NYS Music 20​19

Category: Upcoming Shows

  • Metropolis Ensemble adds New Performances to 13th Season

    Grammy-nominated Metropolis Ensemble is a dynamically evolving 21st century orchestra with a dedication to creating a future for classical music both of and for the times we live in. Founder and conductor Andrew Cyr, who has been called “a prominent influence in the world of newly emerging music,” by the Washington Post). Metropolis Ensemble exists to support ascending contemporary classical performers and composers, often engaging them with other bleeding-edge cultural innovators and artists through its unique collaborative process.

    This season’s performances reflect Metropolis Ensemble’s ongoing process of forming highly collaborative and nurturing relationships with artists to make and present large-scale projects. Past partnerships include major live presentations and studio recordings with artists such as Avi Avital, Timo Andres, Questlove, William Britelle with Wye Oak and Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and Emily Wells.

    The collective has announced additional performances for their already underway 2019-2020 season. New events will find collaborations with the collective 37d03d at Eaux Claires Hiver in Wisconsin, as well as pop up shows in New York City.

    Several of this season’s events in New York City are being held at Metropolis Ensemble’s pop-up venue called 1 Rivington, which Metropolis launched in 2017 to provide a place for new projects and collaborations to take shape in a supported framework. It has since presented more than 75 performances and commissioned dozens of new works in the loft space. Through these various forms of support and collaboration, Metropolis Ensemble works to re-imagine what a classical music ensemble and community can be in the 21st century. For more information on events, visit their website for details.

    Metropolis Ensemble 2019-2020 season upcoming performances

    11/22-23/19 — Eaux Claires Hiver – Eau Claire, WI (various locations)
    Members of the Metropolis Ensemble community will join the collective 37d03d (“People”) for an immersive weekend of performance and improvisation featuring Ani DiFranco, Aaron Dessner, Justin Vernon, Pieta Brown, Jon Hopkins, Willam Brittelle, and more.

    11/23/19 — Oak and the Ghost: Music of Nathan Schram – NY, NY at 1 Rivington 
    The album release performance for violist Nathan Schram’s Oak and the Ghost (New Amsterdam Records), featuring the Attacca Quartet. Schram’s music meshes the acoustic world of the classical string quartet with the bumps, bruises, and richness of modern electronica.

    12/02/19 — Ecstatic Music: Gaby Moreno, LADAMA and Metropolis Ensemble present ¡Spangled! – NY, NY at Kaufman Music Center
    Guatemalan-born singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno is joined by the women of Latin Alternative quartet LADAMA and the Grammy-nominated chamber orchestra Metropolis Ensemble (Andrew Cyr, conductor) to perform music from ¡Spangled!—her new collaborative album with American musician, songwriter, arranger and producer Van Dyke Parks (Nonesuch Records).

    12/09/19 — JACK Quartet Studio Readings – NY, NY at 1 Rivington
    In partnership with Metropolis Ensemble, JACK Quartet will read and record existing works by artists who may not otherwise have access to professional ensembles and performance space. 

    1/03/20 — Fiona Gillespie and Elliot Cole: Tam Lin – NY, NY at 1 Rivington
    A modern adaptation of the 16th-century Scottish ballad “Tam Lin” — a story of transformation and love to life in a musical drama weaving traditional Celtic, medieval, and modern musical threads.

    4/02/20 — Ecstatic Music: Metropolis Ensemble and Bell Orchestra
    NY, NY at Kaufman Music Center
    A sonorous trip into the energetic abysses and meditative heights of orchestral music from Bell Orchestre’s upcoming third album, House Music, in a large ensemble arrangement by multi-instrumentalist and composer Owen Pallett, featuring Metropolis Ensemble. Bell Orchestre consists of six musical mavericks including Arcade Fire members Sarah Neufeld and Richard Reed Parry. The evening will also feature the world premiere of a new piece, more details to be announced soon.

  • Amy Helm Celebrates the Holidays with Train Concerts through the Catskills

    Amy Helm will celebrate the holiday season with two picturesque train journeys through New York’s Catskill Mountains on Dec. 15. Fans are encouraged to ‘Take in the beauty and majesty of winter in the Catskills aboard Delaware & Ulster Railroad’s Rip Van Winkle Flyer featuring a special intimate holiday performance from Amy Helm.’

    Located in the Middletown hamlet of Arkville, NY, Amy Helm’s holiday express will have two trips, one early, boarding at 1pm, and a late trip boarding at 4 pm. More information can be found here.

  • Flushing Town Hall Presents DDAT: Native American Hip Hop Jazz Fusion on November 16

    On Saturday, November 16, hip hop, jazz, funk, and soul will merge together as DDAT brings an original southwestern feel, energy and excitement to Flushing Town Hall in Queens. The band was named by NPR as one of the top 10 bands in the United States.

    Preceding the 2:15 PM family performance will be a panel discussion, led by Delbert Anderson and Chris Bidtah, both Navajo, on incorporating Navajo Culture in art-making and music as medicine.

    DDAT

    Trumpeter Delbert Anderson says of DDAT’s upcoming panel discussion and performance:

    “We hope to help people understand the importance of preserving our cultural music. During the panel we will educate and expose everyone to the idea of preserving cultural music through contemporary collaboration. There are many ways to preserve cultural music, but we also want to explain the struggles one might face when dealing with fusing cultural music.”

    The funky, poetic and forward-thinking DDAT features Chris Bidtah on vocals, Delbert Anderson on trumpet, Nicholas Lucero on drums, and Mike McCluhan on bass.

    Music from the quartet has been heard all over the world with features on NPR, Sirius XM, Indian Country Today, SAY Magazine, Weekly Alibi and many more. DDAT tours include several West Coast Tours, Canada’s Music is Medicine Tour, Aboriginal Music Week Tour in Canada, and Van’s Warped Tour – USA. Their first album DDAT was released in 2017.

    “All audiences should be excited because there will be something everyone can relate to whether it’s the suspense of the improvisational solos or high energy music,” Anderson says. “MC Def-i will put on an electrifying show backed up by one of the funkiest, hip hop sounding bands. Those who are brave, expect to engage with Def-i while he shows his improvisation skills by rapping about what you decide to hold up in your hands! Together we are DDAT – a music celebration sharing our positive message of hope and collaboration through music.” 

    DDAT

    Tickets to the family performance are $14/$10 Members/$8 Children/$6 Member Children/FREE for Teens, and the panel discussion is free (though online RSVP’s are required). To RSVP and purchase tickets, visit the venue website.

    Flushing Town Hall opens its doors to teenagers, and for free! Under the “Teen Access Program,” all 13- to 19-year-old teens (whether a member or not) will be welcomed to attend any performance for free. The program is designed to appeal to students and help foster a greater love for arts and culture.

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters to Headline Boston Calling

    The headliners for the 2020 Boston Calling Music Festival have been announced—and they include Grammy-winning rock bands Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters. The annual extravaganza, set to take place on Memorial Day Weekend between May 22-24 at the Harvard Athletic Complex, will also have over 60 other artists and bands performing.

    The Boston-based music festival began in 2013 and previously took place during the spring and fall, before switching to their now once-a-year format. Always a popular event, the festival has drawn as many as 40,000 people and has seen the likes of Eminem, Travis Scott and Twenty-One Pilots headline previous events.

    Aside from the performances, the festival will include the best food in Boston. A 100-foot Ferris wheel, art installations, life-size games, exciting partner activations, 30 all-star food vendors, local and international brews, wines and seltzers and platinum menus curated by Boston’s most prestigious chefs, according to the Boston Calling official website.

    “Boston is such a great city for rock music, and we are so proud to bring some of the most important rock artists of all time to Boston Calling next Memorial Day Weekend,” said Boston Calling CEO Brian Appel in an official release.

    Limited pre-sale tickets will be made available on, Thursday, Nov. 14, at 10:00 a.m. General admission tickets will be priced at $239, VIP passes will be $549 and platinum passes will be $1049.

  • Putnam Place welcomes White Denim, Kung Fu, The Lizards and more this November

    Saratoga Spring’s premiere music club, Putnam Place, hosts a wide variety of rock, jam and funk acts this November. Check out the shows below and get down in the Spa City with these bands. For more information, visit Putnam Place’s website.

    The Wheel – Thursday, November 14

    Celebrating the music of The Grateful Dead, The Wheel was founded in 2010 by Andy Morse looking to play to his roots of years chasing the Grateful Dead. The Wheel is ever rolling, covering new terrain in and out of the spaces before it as we spin 24 hours a day.

    putnam place november

    Tickets are “Pay What You Want” if you are over 21, $10 for 18-21 if under 21.

    Kung Fu w/ Strange Machines – Friday, November 15

    Funk and jam unite with Kung Fu and Strange Machines throwing down a full night of deep funk-filled jams. Kung Fu draws on influences such as early Headhunters and Weather Report, and merges those ideas with a contemporary EDM informed sensibility. Imagine 70’s funk-fusion meets a modern dance party. Strange Machines consistently deliver high energy and engaging live performances, and the band continues to make waves throughout the Northeast and beyond.

    Tickets are $12 advance / $15 day of show

    White Denim w/ Spaceface – Saturday, November 16

    Rock and psychedelic rock are on tap when White Denim and Spaceface arrive in Saratoga Springs. White Denim have carefully and continuously studied the greatest records ever made, but they write songs just dumb enough to drink, dance, and fight to. Theirs is a music that aims for the whole body, while equally satisfying the mind. While it has morphed, expanded, and even burst apart, White Denim’s sincere and human drive and ability to spark true rock & roll exhilaration have been unerring constants of the band’s 10-year existence.  

    putnam place november

    Spaceface is led by Jake Ingalls who also plays guitar and synthesizer in The Flaming Lips. The experience reflects that influence, as it works to bring the concert grade experience to a club level.  Spaceface’s music offers a refreshing approach on psychedelic rock, with transparent ’70s references but also strikingly modern elements that make this trick something to behold.  Their new record, Sun Kids is hazy, psychedelic pop music, elegantly composed and features artists Mikaela Davis as well as Julien Baker.

    Tickets are $17 in advance / $20 Day of Show. $5 surcharge if under 21. 18+

     

    Given to Fly, The Otherside, Flannel Millennium – Friday, November 22

    Tickets: $10, 18+ ($5 surcharge if under 21)

    Remember the 90s? Well on Friday, November 22, three bands will jog your memory and transport you back to the era of grunge, flannel and OG teen angst. Given to Fly (Pearl Jam tribute), The Otherside (Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute), and Flannel Millennium (90’s / 2000’s Grunge / Alternative tribute) offer a 1-2-3 punch of classic

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTMj8Hdaaqg&feature=emb_title

     

    The Lizards – Saturday, November 23

    Looking to get your Phish fix in before Fall Tour starts? Then look no further than The Lizards, Toronto’s premiere Phish cover band. Always inventive with their setlist and playing to huge crowds throughout the Northeast, The Lizards are a great warm up for Island Tour 2.0

    Tickets: $12 Advance / $15 Day of Show. 18+ ($5 surcharge if under 21)

    Skeeter Creek – Saturday, November 30

    The Capitaland’s premiere modern country group, Skeeter Creek always brings a party to Putnam, or wherever they’re playing! Skeeter Creek started off as a Bluegrass Band in 2002, formed by the late Tim Seabolt of Walton, West Virginia, and Joe Kulewicz from the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Skeeter Creek has become much more than a band, it’s a way of life for these talented, professional musicians.

    Tickets are only $10, 18+ ($5 surcharge if under 21).

     

  • Pink Talking Fish Announces Nationwide Winter Tour

    Hybrid Tribute Fusion Act; Pink Talking Fish, has announced a new tour that will span a total of two months and take them from coast-to-coast. The Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish, tribute band is currently touring throughout the country, with these new dates giving an opportunity to those who haven’t gotten a chance to enjoy a live show.

    After a two-week break from their last performance of 2019, the tour resumes at Pickle Barrel Nightclub in Killington, VT, and will see them perform throughout the West-coast, the South-west, and the Mid-west, with the tour ending on the East coast.

    Pink Talking Fish’s entire slate of tour dates for the remainder of 2019 and 2020’s winter tour can be found below and tickets can be purchased here.

    Remaining Pink Talking Fish 2019 Tour Dates: 

    Nov.13 – The Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC

    Nov.14 – Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC

    Nov.15 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL

    Nov.16 – Revolution Live – Fort Lauderdale, FL

    Nov. 21 – Winstons – Ocean Beach, CA

    Nov. 22 – Winstons – Ocean Beach, CA

    Nov. 30 – The Strand Ballroom – Providence RI – Phish Afterparty

    Dec. 4 – The Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA – Phish Afterparty

    Dec. 5 – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH

    Dec. 6 – Otis Supply – Detroit, MI

    Dec. 7 – The Ludlow Garage – Cincinnati, OH

    Dec. 13 – The Caribou Room – Nederland, CO

    Dec. 14 – Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO – PTF Are Beastie Boys w/s/g DJ Logic

    Dec. 27 – Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA

    Dec. 28 – The Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY – Dark Side Of The Moon Phish Afterparty

    Dec. 29 – The Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY – PTF Are Beastie Boys Phish Afterparty w/s/g DJ Logic

    Dec. 31 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston MA

    PTF 2020 Tour Dates: 

    Jan. 16 – Pickle Barrel Nightclub – Killington, VT

    Jan. 17 – Nectars – Burlington, VT

    Jan. 18 – Nectars – Burlington, VT

    Jan. 30 – Terrapin Crossroads – San Rafael, CA

    Jan. 31 – Crystal Bay Casino – Crystal Bay, NV

    Feb. 1 – Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA

    Feb. 4 – Crazy Horse Saloon – Nevada City, CA

    Feb. 5 – Humbolt Brews – Arcata, CA

    Feb. 6 – Volcanic Theatre – Bend, OR

    Feb. 7 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR

    Feb. 8 – Nectar Lounge – Seattle, WA

    Feb. 9 – Wild Buff House Of Music – Bellingham, WA

    Feb. 12 – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT

    Feb. 14 – Last Concert Café – Houston, TX

    Feb.15 – ACL Live – Austin, TX

    Feb.16 – Deep Ellum Art Co – Dallas, TX

    March 5 – The Vogue Theatre – Indianapolis, IN

    March 6 – Park West – Chicago, IL

    March 7 – Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH

    March 13 – Flying Monkey – Plymouth, NH

    March 14 – Putnam Place – Saratoga Springs, NY

    March 15 – Infinity Music Hall – Norfolk, CT

  • HeadCount announces Brooklyn Bowl benefit show with JRAD

    Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) will play a benefit concert for the non-profit organization HeadCount at Brooklyn Bowl on Monday, November 25, making their first Brooklyn Bowl appearance in over two years.

    The show will feature a special setlist voted on entirely by fans, a fitting representation of HeadCount’s mission of registering voters and promoting democratic participation. Fans can vote now to pick five songs from a list of 160 that will be tallied and then built into a full, two-set show by Joe.

    headcount JRAD

    Funds raised from the show will be used to help HeadCount hire full-time organizers in cities around the country to register voters for the upcoming 2020 election. This will mark the first time since HeadCount was founded in 2004 that the organization will hire full-time employees in specific cities and states. Descriptions of the positions, can be found here.

    Members of JRAD have a long history of appearing at HeadCount benefit concerts. Back in 2004, Russo and keyboardist Marco Benevento joined Phish’s Mike Gordon for a set at the first HeadCount benefit concert, which led to many future collaborations. That same year, guitarist Scott Metzger appeared with his band RANA at a HeadCount event on the eve of the election. Four years later, Metzger served as musical director at a benefit show featuring Russo, guitarist Tom Hamilton and bassist Dave Dreiwitz. He then musical directed a similar event in 2012. Most recently, Benevento appeared at HeadCount’s “Soundtrack to History,” an election night concert in 2016.

    The show will also be streamed live on Relix.com. Tickets on sales are as follow:

    Band Facebook Presale: Wednesday, November 13 at 12 Noon ET – ends at 10pm ET

    Venue Presale: Thursday, November 14 at 12 Noon ET – ends at 10pm ET

    Regular On Sale: Friday, November 15 at 12 Noon ET

    The band Facebook presale is password protected; JRAD will issue the ticket link and password on their Facebook page at Noon ET on Wednesday, November 13th.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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