Making Music: From punk to folk to bluegrass, Nashua's Studio 99 is where it's happening

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Studio 99, at 17 Factory St. in Nashua, is an intimate (and Best of NH-winning) venue where you can enjoy local musical performances.

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Check out www.studio99nashua.com for a schedule

If you need any further proof that Nashua has a thriving arts scene, despite the economy, look at the success of Studio 99, Nashua's peripatetic performance space for amateur and professional musicians, which has recently re-located to its newer, bigger digs (this is the third move in three years) at 17 Factory Street.

For practically no money (donations are requested) music lovers can go to listen or perform practically every day of the week. There are open mic nights, jazz, blues bluegrass jams, piano karaoke, special open mics for high school students and performances by touring acts. Studio 99's jam sessions have allowed locals to improve their performances in front of live audiences and meet other musicians.

Where else can you see New Hampshire's punk icon Jonee Earthquake, a bluegrass banjoist and a harp player, all on the same night? You'll find everything from 14-year-old rockers to 20-somethings showing off experimental music to folkies who could well have attended Woodstock.

The new space is modern with freshly painted white walls, comfy seats and room for 100 music lovers. "We like to say that we don't have any 'wallpaper' here - you know, an audience that talks and drinks instead of listens to a performer," says musician Elise MacDonald, director of Studio 99. "Our listening room environment means that there's always a respect for the performer. Every note is heard and nobody ever has to shout over the sound of the crowd when talking about what tune to play next. It allows for a much faster improvement for the musicians than would be possible at a jam session held in a bar or a pub."

- Stacy Milbouer and Tom Long