Folks don’t necessarily look to Rhode Island as a place where great music is born. Something about being the smallest state in the union tends to leave that impression in the less curious minds of the world. Yet, the bands and artists that were born in the Ocean State are some of the most amazing and forward-thinking acts around: Black Dice, Arab on Radar, The Body, Throwing Muses, Six Finger Satellite, The Low Anthem and Sage Francis, to name just a few. So, it should come as little surprise that the up-and-comers of Rhode Island ca. 2014 represent a wide array of sounds and styles, ranging from ornate UK-style folk to herky-jerky pop made with circuit bent Game Boys. As part of the 50 States Project, here, then, are the 10 bands that should be on your radar right now.
Bloodpheasant
Hometown: Providence
Members: Shannon Le Corre, Chris Carrera, Derrick Garforth, Neil King
Current Album: Traum (2014)
The band likes to refer to their sound as “doom folk,” which is a decent enough descriptor, but only seems to scratch the surface of this dark, brooding soup this quartet cooks up. There’s a lot of goth garage mayhem a la Gun Club and Nick Cave and a splash sludge metal swirling in the mix. And there are moments where shafts of light cut through the murk, courtesy to the occasionally dulcet vocals of Shannon Le Corre. It’s a heavy and thick sound but it goes down so smooth.
Allysen Callery
Hometown: Bristol
Current Album: Mumblin’ Sue (2013)
When she’s not singing with the sumptuous group Haunt The House, Allysen Callery is bringing back to life the delicate and soul-stirring sounds of the folk revival that swept through the UK in the ‘60s and ‘70s. In fact, her lilting voice and heartfelt lyrics are eerily close to the work of the late British songstress Sandy Denny, the highest compliment I could hand down to this brilliant artist. It’s little wonder then that she has gained a welcome audience in Europe, where she will be touring this coming fall. Now it’s time for folks in her home country to sit up and take notice.
Chachi Carvalho
Hometown: Pawtucket
Current Album: Cape Verdean in America (2014)
Though he came up in the Rhode Island music scene as a rapper—and a very good one at that—in recent months, Chachi Carvalho has been embracing his heritage as a former native of the island nation of Cape Verde. On his latest EP that comes out in the form of morna-inspired club bangers and some silken ballads that mesh his street savvy rhymes with a modern slow coladeira.
Euro
Hometown: Providence
Current Album: Don’t Expect Nothin’ mixtape (forthcoming)
All of 20 years old, this Rhode Island-based rapper (real name: Eufradis Rodriguez) was brought under the wing of the Young Money crew and wound up in the studio with such pop titans as Lil Wayne and Justin Bieber. Though he hasn’t really presented his own work in any large way (the finishing touches are being put on a mixtape as you read this), his verses on the Young Money: Rise of an Empire release have revealed a rapper that boasts an indelible flow and a deep love of language.
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