As I write this from the one air conditioned room in my house at the end of a six-day heatwave, I can’t help but think it would really be nice if we weren’t living through a global pandemic. With no air conditioned bars to escape to or concerts to keep our hearts energized, it feels […]
On their third full-length release, Special Hazards, Ravi Shavi unleash a collection of 14 songs chock full of grooves, trashy surf and classic pop. Gems like “Going Going Gone” come off like a letter to an old flame with singer/guitarist Rafay Rashid asking, “How’s the city, how’s your mom, do you still have a car, […]
Okee dokee folks… I am in a bit of a precarious pandemic predicament. One one hand I REALLY want live music to start happening again; I want to get back to performing, writing about what is coming up, and reviewing and photographing shows. On the other hand I REALLY don’t think it is wise to […]
Taylor Swift graced us with her presence back in 2013 by claiming the infamous Watch Hill Mansion as her own. But like many places that have existed (and will exist) long after its current inhabitants are gone, this house has a story – one that makes even the illustrious life of Taylor look dingy and […]
Back in late April, as all events for the foreseeable future started to be canceled or postponed due to the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, the Newport Festivals Foundation came to the conclusion that due to safety concerns they would have to cancel both the Folk and Jazz Festivals and wait until summer 2021 to return to […]
Slavery ended throughout the British Empire on “Emancipation Day,” August 1, 1834, when the Slavery Abolition Act came into force. Free Blacks in the United States began celebrating the anniversary as many had personal and community connections with the former slaves of the British West Indies, the Caribbean Islands (including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, […]
Rhode Island veteran trumpet player Al DeAndrade was born and raised in Pawtucket. His father, known as “Jim Daddy,” had a local orchestra and played alto saxophone and clarinet. Young Al began performing with his dad at age 9 on his horn. His brothers, Richard […]
Okee dokee folks… I sincerely hope that none of you reading this are getting complacent about COVID-19. It is far from over. You still need to wear a mask and social distance. Please do not listen to the mango moron; he is as dangerous as he is stupid and we need to fire him in […]
I was telling my friend Louie that I had to write a music summer guide and he responded, “Guide to what?” Good question, damned if I know. Maybe the best songs to listen to at the beach? That list for local music always starts with Neutral Nation’s “Bad Music Beach” with honorable mention to Someday […]
This pandemic has taken a massive toll on the entertainment industry, and it’s one that might be insurmountable for small clubs. On a national level, the newly formed National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) revealed that “90% of independent venues report that if the shutdown lasts six months and there’s no federal assistance, they will never […]