Where The Living Room Used To Be

Jesús shares how being a musician needs to be more than your persona and image, as well as the gifts of learning from many different influences and being versatile.  Includes a live performance by Grupo Sazón with Anthony Carrillo live at Burnside Park in Downtown Providence. Check out the video HERE!Video Credit: Richard Snyder  Recorded January 30th, 2020 at Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in PawtucketIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  

Jesús Andujar is a highly respected Latin percussionist that's toured the world and, though he grew up in the Dominican Republic, has made the choice to call Rhode Island home over 20 years now.  In our interview we talk about how being a farmer as a child helped him with his skills, the wonderful opportunities afforded to him because he's a musician, and the current state of live Latin music.  Interlude songs*:"No Me Sigas Mas" by La Gran ManzanaJesus Andujar and Grupo Sazón with Anthony Carrillo live at Burnside ParkImprovised jam with Anthony Carrillo on conga and Jesús Andujar on shekereGrupo Sazón demoMy Blue Heaven merengue Recorded January 30th, 2020 at Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in PawtucketIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey *for demonstration purpose only

Paul Dube shares a unique spot in Rhode Island to get records and the benefits of him moving from the woods to the city. Includes a favorite song of mine featuring Paul as a sideman by Sharks Come Cruisin' (definitely one I always enjoyed playing with them) called "Randy Dandy O" recorded live at Jake's in Providence back in 2006. Recorded February 1st, 2020 at Paul's home in PawtucketIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  

Paul Dube explains what friends like Atwater~Donnelly mean to him, the skill needed to be a good sideman musician, and the gratification of jamming with others! This bonus episode includes an unreleased rough cut of an original song by Paul called "Hitchhiker" If you've been enjoying this show, please do me a favor and leave a positive review wherever you listen to your podcasts. It would really mean a lot! Recorded February 1st, 2020 at Paul's home in PawtucketIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  

Paul Dube is a talented multi-instrumentalist known for his work as an accordion sideman for many RI singer-songwriters, a bluegrass slow jam instructor both locally and at premiere festivals such as Greyfox and Joe Val, and he also happens to be my father in law. We run through what he's looking to achieve with his classes, how he got to be in The Gobshites - a celtic band that's played consistently for nearly 20 years, and his thoughts on intentional improvisation.  Interlude songs:"I Can Wait" by Joanne Lurgio"Hard Pressed" (Hot Rize cover) by Loose RootsThe Gobshites live at Chesters"God's Favorite Song" by Bill Petterson"Red Shores of France" by Mary Ann Rossoni"Morning Light" (Paul Dube cover) by Bernard John Recorded February 1st, 2020 at Paul's home in PawtucketIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  

Al Diaz shares where he likes to hang in Rhode Island... the place he used to use change to buy records... and his favorite house of pizza (hint: it's "fantastic! fantastic!) This bonus episode includes one of my favorite songs from a project Al is a part of at the end. The song is "Close My Ears" by The Benji's Thanks for listening!!! Please rate & review wherever you're currently reading this! Recorded January 8th, 2020 at James' apartment in ProvidenceIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

On this bonus pod Al Diaz talks about staying positive and persistent with regard to music, and shares what his band practice schedule looks like. Also included is a song by Consuelo's Revenge that was recorded live at The Parlour in Providence back in 2017. Live track from a video shot by Kyle Shellmer Recorded January 8th, 2020 at James' apartment in ProvidenceIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

Through his career Al Diaz has been both an award-winning singer and highly sought-after drummer. In our interview we talk about his upbringing in Central Falls, what he did to teach himself to play music, and how he got to be in so many bands. Interlude songs: "Last Night Of Our Lives" by Al Diaz "Silent Struggle" by Kanerko "Romeo" by The Dust Ruffles "All Fall Down" by Consuelo's Revenge "What It Takes" by SEXCoffee "Torn Away" by The Benji's Recorded January 8th, 2020 at James' apartment in ProvidenceIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

Learn the RI restaurant where Jen Long gets her favorite drink, the places she enjoys in the state, and what one author means to her. I've also included a favorite track of mine that Jen's been a part of. It's a song called "Red River" by SwampBirds  Recorded December 27th, 2019 at Jen's office in ProvidenceIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

Jen Long shares some advice about how much to engage with your instrument, the beauty of exploring new music, and the impact poetry has had in her life. I've also included a live song by Assembly of Light Choir from a performance at Machines With Magnets back in 2012. The main voice you'll hear is Assembly of Light's founder and director - Crissy Wolpert - and the song is their version of The Velvet Underground's "I'm Set Free". Also part if this show was noise artist, Work/Death *Live track taken from a video shot by Arvid Tomayko Recorded December 27th, 2019 at Jen's office in ProvidenceIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

Jen Long is a musician, activist and designer based in Providence. In our interview we talk about the hurdles she's overcome to become a musician, what Girls Rock RI (now known as RIOT) means to her, and how The Whale Guitar project came about and what it's looking to achieve. Interlude songs: "Let Me Pretend" by SwampBirds "Double Drowning" by SwampBirds "Into The Woods II" by Assembly of Light Choir "Truth More First Than Sun" by Cardboard Cannons "Insides" by Assembly of Light Choir Recorded December 27th, 2019 at Jen's office in ProvidenceIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

Chris Carrera and I take a deep dive into pizza strips and you'll find out the shop that he got his first tattoo at! Includes track by Bloodpheasant from their second album "Grieve"The song is called "I am the vulture and I am home" and it's a favourite of mine Recorded July 18th at James' home in ProvidenceIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

Chris Carrera passes along some advice he first heard from his father...as well as his rationale for what he puts into his live performances. Includes an alternative version of "I Do Believe We're Naked By Funky See, Funky Do" by Weak Teeth that was part of Atomic Action! Records' Rhode Island hardcore compilation "You Can't Kill Me, I'm Already Dead" Please support two great RI record labels - Atomic Action! and Tor Johnson Records who have released many albums Chris has been a part of!!! Recorded July 18th at James' home in ProvidenceIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

You may know Chris Carrera from numerous bands including Weak Teeth, Bloodpheasant, Deleted Arrows and Yavinfive. In our conversation he talks about diy shows and punk matinees in Providence, his experience playing Weak Teeth's "final show" before his move to Denver, and why AS220 is a special place to him.  Interlude songs: "A Red State of Mind" by Yavinfive "Repetition Implies Importance, Implies Importance" by Weak Teeth "Facebath III: Cube Zero" by Weak Teeth "The Dark and All Of Them" by Bloodpheasant "Antennas and Theri Lies" by Deleted Arrows "Timecop! Beach Party!" by Timecop Beach Party Recorded July 18th at James' home in ProvidenceIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

Learn about John Allmark's war with RI pizza, how his record collection got so big, and what you should be doing on the night before Thanksgiving. Recorded September 25th at Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in PawtucketIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

John and I chat about music advice and his thoughts on the state of music today. We also discuss the high standards he has... as well as what coming to America showed him.    Includes a track by the John Allmark Jazz Orchestra live at Bovi's Tavern - the home of Monday night big band jazz for over 40 years before it closed in 2015.Audio credit: Mike Palmer Recorded September 25th at Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in PawtucketIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

John Allmark is a prodigy musician that came to RI from his native England when he was a teenager. In our interview John talks about his experience with the jazz scene in our state, and the huge name acts he's performed with including Aretha Franklin, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr., Joan Rivers, The Buddy Rich Band, Natalie Cole, Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra... and the list goes on!   We also talked about his role as a band leader and how being part of what's considered the longest continuously running big band in the United States came about.  Make sure to check him out and give a follow on Facebook HERE Interlude song order: "From The One" by The Psychic Horns"There's No Greater Love" by John Allmark Jazz OrchestraLive track from The Parlour by The Funky Autocrats  "The Sandpiper: The Shadow Of Your Smile" by John Allmark Jazz Orchestra     Recorded September 25th at Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in PawtucketIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

William Schaff is quite the ambassador for the place he calls home. Find out some of Will's favorite spots and things around the state... and why he loves the town of Warren so much!   *This interview was recorded on October 2nd, 2019 at Fort Foreclosure in Warren, RIIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

So, William Schaff isn't really one for advice but we talked about a couple of things including how he feels perseverance is necessary for an artist, how you don't have to do what you're supposed to, and the inspiration a person such as David Lamb of Brown Bird was. You'll also notice that during our interview Will had a friend, Christine Depoto - another local artist and sign maker - stop over, which was a great example of how open and inviting Fort Foreclosure really is. Please consider supporting Will via Patreon HERE Song: "Jovano" by What Cheer? Brigade *This interview was recorded on October 2nd, 2019 at Fort Foreclosure in Warren, RIIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  

William Schaff is a well-known artist that has created iconic images for bands such as Okkervil River, Magnolia Electric Co., and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. He's also worked with local Rhode Island bands Brown Bird, The Low Cards, and No Plateau ...to name a few. In addition to being a highly recognized visual artist he has also played in some amazing bands including The Eyesores and What Cheer? Brigade. In our interview we talk about how he started playing in these bands, his creative process, and how meeting Brian Chippendale and the guys from Fort Thunder helped lead him down this path. Song interlude order:"Beech, Birch, Mountain Pine" by The Iditarod "Benevolent St." by The Eyesores "Iahabibi" by What Cheer? Brigade "Sparrow" by The Iditarod  *This interview was recorded on October 2nd, 2019 at Fort Foreclosure in Warren, RIIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey