NYS Music 20​18

Author: Pete Mason

  • Funk Night in Albany welcomes Swatkins and the Positive Agenda and John Gros Band

    A taste of New Orleans comes to Albany when John Gros Band and Swatkins and the Positive Agenda take the helm for Funk Night in Albany on Thursday, Aug. 16 at Parish Public House.

    A native of New Orleans, John “Papa” Gros has spent more than a quarter-century championing the music of the Big Easy, and is best know for his band Papa Grows Funk. With a bevy of genres at his disposal – New Orleans funk, rock n roll, jazz, blues, Americana, pop and rock, Gros will combine these styles into a genre-bending gumbo while paying tribute to his influences and pushing ahead into new territory. Much like his New Orleans forefathers Allen Toussaint and Dr. John, Gros is a proud local who carries on the tradition of New Orleans music, honoring its past and helping to shape its future.

    Swatkins, a joyful prophet of positivity, joins with The Positive Agenda for feel-good funk made by and for real human beings. Steve Swatkins makes raw, fresh soulful music without relying on computers or backing tracks and is a master of the talkbox, the old-school analog effect using his larynx to shape the sound of his keyboard synthesizer sent through a vinyl tube. Think about “California Love” for a moment and combine that with a throwback dance party with a killer live band playing the deepest grooves imaginable – now you’ve got a taste of what The Positive Agenda is all about.

    John Gros Band will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16 with Swatkins and the Positive Agenda following around 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the door. More event info can be found here.

  • Intrepid Travelers Celebrate Solstice in a Most Unique Way

    For the third annual “IT Fest,” Intrepid Travelers treated their fans to a new location, a new vibe, and a new name: “Solstice.” At the gate, guests received bracelets that said “Start Your Orbit,” alluding to the astronomical significance of the summer solstice connected to the Earth’s orbit and our own personal orbit. The weekend featured 5 sets of Intrepid Travelers, each with a different flavor, yet connected together with the central theme of the solstice and the symbolism intertwined in the event: a central culminating point, a turning point, a point beyond which things will be different.

    intrepid travelers Solstice

    Friday featured two sets, with covers alluding to the solstice/astrological symbolism such as “Ain’t Wastin Time No More” by Allman Brothers Band and a pair of Pink Floyd tunes, “Astronomy Domine,” and “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun.” They also gave some nods to their Cinco En Mayo residency, with Donny playing a solo piano version of the “Jurassic Park Theme” by John Williams before launching into “Randoh’s Island.” Another choice cover was a 30+ minute bust out version of “Playing in the Band” that by the time they returned to, most audience members had forgotten was the original song being played.

    Saturday featured a day set lasting about two and a half hours, as well as two lengthy sets at night. The day set continued with nods to the solstice symbolism, opening with a lengthy rendition of “Here Comes Sunshine” and also featuring “Here Comes the Sun” as well as originals that allude to the symbolism such as “Funnel” and “Stand the Heat.”

    intrepid travelers Solstice

    After a long break waiting for the sun to start setting, the band returned for the first of 2 sets at night Saturday. Keeping things fresh, the first set featured saxophonist/flutist Ellen Pieroni of Folkfaces for the entire set. The set featured original tunes owing themselves to horns such as “Party People,” “Trek It Out,” and “Get IT to You,” but also saw the band cover a wide array of influences, from Steely Dan’s “My Old School,” Snarky Puppy’s “Grown Folks,” Lettuce’s “Relax,” an upbeat bluegrass version The Beatles’ classic “When I’m 64,” the Derek Trucks Band arrangement of “Sahib Teri Bandi/Maki Madni” – a Middle Eastern folk song originally by legendary Pakstani vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Herbie Hancock’s impressively difficult jazz funk fusion tune “Actual Proof.”

    The last set showed no signs of fatigue from IT, as they treated fans with a set of some of their most lengthy and ambitious compositions as well as jam vehicles. Again nodding to the solstice symbolism of the festival and their Cinco en Mayo residency in one, the band opened with their own arrangement of a “Star Wars Medley” which follows as such: “Star Wars Main Theme > The Force Theme > The Emperor Theme > Imperial March > Imperial Jam > Imperial March > Rebel Strike > Rebel Jam > Cantina Band.” After a lengthy hip-hop fusion jam at the end of one of many new originals, “Shitpost,” IT played a heartfelt cover of “I Know You Rider.” Capping off the festival the only way they could, IT gave one final nod to the solstice theme with their ambitious composition “Final Voyage,” signifying the final voyage of the band and the audience before returning back to Earth.

    intrepid travelers Solstice

    One festival attendee, Leah Keller, summed it up best: “Solstice aka ‘IT Fest’ was an absolute blast last weekend. Best part of the summer so far. Thanks to the band for playing super tight, the covers were also on point and having Ellen Pieroni play with them for a whole set was a cherry on top of a perfect weekend. I highly recommend more homies to attend next year. It was a retreat away from the doldrums of real life at a beautiful new venue and full of super fam/purely amazing humans. I had a blast playing and boogieing down with everyone. Oh did I mention I paid $20 for 5 sets of music and camping in paradise? See you next year!!!”

    intrepid travelers Solstice

    Solstice setlists:
    Solstice – The “G” Lodge – Hannibal, NY

    Friday, June 22
    Set 1: Woolify, Mind Wander, Ain’t Wastin Time No More(1) > On the Grass, Astronomy Domine(2), Lonely Skies, Captain Jon

    Set 2: Photo Booth Youth > Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun(2) > Photo Booth Youth, Jurassic Park Theme(3) > Randoh’s Island, Maddy & Anna, Playing in the Band(4), On Inside

    (1) Allman Brothers Band
    (2) Pink Floyd
    (3) John Williams
    (4) Grateful Dead

    Saturday, June 23
    Set 1: Here Comes Sunshine(1), Dark Disease, Funnel, Here Comes the Sun(2), Authority > Stand the Heat

    Set 2: Party People, My Old School(3) > Grown Folks(4), Relax(5), When I’m 64(2), Sahib Teri Bandi/Maki Madni(6), Actual Proof(7), Trek It Out, Get It to You (entire set with Ellen Pieroni on alto sax/flute)

    Set 3: Star Wars Medley, All About It > Boomerang, Shitpost > I Know You Rider(1), Final Voyage

    (1) Grateful Dead
    (2) The Beatles
    (3) Steely Dan
    (4) Snarky Puppy
    (5) Lettuce
    (6) Devon Case on Guitar,
    Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Derek Trucks Band arrangement)
    (7) Herbie Hancock

  • Barrage, An Onslaught of Classic Rock

    To save you the time and trouble, the word “barrage” is officially defined as “a concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area.” However, the band’s motto defines this quartet perfectly.

    Barrage is a Long Island, four-member classic rock band that covers the ’60s to the ’90s. The group has been together since 2009 and consists of: Mark Nygren (Bass, backing vocals) Matt Bruno (lead vocals, guitar), Dr. Paul Scarola (drums), and Barry Weiss (lead guitar, backing vocals).

    Earlier this year, with brand new lead singer Matt Bruno, Barrage played a fundraiser for the Good Samaritan Hospital Pediatric Department. Bear in mind, Matt had only been with the band for four weeks when the event took place.

    Hosted by DJ Orlando from Long Island radio station 94.3 FM The Shark, it was set up as a battle of the bands contest. The venue where this took place was 89 North in Patchogue. In order to qualify for the contest, each band had to have at least one medical doctor in the group. Moments after the final performance of the event, Orlando declared Barrage the winner!

    I asked lead guitarist Barry Weiss what it’s like to play in a battle of the bands contest. He said, “This battle of the bands, I thought, was just slightly nerve-racking. We were all well rehearsed. The rehearsals focused on just the set for this gig for over a month. We already knew the songs, so it was just a matter of getting Matt, our new lead singer, up to speed. Which he did amazingly. He memorized the lyrics so he did not need to look at any onstage. I was checking out the other bands’ Facebook pages to see what they were like prior to the event. Most of them, I saw that they played softer music like ’60s or Country. Being on last, we got to see what they were about. We were also the youngest of the bands and we knew that we would blow them away since we were doing good classic rock. Everyone that night were talented and professional and it all went very smoothly. It really was a great time and the crowd loved it. Hard to believe people got so into it on a Sunday afternoon.”

    Barry also mentioned that the buzz continuing throughout the hospital and community has sparked demand for additional performances. Furthermore, the success of this event has enabled Barrage to secure the opening slot for a major Long Island tribute act.

    To see Barrage live, their next gig is Friday July 20th at 89 North in Patchogue. They go on at 8 pm and will be doing one 90-minute set. Doors open at 7 for advanced ticket holders. To learn more about this great band, and see their videos too, visit their Facebook page.

    This article appears courtesy of Under the Radar. Visit their Facebook page and give them some love!

  • Dee Snider Releases Official Music Video for “Become The Storm”

    Hard rock legend Dee Snider has released the official music video for “Become The Storm,” off his upcoming album For The Love Of Metal. The video was filmed by Douglas Quill and was originally released on Loudwire.

    The Astoria-born Snider said of “Become The Storm”: “It can be a dark world out there for people being bullied, and I know it. With “Become the Storm” I’m hoping to lift them up and help them find the power within to defeat their adversaries. Sound serious? It is.”

    dee snider become the storm

    For The Love Of Metal was produced by Hatebreed vocalist Jamey Jasta and features contributions from Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage), Mark Morton (Lamb Of God), Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore (Toxic Holocaust) and Charlie Bellmore (Kingdom Of Sorrow). The album will be released on July 27th via Napalm Records.

    Tour Dates:
    7/12/18 – Cadott, WI / Rock Fest Grounds
    7/13/18 – Antioch, CA / Contra Costa County Fair Grounds
    8/4/18 – Barbaroo, WI / Ho-Chunk Gaming-WI-Dells
    8/25/18 – Huber Heights, OH / The Rose Music Center
    8/26/18 – Warrendale, PA / Jergels
    12/8/18 – Oulu / Areena Oulu, Fiji
    12/8/18 – Lahti / Jahti Halli, Fiji
    More dates will be announced soon

  • Catching up with the Artists of 87/90

    The up and coming artists of NYS Music 87/90 have already had an incredible summer and are gearing up for the heat of Festival Season. The artists of 87/90 include the best up and coming bands from across New York State, and they’re coming to a town near you across the Northeast and Midwest this summer. Check out what they have coming up and catch these bands before they blow up!

    Formula 5 will host their second annual Rock the Dock Music Festival in Lake George, NY. The Lake George Steamboat Company hosts the event once again, with the three steamboats surrounding the pier to form an amphitheater for fans to enjoy the sounds of Formula 5, Soule Monde (featuring Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski from Trey Anastasio Band), Strange Machines and Let’s Be Leonard. The show is only $7 in advance or $10 at the gate. More info can be found here. Most recently, Formula 5 performed at Disc Jam Music Festival, welcoming the Turkuaz Horns for “The Birch Tree” and Rob Compa of Dopapod for a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Swamp Music.”

    Folkfaces will embark on the Fried Chicken Dreams Tour that includes 27 dates in July and August, spanning 14 states and 2 countries. The band will be returning to some familiar venues, as well as making their debut in a plethora of new cities and venues. Folkfaces will be joined along the way with tons of special guests, including General B and the Whiz (Montreal, ON); Swimmer and Kendall Street Company (Burlington, VT); Jared Hamilton (Lexington, KY); The Ithaca Bottom Boys (Ithaca, NY).

    artists 87/90

    Space Carnival recently performed at WoodHenge Music Festival and welcomed Ben Carrey from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong sat in for “2001” and Scott Hannay of Mister F/Wild Adriatic joined for “Regal Krad,” Jeremy Kraus of Space Carnival joined Ben for his solo set. At Disc Jam, the Oneonta jammers were joined by Rob Compa on “Regal Krad” and Smash Mouth’s “All Star”

    artists 87/90
    Let’s be Leonard will kick off Rock the Dock Music Festival at 4pm this Friday, and then head to Alexandria Bay to perform at Riverboat Bar on Saturday, July 14. On July 27 they will release their album Static and will hold a film screening of the movie that accompanies that album at the Park Theater in Glens Falls, NY. Then they’ll be at Mile of Music Festival in Appleton, WI from August 2-5 and back home September 1-2 at Adirondack Independence Music Festival in Lake George. Check out their recent video for ‘Most Days’ below.

    Cousin Earth will be playing several upcoming festivals and shows in support of their new album Human Music. Notable performances include the Great South Bay Music Festival, Down to Earth Festival, Mazzstock, Meeting of the Minds, and a show with lespecial at the 8×10 in Baltimore. Watch their van cover of “S.O.B.” by Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.

    Intrepid Travelers will be taking some time to finish recording an album they’ve been working on since January, and have announced the second half of their summer tour dates, including:

    July 7 – Taste of Music Festival – Buffalo, NY
    July 25 – Columbus, OH
    July 26 – Holland, MI
    July 28 – Canton, OH
    August 3 – Jamestown, NY
    August 4 – Geneva, NY
    August 7 – Buffalo, NY
    August 23-25 – Night Lights Music Festival – Sherman, NY
    August 26 – Beau Fleuve Music and Arts Festival – Buffalo, NY

    artists 87/90

  • The Arc, Set to Open in Kaufman Arts District, Names Former Webster Hall VP as COO

    The Arc, a new 20,000 square foot concert hall and recording studio in the Kaufman Arts District in Long Island City, will open in early 2019 with former Webster Hall Executive Vice President Rich Pawelczyk named COO. The management team plans to bring strategic brand partnering and the world’s top talent and emerging artists  to The Arc.

    A 1931 vintage building, The Arc has a unique arched, wooden cathedral-like ceiling with Douglas Fir bowstring trusses that imbue the space with spectacular acoustics. Featuring both large and small performance spaces, along with a full 21st century recording studio and a total capacity of 2,000, The Arc will have a sound stage, full sound and video recording capabilities, and state-of-the-art acoustics that will rank among the finest in the world.

    The Arc

    “I’m thrilled to join the team as the The Arc is taking shape as a world-class concert venue that can accommodate not just live performances with unsurpassed acoustics, but also with state-of-the-art digital recording and streaming technology that will enable us to create unique experiences for fans–and the brands that want to reach them—in New York City around the world,” said Rich Pawelczyk. “We’re already seeing a flood of initial interest among artists and sponsors because, with incredible design, location, and technology, The Arc is poised to fill a void in both the New York music scene and in the industry as a whole.”

    The Arc will fill a void in the NYC music scene, featuring an arched antique wood wooden ceiling for unparalleled acoustics (see release below), two performance spaces, recording studio/sound stage, and 24 hr cafe. Grammy award-winning sound engineer Adam Abeshouse has joined the team and The Arc is expected to have some of the best acoustics anywhere in the world. Take a 360′ tour of The Arc

    The venue is part of John Belitsky’s DMNDR network, a global community of artists, musicians and fans that user DMNDR to share their work. The venue will serve as DMNDR’s physical concert and recording venue.

    The Arc is named for its mission to showcase musical talent at every stage in the arc of an artist’s career—from emerging talent to well-established artists. The Arc is a full city block-through of event space in Long Island City—New York’s fastest growing neighborhood only minutes from Midtown Manhattan—that will feature a state-of-the-art recording studio, media center for streaming live videos, a 24/hour café featuring cuisine of 600+ local food vendors, and spaces for local talent and community collaborations. Corporate branding partnerships are in development.

    To date The Arc has held small, well-received performances and sessions including LoveHoney, Madison McFerrin, Jackie Venson, Jon Fratelli (of the Fratellis), Oxymorrons, Mosie, and many more. Current performances are by invitation only and occur weekly.

    The Arc

    The Arc’s exceptional, world-class acoustics will establish the live performance hall as a destination for rehearsals, recordings and performances of a diverse range of musical talent. DMNDR will also seek designation for The Arc as an accredited sound stage for film and television production to further complement the thriving creative industries within the Kaufman Arts District.

  • Special Guests join Tedeschi Trucks Band at SPAC for a Night of Rockin’ Southern Soul

    Southern rock and roll rose up in Saratoga Springs at SPAC on July 3rd, with special guests led by Greenville, South Carolina’s Marcus King Band, Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s Drive-By Truckers and Jacksonville, Florida’s Tedeschi Trucks Band. If that lineup of musicians doesn’t conjure images of extended soulful guitar solos and rock n roll in the vein of The Allman Brothers Band, you may need to eat a peach. Over three hours of combined music, these three bands combined for one of the most rockin’ shows this year, and a treat for anyone able to see the Wheels of Soul tour and is treks across New York State and the country this month, headed west for a two-night run at Red Rocks in Colorado.

    tedeschi trucks special guests

    Opening with “Tell the Truth,” TTB’s love for Clapton shone on both ends of the set, with “Key to the Highway” appearing later in the set. “Don’t Know What it Means” with its blaring horn intro and Tedeschi’s pipes never fails to get bodies moving, and a giant sax bridge from Kebbi Williams segued perfectly into “The Letter.” A smooth jam in “Little Martha/Midnight in Harlem” preceded covers of Dylan’s “Down in the Flood,” and the Stevie Wonder written/The Band performed “Loving You is Sweeter Than Ever,” then punctuated by “I Want More,” an original that crescendoed like a rock orchestra, ending with thunderous drums from the duo of J.J. Johnson and Tyler Greenwell.

    The earlier performers of the evening were welcomed to the stage eagerly by both band and audience. Drive by Trucker’s Patterson Hood joined in on “Let me roll with it,” a sing along featuring double driving guitar via Hood and Trucks. Marcus King joined on guitar and vocals for Clapton/B.B. King’s “Key to the Highway” where Mike Mattison showed monster presence with his powerful vocals. To close the night, the band welcomed Eric Krasno of Lettuce and Soulive fame and Tash Neal from London Souls for an enthusiastic “Statesboro Blues.”

    There is as mantle for the wider Allman Brothers Band family, including Gov’t Mule, Les Brers, Great Southern, Derek Trucks Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and many more yet to come. To see any is to experience the full southern rock band sound, the real deal, every time.

    Setlist (via setlist.fm): Tell the Truth, Part of Me, Don’t Know What It Means, The Letter, Little Martha/Midnight in Harlem, Down in the Flood, Loving You is Sweeter Than Ever, I Want More, Let Me Roll It*, Laugh About It, Key to the Highway^, Shame, Bound for Glory
    Encore: Statesboro Blues+
    * w/ Patterson Hood
    ^ w/ Marcus King
    + w/ Eric Krasno, Tash Neal (London Souls)

  • Prepare yourself for Camp Bisco Color War XIII: The Over Bezerk

    With Camp Bisco less than two weeks away, it’s time to start preparing for Color War Xlll: The Over Bezerk! An homage to one of the greatest shows ever played by The Disco Biscuits and feature a remix of the classic Color Wars game that has been played for the past 12 Camp Biscos. For the 13th year of Color War, the games will be played following the rules of the only other game in existence that is as ruthless as the way Biscuits fans get down on the field.

    Known as “The game of games” on the streets of Philadelphia, this year will incorporate the rules of Chardee Macdennis from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Only the most savage players on Lot have a chance to play the most savage game ever created and offered to the masses.

    Join the Color War teams – Orange, Purple, Green and Blue on Friday, July 13 from Noon to 5pm at the Lazy River in the waterpark. Want to sign up? We got ya covered!

    Chardee Macdennis has three levels that dictate the order the games are played in, and the traditional camp games will be reworked to fit under these guidelines:

    Level 1 (Mind)- Trivia, Puzzles and Artistry

    Level 2 (Body)- Physical Challenge and Endurance

    Level 3 (Spirit)- Emotional Battery and Public Humiliation

    Color War is not just a war of games, it is a War of psychological warfare! All year long, rival teams take the time to get to know their opponents inside and out so they can use what they have learned to crush their spirits on the field. Just as in It’s Always Sunny, physical representation of the team Captains will assist in shaming the losers with the ceremonious destruction of their game pieces at the end of the game – an added bonus to the glory of winning the coveted Color War Cup!!!

  • Let’s Be Leonard share first official music video “Most Days” off upcoming album “Static”

    Let’s Be Leonard have shared the first glimpse of their crowd-funded album Static in the form of “Most Days,” the band’s first ever official music video ever. The full movie of Static will premiere on July 27 at Park Theater in Glens Falls, NY, followed by two sets of Let’s Be Leonard. More info can be found here.

  • Episode 7 of Empire State Music Podcast features Kat Horton of Night Lights Music Festival

    Join host Andy Hogan for Episode 7 of Empire State Music Podcast, with special guest Kat Horton of Night Lights Music Festival and 1039 Presents. Listen on Simplecast or Soundcloud below.