Lock’n festival alum The Southern Belles are starting out the year with a new drummer, and a slew of touring dates that span the Northeast. Their new pick for drummer is Aaron Zarrow of Philadelphia’s The Royal Noise.
“I think this is going to be the beginning of an exciting musical journey,” Zarrow said in a press release. “I’m really stoked to be given an opportunity like this, to play in a band whose music I already enjoy listening to. Now I get to contribute to a band’s sound that I feel is unique and powerful enough to go very far. I’m also walking into what seems to be such a tight knit, family-like fan base and support system, and that’s huge.”
The Richmond, Virginia-based quartet will head up north to Rockwood Music Hall in New York City Feb. 19, and you can catch them at the Putnam Den in Saratoga on Feb. 25. They will wrap up their tour with dates in Montana and Colorado.
Full tour dates:
2/9- Blue Water, Jacksonville, FL
2/10- Guanabana’s, Jupiter, FL
2/11- Little Econ Love Fest, Jupiter, FL
2/12- Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin, FL
2/13- The Jam, Gainesville, FL #
2/19- Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
2/21- Stella Blues, New Haven, CT
2/24- Nectar’s, Burlington, VT
2/25- Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs, NY
2/26- Thunder Road, Somerville, MA %
2/27- Stone Church, Newmarket, NH %
3/4- The Camel, Richmond, VA **
3/5- Preservation Pun, Knoxville, TN
3/8- Gabe’s, Iowa City, IA
3/9- The Bridge, Columbia, MO
3/11- Bohemian Biergarten, Boulder, CO
3/12- The Whisk(e)y, Fort Collins, CO
3/13- Lola, Denver, CO
3/14- Sancho’s, Denver, CO
3/15- Little Nell, Aspen, CO
3/16- Little Nell, Aspen, CO
3/17- Black Nugget, Carbondale, CO
3/18- Bonfire Brewing, Eagle, CO
3/19- Zio Romolo’s, Denver, CO
*w/ Lord Nelson and Kendall Street Company
^w/ Soul Mechanic
#w/ Loccochino
%w/ The Jauntee
**w/ Groove Fetish
Our kitchen was cranking out enough cold brew concentrate for 800 cups of iced coffee. Everything was covered in coffee grounds for weeks and I thought the sound of grinding would never stop, but the moment we had been waiting for all summer arrived at last: it was time to pack up the car and make the pilgrimage from New England to Watkins Glen for this edition of Fest Food: Magnaball.
I splurged on tickets to the first Festival Ate dinner on Thursday evening, justifying the expense as it being my journalistic duty to do so. The setup was incredibly impressive, transforming a simple tent with some lighting and fabric to create a warm, elegant space and it was surreal to walk into a fine dining restaurant in the middle of a muddy field. Every night featured a different menu for vegans, vegetarians, or omnivores with beautiful plates of seasonal produce from Finger Lakes farms, each course named for Phish songs. While some dishes were not as flavorful as I hoped, it is not fair to judge a new restaurant on the first night of service in a big city, let alone at a music festival. Overflowing pitchers of the headiest Vermont craft beer pairings easily paid for the cost of the dinner and I discovered my favorite brew of the fest, Sip of Sunshine from Lawson’s Finest Liquids.
Every morning at Magnaball you could go do yoga, then wander through the farmer’s market snacking on freshly baked breads with local cheese, pickle and beet juice shots, a rainbow of summer vegetables and heirloom tomatoes, lush from the peak season sun. Elderflower Farm was selling blueberries by the pint as well as berry popsicles that made a perfect breakfast. I was lucky enough to be standing there when the caterers brought over a batch of blueberry muffins still warm from the oven that were fluffy, golden, and buttery. Elderflower Farm is run by the Fishman family in Lincoln, ME and in addition to growing berries, they produce organic, raw milk from jersey cows, and have Shetland sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys and horses.
Next to Elderflower at the farmers market, Tessa Gordon, Mike’s 9 year old daughter, had set up a lemonade stand with proceeds to benefit The WaterWheel Foundation. The most adorable stand imaginable was constructed and Tessa couldn’t have been cuter in a lemon-patterned apron, serving up the tart drinks with a shot of blueberry juice and a yellow, polka-dot straw.
The fest food lineup at Magnaball was truly fantastic with something for everyone, from teriyaki tofu with quinoa to BBQ pulled pork from a giant smoker or pizza baked in a wood fired oven. There were so many new vendors to try, but at setbreak the first night, the siren song of an old favorite called… a primal craving for JERRY ROLL. This is the original king of Shakedown cuisine, vended on lots since the early days of the Grateful Dead and still going strong at shows across the country. The gigantic egg rolls are stuffed with shredded veggies, fried, and sodomized with Sriracha, soy and duck sauce. After inhaling my roll, I literally needed be hosed down under a water pump to regain composure and return to the show.
All summer we enjoyed the most delicious iced cold brew coffee at home, so my fiance wanted to spread the gospel of this beverage by vending at the fest. Every morning we were up early, ready to sell coffee in the lots. “It’s Ice Cold Brew Co.” featured both dark and light Magnaroasts that were low in acidity, high in caffine and had rich, robust flavor. Seeing the joy come over the hungover faces of happy campers as they took a sip and said, “Ahhh.. delicious!” made all his hard work worthwhile. And rolling out of my tent every morning to an unlimited supply of artisan iced coffee was absolutely heavenly, making Anthony my personal Magnaball MVP.
The last evening of the festival the pressure was on to plow through as many vendors as possible and that’s exactly what we did. Our all around festival favorite award goes to… Roti Rolls! This food truck from Charleston, SC served meat, veggies, and curry on Indian flatbreads similar to a scallion pancake. Easy to eat, filling but not heavy, with satisfying flavor is the recipe for perfect festival food and Roti Rolls definitely crushed it. An honorable mention goes to Arancini Bros from NYC for their sweet and savory stuffed risotto balls. And Righteous Felon Jerky for their Victorious BIG variety made with Victory Brewing Company beer- they share a wall with the brewery in Pennsylvania. I’ve never ordered food online in my life, but one taste convinced me to track them down immediately after the festival and order a wholesale case.
For the last evening at Waterwheel, I had to check out our neighbors vending in the next tent. They turned out to be a bunch of Phish fans from Massachusetts with an artisan popcorn company called Corn and Co. and gave us a box of goodies to taste test which we washed down with hibiscus, ginger, lime Aqua Vitea kombucha. When I returned to report back on our favorites, the owner mentioned that they were donating all their tips from that weekend to WaterWheel. I tried to reply and uncontrollably burst into tears of joy. All the wonder, magic, and good vibes of Magnaball seemed to culminate in this one act of kindness. Later that night we found out that WaterWheel hit a fundraising record at the festival with more support from the fans than ever before to help good causes across the country.
After the sublime YEM > fireworks encore, we danced our way through the DJ Drive-In set for a final midnight snack: hot and juicy fried chicken. Just as we ordered, a hot pan of cornbread came out of the oven and maple butter slathered squares were passed out to all the kids in line. It was a slice of heaven, just like Magnaball. Which was really a food festival where Phish happened to be playing every day. My dream come true.
Blackstar has come to be regarded as a parting gift from David Bowie gift after it became widely known that he wrote the album in full knowledge of his own mortality.
As a perpetuation of Bowie’s gift, the artwork for Blackstar has been released for non-commercial use. Artist Jonathan Barnbrook has worked closely with Bowie on designing the artwork on several of his albums.
as a tribute to david bowie, download our ★ graphics for free (for non-commercial use only)https://t.co/QZyeSXALZI
David Bowie’s Facebook page share the news with this post:
Barnbrook loved working with David Bowie, he was simply one of the most inspirational, kind people we have met. So in the spirit of openness and in remembrance of David we are releasing the artwork elements of his last album ★ (Blackstar) to download here free under a Creative Commons NonCommercial-ShareAlike licence. That means you can make t-shirts for yourself, use them for tattoos, put them up in your house to remember David by and adapt them too, but we would ask that you do not in any way create or sell commercial products with them or based on them. Any questions or commercial licence usage please contact us.
Eleven different elements from the album’s artwork are can be downloaded from bowieblackstar.net. Remember that the content is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-ShareAlike (a copy of the details of that license are included with each download from the site). Inquiries for commercial use can be directed to the Barnbrook design agency.
Check out an interview with Jonathan Barnbrook regarding the meaning behind the art of Blackstarhere.
In early March, the new venue in the East End of Rochester, Anthology, will host a two-day celebration of roots and Americana music called Rochester Revival 2016.
Pennsylvania’s emergent jam-grass heroes Cabinet will return to Rochester to headline the first evening of music on Friday, March 4. Also on the bill that night are fellow ‘grass and dust-kickers The Blind Owl Band from Saranac Lake and The Prickers from Naples.
The party continues early Saturday afternoon for a full day and night of ear-pleasing, foot-stomping fun. Oyster Bay’s electro-prog instrumental powerhouse TAUK will provide a massive sonic cleanse when they close out the mini-festival late Saturday night.
Leading up to the grand finale will include the introduction of two new Rochester groups and one of the oldest and most beloved bands of Rochester. Aaron Lipp, who has played keys for Robert Randolph, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad and the Campbell Brothers, has assembled a new band which will play their premiere performance at this event. Another Dub Squad player, guitarist Dylan Savage, will also introduce a new band with Wil McKenna of RootsCollider called the Medicinals. Rochester’s very own gospel legends The Campbell Brothers are slated to bring their classic sacred steel style that is tried, true and always a great time. Other announced bands include Josh Rollins, Personal Blend and the Honey Smugglers, with more to be announced soon.
Mark March 4 and 5 down in your calendars. It’s a weekend that will showcase music from all across New York state including a dip into our neighbor Pennsylvania, so make plans now to come and show your support. Tickets are on sale now at the Anthology website. Admission is $12 for Friday and $24 for Saturday, or $32 gets you in for the whole weekend. A great deal for a great deal of music!
Yet another Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has passed. Maurice White, founding member of soul legends Earth, Wind and Fire passed away in his sleep last night, according to a post by his brother and bandmate Verdine White on the band’s Facebook page. White was 74:
My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep. While the world has lost…
TMZ reports that White was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1992, and the effects of the disease took him off the road with the band in 1994. He was still active in band decisions.
Maurice was born Dec. 19, 1941 in Memphis, and he was a childhood friend of Booker T Jones. He later moved to Chicago and became a session drummer at Chess Studios. He played drums on the Fontella Bass classic “Rescue Me.”
A move to Los Angeles in 1969 prompted a name change for his band The Salty Peppers. This was the beginning of Earth, Wind and Fire and a hall of fame career that included such hits as “Shining Star,” “September” and “That’s the Way of the World.”
Earth, Wind and Fire will be honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys later this month.
For the first time in 58 years, the Recording Industry Association of America has altered its award system. As of Feb. 1, 2016, RIAA will count the number of streams received toward gold and platinum album certifications.
The industry’s premier award program for artistic achievement in the music recording market, RIAA’s benchmarks for success include 500,000 albums sold (gold), 1,000,000 (platinum) and 2,000,000 plus (multi-platinum) and will now recognize both sales and audio, video streams for single and album certifications. RIAA Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman stated in a press release that this change was the next logical step “to fully reward the success of artists’ albums today.” The association first modernized its method in 2013 by counting on-demand streams for digital single certifications; this will now be updated as well to reflect the growing trend of streaming.
And with the announcement came a roster of artists being noticed by the association for the newly expanded certification, including Alt-J’s “An Awesome Wave” (Atlantic Records) Gold, Halsey’s “Badlands” (Astralwerks) Gold, Hozier’s “Hozier” (Columbia) Platinum, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (Epic/Legacy) 32X Multi-Platinum, Miranda Lambert’s “Platinum” (RCA Nashville) Platinum, The Weeknd’s “Beauty Behind the Madness” (XO/Republic Records) 2X Multi-Platinum and Vance Joy’s “Dream Your life Away” (Atlantic Records) Gold.
RIAA debuted the list with a social media video post seen below:
RIAA Debuts Album Awards with StreamsThe new #RIAAAlbumAward counts sales and streams, and that’s pretty exciting. Congratulations to all 17 artists now recognized.
RIAA created its gold and platinum program in 1958, and nearly 30,000 certifications have been awarded to date. Fans can access a complete database of recognized artists and albums here.
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.
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
In what will surely cause a ripple effect across the Upstate New York and Northeast music scene, longtime North Country act Lucid will take a touring hiatus in the coming months.
“We’re certainly not breaking up — that’s something we want to make clear,” said Lowell Wurster, vocalist/percussionist for Lucid. “Everyone is doing great and we’re as close as ever. We’re brothers and our musical flow is undeniable.”
For the first time since their inception in 2004, the Plattsburgh-based sextet will be parking their trademark bus, Lucy. It is in an effort to focus more on their personal lives, and also take a new approach to climbing to the top of that unforgiving mountain this is the music industry.
“Our songs are filled with powerful stories of love and life, important messages for the human soul,” Wurster said. “But somehow, as we go into our 13th year together, there just hasn’t been enough of a buzz to really be able to make it touring nationally, and make a living in doing so.”
Wurster emphasized the sincere need to pump the brakes a little bit, especially for a band that has played hundreds of shows a year, every weekend, for almost a decade and a half.
“At this time, the hiatus is going to breathe new life into us,” he said. “It’s a drastic change in policy, but we’re going to try something new, something we’ve never tried before. This time away will allow us to slow down, spend more time with family and loved ones, and to relax. Musically, it will allow us to take all the time we need to craft each song just the way we want it before we release it into the world.”
Though, in a somewhat hushed tone, Wurster does admit part of this recent decision stems from a losing battle down a slippery slope between being a full-time musician and also finding footing in the industry.
“I talk to older musicians who say they are getting paid the same now as they were 25 years ago. Unless you have a big name and the right industry types pushing you from behind, it’s very hard making a living doing this. I know that it may all sound sad and disheartened, and it is a bit, but it’s just hard out there,” he said. “Now we’re going to put our energies into pushing our music into uncharted territories and see what happens. If we have success in doing so, and it’s time to get Lucid back on the road, then that’s what we’ll do. If it doesn’t work, then we can safely say we tried everything and move on with our lives.”
And yet, beyond Wurster’s explanation of the hiatus, one still has trouble wrapping their head around the idea of Lucid not being on the road, roaring up and down highways and back roads like some band of melodic pirates. Lucid was (is) the foundation of the North Country music scene. They are the torchbearers of artistic hopes and dreams. They are the guys who have given creative faith and genuine friendship to countless groups and social circles that came after them (and as a result of them). Lucid is the glue that holds much of the scene together, and having them take a step back from touring will leave a large hole in North Country music.
“We’re family that will never be broken,” Wurster said. “We fight like brothers and we love like brothers, and I don’t see that ever changing. None of us are going to stop playing music, it’s just not possible and something that’s not in us.”
And as an offering to their fans, the band will go on a short “Off The Bus” tour, which will go around the northeast in March, culminating with a show on April 16 at The Strand in Plattsburgh. Until then, Lucid is putting the final touches on their fifth studio album, Bonsai Zen, which is expected to drop sometime this spring.
There are also plans currently in the works for a follow-up record to be released by the end of 2016.
“We’re going to keep doing what we do, and we’ll see where that carries us,” Wurster said. “Lucid isn’t going away, we’re just changing course. The future is wide open and we’re excited to see what it brings — whatever it brings, anything it brings.”
We appreciate so many fans reaching out to tell us how much they miss moe.down music festival, and we know there have been many questions on whether or not we have plans to bring it back this year. At present, we do not have any plans for moe.down 2016. The moe.down discussion on bringing it back in the future is very much alive between all those involved. In the meantime, we will be announcing a few other special summer shows in addition to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre – we hope to see you there!
Here’s hoping that 2017 will see the return of the festival that many moe.rons refer to as, “My home, my heart, my best friend.”
As a perpetuation of Bowie’s gift, the artwork for Blackstar has been released for non-commercial use. Artist 
