NYS Music 20​18

Tag: Ponder

  • Premiere: ponder releases new single “Fits the Scene”

    Ponder this – Buffalo alt-rock group ponder (small p) today premieres “Fits the Scene,” a groove-oriented, jazz and funk inspired song arranged over dozens of shows with different musicians of varying influences as ponder’s lineup was solidified. The Buffalo alt-rock group has been on a journey since their formation at SUNY Geneseo and have found a sound and lineup that has them on a track for success.

    “Fits the Scene” was originally slated to be released in mid-2017, but when ponder’s original drummer left the band, the song was placed on the back burner while the group decided what the fate of the band would be going forward. With hard work already put into the project and with much on the horizon for the band, Gabe Birkby (guitar/vocals) and Andy Hogan (bass/vocals) chose to rally and rapidly began recruiting as many musicians in the Buffalo area who they knew would help drive the band sonically.

    “Fits the Scene” is ponder’s first release since April 2017’s These Words and acts as a definitive statement of how they have re-invented themselves. “These Words was a hodgepodge of punk, blues, funk, and indie elements — we were more or less absorbing all of our childhood influences and throwing them all against the wall to see what stuck. This new tune builds on those earlier songs like fan favorites “Toast” and “Shot Down” said Hogan. Andy Fischer (trumpet) and Paul Sottnik (keys) are also featured on “Fits the Scene.”

    Ponder’s current line up is stronger than ever with Gabe and Andy with Marcus Peters (drums) and Sam Shafer (lead guitar) helping to launch the band into its next phase. Catch them this fall across New York:

    September 14: Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY, with Litz
    September 28: The Firehouse Saloon, Rochester, NY with Adventure Dog
    October 18: TBA
    October 19: CyberCafe West, Binghamton, NY
    October 20: The Black Oak Tavern, Oneonta, NY
    November 1: Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo, NY with The Werks

  • ponder Starting Eight City Tour in June

    Ponder, known for spelling their name with a lower-case “p” and as one of Buffalo’s up-and-coming alt-rock/jam groups, is hitting the road on June 23 in Rochester for their eight city tour across New York and for the first time ever, Vermont.

    Courtesy of ponder’s website.

    Ponder was formed in 2015 as a solo project of songwriter Gabriel Birkby, but quickly morphed into a band and has become a Buffalo fan favorite. This is their first time hitting the road since 2017 when they visited spots stretching from Buffalo, clear through New York City. They’ve undergone some major line-up changes within the last six months and the group is now somewhat of an amorphous funk/rock powerhouse and are known for constantly having their friends in music hop-up on stage.

    The band’s lineup setting out for the summer tour consists of Gabe Birkby on vocals/lead guitar, Andy Hogan on bass, Paul Sottnik on keys, and Rochester’s Marcus Peters on drums.

    Tour dates:
    June 23 – Funk n’ Waffles – Rochester, NY (w/ Mother Funkin’ Planets & Freeway Revival)
    June 27 – Radio Bean – Burlington, VT (w/ The Schroons)
    June 29 – Parish Public House – Albany, NY (w/ Vicious Jimmy)
    June 30 – Lot 10 – Ithaca, NY (w/ Amongst the Monks & Lucky Old Sun)
    July 6 – Thin Man Brewery – Buffalo, NY (w/ Amateur Hockey Club)
    July 13 – Mojo’s – Jamestown, NY (w/ Cold Lazarus)
    July 21 – Funk n’ Waffles – Syracuse, NY (w/ Barroom Philosophers)
    July 27 – Cobblestone Music Festival – Buffalo, NY

    For more information visit their website or their Facebook  or Instagram. Their music can be found on Spotify and iTunes.

  • Tune into the first episode of Empire State Music Podcast

    NYS Music is proud to launch Empire State Music Podcast bringing our audience the best of bands from across New York State. With host Andy Hogan, the podcast can be found on Soundcloud and will bring the best up and coming musicians from around the state, established acts and the local voices that tie together the various music scenes from around the state. Hogan, a Buffalo resident, will host the podcast, his second after What Was I Saying? and one that Hogan sees great potential for.

    podcast

    “If nothing else, I hope this podcast contributes to the never ending effort of continuing to unify the music scene throughout NYS. There are so many incredible local acts throughout the state that are made up of some really cool cats who, in my opinion, deserve a platform to be able to really express themselves; what makes them tick, and where their creativity comes from. In order to do so, I want to get to the roots of these bands and musicians; not only how they get to where they are, but how they fit in to the grand design of music history in America, and where they are headed down the line.”

    While a student at SUNY Geneseo, Andy hosted a weekly radio show which eventually became What Was I Saying?, which he co-hosted with Paris Peters. The podcast took a back seat while Andy joined Ponder (formerly Ponder the Giraffe), but has since been reborn with a new focus on the bands and artists from across New York State, as Empire State Music Podcast. Listen to episode 1 with Tough Old Bird, a folk band out of Western New York.

  • Ponder announce upcoming WNY shows

    Ponder, one of the many rising bands from Buffalo, has five shows lined up this spring with their revamped lineup and sound. Featuring Gabriel Birkby (guitar, vocals), Andy Hogan (bass, vocals), Trevor Jennings (drums) and Paul Sottnik (keys), this jamtronica band that got its start at SUNY Geneseo is making waves out in WNY and recently released audio of “Masks” from their supporting spot with BIG Something on February 13.

    Ponder shows

    Andy Hogan shares the excitement behind the revamped Ponder:

    “We’re gearing up to get back to our favorite spots in WNY and looking forward to branching out even further throughout the state — each gig is going to be a bit different in terms of both the sound and the line-up. We’re super fortunate to have an army of musicians who are down to hop on stage with us while we continue to finalize a line-up after revamping the band in February 2018. This spring through the summer is packed with shows so far, and with the addition of our manager, Chelsea O’Donnell, we now have more time than ever to focus on writing and recording as we hope to have a new record out real soon.”

    March 31 at Thin Man Brewery, Buffalo – Rock Autism benefit event, Sonnyboi IPA release (w/ Max Muscato & Outer Harbor)

    April 13 at Lockhouse Distillery – Cold Lazarus CD Release show with special guest Ponder

    April 20 at Milkie’s in Buffalo – with Marquee Grand

    April 21 at House of Guitars Record Store Day in Rochester

    April 27 at Funk n’ Waffles Rochester – Corey Glover of Living Colour,The Alchemystics, Dave DiPrimo Band, Ponder

  • Cobblestone Live Announces 2018 Lineup including Broken Social Scene, Chicano Batman, Aqueous and more

    The Second Annual Cobblestone Live Music & Arts Festival will be held on July 27 and 28, 2018 in the heart of the historic Cobblestone district in downtown Buffalo. This year’s festival will include two outdoor main stages located on Illinois and Columbia streets, a stage inside Buffalo Iron Works, an electronic music stage/lounge inside Lockhouse Distillery & Bar, and an acoustic stage on South Park Avenue. Headlining acts include Broken Social Scene, The Sheepdogs, Turkuaz, Aqueous, Chicano Batman, Golf Clap, Andy Frasco & the U.N., Michelangelo Carruba Super Jam, Ratboys, Dynamo, Madaila, & more.Cobblestone Live 2018

    Over the last decade, the historic Cobblestone district has become a breeding ground for live music and entertainment. Cobblestone Live is a single neighborhood of bars, restaurants, and venues coming together to put on a two-day festival which will continue to grow to a national sized festival in the years to come.

    This year’s highlights will include more than 30 artists and bands across 5 stages, festival games and activities for all ages, local food trucks and vendors, beer, wine, cider, & beverage tents, VIP tickets including exclusive VIP areas and additional perks, and festival drink menu from Lockhouse Distillery & Bar and Buffalo Iron Works.

    “Cobblestone Live Music & Arts Festival is set to be an incredibly special event for Buffalo as we return for our second year,” noted Josh Holtzman, General Manager of Buffalo Iron Works and one of the planners of Cobblestone Live. “With more stages, larger acts and a greater festival experience, Cobblestone Live will certainly leave it’s mark not only on Buffalo but the music industry as a whole. In addition, our entire organization is thrilled to be working with the Child Advocacy Center of WNY as our beneficiary. Child abuse is a real problem in today’s society and we can’t think of a better cause to get behind.”

    A portion of the proceeds of this year’s festival will go to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), a one-of-a-kind service in Erie County which brings together local law enforcement agencies, mental health services, child protection, medical services, and the District Attorney’s Office under one roof to investigate, treat and support victims of child sexual abuse and severe physical abuse.  The Child Advocacy Center ensures that these young victims and their caregivers receive immediate, effective and sensitive support. Nationally, Child Advocacy Centers and their multidisciplinary teams have improved conviction rates for perpetrators of child abuse by up to 94%.

    Festival gates will open at 4pm on Friday, July 27th and at 1pm on Saturday, July 28th. Full festival passes will be $45 presale/$60 walk up, single day pases are $25 presale/$30 walk up.  VIP packages will be available for $100. Late night only passes will be announced as the festival approaches. Tickets are available immediately at www.cobblestonelive.com.

  • NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness: Round 1

    It’s March and that means it’s time for NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness, Round 1! We have brought together 64 of New York State’s up and coming bands for a friendly tournament-style competition throughout the month of March. Some of these bands you may know, some may be unknown – and that’s a good thing! These artists who hail from the Empire State are a sampling of the next generation of artists and come from all corners of the state, from Buffalo to Binghamton, from Plattsburgh to Patchogue and all points in between. Discover your new favorite band and vote for your favorites!

    These are 64 bands you might not know about, but should. NYS Music March Madness is a great way to discover a new and upcoming band in your area and show your support and love for bands you see often. We’d like to thank our regional sponsors Putnam Place, Anthology, Funk n Waffles and CEG Presents. These venues and promoters are small businesses and a sample of the backbone of the statewide New York music scene that helps artists grow and reach ever-widening audiences.

    Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

    Get to know the 16 artists in the Putnam Place region and vote below

    The Crooked North (Americana/bluegrass) vs Mikaela Davis (singer/songwriter)
    Haewa (fusion rock) vs Cousin Earth (ukulele rock/folk)
    Funktional Flow (jam/rock/funk) vs The Dirty Pennies (indie rock)
    FLOTUS (funky rock hop) vs Sprocket (high power technical jam)
    The Sea The Sea (indie folk pop) vs Eastbound Jesus (Northern rock)
    Black Mountain Symphony (symphonic groove pop) vs King Buffalo (psychedelic rock)
    Hartley’s Encore (funk/dance) vs Fondude (groove/jam)
    Of Clocks and Clouds (psychedelic/electronic rock) vs Let’s Be Leonard (jam/jazz fusion)

    Check out the 16 artists in the Anthology region and vote below

    Tart Vandelay (indie pop) vs Iudica (alternative/grunge)
    Ampevene (experimental prog rock) vs Candy Ambulance (alternative/grunge)
    Sun Parade (grunge power pop) vs Dave DiPrimo Band (alt-folk)
    Lord Electro (electronic/house) vs Folkfaces (roots folk/jazz)
    Witty Tarbox (indie/surf groove) vs Chris Eves and the New Normal (jam rock)
    Moho Collective (creative instrumental) vs Necrostalker (extreme death metal)
    Boogie Low (acid rock reggae fusion) vs Jiggawaltz (funk metal)
    Ballroom Thieves (alternative rock) vs Wavy Cunningham (New wave hip hop)

    Here are the artists in the CEG Presents region. Check them out and vote below

    ShwizZ (progressive funk rock) vs Barroom Philosophers (reggae/rock fusion)
    Dirty Blanket (bluegrass/newgrass) vs Wild Adriatic (rock n roll)
    The Late Shift (rock) vs Intrepid Travelers (funk/jazz/rock)
    Escaper (space funk psyche rock) vs Begging Angels (alt-country)
    Polyvamp (funk and rock) vs Noon Fifteen (progressive soul)
    Bad Mothers (groovy grunge) vs Space Carnival (psychedelic groove rock)
    Sophistafunk (funk/hip-hop) vs Bushicks (rock n roll)
    Cold Lazarus (reggae jam rock) vs Wurliday (soul funk)

    Get to know the 16 artists in the Funk n Waffles region and vote below

    Holly and Evan (blues alt-rock) vs Sydney Worthley (pop/folk/rock)
    The Demos (indie power pop) vs The Switch (rock/funk/blues)
    Ponder (alt rock) vs Formula 5 (jam/rock/fusion)
    Gowanus (jazztronica) vs The Other Brothers (soul/funk/R&B)
    Teddy Midnight (electro dance funk) vs Periodic Table of Elephants (garage/punk)
    Space Bacon (electronic rock jam) vs Backseat Bullets (punk/shoegaze)
    Hudson’s Crew (alt rock) vs Space Junk (progressive jam trance)
    Jess Novak Band (blues/rock/soul) vs Dark Honey (indie pop rock)

    First Round voting begins at 10AM EST on Monday, March 5, and closes at midnight on Wednesday, March 7. Second Round begins at 10AM EST on Thursday, March 8 with the remaining 32 artists. Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!