NYS Music 20​16

Category: Features

  • Hearing Aide: Hands Like Houses “Dissonants”

    dissonantsAustralian rock band, Hands Like Houses, will be releasing their third studio album Feb. 26. Trenton Woodlley, Matt Cooper, Alex Pearson, Joel Tyrrell and Matt Parkitny entered the studio in March for the first time since the release of Reimagine in 2014. Dissonants will be released on Rise Records.

    Frontman Trenton Woodlley addressed the band’s relief and excitement to end their fans wait:

    We’re feeling a powerful mix of relief and excitement in finally releasing Dissonants. We knew from pretty early on that this album would make us or it would break us — and it nearly did. But we were honest with ourselves, each other and most importantly, the music, adopting the mantra, ‘It’s better to get this right, than to just get it done.’ And we’re proud to finally say that we’ve done both.”

    The band released a teaser from the album in March 2015. “I Am” is the first single from Dissonants and also the first track on the record. The entry into this song reminds me of the opening credits of a romantic comedy from the ’90s; it seems light and fun. The feeling lasts for about 10 seconds and then we realize, these guys are for real. The deeper I fell into this track, I realized their are many levels to this song, and so many different elements to love. The slow build up in instrumentals to the chorus grabs the listener’s attention as if to say, “you better be ready for what happens next.” In the bridge, Trenton sings, “I will melt into a choir of angels,” and for a brief moment we hear a choir singing with him. It is the smallest detail but was perfect and chilling. I found myself wondering what was going to happen next and loving every minute of it. This is the song that introduced me to Hands like Houses, and the song that made me a fan.

    “Colourblind” is the most recently released single from the album. The beat of this track may seem more upbeat than the previous songs on the album. However, the song holds a very deep meaning. It is a song that separates these rock musicians from the pretty pop princesses of this generation. It is a song with soul. The band described “Colourblind” on their Facebook page:

    (The song is) about our cultural obsession with binary ideas — we are black or white, right or wrong. We’re so caught up, we forget that we live in a world of color.”

    Hands Like Houses took a different approach with “Momentary” and “Division Symbols,” allowing the tracks to stand out. I fell in love with the way “Division Symbols” enters with a piano and continues the riff throughout the song. The tenderness of the piano allowed me to feel an emotional pull towards the song before even hearing the lyrics. Using a similar soft approach, the beginning verse of “Momentary” is quiet and gentle. And then suddenly the song bursts into the chorus.

    Dissonants is an excellent display of the passion that separates the good artists from the great ones. Each track contrasts well with the previous one to make listening to this album a rush of emotional highs and lows. The lyrics blend with the instrumentals perfectly to prove every moment was choreographed and not just thrown together. I believe fans of Hands Like Houses will find this album worth the wait.

    The album is available to pre-order on iTunes.

    Key Tracks: “I Am,” “Colourblind,” “Division Symbols,” “Degrees of Separation”

  • Valentine’s Day Pairs Local and Veteran Rockers at Paramount Hudson Valley

    More than a musical blind date is coming to Paramount Hudson Valley this Valentine’s Day. Veteran indie pop rockers Gin Blossoms will be joined by Peekskill’s own Joe Duraes & The Skills for an exciting Sunday night double-bill.

    Over the past two decades, Gin Blossoms have been a staple in ’90s playlists with their albums New Miserable Experience and Congratulations I’m Sorry peaking high on the charts and each achieving Platinum status. Since the band’s 2002 reunion following a five-year hiatus, Gin Blossoms have recorded two studio albums and continued to tour.

    Complementing the iconic 90’s sound of Gin Blossoms is the hometown outfit Joe Duraes & The Skills, making their second appearance on the Paramount stage. The band drives home their own style of Hudson Valley rock building off of Duraes’ previous solo acoustic songwriter work fit for any house, whether coffee house, theater, or street festival.

    Sunday’s show is set to start at 8pm, and the Paramount Hudson Valley has special prix fixe dinner-and-a-show tickets available through participating Peekskill restaurants. Visit the Paramount’s website for more information on this offer and tickets to the event.

  • Hearing Aide: Jimkata ‘In Motion’

    After a short hiatus that took the band off the road and included a change in the band’s line-up, Ithaca based jamtronica/indie rock band Jimkata is back with their much anticipated release In Motion. The album marks the band’s second fan funded album and is packed full of mellow grooves, driving beats and captivating lyrics.

    Simply stated: Welcome to Jimkata 2.0.

    Jimkata In Motion

    If Jimkata lives by its own musical mantra’s, In Motion is best described by a single line from the band’s 2012 release Die Digital –“All the best things seem to surface after the worst times.” The group’s latest release is a revealing composition that celebrates living in the moment and the gripping realities of love, life and loss.

    Musically, In Motion is a varied departure from Jimkata’s signature driving, dance beats and swirling, glaring guitar. There’s a warmer, more peaceful groove infused throughout the entire album, different from some of the band’s harder and edgier releases. But what the band does successfully is create songs that you can lose yourself in. In Motion is full of inviting, listener friendly ear worms; songs that you want to hear constantly on repeat.

    There is a world of musical discovery to this album – like a musical onion. Almost undetectable layers to the band’s sounds that present themselves differently every time you listen to a song. Technically, it may be Jimkata’s most successful album to date. You are forced to listen to the album’s production value, because that’s what the album really is about. Yet, In Motion succeeds at sounding sleek but never over-produced.

    What’s missing from In Motion is the musical push and pull that has become synonymous with previous Jimkata releases. At times, the album teeters into more ambient territory, but despite less edge, the album never borders on sleepy. There is always something to keep your ear listening. And although the album isn’t full of mind altering guitar solos or face melting jams, In Motion showcases a completely different side to the band.

    In a time where bands are incorporating the glory of 80s snyth and new wave technology, Jimkata is exploring it. Whereas the band’s last few releases simply infused the era driven sounds into their mix of catchy guitar riffs and hooky lyrical mantras, In Motion delves deeper into that already established aspect of the band’s sound.

    The album’s first single “In the Moment” captures the essence of Jimkata past and present. It is the one single that feels like it could have fit on albums past, yet In Motion would somehow be incomplete without it. Perfectly timed drums from Packy Lunn create a mellow yet focused disco beat while layers of snyth and keys cascade around vocalist/guitarist Evan Friedell’s comforting vocal style.

    The true gem of In Motion is the album’s lyrical experience.   Friedell creates a haunting familiarity that is personal and connective. In several songs, like “Wild Ride” and “In the Moment,” it feels that he is singing directly to the listener. And it’s that quality that makes this album so special. It takes a confident and self-aware lyricist to create the kind of moments that feel connected and relatable. At times, the album feels like a movie soundtrack without a movie. If you listen close enough, the story is perfectly laid out for the listener to discover.

    As the band launches a late winter tour in support of the album, it will be interesting to see how these songs will fit into the live, high energy performances that Jimkata is known for. Of the albums nine tracks, “Innocence” has the most intriguing live performance potential. “Ride the Wave” and “Build Me Up” have already seen stage time during the last year and fit neatly into the Jimkata live show.

    In Motion drops on February 12, but is still available for pre-sale through the band’s Pledgemusic campaign. Jimkata kicks off their In Motion Release tour on Feb 19 in Burlington, Vermont.

    Key Tracks: Ride the Wave, In the Moment, Wild Ride

  • Hearing Aide: Samantha Fish ‘Wild Heart’

    SF Wild Heart CD Art-smallSinger-songwriter and blues guitarist Samantha Fish’s third studio release, Wild Heart, is rife with powerful vocals, raunchy guitar riffs and thunderous drumming. Fish’s vocals will remind listeners of other female powerhouses like Grace Potter and Susan Tedeschi.

    The album’s standout track, “Road Runner,” kicks off the 12-song collection and lays down the framework for what is to come—a 52-minute showcase of Fish’s soulful range backed by rocking guitars. “Go Home,” the first ballad on the album, features more delicate vocal work with hint of country to the sound. Returning to her roots in the hill country blues, she delivers a fitting cover of Charley Patton’s “Jim Lee Blues,” and it’s probably the most important tune on the record.

    However, many of the tracks seem to fall flat with no real arrival. When one expects the song to progress to a climax, it simply continues along the same steady path where it started. Much of the drumming throughout the album is uninspired, not matching the intensity of the guitars or vocals. But many listeners will find this aspect of Wild Heart to be familiar and comfortable, as the simple backdrop beats let Fish’s rebel-twang steal the show.

    Samantha Fish is currently on tour in support of Wild Heart, and she is scheduled to perform at New York City’s Cutting Room on Feb. 13.

    Key tracks: “Road Runner,” “Jim Lee Blues,” “Bitch on the Run”

  • Blind Owl Band Roars Through The ‘Cuse

    The Blind Owl Band rode their roaring four-stringed freight train right through the Westcott Theater in Syracuse on Feb. 6, and with a full house of faithful fans, they surely got the dance floor heated. The bearded band responsible for breaking in your dancing shoes consists of Arthur Buezo (guitar, vocals), Christian Cardiello, (double bass, fretless bass), James Ford, (banjo, vocals) and Eric Munley (mandolin, vocals).

    The band strummed their instruments so effortlessly, there were times I wondered if their swift fingers even touched the strings. They most definitely live up to their name the “Blind” Owl Band, if they were blindfolded I have no doubt their manic, musical mastery would be no different, as the dance floor was moving all night.

    If you missed this furious fleet of string masters, you can catch them in their hometown of Saranac Lake at the Waterhole on Feb. 13, the Hanger in Troy, NY, on Feb. 18 and at Nectar’s in Burlington, VT, on Feb. 19 with Bella’s Bartok.

  • Hearing Aide: The North & South Dakotas ‘Been Away’

    The North & South Dakotas, from the Saratoga Springs area, have been bringing their blend of bluegrass, country and rock n’ roll infused folk to music fans around the area since 2013. While they’ve always been a great combination of those genres, their new release ‘Been Away’ shows them able to put together an album that even further masters that sound. Start to finish, this is a great piece of alt-country, full of a healthy portion of slide guitar, great harmonies and songs that just sound like the sound track to living and loving far away from the lights of any big city.

    The album’s opening track “Caroline” starts off full of twangy goodness and sets the tone for the album, in the listener’s mind it’s all rural country life, there’s going to be lots long roads and heartbreak. But perhaps  most importantly there’s some fast-as-lightning string picking and great melodies to carry us through the ups and downs. Once the vocals kick in, you know you couldn’t be listening to any other group it’s the distinct sound of Zack Hay’s voice, now with a hint more grit and attitude from their previous releases.

    Sometimes though, the long nights full of whiskey, the growing feeling of needing a change, and perhaps a bad choice or two catch up with you and a day in bed is in order, contemplating how rough the lows really may have become. On one of the records slower tunes, “Please Don’t Wake Me” there’s talk about about  speaking with the devil if he chooses to shows up, and admitting maybe it’s time to pack up and move along. “I ain’t ashamed to float like a feather as I fall from grace. And I ain’t putting up a fight, and heaven knows I’ve tried, and when I land, you know I’ll find my place.” Guitarist Mark Retajczyk never misses the opportunity to throw in a classy guitar solo and in the video below, seeing the band in the warm golden glow of a fall corn field helps you hear the breath of hope even in a sad song.

    Other stand out tracks include “Katie”, fast paced with quick little starts and stops this is a song in the live setting that is going to get the ground shaking resulting from a room full of stompin’ boots. Nayt Patenaude sets the strings of the mandolin on fire in this track, good luck trying to sit still when it hits your ears. Throughout the album, the rhythm section of Mike Graves on drums and Colin Hunt on bass stay locked in time and provide a steady backbone throughout an album with plenty of musical turns and changes in tempo that give the songs life.

    “Nowhere Slow” is a little more outlaw country, like a dark storm rolling in, hot on your trail as you bolt out of town. The break down towards the end even sounds as if they threw a dash of sludgy metal into the every-type-of-Americana stew they’ve whipped up through the album. “Prayin’” will be the track that gets hips swayin’, before leading into the album’s final track “Swan”. The album’s closing track talks about making the way back home, after an album that has taken the listener through several tales of love, a few lonely nights, and no shortage of fun evenings spent with a drink in hand. With a long instrumental close to the song and album we’re reminded that these tracks are just as catchy as they are complex, and at its heart this is a group of very talented guys that are capable of showing us a good time while maintaining a level of depth and integrity that is often lacking in modern country music.

    On Saturday, February 13th The North and South Dakotas will be celebrating the release of Been Away at The Parting Glass in Saratoga. $10 entry also gets you a copy of the new album. The night will start off with a performance from Rebel Darling, the full band that M.R. Poulopoulos, one of the area’s strongest songwriters, puts together with a rotating cast of talent. Doors open at 7pm, music is set to start at 8pm. The Parting Glass is located at 40 Lake Ave. in downtown Saratoga.

    Key Tracks: Katie, Nowhere Slow, Please Don’t Wake Me

  • Umphrey’s McGee and TAUK Rock The Palace

    Update August 18: Full show video of Umphrey’s performance has surfaced.

    Umphrey’s McGee wrapped up a four-night run of the Northeast at The Palace Theatre in Albany on February 6, bringing TAUK to open the show and join them for an impressive “Bad Friday,” one of many stand out moments from a four-and-a-half-hour show between the two bands. Fans were still arriving while TAUK warmed the crowd up for Umphrey’s and made a strong case for the opening act that best compliments the main act. TAUK celebrated keyboardist Alric ‘AC’ Carter with an inventive yet smooth “Eleanor Rigby.”

    Tom-Miller_UM_020616_42 copybw

    Umphrey’s got the night started with “Catshot” followed by a double threat of “JaJunk” > “Mulche’s Odyssey,” with “The Peqoud” and the newer “Gone for Good” slowing things down briefly. Joel Cummins took over for a heavy jam in between “Cemetery Walk I” and “Cemetery Walk II” that neared the 20 minute mark, and paired nicely with “Ringo” that followed. Teases of “Voodoo Child” from Jake wound their way back into “JaJunk” to close the set.

    Set 2 opened with the recently debuted “Attachments,” after which UM welcomed birthday boy AC to the stage to join in on keys for “Bad Friday,” with Isaac Teel on vocals, yet another fantastic collaboration between the two bands.

    We love this! #taukaboutit #umphlove #fanmade @umphreysmcgee

    A photo posted by @taukband on

    After a strong “Higgins” jam, Bob Marley’s birthday was celebrated with the mashup “Life During Exodus,” intertwining Marley, Talking Heads and Zappa’s “City of Tiny Lights.” “Resolution” that followed had expert level jamming led by Jake and Kris Myers, with a strong “Norwegian Wood” jam to bring it home into another fresh tune, “Remind Me,” wrapping up a six-song set with four songs clocking in over 12 minutes. The second set was a real treat, and those fans got a great duo in the encore of “Triple Wide” and “Hajimashite,” to keep the energy flowing out the doors and onto South Pearl Street.

    Setlist via AllthingsUM

    Set 1: Catshot > JaJunk > Mulche’s Odyssey, The Pequod > Gone for Good[1], Cemetery Walk,Cemetery Walk II, Ringo[2] > JaJunk

    Set 2: Attachments, Bad Friday[3], Higgins, Life During Exodus, Resolution[4] -> Remind Me
    Encore: The Triple Wide > Hajimemashite

    [1] with Jake on acoustic
    [2] With Voodoo Child (Jimi Hendrix) teases from Jake
    [3] with Alric Carter on keys and Isaac Teel on vocals and percussion
    [4] with Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (The Beatles) jam

    [FinalTilesGallery id=’609′]

  • Fest Food: Phish Dick’s 2014

    “We love Dick’s. We love it! Jennifer and Natalie, do you love Dick’s?” asked Trey before launching into Suzy Greenberg with the ladies on horns. Everyone loves Dick’s – the music from Phish, the mountains, the legal weed and the Phish food.

    phish dick's 2014The first order of business was stocking up on canned goods for the Conscience Alliance food drive and finding a cake to celebrate my friends’ honeymoon. With some low-sodium black beans and a double layer, fruit-filled, crème Chantilly covered confection in tow, we set off for Commerce City.

    The first treat on lot was “fire cider,” a concoction of vinegar, garlic, and organic honey, bottled up as a daily immune supplement. It was spicy, sweet, and sour. The next morning proved it’s also a magical hangover cure with a couple splashes in ice water. Late summer is prime stone fruit season in Colorado and one guy was hawking luscious, $1 peaches from a crate on his shoulder. It tasted like the culmination of all summer’s sweetness, juice running down my arm with each bite. The biggest favor you can do your body on tour is eating fruit and veggies daily, so be sure to eat a peach this weekend!

    On night two the scent of smoked meat wafted over the lot, luring us to Baker’s BBQ. Pitmaster Blade was laboring over 5 pork butts for post-show sandwiches accompanied by his impressive array of sauces, including homemade ketchup, southern style and raspberry BBQ. Blade told us his specialty was BBQ sticky buns, stuffed with pulled pork and slathered in the raspberry sauce.

    Kids were queued up on Shakedown for Phenominal Falafel from Steamboat Springs, delivering a sublime wrap of harissa, pickled carrots, red onion, spring mix and a drizzle of tzasiki over crispy chickpea fritters. I met my fiance at Phish when he offered to share his falafel, so this sandwich has a special place in my heart. The other frontrunner for superior savory snack was McDevitt Taco Supply from Boulder, advertising the “buy 4, get one dab free” special.

    On Sunday we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Watercourse Foods, the original vegan restaurant in Denver. The pastry case was full of tempting treats, so I grabbed a hostess-style cupcake for the road. From there on out, it was a no holds barred sugarfest. Arriving at Dick’s, I had an organic strawberry margarita with a double splash of tequila, which was definitely the best cocktail of the weekend. Next up was a scoop of homemade strawberry compote over fresh whipped cream, garnished with short bread biscuits. The chef behind the berries had cooked in France for many years and wanted to share his passion for fine food with fellow fans.

    We tried jasmine flower-flavored ice cream sandwiches made of hemp, and couldn’t resist a couple chicks wearing chocolate chip cookie costumes, selling their baked goods out of a pink wagon. At the show I headed to WaterWheel with the Hostess cupcake for my friend’s birthday. As luck would have it, his lovely lady brought the perfect pairing- a vegan Twinkie! Phish loves Dick’s and so does Fest Food, as every year it’s an all out smorgasboard.

  • Hearing Aide: Tedeschi Trucks Band ‘Let Me Get By’

    The Tedeschi Trucks Band is one of the most prominent touring bands in the jam band community and they’ve carved out an impressive new path with the release of their third studio album Let Me Get By. Collectively the album blends elements of blues, jazz, funk, gospel and good ole fashioned rock and roll. Derek Trucks is nothing short of a prodigy on the guitar and Susan’s songwriting speaks volumes of maturity, often touching on tender subjects like love, heartbreak, adversity and hardship. The way Susan crafts her lyrics seem to come from a place of experience as she develops mysterious themes and undertone to life’s relatable struggles.

    TTB played their first gig on April 1, 2010 at the Savannah Music Festival in Georgia as an eight-piece band. Today they’ve grown to an 11-piece ensemble that averages more than 200 gigs a year. Let Me Get By was inspired by tour rehearsals and improvised jam sessions, which was no doubt a long working process. However, the band found time to record at their home studio, Swamp Raga Studios, in Jacksonville, Florida in between their rigorous tour schedule. The result is a true craft of beauty and their best studio release since their Grammy-winning debut album, Revelator.

    The album opens up with faint music and what sounds like a distant howl from Susan before the band slams into “Anyhow” with one of their signature funk inspired pocket grooves. Susan’s voice soars to monumental peaks and the harmonizing vocals from Mike Mattison, Alicia Chakour and Mark Rivers complement the track very well. “Laugh About It” is a soft ballad laced with an inspiring undertone, reminding listeners that life is what you make of it. The next track “Don’t Know What It Means” stands out immediately as one of the richest tracks on the album, one that will surely translate well in a live setting. This song has a lot of potential to become a launching pad for some serious improvisation and it will be exciting to watch this song grow. “Right On Time” sounds like nothing the band has ever done before and the horn section sounds like they could be the house band of a speakeasy in Chicago in the roaring ‘20s. Mike Mattison fronts this must hear number with grace and it’s always nice to see the former Derek Trucks Band lead vocalist take a few swings in the spotlight.

    The self-titled track “Let Me Get By” is a love song with a heavy tone of time never being on your side. “Just As Strange” finds the band once again shifting down a few gears and laying a gentle musical foundation for Susan to build her vocals on top of. “Crying Over You” finds Mattison once again taking the driver seat and his lead vocals are absolutely stunning. This is another track that will translate beautifully in a live setting. Derek really opens up on his covenant slide and rips a piercing satisfying solo. “Hear Me” is another soul gripping ballad powered by Susan inspired by break up. The band kicks it up a notch with “I Want More” which features a catchy chorus that could be the next “Learn How To Love You” (another TTB original off their debut album that has become a crowd favorite). The album closes with “In Every Heart” which features a gospel like tone and showcases Derek finding a series of peaks on his Gibson.

    TTB are set to hit the road with a series of three-night runs lined up in Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Nashville followed by a string of international dates before coming back to the states. With a plethora of new, heavy-hitting material, each time the Tedeschi Trucks Band takes the stage this year is sure to be a moment not to be missed. The wheels are turning rapidly on this already well-oiled machine and they don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. The sky is the limit for this band and Let Me Get By is another chapter in the band’s history that will surely continue to be written for a very long time.

    Key Tracks: “Don’t Know What It Means” “Anyhow” “Crying Over You”

  • Annie in the Water w/ St. Lenox Take the Spotlight

    Annie in the Water brought a huge crowd to Funk ‘n Waffles located in downtown Syracuse Friday night, two party buses of about 90 people from Hamilton NY pulled in, more than half of them were Colgate University students.

    Opener St. Lenox took the stage as a solo act and immediately captivated the roaring crowd with his incredible voice, catching the attention of passerby’s who peered in the window out of curiosity, before entering.

    Annie in the Water is proving to be one of the most formidable funk bands that has ever occupied Funk ‘n Waffles and it was to no surprise that they immediately captivated the crowd.

    Those who are familiar with the band know that this tenacious trio haven’t had a bass player for quite some time, but it took them by surprise to see they welcomed back an old friend Lucas Singleton from Albany NY. Lucas has played with Michael Lashomb and Brad Hester in the past and he was undoubtedly a great addition to the show. Brad Hester also introduced a significantly new instrument to the mix, the Jamboxx, which plays high quality impressive digital sounds and is still under development.

    Stay tuned for their newest album to be released this year!