NYS Music 202​0

Category: Regions

  • 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.

  • Levitt AMP Utica Music Series Postponed Till 2021

    The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series was supposed to announce its lineup but unfortunately it has decided to postpone it’s festivities. The ten week free concert series will be back in the summer of 2021. This difficult decision was not made lightly but with COVID-19 alive and raging the Utica Monday Nite and the Levitt AMP committee have decided that with the concerns for the health, safety and well-being of their community that postponing was the only real option. 

    https://www.facebook.com/LevittAMPUtica/videos/3103229943076538/

    The grant money won by the public voting campaign by Utica community members will roll over to 2021. The Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation has assured that the $25,000 will be safe and be able to be used for next year’s festivities. The only catch is that Utica will not have to apply again and won’t have to vote again for next year’s grant.

    The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties usually match the funds and grants collected for the past four years. Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties said she supported the decision to postpone The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series till next summer and look forward to next summer.

    The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series team is currently working on rebooking as many of the headlining bands that were scheduled for the festivities this summer for next year’s festival. The series will also feature local talent each week as it always does. 

    Levitt AMP Utica Music Series. Photo Provided by Levitt AMP Utica Music Series.

    The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series will be joining the 10-Week Virtual Music Series with The Levitt Foundation. They will be joining 19 other Levitt AMP cities for this 10-week Virtual Music Series which will highlight some of Utica’s local talent on a national platform. The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series  will also be exploring the possibility of applying for a new Bridge Grant for 2020. The Levitt Foundation created this grant to bring people together through music in alternative ways and is shaping what that may look like for our community. 

    For more information please visit Levitt AMP Utica Facebook and Instagram pages.

  • Trampoline Jetstream create Debut EP amid Social Distancing

    For years Utica’s own alternative rockers Trampoline Jetstream have played shows without recording a single track. Now even with measures in place that prevented them from being together they have produced their debut EP For Days On End.

    The first single off the EP, “Patience,” shows off futuristic dreamy bedroom pop sounds backed by heavy bass that produces a psychedelic image.  Urging listeners to take their time in ‘deciding their own fate’ and showing yourself patience in a time of drastic change and uncertainty, “Patience” is a track you can put on and forget about now. 

    For Days On End was long awaited from a band that has seen some trouble since they first decided to start recording their debut album in 2018. Plans were all brought to a screeching halt when lead singer Nick Vanderwood sustained vocal injuries that lasted over a year. 

    Recorded completely separately due to social distancing measures implemented during the pandemic, the debut EP will consist of three songs that did not make the debut album. The band has plans to release a full debut album hopefully in the fall according the press release. ‘For Days On End’ is available for streaming on all platforms. 

  • 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).

  • Revisit the Grateful Dead at the Carrier Dome – October 20, 1984

    The third and final time the Grateful Dead performed at the Carrier Dome was on October 20, 1984 and featured one of the most blistering “Jack Straw” versions ever.

    Grateful Dead Carrier Dome

    The October 20 show was smack dab in the middle of their 1984 fall tour, and the final show on the East Coast before heading to San Francisco for the remainder of the year.

    A first set opening with “Bertha” -> “Greatest Story Ever Told” found a great groove in “Ramble on Rose,” which was followed by the first of a few requests from Bob Weir for the audience to ‘take a step back,’ heard quite often during this era of the Dead. The “Bird Song” clocks in at just over 11 minutes, and is followed by the aforementioned powerful “Jack Straw.”

    The energetic show features resounding versions of “Shakedown Street” to open Set 2, which led to non-stop dancin’ in the rafters. During “Turn on Your Lovelight,” fencing on stage right fell, leading to fans spilling down onto the Carrier Dome field.

    Grateful Dead Carrier Dome

    Leaving the show on the mantra of “Revolution” (‘You know its gonna be, alright’) set the crowd out on a high note, for it would be the last Dead on the East Coast until March, 1985 in Hampton, VA. Of course, leaving the Carrier Dome (up until recent renovation began) meant the wind would push on the backs of fans as they egressed, which can be either cathartic or unsettling, depending on your mindset at the time.

    Check out photos of the Grateful Dead at the Carrier Dome pre and post-show from James R Anderson here and check out an extended breakdown of the show from Visions of Dylan.

    Set 1: Bertha-> Greatest Story Ever Told, West L.A. Fadeaway, CC Rider, Ramble On Rose, My Brother Esau, Bird Song, Jack Straw

    Set 2: Shakedown Street-> Samson & Delilah, He’s Gone-> Smokestack Lightning-> Drums-> The Wheel-> The Other One-> Black Peter-> Turn On Your Love Light

    Encore: Revolution

  • Memorial Day installment of moe.ron Monday features moe.down 16

    With their new series moe.ron Monday, Nugs TV continues the series on Memorial Day with the premiere of moe.’s Sunday performance on July 2, 2017 at moe.down 16 in Turin, NY. The free stream starts at 8:30 PM ET and can be found here. Read our recap of the festival weekend here.

    Fans are asked to consider donating to the moe. organization via 2nu.gs/moeTouring and MusiCares Relief Fund via 2nu.gs/moeMusicCares.

    Setlist via Phantasytour

    Sunday, July 2, 2017 • Snow Ridge Ski Area • Turin, NY

    Set 1: Puebla> Meat*> Awesome Gary, Crab Eyes, New York City, Johnny Lineup> Mexico^
    Set 2: McBain> Skrunk> Yodelittle> McBain%, Prestige Worldwide, Brent Black
    Encore: Not Coming Down> Wormwood> Okayalright3, America Fuck Yeah
    *First 75% of song. Completes Friday night’s meat which was ending only.
    ^With Mihali Savoulidis (guitar) & Ryan Dempsey (keys) of Twiddle.
    %With Mike Dillon.

    moe.down 16

  • Premiere: Restless World’s soul-filled “Precipice”

    Washington, D.C. based Restless World today premiere the lyric video for their latest single “Precipice.” A globe-spanning journey follows the inspiring lyrics, which blends an R&B/Trap vibe in the verses with a classic pop ballad chorus.

    The ‘trap ballad’ celebrates all creators and those who stay the course towards achieving their dreams, even when the road ahead is uncertain. Lyrics include “I’ve got nothing in my hands, just my dreams struggling to stand” will resonate with anyone fighting to turn their dreams into reality. The song’s inspirational message is supported by powerful vocals from Cadence XYZ, and acoustic piano from Berklee grad Suwon Yim.

    Restless World‘s “Precipice” was named one of the Top 5 songs received by SongwriterUniverse in April and has been announced as a finalist in their May 2020 “Best Song Of The Month” contest.

    CEO of SongwriterUniverse Dale Kawashima says of “Precipice”:

    “I enjoyed listening to this song; I think it’s one of the best songs you’ve submitted for song evaluation. Your demo production is very good; it has a modern pop/soul quality with excellent musicianship. The female vocalist is very good, and she does a good job of conveying the emotion of the song and lyrics. I also like the female vocal harmonies in this demo; it adds to the hook and to the fullness of the arrangement. The melody is well crafted in each section, especially the chorus which has the good harmonies. So the whole song flows pretty nicely…this is good song that has feeling and emotion, and has a demo that is well sung and produced.”- Dale Kawashima (Founder and CEO of SongwriterUniverse, former President of ATV Music and of the publishing division of Giant Records)

  • Chenango Blues Association Reschedules 2020 Festival to 2021

    The Chenango Blues Association announced on their website that their 2020 summer festival will be cancelled. The festival which was originally scheduled for Friday August 21 through Saturday August 22  is postponed to next year. Statements from the association can be seen below.

    chenango blues association

    We agonized over this, and we held out as long as we could , but we have arrived at the conclusion that there is no responsible way to move forward with any of our planned events for 2020. We are all as disappointed as we know you are, and it was difficult to contact all our artists and break the news. At this point in events no one was very surprised, and everyone shared the belief that it was the safe and reasonable thing to do. Our artists, our volunteers and of course all our fellow music lovers mean the world to us and the thought of an event that would put anyone’s well being at risk was reason enough to take pause. An event next year where we will all be present to enjoy it means a lot more than rushing in to something we don’t understand well enough to prepare for. We like all of you too much to do that!
    It came as quite a blow to have to do this but I have to tell you-we were uplifted by the many kind words of vendors, volunteers and artists about how much the event means to them and how excited they were to participate next year. In fact, most of our artists have already agreed to perform at the 2021 Fest, and we are all thrilled to death because we thought it might be our best lineup yet!
    Hope to see you all next year-it will be bigger and better than ever. Until then-wash your hands, cover your face and stay safe!

    While the Chenango Blues Fest is off for 2020, check out NYS Music’s coverage of past Blues Fests from 2019. 

  • Watch moe., Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Twiddle and more at Summer Camp Virtual Festival

    It’s Memorial Day weekend and typically, you might find yourself at a music festival to kick off summer. With COVID-19, the collective experiences are on hold for the year, but festivals are doing their best to provide fans with a bridge to the experience they look forward to all year. Summer Camp Music Festival, founded by moe. in 2001 is holding a Virtual Festival all weekend, with live performances, throwback highlights, new songs, interviews, panels, and much more to bring Scamp vibes to the Scamp family across the country.

    summer camp virtual festival

    Each day kicks off with OM On The River hosting Yoga. Then Scamp will dive into various panel discussions, artist retrospectives, and close it out with bangin’ late night sets from some of the your favorite performers over the years, including hosts moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Keller Williams, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Twiddle, Gov’t Mule and more. As a bonus, Zac Brown Band, Trey Anastasio Band, Jane’s Addiction, Willie Nelson, Tedeschi Trucks Band and The Roots will be making appearances in Headliners: A Look Back segment, on Sunday, May 24.

    summer camp virtual festival

    Get a 3-Day Summer Camp Virtual Festival Pass and you’ll have the ability to rewatch the entire stream through June 17! Each 3-Day Virtual Pass is just $24.99 with a portion of proceeds going towards nonprofits including Headcount, Conscious Alliance, and Backline,  plus participating artists and their crew. Get your pass here, and check out the schedule below!