“Heavy on the Vine,” the third album from the Ryan Montbleau Band, is only just in stores, but already namesake and leader Ryan Montbleau is talking about taking a break from touring. Surely, the typical rock ’n’ roll plan is to tour and tour and tour, Metro suggests?
“The plan is to stop and stop and stop,” the Peabody, Mass, native replies with a laugh. “We’ve toured so much for the last few years.”
In fact, the groove-based rock band has toured consistently throughout this year, too. After opening for Martin Sexton, RMB signed on as his backing band. The renowned singer/songwriter returned the favor by producing “Heavy on the Vine.” Sexton’s tour included several dates opening for the Dave Matthews Band, which meant Montbleau was performing in huge arenas for the first time.
“That was the biggest [set of venues] we’d ever played. We’d been working and getting into slightly bigger venues, then slightly bigger ones — and then that was a huge step up. But we felt ready to do it; we just had fun with it. Sometimes when I get to a big venue like that, I might be nervous and not have a good time and put too much pressure on myself. But the Dave Mathews dates were a blast. We just had a good time.”
‘More and More and More’
Even though Montbleau’s shows with Dave Matthews Band were billed as Martin Sexton opening, not as Ryan Montbleau Band, Montbleau and Co. felt a sense of achievement. “Absolutely we’re there, that’s us opening for Dave Matthews,” he enthuses.
Montbleau says he’s relieved to see some success after seven years: “We’re the same smelly guys, but you have to see some pro-gress and feel like you’re getting better and getting some-where. I’m not expecting to play the same stadiums as Dave Matthews any time soon, but as long as it keeps growing then we’re doing good.”
More to do this weekend
Fall Flamenco Festival
Friday, 8 p.m. and Sunday, 3 p.m.
Berklee Performance Center
136 Mass. Ave., Boston
Ah, the pumpkins are ripe, the feast is being prepared, the leaves have changed color — it’s time for some flamenco! Friday’s show features Gypsy-style flamenco dancing from a true vet, Angelita Vargas, who’ll be paired with the young up-and-comer Jairo Barrull. Dancer Peppe Torres is on deck for Sunday afternoon. Ticketing is separate for each show.
‘Jersey Shore’ Vinny and JWoww
Tonight, 9
Royale Boston
279 Tremont St., Boston
Brazil Boston Club presents this event, which we wish was these two headliners performing songs. Actually, we don’t wish that. No good songs have ever come from a reality star. (See metro-us.go-vip.net for a compilation that proves this.) Anyway, the event features a fashion show by Platinum and music courtesy of DJ Deka. But the reason why you may shell out $25 for a ticket or $75 for a VIP ticket is the chance to dance with JWoww or Vinny.
