NYS Music 20​19

Category: News Desk

  • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Leftover Salmon release sounds in support of Backline

    On the heels of the Jeff Austin tribute show ‘What the Night Brings,’ Backline has announced the release of two singles by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Leftover Salmon, both of whom have joined Backline as partners.

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong released “Dawn a New Day,” a psychedelia-inspired lyric video via Billboard in announcing their partnership with Backline, in an effort to help those struggling with mental health “dawn a new day.” Contributions to Backline’s “Dawn A New Day” fundraiser can be made .

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong singer and guitarist Greg Ormont said in a statement:

    “Our new single ‘Dawn A New Day’ is all about looking on the sunny side of life. We’ve been fortunate to be able to spread that message of positivity to The Flock for years now, and we’re always looking for even more ways to give back. While we always encourage people to ‘dawn a new day’ when they’re experiencing a difficult chapter in their lives, we also recognize that it’s easier said than done. It made perfect sense to partner with Backline around this single to help raise awareness about mental health and offer a direct line to mental health resources for those who need it. We’re honored to give back to the music community in this way and we’re determined to find even more ways to help people ‘dawn a new day’ moving forward.”

    Likewise, Leftover Salmon, a band with a close connection to the late Jeff Austin, released “Songs You’ve Left Unsung” as a tribute their dear friend. The song was penned by Leftover Salmon bassist Greg Garrison and is available via Backline.Care in a ‘pay what you want’ format.

    Greg Garrison shared the following about “Songs You’ve Left Unsung” and his memories of his friend:

    “I first met Jeff Austin when we were in 7th grade. Through the 80’s and 90’s, we somehow always wound up in the same places at the same times…Rolling Meadows, IL as kids, Decatur and Urbana, IL during our college years, and eventually Colorado as adults. And then, maybe predictably, as members of touring bands in the same scene. “Songs You’ve Left Unsung” is a reflection on some of these times…the verses move chronologically, starting in Illinois and winding up in Colorado. The chorus is meant to be bittersweet but also hopeful for those of us that are still here writing songs, experiencing music, raising families and living life with all of its turbulent ups and downs.”

    Garrison spoke of his connection to Backline, noting:

    “I think their mission is exceptionally important; providing mental health and wellness support to people in the music industry while also providing an opportunity for those of us who deal with issues like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse to share our stories. Hopefully, these stories will provide comfort, clarity, support, inspiration and a helping hand to anyone who is in need.”

    Backline is a hub for music industry professionals and their families to quickly and easily access mental health and wellness resources. Backline has partnered with leading support organizations and care providers to streamline access to a wealth of services and educational resources specifically geared towards this work and lifestyle. A hub to discover existing organizations, unique content, peer networks, and case managers who can help create a plan that addresses your unique mental health and wellness challenges–on and off the road, the website was created by music industry professionals for music industry professionals. More information is available at Backline.care.

    PPPP will perform in Buffalo December 13-14 at Town Ballroom, with Lespecial supporting them on December 13. For a full list of upcoming tour dates visit Pigeons’ website.

    Leftover Salmon are currently on tour, with Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman embarking on an acoustic tour in December with New York dates in February.

  • Hearing Aide: Jess Novak and Ben Wayne ‘Rise’

    The Syracuse based duo, Jess Novak & Ben Wayne, are dropping their four track EP Rise today, November 10, across all streaming platforms. This alternative Indie-folk rock-duo fused their previous individual works with their environmental inspiration while recording in Nashville, Tennessee to breed Rise. The EP builds on both their individual strengths from Wayne’s Southern California rock and reggae roots, and Novak’s distinct violin, songwriting and vocal skills, which are well recognized with her winning Best Female Vocalist by the Syracuse New Times back in 2018.

    Ben Wayne (left) and Jess Novak (right) promotional picture for Rise.

    The EP opens with the song, “After All” which has a distinctly doo-wop rhythm to it. In conjunction with Novak’s vocals it differs from every other song coming up on your favorite streaming service. It’s a refreshingly unique combination of doo-wop and alt-rock that we don’t hear nearly enough. With the rhythm section being layered with lead guitar, carrying an almost country feel, the song is hard to categorize into one singular genre. A trend of Rise in general. It’s not one singular sound. It’s not one singular genre. It is a little bit of its own thing – which is one reason it’s so enjoyable and a well rounded.

    The second track “Carousel” is a known Ben Wayne song. While Jess Novak writes and takes the lead vocals on the other three tracks, Wayne leads on this hauntingly beautiful and painful song. It starts with a little walking bass line on the acoustic guitar played by Wayne and a violin smoothly dropping in, with Wayne’s drawl starting shortly after. The song revolves around accepting that things are coming to an end and letting the other person go even though you could still be happy with them. It’s the kind of song you listen to on repeat with your headphones stuck in your ears, escaping the world, or maybe more correctly escaping your own carousel that you are stuck on. 

    Ben Wayne (front) and Jess Novak (back) promotional picture for Rise.

    “Here to Stay,” an abrupt change from “Carousel,” fits Rise‘s diverse musical and artistic showcase of both Novak and Wayne’s talents. They don’t have to stick to one particular sound or genre or tempo. The song is heavy on Novak’s vocals without Wayne backing on it much if at all. This track really stars Novak’s accompanying band which is made up of Jeff King on guitar, Steve Brewster on drums, Mark Hill on bass, Tim McDonald on keyboards, and of course Jess Novak on Violin. Between the tempo changes, build ups and guitar riffs it’s definitely a track that is beyond vocally focussed and gives credit to all the great musicians involved. 

    “Ripper” swings. It has and upbeat, dance-tempo, making it hard for you to sit still. You will find yourself bobbing your head without meaning to. The song has a similar sound as “Here to Stay,” with more punch to it. With the topic of having your heart ripped out and being excited about it, it’s not the most common motif.

    The EP had help from producer Bill Warner and songwriter Kirsti Manna, who is best known for her work with Blake Shelton. Rise is a powerful piece of work made by Jess Novak & Ben Wayne. It’s something worth listening to if you’re looking for new music to add to your arsenal. The EP release party is at The Ridge located at 1281 Salt Springs Rd, Chittenango, NY 13037 on November 10th at 3PM. For more information check out Jess Novak’s website and Ben Wayne’s website.

    Key Tracks: Carousel, Here to Stay.

  • 2nd Generation Wu Release Debut Single

    The Wu Tang Clan legacy is alive and well, and is being carried on through the children of some of the iconic group’s more charismatic members. 2nd Generation Wu is comprised of iNTeLL (son of U-God), PXWER (son of Method Man), SUN GOD (son of Ghostface Killah), and Young Dirty Bastard (son of the late Old Dirty Bastard).

    While they each have their own respective solo careers and records, the second generation rappers have decided to come together to continue the legacy left by their fathers, and have taken the first step in doing so, with the release of “7.O.D.”

    The Jojo Pellegrino and J. Glaze produced record sees the younger Wu’s put their own spin on the Wu-Tang Clan’s most recognizable song, C.R.E.A.M.  The record, while an ode to the legends that preceded them, does not stop the young emcees from distinguishing themselves and making it their own.

    Aside from delivering their own personal lyrical warfare throughout the song, the famous line that Method Man employs on the original record, “Cash rules everything around me C.R.E.A.M., get the money, dollar, dollar bill y’all,” has been changed to, “God made everything around me, forget about the money, none of it is real y’all.” Showing that the new Wu is quite aware of their different upbringing, proving the content won’t always be the same. One thing that seems to be everlasting though, is the grittiness of the beats and the rhymes.

  • LOCKN’ Changes Dates, Moves to Three Days – 8th Annual Event to Celebrate Phil Lesh’s 80th

    LOCKN’ returns for its eighth year at Infinity Downs and Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, VA on June 19-21, a shift from it’s usual dates in late August. This year’s festival will be extra special as LOCKN’ has put together a star-studded celebration of Phil Lesh’s 80th birthday. Lesh is best known as a founding member and bass player for the Grateful Dead.

    “I am honored that Peter and the LOCKN’ family are throwing me the most special kind of birthday bash this year!” says Lesh. “It’s perfect because I’ve had so much fun there over the years — not just playing, but also getting to hang out and spend time with good friends and collaborators, some of whom I have just met and others whom I have been playing with since this all began. We are going to have a lot of fun.”

    Lesh at 2016’s LOCKN’

    Festival co-founder Peter Shapiro stated, “We’re going to celebrate Phil’s 80th the LOCKN’ way.” He continued, “He means so much to all of us, and we really are determined to give him the best party he’s ever had. We want to celebrate the man and his music in the best way possible. No better way than on our farm in that setting.”

    LOCKN’ 2020 has pulled out all the stops for the celebration. Attendees will be able to experience for the first time ever at the three-day event the option of adding the Thursday before. Dubbed as “Steal Your Thursday” attendees can start the party early with a “Jerry Dance Party” on June 18. Expect a psychedelic audio/visual experience that celebrates the music of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. If that is not enough LOCKN’ for you, there is an option to come on Wednesday that gives you early access to the farm.

    LOCKN’ LUMNI tickets will be available beginning Friday, Nov. 8 at 8:08 a.m. For complete ticket information and much more, please visit the LOCKN’ website here.

  • Indie Argentine-American Belén Cusi releases video for “Estrella Fugaz”

    Belén Cusi, an Argentine-American singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn has unveiled the video for her second single, “Estrella Fugaz” (Shooting Star). Shot over the course of six months around Manhattan and Brooklyn, “Estrella Fugaz” was directed by Tatiana del Fuego, among a diverse core team of mostly LatinX women. Belén Cusi will perform on Saturday, November 9 at Groove in the West Village of Manhattan.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0qfpfHtUDg

    In directing “Estrella Fugaz,” del Fuego expressed to Cusi how it important it was for her to helm the ship of a very heavy femme team, “and how important it is for femmes to dictate what we consider sexy and empowering. This is 100% the female gaze, and it’s very delicately executed.”

    Belén Cusi Estrella Fugaz

    Cusi appreciated this vision, and sought of the video to be elegant, feminine, and to show a strong female character that, despite singing about being played on by her partner, emerges as victorious and empowered at the end of the video. “I think we succeeded at that,” said Cusi.

    Born to Argentine parents, Cusi was raised in San Antonio, TX, where she began studying classical piano at age 8. She studied at Boston University where she began singing and writing songs. After working with a local producer on what would be her (unreleased) first LP, Closer, and a two-year leave of absence from college, Cusi felt restless and dissatisfied creatively upon the album’s completion, she returned to school, studying philosophy and traveling to Argentina to connect with her familial roots.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEVFpotmNl0

    After an almost five-year hiatus from music, Cusi experienced an epiphany reading the book Mastery by Robert Greene and decided to return to her music career indefinitely. She quickly assembled a band and became a local regular at various Boston clubs, before moving to New York City in 2017.

    Upon her move, she began recording new music with DJ Afro and has since become a local staple at legendary clubs like Groove in the West Village. Lauded as a “whimsical performer who can transport you with just one song,” Cusi has proven herself to be a formidable artist. She consistently hones her craft and takes inspiration from other disciplines. In addition to driving her music project single-handedly, she also works in architecture PR to pay the bills and goes to acting school at night. Cusi is not your average triple threat.

    Listen to her previously released single “Me Has Liberado” (You’ve Released Me) below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLyBbD-OqtE

    Don’t miss Belén Cusi on Saturday, November 9 at Groove in the West Village of Manhattan. Click here for details.

  • Orchard Lounge, DrFameus and Maŕa set for debut performances at Gramercy Theatre in February

    Chicago-based DJ collective Orchard Lounge return to New York City on Friday, February 7 for their first ever performance at Gramercy Theatre, joined by DrFameus and Brooklyn electronic producer Maŕa.

    Orchard Lounge and DrFameus are no strangers to taking the stage together, most recently sharing the bill and even performing with each other at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver. While a rarity that these acts share a bill and stage with one another, they’ll surely be performing together at some point throughout the night.

    DrFameus, the solo electronic music project created by the versatile Disco Biscuits’ drummer Allen Aucoin finds him exploring many musical realms, ranging from breakbeats to drum ‘n’ bass, dubstep, techno and house. The performance is a combination of Allen’s live drumming over his original production and different mixes.

    Maŕa, a Brooklyn-based electronic producer, uses her unassuming demeanor and disarming look “to put listeners on their asses.” As the creator of Brooklyn’s Cultivated Sound, she brought a fresh, unique face to the local techno scene, blending blistering hard beats with synthetic and dulling bludgeoning bass. She exudes a raw sexuality when slamming long blended transitions from smoother minimal techno to “bastardly boosted beats”

    Doors open at 10 PM for this show, with tickets available starting at 10am on Friday, November 8.

  • Caravan of Thieves to perform 2019 Holiday Concert at FTC Stage One

    Folk troubadours Caravan of Thieves will return to stages across North America this winter after taking two years off from touring for personal and artistic growth and they’ll celebrate their return with a holiday concert performance at FTC Stage One on Saturday, November 16. Marking their only show for the remainder of 2019, Fuzz and Carrie Sangiovanni got their start in Bridgeport, CT in 2008 and have continued to expand their artistic vision and bring in a variety of new stringed instrument players into the Caravan of Thieves lineup.

    Originally inspired by the big band swing era, the Quintette du Hot Club de France, and early American folk music, the acoustic guitar playing and singing duo Caravan of Thieves took local musicians Brian Anderson (upright bass) and Ben Dean (violin) out on the road with them to test drive their new concept. By the end of 2008, the Caravan began to gain recognition for their distinctive style, released their debut full-length album Bouquet (2009) and have shared stages with a wide variety of artists such as Emmylou Harris, Dan Hicks, The Decemberists, Keb Mo, Tom Tom Club, Punch Brothers, among others. Live performances cover a wide range of intimate acoustic duets to exciting junk-percussion jams to big audience stomp, clap and sing-alongs.

    According to Fuzz and Carrie, “We’re driven to consistently entertain our audience, in concert and on our studio recordings, which lends to building a community of listeners who can be involved in our show and our creative process in some way, as well as a variety of artists who we can share our vision with. These elements allow our band and our music to be alive and have a soul.”

    Fuzz and Carrie brought in some change for 2016 and went out for a few national tours with new members of the group, releasing a duo album Maple Hill Sessions, Vol 1 (2016), an intimate recording inspired by the recent duo moments in the Caravan of Thieves shows.

    The recharged Caravan will embark on a winter tour with select East Coast dates which have yet to be announced.

  • Alanis Morissette to perform ‘Jagged Little Pill’ at The Apollo Theater on December 2

    Alanis Morissette will perform her seminal 1995 album Jagged Little Pill at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem on Monday, December 2. The fully acoustic performance will be followed by a Q&A with Alan Light, co-host of SiriusXM Pandora show Debatable. The one-night only event celebrates the opening week of Jagged Little Pill the Musical at the Broadhurst Theater, with the first performance on Friday, December 5.

    Jagged Little Pill won five Grammys including album of the year. The Broadway version of the album features an original story by Diablo Cody.

    Pre-sale tickets go on sale Thursday, November 7 at 10am – make sure to sign up for the mailing list by Wednesday, November 6 at 5pm to receive a pre-sale code. 

  • Sleeping With Sirens Announces 2020 ‘The Medicine Tour’ with Set It Off, Belmont and Point North

    Pop – punk group Sleeping With Sirens will set off on a 21 stop North American tour in 2020 to celebrate  the release of their new album “How It Feels To Be Lost.” Joining “The Medicine Tour” starting in Lincoln, Nebraska on Jan. 8 will be alternative rockers Set It Off, Belmont and Point North. Along the way, they will make a stop at Upstate Concert Hall near Albany on Febr. 4 before ending the tour a few days later in their current residence of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

    How It Feels To Be Lost is Sleeping With Sirens’ fifth full-length studio album since emerging onto the scene in 2010. Returning to a post-hardcore sound, the  record features tracks like “Leave It All Behind,” “Break Me Down,” and “Agree To Disagree,” as well as the track appropriately titled “Medicine (Devil in My Head).” Recorded at the MDDN Studios in Los Angeles, the album was produced by Zakk Cervini and Matt Good.

    The group’s daring ability to push the envelope in rock has pumped out music infused with different genres from pop, acoustic and some R&B. A loyal fan base known as “Strays” has helped them reach over 1.5 million in record sales, millions of streams and three gold singles. Tickets for “The Medicine Tour” go on sale Friday, Nov. 8, at the group’s website.


    Sleeping With Sirens, Set It Off, Belmont + Point North 2020 Tour Dates

    Jan. 8 – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NB
    Jan. 10 – The Forge – Chicago, IL
    Jan. 11 – Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN
    Jan. 12 – Granada Theatre – Lawrence, KS
    Jan. 14 – Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
    Jan. 15 – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT
    Jan. 17 – House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
    Jan. 18  – Regency – San Francisco, CA
    Jan. 20 – Encore – Tucson, AZ
    Jan. 22 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX
    Jan. 23 – White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX
    Jan. 25 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
    Jan. 26 – The Cowan – Nashville, TN
    Jan. 28 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
    Jan. 30 – Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ

    Jan. 31 – Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
    Feb. 1 – Palladium – Worcester, MA
    Feb. 4 – Upstate Concert Hall – Albany, NY
    Feb. 5 – Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, Ontario
    Feb. 7 – The Crofoot – Detroit,MI
    Feb. 8 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI

  • Everyone Orchestra with Robert Randolph, Vernon Reid, Turkuaz horns and more to perform at Garcia’s on November 17

    On Sunday, November 17, Everyone Orchestra, conducted by Matt Butler, will welcome a cadre of musicians for a performance at Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY.

    everyone orchestra garcia's

    Butler will bring with him sacred steel guitarist Robert Randolph, Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Claude Coleman Jr. (Ween), George Gekas (The Revivalists), Josh Schwartz and Chris Brouwers (Turkuaz), along with Asbury Park’s Remember Jones.

    If you’ve never caught Everyone Orchestra, let alone a Sunday show at Garcia’s, this performance couldn’t be better timed.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0LiV_5NWig
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