NYS Music 202​0

Category: News Desk

  • ‘Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do Something’ Documentary Announced For October 2020

    The ‘Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do Something’ documentary following the life of the legendary songwriter Harry Chapin has been announced for October 16, 2020. The film will premiere in theaters across the United States as well as on a virtual cinema platform. 

    Harry Chapin

    The documentary is a Greenwich Entertainment film and is being directed by Rick Korn. The film was produced by Korn, S.A. Baron, and Chapin’s son, Jason Chapin. It follows the GRAMMY-nominated folk singer starting in his childhood which he spent under the shadow of his father Jim Chapin who was known for his  jazz drumming and as an author of books about jazz drumming. It then moves on through his unfortunately short life and highlights all the ups and downs he experienced throughout his life.

    Harry Chapin tragically died on July 16, 1981 in a car crash on interstate 495 in New York. Some of his most well known work includes “The Cat’s in the Cradle”, “Taxi,” and “A Better Place to Be.” The film focuses on his humanitarian efforts as well which is why the film is being released on World Food Day which fits perfectly as Jim Chapin was the co-founded of the influential hunger non-profit WhyHunger. A portion of the proceeds from the film will go to both WhyHunger and The Harry Chapin Foundation.

    The documentary uses archival footage and new interviews to give the viewer a glimpse into Harry Chapin’s life. It focuses on how the singer-songwriter used his fame as a launching point to help others and influence politics. It features testimonials from Chapin’s family (including Tom Chapin and Steve Chapin), as well as peers including Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Kenny Rogers, Robert Lamm (Chicago), Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Pat Benatar, Bob Geldof, Ken Kragen, longtime bassist John Wallace, and WhyHunger co-founder Bill Ayres.

    Harry Chapin sold over 16 million records during his short but unforgettable life. He also had 14 hit singles and two GRAMMY nominations. In 1977 he was a key participant in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger. In 1986, he was posthumously awarded the GRAMMY President’s Merit Award. He was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2011. 

    For more information on the documentary read the full press release here.

  • ‘Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President’ Documentary now Streaming

    Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President documentary hit theaters across the United States and the virtual cinema stage on September 9, 2020. The documentary covers how Jimmy Carter relied on musicians’ support during the Democratic primaries to build up his name recognition and support from the general public.  

    Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President

    The documentary focuses on how youth culture and politics join forces in Jimmy Carter being elected as the 39th President of the United States. Jimmy Carter’s love of music was crucial to who he was and he made that known throughout his presidency and his campaign. His love of music affected who he was as a father, a citizen, a man of the South, and as a leader and he made that known to everyone and anyone he could. 

    The documentary includes interviews with big names like Bob Dylan, Bono, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Gregg Allman, Garth Brooks, and many others. There will also be interviews included with former President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter.

    The film is directed by Mary Wharton and written by Bill Flanagan. It is produced by Chris Farrell and Dave Kirkpatrick. The executive producers include Dan Braun, Mary Wharton, Peter David Conlon, David Crawford. Peter Afterman and Tracy Falco are the consulting producers on the film. The film is edited by Mari Keiko Gonzalez and has Tom Beard, Jim Free, Frank Moore as consultants on it. The production coordinator is Linzy Hayes. The drone photography is done by Brad McColl and James Fideler worked as the director of photography on the documentary. All the original music is composed by Bradley Cole Smith and Bill Wharton (The Sauce Boss). 

    People interested in seeing the film have two options for viewing it. They can see it in select theaters across the United States or on the virtual cinema stage. All the theatrical listings and locations can be found on here. The virtual cinema tickets can be bought here for $9.99 and will be available  for 14 days once the viewer unlocks the film. Once the viewer begins the film, they will have 72 hours to finish watching it. 

    For more information on Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President documentary visit the films’ website.

  • Jerry Seinfeld Backs Chuck Schumer to Help Save NYC Music Scene

    As New York continues to reopen and look towards normalcy amid the pandemic, music venues continue to lose money from not being able to reopen. Music venues in New York City face additional financial hardship as they bring in the most revenue.

    In an effort to prevent further economic loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, a Brooklyn native,  has now backed Senator Chuck Schumer’s plea for passing the “Save Our Stages Act” that would provide needed federal funding for New York music venues, according to SILive.com.

    Jerry Seinfeld

    The RESTART ACT was the first bill introduced to provide financial support to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through guaranteed loan programs and loan forgiveness back in May. The “Save Our Stages Act” was later proposed in July to advocate for support of music venues that have lost significant revenue from the ability to host music events because of COVID-19. Jerry Seinfeld is one of many performers to publicly voice his belief in New York’s resilience and support Schumer’s cosponsor for the “Save Our Stages Act.”  

    New York City’s diverse music venues, concert halls, theaters, and entertainment performances all fuel the coveted music scene. Schumer said 90% of independent venues have already closed in New York according to SILive.com. Other independent venues struggle to remain open because of the lack of community support at local music events caused by the pandemic. If passed the “Save our Stages Act” could help fund the cost of personal protective equipment, mortgages, payroll costs, and other expenses for venues.

    Save Our Stages Act would create a new $10 billion Small Business Administration (SBA) program to provide grants of up to $12 million to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to help cover six months of operating expenses and offset the economic impact of COVID-19.

    NY Senator Chuck Schumer

  • Borderland Festival Announces The Borderland Broadcast

    Borderland Music & Arts Festival announces their The Borderland Broadcast event. The broadcast will stream audio from former Borderland Festivals and will take place for two days in September on the 19 and 20 on Buffalo.FM. 

    The Borderland Broadcast will be taking place on the same weekend the Borderland Festival was originally supposed to take place this year. The festival itself had to be postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions taking place across the country. The festival generally takes place at Knox Farm State Park just outside of Buffalo, New York. 

    Since the festival can’t take place this year it’s organizers along with their friends at Buffalo.FM created The Borderland Broadcast. They curated a weekend of music with streaming audio from previous festivals, featuring live sets from Gov’t Mule, Keller WIlliams Grateful Grass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Oteil & Friends, Sam Roberts Band, The Sheepdogs and many more.

    Jennifer Brazill who is the owner of Borderland Festival elaborates on the reasonings behind The Borderland Broadcast saying,  “We wanted to be able to give our fans a way to connect to Borderland this weekend, to take us back to the feeling you have when you’re watching live music. Myself and my team feel a huge void in our lives and in our hearts without the festival happening this weekend, and we know that music is a great healer. We hope that fans of Borderland tune in with us for some very special live sets from the last two years.” 

    On Saturday the day will kick off with Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds from 2PM-3PM, The Sheepdogs from 3PM-4PM, The Infamous Stringdusters from 4PM-5PM, Sam Roberts Band from 5PM-6PM, Gov’t Mule from 6PM- 7:30PM, and Oteil + Friends wrapping the day up from 7:30PM – 9PM.

    On Sunday the day will kick off with Fruition from 2PM -3PM, Ghost Light from 3PM -4PM, Sam Bush Band from 4PM-5PM, The Wood Brothers from 5PM-6PM, Keller William’s Grateful Grass featuring The Infamous Stringdusters and Oteil Burbridge from 6PM-7PM, and Greensky Bluegrass wrapping things up from 7PM-9:30PM.

    People interested in tuning in can go to Buffalo.FM on September 19 and 20 at 2PM EST each day when the music starts or can catch the replay of the day at 10PM EST. 

    People interested in attending the 2021 Borderland Festival on September 18 and 19 can visit the festivals website: www.borderlandfestival.com for information on  2-day GA and VIP Tickets which are currently on sale. 

    For more information visit the Borderland Festival’s website and Buffalo.FM’s website. 

  • Top 10 Finalists Announced for Songs For Good 2020 Songwriting Challenge

    The Songs For Good 2020 Challenge, a competition presented by the nonprofit Social Good Fund, announces the Top 10 finalist songs in search of a new soundtrack for democracy as the 2020 election approaches.  

    Songs For Good

    The goal of the Songs For Good 2020 Challenge is to inspire a new generation of voters with the help of artists to create purpose-driven music that inspires and energizes crowds. Songs For Good hopes to boost participation among their partner organizations and encourage people to vote in the 2020 election.  Activism organizations including March For Our Lives, RepresentUS, Zero Hour, National Children’s Campaign, Sunrise Bay Area, and Bridge USA intend to promote the top five songs from the Songs For Good Challenge at their events leading up to Election Day.

    “Music has been absolutely integral to the March For Our Lives movement and culture since its inception. Artivism — the intersection of art and activism — is an extremely powerful tool for inspiring and connecting with others, yet its potential reach remains largely untapped. That’s why March For Our Lives is thrilled to partner with Songs For Good for the 2020 Challenge. Together, we’re encouraging our network to use their voices in more ways than one!” -Brendan Duff (March for Our Lives, Co-Founder)

    The Top 10 Finalists for the Songs For Good 2020 Challenge are:

    Divinity Roxx is a Grammy-nominated artist from West New York, NJ, and the current bass player for Black Girls Rock Orchestra. She has worked with artists including Jay-Z, Beyonce̕, Nona Hendryx, Patti Labelle, and Gladys Knight.

    Voting is open to the public from Tuesday, Sept 8 through Sunday, Sept 20, 2020. The top songs will be announced on National Voter Registration Day on September 22.  Click here to vote. The winner will receive $5,000, song production from featuring artist Madame Gandhi, and a music video. The four runners-up will receive $1,000.

    What excites me about Songs For Good is knowing that some of the biggest revolutions in history have happened because of the musicians of the time. Music has always been one of the most powerful forms of art because it caters to the emotions and fosters a sense of empathy and motivation in the listener. It gives me great joy to lend my voice to an organization that seeks to use songwriting as a political tool to inspire change. It could not be a better partnership.

    Madame Gandhi (Music Producer, Artist)

    (Update Sept 29) Rachael Major was announced as the winning songwriter of the 2020 Songwriting Challenge with her song, “New Day.” The song was voted number one by the public in the crowdsourcing campaign in search of anthems for the 2020 election. Rachael Major is an Indianapolis native who is only 16-year-old. She was awarded $5,000 for winning first place for the Songs For Good 2020 Songwriting Challenge as well as her song “New Day” being professionally recorded. The Song will feature artist Madame Gandhi. A music video will be produced as well for the award winning song. “New Day” will further be heard at forthcoming 2020 election events hosted by Songs For Good partner organizations such as March For Our Lives, RepresentUs, Zero Hour, National Children’s Campaign, Sunrise Bay Area, Access the Polls, and Bridge USA.

  • (Le) Poisson Rouge Launches LPR.TV Livestreaming Platform

    (Le) Poisson Rouge (LPR), a New York City venue and downtown cultural institution, has announced the release of its subscription-based concert livestream platform called LPR.TV. For $19.99 per month, LPR.TV subscribers will receive access to all the venue’s live-streamed concerts, on-demand access to their archive of livestreams, lessons, and much more. LPR. TV was co-founded by composer David Handler and senior music director and partner Brett Tabisel.

    LPR.TV

    With all the uncertainty surrounding the music industry, LPR.TV provides work for artists and agents as well as keeping fans engaged. Le Poisson Rouge has booked artists including !!! (Chk Chk Chk), Cults, San Fermin, Kimbra, Sunflower Bean, Kevin Devine, Son Little, Laraaji, and Too Many Zooz as the lineup for LPR.TV’s inaugural stream. LPR.TV also confirmed nearly two dozen shows through the end of 2020.

    The LPR.tv format has given us the opportunity to do what we do best: curate eclectic, exciting, and adventurous programming once again. The subscription model allows us to take the risks we are known for, while giving artists a platform to perform safely, with the production quality they deserve. Our independent spirit and determination to innovate will not be silenced. The support for LPR.tv from our community and peers has been inspiring and motivating. Honored to feed your eyes and ears with what we have in store. – Brett Tabisel (Senior Music Director / Partner)

    LPR is an independent venue in Greenwich Village, focused on reflecting the rich music culture of New York City. The underground music sanctuary puts on late night shows of all genres of music including indie rock, contemporary classical, electronica, metal jazz, world music, and more. LPR also hosts art exhibitions, stand-up comedy, and drag queen bingo at their cutting-edge nightlife destination. Click here to read more of NYS Music’s coverage from (Le) Poisson Rouge over the years.

    LPR

  • Aloe Blacc and Harvey Mason Jr. Announced as Keynote Speakers for Mondo. NYC 2020 Conference

    Grammy-nominated recording artist Aloe Blacc and Harvey Mason Jr., Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy, will join other keynote speakers in a conversation at Mondo.NYC 2020 on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

    Mondo NYC

    Mondo.NYC is a festival and global business summit of music and tech industry insiders. Their goal is to connect fans, innovators, and emerging artists to the changing music business and technology landscape. This year, the festival celebrates its fifth anniversary as a four-day virtual interactive meeting and livestream from Oct. 13-16. Participants will experience curated panels, conversations, workshops, and virtual network activities. The festival also includes Mondo.NYC showcases of up-and-coming bands around the globe.

    Aloe Blacc worked his way from a nine-year-old kid who used to write rap songs, to a now Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter. The breakout success of his single “I Need a Dollar” helped propel his sophomore album Good Things to gold status and paved the way for his signing to XIX Recordings/Interscope Records in 2012. Blacc’s most notable work includes co-writing and providing vocals for Avicii’s hit song “Wake Me” which has surpassed one billion streams and 2 billion views on YouTube. His album Lift Your Spirit debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2014 and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best R&B album. Blacc is now actively working with the Black Music Action Coalition and several organizations to use his platform for positive change in social justice. Aloe Blacc’s fourth solo album All Love Everything drops on Oct. 2 through BMG Music.

    As a multi-Grammy nominee, Harvey Mason Jr. has written and produced songs for the music industry’s legends and biggest superstars today. His resume’ includes working with Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Chris Brown, Ariana Grande, and Britney Spears to name a few. Mason produced some of the biggest musical films and TV events of the decade including Straight Outta Compton, Shrek, Dreamgirls, and “The Wiz Live.” Harvey Mason Jr. donates his time and resources to several charitable organizations, including the GRAMMY Museum, MusiCares®, Ronald McDonald House, the American Cancer Society, and Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.

    Other keynote speakers featured at Mondo.NYC include:

    • Binta Niambi Brown-Founder of Omalilly Projects with Ty Stiklorius-Founder & CEO of Friends at Work
    • Jason Flom-CEO of Lava Records and Founding Board Member of The Innoncence Project
    • Kevin Lyman- Founder/Producer of Vans Warped Tour and Co-Founder of 320 Festival

    The conversation is presented in partnership with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Click here for more information about purchasing tickets.

  • Giant Art Steps Announces Central Park Series In Honor Of U.S. Representative John Lewis

    The non-profit Giant Art Steps have announced a new series of performances honoring the legacy of U.S. Representative and civil rights leader John Lewis. “Walk with the Wind” will occur on The Mall in NYC’s famous Central at 1 p.m. Featuring acoustic music and small groups, the series is free for those attending.

    While the special series began on August 28th with a performance by Wayne Escoffery’s trio, there are numerous other opportunities to catch feature performances. Upcoming on September 19th is Giant Step Arts’ own Leap Day Trio featuring drummer Matt Wilson, bassist/vocalist Mimi Jones and saxophonist Jeff Lederer. On September 20th, vibraphonist and Blue Note recording artist Joel Ross Quartet with saxophonist Sergio Tabanico, drummer Craig Weinrib and bassist Rashaan Carter will perform.

    Giant Art Steps

    The pandemic has been disastrous for musicians, many of whom normally earn a living through live performances and tours. We’ve presented and recorded music in various venues, including partnering with the non-profit Jazz Gallery, but the current circumstances have forced us to improvise. We wanted to find a way to continue supporting musicians, bring them together with audiences, safely, and enable them to have a payday! Walk with the Wind, honoring the legacy of the great American John Lewis, is one way we are accomplishing this, and the response has been tremendous. Our goal is to raise enough money from foundations and donors so that we can have performances each spring and fall.

    Jimmy Katz
    Giant Art Steps

    Giant Art Steps was created in January 2018 by Jimmy and Dena Katz. Both renowned jazz photographers, the Katzs set out to provide an environment for modern jazz’s most ingenious artists without the confinements of making a profit. Membership into the non-profit is by invitation only, where jazz artists are given control over their artistic projects. Giant Step Arts provides substantial financial and artistic resources for those bold musicians ready to take their careers to uncharted territory.

    Giant Step Arts [is] a nonprofit dedicated to giving underappreciated but visionary jazz musicians the support they need to make quality live albums. Palmer is a…thrifty improviser with a vast dynamic range and an ambitious composer.

     Giovanni Russonello, The New York Times

    Upcoming Show Schedule:

    Sept. 19 – Leap Day Trio 

    Sept. 20 – Joel Ross Quartet with saxophonist Sergio Tabanico, drummer Craig Weinrib and bassist Rashaan Carter

    Sept. 26 – Drummer Nasheet Waits with saxophonist Mark Turner and bassist Rashaan Carter

    Sept. 27 – Immanuel Wilkins with drummer Nazir Ebo and bassist Burniss Earl Travis

    Oct. 3 – Saxophonist Melissa Aldena with bassist Pablo Menares, drummer TBA

    Oct. 4 – Saxophonist Darius Jones with drummer Gerald Cleaver and bassist Dezron Douglas 

    Oct. 10 – Saxophonist Nicole Glover – band TBA

    Oct. 11 – Saxophonist Chris Potter – band TBA

  • Bonnaroo Announces Virtual ROO-ALITY Livestream Event Sept. 24-26

    Bonnaroo releases details of Virtual ROO-ALITY, a three-night live broadcast, set for Sept.24-26 at 4:30 CT exclusively at the official Bonnaroo YouTube channel. The free virtual livestream will continue the celebration of the annual festival with a range of programming, new live performances, unique original content, and archival sets at Bonnaroo’s home at Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tennessee.

    ROO-ALITY

    The lineup of headliners for Virtual ROO-ALITY includes a diverse range of musical genres. A total of 13 performances including Dave Matthews and Friends, Metallica, The White Stripes, James Brown, My Morning Jacket, and more will headline Virtual ROO-AILITY.  Beastie Boys’ historic final concert is one highlight of the archive livestream performances. A diverse range of performances from over 35 artists will perform, including:

    • Nathaniel Rateliff
    • Chromeo
    • Big Gigantic
    • Bruce Hornsby Feat. James Mercer
    • Rob Moose & Polo G
    • Old Crow Medicine Show’s Bonnarootenanny
    • Denzel Curry
    • Lennon Stella
    • Billy Strings
    •  Action Bronson
    • CloZee
    • Moon Taxi
    • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
    • Ingrid Andress
    • Devin Dawson and ERNEST

    and many more following the announcement of the complete schedule.

    In addition to music, Virtual ROO-ALITY will present viewers with an array of original programming, additional activities, and exclusive experiences throughout the three days. Sanctuary of Love, an event curated by Hayley Williams, will present engaging conversations about topics including digital space and mental health, diversity wellness, and the origins of gender. The panelists for these discussions include Charli XCX, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Laura Jane Grace, and more. Viewers can also look forward to other virtual events including the Dog Dance Party, Bonnaroo Campfire Tales, and Cheers to Live.

    Bonnaroo From Home merchandise is now available at the official Bonnaroo online store. The collection includes a “Virtual ROO-ALITY 2020” poster, a “Robe Rage” satin robe, a “Farm Fresh” 8 oz. Candle, a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, a tie-dye mask, and more. Virtual ROO-ALITY and the Bonnaroo Works Fund will look to raise awareness for the ALCU Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting civil rights, and Headcount, an organization that promotes participation in democracy through music. Bonnaroo Works Fund looks to collect donations for both organizations.

  • Facebook Shares Confusing Guidelines for Live Streaming Performances

    The pandemic brought a powerhouse of talented artists, sharing their music and performances through live streaming and virtual concerts. Last week, confusing new guidelines regarding Facebook live streaming performances, effective Oct. 1, have the potential to limit streaming of concerts.

    facebook live streaming
    Owner of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg

    Facebook’s new guidelines say:

    You may not use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience. We want you to be able to enjoy videos posted by family and friends. However, if you use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience for yourself or for others, your videos will be blocked and your page, profile or group may be deleted. This includes Live.

    Representatives for Facebook

    They have since clarified their rules by saying that they want to continue letting artists express their talent, but still protect them through agreements by rights holders.

    We want to encourage musical expression on our platforms while also ensuring that we uphold our agreements with rights holders. These agreements help protect the artists, songwriters, and partners who are the cornerstone of the music community — and we’re grateful for how they’ve enabled the amazing creativity we’ve seen in this time.

    Our partnerships with rights holders have brought people together around music on our platforms. As part of our licensing agreements, there are limitations around the amount of recorded music that can be included in Live broadcasts or videos. While the specifics of our licensing agreements are confidential, today we’re sharing some general guidelines to help you plan your videos better:

    Music in stories and traditional live music performances (e.g., filming an artist or band performing live) are permitted.

    The greater the number of full-length recorded tracks in a video, the more likely it may be limited (more below on what we mean by “limited”).

    Shorter clips of music are recommended.

    There should always be a visual component to your video; recorded audio should not be the primary purpose of the video.

    These guidelines are consistent across live and recorded video on both Facebook and Instagram, and for all types of accounts — i.e. pages, profiles, verified and unverified accounts. And although music is launched on our platforms in more than 90 countries, there are places where it is not yet available. So if your video includes recorded music, it may not be available for use in those locations.

    Facebook

    Over the course of this year, live streaming concerts have been popular to say the least, it has and still is a necessity for most parts of the world. Popular musicians like Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry have used this platform, but most importantly, new upcoming artists used this method to promote their music.

    What’s interesting is that although they claim they want to “encourage musical performances on [their] platform,” they still shut down live streaming accounts.

    Facebook owns Instagram, as well, but no new rules have been added to their live streaming.

    For right now, don’t fret about Facebook not sharing your favorite live performances. LAUNCH is a website independent from social networks that is here to provide support for the live music community. The team offers anyone to join in on Sept. 17 for an introduction meeting to the new platform. Together, they hope to promote and encourage the struggling scene of live music.