Where The Living Room Used To Be

Kris Hansen shares his experience performing at The Parlour on March 5th, 2022, which ended up being the last show Nick Iddon played with Viking Jesus and also included Nick's other bands Animal Face, Ravi Shavi, as well asThe Chops (*in the episode we incorrectly stated that The Quahogs were on this bill, but they were not. I blame Nick... he played in too many bands haha). Kris and I discuss the emotion that night and what was happening behind the scenes, as well as Nick's premature passing a week later.  At the end of the episode I've included an unreleased Viking Jesus song with Nick Iddon on drums called "The Giver." The 2nd Annual Shiza Fest - a celebration of Nick Iddon - will take place outside Dusk and outside of The Parlour this coming weekend. Find out more info and see all the bands that are playing at the links below. Saturday, August 26th: https://fb.me/e/2R4aImeyT Sunday, August 27th: https://fb.me/e/4anW2iaVH  

Clatta Bumboo gives up his "secret" spots to get music in Providence... plus he shares his favorite afternoon drink, where he enjoys walking in the Ocean State, and the vast amount of cultural resources available in our capital city! At the end of this mini-episode I included one of my favorite songs by Clatta Bumboo & Roots Government (actually, maybe one of my favorite reggae songs period!) called "Roots Official" from their EP Catalysis - Miles Deep In The Attic  // Interview recorded July 13, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

Clatta Bumboo and I talk music advice on this mini-episode where he shares a story about being truly dedicated to who you are as a musician. We also discuss what being in the information age means to artists these days and the core focus on collaboration as a guiding light to creating his music. At the end I included a clip of Clatta Bumboo & Roots Government's performance at Grant's Block in downtown Providence that PVD World Music put on back in September of 2022. The song is "My Time To Shine" (audio credit: Sharon Auger for Black River Sonics) from Clatta's Future Water EP and I hope you enjoy! Lastly, please support Clatta Bumboo by buying any of his amazing music on Bandcamp or Apple or Amazon or stream it on your favorite digital platform! Visit linktr.ee/clattabumboo for links to all these. // Interview recorded July 13, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

On this episode I speak with reggae artist, Clatta Bumboo. In our conversation we cover what music meant for him as he was growing up in Jamaica, how Foundation Mondays at The Parlour impacted and inspired his career, and what he's looking for Rhode Islanders to do to better understand the importance of reggae music. We also get a little tip into what Clatta has on the horizon to pull our music community together. Interlude song order: "We Are The Chosen (Steppa Style)" with Natural Element Live at The Parlour Providence (audio credit: Steve Neves) "Break The Chains" from his EP Catalysis - Miles Deep In The Attic "Mother's Prayer" from his EP Future Water // Interview recorded July 13, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

Kevin Silva shares some amazing hidden gems around Rhode Island from his experience growing up here and moving around. Plus, he reminds everyone to check out The Collaborative's Warren Folks Festival on August 19th as his band The War In Kids, and many other fantastic acts will be playing. I end this mini-episode with Senior Discount's song "Explode RI". This version is from their full-length album There Were Four Who Tried... // Interview recorded June 1, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

On this mini-episode Kevin Silva passes along a wild story from the legendary Joe Moody, we talk about the energy and excitement that can come from exploring new sounds, and we discuss the similarities of comedy and music. Listen until the end to hear "Travel The World" by MeandWho? from their 24 Hour PBR Diet EP as I feel it shares a little window into the early home recordings Kevin did for this project back here in Providence, Rhode Island // Interview recorded June 1, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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 order: "I Hope Tomorrow Never Comes" by MeandWho? from their EP, Run Along "Wendy's" by Senior Discount from their album, There Were Four Who Tried  "Alice" by The War In Kids from their EP, Stay Lost "5 Million Miles" by The War In Kids [single] "Charlie" by The War In Kids from their EP, Stay Lost // Interview recorded June 1, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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 May 8, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //  

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, and Animal Face. This was one of Nick's last shows before his passing and it has kind of become legendary night so I wanted to share it with you. (audio credit: James Lastowski) // Interview recorded May 8, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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 Weapons the new solo album he's set to release on May 26th. It's a great record with a meaningful back story so I hope you enjoy the episode and pick up the vinyl via Almost Ready Records Interlude song order: "Sixes and Sevens" by Ravi Shavi from their album, Special Hazards "17" by Happiness from their album, Live "Landline" by Rafay Rashid from his album, Kitchen Weapons "Pain Palace" by Rafay Rashid from his album, Kitchen Weapons // Interview recorded May 8, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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 of this mini-episode.  // Interview recorded April 24, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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 at the end or you can watch it here!   // Interview recorded April 24, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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 Center at Central Falls Landing so please come and see some of his work and I hope you enjoy learning more about his career in the episode!! Interlude song order: "Grace" live at The Met by Sage Francis "Abandoned Places" acoustic by Lauren King // Interview recorded April 24, 2023 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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. Plus, if you listen to the end you'll get a tiny glimpse of what their third project together may be. Pick up "Choice Is A Chance" now at Strangefamous.com and watch for it wherever you stream music on April 14th. Plus, both Mopes and BlackLiq will be performing alongside Jesse the Tree and Sage Francis on Friday, April 21st at The Met in Pawtucket. Get your tickets now for this historic return of some Rhode Island hip hop legends!! Interlude song order: "Guilty" by BlackLiq x Mopes from their album, Time Is The Price "Strange Famous" by BlackLiq x Mopes from their album, Choice Is A Chance "In The Beginning" by Blac

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. Create Myself is available on March 31st via Community Records and you can order it now at ilovenovaone.com and communityrecords.org Interlude song order: "Dangerous" from Nova One's album Create Myself "Crying" from Nova One's album Create Myself // Interview recorded March 20, 2023 via video chat // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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 video chat // 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, 2023 via video chat // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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!!! Interlude song order: "Devoid of Faith" by Axiom from their EP, Ruins of Prosperity "Fixin' To Die" by Adapter Adapter from their Self-titled EP "RI Shakedown" by Adapter Adapter from their album, No Comfort "Sleep Spell" by Adapter Adapter from their album, Sleep Spell "Voorhees" by Adapter Adapter from their album, Sleep Spell // Interview recorded February 23, 2023 via video chat // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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 Zoom // 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 live bootleg songs that were recorded on tour back in Oct of 2021. Enjoy "I'm the Jeff Gordon of Our Generation" followed by "0 Thanks Given" - If you've been digging this podcast, please do me a favor and tell a friend about it and/or leave a review wherever you're listening right now - // Interview recorded January 30th, 2023 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //