After a year off for something obscure called COVID, the Newport Folk Festival returned to Fort Adams to rage again. The festival started inauspiciously Friday, as I could see lightning flashing in the horizon driving in. There was a shelter-in-place warning in effect when I arrived, which is odd when there is no place to shelter. […]
It’s time again – finally! – for Motif’s RI Music Awards. Please help show your support for local music by choosing some of these fine artists. We know a lot of people haven’t been out much over the last year and a half, but either cast your minds back to the before times, or check […]
It has been a long time for jazz fans to wait, but we are finally nearing the date when the historic Newport Jazz Festival will make its triumphant return to Fort Adams on July 30. For those who haven’t purchased your tickets yet there is still time but as we get closer and this incredible […]
Rhode Island’s veteran drummer Joe Holtzman stills pats the snare and bass drums in greater Providence.In 1954, while growing up in South Carolina, Holtzman joined The Brooklyn-Cayce Marching Band. After a few beginners lessons, he taught himself the basic artform of drumming, began winning drum competitions and joined The All-State Band. In Junior High School, […]
On July 24, from 3pm until midnight, Providence Art Revolt will take over Revival Brewing in PVD. The idea for Art Revolt came from the three co-hosts of the local podcast Providence Leftist Radio. It’s a political podcast that never hosts politicians. Rather it hosts local mutual aid organizations in hopes of helping them connect […]
Becky Bass is a talented percussionist and vocalist from the US Virgin Islands. She appears on this segment of Between the Notes with a musical version of the tropical escape you’ve likely been craving. Between her talents with steel drums and the smooth tenor of her voice, her musical style will leave you feeling refreshed […]
Rather Nice is an indie pop band made up of some rather talented musicians. Joe Johnson leads the pack with vocals and rhythm guitar, supported by lead guitarist extraordinaire Mike Tenreiro, with Nick Reagan holding the beat down on bass, Oliver Littlefield rocking out on drums, and Carlos Fragoso adding sonic texture on trumpet. Together, […]
Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael will be bringing their band, The Bacon Brothers, into the Greenwich Odeum on Friday, July 16. I had the opportunity to speak with Kevin via phone last week in advance of his show. John Fuzek (Motif): We actually played a show together quit a while back. You played in Newport, […]
Okee dokee folks… This bit is going to annoy 14% of you folks. Who are these 14%? Smokers! Because I haven’t been many places in the past year and a half, I haven’t really had to deal with cigarette smoke, but now that things are opening back up I again have to contend with this […]
I spoke to David Lee Black (founder/photographer) and Jamie Lyn Bagley (performer/marketing and collaboration consultant) of the Providence Drum Troupe. The troupe uses drums to bring people together in joyful spirit and to connect in a meaningful way, and when I met them, I felt like I had been introduced to a magical group of […]