Jim Carpenter & The Hoolios

“Why you should know them: There's an incredible cornucopia of music in our little part of the New England, so is it possible to say one specific band is the best? Possibly. The Hoolios, a roots/Americana band, are world-class; if you saw them at any venue in the country, opening for or sharing a bill with Wilco or Robert Earl Keen or the Radiators ... well, you'd absolutely believe they deserved to be there. With four- and five-part harmonies, exquisite musicality and Carpenter's melodic muse — his songs are a bittersweet blend of Gulf Coast, New Orleans and Southwestern influences that seem a too-die-for blend of Marty Robbins, the subdudes and Townes Van Zandt — the Hoolios are pretty magical. ”
The Day
“In the great, day-glo tapestry that is the New London music scene, Jim Carpenter probably qualifies as the area's Tom Brady. Most Valuable Music Dude. Carpenter is an amazing singer / songwriter / player, as evidenced by his “Bahia Honda,”a disc at once reminiscent of Townes Van Zandt, Robert Earl Keen and the subdudes, and proof of Carpenter as a distinct artist unto himself. He's familiar to local audiences through his longtime work with the Village Jammers, the Rivergods, Vince Thompson, the Full Dempsey and Sandy Allen. Carpenter also heads up the Hoolios, an astounding band that deserves to tour the world's big stages. Carpenter plays tonight at Sneekers in a freewheeling solo gig, but, given his network of friends and pickers, expect quite a bit of talented folks to show up and sit in. ”
Rick Koster - The Day
“the Hoolios are reminiscent of the subdudes, John Hyatt and Marty Robbins.”
Rick Koster - The Day
“It's not exactly a Guns N' Roses deal, but it's fair to say a lot of citizens have been waiting a long time for Jim Carpenter to finish work on the long-rumored CD with his most-excellent band, The Hoolios. The time is now. And what's doubly great and unexpected is that Carpenter is releasing two Hoolios albums at the same time - and both are completely distinct from each other. One is called “Rosalie” and the other is “Silver Triangle,” and between them are 20 tracks of Carpenter's all-world, rootsy brilliance. Over time, the exact membership roster of the Hoolios has shifted a bit, but there is a core group of players and an identifiable band flavor to the recordings.”
Rick Koster - The Day
“With its working-class roots and memories of scuzzy Bank Street bars, New London has always liked its rock 'n' roll played fast and loud. But the newest release in the "Towers of New London" series, dubbed for reasons passing understanding, "Powers of New London," shows off the increasingly diverse sounds coming out of the Whaling City. But where Powers really shines is in its quieter moments, like Roadside Attractions' folksy simpatico "You Ain't Gonna" and Matt Gouette's sublime "Summers Without Mars." New London's singer-songwriters and Americana scene are also well represented here with the Hoolios' "He Walks In Vain" and The Original Sinners' hometown anthem "Wailing City Girl."”
Stephen Chupaska - The Day
“Birdsall played some Dogbite songs and some works in progress, while Carpenter offered some originals, and generally wowed the crowd and his fellow musicians. "You could see the jaws dropping when Jim played," Birdsall said.”
Stephen Chupaska - The Day
“The Hoolios do not wear Jolly Jack Tar sailor outfits, and their original material does not revolve around whether the whale harvest will be bountiful this year. Nonetheless, their appearance as the inaugural act in Mystic Seaport's new Music for the Morgan concert series represents a great fusion of live music and an awesome setting. Plus, part of the ticket revenue goes towards the restoration of the Seaport's iconic wooden whaling ship, the Charles W. Morgan. Perhaps the finest of the area's roots acts, the Hoolios simultaneously released two CDs last year, "Silver Triangle" and "Rosalie," which in any just world would have elevated them to national repu - Misc

“Why you should know them: There's an incredible cornucopia of music in our little part of the New England, so is it possible to say one specific band is the best? Possibly. The Hoolios, a roots/Americana band, are world-class; if you saw them at any venue in the country, opening for or sharing a bill with Wilco or Robert Earl Keen or the Radiators ... well, you'd absolutely believe they deserved to be there. With four- and five-part harmonies, exquisite musicality and Carpenter's melodic muse — his songs are a bittersweet blend of Gulf Coast, New Orleans and Southwestern influences that seem a too-die-for blend of Marty Robbins, the subdudes and Townes Van Zandt — the Hoolios are pretty magical. ”
The Day
“In the great, day-glo tapestry that is the New London music scene, Jim Carpenter probably qualifies as the area's Tom Brady. Most Valuable Music Dude. Carpenter is an amazing singer / songwriter / player, as evidenced by his “Bahia Honda,”a disc at once reminiscent of Townes Van Zandt, Robert Earl Keen and the subdudes, and proof of Carpenter as a distinct artist unto himself. He's familiar to local audiences through his longtime work with the Village Jammers, the Rivergods, Vince Thompson, the Full Dempsey and Sandy Allen. Carpenter also heads up the Hoolios, an astounding band that deserves to tour the world's big stages. Carpenter plays tonight at Sneekers in a freewheeling solo gig, but, given his network of friends and pickers, expect quite a bit of talented folks to show up and sit in. ”
Rick Koster - The Day
“the Hoolios are reminiscent of the subdudes, John Hyatt and Marty Robbins.”
Rick Koster - The Day
“It's not exactly a Guns N' Roses deal, but it's fair to say a lot of citizens have been waiting a long time for Jim Carpenter to finish work on the long-rumored CD with his most-excellent band, The Hoolios. The time is now. And what's doubly great and unexpected is that Carpenter is releasing two Hoolios albums at the same time - and both are completely distinct from each other. One is called “Rosalie” and the other is “Silver Triangle,” and between them are 20 tracks of Carpenter's all-world, rootsy brilliance. Over time, the exact membership roster of the Hoolios has shifted a bit, but there is a core group of players and an identifiable band flavor to the recordings.”
Rick Koster - The Day
“With its working-class roots and memories of scuzzy Bank Street bars, New London has always liked its rock 'n' roll played fast and loud. But the newest release in the "Towers of New London" series, dubbed for reasons passing understanding, "Powers of New London," shows off the increasingly diverse sounds coming out of the Whaling City. But where Powers really shines is in its quieter moments, like Roadside Attractions' folksy simpatico "You Ain't Gonna" and Matt Gouette's sublime "Summers Without Mars." New London's singer-songwriters and Americana scene are also well represented here with the Hoolios' "He Walks In Vain" and The Original Sinners' hometown anthem "Wailing City Girl."”
Stephen Chupaska - The Day
“Birdsall played some Dogbite songs and some works in progress, while Carpenter offered some originals, and generally wowed the crowd and his fellow musicians. "You could see the jaws dropping when Jim played," Birdsall said.”
Stephen Chupaska - The Day
“The Hoolios do not wear Jolly Jack Tar sailor outfits, and their original material does not revolve around whether the whale harvest will be bountiful this year. Nonetheless, their appearance as the inaugural act in Mystic Seaport's new Music for the Morgan concert series represents a great fusion of live music and an awesome setting. Plus, part of the ticket revenue goes towards the restoration of the Seaport's iconic wooden whaling ship, the Charles W. Morgan. Perhaps the finest of the area's roots acts, the Hoolios simultaneously released two CDs last year, "Silver Triangle" and "Rosalie," which in any just world would have elevated them to national repu - Misc