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NYS Music Presents: Music All October Long

As Upstate New York has officially welcomed fall and we prepare ourselves for the cold months ahead, NYS Music is preparing to keep you occupied all month long as per usual with our run down of all the can’t-miss live music for October.

Syracuse – Funk ‘N Waffles

As always, Funk ‘N Waffles will be the go-to place for music 7 days a week for Rochester and Syracuse. The calendar above outlines what can be expected this month in Syracuse. The schedule includes a healthy mix of weekly regulars, such as Pearly Baker’s Best’s Dead Nights every Monday, as well as tour performances from some of the best performers both within and outside New York State, album release parties, and of course, a Halloween celebration. For more details, check out the list and links below.

October 4th – The unique strand of Americana Them Coulee Boys has created includes music for every occasion ranging from excitement and dancing to quiet thought. For a heartfelt and genuine performance, make sure to come out as they are joined by Boots ‘n Shorts.  Event link.

October 6th – Gratefully Yours’ dream team of musicians and stellar setlists make their shows a can’t miss for all Grateful Dead fans. If you need your fix, make sure to come out for their show on the 6th. Event link.

October 10th – All the way from San Diego, the psychedelic rock and world beat group, Elektric Voodoo, will be playing along with special guest and soul musician Raquel Rodriquez. Event link.

October 11th – Orlando-native, blues and jazz-inspired rock band, The Groove Orient, will be taking the stage with local favorite and psychedelic band, Astro Collective.  Event link.

October 13th – Brutal By Design Presents will be treating Syracuse to a very special tribute night. 2Pac vs. Biggie which will feature live bands playing their renditions of two of the biggest hip-hop/rap artists of all time.  Event link.

October 17th – It is sure to an incredible night full of music from New York State as Syracuse-native, and guitarist and vocalist of Root Shock, Phil Grajko performs at Funk ‘N Waffles and will be bringing along Charley Orlando for a dose of Americana, folk, and organica groove sounds. Event link.

October 18th – Enter the sonic earth of Late Earth through this performance of their indie rock and pop sound as they are joined by special guest Lucy.  Event link.

October 20th – Soulful groove and reggae rock, Syracuse-native music collective, Sundrop Rise, will be having their EP release party at Funk ‘N Waffles. Come join the group in celebrating their new music with what is sure to be an incredible performance.  Event link.

October 25th – For jazz that will speak to your soul and put a smile on your face, come out to Sammy Miller & The Congregation as they take over Funk ‘N Waffles with Major Player.  Event link.

October 26th – A Syracuse favorite and local group, Sophistafunk will be performing their funk and hip-hop sound at their 90’s Hip-Hop Halloween Party with special guest The Big Takeover. Event link.

October 27th – It’s all about the psychedelic jam bands and funky sounds as Big Sexy & The Scrambled Eggs with The Phryg and Ampevene Event link.

October 31th – It is sure to be an energized and entertaining celebration for Halloween as reggae/soul group, Root Shock, brings the Halloween Party on the 31st. Event link.

Rochester – Funk ‘N Waffles

Rochester’s Funk ‘N Waffles also will be hosting a wide variety of shows throughout October. The calendar above maps out the month and our highlights are below:

October 4th – Fresh off the release of their album “Shapeshifter II: Outbreak”, the heavy rock fusion band TAUK will be playing with psychedelic rock group, Flux Capacitor. Event link.

October 5th – Before the Grateful Dead tribute band, Gratefully Yours, makes their way to Syracuse, they will be stopping in Rochester for all the Dead Heads in the area. Event link.

October 9th – Another band that will be swinging through Rochester before they hit Syracuse will be Elektric Voodoo with Raquel Rodriquez on the 9th. Event link.

October 19th – The tribute and revival of Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black, entitled back to BACK to BLACK, will feature an opening set of originals from Remember Jones, followed by a performance of one of Amy Winehouse’s most celebrated albums alongside a 12-piece orchestra. Event link.

October 26th – Following their performance in Syracuse, Sammy Miller & The Congregation will be moving onto Rochester joined by the Gospel, blues and jam band group, Campbell Brothers.  Event link.

October 31st – Finally, the grand event for Halloween is sure to not disappoint. The show will feature southern-powerhouse and funky-soul band, ROXY ROCA, as well as Swampcandy, and Shaba Duza. Event link.

EVERY SUNDAY – Jazz Jam with Jon Seiger & The All-Stars starting at 3 PM for free!!

Saratoga – Putnam Place

October 4th – Putnam Place will be hosting the Enigma Festival Pre-Party at 10 PM on the 4th. Entry is 18+ and the night will feature a multitude of DJs including Evac Protocol, Kill Rex, Leila, ValDee, MurMur, Send Help, and more.  Event link.

October 6th – Power funk group, Turkuaz will be taking over Putnam Place with Butcher Brown at 9 PM. Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time and secure your spot at this full of funk night. Event link.

October 13th – Presented by Guthrie/Bell Productions, and always back by popular demand, come out for the Grateful Dead set of your dreams brought to you by Gratefully Yours. Event link.

October 19th – Melvin Seals & JGB’s will be bringing the most satisfying mix of style, soul and spontaneity with an onstage chemistry that will be sure to have you dancing to Saratoga for the night. Click the link to find out more. Event link.

Buffalo – Nietzche’s

October 10th – If you’re curious what happens when you mix gypsy jazz with folk and then throw in some ragtime, come let the Ditrani Brothers & The Hammer of Spring along with James Margolis show you exactly what magical sounds they make out of this unlikely combination.  Event link.

October 24th – It wouldn’t be Rockabilly Night without Rockabilly Steve and BR3. Make your way to Nietzche’s on the 24th so that they can fulfill all your Americana and blues needs. Event link.

Western New York / Buffalo

October 11th-14th – Courtesy of the band Folkfaces, come by the Cherry Hill Campground for yoga, workshops, art and of course, stellar live performances from acts such as Dirty Blanket, Shine Delphi, Matthew O’Brian, Haewa and Folkfaces themselves. Click the link for more details. Event link.

Albany

The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

October 12th – The distinct sounding funk and soul group, West End Blend, will be showcasing their incredible blend of horns, guitar and vocals and sharing their infectious good vibes. Event link.

October 18th – Bumpin’ Uglies will be bringing their funk-heavy ska, reggae, punk and rock sound to Albany accompanied by Victory Soul Orchestra. Event link.

October 27th – The groovy and improvisation heavy, Buffalo-native band Aqueous will be bringing their technical skill and undeniably fun dynamics to Upstate New York at the end of October.  Event link.

The Egg

October 21st – Music of Cream is a group that is sure to recreate the, “chemical explosion” of all your favorites from the legendary band. Event link.

Cohoes – The Cohoes Music Hall

October 23rd – In tribute to the incredible music of Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Wailers will be recreating the good music and great vibes for Cohoes. Event link.

October 24th – Sonny Landreth, the virtuoso and versatile guitarist, will be performing at Cohoes Music Hall, and the performance is sure to have a little something for everyone. Event link.

October 4, 2018
Hearing Aide: Mirk ‘Sense’

Mirk has been a part of the local scene since it first formed in 2009. Each of the band’s previous six releases has its own vibe, which makes it difficult for anyone to pigeonhole the band into a specific genre. The band’s sound is best described as “dance clap,” incorporating elements of pop music from different eras to get audiences onto the dance floor, and clapping.

In the past, Mirk has played with the harmonizing doo-wop of the ’50s, the horn arrangements common in soul music from the ’60s followed by the predominant guitar and drums of the ’70s. Mirk’s sound, however, never strays from its roots of hip-hop, R&B and soul.

Mirk’s seventh and latest album Sense is inspired by the music frontman Joshua Mirsky hears from his clients at his Foster House Studios in Albany. Mirsky said it delves more into the pop, which is evident from the electronic beats on some of the tracks. But, overall, the album is steeped in rich and soulful R&B.

The baseline on “Priceless,” the album’s opening track, sets the tone for the entire listening experience. It introduces the listener to a smoldering atmosphere with a danceable beat with electric accents. It aptly holds your hand into the next track, “Cleopatra,” an equally hot song featuring Stellar Young frontman John Glenn.

Glenn is one of four local musicians brought along for the ride on this 12-track album. Another, Nick Horace of The 7th Squeeze, lends a powerful performance on the ambient track “First of Her Name.” Tara Merritt lends her vocals on two tracks. The Albany singer has been associated with members of Groovstick and The Chronicles. She really shines through on the final track, “Rapture.”

Your up-close and personal dance tracks move aside after “Pretty Brown Eyes.” featuring Troy R&B artist James Rock providing the hook with his silky smooth voice. From there, the pace picks up a notch with “Options” and “Living It Up,” only to ease back subtle like.

By the time you get to “So Bad,” you will understand that this is not a disco dance compilation. Sense is light the candles, turn the lights down low, sexy. This is the soundtrack to your Friday night; whether you have plans with someone, or you plan to cruise the scene downtown. Audiophiles with their headphones should also check this out. Whatever your intent may be, this is good music.

This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYSmusic. TheSpot518 and NYSmusic 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.

October 3, 2018
Massry Center for the Arts Debuts Artist List for Exciting 2018-2019 Season

The Massry Center for the Arts has released the schedule for their 2018-2019 season that will include performances from widely renowned performers and talented groups. From October to May, attendees will be able to sample their musical experience from a selection that includes jazz, violin, country-folk, R&B, and much more.

One of the more notable names that has stirred the anticipation of several fans is Orange is the New Black’s “Big Boo” otherwise known as Lea Delaria. The respected actress, comedian, singer, and gay pride symbol will be providing her audience with a fantastic comedic display in addition to jazz covers of David Bowie songs. Following her performance weeks later will be The Ballroom Thieves who have made a name for themselves with intoxicating vintage jazz tunes. The next artist set to take the stage will be Rolling Stone’s choice as one of “10 New Country Artists You Need To Know,” Kaia Kater. These are only to name a few with many more events for friends and family alike to enjoy. For more details on dates, ticket sale availability, and other performers, see below and get ready for what the beautiful Massry Center has to offer!

*All tickets may be purchased on the Massry Center for the Arts website

2018-2019 Season:

October 13th, 2018: Lea Delaria
November 15, 2018: The Ballroom Thieves
November 30, 2018: Kaia Kater
February 2, 2019: Regina Carter (Simply Ella)
March 9, 2019: Aaron Goldberg Trio
April 4, 2019: The Secret Sisters
April 14, 2019: Aaron Neville
May 5, 2019: Maceo Parker

October 3, 2018
STS9 Lights Up NYC with Empire State Rooftop Performances

If a band is going to perform on the rooftop of a building to nearly 3,000 people, and that rooftop is in Manhattan, then the show should feel larger than the sprawling metropolis itself. That’s exactly what jamtronica heavyweights Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) did on their two-night run this weekend at new music venue Rooftop at Pier 17 NYC.

An aerial view of Pier 17 during the show, taken by photographer Bill Bernal aboard a FlyNyon helicopter.

The Seaport on South Street has seen an artistic resurgence in recent times, and part of that has been the harbor’s opening of a brand new live entertainment venue in August, Pier 17. The venue sits on the rooftop and commands breathtaking views in all directions. Musicians from Sting and Shaggy to Kings of Leon, as well as Comedians like Amy Schumer have graced this rooftop gem. But even with those big-name acts, the venue featured one of its most anticipated events so far in Sound Tribe’s two night run this weekend.

Night One

Peaceblaster’s “Metameme” kicked things off in comfortable and colorful style, as Tribe’s lights began to illuminate the New York City night in similarly cosmic, mind-bending style. Night one overall would be a well-appreciated offering of old school-style Tribe, not only in the songs making the setlist but also in the spirited feel the band found again and again through the evening, harkening back some of their best days of live performance over the past many years. Such night one gems as “Ramone and Emigilio” even with its relatively new style, and a first-set “When The Dust Settles Reprise” instilled some spontaneous joy in the die hard percentage of the audience.

Following the opener was “Out of This World,” and its segue into “March” really helped the night launch proper. By the end of this nicely extended two-hit segment, around seven o’clock and barely twenty-five minutes into the show, the playing from the band was reaching top-notch and the energy on the rooftop reaching towards the sky. Over the last many shows this year, Tribe has been working in more drum and bass grooves into their live mix. Whenever the building energy of a particular song seemed to call for it, bassist Alana Rocklin and the twin percussion killers of Zach Velmer and Jeffree Lerner were given the floor to launch into energetic drum and bass sections.

Several times over, the night saw Rocklin meticulously weave her bass lines into the percussive wall that helped to charge some of the great night one jams. On one such drum and bass segment at the end of a fantastic version of “Reemergence,” Velmer saw a furious moment across the drum kit, and made for arguably the most exhilarating segment of night one.

Sound Tribe offered a banger of an encore for this first of two shows, with a “Water Song” that blended perfectly with “Kaya” to wrap it all up. As angelic white beams of light beaconed into the dark New York City sky, a gorgeous, liquefied, stretch of space linked the two songs seamlessly, with David Phipps leading on his pristine synth work.

Night Two

As the band took the stage again on night two, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge loomed behind, and a colorful sunset transitioned across the sky. The mood was incredible. Set one, which began with “Menacer”, felt like a jam filled donut, with the band seamlessly weaving new and old songs together. The high energy and sprinkled rap samples got the crowd going.

“Menacer” segued into Peaceblaster’s “Shock Doctrine,” and the heavy, dark undertones and electric riffs from guitarist Hunter Brown set the tone for the night. “A03,” a new, airy tune, came next, and was an exciting one for the crowd to hear, because STS9 had debuted this song at their Red Rocks Run only three weeks ago in Colorado.

“A03” segued into several classic Tribe tunes sandwiched together, starting with “Frequences 3.” This was not an ordinary Frequencies rendition, as the high energy Frequencies 3 was played first. The band smoothly moved into another older favorite, “Squares and Cubes.” The colorful light rig above the stage was dominated by illuminated squares and cubes, perfectly complimenting this song. Without stopping, the band continued into the mellower dance tune “Frequencies 2,” and eventually found their way back into “Squares and Cubes.” The band created a reverse “Frequences” “Scubes” sandwich, and the crowd was energized to a maximum level.

Next up was “ABCees,” another older STS9 song mixing dark undertones and reggae samples, and included another drum and bass section. “Strange Games,” was next, and utilized both Outkast lyrics and melodies from their own song “Get Loud.” The band closed the first set by transitioning into “When The Dust Settles,” which included lyrics from “Games”.

After a short break, the band returned with another newer song “Spending Time,” which they debuted at their recent New Years show. This segued into Peaceblaster’s “Beyond Right Now,” and also included a crowd-pleasing drum and bass section. The quintessential “Moonsocket” followed, and has evolved significantly since the Interplanetary Escape Vehicle release in 1998. “Moonsocket” included a longer jam that did not disappoint. The band changed gears with three new songs, “Dragon City,” “New Dawn, New Day”, and “Seed.” “Seed” segued into the fan favorite “Rent,” teasing “When the Dust Settles.”

STS9 ended their two-night run at Pier 17 on a high note, before returning to play one more song before the 10 pm curfew. They sent their fans home happy with an energetic version of yet another classic offering, “Be Nice.”

October 3, 2018
Brass Phantoms: From Dublin to Dub at Mondo.NYC

An electro-indie rock storm is brewing three thousand miles away. Dublin’s Brass Phantoms are electrifying and edgy. The five-piece band fuses punk rock attitude with a cinematic wall of sound that reverberates in its aftermath. Their refreshing approach on the indie scene has granted wide acclaim in Ireland and London, from Clash Magazine, The Metro and BBC Radio 6 to their music being featured on UEFA Championships League.

Brass Phantoms will play an exclusive date for their second appearance at MONDO Festival in New York City. The storm spreads to Niagara in NYC’s East Village on October 2 with The Chordaes, Jay Karnell, Nikmoody and Toronto’s Casper Skulls.

“The flight to New York will be eight hours of The War On Drugs,” said guitarist Greg Whelan. “To play as an Irish band in NYC is amazing. We just love doing this.”

In the last two years, Brass Phantoms released a handful of catchy singles that encompass a mass of indie influence, along with booming dance-disco beats. “City of Wolves” hits like an unexpected whirlwind. An isolated drum-groove intro against the monochromatic bassline is unassuming, until the band explodes into the hook. With each change, overtones fill the sky. Electric guitar motifs shimmer as you float across the dancefloor.

“A lot of guitar music automatically gets classified as The Strokes” said Whelan. “It is not offensive to be compared, but it makes it that much harder to stand out.”

Determined to rise out of these pitfalls, Brass Phantoms released “Disciples” which delves deeper and darker into Brass Phantoms. “Disciples” opens a bigger array of sound for the band, reminiscent of The Killers, with arena rock choruses.

Their fusion of electronic beats and newly added synth has changed Brass Phantoms direction. With all the new music coming out of Dublin right now electronic music is faster, and keeps you relevant, explained Whelan. “It forces you to get out of the comfort zone. Bands like us, who are essentially rock, need to try new things”. Female synth player, Colleen Heavey, has been around for most of Brass Phantoms’ live gigs at home. “Her vocal harmonies are much better than the shit I can do. She keeps us in chek most of the time [laughs].”

Brass Phantoms are geared up to release a 4-track EP early in 2019 and will leak two of the songs in November of this year. “There’s a lot of traction right now,” added Whelan. The new EP will have a different production with more layered guitars. “There’s not a single formula to write a song. It gives things a different feel live and that is important.” Furthermore, Brass Phantoms have performed their last few gigs in Dublin acoustic, which may result in a second 2019 release.

“We are excited to see other bands, such as Casper Skulls,” said Whelan “Come down and stick around. Brass Phantoms will show you how real Irishmen drink.” The band is also excited to check out Yumi Zouma, who will be playing in Brooklyn later in the week.

October 2, 2018
Ghost Note announces November tour of Europe as new album ‘Swagism’ tops iTunes charts

Powerhouse jazz ensemble, Ghost Note, made a European tour announcement this week as they promote their critically acclaimed album Swagism. November will see both Grammy award-winning artists Robert Sput Searight and Nate Werth collaborate with a wide spectrum of other talented sounds including Dywane “MonoNeon” Thomas Jr. (bass), Xavier Taplin (keys), Vaughn “V-Keys” Henry (keys), Peter Knudsen (guitar) and Jonathan Mones (alto sax & flute).

Several exciting European destinations for the group on this tour include Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy as this 3-week long exploration will touch down in a total of 18 overseas cities. Their live performances have also been a topic of extraordinary skill with fantastic reviews and a genuine appreciation from their fans. They lighten the stage with a cool, mellow energy that sets a tone for a night full of seemingly endless groovy vibes.

Their evolution to get to this point began in 2015 with the group’s debut record, Fortified, being their first step toward endless potential. Eventually, they would come out with Swagism three years later that would dominate the iTunes jazz charts at the number one position and boasting a stunning 20 featured musicians, including Kamasi Washington, Karl Denson, Nigel Hall, Brandon “TAZ” Niederauer, and many more. Despite the awesome quality of these live performances, they aren’t very frequent so hop on a chance to experience this jazz sensation and check out their tour dates below.

U.S. Tour Dates:

Oct. 9 – 1884 Lounge – Memphis, TN
Oct. 10 – Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO
Oct. 11 – 1st Ward Chop Shop – Chicago, IL
Oct. 12 – Detroit Institute of Music Education – Detroit, MI
Oct. 13 – Founders – Grand Rapids, IA
Oct.14 -15 – The Rex – Toronto, CAN
Oct. 16 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 17 – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, D.C.
Oct. 18 – Asheville Music Hall – Asheville, NC
Oct. 19 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC
Oct. 20 – Exit/In – Nashville, TN
Oct. 21 – Aisle 5 – Atlanta, GA
Oct. 23 – Thirsty Hippo – Hattiesburg, MS
Oct. 24 – Blue Nile – New Orleans, LA
Oct. 25 – Last Concert Cafe – Houston, TX
Oct. 26 – Deep Ellum – Dallas, TX

EU/UK Tour Dates:

Nov. 5 – Nefertiti – Göteborg, Sweden
Nov. 6 – Fasching – Stockholm, Sweden
Nov. 8 – Cosmopolite – Oslo, Norway
Nov. 9 – Jazz Onze Plus – Lausanne, Switzerland
Nov. 10 – Ingolstädter Jazztage – Ingolstadt, Germany
Nov. 11 – Roxy – Ulm, Germany
Nov. 12 – Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, Germany
Nov. 14 – Quasimodo – Berlin, Germany
Nov. 15 – 15 Bunker Ulmenwall – Bielefeld, Germany
Nov. 16 – Super Sonic Jazz Festival – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Nov. 17 – Jazz Out – Heerlen, Netherlands
Nov. 18 – Bird – Rotterdam, Netherlands
Nov. 20 – Scheltema – Leiden, Netherlands
Nov. 21 – Badaboum – Paris, France
Nov. 23 – Ronnie Scott’s – London, England
Nov. 24 – Unterfahrt – Munich, Germany
Nov. 25 – Teatro Forma – Bari, Italy
Nov. 27 -Lumiere / Pisa Jazz – Pisa, Italy

October 2, 2018
Mike Powell set to release new solo EP, ‘Shelter Without Walls’

Mike Powell has had a prolific few years, performing throughout the northeast with his solo act, his duo, and his full band the Black River. He also released a solo album and an album with his band. This Friday, Oct. 5, Powell will release his latest solo effort, Shelter Without Walls.

The six song EP features two previously released, but re-worked songs, “Twenty One Rounds” and “Sad Day in Champion” and four brand new heartfelt compositions. The album can be pre-saved on Spotify and Apple Music through this link. It will be available on all streaming services beginning Oct. 5.

Powell is a unique storyteller who writes with emotion, breaking down walls to allow the listener into the story. He writes best when he draws from personal experiences. “Twenty One Rounds” tells the tale of a mother who lost her son while serving his country; something Powell has knowledge of through his upbringing in Carthage, just outside of the Fort Drum Army Base in Northern New York. This much-loved song gets a rework on the new EP and has lost little of the original’s emotional appeal.

Writing songs has always been a soul satisfying activity for me. I just have a deep love for words and telling stories. Music is the most impactful medium I’ve found for connecting with people and evoking emotion. Being able to play intimate acoustic sets in tandem with rock n’ roll shows with my band is like scratching two creative itches at once. I feel like I have two separate vehicles that share the same fuel system.

“Sad Day in Champion” recalls the closing of a paper mill in that same region of the North Country that affected so many of the people in the region as well as those close to the young Mike Powell.

One of Powell’s new songs, “Poison Diamond” closes the record. A dirgy number, highlighted by Hanus’ trademark guitar and a church-like organ, where the narrator laments, “You took my hand/You stole my heart/ You loved me to pieces/That’s what tore me apart/You set the fire/And it made me cold/You made me higher/And you cut me down low/That’s what tore me apart/I need some glue, or something heavy I can hold on to/This old bottle here will do/I’m never together with you.” This is one of the Powell’s most powerful recordings to date, from the lyrics to the delivery to the musicianship within the song. The subdued duet with a female voice on “I’m never together with you” hits the listener in the heart. This song could be Powell’s launching pad to a wider audience.

“The Polite Rebel” will also embark on the most ambitious month of his professional music career beginning Friday. The busy month kicks off with the Black River opening for Canadian rockers The Trews at Exhibition Hall in Watertown this Friday, Oct. 5. Following the Watertown gig, Powell and his duo partner, John Hanus trip down to Goshen, CT for a main stage gig at the Black Bear Americana Music Fest on Oct. 6. The weekend wraps on Sunday with an intimate gig at The Sinclair in Skaneateles on Oct. 7.

Powell’s intense schedule continues Oct. 10 and 11 as he makes his solo debut at Ani DiFranco’s 9th Ward at Babeville in Buffalo and Lovin’ Cup in Rochester. Oct. 12 sees Powell closer to home at the Brewerton Center for the Arts for another solo show.

The most highly anticipated nights of the month occur at the historic Nelson Odeon, a renovated former Grange Hall located in the rolling hills of Nelson, near Powell’s current hometown of Cazenovia on Oct. 13 and 14. These shows will be used to record Powell in both solo and duo formats as well as certain selections with the Black River, to be included in a future live Powell album.

The Odeon is one of Powell’s favorite rooms to perform and is the reason he chose this historic building for the recording of his first live album. He says of the building:

The Nelson Odeon stands for everything I love about music. It’s like stepping back to a simpler time. I have always dreamed of releasing a live record and this is the perfect room to try and bottle up a moment in time. It will be a special night.

The Black River, in addition to their gig opening for The Trews on Oct. 5, will take up a Thursday residency at King of Clubs in Syracuse’s famed Armory Square on Oct. 4 and 18. Dubbed “The Thursday Night Rock Show,” this ongoing event is hosted by the band and features some of the region’s top acts. Capital District rockers Wild Adriatic will join the Black River in a November session of “The Thursday Night Rock Show.”

Finally, on Oct. 19 Powell makes a trip to Blue Mountain Lake for a performance at the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts and wraps up with a songwriters and on Oct. 20 the 18 Songs Tour visits Casita del Polaris in Ithaca. This set brings together three of Central New York’s premier singer songwriters for a night of music – 18 songs- with Powell joined by Charley Orlando and Chris Merkley.

When not on the road, Powell will be in the studio recording the Black River’s sophomore effort. The band released its debut, Classic Universe in January.

Check out the video for “Sad Day in Champion” below featuring Powell and members of the Black River.

October 2, 2018
In Conversation with Izzy Heltai About Performing FreshGrass for 3rd Time

Folk singer and songwriter Izzy Heltai spent his summer on tour all over the United States, but there was one festival in particular he was excited to play, the FreshGrass Festival in North Adams, MA.

Izzy Heltai captured by Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware.

Having lived down the street from MASS MoCA where the festival takes place the four years he attended MCLA as an Arts Management major, this festival has always felt like a homecoming for Heltai.

“What’s great about FreshGrass is that its always felt like the festival in my backyard,” Heltai explained. Even though he now lives roughly an hour away in Northampton, there is still something about North Adams and the FreshGrass festival in particular that holds a special place in his heart.

“The festival took me on before I was really ready to play that festival which, when organizations or places do that for someone who’s just starting to figure out what they are doing, is really cool and really nice,” Heltai explained.

“Now I feel really ready, prepared, and good enough to play there, but when I first started playing there I had no idea what I was doing.”

When Heltai climbed on stage in Courtyard C, there was an ease about him that showed he had really come into his own as a musician, a comfort in what he was doing. As he explained it in his interview, the more you practice, the better you get and spending the entire summer on tour it seemed, from the audience’s perspective, he was more than ready for his third year occupying the stage.

Over the years, Heltai has learned a lot on the fly, but one thing he’s figured out for sure is to not leave practicing until it’s too late, He says one always thinks they will have time to get another practice together during the festival weekend, but the likelihood of that actually happening is pretty low. With his accompanying band, which included stand-up bass player Dan Bisson and electric guitarist Micah Katz Zeiger, it was easy to tell they had run through these songs many times. It was practically second nature for them.

Izzy Heltai captured by Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware.

Heltai was more than okay with his 12:30 p.m. time slot on Sunday, explaining that he gets booked at a lot of bluegrass festivals. In reality, he’s more of a singer-songwriter and doesn’t have just a four-chord progression with intense violin or mandolin ‘shredding’ over it. His sound is very acoustic and mellow in comparison.

“Maybe everyone is a little hung over and ready to listen to some softer folk tunes,” Heltai explained, with a laugh about why he thought his time slot worked so well. For him, getting to share the poster with names like Brandi Carlile, one of his favorite singer-songwriters who also performed at FreshGrass last year, or the Indigo Girls, who performed this year, is one of the best parts about it. It’s an honor for him to be in the same lineup as them.

Sometimes during performances, when an artist tries to get the crowd to participate, it’s like pulling teeth, but not for Heltai. He had the crowd participating with ease in combination with some witty remarks made by his supporting guitarist, Zeiger.

Two of his favorite songs to perform are “Not Eden” and “Anyone to Anybody.” He explained they are a lot of fun to play, especially around the North Adams area, because a lot of people know the words and sing along, which was definitely evident at his performance. People all around were matching his words in harmony with the tune and clearly knew these songs.

One of the big things that helped Heltai in his career was the support from the Arts Management professors at MCLA. They not only taught him how to organize, market, and advertise himself, but also gave him the freedom while still in school to use his tools in the real world and go on mini tours instead of being in the classroom all the time. The goal is to be able to put what you are learning to use outside of a classroom, and Heltai was able to do just that.

Heltai doesn’t see himself as a successful artist yet, saying, “We will see about successful,” despite the fact he has performed at FreshGrass Bluegrass Festival, Kerville Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and Ossipee Valley Music Festival. He has also worked as support for musicians such as Ghost of Paul Revere, Honeysuckle, Caitlin Canty, Upstate Rubdown, Frances Luke Accord and The Sweetback Sisters.

Izzy Heltai captured by Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware.

When asked what one of the hardest hurdles to get over is, Heltai replied, “Especially with the type of music I do as a singer-songwriter, I usually play solo, a lot of people just don’t listen and that’s okay.” He explained as a solo artist you have to find the environments you work best in. Sometimes you aren’t going to end up in the best environment, and people there won’t care about your music. That’s unavoidable, and it’s okay.

From watching him at Stage C, it would be hard for listeners to not care about his music, because the crowd was hanging on every word.

Heltai plans to start recording his new EP in October and it will include his “Marching Song,” performed at the FreshGrass Festival. His music and social media can be found on most platforms, under the name Izzy Heltai.

Article was originally published on The Beacon.

October 1, 2018
Rochester’s The Dirty Pennies premiere video for “A Prisoner’s Passage”

“A Prisoner’s Passage,” a new song with accompanying music video from Rochester’s The Dirty Pennies premieres today on NYS Music. The video, filmed Live at Wicked Squid Studios, will be featured on The Dirty Pennies’ next EP due out in early 2019.

The song was written shortly after their first run of regional festival appearances at Lilac Fest & Grassroots Festival. The band chose the live video route in order to embody the energy of a live show in hopes of engaging more than just the auditory senses, giving fans, both new and old, a taste of what to expect in the future.

The Dirty Pennies next show will be on Halloween at Bug Jar in Rochester, with Morning Teleportation & Desert Noises. More info can be found here.

October 1, 2018
Mark Anthony Manning: The story of a rising 20-year-old Albany singer

The 20-year-old man’s voice soared as he played the piano in a minuscule practice room, eyes shut as he swayed to the music and several veins appeared across his face and neck. The dim lighting and tight space made the experience feel more intimate and hearing his voice echo sonically through the surrounding walls projected the impression of a cathartic release of pent-up energy and passion.

Mark Anthony Manning had invited me to meet him there at the Massry Center for the Arts in the College of Saint Rose in Albany. He is currently a junior student there and studying towards a bachelor’s degree in Music Industry. Performing a few original songs on the black Steinway & Sons piano which he’d penned, he said that he mainly plays pop and R&B music, is a songwriter, and he has two music-related jobs.

First, he has been working as a wedding singer for Silver Arrow Band, a company which performs at festivals, corporate events, private functions, and weddings, since early summer. In Manning’s case specifically, he travels with them across the state to perform a collection of requested songs for people’s weddings. Silver Arrow Band has won numerous accolades, including WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards every year since 2016.

“It’s by far the best job I’ve ever had. There’s just so many musicians and you just get offered gigs. I’ve never been to a wedding with like the same exact band, it always like switches out because it’s a company,” Manning said.

According to him, he usually gets paid at least $500 or $600 per wedding, although it depends on what musical instruments and how many fellow Silver Arrow Band members are brought for the wedding performance. “It helps me pay the bills and I like getting to travel with them,” he said.

His second stint is being the frontman and lead singer of his own live student band, called Mark Manning and the Sexy Bitches.

His fellow bandmates are Joseph Taurone on the drums; Gabriel Klinger-Horn playing the guitar; Sam Walczyk on the bass; Dan Carr who is in charge of synth, auxiliary percussion, and can substitute for drums guitar and bass; and finally, Kyle Robinson and Amy Branham who both serve vocals and play the piano too. All are St. Rose students, whom Manning met when he was still a sophomore, and they collectively rehearse together every Monday night.

Manning first met Klinger-Horn during a college party early last fall where after some small talk, Manning expressed his desire to start a band. He was surprised when Klinger-Horn revealed he plays the guitar and knows of two peers, Taurone and Walczyk, who play the drums and bass. Over time, the remaining members joined but ironically, the band did not have an official name yet.

It was not until the day of their very first performance together, which occurred at the Rice House — a venue that showcases local collegiate and young adult music talents — in Albany back in October 2017. He noted that that was the night the band made a name for itself in the Saint Rose community and the overall local music scene.

“That day, I was like, ‘I don’t even know what to call us, guys.’ But there was this other band called Hasty Page and one of its members, Josh Morris [who serves vocals and plays the drums] said ‘Mark Manning and the Sexy Bitches’ as a joke,” he admitted. “I then slipped and said it accidentally onstage. But the performance was so much fun and looking back now, we weren’t really friends back then and we’ve since improved so much. It was the first night we really clicked and bonded. The name just stuck since then.”

In fact, he recalled that eventually, people from Silver Arrow Band once saw him perform with his own band, and they asked him if he was interested in working for them too as a wedding singer.

Having started to write songs upon entering college, Manning said “right now, all our songs are about relationships, unreciprocated love and how they don’t work out.”

“I have not one happy song,” he joked.

Regarding his songwriting process, it “usually starts with me getting my feelings hurt in some shape or form, and I’ll come to practice and I tend to have the chords first, before getting the melody and tempo. I mean, every song is different though. Some songs, the melody will come to me first in my head before I work on it with the piano.”

Originally from Long Island, he identifies himself as “maybe a baritone but I’m definitely not a tenor. But I wouldn’t just say I’m a bass either.” Among his sources of inspiration are Beyonce, John Legend, Daniel Caesar and Kirk Franklin. He personally enjoys gospel, jazz and soul music.

“My three siblings, cousins and I were all like a gospel and sang a lot of gospel, and it was cute that we were all family and being in church,” he recalled his childhood days. “We were called like The Manning 6, but eventually, they all grew out of music and I just didn’t.”

After Manning began trying to take piano lessons in second grade, then fourth grade, and again in tenth grade, it was not until attending St. Rose where he had to take four semesters of piano to genuinely improve his piano proficiency.

He was also highly active in musical theater growing up, particularly when he attended Patchogue-Medford High School in Suffolk County, Long Island.

In terms of high school musicals, he played Gary Coleman in “Avenue Q,” Mr. Black in “Wild Party,” The Wiz in “The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical” and Donkey in “Shrek the Musical.” In college, his credits include playing Seaweed J. Stubbs in “Hairspray” and Mitch Mahoney in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

“It just feels like this was something I was born to do, I don’t want to do anything else,” he concluded. He hopes to eventually move to California sometime after graduation to grow as an artist. He even wants to become head of A&R — standing for artists and repertoire, they choose certain artists to get signed and develop their brand — of a music label someday.

“In California, there’s so many record labels and young people out there chasing their dreams,” he said. “I just feel like the resources are more open there. If you want to be noticed by someone important, that’s the place to go. But I really believe in myself and have so much faith. You have to, no one else is going to if you don’t.”

For now, Manning maintains a website at iammarkmanning.weebly.com and has an upcoming extended play coming out in either October or November.

This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is 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.

September 30, 2018

Built in Breakdance