NYS Music 20​19

Category: Regions

  • Exclusive Premiere: Bridge Under Fire, ‘Self-Unemployed’

    Syracuse punk band Bridge Under Fire is doing the unorthodox. They are releasing four new songs from their new EP through four different record labels. NYS Music is premiering the L.R.S. Records single, “Self-Unemployed.” Check it out below.

    Bridge Under Fire is a Syracuse-based punk/hardcore band with a discography that includes two full-length albums, two EPs, a split 7″ single and several compilation contributions. The new untitled EP has been released in four parts across four labels and through four different media outlets.

    Syracuse labels, L.R.S. Records, Aux Records, Moron Manor Media, and Counter Culture Cassette Company each released one song from the band today.

    Band leader and L.R.S. Records owner, Mark Turley, described the project this way:

    After releasing our last full length in 2017, the band was discussing other options than just writing more songs to be an EP or album.  We decided to write singles rather than songs that fit together content-wise onto an album.  The results were interesting and different than what we’ve done so far.  Through L.R.S. we had these relationships with the other labels and thought this would be a different way to release our music.

    Mark Turley

    To celebrate the release of the new music, Bridge Under Fire will host a show at Spark Contemporary Art Space in Syracuse on Feb. 22. Also on the bill that night is Sympathy Band, Talk Wrong and Dimladia. For more information on this show, visit promoter After Dark Presents’ website. To check out more of Bridge Under Fire’s work, visit their Bandcamp page here.

    Turley also hosts a weekly podcast called Long Range Sarcasm (L.R.S.) with Nick Oliver. It is available on iTunes and Google Podcasts. The podcast features news and music from the L.R.S. stable of artists as well as other Central New York musicians.

    Bridge Under Fire’s brand new single, “Self-Unemployed” is available below as a NYS Music exclusive release. Check it out.

  • Artist Profile: Girl Blue, as big as an Ocean


    Girl Blue has a passion for music, vocals and a stage presence to draw you in – listen. The stage name of Arielle O’Keefe, Girl Blue is one of the Capital District’s emerging singer-songwriters, alongside peers Sean Rowe, Sydney Worthley, Sawyer Fredericks, and Moriah Formica. On Thursday, January 24, she will open for Dar Williams at Cohoes Music Hall.

    O’Keefe’s drive for music goes back to her childhood in Bayshore, Long Island, where she started playing piano at age 5 and guitar at age 12. From this, she sees music adhered to her identity, throughout her life. “It’s sort of a raging ambition inside me, it feels like all I have is this thing to work on.” After a move to Dallas during high school, she headed north to New York City and finally to Albany, to move her career forward. She chose her stage name, Girl Blue, from two musical inspirations – the Nina Simone album, Little Girl Blue, which she listened to a great deal growing up, and the Stevie Wonder song “Girl Blue,” where the character described was much like Arielle.

    Girl Blue received broad exposure when her first single, “Fire Under Water,” was picked up by Spotify for New Music Friday, and was eventually placed in a Las Vegas tourism commercial. From there it went viral, racking up over 2.5 million plays. This led Spotify to pick up her cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” a stripped down version of the original. “I would play with vocals and looped them along with one or two guitar lines. The song is so emotional and almost creepy. I wanted to do something that was really broken down and make it a little more epic, so I covered it with just vocals and guitars, then went in and produced the final version.”

    girl blue

    When O’Keefe is on stage, she commands attention to her performance. “When I was younger, I went to different types of venues, hip-hop showcases and singer-songwriter performances and saw singers that you have-to-listen-to, instead of being forced to listen. I do that for myself, making it so that people have to lean in.” After 14 years, this has developed into Girl Blue’s remarkable stage presence.

    A range of vocal inspirations – Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Roberta Flack, Ani DiFranco and Tori Amos – as well as comparisons to Carole King, Laura Marling, Bonnie Raitt and Jeff Buckley, give you an idea of the powerhouse-vocals and songwriting Girl Blue has in her skill set. She looks towards Frank Ocean as one of the defining voices of the current generation. “He has a voice with character and is a talented singer, who has that intangible quality to translate emotion through his voice. He makes people feel, and that will stand the test of time. His style has been copied over and over already; that says a lot if everyone wants to be Frank Ocean.”

    Last May at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, Girl Blue performed as part of Capitol Records Live, an event bringing together a half-dozen local artists to take on the songs of The Beatles’ – The White Album and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Singing “Glass Onion,” “Blackbird,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “Getting Better,” her performance stood out among a lineup that included Wild Adriatic, Eastbound Jesus and Let’s Be Leonard.

    Currently, Girl Blue is recording with Dan Dekalb and Jimi Woodul from Dark Honey, with plans to release a stripped down album in May, and the full album slated for later this year.

    On March 2nd, Girl Blue will perform at The Linda in Albany with Belle Skinner and Zan Strumfield, but first, she opens for Dar Williams at Cohoes Music Hall on Thursday, January 24. Tickets are still on sale.

    Girl Blue posts monthly exclusive songs and behind the scenes content online on Patreon. Click here to subscribe and support her work.

  • Japanese Breakfast Takes Over at Brooklyn Steel

    Japanese Breakfast had the crowd dancing, jumping and swaying as they shared the band’s enthusiasm on January 18 at Brooklyn Steel. Michelle Zauner’s solo project has developed a fanbase eager to dive into the group’s experimental blend of shoegaze, indie pop and rock. Joined by drummer and producer Craig Hendrix, Deven Craige on bass and her husband Peter Bradley on guitar, this tour features an expanded live ensemble, complete with NYC-based string section Quartet 121, Aaron Rockers on trumpet and Adam Schatz on sax.

    Zauner has a persona influenced by Bjork and other animated performers. Walking out in a whimsical white dress with coils of fabric attached, her engaging and infectious attitude transformed the stage into her own personal, musical playground. Kicking off with “Machinist” using modulation effects to augment her voice, the set came alive with colorful lights and large visuals as they went into “In Heaven.”

    The band’s energy was dynamic, and Zauner shifted from guitarist to full frontwoman as she sang about lust and indifference to the ethereal, marching groove of “Road Head.” The crowd journeyed from high energy, endorphin-releasing rhythms to the somber admissions of heartache in “Boyish,” a haunting dream-like song, which wouldn’t have been out of place in an episode of Twin Peaks.

    When 2016’s Psychopomp was released, Zauner was dealing with the grief of her mother’s death. She continued to channel her thoughts on love, heartbreak and trauma in 2017’s Soft Sounds from Another Planet. At Brooklyn Steel, she gave us her personal story, alongside projected collages of old family photos and videos during a stripped-down acoustic performance of “Till Death.”

    The night began with a couple of strong openers. Meg Duffy of Hand Habits played an electric solo set blending vocals, effects and guitar prowess into passionate, sometimes melancholic soundscapes and melodies. Things got moving with Cincinnati-based WHY?, as rapper and singer Yoni Wolf led the band through a tight, eclectic mix of alternative rock and hip hop.

    Japanese Breakfast has seen a lot of activity recently including headlining tours, festivals and new releases. The band has also been busy scoring the soundtrack for “Sable,” an upcoming open-world video game, due out later this year. Zauner’s ability to transform her raw emotions into extroverted performances continues to attract and delight new audiences.

  • Guster Kicks Off 2019 Tour With Show at Upstate Concert Hall – Photo Gallery

    Boston based alternative rock band, Guster launched their 2019 tour in support of their new release, Look Alive at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, NY on January 16. Supporting Guster was Burlington Vermont singer Henry Jamison who had a February 8 released album, Gloria Duplex.

    Guster
    Guster
    photo by E. Reid Coker
    Henry Jamison

    Guster set list: One Man Wrecking Machine, Terrified, Stay With Me Jesus, Diane, Hello Mr. Sun, Backyard, Architects and Engineers, Look Alive, Manifest Destiny, Doin It By Myself, Come Downstairs and Say Hello, Gangway, Overexcited, I Spy, Satellite, Long Night, Demons, Mind Control, Amsterdam, Barrel of a Gun, Hard Times (audience choice), Hang On, What You Call Love, Happier.

  • The Revivalists Sell Out The Beacon Theatre

    On Thursday January 17 The Revivalists closed a sold-out two night run at The Beacon Theatre, bringing that sweet New Orleans soul to Broadway. The high energy critically acclaimed rock band had a packed house on their feet, and in the palm of their hand, as they moved through new and old songs for the entire night. From the first verse of the popular new song , “All My Friends,” the audience was lured to get down with each of the eight band members.

    It’s actually hard to believe that everyone in Manhattan didn’t hear this show. Guitarists Zack Feinberg, two-drummer-setup Andrew Campanelli  and Paulet “PJ” Howard, pedal steel player Ed Willams, bassist George Gekas, saxophonist Rob Ingraham and keys and trumpet player Michael Girardot incorporated the twang from pedal steel, a rich guitar sound, NOLA style horns to roar a full Rock n Roll sound – shaking the hollowed halls of the Beacon Theatre. The extremely talented lead singer, David Shaw made this sold out audience get out of there seats and sing every lyric at the top of their lungs.

    David Shaw is one of the top frontmen in music today; a full package blend of entertainer and musician, with such a powerful voice and meaningful lyrics. He commands and manipulates the audience with ease, having even the casual fan singing their hit song, “Wish I Knew You”. He shined on a cover of The Rolling Stones “Miss You,” adding his own style and sound to the classic. It was a joy to see Shaw perform from a place of joy and share that with a captive audience.

    The Revivalists are a hard working band that embody a direction that music deserves to be going in. Selling out two nights at the historic Beacon Theatre proves they are well on there way to achieving that. I highly recommend their new album Take Good Care and really look forward to seeing where this band goes next.

     

  • JÄH DIVISION releases “Isolation Dub”

    Brooklyn collective Jäh Division has released “Isolation Dub,” a reggae-experimental interpretation of rock band Joy Division’s track from their album Closer. Bred in the shadows of the Brooklyn Bridge, 21st Century  DIY musicians merge, including members of the pop group Animal Collective, experimental Brooklyn rockers Oneida and Awesome Color (Brooklyn).

    This psychedelic twist comes from Dub Will Tear Us Apart… Again, a deluxe edition remake of their 2004 debut. The bonus release includes the reggae-dub version of “Isolation Dub” from Joy Division classics. Dub Will Tear Us Apart… Again  proves the sparse musicianship Jäh Divisionparty of the once on-call-Brooklyn party-band has not only resurfaced, but also evolved to greater heights. Their sound stretches from the north-city to Manchester (UK) with Barry London’s Space Echo tape loop.

    The reissue is a deluxe version of the original release, the band’s sole output. Initially a 4-track EP, the record has been expanded to include a fifth Joy Division track (“Isolation”), two unreleased originals from a scrapped album and a bonus 7″ with previously unreleased covers of Desmond Dekker and Jackie Mittoo tracks from the original sessions.

    The reissue was recorded on a reel-to-reel tape in a single-day session at the Free 103point9 residential melting pot: a performance space, loft and micro FM radio station with windows overlooking the Williamsburg Bridge. What started as ‘a good smoke and a joke,’ said their original 12 Inch Recording label, quickly opened a wormhole of unreleased music, psychedelic lost-voyages and vintage instruments: including a Radio Shack purchased Moog, trash electronic drums and, of course, lots of delay and reverb.

    Jäh Division will be celebrating the release with a performance at the Secret Project Robot in Brooklyn, NY, on January 26.

  • Panic! at the Times Union CenterC

    Panic! At The Disco made their fourth stop on the ‘Pray For The Wicked Tour’ at the Times Union Center Tuesday night. Shortly after openers Betty Who and Two Feet performed, all the lights in the arena went dark and a giant 10-minute timer was displayed; the sold out crowd eagerly waited as the clocked ticked down. During this time Weezer’s cover of “Africa” (Toto) was played over the speakers and the 12,000 in attendance shouted every word.  The clock hit 0:00 and the band rose from beneath the stage, followed by Brendon Urie himself, who was shot several feet into the air. Before landing he started the show with their single, “(F*** a) Silver Lining” from their 2018 record Pray For The Wicked.

    Panic! at the Times Union Center

    Brendon Urie is the only original member of Panic! At The Disco, who are entering their 15th year. With people coming and going, Urie has been able to keep his band unique and their sound ever changing:  from the Pop Punk album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out (2005) to the Sinatra-esque sound of Death of a Bachelor (2016) and experimenting with electronic sounds in Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! (2013).  The one thing that has remained consistent has been the energy and powerful vocals that Urie has always brought.

    As the set rolled on, Urie continually amazed the awe-struck crowd from his smooth dance moves to his impressive falsetto. Around the midpoint of the show Urie made his way through the crowd interacting with fans, thanking them, giving handshakes and hugs as he sang “Death of a Bachelor.” Eventually he ended up at the far side of the arena, where a piano had been placed. He played a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” a song Urie said his mother used to play for him when he was a kid. The piano began to raise up off the ground. When the platform reached its peak, probably 50 feet above the crowd, it began to move back across the arena towards the stage. Urie then performed the soulful “Dying in LA,” from Pray For The Wicked, as he and his piano flew along the rafters of Times Union Center.  

    Panic! at the Times Union Center

    Shortly after the piano arrived back at the stage, Urie picked up the pace moving right into “The Greatest Show,” a cover form the 2017 film, The Greatest Showman. The group continued with their very theatrical performance and more upbeat songs, eventually moving into “Miss Jackson” from Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! During this piece a drum-set rose in the middle of the stage. Urie then played a 2 minute drum solo, finishing it with a backflip off the riser, then immediately moved into the outro of the song.

    A couple songs later a piano reemerged, this time on stage, and Panic! played their cover of the Queen mega-hit “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The crowd sang along with it as loud as the band was playing. Panic! At The Disco closed the night with a three-song encore that consisted of “Say Amen (Saturday Night),” “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” and lastly “Victorious”. Brendon Urie was determined to impress the crowd at every turn and he never disappointed. It was a night full of theatrical, energetic and powerful music leaving the sold-out crowd begging for more.

    • Panic! at the Times Union Center
    • Panic! at the Times Union Center
    • Panic! at the Times Union Center

  • Warm up at the Waterhole during Saranac Lake Winter Carnival

    The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is a legendary two-week party in the middle of winter, in the most northern part of New York State. This year’s edition, the 122nd, takes place from Feb. 1 – 10. The sometimes blustery elements of this idyllic mountain town take a backseat to celebrate the warmth of music, friends,food and fireworks. The Waterhole Music Lounge is Northern New York’s central hub for the best in live music. The venue historically has played host to a dynamic range of bands, across several genres over ten days. This year’s line up carries that tradition onward.

    waterhole

    Over the past decade or so some of the best in hip hop, rock, and jam have played huge sets to rowdy crowds coming in off the streets after a day of parades. Some notable names include: The Ominous Seapods, Rubblebucket, Donna the Buffalo, Sophistafunk, Twiddle, Hot Day at the Zoo and so many more. This year’s lineup offers the return of Plattsburgh powerhouse and long standing Winter Carnival performers Lucid. Buffalo’s own and NYS Music 87/90 artist, Folkfaces open up the night on Feb. 2.

    The Waterhole in Saranac Lake has been a big part of what makes the music scene in Upstate New York amazing, a slice of rock and roll history nestled up the mountains. The venue is a three floor experience that has seen some big time names play the stage. Del McCoury, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Gov’t Mule, Bela Fleck, moe., Leftover Salmon, Soulive, and Turkauz have all performed memorable sets here. In continuing with the tradition of bringing quality acts, this year’s line up promises to offer up those “wish I were there” sets from the artists both established and on the rise.

    Other bands making the trip to grace the stage are West End Blend, Barika, Lady Moon and the Eclipse, The Gibson Brothers, The Melting Nomads, The Swampkids, Annie in the Water, Driftwood and Swampcandy. Look forward to special performances in the Downstairs bar of The Waterhole from Kevin Sabourin, Nina’s Brew and Dirty Blanket. There will be plenty of opportunities for entertainment after a day of snowshoe ultimate, skating or skiing. Grab a convenient week long pass for $65 for a discounted way to catch all the music. For more information about live music at The Waterhole check out their website.

    Check out the full schedule below:

    Feb. 1 – Driftwood w/s/g Swampcandy- 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show; $10.00 advance / $12.00 door 

    Feb. 2 – Lucid wsg. Folkfaces – 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show; $17.00 advance / $20.00 door  

    Feb. 3 – Kevin Sabourin (Of Lucid) – 2:00 p.m. Downstairs – free show

    Feb. 5 – Nina’s Brew – 9:00 p.m. Downstairs – free show

    Feb. 6 – Annie in the Water – 8 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show – $10.00 

    Feb. 7 – The Gibson Brothers w/s/g Old Sky – 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. show; $18.00 advance / $22.00 door

    February 8th – Lady Moon & The Eclipse, Melting Nomads & Swamp Kids (Feat Members of Big Mean Sound Machine & Chris English) – 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show; $10.00

    Feb. 9 – Post-Parade Party with The Big Takeover – 2:00 p.m. – Free Show

    Feb.9 – West End Blend w/s/g Barika – 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show – $10.00 

    Feb. 10 – Dirty Blanket – 2:00 p.m. Downstairs – Free Show

    waterhole

    written by Derick Borst

  • Peace, Love and Posters: Bethel Center for the Arts holding poster contest to commemorate 50th Anniversary of Woodstock Festival

    Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is holding a poster contest in honor of Woodstock Festival’s 50th, Golden Anniversary. The press release describes this as not just another “festival poster” design.

    Woodstock 50th poster

    Bethel Woods is looking for students, amateurs, and professionals to design posters that not only celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, but also captures their mission to inspire passion and purpose.

    The concept they are trying to capture is expressing progress in the world through creativity, self-actualization, love, and understanding for the next 50 years to come.

    Winners of the poster contest will be displayed throughout the Vibrations event series produced by Bethel Woods. Winners will also receive a cash prize of $2,500 but will also be given $1,500 in travel and lodging to visit Bethel Woods on June 5 to participate in the Power of the Poster event during Vibrations.

    The judges of the contest are two well known poster artists, with renowned Broadway poster artist Frank “Fraver” Verlizzo joining original Woodstock poster designer David Edward Byrd. Submissions can be entered starting Feb. 6 until March 14.

  • Punk’s not dead: Spark to host Groundhog Day punk spectacular headlined by Inhalants

    A punk show headlined by St. Catherine’s, Ontario’s Inhalants will take place Feb. 2 at Spark Contemporary Art Space on East Fayette Street in Syracuse. The show will also feature a litany of New York State punk and hardcore bands, including Troy’s Your Brain on Drugs, Syracuse oi/street punks, the War Lovers, Syracuse old school punks, Lucky 33, Syracuse skate punks, the Shuvits and another touring band to be announced.

    Inhalants

    The $5 show starts at 8:00. Tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds are for the touring band. There will also be an array of out of print hardcore and punk t-shirts available for $5.

    Lucky 33, a veteran of two Vans Warped Tours, is currently working on new material. This show will be the band’s first with new guitarist/vocalist Zac Birdslow and last show until their second annual Punk Rock BBQ on Memorial Day weekend.

    Check out the official video for their song “Paycheck” below. The song is a solid mix of high energy, late ’80s-mid ’90s era punk with shades of pop-punk thrown in. The band has found a second home in Rochester of late and is looking to further their success in their hometown of Syracuse and beyond.

    This low-cost show is the perfect opportunity to check out what’s happening in the Syracuse punk scene. For more information, follow the event page here.

    Inhalants

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