NYS Music 20​17

Tag: New Music News

  • Great Blue Releases New Album, to Play the Java Barn in Canton Thursday

    Connecticut rock power trio, Great Blue have hit the road for the first leg of their tour in support of the band’s new self titled album, Great Blue. The first portion of the tour will see the band travel for two months throughout the eastern U.S., hitting 20 different cities. Great Blue is planning a second leg of the tour and currently working out the details for that run.

    The tour kicked off on Oct. 27 at the Centre Street Pub in Schenectady and will conclude at home, on Nov. 25, at the Arch Street Tavern in Hartford, CT. New Yorkers can catch Great Blue play one more show on the first leg in N.Y. state at the Java Barn in Canton.

    Rocking together for 10 years, Great Blue is made up of Peter Anspach (guitar/bass), Nick Hanna (drums), and Ethan Michael (guitar/bass). The band’s new self titled album was mastered by 13-time Emmy winner, Andy Gundell. The band has recently released the music video for their new song “Seeker.” Great Blue’s style of music has the melodies, grooves, and riffs to keep the energy electrifying and crowds moving.

    Remaining Great Blue Tour Dates:

    Oct. 31 – Zenbarn – Waterbury, VT
    Nov. 2 – The Java Barn – Canton, NY
    Nov. 4 – The Pompei Lounge – Staunton, VA
    Nov. 7 – The Local – Boone, NC
    Nov. 8 – The Nick – Birmingham, AL
    Nov. 9 – Green Bar – Tuscaloosa, AL
    Nov. 10 – Congress Street Social –
    Nov. 11 – Palmetto Brewing Co. – Charleston, SC
    Nov. 13 – Preservation Pub – Knoxville, TN
    Nov. 14 – Nowhere Bar – Athens, GA
    Nov. 16 – Isis Music Hall Lounge – Asheville, NC
    Nov. 17 – The Whiskey – Wilmington, NC
    Nov. 18 – Surf Bar – Folly Beach, SC
    Nov. 19 – Tiki Hut – Hilton Head Island, GA
    Nov. 20 – Cary St. Café – Richmond, VA
    Nov. 24 – La Boca – Middletown, CT
    Nov. 25 – Arch Street Tavern – Hartford, CT

  • Dark Honey Revamp Their Sound, Drop Single ‘Stinging Nettle’

    After taking some time to redevelop themselves and fine-tune their music, it seems like Dark Honey’s got it figured out. Formerly known as One Red Martian, the band of (mostly) brothers picked up shop from the south and reverted to their roots in Upstate NY to record and release their newly calibrated music. The Albany outfit dropped the catchy single “Stinging Nettle” as their new sound takes finally takes shape trailing a five year hiatus.

    “Stinging Nettle” is delivered to us by a trio of brothers, Ben, Jimi and Joe Woodul as well as life-long friend Dan DeKalb, with a fun pop-melody that dives into deeper meanings with its playfully vivid syntax, amusing synth and carefully articulated lyrics. In a wave of pure indie-pop-rock, the quartet delivers a blunt track filled with clear cut emotion through personal storytelling and youthful mishaps. With an artistic vision entirely their own, the foursome even direct and produce their own videos, including their other track “Driving Song,” displaying raw emotion and full-on guitar psychedlia.

    A band a decade in operation, Dark Honey has molded its unique sound and racked up a larger bank of relatable experiences to creatively share with listeners as Woodul’s vocals have the ability to master a light, airy sound in one breath and raw and gritty in another. They’ve made their way to favorite local downtown Albany venue, The Hollow, for a show back in September and the Alt ranked them third best band in Albany. Since its debut, “Stinging Nettle” was featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday as well as Weekly Buzz and the USA Viral 50 Charts.

    Catch Dark Honey at their next gig at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC on Nov. 7.

    Listen to their newest single here:

  • West Berlin Drops Music Video for Hardcore Anthem “Sun”

    Syracuse hardcore band West Berlin just dropped the music video for “Sun.” The working-class anthem clocks in at under three minutes, but packs a powerful punch. It’s the title track off their latest EP which was released during the week of this summer’s solar eclipse. Shot in classic black and white by Dalton Lampo, the video documents their recent tour and includes footage from their high-energy performances and time spent on the road.

    West Berlin is comprised of Jesse Robles (vocals), Evan Sanders (guitar/vocals), Tim Keefe (Bass), and Jordan Haynes (drums). Check out their EP Sun on Bandcamp or Spotify. They play at Amity Music Hall on Friday, Oct. 6 with I Dreamt The Sea, Weary Travelers, Here/Now, A Light Winter, and Ü Blue. Follow West Berlin on Facebook for the latest on news and events.

  • Strange Machines Ready to Drop New Studio Album

    The long awaited first full-length studio album from Strange Machines, Voice of Color, will be released on Oct. 6. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the electro-funk quartet is ready to deliver a beautifully mastered LP. With some older tracks their fans will recognize, and some new tracks, this will become a staple in anyone’s catalog. This album has it all, from power ballads to reggae, some psychedelic rock and a lot of funky jams. Catch them at their album release party being held at Jewel in Manchester, NH on Oct. 7.

    The album will be available through iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp and all other major music streaming outlets. You can check out their brand new single, “Motion Potion,” below.

  • Watch Talking Under Water’s Live In-Studio Acoustic Video For ‘Gravity’

    Elise Hughey and Dave Chisholm make beautiful music together. The pair recorded an acoustic version of “Gravity,” a song from their band’s debut self-titled album Talking Under Water. “Gravity” is a melancholy tune about trying to break free from the weight of the world.

    “I need to run away, I need to fly away,” Chisholm sings while playing his acoustic guitar, “But there’s so much gravity. This planet is too big for me.” Hughey accompanies on her cello, playing the stirring notes with elegance and grace. This intimate performance of the Talking Under Water duo was captured on film by Dave Drago and Jon Lewis at 1809 Studios in Macedon, New York, and edited by Drago.

    Visit Talking Under Water online or follow on Facebook for updates. Sign up for their mailing list to receive special features like free song downloads and exclusive previews of videos.

    The full-length debut Talking Under Water is available to stream on Spotify and purchase on Bandcamp and iTunes. For more about the album, read the NYS Music review.

  • Long Island’s the Nightmare Police Touring in Advance of New Release “Losing The Light”

    The Nightmare Police are not waiting until their official June 9 release date to start touring in support of their new EP  Losing the Light. The punk pop outfit from Long Island sets off on a tour of the Northeast this week, with stops in Mechanicville on May 28, Buffalo on May 29, and Smithtown on June 3.

    The hometown tour closer at Katie’s of Smithtown, Long Island will also include performances by Check Engine Light, A Story Told, Gutterlife, and This Crooked Home.

    The Nightmare Police create anthemic tunes packed with catchy choruses, rowdy guitar riffs, and driving beats. Members Ian Washington (guitar/ vocals), Joe Berti (bass/vocals) and Jesus Arancibia (drums) cite their influences as Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, and A Day to Remember. Losing the Light is their second EP, and was produced by Frank Laudicina and Brett Romnes. Head to Bandcamp to preorder the EP and to preview two singles, “Medicine Cabinet” and “Where Were You.”

    Tour Dates:

    5/26 – Mystic, CT – The German Club
    5/27 – Boston, MA – TBA
    5/28 – Mechanicville, NY – Our Place
    5/29 – Buffalo, NY – Sugar City
    5/31 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fire
    6/1 – Baltimore, MD – The Sidebar
    6/2 – Boonton, NJ – BoonTunes
    6/3 – Smithtown, NY – Katie’s of Smithtown *

    *with Check Engine Light, A Story Told, Gutterlife, and This Crooked Home

  • 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

  • Phish Drops Union College Archival Release

    Phish added a new official archival release to their LivePhish collection this morning, with a show from May 17, 1992 at Union College in Schenectady is now available from LivePhish.com.

    On Sunday, May 17, 1992, Phish played a “secret” show, unannounced in the April/May Phish Update of that year. The show took place at Achilles Rink at Union College in Schenectady on keyboardist Page McConnell’s 29th birthday. The show, which had a ticket price of $5, was the second to last show on the 53 night spring tour that wrapped up in the band’s hometown of Burlington, Vermont.

    The night started off with a “no smoking” announcement prior to a first set highlights of “The Landlady” and “Llama” as the openers. “Stash” and “Chalkdust Torture” are also highlights from the set, and the “I Didn’t Know” features drummer Jon Fishman on trombone. The second set “Possum” is considered a recommended version of the song. It features a number of the band’s secret language cues, including the Simpsons and All Fall Down signals. It also contains a variety of teases, including “Rocky Mountain Way,” “L.A. Woman,” “China Grove,” “It’s Ice” and “Divided Sky.” The “Squirming Coil” features the audience singing “Happy Birthday to You” to Page, followed by teases of the song by Page. The versions of “Brother” and “Harry Hood” are considered must hear versions.

    The new release is available for download or streaming at LivePhish.com.

    Setlist
    Set I: The Landlady, Llama, Colonel Forbin’s Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird > My Sweet One > Reba, I Didn’t Know, Stash, The Mango Song > Poor Heart > Chalk Dust Torture

    Set II: The Curtain > Possum, Guelah Papyrus, The Squirming Coil, All Things Reconsidered, Brother, Sanity > Cold as Ice > Love You > Hold Your Head Up, Sparkle > Harry Hood, Cavern

    Encore: Lawn Boy > Good Times Bad Times

  • Boogie Low Celebrating New Release in Syracuse Saturday

    Syracuse-based groove rockers Boogie Low have a hometown party planned for the release of their new eponymous album at the Westcott Theater Saturday March 18.

    Photo Credit: Nicole Carey Photography

    Opening for Boogie Low Saturday night are fellow Syracuse-area natives, Barroom Philosophers, who are also promoting a new release.  Tickets for the show are $10 and can be purchased at Sound Garden in Armory Square or online through the Westcott Theater’s website.

    The quartet first formed as the Boogie Low Trio in 2011. Founding members Tommy Dennis (bass), Loudon Smith (guitar/vocals) and Brandon Caza (drums) used a reggae-tinged sound reminiscent of Sublime and other Long Beach, CA bands of the early ’90s as a base. The band ditched the “Trio” from its name when it brought on guitarist Matthew West in 2012. The band parted ways with Caza in 2013 and was replaced by Brandon Au, completing the band’s current lineup. Other contributors to the new album include Ray Wiggins on drums, Ty Hancock on keys and Josh Alaniz, also on keys.

    The new album, simply titled Boogie Low, has influences ranging from the aforementioned Sublime to Santana, moe., Umphrey’s McGee, 311 and Calexico. This range of influences allows Boogie Low to create its own distinct sound that encapsulates all of them.

    Smith’s vocals are rhythmic, soulful and smoky, while West’s western-style guitar solos wouldn’t be out of place on a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack. This is especially prominent on the tracks “Mexico,” “Eldin” and the band’s signature jam vehicle “Shadows,” which closes the album.  Wiggins’ drumming and Au’s percussion work is what keeps this train moving. Their beats are at the forefront of Boogie Low’s sound. The accents Wiggins and Au provide help to propel the rest of the band to the next level. One can easily feel the jamming possibilities in a live setting being propelled by the percussion.

    The CD was produced at SubCat Music Studios in Syracuse by Jeremy Johnston and mastered by Patrick MacDougal. The band credits Johnston as being the captain of the ship from start to finish. Physical copies of the album will be available at the Westcott Saturday night or directly through the band’s website. Following the show, the album will be available through iTunes, Spotify and on Pandora.

    Track list:
    1. Mexico
    2. Eldin
    3. Back to Nothing
    4. Better Way
    5. Colas in the Sky
    6. Annie
    7. Miss Bliss
    8. Tommy’s Song
    9. Walk On
    10. Mckenna
    11. Shadows

    Key Tracks: “Mexico,” “Colas in the Sky,” “Shadows”

  • PWR BTTM Announces New Album, Release ‘Big Beautiful Day’ Music Video

    New York’s PWR BTTM announced their sophomore album will be released on May 12 on Polyvinyl Records. Pageant is the follow-up to 2015’s acclaimed Ugly Cherries. The punk duo plans to tour extensively in 2017. The North American summer tour kicks off Friday May 26 at Toronto’s Velvet Underground, and comes to New York’s Webster Hall on June 21. Tickets are available starting noon on Friday, February 17.

    PWR BTTMCoinciding with the album announcement, PWR BTTM also released the video for “Big Beautiful Day,” the final song on Pageant. The music video, directed by Christopher Good, is chock full of deliciously decadent glam. The day-in-the-life concept starts with band members Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce having waffles for breakfast and builds up to an extravagant dance party.

    Pageant is available for preorder as a digital download, compact disc, metallic gold cassette, and maroon vinyl.

    PWR BTTMTracklist:

    1 Silly
    2 Answer My Text
    3 LOL
    4 Won’t
    5 Now, Now
    6 Sissy
    7 Pageant
    8 Oh Boy
    9 New Trick
    10 Wash
    11 Kids’ Table
    12 Big Beautiful Day
    13 Styrofoam