Category: Regions

Flashback: 311 Plays Special Halloween Show for the Long Island Excitable Ones
On October 31, 2017, reggae rock band 311 treated their Long Island fans to a special Halloween show at The Paramount in Huntington. They really took the spirit of Halloween seriously with vocalist/turntablist SA Martinez, bassist P-Nut, lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and lead vocalist and guitarist Nick Hexum taking the stage in full costume. The event was presented by Long Island radio station 94.3 The Shark. Fellow rap rockers Shinobi Ninja opened the show and were also dressed in costumes.

I have been to many, many 311 shows, but I would say this show in particular had the best old school setlist. Of course it made perfect sense that they opened the show with “Jackolantern’s Weather.” They even pulled some of their more popular songs like “Amber” and “Come Original” and replaced them with deeper cuts for their hardcore fans such as “Visit,” “Unity” and “Hive.”

They also added “Gap” that was featured on their 1996 Enlarged to Show Detail EP. It seems to me whenever the guys come to Long Island they really make an effort to tear the roof off the venue. Growing up the Island I can tell you they have a huge loyal fan base here and they definitely know it.

The set was two-and-a-half hours long and even included some bits of spooky Halloween themed music such as the theme song of Stranger Things and “This is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas. You can tell they guys were really enjoying themselves as they covered songs from almost every album from Music to Mosaic. The set ended with two more old school songs “Who’s Got the Herb” which I think they have to play at every Long Island show and “F— the Bull—-” which is the best show closing songs ever written.

As part of their 30th anniversary tour, the band was scheduled to co-headline a North American tour with Incubus in the summer of 2020, but it was cancelled because of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Setlist: Transistor Intro, Jackolantern’s Weather, Galaxy, Flowing, Gap, Extension, Light Years, Sick Tight, Visit, Bass Solo, One and the Same, Hive, Inner Light Spectrum, Wildfire, Rock On, Applied Science, Hey Yo, Lose, Transistor, Use of Time, Unity, Hydroponic, Feels So Good

Encore: Livin and Rockin, Who’s Got the Herb, Fuck the Bullshit
October 31, 2020
Trampoline Jetstream’s “Jerry” was worth the wait

Utica band Trampoline Jetstream just released their latest single, “Jerry,” which has been in the works since 2018.

The four person indie rock band began to record “Jerry” in Utica two years ago. Before they could finish, vocalist Nick Vanderwood suffered an injury that left him unable to sing. The band put the project on hold until February 2020, just before the COVID epidemic put everything on pause. Trampoline Jetstream had finished recording, but had to delay production and gigs further.

The band joked that the album was cursed. “At one point we almost abandoned the project completely to begin writing a new album,” said drummer Adam Manion. “In the end, we felt too strongly about these songs and decided to release them as an EP.”

It’s no shock that Trampoline Jetstream couldn’t abandon the project – the songs are incredibly personal. “These songs really are about figuring out your place in the world and wishing you could rewind yourself,” said guitarist Alex Verbickas. This feeling is present in “Jerry,” which “was inspired by a feeling of nostalgia and longing for youthful memories that have passed while also growing older” noted on the band’s SoundCloud. The indie band draws inspiration from different genres but pulls it all together with solid guitar and lyrics. With their varied style, even their instrumentals have the same nostalgic quality that their lyrics speak about.

Fans are glad the band didn’t abandon “Jerry,” too. Audiences loved it so much that the band changed their name to the track’s first title, “Trampoline Jetstream.” Now, years later, those audiences along with the rest of the world can listen to “Jerry” and the other tracks to come.

The full EP, Jerry, will also feature “I Confide” and “Rewind/Barney’s Quadrant.” The band will follow it with a companion EP released early 2021. Stream “Jerry” and Trampoline Jetstream’s other music now on SoundCloud and Spotify. Follow the band on Instagram and Facebook so you don’t miss any updates on their new releases!

October 30, 2020
Skyloft in Crossgates Mall Falls Victim to Music Industry Shutdown

Skyloft, which opened in early 2019 in at Crossgates Mall near Albany, has closed permanently. Announcements were made via the establishment’s social media.

With rising “concerns and restrictions brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic” it left the operators no choice but to close according to the post.

The statement from operators on Facebook said:

“Although endings are bittersweet, we are forever grateful for the support we have enjoyed since opening our doors. Our mission was to reignite musical tastes across the vast genre spectrum, and provide a full scale home for the area’s live music community. We were welcomed with open arms, and for that we thank each and every one of you. Without our patrons, our artists, and our staff, we would not have been able to accomplish our goals, and we wish to acknowledge our deepest appreciation for all three.
What comes next, we do not know. Rest assured the beat will play on and in some capacity or another and we will meet again on a dance floor somewhere soon. Until then, be excellent to each other, to yourselves, be safe, and party on.”

Since March the pandemic has forced the closures of venues nationwide in attempts to control the spread of the virus. The sudden end to business threatened a number of the region’s entertainment businesses, which were forced to furlough or lay off an unknown number of employees.

Skyloft opened in April 2019, offering a menu that featured barbecue food and a space for concerts with a capacity of 600-800 people.It was the second venue of its type to open at Crossgates Mall. Lucky Strike Social, the large bowling alley, concert venue and bar and grill that opened in 2016, closed just months after Skyloft opened.

October 30, 2020
Charley Orlando Writes a Simple and Honest “Note to Self”

My extended family have tried to sell me on Bob Dylan’s music for years. Although it took them all my life, I’ve come to appreciate Dylan’s influence. The Folk and Americana genres have certainly grown on me. And I’m not the only one. Many folks listen to and play folk music. Need another example? Look no further than Charley Orlando — who is prepared to launch a new album, called Note to Self.

Photo by Ian LaRochelle

The new/old wave of Folk Music

It seems like just a few years ago, only independent artists exposed themselves as folk lyrics require. But recently, Top 40 artists such as Post Malone and Taylor Swift have both released charting records with folk backbone. As such, folk music has a lot of new listeners from the Millennial and Zoomer generations.

Looking at the music industry in terms of trends like this, Orlando could not have picked a better moment to release his new songs.

Who is Charley Orlando?

Orlando’s career spans 30 years with jam band Dexter Grove on his resume. But instead of a group with multiple instruments, Note to Self contains acoustic guitar and raw vocals almost exclusively.

But this doesn’t make the project any less ambitious. Note appears with visual aid with Orlando performing each song at various locations. And Orlando is an ambitious person with a cult following. Note holds a spot in a lineup of over fifteen releases, and it’s of course hard to say where this one falls. But it doesn’t matter. The album is accessible to those hearing Orlando for the first time.

Starting From the Bottom…

Like many of Dylan’s songs, you can pretty much start anywhere and you’ll eventually hear the right track. Both Orlando and Dylan’s lyrics make me think, “yeah, that is a good idea. He’s totally right.”

They say, “Less is more.”

The thing that draws me to this album is that unlike many albums of this year, Charley relies on few, if any, sound effects or ProTools plugins. While I do emphatically enjoy a good polished sugar pop album — such as the aforementioned Swift or Post — there is something wonderfully real about an acoustic guitar and a voice coming from a backyard or by a lake.

And it is real. Orlando convinces the listener of his true emotions in this effort while making larger statements about the world in 2020. Orlando leaves a positive impression while also asking relevant questions.

Another thing I find so accessible about this album is that — especially due to the visual element — Charley seems like a person that you could have a jam session with on your back porch, not the impossibly busy celebrity persona that surrounds many musicians. It is likely for this reason that Orlando has built himself a steady listener base without the aid of major labels or big advertisement.

That realness on Note to Self the exact same thing I enjoy so much about the Bob Dylan songs I’ve heard so far. And I don’t have to say much more about it, because good art sells itself.

Note to Self is available October 30th 2020 on all major streaming services.

Key tracks: Note to Self, Torch, All It Can Be

October 30, 2020
Ok Cowgirl descends into a fuzz-laden abyss with “Get Gone”

Ok Cowgirl, the lofi indie rock project of Leah Lavigne, a Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist has released their debut single “Get Gone.” The song describes the desire to abandon younger insecurities with appearances, wealth, and beauty. It could also be described as an unimpressed response to a superficial culture.

They discussed the various topics associated with the track, speaking about radical-self acceptance, beauty standards, and capitalistic norms. Lavigne said, “At a certain point I knew I needed to let these emotions be what they were. I needed to stop filtering them and stop judging myself for feeling these things.”

Look At My Record praised Lavigne’s “powerful and domineering vocals” of song, and mentioned her strong expression of the frustration with our current cultural values. They also described it as “descending into a fuzz-laden abyss” and finally being able to release the pent-up emotion. Ok Cowgirl has an artistry that goes into the idea of the musician and the role we provide to this world, especially with our modern challenges.

This project also represented a major change for Leah Lavigne. Her earlier solo career up consisted of a more softer energy. People would come up to her in shows and say that she was their favorite sad girl. The Detroit native realized there was so much more to her style and has expanded her lane. Lavigne used to play the piano and switched her focus towards the electric guitar.

Since the summer of 2018, Lavigne performs alongside long-time collaborator and percussionist Matt Birkenholz, bassist Jase Hottenroth, and lead guitarist Jake Sabinsky. They have been noted for their lyrically-driven rock tinged sound, with a soft synth and melodic, angsty influence.

Their new single will surely not disappoint fans of the Brookyln-based group. Their follow up single, “Don’t Go,” will also be out on November 20. “Get Gone” is out now on Spotify, Bandcamp, and Soundcloud.

October 29, 2020
Dirty Heads perform Drive In Concert at Lafayette
The Dirty Heads performed in Lafayette, NY at the Apple Festival grounds on Saturday, October 24. The Drive-In style show was brought by Creative Concerts, one of the only promoters currently booking shows in the Syracuse region.

The concert experience was certainly a unique one. Concert goers had assigned parking spots by color coded rows. Each row had a limited amount of parking spaces made out of string barriers to ensure proper distancing between vehicles. Each row had their own designated restroom to use as well. The venue was equipped with large projector screens on each side of the stage to broadcast the performance. It ensured a good view no matter the location. The sound quality was good and the stage constructed to give off a music festival vibe.

The Set: Dirty Heads Lafayette

The Dirty Heads came on around 8pm, allowing everyone to get in their designated parking areas before the show started. While the temperature was brisk, 40 degrees, that did not stop the high energy performance and excitement from the crowd. For many, if not most of the people in attendance this was their first concert in at least 7-8 months. People were in very good spirits: laughing and smiling, BBQ-ing at their vehicles,and just enjoying the moment of experiencing live music- something that has been missing from a lot of our lives this past year.

All the band members were dressed appropriately for the weather: jackets, gloves and hats. It is still a strange site to see an entire band performing all bundled up. However, it did not effect their performance at all as they flowed through a 21-song setlist. Dierits such as “Oxygen”, “Burn Slow”, Vacation”, and “Dance All night”.

Dirty Heads performance in Lafayette gives high hopes, at least for the near future of live music. The ability to successfully and most important, safely put on a show with a large draw of people while adhering to all guidelines in regards to the pandemic.

The next shows at Lafayette Apple Festival Grounds will be The Disco Buscuits performing for three nights, October 29, 30, and 31. More info can be found from Creative Concerts.

Check Out Photos From Dirty Heads
October 29, 2020
Brooklyn Duo Fake Dad serve up new single “Breakfast in New York”

In preparation for a new EP in 2021, Brooklyn group Fake Dad have released a new single to close out the year. Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford found inspiration for their single “Breakfast in New York,” from a very interesting and unusual source.

The song is a mid-tempo electronic/R&B track, inspired by a knock off Jurassic Park ride in the middle country. “Fake Dad” used that exact backdrop for another music video, bringing a new inspiration to the duo. When de Varona and Ford wrote the song, they were fixated on the idea that the things we wish we could change is exactly what make our lives meaningful.

The Brooklyn duo, Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford, have made music in their tiny studio apartment since 2018. The duo had designated their roles within the band and have worked with a variety of up and coming artists. Andrea and Josh come from different musical backgrounds, but they do share a common goal. That goal is to create something that understands the listener. Both Andrea and Josh wanted to create music that comforted people, especially if the listener had a rough day in life.

“Fake Dad” has received many plaudits from media outlets. The Wild Honey Pie wrote, “Fake Dad take listeners on a trip down memory lane — but it feels closer to a cautionary tale than a fond retelling.”

EARMILK felt “Fake Dad” knew how to express their concepts with their single “Summer Hill.” EARMILK wrote “I tend to reject the saying, “Life is hard.” Not because it is not, but because it glosses over the very real hardships and struggles that so many of us face, tying it up with a bow in just three short words. I do not want to gloss over it. I want to dig deep and uncover what makes the simple act of existing so challenging for all of us. Fake Dad, comprised of Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford, sonically and visually conceptualize all of these ideas.”

“Fake Dad” looks to comfort and share their conceptual ideas with listeners, and their new single will surely do that. “Breakfast in New York” is out now on Spotify. To check out more of “Fake Dad” and their work, visit their Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, or Instagram page.

October 28, 2020
Pop Smoke honored at BET Hip Hop Awards

Fallen Brooklyn drill rapper-turned-superstar Pop Smoke had a career that was as short as it was promising. The slain rapper’s posthumous debut album — Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon— not only debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 (being certified platinum only one month after its release), but also accomplished the rare feat of having all 19 of its tracks simultaneously chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Spawning four RIAA certified platinum singles in “Mood Swings,” “For The Night,” “The Woo” and “Dior.”

The Canarsie, Brooklyn bred artist — whose death at only 20-years-old on February, 19 resulting from a botched robbery— was justly honored at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards. Migos stalwart, Quavo, led the tributes with a two-song performance of collaborations he shared with the late rapper. Beginning with “Shake the Room” off of Pop Smoke’s first project of 2020, Meet the Woo 2 and following up with “Aim for the Moon,” from his latest LP.

With adjustments made for COVID-19, the Atlanta emcee performed his portion of the records in a music video style setting, being placed in a white, futuristic, space-themed room, while images of the perished neophyte and his lyrics appeared in the background.

Despite no longer being among us, Pop Smoke’s presence in popular culture is unwavering, with the “Welcome to the Party” rapper also being awarded best new Hip Hop artist in his lone nomination of the night.

The success of his latest project has also proven to be a legacy booster as Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, recently reclaimed the top spot on the Billboard 200, three-months after its original release. And with a new music video for “Aim for the Moon” recently shared, it’s clear that new content for Pop Smoke is still in the works.

October 28, 2020
The Eddies Music Awards go Virtual on December 6

On December 6 at 7 p.m., KeyBank is presenting the second annual Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards. The show was originally scheduled for April 14 at Proctors in Schenectady, but was cancelled due to COVID-19. The new event will be broadcast live from Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs through Collaborative Studios’ Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV apps.

NYS Music is honored to be nominated for Art Publication of The Year, along with the numerous other creatives from the local music community, including two photographers who started out with NYS Music, Dave DeCrescente and Frankie Cavone.

The broadcast will be shot on a closed set with about 45 cast and crew members, but will also feature four performances. Additionally, four panels that will discuss the year in local music and how music making has shifted during the pandemic. The winners in 34 categories will be announced in between panel segments.

The Capital Region Thomas Edison Hall of Fame Awards– an offshoot of The Eddies Music Awards – was held just days before civic authorities severely restricted public gatherings in March. The Accents, Blotto, The Fidelities, Hal Ketchum, Lena Spencer and John Sykes were inducted during a sold-out ceremony.

Nominations were announced in February in 34 categories. Roughly 100 representatives of the local music industry participated in judging. “We had a pretty intensive process last winter where we discussed artists, 2019 music and music video releases, as well as venues and other organizations involved in music creation and performance,” Jim Murphy, Eddies co-founder said. “Hundreds of individuals , groups, venues and companies were considered, as many as 35 or more in some categories.”

“We’ll take considerable safety precautions,” said Sal Prizio, Eddies co-founder. “This will be a bit of a three-ring circus. Five cameras. Twenty-four panelists rotating in groups of six. And four musical performances on the stage. We’re packing a lot into a 100-minute, commercial free broadcast.”

“We’re doing everything possible to make this broadcast a special evening,” Murphy said. “We encourage everyone to view this live, to celebrate in their living rooms, studios or wherever they prefer to gather safely. May we all get together in 2021!”

Musical acts and other participants in the 2020 Eddies Music Awards Show will be announced closer to the broadcast.

October 28, 2020
22 Years Later: Phish perform “Birds of a Feather” on the Late Show with David Letterman

In the fall of 1998, Phish had just released Story of the Ghost, and were just about to start their cross-country Fall Tour, which included not one but two shows covering full albums by The Velvet Underground and Pink Floyd. Before diving into the tour, they’d pay a visit to David Letterman at the Ed Sullivan Theater on October 27, 1998, for the fourth time, performing “Birds of a Feather.”

via just-add-cones.blogspot.com

While Fall Tour started proper on October 29, 1998, Phish had a few performances under their belt already that month. Playing at Farm Aid in Tinley Park, IL and Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, CA, the band returned back east for a week of respite before a 30 day/22 show tour.

Poster for Louis Arzonico

Following guests Martin Short and Eddie Izzard, Phish served as musical guest that evening, performing the second track off Story of the Ghost, “Birds of a Feather.” Being their fourth time on the show, Letterman introduced the band noting they had their own book (The Phish Book) in addition to their new album.

The less than four minute version of “Birds of a Feather” has a lively audience celebrating not only the introduction of the band, but audibly so when the song breaks into a section where, in a live show environment, the band would venture off into exploring the arena rocker.

Following the performance, Letterman shakes hands with drummer Jon Fishman and says “Its Phish, kids!” The band would not return to the Ed Sullivan Theater until May of 2000, ahead of the release of Farmhouse.

Other individual song performances on Letterman include “Chalkdust Torture” on December 30, 1994, “Julius” on July 13, 1995, “Character Zero” on March 5, 1997, “Heavy Things” on May 15, 2000, “All of These Dreams” on December 19, 2002, a multi-song performance on the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee on June 21, 2004, and “The Line” on June 25, 2014.

October 27, 2020