Mary Fahl and her knock-your-socks-off voice returns to Maine for a show at One Longfellow Square. Fahl was the lead singer of the ’90s band October Project. She and I spoke last week about her music, the impact of having the door slammed in her face and where she’s at now.
Fahl’s solo CD, “The Other Side of Time,” was released on Sony’s classical label in 2003. Her next endeavor was a bold re-imaging of Pink Floyd’s seminal “The Dark Side of the Moon.” Fahl’s take on it is called “From the Dark Side of the Moon” and, sadly, it never saw the light of day — until now.
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In 2007, a few months before the intended release of Fahl’s “Dark Side,” V2 Records went through an abrupt restructuring, and many of the artists, including Fahl, were let go.
Before getting into the aftermath, we spoke about why she chose to tackle such a prominent and revered album. Fahl said she wanted to do something that was a little theatrical, but that wasn’t her only reason.
“I was thinking about the state of the world and to me, ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ said it all, especially with ‘Us and Them,’ ” she said. “It also spoke to me on a deeply spiritual basis in a way that I could probably never write myself.
“I don’t feel comfortable pontificating; I don’t feel comfortable giving any message; but this record was able to say all the things that I feel so deeply and felt about where the world was going. It was one of the best creative experiences I’ve ever had.”
Fahl added that, although getting it out to the world has been challenging, she believes it will find its way. “I think there was too much love and commitment that was put into it for it not to find its way eventually,” she said.
After years of saving up, Fahl recently bought the record back, and has released it digitally on Amazon and iTunes. You can also buy one of the original V2 pressings from the stash Fahl takes on the road with her.
When things went south with V2, Fahl lost her way but found it again by literally digging in the dirt.
“Post-V2, I didn’t play out for about two years,” she said. “I needed to figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my life because it was a very big disappointment.”
That was when Fahl dove headfirst into the world of bio gardening. “It was one of the happiest times of my life, and it was the closest to having a moment of spiritual ecstasy that I had ever had.”
It was her then-boyfriend Rich (now her husband) who helped Fahl find her voice again in 2009.
“He dragged me kicking and screaming back out into playing live,” she said. “He dragged me out to these hideous open-mic nights in the middle of godforsaken Pennsylvania.
“Over time, what it made me do, especially when nobody was interested in what I was playing, was it made me feel confident and grip an audience that was not interested in seeing me.” (Thanks, Rich. We all owe you one.)
For her show at One Longfellow Square, she’ll play a blend of music from “The Other Side of Time” and “From the Dark Side of the Moon,” along with some old October Project songs and newly penned work that’s soon to be recorded.
Fahl’s ultimate dream is to work with Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla. She is also quite fond of Rufus Wainwright, and said she could listen to him sing the phone book. I, on the other hand, could listen to Fahl sing the tax code. Give a listen yourself at maryfahl.com.
Mary Fahl. 8 p.m. Saturday. One Longfellow Square, 181 State St., Portland. $20 in advance; $23 at door. onelongfellowsquare.com
A couple of years ago, I referred to Lovewhip as “more fun than a truckload of Cyndi Laupers.” While I stand by this description, I’d like to add this: If the music of Lovewhip were a game, it would be Candyland.
This version would be set in a nightclub with strobe lights, go-go dancers and more hip-shaking dance music than you can shake a peppermint stick at.
Fronted by singer Erin Harpe, Lovewhip is a Boston-based band that leads the charge of electro-disco pop. Sample the goods at lovewhip.net and then picture yourself (and the band) down at Bubba’s.
Lovewhip. 9 p.m. Saturday. Bubba’s Sulky Lounge, 92 Portland St., Portland. $5. Ages 21 and older. bubbassulkylounge.com
Staff Writer Aimsel Ponti can be contacted at 791-6455 or at:
aponti@pressherald.com
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