Brooklyn duo Fake Dad return with their new EP Old Baby, and its final single “Listen.” The band is previewing the album on March 19th via Baby’s TV, a livestream series presented by Williamsburg venue Baby’s All Right.
Fake Dad, comprised of Andrea de Verona and Josh Ford, formed in early 2018. Their sound is defined by their signature butter-smooth R&B vocals combined with buzzing hip-hop and electro-pop textures that form a dizzying cocktail that always finds its groove. The band has three singles in preparation for their debut, “Summerhill”, “Breakfast in New York”, and their newest single “Listen”.
Brooklyn-based electro-duo Fake Dad bring that same energy to their new single, “Breakfast in New York,” a bite of R&B-tinged bliss guaranteed to make your mouth water for a bacon, egg, and cheese from your bodega or deli of choice (for those of us outside The Big Apple, maybe an Egg McMuffin at the very least).
The All Scene Eye
Other song on the EP include “Pretty/Ugly” which sees the duo imagining themselves among the ranks of famous pop stars. The song “Knit Sweater” offers an innate comfortability, seeing the band reaching for something safe and whole. The newest single, “Listen”, is grounded in silky meditations offering a serene mood. The unique soundscape offered by this EP see the band meld these inflection points together for something both invigorating and comforting. The EP is an exciting a bold move for the promising duo.
Tickets for the March 19th preview livestream are available here.
Our last installment hooked your ears. This one will sink its teeth. New York State bands are in bloom, and you are (still) here to discover. While halftime has come and gone, the tunes are still raging from last week’s round three, where we exposed each bands sound.
Now its time for NYS Music to lay it out for you, see what our Sweet 16 winners have been up to, and play a game of old school, heads-up, one-on-one.
Yet music discovery – the deeply subjective process of sifting through everything out there to find new audio candy – has never been harder. Quite frankly… the process of music discovery really sucks. Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness bracket to showcase some of the hardworking, up-and-coming musical talent in the Empire State.
Central New York promoters Creative Concertsbring together fans at venues, stretching from Albany to Rochester and Syracuse to Utica. Lark Hall is the soon to open mid-sized venue in Albany that will host bands of all sizes, events and more. If you need to market your show, event, band or brand, Rochester’s Balbert Marketing has you covered. Need merchandise? Homegrown Eastern New York’s 518 Prints makes quality goods for local, regional and national bands or tours. High Peaks Event Production is a team with years of experience, aiding in all your stage, lighting and sound demands.JamCast proves high quality streams for bands, podcasts and much more. Between these companies, bands will find a great deal of what they need, and support businesses from across New York and the Northeast.
NOTE: Make sure you vote in ALL matchups for each region. And Vote once per device, duplicate votes will not be counted.
One of Rochester NY’s hottest bands blending the Blues with Garage Rock
“The gritty song features staple driving guitar riffs that the Pennies are known and loved for. It’s a more aggressive song…fueled by the times in which we are living. The video gives fans an opportunity to follow along to the lyrics. Learn those words, because when live music resumes and The Dirty Pennies can play live, this is an anthem we’ll want to sing along to.” Video Premiere: ‘I’m Your Man’
(A. you get to discover new music the old fashion way, using your brain and (B. there are all sorts of gems, like this badass music video from Rochester’s own The Dirty Pennies – a little bit of surf rock, a little bit of gritty Americana.
Collectively, we’re a musical representation of the sounds floating around in our heads. We use the instruments of our ancestors, but play music of our time” – Co-founder Eric Munley (mandolin, vocals).
“After harnessing the rawness of traditional bluegrass instrumentation, the band has taken the genre into an entire new dimension. The fast-fingered, high energy, cohesive group explores their live performance with an element of improvisation, gaining energy from their audience.” Blind Owl Band Host a Halloween Bash
https://youtu.be/zijC6QdIomY
Elite 8 Polls are now CLOSED. Final 4 voting will BEGIN on Sunday, March 21 at 8:00am!
“On this classic Black Sabbath tune. Sarah King adds to the field of great artists who have brought a twist on this brilliant anti-war song.Sarah King’s acoustic rendition is chilling, and cuts to core of the song, a treatment so honest and pure that it is as powerful as the original.” Pete Mason on Sarah King
And now you're greeted by a day you knew would come
Staring down everything we both know you done
And I can only be good for so long
You done me so wrong
You're not worth the whisky
Chanda Dewey – drums* – Eddie Hotaling – Guitar* – Jeff Picarazzi – bass* – Greg Pittz – lead guitar* (*vocals)
If you aren’t into songs long songs, Glass Pony might not be the band for you; about half of their songs hit in the 8-10 minute mark and take their time to get in the groove with long intros and outros. Their second song on the album, “Swing That Maximus” has a full two-minute instrumental intro.
With tempo changes up the wazoo throwing the listener from dance beats that make you want to get up and boogie, to slow sections you would barely move your body, they are definitely the type of band you can let loose to live or shamelessly-groove-to on your daily commute. Glass Pony brings you out of the mundane with some chaotic, yet systematic rhythms and beats that make Glass Pony one of a kind.
These four young men, Bryan Davies on tenor banjo, guitar, wash tub, bass, and vocals; Tim Slusarcyzk on upright bass, harp, and vocals; Ben carrier on guitar, mandolin, harp, 5 string banjo, and vocals; and Chris Taylor on Gatling harps, mouth harp, harmonica in a beer can (yes you read that correctly) and vocals bring something unique with their bluegrass, Americana sound.
Playing a mix of original music, such as “Over You Darlin” and “Am I Best” along with some all time favorite covers such as “Stuck In the Middle With You” by Stellars Wheel, they had the crowd wound up and ready for their day long of music and fun. – RSC at Oak Mountain Bluegrass
Joe Bellanti – organ, keys – Corey Kertzie – drums – Dave Ruch – guitar
Organ Fairchild is a musical party that won’t quit. Take your old-school organ trio (organ, guitar and drums), add dance-heavy grooves and adventurous jamming, and shake vigorously. Enjoy all night long.
“Jan. 2021 marks the release of single, “Seepin’,” from long-time Buffalo jam band veterans Organ Fairchild. Members have a history on the jam scene dating back 40 years.” Debut Single”Seepin”
LISTEN to Organ Fairchild’s debut single, from the forthcoming May 2021 album release! Mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive.
Elite 8 Polls are now CLOSED. Final 4 voting will BEGIN on Sunday, March 21 at 8:00am!
Jared Cowen – Guitar/Vox – Scott Reill – Bass/Vox – Jager Soss – Drums/Vox
“An impressive musical and technical feat from start to finish. The opening track, “The Vision That I Can See,” is a jaw-dropping epic that really showcases the prowess of this band” – Baked Shrimp ‘Bubble Suit’
“Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts” was released March 12, and is the single off of Baked Shrimp’s second studio album Conscious, set for release on March 26th, 2021. The new single features Nick Rufolo on saxophone, trumpet, and keyboards. The track also features Jager Soss on percussion.
“But before you close your eyes and float away, the band changes things up, shaking the listener from the dream state. On “Donye Wump,” Cadley (drums) turns the tempo up and brings everyone along.”
“Cantrips is an old Scot word that basically means a magical spell of any kind” says Jonas Reddy-Nicholson (keyboards, vocals) when asked about the meaning of the name. He goes on to say, “Cantrips is also what they call the type of spells one can cast at any time in the game Dungeons & Dragons.” The band ended up tying the new album thematically to a D&D campaign that they played together.
And play together, they do. Stylistically they fit snugly into the jam genre.
Elite 8 Polls are now CLOSED. Final 4 voting will BEGIN on Sunday, March 21 at 8:00am!
Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness bracket delving into the musical harbors of our great state. As fans and musicians ourselves, we spotlight the great talent across New York in friendly competition and discovery. Its furry never looses sight of the underdog, a headliner’s humble beginnings, new musical discovery and rolling with the punches in our ever-changing industry.
On March 5th, South African-born, Brooklyn-based artist Sulene released her new EP, he•don•ic, on Trash Casual.
The five songs on the EP dive deep into her struggles with alcohol addiction, depression, and hedonic pleasures, and finding a way out of these destructive cycles.
Sulene’s dark lyricism is juxtaposed by dancey, sexy beats strewn with synth and guitar that she describes as a “gothic disco party.”
This vulnerable-meets-underground club aesthetic is found on songs like “identity crisis” and “photo booth”, both questioning bad habits she’s encountered in her life.
Written at the start of the pandemic, “diner coffee” brings a more slowed down, sullen moment to the record as Sulene states “I promise to be useful” – a nod towards needing to create while blocking out depression.
For Sulene, writing he•don•ic was a painful and difficult process, but also one that allowed her to experiment with music in a new way.
Exploring a darker side of her character and production, Sulene wrote, recorded, and produced the entire EP out of her apartment in Brooklyn, NY. She also delved into filming and editing her own music videos and artwork, giving a full 360-degree view of her newest art.
Speaking on the release, Sulene stated:
he•don•ic explores my relationship with hedonism and addiction. Lyrically it speaks an uncomfortable truth and sonically it makes me wanna be in the club; a contradiction I find intriguing.
This is definitely a fair overview or the EP. Each song is introspective in its own way, with Sulene analyzing her habits and tendencies, as well as her mental state. Sulene is heavily critical of her relationships with others, and her indulgences and dependencies.
At the same time, the pounding, synth-heavy beats remind the listener of going out at night and partying with friends at clubs. It is a truly interesting contradiction, especially now in a time when clubs have been completely empty for almost a year.
With the release of the he•don•ic EP, Sulene has broken new ground as an artist, bringing an experimental and refreshing take on pop music. You can stream he•don•ic here now and purchase the EP on vinyl here.
New York City-based singer-songwriter Amsi releases the second single of 2021 today, “Cry” being an outlet for listeners to be vulnerable and express their grief on matters pandemic and beyond. The artist prides herself on her culturally diverse background and unique sound, whilst also addressing experiences that are all too universal and relatable.
There were many instances where I was told I was too sensitive or too emotional, but now especially in this past year, I realized that crying doesn’t mean I am weak, it means that I am processing & growing. I hope people find comfort in knowing that it’s okay to cry too.
Amsi, on “Cry”
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine on the mental health of today’s society is one that cannot possibly be looked over, with the yearning for things to return to normal and the fears that someone you love could possibly be affected. These fears became a reality for Amsi, who was quarantined with her father, sick with COVID-19, ten days after her last live performance.
You can stream her newest single here, as well as check out the rest of her works on her Spotify.
On March 1st, Brooklyn based singer-songwriter and poet Lowhency Pierre unveiled a new single and visual for his latest single “Losing.”
The genre-bending crooner delivers a strong and passionate vocal performance that details not measuring up to gain the attention and affection of a partner.
The somber cut is his most vulnerable and emotional track to date – with its thrumming heartbeat and bassline that grow more pronounced with time, over theatrical strings and overlapping vocals.
In “Losing,” Lowhency Pierre turns grappling with self identity and worth into moments of clarity, security and liberation.
Lowhency shares, “Lyrically, I’m saying that it’s really hurtful, and exhausting trying to exceed your expectations to win your love; and, recognizing my value and self worth enough to set myself free from that negative and toxic space.”
Inspired by the art form of dance and natural human body movements, Lowhency says, “After discovering choreo-cinema films by Maya Deren (Study In Choreography for Camera), and Robyn Brentano and Andrew Horn (Cloud Dance), I really wanted to challenge and explore new areas of my body to express myself beyond writing and singing for the visual.”
Pierre teamed up with longtime collaborator, choreographer and director, Barby Beauvais, to share his vision, and began training for two months on steps and movements that conveyed the concept of the song.
Barby created the choreography piece-by-piece to showcase reflection, frustration, vulnerability and peacefulness.
The new release is a taste of what’s to come on Lowhency’s forthcoming (yet-to-be-titled) project. Pierre’s last single “Crew Love” received and generated support from Grandma Sophia’s Cookies, Music and Other Drugs, Bands Do Brooklyn and more!
Stan Denis of Denis Entertainment Group is a live sound engineer/system designer and President of the Denis Entertainment Group (DEG). With years of experience producing events and designing sound systems for venues, including Bearsville Theater in Woodstock and Lark Hall in Albany, Stan offers insight for up and coming bands when working with production teams.
In my previous blog post titled “The common production issue musicians encounter during concerts and why it’s a travesty,” I discussed one of the biggest production-related complaints that we get from bands. Bad monitor mixes and feedback from the monitors. You might remember I mentioned that it is often an unorganized, or maybe even uncaring sound engineer that quite literally sets the stage for things to go poorly during the show. Well, like with many other issues in the world, there are at least two sides to this story.
Imagine this, if you will. You are a sound engineer or perhaps part of a multi-member production crew. You have a show coming up in 2 weeks and you have been given the band’s contact information. You reach out to them to do the TECH ADVANCE. You ask all of the appropriate questions. How many members? What instruments are they using? Specifics to the size of the drum set? You discuss the total mixer channel count for this event. You determine that you will need 10 drum mics, 2 mics on the electric guitar cabinet, a bass Di box, and also a separate mic for the bass cabinet. There is a keyboardist with two keyboards that you will run in stereo. There are three horns and four vocalists. You determine that you need six stage monitors to cover the band’s needs. This is all agreed upon during the phone call.
Next, you do what any responsible sound engineer should do before the day of the show. You build a scene for the digital mix console that you will be using, where you spend 45 minutes or so thinking of every detail that you think might occur during the show with this band. You go to youtube and listen to the band’s music. You determine what kinds of effects they are using on the vocals and drums. You study them for a few songs so that you know what their sound is.
On the day of the show, you get to the venue before the band. You place all 6 monitors, run all of the mics and have them positioned the best you can, keeping them out of the way, yet ready to quickly be placed. You “ring out” all of the vocal mics/monitors before the band gets there, ensuring that there will not be feedback and that you will be prepared to give a great monitor mix. Your goal is to save as much time as possible during the band set up in order to be able to give them a great soundcheck. You want the band to have the best experience possible, and you want to wow the audience with the sound quality of the show. In other words, you have done everything that a professional, competent, and caring sound engineer should do.
Next, the band arrives 20 minutes after the scheduled load-in time. They get to the venue, see a few people they know, and start having a conversation. You are already twenty minutes behind schedule and now the band is delaying more. Finally, you approach the band and say “Hey guys, I just want to make sure we have enough time to give you a great soundcheck, so can we please get set up?” Next, the guitarist asks if you have a spare guitar cord because he forgot his. You can’t help but think to yourself how were they planning on performing if they didn’t have what was needed to actually perform. You notice that the keyboard player is not yet there and that there are only two horn players instead of the three that you were told would be playing that show. You ask the band if they know when the keyboard player and the other horn player will be arriving, and they say “oh man, yeah they can’t make it to this show.” You can’t help but ask why they didn’t alert you to this when you did the tech advance for show or when they found out that this was going to be the case. And no answer. So now you look at the monitor you placed, the 4 channels that you set up along with the 2 stereo DI boxes that you ran and positioned. You look at how you positioned everything to give the band a nice symmetrical appearance on stage and you realize that since there is no longer a keyboard player taking up a good amount of stage real-estate, you have to shift everything over for this to look right.
On stage you begin moving things around. Just then the guitarist starts blaring his amp and goes into a loud shred guitar solo instead of helping you to make the stage changes. The drummer is tuning his snare, smashing it even though you are right next to him. They are not at all concerned with the fact that you are the one tasked with making this band sound good tonight and that they are essentially dulling your hearing and more importantly just being rude. There you are sound engineer doing more work and getting further behind because the band did not communicate appropriately with you. No one took the time to alert you to changes. Some members came unprepared to put on a good, professional show. None of the band members seem to be concerned that as their engineer for the evening you did everything in your power to be prepared, yet this band has completely disrespected you and instead of working together, you feel that it’s you against the band now.
Does this sound like an annoying day’s work for a sound engineer? If you said yes then you are correct, and this is far too often the reality for production people.
There is a team required to put on a great, successful show. There is the venue, the promoter, the production crew, and the band. Everyone needs to know the plan. Everyone needs to be on the same page working toward the same goal. The band and the sound engineer need to be working very closely together since they are both an intricate part of the actual live performance. There needs to be mutual respect between these two parties. You need each other in order to put on this event. So how can you help your production crew to take care of you?
I’m glad you asked. Let get into it.
Putting yourself in the shoes of the production crew is imperative to know what you can do to help make their job easier and most effective.
Let’s start with the TECH ADVANCE.
Every musical act, even if you are a solo performer, needs a document that explains what you need on stage and what your production requirements are. There are generally two separate pieces of information that a sound engineer needs from you to be prepared for your show: a stage plot and an input list. Many times these two documents can be combined into one stage plan.
Stage Plot. This is an easy-to-read map of how you would prefer the band and all of your equipment to be located on the stage. This document should make it easy for the engineer to know exactly where to locate stage monitors, mic stands, stage rugs, DI boxes, and such. As an engineer, I should be able to look at your stage plot and easily layout the stage before you arrive. Don’t get too fancy. Keep it simple to read. When we are providing production for festivals we may encounter as many as 10-15 different stage plots per day. An organized production company will locate printouts of all of the bands’ stage plots on both stage left and stage right. The crew needs to be able to look at your stage plot and quickly know how to set the stage for your set. Make sure you include things like how many drums are in the drum kit that you will be bringing.
Input List. This is a document that shows how many channels you require as well as the microphone and direct input compliment that you are requesting. Do you want two mics on the kick drum? How about the snare drum? Are you requesting just a direct input of the bass or do you want a mic on the cabinet as well? Are you bringing your own vocal mics or using the “house mics?” If you are bringing your own mics, then what model are they?
Show up prepared. How many cables should a guitarist have when going to a show? Well if you require two normally then you need at least three. Always have a spare. How about a spare snare drum head or better yet a spare snare drum? If you break your snare head, what’s your plan? Keyboardists, you should have enough cables for a sound engineer to be able to put your instruments into the PA using stereo (2 channels). I don’t know how many times I’ve had a keyboardist show up with a $3,000 stereo keyboard only to have one crappy 1/4 inch cable. Come prepared, have enough cables and at least one spare. Guitar pedal patch cables, strings, power cables, drum sticks, instrument stands, a drum key, etc..
Show up on time. In the world of live music, very often the biggest obstacle to putting on a great show is time. Be at the venue by the agreed time. Be ready to quickly load-in and set up. Leave social time for after sound-check. You never know what issues may present themselves, so make sure you have left time to deal with them.
Understand the reality of the sound engineer. Production crews are usually people who work very long hours in what can be harsh, unforgiving environments, dealing with disrespectful musicians and know-it-all audience members. Being under a time crunch is the norm and there is barely enough time to get things done properly, even if everything goes as planned. What does this mean? It means that you need to take care of the production crew, just as they need to take care of you. You need to understand what they may be going through and you should try to make their lives as easy as possible. You can’t have a great show without them, and they can’t have one without you.
You have heard of the grumpy sound engineer, right? If you perform enough shows you, will eventually encounter one or more of them. You have the power to turn the grumpy sound engineer into a positive asset of the band. You simply need to show them that you understand and respect their position. Be the breath of fresh air. Be accurate when discussing the tech advance, come on time and prepared, be kind, and understand that something you think is no big deal may present a sizable problem for them.
The music business is all about relationships. You will usually find that it’s the people who know how to create friendships and who are a pleasure to be around that have the best experience in the music industry. If you do not have promoters, venue owners, booking agents, managers, and production people on your side, you will find it tough going in music. I know of more than a handful of bands who are known for being difficult, arrogant, or clueless and probably don’t even realize that they have been basically blacklisted. Everyone knows that doing a show with them is simply too much trouble, and so they are on the bottom of the list when it comes too booking. If instead you are known for being an artist or band who are fun and rewarding to work with, then you will likely find yourselves with more shows, more compensation, and an overall more enjoyable existence in the world of music. Take care of the production crew. Make their already difficult job as easy as you can. Remember, they want you to have a great show as much as you do. Their reputation is also at stake with every show they mix. The band and the production crew are on the same team. Take care of each other.
Now go have a good good time with your new friends, the production crew.
18-year-old singer-songwriter Zola releases her new single “Not Like Other Girls” today, March 12. Building her fanbase in the New England area, the young artist blends indie, pop, and R&B. Zola integrates her raw and honest lyrics within her work also.
Zola’s music is oriented around her vulnerability. The way in which she can unapologetically be herself is what resonates with many fans. Although, at such a young age, Zola has had to face hardships within the music industry. Zola shares with NYS Music:
I think, especially being a woman in the industry, there’s a completely different set of expectations placed on us than on our male counterparts. Women in music constantly have to reinvent themselves in order to stay relevant and, in general, face way more judgment on whether or not we’re ‘basic.’ If you’re basic, that has a sort of negative connotation, but if you’re ‘alternative’ you’re trying too hard. It’s an impossible battle to win.
Zola
This “frustration and relationship between judgment and identity” had a major influence on how she wrote the new song. Being a young woman in this industry places a microscope on one’s work. Zola takes this scrutiny, though with an enlightening and mature perspective. She aims to fit no one’s narrative but rather create her own.
Calling Out Misogyny
“Not Like Other Girls” sets a haunting tone with penetrating piano keys, moody guitar chords, and a synthesizer. Layered over this is Zola’s riveting vocals that effortlessly glide with the beat. When constructing this single, Zola shared that she first began with the lyrics and then built the additional instrumental sounds around that. As this single is very personal to Zola, she wanted the song’s tone to be reflective of the meaning.
The song deals with “finding the courage to stand up for one’s self.” This phrase ‘not like other girls’ is inherently misogynistic because it instinctively devalues other girls. Zola purposefully utilizes this phrase in order to bring attention to this popularized but damaging mindset.
The ‘Not Like Other Girls’ trope is very interesting and complicated, and there is definitely a growing discussion about how the whole concept is rooted in misogyny. The whole thing started out as women trying to remove themselves from femininity, in order to set themselves apart and prove superior to other women. Oftentimes it’s even just a ploy for male attention. I think in order to break down this harmful trope and mindset we need to educate people on what it actually means, and have conversations with other women about it. Being into popular things isn’t bad, and being into unpopular things doesn’t make you better. Everyone should be able to like what they like, but if I see a girl with a superiority complex, I’m not going to think twice about calling her out.
Zola
Breaking Down Barriers and Building Connections
Zola values the importance of her individuality and has expressed that freely in her work. Being personal with her fans has built a relatability that is hard to find. Her new single is one of many that encapsulates her artistry and vulnerability.
I’m just a very vulnerable person, so my music and what I write directly represents who I am. I’m driven by everything; life experiences, relationships, hardships. Life’s too short to not be vulnerable, because what’s the point if you don’t let yourself feel, isn’t that what music is all about? I like to think so.
Put on your rock n’ roll tiaras as we begin to crack these bands open at the seams. NYS Music’s March Madness 2021 Sweet 16 will be your one-stop-shop for audio playlists. Not only will the series feature snippets from NYS’ Hearing Aide’s and reviews, but also spotlight each artists music. Turn on, tune in, go vote, and let records spin.
Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness bracket delving into the musical harbors of our great state. As fans and musicians ourselves, we spotlight the great talent across New York in friendly competition and discovery. Its furry never looses sight of the underdog, a headliner’s humble beginnings, new musical discovery and rolling with the punches in our ever-changing industry.
“Vocals bring something unique with their bluegrass, Americana sound. Playing a mix of original music, “Stuck In the Middle With You” by Stellars Wheel, they had the crowd wound up.” – RSC at Oak Mountain Bluegrass
“This recording session was among the most rewarding and creatively fulfilling projects I’ve ever been a part of – self producing these tracks has the band energized and excited for more!” Adam Bronstein, Intrepid Travelers
“Jan. 2021 marks the release of single, “Seepin’,” from long-time Buffalo jam band veterans Organ Fairchild. Members have a history on the jam scene dating back 40 years.” Debut Single”Seepin”
“Laying down funky New Orleans-style street beats across the United States and Canada. Formed in 2014 at the University at Buffalo, The Brass Machine provides a unique blend of hip hop, funk, and R&B, all in an infectious and energetic package.”
Sweet 16Polls are now CLOSED.Round 4 voting will BEGIN on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:00am !
“On this classic Black Sabbath tune. Sarah King adds to the field of great artists who have brought a twist on this brilliant anti-war song.Sarah King’s acoustic rendition is chilling, and cuts to core of the song, a treatment so honest and pure that it is as powerful as the original.” Pete Mason on Sarah King
“They pull inspiration from Son Volt, Wilco, Neil Young and other heavy hitters of the sixties folk-rock genre. Not many aspiring musicians make music like this anymore. Harmonic Dirt delivers that.” – Hearing Aide: ‘Anthracite’
This was just released Feb. 5, 2021, but their last album, Live At The Ridge, was named Best Americana Album of 2020 by Syracuse Area Music Awards.
“Swing That Maximus” has a full two-minute instrumental intro. With tempo changes up the wazoo throwing the listener from dance-y beats that make you want to get up and boogie, to slow sections you would barely move.” Hearing Aide: Glass Pony ‘Glass Pony’
“The harp has been known since antiquity in Asia, Africa and Europe, early as 3000 BCE. ‘Learning Live Dead was really fun and difficult, we rehearsed like twice a week for a month because we really wanted to play through like the record with no stops,’” Mikaela Davis.
Sweet 16Polls are now CLOSED.Round 4 voting will BEGIN on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:00am !
“The psychedelic rock band with a heavy blues bent delivers heady grooves laden with symbolic imagery. It’s the kind of music that is best heard live – but if not live, then on a turntable in a room with curtains drawn and incense burning.”
King Buffalo is Releasing three albums for 2021. Repeat: Three. And, it needs to be said, to take the place, momentum-wise, of touring.
“The gritty song features staple driving guitar riffs that the Pennies are known and loved for. It’s a more aggressive song…fueled by the times in which we are living. The video gives fans an opportunity to follow along to the lyrics. Learn those words, because when live music resumes and The Dirty Pennies can play live, this is an anthem we’ll want to sing along to.” Video Premiere: ‘I’m Your Man’
“After harnessing the rawness of traditional bluegrass instrumentation, the band has taken the genre into an entire new dimension. The fast-fingered, high energy, cohesive group explores their live performance with an element of improvisation, gaining energy from their audience.” Blind Owl Band Host a Halloween Bash
“At the intersection of Rock, Reggae, Funk, Blues and Jam written with a conscious dose of positive vibes, unique melodies and down to earth lyrics. The innate ability to fill an entire night with original music or cover in their signature style, fans share extraordinary experiences that can’t be seen anywhere else.” The Palace Sessions
“An impressive musical and technical feat from start to finish. The opening track, “The Vision That I Can See,” is a jaw-dropping epic that really showcases the prowess of this band” – Baked Shrimp ‘Bubble Suit’
Stay tuned for an update of Baked Shrimp’s new single release this Friday, off their upcoming album, Conscious.
“New York City’s post-punk, pop outfit, The Goodnight Darlings, are cutting edge. Bred from the William Faulkner quote ‘murder your darlings,’ nothing stands on safe ground. At any moment an explosion of creative energy, or sound, propels the band into an epic dance-rock performance on stage. “
“With the glam of a fairytale princess, frontwoman, Kat Auster, commands the stage instantaneously while her counterpart, Wilson Jaramillo stretches the soundscapes of rock guitar. Bonded by The Goodnight Darlings, and marriage, Auster and Jaramillo are one anothers’ creative spark.” – The Goodnight Darlings
“But before you close your eyes and float away, the band changes things up, shaking the listener from the dream state. On “Donye Wump,” Cadley (drums) turns the tempo up and brings everyone along.” Vaporeyes ‘Cantrips’
Vaporeyes’ new album, CANTRIPS, out now!
“His inspiration came from his 4-year-old daughter during a hike when he saw her look to the sky and blow a kiss. She was blowing a kiss to the future. That accidental yet wholesome moment resulted in the song’s creation in 15 minutes… The song is the first step towards Slevin’s solo career after fronting Brooklyn’s artpop group, The Color Bars. Slevin aims to do different and new things with every creation resulting in the band exploring vocals, art and instruments.” Gerald Slevin Begins Solo Journey
Sweet 16Polls are now CLOSED.Round 4 voting will BEGIN on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:00am !
Don’t forget about our amazing sponsors:
Central New York promoters Creative Concertsbring together fans at venues, stretching from Albany to Rochester and Syracuse to Utica. Lark Hall is the soon to open mid-sized venue in Albany that will host bands of all sizes, events and more. If you need to market your show, event, band or brand, Rochester’s Balbert Marketing has you covered. Need merchandise? Homegrown Eastern New York’s 518 Prints makes quality goods for local, regional and national bands or tours. High Peaks Event Production is a team with years of experience, aiding in all your stage, lighting and sound demands.JamCast proves high quality streams for bands, podcasts and much more. Between these companies, bands will find a great deal of what they need, and support businesses from across New York and the Northeast.
We’re also proud to present a bracket designed by the good folks at Wook+ Media, who have been keeping brackets going strong throughout the year, with unique topics and incredibly artistic designs. Check out the Round 2 graphic below:
NYC Indie singer Mae Krell peels off layers of their personal story as they release their newest single “are you sure?” on March 5.
Mae Krell by Sarah Midkiff
Krell is more than a singer, they entered the music industry through photography and traveled around the nation capturing pictures. They wrote poems and aspired to become a performing artist one day and found the courage to do so. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, they find ways to connect that with her artistry. Krell is also an advocate for mental health and incorporates messages surrounding the topic within their music.
Before this new release, they created and dropped their singles “Monsters” and “Scars” when they were just a teenager. Their debut EP Anabasisreleased in 2018, resulted in a nationwide tour at the age of 19. They took a two-year hiatus from music and returned in March 2020 releasing four new folk-pop singles and receiving about 500,000 streams on all of them.
At the time, it helped me take a step back and learn about myself and why I was really doing all of this. I was so worried about what other people thought for so long that I forgot to enjoy making music- I was so overcome with anxiety all the time. I write songs to figure things out, get closure on situations, or just to express how I’m feeling. Releasing those songs is scary, but I’ve learned that I can’t be too much of a perfectionist or else I’ll never put anything out.
Mae Krell
These new releases start a new era for the artist as they confront past hardships, self-love, self-truth and reflection. Some of their influences are Bob Dylan, Phoebe Bridgers and Gregory Alan Isakov. When the 21-year-old returned from their hiatus they came back with a more mature and understanding approach.
“are you sure?” is their first single of 2021 and it was written on the two-year anniversary of their sobriety. The song explores cognitive dissonance and feeling stuck even though they made a lot of progress. It dives deep into the low moments that make you forget how far you’ve come. Krell pours their emotions into the song singing over a guitar loop with pain in their voice. The lyrics honest, raw and intimate. Although spreading awareness wasn’t their initial thought about the track, they hope releasing this “personal and intensely emotional” song will bring discussions about it to normalcy.
More so than raise awareness I want to normalize talking about feelings. Why don’t we share how we feel when someone asks? What’s wrong with being honest and open? I think the world would be a much kinder place if we all had an open mind when we asked someone how they’re doing.
New York indie rocker Arsun has released a new music video for his song “Southern Winds,” premiering on i-D, alongside an exclusive interview.
The music of Arsun is influenced by the art-rock of the late 60’s and 70’s, with heavy influence from Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground. The music video for “Southern Winds” is directed by Arsun’s girlfriend, Tasmin Meyer Erahin, makes special use of black and white, intentional video artifacting, and a four way split camera perspective. Shot on a vintage Super 8, the video was not initially meant for a music video – just the couple causally videoing their tropical getaway. Nature is a key fixture of the video, strolling through idyllic beach vistas and gorgeous ocean’s to match the serene mood of the music.
The new track comes packed with a catchy, retro instrumental line, as Arsun’s gritty vocals take the lead
Indie88
Arsun released “Southern Winds” with Dover Street Market as part of their Art Book Fair programming. Dover Street Market is multi-brand relator that collaborates with several of its closest associates to release a series of virtual events. Arsun’s collaboration with Dover Street Market also includes a new t-shirt designed in conjunction with visual artist Tom Sachs.
