NYS Music 20​16

Category: Genres

  • Mike Howe of Metal Church Talks of his Return, the New Album, and Where He’s Been…

    Metal Church was born at a time when the hair was long, the denim was tight and the music was loud. In 1984 the band dropped their eponymous debut album and coming up on March 25th they will be releasing their 11th studio album, “XI” with the iconic Mike Howe. That’s right, folks! He’s back! Howe decided to come out of his 20 year retirement, after guitarist and mastermind, Kurdt Vanderhoof reached out to him last year to rejoin the band.

    Howe was nice enough to take some time to talk with me before they headed out on the road; we dove into why he retired, the tour, the new album and much, much more. Don’t forget New Yorkers, Metal Church is at BB Kings next week, March 28!

    Cie Martin (CM): Hi Mike, great to speak with you again. Let’s jump right in, shall we? You left Metal Church over 20 years ago and haven’t been heard from since, I even read that you had passed away of a heart attack in 2013, so I think probably one of the biggest questions everyone has been wondering is where have you been and what have you been doing for the last 20 years?

    Mike Howe (MH): Yeah, I know some French magazine came up with that somehow. Obviously, that was totally false. I don’t know where that came from. (Laughs)

    So, I dropped off the radar because the record business really disappointed me, things were changing, grunge was coming up and we were getting ignored. We were not businessmen, we were musicians and like a lot of [other] bands we just wanted to write songs and play metal. You really have to be business minded or you’ll just get tramped on and left behind, I think that was our major problem. One small example, the cover of “Hanging In The Balance” was just a huge embarrassment to me and I hated it, it was forced on [us] and that was kind of the last straw. So I took a clean break and stepped away in 1994, with a proud feeling of what we had done so far, something I could keep in my back pocket for the rest of my life, and I wanted to step away before it got ugly. So, I got married, had children and lived the American Dream, we were just doing what everybody else was doing. I had my own little business, and had a couple boys, you may have seen I brought my older boy with me on the [Monsters of Rock] cruise, which was a great time for me, not only playing the cruise, but having my son with me was very important. So, now that they are older, I don’t have to dedicate every second of my day in raising them. I have a little bit more free time and then Kurt called me and proposed coming back.

    CM: The Monsters of Rock Cruise, was that the first time your son has seen you perform since you rejoined Metal Church?

    MH: Yes, it’s the first time he’s seen me perform ever in my lifetime other than on the Internet.

    CM: That’s amazing! What was that like for you?

    MH: It was amazing; there are no words to describe it! There’s your son that you’ve raised and loved your whole life and you’re getting to share something from when you were young. I just don’t know how to describe it. It was a beautiful thing for me.

    CM: Did you ever think Metal Church would be playing a rock and roll cruise to the Bahamas?

    MH: No, never! Bassist, Steve Unger said in an interview, if Metal Church could, we ‘d buy our own ship, cruise to every port and play off the boat! That would be awesome.

    CM: Needless to say, you had a great time on the cruise?

    MH: Aw man, when Kurdt first proposed the idea and because of my younger days and my experiences with fans, I had my doubts about doing it. I love the fans and I love interacting with the fans, but when I was younger I was a little more stressed about it. I consider myself grateful and when I meet fans I want to give all I can to them, it’s hard to walk away from them and take care of yourself. I would be the one that would stand there for hours and then it would drain me. So I thought, we’re going to be on a boat with all the fans, all day long, [for four days] that might be hard for me. It turned out to be the exact opposite, it was so great for me and they [the fans] were so gracious and didn’t want to bother me. I was like, “You’re not bothering me, this is awesome, you’re giving me love and I’m here, give it to me!” It turned into something that was healing and spiritual for me and I really loved it.

    Mike HoweCM: Explain to me your process on re-joining, especially based on everything you just said about how you were disillusioned and let down by the music industry. I know you exchanged some demos over the Internet but I’d love to hear about the process.

    MH: It was many conversations with Kurdt. We were Drop-boxing and sharing music, so I had to really step up my game technologically speaking. I built myself a little soundroom in the garage so I could have a workspace [to create] and send things back to Kurdt. A lot of the conversations were about not getting together for the nostalgia of it, because I’m not a person that looks back, I like to look forward. We are very proud of what we have and the catalog that we have, we really needed to see what kind of songs we could write and what kind of album we could come up with and whether or not my voice was still there. So these were all considerations we had. Kurdt was inspired by the possibility of me coming back, so he could write in the vein thinking about Mike Howe’s voice and the way we used to write. So, he sent me songs and at the first listen, I was blown away. I was like, “Kurdt Vanderhoof is still the master of heavy metal riffs that are original.” It was a great start.

    We went back and forth, heading in the right direction and after we got a bunch together, we decided it was time to get together in Kurdt’s studio in Aberdeen and it was awesome. It was like we never stopped talking to each other, our old friendship was still the same, it was like we were 20 years old again, getting together, having fun and writing music. We [also] talked about the state of the record company and about how we now can have full control of everything we do, the way we write and the way we want to be heard. We have a great record company now, Rat Pak Records, they are in full support of us. We can call Joe [O’Brien], the president, if we have concerns, we can talk directly to him, which in the past we just got lost in big record labels where you couldn’t even speak to someone who was in actual control of your career. So to reiterate, the biggest thing for us was being able to write, record and present an album of material that represented us and who we are today from beginning to end without any external pressures, timelines or anything like that and that’s exactly what we did. We are very happy about this and it’s allowed us to relax, be big kids again and enjoy the process.

    CM: And make magic again…

    MH: For us it was magical because we were just enjoying what we were doing and that helped our creativity.

    CM: I read that Kurdt was sort of ‘done’ with Metal Church and you coming back was a gamechanger for him?

    MH: Well, that’s how he presented it to me, “Now that Ronny [Munroe] is gone, I can’t fathom looking for a 4th singer, it’s not gonna happen, so if you’re not going to do this with me then I’m hanging up Metal Church forever.” I feel really grateful to Kurdt, he helped me discover Metal Church. He produced the band I was in, “Heretic” and he’s the one that said, “Mike, I think you’d be a good fit for Metal Church, what do you think?” He brought me in, gave me a chance and then we became writing partners. I feel very grateful to him.

    CM: If I can comment, I think your voice is better now than it was then.

    MH: I understand that and I kind of agree. It’s a maturity, a relaxation, the power is still there, but it’s a little more controlled and I have control of my emotions and I know what I want and that does lend to a difference to my voice.

    CM: How is it different being back onstage now as opposed to years ago?

    MH: Well, it’s a whole new band, so I have to get used to all the new members. These are great players I’m with and I feel very honored to be playing with them. The other aspect is Kurdt and I have never actually been in a band together, we’ve just been songwriting partners, so this is a great thing for he and I to be onstage together! And the third aspect is ‘maturity with age’ thing. You go onstage, you’re not as frantic, you’re not as stressed or anxiety ridden as you were when you were 20 something, so you can relax and enjoy the ride, so that’s a big thing for me.

    CM: Let’s talk about the album, first of all, the video “No Tomorrow” is amazing and that location is amazing!

    MH: Well we lucked out. I’m just chalking this up to the gods of metal. Our record company said they knew a guy in Seattle, he was young but he wanted to do it, we had a low budget so. We found this location 20 minutes from Kurt’s house, an old nuclear facility that they rent for movie shoots and things like that. So, we went in, did the best we could and it turned out great.

    CM: Tell me about putting the new album together and if there are any particular tracks that are your favorite.

    MH: Well, “No Tomorrow” is the first out because that was the one I felt was most complex, his [Vanderhoof] riffs are amazing, he’s a monster riff writer and I think he’s one of the most underrated songwriters out there. He stringed together riffs in a song format, sent them to me, then I just sang out melodies that came from me, then some lyrics came out, some worked, some didn’t. Then a theme came out like “No Tomorrow”. It was all very natural, we didn’t want to think too much, we wanted to be spontaneous and organic (Laughs)… you know, organic, man!

    Kurdt writes different styles of metal, it’s complex and you can hear different things, but still in that heavy metal vein. “It Waits” is a song I really like a lot, it starts out slow and builds up
    , I love songs like that. “Reset” the first track is very important to me it’s a straight forward, slam your face song with a hook and it’s the story of our lives. Reset turn the page in our own age, now we hit the button to reset. That kind of tells you where we are at right now.

    CM: A fun question; what was your first concert?

    MH: Wow, my first concert my brother took me to see was J. Geils. Have you ever heard of J. Geils?

    CM: Yes, like the J. Geils Band, “Centerfold”?

    MH: Well, “Centerfold” was their downfall. (Laughs) They were a rock band before they became this pop weird thing. I knew them when they were a full house band; a 10 piece blues rock band that rocked the house. And then he took me to see Nazareth and Foreigner and bands like that. Finally, the one that changed my life was Judas Priest, the Screaming for Vengeance Tour, that’s when I started playing metal. I had a rock band when I was 15 years old in Detroit. We would do all the Judas Priest songs, AC/DC, a little bit of Saxon and Def Leppard; the early Def Leppard. I wanted to be Rob Halford mixed with Bon Scott, the power of Halford and the attitude of Scott, so I emulated both of those guys.

    CM: I’m sure you’ve met Rob Halford?

    MH: Well, a life long dream of mine came true when I toured with Judas Priest, Motorhead and Alice Cooper on the Operation Rock and Roll Tour. One of my favorite stories of my career was touring with Rob [Halford], we went back to Detroit and played a shed there called Pine Knob, which is where I saw J. Geils. Anyway, my whole family came down to see the show; my Mom, my Dad, sisters, cousins. My Mom knew Rob Halford was a hero of mine and asked me if she could get a picture with him. I said, “I don’t see why not, I’m sure he would.” So after our show, I went back to the Meet and Greet area, I see Rob Halford across the tent talking to some reporters, I went over and said, “Can you do me a favor, my Mom asked if she could have a picture with you because she knows how much I idolized you?” He said, in his British accent, “You know Mike, your Mum is just like me Mum, she saw me and she came right over here and asked for a picture.” As I’m asking him, I look over at my Mom across the way, she looked like a little girl who got caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She’s just so sweet.

    Mike HoweCM: That’s such a great story, I love it. So, who would you like to tour with now?

    MH: Wherever Kurdt Vanderhoof is touring that’s where I’d like to be! (Laughs) We’ve got ourselves pretty booked right now with the East coast and then festivals in Europe, so we are booked through the summer. After that, we will just take it as it comes, live in the moment and just see what offers come in.

    Don’t forget Metal Church will be at BB Kings in NYC on Monday, March 28th. You don’t want to miss the return of Mike Howe and the riff master, Kurdt Vanderhoof! Get tickets here! The Church will also hit Rochester’s Montage Music Hall April 9.

  • Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Freaks Ball XVI at Brooklyn Bowl

    49-atlgJoe Russo’s Almost Dead will kick off three sold-out nights at The Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday, March 24 for Freaks Ball XVI. This constitutes the band’s fourth run of shows at the venue where the world first heard former Furthur drummer Russo lead a new cast of characters through two raging sets of Dead tunes back in January 2013. Tom Hamilton (American Babies), Marco Benevento (The Benevento/Russo Duo), Scott Metzger (WOLF!) and Dave Dreiwitz (Ween) complete the quintet.

    JRAD is a band that is as unpredictable as it is unforgettable. The band’s Facebook profile contains the deceptively simple proclamation, “We’re a Grateful Dead cover band.” Anyone who has seen them or even heard a recording knows that their true nature is that of a daring group of close collaborators who project their musical friendship onto the Grateful Dead songbook in a way that no other band has. Their carefully crafted setlists defy expectations about how the songs can be interpreted and linked. As the frequency of their appearances in the live music world has increased over the past two years, JRAD has consistently delivered fresh, stellar performances of this music that means so much to so many people.

    These Brooklyn gigs are sure to be precious as JRAD performances become somewhat more rare going forward in 2016. All five band members are incredibly busy with diverse projects, and as Russo has revealed in a recent interview, he will be taking extra time off mid-year when his first child arrives. Those with tickets will be privileged to see Joe Russo’s Almost Dead lay it down at The Brooklyn Bowl this weekend.

  • Hearing Aide: Town Mountain’s ‘Southern Crescent’

    Town’s Mountain’s soon to be released album Southern Crescent can be characterized as straight up bluegrass, with a classic rock twist and a dash of zydeco mixed in for good measure. The fact that this band is based out of Asheville, North Carolina – a particularly nurturing place for musicians – really comes through in Town Mountain’s music, as they seem as if they are totally comfortable in their skin. Town Mountain is comprised of Robert Greer on vocals and guitar, Jesse Langlais on banjo and vocals, Bobby Britt on fiddle, Phil Barker on mandolin and vocals, and Nick DiSebastian on bass. These guys are no joke: in 2013, Town Mountain was the recipient of two International Bluegrass Music Awards Momentum Awards, including Band of the Year and Vocalist of the Year for lead singer Robert Greer. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see these guys at an upcoming bluegrass festival like Grey Fox or Delfest, as they have got something special.

    Recorded in old-time music great Dirk Powell’s Cypress House Studio in Beaux Bridge, Louisiana, in the heart of the bayou, the swampy, twangy, old-timey sound truly comes through on Town Mountain’s fifth album. Huddled around microphones recording their unplugged instruments, with minimal editing, gave this album an almost live quality, giving the listener the feeling of almost being there at one of Town Mountain’s concerts.

    Let’s face it: on any given album, there is typically one song you might think is a bit of a dud, but it is not a lie to say that all the songs on this album are winners. Southern Crescent kicks things off with “St. Augustine,” a one-minute instrumental traditional bluegrass ditty, setting the tone for what’s to come, which is something magical. Although many of the songs sound familiar, like they could be a traditional bluegrass cover, band members Jesse Langlais and Phil Barker, in collaboration with the other band members of course, write the majority of the band’s songs. Many of the lyrics deal with common country/bluegrass themes, such as traveling, hard living, love lost, and gambling, but Town Mountain puts their own twist on things, often adding witty words or chord changes to throw things a bit off what the listener is expecting.

    It becomes evident that these guys are truly dedicated musicians who must spend hours practicing together on a regular basis, especially on songs such as “Ain’t Gonna Worry Me,” which features both flawless falsetto vocals by lead vocalist Greer, and excellent harmonies by Langlais, Barker, and DiSebastian, as well tricky time signature changes, which the band made seem easy. “Comin’ Back to You” introduces a more classic rock side of the band, featuring a nice surprising piano solo, while “Leroy’s Reel” takes the listener on a more international journey, sounding alternately Irish, French, and Russian. Throughout the entire album, though, the band stays true to their bluegrass roots, giving equal opportunities for each band member to step forward and take a solo on each and every tune.

    Due out on April 1, Southern Crescent is a must-have for any bluegrass aficionado, although with its inclusion of classic rock and zydeco influences, the appeal of this album goes well beyond just bluegrass fans. The live quality of the recording, added to the danceability of the tunes, will most likely entice you to want to see them perform live, so be sure to check out their website for numerous upcoming tour dates, including a stop in Manhattan at the Hill Country BBQ on April 8. Be sure to check them out if you’re in town, and while you’re at it, pick up a copy of Southern Crescent! You won’t be anything short of amazed.

    Key Tracks: Comin’ Back to You, Wildbird, Tick on a Dog

  • Strange Machines Announce Extensive Spring Tour

    Strange Machines are embarking on their biggest tour to date this spring, traveling to lots of new places and sharing the stage with great bands such as Dopapod, Consider the Source, Broccoli Samurai, Formula 5 and more!

    The guys are fresh off a successful winter tour which included headlining at some of the Northeast’s premiere venues and a show opening for Twiddle in New Haven, Connecticut. This band has been upping the ante with each and every performance and show no signs of slowing down. Check the dates below and come see what all the hype is about.

    March 20 Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Bowl *~
    March 24 Syracuse, NY | Funk ‘n Waffles *
    March 25 Buffalo, NY | Buffalo Iron Works *
    April 15 Northampton, MA | Bishop’s Lounge
    April 16 Bridgeport, CT | The Acoustic #
    April 23 Plymouth, NH | PSU Earth Jam
    April 28 Albany, NY | Parish Public House +
    April 29 Ithaca, NY | The Haunt *^
    April 30 Boston, MA | The Sinclair %
    May 6 Newmarket, NH | The Stone Church $
    May 7 Burlington, VT | Nectar’s +
    May 18 Washington, D.C. | Gypsy Sally’s ^
    May 19 Virginia Beach, VA | Doc Taylor’s
    May 20 TBA
    May 21 Bedford, PA | Domefest
    May 28 Great Barrington, MA | MASSGathering (2 sets)
    June 9 Stephentown, NY | Disc Jam Music Festival
    July 30 Croydon, NH | Wild Woods Music Festival

    % w/ Dopapod
    # w/ Consider the Source
    * w/ Broccoli Samurai
    ^ w/ Mister F
    ~ w/ Flux Capacitor
    + w/ Hayley Jane & The Primates
    $ w/ Formula 5

  • Interview: Twiztid Juggalo Invasion Tour To Play Magic City Music Hall 4/22

    Twiztid, the hip hop horrorcore duo, from Detroit, MI is composed of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child, the alter egos of Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric. These two have been touring and recording nonstop for over twenty years and show no signs of slowing down.  The weekend of April 22 will be no exception as these two bring their Juggalo Invasion 420 Weekend Tour to Binghamton’s Magic City Music Hall.

    TwiztidNYS Music had the opportunity to chat with Jamie Madrox about the upcoming show. We discussed the band’s current and upcoming endeavors and what fans can expect from this tour. Jamie is always a fun and interesting person to chat with. He is passionate about horror movies and collecting horror related items and memorabilia, making for a great interview with writer Chris Besaw

    I hope you enjoy the interview. I sure did!

    Twiztid’s Juggalo Invasion 420 Weekend features Twiztid and the Wickedness,  Blaze ya Dead Homie, Boondox, Lex The Hex Master, R.O.C. and Davey Suicide. Held April 22 at Magic City Music Hall, doors open at 7pm, with tickets $20 in advance or $25 day of show. Ages 16+

  • Hearing Aide: Comrade Nixon ‘Wine and Circuses’

    Comrade Nixon

    “Alright you bunch of fuckin’ hippies, here we go,” growls Andrew Wilson (guitarist/vocalist) of Plattsburgh punk group Comrade Nixon. His feisty remark is embedded in the track “Rex Ingram,” included on their first full length album, Wine and Circuses. Released through Rat Pâté Records, the album was recorded at Don Fury Studio in Troy, NY.

    Wilson’s lazy muffled vocals might call to mind Joey’s impression of Chandler in this Friends clip. Collaborating with drummer Antwon Levee, the duo have put together a high strung album with blurred vocals entangled in scribbly guitar and crashing drums. They combine high speed instrumentation that makes you want to weaponize a floor lamp and repeatedly ram it through a wall screaming “eat shit!” as Wilson does midway through “Micromégas.”

    The band recalls elements of Nirvana’s 1992 album Incesticide with Kurt Kobain offering his own disheveled vocals especially on “Beeswax” and “Mexican Seafood.” Several of the tracks on Wine and Circuses take off with suspenseful lead-ins that keep the listener engaged and waiting to hear where the song will go. Ultimately, the songs level out with a monotony that doesn’t set the album apart from other punk offerings. As with any punk, they’re a genre meant to be seen live. Luckily, Comrade Nixon will embark on their first northeast tour this Spring in support of the album, cassette tapes in tow. For now download it digitally here.

    Key tracks: Constant Scrape, Micromégas, Rex Ingram

  • UpHill Funk You Up: Ampevene at Funk n’ Waffles, March 12

    Funk 4Last weekend, Funk ‘n Waffles up on the hill showcased two great bands: progressive rock band Ampevene and funky reggae and rock band Barroom Philosophers.

    The show kicked off with Barroom Philosophers from Seneca Knolls.  The group lists David Koegel (vocals), Joshua Way (guitar), Ty Hancock (bass and keys) and Brenden Boshart (drums) as their core members, but for this show, they had another member playing some guitar and some beats on conga.  The added layers of texture made for a nice and fuller sound. They added a vintage touch to the visual aspect of the show with a lit sign of their band name on the keyboard stand.  David Koegel really seemed to give it his all singing and they really brought the funk to the funky venue.

    Ampevene took the stage, but a few folks were thrown off by the brief soundcheck thinking that was the beginning of the show.  This group featured Gabe Stallman on guitar, Mack Hogan on bass, Ava Smith on keys, and Bob Morris on drums.  They were all very talented musicians that really didn’t visibly vibe off of one another, but rather they aurally honed in on what the others were doing.  The synth player was so focused; she kept her head glued to the keys and would ditch her seat entirely during intense bits of the show. It was cool to see them transition between instruments taking over for a solo or short feature.  The synth added a unique flair with some awesome intergalactic timbre.  Vocal interjections were few and far between, but they matched the established instrumental prowess.  Their set was all business. There was no dialogue about the band or their tracks in between numbers and they moved seamlessly from song to song.  It was refreshing not to hear, “Hi we’re [insert band name], please like us on [insert social media].”  They truly were engaged with their sound and didn’t distract from that.

    The biggest bummer of the night was the lacking crowd because students at Syracuse University were off on spring break and couldn’t come out to the show.  However, it was a successful show for both bands in terms of talent and execution.

  • Hearing Aide: Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real’s “Something Real”

    somethingrealThe new album, Something Real, by Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real dropped on March 11th.  It showcases the “cowboy hippie surf rock” style that is interlaced around each track.  The band combines the talents of Lukas Nelson on guitar and vocals, Anthony LoGerto on drums, Corey McCormick on bass, and Tato Melgar on percussion.  Something Real is a tight mix of melodies that breach the edges of blues, Americana, and country styles to form a flow of tracks that beg to be played again and again.

    Diving right in, “Surprise” takes listeners on a whirlwind of emotions as the energy within the song rises, bringing depth to the tune.  This well placed opener sets the mood for what’s to come by grabbing your attention immediately. “Something Real” is full of crunchy guitar, pounding drums and a get up and dance your ass off vibe.

    An unhurried “Set Me Down On A Cloud” is thick with energy that hits deep into one’s soul. The passion felt throughout invites the listener to turn up the volume. “Don’t Want to Fly” combines a solid rock and blues experience that ends in a teasing jam that slowly fades out.  Don’t be surprised if this one fuses into an extended jam session during a live performance.

    “Ugly Color” breathes, and provides calm spaces in between the notes, for the duration of this chilled out, laid back song that’s perfect to listen to with the top down on a warm summer day.  “I’ll Make Love to You Any Ol’ Time” is simply a good ol’ rock and roll tune with ass-kicking guitar and red-hot vocals. Switching gears, “Georgia” is a gentle tune filled with fluid lyrics that tug at the heart strings.

    Shredding guitar chords roll through the first half of “Everything is Fake,” before finishing with tender tones. The album’s final track, “San Francisco,” features Neil Young on guest vocals.  This powerful tune brings a fitting end to the album, as it provides a throwback to the seventies without losing the essence of being in the present.  Overall, Something Real is a fluid album that features well structured melodies and tightly composed notes.

    For further information regarding Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and their new album, please check out their official website. (It’s highly recommended you click on the Band link to read about the members. A good laugh is guaranteed).

    Key Tracks: Surprise, Set Me Down on A cloud, Ugly Color

    Check out Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real as they perform their title track, “Something Real,” on the Conan O’Brien show:

  • Hearing Aide: Danny Barnes “Got Myself Together (10 Years Later)”

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    He’s collaborated with the likes of Dave Matthews, Mike Gordon and the Butthole Surfers, been branded the world’s best banjoist by Texas roots-rocker Robert Earl Keen and honored by comedian-musician Steve Martin himself with a prize of excellence in the stringed instrument. And in true Danny Barnes fashion, the Pacific Northwest banjo virtuoso broke his six-year recording absence not with an offering of polished originals, but with a reworking of his 2005 album Get Myself Together. The new solo project, Got Myself Together (10 Years Later), released November 2015 on Eight 30 Records, is a collection of 12 tracks, plus a nostalgic bonus cover of “I’m Convicted” from his former punkgrass band the Bad Livers (see the official music video below).

    Re-recorded to give that unplugged in-your-living room aesthetic, the album is now a more stripped down compilation of the narratives that Barnes has performed onstage for the past decade. The result is a set of acoustic songs that no longer need supporting instruments, because Barnes has developed each tune’s character and lets his picking, plucking, thrumming and bashing steal the show; and his aged vocals add honeyed warmth like the smooth, spicy finish of mature bourbon.

    Barnes takes listeners on a 42-minute sepia-toned adventure of offbeat tales featuring jail cells, plowing fields and mashing moonshine told in his genre-bending style of noise rock with Grand Ole Opry roots and computerized elements he’s coined as “barnyard electronics.” A vagrant when it comes to tradition, the gypsy banjo player roams as he pleases from light-hearted jalopies like “Get Myself Together” to strumming the breezy, satirical “Get Me Out of Jail” and preaching the Delta blues in “Let Your Light Shine On Me” to high-lonesome hillbilly proclamations in “Corn Kingdom Come.” The lauded singer-songwriter arranges parched visions of old-time Appalachia in the instrumental “Cumberland Gap,” where the original evoked more of an Old World Irish flair, and songsmiths the constant sorrow of modern man in “Wasted Mind” and “Get It On Down the Line.”

    While at the core the sounds on this record are an acquired taste, this anniversary release is worth the listen—or multiple revisits—to solely marvel at the documented growth of this master artist as he continues to reinterpret himself after 40 years of making music.

    Key Tracks: Cumberland Gap, Wasted Mind, Get It On Down the Line, Big Shoe

  • Central New Yorker Ryan Quinn has “The Voice” to Win it All

    Ryan Quinn, a Clinton High and SUNY Oneonta graduate, was the only contestant to turn all four chairs during the blind audition portion of NBC’s The Voice last week.  Quinn’s performance of Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” blew away the judges and rocketed to number two on the iTunes rock charts following the broadcast. To date, his performance has over one million views on YouTube.

    This week, he faced off against fellow Team Adam member Katie Basden, performing a duet of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” and was selected to continue as a member of Levine’s team. Basden, managed to stay in the competition after Blake Shelton “stole” her for his team.

    Ryan Quinn selfie 3-11-15Since last Monday, Quinn’s life has been a whirlwind. His Facebook following has increased fourfold, the number of Twitter followers has done the same and naturally, reporters have come calling for interviews. No further proof of his popularity surge was needed than at his performance Friday night at one of his home venues, Cavallo’s in New Hartford.

    Reservations were recommended to attend the show, and the room was at full capacity thirty minutes prior to Quinn stepping onstage with his partner, long-time family friend, guitarist Dave “Dinger” Wingfield. NYS Music was on the scene for the home town performance and also sat down to speak with Quinn about how he’s dealing with his sudden fame; what the kids at the House of the Good Shepherd mean to him and where to next.

    To meet Ryan Quinn is to meet a down-to-earth, humble young man grateful for the opportunity to make music. His show Friday night, at the bar that has given him a home the past two years, was his opportunity to not only showcase his incredibly diverse vocal range and musicianship, but to also share the spotlight with his friend, vocalist Cassidy Gerkin and heap praise upon his co-workers and students at the House of the Good Shepherd for the support they have given him. Quinn paused frequently between songs to recognize the cheering section comprised of fellow House of Good Shepherd staff, all donning black t-shirts with the hash tag #Quinnsanity across the front.

    HGS staff with Quinn
    Quinn’s support team, fellow staff from The House of the Good Shepherd

    Quinn sat for an interview with NYS Music on the eve of the second round of competition for The Voice. The person who emerged was one eager to deflect attention towards others and who is just now coming to terms that he has earned a spot on one of television’s most popular shows.

    Mike Kohli: It was great meeting you the other night. Great show. You had a ton of people there.

    Ryan Quinn: Thanks for coming out Friday. I appreciate it. It was wild. Probably the best show I’ve ever played.

    MK: So, has it started to sink in yet? This whole The Voice thing?

    RQ:  I think it’s finally beginning to. Maybe not the sheer magnitude of it, but every day it’s a little bit more clear as to what’s going on. I guess that gig was a good indication. People were there from Boston. People were there at 3:30 for a show that started at 8:00. It was so absurd to me. But, yeah, I’m finally starting to wrap my head around it.

    MK: One thing about the people in this area; when one of their own does well, they’re all on board.

    RQ:  Oh, my God. It’s unbelievable. The support is more than I could ever have even dreamed of.Ryan Quinn

    MK: It was obvious during your performance, many times throughout the night, the look on your face was one of overwhelming shock at the adulation you’re being given. You did a great job of… you were very humble, in deflecting that attention towards the people who were onstage with you, the people and kids you work with…just mentioning the House of the Good Shepherd several times throughout the show. It just kind of shows that you’re not in it to become a famous musician. You’re in it because you’re doing something you love and you just happen to have people that you love surrounding you. Is that Ryan Quinn?

    RQ:  Yeah. Yeah, that’s definitely me. I’m just really glad that came across. Music is just something that I’ve just always loved to do. It’s my favorite thing in the world, to sing. I’m just happy that I get to do it. And with the circumstances now, it’s just so cool. I couldn’t be any happier about it.

    MK: So, the House of the Good Shepherd is your full-time job? Are you kind of on a leave right now while doing the show?

    RQ: Yep. That’s correct. I’m on a leave. They’ve been super flexible with me. I don’t know if I’ll be able to continue working there, depending on what happens. I’ve worked there steadily for two years and it’s a great experience. Whether I can continue working there or not, I just want to always be giving back to them. They’re a great organization.

    MK: What drew you to work there?

    RQ: You know, funny story. My mom actually worked there a long time ago in the 70s. The guy who’s playing guitar with me [Dave “Dinger” Wingfield], he’s my dad’s best friend and his wife is my mom’s best friend and she’s still working there. It’s where she and my mother met and became friends. After college, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I just knew I wanted to play music. She thought I would be a really good fit teaching music at the school and told me about the position. I applied and got it on my own. She didn’t pull any strings or anything. I didn’t really know what to expect but I ended up falling in love with it.

    MK: What do the kids think about all this?

    RQ:  They were completely shocked. Obviously I couldn’t say anything to anybody. But they can’t even believe it. They didn’t expect it at all. I just kinda said, “I’m pursuing a musical opportunity. I’ll be back to visit.” That’s basically all I said. I dont know if you saw the WKTV segment where they interviewed them; it’s one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen.

    Sign made by Quinn's students at The House of the Good Shepherd
    Sign made by Quinn’s students at The House of the Good Shepherd

    MK: It has to be very rewarding for you.

    RQ: Oh, absolutely. I just want to be a positive. Really, it’s just to be a positive, consistent force in their lives because it’s something they’ve never had. I just want to carry that forward.

    MK: Is your style of music something they’ve been able to latch on to and be influenced by?

    RQ: I don’t push it on them. I just kind of let them choose whatever they want to listen to, sing whatever they want to sing and just kind of help them do whatever they’re doing to the best of their ability.

    MK: So you went to Oneonta. There’s a pretty good music scene going on down there.

    RQ: I was in a couple of ensemble groups, basically just for credit. I was the lead vocalist with a funk band with Jeremy Wall. He was a founding member of the band Spyro Gyra, which is kinda cool. We played Stevie Wonder and Tower of Power stuff. I did a band called The Mothers of Intention. It was a Frank Zappa cover band. So we just did a bunch of albums of Zappa material. Yeah, the music scene there is very tight knit.

    MK: You and Dave have been putting together some songs for an EP. Has there been any progress on that at all?

    Dinger and Quinn

    RQ: Ya know, kind of…I have some original material. It’s on Reverb Nation, a couple of songs on Soundcloud. It just takes me so long to write. I’ve been focusing on this and only this. It just takes me so long to write because I’m so hyper critical of everything that I do. Eventually I will put out my own material.

    MK: When did you sit down and say, “I want to audition for The Voice?

    RQ: Four years ago, I went to New York for an audition and it didn’t really go anywhere. And then my parents and my girlfriend and random people at gigs would just say, “Why don’t you just try?” I finally caved after about four years. So in July, I went and did an open call, and here I am!

    MK: When did you find out you were going to be on the show?

    RQ: (laughter) A few months after that. It was one of the most exciting days of my life. It’s horrifying too. It’s like, “My God, I’m actually going to audition in front of these people for real?” I can’t just put it on the back burner anymore. It’s like, no, you’re there. It’s gonna happen, so get ready.

    MK:Obviously tonight and tomorrow night, the show is airing. You’re not sure when or if you’ll be on either show, correct?

    RQ: Correct. I’m not sure when or if, but there’s always a chance. I’m gonna be watching anyway to see everybody. Of course, I hope to see myself too.

    MK: It’s an exciting time around here, as exhibited at Cavallo’s the other night.

    RQ: That was such a great show.

    MK: You basically went straight through, what, 32 songs…

    RQ: (laughter) You counted? Nice!  I used to do three sets but the energy was so great that when you get the adrenaline going and everything, at least for me, I feel like I could just sing forever. I took a break not needing to, just realizing that I probably should. But I probably could have just played straight through if I wanted to. I just love doing it.

    MK: Your guest vocalist…Cassidy Gerken

    RQ: Oh, Cassidy? Her name is Cassidy Gerken. It’s a small community here. Her father, Vic Gerken, who was doing sound Friday…he was in a band with Dinger, who I was playing with, and my dad, who was a drummer, back in the 70s and 80s.  They were in a band together, all three of them.

    MK: It’s all coming full circle.

    RQ: It’s all coming full circle. It’s pretty funny. We’re all working together again.

    MK: Best of luck to you. Thank you.

    RQ: Of course, thank you.

    Ryan Quinn is performing again at Cavallo’s Friday March 25. If you’re in the area, the man puts on a show covering all genres from all decades. He has a voice that does justice to Marvin Gaye and Thom Yorke. But be forewarned, you may have to arrive at 3:30 to get a spot on the deck.

    https://youtu.be/eBkI7KwNFr4

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