The Downtowner: Slainte! St. Patrick’s Day is Almost Here!

Funds raised by our team will support expansion of this program through the purchase of materials for garden expansion, replacement of older raised beds as they break down, purchase of plants, garden equipment and materials, water bills, and support education programming and garden scholarships. The GCCG program offers garden beds at a nominal fee of $35 each year, which covers 75% of our water bills – but also offers scholarship – no questions asked – to applicants who express an inability to pay. This program is part of a broader rail trail stewardship effort. In taking on the garden program – this is GADs first big step in the area of downtown neighborhood wellness. We hope you will support us, and in doing so – support a more connected, healthy, beautiful, and vibrant Downtown Nashua.

Here’s what we’ve got lined up so far for March 17th:
• Open @ 8AM For Kegs & Eggs
• 10AM – 2PM Irish Whispa
• 2PM-5PM Bill McElaney Direct From Ireland
• Bagpipers
• 7PM-Close Pop Farmers

“Even I have a hard time describing this album,” Matthew Stubbs admits. “People hear it, and ask, ‘What kind of music is this?’ No idea! And I’m happy about that.”

As he should be. The self-titled debut from Matthew Stubbs & The Antiguas is a decidedly diverse and propulsive affair, combining psych rock with garage rock, acid blues, Afrobeat and funk (amongst several other styles). It’s also cinematic — at times, it feels like you’ve been invited to hear the world’s coolest soundtrack (note, there is a song called “Tarantino”).
Oh, and it’s also an instrumental album.

“The other question people ask is, ‘Why don’t you have a singer?’ Well, back in the day, in the ‘50s and ‘60s, you had guys like Booker T, Link Wray, Dick Dale and Duane Eddy. They had bona fide hits as instrumentalists! I’d like to bring back that spirit to popular music.”

While this is his first record as part of the Antiguas, Stubbs had previously made his name as a solo performer, releasing two albums in the Memphis soul/blues tradition, Soulbender (2008) and Medford and Main (2010). As well, the Boston musician (and a guitarist since the age of 13) has served as the guitarist for Charlie Musselwhite since 2007 — that’s him on the legendary bluesman’s 2015 Grammy-nominated album Juke Joint Chapel!.

“Stubbs has released a classic album of instrumentals that references the best elements of blues, surf, jazz, garage, soul and many other styles, with some of the tunes recalling Los Lobos’ borderline atonal clank.”
– Music Connection

“A top-to-bottom delight in instrumental music of all your favorite stripes.”
– Jambase

“Combining movie themes, dub, psych and Dick Dale-style guitar, it is 10 cuts of adventurous tangents that form an infectious soundtrack.”
– The Big Takeover

“Kudos to Stubbs for giving us something different. Often instrumental albums fail to connect. This one keeps your interest as it’s so different from almost anything you hear these days. Yet, in a
strange way, this music will likely remain timeless too.”
– Elmore Magazine

“This is one you’re sure to be watching all day.”
– GroundSounds (on “Bastille Day” video)

“Matthew Stubbs & The Antiguas channel 60’s psych rock and Afrobeat”
– Glide Magazine

“On a set of vibrant instrumental tunes that find his guitar sparring with some spicy organ lines, Stubbs leads his band down a path that touches on funk, garage rock, dub, Afrobeat, and more.”
– Culture Sonar

“It’s the kind of music that leaves a lasting impression…This album definitely has what it takes to be considered one of the top releases in New England when 2018 comes to a close.”
– Motif Magazine

“the material on the band’s self-titled debut manage to have a decidedly retro vibe, sounding as though they could have been part of the soundtracks to late 60s and early 70s B movies but with a tight groove”
– Joy of Violent Movement
“Put this one on repeat – you’re gonna love it.”
– Indie Voice Blog