Live at Madrid's Songwriter Round #4
Hosted by Toby McAllister
The state of Maine is known for it’s cold winters, and picture perfect summers. It’s hard not to be inspired by the beauty of the changing seasons, and that’s what you’ll find in Toby’s music. Known primarily as the founding member of Sparks The Rescue, Toby has been playing music since he was old enough hold a guitar. He spent his 20’s touring the world in a 15 passenger van with his best friends. When Sparks started to slow down, he settled back in Maine with his family. In 2020, the pandemic brought on an unexpected source of inspiration, which led to the first solo EP for McAllister titled, Daydreamin. A few short months after it’s release, he was sharing the stage with big names and some of his idols.
In March of ’23, Toby released the follow up to Daydreamin with a CD titled Autumn Skies. While Daydreamin is a fun CD written during the pandemic, Autumn Skies is a more serious combination of life, love, and rock & roll. Backing him up on this recording is the rhythm section of Sparks which includes drummer Nathan Spencer and Ben Briggs on bass. This trio has been playing together for over 20 years, and have never stopped sharing their love for music, and a good song. Other talent on the CD includes Andrew Martelle from The Mallett Brothers Band, Hamilton Belk, a talented local steel guitarist and a featured guitar solo from Ken Bethea of Old 97’s. Autumn Skies was nominated for Album Of The Year by The New England Music Awards.
2024 brought on new inspiration from multiple life changing events including the death of Toby's father, and the birth of his second child. The Outsider EP was recorded on a scorching August week in the woods of Maine with producer, Jonathan Wyman. Officially released on October 30, it's the perfect batch of songs to be enjoyed on a cool Autumn day while the leaves fall. Notably, the opening track titled Millinocket Stars has been added into full radio rotation at Portland, Maine's rock station 98.9 WCLZ.
Outside of original music, Toby is a full time performing musician. His wedding band, The Jameson Four does upwards of 15 weddings per year. If you're looking to rock out your reception, please get in touch.
Toby McAllister & The Sierra Sounds have shared the stage with: Carly Pearce, Eli Young Band, Rhett Miller, Old 97's, Drake White, Kasey Tyndall, Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters, Eddie Montgomery, Dalton & The Sheriffs, The Mallett Brothers Band, 12/OC.
-
Jacob Augustine is a Maine-born, Philadelphia-based indie folk musician. Over his nearly two decades as one of the most influential and beloved vocalists and songwriters in the northeast, he’s reached an enigmatic, near mythic status; touring the country back and forth, releasing records in a flurry, headlining bigger and bigger stages, then disappearing from public eye for years at a time, and back again. Augustine’s records range from heavily-orchestrated, bombastic full-band affairs to raw, stripped-down solo recordings to eccentric, genre-hopping studio projects, but they always center his immediately recognizable voice. The Portland Press Herald writes, “Jacob Augustine has one gilded set of pipes. A diamond in the rough.”
-
Zak Kendall - GoldenOak’s music is rooted in the natural landscape. Their songs move in an organic, grounding direction, shaped by rich, folk-influenced sibling harmony. Fronted by siblings Zak and Lena Kendall, the Maine-based band has built a steady and growing fan base through a sound that feels both intimate and quietly powerful. This approach is clearly reflected in their new album, All the Light in Autumn.
The record deepens GoldenOak’s sound, building on their indie folk foundation with the addition of drum machines and synths, while keeping folk-influenced vocal harmonies front and center. Lyrically, rather than offering easy answers, All the Light in Autumn invites listeners to slow down and reflect on responsibility, connection, and care for the places we live in. The album artwork mirrors this approach, with nine birds representing the nine songs and the individual stories within them.
Beyond their recorded work, GoldenOak tours nationally and has shared the stage with artists such as Hiss Golden Messenger, Sierra Hull, and Blitzen Trapper. They also host their own music festival in their hometown of Farmington, Maine. Under the Oaks Music Festival is a two-day event featuring live music, workshops, and camping along the Sandy River. Now in its fourth year, the festival has become a pillar of the community the band is building.