The American jazz trio The Bad Plus confirmed their 2020 spring tour following the release of their second album, ACTIVATE INFINITY, which was released in October of 2019. The spring tour will include a multi-show residency at Village Vanguard in New York City for six consecutive days.
The tour will begin on March 19th in Kenosha, WI at the Bedford Concert Hall and will wrap up on April 12th in Washington, DC at the Blues Alley. The tour will include multi- show residencies not only in New York City but also in Oakland, CA and Washington, D.C. as well. The New York City residency is taking place at the Village Vanguard on March 24th through the 29th. The Oakland, CA residency will take place at Yoshi’s on April 3rd and 4th. Washington’s residency will take place at the Blues Alley on April 10th through the 12th.
The Bad Plus is made up of bassist Reid Anderson, drummer Dave King, and pianist Orrin Evans, hailing from Minneapolis, MN. Their newest album ACTIVATE INFINITY was produced by The Bad Plus themselves and engineered and mixed by Andy Taub at NYC’s Brooklyn Recording back in May of 2019.
For more information on The Bad Plus and their 2020 spring tour visit their website.
The Bad Plus 2020 Spring Tour dates:
March 19th – Kenosha, WI – Bedford Concert Hall
March 21st – Hartford, CT – The Bushnell Performing Arts Center
March 22nd – Rockport, MA – Rockport Music-Shalin Liu Performance Center
March 24th – New York, NY – Village Vanguard (8:30 pm & 10:30 pm)
March 25th – New York, NY – Village Vanguard (8:30 pm & 10:30 pm)
March 26th – New York, NY – Village Vanguard (8:30 pm & 10:30 pm)
March 27th – New York, NY – Village Vanguard (8:30 pm & 10:30 pm)
March 28th – New York, NY – Village Vanguard (8:30 pm & 10:30 pm)
March 29th – New York, NY – Village Vanguard (8:30 pm & 10:30 pm)
March 31st – Seattle, WA – Triple Door
April 1st – Seattle, WA – Triple Door
April 2nd – Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre
April 3rd – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s (8:00 pm & 10:00 pm)
April 4th – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s (7:30 pm & 9:30 pm)
April 9th – Morgantown, WV – Lyell B. Clay Concert
April 10th – Washington, DC – Blues Alley (8:00 pm & 10:00 pm)
April 11th – Washington, DC – Blues Alley (8:00 pm & 10:00 pm)
April 12th – Washington, DC – Blues Alley (8:00 pm & 10:00 pm)
Oh Sees, the California band known for incorporating a wide range of rock genres, have announced a run of fall North American tour dates, with a two night stop at New York City’s Webster Hall in September. Among the genres that make up their unique sound are 60’s garage rock, pychedelic rock, punk, noise rock, art punk, and ’80s post-punk.
Led by guitarist/vocalist John Dwyer, whose guitar sound and brutally powerful way of playing are instantly identifiable, the band went through a series of changes that led them from clanging lo-fi garage experimentalism on albums like their 2007 debut Sucks Blood, to weirdo psych-pop on 2011’s Castlemania and almost-slick garage punk on 2014’s Drop.
Oh Sees will also play an upcoming charity concert on May 9 at the 1720 Warehouse in Los Angeles, to benefit The Elizabeth House & East LA Women’s Center. Tickets are on sale here. All dates are listed on the Oh Sees’ website.
Oh Sees UK + EU Tour:
05-15 – Birmingham – The Crossing
05-16 – Manchester – Albert Hall
05 -17– Glasgow – Barrowlands
05-18 – Dublin – Button Factory
05-19 – Dublin – Button Factory
05-21 – Bristol – SWX
05-22 – London – Electric Ballroom – Late Show
05-23 – London – Electric Ballroom – Early Show
07-05 – Lyon, France – transbordeur
07-07 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Kino siska
07-08th – Zagreb, Croatia – Vintage industrial bar .
07-09 – Budapest, Hungary – Bankito Festival
07-11 – Erfurt, Germany – Stone from the underground
07-12 – Gierle, Belgium – Sjock festival
07-14th – Berlin, Germany – Festaal Kreuzberg
07-15 – Dusseldorf, Germany – Zakk
07-16 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso
07-17 – Leuwarden, Netherlands – Welcome to the village
07-18 – Paris, France – Cabaret Sauvage
Oh Sees North American Tour:
Tue 09-01 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall *
Wed 09-02 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall *
Fri 09-04 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom *
Sat 09-05 – Seattle, WA – Neumos *
Sun 09-06 – Seattle, WA – Neumos *
Fri 09-11 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall *
Sat 09-12 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall *
Sun 09-13 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom *
Mon 09-14 – Toronto, Canada – Danforth Music Hall *
As part of Rockwood Music Hall’s 15th year anniversary, New York’s own Anna Rose will be having a show on Tuesday, February 18. She will also be sharing songs from her critically acclaimed album, The Light Between.
While you wait for the show, also make sure to check out her newly released music video with soulful rock-filled lyrics in “Broken Is Beautiful,” which also features two important women in her life.
Anna Rose will be performing at the Rockwood Music Hall on February 19.
“The video for ‘Broken Is Beautiful’ is very special to
me because it features two of the most important women in my life – my mom and
sister,” Rose said in a statement. “To have them be a part of telling
this story and to film it in a place that holds so many memories feels
incredibly cathartic. As women, I think we often fight these silent battles
within ourselves: the magic we inherently possess that drives us towards our
passions versus the societal markers that we are held up against. At any age,
that internal struggle can become a deep well of insecurity and I’m so grateful
to have my family help tell this story. Beyond that, having my dear friend and
collaborator Shruti direct and produce only adds to the magic, as she and I
have so much trust between us after years of working together.”
Frontman of Strangefolk and Assembly of Dust Reid Genauer will have some ‘Folks’ join him for a trio of shows this weekend in the Northeast. Bringing together a blend of musical genetics, crazy fingers and interpersonal chemistry, featured Folks include Jason Crosby (Assembly of Dust, Phil Lesh and Friends), Scott Law (Phil Lesh and Friends), Elliott Peck (Midnight North), Dave Diamond (Assembly of Dust), John Leccese (Assembly of Dust).
Genauer is excited for the potential of these shows, saying of the lineup, “Elliott Peck and I have had some glittery moments singing together in the past, mainly because she’s fantastic and can pluck a harmony out of the ether. So in addition to face-melting fungus rock, I’m looking forward to doing a few songs broken down with Elliott singing, Jason playing Violin and Scott Law playing mandolin. Any way you cut it expect to have fun because that’s what we are expecting.”
Also coming this week is Extended Release, a live album of selected performances from Reid Genauer & Folks 2019 tour dates features a series of line-ups and venues. Included in the release are tracks recorded at Brooklyn Bowl, The Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, CA) and Jerry Jam Festival (NH). Extended Release will be available on all major music platforms February 21, 2020.
A key member of the jam scene and beyond for more than 2 decades, Genauer’s songwriting follows in the tradition of influences including Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia, Willie Nelson and Paul Simon. The New York Times has described him as “a path between Woodstock and Nashville, with detours to Burlington and Bonnaroo.”
Andy Frasco and the UN brought their Royal Rumble tour circus to the Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday night, in the form of a high energy, wrestling themed showdown with co-headliner Big Something. Comedian Kyle Ayers doubled as the opening act and MC for the antics. The sold out crowd enjoyed the ruckus that ensued, as well as the jams.
Kyle Ayers kicked off the festivities with an unusual opening set of comedy directed at jam band fans. Shortly thereafter, Big Something descended upon the stage, delivering jam rock with a Southern and alt-rock flavor, along with extremely high energy. Members of Andy Frasco and the UN joined this party dressed in wrestling masks for a notable cover of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” At one point, Frasco dove onto Ayers, forcing him to wear a neck brace for the rest of the show. Big Something also performed the nineties throwback “Gangster’s Paradise” by Coolio.
After setbreak, Andy Frasco and the UN descended upon the stage once again, this time with even crazier stage antics. Known for stage diving, Frasco went for a ride early on in the set, and sported a bottle of Jameson throughout the night. Frasco was not without support from talented guests, as guitarists Dave Brandwein of Turkuaz and Brandon Niederauer took the stage for an electric cover of “Burning Down the House” by the Talking Heads. They also played their newly released track “Keep On Keepin’ On,” which was well received by the crowd.
The night was not complete without a stage diving race to drive the lane and dunk a basketball into the hoop setup within the crowd. Ayers refereed this challenge, while standing on top of Frasco’s piano. Frasco pulled off the victory while wearing his Wilt Chamberlain Lakers jersey.
The show was highly entertaining, and included some tasty blues, funk and rock-n-roll jams. This circus is back on the road this week in NY State, performing at the Buffalo Iron Works in Buffalo, NY on Tuesday, Feb 18th. Visit their tour page for more details.
Whirling dervish Andy Frasco has announced his upcoming LP Keep On Keepin’ On will be due out in April on SideOneDummy Records. With a therapeutic helping of rock ‘n roll with pop and Americana roots influence, the album is a powerful musical snapshot of what’s going on with Andy, his band and his fans. A special “Wellness” video trailer for the album has been released, geared towards encouraging fans not to suppress feelings that may be uncomfortable to talk about, and share the good as well as bad things in life.
“We all have things that make us who we are. Some things are just uncomfortable to talk about, so we tend to suppress those feelings because we don’t want our friends and social media followers to look at us as weak. It’s time to speak up about not just the good things in our life but the bad as well. This is who I am.”
“We’re going through a mental health crisis right now,” says Andy Frasco. “Loneliness, depression, suicide, it’s all on the rise. When you’re struggling in the moment, it can feel like you’re the only one, but that’s just not the truth. I wanted to make a record to remind you that you’re not alone.”
The title track combines soul, funk and pop, and empowers the listener through a danceable and catchy track focusing on overcoming negative thoughts and embracing love. Honest, thought-provoking and rhythmically infectious, Frasco’s upcoming project has important conversations while showcasing his talent as a songwriter and performer.
Produced by Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools and by former AWOLNATION keyboardist Kenny Carkeet, the LP finds Frasco digging deeper than he’s ever dug before, fusing ecstatic rock and soul with infectious pop and funk as he grapples with the kind of demons he’s spent the better part of his adult life running from. The songs here are blunt in their honesty and unsparing in their self-examination, but they remain, at their core, works of great hope and promise. They’re the work of a man who’s been through the darkest part of the night and, now that dawn is finally breaking, is ready to share his story.
“Making this record helped me accept that I needed therapy in my life,” Frasco explains. “I always used to think I was too proud or too strong to have a therapist, but I realized that was all bullshit. I’m not always the fun, wild guy people see onstage, and it felt like time to talk about who I really am.”
Frasco is also in the midst of his Spring Tour, supporting Big Something, Umphrey’s McGee and Twiddle, as well as standalone shows. Catch him in Ithaca on February 11, Brooklyn February 15 and Buffalo February 18. Full tour dates are below.
Andy Frasco and the U.N. Spring Tour
2/05 – 1904 Music Hall – Jacksonville, FL (with Big Something)
2/06 – The Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC (with Big Something)
2/07 – The Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC (with Big Something)
2/08 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC (with Big Something)
2/09 – The Broadberry – Richmond, VA (with Big Something)
2/11 – The Haunt – Ithaca, NY (with Big Something)
2/12 – The Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA (with Big Something)
2/13 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC (with Big Something)
2/14 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA (with Big Something)
2/15 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY (with Big Something)
2/18 – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo, NY (with Big Something)
2/19 – The Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI (with Big Something)
2/20 – Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH (with Big Something)
2/21 – The Stache – Grand Rapids, MI (with Big Something)
2/22 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
2/25 – Neurolux – Boise, ID
2/26 – Midtown Ballroom – Bend, OR (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)
2/27 – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)
2/28 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)
2/29 – Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)
3/03 – Humboldt Brews – Arcata, CA
3/04 – The Saint – Reno, NV
3/05 – Crazy Horse Saloon – Nevada City, CA
3/06 – Lost on Main – Chico, CA
3/07 – The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA (supporting Twiddle)
3/19 – Schmiggity’s – Steamboat Springs, CO
3/20 – Boogie at The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs, CO
3/21 – Agave – Avon, CO
4/18 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO
4/20 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO
4/24 – Sweetwater 420 Festival – Atlanta, GA
4/25 – Winstons – San Diego, CA
5/22 – Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL
5/23 – Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL
5/24 – Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL
6/07 – Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain – Ozark, AR
6/11 – Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN
7/04 – Peach Music Festival – Scranton, PA
July 2 – July 5 – High Sierra Music Festival – Quincy, CA
Rapper, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s highly anticipated, third solo effort has finally arrived. It’s backed by two singles: “Reply,” featuring Lil Uzi Vert and “King of My City,” as well as a snippet of “Guitar Song.” The Bronx native is looking to impress after having his album release date pushed back on several occasions because of leaked records. He shared the album’s artwork on his Instagram account on February 5 and confirmed the Valentine’s Day release on February 10.
His last album, Hoodie SZN, was his first project to debut at number 1 on Billboard 200, producing four charting singles, the most successful of which was the guitar laden “Look Back At It.” Overall, the crooner/emcee looks to capture the city’s attention, with a return to what had gained him a loyal following throughout the five boroughs.
Although Hoodie SZN was commercially successful, some felt he had strayed away from the tear-jerking records that first gained him notoriety. Such as, “D.T.B.,” from his debut mixtape Artist, hence the latest project’s title. With an ever-growing staple of New York City rappers (Pop Smoke, Fivio Foreign, Sheff G) bringing notoriety back to hip hop’s birthplace, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is looking to leave a lasting impression, and lay claim to his throne as the latest king of New York rap.
He’ll need this project to be the one to do so, as this might be the last time we hear from A Boogie for a while. The “Drowning,” rapper took to Instagram to say, “This might be my last project for a while,” he revealed. “I wanna take a break from music after Artist 2.0 tour is over. There’s a lot of things I want to do in life and it’s just moving too fast for me to focus on everything at once. But I will never let my fans down. When you need me most, I’ll be there.”
After 10 years, bassist Corey J. Feldman (Cousin Earth, Mercury Landing) will revive his original storybook rock opera The Green Emerald. Held at DROM, the show kicks off at 7:30 pm and features 13 original songs and an accompanying illustrated book. Musically, the songs range in genre from rock and funk to Latin and prog, with a heavy improvisational centerpiece consistent throughout.
First performed in 2009, this epic is making its first showcase in over a decade with a variety of players. Instead of finding a single band, Feldman decided to recruit over 20 musicians from his recent musical endeavors, each song with a different lineup. You can expect to see players from Cousin Earth, Particle, Sophistafunk, ShwizZ, Teddy Midnight, Escaper, Bushicks, Sylvana Joyce and the Moment, Big Wake, Sprocket, Jam the Radar, Uncle Ebenezer, Castle Rat, and more.
The story of The Green Emerald is inscribed with the phrase: “Created by the Universe, just wish upon this stone. You must ask the question true. Its power stands alone.” This legendary jewel can grant one wish, but only when asked the right question. Yearned for by an ancient noble, coveted by an evil king, and understood only by a wise princess, the Green Emerald alone had the power to vanquish our ancestors’ one universal flaw… their inability to see color.
Tickets are $12 adv/ $15 doors. DROM is located at 85 Ave A, Manhattan.
The city of New York is used to being serenaded. Entertainers famous and obscure alike have sung the city’s praises – delivering some of their biggest records in doing so. From Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” to Jay – Z and Alecia Keys’ 2009 fall hit “Empire State of Mind,” New York City is used to being romanticized and looked at as a potential nesting ground for out-of-towners. While clearly magnetic in its appeal, the rougher parts of the city are less likely to be spotlighted during anthem songs.
That’s the thing about hip-hop, it has always been about speaking the truth. It has a reputation for delivering an authentic inner-city experience. Harlem native Cam’ron – known for his alliteration and uniquely playful delivery – tried his hand at an ode to hip-hop’s birthplace, on the 7th track from his 2002 album, Come Home with Me.
Featuring Jay – Z, the record signified the unification of two of hip hop’s most dominant rappers: Jay – Z, the accomplished veteran and label head of Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cam’ron, the captain of influential hip hop faction Dipset. The album marked Cam’ron’s first commercial release under the label and a verse from Jay – Z was the ultimate stamp of approval for his latest signee.
Jay – Z begins the record by shouting out a couple of legendary figures (Michael Jordan and Notorious B.I.G.) that have hailed from Brooklyn – his hometown. He then proceeds to paint a picture of his past endeavors in the streets of Brooklyn. While the verse might come off as braggadocios, it’s merely an explanation of why he would put himself in harm’s way by entering such a dangerous occupation. For every couple of bars about his cocaine exploits, it is followed up by the resulting glory that comes from it. Going from delivering the drugs to Baltimore, to being front and center at a Knicks game.
Based on the former’s subject matter, it was pretty safe to predict what Cam’ron’s lyrics would revolve around. He wastes no time attacking the Just Blaze produced record. “Yo, there’s a war going on outside no man is safe from.” Unlike Jay – Z, he doesn’t spend any time discussing monumental figures, nor does he glorify drug dealing. Instead, he chooses to relay the realities that come with the streets, in entertaining Cam’ron fashion of course. He even manages to take a shot at fellow Harlem native Mase, attributing his departure from hip-hop due to his uneasiness with being surrounded by so much violence. Eventually Jay – Z and Cam’ron go back and forth, describing the violent crimes that they come across in their respective neighborhoods.
Overall, the record feels like a moment in time. Just Blaze’s distinctive production (loud drums, guitars and horns) captures the aggressiveness of both emcees, and the two complement each other well. The record also served as the theme song for a popular video game, True Crime: New York City.
Welcome to New York City Lyrics:
Jay – Z
Turn the motherfucking music up [Cam’Ron] Just Blaze, man. You owe me n***a
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Welcome to the Empire State. Home of the World Trade. Birthplace of Michael Jordan. Home of Biggie Smalls. Roc-A-Fella headquarters. Ladies and gentlemen, Killa Cam, Young Hov is definitely in the building Brooklyn, Harlem World (Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City) Stand the f**k up!
I’m a B.K. brawler Marcy projects hallway loiterer Pure coke copper, get your order up I bring ‘em to Baltimore in the Ford Explorer It’s going to cost you more if I gotta get em to Florida Rucka game attender With the bent pole on the sidewalk with the tin plates on the fender I ain’t hard to find you catch me front and center At the Knick game, big chain and all my splendor Next to spike and the pen left to write I own Madison Square, catch me at the fight But damn once again if you pan left at the ice If you the man that write cheques with the hand that don’t write I go off the head when I’m rambling on the mic And I go off the feds when I’m scrambling at night And if its off the set I brought hammers to the fight But we from New York City, right Cam? [Cam: Ya damn right]
It’s the home of 9-11, the place of the lost towers We still banging, we never lost power, tell em Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City Why Y’all f***n with BK’s banger and Harlem’s own gangster Now that’s danger there’s nothing left to shape up Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City
Cam’ron
Yo, there’s a war going on outside no man is safe from It don’t matter if you three feet or eight-one You’ll get ate from me, nine and straight blown Wig split, melon cracked, all that on day one Carry eight guns, two in the trunk Two in the waist, two in the ankle, two to just spank you You can jam with them jammers, blam with them blammers It’s hot here, ask Mase he ran to Atlanta You think we know what life do, make want to mold the cycle Drinkers they so delightful, blinging with so much ice In front of sparks, body cops Dilano Block away watch by Gotti and Girvano It’s la costra nostra, someone close approach ya They’ll toast ya gopher, bread loaf with shofer Old coke they raise up and snort, blayze up ya fort Jay puff shine, cases was caught Midnight pick fights, they love a victim Watch him fore he watch you, Killa
I’m from 101, west to Hunt 40th, this shit is live Fifth-floor, 56, you know the zip, district five You’re on 22nd, you from two-one That’s on Lennox, 7th ave was news one [Jay-Z] Coverage I synethestry Got rise from defending me Cause New York’ll miss me if I’m locked in the penitentiary The judge said “Is this that thug, from the kit kat club?” But I got enough chips stacked up to make a bitch to back up [Cam’Ron] Killa, I pinch that bud, I grip that snub to hit that thug Lay up in a pitch black tug, You lookin’ at rich black thugs to get that love And we won’t stop ‘til I get back blood Holla at em Hov [Jay-Z] I’m from Flushing, Marcy, Notia, Myrtle and Park N***as’ll drive by in the day, murder you in the dark That’s why the Johnny gun I’m holding Wet n***as up like the johnny-pump is open Homie, I play hard
I’m from 101, west to Hunt 40th, this shit is live Fifth-floor, 56, you know the zip, district five You’re on 22nd, you from two-one That’s on Lennox, 7th ave was news one [Jay-Z] Coverage I synethestry Got rise from defending me Cause New York’ll miss me if I’m locked in the penitentiary The judge said “Is this that thug, from the kit kat club?” But I got enough chips stacked up to make a bitch to back up [Cam’Ron] Killa, I pinch that bud, I grip that snub to hit that thug Lay up in a pitch black tug, You lookin at rich black thugs to get that love And we won’t stop ‘til I get back blood Holla at em Hov [Jay-Z] I’m from Flushing, Marcy, Notia, Myrtle and Park N***gas’ll drive by in the day, murder you in the dark That’s why the Johnny gun I’m holding Wet n***as up like the johnny-pump is open Homie, I play hard
Y’all n***s man, why Y’all can’t f**k around man It’s the ROC b***h, Killa, my n***a Jigga, Sigel, Beans Diplomats man, holla, Dash Get the f*** off our dicks I own this s**t right now man, I ain’t going nowhere
On a January Wednesday, Fred Norris played a sold out show with his band at Arlene’s Grocery in the lower east side of Manhattan. Fred is best known for his role on The Howard Stern Show where he has been a writer, producer and sound effects genius for over 30 years. The new line up of his band includes Fred on lead vocals and guitar, Steve Goulding on drums, Graham Parker on guitar and Mekons on bass. Opening for The Fred Norris Band was Steve Addabbo and Megan Reilly.
Fred and his band sounded great and they didn’t even get to do a proper sound check before their set. They played for over an hour and performed 12 original bluesy rock songs including “Get In Line,” “Sense of Pretending” and “Lost in the Ether.” Fred then welcomed singer/songwriter Erica Smith to join the band for the melodious “How Long.” What was also very much enjoyable was Fred talking about each song and what inspired him to write them. Some of the songs were about his daughter Tess, while others were about current social issues such as greed, corruption and the threat of war. You can see the full setlist below.
Arlene’s Grocery used to be a bodega/grocery store which was turned into a bar in 1995. It is mostly a venue for local punk and hard rock bands. Other notable performances include Arcadia Fire, Jeff Buckley and Lady Gaga.
Setlist: Get in Line, Uptown One, Cool Surface, Sense of Pretending, How Long, Lost in the Ether, The End, There Goes The Show, The War Within, Paradise
