NYS Music 20​12

Category: Show Reviews

  • Mazza, Allanson and Lockwood at the Green Onion Pub

    Taking it back again to Thursday night of the Utica Music and Arts Festival for my final review of fest time;  a rundown of a local Utica, NY instrumental jazz jam fusion trio, Mazza, Allanson, and Lockwood at The Green Onion Pub.

    I like to round out my UMAF evenings at The Onion.  It’s cozy, close to my abode and the libations and service are always top notch.  I also am of the opinion that a lot of the acts that bust through this bar end up sinking deep into the psyche here.  Cozy also means small, and groups that can pump their energy out of a small space and command attention do well.  I seem to keep missing this particular act around town (formerly, Side Effect) and that problem had to go.  That night, the trio had wrapped up a set at The Radisson and dashed over to load in uptown.  Randy Niles, the infamous Pat the Cough, and myself extracted ourselves from O’Donnels and settled into a booth in the back in the middle of a kicking number.  The place was packed and lively and the band had no problem asserting themselves through the din.

    Anything to do with jazz styling is all about musicianship.  The free form structure and drift can seem deceptively magic, but while intuition does play a large role, if every player isn’t tight, the whole thing crumbles.  If blues is for the soul and reggae for the body, jazz is brain music.  Watching these three musicians in question throw down, it’s apparent that everyone is right on point and serious about what’s happening.

    Otto Allanson rides the kit with flair and style.  Heavy on the finesse, sharp snare stings and colorful cymbal splashes, he engages synapse connections, sometimes shuffling along as a steady spine for the meanderings of the tonal components beside him.  I like not knowing quite what to expect or where a percussive expert will set the down beat and accents, it keeps me on my toes while listening.  I also enjoy occasional departures from rock drumming’s bass pedal addiction and straight rhythms.  Allanson delivers.

    Gabe Lockwood’s bass is nice and present, well rounded and colorful.  When the group takes a turn into more proggy numbers, it’s the bass that drives them there, mixing elements of slap, injections of funk, and confident, heavy runs.  The syncopation is electric, rhythms and counter rhythms advancing and then stepping back to showcase the other elements of the music.  You can feel the rumble and pop deep in your core and I think you could get used to it.  He seems equally confident lending more subtle depth in the slower more laid back songs, illustrating complexity.

    Gary Mazza’s guitar style is very jazzy and he tickles melodies tactfully over the waves undulating from the bottom end.  Either hard or soft, the high end soars, showcases and compliments.  Clearly secure in his theory, Mazza exemplifies an intelligent nurture of obvious natural gifts.  Inside the structure of the songs, these musicians are weaving their individual expressions precisely without knocking the mix out of balance.  In this case, all the while crammed into a space about the size of a hall closet.  Right on!

    Fans of groups like Dopapod and Aqueous are sure to note some similarities between these bands and MA&L., but I think what sets them apart is a more solid commitment to the style of traditional jazz.  One could equally compare them to MMW in many ways as well.  I suggest it’s time for some larger venues and stages to work from, including the festival circuit!

    Already established on the scene here, I hope and expect to see the following of this trio continue to grow and expand as more people encounter them and catch the itch to have some again.  Walking away from a Mazza, Allanson and Lockwood performance, it is difficult not to feel impressed.  I’m looking very forward to the next time and hope you will also.

    Get out there and take in some music.  It’s everywhere in the Central New York!

  • Review: The Moho Collective at Utica Music and Arts Festival

    One thing I do not miss is an outdoor Moho Collective set.  I think it’s safe to say that nearly everyone I ran into all weekend knew this was one of my must see bands. I do a great deal of prattling on about Moho’s charms,  and I intended to see both their Greens Fest set as well as later in the evening at Piers & Blake.  Indoors, they are a delight, but something extra special happens when this band has a chance to do its thing in the sunshine and fresh air, and their first set this year was on the Utica Greens Festival Stage right on Varick Street on Saturday afternoon.

    I pried myself from the merch booth and ran up front to get a little much needed Rochester-style boogie on. The Moho Collective plays an innovative mix of instrumental jazz fusion with a strong world music representation.  There is a heavy taste of blues and even nods toward the grunge movement in their approach as they  truly use tones and styles as tools rather than definitive compartments.  Fans of funk and avant-garde,indie rock can also find many things to appreciate about the Moho and I really do encourage everyone who wasn’t drawn by the sound this weekend to go to the band’s website and check them out, pronto.

    From the opening strains of the first song, this band did indeed draw people.  My time in Rochester taught me well to run right up front and start grooving, however ridiculous I might look.  Some of the first souls to join me were the kids.  The tiny tot crowd, no older than 7, dug the hell out of this group, responding naturally to the evocative tonal arrangements and eternal rhythms and the sight of their innocent enjoyment heightened my experience for sure.   Some music sets the spirit free and Moho serves up a steady dose of just that sort.  May the youngest ones continue to remind us of this.  In no time at all, most of the people milling about the street had pushed up toward the stage to listen closer.

    Kurt G. Johnson wielded things with strings commandingly as usual, moving from his telecaster to a lap steel, tweaking knobs and adjusting tones all the while, including a small bit of sampling.  A slight feedback problem and a little unanticipated bleed over from the inside stage nearby proved challenging for the band’s on stage sound, but it’s safe to say the audience wasn’t phased.  Ryan Barclay is an  intuitive and intelligent percussionist.  The term ‘drummer’ just does not fit the bill here.  Shaking and rattling a wide array of noise making devices, Barclay layers brick by brick into the wall of sound.  Particularly worth noting, he taps out a great groove on a tambourine in Chikyu Hakken against the eastern tones of Johnson’s finger picking on the steel that adds a heady counterpoint and gets stuck, itself, in your head.  He frequently fuses percussion with tonality by employing gongs, what looks like brass meditation bowls, and chimes in choice moments of several numbers in addition to his work on his kit.  They are professionally trained, accomplished musicians and it plainly shows.  Justin Rister works both an upright and a Fender P Bass, switching as the situation calls for.  Also trained in percussion, Rister rounds out the trio’s sound both high and low and is constantly adding rhythm and color to each song.

    I’m intrigued and impressed by how often the band is able to weave spiritual sounds into their songs and notice that often the bass’ rumble is dancing close to or on top of chakra tones.  Like a puzzle, each member of this sonic team drops firmly into place and expresses to create the whole that is the collective. So, we smiled into the sunshine on a lovely Saturday afternoon, close friends and neighbors nearby, and we simply were joyful.  It was a beautiful thing.  A sign sat on the check in desk all weekend that sums up the experience of a Moho Collective show.  “The groove is here to lift you up.” Right on, right on.

  • Stuff Your Face With Bass: Jungle Rumble

    Get out the glow sticks and neon clothes, bust out the pinned hats and your rage faces because Rave Season is back! The first rave of the season blew up at the Washington Armory in Albany, NY this past Friday September 21st. PeepThis Entertainment hosted the Stuff Your Face with Bass: Jungle Rumble event, urging attendees to unleash their inner animals and go wild.

    The first few minutes of entering the venue and being thrown into the scene, can be more than chaotic and intimidating. Push past the main lobby and make your way onto the wide dance floor, when suddenly the bass drops. ERUPTION! The crowd goes wild and you give in. The beat hits you with a feeling of immense relief to let go and party. Eric David, TrevMunz , Bare and DieselBoy had control of the main stage, pumping out huge sound waves, all about the buildup.

    If the large crowd was too overwhelming, there were 2 other stages set up in rooms located on the left and right side of the venue. The smaller rooms provided artists a chance to shine and show their talent in a more intimate setting. Lions Den on the left hosted Deyo life, Notixx , Evac Protocol and Aire Atlantica. The Waterhole on the right hosted JP Mac, Primitive, Fitted (Hip-Hop MC), Nikolai & Hoops, SubSet and J Demonic. One of my favorite acts took place in the Lions Den, left room stage where I caught Evac Protocol. The angry, high energy techno felt so good after a long work week. The dark beats were ideal for a Friday night and a sure thing to unleash the beast within.

    PeepThis company member and cofounder, Kyle Faulkner, had this to say, ““This was our 5th installment and numbers were average. I can proudly say that after this show over 15,000 peeps have stuffed their faces! What started as a pun on thanksgiving since our first show in November of 2011, has turned into a popular catch phrase for the EDM scene. If there is another SYFWB it’ll be a super sized 1 year anniversary party.”

    For more information on the biggest parties, like PeepThis on Facebook. PeepThis will be hosting Masquerave at the Oneonta Theatre on October 11th and at the Washington Ave Armory October 26th.

  • Jimkata with Dirty Paris, September 20th at Red Square

    Jimkata with Dirty Paris, September 20th at Red Square

    Jimkata embarked on their ‘Die Digital’ Fall Tour last week and made a stop in Albany at Red Square to get things rolling, and opener Dirty Paris was a perfect selection as their electronic dance music finds a great groove and sticks with it, not looking for an easy out. Take a song and they’ll make a rager of it, and damn well at that. You can get lost in their jams for the longest time before the jam changes tempo and you’re catching up to pace. Dirty Paris is traveling and writing but expect them to be back in Albany and  surrounding areas as winter approaches.

    jimkata dirty parisJimkata drew quite a crowd for a Thursday and treated the crowd to much of their new album Die Digital and some classics. The intro bled into “Release” followed by a great duo in “Feed”->”Chalice”.  “Fiction” was an immense highlight, with Eric shredding through a jam, an extended explosion of Super Mario coins. Intense, thorough and patient jams could be found in LegoLand, Electronic Stone and Chainstore. An encore of an older number, “One to Ten” was met with great thanks after the show from the crowd, while “Die Digital” makes the album version seem basic by comparison; this song mutates into a huge set closer live. While Die Digital is a great album, live > studio, and that’s a good thing.

    Of note, the band has some impressive lighting, especially for an up and coming band. In the back of Red Square, the back wall was lit with rows of small twinkling LED lights that moved in waves as a perfect accent to the music, while the low front stage lights gave the band their own 5th member,  in sync throughout the show.

    Setlist: Intro, Release, Feed->Chalice, Punches->Fiction, Niteshade->When The Day Comes, Legoland, Place of Dreams, Electronic Stone, American Cars, Chainstore

    Encore: One to Ten, Die Digital

  • PearlPalooza 2012 Review

    Early afternoon is a tough time to get moving and grooving, but that didn’t stop the masses from arriving on Pearl St. in Albany. Once again for 2012, WEQX presented the day-long street festival, Pearlpalooza, with Cobblestone allies led into the downtown urban scape where high-rise brick and mortar buildings provided a periphery to the event. There were two stages located at each end of the street. The EQX Main stage was reserved for the national acts and the second stage was reserved for the popular local acts.

    On a breezy and sunny, but still warm autumn day, the music hit the walls of the buildings and fell to jovial ears. The time slots for the bands to play were balanced so that not one artist would be missed. I arrived just in time to grab a spot for Eastbound Jesus. In spite of the early time slot, they had amassed large crowd in front. Now becoming an Albany area staple, they have gained steam and a large following. Giving the shortened time, as most festivals require, their truncated set still allowed for the boys to weave in and out of a mix of new songs and familiar hits. Eastbound Jesus played crowd favorites, “Holy Smokes!” and “Gonna Go Down.”

    Mirk is a seven-piece outfit mostly composed of hip-hop songs that teased every other genre of music. Each song hit on just something a little different, with horns, a keyboardist and electric instruments; Mirk leaves room for a variety of sound. Wild Adriatic played a bit of rock and roll and closed out with a crowd sing-a-long,” With A Little Help From my Friends.”

    The EQX Main Stage included mostly pop artists that fit the bill of radio friendly electronic acts. Robert Delong takes his drum kit, gaming unit and laptops and fuses electro-beats with rock and roll. Most notable were his vocals. Local turned national artist, Phantogram enjoyed playing to their hometown fans with their electronic rock and roll beats. A rainstorm rolled in at around 6:30 pm when Conehead Buddha was set to play the small stage, but the rain began to saturate their equipment and they only made it through a few songs. Meanwhile, the rain delayed headliners, Matt & Kim, but that didn’t stop the busting-at-the-seems crowd from chanting, “Matt and Kim.” The duo catered to their crowd in big ways. The boy/girl team popped on stage to Jay-Z and Alicia Key’s, “Empire State of Mind,” wielding drumsticks like Kim was a ninja and elevating themselves above the crowd ramping up the fans. Much of their set included covers and sing-a-longs such as Biz Markie’s, “Just a Friend.” The duo incorporated their instrumental talents on drums and keys into fast tempo electronic beats with much gusto and energy. The team made their on stage workout seem effortless.

    Overall, there was a variety of music and therefore something for everyone. One fan in the crowd stated how she enjoyed that it wasn’t overly populated with the college kids. The most enjoyable aspect was the kid friendly atmosphere in spite of the bar-lined street.

  • Oaktoberfest review

    Oaktoberfest review

    Words by Amy F. Fischer – It was a gorgeous day at Oak Mountain in the cozy town of Speculator, NY.  Three jambands I saw religiously in college were all playing at the 1st Annual Oaktoberfest.  This mountain has the potential to be a great venue for live music, with overnight camping encouraged, food that was dirt cheap, a beer truck with a great selection (including Lake Placid’s Ubu Ale, a personal favorite) and you were allowed coolers if you wanted to bring your own.  All this and almost 12 hours of music for $35… and if your kids were 10 or younger they got in FREE. Certainly a family-friendly event, Matt Yaeger (Owner/Director of Matt’s Music Together, LLC) held mini class demonstrations in between music sets for the kiddies.  The purpose of his program is to encourage music and movement for children 0-4 years of age with their families.

    oaktoberfestTwo sets of The Deadbeats started the day off right; as always, the band jammed a long list of favorites.  This band has had a Wednesday night residency at Valentines in Albany for almost two decades.  Their impressive song repertoire of the Grateful Dead and Phish, as well as many other classic rock covers and their own originals, keeps fans dancing the whole time and wanting more.  On this sunny Saturday afternoon they pulled out a great “Cassidy” (Grateful Dead), “Rock and Roll” (Velvet Underground), a gorgeous “If I Could” (Phish), and a “Big Yellow Taxi” (Joni Mitchell).

    Jerkwater Ruckus was next on stage.  For those that weren’t around when they were out playing live regularly, you missed a special era.  These six musicians started playing in 2000, but other than a few recent reunion shows have not played together as a sextet in quite a few years.  A bunch of us old “groupies” were there to rock it old school.  A friend I hadn’t seen in over ten years hopped a plane from Colorado just to see these guys.

    My favorite part of the entire day was when all the kids started accompanying the second Ruckus set with hand drums, sticks, egg shakers, streamers and a large colored parachute.  What a treat it was to see a new generation dancing and playing along to a band that in the past was only enjoyed after their bedtimes in dingy, smoke filled bars in the Northeast.  A bluegrass version of “Mother” by Pink Floyd was only topped by my favorite band original, “Yet”, a multi-part number that to a Phish fan I could describe as the Ruckus’ “Divided Sky”.

    The kiddies were then put to bed and the parents were able to enjoy some grown-up time with Conehead Buddha.  CB was a major part of the jamband scene in Upstate NY a decade ago as well… I am thrilled to see them playing out more often again.  Most songs were recognizable, all were danceable, and a great time was had by all.  The show ended with a memorable “Sights” -> “Psycho Killer” -> “Sights” with the bonfire raging and a starscape that makes you appreciate going up north.

    I hope to see everyone in Speculator next year!

  • Highlights of Utica Music and Arts Festival

    With a sprawling lineup spread out over a dozen venues and three nights, seeing all that Utica Music and Arts Festival (UMAF) has to offer is a daunting task. Contributing writers Pete Connors and Lindsay Jones, as well as Online Editor Pete Mason, went to a few shows this past weekend to see a small sample of UMAF 2012.

    Thursday September 13th – by Pete Connors and Lindsay Jones

    The 5th installment of Utica Music Fest kicked off on Thursday night with Pink Floyd tribute band Childhood’s End, a special Saranac Thursday at the Saranac Brewery. Leigh D’Agastino of Saranac Brewery said she was very happy with the turnout for the kick off party, a “much larger crowd than 2011.”  The crowd was a bit older but most were enjoying the set (and $3 Saranac’s) with some even breaking out their air guitars to play along. The band breezed through “Pigs” and more obscure Floyd tunes before taking on multiple selections from Dark Side of the Moon, including “Breathe”, “Time”, “Money”, “Us and Them” and “Eclipse”.   There were few lulls in the set as it was easy to tell that they had been covering Floyd for 30 years, as keyboardist Steve Schad pointed out while introducing his band mates before the end of their set.

    Post-Saranac, Nail Creek Pub was the place to be for UMAF headliner Zach Deputy. The Cleveland, Ohio based soul outfit Winslow got the crowd dancing while early arrival Zach Deputy mingled with the crowd andposed for pictures, and was generally happy to be part of the weekend.  Zach took the stage and it was going to be a special night. He kept the energy high from song one and the crowd was locked in and happy to go along for the ride, knowing that there were two more days of music to come.

    Friday September 14th – by Lindsay Jones

    Friday night started at Pier’s and Blake, an up and coming venue located in a turn of the century mill building, which had long been vacant and recently been turned into a restaurant as part of the effort to revitalize downtown Utica.  Slip Madigan, a hardworking band out of Buffalo was finishing up their set, and upon recommendation from a friend, there was no disappointment, with improvisational and original work both impressive. As they closed, a secondary stage was set up in the small anterior room, where smaller but very popular acts were playing setbreaks, including Syracuse bluegrass favorites, Boots and Shorts and Home Body,a crazy good, eclectic electronic duo out of Massachusetts.

    As Twiddle, a Vermont based band with a strong local following prepared to take the stage, the room filled with artists, locals and those looking for a solid dance party. Twiddle has a captivating organic style and was heavy on the funk. Their prog-rock feel, along with their solid hooks had the audience captivated and dancing long into the night.

    Saturday September 15th – by Pete Mason

    Nail Creek Pub was once again the start to the night, with Utica natives Sassafras Jenkins taking to the porch. their psychedelic The Doors-meets-Traffic sound and soaring guitar licks from Irwin Winkler made them a huge highlight right out of the gate. With the full band in sync, they sounded great and will surely benefit from a larger room to play in the future. A notable cover of “White Rabbit” and their original “Make it painless” were highlighted by Irwin’s guitar, Nikki on tambourine and vocals and Ryan on keys and vocals. Look for an interview with this group on before years end.

    Over at Swifty’s, Side Effect, a jazz trio made up of Mazza, Allanson and Lockwood took to the bar. Of note was “Waiting for the win”, a funky number with great guitar, as Mazza meandered around the bar thanks to cordless amp while bass and drums held down the fort.

    Ending the night at Pier’s and Blake with Aqueous was the right way to go. With many up and coming bands around the state, Aqueous has shown that they are one of the next to make the jump to a full touring act (see Jimkata, Timbre Coup). Precision tightness whether composed or mid-jam, clear communication as to the direction of the jam and most of all – They look like they are having the time of their lives on stage! Some bands miss this mark and get too serious, but Aqueous does it right. Following their set over in the smaller room, Birdseed Bandits roused the late night crowd with a cover of  Mumford and Sons “The Cave” that provided a late night jolt to a weary but happy crowd.

    Overall, Utica Music and Arts Festival was a fun, potpourri of music and fun, spread out around the city. A concentrated version for next years festival should prove to be beneficial to both bands, venues and fans, keeping the music local and everyone dancing throughout the night.

  • The End Men, Sept 13th at O’Donnels in Utica

    Thursday night of Utica Music and Arts Festival was a wild one from inside the festival camp and as a result, I was fashionably (read: stressfully) late to the start of The End Men’s first show of the 2012 UMAF.  Not a smart move in O’Donnels, as an enthusiastic crowd will indeed surge forward (or back, according to your perspective), boxing the band into the end of the long hallway that is the bar’s layout and causing a truly standing room only vibe.  This crowd was absolutely nothing short of enthusiastic and well they should be.  The End Men, from Brooklyn, haven’t graced a Utica stage since earlier this year at Mardi Gras at The Uptown Theater and we were clamoring hungrily for their gritty, raw, deliciously grungy tunes and gravelly, passionate vocals.

    In keeping with the manifesto of the festival, music and art collided in the unobtrusive, wood paneled room, as a crush of local photographers strained in to get up close and personal shots of Liv and Matthew doing what they do best, hooking a crowd like a fish on a line.  The crowd was star studded by a few fellow musical types too, Randy Niles, and the crew from Ghost and Goblin.  I grabbed a beer and elbowed my way in up close, trapped between Randy, the pool table, and the band.

    This band just draws you in, particularly by their total commitment to what they’re doing.  They live and breathe this music, the rhythm and the lifestyle of creation and sharing and being as rock as possible.  It just is them, inseparable from their beings.  Matthew’s guitar is utterly relentless and there are few things in this life I enjoy more than watching Liv thrash the shit out of a set of drums.  She goes hard, pounding sticks into skins in swinging arcs of movement that catch the eye as much as the sounds catch the ear.  She is equally capable of swinging the eights and finessing around a verse like a jazz drummer as she is to suddenly raise her arms high into the air and pummel with intensity belied by her small frame.  She is one of my very favorite drummers, not only to listen to, but also to watch.

    Matthew himself is no slouch in the intensity department.  His demeanor is amusing, boyish, giving and joyful leaving little doubt that he is living his dream of entertaining people and doing so along side a companion he values and respects.  It’s a tongue in groove type lock down with these two and I think it’s safe to say you’ll not only like the music, but you’ll like the two of them personally an awful lot by the time the set’s done.

    We’ve had a lovely opportunity to watch this band grow over the course of the past couple of years and I’m continually impressed by their progress.  When we first met them as a trio, the music and show-person-ship was totally enjoyable, but what stood out m most was their individual personalities.  This is no longer the case, and I submit anyone passing by on a street or cornered by a friend and made to sit and listen would stop short and stick around, only later to be impressed by how freaking nice they are.  They’ve locked down deep into their niche, a drum and guitar duo unlike most of the rest on the scene.  The first thing setting them apart from the pack is just how talented Liv is on the drums.  So multifaceted and intelligent it’s stunning to watch her work.  Matthew’s vocal is also unique, hovering somewhere between Waits and Springsteen with the perfect amount of rumble and a cavalier attitude of fun and his approach on guitar is, well, it’s fantastic!  A carnival barker over a cacophony of merriment, sound in theory and practice.

    They mugged a little for the photogs, most of which have become personal friends of this duo, with Matt telling a joke or two between songs that amuse and coax the listener to relate.  A straight paparazzi outright flash mob, photographers literally crawled across the floor, over tables, and undulated themselves into spaces you’d not believe just to catch the perfect shot of this magic.  It was a seamless performance and I thought to myself more than once, ‘this is how it’s done.’  I felt gratitude to be able to round out my somewhat frenzied day with a little bit of groundedness.

    You bet I love this band, and I can’t get enough.  Call your local venues and promoters and suggest you cannot live without more of The End Men in your life.  They will recharge your batteries like a jump in a parking lot by the coolest vagabond you ever saw.

    Photos by NVP Photography

  • We Came, We Saw, We Chilled! Catskill Chill Music Festival 2012

    This was my first time attending the 3rd annual Catskill Chill, a 3-day, 3-night music festival packed weekend located at Camp Minglewood in Hancock, NY. By fate, I immediately found my friends out of the other 5,000 people that attended the festival. Each year, the Chill grows and extends the family to include even more outgoing, fun loving people. The concert-goers ranged from all ages, showing that people of any generation can appreciate great music.

    Friday September 7th

    Wasting no time after settling in, I rushed to catch the first band of the weekend, Caravan of Thieves. The four members each played stringed instruments with a unique percussion set behind them, consisting of large buckets and empty paint cans. Caravan of Thieves was a great way to ease into the weekend, helping to loosen up the dancing muscles after being stuck in a car. The band sent out gypsy melodies full of swing and mischief, energizing the crowd by playing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” as well as Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. JGB with Melvin Seals took the Main Stage paying tribute to Jerry Garcia by playing his songs and staying faithful to his style. Intense energy radiated from the organ, especially during “My Sisters and Brothers.” The music of JGB was a breath of fresh air with everyone praising the groove and throwing their hands up to rejoice that the weekend had arrived. We all were here, it was finally ok to breathe and boogie down.

    DrFameus, better known as the drummer from The Disco Biscuits, Allen Aucion, threw down some serious beats on the B Stage. DrFameus played drums and worked off computers at the same time, creating a glorious range of electronic music with plenty of bass. It was his first time at the festival and hopefully not his last. Kung Fu’s late night set elicited positive responses from fans, including “Kung Fu was amazing! A jazzy improv jam band with funky… costumes. Chris Michetti from Conspirator came and joined them and tore his guitar apart.”

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYsCldy6Xu0&w=560&h=315]

    Saturday September 8th

    Consider the Source was the first to take the Main Stage on Saturday and featured multiple guest appearances throughout the show. The sound wave sorcerers brought chills to the crowd with their exotic, funky rock. Frank and Ryan Members of Shwizz, jammed out on one of the songs. John from FiKus joined the band on trumpet. Rob and Tim from Kung Fu came in on the second to last song. Consider the Source gave the audience a choice of two short songs or one long last song, the response was unanimous for a long jam.

    After Consider the Source ended at 1:40pm, announcements came on the loudspeakers that there was a tornado warning for the area. All concert goers had to be inside of the stage areas or a cabin and the music was going to be put on hold. People quickly stashed to bring any items inside to nearby friends cabins and prepared to wait out the storm. The rain fell hard for only a few minutes but continued for about 2 hours and the wind picked up but not to the extreme. The weather finally calmed down and word spread that the music would resume at 4:30pm. The schedule would pick up where it left off, but each set would be shortened to provide each artist a chance to perform.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klnzvEn4Hwg&w=560&h=315]

    A friend had recommended that I make time during the festival to check out the Alan Evans Trio. The trifecta is led by Alan Evans from Soulive on drums, with Beau Sasser from Akashic Record playing the Organ and Danny Mayer from On The Spot Trio on Guitar. Alan Evans Trio was our salvation after the storm. The fans were soaked but smiling after hearing “Baby, take my hand.”  The soulful organ, funky beats and groovy guitar was just what the crowd needed to forget the rain delay and to turn the party back on. With only 10 minutes left in the set, Alan asked if they should play two short songs or one long song,  the crowd again cheered for one long song. A new song by the group, “Cosmic Hazeldust” was inspired by Eddie Hazzo and Jimi Hendrix, was a great set closer and psychedelic music gold. One of my favorite discoveries of the weekend was The Indobox, a great rock dance group who quickly won me and the rest of the crowd over just after their first song, “Colours”. The Indobox played a few songs off their new album, Dig Safe, which was released back in March and quickly flew off their merch table. The band hailing from Boston, MA sounded similar to a band like Passion Pit. The music was full of ranging synth beats, catchy pop lyrics and groovy guitar jams especially during “Please don’t say no!” and “Covering up the sky”. The Indobox has a mechanical sound, each instrument working perfectly in sync with the others and well-constructed.

    Shwizz was the first act I caught playing at the Club Chill stage. The Club Chill is on top of the festival hill and is on the one side of the Tunnel of Light, a pathway full of strung up lights. The stage is in an enclosed building with red stadium benches and a big dance pit, a very unexpected and thrilling venue. My friends and I had great timing by walking in just as the band had started to play Frank Zappa’s “City of Tiny Lights.”  Followed later on by a song they said was inspired by their friends, “Slow Down” and stated that they were happy to be a part of the ever growing Catskill Chill Family. Shwizz ended the set with Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar.” During the show, Shwizz had the chance to show off their rockin wild guitar solos and fusion of funky electronic jazz beats. Frankie Coda, the bass player had this to say, “The festival was magical. It has grown into one hell of a family over the past 3 years. The Club Chill set was a ton of fun. The late night cabin jams were off the charts and the vibes at this festival are something special. We are looking forward to the next one.”

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdPN1CS31f4&w=560&h=315]

    Rumor had spread over the weekend that one of Ithaca’s top electronic rock bands, SolAris was going to perform on their cabin porch on Saturday. The 3-piece all instrumental trio grew a crowd once their light show went off and their music started oozing over the camp grounds. During the performance of their original song, “Harkonnen”, drummer Daniel Lyon’s beats were so hot he was literally steaming. Jared Raphel was glued to the keys as he electrified the crowd with his notes and Vinny Naro shredded on his deep bass solos. Besides playing Radar and Cosmo, SolAris used funk and trance house music to make a serious improvisation set.

    Yonder Mountain String Band was this year’s main headliner and my first time seeing this band from Colorado; after Saturday night on the main stage, it will not be my last. YMSB’s music calls to you like the open road, giving you a need for adventure and an aching in your heart. The set started with an intense energetic song called “Casualty” at which time the band stated before how amped they were to be playing in Upstate New York. The acoustic foursome blasted into “Heading back to Colorado” to which I’m surprised their strings didn’t break from the hardcore strumming they were all doing. Yonder took some time to thank everyone at the Catskill Chill for putting on such a great festival and providing everyone with such a diverse lineup. They felt that it was “a force to be reckoned with” and that “you’ll never know what you’re going to get.”  YMSB commended the audience for having such a wide taste in music and for discovering new artists that weekend. Their fast paced blue grass tunes lead us into “Another Day” followed by “On the Run” during which they added a jam singing about the festival. The crowd went wild as they sang, “Tent to tent, RV to RV, it’s all about variety!”

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU75CS-WUrs&w=560&h=315]

    Particle had travelled all the way from California to play at one of their favorite festivals, The Catskill Chill and with knowing this, no one wanted to miss their last night set on the main stage. The floor and stadium benches were packed and rowdy with excitement. As soon as the lights went out, fire dancers ignited the VIP standing area and neon glow sticks were in full force. Particle wasted no time by starting the show with “Triple Threat” and “The Golden Gator” both amping up the already crazed crowd. After their original grooves, Particle took the crowd on a Pink Floyd wonder ride consisting of “Have A Cigar” into “One Of These Days” and directly into “Pigs.” The flow and segway into the jams was spot on and had shown the crowd that is was not the same Particle back in 2005. Ending the set with “Ed+Molly”, an upbeat hard electronic rock groove,  left my mind numb.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl0Gu3ddNJk&w=560&h=315]

    After the serious jams from Particle, I headed back to my tent while my friends checked out Wyllys at the Club Chill late night set. Wyllys was described to me as “it’s like taking a child out of Disney movie, kicking and screaming and throwing them in a deep, dark dungeon and giving them only electronic music equipment to play with.” Anytime Wyllys is on a festival line up, don’t miss out on the dance party throw down that erupts.

    Sunday September 9th

    The weekend was finally coming to an end and there was still more music to be heard. Timbre Coup opened up the B Stage that afternoon to blue skies and a cheerful crowd. One of the first songs, “August” was off their new album Knuckles and Valleys, providing simple, inspiring lyrics and a Zen like sound. There was much excitement for fans as Timbre Coup busted out a rendition of the New Deal’s “Deep Son”. Fans of the New Deal claimed that Timbre Coup provided a great cover and it was one of the best of the weekend. This was followed by “Arnold Schwarzenegger”, a more laid back, dark raging guitar jam.off the album, Check out This!

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKx0t4rFOQo&w=560&h=315]

    There was much hype built up about the band, The McLovins, a young quartet from Connecticut who knew how to make the crowd dance. McLovins opened with “TETOP”, a soft, jazzy jam that instantly showed me that The McLovins did have as much talent as everyone said they had. It was incredible to watch such young musicians create jams with such soul and nature flow.  Fans described “Tokyo Tea” as their most badass song. The McLovins ended their set with the ever popular Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street” and Dylan’s “The Mighty Quinn”.

    I grossly underestimated how spectacular Cornmeal was going to be.  The Bluegrass rock/Jamgrass group ignited Sunday night with a fitting farewell festival performance. Cornmeal brought fierce country energy to the crowd, with plenty of foot stomping and non-stop cheering. One of the most memorable songs was “I’m Coming Home” containing an all-consuming, strong jam that I never saw coming or thought possible from a bluegrass band. Followed by that was, “When the Worlds Got you Down” an enchanting melody that has you singing along instantly, even the first timers. The encore was “Long Hard Road” once again, displaying their amazing finger picking skills, their goddess of a fiddle player, Allie Kral, showcasing her speedy rhythms; Cornmeal is definitely a band worth following. The perfect Cornmeal follow up was at Acoustic Junction in the middle of the camp grounds. The Brummy Brothers quickly drew a crowd with their upbeat original bluegrass tunes as well as modern pop hits such as “Fuck You” by Cee Lo Green. My favorite song of their’s that I can’t get out of my head is “Weed, Whiskey, Women” due to the beautiful harmonies and the repeating chorus line, “Nothing like being home, drunk, stoned and laughing.” The B Brothers are sure to have a bright future ahead of them with their attention grabbing talent.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpysQri2AFs&w=560&h=315]

    Possibly the biggest excitement built up for the day was for Lotus.The set started with the ever popular, beeps and boops of “Suitcases.” A mellow start that quickly picked up speed from the heavy dance beats pumping out the speakers. “Livingston Storm” picked up the crowd with the funky guitar notes and rolled them over into “Dowrn”, the groovy electronic tune that had everyone dancing. One of the highlights for fans was “Tip of the Tounge” taking to the next level with exotic drumming and spacdy guitar riffs. The popular set closer was “128”, which shredded faces with fast rhythm and serious synths.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIlpPuEgJPo&w=560&h=315]

    At the end of the weekend, it made total sense to name the festival Catskill Chill. The laidback attitudes and friendly nature of everyone, made the festival that much more relaxed and enjoyable. This was another successful year that proved the Catskill Chill family are true party professionals. The Catskill Chill dished out everything you could want in a festival and much more. I know that I am already counting down the days until next year’s Chill.

  • A Review of Backwoods Pondfest 2012

    A Review of Backwoods Pondfest 2012

    Festivals are becoming so common place, it’s hard to find that festival that doesnt feel too big or hasn’t gone the corporate route. Back in 2008, I drove north on a whim to Peru, NY, a town I was unaware of until Backwoods Pondfest 2012 was announced. Back then, The Breakfast and Plattsburgh’s Lucid headlined and I figured this would be a nice way to see what a festival looks like in its nascent years. I returned in 2010 and saw that the festival had grown, just enough to show that it was going to continue to grow at a steady pace. When I drove the two hours north to Backwoods, I wasn’t surprised to see a bigger festival, more fans, more vendors, two stages and a scene that brought me back to some of my first festivals. Backwoods Pondfest 2012 is the festival that reminds you what the festival experience is all about – seeing music both familiar and new, hanging with friends and strangers alike, and experiencing nature and camping in an ideal setting.

    Backwoods Pondfest 2012I missed Friday because I was at John Prine and Lucinda Williams, but I talked to fans who gave high marks to Break Science, Floodwood, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds and Twiddle for their performances. Backwoods always delivers on the music and this year was no exception with two jam packed nights. I arrived on Saturday  around 3pm and found the festival more spacious, filled in with campers in parts that empty back in 2008 and vendors of a wide variety taking up a ring around the main stage field.

    Jatoba from Brattleboro, VT was the first act of the day I caught. I saw them back in 2010 with Cornmeal at Red Square in Albany and I was impressed. This time they were even better and tighter, as evidenced by the video of these two songs, “Ride Slowly Ride” and “Closure”, with some stage banter mixed in. They are rumored to be playing some supporting Northeast dates in the fall/winter and will be stopping in Upstate NY for sure. If you are going to Upstate Boogie 3, you can expect to hear some material they have been working on, a treat coming from Jatoba.

    Lucid, the host band of Backwoods took the stage for an evening set and played to a crowd that gravitated towards the stage as Lucid warmed up. Sporting some of the finest North Country beards around, Lucid brought up special guest Rooster, aka Rick Bentley from Birmingham, Alabama, to sit in on guitar for “Countryesque”. Rooster was in the audience when Lucid played in his town and while he sat through their soundcheck, they bantered back and forth and clicked, leading to Rooster heading north to take in Backwoods Pondfest 2012 and sit in. A great guitar and friendly southerner, Rooster felt welcome at the festival, a bit of a rarity down south. Next, percussionist Lowell Wurster invited his father George (and festival MC) to sit in on harmonica for “Backwoods”, to which George introduced to the crowd at the end as being “all the way from the great Adirondacks” and the applause thundered from the crowd leading to a return to the stage for an encore of “Green Money”.

    Campfires could be seen as you walked to your car (it took me about 90 seconds to get to my car when I needed to) and a larger fire kept fans close to the music and warm as the temperature dipped into the 50s after midnight. Although during the day the skies were partly cloudy and warm, this is Upstate New York and the first sign that summer is coming to a close is a chilly night in August, but this little taste of fall is always pleasant to experience a month before it starts to become the norm.

    Max Creek, having “been around for a few years now”, as MC George put it (really though, more than 40 years) performed as Saturday headliners, ranging through originals and covers alike, including “Helter Skelter”, “Rag Mama Rag” and “Cities”. Afterwards, guitarist Scott Murawski mentioned how Phish bassist Mike Gordon texted him that Trey had listened to Scott playing Phish’s “Sugar Shack” so that he could nail the guitar riff in transition. It turns out that while Max Creek was onstage at Backwoods, Phish was playing “Sugar Shack” for the first time since October, 2010. A very cool musical connection and story bridging two bands 3,000 miles away.

    A staple of Backwoods has been the acts Tim Palmieri, The Breakfast and Kung Fu, the latter of which is alive and well and put on a great late night set on the main stage. It helps for a festival to have a known music element like this and the crowd clearly appreciates Kung Fu and their funky performances.

    The late-latenight action belonged to The Indobox at the tent stage. If you wanted your latenight jams, mixed with elements of techno and dance music, then this fulfilled your wishes and overflowed the cup. If there was any band that could rise out of the clutter of EDM acts and perform live electronica at a high level, then The Indobox is that band. For over an hour, the tent was another 20′ warmer inside, steamy and full of dancing bodies moving to the truly impressive tightness of The Indobox. If this were the late ’90s, we’d be seeing a glimmer of an early Disco Biscuits group. Do not miss them at Catskill Chill on Saturday September 8th at 4:20 in the afternoon.

    Backwoods Pondfest remains a diamond in the rough of music festivals. Few festivals give you the pure, original festival feeling like this one. Make plans for the 2013 edition, which will be covering as announcements on dates and lineup come out in the spring. Festival-goers who have been to just a few or a few dozen fests, Backwoods is for you.