Excerpted from the Gloucester Daily Times, February 20, 2014. Click here to read the full article.
by Gail McCarthy
Cape Ann musicians are among the singer-songwriters and bands nominated for New England Music Awards, which celebrates and recognizes top performers in the region for their musical achievements. The awards event takes place Saturday night in Lowell.
Rockport’s Marina Evans is nominated for Female Performer of the Year, and Kingsley Flood, whose lead guitarist is from Gloucester, is up for Band of the Year and Album of the Year for “Battles,” released in February 2013.
The nominating committee consists of journalists from music publications, radio personalities, talent buyers, and record label execs representing all six New England states.
[…]
Kingsley Flood band members and Evans are excited about being nominees.
Evans is a rising singer-songwriter, who last year traveled to Tuscany in pursuit of her musical inspiration. She recorded an album in Florence, and has traveled back and forth between Cape Ann and Italy since she studied abroad there in 2008, when she began collaborating with Florentine musicians. Her debut album “Unbound” was released last fall.
“This nomination was a great surprise and an incredible honor. To be included in a group of such talented musicians from all across New England is both encouraging and so inspiring,” said Evans. “I am so grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to make these awards happen. It’s a true testament to the vibrant and unique music scene we have here in New England — and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Prior to her debut album, she released an EP with music she wrote inspired by Dogtown, the wild center of the Cape Ann island, the history of which dates to Colonial times.
Evans received her undergraduate degree in music theory and composition from Columbia University in 2009, but her music career started years before when she started singing in a jazz duo with her older brother. She performs with Allen Estes at the Dog Bar here on Feb. 28.
Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-675-2706, or at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.
If you go, what: The 2014 New England Music Awards, hosted by Comedian Steve Sweeney and featuring live performances by Sarah Borrello, The Mallett Brothers Band, Will Dailey, Nemes, Dressed for the Occasion, and Hayley Sabella. When: Saturday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. Where: Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 E. Merrimack St., Lowell. How much: $10 general admission; at lowellauditorium.com or the box office.