Music has the power to bring people together in the name of solidarity. Throughout protest history, there have always been songs to aide in carrying the cries for social justice. Protest music came into mainstream popularity during the civil rights movements of the 1960s and 70s, with folk and gospel artists such as the late Pete Seeger and Mahalia Jackson. In todays current political state however, protest music has chosen a different voice. Hip-hop along with punk music have provided the loudest songs of racial protest during the black lives matter movement.
“Sound of da Police” by KRS-1
Off of the Bronx natives’ debut studio album, Return of The Boombat, “Sound of da Police” takes a hard look at police brutality. Although released in 1993, the song remains relevant in the current Black Lives Matter movement. Throughout the song, KRS-1 makes comparisons between the police and overseers who would police southern plantations while keeping slaves in check.
Key Lyrics:
“Officer, Officer, Officer, Officer! Yeah, officer from overseer You need a little clarity? Check the similarity! The overseer rode around the plantation The officer is off patrolling all the nation”
“One Four Love (Pt.1)” by Mos Def
The second track off of Mos Defs’ Hip Hop For Respect EP released in 2000 is another song centered around police brutality and racially-centered violence. With a hook that sings ” My people unite and lets all get down.”
Key Lyrics:
“My people unite, hop up and do it right We gotta have what? love peace and understandin One god, One love, One light One aim, One voice, One fight”
“Changes” by 2Pac
Riddled with commentary on the life of an inner-city black man, “Changes” is 2Pac’s timeless meditation on racial injustice. The song consists of verse after verse of 2Pac calling for change.
Key Lyrics:
“I see no changes all I see is racist faces Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races We under I wonder what it takes to make this One better place, let’s erase the wasted”
“Sunshine” by Pusha T
Bronx rapper Pusha-T takes a conscious approach in his 2015 release “Sunshine” telling America that the country is in need of a miracle. Pusha remembers Freddie Gray, another victim of police brutality and neglect.
Key Lyrics:
“These ain’t new problems, they just old ways I see one time turn sunshine into Freddie Gray Just another n**** dead, just another n**** dead Send another to the FEDs, send another to the FEDs”
“Banned in D.C” by Bad Brains
Well affiliated with the Afropunk movement of the 70s and 80s and regarded by many as the pioneers of hardcore, Bad Brains deliver this rage filled track about racial solidarity.
Key Lyrics:
“We, we got ourselves Gonna sing it, gonna love it, gonna work it out to any length Don’t worry, no worry, about what people say We got ourselves, we gonna make it anyway”
“Don’t Shoot” by Dave East
Dave East takes a creative approach, altering his voice to reflect on his encounters and experiences with NYPD through out his childhood, as a teenager, and as an adult. Born and raised in Harlem, Dave East delivers descript bars verse after verse detailing life in the city and coming to terms with racism and police neglect.
Key Lyrics:
“Left and right I’m seeing homies get interrogated, we ain’t safe where we live, this America ain’t it?”
“Spiritual” by Jay-Z
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFW5p2Qlx7M
In 2016, “Spiritual,” was Jay-Z’s first solo release in 3 years. Penning the lyrics after the shooting of Michael Brown in 2014, Jay-Z said he held onto the release because he knew ” his death wouldn’t be the last” in a statement released with the song. Jay-Z calls out police brutality and the cycle of poverty and depression many in the black community are stuck in.
Key Lyrics:
I am not poison
Just a boy from the hood that got my hands in the air
In despair don’t shoot
I just wanna do good”
“Oppressor” By Jesus Piece
East Coast hardcore band, Jesus Piece target the oppressive behavior of police in the song “Oppressor” off of their 2015 EP release. Fronted by Aaron Heard, one of the most prominent black vocalists in the current hardcore scene, the song is delivered along with a brutal instrumental and has since been a highlight of many hardcore festival performances, bringing together people of color in the hardcore scene, all taking turns grabbing for the microphone.
As we enter June, the fourth month where live music performances are postponed until it is deemed safe to have mass gatherings due to COVID-19, we take a look at the music venues across the state that are closed for now, but in the coming months will hopefully reopen.
Working with 13 photographers to document more than 60 venues in 20 cities across New York State, we present this monthly series that will look at the current conditions of these beloved venues. As they reopen, we will provide photo documentation recording the changes over time in all corners of the state.
Great thanks to all photographers and venues who take part in this series.
With divisions across the country on display through peaceful protest and violence, songs of unity and calm are not the first thought, but can provide an escape, even if briefly, giving pause amid the chaos in cities throughout the state and America. One of those songs is “My Sisters and Brothers”
Originally written by Charles Johnson of The Sensational Nightingales, Jerry Garcia Band would perform “My Sisters and Brothers” numerous times from the 1970s through the 1990s, and is featured on Jerry Garcia Band. The version below is the encore of the October 28, 1987 (late) show from the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in Manhattan.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, venues across New York State have closed their doors and cancelled live performances. Since then, various artists have moved their concerts to online. NYS Music is introducing Stream and Support, from across New York! This continually updated series will help you locate all your favorite New York artists’ livestreams and virtual events. Now more than ever it is important during these uncertain times to come together in supporting artists from across New York State!
You’ll find a continually updated list of what you can look forward to throughout the week!
Monday
Virtual Concert Series at WAMC’s The Linda: Tune in on April 5th at 8:00 p.m. – April 6 at 11:59 p.m. from musicians of Ma’alwyck, with guest artists mezzo-soprano Tess McCarthy and baritone Charles F. Schwartz, perform a program of music celebrating the great tradition of memorable tunes of old Scotland. Stream and Support HERE
SOFI TUKKER: New York based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER perform live from home everyday on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 p.m. EST. Stream and Support HERE.
Jess Novak: Join Jess Novak on Twitch every Monday at 1:00 p.m. EST for live music! Stream and Support HERE.
Join Novak seven days a week on Twitch!
Tuesday
The Disco Biscuits: Tune in to stream from The Disco Biscuits, never-before-seen 60+ minute set streaming on Sessions on April 20th at 9:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
DJead Night: The music of the Grateful Dead was meant to be enjoyed in the company of friends! Tune in on April 20th at 10 p. m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
4/20 HARVEST PARTY: Free concert live stream from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong on April 20th at 8:00 p.m. ET. on the Relix channel Stream and Support HERE.
Jazzonia: the Marriage of Poetry and Jazz: Tune in to streams from National Jazz Museum in Harlem featuring John Reddick, Shanelle Gabriel, Andre “Chez” Lewis and many more on April 20th, May 4th and 18th at 7:00 p.m. Stream and Support HERE
Jazz, House Music and the Underground Dance Revolution: Tune in to streams from National Jazz Museum in Harlem featuring DJ Ali Coleman and Sheila Ford on April 13th at 7:00 p.m. Stream and Support HERE
Distrokid: Tune in to streams from Distrokid, presenting “Isolation: Concerts For No One” featuring Andy Frasco & Shawn Eckels, Kitchen Dwellers, Mihali on March 30th, April 6,13+20th at 9:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
Jess Novak: Join Jess Novak on Twitch every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. EST for live music! Stream and Support HERE.
SOFI TUKKER: New York based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER perform live from home everyday on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 p.m. EST. Stream and Support HERE.
Helsinki Hudson: Every Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. Club Helsinki hosts a virtual open mic night. Stream and Support HERE.
Wednesday
The Palace Sessions: The Palace Theatre, City of Albany, and Mirth Films Present “The Palace Sessions” featuring Let’s Be Leonard duo & Canella on April 28th at 7:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
JazzBuffalo: Tune in every Wednesday at 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. for the Jay/Sharp-tet weekly live streams. Enjoy a collection of original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards. Stream and Support HERE
MasterVoices’ 79th Season: Let’s celebrate the power of the human voice to unite, inspire, and connect. From January 13th to May 26th, MasterVoices will be a virtual rollout of award-winning composer Adam Guettel’s theatrical song cycle, “Myths and Hymns,” conceived by Ted Sperling. Stream and Support HERE
Jess Novak: Join Jess Novak on Twitch every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. EST for live music! Stream and Support HERE.
SOFI TUKKER: New York based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER perform live from home everyday on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 p.m. EST. Stream and Support HERE.
Thursday
Azure Wolf: LAUNCH presents The Chris Ruben Band on April 29th, at 7:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
Chelsea Music Festival: Join us on April 29th at 7:30 p.m. ET. for the second episode of Love Walked In featuring Opus Illuminate. Stream and Support HERE
30th b’Earthday: Join eTown’s virtual 30th b’Earthday Celebration featuring Black Pumas, Bob Weir, Nathaniel Rateliff, and more on Earth Day April 22nd at 6:30 p.m. MST. Stream and Support HERE
KEEN x Garcia: FANS and KEEN x Garcia Present Rainforest Benefit Concert— Protect The Tongass on April 22nd at 8:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
CWTV LIVESTREAM: Tune in to stream on April 15th at 8:00 p.m. ET. Michael Dorf presents THE BEST OF “THE MUSIC OF” from 2004 – 2020 featuring over 20 artists! Stream and Support HERE
Who Was: Nat “King” Cole: Tune in to streams from National Jazz Museum in Harlem featuring Jon Thomas on April 15th at 2:00 p.m. Stream and Support HERE
Radio Woodstock Sofa Sessions: Every Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. EST, three New York artists will each play a twenty-minute set from home. Stream and Support HERE
Joe Bonamassa: Tune in on April 1st at 9:00 p.m. ET for a spectacular rare performance in blues history from guitar hero Joe Bonamassa! Stream and Support HERE
Jess Novak: Join Jess Novak on Twitch every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. EST for live music! Stream and Support HERE.
SOFI TUKKER: New York based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER perform live from home everyday on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 p.m. EST. Stream and Support HERE.
Friday
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month: Flushing Town Hall is presenting a special concert honoring the victims of recent anti-Asian hate crimes. The Jihye Lee Quintet will perform LIVE on stage on May 21st at 7:00 p.m. Stream and Support HERE
Belle-Skinner: Tune in on April 23rd at 7:00 p.m. for the world premiere of Belle-Skinner’s new song “It Must Be Spring.” Then click over to Zoom for an interactive after-party discussion with Belle-Skinner. Stream and Support HERE.
CATS in Space: An interstellar livestream with Circles Around The Sun featuring Scott Metzger, Adam MacDougall, Mark Levy, and Dan Horne on April 16th at 9:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
Standing Against Asian Hate Crimes: Tune in and support New York Youth Symphony Musicians give live concert in support of AAPI Community today at 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Stream and Support HERE
St. Paul & The Broken Bones: FANS and St. Paul & The Broken Bones present a special performance of ‘Young Sick Camellia’ in its entirety at The Alabama Theatre on April 16 at 9:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
Brandon ‘Taz’ Niederauer: Join for a Live Webcast from Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY on April 2nd at 8:00 p.m. ET featuring Levon Helm for this special event! Stream and Support HERE
Jess Novak: Join Jess Novak on Twitch every Friday at 1:00 p.m. EST for live music! Stream and Support HERE.
SOFI TUKKER: New York based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER perform live from home everyday on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 p.m. EST. Stream and Support HERE.
Saturday
Wish You Were Hear: Join us on May 15th, 8:00 p.m. for some gothic cheer at the Flower Power Summer Break Show, featuring guest band Sirsy hosted by the Dust Bowl Faeries dark carnival duet. Stream and Support HERE
Pink Talking Fish Play Dead: Tune in to stream from Pink Talking Fish, live from State Theatre of Ithaca on May 8th at 7:00 p.m. EST to honor one of the most iconic moments in Grateful Dead history. Stream and Support HERE
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros: FANS featuring Bob Weir, Don Was, and Jay Lane, playing LIVE from TRI Studios with Jeff Chimenti, Greg Leisz, and special guests The Wolf Pack. Tune in on April 24th at 9:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
Drone At Home: Tune in to streams April 24-25th from Basilica Hudson on Twitch local and global. Stream and Support HERE
Azure Wolf: LAUNCH presents Azure Wolf on April 24th at 7:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
Hola!: The Relix Channel presents Hola! Featuring Avi Bortnick, Andy Hess, Scott Metzger, and Joe Russo on April 17th at 9:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
Wanaragua: Tune in to stream on April 10th at 3:00 p.m. for a live performance from the Bronx Music Heritage Center, honoring the Garifuna Heritage month. Stream and Support HERE
I Wanna Dance With Somebody: Tune in for I Wanna Dance With Somebody Easter + Passover Sacred Greetings Dance Party! featuring Andy Frasco and DJ Sleepy on April 3rd at 10:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
SOFI TUKKER: New York based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER perform live from home everyday on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 p.m. EST. Stream and Support HERE.
Sunday
An Evening To Be Grateful: Tune in for live webcast on April 25th at 7:00 p.m. ET. featuring: Amy Helm, Marco Benevento, Connor Kennedy, Zach Djanikian, Tony Leone, and Jeff Hill. Stream and Support HERE
Music On The Inside: Tune in for a free virtual concert from Music While We’re Inside, on April 25th at 6:00 p.m. Featuring Vanessa Falabella, Rubem Farias, along many talented musicians! Stream and Support HERE
Sarah Elizabeth Charles: Tune in for a virtual concert from New York Youth Symphony featuring Sarah Elizabeth Charles on April 25th at 6:00 p.m. ET. Stream and Support HERE
Fueling Musicians: Second annual Stream-A-Thon hosted by Joe Bonamassa on April 18th at 3:00 p.m. ET. Featuring over 35 talented musicians. Stream and Support HERE
SOFI TUKKER: New York based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER perform live from home everyday on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 p.m. EST. Stream and Support HERE.
In his latest music video “Talk 2 Me,” Nick Deutsch retorts the poetics of up all night running through rainy New York City backend streets to nowhere and isolated vocals searching for a voice on the back of a bar napkin, into tender melodies. “Talk 2 Me” ruptures the singer-songwriter essences of spacial time and place, to recapture the breath behind the vocals in a wholly original inspiration. The best expressions of the human experience don’t tell us what to feel, they provide a compass through ourselves.
“Talk 2 Me” texts the pressing distances between 2AM love lost and the possibility of tomorrow that pulls us inwardly without asking where or when we’ve arrived at the place we embody. Thematically Nick Deutsch constructs a soundtrack for a new depth of vulnerability but also finds playfulness in the unmasking of pretenses. A note on the mantle of infinite possibility, if only you “Talk 2 Me.” Maybe a reminder that all the broken pieces can recoup a liberated spirit of being; The perfect song to cinematic imagery for a pause in reclamation of that breath we all need before the feelings fall out.
Nick Deutsch is a New York based piano playing, indie pop Singer/Songwriter originally from Wilmette Illinois. Jazz arranging and harmony brought Nick to New York University where he met and became friends with Tina Shafer, CEO of the New York Songwriter’s Circle. He has shared the stage with established singer-songwriters Ian Axle, (Great Big World) Billy Porter (Kinky Boots) Rob Mathes (Sting), as well as recorded with American Idol’s finalist Marissa Pontecorvo.
While this may be new music from Nick, he is no stranger to the international music scene for his songs off his EP’s Crazy Ride and Heartsaver have led to nominations for Best Pop Male Vocal (2013 IMEA Awards), and The Great American Song (2013 POP Category). Additionally, his music has been featured on Nickelodeon’s “Jagger Eaton’s Mega Life” and TV Land’s “Younger.”
In the meantime of Nick’s upcoming music releases, visit his website to subscribe to his email newsletters and request a song for his weekly live performances.
Guitarist Mick Fury thought we could all use a little pick me up, so he reached out to independent musicians across the country and assembled them into a small orchestra. The resulting song, “Front Porch of America,” encoruages empathy as we push through COVID-19, and features a number of Upstate New York musicians.
I was thinking if there was ever a time folks could use a pick me up, this situation we’re all going through is one of those. Music has a way to cut through the noise and I thought a song like “Front Porch of America” could offer some hope and empathy to those that are struggling. I reached out to all my independent musician friends from around the country and asked if they’d be willing to film themselves from their house or front porch singing/playing the part of this song that spoke to them the loudest.
With his recovery from COVID-19 complete, guitarist Larry Campbell was joined by his wife and creative partner, Teresa Williams, as the pair took to Facebook to perform the upbeat and refreshing “Let Us Get Together Right Down Here.”
Campbell experienced symptoms 43 days prior, but recently tested negative for coronavirus, and is now reunited with Willams at their Upstate home. The two were separated for nearly a month while Campbell was quarantined alone Upstate and Williams remained in New York City.
Campbell says of the experience “This thing is vicious, it doesn’t follow any rules. Be vigilant if you get this and try not to get it,” with Williams adding, “Wear your mask!”
The duo looks forward to playing music again together soon, and hinted at a livestream concert in the near future.
For years Utica’s own alternative rockers Trampoline Jetstream have played shows without recording a single track. Now even with measures in place that prevented them from being together they have produced their debut EP For Days On End.
The first single off the EP, “Patience,” shows off futuristic dreamy bedroom pop sounds backed by heavy bass that produces a psychedelic image. Urging listeners to take their time in ‘deciding their own fate’ and showing yourself patience in a time of drastic change and uncertainty, “Patience” is a track you can put on and forget about now.
For Days On End was long awaited from a band that has seen some trouble since they first decided to start recording their debut album in 2018. Plans were all brought to a screeching halt when lead singer Nick Vanderwood sustained vocal injuries that lasted over a year.
Recorded completely separately due to social distancing measures implemented during the pandemic, the debut EP will consist of three songs that did not make the debut album. The band has plans to release a full debut album hopefully in the fall according the press release. ‘For Days On End’ is available for streaming on all platforms.
The third and final time the Grateful Dead performed at the Carrier Dome was on October 20, 1984 and featured one of the most blistering “Jack Straw” versions ever.
The October 20 show was smack dab in the middle of their 1984 fall tour, and the final show on the East Coast before heading to San Francisco for the remainder of the year.
A first set opening with “Bertha” -> “Greatest Story Ever Told” found a great groove in “Ramble on Rose,” which was followed by the first of a few requests from Bob Weir for the audience to ‘take a step back,’ heard quite often during this era of the Dead. The “Bird Song” clocks in at just over 11 minutes, and is followed by the aforementioned powerful “Jack Straw.”
The energetic show features resounding versions of “Shakedown Street” to open Set 2, which led to non-stop dancin’ in the rafters. During “Turn on Your Lovelight,” fencing on stage right fell, leading to fans spilling down onto the Carrier Dome field.
Leaving the show on the mantra of “Revolution” (‘You know its gonna be, alright’) set the crowd out on a high note, for it would be the last Dead on the East Coast until March, 1985 in Hampton, VA. Of course, leaving the Carrier Dome (up until recent renovation began) meant the wind would push on the backs of fans as they egressed, which can be either cathartic or unsettling, depending on your mindset at the time.
Check out photos of the Grateful Dead at the Carrier Dome pre and post-show from James R Anderson here and check out an extended breakdown of the show from Visions of Dylan.
Set 1: Bertha-> Greatest Story Ever Told, West L.A. Fadeaway, CC Rider, Ramble On Rose, My Brother Esau, Bird Song, Jack Straw
Set 2: Shakedown Street-> Samson & Delilah, He’s Gone-> Smokestack Lightning-> Drums-> The Wheel-> The Other One-> Black Peter-> Turn On Your Love Light
Lap steel guitarist Sean Williamson recently released his tribute to Phish with a heavy metal version of their rock anthem “First Tube” under the moniker Velocihamster. Williamson’s take on “First Tube” incorporates jam rock elements into the guitarist’s pioneering hard-rock lap steel work.
Nominated for a Grammy in 2001 for “Best Rock Instrumental,” “First Tube” is a staple at Phish shows, typically closing out a high energy set or appearing as an encore.
Lap steel is featured exclusively on upcoming full-length Velocihamster album Balls to the Wall, which features Williamson modeling his approach after the acrobatic electric guitar leads typically heard in progressive metal and “Djent” genres. The debut Velocihamster album Wheel of Steel released in 2018 garnered the attention in Guitar World & Guitar Player magazines, earning the project recognition as “the world’s first lap steel metal band.”
Williamson says of the challenges he embraced on the new album:
“Lap steel guitar has no boundaries, so neither should this project. Trey (Anastasio) is on my Mt. Rushmore of musical influences and it’s exciting to explore an alternative approach to his trademark style and share it with a new audience.”
