Keybank Rochester Fringe Festival is back in swing this year, with more than 400 in-person and online performances between September 14 and September 25. The 10th anniversary features the return of fan favorites such as the Silent Disco, Cirque Du Fringe, Fringe Street Beat dance off, and Pedestrian Drive-In.
For the first time, organizers have curated a mini music festival, called Smokestacks, to mark the finale. The free outdoor event takes place starting at 4pm on September 25 at Parcel 5 on Main Street, and features live performances by Cammy Enaharo, Mikaela Davis, Kopps, Spencer, Cannons, and Joywave.
For safety, COVID protocols are in place. All indoor events require masking and proof of vaccination. Attendees ages 12 and up who are unvaccinated must be masked at all times, even for outdoor events. Protocols may be subject to change. Prior to attending, check for updates online.
“After 18 months of closure that have devestated the performing arts, we’re thrilled to play our part in getting them back on their feet. Nearly 90% of our shows are live and in person, which wouldn’t be possible without our absolute commitment to keeping performers and attendees safe.”
– Erica Fee, Founding Festival Producer
A plethora of entertainment is available – from theater and dance to spoken word and comedy. And of course, music. Some Ska Band will heat things up with irresistible ska and reggae beats at the JCC canalside (outdoor) stage on opening night, September 14 at 7:30pm (get your tickets here). Gospel Sunday takes place on September 19 at 2pm, led by Reverend Rickey Harvey of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church at One Fringe Place (free). And the Taiko Japanese Drumming Performance makes a reprise at The Little on September 25 at 3:15pm (also free). And don’t forget about Smokestacks on September 25 at Parcel 5, where you can catch rising singer/songwriter Cammy Enaharo, the eclectic talent of Mikaela Davis, and of course Rochester’s own Joywave.
The complete lineup of events at Rochester Fringe is available online at RochesterFringe.com.
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 Paul Moody, the William Deuel Band 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.
Paul Moody
Folk singer-songwriter Paul Moody is a recent Woodstock transplant from Chicago, who also performs under the name Moody Jr. His upcoming album Songs From Youth, out this October,is preceded by the contemplative, personal single “Breaking Into Cars.”
Moody’s music is immersive and ambient, with detailed soundscapes you can almost meditate to. The best example is “All I Had Was You,” his most-played song on Spotify with almost 500K streams.
The William Deuel Band
Formed inSaratoga Springs in 2018, The William Deuel Bandis a unique amalgamation of the Rolling Stones and Nirvana, with some country and blues thrown in for good measure. Their newest full-length effort, Moment in Time, features frontman William Deuel, drummer Chris Reed, Jr., and bassists Jason Brown and Ethan Henderson. Highlights include “Ballroom Bananas” and “Can’t Wait on Sunday.”
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
“Situational Comedy” is the final track on The Great Pacific Garbage Patch’s debut album, You’ve Changed. Despite its title evoking images of Michael Scott or Leslie Knope causing hilarious hijinks at their workplace, this pop punk tune is bleak and anxious, referencing The Truman Show and a self-conscious feeling of being watched by an audience: “And it’s been a good run / I just hope that I could give the people what they want.” The Albany trio is made up of drummer Jordan Demarest, bassist Dan Haggerty and lead singer and guitarist Will Kachidurian.
Two Truths, Rochester’s newest indie pop/rock outfit, was conceived during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic by musicians and roommates Blake Pattengale and Garrett Mader. Quarantine went quite swimmingly, as this new indie pop/rock band set off on the right foot with their first single “Brushstrokes,” with their forthcoming debut EP, Electric Campfire.
To fill out Two Truths, Max Greenberg joined on keys and Byron Cage on drums. Together their band’s sound pulls from a range of genres from Americana to rock, mixed with folk and a little electronic. Pattengale provides down to earth lyrics which are complimented by full vocal harmonies with electric drums and synths.
As ambiguous as “Brushstrokes” sounds, the song itself has more meaning than what meets the eye. Kerry Regan portrays a man who is looking to connect with his lost love. We see him at his art studio to revisit an old painting. The story unfolds to explain the man’s dreary present day life, compared to his past young happy and inlove self. A scenic picnic, a couple running through the fields accompanied with “When I was a younger man, I’d chase you through the fields that we painted with soft brushstrokes.”
Kerry Regan becomes covered in paint, attempting to immerse himself in his past with his young lover. The music almost feels ambient through its synth texture and angelic guitar picking. Luckily for the protagonist, he finally finds himself in the painting with his lover.
Two Truths serves up true potential in their first single, and we’re excited to see where they will go next. Follow Two Truths on Instagram.
The music for “Brushstrokes” was produced by Pattengale & Mader in Pattengale’s home studio, accompanied by Max Greenberg & Byron Cage, Mixed by Pattengale and Mastered by Ed Brooks. Video production for “Brushstrokes,” was made possible with collaborations by Olivia Rose (pre-production, artistic director, actor), Krit Upra of Floated Magazine (videographer, post-production, director), with additional help from Jeanne De Keyserling (painter, actor) & Kerry Regan (actor).
British indie rock icons Glass Animals started off their Dreamland North America tour right in Buffalo. With a sold-out show at Artpark on August 30, this band completely steam rolled the crowd. Getting to this level of success was nothing short of hard work and dedication.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
How It Started
Glass Animals members Dave Bayley (lead singer), Edmund Irwin-Singer (bass), Drew MacFarlane (guitar) and Joe Seaward (drums) met each other at age 13 in school. They began making music as a side hobby in 2010 and released their debut album ZABA four years later. This release accelerated their careers significantly, especially due to the viral hit “Gooey.”
After touring globally and appearing on several popular night shows, the band began developing their second album. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, front man Dave Bayley wanted to stray away from standard lyricism. Instead of writing about himself, Bayley sought to tell the stories of people he met on the road. And that’s how the How To Be A Human Being album was curated.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Creating Their Dreamland
These musicians built a community by celebrating the ability to be unique and different. Bayley felt this openness with his fans and decided to finally write material that was personal to him. The band faced a significant hardship as Seaward got into a horrific accident. This caused the group to have to reset as the drummer went through rehabilitation. It wasn’t until years later that they made their comeback with multiple singles and further on released their most ambitious album yet: Dreamland.
The 2020 autobiographical album was the most personal and raw material of theirs to date. Unsure of the outcomes of the future, Bayley spent time looking at his past. Dreamlandis about growing up and learning to be vulnerable even in the strangest of times. The band looks to challenge conformity and embrace the inevitable uncertainties of life. In hopes of capturing the essence of getting older, Bayley chose to add audio from old home movies. He layered audio from his Mom’s videos between the songs as interludes to provide a narration aspect.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Dreamland is nostalgic, funky, and very intricate. So many elements of this album are detailed in such a meticulous way that often go unnoticed. From creating a table of contents in the intro song to paying homage to Bayley’s favorite artist to alluding to album features on their website through games, everything was thought through. Basically, nothing went untuned when it came to producing this masterpiece. Glass Animals had to transform their at home production talent to an onstage experience after many years away, and let’s just say they did not miss a beat.
From Quarantine to Tour
The stage at Artpark was an immersive experience no matter where in the crowd you were located. The stage set-up felt like you were in a dream or rather submerged in Bayley’s head. A desktop computer image was loading in the background as the stage was filled with peculiar materials like a diving board, basketball hoop, neon signs, and even palm trees. Seeing all this made the packed crowd pumped up. It also helped that opening artist binki kept the funk alive. The indie musician filled the venue with groovy tunes and also performed magic tricks.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
When Glass Animals hit the stage, the screams echoed throughout Artpark. The band has undeniable infectious energy that had everyone up and dancing. They opened the show with the beloved single “Dreamland” which set the mood for the night. After that, not a single person sat down.
The hypnotic beats mesh effortlessly with Bayley’s delicate vocals. In addition, the rippling guitars and background psychedelic imagery was entrancing. The liveliness of the audience was incomparable as the band had to stop playing multiple times just to listen to everyone cheer. Being back to live shows never felt so good. They continued throughout the night playing hits off of all three of their albums including “Hazey,” “Pork Soda,” and “Space Ghost Coast to Coast.”
The energy shared from Glass Animals and the crowd made one huge epic dance party. No one wanted the night to end as multiple encores were cheered for. They closed the set with the streaming hit “Heat Waves” which did not disappoint. The song resonates with many as it deals with the struggle of identity and confronting one’s true emotions. Beyond that though, the beat and tempo in this is what makes it even more popular among fans. The night ended as an image of a desktop computer read, “It’s now safe to turn off your computer. Thank you, Lewiston.” There was no room for anything but feelings of awe as everyone left the venue.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Future Outlooks
If there was a “plain-Jane” section in the record store then Glass Animals’ discography would be located on the complete other side. Wait no scratch that, they would be located in their own area outside the store. Their sound is unmatched. From the use of rainforest audio, to obscure lyrics which always includes some kind of food, to mixing genres in innovative ways, this band cannot be contained. It’s only up from here and with all the growing momentum, the sky is the limit for Glass Animals.
Make sure to check out upcoming shows at Artpark. GOV’T Mule performs on September 7 and Phoebe Bridgers has a show on September 15.
Setlist: Dreamland, Life Itself, Tangerine, Black Mambo, Hot Sugar, Hazey, The Other Side of Paradise, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Cane Shuga, It’s All SO Incredibly Loud, Your Love (Déjà Vu), Take A Slice, Gooey, Youth, Pork Soda
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 Side-B, Justin Frielloand 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.
Side-B
Albany band Side-B serves some sunny folk pop with “The Mountain Song.” Its chorus ponders the age-old question: If a tree falls in the forest when no one’s around to hear it, does it make a sound? All four of the band’s members met in their early teen years, and even released their debut effort, The Low Budget Romance EP, in their senior year of high school. Their Spotify playlist, “More like Mountain Song,” reveals the track’s main inspirations, including the Beatles, Steely Dan and CCR.
Justin Friello
Schenectady singer-songwriter Justin Friello is a triple threat, well-versed in pop, classical and theatre. His single “The Tent,” based on a true story about a South Carolina man’s suicide, was written back in 2009. It first appeared on his 2010 album Ghosts in Command, but he decided to rerecord it after getting a positive response in Rockbridge Guitar’s 2020 Songwriters’ Contest.
Fab the Duo
Going against the grain in an increasingly dark and downtempo pop scene, Fab the Duo evokes early 2010s dancefloor fillers like Kesha and Teenage Dream-era Katy Perry. First performing in New York City nightlife, including the historic Stonewall Inn, the self-described two-man boy band breaks barriers performing as an interracial gay couple. Their uplifting new song “Good Distraction” sounds like the closest thing this timeline has to Lizzo’s take on One Direction:
Experimental music & spoken word collaboration Vapor Vespers have returned with a new double-sided single. The two tracks, “Sex” and “You Changed,” each come with an accompanying video.
Vapor Vespers is the transcontinental brainchild of New York multi-instrumentalist Sal Cataldi (also known as Spaghetti Eastern Music) and Alaskan playwright, actor and slam poet Marc Muro. The pair, whose musical and personal relationship dates back to their teen years in Queens, New York, first bonded over boundary-pushing musicians like Sun Ra and Frank Zappa. The pair have also cited artists like Miles Davis as inspiration, alongside spoken-word icons like John Cooper Clarke and poet Charles Bukowski.
Their mesmerizing blend of hazy electro-funk and searing, lyrical poetry garnered critical acclaim on their 2020 debut album, One Act Sonix. On the new singles they maintain the momentum of that unique fusion, offering a sneak preview to their sophomore album, set for release in winter 2021.
On “Sex,” set over a menacing slow-jam of drums and electro funk, Muro’s echoing voice builds a string of metaphors for sex; a “time bomb under your seat and a dog sleeping at your feet,” “the tip love leaves after good service,” a “really good episode of Gilligan’s island.” The mixture of humor and great existential depth in the lyrics is hypnotic, especially over Cataldi’s instrumental, which sounds as if Predator had a penchant for Frank Zappa. The video for the song compiles black-and-white clips of sensual moments– kisses, embraces, flirtatious laughs and states of undress–which slowly come into neon color.
“You Changed,” ups the tempo from the start. The galloping beat is supplemented by competing yet harmonious lead electric guitars and a perfectly placed clavinet. The angsty, manic lyrics are a rant against a friend who has not only changed, but seems to have become too good for Muro. “You used to be nice, you used to be normal, you used to be my friend, then you suddenly changed…” Muro anxiously laments. However, the song is far from sorry for itself. Muro’s lyrics comically recognize the way that an urge for notoriety and identity can breed ridiculousness. In frustration, Muro calls out: “You wanted to be interesting, so you rented a wolf, had your elbows pierced, bought a stuffed owl, and went to the opera dressed as a music!” The accompanying music video, which uses black-and-white footage transitioning into neon as well, puts that personal hedonism on sly display.
Both tracks were mixed and mastered by Cataldi out of studios in Long Island and West Saugerties, New York. To listen to more, visit vaporvespers.bandcamp.com or Vapor Vesper’s Spotify page.
Emo/alternative rock pioneers, The Juliana Theory, have announced their U.S tour where they will be co-headlining with Mae this September.Both shows at Music Hall of Williamsburg on September 11th and 12th are sold out, as well as the two tour kick-off shows in Los Angeles at The Roxy on September 3rd and 4th.
Pittsburgh’s The Juliana Theory helped set the standard for the many bands that would wield a rock/pop hybrid as their weapon of choice. Their first album, the emo-pop cult classic, Understand This is a Dream, showed the band quickly evolved and sharpened their sound, and later delivered 2000’s genre-defining and genre-transcending, Emotion is Dead.
Fast forward to 2020 and The Juliana Theory has returned with multiple co-headline anniversary shows celebrating the 20 year anniversary of Emotion is Dead. Although the shows were postponed to fall of 2021, the band continued their comeback, signing with Equal Vision Records and releasing “Can’t Go Home,” a synthpop anthem marking their first new music in over a decade and a half. Following the single, the band released their first LP in over 15 years, a reimagined album of the bands’ most enduring classics entitled A Dream Away on March 26, 2021 – assuring that classics like “Into the Dark” and “Were At the Top Of the World” could continue to evolve.
The anniversary tour will take them along the East Coast hitting both Nashville, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. The Emotion Is The Everglow Tour 2021 will feature a full-band performance from The Juliana Theory with original band members Brett Detar and Joshua Fiedler. If you haven’t already listened to their latest album, A Dream Away, don’t panic! The album features reimagined classics like “Into the Dark” and “If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?” fromEmotion is Deadin 2000. Nonetheless, The Juliana Theory will be play Emotion is Dead in full, reminding us of how far this band has come over the past two decades. Mae will also being playing classics from 2005’s The Everglow.
Before they all run out be sure to check out tickets at thejulianatheory.com. Purchases will include a VIP package including an exclusive vinyl variant of Emotion is Dead.
The Juliana Theory and Mae “The Everglow Tour” 2021 tour dates
September 3rd – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
September 4th – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
September 11th – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
September 12th – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
September 26th – Birmingham, AL @ Furnace Fest
October 8th – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
October 22nd – Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room
October 23rd – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
The inaugural LonCon Music Festival took place over August 27-29, 2021 at the legendary Arrowhead Ranch and Retreat in Parksville, NY. Organized by Long Island up-and-comers Baked Shrimp, the two day event served as a tribute to the late Lon Gellman, a well-known and beloved supporter of live music.
Fans attending LonCon 2021 saw performances by Twiddle frontman Mihali, Dogs in a Pile, RCA, Creamery Station, and artist-at-large, Hayley Jane. Unfortunately just two acts into day one, torrential rains and an intense lighting storm forced all music to be suspended due to safety concerns. Originally scheduled headliners Aqueous were unable to play their set. While gloomy and on the cusp of rain throughout all of Saturday, LonCon managed to rock on without a hitch.
RCA, comprised of Dopapod’s Rob Compa and Kung Fu members Chris DeAngelis and Adrian Tramontano, played mostly songs off Compa’s 2019 debut solo album, Same Damn Thing. In a set filled with more teases than you could count, including moe.’s “Rebubula” and the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood,” the undisputed highlight came when artist at large Hayley Jane sat in for a ferocious take on Alanis Morissette’s ‘You Oughta Know.”
Due to their opening day set being cut short by lightning, event organizers Baked Shrimp played an extra long mid-day set to make up for lost time. Picking up right where they left off by completing a “Rosa” jam, the ambitious young band also debuted “Hurricane Jane,” which saw both Hayley Jane and Rob Compa sit in.
Jersey Shore jam band Dogs In A Pile immediately raised the energy on the farm to a whole new level. Distinguished by their colorful outfits, two guitar-attack and otherworldly sounds courtesy of multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Kaplan, the band managed to turn the soggy farmland into a veritable dance floor. Making her third appearance of the afternoon, Hayley Jane returned to the stage once again, this time with a washboard draped around her neck, joining Dogs in a Pile on a rollicking version of the beloved The Band classic “Ophelia.” Not done with sit in’s just yet, Rob Compa would later join the band for an extra funky rendition of ‘Boogie on Reggae Woman.”
With nightfall now upon LonCon 2021, Day 2 headliner Mihali Savoulidis took the stage shortly after 8pm. Before starting his set, Mihali spoke candidly about his special connection to the late Lon Gellman and explained just how much of an honor it was for him to be there at this inaugural event. He would go on to play a sentimental set, highlighted by Twiddle staples “Apples,” “Mamunes the Faun,””Every Soul,”and “Hattie’s Jam” > “When It Rains It Pours,” and “River Drift.” Other highlights included an impressive mashup medley of “Glycerine” > “No Woman No Cry” > “Farmhouse” > “Wagon Wheel” and Hayley Jane joining on a cover of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak.” The set also featured sit-in’s from Kung Fu/RCA drummer Adrian Tramontano and Baked Shrimp members Jared Cowen and Jager Soss.
Mihali Setlist: Be There (1), Collective pulse (1), Glycerine -> No Woman No Cry ->Wagon Wheel -> Farmhouse-> One Day, Ballad of the Broken (2), Living is the Lesson, Don’t Speak (3), Cali Roads (3), Open House (4), Heart Song, Apples, River Drift, Empty Overflow, Mamunes the Faun (5), Every Soul (6) Encore: Hatties Jam (1) -> When it Rains it Pours
(1) Dedicated to Lon Conscious (2) Formally known as CaliRado (3) W/ Hayley Jane (4) Formally known as Castle in the Sky (5) w/ Jager Soss (Drums; Baked Shrimp) Jared Cowen (Guitar; Baked Shrimp) (6) w/ Adrian Tramontano (Drums; RCA / Kung Fu)
Baked Shrimp Setlists
Friday, August 27 Setlist: NO2-4U, Molly Ann, Tulu, Melting Over Nothing, Pork Etiquette, Rosa (1) (1) Cut short due to lightning storm.
Saturday, August 28 Setlist: One Set: Rosa (1), Weird Times, Who are You and What am I?, Ollie Blu, Hurricane Jane (2), Stomatopoda, Level of Gold, Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts, Super Human Mutant, Benny, Down the Drain -> Equinox (1) Ending jam only; completes 8/27/21 version
This Labor Day Weekend, the first annual BriteVibes Festival will take place on Saturday at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown. This unique event celebrates NY craft beer, “Gastrow” of NY food trucks, musicians playing all day, artisan vendors, experiential exhibits, and more.
In addition to 30+ breweries representing every corner of NYS (the majority of which are award winners from the NYS Craft Beer Competition), there will be live performances from local musicians taking place throughout the day. Like craft beer, music brings people together. Daytime shows include performances by Dirty Blanket, The Old Main, Los Blancos and Big Time Kitty.
The evening concert for BriteVibes, included in general admission or available as a separate concert-only ticket, opens with Oxymorons, followed by Delta Spirit, an indie rock band from California playing other major festivals throughout the U.S., in their first east coast show of the year. More information about the lineup is available here.
Tickets for Britevibes Festival helps to support the 400+ craft breweries across New York State. Attendees can purchase a General Admission ticket for access to the beer sampling and all-day concerts, VIP ticket which includes access to a VIP pavilion with private bar, access to private bathrooms and access to a private food truck, or the evening-only concert ticket. Attendees can also purchase an on-site camping reservation on the festival grounds, a former hop farm, which includes yoga on the green the following morning. Get your ticket while you still can, and enjoy a wonderful day filled with beer and music!
Canadian-born and NYC-based singer-songwriter Jenny Kern has released the heartfelt and lyrically rich song, “Where Did the Time Go.” The new single follows a string of acclaimed singles that will precede the release of her long-awaited self-titled EP I Never Thought You Were Listening, due out on October 1.
Jenny’s career began when she was still in University, performing around Montreal. Eventually, she gained more confidence in her sound, leading her to move to NYC in 2013. NBC welcomed Jenny as a Page seeing her true potential, where she would late work for acclaimed filmmakers Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, allowing her to make the leap into film and television. Her love for music became so apparent that in 2018 she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue music full time.
In her rise to fame Jenny found herself performing at notable venues around New York City like Rockwood Music Hall, Pianos, and Mercury Lounge. Her debut EP was not only down to earth but intimate; a self-reflection on her personal experience with self-doubt, regret and the search for comfort in painful seasons. Jenny lures her audience through a confession-like delivery portraying her vulnerability through each lyric.
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for Jenny’s writing style. Her anticipated self-titled EP I Never Thought You Were Listening will be released this October 1st, with her new single “Where Did the Time Go” giving her audience a tease of what we can expect from her.
“Where Did The Time Go” is an intensely personal and self-reflective song about dealing with anxiety. I started writing this song in quarantine while having an existential crisis, and not knowing what my purpose was, or why I was existing. While it’s dark in nature it was very cathartic to write. There’s something powerful in laying out your fears and anxieties and admitting that you don’t have all the answers.
Jenny Kern on Rock and Roll Globe
Jenny’s first single of 2021, “Coming Back For Me” released this January has spun on XPN and NPR’s World Café and earned a spot on Spotify editorial playlists like New Music Friday, Fresh Finds, and Indie All Stars.
Watch Jenny’s new music video below, produced by Tashaki Mikyaki, with a focus on the reality of isolation that pushes us to question ourselves.
