Orebolo, an acoustic trio featuring Goose members Rich Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar) Peter Anspach (vocals, guitar), Jeff Arevalo (upright bass) have announced a series of six winter tour dates.
In December, the trio will make stops in Upstate New York at Tarrytown Music Hall, and Homer Center for the Arts, as well as Spruce Peak Performing Arts in Stowe, followed by a three shows in Colorado in late January.
The group has built a faithful following nationwide, following a series of virtual festival appearances in 2020, and an acclaimed performance at Lockn’ Presents FRED The Festival in August 2021. Formed during the height of the initial COVID-19 surge, the members of Orebolo shared a home and found comfort in learning new covers and creatively exploring Goose’s deep catalog acoustically.
Starting this project was a source of relief for all of us, especially during such a crazy time. Our initial practice and recording space was inside our solarium – the vibe was really tranquil, and we wanted our listeners to share in that feeling. I’m stoked we have the opportunity to take this out on the road and perform in some incredible rooms.
Peter Anspach
Pre-sale tickets will be available Wednesday, October 13 at 10AM venue local time using the code ‘OREBOLO’. The general on-sale will follow on Friday, October 15 at 10AM venue local time. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit orebolo.com.
A new archival release from the estate of Jerry Garcia highlights a series of Fall 1989 shows taking place in Hartford, CT and Uniondale, NY. Dubbed “The Long Island Sound,” the two shows recorded by John Cutler feature one set each night from Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman, along with two-set performances each night from Jerry Garcia Band.
cover art by Stanley Mouse
Released on Round Records, Fall 1989: The Long Island Sound features two complete performances with over five and a half hours of previously unreleased music from September 5th, 1989 at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, CT and September 6th, 1989 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.
Fall 1989: The Long Island Sound celebrates the storied East Coast 1989 run which featured acoustic duo Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman setting the stage for two nightly sets from the Jerry Garcia Band.
Recorded on a 2-track DAT and mastered by Joe Gastwirt, this collection contains audio with apparent, irremediable sonic imperfections (most notably the distortion on Jerry’s vocal during “Cats Under The Stars”) heard by all who experienced these performances in person or on tape. Despite the limitations in fidelity, the performances presented showcase timeless, transcendent and often blistering moments of pure magic.
The release features an album package including a liner note essay by Blair Jackson and archival memorabilia from the collection of Steve Parish. Pre-order the box set here.
September 5th, 1989 – Hartford Civic Center – Hartford, CT
Bob Weir & Rob Wasserman: Festival, Fever, K.C. Moan, Desolation Row, Looks Like Rain, The Winners, Victim or the Crime -> Wasserman Bass Improvisation no. 1 -> Throwing Stones
Jerry Garcia Band Set 1: Cats Under the Stars, They Love Each Other, Waiting for a Miracle, Run for the Roses, Like a Road, My Sisters and Brothers, Deal
Set 2: The Harder They Come, Mission in the Rain, Forever Young, Evangeline, Gomorrah, Don’t Let Go -> Lonesome and a Long Way From Home
September 6th, 1989 – Nassau Coliseum – Uniondale, NY
Bob Weir & Rob Wasserman: Walking Blues, City Girls -> Fever, Blackbird -> When I Paint My Masterpiece, Shade of Grey -> The Winners -> Easy to Slip -> Wasserman Bass Improvisation no. 2, Heaven Help The Fool
Jerry Garcia Band Set 1: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Stop That Train, That’s What Love Will Make You Do, Mississippi Moon, I Second That Emotion, And It Stoned Me, Deal
Set 2: The Harder They Come, Dear Prudence, I Shall Be Released, Let It Rock, Evangeline, That Lucky Old Sun, Tangled Up in Blue
The phrase ‘this darkness has got to give’ originates in the Robert Hunter penned Grateful Dead song “New Speedway Boogie,” a line that speaks of hope and aspirations of a brighter future ahead.
In June 2020, NYS Music started the series “This Darkness Has Got to Give,” amid uncertain times where we did not know what the next few weeks or months would provide for the musicians, venues, music industry staff and employees, as well as patrons across New York State. We hoped for the best, and while the era of streaming sufficed for a time and is permanently ingrained with bands and venus, live music has returned.
Sort of, at least. We have had some false starts, with tours cancelled shortly after they are announced, tours scaled back, and artists opting to require patrons to show proof of vaccination, as well as wear a mask inside venues. All of these are not major asks for patrons who have been deprived of live music, just as musicians have been deprived of audiences in the last year and a half. Given the tight COVID-19 protocols in place for touring musicians and at music venues, especially here in New York State, the result has been the return of live music to many venues, the arrival of crowds to outdoor and indoor events alike, and a feeling of normalcy, even if things don’t seem all the way normal just yet.
We are still not out of the woods yet. So long as mask policies are abided by and those eligible to be vaccinated do so, the full live music experience – at venues, music festivals, on cruise ships or in basements of college houses – can return in all parts of the state and country.
This edition of “This Darkness Has Got to Give” has a different angle to it. While we are looking at the music venues that dot the landscape all across the Empire State, we take a look this time not just at the venues, but at the crowds of fans who have flocked back to support their favorite artist and venue, and recharge ourselves through the power of live music. We begin where we started the series in June 2020, in Western New York, courtesy of Contributing Photographer Samantha Rychlicki.
Albany Symphony Music Director David Alan Miller will return to the Palace Theatre stage on Saturday, October 9 for the start of Miller’s 30th Anniversary Season. The program features Ludwig van Beethoven’s beloved Symphony No. 3, “Eroica,” as well as JeanSibelius’ Lemminkäinen Suite, and Coincident Dances, by composer Jessie Montgomery.
Patrons are welcomed back to Albany Symphony performances for the first time since Spring 2020, with extra precautions in place for everyone’s health and safety, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The concert, along with all Albany Symphony subscription concerts this season, is also being streamed live online to increase access for patrons who cannot attend in person or live too far away to come to the concert hall. Tickets, including live stream access, start at $20 and are available at albanysymphony.com.
We are so thrilled to gather again, and to be able to make beautiful music with and for our patrons and friends here in the Capital Region and beyond .This season is a special one for us. The musicians and I can’t wait to share this program celebrating heroism, community, and the healing power of great music with you.
David Alan Miller
The opening night program will include Beethoven’s “Eroica,” a symphony that launched the “heroic” middle period of the composer’s career and pushed the boundaries of the symphony form. Sibelius’ “Lemminkäinen Suite” brings Finnish folktales of the eponymous hero from the Kalevala to life in vivid musical vignettes. “CoincidentDances” by Jessie Montgomery, who is a frequent Albany Symphony collaborator, and draws from her life experiences in thoughtful and captivating ways.
Coincident Dances is inspired by the sounds found in New York’s various cultures, capturing the frenetic energy and multicultural aural palette one hears even in a short walk through a New York City neighborhood. The work is a fusion of several different sound-worlds: English consort, samba, mbira dance music from Ghana, swing, and techno.
Jessie Montgomery
Ahead of the Albany Symphony’s return this week, Conductor and Music Director of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, David Alan Miller, spoke with NYS Music about the upcoming season, the story behind his musical selections, and what he loves about Upstate New York.
Pete Mason: You were music director for the New York Youth Symphony in the mid 1980s. How do you recall the transition from the LA Philharmonic to New York?
David Alan Miller: The transition to the Capital Region was easy; we’d always wanted to come “back east” after our 5 years in L.A. We felt a little trepidation because there were so many fabulous restaurants serving foods from around the world in L.A. But we discovered that there was at least one excellent restaurant serving each cuisine here, and that was all we needed.
PM: The program for the 30th season celebrates heroism, community and the healing power of music. Where did these themes arise from, and what music represents each of those themes?
DAM: We wanted to design a season to celebrate all the things live music can do, the things we’ve missed so much during the pandemic. So, we programmed lots of the most iconic works of the repertoire, from Beethoven’s “Eroica” on the first concert to Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Gershwin, etc. on our subsequent concerts. In addition, we included works by our favorite living composers, and lots of passionate, brilliant solo artists. Everyone is hungering for comfort and spiritual uplift after the difficult 18 months we’ve experienced, and we hope our concerts can give that.
PM: In addition to conducting the ASO, you are also Artistic Advisor for the Little Orchestra Society in NYC, as well as Artistic Director for the world music festival “New Paths in Music” from 2006-2012. How did you first begin working with these groups?
DAM: I was asked to conduct some of the Little Orchestra Society’s concert about 6 years ago, and have been doing so ever since. L.O.S. is an amazing institution which normally runs 900 in-class workshops each year, teaching elementary students how to compose music, as well as presenting marvelous family concerts throughout the season.
PM: The American Music Festival celebrates up and coming conductors. How do these conductors arrive on your radar, and how do you go about curating this event each year?
DAM: Composers. I have a wide network of composer friends, professors, industry professionals, etc, who are always keeping me updated on the most interesting composers coming out of graduate programs and working around the country. Each festival is curated around a theme. This year it’s “Trailblaze,” a festival celebrating our new 750-mile-long Empire State Trail connecting communities across New York State. I’ve commissioned a whole bunch of composers to create new works inspired by aspects of the trail, our history, communities, the natural world. It’s going to be amazing!
PM: You’ve live in Slingerlands, and presumably have lived in Upstate NY for many years. What are some of your favorite non-music getaways within New York State?
DAM: I love all aspects of Upstate NY. I’m an avid amateur cyclist, so I’ve been riding the Empire State Trail recently, discovering areas I’d neve known existed, beautiful places like the trail connecting Troy through Kinderhook to Hudson. I’ve done a little riding down around New Paltz and Hopewell Junction, and am eager to explore that part of the Trail more fully. My ambition is eventually to ride virtually the whole Trail, from Buffalo to NYC at least.
PM: Do you have any favorite music venues, state-wide or world-wide, that you have enjoyed conducting or seeing performances at?
DAM: Well, I always get goosebumps when we play at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, which is defintiely one of the greatest acoustical spaces for live music in the world. I’m also partial to the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall, the two venues where I essentially “grew up” musically. I conducted three concerts annually at Carnegie when I led the New York Youth Symphony, and conducted many, many concerts at the Hollywood Bowl when I was the Associate Conductor there. I also love all our spaces here in the Capital Region: EMPAC, the Palace, and all the others. We are so lucky to have so many great venues for live music!
The Albany Symphony has adopted health and safety protocols for the wellbeing of all patrons, musicians, and staff in accordance with local guidelines and in coordination with partner venues. From now until the end of November 2021, patrons are required to present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and matching ID upon arrival, or, alternatively, proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 48 hours of the event. Patrons are required to wear masks while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. These measures are implemented for the safety of patrons and may be extended or amended at any time if guidance or regulations change.
On October 9, the rock sounds of The R Train Band will perform at Arlene’s Grocery in Brooklyn. Guitarist Jeffery Black splits time between Brooklyn and Florida, with Mike Annese (drums) and Denny-Lee (bass) rounding out the power trio.
Their latest release, “Rock On” has elements of hard rock an an anthem for rock music lovers everywhere, with a message borrowed from Hendrix to simply to live your life the way you want to, go for the big brass ring, and never give up on having fun.
An Ozzy Osbourne-like lead vocalist is supported by a Led Zeppelin-infused guitar, bass and drum style making the ingredients for “Rock On.” The pulse and groove has a modern bullet train feel. The vocal clearly tells us to be ourselves and love who we are. Do it your way and go for it.
The R Train Band will celebrate John Lennon’s birthday on Saturday, October 9 as they make their way to Arlene’s Grocery in Brooklyn. The show will be hosted by Ace Annese of “Ace’s Space Radio & Reality Check TV.” Tickets and more info can be found here.
For the first time in 16 years, guitarist Leo Kottke and bassist Mike Gordon will tour together, in an eagerly awaited series of dates in December.
Acoustic guitar legend Leo Kottke and Phish bassist Mike Gordon first linked up in 2002 for Clone, and followed by 2005’s Sixty Six Steps. The upcoming tour will celebrate last year’s release of the first new Kottke/Gordon album in 15 years, Noon, hailed by Rolling Stone as “full of lilting grooves that go on wild musical tangents.”
Read past interviews with Mike Gordon from 2013 and 2016.
The pair also today premiered a 4-song mini set, including performances of the Kottke song “Sheets” and “How Many People Are You,” which has found a spot in the rotation both with Phish and Mike Gordon Band. Both tracks are found on Noon, with Phish drummer Jon Fishman appearing on “How Many People Are You.” The set is rounded out with the Kottke classic “Rings,” and “Disco” from the duo’s 2002 release, Clone.
Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon December 2021 Tour Dates
December 8 – Munhall, PA – Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall December 9 – Washington, DC – Sixth & I December 10 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall December 12 – Beverly, MA – The Cabot December 13 – Lebanon, NH – Lebanon Opera House * December 15 – Troy, NY – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall December 16 – Norwalk, CT – Wall Street Theater December 17 – York, PA – Appell Center for the Performing Arts December 19 – Plattsburgh, NY – Strand Center for the Arts
All Dates go on sale Friday, October 8 at 10 am ET, except for Lebanon Opera House, which goes on sale at 12pm on Friday. More info can be found here.
On October 5, 1990, Phish performed at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, an overlooked show that was part of the group’s formative years as they hit college markets across the Northeast. The Skidmore Gymnasium, today a part of the Williamson Sports Center, served as the venue for this all-ages show, which was part of Skidmore’s Oktoberfest Weekend.
The numbered tickets for the show read “Oktoberfest Weekend 1990 Continues!! The Class of 1991 Presents: Phish In Concert with Conjunction Junction,” and cost $10. For $15, you could also see NRBQ perform the next day, along with Projectile of Love, all part of the same week-long event. The fall Friday afternoon brought college students and their friends to Upstate New York for the show.
Phish was slowly making their way out of Vermont and into New York State, stopping in Saratoga Springs for the first time in March of 1990 to play at Aikos, then located on Caroline Street. For those in the know, and perhaps those who caught Phish at Pauly’s Hotel in May 1989, it was becoming obvious that Phish was a band whose reputation was building fast. By the fall, they had begun to play college gyms around the Northeast. And for the crowd of 300 or so fans, they had plenty of room to move around, but still had to deal with the gym getting warm due to to heaters in gym being on – you can hear calls for air conditioning that can be heard after “Stash.”
The door on the right was the main entrance to the show – photo by Mike Hoganphoto by Mike Hogan
While the show doesn’t spark much discussion or replay, there are a few notable aspects to the show. The opener “I Didn’t Know” jumps out as a random opener, but the song would open sets as early as 1988, sometims with Fishman on trombone instead of vacuum. If you were ever looking for the lyrics to “I Am Hydrogen”, the line “I walk awakening on the misty fields of forever” is included in the intro, while both “Ya Mar” and “Alumni Blues” each have extended guitar intros. One lucky fan who was calling the Phish hotline all summer, asking them to play “The Curtain” at Skidmore was rewarded for their persistence.
courtesy of Skidmore College archives courtesy of Skidmore College archives courtesy of Skidmore College archives courtesy of Skidmore College archives
Mike Hogan attended the show, and shares his recollections of the night:
It was a beautiful fall afternoon and some of my friends traveled from various parts of New England to come see the show with me in Saratoga at Skidmore college. The show opened with an oddly placed “I Didn’t Know,” followed by a lively “Mike’s Song/Weekapaug” with the additional lyrics as I always thought they were, ”I walk awakening in the misty fields of Rather,” although the show notes say otherwise. Other highlights included “Fee” and “The Asse Festival” and “Possum.”
Looking back on the setlist, a very solid show that I’ve always enjoyed listening to. A few years back, Kevin Shapiro (Phish archivist) had asked me about this show. He had Trey’s date book and all that was written in it was Saratoga. It had no sense of the venue or setlist. I was able to provide him a bootleg copy.
One final thought on the ticket stub above. They took everyone’s ticket upon entry. After the show they had simply dropped them on the floor next to the door and I reached down and grabbed one. I wish I had grabbed a handful.
Matt Hogan
Just three years later, Phish would be playing their first show at Red Rocks in Colorado.
Phish – Skidmore Gymnasium, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY – Friday, October 5, 1990
Set 1: I Didn’t Know, Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen[1] > Weekapaug Groove, My Sweet One, The Landlady, Tela > The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg, Stash, The Asse Festival, Bouncing Around the Room > Run Like an Antelope
Set 2: Golgi Apparatus > The Curtain > Ya Mar, Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues, Uncle Pen, Split Open and Melt, Fee > Possum[2]
Encore: Good Times Bad Times
[1] “I walk awakening on the misty fields of forever” lyrics. [2] Charlie Chan and Popeye signals.
The beginning of Hydrogen included the lyrics “I walk awakening on the misty fields of forever.” Possum contained Charlie Chan and Popeye signals.
An interview with Trey (Tray) and Mike from Phish in the Skidmore News, 10/10/90. Courtesy of Mike Greenhaus.
Turkuaz has announced they are cancelling a majority of their Fall 2021 tour dates, citing health risks and logistics for the 9-piece Brooklyn-based touring band.
The band made the following statement on their Facebook page:
To All Our Fans,
We have made the extremely difficult decision to cancel much of our upcoming Fall Tour.
While the dates we had set out on this past August were primed to be an exciting return, there were many challenges we encountered in facing the reality of touring in these adverse conditions. Between unforeseen cancelations, health and safety risks, and logistical travel concerns, touring in this ever-changing reality proved to be very difficult. The resulting impact has forced us to take a hard look at our ability to go back out on tour while we are still facing these same issues and more, including continued public health concerns.
Touring is our life, and performing live for our fans is the best part of our job. This makes the realities we’re facing disappointing, but unfortunately necessary. The dates remaining are a result of reexamining what is logistically feasible, and keeps the many moving pieces in a band and touring operation of our size safe and secure. To the friends and fans in the cities that we must cancel, please know that we WILL be back! It’s just going to be a bit longer than we’d hoped for.
Refunds for all tickets purchased to all cancelled dates will be issued from the original point of purchase. Below is a list of tour dates that are still occurring. All Remain In Light performances will continue as planned. We’re grateful to our fans for understanding this decision and the difficult situation. Thank you for your continued support.
Remaining Turkuaz 2021 Fall Tour dates
10.28.21 Washington, DC: 9:30 Club* 10.29.21 New York, NY: Webster Hall* 10.30.21 New York, NY: Webster Hall* 10.31.21 Live Oak, FL: Suwanee Hulaween^ 11.04.21 Burlington, VT: Higher Ground* 11.05.21 Boston, MA: Big Night Live* 11.06.21 Portland, ME: State Theater* 12.11.21 Denver, CO: Mission Ballroom~ 12.29.21 Philadelphia, PA: Brooklyn Bowl 12.30.21 Hartford, CT: Infinity Hall 12.31.21 Hartford, CT: Infinity Hall 01.23-25.22 Riviera Maya, MEX: Panic En La Playa 01.28-29.22 Miami, FL: North Beach Bandshell 04.29.22 New Orleans, LA: Joy Theater^ 05.05.22 New Orleans, LA: Tipitina’s
* w/ Thumpasaurus ^ Remain In Light w/ Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew ~ w/ Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
LCD Soundsystem will return to Brooklyn Steel for a 20 show residency, starting November 23rd. Marking the groups first performances since 2018, the run will extend through December 21, for an unprecedented string of shows.
The residency comes on the July announcement from James Murphy that the group was on a ‘full hiatus,’ while on WTF with Marc Maron. At the time, Murphy said:
Right now, we’re on a full hiatus. Because of the nature of the band, when we’re not touring, we’re just, like, back to normal life completely… Everyone does other stuff. Everyone has their own things going on. So for us to put [a new record] together, we just kind of have to decide to do it.
James Murphy
LCD Soundsystem held their now-legendary farewell concert at Madison Square Garden on April 2, 2011, with a live album of the show, The Long Goodbye, being released shortly after.
Murphy spoke to Pitchfork recently on how COVID-19 affected his music:
Not being able to play live was fine because we probably wouldn’t have been able to play live then. And I couldn’t make LCD music. It didn’t seem like the right thing to be doing at that moment for lots of reasons. You know, we’re kind of a party band about a grumpy old guy making songs about music and in the middle of a global pandemic of people dying, and in the middle of Black Lives Matter, it just didn’t seem like, “You know what everybody needs right now? Another snarky LCD Soundsystem record, that’s sort of what the world needs at this moment.”
Tickets for all 20 shows go on general sale Friday, October 8 at 10am ET here, while fan pre-sale will begin on Wednesday, October 6 at 10am ET – learn more here.
LCD Soundsystem 2021 Dates:
November 23-24, 29-30 – Brooklyn Steel
December 1, 3-5, 7-9, 11-13, 15-17, 19-21 – Brooklyn Steel
Vermont jam-lords Phish will celebrate the end of 2021 with four nights at Madison Square Garden, capping off a remarkable year for the group.
To say Phish is no stranger to Madison Square Garden would be a huge understatement. The band has played ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’ a total of 64 times, with only Elton John and the Piano Man, Billy Joel, eclipsing their mark on the venue. The band played their first show at Madison Square Garden over New Years Eve in 1994, and playing one of their greatest shows ever on December 31, 1995, featuring the Gamehendge Time Factory.
The band continued to perform on New Years Eve for many years to follow, including 4 night runs in 1997 and 1998, a single show to mark their return from hiatus on December 31, 2002, and finally returning to the venue in early December 2009 for three nights. New Years 2010 marked the first of a near consecutive string of runs over the end of the year, with the exception of 2014 when the band performed four nights in Miami. Since 2015, the band has performed at Madison Square Garden every New Years Eve since, sans 2020 due to COVID-19 and the ensuring music industry shutdown.
2017 marked the Baker’s Dozen, a run of 13 historic shows that featured no repeats, choice covers and bust-outs galore, a hallmark for the band in their storied career at Madison Square Garden.
Tickets for Phish at Madison Square Garden for New Years Eve 2021 are available via lottery starting now through Monday, October 4th at noon ET). Public on sale begins on October 8 at noon via Phish.com
