New England Musicians Relief Fund (NEMRF) announced its hopes to distribute $300,000 to musicians in need via a new fundraising drive. The funding would apply to any musician in New England and New York’s Upper Hudson Valley, facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The New England Musicians Relief Fund’s mission statement explains that the organization aims to foster long-term security for professional musicians throughout the New England area by providing financial assistance and critical resources as a safety net for musicians experiencing unexpected or catastrophic income loss. The partnership between New England Musicians Relief, Sweet Relief, and NEMRF was able to raise emergency relief funds for musicians in a campaign that ran from July 1, 2020-August 29, 2020 and raised over $20,000.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely hard on the live entertainment industry. The New England Musicians Relief Fund hopes to help lessen this financial strain musicians are experiencing, especially with money from the CARES Act, which has run out. Additional government support doesn’t seem likely, anytime soon.
“Without assistance, some musicians will leave the industry, which could devastate our once-vibrant New England arts scene. Helping musicians today is an investment in the quality of life we all hope to return to,” said Hazel Dean Davis, a horn player and one of the founders of NEMRF. “We created NEMRF to help musicians weather the COVID-19 shutdown, but even as we devote all our resources to this current crisis, we realize the need for a safety net will extend beyond the virus. Whether it is long term side effects from COVID, a car accident, a lost instrument, or another nationwide shutdown, the New England Musicians Relief Fund will be here to support musicians in crisis for years to come.”
While New England Musicians Relief’s Fund 501(c)(3) status is pending, all donations will be processed by the NEMRF, and will be tax deductible retroactively after the federal approval of their tax exempt status. If people would prefer their donation be deductible immediately, please donate through our fiscal sponsor, Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston. Money donated to A&BC with the button below will be earmarked for NEMRF. People interested in donating can do so here. Musicians interested in applying for a grant can apply here.
For more information visit New England Musicians Relief Fund’s website.
Marble Eyes announces their new weekly livestream series, ‘Marble Eyes Mondays.’ The streaming series will start on January 4, 2021 at 8 PM EST on Nugs.tv as well as the Nugs.net Facebook and YouTube pages.
A newly formed band during the pandemic era of music, Marble Eyes is a collection of national artists Eric Gould (bass, Pink Talking Fish), Adrian Tramontano (drums, Kung Fu), Mike Carter (guitar, The Indobox), and Max Chase (keys, Amulus). The band is based in Portsmouth, NH and has a soulful sound, hoping to bring joy to people across the country by creating brand new inspirational music and want to share this new music with people in this weekly series.
The band is teaming up with Nugs.net to present a livestream series which will take place every monday ergo the serieses name, “Marble Eyes Mondays,” Marble Eyes will perform a brand new concert every other Monday at 8PM ET. The performances will be hosted at The Press Room in Portsmouth NH. The concerts will be aired on Nugs.tv as well as the Nugs.net Facebook and YouTube pages. The series will be taking place every week through April of 2021.
With the pandemic looming over the music industry still, this will be a very different kind of winter for live entertainment. Just like most of 2020, most live performances are seeming unlikely for 2021. Because of this, Marble Eyes is giving music lovers an opportunity to get to know a new band during this time of livesteams via this series. There will be unique production added to the shows each month and, along with the existing collection of fresh material, the band will be introducing at least one song debut during each show.
For more information on the the series and the band visit their Facebook page.
Talking Heads will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards show on January 31, 2021. The award celebrates performers who have made outstanding contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording.
Forming in NYC in 1975, Talking Heads had an immense career, spanning 16 years and influencing countless bands in the rock and jam scenes, extending their reach well beyond their lifetime, among them Phish, Widespread Panic, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem and many more.
The accolade from the Recording Academy is particularly noteworthy, given that Talking Heads never received a Grammy Award. They were nominated twice – once in 1984 for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group for “Burning Down the House,” and again in 1988 for Best Concept Music Video, “Storytelling Giants.”
Those looking for Talking Heads to perform, pandemic aside, can recall the last official Talking Heads performance, which took place at the band’s 2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. It is unlikely this award will spark a reunion, one that Byrne has not been in favor of for many years (a lifetime even).
In addition to the 2021 Lifetime Achievement, Special Merit gramophones honorees include Tejano music legend Selena and female rap group Salt-N-Pepa, as well as Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, opera singer Marilyn Horne, and late jazz great Lionel Hampton.
The 2021 Grammy Awards are set to take place Sunday, January 31, 2021 with Trevor Noah of The Daily Show as host.
Revisit Talking Heads performance at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on August 5, 1983.
The group included founding members David Byrne (vocals, guitar), Chris Franz (Drums), Tina Weymouth (Bass), and Jerry Harrison (Keyboards) in addition to a number of added musicians who come and go when needed to supplement the bands theatrical performance. One of these musicians just happens to be magic keyboard man Bernie Worrell of ‘P-Funk’ fame. For those fans who love the 1984 concert film ‘Stop Making Sense’, this live recording makes a fitting addendum to that document, which also chronicles the 83 tour in support of the LP Speaking In Tongues.
The new stimulus deal approved by Congress will include $15 billion of aid for live venues, independent movie theaters and cultural institutions. The entire stimulus bill will include $900 billion in aid in its entirety including expanded coverage to the self employed, “gig” workers and others in nontraditional situations applying for unemployment. The Senate voted on December 21, 2020 and passed the stimulus bill as well. The stimulus deal will now just have to be sent to the President before finally officially passing.
The State Theater of Ithaca lit up in red during the “Red Alert” demonstration in support of Save Our Stages.
The stimulus bill has been in the works for a long time with the last aid package for American citizens and businesses being passed back in March. The CARES Act was a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 116th U.S. Congress and signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020 and served as a stimulus package. Since then there has been very little aid and with the end of the year quickly approaching this deal could serve as the much needed aid people and businesses need during these trying times.
The $15 billion in the deal being allocated for live venues, independent movie theaters and cultural institutions will make a huge impact on the entertainment industry. One of the big pushes behind this aid came from the Save Our Stages campaign and act put forward by the Nation Independent Venue Association. NIVA represents more than 3,000 independent venues and promoters in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The Save Our Stages became a bill and was cosponsored in the Senate by Amy Klobuchar (D-Mn.) and John Cornyn (R-Tx.).
The Town Ballroom located in Buffalo, NY posted on their Facebook page about Congress passing the stimulus bill saying, “HEY! We did it!! THANK YOU to everyone that wrote to congress and supported NIVA – National Independent Venue Association in trying to land the Save Our Stages act in the COVID-19 Relief Bill. Because of all your help, we were able to ensure that Venues and Employees will be supported through this economic crisis.Thank you to Senator Chuck SchumerRep. Brian Higgins Kristin Gillibrand for pushing this through. Thank you to everyone that has stayed patient with us these past very very long months. We will be back. Stay tuned!”
The Palace Theatre in Albany NY, displaying support for Save Our Stages.
Dayna Frank, Owner & CEO of First Avenue Productions and Board President of NIVA spoke on the new stimulus deal saying,“We’re thrilled that Congress has heard the call of shuttered independent venues across the country and provided us a crucial lifeline by including the Save Our Stages Act in the COVID-19 Relief Bill. We’re also incredibly grateful that this bill provides Pandemic Unemployment Assistance which will help the millions of people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own during this economic crisis. We urge swift passage of this legislation, which will assist those in the greatest need and ensure the music lives on for generations to come,” in a press release shared by NIVA.
The Capital Theatre located in Port Chester, NY chimed in on their Facebook page sharing the Forbesarticle on Congress passing the stimulus bill saying, “Congrats NIVA – National Independent Venue Association on this massive accomplishment! Congress has finally agreed on a new COVID-19 relief bill that includes $15 billion in funding for independent theaters and concert venues that have been shuttered due to the pandemic. Extraordinary team effort by everyone involved. #SaveOurStages”
According to Variety’s article there are several statistics which NIVA has put forward that show that 90% of the country’s independent venues will close within weeks without federal aid. It also states that musicians on average derive between 70% and 90% of their income from live performance which has been virtually nonexistent and impossible since mid-March apart from live-stream performances.
The Apollo Theater in Manhattan NY.
They also shed light on the fact that economic activity, particularly in small towns, is connected to concert venues as shown according to a Chicago study. Every dollar spent at a venue generates $12 in revenue for surrounding or connected businesses like restaurants for instance where people go out to eat before or after a show or stay the night in a local hotel.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement of the aid package saying, “I’m especially pleased this this bill will provide money for bars and restaurants, and $15 billion in SPA grants for theater operators and small venue operators through the Save Our Stages Act. These venues are so important to my state and so many other states across the country. They are the lifeblood of our communities. They were the first to close and will be the last to open. This bill gives them a fighting chance.”
The Times Union Center in Albany, NY.
One of the other interesting parts of this stimulus package is in the expanded coverage to the self employed, “gig” workers and others in nontraditional situations applying for unemployment which will now allow musicians and independent managers, promotors, sound technicians, and etcetera in particular to apply for unemployment. There will also be an additional $300 per week for some unemployment recipients.
For more information on What’s Included In The $900 Billion Stimulus Deal read the HuffPostarticle.
Otto Botté dropped his “Humbara” music video on December 14, 2020. The song is a nod to the New York City based artist’s Colombian roots.
Botté is known for being 1/3 of the sample-based electronic group Pool Cosby, who just released their second album, Day Breaks. He has also worked with an array of superstar musicians. He did the mastering on the Robin Schulz remix of “Waves” by Mr. Probz ended up landing him a Grammy nomination back in 2015 for Best Remixed Recording – Non-Classical. He has worked with names Enrique Iglesias, Trey Songz, Fedez, Club Dogo in his and has mastered work that adds up to over 8 million in sales.
The single “Humbara” dropped originally back on November 20, 2020. The song has a unique and genre-bending sound that sees a fusion of worlds and cultures and creates one irresistible dance track out of them. It really deep dives into the culture-rich sounds of Botté’s Colombian roots while creating a laidback electro-synth melody. It uses traditional Colombian instrumentation, from the thumping conga drums to the dance-inducing wooden flutes and maracas.
The track recently surpassed 18,000 streams and has received support from big names like NPR Music’s World Cafe, Kick Kick Snare, and radio play on LA’s LatinAlt HD3. The music video brings even more energy and support to the up and coming track with names like Pablo Morelo directing it.
“Humbara was the first song I created as a solo producer about 4 years ago. I was single then, and the only thing I felt I could confidently write about was my relationship with God, so I wrote a song to him.”Otto Botté shares about his inspiration behind the track, “Last year, I fell in love with someone, and the more I heard this song, the more I felt God’s love in my relationship and how it constantly felt like He was singing this song back to me. It’s been a beautiful experience connecting with God these past few years, and at the time with her through this song. The experience itself always felt as if our relationship (mine with hers and God) was manifested through the melodies and grooves in this song. It symbolizes how there can be a spiritual connection between two people and God.”
The video features only Botté singing and dancing in different scenic natural areas. There are a few shots of animals and beautiful views but manley is simplistic in the best way possible focusing on the music and Botté. Check out the full video here.
For more information on Otto Botté visit his website here.
Under the financial stress of the pandemic, the New York Philharmonic musicians have agreed to a four-year contract with 25% salary cuts until August 2023.
From nyphil.org
Although pay will increase from 2023 to 2024, the wage cuts total more than $20 million, and musicians will still be paid less than at the start of the pandemic when the contract ends. Deborah Borda, Chief Executive and President of the orchestra, honestly stated that the cuts were “necessary.” The pandemic will keep the Philharmonic closed for at least 15 months, causing at least $31 million in losses.
Musicians have had wage cuts since May, but this contract is the most substantial. However, musicians at the New York Philharmonic have been understanding. The head of the player’s negotiating committee, Colin Williams, said “in recognition of the challenges of this time, we have done our part to help preserve the institution by forgoing more than $20 million of our wages.”
Photo by Chris lee from nyphil.org
In venues like the Metropolitan Opera, where 30% pay cuts have been requested, not all workers are willing to deal with such financial losses. The Met’s management planned to lock out workers who had not agreed to the proposed cuts. The employees of the opera have been without pay since April and will not be paid until the cuts are accepted. After the venue begins to recover financially, the cuts will be reduced to 15%. At the Philharmonic, cuts will drop to 10%.
The Philharmonic has cancelled all planned shows up until June 2021. This is only a portion of NYC’s live art impacted by the pandemic. All Broadway theaters are closed until May 2021 at least, making this the longest time Broadway has been dark, ever.
The contract, which ends in 2024, makes the lasting impact of this pandemic even more visible to the art and music community. Despite live venues’ plan to open sometime this upcoming year, it is clear that the financial road to recovery will be slow.
The GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance launches its Save Your Roots campaign and live-stream benefit at the State Theater in Ithaca, NY on December 19, at 7 PM EST. The campaign hopes to raise $100,000 to prepare for the 2021 festival season.
Like almost all festivals around the world this year the GrassRoots Festivals were forced to cancel their annual festivals due to COVID-19. The GrassRoots Festival started back in 1991 and sought to inspire positive change in communities through the communal celebration of world music, art and dance. It all started as a sold out, one night, benefit to raise money for the fight against AIDS at the historic State Theatre in Ithaca, NY. It has since evolved into three, separate annual four-day -vents in Trumansburg, NY, Shakori Hills, NC and Miami, FL.
The GrassRoots Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. They, unlike some larger festivals, don’t have large pools of corporate sponsors. One of the reasons GrassRoots strays away from large corporate sponsors, is they want to keep their festival an authentic experience for participants and free from the boundaries of corporate influence. Though, the festival’s livelihood is in danger due to the lack of income in the 2020 year due to COVID-19. Their solution to trying to help the festival survive and thrive is by launching the Save Our Roots campaign.
The campaign has a goal of raising $100,000 that will culminate with a special live streamed event from the State Theatre in Ithaca, NY on December 19, 2020 at 7 PM EST.
Each donation or ticket purchased through the campaign will help ensure that the GrassRoots Festival Organization stays afloat. Currently the campaign is 61% funded with $61,421 and 17 days remaining to donate. So far, 375 people have donated to the cause.
People who donate $50 will receive a custom GrassRoots Festival T-shirt. One hundred dollar donations will receive their name on a GrassRoots Festival commemorative tree. Those who donate $1,000 will receive ten, four-day passes to any grassroots festival of their choice. People who donate $2,000 will receive ten, four-day passes to any grassroots festival of their choice plus two all access dream team lanyards. People can also donate a custom amount. Donations can be made here.
The live-stream benefit is being hosted by Yes Darling (Ryan Montbleau & Hayley Jane) and features live performances by the GrassRoots All-Stars, Jeb & Tara of Donna the Buffalo, Driftwood, Richie & Rosie and appearances from Jim Lauderdale, Preston & Keith Frank, Keith Secola, Dirk Powell, Cortadito, Fabi World Music & more. The live-stream has a suggested donation of $10. Tickets can be bought here.
For more information of on the GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance and its Save Your Roots campaign and live-stream benefit visit their website.
Americana quartet We Banjo 3 are back at it again with a festive holiday livestream on Friday, December 18. Dubbed “A Winter Wonderful,” the evening will feature a special WB3 performance, plus musical sets by Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Skerryvore, The Whileaways, BackWest & Ajeet and more.
Debuting in the U.S. in 2012, Ireland’s We Banjo 3 have since fine tuned their knack for seamlessly converging shared and varied traditions of Americana, Bluegrass, and Celtic music. With a pop-sensible song-craft to create a truly unique and gratifying signature sound.
The Galway and Nashville-based quartet, comprised of two sets of brothers, Enda & Fergal Scahill and Martin & David Howley, continually push musical boundaries while maintaining an un-wavering devotion to the essential audience experience.
In lieu of a regular touring schedule this year, WB3 has found alternatives to physically taking the stage during the shutdown. Connecting with fans through various online performances, fan Q&A’s, live interviews, poetry and book excerpt readings, general banter about topics of interest, and more, WB3 has taken a personalized approach to creating fan experiences.
The one night only livestream from We Banjo 3 is $20, with limited edition merch bundles available. Click here to purchase tickets and for additional info.
Bronx rapper, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, was arrested in Bergen County, NJ Monday, Dec. 7th following his 25th birthday celebration. A Boogie is currently facing an array of gun and possession charges.
Born Artist J. Dubose, A Boogie was arrested following a search warrant issued at his residence in Demarest, NJ where police seized four illegally owned handguns. The rapper’s security guard, Quashan Hagler, and his manager, Samblou Camara, were also arrested on possession of illegally owned firearm charges. Police also found an assortment of cannabis and drug paraphernalia which were added to the charges A Boogie is currently facing, according to prosecutors.
The search warrant was issued following a brawl that took place outside of a nightclub where A Boogie was celebrating his 25th birthday. Details are scarce, but witnesses report the fight escalating to a shootout. At this point, A Boogie’s involvement at this point is unsure, however, the investigation continues according to the police.
The events that transpired over the weekend take place during a year where we have lost countless rappers to street violence, most notably, Grammy-nominated Brooklyn artist Pop Smoke who was shot and killed following a home invasion in LA this past February.
More information about the shooting should be rolling out soon however, at this point there’s no indication that A Boogie was injured nor is it clear the group was directly involved in the shooting.
Flushing Town Hall announces their showcasing of Kunqu Opera on December 12, 2020 at 8PM EST. The event will take place via live-stream on Zoom or YouTube.
The Kunqu Opera showcase is titled Kunqu in America: Memories of Chung-ho Chang Frankel. The showcase at Flushing Town Hall will illustrate how Kunqu opera, the oldest extant version of Chinese theater, took root in the United States by featuring memories of Ms. Chung-ho Chang, one of the most influential Kunqu practitioners throughout the country. The program will be presented bilingually, both in English and Mandarin, and will be told through videos, pictures, and interviews.
Ms. Chung-ho Chang is known for being one of the “last female literary talents from China’s Republic Era” particularly after the passing of Madame Chiang Kai-Shek. She was born in Shanghai to a big and prestigious family in 1913 and became a well-known poet, calligrapher, and Kunqu opera singer. She was active in the arts and cultural scene along with her three sisters during the first part of the 20th century. She then moved to the United States in 1949 with her husband, Hans Frankel, a sinologist who later taught at Yale University and who she met while studying at Peking University.
She is known for having planted the seed of the Kunqu opera while also nurturing the art community while she lived in California and Connecticut. She did this by holding Kunqu gatherings in her home, bringing students, actors, musicians, and scholars together to practice Kunqu singing and movements. For decades, she traveled from university to university to promote and demonstrate the art form. In 2001, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) proclaimed Kunqu a masterpiece of “the oral and intangible heritage of humanity”. Today, there is a thriving Kunqu opera community throughout the United States in which Ms. Chung-ho Chang is greatly involved in.
The Flushing Town Hall virtual event will feature anecdotes of Ms. Chang collected exclusively by the Kunqu Society from interviews with Ms. Chang’s family members, students, and friends, will showcase several elaborate costumes and musical instruments that were handmade by her and will collectively showcase Kunqu Opera.
Following the program, there will also be a live Q&A featuring guests who appeared in the stories. People interested in attending must RSVP in advance to receive a link to watch the event on Zoom or YouTube. To RSVP or to learn more about the program, visit The Flushing Town Hall’s website.
