Where The Living Room Used To Be

Last week I caught up with Paul Dechichio on Instagram Live to talk about Tor Johnson Records' 20th Anniversary Subscription Series. In our conversation, Paul and I discuss what goes into planning and producing a series such as this, the diversity of bands he's included, and he lets out a few secrets of what special goodies come with the subscription! Enjoy the episode and please consider purchasing a subscription at torjohnsonrecords.com   Interlude song order: "Willow II" by Tyler Daniel Bean from his album On Days Soon To Pass "Domination Lord Of Coldharbour" by Cyttorak from their EP Simultaneous Invocation Of Apocalyptic Harbingers Also check out my full episode with Paul to learn more about the history of Tor Johnson Records and everything else he's involved in http://www.livingroomutb.com/e/ep-6-paul-dechichio-tor-johnson-records-best-practices-cyttorak-teeth-like-swords-alpha-owl-jesuscentric   // Interview recorded November 1st, 2021 via Instagram Live (sorry that the audio quality was a li

This is a unique episode as it's a bit of a reunion of the band Cedros that I was a part of about 10 years ago. On Friday, November 5th, Where The Living Room Used To Be is releasing the album we made back in 2011 - entitled The Red Knight - that never actually came out on limited-edition lathe-cut vinyl 7", cassette with exclusive bonus tracks, and digital download. Caleb, Phil, and I got together to talk about our experiences in the band, working with Daryl Rabidoux to make this album, and some of the memorable shows we played during our time as a band. Interlude song order: "Roche Limit" by Cedros (from The Red Knight) "Lost Sleep" by Cedros (from The Red Knight) "Remedy" by Cedros (from The Red Knight) If you dig some of the songs clips you hear please consider picking up the record at livingroomutb.bandcamp.com. Thanks!    // Interview recorded October 28th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever y

Emcee and entrepreneur, Joe Bruce, talks about early music discovery, shouts out a fantastic independent business that made the choice to do what's right for their community, shares a little about what it was like growing up where he did, his personal show goals of where he'd like to perform, and calls out some of the practices that can happen when shows are booked in RI.  I've also included one of my favorite tracks off of Joe's latest album Serpent. The song is "Workshop" and has features by Troy Reign and Ren Thomas!   // Interview recorded October 11th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Joe Bruce shares some advice about how to shift your perspective to unburden yourself as an artist... as well as what it takes to connect that missing link to move to the next level. For quite a few years now Chachi Carvalho has been curating an art & music festival called Culture Shock. Joe has performed at this event a couple of times including last year which pivoted to an online stream. The show was really cool so I wanted to share that performance with you and invite you to check out the entire program. Also, follow Culture Shock 401 on Instagram as there might be some exciting news coming soon. Enjoy!  // Interview recorded October 11th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

On this episode, I speak with rapper and entrepreneur Joe Bruce. We get into his new album Serpent, the relationship he has with his producers (such as ClarkWork and Larry Ohh), what he's doing to shine a light on Rhode Island's hip hop scene, and how a serendipitous rideshare was the catalyst to get him back into music Interlude song order: "Soul" by Joe Bruce & Clarkwork from their album The Ruff Mixes (2017 - 2020)  "On The Low" by Joe Bruce & Larry Ohh from their album Clementine "Story of Jacob" by Joe Bruce & Clarkwork from their album The Ruff Mixes (2017 - 2020) "Shine (feat Mz Marrowz)" by Joe Bruce from his album Serpent   // Interview recorded October 11th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Bluegrass singer and guitarist, Alex MacLeod, shares some of the finds on Wickenden Street in Providence that he holds dear, how he fuels up for a long fishing trip (hint: "Cumbys" is involved), a spot in Central Falls that he must visit whenever in the area, and how one of his favorite RI events is one he's actually never been to. Included at the end is the song "Stagger Lee" from Rock Hearts album Starry Southern Nights. // Interview recorded September 9th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Alex MacLeod passes along some of the wisest advice I've heard about how to connect with an audience and truly be a pro musician. He also gives some tips on how to learn and advance your bluegrass talents. Also, as you heard in the full episode, Alex had the opportunity to play in one of the most well-known New England bluegrass bands of all time, Northern Lights. And to me... it's just such a wonderful thing that he got to be a part of representing Rhode Island in that way. After being a band for 35 years Northern Lights played their last show on March 13th, 2010. At the end of this mini-episode I've included a song from that evening - "Lonesome Road" (audio credit: steveide59) that featured Alex on rhythm guitar and vocals. I hope you enjoy it! // Interview recorded September 9th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Alex MacLeod has a long history in the RI bluegrass scene! In this episode we talk about his stint playing in the legendary band Northern Lights, how his latest group Rock Hearts got their start, some fun stories recording their debut album, and what events such as the Ocean State Bluegrass Festival - that's happening this weekend, Sept. 18th +19th - can mean for the community of musicians in our area. Interlude song order: "Whispering Waters" by Rock Hearts (from Starry Southern Nights) "Starry Southern Nights" by Rock Hearts (from Starry Southern Nights) // Interview recorded September 9th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///  

Mark Taber shares his Rhode Island theory for prolonged health, his experience going to the early days of Newport Jazz Festival, the poetic journey he would take to buy music in his youth, and I call him out for his questionable pizza choice.   Includes the song "Gotta Travel On" performed by Two Tabers    // Interview recorded August 3rd, 2021 at Lippitt Park in Providence  // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

On this special edition episode, I sit down with vocalist Evan Warren and drummer Devin McGrath from Alley Trash to talk about the history of the band and some of their key influences. Plus, we get into their latest release "New Failures" and you're going to want to listen to the end to hear about a couple of very cool things they have in the works as well! I hope you enjoy and definitely make sure to check out their EP release show on Sept 4th at the Bristol VFW which has an incredible lineup of RI and MA bands that you'll hear more about in this episode. Interlude track order: "A Matter of Course and Policy" from their EP Cement Waits For No Man  "Son of the South" from their EP New Failures // Interview recorded August 31st, 2021 via Instagram Livestream // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Mark Taber shares some very practical advice on how to be a better musician and a better bandmate, as well as what he feels the overall approach should be toward creating art and music And, as Mark talked about in the full episode, Tombstone was known for their powerful live shows - playing anywhere from small bars to big arenas - which helped lead them to major label record deals. So what I have for you at the end of this mini-episode is a 1987 performance of Ken Lyon and the Tombstone Blues Band live from the Blue Pelican in Newport. The song is "Brownsville" and this was originally broadcast on WOTB radio. Enjoy!    // Interview recorded August 3rd, 2021 at Lippitt Park in Providence  // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

On this episode, I have the honor of speaking with the legendary, Mark Taber. As you can imagine, we discuss a lot over his 60+ year music career including how he first got into playing the piano, the start of Tombstone Blues Band, how music is a great mechanism to give back to the community, and his experiences playing shows with some of the most acclaimed artists over the last half-century. Interlude song order: "The Way You Look Tonight" solo piano by Mark Taber (audio courtesy of Sam Taber) "Lorraine" by Ken Lyon and Tombstone "Guilty" performed by Two Tabers "The Nearness of You" solo piano by Mark Taber (audio courtesy of Sam Taber) // Interview recorded August 3rd, 2021 at Lippitt Park in Providence (please excuse any background noise... I did what I could :) ) // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

I've been very fortunate to speak with so many talented musicians over the last few years. One of these people was my father-in-law, Paul Dube, back in February of 2020. As you hopefully heard in that episode, Paul is an accomplished musician, booker, and music educator, but one thing you didn't hear was how his father Paul Dube Sr. was a master accordion player and educator as well. Paul Dube Sr. passed away on July 4th of this year after a hard-fought battle with cancer. So what I have for you on this mini-episode is a previously unreleased clip of Paul Dube Jr. talking about the skill his father had, and what it was like balancing a third-shift job in a mill and being a working musician in the 60s to support the family. I hope you enjoy the episode and please listen to the end to hear some recordings of Paul Sr. playing "Waltz Allegro" followed by the song "Sunny Skies"    Previously unreleased clip from our interview recorded February 1st, 2020 at Paul's home in Pawtucket Intro music by Cedros Hosted

Jon Hope takes us back to his favorite RI record store, how his love for engaging with an artist has evolved over the years, where he hangs in the Ocean State, and how becoming the host of Providence College Basketball games at The Dunk came about! Also, included his track "Rhode Less Traveled", which Jon and I discussed quite a bit in the full episode. // Interview recorded July 8th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Jon Hope shares some things he's learned from other hip-hop stars, what he feels you can do to find your truest self, and what it is that moves him down his musical path.  I've also included a performance of Jon's song "Black Rose" from his appearance on BAMS FEST. He recently did this livestream show and interview and I highly recommend checking out the full event. [CLICK HERE TO WATCH]  Also, make sure to catch the album release party for Hope All Is Well to see him live in person with a full band on September 15th at The Met in Pawtucket! [CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS]   // Interview recorded July 8th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Jon Hope is an acclaimed rapper, entrepreneur, and educator and on this episode, we have a long conversation that delves into all of these. We cover his early years, what he puts into his writing, how he reps Rhode Island, and we spend some time highlighting a couple of tracks from each of the albums he's done.  Plus, we talk about his new book "Respect Your Passion" and how his Hope Scholars Initiative came about. Interlude song order: Live at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in 2007 "Better feat. Taktix" from Somekind of Wonderful "Sara's Song (The Proclamation)" from Work In Progress  "Coffee Milk feat. Buffi" from A Guy Named Harry "Dirty Wings feat. Nino & Helena" from Savage Beauty "3rd Shift feat. RagzDaArtist" previously unreleased single "Winners Story feat. OT The Real" from Hope All Is Well "Bluest Moon feat. RagzDaArtist" from Hope All Is Well   // Interview recorded July 8th, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a r

I sat down with Jack and Vinnie of Warwick party emo /sad jazz band Strip Mall to cover their start, how the band constructs their intricate songs, the experience they had recording the "Strip Mall EP", and what to expect at the release show on 7/15 at Dusk!!! (if you're listening to this in the future check the internet for some videos from the show... it was a good one and definitely did have some surprises)  As you'll hear, I'm a big fan of these guys and definitely recommend picking up their new EP on Bandcamp or wherever you buy/stream music... or grab a CD at the show! Includes their song "Julius Caesar" from Strip Mall EP  // Interview recorded July 14th, 2021 via Instagram Livestream // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Levitt AMP Woonsocket has been featuring top-notch music in Rhode Island's northernmost city since 2018. On this episode, I catch up with event director, Meg Rego, to talk about the goal of bringing diverse music to Woonsocket, what goes into booking a 10-event series like this, and we go week-by-week covering what this year's lineup has in store!!! As you'll hear in this special edition episode, this music series is incredibly supportive of the RI music scene and will be investing $19,500 toward local artists in just this year alone! See you at River Island Art Park this summer for free music on Friday evenings from July 9th - September 17th! To learn more about sponsorships and how to support this event click here. Interlude songs: "The Wolf Is Back" by Lauren King "26 Strings - Live from Chillhouse Studios" by Back Rhodes "Drift To You" by The Beardogz Natural Element live at La Fabrica "Wake Up (feat. Chalease)" by Lisa Bello "Katrina" by Kim Trusty "La Vida Es Muy Shula" by EhShawnee "Buddy" b

RI 5 has become a really fun conversation to have... and with Bill Bartholomew that is especially true! He shares a story of "taking trips to the city" (which refers to Warwick), exploring rural Rhode Island, we tick off some tried-and-true RI-isms, and he writes the beginnings of a song on the spot that could take him in a new direction :) We also go a little deeper into the Elmwood Songwriters Club series that he books at his loft space in Providence.   // Interview recorded May 31st, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please subscribe, and leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

On this mini-episode, Bill Bartholomew and I get into the duality of needing to be self-sufficient as an artist but also the importance of being a part of a scene and showing up for others. We also talk about the thing that really motivates and inspires him.    I also share with you a song he did with Silverteeth back in 2016 as part of the New Porch Live Sessions that Newport Art House put together (these are all great... you should check them out!!!). The song is "Camden" and I hope you enjoy it!    // Interview recorded May 31st, 2021 via Zoom // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please subscribe, and leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///