NYS Music 202​0

Category: NYC Metro

  • Listen to Jerry Garcia Band perform “My Sisters and Brothers”

    With divisions across the country on display through peaceful protest and violence, songs of unity and calm are not the first thought, but can provide an escape, even if briefly, giving pause amid the chaos in cities throughout the state and America. One of those songs is “My Sisters and Brothers”

    jerry garcia wolf My Sisters and Brothers

    Originally written by Charles Johnson of The Sensational Nightingales, Jerry Garcia Band would perform “My Sisters and Brothers” numerous times from the 1970s through the 1990s, and is featured on Jerry Garcia Band. The version below is the encore of the October 28, 1987 (late) show from the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in Manhattan.

  • Premiere: Nick Deutsch releases music video for “Talk 2 Me”

    In his latest music video “Talk 2 Me,” Nick Deutsch retorts the poetics of up all night running through rainy New York City backend streets to nowhere and isolated vocals searching for a voice on the back of a bar napkin, into tender melodies. “Talk 2 Me” ruptures the singer-songwriter essences of spacial time and place, to recapture the breath behind the vocals in a wholly original inspiration. The best expressions of the human experience don’t tell us what to feel, they provide a compass through ourselves.

    “Talk 2 Me” texts the pressing distances between 2AM love lost and the possibility of tomorrow that pulls us inwardly without asking where or when we’ve arrived at the place we embody. Thematically Nick Deutsch constructs a soundtrack for a new depth of vulnerability but also finds playfulness in the unmasking of pretenses. A note on the mantle of infinite possibility, if only you “Talk 2 Me.” Maybe a reminder that all the broken pieces can recoup a liberated spirit of being; The perfect song to cinematic imagery for a pause in reclamation of that breath we all need before the feelings fall out. 

    Nick Deutsch is a New York based piano playing, indie pop Singer/Songwriter originally from Wilmette Illinois. Jazz arranging and harmony brought Nick to New York University where he met and became friends with Tina Shafer, CEO of the New York Songwriter’s Circle. He has shared the stage with established singer-songwriters Ian Axle, (Great Big World) Billy Porter (Kinky Boots) Rob Mathes (Sting), as well as recorded with American Idol’s finalist Marissa Pontecorvo.

    While this may be new music from Nick, he is no stranger to the international music scene for his songs off his EP’s Crazy Ride and Heartsaver have led to nominations for Best Pop Male Vocal (2013 IMEA Awards), and The Great American Song (2013 POP Category). Additionally, his music has been featured on Nickelodeon’s “Jagger Eaton’s Mega Life” and TV Land’s “Younger.”

    In the meantime of Nick’s upcoming music releases, visit his website to subscribe to his email newsletters and request a song for his weekly live performances.

  • Hearing Aide: Hayfitz Releases Debut LP ‘Capsules’

    NYC-based indie folk artist Hayfitz releases debut album Capsules, which debunks the value of time and nurtures brief yet defining experiences into lush songs.

    Hayfitz

    The foundation of Capsules was recorded over eighteen days in a Seattle home surrounded by idyllic views of the Puget Sound and the region’s mountains and evergreens. The setting brought Hayfitz the emotional space to deliver the record with resolve, bringing intentional details to each song and distilling the franticness of a Brooklyn lifestyle.

    Capsules took on its current shape in a secluded winter cabin in Parker, Pennsylvania where friend turned collaborator, Patrick Gregg, hosted Hayfitz for two separate week-long periods. Each inspired by contemporaries like Andy Shauf and Chad Vangaalen, Gregg and Hayfitz collaborated to bring a range of woodwinds to the recording process, with Gregg playing everything from bass clarinet to saxophone. Gregg’s added aptitude in both modular and analog synthesis formed the underlying soundscapes that created a cohesive record, running Hayfitz’s demo midi sequences through various vintage synthesizers.

    The album opens up with the song “Pinpoint,” an illustration of Hayfitz’s complicated and perplexing emotions towards a girl. Throughout the album are songs like “Daylight,” that display Hayfitz’s fear and susceptibility and “Hold On,” which demonstrate Hayfitz’s perseverance to have strength and hope in his darkest moments. The song “Kitchen,” relates to today’s current situation, making it the perfect quarantine reflection: 

    “Kitchen” is about being left alone with someone you’ve just met and quickly becoming enamored with them. We hardly ever have control over the circumstances of these first moments we share with a stranger and it’s utterly terrifying to think about what’s going through their head. It’s oddly coincidental that my song about being unexpectedly trapped in a kitchen is coming out during a time where we now all find ourselves in isolation, without having planned for it. We’re finding expedited and deeper connections with those who we’re sharing our small spaces with and being forced to adapt immediately to this new way of life.

    People have experienced feelings of fear and uncertainty due COVID-19, but Hayfitz’s album communicates that all we have to do is just “Hold On.” 

    Key tracks: Pinpoint, Daylight, Hold On

  • Dawn: A Celebration of Shavuot with an All-Night Cultural Arts Festival

    Dawn, an all-night cultural arts festival, will take place virtually on May 28 and 29 from 7PM to 6AM PT (10PM-9AM ET) for the celebration of Shavuot. The 11 hour celebration will include three reimagined tracks of the 10 Commandments as well as art, comedy, music, film, and conversation. Shavuot is a Jewish holidays that commemorates both the first harvest of early summer, as well as the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai following the exodus from Egypt.

    The event will live-stream on Reboot’s website. The festivities will include Yoga, Meditation, Sound Bath, Cooking Class, Music, DJ Dance Party among the many activities.

    One of the main attractions will be an Original Score by Cecil B Demille of the Ten Commandments pt.1 performed by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Steven Drozd of the Flaming Lips and Scott Amendola. This reimagining of the silent era film from 1923 will be split into two stories. The first revolving around the Jewish Exodus from Egypt and a present day, or present for 1923, melodrama. The new score will musically follow Moses out of Egypt and into the dessert where he receives the Ten Commandments. 

    The Dawn celebration will also have lots of other appearances. Others on the bill include Jill Soloway, Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, Gabi Moskowitz, Kasher vs. Kasher (Moshe Kasher and Rabbi David Kasher), Michaela Watkins, John Schott, Tiffany Shlain, The Milk Carton Kids, Zackary Drucker, and AJ Jacobs.  

    The festival is being put on by Reboot and the Jewish Emergent Network. Reboot has put on festivals in the past in San Francisco for Shavuot but because of COVID-19 this year’s programming will be a little different. The hope of these organizations is that moving to a digital platform will make them accessible to a larger audience.  

    From more information and program highlights, please visit Reboot’s website.

  • Wu-Tang Clan Wants You to ‘Protect Ya Hands’

    Iconic hip hop group, Wu-Tang Clan are no strangers to good marketing. The Grammy-nominated outfit is partially known for their extremely popular “Wu Wear” clothing brand — founded by Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Oliver “Power” Grant. The Wu has always been able to find the perfect middle ground between good marketing tactics and staying authentic to their brand. Like when the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard began ranting during the 1998 Grammy awards and proclaimed that “Wu-Tang is for the children.” He was upset that the group had been overlooked for best rap album and unintentionally came up with a popular catchphrase, one that the Wu has always stood by.

    In light of the current COVID-10 crisis, the hip hop veterans continue to stay ahead of the curve, as the group announced their “Protect Ya Hands” collaboration with the plant-based brand Jusu. The sanitizer is one item in a campaign launched by the group and Ottawa, Canada, Mayor Jim Watson. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAaQf9BnFTM/

    In addition to the sanitizer, they have released the “A Better Tomorrow” collection (named after their 2014 studio album), which includes a T-shirt emblazoned with the famous logo of Wu-Tang Clan and a reusable food bowl. For every bottle purchased, another will be donated to The Ottawa Mission, a homeless shelter in Canada.

    Additionally, the collection benefits the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, with the group’s official website stating “CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research and education with a commitment to working with our partners to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when and how it’s needed.”

    The sanitizer can be yours for $20. The T-shirt goes for $40, while the Pure Kitchen reusable bowl costs $21. “The purpose of 36 Chambers and Wu-Tang is to always see a better tomorrow,” says the official website. You can help Wu-Tang Clan on their mission by clicking here.

  • This week’s Dinner and a Movie to feature 2018 Phish show at MSG

    For the tenth installment of Phish’s Dinner and a Movie, Phish will stream full show video from their December 29, 2018 performance at MSG, and the second in the series from ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena.’

    The show was the second night of Phish’s annual New Years Eve run, held at Madison Square Garden every year since 2010 (except 2014) and the 63rd time the Vermont group has played MSG.

    dinner 2018 phish MSG

    Mike Gordon shares a Vegetable Shoyu Ramen recipe with fans, and the Afya Foundation will serve as the non-profit beneficiary for Tuesday’s stream. From their website, Afya Foundation states as their primary mission to improve global health by rescuing surplus medical supplies and delivering them to underserved health systems around the world. During the COVID-19 crisis, Afya has turned their focus and is delivering PPE to New York healthcare workers, with a special focus on healthcare systems supporting vulnerable populations.

    To stream Dinner and a Movie, tune into Live Phish or the band’s Facebook page on Tuesday, May 26 at 830 pm ET for the free stream of the December 29, 2018 show at MSG. Read the NYS Music recap from the first night of the 2018 run here.

    Setlist courtesy of Phish.net

    Set 1: Buried Alive, Blaze On, Turtle in the Clouds, The Sloth, 46 Days > Cities, Corinna, Ya Mar, Wolfman’s Brother

    Set 2: Carini -> Tweezer > Death Don’t Hurt Very Long -> Tweezer > No Quarter > Also Sprach Zarathustra > First Tube

    Encore: Shine a Light, Tweezer Reprise

    Notes: Wolfman’s Brother contained Party Time quotes. Trey teased Can’t Always Listen in the first Tweezer. Tweezer Reprise contained a Death Don’t Hurt Very Long quote.

  • Young Thieves Drop ‘Darker Dreams’ EP

    NYC based electro-indie/pop quartet Young Thieves released their new EP ‘Darker Dreams.’

    Produced by Matt Squire, (Panic! at the Disco, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry) the pop anthem tracks provide the perfect backdrop for powerhouse vocals to reside with synth laden songs. 

    Young Thieves are new to the scene, but continue to rise with the help of all four bandmates; Alexandra Amor (vocals/songwriting), Dmitry Libman (guitar/keyboards/production), Andrew Lynch (guitar/keyboards) and Johnny Coryn (drums).

  • Escaper releases new single, “Open Sky”; announces upcoming studio album ‘Apotheosis’

    With their new single “Open Sky,” Brooklyn’s Escaper give a taste of their upcoming studio release, Apotheosis, their first official studio album in nearly two nears. Due out on June 19, “Open Sky” fits the mood of the country right now – comtemplative, melodic and a needed reminder to take time to celebrate the simple beauty of human existence while the world is on pause.

    Guitarist Will Hanza says of the album,

    “[Apotheosis] represents change and growth for us as a band, as well as individually… On “Open Sky”, the first single from the album, we feel a freedom of being.” “Open Sky” represents the sheer Escaper way of breaking free of confinement and allowing our most true selves through. The idea… reflects the climb to self actualization.”  

    The single was recorded and mixed by John Davis at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, and colorfully exhibits the refined sound of Escaper’s dedicated core of musicians. “Open Sky” is the combination of each band member’s individual expertise combined with their musical sensibilities, keeping your feet moving and brain grooving as you listen.  

    An airy sequence starts off “Open Sky,” with light percussion and keys being introduced before a velvet smooth bass line frames the song as Hanza and company work into the structure of the song. The song has a full-bodied quality to it, with no one member standing out more than the others. “Open Sky” finds Escaper firing on all cylinders in a groove that is reminiscent of their live performances.

    Escaper continues to bring fans both new and old their weekly Escaper at Home video series, and listeners can expect a great deal of fresh content ahead of Apotheosis‘ release on June 19 on Ropeadope Records.

  • Jay-Jasmin releases new interstellar single “Bitch I’m From Venus”

    “New” and “single” refuse to encapsulate the anthology of neo-futurisms encased in the declaration from Jay-Jasmine in “Bitch I’m From Venus.” Ten-thousand lens shatters post-modern divides between interstellar imagery laced to ancient industrial breakbeat trance-pop, all to be reconfigured in Jay-Jasmine’s mythical resonance.

    Jay-Jasmine’s non-conforming, non-binary and cosmic celestial opus unifies contrasting mediums into parallel summits tracking a visceral explosion of sensory. “Bitch I’m From Venus,” doesn’t long for a lost downtown meets uptown outburst of vogue vibrancy, it details a blueprint where concrete runways adjoin synthetic neon lights stripping lineal wisdom into self-defined bodies. The canvasses Jay-Jasmine’s melodic articulation jar offers no delusion of the intended revolution it embodies.  

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYDXCbp8LZ/

    The track is inspired by ancient Divine Feminine energies of the goddess Venus who has 10,000 names. “Earth is experiencing a return in these energies and I wanted to make music showing that in the form of an alien invasion in NYC”. JAY-JASMIN is very inspired by fantasy and sci-fi and uses a blend of styles to create a work that has not been seen before and illustrates a new dimension. The main message of the song is to overthrow the patriarchy and raise the vibration of the planet through a revolution of love and freedom. 

  • Watch: Onyx Collective Shares Official Video for ‘Where or When’

    New York Jazz ensemble Onyx Collective have shared the official music video for their single “Where or When” off of their debut album Manhattan Special: Onyx Collective Plays Rodgers & Hart / Rodgers & Hammerstein. The song itself first appeared as part of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s 1934 musical comedy, Babes in Arms. So, while it may be viewed as a cover, Onyx Collective have added their own twist, with a feature from singer and cellist, Kelsey Lu. 

    Directed by No School & 22 and edited by 22 Note, the video was shot in Paris, France and served as a love letter to the city. Filmed right before the global shutdown as a result of COVID-19, the video sees Lu take to the town in black-and-white video, as the city’s landmarks, transportation services and civilian life are presented to the audience. Yet, it doesn’t feel much like a tour but rather an attempt of capturing the city’s infamous beauty, with Lu’s eerie vocals serving as our guide. 

    Onyx Collective is a nebulous jazz ensemble, hailing from Manhattan, NY. The group is composed of saxophonist, Isaiah Barr, Austin Williamson (on drums) and are regularly joined by Joshua Benitez on keyboard, Jack Guliemetti on guitar, Felix Pastorius and Spencer Murphy on electric bass, and Dean Torrey and Walter Stinson on upright bass, along with a collection of musicians whom like the official band members all attended New York’s musical conservatory. More recently Onyx Collective toured as A$AP Rocky’s live band.