NYS Music 20​18

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  • Paper Mill Island Adds More Acts to Summer 2018 Lineup

    Baldwinsville’s Paper Mill Island has just announced a new show to join an already impressive array of talent stopping by the Bud Light Amphitheater for summer 2018.  On Friday, April 13 tickets will be available for Gary Clark, Jr.’s show which is slated for Aug. 1, marking the guitar virtuoso’s first trip to the island.  A former teen prodigy in Austin’s roots music scene, Clark has grown his brand and name steadily throughout the past few years, collaborating with legends like Chuck Berry and Eric Clapton. This summer, upstate New York will finally get to see what the buzz is all about.  Doors open at 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m. for this all ages admitted show.  Tickets can be purchased through Ticketfly beginning Friday at 10 a.m.

    papermillClark, Jr. joins a summer lineup for Paper Mill Island that also includes other nationally known acts like Nahko and Medicine for the People, playing Wednesday, June 27, and Matisyahu, who performs on Sunday, July 22. Tickets for both of these shows are already available through Creative Concerts on their website. Earlier in the summer, the island will play host to Umphrey’s McGee and Dark Star Orchestra for their respective shows, laying the foundation of what appears to be a special summer of music.

    Paper Mill Island Schedule:

    5/17: An Evening with Umphrey’s McGee
    5/19: Get The Led Out
    5/20: Dark Star Orchestra
    6/27: Nahko and Medicine for the People
    7/22: Matisyahu
    8/1: Gary Clark Jr.

  • Magic Beans Bring the Heat to Buffalo Iron Works

    Colorado-based The Magic Beans, currently on tour in support of their latest album Casino Cabaret , found themselves at Buffalo Iron Works on Saturday, April 7. While the calendar may indicate spring, the thermometer said otherwise, but The Magic Beans with support from Formula 5 wasted little time warming up the enthusiastic crowd.

    The opener treated the audience to a 20+ minute version of original “Blue” and nearly as much time on a jammed out cover of Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry.” The Magic Beans put on one helluva show with the crowd dancing straight through until 1am. Highlights included “Mission” and “More” off Casino Cabaret plus a huge cover of Prince’s “I Wanna be your Lover” after  “Lost and Found.” The Beans are the real deal when it comes to jams that make you dance, and Formula 5 is right there alongside them.

    Check out The Magic Beans this Thursday at The Hollow in Albany with Let’s Be Leonard and, also on Thursday, check out Formula 5 with Goose, Animal Reporters and Bee the Band at DROM in NYC.

  • Abilene celebrates 10th Anniversary with JD McPherson on April 13

    On Friday, April 13, Abilene Bar and Lounge will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a special concert featuring JD McPherson, plus Jake La Botz and Woody Pines.

    Presented by Record Archive & DSP Shows, the show gets started at 8pm on Friday at Harro East Ballroom in Rochester. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 day of show and are available at abilenebarandlounge.com and dspshows.com.

    Abilene

  • Hearing Aide: BG the Boy Genius, ‘The PreVisual’

    BG the Boy Genius, a hip hop artist based in Albany, launched The PreVisual, a mixtape, on March 30 through Genius Minds. The project consists mostly of his poetic verses matched with already established instrumentals within the hip hop and pop industries. As a prelude to an upcoming album, PreVisual serves as a brightly lit roadside attraction in the path to future works. It’s also simply a strong sample of BG’s writing and vocal abilities.

    The mixtape opens up with “PreVisual In Ya Ear,” in which a series of news program introduces the listener to a slew of current issues. Boy Genius rhymes over a soulful, old school beat just to establish a timeline. “You look confused. Have you read the news?,” he asks. This provides an excellent rhetoric for the rest of the album which discusses a lot of modern issues and social situations, such as presidency, politics, trends, financials and interpersonal relationships. “I’m just honest…when I’m making comments,” he says. Honesty is another concept which comes up in the emotional “Let You Down” (originally recorded by NF, David Garcia, and Tommee Profitt).

    PreVisual covers a lot of modern musical ground, one track that jumps out of the fray is “Morning in America,” whose cadence mirrors a song of the same title by pop artist Jon Bellion. “We’re out of control, and everyone knows,” BG sings around a song about having children in a chaotic place, while trying to grow up himself at the same time. His lyrics fit the tune of the song better than the original artist, and “Morning” is not the only spot where this is the case.

    Another notable song is “Bank Account,” a perpetually annoying, yet strangely catchy number by 21 Savage. “I got 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, none, zero fucks to give,” BG raps, eloquently (possibly accidentally) stating how many people feel about the original track. Regardless, this and all other songs on the tape communicate a clear command of language and poetry.

    Overall, PreVisual is a win for BG the Boy Genius as he displays mastery over his field, but does not need to say much for his abilities — they speak for themselves. Part of this is the teamwork that went into the project. Along with his own versions of already popular songs, BG credits both Phoenix, the producer, with production and engineering; as well as Travis Manney who performs on the seventh track, “Trav’s Interlude.” Other producers included Fat Cat and Blanco. If PreVisual is just a prelude to other upcoming projects, BG has set the bar high for his future, and he even leaves the listener with an idea of what to do if he doesn’t meet this bar. “If this album trash, all my fans, you can leave me,” he commands. PreVisual gives a lot, but leaves enough to the imagination for what listeners can expect in the future.

    The PreVisual can be streamed through SoundCloud.

    Key tracks: “Let You Down,” “Morning In America,” “Bank Account.”

  • Joyous Wolf Show off Skills in Clifton Park

    With only a few shows left on their current run opening shows for Fozzy, Southern California rockers, Joyous Wolf, made their first stop ever in Upstate New York, at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park Wednesday, April 4.

    Joyous Wolf were slotted in the middle of the lineup right before Through Fire and Fozzy. As each band member took their position on stage, frontman Nick Reese, slowly paced the stage while giving the crowd a deep dark stare as he slowly panned through all the fans in attendance with his eyes.

    The band opened with their song “Mountain Man.” As soon as the song dropped, Reese went from a cool calm zen state, right into an acrobatic, charismatic performer on cue, even hitting a full front flip and split before showing off his moves like Jagger. The small stage at Upstate Concert Hall was not big enough for Reese.

    Joyous Wolf’s performance of their song “Turning Blue,” sends chills live. The bands musical arrangement along with Reese’s powerful grunge meets blues vocals and facial expressions can make any concert goer watching feel the band’s passion for music. Reese’s vocals had that old 90’s grunge sound to it. He’s a cross between Scott Weiland and Chris Cornell. Reese especially channeled his inner Chris Cornell while performing “Turning Blue.”

    During the bands performance of their new song “Witch Doctor,” guitarist Blake Allard showed off some of his impressive skills on the hammer. Drummer Robert Sodaro would not be upstaged with a brief drum solo.

    Formed in 2014, Joyous Wolf has been recently signed to Atlantic Records Road Runner division this past March. They will continue touring through the summer when they refuel and hit the road with Adelitas Way on April 12-19, and a extensive run with Blacktop Mojo April 21-June 13. Joyous Wolf will appear at several of the year’s major annual rock festivals including Welcome To Rockville, Carolina Rebellion, Northern Invasion, Rock On The Range, and Rock USA.

    After the show, I caught up with singer Nick Reese. While captivating on stage, he is very humble and down to earth off stage, during our small chat. He was very compassionate when talking about his bandmates. He stated that after several years trying to make it, especially the last 3 years, he couldn’t have asked for better bandmates than the ones he has now. Reese said, “Not only are they really great musicians, they are like brothers to me. I would put them up against anyone.” He went on to say that Fozzy guitarist Rich Ward, said that he wouldn’t mess with bandmate and guitarist Blake Allard when it comes to playing. When talking about getting signed by Road Runner, Reese couldn’t express enough how hard he and his band worked to get there and is very grateful for the opportunity the label has given them.

    With Adelitas Way:
    04-12 – Scout Bar – Houston, TX
    04-13 – Come and Take It – Austin, TX
    04-14, Jakes – Lubbock, TX
    04-15, Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX
    04-16, Lava Cantina – Colony, TX
    04-17, XR Club – Amarillo, TX
    04-19, Launchpad, – lbuquerque, NM

    With Blacktop Mojo:
    04-21 – Las Rageous Festival –  Las Vegas
    04-27 – Welcome To Rockville – Jacksonville, FL
    05-02 – Mainstage – Morgantown, WV
    05-03 – Smiling Moose –  Pittsburgh, PA
    05-04 – Carolina Rebellion Festival – North Carolina
    05-08 – The Forge – Joliet, IL
    05-10 – Route 20 Outhouse – Racine, WI
    05-12 – Cheers Pub – South Bend, IN
    05-12 – Northern Invasion – WI
    05-15 – Spicoli’s Grill/The Reverb Rock – Waterloo, IA
    05-16 – The Shoverlhead Saloon / Hyped Up – Danville, IL
    05-17 – Fubar –  St. Louis, MO
    05-18 – The Warehouse –  Clarksville, TN
    05-19 – Sidetracks Music Hall – Huntsville, AL
    05-20 – Rock On The Range – Columbus OH
    05-23 – Jakes Backroom – Lubbock, TX
    05-24 – ock House Bar – El Paso, TX
    05-25 – The Green Room –  Flagstaff, AZ
    05-26 – The Slidebar Rock and Roll Kitchen –  Fullerton, CA
    05-31 – he Knitting Factory Concert House –  Spokane, WA
    06-01 – 3rd Wheel –  Lewiston, ID
    06-02 – Perham Hall – Zillah, WA
    06-03 – Analog Cafe & Theater – Portland, OR
    06-04 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA
    06-06 – Diamondz Event Center – Jerome, ID
    06-07 – The Gem – Idaho Falls, ID
    06-08 – The Knitting Factory Concert House – Boise, ID
    06-12 – The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
    06-13 – Streets Of London – Denver, CO
    07-13 – Rock USA – Oshkosh, WI

  • Hearing Aide: Ripe ‘Joy in the Wild Unknown’


    Boston’s seven-piece phenom Ripe attacks funk-infused rock, groove, jazz, R&B and even ska, with passion,     precision and purpose, leaving a wake on the dance floor with their debut offering Joy In The Wild Unknown. The album, due out April 6th, is a reflection the highs and lows of life and the musical connectivity in between. With uplifting tracks like Little Lighter, playful songs like Stanky, and songs about love like Downward, Joy leaves an indelible mark.

    Joy in the Wild UnknownRipe’s unbelievably tight jams , genre-bending originality and rapidly growing fan base have helped them rack up over one million Spotify streams with their fan-favorite Goon Squad, over 15,000 followers on Facebook, and landed them on the bill at venues like the House of the Blues, the Roxy Theater, and Levitate Music Festival in July in the coming months.

    Lead vocalist Robbie Wulfsohn’s distinctive and likeable chops allow him to stand on his own amidst the outstanding musicianship of Tory Geismar (guitar), Jon Becker (guitar), Sampson Hellerman (drums), Josh Shpak (trumpet), Calvin Barthel (trombone) and Nadav Shapira (bass). All seven members graduates of Berklee College of Music, this dynamic and well-oiled music machine can easily appeal to the masses and fit into any scene, from festivals to clubs and beyond!

    With two EP’s, Hey Hello and Produce the Juice, under their belts, Ripe launches straight into a musical holiday from the first track of their first full-length album. Simmering bass lines set the stage to usher in Wulfsohn’s powerful opening lines, while funkified guitar licks and a three-piece horn section glue it all together for a polished finish in “Little Lighter.”

    Joy in the Wild Unknown“Downward,” the fourth-track on the album, produced by Cory Wong of Vulfpeck, mixed by five-time GRAMMY-Winner Joe Visciano and mastered by Randy Merrill, reflects the duality of love with its catchy chorus:

    This love keeps pulling me downward

    Pulling me downward

    And I don’t mind the fall

    The fifth track, “Stanky,” swaggers onto the scene with the instruments a funky game of cat and mouse between the bass and horns, with help from the guitar to create a unique syncopation that packs a powerful musical punch.

    Ripe’s debut offering, Joy In The Wild Unknown, may be a studio recording, but it’s basically propaganda to get you out to one of their live shows. The good news is they’re about to hit the road for an extensive US tour to promote their latest album and there’s a good chance they’ll be coming to a city near you! Be sure to bring a toy to donate to the band’s efforts to collect toys for the local Boys & Girls Clubs of America (link) and give their new listen before you hit the show! 

    Key Tracks: Little Lighter, Downward and Stanky

  • Old Crow Medicine Show Announce 2018 Summer Tour

    Old Crow Medicine Show has announced their 2018 summer tour with a stop at Ommegang Brewery. The country-bluegrass group most well-known for their song “Wagon Wheel,” announced Friday, an expansive tour throughout the U.S. in support of their upcoming album Volunteer.

    Old Crow

    This will be the band’s 20th anniversary, as they plan to kick-off their tour with a two-night stint in Nashville, TN on April 20 when the band also plans to drop their latest album. Old Crow will hit Cooperstown on July 14 as part of the Ommegang Summer Concert Series. They will also be making stops in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont as well.

    OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW SUMMER 2018 TOUR DATES:

    April 20 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
    April 21 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
    April 23 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel (Sold Out)
    April 24 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
    April 25 – Charleston, WV – Municipal Auditorium
    April 26 – Charlottesville, VA – Sprint Pavilion
    April 28 – Washington DC – The Anthem
    May 3 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
    May 4 – Meridian, MS- MSU Riley Center For The Performing Arts
    May 5 – Jacksonville, FL – Moran Theater
    May 6 – St Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
    May 25 – Evans, GA – Banjo BQ Music Festival
    May 26 – Charlotte, NC – Outlaw Music Festival at PNC Music Pavilion
    May 27 – Cumberland, MD – Delfest
    June 7 – Little Rock, AR – Clinton Presidential Park
    June 8 – Robbinsville, MS – Horseshoe Casino’s Bluesville
    June 9 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
    June 22 – Cincinnati, OH – Outlaw Music Festival at Riverbend Music Center
    June 23 – Noblesville, IN – Outlaw Music Festival at Ruoff Mortgage Music Center
    June 24 – Detroit, MI – Outlaw Music Festival at DTE Energy Music Center
    June 27 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
    June 28 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
    July 13 – Cleveland, OH – House Of Blues
    July 14 – Cooperstown, NY – Brewery Ommegang
    July 15 – Greenfield, MA – Green River Festival
    July 17 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
    July 19 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
    July 20 – Providence, RI – The Strand
    July 22 – Shelburne, VT – The Green at Shelburne Museum
    July 24 – Philadelphia, PA – The Electric Factory
    July 27 – Dewey Beach, DE – Bottle & Cork
    July 29 – Floyd, VA – Floydfest
    Aug. 15 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
    Aug. 16 – Salina, KS – Stiefel Theatre
    Aug. 17 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheater

  • Hearing Aide: Bumpin Uglies ‘Beast from the East’

    As spring arrives, so does the release of Bumpin Uglies latest studio release Beast from the East.  The twelve track collection drops Friday, April 6 just as most of the country begins to wake from it’s winter slumber.  And Beast from the East is the perfect soundtrack to that ready awakening.  Packed full of reggae beats, ska energy and punk attitude, Bumpin Uglies unveil the type of album that’s perfect for telling winter to buzz off.

    Beast from the EastBeast from the East marks the band’s fourth full length studio album.  But more importantly, it also marks the band’s first release with keyboardist Chad Wright, whose arrival took the  band from trio to quartet when he joined in December of 2016.  While the album still showcases guitarist and vocalist Brandon Hardesty’s trademark catchy songwriting and clever lyrical poeticism, the addition of Wright rounds out the Bumpin Uglies sound. And that is this releases major win.  Beast from the East showcases not only the band’s growth but also the band’s potential. And despite how Hardesty may lament that he doesn’t “write songs for the radio” in the aptly titled track “Radio”, Beast from the East is full of tunes that reveal otherwise.

    The albums lead track “Could’ve Been Great” switches between edgy guitar riffs and punctuated drums to whimsical reggae cadences with lively keys.  In contrast, Beast from the East closes with the acoustic soul-searching tune “Optimism in F#”. And sandwiched in between these two songs are ten tracks that prove Bumpin Uglies is more than just a white boy reggae outfit.  Beast from the East reveals there are many vastly different sides to this band; all locked, loaded and ready to delight the band’s Uglies Nation fanbase while poised to hook new fans along the way.

    Prior to the release of Beast from the East, Bumpin Uglies treated their fans to a smattering of sneak peeks including “All in Stride”, “Hard Liquor”, “Budtender” and “Crazy”.  While “All in Stride” showcases Hardesty’s ability to write mantra style lyrics that hook you into singing along because you feel like you have been in his shoes, “Hard Liquor” flips you into party mode.  It’s still a song you want to sing along to, but it’s also the kind of song you want to play while hitting the McDonald’s drive-thru at 3am after a night of debauchery.

    “City by the Bay” pays homage to the band’s Chesapeake Bay roots.  The song is subtle, with the punchy horns and mellow timing that takes the listener on a starry-eyed musical journey as Hardesty remembers his past.  In contrast “Crazy” rides the upbeat drive of 3rd wave ska tradition while lyrically the song examines the drama and uncertainty of a dynamic romantic relationship.

    While much of Hardesty’s lyrical content can be described as introspective self-realizations, in tracks like “Apathy” or “Officer O’Herlihy”, he doesn’t shy away from writing lyrics intend to incite questioning of authorities or provoke inciteful thought. We are reminded that “freedom’s like a muscle, when not exercised it’s lost” as Hardesty encourages the listener to challenge what we are told, educate ourselves, and “read between the lines.”

    Beyond the A+ plus lyrical content, Beast from the East also showcases wonderful song structure, thoughtful musicianship and tasteful songwriting.  Bumpin Uglies beautifully melds key elements of reggae, funk, rock, punk, ska and pop while paying homage to the original inspiration.  Anchored by the impeccaible rhythm section of drummer TJ Haslett and bassist Dave Wolf, the duo lays a solid foundation on which Hardesty and Wright blend a cascade of genres.

    Wisely placed vocal harmonies only enhance Hardesty’s vocal chops, which sit on top of the band’s music like milk and honey.  In a time when the world’s music charts seem to be engulfed in autotune, mumble and a general lack of diction, Hardesty’s rich tone makes you listen.  He has a point of view and he wants you to hear it.

    Beast from the East was recorded at the Annapolis Audio labs in Annapolis, Maryland.  The album was produced by Howi Spangler, vocalist and guitarist for the alternative alt-rock outfit Ballyhoo. The album is available for pre-order on iTunes and Spotify.

    Check out Bumpin Uglies tour this spring where they will share the stage with Sublime tribute band, Badfish.

    Key Tracks: All in Stride, Hard Liquor, Radio

  • Good Nature Farms Brewery Announces Summer Concert Series

    Good Nature Farms Brewery in Hamilton has announced its first Summer Concert Series. In collaboration with Creative Concerts the “homegrown family-owned,” brewery will be home to seven upcoming concerts, starting in May through August.

    Good Nature Farms Brewery

    “We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Creative Concerts,” GNB Co-Founder Carrie Blackmore said. “We look forward to bringing nationally renowned acts and regional favorites to Good Nature Farm Brewery this summer. It doesn’t get any better than bringing folks together in our Beer Garden for great music and great beer!”

    The concerts will take place outside the brewery in their Beer Garden, where they will be serving food from their “farm-to-table kitchen.” The brewery prides itself on sustainability and and building a beer culture in, N.Y.

    The Good Nature Farms Brewery series will begin starting May, 13 with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. The brewery plans to announce more acts coming this summer. Tickets for shows went on sale Friday morning and can be purchased at CCtix.com

    Schedule:

    May 13 – Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
    May 27 – The Heavy Pets
    June 3 – The Ghost of Paul Revere
    June 17 – Amy Helm
    June 24 – Martin Sexton
    July 15 – Dark Hollow
    August 19 – Donna The Buffalo

    More will be announced on a later date.

  • Hearing Aide: Soviet Dolls ‘Hunters’

    Masters of dark synth pop Soviet Dolls strike again with their new EP Hunters. In a mere four tracks, the Rochester band flaunts their prowess at delivering decadently dark and sensual lyrics shrouded in seductive glittery electronica.

    soviet dolls huntersSoviet Dolls make no bones about their intentions to seduce the listener, starting from the first lines in the title track. “We are the hunters, we make sacrifices. We leave our mothers, cause we have appetites,” croons singer Alexandra Wendt in her deliciously sultry voice. Pulsating beats pound out beside undulating rhythms which swirl together to entice the listener into a mesmerizing hypnotic state.

    In subsequent tracks, Soviet Dolls continue to marry supernatural reveries and pop electronica in a way that will delight fans of new wave acts like Echo and the Bunnymen, The The, and The Cure who are looking for something fresh and new. The gothic storylines also hearken back to classic themes of glorification of eternal life, the thrill of the hunt, and falling in love with a phantom. Hunters is the perfect pick to listen to on a night prowling the town, or indulging in the guilty pleasure of reading goth novels.

    Follow Soviet Dolls on Facebook, and find Hunters on Bandcamp.

    Key Tracks: Hunters, Ghostlover

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