Christians & Lions — Young Familiar Christians & Lions, a self-described “New England DIY dreamfolk collective,” is out with the album Young Familiar, the group’s first release after a 10-year gap, and the album is nothing short of spectacular. Frontman Ben Potrykus led indie rock outfit Bent Shapes in the ‘10s, and founded screamo band […]
Okee dokee folks… “Wastin’ away AGAIN in (the audience of, Escape to) Margaritaville.” That is a phrase that I hope to never utter. Unfortunately I cannot say that I did not waste away in the audience of Escape to Margaritaville once already. The other night I was in attendance for Jimmy Buffet’s musical, Escape to […]
Okee dokee folks… Thursday night the enduring duo Indigo Girls performed a show, accompanied by Francisco Noya and the RI Philharmonic, to an enthusiastic audience of about 2,300 at Providence Performing Arts Center. The Indigo Girls dominated the Newport Folk Festival during the early ’90s and were a fan favorite for most of that decade. […]
Two weeks ago, while I was waiting for The Hold Steady to take the stage in Cambridge, I heard that Ric Ocasek from The Cars passed. The Hold Steady, knowing they were in the hometown of The Cars, handled it with so much class, pumping up the house music to “Since You’re Gone” by The […]
Okee dokee folks… Last night I coined a new word, “gignity,” in reference to musicians who will play anywhere, anytime, and under any conditions for little to no pay — these people have no “gignity.” I will just say this: It is better for you and for the music community as a whole if you […]
Artie Cabral has performed with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and even with the late Hollywood film star Mickey Rooney. Growing up his father would take young Artie to hear many of the great Rhode Island big bands. Artie began playing the drums. He became one of New England’s finest available drummer, performing at weddings, Bar-Mitzahs, […]
Okee dokee folks…I have been so busy over the past couple of months that I almost forgot that I recently passed the 15 year mark writing for Motif! When I was asked to contribute to the fledgling magazine for their third issue, I was skeptical that it was something I could do. I wasn’t a […]
For this edition of Keep on Movin’, a rundown on some notable fall happenings. The cooler weather brings a lot of great things to do, and an excuse to get inside and avoid the dreaded EEE menace. Thu, Sep 19 | Ken Stringfellow @ Brown University’s Music Mansion Ken Stringfellow brings his solo tour to an […]
Providence dwellers Peyman Farzinpour and his wife Nara Shahbazyan are the quintessential 21st century musicians. In addition to managing very busy performing and teaching schedules, Farzinpour and Shahbazyan are the co-founders of ENSEMBLE/PARALLAX, a New England music ensemble now in its fifth season. In its first four seasons, ENSEMBLE/PARALLAX commissioned and premiered more than […]
I tried to model this year’s Fall Guide column after a Ramones concert — no frills, just kill. Check out five new releases to pregame with high grade tequila on page XX, and there is also a Spotify playlist called “Motif Keep On Moving Fall 2019” to get you ready for the rock! Much as […]