NYS Music 20​13

Tag: waterhole

  • The Blind Owl Band’s Road to Recovery

    Our friends and fellow Upstate New Yorkers, The Blind Owl Band need your help as recently while in Buffalo on the road for a show on October 23rd, their van was broken into and all of their instruments were stolen. This type of loss has been a huge blow to the hearts of the band and sets them back on their dreams to live off of making music.

    The band called in re-enforcements and attempted to find their instruments the day after the show but they were unable to recover those instruments. We here at are concerned for them and we want to do all that we can to assist them in purchasing new instruments so that they may continue blowing the roof off of venues all across the Eastern United States with their brand of bluegrass-americana music.

    The band recently posted this message on their FaceBook page:

    “Worst news ever. In coming back to our crash pad for tonight in Buffalo, we found our trailer broken into, all of our instruments stolen among many other things. We need a huge amount of support right now. We strive to find our instruments in these next few days among the city and hope to make as many upcoming gigs as we can, and find the answers we need to pull us through this situation. Our livelihoods have been taken from us. Stunned.”

    List of things stolen for any who are on the look out:
    (Take a look at our photos to see closer details)

    1 – Weber Mandolin (Gallatin) Light natural finish, 1 – 1942 Kay Stand up, Double Bass, 1 – Fender p-Bass Fretless Black, 1 – 2006 Stelling Banjo, 1 – Martin Guitar, 1 – Ashdown Bass Head, 50 or so Blind Owl Band T-Shirts, CD’s, Hot Sauce, and James’ suitcase of clothes and belongings.

    The band also posted this letter to fans and supporters –

    Our instruments and gear being stolen from us has felt like a big blow and quite a set back, but our fans have been more supportive and generous than ever!! We are now on the Road to Recovery, we have shows booked until November 24th, and do not plan on canceling any of them. Many folk have been coming out of the woodwork and have been asking where donations can be made. With the push for us to continue forward, we have opened up a Paypal account where donations can be made to help us get back to zero, below are the instructions

    We would like to thank everyone for their continued support. We are now starting the fund raising process, to support the replacing of our instruments.

    For all who are wondering where donations can be sent, here are instructions:

    Go to paypal.com

    or

    https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/send-money-online

    Go to “Send Money Online”

    Send it to emunley88@gmail.com

    or Log in to your account,

    Select the Send Money Tab

    Send to emunley88@gmail.com

    Select Send Money to Family or Friends

    Send Donation.

    You can also mail cash or check to

    The Blind Owl Band
    P.O. Box 260
    Bloomingdale, NY 12913

    Make sure to also include your name and address, we don’t know how yet but we intend to thank everyone and we want to know how we can get a hold of you and where we can send some stuff.

    – The Blind Owl Band

    Tour Dates:

    November 6, 2013 8:00 pm
    The Thirsty Moose
    Portsmouth,NH

    November 7, 2013 8:00 pm
    Unity College
    Phone:800.624.1024
    90 Quaker Hill Road,Unity,ME

    November 8, 2013 8:00 pm
    Billy’s Tavern
    Phone:207-354-1177
    1 Starr Street,Thomaston,ME

    November 9, 2013 8:00 pm
    The Dutch Treat
    Phone:603-823-8851
    317 Main Street,Franconia,NH

    November 10, 2013 11:00 pm
    The Pizza Stone VT
    Phone: (802)-875-2121
    RT 11 291 Pleasant Street,Chester,VT

    November 12, 2013 7:00 pm
    Pizza Boys
    Phone: 315-520-7111
    9 Clinton Street,New York Mills,NY

    November 13, 2013 8:00 pm
    Timber Tavern
    7153 State fair Blvd,Syracuse,NY

    November 14, 2013 8:00 pm
    The Gates – Bar and Venue
    Phone: 607-319-4198
    422 Eddy St.Ithaca, NY

    November 15, 2013 9:00 pm
    Salt Hill Pub
    Phone:603-676-7855
    7 Lebanon Street,Suite 103, Hanover,NH

    Thanks for supporting our FIGHT to LIVE off of making music!!!!

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  • Review: Lucid’s Album Release Party for ‘Home Is Where We Wanna Grow’, June 14

    Anybody who has spent quality time in the North Country and enjoys a bit of live music has heard of Lucid. Their vibrant and multi-faceted musical capacity is enough to make anybody stop for a listen. The band of six celebrated lots of hard work and the connections they have made along the way with their Home is Where We Wanna Grow Album Release Party on Friday, June 14th. The event was held at the infamous and well-loved Waterhole Music Lounge in Saranac Lake.

    The members of this band radiate the friendly, family-like vibe that Upstate New York’s live music scene is known for. They are always on the floor among the crowd before a show and during set breaks, greeting guests and interacting with their fans and this night was no different. As soon as I arrived I could spot percussion and harp player Lowell Wurster and had no problems getting his attention. We chatted for a moment and his excitement about the release of the new album shined. He explained that, “This one is for the people that want to get local. In a world full of so much doom and gloom, we want to represent something good, be people who aren’t just talking about it but actually doing something. We are working together to build good things and create change, and we have some good people helping us to do that.” Referring not only to connections made through live music, but also to the local organic food culture that is so prevalent here in the North Country, one that is getting bigger and better thanks to the people of Fledging Crow Vegetable Farm that the members of Lucid are so respectfully connected to. This is clear in the lyrics of the first song on the album “We can build this thing, from the ground on up, with a little bit of help from everyone”, that are chanted with such truth. Their inspiration and motivation is high and where there is a will, there is a way.

    There was excitement in the air as the band kicked off the night with a welcoming “World Full” that filled the room warm island sounds. They hopped from one genre to the next and busted out a few favorites before moving on to play the new album in its entirety. The songs were so diverse, showing how expansive and sophisticated their music abilities truly are. Every person at The Waterhole was dancing to the beats and singing along and I found myself in the middle of it all. During the new song “Highest Vibration”, the dance party turned into a 1950’s get-down. To my right I saw many familiar faces and to my left couples in Harley Davidson attire, the crowd as diverse as the music. There was truly something here for everyone. Keyboardist and singer Andrew Deller surprised the crowd with his accordion playing, while James Armstrong jazzed up the night with his sax. After a quick setbreak the music began again and some old favorites were played, including “Skipping like a Stone”, “Whoa Mamma”, “Psychedelic Circus” and a solid pair of Talking Heads covers, “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” and “Psycho killer” , both of which you can always count on hearing.

    These guys have an array of instruments as well as character. They have so much fun on stage and are clearly proud to share their music with anybody who wants to join in and become a piece of their colorful mosaic. Their new album reminds us all why we have a love affair with this band and why the North Country would just not be the same without them.

    Be sure to check out Lucid’s 7th annual Backwoods Pondfest, in Peru, NY on August 2nd-3rd!

    Download Home Is Where We Wanna Grow on iTunes for free

    Read Lindsey Jones’ review of Home is Where We Wanna Grow

  • Album Review: Lucid’s “Home is Where We Wanna Grow”

    I first experienced Lucid about a year ago at a sushi restaurant after one of the Phish shows at SPAC. They had been on my radar for several years, as they regularly toured Upstate NY, but I had never had the pleasure until that night. I was excited to learn that they were working on a third album, Home is Where We Wanna Grow. With two solid studio albums under their belt, 2005’s Miles Deep and 2009’s Dewdmanwah, as well as a live album, extensive tour dates and their own festival, Backwoods Pondfest, the timing of this album is perfect.

    Home is Where We Wanna GrowHome is Where we Wanna Grow is a diverse mix of genres, instruments, vocals as well as intensity. Lyrically, the album is an intricately blended mix of tongue  in cheek humor, observation and inner reflection. Songs range from the bouncy and hard-hitting “Boats” to the soulful and searching “Purple Moon”.

    Lucid brings distinct musical personalities and feels to each song; “Parisian Melancholy” brought thoughts of a Paris street, while “Highest Vibration” felt like a song one would hear at a 1950’s sock hop. Even ska made an appearance in “Green Money”. I was impressed with the thoughtfulness of their lyrics, as well as the care that they took with each song, making it truly a holistic listening experience. Overall this album offers a wonderful overview of all that Lucid offers, and I am excited to see them live again soon.

    Pick up their new album at their release party, Friday June 14th at the Waterhole in Saranac Lake or at their website www.rulucid.com. You can also check out Lucid’s festival, Backwoods Pondfest, August  2-3 in Peru, NY.

    Key Tracks: Ground on Up, Boats, Pterodactyl Lips

  • 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.

  • Lucid at Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival, February 9th at The Waterhole – Full Show Video

    Back at the Waterhole for the final edition of Winter Carnival 2013, the North Country’s biggest act, Lucid, closed out the night of music accompanied by Flabbergaster with their mix of party rock. The music of Lucid is a mix of jamming, blues, rock, and funk that brings an awesome party sound rarely found elsewhere, especially in Upstate. Kevin Sabourin on guitar, Lowell Wurster on percussion, Jamie Armstrong on saxophone, Chris Shacklett on bass, Andy Deller on keys and Kyle Murray on drums make up this sprawling act that meshes together with ease. One of the notable parts of the night was when the band brought out proud dad George Wurster to belt out some tunes and wail on the mouth harp, just like his son Lowell. All of the tunes were fantastic, especially the cover of War’s “Why can’t we be Friends”, as well as Chris Shacklett playing earlier in the day with The Blind Owl Band and covering “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads.

    Video footage by Ryan Woodard

    For more on Lucid, visit their website, MySpace, Sonicbids and Youtube sites.

    Thanks for watching listing and stay tuned for more coverage of more great Upstate NY bands!

  • Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band at Winter Carnival, The Waterhole, Saranac Lake, February 8

    Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band played The Waterhole’s upstairs music lounge on February 8th as part of Winter Carnival 2013.  The Waterhole, normally a crowded venue, wasn’t entirely full for this show but enough people were there to enjoy the band’s soulful 70’s and early/mid 90’s ska-like sound. Kat Wright’s most memorable song was a cover of Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher”.

    Soul singers who may have had an influence on the band include Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles and even Jackson Browne. I mention early 90’s ska due to the enormous horn sound that they bring, reminiscent of Less than Jake. Kat Wright is formed from various projects across Vermont and New York State. The band consists of Shane Hardiman on keys, Josh Weinstein on bass, Dan Ryan on drums, Jake Whitesell on sax, Max Bronstein-Paritz on guitar, Dave Purcell on trumpet and Kat Wright on vocal. You can check out Kat Wright on the web and on Facebook 

  • Blind Owl Band at Winter Carnival, The Waterhole, Saranac Lake on February 9th

    Blind Owl Band played The Waterhole in Saranac Lake on February 9th as part of Winter Carnival 2013. This was one of the free shows, a post-parade party in the upstairs music lounge, and it was packed shoulder to shoulder.

    Everybody was jamming to the music, whether it was for the first or 100th time. The Blind Owl Band are local to Saranac Lake and play all over the state, as well as Vermont and several other locations. The band consists of Eric (mandolin), James (banjo), Arthur (guitar) and Christian (bass), and although they do not consider themselves a bluegrass band, they do play an eclectic mix of all music from all the sounds in their heads. While jamming, they brought out several guests to play with them,  such as members of Lucid, local fiddler Addison Bigford and many others. The most notable song of the night was a cover of Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer”

  • Listen to the new Formula 5 album

    Formula 5, one of the fastest up and coming acts in the Capital District are about to release their debut, self-titled album, and has your first listen to these tracks. If you don’t know about Formula 5, here’s a primer from an interview with the band last fall.

    formula 5 albumAs for the tracks, take a listen below. We’ll have a full review later this month, so take a listen to a solid debut album from Formula 5, and catch them for their CD Release show on March 2nd at Red Square in Albany with Funktional Flow from Buffalo supporting. They are also playing on February 15th with Vasudo at Acoustic Cafe in Bridgeport, CT; March 1st with Funktional Flow at The Monopole in Plattsburgh; March 12th with Assortment of Crayons at Oasis Cafe in New Paltz; March 22nd at The Waterhole in Saranac Lake with Project Weather Machine; and May 11th at Upstate NY’s first BIG outdoor event of the year – The Upstate Spring Revival in Lyons, NY