The 39th annual Old Songs Folk Festival of Traditional Music and Dance will be held June 28-30 at the Altamont Fairgrounds in Altamont, NY. The three-day event celebrates Folk, Celtic, Quebecois, Roots, Americana and World music from countries across the world as well as new music from contemporary songwriters.
Old Songs Folk Festival is an interactive experience for the whole family. Attendees are encouraged to sing, dance, jam, and listen. Old Songs invites audience members to join jam sessions, take part in teaching sessions, sing sacred harp, join in with great dance bands or take a Friday afternoon class.
There are three main stage concerts, each featuring multiple artists on Friday & Saturday from 6:30 -11:00 p.m. and Sunday 3:30 -7:00 p.m. During the day on Saturday and Sunday there are more than 100 performances, dances, interactive workshops, and jams in areas around the grounds. An extensive artisan area and diverse food concessions are also available.
Tickets may be purchased for Old Songs Folks Festival online, by phone at 518-765-2815, or at the festival gate. Full festival details, including a complete performance schedule is available on their website.
Jeff Austin, 45, passed away in Seattle, WA on Monday, June 24. This news comes after an announcement on Saturday that he was canceling his upcoming music sets due to a medical emergency. The cause of his death has not been released.
The news was confirmed on June 25 with an official statement, reading, “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of a beloved family member, mandolinist, singer, songwriter and founder of The Jeff Austin Band, and Yonder Mountain String Band, Jeff Austin. Austin passed away June 24, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. He was son of Eileen Austin, husband to Devlyn, and father to Lily Rose (12), Penelope (5), and Jude Patrick (2). He was a dear friend whose music touched the lives of so many, and will be sorely missed. If you would like to make a contribution to help his family, please visit Sweetrelief.org.”
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of a beloved family member, mandolinist, singer, songwriter and founder of The Jeff Austin Band, and Yonder Mountain String Band, Jeff Austin. Austin passed away June 24, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Tweet 1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/SN9izRamck
News of his death quickly traveled through the jam and bluegrass scenes, with many taking to social media to express their condolences.
We are deeply saddened that we have lost Jeff Austin. The UM organization mourns his passing, while celebrating the joy & laughter he brought to so many of us. Our thoughts are with his family & the wider community.
Austin co-founded Yonder Mountain String Band in 1998 and was with the band through some of their biggest career moments. Yonder Mountain brought the jamgrass genre to the forefront of the live music circuit. In 2014, Austin left Yonder Mountain to pursue solo projects including The Jeff Austin Band, The Here And Now, and Grateful Grass. In the last few years, the mandolinist had returned his focus to 30db, an acoustic duo with Umphrey’s McGee guitarist Brendan Bayliss. They released One Man Show in 2010, toured in support of the album intermittently and eventually began a tradition of a Chicago holiday concert. In May 2019, Jeff Austin canceled his performances with his band and 30db at the Summer Camp Music Festival, citing a family emergency.
Austin was born in 1974, raised in Illinois and studied musical theater at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He first picked up a mandolin in 1996 with little experience, but quickly became a master at the instrument. Loved and renowned by fellow musicians and fans alike, this a huge loss for the music community.
Austin performed with moe. at the 2008 moe.down in Turin, NY.
https://youtu.be/lQ9I5-_s7gI
Yonder Mountain String Band performs Danny Barnes’ “Death Trip” at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, on 7/15/2011 with special guests Ronnie McCoury and Jason Carter
Sing Out! New Yorkcelebrates New York’s leading role in championing equal rights through innovative concerts, close encounters with today’s most adventurous artists and composers, interactive workshops, collaborative community events, film screenings, and artistic happenings throughout Troy and the New York Capital Region.
The Albany Symphony is committed to telling the stories of our time, place, and history through collaborations between composers and fellow artists, and through the creation of new music. In late May and early June 2019, we will shine a light on New York State’s leading role in social justice history through Sing Out! New York, this year’s American Music Festival and free concert tour. To frame an artistic discussion surrounding the fight for inclusion and equality in New York State, we drafted a broad team of artists, including a number of emerging composers who represent our richly diverse community and partnered them with other creative artists and community organizations from myriad disciplines. Then we invited them to tell stories, about the heroic figures, defining events and related issues of some of the most defining equal justice movements in our history. We paired remarkable new and recent works by composers who have led the fight for social justice in New York State alongside established works, and we designed immersive events that celebrate the things that bring us together as New Yorkers and as human beings.
David Alan Miller, Albany Symphony Music Director
The Albany Symphony’s American Music Festival will return to Troy with performances and happenings at EMPAC, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Troy’s Monument Square starting Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 9. Curated by Grammy Award-winning conductor and Albany Symphony Music Director, David Alan Miller, the festival will turn downtown Troy into a hub for new American concert music featuring 50 new or recent works by 38 composers, including 27 world premiere performances. The Festival includes works by acclaimed composer-activist David Del Tredici, and four-time Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer, John Corigliano, as well as performances by composer/performer Molly Joyce, the Argus Quartet and soprano Hila Plitmann. Sing Out! New York kicks off on Thursday, May 30 with First Draughts Reading Session & Beer Tasting and runs through Sunday, June 2 in Troy. The musicians, then embarks on a four-concert regional tour in Schuylerville (June 6), Schenectady (June 7), Albany (June 8), and Hudson (June 9), New York.
The American Music Festival Sing Out! New York explores the storied legacy of New York’s rich cultural history in the fight for inclusion and equality. Two milestone anniversaries frame the festival: the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.
“I began researching the history of the suffragist movement last year in advance of its centennial. I discovered that many of the seminal events of the movement happened right here in New York. At the same time, I knew that June 2019, marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, that amazing moment in Greenwich Village when members of the LGBTQ community stood up and demanded true equal rights for all. By exploring these movements together, we send the message that the fight for social justice and equal rights never includes just one interest group but applies to all of us.” – David Allen Miller
The stories of the activists who led these movements, and their significance today are the basis for each festival event. On Friday, May 31, the Dogs of Desire, combining popular culture and classical ensemble, will premiere five commissions inspired by the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention. The Albany Symphony will premiere a suffragist inspired piece by composer/performer Tanner Porter on Saturday, June 1 alongside Pop-Pourri with soprano Hila Plitmann, David Del Tredici’s first in his series of works based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and John Corigliano’s Piano Concerto with pianist Phillip Edward Fisher. Albany Symphony will record both Pop-Pourri and the Piano Concerto for commercial release.
Sing Out! New York is a terrific addition to the slate of events taking place across New York State this summer to celebrate WorldPride and commemorate Stonewall 50, and the concerts will inspire travel to the Capital-Saratoga vacation region. Empire State Development and I LOVE NY are excited to support this great series of events and the always innovative work of the Albany Symphony.
Ross D. Levi, New York State Executive Director of Tourism
According to Executive Director Anna Kuwabara, “The American Music Festival is the annual blossoming of the Albany Symphony’s commitment to the music of our time, to giving voice to the stories, aesthetics, thoughts, and emotions of our society right here, right now. The Festival is a hub for new music, and it is our opportunity to celebrate and unite our community, to transform lives and be transformed through the power of music. The four free Sing Out New York! Tour events are our joy and honor to present. The program in each community includes Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, sing-alongs, and summertime favorites. The centerpiece of each is one of the newly commissioned works from the Dogs of Desire concerts earlier in the Festival. Along with great music, we look forward to bringing attention and business to each site with family activities, food trucks, fireworks, and other festivities.”
Tickets and Festival Passes to the American Music Festival Sing Out! New York in Troy May 30 – June 2, 2019 are on sale now and can be purchased through the Albany Symphony Box Office: 518-694-3300, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or online. Performances take place at EMPAC Concert Hall on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and Troy’s Monument Square
The American Music Festival Sing Out! New York Tour concerts at Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville, Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady, Albany’s Jennings Landing, and Basilica Hudson are free and open to the public.
2019 American Music Festival Sing Out! New York Calendar can be found at their website.
A Trey Anastasio documentary, Between Me And My Mind is slotted to hit select North American theaters on July 17. The three-year production follows Anastasio through the writing and recording of his recent solo project Ghosts Of The Forest and also features documentation of the tremendous preparations for Phish’s 2017 New Years celebration at Madison Square Garden.
Premiering at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival this past spring, the documentary spans 100 minutes with deeply personal footage of the prolific musician, including conversations with his friends, family and bandmates. Delving into the icon’s songwriting process, the film is an exploration of his methods, a nod to his genuine character and a showcase of one of the most talented and revered artists of our time. Watch the official trailer for Between Me And My Mind below.
At The Well in Brooklyn, hosts Mike & Lauren invited 55 craft brewers, several local food vendors and two regional bands to come together for the 6th Annual Five Boro Craft Beer Fest. Attendees enjoyed 100+ beer and cider choices, gourmet eats and one hell of a rock ‘n’ roll show in an open, sunny setting splashed with bright and colorful street art, providing a pleasurable experience for both the palate and the eye.
The day began with a lot of hustle and bustle; craft beer vendors buzzing around, ice trucks loading in, and the bands plugging in for soundcheck. Individual tasting glasses featuring the rockin’ Five Boro Craft Beer Fest logo were lined up at the registration table, the guest line formed and at 4 P.M. the party began. The event was an all-inclusive one, wristbands provided attendees with all you can eat, drink and dance for the duration of the afternoon into the evening.
Beers were flowing, toes were tapping and it was time for some snacks. Staying true to the well balanced theme of the day, the food vendors provided festival goers choices of all things sweet, salty, savory, spicy and tangy to compliment the plethora of liquid libations. Traze, a Queens-based food shop that offers up gourmet “grandma-style” pizza were slinging slices as fast as the brews were pouring. Little Chef, Little Kitchen, a personal chef service served up “adobo chicken and waffle bites,” the sweet and savory combo hit with the crowd. More top-notch tastiness was brought to the party by The Huntress Whiskey n’ Wings, with delicious chicken wings, Sigmund’s Pretzels,with the ever-favorite salty pretzels and Kalahari Biltong, providing samples of “air dried, thinly sliced beef” a provision that beer drinkers, hikers, campers, festival goers alike would find handy. None went hungry at the 6th Annual Five Boro Craft Beer Fest, that is for sure.
Little Chef Little Kitchen serving up “adobo chicken & waffle bites”
Traze slinging little slices of pizza heaven.
The Huntress dishing out a variety of addicting chicken wings and flavors.
Kalahari Biltong sharing their “air dried thin beef.”
Next, the tunes. First to take the stage was Black Brant, a rock trio hailing from New Jersey. Comprised of Pat Seiler (guitar), Mike McCabe (bass), and Shawn Latham (drums), the threesome got the crowd moving with a wide array of cover songs ranging from alternative, reggae, blues and classic rock. Sing-a-longs and “rock-on!’s” were heard coming from the dancing crowd.
After a short changeover, Brooklyn-based band Of Clocks And Clouds hopped on stage. The stage and crowd warmed by Black Brant, they started right into a strong set of rock ‘n’ roll. Of Clocks And Clouds is comprised of Brooklyn-bred brothers Joe Salgo (guitar, vocals), Tom Salgo (lead guitar, vocals), Nick Salgo (drums), Russian-born Yuri Soussov (bass), and Connecticut native Zander Ryzinski (keys/synth), forming a powerful force that is both predictable and imperceptible; much like clocks and clouds. The first set featured several original songs and closing out with a saucy rendition of Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love.” OCAC opened the second set with “Worst Look,” into an impressive, hard hitting cover of Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” led by drummer Nick Salgo on vocals. The sun was starting to set, the crowd was having a blast and the band jammed out six more big, emotive, rock tunes closing with another bang “Who I Am,” led by drummer Nick Salgo. The song is new to their repertoire, but quickly became a staple fan-favorite.
Black Brant, rockers from New Egypt, New Jersey Brooklyn band Of Clocks And Clouds close out the night.
The 6th Annual Five Boro Craft Beer Fest was an incredible success, a great time was had by all. Sunshine, delicious food, tasty brews, great music, friends and family all made for an event that will be attended year after year. For more information on this event, the breweries, provisions, and musicians, visit the Five Boro Craft Beer Fest website.
Brooklyn Bowl was host to the 3rd annual Relix Live Music Conference this past week, featuring speakers from every corner of the live music industry. Attendees gathered, eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible from the scheduled panels, ready to gain inspiration in one of the most iconic venues in the live music scene. Peter Shapiro, Seth Hurwitz, David Fricke and Warren Haynes were a few of the legends that sat on stage to share their insight.
Throughout the two-day conference, there was one common denominator – community. It is clear that the live music industry has created a family comprised of staff, fans and artists themselves. The live music scene provides a sense of “home.”
Day 2- A Conversation With Warren Haynes & Rolling Stone’s David FrickeDay 2- In Conversation: Peter Shapiro & Seth Hurwitz
The Relix Live Music Conference showcased entrepreneurs, activists, journalists and everything in between. One of the conference’s highlights included a panel on social media featuring Roger McNamee, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist and author of the book Zucked. In the panel moderated by Dean Budnick of Relix, McNamee discussed the ubiquity of social media in our lives today and what companies like Facebook and Google do to retain as much data about us as they can. One particular poignant comment by McNamee was that despite his resistance to Facebook, the bands he’s involved in need the platform to stay viable.
Not only did Brooklyn Bowl and Peter Shapiro host a great networking and professional event, they also hosted some incredible bands to close out the event.
Midnight North and Lucky Chops took the stage, one that had just been warmed up by a who’s-who of the music industry, to provide a night of music that certainly did justice. Midnight North is a San Francisco based Rock/Americana band with a tight, timeless sound. Guitar, vocals and charisma from Grahame Lesh led the band through a thoughtful set of true rock ‘n’ roll.
Lucky Chops, a New York City-based brass band with a self-dubbed genre, “Happy Horns,” closed out the night with a huge breath of wind instrument spectacle. Comprised of Josh Holcomb (trombone), Daro Behroozi (tenor sax), Joshua Gawel (trumpet), Charles Sams IV (drums) and the incredible Raphael Buyo, aka Patchy Brian Sousaphone. The band closed out the third show of its Brooklyn Bowl album release residency in support of their soon-to-be-released crowd-funded album with a hefty mix of new songs and their longtime repertoire. Keeping with the beat of the previous two shows, Lucky Chops welcomed several friends to the stage including former bandmates, high school band classmates, and a special guest from Snarky Puppy.
The drama surrounding Woodstock 50 continues. It is estimated that Lang will need upwards of $30 million to produce the three-day event at Watkins Glen International Speedway, Aug 16-18. According to Billboard, sources have stated that Lang has until Friday May 10 to raise the funds, which is in addition to the $30 million that Japanese-firm Dentsu has already spent on prospective headliners.
Sources have also stated that despite Dentsu and other investors pulling out that Lang is adamant that Woodstock 50 will go on. Lang has stated that CID Entertainment would be stepping in to replace Superfly as the festival’s producer, but the company has not officially confirmed. A representative for Lang has approached both Live Nation and AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) about investing in the festival, and both promoters were not interested.
To make matters even more complex, Lang has accused former investors Dentsu of of taking $17 million from a festival bank account, attempting to talk acts into dropping out of the event and pleading with stakeholders to break their contracts. Lang made the accusations in a letter dated Monday, however representatives from Dentsu have stated they did not receive the letter. “We only would ask that you honor the law and your obligations, stop interfering with our efforts to put on this wonderful event and return the $17 million you improperly took,” Lang wrote. Lang also accused Dentsu of “treachery” and wrote that the company’s actions “are neither a legal nor honorable way to do business.” Lang went on to state “We also have evidence that Dentsu representatives have gone so far as to say that should the talent back out of Woodstock, they would be seen favorably by Dentsu and that this could result in their performing (at) the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where Dentsu is a major organizer,” Lang wrote. “In these actions too, Dentsu has acted not only without honor, but outside of the law.” Lang went on to say, “In the end, since Dentsu has already abandoned Woodstock, all I ask for is that Dentsu walk away peacefully and allow me to deliver to the people a 50th Anniversary Festival.”
Now in its 15th year, Mountain Jam will be taking place at Bethel Woods Center for The Arts, home of the original 1969 Woodstock Festival. Bethel Woods is one of New York State’s most pristine amphitheaters located in a picturesque setting in the Catskill Mountains. The event will feature on-site camping and offer car camping as well. There will be 3 stages: a covered amphitheater, a 2nd stage on the lawn area & a terrace stage in a Greek- style amphitheater. The festival will also offer on-site activities including walking tours of the 1969 Woodstock site each morning, daily yoga, free entry to the The Museum at Bethel Woods and more. The VIP Program has been enhanced for 2019 with the addition of CID Entertainment. Learn more about VIP offerings here. There are new hotels in the area, Resorts World Catskill and The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark are two of the new accommodations. There will be shuttle buses running from both.
The 2019 Mountain Jam is going back to it’s roots, getting “Back To The Jam.” Tickets available now online.
Night two of the five night Colorado run took place at a hip little venue in Avon, located in the Vail Valley. Agave, a traditional Mexican restaurant by day – live music venue by night, hosted Aqueous and BIG Something for an intimate show. The welcoming vibe continued with a crowd of Colorado residents and again, familiar faces from back East. Agave filled up while the band completed soundcheck; the excitement from fans was palpable. Situated on a cozy corner stage, Buffalo’s groove-rockers were ready to get the crowd moving.
Holding true to their “cant stop, won’t stop” mantra, it was only fitting that the set opener was “Strange Times,” from the 2012 album Willy is 40, which segued beautifully into a highly anticipated “The Median.” Next up was an exceptionally fun bust-out of the Gary Numan song “Cars,” played only one other time 467 shows ago on 7/28/14. The set concluded with a soaring, extended “Kitty Chaser (Explosions).”
After the set concluded and Aqueous load out was complete, the opportunity arose to sit with Evan McPhaden (Bass/Synth) for a conversation about touring, songwriting and his roots as a musician. The exchange started, Evan spoke about how it felt to be back in Colorado and being on tour with North Carolina’s BIG Something. Very happy to be back in CO, Evan said he’s been excited to be playing new venues and sharing the tour with BIG Something. Stating that a perk of a co-headlining tour allows time to enjoy the show as well as perform. Delving a bit into his involvement in the creative side of things, it was uncovered that Evan contributes heavily to the songwriting process. On Color Wheel, he wrote “Weight of the Word,” the music for “Split The Difference” and “Mandela Effect,” which was a NYS Staff voted Best Album of 2018. When asked about McPhaden’s hand in songwriting, he humbly downplayed his efforts even though he is known as a gifted writer and composer.
Evan began playing music at a young age. Encouraged by his father, whom played bass, Evan picked up the guitar to join in on jams with his dad. He gave it his all, but one day he picked up a bass guitar and he said it just “felt right.” As far as bass-lines go, McPhaden pulls out some low end grooves that provide the heartbeat for both melodies and jams that Aqueous is known for. Giving credit to his rhythmic partner-in-crime Rob Houk, Evan explained that since Rob joined the band he feels much more confidence and flow when performing, and this is certainly apparent on Color Wheel.
The conversation with Evan concluded with some real love for the AQuantainces. Evan shared his appreciation and respect for their fans, stating that watching a fan sing “every single word to every single song” was incredibly moving. Looking forward to the next stop on the tour, the band prepares for more travel through the mountains and more adventures at new venues. Next stop, Winter Park at Ullrs Tavern. These shows will be available on Nugs.net for streaming with a subscription. Full set list for the Agave set can be found below. Tour dates for the Aqueous/BIG Something tour can be found here.
February 14, 2019 Agave, Avon, CO
Set one:Strange Times > The Median, Say it Again > Cars1 > Kitty Chaser (Explosions)
Animas City Theater in Durango, CO, a venue nestled in La Plata County, is where Buffalo’s Aqueous kicked off their five night Colorado run. Co-headlining a 20-date tour with BIG Something, Aqueous has once again proven that they are a fundamental force in the Colorado music scene. The 270 capacity venue filled up quickly with Colorado residents and familiar faces, that made the trek from the East Coast in support of their favorite band.
Aqueous opened the Durango set with “Second Sight,” a fan-favorite from the Element Pt. I (Live 2017) album. Next the band broke out “Mosquito Valley Pt. 1,” right into a high energy “Numbers and Facts.” Aqueous then reached into their cover song archive and busted out The Band’s “Ophelia,” last time played 92 shows ago on 12/9/17. The set ended with some of the most loved songs in their catalog, “Don’t Do It,” “Weight of the Word” and “Uncle Phil’s Parachute.”
After the show I had the opportunity to chat with David Loss (Guitar/Keys/Vocals), discussing the Aqueous fan-base, band-mates, growth and gratitude. Excited to be back in Colorado, Loss expressed sincere appreciation for the support the band receives from their Colorado based fans. Aqueous is cultivating a steadfast group of supporters across the nation, noted for their familial vibe. Upon my mention of the loyal fan-base otherwise known as AQuaintances, Dave lit up and stated, “I love them, they really are the best.”
Dave Loss is gaining notoriety as one of the most skilled, actively touring guitarists in the industry. Technical and composed, Dave’s guitar tone is unmistakable, evoking sentiments that keep the crowds returning show after show. Recently sponsored by PRS Guitars, Loss and his guitar-wielding counterpart, Mike Gantzer, have an undeniable bond on stage and often come together as one. Balanced, intense and emotive, the partnership of Loss and Gantzer brings about a show experience that has catapulted Aqueous to the front lines in their genre. When discussing what it’s like playing with Gantzer, Dave explained that the two are growing and maturing their sound with every show and that he really loves the non-competitiveness of their musical relationship.
While Aqueous has often acknowledged the influence of jam-veterans moe., both musically, personally and in a business sense, Dave Loss talked with me a bit about some of his other favorite music to listen to. Radiohead takes one of the top spots in his mind and the extreme differences in artistic styling from album to album is what he enjoys most about the band.
At the conclusion of our chat, Dave again reiterated how lucky he feels to be a part of this band, having the incredible crew, the loyal fan-base and the brotherly bond with his band mates. The future is bright for Aqueous and they are certainly poised for incredible success.
The Colorado run rolls on tonight with a Valentine’s Day show at Agave in the town of Avon. The shows will be uploaded for streaming on Nugs.net with a subscription. Tour dates for the rest of the Aqueous & BIG Something tour can be found here.
Official Setlist– Animas City Theater- Durango, CO 2/13/19
Second Sight, Mosquito Valley One>Numbers and Facts, Ophelia* >Don’t Do It, Weight of the World, Uncle Phil’s Parachute
* The Band cover (last time played): 12/9/17 (92 shows)
After the set concluded and Aqueous load out was complete, the opportunity arose to sit with Evan McPhaden (Bass/Synth) for a conversation about touring, songwriting and his roots as a musician. The exchange started, Evan spoke about how it felt to be back in Colorado and being on tour with North Carolina’s BIG Something. Very happy to be back in CO, Evan said he’s been excited to be playing new venues and sharing the tour with BIG Something. Stating that a perk of a co-headlining tour allows time to enjoy the show as well as perform. Delving a bit into his involvement in the creative side of things, it was uncovered that Evan contributes heavily to the songwriting process. On 
