NYS Music 20​19

Category: Alternative/Indie

  • Phantasy Tour celebrates 20 Years

    On Friday, September 20th, Phantasy Tour will celebrate 20 years with a performance by Star Kitchen at The 8×10. As a Baltimore-based, grassroots organization that has long supported The Disco Biscuits, Star Kitchen at the legendary 8×10 venue is the perfect way to celebrate twenty years of set-list obsession.

    Phantasy Tour

    Star Kitchen is a star-studded side project by members of many of Phantasy Tour’s long time favorite bands. Featuring bassist Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits), guitarist Danny Mayer (Eric Krasno Band), keyboardist Rob Marscher (Addison Groove Project, Matisyahu) and drummer Marlon Lewis (Lauryn Hill, John Legend), the band is known for their exploratory jazz improvisations that stray from what listeners may expect from this cast. Surprising as it may be, everyone leaves a Star Kitchen show revived. Their two sets at The 8×10 will begin at 9:30pm.

    Phantasy Tour is an online community of live music fans largely driven by set list prediction games for jam bands. Inspired by Phish and their 1999 Fall Tour, Phantasy Tour has now expanded to include the majority of touring bands one would consider to be in the jam/Americana/funk live rotation. PTers use the platform not only to play set list prediction games with their friends, but also to connect with other fans of their favorite bands and collect their live music experiences. To date, Phantasy Tour has over 170,000 registered members.

    Tickets are available now. This show is sponsored in part by Remedy Columbia.

  • King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Brings Their Unique Sound to Central Park Summerstage

    King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard is one of the most prolific rock bands currently out there. Starting with their debut album 12 Bar Bruise in 2012, the boys from Melbourne have released almost 2 albums per year since then, pushing it to 5 full length releases in 2017 alone! With a quick break in 2018, King Gizzard is back with a headline show at Summerstage in Central Park.

    King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Photo by Joseph Buscarello

    Fishing for Fishies, released in April of 2019, showed the band embracing a boogie-sound and mixing this groove into their blend of psych/heavy rock. Then, King Gizzard began to tease what sounded like a new thrash-metal album, delivering the incredible Infest the Rat’s Nest this past August. This album is a true homage to the genre with their signature style mixed in seamlessly.

    It’s no surprise that the audience was intrigued as to how King Gizzard would fill the set at Central Park Summerstage on August 28. The band kicked things off with fierce renditions of Infest the Rat’s Nest tracks “Self-Immolate” and “Perihelion.” The show itself was well organized as the band tended to group tracks from the same album together, allowing them to dig deep into the style of each album: three tracks in a row from Polygondwanaland early on, with three straight tracks from Murder of the Universe later in the set.

    King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard at Central Park Summerstage – 8/28/2019

    A last-minute addition of “Planet B” to the setlist paved the way for the final leg of the show. The band ditched the outdated tradition of leaving the stage and resurfacing for an encore, but instead powered through using every last minute of the early show to play for the fully engaged audience. The band was sure not to let up one minute before curfew. A constant stream of crowd surfers, full throat singing, and mosh pits all over the Rumsey Playfield made for a very high intensity show.

    King Gizzard embarks on a fall tour of Europe in October and November, with a final show at the Maho Rasop Festival in Bangkok, Thailand in mid-November. Does that leave enough time for one more full-length release in 2019?

    Setlist: Self-Immolate, Preihelion, The Great Chain of Being, Plastic Boogie, Inner Cell, Loyalty, Horology, Boogieman Sam, Evil Death Roll, Digital Black, Vomit Coffin, Murder of the Universe, This Thing, The Bird Song, Planet B, Mars for the Rich, Cyboogie, Am I in Heaven?

  • Of Monsters and Men Delivers a Triumphant Show at Radio City Music Hall

    It has been eight years since Of Monsters and Men released their mega-hit song “Little Talks” from their debut album My Head is an Animal. This past July they released their third full-length project, Fever Dream, and have now embarked on a North American tour in support.

    Of Monsters and Men

    The second stop on the tour found the band playing a sold out show at New York’s famous Radio City Music Hall with support from Lower Dens. The hall quickly filled with a crowd of truly all ages and backgrounds, from teenagers to adults, with many different foreign languages represented. Of Monsters and Men have a reach that is truly worldwide and fans in NYC could not wait for their chance to see them.

    Of Monsters and Men
    Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)

    The show kicked off with the opening track from Fever Dream, “Alligator.” The band ended up playing nearly 3/4 of the new album throughout the show. It was not until the second to last song of the main set where OMAM finally gave in and played “Little Talks” to a crowd shouting the entire song.

    Of Monsters and Men
    Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)

    The band continues their run of US shows until the end of September, with one Vancouver show on September 28. They wrap up the tour with a triumphant hometown festival appearance in Reykjavik, Iceland at Iceland Airwaves 2019 on November 6-9.

    Of Monsters and Men
    Photo by Joseph Buscarello

  • Putnam Place to welcome Andy Frasco and the U.N. with Wild Adriatic

    This Thursday, September 19, Saratoga Springs is in for one heck of a party, when Andy Frasco and the U.N. descend upon Putnam Place for one of the best shows you’ll see all fall. The high energy performance Frasco and his band bring to the stage, coupled with local Indie rockers Wild Adriatic opening the night, means an intense night of music you won’t soon forget is on tap.

    Renowned for a jubilant jambalaya of rule-breaking rock n roll his career kept rolling ahead at full steam, Andy Frasco has been busy. He has released three independent albums, chronicled a German gig in front of 15,000 screaming fans on the recent live opus Songs from the Road, made jaws drop at festivals such as Grandoozy, Firefly, Mountain Jam, Summer Camp, Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park and Electric Forest, generated millions of streams, launched Andy Frasco’s World Saving Podcast, and performed at festivals alongside icons such as Peter Frampton, Gary Clark Jr., The Revivalists, Snoop Dog, Dr. Dog, Joe Walsh and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few.

    Wild Adriatic has added more depth and dimensions to the band’s expansive rock and soul filled sound over the course of 2019, including a brand new collaboration EP release and their tour in support of partners-in-crime Andy Frasco & the U.N. Get ready for an incredible night in Saratoga on Thursday, September 19! For more information visit PutnamPlace.com

  • Folk-rockers Saintseneca release Chris Farley-inspired single “In a Van” ahead of nationwide tour

    “Strange where the muse can take you. I followed obediently, but I never would have guessed I’d find inspiration in old Chris Farley skits,” explained Saintseneca lead singer and songwriter Zac Little of the band’s newest track “In A Van.”

    Little was revisiting ‘The Best of Chris Farley’ with some friends for the first time in over a decade, which led to the inspiration for the song. “This collection was a fixture of goofy-ness growing up, but it felt like a revelation that night. It was a strangely emotional experience. The gauzy 90’s TV sheen, the feathery haircuts, a couple cringe-y jokes that didn’t age well. But I saw his talent and craft shine through, in a way I had never quite noticed before. It was amazing, funny, and a little sad – knowing the end while witnessing the best all at once. What a weird nostalgia trip to fall into some 25 years later- all tangled up with life and memory – the same old thing, accumulating new meaning with time. I felt old. I felt like a kid.”

    Saintseneca released their latest album, Pillar of Na, in the summer of 2018. Pillar of Na is Saintseneca’s most ambitious album to date, with Little aiming to incorporate genre elements he’d rarely heard in folk. “I wanted to use the idiom of folk-rock, or whatever you want to call it and to try to do something that had never been done before,” he said. “To reach way back, echoing ancient folk melodies, tie that into punk rock, and then push it into the future. I told [the album’s producer] Mike Mogis I wanted Violent Femmes meets the new Blade Runner soundtrack. I’m looking for the intersection between Kendrick Lamar and The Fairport Convention.”

    Saintseneca Tour Dates
    9/17 – Washington DC – Comet Ping Pong
    9/18 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle
    9/19 – Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s All Right
    9/20 – Portsmouth, NH – 3S Artspace
    9/21 – Allston, MA – Great Scott
    9/28 – Columbus, OH – Land Grant Brewing
    10/11 – Lexington, KY – The Burl
    10/13 – Lawrence, KS – White School House
    10/15 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall
    10/17 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
    10/18 – Pendleton, OR – Great Pacific
    10/19 – Yakima, WA – Single Hill Brewing
    10/21 – Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
    10/22 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall
    10/24 – Sacramento, CA – Momo Sacramento
    10/25 – San Francisco, CA – Café Du Nord
    10/26 – Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Bar
    10/28 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar

  • Hearing Aide: Wallis Bird ‘Woman’ – A Journey in Self-Exploration

    Wallis Bird‘s upcoming album, Woman, is both a rebellious act of self-advocacy and a call to action. Wallis Bird is an accomplished musician from Ireland with a unique sound. When she was young, Wallis was involved in an accident where she lost all of the fingers on her left hand. Fortunately, all but one were able to be reattached. This has impacted the way she plays her guitar. She performs with it flipped, lending to her distinct musical quality. 

    Woman comes twelve years after her first album, and it is a reflection on the things Wallis has learned, both about herself and humanity. It serves as a way to impart what she has discovered and to rouse her audience into wanting change. To change the world around them; to be a kinder place.

    In “Life Is Long,” Wallis reminds us that while a lifetime may seem like a long period, time itself is very brief. Each moment needs to be savored, which is something that is easy to forget in a world of instant gratification and constant distractions. 

    In “Salve,” a previously released track from the album, Wallis sings, “I’m practicing what I’m preaching, no else is going to save me,” a lyric which shows she has learned responsibility for her own self-growth. It’s easy to be sold on a version of yourself when you’re constantly fed images via social media. The desire to model yourself after someone else, who appears to be living an ideal lifestyle is tempting, but Wallis seems to ask you to step back from all of that, to evaluate yourself based on your own standards and decide what it is that you truly value. Create your own rubric to measure yourself by and define your own happiness. 

    Wallis invites introspection in her track “Brutal Honesty,” where she is, as the title suggest, with herself and shows awareness about how her own words impact others. She invites the listener to step inside her thoughts, where an act of intimacy becomes a shared experience with many. In “Repeal” she advocates for the right to decide what is best. In the current political climate, as a woman, others in power feel that it is up to them to make decisions for you. Wallis Bird speaks out against this, fighting to take ownership of her own choices in life. 

    Wallis Bird presents you with singable tunes that are joyous in sound yet carry deep messages that comes from introspection and reflecting on the changing world at large. It is a blend of soul roots and her love of the various genres that have influenced her. It stands as a testament to who she is and who she has built herself to be. 

    “Woman” will be released on September 27th. To catch her on tour, you can find her upcoming shows here.

    Key Tracks: Salve, Brutal Honesty, As the River Flows.

  • Yo La Tengo announced 2019 Hanukkah run

    Yo La Tengo have confirmed their annual Hanukkah run for 2019, with special guests joining them for eight consecutive nights at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom. The shows start Sunday, December 22 and end Sunday, December 29. Tickets for every night are on sale now.

    The annual Hanukkah run features surprise guests each night, with 2018 seeing Graham Nash and Preservation Hall Jazz Band join Yo La Tengo. This year’s eight night residency marks the third year at Bowery Ballroom, after prior years in Hoboken, NJ at Maxwell’s.

  • Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Festival celebrates third annual event

    On Sunday, August 25, Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Festival hosted their third annual festival at Silo City in Buffalo. The one day event, an “Ultimate Sunday Funday,” lived up to its name and featured more than 30 performances of all genres of music, as well as art installations, a silent disco, vendors village, beer and wine garden and much more.

    The big takeaway from the festival was the diversity of the event. Artists and performers included Curtis Lovell, Miller & the Other Sinners, DJ Magic, The Sofa Kingz, Heather Russell and many more. From the music to the art, those that attended were of all ages, walks of life, backgrounds and nationalities and enjoyed a care free day with the historic Buffalo Backdrop of the Silos.

    Check out the festival recap video below, and a photo gallery from the festival here.

  • Frank Palangi Releases New Video, ‘Set Me Free’

    Lake George native and indie-rock singer/songwriter Frank Palangi has released a new video for his fans. “Set Me Free” is the title track off his self produced and mixed EP.  The video was directed and edited by Cameron Gallagher.

    Acoustic Candlebox set me free

    After having the opportunity to work with Brian Craddock of Daughtry on his first single “Break These Chains,” Palangi returns to serve up edgier deep and gritty vocals while maintaining a positive, passionate attitude. “Set Me Free” showcases an artist’s struggle to break free from the control of a bad deal.

    The video release comes in the midst of Frank Palangi’s regional tour. Palangi plays King Neptune’s Pub in Lake George on Sept. 7. See the full list of tour dates below.

    Tour Dates:

    Sept. 7 – King Neptune’s Pub – Lake George, NY

    Sept. 14- Our Place Bar & Grill – Mechanicville, NY

    Sept. 21 – Abrews Tap & Grill – Dracut, MA

    Oct. 19 – The Towne Tavern – Averill Park, NY

    Nov. 2 – Fort Orange Brewing – Albany, NY

    Nov. 8 – Bourbon Street Bar & Grill – Schenectady, NY

    Nov. 29 – Cool Insuring Arena – Glens Falls, NY

    Dec. 8 – Chriskindlmarkt – Lake George, NY

  • Hearing Aide: Alex Northrup and the Backup ‘Long Story Short’

    Rochester based multi-instrumentalist Alex Northrup and his band The Backup released their six-song album in March titled Long Story Short. The band is made up of Alex Northrup (keyboard, vocals), Andrew Carter (bass guitar, backup vocals), and Jake Walsh (drums, backup vocals). The trio has a sound that ranges from really small to huge, making use of each member’s prowess on their instrument and their abilities to hold a strong harmony. One thing that pops out in any of Northrup’s recordings is Alex’s ability to take a song out of the pocket with his strong keyboard performances. Evinced by the six tracks on this release, Alex Northrup and The Backup are beginning to carve out a sound all their own.

    The opening track “Put on the Break-Up” ultimately sets the overall pace for the album. The sweet vocal melody is hashed out by wonderfully performed harmonies. Nothing here is too pristine; that is to say, the vibe is similar to the old Weezer Pinkerton days. The listener will be able to tell that the process of recording that the band took was organic, leaving the bulk of the work to the musicians to make the songs sound good.

    “Sinning on a Saturday” offers a better look at how dynamic the band can be in their orchestration. The bass takes on a life of its own and the texture of the keyboard flexes a bit more as well, as Alex navigates his chord progression to make meaningful and interesting solos. The mood shift that takes place between the verse and chorus is subtle, but noticeable enough to invoke the feelings reflected in the lyrics.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOWdRFEhr8

    One thing that should be taken note of is how Alex writes his lyrics. He talks casually, and even comically at times, about serious issues while never sacrificing the weight of the song’s topic. “Girl of My Dreams” is one such song. The ballad is a nice throwback to older ballads from the 50’s and the band does the style justice. While most of the songs are written by Northrup himself, he does collaborate with other members of the Rochester music scene. Specifically in “There We Go Again”, where some new creative elements and bass lines are added in by Dave Drago.

    The album’s cap is an ethereal instrumental that comes out of almost nowhere to great effect. Each song flows into the next really well, and the entire album felt like it should end much like it does in “Blinded by Delight.” The band’s harmonies are sitting tight in the background behind a beautiful soundscape of textures. Overall, the album’s flow offers a whole new dimension worth analysis of its own. Definitely take a chance on this release, and be sure to find Alex Northrup and The Backup on Spotify, Bandcamp and social media!

    Key Tracks: Sinning on Sunday, Put on the Break-Up, Girl of My Dreams

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