Category: Alternative/Indie

In Focus: Peach Fest 2021 heralds the return of Music Festivals
After nearly all Music Festivals worldwide postponed their events in 2020, the return of those festivals has begun, bringing with it joyous fans, packed houses and the live music that has been missing for far too long. Peach Fest 2021 marked the first large scale music festival to return, held over July 1-4 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA.

Thursday, July 1

Kicking off Thursday afternoon with sets from Eggy, Mikaela Davis, Twiddle, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Dark Star Orchestra, the muggy air and intermittent rain was an afterthought for those in attendance. Spread out between the Peach and Grove stages, the acts all had full crowds, with few attendees missing a full range of live music. A wide selection of jam, funk and, in the case of Davis, harp music, kept the crowds satiated, and it was only Day 1.
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
Friday, July 2

The Mushroom Stage, where Goose performed a breakout set in 2019, opened up Friday at Peach Fest 2021 with Thumpasaurus, Ghost Light and Aqueous. Nicole Atkins, followed by Live at the Fillmore East, a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band seminal live album (stay tuned for our look back at the album and performance on July 6!).

What felt like a celebration of a steady return to normalcy found both musicians and patrons delighted to be back. Friday night the crowd was rocked with two sets from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) and Umphrey’s McGee following with a two hour late-night set.

Russo gave special thanks to his drum tech/nephew Evan Roque for taking over his role behind the kit two years earlier while Joe was tending to his newborn child. Roque then sat in with Joe for an encore of “Samson & Delilah.” Umphrey’s McGee’s late-night set included a mind-blowing sit-in from lead singer from Doom Flamingo, Kanika Moore, who joined the group for a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused.” The Chicago septet closed the set with “Glory” -> “Hajimemashite” -> “Glory” followed by “40’s Theme.”

Watch Moore’s sit-in below and stay tuned for a full report on Saturday’s music!
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
Saturday, July 3

A wet Friday night gave way to a much drier, enthusiastic, and jam packed Saturday at Peach Fest 2021. Spirits were high for Oysterhead and everyone raging at Turkuaz late-night. The rain picked up around 5pm when Oteil & Friends started a set of Allman Brothers tunes, welcoming the Allman Betts Band for a couple of of songs to help clear up the rain. Dopapod played an incredible, packed set at the Mushroom Stage, a welcoming sight for a Northeast Festival favorite.

On the Grove stage, Andy Frasco welcomed a cast of friend including Taz, Mike Gantzer, and members of Doom Flamingo. Frasco recreated his Peach 2019 set by crowd surfing over to the pool from the stage. Later at the Grove, Trey Anastasio sat in with fellow Ghosts of the Forest member Celisse.

Oysterhead took the stage for a highly anticipated performance, their first together since Fberuary 2020 in Colorado, and also Les Claypool’s last time on stage. Opening with “Mr.Oysterhead,” they worked through much of their catalog with Anastasio taking command on many songs, including a surprise cover of Phish’s “First Tube.” To close the night, Turkuaz played an irresistible dance set of Talking Heads covers, featuring a surprise King Crimson cover, “Thela Hun Gingeet,” with KC guitarist Adrian Belew joining them for the set.

One more day to go Peach Fest! Have a Happy 4th of July!
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
Sunday, July 4

Never miss a Sunday show, so they say, and what a SUNday it was! The weather finally gave way to a fun in the sun packed last day of Peach Festival 2021. Patrons were excited to utilize the water park and enjoy an independence day full of leisure.

Sunday started off with the Peach guitar pull, a tradition started in 2019. Later in the day Warren Haynes played a mostly acoustic, solo set. This proved to be slow but also genuine and touching, playing a soul warming “Hallelujah” (Leonard Cohen), an always loved “Soulshine,” and a well played “It Hurts Me Too” amongst an array of wonderfully executed tunes.

The main event came soon after Warren, with two sets of The String Cheese Incident. Playing a monstrous first set, opening with “Texas” and paying tribute to Independence Day by closing with the Grateful Dead’s “U.S. Blues,” with Warren Haynes sitting in.

The second set opened up with another sit-in, this time by “The Blind Boys of Alabama” followed by a reggae, bass heavy sequence of “Best Feeling” > “Exodus” > “Best Feeling.” The second set was incredibly energized and even featured a Drums section. SCI paid tribute to the Allman Brothers Band with a performance of “Jessica” as their encore.

The music was over but many of the patrons were not looking to end their nights just yet. Circling to and past the “Thunder Dome,” a DIY stage in the campgrounds consisting of a tent a and few canopies. At night it hosted as many people that could be accommodated, with musicians playing late into the night.

Another Peach fest in the books. See you next year!
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
- Photo: Jesse Faatz
July 4, 2021
This Week’s EQXposure Features Fenton Hardy, Girl Blue And More

Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from Fenton Hardy, Girl Blue and many more!

WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

Fenton Hardy

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

Girl Blue

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

Pencildive

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

July 3, 2021
Merged Pop-Punk Band RODERIK Release “You’ll Never Know”

RODERIK, the Long Island pop-punk/post-hardcore band, debuted a new single titled “You’ll Never Know.” This is the band’s second single and the latest in a series of new tunes the band will be releasing this year.

The band name, RODERIK, derived from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, and fittingly formed during the early stages of a global pandemic, is comprised of remnants and fragments of bands that once reverberated through the vibrant Long Island music scene. Members include Alternative Press recognized band Approaching Troy, singer/songwriter Jake Anthony Salazar & guitarist Jay T. Sutherland set out with bassist David P. K., and drummer Danny Nugent, to rebuild and reformulate.

After years of writing and playing shows together, these four members have finally come together to not only make music, but build visual experiences that would mirror that of its dark origins. The band aims to combine musical elements with visual representation, showcasing the dark and honest truth of Salazar’s dark lyrics, which stem from his life experiences and ongoing battle with depression.

Of the new track, singer/songwriter Jake Anthony Salazar said, “In many ways, “You’ll Never Know” is a sequential follow up to our first single, “Save Me. Save Me” which was about my internal monologue during one of the most difficult times in my life. Whereas “You’ll Never Know” is about realizing I had to save myself, and reconciling with that. Only I could make the changes that were needed for me to be happy, but with change comes loss. “You’ll Never Know” is more focused on coming to the reality of my situation, and the grief that came with escaping it. Things that are good for us, in the long run, don’t always feel that great in the now, and this song is me trying to come to terms with that.”

To stay up to date with RODERIK follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Stream “You’ll Never Know” below, and on Spotify and Apple Music.

July 1, 2021
“MORNIGHT” Released By NYC Based Band ALMA

NYC-based indie dream-pop trio ALMA has entered the stage, with their latest single “Mornight.” The single is a realistic twist on your classic top of the pops hit, it takes the perspective of a bartender working the night shift in NYC. Showcasing the trio’s impressive production chops, “Mornight” is full of catchy melodic hooks, dreamy harmonies, and has an overwhelming danceability sound.

Photo Courtesy of Abbey Mackay

The song is from their LP Mosaic (coming out this fall). Mosaic, is a personal letter to NYC. Each song delivers the story of a moment in time in the city they call home. Mosaic invites you to sit beside them on the subway, walk with them through Astoria Park, and ride the Wonder Wheel at night as you feel what it means to be a New Yorker. They have been releasing singles from the album since September of 2020.

ALMA is comprised of Alba S. Torremocha (vocals, strings, bass, drums, guitar, uke) Lillie R. McDonough (vocals, piano, glock, violin, hammer dulcimer), and Melissa K. Carter (vocals, guitar). The trio formed in 2019 out of a shared delight in harmonizing and experimentation with quirky instrumentals and old-fangled synthesizers. They discovered certain alchemy in the combination of sensibilities as film composers and audio engineers that have made for a genre-bending offering to the wide world of indie-pop. Elements of Folk, Rock, Grunge, Pop, and even movie soundtracks are all at home in their songs.

ALMA was named an NYFA Fellow for their genre-pushing work in 2019, and later was an Awesome Foundation Grant recipient in 2020. They are currently in the process of producing a staged, theatrical musical of their freshman album in partnership with Savannah Repertory Theater.

Their newest single, “Sips of Oxygen” will be released on July 30th and is a marvelous stripped down track that guides listeners through the moments before you lose someone special to you. The track is admirably vulnerable and raw, and perfectly encompasses the vibe of ALMA.

“Sips of Oxygen” is about the moment before you lose someone, when the vibrancy of a life collapses into the act of breathing in and out. The entire song is a cinematic journey that is gentle yet also extremely heavy. The lyrics perfectly grasp the horrific pain of grief and proves to listeners how fast life runs away from us.

Their debut album, Mosaic, is to be released on September 7th. It is a personal letter to NYC that is a patchwork of personal experiences that the band members have endured while living in the city. What’s special about this album is it takes the listener on a citywide adventure through many of the five boroughs: on the subway, through Astoria park, and on the Wonder Wheel at night to feel what it’s like to be a New Yorker. More than that, the album transcends the limits of place and invites the listener to fully inhabit each song, no matter where they are.

July 1, 2021
Frank Palangi Drops New Track “Fire Of Love”

Upstate NY-based indie rocker Frank Palangi is here to show that rock and roll never dies. Palangi released his newest song “Fire Of Love” on June 25, the first track shared by Frank ahead of his upcoming EP due out this fall.

The track lives up to its flaming title, bringing heavy electric guitar with lively metal and grunge influences. Palangi explained that “Fire Of Love” explores how love is the driving force that fixes our mistakes, sets us free and, of course, brings us all together.

Creating a hard rock love song complete with strong guitar flares, Palangi argues, adds a “bring it on baby” attitude and swagger to all of these emotions. Palangi’s gravelly, gritty and vibrato vocals also add an edge to his music, appealing to a wide scope of rock fans.

Palangi began pursuing music at the young age of 13, teaching himself guitar, bass, drums and recording techniques. He aimed to blend different genre styles, specifically citing the influence of ’80s and ’90s rock as well as post grunge and heavy metal.

I was a shy kid with health issues growing up so no sports, so I turned to creative outlets. Learning from those decades, I wasn’t going for the typical drinking, smashing hotel rooms as the rocker lifestyle is known for. It could be more about the music, the positive elements, that so many people get drawn into and yes, that rock n roll rebel yell to stand up for yourself.
Frank Palangi

Palangi most recently shared the music video for his song “Bring On The Fear” back in January, which addressed the turmoil and need for togetherness during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Fire Of Love” brings a new mood for the summer and is currently available to stream.

You can connect with Frank Palangi on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Check out his website for updates on releases and performances.

June 29, 2021
Bedroom Pop Artist on the Rise: Meet Grace Yurchuk

Warwick native and 18-year-old college freshman, Grace Yurchuk, released two singles from her dorm room at NYU during the Spring semester. Written, recorded, and produced all from within the confines of the Covid quarantine.

A student of the Vocal Performance program at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, she recently received The Josh Goldfaden Award for writing from NYU College of Arts & Sciences and expects to make the Dean’s List this year.

If you need a song to play in the car that your friends will actually like, Grace Yurchuk is an artist to watch. So far with two singles out, she hasn’t missed. Following the rise in feel good music, these bedroom pop tracks are a good addition to playlists with similar artists such as Beach Bunny, Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, and girl in red.

While it’s not unusual for a young musician to release a song, this effort was unique. When faced with the grim prospect of social isolation, online classes, and staying healthy, Grace turned to her music as a creative outlet. “Need Me” was a solo effort—written, recorded, mixed, mastered, and released from her dorm room without assistance from other artists or a professional studio.

The second single Grace released on May 21, titled “Good Together,” has careful thought put into everything from backing vocals to synth, which were still hand-picked, mastered, and everything in between by Grace herself. If you thought “Need Me” was good, wait until you hear “Good Together.” The progress made in between songs can be heard and it is a pleasure to know this is only the start.

“I think I had a lot of time, more time than usual– I’m sure everybody did because of the pandemic– to do different projects. The way that the first single happened ‘Need Me,’ it came to me kind of suddenly when I was out and about. When it became something I couldn’t put down and I spent all that time on it, I was just like you know what I worked really hard, this one feels ready. I felt it, I kinda knew.”

Both singles that have been released so far deal with interpersonal relationships, released at a time when those were hard to find and maintain for everyone. “I’m from a really small town and the city was different, it was jumping into a totally different experience especially in the middle of a pandemic, and all of my online classes,” Grace explained. “Making new friends was a struggle at first, all I wanted was to make something that was long lasting, meaningful, and making friends that would matter to me.”

When times were particularly tough for the college first year, she turned to music. “I’ve always fallen back on recording, that’s why I’ve done it for so long. I could always depend on it, so when it came down to that– in Manhattan living alone, I was like ‘This is it. This is what I do,’ I did what I know.”

A self-proclaimed Swiftie, Grace draws her inspiration from her pop idol. “I like different artists for different reasons and I like [Taylor Swift] because she has the ability to tell a story that I really admire, like with her lyrics. But then I also like bands like Beach Fossils, I like the atmosphere they create. Other than that I like Ariana Grande because who doesn’t like insane vocals like that. There are so many different factors that make a band or an artist great and for me whenever I make music I just want to tell a story somehow with the instrumentation or with the vocal, with the lyrics.”

But more important is the driving force that kept her going, and got her start, for all these years. “I record and I write alone, but the fact of the matter is, nobody ever does anything really alone. My parents have always pushed me to do this. They’ve never once told me to think about it, they’re always like, ‘No, this is your dream, go for it.’ All of my teachers along the way, I’ve played piano forever and my piano teacher was a big propelling force in that too. My sisters too. I say that I’m the big sister but I look up to both of them, more than they probably look up to me. They’re incredible and I play all of my music for them first. I love them.”

For her dream lineup to perform with, she chose Taylor Swift, obviously, and her new college friends. “I don’t want to sound cheesy but the first people I want to perform with are the people I met at school. Because I know I’ll get to see them again and they’re so insanely talented. As soon as I can go back to any New York venue I’ll want to perform with the people I’ve met and have encouraged me to do this too.”

As for future plans, “First thing, I just want to go out with all of my friends, I want to get a couple of gigs book. Everyone else has been not performing for a year but I am really desperate to get back in there. As long as I’m out and about and getting to live life again. Everywhere you look in the city there’s going to be something to do and I want to do everything.”

Look out for Grace Yurchuk and her debut EP before the summer is over. “I’m looking forward to getting the EP out because I think it tells a really cool story.”

The two released tracks are available on all major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora, TikTok, and Tidal. The song, entitled “Need Me,” has already been streamed thousands of times since its debut on April 16.

Make sure to stream “Need Me” and “Good Together”

For more information, visit www.graceyurchuk.com

To keep up to date on where Grace Yurchuk is going next follow her on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Tiktok, Spotify, and Apple Music.

June 29, 2021
Aubrey Haddard Shares New Single “National Tragedy”

Hudson-Valley native and indie-pop singer-songwriter, Aubrey Haddard, shared her new single “National Tragedy” on June 23, along with a music video. “National Tragedy” is the latest of four singles released by Haddard over the course of the last year.

Inspired by singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi, Haddard forged her own path in music with a confident spirit and bold art style. She released her debut album Blue Part in July 2018 to wide critical acclaim. The success of Blue Part resulted in seven nominations and several wins at the 2018 Boston Music Awards, including Vocalist of the Year and Singer/Songwriter of the Year.

Following her debut, Haddard has made a name for herself at festivals across the country, including Firefly, Mountain Jam, and Waking Windows.

This year, Haddard has released one other single besides “National Tragedy,” called “Red Portuguese.” In 2020, she released “Thin Line” and “Sweeter Than Honey,” that show the beginning of her shift to a more smoother, retro style.

Like reliving a childhood memory of witnessing something scary on the television, it was remembering Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales’ passing that inspired the song. “National Tragedy” provides a soundtrack to Haddard’s memory of the unwavering presence of the news in her childhood home, to the confusion of watching her mother crying on the couch, and the sorrow played out on TV.

One of my earliest memories is my mother watching Princess Di’s funeral on our old screened-in porch, the feelings of uncertainty and sadness. Throughout my life, each time tragedy struck and the world stopped to watch, the reality would sink into me a little deeper, but in September ‘97, my inability to understand was the perfect escape. “National Tragedy” is part memory, part sweet escape and an all too familiar feeling.
Aubrey Haddard on “National Tragedy”

Haddard takes on a different, more somber style for this release. Usually a passionate rocker similar to Tedeschi, “National Tragedy” has a tinge of 70s easy-listening. The guitar riffs are repetitive and the drums are simple, which complement Haddard’s controlled, yet strong voice. The instrumental break in the middle of the song can be best compared to late-60s experimental art-rock like Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”

According to Haddard, “National Tragedy” needed a music video to match the song’s “lighthearted, imaginative twist.” The result is an animated clip art utilizing ethereal scrapbook-like collages by collaborator Kaya Blaze Kelley.

Narrating her own experiences in life and love, she holds space for dialogues of hardships as well as times of joy. Her goal is to encourage others by singing her truth, and her relatable topics and catchy lyrics are a great way to connect to listeners.

Haddard will also be performing live at the Levitate Music Festival in Massachusetts on July 9, 2021.

“National Tragedy” is now available for streaming on Youtube, Bandcamp, Spotify and Soundcloud. For more information on Aubrey Haddard, check out her website.

June 27, 2021
Danger Ken! “Up is Down” – a Dangerously Diverse

Danger Ken! released their 10 track debut album, Up is Down, on May 7th. Aside from a few guest appearances on certain tracks, drums, keys, guitar, bass and vocals are a product of the album’s creator. A multi-talented instrumentalist and composer local to New York, it appears Dan Gerken’s musical alias, a play on his own name, is just as clever and catchy as his new music.

The opening song, Lagoon (Intro), creates an air of mystery as we unravel what’s to come. Free of lyrics, the song invites the listener to relish in the evolving peaceful synthesizers in the background. By contrast, the intro is followed by Jubilate which pushes back our preconceived notions about the album as a whole. Expanding instrumentation, Jubilate, accompanied by guest Andrew Chamberlaine (Mister F, Timbre Coup) brings a punchy retro-sounding electric guitar and pumping drums to get you moving.

Once lyrics emerge in the third track of the album, Astral Traveler, accompanied by guest instrumentalist Dave Berger (Groovestick), its evident no track is alike on this album that keeps you on your toes, switching from tracelike to groovy all in a matter of seconds. Through the diverse discography, there are staples to the album the listener can count on: catchy electric guitar lines, experimental ethereal synthesizer backgrounds, and unique layered vocals.

The psychedelic cover embodies the range of emotions the lister is drawn to feel while listening to this ever-changing musical soundscape. My ears were constantly attuned to the minute changes in instrumentation. While seemingly minimalistic standing on their own, individual loops placed over top one another allowed for a repetitive yet diverse music range across songs.

My personal favorite track, Time to Go, had notes parallel to 80s synthesizer and electric guitar parts with contrasting rock-like vocals bringing a 90s element. The cross-generational track’s beautiful smooth evolution of instrumentation, experimenting with both tempo and timbre, was both catchy and peaceful. The perfect song for a cross-country solo road trip or backyard concert, I was completely entranced, particularly by the thread of electric guitar that wove in and out of the piece.

A self proclaimed “byproduct of being home a lot the last year and having the studio here for the first time in my life,” Gerken’s vocals are passionate and personal, inviting experimental rock into an intimate atmosphere. I highly recommend giving it a listen, and feel confident in saying between the diverse genre shifts within the album, there is bound to be a favorite for everyone.

Streaming on Bandcamp and Spotify, the album is just waiting to be checked out!

June 26, 2021
This Week’s WEQXposure Features Hasty Page And More!

Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from Hasty Page and many more!

WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

Hasty Page

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

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

June 26, 2021
The Lumineers Rehearsing New album “Brightside” at Bearsville Center

The Lumineers recently completed rehearsals for their new project, titled Brightside, at the famed Utopia Studios Soundstage at Bearsville Center in Woodstock. The band sequestered at the soundstage, originally built by Bearsville founder, Albert Grossman for future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Todd Rundgren.

Albert Grossman is best known for managing the early career of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, The Band, Todd Rundgren and Peter, Paul and Mary and founding Bearsville Records in Woodstock. In 2019, British entrepreneur Lizzie Vann stepped in to save the historic complex from the wrecking ball and painstakingly restore the landmark music facility into a fully functional, world-class performance and rehearsal space, with recording facilities for audio and video recording.

Today the Bearsville Theater is the heartbeat of Woodstock’s new music scene with a full performance schedule including: NRBQ, Masters of the Telecasters, the Levin Bros., Lindsey Webster, Reelin’ in the Years, Nektar The Wailers and Belew, Mastellotto & Friends.

Fans have been anticipating a new release from the Lumineers since the 2019 album III. With a 2022 European tour scheduled, they will surely be working away until it comes time to fly overseas. Like everyone else, the band is stretching their performing muscles to finally put on a great show after all this time.

We were told that the Lumineers chose Bearsville because we could offer them a complete package: professional studio space, creative vibe, excellent technical facilities and support, extreme privacy, cool places to hang in the park by the Sawkill Creek and in the historic artist rooms of the Theater and studio. We worked to their timeframe, which was often urgent, but managed to always stay calm! The Lumineers were wonderful guests and have a super-professional team, very polished and organized and it was truly an honor to host such an important band of artists right here where so many influential artists created some of their finest work. It was a great time and truly our pleasure.
Lizzie Vann, Bearsville owner and curator

Brightside, produced by longtime collaborator Simone Felice and produced, mixed, and engineered by David Baron over two sessions in winter and spring 2021 at Baron’s Sun Mountain Studios in bucolic Boiceville, NY. The album marks marks The Lumineers’ first new music in more than two years as well as the band’s most joyous and spontaneous piece of work thus far. The nine-song collection sees The Lumineers’ co-founders/co-songwriters Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites performing virtually all of the eclectic, effervescent instrumentation, with Baron on a wide variety of keyboards and backing vocals and more by Simone Felice, touring members Byron Isaacs and Lauren Jacobson, famed backing singer Cindy Mizelle (Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews Band), The Felice Brothers’ James Felice, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Diana DeMuth.

For more information on The Bearsville Theater visit their website.

June 26, 2021