Tag Archives: American primitive guitar

Go “Under the Stars” and Reminisce with This Song

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Although I’ve never been to Maine, this song makes me want to plan a camping trip to this lake and camp “Under the Stars” with my favorite people.

Recorded at Monaco Studios in Maine, “Under the Stars” by Andrew LaVogue is an American primitive guitar instrumental inspired by spending a night camping lakeside with best friends. It begins with dazzling finger picking guitar drenched in reverb, creating a feeling of anticipation that comes with knowing it’s going to be one of those night you’ll never forget.

As you listen, imagine sitting by a campfire with your favorite people. You’re laughing, singing, and sharing stories; living the precious moments while they are happening, and as they transition and fade into nostalgic memories. 

Recently, I reconnected with my childhood best friend and we reminisced on all of our memories together. I showed him this song, and we both felt the song shift to signal that all good things come to an end.

Such is life. All good things must come to an end to create space for the future. We mustn’t dwell of the sadness that comes when these moments end, but show gratitude that they happened in the first place.

LISTEN: Center Yourself with The Mighty Calm’s ‘Joy of Missing Out’

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Some prefer the bells and whistles that come with a long weekend. Others prefer to use the extra day as a time to rest and come back to center.

If the latter applies to you, then you’ll want to check out “Joy of Missing Out,” the latest instrumental cut from Portland, Maine’s The Mighty Calm. Written by guitarist Andrew LaVogue, this gentle summery tune has just one mission: to make you feel good.

“I had originally wrote this song as a solo guitar piece, but (drummer Jonathan Moore) and I got invited to perform on a local music video series called Between The Bins and we needed material,” LaVogue said. “So, he added drums to the song and we played it for the first time as a duo. When (bassist Alan Fernald) joined the band, he wrote the bassline, and then the song just started to sound huge.”

Take a moment before you spring back into action. Relish in the “Joy of Missing Out.”

LISTEN: Andrew LaVogue’s ‘Cherry Valley Waltz’ Feels Like Home

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Without saying a word, Andrew LaVogue is always ready and able to capture our imaginations through song. The Ohio native — who now resides in Portland, ME — is a master at creating a variety of moods though his American primitive guitar stylings.

LaVogue’s latest offering is the full-length album, Cherry Valley Waltz. Crafted over a two-year period, the eight-track offering — preceded by singles “Remember When” and “Sweet and Simple” — paints vivid golden-hour portraits of life growing up in the rural reaches of northeast Ohio.

Hear the album

UMC20: Farewell, Summer (Sept. 20, 2022)

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We’ve tried to hang on to the summer of 2022 for as long as possible. And, if you’re in Nashville this week, it certainly seems like Mother Nature is thinking along the same lines.

But… it’s over. We’re officially heading into fall this week, but not before a last hurrah of high-powered summer bops. The first half of UMC20 is loaded with those, before gradually giving way to more mellow sounds befitting the cooler months.

OK… there are some Americana-tinged scorchers at the end, too. We couldn’t help ourselves!

Listen to UMC20