NYS Music 20​17

Category: The South

  • Hearing Aide: The Southern Belles ‘In the Middle of the Night’

    The sort of plasmic, shape-shifting rock and roll spawned by The Southern Belles of Richmond, VA, has been released to humans everywhere for their listening and dancing pleasure on August 5. Their third album, In the Middle of the Night, is oddly akin to Willie Wonka‘s three course dinner chewing gum, in that, through the consumption of one product, several flavors can be indulgently experienced in a brief period. At least by listening to this album, no one will need a swarm of oompa loompas to roll them to the juicing room… that we know of.

    This album dives deeper than their previous release Close to Sunrise, offering heavier jams, tighter instrumentation and an overall more spacious and grandiose sound. The Southern Belles is Adrian Ciucci (guitar), Tommy Booker (keys), Aaron Zarrow (drums), and Derrick Englert (bass). In the Middle of the Night was recorded at The Ward recording studio in Richmond.

    “Everywhere 1” floods the eardrums with runaway guitar like an antsy racehorse exploding out of the starting gate. In under a minute the tune relaxes before getting groovier, continuously arousing the listener’s curiosity. Ciucci’s vocal tone is a crosshatch of Motion City Soundtrack’s Justin Pierre and Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins. The song culminates with an uplifting message of gratitude: “Everything I try to be, there’s someone there reminding me/ Life is grand, we’re so lucky/ And it’s amazing everywhere it takes me.” This closing sentiment is a suiting cap to the opening song of an album, almost an anthem to their success, four musicians converging, playing their brand of music together in a way no other combination of musicians could exactly replicate. Something to be thankful for.

    “Deja Vu” offers a more somber beginning, with higher octave backing vocals that emulate The Flaming Lips with a sea of airy voices echoing Ciucci. It shifts from whirring organ to bouncy guitar, offering an uplifting release from the heavier tone. “L.A. Moves” opens with delicate guitar and elements reminiscent of NY synth-rock band Jimkata. “Tryin” promptly brings the Vulfpeck vibes with playful keys before escalating into a rock-opera ballad replete with gospel-like vocals and undulating tempos. The album closes with “Everywhere II,” trickling in with calming water effects, muted organ and vocals with Pink Floyd connotations before Ciucci utters the heartening sentiment, “Just know in the end you’re gonna get where you’re goin, so take good care of your friends/ They’re the only ones who know you and the only ones who care so be kind and fair.” The song then picks up tempo and finishes on a high note with a cathartic swirl of guitar and pounding drums, bringing it full circle to the beginning of the album.

    In the Middle of the Night was officially released on August 5 at The Broadberry in their hometown. The single is being streamed via Soundcloud and their website, and can be heard on SiriusXM’s Jam On. The Southern Belles have been touring the East Coast leading up to the album release, and will hit the road again for their fall tour. They will be playing Saturday August 12 in Capon Bridge, WV at La La Land, followed by the Peace of Mind Fest in Halifax, PA on August 31.

    Key Tracks: Everywhere I, Tryin, Everywhere II

  • McLovins 2017 Fall Tour Stops in NYC, Rochester, Hannibal

    The McLovins dropped some initial tour dates for fall 2017, including three stops in New York this month including a stop at New York City’s Mercury Lounge for a Phish Baker’s Dozen after party.

    Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, the McLovins have been making waves since their start in 2009 playing alongside big names in music like the Gin Blossoms, Buddy Guy and George Porter, Jr. They’re currently working on two EPs as a followup to their 2015 self-titled album McLovins, which should be released this fall.

    The McLovins fall tour starts tomorrow for a Phish Baker’s Dozen after party at the Mercury Lounge in New York City. The tour takes them up and down the eastern seaboard with several dates in Georgia and Alabama, closing out at Milkboy in Philadelphia on Nov. 22. In addition to tomorrow’s show, they play two other shows in New York. They hit up the Photo City Improv in Rochester on Aug. 17 and play the Big “G” Jam in Hannibal on Aug. 19. They also make a stop in nearby Erie, Pennsylvania on Aug. 12 at the Kings Rook Club.

    McLovins Fall Tour 2017 Dates
    Aug. 5 – Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
    Aug. 12 – Kings Rook Club, Erie, PA
    Aug. 17 – Photo City Improv, Rochester, NY
    Aug. 19 – Big “G” Jam, Hannibal, NY
    Sept. 1 – Port City Music Hall, Portland, ME
    Sept. 14 – Doc Taylor’s, Virginia Beach, VA
    Sept. 16 – The Whiskey, Wilmington, NC
    Sept. 21 – Dingus Magees, Statesboro, GA
    Sept. 22 – Nowhere Bar, Athens, GA
    Sept. 23 – The Thirsty Turtle, Macon GA
    Sept. 28 – Green Bar, Tuscaloosa, AL
    Sept. 29 – Zydeco, Birmingham, AL
    Sept. 30 – Bourbon Street, Auburn, AL
    Oct. 6 – Harvest Ball, Starks, ME
    Nov. 2 – The State Theatre, State College, PA
    Nov. 22 – Milkboy, Philadelphia, PA

  • Mike Gordon Announces ‘OGOGO’ and Fall Tour with Stop in Syracuse

    Mike Gordon is putting the final touches on his newest studio album, OGOGO, set to be released in September. He will head out on a fall tour with the current lineup of his solo band. The 17 night tour kicks off on Sept. 22 in Athens, Georgia and includes a stop at Syracuse’s Westcott Theater.

    mike gordon ogogo tourPhish bassist, Mike Gordon, has been keeping busy with the new lineup of his solo band. His fifth studio album, OGOGO, will be released on Sept. 15. The first track, “Steps,” is available for streaming now and can be heard in the video below.

    Gordon will also take his current solo band out on a 17 night tour that kicks off on Friday, Sept. 22 at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia. The tour makes a stop on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse. The only other stop in the Northeast is at New Haven, Connecticut’s College Street Music Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The tour closes out with a two-night stand at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13 and 14. Gordon’s band includes Scott Murawski on guitar, Robert Walter on keyboards, John Kimock on drums, and Craig Myers on percussion.

    Tickets for the tour are available now via a real-time pre-sale, which ends Thursday, July 13 at 5 p.m ET. The general on sale date for the tour is this Friday, July 14 at 10 a.m. ET.

    Mike Gordon Fall 2017 Tour Dates
    Sept. 22 – Georgia Theatre, Athens, GA
    Sept. 23 – Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC
    Sept. 24 – Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC
    Sept. 26 – The National, Richmond, VA
    Sept. 27 – College Street Music Hall, New Haven, CT
    Sept. 29 – The Westcott Theater, Syracuse, NY
    Sept. 30 – Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ON
    Oct. 1 – St. Andrews Hall, Detroit, MI
    Oct. 3 – Bells Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo, MI
    Oct. 4 – 20th Century Theater, Cincinnati, OH
    Oct. 5 – The Vogue, Indianapolis, IN
    Oct. 6 – The Metro, Chicago, IL
    Oct. 8 – Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
    Oct. 10 – Slow Down, Omaha, NE
    Oct. 11 – Madrid Theatre, Kansas City, MO
    Oct. 13-14 – Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO

  • 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.

  • Hearing Aide: Dangermuffin ‘Heritage’

    Melding multiple genres, Americana quartet Dangermuffin has put together eight unique tracks for its new album, titled Heritage, which is set to drop on March 31.

    Kicking off the album with a Corona-in-the-sand vibe is the wavy and groovy “Ancient Family,” an almost surfer dude type of track, but with a more elegant and highbrow vibe. It’s a solid song to blast on a beach vacation with your friends, or late-night at home when you want to wind down.

    “Fidel” continues the seashore and ocean theme, except this time it’s strictly a reggae song with quite the fun nearly sky, rhythmic musical interlude in the middle. “Kindred Sun” starts out sounding like a slowed down version of “Jack Straw” by the Grateful Dead, but quickly morphs into a psychedelic excursion based around the biggest star in our solar system.

    “Methuselah” begins with a simple drum beat that slowly builds into a five note rhythm that might play out very well on the live stage. “One Last Swim” combines a country feel with bluegrass twang that simply adds to the eclecticism of Heritage.

    “Sea and the Rose” brings back the breezy and free feel of the beginning of the album, enlisting the use of the clavicle in a simple but quite effective way. “Waves” would have closed out the album in the perfect way, adding a little bit of all the themes on the previous six songs. The gentle guitar leads and danceable rhythms make this the feel good song of the record. “Ode to my Heritage” closes out the album in an old timey, campfire circle sort of way.

    Dangermuffin hails from Charleston, S.C., and this album reflects the light and airy ways of the south. A little pickin’, a little grinnin’ and a lot of soul and groove have given Dangermuffin an album to be proud of.

    Key Tracks: Waves, Methuselah, Kindred Sun

  • Taking Back Sunday to Tour with Every Time I Die

    Taking Back Sunday announced a summer tour with Every Time I Die that will be book ended by dates in New York, opening in New York City and closing out in Utica and Buffalo.

    taking back sundayLong Island’s Taking Back Sunday will head out on tour this summer with Buffalo metalcore act Every Time I Die. The 28 night tour takes them across the country and back, kicking off at New York City’s Webster Hall on July 14 and closing out on Aug. 19 with a hometown show for Every Time I Die at the Waiting Room Summer Stage in Buffalo. They make one other New York stop on Aug. 18 at the Saranac Brewery in Utica. The only other Northeast dates are July 16 at the House of Blues in Boston and Aug. 16 at Stage AE in Pittsburgh.

    Joining Taking Back Sunday and Every Time I Die are New Jersey’s Modern Chemistry for the first half of the tour and South Carolina’s All Get Out for the second half. Every Time I Die will be absent from the shows on July 20 and 22 in Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, respectively.

    Prior to the start of the tour with Every Time I Die, Taking Back Sunday will perform at the Great South Bay Music Festival in Patchogue. New Found Glory, 311 and Saves the Day also play the festival.

    As part of the summer tour, the band is offering VIP passes that give fans early entrance into the shows, a VIP laminate and lanyard, an embossed journal and bookmark and access to an acoustic set. The VIP tickets are on sale now through the band’s website. General tickets for the summer tour go on sale Friday, March 24 at 10 a.m.

    Taking Back Sunday Summer Tour Dates
    July 14 – Webster Hall – New York, NY *
    July 16 – House of Blues – Boston, MA *
    July 19 – Masquerade – Heaven Stage – Atlanta, GA *
    July 20 – House of Blues – Orlando * #
    July 21 – Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL *
    July 22 – Mavericks – Jacksonville, FL * #
    July 24 – Gas Monkey Live! – Dallas, TX *
    July 25 – Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX *
    July 26 – Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ *
    July 27 – Hard Rock at the Pool – Las Vegas, NV *
    July 28 – Obervatory North Park – San Diego, CA *
    July 29 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA *
    July 31 – The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA *
    Aug. 1 – Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA *
    Aug. 3 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR ^
    Aug. 4 – The Showbox – Seattle, WA ^
    Aug. 6 – Knitting Factory – Boise, ID ^
    Aug. 7 – The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT ^
    Aug. 8 – Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO ^
    Aug. 9 – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE ^
    Aug. 10 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN ^
    Aug. 12 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI ^
    Aug. 13 – Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, MI ^
    Aug. 14 – Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH ^
    Aug. 15 – House of Blues – Cleveland, OH ^
    Aug. 16 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA ^
    Aug. 18 – Saranac Brewery – Utica, NY ^
    Aug. 19 – Waiting Room Summer Stage – Buffalo, NY ^

    * with Modern Chemistry
    # without Every Time I Die
    ^ with All Get Out

  • Hearing Aide: BIG Something ‘Tumbleweed’

    When BIG Something arrived on the scene back in 2009, their name made it apparent they knew what the future had in store for them. Fast forward eight years later and the funky, electronic, alternative rockers have gone nowhere but up, managing to keep climbing the ladder of fame. Continuously bringing the high-energy jams to east coast music festivals, the group crafted their own annual fest in Mebane, North Carolina: The Big What. After three studio albums, the six-piece hailing from NC decided 2017 was the year to put forth their newest endeavor titled Tumbleweed, the namesake of their December 2016 teaser single. If Tumbleweed is any accurate indication, 2017 is already shaping up to be huge for them.

    In anticipation of their then-impending album, the group decided to launch “Tumbleweed,” paired with a quite jarring narrative, giving fans a spoonful of what was to come in the following weeks. The name “Tumbleweed” references the main character of the track who finds himself endlessly wandering through the depths of a post-apocalyptic desert. If that’s not enough of a concept, he’s hallucinating on peyote, too–quite a trip. The album’s narrative is centered on his lonesome and dark destination and his will to survive and keep movin’ on.

    Released on February 24, 2017 and recorded at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, NC, the album blew into the speakers of many, proving to be an apt addition to their album lineup: 2010’s Stories From the Middle of Nowhere, 2013’s self titled venture and their penultimate release in 2014, Truth Serum, in addition to a number of live releases. The 8-track album covers a lot of ground, taking a step away from the group’s more lighthearted, carefree and fun tone, bringing it down to a darker realm of sonic trips through barren desserts. Of course, some tracks held true to an upbeat feel but for this runaround, the group decided they’d convey a heavier temperament while flying through a variety of genres.

    The title track, acting as the first glimpse of the album produced by Grammy-nominated John Custer, leaves listeners feeling as if they’re the ones left deserted on the cracked earth beneath a heavily beating sun. The opening notes alone spark an instant curiosity and yearning to hear more. The lyrics, “Cactus tripping/eclipse the sun/mind or mirage/are you having fun?”and synthy keys conjure up psychedelic inspiration and provoke deep thought with airy guitar solos to match.

    This is quickly juxtaposed by “Song for Us,” the second track on the album. Desolate emotions are exchanged for happier, reggae tunes solidifying the fact that the listener is on their own unique journey through Tumbleweed, one they must come out of in their own way, as they bounce between lighter and darker moods. Allowing an ending guitar solo to smoothly transition into “Passenger,” the track begins to grab at bluegrassy (think String Cheese Incident), western influences and spirals further into the theme of wandering in darkness.

    “Blue Dream” follows, introducing a jammier, space rock sound to the album that has yet to be seen. Regardless of being instrumental in its entirety, the track demands your attention. Contributing to the southern rock theme and tying in psychedelia, this track mirrors the album artwork nicely, which displays major sci-fi nods with images of UFOs and alien life. “UFOs are Real” brings a bit of kitschy lyrical fun with groovy bass lines, an added horn section and a quick ability to force you on your feet to dance. The penultimate track, ironically titled “In the Middle,” brings some Californian vibes with surfer rock mentality through its vocals. Wrapping up the 2017 release, “Waves” proves to be a fitting closing track, offering a powerhouse of a crescendo that softens into reminiscent tunes from the album’s opening track. Listeners are seemingly looped and dropped off at the beginning of their own desert trip, left to reflect on the highs and lows the last eight songs challenged them with.

    Tumbleweed is a gripping, innovative release chock-full of imagery, creative instrumentation and solid production, which gave Nick MacDaniels (vocals, guitar), Doug Marshall (bass), Josh Kagel(keys, trumpet), Casey Cranford (saxophone, EWI), Jesse Hensle (lead guitar), and Ben Vinograd (drums) the opportunity to shine in their respective areas and display their utmost dynamism, both in the studio and on stage. Although unmistakably dark, the album grounds the listener and helps them come to terms with the fact that we are all just tiny ants on this humongous globe in space, dragging ourselves through the scorched earth beneath our feet. It’s up to us to keep going.

    Key tracks: Tumbleweed, Blue Dream, Waves

  • Hearing Aide: Obituary ‘Obituary’

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  • Alter Bridge Rocks Rapids Theatre In Niagara Falls

    Even though they were part of rock’s biggest tours last year with Disturbed and Breaking Benjamin, that is no way to enjoy an Alter Bridge show.  During that run, which did travel through various cities across New York State, Alter Bridge only played a small handful of songs during their opening slot.  If you really want a display of heaviness and fun and REALLY get your money’s worth of Alter Bridge, then seeing them headline is the best route to go. Those who were lucky enough to catch them on The Last Hero Tour with Nonpoint and Weapons Of Anew at Niagara Falls’ Rapids Theatre were blessed with a kick ass night of music.

    Unfortunately for me, I was unable to catch Weapons Of Anew due to the travel conditions, but I came in just as Nonpoint was performing “What A Day,”one of their trademark songs.  Nonpoint must have been a part of the tour because Mark Tremonti is a fan, and I believe they were an appropriate choice.  The urban flavor they bring to metal and hard rock makes them a standout, not to mention that this is their 20th anniversary tour (which is hard to believe at this point).  They had a very loud and energetic set; the crowd was really into it.  Some of the stand outs were their new songs such as “Divide and Conquer” as well as their cover of Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight.” They ended their set with their anthem, “Bullet With a Name.”  It’s great to see that the band is twenty years strong and still bring a lot of energy into a show.

    Alter Bridge graced the stage by opening with “Writing On The Wall” which is off their newest album The Last Hero.  Alter Bridge is a very rare and unique talent.  Not since Judas Priest has a band had two lead guitarists/soloists that share the stage, alternate solos and really feed off each other.  Vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy and guitarist/vocalist Mark Tremonti are the perfect complement to each other and are a powerhouse force on stage with the most wicked one-two punch that most metal and hard rock bands are lacking.  Alter Bridge made a wise decision by playing not only a hefty amount of songs off of The Last Hero, but also from their previous album Fortress which came out in 2013.  But they didn’t really tour behind it much because Myles was busy with Slash’s band and Mark had his hands full with his band Tremonti.  So it was awesome to hear songs like “Cry Of Achilles” and “Addicted To Pain,” but the real stand out was “Water Rising,” which gave Mark Tremonti to display his lead vocal.

    If there is any complaint about the show, you could say the bass was too loud.  Now that isn’t a fault of bassist Brian Marshall, it’s on the venue’s sound crew.  It just sounded muffled.  But luckily, Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti’s guitar playing is so clean and they shred so much that the muffled bass sound coming off the venue’s sound didn’t interfere with the guitars or drums for that matter.

    The best part of the show was hearing the bands best song, “Blackbird.”  It’s their masterpiece.  It’s their “Free Bird” (no pun intended) and afterwards they closed their set by finally playing material off their debut album One Day Remains with “Metalingus” and “Open Your Eyes.”  I was surprised they didn’t play much from that album, however, material from the last two albums had to be heard, not to mention that with five albums in, you only can play so many songs.  Those who stayed for the encore were in for a treat as they came out and played “Show Me A Leader” which was the lead single off The Last Hero.  Afterwards, the crowd was treated to a guitar battle between Kennedy and Tremonti, which was a great way to really see their talents on display and was fun to see.  This is something I wish bands did more.  Finally, the band left the crowd wanting more in closing with Blackbird’s “Rise Today” which is band’s trademark closing song.  Overall, it was a great set from Alter Bridge who definitely deserve more recognition in the music industry and need to headline more shows. I would recommend this band to almost anyone.  And I will definitely catch more shows at Rapids Theatre.