Rock lovers of the Hudson Valley rejoice. The Tail Winds Music Festival, located in Wappingers Falls, takes place on June 29. The all day event will feature eight renowned rock performances, food and drink, and family-friendly activities.
Comprised of Chris Robinson (lead vocals, guitar), Neal Casal (guitar), Tony Leone (drums), and Jeff Hill (bass), the folk/psychedelic rock band, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, is headlining the festival. Constantly pushing boundaries with their music, CRB provides an American folk/psychadelic rock sound. Joining them on the lineup is Black Stone Cherry, Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime, King’s X, Sass Jordan, The Jason Gisser Band, Big Guns, and The PlayBack, rounding out a full day of non-stop music.
Tail Winds Music Festival also offers food and drinks from a variety of food trucks and craft breweries, helicopter rides to experience a bird’s eye view of the festival, and family-friendly activities everyone can enjoy. For more information and ticket information for the festival click here.
Check out the Chris Robinson Brotherhood’s performance of “Rare Birds” live from The Shed this past weekend below.
The sun shone across the beautiful woods, and glistened on nearby lakes, surrounding Levon Helm Studios as fans gathered in eager anticipation of Mountain Man. Zephyr, the barn pup, greeted each car at these hallowed grounds. It was peaceful, as the sold out crowd entered one of New York States most treasured venues, last Saturday, June 1.
Zephyr the barn dog, and official greeter.
Singer songwriter from Toronto, Doug Paisley, began the evening with a cozy set of original songs from his new album, Strong Feelings, recorded in his hometown. His beautiful imagery synced brilliantly with intricate guitar work. Paisley also charmed the audience with his storytelling, setting the mood for a very intimate show.
Mountain Man took the stage, surrounding one microphone. Amelia Meath, Alexendra Sauser-Monnig and Erin Sarle all took turns on lead vocals, switching places and positions to find their perfect harmony points. Sarle and Sauser-Monnig also alternated on the guitar for several songs throughout the evening. The performance was stunning and mesmerized the audience. One could hear a pin drop at any point of the evening, excluding a thunderous applause after each song.
The performance felt like you were sitting around a campfire in the woods, or at a laid back house party with best friends. It carried a wonderful weight and elegant presence that left all applauding and wanting more. Each of the three women made everyone feel comfortable and at ease with laid back jokes and stories.
The night before they had actually returned to Bennington, VT where they all met eight years ago and began Mountain Man, during College. Judging from the response they received at Levon Helm Studios and their tour dates quickly selling out, we are certainly lucky that they met all those years ago, and have reunited again.
For Mountain Man tour dates, and to get their new album ‘Magic Ship’ check HERE.
For upcoming shows at Levon Helm Studios follow this link HERE.
On August 9, the inaugural Hudson Valley Music Summit (HVMS) will take place in Kingston, NY. The new boutique music conference is for ambitious music industry professionals looking to take the next step in their career. HVMS offers more than 50 speakers, catered networking sessions and multiple showcases throughout the day.
A wide variety of individuals, all from different facets of the music industry, will come and share their insights, strategies and experiences on how to create astounding music and the best ways to share it with the world. Speakers include experienced artist managers like Stefani Scamardo (Warren Haynes, Mountain Jam), professional touring & recording musicians such as Grammy nominee Tracy Bonham, and representatives of national and local record labels including Warner Records and Manic Cat Records. A banquet lunch will be provided featuring an interview between Dean Budnick of Relix Magazine and Pete Shapiro of the Capitol Theater and Brooklyn Bowl. You can even secure a 20 minute one-on-one mentoring session with Geordie Gillespie, the Co-Founder of The Overt Music Group. You can see the full agenda of events here.
John Fogerty will be playing the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on Sunday, Aug. 18 with special guests Tedeschi Trucks Band and Grace Potter. The site of the original Woodstock Music & Arts Festival announced that the 50th anniversary of the famed festival will be celebrated with three separate events taking place August 16-18, with John Fogerty, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Grace Potter closing out the weekend. ‘My 50 Year Trip’ commemorates Fogerty’s time with Creedence Clearwater Revival and the evolutionary music created during 1969, recreating the Woodstock experience.
Tedeschi Trucks Band never fails to put on a phenomenal live performance with their outstanding musical chemistry. They have developed a distinguished reputation selling out multi-night runs at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Beacon Theatre, and Ryman Auditorium.
With her strong voice, Grace Potter captivates and moves her audiences. She has demonstrated her versatility performing with acts from Kenny Chesney to The Rolling Stones to Bob Weir.
Tickets for John Fogerty: My 50 Year Trip with Tedeschi Trucks Band and Grace Potter go on sale Friday June 7, for more information click here.
New York seven-piece band, The Big Takeover, perfectly fuses big band Motown with Jamaican pop roots, making it nearly impossible not to dance along. In their new single “Shy.” they offer an upbeat, retro tune that stays with you, keeping you bopping around all day. This is the first single released from the band’s upcoming fourth album, and it’s filled with powerful horns, a foot-stomping beat, and soulful vocals.
Despite its cheery, optimistic sound, the single has a rather somber story. Powerhouse singer/songwriter, Nee Nee Rushie, tells us about a love triangle, and everyone involved is too shy to communicate with each other and see their own truth. “I was trying to tell a very specific story, because I’ve written many stories that are left up to interpretation,” she elaborates, “feeling shy is an inexplicable and intriguing human behavior that most humans should be able to relate to.” “Shy” has an incredibly rich, boppy, and sweet sound that flows through you in a way that you can’t help but dance across the room. Listen to the single below or check it out through your favorite streaming platform here.
The Big Takeover has been making a name for itself recently, sharing the stage with major acts such as The Wailers, Sister Sparrow, Jefferson Starship, and Pete Seeger. In 2018 they completed a 12-state tour and performed at Omaha’s Jazz on the Green festival.
In addition to writing their new album, which is set to release later this year, The Big Takeover is set to appear at a number of notable music festivals this summer, including Strangecreek in Greenfield, MA this weekend, Mountain Jam, and Musikfest. Check out the dates below to see when they’re playing near you.
The Big Takeover Tour Dates:
May 24 – Strangecreek Festival – Greenfield, MA
May 25 – Cisco Brewers – Portsmouth, NH
May 30 – Lukin’s – Utica, NY
May 31 – Red Square – Burlington, VT
June 1 – Newburyport Brewing Co. – Newburyport, MA
June 2 – Strawberry Jam – Turin, NY
June 7 – Waterhole – Saranac Lake, NY
June 8 – Burlington Discover Jazz – Burlington, VT
June 9 – Earth Sky Time – Bennington, VT
June 14 – Mountain Jam – Bethel, NY
June 15 – Clearwater Festival – Croton On Hudson, NY
June 23 – Unifier Festival – Tolland, MA
June 30 – Cisco Brewers – Nantucket, MA
July 3 – The Promenade at Sagemore – Marlton, NJ
July 5 – First Fee Friday Eve – Shelburne, VT
July 6 – Dockside Park – Cold Spring, NY
Aug. 1 – CFCU Summer Concert Series – Ithaca, NY
Aug. 3 – Reggae Festival – Woodstock, NY
Aug. 8 – Musikfest – Bethlehem, PA
Sept. 7 – Drum Boogie Festival – Woodstock, NY
Sept. 14 – Gloucester, MA @ Gloucester Harvest Fest
Upstate New York singer/songwriter Ian Flanigan today debuts his single “Picture You,” produced by three-time Grammy winner Justin Guip (Levon Helm, Hot Tuna). Flanigan’s songwriting features husky vocals and evocative lyrics that highlight the rural landscapes of his compositions.
“Picture You” seamlessly weaves intricate acoustics and lyricism across supportive cello arrangements and skillful percussion. The song in its entirety is concise, persuading the listener to play it on repeat. “When the world feels like it’s about to break…” the melodious bridge sings out to the listener “…I picture you,” illustrating the comfort in familiarity—a feeling the listener will become familiar with after falling in love with “Picture You.”
Flanigan’s sound — an eclectic blend of progressive folk and percussive finger-style — is reminiscent of the road less traveled, paved with poignant lyrical truths of his past. Ian is a celebrated Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk Festival finalist, and Emerging Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Artist.
Flanigan has had the pleasure of sharing stages with Corey Glover (Living Colour), Sean Rowe, The Pedrito Martinez Group, Session Americana, Chris Knight, and Dwight Yoakam. Follow Flanigan on and Facebook, and listen to “Picture You” and watch “Give Me Color.”
Last Pharaoh screamed out melodic power/progressive metal and neo-classical music at Orange County Choppers on Saturday night which left the crowd roaring for more. Influenced by Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Queensryche, Last Pharaoh was signed by Pure Steel Records in 2018. Their first album, “Mantle Of Spiders”, was released last year on September 21. After their ‘blowing off the roof’ rendition of “Bark at the Moon,” they treated the crowd to their soon to be released “Intruders” as their last song of the night (which will be on their new album and first single).
The four band members each bring a rocking history of their own and combine to a fantastic blend of guitar riffs and metal screams, Ron Toth on guitar, Michael James on bass, Ed Shelinsky playing drums, and Tommy Santangelo performing on vocals. They are based in the Hudson Valley, however, they will be coming to the Albany area at Chrome in Waterford, NY on May 25. Look for their music on Spotify, YouTube, Apple music, iTunes, Amazon, and of course, your local record store.
Setlist: Into the Darkness, The Headless Horseman, Jekyll and Hyde, Desert Dreams, Deadly Dreams, Machinic Non-Conscience, Slave to the Kill (The Son of Sam), Mantle of Spiders, Psychohouse, Bark at the Moon, Intruders
Pure emotion carried the crowd away
Michael JamesRon TothEd ShelinskyTommy SantangeloMichael JamesTommy SantangeloRon TothTommy Santangelo
Whose Live Anyway?, which took place at Kingston’s Ulster Performing Arts Center on April 12, 2019, is an atypical event for NYS Music to cover. Hell, the skit comedy show is an atypical event, period.
In lieu of a traditional review of the night’s proceedings, we have compiled the “Top Ten Things Learned At Whose Live?
1) Drew Carey has a dirty mouth. When he’s not giving away cars on national midday broadcast television, Carey loves saying “fuck.” He dropped more f-bombs than the Bad News Bears dropped pop-ups. The curses were perhaps gratuitous, but never malicious. He seemed like a genuinely jovial guy who loves and appreciates his enviable job.
2) Greg Proops likes audience participation– when it’s asked for. Sure, the event called for audience participation. Sometimes, people chimed in and he apparently didn’t hear, like when a zealous Oliver Twist fan called out his favorite book several times. Other times, unsolicited engagement came and Proops had no problem demanding people to “Shut up!” (perhaps slightly maliciously), while mocking them in the process.
3) Any action can be made sexual. In the evening’s first skit, Carey and Jeff B. Davis came out with a bang… or a blow. Audience members were asked to provide them with non-sexual actions to perform on stage while telling a story. Carey was tasked with sit-ups while Davis was given jumping jacks. It turns out, if you’re doing sit-ups and your friend starts doing jumping jacks while straddling your midsection, the amalgamation looks quite sexual. Who knew?
4) Kids say the darndest things. Twelve-year-old Skylar, who already witnessed his grandmother being wooed (we’ll get to Hester), was called onto stage during the encore to create a fairy tale called “Shmoogley Poogley” (or something) on the spot with Carey and the crew. Skylar– rightfully so– questioned “What parent names their kid Shmoogley? Or Poogley?!” Later in the story, when Poogley was being chased by Shmoogley, Skylar exclaimed, “…and Poogley ran to a bridge and jumped off!” That’s one way to end a story abruptly.
5) Kids make the most monophonic sound effects. During another sketch, Proops and Joel Murray played construction workers filling in Kingston’s infamous potholes, while a couple of young volunteers were called up to make sound effects. As it were, wings flapping, beers cracking, steamrollers starting and ice swishing all sounded incredibly alike.
6) “Bucharest, Bitch!” The cast played Jeopardy and, when the answer was “Bucharest,” Carey’s– I mean space skydiver Felix Bumgartner’s– question was, “What do I say after a killer dunk? Bucharest, bitch!” That’s right, Bucharest is not the nap one takes after chowing down at Buca di Beppo. And definitely not the capital of Romania.
7) Comedians acting drunk are much funnier than actual drunk people. We’ve all been out and seen (or been) people whose motor skills look like they’re being controlled by someone else. During a skit, Carey and Davis impersonated Kingstonians over-imbibing at the annual St. Patrick’s Day festival. The funny part? Their movements were controlled by random participants who pushed or pulled their arms, legs, hands and feet as they saw fit. They moved like robots and slurred like…apparently, Kingstonians.
8) Juuling ain’t allowed in school. A Kingston high-schooler was asked to provide a title for a fake soap opera. The crew would narrate based on the biggest drama going on at her school. The title she provided? “Juuling In the Bathroom.” The skit was funny, the prevalence of kids huffing USBs in school is distressing.
9) Grandmas make great babysitters. The reason Skylar was on stage telling stories with famous comedians who love dropping F-bombs and telling people to shut up; His parents were out and Grandma Hester was babysitting. She was the first audience participant called on stage and was serenaded by Davis. Davis concluded the ballad by bragging he would give Grandma her own “scarlet A” and Skylar must have seen her blush from his seat, halfway back in the crowd. In about five years, he may be the first high-schooler to enjoy Hawthorne when he realizes “that’s what that guy meant!”
10) Ariana Grande and Jim Belushi love library songs. Or, at least when being portrayed by Carey and Murray, respectively, and attempting to sell “greatest library-song hits.” This is a two-for-one point– Greg Proops just may do Elvis Costello better than Elvis Costello does Elvis Costello.
Here’s a bonus takeaway from the evening: laughter is damn good medicine. Go see a comedy show. Your side might hurt from all the laughter, but your soul will feel refreshed.
One of UPAC’s bartenders skipped down an abandoned hall, hands aloft, waving side to side, an unadulterated grin glued to his face. An usher, with no one requiring assistance, leaned against a post, nodding appreciatively and smiling approvingly. It was the encore, but the exit hall was empty and there was nobody to usher; no one left this show early. Meanwhile, Angelique Kidjo and her backing band took a victory lap, wading into the crowd from stage right, dancing, hugging and high-fiving their way to the back of the room. They shifted to the adjacent corner and shimmied back up onto stage left, all the while covering Talking Heads “Burning Down the House.”
Kidjo and her band brought down the house from the opening djembe drum solo to the Talking Heads finale. When she took the stage, Kidjo’s presence instantly demanded full attention; her attire rivaled the vibrancy of her voice and she and her band held onlookers riveted all evening.
Originals and Talking Heads covers alternated throughout the evening, with anecdotes sprinkled in. After the opening drum solo kicked things off, a cover of “Born Under Punches” flowed into a bass and synth-heavy “Crosseyed and Painless.” Kidjo followed these covers by informing the Ulster Performing Arts Center, “We love doing Remain In Light—with the blessing of the Talking Heads of course!” Kidjo and her cohorts played a few California concerts with David Byrne, she explained.
For most of the evening, the aisles were filled with a wave of grooving bodies and seats were left abandoned. Kidjo is undeniably a star: her presence is vast and her voice is a wide-ranging instrument unto itself. She formed a symbiotic relationship with the Kingston crowd that blossomed all evening. Her dancing was like jujitsu that warded off bad energy as she bounced from American funk to African beats.
Midway into the show, Kidjo disappeared into the crowd and would occasionally pop up in a sea of fans in the heart of UPAC. She finally reemerged onstage for the remainder of her nearly two-hour set to energetically cover “Once In a Lifetime” to fans’ delight.
As the show neared its end, Kidjo exclaimed, “I want at least thirty people up on stage– first come, first serve, ladies, men, I don’t care who– get up here! Let’s go!” The stage quickly filled with eager attendees looking to bask in Kidjo’s presence. The djembe drummer lumbered to center-stage and began serenading dancers with beats, which they, in turn, interpreted with their shaking bodies. Anyone who wanted the limelight was given their shot at it. Those who preferred watching were treated to a show.
The evening was more an interactive musical experience than a concert. When Kidjo said, “Clap,” the Kingston crowd clapped; when she said stand, they stood. “Dance!” Kidjo demanded, and dance they did. No one left early, and no one left without a look that said they yearned to remain in Kidjo’s bright light.
On Wednesday April 3 The Brooklyn Bowl played host to a Benefit for Creative Music Studio. An amazing lineup of musicians including Billy Martin, Oteil Burbridge, Joe Russo, Marshall Allen, Dave Harrington, Cyro Baptista, Jonathan Goldberg and many more paid tribute to an amazing cause with two hours of jamming – blending of many different styles of music in true fashion of the foundation. The culmination of the performance came when founder Karl Berger conducted this amazing group of musicians, just as he’s done since he began this foundation.
Karl Berger, Ingrid Sertso and Ornette Coleman founded the Creative Music Studio in 1971. Their Goal was to establish a nonprofit organization focused on improvisation and musical cross-pollination that complemented musician’s academic studies. It’s a place where music as a universal language can be explored and expanded. The organizations main program was a place where over 500 hundred performances were recorded. Hundreds of guiding artists lived, played, and shared musical wisdom with thousands of participants many who went on to become well know musicians.
