NYS Music 20​19

Category: NYC Metro

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Spafford Announces Extensive 2020 Winter Tour

    Spafford announced its 2020 winter tour this week. The four-piece will venture out on a 39-date tour following their four-night New Year’s run in California. Throughout the winter, they will be joined by a number of special guests including The Iceman Special, Eggy, Cycles, Yak Attack, and The Jauntee.

    The tour kicks off Jan. 15 in Houston, TX at the White Oak Music Hall, then continues into Austin, Dallas and New Orleans. The band will then travel to the southeast with dates in Pensacola, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Birmingham, Oxford (MS), and Knoxville. Jan. 31 is the first of a two-night run at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA.

    February will see dates in Greensboro, Washington D.C., and Boston before their three-night run at Brooklyn’s Brooklyn Bowl February 7-9. The last night of the run will be a special acoustic-only performance. The band will take a short break and get back on the road for a set of Colorado dates, which start with a three-night run Feb. 28 – March 1 in Winter Park. March brings two-night runs in Frisco and Steamboat Springs, followed by stops all throughout the midwest and west coast, until the band reaches Las Vegas on April 4.

    See the full list of dates below. Presales and VIP packages are available now, and general admission tickets for all announced dates go on sale Friday, Nov. 15. Check out the band’s website for ticket information.

    December 27 – West Hollywood, CA – The Roxy Theatre

    December 28 – West Hollywood, CA – The Roxy Theatre

    December 30 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall

    December 31 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall

    January 15 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (Upstairs)

    January 16 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub

    January 17 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub

    January 18 – Dallas, TX – Trees

    January 19 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues New Orleans

    January 22 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall

    January 23 – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum

    January 24 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room

    January 25 – Jacksonville, FL – 1904 Music Hall

    January 28 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn

    January 29 – Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s

    January 30 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre

    January 31 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse

    February 1 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse

    February 3 – Greensboro, NC – The Blind Tiger

    February 5 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club

    February 6 – Boston, MA – Royale

    February 7 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl

    February 8 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl

    February 9 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl *

    February 28 – Winter Park, CO – Ullrs Tavern

    February 29 – Winter Park, CO – Ullrs Tavern

    March 1 – Winter Park, CO – Ullrs Tavern

    March 4 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater

    March 6 – Frisco, CO – 10 Mile Music Hall

    March 7 – Frisco, CO – 10 Mile Music Hall

    March 10 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Schmiggity’s Live Music Dance Bar

    March 11 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Schmiggity’s Live Music Dance Bar

    March 13 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen

    March 14 – Telluride, CO – Sheridan Opera House

    March 17 – Park City, UT – Park City Live

    March 19 – Victor, ID – Knotty Pine

    March 20 – Bozeman, MT – Rialto

    March 21 – Missoula, MT – Top Hat Lounge

    March 22 – Sandpoint, ID – The Hive

    March 24 – Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown

    March 26 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom

    March 27 – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub

    March 28 – Seattle, WA – Neumos

    April 1 – Arcata, CA – Humboldt Brews

    April 4 – Las Vegas, NV – The Bunkhouse Saloon

    * An Evening with Spafford – Acoustic Only Show

  • Hearing Aide: Acidhead ‘Distractions’

    Distractions, the debut album from the Brooklyn-based Acidhead coming out on November 15, is a moving opening statement. It’s an honest delivery of feelings and emotions that are often the very essence of being distracted.

    The brainchild of multi instrumentalist Patrick McGee, Acidhead doesn’t say outright that it’s about a breakup but the cues from Kanye West’s 808’s & Heartbreak combined with song titles like the opening narration “Everything Got So Distant” and the album’s single “Throw Away The Time” are obvious hints.

    Distractions lead single “Throw Away The Time.”

    Throughout the album, distorted auto-tuned vocals and 808 beats put McGee’s influence on full display. The second single, “Love Has Me Keep On Dying,” is chock full of the aforementioned effects while the lyrical content drives the emotion forward – “Everyone’s lonely, hearing her voice late in the morning.”

    While each track has strength in their own right, showcasing instrumental fluency and pulling from a variety of styles, the entire track list is cohesive and, ironically, not distracted at all. Each song sits just where it should and even as they are different in their composition, they feel like they all belong together on this album. On the fourth track, “Marciac Doney,” there’s a steadily building and lighthearted instrumental that crescendos into a hard-hitting drum and synth pad jam. Then, track five, “Hanover Rains,” features a straight up piano ballad. It’s nicely even-keeled

    Lending a hand throughout the album are Andrew Forman of Goodfight, Lou Rogai of Lewis & Clarke, and the Rat Trap Pack, McGee’s avant-garde horn ensemble. The closing track “Wrongright” brings the set to it’s conclusion with a manic, guitar-duo-solo but settles down as if to say, “That was a whirlwind. I’m tired, Time to relax”

    Key tracks: Hanover Rains, Throw Away The Time

    You can catch Acidhead on tour in New York and Pennsylvania through mid-December. Be sure to check out Distractions when it drops on November 15.

    11/22/19 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – Karl Hall – w/ Lou Rogai, Chukwu

    11/27/19 – Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory w/ Jesse and Forever

    11/30/19 – Easton, PA – Connexions Gallery w/Chukwu

    12/7/19 – Beacon, NY – Quinn’s w Jesse and Forever

    12/8/19 – Cambridge, MA -The Lilypad w/ Mario Fabrizio/Phillip Gollub, Wendy Eisenberg, Crylophone

    12/14/19 – New York, NY – Con Artist Collective – w/Amani Fela

    12/15/19 – Ruba Club – Philadelphia, PA w/ Flanafi, Cheeky

  • Tool announce additional tour dates

    Tool, fresh off the release of their long-awaited studio album Fear Innocum, have kicked off their tour this week in Canada, and head to Brooklyn’s Barclay Center on Tuesday, November 19. And just as tour kicked off, Tool added 11 shows in January and February of 2020.

    Tickets are on sale this Friday, 10 AM. For more information visit Tool’s official website.

    Tool 2019-20 Tour Dates

    Nov. 11 – Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON
    Nov. 12 – Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON
    Nov. 14 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
    Nov. 16 – Prudential Center – Newark, NJ
    Nov. 18 – Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
    Nov. 19 – Barclay’s Center – Brooklyn, NY
    Nov. 21 – Mohegan Sun Casino Arena – Uncasville, CT
    Nov. 22 – Boardwalk Hall – Atlantic City, NJ
    Nov. 24 – PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC
    Nov. 25 – Capitol One Arena – Washington, DC
    Jan. 10 & 12 – Viejas Arena – San Diego, CA
    Jan. 15 – Save Mart Center – Fresno, CA
    Jan. 17 – T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV
    Jan. 18 – Gila River Arena – Glendale, AZ
    Jan. 21 – Frank Erwin Center – Austin, TX
    Jan. 22 – American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
    Jan. 28 – State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA
    Jan. 29 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
    Jan. 31 – FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN
    Feb. 1 – Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, LA

  • Toro y Moi Unveils ‘Soul Trash’ for Sold Out Run at Brooklyn Steel

    Toro y Moi (aka Chaz Bundick) has been going strong ever since he broke onto the scene at the start of the decade, and 2019 has proven to be no exception. Back in January, Chaz released the excellent album Outer Peace and has been touring on and off since. Now, just as the fall tour was wrapping up with two sold out nights at Brooklyn Steel, Chaz dropped a surprise LP, Soul Trash.

    Toro y Moi at Brooklyn Steel – Photo: Joseph Buscarello

    Support for the fall tour came from exciting newcomer Channel Tres. His infectious blend of hip-hop and deep house kept the packed Brooklyn Steel dance floor moving for the entire opening set. Flanked by two backup dancers and thunderous house beats, Channel Tres performed his entire 2019 release Black Moses, including the hit “Sexy Black Timberlake.” The set was rounded off with other singles like “Topdown” and “Jet Black.” The future is incredibly bright for Channel Tres, including much anticipation for a full length LP. He has several West Coast dates coming up, with a show at Elsewhere’s Zone One next May.

    Channel Tres at Brooklyn Steel – Photo: Joseph Buscarello
    Channel Tres at Brooklyn Steel – Photo: Joseph Buscarello

    Toro y Moi has a very unique blend of styles. One of the few surviving bands from the chill-wave movement, Toro has maintained success by mixing elements of classic R&B and disco with more modern electronica and indie palettes. Each release takes a new approach to these sounds and keeps the ever growing Toro y Moi discography fresh and exciting.

    With so much material to draw from, including the new LP Soul Trash released just two weeks before, the set provided by Toro y Moi was truly representative of his entire discography. The title track “Soul Trash” opened the show, while tracks from Outer Peace included “Ordinary Pleasure” and “Freelance” (which closed out the show). A personal favorite, “Rose Quartz” from the incredible 2013 LP Anything in Return, echoed effortlessly around the room. The band glided through a 21-song set without a single dull moment.

    Chaz Bundick of Toro y Moi at Brooklyn Steel – Photo: Joseph Buscarello

    Saturday night was the last show of the current tour, with a late night DJ set at Elsewhere just to top it all off. Chaz has some DJ sets scheduled out west in December, but for now, we just look forward to what he has in store for 2020.

  • Premiere: The Big Takeover’s lively and soulful”Where Did I Go Wrong?”

    New York reggae-pop band The Big Takeover have released ‘Where Did I go Wrong?,” off the band’s upcoming fifth album Spilling Water. The track was self-produced by The Big Takeover and mixed by Pete Hanlon, and is due out on Friday, November 15.

    Fronted by the charismatic Jamaican-born singer/songwriter Nee Nee Rushie, The Big Takeover blend Jamaican pop traditions with the spirit of Motown and uptown sophistication of the 21st-century retro soul and R&B revival scene. Rushie says of the song:

    “‘Where Did I Go Wrong?’ is a personal experience about being rejected by someone that you know wants to be with you. It explores the complication of feeling someone pushing you away, but reaching out to you at the same time.”

    Where Did I Go Wrong

    The Big Takeover’s sound channels melodic, big band arrangements of 60s and 70s soul music, with high-energy grooves of popular Jamaican music. This rich sound and rigorous touring schedule has led the band to share the stage with The Wailers, Sister Sparrow, Jefferson Starship, Pete Seeger, The Slackers, Toots & The Maytals, and many more. The group’s first single off Spilling Water, “Shy,” was released earlier this summer. An album is expected in 2020.

    In 2018, the band shared a cover of Sophia George’s 1985 dancehall hit, “Girlie Girlie,” which was recorded as part of a UK compilation album featuring 40 covers of classic Trojan Records hits from artists around the world.

    The Big Takeover Tour Dates

    Nov 22 – Battleboro, VT @ Stone Church

    Nov 29 – New York, NY @ DROM

    Jan 10 – Boston, MA @ The Beehive

    Jan 11 – Cambridge, MA @ The Beat Brewhall

    June 13 – Hampton, VA @ Supernova Ska Festival

  • Aria Wunderland brings the nostalgia with her music video for “In My Head”

    Alternative-pop singer/songwriter Aria Wunderland has released the music video to her newest single, “In My Head.” The track embodies the feeling of a first love with the music video providing an appropriate teenage atmosphere to go along with the tones of the song.

    The music video was filmed along the Coney Island boardwalk as well as in Luna Park, formerly known as Astroland, a staple of many New Yorker’s childhoods. The classic setting provides the viewer with a nostalgic ambiance to add to the feeling of young love represented. The juxtaposition of the location mixed with Aria’s wistful vocals generates the full message behind the single. 

    Aria Wunderland

    The Washington Heights born Wunderland now calls Brooklyn home, and Aria has been making her mark by releasing her own music, which has received high-profile placements on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club. Regarding what she hopes fans get out of her music, she told Beyond the Stage magazine in 2018:

    “I hope my fans feel liberated and a sense that they’re not alone in their feelings. I was a lot younger than my siblings and the only girl. I spent a lot of time alone listening to music and would always identify with the lyrics. I hope my music and my overall themes in my artistry can do the same.”

    Watch Aria Wunderland’s recent music video for “Risk it All.”

  • 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.

  • Squirrel Nut Zippers will Inevitably Celebrate 25 Years

    American neo-jazz band Squirrel Nut Zippers has announced that they will be going on tour in 2020 for “The Inevitable 25th Anniversary  Shows.” The entire The Inevitable album will be performed along with a series of hits and misses.

    The Squirrel Nut Zippers will also begin their third annual Holiday Caravan tour on Dec. 5 in Plattsburgh at the Strand Center Theatre.  Prior to the anniversary shows 2020 they will tour with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band making stops in New York City on March 6 at Symphony Space and Tilles PAC in Brookvale on March 7.

    Band leader Jimbo Mathus had this to say about the upcoming dates: â€œI got a call this summer from our lawyer Shorty Brown who informed me that in the original contract we signed with Mammoth Records we were contractually obligated to do a 25th anniversary tour for our debut album The Inevitable. That just goes to show you kiddos, always read the fine print.”

     Tickets for all shows are on sale now and can be purchased here.

    Holiday Caravan Tour Dates:

    Dec. 5 – Strand Center Theatre – Plattsburgh, NY                        

    Dec. 6 – Tupelo Music Hall – Derry, NH                                 

    Dec. 7 – Narrows Center – Fall River, MA     

    Dec. 8 – Musikfest Cafe – Bethlehem, PA                         

    Dec. 10 – Rams Head On Stage – Annapolis, MD                          

    Dec. 11 – The Broadberry – Richmond, VA                          

    Dec. 12 – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC                             

    Dec. 13 – The Ramkat –  Winston-Salem, NC                   

    Dec. 14 – Salvage Station – Asheville, NC                            

    Dec. 15 – City Winery – Atlanta, GA                             

    Co-Headling Dates with Dirty Dozen Brass Band:

    Jan. 25 – Weidner Center –  Green Bay, WI                          

    Jan. 26 – The Arcada Theatre – St Charles, IL                            

    Jan. 30 – PAC – Omaha, NE                              

    Jan. 31 – PAC – Manhattan, KS                              

    Feb. 1 – Kauffman Center – Kansas City, MO                      

    March 4 – Jefferson Center – Roanoke, VA                           

    March 6 – Symphony Space – New York, NY                           

    March 7 – Tilles PAC – Brookvale, NY                          

    The Inevitable 25th Anniversary Shows

    March 5 – Birchmere – Alexandria, VA                                 

    March 8 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA                       

    March 10 – Jergel’s –  Warrendale, PA                        

    March 11 – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH                          

    March 12 – Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI                            

    March 13 – City Winery – Chicago, IL                             

    March 14 – Hopkins PAC – Hopkins, MN                              

    March 25 – Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ                                

    March 26 – Rialto – Tucson, AZ                                

    March 27 – Music Box – San Diego, CA                          

    March 28 – Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA                       

    March 29 – Freight & Salvage – Berkeley, CA                            

    March 30 – Mystic Theatre –  Petaluma, CA                           

    April 1 – Jaqua Concert Hall – Eugene, OR                             

    April 2 – Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR                            

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