NYS Music 20​19

Category: Regions

  • Metalcore band Destroy//Create shed light on mental health and addiction through “Hang On” and “Let Go” videos

    Rochester five-piece metalcore band Destroy//Create have released “Let Go,” the companion video to the recently released “Hang On.” Taken together, the two-part single/video series focuses on mental health and addiction. Both tracks were produced by distinguished metalcore guitarist, Justin Deblieck (Ice Nine Kills).

    This visually captivating music video is directed by Josiahx (Ice Nine Kills, Sirens and Sailors, Like Moths To Flames) and shows the aftermath of part one’s story of two intimate individuals, both struggling with similar situations: coping with depression, anxiety and past trauma that has manifested itself into a psychosis. 

    One character uses art as an outlet to express and endure her pain, the other takes a more destructive path and turns to drugs and alcohol as a coping method.  This video is Destroy//Create’s way of using their art as an opportunity to shed light on the issues of addiction and mental health, which are clearly prevalent in today’s society.

    Destroy//Create was formed in 2016 by lead vocalist Adrian Blackwell, guitarist Jimmy Gardner, and drummer Jeff Cole. Shortly after their inception, the trio added Mike McCann on bass. After about a year of playing together, the 4-piece band added Dylan Borrelli for another layer of guitar and for songwriting abilities as well as on-stage performance. With the band’s energetic live performances and positive lyrics, Destroy//Create push to bridge together the old school and modern metalcore sound for everyone to enjoy.

  • Michael Franti and Spearhead Deliver Positive Vibes to the Wellmont Theater

    The audience was told to hug a neighbor at least five times. Lyrics such as “They say that miracles are never ceasing / And every single soul needs a little release” were heard. This positive vibe radiated from Michael Franti and Spearhead, a hip hop-reggae-funk fusion band from California, as they performed at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ last week. The band also brought awareness to social issues and sparked authentic human interactions in the Garden State.

    Carl Young and Michael Franti

    The band members include Michael Franti (guitar, vocals), Carl Young (bass), Manas Itiene (Drums), J. Bowman (guitar), Mike Blankenship (keyboards), and an unidentified female vocalist.

    Gun violence statistics of every mass shooting in the USA scroll behind Michael Franti and Spearhead.

    The positive message and awareness to social issues stood out in a meaningful way. Franti’s recent song “The Flower,” a tribute to victims of gun violence, featured a video with survivors and scrolling gun violence statistics. Songs like “Just Work Hard And Be Nice To People” and “Good To Be Alive Today” brought a positive message mixed with short jams.

    Franti and an unidentified vocalist sing “Life Is Better With You”

    Strong musical skills were displayed during a flawless switch from Lionel Ritchie’s “All Night Long” to “Life Is Better With You.” The band was joined by an unidentified guest vocalist for this sequence, which included the original video of “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie on an LED screen behind the band.

    Franti was engaged with the entire audience, not just those in the front row. He sang two songs while on the floor, in the middle of the crowd. He also took a quick adventure to the balcony for a few verses. A myriad number of fans were brought on stage, including a couple who got engaged, and all the children on the floor during “Say Hey (I Love You).”

    The band has a couple of tour dates left in 2019 and will be on tour with Kenny Chesney in 2020. Head over to their tour page for more details.

  • 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

  • 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.”

  • Andrew Vannorstrand shares video for “Boy with the Gray Eyes,” performs in Syracuse and Auburn this week

    This September, Andrew VanNorstrand released his debut solo LP That We Could Find A Way To Be and this month premieres the video for “Boy with Gray Eyes” off the album. Americana Highways premiered the audio for “Boy With The Gray Eyes” and said of the track, “In a song about hope and hesitation, VanNorstrand constructs comforting, introspective guitar sounds, and the low vocals, clarinet and fiddle are the icing on the cake.”

    Andrew VanNorstrand, a musician, singer, songwriter and producer living in Upstate New York, has performed on festival stages, concert halls, dance floors and living rooms all over North America and beyond. For eighteen years, he toured and recorded with the popular dance band Great Bear which also featured his brother Noah VanNorstrand and mom Kim “Mama Bear” Yerton. Andrew and Noah continue to perform together in the bi-coastal folk quartet Wake Up Robin and acoustic power trio The Faux Paws.

    His debut solo album, That We Could Find A Way To Be, focuses on the complicated intersections of love, faith, loss and uncertainty, queerness and the search and struggle for understanding from the rust belt to the Blue Ridge, from a cold spring in New England to a summer’s night in Charlottesville. Andrew blends traditional folk, old-time and country music with indie-roots-Americana and a passion for shared connection and a song well sung.  

    On November 13, Andrew will make his solo, live television debut on Central New York’s ABC affiliate, WSYR Channel 9’s Bridge Street. He also performs a few shows around CNY over the next two months. Click for details below, or visit Andrew’s website for more details.

    Friday November 15
    Andrew VanNorstrand with Anna Patton and Dana Billings
    Auburn Public Theater, Auburn, NY  

    Saturday November 16
    Andrew VanNorstrand with Anna Patton and Dana Billings
    Rochester House Concert

    Thursday–Saturday December 5, 6 & 7
    Andrew & Noah VanNorstrand
    Annual Solstice at the Cathedral Concert, Syracuse, NY

  • 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                            

  • Black Crowes Tour Official – Several NY Sheds on Itinerary for 2020

    The Black Crowes announced tour dates on Monday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band’s debut album Shake Your Money Maker. The tour will see the Robinson brothers visiting amphitheaters across the country beginning June 17 in Austin performing their debut album in its entirety along with select hits.

    Chris and Rich Robinson appeared on Monday’s Howard Stern show to make the tour announcement. The extensive tour makes stops at Bethel Woods, Jones Beach, Saratoga and Darien Lake in New York and wraps at the Forum in Los Angeles on Sept. 19.

    The Black Crowes

    While this is being billed as a Black Crowes reunion, the brothers Robinson will not be performing with any of their former bandmates on this tour. Joining the Robinsons in the band are Isiah Mitchell (guitars), Tim LeFebvre (bass), Joel Robinow (keyboards) and Ojha (drums). The band last performed in 2013 with each of the brothers forming their own bands in the meantime.

    Tickets are on sale now. For information, visit the Black Crowes website here.

    June 17 – Austin360 Amphitheater – Austin, TX
    June 19 – Dos Equis Pavilion – Dallas, TX
    June 20 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Houston, TX
    June 23 – BOK Center Tulsa, OK

    June 24 – Walmart AMP – Rogers, AR
    June 26 – Oak Mountain Amphitheater – Birmingham, AL
    June 27 – Cellairis Amphitheater at Lakewood – Atlanta, GA
    June 30 – Coral Sky Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, FL
    July 1 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
    July 3 – PNC Music Pavilion – Charlotte, NC
    July 4 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC
    July 7 – Ascend Amphitheatre – Nashville, TN
    July 8 – Ascend Amphitheatre – Nashville, TN
    July 10 – Veteran United Home Loans Amphitheater – Virginia Beach, VA
    July 11 – Jiffy Lube Live – Washington, DC
    July 14 – BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ
    July 15 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel, NY
    July 17 – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
    July 18 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY
    July 21 – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH
    July 22 – Xfinity Center – Boston, MA
    July 24 – Xfinity Theatre – Hartford, CT
    July 25 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY
    July 28 – Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
    July 29 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Detroit, MI
    July 31 – Darien Lake Amphitheatre – Buffalo, NY
    Aug. 1 – KeyBank Pavilion – Pittsburgh, PA
    Aug. 13 – Xcel Energy Center – Minneapolis, MN
    Aug. 15 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
    Aug. 16 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Indianapolis, IN
    Aug. 18 – Blossom Music Center – Cleveland, OH
    Aug. 20 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
    Aug. 23 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St Louis, MO
    Aug. 26 – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater – Kansas City, MO
    Aug. 28 – CHI Health Center – Omaha, NE
    Aug. 30 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Denver, CO
    Sept, 1 – USANA Amphitheatre Salt Lake City, UT
    Sept. 4 – White River Amphitheatre – Seattle, WA
    Sept. 5 – Sunlight Supply Amphitheater – Portland, OR
    Sept. 8 – Concord Pavilion – Concord, CA
    Sept. 9 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA
    Sept. 11 – MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, NV
    Sept. 12 – Ak-Chin Pavilion Phoenix, AZ
    Sept. 18 – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre – San Diego, CA
    Sept. 19 – The Forum – Los Angeles, CA

  • HBO’s ‘The Apollo’ Traces the Theater’s Deep Roots Feeding Harlem Community

    Not many institutions mean as much to a community as The Apollo Theater means to Harlem. In The Apollo, academy and Emmy award-winning director—Roger Ross Williams, spends nearly two hours examining not only the musical importance of the theater but, also glimpses at the symbiotic relationship between The Apollo Theater and black community of Harlem.

    The world-famous musical hall—located on West 253rd street, between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. boulevard (formerly seventh ave.), and Frederick Douglas boulevard (eighth ave.)—is synonymous with the neighborhood.

    Williams, with the help of a number of A-list celebrities, historians and activists, chronicles the history of the theater. From its beginnings as a recognizable institution, under the ownership of Frank Schiffman and Leo Brecher, to the creation of its famous “amateur night at The Apollo.” Which has seen the likes of James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Dionne Warrick, Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye, among many other legendary entertainers begin their career there.

    Aside from the well-deserved homage to iconic figures that have gotten their start on Apollo’s stage, Williams explores what The Apollo really meant to the inhabitants of Harlem, post-Harlem renaissance. During the era of segregation and Jim Crow, it was one of the few theatre institutions that would allow black people to pay their hard-earned money and enjoy a show. In fact, the residents grew such a love for the theater, that during the riots that preceded the end of Jim Crow, the building was surrounded by people who refused to let any damage happen, as recalled by Schiffman.

    These are just some of the fascinating tidbits that can be learned throughout this documentary. Accompanied by great scoring of 19th century hits, The Apollo juggles traveling through time to tell the story of the hundreds of culture-shifting performers that have passed through the building, while simultaneously giving a present day viewing of its arrangements. With exclusive footage to backstage rehearsals of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me, as well as present-day “amateur night” auditions. It is a recommended informative watch that does justice to the cultural landmark.

  • 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.

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