Tag: The Old Main

  • Floodwood Celebrates Release of Third Album With Two Shows at Kirkland Art Center

    Progressive string band, Floodwood, will celebrate the release of its third album at Central New York’s Kirkland Art Center with a pair of shows. The two day celebration, to be held Friday and Saturday Dec. 8 and 9 will feature four sets from the headliners along with guest appearances from Nigel Felony on Friday and the Old Main on Saturday. Tickets are $25 each night or $40 for both nights. Members of the Kirkland Art Center can purchase tickets for $23 each night or $36 for both nights. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

    floodwood showsFloodwood is Jason Barady and Nick Piccininni of Woodenspoon, Vinnie Amico of moe., Tony Markellis of the Trey Anastasio Band and Chris Eves of Chris Eves and the New Normal, Castle Creek and Skunk City. Combined, they bring a menagerie of influences to their unique brand of bluegrass.

    The band’s third album (second studio album),‘Til I Die was released on Dec. 1. It was recorded over the past year at RDRAUDIO Studios in Amsterdam and was produced and mixed by the band’s engineer Mark Cochi with additional recording by Casey Latter. The new album is available digitally on Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes and Bandcamp and physical copies will be available at all shows.

    floodwood showsFloodwood’s lineage reads like a history of Upstate New York music. From their bio:

    Vinnie Amico has been playing drums professionally for nearly 30 years, 20 with jamband mainstays moe. Vinnie has been with Floodwood since it’s inception 5 years ago. Vinnie is influenced by many musical styles including rock, jazz, bluegrass, reggae, country, and world music. Those influences shine bright in Floodwood…

    Tony Markellis is a bassist and record producer from Helena, Montana, now residing in Saratoga Springs, NY. His career spans over forty years, playing blues, folk, jazz, rock and country music with musicians such as Trey Anastasio, Paul Butterfield, The Mamas & the Papas, Johnny Shines, David Bromberg and many, many more. Markellis was a founding member of the groundbreaking Vermont-based jazz fusion group Kilimanjaro, as well as the Unknown Blues Band featuring Big Joe Burrell.

    Jason Barady spent over 10 years recording & touring with the Bluegrass group Wooden Spoon from Taos, until returning to his hometown in central, NY. An influential part of his local music scene, Jason plays with an unyielding energy and creativity on both local and national stages. Fans have been known to refer to him as “the Hendrix of Mandolin”. 

    Nick Piccininni is a self taught banjoist/fiddler who learned his bluegrass chops the old fashioned way – in picking circles at his favorite bluegrass festivals. He has been involved in many projects including touring for two years with CMA recording artists, The Abrams Brothers. Nick arguably smiles the most of anyone in the band.

    Chris Eves, from the band Castle Creek, is an accomplished guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He has shared the stage with The Zac Brown Band, Jon Fishman of Phish, Johnny Lang, John Popper and many others. He also played guitar for American Idol and is featured in the film Star Trek Nemesis.

    The Kirkland Art Center is a regional multi-arts center located in an old church in the heart of historic Clinton, New York facing the Village Green. The center has been integral in maintaining cultural endeavors in Central New York for over 50 years.

    Floodwood always puts on an engaging show, filled with humor and brotherly competition. Check out some fan shot video of Floodwood’s newest member, Eves, kickin’ it at Funk ‘n Waffles in Syracuse last year below.

  • 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

  • Update: Eastbound Throwdown Returns with Driftwood

    The second annual Eastbound Throwdown returns to Irwin Farm in Salem, NY on September 8 and 9, with a number of New York acts, primarily based around Americana styles of music, including Driftwood and Upchuck Ramblers.

    The schedule for this year’s Eastbound Throwdown has been released. The two-day event will have acts on two stages, featuring a main stage set each night from host band, Eastbound Jesus.

    Acoustic Stage:

    Friday
    4:00-4:30 – Big Stone Gap
    5:30-6:00 – One For the Road
    7:00-7:30 and 8:45-9:15 – Ian Fitzgerald

    Saturday
    11:30-12:00 and 1:00-1:30 – Dan Johnson
    2:30-3:00 and 4:00-4:30 – J. Schnitt
    5:30-6:00 – Upchuck Ramblers
    7:00-7:30 and 8:30-9:00 – The Saratoga Strings Band
    10:15-10:45 – Turf n’ Turf

    Main Stage:

    Friday

    3:00-4:00 – Cobblestone
    4:30-5:30 – Under the Blacktop
    6:00-7:00 – Formula 5
    7:30-8:45 – The Mallet Brothers Band
    9:15-10:45 – Eastbound Jesus
    11:15-1:00 – Green

    Saturday

    12:00-1:00 – Graveyard Poets
    1:30-2:30 – Wreckloose
    3:00-4:00 – The Old Main
    4:30-5:30 – Swampcandy
    6:00-7:00 – Black Mountain Symphony
    7:30-8:30 – Cousin Earth
    9:00-10:15 – Drifwood
    10:45-1:00 – Eastbound Jesus

    Pre-sale tickets are still available for $60. The price rises to $70 at the gate. Saturday only passes are available for $40. Camping is available on site with the purchase of a weekend pass. Those wishing to bring an RV or camper must purchase a separate RV pass for $25. All tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.

    Festival organizers Eastbound Jesus headline the event with two sets. Eastbound Throwdown also features Driftwood, the Mallett Brothers Band, Black Mountain Symphony, Wreckloose, Swamp Candy, Green, The Old Main and Cobblestone.

    Tickets for the Eastbound Throwdown are on sale now for $60. Tickets include two days of music and camping.

  • 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:

  • 2017 Saranac Thursday Acts Announced

    Saranac Brewery in Utica announced the 2017 lineup for its annual summer music series, Saranac Thursdays, on Tuesday. The kick-off event takes place May 18 with a 25th anniversary show from local show band Classified. The 19th year of the series continues throughout the summer, with hard rock act the Bomb closing it out Aug. 31.

    Syracuse-based groove rockers, Barroom Philosophers make their Utica debut on the Saranac stage July 13 and local favorites, the Canadian Celt-Rockers Enter the Haggis make their annual return to the courtyard the final Thursday in July. Other popular regional acts slated to play include the Old Main, Annie in the Water, Chris Eves and the New Normal and Gridley-Paige and 3 Inch Fury presenting “Rock of Ages.”

    The series features local and regional acts from 6-9 p.m. each Thursday. Cover charge for each 21 and over show is $5, which includes your first drink. A portion of the proceeds from the series is donated to the local United Way. The events raised $41,000 for the organization last year.

    2017 Saranac Thursday Series

    May 18 – Classified (25th anniversary show)
    May 25 – Soundbarrier
    June 1 – Showtime
    June 8 – The Crazy Fools
    June 15 – Ladies Drink Free
    June 22 – Last Left
    June 29 – Gridley Paige and 3 Inch Fury Present: ROCK OF AGES
    July 6 – Sir Cadian Rhythm
    July 13 – Barroom Philosophers
    July 20 – Annie in the Water
    July 27 – Enter the Haggis
    Aug. 3 – The Matt Lomeo Band
    Aug. 10 – The Old Main
    Aug. 17 – Lonesome Dove
    Aug. 24 – Chris Eves and the New Normal
    Aug. 31 – The Bomb

    See Enter the Haggis’ official video for “One Last Drink” shot partially at last summer’s Saranac Thursday performance below.

  • EC Radio Launches in Utica

    Former owner of The Electric Company, Anthony ‘Zee’ Donaldson, offers a glimmer of hope for the Utica music scene in the form of EC Radio. Launched in January, the radio show host has had a hand in the Utica area for more than 20 years, owning the fabled venue from 2002-2012. With the new show, Zee hopes to breathe life back into The Handshake City.

    The Utica music scene has fallen on hard times in recent years. The 2012 closing of The Electric Company marked the lack of a main music venue in town, and Utica Music and Arts Festival not returning in the fall of 2016 have not been the best news for the once burgeoning scene in Central New York. Utica does have Saranac Brewery summer concert series that continues to be well-received and attended by fans for a variety of music each summer, but the rest of the year, the Utica scene is struggling, to put it lightly.

    EC RadioPete Mason: What made you want to start EC Radio?

    Zee: EC Radio starts with the D. Disruption Networks is a new media channel my partners and I launched on January 30th this year and features a lot of uncensored talk shows. On EC Radio I like to focus on live music, indie bands and introducing the world to all different types of music.

    PM: What can listeners expect to hear when they tune in?

    Zee: Topics range from everyday life, music, sports, different segments and interviews. All uncensored and live.

    PM: As the former owner of the Electric Company, which closed in 2012, how has the Utica music scene fared in recent years?

    Zee: There’s a lack of venues unfortunately. It’s a risk to run a live music venue. People aren’t supporting live music like they used to. It’ll come back again. It’s always a constant circle.

    PM: How can the Utica scene find its footing again?

    Zee: I hope my new platform with EC Radio will help get people out there supporting the music.

    PM: Are there bands in the Utica area that may be part of a future renaissance?

    Zee: There’s so much talent in the 315, I would be typing for days, but off the top of my head: Rusty Doves, Glen Street, Nineball, Mason’s Revolt, Copper Vein Clones, Enemy Down, Dying Breed, Floodwood, jay n nick, Alpaca, Matt Lomeo Band, Showtime, Simple Props, The Bomb, Gridley Paige, Dave Snediker Band, Joe Sweet n John Kelsey, Old Main, and there’s way more but that.

    EC Radio airs Monday through Friday from 3-6pm. Tune in!