NYS Music 20​18

Category: News Desk

  • Dolores O’Riordan, Cranberries Singer, Dead at 46

    Dolores O’Riordan, lead singer of the iconic Irish alternative band the Cranberries, died suddenly in London on Monday. She was 46.

    dolores o'riordanHer death was confirmed in an emailed statement from her publicist, Lindsey Holmes. The brief announcement stated, “Irish and international singer Dolores O’Riordan has died suddenly in London today. She was 46 years old. The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries was in London for a short recording session.”

    O’Riordan’s cause of death was not specified. Her publicist did state that her family is devastated by the news and has requested privacy. She is survived by her ex-husband, Don Burton, and her three children, Taylor Baxter, Molly Leigh and Dakota Rain.

    Born in County Limerick, Ireland on Sept. 6, 1971 to Terence and Eileen O’Riordan, she was the youngest of seven children. Her powerfully unique, lilting voice and thick Irish accent combined to form an instrument that propelled her band, the Cranberries to international fame following the release of their debut 1993 album, Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? The album featured the hit singles “Linger” and “Dreams.”  Their 1994 follow-up, No Need to Argue produced the band’s most iconic hit, “Zombie.”

    The Cranberries released an acoustic album last year entitled Something Else. The ensuing tour of Europe and North America was postponed due to health problems O’Riordan was encountering.  Prior to Christmas, she posted an update to the band’s Facebook page.

    Tributes to the gifted vocalist were plentiful, including from Irish President Michael D. Higgins, who wrote, “[She and the Cranberies were an] immense influence on rock and pop music in Ireland and internationally. I recall with fondness the late Limerick TD Jim Kemmy’s introduction of her and the Cranberries to me, and the pride he and so many others took in their successes. To all those who follow and support Irish music, Irish musicians and the performing arts her death will be a big loss.”

    Dave Davies of the Kinks offered the following from his Twitter account:

    “The Queen of Limerick” was raised a devout Catholic and revered Pope John Paul II. After meeting the pontiff at the Vatican, she recalled in a 2007 interview with The Guardian, “(He) was lovely, very saintly. I was mad about him. I thought he really cared for the poor and he loved to meet the people. I saw him when he came to Limerick, when I was a kid. So it was pretty mind blowing to take my mum out to meet him.”

    She performed at the annual Vatican Christmas concerts in 2001 and 2002 at the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI and returned to perform for Pope Francis in 2013.

    O’Riordan’s preoccupation with death was not a secret. She was at her father’s bedside, holding his hand when he died in 2011. She claimed to have felt his spirituality enter her as he died. She also spent time visiting graveyards during her teen years, as she told the Soul Sisters podcast last year:

    You kind of wonder what is all about here. We’re only here for a while, and you can’t find complete happiness here. There is always sadness and there is always problems and troubles. Then you wonder when it will be your time, your calling, your time to die. What happens? That is something that my mind has always been preoccupied with.

    The Cranberriesworld blog has a brief clip of what is possibly O’Riordan’s last public performance, at the Billboard Christmas party in New York City this past December. You can view that here.

    The band broke up in 2002, but reunited with a tour in 2010. The album Roses followed in 2012. Below is their Tiny Desk Concert performance at NPR from that year.

  • Photo City to Host Folk City: A Three Day Benefit for R.E.A.C.H

    Event booking and promotions company Hey Dude After Hours has just announced the lineup to their three day folk festival, “Folk City” at Photo City Comedy and Improv in Rochester. The event will run on Friday Feb. 16, Saturday Feb. 17, and Sunday Feb. 18.  Folk City festival will be raising money for REACH (Rochester Engaging in Action for the Chronically Homeless). As the acronym implies, REACH collaborates to create safe, financially sustainable, housing options to meet the needs of chronically homeless individuals by ensuring services needed and encouraging mutual care.

    The three day event includes many of the region’s favorite folk acts, including headlining performances by Floodwood, Folkfaces, Milkweed, and the Neighbors (Members of Driftwood,) alongside Twenty Thousand Strongmen, PA Line, String Theory, Aaron Lipp, and Seth Faergolzia, with many more musicians ready to tickle your ears.

    One-day passes will cost $15 pre-sale or $20 at the door. Two-day passes come at a pre-sale price of $25, and a full three-day pass is marked at $40 pre-sale and includes a free drink. Tickets can be purchased through cnytix.com.

    The full event schedule is listed below.

    Key:  Front Room Back Room
    Friday, Feb. 16
    6 – 6:45 p.m.  – Jungle Steve
    6:45 – 7:45 p.m. –  The Flood (duo)
    7:45 – 8:30 p.m. – Tyler Westcott
    8:30 – 9:15 p.m. – Twenty Thousand Strongmen
    9:15 – 10 p.m. – Anson Stiles
    10 – 11 p.m. – Folkfaces
    11 – 11:45 p.m. – Collin Jones
    11:45 – ? – Floodwood

    Saturday, Feb.17
    6 – 6:45 p.m. – Tim Braley
    6:45 – 7:45 p.m. – Ruckus Juice Jug Stompers
    7:45 – 8:30 p.m. – Jon Itkin & Rita Proctor (of The Crooked North)
    8:30 – 9:15 p.m. – Jungle Steve & the Gypsophelias
    9:15 – 10:15 p.m. – Mike Brown
    10:15 – 11 p.m. – PA Line
    11 – 12:15 p.m. – TBA
    12:15 – ? – Electric Tie Dye

    Sunday, Feb. 18
    4 – 4:45 p.m. – Damdog (solo)
    4:45 – 5:45 p.m. – Mighty High & Dry (trio)
    5:45 – 6:30 p.m. – Nate Coffey
    6:30 – 7:15 p.m. – String Theory
    7:15 – 8 p.m. – Seth Faergolzia (homecoming)
    8 – 8:45 p.m. – Milkweed
    8:45 – 9:30 p.m. – Aaron Lipp
    9:30 – ? – The Neighbors (w/ two members of Driftwood)

  • YACHT Does The Great Scott on January 15

    On Monday, January 15, Los Angeles based dance-pop trio YACHT will be hitting The Great Scott in Allston, MA with their rhythmic and focused tunes. The concert is an 18+ event, tickets are $15 at Great Scott Boston and the doors open at 8:30 pm. The group is kicking off 2018 with as twelve-date tour in support of their most recent EP, Strawberry Moon. 

    YACHT The Great ScottYACHT began as the solo project of Jona Bechtolt, a musician and multimedia artist who dropped out of high school in the 90s to play drums in a touring punk band. In the early 2000s, he brought his DIY sensibility to laptop production, partnering with vocalist Khaela Maricich to release two albums with The Blow, a wonky pop group that gained a loyal following after 2006’s breakout Paper Television.

    YACHT transformed from a solo project to a duo with the addition of writer Claire L. Evans, who was on board for their critically-acclaimed album See Mystery Lights, named “Best New Music” by Pitchfork and a “Critic’s Choice” by the New York Times in 2009. The pair have collaborated closely since, forming the nucleus of a nervy and experimental live band which has expanded and contracted on tours with LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Vampire Weekend, M83 and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

    You can check out their music here and follow them on their journey via Twitter. If you do not get the chance to see them in Boston, check out one of these other shows:

    YACHT 2018 TOUR DATES

    01-12 Chicago, IL – Schuba’s
    01-13 Toronto, ON – The Garrison
    01-15 Boston, MA – Great Scott
    01-16 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
    01-18 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
    01-19 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
    02-03 Seattle, WA – Baboza
    02-05 Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret
    02-06 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
    02-07 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
    02-09 Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
    02-10 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom

  • Druse Signs to Ohio Label Head2Wall Records

    Rochester post-hardcore phenoms Druse announced that they have signed with Head2Wall Records. They’re heading into the studio to record a full-length album under the Ohio-based label. The release date is projected for this summer. Before they start recording, they’re playing one more hometown gig with their friends in California Cousins, Dais, Chrmr, and Derelict Vessel at the Bug Jar this Saturday, Jan. 13.

    Druse. Photo by Spencer Chamberlain

    Head2Wall released a statement, which reads in part:

    With their unique take on the style of heavy, emotive, technical post-hardcore fleshed out in late ’90s by bands like Botch and Frodus, Druse has spent the last three years carving out a place of their own in today’s fickle and ever-evolving heavy music community. With a handful of powerful and infectious EPs, and an indefatigable work ethic, Druse has proven themselves a force to be reckoned with.”

    While waiting for the new album, fans can order a 12” vinyl containing their last two EP’s from the Head2Wall webstore.

  • The Ominous Seapods Reunite to wish Tom Pirozzi a Happy 50th Birthday

     A Plattsburgh State undergrad once asked Max Verna to define an Ominous Seapod. “I don’t really know,” he said, providing no explanation behind the name of his band for the young reporter working on a feature for his student newspaper. “I do like the sound of it, though.”

    The Ominous Seapods, one of the most popular jam bands here in upstate New York in the 1990s, is coming back out for a two-night engagement at the Cohoes Music Hall on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 12 and 13.

    “They were a name I would always see on old show flyers amongst other names that are still big in the scene today,” said Kim Neaton, WEQX-FM radio personality. “I wasn’t familiar with them when they were active, but their name often pops up in conversation and I always would think, ‘Damn. I wish I got to catch a Seapods show!’”

    While Phish and Dave Matthews Band led the charge in a jam band culture described in 2001 as a phenomenon by the New York Times, moe., the Disco Biscuits and the Ominous Seapods pulled up the rear. At the time, both the Seapods and Disco Biscuits were signed under Hydrophonics Records, a subsidiary of Megaforce Records which itself earned success years earlier by introducing Ministry and Metallica.

    “These guys can rip,” wrote Dean Budnick, of the Seapods. The Relix Magazine editor named the group in a well-crafted Who’s Who directory of upcoming bands in his 1998 book “Jam Bands: North America’s Hottest Live Groups.” “The humor of the players often celebrates the absurd, resulting in some memorable, spontaneous interactions between each other and between band and audience. … Such as the time it hosted an eight-track release party.”

    Verna, Dana Monteith, Tom Pirozzi, Brian Mangini and Ted Marotta toured the nation, playing 200-plus gigs a year, a reputation recognized by SPIN Magazine, and appreciated by an online fanbase supported by a website at Dartmouth University affectionately called the Podnet. “We have some really loyal fans on the Podnet who have taken it upon themselves to get the word out and to spread tapes,” Tom Pirozzi told Budnick. “So we’ve walked into a bar in Iowa City where the place is just packed full of people who have heard about us, know our music and are excited to have us there.”

    At one point, the website boasted of having more than 300 subscribers, known as mutants. It was maintained by David Merrill, a Dartmouth technician nicknamed The Bourbon Cowboy. It was a place to find setlists, lyrics and pictures. In its heyday, fans could swap tapes from live shows. The internet was still in its infancy in the late ’90s. Social media and smartphones, absolute requirements for networking and navigating new landscapes, did not exist. So, most fans found out about shows by signing up to the band’s mailing list — postal, not email. (At the

    band’s height, that list contained more than 10,000 names.) Fans could also call the band’s dedicated phone line connected to an answering machine that listed upcoming show dates. The Podnet is still online, but the ’90s design suggests it hasn’t been maintained for years. Some of the mutants, including Merrill, have since moved on to Facebook.

    Pirozzi recently shared his amazement over the power of social media. He said he posted word of the Seapods upcoming Cohoes show on Facebook twice. Once on his page, and another on the Mutants’ page. A short time later, he said, the Saturday evening show was sold out.

    “It sold out in five days,” said Pirozzi. “I was surprised, actually. I knew we’d do well, and thought maybe by the day of the show we’d sell out, or be close to sold out. I didn’t expect to sell out in advance. We were all shocked by that.”

    The band opted to offer a second show on the preceding Friday, Pirozzi’s 50th birthday. (It, too, is close to selling out.) Pirozzi said he’s humbled by the response from fans, and looks forward to seeing faces he hasn’t seen in 20 years.

    “I could see on Facebook, people coming in from Colorado, from North Carolina, California,” asid Pirozzi. “I think it’s just going to be a great reunion for people I haven’t seen in years. Obviously, people I haven’t seen in 20 years. I’m looking forward to that.”

    The definition of an Ominous Seapod, initially sought by a Plattsburgh State undergrad, is less elusive today than it was nearly 30 years ago.

    “By all accounts the band and their fans know how to have a real great time,” said Neaton, who now associates herself with Guthrie Bell Productions. “And, if Greg Bell says a band knows how to party, I think the Cohoes Music Hall is perhaps in for a party unlike anything it’s seen before. It’s really cool to be part of a reunion that’s bringing so many people in from out of town to celebrate a band that meant a lot to the jam scene for so long, especially in a room as special as this.”

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518 and is the property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYS Music. TheSpot518 and NYS Music work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene in the Capital District and New York state, respectively. For more, visit TheSpot518.com.

  • Tommy Z Band brings the Blues to Funk n Waffles this Wednesday

    Tommy Z, an award winning blues musician from Buffalo will bring his swinging, rocking blues band to Funk n Waffles in Syracuse on Wednesday, January 10.

    tommy zTommy Z is a Top 10 Billboard Blues artist and 2007 inductee into Buffalo’s Music Hall of Fame. He has toured extensively around the world, and has served as sideman to Grammy winner Pinetop Perkins, as well as numerous USO shows in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Europe, Asia and Micronesia. An award-winning guitarist, Tommy combines classic and contemporary blues with jazz, rock and funk influences. He has also composed music for the Red Hot Chili Peppers Biography on A&E, wrote the St. Louis Blues victory song in 2009, and is also the Sunday Blues host on Buffalo’s NPR affiliate WBFO 88.7 FM from 7pm-midnight.

  • Start Off Your New Year With Live Music, Presented by NYS Music

    A very Happy New Year from NYS Music! If your New Year’s resolution is to see more memorable shows in 2018, NYS Music is bringing you the rundown of all the can’t-miss shows around you in New York this January.  The featured cities this month include Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester.

    Buffalo – Nietzsche’s

    January 6th – Come out to Nietzsche’s for some funk and soul music from the group Tiger Chung Lee, accompanied by Rhubarb.  Hit the event link for more details! Event link.
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    January 13th – For a night full of dynamic funky music, come see the English Project take Nietzsche’s with their groovy improvisation with Mosswalk, the progressive rock group who brings an immersive live music experience, and 18 Wheels and a Crowbar.  Event link.

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    January 20th – The group LITZ blends together a multitude of genres to bring a new, exciting sound for listeners that has the power to transport audiences to another place, free from the stresses of life.  To hear a variety of everything from soul, electronica, jam and funk, catch them at Nietszche’s with Cold Lazarus. Event link.

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    January 26th – Nietzsche’s is bringing you a day packed full of live music on the 26th.  Start early with a free show at Happy Hour featuring The Fibs.  Then come back for more at 10 PM to see Swimmer, Skyepilot and Haewa for a mix of experimental rock-fusion, genre-bending psychedelia, and rock ‘n’ roll. Event link.

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    Syracuse – Funk ‘N Waffles

    As per usual, Funk ‘N Waffles is providing Syracuse (and Rochester) with live music 7 days a week.  All shows are 18+ unless advertised otherwise.

    January 5th – The soul powerhouse group, West End Blend, will be at Funk ‘n Waffles with special guest Akuma Roots, the reggae, afro beat, and dance hall group. Event link.

    January 6th – The Last Revel, the Americana trio will be showcasing their blend of folk, rockabilly, rock and old time string band sounds with hauntingly beautiful vocal harmonies with special guests the Slocan Ramblers Event link.

    January 12th – Don’t miss the dream-like indie-rock sounds of Major Player with special guest Multi-Fonz. Event link.Image may contain: text

    January 16th – Nick Moss with special guest Jimmy Wolfe will be at Funk ‘n Waffles for a night of bluesy rock and roll. Event link.Image may contain: 1 person

    January 17th – “Three dudes making one hell of a racket!”  Don’t miss MonkeyJunk’s swamp roots rock on the 17th.  Event link.Image may contain: one or more people, people sitting, table and indoor

    January 18th – The Rochester-native 12 piece reggae and afro-beat band, The Medicinals, will be performing for the first time with Brooklyn Producer Double Tiger featuring Jay Sparker of JBB. Event link.Image may contain: 1 person

    January 24th – Come out and see the pre-war blues and string band inspired sounds of the Ben Miller Band with special guest Tim Herron. Event link.Image may contain: 3 people, people standing and outdoor

    January 25th – For a unique bluegrass version of the Grateful Dead, come see the Grass is Dead with David Gans. Event link.

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    January 26th – Blue Rootz, the funk and soul band from Buffalo will be performing with Burlington-based indie group Barika. Event link.No automatic alt text available.

    January 27th – Brutal by Design Presents: Mushroom Cloud with Big Sexy and the Scrambled Eggs for a night of explosive rock music. Event link.Image may contain: 4 people, people standing and beard

    January 31th – Independent soul artist Joanna Teters will be at Funk ‘n Waffles with special guests Ramshki Alley and Doug Mason. Event link.Image may contain: 5 people, people on stage, people playing musical instruments, concert and indoor

    Rochester – Funk ‘N Waffles

    January 5th – Before The Last Revel and Slocan Ramblers perform in Syracuse, catch them in Rochester for a bold blend of Americana inspired sound.  Event link.

    January 12th – Milkgang Presents: Space Junk with SKYwalker.  Come out for an always unique performance by these dynamic artists. Event link.

    January 13th – Mumur a Tribute to R.E.M. will be bringing their dynamic and precise recreation of the sounds of R.E.M. to Rochester. Event link.

    January 17th – Don’t miss the original Americana and roots sounds of the group Stay the Plow with Michael Jerling on the 17th.  Event link.

    January 18th – MonkeyJunk will be moving onto Rochester following their Syracuse show. Event link.

    January 19th – After the Medicinals with Double Tiger take Syracuse with Jay Sparker of JBB, they’ll be bringing Rochester another can’t-miss show. Event link.

    January 24th – To remind the people of Rochester about the power of rock ‘n’ roll, River Lynch & The Spiritmakers will be performing with special guests The Mighty High and Dry as well as Dangerbyrd. Event link.

    January 25th – Hosted by David Abdoch with headliner Mike Bova, the NY native, award winning comedian and inspirational speaker, and featuring Big Ern, The Big and Tall Comedy Tour is coming through Rochester and is sure to keep you laughing.  Event link.

    January 26th – Jack Martini will be bringing his hip-hop/60’s rock-inspired and playfully humorous music accompanied by rock, ska, and jazz blended sound of The Saplings. Event link.

    January 27th – If you miss Blue Rootz and Barika at Syracuse, make sure to catch them on the 27th for another night of incredible music. Event link.

  • Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 2018 Fast Approaching; Donna The Buffalo, Sophistafunk, and Lucid Among Headliners

    The 121st Saranac Lake Winter Carnival starts February 2, 2018 and features 17 acts over eight days. Among the list of local and national bands slated to perform are regional favorites Donna The Buffalo, Sophistafunk, and Lucid. All performances take place at The Waterhole Music Lounge in Saranac Lake. For the first time ever, VIP passes are available, which entitle the purchaser to all shows during the carnival as well as special cocktail hours. Tickets are available at the Waterhole or online. The folks at The Waterhole also put together a Spotify playlist of all the featured artists:

    Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 2018

    February 2 – O’Death with Tigerman Woah & Arthur Buezo  – 9pm $13 Adv $15 Door
    February 3 – Kung Fu with The English Project  – 9pm $17 Adv $20 Door
    February 6 – Swampcandy  – FREE SHOW 9pm Downstairs
    February 7 – Sophistafunk with Jiggawaltz – 9pm $10 Adv $12 Door
    February 8 – Donna the Buffalo with The Old Main – 8:30 pm $18 Adv $22 Door
    February 9 – Lucid with Bella’s Bartok – 9pm $20
    February 10 – Post Parade Party with Raisinhead – 2pm “After the Parade” FREE SHOW
    February 10 – West End Blend with The Big Takeover – 9pm – $10
    February 11 – The Plate Scrapers at Bloody Mary Sunday – FREE SHOW – 2pm Downstairs

  • American Beauty Closes its Doors

    American Beauty, the mid-town Manhattan venue that quickly became a staple for the Big Apple’s jam scene, is no more. In a statement on Friday, following the January 1st shuttering of their doors, American Beauty issued the statement below:

    It is with a heavy heart that we announce our doors closed after December 31st 2017. Our home at 251 West 30th Street was purchased by Herald Square Properties in 2016, who are renovating the building and renting to new tenants.  We’d like to thank our loyal staff, customers and every artist who’s performed on our stages for a magical run.

    Although it’s sad to say goodbye to our Midtown party factory for now, we are happy for the memories that will live on with those who experienced it. Fare Thee Well.

    Touring bands, as well as pre and post show events surrounding Phish and Dead and Company shows at Madison Square Garden, were a huge draw to American Beauty, located just 2 blocks from MSG. Events held during these runs filled the bar’s three floors with vending, music, beer and free pizza, causing a great deal of surprise from fans, patrons, and the musicians who performed there. Seth Eisenstein, saxophonist at Polyvamp, called the venue home, and lamented its closing, saying “American Beauty always felt like our home away from home. Polyvamp was able to grow our sound playing that room, and always had a blast doing it. We want to thank American Beauty for everything and wish the great staff all the best in their next step.”

    american beauty

    While American Beauty is closed, the space has been a music venue under other names for years, leading to the hope that perhaps the room will open under another name, given the history of the location. The final show at the venue was a Phish after-party featuring Kung Fu and Wyllys and went late into the night.

  • Eminem, The Killers, Jack White to Headline Boston Calling 2018

    Boston Calling has released the names of performers for the 2018 music festival, including headliners Eminem, The Killers, and Jack White. The three-day-long event takes place across three stages at Harvard Athletic Complex, and includes performances by 54 musicians, bands, and comedians. Early tickets are on sale now at the Boston Calling Music Festival website.

    Photo: Ty Johnson

    The list of performers was chosen by Aaron Dessner of The National, a co-founder of Boston Calling Music Festival. While the festival draws iconic acts and rising stars from all over, there is a lot of local and regional flavor. Boston alt rockers Belly will play. Also slated to perform are indie rock trio Weakened Friends and and hip-hop duo STL GLD, who each took prizes at the 2017 Boston Music Awards. Harvard alum  and award-winning actress and director Natalie Portman will be curating a special series (more information will be announced at a later date).

    2018 Music Lineup: 

    Eminem, The Killers, Jack White, Queens of the Stone Age, The National, Paramore, Tyler, The Creator,
    Khalid, Bryson Tiller, Portugal The Man, Fleet Foxes, St. Vincent, The Decemberists, Brockhampton,
    Maggie Rogers, Royal Blood, Manchester Orchestra, Daniel Caesar, Dirty Projectors, Stormzy, Thundercat, Belly, Pussy Riot, Julien Baker, Alvvays, The Menzingers, Thee Oh Sees, Perfume Genius, Noname, (Sandy) Alex G, Big Thief, Mount Kimbie, Citizen, Pond, Zola Jesus, Taylor Bennett, Westside Gunn & Conway, Charly Bliss, Leikeli47, Field Report, Lillie Mae, Tauk, This Is The Kit, Weakened Friends, Stl Gld

    2018 Comedy & Entertainment Lineup:

    Natalie Portman, Pod Save America, Lovett or Leave It, Jenny Slate, Bridget Everett, Cameron Esposito, Tony Hinchcliffe, Jo Firestone, Max Silvestri,Martin Urbano

    Early bird tickets for Boston Calling 2018 went on sale Thursday, Jan. 4. Three-day general admission passes cost $279. There is a VIP package and a Platinum VIP package available as well at a cost of $599 and $1049 respectively. More information can be found at the Boston Calling website.

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