NYS Music 20​18

Category: Capital Region

  • Cousin Earth’s Energy, Ampevene’s Album Release Highlight the Hollow

    The Hollow Bar and Kitchen was in a New York state of mind on Friday night. Albany progressive rock quartet Ampevene, celebrating the release of its new album Ephemagoria and Brooklyn-bred Cousin Earth threw down the perfect blend of Led Zeppelin-esque energy and a quirkiness in the Frank Zappa vein at Albany’s leading rock club.

    Kicking things off with “Rometheu,” Ampevene put on display its prowess for technical proficiency, led by guitarist Gabe Stallman and bassist Mack Hogan trading runs. Hogan’s thumping rhythm was a constant throughout the group’s set. “Tracalysis” was followed up with an all out rock ‘n roll drum solo from Brian Fahey.

    Pulling from one of their main influences, Ampevene launched into the chunky opening chords of the Nirvana mega hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Stallman added a unique spin to his short solo, making the song take a psychedelic spin. “Goliath” preceded “Tumultous,” the latter of which morphed into a crowd pleasing segment featuring Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused.” The jam saw the crowd grow a little rowdy and the band responded with the highlight of their set. “New Song” and “Valencia” closed out the set to a roaring applause from the band’s friends and family in attendance.

    Up next was Cousin Earth, playing their first headlining show at the venue. The five-piece group melds together a wide array of musical variety, proved right out of the gate with a searing take on the “Zelda” theme song. Joey Calfa, on his trusted electric ukulele, showed his prowess on the unconventional rock instrument by transforming each note into a blend of guitar and ukulele.

    “Zelda Sarias Song” > “Think of all the Things” > “Tale Spin Theme Song” was next, as Calfa and bassist Corey Feldman, who plays on a Kala U Bass the size of a ukulele, continued to feed of each other’s energy. Tara Lawton, who also plays the melodica, and Terry Brennan held down the vocals with the confidence of a seasoned opera singer, giving the band a sometimes Vaudeville-like feel.

    (Side note: I first saw Cousin Earth a little more than three years ago, just as they were transitioning into their new name from Ukulelian. They opened up a small festival and the crowd was sparse to say the least. I was unsure what this band was going to be like given the irreverent instrumental selections, but the band blew me away that afternoon. Since then, Cousin Earth has been on a steady upward climb, and their headlining slot at the Hollow was proof of their professional work ethic.)

    “Dancing Fool,” “Keep it Greasy,” “Super Fun Laser Beams” and “Alive” allowed each member to stand out at times, while also showcasing their incredible improvisational skills. Drummer Nate Searing held it all together throughout the night, while at the same time providing a loose and fun atmosphere.

    The funniest part of the night is when they burst into a cover of actress Natalie Portman’s rap from Saturday Night Live. Attendees sang along and the band had some trouble containing laughter on stage.

    The closing segment of “Blisters,” “Keep On”>”Scuttle Buttin’”>”Little Wing”>”Capricorn on the Cob” saw Calfa switch between his ukulele and his cherry red Fender Stratocaster to do his best Jimi Hendrix impression.

    All told, this show was great in every aspect. As both Ampevene and Cousin Earth continue to ascend and grow, both groups still put all of their effort into a pleasing live experience.

    Ampevene setlist

    Rometheu, Tracalysis, Drum jam, Smells like Teen Spirit, Goliath, Tumultuous*, New Song, Valencia
    *with Dazed and Confused jam

    Cousin Earth setlist

    Zelda Main Theme> Zelda Sarias song > Think of all the things > Tale Spin Theme, Dancing Fool > Keep it Greasy, Super Fun Laser Beams, Alive, Womp > Natalie Portman Rap (SNL) > Womp > Space Worms (future folk) > Tarantella Napolitana, Spiritual Spun, Blisters, Keep On ( show me the numbers, Ian), Scuttle Buttin’ > Little Wing > Capricorn on the Cob

    Encore: Son of a Bitch

  • Primus and Mastodon Pairing Up For Huge Summer Tour

    Primus and Mastodon are hitting the road together this year for a huge summer tour. Stretching non-step from the beginning of May to early July, the tour will circumvent virtually the entire country.

    Primus Mastodon And talk about a great first show to kick things off! On May 6, the two bands will rage Red Rocks Amphitheater for what should be an especially memorable night. The majority of May will take them through the south, to venues in cities like Dallas, Nashville, Alabama and Georgia, before late May and early June starts their northeast leg. Along with dates in Portland, Asbury Park, Providence and others, they will play three New York venues: Artpark Amphitheater in Lewiston, Cool Insuring Arena in Glen Falls, and Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk.

    The rest of June will take them back out towards the midwest and west, from Columbus to Chicago, to Indianapolis and then farther out to spots like Bonner, Montana, Seattle Washington, and Bend, Oregon. Primus and Mastodon wrap it all up on July 7 at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, AZ.

    The pairing of these two hard rock titans should be a dream matchup for fans of either band. Primus will be supporting their 2017 release, the storybook concept album The Desaturating Seven. Mastodon is also coming off its own 2017 release, Emperor in Sand. Both albums have received ample praise across the major music news sources, and have certainly resulted in some tremendous recent shows from each artist.

    Tickets are now available for all summer shows, and you can get them by visiting either Primus or Mastodon’s websites.

    Primus and Mastodon 2018 Summer Tour Schedule:

    May 6 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheater
    May 8 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
    May 10 – Dallas, TX – Southside Ballroom
    May 11 – Austin, TX – Austin 360 Amphitheater
    May 12 – Rogers, AR – Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion
    May 14 – Birmingham, AL – BJCC Concert Hall
    May 15 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
    May 16 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater
    May 18 – Portsmouth, VA – Portsmouth Pavilion
    May 19 – Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre
    May 20 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
    May 22 – Reading, PA – Diamond Credit Union Theater @ Santander
    May 23 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Amphitheater
    May 25 – Glen Falls, NY – Cool Insuring Arena
    May 26 – Providence, RI – Bold Point Park
    May 27 – Portland, ME – TBA
    May 29 – Boston, MA – Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
    May 30 – Philadelphia, PA – Penn’s Landing – Festival Pier
    June 1 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summerstage
    June 2 – Baltimore, MD – Pier 6 Pavilion
    June 3 – Brooklyn, NY – Ford Amphitheater @ Coney Island Boardwalk
    June 5 – Columbus, OH – Express Live! Outdoor Amphitheatre
    June 6 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
    June 8 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
    June 9 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill
    June 10 – Indianapolis, IN – Farmer’s Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park
    June 12 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
    June 14 – Minneapolis, MN – MYTH LIVE
    June 15 – Bonner Springs, KS – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
    June 16 – Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater
    June 18 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Theater
    June 21 – Bonner, MT – Kettlehouse Amphitheater
    June 22 – Seattle, WA – Marymoor Park
    June 23 – Bend, OR – Les Schwab Amphitheater
    June 25 – Troutdale, OR – Edgefield
    June 28 – Avila Beach, CA – Avila Beach Resort Amphitheater
    June 29 – Berkeley, CA –  The Greek Theatre
    June 30 – Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley Resort Casino
    July 2 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Great Salt Air – Outdoors
    July 3 – Las Vegas, NV – Downtown Event Center
    July 5 – Los Angeles, CA  The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley
    July 6 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theater
    July 7 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre

  • Hearing Aide: Ampevene’s ‘Ephemagoria’

    Complex isn’t always good, but in Ampevene’s case, it’s raw, emotive and highly expressive. The Albany-based quartet will unveil their latest live album, Ephemagoria at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen on Feb. 9 with the helping hands of their friends in Cousin Earth. Having teased fans along the way with the releases of “Valencia” and “Rometheu,”  the complete live effort commands attention from its earliest, distorted notes. Over a 10-track sonic highway, the prog rockers take listeners for a noisy ride as they blend blatant psychedelic rock influences with their own gritty flair and unique cocktail of spellbinding genres. 

    Branching off of Gabe Stallman’s solo project as a guitarist, Ampevene is completed by Stallman on guitar and vocals, Mack Hogan on bass, Brian Fahey on drums and Ava Smith on keys. Seeing a minor lineup change, Fahey is the current drummer who took over for Darryl Kniffen, the recorded drummer on the album. The first few tracks come as an attack on your senses, kicking off with a myriad of sound and distortion as an 8-minute journey unfolds within “Florida.” While the group is undoubtedly influenced by psychedelic rock before its time, (think Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett era) Ampevene channels those visceral tendencies and matches them with the gripping mood and scaling of metal progressions and often hard to compute math-rock.

    Just when you get settled into a groove, it doesn’t last for long before you’re tossed into new kaleidoscopic arrangements and time signatures. The first half of the album relies solely on storytelling through music before a 12-minute “Rometheu” introduces the first glimpse of vocals on the album, although that’s not the pinnacle of the track. While fleeting, Stallman’s vocals are comparable to the tone and echoing of groups like Circa Survive and the Mars Volta, with the latter covered later on the album. With the first and fourth beats emphasized in each measure, the song picks up speed with compositional mastery as the foursome jerk the steering wheel into fresh segments, a common thread throughout Ephemagoria.

    “Hill” comes as a hard-hitter with all the focus placed on tight drumming at the album’s peak with an explosion of sound before introducing the first cover in a somber, slowed down version of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” With a new age take on a beloved classic, the warped arrangement and unique style almost makes the song unrecognizable at times, if not for the lyrics. A second cover comes as a crisp version of the Mars Volta’s “Goliath,” mimicking the song’s natural sound and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’ distinct vocal inflections.

    The live album as a whole features classic and never before recorded Ampevene songs as well as covers, capturing the feel of a live performance at The Recording Company in Esperance, NY, and mixed by Tim Lynch with mastering by Alan Douches of West West Side Music. Ampevene has the raw talent of making their multi-segmented tracks seem like effortless jams spliced together at all the right, unexpected times. With the ability to entice fans to try to follow along and eventually surrender to the flow, the quartet seems to have mastered their live presence and execution while diving deep into guitar solos, exploratory jazz segments and thrash metal elements.

    Catch the high-energy release Friday night when Ampevene takes The Hollow stage at 9:30 PM!

    Key tracks- Rometheu, Hill, Tumultuous

  • Turkuaz Brings a High Energy Wednesday Show to Cohoes

    The nine-piece funk group Turkuaz played the Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes, NY Wednesday January 31. This was the group’s first time playing in Cohoes and managed to leave a great impression. No matter if it was your first or tenth time seeing Turkuaz, there was a song for everyone. Just a couple songs into their set, the group played “Mountain,” one of their signatures songs with a long dramatic pause keeping the crowd on their toes.

    turkuaz cohoesThroughout the whole show the energy stayed consistantly high. Turkuaz ended the set with “Monkey Fingers.” Lead guitarist Craig Brodhead and Sax player Josh Schwartz traded off solos pushing the song to its limits.

    turkuaz cohoesSetlist: Typa-Lika, Mountain, M’Lady, Nightswimming, Snap, Crypto, Fall Asleep, Famous, Holy Ghost, On the Run, 20 Dollar, Slippery People, Habitat, noise, Percy, The Rules, Coast, Don’t Do It, Monkey Fingers

    Encore:  Back To Normal

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  • Rocking For Rosie’s Love: Local Bands Support Kids Suffering from Cancer

    It was a great night of local music on Saturday, January 27 as The Crimson Tips, The Hard Luck Souls, and Iüdica took over the Low Beat in Albany for a very special benefit to help kids diagnosed with cancer. Admission to the event was free and the participating bands only asked that attendees donate a small toy or provide a financial contribution to the not for profit Rosie’s Love Foundation. 

    Rosie’s Love Foundation was formed after the death of it’s namesake, two-year-old Rosemary Frances Johnson, who passed away after a valiant battle with neuroblastoma.  Her family wanted to give something back for all the love Rosie received while being treated for her illness at Albany Medical Center.  The foundation provides fun activities and toys for children receiving in-patient cancer treatment and offers various types of assistance to those children’s family members. 

    First up in the line up was Lake George based Iüdica. The roster of the band includes Brian Michael Rhythm on guitar/vocals, Chris Walker on bass/vocal, Nate Fidd on percussion, and Thom Grover on lead guitar. The group came out strong with a rendition of “Arty” a hard rock in your face number that set the tone of the show.  The highlight of the set was the band’s rendition of “Circuits,” which is featured on their 2017 EP Brain Carvings.  Iüdica went on to play their new release “Lipstick, Black Dress” which is slated to be released later this year.  Lead singer and guitarist Brian Michael lost his guitar strap during the song and while trying to keep the number rolling, wound up whipping off his glasses, which landed on the stage.  He was able to keep the pace and when asked about the incident after the show he stated “well that’s rock and roll.”

    The Hard Luck Souls were next up on the bill and they came out swinging with “I Never” the second track off of their 2017 release Closer To The Flame.  The Souls are a tight unit with front-man Chris Itani commanding the stage like a seasoned veteran.  The song’s lyrics describe the end to a messy relationship and paired with the excellent guitar work of Brian Gentile, perfectly represents the hard rock vibe of the four man group.  The highlight of the Soul’s set was “Get Back,” a fast paced number reminiscent of The Stone Temple Pilots.  The crunchy tune showcased the prowess of the band’s rhythm section which features Dave Smassanow on bass and Mark Schmidt on drums. Deep into their set the Souls treated the audience by performing the band’s newly minted single “Keep On Running.”  The number has only been played out live by the boys a few times and was received enthusiastically by the crowd.  The Hard Luck Souls finished their portion of the evening strong with high energy renditions of 90’s classics “Nice Shot” by Filter and Soundgarden’s “Outshined.”

    The Rock and Roll fund raiser was capped off when the event’s organizers, The Crimson Tips, took the stage.  The hard rock outfit is a family affair with Lance Valderrama on guitar/vocal, his son Kyle Valderrama on bass/vocal, and Lance’s cousin John Nicotina on drums/vocals.  Lance started the show by thanking everyone for coming out and supporting Rosie’s Love and dedicated the show to his good friend Walter, who is currently battling with fourth stage cancer.   He said that the band wanted to do more for shows for charities in the Capital Region in order to give back to their community.  The Tips then went into  their first number “Please Help Me” off of their 2016 LP Sludge Train.  The tune got off to a rocky start due to sound problems which cut off the vocals of drummer John Nicotina.  The problem was quickly resolved and the band kept playing through the difficulties.  The boys produce tremendous sound for a trio and with pieces like “Let Her Bark” and “Same Shit Different Day,” The Crimson Tips gritty sound hearkens back to the late 80’s NYC punk scene.  The Crimson Tips ended their performance with a blistering performance of  “I Just Caught You Looking,” a song that is about when someone can’t let go of a failed relationship and becomes a stalker.

    Overall the fundraiser at the Low Beat was a success.  It was a great lineup of local talent and the bands were able to collect a sizable amount of donations in toys and some much needed money for Rosie’s Love. These tokens of goodwill will hopefully bring a little joy into the lives of some kids who are going through a really tough time.

    Setlists:

    Iüdica:  Arty, Ghosts, Watching, Circuits, Brain Carvings, Lipstick Black Dress, B side Love, Chocolate And Parsley

    Hard Luck Souls: I Never, Hold On, Can’t Be True, Izzy’s Thunder, Feels Like Forever, Let My People Go, Way Down Low, In My Head, Fly Away, Get Back, Nice Shot, Better Keep Running, Outshined

    Crimson Tips: Please Help Me, Better For You, Let Her Bark, Liar, Sunday Morning, Bleed Me, She Moves, Just A Girl, Freedom, I Won’t Be There, Goodbye, So Low, Hold On, Same Shit Different Day, I  Just Caught You Looking

  • Lera Lynn has fun showing fans she’s not as gloomy as you think she is

    Fans of HBO’s “True Detective” know Lera Lynn. Kinda.

    Fans will discover just how much they really do know about Lynn when she performs at the Massry Center for the Arts on Friday, Feb. 2.

    Lynn played the sulking singer in the dive bar frequented by Colin Farrell’s and Vince Vaughn’s characters. Her music, such as the single “The Only Thing Worth Fighting For,” set the tone of a gut-wrenchingly somber television experience.She earned the opportunity to write and appear on the show after producer T Bone Burnett heard her cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” To separate herself from legions of musicians who preceded her, she said she tweaked the tune by playing it with a melancholic minor key. It was just the sound Burnett wanted to capture for the show’s second season.

    Nearly four years later, people aware of her acting career, and less so of her musical career, still see her as the brooding bar singer from the show.

    “Following the show, a lot of people expected that the girl — that character — I was playing was me,” said Lynn. “It’s interesting to try to bridge the gap between a character who people perceive to be as me, and me.”

    Lynn’s Americana sound is defined by her sultry voice and a succinct narrative. Lynn’s 2016 release, “Resistor” drew comparisons to Gillian Welch, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, Margo Timmins and Norah Jones. It was an album she started writing while on set. To offset the gloom from the show, she said she poured a glass of wine and popped in a Pink Floyd CD. The result was the upbeat track “Shape Shifter.”

    “‘Resistor’ was a challenge,” said Lynn. “Because, I am a happy person, and I like to have fun! I like to dance, and I like to headbang, and I like to play a really loud electric guitar! I want those things to come through in my music, too.”

    “Resistor” was that bridge for Lynn and the fans who found her through the television series. There was a touch of the melancholy with a splash of the whimsy, such as the surf-noir track “Drive.” The play of her fuzzy guitar helps draw some fun from the surf rock genre local fans would recognize by Troy natives, and now Nashville residents, The Los Straitjackets.

    Lynn has already caught a big wave in 2018. She was named guest judge for the ongoing American Songwriter’s 2018 Lyric Contest alongside Charlie Worsham and Peter Bradley Adams.

    Two years removed from “Resistor,” Lynn said she has two albums worth of song material. A few of them she plans to play before audiences. Currently, she’s on a brief tour that will take her into New York City followed by Northampton, Mass; Albany and Vienna, Va. She hopes to have a new album out by this summer.

    Lynn’s writing process has changed over the years. Despite her gift for prose, she hates the process. Whereas her younger-self would sit down, write and be happy; she said she continuously works on each draft to strengthen her weaknesses. It’s a “squirmy” act she said she enjoys once it is done.

    “As you progress in songwriting… you learn to revise,” said Lynn, “and revise, and revise. Try to strengthen and outdo yourself. Learn to identify the weaknesses… I’m trying to hone, always.” Later this winter she will headline a show at Celtic Connections and perform overseas in a television tribute to one her favorites, Tom Petty. Petty, too, is said to have struggled through the writing of his songs. But, the finished work, Lynn said, “no one did that better.”

    “I think my whole life I’ve been searching for a way to write something that is succinct and poetic,” said Lynn. “Something that is commercial and artful. Something that people can understand on the first listen, but also has layers beneath for people to dig into.”

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518.

  • The Wood Brothers Warm The Egg on a Chilly Evening

    The Wood Brothers brought their tour to The Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany, NY. The sold-out crowd dealt with the return of winter to hear some of the newest songs on their latest album, One Drop of Truth. The album was available at the merchandise table before its official release date of Friday, February 2. The brothers, Chris and Oliver Wood, and Jano Rix mixed new tunes with a healthy selection of Wood Brothers standards. Although, the crowd seemed more than happy to explore the new songs.

    Before the evening was over The Wood Brothers brought out special guest Aaron Lipp from Rochester, NY and the opening band, The Stray Birds, to help out with the one-microphone part of the evening. The voices of The Wood Brothers and their guests blended in the solo microphone to create an “old timey” feel inside The Egg. The night also featured a Wood Brothers cover of the late Tom Petty’s hit “You Wreck Me.”

  • NYS Music Presents: Live Music across New York State this February

    It is that time again to start planning all the great musicians you are going to see this month.  NYS Music is here to help you out and give you the run down of when to mark your calendar in February for all the live music around you that you cannot miss.

    Buffalo – Nietzsche’s

    February 1st – The Plate Scrapers are making their Buffalo debut to start off the month at Nietzche’s with The Observers.  Come out for some original bluegrass and folk music. Event link.Image may contain: 1 person, outdoor

    February 7th – Buffalo-local rowdy jazz and bluesy roots band Folkfaces will be playing with American roots band Swampcandy. Event link.Image may contain: 5 people, people smiling, people standing, sunglasses, beard and outdoor

    February 16th – The award winning electronic-rock band, Space Junk will be having their CD Release at Nietzche’s and will be joined by the psychedelic jam trio Vibe & Direct. Event link.No automatic alt text available.

    February 24th – Starship Mantis, the funk, dance and R&B band, “dedicated to making you move,” is sure to do just that when the come through to Nietzche’s and you do not want to miss it. Event link.Image may contain: 5 people, beard

    Rochester – Funk ‘N Waffles

    February 1st – Come out for the groovy experimental beats and loops from “a DJ for people who are not fond of DJs,” Weazildust featuring drummer, Packy from Jimkata Event link.

    February 2nd – Dirty Blanket, the Finger Lakes native bluegrass band will be performing joined by The Plate Scrappers, and Steel Guapo Event link.

    February 3rd – Tragically Hip Tribute “Fully Complete Hip” will be bringing a crowd pleasing set with selections from the Hip’s library with theatrics and visuals that complete the experience. Event link.

    February 8th – Continuing their sweep through upstate New York, Folkfaces and  Swampcandy will be coming to Rochester following their Buffalo show for more bluegrass and good times. Event link.

    February 9th – Come find out why Kyle Hollingsworth’s genre can only be described as “keyboard wizardry.”  Kyle Hollingsworth Band will be performing with special guest funk and hip-hop band Sophistafunk and it is sure to be a night of incredible music you don’t want to miss.  Event link.

    February 10th – For some indie roots music that will make you want to sing a long and will without a doubt have you smiling along with the band, come see Parsonsfield with special guest Old Deer Ensemble. Event link.

    February 16th – The Rochester-native Moho Collective will be bringing their “sonic arsenal” with a healthy mix of jazz, funk, rock, folk and traditional sounds of the Middle East, Africa and Latin America to Funk ‘N Waffles with special guest Overhead Sam. Event link.

    February 17th – Singer-songwriter Aaron Rizzo will be performing his acoustic funk music that will please fans of artists from John Mayer to BJ The Chicago Kid, with special guest Tyler Pearce Duo and Sam Nitsch. Event link.

    February 23rd – If the name Cosmic Brownie doesn’t sell you enough, maybe the promise of more of their funky electronic music will.  Come out for their EP release party with special guest and futuristic funk band Eclat, as well as the hip-hop duo Carousel. Event link.

    February 24th – Mother Funkin’ Planets, the Rochester-based “funk groove powerhouse” will be taking on Funk “N Waffles with the Charles Walker Band. Event link.

    February 25th – It’s going to be a full night of high energy music as “punk-hop” artist Tommy Traina, rap and hip-hop artist Lamaj, hardcore punk band Citizens Against People, El Jefe, and Jiggy take over Funk ‘N Waffles for the night. Event link.

    February 26th – Don’t miss a night full of infectiously upbeat ska music featuring Bim Skala Bim, the Beaumonts, and Some Ska Band. Event link.

    Syracuse – Funk ‘N Waffles

    February 2nd– Before they hit Rochester, the Tragically Hip Tribute band “Fully Completely Hip” will be bringing their immersive live music experience to Syracuse the night before. Event link.

    February 3rd – If you miss them when they swing by Rochester the night before, don’t miss the “dirty string-slingin’” bluegrass sounds of Dirty Blanket wth special guests, The Plate Scrapers Event link.

    February 7th – Chris Merkley, Bea, and Charley Orlando will be performing in Syracuse and will be bringing a great live show full of alternative folk and folk rock.  Event link.

    February 8th – All the way from Michigan, don’t miss your chance to see the Motown inspired folk rock band Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers  joined by Boston’s hottest young rock, R&B, and funk band, Juice Event link.

    February 9th – Following their Buffalo and Rochester shows, Swampcandy and Folkfaces will be stopping by Syracuse.  So if you miss their two shows before, be sure to make it out for this one! Event link.

    February 10 – For another funky night at Funk ‘N Waffles, don’t miss Kyle Hollingsworth with special guest Sophistafunk.  If you didn’t catch them in Rochester the night before, be sure to make it out on the 10th! Event link.

    February 14 – Sundrop Rise will be filling the night with their groovy soul, funk, pop and reggae blended sounds with special guest The Cooled Jets. Event link.

    February 16th – The 16th is bound to be a night filled to the brim with fantastic live music and starts off with the blues sounds of Joe Louis Walker at 8 o’clock.  Event link.

    February 16th – Continuing the night with more blues music, Nat Gross will be taking the stage at 11. Event link.

    February 17th – Come out to hear the Americana-inspired sound of Steel Guapo with special guest Gerry Jarcia String Band when they roll through Syracuse. Event link.

    February 22nd – The jazz/groove quartet, Forq will be performing featuring the members of one of their favorite artists, Snarky Puppy & David Bowie. Event link.

    February 23rd – Following their debut the night before, Oval Sandwich, the side project of guitar player Rob Compa from Dodapod, will be performing in Syracuse with Wiley Riley on the keys and Paul McCardle on guitar. Event link.

    Albany – The Hollow Bar and Kitchen

    February 9th – Presented by Guthrie/Bell Productions, the progressive ukulele rock band, Cousin Earth will be joined by Ampevene who will be releasing their new live album at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Event link.Image may contain: one or more people, people on stage, people standing and people playing musical instruments

    February 16th – The contemporary rock trio Lespecial will be performing at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen with the soul/rock band, Front Business Event link.Image may contain: one or more people, people standing and outdoor

    February 23rd – Following Moe.’s show at the Palace, come out to the afterparty and see Floodwood, the Americana Newgrass band from Upstate New York and Space Carnival. Event link.Image may contain: 5 people, people smiling, people standing and outdoor

    February 24th – Following the second Moe. show marking their return to the Palace, the second afterparty will be featuring Electric Beethoven and Scott Haney Plays Video Games at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Event link. Image may contain: 5 people, people standing

  • Let’s Be Leonard offers live preview of Summer release ‘Static’

    Let’s Be Leonard will be releasing their sophomore album Static in July, and they’ve shared a live preview of some tracks that will be on their next studio effort. The recording comes from Caffe Lena and was produced by F. Cavone Productions. 

    Video setlist: Balloons*, Comet* -> High N’ Dry, How Do You Fall in Love, Most Days*

    *appears on Static

  • Sawyer Fredericks and Other Local Talent to Perform at 518Gives Benefit Sunday

    Update 02/04/2018: Capital Region fundraiser to help benefit the Center for Disability Services, #518Gives, ran another successful campaign in 2018 raising money, while setting a new record for the Center and it’s several other divisions helping to bring care the Capital Region including Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center, Life Quality Solutions Incubator, Prospect Center in Queensbury and St. Margaret’s Center in Albany.

    Taking place at the Radisson Hotel in Colonie, the fundraiser that included New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, New York Giants tight end Evan Engram, Sawyer Fredericks, Christina Kokonis-Viggers, and several other local area acts help raise $2,712,015. Children from the center had a special card waiting for Sawyer when he arrived at the event thanking him.

    Deputy Executive Director of the Center’s Foundation, Anne Schneider Costigan, has this to say about the Centers plans for the rest of the calendar year “In 2018, we are focusing on achievements through innovation. The Center’s dedicated staff and unique programs enable people with disabilities to find new ways to move and communicate by using technology and specialized equipment. The community shares in this success and has again responded with generous support. A big thank you from everyone at the Center, the place where people get better at life.”

    The center is still accepting donations online, by phone at 518-944-2121, or by texting the phrase 518Gives to 41444.

    Original Article Follows:

    This year’s #518Gives annual fundraiser to benefit the Center for Disability Services, will feature local talent along with New York Giants tight end Evan Engram, and new manager of the New York Yankees, Aaron Boone. The event is this Sunday, Jan. 28 at the Radisson Hotel, located at 205 Wolf Road in Colonie. The event will be open to the public and televised from noon to 7 p.m. on WXXA/FOX23.

    Season 8 winner of NBC’s “The Voice,” Sawyer Fredericks, will return to the fundraiser for a second time, performing at 5:40 p.m. and 6 p.m. He won season 8 as member of team Pharrell (Williams). The singer/songwriter from Fultonville will play songs from his third album Hide Your Ghost.

    Other local talent appearing at the benefit fundraiser includes internet sensation Christina Kokonis-Viggers, whose work has seen more than 15 million views on the web. Other locals taking part are vocalist Jenna Sue, Kris Coleman, Kelsey Dodd, Jacqueline Goldstein, EJ Ray, Capital Harmony A Cappella, that will include 14 members from three area high schools, Olivia Gilbert, Donald Hyman, singer Arlethia Jones, the Electric City Chorus, and father and daughter duo, Darryl and Alex Daily. Stockbridge 3 will kick off the event with “What A Wonderful World.

    A singing group from the Center for Disability Services adult program, The Expressions, will also perform, and the Center’s adult actors will perform a scene from “Beauty & the Beast.”

    For those looking to help support this outstanding cause, there are several ways to donate. You can text the phrase 518Gives to 41444, or donate online at the Center’s website. Call one of the several operators that will be standing by at 518-459-7070 to make a pledge that day, or simply show up to the Radisson Hotel in person and donate.

    For more information about the event, head to the Center’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and at #518Gives online. All proceeds from the fundraiser support the Center and its divisions:  Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center, Life Quality Solutions Incubator, Prospect Center in Queensbury and St. Margaret’s Center in Albany.