NYS Music 202​1

Author: Hannah Fuchs

  • Live at MLK! in Rochester Returns With Trombone Shorty and Gov’t Mule

    Live at MLK! is closing up their summer concert season in Rochester with big-name performances by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Gov’t Mule.

    live at mlk

    The show will be held on September 4 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square. Along with the killer performances, there will be a craft beer garden complete with IPAs, ciders, and seltzers, a “bubbly bar” with prosecco and mimosas, and a VIP Ultra Lounge. The extensive VIP perks include access to a private lounge area, preferred entry, full cash bar, private A/C restrooms, front stage access, chair massage, complimentary chips and salsa (and private food vendor access) courtesy of Bay Vista Tacqueria, and a commemorative lanyard.

    live at mlk
    Photo Courtesy of RochesterFirst

    Trombone Shorty (born Troy Andrews) is an American musician, producer, actor and philanthropist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is best known as a trombone and trumpet player but also plays drums, organ, and tuba. He has worked with some of the biggest names in rock, pop, jazz,  funk, and hip hop. Andrews began playing trombone at age four, and since 2009 has toured with his own band, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

    Trombone Shorty


    Gov’t Mule is an American Southern rock jam band, formed in 1994 as a side project of The Allman Brothers Band by guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody. The band released their debut album, Gov’t Mule, in 1995, and have since released an additional nine studio albums, plus numerous EPs and live releases. Gov’t Mule has become a staple act at music festivals across North America, with both its members and frequent guests boasting members from other notable bands, adding various funk and blues rock elements to the band’s sound.

    Gov’t Mule

    Organizers Rochester Events is thrilled to bring these beloved artists to the Live At MLK! series.

    To get both of these groups on stage is going to be a night full of music magic. There is no better way to celebrate the return of live music than with rock legends and a jazz phenom!

    Jeff Springut, CEO/Producer, Rochester Events

    Presale starts 7/14 and tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday (7/16) at 12PM ET. Tickets must be purchased online in advance on RochesterEvents.com. Pricing is $99.50 for VIP, $59.50 for GA advance, and $66 day of show (if available, fees apply). Shows are rain or shine with no refunds.

    Patrons may bring blankets and one sealed bottle of water into the park. Lawn chairs, bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and pets will not be allowed in. Parking is available at nearby parking garages including the Midtown Parking Garage; 110 S. Clinton Avenue, Washington Square Garage, 111 Woodbury Blvd.; the Court Street Garage, 194 Court St. and at the East End Garage, 475 E. Main St. Parking will also be available at The Strong Museum, 1 Manhattan Square.

  • Old Westbury Gardens “Music for a Sunday Afternoon” Concert Series Returns

    Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island has announced the return of the “Music for a Sunday Afternoon“ Summer Concert Series, starting this Sunday, July 11.

    The series features “Artist-in-Residence” cellist Suzanne Mueller, who will present four concerts, accompanied by a roster of seasoned performers spanning the genres of classical, jazz, and folk music.

    music for a sunday afternoon
    Mueller (L) with pianist Elinor Abrams Zayas

    My collaborators and I are really thrilled to be returning to our musical summer home again this year. It doesn’t feel like summer without these concerts. It’s especially meaningful to me because I had to sit out the 2019 season and most of the 2018 season due to medical issues that kept me homebound and unable to play. I was really looking forward to returning last year and was crushed when we had to cancel.

    Suzanne Mueller

    Mueller will perform with pianist Elinor Abrams Zayas, The McCarron Bros. Jazz Quartet, classical guitarist Christopher Gotzen-Berg and folk duo Hungrytown over the course of the four Sunday shows. Each performance will bring a different flavor to Mueller’s expert cello playing and blend many genres.

    Each “Music for a Sunday Afternoon” performance will begin at 3PM on the lawn at the Orchard Hill Barn (or inside the Barn in case of inclement weather or extreme heat). Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and should also be aware that COVID-19 protocols are in effect and will be enforced on the dates of the concerts. The Old Westbury Gardens are a scenic and beloved venue for both audiences and performers alike.

    music for a sunday afternoon
    Old Westbury Gardens, photo via their website

    Whether outdoors in a bucolic setting, or indoors, in the event of inclement weather, it has been a special time playing in such a beautiful setting, with very appreciative audiences in attendance. There’s something transformative about playing in Nature, listening to birds singing along with the music, and being surrounded by beautiful gardens and plantings. It puts all involved, performers and audience, into a peaceful state of being.

    Elinor Abrams Zayas

    More information about “Music on a Sunday Afternoon” can be found on Old Westbury Garden’s website. The full schedule is listed below.

    Performance Schedule:
    1. July 11 (3PM): CROSS ISLAND—Suzanne Mueller, cellist; Elinor Abrams Zayas, pianist 
    2. July 18 (3PM): The McCarron Bros. Jazz Quartet with Suzanne Mueller, Cello—Paul Carlon, saxophone; Mark McCarron, guitar; Trifon Dimitrov, bass; Arei Sekiguchi, drums; and Suzanne Mueller, cellist 
    3. July 25 (3PM): Gotzen-Berg and Mueller—Christopher Gotzen-Berg, guitarist; Suzanne Mueller, cellist (debut performance as a duo)
    4. August 1 (3PM): Hungrytown with Suzanne Mueller, Cello—with husband and wife folk duo, Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, accompanied by Suzanne Mueller, cellist

  • Woodstock ’99 Documentary Explores Infamous Festival

    If Woodstock ’69 was branded as “3 Days of Peace and Music”, Woodstock ’99 can only be thought of as “4 Days of Chaos.”

    The infamous ’99 festival took place in New York State, this time moving north to Rome. The event quickly turned stressful and uncontrollable as unannounced attendees brought the Griffiss Air Force Base far over capacity and late July temperatures climbed to unbearable heats. Audiences lamented over inflated food and water prices while crowds and mosh pits even turned violent.

    woodstock 99

    HBO’s new documentary, “Woodstock ’99: Peace, Love, and Rage”, explores the pitfalls of the festival through firsthand footage and interviews with artists and attendees. Director Garret Price also brings in commentary from the event’s organizers as they piece together the downward spiral of events.

    The documentary’s trailer, which was just released, reveals harsh clips of fires being lit in big crowds, guests rolling in mud, and a darker look at how many women experienced sexual harassment and abuse over the course of the festival.

    “Woodstock ’99” also centers the chaos around an overarching theme of male rage and unbridled energy channelled through the booming performances of headliners like Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, Korn, and more.

    woodstock 99
    Photo by Joe Traver

    Singer Moby even addresses the strange feel of the festival upon his arrival, saying in the trailer, “We got off the bus, and I was like, something’s not right.” Others in the trailer continue to reiterate, “This was not your parent’s Woodstock.”

    “Woodstock ’99: Peace, Love, and Rage” premieres on HBO July 23. Check out the trailer below for what is sure to be an interesting and nuanced exploration of this notorious Central NY event.

  • First River Festival Coming To Peekskill This October

    The inaugural First River Festival will bring big name indie talent to the Hudson Valley this October.

    First River Festival

    The two-day music festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 9-10, 2021, in downtown Peekskill, NY at the Paramount Theater. Its aim is to build a new music experience in the Lower Hudson Valley.

    Headliners include Parquet Courts, Guided by Voices and Waxahatchee. The festival’s lineup blends these headlining indie rock stars alongside smaller acts and rising artists with flares of folk, pop, electronica, Americana and even post-punk.

    First River Festival

    Unlike a traditional festival, the headliners’ sets are long–90 minutes each–to ensure the audience gets their fill. For a taste of folksiness, audiences can enjoy a performance by New York alt-folk legends, The Felice Brothers, complete with plenty of accordion and gritty vocals. First River Festival will also bring some good old fashioned rock and roll with North Carolina-turned New York Catskills band The Nude Party, Chicago alt-rock trio Dehd and Nashville/Brooklyn’s Liz Cooper.

    Brooklyn favorites Small Black are set to play favorites from their new, critically acclaimed album Cheap Dreams, while California-based rising star Jelani Aryeh will share his dreamy, sunny blend of pop, rock, and indie. To round out the lineup, Nashville newcomer Katy Kirby will join the stage and showcase her light, airy vocals.

    First River Festival

    Live Goods Music and G4D Productions have joined forces to produce the festival, which they hope places Peekskill on the map as a premiere destination for live music and entertainment. First River’s audience numbers will be kept small to help the festival feel intimate.

    “We wanted to see what would happen if we brought a bunch of bigger-name, indie bands to Peekskill. We think the region is ready for it, and that this festival will be the ideal stepping-stone back into life as we knew it.”

    Liz Goodyear, First River’s Executive Producer

    Peekskill, located just one hour north of New York City in Westchester County, boasts a historic arts community which has continued to thrive. There is also plenty of great food and beer to be enjoyed at local restaurants near the Paramount throughout the festival.

    Presale tickets go on sale July 8 at 10AM with code “LITTLEPEEK”. Check out First River Festival’s website for more information.

  • Erykah Badu Announces Fall Tour, Show at Radio City Music Hall

    Soul and R&B songstress Erykah Badu has announced rescheduled dates for her Fall Tour.

    Erykah Badu
    Photo by Erik Carter

    JamBands.com announced Badu’s new dates, which include a show at the iconic Radio City Music Hall on September 30. Badu will also make several appearances on the festival circuit, performing at H.E.R.’s Lights On Festival, ACL Fest, and Pitchfork Festival. All tour dates are listed below.

    Badu’s last official musical project was her But You Caint Use My Phone mixtape, released in 2015. The mixtape received critical praise and Badu has since stated that she is in the process of creating her sixth studio album.

    Badu also opened an online store, Badu World Market, in February of 2020. Along with selling merchandise, Badu World Market highlights smaller creatives and compiles videos and streamed performances through “Badu TV”.

    Badu’s performance at Radio City will be one of the landmark venue’s first shows since COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in New York. Other names coming to Radio City this August and September include Gabriel Iglesias, Quinn XCII and Devo. Tickets for Badu go on sale Friday (7/9) at 10 AM.

    Erykah Badu Tour Dates

    Sept. 3 – Dallas, TX – Riverfront Jazz Festival

    Sept. 10 – Louisville, KY – Great Lawn at Waterfront Park

    Sept. 11 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill 

    Sept. 12 – Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Festival

    Sept. 18 & 19 – Concord, CA – Lights On Festival

    Sept. 30 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall

    Oct. 1-3 – Austin, TX – ACL Festival

    Oct. 8-10 – Austin, TX – ACL Festival

    Oct. 15 – Indianapolis, IN – Indiana Farmers Coliseum

    Oct. 30 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

  • Saranac Lake Presents “Music on the Green”

    It’s no secret that the scenic Adirondacks are one of the best places to spend a New York summer. One great option for visitors and residents alike is Saranac Lake’s free ongoing summer concert series, Music on the Green.

    Music on the green
    Music on the Green, photo from Saranac Lake’s website

    Music on the Green is held Wednesday evenings from 7-9 in Saranac’s Riverside Park. The green provides ample space for audiences to dance around, connect with friends, or simply set up a lawn chair and enjoy the live music.

    The concert series kicked off on June 30 with a performance by funky local band El Nac. The upcoming performances are listed below and will showcase acts with rock, blues, jazz, country and funk flares, ensuring that there is truly something for everyone. The series will run shows every Wednesday and will conclude on August 25.

    Upcoming Shows

    July 7: The Split Rock Ramblers (bluegrass, country, Americana)

    July 14: Crackin’ Foxy (swing, jazz)

    July 21: Spring Street (rock, blues)

    July 28: Moments Notice (jazz, Latin, blues, country)

    August 4: Paul Asbell Quintet (jazz)

    August 11: The Mississippi Hot Dogs (electric blues, roots)

    August 18: Karen Savoca (blues, Americana)

    August 25: Annie in the Water (funk, jams)

    To learn more, including links to the Facebook event page for each show, visit Saranac Lake’s website. Performances are free to the public and will be moved from Riverside Park to Hotel Saranac in the event of rain.

  • Grabbitz Gets Cinematic in New Music Video

    Buffalo-based star Grabbitz just released his artistic, short-film style music video for his newest single, “Pigs in the Sky.”

    The just over 7-minute video shows Grabbitz in a mysterious Buffalo art museum where he finds himself immersed in paintings and scenes from different eras. Grabbitz even faces ruthless attacks from his antagonist (Sarah Santizo) as he tries to snap back into reality.

    The video is an entertaining creative feat. Strong direction by Mac Cappuccino even incorporates sitcom tropes and alternate timelines (à la Wandavision) while “Pigs in the Sky” itself is a catchy, playable track.

    It seems like cinematic music videos are fading out. I grew up watching immersive videos, and there were so many platforms that catered to them. Nowadays, we live in a time of TikTok where videos have to be short, to the point, and hook you in half a second. So we decided to make this video really f’ing long.

    Grabbitz
    Grabbitz
    Photo by Daniel Leahey

    Grabbitz, AKA Nick Chiari, is not only a singer-songwriter but also a producer and musical composer. Spoken like a true 716 native, Chiari recounts that the first song he ever learned was the Buffalo Bills theme. He learned guitar and piano at a young age and began using the Xbox game “MTV Music Generator” to produce songs and beats throughout middle school.

    Chiari, 28, started performing as Grabbitz back in 2014 as a DJ in the EDM world. His song “Here With You Now” gained traction and he even caught the attention of Shaquille O’Neal. In fact, Shaq made an appearance in Grabbitz’s 2018 music video for “My Cloud.” He has also collaborated with big names like One Republic and deadmau5.

    Grabbitz is now back home in Buffalo after previously living in Los Angeles. With “Pigs in the Sky” and a deal with Hopeless Records, Grabbitz is hoping to enter the next phase of his musical career, having pivoted away from EDM.

    Grabbitz
    Photo by Margaryta Bushkin

    It’s got rapping and an interesting chord structure in the chorus. This is not a song I would have attempted a few years ago, but it feels right and I feel good about doing it now. It has a weird, driving, heavy beat that will blow your speakers if you play it too loud, and the lyrics are reflective because I wrote it during the pandemic when I had nothing but time to think. I wanted something that was serious but had comedic relief, and I think I got there. I’m proud of it and see it as a stepping stone to the next permutation of what I do.

    Grabbitz on “Pigs in the Sky”

    You can connect with Grabbitz on his website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

  • Radio Woodstock Showcases Women Artists

    Talk about some girl power. For the first time in station history, Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST has announced that their top 10 slots in power rotation are all women artists.

    Radio Woodstock women

    The current Radio Woodstock top 10 rotation is comprised of female artists across several different genres: St. Vincent, Amy Helm, Allison Russell, Yola, Maia Sharp, Sofia Valdes, Shemekia Copeland, Joy Oladokun (with Maren Morris), Lake Street Dive, and Sean Della Croce. 

    Looks like it is a hot girl summer and a hot girl future.

    Aja Whitney (Music Director)

    Amy Helm, a Woodstock native herself, recently released her latest album “What the Flood Leaves Behind”. Other new releases from St. Vincent, Allison Russell and Yola have caught the attention of Radio Woodstock. The station stated, “Female artists have emerged as leading the sound on one of the most uniquely curated rock radio stations in the world today.”

    Amy Helm in Woodstock, photo by Peter Ross

    Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST has emerged as one of the most influential radio stations in the Hudson Valley, winning regional and national awards for its eclectic programming. Their DJ staff focuses on discovering new and emerging artists while continuing to showcase musical legends and other established talent. Radio Woodstock also produces several concerts and festivals around the Hudson Valley, including the Mountain Jam Festival.

    Throughout the pandemic, Radio Woodstock posted “Sofa Session” performances to their YouTube channel, where some of the station’s favorite artists shared short and intimate sets.

    Visit the Radio Woodstock website to listen live and celebrate these powerful women in music!

  • Rising Star Ella Isaacson Keeps It Honest

    Born and raised in the New York City area, rising singer songwriter Ella Isaacson has been making waves with each new release.

    Photo accessed from Bong Mines Entertainment

    Isaacson was raised in the arts. As she started writing songs and discovering her passion for music around age 13, Isaacson made sure to infuse personal experiences and raw emotion into her lyrics. Isaacson does not shy away from addressing body image, mental health and other aspects of her inner monologue, making her music uniquely intimate.

    I’ve always been an over-thinker, it’s my curse and my blessing. I’m not sure if there’s a moment where my brain really rests, sometimes words and concepts just come to me as I go about my day. If one strikes a chord with what I’m currently going through in my life then the stream of consciousness starts to flow.

    Ella Isaacson

    Once Isaacson’s career began taking off, managers and industry figures tried getting her to change her image and appeal to the pop landscape. Isaacson instead took a trip to Sweden where she began centering her authentic self. She has continued to release songs with a personal flair and does not fit into a strict genre box.

    “Expectations”, one of Isaacson’s latest releases in collaboration with Gallant, saw viral success and has been featured in popular TikToks as well as Spotify and Apple editorial playlists like New Music Fridays, Young Wild & Free, Pop Edge, Pop Right Now, Mood Booster, and Fresh & Chill.

    Isaacson’s latest single “Maybelline” explores a love story with truthful transparency. In her own words, her artistic process generally focuses on showcasing relatability and emotional confidence.

    I can easily say falling in love for real for the first time, changed everything about my writing. It made me look at myself in a whole new way. I always need my music to say or question something real now. We all want to make the right choices, have the right job, the fairytale love, skyscraper high confidence, the right amount of success but reality exists in the grey and the nuance and I guess that’s something I hope people take away when they hear my music. That we all feel a little lost, a little behind, a little too rough around the edges when you get close.

    Ella Isaacson

    Isaacson now lives in Los Angeles but continues to take inspiration from her free spirited New York upbringing. You can learn more about her on her website and connect on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Her music is available on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

  • Frank Palangi Drops New Track “Fire Of Love”

    Upstate NY-based indie rocker Frank Palangi is here to show that rock and roll never dies. Palangi released his newest song “Fire Of Love” on June 25, the first track shared by Frank ahead of his upcoming EP due out this fall.

    Frank Palangi Fire Of Love

    The track lives up to its flaming title, bringing heavy electric guitar with lively metal and grunge influences. Palangi explained that “Fire Of Love” explores how love is the driving force that fixes our mistakes, sets us free and, of course, brings us all together.

    Creating a hard rock love song complete with strong guitar flares, Palangi argues, adds a “bring it on baby” attitude and swagger to all of these emotions. Palangi’s gravelly, gritty and vibrato vocals also add an edge to his music, appealing to a wide scope of rock fans.

    Frank Palangi Fire Of Love

    Palangi began pursuing music at the young age of 13, teaching himself guitar, bass, drums and recording techniques. He aimed to blend different genre styles, specifically citing the influence of ’80s and ’90s rock as well as post grunge and heavy metal.

    I was a shy kid with health issues growing up so no sports, so I turned to creative outlets. Learning from those decades, I wasn’t going for the typical drinking, smashing hotel rooms as the rocker lifestyle is known for. It could be more about the music, the positive elements, that so many people get drawn into and yes, that rock n roll rebel yell to stand up for yourself.

    Frank Palangi

    Palangi most recently shared the music video for his song “Bring On The Fear” back in January, which addressed the turmoil and need for togetherness during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Fire Of Love” brings a new mood for the summer and is currently available to stream.

    You can connect with Frank Palangi on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Check out his website for updates on releases and performances.