5 Live Music Musts - December 18, 2015

Friday, December 18, 2015

Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic

 

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MorganEve Swain of The Huntress and the Holder of Hands

This week “5 Live Music Musts” is all about the local scene. With the holidays approaching, and the nice weather still with us, it’s a great time to hang out with friends at area clubs and support local musicians. And don’t forget to stop by your local music store to pick up the latest release from your favorite local artists!

The Huntress at the Columbus Theatre Tonight

Brown Bird was one of Rhode Island’s most celebrated indie bands of all time. After the heartbreaking loss of Dave Lamb to leukemia in 2014, wife and musical partner MorganEve Swain put the finishing touches on their highly praised 2015 release Axis Mundi. Swain has formed a new band, The Huntress and the Holder of Hands with cellist Emily Dix Thomas, bassist Liz Eisenberg and drummer Rachel Blumberg. Don’t miss this highly anticipated show tonight at the Columbus Theatre in Providence. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 day of show. The all ages show starts at 9PM.

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Aine Minogue at Common Fence Saturday

Common Fence Music in Portsmouth is one of the top coffeehouse style venues in Rhode Island. Tomorrow night, they have a special show with Irish harpist Aine Minogue.  21st Annual Winter Solstace Concert   Minogue is a widely admired in the Irish/Celtic scene and has toured extensively. Her holiday show is the perfect remedy for the stressed out and shopped out! Tickets are $20 in advance and $23 at the door. Show begins at 8PM.

The Professors at Nick-a-Nees Tonight

Check out Tanya McIntype and the Professors at Nick-a-Nees in Providence tonight. It’s billed as an anniversary show for the band that played its first gig at the club a year ago. If you like blues based classic rock and roll sounds, this is the show for you. Drop by the joint we dubbed “Best Dive Bar” in 2015. Music starts a little after 9PM – no cover!

Littlefoot at Jimmy’s Saloon Saturday

Jimmy’s Saloon in Newport is another great neighborhood joint that brings top indie bands from RI and beyond. Tomorrow night, there’s a really cool show with Boston’s Littlefoot headlining. Littlefoot is a dream pop band led by a veteran of the Providence scene Erica Sutherland. The band released its debut album Night of the Living Dreams in December 2014. Openers include Tiny Diamond from Providence, Newport's icky woods, and Perfect Dude from Madison, Wisconsin. Tickets are $7 at the door – music starts at 9.

Buy Local Music!

Finally, don’t forget to support local musicians while last minute holiday shopping.  Most area record stores have new releases from locally based artists. See our slide show below for ideas.

What Cheer Records and Vintage on Thayer St. has their 16 Anniversary Party Sunday with live music, refreshments and tons of vinyl and more at 16% off. Also, while on the East Side, check out Round Again Records and Olympic Records both on Wickenden Street in Providence.  Outside of capital city, visit the Music Box in Newport and Loony Tunes in Wakefield. Or shop at Jimmy Page’s favorite New England Record Shop, In Your Ear Records in Warren.

 

Related Slideshow: The 2015 Local Music Scene

Rhode Island is home to a thriving community of musicians, including many nationally recognized performers. For Black Friday, GoLocal Music Critic Ken Abrams has compiled some of the best local albums of 2015. We've got releases in a variety of formats - including CD, vinyl, cassette and digital. Check out our slideshow, find out more about some great local artists, and then go "Buy Local Music!"

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Brown Bird

Critically acclaimed RI band Brown Bird released Axis Mundi in April, their final album due to the untimely death of co-founder Dave Lamb. While fighting leukemia in 2013, Lamb along with musical partner and wife MorganEve Swain wrote and recorded the brilliant album. Its folk based, with compelling stories backed by Middle Eastern melodies with a rock beat. You can find it in a variety of formats at most area record stores. 

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The Copacetics

Reggae/Ska band The Copacetics released their self titled album earlier this year. The album is a lot of fun as are their concerts around the state all year long. Check it out here and find it at record stores around the region.

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The Schemers

It was a big year for one of RI's greatest rock band of all time, The Schemers. First, they were inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame and then they released a new album, The Last Beach. Its an album rich in the Schemers classic sound with a heavy dose of Americana. You can find it in local record stores or order it online here at Emerson Torrey's Satellite Studios web site.

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Jazz - Abate and Woods

A major release is coming in January from internationally recognized sax man and RI resident, Greg Abate. He's joined by lengendary tenor Phil Woods, who passed away recently, and recorded his final live album at Chan's in the summer of 2014. Click here for the pre-order and check out Whaling City Sounds in New Bedford for more great jazz.

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The Red Pennys

The Red Pennys are a honky tonk Rockabilly band with a foot stompin' sound. Check them out tonight at Nick-A-Nees in Providence and then look for their 2015 release Taking Flight at What Cheer Records or your favorite record store. You can also find it online here.

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Josh Grabert

Josh Grabert's stunning acoustic recording from last summer is a thing of raw beauty. Grabert, who also plays in the award winning rock band Torn Shorts, recorded The Shred Sessions in a backyard studio during the brutal winter of 2015. You can find the album here. (photo: Michael Civoli)  

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The Dust Ruffles

The Dust Ruffles are a pop/rock band from RI known for their catchy songs featuring four part harmonies. Their recent EP Romeo, is available in digital format here. You can also check Copper, a solo album recently released from guitarist Tammy LaForrest, here.

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Chris Monti

Singer-songwriter Chris Monti released his supurb blues-based acoustic album Box Guitar this fall. You can find the CD here or a digital version here. You can hear selections from the album at his 40th birthday bash Friday Dec 4 at Nick-A-Nees.

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Eat Crepes

Eat Crepes is an synth centered indie pop band from Warwick who just released a new album Escrepe Artist. Their sound is bright and upbeat - check out the digital version of their album here.

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Consuelo's Revenge

Consuelo's Revenge is a Providence based collective of musicians who just released a high energy album Mercy. They're a hard band to categorize - gypsy folk with a helping of neo-soul, or as the band calls it Amouricana. You can find the CD at "In Your Ear" records in Warren or online here.

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Tony Jones

Need a little punk in your life? Then check out this recording from Tony Jones and the Cretin 3 that was released earlier this year. Drop the Bomb is punk with a psychobilly edge - check it out here.

 

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