NYS Music 202​0

Category: Alternative/Indie

  • Belle-Skinner, TIP, Architrave and more featured on this week’s EQXposure

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm on 102.7 FM, you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear music from Belle-Skinner, TIP, Architrave, and many more!

    EQXposure Belle-Skinner

    WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to a ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

    Belle-Skinner – “Tapestry”

    Skinner was named one of “8 Female Musicians From Upstate New York You Should Be Listening To Right Now” by Saratoga Living and in 2015 was a finalist at the Telluride Troubadour Competition, a showcasing songwriter on the main-stage at Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in Lyons, CO. This Upstate artist has a nostalgic sense to her haunting voice that is nuanced with influences ranging from Joni Mitchel, Jeff Buckley, and Lana Del Ray. Her music elevates the modern folk song, rich in harmony, contrapuntal melodic phrasing, and wonderful song crafting.

    Architrave – “Blissed Out”

    Ballston Spa duo Architrave features programmed grooves, hearty classic synth sounds, with real guitars and bass. They have just released a new single, “Blissed Out,” which continues on their catalogue of moody electronic pulsating melodies. The New Wave movement of The Cure, Portishead, The XX has new momentum with Architrave.

    TIP – “Canadian Coins”

    TIP features Very clever and intricate song crafting and musicianship describes this quartet of college friends. The music is unique, evocative, and layered. Performing on recent live streams during quarantine for WEQX at HIGHPEAKS Sound. Think of guitar driven riff bands, each musician in this band plays with equal conviction as if these players were pre-destined to be in the same band today, they each play as an extension of the next player. There is a freshness to their sound, something bands strive for but these guys are out of the gate with that. Check their live stream show at High Peaks Sound a few weeks ago.

  • Matt Smith to Release Eight New Albums Today

    Matt Smith, a Capital District-raised, Austin-based artist, has released eight new albums as well as ten digital releases from Smith’s catalog of recordings. The albums will be available everywhere music is streamed or bought. Hard copies of the album are available through Austin’s Waterloo Records.

    Matt Smith

    Smith has been working on the flagship release, Being Human, for four years. The song addresses broad themes of love, death and spirituality, along with timely issues such as immigration, narcissism and addiction.

    Parlor is a solo acoustic instrumental album recorded entirely on an 1890’s Thompson and Odell parlor guitar that has been handed down through four generations of the Smith family. Chop Shop – Live at Strange Brew was recorded at the legendary south Austin venue during the
    band’s weekly Sunday afternoon residency.

    When asked about why releasing now, Matt Smith said, “It’s an election year and there’s COVID. I had them all ready, and rather than dribble them out, why not put it all out at once? That way, I can get back to work on new material.”

  • ERIE, The Reckless Few, and more are featured on this week’s EQXposure

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm on 102.7 FM, you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear music from The Reckless Few, ERIE, and many more!

    EQXposure ERIE

    WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to a ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

    The Reckless Few – “Sunshine and Love”

    From Troy, The Reckless Few is a sextet featuring Louis Emory (guitars, vocals), Bob Boyer (drums, percussion, guitars), Tim Lynch (piano, organ), Kate Sgroi – (bass), Rocco DiDonna (vocals) and Eliyahu Baruch (vocals). Their inspirations include The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Band, The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Motown, and Muscle Shoals. Singer/Songwriter Louise Emory has been writing and recording original rock ‘n roll with a diverse family of local musicians for over 20 years. This song was released fifteen years after it was written while floating on a boat in Long Island sound.

    https://soundcloud.com/therecklessfew/sunshine-and-love

    “ERIE.” – “Fears Come Runnin”

    From Albany, ERIE earlier this year self-released record the week before Covid-19 started running rampant and put us all into quarantine. With all that, the band managed to get picked up by Mint 400 Records out of Jersey City, NJ. They will be re-releasing the record on Friday, September 18 and have a virtual release show planned at The Linda on Monday, September 21.

  • Goose Announce October Drive-In Shows in Vermont and New Hampshire

    Goose, the buzz-heavy Connecticut-based indie groove band, plans to move their two drive-in shows north in early October.

    Goose october

    The weekend tour includes a visit to Essex Junction, Vermont on Oct. 2, and Swanzey, New Hampshire on Oct. 3.

    “I’m super stoked to get back to Burlington, the groovy UV has a special place in my heart. I spent a bunch of time up there, chillin’ in the Green Mountains with Champ.”

    Trevor Weekz, Goose bassist

    Ticket sales for both Goose shows will open on Thursday, Sept. 10. At 10:00 a.m. Click here for tickets to the Essex Junction- Burlington show and Click here for tickets to the Swanzey show.

    In the meantime, fans can enjoy a live Goose performance at Yarmouth Drive-In with outdoor social distancing protocols on Sept. 11 and 12. Fans can also access the livestream online for $15.

  • Oliver Wood Covers “The Battle is over (But the War Goes On)” as his Solo Career Takes Off

    Oliver Wood released a single of the cover, “The Battle Is Over (But The War Goes On)” on September 4. This classic protest anthem cover is only his second solo single, the first being “Soul Of This Town.” Both are found across all streaming outlets. To donate to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), you can purchase the song now at Bandcamp.

    Oliver Wood
    Oliver Wood (Photo by Come To Life)

    Recently branching out on his own as a solo artist, Oliver Wood has been a part of an American folk band, The Wood Brothers, since 2004 and has released seven studio albums with them since. The Wood Brothers have played in high profile shows such as Red Rocks and Bonnaroo and even earned a Grammy Award-nomination. Check out more about The Wood Brothers on thewoodbros.com. He has also been a part of Medeski, Martin & Wood where he opened for them and sat in on their show.

    Now, stepping into his solo career, the release of the cover “The Battle Is Over (But The War Goes On)” follows his original genre of American folk/Rock to get the message out about standing together. In his recent interview about the single, Oliver Wood stated, “With all that’s going on today, it felt inspiring to put this song out in the world again and help keep the momentum of a movement that really needs everyone’s help.” This song has a great rhythm and powerful lyrics that make you think about the message he is trying to convey as well as the emotions that go with it.

    “If talk was money, you’d be a millionaire
    If thoughts could kill, there’d be no one here
    So many thinking’ evil and talkin’ jive
    But its in only true love, this old world cans stay alive”

    This verse is moving, and you hear the truth through Oliver Wood’s voice. Keeping the song fun and upbeat, listeners get tied into this single and only makes one want more from the new solo artist.

  • Melanie Penn Shares New Single, Video: “Avenue of The Americas”

    NYC singer-songwriter, Melanie Penn, has released an inspiring New-York centric pop anthem paired with a stunning music video for her new single, “Avenue of The Americas”.

    Avenue of The Americas

    As a native of the big city, Melanie celebrates her ties to New York in the cinematically beautiful “Avenue of The Americas” music video. Melanie’s love for the city becomes more apparent with each elapsing second of the video.

    The song itself outlines Melanie’s climb to success, with lines referencing dreams of one day finding the spotlight in the Big Apple. Crescendoing synths pulsate in the background as “Avenue of The Americas” gives us an intimate understanding of Melanie’s hopes and aspirations.

    Melanie believes now is the perfect time to debut a song that honors both beautiful and humble New York City. At a time where the country is under massive racial and political tension, the uplifting video released along with the single inspires hope and reminds us of our commonalities as New Yorkers.

    The music video and single are a part of a promotional roll out in preparation for Melanie Penn’s upcoming, More Alive Vol. 1, full-length album which is set to release September 25. The album is centered around faith, modern upheaval and, overcoming common struggles. The album, which features 10 songs, has been described by Melanie as a tracklist full of “hopeful pop anthems” that will hopefully inspire a sense of community amongst listeners.

    To stay up to date with future news regarding Melanie Penn and her music, visit her website.

  • Sydney Worthley, The Sweats, and more to be featured on this week’s EQXposure

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm on 102.7 FM, you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear music from Sydney Worthley, The Sweats, and many more!

    EQXposure Sydney Worthley

    WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to a ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

    The Sweats – “Caught In A Wave”

    From the Finger Lakes who just released their full-length debut album Caught in a Wave recorded at Pyramid Sound Recording Studios in Ithaca. You can pick up the album for contributions on BandCamp. Singer Travis Durfee says they hope to sell a few digital copies to make up what they’ve lost this year in live shows and that they are already working on material for a new album. Check out their quaratine videos on Facebook.

    Sydney Worthley – “4:15“

    In February, Worthley went to Nada Recording Studio in Montgomery, NY to record five new songs in five days and you can hear them all on the new album Rose Colored Glasses. Worthley is a notable advocate for mental health awareness, having performed in Saugerties at the annual Hope Rocks Festival.

  • Indie Groove Band Goose Announce Two Social Distancing Shows at South Farms

    Groovy, Connecticut based jam-band, Goose, is excited to announce two socially distant concerts at South Farms in Morris, CT on Sept 16 and 17.

    Goose South Farms
    Cover art poster for Goose concerts at South Farms.

    Unlike many shows being held during the pandemic, these shows will not be drive-in, rather have designated grids for the audience.

    The group started their winter of 2020 tour at Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan and then at the Williamsburg Hall of Fame, selling out both shows. They, unfortunately, could not play their spring concerts due to COVID.

    Goose hails from Norwalk, CT. In the band is, Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, keyboards/guitar), Trevor Bass (bass), and Ben Atkind (drums). Their eclectic tunes come from growing up together and sharing their love of music and story telling.

    Tickets are on presale now. General tickets go up Sept. 4 at 10 a.m.

  • Discover Local Music With EQXposure Featured Artists Including Millington, Liam Davis and more

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm on 102.7 FM, you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear music from Millington, Liam Davis, and many more!

    EQXposure

    WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to a ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

    Millington – “Misery” 

    From their album Beatdown Generation, Millington has played at EQX events such as the battle of the bands and Frogtober Fest at Frog Alley Brewing in Schenectady.  Singer/Producer Cody Okonski learned a lot during his time working in Goldfinger frontman John Feldman’s studio. In that time Cody observed the techniques of Blink-182, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Sleeping With Sirens. Other members include Cody’s close friends John Bintz, Alex Maloy, and Brandon Rutski. 

    Liam Davis – “Owl” 

    Liam, from Mount Vernon, NY, has toured with some notable acts in the Albany scene over the past few years. He was born in NYC and has been playing multiple instruments from a young age. His influences include Led Zeppelin, Jeff Buckley, and Stevie Wonder. EQXposure has also featured his song ‘In Your Dreams‘ and this one has a bit of a different vibe than that. 

  • The Upstart Crows Release Catchy Single “Stuck”

    Brooklyn based alt rock band, The Upstart Crows, today debut their catchy single and accompanying music video for “Stuck.”

    Image may contain: 1 person, sitting and indoor
    Lead Vocalist/guitarist Jon Adams.

    Lead Vocalist/guitarist, Jon Adams, says the new single displays the “frustrations with feeling stuck in life.”

    “Stuck is a catchy ballad reflecting on the frustrations of feeling stuck in life, waiting for change to come, and not being sure if it will ever come.”

    Jon Adams

    Some major influences for writing the tune were Shakey Graves, Shovels & Rope, and Caroline Rose’s first album, America Religious.

    Adams formed the band along with band mate and drummer, Forest DeCoste, in the basements on Keene, NH. The two made their way to Brooklyn where they went on to release their first self-titled album. The two recently parted ways, although both are on good terms. Adams says that he was in the process of looking for new band mates when the global pandemic happened, so in the meantime, he’s playing solo.

    “Recently Forest decided he wasn’t interested in playing in the band anymore so he quit the band. We are still on very good terms, and we even still play DND every week. I was in the process of finding new band mates and moving the project in a new direction but Covid put the kibosh on that for now. So currently it is just me.”

    Jon Adams

    In regards to live shows and concerts starting back up, Adams says that we still have a long way to go, but he’s hopeful for the future.

    “It looks like live music, for now, is live streams. But I bet we will figure out a creative solution to have live music again. I hear some people are doing shows at drive-in movie theaters now. “

    Jon Adams

    Be sure to check out The Upstart Crows past sounds and tune in to watch and listen to Stuck.

    Music video for “Stuck”