During a sweltering rehearsal the other night, we decided we were only going to run through some reggae and rocksteady tunes. It was too hot to move, too humid to breathe. We most certainly didn’t want to run through any raucous ska numbers. This reminded me, however, of the story of how ska fell out […]
In 2013, Boston musician Adam Michael Rothberg was diagnosed with a rare and potentially life-threatening cancer. The treatment and fallout from his illness has resulted in his introspective new CD, Soul Of A Man. The moody title track was performed by Blind Willie Johnson in 1930. The percussion by Fabio Pirozollo nicely complements Rothberg’s haunting […]
Last year marked a milestone as the revered Newport Jazz Festival turned 60, cementing its place in the realm of music festivals. The 60th anniversary even added a third music-filled day, something they’re repeating this year. Since 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival, aka “America’s First Annual Jazz Festival,” has seen and heard thousands of notable […]
On their 4th release, Afterlife, VulGarrity conjures up another batch of supernatural-themed thrillers. VulGarrity are a brother/sister team composed of Shawn and Tracy (Vul)Garrity that are known for swapping instruments back and forth and being obsessed with horror movies and the supernatural. They even used to have their own web series that delved into skits […]
Folkers rejoice! George Wein and the Newport Foundation are ready to kick off the 56th anniversary of the legendary Newport Folk Festival. In the past half-century, the Folk Festival has provided moments that have shaped not only the music community, but history as a whole, from the Pixies going all-acoustic for their headlining set in […]
I’m willing to bet you’re pretty bummed you didn’t get tickets to the sold-out Newport Folk Fest this year, right? You stay up late nights thinking about how you won’t get to see Roger Waters, The Decemberists, Hozier, Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine and First Aid Kit. You’re not alone — a lot of us […]
Once in a while, a talented and established band will blindside the masses with an unexpected release. It causes a buzz for a few days among the band’s loyal fans. That’s pretty much what happened when Chicago Americana rock act Wilco unexpectedly released Star Wars a few days ago. The release has a fuzzy psychedelic […]
Late July is a bustling time in downtown Newport with the Folk and Jazz fests bookending the last two weekends of the month. With Newport Folk Festival running July 24 – 26 and the Newport Jazz Festival from July 31 – August 2, you’re going to have to pay your babysitter double time on these […]
Twenty years of existence in the music festival circuit is virtually unheard of. Most modern festivals, such as Coachella and Bonnaroo, have been active for hardly a decade, but that barely scratches the surface of the legacy that Gathering of the Vibes has built since its establishment in 1996. What started out as a remembrance for Jerry […]
Jodie Treloar – Voila (75orLess Records) Jodie Treloar’s debut EP Voila features five tunes on the crossroads of indie folk and alt-country. Voila opens with “Marionette,” which reminds me of a stripped-down version of The Cranberries with the breezy guitar style and Treloar’s rich vocals. “Credit Score” is a driving indie folk nugget propelled by […]