NYS Music 20​15

Category: Folk/Americana

  • Mumford and Sons Announce ‘Gentlemen of the Road’ Stopover Tour Dates and New CD Release Date

    Two big announcements came this week from our favorite stage-stomping folk quartet. Mumford & Sons let the good news roll announcing this year’s Gentlemen of the Road Stopover dates as well as a release date for their forthcoming studio album Wilder Mind.

    Since 2012 Mumford & Sons have hosted a handful of festivals in small towns throughout the United States. This year they’ll be kicking it off with a nearby stop in Seaside Heights, NJ on June 5 and 6 just a week before their set at Bonnaroo. Other U.S. dates include Waverly, IA June 19-20, Walla Walla, WA August 14-15 and Salida, CO August 21-22.

    The lineup for the Seaside Heights, NJ Stopover will include Mumford & Sons joined by Alabama Shakes, Blake Mills, Dawes, Jeff the Brotherhood, Jenny Lewis, Little May, The Flaming Lips, The Maccabees, and The Very Best. Tickets for this one go on sale March 6.

    The other big announcement was that of the release of the band’s forthcoming third studio album Wilder Mind. The album is set to be released on May 4 with the first single, “Believe,” released a week ahead on April 27. Some new – and different – sounds will be coming from Mumford & Sons on Wilder Mind.

    Mumford_And_Sons Wilder Mind

  • Joey Eppard Streams Live Album

    Joey Eppard – Woodstock, NY singer/songwriter, front man and guitarist of progressive band 3 – made his 2013 live album Joey Eppard: Live in Concert available in full on Bandcamp nearly two years after release. Previously only four songs had been available for play.

    joeyeppard

    Eppard said that the goal of recording the set was to give far away fans the ability to hear him live. The set was performed in front of an intimate audience, mixed by Eppard himself, and includes guest spots – notably by drummer Chris Gartmann. The performance also includes some songs off of Eppard’s 2002 solo album Been to the Future, as well as a number of acoustic 3 arrangements.

    Joey Eppard: Live in Concert can be purchased through Eppard’s BandCamp page and on his web-site.

    Check it out below.

    [bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=1349531312 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small]

  • Fred Gillen Jr. Debuts New CD ‘Wage Love’ in a Homestyle Fashion

    It seemed as though a town meeting was mustering at EMBARK@EMC as the locals, family, and friends poured in from the clammy cold street to help Fred Gillen Jr. celebrate the release of his ninth studio album Wage Love on Feb. 8. From the outside, EMBARK’s space at the Energy Movement Center is just like any other small-town storefront, that evening decked out with posters and artwork for the show and a well-placed portrait of Pete Seeger to greet folks as they came in.

    The show started off with a few songs from Philadelphia based street performer, Laura Bowman, who contributed vocals to the album and joined Fred and his band (also composed of contributors to the recording) later in the evening. It was the first time for many at the show to hear Bowman but its a name they’ll remember for years to come – her beautiful dynamic singing and accompanying guitar work fueled by an engaged audience is something to not be taken for granted.

    A performance like this made for an exciting and enjoyable first listen to the album through a live re-enactment of it. The CD itself is skillfully composed, and hearing it first through a live performance adds a connection with the spontaneity of Fred’s style and jest – something liner notes cannot do. The first impression of Wage Love is much more vivid than that of listening at home. Fueled by a potluck-spread of snacks and goodies, the audience fed a communal energy into the room – singing along with and becoming engaged in the music – in feedback to the lyrics, soul, and music generated from the auspices of the American flag hung on the curtains behind the band.

    Joining Fred was the same crew that backed him up on the album – Laura Bowman on vocals, Paul Magliarli on drums, Matt Turk on guitar and mandolin, and Jeff Eyrich on bass.

    The album itself is political yet not dreary. Fred’s style, which throughout his compositions brings a fresh sound to the traditional folk and Americana music setting, lends a net of optimism to topics (worker’s rights, war, government) that tend to sometimes stir a sense of gloom. As a token to the lesser-sung songs of the working American and undermined heroes the album starts off with “Walking Down That Freedom Highway” – written to the tune of Woodie Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” – and ends with “I Dreamed I Saw Pete Seeger” – a hymn to the unparalleled spirit we lost in 2014 sung to the air on part of “We Shall Overcome,” a staple of Seeger’s songbook.

    The setlist included Wage Love from start to finish and an encore of two songs from previous albums – “This Old Car” and “Devil’s Bluff.”

    Key Tracks: Killing Machine, We The People, I Dreamed I Saw Pete Seeger

  • Winter Carnival 2015: Donna the Buffalo with Driftwood at the Waterhole

    Donna the Buffalo kicked Saranac Lake Winter Carnival up a notch Thursday night with a show that packed the Waterhole.

    Americana string act Driftwood opened the show with an energetic set that got the audience moving. Then Donna the Buffalo took the stage and turned up the heat with their zydeco-laced dance music. The band and the audience worked up a sweat despite the freezing temperatures outside as everyone partied late into the night. Driftwood joined DTB on stage for a group encore.

    Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear on guitar; Tara Nevins on guitar, accordion and violin; Dave McCracken on Hammond organ, Honer clavinet and piano; Kyle Spark on bass; and drummer Mark Raudabaugh.

  • Hearing Aide: Tyler Smilo ‘Dust In a Grave’

    Singing the songs of a true wanderer, traveling throughout the country before settling in Erie, PA, Tyler Smilo has numerous stories to share that are more than worthy of a listen. On top of his deep lyrics, Smilo’s shockingly powerful voice featuring incredible vibrato definitely hits a nerve right from the start of his second and latest album Dust in a Grave.

    tyler smiloIt’s hard not to get sucked right in to the intense emotions of this tremendously talented singer-songwriter. Spouting lyrics about love – and love lost – on “These Will Be the Days” memories of the good old days before technology took over on “Rescue the Radio” and death of a loved one on “Dust in a Grave.” This musician seems to have experienced a great deal of trials and tribulations for someone so young. Let’s hope he continues to have many more adventures that he is willing to sing about for years to come, as after listening to this album, I was left wanting more.

    Because his thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics are so compelling, it is easy to overlook the fact that this musician has mad guitar talent too. Able to change rhythms on a dime, and switch between minor and major chords several times within just one measure, it is certainly worth honing in on his guitar licks while listening through his album.

    In advance of his album, Smilo put out a series Rooftop Session videos recorded on the roof of the Renaissance Centre in his hometown of Erie, PA. Once you watch these videos, you’re going to find it hard not to delve deeper into Smilo’s music by checking out an upcoming show or purchasing one of his albums.

    Key Tracks: Blood In the Water, Dust In a Grave, These Will Be the Days

  • Hearing Aide: Driftwood’s Self-Titled Debut

    driftwoodWhether you enjoy the whimsical melodies of folk music, or the boot-stomping, heart-pumping beats of rock ‘n’ roll, Driftwood’s first full-length album has a little something for everyone.  Hailing from Binghamton, the band’s ability to glue together a small piece of every genre is remarkable.

    As a whole, the self-titled album Driftwood manages to paint very descriptive, colorful narratives of lessons and stories that unfold seamlessly.  From the first few seconds of the first song, “High School Paycheck” listeners can glide along through a story ultimately about the sum of our days not being comparable to the amount of money earned.  It’s a sentiment that people of all walks of life can relate to, and the listener’s journey has only just begun.

    The softness of the first track should not be a reflection of what Driftwood manages to accomplish with the rest of the album. The second song, “The Sun’s Going Down” hits hard and heavy.  We are encouraged to go along on the ride with them, listening close to their words and physically feeling what it is they are trying to convey.  The rest of the album continues to raise the bar.  “The Carburetor and the Steam Engine” slowly creeps up to a powerful peak of emotions and is followed by simple, yet soul tingliging lullabies such as “Outer Space.”  Claire Byrne’s powerful ode “Before I Rust” could make anyone weak in the knees, as can her delicate and expressive fiddle playing. Combined with Joey Arcuri’s passionate bass lines, Dan Forsyth’s revelatory voice and Joe Kollar’s unique style of banjo, the four-piece has it all.  Their spot-on harmonies and attention to detail round out the album like a classic novel, with heartfelt finality and precise conclusion.  Driftwood’s collective songwriting skills are honed by the classics in music, and given their fire from the rock ‘n’ roll of our parents’ generation. When assembled, the words and melodies are nothing short of a masterpiece.

    Key Tracks: The Carburetor and the Steam Engine, Before I Rust, Buffalo Street

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  • Wage Love! Hudson Valley’s Fred Gillen Jr. CD Release Show Feb. 8 Peekskill

    The Hudson Valley’s own Fred Gillen Jr. is set to release his ninth studio album this weekend, and he’s not doing it alone.

    This Sunday, February 8, Fred will be performing a CD release show at EMBARK@EMC, a cozy performance space at 925 South Street in Peekskill. Joining him will be special guest Laura Bowman, a singer-songrwriter originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, and a full band including Paul Magliari (drums), Jeff Eyrich (bass), and Matt Turk (guitar/mandolin).

    Sunday’s show starts at 4:30, and the $15 entry includes a copy of Wage Love.

    Fred Gillen Jr. has performed at venues large and small throughout the country, connecting with his audiences through heartfelt performances of melody and lyric embracing the tradition of folk music with his own character.

    Fred Gillen Jr

  • Hearing Aide: Charley Orlando, “Starseed”

    charley orlando starseedHailing from our eastern neighbor region of Glenville, singer-songwriter Charley Orlando has earned quite a live performance reputation here in the Upstate region, playing upwards of 3,000 shows. Though he has decided to take a break from music for this upcoming year, he has ended 2014 with a bang, and it’s name is Starseed.

    Orlando released this eight-track album on December 9th, where it has since been released on Spotify, Facebook, and of course, his own website. He has established himself as a pioneer for an “Organica Groove” genre, that stems from the Acid Folk he grew up listening to. Through most of the album, I agree that the ever-present bright timbre of the acoustic guitar brings me back to Bob Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde days, but Charley’s voice in particular sings to the tune of a more recent ensemble to me: The Decemberists. Though they are more in the indie rock sphere, the Decemberists maintain a high folk sensibility through their lead vocals, which Orlando also embodies, whether it was his intention or not. In songs like “Drop,” “Think It Over,” and “Rise,” the throbbing rhythmic pulse is supported by a multitude of fresh drum patterns that aren’t familiar to the traditional pop-trained ear. Other songs, like “Positive Fire” have very intricate pre-chorus sections, with attention to his abilities as a guitarist. My favorite, however, is the 80’s New Wave style synth that accompanies “If You’re Down.”

    Along with his choices of instrumentation, Charley Orlando has an interesting strategy to his songwriting. Along with the constant major chords that ring throughout his album, he is trying to adapt a new recording style through use of his Ableton software. Before ever adding vocal and instrument lines, he is working on recording and creating based primarily on rhythmic pulses, allowing the music to find itself. While I’m not sure when he’ll return to the music sphere, I can guarantee that Starseed is only a preview for what is about to come from Charley Orlando.

    Key Tracks: Think It Over, If You’re Down, Rise

  • Photo Gallery: Spiritual Rez and Annie in the Water at Rustic Barn

    On Friday night, Troy’s Rustic Barn saw a great show put on by two up and coming northeast bands, including Spiritual Rez.

    Annie in the Water started the evening off with a beautiful mix of rock and folk by the three-piece band. For their whole set they were joined by Mister F’s Scott Hannay. Spiritual Rez then came on stage with their reggae horn infused rock and played to an enthusiastic crowd. The show ended with another sit in from Scott and a cover of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back.”