Where The Living Room Used To Be

I've been very fortunate to speak with so many talented musicians over the last few years. One of these people was my father-in-law, Paul Dube, back in February of 2020. As you hopefully heard in that episode, Paul is an accomplished musician, booker, and music educator, but one thing you didn't hear was how his father Paul Dube Sr. was a master accordion player and educator as well.
Paul Dube Sr. passed away on July 4th of this year after a hard-fought battle with cancer. So what I have for you on this mini-episode is a previously unreleased clip of Paul Dube Jr. talking about the skill his father had, and what it was like balancing a third-shift job in a mill and being a working musician in the 60s to support the family.
I hope you enjoy the episode and please listen to the end to hear some recordings of Paul Sr. playing "Waltz Allegro" followed by the song "Sunny Skies" 
 
Previously unreleased clip from our interview recorded February 1st, 2020 at Paul's home in PawtucketIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

Jon Hope takes us back to his favorite RI record store, how his love for engaging with an artist has evolved over the years, where he hangs in the Ocean State, and how becoming the host of Providence College Basketball games at The Dunk came about!
Also, included his track "Rhode Less Traveled", which Jon and I discussed quite a bit in the full episode.
// Interview recorded July 8th, 2021 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //
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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 his 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 //
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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:
Live at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in 2007
"Better feat. Taktix" from Somekind of Wonderful
"Sara's Song (The Proclamation)" from Work In Progress 
"Coffee Milk feat. Buffi" from A Guy Named Harry
"Dirty Wings feat. Nino & Helena" from Savage Beauty
"3rd Shift feat. RagzDaArtist" previously unreleased single
"Winners Story feat. OT The Real" from Hope All Is Well
"Bluest Moon feat. RagzDaArtist" from Hope All Is Well
 
// Interview recorded July 8th, 2021 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //
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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 //
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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 //
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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 //
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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 //
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