sustain ourselves. Touring is really the only way to earn a living as a musician, but that has a huge toll on personal and family lives and our health. Supporting local musicians contributes to them being able to stay closer to home more often.

Any roles your sons or family play in your business [Loshak’s husband is Morgan Taylor, musician and creator of Gustafer Yellowgold]:

Our two boys inspire us and remind us what’s real. They help us set up shows, they help us write songs and our eldest, at 5 ½, has already been contributing his own artwork to the Gustafer videos for the past year.

Something you have learned/appreciated/experienced this holiday season:

I’ve learned to slow down, even during this time of year when everything seems to get switched up a notch. My family is the most important thing, and I’ve learned this year to put them first. Oh, and not feel guilty for not sending out Christmas cards. Okay, well, I do feel a bit guilty…

A favorite holiday tradition in your family:

Making a traditional English Christmas cake together every year. It’s a rich fruitcake that we make in September, and open up every couple of weeks to pour brandy over it. A week before Christmas we’ll make our own marzipan and cover the whole cake, then a couple of days before, we ice it with Royal Icing. Then we decorate it. We start to eat it on Christmas evening, after a delicious roast meal, then it lasts up to a month or more afterwards (due to the brandy!) so that we can give slices to friends and family as and when we see them. Last year I mailed a slice back to my Dad in England!

A favorite holiday spot that you like in the Hudson Valley:

When we lived on Samsonville Road, every Christmas Eve, people put cut-off gallon containers along either side of the road with candles inside, every ten feet or so, then lit them as it got dark, stretching for a mile or more, from around Tetta’s Garage all the way down through Samsonville and up towards Palentown. It’s beautiful.

Anything else that you’d like to announce, share et cetera:

I’ve had such overwhelming responses to my new album So Bright that I’ve decided not to wait so long before writing and recording again. Morgan and I will be working on a record together over the next year to make an album that reflects the chemistry that happens when we perform together.