NYS Music 20​16

Tag: Music News

  • Twiddle Releases ‘Plump’ Documentary

    This past December, Twiddle celebrated the release of PLUMP. Fans of the band are now getting a unique glimpse into the story behind the music. The Vermont-based quartet has released an hour-long documentary that focuses not only on the music of PLUMP, but also a peek into the Twiddle fan culture.

    plump documentaryFilmed by Collective Visions, the documentary mixes footage from their two sold-out shows at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston this past December, as well as interviews with the band and fans. The PLUMP documentary is currently available to view via YouTube:

    Twiddle hits the road in support of PLUMP on Feb. 18 in Portland, Maine. The Plumperdump Tour includes 10 shows in the Northeast as well as a stop at the Aura Music Festival in Florida. Additional spring dates are expected by the end of the month.

    Twiddle Winter Tour Dates

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

    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)

  • Disturbed to Co-Headline With Rob Zombie For 10-Date Spring Tour

    Disturbed and Rob Zombie plan to hit the road together this spring for a co-headlining tour.

    After all these years rocking festivals and arenas everywhere in the world, this will mark the first time ever that these two huge names in rock ‘n roll and heavy metal will join forces and hit the road together.

    The very limited 10-city tour will kick off in Biloxi, Mississippi, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum on May 3, and conclude on May 25, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Sad news is that New Yorkers will have to travel to see this tour as there are no dates in the Empire State for this amazing pairing.

    The co-headlining tour will follow Disturbed’s first tour back from their four-year hiatus. Every show on that tour, which features Nonpoint as the special guest, is sold out. A tour with Rob Zombie will most likely sell out as well. Tour dates for the band will weave in and out of all the festivals that Disturbed is featured on during the world’s loudest month of May.

    Disturbed released their sixth studio album, Immortalized, on Aug. 21. It’s the bands fifth consecutive studio album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with more than 98,000 copies sold in the first week.

    Look for Rob Zombie to most likely close out the shows. Those who have ever been to a Zombie concert can tell you that his concerts have a very high production of various props and elements and becomes a show within a show. Zombie, besides being a musician, likes to bring his film and screenwriting elements to the stage and makes each song in his setlist its own production.

    Pop Evil will support the tour as special guest on most dates. Pop Evil’s fourth studio album, UP, shared the same Aug. 21 release date as Disturbed’s Immortalized.

    Disturbed/Rob Zombie Touring Cycle:

    05-03-2016 – Mississippi Coast Coliseum – Biloxi, MS
    05-04-2016 – Oak Mountain Amphitheater – Birmingham, AL
    05-06-2016 – Aaron’s Amphitheater – Atlanta, GA
    05-07-2016 – Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, TN
    05-10-2016 – Cajundome – Lafayette, LA
    05-11-2016 – CenturyLink Center – Bossier City, LA
    05-17-2016 – US Cellular Center – Cedar Rapids, IA
    05-22-2106 – Hershey Stadium – Hershey, PA
    05-24-2016 – Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI
    05-25-2106 – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum – Fort Wayne, IN

  • Mos Def Retires from Music and Entertainment

    Rapper Mos Def, now known as Yasiin Bey, announced he is retiring from the music industry and Hollywood, effective immediately.mos def

    A message from Yasiin Bey was posted to Kanye West’s website (transcript here) in which he announces that he is retiring from the entertainment industry and will release a final album later this year. The message starts out as a rap, based off West’s “No More Parties in L.A.,” discussing the immigration troubles he is having in South Africa. Bey was arrested for overstaying his travel visa and trying to use a false document. He was detained while trying to use a “world passport” to leave the country. In the rap, he claims the passport is legitimate: “Anyone can do the research about the world passport; it’s not a fictitious document.”

    Regarding his retirement, he says:

    The state of South Africa has interfered with my ability to move or to even fulfill my professional obligations unnecessarily. … And I know it’s been a lot of chatter about what’s going on, you know, people are running to the press, because that’s just…you know, a money making machine. So, it’s another exploitative measure to turn this into some soap opera, some tele-novella, and I have no interest in it. Furthermore, related but not directly related to this: I’m retiring from the music recording industry as it is currently assembled today, and also from Hollywood, effective immediately. I am releasing my final album this year. Um…and that’s that

    Brooklyn’s Mos Def has performed on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul, and he formed the group Black Star with his friend Talib Kweli. He received six Grammy Award nominations between 2005 and 2011. He also has a Hollywood career that includes roles in Bamboozled, Monster’s Ball, The Italian Job and 2005’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, along with a cameo in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. He is best known for being a powerful force behind the 1990s underground hip hop scene and an outspoken advocate against police brutality and for human rights.

  • Radiohead Returns With 2016 Summer Dates

    Radiohead won’t leave some fans high and dry summer 2016.

    The English alt-rock band has officially booked headlining slots for three European festivals — OpenAir S. Gallen (Switzerland), Primavera Sound Music Festival (Spain) and NOS Alive Festival (Portugal) — and is rumored to be playing three North American festivals, including Lollapalooza (Chicago), Outside Lands (San Francisco) and Osheaga Music Festival (Montreal), according to Consequence of Sound. More dates are speculated to be released after the band debuts their much-anticipated ninth studio album.

    In October, the band quietly established the company Dawn Chorus LLP, fueling rumors that a new LP was on its way, as it’s been typical Radiohead fashion in the past to uniquely distribute their work. Let’s not forget when the band let the public pay what they wanted for 2007’s In Rainbows and incorporated Xurbia Xendless Limited beforehand, or when they set up Ticker Tape Limited before releasing The King of Limbs in 2011.

    Most recently, Radiohead recorded a song for the latest James Bond film, Spectre; however, the band noted on their website that “it didn’t work out” and instead shared it as a free download on Soundcloud (hear below) because the tune “became something of our own, which we love very much.”

    Radiohead, consisting of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien and Phil Selway, has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide since coming onto the scene with their debut single “Creep” in 1992 and is always ranked high by Rolling Stone and others as one of the greatest artists of all time.

    This marks the band’s first live performances since 2012, when the five-man group toured in support of The King of Limbs. Radiohead will share the bill with other headlining acts Mumford and Sons, the Chemical Brothers, the Pixies, Tame Impala and LCD Soundsystem, while abroad this June and July. Most of the festival tickets are available for purchase now; stay tuned for more updates on Radiohead’s next album drop date.

  • Snapcase Announces Show in Buffalo to Celebrate 25 Years

    For those who grew up within hardcore, punk and related circles throughout the ’90s, it’s time to dive head-first into nostalgia once again. This week, Snapcase announced a 25-year-anniversary show in their hometown of Buffalo. The preeminent hardcore punk masters are back just like that and their social media has been spun into a worldwide frenzy.

    79-atlgWith posting nothing more than a link to buy tickets, Snapcase made the announcement on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and the hype took off from there. In less than 24 hours, the post has been liked more than 1,000 times, shared more than 200 times, and is nearing 100 comments. Not bad for a band who is technically retired. For anyone that follows the band, though, their ’04-05 breakup wasn’t the end, with reunion shows happening here and there, most recently last summer in Philadelphia at the 10th annual This Is Hardcore Festival.

    While the band never really blew up in the same way some of their peers did, their influence carries a wide breadth and they’re even mentioned by the likes of bands as big as the Deftones. If you were lucky enough to catch them in their heyday, you would understand why their name and music got around. Snapcase relentlessly toured with bands from all different styles of music and never shied away from jumping on a bill or tour with a band doing something different from their own sound. They inspired punks, hardcore kids, and even some metal fans who couldn’t ignore their crushing melodic riffs, inspiring lyrics, and raucous live shows.

    The announced reunion takes place at Buffalo’s Town Ballroom and will be held on Friday, Feb. 26. Judging by the social media hype that already surrounds this one-off appearance, there will be fans from near and far as road trips are already being discussed. Tickets go on sale at noon Friday, Jan. 22. The show will feature two other great hardcore acts of yesteryear in Louisville, Kentucky’s Endpoint and Burlington, Ontario’s Grade as openers. Don’t wait to get your tickets, as there is never a promise of another return and this will most certainly sell out!

    Here’s their full set from last summer’s This Is Hardcore Festival:

  • Glenn Frey, Founding Member of Eagles, Dies at 67

    “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our comrade, Eagles founder, Glenn Frey, in New York City on Monday, January 18, 2016.” A simple statement from a complex band; the announcement was made on the Eagles’ website late Monday. Frey was 67.

    In recent weeks, Frey had been battling rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia, conditions that also led to the postponement of a tribute at Kennedy Center last month. His family included a message to fans in the message on the band’s website:

    The Frey family would like to thank everyone who joined Glenn to fight this fight and hoped and prayed for his recovery.

    Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us, his family, the music community & millions of fans worldwide.

    frey and henley NOJHF 2012Frey was born in Detroit in 1948. By age 19, he was under the tutelage of Bob Seger and contributed backing vocals and acoustic guitar to Seger’s hit, “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” in 1969.

    Upon moving to Los Angeles, Frey crossed paths with future collaborators J.D. Souther, Don Henley, Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon, with the latter three going on to become members of Linda Ronstadt’s 1971 backing band.

    Following the Ronstadt tour, the four went on to form the Eagles and the rest is history. The Eagles went on to become one of the biggest selling artists of all time behind such Frey-penned hits as “Take it Easy,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Heartache Tonight” and “Already Gone.” Frey and Henley shared much of the songwriting and vocal duties on their biggest hits.

    The Eagles broke up in 1980 after Don Felder and Frey nearly came to blows following a concert in Long Beach. Many members went on to successful solo careers with Frey scoring two number one hits in the 80s with “The Heat is On” from the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack and “You Belong to the City” from the television show, Miami Vice. Frey also took a turn at acting during this period. Among his most prominent roles was in Miami Vice in an episode based upon his song “Smuggler’s Blues.”

    A fourteen year band hiatus ended when it embarked upon its Hell Freezes Over album and tour in 1994. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. An album entitled The Long Road Out of Eden was released in 2007 and the band toured through the millennium.

    Despite periods of animosity between them, Don Henley considered Frey a brother. Henley issued the following heartfelt statement regarding the death of his long-time friend:

    “He was like a brother to me; we were family, and like most families, there was some dysfunction. But, the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that the Eagles were dissolved. We were two young men who made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles with the same dream: to make our mark in the music industry — and with perseverance, a deep love of music, our alliance with other great musicians and our manager, Irving Azoff, we built something that has lasted longer than anyone could have dreamed. But, Glenn was the one who started it all. He was the spark plug, the man with the plan. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn’t quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven. He loved is wife and kids more than anything. We are all in a state of shock, disbelief and profound sorrow. We brought our two-year ‘History of the Eagles Tour’ to a triumphant close at the end of July and now he is gone. I’m not sure I believe in fate, but I know that crossing paths with Glenn Lewis Frey in 1970 changed my life forever, and it eventually had an impact on the lives of millions of other people all over the planet. It will be very strange going forward in a world without him in it. But, I will be grateful, every day, that he was in my life. Rest in peace, my brother. You did what you set out to do, and then some.”

    http://youtu.be/aRMlHRo7eAE

  • SPAC Jazz Fest Announces Lineup, Tickets On Sale

    As of 10 a.m. today, tickets for the 39th annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival are on sale to the public. The two-day weekend event is scheduled for June 25 and 26 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC).

    spac jazz fest ticketsThe festival’s 2016 lineup will feature Motown miracle Smokey Robinson and jazz fusion pioneer Chick Corea headlining the SPAC mainstage on Sunday, while Saturday’s headliner is still to be announced.

    Several acts performing this year will make their SPAC and jazz festival debut, including drummer and vocalist Jamison Ross, blues guitarist Eric Lindell, 12-year-old Indonesian jazz pianist Joey Alexander Trio, New Orleans funk ensemble, Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, and jazz-soul vocalist Alicia Olatuja, who performed at the 2013 presidential inauguration. Last year’s showcase included Sheila E., Erykah Badu and Snarky Puppy, among others, and since the festival was founded in 1978, jazz greats like Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, B.B. King and Ray Charles have headlined the event.

    Celebrating 50 years, the 25,000-capacity venue sits in the historic Saratoga Spa State Park. Camping is not permitted on the grounds (free parking opens two hours before the event), but the town of Saratoga offers many options for nearby lodging. The typical concert rules apply for SPAC — no drugs, open water bottles, guns or pets — but for the jazz festival, the venue does allow food, alcohol, coolers and the use of small personal cameras.

    Festival goers can also shop fine arts and crafts on premise, bring home autographed CDs and fill up on Southern-style barbecue, plus other amenities. Stay tuned for jazz fest to announce the June 25 headliner.

  • John Mayer Confirms Trio Back in Studio

    Last week, John Mayer made news when he confirmed his self-titled blues-rock trio would be reuniting.

    As reported on Jambands.com, the singer-songwriter casually posted the picture below on Instagram with bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Steve Jordan, captioned “In the studio, day one.”

    john mayer trio

    Mayer most recently wrapped a tour with Dead and Company, and although official dates have not been confirmed, the promise of future collaborations with the remaining Grateful Dead members was leaked by Dead guitarist Bob Weir in a Periscope interview.

    The John Mayer Trio released their last album, Try!, in 2005, and made their last televised performance together on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” in 2014. The album was nominated for a Grammy, and included “Vultures” and “Gravity” from his then-forthcoming album Continuum. JMT has not announced an official album release day or tour dates.

    john mayer trioThe “Your Body is a Wonderland” crooner was recently spoofed in a Star Wars audition skit on “Saturday Night Live” with other celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal and Wynonna Judd screen testing for roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And this year marks the 10th anniversary of his Grammy-winning pop tune “Waiting on the World to Change.”

    In a video captured last July, Mayer self-described the sound of his possible next album as a mix of his records and explained why he is taking his time with it:

    If you have an album that really saturates, then you can have it out for a long time. One of the ways to find out if a song has legs is you have to write it, then step away from it.”

    Stay tuned for news of the album’s drop date.

  • #LifeIsButAStream: Phish to Webcast Riviera Maya Mexico Shows

    Phish has announced they will be streaming this weekend’s destination event in Mexico via Live Phish. Streams are available for up to 24 hours after the show #LifeIsButAStream

    LifeIsButAStreamStay tuned for daily reviews and photo galleries from Mexico, and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook while enjoying couch tour.

  • Update: Mountain Jam’s Final Lineup Includes Wild Adriatic and Other NY Acts

    Update 2/24/2016:

    Mountain Jam finalized their lineup for this year’s festival. Among the additions are Houndmouth, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Quilt, Darlingside, the Record Company, the Movement and Scott Sharrard. Three New York acts were also added to the lineup, including Albany’s Wild Adriatic, Woodstock’s Elijah Wolf and New Paltz’s Upstate Rubdown. Marco Benevento will play a tribute to David Bowie with Superhuman Happiness.

    The non-musical activities have also been announced and include yoga with Michael Franti, lectures and Q&A sessions on the cannabis industry, and hula hoop classes. There will also be a screening of “Let Us Play,” a new documentary about funk band and festival performer Lettuce.

    Original post:

    An annual tradition nestled in the heart of the Catskills, Mountain Jam has unveiled their lineup for 2016, featuring big names, newcomers and familiar acts that make the festival one of the most established in the Northeast.

    This year’s lineup features headliners Beck, Wilco, The Avett Brothers, Gov’t Mule and Umphrey’s McGee. Additional acts include Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Gary Clark Jr., Michael Franti & Spearhead, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Courtney Barnett, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Lettuce, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, the New Mastersounds, and Third World.

    A few New York acts are on the bill, including Turkuaz and Donna the Buffalo, plus regional acts Son Little, the London Souls, Cabinet, the Ballroom Thieves with Maine Youth Rock Orchestra, And the Kids, Love Canon, Marcus King Band, Con Brio, Jane Lee Hooker, Copious Jones, Madaila, the Suitcase Junket and Paul Green Rock Academy.
    Thievery Corporation will take things into the late night. More acts will be announced in coming weeks.

    Tickets are on sale now.