Where The Living Room Used To Be

On this episode I chat with Kevin Silva, most recently of The War In Kids who have a new EP coming out in July. In our discussion Kevin seems to come upon what his first instrument actually was, plus we cover the start of Senior Discount and what the Providence scene was like for them during the early 2000s, and we get into the meaning behind some of his songwriting these days. Interlude song orde...

Rafay Rashid shares his favorite drink and spot to hang... plus some insider tips on places to find beauty in the Ocean State, where he gets his pizza these days, and the events he enjoys most! I've include a couple of my favorite tracks from Rafay's projects at the end so check out "Thing" by Lookers off their EP Mirage and "City of Love" off his solo album Kitchen Weapons // Interview recorded M...

Rafay Rashid passes along some songwriting advice he got from his uncle... as well as the beauty of creating with friends and we discuss the emotions that inspire him. At the end of this mini-episode you'll hear a couple of tracks by Ravi Shavi live at The Parlour on March 5th, 2022 . This was a birthday show for their drummer, Nick Iddon, and Tara Hansen that also included Viking Jesus, The Chops...

On this episode I chat with Rafay Rashid where we cover some early influences that led him to music and performance. We also cover the path Ravi Shavi has taken with regards to their lineup and releases, plus we discuss how a friendship with members of Deer Tick led to the start of their band Happiness as well as Rafay's other musical projects. Most importantly we take a deep dive into Kitchen Wea...

David Lawlor , a photographer and videographer here in Rhode Island shares some of his favorite places and things in the state. Learn where he likes to shop, what his favorite drink is and how many slices of pizza he orders at a time.  Dave has also shot several photos that have been used for album artwork including Strip Mall 's first ever single "Reverse The Curse" which I've included at the end...

This mini-episode has photographer David Lawlor sharing where he feels you should put your focus as an artist, plus we discuss what decisions need to be made to balance life and work, and most importantly what it means to have a community around you when you're looking to create.   Last year Dave made a music video for High Planes song "Season For The Ghosts" and you'll be able to hear this track...

For this one I was able to catch up with live music photographer and videographer, David Lawlor ! We talk about some of the artists he worked with over the years, plus we get into his process and the techniques behind how he shoots... as well as what he's looking to bring to Rhode Island as a whole. His company, Run of the Mill , will be hosting a gallery exhibit Thursday May 4th at Shark's Event...

Richmond rapper, BlackLiq teamed up once again with Rhode Island's Mopes to create " Choice Is A Chance "... the follow up to this duos " Time Is The Price ". In our conversation we talk about how these two first connected, the technique BlackLiq uses to write with such depth and quick turnaround, and how Mopes has settled into his production over the last few years to create with more intention....

My guest on this episode is Nova One's Roz Raskin. In our conversation we cover what their experience was like making this album especially with the hurdles the pandemic created, the urge to explore new sounds as an artist, and the amount of attention that went into each part of the production. We also discuss their custom Holcomb guitar, and the creative choices made for the album's design pieces...

Nick Ryder of Adapter Adapter shares some of his favorites places and things you'll find in the Ocean State! At the end, I've included one of my favorite tracks from his new album, Sleep Spell . The song is "Warship" and I hope you dig it as much as I do! // Interview recorded February 23, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by  Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

On this episode, Nick Ryder passes along some fundamental advice he's gathered as a musician, and he and I share some stories from the road. Listen until the end to hear a track of Adapter Adapter playing live at The Parlour back in February of 2019 (credit: Corinne Southern) . The songs is "Coffin Shaker" from their album " No Comfort " and I hope you enjoy! // Interview recorded February 23, 202...

For this episode I got to reconnect with Nick Ryder from the band Adapter Adapter . We get much deeper into his music history this time and I have to say there were a lot of surprises to me that came out during our conversation! We discussed playing in a metal band in his youth, his learning curve with guitar, and he tells a very honest account of making Adapter Adapter's new album, Sleep Spell!!!...

Sarah Greenwell shares some of her favorite things in Rhode Island, and she gives me tips on a date I should do with my wife. At the end of the episode I've included one of my favorite Greeensleeves songs, "behave", from their album attractive nuisance! // Interview recorded January 30th, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by  Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

Sarah Greenwell and I discuss one of the most salient tips she's gotten from the road, as well as the illusion of democratization in today's music industry, and we get to learn more about how one of the highlights of her life came about. Don't forget to pick up the Love You Funny split or any of the other great Gymshorts and Greeensleeves records!! At the end of the episode you'll hear a couple of...

On this episode I got to chat with Sarah Greenwell from Gymshorts and Greeensleeves . In our conversation we cover much of her career going all the way back to the atypical piano lessons she had growing up, to her process booking Gymshorts' tours for so many years, plus we discuss the status and thought behind the 2nd Greeensleeves album that is nearly finished. Of course we also talked about how...

Rapper and producer, ToadStool , has been steadily building his catalog of music over these last few years and he continues to grab attention with his unique take on hip hop. In this episode we talk about how vintage horror films helped to inspire his last few projects, the pace at which he creates his music, and some of the personal stories he gets into on Labthrashr, which comes out on January 2...

Music journalist, Rob Duguay, joins me for a conversation about some of our favorite Rhode Island music that was released in 2022. Plus, we talk about a handful of the memorable shows we caught in the state this year and share a quick preview of some things we each have planned in the near future. Thanks to everyone that made such wonderful music in 2022!! Trust us, we could have kept going on and...

On this episode, I talk with Ben Shaw about his new album + novella, Madeline . In our conversation, we discuss how the concept for this project came about where we really get into the album's evolution in the studio, the message he's working to convey with the story, and the important role of women in his life. Madeline comes out on December 9th and will be celebrated with a release party that ev...

On this episode I got to speak with world-renowned saxophonist, Scott Hamilton ! In our conversation we talk about his musical roots here in Rhode Island, plus his experience playing with some big acts through the years. We also touch upon a handful of the nearly 200 albums he's been apart of across his 50+ year career including his own approach to recording. Scott will be performing alongside his...

I was happy to finally connect with John Boles to talk about his impressive post-rock project, Align in Time ! In our conversation, we discuss how he creates these elaborate instrumentals by himself, why that usually means long gaps between albums, doing some recording at Strangeways in PVD back in the day, and what people can expect from Align in Time's first show in 10 years. Plus, he teases a l...

I have another special guest for you on this episode! Jonah Matranga from bands such as Onelinedrawing, Far, New End Original, and Gratitude, joins me for a conversation about balancing art & life as a professional musician, what matters most to him about his songwriting, and how his latest album, Tenderwild , came together. Jonah will be heading out on tour with other Iodine Recordings artists He...

I have a very special guest for you on this episode! Joseph Grillo from bands such as Garrison , Instruction, Gay For Johnny Depp , I Hate Our Freedom , Judas Knife and now, most recently, Her Head's On Fire joins me for a conversation about his path in music, the perspective he tends to write from with regard to his lyrics, and why all his bands seem to be groups indie emo rock all-stars.   Her H...

Beth Barron shares some of her favorite things in Rhode Island! From her top pizza place, to where she likes to spend her time in the state, and even the brewer she used to work with back in college!! At the end of this mini-episode, I've included her song "Kiss My Check" that you can also find on a benefit comp I worked to put together for Galactic Theatre called " Surviving The Friggin' Apocalyp...

Beth Barron shares her thoughts on music advice and what inspires her as an artist. The end of this mini-episode includes her cover of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" which was recorded live at Burnside Park during the 2022 PVD Fest (audio credit: M-Tron ) // Interview recorded August 20th, 2022 outside Warren Folks Festival on Cutler Street in Warren, RI // Intro music by  Cedros //...

On this episode singer-songwriter, Beth Barron , and I connected outside of the Warren Folks Festival for a quick chat to talk about her path in music, how she's overcome some artistic hurdles, and we give you a little preview of what you can expect at The 8th Annual Rhode Island Folk Festival that she is a part of planning. The festival takes place at Rose Larisa Park in East Providence on Sunday...