NYS Music 202​0

Category: NYC Metro

  • Julia Gargano’s Road Ends on American Idol

    As “American Idol” on ABC came to an end on Sunday, May 17, many were disappointed to find out that Julia Gargano would not be advancing to the top five. 

    Gargano, a 22-year-old graduate of the College of Saint Rose in Albany, gave her all in a top seven socially distant group performance of The Beatles’ “Come Together” but it was not enough for her to advance onto the final five. 

    Hailing from Staten Island, Gargano came a long way from her first audition where she performed an original song called ‘Growing Pains’, stunning the judges from the very beginning. She continued to wow spectacular performances such as with Pink’s “Glitter in the Air” and Adele’s “Sweetest Devotion.”

    Despite having not made it on to the top five, Gargano still felt grateful for the experience Idol has given her. “I love you guys. Thank you so much,” she said, while rocking a silver dress at home for the finale.

    Much of the 18th season of “American Idol” took place virtually from the residences of the singers’ homes due to social distancing protocols in place because of the coronavirus outbreak. Technical difficulties initially caused a bit of confusion as the top five were announced but the show continued on. 

    In the top five were piano teacher Jonny Webb, college student Francisco Martin, construction worker Dillon James, Nepalese singer – songwriter Dibesh Pokharel (stage name: Arthur Gunn) and Samantha Diaz (stage name: Just Sam), a 21-year-old subway singer from Harlem. 

    Each finalist performed two songs and viewers voted live for their favorites. New York still saw a victory when Ryan Seacrest announced that Just Sam was the Season 18 winner of ‘American Idol’ on ABC. 

  • Hearing Aide: Palm Suede’s latest single “Fight or Flight” remains relevant amidst global crisis

    New York-based electro-pop duo, Palm Suede, is delighted to share their new single “​ Fight or Flight​” that premiered May 15. The song continues the two’s exploration of battling anxiety while dealing with everyday situations

    Palm Suede renders the duos new single “Fight or Flight” balanced in vibrational techno-pop frequency lining a rapture of uptempo synth-balladry. The anthem unclenches the tightly knitted anxieties of windswept dispatches to find symphonic solace in the eye of the storm. The duo dares the frame that social distancing entails disconnection. In primal chemistry of intimacy, mindfulness, and allure the cadence breaks from expectation to fight gravity in every breath of Ellen Hodges’ aerial vocal register.

    In the trial between two poles stretched across oceans, the sound transcends the current with an international claim. Crossing over Palm Suede splices lyrical expressions from geometric cadence to take flight in the indulgence of the song’s entrancing backbeat. The duo specially produced Fight or Flight to be able to seductively lure escapism in being centered in one’s own energy. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B99lS75Fyon/

  • Relief Fund Launched to Help NYC Musicians, Venues, and Staff Amidst COVID-19 Crisis

    NYC Nightlife United launches an emergency relief fund that will help musicians and small businesses stay afloat amidst COVID-19 crisis. NYC Nightlife United is partnering with not-for-profit The Solo Foundation whose focus is to bring awareness about social issues revolving around the arts and will help deliver the money raised to those who receive the grant.These organizations are attempting to keep safe spaces, nightclubs, venues, and small businesses from closing while helping promoters, musicians, comedians, sound techs, bar staff, and DJs with having an income still during these difficult times. 

    NYC Nightlife United is focused on what it calls ‘the ecosystem’ of NYC which is basically businesses and individuals who are key players in the nightlife in NYC. The people whose livelihood is dependent on entertainment that is defined as music, comedy or performances within the 5 boroughs of NYC and make NYC the cultural center it is known for. 

    Relief Fund NYC Musicians

    Businesses who are looking to apply must meet the criteria of being within the 5 boroughs of NYC, making under $150,000 in revenue per month or having under 50 employees, providing evidence they create an substantial amount of programming being either music, comedy or performances, must be in financial hardship from COVID-19 and must be able to supply letters of recommendation from one from staff member (preferably a manager), from one talent, and from one patron. Those who meet the criteria are potentially eligible for up to $20,000 of relief funds. 

    Individuals who are looking to apply must be able to prove having had a gig canceled or postponed due to COVID-19. Applicants can include musicians, talent, artists, engineers, and ect. Either individuals or individuals representing a collective like a band or comedy group for example can apply. Those who are able to fit this criteria are potentially eligible for up to $5,000 of relief funds. 

    The relief fund applications will be due in two phases. The first phase will be small business venue owners on June 5th. The second phase will be individuals of ‘the ecosystem’ on July 5th. Funds will be distributed to as many applicants as possible but not every applicant will get funded. Those who meet the criteria best will be chosen and funded on a nondiscriminatory basis by The Solo Foundation staff. All applicants who are selected will be notified by email.

    People can help support the cause by donating through NYC Nightlife United’s website. All donations are fully tax-deductible and will help keep NYC’s nightlife alive.

    For more information please visit NYC Nightlife United’s website.

  • Uptown Drive-In Festival is Parking Itself at Yankee Stadium

    Yankee Stadium parking lots will be filled with cars this summer, but not for the usual reasons. A new festival, Uptown Drive-In, will be situated in Yankee Stadium’s parking lot following the new trend of drive-in events due to COVID-19. 

    News of this festival was dropped in an exclusive in Time Out New York on May 15 and is quickly making buzz for itself. According to the exclusive, Uptown Drive-in will happen every weekend starting in July and feature live music from local artists from NYC, movies, on-site live interactive games, raffles and giveaways, and car-side food service from an array of New York Street Vendors. Uptown Drive-In is planning on organizing it’s weekend activities by having date-night experiences on Friday, Saturday and Sundays in the evening, while having a more family-friendly style brunch series during the day on Saturdays and Sundays.

    The Festival is being put on by MASC Hospitality Group who is the same company responsible for events like Bronx Night Market and the Bronx Beer Festival. Not many details about the event have been announced yet, but MASC Hospitality Group’s Marco Shalma did confirm within the exclusive that the plan is for people to view the performances from their cars just like you would at a drive-in theater.  This comes from Governor Andrew Cuomo gave New York state permission to re-open some drive-in movie theaters on May 15 as part of New York state’s phased reopening. There is a plan to lift the stage and have the sound be accessible from a PA system to visitor’s car radios.

    The cost of admission is still undetermined. But those interested in attending can sign up on their website to receive information on booking dates, promo codes, exclusive packages, and giveaways.

  • Cousin Earth To Release New Single “Bacon, Cat Food & Cheese”

    On June 1, Cousin Earth will release their new single worldwide for their newest song, “Bacon, Cat Food & Cheese.”  The track, which was recorded last summer and mixed and mastered in quarantine will be available on all streaming platforms and accompanied by an absurdist video featuring the individual band members in quarantine. The video debuts three days early at Noon on Friday, May 29 via Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and NYSMusic.com, along with an audio pre-release on Cousin Earth’s Bandcamp.

    That night, band will also stream an online Zoom meeting dubbed “Bacon, Cat Food & Chill” at 8pm on Monday, June 1, with special guests expected, and hosted by Wendy LaManque of The Whistles.

    The song, clocking in at nearly 8 minutes, showcases all the things fans have come to love about Cousin Earth: layered vocal harmonies, extended improvisation, and humorous lyrics.  “Bacon, Cat Food & Cheese” recently entered the band’s repertoire, juxtaposing a down tempo funk song with an upbeat dance-jam vehicle.  It was also featured in several shows as a quirky but party-hard late set jammer.

    The lyrical concept started as an inside joke, that became a meme, that became a ridiculous song about the internal strife of eating a sandwich that could definitely be better.  At a time when so much is uncertain in the world, Cousin Earth took a silly moment from tour and turned it into a metaphor about life that seems all-too-fitting right now.  Without gigs to support them, this Zappa-esque project shows no remorse in pointing out the absurdity in our current isolation as a society.

    “Bacon Cat Food & Cheese” was written by Cousin Earth and recorded at Call Hollow Studios in Pomona, NY.  in the summer of 2019 with engineering by Matthew Einsidler and Ryan Liatsis.

  • Electronic Artist i_o Drops New Song “Annihilation” Featuring Alt-Pop Artist Lights

    Electronic Artist i_o released his new song “Annihilation,” part of his third installment titled AM 444 of his 444 album series. This song features Canadian alt-pop artist Lights and has reached #2 on iTunes electronic chart. The AM 444 installment is based on what the world feels like around 4am when the lines between night and day become foggy, and night turns into day, the world just before dawn.

     i_o’s 444 album series was named for an obscure New York City underground venue. The 444 album is part of a three-part series of four tracks each as a nod to the number this series nodding to the number four. i_o uses each installment of 444 album series to project his own feelings about the different areas of dance music that he feels defines him as an artist. The first two installments were ACID 444 and NRG 444. ACID 444 was released back in late 2019 and was all about his warehouse roots meanwhile NRG was released in early 2020 and was more of an upbeat, peak of the night, collection of songs.

    On AM 444 i_o is joined by Lights on all tracks and highlights his production skills on the more melodic and progressive side. Although “Annihilation” is the only track dropped so far from the AM 444 installment you can already see it making nods to his production value and melodic rhythms. The song’s repetitive and trancelike beats in combination with the ebb and flow of vocals between i_o and Lights really reflects the feeling of 4AM when you are still out dancing just letting the music flow through you which the entire section will be focusing on.   

    The rest of the AM 444 installment is due to drop on May 29th on mau5trap. For more information on i_o and his 444 album visit mau5trap’s website. For more information on Lights visit her website.

  • PEAK releases a unique psych-funk fusion sound with “Hot Clips Volume 1”

    Based out of Brooklyn, indie-funk artist PEAK is eroding the border between techno and funk with their new album Hot Clips Volume 1.  The collection is PEAK’s latest release that explores a wide array of emotion, and doubles as something techno-funk and indie enthusiasts look to for a unique fusion of both worlds.  Imagine as if you’re riding in a ship through a space galaxy, and you entered into a psychedelic time travel where influences of authentic 60’s bands and modern funk-rock combine seamlessly; PEAK would be the pilot of this ship and the realm is Hot Clips Volume 1.

    The album takes off with “What It Is About Her,” a track that’s experimental right off the bat with a techno beat growing into a full acoustic drum sound.  The vocals join the steady instrumental flow, and provide as a comforting blanket through exploring emotion about a girl.  Throughout the track, the band proves their unique dynamic changes with the blend of rock and bright electro-synth solos.  PEAK is able to take you on a comfortable roller coaster, with the peak (no pun intended) being the psychedelic journey track “Baromtric Pressure,” followed by the funky feel-good track “Win Some, Lose Some” that brings you back down to earth.  Once you start the adventure of listening to Hot Clips Volume 1, it’s hard to snap out of the attractive trance brought on by the upbeat dance beats and wild keyboard solos.

    Hot Clips Volume 1 is the launch of a live series from PEAK featuring Jeremy Hilliard on guitar on vocals (Turbine), Kito Bovenschulte on Drums (Particle), Josh T. Carter on Bass (Hayley Jane and the Primates) and Johnny Young on keys and vocals (Mick Taylor, Artimus Pyle). PEAK released their debut studio album Electric Bouquet (produced by Dave Brandwein of Turkuaz) in 2018, and have since since been steadily touring to perform at prominent venues, and releasing music for everyone to enjoy.  

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_DhBH9p4yz/

    Written over a period of time from Fall 2019 to Winter 2020 during tour, this collection of songs were some of the band’s favorite jams until they were solidified with the help of keyboardist and mixing engineer Johnny Young.  With all of these great influences brought to one table, the band was able to bring these jams to life and capture their emotion while maintaining a fun techo vibe.

    Key Tracks: What It Is About Her, Baromtric Pressure, Wild Ride, Can’t Love Somebody

  • Listen to Queens Duo Runitup Apply ‘Pressure’ on latest single

    A breakout single isn’t the easiest thing to find. If it were, millions of aspiring rappers would have landed record deals. And although the ball seems to get rolling after that first big hit (save for the one-hit wonders, of course), an artist is still dependent on their initial ability to connect with an audience. For most, the components of the ever elusive-hit record seem to be simple (distinctive instrumental vocals, engaging lyrics, etc..) yet, the subtle ways in which they are applied often escape aspiring artists. Which is why when one finds one of those elusive records, they hold on to it, play it and share it to the world.

    “Pressure,” the latest release from cousins and Queens duo Runitup Rich and Runitup Sho feels like one of those songs. With a Lil Uzi Vert-esque flow and delivery throughout, the Runitup duo seem to have found the exact medium they had been searching for. “The sound we started with was just something we mimicked and thought it sounded like a bump and as we kept going and following music trends, we decided to start trying to be more melodic,” says Sho. “With my background and singing and Rich’s chop-and-go flow, we came up with a sound that was still us but gave an opening for a broader spectrum of music.” 

    It isn’t just the distinctive guitar riffs nor the infectious chorus, but the duo’s effervescence throughout the song that will likely coax listeners into joining them in sing-a-longs. With the record also falling shy of two minutes, there will be plenty of people playing it on repeat. 

    As Runitup continue to establish themselves, they refrain from thinking about fame and opulence. The duo is more focused on growing, exploring their sound, evading any hastiness. “Who knows what the future holds as we continue making music. We get to see more of what the supporters of our music want, and we can form a better direction for Runitup as a whole.”

  • Helena Halberg releases pick-me-up single “Last Love”

    Helena Hallberg drops “Last Love” to pick us up from where we left off in NYC coffee shops crooning breakups in back alley poetics over bouquets of taunting stanzas. Somewhere between sober and sauced, the disobedient tempo paces folk to a spirited jazz gig in a backroom; challenging the distance between breakups and landslides.

    If contemporary feminist acuity impaled the deck to lull and roar all together “I am not here to be your mother, I am not your teacher,”  Hallberg’s “Last Love” is an ode to one’s own time. This time she cuts a mischievous long finger to self-realization in the full glory of independence.

    Social distancing suddenly doesn’t feel so lonely but instead a sigh of relief for a party of one. If you’re looking for a tack you can play over and over to a thousand different mood sets, Hallberg will cover you in a blanket with the thought of wherever you are is exactly where you’re meant to be if you just own it. If only transistor radios weren’t extinct but mercifully Hallberg’s uptempo asserts itself with the same temporal defiance on Spotify as it might on vinyl. 

    In the meantime of Hallberg’s next music release, check out her weekly live streams and stay updated with her latest content via Facebook and Instagram.

  • Watch The Empire State Building with lights synced to Billy Joel’s “Miami 2017”

    The Empire State Building synced its lights to Billy Joel’s “Miami 2017” for a unique music-to-light show that served as the surprise finale to Robin Hood and iHeartRadio’s “Rise Up New York” virtual telethon on Friday, May 15, hosted by Tina Fey.