Indie-pop band Honest Mechanik hits the Wayside Grange & Theatre stage Saturday

DEXTER — Wayside Grange & Theatre is pleased to continue the 2025 Concert Series on Saturday, Aug. 2 with the band Honest Mechanik, an indie-pop duo born in the wilds of Medford, Massachusetts. These two singer/song writers, Susan Cattane and Paul Hansen, have joined collective and creative  forces to create a new sound that feels at once, both familiar and unique.

Featuring quirky lyrics and ear-worm melodies that highlight their dual lead vocals and close  harmonies, Honest Mechanik has the vibe of The Velvet Underground paired with the intimacy of Belle and Sebastian. They’re both seasoned musicians with solo careers on both the local and national music scene. 

Paul, the tall one, considers himself “song obsessed” and has been the lead singer and creative force behind the popular band The Grownup Noise, an indie pop group that has garnered rave reviews and over the years, has performed in numerous sold-out shows including seven national tours.  

Susan, the other tall one, has won or been a finalist in all the prestigious songwriting festivals around  the country and tours as a solo artist. When she’s not performing,Susan’s had a 20-year career as a songwriting professor at the Berklee College of Music. She’s also a “go-to” collaborator and song writer for others, having crafted songs for both national and local artists (Mark Erelli, Dennis Brennan,  Dinty, Child, Jenee Halstead).  

The songs of Honest Mechanik came together around their voices and over the distinctive sound of Pauls’ Godin Archtop semi-acoustic. When in the studio, Susan brought in Marco Giovino (Band of  Joy) to add some amazingly deep groove to the tunes. Recorded over the past year with Dan Cardinal at Dimension Sound Studios (Darlingside, Mark Erelli, Lula Wiles, Air Traffic Controller), Honest Mechanik’s self-titled debut album is a testament to what happens when two new friends hang out and make music together.  

The duo stated, “We’re proud to say we were nominated for Folk Act Of the Year at the2021 Boston Music Awards.” 

“And why the name Honest Mechanik? We chose the name because they’re very rare and you’d  travel a great distance to find one.”

From now through October, Wayside Grange & Theatre will continue entertaining the Penquis  area with a wide variety of music. Many of the musical groups stemming from the area and others traveling a great distance. McKusick Petroleum, again is fostering great music in the Penquis Region with their generous donation to help continue the Wayside Grange & Theatre music mission. 

The 2025 lineup continues: 

Aug. 2 – Honest Mechanik 

Aug.10 – Carl McPhee North Woods Rail Perseid Meteor Show 

Aug. 23 – Bear Tracks 

Sept. 11 – House of Hamill  

Oct. 11 – Variety Show 

The Wayside Grange & Theater in Dexter presents programs of theater and music in an historic  and acoustically perfect setting. The building has served the Dexter community for decades and 

continues in 2025.  

The Wayside Grange Kitchen is open and serving “Amazing Delicious Homemade Desserts” and “pretty good” coffee and cold drinks in our downstairs dining area at intermission. 

At 6:30 p.m. the doors open for the concert and Honest Mechanik will take stage at 7 p.m. There is no need for reservations and tickets are only $15 per person.  

If you would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer, call Tim Breen at 207-355-5507 and please check out our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/waysidestage.

The Grange volunteers have improved the comfort level at the Grange Hall with air conditioning. We also have access at ground level entrance, and can be found at 851 North  Dexter Road (Route 23) in North Dexter. Keep watching our Facebook page for more family fun events!