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:
Psalms For The Deaf, Bucky done gone, Facing the music, More 
- 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."
- Bucky done gone
Let’s talk about Buck 65’s identity crisis.
- Facing the music
It’s well known that Sage Francis has a reputation of slightly unapproachable.
- Human touch
Sage Francis has become the poster-boy emcee for a generation of literate rappers.
- Telling the Truth
Providence hip-hop ain’t what you think it is.
- Roaring back
Rumors of a Rash of Stabbings reunion are not, in fact, greatly exaggerated.
- 18 big hits
This year, the number of great albums increased twofold across all genres, from hip-hop to metal, from swing to punk.
- Going on sale: March 9, 2007
Harry & the Potters, Piebald, Sage Francis, and more.
- Roots on the go
We wish Kip and the gang all the best as they embark on this magical food service/gig room gestalt.
- Glue at SPACE Gallery
I arrived at SPACE Gallery just in time to have missed Prolyphic’s set.
- Beyond Dilla and Dipset
With a semi-sober face I'll claim that hip-hop in 2010 might deliver more than just posthumous Dilla discs, Dipset mixtapes, and a new ignoramus coke rapper whom critics pretend rhymes in triple-entendres.
- Less
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
