Category: Electronic

Phish, Rockettes, LCD Soundsystem and more cancel performances due to Omicron Variant Outbreaks

The Rockettes have cancelled the rest of their 2021 performances due to COVID-19 outbreaks across NYC and within the Rockettes team themselves. The announcement was made on December 17, 2021 with COVID cases stemming from the omicron variant reaching daily highs continuing on didn’t seem like the most responsible decision to the Rockettes team.

The “Christmas Spectacular” stars the well known Radio City Rockettes who are an American precision dance company. The show takes place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City which is owned by MSG Entertainment. Last year the show was cancelled in its entirety due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic raging throughout the world and the United States. Unfortunately it seems that COVID-19 is raising it’s head again and forcing the “Christmas Spectacular” show to shut down early. The Radio City staple says they just can’t continue their Christmas Spectacular due to “increasing challenges from the pandemic.” Those challenges include a COVID outbreak among the production team, plus musicians in the orchestra. Breakthrough cases are piling up in the Rockettes team.

With the omicron variant, which is more contagious and spreads faster than previous variants, becomes more widespread it seems the entertainment industry could start shutting down again. Things were seeming to be getting back to normal in the entertainment industry with events, games, and tours coming back across the globe but now events are getting scrapped left and right.

The Rockettes say refunds will be issued to anyone who bought tickets to their canceled 2021 shows. They are looking forward to hopefully hosting performances again in 2022. For more information visit their website.

The outbreak comes as a string of Broadway shows, among them Company, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ain’t Too Proud, Mrs. Doubtfire, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical and Freestyle Love Supreme, each of which have temporarily shut down this past week due to COVID concerns.

The electronic rock band LCD Soundsystem, on the tail end of a 20-gig residency at Brooklyn Steel, have now also cancelled the remaining three shows due to the recent omicron outbreak. This decision came after the band initially left it up to potential attendees as to whether they wanted to attend or request refunds, even going so far as to advise, “Us playing the shows is in no way an indicator that it’s safe to attend.” But due to the fan response and the aforementioned circumstances, the remainder of the residency is now cancelled.

The band released an official announcement on their Instagram page earlier today:

You all have spoken. The last three shows are cancelled. You good people who want to return your tickets and try again another time have spoken, but so has the new info, the hospital capacity, and those of us in the band, crew, and venue...We tried. We really did. We were heartened to see so many more masks at the last show. We were incredibly thankful for everyone who wanted to make it work. But it will have to wait, again, until we find out what this new wave means to us all. Thank you for again listening, trying, etc. Please be safe.
LCD Soundsytem

The shows were scheduled to take place on December 19, 20 and 21. All tickets purchased via AXS will be automatically refunded – there is no action required if tickets were purchased via AXS online or by phone. The band also recently announced an upcoming holiday special which will air on December 22 at 9 PM Eastern via Amazon Music, Prime Video and Amazon’s Twitch Channel.

Updated on December 21, 2021: “Jagged Little Pill’ joins the many performances closing down on Broadway due to the omicron variant. The rock musical announced this on December 21, 2021. The musical was fueled by Alanis Morissette and focused a with a variety of topics including contemporary social issues. It has become the first big Broadway show to fall by the resurgent coronavirus pandemic.

City Winery also announced on December 19, 2021 that people attending shows at the venue will be required to have both proof of full vaccination as well as a negative Covid-19 test due to the surge of Covid-19 due to the omicron variant. They are one of the first venues to require both measures, due to fast transmission of the Omicron variant which has made it so that full vaccination isn’t enough of a defense against the highly contagious strain.

Flushing Town Fall jumped on the bandwagon for it’s Mini-Global Mashups announcing postponing them until a later date due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in New York City. It made this announcement on December 21, 2021 and will offer anyone who purchased tickets to these event a full refund or exchange. The first Mini-Global Mashups was suppose to take place on January 9, 2022.

Updated on December 23, 2021: More bands jump ship on live shows due to the omicron variant. On December 23, 2021 Phish announced postponing their MSG shows until April due to COVID-19 sweeping through NYC. Phish will honor all tickets for the December 29-January 1 shows at MSG on the rescheduled dates of April 20-23, marking the first time Phish has played New York City in April since 1994 at the Beacon Theatre.

On December 23, 2021 Pink Talking Phish announced postponing their New Years Eve show at Gramercy show to an undetermined date via their facebook page due to COVID-19 sweeping through NYC putting the health of their fans, friends, and family first.

Updated on December 26, 2021: Warren Haynes announced on December 24 that due to the omicron variant he will be postponing his new years run. For the health and safety of their fans, crew and all involved in making these shows happen is always their top priority. The following dates have been rescheduled: April 8 Beacon Theatre New York, NY (12/30/2021 Tickets Honored), April 9 Beacon Theatre New York, NY (12/31/2021 Tickets Honored), April 14 The Met Philadelphia, PA(12/29/2021 Tickets Honored).

Updated on December 28, 2021: On December 27, 2021 SoulShine: An Allman Brothers Experience announced that it will perform at Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre on Dec. 31 in celebration of New Year’s Eve but only a with 50 percent capacity due to the COVID-19 cases soaring.

Soulive announced on December 27, 2021 they have rescheduled their run of shows set for New Year’s at the Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn to July 7, 8 and 9 of 2022 and will celebrate Brooklyn Bowl’s thirteenth anniversary. All tickets for the New Year’s shows will be honored at the July dates.

Dark Star Orchestra announced on December 27, 2021 the postponement of their upcoming New Year’s Eve run of concerts in New York scheduled for The Paramount in Huntington on December 29 and 30 and the Palace Theatre in Albany on December 31 (New Year’s Eve) and January 1 (New Year’s Day). The decision comes after members of DSO’s touring party tested positive for COVID-19 and in the wake of rising COVID cases due to the omicron variant.

Transmission New Year’s Eve Dance Party also announced on December 27, 2021 they were cancelling due to the current surge in COVID-19 cases.

December 19, 2021
Caribou Brings The Club To Brooklyn Steel
Canadian multi-instrumentalist and producer Caribou (a.k.a. Dan Snaith) made his way to New York this past weekend for three shows over two days at Brooklyn Steel. Sandwiched in the middle of a 20-night run of another electro-rock band at the venue, these Caribou concerts were two years in the making. Originally scheduled for March of 2020, the Caribou shows were some of the first to be postponed in the city due to the incoming pandemic. Snaith attested to that after the opening song, admitting to the crowd how weird it felt finally being able to play a gig planned so long ago.

Caribou at Brooklyn Steel, 11/27/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

The concert calendar right now is a very strange mix. The entire live music industry came to a halt for a year and a half; postponing or cancelling shows throughout 2020 and 2021, many of which have been rescheduled and are now in progress. On top of that, there is a backlog of tours that were being planned at the time of the pandemic, and are just now trying to be scheduled for the first time. Tickets are being sold for shows more than a year in advance. Some of these artists have released albums two years ago and are now getting their first opportunity to perform the music live. This is the case with Caribou and his fifth LP under the moniker, Suddenly. The record was released back in February 2020 on Merge Records.

“Never Come Back” off Caribou’s LP Suddenly. Via YouTube.

Caribou’s music is a bright blend of electro-house elements and indie rock. The songs are stretched out on the live stage into deep jams with distinct movements and very high energy, techno-style percussions. A heavy strobe style lighting arrangement gives off a club type atmosphere ripe for the dance floor. The concerts took place this past Saturday and Sunday, with a matinee performance Sunday afternoon before a second show later that night.

Dan Snaith (a.k.a. Caribou) at Brooklyn Steel, 11/27/21. Photo by Buscar Photo

This leg of the tour is nearing its end; Caribou plays three more shows in the Northeast leading up to a set at Mexico’s TrÃ³pical Festival the first weekend of December. A lengthy second leg of the tour kicks off in February and takes Caribou across the UK and Europe with some west coast and Canadian dates mixed in. Find the full tour schedule HERE. Check out NYS Music’s photos from the first show on Saturday night below.
November 30, 2021
Fordham Student Anton Karabushin Releases Nu Jazz Single “Central Park Archive”

Anton Karabushin, a 19 year-old singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, has released his latest Nu Jazz single, “Central Park Archives.” Currently a student at Fordham University and originally from Denver, CO, Karabushin began his composing career in May 2020, now having released five singles featuring genres from classical piano to Drum & Bass and incorporating multiple languages in the process.

Anton is a first-generation American who makes music he loves, and does not limit himself to one single genres. “Summer Days” fell in the range of synthpop, while “Look in the Closet” took on a more metal feel, while featuring his native Russian language intermittently.

A self described Renaissance Man, arrived at Fordham at Lincoln Center to pursue music, theater, and a higher education all at the same time. Trained in classical piano from age 5 to 16, Anton sang in many school and city choirs from a young age, these two musical foundations made him “nitpicky” about harmonies and vocal tone

“Central Park Archive” was the result of a spontaneous decision to carry my Alesis MIDI Keyboard to Sheep Meadow at around 11am on a Thursday. The cool yet sunny atmosphere of the park and the people there really sparked my creativity, and as 4pm rolled around, the song was nearly complete. The title arrived from my feeling that the sounds encapsulated what it is to walk through Central Park. It is an “archive” because this song embodies that sensation in any time, past, future or present.
Anton Karabushin

Anton cites Aphex Twin, Mid-Air Thief and the Strawberry Guy, as well as newew influences including artists Nujabes and The Avalanches. Utilizing a MIDI to recreate sampling sounds, he notes Nujabes’ song “Horizon” having a direct influence on “Central Park Archive,” and synthpop band Homeshake helping to form his synth x vocals vibe.

Karabushin released “Central Park Archive” on November 19, using his newly developed electronic music production skills. A true self-taught artist in music production and vocal/instrument recording, Anton’s plan is to finish his bachelor’s degree at Fordham University at Lincoln Center and simultaneously create music he truly loves.

November 22, 2021
Zedd Unleashes Euphoric Set Selling Out NYC Club, Nebula
Flying straight from Orlando’s EDC concert, Zedd moved the party to New York City on Saturday, November 13 in the heart of Times Square, selling out Nebula’s second official opening weekend. Entrancing the crowd with his signature electro house drops and mesmerizing psychedelic LED screens, Zedd’s very presence atop the stage paralleled that of a higher power.

photo by Jarrett Birnbaum, Of The Art

Worshipping crowdgoers welcomed the well decorated German-Russian DJ that has paved the electronic scene for over a decade. Almost on command Zedd wielded his powers, sending chills down several hundred spines starting with the all so notable eerie Squid Game introduction to unleashing the intoxicating beat of Do it Do it from Cherish. His edit of Squid Game x Do it Do it swallowed us into a two hour rave marathon of his GRAMMY winning catalogue.

photo by Jarrett Birnbaum, Of The Art

Certainly a renowned powerhouse EDM DJ virtuoso, he reminded us how he single handedly shaped the soundscape of the early 2010s era starting his set with Stay the Night (feat. Hayley Williams) and The Middle. Immediately working the crowd with nostalgia of the good ‘ol days, Zedd was just as excited to see fans memorize his every lyric. The DJ, songwriter, and record producer found himself infected with his own rhythms jumping relentlessly with one proud fist in the air. Sampling Lil Nas X’s “Industry Baby” we were lured away from Zedd’s originals, unlocking edits of Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” and Daft Punk’s “One More Time”.

photo by Jarrett Birnbaum, Of The Art

Palms open and looking to the sky Zedd was able to contact his fellow EDM gods for countless thick heavy bass drops thrumming the dance floor to fuel ceaselessy dancing fans.

Zedd made full use of New York City’s newest club. The all encompassing LED screens put on acclaimed painted visuals taking club goers soaring through space, inside futuristic tunnels, and swimming through vortexes. Combined with synchronized strobe lights pointed every which way, Zedd provided a full sensory performance. A true connoisseur, prolonging each beat drop gearing us for the high intensity ultimate of euphoric choruses from “Spectrum” even singing along to Ariana Grande’s “Break Free” with the rest of us.

photo by Jarrett Birnbaum, Of The Art

The sheer intimacy of the soldout 700 person max venue aided in creating a closer bond to the almost untouchable DJ. His charisma could be felt all the way in the back depths of the club. In a sly attempt to hide his celebrity, he occasionally appeared as a mere shadow letting his LED lightshow dictate the concert along while waving just one finger in the air, complete with a drink in the other. His limited check-ins with the crowd and bright let us know was enjoying it all as much as we were, basking in the glory of the name he has made for himself.

photo by Jarrett Birnbaum, Of The Art

The EDM scene is often believed to be crafted around drugs that claim to fully encapture each performance, yet the community projects carefree and accepting energy builds families on the dance floor. He made it almost impossible not to become best friends with strangers entranced by his music. when erupting countless climax of euphoric woes with every bass drop. Each inevitable buildup releasing to well crafted high intensity drops cooked up an addicting recipe that fans could not get enough of.

photo by Jarrett Birnbaum, Of The Art

To pull in the rails of the night, Zedd cranked his signature “Clarity” with one last remark, “New York! My name is Zedd and I f****** love you! Put your hands up if you had a great time.” One last drop erupted the climax of the night matched with bursts of confetti and fog covering roaring fans and blaring kick drums. His first GRAMMY winning song made way for ubiquitous dancing closing the night with unbelievable insanity. Classic Zedd.

photo by Jarrett Birnbaum, Of The Art
photo by Jarrett Birnbaum, Of The Art
November 17, 2021
Blue Note Jazz Club Announces DJ Logic & Friends January Run

New York City’s Blue Note Jazz Club announces the return of DJ Logic, the first DJ to ever headline the historic venue back in 2003. From January 6-9, DJ Logic & Friends is set to perform two shows a night at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm ET.

Special guests have just been announced for January 8 – Fred Wesley & Marcus Machado – and January 9 – Angie Swan From David Byrne’s American Utopia. Read Relix’s review of the first night of the run.

DJ Logic will be joined by a world-class line-up of Friends including Karl Denson on saxophone, MonoNeon on bass and Adam Deitch on drums. One of the world’s most accomplished musicians, DJ Logic is known for using turntables in a live band setting, guiding listeners through groove-laden journeys rooted in jazz, hip-hop and electronic sounds. The Bronx-born musician frequently works with a phenomenal roster of invited guests, and he knows how to pick his collaborators as well as his samples. DJ Logic’s Blue Note headline shows are always highly anticipated and his 2022 run promises a joyful start to the new year.

“It’s going to be an electric ray of music with some amazing eclectic players, exploring funk, grooves, and patterns,”DJ Logic states. “This group of insanely talented, important and virtuosic artists is a dream team of funk,” says Alex Kurland, Director of Programming at Blue Note. “Independently, each artist has a deep history and roots at Blue Note. As one collective joining forces under the direction of the great and powerful DJ Logic, these guys are musical acrobats. The project is truly next level and bound to funk up audiences. Fasten your seatbelt!”

The theorem of turntablist as musician has been long proven in the capable hands of DJ Logic, whom with jazz as his foundation has become a wax innovator by crossing genres and mixing his sound across the map. As one of the world’s most accomplished turntablists, DJ Logic is widely credited for introducing jazz into the hip–hop realms and is considered by most as a highly-respected session musician and an innovative bandleader. Since his emergence in the early nineties amidst the Bronx hip-hop scene, the New York City based deejay has been amassing a veritable mountain of collaborations, including a full-fledged band with members of Blues Traveler (The John Popper Project ft. DJ Logic), a trio with Steve Molitz & Freekbass (Headtronics), a jazz project with Georgian prodigy Beka Gochiasvili, and as a member of Grammy-winning Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s The Offense of the Drum album. He also has a long list of other collaborations with artists ranging from the likes of Bob Weir, John Mayer, Medeski Martin and Wood, Christian McBride, O.A.R., Carly Simon, Marcus Miller, Jack Johnson, Vernon Reid, Warren Haynes, Charlie Hunter, Jack DeJohnette, Ben Harper, Mos Def, The Roots, Bernie Worrell, Bill Laswell, Melvin Gibbs, Fred Wesley, Sean Kuti and many more.

Since 1981, Blue Note Jazz Club has been a cultural institution in New York City and one of the premiere jazz clubs in the world. Blue Note strives to preserve the history of jazz, and the club is a place where progression and innovation – the foundations of jazz – are encouraged and practiced on a nightly basis. In addition to the main acts that feature the likes of Robert Glasper, Pat Metheny, Christain McBride, Joshua Redman, Ron Carter and Chris Botti, Blue Note regularly showcases up-and-coming jazz, soul, hip-hop, R&B and funk artists. After 40 years of success, Blue Note continues to carry the torch for jazz into the 21st century in the cultural heart of New York, Greenwich Village.

Tickets for the shows can be purchased at https://www.bluenotejazz.com

November 15, 2021
Kate Gratson Uses her Unique Background to Create “The Girl You Knew”

Like many of us, Kate Gratson used the pandemic to channel her inner-self. Consequently, her latest album, The Girl You Knew, does most of her speaking for her. Gratson’s process of self-reflection is something that her fans are all too familiar with and on this latest project, she found a way to perfectly encapture all the intimate feelings we’re afraid to share out loud. A veteran of writing on self-actualization and acceptance, it’s apparent that the she has developed an even deeper understanding of herself and lets it all out in her music.

While growing as a person and artist, Gratson has gotten a hold creatively as well, revealing a new sense of control.

Musically and lyrically, “Watch and Wonder,” is all about tension and release, and my main goal was to highlight this when creating the music video. “Watch and Wonder” is my second music video with Isaac Rosenthal on cinematography, and Grant Sorth on editing, but it is the first time I had a distinct, artistic vision in mind
Kate Granson

When listening to Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, producer and cellist, it isn’t always apparent that she has a firm foundation in both jazz and classical techniques. Her knowledge of both genres almost silently seeps into her music layered with R&B, folk/indie and electronic elements. Combining both contemporary and aged sounds, she often find herself almost painting a picture of timelessness. Her various identities, paired with the layering of samples, mixed with velvety vocals, gritty drums and melodic synths are surely to catapult her career.

Following her formal music education, Gratson would go on to receive a BM in music composition and vocal performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia. It was during this time that her sound and voice as an artist began to take shape. She then returned to New York City to focus on refining her distinctly eclectic feel, attempting to harness the layers that made up her voice. Later returning to her initial mentors, as she began to write and hone her craft, while steadily releasing singles.

At last, she released her debut album, The Girl You Knew. With a growing fanbase and unique sound, it might not be long before Kate Gratson once again becomes the girl we once knew.

November 14, 2021
The Disco Biscuits to Stream 3-Night Halloween Run on CouchTour.TV

Couchtour.TV will livestream The Disco Biscuits’ upcoming 3-night run at the iconic Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, starting Thursday, October 28 through Saturday, October 30 – the final show ending early in the morning on Halloween.

The first show will technically begin Friday morning, at 3am ET, or Midnight PT. Each show will be on-demand following the live broadcast, perfect for early risers on the East Coast. Weekend passes and single day tickets can be purchased through Couchtour.TV

Couchtour.TV will also be offering a free rebroadcast of The Disco Biscuits’ 2021 performance from Brooklyn Comes Alive next Wednesday, November 3 at 8:00pm ET/ 5:00pm PT. This broadcast concludes a series from Brooklyn Comes Alive filmed September 26 at the Brooklyn Mirage that also includes The Motet and Break Science Live Band.

Couchtour.TV continues to be home to the highest quality livestreams available – PPV, free and on-demand. More information on available streams, upcoming events and account registration can be found on the couchtour.TV website.

Watch The Disco Biscuits from November 2, 2018 at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas

Set 1: 1999 > Astronaut, Jigsaw Earth > Triumph > Jigsaw Earth
Set 2: Safety Dance > Little Betty Boop 1 > Spraypaint
Encore: Floes*
*middle section only

disco biscuits Halloween

October 26, 2021
Swedish House Mafia will stop at MetLife Stadium in August, First Tour In 10 Years

Swedish House Mafia have announced an international tour for 2022, their first in 10 years, making a stop in East Rutherford, NJ on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Long revered by fans for their bombastic live performances, the band’s previous outing, “One Last Tour,” sold over 1 million tickets. The 2022 jaunt will follow the trio’s just announced performance at Coachella 2022 and includes arenas across the United States and Europe.

Swedish House Mafia have also teamed with The Weeknd for a new single and video, “Moth to a Flame.” The new song was initially teased during the trio’s landmark performance at the MTV VMAs pre-show this summer, and marks the band’s first new music since announcing their reunion this past July with a pair of new singles “It Gets Better” and “Lifetime (feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 070 Shake)” that arrived alongside a cover story for Billboard Magazine and a special performance of both songs on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.

The trio of songs continue to build anticipation toward the band’s forthcoming full length Paradise Again, slated for release early next year with a Special Tour Edition CD pre-order available now that unlocks exclusive pre-sale tour tickets.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, October 29th at swedishhousemafia.com, with the Special Tour Edition CD pre-order pre-sale beginning on Wednesday, October 27.

The band have also just been nominated for awards in both the Best Electronic and Best Nordic Act categories for this year’s MTV EMAs, being held in Budapest on Sunday, November 14th.

Swedish House Mafia 2022 Tour Dates

Fri Jul 29 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena

Sun Jul 31 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center

Wed Aug 3 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium

Fri Aug 5 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

Sun Aug 7 – Montreal, QC – îleSoniq Festival

Tue Aug 9 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

Wed Aug 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

Thu Aug 11 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena

Sat Aug 13 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Wed Aug 17 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

Fri Aug 19 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center

Sun Aug 21 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

Thu Aug 25 – Austin, TX – Moody Center

Fri Aug 26 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

Sat Aug 27 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center

Tue Aug 30 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center

Fri Sep 2 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena

Sun Sep 4 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena

Tue Sep 13 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

Wed Sep 14 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

Fri Sep 16 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center

Thu Sep 29 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena

Fri Sep 30 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro Arena

Sun Oct 2 – London, UK – The O2

Thu Oct 6 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena

Sat Oct 8 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham

Mon Oct 10 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena

Fri Oct 14 – Madrid, Spain – IFEMA Madrid Live

Sat Oct 15 – Lisbon, Portugal – Altice Arena

Tue Oct 18 – Milan, Italy – Mediolanum Forum

Wed Oct 19 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion

Fri Oct 21 – Krakow, Poland – Tauron Arena

Sat Oct 22 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena

Tue Oct 25 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena

Thu Oct 27 – Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle

Sat Oct 29 – Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis

Mon Oct 31 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome

Thu Nov 3 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle

Sat Nov 5 – Frankfurt, Germany – Festhalle

Sun Nov 6 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena

Tue Nov 8 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclaycard Arena

Wed Nov 9 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena

Fri Nov 11 – Oslo, Norway – Telenor Arena

Sun Nov 13 – Tampere, Finland – Uros Arena

October 26, 2021
Hearing Aide: Anthony Casuccio Returns with ‘Emotional Lockdown’ EP

Buffalo-area native Anthony Casuccio has returned with his first solo effort in over 20 years, Emotional Lockdown. Created last year during COVID-19 lockdown, Casuccio said he used music as an outlet to deal with isolation, composing over a dozen songs that became the six-track album. He plans to include some of the additional tracks in live DJ sets.

Casuccio, a guitarist and veteran Grammy-winning producer, has gained accolades for remastering albums for icons like Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Tony Bennett. But he took a new turn with his latest project, opting for EDM-infused pop with flourishes of 80s rock. The music merges classic pop vocals with experimental synths, feeling from many eras at once.

Photo via Anthony Casuccio

Casuccio combines an acoustic sound with diverse and genre-spanning dance beats. Something about the tone gives the music the feel of coming from your childhood. In fact, this could be widely applicable, as the music feels simultaneously from many different eras at the same time. Opening track “Love is the Answer” could easily soundtrack a Hands Across America ad. “My Destiny” with vocalist Laura Aiisha transports you to a 70s rave, practically conjuring the glitter and silk chiffon. And the penultimate track “I’m Free” brings to mind the Y2K energy of early Daft Punk and Darude’s “Sandstorm.”

Though he experiments with his favorite elements of many different genres, sometimes Casuccio relies too heavily on the constraints of radio pop. Beats-machine lines weaken the sound, and the vocal production often feels disjointed from Casuccio’s instrumentals. Casuccio has not yet mastered the immersive and feral nature of today’s electronic music. Yet his take still feels unique and new, if rough around the edges.

Casuccio’s taste for combining unusual elements from across pop eras can pay off. When his music leans into a more experimental and heady approach, exciting things happen. Electronic yet retro influences on songs like “Not Alone” bring to mind indie-pop auteur Alex Cameron. The songs’ standout guitar solo, which leads into the beat falling to pieces before disappearing, was a favorite moment on the album. “Not Alone”’s lyrics repeatedly question: “I’m on my own/ I hope I’ve grown.” Over the devolving beat, the track feels the most personal, and also the most arresting, of the entire project.

Though the focus is Casuccio’s production, he recorded his own vocals and recruited others to contribute. For “Love is the Answer,” Casuccio recruited veteran vocalist Cynthia Moore, who toured and recorded for 16 years with James Brown. Two songs also feature Buffalo-based singer Laura Aiisha, whose dreamy vocals on “My Destiny” elevate the pulsating disco track.

Final track “I Am Drowning” is the most modern pop hit on the project. The track features singer Maddie Radwan, a former student of Casuccio’s. Her raw vocals match pop’s current moment, dominated by artists like Billie Eilish and Willow Smith. The charming collaboration flows nicely and comes in at a chart-appropriate 3 minutes 34 seconds. But some of Casuccio’s production still feels unexpected and experimental, and the influences of a younger student are clear.

For all the ways in which COVID-19 crippled the music world, a bright spot was the wave of exploration and creativity that came from isolation. Artists across genres, cooped up, released experimental, raw work that will stand out for a long time. Cassuccio’s choice to experiment with a new sound and explore the bounds of his musicality shines through. Though the EP can falter, Casuccio’s taste for combining unique elements of dance music across time leaves the ear curious. One can only hope he will continue to use his skill with production to continue to explore what pop and EDM have to offer.

Key Tracks: Not Alone, I’m Free, I Am Drowning

October 15, 2021
Josh Lumsden Debuts “Love Me Back” Music Video

Josh Lumsden has released a new music video, “Love Me Back,” on Friday, October 1. The eccentric, vibrant, and sci-fi inspired video could only be filmed in the New York City. Lumsden continues to work on new music with more visual media to be later released in the new year.

Josh Lumsden is a self made musician born & raised in Austin, Texas, now based in New York City and “Love Me Back” is his newest futuristic single. Lumsden’s new music video features his charming and intriguing persona complimented with a pop-beat heavy chorus that will get your feet moving. It doesn’t take long for Lumsden smooth vocals to become stuck in your head all day long.

Complete with four uniquely varying looks in the video directed by Mikey Harmon, we can learn a few fashion tips from the mesmerizing Josh Lumsden. Inclusive with a team underneath the entirety of LGBTQIA umbrella, Josh gives queers an opportunity to be in the forefront of the music industry once again.

The highly anticipated video is finally released where Josh Lumsden and Mikey Harmon had planned to collaborate for many months unfortunately delayed due to the pandemic. Harmon was sure to showcase Lumsden futuristic and sci-fi performance stylistically driving the down to earth narrative of lust and love embedded into the song’s lyrics.

October 15, 2021