NYS Music 202​0

Author: Fiona Hernandez

  • Bronx Music Heritage Center Presents The Bronx Blast

    Bronx Music Heritage Center is bringing viewers the Bronx Blast on their Facebook page. The Bronx Blast are mini-performances that will be presented in front of the Bronx Music Hall. The theater is currently under construction and will be a future home to the Bronx Music Heritage Center.

    bronx music heritage center

    In July, Martha Zarate and Pilar Maez of Mazarte Dance Company danced to “El gavilancito,” a song from the son jarocho tradition from Veracruz, Mexico. “Jarocho” describes the people and culture of the southern coastal plain of Veracruz. The song, dance and costumes represent the Indigenous, Spanish and African influences on the cultural tradition. Watch the video on Facebook.

    For episode two, the Bronx Music Heritage Center brought in Carmelo Soto, Jorge Vazquez, Bobby Sanabria, and Carlos Espada to demonstrate Plena. Plena is one of the traditional forms of music from Puerto Rico, often referred to as the “periódico cantado” or “sung newspaper” as many times the lyrics relate incidents from daily life or commentary on local events. The lyrics to plena was written by Carlos Espada and can be seen below.

    Que bien yo me siento, en esta occasión
    la gran apertura el Bronx Music Hall.

    Oyeee, finalmente, les presento yo,
    este gran proyecto aquí en el Bronx

    Y muchos no saben, fue la visión,
    de Elena Y Bobby, que se construyó

    Que viva, que viva, la diversidad,
    de toda la gente, nuestra hispanidad.

    English Translation:
    How good I feel on this occasion
    of the grand opening of the Bronx Music Hall.

    Finally I present to you
    this great project here in the Bronx

    And many don’t know, it was through
    Elena and Bobby’s vision that it was built.

    Long live the diversity
    of everyone, our Latino community.

    In their latest episode, Nélida Tirado returns home to the neighborhood where she grew up to perform some rumba flamenca in front of the future Bronx Music Hall. Watch the performance here.

    Check out NYS Music’s coverage of The Bronx Music Heritage Center’s concert series that occured this past June.

  • Acclaimed Record Producer Ian Brennan to Release Inspiring Album “Who You Calling Slow?”

    Grammy award-winning music producer and lauded field-recording trailblazer Ian Brennan will release his most personal album to date featuring the Sheltered Workshop Singers’ debut album, “Who You Calling Slow?”, on Friday, September 18.

    Brennan is renowned for scouring the world in musically underrepresented regions to document singers in an uninhibited, authentic fashion. His most acclaimed recordings include artists such as Tinariwen, Zomba Prison Project, and Malawi Mouse Boys. Brennan’s latest project “Who You Calling Slow?” brings him closest to home as he collaborates for the first time with his older sister, Jane — who has Down syndrome — along with her fellow workshop companions at a Bay Area adult-care facility. 

    Ian Brennan

    With Brennan’s father on hand for this cherished experience as he battled stage-four cancer (and ultimately passed just two months after the recording was complete), an unparalleled recording session took place that the world now has the privilege to hear. A diverse group of over 20 people participated in “Who You Calling Slow?,” ranging in age from early-twenties to sixties. Many of them had disabilities and no one had sung before into a microphone or attempted to play a stringed instrument.

    While Brennan enters each recording project prepared not to release it, a moment of miraculous epiphany came to light when Janet began singing “I’m not afraid of anything” from her wheelchair. The album expresses the hurt, love, and bravery of these sheltered workshop companions.

    Speaking about “Who You Calling Slow?” Brennan shares how his sister inspired him to make this album:

    Growing up, I’d witnessed my sister’s discomfort — eyes steered down sideways and hard, unable to contain her oversized tongue due to the shame — too many times to not remain vigilant and braced for a lifetime. I had little option but to make the right choice: to always side with those marginalized. Jane was diagnosed as ‘severely retarded,’ just one step above the lowest denomination of catatonic and mute. Our main connection was through music — joy expressed through dance, sadness and longing with melody. As her level of functioning has begun to diminish markedly in recent years, I knew the time was now or never to capture moments where music speaks volumes.

  • Drug Couple Releases Psychedelic EP ‘Choose Your Own Apocalypse’

    Brooklyn-based musical duo Drug Couple has released their sophomore EP Choose Your Own Apocalypse via Papercup. The EP draws inspiration from classic rock greats, like the Rolling Stones, Liz Phair, and REM, exploring finding that someone special to spend the end of times with.

    Choose Your Own Apocalypse

    A real life couple, as well as creative duo, Drug Couple’s music showcases the ongoing dialogue they’re engaged in, and the spirit of deep collaboration that colors their songwriting as well as their lives at home together. The pair released their debut EP Little Hits in November of 2019, establishing their unique brand of “off-kilter indie” (The Deli).

    Their sophomore EP, Choose Your Own Apocalypse, is a collection of songs about finding someone special to share the end-times with. They started writing and recording the EP back in the summer of 2016, as events were leading up to the election of Donald Trump. Drug Couple decided to make an album based around the concept of falling in love mid-apocalypse without fully realizing that’s exactly what they were doing. 

    A meditation on the idea of holding on tight to love during the worst of times, the album (as well as their recently released single “Protest Song”) proved to be oddly prescient, written long before 2020 turned out to be one of the scariest and most trying years in recent memory.  Drug Couple hopes that their clairvoyance wasn’t causal, though they’d be lying if they said they didn’t feel partially responsible for the disintegration of the very fabric of our society. 

  • Brooklyn’s Soapbox Gallery presents Electronic Looping Sounds of The Sonic Vision Looping Festival

    Soapbox Gallery, the intimate Prospect Heights performance space that grew out of the studio of sculptor Jimmy Greenfield, will present three nights of live streaming performances, from August 26-28 at 8 PM. Each performance will be dedicated to adventurous electronic looping sounds paired with video narratives.

    Electronic Looping Sounds

    Globe- and genre-trotting percussionist Will Calhoun will headline and close out the festival.  The lineup will also feature the acclaimed sound painting jazz saxophonist and film composer Hayes Greenfield and Guitars A Go Go, the ambient guitar duo of Sal Cataldi (aka Spaghetti Eastern Music) and Rick Warren, who are supporting the release of their buzzed about record, Travel Advisory. 

    According to founder Jimmy Greenfield, the festival grew out of the success of the Immersive Surround Sound Experiences performed by his musician brother, Hayes Greenfield, since the beginning of the COVID quarantine.   Here are the details on the festival’s lineup:

    August 26 – Guitars A Go Go – This is the edge-pushing improvisational partnership of two very “switched-on” Hudson Valley-based guitarists, Sal Cataldi (aka Spaghetti Eastern Music) and Rick Warren. Armed with a plethora of effects pedals and a quest for meditative and melodic adventures that span a galaxy of musical influences and attitudes, the duo has swung for the fences with the June 2020 release of their debut album, Travel Advisory. 

    August 27 – Hayes Greenfield with Ikuo Nakamura – With electronically tweaked sax, flute, kalimba, and voice, Hayes Greenfield creates lush lines and emotionally charged melodies layered into compositions that are both healing and liberating.  Accompanying images of sometimes collaborator 3-D filmmaker, Ikuo Nakamura, Greenfield enhances the visual thematic explorations of the human connection to nature by creating sound waves that stop time, and inspire fields of memory and a collective awareness, unlocking a sense of the natural world at once from above, below, inside, and out.  

    https://vimeo.com/224740378/d75ac01151

    August 28 – Will Calhoun – With an array of indigenous and electronic percussion instruments, flutes (some sacred) and his drum kit, Calhoun weaves together ever more densely packed rhythms, ones that conjure an alternate reality no less transcendent than the multi-layered sounds of nature, people, thoughts, and relationships. Performed along to images he’s taken on his journeys to places as far flung as Mali, the Australian outback, and the heart of Brooklyn, Calhoun’s compositions unify the pulse of the ancient and modern worlds, revealing the hidden and underlying connections between the sacred and the everyday. electronic looping sounds

  • Practice Share New Video for Snappy Single “Sleep in My Clothes”

    NYC-based dance-pop artist Michael Tapper has released the video for his debut single “Sleep In My Clothes” from his new project Practice. The song and video were both made pre-2020 madness, and yet the themes of isolation and self-quarantine root it (maybe too much) into current reality. 

    Practice Michael Tapper

    As an accomplished drummer and indie rock lifer (Tapper was previously the drummer of We Are Scientists, BishopAllen, Fool’s Gold and Yellow Ostrich), Tapper’s point of self-discovery that led to the creation of his album Not a Game took place in 2013, when he headed out on a 28-day sailing trip from Mexico to Hawaii with his brother-in-law. The album Not a Game represents an exciting new chapter in his career as well as the beginning of something else entirely — a fresh start, sonically and perspective-wise.

    The moniker of Practice itself was borne out of this constant, self-exploratory toil, along with a connection to the practice of meditation itself. NBA legend Allen Iverson’s infamous “practice” speech was another inspiration for the project’s name, and the speech itself is showcased over the rippling synths and hissing snares of album centerpiece “Practice.”

    Speaking about “Sleep In My Clothes” Tapper explains the song’s message on the struggles he’s encountered during this global pandemic:

    Like everyone, coronavirus has upended my life and consumed probably the majority of my waking energy for the past month or so. My wife is a doctor in Manhattan, so we started quarantining before most people (when she’s not at work), concerned that she might bring it home from the hospital and not wanting to spread it to our friends or neighborhood. Our fears were founded because we did get it early, but thankfully our symptoms were mild. During this quarantine time, I was able to finish up preparing this music video for release. As I showed it to a few people, one friend mentioned that it embodies things we’re feeling during this isolation period. As one friend put it: “the vibe of the “Sleep In My Clothes” video is how I feel on a bad day during this quarantine — crying my mascara off (if I even had the will to put any on).”

    The video starts very literally with me waking up in all of my clothes and walking out the door, which is the first verse of the song, but then takes it a step further by diving into a pool fully clothed. Later, the character experiences a sort of baptismal rebirth transformation, ending up completely naked, which is a literal reference to the lyrics but also a metaphor for honesty and vulnerability, which is what’s happening lyrically at the same time.

  • The Greyboy Allstars Re- Release “West Coast Boogaloo” and Present their Surprise New Album “Como De Allstars”

    The Greyboy Allstars have re-released their 1994 debut album, West Coast Boogaloo and their surprise new album Como De AllStars. West Coast Boogaloo features Fred Wesley will be reissued on vinyl Friday, Aug. 7. The recording will also appear for the first time digitally on all streaming and download platforms.

    Greyboy Allstars

    The band was quickly embraced by the Grateful Dead and Phish audiences before there even was an actual “jam scene.” The Greyboy Allstars have paved the way for a new generation of bands to play jazz-based improvisation as dance music in rock venues.  The Greyboy Allstars consists of saxophonist Karl Denson, guitarist Elgin Park, keyboardist Robert Walter, bassist Chris Stillwell and drummer Aaron Redfield. They are known as some of the most revered players on the modern funk and soul jazz scenes.

    When The Greyboy Allstars self-released West Coast Boogaloo in 1994, its eight tunes felt both anachronistic and urgent. But their song, “Fried Grease” centered on an irrepressible new horn riff, bejeweled by wild organ runs and strutting guitar. Built with commanding drum breaks, an itchy bassline, and pensive keys, the song “Gravee” felt like a state of mind that could last forever.

    The quintet’s latest album, Como De AllStars is their first in seven years and was released on July 3. It’s 25 years later, and the band is still at it—all while individual members have their own successful careers. Karl Denson plays in The Rolling Stones and his own Tiny Universe, Mike Andrews scores films, most recently The King Of Staten Island, Robert Walter leads his own 20th Congress and plays keys in Phish bassist Mike Gordon’s solo band and Chris Stillwell and Aaron Redfield are an in demand rhythm section with credits stretching from Elton John to Charli XCX. Como De Allstars is a stirring and timely testament to the revolutionary origins and powers of jazz, funk, and their boogaloo blend—and the Greyboy Allstars’ continual ability to deliver them. 

  • Hawkins Release Debut Pop Rock Anthem “Lights Off”

    Hawkins has released their debut single, “Lights Off,” having arrived on the local music scene in New Haven, CT in May 2019. Hawkins is known for balancing energetic rock ‘n’ roll mixed with infectious hooky pop sophistication. The band consists of Hawkins French (vocals), Joseph Frank (guitar), Richard Frank (bass), and Joshua Frank (drums). 

    hawkins

    Their debut single is a pop rock anthem that blends soaring guitars, thunderous drums, and melodic bass lines along with the catchy hooks that you’ll hear in contemporary pop music. The subject matter of this track discusses the current superficial state of relationships and wanting more than just a one-night stand. This song intertwines their ability to create memorable pop hooks, lyrics that compel you to sing along, all balanced under a monumental sound that instantly demands the listener’s attention. 

    The band has performed on countless major stages across the East Coast. Notable performances include Mohegan Sun Casino, The Bitter End, Foxwoods Casino, and the Pleasantville New York Music Festival. In Pleasantville, the band shared the stage with illustrious acts such as ​Blues Traveler​, ​Suzanne Vega​, and​ Living Colour​. In November they are still planning to headline at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre. 

    Speaking on “Lights Off” the band explains:

    “This track evokes the feeling of when relationships don’t have a clear direction and are solely based upon superficiality. This is our commentary on the common tug of war that can occur in tumultuous relationships that people in their youth experience.” 

  • Karolina Rose Releases Music Video for Power Anthem “Runaway Angels”

    NYC-based alt-pop artist Karolina Rose has released the music video to her new single “Runaway Angels,” a deeply personal place of experience from the nomadic artist, split between NYC, Los Angeles, and Europe.   

    Karolina Rose

    Rose’s previous singles include the glittery upbeat rhythms of “Greytopia” and the dusky grooves in “Objection.” “Runaway Angels” is the latest installment of Karolina’s versatile brand of ‘noir rose pop’ and step three in her visual EP project.

    Speaking about “Runaway Angles,” Karolina explains: 

    Runaway Angels is more ballet-inspired with a graceful, haunting feeling. It balances between this place of healing and a place of hell—running from a dark, painful abyss of memories that mostly only come up while you’re dreaming. I started releasing the EP last year and these last two songs were quite personal to me. I took some months off on a sort of spiritual journey to look within and do some healing; Runaway Angels helped me process a part of my life that was really difficult for me. It’s euphoric to exercise this part of me out and share it. The chorus was written in my apartment and the rest of it was finished on a vacation during the thick of the #metoo movement. I wrote parts in the middle of the night and tweaked it on the beach with a mini Taylor I had with me and my laptop.      

    Karolina Rose’s compelling track inspires listeners in an empowering way while on their own journeys of finding love and healing.

    https://soundcloud.com/karolinarose/

  • Roll On In Presents Drive-In & Tune In series featuring Honeycomb, The Breakfast and more

    Roll on In will present their live entertainment series Drive-In and Tune In beginning on Friday July 24. The events will deliver the premier destination for a night out of live music and will feature local BBQ and food legends while staying true to the roots of Western Massachusetts.

    Drive-in

    Roll On In stresses the idea of safe live entertainment and has gone through extensive planning over the past months with the help and partnership of industry pro Joel MacKenzie. The weekly, Friday and Saturday evening events will go above and beyond the health guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

    The live entertainment will kick off with performances from RCA, Danny Pease and The Regultators, Honeycomb, Uncle Bob, The Breakfast, New Mosaic, and Shantyman. Check out more details below.

    Drive-In

  • Interview: Natalie Claro’s Inspiration for “Discomposure”

    After seeing Paramore in concert, the then-14 year old Natalie Claro was inspired to take on a music career. Claro writes and produces her own music, integrating genres of pop, rock, folk, R&B, and country into her songs. 

    Natalie Claro

    Claro grew up in Tampa, Florida starting her career as a local musician when she was 15. By the time she was 17, Claro released her own music and started performing shows in New York. She explains what she loves the most about the music industry:

    The aspect of being able to have an outlet where you can just say whatever, speak your mind, and have a platform to be able to do positive things not only for your community but just as many people you can reach in general. I’ve always loved that part of it.

    In her album, Disconnect Claro describes it as her “analysis of the world.” Her EP Selfish Topics “is an analysis about myself,” Claro says. Her songs discuss issues such as depression, insecurities, and uncertainty. She uses her music to speak out about the positive and negative aspects of life.

    Claro is currently working on new music and has released the music video to “Discomposure.” “The song is about anxiety and stress,” she says. The music video for “Discomposure” illustrates Claro expressing fear and worry, yet finding solace in music. She communicates through her songs that we can find positivity and strength through some of our darkest moments. Claro shares what she wants her music to represent:

    I always use my music as a message towards anyone that is listening to it. I try to be a positive influence to my listeners.