Rapper rests in peace
February 3, 2015
Filed under Artist Spotlight
The hip-hop community was shocked and saddened at the sudden passing of Steven Rodriguez, 26, also known as A$AP Yams. He died Jan. 18. Rodriguez was the founder and mastermind behind A$AP Mob. He was a hip-hop encyclopedia. His vast knowledge of the genre allowed him to mold several successful rapp...
Local artists talk future in Burlington
December 3, 2013
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
Burlington artists gathered in the SPACE gallery Nov. 13 in a fashion resembling the knights of King Arthur's court. The group was led by Christy Mitchell of the SPACE gallery, independent artist Clark Derbes and Art Map Burlington publisher Ric Kasini Kadour. One of the issues brought up was the c...
Basement rock unearthed
December 3, 2013
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
Garages and rock go hand in hand - there is an entire genre of music entitled "garage rock." In rock n' roll, the basement band is the true emblem of what it means to be "in it for the music," the chief symbol of youthful energy and friendly rockin' out. Townsend Revenue is one such band, a reminder that...
Artists transform trash into art
September 8, 2011
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
Where many have seen only garbage, seven Vermont artists saw raw materials for artistic expression. The walls of Winooski's Block Gallery were adorned with artwork made from recycled and repurposed materials. The exhibit, called "Upcycle Vermont," incorporated materials ranging from old windows to McDonald's wr...
The Barefoot Truth: They “love life”
February 26, 2009
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
"Balsamic dressing and extra ranch on the side" are not the typical glamorous, hotel trashing or out of control demands of a successful band. But this is exactly what was demanded of Sodexho prior to Barefoot Truth's Feb. 13 show in the Davis Center. As far from typical as that may sound, that is Barefoot...
Pretty & Nice? (Anything but)
February 23, 2009
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
After lots of press and hype that the former hometown boys were back, Pretty & Nice failed to bring out the local fans on Thursday night at the Monkey House. The now Boston-based band on Hardly Art, a Sub Pop imprint, pulled out a bag of pop punk in the vein of OK Go and got their fans dancing. But, for ...
Barn ball bounces back into Burlington
September 15, 2008
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
On the way to Burlington each year, many UVM students pass the classic red clapboard barns that so scenically dot the Vermont countryside.So when walking through campus, one may not be surprised to spot a sculpture that pays a little tribute to those picturesque barns, but a sculpture that could rol...
Q & A with O.A.R.
September 8, 2008
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
The Cynic caught up with O.A.R. band member and saxophonist Jerry DePizzo to talk with him about their sixth album, forming a band in college and his biggest nonmusical influences, his family. They are slated to play Burlington this Wednesday at Memorial Auditorium.The Cynic: What's your take on sta...
UVM’s The Flo: Local Favorites Gaining Support
December 13, 2007
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
Where do college bands start out? In dark grungy basements where the crowd could care less about who's playing as long as there is a steady beer supply. There will always be a few UVM students who will love a band solely because they are playing live music - regardless of their talent. A band shows un...
More Than Cowboy Boots and Guitar Solos
March 8, 2007
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
"For me it's more than cowboy boots and guitar solos. It's about striking a chord with the listener, with myself, with Celia; a chord that pulses and pokes at feeling, soul, dance, love and laughter" Avi Salloway, of the blues/bluegrass/ rock duet Avi and Celia, said "Cowboy boots and guitar solos ar...
We are Scientists = We are Reproductions
February 14, 2006
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
p>The three guys from Southern California follow in the footsteps of retro bands like The Killers and Interpol. Although, unlike The Killers and Interpol, listening to their album is like listening to a rock opera, it's one very long song about drinking to get over a girl. With its mod overtones and wa...
Soulvation Army: Burlington’s Musical Militia
February 7, 2006
Filed under Archives, Artist Spotlight, Arts
Soulvation Army does not take second-hand clothes donations. Nor do they feed the homeless hot soup on a single-digit day in Burlington. They do, however, perform an important social function: funk and soul. Formed in 2005 with the hopes of winning the Battle of the Bands, Soulvation Army, a band wit...
