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This is a bit of a different episode. On Aug 12, 2026 my dear friend Billy Wallace took his life. He was such an incredible person, songwriter, and author who performed all across this nation.  When I was first starting this podcast I recorded a short interview with Billy in his car outside of The Parlour in Providence, RI. I never released it. Now seems like a fitting time. He shared a bit about his journey and what Rhode Island meant to him. Billy was not from the Ocean State, but he toured here constantly and, as you'll hear, he believed this was the location he spent the most time for a place he never lived. We spent so much time together and had so many conversations. I'm grateful I was able to have this conversation with him and document it. He was brilliant and I am so sad I will never be able to talk with him or play music with him again. Please check out all of his music by searching William Russell Wallace, Billy Wallace & the Virginia Blues, or The Wading Girl. At the end of the episode I included a couple rare acoustic demos as well as one of my favorite songs by him. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Love your friends. Tell them you love them. Outro song order: "San Jacinto" (acoustic demo). Studio version can be found on William Russell Wallace's album, Dirty Soul "The Timing" from William Russell Wallace's album, Confidence Man "St. James" (acoustic demo). Studio version can be found on Billy Wallace & the Virginia Blues' album, The Road Spit Me out // Interview recorded June 19 , 2019 outside The Parlour in Providence, RI // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

Peter Cardoso of Ghost Town Studio and I share some commonalities with a couple of our experiences in Rhode Island. We also get philosophical about pizza and talk about the beauty of Pawtucket in this mini-episode. Outro song: “Rookie of the Year” End Title Theme performed by Rhode Island Philharmonic live at the Pawtucket Arts Festival Slater Park Fall Festival in 2024 (audio credit: Kyle Davis) // Interview recorded July 2 , 2026 at Ghost Town Studio in East Providence, RI // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

Pete Cardoso shares a piece of advice a fellow artist friend shared with him. We also talk about a lesson Pete learned earlier in his career that stuck with him. And, we cover the role curiosity still plays in his life. End tracks: "Focus" by Brown Bird from their album Axis Mundi "My Surname's An Airplane" by Miranda Sound from their split release with Tiara. This is a rare extended version! It was later re-recorded for their album, Western Reserve, that was produced and engineered by J. Robbins // Interview recorded July 2 , 2026 at Ghost Town Studio in East Providence, RI // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

On this episode I get to chat with artist, Pete Cardoso. I did not realize it until we met up, but this is his first podcast interview, and it's a great honor to help share his story! In our conversation we talk about his early experiences screen printing show posters, some of the amazing musicians he's worked with over the years, a little bit about what his design process is like, and what he's working on now. Make sure to support Pete anyway you can. Check out ghosttownstudio.com to buy some prints or hire him to make something cool for you! Interlude songs: "Ashes of American Flags" by Wilco (Live at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel - April 24, 2002) credit: Small Clone Collective "Waiting for Somebody" by Paul Westerberg (Live at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel - July 27, 1996) credit: dharmanovel // Interview recorded July 2 , 2026 at Ghost Town Studio in East Providence, RI // Intro music by Cedros // Hosted by James Toomey //

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 some of his favorite things about The Ocean State... one of them you may be surprised to find out  The end of the episode features Vudu Sister's "Monster Boy," a favorite of mine from their new album Adynata. // Interview recorded March 6, 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 //

On this episode I speak with Keith McCurdy of the band Vudu Sister. We talk about their new album Adynata and what's changed with this record. We also go all the way back to his early bands, Vudu Sister's first album Bastard Children, and what it took to write songs in Latin and ancient Greek. Make sure to check out Vudu Sister's album release show at Myrtle on March 20 and stay to the end to hear the premiere of their song "Passage of Ships" Interlude song order: "Galliard" by Vudu Sister from their album, Broken Children "Household Items" by Vudu Sister from their album, Household Items "Raven-haired Girl" by Vudu Sister from their album, Mortis Nervosa "Credite Mihi" by Vudu Sister from their album, Burnt Offerings "Lilith" by Vudu Sister from their album, Adynata "Passage of Ships" by Vudu Sister from their album, Adynata [song premiere!] // 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 /

Jon Pagano shares some stories from the Squid Amps days, as well as what the true experience of touring really is! Listen to the end to hear Sullest performing "Robinette" live at Fete in Providence, RI on March 17, 2023 // 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 Ranks shares some of his favorite things from his home state and home town. From his favorite record shops , to where he loves to hike... we cover a lot about The Ocean State. Did we talk about hot wieners and coffee milk? Tune in to find out. Listen to the end to hear a great track from Boo City entitled "We'll Be Just Fine" from their mixtape, Midnight Folklore. // Interview recorded October 9, 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 //

On this episode I speak with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, Frankie "Ranks" Moniz. From playing saxophone in bands such as The Agents, Soulshot and Boo City... to guitar in his country project Frankie Ranks & The Freeloaders and the indie folk group High Planes, as well as running his own music education studio...we cover it all in this interview. We get into how he joined these bands, his technique for writing, the experience he has on tour and recordings he's been a part of. Speaking of that, Frankie's latest release is High Planes' new record "Sweet Vacancy" available on CD and lathe-cut vinyl on Bandcamp and wherever you stream music! Interlude song order: "Long Time" by The Agents from their album, 401 "Liars and Thieves" by Soulshot "Free Kind of Life" by Frankie Ranks & The Freeloaders from their EP, Game Changer "Nobody Knows" by Boo City "Undone" by High Planes from their album, Ghost Town "Dead To Rights" by High Planes from their album, Sweet Vacancy "Falling" by High Planes from their album, Sweet Vacancy // 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.com Please 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 //