Providence College Students Tune In

by John Downey '23 on November 4, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

WDOM’s Events Continue to Get Better

On Oct. 28, Providence College’s radio station, WDOM, held its annual “Tune In With WDOM” event. Six student performers and bands performed for their peers in the crisp autumn air. While there was consternation about attendance due to the event falling on the first day of Halloweekend, Tune In turned out to be a massive success and a great time for everyone involved.

DJ Houseparty, a.k.a. Kieran Kraus ’23, kicked off the proceedings with a vibrant blend of songs that got people moving the minute they were within earshot. For the first 20 minutes of Tune In, the beats emanating from Kraus’s laptop echoed off the buildings surrounding Slavin Lawn, calling out to anyone in the area who was not already en route to the concert.

The music completely changed direction when Alex Sateriale ’24, the next performer, took the stage. With just an acoustic guitar, Sateriale played sparse, emotional versions of songs such as Foo Fighters’ “Everlong” and The Fray’s “How to Save a Life.” Many of Sateriale’s friends showed up to support him, and they were invited to sing along with him during the last song he performed, The Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris.” The sound of everyone singing together, whether they were in key or not, truly highlighted the togetherness of everyone who was in attendance. It was one of many nice moments of the event.

After Sateriale came a trio under the name The Skimp, The Jamoke, and The Liar. Composed of Ben Guisto ’24, Reid Keiper ’24, and Nick Grilli ’24, the group pulled up some chairs, sat down, and immediately captivated the crowd with their remarkable vocal harmonies. Performing songs by Fleet Foxes, Coldplay, and The Beatles, as well as original material, the three brought to mind groups such as Crosby, Stills, and Nash, with their vocals flowing over a mix of guitars, tambourine, and piano. Recordings of the group’s original songs have become highly anticipated after the show; perhaps there will be a review of their music in a later article of The Cowl.

The performance by The Skimp, The Jamoke, and The Liar marked the end of phase one of Tune In, as the next three performances were by full bands. The first of these was The Keegan Turner Band. Featuring Keegan Turner on vocals and guitar (obviously), Colin McNamara ’25 on lead guitar, Jack Downey ’23 on bass, and Dennis Chadwick on drums, the group tore through six original songs. One of these songs, “Thrill of the Hunt,” was brand new and had never been played live before. The other songs included the band’s most popular single “Prequel Love” as well as the crowd pleaser “Take a Chance.”

Coming on after The Keegan Turner Band was Freshman Year. The band consists of Maisie Cocker ’25 on vocals, Alonso Moreno ’25 on guitar, Mason Wasserman ’25 on guitar, Wesley Stephens ’25 on bass, and Ryan Peduto ’25 on drums. Cruising through songs such as The Pixies’ “Where is My Mind?” and Declan McKenna’s “Brazil,” the five-piece combo radiated confidence during their entire set. Towards the end, they even ventured into the crowd for a rendition of Cage The Elephant’s “Cigarette Daydreams.” Bathed in the glow of the stage lights, as well as the flashlights from people’s phones, the group truly ended their set in a blaze of glory.

Concluding the night’s festivities were the raucous stage antics of St. Joe and the Dorms. With the classic lineup of Griffin May ’24 on vocals and guitar, Jack Downey ’23 on vocals and bass, and TJ Johnson on drums, the group returned to their roots by playing a set almost entirely composed of Ramones covers. In rapid succession, they played “Rockaway Beach,” “Blitzkrieg Bop,” and “California Sun,” along with some deeper cuts. During their set, they displayed their usual high amounts of energy, running and jumping all over the place. There was even an instance of somersaulting on the ground in front of the stage. The night ended with a performance of the Dorms’ original “Sometimes I Think” as well as “Route 66.” As soon as they had appeared on stage, the band was off, and the show was over.

The event was a giant success for WDOM, with a larger stage and new sound system vastly increasing the quality of the concert. The fan favorite Presto Strange O truck also made an appearance, selling out almost as soon as they arrived. Overall, the night was incredible, and the anticipation for the next WDOM event is through the roof.

Rock and Roll Returns

by John Downey '23 on October 21, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

A Retrospective of The Latest Student Concert at The Met

Last academic year, there were three concerts featuring Providence College students at The Met in Pawtucket, RI. With each show featuring student bands, the turnouts were always in the hundreds, and the crowds loved every second of it. The student who orchestrated much of what happened at these shows was Nolan Donato ’22, who started putting on shows at The Met with his band in 2019. A combination of Donato’s draw, effective marketing, and a yearning for shows caused by the pandemic led to the concerts being some of the most exciting events of the last school year.

However, after Donato graduated in the spring, there was some concern that concerts at The Met wouldn’t be able to happen anymore. The looming question was whether or not other student bands would be able to continue the success of the previous shows. After a summer away, it wasn’t certain whether or not students would still be interested.

After Oct. 6, the answer is a resounding yes.

Two weeks ago, the first Met show since May occurred, and it was certainly a night to remember. The bill consisted of three student bands: St. Joe and the Dorms, Jack Wilmot and Co., and Timeless. Each band showcased a different but appealing sound that kept the audience enthralled the entire way through.

Starting off the night were St. Joe and the Dorms. The trio, known for its energetic and chaotic live shows, did not disappoint, with guitarist Griffin May ’24 and bassist Jack Downey ’23 spending more time in the air than on the ground. The band tore through fan favorites such as The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” and the Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right,” as well as their crowd-pleasing original “Sometimes I Think.” With drummer TJ Johnson from the University of New Hampshire taking his place behind the kit, the band was the tightest it’s ever been.

Following The Dorms was Jack Wilmot ’24 and his backing band. Wilmot played his debut set at The Met in May, winning over the audience with his voice and charisma. This time around, he gathered together a backing band consisting of Ryan Peduto ’25 on lead guitar, Alex Rzehak ’23 on rhythm guitar, and Brendan Greene ’24 on drums. Unlike the previous band’s, Wilmot’s set consisted largely of modern alt rock and indie rock songs, such as Declan McKenna’s “Brazil.” He also performed his debut single, a slow burning tune called “Make It.” Wilmot was occasionally joined by his friend from Holy Cross, Matty Lucey, who helped keep the crowd hyped up.

Closing out the night was Timeless, a band that has recently been building momentum on campus. Most recently, it played the senior class dance, 223 Night, to raucous acclaim. They received a similar amount of praise at The Met. With their full six-member lineup, including PC students Cross Pistocco ’23 (vocals, guitar) and Ben Gemma ’23 (drums), the band members proved that their constant playing renders them a tight-knit group. They pulled off different styles with ease, jumping from classic rock to funk to hip hop and back again, and by the end of the night, the crowd joyously mustered up all its energy to join them in singing “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond.

Overall, the night was more than a triumph. It proved that live music is still alive and kicking on campus, and that the momentum established during the previous year hasn’t diminished. Hopefully, the excitement continues for the rest of the year and onward, with WDOM’s Tune In concert on Oct. 28 being the perfect way to test this.

A Coming Crescendo for the MTP Program

by John Downey '23 on October 9, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

Big Things in the Works for the Music Technology and Production Degree

Last year, Providence College officially began offering a new degree: music technology and production. Dealing mainly with aspects of recording and mixing music, as well as songwriting, orchestration, and transcription, the program was paramount in launching the music department into the future as well as attracting the attention of those who had originally been skeptical about pursuing a music degree. However, the degree is continuing to evolve, with many changes expected throughout the upcoming years.

The biggest change that’s expected to come down the line is the construction of a recording studio in the school. As of right now, PC doesn’t have a studio, with the closest alternatives being the lab in Smith 220 or the rehearsal hall. The lab, while equipped with recording interfaces and software, is not set up to be a full-blown studio at the moment, and there has been controversy in the past regarding students using the equipment in the rehearsal hall. There are still decisions to be made about the location of the studio, with some possibilities being the aforementioned lab or G20, a storage room in the basement of Smith Center for the Arts. No matter where it ends up, a studio would be incredibly helpful in enhancing the program.

A studio on campus would also be great for the growing number of student bands and artists. It has been proven both at events sponsored by the music department and outside of it that there are plenty of students who can write original music. To be able to give them the facilities to record it and show it to the world would not only be great for them, but it would also help market the school in a new and innovative way. Combine this with social media marketing, such as TikTok, where songs often go viral, and PC could start branching out in a new direction.

Something else that’s supposed to come to the department is more guest speakers. Last year, there were presentations by copyright lawyers and people who worked in song licensing. This is just the tip of the iceberg, with future guests to include songwriters and recording engineers. This is an important step for the program because much of it is dedicated to these aspects of the music industry, and to tie in what these speakers say with what students are doing in class will only enhance the learning experience. The internship and job opportunities that could come with these connections are also very important, especially in an industry that is almost impenetrable, particularly for college students.

These future changes, as well as many other ones, all indicate that the music technology and production degree could become one of the biggest programs on campus. Hopefully its growth inspires the growth of other creative degrees; recently, the creation of a communications minor was announced, and this has already generated much excitement, particularly due to its interest in the radio and the school paper. The more degrees PC has to offer, the better, and the music technology and production degree is proof of this.

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard

by John Downey '23 on October 9, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

Local Musicians Take Initiative to Support the Arts

There is no shortage of venues in Rhode Island. From legendary sites such as AS220, Alchemy, and News Cafe, to newer places such as Pub on Park, the chances of music being heard in Providence and beyond is high. However, there is also no shortage of bands in Rhode Island, and because of this, it isn’t always easy to get on the bill at the aforementioned venues. However, some local musicians have come together to fix this issue.

Rather Nice, an indie rock band based out of Johnston, RI, has worked hard to create a new space for bands to play. It’s called The Backyard, and it’s set up in, well…a backyard.

Joe Johnson, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the group, along with his family, have graciously begun booking shows behind their house. What initially started as a way for Rather Nice and friends to shake the rust off after a year without shows due to the pandemic has become a surprisingly sophisticated operation, often booking a show a month.

House venues are nothing new in Rhode Island. With such a massive hardcore scene in the state, there’s no way they wouldn’t crop up. However, what makes The Backyard unique is who’s running it: college students. Considering the main readership of this paper is college students, the question must be asked: how many of you, with your current workload, could take the time to run a venue? Now add one of the most active bands in the state into the mix. Last summer alone, Rather Nice played around 14 shows, a remarkable feat.

The family aspect of The Backyard also helps it stand out. No matter who’s playing there, the vibes are always mellow. The audience is made up of not just kids, but also friends and family of the Johnsons who are there to support the bands as well. The yard is peppered with tents for those who just want to sit and relax, though there is still plenty of space for those who want to move to the music. Food and drinks are served by Joe’s remarkably kind mother, and sometimes, the firepit is going. The kindness present at the venue makes the experience of watching a show there even better.

Recently, the venue announced a massive change that makes it even better: they will now begin doing live recordings for each of the bands. Anyone in the scene knows that show recordings are rare, particularly good ones. If The Backyard can pull off quality recordings of each concert, it will easily make them one of the most sought-after venues in the state.

While it appears at the moment that The Backyard is largely a seasonal operation, as even the firepit won’t be able to stave off the chill of a Rhode Island winter, when it is open, it provides a unique concert experience that is always fun to be a part of. To find out more about this novel venue, check out @thebackyardri on Instagram.

Take a Chance

by John Downey '23 on September 18, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

Local Musician Chance Emerson Making Big Strides

Chance Emerson is no stranger to success.

The self-proclaimed “half-Asian singing cowboy” has gone from playing packed events at his alma mater, Brown University, to playing shows all around the country. Backed by an all-star band, Emerson has toured some remarkable venues and has played with a shocking array of talent.

Prior to the pandemic, Emerson was starting to make waves, playing at packed college parties with his band, The Clementines. In addition, he made appearances at prestigious events such as the Newport Folk Festival. The music he released was also well received. Even his early works, such as his 2017 EP The Indigo Tapes, were putting up numbers on Spotify.

In March 2020, right before everything shut down, Emerson released an album called The Raspberry Men. An intoxicating blend of indie, pop, and folk, the album received praise up and down the board, including a review in the Providence Journal. The lead single from the album, “How Can I,” even surpassed one million streams on Spotify.

During the pandemic, Emerson kept busy back home in Taiwan, writing and releasing music, as well as filming a video for the song “Gloria Gracie.” Once things began to reopen, Emerson was more than ready to get back into the swing of things. Reunited with his band, he accomplished the very impressive feat of selling out The Met in Pawtucket, RI, a 650-person capacity venue. This fully established the return of the legend from Brown University.

After this point, Emerson and co. began making moves outward. Playing on a number of college campuses, they built their fanbase exponentially due to their lively mix of originals and covers, as well as the synergy between the musicians. Emerson also played some high-profile shows in New York, including selling out the famous Chelsea Music Hall. From there, he traveled down to Tennessee and played some shows in Nashville, which is no small accomplishment. After that, he got an even bigger opportunity: opening for Mike Campbell of Tom Petty fame as well as Nancy Wilson of Heart– a dream come true for many musicians.

Coming up, Emerson has a tour set up with none other than Blues Traveler. With these 90s stars, he will play shows in Connecticut, Virginia, and Ohio. Touring is another dream for many musicians, especially with such an established act.

The question is, how does Emerson do it? One answer is that he has help from a manager: none other than Providence College alum Will Best ’20. Local booking agency Small Victories has also helped Emerson pack his Rhode Island shows, with the two parties helping each other bring people to the shows. Another reason for Emerson’s success is how tight his band is. The four to five musicians on stage all sound very well-rehearsed, and each plays their part to make the experience the best possible. While each musician is very talented, there is not a lot of flashiness in Emerson’s performances, which helps endear them to audiences. The third answer also endears Emerson and his band to the audience, and that is his good nature. Emerson’s songs are honest yet positive; at the very least, they are not self-deprecating. This is truly rare in today’s music, which is often very depressing. Because of this, the wistful lyrics, the buoyant instrumentation, and Emerson’s down to Earth persona draw people to him and his music. It is a winning combo that has proven valuable time and time again.

To check out Chance Emerson’s music and tour schedule, follow @chance.s.emerson on Instagram.

Keep Calm and Rock On

by John Downey '23 on September 8, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

A Call to Arms (Instruments) for Providence College Students

Last year, something glorious happened at Providence College: a music scene began to emerge.

After a large drought during which WDOM’s Stuartstock disappeared for several years and the number of bands on campus was at an all-time low, student musicians came together and formed groups. Concerts happened at The MET in Pawtucket, RI as well as on campus, and for a moment, new music blossomed at PC.

However, with some musicians graduating and others going abroad, it appears that the short-lived music renaissance has taken a blow.

What is to become of the concerts at McPhail’s? Will live music still ring out at the events hosted for each class? Last year, the student body was more receptive to live music than ever before, with concerts packed with enthusiastic revelers. Is it possible to reach these heights again?

The answer to this question is yes.

Now that live music has revealed itself as a dominant force on campus, the chances of it going away are slim. Despite the semester not even being a month old, there have already been instances of live music at PC. For example, St. Joe and the Dorms, a wild party band that has been rocking PC since 2021, took the stage at McPhail’s during casino night and tore the roof off the building with high octane covers of classic songs. Two of the members even suffered injuries during the crazy two-hour concert. The next day, Timeless, another band featuring members of the PC community, serenaded Eaton Street with well-known hits for hours.

There is also an entirely new group of potential musicians that have moved onto campus: the Class of 2026. Many of these students most likely play instruments, but not all of them know of the opportunities that are present for musicians here at PC. The best advice for these people is that there is no time like the present. Seriously.

With students responding so positively to live music in the past year, as well as the unveiling of the new music technology and production major, PC is embracing music more and more, which is fantastic to see. However, this can only continue as long as people are taking advantage of what is in front of them. Talk to musicians at events. Jam with people in Smith Center for the Arts. Write and perform music. Music is a universal language, and it is one that PC is just starting to become literate in.

PC’s Pep Band is probably the biggest example of music bringing people together on campus. Their powerful renditions of hit songs get everyone excited at sporting events, including the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. If you are a musician looking to get involved at PC, the Pep Band is the perfect place to start, particularly if you play a low brass instrument such as trombone. The atmosphere at games is electric, and you’ll have the best seats in the house!

Music is one of PC’s hidden gems, and if you want to take part in it, the perfect time to start is now.

The Day The Music Came To Life

by John Downey '23 on May 6, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

The Day The Music Came To Life

Stuartstock ’22 Showcases the Best Music PC has to Offer

Jack Downey ’23

On April 29, music could be heard echoing throughout Providence College’s campus. The reason? WDOM’s annual festival, Stuartstock. Last year, Stuartstock was a bright spot during a gloomy COVID-19 pandemic year. This year’s festival built on that momentum, featuring a positively electric bill with music of all genres.

Kicking off the event was Diego Avila ’22, performing under the stage name A-Fue. A week ago, A-Fue released his newest album, Beast Mode, on all streaming services. Armed with this new material, he took the stage and blew the audience away with his tight flow and emboldened attitude. Even the most diehard rock fans at the show were getting into A-Fue’s music, proving his crossover appeal. Notably, A-Fue delivered verses in Spanish and ended his set with an unreleased track.

Up next was WDOM’s webmaster, Alex Sateriale ’24. Armed with only an acoustic guitar and his voice, Sateriale sang and crooned his way through songs ranging from Foo Fighters’ “Everlong” and Passenger’s “Let Her Go” to Mike Posner’s “I Took a Pill in Ibiza.” The biggest hit of Sateriale’s set was his final song, a cover of 5 Seconds of Summer’s “Youngblood.”

Following Sateriale was twin sibling duo Ava and Paloma Dobski ’25, with the former on guitar and backing vocals while the latter sang lead. The sisters performed an eclectic mix of covers, including “Closer to Fine” by the Indigo Sisters and “Killing Me Softly” by The Fugees. Their harmonies elevated these to new heights and captivated the audience. Similarly to Sateriale, the pair’s final song, “Hey Ya” by OutKast, was their biggest crowd-pleaser. At first, they sang slowly, but picked up the tempo towards the first chorus. At the conclusion of the performance, the Dobskis’ announced that they had disbanded. Truly a tragedy.

Ben Guisto ’24 was next to take the stage. Guisto’s set was notable for its multitude of instruments and guests. He started off with a cover of Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets,” which involved him playing a keyboard in classic Elton John fashion. Next, Guisto invited Nick Grilli ’24 to the stage to sing “In The Blood” by John Mayer and Ried Kieper ’24 to the stage to play electric guitar on Cage The Elephant’s “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked.” At the end of his set, he performed an original song called “Madeline,” which left the audience wanting to hear more of his original material.

After Guisto came DJ Houseparty, aka WDOM station technician Kieran Kraus ’23. He put together a catchy and well-connected set of songs that immediately had people dancing. What’s even more impressive is that Kraus also DJ’d 22 Nights, later that day, proving his dedication to his work. Notably, Kraus’s set marked a transition point between the solo/duo acts that kicked Stuartstock off and the bands that would take the stage for the rest of the event.

The first of these bands was a brand new group called The Constellations. Consisting of Reid Kieper ’24 (vocals, guitar), Declan Henry ’24 (vocals, guitar), Griffin May ’24 (bass), and Sean Smith ’24 (drums), the band charmed the audience with three originals and two covers. Much of their set harkened back to the bright, upbeat sound of 60’s rock music, especially their cover of “Twist and Shout.” However, they also had a modern edge to their sound, as apparent in their original song “All or Nothing” and their take on The White Stripes’ “Fell in Love With a Girl.” Overall, their set was thoroughly enjoyable, and the PC community awaits their next appearance with great interest.

Next up were St. Joe and the Dorms, who made their debut at last year’s Stuarstock. With May on vocals and guitar, yours truly on bass and vocals, and Cat Mazo ’22 on drums, the trio powered through classics such as “Help!” by The Beatles and “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones. In typical Dorms fashion, the set ended with an original, “Sometimes I Think,” and Chuck Berry’s rock standard “Johnny B. Goode.” Their charisma and energy had the crowd moving and dancing throughout their entire set, with some people even starting an impromptu mosh pit. It was truly a sight and sound to behold.

Freshman Year, another new band, was next. The group’s core trio was Mason Wasserman ’25 (guitar), Alonso Moreno ’25 (vocals, guitar), and Ryan Peduto ’25 (drums). They were joined by Wes Stephens ’25 (vocals) and Maisie Cocker ’25 (vocals). Stephens’s baritone helped the band glide through songs such as Mac Demarco’s “Freaking Out The Neighborhood” and The Arctic Monkeys’ “Fluorescent Adolescent.” Cocker took the lead on “Heart Shaped Box” by Nirvana and “Where is My Mind?” by The Pixies, with the latter song inspiring some joyous movement. Towards the end of Freshman Year’s set, Moreno took lead vocals on another Nirvana song, “Breed.” Overall, the set was very entertaining, and Freshman Year are certainly a group to watch.

Next up was The Keegan Turner Band, which consists of PC students yours truly (bass) and Colin McNamara ’25 (guitar), as well as the titular Keegan Turner (vocals, guitar) and Dennis Chadwick (drums). The band rocked their way through five original songs and a cover of The Ronettes “Be My Baby.” Recently, the band released their first original single “Prequel Love,” and the live performance of this track generated some serious buzz among the crowd. The highlight of the group’s set was their performance of “Take a Chance,” with its singalong chorus and driving beat getting the crowd moving and singing along.

Finally, PC’s own Fr. Justin and Fr. Peter took the stage as The Hillbilly Thomists to close out the festival. Backed by a magnificent sunset, the two Friars performed classics such as Weezer’s “Island in the Sun” as well as originals such as “Holy Ghost Power.” The soft sounds of acoustic guitar and mandolin swept gently over the campus, making everyone in the audience feel at ease. It was the perfect way to end the event, and everyone left feeling good.

Overall, Stuartstock ’22 was a sensational event, and it will go down as one of the greatest musical celebrations of PC’s 2021-2022 school year.

A Potentially Massive Win for Small Victories

by John Downey '23 on April 22, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

A Potentially Massive Win for Small Victories

An Interview with Alex Norocea

By Jack Downey ’23

In two weeks, Small Victories, a Providence-based booking agency, is hosting their biggest event of the year, Small Victories Spring Week, or SVSW. It is sure to be one of the most legendary musical events the Rhode Island area has ever seen, so ahead of this exciting time, Alex Norocea, the man behind Small Victories and SVSW, agreed to sit down and talk about it.

What is SVSW?

“SVSW is Small Victories Spring Week, a three-day collection of concerts and panels that piggyback from Brown University Spring Weekend and aim to bridge College Hill with the rest of Providence, particularly Providence College.”

When is it happening?

“The events will happen from Tuesday [April] 26th through Friday [April] 29th.”

What is the highlight of this week?

“The anchor event is Friday the 29th, Spring Weekend After Dark, a huge takeover of The Strand with agency-booked talent. Big Golf Party energy. This year, we’ve booked CID & Young Bombs, who are two great electronic music acts.
“Thursday, we have both rooms at Fete for a full live act takeover with Chance Emerson and a show that features over six other bands. The official name of this event is Made in Providence.

“On Wednesday, we’re throwing an Afrobeat, Hip-Hop & R&B party at Fete. The headliners are all Providence-based with heritages from Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde.”

Who else is affiliated with the week?

“The Thursday show would never have been possible without Kiwi. For Wednesday, it was the belief in the high quality partners I had in NYRU and Chachi Carlvahlo.”

Why should Providence College students be interested in this event?

“This is an epic, large-scale party opportunity taking place between Fete, The Strand, and Andreas on Thayer. The anchor is music, but the week still serves to facilitate other opportunities. The goal is to take inspiration from SXSW and crush the whole week. We are bringing Golf Party energy to the Friday concert.”

SVSW Schedule

Tuesday, April 26: Philanthropy opportunity

Wednesday, April 27

Andreas 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Entrepreneurship Panel + Networking Drinks
Fete 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.: “Afrocentric” feat NYRU, ISRAEL WUSU & CHACHI CARVALHO

Thursday, April 28

Andreas 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Entrepreneurship Panel + Networking Drinks
Fete 7:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m.: MADE IN PROVIDENCE

Friday, April 29

The Strand 9:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.: AFTER DARK FEAT CID & YOUNG BOMBS

April Show(er)s

by John Downey '23 on April 8, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

April Show(er)s

A Multitude of Musical Events Coming to Providence

Jack Downey ’23

For fans of local music at Providence College, this article will surely put a smile on your face. This month, a number of concerts are set to take place in the city of Providence.

Later tonight, April 7, there will be a small indie rock concert at local bar and performance venue AS220. The acts featured are Orange Peel Mystic, Wave Goodbye, HiFi, and Moonbasket. Wave Goodbye and Moonbasket both feature Providence College students, so readers should definitely stop by to support their fellow students. The price of admission is $10.

April 8 is also set to be an exciting night, as local powerhouses Jade Tourniquet, Eclipse, and Area 401 will play a barn-burning show at Dusk, a cool venue on the outskirts of town. These bands, particularly Jade Tourniquet and Eclipse, are gaining some serious momentum in the scene and are sure to impress.

The performances only get bigger from there. On April 9 and 10, there will be concerts at Alchemy, one of Providence’s premier venues. The spacious room boasts a wide dance floor and a large, elevated stage. The April 9 concert features two touring bands, Bottom Bracket and Past Life, as well as local openers From Trees, The Gotham Lights, and grizzlies. This eclectic bill is sure to pack a punch and is definitely a must-see event. The April 10 show features an even wider array of music, including emo (Depopulate Montana), grunge (The Gotham Lights), rap (JDRevenge), and a mixture of all three (Trve Goth).

The fun at Alchemy does not stop there, however. On April 13, hardcore legends 7 Seconds and Negative Approach will tear through the venue. Joining them will be local screamers Bullet Proof Backpack and Catalyst. Both of these Rhode Island-based bands have been making some big waves throughout the Northeast, so this show is bound to be pure, blissful chaos. If the ensuing mosh pits do not destroy the building, then Alchemy is indestructible.

Towards the end of the month, a truly exciting event is set to take place in Providence courtesy of local booking company Small Victories Entertainment. Small Victories is known for their exciting and energetic events. For instance, they have hosted multiple shows at The Strand, one of the biggest venues in Providence, for acts such as Trippy Redd. On April 28 and 29, Small Victories is hosting a grand event: SVSW, or Small Victories Spring Week. The April 28 portion of the event will occur at Fete Music Hall and feature a stellar list of local bands, including Providence legend Chance Emerson and his band The Clementines, which is managed by Providence College alum Will Best ’21, crowd-pleasers Falling Walrus, and upcoming indie artist Spencer Barnett. Considering how crazy Thursday nights can get, this concert will certainly be able to hold its own.

The April 29 show is set to go even harder: on this night, the proceedings will take place downtown at the Strand. While the event’s lineup has yet to be announced, it will likely feature acts that are more oriented around an electronic sound, such as DJs. Tickets for this show—which are sold in tiers, with each tier consisting of different levels of access and exclusive opportunities—have been flying off the metaphorical shelves, with many all-access passes already sold out. It is without a doubt that Small Victories is one of the more professional booking agencies in the area, so these concerts are sure to be insane.

Finally, WDOM’s annual Stuartstock is officially set to happen on PC’s campus on the afternoon of April 29. While an official lineup has yet to be announced, based on the wide variety of musical talent at PC, this iteration of Stuartstock will be one to remember, with numerous acts ready to take the stage. In addition, the Presto Strange-O truck will once again be making an appearance, and there will be pizza, cookies, and specialized merch available.

The day after Stuartstock is set to be even bigger, with BOP’s spring concert featuring pop star Quinn XCII. He will be performing an intimate set in Peterson Recreation Center, and PC students’ anticipation is through the roof.

There are many more musical events currently in the works at PC and throughout Rhode Island, but these events are sure to tide music fans over in the meantime.

A Month After The Met

by John Downey '23 on March 26, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

A Month After The Met

Looking Back on a Night of Musical Triumph

Jack Downey ’23

After last September’s utterly spectacular concert at The Met in Pawtucket, the anticipation for a follow-up performance was through the roof. Behind the scenes, the musicians put plans together for a Dec. 4 show in order to meet demand. However, this goal proved to be unfeasible, so the concert was moved to Jan. 27, right at the start of Providence College’s spring semester.

Unfortunately, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 had other plans. Omicron shut down most concerts throughout January, leading to the postponement of The Met show out of safety concerns. Feb. 17 was set as the new date for the performance. Fortunately, by then, the threat of Omicron had receded, and with PC relaxing its campus-wide mask mandate, the timing for a concert could not have been better. Feb. 17 was a go.

Set to perform at this show were wild rockers St. Joe and the Dorms as well as returning headliner Nolan Donato ’22 and his backing band. Previous exciting performances from both groups led hype to grow exponentially in the weeks leading up to the show. On the day of the performance, the whole campus seemed to be buzzing about it. Everyone seemed to feel that this night was going to be something to write home about.

Just as the show was about to start, however, tragedy struck: Donato fell ill. Unable to recover, he ultimately made the painful choice to leave The Met and go home. Backstage, the other musicians avoided panic, instead they figured out how to continue the show without its star. The decision was made to split vocal duties amongst the remaining musicians. Guest singers Jack Wilmot ’24, Lauren Fraser ’22, Anna Gaul ’22, and Kathryn Genest ’25 chose a handful of songs on the setlist and began rehearsing right then and there. The backing band, led by Griffin May ’24 and Joe Genest ’22, took on some vocal duties, as well. Yours truly even got to sing a couple of songs.

St. Joe and the Dorms first took the stage, and their chaotic energy and charisma immediately had the audience in the palm of their hand. After blasting through a setlist consisting of only the fastest of rockers, such as “Rockaway Beach,” “Dancing With Myself,” and “Johnny B. Goode,” their set was so enjoyable that they seemingly departed the stage just as quickly as they walked onto it.

Fortunately, the headlining band provided a perfect follow-up. The only thing left to chance was how the crowd would react to the news of Donato’s unfortunate illness. After playing through Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish,” Genest ’22 broke the news to the audience. Much to the musicians’ relief, the crowd was very understanding of this development and still hungry for a night of live music. With their energy restored, the band carried on.

All the guest singers did a fantastic job. Fraser and Gaul’s duet on Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” was certainly one of the highlights of the night, due largely in part to the two singers’ chemistry. Wilmot also shone brightly, particularly when he led the audience through a rousing rendition of “Kilby Girl” by The Backseat Lovers. The entire crowd was jumping, which was truly an awe-inspiring sight. Genest ’24 got the groove going towards the end of the set by playing “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith, not to mention a medley of funk classics. The entire concert ended with an ensemble performance of “Country Roads, Take Me Home” by John Denver, a perfect way to end the night.

The crowd was truly blown away by what they saw. Many of them had not been to a concert featuring their peers before, and to see that kind of talent demonstrated by their friends and classmates was something to behold. Colin McNamara ’25 remarks that the concert was “life changing” and “something he’d remember for the rest of his life.” Another concert at The Met is currently being planned for later in the spring semester. Topping the Feb. 17 show will certainly take effort, but the talented student performs are surely more than up to the task.