NYS Music 202​0

Category: News Desk

  • Rita Houston, WFUV Program Director, Dies at 59

    Longtime WFUV radio station program director and curator, Rita Houston, has solemnly passed away. A renowned DJ for multiple generations of listeners, Houston also excelled in her role as a musical curator, specializing in electric feel. WFUV announced Houston’s death early Tuesday morning and had reported her taking time off in order to deal with health issues. In reality, Houston had been battling cancer for the past six years.

    rita houston
    photo by Steve Malinski

    Having begun her career at the Fordham University radio station in 1994, Houston’s hard-work, commitment and genuine love of music saw her trajectory go from mid-day DJ to running the Friday night programming. Her show, “The Whole Wide World,” would allow her to scour the world for more programming, as such was her appetite for all things music. 

    In 2019, when Rita Houston celebrated 25 years at WFUV, Mayor Bill de Blasio congratulated her for the “indelible mark” she has made on New York as an epicenter of creative expression,

    Bringing joy to listeners throughout the five boroughs, providing a platform for new talent that deserves to be heard, and enriching the cultural vitality of our city.

    That was our Rita, and so much more.

    rita houston
    photo by Steve Malinski

    In a statement from WFUV general manager, Chuck Singleton acknowledged Houston’s role as

    The north star of WFUV’s sound and its public service, guiding the station’s musical direction for decades.”

    “She was a New York original, a trailblazing woman of exceptional talent who shaped a unique style behind the microphone — informed and informal, intimate, warm, genuine. But also, one of tremendous joy,” said Singleton.

    While declaring upcoming remembrances and celebrations of Houston’s life in the weeks to come, Singleton summarized Houston’s transcendent work by comparing her to other great musical acts who have recently passed. Stating, “right now, Rita, we see you on that stage with Sharon Jones, Bowie, Prince, and especially your beloved John Prine, emceeing the most heavenly edition of Holiday Cheer for FUV.”

    Houston is survived by her wife, Laura Fedele, a sister and two brothers. She was 59 years old. 

  • New York Philharmonic pay cuts suggest pandemic will last

    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.”

    New York Philharmonic
    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.

  • Steve Earle Joins All-Star 40th Annual Lennon Tribute in NYC Livestream

    Theatre Within, the non-profit behind the Annual John Lennon Tribute charity concert since 1981, has announced that its milestone 40th Annual John Lennon Tribute Concert will again offer a free livestream exclusively at LennonTribute40.org, from Wednesday, December 23 at 7pm thru Friday, January 1 at midnight ET,

    This program, the third installment of music and memories produced in Lennon’s honor, will feature a new performance by Steve Earle, recorded especially for the Tribute’s finale showing.  The stellar line-up also includes recent John Lennon Real Love Award Honorees, Patti Smith, Natalie Merchant and Rosanne Cash, plus Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Jorma Kaukonen, Martin Sexton, Keb’ Mo’, Joan Osborne, Bettye LaVette, Shelby Lynne, Marc Cohn, Willie Nile, Lucy Kaplansky, Nicki Richards, The Kennedys, Ron Pope, and Music Director Rich Pagano. 

    lennon tribute livestream

    In addition, the livestream tribute includes reflections on the music of John Lennon, social impact by rock photographer Bob Gruen, Double Fantasy producer Jack Douglas, radio personality Dennis Elsas, music critic Anthony DeCurtis, and playwright V (formerly Eve Ensler).  

    In a statement, Yoko Ono said:

    John has been a loving spirit now for nearly as long as he was with us on earth, 40 years. Through all that time, Theatre Within has celebrated his music and message with its beautiful annual tribute, which helps makes possible its programs for those impacted by cancer, including the John Lennon Real Love Project songwriting workshop. This is such a wonderful way to honor John and the values he stood for.

    This year, in partnership with Gilda’s Club NYC and Gilda’s Club Westchester, Theatre Within has provided 135 free workshops, all available online – in songwriting, art, meditation and much more – for children, teens and adults impacted by cancer.

    Theatre Within invites John Lennon fans to make a donation in any amount by texting “TRIB40” to 41444.  All proceeds will empower Theatre Within to continue its free programs for NY-metro cancer community through 2021. 

  • GrassRoots Festival Launches Save Your Roots Campaign and Live-Stream

    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.

  • Celebrate the holidays at home with Papadelic on Dec. 17

    The 2020 iteration of Everett Bradley’s holiday funktacular comes to fans in the form of Holidelic: Home With Papadelic, hosted by Bradley himself in the comfort of his own home. Bradley plays the role of Papadelic, Funk’s Father Christmas, a mashup of George Clinton and Santa Claus, who goes to the videotape deck for an engaging strut down Santa Claus Lane.

    papadelic

    On Thursday, December 17, Bradley will pour over performances from the past that are heavy on the funk, featuring holiday-themed songs written by Bradley and brought to life by an array of top shelf noise makers.

    I wanted to create something that would celebrate the idea of being at home, but also the excitement that the holiday season brings. To be transparent, this special was actually somewhat inspired by the pandemic, but I didn’t want to give it any credit. We’re just trying to keep it all positive.

    Everett Bradley, Papadelic

    Holidelic was originally slated for a newly established five-week holiday run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Manhattan’s West Village, as part of a new 2020 partnership. This year, The Lucille Lortel Theatre will present a virtual Holidelic experience that will be redirected straight into our homes in the interest of public safety, but not at the expense of some real Yuletide fun.

    Newly directed by acclaimed writer and director, Michael Heitzman, the COVID-19 revision of the much-loved funk revue now has an opportunity to do good at a time when it’s needed most. The show will be free for all to watch and all donations will go to the SAY Organization (Stuttering Association for the Young), a favorite charity of both Bradley’s and The West Village’s Lucille Lortel Theatre.

    Tune in live on Thursday, December 17 at 8pm ET on Papadelic’s Facebook and YouTube channels

  • We Banjo 3 Holiday Livestream on December 18

    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.

    we banjo 3 stream

    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.

  • Freaks Action Network releases ‘Fandemic, Vol. 1’ to support Musicians Relief Fund

    The Freaks Action Network (“FAN”) has released Fandemic, Vol. 1, with proceeds from album sales going to the FAN Musicians Relief Fund. The fun directly benefits NYC-based musicians through grants to support them through these no-gig days of the COVID pandemic.

    Fandemic

    Freaks Action Network is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) dedicated to using the positive energy of live music to create positive change in the world. FAN was born in 2018, out of the NYC Freaks, a longstanding extended community of music lovers and tastemakers in NYC and beyond.

    While the pandemic has shut down most live music opportunities, many artists in the NYC Freaks community have been writing and making their own original music at home. Like the NYC music scene and the Freaks, the album features a variety of styles and genres, capturing the homespun spirit of the lockdown with an eye toward the days when we can all catch a show together in NYC again.  

    NYS Music spoke to Aaron Stein, one of the producers of Fandemic, Vol. 1 and founder and NYC Freaks about the album and FAN’s efforts during the music industry shutdown.

    Pete Mason: Who came up with the project concept and when did you get to work on it?

    Aaron Stein: I came up with the idea after the NYC Freaks had our annual talent show — called “The Freak Show.” We’ve done this for many years, obviously virtually in 2020. It’s always struck me that in addition to being incredibly passionate and knowledgeable music fans, that the Freaks have some serious musical talent. This year’s event happened earlier in the lockdown had a real strong sense of community. I wanted to capture the talent and that community energy and the idea of putting together an album entirely by the Freaks came to mind.

    PM: How did you solicit tracks for the album?

    AS: I enlisted a couple friends to help — Jesse Guglielmo and Brian Mundy — and we basically asked the community who wanted to participate. I wasn’t sure what the response would be, but we had nearly 20 volunteers, from people who have played in their own bands before to bedroom amateurs. The range of styles and genres and nature of writing and recording these original songs really shows the depth and breadth of the Freaks musical backgrounds. We couldn’t be happier with how the finished, mastered product came out. These are great songs played and recorded with love and hopefully that shines through on the album. There’s something for everyone, I hope people will check it out.

    PM: How has FAN been working with artists this year to assist those most in need?

    AS: Proceeds from the album are part of a larger fundraising campaign by the charity arm of the NYC Freaks — the Freaks Action Network or “FAN.” During the COVID pandemic, FAN has been raising money for our Musicians Relief Fund which assists professional musicians, and helps make up for lost gigs and income by providing one-time grants to eligible artists. To date, the Musicians Relief Fund has awarded $40,000 in grants and is currently accepting applications for Phase V of the program.

    Fandmic, Vol. 1 was engineered and mastered by Josh Van Dyke, with artwork by Alex Anastas, and produced by Jesse Guglielmo, Brian Mundy, and Aaron Stein. Pick up a copy on Bandcamp. Visit Freaks Action Network for more information on the Musicians Relief Fund, including how to donate and to apply.

  • A Boogie Arrested Following Birthday Celebration

    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.

    A Boogie

    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 Plans Showcase of Kunqu Opera

    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. 

    Flushing Town Hall Kunqu
    Photo provided by press release from Flushing Town Hall. 

    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.

  • Taylor Swift drops Second Surprise Album of 2020, “Evermore”

    Taylor Swift took to Twitter to announce her second surprise album of 2020. Out at midnight on December 11th, Evermore is the successor to Folklore. While the album’s contents are a mystery so far, it seems to have a similar aesthetic to Folklore, with continued collaboration with The National and Bon Iver. The video for “Willow,” Evermore’s opening track and lead single, drops at midnight alongside the album.

    Swift continued her announcement, saying, “To put it plainly, we just couldn’t stop writing songs. To try and put it more poetically, it feels like we were standing on the edge of the folklorian woods and had a choice: to turn and go back or to travel further into the forest of this music. We chose to wander deeper in.” ‘We’ refers to Aaron Dessner, frontman of The National, and frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, both of whom co-wrote and produced the songs on Folklore.

    Evermore is Swift’s ninth studio album, and the first to seemingly retain the spirit of its predecessor. Up until now, her album releases have been very distinct “eras”: Reputation was her dark and dramatic album, Lover was pastel and political, and Folklore was cottagecore. Swift has never stuck with an album’s main themes or imagery for too long, which makes Evermore unique even if it came out less than five months after Folklore.

    Evermore

    Swift isn’t done with Folklore just yet—she released Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions on November 25, a concert film for Disney+. Filmed in the Hudson Valley, it was the first time she performed the album’s songs face-to-face with Dessner and Antonoff. Folklore garnered Grammys five nominations including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for “Cardigan,” breaking a short snub period. While the awards aren’t until January 31, 2021, Evermore won’t be eligible until next year.