Jeremy Porter Road Blog

Road Blog: Wednesday May 14, 2025 - Allston, MA

Road Blog
May 14, 2025
Boston, Massachusetts

I hit the road early on Wednesday morning with a daunting 8-hour drive staring me down. There was a steady drizzle/sprinkle, but not much full-out rain and I eventually lost the Buffalo skyline in my mirrors and headed east towards New England. Quick stops for gas and coffee, but not much else as I followed the Erie Canal and the Mohawk River towards Boston. I crossed the Hudson River and then into Massachusetts, past the “highest point on I-90 east of South Dakota” hitting Boston traffic around 2pm, and landing at my motel after 3pm. I love Boston, but the traffic is the worst and the drivers are not friendly. I had a very brief window to chill at the motel before I had to head back into the city for dinner and load-in.

I pulled into the Allston neighborhood around 6:15 and parked a half block up from the Silhouette Lounge, where the show was. I was hoping for something quick and easy for dinner but also wasn’t looking for a fast food burger or anything like that, so I headed over to the Indian Kitchen Boston and was disappointed that it was carry-out/delivery only. What the hell, it was a nice day, so I ordered some goad vindaloo medium+, it came out in a few minutes, and I settled in on a city bench and had a little one-man picnic. Food was good and I’ve got some leftovers for lunch today! I had a little time so I called TrooperGirl22 and checked in for a few minutes. 7 down, 4 to go.

Back at the Silhouette I loaded in and said hello to the band playing, The Big Lonesome. Super nice guys, and all looking forward to the Wednesday night show. The band room is separate from the bar room and has a couple dart boards and pinball machines. The bar was packed and lively, with that Boston tension that’s always present where it feels like anything could happen at any time.

One of my closest friends Rachel lives in Boston and she came in rocking her maroon Tucos shirt and matching flannel and we had time for a quick catch up before the opener Manuverse went on at 8:30. He’s a solo act, singing mostly in Spanish. He started off a little timid but quickly warmed up and played some great folky songs about amar and corazóns. I apologized in advance for butchering his native language in my song “Angelito Bebe” and he laughed and encouraged my to do my best.

I went on at 8:30 to a thin but attentive Wednesday night crowd. My picking was on point for the most part, but I was struggling with my voice a bit. People seemed to like the songs about animals, “Josh” and “Wachin’ Otters Play,” and the quieter stuff went over better than it did the night before too. No complaints! After my set Rachel and I ran out to my vehicle to get some earplugs (I keep a small stockpile) and went back in to watch The Big Lonesome, stopping for a moment to watch the rats scurrying between the dumpster behind the bar and the apartment building adjacent. The Big Lonesome were great – sorta indie-rock, fantastic musicians who play great together and clearly work on their songwriting and arrangements. I had a good chat with singer Chad and the other guys, and we’ll be crossing paths again for sure.

It was a fun night in a cool joint and I felt good about it. Said goodbye to my fiends and headed back to the motel, but not without an unwelcome detour through downtown Boston thanks to some construction. Signs were…vague, to say the least, but I managed to get back on 93 south and somehow back to my motel around midnight. Had time for a nightcap and some email catchups before crashing out. Big thanks to Matt for setting up the show, the Silhouette, and to everyone who played and attended!

Tonight I’m at The Stomping Ground in Putnam, CT with Matt Charette, around 8PM. Hope to see ya there! Xx