J Kelley Band are releasing their debut album Burning Season. Burning Season reminds me of high-energy ’90s rock. “Ransom” sounds like the Gin Blossoms with an added thump. I like the backing vocals on “Drying Out,” which gives a soulful texture to the driving pop that sounds like The Rembrandts meets Black Crowes. The title track […]
Madcap Mondays aren’t the dreary open mics you see in the movies, though there are similarities. Folks full of beer do shout from the audience, some performers tiptoe onto the stage one stiff breeze away from emotional collapse, not everybody knows all the words to the songs they’re singing. But the shouts from around the […]
For classical music lovers, there are some great events to look forward to over the next few months. Here’s what’s coming up for summer 2019: The 2018 Music On The Hill festival presents seven concerts of chamber music from June 2-12 at various locations throughout the state, including Cranston, Warwick and Westerly. For more information: […]
Dip, drip, drop! Why ease your way into summer this year when you can make a splash by riding out the best electronic dance music events Lil Rhody has in store? These three shows provide the rare and much-needed opportunity to get down and dirty (musically speaking!) on the beach, in the pool and in […]
To help shine a light on the lives of working musicians, I’ve been interviewing peers of mine about their experiences performing, how they balance their lives to make the music happen, and if they see a difference between playing for art’s sake or as a job. For this second article I talked to drummer […]
Okee dokee folks… ‘Tis the season when things start wrapping up indoors and begin to crawl out into the sun and squint their light-deprived eyes. Our next issue will be the Summer Guide, which is a big issue of “must do” activities for the hot and heavy months of June, July and August. If you […]
This month, we bring you Let’s Die, a new album from Providence outfit Snowplows. The band was formed in 2012 and is made up of former members of doom noise outfit Mast and mainstay indie rockers The Brother Kite. The often eclectic sound is born out of an arrangement in which there is no frontman, […]
Sick Pills — Nothing’s Funny Anymore (75orLess Records) — Take 2 Because They Are Good for You As a hockey junky it is really amazing that I get anything done this time of year. I’ve referenced the debut album of The Blood Moons as one of my favorite local albums many times. Before that, there […]
When you go to a restaurant and see musicians playing in the corner, you may think they’re only there to have fun. However, many of these musicians are getting paid to play there as part of a full-time career in music. To shine a light on the role working musicians play, I’ll be interviewing peers […]
On April 18, New York City-based Moon Hooch dropped by Fete’s Ballroom as part of their co-headlining tour with fellow NYC group Too Many Zooz. The band is a sax and drum trio made up of saxophonists Mike Wilbur and Wenzl McGowen, and drummer James Muschler, who all met and formed the group while studying […]