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).
“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
Welcome to New York State Music’s Best Of 2019, with a twist. Whether you are racing down the interstate, or planing your holiday travels, radar detectors can be extremely useful. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Chuck DeFilippo, Features Editor of NYS – and I am about to acid-bath you from the glam of national touring acts and replant you in the roots of NYS Music: Underground Bands.
We have been blessed with so much great music throughout the Best Of 2019. My edge stems from discovery. If a spark fires, it not only excites, but is guaranteed to captivate readers.
Combing through over 40 votes, only two-and-a-half bands had coupled votes. The Best Of 2019 podium is shared with Consider The Source, Hartley’s Encore, and Mike Powell (with his second vote for Mike Powell & The Black River).
Consider The Source, a fairly (too) well know group to be considered Under The Radar, breeds music where galaxies collide. The NYC Sci-fi trio combines the energy of progressive rock, Middle Eastern, Jazz-Improv. and psychedelic math topped with Indian spices. Good luck getting through their flavourful artist bio, let alone the first set. Hang on! The Best of 2019 is just getting off.
Albany’s apocalyptic dance party, Hartley’s Encore, is just one of those bands that cumulates the epitome of NYS Music. Under their own label, Hartley’s Encore, LLC, the band draws influence from a precise blend of new jam band’s and classics: Lettuce, The Rolling Stones, The Meters, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King and Stevie Wonder.
The weekend warriors mission: making music equal parts soundtrack to your Saturday night & bacon for your Sunday brunch, since their inception in 2016.
Hartley’s Encore Live – 12/13/19 in Albany.
Mike Powell snagged the last spot for top-three with votes for his solo act and with The Black River. NYS Music has dubbed him as “One of the premier singer/songwriters in music today,” and we continue to follow him, as he is no stranger to the big stage. From sharing bills with Martin Sexton, to crafting his own art studio, Rising Feather in Cazenovia, NY, Powell is a musician’s musician.
The most apparent difference between this record (Gypsy Winnebago, 2019) and their first is the vocal harmonies. “I had a long conversation with the band and emphasized how much I felt these songs needed more voices,” says Powell. “There’s something really powerful about human voices singing one message together. The guys obviously have great ears so they grabbed ahold of the harmonies right away and it really brought these songs to life.”
Stay tuned as Mike Powell has a slew of shows, exclusive to New York State booked out through May of 2020. See details HERE.
Connecticut Is Close Enough, Right?
New York State Music’s Connecticut duo, myself and photographer Chris Sidoruk, are proud to see bands blooming outside of NY State into the shoreline. From New York City down through Connecticut cities Bridgeport and New Haven, the underground music scene is running rapid. Connecticut’s capital, Hartford, is also a hot bed for Albany and Upstate natives. It’s beautiful how these neighbouring bands and scenes are truly one in the same.
One Time Weekend @ The Acoustic – Brigeport, CT – Photo By: Chris Sidoruk
One Time Weekend‘s self titled track (video below), is offsetting from the first full band entrance. You don’t expect it. And it’s so good – so rock, only to be backdropped by a mellow reggae grove – sending you into an internet-search-furry for what else these cats have to offer. Go ahead, explore.
Stay tuned throughout the next few days as we delve into some of the best music, entered around New York State – and beyond. These picks have been curated from our staff and contributing writers to expose you the vast talent of musicians that pass you on the streets and dwell in your neighbouring towns. Each day will introduce new music for you to listen to, but for now – The Best Under The Radar Bands, you’ve never heard of. And that’s a beautiful thing.
Bushicks are a REAL Rock and Roll band. There are many imitators out there, but these guys don’t need to fake it. Drawing upon inspiration from our heroes of yesterday, I had the pleasure of recording a band that is building for the future and continuing the spirit of great Rock and Roll music. For a young band, I am excited to hear them grow and I hope you do too.
Bushicks Engineer, Phil Duke at Continental Recording Studios, Long Island. Read more at NYS Music…
NYS Music’s own, Gabe Birkby, is not only a talented writer and contributor to the site, but his talents shine all alone, onstage, or in his bedroom. NYS writers and contributors wear many hats, to which many of us are musicians, like Gabe. This Best Of 2019 features a beam of light, to shine, and thank all of our staff who continue to follow their passion, while working so hard to bring our readers quality content. With Gabe, he’s totally stripped down as a solo artist with nothing but a microphone, his guitar and loop pedal. Enjoy.
Folk, Singer-Songwriter, looping guitar, with a captivating voice.
NYC’s freshest Afrobeat-Jazz-Funk Dance Party; The Brighton Beat is a positive musical force for all ages, aimed at getting the crowd dancing. This diverse group combines elements of classic Afrobeat, Modern Jazz, New Orleans Funk, and World Music into their own sound that gets booty’s shaking and the bar flowing, according to the band’s bio.
On the 10th anniversary of Pete Seeger‘s “Think Globally, Sing Locally” performance, the concert is now available to be heard by audiences everywhere. From December 10, 2009 in Dobby Ferry, NY, Seeger performed a special show at the South Prebyterian Church.
Pete Seeger performed this concert presenting the best of American folk music and values. Pete encourages sing alongs with all, and has apriceless tapestry where school children, song leaders Jenny Murphy and Matt Turk, and the audience participate, weaving a special sound.
Highlights include Seeger’s collaborations with the Take Me to the River Children’s Community Chorus for “There’s a Hole in the Bucket” and “She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain,” as well as civil rights anthems “Aint Gonna Let Nobody,” “We Shall Overcome” and “Take it from Dr. King.” Order the album now through Amazon.
For someone shuffling between cities like Brooklyn and Toronto, the term ‘intercity’ is best to define their mild case of vagabondary. For solo rock n roller Justin “Diamond” Jones, who has been on the inside of the scene for the past 18 years, it aptly describes his constant travel between London, Los Angeles, Toronto and Brooklyn.
Having just released his debut single, “Ashes and Diamonds,” Jones also is releasing a short film based around the track, as well as a music video. Having played on stage with John “Twink” Alder from Santa Barbara Machine Head, in groups such as Tomorrow, The Pretty Things and The Pink Fairies, and recorded in The Clash’s studio, Jones is a rare remnant of artistic integrity with a story to be told.
“Ashes and Diamonds” is Diamond Jones’ return to the rock n’ roll and film scene after a period of solitude and devise. Jones solely shines this feat himself: all instruments are played, recorded and produced on his own. Likewise, the film is written, directed, and stars Jones.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Justin “Diamond” Jones as a young adult was involved with a group of semi-professional skateboarders during a time that rock n’ roll was seeing a revival, stemming from the skateboarding community. At that time he stumbled upon Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home and shortly after disappeared off the grid to develop his craft as an artist.
Years later, Jones found himself in London, and quickly began performing around the city on guitar and piano. Jones has spent the past three years in Canada, isolating himself to refine his skills and prepare for his prolific return to the music & film scene.
New York City’s Fever Dolls, a pioneered quintet hinged on being “brash and over-the-top,” are hot off the release of their new music video for “The Distance.” Released this past Wednesday, November 27, the video evokes the limitless nature of modern music with a vintage film.
With an endless supply of irresistible hooks and lyrics about sex addicts, according to the band’s website, “The Distance” follows suit. The band’s leading duo, Evan Allis and Renn Mulloy, fuse musical queues that are equally as provocative as the video’s visuals. With each step, or foot traveled, the viewer picks up on a new detail once overlooked – meanwhile, the stereo proves to be growing in complexity.
“The Distance” is one of the first songs Renn and I sang when we started playing together. It has always been a favorite of ours to perform live and a favorite of our audiences to sing along with. It’s the kind of song that makes people lose their minds and jump for joy.
Evan Allis
While we’ve played “The Distance” in different bands and different forms for a few years now (even releasing a version in 2016 with our previous band Iron Eyes Cody) we never felt like we captured the live energy and spirit of the song in a recording until now. We feel like we caught something special with this cut of “The Distance,” and are excited for people to hear it.
Evan Allis
The Fever Dolls are no strangers to NYS Music after Sammy Steiner dubbed them as musical populists, transcending as visual storytellers for their release of “Mr. Carver.” They are on the rise with a constantly sharpened sword, ready to disrupt the music scene with a vengeance. Check out “The Distance” on all social media platforms, such as Spotify, where the band draws over 9,000 monthly in.
Fever Dolls are playing Mercury Lounge on January 12 with West End Blend and Travers Brothership. The show is 21+ with an 8 pm start time. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Yesterday, Restless World Music released their third single, “Cyclone,” on the heels of two singles, “Stratosphere” and “Ashes” which premiered earlier this year. “Cyclone” is the third of four singles that precede the group’s EP, due out in 2020.
The Washington, D.C. based group says of the track:
Sometimes love leaves with a whisper, slipping through our fingers. Other times, loves leaves nothing behind but wreckage, and no matter what – or who – we try, nothing can replace it.
No matter how you’ve experienced love leaving your life, “Cyclone” illuminates the feeling that is left behind. Showcased by an inspired male vocal bringing heat over a dark atmospheric R&B/trap beat, lyrics such as “my life’s a ghost town, when you’re not around” will hit home.
Prior to “Cyclone,” songs by Restless World Music have won several songwriting awards, including five years in a row of recognition in the Great American Song Contest, with two first-place wins (in Pop in 2012 and in R&B in 2016). The Great American Song Contest recognized Restless World Music on Facebook for being one of only two songwriters in 17 years to win first-place honors in two of their songwriting categories.
Rochester native Danielle Ponder, former public defender and now full time musician, has released her latest single “Holding Me Down.” Rife with emotion, “Holding Me Down” shares the pain and struggle found in relationships, and is the lead track on her upcoming album, due in Spring 2020.
Ponder says of the upcoming album:
This album is probably my most vulnerable work. I wrote this song one night at 2 am sitting at my dining room table. This song describes the struggle many have in relationships, the struggle between a heart that want to stay and a mind that want to go.
Danielle has spent the past few years rendering goose bumps by perfecting her style, with charismatic performance. The result of her focus and dedication is a tone that is both enchanting and seductive, along with a riveting, honest stage presence. Her voice has helped secure gigs opening for powerhouses such as George Clinton, Ledisi and The Roots.
“Holding me Down” was produced by John Viviani, whom Danielle Ponder previously worked with in the band Filthy Funk, with additional production by Dave Drago at his 1809 Studios. The song also features Tony Gallicho from Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad on organ.
Danielle Ponder has an upcoming show on January 31 in Rochester. This special acoustic show will be open to only 300 attendees and will be held in the oldest building in Rochester. More details will be shared through Ponder’s website.
Afrobeat legends Antibalas, fresh off celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2019, have just released their newest single, “Fight Am Finish.” The group will release their upcoming album Fu Chronicles on Daptone Records on February 7.
We have arrived at a time when we must be ‘Seshat in Red Gloves’ and punch throw the sand curtain of Lies and deceit. We must fight for the Truth. We must fight for Sustainability. We must fight for Peace. We must Fight for our Dreams. We must Fight am finish and never ever give up the good fight, for the Destiny of Truth is Exposure.
Triple triple triple exposure!
Antibalas will head out on an extensive winter/spring tour in 2020, with two shows at Brooklyn Bowl on March 20 and 21. Tickets are on sale Friday, November 22 at 12noon. Check out NYS Music’s gallery of their 20th anniversary performance at Brooklyn Bowl this past March.
Antibalas 2020 Tour Dates
Tuesday, February 11 — The Siren — San Luis Obispo, CA Wednesday, February 12 — Moe’s Alley — Santa Cruz, CA Thursday, February 13 — The Regent — Los Angeles, CA Friday, February 14 — The Independent — San Francisco, CA Saturday, February 15 — The New Parish — Oakland, CA Sunday, February 16 — The Independent — San Francisco, CA Thursday, February 20 — Neptune Theatre — Seattle, WA Friday, February 21 — Rickshaw Theater — Vancouver, BC Saturday, February 22 — PDX Jazz — Portland, OR Sunday, February 23 — The Olympic — Boise, ID Wednesday, February 26 — Knotty Pine — Victor ID Thursday, February 27 — The Commonwealth Room — Salt Lake City, UT Friday, February 28 — Washington’s — Fort Collins, CO Thursday, March 19 — The Sinclair — Boston, MA Friday, March 20 — Brooklyn Bowl — Brooklyn, NY Saturday, March 21 — Brooklyn Bowl — Brooklyn, NY Thursday, March 26 — Terminal West — Atlanta, GA Friday, March 27 — The Grey Eagle — Asheville, NC Saturday, March 28 — Cat’s Cradle — Carrboro, NC Friday, April 3 — Sleeping Village — Chicago, IL Saturday, April 4 — SPACE — Evanston, IL Friday, April 10 — Lee’s Palace — Toronto, ON Saturday, April 11 — Lee’s Palace — Toronto, ON Friday, April 17 — Theatre of The Living Arts — Philadelphia, PA
Emerging NYC alt-pop artist Karolina Rose has followed up her well-received single “Greytopia” with a dark spin on Shakira’s legendary “Objection.” The Shakira classic is a sexy yet playful story of a tortured love triangle, and is mirrored here in the indulgent production of Karolina’s high-class offering helmed by Elliot Jacobson (VÉRITÉ, Allie X, Elle King).
Speaking about her take on “Objection,” Karolina explains: “She’s such a global, iconic superstar and I have loved her songs all my life. I randomly started belting out ‘Objection’ in between a session with my producer Elliot – he then encouraged me to cover the song while putting our own twist on it. We filmed with my friend’s baby to represent motherhood and the Divine Feminine strength. This decision was also intended to be an ode to Shakira, given that she posed with a baby on the iconic artwork for her Oral Fixation, Vol. 1 album.”
Compared to the glittery upbeat rhythms in “Greytopia”, the dusky groove of “Objection” perfectly exhibits Karolina’s versatile, unique brand of ‘noir rose pop’: alluring, seductive and layered, with a prick of danger.
Often focusing on deeper perspectives in her music, the quickly-rising indie singer’s compelling twist on “Objection” sounds gloomier than the original, while still brilliantly channeling its sass, empowerment and frustration.
“Objection” is step two in Karolina’s upcoming visual EP project, which will witness the AWAL artist tell a tale of love, loss and healing through four spectacular video experiences. The future is clearly bright for Karolina Rose, a sensational artist unfolding who has the potential to reach the upper echelons of the pop sphere with several more enthralling anthems to come.
Confessional indie rock musician Roan Yellowthorn (aka Jackie McLean) has released her new holiday single, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Listen on all platforms here or below via Spotify.
Photo courtesy of roanyellowthorn.com
Having released her debut studio album Indigo on Blue Élan Records in 2018, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” follows her previous holiday single, “River” (featuring Car Astor), which was released on November 1.
‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ was recorded at Clearlake Studios in North Hollywood, CA. Accompanied by Ty Bailie (Katy Perry), this indie reworking of the classic is ethereal, moody, and melancholy, evoking at once both the wonder and nostalgia often felt during the holiday season.
Roan will celebrate the release of her new singles with a showcase at Rockwood Music Hall on November 23 and will perform an Official Showcase at SXSW in Austin TX in March 2020. Full tour dates can be found below
