The popularity of Vulfpeck, a low-volume funk band is on the rise. Founded in 2011, the group started in venues holding only 3,000 people. Today, Vulfpeck has announced an upgrade to a one-night-only performance at the worlds’ most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.
Vulfpeck will be headlining the New York City show on Saturday, Sept. 28, alongside The Fearless Flyers, a side project featuring bassist, Joe Dart. The debut will be the quartet’s second-ever live performance.
Vulfpeck however, has released four EPs and albums. The band had an admission-free tour in 2014, funded by their album on Spotify called Sleepify. The band’s most recent collection is entitled Hill Climber and was released in December 2018.
Tickets to see Vulfpeck at Madison Square Garden will be available Friday, February 1 at noon through Ticketmaster. They will also be available to purchase on Saturday, Feb. 2 at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theatre box offices.
Over the course of the past year, The Pixies recorded an upcoming record at Dreamland Recording Studios in Hurley, near Woodstock. Known for working with diverse and legendary artists including, The Band, Herbie Hancock, Fleet Foxes, and Sufjan Stevens, the studio is housed within the bones of the former St. John’s Church, built in 1896. Once used for hallowed prayer and song, the structure of the building now lends itself to create the ideal acoustic environment to support the Pixies’ experimentation with sound and dynamics.
Due in September, the record is produced by Tom Dalgety (2016’s Head Carrier). Fans will be able to take a special journey into the history of the band and the making of the still untitled album through a 12-part podcast, titled “Past Is Prologue.” Hosted by New York Times best-selling author Tony Fletcher and produced by Signal Co. No1, the episodes will begin June 27, and will air weekly until the album drops.
Fletcher, having written popular biographies on The Who’s Keith Moon and R.E.M., is inviting listeners inside the recording process. He says, “Thanks to the unprecedented access, we can all experience how their magic gets tracked, taped and transmitted.”
Commenting on the scope of the podcast series, Signal Co. No1 co-founder Michael Simons shared, “While the emphasis of the podcast will be on the creation of the new album and looking forward, we were very interested, from a story perspective, in the way history has shaped who the Pixies are, and how and what they are creating now, how the past creates the present.”
Watch the trailer, here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk2Z270Xxcs
As if it wasn’t enough, the band will be going on tour with Weezer as co-headliner. You can find them coming to New York on March 12 at Madison Square Garden in NYC, and March 14 at the Times Union Center in Albany.
Brooklyn collective Jäh Division has released “Isolation Dub,” a reggae-experimental interpretation of rock band Joy Division’s track from their album Closer. Bred in the shadows of the Brooklyn Bridge, 21st Century DIY musicians merge, including members of the pop group Animal Collective, experimental Brooklyn rockers Oneida and Awesome Color (Brooklyn).
This psychedelic twist comes from Dub Will Tear Us Apart… Again, a deluxe edition remake of their 2004 debut. The bonus release includes the reggae-dub version of “Isolation Dub” from Joy Division classics. Dub Will Tear Us Apart… Again proves the sparse musicianship Jäh Divisionparty of the once on-call-Brooklyn party-band has not only resurfaced, but also evolved to greater heights. Their sound stretches from the north-city to Manchester (UK) with Barry London’s Space Echo tape loop.
The reissue is a deluxe version of the original release, the band’s sole output. Initially a 4-track EP, the record has been expanded to include a fifth Joy Division track (“Isolation”), two unreleased originals from a scrapped album and a bonus 7″ with previously unreleased covers of Desmond Dekker and Jackie Mittoo tracks from the original sessions.
The reissue was recorded on a reel-to-reel tape in a single-day session at the Free 103point9 residential melting pot: a performance space, loft and micro FM radio station with windows overlooking the Williamsburg Bridge. What started as ‘a good smoke and a joke,’ said their original 12 Inch Recording label, quickly opened a wormhole of unreleased music, psychedelic lost-voyages and vintage instruments: including a Radio Shack purchased Moog, trash electronic drums and, of course, lots of delay and reverb.
Radiohead fans were treated to an Internet-streamed surprise of a b-side track to 2016’s A Moon Shaped Pool. “Ill Wind” begins as a brooding, bass-driven track which opens to a full suite of synth inspired soundscapes towards the latter half. Released with the song “Spectre,” the band’s rejected intro theme to the 2015 James Bond film, the two tracks were an extra CD bonus with the purchase of the vinyl record.
Take a listen.
The release of “Ill Wind” comes during a flurry of news regarding solo work from Thom Yorke. He’s announced a limited edition release of more than 20 songs, cut from the soundtrack to the 2018 remake of Suspiria. Separately, a solo record, apparently sharing some political themes has been confirmed for 2019.
According to an interview with El Mundo, with translation from Pitchfork, Thom states “I didn’t have any desire to make very political music, but everything I do tends to go that way anyway.” The album will be produced by longtime Radiohead collaborator, Nigel Godrich.
Thom Yorke and Radiohead fans have much to look forward to in 2019, including Radiohead’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Coincidentally, Thom won’t be able to make it to the ceremony, he’s got some other things to attend to.
Vocalist Maynard James Keenan confirmed that Tool has tracked all the instruments and vocals, and their next album they promised for 2019 is in the mixing process. This is the long-awaited follow-up to 2006’s 10,000 Days.
Tool has announced tour dates. They are on the lineup for Welcome to Rockville, Epicenter Festival, and Chicago Open Air in May, then they head off to tour in Europe in June. Visit Tool for more info.
The ball may be dropping in New York City, but all over New York State, there will be incredible live performances that are sure to be show-stopping starts to the New Year. To make sure you do not miss out on all that New Year’s Eve (NYE) has to offer this trip around the sun, here is our NYS run-down for the statewide welcome to 2019.
Western New York
Buffalo – Aqueous will be coming home for the holidays and kicking off 2019 right at the Town Ballroom with special guests who are sure to bring the funk, lespecial. Click the link to figure out how to secure your spot at this NYE celebration, and about another chance to see the group in a more intimate setting. https://www.facebook.com/events/715484275466687/
Rochester – In order to ensure 2019 is a one-of-a-kind year, come ring in the New Year with the one and only Americana and jam band, moe. Tickets on sale now: https://www.facebook.com/events/475287809638652/
Finger Lakes
Ithaca – Presented by DSP Shows, it’s the two-day celebration at The Haunt, featuring Binghamton-native folk rock group, Driftwood. To grab your tickets for one or both nights, follow the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/178512866383693/
Southern Tier
Binghamton – It’s the perfect trifecta for a Happy New Year: great food, champagne, and jams from progressive rock group, Railbred. Binghamton is in for a treat so make sure to click the link to secure your ticket to Callahan’s Sportsman Club in advance. https://www.facebook.com/events/2204707582881695/
Endicott – Topper Saloon will be hosting their New Years Eve Party featuring Last Call, the classic rock band from Broome County, NY. To ensure that you will be dancing and singing your way through the night, click the link for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/195783067916826/
Nichols – There’s nothing quite like the party band, Wreckless Marci, to rock you into the New Year. Come spend the last moments of 2018 and the first of 2019 with them at Tioga Downs Casino Resort. https://www.facebook.com/events/332286467572322/
Central New York
Syracuse – A longstanding favorite of Upstate New York, Pearly Baker’s Best, will be performing at the Lost Horizon on the 31st, and will be joined by Mike Powell & The Black River. For a celebration full of soulful songwriting and tributes to the Grateful Dead, click the link for more info. https://www.thelosthorizon.com/event/1793856-pearly-bakers-best-mike-syracuse/
Hamilton – Come join the John Scarpulla Band at the Colgate Inn in Hamilton, NY for a night full of blues, soul, country and Americana. To secure your dinner reservation and spot at this New Years Eve Party, make sure to call the Colgate Inn. Details in the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/566392323822676/
Albany – Head out to Jupiter Hall in Albany for a New Year’s Eve Club Night, complete with champagne toasts, balloon drop, and of course, a massive dance floor. The night will feature sets from DJ Tony Martinez and DJ Løgantheø. Click the link for more info: http://jupiterhallalbany.com/events/new-years-eve-club-night/
Saratoga – Putnam Place will be hosting a celebration to welcome 2019 by partying like it’s 1985. Come join That 80’s Band as they welcome the New Year with some old favorites. https://www.facebook.com/events/247197935957116/
Woodstock – Colony in Woodstock will be hosting their New Years Eve Dance Party, which will be featuring Chris Wells and The Silver Spaceship. Come get down with some of the finest musicians in New York to start your year right. https://www.facebook.com/events/198138204445223/
Huntington – Yet another spectacular 80’s themed party to welcome 2019. The Paramount will be hosting Jessie’s Girl – The World’s Best 80’s Band for a tribute show like none other. Grab your tickets and get more info at the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/147680822848768/
