Author: Greg Jackson

Hearing Aide: My Plastic Sun EP ‘All of This’

Wednesday, August 13 marks the drop date for My Plastic Sun’s latest EP entitled All of This, another three song excursion into the dreamy, indie, power-pop, ambient world occupied by the likes of Coldplay, Radiohead and The Beatles.

The band remains hard to pin down as each track expresses a different part of their collective musical soul, echoing their influences while creating new horizons musically. Lyrically they’ll make you play each piece repeatedly, wanting to embrace the depth of the story while floating along with the swelling melodies. While My Plastic Sun continues their tradition of self-recording, they’ve enlisted the mixing magic of L.A. based, Grammy Award winner Greg Collins (U2, Gwen Stefani, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.) to take the helm. As you might expect, the results are remarkable.

The single “All of This” opens and immediately grabs your senses with a rich, layered, signature sound that will be familiar, yet fresh, to those who know the band and auditory bliss to new listeners. Roy’s experience in the studio gave Greg all he needed to mix a chart-topping single, all wrapped up for worldwide consumption. It tastes of Morrissey melancholy blended with OMD romanticism fronting The Church, only better. One moment it’s sparse and dark, the next swirling in textural waves. Johnny’s voice is so expressive and heartfelt, with a range and depth of character that is remarkable, yet somehow shows another level on this song. The band is so distinct, yet approachable, dynamic, but comfortable. The result jumps from the speakers in the shape of an instant earworm.

“We Are Free” is pure, lush, romanticism, a poetic love song highlighting Johnny’s vocal dexterity and the band’s uncanny way with a hook. Roy and Johnny keep setting the bar higher as a songwriting team; they know their strengths and magnify them through the individual talents at their demand. The soft, bright, soft, bright builds and the twist in the chorus makes you wonder if the protagonist is in love or broken-hearted, pretty much what all of the greatest pop songs do. There is an element that’s left to the listener to personalize, difficult for many, these guys make it seamless.

The ending piece, “Your Prayer” is especially poignant with the recent loss of Robin Williams at his own hand. You can feel the emotion drip from Johnny’s voice as he tells this tale of those who stand strong for another through the pain of depression and addiction. There’s an element of Thom Yorke channeling here, the soar to falsetto is emotive and realizing, the depth of topic, takes me right back to the first paragraph. Radiohead, The Beatles and splash in a little Butch Vig for color. Brilliant stuff.

From my first listen I’ve championed this band. The combination of talents and their range, mixed with the extraordinary songwriting provides the listener with a world-class product that rivals any being made today. My Plastic Sun has been opening some big doors this year receiving strong airplay on Sirius XM’s The Coffee House with “Couldn’t Love You More” being the top-played song for ten weeks running. This bringing the band the opportunity to record live in the SiriusXM studios and perform live on The Coffee House. Don’t let this band pass you by, they’re offering the new EP as a download for free on their SoundCloud page. Check them out online and spread the word, this band is on the rise!

My Plastic Sun is:

Johnny Cummings (pictured on the album cover): lead vocals, piano, synths, organ, mellotrons, lead electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass, and banjo

Roy Stein: drums, percussion, sampling and programming, assorted keyboards and synths, electric and acoustic guitars, and background vocals

Sam (Overhand Sam) Snyder: electric and acoustic guitars

Kyle Vock: electric and upright bass.

Follow My Plastic Sun

Website | Facebook | Twitter

August 16, 2014
Fox Fest Blows Up CNY Festival Scene In Year 5

As Fox Fest approaches year five of its festival run, the growth of the event in its own right is noteworthy. What began as a blending of three friends’ annual parties, has now taken on a scale enviable by many regional festivals. Located in the pastoral hills south of Syracuse, Fox Fest is a non-profit event that annually donates its proceeds to honorable charities; this year’s proceeds will go to the Cpl. Kyle R. Schneider Foundation, a local Marine who lost his life serving our country in 2011 while in Afghanistan.

The festival is organized by George Ryan and Kelly Nichols, held on their property in Navarino, and sponsored by a large group of local businesses, residents and attendees. There’s a full professional production provided by Wizzard Sound Corporation including staging, PA system, and lighting, while local food vendors like Limp Lizard BBQ provide food and refreshments at reasonable rates. It’s a family-friendly event that allows camping, coolers full of whatever you choose, and the open space to enjoy yourselves while security by Onondaga County Sheriffs keeps things safe, but not restrictive.

Each year, Fox Fest tries to bridge musical genres, bringing a little bit of a taste for everyone while keeping to a high standard of performance that matches their event. Previous headliners have included Childhood’s End – A Tribute To Pink Floyd, Vinyl Albums – LIVE, Frostbit Blue and local favorites Emerald City. This year’s roster features the return of TJ Sacco and The Urban Cowboys, Dave Porter (the former front man of regional legend and national recording artists 805) with his bass and drum robot, Bob, ‘80s metal monsters Three Inch Fury, and the remarkable Tiger and Off The Reservation as headliners. With twelve solid hours of music, including eight bands and three acoustic acts to play during change-overs, Fox Fest is easily one of the most musically diverse events of the year.

The event will be held on Saturday, August 2 at 3242 Fox Road in Syracuse, from 12:00 pm until 12:00 am. Admission is gained through a donation to the event which gets you entrance and an event t-shirt that functions as your ticket. $24.00 pre-pay includes the t-shirt or $25.00 at the gate with no t-shirt. Call or text 315-382-5896 OR e-mail bruddyryan (at) hotmail.com or gryan (at) billrapp.com and they’ll send you a form or even fill it out for you! The donation deadline is coming up fast (July 11), and you don’t want to miss out on “the biggest backyard party of the summer”, so get your donation in soon to join a couple thousand of your closest friends!

July 1, 2014
Hearing Aid: Mosaic Foundation “Signs Of The Time”

Rochester reggae stalwarts Mosaic Foundation have released their latest album, Signs of The Times and have announced a big CNY show with The Moho Collective on Saturday, March 8th at The Lost Horizon in Syracuse. This will be the first time both bands have appeared at the legendary club and a fantastic opportunity for folks to see these two spectacular Rochester-based bands together. Skip to the end for details, but let’s check out the album first.

Mosaic Foundation has been plying their trade around the Northeast for half a decade, always danceable and infectious, open and joyful, reflective of the vibe and groove of their loosely framed genre. The disc jumps out of the gate with “We Can Make It If We Try”, a signature sounding anthem, reflective and positive, upbeat and uplifting, as Cha Cha establishes his vocal command and a flat-out infectious groove. “Reggae Escape” stretches the authenticity of Cha Cha’s voice and the band’s message, “This music is used to settle disputes … used to teach the youth their roots … righteous truths brothers.” The variety of pacing used here keeps the listener anticipating the next, whether driven by JP’s drums or Ken’s funky scratches. “My Planet”, then “Helping Hands” express the joy and sorrow of existence balanced against the perspective of survival and giving, the basic inter-connective tissue between everyone.

The title track picks up the theme and puts a bounce under it, letting the positive outweigh the negative, giving it breath to keep up the fight. Allowing space for reflection and vision while following a true path set before them. “Stand Firm” feels like a homage to those who’ve gone before them and a rallying cry to those they stand shoulder to shoulder with. It’s defiant, it’s firm, but the heartfelt joy comes out on top. “Abundance Of Water” is a call to arms of sorts, asking for vision from those living merely in the present. Then “San Kofa” spins forward the guitars and the band feels the up-shift in pacing, and depth of message, intensifying their passion for both.

“Praises” shows the true authenticity of Mosaic Foundation, each member’s musical instinct understands spacing, pacing and breathing. Reggae must be felt, perhaps more than any other genre, there’s a natural motion implied and if it doesn’t move you, it falls flat. There’s none of that here. “Harder The Battle” remains expressive of the struggle and what will overcome it, unity, love, strength, honesty and joy. “Harder the battle, sweeter the victory” indeed. “Jellyfish”, the closer, let’s the boys cut it loose and jam a little, the mix of the keys is deep and layered, evoking layers of feeling like an oceanic trip. The piano is exemplary, the guitar tasty and the rhythm solid, the idea of closing with an instrumental is unique and confident. Very cool stuff, well played and much respect!

Be sure to hit the big upcoming show on March 8th at The Lost Horizon with The Moho Collective! Check out The Moho Collective’s website. Advance tickets are available from Mosaic Foundation members. More details are available on the facebook event page here.

Mosaic Foundation is:

Ken Luk – guitars/ Melodica/ Minimoog/ piano/ vocals
Ekwem Itot Bogmis – piano/ Rhodes/ Hammond Organ/ vocals
Michael Corey – guitars
John-Paul Nawn – drums/ vocals
“Bongo” Brian Davis – percussion
“Cha Cha” Yao Foli Augustine – lead vocals/ percussion
Aaron Sprague – bass
Zach Dumrese – Sound Captain

Guests on this recording:
Angelo Peters – clavinet/ Farfisa and Hammond organ/ guitar
Lee Hamilton – sax
Ryan Zawel – trombone

February 22, 2014
Hearing Aide: Blue Falcon “First Flight”

John Viviani’s latest incarnation is Blue Falcon, the Rochester guitarist/singer/songwriter teams with drummer/vocalist Devon Trammel and bassist/vocalist Ben Stephanus. First Flight, their debut EP was released last August and continues to garner critical acclaim across the Northeast, and here’s some more!

After reviewing Filthy Funk for this publication I knew I’d keep track of what John was up to musically, I couldn’t have asked for a better direction for him to take as he spun it right into my wheelhouse. A product of the irrepressible Rochester scene, John’s place as a guitarist is already well documented, Devon and Ben are held to the same high expectations and they don’t disappoint for a moment here. Add producer and engineer to John’s credits along with the able hands and ears of Nick Murray on the mix, mastering by Brian Moore at Redbooth Recording.

“Slow Drag” is a great choice as opener with each instrumentalist having space to put an initial signature on the EP, from John’s crunchy rhythm line and outro solo, to Devon and Ben holding tight to, then whipping the reigns, layer on the vocals and “Slow Drag” comes out of the gate fast. They ease in some funk on “Tellin’ Lies” while holding to the theme of pop/rock until they break out into almost a surf-rock break under John’s solo. The recurring vocal layering is thick and biting, quite the contrast from the sweetness most executions like this get. They take a collective swipe at the bane of American life, entitlement, in “Growing Up American”. Machine gun lyrical bites taken from daily existence, forced along by an STP-like aural assault and the hypnotic line, “Growin’ up American, Thinkin’ you are better than, Growin’ up American”. “Internet Celebrity” thematically follows, reaching deep into the pop-rock groove, right down to the low-fi mix, sugary vocals and killer chorus, almost sounds Bram Tchaikovsky-ish. I really think they should have credited Elvis a little on the jacket, but the adulation is obvious and really well-done. The closer, “See Ya Self” wraps it up cleanly and leaves this listener waiting for the next cut.

I hear a little familiar harmonization from The Zombies latest release, specifically “If There Was Any Other Way”, I’m sure there’s a name for it, but I’m a listener, not a musician. Extremely high praise to Blue Falcon for that, there’s always something comforting about familiarity, it makes the music accessible on another level. Hopefully the band’s name isn’t derived from some of the definitions available, but if it did, it was for the better! Check them out at the link below and see them live when you can, rock isn’t dead quite yet.

You can find Blue Falcon on Bandcamp and Facebook.

Key Tracks: Growing Up American, Internet Celebrity

January 24, 2014