NYS Music 20​18

Author: Pete Mason

  • NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness: Round 2

    It’s time for Round 2 of NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness! We have brought together 64 of New York State’s up and coming bands for a friendly tournament-style competition throughout the month of March, and we are now down to 32.

    These artists who hail from the Empire State are a sampling of the next generation of artists and come from all corners of the state, from Buffalo to Binghamton, from Plattsburgh to Patchogue and all points in between. Discover your new favorite band and vote for your favorites!

    These are 64 bands you might not know about, but should. 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’d like to thank our regional sponsors Putnam Place, Anthology, Funk n Waffles and CEG Presents. These venues and promoters are small businesses and a sample of the backbone of the statewide New York music scene that helps artists grow and reach ever-widening audiences.

    Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

    Get to know the 8 artists in the Putnam Place region and vote below

    Mikaela Davis (singer/songwriter) vs Haewa (fusion rock)
    The Dirty Pennies (indie rock) vs Sprocket (high power technical jam)
    Eastbound Jesus (Northern rock) vs Black Mountain Symphony (symphonic groove pop)
    Fondude (groove/jam) vs Let’s Be Leonard (jam/jazz fusion)Check out the 8 artists moving on in the Anthology region and vote below

     

    Iudica (alternative/grunge) vs Candy Ambulance (alternative/grunge)
    Sun Parade (grunge power pop) vs Folkfaces (roots folk/jazz)
    Chris Eves and the New Normal (jam rock) vs Moho Collective (creative instrumental)
    Jiggawaltz (funk metal) vs Ballroom Thieves (alternative rock)

    8 artists remain in the CEG Presents region. Check them out and vote below

    ShwizZ (progressive funk rock) vs Wild Adriatic (rock n roll)
    Intrepid Travelers (funk/jazz/rock) vs Escaper (space funk psyche rock)
    Polyvamp (funk and rock) vs Space Carnival (psychedelic groove rock)
    Sophistafunk (funk/hip-hop) vs Cold Lazarus (reggae jam rock)

    Get to know the 8 remaining artists in the Funk n Waffles region and vote below

    Holly and Evan (blues alt-rock) vs The Switch (rock/funk/blues)
    Formula 5 (jam/rock/fusion) vs The Other Brothers (soul/funk/R&B)
    Teddy Midnight (electro dance funk) vs Space Bacon (electronic rock jam)
    Space Junk (progressive jam trance) vs Dark Honey (indie pop rock)

    [colorvote id=”5″ style=”wpcvp-poll”]

    Second Round voting begins at 10AM EST on Thursday, March 8, and closes at midnight on Saturday, March 10. Round of 16 begins at 10AM EST on Monday, March 12. Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

  • Funk Night in Albany announces April 5 show at Parish Public House

    After an incredible Funk Night in February, members of Turkuaz, Kung Fu, Eric Krasno Band and Wurliday will come together for the April edition of Funk Night in Albany on April 5 at Parish Public House. Featuring Mikey Carruba (Turkuaz), Beau Sasser (Kung Fu), Mary Corso (Eric Krasno Band), Justin Henricks (Wurliday), Reed Sutherland (Wurliday) and John Drabik (Wurliday), get ready to spring into a night of funk with an incredible array of talent. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

    Watch video from the last Funk Night in Albany featuring covers of Sly and the Family Stone, Frank Zappa and Nirvana. Yes, Nirvana.

  • NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness: Round 1

    It’s March and that means it’s time for NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness, Round 1! We have brought together 64 of New York State’s up and coming bands for a friendly tournament-style competition throughout the month of March. Some of these bands you may know, some may be unknown – and that’s a good thing! These artists who hail from the Empire State are a sampling of the next generation of artists and come from all corners of the state, from Buffalo to Binghamton, from Plattsburgh to Patchogue and all points in between. Discover your new favorite band and vote for your favorites!

    These are 64 bands you might not know about, but should. 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’d like to thank our regional sponsors Putnam Place, Anthology, Funk n Waffles and CEG Presents. These venues and promoters are small businesses and a sample of the backbone of the statewide New York music scene that helps artists grow and reach ever-widening audiences.

    Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

    Get to know the 16 artists in the Putnam Place region and vote below

    The Crooked North (Americana/bluegrass) vs Mikaela Davis (singer/songwriter)
    Haewa (fusion rock) vs Cousin Earth (ukulele rock/folk)
    Funktional Flow (jam/rock/funk) vs The Dirty Pennies (indie rock)
    FLOTUS (funky rock hop) vs Sprocket (high power technical jam)
    The Sea The Sea (indie folk pop) vs Eastbound Jesus (Northern rock)
    Black Mountain Symphony (symphonic groove pop) vs King Buffalo (psychedelic rock)
    Hartley’s Encore (funk/dance) vs Fondude (groove/jam)
    Of Clocks and Clouds (psychedelic/electronic rock) vs Let’s Be Leonard (jam/jazz fusion)

    Check out the 16 artists in the Anthology region and vote below

    Tart Vandelay (indie pop) vs Iudica (alternative/grunge)
    Ampevene (experimental prog rock) vs Candy Ambulance (alternative/grunge)
    Sun Parade (grunge power pop) vs Dave DiPrimo Band (alt-folk)
    Lord Electro (electronic/house) vs Folkfaces (roots folk/jazz)
    Witty Tarbox (indie/surf groove) vs Chris Eves and the New Normal (jam rock)
    Moho Collective (creative instrumental) vs Necrostalker (extreme death metal)
    Boogie Low (acid rock reggae fusion) vs Jiggawaltz (funk metal)
    Ballroom Thieves (alternative rock) vs Wavy Cunningham (New wave hip hop)

    Here are the artists in the CEG Presents region. Check them out and vote below

    ShwizZ (progressive funk rock) vs Barroom Philosophers (reggae/rock fusion)
    Dirty Blanket (bluegrass/newgrass) vs Wild Adriatic (rock n roll)
    The Late Shift (rock) vs Intrepid Travelers (funk/jazz/rock)
    Escaper (space funk psyche rock) vs Begging Angels (alt-country)
    Polyvamp (funk and rock) vs Noon Fifteen (progressive soul)
    Bad Mothers (groovy grunge) vs Space Carnival (psychedelic groove rock)
    Sophistafunk (funk/hip-hop) vs Bushicks (rock n roll)
    Cold Lazarus (reggae jam rock) vs Wurliday (soul funk)

    Get to know the 16 artists in the Funk n Waffles region and vote below

    Holly and Evan (blues alt-rock) vs Sydney Worthley (pop/folk/rock)
    The Demos (indie power pop) vs The Switch (rock/funk/blues)
    Ponder (alt rock) vs Formula 5 (jam/rock/fusion)
    Gowanus (jazztronica) vs The Other Brothers (soul/funk/R&B)
    Teddy Midnight (electro dance funk) vs Periodic Table of Elephants (garage/punk)
    Space Bacon (electronic rock jam) vs Backseat Bullets (punk/shoegaze)
    Hudson’s Crew (alt rock) vs Space Junk (progressive jam trance)
    Jess Novak Band (blues/rock/soul) vs Dark Honey (indie pop rock)

    First Round voting begins at 10AM EST on Monday, March 5, and closes at midnight on Wednesday, March 7. Second Round begins at 10AM EST on Thursday, March 8 with the remaining 32 artists. Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

  • Call on Music Announces Inaugural Event ‘Get Wet for Chauncey’

    Call on Music, an organization recently launched by Omni Arts Group, will hold its inaugural event, “Get Wet for Chauncey” on Friday, April 14 at Nectar’s in Burlington, VT.
    call on music
    Omni Arts Group founder Matt Kolinski and partner Will Ralston with the help of the arts and entertainment community have launched Call On Music and intend to promote events that will raise funds and awareness on behalf of other charitable organizations through live music and other platforms.

    The first event, to be held on Saturday, April 14 at Nectar’s in Burlington, is “Get Wet For Chauncey”, which will raise money for the Lake Champlain Committee and the Vermont Clean Water Network. Headlining the event will be The Get Wet All-Stars featuring Michelangelo Carubba (Turkuaz), Craig Brodhead (Turkuaz), Rob Compa (Dopapod), Josh Myers (Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds), and Josh Dobbs (Dead Set). Patrons will enjoy opening act Doctor Rick as well as a raffle that will include items from various local Burlington establishments. Tickets are $10, doors at 8, show at 9.

  • Flashback: Phish’s Legendary 2003 Nassau Coliseum Show

    On February 28, 2003, Phish performed the penultimate show of their Winter Tour at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island, their first since returning from a two year hiatus. The result was one of the best Phish performances of the ‘2.0’ era that spanned from December 31, 2002 through August 15, 2004.

    phish nassau 2003
    poster by Louis Arzonico

    The first set of the show kicks off with “Birds of a Feather” and while this is a solid starter to a 2003 Phish show, the “Destiny Unbound” that followed is the song that fans skip to, for this was the first version of the song since 1991, and one that fans had been clamoring for since the mid-90s. At first, few in the crowd knew what it was, but as the lyrics started, you can hear the crowd erupt, and even more so when the refrain “We gotta get on the road, Destiny Unbound” is sung.

    phish nassau 2003
    poster design by Troy Alexander

    Shock and awe swept through the crowd and continued into “Horn,” for the biggest bust out of them all was finally here. A 20+ minute “Bathtub Gin” is full of peaks and jam sections, never letting up and only resting when followed by “Sleep.” An extended “Back on the Train” and “Walls of the Cave” sandwich “Bouncing Around the Room” to wrap up the firepowered first set, and set two would prove to be equally incredible.

    One of the best versions of “Tweezer” this century kicked off a five-song second set, stretching more than 27 minutes and finding ebbs and flows throughout, never noodling or fading out, just pure improvisation start to finish. The segue into a then-rare cover of Bob Marley’s “Soul Shakedown Party” lit up the room once again, as did a dark 19 minute “David Bowie.”

    The only time to catch a breath this set was “Round Room,” but being the title track off the band’s recently released album, fans were rapt with attention to the new tune. Closing the set was a slow building “Harry Hood” that capped the show with a bang.

    phish nassau 2003
    shirt design by chris mcmurray

    A three song encore starting with “Contact,” “Mexican Cousin” gave the fans a couple of sing-alongs before the energetic close of “Tweezer Reprise.” You would be hard pressed to find a Phish show in 2003 or 2004 that had as much firepower as February 28, 2003 did.

    Phish, Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, Long Island, NY February 28, 2003

    Setlist via Phish.net

    Set 1: Birds of a Feather, Destiny Unbound, Horn > Bathtub Gin, Sleep, Back on the Train, Bouncing Around the Room, Walls of the Cave

    Set 2: Tweezer > Soul Shakedown Party -> David Bowie, Round Room > Harry Hood

    Encore: Contact, Mexican Cousin > Tweezer Reprise

    Listen on LivePhish.com

  • Computer Magic Release Second Album “DANZ,” Debut “Amnesia” video

    Computer Magic, aka producer/songwriter Danielle “Danz” Johnson, has released her official sophomore album, DANZ, this month along with a video for the track, “Amnesia.”

    Nods to Alien and Logan’s Run can be found in the black and white video, which finds Danielle in her workspace surrounded by what inspires her. “The song is about going crazy during your creative process. It’s about isolating yourself from the outside world, locking yourself in your studio to try and create something, but in the midst of this, you kind of lose yourself.”

    The upcoming semi-autobiographical album DANZ is even darker and more experimental than her first studio effort, Davos, and delves into themes such as losing yourself and your memory, a dystopian future and not following along with the crowd. Danielle writes and records at her Brooklyn studio while running Channel 9 Records and hosting her own radio show every other week on Newtown Radio called “Outerspace.”

    Computer Magic Tour Dates:
    3/03 – Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
    3/15 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada (Not So Fun Weekend)
    3/23 – Richmond, VA @ Gallery S
    3/25 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
    3/26 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
    4/14 – Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground

  • Brooklyn’s Honduras Kicks off Tour March 1 at Elsewhere

    Brooklyn four-piece Honduras will begin their Spring Tour at Elsewhere on Thursday, March 1 with the release of a limited edition 7″ single of “Need the Sun / Water Sign” via Mind Altar Records. Honduras continues their tour in support of Public Access T.V. throughout March, including performances at SXSW in Austin March 14-17.

    Founding band members Patrick Philips (vocals) and Tyson Moore (guitar) have helped Honduras grow into one of the hardest working bands in New York City, becoming known for their energetic live performances while drawing on inspiration from a number of genres and eras. Blunt lyrics bring to mind Sex Pistols, dreamy guitar work parallels Deerhunter and the rhythm section of Josh Wehle (drums) and Pauly Lizarraga (bass) create a foundation similar to The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys.
    honduras tour
    Honduras tour dates:
    Mar 01 – Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere*
    Mar 06 – Washington, DC @ DC9
    Mar 07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
    Mar 09 – Savannah, GA @ Savannah Stopover
    Mar 10 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
    Mar 11 – Nashville, TN @ The End
    Mar 13 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
    Mar 14 – Austin, TX @ Pond Mag House Party (9pm) SXSW*
    Mar 15 – Austin, TX @ Shangri La (12:40pm) SXSW *
    Mar 15 – Austin, TX @ Cheers Rooftop – Balcony TV’s Rock The Rooftop (4pm) SXSW*
    Mar 15 – Austin, TX @ Parlor – Faux Ferocious’ Showcase (6:30pm) SXSW*
    Mar 16 – Austin, TX @ Cheer Up Charlies’s (TBA) SXSW*
    Mar 16 – Austin, TX @ Embassy Suites (5pm) SXSW*
    Mar 17 – Austin, TX @ Sidewinder – Pianos Showcase (12pm) SXSW*
    Mar 17 – Austin, TX @ Georgia Theater Showcase (2pm) SXSW*
    Mar 17 – Austin, TX @ Valhalla – Little Dickman Records (4pm) SXSW*
    Mar 17 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda – AGI showcase (11pm) SXSW*
    Mar 24 – Los Angeles, CA @ Foxes Mag Minifest*
    Apr 02 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
    Apr 03 – London, ON @ Call The Office*
    Apr 04 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
    Apr 05 – Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus
    Apr 06 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott
    Apr 07 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

    *All dates with Public Access TV except

  • Sammi Rae Murciano Spreads Anti-bullying Message with ‘Reflection’ Video

    Singer/Songwriter Sammi Rae Murciano recently debuted the video for her single “Reflection,” a heartfelt track that looks back on her experiences with bullying and her journey towards empowerment. The cinematic video was produced and directed by Nick Terrana and shows Sammi’s struggle as it weaves between depictions of her as both a young girl and teenager, struggling as a victim of bullying and the effects on her self-esteem.

    A Long Island native, 17 year old Sammi Rae has been singing for three years, and is inspired by a wide range of talents before her, citing influences from Beyoncé to Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Adele, Dua Lipa and many more. Sammi’s strong and soulful voice is beyond her years and knows that you have to believe in yourself and have confidence to be successful has been her continued mantra, especially showcased on “Reflection,” which was recorded at The Loft Sound Studio with Donnie Klang, a recording artist and winner of MTV’s “Making The Band 4” and artist/engineer Matthew LaPorte.

    Murciano’s three song EP “The Story” includes “Reflection” along with “Back to Me,” about wanting to move forward and finding the strength to trust and love again, and “Never Letting Go,” a track she says she wants “to inspire others” continuing “no one should let anyone stop them from doing what they love.”

    Murciano shares about the writing behind “Reflection,” “There are many stories you hear about people being bullied and how they resort to harmful and drastic measures which could lead to dangerous outcomes. I had my singing to turn to and it’s only made me stronger. As a way to escape from the feelings of being hurt, bullied, and hated on, I started writing in my journal…which turned into a source for songs that told my story.”

    Having performed “Reflection” at the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying’s 2nd Annual Fall Gala, and with the video debut at Patchogue’s 89 North on Saturday, February 17, Murciano will certainly have better days to reflect upon as she continues to help others with her music in 2018.

  • moe. wraps up February tour in Albany, honored by Mayor Sheehan

    At moe.’s final show of their February tour, the city of Albany had something special on tap to honor the group who called Albany a second home during the 1990s. Mayor Kathy Sheehan was welcomed to the stage by promoter Greg Bell where she recalled seeing moe. at Valentine’s, and issued a Mayoral Proclamation declaring February 24 as moe.day. With band on stage, the audience erupted in delight at the honor bestowed on them by a town ripe with bands following in moe.’s footsteps.

    After being handed a ‘Rob. Strong’ banner, moe. dove into the first of two firey sets with a “Rebubula” intro fakeout that dove into “Buster” on a dime, and followed with back to back ~12 minute versions of heavy hitters “Haze” and “Y.O.Y.” and the second version of “Who You Calling Scared?” which debuted in Portland a week earlier. “Akimbo” and “Rise” sustained the energy of the set ahead of the only cover of the weekend run, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” with Chuck and Al trading off throughout.

    “Stranger Than Fiction” led the way in Set 2 with a hefty and fluid “Faker” and “CalifornIA” that followed. Jim Loughlin then dove into “Farmer Ben” and a rage rocker “Don’t Fuck with Flo” kept Loughlin in the spotlight on vibraphone, as well as in “McBain,” the ninth of ten 10+ minute songs played this evening alone (there were 7 the night prior). After a potential segue towards “George,” moe. opted to wrap up the show the way they started and swung for the fences with “Rebubula” to the intense delight of the crowd. Returning to the stage following a balloon drop, Al Schnier thanked the crowd and the city of Albany and led the band in “Letter Home,” wrapping up the run on a heartfelt note and giving time for the kids to keep dancing long after the show on South Pearl Street.

    Setlist

    Soundcheck: Johnny Lineup, Who You Calling Scared? – Listen here.

    Set 1: Rebubula > Buster > Haze > Y.O.Y. > Who You Calling Scared?, Akimbo > Rise > In Memory of Elizabeth Reed*

    Set 2: Stranger Than Fiction, Faker > CalifornIA > Farmer Ben > Don’t Fuck With Flo > Faker, McBain, Rebubula

    Encore: Letter Home

    * with Silversun tease

    photos by Dave DeCrescente

  • moe. Returns Home to Albany for Night 1 at The Palace Theatre

    moe. returned to The Palace Theatre in Albany on Feb. 23 for the first time since New Years Eve 2015 and brought along Buffalo’s Aqueous, giving fans a look at the past, present and future of the New York State jam scene.

    Looking to the future of the scene, look no further than Aqueous, one of the success stories coming out of Western New York. The versatile foursome set a standard for touring bands who are just getting their start or waiting for their big break out of the clubs and into the national scene. They kicked off the night shortly after doors and proceeded to give the Albany audience a five-song set. Guitarist Mike Gantzer noted they only had 15 minutes left, and that meant there was time for one more song, and with that dove into the proggy “Triangle,” which had hints of Umphrey’s McGee but still the classic Aqueous tightness throughout.

    moe. stepped out with bright lights shining behind creating a silhouette during the accelerating instrumental “Jazz Wank” and instead of the usual “Buster,” “Skrunk” followed and bled into “Down Boy” with Chuck and Rob creating a vocal segue over the end of “Skrunk” with the first verse of lyrics. 15 minutes of a Chuck-led jam later, “Down Boy” moved into a high energy “Tailspin.” The new “I Can Never Remember” was the only breather in a firey first set, with “Blue Jeans Pizza” jumping the tempo back up and giving the crowd chills when Rob hit the high note. The highlight among a packed first set was Mike Gantzer of Aqueous coming out for “Waiting for the Punchline,” with Al taking the lead on the jam before turning Mike loose on the audience who greeted his moment in the spotlight with intense cheers to end the set.

    moe albany palace

    Set 2 began with the Sticks and Stones era “Deep This Time” and “New York City,” followed by a break for tuning that led to Al and Rob riffing on an ‘Albany Song’ made up on the spot. “What Can I Say” was a lighthearted break in the action but from here the jamming went deep. “Hi and Lo” built the foundation for the next hour that built with a Latin-tinged “Montego,” a marvelous “Captain America,” and a 26 minute version of “She” that was at times loose and spacey and somehow found its way into “Happy Hour Hero.” The encore of “Downward Dog” closed the night at nearly 1 in the morning, with one more night in store on Saturday. Tickets are available here.

    Aqueous setlist: Aldehyde > Skyway, Strange Times > Marty, Triangle

    moe. Setlist:
    Set One: Jazz Wank > Skrunk > Down Boy > Tailspin, I Can Never Remember > Blue Jeans Pizza > Waiting For The Punchline*
    Set Two: Deep This Time > New York City, Albany Song^, What Can I Say, Hi & Lo > Montego, Captain America > She > Happy Hour Hero
    Encore: Downward Facing Dog

    * with Mike Gantzer of Aqueous on guitar
    ^ ‘debut’, made up on spot

Built in Breakdance