NYS Music 202​1

Category: Alternative/Indie

  • This week’s EQXposure features The Duke Western, Lucas Garrett, Blackcat Elliot 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 Duke Western, Lucas Garrett, Blackcat Elliot 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 Duke Western

    David Scott Rockower, also known as The Duke Western, wrote upwards of 50 songs for his album Artifiction Addiction. His single “Fences” coins multiple new verbs: “chameleonating” and “hypocripolating,” to name a few. Lyrically, the song speaks of realizing you’ve been going through the motions and promising to show up more authentically. For The Duke Western, this means choosing music as a career rather than merely a hobby. He’s taught private guitar lessons, composed scores for TV shows and worked as an audio engineer at Upstate Concert Hall. Fans of traditional pop will find the rhythm of “Fences” familiar—it’s lifted from the Andrews Sisters’ “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”

    Lucas Garrett

    Known for his distinctive baritone vocals, Queensbury musician Lucas Garrett has tackled numerous genres and influences. With progressive rock, folk, classic rock, and indie under his belt, the latest addition to his arsenal is new wave. On his newest single “So Many Times,” he combines his signature guitar with a nostalgic 80s feel. Over the past few months, Garrett has performed at numerous venues in the Capital District, such as Strand Theatre, the Shirt Factory and Putnam Place.

    Blackcat Elliot

    Albany trio Blackcat Elliot’s influences are split three ways: CBGB punk, 70s power pop and 90s grunge. Bassist Fast Eddie, drummer Marky Balboa and guitarist and vocalist Gus have been performing their brand of “go-for-the-throat” garage rock for over 20 years. They released their third studio album, There Is No Good In Us in 2019:

  • Faye Webster Brings Peace and Pedal Steel to Higher Ground

    Atlanta singer Faye Webster brought her I Know I’m Dangerous Haha tour to Burlington, VT on Friday, playing Higher Ground’s Showcase Lounge. The Atlanta singer/songwriter released her album I Know I’m Funny Haha in June to critical acclaim. 

    Accompanying Faye Webster on the tour, and putting meaning to the tour name, are Atlanta rap duo Danger Incorporated. The pair, composed of Boothlord and Louie Duffelbags, got the crowd hyped with heavy-beats hits like “Diamonds.”

    faye webster

    Though Danger Incorporated and Faye Webster couldn’t belong to more different genres, their opening set felt fitting. Their mournful, introspective trap proved an apt opener for Webster’s melancholy country. When Boothlord, Webster’s partner, hops on an electric guitar, you can see why they may get along on. And from his DJ table, the perpetually stoic Louie Duffelbags’ reverberating beats made the small venue feel enormous. 

    “This next one’s an emotional banger, so beware,” Duffelbags warned before one song. But “emotional banger” could describe their entire repertoire: music for the lonely drive home from the club, when the bass still reverberates in your ears but bleakness starts to filter in.  Their latest single “Shut the F**k Up :,)” is a slow, thundering anthem with a simple message: leave me alone. Danger Incorporated’s whispered tones match, in their own emo-trapper way, the laidback, woozy delivery that makes Faye Webster’s music so special. 

    faye webster

    Before Faye Webster took the stage, a resounding chorus of “ha-ha’s” played from the speakers; different voices, different intonations, but the same haunting laugh. Illuminated by bright red circles reading “haha” that also emblazon her latest album’s cover, Webster played a stunning set to an enraptured crowd. From more upbeat anthems like “Cheers” to the breezy bossa-nova of “Kind Of,” the set flowed into one river of emotion and light drums. 

    The emotional depth and sense of wisdom in Faye Webster’s music makes it easy to forget she’s only 23. Her exceedingly casual onstage persona evokes youth. Interacting with the audience, she alternates between avoiding attention and extending audience conversation for moments. When a fan called out that they love her, she laughed shyly and mumbled, “That’s sick.”  But when an audience member called out, “What’s that guy playing?” referring to Matt “Pistol” Stoessel expertly playing a pedal-steel guitar, Webster became noticeably excited by the question. She called for the crowd to make a pathway for the curious viewer. 

    faye webster

    “Can you see it yet?” Webster called out, as Stoessel and bassist Noor Khan continued to lay down a groove. “It’s a pedal steel. It’s fucking sick.” 

    This old-soul, young-spirit quality is exactly what makes Webster’s heart-achey alt-country feel so arresting. Her fascination with old-school country instruments, mixed with a taste for the soul-bearing lyricism of R&B, creates something totally new. At what other show could an emo-trap duo open for a band with a pedal-steel, and flow seamlessly together? This is music for a new generation. 

    faye webster

    As melancholy as the material she works with is, Faye Webster’s performance felt anything but sad. In fact, her singular, wavering voice and that mesmerizing pedal steel felt like a warm embrace. Webster is a friend who may not know you well but knows exactly what you’re going through. 

    “I’ve been getting really good at taking care of myself these past few years,” Webster said at one point to thundering applause. And that night in Burlington, self-care was the name of the game. From Webster’s constant onstage hydration to the brimming tears in audience members eyes, clutching each other to especially emotional tracks like “A Stranger” or beloved older track “Jonny,” the set was restorative. If Webster’s dazzling latest album came from an effort to care for herself better, her performance offered that care to the crowd. 

    Faye Webster’s East Coast tour will continue with an upcoming New York set at Governor’s Ball on September 26. Watch her latest music video, for “Overslept” with mei ehara, below: 

  • Saturday Night Live Unveils Hosts, Musical Guests for Season 47

    Saturday Night Live has revealed the first four hosts and musical guests of its upcoming season 47. Returning on October 2 on NBC, the lineup includes Kacey Musgraves, Halsey, Young Thug and Brandi Carlile. The premiere is the first episode of SNL since last May, when Anya Taylor-Joy hosted as Lil Nas X took the stage. Cast members Beck Bennett and Lauren Holt are exiting the show, while three new featured players are set to join: Aristotle Athari, James Austin Johnson and Sarah Sherman.

    Saturday Night Live Season 47

    Fans of the show can likely anticipate a tribute to late alum Norm Macdonald, who passed away in September.

    The season premiere kicks off on October 2, with Loki star Owen Wilson hosting and country-turned-pop singer Kacey Musgraves as the musical guest. Musgraves’ fourth studio album star-crossed was released on September 10, supported by a visual album that premiered on Paramount+. She previously performed on SNL in 2018:

    On October 9th, Kim Kardashian West hosts as Halsey performs. Her August album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power received the best reviews of her career to date, attracting new listeners thanks to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s production. Halsey has guested on SNL annually since 2018, doing double duty as a host and musical guest in 2019.

    Rami Malek hosts on October 16, a change of pace from portraying the most recent Bond villain in No Time to Die. Young Thug joins Malek as the musical guest, his first time as the main performer despite assisting Megan Thee Stallion last season.

    The furthest out host and musical guest announced for Season 47 of Saturday Night Live are Emmy-winning Ted Lasso star and former SNL alum Jason Sudeikis, and singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, both for October 23.

    https://twitter.com/brandicarlile/status/1440763673887215619

  • Brooklyn’s PEAK Premieres “Starlight Child,” Second Single off upcoming Album “Choppy Water”

    PEAK, the Brooklyn-based quartet release their second single, “Starlight Child,” off their forthcoming full length album Choppy Water, due for release on October 14. Recorded throughout 2020 and 2021 at their studio, the material is culled from several years of songwriting and road-testing, with mixing and mastering by Jason “Jocko” Randall (Turkuaz/ Jimkata/ Dopapod) at Moresound Studios in Syracuse.

    peak starlight child

    PEAK consists of songwriter and guitarist Jeremy Hilliard of Turbine, Kito Bovenshulte (Particle) on drums, Josh T. Carter (Haley Jane and The Primates) on bass, and newcomer Johnny Young, a Brooklyn-based-keyboardist, blind since the age of 17.  In 2018 they released their debut album Electric Bouquet, produced by Dave Brandwein of Turkuaz, and the buzz is escalating.  Self-described as Psychedelic Indie Funk, the songs on the album are vibey and lyric-based, and the live show is groove-oriented and exploratory.

    Choppy Water is chock full of groove-based psychedelic rock, with plenty of funk, electro-pop, prog, and Americana.  The deep, polished grooves from the bass and drums complement guitar and keys solos that wail with searing intensity. Hilliard’s songwriting takes the stage with a unique voice that captures a bizarre chapter in the world with a fresh distinct PEAK voice and defined sound.

    ‘”Starlight Child” kicks off side 2 on the vinyl, and we picked it as the second single because it really captures the vibe and mood of the whole album as well as any song on it. I particularly like the way there are a lot of instruments on the track that all have their place in the mix. Even though there’s a lot going on, you can hear the subtleties of the piano, the percussion, and the acoustic guitar. Also, this was the very first guitar solo I tracked in our new studio, so I was pretty amped.”

    Jeremy Hilliard

    “Starlight Child” stands out as one of the catchiest PEAK tracks on Choppy Water. Out of the gate, Young’s keys set the tone, jumping out with a catchy riff that graduates to the organ heading into first stanza. A hint of Crosby, Stills & Nash can be heard in the lyrics “Starlight Child, you were born in summer, you’re the same as I am, we were made to wander, we can stay and dance a while, the night will soon be over,” followed by a blistering guitar solo from Hilliard. The pace from Bovenshulte on the drums gives the track full-bodied character, not a second wasted on the 5:11 track.

    PEAK will hold an album release show on October 22 at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, and currently have a Kickstarter Presale for Choppy Water that ends on Sept 23.

  • Phoebe Bridgers Gets Vulnerable at Artpark

    Indie artist Phoebe Bridgers made a stop in Lewiston for her Reunion Tour. On September 15 the witty lyricist filled Artpark with skeleton suits and serenity.    

    Phoebe Bridgers
    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    In a surprise turn of events, Phoebe Bridgers’ guitarist ended up opening the show. After two long years, Harrison Whitford finally got to perform live again. His guitar skills and soft vocals captured the crowd’s attention. His sense of ease on stage meshed well with his heart felt lyrics. The performance made the audience even more eager for the following act.

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Fans screamed with excitement as the group dressed in skeleton costumes ran on stage to the iconic Black Eyed Peas song, “I Gotta Feeling.” Phoebe Bridgers immediately grabbed her guitar and opened up the show with the viral single “Motion Sickness.” The Grammy nominated musician has an ethereal presence on stage. Her angelic voice and smooth guitar strums carry the audience through these complicated yet all too relatable human emotions. 

    The new tour has allowed Phoebe to perform her latest releases that haven’t been heard live before. In 2020, she dropped her second solo album Punisher. Fans got to hear a lot of these newer songs like “Kyoto,” “Halloween,” and “Savior Complex.” Phoebe’s dreamy hooks make her ability to capture the different brands of depression that much more hard-hitting. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    The renowned musician described her show in Buffalo as “a rock concert with no rock music.” This is a perfect way to define the rare environment Phoebe creates at her concerts. She can pull at very specific heart strings that entrance her listeners into a seemingly new world. Through struggles with depression, a turbulent relationship with her father, and lack of faith, Phoebe doesn’t shy away from raw honesty. She further opened doors of vulnerability as the night closed with “I Know the End” and the buzzing Bo Burnham song “That Funny Feeling.” A sensation of awe swept over the whole venue that night. 

    Setlist: I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas), Motion Sickness, DVD Menu, Garden Song, Kyoto, Punisher, Halloween, Smoke Signals, Chinese Satellite, Moon Song, Savior Complex, Funeral, ICU, Scott Street, Me & My Dog (boygenius), Graceland Too, I Know the End

    Encore: That Funny Feeling (Bo Burnham)

    All Photos By Maddie McCafferty

  • Algiers Celebrate Family at Saint Vitus Bar

    Algiers made their way to Saint Vitus Bar in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on Tuesday for the fourth stop (and first of two nights at the bar) on their renewed 2021 tour. The pandemic forced the band to cancel the 2020 tour in support of their new album at the time There Is No Year. The ongoing threat of COVID is still omnipresent in all of our lives, especially for drummer Matt Tong who elected to sit the tour out to protect his newborn baby. Dante Foley, the drummer from the opening band was filling in behind the kit.

    algiers at saint vitus
    Algiers at Saint Vitus Bar, 9/14/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

    Support for the night came from Cleveland’s Mourning [A] BLKstar, an eight-piece band described as “a multi-generational, gender and genre non-conforming amalgam of Black Culture dedicated to servicing the stories and songs of the apocalyptic diaspora.” The stage at Saint Vitus was a tad small for the big group, keeping band leader RA Washington on the floor within the crowd who routinely danced and mingled with the people throughout the set. The performance featured a trio of vocalists backed by soaring horns and driving electronic R&B and funk elements not to be missed.

    Mourning [A] BLKstar at Saint Vitus, 9/14/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

    Saint Vitus is a very intimate setting; a square room off the back of a classic NYC metal bar with ~200 person capacity. The PA could serve a room 4 times the size and fans get an up close and personal experience. Algiers plugged in for a sound check pre show, to test it out to see how all their samples and distortion would sound in the small room. Once filled with fans and friends, the energy was overwhelming, especially as Franklin James Fisher jumped in and out of the crowd while singing.

    algiers at saint vitus
    Algiers at Saint Vitus Bar, 9/14/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

    The members of Mourning [A] BLKstar as well as Algiers both made comments during the show about all being a part of a family. Two vocalists from MAB joined Algiers during “Dispossession,” and as Algiers was finishing off the night with a high energy run through of “Death March,” candles were being lit on a cake to celebrate Fisher’s 40th birthday. Both bands had many friends and family in attendance, and the atmosphere in Saint Vitus was pure celebration.

    algiers at saint vitus
    Algiers at Saint Vitus Bar, 9/14/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

    Night two in Brooklyn was Wednesday, September 15th. The tour runs across the US through October, then goes on break until a European leg throughout May 2022. Franklin teased that a new record is written so stay tuned for new music from the group in the near future.

  • Jason Matu Seeks A Better Tomorrow On “Fare Thee Well”

    Jason Matu releases his first single “Fare Thee Well” today, September 17th, from his upcoming EP set for release October 15th.

    jason matu

    Matu, a songwriter from Brooklyn creates music he describes as simple, immediate songs with a literary bent and expansive soundscapes. When told not to pursue music until he has completed college, Matu went ahead and enrolled into law school.

    The indie artist’s new single displays an uplifting tone in a grim year plagued by the pandemic. “Fare Thee Well,” the first single from Jason Matu’s upcoming Same Day EP, is an Americana piece which paints a portrait of an overcoming feeling of perseverance and triumph.

    jason matu

    Matu’s upcoming EP was written all in one day’s time and recorded by frequent collaborator and Grammy-nominated producer Justin Craig, responsible for Hedwig and The Angry Inch. Joining him are base and guitarists Jordan and Talor Steinberg of The Moon City Masters.

    Eventually, Jason Matu rediscovered his musical purpose after insulating himself as a creative force in a short-lived arena rock band, and shifted priorities. he moved to Brooklyn. With a series of tragic medical emergencies, deaths, and global pandemics in the way, Jason was literally (and figuratively) forced underground. In his isolated apartment Jason found himself writing song after song.

    jason matu

    With no one else to sing his compositions, Jason took it upon himself be the vocalist. Somewhere in the cracks between 5,000 discarded lines of song, Jason found his voice. Jason made his debut album Dumb Ecstatic Bliss, which rose to #115 on the college radio charts. Working on his neon Americana follow-up, the Same Day EP, titled cleverly due to the fact that all three songs were written on the same day during the pandemic.

  • Julien Baker Lights Up Beacon Theatre With Support From Thao And Mini Trees

    The North American Tour for Julien Baker is well underway, with her headlining show at The Beacon Theatre on, Tuesday , September 14 marking a significant milestone in her career. A packed crowd cheered on as she played hits from her catalogue, including several tracks from her latest album, Little Oblivions, which released earlier this year. Thao and Mini Trees opened up the show.

    Julien Baker
    Julien Baker at Beacon Theatre, Photographed by David Reichmann
    Julien Baker
    Julien Baker at Beacon Theatre, Photographed by David Reichmann

    Mini Trees opened up the show with songs from their debut album Always In Motion, which you can pre-order here.

    Julien Baker
    Mini Trees at Beacon Theatre, Photographed by David Reichmann

    Thao fired up the crowd with a lot of energy during their set. Their setlist included the track Marrow from their latest album Temple, which released in 2020.

    Thao at Beacon Theatre, Photographed by David Reichmann

    Julien began her set with the emotional and hard-hitting track Hardline, her latest album’s opening track. She played a wide range of songs, from the quietest and loudest moments in her catalogue. You can see the full setlist here.

    Julien Baker
    JulienBaker at Beacon Theatre, Photographed by David Reichmann

    Between songs Julien joked about how strange is was to be in a fully vaccinated and (partly) masked audience, thanked her New York audience for making the evening possible, and remarked on how strange this tour was compared to her last.

    Julien Baker at Beacon Theatre, Photographed by David Reichmann

    You can check out Julien Baker’s latest album here and view her remaining Fall Tour dates here.

    Julien Baker at Beacon Theatre, Photographed by David Reichmann
    Thao at Beacon Theatre, Photographed by David Reichmann
    Julien Baker at Beacon Theatre, Photographed by David Reichmann

  • Records, Decades and Tours, Oh My! Sleigh Bells Safely Sell Out Webster Hall

    On the evening of September 9, 2021, a cacophony of spiked collars, fluorescent shorts, and favorite faded tee assembled under the Webster Hall Marquee holding the words SLEIGH BELLS. Vaccine cards in hand, fans appeared to be patient, but closer investigation revealed fingers tapping, shoulders curling and wide eyes darting.

    Why the underlying excitement? Because this night celebrated the 10 year anniversary for Sleigh Bells and the release of their newest album, Texis. The sold-out, fully-vaxxed show had dedicated fans yearning to show appreciation for the band’s providing a depth of meaning far deeper than casual.

    Sleigh Bells

    The energy reflected that night felt like an expression of survival among diverse fans that were grateful to their two heroes, Alexis Krauss and Derek Edward, for providing escape, protection, and tools for self love in order to go on in this world with a head held high.

    The ferocity in the fans was unhinged. The darkness and strobes mixed with the bass and tempo perfectly, showcasing the dynamic range of response. A true reflection of the diversity and adversity many fans have experienced due to who they are and who they love.

    Sleigh Bells singer Alexis Krauss recalled recognizing nearly all fans in the crowd. Like the recently released song “True Seekers,” fans did not hesitate to drive from places like Washington D.C. and Georgia for this special night.

    Sleigh Bells

    Motif of duty seemed to resonate throughout the night. It was the responsibility for fans to let go of all the emotions trapped in the safe space both medically and metaphysically. Acceptance to show up as one’s true self allowed for joy to spark a fire that burned away all distractions from the world that existed outside of this hallowed hall.

    The short version is Sleigh Bells is my fav band—it’s hard to describe why they’ve had such a profound impact on my life thru the years, but ever since the release of Treats, I can’t get enough Lol so my husband and I came all the way up from Atlanta to see this show! It was so cathartic in the age of covid…I cried after the show just from pure bliss of remembering concerts past…when you go to a Sleigh Bells show, you’ve got to bring the energy & it give it everything you’ve got! And that’s just what we did.

    A True Seeker

    To tie the ribbon on this musical gift, Sleigh Bells provided a sensory experience conducive for fans to walk together into the void as their authentic selves. Alexis and Derek played fast, loud and with love. New songs and old, the band paid respects to their past and ended with sights pointed towards the future.

    Sleigh Bells

    The dragons have been awakened by their fearless leaders. Mobilization for a brighter future awaits. Tour starts now. Go see them if you can.

    Sleigh Bells

    For more Sleigh Bells, treat yourself to a YouTube Rabbit hole of their incredible music video catalog before purchasing your show ticket.

    Merch sold out before the show started so if you missed your chance, visit the online store.

  • Warsaw Brooklyn Reopens its Doors For Sold Out Shows With Andy Shauf

    With live music having returned to New York, Warsaw Brooklyn finally reopened its doors to fully vaccinated crowds for Andy Shauf’s sold-out two night run on September 9 and 10, 2021. Tomberlin opened both nights with lighthearted stage banter and mellow acoustic tunes, lending to the venue’s naturally intimate atmosphere.

    warsaw brooklyn
    Andy Shauf at Warsaw Brooklyn, photographed by David Reichmann

    After closing its doors during 2020 for the pandemic, Warsaw Brooklyn finally brought back their famous pierogis and reopened their stage for the starting leg of Andy Shauf’s North American tour. Shauf’s latest album, The Neon Skyline, had only come out in January of 2020 when their scheduled tour had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

    warsaw brooklyn
    Tomberlin Opening for Andy Shauf, photographed by David Reichmann

    Tomberlin opened for Shauf on both nights at Warsaw, playing some of her hits, including the sorrowful but sweet song, “Seventeen.” She also invited the crowd to sing along during her performance, which went over well as she smiled and sang along with her captive audience.

    Andy Shauf at Warsaw Brooklyn, photographed by David Reichmann

    Shauf’s latest album gained some extra attention when the title track of his latest album, The Neon Skyline, was featured in Barack Obama’s Summer 2020 Playlist. Shauf’s setlist included several tracks from The Neon Skyline as well as highlights from the preceding album, The Party.

    warsaw brooklyn
    Andy Shauf at Warsaw Brooklyn, photographed by David Reichmann

    Andy Shauf’s North American Tour continues through the Fall, and you can check out his music here.