Category: Features

And the winner of Art Voice Boom 2015 is …

This past Friday the Tralf Music Hall located in the theater district of Buffalo was bursting at the seams with musicians and patrons alike. This was the night that many had been waiting for ever so patiently. It was the night a band would be crowned winner of Art Voice Boom competition. They would walk away five-thousand-dollars richer and opening up at the ever famous Kerfuffle concert at the end of July.

I arrived shortly before the first band took the stage and I was pleasantly surprised by what I seen. I saw musicians from many local bands that came out to support and that really was the best part of the night. It shows that this music community is ever-growing and supporting of one another. That what I say holds true time and time again. The fact that we are all in this together. Without the support of other bands and music fans we are nothing.

First to take the stage was the band Intent to Sell, I have watched these guys over the past year and I am blown away time and time again by the way they incorporate hip hop with rock and roll. What I like best about this band is that the lyrics tell a story that each and every one of us can relate to. They finished their set off by talking about the dangers of addiction and it really touched home with me. I think for most of us know or know someone who was personally affected by the results of addiction. They finished their set with a song called “The Light.” This song was about losing someone who we can all relate to and really put ourselves in the lyrics of the song. It was truly touching and beautiful.

Second band up was Uncle Bens Remedy. I saw these guys a couple of weeks ago at the semifinal rounds. I must say they really get the crowd going. Tonight was no different from the first time I saw them. They came from Gowanda, N.Y. and brought two busloads of people.

This band can be considered country like. There songs don’t necessarily all have deep meanings but they are fun, witty and upbeat. Front man Ben Westlund really gets the crowd going and you can’t help but be entranced by his on stage charm and loud hillbilly like calls.

Third up was a band I had never previously heard of but was quite entrancing. They were called Luanjie, they are a funk rock kind of band. From their catchy riffs to the melodies this band was entertaining from start to finish. What I loved is the bass player had a homemade bass that he used on stage and it sounded just as great as one pulled from the wall of Guitar Center.

Last but certainly not least was Erica Wolfling. She is a solo artist that I am amazed by every time I have watched her. She has such a beautiful haunting voice that you can’t help but stop what you’re doing and watch her. She is talented in many instruments from the piano, to guitar and even the harp.

Now the time came that everyone for weeks on end has been waiting for, the results. The winner of the Art Voice Boom competition was Uncle Bens Remedy. They walk away with a five thousand dollar prize and opening spot on the Kerfuffle concert.

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June 11, 2015
Shapiro Does the Right Thing for “Fare Thee Well”

Fare Thee Well promotor Peter Shapiro released a statement to fans on June 10, explaining the ticketing situation and addressing some fans’ concerns over receiving tickets for seats they did not request through GDTS TOO. In it, he talks about how he wanted to use the old mail ordering process to essentially make these shows feel just like they did in the 1980s and 90s, when fans sent in money orders in decorated envelopes in hopes of snagging tickets to see the Grateful Dead. He even offers refunds to those who are not satisfied with what they received from GDTS TOO.

The most encouraging piece is that he is offering to refund the difference between what a fan paid for the seats he or she received if that person does not get the desired experience from the shows. I have to give Shapiro a round of applause, as this has been a difficult situation from the start.

He also explains how promotors decided to open up the general admission portion of the venue to fit more fans inside. In a commendable response, Shapiro comes across as a true fan and seems quite sincere. I called for him to give an explanation, as did many other media outlets, of what has become a ticketing fiasco, and Shapiro delivered.

He closes out the note with a lyric from “Terrapin Station,” where Jerry Garcia sings, “statements just seem vain at last,” making it seem like it’s in the promotors’ self interest and not the fans’. Maybe he should have completed the lyrics: “Some rise, some fall, to get to Terrapin,” as that’s how it feels to some fans.

Either way, I pat Shapiro on the back. I won’t even call this damage control — he stood up, gave an explanation, offered a solution to unhappy ticket holders and offers encouragement in advance of the shows.

Dear Mail Order Ticket Purchasers,

It’s hard to believe that it’s already June. Soon we will be together in Santa Clara and Chicago celebrating 50 years of the music of the Grateful Dead. We think you know by now that we are fans too, and your experience at the event is important to us, so before we get there, we want to address an issue that has affected a number of you who ordered your tickets through GDTS TOO mail order.

We decided early on – even though it would have been easier for us to follow the well-trodden path of nearly every promoter in the past 20 years and sell 100% of the “Fare Thee Well” tickets online – that we wanted to honor the Grateful Dead spirit and make a portion of the tickets available through GDTS TOO mail order.

When it became clear the extent to which Dead50 was resonating with people and how many of you wanted to be part of it (over half a million mail order ticket requests), we added capacity by changing the reserved floor sections to GA and opening up the sections behind the stage – quadrupling the initial mail order allotment.

Since the mail order process began in January, by the time we were able to make these ticket allotment changes and update our seating chart, the ticket requests and money orders had already been sent in. Despite the extra work opening up the floor and adding more mail order tickets made for us and the GDTS TOO crew, we still felt this was the best way to get more core Grateful Dead fans into the shows, so we set out to make our new seating configuration work within the confines of the January mail order ticket request submission rules.

It was not feasible for the GDTS TOO crew to reach out to everyone who had sent in money orders for $199.50 or other priced tickets to discuss preferred alternatives to reserved floor seats or other selected seats that were no longer available, nor were partial refunds a practical option. Also, GDTS TOO did not think it was right to force fans who had ordered reserved floor seats to take general admission standing room tickets instead — anyone who had ever been to a Grateful Dead show would be at least 20 years older now and had probably ordered reserved seats for a good reason. Nor was it possible to fit everyone who had ordered reserved floor seats into the existing allotment of $199.50 seats; there simply were not enough available.

At that point, we could have easily decided that these orders simply couldn’t be fulfilled and returned the uncashed money orders without tickets. Instead, in the spirit of trying to accommodate as many fans as possible, we decided to allocate those reserved floor and other specific requests to other available seats using the same price points. We know how disappointing mail order rejection letters are, especially since these are the band’s final shows, so we sought to figure out a way to get as many of you as possible an envelope with tickets in it.

REFUND INFORMATION

If you received tickets by mail order for seats in a different section than what you ordered on your envelope or were charged more than the price of such tickets on the seating chart made available at the time your order was mailed, and you no longer wish to attend “Fare Thee Well,” you may return your tickets to GDTS TOO for a full refund. Tickets must be received in the GDTS TOO office by Monday, June 22nd to be eligible. See gdtstoo.com for more information on how to obtain a full refund.

If you received tickets by mail order and were charged more than the price of such tickets on the seating chart made available at the time their orders were mailed and still wish to attend “Fare Thee Well,” we personally encourage you to attend the shows and sit in the seats you received via mail order. If you’re not satisfied that you got your money’s worth, we will refund the difference between what you paid and the price of such tickets on the seating chart made available at the time your order was mailed. Save your ticket stubs, and in the week following the shows, check the FAQ section of dead50.net for information on how to obtain a partial refund. However, all requests for partial refunds must be received by Monday, July 20th to be eligible.

These refund offers apply to all GDTS TOO mail order ticket purchasers who received seats in a different section than what was shown in the initial seating chart or were charged more than the price of such tickets on the seating chart made available at the time their orders were mailed.

Please understand that we did what we did in order to enable as many of you as possible to have your ticket requests fulfilled. Given the lighting, sound and video elements we have created specifically for these shows, we are confident that all mail order ticket holders will enjoy an amazing experience.

Statements just seem vain at last,

Peter Shapiro
Mike Luba & Don Sullivan (Madison House Presents)
Promoters, “Fare Thee Well”

Peter Shapiro’s statement on Fare Thee Well

June 11, 2015
MysterylandUSA: The People Make The Place

If you’re looking for a straightforward recount of the music at MysterylandUSA, you’ve come to the wrong place.

My trips up Bethel Woods‘ big hill to the stages generally ended the same: I walked laps around the circuit, stopping in to chat with vendors, taking a swing in a hammock, checking out a DJ for a few minutes, relaxing in the media section, and repeat. I had come to the site of the original Woodstock more for the festival than the music and, overall, Mysteryland was a spectacular production filled with fantastical participants. There were plenty of stages, tents and presentations to stay entertained and an incredibly gregarious gathering of people to share the experience with. Without further ado, here is a recollection of my 2015 MysterylandUSA:

The sun sparkled brightly in a cloudless sky and a pleasant breeze floated about the hills of Sullivan County. Despite the festival’s 10,000 camping passes being sold out, the steady line of cars leading to the grounds chugged along, never getting too bogged down for Friday’s pre-party. There were multiple checkpoints to prevent a general mass of congestion. At the first stop, vehicles were searched and, when I learned I could only bring in six beers, my heart sank a little — it was going to be a long weekend. To my left, to my right, security helped people pour liters of hard liquor into water bottles to bring in while they confiscated my case of beer. It didn’t make sense, it didn’t seem safe.

Mysteryland

After getting into the grounds, I set up my red-fox kiddy tent in a hurry. My partner-in-crime/photographer, Blue Steg, followed suit, putting up his blue dinosaur tent next door. We then lent helping hands to our neighbors, the three amigas, who were stuck in struggle city despite claiming to be professional tent-setter-uppers. They noticed our wristbands were sparkly and asked “You guys are a big deal or something?” “Depends on who you ask.” Their weekend home went up quickly and we made friends in a hurry.

We settled in, ate dinner, exhausted our weekend supply of beer, then Blue Steg and I wandered up to the music. It was a long hike up a steep hill. Rows of colorful flags lined the hillside, shimmering magnificently in the cool twilight breeze. Our first stop was at The Boat. The DJ set up on the bottom while partiers danced on the top deck or the field out front. We checked the scene out for a few minutes, lots of thumping and bumping, then strolled around the grounds, gaining our bearings. My Rangers jersey earned me more high-fives than I can remember and everyone around was in jovial moods. We called it an early night, but festival season had officially arrived.

Mysteryland

Cool overnights meant good sleeping and I rested until 9 a.m. Saturday without waking up in a puddle of sweat. My morning mission was to purchase beers for the day. When I got to the vendor, I asked for a case. “No cases.” I asked what kind of beer I could get. “Heinekin.” “Well…I think I’ll have a Heinekin,” I said, handing him a $20. He looked at the portrait of Andrew Jackson blankly. “We don’t take those around these parts,” he said. “You can go to that other booth and exchange for Birdy Bucks.” Dumbfounded, I walked over and traded in $40 for 18 BB’s, which were loaded directly into my wristband. I’m no math-whiz, but I figured a 4.5 BB beer in Mysteryland works out to be a $10 Heinekin in the U.S.A. The whole Birdy system sure seemed like a poorly veiled attempt to maximize profits by inhibiting conscientious consumerism. Too dejected to purchase one, I’d try my luck finding beers from neighbors in the grounds.

Mysteryland

When I got back home, the weekend took a wild twist when one of the three amigas asked, “You guys want some tequila?” “Yes.” “Well, we’ve got too much liquor, so please help us drink it. Just help yourselves.” I offered to pay her $20—real dollars, accepted nearly everywhere—because I would gladly spend a weekend in Margaritaville. “Do I look like a prostitute to you, bitch?” she snapped back. A feisty recent college graduate, we would get along well the rest of the weekend.

A cup or three of tequila later, Blue Steg, another of the amigas and I found the energy to hike back up to the music mid-afternoon. The amiga peeled off for The Boat, Blue Steg went to shoot some photos at The Big Top and I decided to explore the vending area. A couple of pretty Nomads noticed my “Umph Love” stickers and told me they liked my style. I stickered them and we started talking our music—Umphrey’s, Catskill Chill, Lettuce, they were into it all. After I said “see ya later,” to my new friends, I made my way to see Lee Burridge in the Spiegeltent. I wiggled around the exterior for a bit, entertained by the surrounding dancers. Bodies were packed into the large enclosed tent and most everyone was grooving.

Blue-Steg and I rendezvoused at 9:30pm and bumbled up to the VIP section. A couple of Brooklynites invited us to take the comfy chairs next to them. They accused us of being Shmevins—we ascertained it meant something like best friends—and chatted us up a bit. Gramatik’s music wafted our way from The Boat in the distance and seamlessly transitioned into Griz. The sax was easy on the ears and our counterpart Shmevins were easy on the eyes. Eventually we parted ways, back home for Red Fox and Blue Steg.

Mysteryland

On the way home, I found an over-zealous partier who was swaying dangerously. “Let’s get you home, brother,” I said, putting an arm around his shoulder to steady his gait. It was Teej’s first night at his first festival; he shot for the moon and landed in another galaxy. One slightly more coherent friend had stuck with him. They were amazed that a stranger would put an arm around him and get him home. “We’re in this ride together, boys, and we gotta take care of each other. Believe it or not, I’ve been in your boat before and someone helped me.” They got it. After delivering Teej to his tent and returning home, a brilliant display of fireworks went off in the sky. That seemed like a fitting end to the night so it was quitting time on Saturday.

I was greeted by paternal neighbor Santa Claus with a breakfast shot on Sunday. Santa and his crew were set up on the edge of a busy walkway and it was right where they belonged. Sunday was about challenging passers-by to flip cup. A few rounds in and I was feeling fully fueled for the last hoorah. An artistically gifted neighbor tattooed my back. Her friend washed my hair. Life was good and I was ready to hit the grounds.

Mysteryland

Blue Steg and I became separated in a hurry and I started doing my laps. First to the Nomads, then to the hammocks, then to this fantastical metal hexagon structure with fire dancing around the ceiling. An intricate Rube Goldberg was set up featuring a bowling ball going down chutes and through tunnels, dropping through a hoop and spinning around a funnel. The end result was a lever being loosened, an anvil crushing an old car, and loud applause from onlookers. An amazing path to destruction.

Dillon Francis and Diplo closed down the music that night with more fireworks overhead. Looking to carry on with the debauchery, I went back to an old school bus/playground where the silent disco raged on. It’s quite the spectacle when you take your headphones off and watch people boogie in silence. After a short spell, however, I felt an urge to wander. One last loop past Pineapple Paradise and through the campgrounds. Blue Steg was waiting back home and we congratulated each other on surviving the start to festival season.

Mysteryland

I will never be referred to as an EDM-head, and that has not changed since my Memorial Day weekend in Bethel, NY. Mysteryland did little to increase my liking of electronic music. What I did come away with, however, is a newfound respect for fans of the scene. My previous experiences in the EDM realm involved watching too many boys and girls running around in neon underwear, pacifiers in mouths, trying to solve perpetual identity crises with unrequited sex. These creatures were conspicuously absent at Mysteryland; instead, I found the festival-goers were normal (I use that term loosely) people like me who just prefer Diplo over Dopapod and A-Trak over Umphrey’s. Mysteryland, you were a helluva ride and Mysterylanders, you were the perfect crew to cruise with.

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June 10, 2015
Local Limelight: Buffalo’s Funktional Flow

There has been a lot to be said about the Buffalo music scene these days, especially with bands like moe. and most recently Aqueous, making a splash in the music community. One band that has been around for the last few years is Buffalo’s Funktional Flow.

Pictured left to right: Matthew Lester, Joey Lewis, Jeffrey Kuebler, Jim Edgar, and Ben Whalen

They added two new members to the trio. Joining the band is guitarist, Joey Lewis. Alongside horn/keyboard player, Matthew Lester, everything seems to be moving onward and upward since. It was only a month or so ago that both were introduced as full-time members during the band’s CD release party for, Let it Settle, that went down at local music hot spot Nietzche’s.

Lester and Lewis join original members Jeffrey Kuebler (guitar), Jim Edgar (drums) and Ben Whelan (bass).

NYS Music caught up with the band while they were rehearsing for their much-anticipated sets for Buffalove Music Festival at North Fork Music Park in Warsaw, NY. The festival will take place June 18-20 and Funktional Flow have been a big part of Buffalove since the beginning.

Tom Sgroi: For those people who haven’t seen or heard you, who is Funktional Flow?

Jeffrey Kuebler: Funktional Flow is a melting pot of a lot of different genres that we are influenced by. It’s basically each one of us in the band and our different influences that we bring to the table, a lot of different styles and genres that we kind of throw in a blender. If we’re into reggae at one time that will come out and if it’s funk that will come out.

Jim Edgar: Whatever music you get into at the time that you listen to definitely influences you.

TS: What’s been the most difficult thing for the band with going through a few different guitarists since the beginning?

JK: Integrating different people to the music, songs that we played a thousand times we had to run over and over and getting them integrated into has probably been the biggest setback. At the end of the day it was a good learning experience and it made us all better going through it.

JE: Yea, definitely three different guitar players gives the band three different sounds for sure, it does make song more fun as it wasn’t the same over four years (laughs).

TS: Tell us a little about the newer members with Matt and Joey, how you guys ended up picking them up and having them come on full-time?

JK: It was a natural progression and Matt was before Joey. We played with Matt with Ben Whalen, Your Mom and the Reacharounds and that got us playing together and he got familiar with our style and that was a no brainer. Me and Joey have been playing for years, pushing a decade really, so that was a natural thing, it was great having him come aboard and were very happy with the current and final lineup.

TS: Ben, Jim and Jeff, you’re all original members, how have you guys kept it together since the start?

JK: A lot of fist fights (laughs).

Ben Whalen: I don’t know, communication and true friendship. We’re actually friends when were not playing.

JK: We have a lot of fun and that’s what it really boils down to.

TS: How do you think adding keys and horns will add to the overall sound of the band?

JK: It can only add to it and make it more dynamic and full sounding. It also kinda lends itself to what we originally wanted when we set out to create the band. When we generally write songs we will write them in mind of all the instrumentation. Having that has really rounded out our sound.

TS: Tell me a little about Buffalove. You guys have really been the forefront of it, what is it all about?

JK: Yea Cody (Conway) built the festival around us and Aqueous and it’s grown from there. Its getting bigger every year and to play with some of the caliber of bands it’s getting, is really a cool thing.

TS: Matt and Joey, what’s it been like for you guys joining the group?

Matt Lester: Yea I started playing with these guys a lot, anytime they needed horns I would play. I was fortunate to be invited to Bliss, NY to the cabin they go down to and that was the first time I played keys for them and that’s when everything starting clicking. It’s been a lot of fun for sure.

TS: Joey?

Joey Lewis: Yea, I was there for a while seeing how the rotation was going for Funktional Flow. Having the guitarists and not having the best of luck and I would help out with whatever gig I could. I was pretty aware of the songs so they didn’t need to waste time. So, finally I decided I wanted to play with the kids I grew up with and are my friends, and the music I like to play. I was really happy when they asked me to be in the band and contribute.

TS: Yea, because you were involved with a couple other bands. ( The Heritage and Whiskey River).

JL: Yea, I felt obligated to them but at the end of the day when you hone in your talent and want to play the music you want to play and you don’t want to do it for any other reason that is when I asked Jeff and Ben if they wanted to bring me on full-time.

ML: Yea like joey said we were in other bands and had an obligation but at the same time when the opportunity arose it wasn’t something we could pass up for sure. I’m really glad we made the decision because it’s been a blast ever since.

TS: This is more for Jeff, Jim and Ben again but last year you guys played Catskill Chill, what festival would you want to be part of in the future?

JK: Any and all of them, I would love to play Summer Camp

BW: F@#$! Yea, Summer Camp!

TS: Ok, sounds like that is the big one for every one.

TS: What other local or regional bands influence you guys?

JK: Oh man there is so many good bands around here with so many talented people and to be part of the scene is great. I would say at the top of the list would be our boys, Aqueous. We have done a lot with them and they’re doing some great things and representing for our area. They have been a big influence, but there is so many to mention but that is the first one that pops in the head. We go out to so many show’s in Buffalo since Ben has a hand in so many shows. I say that we gain a bit of influence from every band we play with.

JE: I’d say anyone we play with in the area too.

TS: If there was one band you could tour with and open for perhaps who would it be?

JK: Umphrey’s McGee!

BW: I think we would be a better fit for like moe. or a reggae band. The Green or Rebelution.

JK: Revolution would be awesome. Umphrey’s would be a dream and I could hang it up after (laughs).

TS: Is there one musician, past or present that if you could have a conversation with you would pick?

JK: Bradley Nowell

JL: Shannon Hoon

ML: That’s a really good question and there is so many to choose from but I have a deep affiliation for Phish pretty heavy I would have to say Page McConnell.

JE: There is probably a million people but drummer wise I would have to say Keith Moon, maybe.

BW: Hendrix I guess

TS: Anything else you guys want to add?

BW: New album coming in the late summer/fall.

TS: Yea, I know you guys have been writing a bunch of new songs so that is good to hear, so new album the fall. Well thanks for your time guys and I look forward to checking out your sets with the upcoming Buffalove Music Festival in a few weeks.

Check Funktional Flow out with a bunch of other great bands at Buffalove Music Festival! Get your tickets here.

June 10, 2015
Mountain Jam 2015 Day 4 Recap: Last Chance to Go Big Before Going Home

The last day of Mountain Jam 2015 had arrived bringing festival goers one last chance to enjoy the beautiful Sunday on Hunter Mountain.

The bitter cold was blown away as clouds parted early in the morning for another perfect summer day of blue skies and sunshine. Those looking to release stress met at 10 a.m. at Healey Hall for Yoga with Michael Franti. Hundreds piled into the hall with yoga mats and towels, gently breathing as Franti strummed his acoustic guitar with care. It’s a shame there wasn’t enough room for everyone as people spilled into the lodge area and outside on the pavement. But that didn’t stop anyone from soaking up the rejuvenating morning practice and spreading positive attitude. One of the activities that saw the most action for the weekend and one of the biggest lines for Sunday was the 25-minute chair lift ride. The $6 was totally worth it as you rose above the music and camp sites for an excellent view of the festival grounds and Catskills.

One of the most talked about sets for Sunday was NYC’s own, Lake Street Dive. The quartet has an old school Chicago Blues sound to them as Mike Olson’s trumpet soars over the mountain with hot plucking from bassist Bridget Kearney. Lake Street Dive had great crowd interaction as the musicians point out amusing fashion items and encouraged a “kissing cam” scenario from the roaming cameras that shown on the big screens. Rachel Price has stunning vocals as they shift from an acoustic cover of Annie Lenox’s “Broken Glass” to their original pieces “Make It Easier For Ya” and “Hello? Goodbye.” She thanked the audience for the “reviving set, feeling charged up and loved.” Amy Helm & The Handsome Strangers played an easy listening, Americana Sunday Porch set. Amy Helm is the daughter of music legend Levon Helm (The Band), inheriting sensational talent as her vocals carry great soul that moved some to tears. The Handsome Strangers provided strapping harmonies and heartfelt melodies that propelled Helm’s vocals to fly.

Mountain Jam veteran Michael Franti & Spearhead had best energy and presence as they amped up the crowd with their optimistic reggae dub. Franti did laps around the crowd with his microphone and acoustic guitar, giving high fives, dancing and drinking beer. It was great to see an artist enjoying the festival as much as the fans were. The music is full of inspirational lyrics that seek change, equality for all and nothing but love. Bringing out dozens of beach balls, shirt waving and break dancing, Franti & Spearhead know how to start the right kind of revolution. Hooray for the Riff Raff was a refreshing change-up with their New Orleans mountain music complete with great fiddle work, yodeling and tooting harmonica.

The crowd gathered one last time for Sunday festival headliner and best new artist, Alabama Shakes. Lead singer Brittany Howard took the stage wearing a gorgeous silk floral dress and big smile as they opened with “Rise to the Sun.” Alabama Shakes treated fans to new songs such as “Future People” and “Gimme All Your Love” off their latest album, Sound & Color, with fierce slamming energy. Howard is part anaconda as her vocals explode out of her body, nearly breaking her jaw with each word. The rolling guitar chords for “Hang Loose” and “Always Alright” have a free-flowing surfer vibe as the heavy organ notes for “I Found You” brought gospel chills. Howard’s focused body energy is a strong defense for the heartbreaking melodies and soulful blues rock that is the best of our generation. The set and festival felt as if it had ended too soon with the music ending shortly after 9 p.m. Guest exited the pit, headed toward one more night of camping or the long drive home as the Mountain Jam App alerted fans that they could already purchase tickets for next year’s festival, which after the extraordinary weekend, didn’t seem like a bad idea.

Check out our coverage of all four days at Mountain Jam 2015.

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June 10, 2015
The War On Drugs Premiere in Rochester

When Water Street Music Hall came back on the scene last year after a short liquor license renewal process, they promised to bring some big acts to town that had previously skipped over Rochester as The War On Drugs coming to town, in support of their critically-acclaimed 2014 release Lost in the Dream on Monday, qualifies as such a show.

The Adam Granduciel-led band took the stage to a packed crowd in front of a backdrop of large blocky white c-shapes washed in shifting LED lights. “Burning” opened what would be a set heavy on material off their latest album. Granduciel painted his Dylan-inspired American rock songs atop landscapes produced by his backing band of David Hartley on bass, Charlie Hall on drums, and Robbie Bennett, Jon Natchez and Anthony LaMarca all on various keyboards. It was more keys then I had expected at this show. Though Natchez frequently switched to flugelhorn or saxophone and LaMarca played some guitars. And Hall added in some synthesized drum beats here and there. With broad strokes they smudged the lines between electric and organic. It didn’t matter if it was the honk of a horn or the pounding of keys, the sound of the band melded together into a singular matte for Granduciel to work from.

The songs existed in the blurred out area between singer/songwriter and rock and roll. They were twisted, turned and kneaded in between that space, languidly oozing from place to place. There was no hurry to get moving, and with no real desire to sharpen or peak. It was blurred out head bobbing music. At times maybe Granduciel was a bit too generous with the smudge stick and songs could almost be indistinguishable from each other, many taking shape as a slow build to a mid-level peak, similarly paced and similarly gloomy.

But amongst that potential monotony came plenty of shining masterpieces worthy of hanging on to. A mid-set “An Ocean in Between the Waves” made generous use of punctuated “Woos!” and “Yeahs!” providing energetic oomph before fizzling out and segueing into the slinky groover “Disappearing.” The funky bass line backed up one of the more fiery guitar solos of the evening before ending on a mellow repetitive sequence that I could have sat inside forever. “Under the Pressure” featured some colorful interplay between saxophone and guitar which then blasted into a quick but rocking jam. Uninterested in giving up too quickly, Granduciel crouched down to his pedals and fiddled with his palette, adding to his band’s wash of sound before reentering the space of the song yet again for a triumphant finish.

The wanting crowd was treated to a lengthy encore that saw the band ditch their latest works and dive deeper into their catalog, before finishing up with a quick but tasty cover of Ronnie Wood’s “Mystifies Me.”

Setlist
Burning, Arms Like Boulders, Baby Missiles, Lost in the Dream, An Ocean in Between the Waves, Disappearing, Red Eyes, Eyes to the Wind, Under the Pressure, In Reverse, Come to the City
Encore: Black Water Falls, Buenos Aires Beach, I Was There, Coming Through, Mystifies Me (Ronnie Wood Cover)

June 10, 2015
Taste of Country Music Festival 2015

So here it is, two days away from the 2015 Taste of Country Music Festival and I don’t know about you, but I’m stoked. By this time, you’ve begun packing up your camping equipment, clothing, snacks, libations, or at least have a mental checklist in place to make this the most epic weekend of the year.

Don’t forget to check the list of things you can and cannot bring in, So far the weather states there may be a chance of rain with some sun. What is a festival without that momentary downpour, right? We don’t care about a little water. Sun would be nice though, so make sure you plan accordingly for both. Last year I expected summer like weather only to become frostbite that first night. Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit. But remember, you are on top of a mountain; it can go from warm and sunny to cold quickly once the sun sets. So tip of the day – plan for anything and everything then you have it all covered.

While you’re at it, make sure you download the app for all last-minute details, and if you are picking up your wristbands, remember to stop in at the off site location to take care of that before heading up to the mountain. The folks at Taste of Country do an outstanding job of keeping you moving along without any glitches so that you can make the most of your weekend. Huge shout out for their amazing organization in the event.

For those staying through the weekend until the end, you’ll have one heck of a time Sunday in store for you. Here’s out lineup.

Bud Lite Stage
5:30pm – Sasha McVeigh
7:00pm – Western Underground

Western Underground – Taste of Country 2015

Ram Guts & Glory Stage

12:00 pm – Sasha McVeigh
1:30 pm – Western Underground
3:00pm – Josh Abbott Band
4:30pm – Sara Evans
6:00pm – Jerrod Niemann
7:45pm – Toby Keith

Sara Evans – Taste of Country 2015

Make sure that while you’re there, if you see me or my gal Taylor, say hello and by all means stop and ask me to have a photo taken so that you too can be added to our festival goers gallery . How will you know it’s me? Well I’m the blonde with the camera, oh I may also be wearing a NYSMusic t-shirt at least one of the days. For those that need visual aids, this may help too.

Let’s have a wonderful weekend and let Nashville hear us all the way from on top of the mountain, Hunter Mountain that is. See ya’ll soon.

Toby Keith – Taste of Country 2015

June 10, 2015
Three Nights of Strangefolk at Garcia’s

When one of your favorite bands for nearly 20 years comes around to play a few shows at a venue only two hours away, you make that drive. In the case of Strangefolk, there were three nights of shows at Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, all worth the commute to Port Chester and full of surprises, guests, covers and classics.

With Jason Crosby (Susan Tedeschi Band, Phil and Friends) sitting in for the entire weekend on keys and fiddle, a venue that grew in attendance each night was treated to classic Strangefolk songs. Thursday’s first set featured “Roads,” “All the Same,” “Speculator” and a creative “Burned Down->Fire On the Mountain->Burned Down,” teasing a theme for the weekend’s sets. The second set led with five Grateful Dead songs: “Althea,” “Deal,” “Dark Hollow,” “Candyman” and “Tennessee Jed” before the band returned to originals including “Cabin John,” “Fountain” and “Westerly.” A surprise cover of John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery” sung poetically by Reid Genauer, preceded “Westerley” while an encore of “Valhalla” finished the night.

On Friday, fans were treated to more Grateful Dead and originals that featured significant exploration inside of jams. An extensive “Alaska” was found in the first set alongside rarer originals “Diary” and “Faces”. There was significant interplay between Jon Trafton and Crosby during “Rather Go Fishin’,” leading to a “Shake Your Body” jam that lit the crowd up.

Shake Your Body jam during ‘Rather be Fishin’ – #strangefolk #garcias

A video posted by NYStateMusic (@nystatemusic) on Jun 5, 2015 at 7:02pm PDT

Set 2 brought out more Dead songs, starting with “Shakedown Street,” “Brown Eyed Woman,” a crowd singalong of “Loser” and “Scarlet Begonias.” Originals ruled the rest of the evening with a lengthy fan favorite “Lines and Circles,” “Rachel” with Crosby on fiddle, “Songbeard,” “45 Degrees” and “So Well” closing out the set. A soulful encore of “Things That Fly” ended the night, a sweaty one for many as club had gotten steamy during the hot second set.

Strangefolk’s three night run at Garcia’s came to a close on Saturday with the trio Sam and Margo opening as fans slowly filled the room. Strangefolk greeted a sold out crowd with “Sweet Libation” before carving deep into their repertoire with “Like You Anyway” and “Poland.” Genauer then brought out Aaron Maxwell, Jon Bevo, and Dan Pifer from God Street Wine, noting that the stage was a “little bit like a clown car” as the musicians joined. God Street Wine had tweeted earlier in the day that the trio would be joining Strangefolk at Garcia’s that night, letting the anticipation build for those attending the show. Having previously teamed with Genauer and fellow Assembly of Dust band members Adam Terrelll and Dave Diamond in 2014 under the Assembly of Wine moniker, Saturday was a chance for the God Street Wine members to play with the rest of Strangefolk.

“Speculator” led off the collaboration between the two bands with Maxwell singing lead vocals and fellow God Street Wine alumnus Jason Crosby trading his keys for a fiddle. “Driving West,” a God Street Wine original, followed before “Sometimes” closed out the band team-up with Maxwell and Genauer trading vocals and Maxwell and Trafton exchanging guitar riffs. As the God Street Wine trio walked off the stage, Genauer hinted at what was to come by informing the crowd “they’ll be back later.” “Whatever” and “Reuben’s Place” closed out the strong opening set with the members of Strangefolk and Crosby posing for a “selfie” with the crowd in the background before heading off stage for the setbreak.

The second set featured the return of Maxwell, Bevo, and Pifer and a journey into the Grateful Dead’s catalog. A gorgeous 17 minute rendition of “Sugaree,” featuring Maxwell on vocals and Crosby returning to the fiddle began the set and “Eyes of the World,” “Jack Straw,” and “Franklin’s Tower” followed with the fans in attendance joyously soaking in every note. Strangefolk closed out the set with their own originals, starting off with Weightless in Water’s “Valhalla” and “Chasing Away,” “Dance,” “…As,” and “Roads” following suit and “Walnut” closing out a special evening and a great three nights in a special intimate room. Strangefolk will play next this summer at the Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport, CT and in September at Lockn’ Music Festival.

Additional reporting by Scott Marks

June 9, 2015
Pantera To Headline Future Mayhem Festival?

Could Pantera finally reunite and headline a future Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival? Probably not but you never know, but if tour co-founder John Reese had his way it would have happened already Reese said in an interview with Examiner.com. Reese even went as far as to saying that he even approached the remaining member’s about the venture.

Reese stated “I’ve even approached them about doing it. Do I think it’s going to happen? I have no idea. I know that a heavy, heavy tragedy happened and there are some hard feelings, but it’s up to those three dudes to decide if they ever want to do something or not. If they would decide to do I would support it wholeheartedly and I would do whatever I could to be involved. But it’s up to them.”

Still shaken by his brother’s death for over 10 years now. Vinnie Paul has stated “Dime was Pantera,” he as has also stated about the possibility of a reunion “it would never happen and not interested.” Of course frontman Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown are open to the idea even with the bad blood that still remains between Paul and Anselmo. In 2004 Dimebag Darrell was shot and murdered by a fan on stage during the first minute of the first song in the set of a Damage Plan show in Columbus, Ohio.

Pantera released nine studio albums before the band officially broke in 2003.

June 9, 2015
Catskill Chill Announces 2015 Lineup

The rumors have proven to be true – moe. will be this years Catskill Chill headliner. Announced at Mountain Jam, the Buffalo natives will top the already “festival of the year” contender lineup. Tickets will likely sell out for Camp Minglewood long before September, purchase while you still can.

Featuring Lotus, Zappa Plays Zappa, Lettuce, Electron, The Motet, Dopopod, Kung Fu, Twiddle and many more, Catskill Chill has announced their 2015 lineup for their final year with #chillfam at Camp Minglewood in Hancock, NY. Tickets are on sale now at catskillchill.com.

The full lineup includes Lotus, Zappa Plays Zappa, Lettuce, Electron, The Motet, Dopapod, Kung Fu, Twiddle (playing original and Grateful Dead sets), Break Science, Turkuaz, Dopakuaz plays Studio 54, The Werks, Particle & Fam, George Porter Jr. & The Runnin’ Pardners, Stratosphere All-Stars, The Nth Power, Red Baraat, Moon Hooch, Govinda, Consider the Source (Electric & Acoustic), Pink Talking Fish, American Babies, Luke the Knife, Juno What?!, Chillfam All-Stars Herbie Hancock Tribute, High & Mighty Brass Band, Exmag, Nadis Warriors, DJ Logic, Borahm Lee, Caravan of Thieves, Love Canon, Brock Butler Acoustic, Borboletta, Jen Durkin & The Business, BRYAC Funk All-Stars, Aqueous, Marvel Years, Natalie Cressman, The Ballroom Thieves, The Primate Fiasco (Electric & Acoustic), Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan, On the Spot Trio, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Shwizz, FiKus, ShwiKus plays the ‘80s, The Brummy Brothers, Relative Souls, Strange Machines, Solaris, Speakerbot, Wyllys, Horizon Wireless, Funky Dawgz Brass Band, Haley Jane and the Primates, Wiley Griffin Acoustic, Little War Twins, and The Breakneck Boys.

June 8, 2015