NYS Music 202​0

Blog

  • PEAK announce December 5 “Live From The Studio” Session

    Brooklyn’s PEAK has announced the two-part “Live from the Studio” Sessions that will feature full sets from the band. The second and final session will air on December 5 at 8:15PM EST on their YouTube Channel and on Jamcast.

    PEAK Live from the Studio

    PEAK, a psychedelic indie funk outfit from Brooklyn features members of Turbine, Particle, Hayley Jane and The Primates, and Mick Taylor Band. The band has spent the majority of 2020 writing, rehearsing, and recording an album in their Brooklyn studio.

    In October they invited videographer MKDevo and Lighting Designer Matt Calabrese to capture some of the magic that’s been going on. 

    Each performance will be a little over an hour in length and will feature familiar tunes, new originals and of course, some extremely healthy jams. Listen to the first session here or stream on YouTube below.

    Fans are encourages to donate when possible, through Venmo @jeremy-hilliard1. Additionally, PEAK has just opened their online store, featuring a new t-shirt design, copies of Electric Bouquet, stickers and much more.

    While waiting for PEAK “Live from the Studio” to arrive, check out PEAK’s performance at Opple Topple Festival from October 3, 2020.

  • Arlo Guthrie has Gone Fishing: New Beginnings for the Folk Singer in Touring Void

    By now the word has gotten out. Arlo Guthrie, renowned folk singer and music industry icon has hung up a “Gone Fishing” sign. A lengthy and heartfelt Facebook post marks a change so abrupt on the hearts and ears of fans across the nation. But don’t make wake, we’re off to the Inlet to cast a line.

    It’s been a great 50+ years of being a working entertainer, but I reached the difficult decision that touring and stage shows are no longer possible. I’ve cancelled the upcoming shows, and am not accepting offers for new ones. That’s the short version. For the longer version continue reading…

    Arlo Guthrie’s ‘Gone Fishing’ Facebook Farewell
    Arlo Guthrie

    See The Original Facebook Farewell Here

    Guthrie’s message was missed by other major sources. While this marks the end of touring and live performances, it is also dawns a new beginning. His life will continue to influence the industry, while he basks in his accomplishments.

    The road weighs on the toughest acts, constantly touring and performing. Especially for Guthrie, as he battled mini strokes and checked out to make a gig the next day.

    “Then, on Thanksgiving Day 2019 (of all freaking days) it happened again. This time I was on my way to The Church / The Guthrie Center to help out with our annual Thanksgiving Dinner that we hold every year. I had pulled over to fuel up and realized I couldn’t continue to drive safely, as everything was spinning around, sort of like the old days, but without the help of illegal substance… [the next day he] had an important gig at Carnegie Hall in New York – The end of an annual series I’d been doing for decades and it was Sold Out. I had to be there. It was imperative.”

    Arlo Guthrie’s ‘Gone Fishing’

    The Cooney Island-born singer had big shoes to fill in the likes of his father, and he did. Now it is time to kick them off using the six-plus months a year he would be on the road to enjoy the sand and sun. Likewise, Guthrie is a hallmark, being an original Woodstock performer and tipping his hat at recreations in 2015 and the 50th anniversary.

    Guthrie recounts memories of his original Woodstock performance at 22.

    Read More Arlo Guthrie on NYS Music

    Just months ago, Arlo Guthrie released a heartfelt rendition of Stephen Collins Foster’s “Hard Times Come Again No More” with pianist Jim Wilson.

    A heartfelt voice among a world pandemic, released July 31, 2020.

    Hats off and best wishes to Guthrie as music, culture and storytelling are in his blood. Despite no longer touring, this will not be the last of Guthrie’s legacy. For now, Arlo Guthrie has just gone fishing.

  • Analog Players Society Set to Release “Chase” Music Video on October 30

    The Analog Players Society (APS) will release their single “Chase” and the accompanying music video on October 30. “Chase” is an instrumental cinematic record sampled from the original recording session that created TILTED, the precursor to Soundtrack for a Nonexistent Film.

    Analog Players Society

    “Chase” will be the first single from the complete Soundtrack for a Nonexistent Film, a sample-heavy production of Hip-Hop’s Golden Age, which will release on November 13 and will be available on Bandcamp on November 6. APS describes Soundtrack for a Nonexistent Film as an “intense, beat-driven, dystopian soundtrack for those moments when you need to escape deep into your earbuds.”

    The Analog Players Society is a collective effort founded by producer and engineer, Amon Drum, that features a rotating ensemble of the top musicians in New York City. The various projects created by the APS include jazz, dub, funk, afrobeat, and Soul variety within them. APS has already posted a top 15 position on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart with their 2012 debut album Hurricane Season In Brooklyn. The “Chase” music video showcases the concept revolving around New York City and the resilience and drive of its people, even when running from the many things one can fear. Jude Goergen edited the video with Mona Kayhan and Amon Drum producing the video.

    That’s NYC. We can keep running forever. It might be ridiculous, scary, and we might get tired, but don’t even try to outrun us.

    Amon Drum, Producer and Engineer of Analog Players Society

    Producers Amon Drum and Ben Rubin (aka Benny Cha Cha) collaborated with jazz luminaries including tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin (David Bowie’s last bandleader on Blackstar), pianist Orrin Evans (the Bad Plus), bassist Dezron Douglas (Ravi Coltrane), and drummer Eric McPherson (Fred Hersch Trio) to recreate the songs reflected by the producers to make Soundtrack for a Nonexistent Film. Since its August release, TILTED was included in Bandcamp’s “best jazz releases” and received strong support from Jazziz, Medium, Postgenre.org, NY Music Daily, and The Vinyl District.

  • The Palace Sessions to Feature Wild Adriatic

    The Palace Theatre, the City of Albany and Mirth Films have announced that rock band Wild Adriatic will be featured on the next episode of “The Palace Sessions”. Wild Adriatic’s performance will stream for free on October 28 at 7 p.m. on The Palace Theatre’s Youtube channel.

    Palace Sessions Wild Adriatic

    The Palace Sessions began over the summer due to COVID restrictions in place that prohibited the Palace Theater from continuing their scheduled performances. The monthly sessions feature live music performances from some of the favorite regional acts. The series kicked off on July 15th wih a performance by Wurliday. Other previous performers include Eastbound Jesus (August Session) and The Amico-Barady Quartet (September Session).


    During the performances donations are being accepted which will assist the Palace Theatre in continuing its mission to bring world-class arts and entertainment to New York’s Capital Region. During The Palace Sessions featuring Wild Adriatic, donations can be made directly through the Palace Theatre’s Text To Give program, by texting Palace2020 to 44321.

    Wild Adriatic is a six member rock band who formed in Saratoga Springs in 2011. Rooted in the rowdy spirit of rock & roll, Wild Adriatic has built an international audience on a combination of groove, grit, and guitar-heavy swagger. In April 2019, the band won Rock/Pop Artist of the Year and Album of the Year at the inaugural Eddies awards.

    Built in 1931, The Palace has remained Albany’s iconic downtown landmark over the past eight decades, bringing the biggest names in entertainment to the Capital Region. Offering top notch performances along with culture enhancing programs to residents the Palace has a significant imprint on the region. Economically it brings in $3.5 million in ticket sales and 180,000 patrons each year.

  • Cher, John Legend and More Set to Perform in the Biden-Harris Campaign Virtual Concert ‘I Will Vote’

    Virtual campaign concerts have been a rising trend with Presidential Nominee Joe Biden. His campaign team put together, yet another, concert series with a prominent lineup including Cher, John Legend and The Black Eyed Peas, scheduled for Oct. 25.

    July 31, 2019 – Detroit, Michigan, U.S. – JOE BIDEN and KAMALA HARRIS pose for the photo spray during a commercial break at the second of two Democratic Debates in Detroit hosted by CNN and sanctioned by the DNC.(Credit Image: © Brian Cahn/ZUMA Wire)

    The ‘I Will Vote Concert‘ is an attempt to raise money for Biden’s campaign in the last waning days before the election. Tickets for the Biden campaign concert start at $25 and increase to $1000.

    Just last month, ‘Team Joe Sings‘ popped off with artists like Kesha, Ben Gibbard and Misterwives. Every Thursday up until the election, a group of musicians perform songs virtually to raise money for his campaign. The series has produced over 15 videos, each of a different artist featuring their music.

    Musical entertainment has always been used as a way to promote, whether it be for an ad or a movie. In this case, Biden is not only raising money for his shot in the White House, but also may increase his chances of getting more votes with well-known artists showing their support.

    The lineup: A$AP Ferg, Sara Bareilles, Aloe Blacc, Black Eyed Peas and Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi, Ciara, Darren Criss, Jermaine Dupri, NE-YO, Johnta Austin and Friends, Foo Fighters, Macy Gray, Dave Matthews, P!nk, Ben Platt, Cher, John Legend and The Black Eyed Peas.

    Also Scheduled: La La Anthony, Margaret Cho, Jaime Camil, Dave Grohl, Armie Hammer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Helen Mirren, Maren Morris, Billy Porter, Amy Schumer, will.i.am, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness.

    Make sure to tune in 8:00 p.m. EDT/ 5:00 p.m. PDT on Sunday. Tickets are on sale now.

  • CLAVVS take a new approach with their latest single “Dance in Place”

    CLAVVS have released a new single, “Dance in Place,” coming off of rave reviews from the release of their latest EP No Saviors in 2019. Along with an extended version of their EP released in February, CLAVVS are looking to capitalize on these releases with their brand new single. The single is also accompanied by a music video and was shot in their neighborhood in Brooklyn.

    CLAVVS

    They made their own music video, looking to capture the strong presence of the sun and the vibrant colors of the autumn weather. Amber describes the video saying, “For the past few years I’ve been imagining visuals that capture my experience of moving through New York but with this fantastical element of suddenly connecting with strangers in some unexplainable moment of celebration.” Especially in the wake of the pandemic, Amber adds, “Having lived through Co-vid here, we both feel even more bound to this city and our neighbors. So, this video is a socially distant version of that daydream.”

    CLAVVS

    The single represents the criticism of capitalism and “grind” culture. Amber described the song as a call for radical self-acceptance and finding joy in a joyless culture. “I wrote this song in February, so it was super weird when we were all kind of forced to closely examine those things in March,” she said. “We couldn’t have guessed how on-the-nose this song would feel now.” It features great production work and a very catchy hook. “We aren’t taking ourselves very seriously anymore,” said Graham. “We just want to have fun with our band.”

    Going forward from their previous EP, the Brooklyn via Atlanta duo really wanted to challenge their sound. They have shifted from making disruptive pop songs to reflective music. The duo embraces their flaws to reinvent themselves. “The question became, how do we make CLAVVS songs that we can dance to and smile to?” Amber said. “We really wanted to challenge ourselves to make something we had never made before, something that, for a long time, didn’t feel at home to us. We didn’t know how to write happy songs that felt genuine.”

    “Dance in Place” has strongly built on the success of their recent EP. The new song is out now on Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp and various other platforms. Their new single is also accompanied by a music video, which is out now on YouTube.


  • New Single “Cry” from Indie Rocker Sam Himself Out Now

    Despite the chaos created by the pandemic so far, Swiss Brooklyn-based artist Sam Himself (aka Sam Koechlin) released his new single “Cry” from his debut album expected in 2021. “Cry” is the first long-distance collaboration with his longtime producer and creative partner, Daniel Schlett. Sam recorded “Cry” partly at a local Basel Studio and partly in his attic during the quarantine.

    Sam Himself

    Before the pandemic took a turn for the worst, Sam was on tour in Europe and only performed at one show before the remaining dates were canceled. With the travel restrictions immediately enforced, Sam was stranded between his native Switzerland and his chosen home in New York City. He decided to self-quarantine in his hometown of Basel, Switzerland, and released his long-awaited EP Slow Drugs.

    I was driving across Switzerland before dawn to shoot the final takes of the video for ‘Like a Friend’; I’d been up for a long time, the tour had just been canceled and, according to the news, I wouldn’t be able to fly back to New York anytime soon. Then my phone rang and at the end of that call, the relationship I was in had ended, too. In a matter of hours, my life as I’d known it was over. For all the dread and confusion of that moment, I also felt ridiculous for licking my own wounds while the world around me looked like it was ending. That’s the dissonant state I tried to capture with ‘Cry’: it’s a farewell letter to my old life in New York and a relationship ended by the pandemic, but also a caustic reminder to myself not to wallow in self- pity amid a global catastrophe.

    Sam Himself, about the inspiration for “Cry”

    Capitalizing on the extended time in quarantine, Sam created the soaring ballad “Cry” that showcases his baritone climbing to new heights as the song evolves into a weeping hymn with authentically vulnerable lyrics. Sam plays all the instruments on “Cry” except for the bass and one lead guitar, which was added by members of his European touring band.  “Cry” is produced by Daniel Schlett and mastered by engineering legend Greg Calbi, who mastered songs for David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen.

  • Turkuaz Releases Exclusive Studio Footage of “Nightswimming”

    In celebration of five years of their 2015 LP Digitonium, the nine-piece Brooklyn funk group Turkuaz has released never-before-seen in-studio footage of their fan-favorite song “Nightswimming.” Fans can pre-order a special anniversary vinyl of Digitonium, in both black and a limited-edition blue only available on their website. “Nightswimming” received high praise from Relix Magazine for its “saturated synth line and bubbling bass” as well as JamBase praising Digitonium as a “major progression” for Turkuaz.

    Turkuaz Nightswimming
    Photo By Dani Brandwein

    “Nightswimming” was recorded at More Sound Recording Studios in Syracuse, NY. The track was produced by Dave Brandwein, mixed by Jason “Jocko” Randall, and mastered by Chris Athens. According to Brandwein, he created the lyrics and melody for Nightswimming before Turkuaz recorded it.”

    After the first take, I’ll never forget when Jocko chimed in through my headphones saying, ‘Alright, there’s definitely a vibe going on in there. It’s no surprise that this is one of the fan favorites from Digitonium. It’s one of our favorites too!” Brandwein said. Shane Grace Allen (Danke) joins Turkuaz members on vocals with Nate Werth on percussion.

    “Nightswimming” was born out of two demos that Taylor and I each made individually They were in the same key with the same tempo and feel. We started to wonder if we could combine them and as it turns out, we could! So what you hear is my original riff (the synth line that begins the song), with Taylor’s bass riff coming in over it. They weave and bob around each other in a very cool way that I think gives the song it’s unique feel.

    Dave Brandwein

    In the meantime, Turkuaz has taken part in several virtual performances, including a performance of “Electric Habitat” for the virtual music festival Democracy Comes Alive. The festival partnered with Headcount support voter participation.

    Turkuaz also created a web series called “Keep Your Mind In Tune” which presents conversations between musicians and experts about various topics as well as musical performances. Fans can watch the episodes on the Turkuaz YouTube channel or the Keep Your Mind in Tune YouTube Channel.

  • Independent Venue Week Launches Weeklong Fundraiser for NIVA Emergency Relief Fund

    The Independent Venue Week announces their weeklong fundraiser benefiting the The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) Emergency Relief Fund. The auction will be taking place between October 24 – 30, 2020. It will host memorabilia for auction to the general public and the revenue will help assist independent venues and promoters.

    Independent Venue Week NIVA

    The NIVA Emergency Relief Fund is raising money for the most vulnerable venues to try to keep them afloat while waiting on Congress to pass Save Our Stages. The fund will be administered to these affected venues by The Giving Back Fund; a separate non-profit that will collect the money and oversee the application process for venues to receive grants from the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund. People can directly donate to the fund here.

    People will have the chance to bid on one of 70+ pieces of music history throughout the week in an effort to #SaveOurStages for the years of history to come. Items up for auction include everything from two original paintings from Independent Venue Week  Artist Ambassador, Alison Mosshart (The Kills/The Dead Weather), a pair of seats from the original Merriweather Pavilion,  Al Bouchard’s (Blue Oyster Cult) very own Fender Jaguar Bass, signed by the rock legend himself, a limited edition vinyl box set from Blue Note Records, curated by the legendary jazz label’s president, Don Was, a stunning Epiphone “White Lightning” Explorer signed by Tommy “Spaceman” Thayer (KISS), courtesy from the Gibson Foundation, and much more. 

    Independent Venue Week NIVA
    Merriweather Post Pavilion Original Seats. Photo provided by press release.

    The auctioned items and programming will be held and by some of the country’s most treasured live venues. There are over 140 participating venues. Independent Venue Week is partnering  Eventbrite, Big Room, Ascend Insurance Brokerage, and School of Rock to bring the auction to life.

    Brand new Epiphone “White Lightning” Explorer signed by Tommy “Spaceman” Thayer from KISS. Photo provided by press release.

    The Independent Venue Week is also introducing a series of discussion panels featuring professionals from all aspects of the live music industry to discuss their experiences, expertise, and the future of live events. The topics will include what venues can do to help build and diversify their audience, how live events are adapting to a virtual world, and the importance these stages have to the economy and community. October 29 will involve an entire day for students to “Get Schooled” and will feature programming that is aimed towards students getting their start in the live music and events industry.

    The full list of items and week’s programming can be found at Independent Venue Week’s website.

  • The Parlor, Haley Moley, and More Featured On This Week’s EQXposure

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear music from The Parlor, Haley Moley, and many more!

    the parlor

    WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

    This week’s EQXposure is a bit moody and is about exploring wide sonic spaces.

    The Parlor – “Dive”

    Named after a room in the 19th century farmhouse where they live, farm, and create, The Parlor is a project by husband and wife team Eric Krans and Jen O’Connor. The multi-instrumentalist, producer-composers create intimate art-pop intended to reflect some of the most powerful aspects of the human experience.

    The Parlor’s music is the sonic corollary to what the couple is bringing to their land, an artisanal re-imagining of an antique dream. Jen O’Connor + Eric Krans make their home in Upstate New York. Their farmhouse is filled with jars of feathers + herbs, piles of broken guitars, trays of wings + claws, upright basses, a sampling synth, braided onions, polyester pants, Casio + Zenith, antique mirrors. Ghosts. They write and record music in a room called the parlor.

    Haley Moley – “Souvenirs”

    In early 2015, house music DJ and dance music producer Jennifer Maher Coleman (DJ Jennifer Haley) and indie rocker Paul Coleman (Mount Mole, Sinkcharmer, Beaked Whale, The Operators) combined their aliases and their musical sensibilities to form Haley Moley.

    Moody synth and guitar rock over electronic beats ultimately blossomed into a full-on five-piece with the welcome addition of Andrea Kosek (aka DJ Goldeedust, keyboards) Pat Thorpe (of DJ duo Partyhorn, bass guitar) and Mike Broomhead (also of Partyhorn, drums.)

    With a high concentration of electronic, funk, and disco dj’s on board as well as decades of rock experience steeped in atmospheric, dirty guitars, Haley Moley delivers a complex amalgam echoing these disparate roots and emerges refreshingly uncategorizable.