NYS Music 20​18

Category: Alternative/Indie

  • Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats and The Head and the Heart Kicked It Up in Cooperstown

    Ommegang knows how to host a party. At what has become one of the hottest concert venues in Central New York, the Cooperstown brewery’s second show of the summer brought the co-headlining show of The Head and the Heart and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.

    Nathaniel Rateliff cooperstown

    Acoustic singer-songwriter Brent Cowles opened the show, winning over the crowd early in his set. He was followed by the first of the co-headlining bands, The Head and the Heart. It’s safe to say that there were just as many in the crowd there to see the indie folksters as were there to see Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. Many up front were decked in Head and the Heart gear and singing along with the majority of the songs during the band’s hour plus long set, especially the set closer, “Rivers & Roads.”

    Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats came out to a packed house, opening with “Shoe Boot,” a slow burner that brings to mind The Band’s “Don’t Do It.” The Night Sweats horn section was on point all night, especially during a raucous rendition of the band’s hit, “I Need Never Get Old.”

    Rateliff is a front man with aplomb. His gruff soulful voice and talent to shimmy demand the audience’s attention despite the fact that the rest of the Night Sweats are world class entertainers themselves.

    The night ended with all of the evening’s musicians joining together on stage for a rousing performance of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City.” The energy on stage carried over into the crowd during the finale as the traditional fireworks show led the nearly sold-out crowd into the Otsego County night.

    The Head and the Heart Setlist: Sounds Like Hallelujah, Rhythm and Blues, Ghosts, City of Angels, Another Story, Let’s Be Still, Lost in My Mind, Heaven Go Easy on Me, Shake, Down in the Valley, Backwards Poker, Living Mirage, All We Ever Knew, Rivers and Roads

    Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats Setlist: Shoe Boot, Be There, Look It Here, A Little Honey, Coolin’ Out, Out on the Weekend, You Worry Me
    Wasting Time, You Should’ve Seen the Other Guy,  Babe I Know, Intro -> I Need Never Get Old, Hey Mama, S.O.B., Trying So Hard Not to Know

    Encore: Atlantic City (Bruce Springsteen Cover)

  • Interpol Announces World Tour

    One of New York’s most important indie rock bands, Interpol, is returning to the stage in support of its upcoming album Marauder, which is set to drop on Aug. 24.

    interpol world tour

    Interpol, well known for songs such as “PDA,” “Obstacle 1,” and “Evil,” performed their latest single “The Rover” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last week.

    This will be the sixth studio album from the band since receiving critical success for its debut album Turn on the Bright Lights back in 2002.

    The band has announced a world tour with US dates beginning on Sept. 11 in Boston and will finish at home in New York City on Feb. 16 at Madison Square Garden. They will be joined by fellow Matador recording artists Car Seat Headrest and Snail Mail.

    Interpol will be having another show in New York on Aug. 24 at Brooklyn’s House of Vans. That will be a free show for fans who will be able RSVP in time.

    Tickets for Interpol’s tour will be on sale Thursday, June 14 at 10 a.m.

    Interpol Tour Dates:

    June 25 – Arena Wien Open Air – Wien, Austria – w/ Paramount Styles
    June 26 – Sexto Nplugged – Sesta Al Reghena, Italy – w/ Covent Garden
    June 27 – INmusic Festival – Zagreb, Croatia
    July 1 – TRNSMT Festival Glasgow, UK
    July 5 – Roskilde Festival – Roskilde, Denmark
    July 7 – Hyde Park London, UK – w/ The Cure
    Aug. 23 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – w/ Honduras
    Aug. 24 – House of Vans – Brooklyn, NY
    Sept. 11 – Orpheum Theatre – Boston, MA – w/ Sunflower Bean
    Sept. 12 – Olympia Theatre – Montreal, QC – w/ Sunflower Bean
    Sept. 13 – Rebel – Toronto, ON – w/ Sunflower Bean
    Sept. 14-16 – Riot Fest – Chicago, IL
    Sept. 16 – Royal Oak Theatre – Detroit, MI – w/ Sunflower Bean
    Sept. 17 – Express Live! Indoor Stage – Columbus, OH – w/ Sunflower Bean
    Sept. 27 – Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX – w/ Sunflower Bean
    Sept. 28 – Bass Concert Hall – Austin, TX – w/ Sunflower Bean
    Sept. 29 – White Oak Music Hall Lawn – Houston, TX – w/ Sunflower Bean
    Oct. 1 – The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ – w/ Sunflower Bean
    Oct. 4 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA – w/ The Kills, Sunflower Bean
    Oct. 5 – SDSU Open Air Theater – San Diego, CA – w/ The Kills, Sunflower Bean
    Oct. 6 – Greek Theatre – Berkeley, CA – w/ The Kills, Sunflower Bean
    Nov. 6 – Akasaka Blitz – Tokyo, Japan
    Nov. 14 – Royal Albert Hall – London, UK – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
    Nov. 16 – O2 Apollo – Manchester, UK – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
    Nov. 18 – Olympia Theatre – Dublin, Ireland – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
    Nov. 23 – Mehr! Theater – Hamburg, Germany – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
    Nov. 24 – TAP1 – Copenhagen, Denmark – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
    Nov. 25 – Tempodrom – Berlin, Germany – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
    Nov. 27 – Tivoli Vredenburg – Utrecht, Netherlands – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
    Nov. 28 – Forest National – Brussels, Belgium – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
    Nov. 29 – La Salle Pleyel – Paris, France – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
    Feb. 16 – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY – w/ Car Seat Headrest, Snail Mail

  • New York Series: Tom Waits ‘Downtown Train’

    Despite how overwhelming it can be to outsiders, when it comes down to it, New York City is truly just a big small town. It’s comprised of hundreds of different neighborhoods which each have their own quirks and personalities, but they all blend together to form a magnificent sum of diversity and prosperity. You will never get to know everyone in the city, or even your neighborhood, but once you live in an area long enough you get to know a hodgepodge of people, which makes the city begin to feel small.

    You walk down the block and see the Chinese delivery guy that comes to your apartment twice a week, the butcher who you make friendly banter on the street with, and that same annoying bus driver who you know is out to get you (but you still can’t prove a thing.) Tom Waits’ 1985 track ‘Downtime Train’ paints a murky picture of the obscure way New York can box you in a world knowing everyone around, while at the same time leaving you feeling lonesome and alienated.

    ‘Downtown Train’ provides an intimate look at the torment a person goes through when they are continuously hoping to run into someone they are madly in love with, but end up seeing everyone they know besides that person. On his local train to Brooklyn, the narrator constantly sees the same faces; all people he knows, but doesn’t care to see. He knows exactly how the Brooklyn girls act, who they are, and what their goal for the night is, but wants nothing to do with them. He notices that they all seem to want to break out of their little circles, but are all afraid to. Although they have the entire city at their disposal, giving them chances to meet new people and experience new things, they choose not to, and for that the narrator wants nothing to do with them.

    The narrator is searching for someone different; someone he doesn’t see every night because they are out savoring new experiences and living life to the fullest. He hopes he will see them on the train each night, rather than all the regulars, but knows that the chances are slim because the person he is looking for doesn’t have a routine. Despite knowing everyone on the train, he feels incredibly isolated. He is stuck living the same night over and over again, hoping for something new, but nothing new ever happens. In many ways he is just like all the other people on the train, but by acknowledging his situation he is saddened by it, while those who are ignorant to it tend to live happier lives.

    Although Waits never made ‘Downtown Train’ a commercial success himself, the song drew interest from other artists who saw the creative value in the song. Patty Smyth’s 1987 version reached #95 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Rod Steward brought the song into the spotlight with his 1989 cover of the song which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 list. It just goes to show, that even if you know everyone around you, it’s not uncommon to feel completely alone.

     ‘Downtown Train’ Lyrics:

    Outside another yellow moon
    Has punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
    I climb through the window and down the street
    I’m shining like a new dime
    The downtown trains are full
    With all those Brooklyn girls
    They try so hard to break out of their little worlds

    Well, you wave your hand and they scatter like crows
    They have nothing that will ever capture your heart
    They’re just thorns without the rose
    Be careful of them in the dark
    Oh if I was the one
    You chose to be your only one
    Oh baby can’t you hear me now, can’t you hear me now?

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    Every night it’s just the same
    You leave me lonely, now

    I know your window and I know it’s late
    I know your stairs and your doorway
    I walk down your street and past your gate
    I stand by the light at the four-way
    You watch them as the fall
    Oh baby, they all have heart attacks
    They stay at the carnival
    But they’ll never win you back

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    Every night it’s just the same
    Oh, baby

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    All of my dreams just fall like rain
    Oh, baby, on a downtown train

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    Every night, every night it’s just the same
    Oh, baby

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    All of my dreams just fall like rain
    Well, on a downtown train

    Well, on a downtown train
    Well, on a downtown train
    Well, on a downtown train
    On a downtown train

  • Primus Brings Goblin Rock To The North Country

    Primus with Mastodon and All Them Witches on May 25, 2018 at Cool Insuring Arena, Glens Falls, N.Y.

    primus goblin rockPrimus Setlist: Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers, HOINFODAMAN, Too Many Puppies – Sgt. Baker, American Life, The Desaturating Seven, The Valley, The Seven, The Trek, The Scheme, The Dream, The Storm, The Ends?, The Pressman, Welcome to This World, My Name Is Mud > Jerry Was a Race Car Driver, Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver (Encore)

  • Taste of Syracuse 2018 Kicks Off Friday

    The Salt City’s annual rite of summer, Taste of Syracuse, kicks off Friday June 1 and runs through June 2, 2018. The annual free festival pairs the region’s foods and music in Downtown’s Clinton Square. This year’s headliner is ’90s alt-pop icons, Smash Mouth.

    The fest’s claim to fame is the $1 food samples from the various eateries set up in the square. You can find the full dollar menu here.

    Other than the food, Taste of Syracuse also provides a great free look at the wealth of musical talent from Syracuse and surrounding areas. With three stages, there is no shortage of music to be found. Things get going at noon Friday with Just Joe on the Clinton Square Stage, Peg Newell and Robyn Stockdale on the Erie Boulevard Stage and Max Scialdone on the Main Stage.

    https://youtu.be/1X0BB-61s6Q

    Music continues throughout the day with soul being the theme on the Clinton Square Stage. Tanksley performs at 6:30 p.m. followed by Israel Hagen’s Stroke at 7:45 p.m. Prime Time closes out the night at 9:30 p.m.

    The Erie Boulevard Stage gets funky Friday night with a double shot of Root Shock and Sophistafunk. The two Syracuse bands recently paired for a mini-tour together called the Salt City Shakedown that also included Syracuse’s Skunk City. Root Shock won the 2017 SAMMY award for Best New Artist and also captured the NYS Music March Madness title that year.  Country Swagg and Hard Promises close out the Main Stage Friday night.

    Saturday gets started at noon with Lori Ann singing the oldies on the Clinton Square stage. Syracuse’s master of the slide guitar, Colin Aberdeen will get funky on the Erie Boulevard Stage at the same time.

    Colin Aberdeen performing at the Dinosaur BBQ in April 2017

    The Main Stage on Saturday will feature Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at at 1:30, followed by the folk rock stylings of Poor Tim, featuring Shawn “Big Sexy” Smith, a former contestant on NBC’s The Voice and Justin Smithson, who has performed at Carnegie Hall.

    Chris Eves and the New Normal follow Poor Tim. The New Normal’s single “Green and Blue” was recently included on Relix magazine’s June Digital Sampler. You can listen on Spotify below:

    Country act, Grit and Grace and the latest “Vinyl Albums Live” set, “The ’90s Mix Tape” follow. Closing out the main stage and the festival is ’90s pop group, Smash Mouth.

    Other acts performing on Saturday include Grateful Dead tribute act Dark Hollow, hip hop from Joe Driscoll and the Brownskin Band, Americana from the Old Main, and funk from Skunk City on the Erie Boulevard Stage.

    The Clinton Street stage features the soulful alt-rock of the Black River, Tim Herron and Great Blue, Soul Risin’ and the Barndogs DELUXE.

    Attendance to the two-day festival is free. For the complete schedule, see below.

  • FLOTUS talk ‘Sundance’ EP ; New Music Video, CitrusTV

    A group of fresh faces by the name of FLOTUS are taking over the Syracuse, NY music scene. FLOTUS, consisting of guitarist and vocalist Eric Thompson, keyboardist Ryan McKeown, bassist Blake Trexler and drummer Sean Ferguson, took home the glory at an annual Battle of the Bands competition held by Orange Music Group (OMGSyracuse) at Syracuse University.

    FLOTUSThis landed the group 6 hours of free recording time at SubCat Studios in downtown Syracuse. With this prize, the group has launched their first EP, Sundance, which is available for listening on Spotify and iTunes. FLOTUS has also just dropped their first ever music video, “Swim To Me,” which is linked below. This video is fun for the summer and features bright, bold visuals, with vocalist Eric Thompson shot singing along to the tune. 

    Brianna Skelly: Hi, guys!! How are we doing here? 

    FLOTUS: Hey, it’s going good!! It’s great to be talking to you.

    BS: Great, it’s wonderful to become acquatinted with you all. Now, I’ve heard that the name “FLOTUS” was inspired by Michelle Obama’s Twitter handle. Would you mind telling me more about that? 

    Blake Trexler: Yeah, of course. Well, the guys and I were messing around at practice one day, just tossing names back and forth and FLOTUS was thrown into the mix. We liked it. It’s actually become a running joke between the band. We like to switch up the acronym at our shows. Keeps things interesting. 

    BS: That’s so unique! So, how did the four of you meet? 

    Sean Thompson: Well, we’re all music majors at Syracuse University, so we all happened to meet by chance in a class, but Ryan and I went to the same high school. 

    BS: That’s amazing. What are your majors underneath music? Are you all majoring in performance or something different?

    Ryan McKeown: Eric and I are sound recording technology majors. Blake and Sean are both majoring in music industry. 

    BS: Wonderful. Both great areas take up as a music major. Being students, do you find it hard to balance school work, shows, and band practices? 

    Eric Thompson: Time management is always tight, but we try our hardest to make it work and practice as much as we possibly can, even if we have to get together at night after classes. I think what helps us the most is that we became friends before the band formed. We met in class our first semester, and after that things came together. I think it’s important to have a personal connection with people you’re spending so much time with. There has to be a balance. Like, we’ll have practices where we need to buckle down and focus and then practices where we’re just hanging out while we play. Having fun with it. 

    BS: I think that’s important, too. A balance between work and play, if you will. You can’t have one without the other. Now, getting more into the music. Are there any venues or local cafés that your band frequents? 

    ET: Yes. We played our first gig as a band at Funk n’ Waffles. It was a good atmosphere. Super rough performance, but we made the most of it. We were opening for a friend and I went out on stage and I had to improvise for a long time. I just remember looking backstage and the guys couldn’t come out because this dude was telling us to move our car in this alleyway. It was definitely a gig the band won’t ever forget, but it was a good time in spite of everything.

    BS: Wow, that’s rough. I’m glad it worked out in the end, though. Do you guys have a permanent vehicle? 

    SF: No. We’re trying our hardest to save for a van. We’re lucky that we have loved ones in our lives that care for us, but there have been times where we’ve had to load equipment into taxis. I even remember a number of times where we’ve had to walk with heavy amplifiers and drum sets to shows because we didn’t have the transportation available that we need. 

    BS: Now, that is some serious dedication to your music. I’ve never heard anything like that. Keep up with that ambition and it will take you extremely far. 

    BT: Thank you so much. 

    BS: Of course. So, your EP Sundance came out this February. What inspired your EP, if anything? 

    ET: Well, the opportunity came along because our group won a Battle of the Bands competition at our university. The prize was 6 hours of recording time for free. We couldn’t afford any extra time in the studio, so we buckled down and actually got the entire EP recorded within that 6 hour time frame. We didn’t have any time for many editing technicalities, either, so we ran the songs and the recording quality came out sounding very homemade. It’s extremely similar to what you’ll get from a live performance of ours. Also, where we go to school, it’s incredibly cold. I remember once we played a house show in an attic, and it was so cold that you could see your breath throughout the entire performance. It was memorable, though, not just because of the cold, but because of the atmosphere. I think that’s what is most important to our band and the main idea of this EP, as well. We like making light of things and remembering the sunshine when times are hard. We want everyone to find a place in our music and to find the sun beyond the clouds. That was the main inspiration behind it. 

    BS: That’s an incredible message to express to your listeners. Also, incredible time management skills. Getting an EP done in 6 hours is impressive. You’re an ambitious group of guys. You mentioned wanting everyone to find a place in your music. Is there a specific musical influence driving your band? 

    RM: I think we all have personal influences musically, but that’s what makes it work. Each of us brings our own individual style to the group. 

    SF: Right. We also try to make music that is accessible for everyone, whether you like jazz or rock or funk. We want to make stuff that real musicians can appreciate and we try to be versatile. We’ll cover any song. We want to have a place for everything and everyone inside of our music. 

    BS: I like the inclusive mindset. Being versatile is a smart move. Can your listeners expect an album on the horizon anytime soon? 

    ET: Our listeners can expect new songs. We plan on writing and touring lots over the summer. Our goal is to be touring all around the country. An album is definitely in our thoughts, but its a long-term goal. 

    FLOTUS is a great live group with terrific energy onstage and a terrific stage presence, as well. Linked below is a video of FLOTUS where you can find the group performing, as well as talking new music with CitrusTV. FLOTUS has plans of touring throughout the summer, and they are a great new group to give some attention in the coming months.

  • Arkells Release Video for “People’s Champ,” Featured in This Year’s Stanley Cup Finals

    Arkells have released the video for “People’s Champ” via Last Gang Records. Directed by renowned photographer & creative Matt Barnes, the video brings the optimism sought within “People’s Champ” to life. Shot in the band’s hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, the video aims to find the joy at the at the heart of every-day, mundane surroundings. The song is set to debut this week as a key theme to the NHL’s Stanley Cup final.

    “‘People’s Champ’ is a political song, but also a joyful one,” says frontman, Max Kerman. “There’s a pulse to the song we wanted to capture. We wanted to see images of different kinds of people coming to life through music and the company of their friends and surroundings.” Arkells’ vision was realized through the direction of respected collaborator Matt Barnes. “Matt Barnes has a style of photography that is uniquely HIM. He always casts interesting subjects and is able to create a world within its own. We jumped at the opportunity to make a video with him – his effervescence makes for an amazing time on set,” added Kerman.

    “People’s Champ” is the first single to be announced off the upcoming fifth studio album from Arkells, set for release later this year. Written and recorded in Toronto by Arkells, produced by their previous collaborator, Eric Ratz (“Knocking at the Door” and “Leather Jacket”), and mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, The 1975), “People’s Champ” is an upbeat, horn-infused, politically-charged anthem that is resonating deeply with listeners. CBC calls the song a “top contender for the title of 2018’s protest song of the year.”

    Earlier this year, Arkells announced “The Rally” on June 23, an official kick-off to the summer, live at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, with special guests Cold War Kids, Bishop Briggs and Elevator. Due to popular demand, the hometown show was shortly upgraded to a full stadium affair of up to 26,000 tickets, making it the band’s biggest headline show to-date, surpassing their 2017 summer show at Budweiser Stage in Toronto which sold out in three days. In partnership with PLUS 1, Arkells have already raised over $20K through ticket sales for “The Rally” that will be donated to Refuge: Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health. More info and tickets can be found here.

    Notable Upcoming Shows and Festivals:
    June 23 – Hamilton, ON @ Tim Horton’s Field: The Rally w/ Special Guests Cold War Kids, Bishop Briggs
    Aug 25 – Cleveland, OH @ INCUYA Music Festival
    Aug 31 – Seattle, WA @ Seattle Centre – Bumbershoot Festival
    Oct 12 – Austin, TX @ Zilker Park – Austin City Limits
    Full tour schedule at arkellsmusic.com

  • Premiere: Black Mountain Symphony debut first single off “Peacetime”

    Black Mountain Symphony, a six-piece indie rock group from the Capital Region, today premieres “Walk to the Edge,” off their upcoming album Peacetime, due out June 2. Peacetime showcases the wide range of styles and influences that Black Mountain Symphony bring to their music, and is the first album with the current line up, representing three years’ worth of song writing and performance experience.

    Guitarist Chris Peppe shares some insight on “Walk to the Edge” and the arrangement of the song:

    “Walk to the Edge Is one of the songs that captures our unique sound and our take on music and songwriting. When people who haven’t heard us ask what kind of music we play, this song comes to mind as a prime example. Most of the music came from group songwriting sessions and jams. We liked the idea of a folksy sounding verse paired with a hard-hitting rock chorus. The music is dramatic. It’s melancholy but hopeful and has twists that draw you in. There are sharp dynamic shifts that keep you involved. We like to experiment with adding our own touch to different styles, but this tune has something we consider our own particular sound. It was one of the first songs we wrote together with the current line-up in 2015 after Paul Burke, on bass, and Jay Matthews, on drums, joined the band. We were all letting loose and finding ourselves in the mix and our individual talents really came through.”

    Black Mountain Symphony blend haunting violin melodies, prolific synth sounds and dance rhythms, and sprinkle sets with hand-picked covers from all over the musical spectrum. The rising artist most recently won NYS Music’s March Madness and have performed with several national rock icons including Rusted Root, Modest Mouse, Flaming Lips and Days of the New. Don’t miss their album release party on June 2 at Centre Street Pub in Schenectady.

  • NYC Brazilian/American Alt-Rock Band, Added Color Release New EP ‘Mr. Industry’

    Brooklyn-based Brazilian/American rock band Added Color have released a their second EP Mr. Industry, featuring a unique blend of funk-infused alternative rock. The five-track release pulls on their Brazilian roots with pulsating energy and blend together a myriad of sounds, genres and inspiration into the album.

    Based in Brooklyn, Dan (drums/vocals) and Kiko Freiberg (guitar/vocals), are brothers hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, and joined forces with Tim Haggerty and Danny Dahan, for a fusion of backgrounds to form the band’s unique chemistry. Embracing and celebrating their widespread connections, the band has toured across the U.S. and toured internationally in Canada, Morocco and Brazil.

    Mr. Industry comes as a reflection and personification of the current state of the music and arts industry. “The character (Mr. Industry) represents the corporate mentality that has taken over the industry in a time where it is going through a crisis,” said Added Color. “Mr. Industry cares only about putting artists in a creative box and marketing them. Basically, if you sound like everyone else, it’s easier to associate you to other acts and sell you. The idea behind the EP connects with our overall message, which is about being yourself at all times no matter what. Mr. Industry is the force that we are fighting against as we live for honest and original music.”  Mr. Industry was recorded at state of the art Silver Cord Studios in Brooklyn, NY by Jamie Uertz (Blind Melon) and Grammy nominated Johann Meyer (Gojira/Roadrunner Records).

    The video for “‘Same Place’ documents their 2017 Spring Tour of Morocco, during which they played seven shows in seven different cities. The video’s trippy feel matches the theme of the song, which is about a dream in a dystopia where people conform to social norms and obligations as they get older.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-FBYpuBV4Q

    Added Color will return to Morocco later this month, for a week-long string of dates, followed by a series of U.S. tour dates kicking off in late May. Stay tuned for the animated music video for “Panic Attack” coming soon.

    Added Color Morocco Tour Dates
    April 28 – Layounne, Morocco, Layounne Concert Hall, 8 PM
    May 1 – Safi, Morocco Safi Arts Center, 9 PM
    May 2 – Youssoufia, Morocco, OCP Place, 9 PM
    May 3 – Benguerir, Morocco, Benguerir Theater, 8 PM
    May 4 – Casablanca, Morocco, Megarama, 8 PM
    May 5 – Khouribga, Morocco, Mohammed VI Auditorium, 9 PM
    May 6 – El Jadida, Morocco, Performing Arts Center, 9 PM

    USA TOUR DATES
    June 1 – Northampton, MA, Fitzwilly’s, 9 PM
    June 15 – Portland, ME, House of Music, 9 PM
    June 16 – New London, CT, 33 Golden St, 10 PM
    July 12 – Manchester, NH, Shaskeen, 9 PM
    July 13 – Florence, MA, 13th Floor, 10 PM
    July 14 – New York, NY, Rockwood Music Hall, 11 PM
    July 20 – Fayetteville, NC, Drunk Horse Pub, 10 PM
    July 21 – Willmington, NC, Calico Room, 10 PM
    July 27 – Beckley, WV, Melody’s, 9 PM
    July 28 – Marietta, OH, Adelphia Theater, 9 PM
    Aug 2 – Chicago, IL, Tonic Room (Fuckapalooza), 8 PM
    Aug 4 – Pittsburgh, PA, Sound City Grille, 10 PM

  • Interview: Jon Lewis discusses his band’s latest album and making a living as a full-time artist

    Rochester’s Jon Lewis Band is experiencing its fair share of notoriety on the heels of releasing their eighth album in four years, Get Wild Somewhere. In the month of May, lead singer Jon Lewis made the media rounds, appearing on WXXI’s Connections with Evan Dawson to talk about how streaming is impacting musicians, as well as on college radio stations WRUR and WBER, and the band opened the Rochester Lilac Festival.

    Jon Lewis interviewJon Lewis recently spoke with NYSMusic about the process of making music with his best friends, eeking out a full-time career in music and art, and the largest pizza he’s ever seen.

    Amy Cavalier: What inspired this album? Why did you feel the need to fly out of Rochester to record this album?

    Jon Lewis: After we finished recording our previous EP “Baby Brother,” we were given an amazing opportunity to record in our friend’s newly built studio in Los Angeles. With that in mind, we began to write and practice songs that were all intentionally constructed to be played and recorded live. We didn’t want to do any overdubs or try to manipulate our sound too much. This made it possible to record in a shorter period of time and also enabled us to make something that showcases all of our individual strengths. All the songs were written for this album. A totally fresh brew of tunes.

    AC: Despite some major weather delays, you were able to record this in just a few days. What types of challenges arose and what did you learn from the process?

    JL: This experience was insane. We were supposed to have a solid three to four days in the studio, but because of nearly two full days of weather delays, we only had a day and a half to record the album. In the end, we had prepped for such a thing and ended up recording the entire band live in one day. We never wanted to take a long time, and it almost seemed like Mother Nature was challenging our convictions and everyone in Jon Lewis band rose to the challenge.

    We showed up ready to play, and everyone at the studio made it possible by prepping and being on-hand for the whole process. Plus, there was a brewery across the street, so we were well taken care of. We also ate the biggest pizza I had ever seen that had to be taken in through the loading dock door because it was too large to fit through the door.

    AC: What was the idea behind the creation of the video for “Cinnamon Only,” the sixth track on Get Wild Somewhere? How long did it take to create? Do you plan to make videos for more of your songs?

    JL: I animated the video entirely using colored paper and sketches I made. It took about a month from start to finish. I drew and cut out the characters, then photographed/animated them against a green screen. Then I put all the layers together to create something I like to call “Paper World.”

    I’ve done several of these projects and it’s truly a joy and passion of mine. This video was created as I went; I started drawing a face and then thought, “she should be riding a motorcycle” and then when I drew that I thought, “and she should be accompanied by a wolf spirit guide” and then just kept drawing and writing as I went. The plot and story completely unfolded as I continued to work, just letting the song dictate the imagery. I will definitely be making more videos, just as soon as I get some time.

    AC: How do you find the inspiration to keep coming up with new material on such a regular basis? What does the songwriting process look like for the JLB?

    JL: The songwriting for the band has been an ever-evolving creature. In the beginning, I did a majority of the song writing, taking songs from my acoustic catalog and then translating them into a full band format. As time has passed, Dave Drago and I have become more of a battery for song writing. This new album is an example of how far we’ve come.

    The inception of songs coming from Dave and myself, and then constructed and enlightened by everyone in the band. A true commutative effort. I still write quite a lot of songs specifically for my acoustic performances, as well as songs intentionally created for my alter-ego “Mr. Loops.” I am incredibly lucky to have different purposes for songs I write and that definitely helps the creative energy.

    AC: You put out a very fun social media presence….your band seems like the kind of guys you could really just hang out with. Have you put thought into the image your band emulates? Or is this organic?

    JL: Marketing and managing social media is a fun and yet also a very daunting task. I manage it all. Our band’s main purpose and function are that each member feels a no-stress and all-joy connection to the music. We are brothers and friends and family and without that feeling, we would not care to exist. It helps put out the right vibe and deep down that is because we feel it on a very real level.

    AC: Your fans helped fund the recording of this album. Why do you think your fans are so willing to support you and eager to see you succeed?

    JL: This album would not exist without the incredible love and support we got from our fans through our fundraiser. Once we decided to make the album in LA and to track it live, we knew this was the album to press on vinyl. We were successful after a few weeks time and that sent us to LA feeling so much positive energy, most certainly fueling our ability to overcome obstacles and make the music the best we could. I know our fans are invested in hearing what this journey has meant for our sound and how far we’ve come since our last release and I cannot wait to share it.

    AC: If you could describe each of your band mates to a stranger (as a person and a musician), how would you describe them? And if they could describe you, what would they say?

    JL: Dave (Drago, bass) is dad. He’s the reason any of the music exists as he has engineered/recorded and produced all of our albums in his studio 1809 Studios (link). He’s got vision, he’s upfront and he sees the infinite potential in a song and person unlike anyone I’ve ever met.

    Jake (Walsh, drums) is our heartbeat. Consistent, positive and present, he has maintained the beat of the band since the very beginning. One of the most talented and empathetic human beings you can ever wish to meet.

    Shawn (Brogan, lead guitar) is our hot sauce. His lead guitar licks and dissident sounds create the soul of our music. He’s technical and always creates a well-constructed lead lick. He’s “ride or die” and balances our sound and our group with energy and support.

    Alex (Northrup, keys) is our bed. When Alex joined the band we knew we were finally comfy and complete. One of the most talented musicians I have ever met, he can pick up literally any instrument and make it sing. He’s technically proficient and also carries an edge of insanity that fits in with us so well. He’s a compassionate and amazing human.

    Jon Lewis (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) I literally have no idea how the band would describe me but I would hope they would say something nice (or else).

    AC: You are currently making a full-time living with music and performance art. Was this always your intention? What does it take to be a successful full-time musician in a small pond such as Rochester? Are there advantages to doing this here vs. in a bigger city with more competition?

    JL: I am a full-time artist. I dropped out of college before I incurred any debt and went straight into the workforce. I worked sales for 10 years before building a foundation to quit and make art full-time.

    It’s not easy, and I have to find new and innovative ways of making a living outside of just performing and making music. I do documentary film making for local historical societies, I animate and create music videos, and I perform music for kids as “Mr. Loops” – this combination has created an ever spinning wheel of work for me that keeps the dream of not going back to “work” possible.

    If you want to chase a dream like this, you have to keep your eyes and doors open to different ways of being creative, and getting what you deserve for your creations. Rochester is certainly a more affordable place to live and play than larger cities, making this sort of crazy notion possible.

    AC: Do you have a bigger vision for the Jon Lewis Band…not just to dominate the local Rochester music scene, but to make yourself known to a wider audience?

    JL: I definitely keep an ever-expanding vision alive for my art and my music. I have very little expectations but I truly pour all of myself into every creation with the knowledge that there’s no way of knowing how long I will be lucky enough to be alive and make music. I would love to tour more, and still have many different adventures to take with performing.

    AC: You recently traveled back to LA to audition for Blue’s Clues…how did that come about? Although you did not get a call back, what did you take from that experience?

    JL: I sure did! After never being to LA as an adult I found myself there twice in a three month period. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to send my information and videos into Nickelodeon when I heard from a dear friend Malcolm Whitfield that they were looking for a new Blues Clues host.

    They did respond, inviting me out to audition in person and I jumped at the chance. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. More than just the insanely cool audition experience, I was able to spend some serious quality time with my long-time friend Johnny McHone and soak up the sun more than we had a chance to when we were recording Get Wild Somewhere. I learned that, especially in LA, if you bring a positive and giving attitude to the city (no matter if you “win or lose”) that the city and life will repay you tenfold.

    AC: How often do you perform as Mr. Loops? What other ways do you cobble together your living? Would you describe yourself as a starving artist? Or do you feel like you’re finally making headway?

    JL: I perform regularly as Mr. Loops but would like to perform even more. I love to play music for kids and it keeps me silly and having fun in a business that can certainly be hard to manage. I find that the “struggle” of being an artist full-time greatly outweighs the “comfort” of a less rewarding career. I feel truly connected and alive making music and making art.

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