If you’ve searched for online videos of your favorite contemporary bands within the past five years, chances are you’ve noticed a new style of live music: the Web concert series. This new breed of live performance has featured every type of artist, from folk singer-songwriters to full rock ’n’ roll bands. The musicians perform stripped-down versions of their songs, played acoustically or with a softened sound to give it a more intimate feeling.
These Web series inspired Nick Rocci to start a new series at Block Six, the restaurant at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth. It’s called Block Six Presents.
“I’ve always loved (National Public Radio’s) Tiny Desk concert series and Big Ugly Yellow Couch, and I know a lot of my friends have always wanted to do that stuff,” said Rocci, front of house manager at 3S. “I thought the little lounge area (at Block Six) was perfect for sitting down and letting your friends play music, and I think it’s really cool hearing your friends do the stripped-down thing.”
The idea was originally intended to bring more customers into the restaurant on nights when there is no show happening in the main performance space at 3S. The Block Six shows take place from 8-9 p.m. on select dates.
Blake Seale Jr. performs in April. courtesy photo
Rocci wanted to provide a space for local acts to perform a different type of show than most area musicians are accustomed to playing. The series began in late April, and Rocci has hosted a diverse range of acts since then. Blake Joseph Seale Jr., the first act Rocci brought in for the series, plays in emo-pop band New Legs. Mackenzie Keefe, who performed in the series earlier in June, plays with Rocci in his garage-rock band Idling.
The acts aren’t always solo acoustic performers. In May, Rocci booked the full band Gretchen and the Pickpockets, who played with dampeners and mutes to control the volume of their instruments.
Rocci has several more artists booked over the summer. The next show features Seth Gooby, a folk-country artist and member of alternative rock band The Landladys. Coming up in the pipeline are Jordan Holtz, bassist and co-vocalist for the indie-rock band Rick Rude; Wm. Hexwire, formerly the experimental lo-fi group videosforpictures; and Ezra Cohen, guitarist for punk band Notches and emo-rock band Charles.
Rocci is interested in bringing other acts, including Philadelphia-based indie band Beach Slang, and Notches performing an acoustic set.
“I’ve talked to Nat Baldwin because he used to work at 3S and I would love to have him in there. I love his music,” Rocci said. “I would also love to see Rick (Maguire) from (Boston-based indie-punk group) Pile. He would do really well in that room.”
Mackenzie Keefe performs in June. courtesy photo
With Block Six Presents gaining momentum, Rocci said he’s also considering setting up another space for artists to showcase their music. He said 3S has an upper level that is empty, save for a few boxes of miscellaneous stuff. Though the space is not yet ready to host performances, Rocci said the room could hold about 75 people. He is in talks with 3S leadership about potentially using the space for concerts or visual art exhibitions on Sundays and Mondays, when the restaurant isn’t open. He’s tentatively calling the series Attic on 319.
“I’d be interested in seeing artists up there doing stuff or (having the room be a) practice space,” he said.
Rocci says his ultimate goal is simply to provide more places for up-and-coming musicians to perform their music.
“I remember being in high school looking for a place to play, and it’s hard when you’re in a high-school band and putting on your own show is the only option,” he said. “I’m trying to help out any way I can, and this is how I’m doing it.”
Seth Gooby will perform at the next Block Six Presents concert on Thursday, June 30, from 8-9 p.m. Block Six is at 319 Vaughn St. in Portsmouth. For more information, click here.