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

Hempsteadys Halloween 2023 @ 33 Golden Sat Oct 28

Mystic Folkways 2023 @ Mystic Seaport Oct 7 & 8

*Last updated 10/6 2:05pm

Telegraph Celebrates 13th Anniversary With Shows Oct 10, 13 & 14

*Last updated 10/12 11:20pm

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....

'Disc 40': Mystic Disc 40th Celebration @ Mystic German Club Sat Sep 30

*Last updated 9/30 1:00pm
MOVED TO MYSTIC GERMAN CLUB!