NYS Music 20​19

Category: Video

  • Jason & The Rex release debut music video and single “Bullets are Flying”

    Brooklyn alternative hip-hop artist, Jason & The Rex recently released their debut single and accompanying music video for “Bullets Are Flying.” Inspired by emotion from the Parkland shootings, Jason unfurls a pensive, sometimes manic flow that expresses the convoluted public discourse surrounding the gun violence epidemic in the U.S. over vibrant horns, a melancholy piano lead, strange-sounding synths, and a reverb-washed chorus create a dense soundscape.

    Hoping to inspire activism within his art, Jason layered hidden meanings and messages with each aspect of both the video and the track. The dancers movements, the TV screens, sounds and atmospheric layers created from voice samples of common gun-violence soundbites are just a few examples of the extreme intuitiveness found in the creation of this video, conveying an emotive message of gun violence. 100% of proceeds from “Bullets Are Flying” will be donated to March For Our Lives.

    Hip-hop, future-funk, and dream-pop influences blend to create a densely layered lamentation of our nation’s gun violence crisis in “Bullets Are Flying.” Jason draws on his love for socially-conscious 90’s hip-hop artists like De La Soul and Common with the synth-heavy, lush soundscapes of psychedelic dream-pop artists like the Cocteau Twins, the Cranberries, and Tame Impala. The video is directed by Samantha Silver and produced by Tag Brum.

    “Bullets Are Flying” will appear on Jason’s forthcoming EP Synthesizer or Variations of: An Endemic Cycle, which will explore and expand the theme of living in the mass shooting generation.

  • Collective Soul Embarking On Fall Headlining Tour, with Stops in Syracuse and Long Island

    Hot off their summer tour, Collective Soul is finishing out the year with a series of fall headlining shows. Over the next couple months, they’ll be up and down the coast, from Niagara Falls, Canada and Portland, Maine all the way down through Florida. New York dates include Syracuse on September 28 and Huntington on October 2. Tickets are on sale now.

    The setlist for their shows is sure to include songs that span their quarter-century-long catalog, from early works like “Shine,” “December” and “The World I Know,” as well as songs from their recently released tenth studio album, Blood.

    “For us, we want to play the hits as we always do, but I think we also want to share the new record with our fans. At 25 years later, we want to say, ‘Hey, we’re still making the best that we can do.’ Right now, I’ve got seven of the new songs in the setlist, and hopefully, on some nights, we can play the whole thing from start to finish. I mean, it’s our 25th anniversary. We’re going at it hard, everyone! We’re going hard.”

    – E Roland

    Collective Soul Fall 2019 Tour Dates

    Sept. 21 – The Wellmont Theater – Montclair, NJ

    Sept. 22 – Shippensburg University – Shippensburg, PA

    Sept. 24 – Capitol Center for the Arts – Concord, NH

    Sept. 25 – Aura – Portland, ME

    Sept. 27 – Eastern States Exposition – West Springfield, MA

    Sept. 28 – Crouse-Hinds Theater – Syracuse, NY

    Sept. 29 – Cabot Theater Beverly – Beverly, MA

    Oct. 1 – Ridgefield Playhouse – Ridgefield, CT

    Oct. 2 – The Paramount – Huntington, NY

    Oct. 3 – Parx Casino – Bensalem, PA

    Oct. 5 – Hops and Hogs Festival – Huntersville, NC

    Nov. 7 – Niagara Fallsview Casino – Niagara Falls, Canada

    Nov. 8 – Niagara Fallsview Casino – Niagara Falls, Canada

    Nov. 22 – Hard Rock Live – Orlando, FL

    Nov. 23 – Coral Springs Center for the Arts – Coral Springs, FL

    Nov. 25 – Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts – Melbourne, FL

    Nov. 26 – Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall – Sarasota, FL

    Nov. 28 – Coca-Cola Roxy – Atlanta, GA

  • Marco Benevento releases latest single off ‘Let it Slide,’ announces fall tour with 5 stops in New York

    Marco Benevento has released “Send It On A Rocket,” his self-proclaimed “end of summer anthem” and third single ahead of new album Let It Slide, due out September 20th on Royal Potato Family. In between references to reefer and Topo Chico, deep pockets of bass and spaced-out synths, the cascading composition reveals that behind Marco the bandleader – who covers his piano strings in gaffers tape and enjoys walking his pet goats and peacocks through the Catskill woods – there are patches of sorrow he’s now ready to contemplate more seriously than ever.

    The sounds of “Send It On A Rocket” preview the new territory charted between Benevento and Let It Slide producer Leon Michels, a partnership marking the first time Benevento relinquished studio control of his own music. As evident on the new single, that surrender led to his deepest inward exploration, and spontaneous impulses like taping those piano strings. Read Benevento’s introduction to the song via Talkhouse.

    Introduced via dear friend Richard Swift (who was set to mix the LP before passing), Marco made Let It Slide with Michels (Sharon Jones, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga) and an unexpected, Upstate NY bromance ensued, and Marco’s trust in Leon ultimately informed the album’s core: free yourself to be yourself. Citing influence in Can, ESG, Childish Gambino, and Mulatu Astatke, he dug deep into his lyrics, exploring acceptance, desire, and regret, while embracing the moment – an impulse to cover piano strings in gaffers tape created the LP’s main muted sound (along with the Binson Echorec, the tape machine behind 1970s Pink Floyd).

    This fall, Marco Benevento and his band – including Karina Rykman (bass) and Andy Borger (drums) will make 30 stops from coast to coast, with 5 shows in New York over two weeks in October.

    MARCO BENVENTO
    Tour Dates

    10/10 – Buffalo, NY – Iron Works
    10/11 – Ithaca, NY – The Haunt
    10/12 – Albany, NY – Cohoes Music Hall **
    10/13 – Woodstock, NY – The Colony *
    10/17 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall ^
    10/19 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground ^
    10/20 – Holyoke, MA – Gateway City Arts ^
    10/23 – Fairfield, CT – FTC StageOne ^
    10/24 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg ^
    10/25 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts ^
    10/26 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse ^
    11/2 – Shizuoka, Japan – Frue Festival
    11/6 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe ^
    11/7 – Grand Rapids, MI – Founders Brewing ^
    11/8 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall ^
    11/9 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club ^
    11/10 – Milwaukee, WI – The Back Room @ Colectivo ^
    11/11 – Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel ^
    11/12 – Indianapolis, IN – HiFi ^
    11/13 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House ^
    11/14 – Nashville, TN – Basement East ^
    11/15 – Louisville, KY – Zanzabar ^
    11/16 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern ^
    12/5 – San Diego, CA – Casbah San Diego
    12/6 – Los Angeles, CA – The Teragram Ballroom ^
    12/7 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent ^
    12/8 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall
    12/9 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall ^
    12/10 – Arcata, CA – Humbrews / Humboldt Brews ^
    12/11 – Eugene, OR – WildCraft Cider Works ^
    12/12 – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub ^
    12/13 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge ^
    12/14 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile ^

    ** w/ Mikaela Davis
    ^ w/ The Mattson 2

  • Hearing Aide: The Wood Brothers ‘Live At The Fillmore’

    Since their inception back in 2004, The Wood Brothers have been creating their own flavor of American traditional music on their own terms. The trio is comprised of brothers Chris (bass & vocals) and Oliver (guitar & vocals) Wood , as well as Jano Rix (percussion & shuitar). Together they have been successful in creating  a unique musical gumbo which includes the combination musical styles including Blues, Folk,  Country, and Rock.

    The Wood Brothers also recently received critical acclaim for their latest studio release, 2018’s One Drop Of Truth, which included a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album. If that weren’t enough to keep the band busy, The Wood Brothers have just released Live At The Fillmore a new live album, their fifth,  that was recorded over a two night stint at San Francisco’s famed musical landmark. The trio is famous for their live performances and the band shines on the stage. The opening track on  Live At The Fillmore  is “Blue and Green,” which is a stripped down, intimate number off of 2011’s Smoke Ring Halo LP. The deft vocals that Oliver and Chris deliver, as well as the ambient noise of the crowd, easily transports the listener to the gig at the historic Fillmore.

    The boys tear it up on the third track “Snake Eyes” with a great percussion intro by Rix, which leads into a nicely executed guitar accompaniment  by Oliver, featuring some heavy feedback. The Wood Brothers infectious performance, along with the a little on stage prompting from Oliver persuaded the audience to join the band in the chorus of the upbeat number, creating a vivid picture in the mind’s eye of the listener. The trio’s harmonies were spot on and the track wrapped up with another nice guitar fill by Oliver.

    The Wood Brothers keeps the energy flowing with “Raindrop,” the fifth track from Live At The Filmore LP.  Oliver and Jano constructed an intro featuring guitar and percussion which effortlessly leads into the jamming number. With the catchy opening vocal “Broke a heart for a cheap thrill.  Seemed worth it at the time. There’s a hundred of ’em out there still.  You can hear ’em all cryin’,”  Oliver is able to evoke the frustration that anyone can feel while trying to get over a painful breakup.

    The sixth tune, “Chocolate On My Tongue,” has an infectious groove that will get your foot tapping along with The Wood Brothers as they expertly ply their trade. Catchy riffs and smooth harmonies make this tune a true gem of a performance and a highlight on the LP.

    Overall the fourteen tracks on Live at The Filmore  are successful in proving The Wood Brothers are at their comfort zone on stage, playing for a live audience. It also illustrates how proficient the  trio, who have had extensive time on the road performing, are able to anticipate and coordinate their playing together as a road tested unit. Oliver Wood once said while talking about selecting songs for a set list:  “Sometimes it is like choosing between your children,  you don’t want to have to do that but sometimes you have to.” Luckily for fans of The Wood Brothers, the band chose extremely well on Live At The Filmore, creating a voyeuristic experience where the listener gets to experience the best of two nights in the life of a great live band playing at a historic musical venue.

    Key Tracks:  Atlas, Blue & Green, Teardrop

  • Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds Plan Final Shows Before Maternity Leave

    Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds have announced a final stint of shows before lead singer Arleigh Kincheloe embarks on maternity leave, with a second baby on the way, due in October. But that has not stopped her from holding true to the nitty-gritty Dirty Bird funk that goes down each and every time the band hits the stage.

    sister sparrow maternity
    Press Photo By Kevin Condon

    The Dirty Birds had just performed a free show at Athens Riverfront Park in Athens, NY. For the last three dates fans will flock to Chattanooga, TN; Jersey City, NJ and a final cap at Brooklyn Bowl on September 14.

    Kincheloe told NYS in a phone interview how it is just time to take a break from the road, rightfully so. However the front-woman stuck out the entirety of her pregnancy touring on the road, where as she did not with her first child. Despite the reactions by some fans, mothers especially, this is a true gift, taking the bands family ties to a second generation. Kincheloe is nothing short of grateful and glowing to be moving around stage with her child. Spiritually, and quite literally, Kincheloe feels her newborn-to-be on stage with her, making for a unique and special run of final shows.

    Arleigh, rocking out with her newborn-to-be in Athens, last Friday.

    Touring vigorously with Kincheloe’s latest realise Gold, the band spent the latter half of 2018 and early 2019 on the road selling out venues, including the accliamed Levon Helm Studios. Gold was produced and co-written in collaboration with Carter Matschullat (Chef’Special, Secret Weapons) at Brooklyn’s DØØM Studio, and made NYS Music’s Best Album of the Year in 2018, below.

    The glimmer of Gold  has caught our eyes. The overanxious wait for another Dirty Bird release had us on edge. In the past three years we have been deprived of the nitty-gritty funk powerhouse and soulful horn section that is Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds. While Gold is everything we want, this record is a spotlight on the undeniable front-woman Arleigh Kincheloe, a.k.a Sister Sparrow. This razors edge has captivated fans – a blend between modern-pop shimmer, electronic accents and that Dirty Bird flare.

    Read more at NYS Music…

    September 7  | Moon River Festival  | Chattanooga, TN

    September 13  |   | Jersey City, NJ

    September 14  |   | Brooklyn, NY

  • Hearing Aide: Young Cobain “I Got It”

    Young Cobain shares his latest single, “I Got It,” a unique blend of emo rap and alternative rock that draws influence from artists of multiple, diverse genres. The effort to combine digital instruments with live instruments bonds the mix together to create a melodic tune that flows effortlessly. It’s difficult as an artist to find the right balance. Young Cobain is able to execute this task smoothly in a way that blurs the thick lines between genres.  

    young cobain

    Finding himself immersed in a story of heartbreak and betrayal, his unforgiving lyrics are directed towards an old lover, that decides an attempt to reconcile with the artist only after he rose to fame.  The story begins with Young Cobain flipping burgers and bumming cigarettes, wondering where his partner is while he’s in a low point. His fame suddenly sky rockets, and his life is coincidently filled with friends and girls all of the sudden. These fearless lyrics express his frustration about people trying to ride his wave of success, and gain everything they can while it lasts. The story ends in a refreshing tone as Cobain belts out that she had her chance to reach out to him, but now he’s too occupied with his Benz.  Ouch!       

    Young Cobain is able to easily convey his emotions and channel them into his music.  Combining influences from different genres in his own creative way proves that this mixed style is Young Cobain’s forte. Throughout his heartfelt story of his struggles with love and fame, Young Cobain proves himself a resilient icon that is thriving through his lyrics and music.  Expect to see Young Cobain on festival lineups and consistently producing music. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDzDTHjYG2I

  • Marcia Ball to Flood Louisiana Swamp Blues to Caffè Lena

    Hailing from Vinton, Louisiana, Marcia Ball will be bringing her unique sound to Caffè Lena on Friday, August 30. USA Today described her music as being a combination of “Texas Stomp Rock” and “Louisiana blues-swamp,” an intriguing combination. Each performance of Marcia Ball’s becomes a musical party of joyful music and triumphant vocals, and every note comes with a twist that is all her own. 

    Marcia Ball has won many accolades over her career, including a recent induction into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2002, she won the Blues Music Award for “Blues Album Of The Year” for Presumed Innocent. In 2004, her album So Many Rivers was nominated for a Grammy Award and won the 2004 Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year, as well as the award for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year . She has been awarded a total of ten Blues Music Awards, ten Living Blues Awards and has been nominated for a Grammy five times.

    Clearly, Marcia Ball is an incredibly talented musician who has cultivated a sound and style that can only be described as her’s. She will be performing two shows at Caffè Lena, an early show at 6:00, and a late show at 8:30. To get tickets to the early show, go here. To get tickets to the later performance, go here. 

  • Hearing Aide: Shiragirl ‘Andi Underground’

    The latest from Shiragirl, Andi Underground, was released on July 26, is a unique blend of old school punk rock and modern pop. If Madonna and The Ramones were to have a musical child, Shiragirl would be the product of this affair. This album described as a dystopian punk rock musical was co-written with Tim Armstrong of Rancid, and mixed by Cameron Webb (Motorhead and Kelly Clarkson).  

    The title and concept of the album are inspired by the infamous tale of Alice in Wonderland, where a girl is wanting to escape a society headed for digital chaos to an underground free world. Andi decides to break away from the dystopia and runs away, and this is the soundtrack to her journey. 

    The album begins with the track “Controlled” where Andi is describing the controlling lifestyle she’s experiencing. It’s a single file march to brainwashing, where if you step out of line, you might end up dead. This track is the start of Andi going against the grain with the aggressive lyrics “We don’t wanna be controlled” and breaking away from the conformity.  This tune sets the reckless attitude for the rest of the album.     

    Shiragirl Andi Underground
    Photo by Max Aria.

    Another track that stands out is the third track of the album and hit single “Nothin To Lose.” The song premiered on July 2, with deep roots and influence of old school punk rock, the hard-hitting track is the anthem of this rebellious story. The lyrics represent Andi running away and falling down a hole into an underground co-existing world, and feeling like she has “Nothin to Lose,” by following her intuition and venturing into this new unfamiliar world. The electrifying guitar solo in the middle of the song gives the imagery of breaking through metaphorical barriers, and a sense of rebellion from the world she escaped. The EP tells a story that’s well thought out by Shiragirl and her manager, with the tracks cohesively placed to give the story order.     

    Shiragirl has made a name for herself in the music industry and proved to be more than a Warped Tour icon with this album. The group sky-rocketed their career when Shira and her band crashed Warped tour in her iconic pink RV and set up a stage on top the RV.  The unknown band at the time rocked out and after receiving a rousing crowd response, Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman invited Shira to return the following summer to host the official Shiragirl Stage. The stage was shared by female artists from all over the nation and ultimately helped accomplish Shira’s mission to empower women by providing a platform for creative expression. The stage went on to host over 200 female-fronted bands, some of them making their Warped debuts including Paramore’s first-ever tour, and the legendary Joan Jett.  

    Not only is Shiragirl a staple of the East Coast punk rock scene, but she’s also a symbol of female empowerment in the music industry. It’s no question why Shiragirl is considered a Warped Tour veteran. This album successfully serves as a rebellious anthem to break away from the norms in society and create your path. Expect to see Shiragirl grabbing the punk rock scene by the horns and headlining large scale festivals very soon, especially after the release of Andi Underground.

    Key Tracks: Controlled, Nothin to Lose, We Are the Underground 

    Follow Shiragirl on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

  • Brooklyn Rapper BURG Releases Music Video for ‘Willis’

    Brooklyn rapper BURG has released his highly anticipated single and official video for his song “Willis.” Produced by Penacho, “Willis” comes after Penacho’s critically acclaimed work with artists including Tyga, Lil Skies, and Bow Wow.

    BURG is an up and coming rapper hailing from Williamsburg Brooklyn’s south side, which unlike the stereotypical hipster clad north side, the south side is a long standing, generally working class, Dominican area.

    His brother Tone, who is featured through out the video, has his hand on the business end of things, releasing the single via their label Stosic Co. The video was directed by award winning film producer, Jason Ludman under his newly formed collective FMH.

    As a producer, Ludman has had films play around the world at festivals such as TIFF, Edinburgh and Cannes. His last film #Horror (Chloe Sevingy, Timothy Hutton) was released in 2015 by IFC and by Paramount in the UK in 2016.

    The video was shot by cinematographer Fanny Texier whose “color obsessed women” videos for the NY Post, about women whose whole lives (clothes, furniture, hair, etc…) revolve around one single color.

    BURG is currently posted up in Williamsburg’s Key + Needle Studios, working on new music to be released this fall.

  • Exclusive: The Upstart Crows debut music video for “Melancholy Haze”

    Brooklyn-based The Upstart Crows today debut their first ever music video for “Melancholy Haze” off their self-titled record. The video was inspired by the movie Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind and the memory-wiping machine Joel (Jim Carrey) uses to forget about Clementine (Kate Winslet). The video was filmed in less then 24 hours and offers a dreamy glimpse into love lost and how we all try to move past it.

    The Upstart Crows self-titled album was released on August 24th of last year and earned them the best alt-rock band of 2018 award by LA Music Critics Award. Listen to Upstart Crows “Melancholy Haze” below.

    The Upstart Crows formed in the basements of Keene, NH during Jon Adams’ (lead singer/guitarist) and Forest DeCoste’s (drummer) college years. After cutting their teeth in the area’s party scene, the two made their way to Brooklyn, NY and deliver a varied mix of folk, punk, and Americana to their audiences. Always backed up by manic energy, their songs give a nod to the two’s theatrical background and wax poetic over catchy guitar riffs and booming drums. Their tongue and cheek demeanor and danceable riffs create a fun, high-energy experience for everyone.

    upstart crows melancholy haze

    The Upstart Crows perform on August 2 at Red Hook Roxx in Brooklyn with Flyin’ J & the Ghostrobber and La Coy. More details can be found here.