NYS Music 20​18

Tag: Al’s Wine and Whiskey

  • Chiggin is Starting to Sizzle

    Chiggin, a funk band hailing from Syracuse, has started booking tour stops through Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and NYC off of the buzz surrounding their recently released EP, “Original Recipe.”

    Max Rips frontman of Chiggin. Photo courtesy of Chiggin’s website.

    “Original Recipe” is a four-song EP containing the songs, “Funky Elbeaux,” “Stevie Wonder’s Morning Breath,” “Eggistential Barnyard,” and “Waiting for Marmalade (Between the Busses)” which keep to the bands funky nature known and loved by Syracuse locals at venues, like Funk ‘n Waffles, where they have become a fan favorite.

    The video for their debut single, “Stevie Wonder’s Morning Breath” (which was shot and directed by Kevin Brite) was released April 6th via YouTube. The video has a classic music video format jumping between a recording studio and a live performance, which accompanies the upbeat funk sound Chiggin’s carries, perfectly.

    Chiggin formed in July of 2016 in Syracuse and quickly built a name for themselves because of “their fun stage show and their untamed musicality,” according to their website. The band consists of Max Puglisi, Sam Roux, Gavin George, Nick Fields, Ethan Wojcik, Brian Caswell, and Jacob Penner and is currently pushing their plan forwards for an east coast tour in 2018 starting with some shows in Syracuse, NY.

    Upcoming shows:

    May 31 – Al’s Wine & Whiskey – Syracuse, NY
    Chiggin w/ Tiger Chung Lee (Buffalo) – 9:30pm, Free

    June 9 – Funk n’ Waffles – Syracuse, NY
    Ghost-Note (Members of Snarky Puppy) w/s/g Chiggin – 9:30, $10 Adv/$15 DOS

    For more information visit their website.

  • The Black River Release Debut Album, ‘Classic Universe’

    Syracuse’s The Black River, led by singer-songwriter Mike Powell, has released its first album, entitled Classic Universe. The soulful quintet, who take their name from the North Country river that passes by Powell’s childhood home, came together just over one year ago and have been quickly making their name known throughout New York.

    black river Classic UniverseThe album was produced by Jeff Aderman at Utica’s Big Blue North Studio and exhibits The Black River putting an impressive foot forward in its debut. In the year since the band debuted, they have opened for such artists as The Sadies, Shooter Jennings, The Trews, Mondo Cozmo and Eric Tessmer. A powerful afternoon set at last year’s moe.down also won the band new fans.

    “One of the things we always talk about when we are sculpting these songs is to be sure to listen to one another. That may sound like a very simple concept but when you’re creating a collective sound it’s important that no player be on a sonic island. We aim to be one connected land mass of sound,” Powell said when asked about the goal of his new band. “I have surrounded myself and my songs with monster players that could easily step out and flex their muscles at anytime but all of us understand the importance of doing what is best for the song first.”

    Powell’s assessment of this band is certainly true. All come from different musical backgrounds to forge a sound that isn’t easy to categorize. Longtime Powell collaborator, guitarist John Hanus’ metal chops and experimental solos add an unexpected yet welcome edge to Powell’s personal songwriting and the soulful force created by keyboardist Shane Kelsen and the rhythm section of Joe Bell and Dom Scicchitano. The band’s frequent live performances have helped hone its unique sound over the past year and the band is gelling as a unit at the perfect time.

    black river Classic Universe

    To celebrate the release of the new album, the Black River recently performed the inaugural live session for Syracuse radio show Soundcheck at SubCat Studios. You can view that peformance below. The show, hosted by long time Syracuse radio personality and SAMMYS Hall of Famer, Dave Frisina, has been on the air since 1979. It showcases local and regional musicians each Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. on 105.9 The Rebel.

    Frisina’s new series is called Live @ SubCat Studios and will feature a different local act performing live in front of a studio audience each month.

    The Black River’s Classic Universe is available now on all streaming platforms. Recent performances have included stops at the del Lago Resort and Casino in Waterloo and Three Heads Brewing Company in Rochester. They’re also scheduled to perform at Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge in Syracuse in March and Funk ‘N Waffles Syracuse in April. Follow The Black River on Facebook or at their website for information on upcoming performances.

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