NYS Music 202​1

Category: Audio

  • The Grateful Dead Truck It Up To Buffalo: July 4th, 1989

    To celebrate the 4th of July in 1989, the Grateful Dead decided to heed the advice of their song “Truckin’” and return to Buffalo. By now, it was near tradition for the band to celebrate our nation’s independence with summer tour shows in the Northeast. Starting with a show at the same venue, Rich Stadium, for a 4th of July gig in 1986, the Dead followed this up with another one in 1987 in Foxboro, MA.

    In classic Grateful Dead style, for 1989, they mixed it back up, with a summer run of shows that began at Foxboro two days prior and landed back in Buffalo on the 4th. It’s a well-crafted and enjoyable show that sees the band in fine form, all fully engaged, cohesive, and perhaps most importantly, healthy. In 2005, it was officially released on DVD, with an accompanying CD soundtrack, appropriately titled Truckin’ Up To Buffalo. Although, oddly, the title track never makes an appearance tonight.

    Grateful Dead Buffalo 1989

    For an opener, the Dead bring out an old faithful in “Bertha” that sparks the ignition at Rich Stadium this evening. Jerry Garcia adding a little extra “4th of July” mustard to the lyrics and the band easily toying with the reentry at one point only enliven the crowd further. This is succeeded by “Greatest Story Ever Told,” with fellow guitarist Bob Weir taking over the controls, admirably backed up, as usual, by Brent Mydland both vocally and instrumentally on electric piano. In the pivotal three-spot tonight, the band reverts back to another old standby, their signature take on the folk classic “Cold Rain And Snow.”

    Weir then tags back in for another cover tune. This time it’s the band’s take on “Walkin’ Blues,” an old blues standard that was reintroduced to their live shows a few years prior. A lively Hammond organ solo from Mydland that’s supplanted by slick work from Weir on guitar along with his signature vocal stylings highlight this one. Garcia seems to take great delight in playing the “Row Jimmy” that follows, as made evident by the smiles that accompany two poignant guitar solos and a flawless vocal delivery. It’s a beautiful rendition from an era of the band’s history that produced a lot of them.

    The Dead then go back to their vaunted bag of “covers,” this time going with a choice version of the Bob Dylan-penned “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”

    The Dead go back even further for the next song, “Stagger Lee,” their electricized cover of another folk song that dates back to the early 20th century. To close out the rest of the first, they return to their immense catalog of original material, starting with “Looks Like Rain.” Weir tackles the emotional vocals with ease while Garcia tacks on some more transcendent guitar fills for good measure. A rowdy “Deal,” accentuated by more frenetic work from Garcia on the fret board, then caps off the first set, with the Rich Stadium crowd vociferously making their appreciation known.

    Grateful Dead Buffalo 1989

    To ring in the second set for Buffalo’s 4th of July celebration in 1989, the Grateful Dead rip into an immaculate “Touch Of Grey.” The pulsating bass line deployed by Phil Lesh that doesn’t quit and more nimble guitar play from Garcia gets the communal engine revved backed up again in a big way.

    After a quick pause, “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” keeps the line moving. Brent Mydland steals the show on this one, lending both his signature raspy singing tone and some dazzling work on the organ that flavor the song perfectly. The Dead then go back into the earlier pages of the songbook again and slow things down a touch with “Ship Of Fools.” Some exquisite rhythm guitar play from Weir and fully engaged vocals on Garcia’s end seem to give this “Ship” a little extra edge to it.

    But instead of a full stop afterwards, the Dead effortlessly slink into an instrumental section of “Playin’ In The Band” before taking it out for one verse, merely serving as a reprise. Perhaps remembering they opened the previous show with PITB two days ago at the Foxboro show, the proverbial ripcord is deployed and the band effortlessly shifts gear into a different classic, “Terrapin Station.”

    Like it’s done so many times before, the percussive heavy outro of “Terrapin” slowly gets consumed by drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart and the “Drums” portion of the evening ensues. They leave no stone unturned, unleashing an impressive arsenal of percussive agents from around the world, including an electronic-sounding steel drum and an African talking drum.

    Grateful Dead Buffalo 1989

    Some heavy duty kaleidoscopic imagery accompanies their playing on the video, as the rest of the band begins to reenter the fray for the “Space” portion. Eventually, a familiar tone breaks through, a quasi-trumpet sound, courtesy of one of Garcia’s many guitar filters. This paves the way for the delicate “I Will Take You Home,” sung passionately as always by Mydland, that’s juxtaposed wonderfully with the scorching take of “All Along The Watchtower” that follows.

    The end of the second set wraps with another couple of tried and true Grateful Dead live staples. “Morning Dew” allows Garcia to drop a few more staggering guitar solos, which he does with ease in conjunction with some truly inspired and emotional singing. “Not Fade Away” then gets the rest of the band, and the Buffalo faithful, singing together one last time to close out the set.

    The crowd continues to serenade the band through the encore break which ends once “U.S. Blues” emerges, a fitting closure to this 4th of July show, and just like they had done three years ago as well.

    Both full audio and video of this vintage Dead show can be found below. Happy birthday, America!

    Grateful Dead Rich Stadium – Buffalo, NY July 4th, 1989

    Set 1: Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Cold Rain And Snow, Walkin’ Blues, Row Jimmy, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Stagger Lee, Looks Like Rain > Deal

    Set 2: Touch Of Grey, Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Ship Of Fools > Playin’ In The Band Reprise > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > I Will Take You Home > All Along The Watchtower > Morning Dew, Not Fade Away

    E: U.S. Blues

  • This Week’s EQXposure Features Fenton Hardy, Girl Blue And More

    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 new music from Fenton Hardy, Girl Blue and many more!

    Fenton hardy

    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.

    Fenton Hardy

    Bookended by organs, Fenton Hardy’s “The Ghost” is a haunting ballad about loneliness. According to Hardy’s Instagram, the laid-back six-minute song ponders “the age-old question: do we feel more alone in isolation or with others?” “The Ghost” is the title track off the Troy-based alternative musician’s debut EP, which includes three other songs.

    Girl Blue

    Girl Blue’s “Strangers” is the third single off her upcoming album due this fall. Recorded at White Lake Studios in Albany, singer-songwriter-producer Arielle O’Keefe channels Alanis Morissette with rambly diary-lifted lyrics. The song’s intimate verses build to a cathartic chorus, where O’Keefe makes peace with a once-close ex becoming a stranger. Unlike many breakup songs, “Strangers” doesn’t feel bitter, and instead serves as an amicable goodbye letter.

    Pencildive

    Pencildive is a trio made up of singer-songwriter Gina De Nardo, bassist Kevin Cardinale and drummer Zach Hirsch. Their new song The Sweats” wastes zero time cutting to the chase, boldly beginning with loud drums and guitar straight out of shoegaze. Pencildive recently signed to Albany’s Paintbox Records, alongside labelmates Senior Living and The Classica. Their album, Grown-Ups is out May 28 on all platforms.

  • This Week’s WEQXposure Features Hasty Page And More!

    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 new music from Hasty Page and many more!

    hasty page

    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.

    Hasty Page

    On Friday June 18, Queensbury trio Hasty Page released their new single, “The Wire.” Unlike the HAIM song of the same name about poor communication, lead singer and drummer Josh Morris goes above and beyond to prove his devotion in a relationship: “Tiptoe on the wire, burning with desire.”

    With Anthony Kiedis-like vocals and some seriously groovy guitar and bass, “The Wire” is a clear callback to 90s alt rock. Hasty Page is rounded out by guitarist Zane Agnew and bassist James Paolano. “The Wire” is the first of five songs planned for Hasty Page’s upcoming EP.

  • Phish Step Into the Fleezer at Finger Lakes PAC: June 22, 1995

    The last time Phish would ever play the venue known as the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center took place 27 years ago today. This performance is also the birthplace of one of the more revered pieces of music in the band’s history. A super extended “Tweezer,” affectionately nicknamed as “Fleezer” due to the locale, highlights a three-song second set and still gets rave reviews to this day. The venue now goes by the name of CMAC Performing Arts Center. But the music Phish played their last time at Finger Lakes will, thankfully, last forever.

    A raucous Finger Lakes crowd greets the band and only gets louder when the show starts with “Sample In A Jar” as the opener. Trey Anastasio’s guitar solo in its customary spot ramps up the early show energy even further. Phish sticks with material from Hoist, at this point still their most recent studio album, and follows up “Sample” with “Scent Of A Mule.” Anastasio and Page McConnell engage each other on guitar and piano, respectively, almost right away, leading to a quick but aggressive “Mule Duel” section.

    Phish then breaks out the new “Ha Ha Ha,” a short number whose only lyrics also serve as the title which had been debuted barely a month ago. The “Divided Sky” that immediately follows is anything but a laughing matter, however. A rapt Canandaigua crowd soaks in every note of this classic song that’s played to perfection and serves as the first set highlight.

    Anastasio and McConnell lock up again in another instrumental duet of sorts in a “Guelah Papyrus” that the entire band seems to toy around with at one point or another before “It’s Ice” gets deployed. Bassist Mike Gordon shines on this one, delivering a myriad of various rhythms and fills throughout. It also features a particularly loose and surprisingly extra spacey section in what’s a sign of things to come.

    After slowing things down with the ballad “Strange Design,” Phish ends the opening set at Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center on a high note, beginning with an absolutely frenetic, high intensity “Maze.” And instead of ending the set with “Cavern,” an a capella rendition of “Sweet Adeline” is also thrown in for good measure.

    Phish Finger Lakes

    All in all, it’s a fine first set, but kept pretty “close to the vest” in terms of free-form improvisation. Aside from snippets of “Mule” and “It’s Ice,” no song veered too far away from its regular structure. That would all change in a big way in the second set, courtesy of a jam for the ages.

    The set starts out innocently enough with the new “Theme From The Bottom,” only the eighth one ever played and the first time it opened a second set. It’s a polished version that sees the full band in synch, creating a powerful sequence of music accentuated by another screaming Anastasio guitar solo. Instead of bringing it to a full stop at its conclusion, a feedback-heavy jam begins to develop.

    Phish Finger Lakes

    This goes on for several minutes, with even more loops and audio madness being thrown into the proverbial soup. Drummer Jon Fishman gets prominently involved, varying tempos and styles throughout. All of this results in an early second set Grateful Dead-like “Space” section that sounds like it’s on speed. A familiar guitar riff slowly but steadily emerges as the jam pick up steam and, before long, the opening lyrics to “Tweezer” are ringing loud and true.

    For the next 40-plus minutes, Phish treats the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Crowd to a version of this classic song that some still regard as one of the best of all time, hence the “Fleezer” label. Before the jam even ensues, Gordon and Fishman rev up the crowd by hamming up some of the lyrics. The band removes the shackles of any standard-sounding “Tweezer” early on and is soon knee deep in Type II improvisation. The jam goes on to visit a variety of styles and tempos, again thanks to the interplay of Fishman and Gordon. It’s got the band singing “My Generation” lyrics over an infectious, rockabilly portion of the jam (foreshadowing their upcoming Halloween cover of The Who’s Quadrophenia), pure ambience that devolves into more harrowing feedback-fueled chaos, Fishman on the vacuum, and “Rift” teases from Gordon. It’s a monumental piece of music that’s certainly worthy of a catchy nickname and a place in Phish lore.

    It’s a “Tweezer” so epic that the only natural follow-up would be a “Reprise” of itself. That’s exactly what Phish does this evening, creating a set for the ages for the Finger Lakes crowd that’s short on song titles but long on jaw dropping rock and improv.

    For an encore, the band went acoustic, with each member playing an acoustic guitar for “Acoustic Army,” an event strictly related to 1995 Phish. An electric, both literal and figurative, cover of The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” then closes out the festivities for the evening, with another chapter of the band’s growing legacy now written.

    Check out the rest of the show at PhishTracks.

    Phish Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center – Canandaigua, NY 6/22/95

    Set 1: Sample In A Jar, Scent Of A Mule, Ha Ha Ha > Divided Sky, Guelah Papyrus, It’s Ice, Strange Design, Maze, Cavern, Sweet Adeline

    Set 2: Theme From The Bottom -> Jam -> Tweezer->Tweezer Reprise

    E: Acoustic Army, While My Guitar Gently Weeps

  • This Week’s EQXposure Features The Vaughns, The Fifty Two And More

    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 new music from The Vaughns, the Fifty Two and many more!

    the vaughns

    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.

    The Vaughns

    New Jersey band the Vaughns have released their EP, rom-coms & take-out. Its title stems from the lyrics of “All Weekend,” a synthy new wave-inspired song about staying home and doing nothing. Other songs “Bushwick” and “Raina,” are similarly chill, good for sunny and rainy days respectively. “Bushwick” is of course an ode to the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood, while “Raina” is a love song: “I’m falling in love, so what more can I say? / Oh, you’re a glimpse of sun on the rainiest day.” The Vaughns are coming to The Hollow Bar + Kitchen on Albany’s North Pearl Street on Saturday, June 26, with tickets available on their website.

    The Fifty Two
    The Fifty Two’s single “Just Kids” opens with a bang, calling back to David Bowie’s “Heroes” before mellowing out for the opening verse. However, its choruses continue to explode in waves of nostalgia for memories past. This effect is fully intentional: the lyrics speak of “limousine speakers maxed out,” and the song evokes late-driving over a bridge with the windows down. The Fifty Two are a trio consisting of Jamie Medick, Jordan Medick and Ronnie Devernone.

  • This Week’s EQXposure Features The Grandstand Jockeys, Timbre Coup and More

    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 new music from the Grandstand Jockeys, Timbre Coup and many more!

    Grandstand jockeys

    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.

    The Grandstand Jockeys

    The Grandstand Jockeys’ debut EP, Win, arrives on June 18. Its first single, “Better Days,” is a nostalgic call to long-past good times, holding out hope for their eventual return. The song is especially timely in the wake of many COVID-19 restrictions being lifted: “Time to begin, the time is now / Get yourself off the ground.” The Grandstand Jockeys’ Facebook page describes their sound as a mix of Tom Petty, Nirvana and QOTSA, but “Better Days” has the former written all over it.

    Timbre Coup

    Timbre Coup’s latest single, “Running Always,” is an indie rock piece that occasionally delves into prog and funk. The song’s scarce lyrics contrast its vast, sometimes trippy soundscape, replete with a sweeping electric guitar that wouldn’t sound out of place on OK Computer. The four-piece band from Albany will release their fourth studio album, Sudden Urge, on June 25.

    Ciarra Fragale

    Indie-pop singer-songwriter Ciarra Fragale’s self-titled EP is out on July 2. Described by Fragale as “a love letter to my anxiety (and yours),” single “It’s Only Raining” isn’t concerned with the weather so much as the stressful hypothetical situations our brains create for us. Fragale’s vocals are effortless yet passionate, and the staccatoed keys will stay with you long after listening.

  • Third Time’s The Charm for the Dead and Knickerbocker Arena: June 11, 1992

    By 1992, there was no secret about the affinity the Grateful Dead had for Albany’s Knickerbocker Arena. This would be the third year in a row they made sure to make a tour stop here. But after two previous three-night runs, including the acclaimed one from 1990 that will always be associated with their acclaimed Dozin’ At The Knick live album, the Dead only had two nights to play all the hits this year. This first of these performance went down 29 years ago today.

    Dead Knickerbocker

    Tonight’s Grateful Dead show, despite a ravenous Knickerbocker Arena, has a very relaxed open as the band slowly ambles into a “Bertha” opener. No complaints are heard as the crowd drowns out the opening lyrics in delight. After a mild jam that’s peppered with some thunderous bass notes from Phil Lesh, the entire room seems to be singing along for the remainder of this first set staple. The “New Minglewood Blues” that comes next begins in similar fashion. Garcia and keyboardist Vince Welnick each drop a couple of bluesy solos and get stretched out a little while, in between, Bob Weir takes care of the vocals, making note of the “Upstate fllies” in a nod to the locale.

    “Row Jimmy” gets the rest of the band singing again, and sees more dexterous work from Garcia on guitar, as he digs into his MIDI bag of effects and offers something that sounds closer to a flute solo at one point. After three classic Dead originals, the first cover of the night is Bob Dylan’s “Queen Jane Approximately,” with Weir once again manning lead vocals. Welnick gets in on the act here and highlights this one with a blissful, ethereal piano solo.

    “Dire Wolf” finally brings the tempo back up and the band rips through another first set mainstay, with Garcia plowing through his requisite solo with ease. But it’s near a minute and a half until the next selection is made, “Beat It On Down The Line.” With both the Dead and Knickerbocker Arena now alive and well, the sing-a-long is back on thanks to “Loose Lucy” as the crowd continues to add their collective backing to the lyrics in revelry. Welnick makes the shift from piano to Hammond organ nicely and adds some flavorful support as well. “The Music Never Stopped” then puts the fitting finishing touches on a crisp opening set that’s nothing but treasured Dead originals and a Dylan cover.

    The Dead dive into one of their more recent originals with “Foolish Heart” to kick off the second set at the Knick. Garcia and Welnick once again complement each other beautifully on guitar and keys, respectively, as the band sears through this one effortlessly. No extended jam of note develops afterwards. Instead, it’s a brief pause and away with “Playin’ In The Band” where, after a quick run through of verse, the collective improvisation starts almost immediately and doesn’t let up anytime soon. When it does, the beginning to “Uncle John’s Band” ensues, as the audience seems to come back up for air after the quick yet heavy display of psychedelic mayhem that immediately preceded it.

    The Dead then go back down to the bottom, the way bottom, courtesy of an extended “Drums” > “Space” sequence that stretches out to nearly a half hour. A well rested Knick is more than happy to help out with the vocals for the “I Need A Miracle” that finally emerges. A quick jam, punctuated by an aggressive Welnick piano solo, is crafted before things slow down one last time with “Wharf Rat.”

    Dead Knickerbocker

    After another set comprised of solely live Dead originals, and some intense improv, the evening closes out with a pair of covers. Weir hams it up one last time on vocals, and Welnick on piano as well for that matter, on Chuck Berry’s rocker “Around and Around” that suits the crowd perfectly. And the band help themselves to some more Dylan material with “The Mighty Quinn” that serves as tonight’s encore.

    With night one of the two-night run now in the books, expectations were surely through the roof for the following evening. Thanks to some sort of odd cross-promotional gadgetry straight out of 1992, if you held onto your ticket stub from tonight, the Dead would make sure you were well fed for tomorrow.

    Dead Knickerbocker

    Grateful Dead Knickerbocker Arena – Albany, NY 6/11/92

    Set 1: Bertha, Minglewood Blues, Row Jimmy, Queen Jane Approximately, Dire Wolf, Beat It On Down The Line, Loose Lucy, The Music Never Stopped

    Set 2: Foolish Heart, Playin’ In The Band-> Jam-> Uncle John’s Band-> Drums-> Jam-> I Need A Miracle-> Wharf Rat-> Around and Around

    E: The Mighty Quinn

  • Stream And Support, From Across New York!

    NYS Music is proud to announce the latest updates to Stream and Support, from across New York! In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, venues across New York State and the country closed their doors and canceled live performances. Since then, various artists have moved their concerts online.

    Now, as the music scene continues to prevail through these still uncertain times, NYS Music invites fans once again to come together to support artists from across New York State. This continually updated series will help you locate all your favorite New York artists’ live streams and virtual events.

    Below, you’ll find the continually updated list of what you can look forward to throughout the week.

    Monday

    The National Reserve: Brooklyn-based Americana-R&B fusion group The National Reserve will be performing live from Relix Studio via Twitch. The virtual concert will be live for fans to watch through FANS on August 9 starting at 7:00 PM ET. You won’t want to miss this. Stream and Support HERE

    Melt: Don’t miss the special performance from talented Pop group Melt presented by FANS. The concert will be available for fans to stream live online from Relix Studio via Twitch on August 16 starting at 7:00 PM ET. Stream and Support HERE

    SOFI TUKKER: New York-based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER will perform live from home every day on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 PM ET to watch their live DJ set of music. Stream and Support HERE

    Tuesday

    Phish: Phish will be performing live from Hersheypark Stadium (Day 1) via LivePhish.com for the band’s entire 22-show summer tour. Don’t miss this special performance presented on August 10 at 7:00 PM and be sure to check out their 4K, MP3, and T-shirt options that are available now. Stream and Support HERE

    SOFI TUKKER: New York-based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER will perform live from home every day on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 PM ET to watch their live DJ set music. Stream & Support HERE

    Wednesday

    Phish: Phish will be performing live from Hersheypark Stadium (Day 2) via LivePhish.com for the band’s entire 22-show summer tour. Don’t miss this special performance presented on August 11 at 7:00 PM and be sure to check out their 4K, MP3, and T-shirt options that are available now. Stream and Support HERE

    SOFI TUKKER: New York-based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER will perform live from home every day on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 PM ET to watch their live DJ set music. Stream and Support HERE

    Thursday

    The Honey Jam: Don’t miss the 2021 Honey Jam concert live from El Mocambo in Toronto. Check in on the venue’s Instagram to view the event’s live stream schedule and lineup. The 2021 Honey Jam Canada Concert will begin on August 12 starting at 8:00 PM ET via YouTube. Stream and Support HERE.

    Emery: The post-hardcore band Emery will premiere their sophomore and most popular album, The Question, in a digital experience giving fans a look at their single continuous performance captured live at Neumo’s in Seattle, WA. The visceral experience is a full high-quality embodiment of the acclaimed post-hardcore album. Fans can view this experience on August 12 beginning at 9:00 PM via The Moment House. Stream and Support HERE

    SOFI TUKKER: New York-based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER will perform live from home every day on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 PM ET to watch their live DJ set music. Stream and Support HERE

    Friday

    Phish: Phish will be performing live from Ruoff Music Center (Day 1) via LivePhish.com for the band’s entire 22-show summer tour. Don’t miss this special performance presented on August 6 at 7:00 PM and be sure to check out their 4K, MP3, and T-shirt options that are available now. Stream and Support HERE

    Billy Strings: Join Grammy Award-winning guitarist and bluegrass musician Billy Strings as he performs live at the Westville Music Bowl for a virtual two-day concert available via FANS. Billy will be performing on Friday and Saturday, August 6-7 starting at 7:30 PM ET both nights. Stream and Support HERE

    Daze Between: New Standard presents the 2021 Daze Between: A Celebration Of Jerry Garcia streaming every day until August 9. The show will be available for fans to stream live from Winter Park, Florida on August 6 featuring the Tommy Shugart Organ Trio starting at 7:00 PM. Stream and Support HERE

    SOFI TUKKER: New York-based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER will perform live from home every day on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 PM ET to watch their live DJ set music. Stream & Support HERE

    Saturday

    All Time Low: Catch All Time Low as they headline the Sad Summer Festival live in Anaheim, CA via VEEPS. The band will be playing some of their biggest and most memorable hits in this one-of-a-kind show on August 7 starting at 11:30 PM. Stream and Support HERE

    Eden Espinosa: The multitalented actress and singer Eden Espinosa will be present a virtual concert available for fans to stream live from The Space Las Vegas via Sessions. The Wicked Broadway performer will go live on August 7 starting at 11:00 PM. Stream and Support HERE

    Daze Between: New Standard presents the 2021 Daze Between: A Celebration Of Jerry Garcia streaming every day until August 9. The show will be available for fans to stream live from Winter Park, Florida on August 7 featuring Walking In The Sky starting at 7:00 PM. Stream and Support HERE

    Billy Strings: Join Grammy Award-winning guitarist and bluegrass musician Billy Strings as he performs live at the Westville Music Bowl for a virtual two-day concert available via FANS. Billy will be performing on Friday and Saturday, August 6-7 starting at 7:30 PM ET both nights. Stream and Support HERE

    Phish: Phish will be performing live from Ruoff Music Center (Day 2) via LivePhish.com for the band’s entire 22-show summer tour. Don’t miss this special performance presented on August 7 at 7:00 PM and be sure to check out their 4K, MP3, and T-shirt options that are available now. Stream and Support HERE

    SOFI TUKKER: New York-based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER will perform live from home every day on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 PM ET to watch their live DJ set music. Stream and Support HERE

    Sunday

    Wynonna Judd & The Big Noise: The iconic Wynonna Judd will be teaming up with The Big Noise in a can’t-miss performance live from Mandolin in a 35th Anniversary Livestream available for fans online. The artists will be performing on August 8, starting at 8:30 PM ET. Stream and Support HERE

    Daze Between: New Standard presents the 2021 Daze Between: A Celebration Of Jerry Garcia streaming every day until August 9. The show will be available for fans to stream live from Winter Park, Florida on August 8 featuring The Rusty Strings starting at 7:00 PM. Stream and Support HERE

    Phish: Phish will be performing live from Ruoff Music Center (Day 3) via LivePhish.com for the band’s entire 22-show summer tour. Don’t miss this special performance presented on August 8 at 7:00 PM and be sure to check out their 4K, MP3, and T-shirt options that are available now. Stream and Support HERE

    SOFI TUKKER: New York-based musical duo, SUFI TUKKER will perform live from home every day on Twitch. Tune in at 1:00 PM ET to watch their live DJ set music. Stream and Support HERE

  • Flashback: Phish Surprise Bearsville With Secret Gig

    As Phish was putting the finishing touches on their acclaimed Billy Breathes album in 1996, they also honored a fun Bearsville, NY tradition. It had become commonplace for bands to play at a very small club called Joyous Lake whenever they were finished with their business at Bearsville Studios. Billed as ‘Third Ball’, the last “stealth” Phish gig made available for public consumption went down 25 years ago today.

    Joyous Lake and its 200-person capacity were a far cry from the arenas and amphitheaters that Phish played regularly by now. Thankfully, sound engineer Paul Languedoc provided soundboard patches to those in the know who showed up with recording gear. As a result, this show has all the feel of a small, intimate affair from the late ’80s combined with the raw power and energy Phish had infused their music with by 1996. Approximately two months before there was a Clifford Ball, there was Third Ball.

    Phish Bearsville
    Bearsville Studios, June 1996 credit: Danny Clinch

    Since this was no typical Phish concert at this point in time, why not open it with a “Split Open and Melt?” Drummer Jon Fishman starts up the signature opening drum beat and, much to the small crowd’s delight, the show begins. Although the jam has a few “clunky” early moments, in no time a full-fledged “Melt” jam is underway, with any other discernible signs of rust now clearly removed. With most of the year devoted to work on Billy Breathes so far, this was only the second live show played in 1996.

    The “Runaway Jim” that comes later seems to have all of the Joyous Lake crowd signing along at the outset. They soon give way to a beautifully escalating, driving jam that’s steered by Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell on guitar and piano, respectively. The band also fools around a bit with the “Funky Bitch” that follows, continuing to drop some early gems on the Bearsville crowd.

    The double-edged sword that is a small venue gig rears its head in the beginning of “Theme From The Bottom.” A crowd that’s getting energized by some intimate Phish, as well as more “hydrated” by the minute, can be heard very easily in some of the quieter opening segments. Although quiet moments wouldn’t be an issue for much of the remainder of the first set, starting with the “Big Black Furry Creature From Mars” that follows where Trey allegedly fashioned an empty beer bottle into a guitar slide. “Scent Of A Mule” features its customary ‘Mule Duel’ as well as a full-on teases of “Sunshine Of Your Love” and “Cocaine.” And the set comes to a whirlwind of a close with a cover of “Highway To Hell” that has the full band toying around with the vocals.

    Phish Bearsville

    The second set of this “secret” gig at Joyous Lake features a blend of live Phish staples and brand new debuts. “AC/DC Bag” revs things back up as the set opener, with some intense guitar play from Anastasio on the back end of it. Next, somewhat surprisingly, a sublime “You Enjoy Myself” is played, undoubtedly in front of the smallest crowd in years. The band treats this one no differently though as its played to perfection, with all the bells, whistles and customarily eerie vocal jam included.

    Phish keeps the old school vibe in effect with a “Chalkdust Torture” that emerges the instant said vocal jam concludes. It’s not a particularly extended version, but it packs a punch. “Sparkle” then follows in the same vein before “Stash” gives the band another chance to spread their wings and soar.

    The second set also contains a pair of Phish debuts that are now firmly embedded in their live show repertoire. “Waste” and “Character Zero,” two songs prominently featured on the upcoming Billy Breathes release, are played back-to-back, both for the first time ever. “Waste” is still so raw at this time that it stops somewhat abruptly with Trey noting “we don’t have an ending for it yet.”

    The remainder of the show is vintage Phish, beginning with the monstrous “David Bowie” that follows the debuts. Trey stumbles over some of the lyrics in “Fee” before getting redemption via another dazzling run on guitar on the “Sample in a Jar” that closes out the set. The “Ya Mar” that starts the encore has a rough spot or two before rounding into form before an incendiary cover Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire” closes the book on Third Ball.

    Listen to the show in its entirety below, or selected songs at PhishTracks.

    Phish Joyous Lake – Bearsville, NY 6/6/96

    Set 1: Split Open and Melt, Poor Heart, Runaway Jim, Funky Bitch, Theme From the Bottom, Big Black Furry Creature From Mars, Scent of a Mule, Highway to Hell

    Set 2: AC/DC Bag, You Enjoy Myself, Chalkdust Torture, Sparkle, Stash, Waste, Character Zero, David Bowie, Fee > Sample in a Jar

    E: Ya Mar, Fire

    This unannounced show was performed under the name “Third Ball.” BBFCFM featured Trey using a Rolling Rock beer bottle as a slide. Scent of a Mule included a Sunshine of Your Love tease and saw Trey on keys for portions. Waste and Character Zero debuted at this show. The opening act was Juan Hung Low.

  • This Week’s EQXposure Features Sara Devoe, Blackcat Elliot And More

    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 new music from Sara Devoe, Blackcat Elliot and many more!

    Sara Devoe

    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.

    Sara Devoe

    Albany artist Sara Devoe blends a dream pop aesthetic with the songwriting sensibilities of Phoebe Bridgers and Lana Del Rey. “Big Night” is the first single off her debut EP, out this summer. Chill and slightly aloof, it’s tailor-made for solo summer drives.

    Blackcat Elliot

    Inspired by the CBGB punk scene of the 1970s with a side of 90s grunge, Albany garage band trio Blackcat Elliot is still going strong after 20 years. Made up of Fast Eddie on bass, Marky Balboa on drums and Gus on guitar and vocals, they’re self-proclaimed “troublesome, working class heroes.” Their 2019 album There Is No Good In Us features “Take It Back,” a hard rock number with Grohl-esque vocals.

    U.C.

    Toronto prog trio U.C. released their album Time Distortion in March. Quirky and experimental, “Magnanimity” pays tribute to the titular five-dollar word with daring production choices. While relegated to the background, the shimmering piano that enters halfway through makes the song. At times, “Magnanimity” appears to pay homage to Freddie Mercury and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” If the listener didn’t know its release date, it could easily be mistaken for a song from the past or even future.

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