Whatever happened to dream pop? Around a decade or so ago, dream pop was almost inescapable. Bands such as Beach House, DIIV, and Alvvays were weaving beautiful textures of reverberation guitars, soft vocals that bordered on incomprehensible at times, and mellow synths that painted entire pictures with a single hazy chord. Even further back in […]
Tall Teenagers – ChasmTall Teenagers mine the vortex of garage rock for fuzz-wrapped harmonies. I’ve always loved guitarists/vocalists Chelsea Paulhus and Damian Puerini vocals together but the call and response on “Never Leaving” works especially well on the new biscuit. Who doesn’t love a song called “Hot Trash Breath?” There isn’t a bad tune on […]
One of the eternal foundations of timeless music is its ability to send your mind to a different place in space. And, that’s what exactly happened one recent night at the fabled Odeum in East Greenwich. Gazing out at a packed house, this reporter was transported by a mystical time machine to a throbbing, heavenly […]
Okee dokee folks… Last issue’s column was about the performers; this time it’s the audience. The other day I read an article about John Mellencamp “going off” on fans for screaming and yelling during a time that was allotted for him to perform quiet, solo, acoustic songs and tell stories. Instead, some drunk, stupid folks […]
Spring has sprung, as has a new edition of Stop, Rock, & Roll! There was a shower of new tunes in April and March; here are five you should give a listen! The Keegan Turner Band – “Out of Luck”The newest single from indie rock combo The Keegan Turner Band finds the group at their […]
In the dynamic tapestry of hip-hop and cultural influence, one name shines brightly: Jon Hope. A multifaceted force hailing from the streets of Providence, this multimedia personality has woven together a remarkable career as a lyricist, performer, host, educator, mentor, and keynote speaker. Hope’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of authenticity and […]
On Monday night, March 19, Motif threw the RI music community’s version of the Oscars, the 2024 RI Music Awards. A record crowd of over 600 musicians and music lovers came and went throughout the evening, which was filled with live performances and awards for over 50 different categories. Food from Burrito Bowl formed a […]
Patsy Decline – Self-Titled (75orLess Records) Patsy Decline is composed of Ray Memery, George Sullivan, Jack McKenna, and Bill Gorman – veterans of some pretty legendary bands including Backwash, Mother Jefferson, Von Doom, and Ether. Patsy Decline sounds like members of Television and Wire started a tribute band to the indie days of R.E.M.. I […]
Okee dokee folks… Today I was thinking about substance abuse in the music community. I know that big rock stars have always been famous for getting on stage smashed but that is so passé. A lot of folks may never admit to having a problem with substance abuse or even want to discuss it. When […]
Jazz in the Ocean State has seen a myriad of tough times, including, COVID aftershocks, digital streaming, stubborn inflation, and changing demographics. But, just like the changing tides of Narragansett Bay, local jazz is here to stay. Live music venues and great jazz musicians have come and gone, but jazz lovers should not despair. While […]