NYS Music 20​16

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  • Mockingbird Foundation Releases Third Edition of ‘The Phish Companion’

    The Mockingbird Foundation and Phish.net have released a third edition of The Phish Companion: A Guide To The Music & Their Music. The companion is an invaluable guide to the band’s history, show reviews, fan art, original photos and tour capsules.

    the phish companionThe eight chapter, 898 page hardcover book is filled with full-color pages capturing 33 years of Phish history. It includes art by some of the most esteemed Phish poster artists, such as AJ Masthay, David Welker and Justin Helton.

    The Mockingbird Foundation has said that if the first two editions were like trusty, sturdy Subarus that could get you around reliably, then the third edition is “Doc Brown’s DeLorean” time-machine.

    The book is available for purchase on the Phish Companion website. It will also be available for public sale outside of the website for the first time at the June 25 PhanArt show at the Cubby Bear in Chicago.

    All proceeds from the Mockingbird Foundation go to benefit music education for children, and the foundation has raised nearly $1 million for the cause.

  • Boston Calling Music Festival Takes Over City Hall Plaza

    Over Memorial Day Weekend, thousands gathered in Boston’s City Hall Plaza for the final Boston Calling music festival in that location. Next year, the festival is expanding and will take place in Harvard University’s athletic complex. In addition to music, next year’s festival will also feature film and art exhibitions. (The festival was so enjoyable this year that I have already purchased my tickets for next year.) Despite the unpredictable and quickly changing weather, it was a terrific event with stellar musical performances. Read on below as we recap the three-day festival.

    Friday

    Friday started with an intimate set from Irish folk singer Lisa Hannigan and The National’s Aaron Dessner. It was an impressive performance, and a great way to start the weekend of music. Sufjan Stevens followed with a psychedelic, over-the-top set that started with an epic performance that involved a costume with wings and a banjo being smashed, and ended with a costume with balloons, tin foil and a disco ball strapped to Stevens’ chest. Boston Calling truly had a diverse array of music, and Friday’s lineup certainly displayed this diversity. Friday night closed with one of the festival’s most anticipated acts, pop singer Sia. Her powerful vocals and dance performances that featured Kristen Wiig, Maddie Ziegler, Paul Dano and Gaby Hoffman impressed crowds and left many awed and awaiting Saturday’s stacked lineup.

    city hall plazaSaturday

    Saturday started off with brutally hot weather, with the temperature hitting nearly 100 degrees at one point in the day. The festival managed the weather the best they could, providing free water and samples of Polar Seltzer. Although the water line could take up to 30 minutes to get through at points throughout the day, staff did a great job of making sure their patrons were cared for and safe despite the incredibly hot weather. BØRNS, famous for their hit “Electric Love,” created a fun, dancy atmosphere and lead singer Garrett Borns truly impressed crowds with his beautiful falsetto. Canada-based City and Colour played a soulful and bluesy set and featured a guest appearance from The Raconteurs’ bassist Jack Lawrence. Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow had a decent crowd, but they were mostly background music for those who wished to sit on the pavement of City Hall Plaza or grab something to eat and sit in the shade after a day of completely oppressive heat. The night finished off with impressive music, dancing and light shows from EDM duo Odesza and Swedish vocalist Robyn.

    city hall plazaSunday

    The weather changed drastically by Sunday, and was much cooler and clammier than most patrons expected. It was still a great day of incredibly diverse music. From Vince Staples’ powerful rapping to Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires funky set, the day started with two genres of music that fans had not yet seen at Boston Calling. Charles Bradley was especially impressive, and had me rocking out to his awesome moves and crazy-good voice. Next were The Front Bottoms, where lead man Brian Sella interacted with the crowd the entire set and gave the audience a really good time. Everyone knew the words to all of their songs, and the energy created by the interaction between the crowd and the musicians lent itself to a fun and energetic set. Elle King was next, with her bright blue hair and raspy voice. She faced some backlash from fans regarding her drinking, but she still put on a wonderful and engaging performance. To close out the night, Janelle Monàe really wowed fans with her nine-person band and powerful message of choosing freedom over fear. Her voice is great, her band was tight and fans really enjoyed her honest investment in her music. She also covered a Prince song. The next act, Haim, a rock band started by the Haim sisters, also covered Prince and played fan favorites like “The Wire” and “Falling.” Disclosure closed out the night with a mind-blowing light show and beats that resonated through fans’ chests.

    Overall

    Overall, Boston Calling was one of the most well-organized, fluid and fun festivals that I have ever attended. Staff dealt with the challenges of the weather with ease, and did their best to provide patrons with the most comfortable and healthy experience possible. The food vendors all had both healthy and delicious options, and I was really impressed by the quality of the food that was provided. They made sure that patrons weren’t just getting overpriced, greasy festival food, but an actual meal that tasted good and was well worth the money they paid for it. The diverse and eclectic acts all performed incredibly well, and no one disappointed. There weren’t even that many incidents of drunken fans that couldn’t handle themselves; as I said, it was an incredibly well-organized and fluid festival, and fans seemed to respond to that in a responsible and respectful way. Buy your tickets to the next Boston Calling as soon as possible — the expansion can only mean great things for this thrilling festival.

  • Hinder Brings its Stripped-Down Acoustic Show to Binghamton

    Hinder, best known for their hits “Get Stoned,” “Lips of an Angel,” “Better than Me,” “How Long,” “I Don’t Wanna Know,” and many others brought their acoustic set to Magic City Music Hall in Binghamton, NY, on June 7 in support of their new six-song acoustic EP titled Stripped. Stripped was released on May 13 via the End Records and includes the songs “Not An Addict,” “Intoxicated,” “Wasted Life,” Hit The Ground,” “If Only For Tonight” and “Get Stoned.” This is the band’s first strictly acoustic project to be released and is their second EP; the first being their 2003 debut Far From Close.

    hinder Binghamton

    In March, the band announced the album would be titled Stripped and would be released on May 13. At the time the band also announced that they would be touring June through July with the New Zealand-based rock band Like a Storm in support of the new EP.

    hinder Binghamton

    hinder Binghamton

    After a stellar didgeridoo-infused, 45-minute acoustic performance by Like a Storm, who played several numbers including “Becoming The Enemy,” “Amazing Grace/Southern Skies,” “Love the Way You Hate Me” and a cool rendition of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise,” Hinder took the stage and began their set with “Intoxicated,” “I Don’t Wanna Know” and “What Ya Gonna Do” that had lead singer Marshal Dutton and the band joking with the crowd about mixing up the brands when your usual whiskey “ain’t workin’ no more.”

    Despite a smaller than expected crowd, longtime band members Mark King, Joe “Blower” Garvey, Mike Rodden, Cody Hansen and lead vocalist and guitarist Marshal Dutton put on a fun-filled, entertaining and interactive show with an intimate audience and performed each song exceptionally well with great vocals and musicianship that they are known for. At times throughout the evening, various members swapped instruments with each other, showcasing how musically talented they are as individuals as well as a band. Hinder played a 12-song set with fun interactive breaks at times between songs and swapping instruments.

    hinder Binghamton

    Hinder and Like a Storm continue their acoustic tour throughout the summer. If you’re out there and looking for a great show this summer, be sure to check out Hinder and Like a Storm.

    Hinder Set List 6/7/16:
    Intoxicated, I Don’t Wanna Know, What ya Gonna Do, Shoulda Known Better, Hit the Ground, Last Kiss Goodbye, Not an Addict, Red Tail Lights, Better Than Me, Get Stoned, Pussy Control, No Excuses

  • Good Vibrations: Brian Wilson Breezes Into Syracuse This Summer

    This summer, the famed Beach Boys leader, Brian Wilson, breezes into Syracuse for a good vibrations performance at the Great New York State Fair. The legendary songwriter’s tour stop in Central New York is part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the group’s iconic 1966 album, Pet Sounds, in which Wilson will perform in its entirety at Chevy Court on Aug. 29.

    Good Vibrations Brian Wilson A follow-up to 1965’s The Beach Boys Today! Wilson’s Pet Sounds became his masterpiece, and at the time, it was one of the most expensive albums produced, at a cost of more than $70,000. Although the album was not as commercially successful in the United States as it was in the United Kingdom, it is now considered to be one of the most influential, and first experimental, concept albums. The 36-minute psychedelic surf rock record — inspired by the Beatles’ Rubber Soul — moved the group from on-the-surface lyrics of girls, cars and California living to a more introspective side. On revisiting the album, Wilson, 73, told the Nottingham Post, “It was a happy time in my life. I was young and creative, and it brings back a lot of good memories for me.”

    On June 10, Capitol Records released a 50th anniversary collector’s edition of Pet Sounds that features a four CD/Blu-ray audio versions in a hardbound book and 180-gram vinyl editions in both mono and stereo, plus session outtakes, alternate mixes and unreleased live recordings. Touring in support of it, Wilson will be joined by former bandmates Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin to recreate the Beach Boys’ 11th studio album that features popular songs like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows,” “Sloop John B” and “Caroline, No.” (Listen to the full album here.) Tour dates during this anniversary run also include stops at the Ottawa Jazz Festival on July 3, Toronto on July 4, Burlington, VT, on July 6, New York City’s Beacon Theater on Sept. 24 and at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts on Sept. 28. The Chevy Court concert is set for Mon., Aug. 29 at 8 p.m.; the show is free with admission to the fair.

    According to Syracuse.com, Troy Waffner, acting fair director, dubbed the concert as a “once-in-a-lifetime event,” adding that, “this will be a magical night for fans of that band and album, but also a great night for others to discover some of the most important music of its time.”

  • Wanderlust Stratton 2016: Find Your True North

    On June 16, 2016 Wanderlust Yoga & Music Festival makes its way to Stratton, Vermont. Wanderlust is a worldwide festival, taking place in Canada, Australia, and various sites in the United States, including California, Colorado and Vermont. This four day journey encompasses mindful living and healthy expression, offering many styles of yoga, meditation, workshops, lectures, music, outdoor activities such as acro & water-yoga, hiking, and various other amazing offerings; could it get any better for those looking for a healthy vacation?

    wanderlustStratton Mountain Resort in Bondville, VT is the perfect place for Wanderlust, offering a vast landscape for the many classes available: from hikes up the mountain and yoga at the peak, to paddle-board yoga on the pond, and a speakeasy for musicians/artists alike, along with live music at Stratton’s well-known nightlife venue Grizzly’s. And if you haven’t visited yet Stratton Resorts ‘Village’ offers restaurants, shops, and lodging as well, all within the center of the event!

    Their slogan and mission is one that inspires growth, community & healthy living:

    “Unplug from the ordinary. Adventure awaits! At Wanderlust, our mission is to help you find your true north.  True north is not a final destination:  it’s a path, a journey, and a yearning to explore and connect to your life’s purpose.”

    “Our festivals, set in awe-inspiring natural resorts across the globe, are a step down that path. Our transformational retreats bring together world-class teachers, taste-makers, and experts in mindful living in a fun-filled, creative environment.

    Choose your own adventure with multi-level yoga and meditation sessions, mouthwatering organic and whole foods, heart-pumping music, inspiring lectures and workshops, and boundary-pushing outdoor activities. Wander with us and find your true north.”

    Having attended the past three years, it’s easy to say that this event offers an experience that will leave you different than when you arrived-full of inspiration, joy and a perspective that you can only imagine until you enjoy the super-dynamic Wanderlust experience!

    And to top off all of the activities, the variety of teachers, performers, speakers and those who make it all happen is phenomenal. The past few years, Wanderlust brought musical offerings including talents such as Nahko & Medicine for the People, Trevor Hall, Coyote & Crow, Marco Benevento, and so many others that put on shows that left their imprint on the mountain. This year’s line-up consists of 28 yoga teachers, 11 speakers, a wide-variety of musical styles; Michael Franti, Karsh Kale, Magic Giant, Sheela Bringi, and Morley will bring their unique performances to the table. A variety of solo act’s from Francesca Blanchard, Garth Stevenson, and Priya Darshini, to DJ’s Drez, Sol Rising, Tasha Blank, and various others will keep the music flowing all throughout the weekend.

    If you have yet to experience a yoga festival, this one is sure to please. Wanderlust is super-dynamic, covering all of the bases: health, music, fitness, learning, organic food-as well as being a getaway to the mountains-this is one that will make your summer one to remember!

    For more info about the line-up and general inquiries visit the festival website.

  • Buffalo’s Intrepid Travelers Hold Inaugural IT Fest

    13256114_10208273322704495_5022688047362925033_nIf you haven’t heard of the Buffalo-based quartet Intrepid Travelers yet, expect that to change. Forming in Buffalo in 2013, after two years the band seems to be hitting their stride with IT Fest. Intrepid Travelers consists of David Neimanis (bass/vocals), Brian Calisto (guitar/vocals), Donny Frauenhofer (keys/vocals) and Jon Fohl (drums/vocals).

    They held their first festival event on Sat., June 11. The event took place on the property of Josh Skowronski in Alden, NY. IT Fest offered camping, a variety of vendors and three long sets of Intrepid Travelers throughout the day—all on private property with nature trails and a nearby creek.

    The first two sets were a mixture of original songs with a few covers thrown in the mix. The last set they covered MGMT’s album Oracular Spectacular from start to finish. They put their own twist on the album, showing fans a side of the band that they might not be aware of.

    David Neimanis had this to say about IT Fest:

    We want to thank all those that attended this first-time event. We look forward to doing many more of these, and allowing this festival to organically grow with all of us. Josh really went above and beyond to put this together, and we couldn’t have asked for a better host. We are also incredibly grateful that mother nature had our backs and proved all the forecasters wrong by giving us a beautiful day. None of this would have been possible without all the help from sound engineers Ryan Bress and Tyler Dieckman, our volunteers and all the good people who came out and respected the land. It feels great to connect people together through music, and we are thrilled by the positive we received from everyone. We really can’t wait to have more Intrepid Travelers’ Family Reunions.”

    The band is headlining an event at Neitzsche’s in Bufflalo on June 25, and will be heading out on a month-long tour starting July 8 in Ithaca, NY, and a July 9 hometown show at the Lockhouse. The tour will take them across the country and back, before closing out with a performance in East Aurora, NY, on Aug. 19.

    intrepid travelers summer tour

    The music scene in Buffalo is alive and thriving. Intrepid Travelers are a fine example of this, and they have the pieces in place to make some noise in the music world.

    6/11/16 Setlist

    Set 1: Cities^ Maddy and Anna, Dark Disease > Funnel > Shake Your Body#
    ^ Talking Heads
    # Jackson 5

    Set 2: On the Grass, All About It, Conquistadors, Randoh’s Island > Lochs of Dread*# Jungle Boogie^
    * Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
    # featuring Phil Driesin on guitar
    ^ Kool and the Gang

    Set 3: Time to Pretend* Weekend Wars* > The Youth* Electric Feel* > Kids* > 4th Dimensional Transition* > Pieces of What* Of Moons, Birds and Monsters* > The Handshake* Future Reflections* Kung Fu Fighting % Woolify, Photo Booth, Youth, Stayin’ Alive^ Mountain Man
    * MGMT
    % Carl Douglas
    ^ Bee Gees

    [FinalTilesGallery id=’824′]

  • Hearing Aide: Devon Allman ‘Ragged and Dirty’

    Life on the road, the sights in the rearview mirror and the hard lessons learned along the way, Devon Allman and his latest album Ragged and Dirty is the perfect soundtrack to crank on the speakers over a nice long summer road trip, perhaps one marked with a few stops at some biker bars and dives.

    Devon Allman’s latest album “Ragged & Dirty” debuted at #4 on the Billboard Blues Charts upon its release on Ruf Recording last October.

    Raised in Texas by his mother, Shelley, he did not meet his famous father, Gregg Allman, until he was 16 years old. Now 43, he’s been touring nationally and has released eight albums with bands including Honeytribe and Royal Southern Band.

    Ragged and Dirty, Allman’s third solo work, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Blues Charts upon its release on Ruf Records last October. It’s produced by Grammy winner Tom Hambridge, who also co-wrote three songs on the album. Allman shakes the dust off his father’s signature style of guitar-driven blues and rock and infuses it with his own modern, hard-hitting licks and powerful lyrics in this latest incarnation.

    You can almost feel the grit in your teeth throughout this professional, polished album, which runs the gamut of styles from country roots in track one, “Half the Truth,” to blues and rock n’ roll with a slight edge of funkiness in the album’s title track 11, “Ragged and Dirty.” Get lost in the soulful, sultry steam guitar-laden sixth track, “Midnight Lake Michigan,” and then find yourself in the honky-tonk stylings of track 10, “Times Have Changed.”

    A highlight for me was track number three, “Leavin’,” which reminds me of a mix of Joe Cocker and the Allman Brothers Band in a song about running away from the same old problems and falling into old routines. A solid rock n’ roll journey with heartfelt lyrics, it’s a great song for a road trip without a destination.

    The seventh tune, “Ten Million Slaves,” a song about the journey and trials faced by millions of slaves as they were ripped from their homeland and brought to America to be sold, came as a timely surprise as the original A&E mini-series “Roots” recently aired on television.

    Track 10, “Times Have Changed,” is a good reminder to stay relevant and not get caught up in looking back on the past and making up your mind to change things. As the lyrics note, “I’d do anything you say, and now there ain’t no way/ That was yesterday, and times have changed/You’ve got to pick and choose, and I was bound to lose, but I’ve got some news for you, times have changed.”

    Track 12, “Leave the City,” is the perfect way to wrap up this album, with Allman’s soothingly familiar voice gently commingled with sounds of a resonator guitar seeping through to wash you clean, as you leave the dirty city for land of riversides and mountain tops.

    It’s clear this an album inspired by life on the road. To steal a line from the fifth song, “a road runner baby, Citadel platinum frequent flier,” Allman brings his tour to New York with a June 15 show at Iron Works in Buffalo, at the Wescott Theater in Syracuse on June 16 and Albany’s Empire State Plaza on June 29. Catch him before he travels on.

    Key Tracks: Times Have Changed, Midnight Lake Michigan, Leave the City

  • PhanArt Coloring Book Draws Phans Toward Charitable Cause

    Need something to do with your hands while your favorite live Phish show blasts in the background? Sure, you’d rather be seeing them in person, grasping a fistful of glow sticks to launch into an animated crowd at just the right moment, but in lieu of that, why not throw some colored pencils on the table and get creative with the PhanArt coloring book.
    PhanArt Coloring Book
     
    The book is a collaboration between PhanArt founder and NYS Music co-owner Pete Mason and Artistic Director of HeadCount, Jamie Huntsman. The contents feature eight artistic submissions hand-crafted by a crew of devoted fans, with cover art designed by Huntsman. All proceeds go to the Mockingbird Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Phish fans. Their mission is to raise funds for music education, so future generations can continue to create inspiring sounds. Mason and Huntsman took a moment to answer some questions regarding the process of bringing this coloring book to life:
     
    NYS Music: Are there any other underlying Phish themes tying the coloring pages together besides being inspired by the music of Phish?
     
    Pete Mason: The theme of this first volume is animals. There are many animals mentioned throughout the Phish catalog (Sloth, Horse, Mockingbird, Spastic dead-eyed hound), and it became the basis for the inspired pages created by the artists.
     
    Jamie Huntsman: We wanted a really loose theme for each volume of the coloring book. This one is Phish animals—the next [volume], not sure. We might do characters in songs (Wilson, Tela, etc.) or maybe closer to Halloween we could do a scary/evil Phish theme (They Attack! or Big Black Furry Creature from Mars).
     
    NYS: What were each of your roles in creating this coloring book?
     
    PM: Jamie came to me with the idea last fall, and once we sorted out the logistics, I reached out to artists I had worked with in the past who I felt would contribute a page to the book.
     
    NYS: How many volumes do you expect to produce?
     
    JH: I think as long as there’s interest both on the side of the artists willing to donate their art to this book and phans willing to purchase, we’ll produce.
     
    NYS: How often do you plan to release new volumes?
     
    JH: At least twice a year. This is a volunteer project, so whatever we have time for and interest in. And the more Phish tours, the more we will produce.
     
    NYS: Were you pulling from a small pool of submissions or purposefully kept the first volume short and sweet?
     
    PM: We kept the first volume at this length based on initial responses from artists, and gaining eight pages, plus the cover (designed by Jamie), it was a good start to get the ball rolling on this new piece of PhanArt.
     
    NYS: Did artists have to follow any particular guidelines for their submissions?
     
    PM: Simply to design something that was unique and featured an animal from Phish lore. We kept a list going of what was spoken for so we didn’t get repeats of the same animal.
     
    JH: We also didn’t want to include any infringing work, so, artists needed to keep their work within PhanArt guidelines—no logos or copyrighted names/images.
     
    NYS: Have the two of you collaborated in the past?
     
    PM: YES! Jamie is featured in the book PhanArt: The Art of the Fans of Phish, with her posters spanning from the late ’90s through 2004.
     
    JH: HA! Has it been that long? Oh my. Yeah, Pete has really established himself as an authority in the Phish community, so, when I had this idea it was natural for me to go to him for execution.
     
    The coloring book can be purchased for $5 here. It is offered as an instant download, so it’ll be ready for your eager artistic scribbling way before the end of that extended “Tweezer” jam.

  • Chase Bryant Shreds Through Kegs Canalside

    Out in the middle of the country sits one of Central New York’s best-kept secret venues, Kegs Canalside. Located in Jordan, New York, this indoor/outdoor venue books some of today’s hottest country music acts; Kegs recently welcomed one of Nashville’s latest newcomers, Chase Bryant.

    The first time NYS Music covered a Chase Bryant show was at the 2015 Taste of Country Music Festival. Touring last year with superstar Tim McGraw, it was immediately apparent why he was chosen to accompany that tour. This young man is one of the most talented musicians in Nashville, both vocally and instrumentally.

    Opening the evening at Kegs were Stephen Gage and the TJ Sacco Band. Up first was Gage’s acoustic set. Accompanied by only another guitar, the audience was treated to an amazing set. The first time seeing this young man, he was extremely impressive. Singing many of today’s favorites, he warmed up the crowd as they filed into the soon-to-be packed venue. Although this was the first time seeing him, he made a lasting impression on this journalist to where I’m sure this will be one of many times I see this young man perform.

    The TJ Sacco Band is a Central New York fan favorite when it comes to country music around these parts. (This is apparent by their constant bookings in and around the area.) Opening for many national acts over the years as well as being the feature act, they certainly put on an amazing show and get the crowds amped.  Starting this journey on a dare many years ago, Sacco sure had the last laugh as his talent is way beyond the karaoke moment his friends assumed it would be. Playing everything from Old Dominion to Prince, Sacco and the band definitely displayed their versatility and talent.

    Primed for the main act, the packed-to-capacity crowd was ready for the party by the time Chase Bryant hit the stage. Having interviewed Chase last year during his summer tour, we learned a lot about the young country musician and his musical family and looked forward to seeing him again. His grandfather had played with Roy Orbison, his uncles had a country hit of their own in the band Ricochet and Chase was forging ahead in a blaze of glory with a talent that was burning a trail behind him. Named as one of “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone last year, it was clear that this young man was destined to be a country star. He impressively tears up that stage with sick guitar riffs, amazing vocal ability and the charisma and charm that melts the hearts of girls with just one stare or touch of the hand. Although he’s a bonafide star now, you don’t get that impression from him. He’s approachable, polite, down to earth, has a firm handshake—yes, that matters in my book—and looks you in the eyes when he meets you; his sincerity shines through brightly.  Throw in some amazing musical talent, and voila you have a young country musician that is destined for years of success and adoration from fans all over.

    Before you knew it, the show was over. Chase continued to play straight through the entire night without a break and not even leaving the stage for the encore. It was well past midnight as the show ended, leaving those in attendance in an afterglow of thoughts and musical moments that will have to last them for awhile. At least until the next time Chase Bryant comes back through our neck of the woods.

    Setlist Stephen Gage: Tattoos, We’re Still Young, If I had You, Die a Happy Man, Beat of Your Heart, Drink You Away, Ibiza and Kiss and Break Up

    Setlist TJ Sacco Band: Stay a Little Longer, Break up With Him, Mind Reader, Young and Crazy, White Lightning/Every Rose, Rodeo, Gonna, Kick the Dust Up, Ain’t the Whiskey, Better in Boots, Head over Boots, Beautiful Drug, Buy a Boat, Purple Raid and Mister Misunderstood

    Setlist Chase Bryant: Encore, Wayfarer Weather, Fire, The way I see It, Yours Tonight, Free Fallin’ (Tom Petty cover), Red Dirt Road (Brooks and Dunn cover), Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon cover), Little bit of You, Change Your Name, Dirt Road, Drink you Away (Justin Timberlake cover), Jet Black Pontiac, Watcha Waitin On, Summertime Saturday High and Take it on Back

  • Medeski Martin Wood Plan 25th Anniversary in New York City

    Although the jazz-funk fusion trio has been silent for bit, Medeski Martin and Wood recently announced the release of a new record this fall, followed by the news that the band would celebrate its 25th anniversary with two shows in New York City in October.

    MMW 25th anniversary

    After performances at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre (July 22) and in Esslingen, Germany, (Sept. 2), John Medeski (keyboards), Billy Martin (drums) and Chris Wood (bass) will regroup for two nights at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City. The Bleecker Street venue currently rests on the site of the old Village Gate where MMW played their first show together. The anniversary concerts are set for Oct. 19 and 20; special guests are soon to be added to the bill.

    As reported by Jambase, the news that MMW was back in the studio at work on a new album came from a Tweet by drummer Billy Martin:

    MMW dropped their debut album Notes From the Underground in 1992, and the group’s last release Free Magic came out in 2012 via the band’s label Indirecto Records. In 2011, MMW recorded brand new tracks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their musical journey together, and aptly named the compilation 20. This fall, the three-piece is releasing a collaborative recording with the 20-member ensemble Alarm Will Sound.

    Tickets for the quarter-century celebration — both single-day and two-night offerings — went on sale at noon today through the venue’s website.