NYS Music 20​14

Category: Upcoming Shows

  • BSP Kingston Hosting An “Un-quiet” Evening with Quiet Life and The Ballroom Thieves December 10

    Despite the name, Quiet Life (New London, CT/Portland, OR) along with The Ballroom Thieves (Boston, MA) will settle up at BSP Kingston with sets of cozy, foot-stomping tunes fit for the dull hump of a Wednesday.

    Quiet Life

    Natives of New London, CT and currently from Portland, OR, Quiet Life is touring behind the breakout success of their recent EP release “Housebroken Man,” which included collaborations with My Morning Jacket guitarist  Jim James and Cary Ann Hearst of Shovels & Rope. The band is also putting the finishing touches on a new full length album, produced by Scott McMicken of Dr. Dog, due out in 2015. Known for a rowdy live show, Quiet Life have toured with the likes of The Lumineers, Alabama Shakes, and The Head & the Heart.

    Joining Quiet Life is The Ballroom Thieves bringing a slow, deliberate build in their music to the BSP. Their music takes a commanding role onstage from the start, turning any size venue into an intimate environment.

    Kingston’s own Time Travels will be opening the show.

    The show runs from 7 – 11 pm and tickets are available here and at the door for $7
    .

  • Turkuaz to Perform at The Westcott Theatre December 11

    Turkuaz, a fun filled funk band out of Brooklyn, NY who are infamous for their matching jumpsuits are playing at The Westcott Theatre in Syracuse on December 11. This large family consists of 8 members; Dave Brandwein on guitar and vocals, Taylor Shell play the bass, Craig Brodhead on guitar and synths, Michelangelo Carubba on drums, Greg Sanderson plays saxophone, Joshua Schwartz also on saxophone and vocals, Chris Brouwers trumpet and keyboard, lastly Sammi Garett, vocals and tambourine. Despite the size of the band, these multi-talented musicians have a unique chemistry amongst themselves. This celebration starts on Thursday, December the 11 at 8pm. Annie in the Water and Ocupanther open up the night. Get your tickets here.

  • The Southern Tier Proudly Welcomes the Trey Anastasio Band to Our Neck of the Woods

    Apparently willing to go a bit out of their way during their winter tour to grace Binghamton with their presence, the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB) will be performing at the Broome County Forum Theatre on Tuesday, December 9, sandwiched between shows at the State Theatre in Portland, ME, on the 7th, and the Beacon Theatre in NYC on the 11th. and 12th.

    With a new album not due to be released until early next year, TAB will be sure to give us all a taste of what’s to come from their upcoming Paper Wheels. Recorded at Trey’s studio The Barn in the time span of a week (with no doubt a lot more rehearsal time beforehand to prepare), Anastasio and his six band-mates recorded most of the songs together in one room, and often in just one or two takes. Joined by six incredibly talented musicians, including a brass section, TAB allows Trey to take a different, funkier approach to his music. Having thrown fun little treats into their sets throughout this tour, including a cover of the Looney Tunes theme song and Ana Tijoux’s “1977”, perhaps best known for being featured during a particularly intense scene in Breaking Bad, I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us at Tuesday night’s show!

    The show will be starting at 7:30PM, and tickets are still available, but you might want to move on them soon, as the Forum Theatre only holds 1,500 people, and you wouldn’t want to miss such an intimate performance by TAB, now would you?

    Since you’re making the trip to Binghamton for TAB, why not come into town a couple of hours early and stop by Dillingers Celtic Pub and Eatery, where will be sponsoring a TAB pre-party event, with entertainment provided by local musician Timbo Linkroum from 4:00 until the show starts! A full menu with food and drink specials will be available there all night long, and being that the bar is located only three blocks from the Forum and across the street from a parking garage, you can even leave your car behind and stroll on over the show. I will be there getting my grub on before the show and listening to some fine fine music by Timbo, so stop on by and say hi!

  • Nonpoint coming to Watertown December 8

    trinanonpointNonpoint will be coming to the Exhibition Hall in Watertown, NY, December 8.

    The Florida natives are touring in support of their album released in September, The Return. Elias Soriano, lead vocals, has described their eighth full length album as “Nonpoint right the f*** now”. These guys are always evolving and bringing their music to a whole new level. Watertown should be ready to rock out with Nonpoint like never before.

    Some of the greatest bands in Upstate music, Glen Street, Chasing Sokaris, Cry to the Blind, and Watertown favorites Caustic Method, will be joining Nonpoint at the Exhibition Hall.

    Proving to be a show to beat the ‘Monday blues’, this is certainly a night I will be looking forward to.

    All ages welcome. Tickets are $15.

  • Syracuse’s Ben Mauro Album Release This Weekend at The Palace

    It has been a pleasure over the last year to work with Ben Mauro.  A native of Syracuse, Ben has followed his dream all over the world playing music along with some of the greatest musicians ever.  Currently touring with Lionel Richie, Ben has had the opportunity to work together with some major stars in the business such as Kelly Clarkson, Brittany Spears, and John Fogerty to just name a few.

    Lionel Richie - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
    Lionel Richie – Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    Over the last year Ben has been working on some of his own music.  At an EP Release party back in May, Ben shared a taste of what was to come to a sold out crowd at Shifty’s.  The music was awesome, and left listeners in high anticipation for the final release. Home for the holidays, Ben’s album release is finally here.  At The Palace Theater this Saturday, December 6, fans will finally be able to get their copy of this talented musicians final cut.

    Ben Mauro Album Release
    Ben Mauro Album Release

    Joining Ben on stage will be the SAMMY Award winning backup band, Phoenix Eleven, who also are on hiatus from touring.  With Greg “Goose” LaPoint on drums, Joe Grosvent on bass, and Max McKee on guitar and vocals, they will be joined by special guests Deyquan and Yajha Bowens on keyboards and vocals, Al Cutri on saxophone and lifelong friends Peter McMahon and Paulie Cerra.

    Phoenix Eleven Ben Mauro Album Release
    Phoenix Eleven – Ben Mauro Album Release

    Tickets can be purchased on his website or at the door, if still available.  Don’t wait to the last minute to share this special evening with Syracuse’s finest musicians in celebration of music and holiday cheer.

  • Hearing Aide: Eastbound Jesus ‘Ruff Stuff Nuff Said’

    ruffstuff1On Saturday December 6, Parish Public House and Guthrie Bell Productions will host the North Country Rock band known as Eastbound Jesus for the release of their fourth album, Ruff Stuff Nuff Said.

    This is Eastbound Jesus’ first live album, recorded at Parish Public House back on January 31 and February 1, 2014, when it was still known as Red Square. They recorded over 40 songs from that weekend and picked the top 14 songs to create the fun loving, foot stomping Eastbound Jesus show experience.

    Ruff Stuff Nuff Said was worth the wait for the crisp professional sound alone. Knowing firsthand how smothering the sound can be in Parish Public House, especially with more than a few enthusiastic fans, the album has a great balance of vocals, instruments and cheers. With a “take it or leave it” attitude, much like the musicians themselves, Ruff Stuff gives fair warning to listeners of the stripped honesty and raw energy of their live shows. The album starts with “I Wouldn’t Know”, a slow building melody that erupts with continuous peaks of banjo and guitar plucking with a mighty chorus, the foundation for most of their songs and it works every time.

    Showcasing EBJ’s ability to convey their unique sound as well as a few crowd pleasing covers, one of the top tracks is the Grateful Dead’s “Turn on Your Lovelight” jam that grows out of “Don’t Use It Much” when joined by trombonist Bryan Brundige and keyboardist Tony Meier. You can actual feel the venue start to get dizzy with the ferocious melody. From soft country ballads to rebellious swamp rock, Ruff Stuff Nuff Said provides light to why it’s no wonder EBJ has such a dedicated, rowdy fanbase that can relate to their Upstate sound and everyday themed lyrics about the weather, drinking and authority.

    Key Tracks: 54 Miles, Don’t Use It Much, Where The Winter Goes

    Click here to read our review from the shows where Ruff Stuff Nuff Said was recorded.

    Doors for the show on Saturday open at 8 with backwoods rockers Lucid set to kick off the night around 9. Tickets will be available at the door for $12 but you can secure yours today online for $10. Eastbound Jesus shows have a reputation for being sold out events, making this coming one no different. Red Square recently underwent a full upgrade to become Parish Public House, the same music venue we love with the addition of a full Louisiana eatery and drinkery. Their menu makes it a smart decision to get there early with items like the various po boys, alligator bites, gumbo, burgers and more Cajun delights. Eastbound Jesus has recently announced that they will be taking some time off for some desired studio time. So be sure to pick up your copy of Ruff Stuff Nuff Said to help you survive the winter and come out to the show this Saturday!

  • Sportsmens Tavern Welcomes Floodwood to Buffalo Saturday December 6

    Upstate bluegrass rockers Floodwood will be making a stop in Buffalo on Saturday December 6 with an intimate show at the Sportsmen’s Tavern.

    The band has been playing throughout the country at some of the biggest festivals as well as the Buffalo area in more than a few occasions. The band includes two musicians who in their normal work day consist of being pivotal roles with progressive rockers and Upstate’s moe. Al Schnier (guitar) and Vinnie Amico (drums) are no stranger to the area and since forming moe. in Buffalo so many years ago always love to give it their all when back in town. Floodwood, while is very far from what moe. puts onstage still brings the same energy to the stage. As good as Schnier and Amico are, the band has some extraordinary talent in Nick Piccininni (fiddle), Jason Barady (mandolin) and Zachary  Fleitz (bass).

    Floodwood Jams at MVCC
    Floodwood Jams at MVCC

    The show will also be pretty special as special guests John and Mary of 10,000 Maniacs. This will definitly be a show you will want to see and checkout. Tickets can be purchased through the venues website. Show starts at 9pm with tickets $17 in advance and $20 day of show.

  • Dark Star Orchestra set to raise the Dead at the Westcott Theater

    Following their tradition of “continuing the Grateful Dead concert experience,” Dark Star Orchestra is back on the road, making a short stop at Syracuse’s Westcott Theater on December 1st.

    dark star orchestra westcottFor anyone who knows this 7 member tribute band extraordinaire, listening to their limited discography is just not enough to achieve the full DSO experience. They’ve extensively toured since their start in 1997, hitting up venues across the globe with the hopes of sharing the energetic spirit and fresh improvisational musicality that the Grateful Dead started so many years ago. It is this experience that breaks DSO apart from the cover band realm, giving them the musical flexibility and large following they have today.

    While fans that attend a DSO should certainly be prepared to rock out to extensive Grateful Dead repertoire, DSO has a way of throwing in some surprises here and there, attributing to the Beatles and sometimes, Bob Marley. One thing I can say for sure is, you will not leave this concert on a sad note.

    Make sure you head over to the Westcott around 7pm, and purchase your tickets online or at the door for $25. Make sure you follow DSO’s updates on their website and Facebook page, and come channel your inner dancing bear to kickoff this December!

  • Animals as Leaders to play at The Westcott December 2

    On December 2, Animals as Leaders will take to the stage at Syracuse’s Westcott Theatre. This progressive metal band consists of three very talented members, Tosin Abasi, Javier Reyes and Matt Garstka, with the bands’ sound being something of an experimental jazz infused technical metal. MetalSucks has ranked Animals as Leaders Guitarist Tosin Abasi as number 2 on their list of modern metal’s top guitarists and he will surely grace Syracuse’s Westcott with his 8 string guitar. The trio released The Joy of Motion earlier this year and hopefully it will be celebrated on Tuesday night. The show starts at 8 pm with three bands including Monuments, Turn the Tide, and How to Disappear Completely.

    Animals as Leaders

  • Touré-Raichel Collective will bring Mali and Israel Stars to The Egg

    November 22 at The Egg brings The Touré-Raichel Collective to the Swyer Theater, part of the Rhythm International concert series. Featuring Malian guitar virtuoso Vieux Farka Touré and Israeli superstar pianist  Idan Raichel, both of whom have developed an inspirational collaboration and artistic kinship that creates an intercultural free-form acoustic masterpiece, crossing boundaries of country, culture and tradition.

    toure raichelOften referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara”, Vieux Farka Toure is known for  his speed and dexterity on the guitar, and is considered one of world music’s true stars.  Idan Raichel is a keyboardist, producer and composer known around the world for his ambitious cross-cultural collaborations that changed the face of Israeli popular music.  Vieux Farka Touré and Idan Raichel met by chance, in 2008 at the Berlin airport, where they expressed mutual admiration and a desire to work together. Touré’s father, the legendary Ali Farka Touré, was one of Raichel’s musical heroes and the two went to Israel and recorded The Tel Aviv Session, which found musically beautiful common ground between the artist’s cultures.  This was followed by The Paris Session and international touring.

    Tickets are $29.50 and are available at The Egg Box Office at the Empire State Plaza, by telephone– 518-473-1845 – or online.