NYS Music 20​13

Category: Regions

  • Interview: Blood of the Martyrs

    botmimagesBlood of the Martyrs is a ministry band hailing from Virginia that started back in 2007. They travel the states as a DIY band, getting up close and personal with their craft and with the fans, bridging out with anyone who comes to the shows. This is the second time they’ve been at The Dungeon bringing along the New Jersey-based band, Alive In The Dark, with them for a few stops and sharing the stage that night with locals such as Jonestown, This Above All and Collisions In Grey And Red. I’d like to thank Larry Moore of The Division Sequence/Wrapped In Noir/M.D.I.G (Mom Dad I’m Gaelic).  I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did and hit them up with likes and check out their music since they put a lot of effort into what they do and put on one hell of a show! Also hit up Larry for shows in your area and/or flyer work, the man has talent and does a lot in the scene.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35p0LZ0QPVc&w=560&h=315

    Here’s my first nation band interview with Blood of the Martyrs for 315 Street Team and Upstate Metal. Thanks To Larry Moore of the Division Sequence for setting this up.

    BOTM pages:
    http://www.facebook.com/Bloodofthemartyrs?fref=ts
    http://www.myspace.com/bloodofthemartyrs
    http://bloodofthemartyrs.bandcamp.com/al…
    http://www.youtube.com/user/BLOODOFTHEMA…
    http://twitter.com/BOTM_BAND

    315 Street Team:
    http://www.facebook.com/315StreetTeam?ref=ts&fref=ts

    http://www.youtube.com/user/rundownmaggot666

    The Division Sequence:
    http://www.facebook.com/TheDivisionSequence?ref=ts&fref=ts

  • Johnny Mathis serenades fans at The Palace Theater in Albany on April 4th

    Legendary singer Johnny Mathis performed last Thursday April 4th at the Palace Theater in Albany, NY. I was originally told about this show by my parents, who grew up listening to his classic hits and were eager to see the crooner in action.

    The Palace Theater was the ideal setting for a Johnny Mathis concert, given its rich history and architecture. The crowd slowly shuffled in with most of the fans being no younger than 55. It was an unfamiliar feeling for me to be one of the youngest concert goers at a show. I was both thrilled and surprised to see a full orchestra set up on stage.  Knowing that The Palace Theater has plenty of space for the music to travel around in, I suddenly couldn’t wait for the show to start. Luckily for me and everyone else, Johnny Mathis started the show at 8pm on the dot and was greeted with a slow-rising standing ovation. Johnny_Mathis

    The opener was “When I Fall in Love”, to which I had never heard such utter silence from a crowd. Every set of eyes and ears were locked on Mr. Mathis, giving him his much deserved attention and respect. He stated how he was “thrilled to be at The Palace” and was going to play some songs that we’ve all heard before but he loved to sing them. After a few notes, it was easy to understand why Johnny Mathis has broken the Guinness World Record for selling over 350 million of his various gold and platinum albums worldwide. Despite being 78 years old, Johnny Mathis can still sing every word as crisp and clear as on his albums, and still with great gusto. Mathis sang his classic hits such as “It’s Not For Me to Say” and my favorite, “Chances Are.” The songs were filled with charming doo-wops and sincere, long sustained notes.

    Throughout the entire show, at the start of every song, the whole audience would sigh and swoon. Johnny Mathis would sing a few notes, the crowd would sigh in admiration and I could hear the folks around me gently singing the lyrics to each other.  As humorous as it was, it was still heartwarming to be included in a nostalgic evening for concert-goers. Mathis ended the first set with an emotional cover “Yesterday” by The Beatles. There was a brief intermission where comedian Brad Upton kept guests entertained with clean cut jokes about today’s youth and their obsession with technology, the humor of getting older plus plenty of marriage/relationship advice. Mr. Upton delivered each punch line with charm that it was no surprise that he won the crowd over in just a few laughs. Brad Upton recently was the winner of the Las Vegas Comedy Festival and has appeared at Caesar’s Palace as part of the HBO Comedy Festival. bradupton2

    Johnny Mathis began the second set with the recognizable song “Pure Imagination” from the film Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. One of Mathis’ signature songs, “Misty”, received plenty of cheers due to the soaring string section and tender lyrics. The second set was mellow and easy going until Johnny Mathis brought up his fellow band mate and “Dear friend of 48 years”, Gil Reigers to center stage. The crowd got antsy as this was a sure sign that the two would play “12th of Never”, a warm ballad with gentle guitar strumming from Reigers. Johnny Mathis ended the evening by serenading the crowd with the classic song “You’ll Never Know” and thanking the talented orchestra, loyal band mates, his dedicated fans and of course, the beautiful venue, The Palace Theater.

  • The Jam Journey Home: Aqueous and Turkuaz weekend in Vermont, March 30th and 31st

    Road trip. Two words that will instill excitement, desire, and even a wee bit of anxiety in any music lover. This particular trip would involve three people’s weekend journey into the beautiful mountains of Vermont, culminating in an excursion to see two of the Northeast’s finest bands, Buffalo’s Aqueous and NYC’s Turkuaz, playing together at the revered historical jewel of a venue: Nectar’s in Burlington.

    Our Friday stop was in the sleepy little town of Manchester, Vermont which is snuggled comfortably in the southeast corner of the state just across the New York border for a two set Aqueous show at The Perfect Wife Restaurant and Tavern.

    The Perfect Wife resides on a windy country road and had a packed dinner crowd up until show time, which made for some interesting logistics prepping sound and equipment around families enjoying their dinners. The venue was immaculately clean and featured a friendly accommodating staff, a diverse menu featuring many local products and an excellent selection of draft micro-brews.

    Aqueous took the stage a bit after 10pm to a decent crowd with a well executed, if somewhat standard version of “What’s the Connection”. This would be the last of the standard renditions for the night as the rest of this set was pure fire. Top notch versions of “Skyway” and “They’re Calling For Ya” came next, both featuring some especially adventurous improvisation between the composed parts and the start of a “Cissy Strut” tease that would permeate almost every song for the rest of the night. The highlight of the first set was an intense 17 minute version of “Complex” which, despite being a relatively new song, has joined the upper echelons of the band’s most jammed out tunes. The set closed out with a 23 minute combo of Hendrix’s “Bold As Love” into the original “All In”.

    The second set started off with an on-the-spot improv jam based on Chic’s “Good Times” which segued into the often paired original duo of “Eon Don” and “Timmy’s Blades”. Manchester got a special treat in this set as it marked the debut of a first time played original “The Village Dog and Pony Show”. The new song was an excellent example of Aqueous’s brilliance at genre-knitting sequences that seem to have no business being in the same song into one seamless composition. Imagine if Rush and Muse had a hot threesome with Umphrey’s McGee’s “Booth Love” and you’ll be somewhere in the ballpark of this songs sound. had a chance to talk with guitarist Mike Gantzer about the story behind this song, and while we can’t reveal the gritty details, the song is written about a person who was too consumed with his own self interests to be courteous to others. Other second set highlights included a very experimental version of the original “Origami” featuring a keys sit-in by Scott Hannay (Mister F, Capital Zen) who was also helping out with sound that night.

    The next morning, after a quick breakfast, it was time to head to Burlington. After a fun day enjoying the shops of Burlington  and a chili cook off at Nectar’s — with guest judge Jon Fishman of Phish — we were able to witness an absolutely breathtaking sunset as we arrived at the venue a few minutes before Aqueous’s opening set.

    Nectar’s is everything a jam fan might imagine: filled with artwork in line with the venue’s rich musical history, well kept and staffed, excellent sound and heady selection of brews with a large local focus.

    Like the night before, Aqueous wasted no time getting right into it and delivered another set filled with excellence for the Vermont denizens whom showed up early. Highlights included the opening original “Pictures”, a fun mash-up of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Aqueous original “Warren in the Window” and yet another monster “Complex”.

    Next up was the mighty Turkuaz, with the ten members lined up on the stage, which made even the ample sized Nectar’s stage look minimal. The entire band came decked out in one piece coveralls, maintaining their fashion statement from the Rochester show the previous night. Despite the ten people on stage, their sound is unbelievably tight and comes across as one unified funk force. Like Sly on steroids, the band flowed effortlessly from song to song with ample improvisation and a large portfolio of well chosen covers including top notch versions of Led Zeppelin’s “Trampled Under Foot” and The Band’s “The Shape I’m In”. Beyond the music, the bands three vocalists all have top quality pipes that add an extra layer of soul to the funk souffle. At this point the venue was packed to the gills. All eyes were on Turkuaz and all feet were moving in unison with the thundering waves of funk. They played late into the night and left the Nectar’s crowd fully satiated. Even if you are not a fan of this genre, Turkuaz is an absolute must see band.

    Aqueous setlist: 2013-03-29 Manchester VT

    Set 1 What’s the Connection, Skyway, They’re Calling For You[T1], Complex [T1], Triangle[T1], Axis>All In[T2]

    Set 2 Good Times Jam[Chic]->Eon Don->Timmy’s Blades->Warren[N1], The Village Dog and Pony Show [N2], Origami[N1,3][T3], Just[N4][T1]>Strange Times, Pictures

    Teases: 1 Cissy Strut 2. YYZ 3. Amber [311] multiple times
    Notes: 1. “North Face” lyrical modifications 2. Debut 3. With Scott Hannay [Capital Zen/Mister F] on keys 4. Radiohead cover

    Listen here.

    Aqueous setlist: 2013-03-30 Burlington VT

    Set 1: Pictures>All In[T1], Strange Times, They’re Calling For Ya[T2,3],The Village Dog and Pony Show, Skyway, Bohemian Rhapsody->Warren[T4]->Bohemian Rhapsody>Complex

    Teases.1. Pictures 2. Xxplosive [Dr Dre] 3. Next Episode [Dr Dre] 4.Closer to the heart [Rush]

    Listen here.

    Turkuaz setlist: 2013-03-30 Burlington VT

    Set 1: Physical Challenge, Future 86, Bubba Slide, Smarter Than the Speaker, Gremlins, Slippery People, Getting Closer, Trampled Under Foot, Snap Your Fingers, E.Y.E.>XYZ, Desert Island>Coast to Coast, The Shape I’m In, Pickin’ Up, Hold On I’m Comin’, Chatte Lunatique>Club Foot, Beast of Burden, The Harder They Come, Monkey Fingers

  • NYS Music’s 4/20 Show Roundup

    April 20th has evolved into a counterculture holiday, with ties to Deadheads and hippies and just about every person you probably know or will know. Music venues all over Upstate New York are using this as another reason to see live music! Here is our compiled list of 4/20 shows around the state.

    Lower Hudson

    Bethel Woods -Felice Brothers with Driftwood

    4/20 showsBinghamton

    Fitzie’s – Mantraverse, Inner Mission, The Benjamin Raubinsons, Hung Like Horses, The Quantum, Amber Martin

    Buffalo

    Nietzsche’s – Family FUNKtion and the Sitar Jams, The Heavy Pets

    Town Ballroom– Hellzapoppin

    The Tralf – The Maniacs

    U of B – Aqueous, Haewa, The Assortment of Crayons

    Canandaigua

    V Pub – 34 Feet Deep, In The Box, Fire Wheel

    Oneida

    The Madison House – Project Weather Machine

    Rochester

    Water Street Music Hall -The Manhattan Project

    Montage Music Hall – Groove Fest

    Lovin’Cup – 4/20 Bash

    Featuring: Hollands, Extended Family, The Filthy McNastys and The Buddhahood

    Syracuse

    Tipperary Square – Hot Day at the Zoo, Tim Herron Corp, and more

    Saranac Lake

    Waterhole – Cabinet w/ The Blind Owl Band

    Utica

    The Uptown Theatre– Childhoods’ End

    Downstate

    Port Chester – The Capitol Theatre– Furthur

    Burlington, VT

    Higher Ground Ballroom – Kung Fu, Twiddle

    Nectars – Touch Pants, Jon Fishman

  • Summer in Saratoga: A Rock Art Exhibition’ poster show to be held during Phish’s three-night run at SPAC

    Summer in Saratoga will take place at The Saratoga Hilton on July 5, 6 & 7 th. Admission is Free and open to all ages. The exhibit will run all three dates from 10am-3pm. The poster show will feature the best Phish inspired art, including limited edition art made specifically for the show.

    The poster show featuring Phish artists from around the country was developed and produced by a group of artists and fans, this poster show will be held in the middle of a weekend of Phish.

    Phish poster shows have been held over the years with great success, as unique posters made for the Phish shows that weekend and stop on the tour feature some of the best concert art being produced today. ‘Summer in Saratoga’ is the second event produced by The Mothership Art Collective, a group within the Phish community, comprised of artists and organizations who promote the art inspired by the band Phish. Their initial poster show, ‘First Tube’, was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey on June 16th, 2012 and was a success for all who participated in the event and raised $2000 to benefit The Mockingbird Foundation. The eclectic artists featured at this poster show displays the broad scope of Phish related art and capture the inspiration of the band in their art. The creative fan base that Phish has makes for amazing art inspired by the band, the locales and the music. The collective works hard to bring an art show to the Phish touring public each year.

    In keeping with the great tradition and success of past poster shows, Summer in Saratoga will offer free entry to all patrons, tubes available for purchase, charitable donations from the event made to The Mockingbird Foundation and a wide array of artists with posters to fit any budget. Artists will be announced in early May, as well as any special edition works that will only be available at the show.

    The Saratoga Hilton is located in downtown Saratoga Springs, only 3 miles from Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC).

  • Dark Star Orchestra adds Buffalo and Rochester to Spring Tour East 2013

    If you were one of many Upstate New Yorkers’ who were bummed to learn that Dark Star Orchestra was not coming closer to Rochester or Buffalo on their way to Thornville, Ohio for the Jubilee on their Spring Tour East 2013 then cry no more my friends! With the cancellation of Mighty High Mountain Festival, the band has added shows and they’re commin’ to town.

    Dark Star Orchestra has added May 18th at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, NY. Admission is $25, All Ages (Under 16 admitted with parent or guardian). Show starts at 9pm and you can purchase your tickets online Here via DSOtix.

    May 19th at Rochester’s Water Street Music Hall the show starts at 8pm, All Ages! Admission is $24 and you can pick up your advance purchase tickets via DSOtix Here or through the venue website Here.

    For more information on DSO’s Spring Tour East 2013 check out DSO Online.

  • The Machine, April 6th, Westcott Theater

    This past Saturday Night I got the chance to experience The Machine at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse.

    The Machine started the set with thumping of a heart beat  from “Speak to me”, then segued into “Breathe”, followed by “Time”, just as on Dark Side of the Moon, drawing everyone to the front of the stage. The entire show was accompanied by a spectacular light and fog show that set the atmosphere for the entire evening. From there, the band played “What do you want from me” and “Happiest Days of our lives”, then took a short setbreak before returning with “Pigs on the Wing” and “Dogs”.

    Later in the show, renditions of “Wish you were Here” and “Comfortably Numb” led to the crowd singing along in unison. There was an eerie circus sound made when the band moved into “Waiting for the Worms” and the “Trial”, off the soundtrack to The Wall. The crowd reciprocated by holding up their arm’s in X’s, just as in The Wall.  The Machine finished with an encore of “Outside of the Wall”, a spectacular way to end the night.

    For more information on The Machine, visit their Facebook and MySpace pages

  • The Big Takeover this weekend in Poughkeepsie & Hudson

    The Big Takeover is a unique concoction of backgrounds and spirits that perfectly creates a version of reggae that is fresh and vivid. With Jamaican born and raised NeeNee Rushie as a captivating and memorable front woman, this movement complete with a playful horn section, pulsating bass and drums, and a hypnotizing rhythm section fills its audience’s hearts with good vibes and solid joy.

    big takeover

    The Big Takeover is making a return to Ciboney Cafe in Poughkeepsie, NY, April 12th. The show starts at 8pm and goes till 11pm. A dinner menu is available between 5pm-10pm and a Happy Hour from 6pm-8pm. Tickets can be purchased at the venue.

    The band then moves onto a show at Club Helsinki in Hudson, NY, April 13th. Dinner will be served at 6pm and the show starts at 9pm, Rich Shultz is the opening band Saturday night. Admission is $10/$12 and you can purchase tickets online Here.

  • Video Release: Surrender the Fall – “Some Kind of Perfect”

    stfpromo2012Attention music lovers! Today, Surrender the Fall dropped the official music video for their latest single, “Some Kind of Perfect.” Watch it below.

    Since the release of their debut record, Burn in the Spotlight, Surrender the Fall has developed a small fan base which continues to grow as the days pass. So far, the band has released two videos for their single – “Love Hate Masquerade” and now, “Some Kind of Perfect” – filled with a explosive riffs and fiery lyrics. Check it out below and let us know what you think!

  • Bella Terra (Aug 15-18 2013) Becoming one of Upstate New York’s Great Annual Festivals

    Bella Terra Festival originated in 2009 as a music, art and culture festival to raise funds for Berkshire County, Massachusetts Arts Scholarships.

    Since 2009, the festival is no longer purely a benefit event, but instead a diverse mix within the art and music scene allowing many artists to showcase their work to a larger crowd. The festival puts a large focus on the green movement, inspiring their patrons to think globally and act locally (after all, Bella Terra translates to “Beautiful Earth” in both Spanish and Portuguese). Over the past few years the festival has shown a wide variety of  support from many different organizations including Strangers Helping Strangers, Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Western Mass Labor Action, The Nature Conservancy and many more. Throughout the festival’s grounds you can see the dedication to the environmentally clean lifestyle. Aside from their righteous goal to the keep the earth beautiful, they also bring some pretty phenomenal musical acts to this quaint little farm town (so quaint, in fact, that you may find your camp site a stones throw from a grazing field of cows.) The location is absolutely beautiful and a great location to showcase a variety of different artists.

    The past few years have boasted names such as Melvin Seals and JGB, Sucker Punch, Immortal Technique, Phutureprimitive, OTT, Max Creek, Lee Scratch Perry, The Mickey Hart Band, BoomBox, Hot Buttered Rum and many, many more. Clearly this festival covers a wide spectrum of musical tastes. This years initial lineup includes Emancipator, Liquid Stranger, Zach Deputy, Max Creek, Minnesota, Abakus, Cinnamon Chasers, Start Making Sense (Talking Heads tribute), Turkuaz, The Alchemystics, Arch Nemesis, Homeboy Sandman, Bastinado (powered by Reactable), Caravan of Thieves, Goosepimp Orchestra, Deejay Theory, Cheat Code, Dj Leila, Leave it On Stage, Digital $torm, Cosmal, The Edd, The Black Rebels, Danny Pease and The Regulators, Orange Television, Mentally Ill, Wolfman Conspiracy, Waylon Speed, Lion-Bird Soudsystem, Digital Dharma, Gang of Thieves, Great White Caps, Mass Air Flow, Voltran, Luzcid, The Chronicles, The Professors, Mass, Tweed, Outer Stylie, The Hornitz, Serotheft, Redshift and Iganic Soundsystem. The second announcement included one of dubstep’s number one names, Datsik, with Michael Menert who is the first solo artist to be signed to Pretty Lights Music. Also added was Ghostface Killah, Wu Tang Clan’s hip hop legend. This is sure to be another great festival for upstate New York.

    The festival will be held August 15-18 on Gardner’s Farm in Stephentown, New York.

    For more information check out Bella Terra on Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/bellaterrafest?group_id=0