Upstate New York rock band Iüdica just got out of the studio after recording their first album entitled Brain Carvings and debuted it in proper fashion. Earlier this month, the band held an album release party at Gug’s in Glens Falls, NY with Paradox Saints, Chestnut Grove, Dustin Sawyer and Germy Cats supporting them. NYS Music spoke to frontman Brian Alvarado, drummer Nate Fidd and bassist Chris Walker about their recent rise in the scene.
Frank Cavone: First of all, I would like to congratulate you guys on the new EP Brain Carvings. What was the process like writing the album all the way to mixing?
Brian Alvarado: Recording and mixing this EP with Jason Brown at Starling Studios was a great experience. I had the worst feeling in my stomach the days leading up to the recording session. The band had practiced every week several times a week for months leading up to the recording session though, and we all managed to talk ourselves into a point of calm collected mindsets.
After about an hour of setup, we recorded these songs in one take. Everything, the vocals, drums, guitars at once – but through separate tracks of course. It was amazingly easy, and after all that worry – we proved to ourselves we were indeed ready to rock. After a couple of touch ups here and there, we are now left with our Brain Carvings EP.
FC: So the name Iüdica is a cool name that you guys chose as a band. Where did the name originate from?
Nate Fidd: Brian actually had the name from a prior band. It was the name of a song first.
BA:Iüdica is a Latin word that means to judge yourself. Especially from past actions that you make and transgression with the same conviction as god himself.
FC: What were your influences prior to forming the band?
Chris Walker: I like to keep an open mind but I would definitely say that classic rock and grunge are my favorite genres of music.
FC: What are your favorite local bands that you have played with?
NF: There are a lot of great bands in the area but I would have to say playing with Formula 5 at a benefit concert was pretty cool and the Paradox Saints.
FC: Over the past year, the music scene in Glens Falls has expanded. For those outside the area, what is your scene like?
BA: My favorite venue to play is and always will be Gug’s. I see a lot of potential in places like the 190 grille. The scene is developing and I think that we are in the middle of a boom. There is going to be even more live and local music and that is what the area needs more of.
To check out the Iüdica’s new album check out their Bandcamp and stay up to date with the band on their Facebook page.
The 120th annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival will take place this year on Feb. 3-12. NYS Music is proud to present the 10 day line-up for The Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge, which will feature 16 acts of both local artists and national touring acts.
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is the longest-running event of its kind in the eastern U.S. Originally established in 1897, the event has since grown into the 10-day celebration that it is today.
The Primate Fiasco uses instruments that are loud without electricity, giving them the opportunity to attack at any moment, in any location, with or without permission. No one is safe, not even an elevator or city bus. If the Primate Fiasco sees a dull moment somewhere, they will pop out of the nearest sewer drain or trash can to lead an irresistible dance party.
On stage, the sound is different. This band has pioneered what is possible with mind-bending accordion, funky pockets of a hyperactive Sousaphone player, and banjo that thinks it’s a Fender Strat. Add lyrics that grab hold of even the most inattentive audience and beats that channel surf like a remote that’s been sat upon. The music is always high energy and extremely imaginative. Most importantly, this is fun. People smile from the first beat to the last smoldering ash of what was previously a dance floor.
Annie in the Water’s music is a groovy combination of reggae, funk, rock, blues and jam, written with a conscious dose of positive vibes, unique melodies and intelligent lyrics. With the ability to fill an entire night with original music and also render well-known covers into a signature style, fans share extraordinary experiences that can’t be seen anywhere else.
After nine years performing more than 600 shows in over 13 states, the original duo of founding members Brad Hester and Michael Lashomb also lead a full band that will shock your soul into euphoria. The full band line-up includes featured members Joshua West (formerly of Lucid) on drums/percussion, Dillon Goodfriend (Fox Richardson) on keys/backing and Anthony Leombruno (Capital Zen) on Bass. Occasionally the lineup may feature percussionist Bill Bentz (Exit 30) and various woodwind or brass members.
Lucid decided to take a hiatus from touring in early 2016, after 13 years on the road. The band’s culminating performance in April captivated a sold out crowd at the newly renovated Strand Theater, in their hometown of Plattsburgh NY. Lucid’s only other appearance last year was at their home festival Backwoods Pondfest in Peru, NY. One of the reasons the band wanted to take a break from touring was so they could slow down and be more deliberate in their choice of venues and events. When asked about playing Winter Carnival in Saranac Lake, Lowell Wurster said “All the guys were really excited at the idea. We have been playing the Waterhole for many years, and we love Saranac Lake and the people who live there. We always have a blast up in the mountains; it truly is our second home.” In addition to a genuine love for the Adirondacks, the Waterhole has special meaning to Lucid because of its proprietors, Eric & Kiki. “They have done a stellar job keeping the music alive up there. The bands they are bringing in have raised the bar in the North Country music scene, and we are so excited to be a part of what they are creating. We want to help them keep the momentum building, ”
Eastbound Jesus draws on a mix of diverse influences from the worlds of bluegrass, country and rock and roll to develop their own sound that is at the same time distinctly familiar and completely original, one that they have dubbed “Northern Rock,” These six friends from the rural upstate New York town of Greenwich have released four studio albums and a live album over the past five years, all while packing venues across the northeast with an infectious energy that gets people smiling, dancing, and hollerin’!
Donna the Buffalo just celebrated their 25th year as a band and have proven to be a consistent purveyor of American music. What’s the recipe? To be sure, it’s infused with more spices than you’ll find at a Cajun cookout by way of a southern-fried, rockin’ country old-time jamboree. “For the dizzying array of styles and genres with which they work, Donna The Buffalo maintain a surprising level of consistency. The New York-based band has played around with folk, zydeco, and many other musical ideas over the course of their 25-year career, but they retain a sharp focus that has helped them create some truly lasting music,” writes Elmore Magazine.
If any band is a poster child for turning the power of positive thoughts and intention into reality, it’s the explosive horn-and-percussion trio Moon Hooch. In just a few short years, the group—Wilbur, fellow horn player Wenzl McGowen, and drummer James Muschler—has gone from playing on New York City subway platforms to touring with the likes of Beats Antique, They Might Be Giants, and Lotus, as well as selling out their own headline shows in major venues around the country. On Red Sky, their third and most adventurous album to date, the band uses everything they’ve learned from their whirlwind journey to push their sound to new heights, bringing together the raw, transcendent energy of their live performances and the sleek sophistication of their studio work into a singular, intoxicating brew that blends elements of virtuoso jazz, groovy funk, and pulse-pounding electronic dance music.
Currently based out of Massachusetts, the vocal cord conductor known as Honeycomb has quickly risen to the top of the food chain of northeast beatboxers, placing 13th in the 2015 American Beatbox Championships. With a unique approach as an equally versed music producer, and a frequent collaborator in both the live and studio settings, Honeycomb has built a sound fan base for himself through original productions and ear popping performances.
Jiggawaltz is a six piece band hailing from Burlington, VT and Upstate NY focused on performance, engaging their audience with tightly woven compositions and elegant sections of improvisation. Fusing together many influences including classic rock, funk, electronic dance music, Latin jazz, soul, disco, and metal to create a unique pallet of sounds sure to entertain audiences from all walks of life. With original songs that uniquely decorate time with melody and harmony and a large repertoire of covers, Jiggawaltz often blends songs together to create a rich collage of sound.
Spirit Family Reunion is a touring band based out of New York that aims to deliver raw, high-energy honest music. They have self-produced and self-released two full-length albums (No Separation in 2012 and Hands Together in 2015) as well as multiple songbooks and other collections of recordings.
Folkfaces is a group out of Buffalo, NY that plays 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.
Swampcandy is an internationally touring, primitive blues influenced Americana duo. Ruben Dobbs’ aggressive finger-picking and rhythmic style (which often adds up to sounding like more than one guitar) combined with Joey Mitchell’s bass playing, pounding kick drum and percussive bass throttling (representing the presence of a full drum kit) easily fill up the sonic space normally created by a trio or even a four-piece. Dobbs’ soulful, passionate vocals are the glue that holds it all together and makes the band tick.
Since their conception, ten piece funk/soul band West End Blend has been playing their version of 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. Behind her, the Blend packs a four-piece horn section, two guitars, bass, keyboards and drums onto stages every night. From humble beginnings in an epic sweaty funky basement dance party, the Blend’s goal has always been to bring that same atmosphere to every show.
To understand Bella’s Bartok, imagine what you would get if Salvador Dali and Toulouse Lautrec were fronting the Moulin Rouge’s house band, and you have the exuberant spectacle that is Bella’s Bartok. Described as “about as much fun as you can have with your pants on” (Dan Wolovick, Two Way Monologues), this six-piece powerhouse melds Bohemian Klezmer punk with pop sensibilities into an eminently danceable party. The diversity of musicians that make up Bella’s Bartok, combined with their boundless energy on stage, has been known to break a dance floor, or two (or three, but who’s counting?). Their sound moves way beyond labels, pushing the envelope towards the darker side of Eastern European music, referencing Vaudeville and 20th century eclecticism.
February 12– Folkfaces
Folkfaces is a group out of Buffalo, NY that plays 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.
Musicians have joined forces to livestream a concert, Streamstock, during Inauguration Day on Friday, Jan. 20, to protest the Inauguration of the 45th president of the U.S.Streamstock 2017, an online music and arts festival that describes itself as, “by the people and for the people,” will begin at the same time as the Inaugural Address to raise awareness for various progressive causes.
The festival reached out to the public asking for musicians, spoken word artists and poets to submit videos of their work to be a part of the performance. Besides the performance, Streamstock’s main goal is looking to promote progressive causes supported by themselves and the bands on the lineup.
The grassroots project hopes the event will help bring awareness to groups like the NAACP, ACLA, GLAAD, Women’s Rights and Environmental Organizations, Standing Rock and more, which they feel will need additional support under the Trump presidency.
In order to view the event, viewers must have the Facebook Messenger app. Visit the Streamstock 2017 Facebook page to download their app. The event launches at 10 a.m.
Talking Under Water has emerged from the studio, where they recorded their first full-length album, which will be available in April. On Friday, January 13, the five-piece indie rock band performed some of those new songs to a live audience for the first time.
Talking Under Water played to an intimate audience at one of their favorite hometown venues, the Little Theatre Café in Rochester. Situated in Rochester’s East End district, the café is located inside the Little Theatre. This cozy spot seats 70 people, and was relatively full with friends, fans, and café patrons. However, it wasn’t long before it became standing room only, as the theater-going crowd was drawn in by the music.
The set started with a new tune, “Lost,” with singer Dave Chisholm on guitar, Elise Hughey on cello, Sam Thomas on vocals, Matt Bevan-Perkins on drums and Colin Gordon on keyboard. The heartfelt song is typical of the band’s ability to morph elements of rock, jazz, and blues into their own contemporary style.
Chisholm introduced the songs, and talked a little about them. “Rubber Band,” is about distractibility. “Window to Witness” is about having compassion despite differences. And as the name suggests, “5 am” was written on a sleepless morning.
They also played tunes from their EP’s, which are notable not only for the music but also the lyrical storytelling. Chisholm spun a tale of an unrequited love triangle in the anthemic “Tossing and Turning.” In the breathtakingly melancholy “First Act,” Chisholm sang the lines, “You try to breathe her in/ To always have a part of her contained within/ ‘Cause any day she’ll walk away/ You still can’t help it/ It’s a sin.”
The melodies swelled and crested in artful arrangement, as Chisholm sung in his soulful voice and Thomas harmonized. Bevan-Perkins used a small drum kit for this performance, but pulled out some interesting tools like drum brushes. Gordon’s played the keys with heart, but would have had a fuller sound if he had access to a piano. The overall depth of the music was enhanced by the prominent use of the cello. Conservatory-trained cellist Hughey played with equal measures of skill and emotional expression.
A cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” was also thrown in for fun. The other songs they covered mid-set reflected their musical influences – “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” by Bob Dylan, and “Lua” by Bright Eyes. Some more original songs rounded out the two-hour set. On “Hopeful,” the audience was invited to stomp and clap along. The night ended with the final song off the forthcoming album, “If My Body Freezes.”
Talking Under Water’s yet-to-be-titled debut album will be released April 28, 2017. In the meantime, their current body of work can be streamed on Spotify or purchased on Bandcamp or on iTunes. Follow the band on Facebook or Twitter for updates on the album and plans for an album release party.
Set list: Lost, We Used to Dream, Nomad, The Truth, Tossing & Turning, Only the Strong Survive, Days Like Today, Gravity, Window to Witness, Blank Space (Taylor Swift), 5 am, Space, Time Machine, Horizon, Rubber Band, First Act, Jealous Guy (John Lennon), Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right (Bob Dylan) Luna (Bright Eyes), The Boxer, Hopeful, If My Body Freezes
Mike Powell returns to Syracuse this Saturday. However, he won’t be wielding the lacrosse stick that helped him become the all-time leading scorer with Syracuse University’s acclaimed lacrosse program. This time he comes packing his guitar and his new band, Mike Powell and The Black River.
The show, at Funk ‘n Waffles Downtown, will feature Powell playing double duty. He’ll open the show with his solo material, which should be heavy on music from his latest album Tied to the Rail (reviewed here by NYS Music in December). Powell’s solo material draws heavy influence from Bob Dylan and John Prine. His soulful voice and deep lyrics take the listener on an introspective ride. TheBoston Globe has called him, “a polite rebel; a truly unique and inspiring American voice.”
Following Powell’s solo set, his band The Black River, named after the North Country waterway of the same name where Powell was raised, joins him for a set of high energy indie/soul/rock.
The band (guitarist John Hanus, bassist Joe Bell, keyboardist Shane Kelson and Dom Scicchitano on the drums) formed in October of 2016 and has been busy laying down tracks at Big Blue North Recording Studio in Utica for its debut album, scheduled to arrive in March.
Doors open at 6:30 and Powell’s solo set will begin at 7. Tickets, available via Ticket Fly or at the door, are $10.
Long Island pop punk band Times Like These announced that they are working on a second EP, Take It or Leave It. Coinciding with the announcement, they released the single “Too Little Too Late,” as a free download on Bandcamp. The song was produced and co-written with Okan Kazdal of the band This Is All Now. Both bands will be playing a show at Revolution Bar and Music Hall in Amityville on January 29.
Mike Acampora (lead vocals/guitar), Zach Dyer (bass/vocals), and Eddie Giuffo (lead guitar) have been friends since high school, and formed Times Like These in the summer of 2015. NYS Music reached out to Mike to learn a little more about this up-and-coming band.
Paula Cummings: How did you decide on the name Times Like These?
Mike Acampora: We were going back-and-forth with names for a while, and there is a lyric in the All Time Low song “Noel.” We thought the lyric was cool, and the name would be cool and it kind of just stuck after that.
PC: Based on the band name, it’s safe to guess that All Time Low is a band that you are inspired by. Who else would you list?
MA: Yeah, All Time Low is a huge inspiration. Other bands would be State Champs, With Confidence, Neck Deep, and of course Blink 182 and Green Day.
PC: Tell me about the new single.
MA: It’s called “Too Little Too Late,” it’ll be the first song we drop off the new EP which is called Take It or Leave It and we are super stoked about it. We are so proud of this song. It also features Okan Kazdal from This Is All Now. It’s just so awesome in itself to be able to work with such a fun and talented person like Okan.
PC: What is Take It or Leave It like, compared to your first EP Follow Your Stupid Dreams?
MA: I would say it’s definitely a change, not a huge change, but our writing has improved and I want to say this EP has more pop in it. It’s still a pop punk/pop rock EP but the pop influence definitely shows a lot.
PC: What are the meanings behind the names of your EP’s?
MA:Follow Your Stupid Dreams was all about doing what you wanted and never letting anyone hold you back. Days before the album came out we had people send us their dream jobs and we posted them all with the hashtag Follow Your Stupid Dreams and it was really cool having all these people open up to us and tell us about their life goals and telling us what they want to do for the rest of their life. And when you dream big, there will be people who shut you down and tell you you’ll never be able to do the things you want to do. Follow Your Stupid Dreams is all about ignoring those people and dreaming big and not letting anyone shut down your master plan. As for Take It or Leave It, the name comes from a lyric in one of our songs off the new EP called “Chicago” and we felt that the lyric was so strong that it should be the EP title!
PC: I heard that you’re upgrading your equipment. Are you getting a new guitar?
MA: Yes! We all got new guitars and basses! I just got a new Fender Duo Sonic with an orange cab. Zach just got a new Jaguar bass with a Snake eyes cab. And Eddie just got a new LTD guitar with a Marshall cab.
PC: What has been the best gig so far?
MA: We played a show at a local spot called O’Briens a few weeks back. We packed it and the whole room was screaming our lyrics and moshing. It was just so cool. All the shows we play there are always amazing. So many people come out to see us there, and we always make sure we put on an amazing show.
PC: Your band profile lists your interest as milkshakes. What are each of your favorite flavors?
MA: Eddie digs chocolate shakes. Zach and I are more fans of vanilla milkshakes.
PC: Want to give a shout out to your favorite place to get milkshakes?
If you have never been to a house concert, you definitely must go at least one time. This past weekend, Syracuse Fleet Feet owners Ed and Ellen Griffin opened their home to folk rock artist Adam Ezra as he makes his trek across the country on his “Get Folked” tour. The concept for this tour began last year as a way to raise money to give his band a month off from their extremely busy schedules. It was well received as fans graciously opened their homes to Adam and locals flocked in to these sell out shows.
The concept for a house show is not one that’s new at all. In fact, as Adam pointed out, this was how artists first began to play for audiences centuries ago. The acoustic show is up close and personal, like a family gathering of sorts. Sharing stories behind the music, Adam narrates how these concepts for the songs came about, giving audience members even more substance to the already thought provoking music and an insight to his personal life.
Adam’s songwriting ability is phenomenal. His story telling abilities are of the highest caliber. As I sat there listening to his music, it reminded me of the feeling I get when listening to Jackson Brown’s music, one of my all time favorite song writers. Although similar, it’s unique. It inflicts his wit, his insight and his soul into tunes that are diverse and not repetitive in the least, bringing awareness to relevant topics and situations. His talents have been recognized by those in the industry as well. He recently took a trek to Nashville to collaborate with Grammy Award winning artist John Oates on a series of songs for movies. Singing some of those tunes as well as many from his extensive catalog of music, attendees were treated to songs they requests and a few new ones as well that have yet to be recorded.
Adam’s philosophy of music is refreshing. He believes that music is created to be shared. Found on the merch table along with his latest CDs and t-shirts, is an “I Love You” box . He encourages all to help themselves to his music and if they wish they can throw some love into the box. Whether it’s $20, $10, or a million, he won’t price his work as he writes it to share with others. In fact, Adam and his band currently have a Pledgemusic campaign underway to produce and share an album with and by his fans. This campaign is unique as the packages created are to help create a fan produced album to give away to all. Listing all possible tracks, fans will choose all songs to be included. Take a peek as Adam explains more about the campaign below.
The “Get Folked” tour is well under way so take a peek at the schedule on Adam’s page to see if they will be coming to a town close by, and don’t hesitate to see if tickets are still available as many are already sold out.
Setlist: Basement Song, Chelsea You’re Alright, You Speak Girl, Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper cover), I Believe, The Toast, Steal Your Daughter, All I Am, Chasin, Thunder Road (Bruce Springsteen cover), Cover Man, Hippie Girl, Sprig, Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen cover), The Devil Came Up to Boston, Let It Be (Beatles cover)
Frank Cavone: First of all, I would like to congratulate you guys on the new EP Brain Carvings. What was the process like writing the album all the way to mixing?
The 120th annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival will take place this year on Feb. 3-12. NYS Music is proud to present the 10 day line-up for 
Currently based out of Massachusetts, the vocal cord conductor known as 
Spirit Family Reunion
Since their conception, ten piece funk/soul band 
To understand 
Following Powell’s solo set, his band The Black River, named after the North Country waterway of the same name where Powell was raised, joins him for a set of high energy indie/soul/rock.
