NYS Music 20​14

Category: Ithaca

  • Gov’t Mule Tour Closes at State Theatre Ithaca

    Gov’t Mule closed out their twentieth anniversary fall tour at the State Theatre in Ithaca on November 15, pulling out all of the stops and in the words of Warren Haynes regarding the last show of the tour, making sure, ‘Anything Goes!’ Indeed this fact was true as the Mule blasted out a career spanning set that featured multiple and extended instrumental interludes and definitive renditions of multiple Mule jam vehicles.

    Gov't Mule Ithaca

    The band hit the stage at 8:20 with late-comers still stumbling their way to their seats as the group developed a spacey swell. Haynes used some deft manipulations of feedback immediately before dropping coin into slot with the twisted groove of ‘Bad Man Walkin’. The hallmark of this introductory set is not only the expected holographic Haynes guitar explorations, but the dirty sock funk laid down by the sturdy rhythm section. ‘Inside Outside Woman Blues’ continues this trend with the first ‘big’ jam of the evening, culminating in a knotted guitar/bass battle between bassist Carlsson and Haynes. Keyboardist Danny Louis is also a major proponent of the grooves being developed on the evening lending spongy Rhodes asides and Moogy colorizations.

    A jam then constructed with hammer and nails resulted in the shady chugging introduction of ‘Broke Down on the Brazos’ from Mule’s 2009 LP, By A Thread. Haynes deconstructed the outro jam in a blue flurry of quotes, smoothly revealing obscured melodies with every quote. ‘Brazos’ fell perfectly into a sprawling ‘Tributary Jam’ allowing Louis to explore his sonic stamp collection while exchanging licks across stage with Haynes.

    ‘Whisper in Your Soul’ followed and was dedicated to Grace Potter by Haynes. The shimmering track is the appropriate cool down period for the set even though it splashes into watery wah-wah’s guitars by its conclusion. Haynes and Mule standard, ‘Banks of the Deep End’, made a welcome appearance keeping the damper down and did not stray from the theme of cultivating funky blues rhythms that had been developed over the evening.

    Following a restful duo of tracks, Haynes donned the slide for the first time the evening during the show highlight, ‘Devil Likes It Slow’, surpassing 13 minutes. A plethora of thematic snapshots are examined while Carlsson forgoes the steps and heads straight for the stars with his bass virtuosity. The composition becomes elastic when Louis steps forward for a Herbie Hancock impression while Haynes lays back with jazzy interjections. Musical summits are reached and then left behind for greater things. Inspiring musicianship is the hallmark for the Mule and this particular jam leaves no doubt.

    ‘Thorazine Shuffle’ then closes the powerful set while also sandwiching the punchy smirk of 2013’s ‘Funny Little Tragedy’. This is a runaway train of a jam that careens around corners before peaking and leaving the excited crowd anticipating the second set. It’s hard to believe the band could follow the previous jamming on ‘Devil’ with anything, but again they come up in spades by topping themselves yet again.

    The tight quarters and cramped bathrooms of the historic State Theatre were no match for the camaraderie enjoyed over the break due to the Mule’s superior and joyful playing. After such a well jammed out first set, the second set was sure to be brimming with musical surprises. As to not blow the roof off of the place after the incendiary close of the first set, the Mule eased it in with the slick guitar buoyancy and undulating bass of ‘Done Got Wise’ followed by the refreshing Reggae drift of ‘Scared To Live’, both found on 2013’s Shout!.

    Properly warmed up and ready to kick, the band jumped into a funktified reading of the Betts/Haynes composition ‘Kind of Bird’, a song built for musical madness and a song performed by Mule since their inception. Here it is given a moody long distance reading with a full on ‘In Memory of Elizabeth Reed’ jam as well as a quote from the Turtles, ‘Happy Together’. ‘King of Bird’ spotlights stellar playing, seamless segues and stratospheric playing by the entire band. The venue gathers a late night haze, the temperature rose in the balcony and the Mule turned the assembled crowd to putty. Bird calls glided over rolling thunder, before coagulating into a massive scrubbing froth of swelling musical foam. Multifaceted and dynamic jams are lead by Haynes but given momentum by Louis and Carlsson who came in for a slamming landing at the only natural resting place, the expansive mine field of a Matt Abts drum solo. Woah.

    ‘I Think You Know What I Mean’ slinked through the bar room door, the influence of its distinctive drum beat reflected in the version of Led Zeppelin’s ‘When the Levee Breaks’ that it envelops. Haynes slipped the slide on his finger again for this song suite, bringing much of the collected crowd to its feet. The natural progression between songs is hand in glove as Haynes weaves the band between compositional boxcars. Two more song pairs combine to culminate the evening in a way that only the Mule can. The kinetic cowbell driven ‘Bad Little Doggie’ is a crowd favorite and defiantly breaks its lead to act as a prelude to the evenings second Zeppelin reference, a floor stomping ‘How Many More Years’. Played with the Zeppelin arrangement but dictated in the classic Howlin’ Wolf fashion. Rising and falling like the seasonal waves on Cayuga Lake the song disintegrates into a crowd clapping conglomerate before reprising intensely.

    The band returns to ecstatic applause for their encore and responded in kind by playing a pair of Mule standards road tested, recognizable and as comfortable as dependable winter gloves. Undeniable proof of who is still one of the finest live bands in the land. ‘Mule’ and ‘Soulshine’ close the evening paired fittingly in what is a celebration of a great band, touched by tragedy, luck, respect, talent, change, stability and undeniable abilities. Lets raise our glasses to another twenty for Gov’t Mule, Warren, Matt and Allen’s original vision, unchanged and still kickin.

  • String Cheese Incident Returns to Upstate

    A cover heavy jammin good time was had by a packed State Theater in Ithaca on Monday Nov. 10, the band’s first return to the Southern Tier since 2005.

    string cheese incident upstateOpening with a 10+ minute “Shine”, the audience was enthralled from the high energy exhibited from the band members. “Orange Blossom Special” emerged from a jammed out “So Far From Home,” while “Dirk > Jungle Boogie > Dirk” stood out as a highlight of the show, giving a nod to their performance at Lockn’ Festival with K.C. of K.C. and the Sunshine Band. A closing “Colorado Bluebird Sky” was the highest of notes to end on, full of jamgrassy goodness throughout the western anthem.

    Two songs stood out in the second set – the opener “BollyMunster” and off of the recent release Song in My Head, “Colliding”. I am still not sold on “BollyMunster,” simply because of its melting pot nature, featuring touches of bluegrass, Bollywood, and electronic as it just overwhelms what could be a stronger composition if stripped down slightly, even to an acoustic level. “Colliding,” however, wowed the audience with returns to the composition after a strong central jam. “Can’t Wait Another Day,” another track off Song in My Head, could easily transport you to a beach in the Caribbean, full of life and carefree dancing. “Outside and Inside” had a surprising inclusion of U2’s “Mysterious Ways,” catching the audience off guard but welcomed more than Songs of Innocence on their iPhones.

    The encore was a treat. Bill Nershi weaved his way through the semi-biographical “Jellyfish,” which ended up with two verses of Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritavilla” before moving into the closer “Black Clouds”. Their first time back in Upstate in nine years and String Cheese impressed the capacity crowd who were sent buzzing into the streets of Ithaca. Fortunately, this night’s show did not end early with the fire alarm being pulled. Back in October 2005, Bill Nershi made up for this faux pas by treating the fans to acoustic versions of “Bar Stool” and “Texas” in the street in front of the venue, but tonight the band would leave it all on the stage and the fans likewise would leave it all on the dance floor.

    Set 1: Shine > So Far From Home > Orange Blossom Special, Sweet Spot, Master Blaster (Jammin), Drums, Dirk > Jungle Boogie > Dirk, Colorado Bluebird Sky

    Set 2: BollyMunster, Miss Brown’s Teahouse > Chameleon > Miss Brown’s Teahouse, Colliding > Land’s End > Can’t Wait Another Day, Outside And Inside > Mysterious Ways > Outside And Inside

    Encore: Jellyfish > Margaritaville > Black Clouds

    String Cheese Incident continued their tour of NY with two nights at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th. The crowd was getting restless until, at last, SCI took the stage a little after 8:30 with no shoes on but big smiles. The show kicked off with “Search” featuring some killer dueling solos from percussionists Jason Hann and Michael Travis. Keeping up with the upbeat vibe, “Birdland” saw strong organ chords from Kyle Hollingsworth with light cymbal work making for a fusion of jazz and funk when adding Keith Moseley’s bass. Bill Nershi gives a consistent earthy folk sound on his acoustic guitar as he danced merrily around the stage with Michael Kang, providing high voltage on the electric guitar. “Sometimes a River” held the classic rock rhythm with an easy flowing country melody as the crowd happily sang back the lyrics with gusto. Performing the title song of their album, “Song in my Head” was a swirling and dizzying light tune with steady builds before turning into a dark jam as the melody suddenly dropped to the thunderous boom of Travis. The set ended with “Close Your Eyes” which was a harmonious and ferocious jam with an ethnic flair from Hann on bongos and old world plucking from Nershi.

    The second set was a nonstop roller coaster of dark space and psychedelic melodies, starting out with an awesome Caribbean cover of “This Must Be the Place” by Talking Heads. “Valley of the Jig” was an Irish Lord of the Dance show, but with a dark side of Mars vibe. Taking a moment to experience the here and now, Moseley shouted out “Happy 11/11!” at 11:11pm as the band appropriately went into the breezy cute ballad of “Smile”. Not too surprising given the reputation of The Cap, but the beginning notes of The Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street” resulted in a full-out explosion of midnight madness. SCI must have been on Colorado time as the show went pretty late for a week night as the set closed out with a spooky “Desert Dawn.” The encore of “Restless Wind” summed up everything there is about String Cheese Incident. Kang’s fiddle work brought out their deep roots of bluegrass, Hollingsworth slammed on his keys, and the entire band lifted the crowd with rockitude. SCI was appreciative of the fans and the atmosphere of the venue as they repetitively thanked the crowd. Both shows are available for download on livecheese.com.

    Set 1: Search, Birdland, You’ve Got the World, Sometimes a River, Indian Creek, Song In My Head > Give Me the Love, Close Your Eyes

    Set 2 : This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) > It Is What It Is> Valley of the Jig, Smile, Joyful Sound> Shakedown Street> Desert Dawn

    Encore: Restless Wind

  • 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.

  • A Festival for a Cause: Grassroots 2014

    This year marked the 24th annual Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance and everyone in attendance at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds from July 17-20, 2014 knew they were taking part in something truly special. Every year, the Grassroots Festival donates the proceeds to local charities, not-for-profit organizations, and other groups in need. Musicians, artists, local vendors, and live music lovers alike come from far and wide to partake in this breathtaking event that gives back to local communities like few other events of its kind. From international music legends to newly started local businesses, all parties involved in the Grassroots Festival are doing their part to make a difference.

    IMG_5188The extravaganza began on the Wednesday before the festival started, as Jeb and Tara of Donna the Buffalo and Keller Williams with The Travelin’ McCourys kicked things off with the Pre-Grassroots Special Concert on the beautiful Grandstand Stage. Even though the festival was still a day away, you could easily feel the excitement and anticipation brewing on the fairgrounds.

    Noon couldn’t come soon enough on Thursday, with people lining up and down the street, all waiting to get their wristbands and let the festivities begin. Within a matter of hours, nearly every campsite was filled as festivalgoers began to mill about the grounds, sampling some of the many types of cuisine and taking a gander at the various vendors. Finally, at 1pm sharp, Bubba George Stringband took to the Infield Stage to open Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance 2014. Bubba George is made up of a group of life-long friends whose greatest love is to play folk and bluegrass music, which is exactly what they did.

    Often times, a Thursday night of a festival is a time when people are still getting settled in and maybe resting up for the weekend ahead, but at this year’s Grassroots, you would have thought it was a Saturday night, as folks filled every inch of dancing room available to flail about and belt their favorite lyrics until they could do so no longer. Local bands were a plenty, with the 585 and 607 areas being well represented.

    Kevin Kinsella plucked his light, bouncing acoustic melodies that inspired spontaneous dancing and smiles throughout the crowd. Following Kinsella, Thousands of One performed their progressive hip-hop lyrics, accompanied by multiple music styles, including roots, acoustic jam, and funk. The Blind Spots began not long after at the Grandstand, but many stayed to lock down a spot for Donna. Since the very beginning in 1991, Donna The Buffalo has been headlining Grassroots, drawing some of the biggest crowds at the festival. Donna plays varying styles, but they started off with some slower songs such as “Siverlined”, warming up their fans for what they had in store for the rest of the weekend.

    The Grandstand was the place to be, with a stacked lineup including Driftwood, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, and Sophistafunk. Driftwood, like Donna the Buffalo, started off with their down-tempo songs. Giant Panda picked up the pace considerably, bringing more people from the stands to dance. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad jammed some feel-good dub with their song “Love You More”, going very well with the warm Grassroots vibe. Late night heated up quick as Sophistafunk took to the stage. As soon as the first deep, funky bass note by Adam Gold was dropped, there was no doubt that the party was in session. Sophistafunk rocked the Bandstand for nearly two hours, with positive lyrics by Jack Brown and backed by tight rhythms that anyone can get down to.

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    After a cold night, morning broke on Friday and began to warm things up. Even though the music hadn’t started, there was still plenty to do on the festival grounds. Some took part in morning yoga to revive their sore muscles after a hard night of dancing, while others found their center in an open meditation in the Workshop Tent. Throughout the weekend, there were many other educational gatherings and workshops, focusing on drumming, dance, healing and more. Grassroots is about more than just music, it’s about art of all forms and engaging in the fullest experience life has to offer. And for the young ones, the kid’s area was open all weekend with music lessons and face painting.

    This year’s Grassroots festival was different from many years past in one very noticeable way. The weather was exceptional, with temperatures near 80 degrees and rain just managing to hold off for the most part. Many people who had attended the fest before were commenting on just how lucky we were, compared to the scalding heat and torrential rains of past years. Even though it was not terribly hot, many people still took refuge in the beautiful river that runs behind the offsite camping area. The water was divine as many people meandered their way through the gorge. However, as nice as it was, local police were taking advantage of poorly marked areas that were off-limits and gave out thousands of dollars in fines to unsuspecting festivalgoers, putting a damper on the weekend for some.

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    Musical highlights for the day came in all genres. Ithaca’s Big Mean Sound Machine performed in the Infield, playing a mix of dub and Latin music with the depth and complex rhythms they have become known for. For those interested in music from around the world, Locos Por Juanas had everyone’s hips moving to their lively Columbian tunes. At the same time, another Grassroots veteran, Sim Redmond Band took to the Grandstand. Sim played a combination of African and Caribbean inspired songs, bringing a sound that has evolved over the decades. The main attraction for the night was undoubtedly John Brown’s Body. JBB has been a roots/reggae staple in New York and across the country since the mid ’90s and still never fails to put on an unforgettable performance.

    As if Friday hadn’t been busy enough, with one top-notch band after another, Saturday would prove to be equally thrilling, if not more so. The day started in the Grandstand with the annual Grassroots Band Contest. This year’s winner was The Ruddy Well Band. The group specializes in folk music and will be a performer at next year’s festival. Driftwood played a considerably more upbeat set, pleasing their many fans that had been itching to dance since they saw them Thursday. More international music was in store with Samite and his East African music and Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate. Joey and Sekou are a French and American duo, having a very distinct sound that combines a 21-stringed African instrument called a Kora with American hip-hop lyrics.

    Galumpha, an acrobatic comedy act from Ithaca, brought smiles to many with their silly antics and impressive human sculptures. To contrast Galumpha’s lighter fare, over in the Infield, Anders Osborne was playing his good ol’ rock n roll, and even some Southern blues with “Louisiana Rain”. John Specker drew quite an impressive crowd, though it was likely that many of them were reserving their spot for Donna The Buffalo’s second set. The band sounded completely different, with a radically different set-list that featured more electric guitar and big choruses. To close out the night, Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band played the Dance Tent until the wee hours of the morning.

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    As night turned to day, there were a surprising number of people out and about, many taking part in kickball at dawn. Sleep would prove to be a hot commodity on Sunday, as many groggy campers took advantage of the opportunity to peruse vendors, tasting some of the diverse selection of food, or check out the Art Barn and other artistic displays at the venue. The annual Happiness Parade began shortly after 2, with at least a hundred people carrying totems and a giant dragon processing around the grounds. Everyone stopped to enjoy the beat of the drums with a flute playfully tooting and children dancing about. It was just as fun to see, as it was to be a part of.

    IMG_6092Returning for a second time was The Gunpoets, a local group with bold lyrics supplied by two MC’s. Jen Middaugh joined the rebel rappers before returning to sing with Sim Redmond Band directly following The Gunpoets in the Infield. For those who stuck around, or at least knew that the best was being saved for last, stayed for what would prove to be the best jam of the weekend. Around ten, Donna The Buffalo & Friends All-Star Review took to the stage for their last performance of the weekend. The night could not get better as one guest band after another joined them on stage. First John Specker’s soulful fiddle, then Big Mean Sound Machine’s funky bass, Hindu Cowboys, and Driftwood. The set was filled with classics like The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” and many other well-known covers.

    After hours of musical bliss, Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance 2014 came to a close. As it has been for the last 24 years, this Grassroots will not be soon forgotten. And not only by those who attended, but by the countless people who will benefit from the donations being made to The Ithaca Free Clinic, Roots In Schools, and many more. Grassroots sets itself apart in being a music festival that has a lasting impact on thousands of people and the local communities, and still provides a superb array of outstanding artists.

    All photos by: Brennan Fischer

     Friday’s Gallery:

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  • Papadosio Announces Fall Tour 2014

    North Carolina’s jazzy jamtronica favorite, Papadosio has announced an extensive 35-date US tour for fall 2014.

    Billed as the “Imaginal Cells” tour, ‘dosio will be visiting old and new cities and will be joined by Twiddle, Jimkata, Asian Teacher Factory, Ghost Owl, and Tauk on select dates.

    Upstate will get four visits – September 5 at the Catskill Chill festival, October 14 at The Haunt in Ithaca, October 15 at The Westcott in Syracuse, and October 22 at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo. Regarding the tour’s name, the band released the following statement:

    “Intertwined with evolution lies design.  Nature casts blueprints for transition that resemble reinvention. Embryo, larva, pupa and imago mark the lifespan of the caterpillar, and nestled in the depths of metamorphosis lie dormant cells with an ancient memory of the future embedded within.”

    We’re not sure what that means either, but you can bet will be there to find out!

    Papadosio Fall Tour 2014.

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  • David Wax Museum to play Four Shows This Week in Upstate

    David Wax Museum heads to the Upstate and NYC area this week, bringing with him a fusion of traditional Mexican folk with American roots and indie rock to create a Mexo-Americana sound. Reminiscent of Los Lobos and Calexico, David Waz and Suz Slezak combine  Latin rhythms, infectious melodies, and call-and-response hollering that was hailed by TIME Magazine for “virtuosic musical skill and virtuous harmonies”, building a reputation among concertgoers all over the U.S, Canada, Europe and China.

    With the release of Knock Knock Get Up (September 2012), David Wax Museum has reached a level of cross-cultural integration and musical fluency that allows them to speak heartfelt poetry with a tongue that is wholly their own.

    Catch them at The Haunt in Ithaca on April 30th, Babeville in Buffalo May 1st, Kirkland Art Center in Clinton May 2nd and Towne Crier Cafe in Beacon on May 3rd

  • Jimkata Comes Home to Play The Haunt in Ithaca with Turkuaz

    Ithaca’s The Haunt was the place to be on Friday April 11th as Jimkata and Turkuaz broke it down for the locals. Ithaca locals Jimkata has just returned from a countrywide tour that included 18 states and over 35 shows, with a few more still to go as they prepare for festival season. The band has been exponentially growing in popularity in the past few years, as they have made appearances at some of the nation’s largest festivals and venues. From the Rockies to the East Coast, Jimkata has been featured at Gathering of the Vibes, Summercamp, Catskill Chill, and most recently, opening Colorado’s SnowBall.

    Since Jimkata’s formation in 2006, the band’s style and overall sound has changed immensely. The band started as a jam/rock group with meaty guitar solos and psychedelic undertones, but since then has morphed into more of an electro/indie rock band. Jimkata’s influences can easily be detected in their music, with hints of MGMT, Talking Heads, and LCD Sound System. The unique electro-rock music that the band makes has somewhat forged a new frontier for this ever-expanding genre and is constantly evolving all the time.

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    Opening for Jimkata was the notoriously funky band Turkuaz. For those who have never seen or heard of the group before, your ears will be pleasantly surprised. The Haunt seemed almost too small for the energy and huge sound that Turkuaz produced. The band consists of nine members, including two saxophonists, both tenor and baritone, two guitarists, bass, trumpet/keys, two vocalists, and of course a rock solid drummer to keep all that funk together.

    Starting off the set was an unreleased track titled “Typa-Lika,” exemplifying the power that the group has harnessed. The distorted guitar, groovy bass line, and driving rhythm are comparable only to funk music masters such as Lettuce. Their set continued with all original songs from their three studio albums and even a few more unreleased tracks. Besides giving the crowd outstanding dancing music, Turkuaz also had a soulful side that allowed the audience to feel the music on a whole new level. Lead guitarist and vocalist Dave Brandwein, in combination with the two female vocalist/dancers sang the blues like no other, ending their set with all instrumental jam, “20 Dollar Bill.”

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    With the crowd sufficiently sweaty and riled up, Jimkata wasted no time making their way to the stage. In contrast to the big-bad-funk of Turkuaz, Jimkata started off with a more laid back tune, “American Cars,” combining psychedelic bass and synthesizer. Their popular songs “Lighter” and “Nightshade” followed, featuring big choruses and breakdowns, as what seemed like the entire audience bellow the lyrics “You can let it go!” The band maintained the high energy set with more songs from their two most recent studio albums, Die Digital and Feel In Light. Winding down the show, Jimkata pulled out some of its older fan favorites, going back to their roots with a couple tracks off their self-titled debut album. These songs allowed one to see the transformation the group has made from the harder rock and heavy guitar solos that Jimkata started off their career with. As to be expected, the Ithaca natives drew a huge crowd, filling The Haunt nearly to capacity with a party that will not soon be forgotten.

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    Turkuaz Setlist: Typa-Like, Bubba > Coast, Chatte > Lookin Tough, Rules > M’Lady > Tiptoe Thru Crypto, Murder Face > Pickin Up, 20 Dollar Bill

    Jimkata Setlist: American Cars, Lighter, Nightshade > Beat the Curse, Die Digital > Legoland, Electronic Stone, Feel in Light, Feed > Daytime Fiction, Low Low, Chainstore

    Encore: Intro, Release > Mind Crossing

  • Hearing Aide: LYON ‘Onyx’

    Daniel Lyon, drummer from Ithaca’s electronic trio SOLARiS, has released his first solo album Onyx under the name LYON. The album is under an hour with a range of 11 ambient tracks, an easy listen that is ideal for relaxing at home or in the car on a road trip. LYON is a drummer who literally steams during live performances with hard hitting beats and a dark rhythmic sound with focused energy. His solo work is no different, showcasing detailed and digital emotions that we can all relate to. His new album is available for free download and streaming via Bandcamp. You can catch LYON in action with his SOLARiS band mates at The Beagle Pub in Johnson City on the 21st of March and The Other Side in Wilkes-Barre, PA on the 22nd. SOLARiS will also be performing at one of Upstate NY’s newest Festivals, Rock n Roll Resort, in Kerhonksen, NY with tickets and rooms still available.

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    The album starts with the roar of “Animal”, a simple beat that eases you into the album with gentle echoes and light funk vibe. “Without Her” begins with beautifully sorrowful strings before it mixes with a techno melody combining a modern yet vintage twist on lost love. “Meridian” contained limitless echoes of all tones with a quick pace making for an easy groove. “Onyx” features SOLARiS keyboardist Jared Raphael, adding a futuristic funk with disco that was captivating and “The Overlook” with a groovy bass line with jazzy flair. “Small Beginnings” is the perfect ending to the album, the upbeat melody that has a great build up throughout the song, giving a taste of what’s to come with LYON’s solo work.

    Key Tracks: Without Her, Meridian, The Overlook

  • Giant Panda Returns to Ithaca for an Epic Night of Dub and Dance with Beat The Grid

    There was standing room only at The Haunt as Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad returned to Ithaca with Beat The Grid on Thursday, February 20th. Good vibes and smiling faces were in abundance, with fans coming from far and wide to see what was undoubtedly the best show around. Giant Panda has recently returned from an eight-show West coast tour, highlighting their new mixtape In Roots We Trust, featuring The Expanders and The Simpkin Project, which explores North American Reggae music.

    Giant Panda is a Dub/Americana/Roots band from Rochester NY, but got their start in Ithaca about ten years ago. The band has gained immense popularity since then, touring the country and even getting spots at some of the nation’s largest music festivals, including Summercamp and All Good Music Festival. Giant Panda’s music is known for its positive and uplifting lyrics backed by infectious dub that soothes the soul. In addition to dub/reggae, they also released a country album displaying the band’s musical versatility.

    Opening for the band was a local Ithaca group by the name of Beat The Grid. The band had a similar upbeat feel with some added funk that warmed the crowd up nicely.Their beautiful female vocalist had the entire audience mesmerized by her smooth voice and exotic dancing. Beat The Grid’s set included fan favorite “Her Cosmic Lines” and many other tracks from their 2013 self-titled album, as well as some new songs.

    For a small venue, the sound at The Haunt was of very high quality and the place was busting at the seams with the huge amount of people in attendance. Giant Panda opened with “Not The Fool” and “Solution”, spreading the love and pushing towards making this world a better place. The night continued with songs old and new, with teasers from their upcoming album to be released this summer. Dylan Savage on guitar and Tony Gallicchio on keys displaying their mastery of their instruments as they traded solos that sent chills down the spine. Guitarist Dan Keller was also in his prime, presenting his saxophone skills and unforgettable vocals to add to the already amazing performance. Giant Panda mashed up some of their most popular songs, “Missing You More” and “Pockets” to make for some outstanding medleys and even surprised the crowd with a rendition of soul legend Marvin Gaye’s “Lets Get It On.”

    After Giant Panda left the stage, chants for “One More Song!” were started up by the fans, who at midnight had a lot more left in the tank and were not ready to call it a night. Not long after, the band returned to play Jackie Wilson’s classic “Higher and Higher”, featuring Dan Keller on saxophone and “Mr. Cop” as every crowd member sang the chorus “They callin’ up the cops ‘cause it smells like Ganja!” There was not a still body in the house as everyone danced their hearts out for the fifteen-minute encore, leaving everyone sweaty, exhausted, and satisfied.

  • Man Man and Xenia Rubinos Turn The Haunt Into Their Own Laboratory for a Night of Experimental Jam

    Ithacans and Man Man fans alike came to The Haunt on Wednesday, January 29th, for what was no less than a spectacular show of music new and old. Though it may have been -5 degrees out, that did not stop people, including many local college kids, from coming down for a night of dancing, fun, and maybe even a little crowd surfing.

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    Xenia Rubinos of Brooklyn, kicked off the night with her very own creation of electronic rock fusion that served as a perfect set up for Man Man’s unique sound. Rubinos and drummer Marco Buccelli are unlike anything many have ever heard before. Their music is filled with constantly varying time signatures, contrasting chords, and vocals that can only be described as soulfullypunk. The set consisted of many songs from their 2013 album Magic Trix, including “When You Come” and “Help.” With the house completely full, the band ended with two unreleased songs, “Black Stars” and “Motorcycle Song”, and finally a crowd favorite, “Hair Receding.” Xenia Rubinos is quickly making a name for herself as she continues her countrywide tour with Man Man.

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    With the crowd primed and ready to go, Man Man took the stage for an epic journey through sound. As Honus Honus made his way to the microphone, wearing a glittered cape with the rest of the band in skeleton consumes, you could feel the crowd’s excitement brewing. Starting with a 2006 tune, “Feather”, Man Man got right to work. The band played a broad selection of their songs, from nearly all of their six albums, which allowed one to see the transformations Man Man has made over the past 10 years. Featuring many songs from their most recent album, On Oni Pond, the wild cast of musicians performed on instruments ranging from hubcaps to the flugelhorn. Xenia Rubinos added supporting vocals, joining the band for “Zebra” and “Pink Wonton”, which also included a fan onstage for a brief moment before he dove into a sea of hands. Man Man’s performance was a one of a kind event that should be a must see for everyone. Their outstanding musicianship, unpredictability, and Honus Honus’ extravagant costumes made it a party that will not soon be forgot. “El Azteca,” a number best described as a fight song, gave the crowd one last opportunity to dance their hearts out as Man Man’s stellar return to Ithaca concluded.