NYS Music 20​13

Category: Albany

  • Top 10 Artists You Don’t Want to Miss at Camp Bisco

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    With Camp Bisco almost a month away, it’s time to start mapping out your schedule and narrowing down what artists you want to see the most. I’ve compiled a list of my top ten need to see artists, which was no easy task with Bisco’s extensive lineup spanning everything from hip-hop, dub step, electronic, house, jam, indie and so much more.

    1. The Disco Biscuits- I mean, seriously. These guys have made such a serious name for themselves in the music scene that they are now being compared to the likes of Phish and The Grateful Dead. This festival was their baby and watching it grow has been a crazy experience. They started off playing on one small main stage for a few thousand people and now step out onto dual stages with 20 thousand or more people cheering their names. That’s gotta count for something. Plus they’re all amazingly talented musicians. Whether you’re a “biscuits kid” or not you have to be able to see how unbelievably brilliant each member of the band is when they pick up their instruments. They play the most sets, so chances are you wont be able to miss them, but while you do see a few of their sets, appreciate how far they’ve come and how far they’ve brought this festival because without them it would never have existed.

    The Disco Biscuits on Twitter and Facebook

    2. Squarepusher. If you haven’t heard of this guy, I really wouldn’t be too surprised. I have been trying to catch Squarepusher, or Tom Jenkinson, for years but with his rare sitings in the U.S I have yet so see a live set. Squarepusher is an artist from the UK who focuses primarily around drum and bass, acid house and jazz. He uses live instrumental playing as well as digital processing to make some seriously mind blowing beats. He has releases such a vast array of music that it is difficult to pinpoint once particular style he likes to follow, but trust me you won’t want to miss this legend.

    Squarepusher on Facebook 

    3. Sound Tribe Sector 9. Of course, a Camp Bisco favorite. I have been a huge fan of STS9 since 2002 when I was a pretty young kid. Their music stays consistently amazing and their live performances are nothing short of spectacular. STS9 is an instrumental band with a strong focus on electronic, hip hop, drum and bass and funk. Whether these guys end up as a late night set or an evening set it is bound to be an amazing time. If you’ve never seen them before, you’ll be in for a serious treat.

    STS9 on Twitter and Facebook

    4.Toro Y Moi– I’m not even really sure how to describe this guy. I discovered him about a year ago and fell in love instantaneously. He is described as indie-pop, “chill-wave,” synth-pop and electronic. I really don’t even know how to describe him other than saying he is amazing and if you miss his set you are making a serious mistake. There are not many artists out there similar to Toro Y Moi so I suggest you give him a listen before Bisco rolls around just for your own aural pleasure.

    Toro Y Moi on Twitter and Facebook

    5. Boombox. Although I’ve seen Boombox a pretty significant amount of times I think I have still yet to see them on stage at a festival. Their style is unlike most bands I’ve seen in that they pull inspiration from all facets of the music community. They are a steady mix of psychedelic, funk, rock and blues. At each show I’ve seen, they drive each set with the energy of the crowd so it will be interesting to see them in front of a crowd as huge as Bisco.

    Boombox on Twitter and Facebook 

    6.Paper Diamond. Paper Diamond has been around for a while, just not under that particular alias. Alex Botwin started as the bassist for Pnuma Trio, and if you’ve heard the Pnuma Trio you know that he’s a very talented musician. Paper Diamond is Botwin’s solo DJ career, as he also takes on electronic production. Paper Diamond is another feel good DJ that will make you move. Definitely don’t miss his set this Camp.

    Paper Diamond on Twitter and Facebook

    7.Animal Collective. Over the past five or so years Animal Collective has grown rapidly in popularity and become a household name in the music scene. They are considered “experimental-psychedelic” and encapsulate a slew of different styles and genres within each song. You will without a doubt dance from start to finish when Animal Collective takes stage.

    Animal Collective on Twitter and Facebook

    8. Gigamesh. You’ve probably heard Gigamesh’s remix of Foster the People’s single “Pumped up Kicks,” or perhaps his work on Mike Posner’s “Cooler Than Me,” so you know what he’s capable of. His talent as a producer and a DJ is unparalleled. His music derives from a mix of influences, but will not fail to keep you dancing. Make sure you save your energy for this set, because you’ll need it.

    Gigamesh on Twitter and Facebook

    9. Lotus. I know, I’m clearly showing biases towards the band I’ve seen a million times, but in the same breath they have yet to let me down. Lotus is another band who has gained serious popularity over the past few years and made their own mark on the music and festival scene. Similar to Sound Tribe, Lotus is an electronic jam band who incorporate many sounds and genres within each song. Their music can be fast and hard or slow and melodic. That spectrum is what makes bands like Lotus such an awesome live act to see.

    Lotus on Twitter and Facebook

    10. Com Truise. Com truise started as a drum and bass DJ and slowly shifted into a more 80’s, chill-wave sound. His music is completely different than anything else in the music scene. I don’t even think there is an artist I could compare him to wholeheartedly, which is why he made the top ten list. An artist with that unique of a sound does not go unnoticed, even within a lineup as insane as Camp Bisco’s. It is artists like this that make Camp Bisco have such a wide variety of sounds and genres that grace their stages throughout the festival.

    Com Truise on Twitter and Facebook

    Honorable mentions:

    The Manhattan Project, Twiddle, Break Science, Zoogma,

    Also, In an effort to help rebuild the community that was impacted by the wake of the tornadoes MCP Presents is putting out a National call to all of its supporters and fans, who converge upon the region each July. A page to collect donations has been set up through rally.org, where people can show their support and make online donations. Fans are asked to visit www.rally.org/supportschenectadycounty – cb12 or through the festival site at www.campbisco.net.

  • Jim Weider’s ‘Project Percolator’ at The Egg, May 18th

    Straying from the norm, an instrumental performance of jazz, blues and hard rock might be difficult to pull off successfully if your name wasn’t Jim Weider, but for a man with a resume longer than some of us have been alive, he has the know-how and talent to accomplish such a feat.  The intimate Swyer Theater at The Egg in Albany housed the axe-wielding artist and his all-star cast in a mid-spring fling.  Weider presented songs uniquely fashioned by way of a lifetime of influences and study culminating into two sets of musical conversation. Project Percolator is the brainchild of Jim Weider’s imagination and artistry.

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    He created a band that breaks common musical expectations – especially since he is widely known for his tenure with The Band.  The core of the group includes: Rodney Holmes (Santana) on drums, Avi Bortnick (John Scofield) on rhythm guitar and Steve Lucas (Bruce Cockburn) on bass.  Together the four stretch out, noodle, pound and thump to a point where they aren’t just playing a show, they are experiencing it right along with the crowd.

    The first set began with the foursome showcasing their skill level; it only took halfway through one song before the crowd was completely absorbed in the music.  Holmes introduced “Squirrels in Paris,” on drums, but he quickly handed the song over to Weider and his Telecaster guitar.  His fingers glided along the fingerboard where ultimately he landed on the high notes, hitting the sweet spot that screams rock and roll fun.  Indeed, this was a heavy rock song complete with multiple and smooth change-ups rounding out in conclusion the way it began – on drums.  Weider, et al. used their instruments to capture the essence of story telling among old pals full of personality, inviting the captivated audience to listen to their banter.

    And just like each song molded and changed with twists and turns, the set took a turn too; Weider welcomed long-time friend and colleague, Garth Hudson to the stage.  If these guys were characters in a book, then Hudson was the playful imp bringing that same quirkiness to Project Percolator that he had in The Band.  Continuing with the conversation, Weider stepped aside humbly and joyously listened as his buddy told another story.  Hudson’s beard was as white as the keys on the board in front of him. A wide-brimmed hat mostly hid him, but even still, his jolly soul shined.  And he brought the comedy utilizing his instrument as a tool for his humor.  Hudson did his own thing for a little while, playing as if he were sitting in his own living room.  The group expectedly joined together for a reggae rendition of “The Weight.”  They veered into a groove that changed the direction of the conversation.  Each one took a turn and a crescendo swerved the song into yet another dimension until there was an abrupt stop, then the jam concluded with the last few bars of the same familiar song.  Surely there is not any arrangement of this song quite like Weider’s presentation.  Project Percolator moved through Dylan’s, “Just Like a Woman,” and then to another Band song, “Rag Mama Rag.”  The quintet told a familiar tale, but dazzled the crowd, offering up a new point of view, a convincing new perspective on a batch of old songs.  It’s as though we’re watching the guys reminisce of the good old days – and what fun those days must have been!

    After a short intermission, the core four reentered ready to tickle our fancies once again.  A Weider original, “Pulse” opened set two – a set that contained similar elements of structured instrumentals leaving room for weaving and stretching.  Hudson then once again joined Project Percolator.  Quietly and respectfully, the band watched and listened, as they too became the riveted audience, as Hudson took his opportunity to solo and the freedom moved him through a multitude of familiar, traditional folk tunes.  Part reunion and part nostalgia, it was fitting Weider dedicated “Caledonia Mission” (The Band) to his former band mates that have passed.  Weider closed out the set with “Man Cry,” in a song that winds down a path leaving no stone unturned.  One by one each member stepped off stage, leaving the musical discoveries up to those that remained.

    In spite of Project Percolator’s rock and roll appearance, there was something rather sweet and humbling; this is not an in-your-face-I-play-the-guitar rock fest.  Rather, it was a no frills invitation into the lives of people who simply love their craft.  The instruments spoke for themselves as their masters allowed the creativity to flow, sharing their point of view so that we might understand more of the story.  Jim Weider ‘shreds’ a new light.

  • Bound for Great Music: Dan Johnson and the Expert Sidemen Album Release Party

    Last Thursday night was filled with string picking, bow strumming and warm bluegrass music at Valentine’s in Albany in celebration of Dan Johnson and the Expert Sidemen second album, Bound for Abiquiu release party. The hosts were joined by their friends, The Grassroots Rebels and Driftwood, two Upstate New York bands that combine Americana and bluegrass with plenty of attitude and flair. With Memorial Day weekend upon us, the show was a great way to relax with simple songs and prepare for the sunny days ahead.

    Driftwood

    I have a good amount of friends that hail from Binghamton, who are obsessed with Driftwood and now I can understand why. The four piece stringed band took the stage and wasted no time by starting a musical ruckus. Claire Byrne is a furious fiddle player, who shakes the ground with heart as she played all night with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.  “Ooh keep it down for the banjo solo” yelled guitarist, Dan Forsyth, hushing the crowd and cranking up the banjo picking by Joe Kollar. The band has fantastic chemistry as there is constant communication on stage with words and instruments, everyone holding their own but still blending perfectly together. It isn’t until a few songs in that the crowd finally hears vocals and they were worth the wait. Driftwood has impeccable harmonies that give their melodies and lyrics a more heartfelt joy. The tunes had attention grabbing, sharp ends with steady, heart racing crescendos. Joey Arcuri brought out the bow on his standup bass giving the songs a new sound with darky, heavy notes.  As the set went on, Driftwood gave respects to Dan Johnson by repeatedly dedicating multiple songs to him as well as the venue.  Kollar joked that it was their best Albany crowd ever, considering they haven’t played the area in over a year and Claire added, “I like Valentine’s and Dan Johnson.”  My favorite song of the night was “Brother” which had a slight Celtic sound, complete with light, airy, long bow strokes.  Driftwood are touring all over the East Coast this summer and are most excited for a new album in the works, set to drop in this fall. Be sure to catch them at such festivals as Taste of Syracuse, The Great Blue Heron and Grassroots.

    DanJohnson&ExpertSidemen

    Dan Johnson and the Expert Sidemen gently opened their CD release party with their newest hit “Bound for Abiquiu,” and the venue was mesmerized. Johnson’s voice is mature and soothing, with a country twang that made the show feel like a warm summer night. “Garden Below” had some of my favorite lyrics of the night such as, “Sometimes I feel like an ocean looking for a river that I can’t find.” Brian Elsenbeck demonstrated his musical skills by alternating between the accordion and the banjo all night with great enthusiasm, and as Dan puts it, he is nicknamed “The Wizard of Accordion Mountain.”  Roger Noyes, on the pedal steel guitar, kept the crowd lingering on every easy going note with a laid back, southern vibe. Fans got a treat when Claire Byrne of Driftwood joined the boys on stage for their classic hit, “Baton Rouge,” adding an angelic vocal twist. One of my favorite moments of the night was during the song, “Dancing Fool,” a new romantic tune with guitar strumming so sweet it caused a few couples to slow dance around the venue.  Dan Johnson’s lyrics break your heart one moment and build you up with loving hope the next, a classic bluegrass rollercoaster. The former Albany local who now calls Vermont home, anticipates more visits to Upstate New York to share his newest album at such festivals as Rhythm on the Ridge on June 8th and Bellstock 20 on July 18th.

    Setlist: Bound for Abiquiu, Come on in My Kitchen, Adam and the Snake Oil Salesman, The Garden Below, My Three Friends, Baton Rouge*, Dancing Fool, Out of the Shade, Off on the Tide, Utica Blues, Another Good Thing is Come and Gone, Someone New, Sid Purple

    *with Claire Byrne of Driftwood

    Pick up Dan’s new album and great merch at his Bandcamp!

  • ‘No Pepper’ a Documentary on Albany’s Historic Music Venue, Valentine’s, needs Kickstarter Support!

    Valentine’s Music Hall and Beer Joint is one of the most well known venues in Albany, hosting hundreds of bands throughout its history and leaving many memories behind after the shows are over. Now, a Kickstarter has been created to fund a Documentary on the classic venue. Titled No Pepper, after the sign at the bottom of the first floor stage, the movie will examine the history of the venue, the bands who played there and the significance it holds for live music fans in Albany.

    Valentine'sCreated by TG Branfalt Jr, he explains his reasoning behind the venue, “The story of Valentine’s has never been told and I think it’s time to tell it. If you’re an East Coast musician you have either heard of, or played at Valentine’s. If you’re a fan of underground or local music you have heard of or been to Valentine’s. As club after club closes it’s important to keep a record of the ones that played a role in shaping the city – no other club helped shape the musicians of Albany like V-Tines. Valentine’s is an incredible venue for budding musicians, run by awesome people. And places for musicians to play in Albany are dying.”

    no pepper valentinesSumming it up as honestly as he can, “Valentine’s is important to Albany’s culture.” Indeed it is.

    Keep in mind that the spread of a certain hospital complex and urban renewal are quickly threatening the location, so it is of the utmost importance to document the venue and its history before too long.

    You can stay in touch with the project through their Facebook page, and take a look at Valentine’s with  Amy Fischer’s profile in of the fabled venue, including a chat with Howard Glassman, the proprietor of the establishment. 

    no pepper valentinesThe Kickstarter is only open until June 19th, so act soon! If you pledge just $25, you’ll get the soundtrack and DVD of the completed documentary.

    Support live music in Albany, but right now, do what you can to support Valentine’s and their Kickstarter for No Pepper.

  • Club D’Elf and Marco Benevento hit Syracuse and Albany this weekend!

    Syracuse’s Westcott Theater and Albany’s Red Square open their doors to a modern experimental supergroup Friday May 31st and Saturday June 1st as Club D’Elf is accompanied by organist and composer Marco Benevento, of the critically acclaimed Benevento/Russo Duo. Club D’Elf defies convention and classification, as they draw on influences from electronica, jazz, dub, progressive rock and traditional and world music.

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    Led by bassist/composer Mike Rivard, the Club D’Elf “club” is designed to be a constantly evolving and revolving musical brotherhood, regularly rotating members, hosting superb artists and incorporating new sounds.  Club guests have included legends John Medeski and Billy Martin of Medeski Martin and Wood, the hip hop/jazz crossover artist DJ Logic, Marc Ribot, Skerik and of course Marco Benevento.  These uniquely gifted talents keep Club D’Elf fresh with new ideas and spontaneity.  This isn’t Mike Rivard’s first rodeo either; Mike brings his experience laying down grooves for big names such as Morphine, Aimee Mann, G Love and Jonathan Brooke among others.  Club D’Elf’s sound grows out of this rhythmic root, past tradition and custom, into the cosmos.  Who knows where listeners may end up when Marco Benevento’s graceful piano melodies dance over Mike Rivard’s deep, thuddy Morroccan trance bass lines?  No matter where you end up, this show is sure to keep your mind fed and your body grooving.

    Tickets are $15.00 at the Westcott Theater and the show starts at 10pm.  At the Red Square the show is $12 and $15 at the door, show starts at 8pm.

  • Album Review: ‘Bound for Abiquiu’ from Dan Johnson and the Expert Sidemen

    Albany native and Vermont resident Dan Johnson, along with his Expert Sidemen, has released his second album, Bound for Abiquiu, on the heels of a successful Kickstarter campaign. With the album release party occurring this Thursday at Valentine’s, along with Driftwood and The Grassroots Rebels, featuring members of Jerkwater Ruckus, Albany is in for a treat, as Dan showcases a classic country/bluegrass sound through superb songwriting and catchy melodies throughout Bound for Abiquiu.

    bound for abiquiu

    Opening with “Adam and the Snake Oil Salesman”, Dan’s country-twinged voice showcases his story telling skills while being complemented nicely by the Sidemen, adding in guitar, banjo and steel pedal guitars. Words of wisdom pour from the chorus, “There’s a road that has no beginning, there’s a great big old place in the sky, there’s an up, there’ a down, there’s a middle ground and you don’t ever have to die.”

    Named for a song and album of the same name by Albany band Knotworking, “The Garden Below” asks questions that lead to a confession, foreshadowing “Utica Blues” later in the album. “My Three Friends” is a truly traditional country tune, in the vein of Johnny Cash and Steve Earle, the way country music should sound, with lyrics on life’s laments and struggles, the sadness of these followed by the hope for better things around the corner. “Come on in my Kitchen” is not the classic blues number of the same name, but instead a pedal-steel accented plea to a lady to come over for dinner; a short, make you smile tune.

    “Another Good Thing is Come and Gone” is a highlight of the album, played and sung in the Del McCoury-style, making it a most traditional bluegrass track. “Dancing Fool”, while not the Frank Zappa song (although Dan’s take on that would be great to hear) is a mellow tune painting a picture of a nervous guy working up the courage to ask a lady to dance, lacking confidence, even calling himself a dancing fool, yet still wanting a dance nonetheless. With a little klesmer intro and accordion adding a nice touch, “Off on the Tide” tells the story of a sailor heading out to sea, sick of the town he’s been at for a spell.

    With a nod to Upstate NY, “Utica Blues” is a gambling song set in Utica, singing the blues about the life of a gambler who comes and goes as he wins and loses.  “Riding into Utica on a dirty old train, when I leave Utica I’ll be riding high again.” For what it’s worth, Utica is the perfect location for this story. Finally, the title track “Bound for Abiquiu” brings a high note to the end of the album, telling the tale of a journey about to be embarked upon. The destination of Abiquiu is a mystery, left to the listener to draw their own conclusion.” Bound for Abiquiu is a perfect album for a sunny summer day or a drive to the Adirondacks or Southern Tier, while picking in the campgrounds at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival or casual listening to a classic country sound.

    Key Tracks: Another Good Thing is Come and Gone, Come on in my Kitchen, Dancing Fool, Utica Blues

  • Former Members of ‘The Band’ to Play The Egg: Jim Weider and Garth Hudson in Project Percolator May 18th

    Woodstock native Jim Weider heads up the Thruway to present Project Percolator featuring Garth Hudson at The Egg on Saturday, May 18th. Jim Weider talked with about his project, growing up in Woodstock and fondly recalls his time spent as a member of The Band.  His resume is long, his music is well crafted and he aptly presents something that is uniquely him.

    JW

    Tabitha (TC): Let’s start off by talking about Project Percolator.  Describe what people can expect from a live show.

    Jim (JW):  It’s all groove instrumental with my Telecaster Guitar. It’s rock style and blues over the top.  We have several albums out and it is structured songs. I like to write instrumentals that are structured just like vocal tunes.  There will be verses, bridges and everything.  Then we have sections in the songs where we stretch it out. We play them differently each time. We might go into a Led Zeppelin line so it’s as exciting for the audience as it is for the band.  All the musicians are so great behind me; depending who takes off, we follow the other.  We try and jam out on certain songs.  We’ll do “The Weight” by The Band, with a reggae feel and then in the middle we’ll jam it out then go into double time. If Garth Hudson (The Band) takes off on the keyboard, we’ll all follow him.  So we do everything differently each night.  It’s kind of exciting for both of us – the audience and us.  I always have a blast playing with these guys.  Rodney Holmes is just an amazing drummer to be seen. Avi Bortnick (John Scofield Band) is on guitar and he plays much different than me. Of course having Garth is a true dream. We’ve been together for many, many years. Garth comes up with amazing sounds. You’ll hear Garth Hudson like nobody’s ever heard him before because the way this band opens it up and lets us play. Everybody has a blast.

    TC: How did you determine with whom you would work with for Project Percolator?

    JW: It started about seven years ago with Percolator. I wanted to branch out from my blues – rock records into something different. I just felt like I was cornering myself. I wanted to get into groove music. I started writing and came up with drum loops. I was lucky enough to get Rodney Holmes. He played with Santana and Brecker Brothers. He freed up and joined me. Once I got Rodney, we toured Europe and United States. Rodney’s been with me the whole time. The bass player, Steve Lucas (Bruce Cockburn) joined up on the Pulse record. We’ve been together for quite a while now. We’re going to play some new tunes, and we’ll bring in some Dylan stuff and some Band tunes also, which we do our own versions.

    TC:  You have worked with Garth Hudson for a number of years, most notably with The Band.  How is working with Garth similar or different in Project Percolator than prior commitments?

    JW:  Garth does some shows with us.  He just fits in because Garth always made all the great atmospheric sounds for The Band.  He was always into effects and sounds so putting him in the midst of Project Percolator works out perfect.  He goes with the flow.  He uses his ears and comes up with some great stuff and then we’ll break it down, then it’ll just be Garth by himself.  He just fits right in with this kind of music because it’s wide open and flowing.  It’s like a glove and very entertaining.  I get a kick out of it and so does the band.  I think the audience will too.

    GH

    TC:  What sparked the idea for Project Percolator?

    JW:  I had done a couple of blues-rock records.  There were a million blues bands and I had done the roots rock thing with The Band.  I just wanted to stretch out more.  Get more down to the R & B feel where it’s about the groove.  So I started with loops. I started recording by myself.   On the first record the drums were over-dubbed.  We’ll do some songs with some loops still.  I just wanted to get out of that corner write something totally unique that’s not your standard blues shuffle.  I really felt like I needed to come up with something fresh and I just stayed with it.  Of course I still played with Levon up until his time of passing.

    TC:  We just past the one-year anniversary of Levon Helm’s passing.  Having worked closely with him for many years, how has his passing impacted you both professionally and personally?

    JW:  Well, you can’t put a finger on when you lose someone you’ve been with that long of a time.  We played a lot of shows.  It’s deep rooted and it’s a huge loss – as a friend and a musician.  About four years ago, Jimmy Vivino went back to Conan on the left coast.  When he did, I joined up.  I still kept Percolator going but it was great to be back playing with Levon.  We did a lot of shows.  I never saw him happier.  He was on top of his game.  He was just very happy and it was great to be with him.  He really inspired me.  He had my back and looked over my shoulder since we started to work together.

    TC:  Do you have a favorite pastime or memory of Levon?

    JW:  Laughing across the country in the back of the bus at three or four in the morning.  That’s what keeps coming up.

    TC:  How has being born and raised in Woodstock contributed becoming a musician?

    JW:  Everybody was playing music.  One after another a new group would come out. Then The Band, from our hometown, came out and that was a huge inspiration.  It was just one thing at a time that led to the fire burning to be a musician.  All these great players were playing around town.  I never went too far.  I went down and saw Paul Butterfield playing at the local café.  All these great musicians playing live and then I saw Sound Outs (impromptu concerts) before there was the Woodstock Festival.  It was a big inspiration living around this area.  It was a fantastic time to be alive for music.  All the sounds were inspirational.

    TC:  When did you first begin to play for an audience?

    JW:  Early on we would play high school dances.  We practiced in my grandmother’s garage.  We had cookies and coffee and just practiced for a high school dance or a hippy party in some older person’s backyard barn until I was old enough to play in bars.

    TC:  What was your first band?

    JW:  It’s hard to remember.  I think I came up with a brilliant idea smoking something other than cigarettes looking up at a bunch of trees laying in the woods going, “hey, I got a great idea for the band, Leaves of Green!”

    TC:  Your resume of musical endeavors is jam packed with various projects.  You’ve done everything from session work, to production, touring, and even large telecast concerts.  Is there and event or a project that stands out for you?

    JW:  Well I guess playing at Dylan’s 60th Anniversary at Madison Square Garden.  We were doing all Dylan tunes with The Band.  Playing the Berlin Wall with Roger Waters when that went down.  Just being able to play Carnegie Hall was fantastic.

    TC:  What was your most surprising, yet satisfying collaboration?

    JW:  Being able to produce tracks on a Mavis Staples disc and playing with her was fantastic.  I also recorded with Scotty Moore, so that was full circle.  I also got to lead The Band at South-by-Southwest in Austin.

    TC:  Is there a collaboration you have yet to do that you would like?

    JW:  I’m not quite sure.  I have to think about that.  People ask me that a lot.  I am starting to write a new album and I have a new live CD that I’ll have at the show.  I had Blues great, James Montgomery play with us.

    TC:  What do you believe was a defining moment in your career?

    JW:  I’d say when I joined The Band in 1985 changed everything.  Levon getting me in the band was pretty amazing.

    TC:  Besides music, do you have another passion, hobby or activity that you enjoy?

    JW:  Yes!  I like to be outside.  I like to go fishing and talk a walk in the woods in stuff.  There is a reservoir not far from me, which is where I like to relax.

    TC:  What is your secret to longevity in the music business?

    JW:  Keep listening, keep the glass half full and just stay at it, don’t give up.  It’s harder now than it’s ever been, but you just have to keep an open mind.  Play for the love of music because if you do it for any other reason, you should get out.

    Preview the sounds in this video:

    Squirrels in Paris

  • Albany’s Alive at Five schedule released, featuring George Clinton and P-Funk, The Original Wailers, The Refrigerators and more

    Albany’s Alive at Five, featuring free music shows at the Corning Preserve overlooking the Hudson River, has announced their 2013 schedule and it looks to be the best one in recent memory. Featuring funk, blues, reggae, country, classic rock and a great deal of local bands, Albany is in for a treat starting June 6th!

    alive at five refrigerators2013 Alive at Five Schedule

    June 6th: The Fabulous Thunderbirds with Super 400

    June 13th: JT Taylor with The Ill Funk Ensemble

    June 20th: The Refrigerators with Molly Durnin

    June 27th: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic with Funk Evolution

    July 11th:  Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Show with Chris Dukes Band

    July 18th: Starship featuring Mickey Thomas with Wild Adriatic

    July 25th: Local Blues Night: The Tom Healey Band and Blues Sanctuary

    August 1st: The Original Wailers with MIRK

    August 8th: Country Night! Skeeter Creek with Whiskey City

    Remember, no coolers, alcohol or drinks allowed in. They’ll be plenty of vendors there to take care of you.

  • Dan Johnson and The Expert Sidemen Announce Kickstarter for Second Album, ‘Bound for Abiquiu’

    Dan Johnson, an Albany native now living in Vermont, has launched a Kickstarter for his second album, Bound for Abiquiu, alongside his Expert Sidemen.

    dan johnson expert sidemenAlready halfway to the their $1000 goal, the album refers to a location in Northern New Mexico, where Dan has “Spent quite a bit of time up that way, and it’s a special and a spiritual place. The title song is about kind of laying down an old life and settling down, going within, returning, letting go, moving past and the process of transformation and how great forces kind of help us with our changes”

    Support Dan’s Kickstarter and see him at the album release party on May 23rd at Valentine’s, with Driftwood and The Grassroots Rebels, feat. members of Jerkwater Ruckus.

  • Mister F and Fikus Electrified Red Square on May 4th

    The boys of Timbre Coup always bring a large crowd whenever they play Albany venues, and building off that following has led to a great reception for Mister F, the new project/collaboration of Ben Pickering, Andrew Chamberlaine and Matt Pickering of Timbre Coup and Scott Hannay of Capital Zen. They brought Fikus to Albany on May 4 at Red Square.

    It was a pleasant surprise to see that a band as collaborative in nature took on a new life outside of both respective bands. All members brought such a high level of talent and energy that it would be seriously difficult to go wrong with this mash up. Although there certainly exist hints of both Timbre Coup and Capital Zen, it was a completely different show and a completely different experience. This is clearly not just a side project for any of the boys, but instead an opportunity to try something outside of what we are all so accustomed to in Albany.

    Scott Hannay on the keys brought an electro feel to the organics of the bass and guitar. It is a perfect mix of organic and synthetic, man and machine. One of the highlights of the night was when Matt abruptly yelled into his microphone “Well, obviously we have a rapist in Lincoln Park,” in which the band responded which a hilarious rendition of Antoin Dobson’s “Hide Ya Kids, Hide Ya Wife.” I was truly unaware that you could actually turn such a ridiculous YouTube sensation into a well composed song. As always, Matt did not cease to impress on the drums with his fast paced beats; the rest of the band followed in step to create phenomenal jams.

    Although some of their past work has been faster paced with ripping guitar solos, it seemed they all shared the stage in an equilibrium within each jam. The experience was absolutely different than any band on the scene. There is certainly no single genre that Mister F would fall under, as they clearly have made it an art of incorporating all talents and reaches of music to compose hardwired songs that will keep you dancing from start to end. Each individual is so passionate about the music they create that each song reaches new highs and lows in every measure. You can catch Mister F at Upstate Spring Revival May 10-11, Strawberry Jam May 19th, Disc Jam June 14th, and The Big Up Music festival August 8-10th.

    Setlist: Deal Breaker, 11, Everything You Say, Bed Intruder> Vocoder, Busters Revenge, Hedgehog> J> Hedgehog, Canned Heat, Jump the Shark . Download the show from Archive.org

    Fikus, a Bergen County, New Jersey based band headlined the night, and although they were named after an obscure Phish song, their show rivaled Mister F’s set. For a nonstop 90 minutes, Fikus played a tremendous selection of songs, ranging across the prog-rock and electronic spectrum. The quintet produced incredible dance numbers, such as “Latin” that had a  distinct Latin-flair to it, before getting spacey in a Brian Eno-style of ambient jamming, before returning into a Moog-heavy shred fest, grinding through the jam and coming out the other side with an audience ecstatic at this distinct sound emanating from the confines of Red Square.

    Jams were stretched out from a prog-rock base that grew and developed into even deeper cuts, ala “Jim Jones”, as Fikus’ own plane of progressive jamming melded into “Nightwalker”. The audience were headbanging as the band cranked out fully synced rock that, bringing them into a wholly new section of improve with a distinct 80’s flair. “Cool Refrigerator” turned the tempo down as Pete Kozak sang acapella as Jon Schmarak provided a piano interlude, before the full band joined in for yet another slamming number that swayed the dancefloor, populated with a solid crowd of late-night revelers intent on bringing Cinco de Mayo in with cheers for mas y mas.  The swinging encore “Tempest” elevated the crowd past 2 a.m., building the anticipation for another return to Upstate New York later this summer, if not sooner.

    Tequila shots were requested and enjoyed during the night, making this twin-bill of fantastic improv-heavy bands a perfect highlight for the warm nights ahead this summer.

    Setlist: Somethin’ Stanky > Latin, Jim Jones > Nightwalker > Dingo , Cool Refrigerator

    Encore: Tempest in a Teapot