Must-See Classical Shows this May

May is a great month for classical music in southern New England. For many groups it marks the end of their standard seasons, thus giving way to many season finales. Here’s what’s on tap for May:

Sine Nomine Choir performs Orazio Vecchi’s “L’Amfiparnaso – The Twin Peaks of Parnassus,” a madrigal comedy in three acts. Daniel P. Ryan leads Sine Nomine choral ensemble in a rare theatrical collaboration, presenting Orazio Vecchi’s dramatically scripted cycle of harmonious madrigals. This imaginative spectacle of harmony, hysterics and havoc features actors Rory Boyd and Shawna Michelle James with actor, director and mask builder Ian Sullivan.

Performances on Friday, May 13 at 8pm at Unitarian Universalist Society, 102 Greene St, Fairhaven, Massachusetts and on Sunday May 15 at 3pm at Linden Place Ballroom, 500 Hope St, Bristol. For more information, visit sinenominechoir.org.

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra presents Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and Ludwig Van Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony.” Wrapping up its 100th (!) season, Dr. David MacKenzie leads the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra though an evening of powerful music for and orchestra. Featuring Boston’s Back Bay Chorale under the direction of Scott Allen Jarrett, and soloists Karen Slack, Abigail Fischer, Yeghishe Manucharyan and David Kravitz, this concert promises to be a memorable one.

Performances on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30pm at Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase St, New Bedford, Massachusetts and Sunday, May 15 at 3pm at Sanders’ Theater, 45 Quincy St, Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, visit nbsymphony.org/bernstein-beethoven.html

The Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra, under the direction of Edward Markward, performs Benjamin Britten’s “Cantata Misericordium” and Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem.” Britten’s “Cantata Misericordium” was originally commissioned in 1963 by the International Committee of the Red Cross for the centennial of the national organization. In Providence it will be performed in honor of the Rhode Island Red Cross’ centennial celebration, and it features soloists Kelley Hollis, William Hite, Aaron Engebreth and members of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.

Performances on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30pm at The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, 30 Fenner St, Providence and Sunday, May 15 at 3pm at St. Joseph’s Church, 5 Mann Ave, Newport. For more information, visit ricco.org.

The Chorus of Westerly presents the “Verdi Requiem.” Written by Giuseppe Verdi in 1874 for the Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni, this setting of the Roman Catholic mass for the dead is one of the most frequently performed (in close competition with the requiems of Faure, Mozart, Brahms and Berlioz). Guest conductor David Hill, music director of the BBC Singers, will lead the ensemble through this ambitious work.

Performances on Saturday, May 14 at 7pm at George Kent Performance Hall, 119 High Street, Westerly and Sunday, May 15 at 2:30pm at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Ave of the Arts, Providence. For more information, visit chorusofwesterly.org. Tickets for Sunday’s performance are available at thevetsri.com/events/detail/chorus-of-westerly-presents-verdi-requiem. The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra performs Anton Webern’s “Passacaglia” and Ludwig Van Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony.” Featuring The Providence Singers under the direction of Christine Noel, music director Larry Rachleff leads the orchestra through two challenging pieces of music. Written in 1908, Webern’s “Passacaglia” is his Opus #1 – his first major work for orchestra. It is seldom performed and is a true masterpiece.

Performances on Friday, May 6 at 6:30pm at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Ave of the Arts, Providence (Beethoven only) and Saturday, May 7 at 8pm at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Ave of the Arts, Providence. For more information, visit riphil.org.

Mike D’s Top 5 Can’t Miss Shows of May

1. Friday, May 6: Insane Clown Posse; 6:30pm doors; $25 advance / $28 day of; All ages; Fete, 103 Dyke St, Providence. As we are in the midst of a crazy election cycle, I always find it funny when people volunteer at Death Cab For Cutie or Sleater Kinney type shows to register new voters. The only way their fans aren’t already registered to vote is if they turned 18 that week. If they wanted to register new voters they should go to Monster Truck rallies or Insane Clown Posse concerts. I am not sure that the clowns have officially endorsed any of the other clowns running yet, and I am afraid if they did the endorsement would likely side on the dude in the wig with the devil don’t give a fuck style. And while I am no Juggalo historian, I am pretty sure the last time the evil clown crew played in town was the old Lupo’s (II) with 2 Live Crew in 2001ish. Is Providence ready for this? Will Rob Duguay be there? Will he be wearing paint? Whoop Whoop? Only one way to find out. Also, go like my fantasy football team on Facebook, Johnston Juggalos.

2. Wednesday, May 11: Eagles Of Death Metal; $25 advance / $30 day of; All ages; Lupo’s, 79 Washington St, Providence. There’s nothing like the experience of going out and seeing a rock ‘n’ roll show. The anticipation, the communal experience of leaving the mundane, working-for-a-living life to get in a room full of people with the same interests as you, sharing drinks and talking with new like- minded people, seeing opening new-to-you acts that your favorite band thinks you might like and then, of course, standing mere feet away from the artists you idolize and admire. On November 13, 2015, a group of terrorists, as part of a citywide attack across Paris, ruined what we hold sacred by storming Le Bataclan during an EODM concert, killing at least 89 concertgoers and injuring many more. As someone who lives in concert halls and knows how special that experience is, the event was unfathomable. My heart still goes out to everyone involved in that production that night, everyone there, everyone lost or hurt and also their loved ones. Such an unnecessary tragedy. You can never forget about those who passed, those who were hurt and what happened, but the show doesn’t end. You can not let terrorists take away the righteous and reaffirming experiences of love, music or everyday life. Eagles Of Death Metal are not letting the terrorists win, and are back out there connecting with their fans. I wish them the best and salute them for not giving up and going out there and kicking ass. They are hell of a band, a force live and won’t be stopped. 3. Saturday, May 21: Kiefer Sutherland, Austin Plaine; 8pm doors / 9pm show; $20 advance / $22 day of; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. In many ways it has to be tough being a well-known actor who also wants to be considered a serious musician. For all the acts like Dogstar (Keanu Reeves), The Pizza Underground (Macaulay Culkin), Kevin Costner & Modern West, and whatever the hell it was that Russell Crowe did, there are not very many success stories such as 30 Seconds To Mars (Jared Leto). There is no arguing about Kiefer’s acting abilities. In the last 30 years of acting, he’s become a household name with parts in classics such as Stand By Me, The Lost Boys and “24.” Kiefer isn’t new to the music business (he’s been a partner in the label Ironworks Records for over a decade) but he’s new to performing. His debut Down in a Hole is out now and touches on folk and country songwriting. With this artist’s success on the screen, it’s certainly worth taking a risk to see what he can do on the stage.

4. Monday, May 23: Kid Congo Powers & The Pink Monkey Birds, Atlantic Thrills, Cannibal Ramblers; 8:30pm; FREE; All ages; 276 Westminster St, Providence. The best deal of the month involves a prolific punk ‘n’ roll musician and two of Providence’s finer local acts for the cost of nothing. Kid Congo Powers is a veteran of the punk community, having done time playing with The Cramps, the tragically underrated The Gun Club, as a Bad Seed with Nick Cave, and another tragically forgotten act, Knoxville Girls. I caught the Knoxville Girls around 2002 at The Met Cafe with The White Stripes with about 100 other people and it’s still one of my all-time favorite shows. I’m not entirely familiar with his solo career, but with his pedigree and the musicians he has put around him in the past, it has to be excellent. Garage punks Atlantic Thrills are fresh off a new album and month-long US tour, and Providence’s Cannibal Ramblers anchor a tremendous show.

5. Sunday, May 29: Luna; 7pm doors / 8pm show; $25 advance / $30 day of; All ages; Columbus Theatre, Broadway, Providence. Insane Clown Posse aren’t the only ones making a decade-plus-later return to Providence this month. Luna started playing shows again in 2015, having recently come through Boston, but missing smaller markets like Providence. And while Providence is certainly a small market, back in the ’90s it was stomping grounds for the NYC indie dream rock act. I have great memories of getting dropped off at the old Lupo’s (II) when I was 16, watching Small Factory open from the closed- off escalator between games of Ms Pac-Man. Check out their classic 1995 album Penthouse to get in the mood, and make sure to make it out — who knows when or if they’ll be back.

Also Playing: May 6: Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons @ The Met; May 11: Chelsea Wolfe @ Fete; May 13: Vudu Sister (cd release) @ Columbus Theatre; May 14: Blackletter / The Dust Ruffles / Wild Sun @ The Met; May 14: St James & The Apostles / Party Pigs / Tall Teenagers @ AS220; May 21 Joe Moody Memorial @ Firehouse 13; May 24 Joywave @ The Met; May 29 Luna @ Columbus Theatre

Interview with Tim Darcy from Ought PHOTO CREDIT: Laura Harvey

Any music fan in the 2010s has access to new music at their fingertips. You might get hooked on a band that only a few people know about. After a while they gain a following and before you know it they’re playing one of the big venues in town. Take Montreal post-punk act Ought for example; they’ve only been around since 2012 but they’ve been steadily making waves in independent music.

They’re playing The Met in Pawtucket on May 5 as part of a magnificent bill with Washington, DC, glam punks Priests and two of Providence’s finest — Downtown Boys and Way Out. It’s a stacked night that aims to please your inner freak. Ahead of the show, Ought frontman Tim Darcy and I talked about collaborating with experimental artist AJ Cornell, observational lyrics, the struggle in being sustainable and what Ought’s plans are for the rest of the year.

Rob Duguay: Ought started out in 2012 while you, Matt May, Ben Stidworthy and Tim Keen were living together in a communal band space. What was the space like exactly? Was it an apartment, a house or warehouse? Was it a fixture in Montreal’s DIY underground scene?

Tim Darcy: It was just a regular old apartment. It had previously been an underground queer cabaret so it had a lot of charm. Other than that it was incredibly run-down and grungy. We took turns sharing the windowless room, another room that was divided with drywall we’d bought and propped up, and two normal rooms. We had a little enclave off the living room where we left everything set up and we would play all the time. We had a few shows there, but it certainly wasn’t a fixture beyond us and a few others who would drop by to use the space.

RD: This past March you released a collaborative album with aural experimentalist AJ Cornell called Too Significant To Ignore. It’s avant garde and ambient with spoken word, a bit of a departure from the rhythmic post punk of Ought. What inspired you and AJ to do this project?

TD: It’s funny how releases get timed out. AJ and I actually wrote those songs about three or four years ago and then in 2014 finally got around to recording them It took us about a year and a half to mix, master and find someone to put it out, which ended up being the good folks at NNA Tapes. It took a while mostly because AJ was moving and I was hurtling around with Ought. AJ and I are really great friends and at first we started by making drone and ambient music, something we both really enjoy. At some point it occurred to me to try some spoken word and so it took that direction for the tape. It isn’t really a progression from Ought or anything and I don’t listen to that much experimental music, though I find it to be kind of an odd and limiting term in my opinion. I love what AJ does and I appreciate the opportunity to try some plain spoken word. RD: Your lyrics have an observational style. Do you find yourself getting ideas for songs just through various interactions or does it run deeper than that?

TD: Yeah I suppose I’m doing a lot of musing in my lyrics as well as in poetry. Thinking about life? What else is there to write about? Even when I read novels I’m usually looking for some kind of humanness or insight. Even just in the spark of something that you can’t put into words, like with visual art. There is something wrenching about feeling the connection to the person that created what I am looking at. I don’t know what it is like for every person but for me that is paramount. That connection where you get a bit of spirit coming across, almost regardless of what is being said.

RD: Ought is still a fairly young band. What do you find to be the biggest struggle independent bands face these days when it comes to being sustainable?

TD: Everything is in flux, it definitely seems like there is a lot of uncertainly with people unsure of what their futures will look like. In some senses that can be beautiful, as people are more capable of changing. In other senses it is stressful and unsettling.

RD: Last year Ought released their 2nd album, Sun Coming Down, what are the band’s plans for later this year? Do you plan on going back into the studio or do you just plan on touring?

TD: We’re touring through to the fall at which point we’ll be starting work on a new album. We’re all looking forward to that!

Tickets to see Ought, Priests, Downtown Boys & Way Out @ The Met on May 5: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/3516050/oughtpriests-on-sale-210-noon-pawtucket-the-met?cobrand=the metri#_ga=1.168862177.1725885659.1324682790; Like Ought on Facebook: facebook.com/internetought

Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Ben Hilton I’m going to introduce you to the youngest person we have spoken with so far on ‘Don’t Quit Your Day Job,’ but he is also the person who is currently in the most active bands. There are times I can barely manage being in one band and this man somehow balances the schedules of three different bands, a day job and still manages to have a little time left over to enjoy the finer things in life. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Ben Hilton to our show…

Josh Hurst: Age and location?

Ben Hilton: 23 years old, living in Cranston

JH: What band(s) are you in and what do you do in them?

BH: I’m in three bands currently: Death Before Dishonor out of Boston, Reason to Fight and Boxed In out of Providence. In DBD and RTF I play drums and in Boxed In I sing and write lyrics alongside my brother, Eric Hilton. All three bands are in the process of recording new music.

JH: How long have you been at this rock ‘n’ roll thing?

BH: I really discovered for myself through my brother and a Vans compilation that included bands like Rancid that really caught our attention in 2001. My brother started collecting the and my interest kind of fell into place from there. We started our first punk band in 2004 and played a few community centers in our area, Coventry/ West Warwick. My brother and I would go to shows as we got older, 2005-2006 at AS220, the Living Room, Lupo’s, wherever we could get in. Eventually our interests shifted to the more hardcore realm of punk and we started playing in a hardcore band called Make It Last Forever (MILF) in 2007. We played the Living Room a few times along with any place that would have us around RI, MA and CT and ended up befriending and getting booked a lot by Keith from Essence of Pain and Greg from Reason To Fight. In 2009, MILF broke up but I started playing in a band called For Tha Glory that would play Providence and Brockton frequently. In 2011, I was asked to fill in for Death Before Dishonor on a European tour by my friend and the singer of DBD, Bryan Harris. Of course, I agreed and am still so grateful for that opportunity. Eventually they picked me up as their full time drummer and they’ve taken me all around the world touring. Not long after that I started playing for Reason To Fight as well. After that, I started this new band Boxed In with members of For Tha Glory and Patterns of Myra. JH: What do you do to pay the rent?

BH: I do general contracting, renovation and demolition with a business owner I know. Painting, sheetrock, patchwork, trim, carpentry etc.

JH: How did you end up with your current day job?

BH: I literally threw in the towel at my dishwashing job at 18 and called up a master electrician I knew, asking if he needed any help because I couldn’t take my current boss. After that, I got hooked on the contractor style of work, the change of scenery, the sense of actually getting something done. When that job fell through, Greg Chihoski of Reason To Fight helped me out for awhile, letting me help him for his company American Pride Plumbing. Two summers ago, a family friend let me know he was taking on workers for some renovation jobs he had lined up, so I accepted and since then he’s been teaching me more and more about what he knows, while letting me take the time I need off to go on tour. Thanks, Dave!

JH: What drives you to keep at music if you need to have the day job to pay bills?

BH: If I didn’t have band practices and shows to look forward to, work and bills would be a lot harder to deal with. It’s the same reason I get pumped when I see a band I love is coming to town whether I get to play the show or not. My connection to the words and music is still strong. I get told frequently how music is great and all but it doesn’t pay the bills, what I could be making with a real night job, but all I’ve ever wanted out of music is to give people the same sense of relation that I’ve had with music since I was a kid. When I play and see people feel the music and lyrics just like I did and still do, that’s all I care about.

JH: Does anything in your day job correlate to your musical endeavors?

BH: Some customers make it easy to write angry lyrics and hit the drums just a bit harder!

JH: Besides the income, what keeps you at your current “day job”?

BH: I like doing the work, and I like my boss. It sounds corny but I’ve learned a lot with this job not only about how to do certain tasks, but also about myself and what I can do. I never saw myself as a “handy” kind of guy, but now I find myself taking tasks, that maybe I would have called the landlord for before, into my own hands, and not thinking twice about how to do it.

JH: Where can anyone interested find you during your day work and/or night work?

BH: Keep your eyes out for flyers with Death Before Dishonor, Reason to Fight, or Boxed In on them. I will be at those dates and times listed. And I’m reachable through email at [email protected] Album Of The Week: You Won’t’s Revolutionaries

Nestled within the depths of the Boston music scene is an electrifying duo, You Won’t, which consists of Josh Arnoudse on guitar and vocals with Raky Sastri on percussion. Their folk-based melodies are evident with their new album Revolutionaries, the band’s follow-up to their stunning debut Skeptic Goodbye that came out in 2012. The album is catchy with Anoudse reflecting on the way youthful outlook evaporates as one grows older. The music is deep and has a sense of observational analysis.

What makes You Won’t different from a typical two piece act are Arnoudse’s and Sastri’s conflicting styles. There’s a Violent Femmes influence from Arnoudse’s fast paced acoustic strumming while Sastri’s skills on percussion are jazzy and nimble. It’s a combination of roughness and elegance that’s frankly uncanny. It takes the timeless loud-quiet-loud songwriting approach in an entirely different direction. The end result is a wonderful album that fires on all cylinders.

Full of infectious hooks and rhythms that bounce around the mind like a ping pong ball in a tiny box, Revolutionaries stands as one of the best albums to come out of the Boston area so far in 2016. Will it make any best of lists by the end of the year? Time will tell, but I personally can’t see why not. Discover some reasons why with my top tracks off of the Album Of The Week.

An excellent example of the fusing of punk angst and the smoothness of is in “The Fuzz.” The chorus is contagious and when it all comes together with the drums and guitar, the ante is absolutely upped. It’s a tad mellow, but Arnoudse’s lyrics really makes “Ya Ya Ya” a prime track. The riffs on his six-string makes it even more enjoyable. “Can’t Go Wrong” brings the angst back with a rigid tone.

You Won’t will be celebrating the official release of Revolutionaries at One Longfellow Square in Portland, Maine, on April 29 where they’ll kick off their tour of the East Coast and the Midwest in support of the album. They’ll also be playing a homecoming show at The Sinclair in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 6. While you’re at one of their shows on their tour, grab a copy of the new album from You Won’t. You’ll fall in love. Stream Revolutionaries on Bandcamp: youwont.bandcamp.com/album/revolutionaries; You Won’t’s Website: youwontmusic.com

Hip-Hop: The RI Experience

At first glance Rhode Island may not seem like the ideal place for a young and hungry indie artist to flourish. After all, we are the smallest state and we also have no major record labels or agencies to give indie artists the push needed to achieve fame and glory. As a result, artists based out of Rhode Island start at a staggering disadvantage compared to someone based out of NYC or LA.

This might seem like a lot of negative things all at once but on the brighter side, these are the aspects of the culture that make Rhode island a hidden gem. Artists have true freedom and opportunity to create their own sound and develop themselves in innovative ways. Without any preset guidelines or rules to follow, the sky is the limit.

I had a recent conversation with an up-and-coming RI artist named Biz Marik about his experience.

Spocka Summa (Motif): How do you view yourself as a local artist?

Biz Marik: I would say different, but different is a genre now. Everyone makes different music. I view myself more as a mirror to what I see and experience. I try to make music people can relate to, whether it is a story or just a vibe. I don’t consider myself a local artist at all — that’s just a mindset.

SS: What do you think the local hip-hop scene is missing?

BM: I think the scene is missing an identity. We do not really have a sound and a lot of artists seem to be doing their best impression of someone else (famous in most cases). This is cool, but it kinda divides us as a state and does not show who we are. But I feel like as soon as someone breaks out with a unique sound, that could all change.

Building a stronger foundation will be crucial to help local indie artist progress beyond Rhode Island without having to pack their bags and move out of state. Everyone has a role to play, from the artist who writes and performs the music to the almighty fan(s), producers, engineers and promoters.

To understand the experience on the other side of the stage, I talked to a frequent concert attendee from Providence, Casandra Adio.

Spocka Summa: How do you feel about local artists?

Casandra Adio: I think Providence has a mix of local hip-hop artists, which is a direct reflection of commercial hip-hop. Some are lyrically inclined, socially aware and progressive, while others represent the struggles and hardships of city living. I greatly appreciate both because they’re just as diverse as Providence. Rappers are so common here, but that shows you how much we love hip-hop as a city. It only gets negative for a few artists because that’s their personality and their life. Otherwise it’s all good.

SS: What kind of experience have you had at local shows?

CA: My experience at shows differs. I’ve gone to shows from open mics for the very beginners to headlining shows at Lupo’s. Within that range, the quality of performances are similar — the artists perform passionately. The response they get depends on the size of the crowd for the most part, though. Smaller, intimate settings are welcoming and supportive; that’s where you find community. Bigger events that bring a mixed crowd rock with you if they know you already or if you appeal to their particular taste.

Ultimately none of us can tell the future and have no idea if Rhode Island will ever generate the next national star. But if you are ambitious, do not let the lack of resources determine your success or propel you into failure. Take your time and seek out new networks, perfect your craft and grow as much as possible. If you are not an artist you should take a second and check out some local concerts and artists. Sure they don’t have the money and material things that the majority of our favorite artists possess. But give them a chance because you never know when you might catch a rare glimpse of a star in the making.

Alt-Nation: Spring Biscuits

Outlaw In Peru – OIP (75orLess Records)

This record has been kicking around for awhile but I popped it into my CD player the other day and it floored me. I don’t know when — or if — this band will ever play again, but that is part of the fun. They dress up in masks (because they are the Outlaw In Peru) and kick off a 10-minute stomper with fake crowd noise with “straight outta Little Compton…” where they name every town in Rhode Island except maybe Portsmouth and Arctic in “OIP Worldwide” with complete stadium bombast. They even make the point to let you know they are skipping Barrington because let’s face it, outside of that teddy bear store, it’s as gentrified as fuck. Outlaw In Peru understands that. It’s not all anthems for stadiums that don’t exist as “Profile in the Rock” rocks to some nirvana halfway between Motorhead and Thin Lizzy. “I Killed the Kennedys” rocks hard in a Grand Funk Railroad on amphetamines meets Body Count vein while offering up as much truth as the Warren Commission. You don’t have to wait for their next rodeo to hear them play. You can just go to 75orlessrecords.com to order and be the proud owner of this biscuit. The Thermals

’90s rock icons The Thermals are back with a new album called We Disappear, which is packed to the gills with the pop-guitar rock ‘n’ roll thrills that is their calling card. Picture a less formulaic Weezer, like you know a band that doesn’t re-write that same song over and over to get their next alternative rocker. that one can dance to with deep grooves sounds simple, but is really an endangered species. There is plenty of auto-tuned shit out there, but it’s so sterile. The Thermals are infectious and I want that disease.

The Thermals and Summer Cannibals will rock the Columbus Theatre on April 26.

Tall Teenagers – Self-Titled (75orLessRecords)

T-Rock used to always try to get me to listen to this late ’90s alt-rock band Verbena. They sounded like Surfa Rosa-era Pixies with songs that were just not as good. Surfa Rosa is in my top 50 all time records, so there is no shame when I liken Tall Teenagers to that record. I’ve never spent the time to appreciate Verbena till I saw Tall Teenagers and it struck me what they reminded me of. It is the same shtick with fuzzy loud guitars, mixed gender vocals and short twisty tunes. What I like about the Tall Teenagers is, for starters, it sounds phenomenal. Raw guitars whether they be foreboding on “Gone Gone Gone” or just driving through the morning madness of a new day rising on “I Get Awake.” “Thief In The House” jams along sounding like some mix of Crazy Horse digging deep into a mix of grunge and gospel with no Gods in sight. “Home” has some surf licks and a driving backbeat to carry you to safe harbor. The tension build-up in “Walking On A Street” just engages one to find out what is around the next corner. Speaking of corners, from their first show till I eventually saw them, people have raved about Tall Teenagers live. Being a fan of grungy guitars and short songs, I concur. That time I asked for my money back based on them not being particularly tall or close to being teenagers was strictly an aberration, possibly from inebriation.

95.5 WBRU Homebru’d presents The Viennagram, Eric & The Nothing, Tall teenagers, and Young Lincoln will rock The Met Café on April 29.

Matthew Logan Vasquez – Solicitor Returns

Delta Spirit’s front man Matthew Logan Vasquez comes out of the gates swinging on his solo debut as troubadour channeling Crazy Horse Neil Young with Dylan’s wit on “Maria.” Vasquez revs it up a notch with the fuzz tone “Personal,” where he laments that he has to “strike out on my own.” It’s kind of like The Strokes without trying to be something else, just letting the rock roll. “I Bet It All” is a meditative folker that reflects on throwing one’s heart out there. The grunged-out “Everything I Do Out” assures this is no I’m-going-to-leave-my-band-for-awhile-to-do-a-quiet-solo-album. I like Vasquez’ voice on “Stand Up” over the piano and fuzzed out guitars. “Muerte Tranquila is somewhere between The Band and White Album Beatles. All in all, Vasquez comes off on Solicitor Returns as a deacon in the unholy church of rock ‘n’ roll.

Matthew Logan Vasquez will enthrall the crowd at the Columbus Theatre on May 1.

Email music news to [email protected]. Roots Report: Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution

Okee dokee folks … The genie is out of the bottle. Hopefully the revolution that is happening continues to gain steam and grow. I think that we are in for a wild summer. I also think this revolution needs an original soundtrack like the 1960s had. Music and art can energize action and inspire change. I’m working on my contributions and hope more songwriters jump on board. I use my music to spread a message and sometimes I perform it in support of a candidate. I am a Bernie believer and I will be playing a Bernie event again as will be a few others (see below). Rhode Island’s primary is coming up and I hope that you are all registered to vote. Even if you are registered PLEASE check your status now as some shady things have been happening at the polls around the country. Things NEED to change and revolutions only succeed when the will of the people is strong. Music and art will help fuel the strength. Read on …

There are two music events happening this month in support of Bernie Sanders. Why am I only talking about Bernie? Because I think that he is the only SANE choice and this is my column! On Sunday, April 24 at 5pm there’s RI Rocks for Bernie III — Bernie’s Beach Party at the Bon Vue in Narragansett. Performing at this show are The Silks, Panoramic View, Ed McGuirl and moi. DJ DC Roots will be spinning some tunes as well. It’s FREE and it’s family friendly from 5 – 7pm; after 7pm it’s 21+. On primary day, April 26, there is a big bash for Bernie at The Met. The ‘Mericans, Allysen Callery, Dan Paswell and Jared Paul will provide the music and our own Phillipe & Jorge will be your glorious hosts. This is a free event. Hit the polls then head over to The Met. Go Bernie!

The Gnomes

If you think posters are obsolete and that no one sees them, think again. I was in Fellini’s the other night getting a slice and while I was waiting, I glanced at the posters and came across this: “Benefit Concert for The Peace Flag Project.” I jotted down the details and checked it out online. This is from the project’s website: “The Peace Flag Project helps everyone to be a peacemaker. Einstein wrote, ‘Imagination is a preview of life’s coming attractions.’ What we can imagine, we can create. Our work is focused on imagining peace, understanding peace, creating peace and being peace. We work with people to create Peace Flags that reflect positive wishes for the world.” Sounds like a good thing! On April 30 at the Lincoln School in Providence they will present a concert with Caroline Cotter. Music has always been at the heart of Cotter’s life, alongside a passion for travel and global exploration. In the past 10 years, Caroline has lived in and traveled to 28 countries on five continents. While writing and recording her national debut album, Dreaming as I Do, she was working for the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) in Portland, Maine, which provided opportunities for international travel and further inspired Caroline’s songwriting. She quit her day job at the start of 2015 when she released Dreaming as I Do. The recording showcases original compositions inspired by globe-hopping: leaving home, coming back, leaving love, coming back, and the questions and observations that arise throughout the journey. “Caroline’s music takes you all over the world — from a Parisian salon, to an Indian ashram, to a bluegrass festival campfire, to the depths of the human heart.” Ticket prices support the Peace Flag Project. For more, wave over to thepeaceflagproject.org or carolinecotter.com Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland has the always fun world-folk-fusion group The Gnomes on April 23. The Gnomes are led by local music mainstays Phil Edmonds and Cathy Clasper-Torch. April 30 will bring a 2pm matinee with children’s entertainer Bill Harley, who will present a Family Concert to benefit the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame. Harley will be inducted into the Music Hall of Fame on April 24 (rhodeislandmusichalloffame.com) and will perform a set of his adult folk music that afternoon as part of the induction concerts. For more, get the folk over to riverfolk.org.

At Sandywoods in Tiverton it’s Hiroya Tsukamoto on Friday, April 22. He is a guitarist and composer originally from Kyoto, Japan. He began playing banjo when he was 13 years old and received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and came to the US. Since then, he has been performing internationally, including several appearances with his group at the Blue Note in New York. He has released six albums and appeared on television shows internationally. Hiroya’s music is a unique style and is sometimes described as “Cinematic acoustic music.” For more, Shinkansen over to: sandywoodsmusic.com

FirstWorks presents the Aurea ensemble’s Chromatic Fantasy on Sunday, April 24 at RISD Auditorium. Aurea, Rhode Island’s own performance ensemble with a superb string quartet at its heart, explores the intense cross-pollination of art, poetry and music at the turn of the 20th century. Focusing on the fascinating output of Lithuanian composer, visual artist and writer, Mikalojus Ciurlionis (1875-1911), this new program interposes some of creations for piano, string quartet and voice with writings and projections of his highly imaginative, symbolic artwork. Works of Bach, Messiaen, Stravinsky and Estonian composer Arvo Pärt will further highlight the striking vibrancy of Ciurlionis’ unique vision and create a context both past and present for his work. For more, color over to first-works.org

Finally, here are some random shows to check out. Every Thursday night, catch singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Chris Monti at Jacky Boy Publik House on Aborn St in Cranston’s Pawtuxet Village (jackyboypublikhouse.com). Thursday, April 21, Dave Schneider is the feature at the Mediator in PVD. William Monroe and Matteo Casini play a special 5:30pm spring concert on April 23 at the Parlour on N. Main St. Beaver Brown’s Gary Gramolini plays an acoustic set at Lindy’s Tavern in Slatersville on Sat, April 23 from 9pm to 1am. He will be joined by Bob Marks on banjo and Steve Malec on guitar and vocals. Cowboy and Lady release their CD at Nick-a-Nee’s on April 23. Joining them will be The Curtis Mayflower band. Also on April 23, Matt and Shannon Heaton will be at Bristol’s Stone Church Coffeehouse. For ticket information or to purchase tickets in advance, call 253-4813 or 253-7288. Mary Ann Rossoni, accompanied by her band, will perform at Stone Soup Coffeehouse on April 30. The Pawtucket Arts Festival presents “Curtains Up,” an awards ceremony and fundraiser, on Thursday, May 5, with music by The Moldy Suitcases (pawtucketartsfestival.org). First Friday East Bay Contra Dance will take place on May 6 at the Warren Armory with Elwood Donnelly calling and the Cicadas providing the music (eastbaycontradance.com).

I am ALWAYS looking for music to let you all know about, but for some reason the press release is becoming extinct. When publicizing any event, all means of getting the word out should be utilized because not everyone gets their info from the same source. If you are involved in producing roots music concerts, please let me know about them. Musicians, too, send me your gigs. Please DON’T send me a Facebook event invite. Send your event info to [email protected]. This has been my occasional public service smack-upside-of-the-head reminder. Thank you.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com Album Of The Week: Endless Mike and The Beagle Club’s Saint Paul

You don’t hear much about the music coming out of Pittsburgh these days. You’ll hear about their sports teams, the fact that the city is still the heartbeat of America’s steel industry and those famous sandwiches from Primanti Bros. If you do your research you’ll actually find a good amount of talented acts that call Pittsburgh home. One of those bands from the outskirts of town in Johnstown is Endless Mike and The Beagle Club, and they have a stellar new album out titled Saint Paul — a jubilant and orchestral record based on folk rhythms.

Mike Miller and his band have a sound that melds the styles of Arcade Fire and The Violent Femmes. It’s classic folk punk with upbeat structures and countless dimensions weaving in and out. With all of this going on, Miller strums his acoustic guitar and sings his heart out with intensity. The album goes by the timeless philosophy that we’re all in this together and things will get better. It’s somewhat optimistic while the lyrics Miller croons reflect life and struggle, but also hope for a light at the end of the tunnel.

There’s something to be admired about bare bones acoustic-based music. If it’s pulled off correctly, the band will unleash as much energy as a rabble-rousing punk band. Endless Mike and The Beagle Club do that in excellent fashion, so let’s get a closer look and dive into the top tracks off of my Album Of The Week.

You know a track is good when it starts with organic clapping and chanting. “The Road To Unmasking” is an excellent example of that with contagious energy feeding off of Miller’s guitar. An electric tune that absolutely kicks is “Try to See Your Life as a Hole;” that drumbeat is seismic and it sets the tone perfectly. The best way to enter into the optimism and reflection on struggles is the ballad “Monitor.” Miller plays a hauntingly sonic piano along with a cello being played to add a fantastic element.

Endless Mike and The Beagle Club will be performing at the Commonwealth Beer Barge in Pittsburgh on April 23 for a night that could be pure madness. There’s a bunch of independent breweries involved along with live music and art exhibits. While you’re there, get a copy of Saint Paul. It’ll give your ears a jolt of unrivaled jubilance.

Stream and listen to “The Road To Unmasking” on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=WIFomjY6ess; Like Endless Mike and The Beagle Club on Facebook: facebook.com/endlessmikeandthebeagleclub

Jared Paul Celebrates His 19th Vegan Birthday At Ada Books on April 19

Providence activist, artist, poet and musician Jared Paul has never been a stranger to radical political thought. He also has been a huge advocate for the rights of all, including animals. On Tuesday, April 19, at Ada Books on Westminster Street in Providence, Paul will be putting on a celebration ringing in his 19th year of being meat and animal product free. Featuring a few other local poets, this promises to be a fun event in a setting where you usually don’t see art being performed live. With that being said, it’s only fitting that a poetry exhibition will be taking place in bookstore where language and prose is king.

The show is a fundraiser for Paul’s flight to Europe where he’ll be embarking on a 15-date tour of the continent starting in June. The expedition will be in support of his acclaimed hip-hop album Get My Ghost that was released via the independent label Black Box Tapes this past October. Listen to Paul’s poetry while indulging in vegan snacks. It’s a night to be educated about real issues and raise awareness of the struggles people face on a daily basis.

Jared Paul is a treasure to see live, so people who enjoy spoken word and genuine and unapologetic intelligence should make an effort to attend. Admission is a half of one hour’s wage of work. For example, if you make $9 an hour at your place of employment then the price of admission will be $4.50. Another option is to pay a suggested donation between $4 and $12; either way the money made at the door goes to Paul taking a trip across the Atlantic to show his craft to new audiences. It starts at 7pm, so you won’t be out too late on a weekday. Head on over to Ada Books on Tuesday and enjoy some poetic bliss in a perfect environment.

Event page for Jared Paul’s 19th Vegan Birthday/European Tour Fundraiser: facebook.com/events/1073698689354583; Jared Paul’s Website: http://www.jaredpaul.org/