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 of The Hempsteadys

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.

Pics & Video of 17 Relics @ German Club Sat 9/30

17 Relics perform to a packed house at the 40th Anniversary celebration for 
the Mystic Disc at the Mystic German Club Saturday September 30, 2023

LOVE & PRESS

"I just wanted to thank you for all you do for the local music community. I have tonight off so I went to the wailing city site to see who was playing. It’s amazing all the work you put in for all the local musicians and venues and I just wanted to thank you."
- Phil Smith (musician)

"...my new best friend Meghan Killimade, who's site Wailing City, lets me find all the latest local bands -- where they are playing and the times -- has suddenly been a big help in letting me find some events outside of my usual box!"
- Stephanie Shawn "Bar Fly Journals"
(Sound Waves Magazine)
Published December 2024

"Wailing City is this absolutely fantastic local music blog here in CT. They've been the place to go to find out what's happening, what's new and why you should care for well over a decade. Graciously, they interviewed us about the new album, the book, the film and all that. While touring throughout the years, we've sometimes felt like 'one foot in, one foot out' with the local scene, but they've always made us feel right at home. Thanks Wailing City."
- Pocket Vinyl (band)

"There are a staggering 64 documented live music performances in my home of New London county, CT today alone! The population of this county is only 268,805 and it is only 772 square miles. That is an incredible saturation of venues hosting live music and is a stark contrast to places I've lived in the past! You would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the country that has so much live music. Amazing really! Thank you for the hard work documenting and promoting Wailing City!"
-Travis Hyll (musician)

"Wailing City appreciation post: true champions of the New London county music scene. Follow them!"
-Dirt Pile (band)

"We wanna take a minute to shout out our friends over at Wailing City for always helping to spread the word about our shows. They've been curating the most comprehensive live music calendar for SECT since 2006. If you don't already, give them a follow."
- 33 Golden Street (venue)

"Wailing City should be your first check in for all local music schedules. Thank you so much for all your efforts in promoting the scene!!
- David Schena (musician)

"Wailing City has been keeping the calendar up to date since I first started going to shows 20 years ago. We’re lucky to have Meghan volunteer her time to help keep the scene going!"
-James Burke (musician)

"With a little footwork and a short drive I managed to visit three live music shows on Bank Street last night... New London ROCKS...and all made possible searching out local music on Wailing City... thanks Meghan."
- Don Diederich (musician / local music fan)

"If you don't have ears, then it's possible you're not aware that southeastern Connecticut - specifically New London County - has an incredibly vibrant music scene. Over the years, it's gone from a hotbed of indie rock to an area of musicians, fans and venues that support a complex and varied number of artistic styles. The wailingcity.com web site - newly and lovingly redesigned - is a tremendous resource. A labor of affection and devotion conceptualized in 2006, wailingcity.com boasts artist bios, reviews and interviews, a club and band data base and calendars, videos, audio streaming, and cross-referenced links on all of the above - as well as lists of music services such as instrument instruction, record and retail stores, related media and periodicals, festival information, and so on. It's the brainchild of musician/artist Meghan Killimade, (and contributors), and they do a terrific job."
- RICK KOSTER (The Day) Published April 03. 2014

“Wailing City, is, as of now, probably the most successfully comprehensive listing on local and area shows in Southeastern Connecticut on the Internet; the folks at Wailing City are doing an excellent job of making sounds from the underground.”
-Ben Johnson (The Day) Published July 27, 2006