Where The Living Room Used To Be

On this episode I chat with Mike Delehanty, who some of you may know simply as Mike D or as Sir Books A Lot. This year marks 30 years of Mike putting on shows, which is incredible! In out conversation we go back to what got him into bring a booker, the venues he's worked at, and how the music scene has changed over time. We also talk a lot about the people Mike's worked with both the folks he's brought to the stage and the amazing group of people behind the scenes. Mike is still booking shows and he has some great ones coming up. Be sure to give him a follow @sirbookslot401 to stay up on everything he has going on Outro song: "Smallpox Champion" by Fugazi (Live at Lupo's May 6th, 1997) *Fugazi has always been a big influence on me and how I do this podcast. I figured I'd take this opportunity to get them in the show in this way as Mike talked about working this event. I was at this particular show as well. Though it was 29 years ago, the memory stays with me to this day. // Interview recorded April 9, 2026 via Google Meet// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

Keith McCurdy of Vudu Sister shares his thoughts on what it's like to be a working-class musician, passes along some advice he received from his father, and tells us the beauty of open mic nights Listen to the end to hear "Under the Light of the Moon" from Vudu Sister's new album Adynata // Interview recorded March 6, 2026 via Google Meet// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

Jon Pagano shares his favorite record store from back in the day as well as his top shop currently (you can probably guess if you know who out out the new Sullest album). We also cover the summer treat he enjoys most, a special spot here in RI, the full circle music event in his life, and Jon shouts out some tasty places to get pizza! At the end I've included one of my favorite tracks, "Darren Fairenoughsky", from Sullest's self-titled album!! // Interview recorded November 21, 2024 via Google Meet // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey /

On this episode I speak with Jon Pagano where we go all the way back to his early days playing music, what it was like relearning Weak Teeth songs for their reunion show, how showing up early for rehearsal one day landed him a spot in Best Practices, as well as how his latest band Sullest came together and what their writing process is like. Sullest debut full length album is coming out on Dec. 13th via Armageddon Label and you can pre-order the vinyl and cassette over on Bandcamp right now! Also check out the video for the first single "Dirt Mall" on YouTube which we talk a little bit about in this interview. Interlude song order: "Arson Daily" by Weak Teeth from their album, What A Plague You Are "Future Cougar" by Best Practices from their album, The EP LP "All My Shit’s at TJ’s" by Sullest from their EP, Fashionable Male "Contact High" by Sullest from their self-titled album "White Horse" by Tomb Envy from their album, Retired "Windows 9595" by Sullest from their self-titled album [song premiere] // Interview recorded November 21, 2024 via Google Meet// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

Frankie shares this thoughts on where a musician should fit within a song, how theory and technique come into the writing process, exploring new opportunities, and what movement means to him. Listen until the end to hear a live track by Frankie Ranks & The Freeloaders recorded at The Parlour in Providence on February 17, 2018. (audio credit: Michelle Ferreira) // Interview recorded October 9, 2024 via Google Meet// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

I was able to catch up with Jon Hope to talk about his latest album, High Hopes. This came out earlier this year and we have an in-depth track-by-track discussion about everything that went into the making of these songs, as well as the overall message he's looking to share with everyone.High Hopes - as well as Jon's other stellar albums - are available now wherever you stream music, on Bandcamp, and directly through him at jonhopepvd.comPlease check these projects out, support him and enjoy the episode!!! // Interview recorded July 19, 2024 via Google Meet// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

Francis Anderson passes along an intense rhythm practice technique, as well as how they've walked through counter-productive advice, their songwriting practice and how they've reached over 850 songs in their portfolio. Plus, Francis shares an impressive take connecting music from around the world! At the end of the episode I've included a performance by Franny Keeps live at Doomed Records in Cranston, Rhode Island (audio credit: Pet Bee) . The song is "Had I Known" and I hope you enjoy it! // Interview recorded July 2, 2024 via Google Meet// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

The rap duo, Metermaids, are not from Rhode Island but they do have a strong connection to the state. On this episode I chat with Sentence and Swell about the origin of their group, the variation of sounds they achieve from album to album, and how they linked up with Strange Famous Records. Speaking of that, Metermaids will be performing at The Met on June 8th alongside labelmates Sage Francis, Cas One, Early Adopted, Mopes, Jesse The Tree, and Storm Davis. Make sure you're in the room for this as there's some special stuff happening that evening. I will see you there! Interlude song order: "Blackout Baby" from their EP, Smash Smash Bang "Get Down" from their album, Rooftop Shake "House On Fire" from their album, We Brought Knives "Quiet On The Set feat. Sage Francis" from their album, A Line In The Sky "All The Smoke feat. Sage Francis" from their album, A Line In The Sky // Interview recorded May 29, 2024 via Google Meet// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

On this episode Daryl Black Eagle Jamieson shares how blues music helped build his confidence. We also talked about what simply being good to people can lead to, as well as some of the lessons that were instilled in him early in life.Please listen to the end because I've included a song that was a music collaboration between Eastern Medicine Singers and the wonderful Mary Lee Partington who recently passed. She was a special person and I hope you all enjoy this rehearsal recording (audio credit: Raymond Watson). // Interview recorded April 25, 2024 at Black Eagle Productions// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

Deer Tick's John McCauley shares some of this favorite things about his home state. Learn where he used to & currently buys his records, the RI drink he loves so much he has a tattoo of it, the event he looks forward most to each year, and the variety of pizza he enjoys in the ocean state! At the end of the episode, I shared my favorite version of "The Real Thing" by Deer Tick. This is from their Live In Studio promo video Dennis Ryan engineered. I love this song and this version absolutely rules!! Watch the video on YouTube HERE and buy the album, Emotional Contracts, HERE. // Interview recorded March 11, 2024 at John's home// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

My guest on this episode is John McCauley from the band Deer Tick, as well as side projects Middle Brother and Diamond Rugs. In our conversation, John shares some amazing stories about his early days as a musician growing up in Providence, what the process was like for him touring during that time, and how seeing DIY shows in Olneyville as a teenager influenced his stage performance to this day. We also cover the writing and recording process of many of his records included Deer Tick's latest album, "Emotional Contracts" which is out now via ATO records. Interlude song order: "Dirty Dishes" by Deer Tick from their Daytrotter Session "Goodbye, Dear Friend" by Deer Tick from their album, Black Dirt Sessions "Main Street" by Deer Tick from their album, Divine Providence "Out on My Own" by Diamond Rugs from their self-titled album "Ashamed" by Deer Tick from their live performance at Newport Blues Cafe on Jul 28, 2019 (audio credit: Chad) "Once in a Lifetime" by Deer Tick from their album, Emotional Contracts // Interview recorded March 11, 2024 at John's home// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

Musician and director, Chuck Staton, shares how he's made it through some tough times while working with others in creative spaces. If you listen to the end you'll hear Senior Discount's "VBW song" as a prime example of this. Plus, he shares about how to work past self doubt and how you can best set yourself up for success. Chuck also shares a story about an interesting feud between a couple of his famous bosses I think you'll like to check out 🤔 // Interview recorded February 9, 2024 via Google Meet// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //

On this episode Aaron takes us back through a history of what Thayer Street in Providence used to be like in the early 90s, the specific way he likes a certain drink and which RI staple is a sham in his eyes, a touching generational story with his family, how often a nearby pizza place would deliver to The Living Room, and the magnificent energy a long-running annual DIY festival was at the beginning! Plus, listen to the end to hear his band, Hillbilly Graham Crackers, play "Lord Have Mercy" (audio credit: Joseph Carvalho) during From The Living Room To The Parlour: 40 Years of Local Music, which took place on April 18 + 19, 2015 at The Parlour Providence! // Interview recorded January 8, 2024 at Wes' Rib House (sorry for some of the heater background noise... I didn't realize that would bleed through)// Intro music by Cedros// Hosted by James Toomey //