NYS Music 20​17

Category: Rochester

  • The NYS Music Guide to the 2017 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival

    Starting June 23, and up until July 1, 2017, Rochester will once again become one of the hottest destinations for live jazz, and music in general. Once a year, for a nine-day stretch, the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Fest brings this medium-sized city wall-to-wall big city talent from across the globe. Headliners at the glorious Eastman Theatre, the Club Series making use of every viable hall in the East End neighborhood, and free shows filling the streets with sound; it’s a music lover’s paradise. With so much to see and hear, and only two eyes and two ears with which to take it all in, decisions must be made. Hit this, not that. But what? Well, that’s why we’re here. Here again we have compiled must-see acts for every type of fan. No matter what tune you’re singing as you stroll down Jazz Street, there’s something for you. Don’t forget to check out our tips for the best way to enjoy your time at the Rochester Jazz Fest.


    “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing”
    Are you more of a traditionalist? You’ll want to be at these sets:

    Miguel Zenon
    Puerto-Rican saxophonist Zenon is a Grammy winner and a Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow. He brings his longtime quartet and the music from his fantastic new release, Tipico, which blends his Latin roots and adventurous hard bop for a sound that can be reminiscent of Horace Silver, with more than a few unexpected turns.
    June 26, Kilbourn Hall    , 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $35 or Club Pass

    Billy Childs Quartet
    Previously seen on a XRIJF stage as the pianist in Chris Botti’s band, Childs brings his own quartet this year, playing from his own impressive songbook. Perhaps he will throw in a Laura Nyro cover or two from his Reimagining Laura Nyro record, but more likely the set will lean heavily on his superb 2017 release, Rebirth.
    June 24, Kilbourn Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $35 or Club Pass

    4 By Monk By 4
    Four piano masters celebrating the works of a trailblazer and legend of jazz, Thelonious Monk. Kenny Barron, Benny Green, George Cables and Cyrus Chestnut will combine forces to do the man justice, playing together in various combinations. This has the all the makings of a special night of music.
    June 29, Lyric Theatre, 4:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
    June 30, Kilbourn Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $35 or Club Pass

    Also make time for…
    Kendrick Scott Oracle
    June 27, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Hot Club of Cowtown
    June 28, Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.;$30 or Club Pass


    “It don’t mean a thang if it ain’t got that twang”
    In the, well this ain’t jazz category, here are some acts for the lovers of the tried and true roots and Americana tradition.

    The Jerry Douglas Band
    The unquestioned best dobro player around, Douglas might best be known these days for his work in Alison Krauss’ band, but he has been kicking around in the newgrass scene since it’s inception. He’ll be with his new band previewing his new album What If, which is out in mid-August.
    June 24, City of Rochester East Ave and Chestnut Street Stage, 9 p.m.; FREE

    John Paul White
    White found great success as the male half of the much acclaimed folk duo, The Civil Wars. Moving on from that project, White returned to his solo roots, plumbing the depths of Americana for his second solo effort, Buelah, released last year.
    June 25, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    The Dustbowl Revival
    An eight-piece that combines bluegrass, gospel, New Orleans swing and blues, they are no mere string revival band, mixing in some brass to throw it all for a unique loop.
    June 29, Montage Music Hall, 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also make time for…
    Jack Broadbent
    June 25, Montage Music Hall, 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Lera Lynn
    June 26, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30p.m.; $30 or Club Pass


    “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got six strings”
    The festival has an unusually strong slate of guitar slingers this year.

    Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan
    If the Jazz Fest existed for the singular purpose of getting Frisell to Rochester every couple of years it would be well worth it. Your favorite guitar player’s favorite guitar player, he is returning for his seventh festival. Every time he brings a different band and it never disappoints. This year he is presenting a duo set with bassist Thomas Morgan.
    June 25, Kilbourn Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $35 or Club Pass

    Matthew Stevens
    A major contributor to the sound behind Esperanza Spalding’s standout 2016 hit Emily’s D+Evolution, Stevens is out with a stunning brain melter of an album of his own this year, Preverbal. Angular and adventurous, you’re in for a thrilling ride at these sets.
    July 1, Wilder Room    , 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Eric Krasno
    The guitarist for jamband and XRIJF veterans Soulive, Krasno returns for a set with his own band. He has mixed in more rock and blues to the funk and soul, and even added vocals to the repertoire, but there’ll still be plenty of improvisation to go around.
    June 30, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also make time for…
    Charlie Hunter Trio
    June 27, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    International Orange
    July 1, The Little Theatre, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

     
    “It don’t mean a thing if I ain’t moving my thing”
    If you want to move while you listen, these are the acts that will have the crowd out of their chairs and on their feet. Don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes.

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones
    Paul Janeway, an energetic singer with an electric and unique voice, leads this eight-piece soul band that turns heads wherever they go, wherever they’re heard. The streets will be a sea of dancers when they unleash music from their latest, Sea of Noise.
    June 23, City of Rochester East Ave and Chestnut Street Stage, 9 p.m.; FREE

    The Nth Power
    Soulful groove and dance music from a group borne from a late-night jam session at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, this is a young band quickly making a name for themselves for their electrifying live shows.
    June 23, Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Electric Kif
    Another energetic soulful quartet, this Miami band started as a side project for the members but quickly grew into something special and lasting.
    June 28, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also make time for…
    Huntertones
    June 23, Montage Music Hall, 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
    June 24, Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass for either venue

    New Breed Brass Band
    June 26, Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
    June 27, Montage Music Hall, 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.    ; $30 or Club Pass for either venue


    “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that sing”
    If you want some vocals with your jazz, check out these shows.

    Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
    Scott Bradlee invited different musicians to play today’s popular music in specific classic styles and quickly grew his concept into a YouTube sensation. Be prepared to hear familiar songs as you’ve never heard them before. It makes for a truly unique and exciting live performance like you’ve never seen before. Browse the endless string of videos at his web site and you’ll get the idea fairly quickly.
    June 27, Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 8 p.m.; $45 – $85

    Mavis Staples
    One of the few true living legends featured at this year’s festival, Mavis Staples is an American treasure that is still making new and relevant music. If you’re looking for some soul and gospel, accept no substitute.
    June 28, Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 8 p.m.; $25 – $65

    Eivor
    As long as you’re in a church, you may as well listen to a voice from the heavens. From Norway’s Faroe Islands, Eivor will do nothing if not mystify you.
    June 24, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also make time for…
    Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People
    June 29, City of Rochester Midtown Stage, 7:00 p.m.; FREE

    Youn Sun Nah
    June 29, Harro East Ballroom, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass


    “It don’t mean a thung if it ain’t fresh and young”
    People have been calling for the death of jazz for decades, but the youth keep reinvigorating the genre. Check out these younger acts to keep hip to what’s new. But if you want to catch the youngest talent, plan to catch some of the school bands gracing the Jazz Street stage throughout the festival.

    Phronesis
    This piano trio is making a very welcome return to the XRIJF lineup. The London Jazz News sums them up nicely: “established as one of the great trios. Three players, moving as one – head, heart and hands.”
    June 29, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Neil Cowley Trio
    Like Phronesis, another brilliant British piano trio making their Jazz Fest return. These guys lean more heavily on the hook-laden melodies, adding a pop and rock sensibility to their compositions.
    June 24, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Donny McCaslin Group
    The band behind David Bowie’s universally-lauded final album, Blackstar, this is jazz highly influenced and informed by that experience.
    July 1, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also make time for…
    Binker and Moses
    June 30, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Jacob Collier
    June 23, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30p.m.; $30 or Club Pass


    “Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah, doo wah”
    And now for something a little different. When you invite bands from around the world you can get into some interesting and adventurous stuff.

    Shabaka and the Ancestors
    London-ite Shabaka Hutchens put together this ensemble of South African musicians, which recorded one of the most thrilling new records of 2016, The Wisdom of Elders. Spiritual afrocentric jazz that is equal parts soul-stirring and soul-soothing, in the vein of Coltrane or Sun Ra.
    June 25, Harro East Ballroom, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Dakha Brakha
    This Ukrainian quartet plays music from another side of the world. Unusual, both visually and aurally, but quickly familiar and enjoyable, they blend tribal rhythms, chant-like singing and an odd mix of instruments into an infectious melting-pot of sound. This set will have Jazz Street talking.
    June 29, Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Dinosaur
    Led by trumpeter Laura Jurd, this young quartet plays creative instrumental music that rests in the crux of jazz, rock, electronic and funk.
    June 26, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also make time for…
    Klabbesbank
    June 28, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Ikonostasis
    June 26, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    See the full lineup and all of the festival details at RochesterJazz.com.

  • So Last Year Embarks on Summer Tour, with a Little Help from Their Friends

    So Last Year celebrated the first night of their summer tour with a hometown show at The California Brew Haus on June 3. The send off included performances by bands they’ve been sharing a stage with for some time: Maple Hill, Daily Milestone, Pilot The Universe, and Nostalgic Stereo. See the photo gallery at the end of the article for more pictures.

    So last year
    Logan Van Epps, Curtis Matteson, and Jason Campbell – So Last Year Photo by Corinne Cummings

    What The California Brew Haus lacks in style, it makes up for in character. The furnishings are worn in. Musicians load and unload gear through exit doors covered in band stickers. The wall behind the stage is plywood, hand painted with the name of the bar. But the food is good, the patrons are friendly, and the live shows rock.

    This night was no exception. We arrived when Maple Hill was taking the stage. The lively pop punk band from Ithaca played a set which included “Stomping Ground” from their 2016 album Headspace and “Well, Well, Well” from their earlier EP. Daily Milestone performed next. They had the audience clapping along to their catchy song “Silence.” It was announced that the drummer, Austin Porrata, will be moving to Nashville soon. He picked up an acoustic guitar and delivered a touching rendition of “Learning How To Love,” originally by Colony House.

    Then So Last Year was on. Frontman Logan Van Epps asked the audience to sing along to the intro. The band started playing the theme song to the show “Reading Rainbow,” and the crowd belted out the lines enthusiastically. They kept the momentum going with their song “The End of My Excuses pt.II,” a vibrant rock anthem with a strong beat. Fans clapped along and sang the chorus, “One day all we’ll have is stories and songs, but this is our chance to sing along… tonight.” They followed with their ballad  “You Can Imagine The Wild Times,” which showcases Van Epps’ vocal range, from soft and low to soaring heights.

    Also included in the set was the love song, “In Light of Summer,” which featured Van Epps on keyboard. This title track from their second album is also notable for its phenomenal guitar segments. Lead guitarist Jon Stowell positioned his hand over the top of the neck of his Les Paul, working over the fretboard with unbelievable speed and dexterity. Jason Campbell and Curt Matteson were a dynamic duo, and it was fun to watch them play rhythm guitar and bass, respectively. While Mitch VanDenBerge is a new addition to the band, he is a seasoned musician and performed admirably. They ended with “The Enchantment of Our Youth,” a song from the 2013 debut album.

    The disappointment of the end of So Last Year’s set was quickly replaced with curiosity as a group of kids (one decked out in a Boy Scout uniform and another in a karate school windbreaker) started setting up their gear. They hung up their band banner, with their logo and name Pilot The Universe. Jaws dropped when they started jamming some funky originals composed in band class. The five-piece outfit included a keyboard player, and the lead singer also played saxophone.

    Set included their most recent creation, “Koto.” Immediately following was Nostalgic Stereo from nearby Williamson. Playing exclusively alt rock covers from the past few decades, this is the band that time forgot. They got everyone to sing along to hits from Blink 182, Fallout Boy, and Yellowcard. Mid-set, lead vocalist Alan Overslaugh announced, “Let’s do something different.” Drummer Ty Palmer grabbed an acoustic guitar and the pair launched into a medley of emo ballads originally performed by the likes of We The Kings, Mayday Parade, and Dashboard Confessional. The finale was Blink 182’s “Dammit,” ending with Overslaugh saluting the audience from atop the monitor box, a thank you to the audience and send-off to So Last Year as they embark on their summer tour.

    Tour Dates:
    June 11 Boston MA – House Show
    June 15 Akron OH – The Overlook
    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

  • Photo Gallery: Tool Thrills in Rochester

    It was an incredible night on Tuesday, May 30, at the Blue Cross Arena. Tool made a stop in Rochester and was nothing short of incredible and a visual masterpiece as one would expect!! They brought with them the jazzy and trippy Oakland, CA based band Once and Future. It was a very visually and musically intense show to which Tool are masters of. Some of the high points of the show would definitely be them playing some tracks I have not heard live probably in close to fifteen years. “Opiate,” “Third Eye,” and a really deep cut off their debut album “Sweat.” Please enjoy the selection of photos below from this show.

    Tool – Blue Cross Arena – Rochester – Tuesday, May 30, 2017

    Set 1: The Grudge, Parabol, Parabola, Schism, Opiate, Ænema, Descending, Jambi, Third Eye, Forty Six & 2

    Set 2: Chocolate Chip Trip, Vicarious, Sweat, (-) Ions, Stinkfist

    tool rochester
    tool rochester
    tool rochester
    tool rochester
    tool rochester
    tool rochester

  • Hearing Aide: St. Phillip’s Escalator ‘The Derelict Sound’

    Come on out to the garage, it’s hot in here. Rochester’s St. Phillip’s Escalator released its latest batch of psych-garage-blues rock on Record Store Day. The Derelict Sound, the band’s second full-length, is just that, an amalgam of the influences this power trio has cited since first forming as teenagers back in the early aughts.The band, guitarist/vocalist Ryan Moore, drummer Zachary Koch and bassist Noel Wilfeard, have been best friends since childhood and have been playing together as a unit just as long.

    The Derelict Sound is heavily rooted in the psychedelic sounds of the late ’60s garage bands. Many of the tracks wouldn’t be out of place on Lenny Kaye’s Nuggets compilation. Yet while there’s that trace of the past in the band’s sound, there’s a sense of looking forward as well. “New Age,” the lead single from Derelict signals just that in the band’s sound. It’s a swirling, not-quite-a-pop song that takes a step back from the band’s more frequent references of the Stooges, the Sonics and Blue Cheer.

    The album was recorded live at Temperamental Recording in Geneseo near Rochester. In an interview with NYS Music in March, Koch spoke about why they chose to record live, “It was not just a live record, but the bass, drums, and guitar, the core of it we played together because it’s the only way we could draw that energy. We tried before to record separately.” This is a band that thrives in a live environment. That is apparent when listening. The production feels live and gives the listener a great indication of what to expect in person.

    While the production value isn’t exactly what one would call “clean,” it is, after all, a garage rock album and it hits all the right spots. “Turn On, Get Out” opens with uptempo snare drumming reminiscent of Mudhoney. Koch’s beat drives this one and is one of the high points of the album. A Ron Asheton-style guitar solo kicks the frenzy up a notch before settling back in to Koch’s pocket.

    Influences are a-plenty throughout. Aside from the Stones, Stooges and Sonics references, there are times one can pick up shades of the Dickies’ “You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)” at the open of “Outside Mind.” The Escalator then brings you back down to Fun House-era Stooges dirge before kicking you over the rail into Dickies territory again. Koch is the driving force on this album. It is obvious that he is informed by such icons as Ginger Baker and Keith Moon.

    Ultimately, The Derelict Sound is a highly satisfying record that implores repeated listening. The band had a limited edition run of 300 copies printed in vinyl format. It is also available for download/streaming and on CD.

    Key Tracks: Turn On, Get Out, New Age, Outside Mind

    The Derelict Sound Tracklist:

    1. Sleepy Silver Train Haze
    2. Turn On, Get Out
    3. New Age
    4. Outside Mind
    5. Find My Way
    6. She’s Gone
    7. Turn the Blame
    8. Whiskey Woman Blues
    9. Undone
    10. All is Lost

  • Biters and Frankie + The Studs Rock Rochester on their Unleashed on the East Coast Tour

    Fans of the glam rock resurgence were in their glory on Friday, May 26 in Rochester as Frankie and The Studs and Biters came through on their Unleashed on the East Tour. Biters have toured extensively across North America and Europe over the past seven years, but this was their first time in Rochester. For Frankie and The Studs, this was one stop of their first tour ever. The Historic German House in the South Wedge was thumping with the heavy beats and killer riffs.

    The Finger Lakes’ own Major Crush  started off the night. The Ende brothers, Tommy and Kenny, are on vocals and guitar respectively. Frankie Wheeler on bass and Brandon Young on drums round out the band. I caught an acoustic set a couple years ago, but this was my first time seeing them all together. They have a fantastic stage presence and encouraged audience interaction, which helped to get the crowd warmed up for the main acts. They play pop rock, remarkable for the stellar guitarwork and spot-on harmonies. The setlist was comprised of songs from Trophy Kids, the full-length album they released last year, including the anthemic sing-along “Turn Up the Radio” and the more edgy “You Ain’t A Saint.” On this night, they also played a new song they’ve been working on called “Summer Time.”

    Frankie and the Studs are an up-and-coming act out of Hollywood. Frankie Clarke represents the new wave of glam rock with her fringed leather catsuit, dip-dyed hair and glitter makeup. Frankie Clarke met The Studs just after recording a cover of “Hot Child in the City.”  Together, their sound and style makes me nostalgic for the days when the boy next door blared “I Love Rock and Roll” from his boom box. Their 2016 EP, High on Yourself, was produced by Clarke’s father, Gilby Clarke, who played guitar for Guns N Roses during the Use Your Illusion era.

    Frankie and the Studs were rife with punk attitude as they played a set which included their originals “High on Yourself,” “Sick of You,” and “She’s Insane.” They also threw in the cover of “Hot Child in the City” and a new ballad, yet to be recorded, called “Dance with You.” The spin light above the stage caught the silver studs and glittered platform boots as Frankie danced around with her stars and stripes guitar. The Studs complimented her perfectly with backup vocals, a strong beat, and fantastic fretwork.

    While this is their first time on tour, it’s not their first time playing in New York. Frankie and the Studs played a show in New York City last year during Fashion Week. With the allure of the New York punk scene, I expect we’ll be seeing this band come through again and again.

    Biters put on a high octane performance, a reminder that hard rock is not to be relegated to the graveyard of classic radio station rotation. Smoke filled the stage and silhouetted their cowboy-boot and denim-clad figures. Their music, like their logo, has razor-sharp teeth that cut to the core. They serve their songs straight up with no frills. With two LP’s and four EP’s under their belt, they had a vast array of songs to choose from for their setlist. Standouts included their hits “Low Lives in High Definition,” “Gypsy Rose,” “Hallucination Generation,” and “1975.” They also threw in a fun medley of a few bars from famous rock songs that they don’t cover. To make up for it, they included Tom Petty’s “American Girl” in their encore.

    Catch the final New York State show of the Unleashed on the East Tour at St. Vitus in Brooklyn on May 31.

    Remaining tour dates:

    May 31 – St. Vitus – Brooklyn, NY

    June 1 – The Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD

    June 2 – Abbey Bar at Appalachian Brewing – Harrisburg, PA

    June 3 – Voltage Lounge – Philadelphia, PA

    Photos by Alyssa Smith

  • Leif Vollebekk Honestly Good at German House

    Honest Folk, a little over a year in existence, promotes occasional pop-up folksy shows in the Rochester area. For their latest booking, they brought Montreal’s Leif Vollebekk to the Historic German House. Rather than plop Vollebekk and band, drummer Evan Tighe and bassist Michael Felder, up on the venue’s tall stage, they set up on a short riser in front for a more appropriately intimate appearance. ‘Honest’ wasn’t just in the name, it was the driving force behind the evening. Honest to the earth: it was announced it was a zero waste event, with everything either being recycled or composted. Honest to the community: proceeds from the event would be donated to the Center for Youth, a local non-profit working with homeless children.

    And honest to the ears and soul: Vollebekk’s music, both reflective and relatable, was conceived, delivered and received without any air of contrivance. Opening with a short meditation mixing some ethereal Moog swirls with Wurlitzer grooving, he eased into “Into the Ether,” off his 2017 release Twin Solitude, which he played heavily from throughout the two-set show.

    Vollebekk played like a man possessed, it seemed it was two people playing the part. The singer delivered every lyric like he was just realizing the weight of the words for the first time right then and there. His face stretched, contorted and squeezed into inhuman shapes as he sang, whether words or just utterances. His hands worked almost independently, banging out complementary sounds on the electric pianos or picking along on one of his three guitars. At times the playing and the singing happened in succession, as though one was answering the other.

    Vollebekk was more emotive seated at the keys, but his guitar work was equally impressive. Both sets closed with him strapping on the electric, in the first on “Telluride” and the second with “East of Eden.” Both songs slowly built to a relatively energetic finish, with a fantastic flurry of finger-picking elegance.

    The two sets were a rarity for this band. As Vollebekk explained it, LP’s have two sides, but he was from the CD generation. It felt like the audience got two separate show closers out of the deal. So it was only appropriate that we would get two encores. Vollebekk said they couldn’t decide between two covers, so they would play both. The evening would end with their takes from two folk legends. A full band reading of Bob Dylan’s “Jokerman” followed by a solo guitar interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You.” Honest through and through.

    Setlist:
    Into the Ether, Vancouver Time, ?, Michigan, Elegy > Off the Main Drag, Photographer Friend, Telluride

    From the Forth, Cairo Blues, ?, All Night Sedans, ? > Elegy, East of Eden

    E: Jokerman, A Case of You

  • 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.

  • Joywave Makes a Splash with New Music Video “It’s a Trip”

    Joywave unveiled the music video for “It’s a Trip,” the first single from its upcoming album, Content. The lyrics of this catchy surf rock song are laced with dark humor.  What should be a fun day at the shore becomes commentary on wasting time trying to please someone else. The video captures the concept of the song by showing the members of the pop quintet aging progressively. The video was directed by up-and-comers Ghost + Cow Films, with makeup by Ben Bornstein.

    Visit Joywave.com to download or stream the song, or to sign up for their email list.

    The LP Content is out on July 28.

    The quintet from Rochester will spend August and September touring across the U.S. with Young the Giant and Cold War Kids. Their only show in New York State currently scheduled is in Central Park on September 13. Touring information and ticket information can be found on the Joywave website.

    Joywave It's a trip

  • Leif Vollebekk Playing Rochester’s German House

    Montreal multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk is bringing his deep and moving lyricism to Rochester for what will be a special show at the Historic German House. He is touring behind his critically-acclaimed third album, Twin Solitude, released earlier this year. The three years between records saw him in a creative rut, brought on by extended periods on the road. But he was able to find inspiration in everyday beauty, the seemingly mundane. It has garnered plenty of praise, from NPR Music admiring it as “devastatingly beautiful,” Brooklyn Vegan calling it “lovely, soulful and spare,” while The Fader praised Vollebekk’s “passionate Broken Social Scene-adjacent melodies wrapped in a casual, jammy atmosphere.”

    Local pop-up show promoter Honest Folk, a year into their enterprise, are bringing Vollebekk for their first show at the German House in Rochester’s South Wedge this Thursday, May 18. The show will begin around 7pm. Tickets are $30 and are available at their website. A portion of the proceeds from the show will benefit the Center for Youth, a local organization that provides comprehensive programs and services—from prevention education and counseling to emergency shelter and youth development opportunities.

  • Brian Wilson Brings ‘Pet Sounds’ Tour to New York

    Brian Wilson has extended his Pet Sounds: The Final Performances tour. The new dates include stops in Rochester, New York City and Syracuse.Brian Wilson has been on an extensive tour performing the Beach Boys album Pet Sounds in its entirety. The tour, billed as “Pet Sounds: The Final Performances,” was recently extended to add a number of dates in Europe and North America. The tour makes three stops in New York. Rochester’s Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre gets a visit on Sept. 19. They make a stop on Sept. 23 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The final New York date is Oct. 1 in Syracuse at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theatre.

    The tour extension also includes several stop in the nearby Northeast. Wilson plays Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut on Sept. 21. They stop by Boston’s Orpheum Theatre on Sept. 22. Following their stop in New York City, they head to Lancaster, Pennsylvania on Sept. 25 to play the American Music Theatre. The next day, Sept. 26, they hit up the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey. They head back to Massachusetts on Sept. 29 to play New Bedford’s Zeiterion Theatre before returning to New Jersey on Sept. 30 for a show at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City.

    Pet Sounds: The Final Performances North American Tour Extension

    Sept. 15 – Molson Canadian Centre, Moncton, NB
    Sept. 16 – Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS
    Sept. 18 – Centre in the Square, Kitchener, ON
    Sept. 19 – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Rochester, NY
    Sept. 21 – Foxwoods Casino, Mashantucket, CT
    Sept. 22 – Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA
    Sept. 23 – Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
    Sept. 25 – American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA
    Sept. 26 – Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
    Sept. 29 – Zeiterion Theatre, New Bedford, MA
    Sept. 30 – Golden Nugget, Atlantic City, NJ
    Oct. 1 – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theatre, Syracuse, NY
    Oct. 3 – Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend, IN
    Oct. 4 – Stranahan Theatre, Toledo, OH
    Oct. 6 – Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, IL
    Oct. 7 – Belterra Casino, Florence, IN
    Oct. 8 – Civic Center Theatre, Peoria, IL
    Oct. 12 – The Big Fresno Fair, Fresno, CA
    Oct. 13 – The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
    Oct. 14 – Pacific Amphitheatre, Costa Mesa, CA