2014 Award winners

AMERICANA

Best Bluegrass Band — Blackstone Valley Bluegrass
Blackstone Valley Bluegrass is Dave Dick on banjo, his brother Bob Dick on guitar, Dan Nowlan on mandolin and Ken Taylor on upright bass. This original lineup has been together for 15 years. They’re all multi-instrumentalists and play a wide range of bluegrass styles — breakdowns, gospel, fiddle tunes and waltz. These four longtime friends comprise a bluegrass band with excellent musicianship, fine harmonies, high energy and a true love for the music. “Yes, there really is a Blackstone Valley and we all lived there when we started the band. Located in the heart of central Massachusetts, exposure to the heavy metal content of the Blackstone River has produced a copious amount of fine bluegrass pickers.”

Best Open Mic Night — The Spot Ungerground
The Spot Underground on Richmond Street in Providence is a club “where art, music and vibe come together.” They have changed locations a few times, but the atmosphere stays the same. The open mic at The Spot is called Re-Creation Tuesday and happens from 7 to 9:30pm and is followed by an open jam until closing. “Weekly Jam Leaders explore multiple genres of music with participants. If you sign up, you will play.”

Breakthrough Americana Act — Consuelo’s Revenge

They list their musical style as  soul-folk. Band members Alexandra Gibbons on vocals and violin; Nicholas Smyth on vocals, guitar and piano; Ian Lacombe on vocals, bass and dreidl; Amanda Salemi on vocals; Matt Nilsson on drums and Kirk Anderson on accordion and electric guitar make the music. They cite their influences as Tom Waits, Sam Cooke, Hank Williams, Ray Charles, Nina Simone and Bruce Springsteen. The band’s bio says, “We are the sound that the midnight storm makes outside your door when you’re alone and you’ve had one too many glasses of bourbon. Consuelo is the invisible cog in the machine, the water in the well, the last one left after the lights have gone out and the first one to see the sunrise. And these are her songs.”

Best Blues Act — Roomful of Blues
For more than 45 years, New England’s Roomful of Blues has played the music of the horn-powered golden era of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Roomful doesn’t simply recreate the famous and obscure 78s and 45s of those years; they’ve breathed new life into vintage songs, infusing them with boundless energy and fiery, swinging solos and vocals. For the last two decades, Roomful has been led by Chris Vachon, one of the best guitarists in the blues. For 40 years, their hard-charging horn section has been sparked by Rich Lataille on tenor and alto sax. Even though Roomful of Blues’ lineup has changed over the years, the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world. Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance floor.

Best Choral Act — Providence Gay Men’s Chorus
Their tag line is Harmonizing Diversity In Song. Started in 1995, the multi-award winning chorus has been ambassadors of sorts for the LGTB community, breaking down barriers and gaining acceptance with their music. They strive to produce professional-quality shows, combining the best of musical theater, cabaret and traditional choral performance. Their struggle for equality has been an uphill battle, but as times change and minds open, some day it will all just be about the music.

Best Folk Act — Atwater-Donnelly

In one form or another, Atwater-Donnelly have won a Motif Award just about every year. In every one of their musical configurations, Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly are the mainstays. Aubrey plays mountain dulcimer, banjo, tin whistle, mandolin and guitar. Elwood plays guitar, harmonica, bones, spoons, and limberjacks. When the group is called The Atwater-Donnelly Band, additional musicians are Cathy Clasper-Torch on fiddle and cello, Kevin Doyle on percussion — including Irish Step Dance — John Cerrigione on stand-up bass, and Heidi Cerrigione on autoharp. An occasional formation of these same folks makes up the old-time gospel band, Jerimoth Hill. Atwater~Donnelly have been performing around the United States, and occasionally beyond to Ireland, England and Canada for over 25 years.

Best Americana Female Vocalist — Becky Chace
“Roots rocker Becky Chace will knock you over with her voice, and her longtime sidekick Brian Minisce will help you get back up and stand at attention.” Becky Chace believes in the power of music. Currently performing as a duo with Brian, a trio when Brian’s brother Mark Minisce joins on bass, and with her full band with Eric Hastings on drums, Becky can be found most weekends in New England playing concerts in every kind of venue imaginable, from clubs to outdoor festivals to house concerts and parties, with her eclectic mix of originals and covers. Becky has been performing at least 200 shows per year since she began promoting her first release in 1998. She’s tough to pin down in terms of style; she’s that kind of musician who can’t help but go in different directions. Chace has won so many awards that she will have to make an addition on her home to display them!

Best Jazz Act — Greg Abate
Greg Abate is a jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer and international jazz recording artist who tours the globe. He is also an adjunct professor of jazz studies at Rhode Island College and is also a very active jazz clinician with sponsorship from the Conn-Selmer Instrument Co., conducting workshops and master classes through the US and abroad. To date, Abate has released more than 15 recordings and was Grammy nominated in four categories for his 2004 CD, Evolution. Jim Merod of New Jazz Recordings writes, “Greg Abate is one of the most appealing saxophonists on the scene today. He is mature with an abundance of gentle self-confidence. The result is that he plays music with sweetness and daring.”

Best Celtic Act — Pendragon
Most people would say that Pendragon winning in this category is a no brainer. They have won this award so many times in RI that I don’t even know what the total is now! The heart and soul core of the band — Mary Lee, Bob and Russell — have been doing the Celtic thing since the mid-’80s. Great original and traditional tunes, talent and a little luck o’ the Irish keeps ‘em winning. In addition to the music, the members of Pendragon have been the driving force behind the Blackstone River Theatre, bringing more traditional and ethnic performers to the Blackstone Valley since 1995.

Best Americana Album — A Tribute To Providence by the ‘Mericans
The ‘Mericans are an experimental Americana roots folk rock band led by former Purple Ivy Shadows singer and guitarist Chris Daltry. In addition to Daltry, the band consists of members Michael Moore  on guitar and vocals, Matt Rozzero  on drums and Paul Williamson on bass and vocals. Their 20-track album, A Tribute To Providence, features songs performed by the ‘Mericans and written by notable Rhode Island area performers such as Allysen Callery, Small Factory, Roz Raskin and The Rice Cakes, Throwing Muses, Miracle Legion, Death Vessel, The Figgs, Ben Pilgrim, The Raindogs, Fern Knight and others. The band interprets each song and presents them in the unique style of the ‘Mericans. Currently you can get the album as a free download.

Best Americana Act — Mark Cutler & The Men of Great Courage
Best Americana Singer/Songwriter — Mark Cutler
Best Americana Male Vocalist — Mark Cutler

He may have an army — really, he does, The Men Of Great Courage Army — but his music is what keeps him winning. Mark Cutler leads a variety of roots-rock bands and combines powerful lyrics with memorable melodies and driving rhythm. From the Schemers, The Raindogs, The Dino Club, The Men of Great Courage, The Tiny String Band, Forever Young and other musical incarnations, Mark Cutler is the hardest working RI musician. In his 35-plus year career, he has played just about everywhere in RI and toured extensively, sharing the stage with the likes of Bob Dylan, Don Henley, Warren Zevon and many others. He has taken home just about every area musical award, and his music just keeps getting better. He will play anytime and anywhere and sometimes he’ll show up alone with his guitar and he’ll sing whether you want him to or not.

ALTERNATIVE

Best Rock Band – Viking Jesus
Viking Jesus enjoyed a banner year, playing all over the area showcasing their top-notch chops. Viking Jesus is singer/songwriter Kris Hansen, guitarist George Dussault, drummer Nick Iddon, Uriah Donnelly, and Evan Gilroy. Viking Jesus is a bit of a departure from Hansen’s previous work. Viking Jesus adds an element of electronica to give Hansen’s tunes a bit of a trip hop feel. Their debut self-titled album channels the likes of The Beatles, Flaming Lips, Brit pop and funk. Between Hanson’s classic pop songwriting, Dussault’s shredding and Iddon providing the back beat, Viking Jesus has been thrilling audiences all over the state. Be on the lookout for more shows in the future, and check out Hansen’s Dropout Night every Monday at The Spot with Big Jon Tierney.

Best Live Act – The Silks
All The Silks did in the last year was put out a 7 inch with Paul Westerberg from The Replacements singing the B side, put out a Westerberg produced full-length debut titled The Last American Band, do a tour that had them make their SXSW debut in Austin, TX, opening for Roky Erickson, and play their hearts out regardless of whether it was in an intimate Sunday night at Local 121 or a packed sweaty club every show. The Silks kick it live with a brand of muddy southern rock & roll steeped in the blues. Singer/Guitarist Tyler-James Kelly can shred and sing with the best of them while the rhythm section of Matt Donnelly on drums and Jonas Parmelee on bass anchors things like a rock. Not bad for a bunch of Yankee boys.

Best Reggae/Ska Act – The Copacetics
In the battle of reggae versus ska, chalk up a win for speed as ska is essentially sped-up reggae. The Copacetics bring booty shaking grooves to the table by channeling the likes of The Skatalites, The Slackers and The Pietasters, among others. The Copacetics are the real deal with a full horn section and are money for good night out on the town getting down. The Copacetics are currently working on their debut album, which should be something special judging by the recordings they have on the line. Catch the buzz for yourself when The Copacetics rock the house at Fete on May 18.

Best Jam Band – Fungus Amungus
I have no idea how many Best Jam Band Motif Awards Fungus Amungus have won, but somewhere there is a stack of them on a shelf probably bookended on each end by a bong. Seriously, I remember them winning this award way back in the day when we used to have the music awards combined with the theater awards. Usually the band wouldn’t show, but they would send someone to pick up the award who would explain their absence by inserting a stoner reference. Fungus Amungus continue to win this award by being the best in town in stretching jams out using funk, reggae, rock and improvisation. They can play for hours, which not many local bands can pull off while keeping their audience engaged. I’ll never be much of a fan of the jam band genre, but I respect excellence in anything, which is what Fungus Amungus brings to what they do.

Punk Act – Gymshorts
In a bit of a changing of the guard, Gymshorts takes top honors for Best Punk Act. Gymshorts bring it in dirty garage/punk fashion that has been generating quite the buzz for a band that hasn’t been around all that long. Gymshorts released their debut album in February, titled No Backsies. Like the Atlantic Thrills, Gymshorts borrow heavily from garage rock, but when they’re going good, it feels like an out-of-control locomotive teetering back and forth, but somehow managing to stay on the tracks. Throw in some surf guitar leads on top and you pretty much have the Gymshorts’ formula. Gymshorts have a couple of shows coming up this month, including May 3 at Dusk and May 13 at AS220. Check them out!

Best Hardcore Act – Lolita Black
Lolita Black have been on a bit of a hiatus the past few months, but their thunder still reverberates judging by the results of this poll. In their last run, they released a scorched earth sophomore album titled Flesh, Bone, and Blood, played AS220’s annual Foo Fest, and made the finals of the 2013 WBRU Rock Hunt. Lolita Black attacked with a bone jarring blend of metallic punk highlighted by Bob Otis’ chainsaw shredding on guitar, Kaleigh Crass’ earth shuddering drumming and Scarlett Delgado’s haunt-you-from-beyond-the-grave vocals. I don’t know whether we’ll ever see Lolita Black back in action, but I hope we do!

Best Alt Female Vocalist – Roz Raskin (Roz & The Rice Cakes)
Roz Raskin can do a bit of everything, from playing keyboards to bass to the drums while fronting the local darlings of indie rock, The Rice Cakes. Roz Raskin the vocalist gets the award here, and while I can’t think of anyone to compare her to, this only speaks to the uniqueness that has in turn gathered The Rice Cakes a large following. In the last year, The Rice Cakes have toured, put out a 7 inch, and recently released a full length titled Need To Feed. Roz and The Rice Cakes play anywhere, whether it is a packed club, house party or a warehouse party, they are always game to throw down.

Best Alt Male Vocalist – John McCauley (Deer Tick)
This nomination generated some internal discussions at the Motif headquarters as I personally did not approve of this nomination. Deer Tick’s success is great for the local music community, I love the band and John McCauley like a brother. That said, there is nothing wrong for a band to graduate out of the “local” category and become a national, or in this case international, success story, which is what Deer Tick has done. That said, in the last year McCauley with Deer Tick has released, in my opinion, their best album to date with Negativity (Partisan Records), recorded a second, yet-to-be-released record with Diamond Rugs, and toured relentlessly, including a stretch of dates happening right now with The Hold Steady. Oh yeah, he also was one a few selected guest vocalists/guitarists who played an post-Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame induction show with a little band called Nirvana a few weeks ago filling in for Kurt Cobain. Media reports of the show even had McCauley showing bassist Krist Novoselic how to play Nirvana’s songs. Deer Tick will play the main stage this year for the first time at this year’s Newport Folk Festival at the end of July, along with continuing their tradition of having raucous rock & roll after parties at the Newport Blues Cafe. I caught Deer Tick two weeks ago in Boston where they debuted a new hard-charging song called “Shitty Music Festival.” My brother currently has the only video of it posted on YouTube.

Alt Breakthrough Act – Littlefoot
Littlefoot play kind of ethereal indie pop and garnered a buzz in the area big enough to win them Breakthrough Act honors. They recently released their debut EP at the end of last year, and it featured a mix of jangled guitars and ’60s girl group harmonies. Littlefoot’s hypnotic grooves have been gathering a following around town. Littlefoot vocalist/guitarist Erica Sutherland may be tiny in stature, but her tunes are big sculptures of noise and harmonies.

Best Alt Album – Atlantic Thrills Atlantic Thrills
I always have problems picking my year-end favorite albums because what I listen to in February isn’t usually played in November. The self titled from Atlantic Thrills debut, I suspect, is going to be the exception to the mix with a heavy doses of ’60s garage psychedelic rock spruced up by some surf guitar leads. I’ve had one of the tunes, “Foreign Lands,” stuck in my head all day and that was from listening to the record two days ago. My problem with garage bands is often that all of it sounds the same. This can be said of Atlantic Thrills to some degree, but they manage to get away with it by not being afraid to take some risks with near a capella choruses on “Blind Leading The Blind,” while “Light Shines” reminds me of the Yardbirds. The whole record sounds a little like they picked a different ’60s garage tune off the Nuggets compilation and tried to write a song like it while adding their own touch. The Atlantic Thrills recently completed a 45-day US tour that included playing the SXSW Festival in Austin and some crazy west coast shows where despite being an unknown, they played to capacity crowds. Plans are currently being discussed for another tour that would take the band farther from home in the fall. Till then, I can’t wait for summer to get its ass here so I can listen to Atlantic Thrills’ tune “Day at the Beach” while actually heading to a beach!

Best Tribute Band – Dirty Deeds (AC/DC)
The recent news that Malcolm Young may have to retire from AC/DC has put the future of the band in peril. I saw AC/DC’s last tour and those stadium anthems still sound as great as ever. Whatever happens with AC/DC, it’s good to know that a band like Dirty Deeds will still be around keeping those tunes alive. One can turn on WHJY every day and hear AC/DC, but it just doesn’t compare to the experience of seeing live music. Dirty Deeds have been around for years, thrilling audiences by blasting out AC/DC classics and here’s hoping they are around for a long time to come. So for Dirty Deeds and all the people going to their shows, we here at Motif salute you… as Best Tribute Band!

Best Hip-Hop Act — Dirty Ice & Durdie Furbie aka DirtyDurdie

This duo is focused on forging a countercultural library of raw music for fans of a sound that’s not saturated with commercialism. DirtyDurdie commands quite a presence when performing on stage. They use unrefined energy, well-developed rhyme skill, and professionalism to engage their audience in spite of their lyrical content. All of the beats have an emotionally charged pulse that becomes the perfect platform for these artists to “dump” their thoughts. The conceptual chemistry between these two is rare. The goal of the group is to prove that originality overpowers the regular “follow the leader” method of entering into the hip-hop/rap industry.