NYS Music 202​0

Category: News

  • Watch the trailer for the Frank Zappa documentary “Zappa”

    The first ever documentary on the legendary Frank Zappa will be released in North America on all video-on-demand platforms on Friday, November 27. The crowd-funded project is a deep dive into Zappa’s life and music. Watch the highly anticipated trailer, below.

    The film synopsis, courtesy of Magnolia Pictures, notes that there has not yet been a film about the life and times of maverick musician Frank Zappa. Director Alex Winter (Bill from the Bill and Ted trilogy) and his team have crafted the film. The documentary includes over 1,000 hours of mostly unseen material from Frank Zappa’s personal vault. Zappa is an expansive and intimate portrait of the extraordinary artist. Fully engaged with the turbulent politics of his day, Zappa is poignant to the current political climate.

    Early reviews are quite positive, with Peter Keough of The Boston Globe saying “Zappa will immerse you in the mind of a genius, and you may never be the same again,” and David Fricke calling Zappa “Vital, compelling, and rip-roaring entertainment!”

    zappa documentary

    Winter is a talented filmmaker, which includes: Downloaded, Deep Web, The Panama Papers and Showbiz Kids. This definitive documentary is the first to have approval and cooperation of the Zappa estate. Fans will get an exclusive look. The life of an innovative artist and musician is viewed through unfettered access into the Zappa family trust.

    An impressive score combines Frank’s well known songs and his later classical compositions. Zappa’s life is comprehensively chronicled. The film also looks at areas where Zappa left a lasting mark, including his political involvement as an advocate against music censorship that led him to Congress.

    Watch Frank Zappa in Congress

    Zappa includes appearances by Frank’s widow Gail Zappa, and a number of musicians who collaborated with Frank throughout his career. Among them are Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White and many more. The film premiered this year at the Camden and Montclair Film Festivals.

  • NYIVA Releases Data on the Dire State of Independent Live Venues in New York

    NYIVA, also known as the New York Independent Venue Association, released data on the dire state of independent live venues throughout New York due to COVID-19. The information was released on October 25, 2020 and includes how many respondents, the amount of months before business will be forced to close permanently, the monthly relief needed, and the amount of debt accrued by them already. 

    The information is based on responses from NYIVA’s members comprising a majority of the music and comedy venues within the state. Currently, independent venues across New York State have accrued and estimated $105 million in debt at a rate of $15 million per month. Of the 68 respondents (representing approximately 1/3 of the industry), more than half have stated they will close for good within the next 90 days, even with the state’s eviction moratorium in place due to the pandemic. 

    Three of the 68 respondents say they will be forced to close in less than a month. One says they will be forced to close in a month. 18 say they will be forced to close within two months. 15 will be forced to close within three months. Six will be forced to close within four months. The respondents would need $5,155,015 monthly to stay afloat. They are currently in $20,073,835 of debt due to the pandemic. 

    NYIVA’s co-chair Jen Lyon explains the difficulties businesses will having trying to come back with the amount of debt they have accrued saying, “Paying this back, even without interest, will eat into most if not all of our members’ businesses profits for the next five years — and that’s if they aren’t forced by the weight of their debt to fold before that. New York stands on the precipice of losing the critical cultural and economic institutions that make up our vibrant live performance communities as well as significant tourism revenue for the state. This is not sustainable. We need help now.”

     New York state has received $5 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) from March 30 till now. Currently New York independent venues are looking for a mere 1.5% ($75 million) of the state CRF allocation to save New York’s music and comedy clubs in order to stay afloat until a national aid package is passed. Independent venues haven’t received nearly as much aid as they need to stay afloat. Hopefully the CARES act with the addition of Save Our Stages will be passed soon and help protect independent venues from shutting down.

    For more information on the survey details visit NYIVA’s website.

  • The Syracuse Area Music Awards Announces Dates and Criteria for 2021

    The Syracuse Area Music Awards announces dates and criteria for their 2021 award show. The Syracuse Area Music Awards  or more commonly known as the Sammys will be taking place on March 5th and will stream free on their website here. The awards show ceremony will stream live from SubCat Studios and will include musical performances by area artists and bands.

    The Sammys was first held back at the Landmark Theater in 1993. The Sammys award show has become the number one local music award event in the Central New York Area over the years. SubCat Studios was founded back in 2001 as a DIY project studio in Skaneateles, NY. It now resides in Armory Square in Syracuse, NY and is owned by Ron Keck who has been working with digital recording since 1989. Today the studio is known for it’s high-quality studio recording, remote recording, audio mixing and mastering.

    There will be a number of awards that will  be presented this year. There will be 12 recording categories, there will be 4 People’s Choice awards categories, the Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist, the Jack O. Bocchino Spirit of the Sammys Award, and the Community Spirit Award. 

    Submission rules will be a little different this year starting with all artist recorded submissions be accepted online only. Recorded submissions will begin December 1, 2020. Furthermore each artist must select one category they wish to be judged in and their recorded work can only consist of commercially released albums or EPs, released between January 1 – December 31, 2020 by artists in the Syracuse area are eligible. All entries must be available on Apple Music, Spotify or Tidal. No physical recordings will be accepted. Categories subject to change at the discretion of the judges. Entry form will be available here and must be submitted by January 6, 2021.

    There are a lot of supporting sponsors of the awards show for 2021. The sponsored include: The Rebel Rocks, Bridge Street, SubCat Music Studios, CNY Alive!, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, KMASE Productions, Joshua Johnson Design, Skinner & Associates Realty, American Vintage Productions, NYS Music, News Channel 9, 95X, 93Q, and 92.1 The WOLF,  and 315 Music.

    For more information visit the Syracuse Area Music Awards website.

  • Cher, John Legend and More Set to Perform in the Biden-Harris Campaign Virtual Concert ‘I Will Vote’

    Virtual campaign concerts have been a rising trend with Presidential Nominee Joe Biden. His campaign team put together, yet another, concert series with a prominent lineup including Cher, John Legend and The Black Eyed Peas, scheduled for Oct. 25.

    July 31, 2019 – Detroit, Michigan, U.S. – JOE BIDEN and KAMALA HARRIS pose for the photo spray during a commercial break at the second of two Democratic Debates in Detroit hosted by CNN and sanctioned by the DNC.(Credit Image: © Brian Cahn/ZUMA Wire)

    The ‘I Will Vote Concert‘ is an attempt to raise money for Biden’s campaign in the last waning days before the election. Tickets for the Biden campaign concert start at $25 and increase to $1000.

    Just last month, ‘Team Joe Sings‘ popped off with artists like Kesha, Ben Gibbard and Misterwives. Every Thursday up until the election, a group of musicians perform songs virtually to raise money for his campaign. The series has produced over 15 videos, each of a different artist featuring their music.

    Musical entertainment has always been used as a way to promote, whether it be for an ad or a movie. In this case, Biden is not only raising money for his shot in the White House, but also may increase his chances of getting more votes with well-known artists showing their support.

    The lineup: A$AP Ferg, Sara Bareilles, Aloe Blacc, Black Eyed Peas and Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi, Ciara, Darren Criss, Jermaine Dupri, NE-YO, Johnta Austin and Friends, Foo Fighters, Macy Gray, Dave Matthews, P!nk, Ben Platt, Cher, John Legend and The Black Eyed Peas.

    Also Scheduled: La La Anthony, Margaret Cho, Jaime Camil, Dave Grohl, Armie Hammer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Helen Mirren, Maren Morris, Billy Porter, Amy Schumer, will.i.am, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness.

    Make sure to tune in 8:00 p.m. EDT/ 5:00 p.m. PDT on Sunday. Tickets are on sale now.

  • Independent Venue Week Launches Weeklong Fundraiser for NIVA Emergency Relief Fund

    The Independent Venue Week announces their weeklong fundraiser benefiting the The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) Emergency Relief Fund. The auction will be taking place between October 24 – 30, 2020. It will host memorabilia for auction to the general public and the revenue will help assist independent venues and promoters.

    Independent Venue Week NIVA

    The NIVA Emergency Relief Fund is raising money for the most vulnerable venues to try to keep them afloat while waiting on Congress to pass Save Our Stages. The fund will be administered to these affected venues by The Giving Back Fund; a separate non-profit that will collect the money and oversee the application process for venues to receive grants from the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund. People can directly donate to the fund here.

    People will have the chance to bid on one of 70+ pieces of music history throughout the week in an effort to #SaveOurStages for the years of history to come. Items up for auction include everything from two original paintings from Independent Venue Week  Artist Ambassador, Alison Mosshart (The Kills/The Dead Weather), a pair of seats from the original Merriweather Pavilion,  Al Bouchard’s (Blue Oyster Cult) very own Fender Jaguar Bass, signed by the rock legend himself, a limited edition vinyl box set from Blue Note Records, curated by the legendary jazz label’s president, Don Was, a stunning Epiphone “White Lightning” Explorer signed by Tommy “Spaceman” Thayer (KISS), courtesy from the Gibson Foundation, and much more. 

    Independent Venue Week NIVA
    Merriweather Post Pavilion Original Seats. Photo provided by press release.

    The auctioned items and programming will be held and by some of the country’s most treasured live venues. There are over 140 participating venues. Independent Venue Week is partnering  Eventbrite, Big Room, Ascend Insurance Brokerage, and School of Rock to bring the auction to life.

    Brand new Epiphone “White Lightning” Explorer signed by Tommy “Spaceman” Thayer from KISS. Photo provided by press release.

    The Independent Venue Week is also introducing a series of discussion panels featuring professionals from all aspects of the live music industry to discuss their experiences, expertise, and the future of live events. The topics will include what venues can do to help build and diversify their audience, how live events are adapting to a virtual world, and the importance these stages have to the economy and community. October 29 will involve an entire day for students to “Get Schooled” and will feature programming that is aimed towards students getting their start in the live music and events industry.

    The full list of items and week’s programming can be found at Independent Venue Week’s website.

  • OmniZen Studios’ Shane Morris Releases COVID-19 Album

    The Capital Region’s OmniZen Studios has announced a brand new album from founder Shane Morris. Dubbed Memories of Life, an album release party is set to occur at the historic remodeled Madison Theatre in Albany. The show is free with the purchase of food on October 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Joining Morris will be Capital Region songwriter Corry Loveday.

    OmniZen Studios

    Memories of Life is Morris’s first album in nine years. Previously he had released Waves of Inspiration in 2011 while a student at the College of Saint Rose in Albany. Since graduation numerous musical ventures have taken place for Morris including the formation of OmniZen Studios in 2017. NYS Music spoke with Shane Morris on how life has changed for OmniZen particularly during the pandemic.

    Jessica Sherman: What pulled on you to create music?

    Shane Morris: The thing that really got me into music was the guitar. A childhood friend and I would listen to his mother play the guitar. So one day I told my mom that I really wanted a guitar for my birthday. They got me guitar lessons from a music shop in Walden, NY and off we went.

    In two years I went through two guitar teachers with the latter turning into a future jam buddy. Then I started singing in choir during middle and high school. Through conversations with my choir director I realized that having a career as a musician was plausible.

    Now I own OmniZen Studios with a Latin Grammy nomination under the name, thanks to work completed with Alex Torres y Su Orchestra in 2018.

    JS: What drove you to record the album?

    SM:The inspiration for this album actually came from the feelings and experiences I had during COVID-19. Specifically, during this time I actually fostered a new friendship. Six of the songs on this album are based on this friendhsip. I also chose to re-release a few of my older songs from my previous album, ‘Waves of Inspiration’. This album came out after my graduation from The College of Saint Rose in 2011.

    JS: How do you think the pandemic has affected the music industry specifically?

    SM: I think COVID has impacted the music industry in, honestly, one of the worst ways imaginable. My business has taken an approximate revenue loss of about 50% during this time period when compared to last year. It put me in a few really uncomfortable positions, and I’ve had to make some tough choices along the way. Usually during the summer months I’m out doing live sound reinforcement for festivals and shows while my other employees produce music back at the studio. With COVID, that side of my business basically doesn’t exist.

    For example, it took OmniZen Studios three venue changes just to put on a fundraiser for my friends whose house burned down in June. The two venues I was considering in Albany for the fundraiser eventually just ran into too much red tape to host my event, and I came to the decision that the best place for it would be Stable Gate Farm and Winery in Schodack, NY.

    JS: Any dream collaborations in the future?

    SM: I’m always very open on who I collaborate with! It’s actually part of my musical philosophy that music is part of the human spirit, and it helps us all to connect to each other. I love to host jam sessions in my space and make music with whoever is really interested in what we’re doing. One of the main focuses of OmniZen from its inception was to bring an open forum and space to the musical community where lower income artists can come together and help raise up and promote the entire Capital Region music scene.

    Some of my favorite collaborations include a roots/reggae album produced for Joseph Fleuriot, also known as Papa Joe, and most recently, my re-recorded version of “I’ll Be There Soon”, featuring the super talented Stephanie Gettys on backup vocals, which is also included on ‘Memories of Life’. In the future, I really hope to collaborate with some of the up and coming hip hop artists such as area native Freedom Stratton, who recently released his album titled The Future.

    OmniZen Studios Jam Session

    JS: What does the future hold for OmniZen and Shane Morris?

    SM: That is really an open ended question at this point. COVID has brought me to a point where I’m currently re-organizing the way my business operates to make sure it’s still profitable in the future, which involves taking on more remote and voice over type work.

    Also, I’m currently enrolled in a certificate program with the NYU Clive Davis Center for Recorded Music. After that is complete, I’m planning on applying to masters degree programs. I might even end up on the west coast in the next year or so. Of course, OmniZen will still exist in some capacity.

  • U.S. Senate Introduces New Bill to Give Music Venues Economic Relief

    On Oct. 20, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley co-sponsored a brand new inclusive package that, if approved by the House and Senate, will provide more that $370 billion to small businesses and music venues in Oregon and nationwide that were most affected by the pandemic.

    Senate Bill Music Venues
    Live concert pre-pandemic

    The Heros Small Business Lifeline Act is an off shoot of the Paycheck Protection Plan, which gave small businesses loan forgiveness and grants at the start of the pandemic. Heros 2.0 essentially would extend those programs and give more help to those businesses in need.

    This legislation would provide an urgently needed lifeline for  thousands of small businesses struggling to keep their doors open and to employ Oregonians who want very much to earn a paycheck.

    Senator Ron Wyden

    For the National Independent Venue Association, this bill needs to be passed so that venues can get the relief they need since they were of the businesses that were hit the hardest.

    Last month, the House passed the Save Our Stages Act. This was a huge accomplishment for NIVA in that the SOS authorizes the Small Business Administration to makes grants eligible to live venue operations and other music industry workers. They now need to go a few steps further in the Senate in order for music venues to keep their doors open.

    This is urgent. Our members cannot wait any longer for emergency relief. Once independent venues go under, they do not come back. We respectfully implore our elected officials to come together and Save Our Stages. 

    NIVA

    As of today, 95% of music industry workers have been furloughed and are still not operating. NIVA urges Congress to move forward with HEROS 2.0.

  • “Rock The Border, Stop The Wall” looks to break more barriers

    A 2,000 mile border wide concert is being planned amid the upcoming 2020 election. The event “Rock The Border, Stop The Wall.” Over 30 musicians, activists, and artists, will perform in a CO-VID-safe online concert. The concert will take place on Friday, October 23rd at 5PM CST/6PM ET in the bordering states of California, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.

    Rock The Border Stop The Wall

    Tension at the southern U.S. border has peaked in the past few years, due to U.S. immigration policy. To downplay and unite in spite of all the controversy, musicians gathered togther in high spirits to perform and play music. “Fandango At The Wall” was a film centered on gathering musicians on both sides of the Tijuana-San Diego border.  Musicians played big band jazz arrangements and enjoyed the harmonious music on both sides of the border.  Another border-related concert is coming soon, although it’s not exactly a film.

    The event aims to motivate young latinos for the upcoming election and aid efforts in stopping the controversial border wall project. The event is a 2,000 mile border-wide concert and it will be hosted by the “#No Border Wall Coalition” in Laredo. Formed in February 2019, The #No Border Wall Coalition is a network of community members, artists and activists who oppose the border wall. With this upcoming election, the youth latino vote may be crucial to the final results.

    The number of Gen Z latinos likely voting for the first time may surpass numbers from the 2016 election. Adrian Quesada of the “Black Pumas” says “The time is now to make our voices heard against injustice, oppression, division and hatred. Joining together to stop the border wall is the first step, and voting is more important than ever to head in the right direction.”

    Rock The Border Stop The Wall

    The concert has garnered plenty of support from artists. “The border wall is the physical manifestation of everything we have to mobilize against in this election: hate, fear, xenophobia and division,” guitarman Beto Martinez says. “This concert is a show of solidarity and a statement of hope against all those things that would divide us.” In addition to being a performer, Martinez is also the creative organizer of the event. 

    The concert will be at 5PM CST/6PM EST. The full line up of the event includes the Black Pumas, Aloe Blacc & Maya Jupiter, Ozomatli, La Santa Cecilia, Grupo Fantasma, Gina Chavez, Making Movies, Trans-Border Orchestra (Orkestra Mendoza + Mexican Institute of Sound), Anais Mitchel & the Cast of Hadestown, Las Cafeteras, Superfónicos, XIXA, B Side Players, Amalia Mondragon, Tiarra Girls, Bidi Bidi Banda, Radio La Chusma, Nosotros, Nohe y Sus Santos, Native Creed, Esther Martinez, Papaya Con Chile, Baracutanga and Rizu X.

    For more information on “Rock The Border Stop The Wall” the organization has a website along with a Facebook and Instagram page. Navigate through the details of the organization, their mission statement, and relevant news.

  • Planet Afropunk Announces Lineup for Global Virtual Show

    Planet Afropunk announces their lineup for their global virtual show. The free virtual show is taking place on October 23-25, 2020 and will include big names like Common, Mayra Andrade, Dua Saleh, Larissa Luz + Carlinhos Brown, Asiatica, Black Haus, Mc Yallah, T. Nava, Tciyf, Yves Tumor and many more. Planet Afropunk hopes to be a safe space for people to celebrate and inspire, cry and shout, and to heal and motivate one another during these trying times. 

    Planet Afropunk plans to create new ways for people to experience the next generation of Black creativity, music and culture. They plan to do this by bringing together the largest virtual gathering of the worldwide Black creative community into one curated online space in 15 years. One of the reasons Planet Afropunk is able to be such a big global celebration is because of it’s partners. These partners will help power Afropunk’s iconic digital destinations and make it a one of a kind show this year. Some of the big names they are partnering with include VERIZON, BOSE, TEQUILA DON JULIO, Ideaville, powered by Target. VERIZON is helping to bring the artist lineup for AFROPUNK’S festival on the World Stage. BOSE is supporting the audience’s musical discovery journey through a special set from Masego, Serpentwithfeet and Jonah Mutono also on the World stage. TEQUILA DON JULIO 1942 who is powering sets by DJ Poison Ivy and DJ Ruckus. Ideaville, powered by Target, will spotlight Black voices and stories. They hope to succeed at doing this by creating a safe space for all of AFROPUNK’s communities. Part of their charge in doing this is by partnering with Penguin Random House to uplift Black voices by featuring a selection of NY-Times best-selling authors in our Rock N’ Read Bookstore and powering author readings and conversations. 

    The full line up of musicians participating in the Planet Afropunk global virtual show include: Afrobapho, Afrocidade feat. Majur and Mahal Pita, Ari Lennox, Arka’n Asrafokor, ASIATICA, ÀTTØØXXÁ feat. Hiran, Balimaya Project, Blac Rabbit, BLACK HAÜS, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Bootsy Collins, Common, DJ Poison Ivy, DJ Ruckus, Dua Saleh, Duckwrth, DUMA, Duo B.A.V.I., Durand Bernarr, Ecko Bazz, Elaine, Jahmed, Johnny Cradle, Jonah Mutono, KIRBY, Larissa Luz + Carlinhos Brown, Loshh, Lous and the Yakuza, Masego, Mayra Andrade, MC Yallah, Mereba, Meshell N’Dege Ocello, Moonchild Sanelly, Moonga K., Moses Sumney, Muneyi, Muzi, Nêssa, Rebelmatic, Sampa The Great, Serpentwithfeet, Smino, Solo Ntsizwa Ka Mthimkhulu, Songhoy Blues, T. Nava, Tawiah, TCIYF, The Veldt, Theon Cross, Tiana Major9, Tiwa Savage, Tobe Nwigwe, Tomi Agape, TrapFunk & Alívio, Ukhoikhoi, Virus, Yan Cloud, Yves Tumor. 

    There will also be some speakers at the event which will include Amanda Seales, Ashlee Marie Preston, Blerdcon, Bridget Todd, Dawn Richard, Dulcé Sloan, Ivie Anie, Jesse Williams, Maimouna Youssef AKA Mumu Fresh, Robert Glasper, Tamika D. Mallory, Terrace Martin.

    People interested in attending and getting more information can visit Afropunk’s website. People who don’t want to miss any exclusives and updates on the event can RSVP here.

  • ADAPT Conference is The Event For Music Professionals

    Big Picture Media have teamed with Kevin Lyman Group + Dynamic Talent International to announce a special one time event. ‘The ADAPT Conference’ will focus on entertainment professionals who have found ways to adapt to the changing climate. Attendees can expect a “crash course” on entertainment’s pandemic business models.

    adapt conference ad

    The one-day ticketed event will occur on October 22 via the Whova Conferencing App. Tickets are currently on sale at  https://adaptconference.eventbrite.com/ Industry Professionals: $149 Industry 4-Pack: $400 Students: $49.

    Scholarships have been made available for industry professionals who are currently unemployed due to COVID19. Approved applicants will receive 50% off conference registration and a spot on the “Open To Work” directory. Applications for the ADAPT Unemployment Scholarship are now open .

    March saw a screeching halt of a majority of the entertainment industry including live events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant amount of the world’s economy frozen but all sense of normalcy was lost. Even though things have reopened the entertainment industry faces the reality of being denied reopening major revenue streams. While several businesses are forced to shutter their doors permanently, a new sense of urgency has been risen to create new “normal” ways to operate.

    Classes and topics at the ADAPT Conference will include Live Streaming in the age of COVID-19, Inside the Label’s Mind, Socially Distant Live Shows, and more. Each class will be taught by a top entertainment business leaders including Kevin Lyman (Vans Warped Tour), Trevor Swenson (Dynamic Talent International), Joel Madden (Veeps + MDDN), Brian Rucker (Twitch), Eric Tobin (Hopeless Records), and more.  

    Founded in 2007 in the heart of New York City, Big Picture Media an entertainment publicity agency .  They specialize in publicity and buzz-building services for bands, festivals, events, soundtracks and more.

    Current Event Agenda:

    9:00am PT – From Obstacle to Opportunity: A conversation with Kevin Lyman, Laura Hutfless + Jeremy Holley (co-founders of FlyteVu)

    9:30am PT – Class #1: Managing through Rocky Waters: creating new revenue opportunities + keeping a lean overhead

    11:00am PT – Class #2: Inside the Label’s Mind: releasing new music, breaking through the noise, and what they’re looking for today

    12:30pm PT – Class #3: Evolution of the Venue: from March, to now, and the Future

    2:00pm PT – Class #4: Socially Distant Live Shows: the comeback of Drive-Ins

    3:30pm PT – Class #5: Live Streaming in the age of COVID-19

    5:00pm PT – Networking Breakout Sessions hosted by industry professionals