NYS Music 20​15

Tag: driftwood

  • Driftwood and Pocket Change to Pay a Visit to Rome’s Historic Capitol Theatre

    The Capitol Theatre in Rome will play host to Binghamton’s Driftwood and Rome’s Pocket Change in a double-bill of Americana, folk and bluegrass Friday, September 25 beginning at 7:30. Tickets for the general admission show are available for $15 presale and $20 at the door.

    Pocket Change

    Pocket Change will open the show. Formed in 2011, singer/guitarist Matt Moore describes the band’s eclectic mix of rock-informed bluegrass, “musical compost.”  Joining Moore in the band are his wife, Liz Moore (mandolin/vocals) and new members Joe Cantanaro (guitar) and Tim Slusarczyk (upright bass). Pocket Change is no stranger to the Capitol Theatre stage, having headlined last year’s  Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Association’s Indoor Bluegrass Festival there. It also has a history with Driftwood, joining them at last year’s Utica Music and Arts Festival.

    Driftwood, formed in Binghamton in 2005, earned its chops the hard way, performing in bars, coffee houses and the streets. As banjo player Joe Kollar says, “a lot in the streets.” With backgrounds in jazz, classical and rock, the move to bluegrass and roots music was one the band came upon naturally. Driftwood prides itself in its songwriting skills and high energy shows, punctuated by its haunting harmonies, featuring violinist Claire Byrne, guitarist Dan Forsyth and Kollar.

    Driftwood released its debut album Rally Day in 2009 and has released A Rock and Roll Heart (2011), a self-titled album (2013) and most recently, its first live album, Live at Grassroots 2014.  Absolute Punk described Driftwood as a “revelation” and “one of the best roots discs…in quite some time.”

    Having graced festival stages alongside the likes of Bela Fleck, Old Crow Medicine Show, Del McCoury, Railroad Earth, Robert Randolph, Leon Russell and Emmylou Harris, the band is poised for a breakthrough in the burgeoning Newgrass scene. With each show, the crowds have gotten bigger. Having a video for its single “The Sun’s Going Down” in rotation on CMT has only served to increase the band’s fanbase beyond its Upstate roots.

    Driftwood

    The Capitol Theatre is located in Rome’s Art and Cultural District at 220 W. Dominick St. Tickets are available through the Capitol’s website and at the door the night of the show. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $20 and allow early access to the venue and a meet and greet with the musicians.

    Driftwood Poster

  • German House Announces Fall 2015 Schedule

    The German House in Rochester, N.Y. has recently released their fall concert schedule kicking off on September 12. The historic western New York concert venue, promoted by Up All Night Concerts, has six performances scheduled from a variety of genres this fall.

    Opening the concert series on September 12 is Ani Difranco, Buffalo native and a prominent folk-rock singer-songwriter. Difranco has been nominated for 9 Grammy awards, winning for Best Recording Package in 2004 for her album Evolve. Difranco is a world-wide icon in the feminist and LGBT communities, known for her outspoken participation in social movements and her lyrics about progressive social issues.

    Taking the stage on October 10 is David Bromberg, a bluegrass and folk performer known for his proficiency on a multitude of instruments. The 69-year old from Philadelphia has played with Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan and George Harrison in his career.

    On October 31, Halloween night, Driftwood will perform at the German House. The 4-piece Binghamton folk band has recorded three studio albums and has a well-known presence in the Upstate New York music scene.

    Donna the Buffalo will play on November 13, with Peter Rowan performing as a special guest. Donna the Buffalo is a Finger Lakes group that embraces the southern Zydeco variant of Louisiana bluegrass. Rowan is a Boston bluegrass guitarist and yodeler who has been active in music since 1963.

    On December 4, Max Creek will perform. The Boston-oriented rock band was influenced by Grateful Dead and plays many psychedelic jam tunes. Phish bassist Mike Gordon has referred to Max Creek as one of his favorite bands.

    Concluding the fall concert series is Delbert McClinton, the rugged blues player from Lubbock, Texas. McClinton has had four blues albums reach number 1 on the charts, and also has had some success on the country scene as well.

  • Grassroots 25th Anniversary Festival Lineup

    Fans of the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance had been eager to hear this year’s lineup, and they were delighted at the May 2 announcement. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Grassroots is a celebration of music and dance, with a cause. Held annually at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds in Trumansburg, N.Y. this year’s festival will be held July 16-19.

    Grassroots started as a concert at the State Theater in Ithaca, N.Y. to benefit an AIDS organization, AIDSwork. The festival has grown into one of the premier festivals in New York State, featuring the bands that helped get it all started like Donna the Buffalo, and The Horse Flies — keeping this festival intimate and true to its community roots.

    This year’s lineup includes: Donna the Buffalo, Steve Earle, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, John Brown’s Body, Sim Redmond Band, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Cabinet, Driftwood, Marco Benevento, Jimkata, The Horse Flies, Thunder Body, Sophistafunk, Big Mean Sound Machine, Preston Frank & His Zydeco Family Band, LO’JO, A Tribe Called Red, and so many more.

    Check back as we get closer to the festival for updated information and the full schedule once it is released. Tickets are available on the festival website. With so many family friendly price options, this festival is a MUST for any Upstate New Yorker.

    Full Lineup:

    DONNA THE BUFFALO

    STEVE EARLE

    TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE

    THE FAMILY STONE

    TAMIKREST

    JOHN BROWN’S BODY

    KEITH FRANK & SOILEAU ZYDECO

    LO’JO

    A TRIBE CALLED RED

    SIM REDMOND BAND

    CABINET

    PRESTON FRANK & HIS ZYDECO FAMILY BAND

    JIM LAUDERDALE

    GIANT PANDA GUERILLA DUB SQUAD

    CEDRIC WATSON & BIJOU CREOLE

    DRIFTWOOD

    LANZALLAMAS

    MARCO BENEVENTO

    JIMKATA

    NAG CHAMPAYONS

    SIHASIN

    THE BROTHERS COMATOSE

    THE FLYING CLOUDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA

    MORIKEBA KOUYATE

    NATIVOS JAMMIN’ ORCHESTRA

    THE HORSE FLIES

    THE GUNPOETS

    THOUSANDS OF ONE

    THUNDERBODY

    WALTER MOUTON & THE SCOTT PLAYBOYS

    SOPHISTAFUNK

    SAMITE OF UGANDA

    STORYBOARD

    TELEKINETIC WALRUS

    BLIND BOY PAXTON & CEDRIC WATSON

    BIG MEAN SOUND MACHINE

    KEITH SECOLA & HIS WILD BAND OF INDIANS

    KEVIN KINSELLA

    THE BLIND SPOTS

    LOCUST HONEY

    JONES BENALLY FAMILY DANCE TROUPE

    RALPH RODDENBERY

    ROCKWOOD FERRY

    GALUMPHA

    LUKE G & THE CANDYHEARTS

    MOONTEE SINQUAH

    RED DOG RUN

    BLACK CASTLE

    BOBBY HENRIE & THE GONERS

    HANK ROBERTS

    FIRST NORTH AMERICAN LUNAR

    JOHNNY DOWD BAND

    JENNIE STEARNS

    KELLY BRITTON

    MAC BENFORD & UP SOUTH

    KENNY T & WILDFIRE

    MARY LORSON

    RICHIE & ROSIE

    BRONWEN EXTER

    ALTER KOKER

    RODNEY SUTTON

    ATSIAKTONKIE

    THE SPECKERS

    LAILA BELLE

    THE NEPOTIST

    GREY GARY

    ANNA COOGAN

    PLASTIC NEBRASKA

    SECOND DAM

    THE FALCONERS

    THE GRADY GIRLS

    GABRIEL TAVARES & SISU POWDER THE MOON

    THE NOTORIOUS STRINGBUSTERS

    THE SUTRAS

    THE TIN TEARDROPS

    DJ CAPPEL

    HECTORWORKS SOUNDSYSTEM

    THE DJANGONERS

    CHRISTOPHER GERARD BAND

    GOGONE

    PASO FINO

    PARK DOING

    THE FLY RODS

    UNIIT

    THE RUDDY WELL BAND

    TOIVO

    CALICO MOON

    READ ALONG SONGS W/ CAL WALKER AND JOHN SIMON

    THE BUVAS

    NERY AREVALO

    DEAD SEA SQUIRRELS

    THE BUBBA GEORGE STRINGBAND

    THE GRASSROOTS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

  • FESTY NEWS: Purple Pig 2015 Announces Final Lineup

    Get ready to take flight! The Purple Pig Music Festival 2015 has added a number of bands to its lineup, and it promises a weekend full of fun with a variety of musical styles to indulge in.

    Final lineup for Purple Pig 2015:

    Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
    Driftwood
    Sophistafunk
    Hypnotic Clambake
    The Rigs
    ThunderBody
    Subsoil
    Horizon Wireless
    Blind Owl Band
    Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People
    Mikaela Davis
    Richie and Rosie
    Kevin Kinsella
    Mosaic Foundation
    The Prickers
    The Buddhahood
    The Moho Collective
    White Woods
    Mulberry Soul
    The Big Mean Sound Machine
    The Chris English Project
    Beat the Grid
    Solaris
    Seth Faergolzia
    Blindspots
    Maybird
    Folkfaces
    Slyboots
    The Younger Gang
    Personal Blend
    Thoroughbred
    Tryptic Soy
    3 Mountain Hollow
    Ryan Johnson
    Milkweed
    Dead Metaphor Cabaret
    Eastern Boys with Western Shirts
    Bob Bunce’s Rural Delivery
    Irshad Chan
    Squaw Island
    The Reckoning Project

    The Purple Pig Festival has grown exponentially in its four years of existence into one of upstate’s best. Held on a picturesque blueberry farm just outside of Naples, N.Y., the Pig offers multiple amenities and free on-site camping for the three-day extravaganza this Aug. 28-30. Three stages will host a bevy of bands with New York-based talent spotlighted. Purple Pig is brought to you by Roots Collider Presents.

    The festival was founded by a group of friends who want to celebrate the amazing artistic talent they have found amongst New York’s musicians, artists, dancers, poets, writers and actors. “As hosts of the Purple Pig we are nothing short of blessed to have these such acts for you on one of the most beautiful pieces of land that you’ll ever live on for 3 days,” they write on the homepage of the festival’s website.

    Tickets are a mere $80 for the three days and are available online now. Late comers can grab tickets at the gate for $100, provided there are any left. One-day tickets are also available. Join the event.

  • Old Boy Records 2015 Spring Showcase

    Old Boy Records is holding their 2015 Spring Showcase in the Center for the Arts of Homer – a repurposed church – on Friday March 27.  The Upstate New York record label was founded in 2005 by Chris Merkley with a focus on representing the next wave of American Roots musicians.

    Ten years later – Old Boy Records represents over a dozen artists from Upstate New York, Nashville and New York City.  In addition to helping bands collaborate on shows and recordings – Old Boy also has their hand in creating custom music for television and film.

    old boy records showcase

    The showcase will feature acoustic performances from seven acts on two stages, including Driftwood who has created an exceptionally strong presence in the folk/Americana community.  In addition to Driftwood – Merkley and band mate Stiv Morgan will be performing.  Merkley and Morgan have been playing music together for over 15 years, and founded the band Digger Jones based out of Cortland, New York.   Also on the list of performers is Los Blancos, whose eclectic mix of blues, funk, soul, country and Latin music has been a staple of the Syracuse music scene for years.

    The music will start at 6pm, with performances taking place between the Community Room and Main Stage throughout the night.  Tickets are available by calling the Center for the Arts of Homer at (607) 749-4900 or online. The Center is located at 72 S Main St in Homer, NY.

    For a taste of what’s to come, here are some videos from this years Old Boy Records Showcase performers:

    Driftwood

    Chris Merkley and Stiv Morgan

    Los Blancos

    The Falconers

    Nate & Kate

    Gabe Cummins

  • 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: 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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  • Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival 2015

    Wintercarnival2015222NOW2The Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge will be the place to be during the 119th Saranac Lake Winter Carnival in February 2015. The north country tradition that leads back to the 1800s, when Saranac Lake was a healing place for tuberculosis sufferers, who sought rejuvenation. Locals relished in any opportunity to celebrate health and well-being throughout each season, the traditions continue today with a wide range of events and activities.

    A definite highlight of these shows will be the Saranac Lake based, Blind Owl Band, who are returning to touring after a six month break. Fans are excited to see these hometown mountain music folks get down.

    The Waterhole, located at 48 Main St. Saranac Lake, NY, has 8 nights of music planned with a style of music for everyone, during the festival Feb. 6-15. Advanced Tickets Can be Purchased at The Waterhole or by calling (518) 891-9502 or emailing waterholebooking@gmail.com

    Music Line-up:

    Feb 6 – The Royal Noise (Free Shows, Downstairs, 10pm)
    Feb 7 – The Big Mean Sound Machine and Groovestick ($10.00, Doors 9pm, Upstairs)
    Feb 10 – Swampcandy (Free Show, Downstairs 9pm)
    Feb 11 – Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan and North Funktree ($7.00, Doors 8pm, Upstairs)
    Feb 12 – Donna the Buffalo and Driftwood ($18 Adv/ $20 Door, Doors 9pm, Upstairs)
    Feb 13 – Moon Hooch and Formula 5 ($12 Adv/$15Door, Doors 9pm, Upstairs)
    Feb 14 – Rasinhead (Reunion) Post Parade Party 2pm FREE SHOW, Upstairs After The Parade
    Feb 14 – The Blind Owl Band and Swampcandy ($10, Doors 9pm, Upstairs)
    Feb 15 – Bloody Mary Sunday with The Tim Herron Duo (2pm, FREE SHOW, Upstairs)


    *For a schedule of all events at the Winter Carnival