NYS Music 20​19

Category: Genres

  • NYC’s Fever Dolls blur ‘The Distance’ between Music and Art with New Video.

    New York City’s Fever Dolls, a pioneered quintet hinged on being “brash and over-the-top,” are hot off the release of their new music video for “The Distance.” Released this past Wednesday, November 27, the video evokes the limitless nature of modern music with a vintage film.

    Fever Dolls The Distance

    With an endless supply of irresistible hooks and lyrics about sex addicts, according to the band’s website, “The Distance” follows suit. The band’s leading duo, Evan Allis and Renn Mulloy, fuse musical queues that are equally as provocative as the video’s visuals. With each step, or foot traveled, the viewer picks up on a new detail once overlooked – meanwhile, the stereo proves to be growing in complexity.

    “The Distance” is one of the first songs Renn and I sang when we started playing together. It has always been a favorite of ours to perform live and a favorite of our audiences to sing along with. It’s the kind of song that makes people lose their minds and jump for joy.

    Evan Allis

    While we’ve played “The Distance” in different bands and different forms for a few years now (even releasing a version in 2016 with our previous band Iron Eyes Cody) we never felt like we captured the live energy and spirit of the song in a recording until now. We feel like we caught something special with this cut of “The Distance,” and are excited for people to hear it.

    Evan Allis

    The Fever Dolls are no strangers to NYS Music after Sammy Steiner dubbed them as musical populists, transcending as visual storytellers for their release of “Mr. Carver.” They are on the rise with a constantly sharpened sword, ready to disrupt the music scene with a vengeance. Check out “The Distance” on all social media platforms, such as Spotify, where the band draws over 9,000 monthly in.

    Fever Dolls are playing Mercury Lounge on January 12 with West End Blend and Travers Brothership. The show is 21+ with an 8 pm start time. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

  • Debut performance of Jam Just Happened planned for December 6 at Nublu

    A first of its kind show, Jam Just Happened will bring together the intimacy of a podcast and the uniqueness of a live music experience. The first live performance is set for Friday, December 6, at Nublu NYC. The show will feature guitarist Scott Metzger, drummer Adam Chase, keyboard player Aron Magner, and bass player Jay White. 

    The musicians will bring each of their individual styles together to create something entirely unique for a small audience. A podcast companion will be released after the show. This event is presented by Osiris Media and nugs.net, and will be emceed by Tom Marshall.

  • Joe Russo’s Almost Dead perform dream setlist at HeadCount Benefit

    The fans voted, and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead delivered a dream setlist at the Brooklyn Bowl on Monday, November 25. “Make Democracy Rad Again” was a benefit for HeadCount included selfie moments as well as plenty of goodies for those who signed up to vote or showed support for democracy. The biggest treat was the incredible setlist played to a packed house.

    Joe Russo's Almost Dead Headcount

    If you aren’t familiar with the group, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead offer a fresh take on the music of the Grateful Dead. The band consists of Joe Russo (Drums), Dave Dreiwitz (bass), Marco Benevento (keyboards), Scott Metzger (guitar/vocals), and Tom Hamilton (guitar/vocals).  They are known to sell out venues within minutes and offer experimental takes on classic tunes.

    Joe Russo's Almost Dead Headcount

    HeadCount is dedicated to registering new voters through music. Joe Russo and Marco Benevento were part of the first HeadCount benefit back in 2004, making Joe Russo’s Almost Dead an easy candidate for the first of many benefit shows between HeadCount and the Brooklyn Bowl. Brooklyn Bowl owner Pete Shapiro was recently named Chair of the Board of Directors at the non-profit. The band has also outgrown this venue, which made this pairing more enticing. According to HeadCount’s twitter, the benefit successfully generated $150,000.

    Joe Russo's Almost Dead Headcount

    In order to uphold one of HeadCount’s missions, democratic participation, the set list was voted on by those attending the show. The results included heavy hitters, starting with a full suite of “Terrapin Station,” “Eyes of the World,” “The Eleven,” and “Franklin’s Tower.” Notable favorites like “Fire on the Mountain,” and “Help on the Way” didn’t get enough votes to make the cut, however, two stellar non-Dead tunes made the cut, including “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” by the Allman Brothers and “Atlantic City” by Bruce Springsteen.

    Joe Russo's Almost Dead Headcount

    After this incredible show of dynamic improvisation and fan favorites, it’s easy to see why this band quietly sells out venues. They are back on the road in 2020, kicking the year off at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. Head on over to the band’s tour page for more details before the tickets are gone.

    Setlist: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Headcount Benefit at Brooklyn Bowl, Monday, November 25, 2019

    Set One: Althea > The Eleven > Viola Lee Blues > Franklin’s Tower, Atlantic City > Reuben & Cerise > Eyes Of The World > In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed

    Set Two: St. Stephen > Scarlet Begonias > Dark Star > Terrapin Station Suite > Shakedown Street > Throwing Stones > Another Brick In The Wall Part 2 jam > Throwing Stones

    Encore: Jack Straw

  • Celebrate 10 Years of Phish’s Seven Below->Ghost

    Over November 27 and 28 2009, Phish performed two nights at Albany’s Times Union Center, the latter of which produced one of the band’s ultimate jams from their ‘3.0’ era. Opening set two with “Seven Below” and segueing seamlessly into “Ghost,” the band put forth 45+ minutes of Type II jamming (improvising beyond the song’s composition and structure) that still serve as one of their best from the last 10 years.

    seven below ghost

    Listen via LivePhish.com, Phishtracks.com, stream the full show, or just the 45 minutes of “Seven Below” -> “Ghost” below.

    November 28, 2009 setlist via Phish.net

    Set 1: Party Time, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Uncle Pen, Sanity, Foam, Walk Away > NICU, Alaska, Split Open and Melt, Joy, Vultures, Backwards Down the Number Line

    Set 2: Seven Below > Ghost, Cool It Down > Gotta Jibboo, Let Me Lie, Wolfman’s Brother > Julius

    Encore: You Enjoy Myself

    This show featured the first Uncle Pen since July 11, 2000 (129 shows). Ghost contained a tease of Seven Below.

  • They Might Be Giants Add New ‘Flood’ Shows

    Brooklyn’s “Ambassadors of Love,” They Might Be Giants,  due to popular demand, have added new shows to their 2020 tour. New stops will include  Boston, New Haven, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and many more. They also have added additional shows in Chicago, Detroit and New York City at the Bowery Ballroom, all of which are now sold out. New Yorkers can still catch TMBG at the State Theater in Ithaca (May 5) and Buffalo at the Town Ballroom (May 6). 

    The 2020 tour is in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their third album, Flood, which catapulted them into international stardom upon its release. Dubbed as an “evening with” show, fans can expect for TMBG to play Flood in its entirety along with favorites and some brand new tracks thrown into the lineup. Find a full list of the shows below and visit the band’s website for ticketing.

    They Might Be Giants 2020 Tour Dates

    Jan.10 – Daryl’s House Club – Pawling, NY

    Jan.11 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

    Feb.6 – College Street Music Hall – New Haven, CT

    Feb.7 – Columbus Theatre – Providence, RI

    Feb.8 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

    Mar.5 – Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI

    Mar.6 – Vic Theatre – Chicago, IL

    Mar.7 – Geek Bowl XIV – Chicago, IL

    Mar.8-9  – The Majestic – Detroit,MI

    Mar.13 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA

    Mar.14 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

    Apr.8-9  – Lincoln Theatre – Washington, DC

    Apr.10 – 930 Club – Washington, DC

    Apr.11 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

    Apr.30 – May 1 – Royale – Boston, MA

    May 2 – Higher Ground – South Burlington, VT

    May 3 – Academy of Music Theatre – Northampton, MA

    May 5 – State Theater – Ithaca, NY

    May 6 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY

    May 7-8 – Mr. Smalls Theatre – Millvale, PA

    May 9 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

    May 12-13 – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern – Cleveland, OH

    May 14 – Vic Theatre- Chicago, IL

    May 15 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN

    May 16 – Fitzgerald Theater – St.Paul, MN

    May 17 – The Pageant – St.Louis, MO

  • Hearing Aide: Fruition ‘Wild As the Night’

    Portland-based quintet Fruition has come a long way since busking on the streets of Portland, and as they take the country by storm, they’re not afraid to dive into new ideas in their latest album release Wild As the Night.

    Perhaps the greatest talent of this group is their ability to weave in and out of different genres with ease, and their versatility can qualify them to perform at all types of festivals, from Telluride Bluegrass to Bonnoroo (both of which they’ve played).

    The album is a true testament to this group’s musicianship and experience. The opening track “Forget About You” is riveting, with piano-arpeggiated runs to fill the spaces between the thunderous drum beat that carries the song. As the commotion builds, we’re introduced to tight three part harmonies and rhythmic mandolin strums. The title track of the album has a rich balance that warms the mix, and just as you get past the tenderness of the ballad, you’re suddenly thrown into the trip-hop trance of “Sweet Hereafter.” It’s here where the beat thickens, the heads bob and the mandolin is given a bit more bite so as to mimic an electric guitar.

    Wild As the Night is unique glimpse into the band’s history, which has lasted more than several years. While they can all play multiple instruments, there is no fight for attention on this album. This group has their own language, and they leave space to breathe and allow each other to contribute. They even describe themselves as pieces of a bigger part when it comes to their music, and it’s evident in the album as well as their live shows. A band this creative and daring can generate a buzz quickly, so do yourself a favor and catch one of their shows while they’re still on the rise.

    Fruition will be stopping by the Hollow in Albany on February 1, and if you’re in NYC, you can catch them at the Brooklyn Bowl on February 5. For info and tickets, check out their website and Facebook page.

    Top Tracks: Forget About You, Wild As the Night, Sweet Hereafter

  • Gramatik Formulates Electronic Wizardry in Brooklyn

    Electronic wizard and free music advocate Gramatik made people dance into the early morning hours with his digital weave of urban and funky beats at the premiere EDM venue in Brooklyn, Avant Gardner. He was supported by incredibly talented colleagues Opiou and Balkan Bump for a night of organic, hip-hop-infused electronica.

    Balkan Bump is an electronic artist who mixes live instruments, world music and digital production. Trumpeter, producer and enthomusicoligist Will Magid is the brain child behind this band. A tapestry of funky beats, stellar trumpeting and dance hall vibes was cleverly woven throughout the set. At one point, Magid announced that he was playing a one word song, and everyone should sing along. That song was “Tequilla” by The Champs, and it was a huge hit with the crowd.

    Opiou, a producer and artist from New Zealand, was up next, and brought his Kiwi electronic heat. Also known as Oscar Davey-Wraight, this DJ is known for funky beats and deep bass grooves, as well as a penchant for keeping the dance floor alive well into the late night. Will Magid joined Opiou during the middle of his set on trumpet, creating a refreshing organic synergy. His signature buildups and drops continued throughout the set, framed with an engaging LED light display and plenty of fog.

    Gramatik took the stage to a packed crowd that was ready to dance. And dance they did. Denis Jašarević is Gramatik, hailing from Slovenia, and is known for his mind numbing hip-hop beats and fresh remixes. He played with guitarist Adam Stehr, adding an organic feel to his live performance. His stage setup included several LED panels that displayed colorful graphics, a healthy dose of fog, and a stacked lighting rig that fostered an elevated visual experience.

    This evening’s stellar performance included samplings of “No Sleep Til Brooklyn” by NYC’s own Beastie Boys and “Can’t Get Enough” by Gramatik’s frequent cohort Griz. Will Magid joined the party on trumpet for a tune, and the crowd was loving every second of this vibrant collaboration. Gramatik noted that this was his last show of 2019 and he sure went out with a bang.

  • Kamaal Williams Showcases His Modern Jazz on Two Floors at Elsewhere

    UK-based modern jazz artist Kamaal Williams brought his band to Brooklyn this past Saturday for a headlining show at Bushwick’s Elsewhere. Also known as Henry Wu, Williams has been putting out hip-hop-infused jazz music since 2012. With a musical foundation as a drummer, Williams has brought a percussionist mentality to his music, developing deep layers and rhythms on the keys.

    Kamaal Williams at Elsewere, Brooklyn – Photo: Joseph Buscarello

    In 2018, Williams founded his own record label, Black Focus Records, and released his debut as Kamaal Williams, The Return. The album is a true representation of the modern jazz scene, with influences from hip-hop, UK garage and funk melding with the jazz foundation in a unique way. All of these influences feature heavily on William’s NTS Radio residency as Henry Wu.

    Kamaal Williams at Elsewere, Brooklyn – Photo: Joseph Buscarello

    The show relied heavily on The Return, but throughout the night the band ventured in and out of unidentifiable musical passages and jams. The connection between Williams and the drummer was obvious as they cued off each other constantly, all while keeping in sync. Along with Williams’ large keyboard setup, the band consisted of drums, bass and tenor saxophone, but the depth of their sound made them seem much larger.

    Kamaal Williams at Elsewere, Brooklyn – Photo: Joseph Buscarello

    Shifting back to his roots as Henry Wu, Williams also released the 70th edition of the legendary series DJ Kicks this earlier this month. Still with jazz influences throughout, this release focuses more on the eclectic history of UK beat and garage music with Williams’ jazz style layered in. After the show at Elsewhere, Williams moved up to the second floor loft to DJ a late night party celebrating this release.

    Kamaal Williams at Elsewere, Brooklyn – Photo: Joseph Buscarello

    The band continues a tour of North America through December. It will be very interesting to hear how Williams follows up The Return in 2020.

  • Crumb ‘Jinx Tour’ Stops at Music Hall of Williamsburg

    Crumb played some of their classic songs and sold out the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday. The show opened with sets from the groups of Shormey and Divino Niño. Both had a similar wavy, indie sound similar to Crumb. Divino Niño delivered a spectacle of a performance with an excess of dancing and tossing roses; their showmanship rivaled that of the headliner.

    Crumb

    Crumb donned the stage to “Sweet Escape” and kicked off the show with “Cracking,” the opening song to their full length album Jinx. Lila Ramani delivered her signature sweet vocals and dreamy guitar licks. At some point, she brought balloons to the front of the stage and emptied a water bottle on the crowd. For their encore, Crumb played one of their most popular hits, “So Tired.” When the song picked up, everyone from the opening acts burst on stage to play and dance together.

  • Turkuaz to ditch colors as they kick off December tour at FTC Warehouse

    Brooklyn-based funk band Turkuaz, who recently dropped their roygbiv colors as well as their new EP Kuadrochrome in November, will perform at FTC Warehouse in Fairfield, CT on Thursday, December 5. The show (with special guest Great Time) marks the first of 9 shows in December, which finds the band travel from the Northeast to Colorado, where they’ll perform in Boulder on New Years Eve.

    turkuaz colors

    Dave Brandwein, one of the founding members of Turkuaz, produced the tracks that were recorded at Galaxy Smith Studios. Available for download on all major services, the 4-song EP is also set to be released in limited-edition vinyl LP that will include special instrumental versions of the tracks.

    Alluding to a more cohesive sound while sticking true to the band’s fusion of funk with elements of R&B, psychedelic pop, gospel, Afro-pop, New Wave, and classic rock, Kuadrochrome is designed to get people dancing. This is evident in the visualizer video released last week for the studio rendition of “Heat Drop.” As many fans are already aware, the “colors” era is forever encapsulated in the band’s feature concert film, None’s a Ton, slated for wide release sometime this winter. 

    “We’re stripping back to our basics a bit with this release,” explains Brandwein. “We’re revisiting some of the old school elements of funk and soul that we’ve veered away from in recent years. It’s fun to change it up every once in a while and we feel it’s important for us, as well as our fans to keep things fresh. Although we’re playing some different material and sporting a new look — it’s still the same Turkuaz energy, with plenty of material from our whole catalogue. This is just the beginning. Kuadrochrome is the first of many steps into a new and exciting future in the world of Turkuaz.”

    To celebrate a new era for Turkuaz they will kick off a short winter tour on December 5 at FTC Warehouse in Fairfield, CT. Touring across the United States they will also be joined by several other bands. Philadelphia native funk/alternative band Great Time will be on stage in Fairfield, CT and Philadelphia, PA at the beginning of the tour. Starting in Kalamazoo, MI, Brooklyn duo Paris Monster is set to rock the stage for three nights. Hailing from Portland, OR, Swatkins and The Positive Agenda will be sure to bring a good time during the middle of the tour before Chicago native Neil Francis and his evolutionary soul-funk sounds from a bygone era finish up the last nine of the tour’s stops.

    Find a full list of upcoming dates below and head over to the band’s website for tickets.

    Turkuaz Tour Dates:
    Dec. 5 – Warehouse – Fairfield, CT *
    Dec. 6- Theatre of The Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA *
    Dec. 12 – Bells Brewery – Kalamazoo, MI ^
    Dec. 13 – The Vogue Theater – Indianapolis, IN ^
    Dec. 14 – Exit/IN – Nashville, TN ^
    Dec. 27 – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO #
    Dec. 28-29 – 10 Mile Music Hall – Frisco, CO #
    Dec. 31 – Boulder Theater – Boulder, CO #
    Jan. 7-12 – Jam Cruise – Miami, FL 
    Jan. 15 – Saturn – Birmingham, AL ~
    Jan. 16 – Victory, North – Savannah, GA ~
    Jan. 17 – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC ~
    Jan. 18 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA ~
    Jan. 23- Songbirds  – Chattanooga, TN ~
    Jan. 24 – Madison Theater – Covington, KY ~
    Jan. 25 – Jefferson Theatre – Charlottesville, VA  ~
    Jan. 30 – High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI  ~
    Jan. 31 – Park West – Chicago, IL 
    Feb. 1 – Fine Line Music Cafe – Minneapolis, MN ~

    * w/ Great Time
    ^ w/ Paris Monster
    # w/ Swaktins & The Positive Agenda
    ~ w/ Neal Francis

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