Rock icon Buster Poindexter returns to Café Carlyle, October 8 & 9. As a founding member of the New York Dolls and in a prolific solo career, David Johansen has been a seminal force in rock and roll, influencing countless singers and bands to this day.
For these performances, Buster Poindexter, Johansen’s celebrated alter ego, will showcase his songwriting, spanning his career from New York Dolls until now, in his inimitable elegant style, interspersed with amusing anecdotes from life in New York, past and present. As Poindexter, his previous engagements have been sellouts and he has become one of the most revered artists to grace Café Carlyle.
The E Street Band’s Steven van Zandt has said of past performances, “Buster Poindexter at the Café Carlyle is one of the great shows of the year. David Jo does an impressionistic look back at his life through his alter ego’s lens and it all works. It’s a jazz performance. His actor’s chops riffing comedy in between songs. Don’t miss it!”
Originally opened in 1955, Café Carlyle is New York City’s bastion of classic cabaret entertainment, a place where audiences experience exceptional performers at close range in an exceedingly elegant setting. Since composer Richard Rodgers moved in as The Carlyle’s first tenant, music has been an essential part of The Carlyle experience. No place is that more evident than in the Café Carlyle.
Reservations can be made online. Café Carlyle is located in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (35 East 76th Street, at Madison Avenue).
Santa Cruz, California’s Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) touched down on September 20 at the Brooklyn Mirage for their Apo11o tour, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. STS9 celebrated a theme of space exploration in their setlist and gave New York City a much anticipated dose of their celebrated livetronica. They were joined by some of their favorite musical friends: Orchard Lounge, Cut Chemist and Mark Farina.
Hunter Brown of STS9
Orchard Lounge kicked off the festivities with a delicious set of eclectic dance mixes, downtempo and “bass-dropping efunk.” Hailing from Chicago, the band members include Spencer Lokken, Bethany Lokken and Ben Silver. Their melodic interwoven beats had the crowd moving and grooving immediately.
Orchard Lounge
Next up was Cut Chemist, also known as Lucas McFadden, a DJ from California who utilizes original 45 records along with his digital production. He specializes in hip-hop, funk and scratching, an art form that is dying in the current digital revolution. Drawing from artists like the Beastie Boys to Chali 2na, Cut Chemist delivered adventurous breakdance-worthy urban beats.
Cut Chemist
STS9 took the stage to a packed house and did not stop playing their space exploration-themed jams until the first set ended. The first set began with a new urban tune “Strange Games” that later turned into “When the Dust Settles Reprise,” a morphing of “When the Dust Settles” from the album of the same name. The jam sandwich continued with “Tooth” transitioning into “Golden Gate,” also from When the Dust Settles, as well as old school favorites “Golgi” > “Grow” > “Kamuy.” The band closed out the set with new song “Push The Sky” and then took a well deserved setbreak.
STS9
The second set continued to go where “no sectornaut has gone before,” as the band had landed on the Moon, metaphorically speaking of course. “Looking Back On Earth” opened the set, and transitioned into “Rabble” and “Open E,” transporting the crowd into the ethos. “Scheme” was up next, another tune from When the Dust Settles, followed by “Hubble”, the STS9 classic named after the famous satellite telescope. The crowd could not contain their excitement during this rarely played tune from Interplanetary Escape Vehicle. A transition from “Seed” into “Click Lang Echo” followed with more tasty intergalactic jams. The set wrapped up with “World Go Round” from The Universe Inside. STS9 finished the evening on a high note with the perennial favorite “Inspire Strikes Back”, named after the famous Star Wars sequel.
STS9’s Zach Velmer addresses the audience
DJ Mark Farina kept the festivities going with his signature blend of house, jazz and downtempo. Known for his “Mushroom Jazz,” Farina wove well-known and obscure tracks into a dance tapestry that delighted the late night crowd well into the early morning hours.
DJ Mark Farina
The Brooklyn Mirage was successfully launched into outer-space by post-rock dance musicians Sound Tribe Sector 9, supported by their savvy DJ friends. NYC Fans were delighted by the space exploration theme well into the night, and excitedly await their next trip into the cosmos with this talented band.
The crowd loving STS9
Set One: Strange Games >> When the Dust Settles Reprise >> Tooth >> Golden Gate > Golgi > Grow >> Kamuy >> Push The Sky
Set Two: Looking Back On Earth >> Rabble >> Open E, Scheme, Hubble, Seed >> Click Lang Echo, World Go Round
Hailing from Jamestown, NY, Cold Lazarus is a fusion four-piece that melds funk, psychedelic rock, reggae and soul with indie-style vocals and introspective lyrics. With three releases now in their discography, the band is established in their sound and aesthetic. Their albums all have a great flow, and in the past offered consistency with each song. While this is the case as a whole with the new release, Colors and Lights, there are a lot of new ideas presented that break the band away from their regular brand of psychedelic jam-rock. This new release brings a lot of composition and arrangement without compromising on the live feeling Cold Lazarus emulates so well. Cold Lazarus is unconventional in their songwriting, and unrelenting in their audacity to make something distinct.
The opening track on the album, “A Dream Serene” sends the listener straight into space with a multi-dimensional ambient piece with a heavy emphasis on vocals. The harmonies are tight and varied, and offer a real pallet cleaner to usher in the titular track “Colors and Lights.” The low-fi funk opening leaves room for the song to build, as the band expands the production and enters the realm of hi-fi. The composition is very unique to Cold Lazarus- as opposed to each member holding big chords, the group has each person playing one or two notes that create a moving chord progression more similar to classical funk, and even classical music at that. The drums are agile with fills, fresh and diversified between phrases. The keys and guitar find themselves in conversations atop a steady and arresting bass line.
There are some really fun tunes on this album. “Don’t Hide” is a great illustration of how the band can combine extended jams with compact choruses. While the song can meander into new spaces and ideas, there is always a return to home base. Something the band has that sets them in a league of their own are their longer jams that incorporate motifs and themes. The meat of the song is the organic performances in these live-feeling jams, but the potatoes are certainly the choruses. The characteristic harmonies that play off each other give these choruses more muscle and tension.
Between songs you will find interesting electronic-inspired breaks. “Trepidation” and “Dimension Ascension” highlight an entirely new aspect of the band’s abilities. Making use of 606’s and glitchy drum beats, these sketches add more variety to the album than past projects.
Cold Lazarus has certainly accomplished their goal in creating an adventurous psychedelic rock album that doesn’t place itself solely in the realm of one genre. The talent of the band absolutely shines through in different ways in each of the songs. While some of these songs last upwards of 10 minutes, they never become tedious. Interesting composition and tight production work together to construct something that keeps the listener engaged and excited to see what the next turn brings.
Key Tracks: Don’t Hide, Spiral Sea Unending, Colors and Lights
Steve Kimock & Friends kick off their 25 year celebration on Wednesday, September 25, and leading up to this silver anniversary they’re releasing SKF videos from the archives. Check out “Cole’s Law” from earlier this year at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA.
The group recently released “While We Wait,” an elegant instrumental with Steve playing lap steel, guitar and piano on the track, alongside Spencer Murphy on bass, and John Morgan Kimock on drums, kalimba, piano, and synthesizers. Written by Steve and produced by John Morgan, the initial source of the song was the bittersweet joy Steve experienced in visiting with a friend who didn’t have much time left.
Steve’s playing creates a unique space, one not conventionally occupied by the average mind. As John Morgan put it, “You cannot identify what you are hearing, which is really exciting to me. I try to run with the ‘UFO’ vibes and let that creep into the production.” Commenting on John’s production work, Steve replied, “I don’t know how he does it. He takes pieces I’ve done and creates something new…his process is fascinating.” The other-worldly magic of Steve’s guitar meets its match with John Morgan’s studio alchemy.
Steve Kimock and Friends 25th anniversary tour dates:
It had been 11 years since Phantom Planet had played a live show. Many wondered if the group was ever going to end their hiatus and get back together, even after releasing their new track “Balisong” earlier this year.
Phantom Planet performed an intimate show on September 18 at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, NY.
On September 18, members Alex Greenwald, Sam Farrar, Darren Robinson, and Jeff Conrad performed to a sold-out show on the rooftop of Elsewhere in Brooklyn. It truly felt like a homecoming for the band.
“We feel like we’re returning home,” Greenwald said in a statement. “The boys in Phantom Planet are my brothers, and we figured it was time for a full-fledged reunion.”
The venue was packed with fans who either have been following the band since the members were teens or those who are just discovering them for the first time through their latest singles “Balisong” and “Party Animal.”
The guys performed the new singles along with hits like “California” and “Big Brat.” But for the first time during a live show they also included “Local Black and Red” from their first record, Phantom Planet is Missing. The crowd had a chance to choose which song should be sung at certain moments during the set. One of the many reasons why Phantom Planet has always been one of the most engaging bands out there.
Even though official tour plans have not been announced, the band has confirmed that more music will be coming out and official tour dates are in the making.
In the meantime, fans will be happy to hear that they will be opening for Maroon 5 for a New Year’s Eve show in Las Vegas for two shows on December 30 and December 31. Read our recent interview with Phantom Planet here and catch up with the band in 2020.
STS9 kicked off their Apo11o Tour with a stop at Buffalo RiverWorks on Thursday, September 19. Starting off the evening was a brief dj set from Mark Farina which set the mood for sonic exploration to come. STS9 came out with with an intensity that was well received by the crowd who were eager to dance the night away. Over the course of two jam filled sets the energy never let up as high fives, hugs and dance moves filled the floor.
Ambassador Music Group (AMG) will host its second annual Rocktoberfest music festival on Saturday, October 5th as a benefit for Cohoes-based nonprofit Community Miracles In Action (CMA) and CMA’s Louder Dreams project. The free, family-friendly event will run from noon to 6:00 pm in the heart of Albany’s Warehouse District (15 Pleasant Street, 12207).
The successful launch of Rocktoberfest in 2018 featured three main-stage acts and two acoustic performances. This year, Rocktoberfest will feature seven acts on the Louder Dreams main stage. Headliners include American Idol’s Madison VanDenburg, Americana-rock group C.K. & The Rising Tide and indie-rockers El Modernist. Rounding out the lineup are pop/indie/R&B artists Vince Palmeri, Julia Gargano, David Cuttino & The Antiks and This Strange Paradise.
Rocktoberfest is central to AMG’s mission of featuring local musicians, partnering with and promoting local businesses, and helping local non-profits. Fulfilling the goal of helping local non-profits, Rocktoberfest 2019 has partnered with Community Miracles in Action (CMA). CMA is a drop-in teen center offering a safe place for kids to set and achieve goals, build meaningful relationships, and connect with adults who provide structure and compassion. In support of this collaboration and in support of teens, the “Louder Dreams” rock stage will feature special performances by CMA and Youth FX (another non-profit organization helping students through film) youths in between main acts.
In an interview with Spot 518 (“Calculated Venture”) in 2018: “The community aspect of the music scene here is unlike anywhere I’ve been,” said Andrew, co-owner and artist manager of AMG. “I think there’s potential for something bigger to happen in the music scene, here in Albany,” said Rose, co-owner and marketing director of AMG. “And we’re on the brink of making it bigger than what it is right now. I think we’re all trying to make it happen.”
Ambassador Music Group (AMG) is an artist management company based in Albany, New York. AMG’s artists have performed on stages across New York and New England and benefit from a devoted management and PR team. While promoting their own roster, AMG reserves resources to support local musicians, partner with local businesses, and help children through music. Learn more at www.ambassadormusicgroup.com.
Rooted Entertainment and Woods Valley Ski Area are joining forces to celebrate Mother Earth with the inaugural Harvestfest at the ski area located just north of Rome on Oct. 19.
The day-long, first-year festival is headlined by Hayley Jane with special guest Rob Compa of Dopapod and Syracuse’s Root Shock.
The festival kicks off at 2:00 p.m. and is designed as a celebration of Mother Earth and female musicians. Joining the headliners are Connecticut r&b/soul act Erica T. Bryan from West End Blend with her latest project the New Mosaic, Ithaca ska band ¡Viva Mayhem!, and Syracuse alt-blues punks Late Earth.
A portion of the proceeds from the festival will be donated to Groovesafe, a non-profit movement organized to stop unwanted touching and sexual assault at live music events.
Tickets for the family-friendly festival are $20 and available through the Woods Valley website here. For more information, visit the Facebook event page here.
Brooklyn-based, folk-Americana group The Morning Sea recently released their new single and video, “Mad in Berlin” via Americana-UK. Recorded in band member Sonny Ratcliff’s Brooklyn apartment, “Mad in Berlin” is the second single from their upcoming album Half Keys and features footage from the band’s travels to Berlin.
“Mad in Berlin” portrays an air of excitement and freedom, and a sense of optimism slightly obscured by a wary sense of struggle on the horizon. The song’s video, directed and edited by Ratcliff, captures these emotions beautifully by combining a blend of joyful and melancholy images.
Songwriter / frontman, Adam Cohen, started The Morning Sea as a solo project in 2013, but the project quickly flourished into a full-fledged band with the help of a talented crew of New York City musicians, notably including Cohen’s long-time collaborator Ratcliff, a multi-instrumentalist and producer. The band has since gone on to create three previous albums, multiple singles and videos, and have played countless shows at New York City’s most prominent venues.
Andrew Bird has spent much of the year supporting his newest album, My Finest Work Yet, and Tuesday night at Kings Theatre was no different. The band played the entire new album nearly straight through in the first leg of the show. At one point, Andrew even confessed to the audience how much he loved playing this particular set of songs together live.
Opening the night was Chicano Batman, behind their excellent EP Black Lipstick, from earlier this summer. Their blend of of psychedelic, Latin funk was a wonderful complement to Andrew Bird. The lively grooves and melodies bounced around the cavernous Kings Theatre with ease.
Kings Theatre is a unique piece of Brooklyn history. First opening in 1929 the theater hosted movies, shows and vaudeville. After sitting closed for decades and a five year renovation, the theater reopened in 2015 as a modern concert venue. Once past security, the space transports you back in time with gorgeous velvet decor and intricate carvings throughout.
The band sounded particularly sharp inside Kings Theatre. Andrew’s whistling echoed around the room, mixing seamlessly in and out of the lush strings and vocals from the rest of the band. A tall, projected backdrop framed the band and made them seem as large as the theater itself.
