NYS Music 20​17

Tag: Music News

  • OmniZen Studio in Cohoes Set For Grand Opening

    Local artists looking to make their first professional recording or those simply looking for a change have a new option beginning this Saturday. OmniZen Studios in Cohoes is holding its grand opening Saturday, March 18 from 4:00 -8:00 p.m.

    Hosted by the owners, entrepreneurs and New York natives, Shane Morris and Peter Alexander, the grand opening located at 3 McElwain Ave. in Cohoes will feature local artists including Carl Daniels. Free food, beer and liquor will be on hand for those attending the event. Morris and Alexander will be on hand to answer any questions and discuss what they are looking to accomplish.

    OmniZen Studio will provide services in audio/video recording and editing, audio mastering, artist management and production and graphic design. OmniZen will also feature yoga classes during the studio’s downtime.

    Morris and Alexander met each other through a mutual friend and quickly found that they both share a love for music, artistry and people. The duo’s ultimate goal is to make OmniZen, an actual record label, and help mold local talent into the stars of tomorrow.

    Morris on his and Alexander’s plan for OmniZen:

    We plan to make this the best studio for artists that are trying to get up and running with their music, while also producing and managing artists. We plan to progress to a point where we eventually start a record label, where we will be using my connections with music industry professionals to shop artist and songwriters to major labels like Sony Music and Warner Music. Eventually, we also plan to develop a music engineering workshop for people to learn mixing and engineering skills. Further, this studio will be more than just a recording studio, as we currently have a professional graphic designer on staff, and Peter is a talented videographer who produces music videos and web series weekly. Going even further with diversity we will be hosting yoga classes in our studio during downtime. We are both Avid certified engineers (Avid is the company that makes Pro Tools recording software).

    Alexander on the upcoming venture:

    While attending school I gained much more knowledge and understanding on sound as a whole, my perspective has changed immensely. Also, I was able to connect with people and work live sound almost my entire time attending the new school. After finishing the course, I became a stay at home dad who currently spends most every evening building toward my dreams, goals, and putting together our recording studio in hopes to make our services the best available.

    Shane Morris is a native of Newburgh and was part of the College of Saint Rose’s Music Industry program, where he perfected his skills in Pro Tools and audio engineering.

    While attending St. Rose, Morris worked in several local venues as a live sound engineer including Valentines Music Hall, Red Square, and Legends on Pearl to name a few. Morris started DownBeat Music Group to record and do live sound after he graduated. He also gave private vocal and  guitar lessons during this time. In 2014, Morris worked the MOVE Music Festival in Albany as a promoter and sound engineer

    Peter Alexander is a Kingston native. During his time trying to get a solo career off the ground, Alexander managed other local artists booking studio time and shows as well as online promotion. Alexander worked live sound at local bars and venues while performing throughout the northeast for a year. After needing a change in his surroundings, Alexander moved to Albany. After just over a year in Upstate N.Y., Alexander became a certified Avid Operator in Pro Tools after attending the New School For Media for Engineering and Music Production.

  • St. Phillip’s Escalator Release Music Video for ‘Sleepy Silver Train Haze’ off Upcoming Album

    St. Phillip’s Escalator released the video for “Sleepy Silver Train Haze.” This rollicking tune is the opening track on their upcoming album, The Derelict Sound. 

    This Rochester trio is known for its profoundly dynamic sound, which is deeply influenced by the traditions of the delta blues and psychedelic rock. The video was shot live on the stage at The Little Theatre, the nation’s oldest continuously-running independent film theater. It was produced with the help of JR Kraus, Chris Hogan-Roy, and Eric Maira, and the audio was recorded by Alex Patrick and Schuyler Skuse.

    St. Phillip’s Escalator is: Ryan Moore (guitar/vocals), Noel Wilfeard  (bass guitar) and Zachary Koch (drums). The Derelict Sound, follows their 2006 debut LP Endless Trip and 2015 EP Elevation. It is set to be released on Record Store Day, April 22, and will be available in multiple formats, including vinyl.  The song “New Age”  from the upcoming LP is already available digitally for streaming and purchase. Follow St. Phillips’s Escalator for updates and news on upcoming shows.

    Watch “Sleepy Silver Train Haze” below.

  • From Ashes to New lose Vocalist and Drummer over possible rift

    One of the hottest and fastest growing acts in the rock genre and live music scene, From Ashes To New, have announced that they have parted ways with vocalist Chris Musser, and drummer Tim D’ Onofrio. On stage, this group seemed to have great chemistry together, and put on amazing live shows. In a recent social media post about the situation, some band members hint at a possible rift in the band, as some play it cool.

    from ashes to new

    From Ashes to New now consists of Matt Brandyberry (vocals), Lance Dowdle (guitar), Branden “Boo” Kreider (guitar) and new drummer Mat Madiro, who was recently was let go by Trivium, and filled in on drums for From Ashes to New after D’Onofrio married and went on his honeymoon.

    In a chat with Brandyberry after a show in fall of 2016, he stated that the band was days away from announcing a headlining tour, and that they would bring Letters From the Fire, Stitched Up Heart and Palisades as support. Weeks went by with no announcement and the band suddenly took themselves off of the annual rock cruise, Shiprocked, which they were scheduled to take part of.

    Matt Brandyberry posted the following statement on his personal, and From Ashes to New’s Facebook page:

    As I’m sure most of you have heard, there are some changes happening with From Ashes to New. Unfortunately Tim and Chris decided this wasn’t for them anymore and have ultimately stepped away from the band. That being said, we are more excited now than ever before with the new music we are writing! To us (Lance, Branden, myself) change brings opportunity. I’d like to personally thank Mat Madiro for stepping in on drums, as he is a force to reckon with behind the kit! Keep an eye out for updates and awesome news moving forward. I cannot thank everyone enough for all of the amazing support you have showed and continue to show. I love all of you…here’s to the future!!!

    Guitarist Lance Dowdle tried to lighten the mood with his Facebook post:

    As most of you already know by now, From Ashes to New is continuing on without Chris and Tim. I’ve been locked in a room with Matt for a month now, and let me tell ya…. it’s starting to smell in here. But that’s ok cause this next record is off to an amazing start! I promise you guys it’s gonna be fire. These songs are HUGE! So while we finish up writing, we will keep all the fans involved with every move we make as you are our number one priority ALWAYS! We look forward to taking the next step with you guys, and sharing an incredible future together. And for the record… Matt just farted.

    Former drummer Tim D’Onofrio posted this insightful statement on Facebook:

    As I’m sure many of you have already heard, Chris Musser and I have decided to go our separate ways with From Ashes to New.

    When I decided to devote my life to music I did so based on the fact that playing drums makes me happy. Over time, there were too many toxic and negative elements that came with FATN that I could no longer overlook. Ultimately, the aforementioned aspects outweighed the happiness that playing drums brings me which led to my decision to remove myself from the equation. I hope everyone can understand that when the joy of playing drums for From Ashes to New no longer existed, I would be doing myself, the band and all the fans a disservice by continuing to move forward. I appreciate every single person that has helped and supported me on my journey all the way from my YouTube covers to my time with FATN and for that I am eternally grateful.

    I have put everything I had to give into my time with FATN. I am incredibly proud and grateful for all of the accomplishments, experiences and opportunity I have helped the band and myself achieve along the way. I’ve learned more in my 3 years in the band than could be gained in a lifetime. Though my outlook on a career in music has changed over the years, I still have a passion for music and drumming so this isn’t the end of my journey. This is the beginning of what I hope to be a very exciting next step and I can’t wait to share it with all of you who choose to follow it with me.

    Suck out the poison. F**k the negativity. Follow your heart. Be happy. Love all of you for the support.
    Peace!

  • Black Sabbath Officially Marks The End

    It’s official. After almost 50 years together, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler, aka Black Sabbath, have put the end the final stamp on their legendary career touring under the Black Sabbath banner. Fans of Black Sabbath knew that the day was inevitable and the band confirmed it as they posted a picture on social media confirming the end of an era. Guitarist Tony Iommi has stated that the band may still create music, and possibly perform one-off shows here and there.

    Black Sabbath has been on the road touring for over a year, on the band’s “The End” tour, which brought the band all over the globe, giving die hard Sabbath fans some closure. Black Sabbath performed their last show on February 4, in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, England at the Genting Arena.

    Considered one of the pioneer’s in heavy metal, Black Sabbath released 19 studio albums, and sold over 70 million albums worldwide including 15 million albums in the United States. Some of those albums include their self titled debut Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970), which some call one of the most influential metal albums in history, helping form the metal genre, 2x platinum certified album, Master Of Reality (1971), and the bands final studio album 13 (2013). Black Sabbath has won two Grammy awards for Best Metal Performance, including in 2014 for “God Is Dead?”

    Formed in 1968, Black Sabbath was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006, and the UK Music Hall Of Fame in 2005. Rolling Stone ranked the band #85, on their 100 greatest artist of all time.

  • Relix Announces Live Music Conference

    Relix Magazine has announced it will be holding the first Relix Live Music Conference on Wednesday May 10th.  The one day event will happen at Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn. Ticket sales begin Friday, March 10.

    Organizers say the event will be geared toward professionals in live music.  The conference will be a showcase of  new technologies, music management, and publicity while bringing together many leaders in today’s ever-changing music industry. Panels and presentations will be moderated and presented by a variety of industry leaders including Red Light Management, CID Entertainment, Head Count, Madison House Presents, and AEG Live.

    Relix Live Music ConferenceThe day long event will feature a variety of panels and discussions focusing on subjects important to the music industry.  According to the event website, moderated panels include industry topics like talent buying, artist management, publicity and music festivals.  Presentations will also take place on topics such as ticketing, technology and event activism.

    Legendary promoters Peter Shapiro and Ron Delsner are slated to give the event’s keynote speeches. The speeches will be moderated by Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fricke.

    The evening will also include music from the Meat Puppets and Mike Watt & the Secondmen.

    In 1974, Relix Magazine was launched as a handmade newsletter designed to connect fans that recorded the Grateful Dead.  It eventually expanded into a music magazine covering a wide variety of music.  The magazine is the second-longest continuously published music magazine in the United States.

    Event organizers noted that they hope the Relix Live Music Conference will serve as a resource to bring together “all the pieces and people that help bring a live show to life.”

    Tickets for the event will go on-sale to the public on Friday, March 10 at noon.

  • Korn To Headline the Return of K-Rockathon

    After going on what seemed like a forced hiatus after it’s 20th year anniversary due to various reasons, K-Rockathon makes its triumphant return in 2017 at the Lakewood Amphitheater on July 19, as they mash-up with Korn’s “The Serenity Of Summer Tour,” with some minor alterations.

    First thing Central NY fans will notice, is that the festival has moved to the Lakeview Amphitheater from it’s usual stomping grounds at Chevy Court, inside the the New York State Fairgrounds.

    After 20 festivals, and last year’s hiatus, it looks like K-Rockathon, will shed is numeration, and replace it with the current year the event takes place.

    K-Rockathon’s Wednesday, July 19 date also means that the festival will not take place on a Saturday as in year’s past.

    So far, K-Rockathon features a much smaller lineup than usual, with only five bands performing instead of twelve, but more bands should be added down the line according to the radio stations Facebook page. Syracuse’s K Rock  falls in line with what many other radio stations have been doing over the years when trying to organize bands for a one day festival. Each year it seems to be getting tougher for promoters and organizers to put together these type of events for fans, so it only makes sense for local radio stations to put their name on a show, and promote what they feel will be the hottest tour for their genre for that said year.

    Slated to appear at this years K-Rockathon will be headliners Korn, Stone Sour, Skillet, Yelawolf and DED. Korn, Stone Sour and Skillet are all supporting new music on this tour.

    Korn released their twelfth studio album The Serenity Of Suffering, on Oct. 21 2016. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200.

    Stone Sour’s sixth studio album, Hydrograd, will be released in June of 2017, just in time for the upcoming tour.

    Skillet released it’s tenth studio album, Unleashed, on Aug. 5 2016. The album reached number thre on the Billboard 200.

    Tickets go on sale to the general public March 10, with ticket prices slated at $74.50, $54.50, and $25.00. VIP packages are also available.

  • Gorillaz Announce Demon Dayz Festival

    Gorillaz, the Grammy-winning virtual band co-created by multi-instrumentalist Damon Albarn and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett in 1998, has laid plans for its own festival, which is to be called Demon Dayz Festival, after its second album. While the lineup has yet to be released, this is slated to be Gorillaz’ first live performance since the conclusion of 2010’s Escape to Plastic Beach Tour in Auckland, New Zealand.

    demon days festivalAt that show Albarn warned fans that it might be the last ever for Gorillaz, so today’s news comes as a sigh of relief for Gorillaz fans worldwide, who, for several years now, have been inundated with rumours of Albarn and Hewlett’s falling-out, delayed releases, and other speculation.

    The announcement comes following an increase in social media activity by the band, which has included biographies for the band’s four virtual members—2D, Murdoc Niccals, Russell Hobbs, and Noodle—a revised timeline of the band’s history, and the January release of “Hallelujah Money,” a single featuring Benjamin Clementine. While an album of new material has been in the works for a couple of years, a 2017 release now appears to be imminent. Check out the video for “Hallelujah Money” here.

    The single-day Demon Dayz Festival is scheduled for June 10 in Margate, England at the Dreamland amusement park. Tickets are now available starting at £60.00, with priority entry tickets for £70.00. Tickets include full access to the park’s rides. RedBull TV will also live stream the festival. Click here to visit the Demon Dayz website for tickets and more information.

  • Catskill Chill Takes Hiatus in 2017

    Catskill Chill festival lovers received a disappointing announcement that the fest is going on hiatus for 2017. Fans have been waiting for an announcement on 2017’s Catskill Chill Festival since the stage lights extinguished on 2016’s festival Sept. 25. Hoping for a lineup and date announcement for 2017, fans received the opposite news instead. Festival lovers can only hope the festival returns in 2018.

    After seven years, Catskill Chill will take a hiatus in 2017. In a post to fans on social media, the Chillfam team reflected on how the festival brought people together and the one of a kind atmosphere that the festival created. The Chillfam team also thanked everyone from fans, vendors, bands/artist, volunteers, venues, promoters and media, who have supported the festival since its inception in September 2010.

    One thing the festival promoters did not state in the post was why the festival would not take place, just stating that they needed to take a step back and that they will be be announcing Chillfam parties throughout the northeast real soon.

    Many jamband favorites have played the festival throughout the years including Mike Gordon, George Clinton & Parliamant/Funkadelic, Greensky Bluegrass, Lettuce, moe., Twiddle, Dopapod, Kung Fu, Nth Power, Papadosio, and Pink Talking Fish to name a few.

    Below is the festival’s statement issued through Facebook regarding the hiatus:

    https://www.facebook.com/CatskillChill/posts/1592016847493442

  • Extensive Lou Reed Archive Donated to NY Public Library

    American singer, songwriter and musician, Lou Reed, will soon have his archive of various unreleased material available at the New York Public Library. Reed’s wife Laurie Anderson told the New York Times that she didn’t want Reed’s work to get lost in an archive that only people with white gloves could see. Reed, a Brooklyn native and Syracuse University alumnus, died at the age of 71, on October 27, 2013 from liver disease.

    lou reed archivesIncluded in the archives, is an estimated 600 hours of demos, concerts, and poetry readings, from throughout Reed’s career. The archives also consist of more than just recordings, as there are several various types of paperwork and photographs in the collection.

    Wanting for everyone to see the big picture, Reed’s wife Laurie Anderson first contemplated putting the works online before finally deciding to hand the collection over to the library for public viewing. The archive will take at least a year for the library to catalog, and make available to the public. The works can be found in the New York Public Library’s performing arts branch, the Library for the Performing Arts, at Lincoln Center.

    Reed’s recordings date back to near the beginning of his career in the mid ’60s, when he was on the verge of his Velvet Underground Days. There are around 3,600 audio recordings to go along with 1,300 video recordings. Another cool thing about the collection that music historians love, is that the collection of recordings, shows the evolution of the recording industry for over a half of century, from reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes, digital audiotapes and finally, computer hard drives.

    lou reed archivesWhen Anderson was going through the tapes with hired archivist Don Fleming, some mysteries were brought to light. There is a reel of Velvet Underground, with handwritten notes “Delightful,” and “Gas,” that Fleming believes may be from Warhol. In May of 1965, In an even bigger mystery, Reed mailed himself a five inch reel-to-reel tape. The box remains unopened to this day, and it’s contents on the reel unknown. Fleming thinks this may have been an attempt for Reed to establish a copyright for the material.

    Anderson and Fleming went through the archives for almost three years. Anderson noticed a New York Times article about the library having a program that is able to digitize archival material, giving her another reason to reach her decision on what to do with the collection.

    Anderson stated about her late husband’s work to soon be viewed at the NYPL:

    Lou is kind of Mr. New York. This is the city he loved the most. It doesn’t make any sense for him to be anywhere else. Then what’s the best place in New York? This is the best place in New York. I just love that somebody who is so loud is in the New York Public Library.

  • Melvin Seals & JGB Return to Central NY

    This Wednesday, March 8, Melvin Seals & JGB will return to The Westcott Theater in Syracuse.  The “Keepers of the Flame” are no strangers to Central New York, having played the same venue less than six months prior and every year since 2012.

    The folky Dishonest Fiddlers as well as Upstate’s own Los New Yorkers are opening for Seals and his band, so fans can expect a little bit of everything on this upcoming hump day.   The Syracuse show is the third stop in the Empire State this tour, following their Friday night performance with special guests Ron Holloway and John Kadlecik at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester and the Tuesday night gig at the Buffalo Iron Works with Pink Talking Fish.

    Melvin Seals and JGB continue to show their love for New York as they return to the Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, March 11 and the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on Sunday, March 12.  The different bills feature eclectic opening acts from all over the Northeast, so prepare for something unique and special to happen at every show.

    Tickets for Wednesday night’s show at the Westcott Theater are still available and the remainder of the tour dates can be found here.