NYS Music 20​14

Category: News Desk

  • College Radio Day 2014: Join A Worldwide Celebration of College Radio on October 3

    Hanging out (usually) at and below 91.9 on the FM radio dial is a gem often glanced over by Top-40 drive-time hit seekers: college radio. This arm of the FM radio band provides a non-corporate filtered offering of music and talk free of the shackles of answering to commercial sponsors with specific programming. College Radio Day 2014 is upon us.

    College Radio Day

    Every October since 2011 College Radio Day has united college radio stations around the world have united in raising awareness of and celebrating one of the few remaining mediums delivering new and cutting edge content. College Radio Day 2014 is happening this Friday, October 3, and this year over 700 college stations worldwide are participating to some degree.

    College Radio Day has garnered attention from many big league label artists, and even by President Obama and Vice President Biden. As a growing organization, College Radio Day has established the College Radio Fund, a community chest of sorts that raises money to help college stations that are in some sort financial distress and at risk for ceasing operations.

    College radio is something familiar to . Several of us here have spun records at college stations around New York State, including WRPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute),  WCDB (SUNY Albany), WICB (Ithaca College), WVBR (Cornell University), WATC (SUNY Canton), WSPN (Skidmore College), WRUB (SUNY Buffalo), and WITR (Rochester Institute of Technology).

    Stations participating in the event do so in varying degrees, from airing special interviews to hosting live bands and simulcasts with other college stations.

    If you’re one who has avoided the lower end of the FM dial, use Friday as an excuse to give a listen to your local college radio station(s) if you have not already. Broadcast radio is still relevant in today’s world of iPods and streaming media platforms and student-run college radio is a pinnacle of the medium.

    Check out the College Radio Day website for more information on the event, and a video below of Wyclef Jean performing exclusively for College Radio Day 2013 at the WPSC Studios in conjunction with MTV U.

  • Bassnectar Returns To Rochester with Son of Kick and Kill Paris for ‘Noise VS Beauty Tour’

    Attention Upstate Bassheads: this is the show. Legendary DJ Lorin Ashton AKA Bassnectar will again take over Rochester this Friday, October 3, as part of his “NVSB 2014 Tour” performing alongside notable acts Son of Kick, hailing from London and Kill Paris of Los Angeles. Known for his ultra dense sound, aggressive drops and super-technical beats, Bassnectar puts on a show like no other, with tastefully psychedelic projection visuals and a host of lights. Bassnectar’s most recent album, Noise VS Beauty, was released late June and features some of Ashton’s most intelligent compositions yet, staying  true to its name by carefully marrying filth with elegance.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sd1sa5NWLg

    Supporting act, Son of Kick, has achieved respect in the dubstep world in his own right, mainly in Europe so far, with a balanced, somewhat hip-hop influenced sound. Kill Paris will also throw down a funk-driven set, sure to feature big bass and atmospheric textures. All three acts bring different styles to the table with two distinct binding factors: dancing, and BASS.

    Doors are at 6PM and Son of Kick should open the show around 7PM. Due to Main Street Armory’s curfew, the evening will likely be wrapped up by midnight. And remember: this will be a hot one with lots of energy, moving bodies and flashing lights; be sure to eat a solid meal and hydrate properly throughout the show.

    Tickets are available HERE.

    Main Street Armory
    900 East Main Street
    Rochester, New York 14605

  • Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela Celebrate 20 Years of South African Freedom at The Egg

    South African legends Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela head to Albany on October 7 as part of the Rhythm International series at The Egg. These two musicians are freedom fighters and renowned musical icons in South Africa and beyond, and this night they will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the end of apartheid with a special concert.

    Hugh Masekela Vusi MahlaselaHugh Masekela is a legendary jazz artist who hit the top of the pop charts in 1968 with “Grazin’in the Grass” and Vusi Mahlasela – simply known as ‘The Voice’ in South Africa – is celebrated for his distinct, poetic, and optimistic songs. Separately, they are two of the most powerful performers on the planet – and together a tour-de-force.

    Tickets are $34 and are available at The Egg Box Office at the Empire State Plaza, by telephone at 518-473-1845, or online.

  • Nas Kicking off Illmatic Tour With Back to Back New York Shows

    Nas has been at the top of the rap world since he debuted 20 years ago and will be celebrating the anniversary with the Illmatic tour for his landmark first LP Illmatic. The Illmatic tour has a little extra punch to it due to the fact that not only will Nas be playing the album front to back, but he will also be showing his brand new documentary “Nas: Time is Illmatic.” The film follows the trajectory of the album from when it was being recorded all the way up to today. The influence that the album had on the rap genre is undeniable, and to be able to see it right before hearing the man play the legendary album is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESkmaXnw8ow

    Nas, including Illmatic, has released eight platinum and multi-platinum albums throughout his career and has played all over the world. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Nas eventually moved to Queens with his family at a young age and soon became interested in hip hop and the growing community surrounding it. Illmatic was a fan favorite from the moment it was released, earning high praise from the hip hop community. Not only did he rap about problems in everyday life, but he also rapped about the hope for a better one. These two shows are the only ones anywhere in New York.

    This film, which premiers at the Tribeca Film Festival on Oct. 1, means a lot to him. Nas has said, “I want to thank Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and the Tribeca Film family for all of the love & support they’ve given Time Is Illmatic. It is an honor to be in partnership with them, and I feel there is a cultural kinship bonded by the city of New York.” The film unfortunately won’t be shown on the tour’s opening night at Main Street Armory in Rochester on Oct. 2, but it will be shown the following evening, Oct. 3, at Albany’s Palace Theatre. Tickets are still available for both nights, $40 for Rochester and up to $70 for Albany, so don’t sleep on your chance to see these special shows from easily one of the best rappers out there today.

  • The Sea The Sea Wash Ashore at The Low Beat Tonight

    Their single, “Love We Are We Love,” from their title track released in February has been spun at radio stations across the country and their album has been met with accolades from NPR and No Depression. The duo, The Sea The Sea, bring their brand of interconnectedness to the 518 for a show at The Low Beat Thursday, October 2nd. Be sure to check them out as they have relocated to the Albany area and they intend to become very active with the music community.

    The Sea

    Their tale is a mystical story of fate and a series of mishaps that ultimately brought them together. It was by coincidence Mira Stanley held a sign with Chuck’s (E. Costa) name on it during a songwriter’s showcase years prior. Figuratively, it was sign. They didn’t reconnect again until almost five years later after each had been through their own trials. Borrowing their name from Xenophon’s Anabasis, a Greek tale of soldiers returning home, the name The Sea The Sea became their own battle cry of joy! Weaving storyline lyrics and an unmatched harmony, the folk power duo dig deep leaving the listener with an enlightened sense of Universal themes of love and faith. Great Mutations will open tonight’s show. Tickets available at the door.

  • Dopapod Announce New Studio Release “Never Odd or Even”

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    Brooklyn’s Dopapod have announced that their 4th studio effort, Never Odd Or Even will be independently released on November 11th. Culminating from a combination of studio efforts and a gargantuan touring schedule bringing ‘Pod all over the country, fans and band members alike are psyched. East Rochester native and shred-master/vocalist Rob Compa shares his excitement – “The Never Odd or Even sessions cultivated a serious growth in the band’s creativity, each person stepped to the plate and put out great creativity and passionate playing, while inspiring everybody else involved in the project to do the same. We really feel that the material this time around represented a big leap forward, not just in the way we’ve been interacting as a band, but in the way our focus has become sharper in paying attention to things like melody, theme, lyrical imagery, and structure – all the elements that make a great song.”

    Organist/keyboardist Eli Winderman added his own thoughts about the recording process with friend and producer Jason “Jocko” Randall – “We lived at his studio for about a month for these sessions and it just clicked right away, with Jocko’s attitude and approach to the recording process, we were able to really dial in the sounds we wanted, get those perfect takes we were aiming for, and have a blast the whole way through.” Fans interested in the new album can visit the bands website to sign up for a mailing list which will get them a FREE digital download on release day as well as a chance to stream the first video released, “Picture in Picture”.

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    Upstate fans will have several opportunities to catch Dopapod this fall starting with a homecoming show for Mr. Compa this Thursday, October 2nd at Water Street Music Hall  in Rochester with instrumental wizard trio Consider the Source. Local up and coming uber-talented guitarist Collin Jone’s one man band Stereo Nest will start the show up in style. Ticket’s are available online  and at several local ticket vendors ($12.50 pre/18$ door).

    Check out our list below for more area Dopapod show opportunities.

    10/23 Niagara Falls, NY – Rapids Theatre w/ Umphrey’s McGee $27.50-$30

    10/29 Binghamton, NY – Forum Theatre w/ Umphrey’s McGee $25-$30

    11/1 Oneonta, NY – Oneonta Theatre w/ Space Carnival

    11/21 New York, NY – The Gramercy Theatre w/ Alan Evans’ Playonbrother & Teddy Midnight $16-$21

  • Disco Biscuits to Host City Bisco in Philadephia

    The Disco Biscuits are gearing up for the third installment of City Bisco this weekend in their home town of Philadelphia. This year the Biscuits have expanded City Bisco to include three nights spanning three different venues. The weekend kicks off this Thursday September 25th at The Trocadero. This show is only available with a three-day pass so get your tickets here.

    city bisco philadelphiaFriday night they move to the Electric Factory where they will play with American Babies. The Biscuits will cap it all off Saturday night at the Mann Center with supporting acts Giorgio Moroder “the godfather of disco,” Orchard Lounge, and Risky Disco. The Biscuits always bring the heat to Philly so this is a weekend surely not to miss! Tickets to these shows can be found here and single day passes for the Mann center can be found here. Thursday and Friday night’s show start at 7pm. Doors are at 5pm for the Mann center, show starting at 6.

  • Rochester Prepares for ROCtober Show Onslaught

    Naysayers about the Rochester music scene will need to clam it up this October. End to end, the month is loaded with more shows than some cities are lucky to see in a full calendar year.  ROCtober starts out “Hell Bent For Leather” October 1st with metal icons Judas Priest opening their tour in town at the Main Street Armory. Tour openers continue with hip hop legend NAS also starting his tour in ROC-city the very next night (Also at the Armory). Seemingly unafraid of any genre The Armory will also bring in Reggae (Elephant Man Oct. 10), classic rock (Kansas Oct. 16), country (Charlie Daniels Band Oct. 22) and alternative rock (Bastille Oct. 24).

    Montage Music Hall adds to the fun with their own load of diverse genre shows. The New Mastersounds – an unbelievable funky English export – will team up with local top-tier talents Mojo Collective and Ocupanther for their inaugural visit to Rochester Oct 7. The 9th features the new/bluegrass of regional heavy hitters Cabinet. The 17th will find the absolute kings of the metal breakdown Unearth with special guest The Darkest Hour. Buffalo’s Aqueous will heat up the 24th with North Carolina’s The Mantra’s. The 30th will kick off Halloween weekend in style with two of Upstate’s favorite bands: Jimkata and Turkuaz.

    Water Street Music Hall was missed for a good portion of 2013-14 due to some ownership changes but they are back and as usual are wasting no time bringing top-tier talent to the area. Dopapod and Consider the Source will jam up Oct 2nd. New Orleans’ Mingo Fishtrap returns to ROC Oct. 5 after an unbelievably packed set at the Xerox International Jazz Fest. The funk will continue with Lettuce making their premier trip to ROC Oct. 23. And to cap it off, one for the ladies – Water Street’s annual Men of General Hospital show Oct 24.

    And all that barely touches the surface, check out our list for the rest of the notable haps in ROCtober below.

    10/01 Judas Priest w/ Steel Panther (Armory)
    10/02 NAS (Armory)
    10/02 Dopapod w/ Consider the Source (Water Street)
    10/03 BASSNECTAR w/ Kill Paris and Son of Kick (Armory)
    10/04 Strange Birds (Montage)
    10/04 Giant Panda  w/ Mosaic Foundation (Zeppa Auditorium)
    10/05 Mingo Fishtrap (Water Street)
    10/07 New Mastersounds w/ Moho Collective and Ocupanther (Montage)
    10/09 Cabinet w/ TBD (Montage)
    10/10 Elephant Man w/ Gyptian and Spice (Armory)
    10/10 Theory of a Deadman w/ Fozzy and 3 Pill Morning (Water Street)
    10/11 Deicide w/ Septic Flesh (Montage)
    10/12 Ryan Montbleau Band w/ Tall Heights
    10/16 Heavy Trash w/ Bloodshot Bill (Water Street)
    10/17 Unearth w/ Darkest Hour (Montage)
    10/22 Charlie Daniels Band (Armory)
    10/23 Lettuce (Water Street)
    10/24 Aqueous w/ Mantras (Montage)
    10/24 MEN OF GENERAL HOSPITAL (Water Street)
    10/24 Bastille (Armory)
    10/25 Badfish (Water Street)
    10/28 Goat Whore (Bug Jar)
    10/29 AJR (Montage)
    10/30 Jimkata w/ Turkuaz (Montage)
    10/31 Love and Theft w/ Joel Crouse and DJ DU (Water Street)
    10/31 Roots Collider w/ Thousands of One, Subsoil, Mrs Skannato and Personal Blend (Flour City)

  • Phish Big Cypress Midnight Set

    The largest concert to celebrate ringing in the year 2000 was held just west of Miami at Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, and 75,000 Phish fans flocked to spend the last two days of 1999 with the Vermont quartet. Over the course of the those two days, fans were treated to bust outs (Light Up or Leave Me Alone), special guests (Seminole Indian Reservation Chief Jim Billie), a smoke filled “Mike’s Song”, a set-ending “After Midnight”, merely 5 hours before the band returned for a marathon 7 hour, 37 song set that ended at sunrise.

    phish big cypress
    photo courtesy of PhanArt

    Big Cypress stands out in the lore among Phish fans, and with 2024 on the horizon, a return to the hallowed grounds in South Florida is sought after by many. The festival marked the largest concert to celebrate the arrival of the year 2000.

    Fans have longed for a box set or official release of the footage from the weekend, and just yesterday footage began to leak of a pro-shot version of “Down with Disease” and now, an almost complete video of the first 5.5 hours of the fabled midnight set. Bask in the awesomeness of Phish at Big Cypress.

  • Pink Floyd Reveals Details For ‘The Endless River’

    Pink Floyd has unveiled the cover art and track-listings for their upcoming double-album The Endless River which is being released November 10th. The title harkens back to the penultimate lyric from “High Hopes”, the final song on The Division Bell, Pink Floyd’s last album in 1993. It was originally mistaken to be a David Gilmour solo album.

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    The album, as described by Nick Mason is, “This record is a good way of recognizing a lot of what Rick does and how his playing was at the heart of the Pink Floyd sound. Listening back to the sessions, it really brought home to me what a special player he was.” David Gilmour says, “We listened to over 20 hours of the three of us playing together. Over the last year we’ve added new parts, re-recorded others and generally harnessed studio technology to make a 21st century Pink Floyd album. With Rick gone, and with him, the chance of ever doing it again, it feels right that these revisited and reworked tracks should be made available as part of our repertoire”.

    The album has been produced by David Gilmour, Phil Manzanera, Youth and Andy Jackson. Manzanera co-wrote ‘One Slip’ for Pink Floyd’s Momentary Lapse of Reason album in 1987, co-produced Gilmour’s On an Island project and has toured with the guitarist several times. Youth, meanwhile, is part of the Orb, an ambient-house band that Gilmour worked with on 2010’s Metallic Spheres. Jackson, who’s ‘Big Spliff’ composition also makes up a small part of The Endless River, has been a recording engineer for Pink Floyd on every album since 1979’s The Wall.

    The Endless River will be primarily instrumental with lyrics written by Polly Sampson, Gilmour’s wife, on the track ‘Louder Than Words’, that strike to the core of Pink Floyd’s history with founding and departed member Roger Waters.

    “We bitch and we fight, but this thing that we do, it’s louder than words.”

    There is a 30 second clip available on the band’s website along with ways to pre-order the different editions that will be available.

    Track List

    Side 1
    Things Left Unsaid
    It’s What We Do
    Ebb And Flow

    Side 2
    Sum
    Skins
    Unsung
    Anisina

    Side 3
    The Lost Art Of Conversation
    On Noodle Street
    Night Light
    Allons-y (1)
    Autumn ‘68
    Allons-y (2)
    Talkin’ Hawkin’

    Side 4
    Calling
    Eyes To Pearls
    Surfacing
    Louder Than Words