WAILING CITY: October 2023

Wailing City Spotlight: Interview With James Burke

Published October 19, 2023

Interview by Meghan Killimade

You’ve been playing music in the area for quite some time – having played in rock bands such as Thick Thieves, Incessant Pop Group, Slander and Anderson Family Picnic, before developing into a solo artist armed with synths and drum machines. You’re also currently in the neo-soul/hip hop/synth trio The Look-A-Likes. What has this new musical path been like for you and what was the motivation/influence behind it?

I took about seven years off from playing music at the end of Slander. In 2020 I ended up with a broken ankle during lockdown. As boredom set in, I realized I could play the bass from a wheelchair. I’d always pondered about the idea of doing a solo set with electronics, but it never fully materialized. Also, since I spend 8+ hours a day in front of a computer for my day job, making music “in the box” wasn’t something I connected with. I started assembling an array of synths and drum machines which evolved into the setup I use today. Tonally the sounds are a lot of the 80’s dance music classics, TR909 drum sounds, Roland Juno Synth pads, 303 bass sounds.

Wailing City Spotlight: Interview With Jordan Harrelson

Published October 12, 2023
Interview by Jeff Thunders

Hey Jordan how are ya man.....The Hempsteadys have a very retro kind of ska feel with an infusion of punk. Makes me feel like at times I'm listening to old Trojan Records or Two Tone records. What do you think sets the band apart from the rest of the ska/punk bands in the state?
We’ve got an eclectic mix of different musical backgrounds and we’re pretty open about trying different things out. I think everyone brings something that’s unique to the table...

Wailing City Spotlight: Interview with Travis Hyll

Published October 5, 2023

Interview by Meghan Killimade

Tell us about yourself! Where did you grow up and how did you get started in music?
I was born in a small town in western North Carolina in the late 80's and lived in that state until I was in my 30's. My mom's maternal side had been in that region since before the revolutionary war and were mostly of Scottish descent. I've done research and read the wills of ancestors who died back in the early 1800's. Aside from leaving children, their stock of typical things from that era such as bacon, an apiary and family heirlooms, they also listed a large amount of grain, mostly corn, cooperage supplies, stills, and hogsheads of whiskey, so they were certainly involved in moonshining; the sort of people who moved further west into Kentucky and created the bourbon culture now loved around the world. My grandmother, born in the 1930's, who grew up poor during the Great Depression, picking cotton on other people's land with her parents, told me how her father played banjo and her grandparents also played musical instruments. You could say that side of my family is the same stock that produced so many old time and bluegrass musicians.

Wailing City Spotlight: Interview with Llama Tsunami

Published September 21, 2023
Interview by Meghan Killimade

You guys have been together and playing in the area for around 15 years!? For those who may be unfamiliar - what's the history of the band?

Band: Formed in 2008, Llama Tsunami is a 9 piece ska band. Many members have come and gone over the years- there are 20 current and former llamas! Currently, three original members remain; Ben Perry (bass, vocals), Nick Perry (vocals), and Josh Middleton (trumpet). Kevin Stoodt (saxophone) joined in 2010, Zach Lewis (lead guitar) joined in 2013, and Christy Hagerty-Stoodt started singing with the band in 2015. Meg Canastar (trombone) joined in 2018, Marcus Dipollina, a long time friend and drum sub, joined officially as our drummer in 2019, and Evan Grey joined in 2022 as our rhythm guitarist. Zach and Marcus are from Waterford, Evan is from New London, and everyone else is from Montville. The band has always been a creative outlet, but also we’re just a bunch of folks who want to have fun, and be a little dumb, like, as a band. We started as college kids who wanted to make music with friends, and now we’re a bunch of adults who make music with friends....

Published August 31, 2023

Interview by Meghan Killimade

Recently, while doing some show promotion on WailingCity's Instagram page, I stumbled upon Element 88, a teenage rock band out of Westerly, RI, who are seemingly making quite a buzz in the area.

Video clips of the band's recent live shows highlight their energy and passion and there is an obvious chemistry within the group that stands out in their performance. As they work to carve out their own unique sound, you can absolutely hear a more mature musical influence of classic rock, jazz, funk and blues... blended with a more current indie rock. The sound that these guys are creating is quite impressive for a group aged just 13 & 14.

There is no doubt that the young band have put quite a bit of work into their project, boasting a slew of well-built original songs - one of which includes "Bluffs", their newly released debut single.

Having showcased their songs at "Youth on the Mic" nights at the The Knickerbocker Music Center in Westerly, RI - and honing their skills with the support and instruction of The RI Phil Music School at the United Theatre, they've created quite a buzz... this band will be one to watch!

I recently asked the guys how they got started, about the new single and what they have coming up. Check out the interview and new single below!

Published March 2, 2023

Interview by Meghan Killimade

Rogue March - is a multi-instrumentalist duo who play a mix of original songs, traditional Irish standards and sea shanties --hence describing themselves as "rebel songs of Ireland and the sea".

The band have a slew of gigs coming up in the area over the next month to get you in the Irish spirit and also a few out of town gigs opening for Irish music legends Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones and Chicago Celtic punk band The Tossers!

Wailing City recently asked Stuart Fensom of the duo some questions about how the band came to be, the music they play, their favorite local hangs and where we can catch one of their shows...

Published February 16, 2023
Interview by Meghan Killimade

Sweet Mercy! is a roots Americana influenced band, lead by John Speziale of Stonington and featuring multi-instrumentalists from all areas of New London county and Westerly, RI. The band performs as an acoustic trio or quartet and sometimes as a full band featuring electric guitar and drums. Sweet Mercy! has opened for prestigious acts, including The Hoolios and The Carleans and they’ve shared stages with such talented song writers as Dan Blakeslee and Haunt the House. The band’s hot licks and harmonies earned them a New London, CT Whalie Award for Best Roots Rock Band in 2016. More recently, Sweet Mercy! have been playing shows around the area in support of their new self-titled album released in September of 2022.

From their bio: 'Sweet Mercy!’s first album, appropriately titled 'Sweet Mercy!', is a compilation of songs reflecting the cultural, regional, ethnic and musical influences that have combined to make the Americana genre. Nola’s in there, along with blues, Cajun, Tex-Mex, rock and roll… There’s a murder ballad, and even a song inspired by the circus. Eight of the songs were written by John, the ninth song is a rocking rendition of a traditional Americana classic.'

Wailing City recently asked John Speziale about the band, the songwriting/recording process and what's coming up for Sweet Mercy!...

Published January 26, 2023
Interview By Jeff Thunders
Intro by Meghan Killimade

Scott Fitch, (a.k.a. Son of a Fitch), is a professional engineer and a local CT consulting business owner who has also been a local New Haven area rock musician for about 25 years. He originates from the Phoenix/Tempe Arizona music scene during the heyday of the Gin Blossoms, Meat Puppets, and Refreshments. Other than the most recent guitarist for The Lost Riots, Scott was best known as part of a 3-piece Tuba Rock band called The Gene Gnomes. He is now a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for The Rezistors who have been together for just over a year.

The band are playing at 33 Golden Street this Saturday January 28th along side Fatal Film, The Prozacs and Jared Knapik. Check out this interview with Scott, by Jeffrey Thunders - and check out the show Saturday!