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.
- 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's office party; Ken Casey & friends' new Whiskey
Two big names in music are doing big things locally within the upcoming week: world-class lyricist and Strange Famous Records CEO Sage Francis will host another SFR office party, and later in the week Dropkick Murphys' frontman Ken Casey will officially unveil the Whiskey Republic.
- Prayers for Atheists take it personally
Prayers for Atheists follow up their 2009 debut EP with a full-length punk scorcher, New Hymns for an Old War .
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Topics:
New England Music News
, Entertainment, Music, Ska, More
, Entertainment, Music, Ska, Sage Francis, Sage Francis, Sage Francis, Frank Martyn, Roz Raskin, Far Off Place, Far Off Place, Less
