Category: Features

Bad Business Club Heats Up For August Release “Naked Neighbor”

Brooklyn-based collective Bad Business Club will release their latest album, Naked Neighbor, due out on August 13. The release date is fitting; the woozy, synth-fueled atmosphere of the project fits perfectly as the soundtrack to the hottest days of the summer.

A self-described “Nu-Disco collective with old-school Yacht Rock touches,” Bad Business Club stays true to luscious and intoxicating disco grooves from the onset of their sophomore album. At the heart of Naked Neighbor is contrast. The beats take you to the heat of a sequin-drenched island club, while the lyrics speak to the longing and loneliness of those late night periods walking home. Exploring their electronic side while embracing the classics of disco, Naked Neighbor settles into an utterly mesmerizing groove.

“Tired of Being Over You,” the most recent single off the album, captures that contrast perfectly in a reflection on past lovers. “I know I’ve waited for this night to come/ Don’t lay awake and wait up for my love,” vocalist Sam Behr wails over a Daft-Punk worthy beat. Her breathy yet smooth soprano is perfect compliment to the airy nature of the instrumental; even in its more melancholy moments, this album stays light on its feet.

Written over a weeklong songwriting session in Puerto Rico, lead songwriter Alex Van drew inspiration from time in PR’s El Yunque National Forest, where he felt both inspired by the lush exoticism of the space and contemplative of the idea of navigating a forest trail while washing away a lost love. The influence of this trip is clear throughout the album’s lyrics; on later standout “Casa Soleada,” the exaltant Eagles-do-disco beat provides the soundboard for the refrain: “Can’t wash you away.”

Bad Business Club emphasizes their nature as a collective, each contributing their own strengths while building a song together. Outside of the studio, the band hosts a podcast, “Imbibe the Vibe,” where each week they pair a cocktail with a new genre of music.

The band’s omnivorous tastes meld together on Naked Neighbor. Sneaky highlight “Too Hot To Handle (Prelude)” showcases this perfectly, mostly forgoing lyrics to incorporate vocals in a new way. Where grooves leaned acoustic on past Bad Business Club releases, on Naked Neighbor the synths are all the way up, the piano riffs are stadium-worthy, and huge production from Wiley makes every juicy note from Jim Cambell’s bass sound miles deep.

As we enter the first summer emerging from the pandemic and look towards an uncertain future, a mix of carefree fun and lonely pondering feels familiar. Naked Neighbor captures this and reflects it back; it’s both a tribute to classic disco and an album uniquely for the times at hand. No matter what, you won’t be able to stop dancing along.

Key Tracks: Tired of Being Over You, Casa Soleada, Too Hot To Handle (Prelude)

July 25, 2021
In Focus: Yam Yam brings the noise to Albany’s Alive at Five Funk Night
On Wednesday July 21st, Albany’s Alive At Five Concert series returned to the rain location under the 787 overpass. This week featured Albany’s own Funk/soul band, Hartley’s Encore, as well as Yam Yam, a Jam/Funk/soul group from Harrisburg, PA.

Check out the Setlists and photo gallery of the evening below. Alive at Five will hold their final FREE concert of the season on Wednesday, July 28 with 80s hair band Warrant, with Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band opening the night.

Hartley’s Encore: Feels So Good, Burnin, Mary Jane*, Bright Light Shining, Eyes Open, All to You, Move on Up*, Hartley’s Encore

Yam Yam: Cashew Reprise, Cashew, Juice Box, Big Bird, Grease Trap, Star Dog , Vulphie, Boogie On Reggae Woman*, Not My Dog, Central Station, Roy, ’94, Dinnertime, Kamal, Cory Wong*, Sizzle, Medusa’s Crisco, Treason, I’ll Be Right Here
July 24, 2021
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!

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.
<a href="https://timbrecoup.bandcamp.com/track/running-always">Running Always by Timbre Coup</a>
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.

July 24, 2021
Cory Henry and The Funk Apostles Play Grassroots

The Historic Grassroots stage in Trumansburg, NY hosted Syracuse outfit Sophistafunk and Grammy Award winner Cory Henry and The Funk Apostles on Saturday, July 17.

The rainy weather pushed the performance to the site’s grandstands stage. The precipitation didn’t stop the grassroots audience from dancing to the grooves emanating from the bandstand. Don’t let the rain get the best of you and don’t let it saturate your brain, it comes as fast as it passes through so why fear the rain?

Sophistafunk hit at 7PM and immediately got the soaked masses moving. The original trio included a full three-piece horn section to add extra layers of funk. Drummer Emmanuel Washington’s neo soul beats resonated on the bodies in motion. They ended their set with a unique mash up of Sly and the Family Stone’s “If You Want Me To Stay” with a Notorious B.I.G. sample of “Juicy.”

Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles spoke with NYS Music about some influential shows they personally saw live in New York State before their set.

Cory Henry: I saw Stevie Wonder on his 2014 Songs In the Key of Life tour at Madison Square Garden. That completely changed my life. That’s what inspired me to play the harpejji instrument that he uses.

Isaiah Sharkey: I would say Joey DeFrancesco at the Blue Note in Manhattan.

Josh Easley: Cory (Henry) actually at Rockwood Music Hall in Manhattan.

The funk apostle ensemble that came through Trumansburg on Saturday consisted of Dave Wood on Drums, Joshua Easley on Bass, Isaiah Sharkey on Guitar, Denise Renee and Matia Washington on backing vocals and Cory Henry on lead B3 Hammond Organ and vocals.

This was Henry’s second show this July after splitting the bill with Lettuce in Lake Dillon, Colorado. The band hit at 8:30 and played till 11 PM with only one break before the encore.

Brooklyn native Cory Henry is a true front man. His stage presence was the lightning to the pouring rain that evening. A nod to the evening’s soul climate was expressed on Henry’s “Don’t Forget” with his lyrics, Sunshine don’t come without rain, and that’s ok, love ain’t magic without pain.

He had a dynamic interplay with all of the other musicians on stage that kept hitting the audience with waves of emotion. He visits the strain of love with a sassy groove during his tune “Switch” singing, I miss the way we were before you flipped the switch and never flipped back.

He celebrates the sunnier side of love during “GawtDamn.” His words show the delight of having the right one by your side. Cause when the girls see her they say Gawtdamn (gawtdamn) and when the boys see her they say “OOEE” they better know I keep her next to me, I never met a girl who made me wanna keep her near oh.

The other musicians on stage all had a chance to stretch out as well. Guitarist Isaiah Sharkey hit all of the ascending musical notes like a crashing wave. Some in the crowd recalled his performance with John Mayer two July’s prior at Albany’s Times Union Center.

Josh Easley truly came full circle on stage with Henry after seeing him from the audience at Rockwood Music Hall years ago. Drummer Dave Wood ended up shirtless, digging trenches of groove on stage. Denise Renne and Matia Washington helped keep the vocal section ablaze the whole performance.

During the encore, the band channeled the woman who can’t stand the rain, Miss Tina Turner. They performed their own improvised groove of “Rolling on the River.” The river beat trailed off of Henry’s words to the audience before closing, “So I encourage you, no matter what you’re going through, no matter what’s going on around us that life…keeps on rolling.” “Say that a life’s got to keep on rolling…” jam went on for eight minutes to end the encore.

Musically it got to a level where everyone on the bandstand was having fun and could hear each other with the audience locked in, launching the performance to a spiritual level. If you came to this show Saturday night, you were allowed to miss church the next day.

Cory Henry, Isaiah Sharkey, Matia Washington, Josh Easley, Denise Renee, Dave Wood

The Grassroots 30th anniversary music festival keeps rolling in Trumansburg this weekend July 22-24 with headlining sets from hometown heroes Donna The Buffalo and a slew of other acts. Isaiah Sharkey will be at The Blue Note on August 9 & 10, and Cory Henry will be part of a four-night residency at Manhattan’s Legendary Blue Note on September 23 through September 26.

Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles 7/17/21 Trumansburg, NY
Setlist: Testify, Trade it All, In the Water, Our Affairs, Gawtdamn, Don’t Forget, Switch, Rise
Encore: Rolling on the River/ Life’s got to Keep on Rolling

July 23, 2021
Electronic Artist Nick Newhouse Releases Captivating Debut Single

Nick Newhouse, an electronic artist from New York City, finds the beauty in nightmares with his debut single “Every Night (In My Dreams).” This song is the tip of the iceberg for Newhouse’s new musical project. It creatively captures the love-hate relationship that Newhouse has with sleep, sleep deprivation, dreams, nightmares, and underwater spaces.

Nick Newhouse is a brilliant musician that is constantly fixated on existential themes and chilling production. He has recently moved away from his dance-oriented roots to dive deeper into his own thoughts and write music that reflects his imagination. He finds inspiration from underwater spaces and dream worlds, and his music is designed for listeners that hate going to sleep but never want to wake up. “Every Night (In My Dreams)” is the hallmark of his new music project, including dark lyrics and lush melodies.

“Every Night (In My Dreams)” is the first of several tracks that Nick plans to release in 2021. The debut single is paired with an ethereal music video that visualizes many of Nick’s non-musical influences as well as his fears.

Newhouse’s raw talent paired with his lyrical vulnerability makes him a captivating artist–listeners are able to relate to his lyrics while also feeling strongly moved by the enticing electronic beats that he produces. “Every Night (In My Dreams)” is the perfect song for the artist to start with because it is exemplary of his audio and visual aesthetic, but is only the tip of the iceberg of his career.

July 23, 2021
D’Arcy Releases New Video for Remixed Single “Crush”

D’Arcy is a fresh alternative musician hailing straight from New York City. Her first single, “Crush,” was released in October of 2020 and has recently been remixed by Bubblegum. She just released a brand new creative lyric video for the remixed “Crush.”

D’Arcy is known for her dark and dramatic alternative flair. Her first single “Crush” was released in October 2020 followed by “Bad Girls” in December and “Bad Girls” remix by Morgothbeatz (Juice WRLD, Lil Xan). D’Arcy is the first musical act launched from DRØME, a media company that previously published a multi-issue print magazine featuring Billie Eilish, Sofi Tukker, LPX, OSHUN, Girlpool, Nakaya and more.

If you like Billie Eilish or Lorde, you’re bound to like NYC-based indie act D’Arcy. Coming in with her dark and alternative pop sounds, she’s making her presence known and offering a unique take on the genre that’s setting her apart from the aforementioned artists. – EARMILK

“Crush” is one of her upbeat tracks, illustrating the first feelings of realizing you have a crush on a special somebody. It is both cute and hard-hitting at the same time, showing off D’Arcy’s unique talent of being an astounding female punk artist. The Bubblegum remix slightly speeds up the original track, making it more pop rather than rock. The new lyric video features youthful graphics that make the heart of the song come to life.

D’Arcy’s musical career is off to an insanely promised start, and fans can only be expecting more great sounds coming from her in the future.

July 22, 2021
Surf’s Up on latest from Rochester Guitarist Greg Townson, “Off and Running!”

Rochester twang bar king, Greg Townson, is back with another super fine collection of surf guitar instrumentals perfect for the hazy days of our post-COVID lockdown summer. Called Off and Running! (High Tide Recordings), it features a cast of stellar supporting musicians, including his bandmates from the world renowned Los Straitjackets and NRBQ. Expert players all, they jell together wonderfully to breathe new life into classics like “The Locomotion” and “Just One Look” and Townson’s authentically retro originals.

Greg has been making music most of his life, winning fans and making friends wherever he performs, from stages all across the United States to Europe, Scandinavia and beyond. In 1998, Townson formed The Hi-Risers, a trio that put the spotlight on his singing, guitar playing, production and songwriting talents. Since then, he has continued to record and tour prolifically with that band, issuing nine records to date. The band’s most recent release is the 45, Smooth Operator b/w Hot Banana, which came out last year on Hi-Tide Recordings.

2010 brought yet another dimension to Greg’s work when he was asked to join Los Straitjackets, the Mexican wrestling mask-wearing instrumental guitar greats. In 2012 he contributed songs to Jet Set, one of the strongest records in the band’s extensive catalog. He has since contributed his guitar and songwriting talents to five more of their releases. In 2015, Los Straitjackets and Townson teamed with legendary songwriter Nick Lowe. This dynamic union released several EP’s, toured the world and appeared on shows such as CBS This Morning and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

As a continuation of his instrumental guitar work featured in Los Straitjackets, Greg teamed up with Hi-Tide Recordings for the Travelin’ Guitar series of his own guitar-based recording. 2017’s Travelin’ Guitar and its 2019 follow-up, More! Travelin’ Guitar, are now complemented by his latest, Off and Running!

The title track serves as a high-energy kick-off to the album. It boasts some cool stop-time drums, snapping leads and a very delicious ascending chordal bridge – a whole boatload of serious music, moods and fun clocking in at just shy of two minutes. Townson’s cover of the Jackie DeShannon-penned hit for The Searchers, “When You into The Room,” launches with a play on Ringo’s great intro drum beat from The Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride,” while his cover of the Little Eva then Grand Funk hit, “The Locomotion” is pure retro SoCal surf of the early 60s, something that could’ve come from the catalog of mighty The Ventures or The Trashmen.

Townson’s reimagining of Barbara Lewis’ 1963 R&B smash, “Hello Stranger” is one of my favorites and the most ambitious arrangements on the disc. It has an almost Space Age Bachelor pad vibe, with swirling organ and soft reeds (flutes and oboe?) that sound like a Brian Wilson Pet Sounds outtake. Spanish modes a la Los Straitjackets drive “Aztec,” while guesting background vocalists and a growly sax add pure fun to the straight-ahead surf of “Goin’ Wild” and “Go Go Power.”

On all these tracks, Townson is a master of taste, restraint and tone, the latter which must emanate from a garage-full of vintage gear and whole bunch of vintage vinyl digestion. The covers give you another reason to love these wonderful songs, and add Townson’s takes on them to your playlist. And his originals are all faithful to the era that he obviously loves – a gentler, kinder time when you could take on the world armed only with the sweet twang and reverbed roar of a Fender Strat and Twin Reverb.

Key Tracks: Off and Running!, When You Walk into The Room, The Locomotion, Hello Stranger
<a href="https://gregtownson.bandcamp.com/album/off-and-running">Off and Running! by Greg Townson</a>

July 21, 2021
Pine Barrens Jam Music Festival debuts on Long Island This Fall

Long Island musicians and artists have taken the struggle of living through the Covid-19 pandemic and turned it into inspiration to launch a brand-new music festival known as Pine Barrens Jam.

Celebrating one of Eastern Long Island’s iconic natural treasures, Pine Barrens Jam will feature live music, art, local food, and more set in the East End’s unique landscape. Long Island’s first crowdfunded festival has gathered like-minded and hardworking local businesses and creatives to donate their time to put on this first-year event. Everyone involved with Pine Barrens Jam, from the producers to the performers, are from Long Island, showcasing what the region has to offer. This intimate yet socially distanced event will be held on Sept 18 at Ringhoff Farm in Center Moriches. The gates will open at noon.

Drop The 4, a high-energy funk-fusion group, will be headlining the Jelly Jam main stage. Alternating with the main stage will be the Lantern Sound Recording Rig acoustic stage, with a lineup of songwriters including Pete Mancini and Rorie Kelly. Local poets such as Bruce “AllOne” Pondolfo will be reading their pieces on the poetry & arts stage, curated by Melissa Marie Imagery, and local artists will be selling and creating work on the site. The fireside acoustic after party will feature The Belle Curves, Anne O’Rourke, and Sarah Gross swapping original songs. Throughout the day, food trucks and vendors will be selling everything from macarons to handmade embroidery.

The festival welcomes support from businesses, artisans, and anyone who would like to play a part in putting on this inspiring, collaborative event. This is the start of an exciting new tradition in Long Island music and arts.

Tickets and more information about sponsorships can be found at The Pine Barrens Jam website.

To stay up to date connect with Pine Barrens Jam on socials including YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

July 21, 2021
Eggy Served Up Westport: Beyond These Walls With Futuristic Dine In Or Take Out nugs.net Stream
On Thursday, July 15, Eggy demonstrated precision and class on the precipice of a new era for live music at Levitt Pavilion in Westport, CT, continuing to carry momentum outside the pandemic incubator.

Eggy Levitt Pavilion Westport, CT

Beauty in venue, music, fashion, and love between the tight community of attendees had fans feeling the warmth of hope; regardless of the viewer’s GPS coordinates. Most importantly, Eggy has acted as path leaders for many to forget the beast we might have been and focus on all that we are capable of with dedication and practice.

Goose fans enjoyed playing a game of “Where’s Ted?” for each drone shot

The nugs.net stream and drone footage made a case for Levitt Pavilion as one of the most beautiful venues of any northeastern live stream to date.Nugs.net held it down with visually enticing imagery of the stunning venue. The live stream experience could arguably be preferred by some. It provides a solution for those that do not want to be physically taxed by consuming live music. For those who like to consume their music without the distraction of chatty neighboring fans, the stream had excellent audio quality as well. Endless playback allows for this to be revisited any time. For those that love the social aspect, but need to wake up early, there was an active chat going through the whole stream.
Friends supporting friends
Despite technology and all of its improvements, there was an absolute magic to attendance. To feel the love between attendees towards each other and the band was the stuff we have been dreaming about since shutdown. The sunset and the venue evoked a feeling of dreaminess and provided cheerful, yet soothing for all we have been through.

Dani Batatt

Eggy keyboard/vocalist Dani Batatt introduced a song called “BeyondThese Walls.” Written during the throws of shutdown about imagining what “after” might look like while simultaneously appreciating the gift of time spent with loved ones.

After sharing space during shutdown, Dani and Jake share keyboards.

During shutdown, many of us were forced to push ahead without the input of our usual critiques and cheerleaders. Not having it clearly created access to new pathways of thinking with complete authenticity for Eggy.

Jake Brownstein’s debut with this new addition to the Eggy Family

Far from single note show, the tightened up band showed enough comfort to switch instruments, and play styles of music ranging from Crosby, Stills and Nash all the way to deep grooves peppered with what streamer Gleb described as, “some serious stank on [that] jam.” It kept the whole show filled with engagement.

Bassist Mike Goodman glistening in the cinematic golden hour… heat.

Eggy has grown as a band from a place of abundance, In the words of bassist/vocalist Mike Goodman’s mom, “We were so worried, but look at them now. They shot right out of the box.”

Preferred is the discussion.

This show and stream felt like a real glimmer of hope for musicians after they have endured so much. What a relief for the many months of secret admirers to finally attend an Eggy show and for the band to see how much they are loved.

Green Eggs and Fam.

The shutdown incubator yielded an opportunity for the band to practice more than just their music. They clearly have worked on themselves as individuals and as a team to create a vision that is sophisticated in its technicality and product, but never too serious.

Breaking out of the egg?

Eggy – Levitt Pavilion, Westport, CT – July 15, 2001
Setlist: 12 Pounds Of Pain, Between You And Me, Time Loves A Hero (Little Feet), Finding And Losing, Broken Bluff, Beyond These Walls, Beauty And The Beast (Alan Menken), Teach Your Children (Crosby Stills, Nash & Young), Moments Passed, Interior People (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard)

Encore: Last of Kin, Upside Down

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EGGY MUSIC
July 20, 2021
Organ Fairchild releases “Cherry Tomatoes”, announce Sportsmens Tavern show in August

Buffalo’s Organ Fairchild has released their latest single “Cherry Tomatoes” this past week, and announced an upcoming performance at Sportsmens Tavern on August 28.

“Cherry Tomatoes” is the second single from the forthcoming full-length debut release (coming in September 2021) from Buffalo jam favorites Organ Fairchild. The eight-minute single, mastered by fellow Buffalonian Alan Evans of Soulive, follows “Seepin’” which landed the band on the Jambands.com Radio Charts Top 30 list in February, 2021.

Shortly after, Organ Fairchild won NYS Music’s March Madness of Bands competition and being invited to perform at the prestigious Borderland Festival of Music and Arts alongside Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Revivalists, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Infamous Stringdusters and many more.

You’ll be up and moving to “Cherry Tomatoes” in no time – this funky, organ-driven single looks to shine at live performances. Written by guitarist Dave Ruch, “Cherry Tomatoes” was arranged by the band (Joe Bellanti, Corey Kertzie, Dave Ruch) and recorded and mixed at Kertzie’s home studio. Stream the new single on all platforms here.

The band’s upcoming show at Sportsmens Tavern will take place on Saturday, August 28 at 8pm, with tickets $15 available here, Fetauring Organ Fairchild – Joe Bellanti (organ), Corey Kertzie (drums) and Dave Ruch (guitar). Thanks to the recording studio located next door to Sportsmens, Joe will be playing a Hammond B3 organ (with Leslie Speaker) during the show this evening.

Listen to the last time Organ Fairchild performed at Sportsmens Tavern, back in early 2020.

July 19, 2021

Built in Breakdance