NYS Music 20​13

Category: Upcoming Shows

  • Meg and Laura Interview Tyler Hilton this Monday!

    Oh, what’s that sound? That’s right. That’s the sound of my teenage hopes circa One Tree Hill Season 3 coming back knocking on the door. His raspy voice and seamless songwriting makes you wish every song with the pronouns ‘she’ and ‘her’ was written about you. Ring a bell?

    Yes, you’ve guessed it. It’s Tyler Hilton. Not only is he currently on tour with Ryan Cabrera and Teddy Geiger, but Syracuse’s Westcott Theater happens to be one of the venues he’s playing. And here’s the best part: the notorious Meg and Laura will be talking to this contemporary Howie Day this coming Monday about his latest record, “Forget the Storm” and will be broadcasting the interview on their SoundCloud at 3 PM EST, Monday May 6th. Details are available on Facebook.com/themegandlaurashow.

    Don’t miss the show! Buy tickets through the Westcott Theater.

    Here’s an exclusive new track Tyler Hilton sent our way and we hope you enjoy it.

    [soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/90331428″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

  • Summer Camp Music Festival – One of the Best Lineups This Summer Features 8 Upstate NY Bands

    For the past decade, Summer Camp Music Festival has been on the radar of live music aficonados, as it unofficially kicks off the summer festival season, and this year features 8 bands from Upstate NY. Living in the Northeast, we have our own kickoff for summer festival season, StrangeCreek in Greenfield, MA. But finally, the stars have aligned and in 3 short weeks, will be headed to Chillicothe, Illinois to cover Summer Camp Music Festival!

    summer camp upstate ny

    And we couldn’t have picked a better year to be there! Upstate New York has not just founder of Summer Camp, moe., but EIGHT Upstate New York bands are on the extensive lineup, bringing the best of Upstate to the Midwest. Among the rest of the bands on the lineup, which includes Umphrey’s McGee, Thievery Corporation, Trey Anastasio Band, Lotus , Cornmeal, Dopapod, Keller Williams, Conspirator, Lettuce, Big Gigantic, Tauk and dozens more, Upstate New York is represented by Floodwood, Jimkata, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Timbre Coup, Project Weather Machine, Aqueous, John Brown’s Body and of course, moe. There is rarely a festival outside the Northeast to feature so many bands from the Upstate New York region, showing that these acts are making names for themselves beyond their region and branching out to newer and broader fan bases around the country.

    This installment of Summer Camp isn’t just the best yet, it is also one of the best lineups anyone could ask for. For four days and nights, central Illinois will be rocking from noon till nearly dawn with some of the best jambands, electronic acts, bluegrass groups, reggae troupes and ensembles of every genre imaginable. The folks at Canopy Club have outdone themselves, and that’s saying a lot when you look back at previous lineups.summer camp upstate NY

    Mike Armintrout, one of the promoters for Summer Camp, had this to say about the bands hailing from Upstate New York and the Northeast: “Being that moe. is such a major part of Summer Camp, and has been since the first year (2001), bands from their home area clearly hold a special place with them and therefore with the festival.  Over the years we’ve had a number of acts from the Northeast and Upstate NY on the festival.  This year we’re excited about the return of a number of Northeast-based acts like Medeski Martin & Wood, The Wood Brothers, The Pimps of Joytime and Jimkata.  As well as a first-time appearance by some other great acts from the region like Lettuce, Dopapod, Project Weather Machine and Aqueous.  The Northeast continues to have a foothold at the Summer Camp Music Festival.”

    This, the 13th installment of Summer Camp will be nothing short of magical, but with so much music to see, the task of knowing what to see is daunting. For your consideration, may we interest you in the acts from Upstate New York, all worthy of an hour of your time, and quite possibly, many hours of listening in the future…

    moe.

    Summer Camp was founded by moe. in 2001, on the heels of their incredibly successful moe.down, now in it’s 14th year. Playing six sets during the weekend, odds are you’ll be seeing plenty of moe., and that you don’t need us to tell you of their involvement of putting this festival together. moe. plays the mainstage each night on the main stage.

    “It’s interesting, when we all get togeher, it doesn’t matter if its moe. or Floodwood, there’s definitely a thing about being from the Northeast and being from Upstate NY. You don’t really know it until you leave and get out of the Northeast and leave Upstate New York and run into people from Upstate in another geographical part of the country … we were on the road with Floodwood recently and ran into someone in  Asheville, NC. This guy spent a lot of time in Upstate and said ‘I miss Upstate New York, the sarcasm, the food, the everything … when I hang with you guys for a couple days, it takes a bit to readjust (attitude-wise) with my wife.” – Al Schnier, Guitar/Mandolin/Vocals, moe. and Floodwood

    Jimkata

    Hailing from Ithaca, Jimkata has begun to draw sizeable crowds throughout the country, combined electronic music with rock and progressive jams. Their recent album Die Digital has been a huge hit and led to incredible sets as they stretch into the south and Midwest. Read an interview with Evan Friedell of Jimkata with ’s Johnny Goff.  Few acts from the Northeast have risen as fast as Jimkata has. To see them live is a pure treat for the ears and eyes. If you like electronic rock, you’d be hard pressed to find better. Check them out from 6-7pm on Sunday in the Vibe Tent

    summer camp upstate NY“I think there are a lot of hard working bands that have come out of upstate or the northeast that earn or have earned every fan or credit they get.  To see many of them on the same bill makes it feel like our area is indeed a productive one when it comes to live music and building a live music community.  Hopefully as more people from back home see their favorite hometown bands on bills like this they’ll feel more inspired to continue supporting the live music scene we have going.” –Evan Friedell, Guitar/Vocals, Jimkata

    Timbre Coup

    Progressive rock is alive and well thanks to larger acts like Umphrey’s McGee, and Timbre Coup from Albany have put their signature sound on prog-rock, standing out among their peers and producing excellent albums, most recently Knuckles and Valleys, a spectacular release in 2012 that covers all 12 months of the year in 12 tracks, highlighted by the interplay of the band as they seamlessly switch instruments for various songs and intertwine their sound while our ears scream in joy. Timbre Coup is a treat every time we see them, and you’ll thank us when you check them out Sunday from noon-1pm.

     “I feel like Upstate NY is a hotbed of creativity right now from the most progressive of music all the way to rustic and traditional sounds of blue grass and jam rock. Bands like Jimkata, Aqueous, Timbre Coup, Project Weather Machine and all the others that will be representing this region in the Midwest at Summer Camp show how eclectic the creativity is and how this scene really has something for everyone.” – Dan Gerken, Guitar/Vocals, Timbre Coup

    Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad

    Hailing from Buffalo, Giant Panda is one of two reggae-infused bands to come out of Upstate for Summer Camp. If you like your reggae diverse and beyond run of the mill, Giant Panda is perfect for you and makes a great mid-day aural snack on Saturday from 330-430pm.

    summer camp upstate NY“It is some of the more honest, foot stomping fun that you will see this summer. We’re all funked up from the cold and the Kodak chemie sunsets. Oh and the fracked water…” James Searl, Bass/Vocals, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad

    Floodwood

    Two parts moe. and three parts Zachary, Jason and Nick equals one helluva pickin’ party with string band Floodwood. Playing bluegrass standards, David Grisman tunes and a variety of foot-stompers, Floodwood has been a huge hit out east and the Midwest is lucky to have them playing five sets throughout the weekend. There’s lots of bluegrass and jamgrass at Summer Camp, so get your dose of Floodwood, as they’re only playing three festivals the rest of the summer – Fiddler’s Picnic June 14-16 in Lyons, NY, Clearwater Music Festival on June 15-16 in Croton-on-Hudson, NY and moe.down 14, August 9-11 in Turin, NY.

    summer camp upstate NY“With moe. and getting to the west coast, there’s something about being from Upstate New York and the Northeast – you have this different outlook and certain kind of humor, an appreciation for sarcasm. The interesting thing I love about Upstate New York is that everyone is down to earth and it goes a long way and really stands out when you are out of your element” – Al Schnier, Guitar/Mandolin/Vocals, moe. and Floodwood

    Project Weather Machine

    A band comprised of four individuals with eclectic backgrounds, Project Weather Machine hails from Syracuse and melds the genres of rock, dance, folk and blues, as well as jamming throughout each of these styles of music. Just over a year old, this group has caught the ears of a great deal throughout New York State and will playing from 130-230pm on Sunday afternoon.

    summer camp upstate NY“I feel that the Upstate bands in the Summer Camp lineup stand out mostly in the fact that it is so diverse. There are six markets across Upstate New York that are being represented and each one has it’s own individual sound: Indie, electro, rock, jam, progressive, folk and dub/reggae are all being represented. It really shows what a wonderful cross section of music we have here in Upstate New York.” Daniel Wafer, Bass/Vocals, Project Weather Machine

    Aqueous

    A true jamband with progressive routes and a wide-range of influences, Aqueous is full of deep improvisation, songwriting that is years beyond bands of similar caliber and a live performance that is a hallmark of Upstate New York. They kick off the music on Sunday from 11am-12pm, so start the day off right with an early dose of true improv.

    “The bands selected to represent the Northeast at this year’s Summer Camp Music Festival are among the finest Upstate New York has to offer and we’re excited and grateful to bring our sound to the incredible mix of bands on the lineup!” – Mike Gantzer, Guitar, Aqueous

    John Brown’s Body

    Playing from 5-6pm early Sunday evening, John Brown’s Body has the recent distinction of having the #1 album on Billboard’s Reggae Chart. Hailing from Boston via Ithaca, this ensemble of musicians uses reggae as the base for their sound, bringing in drums and bass, dub and electronica into the mix to bring their music to another level. Horns and a tight core develop immense rhythms. Don’t miss out on JBB.

    “I think it is the people themselves that our making music from the Upstate NY region unique and interesting. There is wisdom and inspiration that has been passed on from older generations of musicians from the area and from our peers who lead their own groups. We are originally from Ithaca NY, so for JBB, it is individuals like Kevin Kinsella and our own Elliot Martin, and bands like Giant Panda and Thunder Body from Rochester that represent a sound and approach unique to this place.” -Drew Sayers , Saxaphone, John Brown’s Body

    See you at Summer Camp!

  • Family-friendly DelFest is Full of Tradition

    With the official start to summer vacation only a month away, DelFest veterans and newcomers alike are eagerly awaiting the Memorial Day Weekend and the 6th Annual DelFest in Cumberland, MD taking place May 23-26 2013. This festival has rightfully been tagged the family-friendly festival of the season by those who have attended in previous years because, DelFest doesn’t just offer family camping areas, they offer a complete family vacation experience where children are encouraged to join their music lovin parents for a weekend of arts & crafts, jambands and bluegrass.

    delfestFrom its inception DelFest has set out to be a festival of traditions, music tradition gathered with family traditions of camping and sing-alongs around the campfire, with Bluegrass being the traditional music of America, a festival that offers both is a magical wonderland in my book. Del McCoury has been an American bluegrass legend since his days with Bill Monroe but, he has also been embraced by the jamband scene, where he has shared the stage with Phish, Keller Williams, Yonder Mountain String Band and many more staples in the jam music scene. Bringing the two music scenes together at one festival has promised to produce one of the most popular festivals of the Summer of 2013.

    delfest familyBefore the music even starts at DelFest, festival goers who are also musicians are encouraged to attend the DelFest Music Academy, where the teachers are The Travelin’ McCourys and The Rambling Rooks. It takes place between May 20-23rd, the three days preceding the music festival. The cost of the academy includes a 4-day festival pass and camping. For more information on the DelFest Academy please visit www.delfest.com.

    delfest familyOnce it is time for the music to start no one there is gonna sit down till the car ride home on Monday and based on my past experience with the awesome humans who attend this festival, ain’t no one doin anything but dancin from dusk till dawn. This year’s lineup includes the festival’s namesake and headliner legendary Del McCoury, Trey Anastasio Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, Yonder Mountain String Band, Trampled By Turtles, Leftover Salmon, an All Star set dubbed the Masters of Bluegrass pairing Del with other luminaries Bobby Osborne, J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, and Jerry McCoury. Also performing, The Travelin’ McCourys, Keller Williams with More Than A Little, Carolina Chocolate Drops Jerry Douglas Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Greensky Bluegrass, Red Baraat, The Campbell Brothers, Sarah Jarosz Pikelny, Sutton, McCoury, Bulla & Bales, Davisson Brothers Band, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Elephant Revival, Danny Barnes, Aoife O’Donovan, Missy Raines and The New Hip, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Rambling Rooks, Hackensaw Boys, Joe Craven, Mamajowali, Spirit Family Reunion and Blue Mafia. The daily schedule can be found on the festival website Here.

    delfest familyLate Nights at DelFest are also tradition in their own right. With an intimate indoor area at the DelFest Music Hall, these crazy nights are fueled by 2 bands whom also have main stage appearances during the weekend. Late Night performances begin after music has ended on the Grandstand Stage. Doors open at Midnight and specific set times are TBA.  Admission is $20/show. Get your tickets in advance here or at the Late Night Box Office which is located at the merchandise tent between 11a.m-10p.m Fri-Sun or at the DelFest Music Hall between 11:30p.m-2:00a.m Fri-Sun.

    2013 DelFest Late Night Schedule

    Friday – Leftover Salmon and The Travelin’ McCourys

    Saturday – The Infamous Stringdusters and the Hackensaw Boys

    Sunday – Greensky Bluegrass and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

    In addition to all this amazing music tradition, DelFest is family-friendly, other festivals include kids in some fashion these days and family camping sections have always been created but what DelFest does differently is they completely include children in every aspect of the festival. Yes there is a family camping section and it is actually quiet at night and brewing with energy in the early morning but that’s how us festie parents like it. Kids make-up a large portion of the students who attend the DelFest Music Academy, there are organized arts & crafts projects like tie-dying, an art bus from the local community is parked in the family camping area all weekend too!

    I attended the festival for my first time last year and there were kids and families everywhere enjoying a swim in the Potomac River to relaxing in hammocks side-by-side. Even the late night shows have taken into consideration that children are there and sleeping and because late nights are held inside the little ones can sleep while the party people are hootin’ and hollerin. It’s also common to see many campfire jams into the wee hours of the night which lends to the feeling of tradition and family that fills the air at DelFest.

    I’ve seen a lot of music and I’ve taken the kids and not taken the kids and this year I will be attending the festival with my 7 yr. old daughter with me because I missed her so much last year with all the other kids around. Well that and because she’s also a bluegrass and jamband fan like her Mama.

    DelFest is just a month away and already tickets for 4-day passes have sold out at every price, the RV and VIP passes have been sold out for some time now. If you still need you ticket you can purchase them online Here or at the venue if they last that long. will be there and we hope to see fellow Upstaters there too.

    Happy Festival Season!

    Follow DelFest on: Twitter | Instagram | FaceBook

    Thank You! to our contributing Freelance Photographers – Mark Loveless and Jeff Myers 

  • Preview: SHINEDOWN, BUSH and AIRBOURNE

    shinedown_bush_airborne

    Shinedown hits the stage at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA with Bush and Airbourne, May 1st. This will be the second time Shinedown is in the Massachusetts since their co-headline tour with Three Days Grace in February.  This will be the band’s first time touring with Bush and Airbourne.

    Shinedown:

    Originating from Jacksonville, Florida and Memphis, Tennessee, Shinedown has been through the beautiful and ugly things in life, always coming up with incredible songs, ones that will haunt their fans for a long time. This four-pieced band consists of Brent Smith (vocals), Zach Myers (guitar), Eric Bass (bass/piano), and Barry Kerch (drums). The band has released four albums in the last ten years, successfully selling 6 million of them worldwide with a total of 16 singles. Their latest record, Amaryllis, was released March 23rd with leading single “Bully.” Shinedown has managed to put on incredible shows in the past; no doubt they will do an amazing job with this upcoming event.

    Bush:

    Named after Shepherd’s Bush in London, England, where the band originated, Bush is considered one of the most successful rock bands of the 90s, selling over 10 million records globally. Band members consist of Gavin Rossdale (vocals/guitar), Chris Traynor (guitar), Corey Britz (bass) and Robin Goodridge (drums). Bush has released five records over the last 11 years, with a total of 17 singles. Their latest album, The Sea of Memories, was released September 13th, 2011, the leading single “The Afterlife.” With their performance, there is a strong feeling that Bush will bring back the 90s.

    Airbourne:

    Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Airbourne’s hard rock music has been commonly compared to classic rock band, AC/DC. Members are the O’Keeffe brothers, Joel (vocals) and Ryan (drums), David Roads (guitar), and Justin Street (bass). In the past ten years, two records have been announced with a new one in the works, pending to be released May 21st of this year, with a total of six singles. Be prepared to be blown away by the band that could be the next AC/DC.

    Overall, a night filled with excitement and a kick-ass line up of three powerful pipes is waiting May 1st. Be sure to catch the show! It will be an unforgettable night.

  • Albany Gets Ready to MOVE This Saturday April 27th

    Albany will be overrun with music this Saturday April 27th as the city hosts 100 bands at 10 venues for the annual MOVE Music Festival.  A fairly new event, MOVE aims to highlight the growing music scene in Albany by giving musician’s exposure as well as insight on conducting themselves in today’s independent music industry.

    Albany was recently ranked within the top 20 Metro Areas in the Nation in regards to musicians and music related business, making it the ideal location for the MOVE Music Festival. Concert goers can purchase wrist bands for $15 at any of the participating venues, which grants them all access to every show that day. The musical genres vary from Indie, Americana, Alternative, Rock, EDM and Fusion, catering to Albany’s widespread taste in music.

    moveflyer

    Besides the musical acts, the festival will host a merchandise trade show and interactive round table sessions with music professionals at the Hotel Albany lodging and convention complex in downtown Albany. Artists will be given the opportunity to meet with various companies that will offer guidelines, strategies and vital information about furthering their music careers.

    Some of the VIPs for the meet and greet  are Lou Plaia, (Co-Founder of ReverbNation), Benji Rogers (the Founder of Pledge Music), Craig Sala (Drummer for Paranoid Social Club), Veronica Grettonfrom (401K Music) and many more.

    Hotel Albany will be offering $5 parking all day in their garage and the city has free street parking on the weekends. Albany also had a solid public transportation system with CDTA offering multiple routes that make stops at the various locations.

    With the weather scheduled to be sunny and 60s, it’s not a bad idea to even bike or walk, giving folks time to take in the sights and sounds of Albany.

  • Amy Lavere and Savannah King to play Abilene Bar and Lounge in Rochester

    Amy LavereMulti-talented entertainer Amy LaVere is a true crossover artist, able to bring exceptional skill and raw emotion into whatever she attempts. From movies (Black Snake Moan, Walk the Line) to music she pushes her ample capabilities to the max. Amy will be coming to Abilene Bar and Lounge (153 Liberty Pole Way, Rochester NY) Wednesday April 24th in support of her latest release, the critically acclaimed Stranger Me. This will be her first appearance in Rochester since she blew away fans at the 2010 Jazz Fest. She will be supported by the jazzy folk of Buffalo’s Savannah King. will be on the scene and hope you will be too. The show starts at 8:30 and tickets are very limited.

    Cover charge – $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Tickets are available at Abilene and Metro Retro (1241 Park Avenue, Rochester).

  • Aztec Two-Step brings folk-rock to The Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on April 27th

    1409

    The Bearsville Theater is bringing a great evening of folk-rock to their stage on April 27th with Aztec Two-Step.

    Formed by Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman in 1971, they have been going strong ever since.  This acoustic duo has been the talk of the music community for over 40 years with their great harmonies always being the first thing that is spoken of.  There is a great documentary that was made in 1999 called No Hit Wonder that goes through in a depth history of the band and their amazing legacy.

    Their most recent collection “Cause and Effect” is a collection of re-worked and new material that has social and political themes throughout and celebrates Rex and Neal being a band for over 40 years.  If you’re looking for a great evening of wonderful acoustic guitar playing, rich harmonies, and fantastic songwriting, then make sure to get to Bearsville this coming Saturday.  You can get tickets now at The Bearsville Theater or at The Bearsville Theater box office.

  • Greensky Bluegrass Will Play the Westcott Theater April 24th

    Greensky Bluegrass will play the Westcott Theatre, with their own brand of Newgrass band that has helped to re-invent this newer genre reminiscent of the old-timey bluegrass of Bill Monroe, but with a fresh jammy sound.

    Photo Credit: Jamie VanBuhler
    Photo Credit: Jamie VanBuhler

    The band has recently announced performances at Delfest, Telluride Bluegrass and Northwest String Summit and several more. They are also offering fans 5 of the 10 songs on their new album ‘Handguns’; Stream it for Free below or available on the Greensky Bluegrass website for anyone who wants to listen.

    As their name might suggest, Greensky Bluegrass utilizes traditional bluegrass instruments – dobro, banjo, guitar, upright bass and mandolin. However, the music that they make is anything but reversionary and the new album, Handguns is a brave expression of what separates their original music from the rest of the bluegrass genre.

    Greensky has continued to gain national momentum since they won the Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s coveted Band Competition in 2006 and have sold-out dates across the country as well as played at Bonnaroo, Bumbershoot, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, NPR’s Mountain Stage and many more. As these diverse festivals would suggest, they’re a bluegrass band but they’re not. Bluegrass doesn’t have distortion, or horns for that matter. Greensky does.

    Greensky Bluegrass will play April 24th at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, NY. Admission is $15 advance/$18 at the door. This is an all ages show, with 2 full sets by Greensky. Show starts at 7:00pm and you can get your tickets online or at the venue.

    Greensky Bluegrass is Anders Beck (dobro), Michael Arlen Bont (banjo), Dave Bruzza (guitar), Mike Devol (upright bass) and Paul Hoffman (mandolin).

    Stream Handguns Free!

    New Song/Video: Leap Year

  • Cabinet Brings Bluegrass to Upstate NY April 19th & 20th

    There just isn’t enough Bluegrass music here in Upstate NY. We do get a semi-acceptable amount of amazing bluegrass bands and small festivals in this area but acceptable amount to me would be relative to living in Nashville, TN.

    Cabinet

    Nestled somewhere in between Bill Monroe and John Hartford you will find Cabinet. A simple little name for a six-piece string band with deep roots in the old timey bluegrass tradition of story telling from our ancestors of the Appalachian Mountains.

    Their lyrics tell stories of family, love, and life; but most of all Cabinet has that gift of putting last night’s shenanigans and the morning afters repercussions into a neat little four minute package of an old timey moral lesson.

    “When we get drunk on wine and shine, we talk about the past and better times, I got drunk on wine and moonshine … Saturday night brings Sunday morn.”

    Tonight all my boot stompin, skirt twirrlin, bluegrass needs will be met and most likely surpassed. Cabinet is playing at Sticky Lips Juke Joint in Rochester, NY. The opening band will be the Ruckus Juice Jug Stompers. Doors are at 9:30pm and show starts at 10:30pm. Tickets: $12 advance, $15 at the door. You can also show your love in advance and RSVP to the FaceBook Event Here.

    The band is also playing at St Lawrence University’s Springfest on the Java Stage in Canton, NY the following night. Cabinet goes on at 4:00 pm and then heads to the Waterhole in Saranac Lake, NY. Admission is $10, ages 21+. Doors are at 9:00pm with opening band The Blind Owl Band. The show starts at 10:00pm.

    With the release of their most recent album Leap, Cabinet has toured most of the United States this past year. Things certainly continue to grow for these hard working musicians, this year will also be their inaugural Old Farmers Ball music festival being held Saturday May 11th featuring, Cabinet, Yarn, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Miz,  And The Moneynotes, Pappy, Kyle Morgan and also the Coal Town Rounders. A limited amount of tickets are still available through Live Nation.

    Hope ya’all come out for this band this weekend, you will not be disappointed, in fact you will probably end sore the next day from all the dancing you will do at the show.

  • One More Time: A Daft Punk Tribute, bringing Robot Rock to Upstate NY, April 20th in Syracuse and April 27th in Clifton Park

    With Daft Punk slowly leaking the collaborators of their upcoming album Random Access Memories, anticipation is at an all time high as fans await the release of the first single, “Get Lucky”, in the coming weeks. The reclusive French duo have no plans to tour just yet and even when they tour, tickets are likely to be impossible to get and in select cities throughout the country. Fortunately, the tribute act One More Time is filling a void with an incredible live show that mimics Daft Punk’s live act, to the best degree that one can imitate such a spectacular show.

    one more time

    With two shows coming to Upstate New York – Saturday April 20th at The Westcott Theater and Saturday April 27th at Upstate Concert Hall, lucky fans are going to be in for a huge treat. Not knowing what to expect beyond Youtube videos, an interview was in order with R and B, the guys behind One More Time.

    Pete Mason: For those who have never seen a Daft Punk tribute such as One More time, how closely, if at all, does your stage show replicate that of Daft Punk?

    R & B: Our show has been perfected and grown into a FULL scale LED pyramid stage show complete with a lot of the same equipment used during the Alive tour. There are even sections in the set that replicate the same lighting cues as Daft Punk’s Alive tour. From the chromed helmets, to the light suits, and finally the encore performance, our show is as close as your going to get to the actual band. This is a project heavily researched and perfected with the help of the hardcore Daft fanbase.

    PM: What makes Daft Punk continue to be the gold standard of Electronic Music, especially since the surge of dubstep in the past few years?

    R: Daft Punk are the pioneers of modern electronic music of our generation. In the 70’s, we had Kraftwerk, In the 90’s, it’s DP. Daft Punk’s show in ’07 was the very first large scale electronic production show that paved the way for such artists and their large stage shows, i.e. Deadmau5.

    N: It’s also in their sound. For instance, Daft Punk has grown to be a successful group because of their appreciation for a “true to time” quality which has been seen on each of their albums. We intend to model our sets around that same feel by using songs and samples which fit “that” mold, instead of pushing for a contemporary sound such as dubstep, or complextro.

    PM: Is there a particular Daft Punk album, or era, that you identify with in particular, or love to play more than any other album?

    R: Our set is heavily flourished with Human After All, Since it was this era that the band had premiered their full-scale light show for the first time.

    B: It’s this kind of inspiration we kept going back to while programming our current show with the likes of the Tron soundtrack and of course our fav, Homework. There’s a little bit of everything throughout the set.

    one more time

    PM: How has the lack of Daft Punk live shows necessitated the arrival of a band such as One More Time?

    R & B: There’s such a heavy fanbase that wants to see the band perform more live. We grew from researching the Daft fanbase and are simply a living and breathing interpretation of all that work put into one. After we started this show, Daft Punk fans have continuously come up to us and thanked us for bringing our interpretation to the local and theater venues that wouldn’t be able to accommodate the real band. Our show is a presentation of material and fan requests in a new and unique way.

    PM: Have you had any contact with the reclusive duo?

    R & B- We have not.

    PM: How eager are you anticipating the new album Random Access Memories?

    R & B: We are both very excited for the release. The 10 second clip that debuted on SNL, exhibited our favorite element and style of electronic music, Disco.

    PM: What other influences have had an impact on your musical education and brought you to play electronic music?

    R: While my main influences in EDM stem from Daft Punk itself, I regularly listen to a lot of classic and indie rock. My musical taste was heavily influenced from college radio back when I was in school. This is where I got my start at as DJ for the first time.

    B: I’d say an early love for electronic music, lent itself to loving the French house sound. Artists like Underworld and The Chemical Brothers led me into harder styles of music as a child. When I originally saw Daft Punk and their costumes, I immediately fell in love with the idea of electronic artists using stage presence in a more creative way. Everyone from Aphex Twin’s dancing bears to artists like Deadmau5 have pushed the scene into more entertaining dimensions; we’re just trying to pay tribute to the guys that started it all.