NYS Music 20​18

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  • Watch “Shadow of Your Love,” an unreleased Guns N’ Roses song from Appetite for Destruction

    Guns N’ Roses announced this week that Appetite for Destruction: Locked N’ Loaded will be released on June 29 at the whopping price of only $999. But it might be worth the price given that it includes 25 unreleased demos that were recorded during a Sound City session in 1986, as well as two tracks that were cut during sessions with Appetite producer Mike Clink. You’ll also get the original 1987 album remastered from the original stereo analog tapes, plus 12 remastered tracks taken from of-era EPs and b-sides. One of the unreleased tracks, “Shadow of Your Love” was shared on YouTube this week. Watch below.

    The unreleased audio on this box sex features two songs Guns N’ Roses cut with Clink, “Shadow of Your Love,” which was recorded during a trial session that led Clink to the production job, plus an acoustic version of “Move to the City,” which came out of the GN’R Lies sessions. Plus you’ll hear two early versions of “November Rain,” two unfinished songs – “The Plague” and “New Work Tune,” plus covers of Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” Aerosmith’s “Mama Kin” and acoustic and electric versions of the Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

    But wait…. there’s more! Altogether there are four CDs, seven LPs, seven 7-inch singles, a hardcover book, five “custom hand-made metal-cast band skull face rings” and the same number of “hand-made metal-cast band skull face lapel pins” and “metal skull face and signature-stamped guitar picks,” to name just a few of the included items. And all those tiny skulls and records will cost you only $999. Pre-order is now open.

  • Deer Tick Storms into Buffalo

    Deer Tick may have been nearing the end of a lengthy tour but you wouldn’t have known it from the energy the Rhode Island based band brought to the stage of Buffalo Iron Works on Tuesday May 1st.

    They came out of the gate swinging and held the captivated audience entertained with their unique blend of americana soaked indie rock. To start the night off Nashville’s Liz Cooper and the Stampede played an intensely fun set that won over many in attendance.

  • Wild Adriatic celebrate their 1000th show on May 5 at Putnam Place

    Wild Adriatic will boldly go where few bands have gone before, as they’ll play their 1000th show together! To celebrate this milestone, they’ll be using Putnam Place’s video wall to present “Wild Adriatic Goes to Space,” part of a 75 minute nonstop set of space themed covers and Wild Adriatic originals. Toronto’s After Funk will kick things off at 9pm.

    In determining that this would indeed be their 1000th show, Wild Adriatic drummer Mateo Vosganian looked over the band’s spreadsheet a few months ago and his reaction was a bit of a surprise, as Vosganian puts it, “Oh Shit, haha it’s our 1,000th show soon! So we threw some ideas around about how to make it special. We’ve always wanted to go to space, so what better time than now?”

    Starting in 2011, Wild Adriatic has toured across the country, performed at countless festivals including Bonnaroo, and even have two tours of Europe under their belt. “Some of our 2011-2012 shows were a bit hazy on when/where/how but luckily digging thru emails and a few old booking spreadsheets helped me put it together. Google Docs is my savior.”

    “It’s also funny because even though we’ve played 1,000 shows I feel like we’re just getting started. Like this year we just figured out how to write songs together in a really meaningful way to the three of us. It’s sort of like these 1,000 shows have been preparation for the next step. We have a ton of new material we’re going to start unveiling in the next year and have a stacked summer tour ahead, so it’s just a really exciting time. Super happy to be able to celebrate with our family and friends in Saratoga, especially before the summer gets insane.”

  • 2018 NY Guitar Festival to Feature ‘The Sounds of Spain’

    The New York Guitar Festival and Arts Brookfield will once again present a two day celebration of the guitar itself with a series of performances slated to take place May 18 and 19, 2018, in the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place in New York City.  Located at 230 Vesey St, this year’s festival returns for a 10th year and has been titled ‘Los Sonidos de España’ or ‘The Sounds of Spain’ and will feature fresh takes on both classical and flamenco style guitar play.  All events are free to the public.  Performances feature names such as Grammy Award-winner Sharon Isbin and classical guitar legend Pepe Romero who will both play solo sets as well as ones with special guests throughout the two-day event.

    2018 NY Guitar Festival

    The New York Guitar Festival has been presenting world class performers at iconic venues both large and small in New York City since 1999.  Past performers includes such names as Taj Mahal, Bill Frisell, Leo Kotke and Bruce Springsteen, just to name a few.  This year’s festival promises to shine a light on the beauty of classical Spanish music and roots of flamenco. “Guitar playing is one of the three pillars of Flamenco, the other two being singing and dance,” explains the festival’s Artistic director David Spelman.  “And while the guitar has a central role in accompanying singers and dancers, it has developed into a solo artform on its own.”

    Friday, May 18, 12:30 p.m.
    Marija Temo 
    Triple threat Marija Temo does it all: she sings, dances, and fiercely plays flamenco guitar. Praised for her formidable chops, Temo plays a guitar specifically tailored to the nuances of both classical and flamenco; she co-designed this unique instrument with luthier Tom Rodriguez. Although immersed in flamenco tradition, Temo also plays pop crossover and solos with symphonies. Composer Loris Ohannes Chobanian wrote the Concierto del Fuego especially as a showcase for Temo’s individual synthesis of classical rigor and Spanish style. She performed in Fuego Ibérico, a flamenco musical inspired by cabaret. Currently, she serves as Guitar Chair at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Temo received a Master’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Manuel Barrueco. Her solo recital at this year’s NYGF marks her first appearance at the Festival since “Audible Cloisters” in 2016.

    Friday, May 18, 7:30 p.m.
    Pepe Romero 
    Classical guitar legend and Festival friend Pepe Romero returns to the NYGF for the first time since 2014. On that occasion, Romero gave an all-Bach recital. This time, the maestro will pay tribute to his father, Celedonio Romero, and the music of Spain, particularly that of his native Málaga. Romero will focus on flamenco guitar, bringing with him a to-be-announced roster of special guests, singers, and dancers. Among his celebrated accomplishments, Romero has premiered works – composed especially for him – by Rodrigo and Torroba. He’s recorded more than 60 albums across his career, 30 of which were as part of a quartet with his father and brothers in The Romeros, an ensemble widely regarded as “The Royal Family of the Guitar.” In addition to championing new works for the instrument, Romero has also rescued previously lost concerti by Giuliani and Carulli, among others, bringing them out of the archives and into the light.

    Saturday, May 19, 12:30 p.m.
    Adam del Monte, with special guests Sonia Olla and Ismael Fernández 
    Known for the introspective lyricism of his classical guitar style as well as the exuberant spontaneity of his flamenco repertoire, Adam del Monte delights and moves audiences with his mastery of both art forms. In addition to performing iconic works by Albéniz and Tárrega, del Monte has composed two concertos for flamenco guitar and orchestra. His most recent recording, Asi lo siento yo, features collaborations with other flamenco musicians in songs that integrate aspects of tango, jazz, and Gypsy soul. Del Monte has also made music for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Osvaldo Golijov, and film composer John Williams. Joining del Monte for his afternoon program will be the flamenco dancer and choreographer Sonia Olla (described by the New York Times as “a furnace of earthy sensuality”) and her partner, the Seville-born cantadore Ismael Fernández.

    Saturday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.
    Sharon Isbin, with guest artist Romero Lubambo 
    New York Guitar Festival proudly welcomes back Sharon Isbin, whose performance last year was a major highlight of the 2017 Festival. This time, Isbin’s program will feature a combination of solos and duos with her guest, the Brazilian jazz guitarist Romero Lubambo. Isbin and Lubambo, who performed together in the award-winning documentary Sharon Isbin: Troubadour, share a lyrical sensibility that makes their duets a natural elision of improvisation, classical music, and cross-cultural exploration. A two-time Grammy winner and founder of the guitar department at Juilliard, Isbin has premiered works by Tan Dun, John Corigliano, and Christopher Rouse, among other composers, that were written especially for her. Isbin’s most recent recording, Alma Española, pairs her with the mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard for a set of Spanish art songs by Montsalvatge, Agustín Lara, and Lorca. Hailed as much for her “mesmerizing finesse” as for the range of her repertoire, Isbin has recorded everything from Baroque and Renaissance to contemporary classical to Latin American traditions in Journey to the Amazon.

  • Hearing Aide: Spafford ‘For Amusement Only’

    spafford for amusement onlySpafford’s first studio release in 6 years is finally here and it was well worth the wait. The Phoenix, Arizona-based up and comers have spent the last couple of years making a name for themselves through relentless touring and mass amounts of lengthy jams, and they’ve gained quite a following (affectionately called “Spaffnerds”). The group is comprised of Brian Moss (Guitar/Vocals), Jordan Fairless (Bass/Vocals), Andrew ‘Red’ Johnson (Keys/Vocals), and newcomer Cameron Laforest (Drums/Vocals), who is coming up on one year with the band. For Amusement Only mostly consists of songs that have been debuted and expanded upon live already, with the exception of “Fuel.”

    “Ain’t That Wrong” is one of strongest tracks on the album, with a very anthemic and driving sound. The groove is tight and fast paced, the lyrics are catchy, and there’s a jam section towards the end that shows a glimpse of just how impressive their live jams are. It’s quick, concise, and features a thrilling peak driven by a saxophonist named Jason that Moss met on the street while taking a smoke break. The band recently made their MSG debut with this track, which was a smart choice, as this song is bound to gain them lots more fans.

    Another great selection from For Amusement Only is the funky “Mind’s Unchained,” which is based off a poem by Spafford’s former Lighting Director and contributing lyricist, Chuck Johnson. This song was slowed down a bit for its studio recording, but still captures the laid-back nature of the song that fans are familiar with. “Mind’s Unchained” also features a jam section, a bit longer than “Ain’t That Wrong”’s, and a little more focused on the group’s ability to improvise as a whole rather than bringing a song to a peak, though it does end with a remarkable solo from Moss.

    One of the most exciting songs that got a studio version was “The Postman,” one of the more grandiose songs Spafford has in their catalog. The song starts off with a beautiful, complex composed section and moves into the funky verse section that fans all know and love. “The Postman” really showcases each member’s individual talents and how they come together in large-scale compositions. Cameron Laforest keeps everything tight and locked down, allowing for Fairless to stray a bit from the traditional role of a bass player in the rhythm section and keep the whole band moving through chord changes. “The Postman” also rounds out the wide range of styles that Spafford covers on this album, from soulful ballads to funk jams to extensive compositions. For Amusement Only is a really solid studio release that shows off some of the band’s best compositions and is bound to gain them lots of fans.

    Key Tracks: Ain’t That Wrong, Mind’s Unchained, All In, The Postman, Slip and Squander

  • New York Series: The Beastie Boys ‘An Open Letter to NYC’

    Despite how tiring and overwhelming New York can be sometimes, one of the glaring strengths of character which nearly every New Yorker possesses is their resilience. New Yorkers are generally filled with integrity and pride, and if something knocks them back they rarely stay down for long. Whatever problems New Yorkers may have with each other are quickly tossed aside when something drastic happens which forces them to bond together and defend their communal way of life. In ‘An Open Letter to NYC,’ the Beastie Boys draw inspiration from the unlikely alliance of New Yorkers after a time of crisis to demonstrate just how strong the city is.

    ‘An Open Letter to NYC’ was written as a tribute to the city following the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks and is written as a love letter of sorts to the melting pot of cultures that came together to defend the city the Beastie Boys call home. Unlike other songs which may only focus on a single borough, ‘An Open Letter to NYC’ makes it a point to reference each of the five boroughs, as they are all unique. The clash of cultures throughout different neighborhoods is what brings strength to the city, and makes it so different from every other place in the world.

    The song describes the different heritages of people which make up the city, from Asian and Middle-Eastern to Latin and Black, and explains how no matter where you may be from, everyone is still the same. The overall message of the song is about how the cities’ fortitude comes from diversity, and that no matter what happens we are unified as a whole. Regardless of where you live or your occupation, if you live in New York you are part of something bigger.

    The lyrics to “An Open Letter to NYC” are overwhelmingly positive, and come from a group of artists who know the city better than anyone. They know that no matter what happens New York will bounce back, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help by giving people a little nudge in the right direction. The song channels the feelings of togetherness which many New Yorkers felt following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and told the world that not matter what happens, we are strong.

    “An Open Letter to NYC” should follow “Fight for Your Right,” “So What’cha Want” and “Sabotage” into the Beastie Boys’ hall of slang as anthems defining a moment in hip-hop history. Running on the rails of a bubbling keyboard, [this track] is a stylized shout-out to New York City, from Battery Park to Brooklyn. It may be the next phase in the post-9/11 healing process. Where Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising” was about recovering from wounds, the Beastie Boys’ lyrics are about rising from the flames. There is little dark imagery, just a call for unity and Big Apple pride” – Michael D. Clark, Houston Chronicle, 2004

    ‘An Open Letter to NYC’ Lyrics:

    Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
    From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
    Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
    Black, White, New York you make it happen
    Brownstones, water towers, trees, skyscrapers
    Writers, prize fighters and Wall Street traders
    We come together on the subway cars
    Diversity unified, whoever you are
    We’re doing fine on the One and Nine line
    On the L we’re doin’ swell
    On the number Ten bus we fight and fuss
    You know we’re thorough in the boroughs ’cause that’s a must
    I remember when the Duece was all porno flicks
    Running home after school to play PIX
    At lunch I’d go to Blimpies down on Montague Street
    And hit the Fulton Street Mall for the sneakers on my feet
    Dear New York I hope you’re doing well
    I know a lot’s happened and you’ve been through hell
    So, we give thanks for providing a home
    Through your gates at Ellis Island we passed in droves
    Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
    From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
    Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
    Black, White, New York you make it happen
    The L.I.E. the B.Q.E
    Hippies at the band shell with the L.S.D.
    Get my BVDs from VIM
    You know I’m reppin’ Manhattan the best I can
    Stopped off at Bleeker Bob’s, got thrown out
    Sneakin’ in at four am after going out
    You didn’t rob me in the park at Dianna Ross
    But everybody started looting when the light went off
    From the South South Bronx on out to Queens Bridge
    From Hollis Queens right down to Bay Ridge
    From Castle Hill to the Lower East Side
    From ten-ten WINS to Live At Five
    Dear New York, this is a love letter
    To you and how you brought us together
    We can’t say enough about all you do
    ‘Cause in the city we’re ourselves and electric too
    Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
    From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
    Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
    Black, White, New York you make it happen
    Shout out the South Bronx where my mom hails from
    Right next to High Bridge across from Harlem
    To the Grand Concourse where my mom and dad met
    Before they moved on down to the Upper West
    I see you’re still strong after all that’s gone on
    Lifelong, we dedicate this song
    Just a little something to show some respect
    To the city that blends and mends and tests
    Since 9-11 we’re still livin’
    And lovin’ life we’ve been given
    Ain’t nothing gonna take that away from us
    We lookin’ pretty and gritty ’cause in the city we trust
    Dear New York I know a lot has changed
    Two towers down but you’re still in the game
    Home to the many, rejecting no-one
    Accepting peoples of all places, wherever they’re from
    Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
    From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
    Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
    Black, White, New York you make it happen
    Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
    From the Battery to the top of Manhattan
    Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin
    Black, White, New York, we make it happen

  • Dweezil Zappa Brings ‘Choice Cuts’ Tour to The Egg

    The Zappa family has always loved Upstate New York. Frank opened his 1988 U.S. tour at the Palace Theater and his son, Dweezil Zappa, has continued that love for the area on his runs. Coming to The Egg for the first time since 2016, he played everyone’s favorite tunes during this ‘Choice Cuts’ tour. With his usual band of eccentric members, they set expectations high and delivered all night.

    Dweezil Zappa The Egg

    As the band members came on stage, the show started into “The Purple Lagoon (Intro)” before Dweezil came out to a thunderous applause. Wasting no time, they started the 1975 favorite, “Andy” and then began the originally unreleased “Lonely Little Girl”. “Flakes” included its usual Bob Dylan homage and a new Eric Cartman section which was hilariously performed by Scheila Gonzalez. Cian Coey took the mic for “Fifty Fifty” and did not let her foot cast stop her from rockin’. Dweezil took it on himself to deliver a blistering solo to end the song and then took them band into “Po-jama People”.

    Before the next song, he paused to tell the crowd that it was “great that Albany loves Zappa so much” and then surprised everyone with the “James Bond Theme” which segued perfectly into “Studebaker Hoch”. A lovely “Rollo” medley was followed by an explanation that the next song couldn’t originally be played live because certain feedback techniques were not possible to recreate outside of the studio. Using modern technology, they all brought “Absolutely Free” to life and followed it with “Call Any Vegetable” and “Tell Me You Love Me”, which features some great keyboard work from Chris Norton.

    Pausing again to chat with the audience, Mr. Zappa proclaimed that the theme of the show was “It’s so fucking great to be alive”. He went on to say that of all the songs his father composed, his favorite was this next song, “Dog Meat”. The beautiful clamor had people on their feet cheering for more, so the band declared, “And now for something completely different” before launching into AC/DC’s “Back in Black”. Bassist Kurt Morgan was dressed to impress as Angus Young and really shined during this track.

    Next up were two “songs from the 80’s” called as “Cocaine Decisions” and “Drowning Witch” before jumping back decades to play “Sleeping In A Jar” and “Florentine Pogen”. Dweezil was happy to announce that it was now ‘Unreleased Time’ and played a song called “Sleep Napkins”, which is a combination of “Black Napkins” and “Sleep Dirt”. Drummer Ryan Brown tore the roof down with his exceptional drumming during both “The Black Page # 1” and “The Black Page # 2” and led the band into everyone’s favorite, “Peaches en Regalia”.

    Zappa was more than just a musician and in 1971, Frank directed the movie 200 Motels. Unsurprisingly, he also wrote the soundtrack too and Dweezil brought the classic “This Town is a Sealed Tuna Sandwich” to life for the enthusiastic audience. Jumping to the other end of the decade, the band started into everyone’s favorite, “Keep It Greasy” and when it finished, Dweezil started talking to the crowd about his all-time favorite Zappa songs and said this next one was high on the list. “Cheepnis” became everyone’s favorite by the time it was over and they followed that with “Son of Orange County” before ending the two-and-a-half hour set with “Trouble Every Day”.

    After a few minutes offstage, everyone came back to a roaring crowd as Dweezil told a story about a failed jingle that his father wrote back in the day. It was for Remington Electric Razor’s and it was to be performed with Linda Ronstadt. They were paid for their work, but the company was not a fan of the song. “Remington Electric Razor Jingle” was followed by a lovely version of “Oh, In The Sky” performed by Adam Minkoff. Dweezil let loose with another jaw-dropping solo during “Muffin Man” before they ended the night with “The Purple Lagoon (Reprise)”.

  • NYS Music Presents: Live Music to Fill Your Month of May

    Time flies when you’re having fun, especially when you are having fun at the live shows that fill up every night in New York State.  To ensure that your month of May will be filled up with as much live music as possible, as always, NYS Music is here to make sure you do not miss out on a single opportunity.

    Syracuse – Funk ‘N Waffles

    May 3rd – Will be a beautiful night to join Damn Truth as they blend reggae, rock, soul, funk, and blues with special guest Spring Street Family. Event link.

    May 5th –  Another serving of reggae rock will be brought to you by Barroom Philosophers with alternative rock band Sir Cadian Rhythm supporting. Event link.

    May 6th – FREE SHOW!! The Clock Reads will be hitting Syracuse on their Inner Peaks Tour to show off some of their jazz rock sounds.  Event link.

    May 8th – Brutal By Design presents Marbin, the progressive jazz rock band all the way from Chicago with Syracuse-native funk rock band with a sprinkle of reggae, Spring Street Family Event link.

    May 10th – Chris Trapper has been commended for his “classic pop perfection” and how he makes every performance intimate, where you feel like you’re the person he’s singing about.  He will be joined by Mary Scholz at Funk ‘N Waffles to fill your night will great music. Event link.

    May 12th – A commonly occurring name within this article – don’t miss all your chances to catch Deadgrass in New York this month! Here is the last one on their three day marathon in the state so make sure to make it out for some Grateful Dead. Event link.

    May 17th – West End Blend’s sound draws from a wide array of inspiration, including but not limited to funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop, and afrobeat, all beautifully combined into epic performance.  They’ll be bringing the energy with Mosaic Foundation at Funk ‘N Waffles and you will want to be part of the action. Event link.

    May 18th – Come find out why Funktional Flow is often referred to as the “multi-genre monster” at their show with experimental rock fusion band, Swimmer Ticket link.

    May 19th – Bellas Bartok specializes in delivering incredible live performances and circus punk.  We know you’re curious, so come to find out more about their unique genre and leave the newest circus punk fan.  They will be joined by Cousin Earth Event link.

    May 24th – The Americana blues duo Swampcandy bring enough sound, rhythm and passionate vocals to make the audience feel as though they have just experienced a whole festival rather than one live show – pretty good bang for your buck. They will be coming to Syracuse with special guests The Vollmer’s. Event link.

    May 26th – Tony Trischka’s Early Roman Kings presents a show with the addition of a special acoustic set after dedicated to and entitled The Music of Bob Dylan.  Come out at 2 PM for a nice afternoon show to start your night off right. Event link.

    May 31st – From his hometown of Buffalo, Tommy Z, the “blues treasure”, will be bringing his contemporary blues with funk with the addition of some jazz and pop elements. Event link.

    Rochester – Funk ‘N Waffles

    May 3rd – It’s the Salt City Shakedown featuring the always memorable and jammin’ Sophistafunk.  They will be joined by the dancehall reggae blend band Root Shock as well as the Syracuse-local funk rock act, Skunk City. Event link.

    May 4th – A name Central New York loves to see – Steel Guapo, the Americana expert, will be doing a show with Darb Jansen who is sure to keep you dancing. Event link.

    May 11th – A night full of Grateful Dead tributes -for those seeking double the covers, make it out to see Sonic Garden and Deadgrass at Rochester’s Funk ‘N Waffles. Event link.

    May 12th – Vanishing Sun featuring Skunk City and The Elementals will be the face-melting, funk event of the season. Rochester local, Vanishing Sun and The Elementals, joined by Syracuse’s Skunk City is a powerhouse trio of a lineup that is sure to bring the house down. Event link.

    May 17th – Shemekia Copeland covers so many genres and sounds like no one else.  Her shows are always an excellent testament to her immense talent, do not miss this opportunity to see her with Dirty Bourbon Blues Band. Event link.

    May 18th – If you want to hear the circus punk sounds of Bellas Bartok  before they hit Syracuse, come out to their show with Cousin Earth in Rochester the night before. Event link.

    May 19th – Funktional Flow will be following up their Syracuse show with a night in Rochester, but this time they will be joined by reggae-infused band, Cold Lazarus. Event link.

    May 23rd – Swampcandy and Vollmer’s will be swinging through Rochester before they hit Syracuse this month. Event link.

    May 27th – Andrew Collins Trio will be having their album release party at Funk ‘N Waffles with special guest Bitter Bells.  Don’t miss this celebration and showcase of the band’s newest music. Event link.

    May 30th – A blissful performance of JJ Grey & Mofro’s blues and Southern Rock sound with R&B inspiration is just what you need for your night.  Freddy & Francine and will be supporting. Event link.

    Saratoga Springs – Putnam Place

    May 3rd – Everyone Orchestra specializes in “conducted improvisation”, bringing a unique but always enjoyable performance each time.  This time they will joined by members of String Cheese and Moe mentioned in the graphic below. Event link.

    May 4th – NYS Music Presents a healthy mix of genres featuring blues and jamrock provided by Lucid, New Orleans style funk by the Funky Dawgz Brass Band and some psychedelic grunge folk from Adrian Aardvark.  There is sure to be music for everyone at the show so don’t miss out! Event link.

    May 5th – Wild Adriatic is playing their 1,000th show and for this momentous milestone, they will sharing the experience with the lucky attendees in Saratoga Springs.  To celebrate the special occasion, they will be adding a “Space-theme” second set that will showcase Putnam Place’s LED video wall.  They will be joined by After Funk and you won’t want to miss this journey to space aboard their rock ‘n roll spaceship. Event link.

    May 12th – BRYAC Funk All-Stars will be at Putnam Place and it’s exactly what it sounds like – a funk show you cannot miss.  They will be joined with Cousin Earth and the show is set to begin at 9 PM. Event link.

    May 18th – For the past 14 years, this powerful partnership of Terrapin Flyer and Melvin Seals has been touring to celebrate the music of The Grateful Dead. Come out and see what these seasoned and widely renowned performers have in store for the night. Event link.

    Tuesdays in May – Beer + Yoga.  The newest and best power couple of 2018. That’s all we have to say, we know we’ll see you there. Event link.

    Albany

    May 5th – The Heavy Pets, otherwise known as a “living, breathing force of nature,” will be joined by folk-funk band Goose for one of their unforgettable powerhouse performances at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen presented by Guthrie Bell Productions. Event link.

    May 10th – Deadgrass, the five piece band made up of seasoned, award-winning musicians, use all their unmatched talent to cover and celebrate the music of Jerry Garcia.  They will be joined by special guest the Deadbeats Duo at Parish Public House. Event link.

    May 18th – Mihali has drawn crowds at notable venues such as Red Rocks, The Capitol Theatre as well as at festivals such as Bonnaroo.  He will be coming to deliver a more intimate set of his acoustic sound at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen with Girl Blue. Event link.

    May 24th – It’s the 10th anniversary of the annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash at The Low Beat, so you know it’s going to be a good one. The event will feature 15 acts from the Capitol Regions, all to celebrate the big day.  Proceeds will benefit the Albany Victory Gardens and Eden Rose Foundation. Come out and sing some Happy Birthday along with some of Dylan’s classics. Event link.

    Cohoes

    May 11th – The truly unforgettable performer Alejandro Escovedo, will be joined by Kris Gruen for a show at Cohoes Music Hall that is sure to be special.  For fans of acoustic rock and exquisite songwriting, this show is a can’t miss.  Event link.

    Buffalo – Nietzche’s

    May 16th – For a night full of great indie and alternative acts, featuring the Buffalo-native band, THIS, as well as Great Lakes, Citizen Jane, and Church Girls come to Nietzche’s at 8PM on the 16th and see four amazing acts for only $5 – can’t beat it.  Event link.

    May 26th – Tiger Chung Lee and Starship Mantis will be bringing the funk to Buffalo at 10 PM.  For information, click the link and don’t miss one hell of a funk show. Event link.

  • Listen to Episode 3 of Empire State Music Podcast w/s/g Formula 5

    In Episode 3 of Empire State Music Podcast, host Andy Hogan talks with Albany’s Formula 5 about their Spring Tour, Rock the Dock Festival in July, and discuss the music scenes in New York and New England.

    https://soundcloud.com/empirestatepod/formula-5

  • The Yard Amphitheater at Ray Brothers BBQ Announces 2018 Summer Lineup

    Ray Brothers BBQ, located on State Route 20 in Bouckville, announced its summer 2018 concert schedule for The Yard Amphitheater, located on the grounds of the popular BBQ joint. The season kicks off on Memorial Day with the 3rd Annual Backyard BBQ & SPCA Benefit featuring the Lightkeepers and Mike Powell & the Black River. Tickets for the Memorial Day show are $10 with proceeds benefiting the SPCA.

    Other acts making their way to New York’s antique capital include Zach Deputy, Big Mean Sound Machine, Chris Eves & the New Normal, Hayley Jane & the Primates, Wild Adriatic, Sophistafunk, the Talking Heads tribute band, Start Making Sense and the 2017 NYS Music March Madness winner, Root Shock.

    The penultimate event on the calendar is the 4th Annual Hop Harvest Festival featuring Keller Williams. This takes place Labor Day weekend. Williams also performed at the Yard last year.

    Tickets for the shows will be available at Ray Brothers and through Ticketfly. For more information about the summer concerts, visit their website here.

    The Yard at Ray Brothers BBQ Summer Concert Schedule:

    May 28 – The Lightkeepers w/the Black River
    June 1 – Zach Deputy
    June 6 – Big Mean Sound Machine w/Joe Driscoll
    June 16 – Adam Ezra Group w/Mike D & the Laughing Buddha Episodes
    June 23 – Root Shock w/the Buddha Council
    June 30 – Wild Adriatic w/Barroom Philosophers and the Spring Street Family Band
    July 6 – Chris Eves & the New Normal w/the J.J. Murphy Trio
    July 14 – TBA
    July 21 – The Magic Beans w/special guest TBA
    July 28 – A Controlled Incident Presents: To Be Announced!
    Aug. 4 – Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People w/special guest TBA
    Aug. 10 – TBA
    Aug. 11 – Sophistafunk and Kris Lager w/West End Blend
    Aug. 18 – TBA
    Aug. 25 – Hayley Jane & the Primates w/Nina’s Brew
    Sept. 2 – 4th Annual Hop Harvest Smoke Out with Keller Williams (special guest TBA)
    Sept. 8 – TBA
    Sept. 15 – Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute Band

Built in Breakdance