NYS Music 20​19

Author: Zachary Belfer

  • In Focus: Amoramora Cuts into the Jam Scene

    Amoramora might be the new kids on the block in the jam scene, but these rocky mountain boys are becoming quite the road warriors, where they are gaining more and more momentum through an unbreakable comradery, as well as great musical talent and exploration. Their 21-date spring tour is coming to a close, with stops in St. Louis, Cleveland, Nashville, Macon and New York, performing at the infamous Cutting Room on April 6, 2019.

    This quartet consists of Danny Evans on guitar and vocals, Eric Levine (bass/vocals/trumpet), Michael Lenssen (trumpet/EWI/keys/vocals), and Tyler Hobbs (drums/precussion/vocals). Amoramora blends Funk, bluegrass, jazz and African Highlife, with a main theme of positivity guiding their sound. The band has a great commitment to consistently changing setlists and expanding their extensive catalog of original material.  

    Zach Belfer: How would you describe Amoramora to a music fan that has never heard of you before?

    Danny Evans: It’s like a s’more – crunchy, warm, melty and tasteful. 

    ZB: How did you come up with the name Amoramora?

    DE: To us it means More Love. It’s a made up word inspired by a pet snake we knew in college. 


    ZB: What venues would you like to play that you haven’t played yet?

    DE:Too many great places to pick one… but playing the Brooklyn Bowl or Capital Theater would be pretty mind blowing.

    ZB: What was your favorite memory of this tour?

    DE: I think that our show in Cincinnati on April’s Fools Day was one of the most creative and dynamic shows we have ever played. It was seriously fat, with tons of tease and laughs throughout. 

    ZB: Tell us a fun fact about Amoramora, that fans wouldn’t know about. 

    DE:Both the bass player (Eric Levine) and the keys player (Michael Lensse) have a degree in Jazz Trumpet. Eric went to University of Colorado and Mike went to University of Miami (FL). 

    ZB: Where can we find your music? 

    DE: Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify, Archive.org, and written on the caves of Altamira.

    Setlist: Window To The Stars, Diamond Phillips > Spirit Of Adventure, Rafiki’s Expedition*

    Notes: 1 set, 45 minutes, opening for Hayley Jane & The Primates. Danny teased The Flintstones,Mike teased Swingtown and Eric teased In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida in Diamond. Spirit featured a Round The Wheel tease and an In The Streets / 70s Show Intro tease. Mike also teased Rhapsody In Blue in Spirit. Rafiki’s featured Eric on Trumpet and Dan Montgomery sitting in on Bass. 

  • The Record Company Sabotage The Capitol Theatre

    On Friday April 5, The Record Company made their debut at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. A cold and rainy evening did not deter fans from a night of foot stomping soulful Rock and Roll, that included covers of the Beastie Boys and Grateful Dead.

    Their sound incorporates slide guitar, distorted bass, Mark Cazorla’s Ludwig drum kit, and the enormous vocals of Chris Vos. It was a joy to see fans young and old come out and enjoy and appreciate a hard working rock band starting to make a name for themselves in the music scene.

    The Record Company formed in a living room in 2011, playing farmer’s markets parking lots and in front of crowds of three, putting in the time to build this three-piece band to the powerhouse it has become. “Tears have been shed, stress has happened, Fuck it; it keeps you together,” said bass player Alex Stiff. All that time and experience shines through the music of The Record Company, showing why the popularity of this band is growing daily.

    In a world full of mumble rap and this week’s newest pop star, it is a relief to see a hardworking band like The Record Company gain traction and success. Their music is refreshing and reassuring that Rock and Roll is here to stay.

    The Record Company – Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY

    Setlist: Baby I’m Broken, On The Move, Rita Mae Young, New Speedway Boogie, Goodbye to the Hard Life, Hard Day Coming Down, The Movie Song, Life to Fix, Off the Ground

    Encore: This Crooked City, Sabotage

  • In Focus: A Benefit for Creative Music Studio

    On Wednesday April 3 The Brooklyn Bowl played host to a Benefit for Creative Music Studio. An amazing lineup of musicians including Billy Martin, Oteil Burbridge, Joe Russo, Marshall Allen, Dave Harrington, Cyro Baptista, Jonathan Goldberg and many more paid tribute to an amazing cause with two hours of jamming – blending of many different styles of music in true fashion of the foundation. The culmination of the performance came when founder Karl Berger conducted this amazing group of musicians, just as he’s done since he began this foundation.

    Karl Berger, Ingrid Sertso and Ornette Coleman founded the Creative Music Studio in 1971. Their Goal was to establish a nonprofit organization focused on improvisation and musical cross-pollination that complemented musician’s academic studies. It’s a place where music as a universal language can be explored and expanded. The organizations main program was a place where over 500 hundred performances were recorded. Hundreds of guiding artists lived, played, and shared musical wisdom with thousands of participants many who went on to become well know musicians.

    Support more of the amazing work being done at Creative Music Studio.

  • In Focus: Brooklyn Bowl Debut For The Allman Betts Band

    Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is. As the cold winter days wind down and the sun shines a little longer, new life is brought back into the dark places. There is no one who needs that more than the Allman Brothers family right now, after terrible loss almost halted everything. It looked like the end for many fans and this legendary music. That mantle of great live music tradition was left in limbo until The Allman Betts Band made their highly anticipated debut at Brooklyn Bowl.

    Devon Allman and Duane Betts have joined forces to create The Allman Betts Band, with Barry Oakley Jr. (Son of Original Allman Brothers Band Bassist), Johnny Stachela, percussionists R. Scott Bryan and John Lum, to feature new music, songs from their solo projects and classic Allman Brothers songs in honor of The Allman Brothers’ 50th anniversary.

    Wednesday night was the inaugural show for the band and fans of all ages came out in curiosity to see what this band was going to bring to the table. By the third song, when Duane played the opening notes to his father’s “Blue Sky,” it became very clear that this band would be a force to be reckoned with. Along with amazing renditions of “Dreams” and “In Memory OF Elzabeth Reed,” this band showed that it had more to offer for the Allman legacy. Original songs “All Night” and “Good Ol’ Days,” both are set to be on the bands debut album, that will be released early summer.

    Don’t miss this band. They are fantastic; Proof that their music is as thick, and rich, as blood.

    Setlist: All Night, Melodies are Memomries, Blue Sky, Left My Heart In Memphis, Taking Time, In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed, Multi Colored Lady, Seven Turns, Mahalo, Purple Rain, Dreams, Good Ol’ Days,

    Encore: Shake Down Street

  • In Focus: The Mighty O.A.R.

    For two decades O.A.R. has continuously shown why they are one of the top acts in music. From sold out shows in some of the most famous venues across the country to multiple chart toping hits, and millions of albums sold worldwide. With the release of their ninth album The Mighty O.A.R. the band has embodied what it means to be mighty.

    The Mighty O.A.R.

    A few days before the albums release date the band invited a small amount of media and fans to Sony Square in New York City for a performance of some of the new material and a short Q&A. The state of the art Sony space worked with the band to set up something that replicated what happened in the studio, lead singer Marc Roberge Said “The reason why we did this was because we wanted you all to see this, this is kinda what we do everyone has their job their world we sit in rooms like this and create something from nothing.” They played two tracks off the new album “Miss You All The Time” and “California” in an acoustic round setting showing the amazing bond twenty years can bring between artists.  

    The new album is out today, Friday March 29, and brings a whole new approach to making a record than what fans and the band are used to hearing. Up until now O.A.R. has made records the same way just about everyone else makes records, run and gun. You work and record straight through until the album is complete, but for their first album in five years the band wanted to try something new and perfect the craft. O.A.R. changed the way they wrote and adopted the motto “is it aging well” does that song sit well with the band day’s, weeks later. This album is deep and meaningful with inspiring lyrics that just make you feel good.

    O.A.R will hit the road this summer in support of this album be sure to check them out, and see for your self the power of The Mighty O.A.R.

  • Keeping The Blues Alive With Samantha Fish

    On Thursday, March 21, blues artist Samantha Fish played to a sold out audience at Sony Hall. The historic vaudeville theatre from the 1930s, recently renovated and reopened as New York City’s newest premier music venue, was at capacity for a night of the blues. Now as Buddy Guy once said, “The Blues will never die, it may go away for awhile but there will always be someone who loves it enough to chase it and make it relevant again.” Samantha Fish is continuing the blues legacy and making fans pay attention again. Her deep soulful voice combined with the fact that she shreds on guitar in four inch heels makes her a must see.

    Setlist: American Dream, Hello Stranger, Don’t Say You Love Me, You Can’t Go, Blame It On The Moon, Lost My Self, Little Baby, Blood In The Water, No Angels, Chills and Fever, Need You More, Somebody’s Always Tryin, Gone For Good, Daughters, ENCORE: Crow Jane

  • Mike Gordon Sells Out Asbury Lanes

    On Saturday, March 16, Mike Gordon played to a capacity crowd at Asbury Lanes, a new Jersey Shore venue brought to you by The Bowery Presents. The Phish bassist’s solo outfit is not to be missed, with Craig Myers, Robert Walter, and John Kimock the band is fun and tight, exploring each song. But it’s the long time collaboration with Scott Murawski that makes these shows ebb and flow through a funky jammy sound that is a lot of fun. Mike Gordon will be out on his solo tour for the rest of the month of March and for any Phish fan it is a must see.

    SET 1: Different World, Victim, Infinite > Jumping > Meat, Black Tambourine, Let’s Go

    SET 2: Up And Down, Sughn Never Sets, Yarmouth Road, Marissa, Cities, Face

    ENCORE: Destiny Unbound, Gimme Some Lovin’

  • In Focus: Bob Weir and Wolf Bros Shine at Count Basie Theatre

    Completing a stellar two night run at the historic Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey, Bob Weir and Wolf Bros continue to shine, expanding the Grateful Dead’s legacy to new heights. Bob Weir is in top form, and is supported by two amazing musicians; Don Was on bass and Jay Lane on drums, each bringing their own style to the performance. Highlights included “Blackbird,” “Deal” and “Eyes of The World,” but it was the extremely intimate and emotional rendition of “Standing On The Moon,” that didn’t leave a dry eye in the building and rounded out an amazing two nights for the band and deadheads alike.

    Set 1: Easy to Slip, Gonesville, Blackbird, K.C. Moan, Odessa, Hell in a Bucket, She Belongs to Me, Corrina, Deal

    Set 2: Me and My Uncle, Cassidy, Truckin’, Fever, Ashes and Glass, Don’t Let Go, Eyes of the World, Standing on the Moon, Going Down the Road Feelin’ BadEncore: U.S. Blues

  • Photo Gallery: Cheap Trick Sell Out Wellmont Theatre

    On Friday, March 1, rock n’ roll legends Cheap Trick played to a sold out audience at The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, New Jersey. Since the 1970’s Cheap Trick has been blending elements of all musical genres, making their sound and style instantly recognizable throughout music. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-rs, treated the eager crowd to all the hits: “Just Got Back,” ”The Flame,” ”I Want You to Want Me,” ”Dream Police” and “Surrender.” Fans young and old sang every word. Cheap Trick has performed over 5,000 times live, sold 20 million records and bring an amazing energy, keeping these classic songs fresh and fun proving – After 46 years there is still nothing like a Cheap Trick show.

    Setlist: Hello There, Lookout, You Got It Going on, Just Got Back, Big Eyes, California Man, She’s Tight, Stick Man of Europe, Stiff Competition>Need Your Love, Daddy Should Have Stayed In High School, Ain’t That a Shame, Baby Loves to Rock, Waitin for the Man, The Flame, I Want You To Want Me, Dream Police, Clock Strikes Ten, Surrender, Goodnight

     

  • Photo Gallery: The Wailers at Brooklyn Bowl

    On Wednesday, February 27, The Wailers concluded a classic two night run at the Brooklyn Bowl, showing the life and joy reggae music brings to fans. Lead by famed bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barrett and original Wailers guitarist, Donald Kinsey, this band has the roots to carry the incredible legacy that comes with performing these songs. But it is in the youth of powerhouse Drummer Aston Barrett Jr. and lead singer Joshua David Barrett that brings a fresh energy – an exploration that’s new and fresh for the band.

    The Wailers Brooklyn Bowl
    The Wailers Brooklyn Bowl 2.27.19

    The Wailers are fan favorites and brought a packed house to the Brooklyn Bowl. It’s amazing to see the vast generations of music fans singing every word to classics hits like “Easy Skanking,” “Stir it up,” and “Redemption Song,” showing the life this music still has, and how good the band that created it really is. The Wailers did not disappoint and brought all that this amazing music has to offer to every show they’ve played, proving why they are still one of the top acts in music.

    Setlist: Intro-G Minor, Easy Skanking, Rastaman Vibration, Concrete Jungle,Heathen, Running Away/Crazy, Satisfy My Soul, Johnny B Good, War/No more Trouble, Trench Town, Stir It Up

    Encore: Redemption Song, It’s Alright, Punky Reggae Party

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