NYS Music 20​18

Category: Genres

  • Local Hip Hop Artist 3ality Talks with NYS Music

    Schenectady native, and upcoming local hip hop artist, 3ality, recently sat down with NYS Music for his first ever interview with any kind of publication.

    3ality has been blowing up fast on the local hip hop scene since debuting last summer. During the interview, 3ality was asked about performing live for the first time, when his next album will come out, and his first experience hitting the road.

    NYS Music: I was at your very first performance back in June at Our Place in Mechanicville. There was a downpour of rain all day. The promoter shows up late, in a pickup truck with all the sound equipment including speakers in the back getting soaked. Besides the obvious butterflies that had to be in your stomach, what was going on through your mind after witnessing this?

    3ality: I didn’t know what to expect, I just know I practiced my ass off and was ready to go do what I had to do…Nine months later, I know that my feelings that day are true. It was so unprofessional, so poorly promoted, and to this day, nothing has changed. I have one more date there that is part of an upcoming tour, unless changes are made, I promise that place will never see me again.

    NYS Music: Yeah I would say after nine months, and several shows, its time to move on from that promoter, but how about the venue itself? Was there something about the venue that you didn’t really care for?

    3ality: Besides being in the middle of nowhere, it’s kind of small but it does justice for a local show. If shows were actually promoted, it wouldn’t be so bad. The promoter and even the owner make it hard for people to enjoy themselves. 3ality tomatoes gives it a thumbs down, but I’ve enjoyed all my times there. It was the first place I got to perform my own music. The promoter doesn’t make fliers until the week of the show. Like what? The venue has a 21 and over only policy which dampens ticket sales and no real security.

    NYS Music: Interesting. You think they would implement a wristband system and place a black X on the back of the hand like other venues to tell difference between customers under 21.

    3ality: Yeah it only makes sense. They sell soda and food there. No reason they cant do 18+.

    NYS Music: How did you go about practicing for your first show? You obviously never performed on stage or in front of a crowd.

    3ality: I knew a month in advance that I was on the show so I filled my allotted time with my tracks and just did them over and over again until I was confident wit the memorization.

    NYS Music: How did you go about memorizing them? Did you just read over and over again what you wrote while sitting on your couch? (Laughs)

    3ality: I had some studio recorded stuff, so I have been already listening to myself and singing along. What I mainly did practicing was play the beats and sing over it cause that’s what I will be doing live. You check your lyrics until you get them. Just keep practicing like a spelling test. I worked at a community center which is like a YMCA, and after I was done working, I would go into the auditorium and use the mic set up and practice on stage to an empty room or a friend or two. Our Place didn’t have a stage and I felt like I could’ve put on an even more badass show for my family and friends from work who came to see me.

    NYS Music: That’s pretty badass. Nice to see that some family friends and co workers came out a supported you.

    NYS Music: Since your first performance, you have played several local shows throughout the Capital District in 2017, some shows in Pennsylvania, and capping the year off on New Year’s Eve in New Hampshire. How did you feel performing for the first time in a room where only the performers knew who you were.

    3ality: It felt amazing and right at home. That New Hampshire show was a “Juggalo” show which is the crowd I feel I appeal to most. I’m not shy when it comes to seizing the moment. I’m an outgoing guy when comfortable and have had a lot of experience prior to 3ality performing in front of big crowds.

    NYS Music: Experience performing in front of crowds before how?

    3ality: Singing in shows in school, karaoke in bars, and doing demonstrations in tae kwon do.

    NYS Music: What about IYF Wrestling? (Laughs) I’ve seen on your Facebook page that you used to wrestle on the local independent scene.That had to help with performing in front of a crowd.

    3ality: I don’t know. That was a whole different world. I feel like if I could’ve done that, I can do anything so your right cause that definitely had me nervous. (Laughs)

    NYS Music: (Laughs) I Bet.

    3ality: Yeah hopefully one day I’m big enough to set up a match at WrestleMania.

    NYS Music: It is coming to NY/NJ in 2019 so a close to home boy on a close to home show would be pretty cool.

    NYS Music: You traveled to New Hampshire and performed your first live set for a New Year’s Eve crowd. What expectations did you have going into the show, compared to how you felt after your performance?

    3ality: I think my expectations were exceeded from the point my first song ended and the crowd erupted. I felt like I belonged and the rest of my set was a breeze.

    NYS Music: In mid April you and some other local hip hop artists are going to hit the road and open shows for Skero. The tour is going to travel to parts of the U.S. including once again NH, West Virginia, Michigan, Indiana and kicking things off in Ohio. What are you looking to gain from this first time extended touring experience.

    3ality: This tour is gonna have the same type of crowd as New Hampshire. I met Skero at that show. I hope I get the chance to expand my fan base, and get people to follow me, want new music, and come out a see me perform again.

    NYS Music: You’ve released an EP and CD in the past year. Speaking of new music, can fans expect a new EP on this run?

    3ality: I’ve been a little busy…there wont be a new solo EP before summer, but there will definitely be new music before the year is out. One EP, two albums, I cant say yet but everyone is gonna get more familiar with the name 3ality, so I hope everyone is ready. You can check out my debut album on Spotify, iTunes, Google play and other like sites.

    NYS Music: Since your first live performance, how do you feel you have progressed from that first show, and have you changed anything about the way you approach a live performance?

    3ality: Not much. I’ve performed a few different songs, and collaborated with other artists. I’d say I have a lot more energy now.

    NYS Music: Thanks for taking the time out and chatting with us here at NYS Music. Last question: What else can we look forward to in the future from 3ality? Any other tours or shows planned?

    3ality: Thank You. Not yet. My biggest show to date will be in Stanhope, NJ, on May 13, when I open for Blaze Ya Dead Homie.

    New Yorkers can check out 3ality on April 15, at Our Place in Mechanicville, April 17, at Gusa’s in Elmira, and April 25, at The Footlight in Queens.

  • Skillet’s Jen Ledger to Release Solo EP

    Skillet drummer and vocalist, Jen Ledger, has shown her various talents behind the drum kit and on the mic during her run with the band. Now those talents will be showcased on even a higher level as she plans to release her first solo EP titled Ledger.

    Never doubting on using her talents to one day make a solo album, many fans and music insiders thought that Ledger would first unite with other very talented female musicians in rock music and form a female “super group,” with the likes of Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale, Sick Puppies bassist Emma Anzai, and Skillet bandmate Korey Cooper. Ledger, will be released on Atlantic Records on April 13. Skillet keyboardist and guitarist Korey Cooper, helped produce the EP with well known Nashville writer/producer Seth Moseley.

    In a recent Billboard article, Ledger shared her excitement about the upcoming project: “I feel I’ve just been growing and changing over the last few years and I feel the time is now. It just feels like everything is lined up all at once. It’s super exciting because it is a little bit of a destiny moment.”

    Ledger credits her Skillet bandmates John and Korey Cooper for helping her find her own sound while mentoring her though the process.

    Atlantic Records President of A&R Pete Ganbarg, spoke highly of Legder’s talents from knowing her over the past decade:

    From when I started working with Skillet 10 years ago, I was immediately impressed with how vibrant and talented Jen Ledger is. Her voice is so unique — and has become such an identifiable part of Skillet’s sound — that we’ve waited for most of the past decade for the moment when she would finally be ready to release her own music. What she’s been working on with John and Korey Cooper, as well as with Seth Moseley and others, shows that the wait has definitely been worth it. 

    Now that Ledger’s solo career is on the way, many Skillet fans are worried that her days in Skillet will soon be a memory, but the singer/songwriter has no plans on leaving the band. In fact, Ledger will pull double duty, and open shows for Skillet’s upcoming spring “Unleashed” tour starting on April 12, with her backing band, then head behind the kit for Skillet’s performance to close shows. Ledger was asked if she planned on leaving Skillet: “We’re all on the same team and we’re all kind of mixed into everything. John is actually going to be singing on one of my songs and Korey is co-producing all of it and writing it with me, so it’s ridiculously perfect. I get to do everything I want and have the best of both worlds.”

  • Shovels and Rope Get Intimate at Asbury Hall

    Tuesday, March 20, Shovels and Rope tour found them in Asbury Hall, the former church turned concert hall in Buffalo. It was an intimate ‘evening with’ format so no opener needed as the duo took to the stage with just a single lamp as the only source of light as they played a tender ballad. As the evening wore on so did the intensity of the music and the lights. It remained a relaxed affair and plenty of tales from the road were shared with the audience in between songs that spanned the duo’s career.

  • Ponder announce upcoming WNY shows

    Ponder, one of the many rising bands from Buffalo, has five shows lined up this spring with their revamped lineup and sound. Featuring Gabriel Birkby (guitar, vocals), Andy Hogan (bass, vocals), Trevor Jennings (drums) and Paul Sottnik (keys), this jamtronica band that got its start at SUNY Geneseo is making waves out in WNY and recently released audio of “Masks” from their supporting spot with BIG Something on February 13.

    Ponder shows

    Andy Hogan shares the excitement behind the revamped Ponder:

    “We’re gearing up to get back to our favorite spots in WNY and looking forward to branching out even further throughout the state — each gig is going to be a bit different in terms of both the sound and the line-up. We’re super fortunate to have an army of musicians who are down to hop on stage with us while we continue to finalize a line-up after revamping the band in February 2018. This spring through the summer is packed with shows so far, and with the addition of our manager, Chelsea O’Donnell, we now have more time than ever to focus on writing and recording as we hope to have a new record out real soon.”

    March 31 at Thin Man Brewery, Buffalo – Rock Autism benefit event, Sonnyboi IPA release (w/ Max Muscato & Outer Harbor)

    April 13 at Lockhouse Distillery – Cold Lazarus CD Release show with special guest Ponder

    April 20 at Milkie’s in Buffalo – with Marquee Grand

    April 21 at House of Guitars Record Store Day in Rochester

    April 27 at Funk n’ Waffles Rochester – Corey Glover of Living Colour,The Alchemystics, Dave DiPrimo Band, Ponder

  • Arielle O’Keefe, Known as Girl Blue, is in Control of Her Own Musical Destiny

    Arielle O’Keefe walks into The Hollow Bar + Kitchen with a guitar case in her hand and only blues on her mind.

    Girl Blue
    photo by Shannon Straney

    She just finished a prior engagement that left her unfulfilled. The audience wasn’t familiar with her. Her music was background noise to their conversations about other things. She stepped onto the stage and dutifully set herself up for her solo act, opening for Wurliday, her name is on the inside jacket of its debut album. She knew she was coming into her own community. She stepped to the mic and apologized in advance. She was going to spend the next hour playing music the way she wanted to. She had nothing to hide.

    “I’m more comfortable with the solos because that’s where I come from,” said O’Keefe. She nearly two years removed from being known as the local Spotify phenomenon with 200,000 listens in a day. The following year was seemingly hers, gracing newspaper covers, touring across the country, a CD release and a successful collab with Wurliday kept her name circulating. It’s November, and she just released a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” on YouTube. It’s a video of her sitting in the woods at night performing what appears to be a Wiccan ceremony. By appearance, it’s her, alone, doing her own thing. It’s fitting. That’s how she likes to control her career.

    Girl Blue
    photo by Shannon Straney

    “I like to be able to tell stories, basically,” she said. ”For me, at this level, it’s just easier for me to do when it’s just me. And, the music I love, if someone can just get up there with a guitar or a piano and make me feel something like that, that’s very meaningful to me. That’s more meaningful to me than seeing a full band that jams out all night. Which I love, but I’ve come from hearing singers and songwriters, hearing songs. I want to hear the song.”

    The Hollow crowd treats the diminutive O’Keefe “pretty tall” as she continues to play a stripped down, bluesy variation of her songs. They stand facing the stage, soaking it in.

    “I Am Not a Star”

    Her 2016 Just Pretend Records release of “I Am Not a Star” was her first collaboration effort with a band. It was the first time she trusted her songs, to which she said she’s protective of, with anyone else. She could do that with the help of longtime friends Jimi Woodul and Dan DeKalb of Dark Honey. The three have been friends ever since meeting in Dallas, where they lived before “life happened” and brought them together again in New York a few years ago.

    DeKalb and Woodul were raised in upstate New York and O’Keefe was raised on Long Island. Coincidentally, the three moved to Dallas and during shows. They became really good friends.

    O’Keefe moved to New York City to pursue her music career. The boys moved to Albany, and she would go up to visit. Before long, Albany started feeling like home.

    “I just realized, after four times of visiting, that everytime I went up to Albany, all my stress was gone,” she said. She said she would dread going back to the city, “it’s an overwhelming place, and I never found community.” When she decided to move, she found an apartment, quickly signed the lease, and moved in with little else than her clothing in her guitar case.

    It was during this period she wrote “I Am Not a Star.” Though the song initially sounds like an anthem for strength, O’Keefe said it was a conversation with herself. She had uprooted herself, and worried about taking a wrong step in her career. “I Am Not a Star,” was a means to psych herself up and dispel those worries. A new career path was taking shape.

    “Spotify”

    Spotify placed “Fire Under Water” No. 7 on its New Music Friday playlist in late 2016. On a playlist that boasts anywhere between 50 to 80 songs, she was at a premium location for exposure. In one day, she received 200,000 plays. By the end of the week, her track was played a million times. Record labels took noticed and approached her. There was a push to have her sign a deal. She said no.

    Girl Blue
    photo by Shannon Straney

    “I want to have control and have the rights over what I do,” she said. “[There were pushes made to sign right away] but that’s not really who I am. … I’m not really the type to go and grab a major label deal. I don’t know. I’m just not green anymore with the industry stuff.

    In 2012, she had auditioned for Season 2 of “The Voice.” The production had taken on 120 musicians. She was sequestered into a California hotel for a month and a half before the show aired. However, teams were filled before all of the musicians auditioned, and she never appeared on television. Shortly afterwards, she was approached by Nigel Lythgoe Productions for a television project. She signed a contract without knowing the premise of the show. It would lead to her appearance on “Opening Act” in which she appeared on its first show, in which she was the opening act for Rod Stewart in front of a Caesars Palace crowd in Las Vegas.

    “That whole attitude to make it nowadays, it’s just so not what people think it is,” she said. She has nothing ill to say about the television or music industry, only that she felt that in her television moment she was not true to herself. The vigorous pace and push to get something on presentable on television pulled her in many directions. “It’s so not what it’s presented to be. I got to see behind the curtain just enough to where it became unappealing to me. I don’t know, man. Anything that’s just going to shoot you up there, I don’t know. It seems too good to be true.”

    O’Keefe is less concerned about whether she took the wrong step in moving away from New York City. Her self-described itch to move every year-and-a-half has been quelled. The Albany music scene has allowed her room to explore herself, and the community she couldn’t find in Gotham. The past few years have confirmed that a music career is not defined by where one lives. Instead of trying to wedge herself into the industry machine, she’s trying to “have the plan fit me a little better.” She is presently working on a new album with the help from AntiFragile Music out of New York City. She’s also started an account on Patreon, a membership platform that connects her with fans through subscriptions. It gives her the chance to share her music intimately with fans instead of throwing herself out into the empty ethos of the internet. Her next track “Lolita” is to be released Friday, March 30. Her latest work, she said, is delving deeper into herself. It will be the most vulnerable she has been with her audience, and she’s excited.

    She’s also to play in Capital Records Live at Proctors on Friday, March 23 before a gig at another iconic venue, Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs next month.

    “I want to build it slowly and build something that’s going to last,” she said. “I’ve been doing this since I was young. I’m a young woman, so especially a lot of people want to come in and tell me what they think that I am. At this point in my life, I’m just not really interested. I understand the idea of branding, but I kinda know who I am at this point. I’m trying to build a business.”

  • A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie teams up with Audiomack for Trap Symphony rework of “Drowning”

    Bronx rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has teamed up with emerging music discovery platform Audiomack to remake three of his smash hits with a professional orchestra for the Trap Symphony video series. The latest installment of the series is a rework of chart topper “Drowning,” joining orchestral versions of A Boogie hits “Say A” and “No Promises.”

    Joined by a nine-piece orchestra, A Boogie takes center stage as he dives into a classical rendition of his most popular single to date. Playing off the single’s opening piano chords, the Trap Symphony rendition of “Drowning” captures the emotive composition that brings new life to the track through composer John Clearly, who added a additional layers giving the song a richer depth. This particular Trap Symphony emphasizes A Boogie’s artistic versatility as he adapts to a more subdued performance style versus rambunctious performances fans have become accustomed to.

    A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

    David Ponte, Audiomack Co-Founder and Trap Symphony co-creator said of the series “…the purpose of Trap Symphony is to showcase a vocalist’s talent and emphasize their unique skill set over an unexpected musical backdrop. With the Trap Symphony series, artists prove that they can go toe-to-toe with classically trained musicians and create something that is sonically beautiful and unique.”

    Starting in 2015, the Trap Symphony series kicked off with mega-star trio Migos who reimagined their hits “Hannah Montana,” “One Time,” and “Handsome & Wealthy.” Fans of Trap Symphony can view each edition of the project, as well as additional content, via Audiomack’s recently launched platform audiomack.world, which highlights content, artists, and cultural tastemakers.

  • Cousin Earth Does St. Patty’s at Scottish Dave’s Pub

    Cousin Earth had everybody shaking their shamrocks last Saturday night at Scottish Dave’s Pub in Clinton, Connecticut. With their signature arsenal of whimsical instruments, the Brooklyn-based band took to the stage in full force… and full green!

    Scottish Dave's PubDrummer Nate Searing set the pace all night with unwavering energy. Corey Feldman plucked his pint-sized Kala U Bass while Joey Calfa served up roaring solos on his electric uke, proving that great things do come in small packages. Tara Lawton and Terry Brennan’s vocals are larger than life, adding catchy and clever lyrics to the band’s memorable melodies. Add to the mix a melodica, slide whistle, vibraslap (a quirky little instrument that brings me straight back to my middle school band days), train whistle, megaphone, and banana shaker, and you have the marvelous musical machine that is Cousin Earth.

    Amidst their original songs, the band enjoyed breathing new life into old favorites, starting off with a nostalgic rendition of “Zelda”, then later resurrecting Natalie Portman’s hilariously raunchy SNL rap, and eventually getting the whole bar clapping and bouncing to Nathanial Rateliff’s “S.O.B.”. Even the bagpipers were getting their jig on.

    The crowd also had first dibs on the band’s new album, Human Music. It’s not set to release online until next month, however the band had the first physical copies on sale at the show. Be on the lookout for the official release on 4/27, and if you’re in NYC, they are throwing an album release party that night at the Bowery Electric.

  • NYS Music 2018 March Madness: The Finals

    We started with 64, now we’re here. Two artists remain in NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness! Two weeks ago, we started with 64 up and coming artists from across the Empire State, and now there are two vying to take it all in our friendly tournament-style competition.

    Black Mountain Symphony winner of the Putnam Place division, showcases an eclectic range of influences, blended together to create their own special sound. From baroque classical violin and haunting folk-tinged ballads to funk-rock drums and hard-hitting dance numbers, the six-piece band sprinkles their live sets with hints of everything from classical music to bits of Motown, blues and jazz. Black Mountain Symphony performs both intimate acoustic shows as well as intense, full-band rock shows. Upcoming shows include April 6 The Colony in Woodstock, and on May 18 Flyday Music Festival in East Durham, NY.

    Brooklyn’s finest jam band, Space Bacon is a jamtronica quartet that weaves composition and improvisation through an ever-changing landscape of segues, inversions, and palindromes. They have two upcoming shows this spring in New York: March 30 with SkyDaddy at Garcia’s and on May 3 opening for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at Brooklyn Bowl.

    Finals voting begins at 12 noon EST on Thursday, March 22 and end at midnight on Saturday, March 24. The winner will be announced on Monday, March 26. Vote now for your favorite and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

  • Jamiroquai To Play NYC This Fall

    British electro-funk act Jamiroquai announced their first New York show in more than a decade. The recently-reunited group will perform at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens on September 8. They have been touring the world to promote their new album Automaton, and will be playing Coachella next month. A full list of dates they will play are available on the Jamiroquai website and tickets for the show at Forest Hills Stadium, Queens, NYC go on sale Friday, March 23 at 10 a.m.

  • UK Trio Girl Ray Arrive in New York City this March

    If you’re in New York City this week, you should consider checking out one of the upcoming shows from Girl Ray. The London-based group features Poppy Hanking on guitar/vocals, Iris McConnell on drums, and Sophie Moss on bass. They started the group two years ago as teenagers going to school in North London and now they’re on their first tour in the U.S.

    Poppy’s songwriting is influenced by pop artists like ABBA and The Beatles and indie artists like Neutral Milk Hotel. Their newest album, which cleverly rhymes with their band name, is called Earl Grey. The vinyl version album is sold out on Bandcamp, but listeners may still enjoy online or on Spotify. They recorded the album at Ramsgate’s Big Jelly Studios and they claimed they little crazy during the process giving it their all. The organ sounds throughout give it a full texture coupled with the distorted guitar. The vocal harmonies are fragile and exciting to listen to.

    The girls are still teenagers, and their sound reflects the uncertainty young adults feel as they move through life and have to make important decisions. They’re just what young listeners need to hear in terms of heartbreak and losing friendships. Their music videos are a bit quirky and show their individual personalities.

    After a stop in Washington DC, you can catch them at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 23rd in Brooklyn, The Bowery Ballroom on the 24th in Manhattan, and back again in Brooklyn on the 25th at Union Pool.