Q&A with Local Musician Chris Peters

Local musician Chris Peters has been working the music scene in the Capitol region and around New Hampshire for many, many years.

Part rough folk strum and hum, with elements of post punk, and pre-grunge Minneapolis trash rock, Peters grabs the listener hard with his songs and then tosses you around a bit mentally. And, afterwards, you realize that life is OK after all. 

A few years ago, he released a solo CD, "All the More We Know," branching out a bit from his then-irregular gigging band, The October Sons, playing coffeehouses around the state. 

Now, Peters has a new trio, The Chris Peters Band, is working on new stuff, and playing the Capitol Center for the Arts on Friday, July 22, opening for Dusty Gray Band.

We ask him some questions about music, musicians, and the future: 

Q. What are the differences between this new band, your previous bands, and your solo stuff?

A. Well, for one this band has a bit of a revolving door. I have the same core people that I've been playing with for years, but I seem to be experimenting with different musicians more than ever before.  That being said, I think most people who know my music, will still find a familiar sound in my new songs. 

Q. You have quite a lineup of special guests I hear, for your upcoming gig. Who are they and what have they been doing?

A. I have two great string players from the NH Philharmonic joining us. Amanda Schwersky on cello, and Kim Plummer on Violin. They played strings on a couple songs I've been recording over at Rockinghorse Music Studio. I'll also be joined by Tim Hazelton on trumpet. Tim and I are old friends. We played in a punk band together back in 1990s.

Q. Are you excited to be playing the Capitol Center Spotlight Series?

A. I am completely pumped to play The Spotlight Cafe. It is by far the best music venue in town. The Capital Center has been doing a great job bringing in amazing artists from all over to play there. It's got a great vibe, and is the perfect place to support the arts in our community.

Q. What's next for October Sons? Are you still playing with them? Are you working on new solo stuff?

A. October Sons are still alive and well. We've been kind of cruising under the radar for quite a while, but we still have a regular crop of gigs and weddings that we play. I don't think that band will ever die. 

I have been doing a lot of performing on my own, and have spent the last year recording a new solo CD at Rockinghorse Music Studio. I plan to release the new CD this fall, and I just launched a new website where you can check out my new material there. www.chrispeterssongs.com.

Q. What does the future hold for Chris Peters? 

A. Ahh, the future. It's so hard to tell. All I know is that I plan to keep pushing forward and trying to take my music to new and exciting places, and hopefully keep attracting new fans.