NYS Music 20​19

Category: Jam/Progressive

  • Aqueous Goes Big in Rochester

    It was an unremarkable day on the calendar and a fairly unremarkable day outside, but inside the doors of Anthology in Rochester big things were happening. Buffalo’s Aqueous, who’ve called Rochester their second home since near their inception, were moving on from their frequent and beloved haunt Flour City Station. Like a hermit crab, they shed that shell and crawled the short distance down East Ave and nestled into the much larger Anthology. Remarkably, the band sold the venue out on their first visit.

    Everything about the move was big, The crowd, the stage, the lights, the sound. The crab had long outgrown its shell and was just yearning for this expansion. In other words, Aqueous wasn’t overwhelmed by the shift. On the contrary, it allowed for a huge release long in the making. To celebrate the occasion, the band planned to even make the show bigger, by adding a third set. And not just any set, plopped right in the middle of two regular-sized Aqueous sets was a fully improvised second set.

    It was a risky endeavor, but at worst a ho-hum jam set had the safety of being surrounded by two strong Aqueous sets. Ho-hum it wasn’t. The band found theme upon theme upon groove in five to ten minute segments pieced together seamlessly for a full 65 minutes. During that hour all in attendance were equals. No matter if this was someone’s first show or someone’s 100th, no one knew what was to come, band included.

    The set had no lulls and little to no meandering. It was defined and refined jamming. It felt familiar, until it didn’t, until it did again, mixing and matching genres along the way. It was EDM, then, “Oh damn!” It got Dead-y, then deadly, Phishy then fizzy, went from metal to meta, Ska to “Gah!” PeAQ Aqueous. When the band revisits the recording of the set they could easily mine a few new songs from it.

    The middle set was the highlight of the night, but of course there was plenty to love about sets one and three. “The Median” opener blasted the evening open with a soaring fiery jam. “Origami” got disco funky before a slow building theme peaked and exploded. “Good Enough” contained one of the more beautiful segments of the night, with a progression reminiscent of Jerry Garcia Band’s version of “Dear Prudence.” And “All In” and Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell” were a fun big rock combo to close out the third set in the wee hours of the morning.

    Anthology still has that new venue smell and is ripe for the taking. Friday night, Aqueous put a stake in the ground. All that’s left to do is raise the flag. Their new Rochester home is well underway to being claimed.

    Setlist:
    I: The Median, Kitty Chaser (Explosions) > Undone – The Sweater Song (Weezer) > Kitty Chaser (Explosions), Origami > Good Enough > Complex I, Warren in the Window
    II: Improv
    III: 20/20 > Aldehyde, Underlyer > Marty, All In > Run Like Hell (Pink Floyd) > All In
    E: Jam > Triangle

  • Mike Gordon Sells Out Asbury Lanes

    On Saturday, March 16, Mike Gordon played to a capacity crowd at Asbury Lanes, a new Jersey Shore venue brought to you by The Bowery Presents. The Phish bassist’s solo outfit is not to be missed, with Craig Myers, Robert Walter, and John Kimock the band is fun and tight, exploring each song. But it’s the long time collaboration with Scott Murawski that makes these shows ebb and flow through a funky jammy sound that is a lot of fun. Mike Gordon will be out on his solo tour for the rest of the month of March and for any Phish fan it is a must see.

    SET 1: Different World, Victim, Infinite > Jumping > Meat, Black Tambourine, Let’s Go

    SET 2: Up And Down, Sughn Never Sets, Yarmouth Road, Marissa, Cities, Face

    ENCORE: Destiny Unbound, Gimme Some Lovin’

  • In Focus: Bob Weir and Wolf Bros Shine at Count Basie Theatre

    Completing a stellar two night run at the historic Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey, Bob Weir and Wolf Bros continue to shine, expanding the Grateful Dead’s legacy to new heights. Bob Weir is in top form, and is supported by two amazing musicians; Don Was on bass and Jay Lane on drums, each bringing their own style to the performance. Highlights included “Blackbird,” “Deal” and “Eyes of The World,” but it was the extremely intimate and emotional rendition of “Standing On The Moon,” that didn’t leave a dry eye in the building and rounded out an amazing two nights for the band and deadheads alike.

    Set 1: Easy to Slip, Gonesville, Blackbird, K.C. Moan, Odessa, Hell in a Bucket, She Belongs to Me, Corrina, Deal

    Set 2: Me and My Uncle, Cassidy, Truckin’, Fever, Ashes and Glass, Don’t Let Go, Eyes of the World, Standing on the Moon, Going Down the Road Feelin’ BadEncore: U.S. Blues

  • Premiere: Get down on stage with Marco Benevento in 360 Degrees

    Marco Benevento’s performances are a lively experience to watch in any setting. Alongside bassist Karina Rykman and drummer Andrew Borger, Marco puts on an unpredictable show with a range of originals and unique deconstructed cover choices. With a history of performances with Garage a Trois, Benevento Russo Duo, G.R.A.B., Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and Bustle in Your Hedgerow, Marco is a master on the keys and a treat to see live, and today you can see a performance from Marco in 360 degrees.

    marco benevento 360

    So get your Virtual Reality headset on (or your tablet or smartphone) and get ready to bust out some dance moves with Karina and rock out on stage with Marco and drummer Dave Butler. This 360 experience comes courtesy of C&C Media Group, Marco Benevento, Royal Potato Family, and Ardmore Music Hall who collaborated as a way to say THANK YOU to fans by giving them an immersive 360 concert for free.

    Watch “Bus Ride” from Marco’s September 22, 2018 show at Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA. Want more? Subscribe below to see the full show and tune into Set 1 and Set 2! (360 videos are best watched in 1440p on a tablet or mobile device, but are available up to 4K! If you have Google Cardboard, click on the Cardboard icon in the lower right.)

    All videos were produced by C&C Media Group. Subscribe to C&C Media Group’s YouTube channel to gain access to current and future performances and interviews. 

    Catch Marco on tour this spring

    March 9 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm’s Barn (SOLD OUT)
    March 29 – New Orleans, LA – Hogs For The Cause
    April 26 – New Orleans, LA – Blue Nile
    April 27 – New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s
    May 1 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – River Street Jazz Cafe
    May 2 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
    May 3 – Jersey City, NJ – White Eagle Music Hall
    May 4 – Greenfield, MA – Hawks & Reed
    May 10 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse
    May 11 – Harrisburg, PA – The Abbey (Free)
    June 13 – Bethel, NY – Mountain Jam
    July 13 – Marshfield, MA – Levitate Festival

  • Pink Talking Fish Burn Down The House with Junta Circus Spectacular

    Pink Talking Fish literally brought the circus to the Capitol Theatre with Greg Ormont from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong stepping in as The Ringmaster. There was talk of circus performers and antics happening during the show, but what occurred can be described as nothing short of a spectacle!

    Scrambled Greg was the perfect fit for the role of ringmaster. He stepped up whole heartedly and was silly, incredibly enthusiastic and hilarious. It appeared that he was having the best time out of anyone in the theatre. Greg sat in on guitar for a couple of songs, doing vocals on “Icculus” and even manning a trampoline during “You Enjoy Myself.”

    Pink Talking Fish burned down the house with an incredible musical performance featuring amazing takes on Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and songs off Phish’s Junta including “Y.E.M,” “Divided Sky,” “David Bowie,” “Fluffhead” “Fame,” “Foam,” “Dinner and a Movie,” “The Great Gig in the Sky,” “Brain Damage” and so much more. There was even a memorable sit from Ben ‘Junta’ Hunter, the first manager of Phish.

    The Big Apple Circus featured an eclectic group on incredibly talented performers featuring clowns, aerialists, and a woman who could hoop ten-thousand hula hoops. The circus kept the show incredibly visually stimulating while PTF kept the jams going all night long.

    Seems that this display is a notch up for PTF. Undoubtedly, this show took an immense amount of preparation and coordination by everyone involved from lighting designer to clown. They’ve showed that with a lot of dedication, with the power of music, and a little help from your friends incredible spectacles can be created.

    “The circus is the place for me with bears and clowns and noise. I love the shiny music that descends from overhead”.

    Pink Talking Fish: Junta Circus ft Greg Ormont 2/23/19

    Set 1: Fee > Once in a Lifetime, You Enjoy Myself > Learning to Fly > You Enjoy Myself, Free Four, Esther, Life During Wartime, Golgi Apparatus

    Set 2: Foam, Have a Cigar, Dinner and a Movie, Cities > Divided Sky > The Great Gig in the Sky > Divided Sky > David Bowie > Fame > David Bowie, This Must Be The Place > Fluffhead > Contact, Union Federal, Brain Damage > Sanity > Brain Damage > Eclipse > Icculus

    E: Burning Down The House

    Photos by Filip Zalewski of Essence Photography

  • Hearing Aide: Consider the Source ‘You Are Literally a Metaphor’

    Consider the Source’s sixth studio release, You Are Literally a Metaphor is a creative picaresque, flushed with cultural influences, brought together in a thrilling narrative of layered instrumentation. The title, not to mention the playing, invites a literary reading and the expansive territory it explores, invokes the realms traveled by a surreal “hero” in an epic tall-tale of love, loss and weird trips around the sun. The real-ish universe stages a synastry of sketchy archetypes, faceless figures with obscure motives whose actions we recognize. You are Literally a Metaphor is a totem of the band’s figurative playing, evocative songwriting, and exacting range. It is musical treasure trove too rich for a non-musician’s explication, that journeys expressively through numerous genres, wistfully transitioning from prog rock to jazz-fusion, Middle Eastern sci-fi and blues over the course of nine tracks. “Sketches from a Blind Man” opens the album with painterly, cinematic playing, provoking listeners to see scenes from this cryptic odyssey as they unfold. The sound is atmospheric and spacey, imbued with foreboding and a breakneck beat. The chase is on, as guitarist Gabriel Marin, bassist John Ferrara, and drummer Jeff Mann, compete in a frenetic dance of ecstatic playing, weaving intricate lines into complex progressions. “The One Who Knocks” is a song akin to the work of Primus, and Bela Fleck the Flecktones, that spins folksy guitar lines and lean bass leads into a dark, heavy march, eventually escalating into a turbulent guitar section, before turning gracefully toward a triumphant, soaring conclusion. “It is Known” is a wild cruise. It begins as a red-eyed, breezy ballad with a hint of the blues, reminiscent of The Flaming Lips, but it lurches into a moody groove, ả la Eddie Hazel, before finally shapeshifting into a speed rock meltdown that recedes into blissful contemplation. The dignity with which CTS so casually blends these traditional elements with their own math rock sensibility, daredevil technicality, and genuine style, all while connecting each track purposefully with the others, is proof that Metaphor represents a peak for the band.

    Playing Twister with genres and influences seems to be Consider the Source’s way of taming the art of songcraft. These tracks sound like stories: rooted in place, with a beginning, middle, and end, repeated themes and motifs, and the hint of emotional development. Taking advantage of the familiar rituals inherent in a given genre provides CTS with the canvas on which they sketch their impossibly skillful illustrations. “When You’ve Loved and Lost Like Frankie Has” is a refreshing take on the blues. Mournful leads linger over an alluring pocket and hip-hop beat, as the tune’s bluesy restraint coolly displays the profound sadness portrayed in Marin’s playing. “Enemies of magicK” is a fitting finale to Metaphor, as it highlights CTS’s prog rock prowess, bringing the album to an anthemic close, while also recapitulating many themes, changes, and elements developed over the course of the album.

    You are Literally a Metaphor is a project articulated in full, an album seemingly without misstep or omission, on which the playing is peerless and without arrogance. The songs are delicately arranged and wisely executed. It draws on influences ranging from Mars to the Middle East, from Mississippi to Mahavishnu, from Dixie Dregs to King Crimson, and from ELP to epic psychedelia, but over the course of the album, it is Consider the Source’s immense originality and intrepid style that ultimately shines with the highest definition.

    Enemies of magicK,” the first single from the album is available to watch, below. The full album is set to release March 1, on all digital platforms.

    Key Tracks: Enemies of magicK, Sketches from a Blind Man, It Is Known

  • The Elements of Aqueous: Part Two – Evan McPhaden

    Night two of the five night Colorado run took place at a hip little venue in Avon, located in the Vail Valley.  Agave, a traditional Mexican restaurant by day – live music venue by night, hosted Aqueous and BIG Something for an intimate show. The welcoming vibe continued with a crowd of Colorado residents and again, familiar faces from back East. Agave filled up while the band completed soundcheck; the excitement from fans was palpable. Situated on a cozy corner stage, Buffalo’s groove-rockers were ready to get the crowd moving.

    Holding true to their “cant stop, won’t stop” mantra, it was only fitting that the set opener was “Strange Times,” from the 2012 album Willy is 40, which segued beautifully into a highly anticipated “The Median.”  Next up was an exceptionally fun bust-out of the Gary Numan song “Cars,” played only one other time 467 shows ago on 7/28/14.  The set concluded with a soaring, extended “Kitty Chaser (Explosions).”

    Evan McPhaden aqueousAfter the set concluded and Aqueous load out was complete, the opportunity arose to sit with Evan McPhaden (Bass/Synth) for a conversation about touring, songwriting and his roots as a musician. The exchange started, Evan spoke about how it felt to be back in Colorado and being on tour with North Carolina’s BIG Something. Very happy to be back in CO, Evan said he’s been excited to be playing new venues and sharing the tour with BIG Something. Stating that a perk of a co-headlining tour allows time to enjoy the show as well as perform.  Delving a bit into his involvement in the creative side of things, it was uncovered that Evan contributes heavily to the songwriting process. On Color Wheel,  he wrote “Weight of the Word,” the music for “Split The Difference” and “Mandela Effect,” which was a NYS Staff voted Best Album of 2018. When asked about McPhaden’s hand in songwriting, he humbly downplayed his efforts even though he is known as a gifted writer and composer.

    Evan began playing music at a young age.  Encouraged by his father, whom played bass, Evan picked up the guitar to join in on jams with his dad.  He gave it his all, but one day he picked up a bass guitar and he said it just “felt right.” As far as bass-lines go, McPhaden pulls out some low end grooves that provide the heartbeat for both melodies and jams that Aqueous is known for. Giving credit to his rhythmic partner-in-crime Rob Houk, Evan explained that since Rob joined the band he feels much more confidence and flow when performing, and this is certainly apparent on Color Wheel.

    The conversation with Evan concluded with some real love for the AQuantainces.  Evan shared his appreciation and respect for their fans, stating that watching a fan sing “every single word to every single song” was incredibly moving. Looking forward to the next stop on the tour, the band prepares for more travel through the mountains and more adventures at new venues. Next stop, Winter Park at Ullrs Tavern.  These shows will be available on Nugs.net for streaming with a subscription.  Full set list for the Agave set can be found below.  Tour dates for the Aqueous/BIG Something tour can be found here.

    February 14, 2019    Agave, Avon, CO

    Set one: Strange Times > The Median, Say it Again > Cars1 > Kitty Chaser (Explosions)

    Notes:1 BUSTOUT: LTP 7/25/14 (467 shows)

    Catch up with Dave Loss HERE.

  • Pink Talking Fish Bring Junta Circus to The Capitol

    Pink Talking Fish has teamed up with the Big Apple Circus to create a new concept called Junta Circus, celebrating Phish’s album Junta, and are bringing the circus to the Capitol Theatre on Saturday, February 23. Greg Ormont from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has been recruited as ringmaster. The show will feature circus acts both on and off stage. Who better to lead the wacky circus than Scrambled Greg?

    Pink Talking Fish celebrates the music of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish all on one stage. They have already played two concept shows at The Capitol Theatre, one for “The Wall” and another for “Stop Making Sense.” The energy, artistry, and improvisation are incredible at these shows, and, undoubtedly, they will pull out all the stops to provide a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. Like other shows, this will be one long marathon set, so you better get ready.

    The New Year’s Eve performance from Phish, featuring several suspended aerialists flying around the band, seems like it may have inspired this show even though it was announced before Phish’s New Year’s run. Junta features Phish classics like “You Enjoy Myself,” “Dinner and a Movie,” “Divided Sky,” “David Bowie,” “Fluffhead,” “Sanity,” “Contact,” “Icculus” and more.  Some of those feature masterful composition with parts that are difficult to play, so the musicians of “Junta Circus” certainly have their work cut out for them.

    Pink Talking Fish team up with Start Making Sense and the ladies of Turkuaz for one of their concept shows at the Capitol Theatre.

    Pink Talking Fish at The Capitol Theatre

    Port Chester, NY 2/23/2019

    Age: 18+

    Show: 8PM

    Price: $22.50/40

    Ticket link:

  • St. Paul and The Broken Bones Roll Through Port Chester

    On Sunday, February 17, St. Paul & The Broken Bones made their Port Chester debut at the historic Capitol Theatre. Led by the incredible vocalist Paul Janeway the Alabama rock and soul band weaved in out of their original catalog, blessing the audience with amazing versions of “Flow With It” and “Apollo.” The 8-piece soul outfit was in top form preparing for an upcoming performance on Late Night With Seth Meyers. There is something about sweet soul music, having a tight band and a lead singer that makes all the hairs on your body stand with every high note hit. It’s awesome to see good music thrive, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for St. Paul & The Broken Bones.

    St. Paul and The Broken Bones

    Setlist: LivWithOutU, Flow With It (You Got Me Feeling Like), All I Ever Wonder, Like a Mighty River, Grass Is Greener, Band Instrumental (with So Fresh, So Clean by Outkast), Mr. Invisible, Convex, NASA, GotItBad Band Instrumental, Apollo, Bruised Fruit

    Encore: Sanctify, Call Me,Broken Bones & Pocket Change

  • Photo Gallery: A Doom Flamingo Dance Party

    Umphrey’s McGee‘s Ryan Stasik’s New Band Blast off Late Night at The Brooklyn Bowl.

    Doom Flamingo

    After a raging three night run at Brooklyn Steel Umphrey’s McGee bassist Ryan Stasik brought his new band Doom Flamingo to The Brooklyn Bowl for a late night dance party. Fronted by the dynamic and tantalizing Kanika Moore, her soulful vocals accompanied by rolling bass line, broad horns, and an eerie darksynth soundscape set the night into hyper drive. Doom spent the night weaving through original material and covers including ZZ Tops Legs, the 80’s classic Maniac, and Nine Inch Nails Closer. Support this awesome new band and be on the look out for new singles as they are released.

    Setlist: Moonroller, Hot Wheels, F-16, Love On Hold, Replicant (new song debut), Telepathy>jam>Domingo’s Drive, Across The Room, Legs, Maniac, Runaway. 

    Encore: Bullshit Anthem, Cocaine Blues, Blade.

    Doom Flamingo
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