NYS Music 20​19

Category: Folk/Americana

  • John Mayer Announces Solo Tour, Kicks off in Albany

    Grammy Award winner, John Mayer, announced the dates for his upcoming North American tour Monday. The tour will begin once Mayer finishes his duties with Dead & Company this summer.

    John Mayer soloBeginning on July 19 at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY, Mayer will perform at 27 other venues, including Madison Square Garden, NY on July 25 and 26.

    Each North American concert will auction off two pairs of front row tickets that will allow fans to experience a meet and greet prior to the start of the show. The proceeds from the tickets will go towards the Back To You fund: an organization that donates money to causes such as healthcare, education, and charities related to talent development.

    Tickets to Mayer’s tour will be on sale through Ticketmaster beginning Feb. 1 at noon. Presale tickets are available Jan. 29 at 10 a.m.

    Furthermore, American Express card holders may begin purchasing tickets on Jan. 29 through Jan. 31.

    Tour Dates:

    July 19 – Times Union Center – Albany, NY
    July 29 – Dunkin’ Donuts Center – Providence, RI
    July 22 – Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
    July 23 – Capital One Arena – Washington D.C.
    July 25 – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
    July 26 – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
    July 28 – PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
    July 30 – Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON
    Aug. 2 – Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
    Aug. 3 – Schottenstein Center – Columbus, OH
    Aug. 5 – Xcel Energy Center – St. Paul, MN
    Aug. 6 – Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI
    Aug. 8 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
    Aug. 9 – Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC
    Aug. 11 – State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA
    Aug. 12 – Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
    Aug. 14 – United Center – Chicago, IL
    Aug. 31 – Snomass Mountain – Snowmass Village, CO
    Sep. 2 – Sprint Center – Kansas City, MO
    Sep. 3 – Engterprise Center – St. Louis, MO
    Sep. 5 – American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
    Sep. 7 – AT&T Center – San Antonio, TX
    Sep. 8 – Toyota Center – Houston, TX
    Sep. 10 – Talking Stick Resort Arena – Phoenix, AZ
    Sep. 11 – Viejas Arena – San Diego, CA
    Sep. 13 – The Forum – Inglewood, CA
    Sep. 14 – The Forum – Inglewood, CA

  • Warm up at the Waterhole during Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

    The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is a legendary two-week party in the middle of winter, in the most northern part of New York State. This year’s edition, the 122nd, takes place from Feb. 1 – 10. The sometimes blustery elements of this idyllic mountain town take a backseat to celebrate the warmth of music, friends,food and fireworks. The Waterhole Music Lounge is Northern New York’s central hub for the best in live music. The venue historically has played host to a dynamic range of bands, across several genres over ten days. This year’s line up carries that tradition onward.

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    Over the past decade or so some of the best in hip hop, rock, and jam have played huge sets to rowdy crowds coming in off the streets after a day of parades. Some notable names include: The Ominous Seapods, Rubblebucket, Donna the Buffalo, Sophistafunk, Twiddle, Hot Day at the Zoo and so many more. This year’s lineup offers the return of Plattsburgh powerhouse and long standing Winter Carnival performers Lucid. Buffalo’s own and NYS Music 87/90 artist, Folkfaces open up the night on Feb. 2.

    The Waterhole in Saranac Lake has been a big part of what makes the music scene in Upstate New York amazing, a slice of rock and roll history nestled up the mountains. The venue is a three floor experience that has seen some big time names play the stage. Del McCoury, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Gov’t Mule, Bela Fleck, moe., Leftover Salmon, Soulive, and Turkauz have all performed memorable sets here. In continuing with the tradition of bringing quality acts, this year’s line up promises to offer up those “wish I were there” sets from the artists both established and on the rise.

    Other bands making the trip to grace the stage are West End Blend, Barika, Lady Moon and the Eclipse, The Gibson Brothers, The Melting Nomads, The Swampkids, Annie in the Water, Driftwood and Swampcandy. Look forward to special performances in the Downstairs bar of The Waterhole from Kevin Sabourin, Nina’s Brew and Dirty Blanket. There will be plenty of opportunities for entertainment after a day of snowshoe ultimate, skating or skiing. Grab a convenient week long pass for $65 for a discounted way to catch all the music. For more information about live music at The Waterhole check out their website.

    Check out the full schedule below:

    Feb. 1 – Driftwood w/s/g Swampcandy- 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show; $10.00 advance / $12.00 door 

    Feb. 2 – Lucid wsg. Folkfaces – 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show; $17.00 advance / $20.00 door  

    Feb. 3 – Kevin Sabourin (Of Lucid) – 2:00 p.m. Downstairs – free show

    Feb. 5 – Nina’s Brew – 9:00 p.m. Downstairs – free show

    Feb. 6 – Annie in the Water – 8 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show – $10.00 

    Feb. 7 – The Gibson Brothers w/s/g Old Sky – 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. show; $18.00 advance / $22.00 door

    February 8th – Lady Moon & The Eclipse, Melting Nomads & Swamp Kids (Feat Members of Big Mean Sound Machine & Chris English) – 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show; $10.00

    Feb. 9 – Post-Parade Party with The Big Takeover – 2:00 p.m. – Free Show

    Feb.9 – West End Blend w/s/g Barika – 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show – $10.00 

    Feb. 10 – Dirty Blanket – 2:00 p.m. Downstairs – Free Show

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    written by Derick Borst

  • Hearing Aide: Harmonic Dirt ‘Anthracite’

    When I first started to pick apart Anthracite by Harmonic Dirt , I did so just instrumentally. The first track really pulled me in with sweet and simple instrumentation, angelic vocal harmonization and a catchy chorus. I dove deeper into the album and started to pick apart each song lyrically and found that it’s somber – Like really, really sad, in a good way!

    Harmonic Dirt was created by Mike Gridley and Susan Coleman, who began writing songs together about two years ago. Coleman wrote the lyrics, Gridley put them to music and sent their creations off to friend and percussionist, Taylor Bucci. They saw the potential they had as a group, went off to record and just a few months later, created a full length album. ‘This endeavor is a testament to the power of confidence, the magic of compatible musical visions, and blind faith,’ said the bands bio.

    They pull inspiration from Son Volt, Wilco, Neil Young and other heavy hitters of the sixties folk-rock genre. Not many aspiring musicians make music like this anymore. In an era of four on the floor song about partying, mumble rap about money and women, or even jam bands playing 15 minute songs, where 95 percent of a track is the guitarist shredding away, it’s good to fall back on genres like this; where we slow down, simplify, and focus on the more somber parts of life. Harmonic Dirt delivers that.

    “Please,” could absolutely be an unreleased Neil Young song – the formula is there. A sweet, major chord progression and harmonica are the ideal welcome-matt to invite listeners into what Harmonic Dirt has to offer.  The chorus is the absolute best part. The groups vocal harmonization is addictive and well done, but it’s a shame this is really the only time we hear it on the album.

    “Anthracite” is another key track. They again capture the sound of the best folk rock artists, with sultry guitar riffs, catchy harmonica hooks and some very somber lyrics. We hear a story about about deceased coal miners? Perhaps, someone working in a mine that has passed? Is it depressing? Absolutely. But it’s good to get in touch with those emotions and to hear about other people’s hardships and loss.

    “Maybe” is another one listeners should spend some time dissecting. We get some flavors of 60’s pop – The Beatles definitely shine through on here instrumentally and lyrically, as we hear about complex relationships. It’s a common theme these days, but stories aren’t usually written in this way. It’s a nice change of pace.

    This may differ compared to what’s being released lately, but it’s worth trying. Sample this album out at the end of a long day, as a way to wind down. It may be a little melancholy if you look into the lyrics, but it’s softened by the peaceful, and simplicity of, instrumentation, which can make dealing with sadness and somber thoughts just a little easier.

  • Wild Rivers Open Their Tour at Good Luck

    Toronto quartet Wild Rivers returned to Rochester after their set this summer opening for Donna the Buffalo at the outdoor party, Band on the Bricks. Now it was winter, and the eternally gray skies were falling in the form of cold rain. The venue was cozy and warmly lit. Good Luck and the crowd was the highly attentive audience who frequent Honest Folk’s productions. Dancing feet were replaced by listening ears and Wild Rivers’ brand of poppy folk would hold strong across that divide.

    They opened with their first written song, “Wandering Child,” a song which opened quietly before exploding with a full folk sound. Later, they introduced “Moving Target,” which is still two-weeks out from officially being released. Guitarist Khalid Yassein switched to keys and the band went fully electric, becoming more moody and ethereal. The set closed with a stunning, near-acapella, front-of-stage performance of “Howling.” Wild Rivers performed songs oldest to newest, electric to completely un-mic’d acoustic and the rest of the set was a healthy blend of everything in between.

    Yassein and bassist Devan Glover traded lead vocals song to song and verse to verse. In the moments when their criss-crossing met with two-part harmonies, musical sparks ignited. Lead guitarist Andrew Oliver added in tastefully restrained yet intricate leads and also took over on bass for a couple tunes. Drummer Julien Laferrière kept everything humming along, from the slowest slow to rocking highs, matching the mood perfectly throughout.

    Local singer-songwriter Cammy Enaharo opened the show with a short set. In the Swiss-Army-Knife of the Rochester music scene Enaharo has been a go-to vocalist for bands of every ilk. But tonight, it was just her and a baritone ukelele. Her rich and smooth voice was more than capable of carrying the day. Put them in front of her honest and personal songs and 30 minutes just had us hungry for more. Originals like “Neighbors,” “Home,” and “Mermaids” matched wits with her emotional cover of Desiree’s “You Gotta Be.”

    If you like to see live music, but are not a fan of standing around in a crowded bar waiting around until late at night for the bands to finally take the stage, give Honest Folk a try. They start promptly around 7pm and don’t ever go past 10pm, so even on a weeknight you’ll be home at a reasonable hour. The shows are seated, the decibel level doesn’t require earplugs and most importantly the music is top notch. Their next show is March 12, back at Good Luck, featuring Dead Horses and Honeysuckle. Tickets are on sale now at early bird pricing.