On a cool fall evening, the Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA provided the perfect intimate setting for Kate Bollinger‘s recent performance. The cozy atmosphere complemented Bollinger’s music, which exudes a nostalgic and dreamy quality that seems tailor-made for rainy day vinyl sessions.
Opening act Sharp Pins, a young trio from Chicago, showed promise despite a somewhat unpolished performance. Fresh off their summer debut album release, the band’s eagerness to connect with the audience hinted at potential for growth in both stage presence and musicianship.
When Kate Bollinger took the stage with her four-piece band, the mood shifted noticeably. Drawing heavily from her recently released album, Songs from a Thousand Frames of Mind, Bollinger’s setlist showcased her versatility while maintaining a consistent thread of effortless cool throughout. The audience was treated to a special moment with the debut of a brand new, never-before-heard song.
Bollinger’s music, ranging from dreamy ballads to more upbeat numbers, consistently evokes a sense of coziness and nostalgia. Her performance at the Arts at the Armory demonstrated why she’s becoming a standout artist in the indie music scene, capable of crafting an atmosphere that’s both intimate and engaging.
To catch Kate Bollinger in a city near you, visit https://katebollinger.com/#tour
Nathan Smith is a Providence-based music photographer and journalist focusing on capturing the special moments and unfiltered magic of live performances. Whether he’s shooting established artists at sold-out TD Garden shows or documenting the rise of emerging local bands, his goal is the same: to pull viewers directly into the heart of the moment.
His writing spotlights rising artists and local scenes, with a focus on telling the stories that often get overlooked. A lifelong music fan and musician himself, Nathan approaches interviews and portraits as conversations rather than transactions, building trust with artists so their genuine personalities can shine through. Whether he’s backstage, in the photo pit, or at home in front of the keyboard, he brings the same curiosity and care to every assignment.
Outside of his press work with Juice Box Press, Nathan works regularly as a photographer with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, as well as numerous bands in the Boston and Providence area. Nathan also plays violin with a local orchestra, follows Celtics basketball almost religiously, and is an avid fantasy reader.