NYS Music 202​1

Author: Samantha King

  • The Osees Announce Fall Tour

    California-based alternative rock band, Osees, recently announced that they are going on tour this fall across the U.S.

    Osees

    The band formed in San Francisco in 1997 and throughout their group’s career they have changed their name a few times. Over the course of the years they have gained and departed from members. The current members of the group are John Dwyer the vocalist and guitarist of the group, Tim Hellman the bassist, Dan Rincon and Paul Quattrone on the drums and Tomas Dolas on the keyboard. Throughout their journey with different names , the Osees released over 20 EPs and albums. In the year 2020, they released four EPs, Protrean Treat, Metamorphosed, Panther Rotate and Weirdo Hairdo. 

    With all tier releases within the last year, Osees is heading to several different states on tour later this year. From September to early October they will be performing in major cities including San Francisco, Portland, OR, Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Cleveland, Toronto, Cambridge, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Carrboro, Atlanta, Austin and Albuquerque. Alternative/indie band Mr. Elevator will be joining them on tour. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

    In addition to tour announcements, Osees front-man John Dwyer  has an announcement of his own. Dwyer is auctioning his custom created Werewolf Rug to raise money for the Coalition on Homelessness San Francisco. According to Dwyer the rug was made in San Francisco years ago. He found it fitting to benefit the work that the organization does in San Francisco.

    The Osees Fall Tour Dates

    Tue 09/07 San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
    Wed 09/08 San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
    Fri 09/10 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
    Sat 09/11 Seattle, WA –  Neumos  
    Sun 09/12 Seattle, WA – Neumos  
    Thu 09/16 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue Mainroom
    Fri 09/17 Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
    Sat 09/18 Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
    Sun 09/19 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
    Mon 09/20 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
    Wed 09/22 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
    Fri 09/24 Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
    Sat 09/25 Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
    Sun 09/26 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
    Mon 09/27 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle 
    Wed 09/29 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
    Fri 10/01 Austin, TX – Hotel Vegas
    Sat 10/02 Austin, TX – Hotel Vegas
    Mon 10/04 Albuquerque, NM – Sister Bar 
     

  • Dave Matthews Band Release Summer 2021 Tour Dates

    Dave Matthews Band have announced rescheduled 2021 dates plus additional stops for their upcoming tour starting on July 23.

    Dave matthews band 2021

    Last year the pandemic interfered with the possibility of live music events. In May 2020, The Dave Matthews Band announced that the tour would be postponed to the summer of 2021 and revealed the dates on April 22. The tour kicks off in Raleigh, NC and will make stops all around the country. Cities a part of the headline run includes West Palm Beach, FL, Chicago, IL, Noblesville, IN Gilford, NH Irvine, CA and Saratoga Springs, NY; each of them having two-night stands. Shows in Tampa and Denver have been added to the list of dates as well.

    The band will also return to the Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA for their annual three-night Labor Day tradition. They will be joined by Dumpstaphunk and Allen Stone on Friday, September 3, Randy Randolph & The Family Band on Saturday, September 4 and Mavis Staples on Sunday, September 5.   

    DMB was originally supposed to perform at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on July 9 and July 10 but have rescheduled to Sept. 17 and Sept. 18. Tickets that were sold for the original dates are valid for the rescheduling. These are the last shows for SPAC’s Live Nation concerts for the summer.

    Dave Matthews Band originally pledged to plant one million trees for the 2020 tour and with the new dates, they decided to honor it. The pledge is for the The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion campaign. They are supported by DocuSign and Dreaming Tree Wines— Dave Matthews’ wine company– in their efforts. The band encourages fans to participate by adding an optional $2 when purchasing their tickets. 

    Online presale tickets are currently open for members of the Warehouse until April 25 at 3 p.m. The official presale credit card is Citi, making card holders eligible to purchase tickets through Citi Entertainment starting on April 27 at 10 a.m through April 29 at 10 p.m. Ticket sales for Denver and Tampa for the general public starts on April 30 at 10 a.m. People who already have tickets from the original sales from 2020 are able to keep them or refund them.  

    Updated on July 20, 2021: Dave Matthews Band announced on July 19, 2021 that they are adding two nights to their summer tour at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The performances at MSG will take place on November 12 and 13 of 2021. These shows will be the band’s first return to the venue since 2018. They have also added a new date in Columbus, OH on November 5, 2021 at the Nationwide Arena.

  • Amityville Music Hall Releases ‘AMH Volume Two’

    Amityville Music Hall and Long Island Emo have teamed up to release The AMH Compilation: Volume Two, following Volume One’s release in February.

    Amityville Music hall
    Artwork by Sarah Waxberg

    The AMH Comp: Volume Two features 34 songs from several emerging artists and legends. Some bands included in the compilation are Crime in Stereo after their last release in 2010, Twentythreenineteen, Iron Chic, Victory Garden, Moon Tooth, Blame God and Macseal. The songs on the album are originals and covers spanning from punk, hardcore and indie rock. Each song has its own sound from Crime in Stereo’s hardcore and fiery track “The Good Empire” to Macseal’s indie and laid-back style on “These Things Happens (Live at Two Worlds)”. 

    The compilation is exclusively available on Long Island Emo’s bandcamp. Just like for Volume One, the second volume is available for a donation of $15. While venues are slowly beginning to reopen, the pandemic is still affecting Amityville Music Hall. Venues are allowed to open at about 33% capacity, but for the music Hall that would only allow 25 people to be there at a time, which isn’t attainable. The proceeds from The AMH Compilation: Volume Two will go to the venue and the staff. 

    An exclusive print is also available along with the release and the money will be allocated to Amityville Music Hall as well. 

  • Lincoln Center Plaza Becomes The Green

    On April 13, Lincoln Center announced that their Josie Robertson Plaza is transforming into “The Green,” allowing New Yorkers to enjoy the space.

    The Green is a part of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation-Lincoln Center Agora initiative, Restart Stages, whose mission is to help rebuild the arts sector and the city’s revival by reimagining and reactivating public spaces. It will create 10 outdoor performance and rehearsal spaces, an outdoor performing arts center, and more public venues.

    The Green Rendering Lincoln Center Plaza
    Design by Mimi Lien Rendering by Timothy Leung

    In coordination with NY PopsUp, part of Governor Cuomo’s New York Arts Revival, the initiative will go beyond the Lincoln Center. Restart Stages began on April 7, World Health Day with performances for healthcare workers by the New York Philharmonic.

    Mimi Lien, set designer and MacArthur Genius grantee, is in charge of the plaza’s reimagination. She wanted to create it into a place of inclusion and inhabitation rather than just an area to walk through to see a performance or get to the Library. Lien envisions The Green as a park space where people can relax and a site of social infrastructure.

    Before The Green, the plaza was 14,000 square feet of open concrete. After being redesigned, it will be made of recyclable and biobased SYNLawn grass-like material. It is provided by SYNLawn New York and contains high soy content from U.S Farmers. Hudson Scenic Studio is providing the fabrication. To add to the community aspect of The Green, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is providing books for the public to borrow. A small snack bar will be in the northeast corner and there will be pop up performances in the Summer and Fall.

    The Green opens on May 10 through September 2021, from 9 a.m to midnight. Due to the pandemic, safety protocols will be in place to follow guidelines.

  • AFROPUNK Partners with NPR Music to Present ‘Black Spring’

    AFROPUNK returns virtually this year on April 23 with the theme “Black Spring” and has partnered with NPR Music.

    AFROPUNK Virtual Lineup Black Spring

    For almost two decades, AFROPUNK has focused on breaking barriers and dismantling oppressive structures affecting Black communities all over. They work to create an inclusive and liberating space. 

    This year’s theme “Black Spring” combines their legacy of inclusion and activism by highlighting Afro-Latinx and Afro-Caribbean talents and culture. It aims to celebrate African lineage and embrace Black people globally despite the differences in language and location. “Black Spring” represents revitalization, reclamation, revolution and renewal as it represents freedom and change. It calls for Afro-Latinx and Afro-Caribbeans to embrace the intersectionality within their identities.

    For the first time, AFROPUNK is collaborating with NPR Music this year. With over a decade of music journalism the Tiny Desk concert series, NPR Music has created a path of discovery for artists of all backgrounds and genres. The pandemic didn’t stop the Tiny Desk from taking place, the performances just came from home and allowed artists to perform from all over the world. “Tiny Desk Meets AFROPUNK” will capture the intimate and authentic feels from the home concert series with performances from international artists.  

    People performing and any details about how the show will go or whatever: This year’s lineup includes Rico Nasty, Seu Jorge, Seafoam Walls, DAWERXDAMPER, Black Pantera, ChocQuibTown, Projexx, and JUP DO BAIRRO. “Black Spring” will be hosted by Santana Caress Benitez. It is produced by veterans Anthony Maddox, Tina Farris, and Dominic Pearson along with Cyrus Dennis, Allen T. Lamb, Sango Amoda, Shauna Gray and Anita Asante.  Performers for “Tiny Desk Meets AFROPUNK” are ChocQuibTown, Calma Carmona, Leudji Luna, and Nenny with AFROPUNK veteran Jorge “Gitoo” Wright as host. 

    The program “Tiny Desk Meets AFROPUNK” streams at 3 p.m. EST on April 23 on NPR Music’s website and Youtube. “Black Spring” airs right after at 4 p.m. EST on Planet Afropunk.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fanQHFAxXH0

  • The Sultan Room Reopens with Two New Series

    Live music returns to The Sultan Room in Brooklyn, who will host a series of outdoor concerts titled “Sultan Room Under the Stars” and a series of Sunday day parties, “Sultan Sundays.”

    The Sultan Room
    Photo credit: Jeff Brown

    The Sultan Room music venue opened in 2019, and along with The Turks Inn and Doner Kebab, the venue is owned by Varun Kataria and Tyler Erickson. Since COVID-19 halted live in person performances, the Sultan Room’s doors have been closed. However, it is reopening this Spring with several outdoor performances on the Turks Inn rooftop, Kismet Garden.

    “Sultan Room Under the Stars” has several upcoming concerts beginning on April 21 with Native Sun. Other performers for the series’ lineup include Jachary, Ron Gallo, TOTH, Melanie Charles, Daddy Long Legs and more. Most of the show dates feature two performances from each artist and doors opening at both 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. All shows will be seated and following CDC’s guidelines with masks and face shields worn by both performers and the audience. 

    “Sultan Sundays’ ‘ begins this Sunday, April 18 also taking place on the Turk Inn’s Rooftop. Every event starts from 3 p.m and will end at 9 p.m. featuring a rotation of local DJs and party promoters. This weekend’s event is “The Sultan Room Presents: Discosis”. Upcoming “Sultan Sundays” include Sailor Boom, Mickey Perez + Toribio + Jimmy Perez, a Mariah Carey Party and more. 

    With the venue slowly reopening, they host a variety of entertainment. They are hosting a new drag show called “Gigs” with Bushwig’s co-founder Horrorchata as the host. The Sultan Room also will have a comedy event, and even more shows with local and national artists, Lespecial, HNRY FLWR and Sophia Rei’s album release show. Their new cafe will present smaller events and concerts. The Sultan Room’s website has more information and ticket sales. 

    Upcoming shows at The Sultan Room

    April 21 – Native Sun 
    April 28 – Jachary
    May 5 – Ron Gallo
    May 12 – Toth
    May 19 – Toth
    May 26 – Melanie Charles
    June 2 – Daddy Long Legs
    June 9 – Adeline
    June 16 – Araya
    June 23 – Garcia Peoples
    June 30 – Mirah

  • Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Presents UpLift Commission Series

    Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and WEXT present the UpLift Commission Series, faeturing local artists to participate. In collaboration with Organ Colossal, the Lift was curated and invited a small audience to sit on stage with artists while they performed.

    Troy Savings Bank Hall uplift series

    The pandemic caused the program to end forcing staff at the Music Hall to find creative ways to keep it going. The Hall reached out to the Organ Colossal to find local community talent in the Capital Region. Each artist selected has contributed to their community throughout the years and their participation is another contribution. Their creations for this project reflect the mood of current times and each performance is honest and speaks to the changes music has faced over the year.

    Upcoming UpLift Commission Series performances begin later this month. Indie singer based Upstate and Brooklyn, Belle Skinner, performs on Friday, April 23 at 7 p.m. Mother and son duo, sitarist Veena and tabla drummer Devesh Chandra perform on Friday, May 7. New York-based Puerto Rican singer, Taína Asili and guitarist Gaetano Vaccaro perform on Friday, May 21. The events are free and open to the public and links to performance will be released closer to the performances.

    Troy Savings Bank Music Hall was created in 1870 built on the upper level to show the bank’s appreciation to the local citizens for their support. In the beginning, the hall hosted performances from musicians nationally and internationally even during the World War II era. In 1979 the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Revitalization Committee after Troy’s declined and had problems supporting the arts.

    The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Corporation came about through funding from the bank and from the city and county. It is a non profit organization and it leases the Hall from the bank. The Hall has a reputation for orchestra and chamber music. However with sound as its main priority, it became a venue with classical and modern music performances. 

  • Caroga Lake Music Festival to Return This Summer

    The Caroga Lake Music Festival returns this year during the summer, and marks the 10 year anniversary for the festival.

    Caroga Lake Music Festival
    Artist: Erica Harney

    Caroga Arts Collective hosted several performances and events featuring artists from all around the world spanning from different genres. They use inspiration from nature found in the Adirondacks and bring the community together through art, culture and business.

    The Caroga Lake Music Festival is presented by the Caroga Arts Collective and founded and directed by Kyle Barrett Price. It is five weeks and offers free music performances and community outreach. Artists from all around the world and from the community create interactive experiences for the audience. Four series arose from the festival including – Sherman’s Revival Series, Caroga Chapel Series, Encore!Jazz Session and The Barge.

    This year is not only the 10 year anniversary for the Caroga Lake Festival, it is also the 100 year anniversary of Caroga Arts new home, Sherman’s Amusement Park. The festival takes place July 24 – August 22 and is featuring debut artists from genres such as classical, bluegrass, pop, jazz and more. Caroga Arts plans to partner with local businesses and organizations. 

    With health as the main priority for artists, the audience and staff, a Protocol Advisory Team is meeting every week to maintain safety as the festival approaches. Every concert held at the park will be held at Sherman’s Bumper Car Pavilion with socially distanced pods to seat the audience. More updates about the Caroga Lake Music Festival will be announced later this Spring. 

  • National Geographic Announces Musical Earth Day Eve Celebration

    National Geographic is hosting a virtual celebration for Earth Day Eve with performances from several artists in efforts to unite and inspire people to take action to save the planet.

    Art Credit: Cachetejack

    The virtual celebration is one of the multiple ways that National Geographic is offering to honor Earth Day. The Earth Day Eve celebration is the first event and has a star-studded lineup of musical guests ranging from different genres. Performers include, Angélique Kidjo, AURORA, José González, Yo-Yo Ma, Ziggy Marley and more. My Morning Jacket is going to premiere their new music video as well. These artists will be joining from places that are important to them to raise awareness and take viewers on a virtual journey.

    Earth Day Eve 2021 is hosted by Jessica Nabongo who is a travel writer, entrepreneur and more notably the first documented Black woman to travel every country in the world. Viewers joining the virtual festivities will be introduced to some National Geographic explorers. There will be appearances from renowned ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Rae Wynn Grant, Lillygol Sedaghat and Dr. Lucy Hawkes. National Geographic explorer and marine photographer Brian Skerry will preview the new Disney + series Secrets of the Whales. The Earth Day activities ends when Secrets of the Whales premieres on April 22 at midnight. Filmmaker and National Geographic explorer James Cameron is the executive producer and Sigourney Weaver is the narrator of the four-part series.

    Along with performances from multiple musicians, there will be many announcements made and a virtual after party on National Geographic’s TikTok at 10 p.m. EDT. House music DJ/producer and environmental scientist Jayda G will be playing a set with visuals from the new Disney + series Earth Moods. National Geographic has a new playlist on Spotify to embrace the Earth month. 

    Earth Day Eve airs exclusively on National Geographic’s YouTube channel and on their website on April 21 at 8:30 p.m. EDT. The celebration revolves around music’s ability to unite everyone for the cause of protecting the environment.

  • The State Theatre of Ithaca to Repair Almost 300 Seats this Spring

    The State Theatre of Ithaca has announced they are repairing 293 of their 1,600 seats in poor condition this Spring.

    The State Theatre of Ithaca
    Photo from State Theatre of Ithaca Website

    The State Theatre of Ithaca officially opened in 1928 and became a staple in the community as an entertainment venue. The theatre evolved with each era, in the 30s it was more of a cinema house and a second screen was installed in 1976. In the 90s, the balcony was removed and theatrical programs made a return by the Ithaca Performing Arts Center. In 1998, Historic Ithaca took over the building and came with a new roof and updates in lighting and electrical systems along with expertise in running a theatre. The current owners, a non-for-profit organization named The State Theatre of Ithaca Inc. purchased the building in 2009 and has invested over $1 million in improving the theatre over time. Restroom renovations made in 2015 allowed the building’s capacity to increase.

    The theatre’s mission is to enhance Ithaca’s cultural life by preserving, operating and promoting the State Theatre as an active venue locally, nationally and internationally. Over 85 shows happen each year and community support allows it to take place. Past events have included performances from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, classical composers, comedians, local performers and films.

    COVID-19 has impacted many venues, and The State Theatre of Ithaca is one of them. In March 2020 the theatre was forced to close its doors which resulted in revenue loss from cancellations and rescheduling. In efforts to keep the theatre going through these times, the Save Your Seat campaign was announced in November 2020. The campaign allowed people to pay $100 per seat in total and it didn’t stop until every seat was saved. In less than eight weeks, the theatre reached their goal and raised $160,000. 

    While they were in the process of the campaign they realized that about 20 percent of their seats needed improvement. There were seats with tears and holes or there were some that were held together by duct tape. The donations are going to repair and reupholster the seats. Along with the repairs there are two new plaques that will be attached to the seats. The first plaque includes personal messages submitted by Save Your Seat supporters and the second plaque includes the official seat designation. The State Theatre of Ithaca plans to reinstall the repaired seats in May and to reopen with these new seats. 

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