It was a cold winter evening and four Rhode Island musicians were set-up in an old pasta sauce factory. In fact, Buddy Cianci's sauce was canned there. Tucked away in the Central Falls neighborhood of Pawtucket, The Low Anthem were crafting their latest record. Appropiately enough we were delivering them some beer to help fuel their creative efforts. Ben Knox Miller was kind enough to warn us of the entrance situation. Being in an old factory the only way in or out was a freight elevator with a height of about 3 feet or the fire escape. "If you're going to come up the fire escape be careful man," says Miller. "The snow has been melting and dripping down from the roof. I guess it's been freezing over night." I took my chances and he wasn't kidding. It wasn't just slippery. The entire stairs were covered in about 1 inches of ice. I literally pulled myself up the railings thinking there's no way I'm getting the beer up this way. Luckily we loaded the cases onto the freight elevator and met them at the top. Now for the pizza. Yikes! No wonder Nice Slice doesn't deliver.
Inside you can see the Nice Slice pizza boxes piled high and empty Gansett cans lined up along the window siles. The y had the whole floor and each member set-up their own booths with all of their instruments. My mouth dropped when I saw the collection of vintage guitars, amps and pianos. I was in for a real treat since they were just about to record "Ghost Woman" on a single Sure microphone. Of course I had to video this. The sound board was set in the back and captured the intimate mood of the song perfectly. I was definitely greatful for them letting me witness this with my camera. Really can't wait to hear how this record comes out. Needless-to-say though, when they needed a re-fill they came by our shop for some more beer.
Now that the snow has thawed and The Low Anthem have hit the road. Finishing the tracking stages of the record, they started touring while it's being mixed and mastered. Hitting SXSW and other dates across the country, everyone is anxiously awaiting this release. But New Englanders are in luck. They are playing a few dates here this week. In fact they'll be at the Paradise in Boston tonight. And more close to home they'll be playing a special show tomorrow night at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence. With other local friends Tallahassee and The 'Mericans, they just announced that the show will be free. To help support the flood relief efforts in their home, they are asking everyone to simply donate $5 dollars at the show. Proceeds will benefit United Way's Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund. It'll be an evening of great music and everyone helping their neighbors. For more info please visit LowAnthem.com.
