“Time To Drive-In” will offer fans the opportunity to safely enjoy a true live music event while following social distancing guidelines. A car pass provides a parking space for a standard passenger vehicle and entry for a maximum of four people per vehicle. Concertgoers will be able to enjoy two full sets, each night, with full concert production, in a socially distant manner.
Fingerlakes Drive-In is a classic drive-in that opened on July 15, 1947, and is the oldest operating Drive-In theatre in New York State. Tickets are now on sale at through Creative Concerts.
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.
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.
Taylor Swift announced her new album, Folklore, to be released at midnight on July 24. This comes as a surprise to virtually everyone: no one, including her fanbase (the Swifties) who are known for their outlandish conspiracy theories, expected the move, and nothing leaked ahead of time. Folklore is arriving less than a year after Taylor Swift’s last album Lover, breaking her schedule of releasing an album every two to three years.
Surprise 🤗 Tonight at midnight I’ll be releasing my 8th studio album, folklore; an entire brand new album of songs I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into. Pre-order at https://t.co/zSHpnhUlLbpic.twitter.com/4ZVGy4l23b
Although her last three efforts have been fully pop, Folklore appears to be taking a more acoustic direction. Whereas Lover’s color scheme was pastel pink and blue with fantastical Wonka-esque music videos, all of Folklore’s visuals are black-and-white. The album’s only featured artist is Bon Iver on the song “Exile,” and Aaron Dessner of The National co-wrote 11 out of 16 songs.
Taylor Swift previously explored a stripped-back folk sound on “Safe and Sound,” her single with The Civil Wars for the first Hunger Games soundtrack in 2012, as well as on her album Red released later that year. Fans have begged for a Stevie Nicks or Joni Mitchell-inspired album for years, and they may have finally gotten their wish. While not a New York native, Taylor Swift moved to the city before the release of 1989 in 2014. That album’s opening song was “Welcome To New York,” and she revisited the city on Lover’s “Cornelia Street” and “Daylight.”
While Folklore hasn’t had an accompanying lead single announcement, Taylor Swift is releasing a music video for the song “Cardigan” alongside the album. There are eight collectible CD and vinyl covers in total, reminiscent of the four different diaries she released alongside Lover last year.
The music video for “cardigan” will premiere tonight, which I wrote/directed. A million thank you’s to my brilliant, bad ass video team – Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, producer Jil Hardin, executive producer Rebecca Skinner, AD Joe ‘Oz’ Osbourne pic.twitter.com/2hNXnzFbwY
Taylor Swifts’s last six albums, including Red and 1989, all debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. This time around, she’s facing competition from longtime rival Kanye West, who’s also releasing an album this week called Donda: With Child. Folklore has already sold 250,000 copies in China, and time will tell if she continues her #1 streak in the U.S.
For more information visit Taylor Swift’s website.
Falling Water have release “When Will We Be Saved,” their first single since 2014. Led by Long Islander Mark Rechler, the rock band wrote and recorded the song from a distance while in quarantine. The lyrics are about navigating chaos, specifically through the current pandemic, and dealing with feelings of anxiety and loneliness.
Clocking in at nearly four and a half minutes, “When Will We Be Saved” is an anthemic power ballad. Despite its conception in quarantine, it sounds engineered for lighter-waving at a physical concert. Its backup singers, busy instrumentation, and dramatic lyrics also evoke a number from a rock opera. While the song has a lot going on, its standout is the piano, which has a solo at the halfway point. The song’s lyrics begin rather pessimistic, but the band ultimately comes to terms with the new circumstances. “Now the angel of death, well she’s having a feast / changes are forced by this ominous beast” becomes “I’m gonna kick back and let it all go” in the outro.
“‘When Will We Be Saved’ is a true quarantine song,” said singer-songwriter and pianist Mark Rechler in a press release. “My whole life is trying to keep up with my to-do list, get stuff done, complete tasks. I have often said out loud, ‘If we could only get a time out for a month to catch up on all these projects, everything would be fine.’ Well, like a bad Twilight Zone, that gift was granted. During the first two months of quarantine, I found myself riddled with anxiety, exhaustion, and much fear […] ‘When Will We Be Saved’ is more about isolation and finding your best self in that quiet, lonely world.”
50% of the song’s profits will go to the PLUS1 COVID-19 Relief Fund. PLUS1 works with nonprofits such as Sweet Relief, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, World Central Kitchen, Partners In Health, and Trans Lifeline to support vulnerable communities. So far, the band has achieved over $8,500 of their $10,000 goal. Other artists who have partnered with PLUS1 include Arcade Fire, The National, St. Vincent, and CHVRCHES.
Falling Water plans to release their next full-length album in 2020. Stream “When Will We Be Saved” here:
If you are in or near Putnam County this weekend and are looking to get rocked, you are in luck. Almost Queen will perform at Tilly Foster Farm in Brewster, ready to bring an authentic Queen experience to Downstate NY.
Fronted by Joe Russo (no, not that one) Almost Queen is the most authentic Queen live show since the days of Queen themselves. A deliberate four piece band, Almost Queen delivers a live performance showcasing signature four part harmonies and intricate musical interludes. Donning genuine costumes, they recaptures the live energy and precision that is the ultimate Queen experience.
Doors open at Tilly Foster Farm at 6pm on Saturday, July 25 for the 8pm show. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines at the venue. Get tickets here.
Endicott Performing Arts Center will share a live production of the iconic Broadway musical and film, The Music Man, July 24th – 26th. Family entertainment at its best, The Music Man centers on River City, where a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian.
Through EPAC digital, a new online platform, the Southern Tier venue will continue its mission of bringing high quality performing arts to a broad community at an affordable price. With EPAC digital, productions from EPAC Repertory Theater Company, both old and new, will be available for purchase, including Tempest 3000 and Songs for a New World.
This virtual concert version of “The Music Man” will be available on EPAC Digital Friday, July 24th at 8pm, Saturday, July 25th at 8pm, and Sunday July 26th at 3pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
Originally written for Broadway by Meredith Willson, the EPAC production of the six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man is directed by Connor Gates, with musical direction by Paula Bacorn and choreography by Kate Fabrizio. The local cast of performers features Matt Gaska as Professor Harold Hill and Jana Kucera as Marian the Librarian.
Wu Tang Clan have long been innovators within hip hop culture, whether it came from their music, style, or their lingo. Before the masses draped themselves in popular streetwear like Supreme, V-Lone and Bape, Wu Wear occupied that space within the streetwear community. Always the trendsetters, this was the first of many clothing lines by rappers. Its impact was worldwide, as each article of clothing was designed to showcase the most iconic logo in the history of hip-hop, the infamous Wu Tang Clan “W” which combined their love of kung fu and hip-hop.
A unisex clothing line, Wu Wear offered a variety of fleece jackets, long sleeve t-shirts with graphics, crew necks along with sweatshirts — all of which donned the iconic logo. While RZA is regarded as the group’s de-facto leader, the idea for Wu Wear stemmed from Oliver “Power” Grant, a close associate of the groups who has executive produced every Wu-Tang Clan album.
In 2008, they faced a counterfeiting scandal, hurting the brand’s credibility. Consumers were under the assumption that they were getting ripped off with fake clothes that they were paying a lot of money for. The brand has since bounced back and has made a relaunch to their website. Partnering up with the likes of Nike, ALIFE and other popular clothing brands.
To recognize the brand’s cultural significance, RZA recorded a song titled “Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance.” which was included on the High School High soundtrack, as well as RZA’s greatest hit album. The record also features Wu tang affiliate Cappadonna and Method Man.
Method Man’s laid back and rhythmic hook (along with his charisma and style) gave the record much needed flavor that balanced RZA’s scientific flow and lyricism.
“Ain’t what you want baby
It’s what you need baby
Ain’t what you want baby
It’s what you neeeeeeeed”
Setting a calm and relaxed tone (which was needed) before RZA began his verse. The famed producer begins the record with a breakdown of what makes Wu garments unique, and why it had been deemed a renaissance for streetwear.
“Yo, diamond crystal rings sharp like icicles, nickel plated pistols
official Wu-Wear covers my physical”
RZA begins his verse describing the jewelry and diamonds that cover his body, concluding with Wu Wear as a way of associating the clothing brand with the valuable jewelry he dons.
“You can detect the true and living God from the score
Keep your sword straight, maintain your weight
But he ate too much monosodiumglutumate, and polysorbate
and drug rate concentrate, with sodium benzoate
By the chicken thighs and tryglycerides
And this bitch advertised her breast size
Eighty-five didn’t realize, til the truth opened up his eyes”
He begins to breakdown all the things that is poisonous to body and wellbeing of his body and of others. He is also referencing the “five percent” teachings when he speaks on searching for the God within. The five percenters focus on how the Black man is the original man and how they are Gods on the earth. That’s why it’s important to keep and maintain your health from many of the substances in this society that destroy your mental and body, which RZA references while also discussing his recent wealth. He refers to is as “chicken” that fattens his thighs which in tun, leads women to show their “breast size,” a clever play on words. He finished the bar off by letting the masses know that he was once one of the 85% until he searched for his own truth.
“Then he became highly civilized,
and spent time amongst the wise,
went through a garment renaissance
and stopped wearing Benetton, Tommy Hill, Perry Ellis, Nautica,
or Liz Claiborne, Ocean Pacific, Fila, Bill Blass and leave fitted
Quit the Armani sweaters with the Gucci wool knitted
Mecca, Pelly Pell, 88, North Q, Bear and a few others
For the new year, strictly Wu-Wear
Once he opened up his mind, he spent time with wiser men and gained a greater understanding of his purpose. His garment renaissance came when he stopped wearing name-brands clothing and focused his efforts on the success of Wu-Wear and other Black owned clothing brands. With the renaissance signifying
While the theme remained the same, Cappadonna’s verse was much more straight-forward, relying less on philosophical references.
“The Century 21 son, the new portfolio dunn
Now it’s my time, Asian Wu-Wear, Cap and fleece wear
One wear plaids the Don will hold the best for all wear
plus blue wear, Wu-Wear, what’s going on
We’re the best of this year, Wu-Wear and fleece wear”
While RZA focused on the meaning behind his beliefs, Cappadonna spent more time detailing his exploits as a well-dressed man, aligning Wu Wear with other recognized name-brands.
“Just hold your own baby
and just rock on baby
I got this wine on my mind
feelin fine darlin
Now all you see baby
ain’t what you need baby
I wanna know just how low it goes
Official nasty asses, straight shots in dirty glasses
Wu-Wear fleece for you and your stinkin piece
Hard time and killer tactics”
Known for having more crossover appeal, Method Man took a took a different approach to his verse. Unlike the others, he demonstrated how the allure of the clothing line can be used to allure women, a major point of contention for most men.
The record sampled The Soul Children and their 1972 single “Don’t Take My Kindness For Weakness,” spending 17 weeks on Billboard charts and peaking at number 20. While it served as great promotion for the clothing line, it also showcased the diversity that made Wu Tang Clan so iconic. There’s knowledge-of-self and wisdom from RZA, “fly talk” from Cappadonna, and the smooth slickness of Method Man.
Wu-Tang having their own clothing line and iconic logo has been ingrained in the fabric of hip-hop since the brand came out. They were innovators taking their interests and creativity outside of music and making it into a business to profit off of other than just recording music. You can say this was the model for artists such as Notorious B.I.G and Bad Boys records, Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella records, rapper Camron and his Dip Set clothing line and Kanye West with his Yeezy brand.
Companies have also used rappers to promote their companies clothing lines such as the rap group Clipse with Bape and the late Tupac Shakur with Versace. All of this can be traced bac to the Clan and their influence on the culture.
Brooklyn based Moon Hooch will team up with “brasshouse” Too Many Zooz on Saturday, July 25 for two live streamed shows dubbed ‘Moon Zooz’. The virtual concerts are three hours long and will start at 3 PM ET, running back to back.
This is not the first time that these former subway players have joined ranks to bring their unique sound of jazz, edm and rock to the masses. During the spring of 2019 the two trios successfully co headlined a tour across New England.
Both bands got their start busking in the New York City subway platforms where they gained notoriety for the dance parties that would form. Too Many Zooz consists of saxophonist Leo Pellegrino, trumpeter Matt Muirhead and drummer David Parks. Moon Hooch is saxophonists Wenzl McGowen and Mike Wilbur and drummer James Muschler.
From viral videos in the subway to the studio, both have gone on to deliver new sound that is meant to make you move. Too Many Zooz released their debut album Subway Gawdz in 2016 and most recently released a music video for the track “Car Alarm” that received more thank 2.5 million views. Moon Hooch has respectively dropped a total of four studio albums including this year’s self-released Life on Other Planets, along with numerous EPs.
To RSVP to either the early or late showing click here.
Spoor’s song “City Angels,” promotes a feel good attitude, during a time that many of us are struggling emotionally because of the pandemic.
“The idea I had was that during this time of isolation and separation, I thought we could use more joy,” Spoor said.
Growing up in Denver, the young musician is now based out of Brooklyn. She has played at several famous music venues like, Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook and Rockwood Music Hall.
Spoor completed her first national tour last fall through playing small performances in unique locations with the well known music events start-up, Sofar Sounds.
Spoor’s website describes her as an “old soul,” who possesses similar sounds to Joni Mitchell. That part of her personality comes out in the music video where she created a collage of pictures and video clips sent to her by friends and family. The collage promotes memories and a cheerful outlook on life in the city.
According to her Youtube page, Spoor wrote “City Angels,” after experiencing a lonely day in NYC. Her mood changed after running into a few, “New York characters.”
“All these very human moments made me feel like I might belong after all. So, this video is dedicated to them- the city angels that make us feel like we’re home in this exciting, scary, beautiful place called New York,” Spoor wrote.
Hallie Spoor asked her friends and family to send her nostalgic pictures and video clips.
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.
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.
