NYS Music 20​14

Author: Darren Kemp

  • Interpol Summer Tour Includes NYC Date

    Interpol made their mark on the US and UK alternative rock charts in the early 2000’s with hits such as “Slow Hands” and “Evil” and have a summer tour coming to NYC.  Combining a modern American rock sound with a ton of ’80s post-punk British influences like Joy Division, the band picked up a solid following of faithful “‘polsters”. Despite that, no one’s heard much from Interpol since their 2010 self-titled release, until just recently.

    The band has released an extensive, festival heavy tour schedule, including a June 7th date just across the border at the Field Trip Festival in Toronto and a homecoming show June 8th at The Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City.

    This will be their first time playing in the US in nearly three years.

    Here’s the full list of tour dates:

    Interpol Tour 2014

    06-03 New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
    06-04 Providence, RI – Lupos
    06-05 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
    06-07 Toronto, Ontario – Field Trip Festival
    06-08 New York, NY – Governor’s Ball
    06-20 Scheessel, Germany – Hurricane Festival
    06-20 Neuhausen, Germany – Southside Festival
    06-24 Paris, France – Alhambra
    06-25 London, England – Electric Ballroom
    06-27 Evreux, France – Rock Dans Tous Ses Etats
    06-29 Luxembourg, Luxembourg – Rock A Field
    07-01 Berlin, Germany – Postbahnhof
    07-02 Gdynia, Poland – Open’er Festival
    07-03 Roskilde, Denmark – Roskilde Fest
    07-06 Werchter, Belgium – Rock Werchter
    07-08 Nimes, France – Nimes Festival
    07-10 Oeiras, Portugal – Optimus Alive
    07-12 Keflavík, Iceland – All Tomorrow’s Parties Iceland
    08-01 Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
    08-20 Tempe, AZ – The Marquee Theatre
    08-21 Las Vegas, NV – The Pool at The Cosmopolitan
    08-23 Los Angeles, CA – FYF Fest
    10-03 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Festival
    10-10 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Festival

    http://youtu.be/XmtsktxLYqs

  • Consider Spring Revived: Spring Revival 2 at Carey Lake

    DSC_0009After what can only be called a “trying” Winter and early Spring, Upstate NY was more then ready for a weekend that didn’t suck monkey balls. Enter Statewide Music’s Spring Revival 2. With forecasts only showing a few storms and weather ranging into the 80’s, the timing couldn’t have been better for a revival of the Spring we had yet to receive. This three day fest entered it’s second year in a brand new venue: Macedon, NY’s Carey Lake. Situated perfectly between Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Ithaca, the venue was easy to find and flat, with plenty of space for car camping, surrounded with enough trees, streams, gardens, and woodland creatures  to satisfy the even the most Ranger Rick loving hippies. A bar and restaurant fronted the head of the property and also held the late night bands with a heaping dose of small town hospitality (Not to mention a pretty kick ass brunch!).

    Thursday night kicked kicked the festival off with a nice group of early arrivals with the new improv-heavy Rochester trio, Underground Funk. Headliner and ‘s March Madness Winner, Lucid, (who also have the coolest tour bus ever) held the main stage expertly, and Rochester’s Haewa, whom would play two blistering sets over the weekend, kept things going until 1AM. It’s often when the music is done at small festivals when you really get to wander and meet new and interesting people and many were up til the sun rose. The night time revealed travelers from at least four different states had come to share in the groove, some who lived life from festival to festival, and many others that came to see the specific acts. Acoustic guitars, joyful conversations,  and a small drum circle carried the festival until the morning.

    Speaking of sun, Friday came with a ton of it. Temps soared into the 80’s by the time Personal Blend kicked off and no one was complaining. The first truly glorious day of 2014 also inspired all the bands that day as everyone was delivering their A-game sets. Albany’s Formula 5 won the afternoon crowd over with an inspired set and their brand new bassist (not to be confused with movie and television star) James Woods. The fun was given an exhilarating short break late in the afternoon as a short but fierce storm, henceforth named Hurricane EZ-Down, gave everything a nice soak and showed whose tents were truly “wind-friendly.” After a short break and a slight schedule change, Ithaca’s Solaris and Vermont’s Flabberghaster paved the way for the first of two headlining nights for Buffalo’s hottest export, Aqueous. The foursome whose genre, dubbed “groove rock”, but was more like “everything is awesome rock”, played an energy filled set anchored by a spot on first time cover debut of Red Hot Chili Pepper’s “Funky Monk”. Closing down the evening, Rochester’s nocturnal psych-rock-animal Ocupanther, kept the night owls going ’til last call.

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    Revival’s Saturday schedule was loaded with bands straight through from 11AM until 2AM. Many bounced between the two stages with a seemingly endless supply of dancing fuel, while others played Frisbee or explored the grounds. This was a great time to check out many of the great vendors on site as well, and I picked myself up some organic homemade deodorant and a brisket taco that can only be described as freakin’ delicious.  Straying from the music didn’t last long though as Albany’s Mister F blew up a cover of Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat”, made famous in Napoleon Dynamite. Warming up the stage for Aqueous’s second night, a full two set show, were Rochester’s Roots Collider and Haewa’s second set of the weekend.

    Aqueous wasted no time getting into two blistering energy filled sets with the pairing of fan favorite originals, “Complex Part II” and “Origami”, with Solare Flare’s Hank and Margo spinning fire stage left. Concluding the set with a debut of The Cars “Just What I Needed”, the band took a short break while the audience refilled their beers. Never short on surprises, the band re-entered with bassist Evan McPhaden dressed in a full Tigger costume and a set of music that truly defined the amazing weekend as a champion. The newly re-finagled Universe Shark closed the festival down in style in the Carey Lake bar.

    DSC_0462

    Carey Lake will hold three more Statewide Music events this year with the next being the bluegrass/Americana/folk based Fiddler’s Picnic (June 12-15). Wish you had made it? No worries. Spring Revival 3 has already been announced for May 14-17th 2015.

  • The Black Keys Coming to Rochester in September

    turnblueEveryone’s favorite blues rocking duo The Black Keys have announced a Rochester, NY show for September 14th at The Blue Cross Arena.

    The band will be touring in support of their newly released album, Turn Blue. This will be the bands first Flower City visit since 2010 at CMAC. Back then they were still an opener, now they are headlining and no doubt will have a packed house. Cage the Elephant will open the show. Ticket information is not yet available.

    The Black Keys 2014 Tour dates
    9/05 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center*
    9/06 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena*
    9/07 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena*
    9/09 – Milwaukee, WI @ BMO Harris Bradley Center*
    9/10 – Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center*
    9/12 – Detroit, MI @ Joe Louis Arena*
    9/13 – Pittsburgh, PA @ CONSOL Energy Center*
    9/14 – Rochester, NY @ Blue Cross Arena*
    9/16 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Air Canada Centre*
    9/18 – Montreal, QC, Canada @ Bell Centre*
    9/20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center*
    9/21 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden*
    9/24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center*
    9/25 – Washington, DC @ Verizon Center*
    9/27 – Chicago, IL @ United Center*
    10/24 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center†
    10/25 – Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre†
    10/27 – Calgary, AB, Canada @ Scotiabank Saddledome†
    10/28 – Edmonton, AB, Canada @ Rexall Place†
    10/30 – Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Pacific Coliseum†
    10/31 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center†
    11/1 – Seattle, WA @ Key Arena†
    11/9  – San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl†
    11/10 – Phoenix, AZ @ U.S. Airways Center†
    11/12 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Maverik Center†
    11/13 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center†
    11/15 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center†
    11/16 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center†
    12/4 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Arena‡
    12/5 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena‡
    12/6 – Richmond, VA @ Richmond Coliseum‡
    12/8 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena‡
    12/9 – St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center‡
    12/11 – Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena‡
    12/12 – Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena‡
    12/13 – Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena‡
    12/15 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ BB&T Center‡
    12/16 – Tampa, FL @ Tampa Bay Times Forum‡
    12/17 – Orlando, FL @ Amway Center‡
    12/19 – Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center‡
    12/20 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center‡
    12/21 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center‡

    *with special guest Cage The Elephant
    †with special guest Jake Bugg
    ‡with special guest St. Vincent

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  • Rochester Announces 2014 Party in the Park Lineup

    The City of Rochester has announced the Party in the Park lineup for 2014 and it is a doozy! This year’s events will take place back at Manhattan Square Park, where it originated.

    party in the park 2014June kicks off with The Wailers and Lucinda Williams. Bluegrass fans will get a treat in July with Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth and Trampled by Turtles on the roster. Deadheads and rockers get August with the always excellent Dark Star Orchestra and the lords of the “Peaches”: Presidents of the U.S.A.

    The entire 2014 Party in the Park lineup:

    6/19 The Wailers

    6/26 Lucinda Williams

    7/3 Drive By Truckers

    7/10 Yonder Mountain String Band and Railroad Earth

    7/17 Trampled By Turtles, Dirty Dozen Brass Band

    7/24 Lucero, The Baseball Project

    7/31 Dickey Betts and Great Southern, Dumpstaphunk

    8/7 Dark Star Orchestra

    8/14 Presidents of the USA, The Slide Brothers

    Note: August wraps up PITP with 2 fantastic shows, get all the deets here! 

  • Hearing Aide: Turkuaz ‘Future 86’

    future 86The first thing that drew me to the new album Future 86 by Brooklyn’s Turkuaz is the name. Having grown up a child of the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions of NY, I’m very familiar with these signs that have adorned the shoulders of NY route 17 for at least a decade. My mind immediately began to reminisce about a myriad of journeys down this roadway. To see old friends, for music, for business, or just to simply go for a ride. No doubt Turkuaz, who tours relentlessly, has passed the signs thousands of times.

    This title, seemingly indicative of the present being past and pursuit of futures anew, is an excellent analogy for the band’s sound. While deeply rooted in old school funk, the band, in parallel, shows no fear in approaching the genre in uncharted ways: To boldly funk where no man (or woman) has funked before.

    The album, from the opening notes of first track “Bubba Slide” to the closing single “Pickin’ Up (Where You Left Off)” consumes you like a blissful virus. The contagion first infects lower extremities: toes start to tap,  feet quiver; it moves upwards to the hips which are helpless to not shake. It then invades organs: heart starts to pump and feel warm, the brain forgets those daily doldrums and commands arms to fly skyward. The confinements of life are momentarily gone. From beginning to end, this release bleeds happiness and joy. It’s music of the soul, of hope, freedom and redemption. The production and song selection truly capture the ‘kuaz experience and intensity. Bells and whistles are minimal and unnecessary. This band excels live as ever-growing audiences across the North East can attest to and “Future 86” delivers that outstanding experience directly to the comfort of your armchair and headphones. While the future of NY’s Route 17 may remain in question, Turkuaz’s seems destined to be glorious. Go buy it and you can thank me later.

    Key Tracks  Bubba Slide, T.V., X.Y.Z. (Feelin’ Tough)

  • Night Lights Fall Festival 2014 Announces Second Round of Artists

    Held at the site of the Great Blue Heron in Sherman  NY, Night Lights Fall Music festival has announced a second round of artists for the September 12-13, 2014 affair. Joining the already loaded lineup will be Brooklyn’s hottest export in years Dopapod, Ithaca’s Big Mean Sound Machine, Buffalo’s Rhubarb and Airplane, Rochester’s Papi Chulo and Neon Veins.

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    Get pre-sale tickets for only 60$ here.

    Entire Lineup:

    Snarky Puppy
    Dopapod
    Turkuaz
    The Mike Dillon Band
    Consider the Source
    Jimkata
    Aqueous
    The Manhattan Project
    Smackdab
    Lazlo Hollyfeld
    Funktional Flow
    Big Mean Sound Machine
    12/8 Path Band
    Family Funktion and the Sitar Jams
    Rhubarb
    Aircraft
    Broccoli Samurai
    Ocupanther
    John E. Old School
    Papi Chulo
    Neon Veins

  • Editor’s Playlist #2 – Spring Revival Edition

    Our second editor’s playlist features some of the artists performing at this years second annual Spring Revival Festival taking place May 8-11th at Carey Lake in Macedon NY. This family and wallet friendly festival features some of the top up and coming bands in the state, easy access, vending on site, plenty of camping space and non stop music on #2 stages.

    springrevival

    Book-ending the playlist and also headlining both Fri and Sat night at the festival is Buffalo’s Aqueous. The AQ boys have played close to 300 shows since 2012 and have been rewarded with an ever-expanding frenetic fan base referring to themselves as “AQuaintances”. Being the bands first 2 night run at a festival they are bound to have some surprises in store. Both tracks – “20/20” and “Complex II” – are some of the bands newest material and are sourced from their March Nectar’s residency. Stay tuned to for a first look at the band’s 2014 summer tour coming tomorrow!

    Our second track is an UpsateLIVE exclusive first listen of “The Clear” from Albany’s Formula 5. The band recently finished recording their excellent sophomore effort Edging on Disaster and remain one of our staff’s favorite bands to cover and follow.

    Third, from the also Albany based Mister F, is the lead-off track “Everything You Say” from the just released The F Stands Four. This marks the debut album for the Albany dance-prog-electro-rock outfit. Check out Tim O’Shea’s review of the whole disc over here.

    Our fourth and fifth tracks enter the psych-electro field even more. Roots Collider and Ocupanther, both Rochester based, have been garnering excellent crowds and reviews. The Collider track “Infinity” is almost impossible not to dance too with a sound that bestows at least a subtle nod to the prowess of instrumental dance rock pioneers STS9. Ocupanther’s “This, A Seagull” is actually a compilation of a studio based jam and a practice session for the newest OCU-song “III e III”. The band is in the midst of mixing their third album and wanted to give fans an early taste of what to expect.

    Keep in mind, beyond this playlist there remain tons of top-notch bands performing at The Revival including Rochester’s Haewa and Lap Giraffe, Buffalo’s Lazlo Hollyfeld and Universe Shark, northern NY and ‘s March Madness champion Lucid, the incredibly intense Flabberghaster from Vermont, and much much more. Hope to see y’all there! 

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  • Aqueous Running KickStarter to Fund New Album

    Buffalo’s groove rock champions Aqueous are in the midst of a Kick Starter campaign to fund their new studio album. With the advent of mp3’s and digital music rendering cd sales and labels practically moot, more and more artists are turning directly to their fan base to fund the expensive process of studio creation, mixing and production.

    This has become a win for fans – with most campaigns including a plethora of unique and exclusive opportunities up for grabs, the barricades between artist and audience start to crumble. Aqueous’s campaign is no exception, offering everything from personalized artwork from band members, brand new merchandise, personalized set lists, to having the band play a raging full show in your backyard.

    Even the most basic contribution will net the lucky investor their name in the albums liner notes. is a big supporter of these campaigns and we hope you’ll consider helping out one of our favorite up and coming bands.

    At the least you should check out the page for the really amusing video. Lemonade anyone?

    AQ-PRESS

    Upcoming Upstate Aqueous Dates

    April 24th Putnam Den, Saratoga NY*

    April 25th The Westcott Theatre, Syracuse NY*

    April 26th The Waiting Room, Buffalo NY **

    May 9-10 Carey Lake Spring Revival Festival, Macedon NY

    * w/ Dopapod

    ** w/ Dopapod and Mister F

    Aqueous – King For a Day – Erie Pa 2013-12-31

    http://youtu.be/x7YHjUm7XBI

  • Rhubarb/Ocupanther/Brown Sugar at Nietzsche’s Buffalo April 4th

    10173476_10152350524041789_1819991101_nRhubarb sucks. At least that’s what their website “rhubarbsucks.com” would seem to indicate. However, the music of Rhubarb, self-described as “twisted psychedelic funk”, that also contains elements of surf rock, grunge, jazz and more, most certainly is the polar opposite of suck and they’re at Nietzsche’s this week. The band’s been on the Buffalo music scene for 15 years now, most recently supporting their 2013 release Shoot Yer Body Baby. Buffalo fans are no doubt psyched about this upcoming show, not only due to the excellence of the ‘barb, but also due to the killer support coming along for the ride.

    Rochester’s Ocupanther, birthed in 2011 from elements of the now defunct Pia Mater, plays their own brand of psychedelia and electronica-infused funky rock and roll. Fresh out of studio sessions for their upcoming new 3rd album, Ocupanther will likely feature a mix of brand new material and classics for the Nietzsche’s faithful. Special guest sit ins are always a possibility as well.

    Along for the ride up front is the brand new University of Buffalo jam club birthed Brown Sugar. Debuting a few weeks back for the brilliant Aqueous “mystery artist” themed night, this trio brought the jams more like it was their 50th show much to the delight of onlookers.

    Music starts promptly at 10PM and is a mere 5$. Put down your smart phones, lock up the cable remote, and come dance. It won’t suck, we promise!

  • Editor’s Playlist #1: Rock n Roll Resort v4: The Dream Machine

    We are proud to present a new feature on – Editor’s Playlists. Each week, one of our staff members will take the helm and create a playlist of their own choosing, featuring music from upcoming shows, favorite bands, Upstate artists, music festivals and more. You’ll get a nice sampling of music you should know about, bands you may not have discovered and some local favorites from across The Empire State.

    Our inaugural Editor’s Playlist comes from Pete Mason and focuses on this weekend’s Rock n Roll Resort, v4: The Dream Machine, at Hudson Valley Resort and Spa, located in Kerhonksen, NY. With dozens of great bands, it’s hard to choose which ones to feature,but we settled on funk from The Motet, Turkuaz and Dumpstafunk, progressive/electronic rock from Tauk and SOLARiS, and the reggae-tinged ska of Conehead Buddha. If you aren’t going to Rock n Roll Resort, hopefully this changes your mind – it is a unique music festival experience that you just cannot miss!

    Stay tuned for next weeks playlist, including some choice live Aqueous recordings, new studio efforts from favorites Mister F, and more!

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