Six Star General at Dusk
Pre-Fest Pizza Party & Rhode Anchor’s Hot Rod gathering / Pre-Ty Jesso’s Soul Power Dance Party
with Junior Beat, Sonic Grifters, Six Star General
Dusk
Harris Ave
Providence, RI
6pm-9pm
401 Film Fest at The Arctic Playhouse
The Arctic Playhouse
Warwick, RI
November 13th
Allysen Callery at Ploughs and Stars
with Karen Zanes
Ploughs and Stars
Cambridge, MA
9pm
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.
Baylies Band at AS220
with Bill, Timecop Beach Party, Beverage Hill
AS220
95 Empire St
Providence RI
9pm
Mark Cutler and the Men of Great Courage at Nick-a-nee’s
Nick-a-nee’s
Jewelry Districy
Providence, RI
Free!
9pm
Bring a non-perishable food drive item!
Sick Pills at The Pour Farm
with Zero Holds and Nick Sundman
Pour Farm
Purchase St
New Bedford, MA
Free
21+
9pm
Jacob Haller at AS220
with Hollow Turtle and Drew Christiansen
AS220
Empire St
Providence, RI
8pm
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