The Songmill: Mary Ellen Casey’s Ordinary Day

Little Rhody is a tiny state, but I am willing to bet we have more songwriters per capita than any other. Afloat this summer in our vast pool of dedicated and talented singer songwriters is Mary Ellen Casey.

Mary Ellen is not new to songwriting. She has been writing and performing for years. Like many local songwriters trying to support themselves or supplement their income, she performs a hearty mix of her own compositions along with well-known songs by nationally known artists. Her latest and second commercially released CD of original music, Ordinary Day, showcases how beautiful and pleasant her original music really is.

Similar to the rich vocal styling of Anne Murray, Mary Ellen’s strong, yet smooth voice is perfectly suited for, and carries well, the songs she has selected for this CD.

On first listen, the songs appear to be light with very pop memorable and melodic refrains. Digging in deeper, though, you will hear much more. Between the soft lines of her lilting voice lies an undercurrent of deeper meaning – a soul searching for itself.

The album, dedicated to her soul mate, leads with an up-tempo number “The Love of Her Life” – a quest for someone looking for, and finding, that special someone. Several cuts in this collection laud those who have stayed together through the thick and the thin of it all and come out shining. Probably the finest song on the album is, “You Love Me Anyway” – a passionate and honest reflection on the strengths, weaknesses and differences that hold a couple near and dear. If you buy just one single from this collection, “You Love Me Anyway” would be this reviewer’s pick.

Just when you think the CD only shines a light on love, Mary Ellen’s out celebrating with her mates on “Paddy O’Hara,” a sprightly number that has the listener leaving their troubles behind as they step through the doors of their local pub. ”Paddy O’Hara” celebrates the Irish in us all as we tip a pint or two and toast good friends.

Recorded at Lakewest Recording and produced by Jack Gauthier, the album is a strong, comfortable listen with Duke Robillard backing Mary Ellen on lead guitar and Mark Teixeira moving things along with some tasty rhythms.

The album, all in all, is a salute to the hard working gal/guy. On “Ordinary Day,” you are encouraged to call in a “well-day” from work and simply enjoy a walk about your own town. The title cut, “I Would Love You Despite Of,” takes another look at that couple who despite working hard, carrying a multitude of family responsibilities and the weight of the world on their shoulders, push through and endure. “This Lady” is a tad sad, yet a reminder of how we all feel at times, as we struggle to juggle what life throws at us while trying to find peace, acceptance and a higher purpose in life.

“Bathroom Trash Blues” is a cute tribute to her pup’s trash-pickin’, incurable blunders. The final cut, “New England Town,” captures what it means to be home – a songwriter’s blessing for all she values. It is a beautiful closing number acknowledging those who have come before us and the gifts we’ve been given.

Make a songwriter happy this week by buying a CD, downloading a tune or two, or shutting down that Facebook and going to listen to some original music – maybe even Mary Ellen Casey, on August 17, from 11am to 2pm at Java Madness in South Kingston. Learn more about Mary Ellen by visiting www.maryellencasey.com

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

1. Monday, August 18: “Tunes on the Dunes” with Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds; Free!; 6 to 8pm; All ages; Westerly Town Beach. Here we are in August and once again summer is almost over. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I accomplished very little. I know nothing about this music series, but I know it’s very to close to the beach. Beach, outdoor music, one last chance at redeeming summer. Sister Sparrow are an eight-piece funk / soul act hailing from Brooklyn and seem like they would be perfect in at sunset. So where should one get dinner in Westerly? As a true Rhode Islander, I’ve never been — too far to not have a casino.

2. Tuesday, August 19: Arcade Fire, Antibalas, Dan Deacon; $40 and up?; 7pm; All ages; XFinity Center (GREAT WOODS), Mansfield, Mass. What price were tickets set at? No clue. Clicking on the venue’s site directs you to the Ticket Liquidator. Thanks for everything, Ticketmaster. Anyway, being a fan of Arcade Fire is much like being a fan of Kanye West in that you have to consistently be an apologist for their actions and words. And this tour has ruffled some feathers with the band’s instructions that patrons should wear formal attire or costume. I will be wearing my iron-on tuxedo t-shirt to the 15,000 plus Mansfield costume ball. The huge crowd should be an excellent contrast in high concept art piece meets suburb culture. Maybe I will dress up my red Solo cup for the parking lot as well.

3. Sunday, August 24: Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, The Raskins; Xfinity Center (GREAT WOODS), Mansfield, Mass. Finally, a farewell tour to Motley Crue. I have never been to a Crue show, and I most likely did myself a disservice by not seeing them in the heyday. Not entirely sure I recommend the show, but here’s notice to all those who, like me, did want to see them at some point. Regardless of it being 2014, Crue and Alice Cooper should deliver some fantastic circus-type atmosphere. And for all those who wish they had and still refuse to see them in 2014, I recommend reading The Dirt, the band’s first-person tell-all of their sordid and almost ludicrous adventures from humble beginning to the furthest thing from and on top of the rock world. It is the best autobiography of a rock band I have ever read hands down, and enjoyable regardless of whether you like the band or not.

4. Wednesday, September 3: DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist; $32; 7pm; All ages; House Of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, Mass. The two best hip-hop turntablists of the ’90s/early 2000s are touring together for the first time since 2008. DJ Shadow broke into the mainstream with his 1996 debut full- length record Endtroducing, a masterpiece in samples and made Time Magazine‘s Top 100 All Time Albums (and my top 10 all time records as well). Cut Chemist came to popularity working with funk act Ozomatli and hip-hop act Jurassic 5 in the ’90s. The two collaborated on the 1999 self released Brainfreeze and 2001’s Product Placement. Both showcase not only the depth of their collective record collection with samples of obscure soul and hip-hop, but stand as the benchmark for the flux of mix artists to come. Do yourself a favor and pay the large cover for this one.

5. Sunday September 7th; Wavves; $16.50 advance / $20 day of; 6:30pm doors / 7:30pm show; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. Psych surf punk stoner favorites Wavves return to Rhode Island for the first time in almost four years. They are playing a few dates on what seem to be warm-ups on their way out to Riot Fest in . Since their last time into town, they released Afraid Of Heights in 2013, a record that shows great leaps forward in song writing and recording, but still doesn’t entirely take itself seriously. The record grows on you with each additional play and spent the entire summer in my car player last year. Not only are Wavves one of my favorite bands of this decade, they are at their best live.

Album of the Week: Spoon’s They Want My Soul The best success a band can have is through consistency. I’m not talking about playing the same style in each album you put out, but instead putting out quality music while not being afraid to push boundaries and try new things. Coming a long way from the lo-fi punkish sound of their debut alum Telephono back in 1996, Spoon are back with their first album in four years with They Want My Soul. It might not be as commercial sounding as their chart topper Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga that came out in 2007 or as raw and risk-taking as their earlier material, but Spoon’s new album shows originality, proving that over time they haven’t strayed from their artistic identity. They call it rock & roll; I just think it’s a breath of fresh air in a year of highs and lows.

Releasing their first album off of a new label after leaving a long-time relationship with Merge Records to join Loma Vista Recordings, Spoon is part of an eclectic brand that suits their style perfectly. A few tracks are straight-up rockers with forceful guitars riffs while others offer a mellow take with a heavy base of synth and keys. You can’t deny that front man Britt Daniel still brings his Sinatra beatnik soul, putting his heart into every track over the wonderful rhythms. There’s still that trademark groove that sets Spoon apart from a lot of other bands. You will be head bobbing and feet tapping; if you’re adventurous you might even feel the need to jump around like you’re on a pogo stick.

People are already getting sad that summer is coming to a close and it’s not even the end of August. It’s time for a last-minute BBQ or final trip to the beach to bask in the sun. It’s also time for the top tracks off of my Album Of The Week. It’ll be a great guide to what tracks to jam out your car stereo or to just wake up the neighbors in the privacy of your own home. One thing is guaranteed: Your music taste will thank you for it.

I’ve fallen in love with the first single off of They Want My Soul in “Rent I Pay.” The drum beats combine with the infectious guitar riffs to create a genuinely catchy tune that you can listen to over and over again. The bass licks really make “Rainy Taxi” special; when everything else kicks in you’ll be cutting the coolest rug on the block. A new wavy track in “Outlier” makes me think I’m at a New Order and Depeche Mode concert; this synth-groove number is definitely one for the ravers. Bluesy, soulful and a great departure from everything else on the album, on “I Just Don’t Understand” Britt’s acoustic guitar reels you in and the rest takes it over in the best way only Spoon can. Spoon officially release They Want My Soul on August 5, and you can get a special vinyl release at select record stores listed on the band’s website. If that isn’t cool enough, Spoon will be part of a stacked bill at the 2nd edition of the 2014 Boston Calling Music Festival going on during September 5 – 7 at Boston’s City Hall. Until then, grab yourself a copy of They Want My Soul and enjoy.

Spoon’s website: spoontheband.com

Kongos made Providence dance with their African inspired upbeat alternative rock

By: Josh Estrella

There are a few bands that stand out when you hear them– bands you know are going to make it big–and Kongos are definitely one of them. Last Friday all those gathered in Waterplace Park for the fifth installment of WBRU’s Summer Concert Series had the opportunity to hear their unique African inspired sound live for free. Judging by all of the singing and dancing in the area, the crowd loved them. The night started off with WBRU 2012 and 2013 Rock Hunt semifinalists and rising local band, Satellites Fall, who got the large crowd moving from the start. Although they are not as well known as Kongos, they were able to keep the crowd jumping around to their music and clearly made some new fans along the way.

Next up was the headliner, Kongos. Kongos are based out of Phoenix, Arizona but first gained popularity in South Africa where the four brothers and bandmates, Dylan, Daniel, Jesse and Johnny grew up. Their first album, Lunatic, showcases a new kind of upbeat alternative that just makes you want to hear more. If you haven’t heard them yet, their hit songs “Come With Me Now” and “I’m Only Joking” epitomize what their catchy sound is all about and show why they have been rising up the charts. After becoming popular in South Africa, Kongos re-released their album in the US in 2013 where it is gaining popularity just as fast.

When the Kongos hit the stage the crowd went crazy. The lucky people in the front rushed to the stage while everyone else in the crowded park stood up and fought to get a glimpse of the band. They played through the entirety of Lunatic, giving off a vibe that made the crowd move with their blend of different rock elements, hints of African rhythms and even an accordion. The Kongos knew how to work the crowd, getting all of Waterplace Park into their music quickly. Towards the end of the set the band heightened the excitement of the crowd with an interesting rendition of “Come Together” by the Beatles which even had some rapping. Finally after putting on one of the longest sets of this Summer Concert Series, the Kongos gave the crowd what they came for and finished the night off with their hit single “Come With Me Now” getting the crowd to sing with them.

This upcoming Friday, August 1, the WBRU 2014 Summer Concert Series will be coming to a close with the last two bands, Sleeper Agent, who once played at Coachella and appeared on Jimmy Fallon, and local Experimental Americana band, The ‘Mericans. Make sure you stop by Waterplace Park early for the last free concert of the summer.

Friday, August 1 at Waterplace Park, WBRU hosts its last free concert of the summer @ 7pm.

EDM: Essentials

On the stage is your favorite artist. Behind them their light show bedazzles. Their bass blasts through some of the heaviest speakers in the industry, sending wave after wave through an audience of thousands who know every word and melody.

EDM artists are today’s rock stars. Forget the guitars and drums — everything is a feeling and massive amounts of people bring unity like no religion can. Some of the best fresh unreleased tracks are played during EDM festivals in July and August for promotional reasons. Fans have plenty of opportunities to see the biggest techno, electro, house and dub step acts, and DJs from local to global.

As a fan, the essentials needed for events are pretty simple. Stay hydrated, keep the carbs and protein at a constant flow, and let the baseline melodies take you away. DJs creatively evolve during events, from setting up stages to proper sound check. As a party goer it’s very important to be aware of your favorite DJ’s time slot. It’s the best feeling when you’re up close to experience your favorite track dropping into melody.

One of my favorite moments in a show is when the song releases from full drum penetration into complete silence. That’s when all the whistling goes across the crowd. All of the sudden, the heavy climbing pluck synths start filtering through the speakers. That’s when all hell breaks loose — hands in the air and smiling faces all jump up and down dancing as the beat kicks back into its maximum peak potential.

OSHEEN’s Top 10 House EDM Picks for August 2014

1. Ruffneck – “Everybody Be Somebody” 2014 remix

2. Mark Night – “In and Out”

3 Don Diablo – “Night Time”

4 Block and Crown – “Inside My Head”

5 Osheen – “Citrus Acid”

6 Federico Scavo – “Colegiala”

7 Rober Gaez – “Dancintz”

8 Haxton Whores – “Move it Now”

9 Mazi, Fomin, Doctor – “Blue”

10 Tradelove – “Around the World”

Making the Stage: Local open mic picks up

There is a stage in Providence looking for performers. Join the PVD Hoot for a chance to perform or sit in the audience for an opportunity to cheer on local musicians of all types.

The PVD Hoot is an open mic that makes its home at Anchor, a work-exhibition space on Rice Street in Providence.

Started by Josh Aromin and Sarah Mead in October of last year, the Hoot has embarked on a year-long venture to bring a performance space for all to the city. The performance stage has gone walkabout in an effort to become more of a “mobile mic” bringing the stage to the people who want to perform on it, and to audiences in the heart of downtown. The Hoot is using Grant’s Block to get outside, but this past Sunday, the rain moved them inside to the Providence Polaroid Project (the old Craftland location), across the street. This collaboration between the PVD Hoot and Providence Polaroid is the only the first of many, or so hope Hoot co-founders Aromin and Mead.

“People keeping saying, ‘we need to work together,’” said Aromin. They have been looking to work with more of the projects that are part of Popup Providence initiative.

A rainy Sunday didn’t see the turn out that the Hoot usually gets. Only four people performed, two of whom are involved with the Hoot, including Aromin. When the stage is set at The Anchor, between 30 and 40 people usually show up. When the performance has been hosted at Grant’s Block they’ve drawn crowds of up to 100 people.

“We got rubberneckers,” Mead said with a smile.

The Hoot started when Aromin’s cousin, Armand Aromin, a violin-maker, moved his workspace into the Anchor. The Anchor provides free performance and exhibition space to its residents. Armand asked Josh for ideas of events to host.

“I said, ‘An open mic would be great,’” Aromin recounted. Cafes and restaurants often will host open mics, but inviting people in to perform or to watch people perform does not necessarily turn a profit, and the open mic remains secondary to the goal of establishment, namely selling food and beverages.

Aromin wanted to re-create the vibe that the erstwhile Tazza Cafe had at their open mics.

When they’re at home at The Anchor, they serve free beer and coffee, donated by Narragansett brewery, and New Harvest, respectively.

“We wanted to be an open mic that just happens to have free coffee and beer,” Aromin explained.

When Aromin was set to make the open mic happen, he invited friend and co-worker Mead to help him put it on. Mead has a degree in marketing, and had experience putting on events.

“Sarah had never done an open mic before,” Aromin laughed.

But Mead took on the planning and they’ve been successfully drawing a crowd since.

“Once you’ve done the first event, you figure out what to do. Every time we do it it’s tiring, but definitely worth it,” Mead said.

Sunday’s Hoot was also a send off party, because Mead is moving back to her home state, Connecticut. Aromin sang her a song he wrote, I hope when you pass through Providence it still feels like home.

One goal of the Hoot is to expand the project to other cities, so Mead’s move signals a future for the Hoot outside Providence. Until then, the Hoot will be continuing at The Anchor until this October.

Aromin recited the Hoot’s unofficial motto, “Our stage is your stage. I don’t care what your talent level is.”

For more information visit their website at http://pvdhoot.com

You can head out (and perform) 2PM performances at Grant’s block, 5PM at The Anchor: Aug. 10 – Grant’s Block Aug. 20 – The Anchor Aug. 24 – Grant’s Block Sep. 7 – Grant’s Block Sep. 17 – The Anchor Sep. 28 – Grant’s Block

Top 10 Shows at the Newport Folk Fest

Every July in Rhode Island, The City By The Sea becomes electric with some of the best musicians on the planet coming to play Fort Adams. The Newport Folk Festival has reemerged as one of the premier stops of the summer music festival season. Famous for being the site of Bob Dylan’s highly amplified rock ‘n’ roll performance back in 1965, the festival has also played host to blues legend Son House, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, My Morning Jacket and Beck. To give you a guide of what you can’t miss this time around, here are my 10 things you have to check out at this year’s Newport Folk Festival:

10.) All Newport’s Eve @ The Newport Blues Café

The night before the official start of the festival on July 24, there will be a stacked bill at The Newport Blues Café on 286 Thames Street featuring everyone’s favorite new Nashville musician by way of Providence, Joe Fletcher and his band of Wrong Reasons, fellow Nashville resident J.P. Harris and his Tough Choices, Philadelphia folk phenom Langhorne Slim, fellow Philadelphians Toy Soldiers, Dead Confederate’s T. Hardy Morris, Dallas’ Andrew Combs, The Deslondes from New Orleans, Providence’s orchestral pop act Arc Iris and New England singer-songwriter Ian Fitzgerald. If you’re in the area this is surely a pre-festival party you don’t want to miss.

9.) The After Parties

One part of The Newport Folk Festival that makes it so special are the shows buzzing around town after each day. On Friday, June 25 at Jimmy’s Saloon on 37 Memorial Boulevard Roz & The Rice Cakes, Torn Shorts, Pier Jump and Silverteeth will be bringing the fun while the following night at the Saloon Boston rock ‘n’ roll act Oldjack will be throwing their 2nd annual Newport Nights with fellow Bostonians Tigerman WOAH, The Rationales & Nate Leavitt with Providence blues-rockers The Silks joining in on the fray. At The Tavern On Broadway right in the heart of downtown Newport on Saturday, The Mighty Good Boys will be making you dance like you have ants in your pants for a night of jug band bluegrass you can’t miss. If that isn’t enough, Deer Tick will be playing all three nights at The Blues Café as part of their annual Folk Fest after parties. Each night is filled with amazing acts sharing the stage with Deer Tick and be prepared to expect the unexpected.

8.) Reignwolf (Friday 2:55 @ Quad Stage)

You can talk about great up-and-coming acts, and then you have to talk about blues act Reignwolf. Lead by wildman Jordan Cook on guitar and vocals, Reignwolf promises to leave quite the impression by leaving it all on the stage. These guys are just coming off from doing a tour with Black Sabbath and Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell are singing their praises. They don’t have an album out yet, but you can check out a few tracks from Reignwolf on their website at reignwolf.com.

7.) J. Roddy Walston & The Business (Saturday 1:15 @ Harbor Stage)

A rip roaring rock ‘n’ roll band out of Baltimore, J. Roddy Walston & The Business are definitely going to be the prime attraction to light up your Saturday afternoon by the sea. This quartet came out with one of the best albums of 2013 with Essential Tremors and I highly suggest picking up a copy at the merch table after you see them play.

6.) The Devil Makes Three (Friday 2:05 @ Fort Stage)

It can be weird at times to see a band perform as a trio without having any drums, but The Devil Makes Three are so good they don’t need any. This folk act from Santa Cruz, Calif., has some local roots from performing with Joe Fletcher on numerous occasions and staging a benefit show for the late David Lamb of Brown Bird at Fete in Providence last year. I had the pleasure of seeing The Devil Makes Three play The Folk Fest back in 2011 and I’ve been a fan ever since.

5.) Jimmy Cliff (Friday 5:30 @ Quad Stage)

The Newport Folk Fest always has its fair share of legends that perform and on Friday you’ll be able to experience one up close and personal with reggae icon Jimmy Cliff. Jimmy is the only living musician who holds the Jamaican Order Of Merit along with being famous for hits like “The Harder They Come” and “Many Rivers To Cross” as well as his covers of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” and Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now.” If you like to groove and you like to move, then Jimmy should be exactly what you’re looking for.

4.) Trampled By Turtles (Sunday 4:10 @ Quad Stage)

Straight from Duluth, Minn., bluegrass act Trampled By Turtles have a great cult following in the folk community and seeing them play the Quad Stage on Sunday will be a fantastic way to highlight your Folk Fest finale. A week ago they put out their seventh studio album, Wild Animals, so they’ll likely perform a few live renditions off of it. Ideal for the folk enthusiast, Trampled By Turtles very well could be one of the top live bands to see throughout the entire festival. 3.) Conor Oberst (Sunday 3:20 @ Fort Stage)

No stranger to playing Newport Folk, Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst is sure to amaze with his heartfelt songs and intense demeanor on stage. The kid from Omaha, Neb., is a trailblazer in his own right and it seems that the more he plays the more his illustrious reputation grows. Like many of the acts performing this year, Conor has a new solo album out with Upside Down Mountain. His versatility is astounding; expect Conor to bust out a few new songs to mix in with a bunch of classics.

2.) (Sunday 4:45 @ Fort Stage)

Right after Conor Oberst plays on Sunday, stick around for something special when ’s Jeff Tweedy heads up to the Fort Stage. He’s currently working on a project with his son Spencer called Tweedy and they should be putting out their debut album Sukierae this September. Who knows? Maybe Spencer will join his dad on stage. Regardless, seeing Jeff Tweedy perform is something that no music fan should miss.

1.) Jack White (Saturday 6:15 @ Fort Stage)

This one is kind of an obvious choice to be #1, but can you blame me? The rock ‘n’ roll enigma from Detroit who is now based in Nashville has his second solo album out, Lazzaretto, which is pretty damn good. He’ll be the headliner for the festivities on Saturday. Jack White is a treat to see perform and he lives up to the billing as one of the best guitarists on the planet.

Besides these 10 things that you can’t miss at this year’s Newport Folk Festival, there will be so much talent floating around Fort Adams and plenty of activities to partake in. The best part might be Boston’s Dan Blakeslee strumming his black kraken adorned acoustic guitar as the festival goers embark on their nightly escapades. For all the info on what else is happening at The 2014 Newport Folk Festival, check out newportfolk.org.

The Sharp Dressed Band Is Looking…well…Sharp! It’s no secret that blues jams have been popping up all over. Musicians from all over Rhode Island and the surrounding states come out to share their talent while the rest of us come out to listen or maybe just dance our worries away. There is a pretty standard procedure of how things run in a blues jam. People write down their name and what instrument they play on a sign-up sheet and the MC calls out names and sticks a hodgepodge of talented musicians on stage together. The musicians whisper back and forth about what songs they know and who is going to sing what. And then the most amazing thing happens — five or so people who have never played together or never even met manage to create something extraordinary. They play their hearts out and you would swear their performance was rehearsed. I frequent blues jams and for people like me, the not musically talented, these nights are all about seeing who is playing where, deciding which event to attend and socializing.

Every once in a while someone on stage has the power to control the entire room with a guitar or drum solo ripping across the crowd. The chitchat silences as the audience listens in awe. I experienced one of those moments during the performance of young musician and Rhode Island native, Rob Davis. His guitar and voice silenced the crowd for two reasons — one, he sounded amazing, and two, he is only 19 and sounded amazing. How does someone so young have the knowledge and talent to not only keep up with performers with more experience, but to actually surpass musicians who have had more stage time than Rob has been alive? I needed to know the full story so I asked Rob for an interview.

You might imagine that Rob has been playing guitar since birth, but it’s only been about seven years. Rob told me that the first time he picked up an instrument, he was in the sixth grade. He played the drums at school and the guitar at home. Later that year, he took a real interest in his musical education and talked to his parents about taking guitar lessons. Rob reminisced about his family’s support, sharing that his mother, stepfather, grandma and father all pitched in through the years. Somewhere around his junior year of high school, he and some friends formed a band called The Sharp Dressed Band.

The members of The Sharp Dressed Band are Sam Hemmendinger on bass, Jason Taylor on guitar, Evan Perry on drums, Dave Priri on piano and Rob Davis on guitar and vocals. Rob mentioned James Roy, who also sits in from time to time. The band played together for the first time at the Cranston West High School holiday show and their chosen song was “Sweet Home Alabama.” Rob never really sang and never really wanted to, but the band needed a vocalist, so he stepped up to the microphone and away they went. Rob described how his voice has progressed since then; he has learned to control it and has even added a bit of a rasp. Soon winter turned to spring and the spring talent show was knocking at this band’s door. They entered the show with two songs: “Pride and Joy” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” In the show program, the band was listed as The Sharp Dressed Band and the name stuck.

Making the transition from school shows to local bars proved easier than expected. Rob walked into FitzPatrick’s in Cranston for a jam when he was 16 years old. There he met Billy Lehourites, a frequenter of jams and an amazing guitarist. Billy mentioned to Rob that he was looking for a band to open for him at Christopher’s just down the street and wondered if Rob’s band would be interested. The members of The Sharp Dressed Band managed to slap together two and a half hours of music and they took the gig.

While the band sticks to mainly ’60s, ’70s and ’80s classic rock, there seems to be no limit to Rob’s ever expanding knowledge of genres and artists. “When playing acoustic my set list can be anything — rock, blues, jazz, top 40 hits. There is a huge difference between songs I know how to play and songs I perform. I could sit down for four hours straight and not play the same song twice.”

Rob’s fascination with different genres began when he started taking guitar lessons. “Guitar Hero had a huge influence on me. Yes, it may have been a stupid video game, but it really broadened my horizons and introduced me to artists I had never heard before.”

After that, Rob was hooked on classic rock; he talked of raiding his father’s CD cabinet for Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Van Halen. Rob slowly fudged his way through these legendary albums on his own guitar. Senior year, Rob transitioned from rock and started taking to the blues. “My first time walking in here [Murphy’s Law] was last year, scared shitless. I did not know any blues. I played stuff like , George Thoroughgood, and Tom Petty. People would ask ‘Do you know Robert Cray, or Buddy Guy?’”

“I don’t know them,” he’d reply with a shrug. But Rob continued as he always did, learning new artists and absorbing new material, with a little help along the way. He became a blues aficionado in no time. “I learned a lot from these guys. The blues community really takes you under their wing.”

Most talented musicians tend to see themselves becoming rich and famous in the future; however, for this modest artist that is not the case. “I’m not in it for the money, I’m really not. As long as I can put gas in my tank I’m happy.”

Despite school never being his thing, Rob is working his butt off at URI to get his degree in sociology. Why not music? “I know a lot of music majors who graduated with their degree and they’re just miserable. Music is no longer fun. To them it’s just work. If one day one-third of my income is made by music, that’d be great. But I’m not going to force it.”

As the night wore on, Rob and I continued to chat about the music scene in RI and how it’s exploding. “The Cranston music scene has been growing exponentially over the past year, and I am so glad to be part of it! Every day my name gets out there just a little more and I have the Rhode Island music community to thank for that.”

Free live music can be found seven days a week in your local townie bars. Near the end of our conversation, Rob delivered the quote of the night: “The age of the night club is dead; the local bar is now the place to be.”

The Sharp Dressed Band will be performing on Block Island at Captain Nick’s every Saturday and Sunday all summer long and Rob can be seen performing at local jams on the mainland Monday through Friday. For more information on the band, check out their Facebook page: facebook.com/TheSharpDressedBand

Album Of The Week: Field Mouse’s Hold Still Life

I’ve noticed bands dabbling in the style of shoegaze lately. An excellent example of this phenomenon is Field Mouse from Brooklyn — that melting pot of creativity. This gothic fuzz pop quartet have an album titled Hold Still Life out this week and it’s quite a jewel from the independent underground. Imagine if Depeche Mode, Blood Red Shoes, Jesus & The Mary Chain and The Cranberries melded together. Field Mouse is the closest thing to that.

Field Mouse has a British alternative rock influence, separated from the norm by Rachel Browne’s exquisite voice giving a velvet sheen to the rigid tones. The album was self-produced with Kyle Gilbride from Philly act Swearin’ on mixing duties. The tracks form pictures in your mind and as the album goes along, a story influenced by the fast-paced lifestyle of living in The Big Apple unfolds. The emphasis of the guitars give Field Mouse’s sound a lot of energy.

As we approach the dreaded dog days of summer it’s important to cool off and relax. Do both by listening to the top tracks off my album of the week. Best with a refreshing beverage in hand, they’ll show you what’s good without making you break a sweat. The opening number, “A Place You Return To In A Dream,” starts with monster bass licks and chords that display the beauty in simplicity. Old-school new wave with a nice edge, “Two Ships” makes you believe you’re in an ’80s discotheque when the synth kicks in. Deep and dark tones are abundant in “Happy.” This one rocks with reckless abandon and takes the amplification to a whole new level.

You can check out Field Mouse at Great Scott in Allston, Mass., on August 10, and they’ll be doing spectacular tour of the midwest and southeast United States in September with Prawn, Diamond Youth and A Great Big Pile Of Leaves. Hopefully they’ll come through Providence soon, but until then grab a copy of Field Mouse’s new album Hold Still Life. It’s another one of those awesome albums by a band you might not know much about, but pressing play could make you a fan.

Field Mouse’s website: fieldmousemusic.com

Soul Memorial Honors Dennis McCarthy

On Sunday, July 27, the Rhode Island musical community will come together for a special event at The Met in Pawtucket to celebrate the life of beloved musician Dennis McCarthy. The singer/songwriter passed away unexpectedly in his Providence apartment on June 2, leaving behind catalogue of well-crafted, soulful songs. The event, called Soul Memorial, will feature a host of local musicians, who will take the stage in celebration of the late singer’s legacy.

In the Late ’70s and early ’80s, McCarthy fronted the Groovemasters, a band whose eclectic style put his versatile voice in the limelight. He was also a member of the Dynamic Johnsons.

In recent years, McCarthy and his band had become a mainstay of the Thursday night slot at Nick-a- Nee’s. He also sat in with local bassist Joe Potenza at Aspire. A die-hard performer until the end, his last gig was at the Ocean Mist in Matunuck on May 30.

The music at the event will be a retrospective of McCarthy’s impressive tenure in the music scene. It will feature performances by The Nick-a-Nee’s Band and The Groovemasters, with a special appearance from world-famous jazz saxophonist, Greg Abate. Also in attendance will be The Ubiquitones with help from RI music veteran Marc Cutler and The Last Call Band. Running the show will be emcees Len Cabral, Rudy Cheeks and Mark Taber.

The event will also serve as a CD release party. One of McCarthy’s lifelong dreams was to have his own recording, an undertaking he never finished. Luckily, he had some great friends who stepped up and finished it for him. McCarthy didn’t have a funeral or wake, so this is Rhode Island’s only opportunity to honor a man who meant so much to the Rhode Island music scene. If you want to help celebrate his memory by listening to some of the area’s biggest talents, this is not an event to be missed.

Soul Memorial will be held on July 27 at 4:30pm at The Met located at Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. Entrance fee: $10 suggested donation, with a potluck dinner and all proceeds going to Dennis McCarthy’s son, Jefferson.