NYS Music 20​18

Tag: Let’s Be Leonard

  • 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!

    jam for tots 2018

    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!

  • Let’s Be Leonard tour will spread the holiday cheer throughout New York

    With fall holiday vibes steadily taking over New York all November, Let’s be Leonard will be kicking it off by spreading their extremely versatile and energetic jazzy music all month. The high spirited jam band has announced several shows even including a free night at Putnam Place for Thanksgiving Eve.

    With stages scattered throughout Albany, Oswego, Plattsburgh, and Saratoga Springs, the acoustic vibes set for these evenings will be relaxing for any group. Audiences will experience the band’s talented line-up with Karl Bertrand (Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar), Matt Griffin (Lead Guitar), Connor Dunn (Saxophone), Chris Cronin (Bass Guitar) and Paul Gauy (Drums) also including a lively collaboration at their Albany show with the Leah Woods Band.

    Perhaps the most anticipated night scheduled is their annual “A Very Leonard Christmas” which as their last date in Saratoga, will be traditionally held at Caffe Lena. They are fresh off a series of nights at the Barrelhouse in Saratoga Springs and a post-Phish show at the City Beer Hall so they are more than familiar with these attractive venues.

    The passionate story of Let’s Be Leonard itself is what makes them thrive and reminds their loyal fanbase why their style is unique. All five band members quit their jobs, invested what money they had into equipment and a tour bus, and have been living together in a music-centric collective lifestyle since early 2015. This dedication has incited the support and admiration from local radio and also allowed them to have the courage to expand on their national tours. For those looking to enjoy the Leonard experience, see the dates below.  Tickets for Caffe Lena are already available.

    Upcoming dates:

    Nov. 9 – The City Beer Hall – Albany, NY w/ Leah Woods Band
    Nov. 16 – The Brick Bar – Oswego, NY
    Nov. 17 – The Monopole – Plattsburgh, NY
    Nov. 21 – Putnam Place – Saratoga Springs, NY (Thanksgiving Eve)
    Dec. 21 – Caffe Lena – Saratoga Springs, NY (A Very Leonard Christmas)

    Check out the latest single from the band’s sophomore release Static below and their bandcamp page here.

  • Premiere: Let’s Be Leonard release “Channel 2” video off ‘Static’

    Let’s Be Leonard has released the second video off their sophomore album Static, for the track “Channel 2.” The video features art design by Toni Nastasi and whimsically depicts the central focus as a love affair between Nick, and his mop-lover, Sally. “Channel 2” follows on the heels of “Most Days,” released earlier this summer.

    The band will release one more single prior to the release of the full film. The feature will be shown at intermissions during a three-day stint at The Barrelhouse in Saratoga Springs on October 11, 12 and 13. Let’s Be Leonard will also appear in Troy at River Street Pub for Troy Night Out on September 28 with Great Mutations and Better Pills.

  • Formula 5 Host Another Successful Rock the Dock

    On a beautiful day in Lake George, Formula 5 held their Rock the Dock Festival provided family fun and good music for the plethora of attendees that made their way through the gates. A portion of Rock the Dock’s profits were donated to the Fund for Lake George, a non-profit organization focused on keeping the Lake clean and healthy.

    Rock the Dock is a very intimate festival, taking place on the dock for the famous steamboats the Mohican and the Lac du Saint Sacrement, with the Minne Ha Ha docked there for the event as well. Attendees were able to go up on any of the three boats to watch the music, enjoy the full service bars, or look at the stunning scenery of some of the Adirondack mountains standing tall around the lake. For food options, the festival featured trucks from the Plaid Pancake and O’Pablo’s Mexican Food, a father/son snow cone tent, and a tent selling hamburgers and hot dogs.

    formula 5

    The music kicked off with Saratoga Springs-based group Let’s Be Leonard, a 5-piece rock outfit that put forth a very unique sound while still providing the listener with the familiarity of that “jam band” tonality. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Karl Bertrand addressed the crowd saying how different it was to have the audience on boats after performing the first few songs, seemingly enjoying the uniqueness of the festival. The group ended their set with an impressive segment of an original tune “Good” into the Grateful Dead’s classic “Estimated Prophet,” into another original “Princess on the Run” which was one of the highlights of the set.

    Next up was the New England-based electrofunk group Strange Machines, a nice change of pace after the rock stylings of Let’s Be Leonard. Strange Machines play the Saratoga/Albany area often, so the crowd started to fill in as their set continued. The group’s set included many fan-favorites, such as “Klepto,” “Canopy,” “Motion Potion,” and a newer one, “Wook in a Onesie.” Strange Machines also covered a Grateful Dead song, following in Let’s Be Leonard’s footsteps, performing their take on the classic Bob Weir-penned “Feel Like a Stranger,” which had the crowd boogieing like it was 1980 all over again.

    Trey Anastasio Band)’s Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski funk duo Soule Monde were the final band to take the stage before the headliners, Formula 5, performed, and they brought the house down with their danceable grooves and jazzy melodies. This was one of the first few gigs Paczkowski played since the removal of his brain tumor, and he didn’t waste any time getting back into the swing of things as he coaxed those familiar Milkman sounds out of his vintage keyboards. The pair performed a mixture of songs from their newest LP, Must Be Nice, and their previous EPs, and they had the whole crowd dancing by the end of the set. Before they concluded the music, the duo brought up Formula 5 guitarist Joe Davis to sit in on their tune “Bernard,” where he locked in with Ray’s keyboard melodies and got to show off some of his chops to the crowd before F5’s set.

    As the sun started to set over the lake, Formula 5 took the stage for the final set of the evening. The group performed a range of their original music, from one of their newer songs, the uplifting  “Blue,” to a bust-out with the electronic “Nu-Gen.” One of the highlights of the set was the debut of the classic Warren Zevon tune, “Lawyers, Guns, and Money,” often covered by Widespread Panic, which had the crowd singing along and dancing the night away as the last glimpses of sunlight disappeared behind the mountaintops. Another bust-out from the night was the blues-jazz fusion tune “Excalibur,” a song that’s been shelved for a while, which was met with ecstatic cheers from the crowd as the jam at the end of the song drew to a close. “Nu-Gen” was the jam of the night, featuring an electronic jam that isn’t typical of Formula 5’s style, lasting around 15 minutes. After a short encore break, drummer Greg Marek came out to say a quick thank you to everyone attending, and the group broke into their another new song, “Breaking Glass.”

    Rock the Dock featured a lot of local, talented bands, and unique vendors that provided attendees with the ultimate small festival experience. The festival will return in 2019. More videos and audio from some of the sets will be coming in the future.

    Setlists

    Formula 5
    Come Along, Pedro* -> Excalibur, Sad Bed* -> Lawyers, Guns, and Money^, Blue ->
    Nu-Gen

    E: Breaking Glass

    * Unfinished
    ^ Warren Zevon cover, debut

    Soule Monde
    Slide B, Whassat, The Story, Take My Hand, Jody Grind, Allah Uya, Bernard*, Tango

    *with Joe Davis (Formula 5, guitar)

    Strange Machines
    Golden Rule > Remote Dream > Golden Rule, Canopy, Wook In a Onesie > Moose Soup, Motion Potion, Feel Like a Stranger*, Klepto

    *Grateful Dead cover

    Let’s be Leonard
    Sunrise, Foresight, Open Your Eyes, How Do You Fall In Love?, Good > Estimated Prophet* > Princess on the Run

    *Grateful Dead cover

  • 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).

    artists 87/90

    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”

    artists 87/90
    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

    artists 87/90

  • Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar Announces Summer 2018 Lineup

    The Riverboat Bar announced their Summer 2018 Live Music Series. The fourth-annual live music series in Alexandria Bay, features national touring bands from around the Northeast — heavily focusing on promoting original music. There will be a total of 25 bands performing throughout the series — 14 returning and 11 new bands will make their debut. Most of the shows are free to attend.

    New this year will be a 1000 Islands concert cruise boat tour party. On Friday, Aug. 24, The Blind Owl band will perform two sets on the water from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show will take place on one of Uncle Sam’s tour boat. This will be a ticketed event. Afterward, Folkfaces are set to play an afterparty at The Riverboat Bar.

    This weekend to close out June, Wild Adriatic performs Friday and Mike Powell & The Black River is to play Saturday.

    July’s bands includes: Aqueous; Broccoli Samurai; Formula 5; Funktional Flow; Balkun Brothers; The Melting Nomads; Chris James & Mama G; and Let’s Be Leonard.

    August’s bands include: The Old Main; The Northmen; and Adapter. Then coinciding with Alex Bay’s annual 10-day Bill Johnstons Pirate Days event, The Riverboat Bar booked Nina’s Brew, Gang of Thieves, Quantum Cosmic (featuring members of Annie in the Water, Lord Electro, Knot Dead and Raisin Head) and Barroom Philosophers.

    The Riverboat Bar is located at 15 Church St., Alexandria Bay, NY

    Friday, June 29 — Wild Adriatic
    Saturday, June 30 — Mike Powell & The Black River
    Friday, July 6 — The Melting Nomads
    Saturday, July 7 — Balkun Brothers
    Friday, July 13 — Funktional Flow
    Saturday, July 14 — Let’s Be Leonard
    Friday, July 20 — Aqueous
    Saturday, July 21 — Chris James & Mama G Band
    Friday, July 27 — Formula 5
    Saturday, July 28 — Broccoli Samurai
    Friday, Aug. 4 — The Old Main
    Saturday, Aug. 5 — Adapter with special guests The Northmen
    Friday, Aug. 10 — Nina’s Brew
    Saturday, Aug. 11 — Quantum Cosmic featuring members of Annie in the Water, Lord Electro, Knot Dead and Raisin Head
    Friday, Aug. 17 — Gang of Thieves
    Saturday, Aug. 18 — Barroom Philosophers
    Friday, Aug. 24 — Blind Owl Band (Uncle Sam’s Boat Tour Party)
    Friday, Aug, 24 — Folkfaces (Blind Owl Band afterparty)
    Saturday, Aug. 25 — To be announced

  • Let’s Be Leonard share first official music video “Most Days” off upcoming album “Static”

    Let’s Be Leonard have shared the first glimpse of their crowd-funded album Static in the form of “Most Days,” the band’s first ever official music video ever. The full movie of Static will premiere on July 27 at Park Theater in Glens Falls, NY, followed by two sets of Let’s Be Leonard. More info can be found here.

  • Dead Ahead: Second Rock the Dock Festival

    Things you can buy with ten dollars: one beer in NYC, a chipotle burrito, almost a full priced movie ticket, OR you could save three dollars and buy a FULL priced ticket to Rock the Dock Music Festival.

    Ready to toot their own foghorn for the fest’s second gathering, bringing their familiar Upstate, NY jams back to the steel pier of the Lake George Steamboat Company on July 13, 2018.

    Driving a tough bargain, the improvisational powerhouse is offering advanced ticket sales for just $7 a pop to enjoy a fun-for-all-ages summer day, filled with live music, vendors, beer, food and crafts. Boasting a handpicked lineup of Soule Monde (Featuring Ray Paczkowski & Russ Lawton of Trey Anastasio Band), Strange Machines and Let’s Be Leonard, the entertainment can be appreciated from any of the three historic Lake George vessels that appropriately dock around the stage, acting as musical grandstands and welcoming wandering folk to explore free of charge.

    “Rock the Dock was started as a way to celebrate the Lake George Steamboat Company‘s 200th anniversary by doing something that the company has never done in its history, hold a concert on the pier. The free concert was a way of giving back to all the loyal patrons as well as showcase the talents of local artists and food trucks. This year’s festival will also be focused on giving back, with 25% of all ticket proceeds benefiting the FUND for Lake George, to help with their efforts to keep the lake clean and pristine for years to come,” Luke Dow, event manager for Rock the Dock, shared about bringing the event to the docks on Lake George.

    Saratoga Springs’ Let’s Be Leonard kick things off at 4 pm for an hour long set of rock n’ roll jazz explosion before passing the baton to New England-based Strange Machines at 5:15 pm for a melting pot of funky rock and livetronica fusion. At 6:45 pm, Soule Monde will take the stage, featuring Russ Lawton and fellow Trey Anastasio band member, Ray Paczkowski. An ideal union of swagger and raw talent, the duo is colorful, bold and highly responsive to one another’s artistry. Lake George’s own Formula 5 will once again take shape as this year’s headliner at 8:15 pm. 

    “It’s pretty cool growing a band from such a little town. We play all over the Eastern watershed and to have so many people gather in a place that molded who I am, it’s pretty special,” said drummer Greg Marek. “This place is pretty special. I’m just happy I can share the beauty of the lake along with our music to such wonderful people.”

    If the music and cheap ticket price isn’t enough to reel you in, food trucks like The Plaid Pancake, Wood Shack Pizza and Sunshine Catering will keep your bellies full while a beer truck and bars on all three ships will keep your thirst quenched. Vendors will include Buffalo Bannon Designs and Adirondack Aromatherapy as well as other unique craftspeople selling soaps, oils, jewelry, festival gear and more.

    Day-of ticket prices for this year’s festival are $10 for ages 12 and up, and is free for everyone under 11. Advance tickets are for sale for only $7 at rockthedocklakegeorge.com. 25% of the ticket proceeds will be donated to Mayor Blais’s FUND for Lake George to help in it’s efforts to keep Lake George clean, pristine, and free of invasive species.

    Visit Lake George on July 13, support local causes, vendors and artists, and get ready to Rock the Dock!

  • Formula 5 Gets its Own Ben & Jerry’s Shake, Hosting Rock the Dock Fest in Lake George

    Albany-area jamband, Formula 5 has lent its name to a new shake in Capital District Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops. The band is also set to host its Rock the Dock Music Festival in Lake George on July 13.

    formula 5 shake

    The Formula 5 Flavor Shake combines the iconic Cherry Garcia, Totally Baked and Phish Food ice creams with mini M&Ms and milk. It is available throughout the summer at scoop shops in Saratoga Springs, Albany and Lake George. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the shakes will benefit the FUND for Lake George and Friends of Five Rivers.

    Albany scoop shop co-owner Mike Sperduto said of the shake

    “Bringing Ben & Jerry’s and Formula 5 together to mix up a shake just made sense. From The Grateful Dead and Phish to Willie Nelson, we keep our eyes on the smile, music and ice cream, so taking this to a local level made sense, and especially with the commitment of a band who embraces our values really solidified it for us.”

    Watch the Formula 5 commercial advertising the new shake below:

    The band is also set to host its second annual Rock the Dock Festival on the dock of the Lake George Steamboat Company in Lake George on July 13. In addition to the host band, other artists performing at Rock the Dock include, Soule Monde (Featuring Ray Paczkowski & Russ Lawton of Trey Anastasio Band), Strange Machines and Let’s Be Leonard.

    Luke Dow, event manager for Rock the Dock, shared background on bringing the event to the docks on Lake George:

    “Rock the Dock was started as a way to celebrate the Lake George Steamboat Company’s 200th anniversary by doing something that the company has never done in its history, hold a concert on the pier. The free concert was a way of giving back to all the loyal patrons as well as showcase the talents of local artists and food trucks. This year’s festival will also be focused on giving back, with 25% of all ticket proceeds benefiting the FUND for Lake George, to help with their efforts to keep the lake clean and pristine for years to come.”

    Tickets for this year’s festival are $7 and available at the Rock the Dock website.

    Formula 5 recently covered the Rush classic, “La Villa Strangiato” at the Hollow Bar and Kitchen in Albany. This performance marks the first time the band has covered Rush in a live setting.

  • Adirondack Independence Music Fest 2018 Initial Lineup Announced

    The Adirondack Independence Music Fest 2018 is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing festivals in the Northeast. This year’s festival is taking place Sept. 1 and 2 at the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in Lake George and features two sets from both Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Lucid along with a host of other national and regional acts.

    Additional artists scheduled to perform at the 2018 festival include Keller Williams, Pink
    Talking Fish, Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime, Lespecial, Formula 5, Jen Durkin & the Business,
    Steal Your Peach Band, Gratefully Yours, Swift Technique, Goose, Let’s Be Leonard, Root
    Shock, the Melting Nomads and LDF (Ladies Drink Free), with more bands to be announced
    soon. The festival also plans to announce a big headliner in late July.

    Music runs from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00pm each day on 2 alternating main stages at the festival
    grounds, followed by late night performances each night at local venue, King Neptune’s until
    3:00 a.m.. Goose, LDF (Ladies Drink Free) and Gratefully Yours have currently been announced
    for late night performances at King Neptune’s. Additionally, there will be a free kick-off party
    on Friday, August 31, with performances scheduled for both Shepard Park in downtown Lake
    George and King Neptune’s. So far, The Funky Dawgz Brass Band have tapped for the kick-off
    party, with additional bands still expected to be announced.

    Early bird tickets for Adirondack Music Fest 2018 are on sale now and are priced at $70 for the weekend or $170 for weekend VIP tickets. More information can be found at the festival’s website.
    Meanwhile, check out the Mirth Films promo video for this year’s event below.