Matt Connarton Unleashed: Dennis Leighton

0:00 Speaker 1: That's a catchy one, isn't it. It's got a great hook that has burned that bridge. The band is the Great Curtain, and I think we have Dennis on the line with us. Dennis, are you there?

0:08 Speaker 2: Yes, I am Dennis.

0:10 Speaker 1: What have you got? What have you got going on this weekend? You've got no Masters Fest? Right? Tell us about it?

0:17 Speaker 2: Yeah? Yeah, Well we had no Master's Fest last night one. We had Night one last night over at the Raven and Worcester. Yeah, and we had a we had a great turnout. A lot of people came in, a lot of people donated. We got about five hundred dollars worth of donations. And we're basically we're trying to raise money for funds and awareness for rehab programs around New England. Okay, And today we're having No Masters Fest Night two over at the Cabinet of Curiosities over in Colchester, Connecticut. A lot of great talent, a lot of great bands.

1:01 Speaker 2: You know, Great Curtain will be playing. But we also have Scarecrow Hill, we have Fear of the Masses. We have Ape, we have the Big Sun. Anyone that hasn't heard any of these bands really needs to check them out and Mary Antoilette and the Runs, and yeah, we're we're hoping to we're hoping to get I'm I'm open to get to at least the South to uh get a you know, one of those cashiers checks and bring it over to Centerlink so they can just disperse it how they see fit.

1:45 Speaker 1: So just to be clear, so are you the promoter? Are you the main person who's been putting all of this on this big event?

1:53 Speaker 2: Yeah? Yeah, basically, you know, I so on on the fourteenth, on Thursday, I was five years sober an alcohol, and uh, I thank you. I wanted to do I want to do something, you know, bigger than me, bigger than just me doing a show and you know, doing the whole raw raw thing. So I'm I'm trying to help people that kind of swim in my seat, you know, people that suffer from depression and anxiety and alcohol abuse, and especially around this time of year, people really need to know that people are there for them.

2:40 Speaker 2: I've spent I've spent a couple of Thanksgivings alone hoping that you know, a phone would ring or you know, someone would care enough to like invite me, and instead I just you know, drank by myself, and I don't wish that on anybody. So I'm hoping that we can, like I said, we can raise awareness that there are these programs out there that people can utilize to help them through the holidays.

3:14 Speaker 1: Yeah, it is a very I mean, it almost sounds cliche to say it, but it really is true. The holidays can be a very lonely time for a lot of people. Whether it's a situation where perhaps they've lost people, they've lost family members, or you know, or they're isolated, perhaps they're living in an area where they don't know anybody, or you know, as you alluded to, they're just going through a lot. They've got issues that they're dealing with and and you know, it's kind of and obviously I'm not telling you anything you don't know, but it's it can be kind of a cycle, right because you know, if you have certain issues that might push people away, and then the more that pushes people away, the more isolate you end up.

4:01 Speaker 1: And then so those issues actually just get harder and harder. So so I think what you're doing, you know, with that awareness through your own personal experience, and I'm sure obviously what you've observed with others as well, that that this can be a very lonely time for people, and people do need to know that there's that there's help and that there's you know, and that they have options. And it's it's very very hard because you know, the way the brain works, we establish these patterns in our minds that then it's difficult to break out of them, and so it's hard for somebody, you know, people Sometimes people will look at people who have issues, whether it be alcoholism or a drug issue or or anything anything that's really affecting them and say, well, why don't they just stop or why don't they just get help?

4:51 Speaker 1: And it's hard to break out of those patterns, and even positive change can be very difficult. So so I think what you're doing is is wonderful? Are you Is there more than one organization that you're raising money for or is it for a specific organization or how does that work?

5:09 Speaker 2: Well, I have a list that I'm trying to raise money for. We have a like I said, I'm sorry, it wasn't Centerlink, it was Community Health Link, Okay, but yeah, between Saint Vincent Behavioral Health, we have Arbor Counseling Services, Sadiva Health of Worcester. Like like I have Recovery clean slate.

5:41 Speaker 2: I'm trying very very hard to at least raise money for one of these programs. And it's not even that they're asking for money. It's not that they're asking for donations. For all, I know, these guys don't need my help, but I do know that I feel I need to do something, yes, because whether these programs need the the awareness you know, uh, you know, for someone with a megaphone saying hey, these programs exist. Up until very recently,

6:21 Speaker 2: someone like me would have needed these programs because, uh, you know, so many people only think that there's AA and celebrate recovery alan on. Uh, you know, there are other venues. Not that those programs aren't successful, not that they don't work for people, but you know, for some, you know, they need different avenues. So I'm trying really hard to but mostly just to raise the awareness that these programs.

6:57 Speaker 1: Exist right now. I think that's important because, as you say, not everything works for everyone. Everyone's different. And I do think it's important that people have options in terms of what kind of help, what kind of treatment, what kind of counseling they get, and so forth. And I think you know, as you mentioned too, you don't know that these organizations necessarily need financial help, but it's it's a pretty safe bet, you know, when when we're talking about mental health and addiction and all of that kind of thing, everything in that realm, there's never enough money.

7:32 Speaker 1: You know, these organizations always need more help so that they can expand their resources and help more people. So I think it's a I think it's a pretty safe bet that they'll be able to put the money that you're raising to good use. So I think that's I think that's fantastic what you're doing. And any any negative experience, you know, we talk about it on the show a lot, and I'm sure we talked about it when when you were here that day. Anytime that you can take things that are next negative, things that are dark and create something positive from them, whether it's through music like like your band The Gray Curtain, or whether it's also through what you're doing putting on an event like No Master's Fest to raise money and awareness.

8:14 Speaker 1: You know, anything positive that you can pull out of these negative experiences, I think that's that's the best therapy. I think when you can take take dark things and make them positive or make something positive out of them in some way. So have you done this before? No Masters fest? Or is this the first year?

8:35 Speaker 2: This is the first year. This is the first time I'm attempting anything like this. I've tried, like I've put shows before, but I've never done a benefit So I am a complete and total novice. But as I as I mentioned, you know, I'm yeah, I just want to do a good thing, you know, I want to think of others in this time that you know that really need to help. It's I mean, that's basically, in my opinion, that's all that any of us should be doing right year round, not just this time of year, but this time of year seems to be the time that we, you know, we all should be getting together and you know, helping people in need.

9:22 Speaker 2: You know, I work for meals on wheels and I'm constantly driving by churches that are looking for help, you know, with food kitchens and food pantries, things of that nature, clothing drives and whatnot. You know, you know, you can, you know you can do that. You can start there and just help somebody that has less than you, that may you know, little things like that could help somebody with melancholia, major depression disorder, hyper anxiety, and help them realize, if only for like one extra day, that someone does care, someone does care enough to want them to get out of the ditch that they're in.

10:11 Speaker 2: And you know, I don't think we I don't think we realized that enough. You know, I think, oh, you know, what's the You know, it's not that big of a deal. It is that big of a deal to just to just show somebody that you care enough to do something like that, you know, is it goes along the way. Because I've been the guy in line at a food pantry. I've been the guy homeless, sleeping on a sleeping on a bench, you know, crashing on people's couches, you know, go into a soup kitchen, you know. And I know that these programs helped me through a lot, and I, at the risk of sound and redundant, I just want to help.

10:57 Speaker 2: I just want to help people that you know, have than me. I don't have a lot, don't get me wrong, you know, but I I know that there are a lot of people out there that have a lot less than me, and I just want to help those people.

11:10 Speaker 1: Right right, I think that's fantastic. Is this going to be? You said, this is your your first attempt with this one. Is this going to be? Are you planning to make this an annual event? I know you're I know you're probably right at the moment. You're probably just trying to get through this weekend because, let's be honest, putting on something like this is a lot of work. It's a lot of stress. Yeah, but but it sounds like it's something you'd you'd probably like to do every year.

11:35 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, yeah, you mentioned I would. I absolutely what. I was talking about it last year while I was on stage. I'm like, Man, wouldn't it be great if we could do this every year around this time? Yeah, you know, right around Thanksgiving. But you mentioned the stress. It's like between the chemo and you know, the chemotherapy and the stress of this show. I'm like, looking at the top of my head, I'm like, and it's thinny, but but yeah, I'm yeah, I'm hoping that this this becomes an annual thing and more people join in the help.

12:11 Speaker 2: You know, I can't thank you guys enough for having me aunt to talk about this. You know, I got in about I got in about three o'clock last night, and I was floating on a cloud. Man. Yeah, I was so happy with the turnout. I was so happy with the amount of donations. Between the people that were there who gave cash for donations, and and the people that walked in and say, hey, can I VENMO? You can I PayPal? You? I said, you know, I didn't even think of that. Absolutely, yes, you know. So, I'm man, I'm really hoping.

12:52 Speaker 2: I'm really hoping we can make this an annual thing.

12:55 Speaker 1: Yeah.

12:56 Speaker 2: Yeah, short story long, I'm hoping that we can make this an annual thing. Absolutely.

13:01 Speaker 1: Yeah, no, I'm sure you can do it. By the way, what is the significance of the name No Master's Fest?

13:08 Speaker 2: Well, uh, I I kind of figured it's it goes back to, you know, alcohol was my master. Ye know when I when I was drinking, I could not I could not spend a day, I could not spend an hour without thinking to myself, Well, the package store opens in about ten minutes, you know the uh, you know the I could probably hit up the bar at some point tonight, you know, just grab a couple of shots. I called them, like whiskey wattages. You know. Steve Ray Vaughan. You know, I would, yeah, I would have that constantly in my head.

13:52 Speaker 2: Alcohol was my master, you know, and I look at all drugs, you know, and this is not don't get me wrong, this is not my saying. You know that alcohol is my master. You know, alcohol is not my master or you know, alcohol that is not the boss of me. But we all have those things. I mean, over eaters have junk food, you know. You know, any person that has that that addiction that they can't they can't quite get over, you know. You know, it's kind of like that is your master. That's the thing that is running your life and telling you what to do.

14:37 Speaker 2: The the significance of No Masters Fest is we're trying to get past that. Yeah, you know, any you know, anyone that comes to these shows has to realize that these devices are not your master. You are the You are in charge of your own life, and the best way to do that is to have someone there, you know, helping you realize that. Because sometimes, especially when it comes to addiction, especially when you have you know, some sort of mental illness, it's it's very difficult to be able to accept and it's very difficult to say I am in control of my life, right.

15:20 Speaker 2: This is not this does not run my life right, and that and that's where the No Masters Fest comes from.

15:28 Speaker 1: I kind of suspected that that was the meaning behind it, but I didn't know, obviously, And it's cool that I'm glad that I was right, because I think that's a great concept. I think that's a fantastic name to call this event the no Masters Fest. And and I think the way that you said that, the way that you explained that was excellent, And yeah, exactly. You know, I'm a hypnotherapist, and when I see clients for various issues like you know, people who want to quit smoking and things like that, or other types of addition addiction rather be the physical addiction, or even you know, just psychological addiction.

16:02 Speaker 1: And you know, it's it's one of the things that I try to impress on them is not only when we're doing the pre talk for the session, but during the actual session itself. I give them hypnotic suggestions that you are in control. Nothing else can control you. You are in control. And but it's you know, it's like I was saying earlier, sometimes it's hard for people to accept that because it's even positive change once those patterns are established, even positive change can be difficult for people. But I really like the way you explained that, and I think it's very empowering.

16:36 Speaker 1: And you know, there might be somebody out there listening who heard what you said and is now thinking about their own addiction or their own problems, whatever it may be, thinking about that in a new way and thinking about Oh, I like what Dennis said. You know this, this doesn't have to be my master. I'm in like you said, you're in charge of your own life. And I think even just saying that to people and telling people that I think might might help somebody, you know. So I think that's I think that's excellent.

17:05 Speaker 1: And uh so tonight, so tell us again for for people listening live, Uh where where again is the event tonight? If people want to.

17:14 Speaker 2: Go the event tonight is that Cabinet of Curiosities. We had a bit of a snap who with the venue, so we moved it over to Cabinet of Curiosities. It's over in uh Colchester, Connecticut. Okay, you know a lot of great bands. Uh there's going to be a couple of vendors. Black Noise Magazine is going to be there. Uh, there's uh, there's going to be uh six bands total, and we're really hoping you know. Uh, admission is just a donation. Okay, you have a dollar. If you have a dollar, donate it. If you have ten dollars, if you can spare it, donate it.

17:59 Speaker 2: You know. Uh, this is not about you know, an admission fee.

18:05 Speaker 1: Uh.

18:05 Speaker 2: There's going to be a box over at the door. Just put whatever you can in the box and come in enjoy the show. Yeah. But yes, it's a Cabinet of Curiosities in Colchester, Connecticut.

18:20 Speaker 1: What time does it start?

18:23 Speaker 2: Uh? The first bench should be going on around uh around seven o'clock.

18:32 Speaker 1: Yeah, i'mit of Curiosities. That's a that's a cool name for a venue. I like that.

18:38 Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah, Uh it's a it's a shop over in Colchester. You know. They they they specialize in uh you know little uh excuse me, I'm like I'm still half half asleep from last night. Uh. You know they uh you know, they basically just uh you know, they're like any other story. You know, they sell, uh they sell their merchandise. And they were willing to hold this, uh this event in their kind of like the back rooms of the shop. You know, they're they're getting a PA set up for us, and uh yeah, it's honestly, I cannot I cannot wait to to jam out with these bands, like I know.

19:26 Speaker 2: Uh, I know a lot of these bands from a long time that have you know, we just have a good rapport with each other. So it's gonna be a lot of fun regardless. And I'm really hoping that people will come and uh enjoy it because it's just gonna be a good atmosphere. I think.

19:42 Speaker 1: Yeah, by the way, are you are you documenting this at all? This this weekend? Is there? Are are you recording anything? Are you? Uh? Is there will there be a video available of some of these bands or just for people who maybe aren't able to make it but want to check it out after the fact, you know.

20:00 Speaker 2: I it's one of those things I did not think of, was to get somebody to record the whole experience, you know, next year. But you know, but people did record. Uh. I believe there was some recording during Big Sun last night, the Big Son. I can't keep saying Big Son, the Big Son last night. Uh. I'm pretty sure people were recording during Paradise is canceled, you know, shade upon uh and trouble parachutes aluminium. They I'm fairly certain people who are recording during those during those sets, but you know, you you definitely just you know, sparked an idea, you know, like turned the light bulb on my head.

20:56 Speaker 2: I'm like, why I didn't I have somebody documenting all this. But it's just one of those things like I was, I was trying to get the show together. Yeah yeah, and try to get it to go off without a hitch. Yeah, I just, uh, you've got a lot on I did not think of.

21:12 Speaker 1: You've got a lot on your plate already just doing just doing a two night event like this at at different venues and everything. You know, it's it's it's already a lot. So yeah, something to think about for next year. But but I think it's I think it's fantastic Dennis, what you're doing. And uh, I'm sure tonight will be I'm sure tonight will be very successful. And it sounds like last night went great, So that's that's wonderful. We'll let you go in a moment. But anything we should know about the Gray Curtain, by the way, anything anything new uh there or you know what we played I'm gonna actually, at the end of the segment, I'm gonna play clip the Stitch.

21:46 Speaker 1: I really love that. That's that's pretty pretty epic. But anything we should know about the Gray Curtain going forward since we had you on.

21:54 Speaker 2: Well, uh you know this, uh this will be our line asked the show of the year, I gotta emphasize that of the year, and we're going to go into hibernation mode. We just locked in a new sense player and we're trying to lock in a drummer. We have a couple of really talented candidates that we have to narrow down to one. We have one in particular that we're hoping we'll stick around. But but yeah, we'll be going into hibernation mode and probably coming back like March April. My birthday is April second, so I'm kind of you know, I'm kind of hoping to do a show around then, but there may be an opportunity for one more show before before the end of the year.

22:56 Speaker 2: We're we're hoping to get one more in there, but if it doesn't happen, it's okay.

23:02 Speaker 1: Sure.

23:03 Speaker 2: You know, we've had we've had a pretty successful year between the New England Music Award nomination and uh, you know, the Battle of the Bands and uh, the Halloween Show over at Terminus. You know, we've you know, we we branched out and we went to Maine this year. We never did that before. We played Charlie's Hill over in eleven. And as far as what we're going to be doing in the future, you know, we're hoping that the uh you know, to write the next album within the next few months. You know, we have like seven eight songs already ready to go, and we're hoping to do a double.

23:46 Speaker 1: Oh wow, cool, very cool, outstanding. Look forward to that. Look forward to that. I'm a big fan, you know the project. It's it's unique, but it's also very accessible. That song Burned that Bridge, that's not one of the ones that we played when you were on the show before, but man, I love that. That's that is so catchy, you know, kind of singing along to it in the studio. But great, great stuff. So all right, Dennis, we'll let you go in a moment, one more quick plug for tonight, and then I know you've got another busy day ahead of you.

24:16 Speaker 1: But just remind our listeners for anyone just joining us about the about night two of No Masters Fest this evening.

24:25 Speaker 2: Uh yeah, it's No Master's Fest over in Colchester, Connecticut. Over at the Cabinet of Curiosities. We've got the Grey Curtain of course playing. There's Scarecrow Hill, Fear the Masses, Mary Antwilllett and the runs Ape and the Big Sun are all going to be playing in this in the shop, hoping to raise awareness and funds for rehab programs around New England. It should it should be, should be a great time and we hope people will will man, just have a great time and donate.

25:02 Speaker 1: Absolutely, I predict a very successful night. So it's fantastic what you're doing, Dennis, And thank you so much for calling us today and always wonderful to speak with you. And I'm sure we'll do it again in the not too distant future. But thank you, Dennis, and good luck tonight. I know it's going to be great.

25:20 Speaker 2: Hey. Thanks, thank you guys so much for having me. Seriously, it's so great to be able to do this. Thank you for allowing me to do this.

25:29 Speaker 1: Oh, absolutely, you got it. Man. All right, Dennis, we'll talk to you soon. Take care, Bye bye, all right, bye bye