NYS Music 20​18

Category: News Desk

  • Sister Sparrow releases “Ghost” off upcoming album ‘Gold’

    Sister Sparrow has released the first single, “Ghost,” a poppy, energetic club number with hints of Blondie throughout, off Gold, due out on October 12th.

    Sister Sparrow has released the new single, “Ghost,” ahead of the release of their latest album Gold, a single that Arleigh Kincheloe explains was inspired by “That feeling when someone has rejected you but now suddenly wants you back… that drunken late-night text from an ex out of the blue. Ain’t got time for that. Ghosting someone who really deserves it is what it’s about. Getting even but also ridding your life of the BS that keeps holding you back.” In an unconventional move, Sister Sparrow premiered the unique “lyric” video, which features the lyrics displayed in emojis instead of words, on Snapchat, after leading fans through a social media scavenger hunt to allow them to see the video and hear the single 24 hours before it was officially released.

    Gold takes the classic soul-rock sound created by Sister Sparrow and her brass-fueled combo, The Dirty Birds, and turns it into something altogether new, a soul-blasted contemporary pop approach supremely suited for Kincheloe’s immense voice and even greater vision. Produced and co-written in collaboration with Carter Matschullat (Chef’Special, Secret Weapons) at Brooklyn’s DØØM Studio, the new album sees Sister Sparrow expressing herself like never before.

    Sister Sparrow will celebrate their new LP with a major U.S. tour, kicking off on Aug. 30 in Athens, New York, and running through December. Check out tourdates here and New york dates below.

    Aug 30 Athens Summer concert series, Athens, NY
    Sept 21 Westcott Theater, Syracuse, NY
    Sept 22 Borderland Music Festival, East Aurora, NY
    Nov 10 The Egg, Albany, NY
    Dec 1 Irving Plaza, NYC

    For a taste of Sister Sparrow’s live sound, check out their NPR Tiny Desk Concert.

  • Marc Ribot reveals ‘The Militant Ecologist’ off new Anti-Trump album

    Acclaimed guitarist Marc Ribot has released “The Militant Ecologist” featuring Meshell Ndegeocello, the latest track off his upcoming Sept. 14 release, Songs of Resistance 1942-2018 on ANTI-Records. Ribot set out to assemble a set of songs that spoke to this political moment with appropriate ambition, passion, and fury, starting at the end of 2016, not just in response to the American elections but to the political trends he was seeing around the world. 

    “I am alarmed by Trump and the movement he’s part of,” he says. “I’ve spent a good chunk of my life running around the world on tour—I’m kind of an accidental internationalist—and I see that he’s not an isolated phenomenon. And if we don’t deal with what is going on, it is going to deal with us.” In releasing “The Militant Ecologist featuring Meshell Ndegeocello, Ribot repurposes the popular Italian resistance song “Fischia il Vento” (Whistling in the Wind). Renowned punk rock filmmaker Jem Cohen has also directed a video for the song featuring a green-tinged New York City skyline with a flag whipping in the wind.

    For their new take, Ribot and Ndegeocello change the male partisan fighter in the original song to a woman fighting to stop global warming. “We changed the gender in our version and the flag at the end is green,” Ribot explained of his and Ndegeocello’s take on the song and visuals. “But Meshell projects the persona of a resistance fighter going on a mission perfectly: ‘strong her heart, and swift her arm to strike.”

    The eleven songs on the record include a few original compositions as well as traditional songs that are drawn from World War II anti-Fascist Italian partisans, the U.S. civil rights movement and Mexican protest ballads. It also features a wide range of guest vocalists, including Tom Waits, Steve Earle, Meshell Ndegeocello, Justin Vivian Bond, Fay Victor, Ohene Cornelius and Sam Amidon.

    Over a forty-year career, Ribot has released twenty-five albums under his own name and been a beacon of New York’s downtown/experimental music scene, leading a series of bands including Los Cubanos Postizos and Ceramic Dog. Since his work with Tom Waits on 1985’s Rain Dogs album, though, he is best known to the world as a sideman, playing on countless albums by the likes of Elvis Costello, John Mellencamp, Norah Jones, the Black Keys, and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ Grammy-winning collaboration Raising Sand.

    Along with his musical efforts, Ribot has also been an outspoken activist/community organizer in a number of causes, from affordable housing to musicians’ rights in the digital age. Portions of the album’s proceeds will be donated to The Indivisible Project, an organization that helps individuals resist the Trump agenda via grassroots movements in their local communities.

  • NYS Presents: Live Music For Your August

    As with every year, the beautiful summer months have flown by so far and here at New York State Music, we are determined to make sure you make the most out of the sunshine left.  If you are looking to pack the whole month of August with unforgettable live music performance at great venues throughout New York, look no further than this cheat-sheet of all the upcoming action.

    Buffalo – Nietzche’s

    Nietzche’s has been beating those Monday blues all summer long by making Happy Hour a lot more jazzy for Buffalo.  If you have not made your way to Jazz Happy Hour this summer, be sure to get there before August is over.

    August 6th – Well-rounded vocalist Kristen Smigielski will be treating the crowd at the first Happy Hour of the month to her true forte: jazz.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see one of Buffalo’s best. Event link.

    August 13th – No strangers to the New York State jazz scene, Dejesus and Warne Trio will be bringing their bluesy jazz style on the second Monday of the month.  Event link.

    August 20th – Buffalo-based songwriter and musician, Adam Bronstein, will be making his way back to Nietzche’s and taking over Jazz Happy Hour on the 20th. Event link.

    August 27th – To end a summer full of the happiest of Mondays ,The Duo+ will be providing food for the soul in the form of their powerful performances of classics and new takes on old jazz standards. Event link.

    Syracuse – Funk ‘N Waffles 

    August 2nd – All the way from Portland, Oregon, do not miss your opportunity to spend the night listening to the rock and roll stylings of singer/songwriter, Jerry Joseph, as he performs with special guest Charley Orlando.  Event link.

    August 3rd – Brooklyn-based Americana and alternative country band, Yarn, has brought crowds from far and wide to their shows and will be treating Syracuse to experience their music with special guest Old Dear Ensemble. Event link.

    August 8th – For a night full of smiles and good vibes, Kendall Street Company will be stopping by on their Summer Tour at Funk ‘N Waffles along with Vintage Pretty.  For fans of psychedelic, alternative and jam rock music and beyond, this show is sure to be a can’t miss event.  Event link.

    August 9th – Handmade Moments will be bringing their rich, musical flavor of alternative folk music, paired with the diversely beautiful, “no rules,” sounds of the up and coming duo, Dizzy Heart. Event link.

    August 10th – There is nothing quite like a good night full of good ole Americana music, especially when it is delivered from Upstate New York favorite group, The Old Main.  Did we mention it’s free?  Event link.

    August 11th – Brutal By Design presents a night full of hot hip hop featuring Diabolic, Reef The Lost Gauze, as well as Syracuse-based musician, Timothy J.  Event link.

    August 14th – The New Daze is reuniting for one night and one night only to revive their “organic psychedelic rage,’ for all those who have missed it so much.  Make sure to make it out for this electrified performance as they are joined by Kansas Wine. Event link.

    August 16th – Delivering the sounds of the South right to your friendly neighborhood Upstate New York venue is just what The Prestage Brothers Band will be doing on the 16th of August. Event link.

    August 23rd – It is bound to be a packed night of out of this world music as alternative blues group, Late Earth, performs accompanied by the experimental sounds of The U.S. Americans, as well as Cosmonaut Radio.Event link.

    August 25th – Brownskin Band and Joe Driscoll will be taking over Syracuse’s Funk ‘N Waffles for a night that honors American folk in the funkiest way possible. Event link.

    August 29th – Mungo’s List covers it all and is sure to have a sound that will please fans of every genre from jam, to jazz, to soul, to maybe more niche interests such as “spacey,” music as well as, “spooky,” music.   6-piece funk band, Butter, will also be coming along to ensure that the funk is spread as much as possible to attendees of this sure to be memorable show. Event link.

    August 30th – Pop-driven, but diversely inspired group Major Player will be returning to their roots in Syracuse to perform in the place where their stellar sounds were born. Event link.

    August 31st – To end out an incredible month at Funk ‘N Waffles, Danielle Ponder & The Tomorrow People will be performing music that is sure to make you think, feel, and most importantly, dance.  They will be joined by Candian funk, rock and soul group, After Funk.  End your month with a bang and come enjoy the sounds of these two powerhouse groups!  Event link.

    Rochester – Funk ‘N Waffles

    August 1st – Starting off month of August at Rochester’s Funk ‘N Waffles on a funky note will be groups Stig and Fakaui on the 1st. Event link.

    August 2nd – If you just cannot wait until Yarn and Old Deer Ensemble play Syracuse’s Funk ‘N Waffles on the 3rd or, better yet, just want to see them twice, come on out for their performance in Rochester the night before! Event link.

    August 3rd – Sonic Garden, Buffalo’s own authentic Grateful Dead tribute band, will be playing the DSO After Party.  Come out to celebrate the music of an incredible band as this talented group of musicians revive all your favorites. Event link.

    August 8th – Kris Lager Band will be bringing revivalist rock and heavy soul to Rochester with special guest and Rochester-native group Stationary Escape Pod, who will be performing their blend of Americana, progressive rock, blues and more. Event link.

    August 9th – After the Kendall Street Company shows off their psychedelic funk with special guest Vintage Pretty in Syracuse, the next stop of their tour will be Rochester on the 9th.  Don’t miss out on another opportunity to catch these two incredible acts!  Event link.

    August 11th – Rochester Black Pride is proud to be bringing you Summer Nights: Starring Trina at the Music Hall.  Trina is one of the most consistent and praised female rappers and will be performing her music that not only has been enjoyed by so many, but has done so much to change the world of hip hop.  Don’t miss this opportunity to see her live!  Event link.

    August 23rd – Nth Power will be bringing a spiritual, powerful, soulful and goose bump worthy performance with Quintuple and it is sure to be an uplifting experience you do not want to miss. Event link.

    August 14th – She is Detroit’s Queen of the Blues and she is coming to Rochester to show Upstate New York just why. Make sure to come experience Thornetta Davis live for an unforgettable and funky performance. Event link.

    August 18th – It is never a bad time for a Chicago Blues kind of night, and that is just what Frank Bang and The Cook County Kings will be providing on the 18th.  Event link.

    August 22nd – Joe Marcinek All Star Super Jam is every last bit of fun that it sounds like it will be. As every one of their performances features different artists, this Rochester show will include Alan Evans of Soulive, Steve Molitz of Particle and members Freekbass. Event link.

    August 28th – To bring a healthy dose of reggae and blues for the month, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops will be performing with special guest Delilah Jones. Event link.

    August 29th – Continuing the reggae into the following night with a mix of R&B will be Mutlu, who will be coming through on his The Almost Famous Tour, with special guest and pop artist, Wes Williams. Event link.

    August 31st – The grand finale to such a grand month full of great performances will be brought to you by Kevin Kinsella.  Come out for the last night of August and enjoy his acoustic soul and reggae sounds. Event link.

  • CIA and Let’s Danza! bring similar lineups but different sounds to Kind Mind Campout

    Going to a festival means making decisions on what music to see, and what you might miss out on as a result. If you are headed to Kind Mind Campout in Minot, ME this weekend, you’ll have plenty of EDM and electronic-infused jambands to choose from, but two of these artists, CIA and Let’s Danza!, offer a unique pairing, back to back on the Maine Stage this Saturday, August 4, and should not be missed.

    Let’s Danza!, the Philly-based reincarnation of Brothers Past, includes Clay Parnell and Tom McKee (both of BP), Ian McGuire (MJ Project, Sonic Spank) and a rotating drummer, while CIA is Clay Parnell, Ian McGuire and Allen Aucoin (Disco Biscuits, Dr. Fameus). Aucoin will fill in on drums for Let’s Danza! at Kind Mind, something he has done on occasion in the past. The Danza! drummer changes from show-to-show, with other regulars behind the kit including Mike Greenfield (Lotus), Scotty Zwang (Ghost Light) and Kito Bovenschulte who plays with Parnell in Particle. CIA and Let’s Danza have overlapping lineups, but their sounds are starkly different.

    CIA Let's Danza

    CIA is 100% pure, live improvisation, a trait rarely found among bands in the jam or EDM scenes. As bassist and founding member of Brother’s Past, Let’s Danza! and CIA, Clay Parnell stresses that they don’t have any songs to work from, and it’s all improv in the moment. “We’ve had guests over the years and fucked around with ‘material,’ but we just get on stage and we jam – the whole thing we are improvising. There‘s a couple of styles we like and we can read each other as we play, but we don’t have a computer with us on stage, so it’s open and free and we have zero clue how the set will flow or be composed.”

    Parnell isn’t kidding when he says that this is unique to freely jam for an entire set. “There’s not a whole lot of bands out there that just get out there and jam. We try not to stop over the course of a set. Ian teases and leads the melody and he takes us many places, but we just don’t stop jamming.” The lack of material helps CIA to push forth into the unknown with each set. “When you don’t have any material to go into, you don’t have any choice but to get in there and improvise with your fellow musicians and make it better. It’s a whole thing and that’s what I love about us and it keeps me coming back. That’s what CIA is about.”

    Then there’s Let’s Danza!, which features the same lineup as CIA, but includes Tom McKee (keys) from Brothers Past. Parnell describes how the latest incarnation of Brothers Past came about: “The group is a project that was designed to have myself, Tom McKee from Brothers Past and Ian McGuire both on keys, where Tom would do the keyboard parts and Ian would play guitar on his synth rig, and that would allow us to delve back into the Brothers Past catalog. We approach our sound together and the two keyboard styles are complimented.” Whereas CIA will take an entirely improv set, Let’s Danza has songs, vocals, sequences and compositions and although three-fourths of the players are the same, there will be decidedly different things to expect from each set. Parnell continued, “I’m looking forward to differentiating something between the two sets, and doing them with an overlap of personnel and back to back. We haven’t played Maine since Great North in 2016 and I remember the crowd energy from that set, so we are looking forward to following that up this weekend.”

    When asked who the boss was of Let’s Danza!, Parnell replied “It’s myself and Tom McKee, it’s one way that we are expressing ourselves, but it’s really the three of us. McKee and I are collaborating together, we live three blocks away from each other and he has a studio he owns and operates, so we hang out a lot having done Brothers Past stuff together. Let’s Danza! is one way that we can keep playing electronic music together.”

    And that Philly scene where Brother’s Past, CIA and Let’s Danza! arose from? Well it’s as vibrant as any other big city scene. “The jazz scene has been thriving and has always been huge, especially the pop and rock scene. It’s as bedroom community for New York musicians. Most people that comprise the bands of the big NYC based acts are Philly based musicians. A ton of people are working out of NYC but they are Philly based. The Disco Biscuits are the pillar of the Philly jamband scene, and Lotus, Brothers Past and all collaborations stem from that.”

    Kind Mind Campout kicks off on Friday, August 3 in Minot, ME. Catch Let’s Danza! From 6pm-7pm on the Maine Stage, with CIA following from 8:30pm – 9:30pm also on the Maine Stage.

  • Disturbed Finishes Recording New Album

    Heavy metal legends, Disturbed, have announced that the band has completed their seventh yet-to-be-named studio album.

    On the bands upcoming album, Disturbed ventured off into several different styles of music. The band is leaning on their fanbase, the “Disturbed1’s,” to vote in an online poll, what kind of single the band should release first, heavy, or ballad.

    Disturbed stated: “The new record is done! The new album includes many styles of music. Since our last album and the recent footage from the studio, we’ve seen a lot of discussion about the evolution of our new music. Disturbed Ones, we have decided to embrace the debate. For our next single — what kind of sound do you want it to be?”

    Blabbermouth reports that in a recent behind-the-scenes video of the band, frontman David Draiman stated about the upcoming album: “You fight for the strength of your creation, you fight to make the greatest thing you possibly can, and it’s worth every minute, it’s worth every bit of sweat, it’s worth every tear. So that’s what we live for. Every time we put out a piece of art, it continues to define who we are. What could possibly be more important than that and require more of your focus and your time and your energy.”

    In a past interview with The Pulse of Radio, guitarist Dan Donegan talked about the band being totally prepared and on the same page before entering the studio: “I mean, we definitely go in there very prepared. We never enter the studio unless we feel like, right now, if these are the songs we record, that we would have an album that we’re proud of and we’re excited about. And we put everything under the microscope and examine it the best we can to make sure that we’re prepared. We don’t like going in there wasting time. We go in there to work, and to try to make the best album we can.”

  • Stop Making Sense Re-Creation at The Capitol Theatre

    The Talking Heads concert film, Stop Making Sense, will be re-created for one time only at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on Friday, Dec. 28 by the tribute band Start Making Sense.

    Provided by press release.

    Stop Making Sense came out in 1984, featuring a live performance by the Talking Heads. It was directed by Jonathan Demme and was shot over three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in December, 1983 while the group was touring to promote their newest album.

    Start Making Sense is a seven piece Talking Heads tribute band which takes pride in faithfully recreating the music of Talking Heads’ entire career. Their front man, Jon Braun, does a “spot-on David Byrne” according to their website.

    The band is made up of, Jon Braun on lead vocals & guitar, Jon Fadem on lead guitar & backing vocals, Ryan Berg on percussion & backing vocals, Brad Murray on keyboards, Michael Davidson on bass, Jesse Braun on drums, Jenny Founds on backing Vocals, Kathleen Weber on backing vocals.

    The show is 18 & over unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and is $29.75/$55 in advance or $35/$60 on the day of the show. Doors open at 7:00 pm and the show starts at 8:00 pm.

    For more information and tickets visit The Capitol Theatre’s website. 

    For more information of the band visit their website.

  • Woods Fest Music Festival Announced

    The first Woods Fest Music Festival is happening at the Woods Valley Ski Area in Westernville, just north of Rome, on Aug. 18.

    Woods Fest Music Festival

    This festival features not only legendary acts but also up-and-coming bands from throughout Central New York. It strives to bridge the Utica-Rome and Syracuse music scenes for one day of family-friendly fun. It will be spread across two stages, the outdoor stage provided by the City of Rome and the inside stage at Tap Room 46 in the chalet.

    The initial lineup of artists scheduled to perform includes: Los Blancos, The Old Main, Les Brers, Mike Powell and John Hanus from the Black River, Nick Piccininni and Jason Barady from Floodwood, the Ron Spencer Band, the Live and Breathe, Remsen Social Club, Follow the Muse, Pocket Change and Work Related.

    Woods Fest Music Festival
    The Old Main

    In addition to these musical acts there will also be yoga from Alanna Bone of Just Breathe Yoga Studio, inflatables from Varano Super Jump and several area food trucks. The festival was created by Woods Valley Ski Area and Copper City Brewing Company, in association with Oneida County Tourism, the Heart of New York Beverage Trail and NYS Music.

    The Heart of New York Craft Beverage Trail will also be present at the Woods Fest serving drinks from 16 Stone Brew Pub from Holland Patent, Woodland Farm Brewery from Marcy, Copper City Brewing Company from Rome, Villa Verona Winery from Verona and Prospect Falls Winery from Prospect Falls.

    The festivities start at 11:00 a.m. with the gates open at 10:00 a.m. and the music will run until approximately midnight. Tickets for the first Woods Fest Music Festival are now available online through the Woods Valley Ski Area website . Advance sale tickets are $20. Day of the show tickets are $25. Children 12 and under are free with accompanying adult(s). Tickets may also be purchased at Copper City Brewing Company and the Snubbing Post in Rome.

    Woods Fest Music Festival
    Los Blancos (Photo: Brian Cornish)

    For more information on the Woods Fest Music Festival , please visit the Woods Valley website or Copper City Brewing Company’s website.

  • SiriusXM announces limited run Phish channel

    SiriusXM recently announced the latest channel addition to their satellite radio lineup, Phish, which will be taking over Jam On’s Channel 29 for a limited time.

    It’s not uncommon for notable acts to receive channels on SiriusXM. Some of the acts who have them include, the Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty and U2 but Phish has been a highly anticipated by Phans to have their own dedicated station.

    Phish’s time on Jam On’s Channel 29 starts on Friday, Aug. 3 and runs through Wednesday, Aug. 15. On Thursday, Aug. 16 – Sunday, Aug. 19 Channel 29 will air a simulcast of festival radio, The Bunny from Phish’s Curveball festival in Watkins Glen before Jam On returns to the airwaves on Monday, Aug. 20.

    The Phish Radio channel will include music from the entirety of the band’s career including live cuts, studio tracks, unreleased demos, songs from the group’s influences and exclusive commentary from members of the quartet.

    Phish Radio is set to launch at 12 p.m. ET this Friday with an“Ask Trey” section featuring Trey Anastasio’s responses to questions asked by listeners from a call SiriusXM put out earlier in the year. On Friday night, Phish Radio will air a live broadcast of the quartet’s performance at the Verizon Amphitheater in Alpharetta, GA.

    For more information visit SiriusXM’s website.

  • Listen to Oliver Kennan’s debut single “Waiting”

    Oliver Kennan, a New York City-based indie-soul artist and bandleader, has become known in the NY music scene for his infectious energy onstage and his remarkably tight seven-piece contemporary soul band. Oliver is a retro-soul performer with one foot planted firmly in the 21st century, with influences ranging from Otis Redding to Arcade Fire, Betty Davis to Radiohead, and Wilson Pickett to Amy Winehouse. Give a listen to his first single, “Waiting,” just released via Hornblow Recordings.

    “Waiting” is a modern take on the rock and soul of the past and a classic story of a young man searching for love in the loneliest big city in the world, NYC. It’s one part Tower of Power’s up-tempo funk with a contemporary swagger where Oliver plays the lonely loverboy with conviction and good humor. The band channeled the vintage sounds of their favorite records while recording live to tape at The Bunker Studios and Thump Studios in Brooklyn. “Waiting” was written by Oliver Kennan, is published by Easy Coast Music (BMI) and was produced by Graham Stone and mastered by Bob Ludwig.

  • Kung Fu Confirms Fall Dates

    Kung Fu recently announced their 2018 fall tour that will kick off on Aug. 3 in Candia, NH and comes to a close in November in Denver, CO.

    Photo courtesy of Kung Fu’s website.

    The band is known for their ’70s funk-fusion meets a modern dance party sound and have existed since 2012. They get some of their influences from early Headhunters and Weather Report, and merge those ideas with  contemporary EDM.

    The 2018 fall tour includes not only a series of co-headlining concerts with Perpetual Groove but also a handful of Steely Dan tributes. The band will make two stops in NY, the first being in Utica as the official after party for moe. on Sept. 8 and the second in Rochester on Sept. 20.

    Their west coast shows will reprise last year’s “Fez Tour” as “Fez West,” where the band mixes the music of Steely Dan with original Kung Fu music.

    The band is made up of Tim Palmieri on guitar & vocals, Robert Somerville on tenor sax & vocals, Beau Sasser on keyboards & vocals, Chris DeAngelis on bass guitar & vocals, and Adrian Tramontano on drums/percussion.

    For more information visit Kung Fu’s website.

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