NYS Music 20​18

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  • Best Of NYS 2018: Sickest Festivals Around

    Festivals hold a special place in our hearts. Whether we are in New York State or half-way across the country these short stints become our musical oasis. Waking up to the picture-esque backdrops of New York State’s foliage and mountaintops are breathtaking. Birds, nature or pure silence sooth, as the night’s jam-rooms pushed the limits of dawn. When night falls, we are oversaturated with the Best Bands Of NYS. It’s as if the landscape acts as a stimuli for the improvisation and energy with each performance. For newbies, just go – sometimes the smallest of festivals have the most to offer. Like yesterday’s Best Albums Of NYS, it opens a world of discovery.

    Kung Fu at Music Festival

    New York’s best voted festival of 2018 – by a landslide. In its eighth year, the festival drew 5,000 fans into the hidden farm-land in Stephentown, NY made its mark as one of the most versatile, yet secluded, festival experiences New York State has to offer, said NYS Staff in our full 2018 recap.

    This year Brooklyn’s Cousin Earth performed tracks off their 2018 release Human Music – whom made an appearance in the Best Of votes. Top-dogs Aqueous swept the mainstage (side b) as well as other Best Of mentioned artist, including Space Bacon, Escaper, and Turkuaz. With such a diverse bill there is simply no room for disappointment. The quaint size of Disc Jam is just right – big enough to get lost, small enough to seeing familiar faces and musicians alike.

    It is in close proximity to major cities like Boston, Providence, Hartford, NYC and Albany and is an excellent choice to get a full fledged festival experience, but on an intimate scale. When you’re not surfing stage to stage there are two disc golf tournaments as well as other art, food, yoga. The jaw-dropping 700 acre farm is the perfect place to echo all the best artist we’ve come to love. With live-stock visible from the festival site, it is a pure outdoors music getaway.

    Discovery: New York’s Top Festivals

    Night Lights

    Mountain Jam

    From Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with special guest Marty Stuart to Steve Miller Band with Peter Frampton, what more could you ask for. The Hunter Mountain festival is the perfect size and proximity for your first festival experience, but one thing is for sure – it definitely won’t be the last. The 13th annual festival continually proves itself as a festival veteran with show-stopping talent tucked discretely in the midst for the Catskills.

    Cobblestone Live

    Brooklyn Comes Alive

    While Brooklyn Comes Alive boast an incredible lineup and close proximity of three venues within six-blocks, it felt impossible to peel yourself away from the magic on-stage. The fourth annual festival was a near sold out success, featuring the booming and vibrant artist twined throughout the city. It is a place veterans will return and newcomers merge in their proving grounds. In the end, it is – and always was – about the music. Who knows what 2019 will bring, but beware: the streets of Brooklyn are alive.

    Rochester International Jazz Festival

    Best Out-of-State Festival

    Peach Festival

    Peach festival in Scranton, PA was a hands down win for our staff pick – again. The Allman Brothers Band founded-festival compounds with each passing year, since its inception in 2012. The daunting lineup of Gov’t Mule, Phil Lesh, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Umphrey’s McGee, Moe. and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong is pure bliss for jam-band junkies. The peaks and valleys of Montage Mountain Ski Resort funnels all walks of life to Peach Festival for the four day event. With the passing of Gregg Allman and  Butch Trucks still fresh in Peach-goer’s hearts, the thriving community has become even more heartfelt. Allman Brothers co-founder Dickey Betts tugged on our heartstrings, while Marcus King tipped his hat with “Dreams” during this years event.

    With seven months to go, we are even more anxious with names like  Phil Lesh & Friends, Warren Haynes, John Scofield, Joe Russo, Trey Anastasio, Marcus King Band and moe. already secured on the 2019 lineup. They keep coming back – and so do we. See you July 25-28.

    Moreover, productions of this caliber set precedent for festival culture. Water filling stations, health and sustainability events and a potent outray of positivity are norm. A force is so strong – it is felt. Even the lone-traveler gets sucked into a world that instantly becomes home.

    Discovery: Fests Are The Best

    Hulaween – Live Oak, FL – Since 2013 – Attendance 20-25,000 capacity

    https://youtu.be/OUE_I8ZOZuY

    LOCKN’ – Arrington, VA – Since 2013 – Attendance 25,000

    Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN – Since 2002 – Attendance 80,000+

    Newport Folk Festival – Newport, RI – Since 1959 – Attendance 10,000 capacity

    Please stay tuned tomorrow, where we recap New York’s best music towns and venues.

  • Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz to Host Angel Forrest on December 21

    Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz is extremely excited to welcome 5-time Maple Blues Winning Canadian icon, singer-songwriter and her entire 6 piece band, Angel Forrest, to Retro Live on Friday, Dec 21.

    With a career spanning more than 30 years, including 10 albums, Angel Forrest is very well known in the Canadian blues scene.  Forrest, recipient of the Maple Blues Award for Female Vocalist of the year, channels the gritty and spirited sound of Janis Joplin.  The first set at the PB&J show this Friday will be her “Rock Christmas” set and the second set is going to be her “Rock Blues” show.  Get your advance tickets now here.  Advance tickets are $12 and $15 at the door.  More information can be found on the Facebook event page.

    Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz is busy planning upcoming shows with saxophonist and singer Vanessa Collier and her band as well as a Bluegrass special with Tony Trischka so be sure to keep an eye out for more to come in the North Country.

  • Best Of NYS 2018: You Have To Hear These Albums

    Rule number one – turn off your shuffle. In today’s society we are overstimulated and the idea of an album, top to bottom, is fleeting. As we break into day two, the soundscapes of song become more vibrant when articulated within the peaks and valleys of an album. These highs and lows shape the story – Let the tellings of New York’s finest and booming bands be heard.

    Put on your headphones (seriously, isolation is key). Listen, close your eyes and don’t open them until there is complete silence, when the final chords have fleeted. Let your mind reel as you discover the best albums of 2018.

    HINT: Be on the lookout for ‘Discovery’ sections featuring other NYS staff votes for Best Of. There are so many great bands we simply can’t pick them all!

    Best Album By A New York Artist

    Aqueous – Color Wheel

    Not only was Aqueous’ Color Wheel voted Best Album By A New York Artist, but was inches away from claiming the title of Best Album Overall. They have been banned from yesterday’s series of Best Under Rated as they owned that title two years running. The Buffalo based craze captured NYS fans and staff, without question.

    There’s a certain continuity to this entire album, and it unfolds in a way that makes the track order important for the experience – there’s an underlying narrative happening throughout the lyrics and themes, and the overarching theme of the story is a strong sense of optimism through the struggle of the realities of life – Guitarist Mike Gantzer

    So try that thing with your headphones. We will let the art speak for itself – and check out “Weight Of The World” featuring Turkuaz’s horn section.

    Turkuaz – ‘Life In The City’

    More vibrant than a rainbow, each track is crowded with intensity and expressionism. Life In The City paints the aura of a mundane, overstimulated world and bespatters the canvas with electro-funk graffiti. It’s infectious, luring ghost-walkers in from the darkest alleys. Once the nine-piece powerhouse entraps your mind, life as you know it, will cease to exist.

    The title track, “Life In The City,” is familiar like walking. Weighted four-on-the-floor kick drum echoes the mass of worn shoes. Every step brings a new impetus. The overtones and decay of the drums juxtapose reality as they ring out through a suspended chorus. “Life In The City portrays a dark and dystopian future, or current city environment, full of over stimulus,” said guitar/vocalist Dave Brandwein. “It gets harder and harder to appreciate life. Blind in the spotlight and caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city. We want it to feel that way in our songs.”

    Collectively the album is a constant echo of life. From a willingness to try and “just letting it come out”, themes arose, like the reoccurring ‘city noises’ throughout the record.

    Discovery: Albums On Repeat  

    Catch up with the BEST BANDS OF 2018 because you’re already behind. It’s only day two and an earful of music is stuck on replay! Witty Tarbox, voted one of the most under rated bands along with, Escaper, Intent To Sell and Groovestick, all had votes for best album by a New York Artist.

    Best Album Overall

    Sister Sparrow  – ‘Gold’

    The glimmer of Gold  has caught our eyes. The overanxious wait for another Dirty Bird release had us on edge. In the past three years we have been deprived of the nitty-gritty funk powerhouse and soulful horn section that is Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds. While Gold is everything we want, with that iconic bird edge, this record is a spotlight on the undeniable front-woman Arleigh Kincheloe, a.k.a Sister Sparrow.

    “As an artist, we have to evolve. If we stay the same, then we’re going backwards,” said Kincheloe in an interview with NYS. This razors edge has captivated fans – a blend between modern-pop shimmer, electronic accents and that Dirty Bird flare.  “I always wanted to try too marry modern sounds, hip hops elements, soul and funk stuff that I love. I have a whole Spotify playlist that was my soundscape for this: The Staples, Aretha Franklin, The Pointer Sisters, Bill Withers, Paul Simon, Joe Cocker – a very ’70s vibe. But I tried to add the modern techniques and drum sounds,”  Said Kincheloe. Stop reading. Go Listen.

    Discovery: Why Not Listen To Them All?

    John Medeski’s Mad Skillet

    Lizzie & The Makers – ‘Meanwhile’

    Roan Yellowthorn – ‘Inigo’

    Leon Bridges – ‘Good Thing’

    Mikaela Davis – ‘Delivery’

  • Best Of NYS 2018: New Bands On The Block

    Its that time of the year again. We have been blessed with so much great music throughout 2018 and it will be impossible to cover it all. Stay tuned throughout the next few days as we delve into some of the best bands, albums, festivals and towns in New York State – and beyond. These picks have been curated from our wonderful staff to expose you the vast talent of musicians that pass you on the streets and dwell in your neighbouring towns. Each day will introduce new music for you to listen to, but for now – the good stuff – THE BANDS.

    Best Under the Radar band from New York

    Witty Tarbox

    The Buffalo=bred indie-surf ensemble will celebrate their two year anniversary on New Year’s Day. Their first EP The Adventures Of Schmitty: Issue #1 V. Rare puts an edgy twist on Upstate’s jam-band culture. Listening to “Schmitty & Bags” will open up an electrified rabbit hole, riddled with screaming guitar, thunderous toms and over-the-bar groves. Witty Tarbox is multifaceted, dumping all your musical inspiration into a blender where none of the flavors get lost. Instead, they have their own layered place in the mix, complemented by unorthodox instrumentation. Crack one open and find out for yourself.

    Escaper

    After discovering Brooklyn’s Escaper, you will be gridlocked centerstage wondering: What the hell just happened? Escaper released their second studio-album this year, Edge Detection, that detonates musical genres and resonates through the shrapnel. They are the explosion – a mess of sounds that shouldn’t fit together, but they do. It’s exhilarating. Ironically, there’s no escaping. From smooth jazz-saxophone to a vortex of organ, arena-rock guitar and metal-esque drum fills, Escaper delivers. Edge Detection captures their free-form performances and jam roots that make you almost-obligated to the live experience. Escaper has only been around for a few years, but have shared the stage with John Fishman (Phish), Galactic and Aqueous and are taking New York State by storm.

    Best Under The Radar Bands: Discovery

    Cold Lazarus: Reggae-infused intellifunk jam rock – Jamestown, NY – Est. 2017

    The Goodnight Darlings: Indie-pop rock – New York, NY

    Dirty Blanket: Dirty string-slingin’ bluegrass – Finger Lakes Region

    Groovestick: Powerhouse funk trio – Albany, NY

    Intent To Sell: Hip-Hop/Rock – Buffalo, NY

    Rootbrew: World-beat infused americana – Rosendale, NY

    Mike Powell (& The Black River): Renegade-Folk Songwriter – West Carthage, NY

    Space Bacon: Jamtronica rock quartet – Brooklyn, NY

    Wuriliday: Soul-funk goodness – Albany, NY – Est.  2017

    Best Band EVERYONE Should Be Listening To

    Phish

    Like them, or not, Phish remains a staple in the world of jam-band music. It is expected that they swept the competition for Best Of. It’s the simple fact that: they have done it before. From books, boxsets and fanclubs, the sea of Phish is endless. Start swimming.

    For you newbies, swing on over to your local Ben & Jerry’s and pick up a pint of “Phish Food,” and indulge. Again: it’s been done before (hint hint). Go to LivePhish.com and listen to every live performance with a click. Your marshmallow-fudge covered lips will grin when you realize who that cutting-edge band got the idea from or when you recognize that solo-lick, jamming in your parents basement.

    “The intention that this band is so great at, is to stop thinking,” said Mike Gordon. It is the reason Phish was, and still is, the example in jam-band culture. They remain at the top because they are captivating and, in-truth, one could argue that it is you, the Phans, who are propelling their motion. “When we feel a surge, we surge, it happens all the time. Thunder will happen or lightning and I’ll hear the crowd go Wahhhh. Then we just ramp up,” said Trey Anastasio.

    Phish is set out to do another New Year’s Eve run at Madison Square Garden starting on December 28. Phish made their debut at Madison Square Garden in 1994. The four-day run sold out, expectedly so, and will mark 60 Phish performances at The Garden as we break into 2019.  Catch more details on Today’s (Monday) SiriusXM ‘Ask Trey’ on Phish Radio, Channel 29.

    Best Live Cover or Tribute Performance

    Pink Talking Fish

    Founder and bassist, Eric Gould came up with the idea of a fusion tribute to three of his most beloved bands: Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads and Phish. The intent is to “heighten people’s passion for music by creating something fresh.”  Collectively, the musicians of Pink Talking Fish are equally inspired by these crossroads, as are their fans.

    “If you enjoy the adventure of music, this is its epitome” said Gould. Pink Talking Fish embarks on a musical journey filled with rhythms you already know and love.

    In their rendition of Phish’s “Makisupa Policeman,” PTF incorporates Pink Floyd’s “Brain Damage” without straying from Phish’s Reggae feel. The band is further driven by the concept of setlists. Gould has always been intrigued by the construction of sets and how they influence the audience. Setlists are “musical candy to read on paper. And people are salivating over it.”


    Setlist: Speak To Me, Breathe, Down With Disease, On The Run, Thank You For Sending Me An Angel, Time, Mike’s Song, *Great Gig In The Sky, Weekapaug Grove, ^Money, ^*Take Me To The River, ^*Us & Them,  ^*Any Colour You Like, Ghost, Down With Disease Reprise, Once In A Lifetime, Brain Damage, Eclipse

    Encore: 18 ^*Julius
    * w/ Elise Testone on Vocals, ^ w/ Matt Wayne on Sax

  • Carlos Santana to Play Woodstock 50th?

    When the music festival season approaches each year, music enthusiast love to speculate about which artist will appear on the bill. After all the speculation, rumors start to post online leading music festival lovers contemplating.

    santana woodstock 50
    Carlos Santana – Turning Stone Event Center

    With the rumored Woodstock 50th Anniversary around the corner, multiple names have been thrown around as who would appear at the epic anniversary show, but there is one thing different about this show from all the others. With all the hype that surrounds Woodstock, artists are starting to add to the rumors by saying they want to be a part of it.

    The first artist to throw his hat into the ring is Carlos Santana. Being part of the original lineup, the Grammy award winning classic rock icon has recently stated that he was more excited to revisit the 1969 festival than the 20th anniversary of his smash hit album Supernatural. Santana wants in so bad, that he has even contacted original Woodstock co-founder Michael Lang. Santana stated: “We’ve talked to Michael Lang, but we don’t know if he has secured a place. If they invite me, I’m in.”

    Woodstock co-founder Michael Lang recently told the Poughkeepsie Journal that even though its not a done deal, there are plans for a 2019 Woodstock anniversary show, and an official announcement should be expected soon.

    A rumored lineup has surfaced for a possible anniversary show at the original site of Woodstock, the Bethel Wood Center for the Arts. Bethel Woods released a statement saying that any Bethel Woods event that takes part of the anniversary year will not be produced, sponsored, or have any affiliation with original 1969 organizers Woodstock Ventures. No official lineup has been announced for the possible Bethel Woods event that is rumored for August 15-18.

    Santana was part of the possibly leaked lineup at Bethel Woods and stated that he was already booked for the Bethel event, and hopes to be able to play Lang’s event as well.

    Besides Santana, the leaked lineup included Daft Punk, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Phish, The Weeknd, Elton John, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Pink, The Who, Zac Brown Band, Mumford & Sons, and The Chainsmokers.

  • Sirius XM Octane Announces First Ever ‘Accelerator Tour’

    Sirius XM Octane, the leader in playing todays hard rock and heavy metal, has announced its first ever curated tour titled the “Accelerator Tour,” named after what the radio station calls their newest, hottest charting hit singles, usually by new up-and-coming artists.

    Octane’s first attempt at a tour will feature all artists who have made the Accelerator List, including headliners Like A Storm, and special guest Royal Tusk, and Afterlife.

    The 19-city tour will makes its debut in Anaheim on Jan. 23 and make a brief stop in New York on Feb. 12 at The Gramercy Theatre. XM subscribers can take part in a special pre-sale, with general public tickets going on sale Dec. 14.

    Since establishing themselves as the best hard rock and radio station available in the U.S., several of today’s best in hard rock and meta luse Octane as their preferred platform when releasing world premieres of new music. The station is known for constantly discovering emerging new artists that hard rock and metal fans become fans of instantly.

    Sirius XM Octane “Accelerator Tour” Dates: 

    Jan. 23 – The Parish @ House of Blues – Anaheim, CA
    Jan. 24 – Holy Diver – Sacramento, CA Jan. 25 – Voodoo Room at House of Blues – San Diego, CA
    Jan. 27 – Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ
    Jan. 29 – Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
    Feb. 01 – Cambridge Room – Dallas, TX
    Feb. 02 – House of Blues Bronze Peacock – Houston, TX
    Feb. 04 – Parish @ House of Blues – New Orleans, LA
    Feb. 08 – The Foundry @ The Fillmore Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
    Feb. 09 – Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD
    Feb. 10 – The Wonder Bar – Asbury Park, NJ
    Feb. 12 – The Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
    Feb. 15 – Smiling Moose – Pittsburgh, PA
    Feb. 16 – Bogarts – Cincinnati, OH
    Feb. 17 – The Cambridge Room @ House of Blues – Cincinnati OH
    Feb. 18 – Shelter – Detroit, MI
    Feb. 20 – The Stache – Grand Rapids, MI
    Feb. 21 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL
    Feb. 22 – Amsterdam Bar & Hall – St. Paul, MN

    Sirius XM Octane Online | Facebook | Twitter |

    Like A Storm Online | Facebook | Twitter |

  • The Ballroom Thieves Warm the Rochester Winter Once Again

    The Ballroom Thieves returned to the Arbor Loft in Rochester for another show put on by Honest Folk. They stopped by last winter, Valentines Day to be exact, and were back for another frigid Rochester night. The folksy trio was back to let Rochester warm its souls next to their rich musical fire while the cold and snow settled in for the long haul outside.

    They’ve been busy during their ten-month absence and brought with them two new EPs, one of originals and one of covers. The set borrowed heavily from the new material so the show varied greatly from their previous visit and they continued to showcase their evolution as a band.

    On their very first visit to Rochester, back at Abilene, cellist Calin Peters had only recently joined the band. She was a bit shy and hesitant to take control musically. But if Tuesday night was your first time seeing the band, you might determine that the band was built around her specifically. Her beautiful voice led a seeming majority of the tunes and commanded attention unlike any other time we’ve seen them.

    Drummer Devin Mauch and guitarist Martin Earley were both recovering from colds while Peters was limping and in a brace from a minor tour van incident. They jokingly were running at a collective 230%, though you wouldn’t know it from their output. On newer material like the raucous and meandering “Can’t Cheat Death,” the deep fuzzed out blues “Fistfight,” and the bubbling, bouncing and building “Almost Love” they were as energized and active as ever.

    They threw some great new covers in the mix as well. Earley took the stage alone mid-set for a solo take on Tom Petty’s “Time to Move On” while Peters lead the band on Bahama’s spectacular “Lost in the Light,” which is featured on their just out EP, Covers.

    The show ended with a “fake” encore of “Bury Me Smiling,” but there was nothing fake about this show. Honest through and through, including some highly detailed band introductions, including individual Q and A sessions, including such deep dive topics as pets, eating habits and high school accomplishments.

    A short opening set by Odetta Hartman married electronics with acoustic folk. Drummer/percussionist Jack Inslee laid down landscapes of sound ranging from seaside and train noises to banjo melodies to backing choruses, while Hartman’s angelic voice and banjo, guitar or fiddle floated above. Inspired by the wedding-esque surroundings, they eschewed their usual spooky setlist for a more love-based repertoire.

    Ballroom Thieves, Arbor Loft – Rochester

    Setlist: Anybody Else, Can’t Cheat Death, Saint Monica, Only Lonely, Time to Move On (Tom Petty), Bartering, Trouble, Fistfight, Lost in the Light (Bahamas), Do Something, Almost Love, Bury Me Smiling

  • Ghosts of the Forest, Trey Anastasio’s New Side Project Announced

    Trey Anastasio has announced a new side project, Ghosts of the Forest.  Featuring familiar faces, including Jon Fishman (Phish), Tony Markellis (Trey Anastasio Band), Ray Paczkowski (Trey Anastatio Band)  joined by Jennifer Hartswick and Celisse Henderson.

    The ensemble will play six shows, starting in Portland, ME on April 4  and making three stops in New York.  Ghosts of the Forest will feature all new material and is said to be reminiscent of Anastasio’s 1998 project 8 Foot Florescent Tubes. Trey is well known for his past side projects such as Trey Anastasio Band, Oysterhead, G.R.A.B. and Surrender to the Air.  Fans can look for Trey on stage with Phish for a four–night New Year’s Eve run at Madison Square Garden and in February in Mexico for the destination event Riviera Maya.

    ghosts of the forest announced

    Tickets are limited to four per show and go on sale to the general public on Friday Dec. 14 and Saturday Dec. 15 depending on venue.

    April 4 – State Theatre – Portland, ME
    April 5 – The Met Opera – Philadelphia, PA
    April 6 – Anthem – Washington, DC
    April 9 – Palace Theatre – Albany, NY
    April 10 – Orpheum – Boston, MA
    April 12 – United Palace Theatre – New York, NY
    April 13 – United Palace Theatre – New York, NY

  • Mihali Sells Out Putnam Place, Discusses Creative Process, Inspiration and Gratitude

    Mihali Savoulidis, the lead singer and guitarist from Vermont jam-band Twiddle made a stop on his solo tour at Putnam Place earlier this month.  Playing to a sold out crowd, the energy in the room was abuzz with excitement and positivity.  Playing a combination of covers, solo originals and Twiddle songs, Mihali shared his usual charisma with the audience and this spirit and animation carried over into our conversation after the show.   We discussed collaboration, inspiration and gratitude.

    Emily VanderWiel:  A new song with Nahko and Trevor Hall just released, “Fading State.”   Can you tell me about what the creative process is like when working with them?

    Mihali:   I wrote the tune and I had them in mind, so when I recorded I literally left those places blank and hoped that they would say yes, they are both some of my very good friends.   I met Nahko first, feels like many years ago, probably 6 or 7 years ago and I met Trevor a few summers ago and it was one of those things where both times we jammed, hung out and played.  We are all born in 86, we are kind of cut from the same cloth.  A blessing for me, truly though mainly because I was a huge fan of their music before I met both.  I knew their catalogue and their writing style, and I felt connected before I knew them, and it just flowed from there.

    EV:  You are a role model for so many of your fans, both musically and personally.  How do you feel about the idea of role models, and do you have someone that you look up to?

    MS:  I don’t think so, I’ve realized that all the people I have looked up to over the years, and just in general human beings are flawed, sensitive people and no one is really, truly a role model.  Nobody is perfect, no one is the end all, be all the best person there is.

    EV: How about musically?

    MS: Well, both questions go hand in hand because I have to say when I met Trey at LOCK’n two summers ago or something, I walked up to him and said, “Hey I’m Mihali from Twiddle, and thank you for showing me that recovery is possible and that music after recovery is possible.”  Trey is just always busy, trying new things, making music and I love that about him.

    MS:   You know, the least favorite question I ever get asked is “what’s this song about.” It’s never what its “supposed to be about.”  It could be totally different than what the singer wrote it about but if it means something to that fan in their world,  I’m not going to bust their bubble and tell them that’s not what the song is about.  It’s all totally subjective.   My question is to the fan, what do you think it’s about?  Then I agree.

    EV:   I have a fan question for you.  What was the inspiration for the song Juggernaut when you wrote it and how do you feel about the fan reaction to it?

    MS:  At this time in age, and where we are right now I know the political climate is gnarly and we (Twiddle) have always stepped away from that because nobody wants to get involved with politics in music.   But when I think about my wife and my daughter and all the females in my life and the people around me that I love, and respect aren’t getting their dues, and they are not getting respected then it feels like I have to say something.  For the first time ever, well, I have always been the one in the band that’s been like No, no, no, let’s not get involved in politics.   So, I wrote it as a joke. In the studio I said “Let’s do a grunge song, Nirvana or something.  I’ll just write some chords and we will go record it.”  And Kyle, our guitar tech, he had told me a story about when he was in third grade, some kid came up while they were playing king of the kill on a sandcastle and kicked him in the face and said, “You’ll never be king of the hill!”  It was a big deal to him in third grade, and so when I was recording that first vocal “You want to kick me in the face cuz I’m different, yeah you think you’re king of the hill.”  I had recorded that verse as a joke, and we sat home for months with the demos for the album and as the political climate started changing and we started seeing what was going on, I thought that hey now that really fits.  The verses then came after that.  What can I talk about that is going on in the world?  What is bothering me, so that’s where that song came from.

    Mihali’s solo tour has been very successful and is wrapping up Dec 15 at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke, MA.  Also just announced, Mihali will be joining Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Saturday January 26 at The Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY.

  • Hearing Aide: West End Blend ‘Live at the Waterhole’

    West End Blend Waterhole

    Say hey to the first live album from Connecticut funk group West End Blend, whose eight-track recording includes a blend of songs from their three previous albums, invigorated with the energy captured during their two-night run at The Waterhole in Saranac Lake.

    Captured on a studio-style soundboard engineered by the GRAMMY award winning Brendan Morawski, the recording is bright and full, bringing fans closer to the band without even setting foot in the venue.

    Overall the live tracks match the recorded versions in quality, but play out a littler longer and showcase the band’s live flair. Purposeful guitar on “Get By” leaves space for a more intense build, intensifying the plea in the song’s lyrics to make a relationship right. The track is cleverly bookended with emotive guitar instead of the layered vocals and sound effects they used on the studio version, adding weight to the song.

    Most of the songs they chose for this album deal with the uncertainties of love (“Day Dreamer” and “The Scene”) and determination and finding inner power (“All You Got” and “I’m Time”). The lyrical content relays compelling and relatable themes backed by powerful dance grooves that emphasize the message.

    There are a couple of dates to catch West End Blend before the end of the year including December 21 at Anthology, and December 22 at The Haunt. Check out their Facebook page for event details.

    Key Tracks: Get By, Day Dreamer, The Scene