In a sincere and heartfelt announcement, Space Carnival took to Facebook Tuesday to address their decision to disband and hold their final show after five exciting years. The quartet originally launched in the Oneonta music scene and earned loyal listeners all across the country. They went on to humbly dedicate their amazing memories to musicians they have shared the stage with, awesome fans, and that this experience has exceeded their wildest dreams.
On a more personal note they mentioned that they have respectively been focused on individual paths for the past two years and despite every effort, they believe it is within the group’s best interests to go separate ways. Lead guitarist Jeremy Kraus stated that he will be following a dream and moving to Colorado in the following month to pursue a concert production career. The aspirations of other members remains to be seen but they explained: “We are still best friends and have zero hard feelings towards each other.”
As they conclude their interplanetary disco career, the group also decided to perform an additional show at The Black Oak in Oneonta on Oct. 6. This venue in particular has been a welcoming home for the band as it is where they played their first show and several others during their maturity over the years. Pursuing music is undoubtedly a demanding but rewarding dedication for any individual or group. What Space Carnival has offered to their fans in their time is an inclusive community that can be enjoyed for what it truly is. Genuine and talented production that serves to “make people dance and go to outer space.” They would faithfully debut original content and allow their sound to resonate for people’s enjoyment. Nothing else. That rarity is something to be cherished in a world where we often fail to recognize the passion devoted musicians instill in their work.
NYS Music would like to thank Space Carnival for the gift of music it has released throughout the course of its existence and encourage any support their incredible fans have to offer as the band wishes their final heartfelt goodbyes.
See dates below: 9/14: Private Festival Ithaca, NY
9/15: Wormtown Festival Greenfield, MA 10/5: The Range Ithaca, NY 10/6: The Black Oak Oneonta, NY
“My friends and family and fans didn’t seem to know how to talk to each other anymore without calling each other awful names.” This all too relatable comment from Mick Fury speaks volumes and is a statement that spans the country. So Mick, a Nashville singer/songwriter originally from Syracuse, set out to do find out how deep these divisions truly are.
Mick Fury‘s “Front Porch of America” debuts today with all four episodes available on YouTube and soon on the All Guitar Network on Roku, and features interviews with Americans across the country, with conversations on their front porches, with the goal to answer the question, “Is America really as divided as it seems?”
To that end, after traveling 8,500 miles across the country over 14 days, Fury has a mixed answer to that question. “If I answer that I would be spoiling the whole show, so I’m cheating when I say yes and no. The divisions are there and often there are those who are unreasonably angry about issues they don’t always fully understand. I don’t blame people for that but the places people are getting their news from are not helping them in this. I read New York Times, BBC, while others listen to AM radio and get polarized by those who try to skew their views in a certain direction. You see an anger and fervor to get their opinion out, but after 10 minutes, you see that people have the same goals in life and you’ll see both parts of that in these episodes, and see people being divisive and also very reasonable.”
Each episode will detail the crew’s struggles to drive extreme distances on a limited budget, feature multiple interviews of Americans from their own front porches, and follow Mick’s musical journey along the way. “It started as way to integrate some new songs from my upcoming album into an issue that was really rubbing me the wrong way on social media.”
“I thought a cool element of the project was that a front porch was a place growing up where we’d sit around, shoot the shit, and solve the world’s problems over cheap beers or coffee. I knew that as we drove around America, everyone’s idea of a ‘front porch’ would vary based on where they lived. In DC, it was a picnic bench that a guy liked to hang out on in his complex. In NYC it was a Spanish Harlem rooftop. In Oregon it was a deck overlooking a pot farm. Everyone’s view (and thus their “view”) from their Front Porches was different, and I thought that was a critical part of our American story.
The drive found Fury, videographer Terry Little, friend Adam James plus their gear, heading from Nashville to Washington D.C., New York City, to Syracuse, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Standing Rock, SD, Kirby, OR, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Oklahoma City and back to Nashville. You can watch all the entire series of “Front Porch of America” on YouTube.
My birthday parties typically consist of pizza and ice-cream cake. For Hudson Valley resident Lee Mazzola’s birthday, there were more than twenty bands for Mazzstock with hundreds of celebrators dancing and socializing in addition, of course, to pizza and ice cream.
The (family) friendly atmosphere at Mazzstock.
The party, dubbed Mazzstock, took place from August 24-26 on a back road in Marlboro, NY. While my wife Lauren and I could only attend Saturday’s festivities, everything we overhead confirmed our own time was representative of the overall experience: an intimate hangout among friends and neighbors, where overbearing security and a daunting list of rules were unnecessary; a small patch in the Hudson Valley hills with nonstop music and carefree families.
AB/CD rocker
Before I arrived at the music, here’s an anecdote that aptly encapsulates the Mazzstock milieu: I took a brief shuttle ride from parking to the festival, driven by an apparently crotchety, ponytailed and mustachioed middle-aged man named Steve, who could’ve easily passed for a farmer, trucker, original-Woodstock-survivor, or all the above. After jolting the van to a stop at the music drop-off point, Steve overheard another older gentleman, a curious neighbor who didn’t realize paid tickets were necessary. The gentleman asked Steve to drive him back to his car, disappointed, since he couldn’t pay for the ticket. Steve replied, “Hell no, brother. You take one of my tickets. I bought a bunch because the guy running this shindig is a helluva guy and one has your name on it. You’re staying all weekend, my friend.”
Hours later, I saw the older gentleman enjoying himself plenty and hoped that Steve was somewhere nearby partying, too.
Chris Owens of The Other Brothers
When I did finally arrive at the music area, a soccer field-sized clearing with a smattering of people around two smallish stages set up on the woods line, New Paltz’s The Other Brothers were playing. Led by flamboyant frontman Chris Owens, the nearby natives entertained for forty-five minutes. His backing band churned out funk led by steady percussion while Owens pumped his legs and wrung his hands, belting out soulful vocals. Owens’ voice was pleasant and his presence was vibrant and I was nicely surprised with The Other Brothers.
The weather was unimpeachable—sunny and seventy, the humidity had finally dissipated—and Lauren and I wandered around the festival grounds before the Alpha Male Gorillas took the stage. Kids (and grownups) were running around, dancing and hooping, everyone in high spirits. A communal bonfire smoldered in the middle of the grounds and revelers played cornhole and beer pong as music wafted from the background.
The Alpha Male Gorillas bluesy beginning.
Back at the stage, the Alpha Male Gorillas began their long set with a few bluesy ballads. The vocals were gravelly and the riffs were plucky, a nice changeup from the preceding bands’ jams. To the chagrin of the crowd, they threw a curveball and welcomed a couple rappers to the stage for freestyling midway through the set. Covering a large gambit, they played everything from Nate G to Bob Marley. Festival namesake Lee Mazzola jumped on stage during the set to announce they were the only band who’s played every Mazzstock and the growing crowd vehemently approved.
While the Alpha Male Gorillas wound down, everyone scooted to the second stage for what turned out to be the highlight of the night. As the sun set, funk powerhouse Kung Fu took the stage and, from first note to last, catalyzed a phrenetic dance eruption. Early in their set, I overheard someone tell his friend, “There’ve been some good sets this weekend, but these guys are next level professionals.” I couldn’t have agreed more.
Kung Fu rocked Mazzstockers as each bandmate took his turn soloing and harmonizing, a tightknit unit firing on all cylinders. At the end of lengthy jams, a uniquely Kung Fu riff snapped the crowd back to the chorus, before they cast off into another crescendo.
Kung Fu lit up the night.
An extensive drum solo from Adrian Tramontano highlighted the set while guitarist Tim Palmieri and tenor saxophonist Robert Somerville were constantly in sync, shifting between lead and rhythm roles. As with every able funk outfit, bassist Chris DeAngelis thwapped away tirelessly on the bass and keyboardist Beau Sasser rounded out the lineup with an upbeat performance on the keys.
Two hours after they took the stage, Kung Fu left and a feeling of dazzled awe settled in the air. Late at night and with a long ride ahead of us, Lauren and I called it a night and walked back to the shuttle, bragging about the day we had just experienced.
I was a little disappointed that Steve was still on duty as he dropped us off to the car. But, he said, he would be raging tomorrow.
Held the final weekend each and every year, the Great American Irish Festival (GAIF) is one of Central New York’s favorite July events. Mixing it up this year by reducing the numbers of days of the festival to two may have welcomed a few grumbles, but for the most part was a highly successful decision as crowds were full and constant at all of the activities underway. Adding a few choice events this year like Sean Finnerty and Colum Tyrrell, two very funny Irish Comedians from NYC, and a Sip and Paint gave festival goers additional options for fun and frolicking.
You find at this festival there are two types of attendees: the ones that pick a stage and watch from beginning to end and the stage jumpers, such as myself, who try to capture every moment of every artist on all stages. This can become a bit daunting at times, trying to be in two places at once. However, if you were hopping back and forth between stages throughout the weekend you were pleasantly pleased to see that you were able to catch a major portion of each set without missing any of your favorites. The scheduling was meticulously organized so that everyone could enjoy every band. Well done GAIF band schedulers, well done.
Over on the Contemporary Stage Friday night (and Saturday as well), The American Rogues solidified themselves as festival favorites as their high energy ensemble of percussionists ramped up the crowd and laid down the beat that catapulted the weekend into one of the most successful yet. This ever-changing group has more than 17 members that alternate shows throughout the year, hailing from all across the US and Canada. These musicians come together to give fans an electrically charged set of Celtic music at its finest. Meandering around the festival grounds throughout the weekend, there was constant chatter about their new favorites at the festival, The American Rouges.
Under the Traditional Stage’s pavilion, Diana Ladio and Alison Lynn of the Moxie Strings got the party started. These two electrify every crowd they play for with their unique sound of electric cello and fiddle. Their blend of Celtic and classical sounds, blend beautifully to entrance all those that hear them. Joined this evening by special guest David Howley of the band We Banjo 3, and Kian Byrne on Saturday, they set the tone for all those looking forward to a traditional Celtic experience.
Following the Moxie Strings were a trio of sisters, Greta, Willow, and Solana Gothard. The Gothard Sisters have perfected their harmonious style of Celtic renditions over the years growing up in a musical environment together. With oldest sister Greta on guitar, violin, octave mandolin, and vocals; middle sister Willow on violin, mandolin, octave mandolin, bodhran, and vocals; and youngest Solana on violin, bodhran, djembe, whistle, percussion and vocals too, these talented sisters each add their own secret ingredient into the blend that make them a winning recipe. Add in a dash of Irish dancing and these sisters clearly have found the magic to captivate their audience with their melodic playing and angelic tunes.
Arise and Go has become another festival favorite with their upbeat original compositions of traditional Irish music with touches of the Scottish and Canadian influences they’ve acquired through their years of training. Hailing from Ithaca, these three musicians, Ellie Goud, Michael Roddy, and Tim Ball, have blended their unique sounds to create their own sound of Celtic music and beguiled those who had the privilege of catching their set Friday night.
Searson has been a festival favorite for years. Sisters Erin and Colleen Searson were joined by Frazier Gauthier on bass and Dave MacDougall on percussion, and together they brought their Ottawa Valley Celtic traditions to Central New York. Playing on both the Traditional and Contemporary Stages throughout the weekend, it’s not surprising their fans followed them wherever they were as their fiddle playing and step dancing lures you in and gets you moving. Searson has become part of the GAIF family and their live show is one to not miss
As the night progressed back over on the Contemporary Stage, Central New Yorkers welcomed back Enter the Haggis. In past years, Enter the Haggis would typically play a Saranac Thursday then only play the opening night at the GAIF. However, this year would see that tradition end. Focusing their full attention on GAIF this year, festival goers were pleased to welcome them for the entire weekend. Their musical ability to tell a story in the most melodic manner has won over their fans, lovingly referred to as Haggis Heads, time and time again. Their high energy performance ramps up every crowd I’ve ever seen them play for. Singing along to each and every song, this band could step away from the mics if they wanted as the crowd knows each and every word and happily participated throughout the entire weekend. If you haven’t seen Enter the Haggis live, check them out this November as they return to The Wescott Theater for their annual fall show.
This year, festival goers were extremely excited for newcomers We Banjo 3. Making their first appearance at the festival ever, we were honored to welcome them and celebrate the release of their new album Haven the very same night.
I had a chance to speak to the lads before their set about the new album, recording, their history, and although Fergal was jokingly a little put out with his question, fans truly wanted to know the history of the red pants Fergal, I promise. The lads were friendly, silly, and their personalities on camera match their charismatic personalities on stage and they immediately won over the crowd and left them wanting more than just the one evening they were here for. This is one band that festival goers want more from so stay tuned for upcoming shows in the area. You will be happily surprised as dates are announced.
Completing the Friday night lineup,The Elders took the stage. The weather advisory for a massive downpour wouldn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, because their favorite musicians from Kansas City were in town. This group has become family to GAIF over the 11 years of playing here in Central NY and they poured out their souls to those who could stuff underneath the massive circus tent of the Contemporary Stage as the rain poured down outside. Joined by friends from Searson,The Moxie Strings, We Banjo 3,and Enter the Haggis throughout the night on stage, it was like a family reunion of sorts. The love and respect they have for one another together with the love from the fans out front of the stage made for a magical evening of music.
Saturdays’ activities began bright and early for the annual 5K Ranger Run and Highland Games. As gates opened, crowds poured in and tents and stages filled up quickly with those vying for the best seats in the house for their favorite bands.
On the schedule for Saturday was local favorites, Blarney Rebel Band, Rochester’s 1916, a return from the American Rogues, festival favorites Barleyjuice, Enter the Haggis, and capping off the night was the final performance of The Elders on the Contemporary Stage. Over to the Traditional Stage, attendees welcomed back locals Craobh Dugan, Triskele, Stoutmen, Donal O’Shaughnessy, House of Hamill, Moxie Strings, The Gothard Sisters, Hair of the Dog, and last but certainly not least, Searson.
House of Hamill, featuring Brian Buchanan from Enter the Haggis and his wife Rose Baldino, formerly from Burning Bridget Cleary, made their first appearance at the festival together. These two have a magical musical chemistry on stage. Between the two of them, they have more than 25 years of writing and performing under their belt and their collaborations on stage clearly reflect this. As they lovingly bantered and played around on stage, they clearly won over their audience and left them wanting more.
1916 has performed at GAIF before, but this year’s performance may be the first time several concert goers were able to take in their set (such as myself). As I was walking in to the festival I met up with Jon Kane, one of the band members, and I asked him to describe their sound. He described them to a “T” for me. He said it’s a mix of ‘Celtic rock meets Johnny Cash’. Spot on, Jon. It was exactly that and I loved them. In the middle of the afternoon their jumping around and thumping on stage got everyone up out of their seats, making this afternoon performance one of the most energized sets all weekend. If you haven’t had the chance to check them out, do so. They hail from Rochester, NY and central New Yorkers can get a peek as they play all over the state. You can thank me later.
Barleyjuice has become another of the Great American Irish Festival’s regular performers. Each year, attendees clamor to get up front for their “in your face” and gritty renditions of Celtic rock music. This band never ceases to please a crowd and once again left it all on stage for those who had the chance to see their set.
One traditional that never changes at the Great American Irish Festival is the Mass Pipe Band March on Saturday evening. Competing all weekend, the participating bands group and march throughout the festival to the field in which winners in each category are announced. Once there, they play and perform together brining chills to all that witness – another “must see” event.
As the night wore on, the time came that everyone had dreaded, the final performance of their favorite band, The Elders. How could it be that the band that won their hearts would no longer be coming back? For many, it’s why they came to the festival each and every year. Last year’s void was felt and this year’s goodbye was bittersweet for both band members and festival attendees.
Tears were had by many as songs they knew they would never hear again, were sung one final time. As the night wore on, friends from other bands joined them for one final collaboration. It was an energetic, wistfully sad night. They won the hearts of all many years ago, and left their hearts on stage with their fans. As they end touring, they took the time to share their final thoughts with those here in Central New York. Take a peek below at a message they sent to each and every one of you.
As Sunday morning came, and breaking with the tradition, mass was held in Utica at St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Church. Across from the newly built Irish Cultural Center, the congregation was serenaded with traditional bagpipes and music. In time, as the Center is completed, mass will be held within for all to enjoy.
Change is never easy. Whether it’s change in the number of days of a the festival, the addition of new things or the elimination of favorite things, it never gets easier. But change can be good. Change should be embraced as with change comes new opportunities. The Great American Irish Festival is an amazing event. It’s run entirely on volunteerism. Volunteers are what makes this festival great, and what makes it run smoothly. There have been changes throughout the years, some good, some not so good. But I urge each of you to embrace these changes and give this festival your support. Like any great team, it’s a winning formula that makes it click. Fans of sports teams don’t jump ship when they loose, they stand with them until they get the right mix. So I urge all that may have stopped going, or no longer volunteer, or stopped being a part of this event to give it another chance. Take a peek at the Great American Irish Festival site and give some feedback to how you think it can improve. The team wants to make things perfect for all that attend and your feedback is critical to making the right changes. For all those who have never given up, thank you. Thank you for believing in the Great American Irish Festival, because after talking to so many from all over the world, it truly is considered by those who perform and attend to be The Great American Irish Festival.
Western New York alternative punk band Carpool has released their debut single “Idaho.” The track is from the band’s upcoming EP I Think Everyone’s A Cop, which is scheduled for release on Sept. 13. Drawing influence from elements of shoegaze and emo, Carpool crafts songs characterized by catchy hooks, insightful lyrics, mathy guitar riffs, and a plethora of pedal effects. Singer/guitarist Chris Colasanto has the following to say about this song:
‘Idaho’ is a song about a place I’ve never been. This past year has really been a turning point in my life and has made me realize how slow moving and pathetic I was… Everyone around me was steadily growing up and moving on. It made me really wish I could just get up and go to somewhere unknown. But like everything else in life the grass is never greener on the other side.
It’s about issues with your self image and self worth. It’s about wanting so badly to relapse into your old toxic self, but knowing that if you let it happen it’ll ruin you and possibly kill you. It’s about giving up on yourself and being who you need to be.
Digital copies of I Think Everyone’s A Cop will be available Sept. 13. Physical copies will be available in October via Syracuse label Nothing Feels Good Records.
I Think Everyone’s A Cop Track Listing:
1. Cigarette Cough
2. Another Song About Rachel
3. Beauty School Dropout
4. Local Joke
5. Idaho
6. Close Encounters
7. I Think Me And Drake Would B Friends
It’s been just over a week since Curveball was cancelled. Rarely does a festival get cancelled so close to showtime, and this one came down to the wire, with the plug pulled just as Phish was about to start Soundcheck at 4:00 pm on August 16. Thousands were already on site, and tens of thousands en route to the southern tip of Seneca Lake for Phish’s semi-annual music festival, held for the third, and perhaps the final time, at Watkins Glen International. Sadly, due to circumstances beyond the band’s control, Curveball was cancelled. Despite the shock, sadness & disappointment that flooded the festival grounds, what came next was a very humbling and incredible experience.
The pre-show excitement that built while preparing for a Phish festival has the joy of feeling like a kid at Christmastime, with surprises in store for all. Ahead of Curveball, fans counted down the days, dreamt up setlists, and stayed on top of the tour leading up to the climatic festival, hoping to get something on their wishlist, if not everything.
When the news broke, fans stood around just stunned. Those who made it into the venue wandered back to their campsites, a point at which the comradery that is felt among Phish fans came into focus. Deciding to make the best of the circumstances, Curveball’s temporary inhabitants banded together and sought out group therapy as they dove into the Kübler-Ross stages of grief, or postponed them, if not for a single night. New friends were made as they always are, Phish memories were discussed and fans commiserated about “what could have been.”
Fans still wanted to boogie and Kenneth Horgan, Production Manager for The Loop Tent, onsite working for Phish Inc. and JEMP records, made that possible. Horgan used his equipment to set up a live stream of the Joe Russo’s Almost Dead show from Red Rocks, where JRAD paid homage to Phish by weaving teases of “Wilson” into “Slipknot” during the second set. While JRAD was streaming from The Loop Tent, next door, The Skinny Pancake turned into a hotspot for hangouts. A mini wiffle ball game took shape, impromptu acoustic music was played, and there was an invasion of dancing mimes.
Curveball’s cancellation impacted many people, but the 14 surrounding counties that had been ravaged by heavy rains and flooding for almost a week leading up to the event left many people displaced from their homes and in need of supplies. Many vendors were onsite ready to supply food and drink to 60,000 people over the course of the weekend, and Silo Food Truck, Copper Horse Coffee and the Finger Lakes Cider House banded together to feed as many people as they could with their unused inventory, donating 50% of proceeds to the Lodi Flood Relief fund. With the added kick of Schuyler country losing millions in tax revenue, donation stations were set up in the surrounding counties and many Phish fans donated their unused food and supplies to help the flood victims in the area. Phish has announced that they will be selling Curveball merchandise online, including the Curveball Nalgene bottle that was intended for the WaterWheel/Reverb water program. Ticket holders get first dibs, and all proceeds for Curveball merchandise will go directly into relief funds.
Curveball will go down in music history as the Phish festival that never was, but memories were made despite the unfortunate circumstances. The weekend was a check for fans, who by and large made the best of their weekends and spent time with friends, creating lasting memories, even if the soundtrack was not close to expectations.
Fans can now look forward to the stream of Phish this weekend, with the code on the back of the Curveball wristband redeemable for the webcast of all three shows at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO beginning August 31, 2018. Couch Tour ticket time is 9:30pm EST.
There’s nothing better in the world than good music, food, and dancing to make an event successful. The 23rd annual Albany Latin Fest had no problem delivering on those three markers and much more. The event was proudly presented by the Albany Latin Fest Association (ALFA) at Washington Park in Albany, NY. The event was a cultural mashup celebrating the best of the best of the Latin culture and influence in the world around us. Thousands of attendees from all backgrounds banded together to destroy barriers and appreciate the contributions made by Hispanics in an international scale. With live performances from Bachata Heightz, Don Sonero, Cuboricua, and local acts, the event was one of the largest turnouts the organization’s history.
A crowd estimated at more than 16,000 people gathered at the New York State Fair’s Chevy Court in Syracuse on a beautiful moonlit evening to hear the unique sound of the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Susan Tedeschi’s powerful, emotion-soaked vocals are at the front of most of their songs. What makes the band unique is the addition of her husband, world class guitarist Derek Trucks, and a cast of fellow band mates that would be the envy of any guitar/vocal combo. Including the punch of double drums, the wallop of a horn section and extraordinarily gifted backup singers, and the sublime Kofi Burbridge contributing accents on flute and huge swaths of sweeping organ melodies, there is a multi-layered density to their music that simply doesn’t sound much like other bands.
At times, there are elements of funk, soul, roots rock, blues, jazz, free-form jams, and a kind of comfortable pulse or groove to all of it that propels the music further. While Tedeschi and Trucks have their names on the marquees, they allow plenty of latitude for every member of the band to shine and contribute. It’s the type of music that finds people that might be unfamiliar with the songs still smiling, tapping their feet, shuffling and swaying back and forth, and feeling their spirits uplifted as the music builds and soars.
A couple of the evening’s highlights occurred back to back, in the form of Tedeschi’s breathtaking vocals on the gospel-like “Bound for Glory,” followed by Mike Mattison (who shares many songwriting credits in the band) taking the lead to sing a gritty, growling cover of Bob Dylan’s “Crash on the Levee (Down in the Flood)”. Those weren’t the end of the highlights, as a couple of tunes later, the band invited Central New York native Al Schnier from the band moe. to join them in a cover of “Tell the Truth.” This was a guitar fan’s dream, as Trucks, Schnier and Tedeschi stood side by side at center stage and traded riffs for nearly ten minutes. In an interesting twist, the first ever live performance and first ever recording of that song by Derek and the Dominoes included Dave Mason (of Traffic), who had played earlier in the afternoon on the same Chevy Court stage.
The band finished their main set with a song that seemed to perfectly express the sentiments of the crowd, “I Want More.” After a brief exit, the band returned for encores. Derek Trucks and saxophonist Kebbi Williams teamed for an instrumental “Swamp Raga” intro to “Midnight in Harlem.” The band closed the show with an exuberant take of Joe Cocker’s “Space Captain.”
Tedeschi Trucks Band Chevy Court Setlist: Don’t Let Me Slide, Laugh About It, High & Mighty, Get What You Deserve, Lord Protect My Child @, Bound For Glory, Made Up Mind, Crash On The Levee (Down In The Flood) @, Part Of Me, Tell The Truth #, More And More, How Blue Can You Get %, I Want More, Encores: Midnight In Harlem (Swamp Raga intro), Space Captain $
@ – Bob Dylan cover, # – Derek and the Dominoes cover, % – BB King arrangement cover of Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers song, $ – Joe Cocker cover
These are dangerous times in which we live. Our culture is teetering on the brink. And if music festival organizer, Paul Bassis is correct, the Arise Music Festival held last week outside Loveland, Colorado may well be an antidote to help stop the madness. Bassis’ claim is a bold pronouncement, for sure, but he and his hearty team of Arise staffers and volunteers have made painstaking efforts to make that claim a reality.
From the festival’s inception six years ago, Arise has staked a claim among a short list of conscientiously-based music festivals that promote environmentally conscious practices as a “leave no trace” event that plants a tree with every ticket purchase. In addition, as in past years, last week’s event featured a wide range of workshops and presentations focused on environmental and social justice issues that ran alongside its hefty live music schedule. While such offerings are familiar to Arise veterans, what has changed recently is the urgency in which Bassis and the Arise crew have pushed its more communal and activist leanings. “There was a time when I wouldn’t have called myself an activist, but now things are different. So much is at stake.”
This year’s edition of the Arise fest did include a number of popular live and EDM music acts, including Slightly Stoopid, Thievery Corporation, Opiuo, and Trevor Hall, that perform at many other festivals around the country. However Bassis intones that while many festivals offer escapism from turbulent cultural events, Arise is designed to engage festifarians in local and national political affairs. “We have got to build a community that makes changes and makes things right,” he stated on the festival’s closing day. “My stump speech is,” he continued, “there is a reason why call this the Arise Festival and not the Wake-Up Festival.”
That sense of urgency permeated the festival grounds throughout the weekend by way of world-renowned presenters like environmental activist Julia Butterfly and grassroots activists seeking signatures for a number of issues including a petition to ban oil fracking. After the rousing bluegrass set of the Kitchen Dwellers from Montana, bassist Joe Funk commented that he felt the Arise Festival sense of purpose was clear and that the festival, itself, came as close as any to be able to change the world.
Alongside its progressive social and political focus, the Arise Festival featured a diverse entertainment line-up that included a number of magical performances from the little-heralded but fiery acts such as Guerilla Brass Band, and Colorado-locals, the Gasoline Lollipops, with their unique style of psychedelic punk/folk music. Festival stages literally soared with the dazzling acrobatics of Quixotic. Even the festival’s last performance boasted the thunderous, raucous Colorado return of the New Orleans-based funk group Dumpstafunk.
As to whether the Arise Festival will change the world, only time will tell. But festival organizers like Bassis say they have no other choice. “We must all be activists, and we must meet the challenge.”
It’s that time again! Time to get packed and head out for Curveball! Phish will hold their 11th music festival is being held this weekend, August 17-19 at Watkins Glen International Raceway in Watkins Glen, NY. This will be the third festival held at this venue, and it is sure to be as over the top & extravagant as SuperBall IX & Magnaball.
Over the last 30 years Phish has developed a large and loyal following, and the 2018 summer tour leading into Curveball has fans ready for an incredible festival experience that only Phish can provide. Summer tour kicked off in mid-July in Stateline, NV, and altogether the band has hit nine venues, playing 2-3 night runs at some of the largest venues in the country. Among many highlight was the return of Hot Chocolate’s ‘You Sexy Thing’ throughout the band’s third night in Alpharetta, GA, plus three versions of “Tweezer Reprise” at the final night before Curveball at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.
The much anticipated Curveball festival has sold out, selling 60,000 tickets and maxing capacity at the raceway. If you are heading into Watkins Glen, find updated travel info through the festival website, as recent rains have caused road washouts and closures throughout the region. The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office has announce some road closures around Watkins Glen International to help control the incoming traffic for the festival. Read more information on specific traffic routing via WENY.
In preparation for the festival, fans should make sure to bring their rain gear! The venue has been receiving a healthy dose of rainfall, but we all know that a little petrichor isn’t a bad thing! All things are running on track for the event despite the weather and the show will go on as scheduled, and a source has shared that the ferris wheel is up and ready to rock!
Among the many things to look forward to at Curveball are the Runaway Jim Memorial 5k on Saturday, the which takes place on Friday at 12 noon, Saturday at 9am and Sunday at 10 am, and a cornhole tournament also held all three days. There will be dozens of food vendors in and out of the festival grounds, as well as a farmers market, and a farm to table restaurant on site called Farmhouse.
The water program is also returning to Curveball. The WaterWheel Foundation will have limited edition Nalgenes for sale in conjunction with Reverb and there will be several water refill stations around the venue to make sure fans stay hydrated throughout the weekend.
And for those who need to ship something home, Phish has you covered, and they also want you to write to your mother! They’ll be giving away Curveball postcards all weekend long on site, while supplies last. Since Curveball will be something to write home about, an official US Post Office will be on site to send both your postcards and merch – just bring your own packing supplies.
The JEMP Records Store at Curveball will have a series of releases over the course of the weekend, including a vinyl edition of 1997 live album Slip Stitch and Pass, the accompanying poster by Drew Millward, as well as Phish photographer Rene Huemer’s photo print sale.
The Bunny will once again serve as the festival’s radio station throughout the weekend, with three episodes of “From the Archives,” hosted by archivist Kevin Shapiro and offered a dive into Phish’s catalog. Episodes will air on Thursday at 10pm and on Friday and Sunday at 3pm. Tune into The Bunny on SiriusXM Radio channel 29 or at LivePhish.com.
Can’t make it to Watkins Glen for Curveball? Order the webcast at livephish.com, either for a single day or the entire weekend and enjoy Couch Tour! Stay tuned to NYS Music on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and look for daily reviews and photos starting on Saturday!.
One traditional that never changes at the Great American Irish Festival is the Mass Pipe Band March on Saturday evening. Competing all weekend, the participating bands group and march throughout the festival to the field in which winners in each category are announced. Once there, they play and perform together brining chills to all that witness – another “must see” event.
At times, there are elements of funk, soul, roots rock, blues, jazz, free-form jams, and a kind of comfortable pulse or groove to all of it that propels the music further. While Tedeschi and Trucks have their names on the marquees, they allow plenty of latitude for every member of the band to shine and contribute. It’s the type of music that finds people that might be unfamiliar with the songs still smiling, tapping their feet, shuffling and swaying back and forth, and feeling their spirits uplifted as the music builds and soars.
