NYS Music 20​16

Category: Upcoming Shows

  • Saturday Nights in March at Funk n Waffles Presented by NYS Music

    Spring has sprung, and the funk is deep at Funk n Waffles in Syracuse. NYS Music is proud to present these great shows on Saturday nights throughout March at the popular downtown Syracuse venue.

    March 5 – Gigantosaurus Rex with Baked Potatoes

    Gigantosaurus Rex is angular, obtuse, and dynamic and while they are not a jamband, they bring a crushing sound created by three musicians.

    Baked Potatoes is a 7 piece reggae band from Oneonta who love to put smiles on people’s faces. The Potatoes have been mastering their live performance with countless Upstate NY concerts playing with Sammy Adams, HR, The Sheds, The Fat Piece & many more. Having just released their debut EP, Waiting For The Weekend, Baked Potatoes is a band that will keep you dancing & wanting more.

    March 12 – Our Friends Band with Folk Faces and Primo Ganso

    Grooverockers Our Friend Band brings blues and funk and push musical boundaries through live improvisation and fresh takes on pre-existing material.

    Folkfaces out of Buffalo play a rowdy blend of rootsy folk, jazz, and blues, fusing classic forms with contemporary feelings and irresistibly danceable energy. Their inspiration comes from the mountains of Appalachia to the deltas of Mississippi, the swamps of Louisiana to the Concrete Jungle of the Rustbelt. Specializing in merriment and sticking it to the system, Folkfaces make the crowd dance and the hierarchy shatter.

    March 19 – Root SHOCK with Mosaic Foundation

    Root SHOCK blends roots reggae, dancehall, heavy drum & bass, and soulful vocals with conscious lyrics into positive dance music will make you want to move. The band has been surprising and delighting crowds across the Central New York region and beyond, bringing their unique high-energy style spearheaded by the stunning vocals of Jessica Brown to a wide range of settings. The band’s dedication to spreading music with a positive message has paid off in entertaining, elevating, and energizing music lovers of all walks of life! 2016 promises to be an explosive year for Root Shock, as they’ve finally made time to record their first studio album, are anchoring a monthly Syracuse reggae night designed to bring the best and most diverse acts that modern reggae has to offer to the area. They’re not stopping there though; the band is set to hit the road to spread their uplifting message and vibes and take their renowned live performances to the masses!

    With a style as unique as its members are diverse, Mosaic Foundation is forward thinking reggae that stays true to the roots. Formed in 2009 and based in the Finger Lakes region of New York, the band has grown a loyal following, thanks to electric live performances and three studio releases. Blending roots, ska, dub, dance-hall and beyond, Mosaic is an exploration in reggae that is pushed to the limits and sometimes spills over. With lyrics that inspire dancing in the moment, and activate the mind in reflection, the songs encourage positivity, sustainable living and community.

    March 26 – Big Mean Sound Machine

    A thunderous dance party that fuses Afrobeat, Jazz, Funk,and Psychedelia, Big Mean Sound Machine is charting new musical territory with it’s latest release Contraband, recorded live in summer and winter of 2013. Big Mean continually re-defines the boundaries of dance music; meditation meets party time.

    All shows start at 8pm each night. Visit Funk n Waffles for more info.

  • Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds Returning to Brooklyn Bowl

    Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds make you feel like you’ve stumbled upon the real deal. Like eight vibrant, youthful individuals arrayed across the stage who would be your friends if they only knew your name, but in lieu of that, simply pour their hearts out musically just to see you smile. Almost a year to the day since their last appearance at Brooklyn Bowl, vocalist Arleigh Kincheloe and crew will once again be giving New Yorkers something to shake their tail feathers to on Saturday, March 4. Following recent appearances around Colorado, this Brooklyn gig lies just after the start of a 9-date East Coast tour running through the month of March.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJcFr4Vygeo

    The Dirty Birds are a soul-blues-gospel-rock band supporting a singer-songwriter vocal powerhouse whose songs ride the line between inwardly self-aware and personal and outwardly party oriented. The band’s current LP, The Weather Below, released last year, was recorded at the famous Bear Creek Studio near Seattle with producer Ryan Hadlock (Brandi Carlile, The Lumineers), who brought Kincheloe’s latest material to life with the greatest feeling of directness and transparency thus far achieved on any Dirty Birds recording. Several of the songs on this album are autobiographical in terms of Kincheloe and her band and have been staples of their live sets in recent years.

    Attendees of this show can expect to see ebullient original horn arrangements and soloing, the electronically processed harmonica virtuosity of Jackson Kincheloe, potential covers of Michael Jackson and Led Zeppelin or the like and a whole lot of original rock music in a range of styles and moods generally catered to the dance floor.

    Albany-based power trio Wild Adriatic and one-man gritty blues band The Suitcase Junket will open the show. Doors open at 6 pm and the music starts at 8 pm.

  • Legends Alert: Leon Russell and Dave Mason at The Egg on February 28

    Rock legends Leon Russell and Dave Mason will perform at the Hart Theater at The Egg Performing Arts Center on Sunday, February 28 at 7 PM. Part of the American Roots & Branches concert series, the two rock music icons will perform individual sets with their bands, performing a variety of classic songs from their storied repertoire, including Leon Russell’s “Delta Lady,” made famous by Joe Cocker, and Traffic’s “Feelin’ Alright,” among many other hits from across their careers.

    Tickets for the concert are $34.50 and $39.50 and are available at The Egg Box Office at the Empire State Plaza, or by telephone 518-473-1845

  • Nunchuck! Brings Psychedelic Punk Rock to Suwannee

    The 7th annual Aura Music and Arts Festival is less than two weeks away and we couldn’t be more excited to show the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida some New York love! The Disco Biscuits and Thievery Corporation will headline this festival, one that many say is their favorite all year. In addition to a stacked lineup of various talented artists, one that we’re particularly intrigued by is Nunchuck!

    Nunchuck! is a new project consisting of bassist Chuck Jones and drummer Scotty Zwang of Dopapod, guitarist Craig Brodhead of Turkuaz, and renowned percussionist Mike Dillon. The collaboration was formed specifically for Aura and despite what the name suggests, it’s not a Chuck Jones led group or even solely his brain child. (Nor is it affiliated with Lotus’ Mike Greenfield’s side project bearing the same name.)

    Chuck Jones and Scotty Zwang of Dopapod.
    Chuck Jones and Scotty Zwang of Dopapod.

    Jones explained the selection of the other band members. He and Brodhead have become close friends as they both live in Hartford, Connecticut and are geographically displaced from the rest of their band members. Brodhead’s main project Turkuaz is also on Aura’s lineup. Mike Dillon – a member of Critters Buggin and Les Claypool’s Fancy Band  – has past experience playing with Dopapod and even opened for them last year at this festival. The Mike Dillon band is on Aura’s schedule for Friday.

    Craig Brodhead
    Craig Brodhead of Turkuaz

    The four of them together make Nunchuck! – a “psychedelic punk rock” band that is sure to be something unique.

    “The entire set list that we’re figuring out is all our favorite punk songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s,” said Jones. “All of us – myself, Scotty, Mike and Craig –part of our musical background has been inspired by heavier artists and genres so it will be nice for us to be able to experiment with that a little bit.”

    Jones said their own creative palate is where the “psychedelic” portion comes in.

    “That really means that we’re going to have not enough music to fill the slot, so we’ll be making lots of noise,” he said. “It’s going to be loud, aggressive and upbeat – so it will be fun!”

    Mike Dillon.
    Mike Dillon.

    According to Jones, the project was developed after Zwang expressed interest in participating in Aura, even though Dopapod is (sadly) not on this year’s lineup. With attendance around 5,000 guests in some of the most picturesque scenery, Aura offers something other festivals cannot.

    “I love Suwanee so anything down there is a good time. I really think they do a nice job working with artists that are true to the festival circuit. Sometimes large ones pull in big names that they know will bring in a lot of people but they kind of lose its – I think the only way to describe it is ‘music festival vibe.’ Only people who’ve been to smaller ones and medium ones will know what that is exactly – the community vibe sort of thing.”

    Nunchuck! is playing on Friday, March 4, from 8 to 9:15 p.m. in the Vibe Tent. Also playing at this time is Particle to which Jones sends a friendly challenge:

    “I can guarantee with 100 percent certainty that Particle will be tighter and well-rehearsed, but…I don’t know if they’ll have as much fun as we are.”

    In addition to The Disco Biscuits and Thievery Corporation, Nunchuck! will join the The New Deal, The Main Squeeze, The Werks, Snarky Puppy, Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO), The Heavy Pets Tribute to the ‘80s, American Babies and more at this year’s festival March 3  – 6.

    Aura also includes more than 25 yoga classes and an extensive Silent Disco lineup with guest DJ appearances from various musicians including Scotty Zwang.

    Additional information and tickets available at www.auramusicfestival.com.

    aura-poster

  • Twiddle Hits New York with Four Nights of Plumperdump

    Vermont based quartet Twiddle kick off their Plumperdump Tour this Thursday with a sold out show at the Port City Music Hall in Portland Maine. Twiddle fans in New York State will be able to catch the band in a number of cities during the month long tour.

    Twiddle

    Twiddle will be hitting the Empire State first on Saturday Feb 20 in Syracuse at the Westcott Theater. The band will then kick off a three day New York State run starting at the Town Ballroom on Thursday Feb 25 in Buffalo before heading to the Upstate Music Mall on Feb 26 and Irving Plaza in New York City on Feb 27.

    As Twiddle continues to lock down slots on large festivals and sell out venues around the country, the Plumperdump tour may be one of the last chances fans have to see the band in smaller more intimate venues. And fans wanting to see the band on this tour, shouldn’t wait until the day of the show to buy tickets.

    Twiddle’s December tour included sold out shows at the Brooklyn Bowl and the Paradise Rock Club in Boston as well as a sold out three day New Year’s Eve run in their hometown of Burlington. With several Plumperdump dates close to selling out, fans in New York state may want to act sooner rather than later by locking down tickets in advance.

    Twiddle’s brand of hi-def shredding is a fusion mix of rock, jazz, reggae and funk is gaining a rapidly growing fan base across the country. But fans in the northeast are a large part of the band’s continued success.

    Many Twiddle fans are finding themselves following the band on smaller runs throughout the country. According to Chris Hollywood of Slingerlands, NY, who will be hitting every stop on the Plumperdump tour, it’s a combination of the music and the fans that make the Twiddle live experience what it is. “The music is better than ever! People are realizing how great the fan base is, and even if the music was terrible, it would be worth the experience.”

    Jennifer Graves from New Haven, CT has been listening to the band since 2011. “I’ve seen them play 100 person rooms and I’ve seen them pack the Vibes main field at 11am on a Friday,” she noted. “I see their fan base grow exponentially every year, and some of the people I met at my very first Twiddle show are my best frends today.”

    Graves also noted that even longtime fans are blown away by the bands growth, “Watching how the last year has panned out, I can only imagine where their journey will bring them in the future. Sky’s the limit for these boys.”

    Tickets for all four New York shows are still available.

    Twiddle Pumperdump Winter Tour 2016

    Feb. 18 – Portland, Maine (Port City Music Hall) SOLD OUT

    Feb. 19 – Providence, Rhode Island (Fete Music Mall)

    Feb. 20 – Syracuse, New York (The Wescott Theatre)

    Feb. 25 – Buffalo, New York (Town Ballroom)

    Feb. 26 – Clifton Park, New York (Upstate Music Hall)

    Feb. 27 – New York, New York (Irving Plaza)

    March 10 – Washington, DC (9:30 Club)

    March 11 – Philadelphia, PA (Theatre of Living Arts)

    March 12 – New Haven, CT (Toad’s Place)

    March 13 – New Haven, CT (Toad’s Place)

  • Brantley Gilbert’s BlackOut Tour Will Change Your Perception on What Country Music Is Today

    Brantley Gilbert IMG_9232 copyOne thing to love about country music is its diversity. When you think country music, most people automatically visualize the country music of Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Buck Owens, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, or Merle Haggard; and rightly so. These forebearers of country music have paved the way for the genre bringing light so many amazing country musicians to the Opry stage and radio stations across the nation. Originating from a mix of cultures within the area at the time, you see styles merged together such as Old World, Americana, and Bluegrass to name a few.

    This compilation of twangy lyrics and upbeat tempos emerged and somehow imprinted itself on how people perceive country music still today. Country music is much more than the twangy renditions you have imprinted on your mind. Allow NYS Music to introduce you to one of the many genres of country music today; country southern rock. A new millennium of southern rock has emerged, and the sound once categorized under the rock genre back in the 70’s, can now fit neatly into the country southern rock category which is so much more than the twangy vocals, slide guitars, and fiddles of what is perceived of country music today.

    Enter Brantley Gilbert.

    Brantley Gilbert IMG_8461 (1) copy

    One of today’s biggest country southern rock musicians, Mr. Brantley Gilbert would definitely have fit in back in the day with the likes of such musicians and groups as Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Marshall Tucker Band, Ted Nugent, and ZZ Top to name only a few. This was the ass kicking country rock we loved back then and the southern country rock we love still today. Gilbert’s rocking country music is remiscent of this era and has categorized him as a badboy of country music today.

    As Brantley Gilbert rolls his Blackout Tour into the Turning Stone this February 20th, skeptics are encouraged to join us at the Turning Stone Event Center to put the myth that all country music is the same, to bed for once and for all. Not all country music fits neatly in one package.  Brantley is definitely not the “Bro Country” mold you may try to fit him into. Brantley’s music and live show give you a sense of being at a rock concert with sick guitar riffs, drum solos, and hair flying all around the stage.

    IMG_6361 copyTo help you prepare so that you know what to expect at your first Brantley Gilbert concert, here is a list of what to expect and not expect.

    • If you are expecting cowboy boots, cowboy hats, and plaid, you may be in for a surprise. You may see these things but they will sported more so by the crowd than those on stage. On stage you’ll see baseball caps, tattoos, chains, spiked hair, dreadlocks flying around, and brass knuckled microphones. Okay, you will see perhaps a beard on the keyboardist, but who doesn’t rock a beard these days? Awesome beard BJ Golden!
    • Classic country, nah you won’t hear this most likely, and if you do it will be one of the best classic country songs ever because of the twist Brantley gives it. Electric guitar riffs, deep base chords, drum solos, and pounding keyboards will accompany Brantley as he rocks the crowd.
    • Will there be lyrics about girls, partying, and back roads. Yeah most likely, but what rock band doesn’t sing about those topics. Any guy singing about bottoms up while dressed as a bootlegger sporting a zoot suit and tommy gun ‘rocks” in my humble opinion.
    • Will you leave feeling like you may have missed so much over the last few years as country music has evolved into something completely different than what you anticipated? Probably so. That’s okay. It’s better to arrive late to the party than never at all.
    • Will you have a good time. Oh yes, most definitely. Especially if you arrive early enough to grab a bite to eat at one of the amazing restaurants at the Turning Stone. (shameless plug hoping from something from the Harvest Buffet)

    IMG_9415 copyJoined on this tour are special guests Canaan Smith and Michael Ray, bringing their own kinda country party to the Turning Stone.  February 20th will be the hottest ticket in town during one of the coldest weeks, so don’t wait, get yours today and join NYS Music in welcoming this new millennium of country southern rock to Central New York.

  • 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.

  • Catey Shaw Coming to Knitting Factory Brooklyn

    Rising pop star Catey Shaw will headline a triple bill this Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. The lineup will feature three locally based performers dishing out plenty of synth-driven music to dance to, plus a healthy dose of indie rock.

    Shaw is still fairly new to the pop world, but her distinctive voice is showcased on two EPs and several singles, the earliest of which, “Family,” earned her a performing spot on The Queen Latifah Show back in 2013. Having started out playing in New York City subway stations, Shaw is now touring the country. The creative instrumentals produced by Jay Levine for Shaw’s studio recordings are brought to life by the live band she is touring with. Fans will see Shaw alternately strumming a ukulele and howling over the slap-bass and gritty synths backing her catchy hooks. Catey Shaw has been recording since 2012 and is currently seeing new success with singles “Tell Everyone” and “The Ransom.”

    Supporting Shaw this Saturday night will be Memoryy, the moniker used by Shaun Hettinger for his self-released electro/synthpop musical output. When not writing film scores and music for television commercials, Hettinger pours his love of ’80s synth giants Depeche Mode and New Order and more recent inspirations like Cut Copy into his own brand of pop that accomplishes everything from ruminating on falling in love to setting the tone for summer pool parties. Memoryy will warm up the Knitting Factory stage, perhaps giving attendees a taste of his slick new take on Blue Öyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” just released last month.

    Brooklyn-based indie-rock five-piece Gillian will open the show. The bright and upbeat riff-driven pop tunes on their most recent EP Colorize make this band a natural fit for the evening’s lineup. Vocalist Kym Hawkins’ strong, rich voice is a rival to that of Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino. Check out Gillian’s music on Bandcamp.

    Doors at the Knitting Factory open at 8 p.m. this Saturday, and the show starts at 9 p.m.

  • The Blind Owl Band Coming to The Westcott Theater February 6

    The Blind Owl Band, hailing from Saranac Lake, a small town nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, are coming to The Westcott Theater on February 6, with local musicians Chris James, Mama G and the Spittin’ Sirens from Syracuse, NY.

    The Blind Owl Band will be bringing their four stringed freight train to Central NY as they kick off their 2016 tour taking them all over the East Coast. With Arthur Buezo (guitar, vocals), Christian Cardiello (double bass/fretless bass), Eric Munley (mandolin, vocals) and James Ford (banjo, vocals).

    Opening artists Chris James and Mama G shared the spotlight with The Blind Owl Band at Sterling Stage Kampitheater, in Sterling NY at the String Fling Festival 2015. The Spittin’ Sirens are sure bring a new energy to the stage and get the crowd dancing with Chris James (aka Davey Jonesin’, guitar/vocals), Mama G (aka Silva Tooth, mandolin/vocals), Foxy Rutkowski (aka Shipwreck, percussion/vocals) and Heidi Jane Kessel (aka The Kraken, one string bass banjo).

    Doors open at 8:00 pm, show starts at 9:00 pm. Get tickets here.

  • Thursday Nights in February at Funk n Waffles Presented by NYS Music

    We’re deep into winter, or somewhere at the start of spring, depending on how you look at it. The weather however, if great at Funk n Waffles in Syracuse, and NYS Music is proud to present Thursday nights throughout February at the popular downtown venue.

    February 4 – Normal Instruments

    A supergroup creating brand new music every single night – all improvisation, every time – kicks things off on February 4 in grand fashion. Featuring Michael Carter from The Indobox, Jules Jenssen from Ross Jenssen, Matt Beckett from Cosmic Dust Bunnies and Jeff Bujak of Bujak Live, Normal Instruments is one of the most unique jamtronica bands in the scene today.

    February 11 – Root SHOCK with West End Blend

    Root SHOCK blends roots reggae, dancehall, heavy drum & bass, and soulful vocals with conscious lyrics into positive dance music will make you want to move. The band has been surprising and delighting crowds across the Central New York region and beyond, bringing their unique high-energy style spearheaded by the stunning vocals of Jessica Brown to a wide range of settings. The band’s dedication to spreading music with a positive message has paid off in entertaining, elevating, and energizing music lovers of all walks of life! 2016 promises to be an explosive year for Root Shock, as they’ve finally made time to record their first studio album, are anchoring a monthly Syracuse reggae night designed to bring the best and most diverse acts that modern reggae has to offer to the area. They’re not stopping there though; the band is set to hit the road to spread their uplifting message and vibes and take their renowned live performances to the masses!

    Since their conception, ten piece band West End Blend has been playing their version of pop, funk and soul in venues all over the Northeast. Fronted by vocalist Erica Bryan, the band pays homage to classic throwback sounds while adding their own distinct vibe and flair. West End Blend boasts a four­piece horn section, two guitars, bass, keyboards and drums packing the group onto stages every night. From humble beginnings in an epic basement funk dance party, The Blend’s goal has always been to bring a party atmosphere to every show and venue ever since.The Blend just released their debut full length record, Rewind, on September 26. Recorded at Telefunken Elektroakustik with engineer Brendan Morawski in CT, the band is proud to present the kick off to the next step in their career. West End Blend is just getting started and there’s so much to do. But right now… it’s time for them to pile into the van. This juggernaut of a funk and soul band is ready to hit the pavement.

    February 18 – Bob Holz: A Vision Forward

    Composer/drummer Bob Holz is one of New York’s most experienced and in-demand band leaders. An alumni of Berklee School of Music, Bob majored in performance and composition with teachers Gary Chaffee and Michael Gibbs. He went on to study privately with Dave Weckl and Billy Cobham. He also found a mentor in drummer Wilby Fletcher Jr.( McCoy Tyner). Holz has composed and played on numerous live and studio recordings, movie sound tracks and theatrical productions. Perhaps his most well know movie sound track was for the major motion picture entitled Show Your Love directed by Edward J. Bruno for VCA films. Holz has also toured extensively as a band leader (The Bob Holz Band).

    Holz played at the 1999 Woodstock Music Festival in New York. He also performed along with Dr. John at a coveted awards ceremony at the 2006 M&T Jazz Festival in Syracuse, NY. In 2010 he traveled to Memphis to participate and perform as a finalist in the W.C. Handy Blues Awards.

    February 25 – The Moho Collective with Boots n’ Shorts

    The Moho Collective lives in a world with no words. In fact, they make it a point to convey their story without any vocals at all. The Rochester NY based instrumental trio knows how to push the envelope stylistically and tonally yet keep their audience engaged with exciting arrangements and a wide range of dynamics. Drummer Ryan Barclay, guitarist Kurt Johnson, and bassist Justin Rister combine disparate influences ranging from the Allman Brothers and the Meters to Sigur Ros and the visual loops of Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher. Expect to hear things you like and maybe something you don’t. The range of this band is vast yet accessible for all audiences. TMC at some points will move your feet and at other times challenge your ears. Don’t let the size fool you, TMC packs a huge sound into a 3 piece package that doesn’t disappoint.

    Boots n’ Shorts carries on the tradition of old-time music while making it relevant to a modern audience. Meeting at the crossroads of mountain music and the merry pranksters, they introduce new sounds to old-timers and old sounds to new-timers. Blending backgrounds in bluegrass, folk, old-time, jazz, blues, and psychedelic rock,BnS has a large repertoire of original music, classics, and traditional tunes.

    All shows start at 8pm each night. Visit Funk n Waffles for more info