If you’ve ever stopped and wondered what’s going on up there in Maine’s music scene, then this is the list for you. Portland might be the hub of talent, but a few promising acts have sprouted up outside the city. As our 50 States Project nears its end, we have nine solid candidates to represent the Pine Tree State, including several suggested by our readers.
1. Arborea
Members: Shanti Curran, Buck Curran
Hometown: Portland
For Fans of: Hem, Two Gallants
The husband/wife duo Arborea have been at it since the mid-2000s. Their haunting vocal work is beautiful and carries with it a certain tension that can only come from being a couple. 2011’s Red Planet earned the duo a spot on Rolling Stone’s “Best Under-the-Radar Albums of 2011” and their most recent effort, 2013’s Fortress of the Sun, is another strong release.
2. Coke Weed
Members: Milan McAlevey, Caleb Davis, Nina D., Peter Cuffari, Zach Soares
Hometown: Bar Harbour
For Fans of: Courtney Barnett, The War on Drugs
Songwriter Milan McAlevey formed a band in 1999 with Walter Martin, who later rose to fame with The Walkmen. McAlevey went on to other projects before landing in Maine and meeting singer Nina D., who at times give off a serious Nico sound. The synth-heavy rock – categorized on the band’s Facebook page as “Dope Rock/Biker Rock” – hit a high point on the band’s third album, 2013’s Back to Soft. They’ve also been working on some new stuff, debuting the single “Nightlife” in November here at Paste.
3. Crunk Witch
Members: Brandon Miles, Hannah Collen
Hometown: Presque Isle
For Fans of: Horse the Band, I Fight Dragons
One of the strangest discoveries we made in our search for Maine music is the 8-bit nerd-dance music from this Presque Isle duo. Their debut album Heartbeats in Hyperspace is filled synthetic blips that could soundtrack retro videogames or maybe The Guild and lyrics like “We crash landed in love up on the moon.” This is the music for the dance floor at Dragon-Con.—Josh Jackson
