Tag: Jack Downey ’23
A Successful Summer in the RI Music Scene
by The Cowl Editor on September 3, 2021
Arts & Entertainment
A Successful Summer in the RI Music Scene
Local Bands, Venues Resume Live Performance
By Jack Downey ’23
The summer of 2020 was a bleak time for musicians everywhere, especially those performing live shows. As the COVID-19 pandemic raged throughout the world, people were forced to spend much of their summers hunkered down, biding their time until life began to return to normal.
However, to say no good music came out of this time would be a lie. Many artists capitalized on their newfound abundance of free time to write and record. Nonetheless, there was a sense of tension regarding what would become of the music industry.
However, the summer of 2021 was a completely different picture. With a brief window of semi-normalcy made possible by the COVID-19 vaccines before the Delta Variant began fighting back, music surged back into the world. Suddenly, concerts and other live music events became commonplace once more. Although there were still certain rules in place to mitigate the re-emergence of the Coronavirus, live music was definitely back in season.
Rhode Island was no exception to this resurgence. As people began to feel more comfortable stepping out of the safety of their homes, Providence venues such as Dusk and Askew offered them fun places to go. The former began to host spacious outdoor shows and the latter hosted socially-distanced open mic nights. Eventually, as COVID-19 cases lowered even more, both of these places began to host weekly concerts that were booked in the blink of an eye. Local bands jumped at the chance to get back to doing what they love, and many played to record crowds as Rhode Islanders, starved of the live music experience, flocked to shows.
The need for live music was so great that some bands took matters into their own hands and hosted large house shows as the most popular local venues slowly reopened. For instance, Atomic Action and Youth Distribute, two record labels from Middletown, Rhode Island, threw barn shows. The first one of these performances was hosted on June 14 at Simmons Farm and featured a bill including local legends Bullet Proof Backpack as well as Massachusetts screamers Peace Test, New Hampshire-based hardcore band Tossed Aside, and the righteous fury of New Jersey band Gel. Despite the threat of downpours, people showed up en masse to throw down in the mosh pit. Merch was sold in spades, as was vegan food from the Born From Pain food truck. The show ended as lightning began crashing all around, providing a dramatic conclusion to an intense but welcome experience.
Another example of a house venue offering a unique live experience this past summer was the Lake House in North Smithfield. Hosted by Seb Toledo of the band Amanita, shows were held out among the trees near a serene lake. While bands played, attendees could go cool down from the summer heat or simply relax near the water. The atmosphere of this venue is unlike any other in the area, and it will be interesting to see what they do next.
Famed venue AS220, located in downtown Providence, mainly stuck to livestreams. However, referring to these productions as “livestreams” would be somewhat inaccurate, as their production quality was off the charts. Recently, AS220 has begun allowing people back inside their doors, combining limited capacity concerts with their high-grade video productions. This setup gives bands the unique opportunity to have professional live footage and audio at their disposal, an asset that local music groups hardly ever have. These recordings could help give local bands a more legitimate sheen, and AS220 are doing the scene a great service.
Although the Delta Variant now seems to be lurking around every corner, local music does not appear to be going anywhere for now. Hopefully, the forward momentum established during the summer months can continue into the fall, giving local bands more of a chance to do what they do best: create and perform.
Youth Distribute: Inside the Local Punk Label
by John Downey '23 on May 6, 2021
A&E Co-Editor
Local Music
Celebrating the Ambition of 14-year-old Alex Simmons
by Jack Downey ’23 A&E Staff
One would not expect a 14-year-old to start a record label. However, one did: his name is Alex Simmons, and he is the founder of Newport-based tape label Youth Distribute. On the label’s bandcamp site, the biography reads, “RI music for goons,” but the scope of the label is actually much wider, representing music from multiple states. The genres featured are also eclectic, ranging from hardcore punk to grindcore and everything in between.
Originating in the fall of 2020, Youth Distribute burst onto the scene by releasing the demo tape of Connecticut punk band Zipper. The tape sold out in a matter of weeks. Building on the success of this release, the label quickly put out “The Fragility of Human Life” by Pillow Over Face, which soon sold out as well. Since then, the label has put out nine releases, most recently, the demos from Alligators on Acid, a self-described “TV static grungecore band,” and Degenerate, a one-man grindcore project started by none other than Alex Simmons himself.
As mentioned earlier, Youth Distribute is a tape label, meaning that all the music released on the label is put out not only digitally, but also on cassette. This might seem like a risky venture since cassettes are widely considered to be an antiquated way of listening to music. However, cassettes have a surprisingly loyal consumer base, with tape labels all around the world. Many of these labels are underground, which excites fans of indie music. However, Youth Distribute has acquired a large fanbase that consists of punk and cassette fans. A Newport newspaper even wrote about Simmons, and he has been interviewed on other sites as well.
On top of running Youth Distribute, Simmons also plays in multiple projects. Not only is he behind the previously mentioned Degenerate, but he also sings for the hardcore punk band Bullet Proof Backpack, who have been making quite a name for themselves since releasing their first demo “Total Lockdown” in May 2020. The EP has garnered a lot of support on bandcamp and elsewhere, with some copies of the tape even being sold at Armageddon Shop, a record store in Providence. The tape did so well, in fact, that a second run was made.
The success of Youth Distribute serves to highlight the burgeoning punk scene that is still alive and well in Rhode Island. Bands such as Bullet Proof Backpack, Boiling Point, and Gel have acquired large followings in the community due to their furious music and honest, truth-to-power lyrics. What also helps the punk scene in Rhode Island is the willingness of venues to book punk bands. AS220, Dusk, and News Cafe all come to mind; over the years, they have held insane show after insane show, providing a home for punks from Rhode Island and beyond. However, these venues are just the tip of the iceberg: house venues are also vitally important. The biggest example of one of these house venues is Al Dios No Conocidos. Run by Carlos Romero, the basement venue has hosted bands not only from Rhode Island, but from all over the country, even outside of it, such as the band Riña from Mexico.
To support Youth Distribute, you can go to youthdistribute.bandcamp.com and buy music either digitally or on tape. They also have shirts you can buy. Also, once things open back up, definitely support your local venues. Places like AS220 provide a home for those who do not always have one, and going there is always a great time. Punk might be more commodified every day, but it will never truly die, and Rhode Island proves it.
Opening the Door to a World of Artistic Talent
by John Downey '23 on April 22, 2021
A&E Co-Editor
Local Music
Innovation & Cultural Preservation Drives PVD World Music
by Jack Downey ’23 A&E Staff
Chance Boas is a man with a mission. I first met him at Askew, a club in downtown Providence, RI in November 2019. Immediately, I was struck by his enthusiasm for local music. Boas had been booking shows around the city, including the show at which I met him. In February the following year, he booked a massive show at the Pawtucket venue Machines and Magnets featuring local legends Bochek.
However, I would find out as the year went on that Boas’s ambitions went much further than simply booking indie rock shows. He was also devoted to showcasing the incredibly underappreciated varieties of world music.
Officially founding and starting Providence World Music in 2020, Boas faced the daunting task of trying to showcase live music during a pandemic which had all but shut down the industry. However, he found a way around it, collaborating with Indowncity to put on COVID-safe events. One of these events on Sept. 26, 2020 had Boas and PVD World Music host “World Music Sessions” with Sidy Maiga, a renowned drummer in many styles, as well as a second percussionist, Balla Kouyate. Later, on Oct. 3, 2020, PVD World Music hosted the artist Yacouba, a legendary kora player. The kora is an instrument that combines the sitar and the harp. Both of these events occurred on Westminster Street between Eddy and Union, allowing people to witness these great musicians while walking down the street. That way, there would be less risk of a crowd that could spread the virus.
Aside from hosting more shows, PVD World Music also began hosting movie showings. On Dec. 6, 2020, an African film festival took place at the Waterfire Arts Center, a drive-in cinema in Providence, featuring films from the African Diaspora. The festival also featured live performances by Sidy Maiga and Balla Kouyate, as well as Yacouba. This unique setup helped to bring the art of another country to a classic American setting, which was innovative and interesting. As a result, the event drew an impressive crowd which hopefully will only grow bigger as time goes on, as PVD World Music has indicated that this festival is supposed to be a recurring one, providing a spotlight for even more African filmmakers.
In order to ensure that his concerts get off the ground and Boas is able to pay the artists who perform, PVD World Music applies for grants from the city. This process gives the proceedings a sense of legitimacy and professionalism that they might otherwise not have had. It also indicates how dedicated Boas is to what he does. One other advantage is that it means that some of the events can be free, since the money for the artists is already covered. That way, more people are enticed to watch the performances since they do not have to pay anything, exposing the artists to a wider audience.
Boas’s mission goes beyond simply highlighting the work of people from other countries, although that is a big part of it. He is also working to preserve the culture. In a discussion that I had with him, Boas told me that a lot of cultures pass their songs and stories down orally through generations. By giving these songs and stories more exposure, he is keeping the spark alive for generations to come, both on the stage and in the audience.
It helps that Boas works with the indie crowd as well; by promoting and setting up shows for both music scenes, he is helping to enmesh them. One of the ideas that he brought up to me was to feature indie bands alongside world music, a potential example being the aforementioned Bochek performing with jazz musicians. This concept is very creative and would certainly help to diversify Providence’s music scene.
What Boas does is truly honorable and unique, and when he reached out to me to write an article about PVD World Music, I could not have been more excited about the idea. To find out more about future and past events, you can follow @pvdworldmusic on Instagram, or go to pvdworldmusic.com.
Local Area Boasts Flourishing Musical Talent
by John Downey '23 on April 15, 2021
A&E Co-Editor
Arts & Entertainment
A Look at Providence’s Budding Indie Rock Scene
by Jack Downey ’23 A&E Staff
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MONTEIRO
Upon my first excursions into Providence, RI, I could not find a lot of original acts. Most of the venues seemed to just play cover bands or gimmick acts. However, after repeatedly flipping stones throughout the city and beyond, I discovered a shocking amount of local bands making incredible music. “Finally,” I thought to myself, “these are my people.”
Among the many genres that are showcased in Rhode Island is indie rock: upbeat, simple, and overall fun to listen to. Whether it leans towards punk or it angles more towards funk, there are many varieties of indie rock within the state alone, with some bands even combining the two.
One such band is the always entertaining Rather Nice. This group is a four-piece out of Johnston, RI, featuring Joe Johnson on rhythm guitar and vocals, Mike Teneiro on lead guitar, Nick Reagan on bass, and Oliver Littlefield on drums. Forming and releasing their first EP Quadratic just before the pandemic began, Rather Nice has refused to idle, instead creating one of the most engaging social media presences that I have ever seen from a band.
Whether it is having followers help them write chord progressions, constantly live streaming even something as basic as practice, or displaying a video of them playing in (and subsequently getting kicked out of) a mall, they have always let their fans be part of the fun. Since the pandemic started, the band has released two more EPs, Simp Cycle in October 2020, and Winter Vibes in December 2020. Their newest EP Fast is coming soon and has a total runtime of four minutes.
Another musician who dominates the indie rock scene is Harrison Reed Dolan. Aside from being the drummer of grizzlies., a band mentioned in the March 17 issue of The Cowl, Dolan is always making music on his own. The range of styles that he covers is astounding: his music vaults from hip hop to indie pop to jazz and more. Combining an honest and mellow vocal delivery with his extensive musical knowledge, Dolan never comes across as a poser or a phony. No matter the genre, he always sounds genuine, which is something that even big time artists fail to do.
Like Rather Nice, Dolan also streams on social media, whether it be on Instagram or Twitch. On these streams, he showcases his impressive usage of the loop pedal and several instruments. As a treat, occasionally his father plays the flute. When it comes to releases, Dolan has numerous EPs and singles out on Bandcamp, but on all streaming services, there is the peaceful and jazzy hip hop song “Dogma,” as well as the three-song EP Forget Me.
The band FINE. also stands out amongst the indie rock crowd. Formed over four years ago, FINE. is a duo consisting of Iz Dungan on guitar and vocals and Ly Barber on drums. The band self-defines as “enby grunge-pop for the queers,” and the two members have embraced this definition fully in their music, with stormy sounds that contain a melodic sensibility. It is almost like a butterfly in a hurricane. Sometimes the songs are more butterfly than hurricane, but regardless, each one is consistently engaging and hypnotizing, with Dungun’s vocals vibrating right below the surface, menacing but also soothing in a strange way. The band has been to multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Their most recent single “Yellow and Pink” was released in 2020.
There are many amazing indie rock bands in Providence and the rest of Rhode Island, though if I wrote them all down here, it would take up the entire issue. I would encourage you to check out the bands I mentioned, as well as to do some digging on Instagram and to check out some other local acts. They always appreciate the support, and you will almost certainly be pleasantly surprised.
Women Bring Strong Voices to Local Music Scene
by John Downey '23 on March 18, 2021
A&E Co-Editor
Arts & Entertainment
Leading Groups to Explore New Sounds Fearlessly
by Jack Downey ’23 A&E Staff
Women have had a difficult time in music. Whether their music is relegated to being a “guilty pleasure,” they are paid less than their male peers, or they are subjected to sexism and sexual harassment, a lot of female musicians face a higher mountain to climb than their male counterparts. This is a shame because there are so many fantastic female musicians who deserve far more credit than they get. This goes for all genres of music, ranging from pop (Taylor Swift, Beyoncé) to folk (Joni Mitchell) to metal (Halestorm) and beyond. Rhode Island is no exception. Throughout the state, female-fronted bands and female musicians are making great music, and many are quickly making a name for themselves.
An example of one of these bands is Late Night Trip. Formed in the fall of 2019, LNT is an indie rock/shoegaze five-piece based out of the University of Rhode Island. The band is composed of Gwen Babalato, vocals and guitar; Karla Gonzalez, bass and vocals; Kenzie Waters, guitar; River Cabot-Dobson, keys; and Lili Klayman, drums. The band has made a name for themselves by creating a swirling cloud of brilliant melodies and groovy songs that shimmer and glow. Their sound is hypnotic and entrancing while at times slower and wider, seen prominently in their single “Auntie Orca.” The guitars wave in and out, conjuring an image of looking into a moonlit pool. The keys ascend and descend in the background, creating an atmosphere that brings to mind sitting on a porch on a quiet evening in the suburbs. This peace is enhanced by the gentle drums and the melodic bass, with the vocals gliding over the instruments like a bird across the sunset. Aside from the songs that they have on SoundCloud, LNT have an EP titled Unfurnished that is scheduled for release soon.
Another Providence-based band, The Benji’s, is also fronted by a woman. Based around the main duo of Maryssa Morse on keys and vocals and Philip Geronimo on guitar, the band brings the washed-out, dreamy vibes of California’s music scene to the East Coast in a refreshing way. Geronimo’s reverb-soaked guitars perfectly compliment Morse’s silky voice and atmospheric synths. Their songs invoke a feeling of summer no matter the tone. The song “Sure I Can Stand It” off of their 2015 release EP 1 is a perfect example of this. At first, the song sounds almost menacing, with Morse’s vocals slithering over a rumbling bassline. However, once the drums and guitars kick in, the sun bursts out from behind the clouds and the listener is transported right to the beach. With their deft and talented approach to surf and indie rock, The Benji’s stand out in Rhode Island’s rather landlocked music scene.
Local legends grizzlies. also deserve a mention. Featuring Cynthia Munrayos on vocals, Emily Iwuc on keys, Josh Zenil on guitar, Mike Villani on bass, and Harrison Reed Dolan on drums, grizzlies. is an absolute powerhouse. Munrayos’s vocals command attention. Her smokey and expressive voice perfectly complements the band’s jazzy indie rock, which grooves and rocks along in mysterious and enticing ways. “Ain’t Even A Thing,” the lead track off of their 2019 EP hibernation., exemplifies this perfectly, featuring passionate vocals from Munrayos and excellent musicianship. At 2:18 in the song, the music transitions from a funky, rolling indie rock tune to a ballad in 6/8 time. While all the instruments are shining here, the guitar solo from Zenil and the drumming from Dolan both stand out, with the former’s dual guitar harmonies and the latter’s polyrhythms on the ride cymbal creating a truly emotional experience. Grizzlies.’ music takes risks without coming across as self-indulgent, and that is truly something to respect.
These are only a few of the many female-fronted bands doing amazing things in Rhode Island. However, hopefully this shortlist provides even just a glimpse of some of the talented women musicians so close to Providence College’s own campus.
Local Look: The Music Scene in Warwick, RI
by John Downey '23 on March 4, 2021
A&E Co-Editor
Arts & Entertainment
Young Artists Display Remarkable Grit and Talent
by Jack Downey ’23 A&E Staff
Ever since I started attending Providence College back in 2019, and even before then, I have made it my mission to acquaint myself with as many local scenes in the state of Rhode Island as possible. Throughout my time at the College last year, I met various bands, most of them situated in either Providence or the area surrounding the University of Rhode Island. However, I came across a scene over this past summer that immediately gripped me: that of Warwick, RI.
What grabbed my attention most about Warwick was the pure, unadulterated creative energy that permeated every corner of the scene. Even if the sounds of some of the bands are not the most original, the energy and passion behind the music makes up for this deficit, and then some.
Warwick is a scene dominated by ideas. This is not a group of bands that plays a few shows and wait for greatness to be handed to them; these bands claw and fight with every song they release and show they play, depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
Some bands fall along the way. In the six months that I have been following this scene, I have seen a shocking number of bands come and go. However, when this happens, the members of these bands get up, dust themselves off, and then form new bands. It is quite phenomenal and inspiring to witness the tenacity of these musicians.
Two of the most exciting bands in this scene are The Dream Thieves and The Dirty Mushrooms. The Dream Thieves, formerly known as Vertigo, are what can be described as a heavy alternative rock band, though that is hardly a sufficient description. This band incorporates elements of grunge, shoegaze, metal, and indie rock, among other genres, into a heady and hypnotising brew of loud sounds.
As Vertigo, the band experienced several lineup shifts, leaving guitarist and singer J Tack as the only remaining original member. However, this fallout has not even come close to stopping him: Tack has continued to develop and enhance the band’s sound. Utilizing a dizzying array of effects that are swamped in fuzz, Tack’s guitar is like a fighter jet, gliding through the air while unleashing a torrent of fire on the listener in what is a thoroughly thrilling experience. His vocals cut and burn through this wall of noise as he screams and croons with raw passion. Bass player Meg Pereira adds to this wall by delivering pummeling bass riffs that are also incredibly versatile and melodic. Also, the drummer—who may or may not be me—is pretty decent if I do say so myself.
JACK DOWNEY ’23 / THE COWL
The Dirty Mushrooms are a band that has converted everyone who has come into contact with them into a disciple of their music. The core duo behind this band are none other than OmegaKami and Viizzy, two of the rappers from Nycto Mafia, as mentioned in The Cowl’s article titled “A Look at Providence’s Underground Rap Scene” from the Feb. 25 issue. In this band, Omega plays bass and sings while Viizzy plays drums. Emmett Clarendon, guitarist and all-around musical master, is also in the band.
Dubbed by the members as “experimental hardcore,” the sound that comes from this band is unlike anything I have ever heard. Omega punishes his bass, which is normally missing strings, while screaming at the top of his lungs. Viizzy’s drumming is beyond talented, combining the straightforward furiosity of hardcore punk with subtle touches that put him in a drumming league of his own. On top of all of this, Claredon’s guitar spices up the music by providing extra melody to flesh out the rhythm made by the roaring bass. Whether the songs are brooding and gloomy, or animalistic and rage-filled, The Dirty Mushrooms are one of the most intriguing and exciting bands in the state. Their demo EPs can be found on YouTube.
Outside of these two bands, other amazing bands and musicians are quickly building a name for themselves. There is The Joy Bombs, a metal band that is quickly gaining a following; Trve G0th, a musician who dabbles in everything from post punk to beats to folk punk; The Sanita Experiment, which combines gothic textures with metal’s power; and a currently unnamed riot grrrl band, which promises to be really exciting. “Exciting” is truly the word to describe the Warwick scene: the creativity and originality in the scene sets it apart from many others, and for that reason, it is worth all the attention it gets.
A Look at Providence’s Underground Rap Scene
by John Downey '23 on February 25, 2021
A&E Co-Editor
Arts & Entertainment
Local Rap Groups Move Closer to the Surface
by Jack Downey ’23 A&E Staff
When anyone thinks of active hubs for hip hop and rap, the cities that normally come to mind are Compton, CA, New York, or even Atlanta, GA. However, an uncommon answer would be Providence, RI. That perception is quickly changing.
Although this answer might seem strange, Providence and its surrounding areas are home to quite a high number of rappers. Additionally, these rappers have a drive and hunger that can only be admired. In a time when almost anyone can become a rapper, thanks to increasingly accessible recording software, equipment, and sites such as SoundCloud, truly talented rappers typically get buried under an avalanche of hacks and wannabes. It is also hard for people to make a name for themselves in a small state like Rhode Island, especially since it is so close to states with bigger cities such as Massachusetts and New York. Despite these challenges, various rappers in and around Providence are making a beeline for the spotlight.
Some have taken to forming groups rather than going solo to increase their chances of attracting a following. Groups in rap are not a novel concept, as seen through acts such as Migos and A$AP Mob who dominate the charts. However, at a local level, groups come as a surprise, as they require a certain level of commitment and passion that many small-time performers do not have.
The biggest example of one of these groups is Nycto Mafia, a five piece collective that officially formed in late 2020. Members of this group include the prolific Rey Trxll, the horrorcore rapper John, and the atmospheric producer and rapper OmegaKami. Also included are Viizzy, who incorporates gloomy overtones into his music, and Jrussell, also known as JayR15, whose raps are earnest and heartfelt while remaining well-constructed and engaging. Nycto Mafia’s five members are all incredibly passionate about what they do, and by creating this group, they are also creating a larger fanbase, not to mention a unique level of intrigue. As of right now, the group has not released anything as a collective, but each member has released a decent amount of work on their own, all of which can be found on SoundCloud and Spotify.
Another local rap group is Tré Medusa Entertainment. According to their Instagram bio, they are a group made up of artists from Rhode Island and New York. This collaboration is a powerplay; by extending their influence into New York, Rhode Island artists are giving themselves more of a spotlight. The members of this group, which started around a month ago, include the aforementioned JayR15, producer Arloo, rapper Escobar, and the elusive Tré Medusa, who runs the Instagram account. At the moment, this group is still a mystery, though their Instagram hints at something to come, with the bio reading “XX/XX/21.”
Outside of forming groups, Rhode Island rappers are finding other ways to be heard, including radio shows. Two members of Nycto Mafia, Viizzy and Omega, have both started radio shows. Viizzy’s is called “Reject Radio,” while Omega’s is called “Omega and Friends,” with the former focusing more on hip hop and R&B and the latter focusing more on heavy music. Either way, the two musicians now have another avenue to make a name for themselves. Curious listeners have the option of following the two on social media, which will then make them privy to their music, not to mention that the two can promote more music from their scene.
With the return of live performances uncertain, it is inspiring and promising that so many rappers are continuing to strive for success. It is certainly paying off as well, as these rappers have a substantial number of followers both on social media and music sites, and their fan bases continue to grow. The hype for new projects is also great; JayR15 released a single called “Downfall” a few weeks ago, and in five days it had over a thousand listens on SoundCloud. Overall, one cannot help but root for these rappers as they make their move toward the top and, hopefully, their mark on the rap game.