In case the album title didn’t give it away, Greg Jacquin is a native of the Hudson Valley region, and his music and persona possess very apparent undertones of a small town songwriter. Jacquin will release his newest EP, Hudson River on February 9th, but we were able to get a sneak preview of the album first.
Although acoustic guitar certainly drives each song on the album, Jacquin dices in some interesting instrumentation, including a string and brass section woven in between songs. His album features six songs with two additional bonus song versions. His single for the album “The Station” is featured in two versions on this album, bringing two separate ideas to the table. He has simultaneously released a video for the single, which is slowly rising in views. The video paints his melancholy demeanor, and features shots the daily commuter would consider second nature. But this video is about Jacquin in his nature, with shots of nature in his surrounding area. His album has downs like these, with several ups as well, including the cheerful tune “On the Moorings.” Greg Jacquin is in good company on this album, and each recording is well balanced and intentioned.
Jacquin will release his album on February 9th, but pre-orders are available now on his website.
Syracuse’s The Black River, led by singer-songwriter Mike Powell, has released its first album, entitled Classic Universe. The soulful quintet, who take their name from the North Country river that passes by Powell’s childhood home, came together just over one year ago and have been quickly making their name known throughout New York.
The album was produced by Jeff Aderman at Utica’s Big Blue North Studio and exhibits The Black River putting an impressive foot forward in its debut. In the year since the band debuted, they have opened for such artists as The Sadies, Shooter Jennings, The Trews, Mondo Cozmo and Eric Tessmer. A powerful afternoon set at last year’s moe.down also won the band new fans.
“One of the things we always talk about when we are sculpting these songs is to be sure to listen to one another. That may sound like a very simple concept but when you’re creating a collective sound it’s important that no player be on a sonic island. We aim to be one connected land mass of sound,” Powell said when asked about the goal of his new band. “I have surrounded myself and my songs with monster players that could easily step out and flex their muscles at anytime but all of us understand the importance of doing what is best for the song first.”
Powell’s assessment of this band is certainly true. All come from different musical backgrounds to forge a sound that isn’t easy to categorize. Longtime Powell collaborator, guitarist John Hanus’ metal chops and experimental solos add an unexpected yet welcome edge to Powell’s personal songwriting and the soulful force created by keyboardist Shane Kelsen and the rhythm section of Joe Bell and Dom Scicchitano. The band’s frequent live performances have helped hone its unique sound over the past year and the band is gelling as a unit at the perfect time.
To celebrate the release of the new album, the Black River recently performed the inaugural live session for Syracuse radio show Soundcheck at SubCat Studios. You can view that peformance below. The show, hosted by long time Syracuse radio personality and SAMMYS Hall of Famer, Dave Frisina, has been on the air since 1979. It showcases local and regional musicians each Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. on 105.9 The Rebel.
Frisina’s new series is called Live @ SubCat Studios and will feature a different local act performing live in front of a studio audience each month.
The Black River’s Classic Universe is available now on all streaming platforms. Recent performances have included stops at the del Lago Resort and Casino in Waterloo and Three Heads Brewing Company in Rochester. They’re also scheduled to perform at Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge in Syracuse in March and Funk ‘N Waffles Syracuse in April. Follow The Black River on Facebook or at their website for information on upcoming performances.
Rhiannon Payne knew she wanted to be a music superstar since the very beginning of her life.
“I was 3 years old when someone told me ‘Hey kid you can sing,’” said the Syracuse native. “So that was kind of it for me.”
She’s ready to take her career to the next level with a new album and tour planned this summer. The album, which she hasn’t titled yet, will include 10 tracks, and she hopes to have it released by early June with a two-month tour to coincide.
Payne will share her talents at Funk ‘N Waffles on Clinton Street in Syracuse at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9.
EARLY EXPERIENCE
Payne explored her musical talent often growing up and she worked hard pursuing her career. She took music classes and participated in chorus, but it was a band that guided her.
“I was in a band for three years, and that really helped me realize what I wanted to do,” she said.
From age 13-16 Payne sang for the pop-punk/alternative band Nextake. She familiarized herself with the stage through singing and playing local venues.
“I love performing in front of people,” she said.
Nextake performed at local venues around Syracuse, and one big feat Payne was proud of was opening for The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at the Westcott Theater in April 2012.
“That was an amazing experience,” she said.
In high school she started buckling down to prepare for the journey ahead.
“I took every opportunity I could to put myself here,” she said. “It was kind of like my accumulation of taking all of the tools and people I had to help me out — I took advantage of everything I had.”
“I met wonderful people there who really knew how to tie and relate what I learned in school to my actual career.”
Payne didn’t want to go to college because she thought it wouldn’t help her career. But she found classes she could apply to singing and help her voice for the long-term. So she pursued a degree from Onondaga Community College and graduated with an associate’s degree in applied science.
NEXT STEPS
Now that Payne honed in on her talents, she is focused on her album and the next steps for her path of success. She hired a manager at the end of last year, she has a producer working on her album, and she also hired a promoter as well.
“My music was beginning to falter because I couldn’t spend time to practice or write,” she said. “It got super overwhelming. I understand why musicians need large teams of people to do what they do.”
She said she wrapped up recording for mostly everything on the album and is going back and forth with the editing process. Shane Patterson is working as the producer out of Hobin Studios in Phoenix, NY.
The album includes eight new songs and two she has already released. “Bedtime Stories” was published in October with a music video. “Through Me” was a song she had produced and released in May 2015.
Payne is shooting for early June to release her album. She is planning to have a huge party and then have a two-month tour lined up around New York and New York City.
She said her ultimate goal is to move to Nashville, to continue developing as an artist.
“I want to get experience writing and collaborating with more musicians,” she said. “I want to learn as much as I can from a large music capital.”
PLAYING STYLE
When it comes to her music, Payne said she likes to play all types of genres.
“No one can really ‘genre-tize’ my music,” she said. “One song will sound jazzy, one will sound like Irish folk.”
While she can play many different instruments, she is often seen with a guitar. At her shows, fans can expect to hear her original songs with some covers added to the setlist.
Since she likes to play all genres, she said she covers anything — giving classic rock, Ariana Grande and Paramore as examples of the variety she includes.
The show at Funk ‘N Waffles will include a set by former Nextake bandmember Dylan Aird. Payne said she is excited for the show and they will perform together for a song during each other’s set.
One last thing about Payne’s name in case it sounded familiar: She was named after the Fleetwood Mac song. And Stevie Nicks did inspire Payne at a young age.
“I saw her rocking on stage and I would say ‘Yup, that’s gonna be me.’”
SEE RHIANNON PAYNE LIVE
WHAT: Rhiannon Payne with Dylan Aird
WHERE: Funk ‘N Waffles 307 Clinton St., Syracuse, NY 13202
After nearly 13 years of touring the globe, writing their version of Americana music and picking up fans along the way, The Wood Brothers are set to release One Drop of Truth on Friday, February 2. Their newest studio album purposefully took a full year of studio hoping and concept swapping to complete and the finished product is the most realest, authentic, and Woodsiest release to date.
The sobering and topical “River Takes the Town” opens The Wood Brothers’ sixth studio album as Chris Wood’s bass and Oliver Wood’s acoustic guitar naturally flow into the track. Written prior to the devastation that swept the nation this past summer, the tune accurately describes the pain and terror that comes with overwhelming disasters whether widespread or personal. Artful lyrics with a smooth and crisp tone flood the song with emotion as Jano Rix adds the perfect amount of percussion and backup vocals. I would argue the most powerful opening track on any Wood Brother’s album.
The second piece in the collection introduces Americana funk as the exclusive genre in “Happiness Jones.” Chris introduces a silky bass line that invites the listener to kick their shoes off and dance on the grass. The muffled vocal effect along with the well-placed guitar solo is sure to start a sing-along during live performances. Rix offers a swirling organ that adds that extra funkified soul fans have come to expect from the Wood Brothers and the turn of phrase lyrics recognize the cross-contamination of happiness and lesson-learning. Similar to “Sing About It” on 2013’s The Muse, Oliver describes the power that singing can have on the mind and spirit during hard times. A fresh tune rooted in Oliver’s talented and unique writing ability awards “Happiness Jones” a big smile and two thumbs way up.
After the haunting and supernatural qualities of “Strange As It Seems,” the trio enters the realm of country twang with “Sky High.” Not to be confused with the “sky high with chicken skin” lyrics from Smoke Ring Halo’s “Stumble In,” or the 2012 live release with the same name, this “Sky High” is a sexy and seductive ditty just begging for an AMC television drama series to use it as the credit track. Oliver’s chilling slide guitar sings along with the band and would echo nicely off the walls of any Nashville dive-bar where the track was appropriately written. More than halfway through the album, Oliver hands over lead vocal duties to his little brother Chris for “Seasick Emotion.” Soaked in the sentiment of 2016’s election, Chris uses the giant body of water to describe his inner fears and confusions while Oliver and Jano blow a slow wind into the sonic sails. Oliver’s one and only voice has defined The Wood Brothers’ sound for so long that hearing Chris sing displays a band freer and more supportive of each other than ever.
What is a Wood Brothers album without alcohol slipping its way into the lyrics? “Sparkling Wine” serves as the playful and boozy party track in One Drop of Truth before the ultra-bluesy title song hints at a dissatisfaction with the lies and deceptions of our current political climate. In a world of “fake news” and leaders that have billions and billions of the “best words,” Chris sings, “Give me one drop of truth I cannot deny.” A strong and forceful message is only outshined by Oliver’s powerful and sophisticated chops. “Can’t Look Away” is perfectly segued out of “One Drop of Truth” and the listener can once again image the title being somehow politically fueled. Oliver returns to lead and hovers on the spoken word side of the fence as he is narrating different scenes that appear to be acted out on a stage. A rich and powerful backing bass by Chris gives this inventive new track legs to shift gears throughout. They pour the final drops of creativity into the closing number before the 42-minute eclectic collection of originals comes to an end.
With half a dozen studio albums under their belt, The Wood Brothers have once again proved themselves as outlaws of the mainstream corporate music industry while being fully capable of its praise. The trio’s first five albums seem to tell a story based around the album title, while One Drop of Truth feels more like a portfolio of themes, sounds and spaces. The eagerness to grow, the commitment to change and confidence to experiment with truth in this album is exactly what this country needs. God Bless America and God bless the Wood Brothers!
The Wood Brothers are currently on tour in support of One Drop of Truth, catch them at a theater near you!
Key Tracks: River Takes the Town, Happiness Jones, Can’t Look Away
For Honest Folk’s first show of 2018, and their 10th show ever, they brought David Wax Museum, who themselves are celebrating their 10th year as a band. As they’ve made their way around the country, carting along their two kids, eating their kale and kimchi salads in parks or Wendy’s/Gas Station hybrids, they’ve made friendships at show stops along the way, with years separating meaningful contacts. On their drive to Rochester, with the cold and snow blustering in, they wondered if it was such a good idea to visit in January. But they remembered, people need the sense of community and warmth an intimate concert would bring, now more than ever. Right they were.
On a different stage. in a different place, the President was celebrating his first year in office with his State of the Union. David Wax and his wife Suz Slezak, traveling as just a duo for this tour, presented their audience with a different vision of reality. While one was promising walls and deportations, this couple were breaking down barriers and blending cultures. Inspired by an early introduction to Buena Vista Social Club and collaborations with a musically-gifted Paraguayan exchange student, Wax travelled to Mexico where he learned their music and absorbed their culture. He developed a unique sound blending traditional Mexican and American folk music.
Wax and Slezak blended the sounds of guitar, ukulele, fiddle, accordion with traditional Mexican percussion by way of a donkey’s jawbone and a tarima, a small wooden stage to stomp on. The diversity of the instrumentation provided plenty of different flavors throughout the show. On the gentle and moving “Wondrous Love,” Slezak plucked out an echoey melody on her fiddle reminiscent of Andrew Bird. They sang into a single mic on “Turn This Love Around,” which built up, finishing with a gorgeous mesh of guitar, fiddle, vocals and stomping.
In the studio, the band would warm up by playing traditional Mexican folk songs. They shared a couple of them during the evening, including “El Toro Zacamandu,” a song Wax first heard in an ice cream parlor in Missouri of all places. They plan to record another album this year, and also introduced a pair of the new songs that will probably make it, “Line of Light” and “Be Patient.” With those as a sampling, it appears the future of their union continues to be bright.
In a Democracy, citizens are offered the opportunity to participate in the process. The same was true during this concert. During “Yes, Maria, Yes,” the audience was split into two sides down the middle. One side stood and sang, “Yes, Maria, Yes,” while the other stood and sang, “No, Maria, No” in quick succession, up and down and back and forth like a good congressional debate. In a more immersive bit of participation, the crowd was asked to close their eyes during “Every Time Katie” to experience a ‘concert in the blind’. Wax and Slezak walked through the room, playing guitar and bells, providing an intimate surround-sound moment of calm and beauty. A rare feat in this day and age.
Why did the band drive to Rochester in the dead of winter? Because they trusted in the integrity and vitality of the Honest Folk music series, of which they were happy to be a part. A full house of attentive music lovers certainly made it worth their while. And they promised to be back, hoping to bring their full band back to Monty’s Krown, the first place they ever played in town way back when.
As with all Honest Folk shows, there were also tangible answers to the state of our union. On the environmental front, Impact Earth was on hand to help make it a zero-waste event. And 10% of the concert’s proceeds were donated to The Center for Youth, whose Executive Director, Elaine Spaull, spoke about the center’s mission to provide a safe space for LGBTQ youth.
Setlist:
Set 1: Singing to Me, Don’t Lose Heart, El Ahualulco, Line of Light, Wondrous Love, Harder Before It Get’s Easier, At Least I Tried, Yes Maria Yes
Set 2: The Least I Can Do, ?, Turn This Love Around, Be Patient, El Toro Zacamandu, Every Time Katie, Unfruitful, Guesthouse
Fans of HBO’s “True Detective” know Lera Lynn. Kinda.
Fans will discover just how much they really do know about Lynn when she performs at the Massry Center for the Arts on Friday, Feb. 2.
Lynn played the sulking singer in the dive bar frequented by Colin Farrell’s and Vince Vaughn’s characters. Her music, such as the single “The Only Thing Worth Fighting For,” set the tone of a gut-wrenchingly somber television experience.She earned the opportunity to write and appear on the show after producer T Bone Burnett heard her cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” To separate herself from legions of musicians who preceded her, she said she tweaked the tune by playing it with a melancholic minor key. It was just the sound Burnett wanted to capture for the show’s second season.
Nearly four years later, people aware of her acting career, and less so of her musical career, still see her as the brooding bar singer from the show.
“Following the show, a lot of people expected that the girl — that character — I was playing was me,” said Lynn. “It’s interesting to try to bridge the gap between a character who people perceive to be as me, and me.”
Lynn’s Americana sound is defined by her sultry voice and a succinct narrative. Lynn’s 2016 release, “Resistor” drew comparisons to Gillian Welch, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, Margo Timmins and Norah Jones. It was an album she started writing while on set. To offset the gloom from the show, she said she poured a glass of wine and popped in a Pink Floyd CD. The result was the upbeat track “Shape Shifter.”
“‘Resistor’ was a challenge,” said Lynn. “Because, I am a happy person, and I like to have fun! I like to dance, and I like to headbang, and I like to play a really loud electric guitar! I want those things to come through in my music, too.”
“Resistor” was that bridge for Lynn and the fans who found her through the television series. There was a touch of the melancholy with a splash of the whimsy, such as the surf-noir track “Drive.” The play of her fuzzy guitar helps draw some fun from the surf rock genre local fans would recognize by Troy natives, and now Nashville residents, The Los Straitjackets.
Lynn has already caught a big wave in 2018. She was named guest judge for the ongoing American Songwriter’s 2018 Lyric Contest alongside Charlie Worsham and Peter Bradley Adams.
Two years removed from “Resistor,” Lynn said she has two albums worth of song material. A few of them she plans to play before audiences. Currently, she’s on a brief tour that will take her into New York City followed by Northampton, Mass; Albany and Vienna, Va. She hopes to have a new album out by this summer.
Lynn’s writing process has changed over the years. Despite her gift for prose, she hates the process. Whereas her younger-self would sit down, write and be happy; she said she continuously works on each draft to strengthen her weaknesses. It’s a “squirmy” act she said she enjoys once it is done.
“As you progress in songwriting… you learn to revise,” said Lynn, “and revise, and revise. Try to strengthen and outdo yourself. Learn to identify the weaknesses… I’m trying to hone, always.” Later this winter she will headline a show at Celtic Connections and perform overseas in a television tribute to one her favorites, Tom Petty. Petty, too, is said to have struggled through the writing of his songs. But, the finished work, Lynn said, “no one did that better.”
“I think my whole life I’ve been searching for a way to write something that is succinct and poetic,” said Lynn. “Something that is commercial and artful. Something that people can understand on the first listen, but also has layers beneath for people to dig into.”
This article was originally published by The Spot 518.
We’re back with another great slate of shows for you to see in Rochester in February. The typical winter slowdown doesn’t seem to be happening this year. These suggestions just scratch the surface, so time to break out of your cabin fever and go see some live music!
Saturday, February 3 Huntertones @ Abilene Bar and Lounge
During the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Rochester gets to experience some of the best music the world has to offer. The artists, in turn, get to experience the best Rochester has to offer as a music town. Lucky for us, this gets many of the acts to return, even in the off season. The Huntertones were a hit with their sets at this past year’s festival and they’re back for an encore at the intimate Abilene Bar and Lounge. The old juke joint will be jumping with their big brass sound. They’re not afraid to throw in some uniquely surprising covers in the mix; their version of “God Only Knows” was a highlight this summer.
Monday, February 5 Honeysuckle @ Funk ‘n Waffles Music Hall
Boston’s Honeysuckle bring their acoustic trio to Funk ‘n Waffles Music Hall. It’s traditional in nature, with guitar, banjo and mandolin. But throw in a kick drum and some non-traditional song structures and it becomes something unexpected and exciting. Three-part harmonies and wonderful songwriting bring this young group to the next level. Fans of Americana looking for something fresh but familiar will find lots to warm to here.
Wednesday, February 14 The Ballroom Thieves @ Arbor Loft
Another folk-trio from Boston, The Ballroom Thieves have been a band on the rise the past couple of years. We caught their show here a few years ago and had this to say: “It begins with Earley’s guitar work. Then sprinkle on the unique rhythms from Mauch and engaging cello work from Peters. Layer upon that what might be this bands strongest attribute, their soaring 3-part harmonies. Working all together to perform the music they’ve written, a varied collection of rockers, ballads, hymnals, barroom blues and on.” Can you think of a more perfect way to spend your Valentine’s Day?!
Saturday, February 17 Critt’s Juke Joint @ Anthology
Buffalo’s multi-instrumentalist Eric “Critt” Crittenden plays a fun mix of jazz, funk and soul he has dubbed “Soulprovisational.” His band, Juke Joint, is actually an ever-evolving, rotating cast of musicians. For this iteration he’s employed DJ Logic, Turkuaz’s Michael Carruba (drums) and Craig Broadhead (guitar), and Harry Graser on keys. Put your dancing shoes on and head down to Anthology for a funky good time.
Thursday, February 22 Oval Sandwich @ Flour City Station
Lastly this month we have Oval Sandwich. You’re forgiven if you’ve never heard of them. This will be their first show and there might not be many to follow. Dopapod is taking 2018 off from touring. Rob Compa, the guitarist, is keeping busy with other musical endeavors. He put together this Rochester supergroup of sorts (Paul McCardle: guitar – Doja, English Project, Will O’Riley: keys- The Niche, Swooners, Tristan Greene: drums – Doja, Ocular Panther and Justin Rister: bass – Moho Collective) and right now the only two shows will be this one and one in Syracuse the next night. To find out more about how he put the band together and other things he’ll be up to on the break check out an interview he did with our own Pete Mason. As to how this will sound, your guess is as good as ours. But we definitely recommend being there to find out!
Luke Cornwell’s Wallop Dollop catches your attention from the get-go. When you’re honing your songs in café’s like Cornwell has been doing, you have to find a way to be noticed above the din of cappuccino machines and the drone of conversation. This debut EP showcases Cornwell’s flair for theatrics, pairing playful storytelling with inventive acoustic arrangements.
Wallop Dollop begins with the spunky ditty “Good Morning Sunshine.” It’s an invitation to spend the day on a rollicking romp: taking a spin on the mall carousel, hanging at the park, and eating breakfast foods all day long. It’s a little earworm that I catch myself humming when I’m making coffee. I could almost imagine it in a film or television show, like when Bowling for Soup did the theme song for Disney’s Phineas and Ferb. It would even hold up next to a Moldy Peaches song on the soundtrack to the movie Juno.
Cornwell combines upbeat guitar melodies with punchy percussion from Noah Boss to create a sound that is a cross between art rock and punk folk. The lyrics are refreshingly whimsical, but also contain subtle tongue-in-cheek commentaries. Cornwell could have used almost any object to finish the line “Where is my…” A Google search I conducted suggested finishing the sentence with the words tax refund, mind, phone, or super suit. Instead, Cornwell chose the words oxygen mask, making the song a story about anxiety and a frantic, panicked search for his breathing apparatus. The anti-love ballad “Paint Thinner” recounts a laundry list of things Cornwell would rather do than be with the subject of the song.
Overall, Wallop Dollop is a study in contrasts. It’s punk and it’s folk. It’s sincere and it’s ironic. But one thing is for sure, it’s never boring!
Wallop Dollop was recorded in Rochester by Alexander Eschbach at Light 40 Studios. It features Cornwell on vocals and guitar, Noah Boss on drums and background vocals, and Amanda Kuzar on kazoo. Kuzar is also the one throwing blue goo at Cornwell on the album cover, which was photographed by Jason Ackerman. It’s available to stream on Spotify and purchase on Bandcamp. True to the DIY art aesthetic, a limited run of hand painted CD’s are also on sale via Bandcamp. Visit Luke Cornwell’s website for more information and updates.
Key Tracks: Good Morning Sunshine, Oxygen Mask, Paint Thinner
Jack White is building enthusiasm for his 2018 tour by releasing a track from his upcoming third solo album Boarding House Reach, which comes out in March.
“Corporation” will be available for fans to download digitally worldwide on Friday, Jan. 26 at midnight. Tour tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.
White is giving away a physical CD copy of the new album with every ticket purchased online for the North American shows. Fans will have the option to upgrade the CD to the standard black vinyl LP.
Jack White’s Facebook page released a 25 second preview of the track, check it out below.
Boarding House Reach is the first all-new album in nearly four years, according to a press release. The album will be released Friday, March 23. Fans can pre-order the standard vinyl LP, CD and digital format beginning Friday, Jan. 26. Fans who purchase the digital album pre-order will also receive downloads of three songs – “Corporation,” “Connected by Love” and “Respect Commander.”
White’s tour travels across North America and Europe for 42 shows from April 19 to Aug. 23.
The tour includes several music festivals that Jack White will headline. North American festivals include: Atlanta’s Shaky Knees; Boston Calling 2018; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; and The Governors Ball in New York City. Jack White will also headline some festivals in Europe: Rock Werchter in Belgium; Mad Cool Festival in Spain; NOS Alive in Portugal; and the Ilosaarirock Festival in Finland.
White released the third single “Corporation” from Boarding House Reach via YouTube Friday morning. You can view that here.
Check out Jack White’s website for more information.
Jack White 2018 Tour
April 19 – Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
April 20 – Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI
April 21 – 20 Monroe – Grand Rapids, MI
April 23 – Baxter Arena – Omaha, NE
April 24 – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater – Bonner Springs, KS
April 25 – Chaifetz Arena – St. Louis, MO
April 27 – Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX
April 29 – Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX
April 30 – Revention Music Center – Houston, TX
May 1 – Revention Music Center – Houston, TX
May 2 – Austin360 Amphitheater – Austin, TX
May 4 – 6 – Shaky Knees Music Festival – Atlanta, GA *
May 6 – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – New Orleans, LA *
May 26 – Boston Calling Music Festival – Boston, MA * May 27 – Brewery Ommegang – Cooperstown, NY
May 29 – The Anthem – Washington, DC June 1 – Governors Ball Music Festival – New York, NY *
June 4 – Express Live! Outdoor Amphitheater – Columbus, OH
June 6 – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica – Cleveland, OH June 7 – Dome Arena – Rochester, NY June 8 – Artpark Mainstage Theater – Lewiston, NY
June 9 – Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
June 27 – Hammersmith Apollo – London, UK
June 28 – Hammersmith Apollo – London, UK
July 2 – AFAS Live – Amsterdam, Netherlands
July 3 – L’Olympia – Paris, France
July 4 – L’Olympia – Paris, France
July 7 – Rock Werchter – Werchter, Belgium *
July 12 – 13 – Mad Cool – Madrid, Spain *
July 14 – NOS Alive – Lisbon, Portugal *
July 15 – Ilosaaririock Festival – Joensuu, Finland *
Aug. 6 – The Armory – Minneapolis, MN
Aug. 8 – 1st Bank Center – Broomfield, CO
Aug. 9 – SaltAir – Salt Lake City, UT
Aug. 11 – Veterans Memorial Coliseum – Portland, OR
Aug. 12 – Rogers Arena – Vancouver, BC
Aug. 13 – WAMU Theatre – Seattle, WA
Aug. 15 – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium – San Francisco, CA
Aug. 19 – Santa Barbara Bowl – Santa Barbara, CA
Aug. 21 – Viejas Arena – San Diego, CA
Aug. 22 – Comerica Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
Aug. 23 – The Chelsea @ The Cosmopolitan – Las Vegas, NV
The Rochester Indie Musician Spotlight returns this month for its fifth season. The exciting lineup of talented independent musicians slated to appear include The Honey Smugglers, Hanna PK, Juicy Connotation, and Jimmy Highsmith, Jr. The season makes debut on Jan. 27 with a performance by jazz pianist Laura Dubin.
Laura Dubin
On Rochester Indie Musician Spotlight, producer/host Dan Gross conducts interviews with musical guests, then invites them to perform. All shows are filmed at Bop Shop Records at 1460 Monroe Avenue, and are free and open to the public.
The lineup through the end of March has been announced, with April updates to be unveiled soon. Follow Dan Gross: Music & Journalism on Facebook to view dozens of episodes from seasons one through four and get updates on season five. Check out the NYS Music profile on Rochester Indie Musician Spotlight for more about the series.
Rochester Indie Musician Spotlight Schedule of Upcoming Events:
Saturday, January 27th – Laura Dubin
– Laura Dubin is an excellent jazz pianist and superb composer, and she recently released a two-disc album from her performance at the 2016 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. She will be joined by her husband on drums, Antonio H. Guerrero.Friday, February 2nd – Small Signals
– Stephen Roessner is an incredibly talented and well-respected musician and recording engineer in the Rochester area. He’s doing this solo project releasing music that set to the words of “Missed Connections” post on Craigslist.Wednesday, February 7th – Juicy Connotation
– Juicy Connotation is a smart, fun, fusion band that’s on the rise in the growing contemporary instrumental scene in Rochester. They’re gigging a lot, but you’ll never see them in this intimate setting again!Sunday, February 18th – The Honey Smugglers
– We’re already counting down the days to this one. The Honey Smugglers are beloved, respected, and one the best bands – folk or otherwise – around. Come celebrate this with us with beer tastings from Three Heads Brewing!
Wednesday, February 28th – Hanna PK
– Hanna PK is a growing part of Rochester’s blues scene. Her authenticity and personality shine through in every song. She is often joined by a number of great #blues musicians. Come watch our first #blues episode ever!
Friday, March 9th – Vanishing Sun
– Vanishing Sun is one of grooviest and most polished #contemporarysoul bands in Rochester right now. Perfectly balanced, exceptionally exciting. Led by Zahyia Rolle with an all-star cast, this is one you can’t miss.
Saturday, March 20th – Grand Canyon Rescue Episode
– GRCE is a mainstay in the folk rock WNY echelon. With a sound that’s equally at home at ROC’s many festivals, or tasteful enough for a small record store, you’ll dance your socks off for these cats.
Although acoustic guitar certainly drives each song on the album, Jacquin dices in some interesting instrumentation, including a string and brass section woven in between songs. His album features six songs with two additional bonus song versions. His single for the album “The Station” is featured in two versions on this album, bringing two separate ideas to the table. He has simultaneously released a video for the single, which is slowly rising in views. The video paints his melancholy demeanor, and features shots the daily commuter would consider second nature. But this video is about Jacquin in his nature, with shots of nature in his surrounding area. His album has downs like these, with several ups as well, including the cheerful tune “On the Moorings.” Greg Jacquin is in good company on this album, and each recording is well balanced and intentioned.
The album was produced by Jeff Aderman at Utica’s 
