When referring ambiguously to any music festival in Newport, most folks within Rhode Island’s borders (myself included) think of the Newport Jazz Festival or the Newport Folk Festival. Both festivals have international recognition and sell out year after year. However, there is another Newport festival to be aware of, and it’s unique in its own […]
Okee dokee folks… Have I mentioned that I #%@*<!@ hate summer? (I am refraining from profanity; Mom was mad that I used it in my column.) The only thing, in my opinion, summer is good for is music festivals. At the END of the summer, which I am looking forward to, is the fifth annual Providence […]
I first became aware of Jeff Robbins’ work through his late ’90s band, Orbit. Orbit was like what you get if one took the guitar noise of Sonic Youth, combined it with the thump of grunge, and added a post-punk polish. Orbit had a modern rock hit with “Medicine,” which was all over WBRU and […]
R.J.Von See, (Robert John Von See) has played a major role in musical efforts in Rhode Island. He grew up in New Jersey, and began his jazz infusion quite early in life. The accordion and the trombone were his first instruments, and he joined a group called the Rhythnaires that performed on the “Jimmy Dean […]
The 6th season of Day Trill is on the horizon, so I sat down with the founders of Day Trill & stay silent PVD, Jason “WHERE’S NASTY” Almeida & Sabrina Chaudhary, to talk about the event. I first asked Chaudhary to describe Day Trill for the uninitiated. She called it “a hip-hop day party with childlike […]
I sat down with the founders of Day Trill & stay silent PVD, Jason “WHERE’S NASTY” Almeida & Sabrina Chaudhary, and we spoke about the event’s past and present as well their hope for its future. The first Day Trill came during stay silent’s first year of life. As day parties began to rise in popularity on […]
After like 13 years of writing under Alt-Nation, it is weird to say fuck that, but I’m nobody’s go-to for rational thought so … fuck it. The original Motif column name that I wrote under was Exile in Olneyville, an obvious Stones pun, plus a reference to where I was living at the time. I […]
Okee dokee folks… The other day I was hot, and I get cranky when I am hot (ed. So we’ve heard). So I quit ZZ Top. I removed 99% of my rather lengthy beard that had been growing for the past two years. It was a point of contention with most of my friends and family […]
Last year I interviewed comedian Kathy Griffin in advance of her show at Veterans Memorial Auditorium. At that time she was just a funny female on the “D” list. In the course of a year she has become an extremely controversial figure. I spoke with her last month about her life now and her upcoming […]
Okee dokee folks… Well, it’s that time of year again, time for the Motif Summer Guide when I look into my magical, sweltering crystal ball and let you know what you can consider for your “summa” music plans. Most coffeehouses are ending their seasons about now, and the folding chairs and coffee cups will be collecting […]