In celebration of five years of their 2015 LP Digitonium, the nine-piece Brooklyn funk group Turkuaz has released never-before-seen in-studio footage of their fan-favorite song “Nightswimming.” Fans can pre-order a special anniversary vinyl of Digitonium, in both black and a limited-edition blue only available on their website. “Nightswimming” received high praise from Relix Magazine for its “saturated synth line and bubbling bass” as well as JamBase praising Digitonium as a “major progression” for Turkuaz.
Photo By Dani Brandwein
“Nightswimming” was recorded at More Sound Recording Studios in Syracuse, NY. The track was produced by Dave Brandwein, mixed by Jason “Jocko” Randall, and mastered by Chris Athens. According to Brandwein, he created the lyrics and melody for Nightswimming before Turkuaz recorded it.”
After the first take, I’ll never forget when Jocko chimed in through my headphones saying, ‘Alright, there’s definitely a vibe going on in there. It’s no surprise that this is one of the fan favorites from Digitonium. It’s one of our favorites too!” Brandwein said. Shane Grace Allen (Danke) joins Turkuaz members on vocals with Nate Werth on percussion.
“Nightswimming” was born out of two demos that Taylor and I each made individually They were in the same key with the same tempo and feel. We started to wonder if we could combine them and as it turns out, we could! So what you hear is my original riff (the synth line that begins the song), with Taylor’s bass riff coming in over it. They weave and bob around each other in a very cool way that I think gives the song it’s unique feel.
Dave Brandwein
In the meantime, Turkuaz has taken part in several virtual performances, including a performance of “Electric Habitat” for the virtual music festival Democracy Comes Alive. The festival partnered with Headcount support voter participation.
Turkuaz also created a web series called “Keep Your Mind In Tune” which presents conversations between musicians and experts about various topics as well as musical performances. Fans can watch the episodes on the Turkuaz YouTube channel or the Keep Your Mind in Tune YouTube Channel.
Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm 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 Parlor, Haley Moley, and many more!
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an 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.
This week’s EQXposure is a bit moody and is about exploring wide sonic spaces.
Named after a room in the 19th century farmhouse where they live, farm, and create, The Parlor is a project by husband and wife team Eric Krans and Jen O’Connor. The multi-instrumentalist, producer-composers create intimate art-pop intended to reflect some of the most powerful aspects of the human experience.
The Parlor’s music is the sonic corollary to what the couple is bringing to their land, an artisanal re-imagining of an antique dream. Jen O’Connor + Eric Krans make their home in Upstate New York. Their farmhouse is filled with jars of feathers + herbs, piles of broken guitars, trays of wings + claws, upright basses, a sampling synth, braided onions, polyester pants, Casio + Zenith, antique mirrors. Ghosts. They write and record music in a room called the parlor.
In early 2015, house music DJ and dance music producer Jennifer Maher Coleman (DJ Jennifer Haley) and indie rocker Paul Coleman (Mount Mole, Sinkcharmer, Beaked Whale, The Operators) combined their aliases and their musical sensibilities to form Haley Moley.
Moody synth and guitar rock over electronic beats ultimately blossomed into a full-on five-piece with the welcome addition of Andrea Kosek (aka DJ Goldeedust, keyboards) Pat Thorpe (of DJ duo Partyhorn, bass guitar) and Mike Broomhead (also of Partyhorn, drums.)
With a high concentration of electronic, funk, and disco dj’s on board as well as decades of rock experience steeped in atmospheric, dirty guitars, Haley Moley delivers a complex amalgam echoing these disparate roots and emerges refreshingly uncategorizable.
Trey Anastasioreturned to New York City’s Beacon Theatre on October 23 for Week 3 of his Beacon Jams residency. This show came hot on the heels of Phish’s Halloween Dinner And A Movie announcement and excited fans got another incredible show highlighted by a silly version of “Windora Bug” in addition to jaw-dropping versions of “What’s The Use” and “The Lizards” featuring the Rescue Squad Strings.
Over 30,000 viewers flocked to Twitch again for this free live-streamed performance, with donations encouraged to The Divided Sky Fund, which focuses on delivering quality care and compassionate treatment for those battling from addiction, through Phish’s WaterWheel Foundation.
photo by Jake Silco
Ten minutes before the start of the show, fans were treated to a special video message from Page McConnell, wishing he could be in NYC with Trey and congratulating him for his work so far on the Beacon Jams. Page stated that he and Trey got together a while back to play together and a minute later a video started with a masked Anastasio helping a masked Page carry his keyboard out onto the deck of the Barn, subtly recreating the album cover of their Colorado ’88 release. The duo shared a previously recorded version of “Evening Song” that was absolutely beautiful. Trey’s acoustic guitar and Page’s Wurlitzer meshed wonderfully as they both sang this duet. Before long, the video faded out to start Trey’s evening of live music.
photo by Jake Silco
The planned night of music started in usual form at 8:04pm EDT with members of the Trey Anastasio Band on the Beacon stage with our favorite Ginger, consisting of Ray Paczkowski on keys, Tony Markellis on bass, Russ Lawton on drums and Cyro Baptista on percussion. Cyro’s toying with “Zamfir and his Pandemic Flute” brought us into the stream as Trey started things off with “Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan” before diving into his usual crowd banter with a couple of birthday wishes to Tom and Uncle Kevin. He dedicated the next song, “Party Time,” to Kevin up in Burlington and it’s safe to say that Kevin got quite the birthday treat with this noodley, fun version of the tune.
photo by Jake Silco
Things got a bit funkier as Trey thanked the Poster Nutbags Art Group for their generous donation last week, dedicating “The Way I Feel” to them. The ensuing smooth, slow, funk jam from Trey’s 1998 One Man’s Trash had him smiling the whole time, grooving to the entire band. When asked online by DillyBean what his favorite snack was, he replied saying, “Anything you can spatchcock. You can spatchcock anything.” Trey continued diving into his solo work with “Sweet Dreams Melinda,” followed by his eighth quarantine song, “Shaking Someone’s Outstretched Hand.”
Official poster for The Beacon Jams, by Jim Pollock
Cyro, the man who “wears a skunk on his head,” helped a speechless Trey thank everyone for their donations so far and gave us another taste of Zamfir’s (clang!) Pandemic Flute before the band dove into “Andre the Giant” and a jammed-out “Spin.”
photo by Jake Silco
Trey took out his acoustic to play “Turtle In The Clouds” before picking up Old Reliable/Mar Mar again to join the Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tanski on piano for a breathtaking version of “What’s The Use.” Trey continued on with the Rescue Squad Strings to share beautiful versions of “Brian and Robert” and “If I Could,” commenting between them that he likens the Beacon Jams to an extended band practice, something he has always enjoyed, and stating, “When life hands you a pandemic, make pandemic-ade.”
The recent NYE song “Rescue Squad” was teased by Trey as the TAB members returned to join the string quartet for a gorgeous rendition of “Leaves” and a squirrelly, harmonic version of “The Lizards” that had Trey smiling the entire time and certainly putting a smile on the face of everyone watching. As the strings departed, the good times continued with a rousing “Mr. Completely” ending with Cyro playing a bug-sounding instrument. This led the band to dive into a rather goofy “Windora Bug,” featuring alternate lyrics about the “Corona Bug” and references to fans folding laundry while watching the show.
photo by Jake Silco
The show continued on with a bouncy, spatchcocked version of “Possum” followed by a soaring “A Case of Ice and Snow” into a killer “Last Tube.” Having raised over $92,000 tonight, Trey ended the night with a song he called “Folding The Laundry” and “When Your Dryers Broken,” but you might know it better as “Twist.”
Trey Anastasio returns to the Beacon Theater again next Friday for another round in which he has promised to “rock out!”
Set 1: Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Party Time, The Way I Feel, Sweet Dreams Melinda > Shaking Someone’s Outstretched Hand [1], Andre the Giant, Spin, Turtle in the Clouds [2], What’s the Use? [3], Brian and Robert [4], If I Could[4], Rescue Squad [5], Leaves [6], The Lizards [7], Mr. Completely > Windora Bug [8], Possum, A Case of Ice and Snow > Last Tube, Twist
[1] Debut. [2] Trey solo acoustic. [3] Just Trey with The Rescue Squad Strings and Jeff Tanski on piano. [4] Just Trey on acoustic guitar and The Rescue Squad Strings. [5] Trey solo acoustic; first acoustic performance by Trey. [6] TAB debut; Trey on acoustic guitar and The Rescue Squad Strings. [7] Full TAB debut; with The Rescue Squad Strings. [8] With Corona references.
Ithaca-based and indie-folk musician Sarah Noell released her first solo EP Retreat To Space on Friday, October 16 on all streaming platforms.
Album cover art for Retreat To Space
Noell was originally in the band Wildflwr, along with her mates Nick Scollard and Mary Cain, but the pandemic forced her to experiment with her music independently.
I wasn’t sure I could do this by myself, a year and a half ago Nick was still setting up all of my gear and Marty was booking all of our shows. This EP has shown me that, when forced to be alone, I can still learn and grow without the hand-holding of others, which I really needed before.
Sarah Noell
Growing up in rural Connecticut, Noell began her musical career at age 13, but didn’t take it seriously until after graduating from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. She stayed in the trendy city, where her music grew and flourished. Since then, has Wildflwr come out with multiple folky EPs, but when the pandemic put the band to a halt, she began writing her own songs.
Sarah Noell
According to Noell, this EP is about love, relationships and life over the years.
The EP is a collection of songs that reflect on my experiences in love, friendship, and solitude in the last five years or so. The title track ‘Retreat to Space’ reflects on a soured relationship but also deals with living mostly in my head, blurring reality, which is a recurring theme on the EP. I’m sure many people can relate, as we’ve all in a way retreated inwards during the pandemic.
Sarah Noell
The young musician hopes because live shows are on a break, that internet, social media and live streaming will pass her new music along.
If you’re in the mood to listen to some dreamy tunes and ponder about life, go one of the streaming platforms and enjoy the ride.
Retreat to Space is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music and more.
On October 23, 2013, for the first time in 19 years, Phish returned to Glens Falls Civic Center for a fall tour stop. The legendary White Album marathon show on October 31, 1994 stands out as a pinnacle moment in the band’s history, and can be seen as the moment when ‘musical costumes’ became more common for bands on Halloween, and not just for Phish.
To highlight the day, fans did what they did best – took over the town parking lots, vended their wares, supported local eating and drinking establishments, and even held a Dinner & a Movie art show.
Mayor John A. “Jack” Diamond took notice of the musical history of the band, and proceeded to issue a Mayoral Proclamation (with souvenir copies available for fans) that the town of Glens Falls had ‘Gone Phishing.’ There could not have been a warmer reception on a warmer than average October night.
The night after playing Rochester, Phish fans flocked to what was a highly competitive ticket the moment the show was announced, and speculated as to whether or not they’d bring the same heat they did two decades prior. Would they bring back any of the 30 songs featured on the White Album? That question was answered just as the lights went down and Phish played their third ever version of “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” after a gap of nearly 700 shows. From there, the night was off and running, with a set full of first set standards, with a strong “Split Open and Melt” capping things off.
Set 2 was highlighted by two separate sequences. The first, The Velvet Underground’s “Rock and Roll” > “Seven Below” > “Alaska” > “Twist,” the latter of which Holly Bowling would transcribe for piano and perform on her rise to stardom. With a breather in “Wading in the Velvet Sea,” a fantastic “Harry Hood” > “Chalk Dust Torture” combo followed to wrap up the set. The full second set is a must listen, available here via Phishtracks.com.
Poster by Michael Boyer
To close the night out, another Beatles selection, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” was the call, another debut from Halloween 1994, and the perfect bookend to a fantastic night in Glens Falls. From there, phans flocked into the town, heading over to Hotshots to check out Twiddle with Mister F opening, or Sandy’s Clam Bar for the rarest of post-shows, Touchpants. Whether satiated by the two sets at the Civic Center or needing a little something extra, Phish had left its mark on Glens Falls once again.
Set 1: Back in the U.S.S.R., Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Water in the Sky, Undermind, David Bowie, Golgi Apparatus, Gumbo, Yarmouth Road, Camel Walk, Horn > Limb By Limb > I Didn’t Know, Split Open and Melt
Set 2: Rock and Roll > Seven Below > Alaska > Twist, Wading in the Velvet Sea > Harry Hood > Chalk Dust Torture
Just in time for Halloween, Phish’s Dinner And A Movie series returns, and with a vengeance. Instead of a full vintage Phish show, phans will get three sets, choice selections from their infamous Halloween performances of 1996, 2014 and 2018 on October 31, the anniversary of each of the sets.
The first installment from 2014 will feature the Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House set from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The band utilized a Disney sound effects album to create 10 songs, among them “Martian Monster” and “Your Pet Cat,” debuted that night and found their way into the Phish rotation quickly.
Poster by Miguel Carvallo
The second set on Halloween features the second set of Halloween 1996 at The Omni in Atlanta, when Phish covered the entire Talking Heads epic, Remain in Light.
The third and final set of this Halloween Dinner and a Movie takes us back to 2018 in Las Vegas, when Phish performed under the alter ego Kasvot Växt, performing the debut of í rokk.
With a three-part ‘movie,’ you’ll need dinner. Phish has teamed up with Burlington chef and Phish fan Justin Wright has set up a corresponding three-course fall meal: Delicata Squash Tempura, Primal Soup, and some spooky Ghost Brownies. Justin recently returned to Burlington this summer to open casual French eatery C’est Ca. Recipes can be found here.
The beneficiary for the weekend is the Fair Elections Center, and donations can be made through phish.com/waterwheel. Fair Elections Center is a national, nonpartisan voting rights and election reform organization which works to remove barriers to registration and voting for traditionally underrepresented constituencies.
The Center works to improve election administration through legislative, legal and administrative reform, to protect access to the ballot through litigation, and to provide election law expertise, voter information and technical assistance to voter mobilization organizations. Learn more about them at https://www.fairelectionscenter.org.
On October 16, indie-rock band El Modernist released their newest single, ‘Evolution,’ proudly played as an LGBTQ+ Fight Song. All proceeds from the track will be donated directly to The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to providing crisis intervention and counseling to America’s LGBTQ+ youth.
Both Elton John and Freddie Mercury were able to be successful, even with the stigma that came with being queer. They were able to lay a path for future queer artists. More recently, Lil Was X, Frank Ocean, Tyler the Creator, and many others have taken what Elton and Freddie gave them and ran. In today’s time of social upheaval, more and more queer artists are fighting for the rights they deserve.
According to their lead singer, Will Freddette, “This is an anthem for the queer artists that have been contributing and pushing the boundaries of art since the beginning of time, while more often than not having to hide their true selves while doing so.”
El Modernist deliver a new take on the world of indie-rock, notably with ‘Evolution.” The band combines upbeat, catchy garage-rock with a modern alternative hip-hop sound. They are a very high-energy group, and bring that to their performances, resonating with fans of all ages.
All members come from diverse musical backgrounds and find great joy in blending various influences. This allows them to create something entirely new and entirely their own. Featuring a concoction of acoustic and electronic drums with screaming guitar riffs, every El Modernist show is a party that you do not want to miss.
El Modernist, founded in 2018, is based out of Albany and have played various venues in the Capital District. Additionally, they help to curate the “We Are Albany NY” Spotify playlist which features music from any and all Albany-based who wish to be a part of it.
The single will be released on all streaming platforms on Friday, October 26.
As lighting strikes, it is evident Sydney Irving belongs. Although, you’re just getting to know the high school senior, her name will hold a heavier weight as time moves on. She will fill your music library, as you come to realize Sydney Irving‘s on the rise.
Today’s “Rain” sheds New Light
The Syracuse songwriter released her music video “Rain” to back the single that debuted late last month.
The premise of “Rain,” is it’s usually a bad thing and you want to get away from it. But, the rain is purifying. It washes away. You step into the light and feel better than before.
Sydney Irving – On “Rain”
“Rain” marks a many first for Sydney. It is the first storyline video of her short career. “For Hanna, Emily and Justin, it’s a little love triangle kind of thing. We had to direct everything we wanted done.” Interestingly enough she remains out of the limelight, tastefully, hanging back with the band.
Rockstar On The Rise
Based on her websites bio, Irving drew from the likes of Taylor Swift, but her roots are much deeper. Infected with the classic rock bug. The Doors, Tom Petty, Ryan Adams and other greats influence her musicianship. Currently she is hooked on Raising Sand, a Plant/Krauss duo album that was ironically released October 23, when Irving was only four years old.
Why Sydney you ask? It’s her grasp on past and future music generations and bridging them together. Her sheer humbleness. It’s her retro take on the music industry, reeling us back to how things were done. She has a plan and she executes.
The 17-year-old is combining the above influence with modern hooks to develop a sound more fitting for her voice. Irving and her team have another single to release in November titled “What Have You Done.” All of which will be apart of a December EP release. “For the new record it’s an endavour into more rock and roll,” said Irving.
“Rain” is for sale on Irving’s website, on a 100-count limited edition, signed-CD run. It can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon music. Today it will be released alongside the video on major streaming platforms.
Hidden details amidst an over-exposed storyline hints at Irvings style. Her Ziggy Stardust alter-ego may be coming though with those lightning rod earrings. The Mojo, her band is refined, yet capable to unwind into a catchy rock bliss.
Sydney’s Standout Moments
Big standout moments are self fulfilling in their own right for Irving. When asked where she wanted be in a year or so down the line, Irving calmly had no shift from her current thought. She is grateful for the journey, happy to be balancing music and school, beyond humble and appreciative of her team behind her. “My management team, Grace Musicians Group, have helped me get to where I am today.” Irving seemingly stumbled upon Breedlove Guitars after her dad got her a second instrument
I’ve always love music, my dad will always have a record playing. I think the love came from a young age. I love the connection you can have with people and music. Theres been a couple times where I’ve been out playing and people say they came to the restaurant, or bar, just to see me.
Aside from high honor roll, Irving has been nominated for three SAMMY Awards and recently claimed the title of Young Adult Artist of the Year at the International Singer Songwriter Association Awards. She stood out last month against 1,300 talented nominations, in Atlanta, Ga.
Irving give Barns Courtney a run for his money on “You and I.”
If “Rain” doesn’t have you on the hook take it direct from the songwriter yourself: “I would say – come check it out, you might like it.”
Last Saturday was a special gathering in the midst of a strange year. Le Getaway was a sold-out, socially distanced event held by lespecial and Eggy which featured daytime activities, drum circles, basketball courts, ping-pong tables, and cabins that were rented for the night by attendees. It took place at Club Getaway, a beautiful lake resort nestled in between the mountains of Connecticut. Reminiscent of the good ol’ Catskill Chill days, there was a bonfire set and porch jams until the sun came up. It’s nice to know that a socially distanced live music event is possible if we can all be smart and responsible. If the right precautions are taken, it seems like we can get back to this live music thing soon.
So many activities.
This was a beautiful gathering, it was both much needed and very appreciated. But it was a bit chilly, so you know lespecial and Eggy had to bring the heat. Literally, Jon from lespecial had to turn up his personal heater it was so cold. Rory Dolan led a socially distanced drum circle early in the day, Luke joined in too.
Rory leads a socially distanced drum circle.
Eggy played a jam filled opening set, warming up the crowd as the sun went down. These guys are tight, I would not sleep on them. Soaring high on funky synth leads by Dani Battat and Jake Brownstein’s guitar shredding, Eggy proved to be an amazing opening act.
Eggy flying high.
lespecial then took the stage and opened up with “The Vessel.” Their set was everything you could every hope a lesepcial show to be: dark, bass heavy, and Primus-inspired goodness. Rory took a masterful drum solo. Mike Meyers even sat in on the Halloween Jam and Lee Ross sat in on the sax for a tune. There’s something spooky about this band that makes seeing them around Halloween feel so right. lespecial has a very unique, refusing sound that cuts through much of the jam band muck with many bands that sound similar. They stand out and stand behind their sound which definitely draws inspiration and honors Primus.
Rory’s drum solo.
After lespecial, the attendees with cabins were treated to a bonfire jam which featured, of course, a fire and music. Late night porch jams were held by the new “porch dwellers” with Escaper’s very own Will Hanza on mandolin. Nothing can substitute the space that live music creates.
lespecial put on a hell of a show.
This was exactly what we needed. Let us get back to this as soon as possible, in a safe and responsible way.
Can’t wait to be back.
lespecial at Le Getaway 10/17/20
The Vessel, Fruit Wolf Dance, Jackwise, Machine Elf, Harambe Zombie, Tommy the Cat (Primus cover) > The Awakening > Tommy The Cat, Onlookers, Sugaboi, Third Antler > Fourth Antler, Chocolate Chip Trip (Tool cover), Halloween Jam, Tonberry, Buggn>In the Air Tonight>Buggn
The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance will host the virtual “Notes 4 Votes” on Oct. 25 at 8:30 p.m. EST. The event will showcase jazz and classical music alongside global artists and speakers to support getting out to vote in the 2020 election. “Notes 4 Votes” will be emceed by multi-Grammy Award winner Arturo O’Farrill, journalist and critic Larry Blumenfeld, and Tracy Hyter-Suffern, Executive Director of The National Jazz Museum of Harlem. The Afro Latin Jazz Facebook Page will broadcast the event.
The “Notes 4 Votes” diverse performance list includes, Terence Blanchard, Vijay Iyer, Carla Bley, Dr. Cornel West, Oscar Hernandez, Simone Dinnerstein, Steve Swallow, Dr. Shana Redmond, Matt Shipp, The Villalobos Brothers, William Parker, Kikirikí Biquéy, Ayodele Casel, Akua Dixon, Jen Shyu, Ganavya Doraiswamy, Crystal Joseph, Tiffany Austin, Mimi Jones, Caridad “La Bruja” De La Luz, Luis Perdomo, and more.
Nothing, nothing, nothing is more important than getting your vote in and on time. Too many of us slept on this moment four years ago and we cannot afford to let the process for change given to us by our framers, go unused. Musicians from every genre and aesthetic are lining up to show us that we must likewise unite. Let nothing stand in the way of showing the nation and the world that we can take back our destiny as a people governed by sanity and the fair application of governance that is the basis of the social contract and the foundation of the American ‘experiment!’
Arturo O’Farrill
The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance is a nonprofit created by Arturo O’Farrill in 2007 to promote Afro Latin Jazz through performances and education programs. Their mission is to perform, educate, and preserve the music of the Americas, starting from African and indigenous roots with the entry point of jazz. The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance is committed to social justice, equity inclusion, and equality of all cultures worldwide.
