NYS Music 20​18

Category: Genres

  • The NYS Music Guide to the 2018 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival

    During the seemingly unending winter, Rochesterians yearn for a glimpse of the warming sun. As soon as the summer hits however, a large number of them start ducking in and out of dark halls, churches theaters and clubs, now yearning for a glimpse of some of the greatest musical talent the world over. From June 22 through 30, 2018 Rochester Jazz Fest will once again become one of the hottest destinations for live jazz, and music in general. The 17th edition of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Fest is bringing 1500 artists from 20 countries to play over 300 shows in 20 different venues. 214 club pass shows, 97 free shows and 5 headliner shows all happening over a 9-day stretch inside 1 square mile. That’s a lot of numbers to crunch, and you just want to see some music. Thankfully we’re here to do the math, calculating the perfect slate for any music lover. Whatever you’re pleasure, there’s a number that fits. Check out our picks below, and don’t forget to also read our tips for the best way to enjoy your time at the fest.

    1 Voice

    These are the singers we’ll have our eyes on:

    https://youtu.be/JJYzPOYHOao

    Songs of Freedom
    Drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. originally put together this show for a special gig at Lincoln Center. It features not just one, but three amazing voices singing songs from not just one but three iconic singers. The show explores the 1960s through through the music of Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell and Abbey Lincoln and will feature the singers Theo Bleckmann, Alicia Olatuja and Joanna Majoko.

    June 27, Kilbourn Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $35 or Club Pass

    Zara McFarlane
    An award-winning singer from the UK with roots in the Caribbean, McFarlane’s sound adds reggae and soul to a jazz base, but it doesn’t stop there in breaking down new barriers in music. She’s in the thick of a new and young British jazz renaissance and is joined on her latest release by XRIJF alums Moses Boyd, Binker Goldings and Shabaka Hutchings. This won’t be your typical jazz vocal set.

    June 25, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    The Suffers
    We could easily throw this Houston band into the next category because they’ll certainly get you moving with their big band Gulf Coast soul music, but it all comes back to Kam Franklin and her big time pipes. They’ve wowed at many a festival all around the world, but now it’s Rochester’s turn.

    June 28, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also check out:

    Liz Vice
    June 27, Montage Music Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Deva Mahal
    June 30, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    2 Feet

    In the mood to dance? Here are some artists that will get your body moving:

    St. Germain
    An innovator of house music, St. Germain is the stage name of Frenchman Ludovic Navarre. He combines jazz, blues and African music with electronic music. Even if you’ve never heard of him, you’ve likely heard him, his songs like “Alabama Blues” and “Rose Rouge” were widespread hits. Even his music that is now decades old sounds fresh and new today.

    June 29, City of Rochester East Ave and Chestnut St Stage, 9:00 p.m.; Free

    Tower of Power
    Going further back, Tower of Power have been blasting their tunes for 50 years and are celebrating as such all year. As appropriate a name in a band as you will find, this horn-based funk and R&B band is truly a towering power, with charting hits like “You’re Still a Young Man”, “So Very Hard to Go”, “What Is Hip?”, and “Don’t Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)”.

    June 30, City of Rochester East Ave and Chestnut St Stage, 9:00 p.m.; Free

    Moon Hooch
    Moon Hooch resides somewhere in between St. Germain and Tower of Power, the up-and-coming three piece combines bombastic saxophones with eclectic drumming to arrive in an electronic music space via a more organic path. It’s unique and will make your mind spin, but it’ll also get your feet moving.

    June 24, Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
    June 25, Montage Music Hall    , 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also check out:

    Ghost-Note with Mononeon
    June 27, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
    June 28, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Mwenso and the Shakes
    June 23, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    6 Strings

    Here are some musicians that will be lighting fires with axes:

    Scott Sharrard
    You may have caught Sharrard a couple of years ago as a part of the late Greg Allman’s band when he headlined at the Eastman Theatre. Sharrard was a long-time member and musical director of Allman’s band, but he also has a long solo career of his own. Now he’s fronting his Brickyard Band, playing raw and vital blues rock. They’ll be bringing material from their forthcoming album, Saving Grace.

    June 22, City of Rochester East Ave and Chestnut St Stage, 9:00 p.m.; Free
    June 23, City of Rochester Jazz St Stage, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Free

    Stephane Wrembel
    The mantra of the festival might be “It’s not who you know, it’s who you don’t know,” though after 17 years it’s tough not to have return visits. Wrembel is coming back for the 5th time, and has been a fan favorite every year. He returns almost yearly for non-festival shows and even recorded a live album in town at the Lovin’ Cup a few years ago. We probably don’t need to tell you, but you won’t want to miss his set this year either.

    June 29, Max of Eastman Place, 6:15 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Ron Artis II and the Truth
    If you’re looking for a fresh-faced axe slinger to blow you away, look no further than Ron Artis. This Hawaiian band oozes soul and backs it with exhilarating instrumentation. They’ll bring material from their recently released debut album, Soul Street, and will leave town with a whole bunch of new fans.

    June 22, Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
    June 23, Montage Music Hall    , 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also check out:

    Jack Broadbent
    June 23, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
    June 24, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Torben Waldorff
    June 27, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    50 Stars, 13 Stripes

    That’s the flag we’re referencing there, and these are acts steeped in Americana:

    Pokey Lafarge
    Another returnee, Pokey Lafarge is coming back to the festival after six years away. In our review of his Lilac Festival set a few years back, we noted “his music does pull from many early music influences like Western swing, ragtime, old-time country and jazz, it manages to rise above a simple throwback.”

    June 29, City of Rochester Stage at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 9:00 p.m.; Free

    Alison Krauss
    Grammy-winning bluegrass, folk and country singer Alison Krauss comes to the festival behind  her critically-acclaimed new album Windy City, her first without Union Station in a decade. Her smooth-as-silk voice will be even more front and center than usual and the show will be as captivating as you’ve come to expect.

    June 27, Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 8:00 p.m.;$115/$105/$85/$70 or Club Pass

    Dustbowl Revival
    One of our favorite finds from last year’s fest, Dustbowl Revival, “a string band with a horn section, used each of its eight pieces to their advantage, moving from swing to ska to folk to blues to funk to rock and everything in between.” Anyone who caught them last year will certainly be on their way to see them again.

    June 24, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also check out:

    Junior Brown
    June 26, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    VickiKristinaBarcelona Sings the Music of Tom Waits
    June 26, Montage Music Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    88 Keys

    As always there’s plenty of piano talent to go around, these are the ones we’re most excited to check out:

    The Bad Plus
    Genre-bending trio The Bad Plus premiered material from a forthcoming album featuring singer Wendy Lewis at the festival in 2008. It was quite the surprise at the time. Ten years later they finally return, and again have a lineup change. Pianist Ethan Iverson left the band at the end of last year, and was replaced by Orrin Evans. The band promptly released a new album, Never Stop II, and we’ll get a peek at some of that material and a lot more.

    June 23, Temple Building, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Pilc Moutin Hoenig
    Heavily improvised and inventive, this trio out of New York featuring Jean-Michel Pilc, Francoise Moutin and Ari Hoenig. Each brings their individual instrumental prowess together to form something wholly unique. For the full experience, you can also catch Pilc perform solo piano at the Hatch Hall on the next night (at 5:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.).

    June 28, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Gogo Penguin
    They played their first ever North American gig in Rochester when they nearly topped our list of the 10 best sets of the 2015 festival. They’ve expanded their reach and have been winning fans the world over. “The music is thoroughly melodic, not veering into traditional solos, and taking cues from both classical and pop music for a unique sound that isn’t immediately identifiable as jazz.” Our most anticipated returning artist is a toss-up between Gogo Penguin and The Bad Plus. We wouldn’t miss either!

    June 28, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also check out:

    Django Bates Beloved
    June 23, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez
    June 22, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    ∞ Possibilities

    The skies the limit with these artists who push the boundaries of music:

    House of Waters
    It’s your one chance to see the hammered dulcimer at the festival, so thankfully it’s a player, Max ZT who NPR calls the “Jimi Hendrix of hammered dulcimer.” Forget everything you know about the instrument as ZT has all but reinvented the sound. With jazz bassist Moto Fukushima and South American drummer Ignacius Rivas Bixio, House of Waters creates a musical blend unlike any you’ve ever heard.

    June 26, Max of Eastman Place, 6:15 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Matt Wilson’s Honey and Salt Band
    Wilson’s latest project, the Honey and Salt Band, plays music inspired by, and including the words of the poetry of Carl Sandburg. It is off-beat and quirky, funny and fun and will have you smiling ear to ear for the duration of their set. You kind of just need to go see it.

    June 30, Kilbourn Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $35 or Club Pass

    Beats and Pieces Big Band
    A big band for the next generation, bandleader Ben Cottrell conducts this 14-piece outfit out of Manchester, England. Their music is equal parts rocking, jazzy and ethereal. The band’s lineup hasn’t changed much in ten years making for a supremely tight group that has incredible agility for a band of this size. Expect the unexpected.

    June 24, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Also check out:

    Trail of Souls
    June 25, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Shake Stew
    June 27, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass

    Be sure and check out the full schedule and download the app at rochesterjazz.com to construct your own nightly schedule.

  • Hamilton’s Thursday Concert Series on the Village Green Kicks Off

    The Thursday on the Village Green concert series is kicking off on July 12th in Hamilton, NY. The concert series takes place in downtown Hamilton and is known for being a 100-year tradition with music on the Village Green dating back to 1902.

    Courtesy of Thursdays on the Village Green press release.

    There’s a family-friendly theme to go alongside the concert each night this year in hopes of expanding on the traditional musical performances by incorporating these family-friendly themed nights. The family themed activities will start at 5:30 p.m. and music will take place from 7-9 p.m. There will also be local food trucks and 200 ice cream sandwiches provided each week by Hood Dairy. The concert series has no cover charge and is open to the public.

    The kick-off event is on July 12th and will include the American Blues Roots band Chris Merkley’s Rocky Bottom Trio paired with a First Responders Night where the local police and ambulance will be present.

    Event dates listed below:

    July 12 – Chris Merkley’s Rocky Bottom Trio and First Responders Night – Hamilton, NY
    July 19 – The Old Main and Comic-Con Night – Hamilton, NY
    July 26 – Loren Barrigar and Education Night – Hamilton, NY
    Aug. 2 – Nate Gross Band and Racing Night with Matt Janczuk – Hamilton, NY
    Aug. 9- Sanguine Penguin and Healthy Hamilton Night – Hamilton, NY
    Aug. 16 – JJ Murphy and Veterans Night – Hamilton, NY

    For more information visit their Facebook.

  • Eighth Annual Governors Ball Festival Spans Decades and Genres in Music

    Governors Ball Music Festival returned to Randall’s Island Park last weekend for its eighth year in a row, bringing a mainstream savvy lineup that spanned an array of genres as well as several decades in music. Nearly 150,000 people trekked to the scenic Manhattan locale, to rock and dance it out to the newest in electronic pop, the hippest in indie folk, some of the best in hop hop, and much more.

    FRIDAY

    Friday kicked off by bringing both some newer, big solo artist names and a few modern rock legends. Something interesting to note about Gov Ball’s lineup this year was the high percentage of non-US-based artists. On the Bacardi Stage, British foursome Wolf Alice tore through a ferocious set of their brand of garage rock, whipping up the first day audience into a frenzy right away and holding them there for the duration of their performance. Meanwhile, Canadian breakout artists Alvvays, whom took to the Gov Ball Main Stage, and Australian four piece Pond, whom rocked the Honda Stage, brought in their sets shades of dreamy shoegaze and psychedelic pop.

    Maggie Rogers, later on, was beaming from the Gov Ball stage in a fluorescent stormy weather dress, channeling a hipster, young version of Ms. Frizzle. She, like many of the other breakout artists lighting up GovBall 2018, expressed her humility at getting to perform the event. She quipped at the end of her set:, “Can you believe that mother****ing Karen O is about to be standing on this stage in just a bit??” Karen O did indeed take the stage just a bit later, with her defining alternative rock group Yeah Yeah Yeahs, for one of the first hugely anticipated rock sets of the weekend.

    Governors Ball did well to line up their Honda Stage with some very fresh names in the music world. Shawn Mendes was announced closer to the event as a special set and, as he explained to GovBall’s Friday crowd, it was personally special to him. He told the audience that the Governors Ball was one of the first music festivals he had ever attended. Rapper Post Malone was certainly another highly anticipated act of the first day, and he delivered the goods on many of the songs that have accompanied his fast recent rise, like “Candy Paint” and “Paranoid,” and a set closer of “Congratulations.” Damian Marley, meanwhile, brought his reggae-inspired hip-hop to the lineup for a very fun performance that even included a story about telling Bruno Mars to smoke pot. Eventually, towards the end, he offered great, danceable covers of his father’s “Exodus” and “Could You Be Loved?”

    Jack White returned to Governors Ball for his first appearance at the event since 2014. After an early surprise of “Lazaretto,” the guitarist offered much from the White Stripes’ catalogue, including “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground,” “Hotel Yorba,” and “Black Math.” White is a guitar player of a strict artistic sense—it may not pull the ripcord quite like other heavy hitters, but every time the solo is sure to be unique in both tone and melody. He split up of some of the sonic madness with a brief acoustic portion featuring tunes like “The Same Boy You’ve Always Known” and “We’re Going to Be Friends.”

    Opposite him, James Blake delivered quite a different kind of closing show—deep, mellow, at times almost downright sullen in his surreal kind of new age soul. While Jack White basked in a backdrop of bizarro blue light, Blake’s set was a cool, minimalist light show that silhouetted himself and his two bandmates. The effect complimented the soft intensity of his songs and kept the focus on the singing and the playing.

    SATURDAY

    Saturday morning started big and bright with a few up and coming singers. New Nashville crooner Mikky Ekko shined with “Stay,” his hit song which features guest singer Rihanna, while Cuco and his backing band kicked off the American Eagle stage. Early on the Honda stage, GovBall spanned the US, first bringing Los Angeles’ The Regrettes—punk in a clean package—followed by NYC’s own VHS Collection. As the name might suggest, VHS Collection throw fresh digs on an old school sound, and the result encompasses, in a way, a lot of the musical aesthetic running through GovBall’s lienup—a love note to the past that’s written in shiny, forward-looking letters.

    Galantis, for instance, are about as fresh as live electronic music gets. Their jam is club music made for a sunny day in a New York City park, so they were right at home Saturday mid day at GovBall. Galantis grooves are mechanical yet often feel good at times, all while keeping a sense of nuance and experimentation in their work—as if to say, we’re serious about our craft here but not without having some fun. And some big fun at that: for their set’s end, the electronic duo were leaping among exploding columns of smoke and glitter.

    Rivaling Post Malone and Shawn Mendes and James Blake for big time single name performer was the Grammy Award-nominated Halsey. Thousands of fans flocked to catch her flawless presentation of pop magic. In her path towards super stardom, Halsey has remained a down-to-earth artist for the people. She sung her heart out on songs about tackling the patriarchy, dealing with drug issues, LBGT rights, and more.

    Of course, many, many GovBall attendees were waiting to see the hyped-up debut performance of Silk City—the combined talents of electronic superstar Diplo and mega music producer Mark Ronson. The result was a nicely dressed combo of beats and remixes that mixed in touches of coastal-groove, hip hop and more. Many acts helped to dazzle out Governors Ball weekend with visually striking and ambitious set pieces, and Silk City were not in the least in that department. A mini cityscape towered behind, boasting all kinds of street sigs, while Ronson and Diplo did their thing above a bright blue, emblazoned signature of their name.

    With the hard-hitting “Stay Vicious” revving things off, The Gaslight Anthem took to the Gov Ball main stage Saturday night and charged their way through a tremendous twenty-five songs—twelve of which comprised the entirety of the band’s groundbreaking album The 59 Sound. Quite the big to-do, but the band certainly delivered all the favorite bits of the record: like the heavy “Even Cowgirls Get The Blues,” and the extra tender “Here’s Looking At You, Kid.” As Anthem furrowed through a third block of songs for their GovBall set, the rain started and would soon enough be a “true test of will” kind of downpour. But the show raged on, especially also for Travis Scott, taking the Honda Stage opposite Anthem. Scott gave live versions of tracks he’s collaborated on with some of the biggest in the game—”4 AM” with 2 Chainz, “Through the Late Night” with Kid Cudi, “Goosebumps” with Kendrick Lamar.

    SUNDAY

    An early highlight of the festival’s third morning were Middle Kids—another breakout foursome from Australia that, like many other artists on this year’s lineup, have been successful in taking the indie world by storm, and after debuting their brand of folky garage rock only a couple of years ago. While other artists on the list ride high on the rock charts, Margo Price might be considered the newest queen of country. In addition to her own material, she offered covers of Willie Nelson’s “Whiskey River” and Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.” Even after laying down a full set of her pop Americana, she enthralled the crowd all the more by jumping on a second drum set for a crazy breakdown ending.

    Across the way, Khalid delivered a soulful, emotional set of his many beautiful songs. Kicking off with favorites like “8TEEN,” “American Teen” and “Coaster,” Khalid had one of the most massive daytime crowds of the weekend. One of the most thankful offerings was “Silence,” the song that Khalid introduced as having written with his good friend, EDM producer Marshmello. At the same time, Third Eye Blind amassed a surrounding of their own sort, perhaps more nostalgic but no less enthusiastic. After they had cranked out a few rocking early numbers, a grateful Stephen Jenkins said to TEB’s ecstatic audience, “Thank you for keeping our music alive.”

    Shortly after them, one the most bombastic sets thrown down the whole weekend came from N.E.R.D, the hip-hop hard rock group centering around Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, and Shay Haley. In a curious surprise opening bit, N.E.R.D had a young kid address the Honda Stage crowd with a moving speech about working hard for your dreams and overcoming adversity. Once done, Pharrell and company rushed the stage and alighted the scene fast. The performers never once stopped moving, circumventing the stage with a raucous energy matched also by their jubilant dance troupe. Pharrell, in between bringing hits from both N.E.R.D’s early days from over a decade ago and newer favorites, called out the crowd to help bring about all the vintage gems of intimate rock concert—crowd surfing, mosh pits, and getting everybody to get off the ground simultaneously.

    Sylvan Esso delivered a black and white set of sorts, showing the range of their appeal. The first half of their hour on the Bacardi Stage stayed to a very mellow side of their electronic pop. But by the time the duo had to take their leave, they had found their way into a zone and were syncing up beats and vocals brilliantly, and the energy was overflowing through the finish. “The only way I can describe this feeling of playing Governors Ball,” a wide-eyed, out-of-breath Amelia Meath said, “is that I hope, one day, you also get to perform in front of thousands of people in the finest ice skating leotard imaginable!”

    At the conclusion of Governors Ball 2018, Randall’s Island fought a second battle with some vicious rain, but that didn’t stop a dynamic, larger-than-life set from the lineup’s musical crown jewel for the weekend, Eminem. Droves of people, groups of friends, aged from mid teens to mid forties, were screaming along with the modern hip-hop phenom. Halfway through, for a huge surprise, the performer invited up another legend in 50 Cent, who stayed for versions of “Patiently Waiting,” “In Da Club,” “I Get Money” and “Crack a Bottle.” Eminem steered the end of his tenacious, spot-on performance with a slew of the classics, including “My Name Is” followed by “The Real Slim Shady.” People who had retreated to dodge the increasing rainfall were sprinting back through the mud once “Lose Yourself” was dropping as the big encore.

  • Big Mean Sound Machine Announces Summer Tour

    Central New York funky big band, Big Mean Sound Machine announced summer tour dates through June and July throughout New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The stretch of shows leads up to the fourth annual Big Mean BBQ festival in August.

    big mean summer

    The festival is set to take place in Trumansburg, just outside Ithaca. Curated by Big Mean the festival has extended to a two-day weekend, featuring over 22 bands and two headlining performances by the band themselves.

    Weekend camping and RV passes are on sale now, to purchase passes head to the festival’s website. It l kicks off on Saturday Aug. 24 and features bands Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Driftwood, the Blind Owl Band, Marco Benevento and Kat Wright. For the full list of participating acts and ticket information, visit the festival website.

  • Ecstatic Dance Rochester Takes Flight in the Flower City

    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.

  • 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

  • An Unscripted Evening of Unique Jamming

    Mike Gantzer and David Loss of Aqueous, Mike Carubba and Josh Schwartz of Turkuaz, Ben Carrey of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Matt Jalbert of Tauk and Hayley Jane all walked into a bar for a night of Unique Jamming… and took the stage at Funk ‘n Waffles Music Hall in Rochester with no set list and no songs, not even covers. But it actually isn’t a joke. They were brought together by the mastermind behind Everyone Orchestra, Matt Butler. He would be their conductor on this mad science experiment in improvisational music.

    Decked out in a glittery purple conductor’s jacket and top hat, Butler, with hand motions, vocal cues, a white board and an iPad, directed the musicians through completely made-on-the-spot compositions across two sets for over 2 hours Friday night. The only time this music will ever get played was on that night and the only people to hear it were present then and there.

    Some of the jams got started with a written note from Butler. Some of these were made available to the crowd. “A2 D2, indie rock” was scrawled out on one for example; others remained for the band’s eyes only. Other jams were prompted by one of the musicians, as requested by Butler. Loss started one with a crunchy organ groove, the rest of the band joined in, and a theme was established and another jam had begun. It was a game and Butler was the game master.

    As jams tend to do, these pieces changed in character the deeper they got. But with a conductor, they didn’t veer out of control either. Solos were kept in check with a nod or point, or were egged on further with emphatic arm and hand motions. In one thrilling moment, the guitarists battled to a raging tangle as Butler essentially live-edited the two competing sounds into a perfect jarring climax.

    With quickly improvised lyrics and melodies, Jane, or occasionally Butler himself, was able to develop a familiarity to the pieces that the band could return to again and again, at times creating songs the crowd could even sing along to by the end. Early in the second set, the band gelled around the lyrics “Open your eyes to see / The truth will set you free,” in a jam that finished in a building and bright rock-ready progression that was certainly a highlight of the evening.

    Taking in the show as a whole, one aspect that must be marveled at is how, through it all, the music never settled into a familiar or well-worn groove. There were no covers, teases, or even any “sounds-likes” to be had. With a one-time band put together for a one-time concert, that is a rather incredible feat. Perhaps in the end, the only proper reaction is to laugh after all.

  • Phish’s The Baker’s Dozen: Live at Madison Square Garden Box Set Announced

    Phish announced the release of recordings in three different formats on November 30th of theirThe Baker’s Dozen performances at Madison Square Garden back in 2017 with pre orders available now at on their merchandise store, Phish Dry Goods.

    The Complete Baker’s Dozen Box Set

    In the summer of 2017, Phish performed “The Baker’s Dozen,” which was a 13-show run at Madison Square Garden held over 17 nights. The band performed 26 unique sets featuring a grand total of 237 songs with not one repeated song during the three-week run and now that incredible set of shows can be listened to in three formats. The Baker’s Dozen comes in a three-CD or six-LP set (with 13 tracks hand-picked by the band) and The Complete Baker’s Dozen Box Set, which includes the ENTIRE run on 36 CDs. Legendary engineer Elliot Scheiner (Steely Dan, Van Morrison) has remixed each show.

    The Complete Baker’s Dozen Box Set includes every note of music from the historic 13-night run on 36 discs. Also included are all 13 individually packaged shows, an 86-page book with full color photographs from the shows, an extensive essay featuring new interviews with each band member, Baker’s Dozen setlist journals, an embroidered patch, commemorative tickets, a complete set of eight mini-prints and a brand new Jim Pollock screen print (7″x10″, signed by Pollock) according to Phish’s announcement.

    The Complete Box Set will be limited to one printing meanwhile both the three-CD and six-LP sets will be available in limited supplies in stores. The limited edition The Complete Baker’s Dozen Box Set will only be available from Phish’s merchandise store, Phish Dry Goods.

    Phish returns to Watkins Glen this August for the Curveball Festival. NYS Music spoke with Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International, about the festival. You can read that here.

    For more information visit Phish’s website.

  • Party on the Patio is the place to be every Thursday this summer in Saranac Lake

    The Waterhole’s free live music series Party on the Patio continues this summer and turns the Adirondack village’s Main Street into a block party every Thursday night. Every Party on the Patio is free and with Happy Hour running from 4-7pm each Thursday, there will be various drink specials as well. Locals and fans often gather outside the fence enclosing the patio area with dogs and children to take in the tunes as well. On rainy evenings, bands will move into the Waterhole’s upstairs music venue.

    Doors open at 6pm, music starts at 7pm and goes until 10pm. The season series started on April 19th and goes until October 4th.

    party on the patio thursday

    Since the 1990s, national acts such as Soulive, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, moe., Ominous Seapods and the Del McCoury Band have graced the Waterhole’s stage, among countless others in the 20 years the venue has been hosting music. Owner Eric Munley’s continues a tradition of music at The Waterhole that has been praised by fans both in and out of the Adirondacks for continuing to the live music pumping in the North Country.

    Check out the musicians coming to The Waterhole this summer for Party on the Patio!

    October 4th – Swampcandy – Old Times Blues – Stomp Boogie – Annapolis, MD

    Party on the Patio show artists from earlier this season

    April 19th – Formula 5 – Jam Band – Albany, NY

    April 26th – Goose – Funk – Rock – Jam – Reggae – Norwich, CT

    May 3rd – Wild Adriatic – Rock & Roll – Saratoga Springs, NY

    May 10th – Barika – Funky – Dubbed Out – Psychedelic West African – Burlington, VT

    May 17th – Smalltalker – Soul – Burlington, VT

    May 24th – The Heavy Pets wsg. Peak – Funky Rock & Roll – South Florida

    May 31st – Luxdelux – Straight Rock & Roll – Northampton, MA

    June 7th – The Urban Pioneers – Bluegrass – Old Time – Folk

    June 14th – Nina’s Brew – Blues Soul – R&B – Burlington, VT
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9NGREX9BIE

    June 21st – After Funk – Funk – Rock – Soul – Toronto, Ontario

    June 28th – The Mallett Brothers Band – Roots Rock – Alt Country – Portland, ME

    July 5 – Lady Moon and The Eclipse – Cosmic Soul – Brooklyn, NY

    July 12th – Dr. Slothclaw – Freak Funk – Pennsylvania

    July 19th – The Blind Owl Band – Freight Train String Music – Saranac Lake, NY

    July 26th – Dynamo – R&B – Funk – Jazz – Nashville, TN

    August 2nd – Folkfaces – Ragtime – Folk – Jazz – Blues – Buffalo, NY

    August 9th – Los Blancos – Roots and Blues – Syracuse, NY

    August 16th – Raisinhead – Jam Band – Albany, NY

    August 23rd – Rumpke Mountain Boys – Infamous Trash Grass – Cincinnati, OH

    August 30th – Mosaic Foundation – Reggae – Rochester, NY

    September 9th – The Old Main – Americana – Folk – Rock – Utica, NY

    September 13th – Root Shock – Roots – Reggae – Soul – Syracuse, NY
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VxS8VRzrIs

    September 20th – Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People – Soul – Rochester, NY
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lmM36tk9XE

    September 27th – Wurliday – Soul Funk – Albany, NY

  • Celebrate Gay Pride this month in Albany

    This Sunday in Albany, the Pride Center of the Capital Region will celebrate and hold its annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Festival and Parade. The parade will step off at noon along Lark Street and the festival will continue until 5 PM in Washington Park. The parade and festival take place each June during LGBTQ Pride Month and commemorates the Stonewall Riots that occurred in June 1969 in New York City that ignited the modern-day LGBTQ movement.

    The festival promises to be the not-to-be-missed event of the year, featuring Grammy winning pop star, Estelle, American Idol Top 10 Finalist Ada Vox, and locally popular band Grand Central Station. This is a free, family-friendly event full of music, laughter, food, and fun and dozens of vendors will be on hand. For more information and events throughout Pride Month Capital Pride.