Blog

The Last Green Festival 

The Last Green Festival is a 3 day outdoor music and arts festival in Brooklyn, CT. The festival will work to promote sustainability and greener living as well as promote preservation of our region. Our mission to provide education on more sustainable options for greener living will include: Exhibitors, Demonstrations, Public Speakers, Music, Art, Film and a variety of Food and Retail Vendors.

LittleHouse News & July Shows 

For LittleHouse, June was all action, with a couple of trips to Nashville, and some great local shows, including a fundraiser for the Warner Theater and a performance at Connecticut’s famed Cadillac Ranch. “The Warner crowd was on fire,” says Joe, and “the Ranch gig was superb. We had a great clean sound system and the band resonated”.

In Nashville, Joe is working with Producer Gary Sadker of Red Ridge Entertainment, and recording at CTM Studios. “I am learning an awful lot,” says Joe, “these guys work at the speed of light. “

Besides rubbing elbows with great Nashville Cats, Joe and his daughter were able to catch the likes of Zak Brown, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, and Brad Paisley in live performances.

“Those singers present a distinct southern country flavor, whereas I bring a northern country voice to my material,” explains Joe. “The LittleHouse sound is actually quite unique,” he continues, “We call it Heartland Country and I am working to get it exposed to the larger populations across America”.

Coming up in July are more regular trips to Nashville, and three Connecticut shows: Saturday July 7 and Saturday July 21th at the Barn. A third show will be held at the Maple Tree Café in Simsbury, on Sunday evening, July 29th. Proceeds from this show will go to the Simsbury Land Trust.

LittleHouse Announces Warner Theatre Benefit 


LittleHouse is opening its doors for The Warner Theatre in Torrington.

This special “Welcome To The Barn” fundraising show to benefit The Warner will take place on Saturday June 9th at the barn in West Simsbury, Connecticut. Food and beverages are served starting at 6pm, and the band takes the stage at 7 pm.

Tickets are on-sale now and can be purchased by calling The Warner Theater Development Office at 1 860 489 7180, ext 189. There are only 70 seats in the barn and you will experience an intimate setting, pristine sound and a refined performance by LittleHouse. Tickets are $100, with all proceeds going to The Warner.

“Our band of veteran musicians has really hit its stride,” said Joe Patrina, founder and lead singer of LittleHouse. “We’re excited to be continuing our high caliber musical venue into the spring season, and it is our pleasure to support The Warner!”

Again, seating is limited, so attendees are encouraged to secure their place as soon as possible for this unique event.

LittleHouse Unveils Russia Book & CD: Feb 18th & 25th 





 
An exciting new book and accompanying CD are being unveiled at the
Saturday “Welcome To The Barn” shows, February 18th & 25th.

 Coming off of a trip to Russia, Joe started writing IN RUSSIA the moment the plane left the Moscow tarmac and headed west. Travelogue in style and extremely funny - its like you are there, with your own jaw dropping - the book juxtaposes Russia’s past, present and future with the path the America is heading down.

The CD featuring Driving Down To Moscow and Antoninia will be handed out at the barn, and proceeds from book sales will go to the Simsbury Land Trust.

The band is hotter than ever, and the boys are chomping at the bit. Seating is limited, so contact us as soon as you know you can make it.

LittleHouse Announces New Performance Format 


In September, LittleHouse re-grouped (literally), paring down to a lean four-piece band with a sound that audiences are raving about. “I knew the four-piece would create an authentic American-sounding aesthetic”, says singer/songwriter Joe Patrina. But it did more. The band has found its wings and their December performances were awesome!

The original seven-piece group, plus the three cupcakes – making ten on stage - was an extravaganza and thoroughly entertaining, and with this configuration, LittleHouse put on 25 shows in 2010 and 2011.

But the new format is inspirational. “The audience just loves the experience,” says Joe. “The four-piece allows Tommy (MacGregor, the lead guitarist from Essex) to fill the air with his signature touch and creative virtuosity, while bassist Gary Gott (from Coventry), compliments Tom’s melodic flights with great counter-point riffs and patterns.

Doug LaChappelle on drums (from Newington) takes care of the rest. “Doug,” as Joe explains, “frames compositional passages, the lyrical content and the songs atmosphere through improvisational flourishes against solid rhythmic patterns. A great drummer to watch, I lock my acoustic playing in with him”

One audience member at the December 22nd show put it this way: “Joe’s songs were always filled with real life and emotion. Now we have real life and emotion taking place right in front of us.”

Summer Solstice Show 

A CELEBRATION OF SUMMER, MUSIC AND COMMUNITY IN SIMSBURY
-LITTLEHOUSE HEADLINES SUMMER SOLSTICE SHOW

(WEST SIMSBURY, CT)- May 27, 2011- Being able to do something for a good cause, and thoroughly enjoying it, are two activities whose paths don’t often cross.

Just don’t tell that to CT band LittleHouse. The Simsbury-born country rock group has found a way to merge its love of music with its love of giving back to the local community into a tapestry of fun, food and moving entertainment with a special performance on June 17th at the Simsbury Performing Arts Center on Iron Horse Boulevard in Simsbury. .

“Littlehouse is a labor of love, and I often say that we make music that people can connect to” says Joe Patrina, founder and band leader of LittleHouse.

Joining LittleHouse in its community efforts are event sponsors Mitchell Auto Group and Simsbury Bank. “Having local merchants like the Mitchell’s and Simsbury Bank be a a part of this is a tribute to their commitment to our community” says Tom Vincent, Manager Of The Simsbury Performing Arts Center, “Both have agreed to participate in the event and have made generous contributions towards its success and purpose.”

Dubbed “Summer Solstice”, the benefit concert will feature LittleHouse’s energetic brand of country rock fusion music. LittleHouse has garnered local and national acclaim for its homespun brand of music. The group has been featured in the Sunday edition in the New York Times and was recently one of four finalists selected out of twenty bands in a competition to open for Bon Jovi.

“Our audiences always enjoy themselves, and for our concert on June 17th we’re inviting our friends, families and neighbors to be a part of that fun!,” said Patrina.

The Summer Solstice Show will feature both lawn and table seating and catered meals are available for purchase from Fitzgerald’s and Metro Bis. Attendees will be sure to get an “evening to remember”, including a family-friendly atmosphere, professionally produced, air-tight performances, and a great, under-the-stars venue. Tickets can be purchased online for lawn or table seating at www.junesolstice.com