NYS Music 20​19

Category: Alternative/Indie

  • Hearing Aide: Of Clocks and Clouds ‘Live at Brooklyn Bowl’

    Brooklyn-based quintet Of Clocks and Clouds is a psychedelic rock powerhouse whose sound has been turning heads all over NYS and beyond. Their inclusion on numerous lists of bands to keep an eye on isn’t uncanny, it’s deserved. Through hard work and perseverance, the band has created a sonic experience that sets them apart from the litany of jam bands that have been popping up all over the northeast. Composed of Joe Salgo, Nick Salgo, Tom Salg, Yuri Soussov and Zander Ryzinski, the band offers fans of live music a look at their progressive psychedelic rock with this release of their set Live at Brooklyn Bowl from February 3, 2019.

    Fusing elements of electronic music with their deft ability to improvise, based on style adherent chord progressions, is what gives OCAC such a characteristic sound. The first track of the live release, “Cold Hearted Woman” drives this point home, with each member adding in subtle elements to a core blues tune. The keyboard breaks open chords and sets a basis for a hard-hitting blues guitar solo. The drums do an excellent job of knowing when to break out of the pocket – the fills will range anywhere from lightning-fast to minimalist, with the overall mood of the song being reflected in the fills.

    The live recording captures the band’s aesthetic really well. It’s evident that they are able to feed off of the audience and drag out jams without losing their interest. This translates really well on record too, with the 11+ minute “Worst Look” being a testament to that. OCAC starts their songs off similarly, with a slow build transitioning into an intro jam. Yet each time they do that, the outcome is sonically different. The band members find their own place within the song to either stand out or step back. The bass barrels forward without hesitation, accenting the grooves underneath the lush orchestration that the keys and guitars create.

    While instrumental skill surely defines the band, something must be said about their vocals. The 90’s alternative rock style vocals fit well with the sound. It takes the listener out of the busy composition and bring focus to the anthemic nature of the lyrics. There’s also a lot of versatility in the singing – their cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Bullet in the Head” is well worth checking out.

    It’s impossible to listen through this live album and not notice how well the flow of the set moves. There are dynamic shifts, exciting developments, and headbanging instrumental breaks. With so much to love, it’s no wonder Of Clocks and Clouds is gaining so much steam nationally. Check out this NYS gem’s release, and be sure to catch them live if they come to your town!

    Key Tracks: Worst Look, Cold-Hearted Woman, Hole in My Head (Pts. 1 & 2)

  • Saves The Day Cures Emo Hearts at SkyLoft

    Saves the Day made an appearance at SkyLoft in Albany on Sunday August, 11. Not only did they deliver a high energy filled performance, but also took the crowd through the last two decades of their amazing musical journey.

    The set list immediately caused heads to bob and feet to groove with the unforgettable guitar-riff filled song “Anywhere With You.” Saves The day continued to classics such as “Say You’ll Never Leave,”  “The Last Lie I Told You” and “Freakish.”

    But it was the songs that were performed from “All-Star Me” to “Suzuki” from their latest album, 9, that audience to relive the bands journey.

    All in all, the set list was solid and left the crowd screaming “ENCORE” by the end. Saves the Day not only saved the summer with their performance, but they also saved many emo hearts.

    Setlist: Anywhere With You, Bones, You Vandal, A Drag, Say You’ll Never Leave, The Last Lie I Told, Nightingale, Do You Know What I Love the Most?, Jukebox Breakdown; Holly Hox, Forget Me Nots; Firefly, When It Isn’t Like It Should Be, Freakish, Houses and Billboards, Suzuki, Eulogy, Kaleidoscope, Z, In Reverie, All-Star Me, Cars & Calories, Three Miles Down; Sell My Old Clothes, I’m Off to Heaven.

    Setlist Provided by Setlist.fm

  • Hearing Aide: Chaz Hearne & The Dazzlers ‘Intelligence Is Rising’

    To fully appreciate Intelligence Is Rising one must step back from the business (and busyness) of everyday life. As the nature shot on the album cover suggests, the music draws its inspiration from singer/songwriter Chaz Hearne and their getaways to national parks.

    chaz hearne

    In the title track, Chaz Hearne & The Dazzlers encourage the listener to set down their devices and go out seeking enlightenment. This jaunty tune leads us deep into a lush soundscape. Layers of sublime harmonies and a medley of stringed instruments and piano send spirits soaring as high as the treetops on the album cover. No, higher. And the mood continues to lift through the next few tracks, cresting like the lofty mountaintops referenced in the songs “Montana” and “All The Peaks Sing.” The reverb on vocals resounds like echoes in the canyons. And twinkling piano notes spill over in a rambling cascade in “Under The Falls.” 

    “Now We March” starts like a typical folk song, featuring Hearne’s signature banjo-playing, perhaps signifying the start of a hike with one foot in front of the other. “Match your stride to meet my own / Now we’re two never alone,” Hearne sings. About halfway through the song, the trumpet breaks out in joyous celebration, like that moment when a wooded trail opens to a breathtaking vista. 

    The collection takes a turn with “Holy Moly.” The heavier musical elements lend an air of gravity to this song about the damage people have inflicted upon the environment. 

    Well we thought it never ended so 

    We lived with no consequence didn’t we

    And we didn’t want a drastic solution

    But it was too late, isn’t it

    Isn’t it

    Is it?

    – lyrics from “Holy Moly”

    At times infused with rock and at other times pulling in psychedelic dream-pop elements, Intelligence Is Rising surpasses expectations. You’ll find Hearne’s trademark fingerpicking on the banjo and clear tenor timbre. He also recorded the guitar, piano and organ parts for these songs. For this project, he was joined in the studio by a host of “dazzling” musicians: Susanna Rose on vocals, John Delmonico on cello, Emily Dipaola on trumpet, Willa Finck and Katie Knudsvig on violin, Reilly Solomon Taylor-Cook on bass, and Hannah Weidner on drums. The album cover was photographed and designed by Jacqueline Goodman.

    Intelligence Is Rising represents both a celebration of nature and a call to action to protect and preserve the environment. Chaz Hearne & The Dazzlers have created an instant classic you’ll want to add to your playlist for your next back-to-nature road trip, or for anytime you need a breath of fresh air in your life. 

  • So Last Year debut captivating new song ‘Minutes Away, Worlds Apart’

    So Last Year’s “Minutes Away. Worlds Apart” is a song about that moment in a relationship when one person is having to tell the other that things are just not going to work out. 

    The song came to Logan, lead singer and writer, over the course of a week, and after working on the song he realized that the bridge would be the perfect moment to bring the whole scene together. In the bridge, both people are singing to each other at the same time, one explaining how things aren’t working and the other explaining how there’s still hope to make it work. The song really conveys tension between two people that are at two different places in a relationship, both lyrically and musically.

    Logan’s musical theater background leads him to write in story format often, and this song is no exception. Fans of catchy hooks, funky guitar riffs and toe-tapping drums with be in love from the moment they hear the song start.  You can expect it to be featured on So Last Year’s upcoming album.

    You can find So Last Year on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can find So Last Year on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

  • In Focus: Woods Fest 2

    Woods Fest Music Festival is quickly becoming a “can’t miss” event in Central New York, featuring many of the best emerging and established bands in the region and New England.

    The second annual Woods Fest event at Woods Valley Ski Area in Central New York boasted a lineup that included Annie in the Water, The Old Main, The Black River, Nina’s Brew, Substanance, Les Brers, Los Blancos, Late Earth, and Dark Hollow.

    The all-day festival also featured a Super Jam to finish the night on the big stage. The jam saw members of Nina’s Brew and The Old Main joining Annie in the Water on stage to finish the festival. Following the outdoor festivities, the music continued inside the lodge until sunrise.

    • Woods Fest 2
      Dark Hollow
    • Mark Nanni
    • Michael Vincitore
    • Late Earth
    • Andrea Canale
    • Woods Fest 2
      Bruce Gerow
    • Colin Aberdeen of Los Blancos
    • Bruce Gerow & Booth Johnson
    • Anthony Zee Donaldson & TIm Woods
    • Nina’s Brew
    • Giovanina Bucci
    • Isaac French
    • Les Brers
    • Mike Powell
    • The Black River
    • John Hanus & Mike Powell
    • Joe Bell
    • Dom Scicchitano
    • John Hanus
    • The Old Main
    • Nash Robb
    • Dusty Elmer
    • Annie in the Water
    • Brad Hester
    • Michael Lashomb
    • Ryan Trumbull
    • Throwing posters to the crowd
    • Event organizer Tim Woods
    • Tim Woods & Mike Kohli

  • Hootie & the Blowfish with Barenaked Ladies: Sounds Like a Party to Me

    The Group Therapy Tour was just the medicine needed for more than 15,000 fans of Barenaked Ladies that packed into CMAC this past Friday night. This being the first time they’ve toured in over a decade, Hootie & the Blowfish was not only celebrating the 25th anniversary of Cracked Rear View Mirror‘s release back in 1994, but also announced their upcoming album Imperfect Circle, due for release this fall.

    Opening and getting the night started was the Barenaked Ladies. With Ed Robertson on lead vocals and guitar; Jim Creeggan on bass and vocals; Tyler Stewart on percussion and vocals; and Kevin Hearn on keyboards, guitar and vocals; this quartet have perfected their harmonies and playing over the years, but it’s their stage presence that really lifts them above most bands. The one thing that hits you first (if this is the first time you’ve seen them live) is they have so much fun playing together. Racing across the stage, playing to not only the crowd but to each other, fun has to be their middle name (Barenaked Fun Ladies), just has to be.

    They are known for their improvisation – their number one hit “One Week” was added to the album Stunt to demonstrate their flair of improv and the energy they exude during their live shows. Capturing it perfectly on the album and again Friday night, these fun loving guys have proven they still have what it takes to get the crowd out of their seats, dancing and singing. In fact, if the band “Had a Million Dollars,” they wouldn’t have to buy their love because it was right there in front of them as the crowd sang the lyrics word for word while the band pitched and knocked stuffed animals out of the park. Closing the set out with a mash up of some favorite rock songs, percussionist Tyler Stewart demonstrated what his and the other band members’ strongest qualities are: their versatility and talent, both vocally and musically.

    With a quick changeover, it was just minutes before Hootie & the Blowfish took the stage. The moment they came out, the crowd rose to their feet. With hands in the air and phones on record, the crowd ate up every moment they played, hungry for more.

    The setlist was outstanding, giving the crowd a taste of an expanse of music from their library, those that have influenced them along the way, and just favorites of both the crowd and the band. Joining them a few songs into their set, one of the best moments of the night was when Barenaked Ladies sat in for a cover of the Beatles’ “A Little Help from My Friends.” This classic song was just an epic choice to feature all these talented musicians and what they bring to the stage.

    Like a storybook unfolding, Darius told a story the whole evening through music. Sharing past hits from music that influenced them, such as R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion,” and showing how music can soothe and collectively unite as he and the band dedicated “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” to the families and victims of the past week’s shootings, it once again demonstrated how music heals and is a universal language to which everyone can relate.

    With a new album to be released on September 6, those in attendance got just a taste of what’s to come. This will be the first album they’ve released since 2005’s Looking for Lucky. A performance of “Rollin’“ as an appetizer left the crowd wanting more, at least it did for this photojournalist.

    Despite a slow start to the evening that included the massive number of people coming in to the venue, the issues with ticketing (CMAC is a Ticketmaster venue so buying from third parties is not encouraged or honored) and a strange rain storm that occurred in the beginning of the evening, (rain on one side of the amphitheater and not the other), all in all, it was an amazing night of music that made all the gray moments shine like the rainbow that appeared right before the show began.

    Barenaked Ladies Setlist: Bringing It Home, Odds Are, It’s All Been Done, Gonna Walk, The Old Apartment Matter of Time, Brian Wilson, Lookin’ Up, Pinch Me, Big Bang Theory Theme, One Week, If I Had a Million Dollars, Barenaked Rap: Shallow / Old Town Road / Sicko Mode / High Hopes / Whole Lotta Love / Another One Bites the Dust

    Hootie & The Blowfish Setlist: Samuel L. Jackson Ezekiel 25:17, Hannah Jane, State Your Peace, I Go Blind (54-40 cover), Sad Caper, Not Even the Trees, With a Little Help From My Friends (Beatles cover with Barenaked Ladies), Hold My Hand, I Will Wait, Let Her Cry, Hey Hey What Can I Do (Led Zeppelin cover), Will the Circle Be Unbroken?, Desert Mountain Showdown, I Hope I Don’t Fall in Love With You (Tom Waits cover), Alright (Darius Rucker song), Running From an Angel, Losing My Religion (R.E.M. cover), Time, Rollin’, Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show cover), Old Man & Me, When I Get to Heaven / Fight the Power / Freaks of the Industry Encore: Goodbye, Go and Tell Him (Soup cover), Only Wanna Be With You / Get Down on It, Country Roads (John Denver cover)

  • In Focus: Guster Strikes SummerStage in Central Park like Lightning

    Guster made the best of weather malfunctions at SummerStage 2019 in Central Park on Thursday, August 8. The beautiful stage and lush canopy of trees created a secluded, intimate environment in the heart of New York City. The day was filled with beautiful skies, and the weather forecast was partially cloudy without indication of showers, up until later on in the day.

    Rubblebucket has delicious clouds as they perform

    Indie rockers, Rubblebucket, opened for Guster, and were fortunate to have blue skies and incredible cloud mood throughout the show. The Brooklyn based bunch includes: Alex Toth (trumpet, leader), Kalmia Taver (vocals, saxophone), Adam Dotzon (trumpet, vocals, flutero), Ryan Dugre (guitar), Noga Shefi (bassa), Jeremy Gustin (drums), and Sean Smith (trumpet). Their vibrant, colorful outfits and art-pop spirit descended upon Central Park, and offered synchronized dancing on stage, as well as a high level of connectivity as they grooved together. At one point, the energetic Taver had the audience sing “Love, Love, Love, Love” while pointing with one finger in the air, transitioning into “Came Out of a Lady.” Rubblebucket made many new fans that night.

    Kalmia Taver interacts with the audience

    Boston, MA’s Guster took the stage at 7:46 pm, with storm clouds moving Northeasterly, towards the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Guster consists of Ryan Miller (guitar and vocals), Adam Gardner (guitar and vocals), Brian Rosenworcel (drums and percussion), and Luke Miller (bass). They brought their signature blend of rock and roll as long as they could, starting with “What You Wish For” from Lost and Gone Forever.

    Luke Reynolds of Guster is loving his job

    A deep orange and pink sunset began during Ganging Up on the Sun’s “The Captain,” followed by “Don’t Go” from Look Alive. “Stay with Me” brought lightning in the west, and the orange sky transitioned into black clouds. Drops were felt during their final song, “Satellite,” another tune from Ganging Up on the Sun. 

    The stunning pink and orange cotton candy sunset behind Guster at SummerStage

    At 8:04 pm, the rain came down, the venue cancelled the show, and the band announced that everyone needed to leave immediately. Within 10 minutes, ferocious lightning strikes rolled in, and pouring rain soaked anyone who wasn’t under cover. Mother nature took over to end the evening, but outstanding musical performances and great summer vibes were had until that point.

    These Guster fans soon wished those clouds were not there!

    Guster Setlist: What You Wish For, The Captain, Don’t Go, Stay With Me Jesus, Satellite…

  • Buskin & Buskin – A Family Affair at Caffè Lena

    The love David and Sophie Buskin have for one another was apparent on the stage at Caffe Lena Thursday night. The father-daughter duo performed together as part of Caffè Lena‘s monthly pride series.

    The dichotomy between the two generations was visually present in Sophie’s use of electric guitar and David’s acoustic. David Buskin made jokes about their age. They were obviously dad joke’s, such as “Sophie’s friends call us DNA and DNR. Not sure how I feel about that.”

    The two began with a song that thrilled the heart, Sophie’s powerful soaring voice was complimented by David’s gentler tones. They sang about chasing after life, and who can’t relate to the rush of seeking adventure, of wanting to experience more? There was also a desire to escape from trouble, to find the excitement while dodging the “demons at your back.” 

    The theme of adventure carried on with David’s comedic song he usually performs with Modern Man, “Jews Don’t Camp.” In it, he joked about the perks of living an indoorsy lifestyle. Sophie’s rejoinder was the song “Mountains.” It was written about a month-long camping and hiking trip that she took. As she told this story, she gave her father a wry look which brought out laughter from the audience. Her dad accompanied her on the piano while she played guitar and sang. 

    She followed this with another song of hers, “Sweet Creature.” On her recent album, this is featured as a live track that she performs with her father. In this performance, however, David played a different role. Sophie’s performance was incredibly touching, but nobody was more touched than David. From his seat on the piano bench, he watched his daughter with awe and admiration. He was just as spellbound by her beautiful voice as the rest of the audience. After the applause, there was a moment of silence, broken when David said, “You know, I stand up there saying to myself, ‘You played that wrong. You botched that chord.’ And then, I watch my kid do that.” All of his pride in his daughter was neatly summed up in those words and in the way he looked at her.

    In honor of the Pride Series, David chose to play a song from a musical that he is working on with Jake Holmes. The musical takes place in the summer of 1968. The song is from a scene where two men have slept together, and one is trying to convince the other to come out so he doesn’t have to go to Vietnam. It was a song about struggling for both social and self-acceptance. It is something that people struggle with across the board.

    The duo ended with a song which David used to sing to Sophie as a lullaby – James Taylor’s “You Can Close Your Eyes”. The Buskin & Buskin performance had given us an intimate snapshot into their life together, from Sophie’s childhood into the brilliant artist that she is today.

    The next performance in the Pride Series at Caffè Lena will take place on September 5th at 7:00 pm and will feature the Capital Region Pride Singers. Tickets for that performance can be found here.

  • Woods Fest 2 lineup features Annie In The Water, The Old Main, and more

    Woods Valley Ski Area and Copper City Brewing Company have announced the Woods Fest 2 Music Festival lineup. Headlined by reggae jam-fusion rockers Annie in the Water, Americana act The Old Main, and the indie-soul band The Black River, taking place at Woods Valley Ski Area in Westernville, NY on August 10 from noon until midnight.

    Woods Fest 2 lineup

    The second annual Wood Fest Music Festival features a variety of nine regional and local artists covering genres from jam, Southern rock, indie rock, groove and Americana. The family-owned ski area transforms the slopes into a family-friendly music venue offering craft beers from members of the Heart of New York Craft Beverage Trail, bounce houses from Varano Super Jump, yoga by Just Breathe Yoga Studio, and local food trucks.  

    Woods Fest 2 lineup

    Spanning two stages over the course of the day and night, this year’s lineup features Annie in the Water, a Capital-region based band with 11 years under its belt, has recently released its second album Time to Play and has been touring incessantly. Annie in the Water’s sound incorporates a unique, groovy combination of funk, reggae, blues, and rock that gets the audience moving while the band feeds off of that vibe to create a truly interactive experience. 

    The Old Main is returning to Woods Fest for its second year, with their original brand of Americana. They have performed throughout the Northeast and have gained many followers along the way, including a fervent Woods Valley following. Equally comfortable performing in a small room or the big stage, this is a band on the rise. They have released two albums of original material, 2016’s Arlene and Too Far Gone, released in 2018. The live environment is where this band really shines. Audience interaction is what it’s all about so don’t be alarmed if Nash Robb suddenly shows up behind you in the crowd with his standup bass in tow. 

    The Black River is quickly becoming a recognized name throughout Central New York and beyond with its blend of classic and roots rock mixed with the soulful storytelling of band leader Mike Powell. The band recently concluded a month-long residency at the King of Clubs in Syracuse’s Armory Square; a stretch that saw the band hone its sound to create a sonic tour-de-force unlike any in the area. You can check out their recent performance at A Lovely Time Festival here. 

    Central New York’s premier Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Hollow joins the Woods Fest 2 lineup hot on the heels of their Barn Party at Critz Farms in Cazenovia. The band features a wealth of Central New York’s greatest musical talents and has been creating original takes on the Grateful Dead experience since 1996. 

    Nina’s Brew comes to Woods Fest from Burlington, VT. They recently performed as part of Twiddle’s Tumble Down Festival and are quickly gaining traction throughout Central New York as a tremendous live act. 

    Los Blancos are Central New York’s musical godfathers. This band grooves like no other with its own take on the blues, Zydeco, Latin, roots, and funk. They’ve performed alongside such luminaries as Little Feat, moe., Los Lobos, Govt Mule, and Dickey Betts (formerly of the Allman Brothers Band), earning a fervent following of fans not only in Central New York but across the state and beyond. 

    Les Brers return to Woods Fest after a tremendous set last year. Les Brers are the region’s longest-running and best Allman Brothers Band tribute act. Many of last year’s attendees commented on last year’s set, saying that if you closed your eyes, you’d swear you were at an Allman Brothers Band show. 

    Late Earth comes to Woods Fest via the Syracuse alt-rock scene. Fresh off a performance at the A Lovely Time Festival at Snow Ridge, the band is spreading its unique sounds at venues and festivals throughout the area. This is another band on the rise and one that will surely grab your attention at Woods Fest. Their self-titled debut album packs an original rock crunch with an alternative bent that incorporates ska, blues, jazz, and punk. You can find it on all the streaming services and for purchase through Bandcamp. 

    Substanance returns to Woods Valley after making a splash on St. Patrick’s Day. This unique trio is the epitome of a family band. Father Joe Coniguliaro and his sons Quinn and Ben come from Saugerties packing a lunch box  full of original material that combines elements of funk and harmonic indie rock that will provide food for your ears. 

    Advance tickets are available in person at Copper City Brewing Company, 1111 Oneida St. in Rome or online for $25 through the Woods Valley website at this link. Children ages 6-12 are $5, 5 and under are free. Passes include parking, all-day admission to the festival, and use of bounce houses for children.  

    Gates open at 11:00 am with the music beginning at noon. For more information or questions on Woods Fest Music Festival, visit the festival website.

  • Bush, Live and Our Lady Peace Leave CMAC Crowd Higher Than Ever

    90’s nostalgia was in the air when Our Lady Peace, Live and Bush made their stop on the Altimate Tour at CMAC in June. This tour brings some of the best bands from the ’90s together and truly made it one of the ultimate tours to see this summer.

    Kicking off the night was Our Lady Peace as they warmed the audience up with their intense yet centered energy. OLP is one of those bands that brings the audience’s energy up and got the nostalgia ball rolling for the evening. Their setlist was packed with so many hits from the ’90s/early 2000s such as “Superman’s Dead” and “Starseed.”

    Next up was co-headliners LIVE. Lead vocalist Ed Kowalczyk started singing from the middle of the amphitheater and slowly descended through the audience until he reached his bandmates on stage. It threw the crowd for an exciting loop as everyone turned their heads to locate Kowalczyk. LIVE really cherry picked their setlist, giving the crowd a fabulous mixture of their hits and throwing in some musical nostalgia of their own with their covers of REM’s “Losing My Religion” and The Rolling Stone’s “Paint it Black.”

    All three bands rocked CMAC, but there is no denying the energy Bush bought to the stage when they closed the night. Bush played a great set with a mixture of their hit songs, including their new single “Bullet Holes.” Lead vocalist Gavin Rossdale bounced around the stage just like he did in 1997. He and guitarist Chris Traynor have an undeniable vibe when they play their guitar chords together. Rossdale jumped off stage during “Everything Zen” and went through the audience, giving the fans in the back some love and appreciation.

    The Altimate Tour is not one to miss. It is a 90’s cocktail of amazing musicians that sparked the youth back then and they continue to feed that fire to their fans 20 years later. Not many bands can bring a tour like this to life, but Bush, LIVE and Our Lady Peace can and did.

    The Altimate Tour just kicked off their last leg of the tour and New Yorkers still have time to catch this amazing tour with stops scheduled for August 29 in Wantagh, NY and on August 30 in Bethel, NY.

    Our Lady Peace Setlist: Drop Me in the Water, Innocent, Superman’s Dead, Somewhere Out There, Clumsy, Stop Making Stupid People Famous, Starseed

    Live Setlist: Dam at Otter Creek, All Over You, Selling the Drama, Losing My Religion, Shit Towne, Iris, The Dolphin’s Cry, Paint it Black, Lakini’s Juice, I Alone, White Discussion, Heaven, Turn My Head, Lighting Crashes

    Bush Setlist: Machinehead, Chemicals, This is War, Sound of Winter, Swallowed, Everything Zen, Disease, Bullet Holes, Little Things, Glycerine, Comedown

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