Tag: Intrepid Travelers

Jam for Tots 2018 line up shows across the state

Tis the season to enjoy live music and support a great cause, across New York State! Annually, NYS Music works with bands and promoters across the state to help those in our local communities who are less fortunate and in need of a healthy dose of cheer this holiday season. Combining live music performances and the spirit of giving during the holiday season are a natural combination, and we present these 4 Jam for Tots 2018 shows where fans are able to enjoy the best music across the state, and help kids out at each show.

Or stop by Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs all month long and drop off a toy!

December 6 – Stewart House – Athens

In the Catskills, join John Pinder and the gang for Open Mic on the first Thursday of the month. The jam lends a hand to the Toys for Tots drive this month by asking musicians and patrons to bring along an unwrapped toy for a less fortunate child. Jam for Tots has become a cherished tradition at The Stewart House. The list opens up at 6:30pm, be sure to ask the bartender or the host John Pinder to get signed up! All are welcome. Be it a solo, duo, group, spoken word, or stand up session, head down to the Stewart House to share your talent.

December 13 – Parish Public House – Funk Night in Albany Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

It’s a Funk Night XMAS Ugly Sweater Party ft. Hayley Jane & Members of Kung Fu, West End Blend, Wurliday, & More! Come out and sing some funky XMAS classics with us at this special holiday rendition of NYS Music’s Albany Funk Night! 5$ off with a toy for our Jam n Tots drive.

On December 13, celebrate a Funk Night Christmas with an Ugly Sweater Party at Parish Public House in Albany! Join the band and sing some Christmas songs at this special holiday rendition of NYS Music’s Albany Funk Night! Take $5 off the cover charge when you bring a toy for our Jam for Tots drive.

The Funk Night Christmas lineup includes Hayley Jane, Beau Sasser (Kung Fu), Chris DeAngelis (Kung Fu), Justin Henricks (Wurliday), and Bryan Brundige and Phil Chow (The Chronicles). Tickets are $15, or $10 if you bring a toy.

December 15 – Nietzsche’s – Intrepid Travelers and Folkfaces

Join two of Buffalo’s best groups, Intrepid Travelers and Folkfaces, as they team up for an incredible night of jam, rock and much more. Bring an unwrapped gift for a 2-12 year old and the gifts will be gathered by USMC representatives. Give back to those most in need this holiday season and enjoy a great show at the same time! $5 , 21+ unless accompanied by a parent/guardian

December 21 – Caffe Lena – A Very Leonard Christmas

Let’s Be Leonard returns to Caffe Lena for their annual holiday show! Expect to hear your favorite Leonard boys performing the holiday classics sprinkled with their signature Leonard flavor!

December 4, 2018
Intrepid Travelers Follow Up Stellar Solstice Festival with Second Round of Summer Tour Dates

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Intrepid Travelers are following up their successful Solstice Festival with the second leg of their summer tour. IT heads out to Ohio and Michigan next week, then double back to New York, hitting Jamestown, Geneva and Buffalo. Summer tour rounds out with performances at Night Lights Music Festival in Sherman on Aug. 23 and Beau Fleuve Music Festival in Buffalo on Aug. 26.

Intrepid Travelers Summer Tour 2018 Leg II:

July 25 – Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH **Ween Preparty & Afterparty
July 26 – The Knickerbocker – Grand Rapids, MI
July 28 – George’s – Canton, OH
Aug. 3 – Mojo’s – Jamestown, NY
Aug. 4 – FLX – Geneva, NY
Aug. 7 – Larkin Square – Buffalo, NY
Aug. 23 – Night Lights Music Festival – Sherman, NY
Aug. 26 – Beau Fleuve Music Festival – Buffalo, NY

July 18, 2018
Intrepid Travelers Celebrate Solstice in a Most Unique Way

For the third annual “IT Fest,” Intrepid Travelers treated their fans to a new location, a new vibe, and a new name: “Solstice.” At the gate, guests received bracelets that said “Start Your Orbit,” alluding to the astronomical significance of the summer solstice connected to the Earth’s orbit and our own personal orbit. The weekend featured 5 sets of Intrepid Travelers, each with a different flavor, yet connected together with the central theme of the solstice and the symbolism intertwined in the event: a central culminating point, a turning point, a point beyond which things will be different.

Friday featured two sets, with covers alluding to the solstice/astrological symbolism such as “Ain’t Wastin Time No More” by Allman Brothers Band and a pair of Pink Floyd tunes, “Astronomy Domine,” and “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun.” They also gave some nods to their Cinco En Mayo residency, with Donny playing a solo piano version of the “Jurassic Park Theme” by John Williams before launching into “Randoh’s Island.” Another choice cover was a 30+ minute bust out version of “Playing in the Band” that by the time they returned to, most audience members had forgotten was the original song being played.

Saturday featured a day set lasting about two and a half hours, as well as two lengthy sets at night. The day set continued with nods to the solstice symbolism, opening with a lengthy rendition of “Here Comes Sunshine” and also featuring “Here Comes the Sun” as well as originals that allude to the symbolism such as “Funnel” and “Stand the Heat.”

After a long break waiting for the sun to start setting, the band returned for the first of 2 sets at night Saturday. Keeping things fresh, the first set featured saxophonist/flutist Ellen Pieroni of Folkfaces for the entire set. The set featured original tunes owing themselves to horns such as “Party People,” “Trek It Out,” and “Get IT to You,” but also saw the band cover a wide array of influences, from Steely Dan’s “My Old School,” Snarky Puppy’s “Grown Folks,” Lettuce’s “Relax,” an upbeat bluegrass version The Beatles’ classic “When I’m 64,” the Derek Trucks Band arrangement of “Sahib Teri Bandi/Maki Madni” – a Middle Eastern folk song originally by legendary Pakstani vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Herbie Hancock’s impressively difficult jazz funk fusion tune “Actual Proof.”

The last set showed no signs of fatigue from IT, as they treated fans with a set of some of their most lengthy and ambitious compositions as well as jam vehicles. Again nodding to the solstice symbolism of the festival and their Cinco en Mayo residency in one, the band opened with their own arrangement of a “Star Wars Medley” which follows as such: “Star Wars Main Theme > The Force Theme > The Emperor Theme > Imperial March > Imperial Jam > Imperial March > Rebel Strike > Rebel Jam > Cantina Band.” After a lengthy hip-hop fusion jam at the end of one of many new originals, “Shitpost,” IT played a heartfelt cover of “I Know You Rider.” Capping off the festival the only way they could, IT gave one final nod to the solstice theme with their ambitious composition “Final Voyage,” signifying the final voyage of the band and the audience before returning back to Earth.

One festival attendee, Leah Keller, summed it up best: “Solstice aka ‘IT Fest’ was an absolute blast last weekend. Best part of the summer so far. Thanks to the band for playing super tight, the covers were also on point and having Ellen Pieroni play with them for a whole set was a cherry on top of a perfect weekend. I highly recommend more homies to attend next year. It was a retreat away from the doldrums of real life at a beautiful new venue and full of super fam/purely amazing humans. I had a blast playing and boogieing down with everyone. Oh did I mention I paid $20 for 5 sets of music and camping in paradise? See you next year!!!”

Solstice setlists:
Solstice – The “G” Lodge – Hannibal, NY

Friday, June 22
Set 1: Woolify, Mind Wander, Ain’t Wastin Time No More(1) > On the Grass, Astronomy Domine(2), Lonely Skies, Captain Jon

Set 2: Photo Booth Youth > Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun(2) > Photo Booth Youth, Jurassic Park Theme(3) > Randoh’s Island, Maddy & Anna, Playing in the Band(4), On Inside

(1) Allman Brothers Band
(2) Pink Floyd
(3) John Williams
(4) Grateful Dead

Saturday, June 23
Set 1: Here Comes Sunshine(1), Dark Disease, Funnel, Here Comes the Sun(2), Authority > Stand the Heat

Set 2: Party People, My Old School(3) > Grown Folks(4), Relax(5), When I’m 64(2), Sahib Teri Bandi/Maki Madni(6), Actual Proof(7), Trek It Out, Get It to You (entire set with Ellen Pieroni on alto sax/flute)

Set 3: Star Wars Medley, All About It > Boomerang, Shitpost > I Know You Rider(1), Final Voyage

(1) Grateful Dead
(2) The Beatles
(3) Steely Dan
(4) Snarky Puppy
(5) Lettuce
(6) Devon Case on Guitar,
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Derek Trucks Band arrangement)
(7) Herbie Hancock

July 15, 2018
Catching up with the Artists of 87/90

The up and coming artists of NYS Music 87/90 have already had an incredible summer and are gearing up for the heat of Festival Season. The artists of 87/90 include the best up and coming bands from across New York State, and they’re coming to a town near you across the Northeast and Midwest this summer. Check out what they have coming up and catch these bands before they blow up!

Formula 5 will host their second annual Rock the Dock Music Festival in Lake George, NY. The Lake George Steamboat Company hosts the event once again, with the three steamboats surrounding the pier to form an amphitheater for fans to enjoy the sounds of Formula 5, Soule Monde (featuring Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski from Trey Anastasio Band), Strange Machines and Let’s Be Leonard. The show is only $7 in advance or $10 at the gate. More info can be found here. Most recently, Formula 5 performed at Disc Jam Music Festival, welcoming the Turkuaz Horns for “The Birch Tree” and Rob Compa of Dopapod for a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Swamp Music.”

Folkfaces will embark on the Fried Chicken Dreams Tour that includes 27 dates in July and August, spanning 14 states and 2 countries. The band will be returning to some familiar venues, as well as making their debut in a plethora of new cities and venues. Folkfaces will be joined along the way with tons of special guests, including General B and the Whiz (Montreal, ON); Swimmer and Kendall Street Company (Burlington, VT); Jared Hamilton (Lexington, KY); The Ithaca Bottom Boys (Ithaca, NY).

Space Carnival recently performed at WoodHenge Music Festival and welcomed Ben Carrey from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong sat in for “2001” and Scott Hannay of Mister F/Wild Adriatic joined for “Regal Krad,” Jeremy Kraus of Space Carnival joined Ben for his solo set. At Disc Jam, the Oneonta jammers were joined by Rob Compa on “Regal Krad” and Smash Mouth’s “All Star”

Let’s be Leonard will kick off Rock the Dock Music Festival at 4pm this Friday, and then head to Alexandria Bay to perform at Riverboat Bar on Saturday, July 14. On July 27 they will release their album Static and will hold a film screening of the movie that accompanies that album at the Park Theater in Glens Falls, NY. Then they’ll be at Mile of Music Festival in Appleton, WI from August 2-5 and back home September 1-2 at Adirondack Independence Music Festival in Lake George. Check out their recent video for ‘Most Days’ below.

Cousin Earth will be playing several upcoming festivals and shows in support of their new album Human Music. Notable performances include the Great South Bay Music Festival, Down to Earth Festival, Mazzstock, Meeting of the Minds, and a show with lespecial at the 8×10 in Baltimore. Watch their van cover of “S.O.B.” by Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.

Intrepid Travelers will be taking some time to finish recording an album they’ve been working on since January, and have announced the second half of their summer tour dates, including:

July 7 – Taste of Music Festival – Buffalo, NY
July 25 – Columbus, OH
July 26 – Holland, MI
July 28 – Canton, OH
August 3 – Jamestown, NY
August 4 – Geneva, NY
August 7 – Buffalo, NY
August 23-25 – Night Lights Music Festival – Sherman, NY
August 26 – Beau Fleuve Music and Arts Festival – Buffalo, NY

July 11, 2018
Intrepid Travelers wrap up May Residency at Nietzsche’s, look ahead to Solstice Fest on June 21

Intrepid Travelers performed the fifth and final show of their Cinco En Mayo Residency at Nietzsche’s on Thursday, May 31. “Freedom” was the theme for the night and the band took that as an opportunity to be “free” of any theme, and to play all the original tunes that had yet to be played this month. “Stand The Heat” was aborted as an audience member shouting “Free Bird!” was challenged to come up and play the song.

“Free Bird” featured Sean MacNamara (aka Free Bird Guy) from Mosswalk on guitar and vocals. “Stand The Heat” featured MacNamara on guitar. “Get IT To You” was dedicated to former IT bassist David Neimanis and featured teases from each residency theme: “Get Up Offa That Thing” from the James Brown Birthday show (May 3), “When I’m Sixty-Four” from Over 65 Night (May 10), “End Credits Theme” from Spongebob Night (May 17), and “Hedwig’s Theme” from John Williams Night (May 24). Watch the entire show below:

https://www.facebook.com/intrepidtravelersfamily/videos/1959591820740349/

Setlist: Dark Disease > On Inside, All About It ~> Authority > Stand The Heat > Free Bird(1)% > Stand The Heat% > Get IT To You%

(1) Lynyrd Skynard
% Sean McNamara from Mosswalk on electric guitar

On June 21, celebrate Solstice at the 3rd annual Intrepid Travelers festival. The festival returns this year with a new name, on a new weekend, in a new location, with a new vibe! Join IT at the beautiful “G” Lodge in Hannibal, NY for an unforgettable weekend of community, experience, and most of all, music. Enjoy 5 sets of Intrepid Travelers, special guest musicians, open jams for fellow musicians, vendors, and an intimate gathering like no other. Get tickets here.

June 5, 2018
Intrepid Travelers celebrate composer John Williams at penultimate Cinco en Mayo Residency show

Intrepid Travelers kept their month long residency at Nietzsche’s going with a skillful tribute to the movies with a theme by the name of John Williams. Opening up with a Star Wars Suite, which included “Main Theme,” “Force Theme,” “Emperor Theme,” “Imperial March,” “Rebel Strike,” and “Cantina Band” all seamlessly linked together for an opening segment you have to see. Throughout the rest of the night, the band performed original IT arrangements of John Williams compositions from Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter, along with originals mixed it.

https://www.facebook.com/intrepidtravelersfamily/videos/1952134884819376/

Setlist: Star Wars Suite, Maddy & Anna, Jurassic Park Theme > Randoh’s Island, On the Grass > Indiana Jones Theme > On the Grass, Boomerang, Groove’s On You > Hedwig’s Theme > Groove’s On You

Stay tuned for this week’s show, the final of the residency, joined by Mosswalk with a theme of Freedom. More info here.

May 30, 2018
Night Lights Music Festival 2018 Full Lineup Announced

This year’s Night Lights Music Festival will feature music on three stages on the weekend of August 23-26, 2018. For the eighth year in a row, The Heron in the town of Sherman will be transformed into a spectacle of lights and sounds. The lineup includes the music of Lotus, Motet, Aqueous and more. Several tribute sets are also scheduled: Wild Adriatic (Led Zeppelin), Space Junk (Disco Biscuits) and Psychedelic Jukebox (paying homage to the history of psychedelic rock).

Among the other acts are Wild Adriatic, Intrepid Travelers, Root Shock, lespecial, Folkfaces, and Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People. In addition to music, festival-goers will be able to enjoy camping, yoga, hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities. Local food and beverages and arts & crafts vendors will be on site. Early bird tickets are on sale now through the festival website.

The complete lineup includes: Lotus, The Motet, Aqueous, Octave Cat featuring Jesse Miller (Lotus), Eli Winderman (Dopapod), Charlie Patierno, Anomalie, Tropidelic, Bumpin Uglies, lespecial, Pappy (of Cabinet), Wild Adriatic (Led Zeppelin Tribute), Upstate Rubdown, Boss Tweed and the Carpetbaggers, Gatos Blancos, Funktional Flow, Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People, Dynohunter, Root Shock, Space Junk (Disco Biscuits Tribute), Holy Hand Grenade, Lazlo Hollyfeld, Intrepid Travelers, Folkfaces, Cold Lazarus, Psychedelic Jukebox, Cypher, Kaleidoscope Sky, The Good Neighbors, Able Footing, and Neon Veins.

May 21, 2018
Intrepid Travelers bring out the oldies on ‘Over 65 Night’ of Cinco en Mayo Residency

For week 2 of Intrepid Travelers Cinco en Mayo residency at Nietzsche’s, the theme was oldies, for “Over 65 Night” found the band members dressed as old men – except for Donny who was dressed as an old woman, and played songs congruent with the theme. The show opened with the debut of a new original song, “Mind Wanderer,” introduced as being written by Sam. The lyrics were changed to “I lost my grandma” rather than “I lost my mind” to reference the theme for the night.

“When I’m 64” welcomed Marc Kabigting and Ellen Pieroni on clarinets, and the band did a double-time, bluegrass version of the song. “My Old School” and “Grown Folks” welcomed Pieroni back to the stage, this time on alto saxophone. The show Intrepid Travelers ‘Oldies’ show concluded with an extended version of “Once in a Lifetime.”

https://www.facebook.com/intrepidtravelersfamily/videos/1937168176316047/

Setlist: Mind Wanderer(1), Funnel ~> Over 65 Jam > Funnel, Old Man(2), When I’m 64(3)%, Lonely Skies, Touch of Grey(4), My Old School(5)$ > Grown Folks(6)$

Encore: Once In a Lifetime(7)

% with Marc Kabigting and Ellen Pieroni on clarinets
$ with Ellen Pieroni on alto saxophone
(1) Original debut, lyrics changed to “Grandma Wanderer”
(2) Neil Young
(3) The Beatles, played double time bluegrass style
(4) Grateful Dead
(5) Steely Dan
(6) Snarky Puppy
(7) Talking Heads

The third week of IT’s Cinco en Mayo residency will feature Cosmic Brownie and celebrate Band Geeks and Spongebob Squarepants!

May 13, 2018
Intrepid Travelers Kick off Cinco en Mayo Residency with Funky Tribute to James Brown

Intrepid Travelers kicked off their Cinco en Mayo residency at Nietzsche’s with some funk and celebrated the birthday of James Brown by bringing in a front man and a reed section. “Get Up Offa That Thang” featured a breakdown drum and bass solo, “Sex Machine” saw Eric Crittenden taking over Donny Frauenhofer’s keyboard rig and “The Boss” had a hip hop jam and heavy “Xxplosive” (Dr. Dre) teases.

“Goodness Sakes, Look at Those Cakes” was highlighted by solos from the entire sax section and Critt rapping about the “cakes” he and the band saw. The James Brown show concluded with a stretched out take on the Intrepid Travelers original “Photo Booth Youth.” Ellen Pieroni joined the band for the encore with a performance of Vulfpeck’s “Funky Duck.”

https://www.facebook.com/intrepidtravelersfamily/videos/1929817953717736/

Setlist: Pass the Peas(1)$, Get Up Offa That Thang(1)$ > Sex Machine Bridge(1)$ > Sex Machine(1)$, The Boss(1)$ > Goodness Sakes, Look at Those Cakes(1)$, Superbad(1)$, Photo Booth Youth

Encore: Funky Duck(2)%

(1) James Brown Band
(2) Vulfpeck
$ with Eric Crittenden on lead vocals and alto saxophone, Ellen Pierono on alto saxophone, Jon Lehning on tenor saxophone, and Kyle Ohlsen on baritone saxophone
% with Ellen Pieroni on alto saxophone

The second week of IT’s Cinco en Mayo residency will feature Haewa and celebrate the Golden Years on over 65 night!

May 5, 2018
Listen to Episode 2 of Empire State Music Podcast

Hailing from Buffalo NY, Intrepid Travelers combines elements of rock, funk, blues and jazz along with a powerhouse performance certain to make you move and groove. From their home studio in Buffalo, the band shares stories of influence, time on the road, and what exactly a “jam band” is anyway. Join host Andy Hogan for the second episode for Empire State Music Podcast.

https://soundcloud.com/empirestatepod/intrepid-travelers

April 19, 2018