May 3rd, 2021
My guest on this episode is saxophonist, Leland Baker! In our interview, we cover so much from his career including his time studying music in New Orleans and at the University of Rhode Island... connecting with Quarter Water in New York City, how he founded his teaching program Bridging Gaps, and of course all the jazz projects he's working on!
Interlude song order:
- "I Wish" by Quarter Water from their EP, Flavors
- segment from "Pass Me Not | Remaking the Real" (Leland Baker and tap dancer Orlando Hernandez collaboration)
- "Mr. LC" by Leland Baker Group performed at Level Exchange in Pawtucket
// Interview recorded April 12th, 2021 via Zoom
// Intro music by Cedros
// Hosted by James Toomey //
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April 20th, 2021
Providence rapper and beatmaker, ToadStool has a new solo album entitled "eARTh 1" coming out this week... so on this episode, we have a track by track discussion across the entire album, as well as talk about how this multiple piece concept project has evolved over time. Plus, we get into how the artwork for the cover and individual songs was created, and you'll even find out what my walk-up song would be if I was a professional baseball player!
It's always fun to talk with Toad and he's a super talented artist! Make sure to check out his new album when is drops digitally on April 23rd or pick up one of the limited edition marbelized cassettes he and I teamed up on that comes out a day earlier on Earth Day itself!
And, if you're not too familiar with Toadstool check out some previous episodes we've done with Toad & the Stooligans and Ronald Raygun to learn a little more about this story in music
Interlude song order:
- "Couch" from ToadStool's album eARTh 1
- "Choppin'" from ToadStool's album eARTh 1
- "Versus" from ToadStool's album eARTh 1
- "I Don't Wanna Die Anymore" from ToadStool's album eARTh 1
// Interview recorded March 28th, 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! ///
April 14th, 2021
On this special edition episode, I catch up with the esteemed bass player, Joe Potenza to talk about Evening Sky's new album "One Mic, Two Weekends". This is an interesting album as it was literally recorded using a single mic that - as you'll hear us get into - taps into both one of the earliest ways of recording... all the way to some of the most modern technology utilizing a high definition audio format. So we'll take a deep dive into the recording process for this new record, as well as talk about the start of the band and many of the other things they are up to!
Interlude song order:
// Interview recorded April 5th, 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! ///
April 8th, 2021
Charlie Marie and I talk RI drinks, RI pizza, RI places... so give a listen to find out her favorite places to hang out, dine, and play shows in The Ocean State
Includes my favorite song by Charlie, which is "Shot In The Dark" from her live-take album Chucktown Takes: Live from St. Philip
// Interview recorded March 5th, 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! ///
April 1st, 2021
Charlie Marie shares some insight she learned at music camp while in high school, and what she feels you need to do to be able to give and share with others. She also tells a fun story about what it was like for her growing up in the woods of Burrillville.
I also share a live song of Charlie's recorded at her cd release show at Askew in May of 2019 for her latest self-titled EP. The song is "Countryside" (audio credit: john doherty) and I recommend listening to the lyrics on this one. It's a great song that speaks to the reality of Rhode Island County music. Enjoy!
// Interview recorded March 5th, 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! ///
March 26th, 2021
For this episode I got to chat with RI country artist, Charlie Marie, about her new album, Ramble On, which is coming out on May 7th but is available now for pre-order! We talked about the making of this record, how fellow Rhode Islander Tyler-James Kelly of The Silks came to be involved with it. Plus, we discuss her overall songwriting process, how a couple of her recent music videos were made, and her experience playing with Brian McKinnon. We even go all the way back to Charlie's early vocal lessons and some of the first places she's performed.
Interlude song order:
// Interview recorded March 5th, 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! ///
March 19th, 2021
John Difruscio tells us about how great a certain record & tape store used to be, some of the cool things they do at the bar at Askew, where he hangs out when he's not at the clubs he owns, and reflects back on some of the more memorable shows he's booked throughout his career.
Also included at the end are a couple of live songs from one of my personal favorite bands, Verse, recorded at their 5th Anniversary show at Club Hell back in 2008!! (audio credit: cocolash)
// Interview recorded March 1st, 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! ///
March 12th, 2021
John Difruscio shares some advice he's picked up throughout his decades-long career in the music industry, what's needed to have longevity in this business, and with this once again... it's hard to escape the impact that Randy Hein from The Living Room had on our Rhode Island music scene. John also shares a fun story of one of the earliest parties he ever put together!
This episode ends with a piece from The Autocrats set live at Askew back in November of 2019! (Hope this stellar funk band gets back to their weekly shows every Tuesday night once it's safe.)
// Interview recorded March 1st, 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! ///
March 5th, 2021
John Difruscio has been a nightclub and concert promoter in Providence since the early 80s. Starting as a radio DJ at Rhode Island College he's gone on to book shows at The Living Room and Confetti. He's also run venues such as Club Hell and Firehouse 13. In our interview we talk about the ups and downs of the music business from his experience and what he has planned in the future for the Askew and Alchemy... two clubs he co-owns with his wife Windsong Hadley.
Interlude song order:
// Interview recorded February 15th, 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! ///
February 26th, 2021
Duke Robillard takes us through a bit of the history of Providence's record stores, plus a tip of the hat to the drinks of RI and his experience at The Guild, where he gets his pizza these days, and more about the overall love he has for his home state!
I do have to say that in my opinion this was probably Duke's favorite part of the interview. I'm so happy we got to reminisce about some of this stuff and I hope you enjoy!
Also included is a song from Duke's 2019 album Ear Worms. It's a cover of the Bob Dylan song "I Am A Lonesome Hobo" that features fellow Rhode Island Music Hall Of Famer, Mark Culter.
If you dig it, Ear Worms is available on both CD and blue vinyl on Duke's website!
// Interview recorded January 30th, 2021 via phone call over 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! ///
