The White Panda at Lupo’s
On Wednesday, December 30, Cali-based mashup duo The White Panda (TWP) graced the stage at Lupo’s for the fifth time, and they did not disappoint. When I caught up with Tom, AKA Procrast, one half of TWP, a few weeks back, he told me to expect a sweaty, confetti and high energy-infused party at the Providence stop of their new tour (in support of their new album, The Pawprint), and that’s just what we got.
When I arrived at the venue at 9, I was immediately struck by what I found myself a part of — opening act Witt Lowry (a Connecticut rapper) was still on, but already the party was in full effect. The place was packed with turnt (and, suffice to say, plurnt), college-aged kids doing the damn thing.
Admittedly, as a 25-year-old quasi-veteran of this scene, I felt a little out of place. But once I started vibing to the uber-charismatic Lowry (a Connecticut-based rapper) as he absolutely murdered his set, I felt much more comfortable in the crowd. I was impressed by his flow, craycray display of energy, and command of the wild audience. I also felt grateful to be exposed to a new (to me, anyway) artist that I really enjoyed seeing perform (yet might’ve skipped over if he’d popped up on my Pandora previously). In my opinion, this is what seeing live shows is all about.
When TWP hit the stage around 10:30, they wasted no time (or LED lights, fog, mixes and dancing, for that matter) popping shit (further) off. The dapper duo (dressed in matching white-on-white shirt-and- tie ensembles, plus their signature LED panda masks) leveraged (and built upon) the killer vibes conjured by openers Witt Lowry and DJ Gnash to create an almost unrestrained atmosphere, complete with solid crowd engagement and, I’ll say it: bangers.
The best way that I could describe my relationship with TWP’s set (and for that matter, their entire catalog) is this: To me, they make every track they sample “sing,” even tracks that I don’t enjoy on their own. Examples at Lupo’s included Pompeii’s “Bastille” and Adele’s “Hello.” These guys certainly know how to throw a party! Don’t Quit Your Day Job: J. Kobalt
Welcome to the second installment of Don’t Quit Your Day Job where I try to figure out how local musicians and struggling artists pay their rent. Let me tell you a tale: Sometime around 2001 I was at a local show standing somewhere in the middle of the crowd enjoying a band I had never seen before. Suddenly I heard the all-too-familiar opening riff to “Among the Living” by Anthrax, and even though it was very out of my introvert character, I hopped up on stage, grabbed a 2nd microphone and sang the whole song along with the lead singer. When the band finished their set, I introduced myself to a man who has been a dear friend ever since. Back then he was J. Kobalt, a small unassuming guy with a long ponytail and glasses. The most caring, soft-spoken guy you could ever meet … until the glasses come off and the metal machine powers up! Only a few things have changed in the last 15 years. He has the same glasses and hair (plus a beard so bad-ass it has its own Facebook page!) and the metal machine is still powered up, just singing for a new band. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the artist formerly known as J. Kobalt. Josh Hurst: Name, age and location? J. Costa: J. Costa, 36, The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. JH: What band(s) are you in and what do you do in them? JC: My primary focus, musically, is vocals and myriad other things in the heavy metal band Thy Will Be Done. I also sing in various projects (Lead Pipe Cruelty) and/or starting projects: one with my girlfriend and one with my friend David.
JH: How long have you been at this rock ‘n’ roll thing?
JC: I’ve been pursuing it for 20 years and doing it professionally for 16 years. JH: What do you do to pay the rent? JC: I do inventory stuff for the most popular personal computer brand in the world. They also make phones, music players and watches. JH: How did you end up with your current day job? JC: The previous company I was with for over 12 years starting eliminating benefits as well as shifting their culture. They were once everything about the music and allowed employees in established music projects to tour and have a job to come back to, but they changed their corporate structure and did away with the Band Leave of Absence as well as a plethora of other crucial benefits. It was a very hot topic when some folks heard I was leaving my previous job. I was subsequently approached about submitting my resume to my current employer by someone who not only used to work at that same company years prior, but enjoyed the experiences I provided them with. JH: What drives you to keep at music if you need to have the day job to pay bills? JC: I love to create, especially music. The medium I gravitate to has also been very cathartic. When I was younger, listening to loud and aggressive music provided a release from my anxieties and frustrations, which then lead to wanting to create my own, channel it well and make it productive. JH: Besides the income, what keeps you at your current day job? JC: I enjoy the people I work with. Many are like-minded in our pursuit to enrich people’s lives. I’m surrounded by a multitude of talent and learn new things every day. The challenge is refreshing. But, also, much like the majority of lower, middle-class Americans feel, the job security and benefits help.
JH: Does anything in your day job correlate to your musical endeavors?
JC: Not yet. Maybe someday. There’s someone who works for the same company who’s far more established than I am. It’s inspiring, as he seems like he’s going in more of an upward spiral these days.
JH: Where can anyone interested find you during your day work or night work?
JC: We post updates via: facebook.com/ThyWillBeDone and we recently made a new Instagram: @_twbd_
Rob’s Top 10 Providence Shows of 2015
St. Vincent; Photo Credit: Kendra Whitcomb
Another year in our wonderful little city of Providence has passed and it has been a great year for live music in The Creative Capital. A few shows happened in a few unlikely spots, some big names had their first ever shows in Providence and local acts showed that they could still put on a party. I wasn’t able to make it out to every show going on, but there are a good number that I got to check out in 2015 that’ll always stick in my mind. Here are my Top 10 Providence Shows of the year:
10.) Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls @ Fete Music Hall 12/15
When this show got announced a few months ago you could sense the anticipation. And no wonder — Turner and his band of Sleeping Souls delivered with an energetic show that captivated a sold out crowd in the ballroom of Fete Music Hall. It was also their first ever show in Rhode Island. A performance that lasted over 2 hours included some of his newer material “Get Better” and “Josephine” along with the classics “Peggy Sang The Blues,” “Reasons Not To Be An Idiot” and “I Still Believe.” Boston pop punks Rebuilder and The Homeless Gospel Choir, the folk punk project of Pittsburgh based musician Derek Zanetti, opened up the night to set a vibrant tone for an extremely enjoyable show.
9.) Sebadoh @ The Met 6/6
Ever since my early college days I’ve been a huge fan of Lou Barlow whether as the bassist for ’80s alternative rock legends Dinosaur Jr. or sharing songwriting duties with Jason Loewenstein in the lo-fi indie rock act Sebadoh. It was an absolute pleasure seeing Sebadoh play again; they always manage to bring a unique kind of intensity when they play live. You also had Cleveland geek punks Total Babes and Providence emo trio Twin Foxes on the bill for a well rounded night of great music. There was a little over 100 people in attendance and for a big room like The Met it provided for an up close experience that you rarely get.
8.) Jared Paul Get My Ghost Record Release @ Firehouse 13 10/16
A great example of how much of a comeback the hip-hop scene has made in Providence was Jared Paul’s release show for his first full length Get My Ghost this past October. Medusah Black showed once again why she is a force to be reckoned with through her lyrical delivery that’s always on point. The Funk Underground flat out impressed me with their incredible stage presence and organic electricity. They’re a band that I’m amped to see what they do in 2016. Paul gave his heart and soul into a performance that included “$8 Smoothie,” “Five Or Five Thousand” and “Down With The Bank Kings.” The packed house was into it all from start to finish and the feeling was contagious.
7.) Elder @ AS220 3/6
Ben Barnett and the crew over at Armageddon Shop on Broadway put on an insane metal show at AS220 in March. You had New Bedford progressive fuzz metal gods Elder headlining a bill that attracted so many people that AS220’s performance space was nearly over capacity. Magic Circle from Boston were incredible, very reminiscent of Dio and Iron Maiden. Seattle’s Mos Generator stayed true to their roots with a sludgy sound that had me in awe. After everything ended I was simply amazed, truly one of the best metal shows I’ve been to in a while.
6.) Atlantic Thrills Vices Album Release @ Dusk 12/5
With a local show of this magnitude you knew going in that it was guaranteed to be a blast. It was a garage rock extravaganza in celebration of Atlantic Thrills’ second album, Vices, with Pyramid, Eric & The Nothing and Neutrinos providing a stacked bill. Atlantic Thrills concluded a raucous set with back- to-back renditions of Bad Company’s “Feel Like Making Love” and Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild.” There was also a giant papier-mâché whiskey bottle that got obliterated and left shreds all over the small venue on Harris Avenue. Complete bedlam was abundant that evening and it was something truly incredible to witness.
5.) B. Dolan Kill The Wolf Album Release @ The Met 7/11
Another testament of Providence’s hip-hop scene coming back was B. Dolan’s release show for his fantastic full length Kill The Wolf at The Met this past July. An all-local star-studded lineup with hardcore punk legends Dropdead, thrashy math punks Ask The Dead, the immensely talented Roz Raskin and Dolan’s compadre Sage Francis shared the stage. One moment I will never forget would be when B. Dolan was performing “Jailbreak” and The Silks’ Tyler-James Kelly joined in on the chorus that was originally recorded by the late Dave Lamb from Brown Bird. It was one of a handful of nights throughout the year that brought the entire Providence music scene together.
4.) Providence Garage Fest @ AS220 11/14
The main event as part of a weekend party in November curated by Shybluespaceman’s John White, the Providence Garage Fest was a wild show that had kickass band after kickass band performing. Punk rock act Gavage was celebrating the release of their self-titled debut album. The Worried played a down and dirty rock set that blew minds all over the room. St. James & The Apostles from Philadelphia brought a bit of soul and Party Pigs concluded the night. I hope Mr. White does it again next year because the first Providence Garage Fest was a treat to experience.
3.) Roz and The Rice Cakes Close Encounter 7” Release @ Providence Public Library 6/19
Indie pop trio Roz and The Rice Cakes always have a habit of doing things out of the ordinary and the release show for the 7″ single “Close Encounter” was no different. It took place in the auditorium of the Providence Public Library on Empire Street and the setting was very quaint. You had the Classical High School Jazz and Rock Band starting the festivities off with a slew of covers. Psychedelic Austin, Texas shred masters Megafauna shocked and amazed everyone in attendance. Roz Raskin, Casey Belisle and Justin Foster then proceeded to put everyone in a trance and make them dance. It was a very fun show and it’ll be cool to see more live music at the library’s auditorium next year.
2.) A Tribute to David Hemingway @ Columbus Theatre 10/2
One of the low points for the Providence music scene this year was the loss of long time drummer David Hemingway due to cancer. During a sad time for a lot of people who played with “Handsome Dave” and/or were friends with him, the community came together for a show featuring a lot of Hemingway’s closest friends at the Columbus Theatre. Emotional performances from Dan White and Sasquatch & The Sick-A-Billys highlighted the night, but what will always stick with me from that show was the a cappella rendition of Warren Zevon’s “Keep Me In Your Heart” by Seamus Weeden and Jesse Smith from Smith & Weeden. All the proceeds went to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; it was a spectacular night celebrating the life of one of Providence’s finest.
1.) St. Vincent @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel 3/8
It’s crazy when you go to a show to see someone you’ve hardly ever heard of and after it all ends it immediately becomes one of the best shows you’ve ever seen in your life. That’s what happened when I saw the enigmatic St. Vincent at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in March. The way she carried herself on stage was impeccable and her techniques on guitar put me in a state of astonishment. “Huey Newton,” “Rattlesnake” and “Strange Mercy” made me an instant fan. Opening act Jenny Hval provided a mellow mood as well. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen (easily in my top five of all time) and that’s why it’s the best show I saw in Providence in 2015.
With a year like 2015 for live music in Providence, 2016 looks like it could be even better. You’re going to have to go out and see for yourself.
Top 20 Albums Of 2015 (Because 10 Wasn’t Enough)
There’s a lot to be said for music in 2015. It was a year of consistently great albums from both the independent and mainstream. A few acts came out of nowhere to deliver masterpieces while a few vets released some of their best work in years. As we reach the second half of the 2010s we see music reflecting on the tumultuous times — youth are using art to combat their feeling of alienation and being cast aside. 2015 was a year of poignancy and profundity on countless levels and it was reflected in the music. It also was a year of prodigies and wunderkinds reaching their potential, and here are my Top 20 Albums of 2015, because 10 wasn’t enough.
20.) The Battery Electric – The Heart and The Thrill (Little Dick Man)
A bunch of wildmen from Asbury Park, New Jersey, who fuse Misfits-esque punk, ’70s heavy metal and vintage Motown soul, The Battery Electric are bound to give a shock to your system with their second full length, The Heart and The Thrill, that came out in March. Ron Santee can absolutely wail on vocals and Brent Bergholm scorches on guitar. Alexander Rosen holds it down on bass with Santee also playing drums on the album. These guys’ charisma shows with The Heart and The Thrill. “Heathen,” “Key Party” and “Crown Royal” are bound to rev you up. 19.) Jose Oyola & The Astronauts – Hologram (Purebred)
New Haven, Connecticut, indie musician Jose Oyola manages to head into a different dimension with his music on the new album he did with The Astronauts in Hologram. His bilingual lyrics that shift between English and Spanish, intelligent songwriting reflecting his thoughts on the world and outer space along with his uncanny way of finding a groove and rhythm in complex structures makes Oyola truly stand out. “Inside/Out” is catchy along with having a killer bass line, “Lune” has a distinct edge with Oyola riffing on electric guitar, and “Miedo” combines indie rock and mariachi for something truly special. Hologram is the epitome of a musician not being afraid of being himself, and that’s why it’s on this list.
18.) Wild Sun – Little Truths (American Laundromat)
Wild Sun are a fantastic alternative rock trio from Westerly, Rhode Island, that are some of the most talented musicians in New England. Glenn Kendzia writes pristine son
gs while bassist Paul Fazio and drummer Cameron Raubeson syncopate perfectly as a rhythm section. Together they create a tightly knit and flowing sound on their debut album, Little Truths. “Shy Hinges” is an emotional love song with an amplified punch, “The Vacation” is one of the best songs to come out of The Ocean State in a few years, and “Windowless Room” has infectious angst. The future looks bright for Wild Sun and hopefully their follow-up will be even better.
17.) Evans The Death – Expect Delays (Slumberland/Fortuna Pop!)
With all the music coming out of the United Kingdom, you probably didn’t expect an up-and-coming act not familiar to us in The States to make this list. Evans The Death from London put out an awesome album with Expect Delays. Classic British indie with hints of raw noise and punk rhythms reminiscent of Siouxie & The Banshees take things over from track to track. You’re bound to gravitate to “Bad Year,” “Enabler” and “Sledgehammer.” Expect Delays is a very underrated album from a band that are on to bigger things in the coming years.
16.) Banditos – S/T (Bloodshot)
Honky-tonk, country-stained rock ‘n’ roll is what Banditos are all about, and you’ll know why once you listen to their self-titled debut that came out in May. They really push the envelope in an age where anything related to folk music is becoming increasingly copied, redundant and boring. What Banditos do best is play at a feverish pace with grit and soul. It all comes together to make for wonderful music that’ll wow you. “The Breeze,” “Waitin'” and “Cry Baby Cry” are going to make you dance. 15.) Atlantic Thrills – Vices (Almost Ready)
In Providence, one of the highest anticipated releases of 2015 was Atlantic Thrills’ second album, Vices. They absolutely delivered and even took a few risks by going with more of a polished surf and vintage route rather than the sheer rawness of their self-titled debut that came out last year. Vices still has the party vibe Atlantic Thrills are known for, and that’s all that matters. Speaking of partying, “Live For The Weekend” talks about just that. “Bed Bugs” is a jumpstarter that’ll make you boogie, and “Treat My Baby” has a doo-wop vibe that’ll stick in your head.
14.) Leon Bridges – Coming Home (Columbia)
Some musicians are considered a blast from the past and then there’s Leon Bridges from Fort Worth, Texas. His voice harks back to Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, and his guitar playing is reminiscent of B.B. King. Bridges also dresses like something straight out of the late ’50s and early ’60s. His debut album, Coming Home, that came out in June has that old- school tone. Check out the title track “Coming Home,” the straight talkin’ “Smooth Sailin'” and the gospel ballad “River;” they each exemplify Bridges’ finest talents.
13.) Bully – Feels Like (Startime International/Columbia) When the lead singer of your band is a former intern at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studios in Chicago and is also an experienced engineer, it’s almost a given that your album is going to sound great. That’s what you get with frontwoman Alicia Bognanno and Nashville garage punks Bully’s debut full length, Feels Like. There’s a heart-on-the-sleeve aesthetic to Bognanno’s songwriting that makes this album an absolute gem. “Milkman” is a thrasher that’s hits you right from the start; the chorus in “Trying” will send chills up your spine and “Six” is relatable to anyone who was a rambunctious child.
12.) B. Dolan – Kill The Wolf (Strange Famous)
For the past few years, Providence hip-hop phenom B. Dolan was searching for a certain type of sound. He was trying to combine the power and spectacle of rock music with the lyrical flow of hip-hop and he found it with Kill The Wolf. It’s an album that’s different than a lot of local releases in The Creative Capital. At one point Dolan will dive into blues, then punk and then jazzy hip-hop. “Lazarus” has a bit of jazz and a lot of intensity, “Jailbreak” features fellow Strange Famous label mate Buck 65, New York City underground hip-hop legend Aesop Rock and the late Dave Lamb from Brown Bird on a track with a gothic blues influence, and “Alright” has this insane drum beat that’ll hook you from the beginning. Kill The Wolf is definitely one of the crown jewels of The Creative Capital’s music scene this year.
11.) The New Highway Hymnal – Reverb Room (Self-Released) Bringin’ the fuzz and psychedelic tendencies are The New Highway Hymnal from the north shore of Massachusetts and their album Reverb Room that came out in January. Hadden Stemp has endless swagger on vocals and his guitar makes crazy amounts of distortion. Amelia Gormley on bass is the reason why there’s such a fuzzy sound and her backing vocals provide a dream pop tone. Travis Hagan is like Animal from The Muppets on drums. “Isolation” is one of the best tracks to come out of New England in 2015, “By The Pool” will get you in the mood to start shaken’ and “Television” is another danceable tune that critiques sitting in front of an electronic box.
10.) Downtown Boys – Full Communism (Don Giovanni)
The best album to come out of Providence in 2015 without a doubt has to be Downtown Boys’ Full Communism that was released in May. It catapulted these sax- fueled dance punks to new heights in terms of popularity and the expansion of their mission. What’s their mission you might ask? To break the status quo, to punch stereotypes in the face and to make their voice heard. “Wave of History,” “Monstro” and “Future Police” are all excellent examples of how Full Communism is one of the most important albums out right now. Victoria Ruiz is an amazing force on the mic with the rest of the band being a rhythmic army.
9.) Screaming Females – Rose Mountain (Don Giovanni) One of the best punk bands in the 21st Century so far has to be Screaming Females from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Their sixth studio album, Rose Mountain, cements that claim with frontwoman Marissa Paternoster consistently ripping it on guitar with each song. King Mike on bass and Jarrett Dougherty on drums are also one of the best rhythm sections in independent music. “Empty Head” is a perfect opening track to the album with an endless amount of riffs, “Ripe” sounds like something a metal band would write and “Triumph” has King Mike showing his skills on bass. The album also captured the trio’s energetic live show, which is always a plus.
8.) Wilco – Star Wars (dBpm)
It’s hard to say what was the most unexpected about Wilco releasing their ninth studio album, Star Wars, in July. Was it that they released it on their website with no prior announcements? Was it that they released it for free? Who cares? It’s some of Wilco’s best work. What I really liked about this album is that they used Nels Cline’s noisy guitar skills to give each track some distortion. “Random Name Generator,” “Pickled Ginger” and “Cold Slope” all bring the noise and has Wilco pushing the envelope. Definitely a departure from the band’s usual alt-country style, but you have to appreciate that they’re willing to try new things.
7.) Royal Headache – High (What’s Your Rupture?) When Sydney, AU garage punks Royal Headache unveiled their style evocative of Motown and The Ramones with their self-titled debut back in 2012, a bunch of fanatics were craving more. They satisfied their fans with their follow up, High, in August and it had them progress into more rigid punk anthems and deeper into old school R&B. There’s definitely a lot more variety with this album as well, which shows a band heading down the right path. “Garbage” is the perfect song for anyone who’s pissed off that they got burned, “Wouldn’t You Know” is a ballad for the broken-hearted, and “My Own Fantasy” is a rager that confronts reality. They have said that this might be their last release; hopefully it isn’t.
6.) Speedy Ortiz – Foil Deer (Carpark Records)
This quartet originally started out in Western Massachusetts and now they’re the most sought after band in New England. If you don’t know who Speedy Ortiz are, then you probably know someone who does and they’re most likely a huge fan. They’re just that type of band that can do no wrong and when they released Foil Deer in April, it further showed how awesome of an alternative rock band they are. Sadie Dupuis’ sardonic and dreamscaping songwriting is fantastic and drummer Mike Falcone, bassist Darl Ferm and guitarist Devin Mcknight round out an extremely talented and versatile foursome. “Raising The Skate” is one of the hits off of the album and the guitar structures jump out at you. “Puffer” gets groovy with a hot beat and “Swell Content” is a twee punk electrifier. It’s going to be very exciting when Speedy Ortiz puts out their next release; we’ll just have to wait and wonder to see if it’ll be better than their most recent one.
5.) Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly (Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope)
After lighting the popular music world on fire with 2012’s good kid, m.A.A.d city, West Coast hip-hop trailblazer Kendrick Lamar had the world at his fingertips. This year he released To Pimp A Butterfly for his magnum opus with influences of funk, jazz and spoken word. Collaborating with George Clinton, Thundercat, Snoop Dogg and Ronald Isley, Lamar takes hip- hop back to its roots while giving it a jolt of something new. “Wesley’s Theory,” “King Kunta” and “How Much A Dollar Costs” are all fantastic tracks off an incredible album. Lamar puts an entire genre on its head and shifts it into a totally different direction.
4.) Hop Along – Painted Shut (Saddle Creek)
Frances Quinlan’s voice has a raspy quality, and that’s what makes Hop Along’s Painted Shut so damn good. It’s old school alternative rock with pop structures that has a way of hitting your soul. There’s also a couple of acoustic tracks to mix things up a bit. It’s such a hard hitting and emotional album that you can’t help but love it. “The Knock” has a chorus that’ll attach itself to your nucleus, “Texas Funeral” is shoegazey and distorted and “Powerful Man” stuns with a couple riffs that’ll rock your socks off. This act from Philly is one of many reasons why the music scene in The City Of Brotherly Love has had a great year.
3.) Beach Slang – The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us (Polyvinyl)
Another act from Philadelphia who really know how to sock you in the heart, Beach Slang is one of those bands that already had a buzz about them before they put out their first full length album. The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us from start to finish is honest and genuine, the most punk of any punk rock record that has come out this year. Cheap thrills, broken hearts and alienation, James Alex and crew cover it all from track to track. “Throwaways,” “Noisy Heaven” and “Young & Alive” are raging anthems for the broken. Beach Slang are a hugely refreshing band in a time where people don’t even know if punk ideal exists anymore.
2.) Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (Mom + Pop Music/Marathon Artists/ Milk!)
Every year there’s a musician who comes out of nowhere and makes a big splash. In March, Courtney Barnett from Melbourne, AU put out her debut full length Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit and she became a bit of a garage rock sensation overnight. What makes her songwriting astounding is the way she blends pop rhythms. It’s as if she’s an amalgamation of Kimya Dawson and PJ Harvey. Barnett’s lyrics also have a rebellious snark that you’ll enjoy. “Pedestrian At Best” speaks to the girls who deal with mixed feelings. “Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go To The Party” strangely makes me think of The Beatles as well as preaching the gospel of the hermit. “Aqua Profunda!” is a neo-mod track that has ultra distorted chord progressions. I’m very excited to see what Barnett does next because her debut is simply brilliant.
1.) Fuzz – II (In The Red)
When I first heard this album from the project featuring Los Angeles garage rock prolific machine Ty Segall, Charles Moothart and Chad Ubovich it made me think of the glory of ’70s heavy metal and ’70s hard rock. The riffs alone will spark thoughts of Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and Motorhead (RIP Lemmy). With so many bands trying to replicate this style or at least come close to it, Fuzz got it right with II. Epic beyond belief with solos that’ll warp your mind in two and put it back together again. Just listen to “Time Collapse Pt. II/The 7th Terror,” “Pollinate” and “Say Hello” and try to tell me that Fuzz’s II isn’t one of the most badass albums to come out so far this decade. It’s stupendously incredible music and that’s why it’s the best album to come out in 2015.
That’s my list, so let the debating begin. Who knows what 2016 could bring? If it’s as good as 2015 was for music then we’re going in the right direction. Have a safe and happy new year and keep on listening.
Newport New Year’s Eve Hey hey, y’all! It’s the last chance of 2015 to catch some live music and there’s no shortage of awesomeness to choose from down here in the southern end of Rhode Island. The holidays have brought a lot of people back home to lil Rhody and there are a few reunions and returns to take note of.
New Year’s Eve is flooded with fun stuff to do and if the weather keeps up as it has been, you should be able to walk around from place to place and not miss any of the excitement. The Newport Blues Cafe is featuring a dinner combo with music from Take It To The Bridge starting at 10pm.
Jimmy’s Saloon will be having its “Ocean Mic” New Year’s edition featuring sets from local performers Bill Lewis, Skip Leon, IONEYE, and comedy from Darik Santos with open jams starting just before midnight. This is a great way for any musician or performer to start off the new year.
One Pelham East will be featuring cover tunes from Smear Campaign and high energy funk/dance/electro cuts from DJ Blacklist.
If you’re looking for laughs, The Bit Players will be performing at the Firehouse Theater.
On New Year’s Day, Jimmy’s Saloon starts the year off with a bang with the hard hitting Big Takeover and My Mother’s Moustache.
Saturday, January 2, marks a local reunion as House Of Lyrics returns to Jimmy’s Saloon featuring Kee Words, Dirty Ice (DirtyDurdie), Everbody Luv Black, Big City, Sheezac & J-Earn. This is filled with many local and talented emcees with guest DJ Tone on the turntables.
Every Sunday, including January 3, you can catch the swinging grooves of Los Duderinos at Pour Judgement on Broadway.
Looking into the near future, Jimmy’s Saloon will be having “Hardcore by the Sea” with Held Hostage, Boxed In and The Struggle on Friday, January 8, and Vudu Sister, Tiny Diamond, Jillian Kay and Allysen Callery on Saturday, January 9. Motif Interviews Northern Lands’ Josh Cournoyer
One of the best things about the holiday season is friends coming home from afar. What’s even better is when they come back home and play a show with their old band and put on a party. Current Nashville resident and Rhode Island native Josh Cournoyer will perform with his high octane rock act Northern Lands at The Parlour on the day after Christmas for what should be one hell of a homecoming. Sharing the bill are the psychedelic folk of Viking Jesus and local rockers Jealous Fuck. Ahead of the weekend’s festivities, I caught up with Cournoyer about adjusting to Nashville, new musical projects and where he’ll be spending Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Rob Duguay: You first moved down to Nashville while being a member of the current Los Angeles rock band Runaway Saints. How was adjusting to a new city?
Josh Cournoyer: I think it was definitely sensory overload at first. From a musician’s standpoint there are a ton of great players down there and there are a lot of really great songwriters. You have a lot of different genres of music that are taking off out of Nashville right now and it’s all really great stuff. It was super fun starting to experience what the city is like, but I also kind of missed the camaraderie of the Providence music scene because it takes a little bit longer to find a group and a niche down there.
RD: You’re not in Runaway Saints anywhere and like I mentioned before they’re in Los Angeles now. What made you want to stay in Nashville rather than come back to Rhode Island?
JC: Well, I really love the energy of Nashville and the music that’s coming out of there. As much as it can be overwhelming at times from being with Runaway Saints, then working down there now and playing and writing, it’s great to feel challenged constantly. Nashville is kind of a melting pot, I have a group of friends that are musicians from all over the country. It’s constantly forcing me to grow, change and evolve a little bit. I’d never lived anywhere outside of Rhode Island prior to moving to Nashville so I felt like at this point in my life that I owed it to myself to experience something new. My fiancé and I decided to make a go of it in Nashville, try it out for a few years and see how we liked it. RD: It seems that you’re enjoying yourself down there. Outside of Northern Lands, which particular music projects are you involved with in Nashville?
JC: Right now I’m writing a new record, I don’t know whether I’ll release it as Northern Lands or as a solo record, but I’ve been working on that for about a year and I’ll be recording it this spring. I also started doing some production work with a few different artists, along with working on the record.
RD: Do you plan on making the record in Nashville at a studio or do you plan on just doing it at your apartment?
JC: I’ve been demoing it both at my home studio in Nashville and at a studio that belongs to a friend of mine. Eventually I’ll record it at a studio in Nashville, but I’m doing the writing and pre-production either at my apartment or at my friend’s studio.
RD: It must be a lot cheaper to do that rather than do the writing and everything else at a studio right from the get-go. You said before how you missed the camaraderie in Providence where in Nashville it can be a tad difficult to network yourself. Is that what you miss the most about Providence or are there other things you miss about the city as well?
JC: I think Providence is such a great city, I’ve played in a lot of bands here over the years and I’ve made a lot of really great lifelong friends so it’s really difficult at times to be away from all of that. Smith & Weeden have stayed with me a bunch of times on tour, Dan Dodd has come down and played shows with me and I absolutely love when that stuff happens. It’s really cool to see those people come down, but you kind of miss that small town feel a little bit. Nashville is super collaborative so it’s not hard to necessarily network yourself, it’s that I had a routine and a pattern in Providence that I definitely miss. You have your favorite bars, I loved working at The Met and getting to see a ton of live music all the time. I get to see music in Nashville, but my pattern and my routine has shifted a lot from living in a new city.
RD: There can definitely be a little change in everything when you immerse yourself in a new environment. With it being the holiday season, who are you spending Christmas with and what are you doing for New Year’s Eve?
JC: I am going to be splitting time between my fiancé’s family and my family in Rhode Island for Christmas along with spending a lot of time with friends while I’m in town. For New Year’s Eve I haven’t actually decided yet. I’m going to look and see what the best thing going is and I’ll probably go with that.
RSVP to Saturday’s Northern Lands Homecoming Show @ The Parlour on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1641127326112205
Northern Lands on Bandcamp: http://northernlands.bandcamp.com Fungus Amungus Bring The Holiday Hangover To The Met
Sometimes band members change but the name and vibe stays the same. That’s what you can say about long time Providence funk act Fungus Amungus. Being around for over a decade (which is a long time for a local act), the band’s lineup has changed throughout the years, but they’re always an awesome time. With Shane Manzi ripping on guitar and singing soulfully, Johnny Lingo on the keys, Jarrod Valenti booming on the sax and the tight rhythm section of bassist Mike Sperduti and drummer Joe Jannarelli, Fungus Amungus has talent. It’ll be their first show in a few months, but they’ll be taking over The Met the night after Christmas on December 26 for their Holiday Hangover spectacular.
One-man funk jam machine Resin Ed will kick things off at 9pm sharp, and ugly sweaters are strongly encouraged. There will be a prize given to the person with the ugliest sweater of the night. There will also be a Christmas re-gifting table to swap any of the bad gifts you got from a weird family member (most likely the strange uncle with the bad comb-over) for another bad gift that might actually appeal to you. The bar also is offering drink specials. What better way to celebrate the day after Christmas than with a bunch of funk and a continuation of holiday cheer?
Doors will open at 8pm and it’s an all-ages event, so bring the family. You’re going to be dancin’, drinkin’ and sweatin’, and you’ll be a little happier with a nicer gift than you got the day before. Sounds like a win-win right? Work off that Holiday Hangover with Fungus Amungus on Saturday and have a blast. Trust me, you’re going to need it.
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1659657377608487
Fungus Amungus on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetFunkedYo
Resin Ed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resinED What Cheer Celebrates 16 Years This Weekend
It’s tough starting a small business no matter where you are. You have to deal with rent, cost of goods, paying employees, taxes and all sorts of other things. Sometimes just one hiccup can put your whole establishment in jeopardy. What if there have been multiple ones? It can definitely disrupt the steady flow of business. Stolen merchandise can be an absolute killer; a loss in profit and revenue can result in a business closing for good. Among other obstacles, that’s what Chris & Jennifer Daltry have dealt with this year at their quaint little shop, What Cheer Records + Vintage, on the corner of Angell and Thayer Street in Providence’s East Side.
At one time, Thayer Street was known for having multiple record stores to choose from. Tom’s Tracks and the original In Your Ear Records were notable, among others, for being havens for music fanatics searching through troughs of vinyl to find that one album their ears were craving. These days, Thayer Street has evolved into a highly commercialized hub that lacks the same charm it had decades ago. What Cheer Records + Vintage is the only record store on the street since they moved from their Wayland Square location in June 2012. Being at their present location that has a lot more traffic and notability, you can only imagine managing their business has gotten more expensive for them.
With a few instances of people stealing records from their shop, the Daltrys have resorted to installing security cameras and moving their register closer to the door so they can combat these calamaties. You’d think that would be the end of their worries, but unfortunately it’s not. The building they’re in that also houses The Kind Connection and Chipotle just got bought by Stephen Lewinstein, who is part owner of Capstone Properties, a real estate firm based in Providence.
About this whole situation and the trial of tribulations What Cheer has faced in 2015, Chris says, “It’s been a tough year because of theft, and also because our building was sold. It has made us feel very uncertain about our future there. Having to relocate from our old location 3 ½ years ago was incredibly difficult for us, and we’re not sure we have another move in us. We also cannot face extreme rent hikes, as our current rent is nearly triple what we paid at our old space in Wayland Square.” With a history of increasing rent and making buildings financially suitable only for multi-million dollar corporations, you can understand why the Daltrys have a sense of uncertainty with Capstone Properties buying their building. To the local consumer this should come as a concern and hopefully the apathy of the masses will transform to empathy when it comes to local small businesses just trying to get by. The citizens of Providence have been known for priding themselves on the city’s DIY community and always electing to spend their money at a local business with a wholesome quality rather than a chain filled with density and meaningless aesthetics.
What Cheer Records + Vintage will celebrate both their 16th year of being in business and the joy of the holiday season on Sunday, December 20. So stop by 180 Angell Street, buy a record for yourself and a cute little knickknack for the special someone in your life. Let’s keep one of Providence’s most unique and best businesses around.
Check out all the details on What Cheer Records + Vintage’s 16th Anniversary/Holiday Party on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1492595411045203
What Cheer Records + Vintage’s Website: http://whatcheerprovidence.com
Mike D’s Top Tracks of December
1. Bad Bad Hats “Midway” I was turned on to Minneapolis’ Bad Bad Hats thankfully by my friend Will Noon (from the band fun. / Straylight Run). What separates Bad Bad Hats from the other indie bands in the scene is Kerry Alexander’s larger-than-the-room vocals. This track, off their debut LP Psychic Reader, will be stuck in your head for days after three listens, and she shines in it. The songwriting reminds me a lot of Liz Phair, and the record also leans on other ’90s alt rock icons like The Breeders, PJ Harvey and Letters To Cleo. The record was named one of the indie albums of 2015 by Buzzfeed. I HATE Buzzfeed and its lowest common denominator reporting, but they got this one right. Bad Bad Hats play the Sinclair in Cambridge, MA on February 5.
2. Beach Slang “I Break Guitars” Here comes another big indie breakout artist of 2015. Their debut The Things We Do To Find People Who Like Us seems to be on every rock critic’s top end-of-the-year list and it damn well should be. Punk rock ‘n’ roll isn’t supposed to reinvent the wheel, but when it’s done this right, it feels like it does. This record shows a shit load of promise for the Philadelphia band and this track is my favorite off of it. I generally get bummed when I hear bands or songs that people tell me are influenced by the Replacements, but “I Break Guitars” is the exception. Vice also named the band artist of the year along with Future, Speedy Ortiz, Iron Maiden and Kendrick Lamar. That company is all you need to know about where they are going. Get on the bandwagon before it’s too late.
3. Public Access TV “In Love And Alone” Finally a celebration of self for self’s sake. Relationships are hard and listening to songs about relationships are even harder sometimes. What’s easier than relationships is giving up and falling back into a relationship with yourself. This song is a garage power pop blast that should be played as loud as humanly possible. While the song writing seems to be out of the Buzzcocks’ playbook lyrics-wise, the jam itself is more of New York Ramones / Devil Dogs vibe. Great track.
4. Cool Uncle “Break Away” This song has my vote for best song of 2015 that you haven’t heard. The project’s concept is just as good on paper as it is on tape. Cool Uncle is superstar producer Jack Splash (Kendrick Lamar, Katy Perry) paired with smooth jazz legend Bobby Caldwell (best known his 1978 hit “What You Won’t Do For Love”). The result is modern day yacht rock bliss. Think along the lines of a mellow or lounge Gnarls Barkley. The self- titled record has a bunch of collaborations on it (Mayer Hawthorne and actually Gnarl’s Cee-Lo Green) and this track features Jessie Ware. Sweet summer yacht rock bliss in a winter month so warm we might as well be drinking can beer on a boat.
5. Miike Snow “Heart Is Full (featuring Run The Jewels)(Remix)” Run The Jewels is unstoppable. Their last record “Run The Jewels 2” was not only the best album of 2014, for me it’s still the most played record of 2015. Here they take the lead single of Miike Snow’s new album III and straight up knock it out of the park with a remix and new verses. Killer Mike has been on a roll ever since starting to work with EL-P. The 2012 EL-P produced R.A.P. Music solo record was just a foreshadowing of the shape of what’s to come. Now partnered together as Run The Jewels, Killer Mike is not only performing at his best, he’s getting the attention he deserved. And with appearances on “Real Time With Bill Maher” and in front of rallies for Bernie Sanders, Killer Mike is getting the platform that his voice deserves as a talent and visionary.
6. Kirk Knight “Brokeland” Just like I don’t typically like anything that’s proclaimed to be in vein of the Replacements, same goes for Wu Tang Clan. Any non-original Wu Tang member, but rather affiliate’s material, always is a dud on delivery. Kirk Knight, a member of Pro Era crew, took the right elements out of 36 Chambers and other mid ’90s New York City hip-hop. The 20-year-old’s full length “Late Knight Special” is a solid album and this track is my favorite off it. The beat sounds like a RZA beat, too. I look forward to seeing this young rapper evolve.
7. Leon Bridges “Smooth Sailing”
And here is perhaps the biggest breakout indie artist of 2015, Leon Bridges. This year saw the gospel / soul singer go from his first national tour at the beginning of the year to bookending it with an appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” That’s not to say there wasn’t hard work in between, but that’s a hell of a rise for an authentic musician. He is most often compared to Sam Cooke, and this track sounds so vintage you would not have a hard time convincing me it was from ’50s. He is supposed to put on a hell of a show too. Looking forward to finding that out for myself. Leon Bridges plays the Wang Center in Boston on March 5.
8. Baroness “Shock Me” Baroness are back and this is the second song teased off the upcoming album Purple, which will be released December 19 on their own newly formed label Abraxan Hymns. It’s not only the first new music from them in almost four years, but it’s also the first recording since their serious and near fatal bus accident in Europe shortly after the release of Yellow/Green. While elements of the metal act’s trademark seem in tact with this track, the vibes over seem different. It starts off with keyboards, which is entirely new to the band, for example. Vocalist John Baizley is one of my favorite vocalist in metal. Hopefully the record is as good as this song.
9. Babes “How Do You Make Love Stop” I think the way a listener hears a song of heartbreak is often more a channel of reflection of their own life. Is it a song of overcoming the hardships of love for relationships sake? Or is it a hard knock reality of the pains of lost love? I think that this song, while being beautiful, is of the view point of pessimist. “Love is the only game we all play and lose.” Ain’t that the truth? The band is from LA, which one can tell from watching the music video. The music video takes the piss out of you so to speak, watching 3 and half minutes of people crying. I recommend the song, I don’t recommend listening while watching the video. Love hurts.
10. Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment “Sunday Candy”
I’m late to the game on this one. This record came out in May, but as we reflect on best of list of 2015, I revisited Surf. The record is sorta Chance The Rapper’s follow up to 2013’s breakout Acid Rap. I say sorta because it’s a collaboration with trumpeter Nico Segal and a band of collaborators called The Social Experiment, but Chance’s imprint is all over this record. This track is a sweet tribute to his grandmother. And the record is still available for free to download on iTunes, so get on that. Fête Feels the Rebirth Groove
Rebirth Brass Band has taken the streets of New Orleans, screen time on HBO’s “Treme” and a Grammy. On Wednesday, December 2, they took the stage at Fête Ballroom.
When the crowd was asked by the band how many were hearing Rebirth for the first time, around a quarter of the room cheered. It seemed like the majority of the audience knew the band — Providence brass band aficionados and musicians happy to throw down $25 to see the NOLA legends.
The band jumped straight into their set of rhythmic grooves and high-energy horn melodies. They took more time to speak between songs at the beginning of the show, the trumpet player Chadrick Honore charming the audience with jokes and banter. In a phone interview before the show, Keith Frazier, bass drummer and original member of the band, said that the difference between playing in New Orleans and being on tour is that not everyone is familiar with their style. “People at home know what to do with the music,” said Frazier.
Two or three songs in, in the middle of “Move Your Body,” Honore smiles. “You think we’re playing a song,” he says, “but we’re telling you what to do.” After encouraging the audience to come closer to the stage, to dance, the crowd became more comfortable and the band started moving more quickly. The interlude between songs became a simple “keep the music rolling,” and that’s exactly what they did.
If you didn’t already know that Rebirth was Keith and Phil Frazier’s brainchild and life’s work of over 30 years, you would not have guessed. With only Keith’s glasses and cap visible bobbing behind the bass drum while he tapped away at his cymbal with a screwdriver, and the bell of Phil’s Sousaphone towering above the band, the Frazier brothers did not push themselves into the spotlight. Rather, the bass drum and sousaphone guide the band between songs and ground the music in steady rhythms and grooves. It is obvious the brothers are not interested in being the face of the band, but the heartbeat.
Meanwhile, other members of the band, such as Stafford Agee on the trombone and Vincent Broussard on the saxophone, took turns delivering solos. Unlike many brass bands, there was no rushing to play the highest notes as fast as possible. The solos were smooth, funky riffs in conversation with the rest of the music. The songs were largely a call and response format, moving from moments of playing in sync to layering different elements and riffs on top of each other. While Honore swayed a little with the music, most of the band stared straight ahead, professional and focused. Even with space made for improvisation, it is clear there were no surprises. They know exactly what they’re doing. “[It’s] like getting up and going to work,” says Keith Frazier. “Work that I really enjoy.”
They played many of the songs they are known for, like “Feel Like Funkin’ It Up” and a soulful “Casanova” that blended into “Do Watcha Wanna.” A cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” got the crowd moving.
The two brothers started Rebirth with trumpet player Kermit Ruffins in high school. Being too young to play in bars, they’d play on the streets of the French Quarters of New Orleans. Now, the band has become emblematic of New Orleans street brass music in their own right. Frazier says they feel responsible to represent that culture, and that they “try to keep those elements of what we played on the streets on stage.” However, in adding more more elements of hip-hop, reggae and R&B into the music, he says they are also looking to “be at the forefront” of taking the genre into new realms. “I gotta leave my stamp on this music.”