Four additional artists have been added to Night Lights Festival’s 2018 lineup including the Syracuse-based band Sophistafunk and a supergroup featuring members of moe., Dopapod, Aqueous and Mungion in a tribute to Pink Floyd.
Sophistafunk courtesy of their website.
Sophistafunk is known not only for it’s 90’s hip hop vibes but for it’s fusion of funk and jam. After the success of their recent single “No More War” on the national circuit their 2018 got a lot busier with additions to their tour including the Night Lights Festival.
Night Lights Festival takes place August 23-25 at Heron grounds in Sherman, NY. This is the festival’s eighth year and will spread over three nights and three stages. This year the festival is trying to diversify it’s lineup and will be featuring a variety of artists spanning over genres. In addition to the music, activities will include yoga, hiking, mushroom walks, and light installations. There will also be food, craft beer, craft artisans and a variety of vendors available on site.
Tickets are $125 in advance. Camping and a Thursday pre-party are included in all weekend passes. Friday and Saturday single day passes are also available. Parking is not included. Gates open at 12 p.m. on Thursday. The lineup for Night Light Festival is listed below.
Complete Lineup:
Lotus, The Motet, Aqueous X 2, FEARLESS – PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE will feature. Chuck Garvey (moe), Mike Gantzer & Evan McPhaden (Aqueous), Eli Winderman (Dopapod) and Matt Kellen (Mungion), Octave Cat ft. Jesse Miller (Lotus), Eli Winderman (Dopapod), Charlie Patierno Anomalie, Tropidelic, Bumpin Uglies, Sophistafunk (tribute to 90’s Hip Hop), lespecial, Pappy (of Cabinet), Wild Adriatic (Led Zeppelin Tribute), Upstate Rubdown, Boss Tweed and the Carpetbaggers, Gatos Blancos, Funktional Flow, Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People, Dynohunter x 2, Root Shock, Space Junk x 2 (Disco Biscuits Tribute), Holy Hand Grenade, Lazlo Hollyfeld, Intrepid Travelers, Folkfaces, Soul Roach, Buffalo Brass Machine, Cold Lazarus, Psychedelic Jukebox, Cypher, Kaleidoscope Sky, The Good Neighbors, Able Footing, Neon Veins
For more information on Night Lights Music Festival visit their website.
For more information on Sophistafunk visit their website.
Nestled near the west bank of the Genesee River, Kaleidoscope Collective invites you to step into your new favorite dance venue, Ecstatic Dance Rochester. Trying something new is never out of season, and whether you’re new to ecstatic dance or well versed in the art of spontaneous movement, all are welcome to join us in our cozy dance studio and allow the music to take you wherever you want to go.
At an ecstatic dance event, you set the mood for your own dance experience. The soundtrack of the evening is curated by either a DJ or live musical act. It begins with tranquil tones to ease you in, each song building the intensity up to a musical climax of heavy bass to get your heart pumping- feel free to twerk it out if you feel so inclined. The music will come full circle as the soundtrack gradually descends back to a calming state, creating a dynamic, fulfilling experience that offers opportunities to play with whatever type of movement the music inspires you to explore.
Dance alone, dance with your friends, or dance with someone new. If you want to explore movement with someone new, be respectful and ask for consent. Not sure how? A fun and non-invasive way to dance with someone is to mirror their movements. If you want to make contact, try reaching a hand out. If it’s not reciprocated, that’s okay. Not everyone wants a dance partner. Remember- no talking! Part of ecstatic dance is learning to navigate the realm of nonverbal communication.
As our collaborator Arthur Gold eloquently phrased it, “This is a no booze, no shoes/inside shoes event so wear your fanciest of socks and pack your swankiest water bottle.” That being said, if you need shoes for comfort and/or medical reasons, that is perfectly okay. If you want to take a break from dancing or chat with a friend, relax on a comfy couch in the lounge attached to the studio. If you fancy a cup of tea, an eclectic selection of teas will be available for purchase to soothe your senses courtesy of Stick Joint Teahouse.
Join us Tuesday, June 26 at 7pm for the first Ecstatic Dance Rochester event! We will facilitate some quick introductions to get acquainted before dancing begins at 7:30pm. We’ll groove until 8:45, and round out the evening with a quick debrief to reflect on the experience and get feedback for future events. Ecstatic Dance Rochester will meet monthly with future events scheduled for July 17, August 7 and September 25.
This event is $15 at the door, with sliding scale donations accepted. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Don’t miss out on this exciting new movement happening in Rochester. Join our community.
The mystical, confessional artist known as Young Cobain has emerged in 2018 as a unique creative, merging hip-hop, rock, and pop to create a unique genre of his. His debut single, “Young Cobain,” deals with the very timely and controversial topic of mental health, with a portion of the proceeds from its sales to be donated to Mental Health America (MHA), a non-profit leader in mental health support, recovery and advocacy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDzDTHjYG2I
With an earnest motive and the skill to flawlessly step back and forth between hip-hop and rock music, Young Cobain offers emotionally-charged hip-hop that is both sincere and skilled, with lyrics that can’t help but make listeners think deeply. Through “Young Cobain,” the artist hopes to take hip-hop in an unexpected positive and introspective direction. Listen now on Spotify and iTunes.
The Top Dawg Entertainment Championship Tour touched down at the Northwell Health outdoor amphitheater Theater at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, New York on May 30 and gave the audience every bang for their buck. The tour consists of Kendrick Lamar, SZA, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, SiR and Lance Skiiiwalker. SZA is currently still out due to her vocal cords being damaged but the rest blew the crowd away in her absence in a one of a kind show.
Kendrick Lamar – photo by Nora Hones
When arriving at the event, the parking lot was packed with people from every age range which would be an unexpected gem when going to a rap concert but that’s what you get when you have a headliner like Kendrick Lamar– it’s more than understandable. With his recent win of the Pulitzer Prize he has shown his worth to all generations. The set opened up with Lance Skiiwalker who performed only one song and then moved on to Ab-Soul who performed three songs.Than SiR entered the stage. SiR wasn’t an artist I had previously known but he’s not someone I’m going to forget after seeing him perform. During his set he had to deal with technical difficulties where there was no sound and then where only his vocals and none of the backing tracks or live accompanying band came through the speakers but he handled it like a champ and ended up performing through it anyways.
Next came Jay Rock who put on a show performing,“King’s Dead” off of Black Panther: The Album, which was one of the first singles off the record that was released, to the crowds excitement. Even though the song features Kendrick Lamar, Future, and Jay Rock on the studio version the fact that only one of the three was on stage was barely noticeable because of the amount of energy and devotion Jay Rock was putting into the song. Next ScHoolboy Q came out on stage to perform his set list and this is when the audience really started to get excited screaming along to their favorite songs including “Collard Greens” which cut short just before Kendrick Lamar’s verses leaving the the audience hungry for Kendrick Lamar to appear.
Than after all the waiting and anticipation the king finally made his appearance standing on a stage half way above the stage and opened with his hit song, “DNA” with the background behind him reading “Pulitzer Kenny.” He proceeded to perform an array of songs from his albums, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, To Pimp a Butterfly, Untitled Unmastered, DAMN and Black Panther: The Album. To the crowds delight and my own he performed quite a few songs Good Kid, M.A.A.D City which was a welcomed and exciting surprise. He said that he just felt like playing songs of his old stuff to the crowd which everyone was more than happy with screaming along to every word.
He continued to wow the crowd performing, “X” which features ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz & Saudi in the studio recording with ScHoolboy Q live and “Money Trees” with Jay Rock and performed, “King’s Dead” for a second time which the crowd wasn’t expecting in the slightest and from the look of Jay Rock’s face when Kendrick Said something along the lines of, “Let’s do King’s Dead again” he wasn’t either. The show ended on Kendrick telling the crowd he hadn’t been to Jones Beach since 2011 and he wanted to kick it up a notch and performed his hit song, “Humble” twice. Once with barely any music and with the crowd just singing the entire song and then once with the full music and Lamar accompaniment. To quote the guy behind me talking to his friend about what he was going to do after the show saying, “I guess I’m gonna cry myself to sleep tonight, idk man” sums up the show experience, unbelievable and sad that it’s over.
Post Malone’s coast-to-coast, sold out tour made its only upstate NY appearance at Darien Lake on the last Saturday of May.
All the signs aligned for for an memorable night for fans of the Syracuse native: postcard perfect weather, free entry to the adjacent theme park, first show of the season at Darien and a bevy of up-and-coming hip-hop acts on the bill. Check, check, check and check. From the reaction of the throngs of teenagers and twenty somethings, Posty did not disappoint.
Premier northeast music festival The Governors Ball returns to Randall’s Island in New York City in just a few weeks, taking place from Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3, 2018. GA weekend and single day tickets for each day are still available, but maybe not for long as various ticket packages, such as Sunday and Saturday GA tickets, are very close to being sold out. In just seven years running, Governors Ball has made a fast ascension to becoming one of New York City’s most anticipated annual music events, featuring a more savory lineup of artists with each passing summer. NYS Music will be there to bring you coverage of the 2018 festival.
The biggest news surrounds the festival’s heavy headliners. Rock virtuoso Jack White will be making a return to the event, having not played there since 2014. Last time White graced the Gov Ball stage, they matched his set with a same time performance from Skrillex. This year the tossup is with James Blake, the pianist, producer and soul singer who’s won the hearts of everybody, from Beyonce to Rick Rubin. If you haven’t heard, Blake just released a collaboration with Andre3000. Get on it.
Saturday night, in turn, will be capped off by a real rock gem. As a celebration of the ten-year anniversary of their second studio release, The 59 Sound, The Gaslight Anthem will be performing the record in its entirety. Full performances of albums are a live music treat that fans should experience if the opportunity presents itself.
Then there’s the act we’re all probably buzzing about, Silk City. Diplo, reigning favorite of the electronic dance music world, and Mark Ronson, the producer that can do no wrong, have teamed up to make a new collaborative disco album. Governors Ball is your chance to see the duo make their first ever live performance. Travis Scott, who has collaborated with Diplo’s project Major Lazer and also shared the stage with Ronson at last year’s Gov Ball, will be dropping his set immediately after Silk City—so this is keying up to be a weekend for Governor’s fans to remember.
But if there’s anyone that’s truly taking over the festival spotlight, it’s Eminem. Boston Calling, Bonnaroo, Firefly, and of course Gov Ball — the famed rapper is headlining them all. The last occurring slot time on Sunday night is reserved solely for him, so you can bet pretty much all eyes at the Ball will be on Slim.
As in past years, Gov Ball will be showcasing some of the most buzz-worthy, up-and-coming bands currently making noise across the indie, pop, rock and hip hop circuits. Across each of these mainstream genres, artists can go from fresh on the scene to topping the charts in no time. And on the way there, many of them seem to pass through Randall’s Island with dynamite festival sets. At this year’s Gov Ball, artists rocking this category are the likes of alt rockers Wolf Alice, country sensation Margo Price, breakout singer Billie Ellish and more. Special mention here: Belly. If you want to talk about a comeback, the Rhode Island-based alt punk band reunited in 2016 and, this month, just released their first album in twenty years, Dove, and it rocks.
That doesn’t even cover all of the musical goodness flooding Randall’s Island in three weeks. Hip hop supergroup N.E.R.D and NYC’s own Yeah Yeah Yeah’s are two other highly anticipated sets, given that they both have made huge reunions in the past year, while most others might be excited for the recently announced special set by Shawn Mendes.
The party will keep going for some after-hours concerts as part of The Governors Ball After Dark. Comprised mostly of the acts performing at the festival, this series of shows kicks off Thursday, May 30 and goes through the weekend at venues throughout the boroughs. While a handful of the shows are sold out, some tickets are still available. Check out the full lineup for After Dark here.
Aside from the music, Gov Ball is once again featuring close to 60 NYC-area food vendors with plenty of delicious tastes for everybody, including gluten-free and vegan options. More “deats” on the eats can be found here.
Tickets are nearly sold out for Saturday and Sunday, with some available for Friday here (it will sell out). Plenty of info on how to get to the festival and FAQs on how to have the best Gov Ball experience can be found on their website.
Despite how tiring and overwhelming New York can be sometimes, one of the glaring strengths of character which nearly every New Yorker possesses is their resilience. New Yorkers are generally filled with integrity and pride, and if something knocks them back they rarely stay down for long. Whatever problems New Yorkers may have with each other are quickly tossed aside when something drastic happens which forces them to bond together and defend their communal way of life. In ‘An Open Letter to NYC,’ the Beastie Boys draw inspiration from the unlikely alliance of New Yorkers after a time of crisis to demonstrate just how strong the city is.
‘An Open Letter to NYC’ was written as a tribute to the city following the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks and is written as a love letter of sorts to the melting pot of cultures that came together to defend the city the Beastie Boys call home. Unlike other songs which may only focus on a single borough, ‘An Open Letter to NYC’ makes it a point to reference each of the five boroughs, as they are all unique. The clash of cultures throughout different neighborhoods is what brings strength to the city, and makes it so different from every other place in the world.
The song describes the different heritages of people which make up the city, from Asian and Middle-Eastern to Latin and Black, and explains how no matter where you may be from, everyone is still the same. The overall message of the song is about how the cities’ fortitude comes from diversity, and that no matter what happens we are unified as a whole. Regardless of where you live or your occupation, if you live in New York you are part of something bigger.
The lyrics to “An Open Letter to NYC” are overwhelmingly positive, and come from a group of artists who know the city better than anyone. They know that no matter what happens New York will bounce back, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help by giving people a little nudge in the right direction. The song channels the feelings of togetherness which many New Yorkers felt following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and told the world that not matter what happens, we are strong.
“An Open Letter to NYC” should follow “Fight for Your Right,” “So What’cha Want” and “Sabotage” into the Beastie Boys’ hall of slang as anthems defining a moment in hip-hop history. Running on the rails of a bubbling keyboard, [this track] is a stylized shout-out to New York City, from Battery Park to Brooklyn. It may be the next phase in the post-9/11 healing process. Where Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising” was about recovering from wounds, the Beastie Boys’ lyrics are about rising from the flames. There is little dark imagery, just a call for unity and Big Apple pride” – Michael D. Clark, Houston Chronicle, 2004
‘An Open Letter to NYC’ Lyrics:
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York you make it happen
Brownstones, water towers, trees, skyscrapers
Writers, prize fighters and Wall Street traders
We come together on the subway cars
Diversity unified, whoever you are
We’re doing fine on the One and Nine line
On the L we’re doin’ swell
On the number Ten bus we fight and fuss
You know we’re thorough in the boroughs ’cause that’s a must
I remember when the Duece was all porno flicks
Running home after school to play PIX
At lunch I’d go to Blimpies down on Montague Street
And hit the Fulton Street Mall for the sneakers on my feet
Dear New York I hope you’re doing well
I know a lot’s happened and you’ve been through hell
So, we give thanks for providing a home
Through your gates at Ellis Island we passed in droves
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York you make it happen
The L.I.E. the B.Q.E
Hippies at the band shell with the L.S.D.
Get my BVDs from VIM
You know I’m reppin’ Manhattan the best I can
Stopped off at Bleeker Bob’s, got thrown out
Sneakin’ in at four am after going out
You didn’t rob me in the park at Dianna Ross
But everybody started looting when the light went off
From the South South Bronx on out to Queens Bridge
From Hollis Queens right down to Bay Ridge
From Castle Hill to the Lower East Side
From ten-ten WINS to Live At Five
Dear New York, this is a love letter
To you and how you brought us together
We can’t say enough about all you do
‘Cause in the city we’re ourselves and electric too
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York you make it happen
Shout out the South Bronx where my mom hails from
Right next to High Bridge across from Harlem
To the Grand Concourse where my mom and dad met
Before they moved on down to the Upper West
I see you’re still strong after all that’s gone on
Lifelong, we dedicate this song
Just a little something to show some respect
To the city that blends and mends and tests
Since 9-11 we’re still livin’
And lovin’ life we’ve been given
Ain’t nothing gonna take that away from us
We lookin’ pretty and gritty ’cause in the city we trust
Dear New York I know a lot has changed
Two towers down but you’re still in the game
Home to the many, rejecting no-one
Accepting peoples of all places, wherever they’re from
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York you make it happen
Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
Black, White, New York, we make it happen
Buffalo rap group 14 trapdoors – Short Moscato, Bendyface and Wza – have partnered with Mass Appeal to premiere the video for “Holy Water,” a vividly mind-altering experience. The self-produced single unveils clever rhymes traded bar-for-bar atop a minimalistic track highlighted with an echoing bass, ticking snares and haunting operatic rock backing ad-libs.
Directed by S’likedat, the psychedelic rollercoaster reflects on their hometown life in Buffalo, New York and symbolizes their cleansing relationship with music. 14 trapdoors explains, “Holy Water supposed to cleanse the soul. We use music to cleanse our soul. The music is our holy water,” with Short Moscato calling the song “a collage of our lives.”
With the focus on the Queen City, Wza says, “We wanted to show the world how we get down here in Buffalo. The video is a tripped-out glimpse into how we’re living and the friends and fellow artists we surround ourselves with for motivation and inspiration.” And that trippy video by S’likedat? Bendyface considers it “either the cure or cause of epilepsy.” They’ll perform at Mohawk Place on Tuesday, April 24.
14 trapdoors have self-made a sub genre of hip hop, coined New Trap Boom Bap, and draw on a wide range of influences that span Aesop Rock, Big L, El-P, Jay Z and fellow Buffalo artists Westside Gunn and Conway, as well as Pink Floyd, Prince and Led Zeppelin. “People who gravitate toward the golden age of ‘90s boom bap will fuck with it because we focus on lyricism and new age youngins will fuck with it because we have songs with a more ‘trappy’ vibe,” Bendyface says.
The rappers met on the Buffalo hip hop scene and decided to pool their assets during the summer of 2016 when they all happened to release projects at the same time. They are all solo artists and Bendyface is also a member of the duo Chronic Collective. WZA mixed and mastered their recordings, resulting in them spending a lot of time together at his studio.
The name 14 trapdoors pays homage to their hometown. The 14 represents the summation of the digits in their 716 area code and trapdoors is a reference to the city’s DIY scene. “Everybody you know is trapping something out their house, whether it deals with music, art or drugs, and when you are a rapper, you need all three of those things,” WZA says. “So you find yourself walking through many trapdoors.”
They attribute their sound to Buffalo, a city where one of hip hop’s most respected eras still gets its props. “Our whole stance on music is that It’s all about truly being yourself and being honest with yourself,” WZA says.
“I won’t stop until they put me in the earth” and “I’m here to bring a vibe,” Ozymandias says on his newest album, Godly, released March 30, 2018. These two lines could be the spoken synopsIs of the 14-track album which follows up on previous efforts IDKNID and Blvck Cvstles (2017). Godly discusses many topics, features local collaborators and presents polished, yet atypical, production styles.
We are introduced to the story through the baited dial tone and answering machine that plays Ozymandias’ preoccupied voice, asking for his caller to leave a message. “I’m not picking up my phone for some reason,” he admits, sounding uncertain, as if he does not yet know the reason.
Throughout the album, we hear the voicemails of others asking the performer why he has not picked up his phone in juxtaposition with lyrics about human connection, love, equality and strong work ethic. One could conclude that a theme of the album is ignoring modern technology in favor of more genuine, and personal, means of communication.
Godly follows the release of a few singles, “MadMax” (produced by 4k) and “Aim High” (produced by Savion), each accompanied by a cinematic music video. From these crumb trails, listeners take away a potent sample of what to expect from the album: polished, sharp production sandwiched between obscure noise-based tracks, dressed in 808 hits. This type of production is especially found on songs such as “Temporary” (produced by L. Davis), and “No Losses” (produced by Nick Cavs). Ozymandias’ composition follows the sounds found in his previous effort Blvck Cvstles, in particular, but he all but dismisses anxiety over the past. “If I lose it all, I’mma get it back,” Ozymandias says, summing up parts of his stated world view in one line.
Overall, Godly conveys a series of meaningful messages which could apply to many situations. Much like influencers J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, the album pairs deep beats with wide reaching lyrics with cuts like “Work” (produced by LebanonDonBeats). Yet, even with obscurity, the album has few, if any, skippable moments. At worst, it’s a solid effort with a few bangers and, at best, an anthemic, insightful crowd pleaser.
Either way, the album is genuine and convinces the listener that it’s taken blood, sweat, tears and multiple drafts. “I pray that honesty hit ‘em,” the artist says in “Winter Bluez” (produced by Kelly Portis). His lyrics reflect the depth of challenges such as relationships, love, friends, parenthood, sociopolitical issues, and just trying to make it in his career. “Possibly the reason God challenged me is because he sees potential,” he says in the same song. None of this album is subtle, and it shouldn’t be.
Columbia University announced the 2018 Pulitzer Prize Winners on Monday afternoon. In the category of music, the Pulitzer Prize Board chose Hip Hop artist Kendrick Lamar for his critically acclaimed album DAMN., which was released one year ago. In a statement, the committee called the work:
a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.
Kendrick Lamar at Pitchfork Music Festival 2014
Lamar is the first rapper to win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, which has traditionally been awarded to jazz or classical artists. The prize is named for Hungarian-born journalist and publisher Joseph Pulitzer. Pulitzer has been described as an innovator, a visionary, and a passionate crusader. In his will, he made provisions for fourteen prizes for excellence in journalism and related arts. It has since expanded to twenty one categories, including music.
Dana Canedy, administrator of the prizes, told the New York Times, “The time was right. We are very proud of this selection. It means that the jury and the board judging system worked as it’s supposed to — the best work was awarded a Pulitzer Prize.”
Lamar had no immediate comment on his monumental achievement.
“I won’t stop until they put me in the earth” and “I’m here to bring a vibe,” 