This isn’t a particularly uplifting time; the recent deep freeze has turned these parts into a dreary hellscape for what seems like a decade, and at this point in the year some people won’t even get a day off till Memorial Day. Fortunately, the musical community doesn’t slow down very much, so there are more than […]
This column, we are going to throw it back to the first column I ever wrote about Kilgore Smudge, for Providence College’s newspaper, The Cowl, in 1994. They published it but rejected me as a columnist, probably because I can’t hit a deadline with a cannon. The show review was from a house party and […]
If one had to guess where in Rhode Island The Beach Boys Way was located, Pawtucket is probably not the first place that comes to mind. Nevertheless the City of Pawtucket did recently rename a section of Narragansett Park Drive, where the Narragansett Park Racetrack once stood, “The Beach Boys Way.” The name change commemorates […]
Farewell to Aurora And the slow, depressing march toward progress continues… Motif has already reported on the upcoming closing of Aurora in downtown Providence to make room for redevelopment. And with WBRU being sold off to the non-heathens, the past few months haven’t been incredible for the music scene here. It’s a shame when anywhere […]
Of Montreal Of Montreal is a progressive pop band from just beyond the border of Athens, Georgia. Over the years, Kevin Barnes and Co have made some impressive records and introduced the world to their former violist Kishi Bashi. Of Montreal has a new EP out called Rune Husk and they come to town to […]
The past few days have been a blur, and it isn’t even alcohol-related this time. There is uneasiness in the air as questions have poured in from all over. Questions about the news of Aurora closing at the end of October, whether I even write for the Motif anymore (I do), and the biggest bombshell – the […]
Here are some things to listen to/consider while you are trying to avoid thinking about how summer is flying by at breakneck speed. Dan Blakeslee – The Alley Walker Straight outta Boston by way of Maine, troubadour Dan Blakeslee is a talented songwriter with a mellow country/folk sound that I would compare to Ryan Adams’ […]
Newport Folk Fest July is the best month to live in Rhode Island for so many reasons — the annual Newport Folk Fest is just one more big one. The festival once again sold out before people knew who was on the bill. My picks to click for Friday are Seratones, Shovels & Rope and Big […]
WHEM: Father’s Day Special WHEM (W-Horse Eyed Men) is a live music radio show at The Columbus Theatre hosted by the Horse Eyed Men, a fraternal duo that mixes country, ragtime, folk and rock. Their WHEM residency features sets from both the band and special guests, with the Harley Brothers performing mock radio skits and […]
Whether with The Schemers, The Raindogs, The Men of Great Courage, his Tiny String Band or as a solo artist, I’ve long been a fan of the music of Mark Cutler. He has been a staple over the years, performing in his various bands and sitting in with legends like Bo Diddley and David […]