July 29th, 2021
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 Jon's 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! ///
July 22nd, 2021
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:
// 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! ///
July 15th, 2021
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! ///
July 6th, 2021
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" by Laroy Streat
- "Salvation Cruise" by Mark Cutler and the Men of Great Courage
- "Showtime" by Chachi Carvalho and The International Players
- dueling drums between Sidy Maiga and Osi Brathwaite
// Interview recorded June 29th, 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! ///
June 29th, 2021
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! ///
June 22nd, 2021
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! ///
June 15th, 2021
In this interview, Bill Bartholomew illuminates the life of a full-time artist, how being a podcaster has informed his music and tells the story from one of the most important days in his career.
We also chat about his new EP "Bats" which came out digitally on June 11th and got to discuss how this particular record was made and what he's striving for with the release.
Interlude song order:
// 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! ///
June 8th, 2021
Chrissy Stewart shares some of her Rhode Island faves in this mini-episode including where she shops for records, her special spot to hang in the Ocean State, and a favorite benefit show she does with PVDlive!
I've included one of my favorite songs by Chrissy, which is "Dissolve" (as you may have guessed if you heard the full episode) from her album House of Christina !
// Interview recorded May 13th, 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! ///
June 1st, 2021
Chrissy Stewart shares some music advice that gets to the core of humility and trust... as well as the often unspoken rewards of booking shows and festivals.
Episode includes a live song from Chrissy's performance at The Columbus Theatre on March 30th, 2018 (audio credit: Eddy Bills). The song is "Truth Of Your Love" from her album House of Christina and I love that this is an alternate version to what you hear in the record!
// Interview recorded May 13th, 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! ///
May 25th, 2021
Chrissy Stewart is a gifted musician and the owner of PVDlive. In our interview we talk about how she got into booking shows, what she's looking to create with her production company, Zydeco dancing at Rhythm & Roots Music Festival, how she created her record House Of Christina and the more than serendipitous way that title came to her.
Make sure to check out PVDlive's Roller Disco Concert Series at The Providence Rink that starts the beginning of June and runs all summer long!
Interlude song order:
// Interview recorded May 13th, 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! ///
