NYS Music 20​17

Category: News Desk

  • New Album from Valerie June Scheduled for Late January.

    Valerie June‘s critically acclaimed 2013 recording, Pushin’ Against a Stone, drew wide attention to the Tennessee native’s eclectic mix of blues, folk, bluegrass influences, world music rhythms, and her singer/songwriter abilities. She refers to it as “organic moonshine roots music.”

    The title of her latest work, The Order of Time, reflects June’s philosophy of recognizing and respecting the time it takes for things to happen in life, and for her songs to reach fruition. June recorded the album in Guilford, Vermont with producer Matt Marinelli, known for his work with Bad Brains, Beck, and Norah Jones. Jones contributes piano accompaniment on three of the twelve original songs on the record.

    Valerie June
    photo by Brian Cornish

    June is renowned for her picking skills on guitar and banjo and says,“People shouldn’t necessarily think of bluegrass when they see the banjo. It was originally an African instrument, and people in America used to play all kinds of banjo. For some reason people like to limit it and say it just has to be in folk and bluegrass, but to me it can be in anything, and I really wanted to set the banjo free on this record.”

    June also contributed a version of “Astral Plane” from the new record to Bedstock, a music fest in which artists play songs from their beds for sick children who are stuck in their own. Fans contribute to the charity and help music be the medicine.

    Many Central New York music fans will recall June’s captivating performance at the 2013 Chenango Blues Festival in Norwich, New York.

    The Order of Time can be pre-ordered through June’s website, iTunes, or Amazon, and will be released on Concord Records Jan. 27.

  • Def Leppard and Poison To Hit The Road Together Again This Spring

    Def Leppard and Poison will reunite and hit the road together for the third time in in less than 10 years, with an extensive spring tour across North America that will hit 38 different cities across the United States and Canada. The two bands last toured together on the Rock Of Ages tour in 2012 that also featured Lita Ford.

    Kicking off on April 4, at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH, the tour will also feature Tesla in the opening slot for most of the shows. The tour is set to close on June 25 at the Klipsch Music Center in Indianapolis, IN.

    Cites in New York, and surrounding areas, that were missed during the 2016 tour will benefit from this go-around. The tour will make stops at the Bell Centre in Montreal on April 10, the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on April 12, and at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY on April 15. Tickets go on sale on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21  through Live Nation.

    Blabbermouth reports, when talking about the upcoming tour, Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliot stated:

    We’re thrilled to be able to take this tour to cities we didn’t play in 2016. The demand for us to return, or rather extend the tour was phenomenal! There’s a great buzz around the band right now and we’re loving the fact that we can do this with the latest album being so well received.

    Poison frontman Bret Michaels added:

    I could not be more excited. I know all of us will give one thousand percent on stage and we are looking forward to performing our hits together. I personally could not be more thankful for the three generations of fans and I love the music of Def Leppard and Tesla. This will be an amazing night of rock and roll. Don’t wait because god only knows.

    Def Leppard, who toured over 70 cities in 2016, will also headline some of the major rock festivals this summer including Fort Rock, Welcome To Rockville, Carolina Rebellion, and River City Rockfest.

    This will also mark the first time in over five years that all the original members of Poison:  Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett, will take the stage together and perform. Rockett, who was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2015, is now cancer free.

    Def Leppard, Poison & Tesla Tour:

    April 8 – SNHU Arena – Manchester, NH
    April 10 – Bell Centre – Montreal, QC *
    April 12 – Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
    April 14  – Royal Farms Arena – Baltimore, MD
    April 15  – Nassau Coliseum – Uniondale, NY
    April 17 – Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI
    April 19 – Resch Center – Green Bay, WI
    April 21 – Xcel Energy Center – St Paul, MN
    April 22 – Sanford Premier Center – Sioux Falls, SD
    April 24 – Wells Fargo Arena – Des Moines, IA
    April 26 – KFC Yum! Center  –  Louisville, KY **
    April 27 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
    April 29 – Fort Rock  – Ft Myers, FL ***
    April 30 – Welcome to Rockville – Jacksonville, FL ***
    May 2 – Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre – Tuscaloosa, AL
    May 3 – Lakewood Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA
    May 5 – John Paul Jones Arena – Charlottesville, VA
    May 6 – Carolina Rebellion  – Charlotte, NC ***
    May 24 – Pinnacle Bank Arena – Lincoln, NE
    May 26 – Rocklahoma  – Pryor, OK ***
    May 27 – River City Rockfest – San Antonio, TX ***
    May 29 – Broadmoor World Arena – Colorado Springs, CO
    May 31 – Brick Breeden Fieldhouse – Bozeman, MT
    June 2 – Rogers Place – Edmonton, AB *
    June 3 – Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, AB *
    June 6 – Rogers Arena Vancouver, BC *
    June 7 – Spokane Arena – Spokane, WA
    June 9 – White River Amphitheatre – Seattle, WA
    June 10 – Moda Center – Portland, OR
    June 12 – Save Mart Center – Fresno, CA
    June 14 – Citizens Bank Arena – Ontario, CA
    June 16 – Sleep Train Amphitheatre – San Diego, CA
    June 17 – MGM Grand Garden Arena – Las Vegas, NV
    June 19 – ASANA Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT
    June 21 – Sprint Center – Kansas City, MO **
    June 22 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater – St Louis, MO
    June 24 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater – Chicago, IL
    June 25 – Klipsch Music Center – Indianapolis, IN

    Tour Key:

    Def Leppard solo date *
    Def Leppard & Poison date only**
    Def Leppard festival appearances ***

  • Ed Sheeran Forgot He Wrote One of the Biggest EDM Tracks of 2016

    Folk singer Ed Sheeran, wrote one of the hottest crossover EDM tracks of 2016. Only thing is, he forgot he wrote it. Your EDM reports that DJ/producer and Major Lazer member Diplo, tried to contact Sheeran wanting the song “Cold Water”. Sheeran, not knowing what Diplo was talking about, just blew off the text message. The track that features Justin Bieber and MO is currently certified twice platinum by the RIAA.

    ed sheeran
    Ed Sheeran – CMAC

    Diplo contacted Sheeran again telling the singer that Bieber wanted in on the song, and if it would be OK. Still not knowing what Diplo was talking about, it took until Sheeran heard the track on the radio to trigger the light bulb over his head.

    Ed Sheeran stated about the EDM track:

    ‘Cold Water’ was a weird one because I didn’t even know that song existed. It was a song I must’ve half-written somewhere at a time where I was writing a lot of songs and I did it at Benny Blanco’s house and then I got an email from Diplo just being like, ‘Yo! That ‘Cold Water’ song is dope! Can I have it?’ And I was like, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’ so I just didn’t reply. And then he emailed and was like, ‘Yo, Justin [Bieber] wants to hop on the ‘Cold Water’ song. Is that cool?’ And I’m just like, ‘What are you talking about?’… And then the song came out and it was number one and I was like ‘Oh, that song!’ I remember doing it, but it was really, really slow. I remember hearing it and being like ‘That kind of sounds like me. Oh wait, it was me.

  • The Year of Agony Continues, Life of Agony Announces New East Coast Dates

    Brooklyn’s Life of Agony is looking to make 2017 a huge year.  They recently announced the arrival of their long awaited album A Place Where There’s No Pain, and last week announced a full U.S. tour on the East Coast.  The tour kicks off in Allston, MA and finishes in Sayreville, NJ.  The dates include April 28 in New York City at the Irving Plaza (CD Release show), April 29 at Poughkeepsie’s The Chance Theater (with Sworn Enemy opening) and Long Island’s Mulcahy’s host a show as well on May 13.  Check out all the tour dates below.

    The band has yet to release full songs online and have not performed any of the new material live, so this tour is the perfect opportunity to hear the classics and the new material live for the first time.  All of these shows are expected to sell fast so it is recommended not to wait to get them at the door.

    Tickets for the New York City show are available through Live Nation. The Poughkeepsie and Long Island shows can be bought through Ticketweb.

    Life of Agony Spring Tour:

    April 27 – Brighton Music Hall – Allston, MA
    April 28 – Irving Plaza – New York, NY
    April 29 – The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY
    May 12 – Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA
    May 13- Mulcahy’s – Wantagh, NY
    May 19 – Chameleon – Lancaster, PA
    May 20 – Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ

  • Mike Powell & the Black River Making 2017 Debut Saturday

    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. The Boston Globe has called him, “a polite rebel; a truly unique and inspiring American voice.”

    Mike Powell Black RiverFollowing 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.

  • 6th Annual Wintercourse at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn

    On Friday, Jan. 20, the 6th Annual Wintercourse will be held at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn for an evening with some of the area’s top acts, known as The Brooklyn Jam Syndicate: Teddy Midnight, Cousin Earth, Space Bacon and Chromatropic.

    wintercourseThe evening will kick off with Teddy Midnight taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. Teddy Midnight delivers a mix of progressive rock, drum and bass, jazz and downtempo at their shows; a self-titled genre they term as “Electro-Dance-Funk.” They’ve played sold out shows at other prominent NYC establishments like Irving Plaza, Brooklyn Bowl, Gramercy Theater and Bowery Ballroom. They’ve shared the stage with Dopapod, Consider the Source, The Werks, Twiddle and other successful touring acts.

    Cousin Earth will take the stage at 9:45 p.m. Cousin Earth is a progressive ukulele rock band, and you can expect anything from bluegrass to electronica from this Brooklyn act with a wide repertoire of both original and cover songs. They have played over 170 shows throughout the Northeast United States, from Maine to Pennsylvania, and have shared the stage with other acts like Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, Future Folk, Andy Frasco, Rustic Overtones, and many more. Their full-length album is set to be released sometime this year.

    Space Bacon will take over at 11 p.m. to keep the evening going. This local four-piece act will bring their own version of progressive electronica & funk rock. The name “Space Bacon” emerged from the love of Kevin Bacon and Kevin Spacey. At the end of 2016, the group released a “Best of 2016” digital album of their best performances of the year.

    Rounding off the evening, Chromatropic will be the last act at 12:15 a.m. Their sound is described as “live organic neo-psychedelia,” and they deliver a truly original show that you don’t want to miss.

    Tickets are $12 and available through Ticketweb.

  • Marco Benevento Kickstarts the New Year with Album and Show Announcements

    Marco Benevento is set to blastoff in 2017 with a new album and tour on tap. The multi-instrumentalist dubbed the Mad Hatter will start the year spinning forty-fives for an intimate hometown get down at the Catskill Mountain Pizza Company in Woodstock, NY on January 7. Teaming up with music journalist Brian Turk, the event is called Brian Turk and Mr. D present “I’m a DJ Too,” and will feature tasty pizza and beer from the Catskill Brewery, not to mention a set of fresh cuts straight from Marco’s head to the floor. But only 75 tickets will be available. Click here to get yours.

    Later in the month, Benevento will launch a tour in support of the Feb. 17 release of The Woodstock Sessions, a new live album recorded last September at Applehead Studios. The first show will take place on Jan. 30 at Funk ‘n Waffles Downtown in Syracuse. Local Grateful Dead tribute act, Pearly Baker’s Best, will open. Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 in advance. Tickets are available through Ticketfly for the Syracuse show.

    Other New York stops for the Woodstock resident include Buffalo, at The Iron Works on Jan. 31, Ithaca, at The Rongo on Feb. 1, The Brooklyn Bowl on Feb. 2, and at The Hollow in Albany on Feb. 3. See below for full tour information.

    With a full schedule ahead of him, Marco Benevento has gone ahead with a Pledge Music campaign that will put fans at the forefront of his new album and musical adventures throughout his 2017 tour stops. Packages include a chance to pre-order The Woodstock Sessions, opportunities to receive show tickets, signed setlists, a bookshelf made from Marco’s grand piano, a band lesson, or even the chance to record with Marco at Fred Short Studios in Woodstock, NY; plus, Marco is making himself available to spin vinyl or play a solo piano concert at a lucky fan’s private party. More information is available here.

    Tour Dates:

    Jan. 30 – Syracuse, NY – Funk ‘N Waffles
    Jan.31 – Buffalo, NY – Iron Works ^
    Feb. 1 – Ithaca, NY – The Rongo
    Feb. 2 – Brooklyn NY – Brooklyn Bowl  *
    Feb. 3 – Albany NY – The Hollow  ^^
    Feb. 4 – Burlington VT – Higher Ground
    Feb. 6 – Portland, ME – One Longfellow Square
    Feb. 7 – Hamden, CT – The Ballroom at The Outer Space  ***
    Feb. 8 – Holyoke, MA – Gateway Arts
    Feb. 9 – Boston MA – The Sinclair  *
    Feb. 10 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall  *
    Feb. 11 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live  **
    March 25-26 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Festival
    March 31 – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
    April 1 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
    April 2 – Avon, CO – Agave
    April 4 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
    April 5 – Bozeman, MT – The Filling Station
    April 6 – Spokane, WA – The Bartlett
    April 7 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
    April 8 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
    April 9 – Eugene, OR – Hi Fi Music Hall
    April 11 – Bend, OR – The Capitol
    April 12 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
    April 13 – Petaluma, CA – The Mystic Theatre
    April 14 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
    April 15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bootleg

    * w/WOLF!
    ** w/Psycho Killers
    *** w/Superhuman Happiness
    ^ w/Mayabird
    ^^ w/Mayabird + Band of Ghosts

  • Grammy Nominee Joe Louis Walker to appear at Funk ‘n Waffles

    When they’re serving up chicken and waffles at Funk ‘n Waffles, everybody wants a piece. Everybody Wants A Piece is also the name of Joe Louis Walker’s current record, recently nominated for a 2017 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. His own nomination follows previous recognition, as he has contributed both his songwriting and guitar playing skills to Grammy-winning recordings by B. B. King and James Cotton. The album, produced by Paul Nelson and released October 9, 2016, on Provogue Records through the Mascot Label Group, is available here.

    Joe Louis WalkerJoe Louis Walker is a San Francisco native who quickly gained expertise and notoriety, playing in a club’s house band at 16, touring with B. B. King at 19, and opening shows for innumerable blues and rock music legends at the famed Fillmore West for promoter Bill Graham.

    Joe Louis Walker, also a Blues Hall of Fame member, brings his band to Syracuse Thursday night for a performance at Funk ‘n Waffles, 313 South Clinton Street. It should be an exciting evening and a full house, as Syracuse native Byron “Kidd” Cage is Walker’s drummer. NYSMusic will be there, with a review and photos to follow.

    Doors for Grammy winner Joe Louis Walker open at 8:00 and the show begins at 8:30. Tickets are available through Ticketfly or at the door ($20/$25).