Didn’t everyone, at some point in their lives, dream of being a rock star? The desire to make music and art can start very young; however, the music scene tends to be very male-dominated. So where can young girls and gender non-conforming kids go to find role models and learn new instruments? In our state, the […]
As I sit in the recording studio of New Urban Arts a cacophony fills the small room filled with about five people all playing different instruments, all different tempos, humming to themselves songs that don’t exist yet. Among these people sits Storm Ford. She sits in the middle of the room, stringing her guitar, singing; quietly, at […]
One of the world’s greatest jazz saxophonists hails from little ol’ Providence, Rhode Island. Scott Hamilton was born here, grew up and made his name locally. He was to become the premier swing and mainstream jazz tenor saxophone player in the United States, and his style would remind us of the late Ben Webster or Coleman […]
Ever since their start in Glen Rock, NJ, in 2005, Titus Andronicus have been lauded for their energetic live performances. Frontman and guitarist Patrick Stickles sings intensely from the heart in unapologetic fashion. It’s musical honesty with a punk rock foundation that’s absolutely incredible. The band has their fifth studio album currently out, A Productive […]
An incredibly good debut album has a power that can’t be overstated: It can make a band’s career and shift the music landscape. The first self-titled release from indie pop act Superorganism has what it takes with funky beats, interesting samples and catchy harmonies. Their album came out Mar 2 via the Domino Recording Company […]
Wyclef Jean is different from many of his hip-hop contemporaries due to his individualistic approach to the style. It’s hard to pin him down to one genre due to his incorporating world, folk, jazz and numerous other kinds of music. He also pays tribute to where he comes from in Haiti as part of his […]
If you ask a band or a musician about the hardest things that come with their craft, often they’ll mention trying to capture their live essence in a studio album. It can be difficult to appreciate the spontaneous energy that comes with playing live in a room with only a limited amount of time to […]
Spring in New England typically brings warmer temperatures, much needed rain and an occasional spot of sun. For 2018, it also appears to deliver a plethora of opportunities to hear classical music. Spanning from symphony to opera to choral to contemporary, read on to see what’s in store for the next few months. The […]
Narrows Center Plans to Expand “Music that matters, art that inspires” is the apt motto of Narrows Center for the Arts, an arts collective and concert venue in Fall River, Mass. Motif readers might have heard a mention here and there, but it’s a underrated spot that’s well worth the drive. Their eclectic programming, respectful […]
Okee dokee folks… The other day my mother showed me that her mobile phone was broken and mentioned that she needed a new one. The broken device was her first ever mobile phone, and it was at least 10 years old. It still had an antenna! Mom is a bit stubborn when it comes to gadgets […]