NYS Music 20​19

Category: Finger Lakes

  • Losers Club Rock Montage at Debut Show

    The neon sign outside Montage Music Hall was a beacon in the night, drawing music lovers into the heart of Rochester for the first live performance by Losers Club on Friday, May 31. The project is new, but members are seasoned musicians who have been playing out in bands for years. The downtown venue was packed with their friends, family, and fans.

    Losers Club debut performance – Photo by Corrine Cummings

    Losers Club took to the stage. Cody Wagner took his place behind the drum kit. Andy Champion picked up his bass. Aidan Snyder and Nate Blasdell strapped on their guitars. Then, Blasdell took a spot center stage, in front of the mic. Blasdell has been in several bands (The Bunny The Bear, I Set My Friends On Fire), but this is his first time as front man. Blasdell thanked everyone for coming before delving into their set.

    Bassist, Andy Champion – Photo by Corrine Cummings

    Rocking rhythms and pop hooks paved the way for emotional lyrics, oozing with unapologetic honesty. Between songs, Blasdell told the crowd a little about how the band was conceived, during a snow day this past winter. The band members came together after knowing each other for years through the local music scene. He also talked about the origin of the band name, and how Losers Club is about embracing the feeling of not fitting in.

    Guitarist, Aidan Snyder. Photo by Corrine Cummings

    The set was full of original songs, but they threw in one cover. Mid-set they got the crowd singing along to a rocking rendition of Lil Uzi Vert’s “All My Friends Are Dead.” Losers Club came out of the gate strong for their first show. It’s clear this new band is one to watch.

    Opening for Losers Club was indie pop band So Last Year. The five piece powerhouse gave an energetic performance. The set included sing-along faves from their albums In The Light Of Summer and It’s Later Than You Think. They’ve since been writing and recording for their next release, and on this night they played the soon-to-be-released song “Already Gone.”

    So Last Year building steam, for an energetic set – Corinne Cummings

    All photos taken by Corrine Cummings.

  • Hearing Aide: Vacation Daze ‘The Upswing’

    If you’re ready to step off the beaten path of musical genres, let Vacation Daze be your tour guide. The Rochester band’s latest release, The Upswing, leads the listener on a voyage through a fusion of sounds, to a place where the lines between pop, jazz, and prog rock blur seamlessly. Your destination? An exotic clime brimming over with effervescent sonic euphoria.

    Vacation Daze

    The Upswing starts with a twinkly, jazzy composition, over which vocalist Ian Egling sings about not conforming to norms and expectations. “I am no one’s open tab,” he declares early on in the song. The album then meanders through aural explorations, soaring to the heights of alt pop in “Faberge” and delving deep into some funky soul in the jam “It’s a Comet.”

    The dreamy guitar notes opening of “Tin Can Telephone” set the tone for the nostalgic verses about first love. “But I still see you in my dreams sometimes like some ticky-tacky tin can phone / Strung up high from the window pane of a future that I’d never know.”

    At about this point, it becomes apparent that this is not only a journey of sound, but also a spiritual foray, a vantage point from which to see the past but also turn to what’s on the horizon. In “Magic Mirror,” Egling sings about how easy things were in the beginning, “Then it’s one thing leads to another / And it becomes the common cure that ails you / Do you want to know who you are?”

    When you’re ready to take a sabbatical from the norm, seek out The Upswing by Vacation Daze on Bandcamp and Spotify. The album was recorded at Rochester’s Wicked Squid Studios, with Vacation Daze album art by Kitty Box Press.


  • Woodstock 50: A Big Mess

    In the latest turn of events, the state Supreme Court of New York has ruled that former Woodstock 50 investor Dentsu does not have the power to cancel the festival. The financial partner withdrew funding on April 29 and announced the cancellation of the event. Woodstock 50 organizers turned to state Supreme Court last week for a resolution, demanding that Dentsu return the $18 million and continue to work on the festival. Manhattan Judge Barry Osrager ruled that an ex-investor lacks authority to cancel an event, but declined to order the funds to be returned to the festival. In short, this has become a big mess.

    Woodstock 50 A Big Mess

    During the Relix Live Music Conference at Brooklyn Bowl on Wednesday, May 15, a panel moderated by David Fricke led to a discussion on Woodstock 50. During ‘Case Study: The Bowery Presents’ with John Moore, Jim Glancy, Rolling Stone’s David Fricke brought up AEG deciding to not getting involved in Woodstock 50. Fricke noted “there is no indication this thing (Woodstock 50) can be saved,” which led John Moore to confirm they are “not involved in any discussions with Woodstock 50.” Jim Glancy expanded on that, saying “We had zero interest in April to salvage an event in August. I have no idea how it plays out but it’s a big mess,’ later adding, “It doesn’t feel thought out.”

    Woodstock 50, an anniversary event planned to commemorate the iconic 1969 festival in Bethel, is planned for August in Watkins Glen. Festival organizers remain optimistic, despite lacking funds and a mass gathering permit.

  • Free ‘Ears & Beers’ Workshop to Open Up Conversation about Hearing Conservation

    Horton, board certified audiologist at Rochester Hearing & Speech Center, will be offering an interactive workshop Ears & Beers at Three Heads Brewing. The free affair takes place on Sunday, May 19 at 1 p.m. Attendees can meet with Horton and his colleagues to obtain a free hearing screening, discounted earplugs, and ear mold impressions for ordering custom ear plugs.

    “This is an important conversation to have,” says audiologist and musician Dr. Greg Horton. “Knowledge is power: educating and empowering musicians to take ownership of their hearing wellness and incorporate hearing into their annual health care routine.”

    “This event is geared towards musicians and people who work in and around music industry – bartenders, security, photographers, and promoters. We’ll cover the science of sound, how prolonged noise exposure can affect our hearing, and how people can protect themselves.”

    While most industries are regulated by oversight agencies which promote and enforce workplace safety, the music industry remains unregulated. What’s more, hearing conservation something that most people are uncomfortable talking about, or acting upon. Horton said that people often wait years after suspecting hearing loss to do something about it.

    Compounding these barriers is the lack of expertise in audiology for those in the music industry. There are only a handful of audiologists in the country who work exclusively with musicians. Horton studied under a couple of these experts when he was earning his doctorate in audiology at Northwestern University.

    “Working with musicians is different than garden-variety audiology,” Horton says. He adds that while most audiologists love working with musicians, when polled, the majority of them say they need more training in this area.

    Professional musicians invest their time in practicing and their money in equipment, but few make the effort to protect their most valuable asset – their hearing. Horton draws a comparison to a professional athlete being assessed by doctors for peak performance. “Why as a musician, wouldn’t you do the same thing?” Asks Horton.

    Few people in the music industry receive annual screenings to monitor changes in hearing. Hearing screenings are usually covered by health insurance, but those who are under-insured or uninsured can look for free screenings at places like health fairs and festivals.

    “Most musicians experience just generic foam earplugs, which are not designed to sound good. People don’t realize there are plugs that can maintain the fidelity of the music, with the ability to keep you at safe exposure.” This is an area where the proverbial ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. “People don’t want to spend $200 on a pair of custom ear plugs, but it sure beats $6,000 on hearing aids.”

    Protection goes beyond wearing hearing protection. It’s about awareness of dosage of noise exposure. That dosage can be reduced with things as simple as adjustments to stage plots and the position and distance from sound-emitting equipment.

    “I’ll be dispelling some myths. Like ‘Oh, I don’t play in a metal band, so I don’t need to worry about hearing loss.’ Volume doesn’t discriminate. It all comes down to dosage,” Horton explains. “Think about the violin player that’s been classically trained, putting hundreds upon hundreds hours into playing. A violin by itself may not be loud, but it’s pretty close to your ear, and if you’re someone who’s practicing 6 to 8 hours a day, you’re at risk.”

    As a life-long music lover and musician, hearing conservation is a subject Horton is passionate about. If you’ve ever seen Horton’s band Periodic Table of Elephants, you’ll recognize him as the one passing out complimentary ear plugs to members of the audience.

    This event is made possible with sponsorship from Three Heads Brewing and Rochester Hearing & Speech.

    Three Heads Brewing on Atlantic Avenue is a hot spot for live music and home to a popular Thursday night musician residency. You can find more details and RSVP for this free event here.

    Rochester Hearing & Speech a non-profit organization serving the region for the past 97 years. Their offices are conveniently located throughout Monroe County in Brighton, Greece, and Webster. For more information about this event or to schedule an appointment, email ghorton@rhsc.org.

    Poster design by Ben Frazier

  • Woodstock 50: Lang Accuses Financial Partner of ‘Treachery,’ Plans To Raise $30M By Friday

    The drama surrounding Woodstock 50 continues. It is estimated that Lang will need upwards of $30 million to produce the three-day event at Watkins Glen International Speedway, Aug 16-18. According to Billboard, sources have stated that Lang has until Friday May 10 to raise the funds, which is in addition to the $30 million that Japanese-firm Dentsu has already spent on prospective headliners.

    Sources have also stated that despite Dentsu and other investors pulling out that Lang is adamant that Woodstock 50 will go on. Lang has stated that CID Entertainment would be stepping in to replace Superfly as the festival’s producer, but the company has not officially confirmed. A representative for Lang has approached both Live Nation and AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) about investing in the festival, and both promoters were not interested.

    Woodstock 50

    To make matters even more complex, Lang has accused former investors Dentsu of of taking $17 million from a festival bank account, attempting to talk acts into dropping out of the event and pleading with stakeholders to break their contracts. Lang made the accusations in a letter dated Monday, however representatives from Dentsu have stated they did not receive the letter. “We only would ask that you honor the law and your obligations, stop interfering with our efforts to put on this wonderful event and return the $17 million you improperly took,” Lang wrote. Lang also accused Dentsu of “treachery” and wrote that the company’s actions “are neither a legal nor honorable way to do business.” Lang went on to state “We also have evidence that Dentsu representatives have gone so far as to say that should the talent back out of Woodstock, they would be seen favorably by Dentsu and that this could result in their performing (at) the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where Dentsu is a major organizer,” Lang wrote. “In these actions too, Dentsu has acted not only without honor, but outside of the law.” Lang went on to say, “In the end, since Dentsu has already abandoned Woodstock, all I ask for is that Dentsu walk away peacefully and allow me to deliver to the people a 50th Anniversary Festival.”

  • Promoter Michael Lang Insists Woodstock 50 Still On

    Update (2:52pm): Michael Lang sent out an email with the following statement:

    Dear Woodstock Friends It seems in a way that history is repeating itself. In July of 1969 we lost our site in Walkill and with only a month to go we managed to move to Bethel. Woodstock was going to happen no matter what!

    This time around, Woodstock’s new hometown, Dix & Watkins Glen, NY and New York State have been really wonderful. I went door to door to talk to the neighbors. Some remembered Summer Jam back in ’73 and were worried about history repeating itself. But they opened their doors to us and we talked it out. Many of those people have reached out over the last 24 hours with messages of hope and encouragement. The venue, Watkins Glen International, have been totally supportive and professional.

    Yesterday, our financial partner, Dentsu-Aegis, made the decision to pull out and informed us that they were cancelling the festival at the same time they let the press release go public.

    We have yet to understand why they would try to prevent the festival from happening by seemingly undermining us in this way. It is one thing to decide for oneself that it is best to move on, but it is entirely another thing to try and close the door on us.

    Yesterday, I couldn’t help but relive that moment 50 years ago – it was “ déjà vu all over again”!

    Supporting the principles of activism and sustainability are too important to be derailed by shortsighted partners.

    We continue our work with NYS, Schuyler County and various parties to keep things on track.

    Woodstock never belonged to Dentsu, so they don’t have a right to cancel it.

    Woodstock belongs to the people and it always will.

    We don’t give up and Woodstock 50 will take place and will be a blast! Thanks for Listening, Michael

    Michael Lang, via email

    Woodstock 50 promoter Michael Lang responded to reports of his festival’s demise in a Facebook post late Monday, exclaiming, “Although our financial partner is withdrawing, we will of course be continuing with the planning of the festival and intend to bring on new partners.”

    woodstock 50 michael lang

    The loss of Dentsu Aegis Network‘s funding of the festival comes at a time when Lang has confirmed artists have been paid in full, a mass gathering permit has yet to be issued, and tickets still have not gone on sale.

    Lang took to Facebook on Monday evening, saying the following:

    We are committed to ensuring that the 50th anniversary of Woodstock is marked with a festival deserving of its iconic name and place in American history and culture. Although our financial partner is withdrawing , we will of course be continuing with the planning of the festival and intend to bring on new partners. We would like to acknowledge the State of New York and Schuyler County for all of their hard work and support. The bottom line is, there is going to be a Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival, as there must be, and it’s going to be a blast !

    Michael Lang – Facebook

    Also at issue is the lack of a mass gathering permit, which would allow for ticket sales to commence. Per New York State Department of Health guidelines, a temporary permit is needed 15 days prior to the advertising or selling of tickets. That permit, as of now, has not been acquired by Woodstock 50.

    While media outlets are reporting the festival is cancelled, Lang is committed to saving the star-studded festival from an untimely demise. He did so in 1969. Let’s see if he has another miracle up his sleeve.

  • Woodstock 50 Cancelled

    Billboard is reporting that Woodstock 50, scheduled to take place Aug. 16-18 at the Watkins Glen International Speedway has been cancelled.

    According to a statement released by the Dentsu Aegis Network, who was funding the event, “We don’t believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock brand name.”

    TMZ reports that Michael Lang, the festival’s promoter, was surprised by Dentu’s announcement and that, “they’re not giving up on the festival yet.”

    The announcement comes on the heels of a delay in ticket sales, which were supposed to have gone live on Earth Day, April 22. The full statement is below.

    “It’s a dream for agencies to work with iconic brands and to be associated with meaningful movements. We have a strong history of producing experiences that bring people together around common interests and causes which is why we chose to be a part of the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival.  But despite our tremendous investment of time, effort and commitment, we don’t believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners and attendees.
    As a result and after careful consideration, Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live, a partner of Woodstock 50, has decided to cancel the festival.  As difficult as it is, we believe this is the most prudent decision for all parties involved.”

    NYS Music will provide information as it becomes available.

  • Hearing Aide: Chromaticam ‘Chromaticam’

    Once upon a time in Rochester, some teenagers started a ska band. Then they evolved into a rock band. Their third iteration was the pop punk band, Lighters. Two years ago, they went on hiatus. Fans have held their breath, waiting to for their next project. That day has finally come.

    Chromaticam is not ska. It’s not rock n roll. It’s not punk. Band members Matthias Galley and Will Westveer have veered off the beaten path. They’ve thrown out the idea of fitting their sound into the confines of a single genre. They also threw out the idea of adding lyrics.

    Chromaticam

    In an age when we are barraged with verbal clutter, instrumental music has become the calm inside the storm, a refuge for the weary listener. “Aqueduct” is a perfect example of this. In this opening track off the eponymous EP, rhythm and melody intertwine languidly over a backdrop of droning synth, giving it an ambient feeling. It has a transcendent quality which teeters on the verge of psychedelia.

    The sense of harmony in “Aqueduct” is contrasted by one of discordance in “Withering.” Instead of spacious expanses of sound, the notes follow a dissonant chord progression. The song is made even more anxiety-inducing by the addition of sound clips of an ominous tenor voice.

    While there are no lyrics, speech samples are abundant in the remaining tracks. “Sore” is an edgy tune that contains lines ripped from the financial crisis of 2008. “Snow Flurries” is a funky jam that features clips from a winter weather forecast. In “Yellow Tent” a rat-a-tat drum and trombone set a ceremonial tone, heralding in snippets of a political speech.

    Chromaticam draws influence from alternative, synthwave, and indie rock, giving them broad appeal. But don’t try to box them into any one category. Throw away those preconceived notions about genre. Chromaticam defies definition.

    Key Tracks: Aqueduct, Sore, Snow Flurries

  • Update: Woodstock 50 Capped at 75,000? Permitting Cited as Hold-Up for Ticket Sales

    Updated 4:15: Bloomberg quotes promoter Michael Lang saying weekend passes for Woodstock 50 will cost “around $450.” Lang is also exploring expanding the festival to an annual event, taking place at locations around the world.

    Tickets for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair were supposed to have gone on sale this past Monday, April 22. On Saturday the Woodstock website revealed that tickets would be “on sale soon” with no reason given for the delay.

    On Monday, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported that Schuyler County Administrator Tim O’Hearn thinks the Aug. 16-18 festival at Watkins Glen International Speedway could be looking at a maximum capacity of 75,000 attendees rather than the 100,000 organizers had originally anticipated.

    When asked if the county had placed an attendance cap, the county administrator stated:

    We have maintained the position that the attendance number would be set at whatever number the production team and promoter could demonstrate they could support with adequate infrastructure and security. That number has been determined to be 75,000…

    Tim O’Hearn, Schuyler County Administrator
    Pougkeepsie Journal

    In order to begin promoting and selling tickets for the event, organizers are required to obtain a temporary mass gathering permit from the New York State Department of Health. According to Rochester TV station WHEC, the state received the permit application on April 15 and is currently reviewing the paperwork.

    Michael Lang, Woodstock Promoter

    The Department of Health’s website states, “Application for a permit to promote or hold a mass gathering shall be made at least 15 days before the first day of advertising and at least 45 days before the first day of the gathering,” making April 30 the earliest possible date organizers could begin advertising the event.

    Promoter Michael Lang announced the performers for the 50th Anniversary event last month. Headliners include Jay-Z, The Raconteurs, Miley Cyrus, Dead & Co, Santana and Robert Plant.

    Rumors about the stability of the event began circulating when another headliner, The Black Keys, announced they would not be performing due to a scheduling conflict. Flames were then further fanned with the delay of ticket sales.

    Woodstock 50 is scheduled to take place Aug. 16-18 at the Watkins Glen International Speedway in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

    Woodstock 50 Lineup:

    Aug. 16: The Killers, Miley Cyrus, Santana, The Lumineers, The Raconteurs, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, John Fogerty, Run the Jewels, The Head and the Heart, Maggie Rogers, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Bishop Briggs, Anderson East, Akon, Princess Nokia, John Sebastian, Melanie, Grandson, Fever 333, Dorothy, Flora Cash, Larkin Poe, Brian Cadd and Ninet Tayeb.

    Aug. 17: Dead & Company, Chance the Rapper, Sturgill Simpson, Greta Van Fleet, Portugal, The Man, Leon Bridges, Gary Clark Jr., Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, David Crosby and Friends, Dawes, Margo Price, Nahko and Medicine for the People, India.Arie, Jade Bird, Country Joe McDonald, Rival Sons, Emily King, Soccer Mommy, Sir, Taylor Bennett, Amy Helm, Courtney Hadwin, Pearl, John-Robert and IAMDDB,

    Aug. 18: Jay-Z, Imagine Dragons, Halsey, Cage the Elephant, Brandi Carlile, Janelle Monae, Young the Giant, Courtney Barnett, Common, Vince Staples, Judah and the Lion, Earl Sweatshirt, Boygenius, Reignwolf, The Zombies, Canned Heat, Hot Tuna, Pussy Riot, Cherry Glazerr, Leven Kali, The Marcus King Band, Victory, Hollis Brown, John Craigie, Amigo the Devil and Liz Brasher.

  • Woodstock Ticket Sales Delayed

    Hold on to your ticket money, folks. You won’t be able to buy passes for Woodstock this Monday. The sale date was scheduled to coincide with Earth Day, April 22. But for undisclosed reasons, that date is being delayed.

    Woodstock Ticket Sales

    Everyone is waiting on an official public announcement, but Billboard reports that an email went out to agents on Friday, April 19 alerting them of the postponement.

    Earlier today, talent manager Amanda Phelan with Woodstock 50 talent-buyer Danny Wimmer Presents sent an email to agents representing acts at the concert in Watkins Glen, New York, explaining, “There is currently a hold on the Woodstock 50 on-sale date. We are waiting on an official press statement from Woodstock 50 regarding updated announce, ticket pricing, and overall festival information. We will get this information to you as soon as we receive it.”

    – from Billboard

    The event is scheduled for August 16-18 at Watkins Glen. Top-name acts are slated to play. The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Jay-Z, Robert Plant, Dead and Company, John Fogerty and Santana are among an impressive array of headliners.

    Information about Woodstock 50 is available on their website, or you can follow on Facebook and Twitter for updates. NYS Music will continue to provide ongoing coverage of Woodstock 50 as events unfold.