NYS Music 20​19

Author: Pete Mason

  • Ethiopian-American rapper Siimba Selassie releases video for “Bes’mam”

    Siimba Selassie, formerly known as Siimba Liives Long, recently debuted the music video for his latest single, “Bes’mam.” Directed by Nick Von Gremp, the same director behind Selassie’s critically acclaimed videos “Bad for the Soul,’ ft. Kamau, “Bes’mam” provides a stripped back window into the world of Selassie. “Bes’mam’s” simplistic aesthetic allows Selassie’s quizzical and mesmerizing bars to be the focal point of the three-minute video.

    For the uninitiated, Siimba Selassie is a Brooklyn-based musician born in New York, and raised in a myriad of places from Ethiopia and Washington DC to New Jersey.  “Bes’mam” follows Selassie’s recent critically acclaimed single “Patiently” with his group Splash Brothers that includes Allan Kingdom, Topaz Jones, Kamau, and brother Haile Supreme. 

    His debut music video, “Cocaine Biimbie,” featured the emcee return to his Ethiopian roots to play quite literally with lions and eat fire. This cut from Siimba’s 2017 project “Zemenay’s Gemiinii,” awarded Siimba critical praise from tastemakers including NPR, Noisey, FADER, Complex, DJ Booth, Hot New Hip Hop, and more. Selassie, an artist described by NPR as “sportive yet serious, playing equal parts esoteric and quizzical,” will be gearing up for the release of new sonic series VIICES coming June 2019. 

  • Long Island’s Kelly & Kat Release Their Debut Single

    There’s no doubt that Kelly & Kat are very talented. In 2014 Kelly & Kat made a commercial appearance during the American Music Awards, performing their harmonized rendition of the smash hit Let it Go. This amazing opportunity was the result of winning Disney and Kohl’s National Sing Your Frozen Heart Out Contest. Their performance was terrific and captivated millions of viewers.

    Since then, Kelly & Kat have been writing and performing while developing their unique sound and style.

    In early 2018, the pair signed on to work with Grammy Award winning No Doubt drummer, Adrian Young, and musician/producer Quinn Lamont Luke (a.k.a. Bing Ji Ling). Young and Luke produced, co-wrote, and played on all of the tracks.

    The four of them split time last summer in New York City, and in Upstate New York (near Woodstock), at the famous Dreamland Recording Studio. It was at Dreamland, where the duo recorded their first EP – Nobody Knows.

    Kelly & Kat plan to release a few originals from the EP throughout the summer of 2019. The material combines elements of pop, jazz, and rock along with their signature harmonies. The singles include songs with driving beats and themes of self empowerment as Kelly & Kat sing about lost love, self reflection, and starting over.

    This article was originally published by Under the Radar – Covering the Long Island Music Scene and appears as a special to NYS Music. Under the Radar and NYS Music work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene across Long Island. For more, visit BreslauBombers.com.

  • Premiere: Senior Living’s shoegaze EP “35mm”

    Senior Living (formerly Backseat Bullets) today debut their three track EP 35mm exclusively through NYS Music. The shoegaze/dream pop band has been performing throughout the Capital District and branching out into New England over the past three years, and changed their name as it better represented the music they were writing. Given the crowd response at Pauly’s Hotel and local House shows, Senior Living will continue to gain steam with their melodic, Pixies meets Cocteau Twins EP.

    Guitarist/singer Zack Geddies shared thoughts on the experience recording the EP: “As a band, you learn that patience is key. This is the first time we released something we’re all really confident about. Serious thought was put into each decision made and even though its just three songs, this feels like the biggest thing we’ve creatively been a part of. Everything these songs set out to do is up for interpretation but, for us they mainly indicate where the future of our music is heading, sonically. The songs are loud, but so is life and that can get overwhelming; but, then again so can life.”

    “The instrumentally expansive nature of these songs in a way reflects the time, distance and dead space that I’ve become so familiar with. Some days seem sweet, sometimes they’re abrasive, and the rest are just hollow. But, there’s always that silver lining to be found. These songs are intended to surround whoever is listening with a heavy cloak of noise and then provide uplifting relief through the shimmering of chorus laden leads and trailing reverb when needed most. The imagery used in the cover art compliments the light-dark, bittersweet nostalgia that these songs carry. We decided to title the EP 35mm because photography has been another form of expression that all of us enjoy aside from music.”

    Senior Living will perform in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont in June, then return to Albany on July 12 for their album release show at The Low Beat. For more shows check out their Facebook page.

  • Premiere: ShwizZ leaks “Boss Hog” off ‘ShwizZ II’; album release show in Nyack June 5

    ShwizZ, a one of a kind duo from Nyack, NY will release their latest album, ShwizZ II on Tuesday, June 4 on Spotify and Apple Music, with the single “Boss Hog,” a speedy, Zappa-esque jam brings to mind CBDB, with a touch of prog throughout. 

    https://soundcloud.com/shwizzband/boss-hog

    The duo, Andy Boxer (Drums/Vocals) and Ryan Liatsis (Guitar/Keys/Vocals), draws influence from classic progressive artists including Frank Zappa, Weather Report and Steely Dan. They consistently put their musical abilities to the test, delivering high intensity, musically immersive live performances. By using their skills in the studio, ShwizZ was able to recreate the feeling of listening to a record, live, in front of your face.

    Best described as a melting pot of funk and progressive rock, ShwizZ’s original sound will be sure to put a smile on your face. The band’s variety and depth allow for twists of improvisation and spontaneity with technical prowess and musical complexity.

    Over the years the group has shared bills with many notables including Jeff Beck, Primus, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Kung Fu, Particle, Dopapod, Consider The Source and more. 

    ShwizZ will hold an album release show on Wednesday, June 5th at Maureen’s Jazz Cellar in Nyack, NY. Tickets are $15 and music gets started at 8pm.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDL9dJp-338

  • Trey Anastasio to perform two solo acoustic shows at Carnegie Hall

    Trey Anastasio announced today that he will perform two solo acoustic shows at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, May 17 at 10am ET.

    The last time Trey performed at Carnegie Hall, he was joined by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Watch an orchestral version of Phish’s “You Enjoy Myself.” Read reviews of the 2019 shows here.

  • Exclusive: Ian Flanigan debuts new single “Picture You”

    Upstate New York singer/songwriter Ian Flanigan today debuts his single “Picture You,” produced by three-time Grammy winner Justin Guip (Levon Helm, Hot Tuna). Flanigan’s songwriting features husky vocals and evocative lyrics that highlight the rural landscapes of his compositions.

    “Picture You” seamlessly weaves intricate acoustics and lyricism across supportive cello arrangements and skillful percussion. The song in its entirety is concise, persuading the listener to play it on repeat.  “When the world feels like it’s about to break…” the melodious bridge sings out to the listener “…I picture you,” illustrating the comfort in familiarity—a feeling the listener will become familiar with after falling in love with “Picture You.”

    Ian Flanigan

    Flanigan’s sound — an eclectic blend of progressive folk and percussive finger-style — is reminiscent of the road less traveled, paved with poignant lyrical truths of his past. Ian is a celebrated Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk Festival finalist, and Emerging Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Artist.

    Flanigan has had the pleasure of sharing stages with Corey Glover (Living Colour), Sean Rowe, The Pedrito Martinez Group, Session Americana, Chris Knight, and Dwight Yoakam. Follow Flanigan on and Facebook, and listen to “Picture You” and watch “Give Me Color.”

    three more words

  • Haewa Commands Musical Unknown On Four Day Stint In May

    This week, Rochester’s Haewa embarks on a four-show run in May, taking them to Albany, Plymouth, NH and Burlington, VT, then back home to Rochester on May 10, where they will open up for Consider the Source at Flour City Station.

    Originally a trio, Haewa started in 2011 with a foundation of fearless improvisation. They soon transformed into the four piece band they are today, featuring founding members Collin Jones (guitar) and Ben Chilbert (bass), as well as the newer additions of Troy Evan’s (keyboardist/synth wizard) and Marco Cirigliano (powerhouse drum master). The band’s roots allow their collaboration to create a unique sound that balances the sonic landscape between utter chaos and pure bliss.

    Haewa’s matured sound encompasses unique songwriting, in depth instrumental compositions, as well as pure improvisation and vocals. Combining the spirit of rock-n-roll with trance-like, electronic influences and funk, Haewa commands their audience down the musical road less taken, into a familiar yet enlightening unknown.

    Catch Haewa in Albany on May 2, Plymouth, NH on May 3, Burlington, VT on May 4, and back home in Rochester, supporting Consider the Source on May 10.

    haewa may

  • moe. Appetit! Cook with Vinnie Amico at Summer Camp

    Calling all aspiring chefs, taste-testers and food lovers; Vinnie’s Kitchen is making a return to Summer Camp 2019! This year, moe.’s Vinnie Amico will be hosting his cooking show during the Thursday Pre-Party. Summer Camp is giving fans a chance to participate in the recording of the episode!

    All you need to do to cook with Vinnie is share a description of your favorite festival food and attach a photo/video in a post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In order to enter you must include the hashtag #VinniesKitchenSCamp19 by Friday, May 3. Then, fans will vote to see who wins the grand prize – a 4-day pass to Summer Camp, and you get to pick the recipe you and Vinnie cook together! For more info, visit Vinnie’s Kitchen.

  • Car Astor Releases 90’s Stylized Video For ‘Don’t Stop, Don’t Speak’

    New York-based electropop powerhouse Car Astor has released the new music video for her single “Don’t Stop, Don’t Speak.” The self-directed video contains elements of classic 90’s music videos by Garbage, Placebo and Foo Fighters, including fisheye lenses, loose narratives, and energetic performance footage.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqFhh_tnXws&feature=youtu.be

    “I was able to look to many of my earliest musical influences and nod my head to them with the performance aspect of the video,” says Car Astor. “It was such a blast. I really wanted to pull on the tension and desire that surrounds the lyrics of the song, and execute that in a symbolic, dark ‘me’ way.”

    “‘Don’t Stop, Don’t Speak’ is a song that really pushed me to grow as an artist, and this video did the same exact thing,” says Car. “I’m super stoked with the end result. The project was a true labor of love from start to finish.”

    Car Astor previously released “Don’t Stop, Don’t Speak” as a standalone single earlier this year, which served as the follow-up to her music video “Girlfriend”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II7iehfiJRs

    Hailing from Long Island, Car Astor first emerged into the music world via YouTube known simply as SEE, creating a viral underground presence that infected a whole legion of internet fans.

  • Celebrate 4/20 in NYC with an afternoon of free music and CBD Giveaways

    Sounds Good To Steve and Offside Tavern present a 4/20 celebration in New York City featuring O’Duo and guitarist Will Bart’s project, Johnny In The Basement. The afternoon event serves as an “unofficial” pre show for those going to see Lettuce at The Capitol Theatre, Twiddle at Brooklyn Steel or Dumpstaphunk at Brooklyn Bowl.

    The show is free and runs from 2:30-5:30pm, leaving plenty of time to get to Brooklyn, Port Chester or wherever the night takes you. There will be limited 4/20 inspired giveaways, and if you register with Eventbrite, you’ll get a buy back on your first drink. Offside Tavern is located at 137 West 14th Street in NYC.

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