Where The Living Room Used To Be

Multi-instrumentalist Armand Aromin and I cover many things during our conversation such as what I would consider is a unique inspiration to start playing music... his path to becoming a violin maker... and the approach he and his partner, Ben, take to playing traditional folk music!
Interlude song order:"The Fairy Reel" by The Ivy Leaf"The Cucanandy" by The Ivy Leaf"Fresh From The Board" by The Vox Hunters"Cardinal" by Mountainess"Little Rhode Island" by The Vox Hunters
Interview recorded May 16th, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey 

I recently had the opportunity to speak with acclaimed rapper and activist B. Dolan about his song "Film the Police" originally released in 2011. In this segment we talk about political art and how protest songs can help be a tool to unite and activate the public. He also shares some personal insight into what's currently happening in Minnesota.
*Watch for the full interview with B. Dolan about his career and more in a few weeks. 
Interview recorded May 29th, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey 

Jesse Ramos and I cover summertime frosty treats, where he'd like to retire, and what activity aggravates him most in life (in a good way)!
It was honestly super hard to pick a favorite song of mine to include on this bonus episode but I decided to go with "by my side (featuring Sly Quixote)" from Jesse The Tree's latest album 'space tomatoes'. The album is amazing front-to-back, but I chose this one as it's a perfect example of Jesse's style of singing in his music. I hope you love it as much as I do! 
Interview recorded April 18th, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey 

***PICK UP JESSE THE TREE'S LATEST ALBUM "SPACE TOMATOES" ON LIMITED EDITION CASSETTE at bit.ly/WTLRUTBmerch ***
Jesse Ramos shares the attitude toward live shows that he learned from touring with Jared Paul, his thoughts on why you don't have to be hurtful to be an expressive artist, and how he draws upon the human condition in his music.
This bonus episode includes the track "Slow" from the record Asthma that Jesse The Tree & Slitty Wrists released together in 2019.
Interview recorded April 18th, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey 

***PICK UP HIS LATEST ALBUM "SPACE TOMATOES" ON LIMITED EDITION CASSETTE at bit.ly/WTLRUTBmerch ***
On this episode I chat with Jesse Ramos... who you more likely know by the name Jesse The Tree. Jesse and I talk about his start writing rhymes back in high school, drawing influences from both 90s hip hop as well as the folk scene for some of his music, and how his new record "space tomatoes" got its name.
Jesse also shares an awesome story that happened during one of his video shoots and we discuss some of his collaborations with rappers such as Lewis Morris and Slitty Wrists!
Interlude song order:
"shOes" (produced by Mkour) by Jesse The TreeTree Ppl. live at Sessions with Bafustago April 2019 (video credit: SOSICO.)"clarity" (prod. by Lewis M.) by Jesse The Tree"Michael Buffer" (feat. Lewis M.) by Jesse The Tree
 
Interview recorded April 18th, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  

On this bonus episode I learn what is likely to be my next favorite drink, and that... in addition to both being badasses... Roz Raskin and Chachi Carvalho have very similar pizza choices!
Also included is a song I've been really digging off the new NOVA ONE album called "close encounter" which is actually a remake of a song originally released by their earlier band, Roz and The Rice Cakes.
Interview recorded April 1st, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  

Roz Raskin shares the power of positive reinforcement, how a diversity of voices are moving to the forefront in music, and some of what they were feeling while writing their new record "lovable".
Includes an in-studio performance at WBRU by Roz and The Rice Cakes of their song "Castle" that was recorded in 2014. (video credit: WBRU Providence)
Interview recorded April 1st, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey

Roz Raskin is known for their work in bands such as The Rice Cakes and Nova One. In our conversation we talk about the start of these bands, learning piano at an early age and what they've done to develop their voice, the importance of building a solid local following as a musician, and their approach to songwriting. We also cover the experience of recording at Big Nice Studio and winning the WBRU Rock Hunt!
Interlude song order:
"Zabudabudee" by Roz and the Rice Cakes"Your Girl" by NOVA ONE"Do You" by Roz and the Rice Cakes"violet dreams" by NOVA ONE
Interview recorded April 1st, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey