From left to right: Mike Fournier, Rebecca Griffin, and Vanessa Downing of Outer Frequencies at Christ Church Episcopal in October 2024. (Rich Ladew)
By Jocelyn Keddington
Outer Frequencies, a Cape Cod–based music series created by Cape Cod Community College language and literature professors Michael T. Fournier and Rebecca Griffin, along with their friend Vanessa Downing, aims to spotlight original, genre-diverse music in an all-ages setting. Fournier and Griffin spoke about how the series began, why they chose Christ Church Episcopal in Harwich Port as their venue, and how they continue building a creative community.
Q: Why did you start Outer Frequencies?
Rebecca: Mike and I moved to Cape Cod from out near Amherst, MA, in 2016… I had finished grad school at UMass and got a full-time job at 4Cs. We were psyched, but we didn’t know anyone. We had also lived in Boston, and we had both grown up going to local punk shows. When we moved here, there wasn’t much to choose from that was like the music we were used to seeing—edgier, original music. Eventually, Mike reached out to Vanessa Downing on Instagram because he had been a fan of her band Samuel since the 1990s and learned she lived on Cape. She invited us to hang out with her and her wife, Catherine, and we all got along! Mike and Vanessa are both scenesters in the best sense, so they inspired one another to get things rolling music-wise.
Mike: We met our friend Vanessa Downing in December 2022. I had been a fan of her band Samuel, now called Samuel S.C., since they were first active in the mid-90s, but never got a chance to see them play back then. Once we all met, we started talking about how much fun it would be to take the best aspects of ‘90s punk and D.I.Y. culture and bring them to Cape Cod. Our first Outer Frequencies show was in May 2024, with a band called Savak from New York City, Vanessa’s band Samuel S.C., local band Lefty Grove, and me and Rebecca’s band Plaza…
Q: Why did you choose Christ Church Episcopal as your venue?
Mike: Once we had the idea for the concert series, we had meetings to iron out what we were trying to accomplish as a group. The next step was to find a space to rent. I did some research online, made a list and started cold-calling churches in the area. Christ Church Episcopal in Harwich Port was the very first place I called. The administrator there, Lisa Berman, has been a joy to work with. Lisa and everyone at the church have been great regarding the roster of bands we’ve put together to play – some of it has been loud, for sure, but I think we’ve established a mutual trust.
Rebecca: Mike and I grew up going to punk shows in churches. So, it seemed natural to reach out to churches here… The church couldn’t have been more welcoming. It’s great that they recognize we share some of the same goals in terms of bringing people together and making the world a more welcoming place… It’s a perfect space for us, and we really appreciate them allowing us to use it.
Q: Do you hold shows anywhere else?
Mike: We’ve had smaller acoustic living room shows at an undisclosed mid-Cape location. The church is a great gathering place for public events and is our go-to as a result. Friday nights work well with our schedule and the church’s, which is the main influence on where and when shows are held.
Q: How do you find such unique acts in a place known for cover bands?
Mike: Vanessa’s band Samuel S.C. is active and playing shows all over the country, so she makes a lot of connections that way. Rebecca and I know a lot of people from our days living in Boston, and I have been writing for punk publications since the ‘90s, which helps, too. We usually find an out-of-town act interested in playing here, then build a bill around them. Finding bands that play in different styles is important: we’ve all been to shows where like nine identical-sounding hardcore bands play. Boring! We’re trying to bring people together, so getting different genres on the same bill is the goal. We meet more area musicians with every show we put on. I hope that people start bands so they can play Outer Frequencies gigs.
Rebecca: For music, we want to see what is out there locally. It helps that Vanessa worked at the Wellfleet Preservation Hall and knows a ton of people. We’ve learned that Cape Cod has an active original music scene, including more experimental and noise acts. Two shows have featured 4Cs students we have known. We’re always looking for new music locally and elsewhere. In a broader sense, we try to make Outer Frequencies shows into shows we like to attend. When you get older, you don’t always have the bandwidth to drive to Boston or Providence to see a band! We have been thrilled to see regulars coming to every show and bringing their friends. I can’t tell you how happy that makes us! We hope that the shows give people here a way to meet one another and find common ground around creative expression. It’s important to us that these shows welcome all ages and aren’t held in commercial places like restaurants or bars. The focus is the music. As much as possible, proceeds go to the bands—and 10% goes to a local charity.
From left to right: Bryden Williams playing the saxophone, Jack Cartwright on drums, and Austin Sirois playing the guitar in their band Free Kombucha at an Outer Frequencies show. Williams and Cartwright are current 4Cs students. (Michael Fournier)
Q: Do you have more shows coming up?
Mike: We do…! We’ll be back with more events in the spring or 2026. The best way to keep up is by following our Instagram @outerfrequencies.
