Episodes
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Sound Advice with Kay Belardinelli
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Kay Belardinelli passes along a songwriting technique she learned about 10 years ago at a music conference up in Boston. Plus, she shares her thoughts on what it means to make music your own way, and she gives probably one of the most insightful perspectives on the creative process I've ever heard.
At the end of the episode I've included Mar's song "Sick Of It" from their album Fill Your Lungs. As Kay discussed during our conversation, at the start, the band was actually working on covering an Elliott Smith song. The Mar track eventually became an original song that you'll hear here and I hope you enjoy!
// Interview recorded August 12, 2023 at Kay's home// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
Kay Belardinelli (Mariassunta, Mar, rishows.com)
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
For this episode I sat down with artist and musician, Kay Belardinelli. We discuss a lot over our lengthy chat including her early experiences with music all they way back to her first shows, the start of her band Mar, as well as the topics she's addressing with her songs. We also discuss the interesting ways she's recorded over the years, and the story behind her solo project, Mariassunta.
Plus, we cover a bit about rishows.com which is a fantastic resource for our local music and art scenes that she's a big part of these days.
Interlude song order:
"One Night" by Mar from their album, Trust in Nothing
"Bethesda" by Mar from their album, Pressed in the Earth
"We Thought We Were Gods" by Mar from, Everything is Alive
"Rosary" by Mariassunta from their album, Unbound
"somehow (i've made it so far)" by Mariassunta from their EP, warmest
"Can't Love You" by Mariassunta from their self-titled album
"I Miss the Pain by Mariassunta from their self-titled album
// Interview recorded August 12, 2023 at Kay's home// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
RI 5 with Kris Hansen
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Kris Hansen of Viking Jesus reminisces about Providence back in the day, shares his travel recommendations around the city for a fun evening, gives his thoughts on the best pizza, and highlights some of his favorite annual shows in Rhode Island.
At the end of the episode I included one of my favorite songs from Viking Jesus' album Before The Mutation entitled "Elliott." I hope you enjoy and please consider pick up this record on vinyl or download/stream wherever you get your music digitally.
// Interview recorded August 20, 2023 at Kris' home// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Sound Advice with Kris Hansen
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
This mini-episode has Kris Hansen of Viking Jesus sharing some advice for aspiring musicians, as well as a perspective music veterans should take with regard to live shows.At the end I've included a track by Kris Hansen's Left Hand Band live at The Ocean Mist (audio credit: bobk3d) from back in February of 2009. The song is "One & Seven" and I hope you enjoy!
// Interview recorded August 20, 2023 at Kris' home// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Kris Hansen (Viking Jesus, Man & Wife, Shiza Fest, sound person)
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
For this episode I was able to catch up with Kris Hansen where we talk about his dedication to songwriting and recording. Plus, we discuss many of the people he's played with over the years, what Dropout Night was all about, how he got into doing sound and the venues he's worked at over the years, as well as the story of how he started using the band name Viking Jesus!
We also preview each band that's playing Shiza Fest this coming weekend at Dusk on Saturday August 26th and The Parlour on Sunday August 27th. So check that out and come celebrate the life of Nick Iddon with us all
Interlude song order:
"Changes" from Viking Jesus' self-titled album
Kris Hansen and Jon Tierney performing at Dropout Night at The Collaborative November 2017 (audio credit: Paul Owen)
"Civil" from Viking Jesus's album Before The Mutation
// Interview recorded August 20, 2023 at Kris' home// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Kris Hansen talks Nick Iddon’s last Viking Jesus show
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Monday Aug 21, 2023
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
// Interview recorded August 20, 2023 at Kris' home// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
RI 5 with Clatta Bumboo
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
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 //
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Sound Advice with Clatta Bumboo
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
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 //

A podcast about Rhode Island's music scene
Hey everyone, it's James!
As a touring musician and board member of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame I knew there were stories of our state's rich musical history that many (including myself) may not know.
I started this podcast to shine light on these incredible performers from a diverse selection of genres; and learn about their careers - how they got their start, where they played shows, and the other bands and musicians that performed along beside them - in hopes of archiving RI's dynamic music scene and showcasing the artists representing our country's smallest state.
Hosted by James Toomey
Est. March 2019
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Header photo by James Lastowski
Shot during my interview with Chachi Carvalho at Beatbox Studio