NYS Music 202​1

Category: Media

  • Sarah King, Skeletons and many more are featured on this week’s EQXposure

    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 Joe Mansmen and the Midnight Revival Band, Sarah King and many more.

    sarah king

    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.

    Sarah King has just released a new single ahead of her debut solo EP The Hour, due out in March. “Not Worth the Whiskey” is a gritty, bluesy, stomp-and-holler murder ballad that is raw and authentic with devil-may-care whistling, and atmospheric blues-rock guitar. King stands up to the idea that women should just smile and be quiet, exploring how righteous anger, revenge, and fear can actually lead to empowerment.

    Joe Mansmen and the Midnight Revival Band have unleashed a new single from their forthcoming album Renegade called “Wild Woman” that will be played at the top of Sunday night’s EQXposure show at 7pm. Raw visceral rock and roll at its finest, and EQXPosure is the only place you can hear this jam.

    You’ll also catch “Grape Juice,” the latest single from Skeletons; Red Light Rivals from Mayfield, NY with their latest “Ghost Town,” and “Turn to Dust,” the title cut off Son of a Gun’s newly released EP of the same name which will make it’s EQX debut on EQXposure. Read our profile of Son of a Gun here.

  • Long Island’s Card Reader Takes First Place at Interstate Music Awards

    Long Island pop-punk band Card Reader won first place at the Interstate Music Awards, an underground artist competition created by the CEO of Interstate Music, Jeff Peterson.

    card reader
    Long Island Pop-Punk Band Card Reader

    Card Reader, won the Interstate Music Awards out of hundreds of submissions. Their first place prized earned them $5000 in gift cards, as well as the opportunity to perform live on the Interstate Music stage in Wisconsin later this year. 

    In a year of uncertainty and lockdown, Card Reader continued to put out music, their bright sound illuminating days spent inside. This spring they will be releasing an acoustic EP set to release on Friday, March 26th. It will contain new versions of previously released tracks, stripped down and engineered by their very own Matt Sullivan. They will also be recording their sophomore EP this April with veteran producer, Nik Bruzzese, at Gradwell House in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. 

    Guitarist and vocalist, Tom Petito, spoke about Card Reader’s big win and the road ahead. “We’re fired up right now. Starting 2021 off on the right foot is crucial for any band. I think we did just that. We received a big wave of support in this competition and winning it all has been an unreal experience. Our family, friends, & fans had our back in a big way.

    We’ll use this momentum to help fuel the fire as we prepare to record our new EP in the spring. Nik reached out to us after the contest win and expressed his desire to take our sound to the next level. We couldn’t agree more. It’s our move now and our opportunity to show the music world that Card Reader is for real.

    Stream their music on Spotify, Apple Music, or Bandcamp and find Card Reader on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

    Watch their studio documentary for their 2020 EP Mental Scars here.

  • Instruments Are Simply Tools: Music Comes From The Soul with Éclat Vibes

    In episode 110 of The Rochester Groovecast Podcast, Ben Albert vibes out on writing, creating, and producing genuine music with the man formally known as Logan Mckinney, “Éclat Vibes.”

    Vibrations for the soul, intended to free the body and awaken the mind. Éclat will captivate you in a vibrant listening experience to inspire your spiritual self.

    Éclat Vibes

    Timestamp:

    00:31:  Mac DeMarco “Chamber Of Reflection” Cover by Éclat Vibes

    04:25: Episode Introduction

    05:35: Conversation with Ben and Logan

    17:19: “Underwater”

    20:50: Conversation Continued

    40:46 “Runaway”

    44:03: Conversation Conclusion

    01:03:02: “Your Love”

    01:07:03: Conversation Conclusion

    01:19:13: “Recognize”

    01:23:23: Episode Conclusion

    At Rochester Groovecast, the mantra “We’re Fans First!” harnesses the belief that the best businesses are built by fans. The podcast is deeply dedicated to playing an active role in the culture of its local scene.

    The brainchild of Rochester native, Ben Albert, was created in 2016 to serve as a portfolio of the city, and nowadays, the entire region.

    The podcast believes in the artistic brilliance abundant in Rochester, NY, and the surrounding regions. Ben seeks to play a pivotal role in our community by helping give Rochester a well-earned voice. He has seen first hand the abundance of talent, character, creativity, innovation, and beauty the Flower City has continuously offered.

    Keep In Touch with Éclat Vibes on YouTube.

    Rochester Groovecast is Powered By balbertmarketing.com

  • A Look at Shuttered Music Venues Across New York State

    We’re coming up on one year without live music. Venues across New York State, and the country, are shuttered with no option for music beyond streaming. Our venues are the lifeblood of so many towns and cities across this great state, and these independent music venues still need our help, as they struggle to stay afloat until we’re in the clear.

    In June, NYS Music photographers, having no live music to shoot, began looking at these music venues across the state. Over the summer and fall we saw venues closed for the foreseeable future, including The Jazz Standard in Manhattan. Venues are rallying their supporters to help as best they can at this time, including Arlene’s Grocery on February 9.

    Music Venues New York State
    Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, Peekskill, NY – photo by Steve Malinski

    Venues in New York and beyond are stuck in limbo, but they aren’t gone – not for good – so long as we can find resolution and relief at the state and national levels. The Heroes Act has passed in the House of Representatives, and the upcoming relief bill looks poised to jump-start the economy and provide a much needed lifeline to venues.

    Winter has arrived, and across the state, venues still shine through the snowy nights. We start this month’s photo series of music venues across New York State in New York City, courtesy of Joseph Buscarello.

    Visit NIVA to find out how you can help venues across New York, and the country. We need to #saveourstages and preserve live music now, for when this is over.

    New York City – photos by Joseph Buscarello

    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State

    Ithaca – photo by Casey Martin

    Manhattan and Hudson Valley – photos by Steve Malinski

    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State

    Geneva – photos by Joseph Booth

    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State

    Saranac Lake – photo by Neil Sedlak

    Music Venues New York State

    Buffalo – photos by Derek Hosken

    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State

    Plattsburgh – photos by Jerry Cadieux

    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State

    Albany – photos by Zach Culver

    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State
    • Music Venues New York State

    Long Island – photos by Rob Tellerman

    The Hudson Valley – photos by Mickey Deneher

    • Music Venues New York State

    Utica – photo courtesy of The Stanley Theatre

    Music Venues New York State

  • Watch Phoebe Bridgers Smash her Guitar on SNL

    Saturday Night Live welcomed Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy (dad Eugene stopped by too) and musical guest Phoebe Bridgers for the smashing second episode of 2021.

    Phoebe Bridgers

    Phoebe Bridgers is without a doubt the year’s breakout indie darling. Her 2020 sophomore album Punisher garnered four Grammy nominations, including Best Rock Song and Best New Artist. While there’s some stiff competition for the latter, including Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, she’s one of the most acclaimed of the eight nominees.

    Bridgers is also one third of the supergroup Boygenius, with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus. On Thursday, February 4, she tweeted in support of Marilyn Manson’s accusers after sharing her own experience.

    https://twitter.com/phoebe_bridgers/status/1357370603079098374
    https://twitter.com/phoebe_bridgers/status/1357371191732953089

    For the night’s first song, Phoebe performed “Kyoto,” the second single off the emo-folk Punisher, and one of the most upbeat offerings in her catalog. It concerns Bridgers’ tumultuous relationship with her father, and dissociating on a trip to Japan she took in February 2019. One of the song’s hardest hitting moments is the first line of the chorus, “I’m gonna kill you / If you don’t beat me to it.” Throughout the set, Phoebe and her band both wore her signature skeleton onesies.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2bepLzZW6E&feature=emb_title

    After the more accessible “Kyoto,” Bridgers closed the night with Punisher’s final track, “I Know the End.” The apocalyptic song concluded with calculated cacophony: after her guitar solo, Bridgers yelled into the mic and smashed her guitar, joining the likes of SNL alums Arcade Fire, Nirvana and Cypress Hill.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LE5tafaayc

    Tune into SNL next week, February 13, with host Regina King and musical guest Nathaniel Rateliff.

  • This week’s EQXposure features New Releases by Paintbox Records Artists

    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 Paintbox Records Artists Senior Living, The Classical, and many more artists from across the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.

    Paintbox Records

    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.

    On Sunday, February 7, WEQX will feature four cuts from the newly minted Paintbox Records Pallete release series. Among them are two songs from Senior Living and two songs from The Classical. Paintbox Records happened because the bands, who are all friends, were planning on touring together last year, but the pandemic prevented those road runs from happening.

    But COVID-19 couldn’t stop this crew of creatives from making rock happen, thus Paintbox Records was born.

    Also featured are new music debuts from two Albany groups – Fine Grain, “Missing Adult,” and Son of Gun “Cry all Night,” the latter off their forthcoming release Turn to Dust, due out February 12

  • Turkuaz shares “Remain in Light” set featuring Talking Heads members

    Originally premiered on the Bonnaroo Virtual Roo-ality, Turkuaz played a set of Remain in Light alongside two Talking Heads members, Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew. Although the album came out in 1980, the legacy of the band and passion of the existing band members continues to carry on well into 2021.

    turkuaz Remain in Light
    Turkuaz Announce “Remain in Light” Shows with Talking Heads

    Based in Brooklyn, Turkuaz is a band of nine members that strive to combine and perfectly balance harmonies of powerful voices, a variety of instrumentals, and an intense consonance incorporating elements from multiple genres.

    Remain in Light and Talking Heads have been part of the soundtrack of our lives, and a huge inspiration to us as a band since day one. It was definitely unlike anything I had ever seen and is still unlike anything I have ever seen. It was right about the time we were starting this band. We wanted to cover their material as much as we could so we could get inside the arrangements and figure out what was going on—what made it feel that way and sound that way.

    Dave Brandwein [ Turkuaz’s guitar/vocalist] on the collaboration with Talking Heads

    Originally set to tour alongside Harrison and Belew in the summer of 2020, COVID-19 unfortunately interrupted their plans and derailed live music for the foreseeable future. Turkuaz’s “Ophidiophobia” had garnered a lot of excitement, having yet to be performed live, so it was added alongside the Remain in Light tour. As live concerts seem unlikely anytime soon and the band was itching to perform, Bonnaroo Virtual Roo-Ality offered them a chance to perform several setlists together to an adoring virtual audience.

    The setlist consisted of “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads, “Houses in Motion” by Talking Heads, “Ophidiophobia” by Turkuaz, followed by the final “Crosseyed and Painless” by Talking Heads. The chemistry between the band and Talking Heads members is evident in their performance and how perfectly they bounce off of each other’s vibe.

    What a joy it is to be playing music with Adrian Belew again. Having recently produced music for Turkuaz, it was like I was introducing close friends who had never met. We all left the rehearsal very excited.

    Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads on performing alongside the band

  • Rochester Groovecast Needs Your Help!

    Episode 109 of The Rochester Groovecast Podcast is a new edition of “At The End Of The Day with Ben.” Ben chats about the hardships the past month (and year) has brought, announces two new amazing partnerships (one of them is this website), and admits that “I NEED HELP!”

    Rochester Groovecast Needs Help!
    At The End of The Day: I Need Help!

    At Rochester Groovecast, the mantra “We’re Fans First!” harnesses the belief that the best businesses are built by fans. The podcast is deeply dedicated to playing an active role in the culture of its local scene.

    The brainchild of Rochester native, Ben Albert, was created in 2016 to serve as a portfolio of the city, and nowadays, the entire region.

    The podcast believes in the artistic brilliance abundant in Rochester, NY, and the surrounding regions. Ben seeks to play a pivotal role in our community by helping give Rochester a well-earned voice. He has seen first hand the abundance of talent, character, creativity, innovation, and beauty the Flower City has continuously offered.

    Rochester Groovecast is powered by Balbert Marketing.

    See What Everyone Is Saying About Rochester Groovecast I Need Help:

    Jonathan Broida of Hollowell: 

    “Ben Albert’s Rochester Groovecast provides local musicians and artists with a much-needed platform to promote their creative endeavors. The Rochester Groovecast is the perfect podcast to listen to on your daily commute. It is both entertaining and informative. Ben was a gracious host and you could tell he was genuinely interested in learning more about our band’s music and creative process. He gives local musicians a much-needed voice and we are thankful to be a part of it.”

  • Girl Blue Releases Shimmering New Single “Just a Dream”

    Girl Blue released the first single, “Just a Dream,” off of her upcoming Fall debut, full-length album. Apt for a walk in the woodlands, her shiny piano tones and synths are reminiscent of breaking sunlight through trees.

    Her voice soars above the instrumental melodies weaving with the punchy percussion. She sings “You and me / we should be driving faster / music should be blasting / cast out.” She chronicles a journey to freedom, driving, and remaining her true self even through difficult periods.

    girl blue just a dream

    The album art beautifully juxtaposes the sonic landscape; a car floating in the sky, pink clouds, and her profile facing out to the path. Compared to her intricate, stripped-down Instagram videos, Girl Blue is venturing into a more vast sonic land with glittering synths and LIGHTS-esque vocals. 

    Her pensive lyrics focus on overcoming hardship and empowering oneself, especially in a period of isolation and global strangeness. Girl Blue’s voice sounds fresh against a warm piano and electronic drum beat. The sound is full and lush, painting a picture for Girl Blue’s sound to come.

    “Just a Dream” was written and produced by Girl Blue, released in mid-december 2020. Her debut full-length album is set for release in Fall 2021. The song was also engineered and produced by Scoops Dardaris, and mastered by Steve Fallone (Taylor Swift, Tame Impala, Kacey Musgraves). Recorded at White Lake Studios, another capital region favorite, the band Dark Honey also performed on the track. “Just a Dream” features Jimi Woodul on guitar, Dan Dekalb on piano, Ben Woodul on bass, and Josh Morris on acoustic drums. 

    Find her newest single and other projects here.

  • Machine Gun Kelly makes Saturday Night Live debut

    For the first episode of 2021, Saturday Night Live welcomed host John Krasinski and musical guest Machine Gun Kelly.

    Atlanta-based artists Outkast and TLC received shout-outs during the ‘Blue Georgia’ sketch, and The Office theme song finally gained lyrics courtesy of John Krasinski.

    For his first song, Machine Gun Kelly sang “My Ex’s Best Friend” The punk-lite track recalled Sum 41’s performance on October 6, 2001, the second episode after 9/11. Kelly channeled Gen Z’s muffled rage, throwing his guitar into the crowd at the end of the song.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd7APH5XeFc

    MGK performed “Lonely” for his second song, an emotional song about his father who passed away in July 2020. Both songs are from Machine Gun Kelly’s fifth album Tickets to My Downfall, released in September 2020.

    Uproxx notes how fitting the second song is, “not just because of what he shared about watching the show being a family affair, but because these emotions of loss, grief, and loneliness are pervasive right now during the coronavirus pandemic that has been plaguing the world since last year.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_djsCw1iS8

    To close the night, Machine Gun Kelly attempted to pick The Dirt co-star Pete Davidson, allowing hilarity to ensue.