NYS Music 20​14

Category: Kingston

  • 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
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  • BSP Enjoys a Night of Folk, Psychedelia and Rock From Across the Globe

    A fall night at Kingston’s BSP saw three great bands take the stage for a small but enthusiastic crowd. Juan Wauters started the evening off with a wonderful set of acoustic tunes. The singer-songwriter’s tunes were short and fun, but allowed enough time for the duo’s great harmonies to shine through. The set at BSP was upbeat as the duo danced around the small stage, engaging the crowd. Juan had a child-like quality to him: he was so excited to perform on stage that it seemed he could play all night. The band was bathed in the best light show of the night, one which truly complemented their set. Juan sang the last song by himself, in both Spanish and English, which was a great way to end their evening.

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    Up next was Australia’s King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and their brand of psychedelic folk-infused rock. The seven piece band furiously went to work during their short time on stage. The first few songs were segued amazingly– strung together for a non-stop 20 minute journey. “Sleepwalker” and “Hot Wax” off the band’s album Oddments were two highlights of the evening. During the set, front-man and guitarist Stu Mackenzie mentioned that the band was tired and they would be taking it easy tonight, but no one showed any signs of wear and tear from the road. The band has been playing many shows surrounding the CMJ Music Festival taking place in New York City, and they played yet another wonderful set for the lone show in Upstate New York during their time here. Talking with drummer Eric Moore after the set, he stated how much the band loved Upstate New York. Their newest album I’m In Your Mind Buzz, coming out November 11, was recorded in Hunter, NY this past year during which time, the band fell in love with the area. Hopefully the band will keep the area on their tour docket for everyone to enjoy in the future.

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    White Fence ended the night of music with a punk rock attitude that the crowd loved. Their sound was reminiscent of early tracks by both The Who and The Kinks. Tim Presley played a fantastic lead guitar and his vocals perfectly suited the songs. A heavy dose of garage rock filled the small club to which people danced and bopped along during the hour long set. When the band wasn’t employing their fuzz pedals on their guitars, some of the music sounded as though it could have been mid 70’s Bob Dylan on stage. BSP put on a great showcase of three bands that are up and coming in the music scene throughout the country. The club has a knack for getting talented acts before they hit it big. If you want to see bands before they gain a buzz, head down as often as you can to the great shows put on by the small Kingston club!

  • White Fence, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, and Juan Wauters to Converge at BSP on October 23

    Coming to BSP in Uptown Kingston, NY are three bands that have been turning heads all over the country and the world for one night only. White Fence released For the Recently Found Innocent this past July and have garnered nothing but raves reviews Tim Presley, who records under the name, has used a lo-fi and psychedelic sound throughout his career to weave in and out of the listeners ears. This latest record sees him re-team with Ty Segall to produce a beautiful set of elaborately crafted songs, harmony vocalizations and trippin’ guitar tones that conjure a fantasy about reality.

    Joining White Fence will be Austrlia’s own King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. These psychedelic garage rockers have also been receiving high praise from the music community and as of this month have released seven albums in three years. The prolific seven piece band were brought together through living in a share house and their mutual love for Pavement and Three Oh Sees. Each album the band has released has increased their psychedelic prowess and have given them an opportunity to reach more people. They have been dubbed a tour de force of reverberated rock ‘n’ roll and these guys and they deliver to a tee at their shows.

    Opening the show is Juan Wauters who released his debut album N.A.P, North American Poetry and dreamed big throughout the album. He came to New York to live with his father and they worked in factories together to bring the rest of the family to New York. Juan’s lyrics have continuously looked to take dreams and turn them into reality. With a various cast of musicians and a great light show live, he should be a great start to the show.

    The show starts 9 PM sharp and only costs $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be bought now here. Don’t miss out on the psychedelic rock that is going to take over BSP this Thursday. It won’t be long until all three of these bands outgrow a venue as small as BSP.

  • Marco Benevento Plays Capital Performance to New York’s First Capital

    The unmistakable notes from Marco Benevento’s piano rang out in the streets of historic Uptown Kingston – New York’s first capital – on Friday, September 26th. Benevento, who teamed up with bassist Dave Dreiwitz and drummer Andy Borger, played early into Sunday morning to a hyped-up Hudson Valley crowd. With family and friends aplenty to witness the release show for Benevento’s new album, Swift, no one left BSP without an ear-to-ear grin.

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    The front doors of the large bar/venue were wide open and folks could cool off on the plaza while still enjoying the feel-good tunes wafting outside. Inside, the music was as hot as the air; the trio rocked while joyous admirers filled the hall with dancing bodies. The shaggy piano man led long jams and, in between, held the audience’s attention with captivating asides.

    BSP, located in the heart of New York’s first capital, provided an intimate setting for the Ulster County resident to play for a hometown crowd before hitting the road on tour. A few hundred people filled the spacious room, and everyone had a chance to get as close as desired to the semi-raised stage. In the middle of one 20-minute long improv session, Marco eased up on his piano to clap along and start an “AN-DY” chant, ensuring everyone in the building knew exactly who was banging the drums. Andy Borger fed off the cue, turning in a solid drum solo as Marco and Dreiwitz admired in support.

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    Later in the set, Benevento’s metaphorical nose grew and grew as he covered Money Mark’s “I Don’t Play Piano,” belting out: “I don’t know how to play piano; I don’t know how to sing.” For over a decade, the world has been aware of his mastery of the piano; the new album, Swift, features his voice as an additional weapon for the first time, evincing the complete inaccuracy of the lyrics. “DJ” Dave Dreiwitz’s stoic onstage persona never wavered even as he thumped out heavy solos, while Marco’s smile crescendoed with the music.

    Though the room at BSP was dark, the music was light and uplifting.  They played a poppy brand of improvisational, piano-heavy rock that induced the shimmying horde to raise hands to the heavens in delight.  The band and crowd instantly engaged in a symbiotic relationship; fans fed off the musicians’ energy and vice versa. Spirits from the bar were lifted for many “cheers” while spirits were lifted by the sprinkling of melodious piano solos, accompanied by raucous cheers.

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    Around 1 a.m., the band came out for an encore while nearly everyone remained to show support.  Benevento, Dreiwitz, and and Borger hit the road next in support of the album, which will conclude at the Brooklyn Bowl on December 18th and 19th.

  • Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Play BSP Kingston Thursday June 26

    Originally from Brooklyn and now based out of Philadelphia, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (CYHSY for short) will be rocking BSP Kingston this Thursday night.

    Formed in 2005, CYHSY are just one of the many indie rock gems to emerge from Brooklyn and have only gained momentum since then in the underground music scene. Following the departure of some band members to other musical interests, CYHSY has essentially turned into a solo project for frontman Alec Ounsworth. The band released their fourth full-length studio album Only Run on June 3rd, which features the single “Coming Down” with vocals by Matt Berninger of The National.

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    Opening the show is noise/art rock duo Stagnant Pools from Bloomington, Indiana who have been supporting CYHSY on a number of recent shows. The duo has been compared to acts such as Sonic Youth and Joy Division. Like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, they have recently released Geist on June 10 which can be previewed on their Bandcamp page.
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    Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and are available from BSP Kingston here.

    Check out Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s single “Coming Down” here:

  • Photo Gallery – Rock n Roll Resort v4: The Dream Machine

    Staff Photographer Bryan Lasky gives us a look at Rock n Roll Resort v4: The Dream Machine in his extensive photo gallery of the weekend. Stay tuned for a full review on Wednesday and Chris DeCotis’ photo gallery on Thursday.

    Friday Saturday Sunday Photos

  • dopapod Announces 2014 Spring Tour

    Prog-Rock superstars, dopapod recently announced their Spring 2014 Tour Dates. The band will be playing some Upstate, NY dates – 4/24 at Saratoga’s Putnam Den with Aqueous, 4/25 at The Westcott Theater in Syracuse, NY with Aqueous and then 4/26 at The Waiting Room in Buffalo, NY with a third night with Buffalo’s own Aqueous and favorites and Albany natives,  Mister F. For tickets and info please visit www.dopapod.com.
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  • Mountain Jam X Announces Initial Line Up

    Mountain Jam X and Radio Woodstock have announced the 2014 initial line up for the tenth annual festival at Hunter Mountain June 5-8. Organizers have included favorites from years past in celebration of its tenth year. As expected, festival resident Gov’t Mule will make an appearance delivering classic hits, covers and new songs from recently released Shout!

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    Bob Weir and RatDog will return since making an appearance in 2008.  RatDog features Jeff Chimenti, Steve Kimock, Jay Lane, Robin Sylvester, and Rob Wasserman.  First time performer to Mountain Jam, Pretty Lights will take the late night programming to a whole new level. Released in 2013, A Color Map of the Sun garnered a 2014 Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronica Album. An additional headliner is still to be announced.

    Brothers Seth and Scott Avett will return to Mountain Jam for their 4th time following appearances in 2010, 2011, and 2013 and the release of their latest Magpie and the Dandelion, which reached number five on the Billboard 200 during its first week. The Avett Brothers are becoming a staple of Mountain Jam.  Husband and wife duo, backed by nine of the finest musicians, Tedeschi Trucks Band returns after 2013 release Made Up Mind debuted at number one on the Billboard Blues Chart.

    Damian Marley will bring his unique blend of reggae and dancehall to the Mountain Jam stage for the first time. Founding member of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, Jeff Tweedy will also make a debut appearance. And, of course, it would not be Mountain Jam without Michael Franti and Spearhead. Franti will make his ninth appearance.

    Mountain Jam X will kick off Thursday night with Dark Star Orchestra and a special two-set performance by Umphrey’s McGee to include a spectacular light show.  The late night is unrivaled. In addition to Pretty Lights, world fusion dance and performance group Beats Antique, afrobeat band Antibalas and Jackie Greene round out the late night program.

    Included in the initial line up is Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Trampled by Turtles, Blitzen Trapper, Anders Osborne, as well as Lucius, Valerie June, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger (ft. Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp Muhl), Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Moon Taxi, Reign Wolf, Jonathan Wilson, The Weeks, Treetop Flyers, Sean Rowe, Connor Kennedy, Citizens Band Radio, The Dough Rollers, and The Paul Green Rock Academy.

    Early Bird tickets will go on-sale this Thursday, January 16th, at 10am EST and will offer tickets at up to 25% off day-of-show prices. 4-Day and 3-Day Passes will be available with and without camping, as well as Jammer (VIP) Passes, Super Jammer Passes and the brand new Ultimate Jammer Pass Package. Single Day tickets will be offered in the spring.

    Mountain Jam

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