Where The Living Room Used To Be

Duke Robillard is literally one of the best blues guitarists in the world! (I'm not just saying that... he's got the awards to prove it) In our interview he takes us back to the first time he heard music, how he taught himself to play guitar, plus the start of his many bands such as Roomful Of Blues and The Pleasure Kings, and all the way up to the records he's working on right now which is about 6 decades later. Along the way, Duke has left his mark on what's coming close to 100 albums, been nominated for a couple of Grammys, and played with iconic musicians across many different genres including Big Joe Turner, Herb Ellis, Muddy Waters, Jay McShann, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits to name some for you... which we get into as well! It was an honor to get to speak with Duke about his legendary career and I hope you enjoy the episode. Please make sure to pick up his latest album, "Blues Bash", which is available now as well as his extensive back catalog. Interlude song order: "That's My Life" by Roomful Of Blues (from

You may know Mike Jencks and Dan Pomfret as the frontmen for Toad and the Stooligans but with their new duo project, Ronald Raygun, they went with a different approach to writing and took a little inspiration from a 90s hip hop mixtape feel with the production. We dive into all of this in our interview, as well as learn more about both of their prolific solo careers. Ronald Raygun's debut album comes out on all streaming platforms on Feb. 12th!!! You can pre-save it here and make sure to listen til the end of the episode to hear a premiere of their song "Anomaly" Interlude song order: "Cactus Jack" by ToadStool "Have Mercy" by Dan Pomfret "Closer I Get" by Ronald Raygun "Anomaly" by Ronald Raygun // Interview recorded January 22nd, 2021 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

For those of you that may not be familiar with Blitzen... they are a band of reindeer that seem to magically appear every holiday season to play the Wayward Christmas event at The Parlour. In our conversation we cover some of their inspirations, the charity they're involved in and some of the others bands they've played in such as Reindeer Tick (their members have also been in Deers For Fears, Infectious Hooves and What Deer? Brigade) Also included is the song "Christmas Eve" by Blitzen This bonus episode was originally part of the Wayward Christmas 2020 virtual event to help raise funds to Save The Parlour. Please consider making a donation HERE   Watch the video version of this interview HERE   // Interview recorded December 12th, 2020 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey // Edited by Mark Lambert & James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Gail Greenwood and I chat about being intimidated by rockstars when buying records, how great a certain pizza establish is... especially when they catered Belly's listening party for Dove at POP a few years back, her place to connect with nature, and it's possible I may have helped name her new dog!!! Included at the end of this bonus episode is Benny Sizzler's song "Shed" from their 2017 EP Inaction In Action II   // Interview recorded November 16th, 2020 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Gail Greenwood passes along a bass playing technique that she learned from record producer, Glyn Johns, that he originally learned from Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones... which I have to say is pretty cool and she also shares an often overlooked way to interact with the world. Since Belly has done quite a few television performances over the years on shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conon O'Brien and The Jon Stewart Show... I wanted to include a song from one of these performances to share this part of their career. At end of this bonus episode is Belly's song "Red" recorded in June of 1995 on The Jon Stewart Show (video credit: What's for afters?) for you all to enjoy!    // Interview recorded November 16th, 2020 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

In our interview Gail Greenwood discusses her start at some local clubs in Providence with her band The Dames, as well as the unique practice spot Boneyard had, the serendipitous way she joined Belly, some of the logistics of playing in L7, and why her latest band, Benny Sizzler, got it's start. We cover a lot of things like such writing, recording and touring with these bands, and the long list of incredible artists she has shared the stage with! Interlude song order: The Dames live at Rocket Feb. 7th, 1987 (audio credit: Dream Authority Music) "Toys Are For Boys" by Boneyard "King" by Belly "Stick To The Plan" by L7 "Rhode Island Dead" by Benny Sizzler "Shiny One" by Belly   // Interview recorded November 16th, 2020 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Lewis Morris shouts out the underdogs, shares a place to clear your head and a spot to have your creativity fostered on this bonus episode! I've also included the track "Get A Job (feat. Slitty Wrists)" from Lewis' latest album "Don't Be Nice" available now!!! // Interview recorded October 12th, 2020 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Lewis Morris shares a piece of advice from a boss he had at MassArt on a good way to live life. We also discuss what authenticity means in music and he explains his thoughts in cynical optimism!  Also, as you've heard us talk about... Lewis is a well respected beat maker that's worked with many other artists. He recently did the all the beats for ToadStool's latest album "A Reptile Dysfunction" so I wanted to share a song off that release entitled "IMMACULATE FT. DAN POMFRET" to demonstrate how great his collaboration work is. Make sure to pick up the instrumentals of this album from Lewis and IF YOU NEED BEATS... hit him up on INSTAGRAM or email him at lewis.morris[at]flatlinepoetry[dot]com!!!   // Interview recorded October 12th, 2020 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now! ///

Hip hop artist, producer and prolific beat maker, Lewis Morris, is the guest on this episode where we talk about how his move from poetry to rap came about and his experience recording at B08 Studios in Pawtucket for this latest album "Don't Be Nice"... which came out earlier this year and is fantastic!!! Plus, we cover the list of collaborations he's built during his career and we get into the therapeutic value of music. Interlude song order: "A Definition" from his beat tape Dope Songs Of Dopeness " Epiphany (feat. Paul Willis & Streia)" from his album Alive "Chasing Echoes (feat. Sly Quixote)" from his album Don't Be Nice "What's That Smell- (Mt. Pleasant)" from his beat tape Smash: A Dedication to Providence "Godzilla On A Leash (feat. SeanDizzyBlade & Drent)" from his album Don't Be Nice "Mantra" from his album Don't Be Nice   // Interview recorded October 12th, 2020 via Zoom// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey // /// If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever

Patrick Boutwell and I talk about nostalgia + record shops, his happy place with regard to music, foreign pizza, more gear chat, and how Eric from Soul Control essentially strong-armed The Brother Kite into doing a certain cover set... check it out!  I also added probably my favorite Snowplows song "Bellicose, Coast To Coast" at the end for you all hear!!! It's really, really, really good!   Interview recorded September 21st, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!***

On this bonus episode, Patrick Boutwell talks about building confidence as a frontman and then we get into a deeper conversation about a cool new addition he's looking to bring into The Brother Kite's sound!   Also included is a live performance of their song "Eye To Eye" from the WBRU Rock Hunt Finals at The Met in 2013 (audio credit: Tyler Shaw)   Interview recorded September 21st, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!***  

My guest on the episode is Patrick Boutwell from the bands The Brother Kite and Snowplows! In our conversation we cover the making of essentially every album he's recorded over the last couple of decades including The Brother Kite's latest entitled Make It Real which came out in August. A lot of the focus was on the inspiration behind his songwriting and style of playing. He also talks a little bit about some of the gear he uses and you'll probably pick up on the different ways his albums have been recorded and the varying lengths of time each took to complete. Interlude song order: "Falling In Love With A Shotgun" by Beefcake Messiah "Waiting for the Time To Be Right" by The Brother Kite (from their album Waiting for the Time To Be Right) "The Scene Is Changing" by The Brother Kite (from their album Isolation) "On The Mend" by The Brother Kite (from their album Model Rocket) " Don't Ask Why" by The Brother Kite (from their album Make It Real) "A Spark" by Snowplows (from their album Let's Die) "Tongue–Tied"

Rob Duguay is wonderfully hyper-specific about his favorite pizza choices and he gets all "High Fidelity" as he ranks his Top 5 record shops in Rhode Island!!! (plus 3 more fav things obvs) In the full episode, Rob listed Atlantic Thrills as one of his favorite local bands so I wanted to add their song "Vices" to the end of the episode. Check it out... it's a good one!!Interview recorded August 10th, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!*** 

Journalism and radio are tough business so in this bonus episode Rob Duguay shares some practical insight into how to make strides in either of those careers. We also talk a little bit about this wonderful Rhode Island music scene in general... so tune in!Also included is a live song by Knotty (audio credit: 9577Jessica9577) from a show at Jimmy's Saloon in Newport that Rob's company, Top 5 Fiend, booked in April of 2017. Other Rhode Island bands on this show were Viking Jesus and The Propellers.Interview recorded August 10th, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!***

Rob Duguay tells the story of his progression in radio & music journalism from school papers to national magazines, what his experience was like being the alternative rock director was at Rhode Island College in the early 2000s, and why he started booking shows under the name Top Five Fiend.And, make sure to tune into the interview to hear me ask Rob a question about how to ask questions in an interview. (that's some meta shit right there if you ask me)Interlude song order:"Smith Hill" [live acoustic at AS220, first ever performance of this song!] by Deer Tick  (audio credit: cch1667)URI Jazz Big Band performing at Newport Jazz Festival in 2013 (audio credit: UniversityOfRI)"We Search For Violent Hills" by Roz and the Rice Cakes [from their first album The Friend Ship released in 2009]  Interview recorded August 10th, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!***

Some of Jhony Keys responses in this bonus episode are a little out the box... and I love it! Give a listen to find out some of his favorite things in Rhode Island and hear what I'm referring to. Stay til the end to hear a live track by Jhony Keys Band! The recording is from Jhony's birthday fundraiser jazz jam at Ten Rocks in November of 2018.   Interview recorded August 3rd, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!***

Jhony Keys is a man that's well versed and connected to so many styles of music. In this bonus episode he shares what being around other musicians can teach you, how getting away from your comfort zone is helpful to expand your abilities, and what it is that motivates him to continue to get better Also included is a song that features Jhony sitting in on bass with Natural Element at The Parlour in September of 2019. Enjoy!    Interview recorded August 3rd, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!***

Jhony Keys is an inspirational person as his grit and incredible work ethic is second to none! In our conversation we talk about why this is, his experience growing up in Haiti before he came to RI in his late teens, and how he's become a part of so many bands that span numerous genres & musical styles. Not only is Jhony an amazing player, he's also great teacher so hit him up on Instagram or send him an email to take lessons with him! Interlude song order: Jhony Keys Trio live at 10 Rocks (video credit: Valencio Small) Becky Bass & Jhony Keys Caribbean Soul (video credit: Good News Rhode Island) The Funky Autocrats live at Murphy's Law (video credit: Orin Siliya)    Interview recorded August 3rd, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!***

This episode really is special because it my first band interview! I got to chat with the guys from Toad & The Stooligans about their new record -Jesus Juice - coming out later this month plus how the band came together, their song writing process, and what tracks they are most excited for you all to hear from the new release. I'm also doing a raffle where you could WIN A CD COPY OF THEIR NEW ALBUM AND A T&S BANDANA over on my Instagram page... so head over there for more details!!! Interlude song order: "Statments" from Very Handsome"Stevie Sees" from Jesus Juice"Little Green Light" from Jesus Juice Interview recorded August 16th, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey  ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!***

On this bonus episode Ben Barnett talks a little about the history of his favorite record shop in Providence, tell us about a "friend" he visits when he's looking for some serenity, and breaks down the numerous pizza options we have in our state.Includes the track "Torches" from Dropdead's forthcoming self-titled LP which is available now for digital pre-order! Interview recorded August 1st, 2020 via ZoomIntro music by CedrosHosted by James Toomey ***If you enjoy the episode please leave a rating or review wherever you're listening right now!***