Jason Spooner’s racking up yet more songwriting awards. He checked in this week to report that he’s been chosen as one of 24 performers in the emerging artist showcase at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, held each year in the Berkshires (that’s New York). The humble Spooner notes, "It’s not Woodstock, but it’s fairly major in folk/songwriter circles." Headliners are Dar Williams, Hot Tuna, and Ani DiFranco, and the show runs July 21 through 24 if you want to make plans now for a vacation of supporting Jason in the mountains.

Speaking of vacation plans, if you’re looking for something dangerous, make sure to stop into Castaways, in Bar Harbor, some Thursday. Not only will Eric Green and the Frozen Swamp Choppers be holding it down, but there will be — wait for it — $5 all-you-can-drink PBR! That’s dangerous.

The End of Everything (can you tell they’re a goth band?) have put out a debut EP, The Beginning Of, featuring "four of the group’s 16 heaviest tracks." They’re only $4 at gigs or through their Web site, www.theendofeverything.com.

Mike Dank from Harpswell Sound reports that, during a summer of serious beer drinking, the band will be recording "a children’s album of sorts," which will be accompanied by a book (we’re assuming that’s also for children, but never assume anything with musicians). Dank says they hope mix the new disc by August.

Corey Norman, from Unscarred, says reports of the band’s demise were much premature. They simply lost a couple members and needed some time to replace them. They’ve picked up a new drummer in Aaron Emery, brother to singer Heath, and they’re ripping it up as a four-piece now, with no rhythm guitarist. Norman says Unscarred are "gearing up for a summer tour and recording session with Mark Armadalla (of Core-tez and Gargantua Soul fame)," and they’ve even picked up an endorsement deal from Halo guitars. You can catch the new lineup at an all-ages Liquid Blue show, June 26.

Adam Flaherty checked in earlier this week to report on new members being added to the Noise Machine. Maine/New Hampshire’s most popular indie-popster is being joined by Marty Morrissey on bass and Zack White on guitar. New guys in tow, Flaherty says they’ll finish up recording with Jon Wyman by early July and hope to have their first professionally polished full-length out by August. They’re calling it Goodbye Spaceman, and it’ll feature guest spots from Spencer Albee, Dave Gutter, Pete Kilpatrick, Ethan Wright, Hutch Heelan, and Jim Hamalainen (dang!).