WBCA Podcasts

WBCA Presents: JP Music Fest

On this special installment of WBCA Presents, musicians Rick Berlin and Ray Liriano stop by the studio to discuss the JP Music Fest. Listen to hear how the festival started and what's in store this year on September 7th at Pinebank Field, Jamaica Pond. Also: Ray Liriano's latest single, Tus Besos. https://www.jpmusicfestival.com/

Duration:: 27m
Broadcast on:: 04 Sep 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

(upbeat music) - You are tuned in to WBCA Presents on WBCA 102.9 FM, Boston's Community Radio Station. And we have Rick Berlin and Ray Lyriano of the JP Music Fest here in the building. Thanks for being here. - Thank you. - Thank you for having us. - So for those who don't know about the JP Music Fest, which is coming up this weekend, September 7th at Pine Bank Field at Jamaica Pond, what is the JP Music Fest? - I'll try and keep it short. I played a show in Cambridge 13 years ago. And a guy afterwards came up and said, "Why isn't there at Jamaica Playing Music Festival?" I ran into Seamus at a laundromat and it all kicked off there. He made a phone call to a friend of ours. We met with Paul, we got Pine Bank. And so back in 2011, it began because in Jamaica Plain, especially then, there were countless numbers of really great original musicians and artists in the hood. And we wanted to give an opportunity to them to perform in front of larger crowds and say a smaller venue. And the design of it has been the same from the beginning, although there have been improvements. There were some very funny, horrible things that happened in the first year that made it my favorite year. - Things you'd want to talk about or? - Well, some guy rewired the board so that all the instruments were coming out inaccurately. Number one, number two, the two stages. One was just a few pieces of plywood and the other was a giant stage. And so the people on the second stage got short shift. We got complaints from the tower because we were too loud. We wound up moving it to the opposite side. And well, we were very fortunate to have Gordon Gainell play songs, violent femme songs that day. But there was not a lot of people. T-shirts wrote at a tiny table. We had a great logo design by Justin of the albino squirrel, but whatever, I don't want to go much more deeply into that. But there are so many great artists here in Jamaica playing like Ray. And then we decided, of course, right away that we could not pay ourselves. So we got tremendous support from the small businesses here in Jamaica playing, who've given every year a lot of money, it costs us a lot of money to put this thing on, mostly for production and marketing. So I'll just list off a few of those. The Galway House is our founding sponsor, Compass Mission, Seed, Trace Godows, JP Lick's, Green Street Cafe, all these great places. It's a really long list and they always never complain and they also work volunteering that day. And five to 7,000 people show up in the course of the day from noon to seven. And while one band plays for 18 minutes on one stage, then the next band is on the other stage, sound checking and testing mics. And we have this extraordinarily great audio system that captures all of this. And wonderfully, BNN is going to be live streaming this year, that'll be our first. - Yes, and stay tuned for that coverage. - So maybe, Ray can talk about it more as a musician performing. I've played there as well, of course, but Ray, thank God for him. - Yeah, because there's a lineup of a full 21 artists at this performance this September 7th. And Ray Liarano, you were one of them. - Yes, sir. Thank you for having us here. - Thanks for coming. And just wanted to talk about the perspective of an artist. I played the first festival a couple of years ago, and I remember chasing Rick around town, and I'm like, "Hey, Rick, can I play the festival?" And he said, "Yes, I went through the process of applying and everything." But most importantly, the first year, kind of like, that helped me step up as an artist and elevate my vision of what I wanted to do with music, because, you know, you always have your, when you're studying in the music, you always have your, you know, your questions. You know, am I gonna be doing this in a long run? How far do I wanna take this? And JP Music Fest helped answer all those questions for me, because, you know, I come from a background of Latin music. I'm from Dominican Republic. It's a lot of political in many kinds. For me, it was a question of, are people gonna vibe to the music I'm making? Are people gonna respond to the music I'm making? And all those questions were answered that day, and forever grateful for the JP Music Fest for that, because that actually marked this thing point from where I decided to, you know what? I'm gonna pursue this. I'm gonna follow this, and, you know, here we are. - And you said this is your third time performing. - At the JP Music Fest. - Yes, it is, and I'm actually very excited, because we have a new single that we are playing at the festival, and we have new music and a great band, diverse, full of, you know, amazing talent. - Yeah, and we're gonna hear that single Tuss Bezos, a little bit later on in the show. And so, again, there's a full 21 artists playing for, you know, for this full seven hours of this festival, 12 to 7 p.m. on September 7th, this weekend. What is the process of selecting those 21 artists and curating the lineup? - Well, Sheamus and I are sort of phony A&R people, and it's an embarrassing thing to be making judgments about people who have put their heart and soul in the working on a band, developing songs. The rule is you have to play original music, no covers, unless you won J.P. Bar Wars. They can use cover songs, or classical or jazz. - That's fine. But the great thing, and Ray pointed this out, is that the audience is just happy to support any genre. And if you don't like a band in 18 minutes, you get another one, you know, but even then, it's just dogs and families and food trucks. And so it's a very happy, embracing, loving day of just forgetting your life in a way, you know, and music is good for that. So in terms of choosing, we have a submission form that's online. People in advance of it being there, are already chasing us finding out when it is. It has very specific questions. You need to have at least a grounded connection with Jamaica Plain, but we have expanded the perimeter to some extent because of pricing of rents in Jamaica Plain, more people have had to move out. And so we want to be as inclusive as possible. Most of these bands have not been on a national stage. This is not Jamaica Plain calling. It's really very corner store, monument pop, even though the production level is very high. And so we try to have, include as many genres as possible, to have vocal only stuff, to have classical and jazz, to have ethnicity represented as much as possible. And it's not easy. And over 70 to 80 people apply every year for 21 slots. And this year, because last year got rained out for the end of the show, we had brought back deservedly eight nine of those bands. So we only had to choose 11 this year. But it's tough and it's, did judge a band that seems so presumptive, especially when you make music yourself and God knows what people are going to make of it. But in the end, people are forgiving. We sent out a dear John letter to all of the ones we've rejected and we thank them and they're so grateful for that. I said, please apply next year and so forth. So that covers it, I think. - Yeah. And I'm sure knowing that this is such a long lasting festival at this point, that those groups can believe it, that they might maybe next year or the year after that, then they'll be able to come on. - Yes. - Yeah, and yeah, so again, this is the 12th anniversary of the festival. So it's, what's been the key to having it, you know, succeed and last for that long? - I don't know, what do you think? - I think, I think Shamus and Rick have done it right, which means, you know, that they, I see that every year, you know, there's something new, something that worked last year that is, you know, consistent. And then whatever was, you know, that needed a little bit of adjustment, I see them adjusting and the crew always, kind of like I see familiar faces, but also see new people that they bring something to the table and I think it's just a wonderful community that JP is and it shows, it reflects on the festival. You can see how people are so enthusiastic about doing things and do it with so much love that it reflects on the festival. - Yeah, and it's great to have all of these acts, all of these local sponsors, the organizers all coming together to-- - And a ton of volunteers as well, I'm sure. - And we make a request at the end that people leaving clean up around themselves is very few bits and pieces that we have to find the next day. And yeah. - I did see in your flyer that people are already able to express interest in volunteering to help for next year's festival, is that right? - Yeah, I mean, Mike Berman is in charge of all the volunteers. We have three gates to welcome in people that are coming and a lot of friends of ours do a couple of hours at each gate to say hi, hi, how you doing, you know, and that's terrific. We also have t-shirts that are available that help, you know, build the amount of money it costs to put this thing on. And then Trace Godos always has the merch table and the bands all get 100% of anything they want to sell. And that's taken care of over at that table so they don't have to worry about it. - That's great. - Yeah, and then we have some food backstage, but there's a lot of food, there's an ice cream truck this year, there's a wonderful water thing. Sheamus does all this stuff. It's a massive mountain of permits and work that he manages every year. And it's a long day. I mean, it takes 48 hours to get over it once it's done. But there's so much, I mean, it's larger than any single person, that's why it's been a tradition for as long as it's lasted. - Yeah, what would you say you're most excited about for this year's festival as an organizer and Ray as a performer? - No, Rayne, number one. And well, besides, I mean, all the bands, I can't wait to see them, but there's a group of women that all have white hair that play drums and rap. And they will only play for 10 minutes and they had to go on early because they can't stay up, even past five. And they're just really, really cool. They're called Shuboom, I can't wait to see them. - Shuboom looks like they'll be on at 2.20 p.m. this September 7th. I've got the lineup, I hope I have the right one. - You are, that's right. - Looking forward to it. The festival runs this September 7th Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., 21 local bands, and that's at the Pine Bank Field at Jamaica Pond. And Ray, so as we mentioned before, this will be your third time performing. How do you feel? It's coming up. - I feel amazing, it's this tingling of my stomach that usually gets when I'm playing GP Music Fest, you know, and it's just the buildup of energy. And I'm looking forward to see all the other bands as well. Like, people of earth, ever finer. And among others, you know, it's just so wonderful when you are waiting to play or you don't, and then you turn around and you hear this amazing new band that you never heard before and just discover it. And I'm like, oh, GP Music Fest, you see? I get to hear new bands every year. - Yeah, and people get to hear you. So that, this will be a great moment to listen to one of your new songs, "To Space Hosts." Is there anything you want to say about this song before we play it? - Indeed, yeah. I just wanted to share that this song was written about, you know, not only the love that you may have for a couple, but the love that you have for the people that surround you and how that love grows over time and how we show love to each other by doing different things, you know, different languages to love. And love transcends anything and goes as far as, you know, transforming us into better people. Or, you know, and yeah, this song was recorded here in Boston in my studio with the crew that, you know, my family, my friends. And yeah, very proud to showcase it today. - Yeah, well, without further ado, this is WBCA Presents on WBCA 102.9 FM. We are here with Rick Berlin and Ray Leariano from the JP Music Fest, which is happening this Saturday, September 7th. And we are going to listen to "To Space Hosts" by Ray Leariano. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (singing in foreign language) (upbeat music) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) (singing in foreign language) You are tuned in to WBCA 102.9 FM and you just heard two spasos by Ray Leariano. This is WBCA Presents and we have Rick Berlin and Ray Leariano from the JP Music Fest here in the studio. In a moment we're going to talk more about that song you just heard but first we're going to take it back over to Rick who's going to tell us a little bit more about this year's JP Music Fest September 7th. Ray is one of the most generous people in the hood and I've asked him to do countless numbers of tiny things to large things and he always agrees to do it and he does it magnificently and that's the sort of spirit of this thing that he's the embodiment of. Alright a couple of things first of all you can't park at the site so you want to park further away and walk up it's very close. Seed who's one of our sponsors is providing petticabs for free. You can ride up there it's really really great. There's a kids area run by our friend James Purdle where kids play music they can do drawings they can make harmonica's out of popsicle sticks and it goes from the start of the show all the way to the end. That's a very busy area over under the trees in the cool and then there's a lot of dogs and water for them and the food trucks are fabulous. I don't have them all in my head right now but it's really it's great and they do they make a lot of money there's lines around the block for those guys and lastly the weather is predicted to be terrific so that's good to know. Alright back to you Ray. Let's hope we're not jinxing it and just to reiterate dogs are welcome yes and those petticabs will be between Hyde Square and Pinebank Field which is the location of the festival this Saturday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. but you've got to talk to you Ray about that song we just heard two spaces that was wonderful. Thank you so much. So what what got you into music? There was a necessity of expressing of saying something and of putting another voice to what I was listening out there and my background comes from a painting art printing you know anything that you can express yourself evoke art that I done it and and kind of like just kind of like experimented with it to see where I felt the most as myself and the most as you know as a good platform to just spread you know love and a message that's it. And this song two spaces you said that you recorded it in Boston? Yes so I recorded it in in my project studio in in Boston and you can hear bass was recorded by the amazing Hank Ritterones local JP resident and all the precautions were recorded by Miguel Beato and we have on the drums we have Sabana Marshall on the song we had Juan Pablo found this Chilean drummer in amazing used to live in JPL so so yeah it's it's a in on trumpets we have the amazing Carlos de Leon which he previously recorded with Johnny Pacheco legends of salsa like you know Fania and Oscar de Leon. What is the translation of the of your song we just heard? So that made two spaces give me your your kisses Carigno Deere so because without your love I feel called less dance as slow ballero because this life is too in it's for you to enjoy it and kind of like it's a song that talks about just you know taking it slow and taking it every moment at the time and realizing that this moment is for matters you know what we have here right now it's all we got. Wonderful words wise words so you're from the Dominican Republic originally did you when you moved from there did you come straight to Boston or is this where you've been for quite a while at this point? I've been moving here and there but my my first location was Boston and I came here with the intention of studying art which had let you know really quick I find out that it was going to cost me a certain amount of money that I didn't have so I improvise I kind of like you know I learned myself as much as I could grabbing books or you know doing other things or practicing you know painting and making music as much as I could and how how have you found the the music scene the creative scene in Boston to be for you you know it's funny you ask that because I never felt more at home than in in JP and in Boston I used to live in Orlando used to live in Miami but the place that I feel more at home and comfortable and like I can be myself and you know it's okay you know I can say the things you know I want to talk about it's is here I found a platform and and home and friends in Jamaica Plain. Well it's you know it's great to the you felt that connection that you're able to you know come for not your first not your second but your third time performing at the JP music festival. Yes and it's always a trailer it's always feels like the first time and here's here's too many more yeah is there is there anything you'd want to say to our Spanish-speaking listeners about the festival or about your music? See I can uh I'll speak in Spanish now uh so so you know that I only beat as you know especially at a lot of those various coaches the estamisora si a la cespañón y estas a quisinto nizado que roque se paz que ayun festival mo y incraiva like se llama el festival le jamaica plain. Y esto apa ser el sala si a de se tiembre des de las dos del día a esta la si a de la noce el festival esta vicado en el pine bank y tenemos beng tiún bandas de differentes lugares toco com algona connexion y jamaica plain tenemos food trucks a tibido para níños tovaldí a vaco herr esa tibido amigo jains pero y teremos bueno basicamente ciete oraz de diversion si esta intres alo y ados haves es vazar el festival le jamaica plain en el pine bank y bueno yo esta tocando ay bueno esta tocando un poco de merengu un poco de voachata un poco de roque con influence y a tocado a todo a la de todo para amores a un poco de funk. So siete intres alo y alos haves y tamahaya y tes alo el dosa a siete a la noce salo siete september. Bueno muchas gracias gracias a ti. So we've got just about a minute left unfortunately but before we go I I've got to ask about the JP Lick's flavor the official flavor of the festival squirrel nut zippel. It's so good and I'm I mean if they're it's a great I mean that's they began in JP JP Lick's obviously and they're just they're just another example of a great institution here that has reached for beyond the borders of JP and that and that's a really it's a great thing that it's squirrel nut zippel because that's our mascot the almino squirrel and thanks to Justin McCarthy for coming up with that design with a little pork pie hat it's it's ubiquitous and I want to just point out one quick thing if you're driving up the Jamaica Way and you hit Perkins Street and you look to your right on the corner you'll see the sugar ball and the bands will be right up on the field it's not you can you can put pineback into Google and it's still really weird to find we didn't know where it was when we first heard about it so double check before you come. Yeah that's pinebank feel that Jamaica Pond JP Music Fest this Saturday September 7th 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. when this started in 2011 did you think you'd be doing this 12 years later and that you'd have an ice cream flavor? Honestly no I don't like to do anything more than once but because it's so many people involved it's a community effort it owns you you know in a positive way. Well thank you so much both of you for coming on the show for anyone who wants to have more information about the festival they can follow Jamaica Plain Music Festival on Instagram JP Music Fest on Facebook and JPmusicFestival.com as well for more information and thank you so much Rick and Ray for coming on the show to talk about festival. Thank you for having us. Merci, muchas gracias. (upbeat music) (upbeat music)