NYS Music 20​17

Category: News Desk

  • ‘Ambitious’ Festival Planned for ASO Maestro

    The Albany Symphony plans to conclude David Alan Miller’s 25th anniversary season with an “ambitious” arrangement for this year’s American Music Festival.

    david alan miller directorThe American Music Festival includes more than 15 concerts and events between Wednesday, May 31 and Sunday, June 4.

    The 2017 American Music Festival will be the our most ambitious and exciting festival yet,” said Albany Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director David Alan Miller. “It will celebrate the uniqueness of our Capital Region as the gateway to the Erie Canal, as we prepare to kick off the Erie Canal Bicentennial with our magnificent orchestral barge trip from Albany to Buffalo during the first week of July. Even more, it will celebrate the magnificent diversity and richness of living American composers and their music through a myriad of extraordinary and diverse concerts and related activities. We hope our friends and music lovers everywhere will join us for lots of the events to experience the incredible breadth of contemporary musical art being created today. It’s so much fun to just hang out with us and with all our amazing featured creative artists all weekend long.

    This year’s festival, “Water Music,” will include more than 40 new works, including compositions by 2016 Grammy Award-winning composer Michael Daugherty, Christopher Theofanidis, Reena Esmail, Viet Cuong, Saad Haddad, and winners of the “Composer to Center Stage Reading Session” call-for-scores competition.

    Many of the works amplify the festival’s theme, which celebrates the waters that surround us, and advance the ASO’s mission of giving voice to innovative new works, with a particular emphasis on young and emerging composers. Viet Cuong’s newly commissioned work, which will be premiered by the ASO’s new music ensemble, Dogs of Desire, is a programmatic concerto for the percussion quartet inspired by the limitless power of wind, water, and sun, and the technologies that are transforming the way communities generate sustainable energy. Cuong’s premiere is part of the ASO’s continuing partnership with GE Renewable Energy to explore the ways in which the arts, business, and technology can intersect and influence each other.

    In addition to the Dogs of Desire performance on Friday, June 2 and the full orchestra’s signature festival concert on Saturday, June 3, Festival highlights include 16 world premiere performances, “This Land Sings,” a song-cycle by Michael Daugherty inspired by the life and times of Woody Guthrie, a recital by Sandbox Percussion, and the Argus Quartet, performing works by Christopher Theofanidis and Sleeping Giant’s Rob Honstein and Chris Cerrone. T

    The festival will also feature a special preview concert of seven newly commissioned works for “Water Music NY,” the orchestra’s seven-day barge tour and cross-cultural celebration of the bicentennial of New York’s Erie Canal to take place from July 2 to July 8 across New York state. Community events beyond the concert hall include a guided River Walk with the Rensselaer County Historical Society, and a curated poetry reading at Troy Kitchen.

    For information, including how to purchase tickets and festival passes to the American Music Festival, visit albanysymphony.com or call the Albany Symphony Box Office at (518) 694-3300.

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYS Music. TheSpot518 and NYS Music work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene in the Capital District and New York state, respectively. For more, visit TheSpot518.com.

  • Lockn’ Announces Special Guests and New Layout

    Lockn’ Festival recently announced several special guests making appearances and collaborations, including Bob Weir joining the Avett Brothers and Ann Wilson of Heart joining Gov’t Mule. The 2017 festival will also feature an improved layout, allowing for better sight lines and easier access to food and other amenities from the campsites.

    Attendees at this year’s Lockn’ Festival, now in its fifth year, will notice a change to the layout. The central venue now encompasses both the main stage and the Blue Ridge Bowl, allowing for improved sight lines and easier access to non-stop music throughout the weekend. The new layout allows for easier access to the food, drink, and merchandise vendors, as well as more efficient entrance and exit from the campgrounds.

    In addition to the layout changes, this year’s Lockn’ features an expanded Garcia’s Forest, which will include a full size replica of Terrapin Station. The iconic porch will feature nightly musical performances from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Midnight North and the Nicole Atkins Band. There will be additional morning performances, dubbed “Piano on the Porch,” by Melvin Seals, Holly Bowling, Danny Louis and others.

    The festival lineup includes several high profile collaborations and special guests. The headlining set is a performance by Phil Lesh and Bob Weir with the Terrapin Family Band joined by Nicki Bluhm. They will play the 1977 Grateful Dead album Terrapin Station in its entirety. Weir also joins the Avett Brothers, who make their Lockn’ debut this year. Ann Wilson of Heart teams up with Gov’t Mule. Moonalice will feature special guest Jorma Kaukonen.

    Lockn’ takes place Aug. 24 to 27 in Arrington, Virginia. Tickets for the festival are on sale now.

  • So Last Year Embarking on Northeast Tour

    Rochester indie pop band So Last Year is setting off on a month-long journey through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and for the first time, Massachusetts. Tour kicks off on June 3 with a hometown show at the California Brew Haus and includes stops in Buffalo on June 18 and Syracuse on June 25.

    So Last Year describes their distinctive sound as “vibrant pop/indie-rock with a little bit of piano and a lot of soul.” On tour, they will be playing songs from theirself-released full length albums, It’s Later Than You Think (2013) and In Light of Summer (2015). Formed in 2013 from members of prog rock project Inneriot and other musicians, they’ve undergone some amicable lineup changes. The ensemble currently consists ofLogan Van Epps (vocals, keys), Jon Stowell (guitar), Jason Campbell (guitar), Curtis Matteson (bass), Mitch VanDenBerghe (drums).

    Tour Dates:

    June 3 – Rochester, NY – The California Brew Haus
    June 8 – Boston, MA – TBA
    June 9 – Pembrooke, MA – Lucky Dawg
    June 10 – Tauton, MA – Allaboutrecords
    June 11 – Boston, MA – house show
    June 15 – Pittsburgh, PA – house show
    June 16 – Kent, OH – The Outpost
    June 17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Black Forge Coffee
    June 18 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works
    June 25 – Syracuse, NY – Spark Art Gallery

    Follow So Last Year on Facebook and Instagram for tour updates.

  • Get Ready for Second Annual IT Fest with Intrepid Travelers!

    Founded on friendship, fun and a sense of freedom. Intrepid Travelers are a quartet based in Buffalo that defines itself through boundless improvisation and eclectic evolution. 2017 has been a huge year for the band. Touring relentlessly around the United States from coast to coast, the fellas in IT have been redefining the limitations of improvisational music, and have their own fest. Be sure to check them out at Summer Camp if you are there this weekend.

    A little bit about IT:   Two days and two nights including Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10. Entrance to the festival will cost you just $20. The festival is held on the beautiful private property of Josh Skowronski in Alden, NY. Enter at the green gate on South Blossom Lea Drive. This is an all weather event. Parking and camping are included upon entry. The Land itself is 14 gorgeous acres with hiking trails and the beautiful Cayuga Creek. There will be an array of food and drink vendors on site. Intrepid Travelers will play three sets over the two days. One on Friday and two on Saturday. Saturday night’s set will feature live painting from various Buffalo artists. Music ends at 10pm each night.

    IT Fest’s mission is to showcase local talent across Western New York. This year will feature fire performer Asha Ashwell on Friday and Saturday night. Saturday morning will feature a yoga class with Ashley Strazzella. Saturday afternoon will also feature a Kan Jam tournament, a hoop class, a workshop on mysticism, spirituality, public health and tarot card readings! Their goal for the weekend is to create a temporary community in which the arts are brought to the forefront in unison with nature. After the music ends each night there will be a massive campfire. Bring your instruments for the campfire jams. More information here.

    I’ll leave you with a message from Josh & Intrepid Travelers:

    “The band and I look forward to having you share in the special event with us. See you at the Land.”

    * Please no fireworks, illegal substances or unauthorized vending*

  • Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals to Host Non-Profits

    The legendary Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals will host a formal non-profits village for the first time since their foundings in the 1950s. Non-profit organizations from Rhode Island and the surrounding states will be part of the “Participation Row” social action village at both festivals.

    The Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival will make it easier for attendees to make a positive impact on the community through Participation Row. Organized by Headcount, Participation Row will feature several non-profit organizations focused on environmental protection, health and civic participation. Each organization will feature a specific action attendees can take to better the world around them and help the festivals make a positive impact on the community. Headcount is currently accepting applications for Participation Row.

    In addition to Participation Row, Headcount, who has had a presence at Newport Folk Festival for nearly a decade, will host a silent auction to benefit the participating organizations.

    The Newport Folk Festival takes place July 28 to 30 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Performers include the Fleet Foxes, Wilco, John Prine, Regina Spektor, American Acoustic (Punch Brothers, I’m With Her and Julian Lage), the Drive-By Truckers and Alone & Together (Kevin Morby, Sam Cohen, Eric D. Johnson of the Fruit Bats, Joe Russo and Josh Kaufman). Tickets for the festival are sold out, but the organizers setup an official fan ticket exchange.

    The Newport Jazz Festival takes place Aug. 4 to 6 also at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. The festival features headliners Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Snarky Puppy and The Roots. Other performers include Maceo Parker, the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Rhiannon Giddens, Hudson (Jack DeJohnette, Larry Grenadier, John Medeski and John Scofield), Philadelphia Experiment (Questlove, Christian McBride and Uri Caine), John Medeski on solo piano and D.J. Logic’s Project Logic. Tickets are available now for $170 for a three-day pass or $145 for a two-day Saturday and Sunday pass. Single-day tickets are also available for $65 for Friday and $79 for Saturday or Sunday. The Newport Jazz Festival offers a special student ticket for $20 each day for students ages 16 and older with a valid student ID.

    Headcount is currently accepting applications for Participation Row for both festivals.

  • Phish Celebrates 20 Years of WaterWheel

    This year marks the 20 year anniversary of the WaterWheel Foundation, the organization that oversees Phish’s charitable activities. To celebrate this milestone, two special pre-show celebrations are planned prior to two of the band’s Baker’s Dozen shows at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

    Two pre-show celebrations benefitting the WaterWheel Foundation will take place prior to the July 22 and Aug. 5 Phish shows during their Baker’s Dozen run of 13 shows at Madison Square Garden. The celebrations will benefit five different non-profit organizations. The proceeds from the July 22 event will go to four organizations, to be individually selected by each of the band’s four members. Proceeds from the Aug. 5 event will benefit the Mockingbird Foundation, supporting music education.

    Tickets to the event include access to a two-hour celebration with complimentary cocktails and a light dinner. Attendees will receive a WaterWheel event poster designed by Jim Pollock, a specialty chocolate bar created and donated by Asher’s Chocolates, access to a raffle and/or auction for Phish memorabilia from the Phish Archives, early access to the concert venue and access to a private lounge at set-break.

    Tickets for the celebrations are available now for $200. The 21 and over event is open only to ticket-holders for the concert on the evening of the pre-show celebration.

  • Summer Camp Music Festival Returns for 17th Installment this weekend

    Music Festival season gets underway across the country in May, and Summer Camp Music Festival has made a mark for being a destination event in the Midwest. Umphrey’s McGee, moe., Trey Anastasio Band, Pretty Lights Live and dozens more can be seen this weekend, May 25-28 at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL. New York State artists Aqueous, Break Science, Eric Krasno Band, Escort, Turkuaz, Intrepid Travelers, Wild Adriatic, and of course moe., will perform at the four-day festival, now in its 17th year.

    Summer Camp has a lot going on, making it tough to see it all, but far from overwhelming like mega-concerts and nowhere near the dumpster fire that is/was Fyre Festival. Check out the full schedule here, or create your own on the Summer Camp app (highly recommended).

    Listen to your Counselors!

    You should listen to your counselors. Seriously, these are the pros who know Summer Camp inside and out. They’re the best resource for Scampers of all ages and experience levels. Read the handbook, which covers virtually every detail and question about the festival, and if you still have questions, join the Facebook group where you can find answers to virtually any question that may arise over the weekend.

    When it comes to camping, unless you’re in an RV, NYS Music recommends the field between Sunshine and Camping (Area D in the map above). Why? Because you are proximate to five stages—Sunshine, Starshine, Vibe Tent, Camping and Soulshine Tent (very underrated, even late at night)—and although there is no shade, you’ll love being able to catch a set of music while chilling between sets of music. The Woods are a solid option as well if you have a smaller set up, but fear not—the sprawling area in the woods is one of the coolest areas to walk through at any festival, night or day.

    And while you are at Summer Camp, Make a Difference! there are so many ways to leave Three Sisters Park better than how you found it; clean up trash, cigarette butts, bring a reusable water bottle, recycle your waste and check out the Soulshine Tent to find ways to bring some of that positive energy from Summer Camp back home with you.

    Then, of course, what do you do when you want to relive a little bit of Summer Camp from your youth? You participate in Field Day! Yes, Field Day is an annual tradition at Summer Camp, one that has a rightful place in the history of the festival. Started in 2011, the annual event takes the cake as the most unique and most fun non-musical component of Summer Camp. Sign up online, and the first 100 get a free team bandana on Friday from noon–1 p.m. at the Vibe Tent. Come back Saturday at 3 p.m. and participate in capture the flag, arm wrestling, spelling bee, banana eating contest and much more, with a Champions ceremony at noon Sunday. Field Day is open to all, the smack talk is free and it has become a growing event everyone should check out, whether as spectator or participant.

    The Field Day staff shared a little insight into why you should take part in Field Day:

    The number-one reason why people should sign up is because of the amount of awesome people you’ll meet doing so, especially myself Ashley Pardy. What keeps me coming back is all of the memories, and the Red Team wins. I mean would you leave a team that has won almost every year?” – Ashley Pardy

    “You will meet amazing people, laugh your ass off and drink free beer. Participating in one of the many cool activities at Summer Camp will make your festival experience unique beyond just seeing shows.”
    – Jessica Coughlin

    “Bragging rights.” –  Elizabeth Cox

    What memories of past years keep these wonderful staff keep coming back, year after year?

    I come back year after year because the people are so amazing. Favorite memory is Sheppy nearly getting arrested by some serious looking state troopers for defacing an American flag, while simultaneously being hoisted on our shoulders raising the red flag after yet another contested victory.”
    – Anthony Piccirilli (Shep talked his way out of it and the cop came to our keg party.)

    “Mud Tug-o-War, Drunken Spelling Bees, Sheppy drunken walks with the cup.” – Elizabeth Cox

    “Drunken Spelling Bees.” – Anthony Piccirilli

    And while sunrise kickball isn’t an official activity, it has been the unofficial opening ceremony of the games for six years now. This is one of the highlights of Summer Camp; at 5:30 a.m. come to the Sunshine Stage for a game of kickball with faithful fans led by Ryan Stasik. There will be trampolines, bacon at second base and no apparent rules; it is the most beautiful and absurd shit-show ever witnessed, and one worth staying up for!

    There you have it; NYS Music gives you the ins and outs of Summer Camp 2017. Make sure to follow us all weekend on Twitter and Instagram to live vicariously if you can’t make the trip to the Midwest.

  • Strange Machines To Host Inaugural Festival At The Stone Church In NH

    June 2 & 3, Strange Machines will host the very first Strange Days Festival at The Stone Church in Newmarket, NH. The guys are bringing a jam-heavy lineup to one of their favorite venues. An intimate Friday night includes an opening set from Litz and the first of many from the Strange Train. Saturday is an all day affair that ends with a double dose from the hosts, including a Doors tribute set. Single-day passes are available and a two-day pass is only $20 and worth every penny. Check out the event on Facebook and catch the band as they head south this week on a short tour before playing at Domefest this weekend.

  • Top DJ School Accused of Scamming Students and Teachers, CEO Steps Down

    A mix of 55 students and teachers have claimed one of the top electronic music production and DJ schools of scamming them out of classes that they have paid for, reports Thump. The students and teachers have accused Dubspot CEO, Dan Giove, of fraudulent activities and erratic behavior.

    Classes paid for by the students were never delivered, with no refunds offered by Dubspot. Classes cost students anywhere between $150 and $10,000. Students complained of poor communication by the Dubspot staff, and constantly rescheduling classes on numerous occasions. Students were left scratching their heads, instead of their turntables. Classes that weren’t cancelled saw instructors not showing up due to teaching fees not being paid.

    Nina Braith, a student from Austria, paid $4,396 for a Ableton Live Producer Certificate course that was supposed to start in March at the school’s New York location. She decided to visit the school in person after not hearing of an official start date for the course. After many unsuccessful attempts to have her money refunded, she took to her credit card company who did refund her money. Braith stated about the events:

    The school was a mess. There was hardly any equipment there anymore and I was offended by a guy who was [at the school], and rudely asked me to leave. I have spoken to two teachers who had worked at Dubspot before and can’t believe how much money Dan Giove already owes to so many people, students and teachers, and for how long this situation is already going on.

    Dubspot’s primary location in New York and its outlet in Los Angeles have both been closed without explanation. Some say that Giove, didn’t have sufficient funds to open the L.A outpost and was told several times by many colleagues that opening the L.A branch would not be a good idea. After a meeting in New York, Giove immediately fired at least six employees. Rumors are spreading that opening the L.A. portion of Dubspot, drained the company of funds, resulting in the closing of both locations.

    While some students were lucky enough to have their money refunded, several students from other countries already attained visas and apartments in the United States for what they thought was the beginning of their careers in the music industry, only to have a small vacation in the United States instead.

    Former Dubspot employee Mike Henderson helped design a vast majority of the school’s curriculum, and even taught his Traktor class with DJ Shiftee. Henderson stated that an apologetic Giove gave him a variety of audio gear, as payment for back paychecks and commissions owed to him. Dubspot, which was founded in 2006, saw several top level employees leave the company within the last six months.

    Days after the story broke, Dubspot CEO Dan Giove, sent an apologetic email to teachers and students which was attained by Thump. Giove admitted that opening the L.A. branch was not a good idea. Having to scramble for a new N.Y. location after the building they were housed in was sold, left them paying higher rent at their new location. Negotiations failed to lower the cost with landlords. Giove also cited personal problems as another reason. Giove will step down as CEO, which was requested by Dubspot investors.

    Dubspot online classes have resumed according to schedule, states Giove, with live classes coming down the line after the company holds down a new place of residence.

    Giove’s Full Email Statement:

    I write this letter today to apologize. These past several months I have let you, our community, our staff, our partners and extended family down. I have not been the person that I know myself to be and have been trying to get both my physical and mental health in order. I have been unresponsive to emails, calls, text messages, and social media. For this, and for anything else I have done to disappoint you, I am truly sorry. When I started Dubspot 11 years ago, I had a vision of building a place where I could learn to create music while at the same time being around like-minded individuals who were also trying to do the same. I never could have imagined the worldwide success that Dubspot would become over the years that followed. We have had so many happy students since 2006 who have realized their dreams and I am sorry this wasn’t the case for many of you.

    There are times when companies go through tremendous challenges and misfortunes. That time began for us about 3 years ago when I decided to open Dubspot LA. To be blunt, and looking back on things, I now realize that Dubspot was undercapitalized and without enough infrastructure in place to open the new LA school. From that point on, I have had a very difficult time sustaining and at the same time I have made some poor decisions. More recently, in June of last year, we were kicked out of our home on 14th street because the building was sold. We tried to move as quickly as possible to find our new space and did so. But after almost a year of struggling, we weren’t able to afford the rent, even after many attempts to negotiate with our landlords.

    Over the past several months, I have been doing everything I can think of to save the company and make things right. Contrary to some reports, we stopped taking registrations for NYC and LA Mid-March once we realized there was no way to survive in the physical locations. We have issued many refunds over the last few months and will continue to do so. Fortunately, I have found silent investors to help turn things around and return Dubspot to the successful business it once was. To that end, the core teachers of Dubspot have all agreed to a going forward financial arrangement and our online courses are now operating as usual. We have a small active staff committed to answering the phones, responding to emails, live chat on our website and we are dedicated to insuring that each and every student who has paid for classes will receive one on one consultations in order to best fulfill the classes that were paid for. We are also actively restructuring and looking for new studio space so that in addition to our online presence, those of you that want to come to live classes will be able to do so.

    I have been asked by my investors to formally step down from CEO of Dubspot for the foreseeable future to focus on my health and the birth my son. I will be assisting in a support role and will be focused on making sure all students are either refunded or continue online. In the next few weeks, we will be announcing the new interim director of Dubspot. Please stay tuned in the coming days for very important upcoming announcements about Dubspot and our students. In the meantime, please email us at support@dubspot.com, or call us at 1-855-9-DUBSPOT, so we can address any other questions or concerns. Or please email me directly here.

  • Long Island’s the Nightmare Police Touring in Advance of New Release “Losing The Light”

    The Nightmare Police are not waiting until their official June 9 release date to start touring in support of their new EP  Losing the Light. The punk pop outfit from Long Island sets off on a tour of the Northeast this week, with stops in Mechanicville on May 28, Buffalo on May 29, and Smithtown on June 3.

    The hometown tour closer at Katie’s of Smithtown, Long Island will also include performances by Check Engine Light, A Story Told, Gutterlife, and This Crooked Home.

    The Nightmare Police create anthemic tunes packed with catchy choruses, rowdy guitar riffs, and driving beats. Members Ian Washington (guitar/ vocals), Joe Berti (bass/vocals) and Jesus Arancibia (drums) cite their influences as Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, and A Day to Remember. Losing the Light is their second EP, and was produced by Frank Laudicina and Brett Romnes. Head to Bandcamp to preorder the EP and to preview two singles, “Medicine Cabinet” and “Where Were You.”

    Tour Dates:

    5/26 – Mystic, CT – The German Club
    5/27 – Boston, MA – TBA
    5/28 – Mechanicville, NY – Our Place
    5/29 – Buffalo, NY – Sugar City
    5/31 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fire
    6/1 – Baltimore, MD – The Sidebar
    6/2 – Boonton, NJ – BoonTunes
    6/3 – Smithtown, NY – Katie’s of Smithtown *

    *with Check Engine Light, A Story Told, Gutterlife, and This Crooked Home