Jill Palumbo Returns To Providence

Jill Palumbo Returns To Providence

Jill Palumbo is an artist, musician, and native Rhode Islander who now lives in outside of DC in Virginia. She was a resident artist at AS220, and known for her photography, bass playing, and singing skills. Jill’s current band The Torches was formed when she met the band’s frontman through the Web site okcupid.com. Although she didn’t form a romantic relationship with him, they did form a band and she eventually became engaged to another member of the band, Thomas Orgren. You can bet that it was one of the more indirect romances sparked by okcupid. 

Jill will be back in Rhode Island tonight performing with her band The Torches at the 201 in downtown Providence. She will also be spending time in Rhode Island this summer teaching a pinhole photography class at RISD. We had a chance to ask her a few questions while she is on tour:

You were once a resident of Providence, and involved in both its art and music scene. What are the things you miss and really cherish about the art & music scene here in Providence?

I miss the grassroots concentrated DIY intensity of the music and art. Everyone kind of knows each other. There was always a show to go to every night, and there was always a way to get involved with an art or music project, or start your own. The two always went hand in hand. I really miss that.
 

How would you best describe your band The Torches’ music?

A guy at the show we played at last night at The Cave in Chapel Hill, North Carolina described us as "heavy folk". We've got banjo, oboe, harmonica, accordion, cello, and of course drums, but no guitar. I throw some distortion on my bass sometimes to kick it up. We're kind of rootsy, not jammy though. We have songs like "Blood & Money" and "Steerpike" that are a bit more punk. Stephen likes to go back and visit with his Louisiana heritage when it comes of our songs.

When you lived in RI, you were known for your photography work. What have you been working on in the visual realm over the last year?

It's funny that you say that now that I think about it, because I've been involved with so many bands over the past 10 years in Providence like Route 44, The Honeymoon's Over, and Drab. Even a lot of my photography revolved around taking pictures for local bands like The Eyesores and Mahi Mahi. One thing I really grew to love was teaching my pinhole workshop for kids at RISD, which I'll be doing again this summer. I love the whole process of pinhole photography.
 

Is there a connection between your music and your visual art? If so, explain.

There is a really basic connection that music and art are ways to express yourself and surround yourself with people who are like-minded. In that case yes, the two definitely go hand in hand. Whether it's taking pictures for the band, designing t-shirts or posters or actually making music and writing songs, it's all interrelated.

What do the Torches have planned in regards to upcoming shows and releases?

Well, we're on tour right now, and we'll be promoting our EP with Lujo Records on both 7-inch record & digital release. Once we get done with our tour, we'll be going into the recording studio in the fall to put together a full-length release with Lujo Records. It's an exciting time!

You can see Jill perform with The Torches at The 201 on Wednesday, July 14th.  The 201 is located at 201 Westminster St in downtown Providence. Click here for the Facebook event. To learn more about The Torches visit: http://www.thetorches.net/. Check them out on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/TheeTorches

Photo of The Torches Francesca Rizzo