Prateek Poddar is but one of the semi-regular singer/songwriters who grace the stage at Arts at the Armory’s “The Loop” event.

By Josie Grove

On the fourth Thursday evening of every month, The Loop convenes at the Arts at the Armory on Highland Avenue. According to organizer Maxwell Bailey, “The Loop is a monthly singer-songwriter event. It’s run by artists, for artists.”

Undeterred by a boisterous event in the Armory’s main room and the shortage of nearby parking spaces, about a dozen people filtered into the dimly lit café for April’s edition of The Loop. Each month, between six and eight musicians play twenty to twenty-five minute sets for the attentive audience in the café. “Any less than twenty minutes, and it turns into an open mic,” says Bailey. “But we’re trying to make a show.”

Anastasia Markov.

The Loop also differs from an open mic in the way the singers are booked. At a typical open mic, musicians sign up to play on the spot, minutes before or even during an open mic. “The Loop is different than an open mic in that the acts are booked about a month in advance through the Facebook group,” said Bailey.

“Every month, we put out a call to our open Facebook group to play. Usually it’s the first six or eight people to reply who get to play the next month.” Bailey said the courteous atmosphere of the event extends to the online booking process. “People are very respectful. If you played last month, you usually hang back for a while, and give other people a chance to play.”

Bailey’s role as the organizer of The Loop has him finding a different host for each event. The host takes responsibility for making sure the event goes well. “The host sends out the Facebook invites, organizes the set, they do all the promotion. It gives people an opportunity to book and sell a show.”

Beyond the experience of booking and promoting a show, hosting The Loop is rewarding for musicians. “Hosting is a really good opportunity to sell yourself as an artist,” Bailey said. “If you want to be able to meet people and make connections, you have got to be able to push the music forward.”

That unselfish practice of inviting others to play at The Loop gives an artist credibility and establishes trust with others in the local music scene, and makes the community stronger. “There’s nothing that improves the community and the scene more than inviting an artist to play a concert. It’s so important,” said Bailey.

Ana Snow.

The Loop perseveres due to the collective effort of the Facebook group, each month’s host, and the strong connections between artists in the area. Bailey also credits the location. “The Armory is an incredible venue. They’re all about the community, they’re great to have us here every month.”

Somerville resident Brian Bunnell regularly attends events at the Armory. “I like singer-songwriter type events,” he said, as the audience drifted in. “I was free tonight, so I decided to come in.” Bunnell describes himself as an “aspiring songwriter.” Would he ever play The Loop? “I’d have to write some stuff first.”

Bunnell’s aspiration is typical of The Loop’s audience. About half the audience has guitars leaning against their chairs, and will be playing that night. There were a handful of newcomers, one asking nervously, “Is this The Loop?” at the café entrance. Most are regulars, greeting friends and new acquaintances, and singing along to each other’s songs.

Steve Nardone, Prateek Poddar, and Max Bailey.

Steve Nardone.

Sam Hammerman. — Photos by Anastasia Markov www.anastasiamarkov.com