21 year-old pop artist Lexi Mariah has released her new single “SOURPATCH.” Mariah’s music represents emotions of ambition and enthusiasm that are filled with exhilarating sounds of pop.
Music has always been a big part of the pop artist’s life from playing the piano at seven years old to learning how to play ukulele, guitar, and bass all on her own. Ever since Mariah first performed on stage, she discovered her passion for music and began pursuing her music career. She’s been writing her own songs at eight years old and enjoys performing at local bars, and open mics.
Artists such as Cher Lloyd, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor, and Alessia Cara have inspired Mariah’s style. Her music incorporates pop elements but isn’t “afraid to be experimental” she says, looking to incorporate other genres into her music.
Her latest single “SOURPATCH” takes a powerful approach and communicates a different message from her previous singles. Mariah says that the song is about “the two different sides of someone’s personality, finding the fine line between the nice and the nasty side.” Her other songs such as “Strange” illustrate the pain and sorrow in losing someone, while “Oh Boy” conveys confidence and perseverance.
As for now, Lexi Mariah has been advocating for the Black Lives Matter Movement and is continuing to write her own songs while quarantining. She hopes to get back to the studio to record music and go on tour once the lockdown is over.
Lexi Mariah describes what she wants her music to represent:
I want a wide range of people of all ages to be able to listen to my music and enjoy it. I want to spread positivity and make uplifting bold empowering music.
The writing was on the wall, and if 1994 didn’t confirm it, 1995 certainly did. And on June 21-22, the Grateful Dead performed their final shows in the state of New York at the Knickerbocker Arena (The Knick) in Albany.
The Dead had performed over 300 shows in New York State alone since their first in 1967, but the last two in Albany would serve as a curtain call for a band that treated the state as a second home, musically speaking. After all the shows and runs at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Fillmore East, Paradise Garden, Capitol Theatre, Nassau Coliseum, Rich Stadium, the Carrier Dome and more, and these would be the finale, even if it was not announced as such.
via JerryGarcia.com
The June 21st show would offer up the final “Row Jimmy,” “Man Smart, Woman Smarter,” “Supplication Jam” and “Morning Dew,” and what a “Morning Dew” this was. Fans were in tears as the ballad played, one fan saying “all difficulties disappeared for a few precious moments and we were all treated to a beautiful, final rendtion from the boys.” Listen or watch the full show below and judge for yourself.
Grateful Dead – The Knick, Albany, NY – June 21, 1995
Set 1: Hell In A Bucket, Loser, Take Me To The River, Row Jimmy, Broken Arrow, Promised Land
Set 2: Scarlet Begonias-> Fire On The Mountain, Women Are Smarter, It’s All Too Much, Playin’ In The Band-> Drums-> Space-> Easy Answers-> Morning Dew
Encore: U.S. Blues
The next night would be the final show in Albany, at The Knick, and in New York State for that matter. The tour would head to Washington, D.C., Auburn Hills, MI, a few more stops in the Midwest before the final show at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL.
via JerryGarcia.com
This show features an incredible “Franklin’s Tower,” clocking in at 18 minutes, a near-record for its final version ever. The final “Help on the Way” and “Slipknot” preceded the set closing jam, as did an emotional “It Must Have Been the Roses.” Early in the second set, “Estimated Prophet” -> “Terrapin Station” combine for 30 minutes followed by 25 minutes of “Drums” and a “Silent Way” jam ahead in “Space.” Final versions of “All Along the Watchtower,” “Black Peter” show up later in the set, with an encore of “I Fought the Law” to close the run.
The Grateful Dead made their mark on the Empire State through nearly 30 years of performances, one that lasts in every corner of the state to this day. Revisit those final shows, 25 years later.
via gratefuldeadoftheday.com
Setlist June 22, 1995
Set 1: Touch Of Gray, Walkin’ Blues, It Must Have Been The Roses, When I Paint My Masterpiece, So Many Roads, The Music Never Stopped Help On The Way-> Slipknot!-> Franklin’s Tower
Set 2: Samba In The Rain, Estimated Prophet-> Terrapin Station-> Drums-> Silent Way Jam-> Space-> All Along The Watchtower-> Black Peter-> Around & Around
The next two moe.ron Mondays on Nugs TV will feature a pair of shows from the State Theatre in Portland, Maine, which will also conclude the weekly streaming series.
These two shows did not allow taping and served as record release shows for The Conch, one of moe.’s best-received albums, receiving 4/5 stars in Rolling Stone. The shows, seen for the first time, will offer a glimpse at a band 15 years into their career. Tune in at Nugs.TV
moe. Summer 2005 tour poster by Emek
Setlist, June 10, 2005 Timmy Tucker, It, Lost Along the Way, Happy Hour Hero, McBain -> George, Tailspin, The Pit, Recreational Chemistry, She, The Road, Brent Black Encore: Wind It Up, Blue Jeans Pizza, Crab Eyes
Poster by Marq Spusta
Setlist, June 11, 2005 Captain America, She, Wind It Up, The Road, The Pit, Kyle’s Song, 32 Things, Wake Up, St. Augustine, Head, George, Rebubula Encore: Plane Crash
Watch and enjoy “MacIntyre Range,” featured on The Conch and inspired by the Adirondack Mountain range of the same name.
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. Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm on 102.7 FM, you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music to discover from up and coming artists. NYS Music will bring you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.
No More Death Stars is an indie/punk band from Glens Falls. They are Kevin Cardinale, Gina DiNardo, Eric Rothstein, and Kevin Stephenson. However, singer Kevin C plays all the instruments on this song which he recorded over a 12 hour period while in quarantine. This video features friends who were asked to send in funny videos of themselves listening to the song and all the best clips were selected for the final product.
Jesse is from Schenectady and this represents another side of what he’s been doing. The song features Tim “The Witchdoctor” Brosnan from The 7th Squeeze and Stellar Young on drums, Colin Abele, former bassist of Black Mountain Symphony, on bass. It also showcases the vocal styling of Jesse’s old roommate’s dog, The Dude. And that Dude’s got some pipes.
At some point in our lives, we have all heard the classic hip hop refrain from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “Don’t push me ‘cause I’m close to the edge.” However, despite the funky bass line and infectious hook, “The Message” was written to give insight on the life of a young Grandmaster Melle Mel, who grew up in the Bronx during the ’60s and ‘70s, following the wake of the Civil Rights movement, an incredibly trying time for the impoverished black community. “The Message” has a place in history that is more than a reminder of the true roots of hip-hop, but rather a landmark of socially conscious rap. “The Message” was one of the first commercially successful rap songs providing heavy social commentary. At the time of its release, it stood out among other party tracks that were the hip-hop market at the time.
The intro delivered by Duke Bootee sets the scene, “It’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under.” Comparing life in the inner city Bronx to life in a literal jungle reiterates the hardships faced by the black community, struggling for survival and contemplating the will and self-determination that urge for survival takes. Then, on the verse is Melle Mel depicting the struggles of a poor black man who is on his last ounce of hope after repeating a cycle of despair desperate to escape.
Mel continues on the hook, “Don’t push me cause I’m close to the edge, I’m trying not to lose my head,” which encompasses the song’s central message: life in the inner city is hard and the stresses constantly build up. The hook almost sings as a warning to people unaware of the realities of street life, pleading people to not “push” you off the edge in a means to preserve your own mental sanity. Melle Mel’s verses continue to cover topics of poverty and homelessness due to mental illness with bars creating images of a “Crazy lady, livin’ in a bag eatin’ outta garbage pails” makes clear that Melle Mel was on the front lines of poverty in the 1970s. Mel also comments on the broken education system saying he “Got a bum education” and is under financial stress due to “double-digit inflation” which all feed into the power of the refrain.
Despite its release nearly 40 years ago, the song remains highly relevant in 2020’s social and political climate. The struggles detailed by Melle Mel are still issues faced by thousands who are stuck in the cycle of poverty perpetuated by systematic racism, un-equitable access, and crime. Many of the topics Mel rhymes about throughout “The Message” are the same themes present day artists such as Kendrick Lamar (AKA Cornrow Kenny) are bringing back to the focal point in the conscious hip hop movement.
There is an almost predictable reemergence of these themes of depression and poverty expressed by the black community brought to light by artists generationally. The consistency of lyrical themes present in the late 1970s mirroring those of present day billboard topping singles reiterates the notion that not much has changed. Black America is still trying to survive in the metaphorical jungle Bootee sang about.
Over the past ten years, we have seen artists such as Kendrick Lamar, as mentioned earlier, releasing songs in a similar vein to “The Message.” Most notably, his 2012 critically acclaimed, Good Kid M.A.A.D. City, concept album which followed the life of a young Kendrick throughout his upbringing in Compton, CA. Throughout the album’s track list, Kendrick raps about several similar themes such as his struggles with poverty, crime, and depression. Whether cited as an influence or not, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message” certainly paved the way for projects making social commentary accessible for the hip hop audience of today.
The next time you find yourself nodding your head to the beat of “The Message,” or saying “Don’t push me,” keep in mind the original focus of Grandmaster Flash and consider the blessing that music has the power to carry these messages through sound from generation to generation.
While the public celebrates Juneteenth in what is now the halfway point of a roller coaster year, it is important to note the true history behind why we celebrate. The day’s significance isn’t to recognize the end of slavery. Rather, June 19, 1865 is the day that federal orders for the emancipation of enslaved Africans were announced. Only, the declaration had been made official nearly two-and-a-half years prior.
With the holiday gaining traction throughout the country, and now a Federal holiday, in 2020 New York City mayor Bill DeBlasio announcing an executive order that recognizes “Juneteenth” as an official city and school holiday. People of African ancestry celebrate our forefathers, yet we remember their pain, endurance and suffering and do not take it for granted.
Black history is American history. Proud to announce that beginning next year, Juneteenth will be an official city and school holiday.
In the same vein, Hip Hop has served as a diary for Black struggle. With a 400-year head start to make up for, many rappers have recognized the need for unity, as well as establishing our own financial footprint in the United States (the same way other races have been allowed to).
So, here is a playlist of songs that motivates us to become the proprietors of our own destiny.
The Disco Biscuits announce “The Disco Biscuits Take You Out to the Ball Game” benefit concert. This will be a free live-stream concert at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, supporting PLUS1 For Black Lives Fund. The show will take place on the infield on Tuesday, June 23 at 7:45pm ET.
The concert is being put on by the Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank Park, and Live Nation in support of PLUS1 For Black Lives Fund. The show will donate 100% of donated proceeds to the PLUS1 For Black Lives Fund. Donations will be distributed to various organizations including Urban League of Philadelphia. All partners in the event recognized that the on-going struggle with racism and violence aimed at the Black Community in this country need to be fought against and that the many systemic injustices are the root of the issue.
The Disco Biscuits were in discussion with the Philadelphia Phillies to perform at Citizens Bank Park when the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis happened and decided that this was an issue they wanted support and decided to make their performance support PLUS1 For Black Lives Fund. Live Nation is providing financial funding, personnel, production support and other resources. Philadelphia Phillies are donating their field to the event as well as resources and personnel to the event. The Disco Biscuits will be wearing Phillies jerseys, have use of the Phanavision and other iconic stadium signage, and have an introduction from iconic public address announcer Dan Baker
People can watch the event live on the official YouTube & Facebook pages for The Disco Biscuits, Phillies and Live Nation, as well as on Live Nation’s Live From Home platform. To donate to PLUS1 for Black Lives website or text DISCO to 50155.
For more information visit The Disco Biscuits website.
Check out this stream and more through our series NY Stream and Support, where you’ll discover artists around the Empire State streaming nightly, and ways to support musicians and charitable groups close to home!
The 13th annual “Roots Picnic” will be joining , like many other concerts this summer, the virtual experience platform as an attempt to keep everyone as safe as possible while still connecting during COVID-19. The event will take place on June 27 at 8PM EST and will stream on The Roots’ youtube channel. The event will have musical acts along with speakers including Michelle Obama.
The Roots Picnic is partnered with Obama’s nonprofit, “When We All Vote” and will be helping people sign up to vote by texting viewers through a platform that targets unregistered voter. This event won’t replace the usual festival, which is still postponed, but will be additional content. Organizers of the festival urge people to, “Please stay tuned for more updates on the 2020 festival.”
The musical acts include H.E.R, Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, SZA, Kirk Franklin, Snoh Aalegra, D-Nice, Polo G, G Herbo, Musiq Soulchild, and Earth Gang. The Speakers include Michelle Obama, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, Tom Hanks, Liza Koshy, Chris Paul, Elaine Welteroth, Lin-Manual Miranda, Deon Cole, Coach K, Wallo267, and Ghetto Gastro.
RSVP to the event and for more information in the event visit the Roots Picnic website.
Capital One City Parks Foundation Summerstage is virtually celebrating the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, a day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The New York City concert series, now known as Summerstage Anywhere, is having a digital day of dance on Friday, June 19, with hourly tribute performances starting at 12:00 p.m. EST leading up to a panel discussion at 7:00 p.m. Originally planned to be held in-person, the Juneteenth event will be free and fully virtual on Summerstage’s Instagram and YouTube channels.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBiim-5npb4/
Performers include RudduR Dance, who will perform an excerpt of their three-part contemporary ballet “Witness” at 6:00 p.m. “Witness” intertwines art and activism to depict the past, present, and future of race in America. During his candidacy, current French president Emmanuel Macron visited a rehearsal. RudduR Dance was founded in 2015 by Guggenheim fellow Christopher Rudd.
At 7:00 p.m., Hope Boykin of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will host a panel discussion called “Reflecting the Times.” Boykin, an alumna of Howard University, is a three-time recipient of the American Dance Festival’s Young Tuition Scholarship. Following the panel, there will be a tribute performance of “Hanging Tree” featuring Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet (JGCO) Dance Theatre, vocalist Marcelle Davies-Lashley, and poet Carl Hancock Rux. For almost 25 years, JGCO has performed across the United States as well as internationally.
Observed annually on June 19, Juneteeth celebrates the end of slavery in Texas in 1865. Following the U.S. Civil War, Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation still had yet to be enforced in Texas until Union general George Granger issued an order in Galveston freeing the last remaining slaves in the Confederacy.
“As a Black woman in America, I am a direct beneficiary of the struggles and battles for justice and I stand on the shoulders of those who fought and continue to fight for my freedom,” said Danni Gee, Dance Curator and Music Programming Associate for SummerStage. “I am honored to be able to celebrate this important anniversary of Juneteenth in our country’s history on SummerStage Anywhere. I am proud to present this program even more so in light of current events and it is crucial to me that the communities we serve know that we stand with them.”
Upstate NY indie rock singer and guitarist Frank Palangi has released his EP “BRING ON THE FEAR.” The self-produced hard heavy Rock artist who can do anything and everything he sets his mind to has the type of personality that doesn’t give up; no matter what it takes. Palangi exhibits confidence, determined to pursue his passion for music. He fuels a refreshing positive outlook serving up a feeding frenzy of edgy heavy guitars, deep n gritty vocals.
After my 2017 “Set Me Free EP” I was doing a lot of shows/opening slots and getting into more of the recording side which lead me to a year and half experience with producing, mixing and writing the 4th installment. I progressed and learned so much through that time through books, videos and interviews about mixing and with upgraded my home studio equipment. The songs I always knew would be apart of the same CD double EP had to be similar but still new and exciting vs I Am Ready CD (2013). I teamed up with few of my favorites to work with from Lester Estelle (Kelly Clarkson) – Brian Craddock and Brandon Maclin from Daughtry for some studio work. I had self produced a single or two before but always working with producers and mixers on my main EP”s, this really made me step up and think about the whole process a lot more. This is more gritty and heavier than the “I AM Ready” release. No reason for it, just led me in that direction with the love of heavy rock. With my wide variety of influences, I did somethin more constant which may not be always the cause for the future.
