Wailing City Spotlight: Interview With Stuart Fensom of My Druthers

Published September 4, 2025

Interview by Meghan Killimade

Thanks for chatting with us Stuart! You’re no stranger to the Wailing City Spotlight – we did an interview in March of 2023 when you were performing in Rogue March – how and when did My Druthers come about and who are the other members that have been playing with you?
That’s right! Good to hear from you again. Yeah that duo didn’t work out unfortunately, but it paved the way for what we’re doin now so no regrets. My Druthers was forged from those ashes, and we’re more of a collective now - It’s myself and any combination of like one to five other dudes…keeps it fluid and fresh I really dig it. Plus I’ve known all these guys forever and love each & every one of ‘em: Dan Spurr: banjo, vocals; Logan: guitar, vocals; John Grimaldi: guitar, vocals; Jeff Butler: fiddle, mandolin; Charlie McShane: vocals, maybe bouzouki someday.

Wailing City Spotlight: Revisit With Michael Slyne

Published August 28, 2025
Interview by Meghan Killimade

Thanks for chatting with us again Michael! We last did an interview in November of 2021 when you had just released ‘Montauk Mohawk’. You’ve released a number of recordings since then and have played a slew of shows solo and with the band -- catch us up with what you’ve been up to since we last spoke?

Oh yeah 'Montauk Mohawk' was ages ago now! Where do I even begin? According to the Bandcamp site there have been 8 tapes, 4 lp's , 1 cd and a few various internet only things. So much, dang.... it's weird to look back at all the things -- I often feel unproductive haha. I've been playing with The Family Stoned, 2 of the LP's are from that band... and I've been playing in a duo with Russell Linder as BENT LIGHT, 2 of those tapes are from that project. Russ also plays in the fam now and it's been really wonderful. The other two LP's are just me alone. I don't like playing alone so much, but making records alone … yes. Angel Eyes and the Whistling Moon Travelers are these two other groups I've been playing with, well it's sort of the same group give or take a member, though they all live in Maine so shows are few and far between. They're all old and very close friends... love them dearly and love playing music with them. Johnny from the travelers and I have a project going called Daisy Cross outside of that too, its poetry stuff, some tapes and guitars -- can be really beautiful or totally fucked. There's also Pink Sap though that's sorta burned out and the No (insert word) in the Valley Band. Those two are total improv things. Exciting and scary, who knows what will happen or who will be in the band at the show, yes a sound person's worst nightmare... sorry. So yeah quite a lot of action... 

Wailing City Spotlight: Interview With Brian Gore

Published August 21, 2025

Interview by Meghan Killimade

How did you get started in music and how did the “Tender Fritters” come together -- also, who are the members & instruments?

One night in college, while driving, listening to the Oldies station, I pulled under the overpass and onto the on-ramp to I-35 toward Denton, I heard the solid crack of a snare begin “Like A Rolling Stone.” I’d never heard anything like it. Once home, I dug. More Dylan, all of his influences. I took arm-loads of music home from the library, old anthologies, Pete Seeger, Irish folk music, Patchwork European folk music, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee, Woody Guthrie. This is when I decided I want to tell stories through song.

 
I’ve managed to piece together an exceptionally talented group around me. I met Jaime at the Dutch Tavern and he said he’d play bass for my album Wrecking Balls & Ballerinas (2022). He’s been a staple ever since. Garrett helped me on that same album. Early on, I wrote the trumpet parts for him, but he’s come around to writing his own, including harmony parts, and keeps getting better. Toby came into town and has made a name for himself in his own right as A Former Friend. One night he told me he liked our sound and wanted to contribute. Now he does on keys. Eric joins us on drums from time to time. I appreciate his subtlety and nuance.

Wailing City Spotlight: Interview With Thirst Trap

Published July 24, 2025
Interview by Meghan Killimade 

Tell us about Thirst Trap! Who are the members and how did you all come together?

Sophie: I'm Sophie Walsh, I play guitar. Bob Bourne and I were jamming then invited Matt Potter (guitar) and Liz Larson Spurr (drums) and they said yes!

How would you describe your music to someone that hasn’t seen you guys play yet?
Sophie: We are like rock...
Liz: Also "Brat Metal" or garage/prog/metal

Wailing City Spotlight: Interview With Nat Peterson of The Handsome Dudes

Photo by A. Vincent Scarano

Published May 22, 2025 

Interview by Meghan Killimade 

Tell us about The Handsome Dudes! How did you all come together, who are the members and what kind of music are you creating/performing?

It started as something to do during Covid.  Bobby (drums) has this fantastic practice space in the Dewart Building, known as The Ravenite, that was basically going to waste, so he, Josh (bass), and Mike (guitar) started playing together, and things just sort of grew from there.  The whole thing was pretty much Bobby's idea.  What we play is mostly hard rock/metal covers, with some Prog thrown in for good measure...though we are chipping away at some originals!

Wailing City Spotlight: Interview With Braiden Sunshine

Published April 11, 2025
Interview by Meghan Killimade

Thanks for talking with us Braiden! For the folks that may not be familiar, tell us about yourself – how did you get started in music and what kind of music are you creating?
I got started in music at the age of eight playing with a group named Silver Hammer. We used to play anything from oldies to modern music at the time, and played over 400 shows together from 2009-2014. After that, the boys moved away for school and I began making my own way in local music until I found myself on NBC’s The Voice in 2015. With that incredible experience came plenty of exposure and real opportunity to do this for a living. Seeing that, I got my degree and got to work writing and crafting new music to capitalize on that gift from so many years earlier.

The type of music I make is hard to describe because it draws from so many influences. I think “pop-rock, funk-fusion” best describes what we’ve created. 

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CT Maritime Heritage Fest Music Schedule 2025 @ Fort Trumbull & Waterfront Park Sep 6-7

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Songs Of The Sea @ Parade Plaza & Whale Tail Sat Sep 6

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Next Up Festival @ Wilcox Park Westerly, RI Sat Sep 6

 *Last updated 9/5/25