NYS Music 202​0

Category: News Desk

  • Wild Adriatic Joins “The Palace Sessions”

    The Palace Theatre along with the City of Albany and Mirth Films have announced that Saratoga Springs natives Wild Adriatic will be featured on the next edition of “The Palace Sessions”. Taking place on August 19 at 7p.m. in a undisclosed unique location within the historic theatre, the performance will stream live on the Palace Theatre’s Youtube page.

    Executive Director of the Palace Billy Piskutz notes:

    “We are thrilled to be able to welcome live music back to the hallowed halls of the Palace Theatre. This historic building exists to entertain and create memories and after a nearly four-month absence due to COVID-19, it is a thrill to know that it will again. We hope that our patrons will enjoy these performances as much as we do!”  

    The series kicked off on July 15 with a special performance by Albany locals Wurliday. Additional shows are slated for September 16 and October 21. Those performers have yet to be announced at this time.

    Wurliday Performing at Palace Theatre

    “Summer in Albany is synonymous with music and entertainment and it is wonderful to have the Palace Theater hosting local musicians albeit in a different way this year. I applaud the ingenuity of the Palace Theater, the Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mirth Films in bringing entertainment to people during COVID-19.  I continue to be impressed with how our community has risen to the challenge of keeping the arts alive during this time and look forward to tuning in to the Palace Sessions.”  

    Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan

    During the performances donations are being accepted which will assist the Palace Theatre in continuing its mission to bring world-class arts and entertainment to New York’s Capital Region.  Donations can be made HERE or directly through the Palace Theatre’s Text To Give program, by texting Palace2020 to 44321.

  • Hawkins Release Debut Pop Rock Anthem “Lights Off”

    Hawkins has released their debut single, “Lights Off,” having arrived on the local music scene in New Haven, CT in May 2019. Hawkins is known for balancing energetic rock ‘n’ roll mixed with infectious hooky pop sophistication. The band consists of Hawkins French (vocals), Joseph Frank (guitar), Richard Frank (bass), and Joshua Frank (drums). 

    hawkins

    Their debut single is a pop rock anthem that blends soaring guitars, thunderous drums, and melodic bass lines along with the catchy hooks that you’ll hear in contemporary pop music. The subject matter of this track discusses the current superficial state of relationships and wanting more than just a one-night stand. This song intertwines their ability to create memorable pop hooks, lyrics that compel you to sing along, all balanced under a monumental sound that instantly demands the listener’s attention. 

    The band has performed on countless major stages across the East Coast. Notable performances include Mohegan Sun Casino, The Bitter End, Foxwoods Casino, and the Pleasantville New York Music Festival. In Pleasantville, the band shared the stage with illustrious acts such as ​Blues Traveler​, ​Suzanne Vega​, and​ Living Colour​. In November they are still planning to headline at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre. 

    Speaking on “Lights Off” the band explains:

    “This track evokes the feeling of when relationships don’t have a clear direction and are solely based upon superficiality. This is our commentary on the common tug of war that can occur in tumultuous relationships that people in their youth experience.” 

  • Bobby Shmurda turns 26; Best Gift of all still to come

    Incarcerated rapper Bobby Shmurda celebrates his 26th birthday today, with hopes of it being his last behind bars. On the heels of  the anniversary of his breakout record, the Brooklyn-born drill rapper may have even more good news to look forward to, as a parole hearing — set for August 17— will determine his immediate future. 

    Bobby Shmurda
    Why they wanna pin a felly on me?

    After a countdown from a website seemingly belonging to the embattled rapper set a date for August 4, many began to speculate about the meaning, with some assuming it was related to his release. Speaking to TMZ in late July, The rapper’s mother — Leslie Pollard — confirmed that the rapper was indeed scheduled for a parole hearing in August. While also divulging his plans for a documentary about his life, as well as new music as soon as he gets out — as the rapper is still contractually tied to Epic Records. For his birthday, GS9 cohort Rowdy Rebel’s official Instagram, shared its own social media ode to his label-mate, hash-tagging “3months left.” It is unclear whether it is referring to his own release or that of Bobby Shmurda. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDeM1vQnXIF/

    Nonetheless, rumors of a release as early as August 5, set social media ablaze, with most eliciting thoughts of joy.

  • Spotify CEO Daniel Ek Thinks Artists Aren’t Working Hard Enough, to Musician’s Dismay

    Spotify CEO Daniel Ek thinks that it’s the artist’s own fault they aren’t making enough money because they aren’t putting out enough music. It’s been widely known that the popularity of streaming services instead of buying music from the artists or their labels has hurt the artists revenue but Daniel Ek is taking it to the next level by putting the blame on the artist for their measly payouts.

    Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, photo via Bloomberg.

    Spotify has a market value of about $21 billion in 2019 and Daniel Ek himself has an estimated net worth of nearly $2 billion. According to Business of Apps article they say,“Estimates vary on how much a Spotify stream is worth to artist: from $0.006-0.0084 to as low as $0.00318/stream”  at a pay rate of $0.006-0.0084 a stream it would take a million streams for an artist to make $7,000. In comparison the article states that, “Amazon Music tops the list in terms of average payment per stream on $0.01196/stream. YouTube Premium delivers $0.00803, Apple offers $0.00563, and Google Play $0.00551. Pandora’s rate, on the other hand, is even lower than Spotify, at $0.00151.” In the first quarter of 2020 Spotify’s revenue brought in $1.85 billion from Premium subscribers, while ad-supported users generated $161 million for the company.

    Spotify
    Graph curtsey of Counterpoint’s article.

    Daniel Ek stated in an interview with Music Ally that, “There is a narrative fallacy here, combined with the fact that, obviously, some artists that used to do well in the past may not do well in this future landscape, where you can’t record music once every three to four years and think that’s going to be enough,” essentially putting the lack of revenue the artists own fault. Daniel Ek explained that, “ What tends to be reported are the people that are unhappy, but we very rarely see anyone who’s talking about… In the entire existence [of Spotify] I don’t think I’ve ever seen a single artist saying, ‘I’m happy with all the money I’m getting from streaming.” Which begs the question, are artists not working hard enough or are they just not being properly compensated for their work by streaming services? 

    Musicians are not happy about this mindset in the music industry that Daniel Ek has been promotin. Ben Albert of  Rochester Groovecast thinks Daniel Ek’s remarks are, “Disrespectful” saying that, “Music is not a fast food chain.” The fact that Spotify’s CEO believes that artists aren’t working hard enough and should just turn out more music is disheartening to the music community particularly those who are on the road a lot and believe in creating more complex and artistically driven music. Gabriel Marin from Consider the Source spoke on this matter saying, “People like [Daniel]  Ek seem to only look at pop and commercial music as how all music is made. Yes those forms of music are easy to make happen and often a whole career of someone in that field will be 3-4 years. Music that has more weight takes longer; bands that make a living and artistically thrive in a live setting can’t put albums out at a predictable pace like that.”

    In times like these where COVID-19 is hitting the music industry harder than many industries it’s hard to understand how someone running one of the biggest music platforms can so easily criticize artists instead of supporting them. Justin Henricks of Wurliday and Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan chimed in on the matter saying that, “Spotify is in a very unique position of ability to offer some real aid and relief to an industry that is in dire need of it at the moment. Take a page from Bandcamp who offered to relinquish their revenue share and give 100% of their proceeds on specific days to the artists/labels. I find it appalling that not only has Spotify chosen to ignore their ability and responsibility to help in any way but have actually double downed to say Artists should work harder, churn more music into their billion dollar money making machine, and leave us all out to dry. Shame on them.” 

    Dopapod‘s Rob Compa shared a similar sentiment, saying “I don’t think Daniel Eck understands that touring was how bands like mine and many friends of ours was how we raised any money to record albums, let alone make a meager living. Now, with COVID, we can’t even do that. So if he expects us to produce album after album, where does he expect us to get the money to make them? To me, he’s a little like some general who’s never even been in a fight, telling all of us to get out of the trench and run into no man’s land.”

    For more on this story and Ek’s point of view, read Music Ally’s original interview here.

  • National Independent Talent Organization Needs Congress to Save Live Music

    With Senate recess looming at the end of the week and Congress still in talks over the details of the next COVID relief bill, the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) is urging Senate leaders to continue support in its Call to Action Campaign for the RESTART and SaveOurStages (SOS) Acts. Without bipartisan support, the survival of live music industry would be uncertain as many venues remain shuttered to the public. This is a call to save live music as we know it.

    “So many people in our industry live hand to mouth, day to day. There are no pensions and no health insurance or retirement plans for indie musicians or the people who tour with and support them. At least musicians can try to reach out to their audience online for support, but what is a guitar tech to do? What of the drum tech or the sound engineer or the road manager or driver — not to mention the promoters, the booking agents, the bartenders? The ripple effects of the world of live entertainment going dark are vast. Let’s shine a light on all the people whose work helps all of our lives to be enriched by live music. Let’s support them through NITO’s advocacy.”

    Buffalo singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco

    Both acts have gained momentum with a total of 44 cosponsors in the Senate according to a press release from NITO. If passed by Congress, RESTART and SOS would aid the hardest-hit small and mid-sized businesses, potentially for the next 6 months. Among the supporters of RESTART is ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, NAMM, NIVA, Spotify, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, American Society of Travel Advisors and YouTube, all of whom have recognized how devastating it would be for the U.S economy to lose the nine billion dollar contribution that independent music businesses make under normal circumstances.

    RESTART’s sponsor Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) recently acknowledged the importance of the live music industry’s survival in a tweet of support of NITO.

    That is why NITO is imploring “lovers of live music and all performing arts” to take part by sending letters of support via email and social media to Senators and House Representatives encouraging them to #SaveLiveMusic.

    During the past four month NITO has grown tremendously. From 14 founding agencies to over 800 active live touring organizations including; management companies, talent agencies, artists and a vast array of industry professionals. All have seen a significant financial impact as the doors to our venues remain close for the unforeseen future.

    If you would like to share your story or show support fill out a Call to Action form here.

  • Smith Center for the Arts series with Supernatural Lake brings live music back to the Finger Lakes

    New York has settled into its Phase 4 stage of reopening. This means that museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and “Low-risk entertainment services” such as live music are all returning to the empire state. Nobody is bringing live music back quite like the Smith Center for the Arts.

    In partnership with Supernatural Lake, a stunningly beautiful outdoor seasonal wine bar located in Interlaken, this series will feature a series of renowned artists in the coming weeks. Each Friday and Saturday night show will begin at 6:30 pm, with Sunday shows beginning at 12:00 pm.

    Smith Center for the Arts
    A top NYC wine bar is opening a pop-up in the Finger Lakes

    The next featured artist this coming Fri, Aug 7 is Bobby Henrie and Friends. Bobby is a self-described “Rockabilly, Swing, Jazz, Old-time country and Fiddle music, Bluegrass and Flat-pick guitar music” artist.

    Bobby Henrie

    Performing Fri, Aug 14 and Sat., Aug 15 is author, professor, and critically acclaimed jazz artist Mark Adams with Jazzical. In addition to performing around the world, Mark Adams has played with jazz greats such as Roy Ayers, Ron Carter, Ronnie Laws, Hugh Masekela, Bobbi Humphrey, Dave Valentin, Wayne Henderson, and Tap-Dancer Savion Glover. Tickets are available now!

    mark adams

    The following weekend on Sun, August 23, will feature Matt Venuti. While not only being an award-wining recording/music video and soundtrack composer/editor Matt Venuti is also a talented multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter.

    Slated for Sat., Aug 29 is Maddie Walsh and The Blind Spots. This female-fronted moxy rock band from Ithaca features a solid-as-a-rock rhythm section, eclectic library of vintage keyboard sounds, bold and inventive electric guitar stylings, and electrifying lead vocals.

    Smith Center for the Arts

    Hanna and the Blue Hearts will perform Sat., Sep. 5. Hanna PK is a 2019 International Blues-Challenge semifinalist, solid pianist, soulful vocalist, vibrant performer, and resident of Rochester!

    Smith Center for the Arts

    Artists and performance dates will be added to fill up weekends from now through the end of September. To keep track of currently scheduled performances and see what is coming up next for the Smiths Supernatural Lake Series, follow the Smith Center for the Arts event calendar.

  • Folk Legend Arlo Guthrie Encourages Equality with Release of “Hard Times Again No More”

    Protest-folk music icon of the sixties, Arlo Guthrie, collaborated with Solo Pianist, Jim Wilson, to release, “Hard Times Come Again No More.”

    arlo guthrie Jim Wilson
    Arlo Guthrie, Jim Wilson and Vanessa Bryan create a stunning, folk rendition of, “Hard Times No More.”

    The single is a rendition of the Stephen Collins Foster Song, which originated in 1854. The original was Foster’s, “empathetic look at the increasingly dire, pre-Civil War world around him,” according to Rolling Stone.

    Guthrie has been a staple for the political movement in music since the 1960s. His idea came from the current state of the world. The global pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Movement inspired him to create this rendition. He wanted to remind everyone to pay attention and to help everyone to be equal as one.

    “I grew up in a family that cared about the hardships of others. My father was well known for writing and performing songs to offer hope. ‘Hard Times Come Again No More’ resonates with me, and I know it did as well with Woody. Though it was first released around 1900, the message endures with the calamities of today being utterly unjustifiable. We must come together not only as a country, but all across the globe in this dire moment.”

    Arlo Guthrie

    Guthrie and Wilson collaborated remotely due to COVID-19. They have never met. but this didn’t stop them from creating a beautiful tune.

    Along with Guthrie and Wilson, many musicians, like Vanessa Bryan and Stanley Clarke came together for this rendition.

    Together, the musicians composed a touching outlook on why everyone needs to unite in hard times, such as these.

  • Grace Potter Brings Live Music Back to Hudson Valley

    On Thursday, August 13, live music will be returning to Hudson Valley with a drive-in Grace Potter concert presented by Radio Woodstock.

    Grace Potter

    Since the COVID-19 shutdown, music events have turned to virtual platforms for fans to enjoy, but after months of waiting, in-person concerts finally make a comeback in the Hudson Valley. At the Hi-Way Drive-in Theater in Coxsackie, NY, Grace Potter will perform live for fans to safely watch from their cars. The show will be broadcast on the drive-in’s big screen, and the sound will be sent through the cars’ FM radio signal so that all can hear and see well. The music starts at 9PM, but the gates will open for socially-distanced tailgating at 6:30PM. Although live music’s comeback is exciting, it is most important for the Hi-Way Drive-in that all guests follow proper COVID-19 safety measures. 

    Tickets per vehicle will be $180. Front and second row VIP tickets will be $280. The tickets are per vehicle, with up to four people in one car. Presale tickets for Woodstock Supporters begins July 29 at 10AM, and tickets will be available to the general public at 10AM on July 31. To order presale tickets, sign up to become a Woodstock Supporter. If you want to wait, sign up for a reminder so you don’t miss when general tickets go on sale. 

    An Evening with Grace Potter will be presented on August 13 at 9PM at the Hi-Way Drive-In Theater on 10699 State Route 9W (Coxsakie, NY).

  • Albany Symphony Subgroup Dogs of Desire Announces “Hot, w/Mustard,” Series

    Albany Symphony subgroup Dogs of Desire announces their “Hot, w/Mustard,” 10 week series featuring 10 emerging composers. The series will start on August 2 and run through October 4 and the series will be available on the Albany Symphony’s website.

    Albany Symphony’s Dogs of Desire Photo Provided by Albany Symphony.

    The Dogs of Desire are made up of 18-members of Albany Symphony and will feature genre-bending new music. The emerging composers highlighted are: Alexis Lamb, Carlos Bandera, Annika Socolofsky, Andre Myers, Nina Shekhar, Jack Frerer, Clarice Assad, Gala Flagello, Paul Mortilla, and Derrick Spiva. The works of “Hot, w/Mustard” will cover a wide range of subjects, including an anthem paying tribute to nurses on the front-lines, Thoreau’s thoughts about the miracle of seeing the world through another person’s eyes;,the hope embodied in Dolly Parton’s music, bedtime stories,  and a feminist look at Dear Abby. 

    Artistic Director David Alan Miller explained the reasoning behind the creation of the “Hot, w/Mustard,” series saying,  “During difficult times, music is a source of inspiration, hope and comfort. We asked some of our favorite composers to create works to showcase the uniqueness of Dogs of Desire during a summer in which it is much more difficult than usual for listeners to experience exciting new art. We hope this new series will provide both our ardent fans and those who have never heard the Dogs [of Desire] the chance to enjoy our brilliant ensemble in all its glory through the rest of the summer. So, we hope you’ll kick back, relax and enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience each Sunday.” 

    https://youtu.be/bRr6EIxu9os

    The series will start up on August second featuring  Alexis Lamb on “Look Through” inspired by a quote from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden. On August 9th the series will host Carlos Bandera with The Vast Hour. On August 16  will host Annika Socolofsky with an arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.” On August 23 Andre Myers  will step up to the plate with “Pulp Anthem: Reflected Glory” which is an anthem for nurses. On August 30 Nina Shekhar will present “Dear Abby” focusing on the 1956, Dear Abby is a newspaper column in which readers ask for advice on a variety of topics, including etiquette, relationships, sex, health, and career guidance. On September 6 Jack Frerer will be featured with “Getting Better.” On September 13 Clarice Assad will feature “Treta.”

 On September 20 Gala Flagello will present “Persist” after a poem Flagello wrote earlier this year. On September 27 Mortilla will present “Transmuting Ether // Quarantine-Dreams.” And on October 4 Derrick Spiva will wrap up the series with “From Embers” mimicus ideas of meditation, beginning small, then growing and unfolding with compound meters, mimicking the uneven beats of a pumping heart.

    The series will be available on Albany Symphony’s website and on Albany Symphony social media channels. Each new work will be unveiled on Sunday. There will also be features, including interviews with the performers and composers and festive menu ideas, accompanying each release. 

    For more information visit Albany Symphony’s website.

    Watch the first performance in the series by composer Alexis Lamb below.

  • Trey Anastasio releases surprise album “Lonely Trip” featuring songs written during lockdown

    Phish frontman Trey Anastasio today releases his new album, Lonely Trip, comprised of songs written and recorded during lockdown at his home in New York City.

    Initially, Lonely Trip songs were released through Anastasio’s Instagram over the past five months, and have been remixed by longtime studio collaborate Bryce Goggin. The album releases on Anastasio’s own label, Rubber Jungle Records.

    Anastasio shared this on the making of Lonely Trip:

    Lonely Trip was conceived and recorded in isolation at my home studio (aka Rubber Jungle) during the peak of New York City’s COVID-19 crisis, March — July, 2020. When the lockdown began, I had by chance just completed a weekend songwriting session with my friends and longtime collaborators Tom Marshall and Scott Herman. That session took place March 13th and 14th just as the crisis was beginning in New York, so the themes of fear and isolation were already finding their way into those first songs. By the time I arrived home, the situation in NYC had gotten much worse.

    Knowing I wasn’t going to be leaving my apartment for a while, I started working. It felt therapeutic to write. I wanted to connect with our community in some way. The unplanned nature of the recording meant I didn’t have a lot of gear during this process. I had an electric and an acoustic guitar, a small amp, two microphones, some percussion, and two keyboards, including an old Kurzweil with very realistic drum sounds on it. Everything was recorded through a Spire 8-track. Lonely Trip is truly a raw, low-fi recording.

    The process of writing songs became a reflective and healing experience. Being able to share these songs instantly with our community via Instagram felt equally profound. It harkened back to my youth, before there was a Phish, when I would write songs and home-record them specifically with the intention of sharing them with my circle of friends via cassette four-track recordings.

    As the weeks went by, I worked on improving my recording techniques. I called recording engineers including Ben Collette and Vance Powell to get tips on microphone placement, and I purchased a bass guitar online. I also started tapping into a Dropbox folder with about 30 four-minute drum sequences that I had recorded with Jon Fishman over the last year.

    For the previous few Phish albums (including Kasvot Växt and Sigma Oasis), I had been experimenting with writing songs, starting with drum beats that I had sung into my phone. Fish and I would go into the studio and record the beats exactly as I had sung them, with Fish launching off in his unique way after a minute or two. I used these beats as building blocks to many of the songs on Lonely Trip, and it explains how I could do a whole album in Rubber Jungle with such good sounding drums. Thank you Fish!

    The album was ultimately mixed by my friend Bryce Goggin, and as always, Bryce’s mixes sound incredible. Thank you Bryce!

    Lonely Trip was my message in a bottle during this time, and I wish I knew how to properly thank all of you in our community for listening and responding. It meant so much to me. Thank you. Wishing all of you much love and safety during this turbulent time.

    This album is dedicated to the heroism of our healthcare and essential workers.

    — Trey

    From Anastasio’s experience to your ears. Doing what few performers have done during this great pause, Anastasio releases an album that conveys the emotions of doubt, fear, joy, loneliness, love and many more in a seamless album. As songs appeared on Instagram, Phish fans jumped at the opportunity to revel in the unique and fresh tracks that were inspired by the same lockdown conditions they were experiencing. The result of Lonely Trip is a journey through the past five months and will serve as an uplifting musical bookmark on this era.