Tucked away in Belmont, NY, Pollywogg Holler is an enchanting refuge away from the crazy stress of modern day society. It started out as a dream for Barb and Bill Castle in 1976 when they built a home in these magical woods for them and their three children. They wanted to establish a lifestyle in harmony with nature, and eventually opened up their property to the public so everyone could bask as well.
Every Sunday from April to mid-November is Pizza Day. The property is open to the public from 1-6 PM and provides delicious hand-made brick oven pizza, drinks and live music. Bands featured this summer include Workingman’s Dead, PA Line, Folkfaces and so much more. Check out the full lineup for the summer down below.
The music isn’t the only aspect that makes the Pollywogg Holler experience magical. When you arrive, you walk back into a breathtaking forest filled with different sculptures and art pieces. Among the beautiful art and trees are little cabins that you can reserve for a night, each one providing a unique experience. They have the ‘Sauna Loft’, which is a Finnish-style family sauna that warms a private sleeping area among the treetops. If you really want to sleep under the stars, they offer lean-to style cabins with sheer panel closures that allow you to connect with nature. You can learn more about the different style cabins and make a reservation here.
The original Woodstock Music and Arts Festival almost never happened. From changes in mass gathering policies requiring a change of venue to epic traffic jams, Woodstock experienced some seemingly insurmountable problems. Under different circumstances, this festival would have been canceled.
The Road to Woodstock details the plight of one man who used his super powers to overcome these struggles and put on the biggest mass gathering ever at the time. Michael Lang’s abilities as a negotiator and communicator enabled him to bring a sense of calm to almost any chaotic event. The concept behind Woodstock was entirely Lang’s vision. He knew that if conditions were right, a beautiful, peaceful festival would grow. Lang’s perseverance through extreme adversity is unfathomable, and the cornerstone of the Woodstock Festival. More recently, Lang has encountered similar problems for the Woodstock 50 festival, but continues to engage his talents in an effort to make this festival happen.
Woodstock Visionary Michael Lang (photo by Dion Ogust)
Lang’s skills as a master communicator and negotiator started at a young age. While in school at NYU, he dropped out, moved to Miami and opened a head shop in Coconut Grove. This store was under constant scrutiny and police busts, but was never shut down by the authorities. He was able to put on the 1968 Miami Pop Festival in three weeks time based on his negotiating abilities.
These skills later enabled him to turn the powerful Billy Graham from a competitor into a team member, when Graham threatened to pull the plug on Woodstock. He also convinced Max Yasgur to have the festival on his farm. Max’s wife Miriam commented, “It takes Michael about 20 minutes to charm you.” As the preparations at Max’s farm proceeded, Lang was able to recruit almost every able bodied person to help build the festival and provide goods and services. Lang also stopped gunfights and kept everyone who was owed money from insisting violence.
In addition to being a master communicator, peacekeeper and negotiator, Lang was the visionary behind Woodstock. He could feel the peaceful vibe and knew a large mass gathering centered around music and arts would be successful. A random call from a Bethel resident led Lang to Max’s farm. He saw the bowl and knew this was the place.
He had the vision to know that a police presence was needed, but in a peaceful way. Security was handled by unarmed NYC police officers and The Hog Farm, the longest running hippy commune based in California, founded by activist Wavy Gravy. They convinced Lang to let them build a free kitchen, which was always stocked for people who are hungry. Lang made it clear that people who aren’t hungry or thirsty are happier and less prone to fighting. This was unconventional thinking at that time, but Lang was right. Who knew granola equaled crowd control? The sentiment continued at Woodstock ’99. When Lang found out water was four dollars per bottle, he ordered a truck load of it to be distributed for free.
Lang’s visionary skills were accompanied by an unwillingness to give up on this vision. The two sites prior to Bethel did not want the festival to happen. Saugerties never approved anything, but Wallkill did. As the authorities realized the festival’s intentions, extreme county laws were passed requiring a sign off from the town sanitary inspector to the State Department of Transportation. These requirements were insurmountable in the time remaining before the festival. Rather than give up, he immediately started looking for a new site. He knew all money invested in Wallkill was lost, but that didn’t matter in the grand scheme.
Lang’s ‘never give up’ attitude has stayed with him into 2019 for the 50th anniversary Woodstock Festival. Lang has struggled to secure permits at Watkins Glen. This led to his sponsor, Dentsu Aegis Network, backing out and officially “cancelling” the festival. A judge ruled that Dentsu Aegis Network had no right to cancel, and thus, preparations continue.
The Road to Woodstock paints a rosy picture behind the man who broke social barriers to bring about a festival that many believed wasn’t possible. He opened the door for our beloved modern festivals and showed the world how to embrace the growing youth counter culture. And he’s still continuing to use his skills to bring music to the masses in 2019.
Rock lovers of the Hudson Valley rejoice. The Tail Winds Music Festival, located in Wappingers Falls, takes place on June 29. The all day event will feature eight renowned rock performances, food and drink, and family-friendly activities.
Comprised of Chris Robinson (lead vocals, guitar), Neal Casal (guitar), Tony Leone (drums), and Jeff Hill (bass), the folk/psychedelic rock band, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, is headlining the festival. Constantly pushing boundaries with their music, CRB provides an American folk/psychadelic rock sound. Joining them on the lineup is Black Stone Cherry, Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime, King’s X, Sass Jordan, The Jason Gisser Band, Big Guns, and The PlayBack, rounding out a full day of non-stop music.
Tail Winds Music Festival also offers food and drinks from a variety of food trucks and craft breweries, helicopter rides to experience a bird’s eye view of the festival, and family-friendly activities everyone can enjoy. For more information and ticket information for the festival click here.
Check out the Chris Robinson Brotherhood’s performance of “Rare Birds” live from The Shed this past weekend below.
The sun shone across the beautiful woods, and glistened on nearby lakes, surrounding Levon Helm Studios as fans gathered in eager anticipation of Mountain Man. Zephyr, the barn pup, greeted each car at these hallowed grounds. It was peaceful, as the sold out crowd entered one of New York States most treasured venues, last Saturday, June 1.
Zephyr the barn dog, and official greeter.
Singer songwriter from Toronto, Doug Paisley, began the evening with a cozy set of original songs from his new album, Strong Feelings, recorded in his hometown. His beautiful imagery synced brilliantly with intricate guitar work. Paisley also charmed the audience with his storytelling, setting the mood for a very intimate show.
Mountain Man took the stage, surrounding one microphone. Amelia Meath, Alexendra Sauser-Monnig and Erin Sarle all took turns on lead vocals, switching places and positions to find their perfect harmony points. Sarle and Sauser-Monnig also alternated on the guitar for several songs throughout the evening. The performance was stunning and mesmerized the audience. One could hear a pin drop at any point of the evening, excluding a thunderous applause after each song.
The performance felt like you were sitting around a campfire in the woods, or at a laid back house party with best friends. It carried a wonderful weight and elegant presence that left all applauding and wanting more. Each of the three women made everyone feel comfortable and at ease with laid back jokes and stories.
The night before they had actually returned to Bennington, VT where they all met eight years ago and began Mountain Man, during College. Judging from the response they received at Levon Helm Studios and their tour dates quickly selling out, we are certainly lucky that they met all those years ago, and have reunited again.
For Mountain Man tour dates, and to get their new album ‘Magic Ship’ check HERE.
For upcoming shows at Levon Helm Studios follow this link HERE.
After you’ve released two albums, how do you do to follow it up? Albany based band, Stellar Young’s, latest EP And Turned To Ash, is as founding member John Glenn (vox/vocals) describes it, “the final of a concept trilogy,” something the band has been working on since late 2014.
Stellar Young – Photo by Ashley Nizolek
The earlier cogs in this wheel, Became a Flame, a straightforward rock and roll EP, and The Spark Caught (the first of three) which goes in multiple directions, have set the musical bar high for the finale . The opening track “Silhouette By Line” bathes you in warm expansive tones, setting the stage for the rest of the EP. Track two, “Wait,” followed by “Old Roots,” pick up where “Silhouette By Line” leaves off. For a moment you get lost, listening to a liquid suite and not just three separate songs, as the feel and flow align. Maybe a trilogy within a trilogy?
“Dance with Static” sits in the middle of the EP. The song takes a right turn from the previous three, cleansing the musical pallet with it’s foot tapping straight away groove, while preparing you for the rest of the meal. “Struck” and title track “And Turned to Ash” round out the EP, sweeping you back into the sonic glow that envelops the EP.
Producers Dan Dekalb and Jimi Woodul (Dark Honey) have captured the band’s aura that radiates throughout this final piece. The music glides ever so smoothly from single instrument and vocal to full on band and back again without upsetting the character of the songs. Well thought out arrangements enhance the quality of the writing and playing, putting Stellar Young And Turned To Ash in the keep pile.
It rained, it scorched, a few artists had to cancel due to travel issues, but that did not stop Summer Camp from being an absolute blast! A festival full of ups and downs but mostly a lot of awesome, jaw-dropping moments of improvisation and collaboration, beauty, artistry, community, and fun.
Summer Camp, what a line up! Many sets of Umphrey’s Mcgee, moe., plus Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Lotus, STS9, Gramatik, Space Jesus, Papadosio, and so so many more! Unfortunately not all major acts performed due to various issues, some weather related – Space Jesus, Govinda, Blackstar, & Rebelution were some of the acts that were unable to perform.
moe. in full bubble mode.
The pre party did not look so promising on Wednesday night. In a nearby arcade bar in Peoria, just twenty minutes outside the festival, the sky was black and the lighting fierce. Tornado warnings broke up the chill vibe of the bar as it interrupted old hits like “Electric Feel” by MGMT.
But alas the rain stopped, as it always does. The sun came out and the patrons lined up at the entrance. God bless the express lane for media and the friendly folk who pointed out that media does not have to wait over an hour in the sun just to have their items inspected.
Umphrey’s McGee at the Sunshine stage. We’ll miss you, Jefferson Waful. (UM lighting designer to retire from touring at end of year).
Jay Blakesburg was directing the video team and filming patrons as they entered. The pre party featured some amazing acts like STS9, EOTO, Keller Williams, & Spafford, plus late night by Umphrey’s & Here Come The Mummies. Now that’s how you kick off a festival!
Spafford played an incredible “All In” as well as “The Reprise” amongst their shred-filled set. Umphrey’s Mcgee played some strong first sets including songs like “Andy’s Last Beer” and “Syncopated Strangers.” STS9’s ‘Axe The Cables’ set was filled with groove including a masterful “Mischief of a Sleepwalker” > “New Dawn New Day” > “Mischief of a Sleepwalker .”
Taz sits in with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at the Moonshine Stage.
Friday started off with Brandon “Taz” Niederauer. Now this kid can shred. “Fire on the Mountain” > “BlackBird” was phenomenal, heart touching, and ever so appropriate. Keller Williams’ Pettygrass with the Hillbenders was cancelled due to some lighting, a storm was coming that never came. Music is back on! moe., Exmag, Spafford, Karl Denson, Here Come The Mummies, Ghost Light (Tommy Hamilton still has the tape on his guitar from Shpongle Live Red Rocks!) and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong were all happy to oblige.
Since Rebelution was cancelled, moe. & Pigeons Playing Ping Pong put together a set. At first it was moe. with Jeremy Schon, but what happened next was really impressive. While playing the same song (“Cissy Strut” by The Meters), members of moe. on stage switched with the Pigeons guys backstage, switching bands while maintaining the same jam ! Crazy impressive. Other songs played included “Get Back” by The Beatles, “Deal”, and “Sympathy For The Devil” by The Rolling Stones.
Aqueous at the Moonshine Stage.
Umphrey’s McGee performed Anchor Drops in its entirety during their evening set, filled with virtuoso shredding and improvisation.
Some heavy hitting bass music on Friday by Zeds Dead, Tokimonsta, Flux Pavilion was followed by Ryan Stasik’s side project Doom Flamingo at the Campfire Stage who are definitely an act worth seeing.
Mihali sits in with Big Gigantic at the Sunshine Stage.
Saturday looked very promising, especially during the epic Big Gigantic set with an unexpected sit in by Mihali of Twiddle. But alas, during Umphrey’s set, the rain came in and washed it all away, along with several sets including those of Space Jesus & Manic Focus.
Saturday also featured amazing performances by Chromeo Live, Cory Wong of Vulfpeck, Blues Traveler with a sit in Mihali of Twiddle and a separate one from Al Schnier of moe. , Andy Frasco with a sit in from Gumby himself! (by sit in what is meant is that Andy invited someone in a Gumby suit from the crowd to dance on stage as he shoved mushrooms in the costume’s mouth and finished Gumby off with his band members with an implied circle jerk).
Cory Wong at the Moonshine Stage.
So spirits were a little low Saturday night in the rain. Some major acts had gotten cancelled and the rain was not letting up. But indoor stages were still on! lespecial saved the day. Space Jesus did not get to play but he was rocking out to lespecial for the entirety of the set front row. With a little support from ‘his uncle,’ Luke Bemand and the lespecial boys crushed the late night Saturday set including the lespecial heavy hitter “Fruit Wolf Dance.” All those folks who may have been somewhere else were now packed and raging lespecial. Their tight, hard rock, danceable groove was perfect for this night. What better Primus song to play after a torrential rain storm… My name is mud!
lespecial at The Soulshine Tent.
Sunday funday. Never miss a Sunday show right? Chris Robinson Brotherhood was in the house, Oteil & Friends, Eric Krasno, Papadosio, The Werks, Ben Harper… the jam was strong with this day.
Aqueous put on a particularly solid set to kick off the day featuring a live debut of “APunk” by Vampire Weekend. Umphrey’s, bringing the heat after having one of their Saturday night sets rained out, included “Whitehouse Road” by Tyler Childers with a special sit in from Arlo McKinley and Allie Kral from Yonder Mountain String Band. Umphrey’s McGee closed up their set with “Outshined” by Soundgarden.
Neal Casal, Weedie Braimah, and Oteil Burbridge of Oteil & Friends at The Moonshine Stage.
Oteil & Krasno in the VIP Lounge was beautiful, featuring masterful renditions of Dead songs such as “Help On The Way.” Oteil & Friends featured Jeff Chimenti, Krasno, Neal Casal, Weedie Braimah, John Kimock, and Alfreda Gerald. Now that was a set filled with such tight, progressive jams. It really flowed, had a direction, and was sonically impressive.
Chris Robinson Brotherhood put on an incredible set with songs like “Rare Birds” and “Venus In Chrome” was played with precision and whole lot of energy.
Chris Robinson Brotherhood at the Sunshine Stage.
moe. busted out some live debut covers including “Rebell Yell” & “Turning Japanese.” This set featured masterful, psychedelic stage lighting complete with UV reacting bubbles!
“Loving Cup” by The Rolling Stones was played at least twice that day by different bands, so that should tell you what kind of Sunday it was. A fun one. It was a Sunday Funday! Ben Harper & The Innocent Nocturnals proved to be intimate, full of masterful blues, and virtuoso musicianship including a Buddy Miles cover, “Them Changes.”
Ben Harper & The Innocent Nocturnals at the Sunshine Stage.
Lotus played a particularly awesome set, including a particularly groovey “Eats The light.” It flowed very well and people danced from the very first note until the end of the encore. Lotus is a nice happy medium between jam and electronica, where they can satisfy musical preferences of different tastes with the same song. Someone who loves to hear someone play guitar can appreciate their guitar playing, but someone who just wants to dance to a catchy beat can also do so at Lotus.
Summer Camp had some heavy hitting bass music to close out the festival featuring Gramatik, Squnto, & Borgore. Borgore dropped old classic dance songs that everyone knew like “Sandstorm.”
Mike Rempel of Lotus at the Sunshine Stage.
Overall, Summer Camp was a success! Thousands of strangers gathered to celebrate freedom, music, and art. Summer Camp is a magical place full of amazing people, incredible music, inspiring art, and a thriving community that is held together by the love of music.
For thirty years the Music Haven Concert Series has been bringing musicians from around the world to the capital region and this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the summer series they are also adding eight additional events, including theater and film.
The seven Sunday shows feature artists from five continents, with special guests including Eddies lifetime achievement winner Kevin McKrell on July 28th opening for Ireland’s Seamus Egan (founder of the band Solas).
Music Haven’s Founder and Producing Artistic Director Mona Golub announcing the lineup. Photo by Ed Conway
Music Haven is also bringing Shakespeare back to Schenectady’s Central Park with two evenings of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They will also be introducing a Broadway karaoke night, called Hamiltunes, a first of its kind event.
Along with great entertainment the concert series has great food vendors, specialty beers, ice cream and other novelties making it a treat for the whole family. It’s no wonder that Music Haven won this year’s Eddie for Concert Series of the Year for enriching the cultural experiences of the region.
2019 Concert Series (Sundays, 7 p.m.)
July 7—Raghu Dixit Dubbed “India’s biggest cultural export” by The Guardian, Raghu Dixit’s contemporary global sound embraces elements of rock and hip hop, while rooted to India’s rich cultural heritage. Special Guests: Crossroads—Jay Gandhi & Yacouba Sissoko Sponsored by M&T Bank, Ellis Medicine, Fingerpaint
July 14—Casuarina Named for the street where the band formed, Casuarina has gone from humble Rio de Janiero beginnings to rarified status as one of Brazil’s finest, sultriest Samba combos. Special Guests: Eduardo de Carvahlo e Forró de Bom Sponsored by Freihofer’s, The Salmon Law Firm, Goya
The Garifuna Collective
July 21—The Garifuna Collective Garifuna Collective preserves traditional Caribbean coastal rhythms like Wanaragua and the semi-sacred Hungu-Hungu with turtle shells, jawbones, guitars, bass and spiritual singing. Special Guest: Bodoma Garifuna Culture Band Sponsored by Benchemark Printing, Ben & Jerry’s, Snapple
July 28—Seamus Egan Project Simply put, Solas founder and multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan is a giant in the world of Irish traditional music, and he returns to his roots with a top notch quartet. Special Guest: Kevin McKrell Sponsored by Galesi Group, Carlilian Foundation
Aug. 4—Thornetta Davis Multiple award-winner “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues,” Thornetta Davis has sung her truth alongside Bonnie Raitt, Kid Rock, Bob Seeger, and a host of blues luminaries. Special Guest: Tas Cru Sponsored by MVP Health Care, CDTA, Rivers Casino & Resort, WEXT 97.7/106.1
Aug. 11—Cimarrón Like the Spanish Fandango, the Colombian Joropo that Cimarrón brings from the plains of the Orinoco River, is fierce, stomping and virtuosic. Special Guests: Sten & Maria Z. Sponsored by FAM Funds, Bustelo Coffee, SAVI
Aug. 18—Jupiter & Okwess Kinshasa-born “Jupiter” Bokondji’s band Okwess marries the American funk heard during his youth in Germany with the Congolese Rumba of his homeland. Special Guests: TBA Sponsored by Lia Auto Group, Polar Beverages, WEXT
Additional Performances (7 p.m.)
Wednesday, July 17—The Turbans—Global dance party
Thursday, July 18—Hamiltunes: An American Singalong
Thursday, July 25—Huntertones—Horn-driven jazz/funk
Friday and Saturday, July 26–27—Will Kempe’s Players: A Midsummer Night’s Dream —Shakespeare in the park
Wednesday, July 31—A Tribute to Nick Brignola—Jazz
Friday, Aug. 9—School of the Performing Arts at Proctors—Broadway Cabaret
Saturday, Aug. 10—The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra—Pops and classical
Friday, Aug. 16—Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation —Premiere screening of new PBS Documentary
MGMT & Warpaint recently performed at The Capitol Theatre. MGMT played an intimate and fun set with hits such as “Kids,” “Time To Pretend,” “Brian Eno,” and “Electric Feel” sprinkled within some of their newer material from their newest album Little Dark Age.
Losing ones you love stirs up a plethora of emotions that can be hard to process. But confronting the loss head on can be the best way to continue living your best life, the way the deceased would want you to live your life. For International Orange, that meant finishing their sophomore album without their beloved bassist, Gaku Takanashi.
But they pushed through and created a diverse and well executed album. Listeners will find flavors of afro-beat, soul, rock and psychedelic funk, all cut with the jam band flavor we know and love. Although Takanashi did not see the publishing of the album, he did have his hand in nearly half of the songs on the collection.
In short, everything on here is clean, tight and tasty. Arguably, there’s not really a bad song on here. It’s was even sitting in the No. 7 spot on the Roots Music Report chart when it was first released. You can find it there now, but just a few spots lower in rank. No matter though, the album is still fresh and delicious.
Listeners will find a recognizable, contemporary jam sound in “Keep the Blue Side Up” and “Freight Liner.” Unique grooves, time signatures and quirky solos are uplifting and plain fun.
More experimental tracks like “Olinda” and “Sookie’s Roomba” contain touches of latin polyrhythms and open-ended jazzy instrumentals. It reminds listeners that this group is peppered with highly experienced musicians who have played with the likes of Keith Jarrett, Sting and Chris Potter. The companionship and camaraderie within “Olinda” is particularly fascinating. The groups manages to evenly share the space throughout these complex movements and time signatures which keeps things sonically engaging – no easy feat when it comes to improvisational work. “Olinda” is also a fantastic showcase of Takanashi’s skills as he holds down the beat for the entirety of the song but shows restraint when it comes to exploring the space. He was a remarkable player and we can only hope his peers can carry on his legacy in future work.
You can find their full length album on Spotify and Bandcamp. Obviously, a live setting is going to sell their sound more than it will on a recording. Unfortunately, there are no upcoming shows, but their Facebook page shows a consistent run of shows over the past few months, mainly in the Brooklyn area.
Just in time for the impending summer heat comes the revival of the generally unappreciated sound of surf rock, unless you’re Quentin Tarantino. Then, a track off this album will likely wind up on your next movie, shot in glorious 70mm film. The Abyssmals are treading new water on their sophomore album as they explore a surf rock sound. The genre is very cut and dry – a good majority of the top surf rock songs of the 1960’s did have a similar feel to it.
But The Abyssmals try to break out of the mold by mixing in new flavors, both modern and classic. Where would someone listen to something like this? Hard to say. A slow cruise with the top down on a blistering, mid-July heat wave? Tiki bar party, perhaps? The tone of surf rock isn’t what people call uplifting either. It’s odd that it’s associated with relaxing at the beach at all. Nevertheless, it’s timeless sound, and The Abyssals have thrown a unique spin on the genre while flaunting their mastery of the quintessential sound of California’s beaches circa 1960.
The album is good fun. It won’t be in the Billboard Top 40 list anytime soon, but it could strike a chord with lovers of surf rock, grunge, psychedelia and even folk. The Abyssmals experiment with a several types of surf rock fusion, each of which has a natural and palatable feel to it, although the influence of grungy, darker tones can be found in almost every track. The album has a very familiar sound, but is also still very unique and almost indescribable. Listeners can pick out influences of anything ranging from Dick Dale to The Beatles, even Queens of the Stone age.
Listeners can enjoy a mainstream, stereotypical surf rock sound like in, “Enter… The Abyssmals!” and “For All Time.” Quintessential instrumentation will drop listeners right into the bench seat of a ‘37 Split Window Ford, racing to Bikini Beach. Modern recording tactics keeps the sound recognizable but modern and tasty.
But dive deeper and listeners will find a more unique blend of their influences. Songs like “Sleepwalker” and “See You Go” are built upon surf rock basics but are laced with psychedelia and indie. At this point, their sound is that of The Beatles meets The Black Keys. Lackadaisical vocals from Jarpon Reyes and Bob Forget are coupled with washy but sturdy instrumentation creating a unique atmosphere and a throwback to simpler times.
This will be fun to see live and there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Check out their Facebook events page for the full list of dates and try to catch them in New York and Massachusetts area where they’ll be spending the majority of their time. The album is up for download on Bandcamp and available to stream on Spotify and Soundcloud.
