Where The Living Room Used To Be

On this episode, Chance Haki shares examples from his family that inspires him to persevere. Plus, you'll hear his perspective on how an organization can grow and the steps he's taking to further build Providence World Music. At the end, you'll Steven Sogo play a song on the ikembe during his performance at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston on May 28th, 2022 // Interview recorded June 20th, 2022 at James' house in Providence, RI// 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! ///  

For this episode, I caught up with Chance Haki, the director of Providence World Music. Since starting this project a few years back Chance has done a tremendous amount of work to highlight and promote traditional and indigenous music. In our conversation, we learn more about their mission and what they want to achieve, plus the numerous shows and styles of music they promote around Rhode Island.Please visit pvdworldmusic.com to get active and support this organization. Interlude song order: Yacouba Diabate plays the kora at Farm Fresh, April 2022 Steven Sogo plays the inanga at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, May 2022 Mambo Pa Ti at Providence Salsa Bachata Festival, November 2019 Steven Sogo plays the umuduri at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, May 2022 // Interview recorded June 20th, 2022 at James' house in Providence, RI// 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! ///

Drummer, vocalist, and art space owner Matt O'Brien, shares his favorite and his not-favorite things about Rhode Island. At the end of the episode, I've included one of my favorite songs from passionplay's self-titled debut. The song is "My Odyssey" and I hope you enjoy it!   // Interview recorded July 4th, 2022 at Focal in Pawtucket, RI// 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 mini-episode, Matt O'Brien passes along some tips on his drum technique. He also discusses how his endorsement with SJC Custom Drums came about and shares his experience with regard to the therapeutic value of playing music. And, as you'll hear Matt talk about in this episode... he likes to pull from various styles of music with the songs he writes. From listening to his catalog, I think a song that showcases this well is passionplay's song "Dreamless". I've included this track for you at the end. If you dig it, please support them by picking up their latest EP "Sinking" on Bandcamp. Enjoy! // Interview recorded July 4th, 2022 at Focal in Pawtucket, RI// 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 sat down with musician and co-founder of Focal, Matt O'Brien. I had a lot of fun talking with him and we covered a lot during our conversation including the interesting way he got his first drumset, the numerous bands he's played in, and what went into starting the art gallery Focal as well as what they are looking to achieve with this space.Plus, one of Matt's bands, passionplay, recently put out a phenomenal new release entitled "sinking." We discuss the recording process of this album, working with Roach Ranch Recordings, and the evolution of the band's sound. Interlude song order: "Blinders" by Just Flesh (from Demo 2020) "Haunting This Empty Page" by passionplay (from self-titled) "Who's Protected When You Serve" by Cerebral Prolapse (from Blossom)  "Poison" by passionplay (from Sinking) "Numb" by passionplay (from Sinking) "Parasite" by passionplay (from Sinking) // Interview recorded July 4th, 2022 at Focal in Pawtucket, RI// 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! ///

Venue director and musician, Russ Gusetti, shares some of his favorite things in Rhode Island, how he started playing concertina, and then takes us back through a bit of the history of Providence's Irish Session over the decades! At the end of the episode, you'll hear the lead track from Pendragon's Live At Blackstone River Theatre album "Brogan's / The Silver Spear".  // Interview recorded May 31st, 2022 at Blackstone River Theatre// 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 mini-episode, Russell Gusetti provides some of the most practical advice a musician can do to get attention, as well as what not to do... and a lot of the reasons why he continues to do what does with regard to shows.Don't forget to head over to Diamond Hill Park in Cumberland, Rhode Island for the 10th Annual Summer Solstice Festival this Saturday, June 18th! More info is available at riverfolk.orgAs you heard in the previously-released full episode, Russ talked about how Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inductee, Ken Lyon, played with Pendragon for a period of time. One of the most popular songs they performed together was a rendition of Doc Watson's song "Handsome Molly" featuring Ken on bass and vocals. The song is from Pendragon's 2005 album Artistic License and I've included it for you at the end of the episode. I hope you enjoy it! // Interview recorded May 31st, 2022 at Blackstone River Theatre// 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! ///

For this episode, I catch up with the executive director of Blackstone River Theatre, Russ Gusetti. In our conversation we talk about his unfortunate introduction to playing guitar that ended up being an overall benefit in his life, we also discuss how his small theatre came together and got to be known all around the world, what it was like being in the band Pendragon for 34 years, and of course, we get into what you can expect from their 10th annual Summer Solstice Festival that's taking place at Diamond Hill State Park on June 18th.Speaking of that... head on over to Instagram or Facebook to follow Where The Living Room Used To Be and find out how you could WIN 2 tickets to this year's festival!!! Interlude song order: "Restless Waters" by Pendragon from their album Live at Blackstone River Theatre (originally written by Jon Campbell) The Vox Hunters with Torrin Ryan live at BRT Summer Solstice Festival in 2015 "Humours of Tulla / Star of Munster" by Pendragon from their album Live at Blackstone River Theatre // Interview recorded May 31st, 2022 at Blackstone River Theatre// 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! ///