Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors is one of rock’s iconic albums. Annie in the Water and Hayley Jane will be joining forces this winter to pay tribute to this classic album.
The Hayley in the Water Spread Rumors Tour begins Feb. 5 at the Waterhole in Saranac Lake and wraps in Burlington at Higher Ground. The tour will visit cities throughout the Northeast from Buffalo to Hartford, CT. Stops include Flour City Station in Rochester, the Buffalo Iron Works, Stone Church in Brattleboro, VT and the Disruption Network‘s third-anniversary party in Utica.
The full-set tribute to Rumors will be sandwiched between sets of original music from both acts, beginning with an acoustic solo set from Burlington’s Hayley Jane. Annie in the Water closes each show with Hayley Jane sitting in.
Hayley Jane has recently collaborated with Ryan Montbleau in the duo Yes Darling, a project that presents a whimsical take on relationships with a Vaudevillian vibe. Her solo set draws from folk, blues, musical theater, and ’60s and ’70s pop and rock. Her performance of “The Chain” with Montbleau and moe. at the 2017 moe.down was one of the highlights of that weekend.
Annie in the Water released its latest album Time to Play in June of this year. This is the band’s second album overall and first since the 2011 debut Destination. They’re riding a wave of tremendous success in 2019 which saw them performing at several festivals, including headlining Woods Fest in Westernville, NY this past August and the Shakori Hills Festival of Music and Dance in Pittsboro, NC in October.
Prior to the February Hayley in the Water tour, Annie in the Water will finish the year with a two-date New Year’s run that has them performing at the official moe. post-party, the Hometown Throwdown Dec. 30 at The Sanctuary in Utica with special guests. They’ll ring in the new year with Raisinhead at the High Peaks Resort Ballroom in Lake Placid. Tickets for both shows are available now.
Hayley in the Water Spreading Rumors Tour Dates:
Feb. 5 – The Waterhole – Saranac Lake, NY
Feb. 7 – Frog Alley Brewing Company – Schenectady, NY
Feb. 8 – Disruption Network’s 3rd Anniversary – Jewish Community Center – Utica, NY
Four years ago Matt Strong had an idea — an idea that came to him as he admired a painting a friend of his had done. The idea was to put together a fall festival celebrating Mother Earth and female musicians. As the owner-operator of Rooted Entertainment Solutions, he was finally able to bring that to fruition at Woods Valley Ski Area in Westernville, site of the past two Woods Fest Music Festivals, this past Saturday at Harvestfest: Tribute to Mother Earth.
Woods Valley owner-operator Tim Woods and Strong put their heads together to create a regional fall festival drawing from bands with strong female musicians. The result was a full day of music, collaboration, vendors, good vibes and hats, lots of hats, that lasted into the wee hours of the morning. The event culminated with a female-heavy superjam that saw the ladies collaborating on stellar versions of Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade” and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.”
Headliner Hayley Jane sat in with a number of the acts throughout the day and performed two sets with Rob Compa of Dopapod as well.
The running theme throughout the day was community. Attendees of all ages, including families, attended the event, greeting familiar faces and befriending unfamiliar faces. Attendees and musicians alike were seen mingling, talking music and art and just enjoying the beautiful weather.
Despite the fact that each band came from different backgrounds and different areas, there was a true sense of community felt among the musicians at Woods Valley. Many of them were meeting each other for the first time and became fast friends, with some even making plans to perform together in the future. This may have been an unintended goal in putting together such a festival but one that will surely benefit the Northeast music community for some time to come. The intended goal was surely achieved. This was a day to celebrate the power of women in music. There were several powerful performances throughout the day and one powerful organization that is quickly making its name in the live music scene.
The non-profit organization Groovesafe was on site during the festival. Groovesafe is a 501(c)(3) organization that brings awareness of the need for consent, to stand against sexual assault and unwanted touching at shows and festivals and to create safe and respectful dance spaces. It is a movement founded by Ashley Driscoll, following an incident at a Phish show in Las Vegas in the fall of 2016. To learn more about the Groovesafe movement and how you can donate or contribute to the cause, visit their website here.
Plans are already underway for Harvestfest 2.
Kari Feingold of Tailfeather, Hayley Jane and Ashley Driscoll of GroovesafeEvan Bujold and Andrea Canale skanking during Viva Mayhem’s setDwayne Keith from the New Mosaic sits in with Late EarthEmily Hoyt, Hayley Jane, Andrea Canale and Erica T. Bryan SuperjammingEmily Hoyt, Andrea Canale, Hayley Jane, Erica T. Bryan and Jessica Brown (L to R)Hayley Jane, Erica T. Bryan and Rob CompaHayley JaneBrian Lauri, Jessica Brown/Root ShockMatt StrongRob Compa and Hayley JaneRoot ShockRoot ShockRoot ShockViva MayhemViva MayhemErica T. Bryan and the New MosaicAndrea Canale/Late EarthBrock Kuca/Annie in the WaterEvan Bujold/Late EarthRob CompaErica T. BryanThe New MosaicLate Earth
The masterminds behind Yes Darling, songwriters Ryan Montbleau and Hayley Jane, have just announced that they will be taking their debut album to the theatrical stage on Dec. 7 at The Double E in Essex, VT. This announcement comes just one week after their first music video for “Call Your Mother.” Using exaggerated humor, this playful duo brings to stage the reality of what many couples experience in finding harmony in a relationship. Â
“I do think Hayley and I have a pretty special chemistry together,” shares Montbleau. Of the upcoming performance, Jane elaborates, “We try to pull on every string of the heart. Not just the loving, romantic ones. Our show usually starts meaningful discussions. We take you down with us then we make you laugh. It’s real and raw.”
Attendees can expect to hear Yes Darling in its entirety with Montbleau and Jane being accompanied by a full band. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through Eventbrite.
Jane is headlining the inaugural Harvestfest: Tribute to Mother Earth with special guest Rob Compa of Dopapod on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Woods Valley Ski Area in Central New York.
Yes Darling, a collaboration between songwriters Ryan Montbleau and Hayley Jane, has been seen on festival stages across the Northeast for the past few years, and this week have released a video for “Call Your Mother.” The “lovable duo with one really great singer” uses tongue-in-cheek humor, vaudeville inspired stage banter and characters who lovingly fight throughout their songs and performances. When experienced live, the two effortlessly document a modernized, yet nostalgic, outlook on a (mostly) loving relationship.
“To me, Yes Darling is Ryan and myself being honest, brutally honest,” shares Hayley Jane. “We’ve taken these parts of ourselves and amplified them into characters. It’s us, but we’ve removed a few filters and added adorable outfits. We tackle the highs, lows, and mundane of relationships. I think there’s a lot folks want to say to their partners, but they either don’t know how or are afraid. So we put it all on blast so we can look at it and laugh. I think laughing through darkness and difficulty is how a lot of us move on from it.”
“Yes Darling is a duo that I let Hayley Jane be in even though I carry all the weight and am clearly the main talent,” chimes in Ryan Montbleau, sarcastically. “No, honestly, Yes Darling is a duo and we play a couple and we fight in our songs. I think at our deepest, we explore male/female archetypes and dig at some truths about couple-hood in a way I’ve never seen any musical project do before.”
The song “Call Your Mother” echoes a sentiment that will ring true with many listeners: “Call your mother, she’s getting worried she has not heard from you. Tell her you love her, just don’t tell her everything you do.” It proceeds to chronicle the antics of love, lust, promiscuity, and recreational alcohol and drug use, among other modern trials and tribulations we all face, packaged in such a way that almost anyone can sit back and laugh.
Watch a full set of Yes Darling from Green River Fest in Greenfield, MA.
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.
There is a festival where volunteer staff wear t-shirts that read “La Famiglia” and what better way to encapsulate a feeling of family. Many festivals claim to provide a feeling of family, but none better provides a sense of true community than the intimate Mazzstock Music Festival, where founder Lee Mazzola has graciously opened his back yard for music lovers like himself.
On August 8-11, 2019 the uber-affordable Mazzstock Music Festival took place at Mazzstock Fieldin Marlboro, NY, within the picturesque and bucolic Hudson Valley Region. Conveniently located 1.5 hours from New York City, 2 hours from Hartford, 3 hours from Philadelphia and 4 hours from Boston, Mazzstock celebrated its 12th year (5th year as a 3-day fest) and drew soaring crowds with another very strong lineup.
Photo by Mickey Deneher
With the motto “3 days, 2 stages, 1 love, no worries,” Mazzstock Music Festival is something special. It is so intimate and friendly, one feels that they will meet and get along with any one of the smiling faces on the dance floor, in tent city or at concessions. This year included a variety of strong ascending artists. Festival favorite and Mazzstock veteran Zach Deputy returned as a headliner; while Flux Capacitor, Dark Side of the Hudson, Gratefully Yours, Escaper, Cousin Earth and Hayley Jane are just a few offerings from the festival’s varied lineup – which also featured a number of stylized and talented DJs for a very popular late-night silent disco.An impressive set from Kingston DJ, Joey Hernandez, who brought up-tempo house musings.
The weather was perfect throughout and there was no cell service so patrons were connected without any distractions. Another bonus was that one could clearly hear each set clearly from their campsite! Lee, Vinny and the rest of the organizing team provided a seamless experience with impeccable amenities including clean porto-potties with stocked toilet paper, always – all weekend.
Dave Reiss and I Anbassa proved they are a fun band to watch; Flux Capacitor showed why they are invited to play so many festivals, Tom Clancy and Dave Heinzinger led a feisty Sky Daddy set that ignited a tight “Fire on the Mountain.” Will Hanza guided his ascending band, Escaper, to some monster jams while festival mainstay, Alpha Male Gorillas, brought a heavier but contagious groove.
Photo By Mickey Deneher
Tigerman brought the funky rhythms, and stellar guitar work was showcased by ShwizZ Himsef while he adorned a tiger onesie. Dark Side of the Hudson demonstrated they are a premiere Pink Floyd experience with a professional cover rendition of the album Dark Side of the Moon and an exquisite vocal solo on “Great Gig in the Sky.” There were six artists at large, but those from Nyack (ShwizZ Himsef, Natasha May DiMarco, Dan Rappaport, Danielle Sheri Wasserman) shined brightest throughout their plethora of appearances; the bonfire jams were comforting with many bringing voices and instruments of choice for the familiar festivities.
Highlights of the festival included Cousin Earth, Cosmal and Zach Deputy!
Cousin Earth were a pleasant welcoming committee to the many fans that arrived late Friday evening during the set. Formerly Ukelelian, the quintet has been touring hard over the past year, even doing a vast Southern run, spreading their energetic and innovative sound. The NY based band, (a member of the Jam Band Syndicate), consists of Terry Brennan (vocals/keys/percussion), Melissa Raye (vocals/percussion), Corey J. Feldman (bass/vocals), Joey Calfa (ukulele/vocals) and Nate Searing (drums). The band was a breath of fresh air with their eclectic songwriting and hard to predict delivery. They are a band to watch as they ascend the ranks of our scene with more visibility.
The Mazzstock set was electric – fuelled by soaring harmonies and moments of beautiful jam improvisation. “Can You Get to That” was buoyed by the virtuoso guitar work provided by guest ShwizZ Himsef (Ryan Liatis) and his presence on stage with Calfa, who possesses monster chops, was a music lovers delight. “Super Laser Beams” remains a show staple and for good reason– it really showcases the band at its full power with intricate time signatures, blended melodies and trippy surreal solos as part of a musical package that lures attendees in like a laser beam. A recent release, “Don’t Kill Us” is the song that could be a hit as a released and promoted single. Raye’s vocals lead a pleasurable auditory attack with a seriously addictive chorus on a fantastical lyrical romp.
Set List: Pancakes, Burning Up, Window Video Game, Super Fun Laser Beams, Can You Get to That, Please Don’t Kill Us, Fleshy Car/Spain, Capricorn on the Cob
Hailing from New Paltz with over a decade of experience, Cosmal is well known to music aficionados in the Hudson Valley and beyond. Ryan Coyle (guitar/vocals) and his wife, Ali Laz (vocals/live painter), have partnered to unleash a musical experience like no other. A surreal and trippy exploration to the unknown, the dynamic duo has truly mastered the sharing of downtempo moods. Laz is relatively new to sharing her vocals on stage, but performs like a seasoned pro. She has become the consummate frontwomen – sexy, prolific and with a smooth vocal delivery.
Laz is also an accomplished live painter who creates one of a kind masterpieces on canvas that fans share much adulation for. The Wizard of Cosmal though is Coyle, who harnesses his brilliance to compose a myriad of uniquely contagious and infectious original sounds. The new song, “Snake Charmer” is meticulously crafted with solid guitar fills. However, it is “Caliente” that takes down the house as the highlight of the gig. Laz sultry sings, “I love the way you touch me” with relentless beats supporting the groove and it really delivers a euphoric vibe ala Gilberto in “Girl From Ipanema.” The song isn’t about sexual lust, but rather the yearning to feel someone’s entire soul. Cosmal are a quickly ascending band that I expect many more pleasant surprises from in the immediate future.
Set List: Sumatra, Caliente, Ancient Future, Drishti, Realize, Snake Charmer, Final Gear, Way Down, Encore: Blossom, Moment
Zach Deputy :: West Stage :: Saturday 11:10pm-12:40am
Zach Deputy returned to Mazzstock Music Festival as the headliner and had the prime Saturday night slot at the Main Stage. There is only one thing you need to learn about ‘Zachy Dee’ – he is a Master Looper. If you didn’t know that, his fiery and upbeat set soon would convince you. Hailing from Savannah, GA Deputy honed his chops at Riders Lounge on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. His unique approach delivered a bevy of bombastic acoustic numbers that inspired the crowd to shake their booty in delight. He shared crowd favorites like the party anthem “Put it in the Boogie,” the infectious “Twisty Twisty” and the rhythmic “Home.” He had the longest set of the weekend and patrons still were boogying at the end and salivating for more. A down to earth, generous, jovial giant of a man gifted fans with an assortment of benevolent ditties and in doing so proved that Santa Claus still delivers.
