Category: NYC Metro

Jazz Artist José James Releases Original Holiday Song “Christmas in New York”
José James has released “Christmas in New York” ahead of his first Christmas album, Merry Christmas from José James, due out on November 19. The original Christmas track follows the single release of “My Favorite Things” featuring acclaimed saxophonist Marcus Strickland.

James is a Minneapolis native who spent most of his career in New York, and was discovered by Gilles Peterson in London before his major label debut with Blue Note Records. He has produced and written 11 albums covering the best of jazz, pop, hip-hop and R&B. In 2017, José made his screen debut with a performing role in Fifty Shades Darker. He now lives in Amsterdam with Talia Billig, his partner and Grammy nominated songwriter.

Co-written by James’ Grammy-nominated partner Talia Billig, “Christmas in New York” features the all-star trio of Aaron Parks (piano), Ben Williams (bass) and Jharis Yokley (drums).

I wrote ‘Christmas in New York’ for people like myself who aren’t able to see their families another year. That kind of picture-perfect scene of people throwing snowballs and making a snowman in Central Park and Wollman Rink and that whole beautiful Manhattan Christmas… It was my dream as a kid, and then I got to live it. There’s a lot of love in that.
José James

Merry Christmas from José James, from Rainbow Blonde Records, celebrates the holiday season while honoring classic jazz and pop records of the 1950s. Combining the classic jazz-crooner elegance of Frank Sinatra and Nat “King” Cole with the earthy sophistication of soul legends Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, the ten track album is an auditory holiday experience like no other.

A 13-date tour to support the album will launch at SF Jazz in San Francisco on November 27th and conclude at New York’s City Winery on December 14th.

Merry Christmas from José James Track Listing
1. Christmas in New York ****
2. This Christmas
3. The Christmas Song
4. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
5. The Christmas Waltz
6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
7. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
8. Christmas Day ****
9. My Favorite Things (feat. Marcus Strickland)
10. White Christmas
  **** represents original recording
José James 2021 Tour Dates

November 27 – SF Jazz – San Francisco, CA
November 28 – SF Jazz – San Francisco, CA
November 30 – Jazz Alley – Seattle, WA
December 1 – Jazz Alley – Seattle, WA
December 2 – The Old Church – Portland, OR
December 4 – Kuumbwa – Santa Cruz
December 5 – Masonic Lodge – Los Angeles, CA
December 7– MIM – Phoenix, AZ
December 9 –The Lensic – Santa Fe,
December 11 – Dakota – Minneapolis, MN
December 12 – Dakota – Minneapolis, MN
December 13 – City Winery – Chicago, IL
December 14 – City Winery – New York, NY
November 1, 2021
Yves Tumor Plays Two Sold-Out Shows At Webster Hall
Yves Tumor and It’s Band performed in New York City this past week for two sold-out shows at Webster Hall. Fresh off the heels of a new EP, The Asymptotical World, the band brought along 4 openers for both shows, presenting musical styles ranging from industrial techno to future pop. Opening artists included the enigmatic future-pop star ECCO2K, industrial and deep house duos Deli Girls and Club Eat and experimental electronic artist, No Bra.

Yves Tumor at Webster Hall, 10/28/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Yves Tumor debuted in 2015 with the highly experimental and self-released album, When Man Fails You. The record is a kaleidoscopic journey through different passages of distorted, ambient electronics and bits of futuristic pop. The sophomore release, Serpent Music, saw Yves Tumor starting to mix in soul and Motown elements into the distorted haze of electronic elements. This style became a launching point for the band’s two major label releases on Warp Records: the breakthrough, Safe In The Hands of Love, in 2018 followed by, Heaven To A Tortured Mind in 2020.

Yves Tumor at Webster Hall, 10/28/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Apart from the varying musical styles, The setup for the performance was also one-of-a-kind. The drummer and keyboardist were on very high elevated platforms in the back corners of the stage, situated right in line with the house lights in the rafters, creating interesting shadowy silhouettes that stood out within the light. Yves Tumor, along with guitarist Chris Greatti graced the front of the stage, as their energy and engagement with the fans remain unmatched. Venue personnel also added several platforms within the security pit, allowing Tumor and Greatti to maneuver in and out of the crowd, since Tumor spent a portion of each song singing along with the crowd, rather than singing to them from the stage. At one point, Greatti even made his way to the VIP balcony and played a guitar solo while hanging over the railing.

Yves Tumor at Webster Hall, 10/28/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

The setlist for both nights were similar, but featured essential tracks “Kerosene!” and “Dream Palette” from Heaven To A Tortured Mind, “Noid” and “Licking an Orchid” from Safe In The Hands Of Love, and “Jackie” and “Crushed Velvet” from the recent EP The Asymptotical World.

Yves Tumor at Webster Hall, 10/28/2021. Photo by BuscarPhoto

Yves Tumor will continue touring, with west coast dates scheduled throughout November and a European leg kicking off in February. This live show is not to be missed; with well written albums, intoxicating music and dedicated performers, as the band feeds off of the crowd’s energy.
October 31, 2021
Frazey Ford Soothes The Soul at Baby’s All Right
Canadian singer-songwriter Frazey Ford brought her calming presence to a sold-out crowd at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on Oct. 28, 2021.

The folk-soul artist beautifully belted hits such as “One More Cup of Coffee” and “Blue Streak Mama” to the gleeful audience. While most of her setlist was relaxing and down-tempo, Ford made sure to intersperse some higher-tempo songs such as “Done” and “September Fields” to get the audience dancing.

In between songs, the mother of two shared stories, engaging with the crowd and making the performance even more intimate. Sharing her experiences from performing in L.A. the day prior and speaking on the cultural differences between Los Angeles and New York City. Most notably, she went on to divulge some information about her “hippie” parents, who named her Frazey Ford and allowed her brothers to choose her middle name. As she laughed off the memories, she continued, revealing that her brothers decided on the name Obadiah, who was their pet cat that had recently run away.

You can listen to Frazey Ford’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. Check out Ana Medvedeva’s photo recap below.
October 31, 2021
Dumpstaphunk Grooves Brooklyn Bowl ahead of Madison Square Garden Debut

Dumpstaphunk last performed in the Empire State at the 2019 New York State Blues festival in downtown Syracuse. Later that evening, band members Tony Hall and Deven Trusclair kept the groove going at the Funk n Waffles club for a sit in on “Standing on Shaky Ground” by the Temptations that Funkadelic’s Eddie Hazel co wrote. A month later they opened for the Rolling Stones to 40,000 people in their hometown at the New Orleans Superdome.

Dumpstaphunk kicked off 2021 by releasing their first record in seven years, Where Do We Go From Here, which was just nominated in four Grammy categories. The band has been on the road promoting its sound this summer leading them up to a Labor Day Weekend of shows with Dave Matthews Band at Heavens Amphitheatre, The Gorge. All members of Dumpstaphunk sat in with DMB for Sly Stone’s “Thank You (Falletinme be mice elf again) and Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” to close the night.

Tony Hall sat in with the DMB as part of an alternate format the entire weekend on bass and vocals as well. He was reunited with Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds on stage for the first time since their infamous Some Devil Tour in 2003. Dumpstaphunk will also be joining Dave Matthews Band at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, on November 12 and 13.

Dumpstaphunk @ Brooklyn Bowl, Photo by Russell Mangicaro III

All of this momentum could be felt on stage at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday, October 23. Rotem Sivan Band opened the show as Dumpstaphunk hit the stage at 9:45 p.m., crushing their entire set for the Williamsburg crowd. Brooklyn Bowl founder, Peter Shapiro, appeared behind the curtain dressed as a pilot while the band took off on stage. Shapiro gave them a quick fist bump of delight after their tune “Itchy Boo.”

Come on lets get at it Brooklyn! Get up, Get down, Keep it stepping, keep it moving. Every band member was fully engaged with the Brooklyn Bowl crowd the whole set. Tim Reynolds told
You know those guys when your playing a gig, he’ll look right at you? That’s him. He’ s a bad ass.

Tony Hall, Photo by Russell Mangicaro III

Everyone was dancing to the truth that this band lets out. Lucky nobody slipped onstage due to the greasy lane funk levels. Sly Stone’s words carry on through their take on his cut “In Time.” Well, well, there’s a feelin’, oh, so real in every human On time (About time) There’s a reelin’ when you don’t know what you’re doing, In time…

If there was a clip that examples their on stave vigor, it would be from their performance of “Justice” (that features Trombone Shorty on the new album). Tony Hall took the electric guitar for a ride down the adjacent lanes to end the jam. New Orleans cats Ivan Neville, Ian Neville and Nick Daniels hit hard on Tower of Power’s “Soul Vaccination,” resonating with the New York crowd. I’m talking bout soul (soul vaccination) Everybody get in line (soul vaccination) Horns!

During the final song horn players Alex Wasily and Ashlin Parker made their way through the Brooklyn Bowl crowd for “Street Parade” to close the set like the Saints go marching in.

For the encore, the band paid tribute to legendary drummer and singer Buddy Miles. as his song “United Nation Stomp,” featuring Marcus King was nominated for a Grammy Award for best American roots performance.

In recording a new album, Tony Hall shed some light with NYS Music about the group’s creative process.

We recorded a bunch of these songs and didn’t finish them lyric-wise. Vocal-wise we can always change. It goes kind of like vice versa. We’re all a band that can sing and play too, ya know?

Photos by Russell Mangicaro III: Dumpstaphunk – Brooklyn Bowl – October 23, 2021

October 28, 2021
Hearing Aide: Get Spooky with Surfbort’s “Happy Happy Halloween”

As Ghouls and Goblin Day (Halloween) approaches, Brooklyn punk outfit Surbort has shared a fittingly spooky new track aptly titled, “Happy Happy Halloween.” Released on October 21, the record is accompanied by a music video.

Halloween is our favorite holiday and we celebrate it everyday so we wanted to make an extra spooky song to celebrate the ghouls and ghosts,
front-woman Dani Miller said.

The track, originally imagined as a cover, morphed into a wacky original at manager and album producer Linda Perry’s encouragement.

Linda just started playing spooky Dracula noises on the keys and the rest is history,
Miller said.

The song is also a homage to Surbort’s favorite parts of Halloween. Based around the sinister children’s rhyme from Nightmare on Elm Street, each verse sees Surfbort celebrate pigskins, pumpkins, ghosts, and even “dead Santa Clause.” However, Surfbort also honors the sinister acts that inspire them, name-dropping goth icons like Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Sisters of Mercy.

Perry also directed the video for the track, featuring the band in outlandish, colorful Halloween costumes. With Miller morphing into a Harley-Quinn-meets-Joker character as the band-members appear in a rotation of costumes, with Bassist Nick Arnold as, Bob Ross, serving as a standout lookalike. The video employs every spooky trope in the book in a dramatic, tongue-in-cheek way, from grainy found-footage to severed limbs as drumsticks. Within all of the hooplah, what stands out is how much fun Surfbort is having. It’s not hard to believe Halloween is their favorite holiday.

“Happy Happy Halloween” is Surfbort’s first release since their latest album, Keep on Truckin, earlier this month. Guitarist Alex Kilgore described the album as encompassing

12 songs for a new world, a call to arms to blast love: a panacea to the corporate hellscape we live in.

Surfbort has two upcoming shows in the New York area, both in December. They will play TV Eye in Brooklyn on December 5th, followed by a show at The Mercury Lounge in NYC on December 6th.

October 28, 2021
Princess Nokia Brings the Energy to Irving Plaza
Harlem-based rapper Princess Nokia performed a vibrant set at Irving Plaza in New York City on October 24th for one of the last domestic stops on her tour. Known for her high-energy performances and colorful stage design, Princess Nokia lived up to her reputation by giving the crowd exactly that.

As one of the more prominent female rappers in today’s pop landscape, Princess Nokia had no shortage of hits to run through, from old favorites like “Tomboy” off the 2016 project 1992 Deluxe, to the extremely popular “I Like Him” off the 2020 project Everything Sucks. Backed up by some stage dancers, she exemplified why these songs have been popular for so long, moving the crowd to the rapid rhythm and maintaining a breakneck pace.

Princess Nokia oozed charisma and charm on the stage, always interacting with fans between songs and making jokes. Between the rapid-fire rapping, dancing, banter, and screaming crowd, this concert was an absolute spectacle. The spectators were one hundred percent into her the whole time and before the concert even started, she peaked her head out on the balcony and the crowd screamed with delight. There was no shortage of electricity the whole set.

Princess Nokia’s tour has one more stop in Boston at Paradise Rock Club on Wednesday, October 27 before hopping overseas to Europe. You can see the rest of the tour dates here. Be sure to check out the full photo gallery below!
October 27, 2021
The Wood Brothers Announce 2022 Tour Dates, Tour Begins at Kodak Center

The Wood Brothers have announced their first shows in 2022. The Grammy Award-nominated, Nashville-based trio will head out on 19-date tour that begins January 25 at The Kodak Center in Rochester. They’ll also make stops in Albany, Plattsburgh and NYC before heading out west.

©Jay Blakesberg

The first leg of dates—featuring support from singer/songwriter Steve Poltz—extends into February and stretches across the Northeast. Highlights include performances at 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, The Fillmore in Philadelphia, House of Blues in Boston and a return to Webster Hall in New York City to close out the run. After a brief pause, the second leg picks up on February 22 at The Rialto Theatre in Tucson and proceeds to blanket the Mountain states into March, including appearances at The Mission Ballroom in Denver, Center For The Arts in Jackson and Knitting Factory in Boise before concluding with two nights in Montana. Rounder Records’ recording artist Katie Pruitt performs an opening set each evening.

The Wood Brothers most recent album, Kingdom In My Mind, was released in January 2020. The pandemic forced the band to cut short touring plans in support of the collection thus many of the upcoming dates represent the first time fans will have an opportunity to witness the band performing material from the recording.While on hiatus in 2020, The Wood Brothers remained active, reissuing their landmark 2013 album The Muse on 2-LP vinyl and playing a series of livestreams. Additionally, Oliver Wood would record his first solo album, Always Smilin’. Released in May 2021 on The Wood Brothers’ imprint Honey Jar Records, the 12-track collection was warmly received by critics and fans alike.

Tickets for the upcoming tour go on-sale on Friday, October 29 at 10am local. All shows will be available for purchase at thewoodbros.com

The Wood Brothers Winter/Spring 2022 Tour

1/25 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Center *
1/26 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club *
1/28 – Albany, NY – Palace Theater *
1/29 – Portland, ME – State Theatre *
1/30 – Plattsburgh, NY – Strand Center for the Arts *
1/31 – Providence, RI – The Strand *
2/2 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall *
2/3 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore *
2/4 – Boston, MA – House of Blues *
2/5 – New York, NY – Webster Hall *
2/22 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre **
2/23 – Scottsdale, AZ – Virginia G. Piper Theater **
2/25 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom **
2/26 – Crested Butte, CO – Center for the Arts **
2/28 – Jackson, WY – Center for the Arts **
3/1 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room **
3/ 3 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory **
3/ 4 – Bozeman, MT – The ELM **
3/ 5 – Missoula, MT – The Wilma **

* w/ Steve Poltz
** w/ Katie Pruitt

October 27, 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
TORRES Gives an Intimate Performance at Bowery Ballroom
Georgia native TORRES returned to her current city of residence, New York City, on Thursday, October 21st for one of the last stops on the North American leg of her tour. Making an appearance at Bowery Ballroom, TORRES played several songs off her most recent LP Thirstier, in addition to several fan-favorites from her previous projects.

TORRES at Bowery Ballroom, 10/21/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger

With Thirstier having been released back in July of this year, the songs from it were very fresh in the crowd’s minds. They enthusiastically sang along to songs like “Don’t Go Puttin’ Wishes in My Head” and the title track “Thirstier.” The crowd energy was infectious and it was impossible not to move a little bit and lose yourself in the great instrumentation of it all.

TORRES at Bowery Ballroom, 10/21/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger

As it has been a common thread amongst many performers I have watched recently, TORRES was visibly emotional performing for a sold-out crowd in NYC for the first time in so long, due to COVID-19. She said multiple times that she was close to tears and was just astonished by how good it felt to play in her city again. TORRES interacted extensively with the crowd and it was obvious that this was a very devoted fanbase.

TORRES at Bowery Ballroom, 10/21/21. Photo by Kunal Khunger

TORRES’s tour has one more stop in Brooklyn at Baby’s All Right on Thursday, October 28th before hopping overseas to Europe. You can see the rest of the tour dates here. Be sure to check out the full photo gallery below!
October 26, 2021
Nada Surf to Close Tour with Live Stream from Music Hall of Williamsburg on November 20

Nada Surf on Friday, October 22nd released their new EP Cycle Through via Barsuk Records. The EP is a companion piece to their 2020 album Never Not Together, which is now available as a digital release after its initial vinyl run exclusively for Record Store Day. Cycle Through features three songs left off Never Not Together, as well as an orchestral/choir version of “Looking For You,” the extended short-film version of “Just Wait,” and Spanish, French and acoustic takes on “So Much Love.”

Nada Surf follows the release of Cycle Through with a run of headline North American tour dates throughout the month of November, with support from Pom Pom Squad, arriving at long last after their initial postponement in the spring of 2020.

Founded in 1992, Nada Surf — Matthew Caws, Daniel Lorca, Ira Elliot, and their longtime friend and collaborator, Louie Lino — has only grown more creative and resourceful as time has marched on, each consecutive release notable for the quality of its craft as well as Caws’ ongoing growth as both songwriter and human being.

The band’s latest LP, Never Not Together, was met with praise from all corners — The Current called it “one of the best albums of their career,” noting that it “shows off their prowess as experts of their craft while sharing their playful side. Never Not Together has all the hallmarks of the genre Nada Surf helped define but with a refined touch that comes from life experience and humility.”

Nada Surf 2021 Tour Dates

11/3 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA
11/4 – Mr Small’s – Millvale, PA
11/5 – Iron Horse – Northampton, MA
11/6 – Cafe Campus – Montreal, QC
11/7 – Horseshoe Tavern – Toronto, ON
11/8 – Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI
11/9 – Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
11/11 – Old Rock House – St Louis, MO
11/12 – Racoon Motel – Davenport, IA
11/13 – Cedar Cultural Ctr. – Minneapolis, MN
11/14 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL
11/15 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
11/16 – Otto Bar – Baltimore, MD
11/17 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
11/18 – Higher Ground – Burlington, VT
11/19 – White Eagle Hall – Jersey City, NJ
11/20 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY (early show)

Join Nada Surf on Saturday, November 20 as they live-stream their tour-closing show at Brooklyn’s Music Hall Of Williamsburg via Twitch. The band will go live at 7:20pm ET after an opening set from Pom Pom Squad – access the live stream here.

October 25, 2021

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