Q&A with the deli's Artist of the Month: Rebel Son Rise (Joshua Paul McLaughlin)
by Chrissy Prisco

deli: How did the band start?

Rebel Son Rise is a one-man-band that was conceived from a lack of musical partners after my old band Donnybrook (aka Red Cloud Revival) broke up.  All aspects of the production, performance and creation are overseen and executed by me.  I guess it all boils down to the fact that I now prefer to work alone.

deli: Where did the name, Rebel Son Rise, come from?

The name Rebel Son Rise is a play on words.  I used to perform Irish Rebel Folk music in pubs in Bangor, Maine; a role I inherited from my Father. The act of rejuvenating my musical career was symbolic to me. A rebel son was once again on the rise, similar to the sun at the break of dawn shining light on dying darkness.

deli: What are your biggest musical influences?

Currently my biggest musical influences are Tom Waits, The Pogues, Mark Lanegan, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Alice In Chains and Bob Dylan.

deli: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?

Jacob Augustine, Wesley Hartley and The Traveling Trees, ZZ Top, The Killers, Down, The Muse, and Daft Punk (TRON Legacy soundtrack).

deli: What's the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?

The first concert I ever attended was at The Penny Post in Old Town, Maine for a Sam Black Church, Tree and Stompbox show back in the early 90's. The first album I bought was actually 3 at once: Run DMC "Back From Hell," Digital Underground "Sex Packets," and Suicidal Tendencies "Lights...Camera...Revolution!

deli: What do you love about New England's music scene?

The thing I love the most about the New England music scene is when I go to a show and discover that the venue serves Guinness on tap. There is a better chance of Guinness served on tap in NE venues than other scenes. Slainte!

deli: What would you like to see change in the local music scene?

I would like to see some of the better artists in the New England scene get recognized on a national scale. Especially the Maine scene. Maine does not get enough credit for the great art that is created up here. But it does not surprise me that this does not happen because the music industry itself has left a taste in my mouth similar to the one I get the morning after smoking a pack of American Spirits and drinking booze until 4am. To those that don't smoke, drink or tend to party until 4am, that's not a good flavor.

deli: What are your plans for the upcoming year?

I plan to make more music videos (I have 2 videos on YouTube right now) and record some more songs. I am actually releasing a new video this month for the song "Sunshine On Daemon Land." If there becomes a demand for live shows I might consider recruiting a band. I have already talked to some buddies of mine and they said they would help me out if need be.

deli: What was your most memorable live show?

Once upon a time on December 1, 2001 my old band Donnybrook played with Nothingface and Dog Fashion Disco at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC. It was my brother's 21st birthday and the club let us bands party there all night. They also gave us cases of beer and a ton of free food and our own green room. Best club ever. The staff was grade "A'' and the stage and sound was just what the doctor ordered.

deli: Is there someone who has helped your band grow through support?

My wife Loni has supported my ways more than anyone else. Second place would go to my brother and best man Jacob Augustine, who has been my musical moral and technical support throughout my life.

deli: Is there a piece of equipment you couldn't live without and why?

I could not live without my MacBook Pro. I do my music, artwork and videos on my MacBook Pro so I'd have to say that it is the MVP.

deli: Why do you read The Deli?