Category: Albany

James Taylor Coming to Upstate in July

James Taylor has announced an extensive North American tour that will go from May 30th – August 5th right in the middle of the tour, Taylor will be playing back to back nights in Upstate, NY – July 19th he will be playing at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and the next evening July 20th, he will be at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

This tour is going to see James Taylor backed by an “all-star band” more information will be available in the future. Stay right here to see who is in this band as we will be giving that information to you as we hear more about it.

Tickets will be on sale soon and are sure to go quickly as James Taylor is always a popular act to see. Don’t miss out on what is sure to be one of the better tours of the summer.

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February 5, 2014
The Chronicles End Their January Red Square Residency

With three weeks under their belts, The Chronicles finished up their residency at Red Square on January 30^th with a great set of music honoring the late J Dilla as well as some of their own music. Starting the evening off was Ithaca’s Big Mean Sound Machine.

The band stays true to their name, with everyone barely fitting on Red Square’s stage and blowing the audience away with music power that is seen so rarely. The funky numbers they played showcased each member’s talents flawlessly. The three person horn section was strong throughout the performance, leading most tunes along with the drums, bass, and congas. Both the guitars and the keyboards are used more as filler than as leads like they are in most bands. It gives the band a unique sound that should be enjoyable to everyone, and with a new album coming out in June, it is looking like a big year is coming for Big Mean Sound Machine.

The Chronicles came out after a short break and tore through a set that included guest JB for the J Dilla portion of the set. J Dilla is of course best known for the producing he did on many amazing hip hop tunes throughout the 90s until his death in 2006. JB flawlessly rapped over the music and clearly enjoyed helping The Chronicles out with this special show. “E=MC2”, “Stakes is High”, and “Fall in Love” were great highlights of the set. Jeff Nania, who mainly plays various saxophones, even took a turn at the mic during the evening. The Chronicles closed the night, and ran out in style with a one two punch of “Village Livin’” and “Mr. Clean.” This run let the band stretch their musical chops out to all regions of the music landscape and it suited the band well. Hopefully Albany will see another residency down the line.

Setlist: Time, Gobstopper, E=MC2, Move, Won’t Do, Stakes is High, Fall in Love>Think Twice>Fall in Love, Interzone, Just Knew, Strasbourg/St. Denis, Village Livin, Mr. Clean

February 5, 2014
Prepare Yourself: Spiritual Rez Returns to Red Square on Saturday February 8th

This weekend, Albany, NY is going to get hit with a massive storm and there will be no snow involved. The tropical reggae sensation, Spiritual Rez, from Boston, will be unleashing their unrelenting dance party at Red Square on Saturday February 8th. The seven-piece ska funk band is the best thing to come out of Boston since baseball and chowder. They have played some of ’s top festivals last year such as The Catskill Chill and Backwoods Pondfest. Spiritual Rez’s music is unpredictable as they segue from a chill reggae groove into a heavy metal scream fest and then a full on ska free for all. As explosive as their instrumental music is, they have lyrics that everyone can relate to about everything from falling in love to fighting for their right to party.

Lead singer Toft Willingham is a pro at revving up the crowd as he thrashes all over the stage and loves to compete with the audience on who can be louder. This is a band that you want to party with, from beginning to end and still want to hang out with the morning after. Spiritual Rez has a new album being released on Saturday February 15th, Apocalypse Whenever. The album has already been voted as one of the Top 30 on the radio chart on Jambands.com. They are hitting the road hard this spring and its only part one, as they travel all over the Northeast and make their way down the coast. Check their website for a list of their tour dates. Below is their official music video for “Don’t Be Afraid” off of Apocalypse Whenever and if you like what you hear, you can pre-purchase their new album on iTunes.

Tickets are $7 online and $10 at the door to this 21+ event at 8pm with Suitable Groove starting the night at 9pm. Albany’s own, Suitable Groove, is a four-piece hard hitting funk rock band that you won’t want to miss as this band is sure to be no stranger to the growing music scene in the Capital District. This Saturday night will be the best way to shake the snow from your soul and breathe in the summer sound of Spiritual Rez.

February 5, 2014
Help Mister F Become Mister A-OK

Albany’s newest Prog-Funk rockers Mister F need your help and have begun a campaign on indiegogo.com to raise funds for their forthcoming debut studio album. Formed in early 2013 from members of Upstate New York-based bands Timbre Coup and Capital Zen, Mister F is an eclectic, high-energy four-piece band that takes a no-holds-barred approach to blending genres while keeping your feet moving. Having performed at festivals such as Mountain Jam, moe.down, Summer Camp, Camp Bisco, and snoe.down with their previous bands, members of Mister F are no strangers to the live music community.

Some music lovers can be hesitant to engage in these sorts of fundraisers, and for those people I’d like you to lend me your ear for a minute. Consider the facts of a small band on the rise trying to make it to a level of success that simply pays the bills. Let’s consider the costs and rewards of one show, say it’s 200 miles away and pays a guarantee of $500 for a band of four. Immediately we have to subtract gas expenses. At roughly the 15 miles per gallon a tour van would get (if one is lucky) that brings the grand total down to $400. Of course most bands, whether they have a sound guy or not will have to pay one roughly $80-120. Now we are down to $320. A smart group will also have street teamers which need promotional material to spread for the show. Subtract another $30 and we are at $290. No one has eaten anything yet so let’s chop another $40 in miscellaneous expenses leaving us at $250 for four people for roughly 10 hours of work and travel. Roughly $60 a piece or $6 per hour. Band’s MUST consider this sort of campaign to stay fed and working. On top of that, you aren’t just handing over money as any amount of donation from $10 and up comes with a reward, at the least you get an excellent brand new album from a hungry band determined to succeed.

Mister F’s debut album pre-sale fundraising campaign starts with the basic level of perk packages – a digital download of the album upon release, or a hard copy of the album on compact disc. Scott Hannay, vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist/bassist for the band and creator of Umphrey’s McNES – a series of 8-bit ‘chiptune’ remakes of Umphrey’s McGee songs – has offered a package where he will create your likeness as an 8-bit Nintendo character and write an original 30-second 8-bit video game theme song for your character. Matt Pickering, drummer/vocalist, is offering a package where he will draw you a personalized picture. You can also get show-used drumsticks, guitar strings and bass strings used during the recording of the album, receive a private lesson from any member in the band – such as a guitar lesson from lead guitarist Andrew Chamberlaine – or have bassist/guitarist/vocalist/band chef Ben Pickering cook a meal for you. There are many other packages available, and more may be added as the campaign progresses. Check out the full list of perks and a pretty damn hilarious video on the indiegogo site here.

We’re all looking forward to autographed hard copies of albums and poster packages to come in the mail very soon. We hope you all will join in supporting one of our favorite bands.

February 3, 2014
NY Living Legacy Project, The Egg Performing Arts Center – 50th Anniversary of The Beatles’ Arrival in New York

As part of its ongoing NY Living Legacy Project, The Egg Performing Arts Center will explore the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ arrival in New York with a number of performances and related events from February 6 through 15.The celebration will include a series of multi-media events in eight area community centers and be highlighted by two performances at The Egg.

The festivities begin with eight multi-media lectures held in various venues around the Capital Region. Led by ethnomusicologist, Beatles scholar and Skidmore College Professor Gordon Thompson, the program, entitled “She Loves You – The Beatles and New York” will explore the impact of the British invasion on New York, led by The Beatles in February 1964, their historic concert at Shea Stadium, John Lennon’s NYC connection and discuss how their music continues to be an inspiration to composers and performing artists today.

In addition to historic film clips, recordings and photos, the program will be highlighted by live, solo piano interpretations of Beatles classic songs by Cole Broderick. Well known for his jazz, classical and original piano stylings, Mr. Broderick devoted nearly two years of his life painstakingly interpreting some of the group’s most beloved songs on his recent recording “A Solo Piano Tribute to The Beatles.” These events will take place from February 6 – 13 and are free and open to the public at the locations listed below.

SHE LOVES YOU – THE BEATLES AND NEW YORK

Thursday, February 6, 7 PM: Guilderland Public Library

Friday, February 7, 7 PM: Albany Institute of History & Art

Saturday, February 8, 2 PM, Schenectady Public Library

Sunday, February 9, 2 PM, Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library

Monday, February 10, 7 PM, The Arts Center of the Capital Region

Tuesday, February 11, 7:30 PM, Saratoga Springs Public Library

Wednesday, February 12, 7 PM, Crandall Public Library

Thursday, February 13, 7 PM, Bethlehem Public Library

Featured concerts at The Egg include All You Need is Love on February 14 and The Fab Faux on February 15.

For additional information visit www.theegg.org or call The Egg Box Office – 518-473-1845.

January 31, 2014
Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar at The Egg this Friday

Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar, two masters of the slide guitar, will perform together at The Egg this Friday, January 31st starting at 8 pm.

The duo will kick off the American Roots & Branches concert series with Sony Landreth on the electric guitar and Cindy Cashdollar on Dobro and lap-steel. Landreth hails from Louisiana and is a known as “the King of Slydeco”, for his strong Cajun musical styling. He has appeared on albums with Eric Clapton, Gov’t Mule, Little Feat and Jimmy Buffett. Cashdollar is one of our own, calling Woodstock, NY home, where she learned to play from such bluegrass legends as John Herald, Paul Butterfield, Levon Helm and Rick Danko of The Band. She is a five-time Grammy award winner and was the first female to be inducted into the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.

Tickets for Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar are $28 and are still available at The Egg Box Office at the Empire State Plaza, by telephone 518-473-1845 or online. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience blues music like you have never heard it before.

January 31, 2014
Mister F and Tweed Heat Up a Cold Night at The Red Square, January 25th

Mister F with special guest Tweed had Red Square in Albany all warmed up during one of the coldest weeks of the year on Saturday January 25th. Tweed is a self proclaimed psychedelic blend of funk, rock and electronic – and they were just that. For an opening band there was such an immense amount of energy from the stage and within the crowd that it is certainly evident that these guys could have easily been the headliner. Their keyboard set up was extremely impressive, and Jon Tomczak eased the synth into each song organically, creating a layering of electronic among the drums, bass and guitar. Each member in the band contributed great skill and talent within every facet of each song. These boys are certainly an up and coming band to keep your eye on for the upcoming festival season, and a must see band within the jam community.

Hometown boys Mister F took the stage once again with a great energy that exuded into the crowd and had everyone moving. Each member of Mister F holds such an immense amount of talent that these boys can literally do no wrong. They showed great versatility as individuals and varied their setlist from funk to harder guitar riffs and a more rock and roll sound, to jammy and electronic pieces that truly showed their capabilities as a band. Matt Pickering and his brother Ben Pickering stay completely in sync within the rhythm on drum and bass, even when Matt takes lead vocals on many of their songs. Andrew Chamberlain tears apart intricate guitar solos as if the guitar is second nature to him and Scott Hannay blends everything together on the keys and synth. At one point during the night Hannay left the keys to pick up the guitar, only further showing the amount of talent and capability these guys have as musicians. Mister F has definitely put their work in as an up and coming band in the past few months and are now easily considered one of the best acts to see locally, or at music festivals this summer.

Setlist: Everything You Say, Vocoder> Answer the Dawg> Vocoder> Oasis> Hedgehod, Get Used To It, Busters Revenge> Eye Level> Busters Revenge, Deal Breaker, The Flu (by Lettuce), Treadmill, Jump The Shark, Oh My Dayum, Unisex Collider

Encore: On and On

Listen to the the January 25th show here

January 31, 2014
Red Square to host Eastbound Jesus Live Album Recording Sessions this weekend

Northern Rock band, Eastbound Jesus will be taking over Red Square in Albany this weekend, where they will be recording their first ever live album. Eastbound Jesus most recently opened up for moe. for their New Year’s Run at The Palace Theater and this will be their first time playing in their home of the Capital Region in 2014. The six-piece band gains fans all over the Upstate NY region singing about cold weather, whiskey and women with fast picking strings and a hot foot stomping rhythm. Be on the lookout for their live album release, set to drop in late winter or early spring.

Each night, the doors open at 8pm with first acts on at 9pm. Driftwood will be kicking off Friday night and fiddler Claire Byrne will be sitting in for some tunes with EBJ. Binghamton’s Driftwood is an all string quartet with a burning passion for folk rock that is contagious almost instantly. The Blind Spots will open up Saturday night and keyboardist Tony Meier will join EBJ for some music later in the night. The female led vocalist, Maddy Walsh has been compared to every great female vocalist you can think of and is sure to catch you by surprise. This Rock Indie band from Ithaca has a bold sound that grows with every show.

Do not miss the Eastbound Jesus live album recording or these Guthrie Bell Productions shows that are proof that Upstate NY has the best home grown talent. Tickets are $10 online or $12 at the door.

January 31, 2014
Third Time’s the Charm as The Chronicles Continue Their Red Square Residency

The Chronicles continued their winter residency at Red Square on Thursday, January 23rd and paid tribute to musical legends Earth Wind and Fire with special guest Michael Wooten.

The Cedric Burnside Project opened up the event with longtime friends Cedric Burnside on drums and guitarist Trenton Ayers, who together make a Mississippi funk party parade. It’s no mistake that Cedric was born into music as his grandfather is North Mississippi blues legend, R.L. Burnside and started touring with him when he was 13 years old. The duo brought Mardi Gras to Upstate NY with soulful singing, swampy guitar riffs and fast paced tempo, a foot stomping good time. One of the highlights was when the duo brought up members from the Chronicles to sit in on “White Lightening”, bringing the flair of jazz and pure rock and roll. Burnside and Ayers had permanent smiles on their faces and so did everyone in the crowd, here’s hoping they come back soon.

The Chronicles welcomed Michael Wooten on lead vocals and guitar to join in their tribute to the mighty Earth, Wind and Fire. The set exploded with a funky “Getaway” followed by the popular hit and crowd pleaser, “September.” Wooten added a strong, mature tone to the group with his voice, hitting those ever famous high and low notes. It was fantastic to hear the classic brass melody from, Jeff Nania on Saxophone and Bryan Brundige on Trombone played with soulful execution. “Shining Star” got the most cheers the moment, guitarist Justin Henricks and Wooten strummed those strings and everyone began to sing and get down.

After the Earth Wind and Fire set, the crowd seemed a bit restless and not ready to call it quits just as the night and music was getting started. “We are just about to rage now,” Henricks assured the fans as they boys started their set with a smooth “Mr.Magic” with light yet complex key solo from Paulie Philippone. Andrae Surgick showed great control as he effortlessly slammed on the cymbals and drums. Closing out the set was “Village Living” extra heavy on the bass bombs thanks to Daniel Lawson. A break in between songs during the show gave the Chronicles’ sound guy a chance to mention to the audience that at 5 am, pretty much right after this set, the band was flying out to California for the weekend to play a gig before the Grammys and recording an album. The Chronicles have a supportive fan base in the Upstate NY area and it’s thrilling to watch them stretch their sound to new places across the country.

Don’t miss The Chronicle’s last show of their residency this Thursday, January 30th at Red Square when they pay tribute to J Dilla, with The Big Mean Sound Machine opening the show at 9pm.

Setlist: Getaway, September, Jupiter, Fantasy, Let’s Groove, Can’t Let Go, Shining Star, Way of this World, Can’t Hide Love , Mr. Magic, Purple Diesel, Mr. Clean, Scrasbourg, No War, Village Livin

January 29, 2014
Wild Adriatic Rocks The Hollow for Album Release Show

Wild Adriatic’s new album Big Suspicious was released on Saturday, January 18th in Albany and to celebrate, the band played an all-out rock and roll show to a sold out crowd at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. The band was feeding off of the energy of the crowd for their hour and a half long set; bringing everything they had in their musical bag of tricks and more to the frenzied audience.

The evening started with The Black Fox River Project and their country-flavored rock tunes filling the venue with slide guitars and harmonies. Their music is better meant for summer time instead of the bitter cold winter that was taking place outside, but it made everyone inside the venue feel that much closer to the warmer weather to come. Their set ended with a great up-tempo rock number that had the crowd dancing for the first time of the evening, in what would become the norm for the remainder of the night.

Buffalo natives Aqueous were up next and came out of the gates swinging with funky laced rock that kept the crowd going for almost an hour straight. Dave Loss switched from his guitar to his keyboard throughout the entire set, showing great skills on both instruments, while Mike Gantzer ripped solos on his guitar continuously bringing many cheers from the crowd. Evan McPhaden and Nick Sonricker, on bass and drums respectively, held down the grooves for the other two to work over. Aqueous showed the crowd during their set why they are on the rise and ready for a huge year.

The jam-packed crowd seemed to get even thicker by the time Wild Adriatic took the stage. Travis Gray’s distinctly soaring vocals were perfect during the entire set, as was Rich Derbyshire’s superb bass playing, and Mateo Vosganian’s drum kit rattled all evening as he pounded endlessly. The band was joined by Pat Daley on keys during the set to celebrate his inclusion on the album. On a couple of songs the band was also joined by a three part horn section that added an extra element to the already amazing music being played.

Covering almost their entire album, as well as a cover of the classic “Shout”, Wild Adriatic played a show to remember to start off a year that will see them go all over the country and play South by Southwest. Their brand of rock and roll reverberates to the 70s bluesy garage era of music that comes out and takes your breath away from all the dancing that goes on. Ending on a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” many members of the audience climbed onto the stage to dance with the band as they tore through the number. The show was being filmed by the band and hopefully we will all get to relive the show again soon.

Setlist: Your Man, Mess Around, The Fool, Holding You, Trouble, Cooperstown, Tight Grip, Lose My Mind, Because of Me, Shout, 40 Days, Heavy Soul, Letter, Lonely, Woe, The Spark, Immigrant Song

January 27, 2014