The McKells return for a St. Patrick’s week concert!
Nestled in the heart of Washington County, NY
Our former dairy farm of distinction now is the home to guardian donkeys Ruby and Max, cashmere goats Billy, Buddy, Colleen, Dante, Donegan, and Melody. Kirby the rooster keeps solid watch over his hens, and Titan and Thalia preside over their golden wattles in the pig pens. Our summers are filled with Hillview Sounds, where we invite the best in local and touring Independent Artists to play for a small audience of music loving listeners.
Scenic hillside sunsets
Concert goers at Hillview are treated with breathtaking sunsets as the music crescendos under the grand maple tree canopy.
Sean Rowe, Laura Leigh, and the O3
Sean Rowe initiated music at Hillview with his house concert on the farm to a socially distanced pandemic era crowd. It was a very auspicious night with one of the most charismatic live performers anywhere. It went so well, we invited Laura Leigh’s Swamp Foot to play on Labor Day Weekend, and again, we canned magic and mystery! Plans were quickly put together for an epic day of music on October 3rd, 2020 with local luminaries Moon McGeoch, Thom Powers, Athena Burke, Sten & Maria Z, Jim Gaudet & the Railroad Boys, and Haley Moley. With Sara Kelly Designs behind promotion imagery, Moon on sound, and Chris “the Kid” Blackwell assisting, the Hillview Sounds team got the jobs done, had fun, and let the artists focus on their work. Music lovers enjoy a stress free day on the farm, relishing the moment; getting lost in time, having found a hidden place.
Richie and Rosie
After a Winter of pandemic protocols, and the roll out of vaccinations, we were ready to get back to concerts at Hillview Farm, and roots and old timey specialists Richie and Rosie gave us a rousing, spiritual performance: solidifying our need for good music at Hillview. With support from Drank The Gold.
In 2018, when former Argyle Brewing Company owner, Matt Stewart, asked a part-time taproom host to coordinate music booking at the Depot, there was no sound system, no stage, no infrastructure, no budget, and no staff. That held no sway in the decision to to contact Buffalo Music Hall of Famer, Gurf Morlix, and solicit his considerable talent for a show in Cambridge, NY. Mr. Morlix graciously accepted, and would be our guest in two weeks. A furious fourteen days ensued. A modest platform was built, a sound system was cobbed together from craigslist and a local music store, (thanks, Jon Stewart!), and the beautiful chandelier’s bulbs were softened and a dimmer switch was implemented, (thanks, John Healey!). Stalwart Cambridge advocate Sara Kelly designed the first music poster. Cambridge Rock legend and leading Capitol region sound engineer, Moon McGeoch took to the newly acquired board. The Road Rambler Concert Series was born! Since then, we’ve hosted more than fifty Road Rambler Concerts, featuring notable, accomplished artists who’ve reached a point in their careers where they only play venues they care to. Where their music matters, and is listened to. It continues to humble us when the likes of Dan Navarro, Gurf, Jefferson Hamer, Anna Egge, Amy Rigby, Wreckless Eric, Peter Case, Missy Raines & The New Hip, Blackie Farrell, Sean Rowe, Joe Flood, Joy Askew, Michael Jerling, Laura Corteses & the Dance Cards, Rod MacDonald, Tommy Sands, Marty Wendell, Jesse Lege, Joel Savoy, Jacob Jolliff, Ray Rizzo, Kevin McKrell, et al, continue to choose to stop in our music loving community, and play in the unique acoustic pleasures that only the the Depot possesses.
As a companion the the Road Rambler Series, we created the Arrivals Series; welcoming emerging artists like Beth Bombara, Ava Earl, Brian Dunne, Jenner Fox. Taylor Ashton, Bella White, Golden Shoals, Alice Howe & Freebo, Lauren Balthrop, Ariana Gillis, Eleanor Buckland, Knotz & Elise, Bright Brown, Mojohand, Viv & Riley, Mike Powell, and many other Independent artists who’ve found their distinctive voice, and have made significant steps towards significant careers.
As the Capitol Region is exploding with great musicians, it is our great pleasure to have hosted our 51GR8 Series, featuring the best Albany, Troy, and points north have to offer. The Depot entrance vestibule wall is covered with Sara Kelly’s concert posters, paying homage to the plethora of talent who’ve helped create a listening room we cherish.
All in all, the Hillview Sounds team has produced over 700 Depot shows in 5 years. We’ve expanded a brand far beyond its expectations, and now we step out as Hillview Sounds, to let you know you can trust us to bring you the best in musical memories!
Since that night we Got Gurf in May, 2018, we have never had a working budget, no staff; have an all volunteer effort in order to support Independent artists, and bring the best music to Cambridge’s wainscotted wonder of a music venue, the Depot. Thanks to a certain John Thomas’ love for live music, so expressed after he walked into the Depot unawares, to listen to the one and only Girl Blue, on her first 51GR8 show; we do have a state of the art sound system, which perfectly compliments the stellar acoustics at 6 Broad Street, Cambridge. And due to the extreme generosity of the community and patronage, we’ve continued to keep this magnificent train on it’s tracks, whether it be at the Depot, or up at a sunset view on the hill.
Summer 2023
