NYS Music 20​14

Category: News Desk

  • The McLovins Announce Saratoga and Rochester Dates

    Hartford, Connecticut’s The McLovins have announced four new tour dates including two visits to Upstate in Rochester and Saratoga Springs. The Superbad “hero” monikered group has grown at a furious pace since their debut in 2008 touring all over the US.

    Saratoga Springs gets a visit at the Putnam Den Dec 5 w/ The Orwells providing support. This show is FREE. Fast forward to 2015 and you can catch the ‘lovin’ at Rochester’s Montage Music Hall February 21.

    The band will also be working in some new lighting and video effects with lighting director Thai Guy. According to drummer Jake Huffman: “This tour we will have 3 lasers, lights, and a full projection rig with us and we are starting to dabble in video.”

    McLovin’s tour update

    Dec 5th | Saratoga Springs NY, Putnam Den w/ The Orwells | 18+ / FREE SHOW
    Jan 5th | Chicago IL, Martyrs’ | 21+
    Jan 10th | Indianapolis IN, The Mousetrap | 21+ / $5
    Feb 21st | Rochester NY, The Montage Music Hall | 16+ / $10

    http://youtu.be/adxvdyZSG_c?list=UUMINDmMb52m-mmg3ax09IfQ

  • The Mule to buck the State Theatre on November 15

    Celebrating their first twenty years, Gov’t Mule will be stopping at the State Theatre in Ithaca, NY on November 15 in the midst of their celebratory anniversary tour to spread their unique organic brand of heavy rock and blues. In support of their 2013 LP Shout!, the concert is sure to feature recent Mule compositions in addition to a plethora of unique cover tunes and Mule classics from their genre twisting classic recordings.

    Following a preceding November 14 visit to The Palace Theatre in Albany, the Mule will be bringing the musical party to the Upstate masses in what is sure to be the usual incendiary Govt Mule musical display. The current tour reaches its conclusion in Ithaca, in what is guaranteed to be blow out finale for the band.

    Mule State TheatreTickets are available for $29.50-39.50 for the all age’s performance here. The concert will begin at 8:00 PM on November 15, 2014.

  • Arlo Guthrie Returns to Bardavon Theater on November 16

    arloFolk icon Arlo Guthrie comes to the Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie on November 16 for a Sunday show not to be missed.  and The Bardavon are giving away two free tickets to the show. Share this post for a chance to be one of the lucky fans!

    Guthrie was born in Coney Island in 1947, the son of legendary songwriter Woody Guthrie. He grew up surrounded by Pete Seeger, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Ronnie Gilbert, Cisco Houston and other American greats, so his live musical debut at the age of 13 was no surprise. Since that first performance 53 years ago, Guthrie has toured the globe carrying on the folk legacy his father started. Arlo performed at the 1969 Woodstock Festival , many Newport Folk Festivals, and has played with the likes of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Doc Watson. Next Sunday, he brings his legacy back to the Bardavon for the first time in more than two decades.

    Fans will be pining for a live preview of “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” a musical monologue that will be played from myriad radio stations 11 days after The Bardavon show. A satirical first-hand account of Guthrie’s criminal charge of littering and his subsequent disqualification from the Vietnam draft, the 18+ minute anti-war song has become nearly as synonymous with Thanksgiving Day as turkey and football. Like “Alice’s Restaurant,” many of Guthrie’s tunes include political and social commentary, and poignant anecdotes and stories are sprinkled in during shows.

    As Guthrie states on his website, “Sometimes it’s good to just let go of the world and enjoy the natural progression of things.” That’s what admirers will do on November 16 as The Bardavon’s two tiers will be filled with fans spanning many generations.

    Click here to purchase tickets to the 7:00 pm show and share this post for a chance to win a free ticket!

  • Bluegrass Legend Peter Rowan Brings Some First Class Music to Oneonta

    A dream come true for bluegrass aficionados, Peter Rowan will be bringing some good old-fashioned bluegrass music to Oneonta at the classy BSide Ballroom and Supper Club on Friday, Nov. 14. Bringing old-time music to our ears for over five decades, Peter Rowan always impresses audiences with the unique touches he adds to an otherwise traditional style. Having played with fellow well-respected musicians spanning across several styles of music, including Bill Monroe during his time playing with the Bluegrass Boys and Jerry Garcia while performing with Old and In the Way, Peter Rowan also delights fans with solo performances all over the world, and can sometimes be found rock(abilly)ing out with The Free Mexican Air Force. For those looking for some real tradition this Friday night, head on over to BSide Ballroom and be treated to an intimate performance by Grammy-winning recording legend Peter Rowan.

    The show will be starting at 7:00PM, but come early if you can and indulge in a scrumptious meal consisting of fresh, quality seasonal cuisine served up in the restaurant right inside the club! Tickets for this event cost $32 in advance/$38 at the door. Reservations for this event are strongly suggested, as seats are filling up quickly for this one!

    peter rowan oneontaAfter the Oneonta show, Peter Rowan will be making an additional stop in Upstate New York on Saturday night, Nov. 15, when he will be performing at The Egg in Albany. He will also be making an appearance in Bay Shore, NY on Nov. 20. Make sure to give yourself the chance to see him perform when he’s in your town, as Rowan is a bluegrass legend in the truest sense of the word.

  • Alan Evans Playonbrother is No More

    In a sad announcement indeed, Alan Evans Playonbrother has announced they are going on an indefinite hiatus. Alan – a Buffalo native – is well known as the drummer/co-founder of the wildly popular Soulive.

    alan evans playonbrother
    Alan Evans Playonbrother

    Citing an endless unfortunate string of vehicular expenses Alan released the following statement:

    “I have a family to feed and bills to pay, just like everybody else. I need to focus on Soulive and my engineering and producing work to pay off the debt that has piled up through this series of van troubles. I have been investing everything I make with Soulive in Playonbrother and my studio. I have built two bands already, and Playonbrother is something I really wanted to work, and I was cool with not making money playing the shows while we were growing the audience, but this is a different matter and I can’t afford to continue this.”

    “Without the fans’ support, we wouldn’t have gotten this far. It’s tough building a band, and I have mad respect for the young bands out there working the road. I have done that my whole life, and I am fortunate to have Soulive to focus on. Speaking of building bands, I have to give serious props to my manager, Tom Baggott, for his support and vision. He has showed over the years that he can pick winners, and his team at  Hoplite have showed me what development strategy and dedication are all about. They are pros and they get it. More than anything, though, I want to thank Danny and Kris. These cats are serious players and they stuck with this. Dudes that good will definitely land on their feet, though, and I cannot recommend them enough. We have some great shows coming up and we’re going out on a positive note.”

    The trio will finish work and release the music for what will be presumably their last release. While some previously scheduled November tour dates have been canceled,  there are still a handful of chances in November and December to see this ridiculously talented band. Good luck Alan, Danny and Kris!

    Alan Evans Playonbrother – Final Shows

    11.14 | Bear Creek Music Festival | Live Oak, FL
    11.21 | Gramercy Theatre | New York, NY with DOPAPOD
    11.22 | Pearl Street Club Room | Northampton, MA
    12.04 | Montage Music Hall | Rochester, NY with SPIRITUAL REZ
    12.06 | Keswick Theatre | Glenside, PA with TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
    12.05 | Funk N Waffles | Syracuse, NY
    12.08 | Count Basie Theatre | Red Bank, NJ with TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
    12.09 | Bryce Jordan Center | University Park, PA with TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
    12.10 | The 8×10 | Baltimore, MD – very special show featuring one original set and an additional set dedicated to the music of CREAM!
    12.11 | Carpenter Theatre | Richmond, VA with TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND

  • Rapper’s Lament: Big Bank Hank Dead at 57

    bigbankhankBig Bank Hank, original member of the legendary hip-hop group The Sugarhill Gang passed away today due to complications from cancer.

    The Gang is best known for perhaps the most eponymous and appropriately named rap tune of all time: “Rapper’s Delight” – which was featured in countless movies and the first tune of the genre to crack the Billboards top 40 chart (in 1979). Hank was 57.

    Co-founders Wonder Gee and Master Mike released a statement on the passing:

    “So sad to hear about our brother’s passing. The 3 of us created musical history together with the release of Rapper’s Delight. We will always remember traveling the world together and rocking the house. Rest in peace Big Bank.”

    We send our deepest condolences to Hank’s family and friends.

  • Freekbass Brings His Special Brand of Funk to Buffalo

    Photo by Sonya Ziegler
    Photo by Sonya Ziegler

    Freekbass has been reinventing funk music for years, cultivating his own sound after having been birthed in Southern Ohio’s already rich funk scene. If you haven’t heard his sound yet, don’t make the mistake of assuming that he’ll turn out to be just another George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic. His cutting-edge take on the genre he loves truly sets him apart from his musical touchstones.

    His style of funk bass playing brings an infectious bombardment of super low-end grooves and popping signature slap bass arrangements that ensure his albums and live performances aren’t soon forgotten.

    On Thursday, Nov. 13, Freekbass is bringing his CD release party to DBGBs (Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar) on Allen St. in downtown Buffalo. His new album is called Everybody’s Feelin’ Real, which is just another testament to his already well-known arsenal of heavy-hitting synthesizers and extreme bass licks, the combination of which can only be described as space-groove funktronica.

    So, if you find yourself craving a generous helping of new age funk this Thursday night, the likes of which will make you believe you’re watching Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Sly and the Family Stone all performing at the same time, along with Freekbass’s incomparable style of electric bass playing, get yourself down to DBGBs! The show starts at 9 pm.

  • UPDATED: Robert Plant Turns Down Led Zeppelin Reunion Debunked

    Editors note: According to a report Nov 10 from The Guardian, Robert Plant’s publicist has denied any Led Zeppelin Reunion talks happened, calling it “rubbish”. I guess we can go back to hoping for a reunion someday? Original article remains intact below. 

    For those holding your breath for a Led Zeppelin reunion, you should probably give it up. Robert Plant reportedly turned down £500 million (approximately $795 million) to reunite with fellow bandmates Jimmy Page and John Paul-Jones for a 35 date tour that included stops in London, Berlin, and New Jersey. Son of the late John Bonham, Jason Bonham would have been behind the kit.Led Zeppelin Concert: Tribute To Ahmet Ertegun - Performance

    According to The Mirror out of the U.K., Plant ripped up the contract in front of promoter Sir Richard Branson. Branson, who is the biggest Led Zeppelin fan had arrangements for flights to all the venues with his jump jet rebranded as “The Mothership.” The rest of the band minus Plant signed the contract immediately while Plant decided during a 48 hour time frame that he is not interested what so ever.

    The surviving members of Led Zeppelin last reunited back in 2007 at the 02 Arena in London. Led Zeppelin disbanded back in 1980 following the death of drummer John Bonham. It’s pretty safe to say at this point Led Zeppelin is no more. Until then, enjoy their music that they have given to us and enjoy our parents and grandparents Led Zeppelin concert stories.

  • New Music and U.S. Tourdates Coming from ELO

    Billboard reports that ELO frontman Jeff Lynne, upon receiving Outstanding Contribution to Music award at Classic Rock Honours in Los Angeles, hinted that ELO will not just be writing new music, but also a 2015 tour is being planned.

    jeff lynne
    Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

    Lynne, who revived the ELO name and revisited such classic ’70s and ’80s hits as “Telephone Line,” “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Livin’ Thing,” “Showdown” and so many more at London’s Hyde Park, confirmed to Billboard he will be bringing ELO to the States.

    “I had so much in Hyde Park with 50,000 people, where I just played in September, first time I’ve played in 28 years it was fantastic and I loved every minute, so I’m definitely gonna come here and play.” His manager clarified that 2015 was the target date for touring.

    New music can be expected, along with classic ELO tracks, as Lynne said “I’m working on a new album and that’ll be involved in the new times when we play.”

  • Murder By Death to Crowdfund Upcoming Album

    Murder by Death, featuring Americana rock from Kentucky, launched the Kickstarter for their upcoming album, Big Dark Love on November 5. The band, fronted by singer and guitarist Adam Turla, uploaded a full description of their latest project, asking for $150,000 to cover production, recording, art, touring, and other costs.mbd

    After 24 hours, the new album has seen nearly $120,000 in donations. They posted on their Facebook page, “we had such an incredible experience pre-selling our last album through Kickstarter that we felt this was the best way to do it.” Their last album, Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon, saw the same treatment on Kickstarter. Additionally, the band have offered several levels of reward tiers, from digital download of the album, handmade album art by the band’s cellist, Sarah Balliet, time to spend with the band, and much more. Tiers went between $1 and $10,000.

    Anyone wishing to donate to the making of Big Dark Love can do so via the Kickstarter page.

    The album will drop in February 2015.