B. DOLAN and SAGE FRANCIS provided memorable highlights at this year’s Rock the Bells in Mansfield; watch the Strange Famous reps slay Jerky’s Bar (401.621.2244) with special guest SLEEP on THURSDAY (the 12th). Also, Charlestown alt-jam quartet FAR OFF PLACE visit the rejuvenated Knickerbocker Cafe (401.596.4225) in Westerly and East Bay trio GAMBLIN’ HANDS headline with FRANK MARTYN & FRIENDS at the Greenwich Hotel (401.884.4200) on Main Street. 21+ and no cover. Acclaimed roots-rock duo Avi & Celia have formed HEY MAMA and will visit AS220 (401.831.9327) with locals MOANING CREEK opening; show at 10 pm and cover is $6. On FRIDAY (the 13th), Lincoln’s STALEMATE celebrate a CD release with THE FLAWED and the mighty ROZ RASKIN & THE RICE CAKES at the Blackstone (401.726.2181), and expect a packed room at Club Hell when SENIOR DISCOUNT headline with friends SBT, THE DOWN AND OUTS, and THE BUBBLEGUM VILLAINS; all-ages and $12 at the door. SATURDAY (the 14th) begins with the daytime Beer Fest session at the Convention Center with the CHELSY LAU BAND providing the sounds. Saturday night highlights include Americana/roots crew THE HOOLIOS at the Knickerbocker, East Haven funk-rockers THE BREAKFAST and 2009 PVD PHX Best Jazz Act FUNKATRONIC play Jerky’s, Blackstone River Theatre (401.725.9272) delivers acoustic, soulful roots from TREEHOUSE UNION, featuring singer/songwriter (and ex-Campfire Orchestra frontman) Stefan Couture, $10 at the door.
Attention musicmakers — Foxwoods is looking for a new take on their theme song, “THE WONDER OF IT ALL.” Rap, rock, ska, pop — all styles are welcome; get contest info and upload your mp3 at BeTheWonder.com (deadline is January 15). Ten finalists will be selected from the top 50 submissions (all voters will be entered into a prize drawing); the finalists will perform at Foxwoods on February 27, where the grand prize will be bestowed — $25K worth of goodies (equipment, studio time, and more) — and the top song will be featured in Foxwoods ads. Have at it!
Related:
Li(f)e story, Beats, rhymes, and Li(f)e, The Manhattan project, More 
- Li(f)e story
Should nothing change over the next couple of months, July will mark one year since Providence’s Sage Francis — who comes to the Middle East this Wednesday — has written or recorded a single verse.
- Beats, rhymes, and Li(f)e
Cult-status indie wordsmith Sage Francis digs deep and blows the black mold off the diary on Li(f)e (Anti-), while enlisting an impressive roster of indie-rock songwriters.
- The Manhattan project
"Was I a coward to abandon the broken down mechanics that crowned Biggie Smalls as the king of Atlantis?" asks Providence-based wordsmith B. Dolan.
- 25 Hip-Hop acts to see at SXSW 2010
As usual, I've got you covered.
- Poetry in motion: Rhody rap-tacular, part 2
We have plenty more locally sourced hip-hop updates here.
- Falling back
On THURSDAY (the 3rd), catch the expert blues 'n' more of 2011 Best Music Poll winner ERIC FRENCH & MR. HYDE opening for JONATHAN TYLER & NORTHERN LIGHTS at the Spot Underground (401.383.7133).
- Psalms For The Deaf
Sage Francis addressed the densely-populated crowd at Rock the Bells at Comcast Center last weekend: "This song helped get a friend of mine out of jail. Thank you to all who donated. This song is called 'Conspiracy to Riot.' Strange Famous fucking Records, Providence."
- B. Dolan | Fallen House, Sunken City
Although I've always found B. Dolan to be one of hip-hop's mightiest politically charged performers, his disc-length poetic pieces have confused (and even bored) the piss out of me.
- Toasting another year of high quality hip-hop
We're saluting another dynamic year of real deal Rhody-based rap music — the diverse community of razor-sharp eccentric wordsmiths and young-gun production phenoms worthy of your attention.
- Juan Deuce and Falside get down to work as The Mechanics
The stars have aligned and the Rap Gods must be smiling down at Juan Deuce and Falside.
- Sage Francis hits up Juan Deuce and Falside
Juan Deuce and Falside continue to put in some serious work.
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Topics:
New England Music News
, Entertainment, Music, B. Dolan, More
, Entertainment, Music, B. Dolan, Ska, Sage Francis, Sage Francis, Sage Francis, Frank Martyn, Roz Raskin, Far Off Place, Less
