Anyone who has ever read more than a few articles, or come to any of the shows I have produced, or listened to any of the Locals Covering Locals compilations know that I love collaboration. Big shows with great talents sharing the stage. Well, Jocie Adams and Arc Iris will be doing just that with their Zoetical Festival. I once referred to Adams as “an onion with many layers”, well peel back another one and check out what she and her musical cohorts can put on when they put their creative minds together. I can’t even begin to explain how great these events are going to be…so I caught up with Jocie to let us in on it and what to expect. Check it out!
1) So, Jocie…whats new? You are just coming off a big slew of residency shows with Arc Iris. How was that?
JA: The residency tour was fantastic. The intended goals were met even though February brought Snowzilla to the Northeast. We watched the crowds grow and gave back to our wonderful fans who have come to countless opening gigs by playing four long and creative sets. Everyone left happy!
2) Ok…shamelessly plug Arc Iris a bit and let the readers know what else you all have been up to.
JA: Over the span of our brief career we have already had the opportunity to tour with a handful of fantastic artists including St.Vincent, Tweedy, Freeman (Ween) and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. We have played many wonderful festivals including Bonnaroo, Clearwater, as well as those overseas. We are currently working on a ballet and our next record. The new music is opening new doors both musically and visually.
3) You will be playing the gracious host to the Zoetical Festival, showcasing a TON of really amazing artists from in and around Providence. Who are some of these folks that you are most excited about being a part?
JA: We are very excited about having the BIG NAZO lab and their intergalactic creature band around for every Friday of the Zoetical Festival. For those who don’t know who BIG NAZO is, it is a troupe of equally bizarre and expressive life-sized alien-puppet-creatures who sometimes also play music. BIG NAZO is a Providence legend, and it is an honor that they are interested in sharing all 4 evenings with us this April. We will be sharing a bill with many of these bands for the first time including Death Vessel, Haunt the House, Math the Band and Allysen Callery, which is a treat.
4) What can folks expect at these shows? The genres here run the gamut from indie rock to folk to Bowie-esque glam rock and beyond. Seems like it will be a whole lot of goodness to take in!
JA: This April marks the debut of Zoetical Festival. We have chosen to use it as a conduit for bringing awareness to some of the great music and songwriting nested here in our tiny, beautiful state, Rhode Island. People can also expect to at least have one encounter with an alien per night.
5) Your site says the “first” of these events…any plans to do this annually, or perhaps move from city to city in the Northeast?
JA: We would love to pick this up again next year and beyond. We will most likely stick to Providence, though!
6) What else should we know about this great event?
JA: Each week will take its own path. For the full experience, we suggest that people come out to as many nights as they can! We will be changing our set up every night, trying on some new tricks.
(photo courtesy of the band)