Posts By 75orLess
Rhode Island Monthly Interview’s Adam Theroux on the 401 Film Festival
The Scoop on the 401 Film Fest
The free inaugural event features films and music videos by local and international talent.
This weekend, catch an iPhone film by a super talented fifth grader, a music video for a local garage pop band, a short featuring Corey Feldman (of The Goonies fame) and more great content at the first-ever 401 Film Festival. We caught up with festival director, Adam Theroux, to learn more about the event, which screens at the Arctic Playhouse in West Warwick on Friday night and the William Hall Library Auditorium in Cranston on Saturday afternoon.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I went to New England Tech for audio/visual. I’d already had some experience with audio, but I fell in love with video while I was there. Now I work for WPRI as a video editor, and I still do some independent film on my own.
There are lots of established film festivals out there already. Why start a new one?
I started this for zero-dollar independent filmmakers, not $20,000 indie filmmakers. We don’t have an outlet like this, especially not locally. We’re just a bunch of people getting together for the love of the art, not necessarily to make money.
Is the focus on local talent?
I wanted to have at least half of the selections be from Rhode Island; the last thing I wanted to do was not accept a Rhode Island submission, and we ended up having, for content reasons, to say no to two Rhode Island submissions. But I also wanted anyone to be able to enter. We got about 1,000 submissions in the end. It just took off and I got some great submissions.
What can attendees expect?
Everything from local talent in the music video showcase, including Roz and the Rice Cakes and Ravi Shavi, to a music video featuring Willie Nelson. It’s pretty hilarious stuff: One day I had this crazy idea to start a film festival, and then I received a short with Corey Feldman acting in it.
Some films are from people who are doing well in their field, which brings in some higher quality content. So we have a music video from a famous pop star from Kuwait and a video from a fifth grader from Rhode Island, which he made for a school project. He shot the whole thing on his cell phone. It’s inspiring.
Another inspiring thing: All funds raised will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State, right?
Yes, 100 percent of all funds raised through raffles and food. I’m a mentor, and it’s a blast. It’s really changed my life in the past year. I’ve seen a lot of good that it does. It benefits my life too, not just a child’s.
And admission is free?
Both days are free. We are expecting to sell out – well it’s hard to sell out when you’re not selling tickets but…. When I came up with the idea, I wasn’t expecting it to blow up as it has. The whole thing melted my heart in the greatest way. It’s free, it’s local and there’s a little something for everybody.
The Details: Nov. 13, 7-10 p.m. Arctic Playhouse, 117 Washington St., West Warwick. Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. William Hall Library Auditorium, 1825 Broad St., Cranston, 401filmfest.com.
Vanyaland Covers Jets Can’t Land’s ‘You Can’t Linger On’ EP
EP Premiere: Providence’s Jets Can’t Land serve up a skilled power-pop punch
Discovering pure power-pop in Rhode Island is no easy task, but Providence rock and roll quartet Jets Can’t Land seem to have it down to a science on their new EP You Can’t Linger On. A sound that’s an amalgamation of tones reminiscent of Sloan, Big Star, and Cheap Trick, the foursome keep it real with tight hooks and groovy guitar solos. Songs about the apocalypse, sci-fi films, and the shit that hurts give a sense of hopeless romantic nerdiness shouting out to the closeted individuals who also want to take someone out on a date.
Frontman and guitarist Eric Paul Meier lyrically gives a bit of a Roy Orbison vibe, a grand mix of catchy choruses, pop and being genuine. Kyle Jackson (whom you may know from local indie rock band Six Star General) gives a jolt of energy on lead guitar; his solos really stand out throughout the entire EP. Keith Swist soothes on backing vocals along with keeping the rhythms in check while on drums in sync with bassist Michael Bilodeau. These guys bring their best artistic qualities out with each track on You Can’t Linger On, but still find a way to blend together as a cohesive unit. It sums up as heartfelt, bare bones rock that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Celebrating the new EP, which you can hear below via Vanyaland premiere, Jets Can’t Land are actually part of a quadruple album release show at The Parlour this Saturday. Outlaw In Peru will be releasing their self-titled debut; Everett Bros. Moving Company (fronted by former Blizzard of ’78 vocalist Paul Everett) will be bringing their album Moving Misfortune; and Feng Shui Police and their caffeinated EP Coffee With The Feng Shui Police will also be available as well. It’s all being put on by Warren-based label 75orLess Records. You can’t get more local than that.
Until the weekend arrives, stream You Can’t Linger On below and check out all the amazing music that’ll be at The Parlour this Saturday.
Jets Can’t Land – You Can’t Linger On
75OL-225 Jets Can’t Land – You Can’t Linger On
$10.00 S&H Included
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. A 70’s Photograph
2. Digging Out
3. Wasted
4. Another Day Gone By
5. The Falling Sky
6. I Can’t Do That Dave…
Indie rock, Noisy pop, Songs about the Apocalypse, Sci-Fi Movies, getting over sad shit that happened, and what not. Sonic Pop Goodness. Forged from leftover ’90s flannel, Pixies, GBV, Teenage Fan Club, and Built to Spill-influenced indie-rock with psycho-delicious guitar sonic-ness.
Michael Bilodeau – Bass
Kyle Jackson – Guitar
Eric Meier – Vocals, Guitar
Keith Swist – Drums, Vocals
Engineered by Jose. Recorded at Ubik Studios in The Bunker, February 2015.
Mastering by Kraig Jordan at Plan of A Boy
follow: jets cant land on twitter
contact: jetscantland at gmail
header Feng Shui Police Coffee
Feng Shui Police – Coffee with the Feng Shui Police
75OL-235 Feng Shui Police – Coffee With The Feng Shui Police
$7.00 S&H Included
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. Happy 04:35
2. Try 03:26
3. The Other Guy 04:24
4. Bored 04:44
5. Leave Me Be 04:59
A trio of Brown University too-young-to-care weirdos from Newton, MA who have managed to successfully channel the influences of Half Japanese and Pavement with the charm of Jonathan Richmond. The local champions of Spazzy doo-wop and Elephant 6-influenced pop hooks. – Providence Monthly October 2015: The 2015 Providence Playlist
All songs written by Dash Elhauge except ~secret track~ by Evan Harris.
Artwork by Evan Harris.
Recorded in Dash’s basement by the Feng Shui Police.
Mixed and mastered by Kraig Jordan at Plan of a Boy Studio.
Providence Monthly & 75orLess: The 2015 Providence Playlist
[abridged version below]
The music scene in Providence – and throughout Rhode Island – is insane. We’ve got more badass, super talented and hardworking musicians per capita than any other city in the world (don’t look that up, just go with it). But what’s more is we’ve got everything covered. Folk, rock, hip hop, punk; name a genre, cross pollinate it with another, hell just start making things up (Death-funk surf-rap!) and there’s almost definitely someone in RI doing it.
So where to start? We’ve assembled a crack team of musicians, promoters and supporters all plugged in to the local scene to give you your official 2015 local playlist and to tell you who you should be keeping an eye on. We’ve also got our five favorite records of the year, plus a look back at some shows that we felt best represent the eclectic nature of music in Providence.
Mark MacDougall, founder of 75orLess Records
1. “Stay” by Bob Kendall – Longtime Newport legend Bob Kendall is an indie pop magician, with echoes of REM, The db’s, and George Harrison.
2. “Double Nickels on the Dime” by Groundhawgs
3. “Huge Bruise (Live at Dusk)” by Black Oil Incinerator – Crusty gentlemen blowing out your eardrums with catchy hooks buried beneath an avalanche of amps and pedals.
4. “Credit Score” by Jodie Treloar
5. “Damn Unicorn” by Suicide Bill and the Liquors – A short, heartbreaking ballad; it’s the undiscovered anthem for all the schmucks you know still getting up at 5am every day for a job they hate.
Feng Shui Police
A trio of Brown University too-young-to-care weirdos from Newton, MA who have managed to successfully channel the influences of Half Japanese and Pavement with the charm of Jonathan Richmond. The local champions of Spazzy doo-wop and Elephant 6-influenced pop hooks. They are currently recording the follow-up to their 75orLess EP Thank You. –Mark MacDougall, founder of Providence indie music label 75orLess Records
header Jets Can’t Land
Matt Fraza Band / Jordan Everett Associates Split Lathe Cut 7 inch Single
75OL-218 Matt Fraza Band / Jordan Everett Associates – Split Lathe Cut 7 inch Single
$11.00 S&H Included
These seven inch singles consist of clear poly-plastic with holographic, kraft, white, beige, or clear jackets. All options are shown in the photo above. All styles while supplies last.
Limited to 50 copies. Each single contains a digital download for this release.
Tracks
1. Matt Fraza Band – Drugs/I Don’t Want It 6:00
2. Jordan Everett Associates – Moonbeams 6:00
Jordan • Everett Associates is the songwriting/performance partnership of Kraig Jordan and Paul Everett.
In this rare instance, Moonbeams is a cover of the Family Band’s song of the same name.
Guitar and synth by Kraig, vocals by Paul, backing vocals by Jodie Treloar, bass by Mark MacDougall, piano by Scott Janovitz, and drums by Rachel Blumberg. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Plan of a Boy in Providence.
Matt Fraza Band:
Matt Fraza – Rhythm Guitar, Vocals. Nick Cicchese – Lead Guitar. Daniel Ulmschneider – Drums. Richard Reed – Keyboard. Kraig Jordan – Bass
header Matt Fraza Jordan Everett Associates
Motif Magazine reviews the DVD Release Show for The Final Obsession
What’s the perfect way for a film to ring in its glorious transition to DVD? With live music, of course! That’s what was on tap at The Parlour on North Main in Providence last Saturday. Local musician and comedy whiz Adam Theroux (who you might know as Hank Sinatra Jr. ) recently directed a thrilling suspense film called The Final Obsession and a bunch of The Creative Capital’s finest gathered to celebrate the film’s DVD release. Singer-songwriter Dan White (who also acted in the film), indie fuzz fiends Six Star General, Theroux’s revival of his music project Bi Anal Ham Sandwich and hair metal maniacs Teazer put on a rocking array of riffs and laughs. As the saying goes, if you weren’t here then you weren’t anywhere.
Igniting the festivities with an acoustic guitar and keyboard, Theroux as Bi Anal Ham Sandwich took the stage with heavy doses of hilarity. Spelled wrong but on point, “Hyroglyphics” had Theroux singing about creating drawings of himself in his own image and how cool they’d be. An homage to an essential appliance, “Extension Cord” gave a long neglected outlet some love. Rick-rolling the crowd with a keyboard rendition of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” as a whistling take on No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” had everyone chuckling. He ending his performance with a request from the crowd, “Girl With Pink Eyes.”
With an elegant backwoods style, Dan White went up with an acoustic of his own for a soothing array of tunes. White has a booming and soulful voice that comes straight from the heart; it took over the room and it grabbed everyone’s undivided attention. A mix of songs telling stories of evading outlaws, heartbreak and self-doubt made for a magnificent set. It was really good to see White back playing again after a little hiatus. Make sure to catch him next time he plays in your neighborhood.
Straight out of Warren is a band very much loved by a certain columnist who writes for Motif — Six Star General got highly amplified. Old school punk in the vein of Husker Du and Built To Spill resonated throughout The Parlour with thunderous authority. The trio of Mark “Slick” MacDougall on bass, Kyle Jackson on guitar and Daniel Ulmschneider on drums kicked total musical ass. Slick’s bass has that raw, fuzzy tone you have to fall in love with. Jackson nailed the solos on his red hot rod fashioned guitar with precision. Ulmschneider proved he’s one of the most underrated drummers in The Ocean State by how powerful he is with his sticks. Six Star General should be putting out something new in the near future; keep track of MacDougall’s label 75orLess Records at 75orLess.com
Finishing the night off was a band that’s always a treat to see live. One of the best metal bands in Rhode Island, Teazer have a distinct habit of bringing the house down and on Saturday, they brought an epic amount of scorching guitar riffs and sheer, unadulterated intensity. There are few quartets as talented as Ray Manzera on guitar, Bobbi Deluca on bass, Bobbi’s brother Scotti “The Hammer” Deluca on drums and frontman Denny Palmari. These guys always bring the goods on stage, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden fans take notice. You’re guaranteed to have a good time when Teazer is playing, so go out and see them live to get rocked.
Overall, a very fun night. Fantastic music all around and for something equally fantastic, get a DVD copy of The Final Obsession. It features a few local celebrities showing their acting chops and it’s bound to send chills up your spine. Also, head over to The Parlour if you haven’t yet. They have something happening every night, and they have all the whiskey and beer you can ask for along with some fantastic food.
Order Your Copy Of The Final Obsession Here: http://thefinalobsession.weebly.com
The Parlour’s Website: http://theparlourri.com
Bi Anal Ham Sandwich On Last.Fm: http://www.last.fm/music/Bi+Anal+Ham+Sandwich
Six Star General’s Website: http://sixstargeneral.com
Teazer on BandCamp: https://teazerrocksyourfaceri.bandcamp.com