The seven-piece Latin dance band — and three-time Bimpy winners in this category — Grupo Esperanza have entertained dancers and audiences all over Maine for several years now. Like the clave, the heartbeat of much of Latin and Afro-Cuban music, el Grupo move in tight circles, but roll forward at the...

So, was this the year everything came together for Jason Spooner? For a guy toiling in the club-trenches for years, a little success must taste nice. Spooner’s Flame You Follow , released last summer, has received the recognition it deserved, with a “Black and Blue” single that’s been spun on radio stations...

Holy smokes! Seriously? The Jerks didn’t win Best Roots Act this year? Toughcats should not take lightly the responsibility of beating the seven-time champions, or last year's upstart winners, King Memphis. But when you’re a band who can both rip up a racing “Salt Creek” and hang with Deerhoof, maybe...

If we were Sparks the Rescue, we probably wouldn’t have bothered coming either. The band’s singer, Alex Roy, showed up about 20 minutes after Sparks pulled off the night’s biggest upset, triumphing over Rustic Overtones and other local heavyweights to be voted Portland’s Best Rock Act. “Honestly, we...

In the short year since the mighty Samuel James took home his first Bimpy, he has become Maine’s ambassador to the world for a unique brand of blues. No tired old stories or indulgent guitar licks here, James rides the line between authentic Delta blues from the days of yore and innovative contemporary...

The roar welled up from the back of the room as JR from Geno’s announced, “And the award for Best Punk Act goes to Covered In Bees.” For three years in a row these guys have been charming the pants off Portland. What’s not to love? They attend comic conventions, they wear aprons, they have a song called...

It seems like such a simple statement, but still somehow mired in over-complications: these five guys from Portland like to make rock music. The band’s EP release from last summer, Leave Your Girl Pants At Home , is six tracks of solid proof. They like it so much, in fact, that they missed the awards...

It’s great to be wrong. Set in my ways, I assumed this category was Dave Gutter’s for the taking now that Rustic are back stomping around. Looks like I’ve underestimated Pete Kilpatrick yet again. It’s not hard: His aw-shucks demeanor and easy stage presence belie this man-with-a-plan's will to succeed...