NYS Music 20​17

Tag: folkfaces

  • Best of NYS Music 2017: Albums of the Year

    With a wide ranging variety of music across the state, New York has an intense amount of bands releasing music each year, much of it recorded in New York State. Whether it was recorded at in Syracuse at Subcat Studios, at Albany’s Overit Studios, New Paltz’s Castle Studios, or Dreamland Recording in Woodstock (among the numerous options around the state), these 2017 albums from homegrown artists reflect the diverse music being produced right at home in New York.

    Best Albums by a New York Artist

    Staff Picks

    Dopapod MEGAGEM

    Dopapod may be taking 2018 off, but they left a fantastic album for fans prior to their year long hiatus. After their Fall Tour closing show in Syracuse this past Saturday, the band gears up for two final shows – December 30 at Fete Music Hall in Providence, and December 31 at Paradise Rock Club in Boston. Catch em while you can, because these NYS Music faves won’t be back until 2019!

    Read what Alyssa Ladzinski had to say about Megagem: “With their most themed release to date, its apparent the quartet knew exactly where they wanted to go, as they take their listeners on a dream pop journey to the center of self fulfillment. The 5th studio album comes a a bittersweet symphony, the last creative piece relinquished by the jam rockers before the looming hiatus. While its bittersweet to know you wont witness the live, raw talent of a band so deserving of its praises for an entire year, at the very least, we’re left to see how the entire album translates on stage and if any of those strings just so happen to surface during fall tour.”

    Big Mean Sound Machine Runnin’ For The Ghost

    Ithaca’s Big Mean Sound Machine is no small touring band. Nine members have been storming the Northeast for the past few years, and their fan funded album Runnin’ for the Ghost served as a catalyst for the group to launch outward in 2018. “Known for throwing some of the sweatiest dance parties in the Northeast, Big Mean Sound Machine has been ambitiously touring and working hard to welcome new followers with no plans of slowing down.  The new fan-funded album, Runnin’ for the Ghost, is just one example of how relentless experimentation on the road can lead to something positive and fruitful in the studio.” Read more of Ben Boivin’s review.

    Formula 5 All Points North

    Eli Stein said of the jam happy foursome “On All Points North, the new album from Albany jam-rockers Formula 5, ‘North’ is not a physical direction, but a mental state. North is up, and up is good.” Read more and don’t miss Formula 5’s final show of the year at DROM following Phish on December 30.

    The Other Brothers Jones


    New Paltz is alive and kicking with The Other Brothers storming out of the gates with their Jones EP, released in September with a sold-out show at American Beauty to celebrate. Alyssa Ladzinski said of Jones “With eclectic and effortless transitions between a broad horizon of styles, The Other Brothers don’t allow themselves to be labeled as a one-genre group, if anything, they’re simply contagious. Instead, they master a collection of ballads and soul-soothing soundscapes leaving their exploration and further projects open to directions of all kinds.” Read more here

    Folkfaces How Long

    Folkfaces have had a great year – they were one of the founding bands of NYS Music 87/90, they had a relentless Summer Tour, and released How Long back in April. Buffablog said of the album “From the back-country banjo charm of “Institution Blues,” to the rowdy foot-stomping pandemonium of album opener “Arrows We Break,” right on down to the sultry jazz elements of “Indian Lake,” there is something for everyone on this record. No matter what your poison, it is served with a smile on How Long.

    Reader Picks

    The Other Brothers Jones

    Readers loved The Other Brothers Jones, and why not? Their dedicated fans sold out their album release show at American Beauty in September. Check out our recap.

    Aqueous Element Pt. 1, Element Pt. 2

    Aqueous has had a monster year, including signing with Nugs.net and releasing not one but two live releases in the form of their Element series. Stream these jam favorites below and pick up the album at their Bandcamp store.

    Best Albums – Nationwide

    Staff Picks

    Mike Gordon OGOGO

    The evolution of Mike Gordon’s side project has been a delight to watch over the past decade. The current incarnation of Mike Gordon Band straddles the line between Phish’s jammy goodness and Mike’s inherent weirdness. Tracks like “Marissa” and “Crazy Sometimes” have made their way into Phish’s rotation this year and OGOGO was well received on Mike’s recent fall tour.

    Body Count Blood Lust

    Ice-T’s heavy metal band returned with their first album since 2014’s Manslaughter received a Grammy nomination for the song “Black Hoodie.”

    Kendrick Lamar DAMN.

    When you are named the greatest living rapper, you expect greatness. That’s exactly what DAMN. delivers. It ended the year as the #1 album on Billboard, and was nominated for Best Rap Album and Album of the year, which is Lamar’s third consecutive album to be nominated for the honor.

    Queens of the Stone Age Villains

    Marc Ronson produced the seventh album from the heavy rocking QOTSA, led to longer than usual tracks (six of nine are over 5 minutes long), all based on hearing the Ronson produced “Uptown Funk.” Frontman Josh Homme told VICE earlier this year “I knew I wanted to make something that sounded very tight, and with the air sucked out of it and very clear. So he was just a great reminder just as an opening and then his desires are so beat-centric. And so are mine […] we had this tremendous amount of overlap.”

    lespecial Cheen

    Boston’s heavy jamband lespecial produced a winning album in Cheen, released this past Halloween. Read more in our review, that said ‘lespecial has spent several years cultivating a dedicated fanbase with a sound that cleverly interweaves psychedelia, technical math-rock, metal, electronica, and a tribal influence that feels like it comes from deep in the jungle. The entire album has the coherent flow of a concept album, with its many themes seeming to bleed effortlessly from one song to the next.

    Dopapod MEGAGEM

    No surprise here – Dopapod was a staff favorite, enough to be selected as album of the year nationwide.

    Reader Picks

    King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Polygonawanaland

    Australian Psych rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard produce a style of rock that is as unique as their name. They’ve produced 12 albums in the past five years, with Polygonawanaland their fifth of 2017 alone. Stream the full album below and discover the weirdness within.

    Dopapod MEGAGEM

    NYS Music’s readers were on the same page with us. There’s no denying how great Megagem is.

    Kendrick Lamar DAMN

    Kendrick’s conscious rap received rave reviews from media outlets around the country. It’ll be a surprise if he doesn’t win top honors at the Grammys in January.

  • NYS Music’s Guide to 2017 New Years Eve shows around New York State

    NYS Music combed the state, across I-90 and I-87, up into the North Country and down into the Southern Tier, and has compiled a comprehensive list of all events coming up this New Year’s Eve. Make your plans for New Years Eve 2017 and say hello to a brighter 2018! (If we missed a show, email details to editors@nysmusic.com)

    Buffalo and WNY

    Join Intrepid Travelers and Folkfaces in their Buffalo hometown at Nietzsche’s. Event Link

    2017 new years eveRing in the New Year at Buffalo Iron Works with Moon Hooch, Gnomedad & Honeycomb. Get your tickets in advance – this show is sure to sell out! Event Link

    Aqueous has a Gorillaz-themed set planned for their bash at Town Ballroom. Event Link 

    Renown Pink Floyd Tribute band The Machine will be performing at Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls. Event Link 

    North Tonawanda’s Strand Theatre has Miller & The Other Sinners with special guest Cinnamon Jones. Event Link

    Celebrate The New Year in Jamestown at Jamestown Eagles Club with the Kates Brothers Band. Event Link

    Ithaca

    Big Mean Sound Machine’s Big Mean New Year’s Eve will mean of night of getting down at Lot 10. Event Link

    Get a double dose of folk rock at The Haunt with Driftwood. Event Link

    Rochester and Finger Lakes

    Rochester’s hottest new venue, Radio Social, has a hot show planned featuring harp-playing singer/songwriter Mikaela Davis. Event Link 

    Mosh your way into 2018. Floated Magazine is hosting a hardcore show a show at Bug Jar with REPS, The Weight We Carry, Kodivk, and Bone Mask. Event Link

    Funk n Waffles Rochester: Dirty Blanket & Root Shock. Event Link 

    Anthology has two nights of fun planned. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad plays both nights. On December 30 they’re joined by John Brown’s Body and Thunder Body. And on New Year’s Eve, they share the stage with Easy Star All-Stars (performing Dub Side of the Moon) Event Link

    Syracuse and CNY

    In Syracuse, Sophistafunk and Skunk City will rock out at Funk N Waffles Downtown. Event Link

    Or catch The Ripcords at the Fireside Inn in Baldwinsville.

    Verona – Mick Adams and The Stones at Turning Stone Casino. Event Link

    Capital District

    Throughout Albany, Schenectady and Troy this New Year’s Eve, celebrate responsibly. Call for a free cab in the Capital Region during New Year’s Eve, courtesy of Martin, Harding, & Mazzotti LLP.

    Twiddle will ring in the New Year, with a second performance at the Palace Theatre in Albany with special guest Giant Country Horns. Event Link.

    Join in on the mystique of Albany, at the Hollow Bar + Kitchens NYE Masquerade party with live music by The Late Shift, and Mirk. Event Link

    The Albany Hilton will host a NYE ’80s theme party, with music by The Refrigerators. Event Link

    A Pirate, and mermaid themed Shipwrecked party will take over The Desmond Hotel in Albany, with live music by The Audiostars, Skeeter Creek, and DeeJay Element. Event Link

    Playing With Fire Band, along with many others, will perform at Bethlehem’s First Night, in Delmar. Event Link

    Ring in the New Year at the annual First Night, in downtown Saratoga, where there will be a wide range of activities and live music. Event Link

    Vapor Nightclub at the Saratoga Casino and Hotel, with feature the biggest balloon drop in the Capital Region along with music by The New York Players. Event Link

    Motown will take over the Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, as R&B and Funk legends, The Commodores, are set to ring in the New Year in the Electric City. Event Link

    Proctors Theater in Schenectady will hold their own Motown NYE bash with music by The Chronicles. Event Link

    Soul Provider will rock in the New Year at the Rustic Barn Pub in Troy. Event Link

    The Shop in Troy, along with other neighboring spaces, will host a Masquerade party with Burlesque performers and live jazz bands. Event Link

    Hudson Valley

    Kingston’s BSP Lounge will host Rubblebucket and local organist Marco Benevento. Event Link 

    Bearsville Theater will welcome Gratefully Yours on New Year’s Eve for a night of Grateful Dead music. Event Link

    In Woodstock, check out The Big Takeover at Colony Cafe. Event Link 

    North Country

    In Plattsburgh, The Monopole will host Groovestick for all night party with some Grateful Dead added in! Music starts at 10pm and goes until 6am. Event Link

    Saranac Lake at The Waterhole will feature Annie in the Water and Nina’s Brew. Event Link

    Westchester

    Portchester’s Capitol Theatre brings in Colorado’s String Cheese Incident for 3 sets! Event Link

    New York City

    Brooklyn

    They Might Be Giants at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Event Link


    Brooklyn Bowl will host the legendary funk troupe Lettuce along with rising dance artists Jaw Gems. Event Link 

    Rich Medina presents HOME at C’mon Everybody  in Brooklyn, performing house, rare groove and garage classics. Event Link

    Soul Clap will keep the Crew Love real this New Year’s Eve with special live performances from rhythmic house duo No Regular Play and Afro-Futuristic pilots The Illustrious Blacks. Event Link

    Budos Band will hit The Knitting Factory with Evolfo and Electric Citizen. Event Link

    Bell House hosts The Rub NYE featuring DJ Ayres, DJ Eleven, Makossa Brooklyn Cookout and Prince Klassen. Event Link

    Manhattan

    Holly Bowling will perform her annual pre-show at The Cutting Room at 4pm on NYE. Event Link

    Electric Love Machine hosts a FREE pre-party at American Beauty before Phish. Event Link

    Gov’t Mule will host ‘The Rockin Mule Revue’ at The Beacon Theater, with special guests including Jackie Greene, Shawn Pelton, The Chronic Horns and The Better Half Singers. Event Link

    Gramatik throws a dance party like no other at Terminal 5 on NYE. Event Link

    Prefer Jazz to kick 2018 off? Try The Birdland Big Band at Birdland. Event Link


    Three sets of Disco Biscuits await their loyal fans at The Playstation Theater in Times Square. Event Link


    Macy Gray’s soulful voice will be singing the crowd into 2018 at Iridium Jazz Club. Event Link


    John Digweed and Tara Brooks headline a bevy of DJs at Output. Event Link

    and of course, Phish at Madison Square Garden. Event Link

    Followed by and one final Phish After-party, this one with Kung Fu, Wyllys, Jerry Lounge Experience and more at American Beauty. Event Link

  • Nietzsche’s FolkFest 2017 Lineup includes Folkfaces, Jonathan Richman

    Nietzsche’s dropped the lineup for the 2017 edition of their FolkFest, which takes place next week at the famed Buffalo club. The second annual FolkFest features headliner Jonathan Richman and NYS Music 87/90 act Folkfaces.

    After a successful inaugural year, Nietzsche’s brings back their FolkFest for 2017. The fest kicks off on Wednesday, Nov. 8 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 11. Jonathan Richman, known for his work with the Modern Lovers, headlines the festival on Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.

    Tyler Westcott and Dr. Jazz kick off the festivities on Wednesday at 6 p.m. with some old time swing and gypsy jazz. The headliner on Wednesday is the Oddjob Ensemble from Santa Rosa, California at 10 p.m. Following them is 18 Wheels and a Crowbar.

    Thursday night features the Heenan Brothers followed by local act the Observers. The Dishonest Fiddlers, of Northeast Pennsylvania headline the night at 10:30 p.m. Rockabilly Steve and RB3 close out the night at midnight.

    The fest starts to heat up on Friday with Seth Faergolzia’s Multibird from Rochester headlining the night at 11:30 p.m. The music kicks off with Cooper and Gin at 10 p.m. followed by Utica’s the Old Main at 10:30 pm. Ryan Sutherland and Dave Brown cap off the night at 1 a.m.

    Follow the festival headliner show with Jonathan Richman, there is a second late night show with second tier headliners the Crooked North at 10 p.m. The late show also features NYS Music 87/90 act Folkfaces at 11:30 p.m. followed by Pine Fever at 12:30 a.m. The festival concludes at 1:30 a.m. with Chris James and Mama G.

    Admission for Wednesday and Thursday nights is $5. Friday and Saturday’s late night run $10 with Saturday’s headliner set costing $15 to get in. All shows are 21 and over, though minors will be admitted when accompanied by an adult.

    Nietszche’s FolkFest 2017 Lineup

    Wednesday, Nov. 8
    Oddjob Ensemble
    18 Wheels and a Crowbar
    Tyler Westcott and Dr. Jazz
    No Illusions
    Bess Greenberg
    Tough Old Bird
    Old Time Hoedown
    Cairde “That’s Irish for Friends”
    Mike & Kathy

    Thursday, Nov. 9
    The Dishonest Fiddlers
    The Observers
    The Heenan Brothers
    Rockabilly Steve & RB3
    Greg Barresi
    Nickel City String Band
    James Robert Kibby

    Friday, Nov. 10
    Seth Faergolzia’s Multibird
    The Old Main
    Cooper and Gin
    Ryan Sutherland and Dave Brown

    Saturday, Nov. 11
    Jonathan Richman
    Folkfaces
    Pine Fever
    The Crooked North
    Chris James & Mama G

  • The Blind Owl Band Returns to Rochester to Host a Halloween Bash

    Freight train string quartet, The Blind Owl Band of Saranac NY, is returning to Rochester, NY this weekend to host a spookily impressive Halloween Bash. Accompanied by local favorites, The Honey Smugglers and Folkfaces, The Blind Owl Band Halloween Bash will place on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 pm at Anthology in Rochester, NY. Advanced tickets are $15 and the gate price is $18.

    The Blind Owl Band is a 4-piece string band, featuring Arthur Buezo (Guitar, Vocals), Christian Cardiello, (Double Bass, Fretless Bass), James Ford, (Banjo Vocals) and Eric Munley (Mandolin, Vocals).  After first harnessing the rawness of traditional bluegrass instrumentation, the band taken the genre into an entire new dimension, crossing between genres of bluegrass, folk, country, and soul, infused with their own unique Appalachian Mountain sound. The fast-fingered, high energy, cohesive group explores their live performance with an element of improvisation, gaining energy from their audience.

    Fresh off releasing their third studio album Skeezy Patty earlier this month, The Blind Owl Band is hungry to put on the show of our dreams. In the five years prior to Skeezy Patty, the quartet have played over 700 shows across 17 states, building their rowdy & dedicated fan base across the east coast. Every show brings back the energy of the last, and the Halloween Bash will be no exception. Grab your tickets here!

  • Dive Into Fall: A Fall Down Music Festival Preview

    Don’t let the weather deceive you, believe it or not, autumn began on September 22. Festival season in New York is nearing it’s close and festival goers are itching for a few last hurrahs. Next weekend, locals will be traveling to The Fall Down Music Festival at The “G” Lodge in Hannibal, NY. Presented by local booking and promotion company Hey Dude After Hours, The Fall Down is an intimate Central NY based music festival specializing in string music, jam bands, and singer-songwriters. Progressive string band Floodwood will be the headliner. Floodwood is lead by national talents of Vinnie Amico (moe) and Tony Markellis (Trey Anastasio Band). The Fall Down will take place next week at The “G” Lodge (81 Keller Rd, Hannibal, NY) on October 6th and 7th. Get your weekend passes for $50 here!

    Take a glance below and click the play button. You’ll find a Rochester Groovecast podcast episode. This episode is a preview of the upcoming 2nd annual The Fall Down Music Festival.  During the episode, you’ll listen to The Crooked North, Floodwood, Haewa, The Dwayne Johnsons, Folkfaces, Dirty Blanket, Timothy Braley, and Jungle Steve & The Gysophelias. All of these bands will be at this year’s The Fall Down Music Festival. If you scroll even further down, you’ll find a detailed episode timestamp.

    Timestamp:
    00:00: The Crooked North- Hop High My Lulu Gal
    03:24: Introduction
    06:19: The Crooked North- You Don’t Fit In
    10:02: Floodwood- Waiting For The Punchline (Moe Cover)
    18:58: Floodwood- Caught
    24:22: Haewa- Chem De-Vision
    28:04: Haewa- Swampin
    33:37: The Dwayne Jonhsons- About That
    37:17: The Dwayne Johnsons- Cold Pizza
    41:24: Folkfaces- Angels And Demons
    44:31: Folkfaces- Freedom Fries
    48:24: Dirty Blanket- My Getaway
    54:28: Dirty Blanket- Getting In The Way
    57:58: Timothy Braley- Graceland (Paul Simon Cover)
    1:02:15: Conclusion
    1:03:55: Jungle Steve- Safe & Sound

  • Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar Features National Artists All Summer

    The Riverboat Bar in Alexandria Bay has announced a stellar lineup for its Summer 2017 Live Music Series. Both regional and national touring acts will be featured at Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar.

    alex bay's riverboat barThe primarily free series brings live music to the Bay Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer. It began June 3 with Broken Arrow Hearts and followed with Earphorik, Mick Fury and Mister F. Friday’s featured artist is the Tyler Pearce Project, a soulful pop-rock act from Rochester.

    Saturday features local Bay act Adapter., an original improv band influenced by moe., the Tragically Hip, Pearl Jam and the Black Keys.

    The Riverboat is the only Thousand Islands area venue that spotlights such a prominent array of national and regional acts. Most shows are free to the public and cover a variety of genres. The main focus is to feature bands from the New York State music scene from cities such as Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and Syracuse that have made names for themselves performing at festivals and venues throughout the Northeast and beyond.

    Bands returning to the Riverboat this summer include New York acts Mister F, Black Mountain Symphony, Chris James and Mama G, Subsoil, Folkfaces, Annie in the Water, Tiny Music, Haewa, Boogiehood, Adapter, Balkun Brothers from Connecticut, Tweed from Philadelphia, After Funk from Toronto and Jiggawaltz from Vermont.

    In addition to these returning acts, the venue welcomes newcomers Earphorik from Fort Wayne, IN, Formula 5 from Albany, the Old Main from Utica, the Medicinals from Rochester, Funktional Flow from Buffalo and the Tyler Pearce Project from Rochester.

    alex bay's riverboat barJoin NYS Music and the Riverboat Bar for a summer full of great live local, regional and national music.

    Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar Summer 2017 Live Music Series:

    June 30 – Tyler Pearce Project
    July 1 – Adapter.
    July 7 – Boogiehood
    July 8 – Formula 5
    July 14 – Balkun Brothers
    July 15 – Black Mountain Symphony
    July 21 – the Old Main
    July 22 – Chris James & Mama G w/s/g Johnny Richards
    July 28 – Funktional Flow
    July 29 – Tweed
    Aug. 4 – Subsoil
    Aug. 5 – Folkfaces
    Aug. 11 – Annie in the Water
    Aug. 12 – Tiny Music
    Aug. 18 – After Funk
    Aug. 19 – Jiggawaltz
    Aug. 25 – the Medicinals
    Aug. 26 – Haewa

    Check out footage of upcoming Riverboat artist Formula 5 below:

  • Folkfaces Announce Extensive 2017 Summer Tour

    Buffalo’s Folkfaces are gearing up for 2017 and their biggest summer tour yet. The extensive tour focus primarily on New York, giving those in the state plenty of opportunities to check them out.

    Buffalo-based Americana quintet Folkfaces has had a busy 2017 and the year is only half over. They released their debut album How Long? back in April while also completing two spring tours. The band consists of Tyler Westcott (guitar, vocals), Dan Borodzik (slide guitar, vocals), Ellen Pieroni (saxophones), Patrick Jackson (upright bass) and Dan Schwach (drums, washboard).

    Folkfaces’ summer tour features over 30 dates throughout New York with stops in five other states and Toronto. The tour kicks off this Wednesday, June 21 at Al’s Wine & Whiskey in Syracuse and closes out at the Night Lights Music Festival in Sherman. The tour primarily brings the band throughout New York with a heavy focus on the western portion of the state for their hometown fans.

    In addition to their own shows, they’ll be sharing the stage with a handful of other bands. They play with Dustbowl Revival on June 28 at Babeville in Buffalo. They’ll join The Tenants on July 14 for a house show in Akron, Ohio on July 14. On July 22, they play the Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs with The North and South Dakotas. The Fredtown Stompers and the Buffalo Brass Machine join them on Aug. 2 at the Tralf in Buffalo. As part of the Buffalo Infringement Festival, they play alongside Swimmer, Minor Racket, Dark Matter Trio and The Funk Theory Extravaganza on Aug. 4 at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo. Nietzsche’s sees them again on Aug. 23 along with Minor Moon and Pine Fever.

    Folkfaces is one of NYS Music’s 87/90 up and coming featured artists.

    Folkfaces Summer Tour Dates
    June 21 – Al’s Wine & Whiskey, Syracuse, NY
    June 23 – 42 North, East Aurora, NY
    June 28 – Babeville, Buffalo, NY *
    July 6 – The Waterhole, Saranac Lake, NY
    July 7 – The Monopole, Plattsburgh, NY
    July 8 – Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington, VT
    July 9 – The Pizza Stone, Chester, VT
    July 12 – Temple Bar and Grille, Rochester, NY
    July 13 – The Crittenden Tavern, Coudersport, PA
    July 14 – House Show, Akron, OH **
    July 15 – Cobblestone Festival, Buffalo, NY
    July 16 – 10th Ave. Burrito Co., Belmar, NJ
    July 17 – Shrine World Music Venue, New York, NY
    July 17 – Silvana, New York, NY
    July 18 – Arlene’s Grocery, Brooklyn, NY
    July 19 – Salt Gastropub, Stanhope, NJ
    July 20 – Cabaret at Germano’s, Baltimore, MD
    July 21 – TBA
    July 22 – Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs, NY #
    July 28 – Fiddler’s Picnic, Marion, NY
    July 31 – Buffalo Infringement Festival, Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY
    Aug. 2 – The Tralf, Buffalo, NY ##
    Aug. 3 – Funk ‘n Waffles, Rochester, NY
    Aug. 4 – 189 Public House, East Aurora, NY
    Aug. 4 – Buffalo Infringement Festival, Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY ^
    Aug. 5 – The Riverboat Bar, Alexandria Bay, NY
    Aug. 6 – Junction City Music Hall, Toronto, ON
    Aug. 11 – Slyfest, Sherman, NY
    Aug. 20 – Nights of Fire Festival, Franklinville, NY
    Aug. 23 – Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY ^^
    Aug. 25 – Night Lights Music Festival, Sherman, NY

    * w/ Dustbowl Revival
    ** w/ The Tenants
    # w/ The North and South Dakotas
    ## w/ The Fredtown Stompers, Buffalo Brass Machine
    ^ w/ Swimmer, Minor Racket, Dark Matter Trio, The Funk Theory Extravaganza
    ^^ w/ Minor Moon, Pine Fever

  • NYS Music Launches 87/90

    Every band was a local band once. Today, we launch NYS Music 87/90, reflecting the highways artists travel upon to reach markets across The Empire State. 87/90 brings together 8 New York State born and raised bands that have strong potential to make it big. We will bring news and coverage of these bands to you on a regular basis, highlighting what we see as the next wave of bands to come out of New York State. These are just the first wave of bands that we will be bringing to your attention – there are plenty more artists in every corner of the state from all genres. As we discover them, we’ll bring them to you and beyond.

    nys music 87/90The 8 artists we launch with include: Space Carnival, Cousin Earth, Formula 5, Folkfaces, Boogie Low, Intrepid Travelers, Let’s Be Leonard and Gowanus. These artists were selected for potential, work ethic and appeal to a wider audience. They include jam bands, bluegrass/folk, psychedelic rock, electronic and a mix of everything. We will expand in the future with bands that we see strong potential in – this is a select group we launch with and we will keep it reserved only for bands that pass muster.

    The bands we are reaching out to as founding artists are bands that we have highlighted on our pages in recent years, see a strong future in and have shown that they are committed to making a name for themselves well outside of New York State. This is not an open invite – the initial roster includes only bands that are on the rise and have developed a following through their music.

    Every band was once local.

  • Round 2 of NYS Music’s March Madness 2017

    It’s time for Round 2 of the 2017 NYS Music March Madness! We’ve brought together 64 of New York’s up and coming bands for a friendly tournament style competition for readers to discover new artists who call New York home.

    The original field of 64 bands are those you might not know about, but should. Recommended for inclusion in our field of 64 by NYS Music staff, contributors and readers, we hit every corner of New York State, from Long Island to Buffalo, The Catskills to the North Country and all points in between. NYS Music March Madness is a great way to discover a new and upcoming band in your area and show your support and love for bands you see often. We focus once again this year on the bands who are on the cusp of greatness. There was only room for 64 but we made some great choices and picked a wide array of genres to bring to you this year.

    We’d like to thank our regional sponsors The Hollow Bar and Kitchen, Nietzsche’s Buffalo, The Downtown Barn and Castle Studio. These small businesses represent the best of what New York State has to offer and celebrate music while inviting local and touring bands to perform for growing local scenes across the state.

    Second round matchups in Nietzsche’s Buffalo region and Castle Studio region include these 8 matchups:

    Mister F (jam/prog) vs Funktional Flow (funk n jam)
    Folkfaces (bluegrass) vs Sly Fox & the Hustlers (rock)
    The Other Brothers (jam) vs The New Daze (psychedelic jam rock)
    Raibred (Progadelic) vs Lord Electro (jamtronica)
    Teddy Midnight (electro jam) vs Intrepid Travelers (improv/jam)
    Space Carnival (psych groove rock) vs Let’s Be Leonard (jazz/jam fusion)
    Talking Underwater (indie rock) vs Annie in the Water (acoustic rock)
    Candy Ambulance (grunge rock) vs Ampevene (prog rock)

    The Hollow Bar and Kitchen region and The Downtown Barn region feature these 8 matchups:

    The Medicinals (reggae) vs Root Shock (reggae)
    North and South Dakotas (y’allternative) vs Last Daze (black country rock)
    Unknown Woodsmen (funklove) vs Barroom Philosophers (reggae rock)
    Chris James and Mama G (Ameribeat) vs Ocular Panther (prog/electro)
    Boogie Low (acid rock) vs Cousin Earth (folk rock fusion)
    Dead Superstars (metal) vs Kimono Dragons (surf rock)
    LoveDeep (jam/blues/rock) vs Big Mean Sound Machine (funk)
    Space Bacon (jamtronica) vs Formula 5 (jam rock)

    Second Round voting begins at 10AM EST on Thursday, March 16, and closes at midnight on Saturday, March 18. Sweet Sixteen voting begins at 10AM EST on Monday, March 20. Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

  • Round 1 of NYS Music 2017 March Madness

    It’s March and it’s time for the 2017 NYS Music March Madness, Round 1! We bring together 64 up and coming bands from across New York State for a friendly tournament style competition throughout the month of March for readers to discover new artists who call New York home.

    These are 64 bands you might not know about, but should. Recommended for inclusion in our field of 64 by NYS Music staff, contributors and readers, we hit every corner of New York State, from Long Island to Buffalo, The Catskills to the North Country and all points in between. NYS Music March Madness is a great way to discover a new and upcoming band in your area and show your support and love for bands you see often. We focus once again this year on the bands who are on the cusp of greatness. There was only room for 64 but we made some great choices and picked a wide array of genres to bring to you this year.

    We’d like to thank our regional sponsors The Hollow Bar and Kitchen, Nietzsche’s Buffalo, The Downtown Barn and Castle Studio. These small businesses represent the best of what New York State has to offer and celebrate music while inviting local and touring bands to perform for growing local scenes across the state.

    First round matchups in Nietzsche’s Buffalo region include:

    Mister F (jam/prog) vs Subsoil (hip-hop)
    Funktional Flow (funk n jam) vs Gowanus (jamtronica)
    Folkfaces (bluegrass) vs Phineas and the Lonely Leaves (indie rock)
    Sly Fox & the Hustlers (rock) vs King Buffalo (blues/stoner rock)
    Lucky Jukebox Brigade (indie/pop/punk) vs The Other Brothers (jam)
    The New Daze (psychedelic jam rock) vs Druse (post hardcore)
    Ire Clad (metal) vs Raibred (Progadelic)
    Tart Vandalay (indie) vs Lord Electro (jamtronica)

    In the Castle Studio region we have these 8 matchups:

    Teddy Midnight (electro jam) vs Vaporeyes (jam)
    Super Killer Robots (stoner rock/metal) vs Intrepid Travelers (improv/jam)
    Space Carnival (psych groove rock) vs Murder in Rue Morgue (Metalcore/groove metal)
    Mike Powell (folk) vs Let’s Be Leonard (jazz/jam fusion)
    Talking Underwater (indie rock) vs Let Go Daylight (hard rock)
    Annie in the Water (acoustic rock) vs Hot Mayonnaise (rock n roll)
    Candy Ambulance (grunge rock) vs Jeremiah’s Razor (heavy rock)
    Red Shift (rock) vs Ampevene (prog rock)

    The Hollow Bar and Kitchen region features:

    St. Philip’s Escalator (rock) vs The Medicinals (reggae)
    Root Shock (reggae) vs Schmave (indie)
    Breakfast for the Boys (rock) vs North and South Dakotas (y’allternative)
    Last Daze (black country rock) vs Oogie Wawa (alternative/reggae)
    Castle Creek (blues rock) vs Unknown Woodsmen (funklove)
    Humble Braggers (indie ambient) vs Barroom Philosophers (reggae rock)
    Wavy Cunningham (soul) vs Chris James and Mama G (Ameribeat)
    Ocular Panther (prog/electro) vs SchwizZ (prog funk rock)

    The final 8 matchups are in The Downtown Barn region:

    Frank Palangi (solo rock) vs Boogie Low (acid rock)
    Skeptic (death metal) vs Cousin Earth (folk rock fusion)
    Fall of Humanity (metal) vs Dead Superstars (metal)
    Kimono Dragons (surf rock) vs Further Unsound (psych rock)
    Love Deep (jam/blues/rock) vs The Demos (indie pop)
    Big Mean Sound Machine (funk) vs Danielle Ponder & Tomorrow People (soul)
    EVHO (rock) vs Space Bacon (jamtronica)
    Stellar Young (indie punk rock) vs Formula 5 (jam rock)

    First Round voting begins at 10AM EST on Monday, March 11, and closes at midnight on Wednesday, March 13. Second Round begins at 10AM EST on Thursday, March 14 with the remaining 32 teams. Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!