NYS Music 20​13

Author: Jenni Wilson

  • Brothers Past and Digital Dharma Throw it Down at The Hollow

    Brothers Past and Digital Dharma took stage for a packed house at the Hollow on December 21st. Digital Dharma were on first, starting the night on a great foot, opening with “Mission Control -> Moonstruck”. Eliot Kershner never ceases to amaze on the keys and synth as he brings complex layers that intertwine with each of the musician’s key facets of the band to create a new and fresh sound within electronic music. Each member in the band plays off one another in such a way that each members unique sound is heard even in the most intense jams. This was Digital Dharma’s guitarist Jesse Radosti’s last show, and while it was bittersweet it was certainly a high energy set for him to close the curtain to.

    Brothers Past took the stage, bringing their signature upbeat dance jams to The Hollow’s crowd. The bad is known for its dance tunes, surrounded by heavy jams and compiled by some of the most talented musicians on the scene. Unlike most jam and electronic bands, Brothers Past integrates vocals into almost all of their songs. Often times within jam bands, it is easy to lose the vocals amid the competing instruments and heavy jams, but Brothers Past has always done a phenomenal job keeping that scale at an even keel. Bands like BP have the capability of melding the organic and electronic aspects of both worlds and creating a new facet in the jam community. Brothers Past has followed in the footsteps of their Philly brethren the Disco Biscuits, and while their exposure is still on the up and up, it is clear that they are destined for great things within the music community. The band played two sets, both of which were packed with intensity and kept the crowd moving from start to finish.  Clay Parnell laid down venue shaking bass lines matched by Tom Hamilton’s guitar to create a crushing set of multifaceted musical talent. It was certainly a good night for music in Albany; hopefully Brothers Past will make Albany a regular stop on their touring circuit.

    You can catch Brother’s Past 12/26 at the Best Buy Theater alongside The Disco Biscuits, or their late night set at B.B. King’s the same night.

  • Brothers Past Comes To The Hollow December 21st

    Brothers Past will return to Albany December 21st to throw down another epic show at The Hollow at 79 North Pearl Street to celebrate the Winter Solstice. The night will be opened by Albany’s own local electronic, jam based band Digital Dharma.

    bP

    Brothers Past are a Philadelphia based indie-electronic jam band who have toured across the nation playing large festivals such as Bonnaroo,  SXSW, Langerado, Wakarusa and Albany’s own Camp Bisco. Since their arrival on the music scene in 2001, Brothers Past has made their mark as an extremely influential and talented force within the jam community.

    The show will start at 9 pm and doors will open at 8 pm. Tickets are 12$ prior, and 15$ at the door.

    Brother’s Past| Facebook| @BrothersPast

  • The Chronicles Take a Winter Residency in January at Red Square in Albany

    The Chronicles will be holding a month long residency in January 2014 at Red Square, located at 388 Broadway in Albany. Each Thursday they will pay homage to a different musical icon including Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, John Coltrane and J. Dilla. Throughout the month the band will be accompanied by West End Blend, Mr. Breakdown, Cedric Burnside and Big Mean Sound Machine.

    The Chronicles is a six piece band that fuses a vast array of music genres including jazz, funk, soul and hip-hop into a unique and multi-faceted sound. The group is a local band from Albany and have had the opportunity to play many festivals and venues in the Northeast. Tickets for the residency will be $10 at the door or $20 pre-order for all four shows.

    @Chronicles_Band |Facebook| Website

  • Rock N Roll Resort vNYE – Ring in the New Year in Style in the Catskills!

    Rock N Roll Resort vNYE returns ahead of schedule for a New Years Eve addition in Kerhonkson, New York at the Hudson Valley Resort. If you haven’t heard about Rock N Roll Resort by now, you clearly have not been in on the of the best music festivals in New York State. Each year brings a different theme, a different slew of unbelievably talented musical guests, and a different experience.

    Read ‘s reviews of Rock n Roll Resort from April 2013

    Much different than your average New Years Eve event, Rock N Roll Resort vNYE offers a festival-like experience compiled of three stages, and a ton of amazing Northeast acts. All room packages offer spacious rooms for up to five people ensuring a great night without having to worry about a ride home.

    The New Years Eve edition will include Particle, Bastinado, Fikus, Mun, Mister F, Cheat Code, Digital Storm, Honeycomb, DJ Adam Amrod, Sweat Pant$ Money, Spundose, Creeper, The Big Sway, Danzer, Space Carnival, and more TBA.

    @RockNRollResort| rocknrollresort.com/ |Rock N Roll Resort Facebook

  • Blues Traveler Brings Nostalgia and Fresh Jams to Upstate Concert Hall

    Blues Traveler brought an energetic and phenomenal show to Upstate Concert Hall on November 21, 2013. Blues Traveler has come back with a vengence, tossing away their reputation as a 90’s pop band and truly exploring their capabilities within their jams through each facet of their ensemble.

    John Popper has always brought a fresh and eccentric level of talent that extends the complexities of each song far beyond any 90’s pop band ever could. The band opened with an absolutely mind blowing take on the Charlie Daniels’ Band’s original “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” John Popper mimicked the explosive fiddle solos with his collection of harmonicas which he played furiously along with the rest of the band.

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    The band played off of each other all night, slipping into more folky, slow jams and moving back into full on rock and roll solos carried by guitar. At one point they busted into a rendition of Sublime’s “What I Got” which had the packed venue singing and dancing with the classic tune. Of course the night was also filled with Blues Traveler’s classics such as “But Anyway,” “Hook” and “Run Around” all of which were almost perfectly performed and had the crowd dancing and singing along to every word. “But Anyway” held a mind-blowing drum solo that showed that the capabilities of Blues Traveler as a band were expansive. From start to finish, Blues Traveler kept the energy high and the crowd dancing. Upstate New York is definitely looking forward to the return of this timeless and talented band.

  • Dark Star Orchestra Brings The Dead Alive at the Palace Theater

    Dark Star Orchestra took the stage at the Palace Theater in Albany on November 16th playing the original Grateful Dead setlist from the May 19th, 1977 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, one of the infamous Spring of ’77 shows that make up a huge dynamic of what the Grateful Dead did in their prime.

    Dark Star Orchestra is a band completely established around the extensive archives of the Grateful Dead and their immense set lists that spanned the 30 years of touring. To some, it may be an anomaly how a cover band could acquire the amount of attention that Dark Star has achieved in their 15 years of touring, but after seeing them live it is no wonder they have gained as much positive attention and feedback over the years.

    The scene outside of the Palace Theater before the show began could have been passed off as a Grateful Dead Show of the past. Deadheads swarmed the street, some selling goods, others talking about their excitement and predictions for the show.

    The show began with “Promised Land” into “Sugaree”, which indicated to any knowledgeable Grateful Dead fan that this was going to be an excellent night of music. The Spring 1977 tour for the Grateful Dead was perhaps the pinnacle of their performances, including such famous shows as May 8, 1977 at Barton Hall at Cornell University. Much like most Grateful Dead Shows of the past the Palace theater was thick with smoke and the aisles filled with dancing fans, engulfed in the music. Dark Star Orchestra has an uncanny way of encapsulating The Grateful Dead’s sound and vibe throughout each show.

    The highlights included the first set’s “Sugaree” and “Dancing in the Streets.” The “Sugaree” from May 19, 1977 is referred to as perhaps one of the best of all time. The second set was on fire with a phenomenal “Ramble on Rose,” “Terrapin > Playin’ in the Band > Uncle John’s Band> Drums > The Wheel > China Doll > Playin’ In The Band.” May 19th did not have an encore, so Dark Star Orchestra closed with “Let Me Sing Your Blues Away”, which they proclaimed defined exactly what they were about as a band. Their second encore was the famous sing along, feel good song, Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves In London”, ending what was clearly a crowd pleasing show that definitely made its mark on Albany.

    Set 1: Promised Land, Sugaree> El Paso, Peggy-O, Looks Like Rain, Row Jimmy, Passenger, Loser, Dancin’ in the Streets

    Set 2: Samson and Delilah, Ramble on Rose, Estimated Prophet, Terrapin Station> Playin’ in the Band> Uncle John’s Band> Drums> The Wheel>China Doll> Playin’ in the Band

    Encore: Let Me Sing Your Blues Away, Werewolves in London

  • Blues Traveler Comes to Upstate Concert Hall November 21st

    Blues Traveler will be returning to Upstate New York for the second time this year on November 21st at the Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, New York. Blues Traveler will be accompanied by Albany’s local Soulful-Blues, Rock N’ Roll band, Sly Fox and The Hustlers.

    Blues Traveler is known for their key roll in the re-emerging jamband scene of the early 1990’s. Known for their signature harmonica solos and their two major hits “The Hook” and “Run Around” from the mid 1990’s, Blues Traveler has made quite the mark on the music scene and this is sure to be a show you won’t want to miss.

    Doors are at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $20 in advance or $22 at the door day of show. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, the club box office, and Northern Light’s smoke shop on Fuller Road.

    For more information visit  StepUpPresents and UpstateConcertHall 

  • 2013 Jam For Tots Benefit Back for the Holiday Season

    Jam for Tots is back for the 2013 Holiday season, this time helping donate toys to the Marines Corps Reserve Toys For Tots. The event will be held at a number of different places throughout New York State, with a number of different bands and musicians that are donating their time and effort to a great cause. The event will be put on by Luke Weiler of Positive Mental Trip and this will be his sixth year combining the efforts of local talents for the sake of charity.

    “No child should go without a toy this holiday season. I hope everyone will make a special effort to come and help out. It will be a good time too,” Weiler commented. There will be 9 separate events this year, and each show will host a variety of different music genres including reggae, rock, funk and hip hop. At each event you may bring a toy worth five dollars or more, or pay a five dollar cover which will be used to buy a toy for USMC Reserve Toys for Tots program. Even if you cannot attend, stop by and drop off a toy in the donation box and make a child smile on Christmas morning.
    Toys2010

    Events for the 2013 Holiday season are:
    Nov 1 – Cosmic Charlie’s 7722 Main Street Hunter, NY Doors @ 8, Music @ 9
    Nov 8 The Spinning Room 5975 Main Street Tannersville, NY Doors @ 7, Music @ 7:30
    Nov 16 Cabaloosas/Oasis Cafe 58 Main Street, New Paltz , NY Doors @ 8, Music @ 9
    Nov 23 Liberty Public House 6417 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck , NY Music @9
    Dec 7 Fuller Road House 27 Fuller Road, Albany, NY Doors @ 8, Music @ 9
    Dec 13 Trexx Nightclub 319 N. Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY Doors @ 8, Music @ 9
    Dec 14 The Columbia 500 Columbia Street, Utica, NY Doors @ 8, Music @ 9
    Dec 17 Harmony Cafe- Wok n’ Roll 52 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY Doors @ 8, Music @ 9
    Dec 20 Mill Street Brews 18 Mill Street Southbridge, Mass Doors @ 8, Music @ 9

    Jam for Tots|Toys For Tots

  • Orchard Lounge Goes Late Night at The Putnam Den, October 25th

    A crisp late night in Saratoga began with DJ Leila and Jon Santolla (aka Mentally Ill) throwing down a heavy set to warm up the audience. Even from down the street it was obvious that this dynamic duo had taken the stage at Putnam Den with a vengeance. The set varied from hard drum and bass to more down-tempo trancy beats that layered into each other infiltrating the crowd with intensity. Leila and Santolla were the perfect opener to set the tone before Spencer and Bethany of Orchard Lounge took stage.

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    Orchard Lounge electrified the crowd into an all night dance party. The bar was pumping out glasses of water for all of the crowd, ragged form the hard dancing. Although the crowd was small, it left nothing to be desired in the way of energy. Bethany repeatedly looked up from her table and pointed out to the crowd mouthing “I love you guys,” clearly feeling the amount of energy the crowd was permeating out into the venue. A few times throughout the show, Bethany even jumped down off stage and let Spencer take charge while she fraternized and danced with her adoring fans. It is not very often that you see artists with as sizable a following that Orchard Lounge has being so down to earth and engaged with their fans. The entire set crossed so many boundaries and genres and took the night to levels of intricacy that are rarely seen from a set of DJs. One thing is for sure, when Spencer and Bethany take stage – there is no laziness and their stamina is impressive.  Orchard Lounge took no breaks and continued the party well into the early hours of the morning, as the crowd lost no steam for the dance party that raged on. There was absolutely nothing lackluster about their entire set, which is why Orchard Lounge holds the following and fan base that they do. It is evident that all parties involved had a great time for O-Lounge’s first Saratoga experience.

  • Orchard Lounge, Mentally Ill and Leila to Tear Up ‘The Den’, Friday October 25th

    Orchard Lounge, DJ Leila and Mentally Ill are all scheduled to perform what will be a fantastic show at The Putnam Den tonight,  October 25th. All three acts played a show earlier in the year at the formerly named Bayou Cafe, now the Hollow, in Albany, NY. With excellent feed back and a large draw, they will once again take stage, this time in Saratoga, NY.
    olounge

    Orchard Lounge is known for bringing their fusion of a wide variety of genres together to create unique sets that keep the masses coming back for more. O lounge is the collective of Bethany Lokken and Spencer Lokken who have set themselves apart from the typical club DJs we have all become accustomed to hearing night after night. The duo has toured festival to festival as a fan favorite, opening for major bands such as Sound Tribe Sector 9, The New Deal, The Disco Biscuits and Future Rock.
    Both Dj Leila (Leila Harrison) and Mentally Ill (Jon Santolla) bring high energy, hard hitting sets compiled primarily of Drum and Bass with gritty beats. Both artists run the Drum and Bass Coalition out of Albany and tour extensively on the East Coast festival circuit.

    This is going to be a show you definitely do not want to miss.
    This show is ages: 18+ and doors are at 8 pm, show starts at 9 pm.