NYS Music 20​18

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  • Ecstatic Dance Rochester Takes Flight in the Flower City

    Nestled near the west bank of the Genesee River, Kaleidoscope Collective invites you to step into your new favorite dance venue, Ecstatic Dance Rochester. Trying something new is never out of season, and whether you’re new to ecstatic dance or well versed in the art of spontaneous movement, all are welcome to join us in our cozy dance studio and allow the music to take you wherever you want to go.

    At an ecstatic dance event, you set the mood for your own dance experience. The soundtrack of the evening is curated by either a DJ or live musical act. It begins with tranquil tones to ease you in, each song building the intensity up to a musical climax of heavy bass to get your heart pumping- feel free to twerk it out if you feel so inclined. The music will come full circle as the soundtrack gradually descends back to a calming state, creating a dynamic, fulfilling experience that offers opportunities to play with whatever type of movement the music inspires you to explore.

    Dance alone, dance with your friends, or dance with someone new. If you want to explore movement with someone new, be respectful and ask for consent. Not sure how? A fun and non-invasive way to dance with someone is to mirror their movements. If you want to make contact, try reaching a hand out. If it’s not reciprocated, that’s okay. Not everyone wants a dance partner. Remember- no talking! Part of ecstatic dance is learning to navigate the realm of nonverbal communication.

    As our collaborator Arthur Gold eloquently phrased it, “This is a no booze, no shoes/inside shoes event so wear your fanciest of socks and pack your swankiest water bottle.” That being said, if you need shoes for comfort and/or medical reasons, that is perfectly okay. If you want to take a break from dancing or chat with a friend, relax on a comfy couch in the lounge attached to the studio. If you fancy a cup of tea, an eclectic selection of teas will be available for purchase to soothe your senses courtesy of Stick Joint Teahouse.

    Join us Tuesday, June 26 at 7pm for the first Ecstatic Dance Rochester event! We will facilitate some quick introductions to get acquainted before dancing begins at 7:30pm. We’ll groove until 8:45, and round out the evening with a quick debrief to reflect on the experience and get feedback for future events. Ecstatic Dance Rochester will meet monthly with future events scheduled for July 17, August 7 and September 25.

    This event is $15 at the door, with sliding scale donations accepted. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Don’t miss out on this exciting new movement happening in Rochester. Join our community.

  • Hearing Aide: Black Mountain Symphony ‘Peacetime’

    The winner of NYS Music’s March Madness this year followed up their victory with the release of their EP Peacetime. Black Mountain Symphony is a six-piece band consisting of members Annie Campo (vocals, violin), Bear Campo (vocals, keys), Paul Burke (bass), Jason Matthews (drums), Chris Peppe (vocals, guitar), and Charlie Burgess (vocals, guitar, Native American flute). Each band member compliments the other, and brings a unique skill set to the band culminating in the creation of their unique sound. Referred to as both a symphonic groove pop group and a rock band, Black Mountain Symphony’s sound goes beyond the confinements of genre.

    Their EP was released at the start of this month on June 2, 2018 and is a cohesive piece of work featuring six tracks. The opening song, “Closer” sets the tone for the rest of the album. It lets the audience know they are about to give their ears a treat as all six tracks are composed using real instruments – a rarity in today’s popular music scene. Campo’s somewhat haunting yet soothing addition of the classical violin is the stand out moment for me in nearly every track. There is something special about hearing a violin in recorded music today that adds an element of richness.

    “Scorched Earth” is the second song on the EP and serves to highlight their beautiful harmonies. These harmonies are very complementary to the music in the piece as neither instrument overpowers the other. Another noteworthy track is “Peacetime” whose title perfectly sets the song up for its peaceful and groovy melody. Lastly, (and a personal favorite) is the song “Walk to the Edge”, specifically when the male and female voices come together and sing what sounds like ghostly “ohs”.

    If you voted for Black Mountain Symphony in our March Madness or are a fan of their sound, don’t forget to catch them live as they tour New York State this summer!

    Key Tracks: Peacetime, Walk to the Edge

  • Ben & Jerry’s Launches New “It’s Ice…Cream” Flavor

    Ben & Jerry’s is launching a partnership with Phish. It’s a third flavor to celebrate the 21st anniversary of The WaterWheel Foundation. The flavor is called, “It’s Ice… Cream” and is a twist on the classic Phish flavor, “Phish Food.”

    It’s Ice… Cream

    The “It’s Ice… Cream” flavor features a caramel malt ice cream with almond toffee pieces, fudge fish and a caramel swirl and was actually one of the original flavor concepts in the running back in 1997 when creating the flavor, “Phish Food.” A portion of all proceeds will benefit The WaterWheel Foundation which was created by Phish in 1997. The foundation was created to oversee the band’s various charitable activities.

    These charitable activities include Phish Food’s support of a clean Lake Champlain and its surrounding basin, relief funds created post-natural disaster eras for both the state of Vermont and the island of Tortola, and a cancer research fund as well as supporting a large sphere of needs including social services, primarily those benefiting women and children; environmental, with a focus on clean water and land conservation with public access; as well as food banks, urban gardening and arts education.Since its creation WaterWheel has managed to donated over $4,000,000 to organization across the country.

    The flavor, “It’s Ice…Cream” was named after the 1991 Phish song “It’s Ice.” The artwork on the container of the ice cream was created by renowned Phish poster artist, Jim Pollock. But the artwork on the Ben & Jerry’s pint isn’t the only art available. Ben & Jerry’s will be offering a merchandise gift pack available in limited quantities through store.benjerry.com, which includes a special poster design by Pollock. All proceeds of merchandise sales will directly benefit The WaterWheel Foundation.

    It’s Ice… Cream Merchandise

    For more information visit Ben & Jerry’s website.

  • New York Series: Tom Waits ‘Downtown Train’

    Despite how overwhelming it can be to outsiders, when it comes down to it, New York City is truly just a big small town. It’s comprised of hundreds of different neighborhoods which each have their own quirks and personalities, but they all blend together to form a magnificent sum of diversity and prosperity. You will never get to know everyone in the city, or even your neighborhood, but once you live in an area long enough you get to know a hodgepodge of people, which makes the city begin to feel small.

    You walk down the block and see the Chinese delivery guy that comes to your apartment twice a week, the butcher who you make friendly banter on the street with, and that same annoying bus driver who you know is out to get you (but you still can’t prove a thing.) Tom Waits’ 1985 track ‘Downtime Train’ paints a murky picture of the obscure way New York can box you in a world knowing everyone around, while at the same time leaving you feeling lonesome and alienated.

    ‘Downtown Train’ provides an intimate look at the torment a person goes through when they are continuously hoping to run into someone they are madly in love with, but end up seeing everyone they know besides that person. On his local train to Brooklyn, the narrator constantly sees the same faces; all people he knows, but doesn’t care to see. He knows exactly how the Brooklyn girls act, who they are, and what their goal for the night is, but wants nothing to do with them. He notices that they all seem to want to break out of their little circles, but are all afraid to. Although they have the entire city at their disposal, giving them chances to meet new people and experience new things, they choose not to, and for that the narrator wants nothing to do with them.

    The narrator is searching for someone different; someone he doesn’t see every night because they are out savoring new experiences and living life to the fullest. He hopes he will see them on the train each night, rather than all the regulars, but knows that the chances are slim because the person he is looking for doesn’t have a routine. Despite knowing everyone on the train, he feels incredibly isolated. He is stuck living the same night over and over again, hoping for something new, but nothing new ever happens. In many ways he is just like all the other people on the train, but by acknowledging his situation he is saddened by it, while those who are ignorant to it tend to live happier lives.

    Although Waits never made ‘Downtown Train’ a commercial success himself, the song drew interest from other artists who saw the creative value in the song. Patty Smyth’s 1987 version reached #95 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Rod Steward brought the song into the spotlight with his 1989 cover of the song which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 list. It just goes to show, that even if you know everyone around you, it’s not uncommon to feel completely alone.

     ‘Downtown Train’ Lyrics:

    Outside another yellow moon
    Has punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
    I climb through the window and down the street
    I’m shining like a new dime
    The downtown trains are full
    With all those Brooklyn girls
    They try so hard to break out of their little worlds

    Well, you wave your hand and they scatter like crows
    They have nothing that will ever capture your heart
    They’re just thorns without the rose
    Be careful of them in the dark
    Oh if I was the one
    You chose to be your only one
    Oh baby can’t you hear me now, can’t you hear me now?

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    Every night it’s just the same
    You leave me lonely, now

    I know your window and I know it’s late
    I know your stairs and your doorway
    I walk down your street and past your gate
    I stand by the light at the four-way
    You watch them as the fall
    Oh baby, they all have heart attacks
    They stay at the carnival
    But they’ll never win you back

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    Every night it’s just the same
    Oh, baby

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    All of my dreams just fall like rain
    Oh, baby, on a downtown train

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    Every night, every night it’s just the same
    Oh, baby

    Will I see you tonight
    On a downtown train?
    All of my dreams just fall like rain
    Well, on a downtown train

    Well, on a downtown train
    Well, on a downtown train
    Well, on a downtown train
    On a downtown train

  • Curveball Announces the First Annual Runaway Jim Memorial 5K Road Race

    Phish fans can start stretching now. Dubbed the 102nd Running of the the First Annual Runaway Jim 5K Memorial Road Race, it will take place at the Watkins Glen International Raceway on the Saturday of Phish’s Curveball Festival.

    Runaway Jim Memorial 5K

    Pre-registration is open now at this link and is free to any ticket holder. The race begins at 11:11 am trophies will be awarded to the fastest men and women in the race and medals will be awarded to the top finishers in certain age groups. The race is free to all ticket holders attending the festival.

    Curveball is the eleventh festival to be curated by the band. This is the third festival at the Watkins Glen International Raceway. Phish will be performing a series of unique performances throughout the three-day fest.

    Curveball starts Aug. 17 and goes through Aug. 19. Tickets are on sale now.

  • An Unscripted Evening of Unique Jamming

    Mike Gantzer and David Loss of Aqueous, Mike Carubba and Josh Schwartz of Turkuaz, Ben Carrey of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Matt Jalbert of Tauk and Hayley Jane all walked into a bar for a night of Unique Jamming… and took the stage at Funk ‘n Waffles Music Hall in Rochester with no set list and no songs, not even covers. But it actually isn’t a joke. They were brought together by the mastermind behind Everyone Orchestra, Matt Butler. He would be their conductor on this mad science experiment in improvisational music.

    Decked out in a glittery purple conductor’s jacket and top hat, Butler, with hand motions, vocal cues, a white board and an iPad, directed the musicians through completely made-on-the-spot compositions across two sets for over 2 hours Friday night. The only time this music will ever get played was on that night and the only people to hear it were present then and there.

    Some of the jams got started with a written note from Butler. Some of these were made available to the crowd. “A2 D2, indie rock” was scrawled out on one for example; others remained for the band’s eyes only. Other jams were prompted by one of the musicians, as requested by Butler. Loss started one with a crunchy organ groove, the rest of the band joined in, and a theme was established and another jam had begun. It was a game and Butler was the game master.

    As jams tend to do, these pieces changed in character the deeper they got. But with a conductor, they didn’t veer out of control either. Solos were kept in check with a nod or point, or were egged on further with emphatic arm and hand motions. In one thrilling moment, the guitarists battled to a raging tangle as Butler essentially live-edited the two competing sounds into a perfect jarring climax.

    With quickly improvised lyrics and melodies, Jane, or occasionally Butler himself, was able to develop a familiarity to the pieces that the band could return to again and again, at times creating songs the crowd could even sing along to by the end. Early in the second set, the band gelled around the lyrics “Open your eyes to see / The truth will set you free,” in a jam that finished in a building and bright rock-ready progression that was certainly a highlight of the evening.

    Taking in the show as a whole, one aspect that must be marveled at is how, through it all, the music never settled into a familiar or well-worn groove. There were no covers, teases, or even any “sounds-likes” to be had. With a one-time band put together for a one-time concert, that is a rather incredible feat. Perhaps in the end, the only proper reaction is to laugh after all.

  • Phish’s The Baker’s Dozen: Live at Madison Square Garden Box Set Announced

    Phish announced the release of recordings in three different formats on November 30th of theirThe Baker’s Dozen performances at Madison Square Garden back in 2017 with pre orders available now at on their merchandise store, Phish Dry Goods.

    The Complete Baker’s Dozen Box Set

    In the summer of 2017, Phish performed “The Baker’s Dozen,” which was a 13-show run at Madison Square Garden held over 17 nights. The band performed 26 unique sets featuring a grand total of 237 songs with not one repeated song during the three-week run and now that incredible set of shows can be listened to in three formats. The Baker’s Dozen comes in a three-CD or six-LP set (with 13 tracks hand-picked by the band) and The Complete Baker’s Dozen Box Set, which includes the ENTIRE run on 36 CDs. Legendary engineer Elliot Scheiner (Steely Dan, Van Morrison) has remixed each show.

    The Complete Baker’s Dozen Box Set includes every note of music from the historic 13-night run on 36 discs. Also included are all 13 individually packaged shows, an 86-page book with full color photographs from the shows, an extensive essay featuring new interviews with each band member, Baker’s Dozen setlist journals, an embroidered patch, commemorative tickets, a complete set of eight mini-prints and a brand new Jim Pollock screen print (7″x10″, signed by Pollock) according to Phish’s announcement.

    The Complete Box Set will be limited to one printing meanwhile both the three-CD and six-LP sets will be available in limited supplies in stores. The limited edition The Complete Baker’s Dozen Box Set will only be available from Phish’s merchandise store, Phish Dry Goods.

    Phish returns to Watkins Glen this August for the Curveball Festival. NYS Music spoke with Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International, about the festival. You can read that here.

    For more information visit Phish’s website.

  • Party on the Patio is the place to be every Thursday this summer in Saranac Lake

    The Waterhole’s free live music series Party on the Patio continues this summer and turns the Adirondack village’s Main Street into a block party every Thursday night. Every Party on the Patio is free and with Happy Hour running from 4-7pm each Thursday, there will be various drink specials as well. Locals and fans often gather outside the fence enclosing the patio area with dogs and children to take in the tunes as well. On rainy evenings, bands will move into the Waterhole’s upstairs music venue.

    Doors open at 6pm, music starts at 7pm and goes until 10pm. The season series started on April 19th and goes until October 4th.

    party on the patio thursday

    Since the 1990s, national acts such as Soulive, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, moe., Ominous Seapods and the Del McCoury Band have graced the Waterhole’s stage, among countless others in the 20 years the venue has been hosting music. Owner Eric Munley’s continues a tradition of music at The Waterhole that has been praised by fans both in and out of the Adirondacks for continuing to the live music pumping in the North Country.

    Check out the musicians coming to The Waterhole this summer for Party on the Patio!

    October 4th – Swampcandy – Old Times Blues – Stomp Boogie – Annapolis, MD

    Party on the Patio show artists from earlier this season

    April 19th – Formula 5 – Jam Band – Albany, NY

    April 26th – Goose – Funk – Rock – Jam – Reggae – Norwich, CT

    May 3rd – Wild Adriatic – Rock & Roll – Saratoga Springs, NY

    May 10th – Barika – Funky – Dubbed Out – Psychedelic West African – Burlington, VT

    May 17th – Smalltalker – Soul – Burlington, VT

    May 24th – The Heavy Pets wsg. Peak – Funky Rock & Roll – South Florida

    May 31st – Luxdelux – Straight Rock & Roll – Northampton, MA

    June 7th – The Urban Pioneers – Bluegrass – Old Time – Folk

    June 14th – Nina’s Brew – Blues Soul – R&B – Burlington, VT
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9NGREX9BIE

    June 21st – After Funk – Funk – Rock – Soul – Toronto, Ontario

    June 28th – The Mallett Brothers Band – Roots Rock – Alt Country – Portland, ME

    July 5 – Lady Moon and The Eclipse – Cosmic Soul – Brooklyn, NY

    July 12th – Dr. Slothclaw – Freak Funk – Pennsylvania

    July 19th – The Blind Owl Band – Freight Train String Music – Saranac Lake, NY

    July 26th – Dynamo – R&B – Funk – Jazz – Nashville, TN

    August 2nd – Folkfaces – Ragtime – Folk – Jazz – Blues – Buffalo, NY

    August 9th – Los Blancos – Roots and Blues – Syracuse, NY

    August 16th – Raisinhead – Jam Band – Albany, NY

    August 23rd – Rumpke Mountain Boys – Infamous Trash Grass – Cincinnati, OH

    August 30th – Mosaic Foundation – Reggae – Rochester, NY

    September 9th – The Old Main – Americana – Folk – Rock – Utica, NY

    September 13th – Root Shock – Roots – Reggae – Soul – Syracuse, NY
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VxS8VRzrIs

    September 20th – Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People – Soul – Rochester, NY
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lmM36tk9XE

    September 27th – Wurliday – Soul Funk – Albany, NY

  • Hearing Aide: B. Chaps ‘Clips’

    I really have nothing bad to say about B. Chaps’ debut album, Clips, which released April 18, 2018. In fact, when I first turned it on, I was surprised at how much I liked it straight out of the gate. I love music more than anything, but it’s rare that this happens.

    On the first track, Chaps announces that he “was created to create;” but this is an understatement as this album covers multiple genres, lyrical topics and stylistic choices. Aside from this, it includes diverse and often surprising production choices, mostly written and performed by Chaps personally, who is gifted as a producer and recording engineer at Foster House Studios in Albany, NY.

    Clips had me hooked within about ten seconds of the first track, “Morning Music.” It begins with a wavy synth plus a soulful, jazzy set of guitar riffs sitting on a slanted electric piano. “How long I gotta wait?,” Chaps asks, correctly wording the feeling of anticipation that the instrumental gives the listener. But what works so well for this song is not the overt melodies or musicality, but rather all the subtleties that made me want to listen a few times — there’s a piano played backwards, a tape playing sound effect to add some nostalgia, and other little things that end up adding a lot to the overall mix.

    Some of the strongest aspects of Clips are all the subtleties in each song which, together, add greatly to the album. While guitar riffs (performed by Matt Dalton, Kevin Bohen and Pat Flores) and piano decorate this work, it’s the little stuff in the background that earn Chaps the win.

    In “Dip,” the third track, we hear the sounds of traffic mixed with a trippy beat played between a xylophone and an 808 type drum kit. Chaps credits Kevin Bohen for performing the guitar part on the song, and the stuttering beat creates a perfect bed for hip-hop vocals that dance on the edge of catchy and chaotic. “I’m so spaced out in my UFO / Haven’t seen the ground in a year or so.”

    I’m surprised that I haven’t heard “Blow My Money” on the radio just yet, but it won’t be long. This song works so well because it starts out with a sugar – dipped melody (with backing vocals by Valerie Barbosa) and includes relatable lyrics, but has enough obscurity to draw attention without being a distraction. He also stays away from false claims and keeps it honest, “Money ain’t a thing / ‘Cause I ain’t got shit,” he admits.

    Chaps states that he is “from another planet,” which is verifiable, but also causes me to ask the question: why isn’t this the name of the album? I avoid backseat producing at all costs, but this seemed like the one missed opportunity. I can easily forgive this because the album appealed to me on all angles. Influence wise, there’s something here for everyone. I’d be genuinely surprised if someone told me they couldn’t listen to this at all.

    “Feel Something” would be a great number live, especially for dancing. It starts out with a presto, hurried Latin beat on horns and bongos, but it also twists ears by going back to that 808 sound heard earlier in the record and completely changes the direction that I thought the song was going. Likewise, “No Sneakers” has more of an underground hip-hop sound, including more bass and samples — with a sound reminiscent of Weerd Science.

    Overall, I’m excited to hear more music from B. Chaps. Clips is a solid first effort — having a diverse and listenable sound — and I would not be surprised if this launches a full scale career with more albums ahead. Until then, I’ll be playing this album around the pool and barbecues this summer.

    Clips is available digitally through all major streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.

  • Celebrate Gay Pride this month in Albany

    This Sunday in Albany, the Pride Center of the Capital Region will celebrate and hold its annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Festival and Parade. The parade will step off at noon along Lark Street and the festival will continue until 5 PM in Washington Park. The parade and festival take place each June during LGBTQ Pride Month and commemorates the Stonewall Riots that occurred in June 1969 in New York City that ignited the modern-day LGBTQ movement.

    The festival promises to be the not-to-be-missed event of the year, featuring Grammy winning pop star, Estelle, American Idol Top 10 Finalist Ada Vox, and locally popular band Grand Central Station. This is a free, family-friendly event full of music, laughter, food, and fun and dozens of vendors will be on hand. For more information and events throughout Pride Month Capital Pride.

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