NYS Music 20​19

Category: Media

  • Biscuits Bring the Heat to NYC for annual New Year’s Run

    Trance-fusion pioneers, The Disco Biscuits, laid down some serious jamtronica heat at NYC’s PlayStation Theatre on Saturday during their annual New Year’s run. PlayStation Theatre is closing permanently at the conclusion of this run, and the Biscuits are ensuring the venue goes out with a bang. The Disco Biscuits members include Allen Aucoin (drums), Marc Brownstein (bass), Jon Gutwillig (guitar), and Aron Magner (synthesizers).

    Saturday’s first set included a delicious “Munchkin Invasion” jam sandwich, filled with an inverted “The Great Abyss.” The second set intensified with jam vehicles “Caterpillar” and “Spraypaint” seguing into a fresh and dirty “Tractorbeam Jam,” and then right back into both.

    Tickets are still available for the two remaining nights of this soon to be legendary run at this link. FOMO can truly be damned because the band is webcasting this historic run as well. Head over to their Youtube page for more details.

    Set One: King Of The World> Munchkin Invasion> The Great Abyss*> Story Of The World> Freebis Slinky> Munchkin Invasion

    Set Two: Caterpillar> Spraypaint> Humuhumunukunukuapua’a**> Tractorbeam Jam> Caterpillar, Air Song> Spraypaint

    Encore: Bazaar Escape

    * inverted version

    ** unfinished

  • Medeski, Martin, Metzger and Cline Kick Off Phish After Party Season at Sony Hall

    Just as Phishmas at YEMSG got underway last night, so too did after party season. Night one’s offerings were numerous, highlighted by the one-off supergroup of John Medeski (keys), Billy Martin (drums), Scott Metzger (guitar, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead), and Nels Cline (guitar, Wilco) at Sony Hall. Not to discount the draws of Metzger and Cline, but MMW’s acid jazz has been intertwined with the Phish scene since 1995 and this highly anticipated show would eventually sell out in the hours before its 1:00 am start, leaving many fans outside on the sidewalk. 

    Medeski Martin Metzger Cline

    Sony Hall occupies the footprint of The Diamond Horseshoe, a celebrated and historic Times Square dinner theater with a standing room capacity of 1,000. The room is trimmed with gold paint, coffered ceilings and a disco ball, and lounge seating around the perimeter, lending to its historic feel. The room sounded great, although overcrowding was a serious deterrent for many. 

    Medeski, Cline, Metzger, and Martin were arranged audience left to right respectively, and began their two hour improvisational journey just before 1:00 a.m. Medeski would contribute the evening’s bass lines on his keys, as he and Martin provided the anchoring rhythm section for guitarists Cline and Metzger to explore in, on, and around. There were gorgeous moments of Metzger shred amidst a backdrop of effects heavy psychedelic exploration from Cline. The tempo was deliberate and purposeful and, coupled with the intense crowding, didn’t create much of a dancing atmosphere. At times the music felt almost transcendent, as Medeski and Martin created an ambient space for guitarists Metzger and Cline to play, their guitar work totally dictated by the tempo and beat of the drums and keys.

    These musicians clearly enjoyed playing with one another as they treated those who braved the crowds and the late hours to a two hour set of improvisation that ended at 3:00 a.m. Sony Hall will host after shows on nights two and three as well, with Star Kitchen on 12/29 and Ghost Note plays Prince on 12/30.

    • Medeski Martin Metzger Cline
    • Medeski Martin Metzger Cline
      Photo by Chad Anderson
    • Medeski Martin Metzger Cline
    • Medeski Martin Metzger Cline
    • Medeski Martin Metzger Cline
    • Medeski Martin Metzger Cline
    • Medeski Martin Metzger Cline
    • Medeski Martin Metzger Cline
    • Medeski Martin Metzger Cline

  • In Focus: Phish kicks off 2019 New Year’s Run at Madison Square Garden

    It’s been 25 years since their first New Year’s Run show at Madison Square Garden, and Phish kicked off four nights of shows to end 2019 with some new material, a second set chock full of improv, and an “On Broadway” jam.

    The festivities began with the debut of a new Phish original, “Evening Song.” Sung by guitarist Trey Anastasio, the opener had many looking around and checking phones to find out what exactly it was. From there, the first set took a second set type of turn with a rousing “No Men In No Man’s Land” and a monstrous “Down with Disease” that followed. Another first timer then appeared in the form of “20-20 Vision” as bassist Mike Gordon took the reigns and sang the cover song originally recorded by the great Gene Autry. “Ghost” then seemed to shift things back to the second set frame of mind courtesy of a locked in, psychedelic groove it produced. Another first set highlight was the first “Dog Faced Boy” since 2016. The opening stanza closed with a powerful “Say It to Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” which was a nod to the New Year’s spectacle of last year.

    phish 2019

    With sprits high, “Everything’s Right” was an ideal choice to open the second set. Phish let it be known to all that they were on point and having fun with discernable “On Broadway” teases from Anastasio and keyboardist Page McConnell that highlighted a “Set Your Soul Free” that transitioned seamlessly into “Gotta Jibboo.” about the second set jams, Barry Mann wrote “On Broadway” and the Guy Forget lyrics in the “Drowned” jam. Another true highlight was the triumphant return of “Drowned,” the Who cover that hadn’t been played in more than a year. Things then got a little silly thanks to “Ass Handed,” sung as usual by drummer Jon Fishman. This led to a wacky “Chalkdust Torture Reprise” of sorts that was sung to the tune of “Ass Handed” before “Character Zero” showed up in its predictable set closing slot. Further showcasing their ability to be sensitive and fun at the same time, an encore of “A Life Beyond the Dream” and “Rocky Top” closed the book on night one of the 2019 New Year’s run.

    Setlist via Phish.net

    Phish, December 28, 2019, Madison Square Garden, NY, NY

    Set 1: Evening Song[1], No Men In No Man’s Land, Down with Disease, 20-20 Vision[2], Ghost, Gumbo > Rift, Weigh, Dog Faced Boy, Twenty Years Later > Tube > Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.

    Set 2: Everything’s Right > Beneath a Sea of Stars Part 1 > Set Your Soul Free -> Gotta Jibboo > Free > Piper, Drowned, Ass Handed > Chalk Dust Torture Reprise[3] > Character Zero

    Encore: A Life Beyond The Dream, Rocky Top

    [1] Debut.
    [2] Phish debut.
    [3] With lyrics changed to Ass Handed.

    • phish 2019
    • phish 2019
    • phish 2019

  • The Soul Rebels Announce Poetry In Motion 2020 Tour

     The Soul Rebels, a brass/hip-hop ensemble out of New Orleans, has announced a winter tour in support of their new album, Poetry In Motion. Joining them on tour will be Matisyahu, Tank and the Bangas, and Big Freedia who are also featured artists on the album. 

    During the month of March, The Soul Rebels will make four stops in New York. First, they will be performing at Buffalo Iron Works on March 1. They will travel to Syracuse for a night at the Westcott Theater on March 2, before journeying downstate to Poughkeepsie to play at Revel 32 on March 7. Finally they will spend their last two days on March 13 & 14 at the Brooklyn Bowl where they will be joined by unannounced special guests.

    Released in October via their imprint Rebelution Music Group, on Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Music Group, Poetry in Motion debuted at #1 on the Contemporary Jazz charts and was in the top 20 for the Current Rap, R&B/Hip – Hop and R&B Album charts. The song “Greatness” was ESPN’s official College Hoops Blockbuster promo song for the 2019-20 season. Recently The Soul Rebels appeared on Dave East feat. Nas‘ track “Godfather 4,” adding harmony and backup vocals.

    Tickets are on sale now and available at TheSoulRebels.com. All tours dates are listed below.

    Tour Dates:

    Dec.30-31 – The Ardmore Music Hall – Philadelphia, PA *with Matisyahu

    Jan.7-12 – Jam Cruise – Miami, FL

    Jan.13-18 – Havana Jazz Festival – Havana, Cuba *with Tank & The Bangas & Cimafunk

    Jan.24 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA

    Jan.25 – The New Parish – Oakland, CA

    Feb.25 – Snowmass Base Village – Snowmass Village, CO

    Feb.27 – Riverfront Live – Cincinnati, OH

    Feb.28 – Thunderbird Café & Music Hall – Pittsburgh, PA

    Mar1 – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo, NY

    Mar.2 – Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY

    Mar.3 – The Press Room – Portsmouth, NH

    Mar.6 – Washington, D.C. – U Street Music Hall

    Mar.7 – Poughkeepsie, NY –  Revel 32

    Mar.8 – Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center – Greenfield, MA

    Mar.10 – Port City Music Hall – Portland, ME

    Mar.11 – Infinity Music Hall – Norfolk, CT

    Mar.12 – StageOne – Fairfield, CT

    Mar.13-14 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY *with Special Guests

    Mar.15 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA

    Apr.9 – Carolina Performing Arts-UNC at Chapel Hill  – Chapel Hill, NC *with Big Freedia

  • Runaway Gin delivered Evil Phish to the Knitting Factory

    Charleston, SC’s Runaway Gin delivered their “Evil Phish” covers to the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY on December 26, to a crowd excited for the upcoming Phish run at Madison Square Garden. Led by Dentist and guitarist Andy Greenburg, the funky jams hit for two delicious sets.

    Space Junk is Forever opened the evening with vintage instruments and their self-described “simple melodies, stirring harmonic language, and frequent key and meter changes into impressionistic, aptly titled tunes.”

    Notable covers by Runaway Gin included “Punch You In the Eye,” “Stash” and “David Bowie.” “Bowie” had excellent guitar work by Greenburg, and the crowd was loving the jam in “Stash.”

    Runaway Gin is on tour this winter, with more doses of “Evil Phish.” Visit their tour page here.

  • Watch “Nature’s Change” from Marco Benevento, performing at Le Poisson Rouge Dec. 29

    Marco Benevento has released the video for “Nature’s Change” the 11th track from his latest studio album, Let It Slide. The clip was filmed by Benevento using VHS cameras, perfectly encapsulating a 1980s’ aesthetic that he’s been known to embrace in his work. It was then handed off to longtime friend Jon Wood (vocalist/guitarist in Talking Heads’ tribute band, Psycho Killers) who added animation to the clip, enhancing the song—which has become a barn-burner in the set lists for Benevento’s album release tour this Fall—with a “psychedelic warble.” 

    Benevento and his band, featuring bassist Karina Rykman and drummer Dave Butler will perform at Le Poisson Rouge on Sunday, December 29 following Phish at Madison Square Garden. They then pick up again in 2020 with Texas and Southeast shows in January and a three-night Colorado run in February.

    Marco Benevento Winter Tour 2020

    12/29 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
    1/16 – Austin, TX – Parish *
    1/17 – Houston, TX – Last Concert Cafe * 
    1/18 – New Orleans, LA – Blue Nile **
    1/19 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn **
    1/20 – Knoxville, TN – Open Chord **
    1/21 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle **
    1/22 –  Carrboro, NC – Cats Cradle **
    1/23 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre **
    1/24 – Charleston, SC – Pour House **
    1/25 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl **
    2/6 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre
    2/7 – Crested Butte, CO – Public House
    2/8 – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece

    ^ w/ The Mattson 2
    * w/ Mike Dillon Band
    ** w/ Ian Ferguson

  • ASAP Ferg ‘Floor Seats’ Tour Arrives at Terminal 5

    ASAP Ferg paid a visit to Terminal 5 on Friday and brought with him  an ensemble of artists for his second to last stop on the Floor Seats Tour. Prior to the show, the crowd’s anticipation came to a head, initiating a few mosh pits before the opening act. The openers arrived just in time to release the tension. Heater IV raved about glitter and glasses, MadeinTYO performed his biggest hits, and Mudra Beatz maxed out the energy with a DJ set.

    ASAP Ferg

    ASAP Ferg then charged the stage to the tour’s title song “Floor Seats” and the room exploded with every color of the rainbow. Various other artists joined him on stage to perform their featured songs, including MadeinTYO, Murda Beatz, Brent Faiyaz, and Antha. It was all good vibes and love coming from ASAP Ferg, referring to his fans as family and reminding everyone to check up on their loved ones’ mental health.

    • ASAP Ferg
    • ASAP Ferg
    • ASAP Ferg

  • PEAK announce Winter Tour 2020; perform at Mercury Lounge December 30 with Digital Frontier, Teddy Midnight

    PEAK had a truly remarkable 2019, and they’re looking forward to winter tour 2020 with a slate of Northeast shows, as well as one big show to close out the year.

    Combining the characteristic flair that a weathered live band brings to the table, PEAK has the instrumental prowess and focus that draws crowds in. The group’s music, described as psychedelic indie funk, is a mix of poetic, melodic songwriting, moody electrofunk, riffed-out blues-rock, and exploratory danceable improvisations. Some of their many influences include artists such as The Band, The Talking Heads, Phish, The Grateful Dead, Radiohead, James Brown, and Miles Davis, as well as modern songwriters such as Conor Oberst, Mac Demarco, Kurt Vile, and Jack White to name a few. 

    peak winter tour 2020

    PEAK consists of singer-songwriter and guitarist Jeremy Hilliard, drummer Kito Bovenschulte (Particle), bassist Josh T. Carter (Hayley Jane and the Primates) and Johnny Young on keys.

    Their latest album, Electric Bouquet, offers a staple sound that PEAK can use to differentiate themselves from an ever-growing list of funk/rock bands.

    Joining PEAK on December 30 are Digital Frontier, who lay down robotic dance beats and driving bass lines, producing progressive, multi-dimensional, synth-laden soundscapes; Teddy Midnight, who mix house, disco, techno and breakbeat with drum and bass to bring high energy to the dance floor; and Up & Orange, who bring soaring melodies, chunky grooves, and drum and bass driven electronica. For more information visit here.

    PEAK WINTER TOUR 2020

    12/30 New York, NY Phish After Party**

    2/1 Krogh’s, Sparta, NJ ^

    2/7 Sarah Street, Stroudsburg, PA*

    2/21 Stone Church, Newmarket, NH#

    2/22 Riverstreet Jazz Cafe, Wilkes Barre, PA#

    2/27 Thunder Road, Boston, MA#

    2/28 The Acoustic, Bridgeport, CT#

    *w/ Jabbawaukee

    ** w/ Digital Frontier

    ^ w/ Crow’s Wine

    # w/ Space Kadet

  • Circles Around the Sun release first single off Neal Casal final album “Babyman”

    Circles Around the Sun has unveiled the video for “Babyman,” the first single and lead track off the group’s upcoming self-titled studio album, to be released on March 13, 2020. The video was directed and animated by Steven Mertens (Regina Spektor, Dan Auerbach, Sheryl Crow).

    neal casal babyman

    “Babyman” was recorded just a week before guitarist and founding member Neal Casal tragically took his own life, and Circles Around the Sun marks the third studio album from the group. Casal left behind a note asking surviving members Adam MacDougall (keys), Dan Horne (bass) and Mark Levy (drums) to move forward with the band. Along with a rotation of guitarist, the three have been doing precisely that, with Scott Metzger (Wolf!, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead) filling in on guitar.

    We love this music. The three of us—Dan, Mark, and myself—we really love it and really don’t want to stop playing it,” says MacDougall. “I don’t want our decision to come off in any other way than based on the fact we really, really love this band so much. We would always sit around and talk about the dream: the feeling of what it was like to be a teenager and start your own band. It’s your band, with everyone pulling their own weight, doing their part. This band felt like being in high school again.

    Circles Around the Sun 2020 Tour Dates

    12/29 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theater
    12/30 – Englewood, CO – The Gothic
    12/31 – Crested Butte, CO – Crested Butte Public House
    1/7-12 – Miami, FL – Jam Cruise
    1/16-19 – Cancun, MX – Playing In The Sand
    3/28 – Frisco, CO – 10 Mile Ride: A Deadhead Ski Trip
    4/3-5 – Ventura, CA – Skull & Roses Festival

  • Marcus King Packs a Punch in Buffalo

    Marcus King is currently on tour in support of his debut solo album El Dorado, which is slated to be released in January.

    While the album may be a solo affair, Marcus King’s show in Buffalo at the Town Ballroom was a team effort with each member of the sextet having their chance to shine.

    However, the spotlight definitely shined brightest on the namesake of the group. Marcus King may only be 23 years old but he already possesses the chops and stage presence of a timeless blues master that demands your full attention.

    Marcus King – Town Ballroom, Buffalo

    Setlist: What’s Right, Virginia, How Long, Beautiful Stranger, Radio Soldier, Dyin’, One Day She’s Here, Sweet Mariona, Good Hearted Woman, Side Door, Homesick, Always / Jesus Children, Plant Your Corn Early, New Song

    Encore: Goodbye Carolina, The Well