Helen Rose was born in Los Angeles but grew up bicoastal in a family deeply rooted in the arts — her mother a costume designer and her father a musician, actor and carpenter. She spent her youth roaming the fields of the eastern shore of Maryland and herding cattle in central California. As a young girl, she began to sing with her father's bluegrass band and was hooked, eventually adding the saxophone and guitar to her musical arsenal. Helen met Jonah Tolchin in High School, a fellow young blues enthusiast who quickly became her friend and would go on to be the producer of Rugged Elegance.
After studying urban and environmental policy in college, Helen felt a cosmic pull back to the arts. She has since toured across the US and UK/EU, working alongside legendary musicians such as James Gadson, Benmont Tench, Jeff Peters, Russ Kunkel, and Marvin Etzioni. Her previous release Trouble Holding Back was a hit with critics and fans alike, receiving rave reviews from publications such as Mojo and Living Blues magazine. Helen has also made a name for herself as a composer, winning awards for her captivating original scores for film and TV. Though she loves writing music for movies, her true passion lies in songwriting, live performance, and making records.
Rugged Elegance is a work long destined by the stars, as Helen knew that Jonah was the one who knew her best, and could help guide her in weaving the tapestry of song she envisioned. Every song is a distinct portrait of someone or someplace beloved, but they all emanate from a singular place of honesty, reflection and a desire to embrace one another in times of difficulty. Rugged Elegance channels the icons who have defined Helen’s old-time roots — Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Bonnie Raitt and countless others — but listen deeply and you’ll find an artist who has found her voice at a moment when we need to hear it most. These are not just tracks on an album to Helen. They are sacred; a testimony to the love she has for her family and for the world. We are lucky to get to share in the vulnerability of this gift.
Trevor Robinson is a Southern Vermont based artist who writes idiosyncratic songs about the inner lives and outward dilemmas of regular and not-so-regular folks. Bingo nights, black-metal teens, polar bears and house cats. Ex-cons, current-cons, folk singers and house fires. Songwriting as an attempt at an intimate exchange of empathy. Johnny Gifford is a Brattleboro, Vermont-based artist creating homegrown sounds that are a bit rough around the edges, but have a heart of gold. Johnny and Trevor have performed together in various improvisational configurations and collaborated on the underground experimental community television program “Deliberate Drift”
Johnny also works collaboratively with projects like Dylan Patrick Ward & The Lovable Losers, Cousin Greg, Petricore, and Eleanor & the Pretty Things among others.
Caitlin Wilder is a New Hampshire singer-songwriter writing folk-inspired songs reflecting the ups and downs of life, inviting listeners into an intimate experience of introspection and connection. She has just completed her first album and is preparing to release it in late 2024 or early 2025.
Doors are at 7pm and music will start right at 730! Seating is limited and first come first served; all ages!