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  • Goose release latest single “Time to Flee”

    It is a crowded field of rising bands out there, and one band from Norwalk, CT is setting themselves apart from the flock. Goose, a four piece indie-groove act today released their most recent single, “Time to Flee,” which features a distinctly Steely Dan sound coupled with inspired-by-real-life lyrics. Written by Peter Anspach (guitar/keys), “Time to Flee” follows the release of last month’s “All I Need,” the band’s first studio content in over three years.

    Anspach says of the single: “‘Flee’ is about setting your soul free, especially when a leap of faith seems the most daunting. It is a lyrical self reflection, humorously encapsulating the mental disquietude of leaving lost love in the past.”

    The single was recorded and mixed by Kenny Cash at Factory Underground in Norwalk, CT, and mastered by veteran engineer Emily Lazar with assistance by Chris Allgood at The Lodge in New York City.  Catch the band on tour all Summer in a city near you. Dates can be found at goosetheband.com.

  • Soulive closes out Bowlive Night Six with Family Night

    Bowlive VIII’s final night brought a full house of great musicians alongside Soulive for “Family Night.” The special guests included Dan Mayer (guitar), Sam Kininger (saxophone), James Casey (saxophone) and Brian Thomas (trombone). Soulive’s lineup includes Eric Krasno (guitar), Alan Evans (drums) and Neal Evans (organ, bass keys, clavinet).

    Eric Krasno

    The evening began with the core trio from Soulive who delivered a sweet instrumental version of The Beatle’s “Revolution.” “Bubble” was up next, from 2007’s No Place Like Soul, followed by “Spark.” The vibe then quickly charged as saxophonist and frequent collaborator Sam Kinninger joined the band on stage. He sat in for “Hurry Up… and Wait” (Doin’ Somethin), “Rudy’s Way” (Get Down!) and “Liquid” (Next). The horn section increased by two at the end of the set as James Casey and Brian Thomas joined the party for a deliciously funky “Tuesday Night Squad.”

    Neal Evans, James Casey, Sam Kinninger and Brian Thomas

    Set two raised the bar as guitarist Dan Mayer, from Star Kitchen, added another strong guitar presence on stage. Krasno announced that Dan Mayer “is one of my favorite guitarists.” The quartet opened with “Curse Lifter,” followed by a stellar instrumental version of Jimi Hendrix’ “Manic Depression,” showcasing the talents of both guitarists. The horn trio then joined the squad once again and delivered a funky “Backwards Jack.” Mayer left the stage and the sextet rolled on with “Up Right,” “Hat Trick,” and “PJ’s”. The set closed out with “Canonball,” another Doin’ Something track. Mayer joined the stage once again for the encore of “Flurries” which included audience confetti. All seven musicians took a bow, and wrapped up another successful Soulive residency at the Brooklyn Bowl.

    Dan Mayer and Eric Krasno

    Setlist

    Set One: Revolution, Bubble, Spark, Hurry Up… and Wait^, Rudy’s Way^, Liquid^, Tuesday Night Squad^%

    Set Two: Curse Lifter*, Manic Depression*, Backwards Jack*^%, Up Right^%, Hat Trick^%, PJ’s^%, Cannonball^%

    Enc: Flurries*^%

    Notes:

    ^with Sam Kinninger (sax)

    *with Danny Mayer (guitar)

    %with James Casey (sax) and Brian Thomas (trombone)

  • Vida Blue Returns with First Album in 15 Years, Single Available Now

    Page McConnell, Oteil Burbridge, Russell Batiste & Adam Zimmon Join Forces on a new album Crossing Lines, due in September from Vida Blue.

    Phish keyboardist, Page McConnell is reviving his side-project Vida Blue. Comprised of Oteil Burbridge (bass/Dead & Company,) Russell Batiste (drums/The Meters,) and Adam Zimmon (guitar/Ziggy Marley, Shakira), the foursome has announced the release of the first Vida Blue album in 15 years. Crossing Lines will be available digitally Friday, Sept. 20. There will be a vinyl and CD version of the album releasing in October and can be pre-ordered on Phish Dry Goods. The album’s fist song, “Analog Delay” is available digitally now.

    Crossing Lines, produced by McConnell, included the original trio and is joined by new member Zimmon on guitar. McConnell is also responsible for the exclusive cover illustration of the record Vida Blue.

    McConnell assembled Vida Blue in 2001 after attending shows by both Burbridge and Batiste, and made their live debut at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom before heading into the studio to record their self-titled studio album. Upon release in June 2002, Vida Blue received high praise from critics. 

    Vida Blue will support the release of Crossing Lines with a series of live performances in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Port Chester, NY. Ticket pre-sales begin Wednesday, July 24. For complete details and ticket availability, visit Page McConnell’s website. Check out the single “Analog Delay” below.

  • RadioRadioX Celebrates One Year Anniversary

    Chrome Food and Spirits in Waterford, NY was the site of a recent anniversary party for the Capital Region’s newest online local radio station, RadioRadioX. Founded on July 10, 2018 by local musicians, Art Fredette and Ralph Renna, the fledgling station has marked its “X” on the spot in the Capital Region through its Waterford radio station headquarters along with its monthly magazine, The Xperience Monthly. Its mission since formation has been aimed towards playing great music and supporting the local scene through the arts and the ever-growing music scene that continues to serve the Capital Region.

    July 10 was the official one-year anniversary of the station. In celebration of both that and the magazine, the RadioRadioX team held a rocking birthday party held Sunday, July 14 at Chrome Food and Spirits. The party was full of fun shenanigans and great live entertainment all afternoon. It was a fun event for the community to be a part of this summer to celebrate the birth of a local radio station, its local original artists and cover groups, and the local artisans and businesses who make up our great scene.

    Art Fredette

    Before it became RadioRadioX, the radio station was known as “The X.” Music fans would tune into the station on public radio at 106.1 FM where it would receive airplay for nine months until its untimely demise last year when the radio station that was playing local and regional music not normally heard on popular radio was suddenly taken off the airwaves. Local musicians and fans of the popular station were in an uproar that the station, which was playing their music and supporting the local scene, had disappeared without a trace. Eventually, 106.1 FM became a popular Top 40 radio station and, later, became one of two stations for WEXT.

    Rising up from the ashes, members of “The X” jumped into action and decided that the only way to celebrate its demise was to have a funeral party for the station that was held on April 14, 2018 at The Hangar On the Hudson in Troy, properly called, “A Funeral For The X.” A who’s who of the Capital Region’s local scene, like The Ramblin’ Jug Stompers, Soul Sky, The Lawn Sausages, Buggy Jive, C.K. And The Rising Tide, to Acoustic Trauma, all came out to pay their respects to the radio station through live music. With death comes rebirth, and “The X” suddenly became RadioRadioX, much to the delight of the scene who was ready to see their radio station make a comeback with a splash.

    Since its rebirth, RadioRadioX has built a name for itself. The radio station was created by local musicians and serves the local scene on a whole new level. Since March 2019, RadioRadioX has held their own monthly concert series at their studio where patrons could check out the studio in person while sitting back and enjoying some live music from local solo acts and bands at their event, “Xperience Live.” An open house was held at the studio featuring music from the ’60s lounge cover group Off The Record, and the “Second Chance Prom,” held at Il Faro Restaurant and Bar, that the band also took part in for this exclusive RadioRadioX feature event. Along with the online station came a monthly magazine, The Xperience Monthly. The magazine features exclusive music interviews, show reviews, short fiction stories, and arts features written exclusively by local musicians and artisans who are dedicated to keeping our local creative scene alive.

    Live music for this event was held on two main stages. In between sets, as the larger acts set up their gear and did their sound checks, patrons went inside the bar to have a drink while watching great performances from solo performers like Brittany Robichaud and Will Foley, and a duo performance from Big Frank and The Bargain Bingers members Frank Novko and Johnny Hoffman. From Robichaud’s acoustic take of Alanis Morissette’s “Not the Doctor,” to The Bargain Binger’s unique take on a popular Rolling Stones cover, each act kept their audience entertained with their cover tunes.

    The acts that were featured on the main stage included Albany’s Honey Slider, featuring Caity Gallagher (vocals/piano) and Alec Lewis (vocals/lead guitar), Acoustic Trauma, The Lawn Sausages (featuring Luke McNamee on saxophone), Soul Sky, The Chris Busone Band and headlining act, Murali Coryell’s Electric Band.Honey Slider’s originals were soft and sweet through their delicate piano melodies and swift guitar measures. Acoustic Trauma was blazing loud and energetic. Maceli’s swift violin play and the energy he has on stage along with his backline, was amazing. Soul Sky, featuring their three-guitar army of Mark Emanatian, Joe Mele, and Jeremy Walz, raised the roof to a whole new level through their guitar soloing as they fed off each other in their cover of Eric Clapton’s “Why Does Love Have to be So Sad?” Funny as always, The Lawn Sausages continue to entertain with their non-stop jokes in between songs and their funny song lyrics that they played from their new album, Appetite for Dysfunction, even at one point inviting two female dancing friends to join them on stage to be their backup dancers for a song.The blues remain alive and well as the final two bands, Chris Busone Band and Murali Coryell’s Electric Band, played some tasty tunes for the soul. Coryell’s set, although short, was amazing with the assistance of his bassist and drummer. He performed some tunes from his current album, Made in Texas, and left his audience wanting more. The blues is certainly in his blood and it is clear how much passion he has for it through his musical tribute to Muddy Waters and in his original tune, “Eyes Wide Open.” Lastly, the “Superstition” from the Chris Busone Band had the audience on their feet with their eyes agape in awe as they watched them perform solos with both passion and a slight angst.In addition to the music, a group of local businesses and artisans proudly displayed and sold their merchandise. RadioRadioX gave away some tickets to raffle winners who wished to attend the “Divine Vibes” event held at The Beer Diviner in Cherry Plain, NY. The businesses and artisans who took part at the event include Goldie’s Marketplace, ALM Fine Art And Photography (featuring music photography from Amy Modesti), Mary Kay consultant Angela “Diamond” Fowler, The American Red Cross, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention with music CDs for sale from Will Foley, Park Lane, and visual art, jewelry, and writings sold from Carol Bosselman. RadioRadioX not only supports the local music scene, but they support their community and the local businesses who come together to help bridge their creative community together in the Capital Region. This party helped build community among the local businesses, artisans, organizations, and the music scene in one fun afternoon.

    Happy Anniversary, RadioRadioX! Congratulations to the entire team for hosting and putting on this fantastic event at Chrome Food and Spirits. And “Cheers” to many more years in local online radio, newsprint, and helping to bridge together local artisans, musicians, and businesses into one great melting pot of creativity and collaboration. 

  • Interview: An In Depth Conversation With We Banjo 3 About Their New Album ‘Roots to Rise’

    This past week, We Banjo 3 released their most recent live album titled Roots to Rise. Recorded in Ann Arbor, Michigan at The Ark, lead singer David Howley took a moment to discuss with NYS Music the making of the album, how it came to be, and what makes this so very special to both the band and the fans.

    New Yorkers are in for a treat as the lads will be playing at two locations this week. They will be playing in Buffalo for the first time on July 24 at the 9th Ward at Babeville, and then heading east to return to The Great American Irish Festival in Frankfort on July 26.

    A local favorite, this interviewer can attest to the fact that this We Banjo 3 must be seen live. Their incredible high octane performance transcends their audiences and by the end of the show there is not one person sitting down. Each band member brings a unique flair and sound that together is musical magic.

    We Banjo 3

    In addition to their amazing talent and stage presence, this band makes an effort to reach their audience with a message. Their music forms a community, and the message they extend is one of hope and collectiveness. Over the past year, since the release of their last album Haven, they have raised both awareness and funding for Mental Health America. Their willingness to speak on a subject that’s not easily approached sends a message of hope to many.

    We Banjo 3

    Take a moment to listen to our conversation above, and by all means, hope to see everyone at the shows this week.

  • Soulive and George Porter Jr. ‘Shake it, Sugaree’ for Bowlive Night Five

    Bowlive VIII rolled on at the rustic Brooklyn Bowl with Soulive and legendary Meters funk bassist George Porter Jr. sitting in. The setlist had no shortage of covers, including songs from The Beatles, The Meters and The Grateful Dead. Soulive’s current line up includes Eric Krasno (guitar), Alan Evans (drums) and Neal Evans (organ, bass keys, clavinet).

    Eric Krasno

    Soulive began the first set as a trio, delivering the band’s signature jazz-funk. Originals “So Live” and “Steppin’” got the crowd ready to party with Krasno’s delicious guitar work. A rocking instrumental version of The Beatle’s “Eleanor Rigby” was up next, followed by a new Soulive original, “Waves”.

    George Porter Jr.

    Alan Evans addressed the crowd with ,”Is it time?” The crowd responded with a resounding approval and the King of Bowlive, George Porter Jr., joined the funky party. Drawing from his time with The Meters, Porter led covers of “Pungee” and “Africa” and took the lead on vocals. The set wrapped up with the tasty New Orleans classic “Iko Iko,” by The Dixie Cups.

    Set two continued with more of The Meter’s catalog, starting with “Look-Ka Py Py” from the album of the same name. The funk classic “Keep On Marching” from the Fire on the Bayou album was up next. The funk single “I Need More Time” had the crowd dancing like no one was watching. Rejuvenation‘s “What’cha Say” then proceeded and “He Bite Me”, also from Fire on the Bayou, closed out this delightfully funky sequence.

    This talented group of musicians then switched gears and doubled down on one of Porter’s favorite songs to cover, The Grateful Dead’s “Sugaree.” Porter’s soulful voice and eclectic bass skills brought new life to this beloved classic. The frequent Dead cover and Bobby Bland original “Turn On Your Love Light” lit up the room and was the jam of the night. The set wrapped up with another Meter’s classic, “It Ain’t No Use.” This electrifying group then closed out one hot night with another Rejuvination tune for an encore with “Just Kissed My Baby.”

    Setlist

    Set One:  So Live, Steppin’, Eleanor Rigby, Waves, Pungee*, Africa*, Iko Iko*

    Set Two:  Look-Ka Py Py*, Keep On Marching*, I Need More Time*, What’cha Say*, He Bite Me (The Dragon)*, Sugaree*, Turn On Your Love Light, It Ain’t No Use*

    Encore:  Just Kissed My Baby*

    Notes: * w/ George Porter Jr.

  • In Focus: Bowlive Night Four Featuring Marcus King

    Thursday night kicked off the second round of shows celebrating the ten-year anniversary of Bowlive, the unique relationship that brought together Brooklyn Bowl and Soulive has produced some of the most interesting and classic musical collaborations in the New York music scene.

    For show number four of the anniversary run, Soulive welcomed the extremely talented Marcus King, the southern rock prodigy who has quickly rose in popularity for his immense musical talent and charm treated a sold out crowd to an amazing night of music with takes on a few Allman Brothers classics and the Soulive catalog.

    Bowlive is all about collaboration, not only chemistry on stage but a connection between musicians. It’s amazing to see the friendship blossoming between Erick Krasno and Marcus King as it shines through the music and joy shared on stage.  

  • Jonatha Brooke’s Naked Performance

    “So, I have a new EP out,” Jonatha Brooke said to the crowd gathered at Caffè Lena on Thursday night. The news was received with warm applause. “And I’m naked on the cover.” At this point she posed, arms stretched outwards and upwards, ready to take on whatever the audience sent her way.  

    Jonatha is the second performance of Caffè Lena’s pride series, which has a way of making performers feel safe enough to be completely honest.  Jonatha’s vulnerability is only accentuated by her presence on the stage, a lone woman with a mic and a guitar. 

    jonatha brookes

    The performance was incredibly satisfying. Perhaps it was the way her voice eased through the room, settling in comfortably with the crowd. Or it could be the fact that she is a self-proclaimed “terrible liar” and her brand of off-beat candor was refreshing. 

    Jonatha spoke openly about her relationship with her mother, doing impressions of her throughout the night. She has written and performed in a musical based on living with her mother while she dealt with Alzheimer’s. The musical is called My Mother Has 4 Noses and is based off a quote made by her mother, who said, “After all, how many people do YOU know who can say they have FOUR noses?”

    After “mothering her mother” as she so put it, Jonatha spoke about how it had helped her better understand herself on a new level, one in which she experienced what she described as a, “I would take a bullet for you feeling.” This led into a performance of a song that she played as a member of The Story – “So Much Mine.” This song describes the perspective of a mother watching over her child and the worries that spring to mind when one thinks about them. 

    Many of Jonatha’s songs revealed different aspects of her inner workings, such as her song “Imposter,” off of her new EP of the same name. The song is played on mandolin, and in it, she calls herself the imposter. She said that the song was about her own feelings of self-doubt that sometimes haunt her, a relatable feeling to be sure. “Liar, loser, phony. No one ever says so, but I know it’s true. Poser, lightweight, cheapskate. I wanna be, but woe is me. Someone better muster up the truth,” she sang, her voice clear in the small space. She calls herself her “own best saboteur,” harkening on the very realistic feeling many have of having to fake their way through the day, to bend themselves to appear less weak or to hide their flaws from others.

    And yet, there was no denying that Jonatha Brooke wasn’t as uncertain of herself as “Imposter” may have led the audience to believe. Before performing her song “Fire,” Jonatha strolled casually across the stage and proclaimed, “I am kind of liking getting older sometimes because I don’t give a shit anymore.” Amen to that.

    She chose to end with “Linger,” her big hit from 2001. It was comforting to hear that someone as successful as she is could still harbor doubts. In this, Pride Night at Caffè Lena has once again provided Saratoga with a space of security where doubts were eased. 

  • In Focus: Pleasantville Music Festival Turns 15 in Stride

    The 2019 Pleasantville Music Festival is now in the books. This was my first time at the festival, held 30+ miles north of NYC, which was celebrating its 15th year. Before heading to the festival I found out a few things about Pleasantville, N.Y. It is a village in a town, it’s first train station was built circa 1846, and has roughly 7,000 people living there, per the 2010 census. I started to think, village, 1846, music festival? I was, well, concerned.

    But I was schooled- schooled quickly. With past headliners including Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler, The Smithereens, and Ian Hunter; the quality of music spoke for itself. The organizers maximized the large enclosed multi-use sports field enabling three musical stages, an abundance of food and drink vendors, large kids play section, tented shade areas and enough space for all to enjoy the day without being on top of one another.

    Recycle station volunteers

    As part of the festival and “to keep the Earth happy” they instituted a zero waste program including manned recycling stations and volunteers who continually roamed the site, picking up any trash that may have made it to terra firma. I was taken by how well they kept the festival site clean. Water stations offering free fill ups were available for all, whether you bought something to drink or brought a refillable bottle with you.

    Then there was music. Three stages offered different musical grooves from local to national acts. The Chill Tent, a very large covered area with a multitude of large fans circulating air throughout, offered acoustic styled acts including Dean Freidman and Chill headliner Matthew Sweet, who filled the tent to capacity. The Party stage, a decibel or two louder than the Chill Tent, true to its name was a party for all. Bands playing this stage were definitely adding heat to an already hot day. Two acts on this stage that caught my attention were Micky James and the band The New Respects, both had everyone on their feet and wanting more.

    Matthew Sweet in the Chill Tent

    The main stage was just that with BAILEN, Aimee Mann, Soul Asylum, and headliners Everclear playing to a field full of fans, singing and dancing to their hits. The bands were interacting with the crowd making the main stage feel like the most intimate of places.

    The day’s musical extravaganza started with the three winners of the Lagond Music Battle of the Bands competition. The winners, Mosa, SpitPhyre, and Lillimure, set the tone for each stage they performed on. It was great seeing support for new and developing musical talent. Eighteen acts played this hot, blue sky day. The coordination of the two smaller stages with the main stage allowed you to experience all the acts and not feel you missed out on something going from one stage to the other.

    With my knowledge of Pleasantville, N.Y. social studies enhanced and having had consumed a plethora of great music, all I have to do now is wait for year 16 to get on the calendar.

  • WAR: Doctors of Music To Harmonize MLK’s Manhattan Square in Rochester

    We, the people, live in a world of deception and violence, plagued with its unknown burden at every corner. What is so beautiful about the human race, is that we are natural born fighters. Hence, we must wage WAR. Our allies, the multi-platinum, genre-less fusion group WAR, have been by our side since their inception in 1969. You are familiar with their renowned hits “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “Low Rider” and “The World Is A Ghetto.” Fifty years later, and more than 50 million records sold, founder and last standing original member, Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan is rooted in the bands original message of peace, the people and love.

    Paralleling messages of Martin Luther King Jr., it is extraordinarily special that the band will be performing at King’s Memorial Square in Manhattan Park in Rochester, NY on Thursday July 25. WAR will headline alongside stout openers Taz Niederauer and Grupo NextLevel apart of Five Star Bank’s Party in the Park series. Tickets can be purchased here or at the doors for $7 –  VIP, season passes and amenities available, where kids 12 and under are free. Bazaar in the Park, a collection of rotating local artists and vendors selling unique wares across from the fountains will return as well.

    war
    Lonnie Jordan @ Paramount Hudson Valley in Peeskill, NY. Photo By NYS’ Mickey Deneher.

    “People can remember that this gentleman, Martin Luther King, was a non-violent. Thats bottom line. He had the same message we did through our music. He was a doctor of communication and a troubadour himself. He preached NON-violence, that’s the key. The fact that he could get so many people together to march and express that, and show that you can stand up against violence when you’re together as one – totally for peace. 

    WAR was well ahead of their time back in 1969, so much that their sheer versatility hindered them, unable to be classified for any awards or music recognition. Their timeless approach and harmony proved in the long run and has earned WAR the title of the first and most successful musical crossover phenomenon, that forever fused rock, jazz, Latin and R&B, while transcending racial and cultural barriers with a multi-ethnic line-up.” Lonnie didn’t even think their music would play on the radio, in shock.

    war
    WAR @ Paramount Hudson Valley. Photo By NYS’ Mickey Deneher.

    Multi-instrumentalist Lonnie Jordan has been a last-standing original member for over 20 years – keeping the essence of WAR alive. “We’re still a jam band like we were back then. I still feel blessed by the people that stayed and supported us over the years. Thank God we have different genres of music that can put us on any stage at any time. It’s been a good ride, and I don’t plan to drop anytime soon [chuckling]. This is my healing power – for me and the people – I am a doctor of music. 

    Lonnie dubs WAR as universal street music, which is way beyond the mass of categories that the band carries. 

    WAR Press Photo by Dan Atiliano.

    “This goes into the universal. Even other aliens from other planets can groove off of our music and understand it. That’s all it is: grooves and messages. Our Rock and roll hall of fans [the people and fans] – they put us here and can take us out.

    Lonnie Jordan, WAR.

    With age comes experience and Lonnie definitely has some stories to tell, all of which are built and prided in his people. When Lonnie speaks of the people, better known as the bands’ rock and roll hall of fans, there is no doubt Lonnie is speaking to the world in its entirety – down to each molecule, to the stars and beyond. “Just like Jimi Hendrix used to say: are you experienced? Well, we took that message and said: yes we are experienced – because everyday is a new song. We realized it everytime we go into the studio, our engineer would turn the tape on and we would just jam,” said Jordan. In fact, Lonnie said that Hendrix jammed with them back in the day, including the night before Jimi passed. 

    Everything shapes WAR and Lonnie himself. From listening to his mother play old classics from Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Glenn Miller and all of the bands serving our country as far as entertaining the troops, to old black and white films, Lonnie was on the hook. He broke out into Frank Sinatra’s “Laura” after mentioning the title and drifting off into a melody across the phone line. 

    A pivotal song inspiring Lonnie, as well as black and white films, humming across the phone.

    “All of these movies had beautiful love stories, and they had beautiful music – and that is what inspired me. I was a couch potato as a kid – laying on the floor right in front of the TV (with no room on the couch). After pretty much being tortured by four brothers, and you’re the youngest , all I did was cry. And my brothers used to always tease me and say: Oh yo- you gonna be a singer; you scream loud. And indeed I did,” said Lonnie, reminiscing with spurts of laughter. 

    Lonnie connects with his rock and roll hall of fans. Photo By NYS’ Mickey Deneher.

    From there Lonnie stuttered on a backlog of musical influences from: Ray Charles, Elvis Presley – when country western music was actually country and western, Ray Price, Bill Evans, Coltrane, Monk, Billie Holliday-types, James Brown, and a slew of Latin influences from Tito Puente and blues acts Jimmy Reed and Memphis Slim. The list goes on, including Bellafonte, “when it wasn’t even called reggae – it was calypso. That’s what I brought to the table back in the day, bringing all these genres together in one salad bowl – that is what WAR is all about,” said Lonnie.

    WAR’s Mission states: Our instruments and voices became our weapons of choice and the songs our ammunition. We spoke out against racism, hunger, gangs, crimes, and turf wars, as we embraced all people with hope and the spirit of brotherhood. It’s just as apropos today. Lonnie takes this one step further. 

    “We We were raging against wars – a sign of the times. The Vietnam war was raging so we said: hey we are gonna call ourselves WAR – our basis behind it is to wage war, to stop the war and to stop wars in our own neighborhood back in those days. And just let people know they do have a choice not to use guns and bombs, (rather) to use love, or for musicians use your instrument to shoot out rhythms and melodies and most of all harmony – harmony bringing people together; it is also apart of music. We are doctors of communication. Thats how we express ourselves.

    “Turf all looks the same. The ground all looks the same. The jungle, concrete, all looks the same. If you asked me to categorize it – I can’t – I conveniently do not remember, especially at 71.

    Lonnie Jordan

    Unfortunately the bad people [in this world] outweigh the good; the only way the good people can stand strong, and stronger, is by coming together with peace because love outweighs people – bottom line.” 

    ‘It’s all the same’ – Photo By NYS’ Mickey Deneher @ Paramount Hudson Valley in Peeskill, NY

    Be sure to catch WAR this Sunday (7:30-8:30 Set) at Great South Bay Music Festival, and stay tuned for our set coverage on War!

    See NYS’ Complete Festival Guide