NYS Music 20​14

Category: News Desk

  • Yes Dropping ‘Heaven & Earth’ in July

    In a day where digital music is more common for the everyday consumer than owning an album, that doesn’t necessarily hold true when it comes to Yes.

    Yes, the iconic progressive rock band that has sold 40 million albums over the past 40 years, announced their latest release, Heaven & Earth, will drop on July 22nd. Bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes and singer Jon Davison, in conjunction with the release of their latest studio album, will proceed with a 35-date, summer tour throughout the United States starting July 8th.

    The artwork of Roger Dean has become synonymous with Yes, making each of the band’s album covers unmistakably theirs. As has been in the past, Dean is back to provide the artwork for Heaven & Earth. This latest release will contain eight original tracks produced by Grammy Award winner, Roy Thomas Baker.

    Heaven & Earth is available now for pre-order on Amazon .

    Above: Album cover art for Heaven & Earth by Roger Dean
    Above: Album cover art for Heaven & Earth by Roger Dean

    The first of 35 nights starts off July 8th at the Blue Hills Bank Pavillion in Boston, MA.  From there, the band will meander throughout the Northeast with stops in New York City (July 9th – Radio City Music Hall), Wallingford, CT (July 11th – Toyota Oakdale Theatre), Westbury, NY (July 12th – NYCB Theatre at Westbury) and Newport, RI (July 13th – Newport Yachting Center). After a stop in Washington, DC, the band will come back north for a stop at Hampton, NH (July 16th – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom), and Salamanca, NY (July 18th – Seneca Allegany Casino).

    The tour promises to feature, in their entirety, 1971’s groundbreaking album Fragile for the first-time ever and a repeat performance from last year’s tour of 1972’s Close to the Edge, followed by an encore of the band’s greatest hits.  Tickets can be purchased at the band’s website.

  • Basilica Hudson Gearing Up for Soundscape 2014

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    The Basilica Hudson recently announced an abridged lineup for Soundscape 2014 for September.

    The two-night affair promises at least the following five acts for September 12th and 13th: Swans, Deafheaven, Tim Hecker, Julia Holter, and Gamelan Dharma Swara. However, more acts are anticipated to arrive.

    Purchase your tickets anytime before June 15th, and you are granted an “Early Bird” discount of $50 for the weekend.  Afterwards, the price goes back up to $60.

    Originally a foundry that produced railroad car wheels in the 19th century, Basilica Hudson is an 18,000-square foot arts and performance venue that boasts a capacity of 1,200 people, but no climate control.  Hence, shows are scheduled during the Upstate New York springs and autumns.  It is located on the South Bay off the eastern shores of the Hudson River, south of the Amtrak Terminal.

  • Dave Matthews Band Rolls into Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

    As they make their way to Buffalo, the talk right now is about the stellar show Dave Matthews Band just put on with their two-night run at SPAC. The Dave Matthews Band will play Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on June 11th.  DMB never seems to disappoint their loyal fan base in Western NY, and with the new two set format that includes an acoustic set and a full band, electric set, it will surely be an unforgettable experience. The band has been playing songs throughout their extensive catalog, making every show more unique and exciting night in and night out.

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    Darien Lake Performing Arts Center is the perfect backdrop to a summer concert and with the amusement park connected, you can enjoy some fun during the day before catching a great show at night. With the venue being a consistent stop over the years for DMB, the show is always the perfect start to the summer concert season for many fans in the WNY region.

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    Tickets can be purchased through Live Nation here.

    To get you ready for the show, check out these highlights from SPAC:

    “Minarets” (5/30/14)

    “Pig” (5/31/14)

  • Donna The Buffalo is set to Play at Inspire Moore Winery in Naples

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    Donna the Buffalo debuted their first studio album in five years, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday, on June 18, 2013 via Sugar Hill Records. They have been touring the country in support of that album feverishly throughout the past year and they are bringing their Americana music to Naples, NY on Friday June 20th at Inspire Moore Winery at 197 North Main Street, Naples, NY 14512. This is an all ages show, tickets are $15 adv; $20 dos.  

    Closing in on the quarter-century mark, Donna the Buffalo has proven itself a consistent purveyor of Americana music. What’s the recipe? To be sure, it’s infused with more spices than you’ll find at a Cajun cookout by way of a southern-fried, country old-time jamboree.

    The group draws its inspiration from a cherished part of the American heritage: the old-time music festivals of the south that drew entire towns and counties together. “Those festivals were so explosive, and the community and the feeling of people being with each other, that’s the feeling we were shooting for in our music,” Puryear says. “Donna the Buffalo is an extension of the joy we’ve found.”

    Donna the Buffalo has toured the nation for nearly twenty five years with an ever-evolving grassroots sound and plans to keep on doing so for many years to come.

    Music Video for “Working On That”

  • Saving Abel and Syn City Cowboys To Rock Upstate NY This Weekend

    Corinth, Mississippi rockers Saving Abel return to CNY this Friday night at Monirae’s in Pennellville, NY. Saving Abel is now fronted by Scotty Austin who has replaced singer Jared Weeks as of last year. Kansas City, Missouri rockers Syn City Cowboys are set to open. 95X (WAQX) is the main sponsor of the show. Saving Abel will also be playing at the Washington Avenue Armory with rapper Immortal Technique this Saturday.

    Tickets can be purchased for Syracuse here.  Tickets for Albany can be purchased here.

    Saving Abel Syn City

  • Woodstock 50th in the Works for 2019?

    Woodstock has gone through two major official reincarnations since the original fest changed the musical landscape forever. With the 45th anniversary this year, many have wondered whether the third installment of this epic music festival would be in the works. While this appears to not be happening, original promoter and co-creator Michael Lang appears to be in the early planning stages of the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, an event that launched so many careers into the stratosphere.

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    Details are minimal at this point: the site will likely be near the original Bethel site, and it’s anyone’s guess which bands will be present. Considering the past two were fraught with issues (Mud, fires, crime etc.), one would hope they go back to the original mindset: hippies, peace and love. NYS Music will be monitoring this story and keep you abreast of any changes. Who would you like to see at Woodstock’s 50th?

  • Road to Backwoods Pondfest: Lucid in the North Country on June 6th and 7th

    10321572_10152418026195944_4418165811163170152_oWith so many great festivals right in our backyard, we are lucky in the Upstate region to be able to pick and choose what we attend every summer. One gem that calls the North Country home and always has a solid lineup is Backwoods Pondfest. Now in its 8th year, this years fest will be headlined by Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na with his project Chali 2na and the House of Vibe.  Other acts include bands like Twiddle, Spiritual Rez, Turkuaz, Alan Evans’ Playonbrother, Conehead Buddha, and of course, the gracious hosts, Lucid. With it still being two months away though, there’s still a lot of great music to catch in the near future before even thinking about that.

    Welcome to ‘s “Road to Backwoods Pondfest” series.  Through this, we plan on highlighting some of the shows in the region that we are sponsoring that feature Pondfest bands before its August kick off. Being that it’s our first installation, it made sense to tell you about the guys who host Pondfest every year, Lucid.  The band hails from the Plattsburgh region and have been a gracious host over the years to the many bands that make the trip in August.  As the winner of ‘s March Madness tournament, Lucid is gaining popularity throughout the region as one of the premier up and coming bands to catch.

    On Friday, June 6th Lucid will be taking the stage at Olive Ridley’s in Plattsburgh.  Joining them that night are two bands from the area that are local favorites in Doomf*ck and Trinity Park Radio.  The following night, Lucid is making the short trip south to Saranac Lake to play Waterhole.  Opening the night will be The Royal Noise whose powerful funk sound is a great fit for the show.

    Lucid (Photo by Laura Carbone)
    Lucid (Photo by Laura Carbone)

    For both shows, doors open at 9pm with music beginning at 10, so head out and get a taste for what’s to come this August when Backwoods Pondfest kicks off its 8th year.  And if you still haven’t picked up your Pondfest ticket quite yet, hit the link and grab yours now!  There’s a reason why this is one of our favorites in New York.

  • Peakin’ (And Leavin’) at the Beacon for The Allman Brothers

    The Allman Brothers Band has called it quits – in their Monday statement to announce the makeup shows the band had canceled at the Beacon Theatre in New York City when Gregg Allman fell ill in March, the band stated the October dates will be their last. Though Gregg had previously denied reports of a break-up, this statement appears to all but confirm the end is near.

    Since forming in 1969, The Allman Brothers Band has split twice, first after 1976 (then reunited in 1978), and again in 1982 (to be reunited in 1989). Over the 45-year span, the boys out of Macon, Georgia have earned a legendary status in the music world. After its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, the band earned the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), as well as a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Jessica” in 1996.  Rolling Stone Magazine named the Allman Brothers on several “All Time” lists since the start of the new millennium, including Greatest Artists (No. 52), and Greatest Albums (No. 49 – for At Fillmore East) . In 2003, the magazine composed a list of 100 Greatest Guitarists: Derek Trucks (No. 81), Dickey Betts (No. 58), Warren Haynes (No. 23) and Duane Allman (No. 2) were all named. (Curiously, when the magazine composed a similar list in 2011 only three were named, with Trucks moving up from No. 61 to No. 18, and Haynes dropping off the list entirely.)

    The group announced the makeup shows would be at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on Oct. 21st, 22nd, 24th and 25th. Those with tickets for the four canceled shows (from March 25, 26, 28 and 29) can use them on the corresponding dates, or can obtain refunds, before Aug. 1. Additional shows for Oct. 27th and 28th will be their last shows.

    The Allman Brothers Band are scheduled to appear at Mountain Jam, June 8th, at Hunter Mountain, followed by Scranton, PA’s Peach Fest for August 14th-17th.

    The band has had a long-standing residency at the Beacon, spanning several years. It had celebrated its 40th anniversary there in 2009.

  • June Storms in With a Blaze of Metal Glory

    In a one-two punch that even the most fanatic of moshers couldn’t ignore, the beginning of June 2014 brought new singles of Metal Glory from two of some of the most esteemed bands among headbangers.

    Yesterday, Sweden’s Opeth, known for mixing absolutely brutal riffs and growling vocals with progressive psychedelia akin to King Crimson, released their newest single “Cusp of Eternity” from their upcoming 11th studio release, Pale Communion. Like their last album, Watershed, the death metal vocals remain absent as the band continues to head towards the path of progressive rock. However, unlike that last album, this single at least indicates a more focused effort, with a nice flow and a decidedly “evil” feel to it. Check the animated video out on Vimeo here.

    Mastodon - Rockstar Mayhem Festival

    Today, Upstate NY’s Mastodon released the second track from the forthcoming Once More ‘Round The Sun. If any band on earth has captured the fire Metallica left behind with 1990’s The Black Album, the Atlanta foursome is it. The newest track “Chimes at Midnight” seems to find a home somewhere in between the bare bones metal of the last release “The Hunter” and the blinding changes and underlying spooky vocals of Mastodon’s early days.

  • King Crimson Reunion Starting in Albany

    King Crimson is one of the most legendary bands in the prog-rock scene to ever take the stage and, they will have a reunion for a full tour for the first time since 2009.

    Albany, New York’s own The Egg has the privilege to be the first stop on the tour on September 9th and 10th. The tour will roll south to New York City’s Best Buy Theater on September 18th, 19th and 20th for a special three-night run.

    This has been a highly sought after show ever since Robert Fripp, the founding and only consistent member of the band, announced last September that the band would be getting back together. The line up is expected to include Fripp, Gavin Harrison, Bill Rieflin, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Mel Collins and Jakko Jakszy.

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

    The shows in Albany go on sale on June 6th at 11AM, and at noon for each New York City show.