Category: Media

Surfbort Out Release “FML” Music video Featuring Fred Armisen

Keep your calendars open for the new album from Brooklyn’s Surfbort, Keep On Truckin’, due out October 11. This release will be a little different from their others seeing as though now they have launched a partnership between legendary producer, composer and philanthropist, Linda Perry and SoundCloud/Repost. The band will be will be hosting a pre-save give away contest where three lucky fans who pre-save the album will be sent a care package.

If you have been following them, you’ll know that the band just released the music video for their latest single “FML” with someone you might know from Saturday Night Live. Aside form Fred Armisen’s glowing review he is also featured in their music video — just as how Fred Armisen in real life walks around doing good deeds, in the music video he then transforms into each member of the band, saving them from their extreme depression. Isn’t that what all comedians do?

Although Surfbort is a Brooklyn based punk band, their fan base rocks from coast to coast. Surfbort is accepting to all while radiating love and friendship. Their live concerts are incomparable, a punk environment with visceral guitar-shredding.

They are everything I want a band to be. I love their music, both on record and performed live. Just the right amount of chaos. And their sense of aesthetics is amazing to see. I am excited that they even exist. I love SURFBORT!

Fred Armisen

After speaking with lead singer Dani Miller, he comes to explain the “FML” single as an inside look on crippling depression. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in this country and often goes unnoticed. That is, suicide ideation is extremely common, even amongst the band members of Surfbort. This pandemic has severed many’s mental health leaving people suffering and feeling alone. Miller encourages people to hold on and preaches the importance of reaching out to loved ones. He opened up on being an artist and drug addict/alcoholic while being bipolar, his past was filled with suicidal ideation. Even his aunt fell victim of suicide and not a day passes where he wishes that he could go back in time.

Fred Armisen poses as a hero in the music video, changing band mates perspective on life which he wishes Fred could be for his aunt. Fred radiates electric positive healing energy that he even missed a premier, rather transforming into each band member and even becoming Miller’s twin, complete with classic makeup while learning all the lyrics and instruments acting as an understudy. We all need a super hero or a strong support system to get us through tough times like these and countless other obstacles we may face and Surfbort only hopes that they can provide the support or encouragement to lean on our loved ones in our times of need.

Surfbort will be playing new music from their forthcoming album at the below upcoming tour dates, as the band tours across the US in Fall 2021.

Upcoming Tour Dates w/ Starcrawler
Oct 17th                                Eugene, OR                           Sessions Music Hall
Oct 19th                                Sacramento, CA                    Harlow’s
Oct 20th                               Berkeley, CA                          The UC Theatre
Oct 21st                               Los Angeles, CA                     The Regent Theater
Oct 22nd                              San Diego, CA                        Brick By Brick
Oct 23rd                               Tucson, AZ                            191 Toole
Oct 25th                               Dallas, TX                              Granada Theater

Special Events
Oct 27th San Diego, CA Casbah event for DC Shoes

Upcoming Tour Date w/ The Garden
Nov 4th Santa Ana, CA Observatory
Nov 5th San Luis Obispo, CA Fremont Theater
Nov 6th                   Felton, CA Felton Music Hall
Nov 7th San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Nov 9th Portland, Oregon Hawthorne Theater
Nov 10th Seattle, WA The Crocodile
Nov 11th Boise, ID The Shredder
Nov 12th Salt Lake City, UT The Loading Dock
Nov 14th Denver, CO Marquis Theater

Upcoming Solo Shows
Nov 15th Fort Collins, CO The Coast

October 7, 2021
In Focus: Chris Stapleton “All American Road Show” at Bethel Woods

While I was driving up Route 17 to attend the Chris Stapleton “All American Road Show” at Bethel Woods, the rain was coming down like cats and dogs and squirrels and rabbits. With my windshield wipers on high, I started thinking of August 1969. Back then the heavens had opened up on a little music event at this same location. Maybe this was a good sign.

Chris Stapleton

The “Road Show “, which started in July, has been fluid with its opening acts. On this night Kendal Marvel, a gray bearded Honky Tonker, greeted the early attendees. He and his band delivered a short and driving set. “Low Down and Lonesome” had you moving your feet while “Gypsy Woman” took it down a notch reflecting on a transient love.

Kendal Marvel

Grammy nominated Margo Price followed. Price reached out to all in the house and took control of the stage. As she moved seamlessly between vocals, guitar, and percussion, Margo maneuvered from one end of the stage to the other in her knee-high black suede boots. Price’s set included “Tennessee Song” from Midwest Farmer’s Daughter and a cover of Leslie Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me.” Backed by a full band, including a three-guitar army and pedal steel, her execution was top notch reinforcing her well-deserved musical status.

Margo Price

Stepping out from the wings with a flashlight directing his path, Chris Stapleton centered himself on a dark stage. A man and his guitar. Then, a single spotlight illuminated him from behind setting the tone for his set. This was not about him, but about the music.

Stapleton opened with “Whiskey and You,” a raw look at the struggles of the heart. His full band then joined him on an elaborately constructed stage, which was not pretentious but built to enhance the journey. To his left and lending vocals, was Stapleton’s wife, Morgane. Randomly through the show, she would snuggle up close to Chris and caress the tall Kentuckian’s beard bringing about a joyful glow.

No BS. No fireworks. Just Chris Stapleton and his songs.

The two-hour set maneuvered through Stapleton’s catalog, and included songs from his 2020 Starting Over album.There was not a lot of banter from the singer songwriter enabling each song to resonate fully before the next began. Throughout the night a continuous flow of guitar changes and band configurations afforded each song the opportunity to shine brightly.

You could feel the depth of Chris’s deep, raspy timbre as he shared the challenges of the common man. With Stapleton’s encouragement, the house joined in on “Starting Over” giving this audience of sixteen thousand the opportunity to be one with the artist. At one point, Chris teased the crowd with a snippet of Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” before breaking into “The Devil Named Music.” Taking creative license with the iconic “Tennessee Whiskey”, Stapleton melodically introduced his band and brought the set to a close.

Chris Stapleton

The night concluded with a two-song encore. Beginning with the title cut from his debut album Traveler, citing “this was where it all began.” To close Stapleton chose “Outlaw State of Mind.” The song built up in intensity while performed. As it concluded, each musician with their instruments feeding back put them down on the stage floor and walked off. Sending the music into the ethos.

The deluge leading up to the show did not deter the sold-out audience. What they experienced was a well-constructed night of musical purpose. No BS. No fireworks. Just Chris Stapleton and his songs. Unadulterated for all to consume.

Kendal Marvel

Margo Price

Chris Stapleton

October 7, 2021
Yo La Tengo Closes Out Central Park’s 2021 Summerstage Free Concert Series, Announce Hanukkah Celebration at Bowery Ballroom
Yo La Tengo helped bring Central Park’s 2021 Summerstage Free Concert Series to a close on Friday October 1st. Despite having to reschedule this performance from one month prior due to sever weather, fans were treated to perfect weather this time around. Fans enjoyed the first night of Autumn with plenty of fleece sweaters and a great lineup of performances.

The show opened up with three short films as a part of Rooftop Films’ Summer 2021 Summer Series. Next up, Amanda Nazario played a brief but energetic DJ set just as the sun began to set over Manhattan. And then Mountain Movers pumped up the crowd with their unique blend of drone and noise rock.

As Yo La Tengo took the stage, applause and cheers became screams when they opened with a cover of Velvet Underground’s “Who Loves the Sun.”

Their 90 minute set included several fan favorites such as “Autumn Sweater” (a natural inclusion) and “I’ll Be Around,” which they dedicated to Yoko Ono. Frontman Ira Kaplan brought his mother onstage to close out the concert with their cover of Anita Bryant’s “My Little Corner of the World.” The crowd ate it up, and the show ended on a high note.

Ira also announced at Summerstage that Yo La Tengo would once again be playing a series of eight Hanukkah shows at Bowery Ballroom from November 28 through December 5, coinciding with the eight nights of Hanukkah, which starts on November 28 and runs through the evening of December 6. Tickets will be available October 8th. You can find out more on Yo La Tengo’s website.

Ira Kaplan shared this note with fans on the Yo La Tengo Facebook page:

Shammash-ing Time!
Hi everybody, here to tell you that Hanukkah is just around the corner. (No kidding–it’s early this year!) And that we are going to return to the Bowery Ballroom and play all eight nights, just like we did before life got in the way. Comics, opening acts, whatever other nonsense we can cobble together, and the money will be given away. I’d consider writing more, but it still feels a little unreal to be contemplating this. And yet here we are.
Hanukkah starts on Sunday, November 28 and continues through Sunday, December 5. You must be fully vaccinated to enter the Bowery Ballroom. Tickets are $50 each and will go on sale on Friday, October 8 at 12 pm (noon) EDT. OK, gotta start practicing!
October 6, 2021
Dead Sara Electrifies Bowery Ballroom
After a three-year touring hiatus, LA-based rock band Dead Sara finally returned to NYC on Friday, October 1st.

The excitement for Dead Sara’s return was palpable at Bowery Ballroom. As the stage got set up, fans watched the process attentively. Their eyes stayed glued to the stage even as the crew performed mundane tasks like taping the setlist down. The moment they saw the crew give a thumbs-up signal to the sound staff, cheers erupted.
Frontwoman Emily Armstrong captivated her audience with her powerful vocals and hypnotizing stage presence. The audience reacted positively, shouting out their approval after each song.

The band performed “Heroes,” “Hypnotic,” and “Good Times” amongst other tracks off of their first full-length album since 2015, Ain’t It Tragic.

What truly made the night memorable was when Armstrong spotted an American flag in the crowd. She began singing the National Anthem as a joke — much to her surprise, the crowd immediately joined in and belted the entirety of the anthem back to Armstrong. She flipped the bird and nailed a massive stage jump as she transitioned back into Dead Sara discography, cementing her as a modern rockstar.
October 4, 2021
In Focus: Janet Evra: A Night in Paris at Seneca One Auditorium
On October 2nd, Janet Evra performed her concert “A Night in Paris” to a sold out crow at the Seneca One Auditorium in Buffalo. This was a big moment for JazzBuffalo as it was their first use of the auditorium.

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Janet Evra along with guitarist Will Buchanan, sax and flutist David and drummer Tim Moore created a wonderful night of jazz that took the audience to Paris. Evra’s voice was soothing and pure. Plus, her ability to play the bass was equally as flawless.

With this performance, the audience at Seneca One was taken on a beautiful journey through songs by Miles Davis, Édith Piaf as well as Janet Evra originals. Those originals, Evra has been eager to play since pre-pandemic times. Tony Zambito, Executive Director of JazzBuffalo, said it best “The future of jazz is in good hands.”

Janet Evra and company provided an amazing night of music that was just what Buffalo needed.

Setlist: Comment te Dire Adieu, C’est Si Bon, Que Reste-t-il, Baila, Dream a Little Dream of Me, Solar, Paris, La Vie en Rose, Koop Island Blues, La Mer, Zou Bisou Bisou.

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
October 4, 2021
Kacey Musgraves Shines On The Star-Crossed SNL Premiere

SNL has returned for its 47th season, with Owen Wilson hosting and Kacey Musgraves as the musical guest.

The episode began with a cold open featuring prominent Democrats and what they’ve been up to in the offseason, including President Joe Biden and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cecily Strong stole the show as Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema, as did Melissa Villaseñor as a post-Met-Gala AOC. In his opening monologue, Owen Wilson poked fun at the negative reviews he’s received from critics over the years.

One of the night’s strongest sketches was of a school board meeting derailed by conspiracy theories and critical race theory outrage. Alex Moffat and Ego Nwodim took on nearly the entire cast of SNL as unhinged parents and townspeople, each more absurd than the last.

Later, Kacey Musgraves took to the stage with new single “Justified.” The song kicks off the second act of her fourth studio album, star-crossed, which she conceived as a three-act Greek tragedy in album form. Every song references her 2020 divorce from fellow country singer Ruston Kelly, trading in her signature sass for sentimentality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0z7GH78oGo

Then, continuing their Weekend Update tenure, Michael Che and Colin Jost cracked jokes about missing white woman syndrome and R. Kelly. At the end of their set, Jost commended late SNL alum Norm MacDonald for inspiring him to do Weekend Update, leading into a montage of MacDonald’s best moments on the show. On September 14, 2021, MacDonald passed away from acute leukemia after privately battling the disease for nine years.

Che and Jost handing over Weekend Update to the late, great Norm MacDonald. Good job, guys. 😭#SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/bl58Yt0TYt
— La Brea of SEA (@goodgrlbreabrea) October 3, 2021

Finally, Kacey Musgraves closed out the episode with star-crossed’s biggest tearjerker, “Camera Roll.” Lyrically, the song is about looking back on a relationship with rose-tinted glasses after only preserving the good memories.

Kim Kardashian-West will be hosting next Saturday, with Halsey serving as the musical guest.

October 3, 2021
Governors Ball Music Festival Serves A Slice of New York for 10th Anniversary
It wouldn’t quite be a complete outdoor music season in New York City without an installment of The Governors Ball Music Festival. After some difficulties with weather cancellations in 2019, GovBall had been looking forward to celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2020, going as far as announcing their lineup in January 2020. Barred by the heat of the pandemic, that occasion had to be put on hold but GovBall made a triumphant return (this time to Citi Field) to celebrate its big anniversary with yet another sold-out crowd.

Three perfect sunny days of weather set the stage for the packed lineup consisting of several of the artists originally slated for 2020, some new additions, and plenty of New York heart and soul.

Early birds who made it to Citi Field for the festival’s noon-hour start were treated to some excellent up-and-coming acts, several with local connections. A few of the artists representing the five boroughs were Laundry Day, Drew Lucas + Livia O, King Princess, and Harlem-born A$AP Rocky. Nearby, New Jersey made its mark on GovBall with the band ARIZONA and an incredible R&B/country/soul styling from Breland.

Governors Ball made a move this year from its usual home on Randall’s Island in Manhattan to Citi Field in Queens, adopting a similar stage setup to Founders Entertainment’s The Meadows Music & Arts Festival which used to be held in the same location. Although maneuvering through the packed crowds as the evenings was a bit slow, the arrangement of the stages ensured that there was always an act to treat the ears while making the trek to the next stage.

Billie Eilish closed out the first night with several new tracks from her latest album release, Happier Than Ever, as well as several fan favorites from her catalogue. The crowd sang along with Billie through every song, which she reacted by saying that “GovBall is her favorite festival ever” and that she was so happy to be there again after her 2018 performance, this time as a headliner. The highlight of her performance was when she took to the sky on a moving platform, which lifted her up above and passed her several times over the crowd. Despite her huge set and 50,000 screaming fans, her performance felt intimate and personal.

The second night ended with a band as A$AP Rocky came onto the stage after crowd surfing on an inflatable car. His body men were running through the crowd dressed in head scarves to hide their faces. A$AP had been walking through the crowd before his set in disguise, and once his set began and he was on stage he revealed his face to a huge swell of cheers. Once on stage, he immediately told the crowd to open up the mosh pits, and the audience did so with enthusiasm. His set included some of his biggest tracks, and the crowd couldn’t get enough of his performance.

Post Malone played the final set of the festival, beginning from atop a massive catwalk rigged with lighting and pyrotechnics. Every time he took a sip from his big red party cup, the crowd egged him on to chug his drink. They did this at least four times, but rumor has it that there was only water in the cup. That didn’t stop him from making a moment out of it, and the crowd ate (or drank) it up. He opened with his hit song, Wow, and played most of the top singles from his catalog. He was joined briefly by Young Thug and the two shared the stage for one track.

Throughout the show the pyrotechnics were hot and huge, with Post even joking that it was “hot as f**k up here.” During his performance the crowd offered to help with his vocals by singing along, and he even joked, “Ya’ll know I’d sound like s**t without auto tune” which got a big laugh and huge applause. His set and the festival ended with a big splash of fireworks, with Post thanking the crowd for their energy.
October 2, 2021
This Week’s EQXposure Features Joseph Beaty, Coyote Reverie 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 Joseph Beaty, Coyote Reverie and many more!

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.

Joseph Beaty

“Kick Out The Pieces” is Adirondack musician Joseph Beaty’s latest single, ahead of his upcoming album Rust, You Can Leave Me Now. Out October 15, Rust is shaping up to be a callback to grunge and indie rock of the ‘90s. “Kick Out The Pieces” is the most menacing track yet, which says a lot next to previous singles “Still Forming” and “Thick of Things.”

Rust, You Can Leave Me Now is the embodiment of 2020. Things in my life (in all our lives) were put in perspective and it was time to remove the negative bits. This record was my catharsis, my therapy. It is gritty, unsafe, and dark. No sense in sugar-coating it. You will hear many lyrics talk about knocking the rust out. This therapy experiment helped me arrive as a new, more focused person for 2021.
Joseph Beaty
<a href="https://josephbeaty.bandcamp.com/album/rust-you-can-leave-me-now">Rust, You Can Leave Me Now by Joseph Beaty</a>
Coyote Reverie

Vermont trip-hop duo Coyote Reverie will release their debut album Imah on October 13. New song “Achilles’ Helix” has arrived just in time for Halloween, with spooky and cryptic lyrics: “I’m her shadow on the wall, I’m her echo down the hall / I’m the voices in her head, I’m the snakeskin that she shed.”

October 2, 2021
In Focus: Los Lobos at The Egg, September 26, 2021
The Capital District welcomed Los Lobos once again, as the Southern California Chicano rock group performed at The Egg on Sunday, September 26, 2021.

The group, who recently released Native Sons, an album featuring a selection of covers that serve, as Pitchfork puts it, an autobiography told through other people’s words. The album is a tribute to their hometown of Los Angeles, with songs chosen to represent the soul of the city, and the different sounds and cultures that lie within its wide borders.

A tight show of only 80 minutes was all the band needed this evening. A cover of the Beach Boys’ “Sail On Sailor” highlighted the covers from Native Sons, with drummer Louie Pérez noting they hadn’t practiced that one in a while.

The jump/swing with sax of “I Got Loaded” had the audience engaged, singing “Tonight I might get loaded, on a bottle of wine.” To close the night, the band returned to the stage for “Mas Y Mas” and a jam on their classic, “La Bamba.”

Catch Los Lobos this December as they return to New York City for three nights at City Winery. More info and tickets can be found here.

Los Lobos at The Egg, September 26, 2021 – photos by Chris De Cotis
September 30, 2021
Brooklyn Comes Alive Thanks To Disco Biscuits And More At The Brooklyn Mirage

The Brooklyn Mirage played host to the 2021 Brooklyn Comes Alive on Sunday, September 26th. The massive outdoor complex was the perfect venue for such an occasion.

Break Science: Live Band

The day started off with a quick introduction from none other than Sirius XM’s Ari Fink, getting right into a set from Karina Rykman. The trio started the day off strong, with Karina’s heavy bass lines pumping up the growing crowd. Marlo Shankweiler of Melt came out for a couple songs, not surprisingly as she was a part of Karina’s band during quarantine. After her set, Karina dove into her role as DJ in between sets for the remainder of the evening.

Karina Rykman Band

Brooklyn Comes Alive at Brooklyn Mirage would not be the same without a set of full improvisation from a super group of incredible musicians. Joe Russo, John Medeski, and Dave Harrington combined for an incredibly eclectic and outlandish set. Russo was pulling out every conceivable instrument to rattle, bang, and drum along to Medeski’s organ while Harrington switched back and forth between bass and guitar.

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

Denver, CO was presented well this night with two heavy-hitters taking the stage. First was Break Science: Live Band. Most of Lettuce usually rounds out the “Live” portion of this group, but this time around they changed it up. Eric “Benny” Bloom was in attendance, with Chris Karns and Hunter Roberts making up the rest of the band. Karns and Roberts brought a wonderfully jazzy change of pace, letting Borham Lee and Adam Deitch just groove along and keep things flowing.

Break Science: Live Band

Second up from the Mile High city was funk-masters, The Motet. Special guests Shira Elias (Turkuaz), Jeremy Schon (Pigeons Playing Ping Pong), and Benny Bloom were more than welcome on stage as the band put on a mostly instrumental set, as Lyle is no longer with them. Shira more than made up for the vocals, coming out for “Highly Compatible” and “The Beat Goes On,” with everyone coming back out for “Death and Devotion and last, but not least, “Get it Right.”

The Motet

After having both shows in New Haven canceled, fans of the Disco Biscuits knew they were in for a treat. Ari Fink once again introduced the Philly jamtronica pioneers who kicked off their set with “Helicopters” -> “Running Into the Night.” The bass line of Blondie’s “Rapture” rose from “Running,” and the band invited Shira Elias back to the stage to add vocals to “Rapture,” marking the first time the group has gone beyond an instrumental version of the 1980 new wave song, with “42” closing the set.

Set 2 started strong with the rare-these-days “Pilin’ it Higher” that took a jam spin before slowly morphing into “I-Man,” which led into the fresh Biscuits tune “M1,” highlighted by Aron Magner’s synth work that played off Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig’s masterful guitar playing. “M1” found its way back to “I-Man” then headed into more new territory with “Evolve,” which continues to evoke some of the most enthusiastic interaction between crowd and fans, giving off a ’90s club vibe in the process. To close the set, the Disco Biscuits moved back into the end of “Helicopters,” closing out an incredible day of music at Brooklyn Comes Alive at Brooklyn Mirage.

The Disco Biscuits

Check out the photos from Zach Culver and Zatchmo Lives Media.

Karina Rykman Band

Karina Rykman Band

Karina Rykman Band

Karina Rykman Band

Karina Rykman Band

Karina Rykman Band

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

Medeski/Russo/Harrington Trio

DJ Rykman

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

Break Science: Live Band

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Motet

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits

September 30, 2021