I write this as I’m about to head off to a concert, hopefully the first of many this summer, and it finally feels like the pandemic cloud is lifting. This month, I take a look at two compelling takes on modern folk. Will Orchard — I Reached My Hand Out It’s been over three years […]
As social distancing restrictions ease up, concert announcements for national acts have started to trickle in, just really not here. Outside of Tiffany in June and Electric Six in July, I can’t find anything in terms of summer concerts with national acts in Rhode Island or southern New England that I’d want to attend. Some might […]
Okee dokee folks… This summer should be dubbed the “Summer of Laxity.” Mask restrictions have been lifted or loosened and some folks are living life “like someone left the gate open” already. I am not ready for this. A few months ago I designed a t-shirt that read “All Vaxxed Up And Nowhere To Go” […]
I recently caught up with local hip-hop legend Lord Gremithy of Dirty Durdie over brunch at Troop in Providence to talk about the “Locals Only” showcase that takes place at the restaurant every Thursday night. For the showcase, Gremithy put together playlists filled with hundreds of tracks from New England artists, and through these playlists, […]
Kat Kiley, with a soulful tone similar to artists like Jewel or Miranda Lambert, recently brought her own brand of alternative music to The Parlour as part of Motif’s Between the Notes podcast. Kiley’s skilled acoustic guitar playing is accompanied by lyrics that are equal parts relatable and poetic, and her emotions shine through the […]
Chase Greene is a local rapper who recently appeared at the Parlour in support of his new EP East Coast Baby to chat with Motif as part of our podcast, Between the Notes. With slick rhythms and clear rhyme schemes, Chase seeks to bring positive messages to the local scene by changing the narrative of […]
Rhode Island clubs and music lovers proved during the last year that the drive to create music and gather to listen is more powerful than any virus. As warmer weather drew people outside last summer, our music writer Jake Bissaro attended a few outdoor shows at Askew, Dusk, and Nick-a-Nee’s. He said, “Though it was […]
Pile — Magic Isn’t Real Pile, the celebrated indie rock band with Boston origins recently marked the pandemic-delayed 10th anniversary of their fantastic album Magic Isn’t Real, holding a livestream performance with their original lineup of Matt Becker, Matt Connery, Kris Kuss and frontman Rick Maguire. In the last decade, Pile has gained a legion […]
In Motif’s March and April editions I highlighted the virtual experiences of Rhode Island musicians Dylan Block-Harley and Chachi Carvalho. In this edition, the series concludes with the ever-evolving Providence-based songwriter Roz Raskin, also known as NOVA ONE. Roz values the creation and strengthening of community and works toward this effort as musician, show […]
Okee dokee folks… YIKES! I am 60! How did this happen? I still think I’m 30, but my body feels like I’m 90, so I guess that averages out to 60. The first time I met Pete Seeger, he was 60 and he seemed old to me then. I don’t think I am old, but […]