Vets and newbs vie for your ears
By BOB GULLA | September 10, 2008
HOMECOMING: Joel Thibodeau and Death Vessel will be at the Living Room on September 23. |
Now that the shock of the first few days of class has subsided and the idea that summer has come to a close has set in, it’s time to start thinking about what there is to look forward to this fall. Music is abundant and there are a slew of old standbys and up-and-comers headed our way. Here are some of the highlights.
Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel (401.331.5876, lupos.com) continues to be the place to see not-so-small and medium-sized national acts. This season brings some great attractions to Rich’s place, from THE MARS VOLTA (September 15) and TV ON THE RADIO (October 11) to “Love Song” singer SARA BAREILLES, who will be joined by Marc Broussard on November 6. But our best bet goes to IRON & WINE. The bearded Texan will bring his quizzical acoustic melodies to Lupo’s on November 16.
Living Room
You should head to the Living Room (401.521.5200, myspace.com/livingroomri) on September 23. Joel Thibodeau, formerly of the local band Stringbuilder, returns to Providence with a newish crew and a relatively new record deal from Sub Pop. His band, DEATH VESSEL, is eerie and evocative with roots in the British folk movement. Micah Blue Smaldone and the Wrong Reasons’ Joe Fletcher support. Also for indie heads is THE NEW YEAR, formed by ex-Bedheaders Matt and Bubba Kadane, who will hit the Room with Brooklyn shoegazers Dirty On Purpose on October 12.
Jerky’s
The resurgence of Jerky’s (401.621.2244, myspace.com/jerkysbar) and companion space Club Hell has added vitality, plus a couple of additional worthwhile destinations, to the Providence scene. Their booking philosophy is wide open and they offer many intriguing nights, one of which is a show by Ninjatune artist DIPLO (September 13), a Philly-based DJ and producer with a nose for mash-ups and more aliases/alter egos than the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list.
Club Hell
Local and national acts share bills at Club Hell (myspace.com/clubhelllive), one of the city’s newest stages. UK indie rock sensations THE WOMBATS hit it on September 9. On September 26, SOMEDAY PROVIDENCE throws its 100th show in the capital city — quite the impressive number—with STEALING JANE, THE EAVESDROPS, and SATURDAY AT NINE. Another bright night is October 10, when strident folk rocker LIAM FINN dazzles unsuspecting audiences with the help of THE VEILS, a quartet from New Zealand by way of London.
Stone Soup Coffeehouse
Stone Soup Coffeehouse (401.921.5115 or stonesoupcoffeehouse.com) opens its 28th season at the Pawtucket Arts Festival in Slater Park on September 13 before setting up at St. Paul’s Church. This year, methinks acoustic alchemists will be circling November 15, when folk fave CHRISTINE LAVIN will be headlining, with local literary heroine ANN HOOD reading from her work before Lavin’s set. Visit the Soup’s website to uncover the other jewels on this year’s roster.
Related:
Autumn views, Springing ahead, Dance in fall, More 
- Autumn views
The big news of Providence’s fall arts season is the completion of the RISD Museum’s Chace Center, which offers new exhibition, educa-tion, retail, and administrative space.
- Springing ahead
When I asked Chris Daltry just where exactly his acclaimed quintet the 'mericans had been hiding out, the founding father of the rootsy rockers was quick to deflect any insinuation that the Providence group had been slacking.
- Dance in fall
This fall’s offerings of dance performances have an international flavor, as well as featuring the talents of Rhody-grown dance groups.
- New beginnings
Step into any classical music rehearsal space right now and you can almost taste the excitement.
- Water wars
Elizabeth Royte’s new book, Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It , is a frank reminder of just how ubiquitous bottled water has become.
- Reading roundup
This fall’s regional literary scene will see abstinence and desire, ghosts and dykes, convicts and Christians, toxic water bottles and yummy food.
- Getting religion right (and left)
“Religion is seen to be the province of the political right,” Chris Korzen says.
- Morality plays
The next six weeks of American life will be marked by a theatrical onslaught of ambition, contention, and colorful character development.
- Dollhouses and dream states
Autumn highlights in the museums and the galleries.
- Winged feet
Dance highlights from the fall season.
- Sight unseen
Hollywood writers are no longer walking picket lines, but their 14-week shutdown of TV production reverberates through the 2008-’09 fall season.
- Less
Topics:
New England Music News
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