An artist responsible for wondrous creations, silent for years, then suddenly his factory starts up again and the people are abuzz — that could describe Willy Wonka, but also Mark Mulcahy, the Valley-based singer-songwriter who takes his time carefully getting the recipes right.
He recently released his sixth solo album, “The Gus,” and has a 21-date tour on the horizon. Most of the shows are overseas in the UK, his home away from home, the land of fry-ups and Twiglets. But one of the first concerts is local-ish, at the Stone Church in Brattleboro on Friday, August 23, at 8 p.m.
Mulcahy will be accompanied by bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Marc Seedorf (who engineered, co-produced, and played on the new album), guitarist Dennis Crommett (who also contributed to the LP) and drummer/vocalist Jake Wardwell.
“The Gus” includes some enigmatic story-songs, like “Later for the Box” (in which the narrator cares, and doesn’t care, about a mysterious package on his table “tied up with a candy cane string”), “Wicked World” (a collection of quietly devastating vignettes with Rain Phoenix on second vocals) and the totally bonkers album-closer “What If I Go Off With Bob” (the tale of a “cryptically trippy” telegram and the effect it has on its reader).
Mulcahy and band have been in practice mode, and he shared some thoughts on the upcoming tour and the importance of the unknown: “I’m playing a lot of songs I’ve never performed before, and I’ve noticed in rehearsals that I’m really wondering how they’ll be received. I’ve got a band I don’t really know, songs I’ve never sung, and places I’ve never played. It’s a very good recipe for a good rock show.”
Starting off the night will be the southern Vermont ensemble The Bluebird Orchestra, who inhabit the same realm as Tom Waits, Kurt Weill and The Incredible String Band.
Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth celebrates 10 years of adventurous singing by performing new works and old faves at MASS MoCA in North Adams on Friday, August 23, at 8 p.m.
Spirit Family Reunion is a Brooklyn band inspired by folk, gospel and country music, and they have a new record just out, “Ride Free.” They appear at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Saturday, August 24, at 7 p.m.
Spanglish Fly (NYC’s 12-piece “boogaloo revival party-starters”) are joined by Rebirth and the Peace & Rhythm DJs for a show at Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Saturday, August 24, 8 p.m.
The yearly Mystra Fest put on by Mystery Train Records happens on the Amherst Town Common on Sunday, August 25, from noon to 5 p.m. More than 15 acts will appear, including Byron Coley, Shrinnirs, George Hakkila (Ham Steak, Stringbean), Donkey No No, Matt Krefting, Tarp, and Bromp Treb.
Woolfest II brings together more than 25 experimental acts from the northeast (and one from New Zealand, performing via Skype) for an all-day affair at Flywheel in Easthampton on Sunday, August 25, at 2 p.m. It’s a sober space, all-ages show. Earplugs will be available.
Seven-time Grammy winning vocalist Gladys Knight plays Tanglewood in Lenox on Wednesday, August 28, at 7 p.m. The Spinners start off the night.
Smart-pop juggernauts Squeeze have given the world decades of winning songs. “Pulling Mussels (from the Shell),” “Up the Junction,” “Tempted,” “Is That Love,” “Another Nail In My Heart” — really you could list every song from their perfect compilation “Singles — 45’s and Under.” Their deep cuts are often as brilliant (“Vanity Fair,” “Library Girl”) and their 1991 album “Play” is a slept-on gem (especially the soulful slow dancer “Cupid’s Toy”). See and hear Difford and Tilbrook and the rest of the gang power through tunes old and new at Tanglewood in Lenox on Thursday, August 29, at 7 p.m.
Hieroglyphics, featuring Del the Funky Homosapien, headline a big hip hop night with Wiki Good, Mr Burnz, Don Gadi, and DJ Rec at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Thursday, August 29, at 8 p.m.
Beverly Tender (Providence, RI), Editrix (Easthampton trio fronted by guitarist/vocalist Wendy Eisenberg) and Landowner (tense and agitated post-punk from Holyoke) will play The Root Cellar in Greenfield on Thursday, August 29, at 8 p.m.