New York City announced plans to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for all indoor events including concerts starting next month. The announcements come to little surprise with the rising COVID-19 outbreaks throughout the country.
Madison Square Garden in NYC.
Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement on August 3, 2021 for the vaccine mandate. The customers and workers will be required to wear masks in some NYC establishments including indoor dining, gyms and performances areas in mid September. The mandates will start to roll out on August 16, 2021 and after a transition period, enforcement will begin on September 13, 2021. Mayor Bill de Blasio is also requiring city workers to get vaccinated or to face weekly testing, and he has offered a $100 incentive for the public to get vaccinated in the light of the Delta variant of the virus.
Bowery Ballroom in NYC.
De Blasio spoke at the press conference saying, “It’s time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life. Not everyone is going to agree with this, I understand that. But for so many people, this is going to be a lifesaving act, that we are putting a mandate in place that is going to guarantee a much higher level of vaccination in this city. And that is the key to protecting people, and the key to our recovery.”
The city will also be implementing a new app called the “Key to NYC Pass,” which is not a particular document, but rather the strategy of requiring proof of vaccination for workers and customers at indoor dining, gyms, entertainment and performances, including Broadway. People can also prove their vaccine status by a vaccine card or the New York State’s Excelsior Pass. However, providing a negative test result will no longer be enough to enter venues after September 13, 2021.
For more information on NYC’s plan to mandate vaccines for all indoor events read the New York Times article on the mandate here.
2001 was a formative year for the relatively new Trey Anastasio Band (TAB). Since sprouting roots a few years earlier, the band had already grown from a three-piece to a six-piece ensemble. Co-founders Tony Markellis (bass) and Russ Lawton (drums), along with Trey, were supplemented with the addition of a horn section consisting of Dave Grippo (saxophone), Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet) and Andy Moroz (trombone) for a short tour earlier in the year.
Come summer, the TAB outfit would add two more full-time members, rounding into an official octet. Another Giant Country Horn, Russel Remington (saxophone/flute) was added to the fray along with Ray Paczkowski, who still mans the keyboards for the band today. The addition of Paczkowski and a keyboard rig to the lineup was a clear game changer, bringing an extra layer of sound and funk that would seem irreplaceable today. Summer of 2001 would be the first time the TAB ‘Octet’ would hit the road, one that included a pair of choice NY gigs that helped close out the tour.
August 3, 2001 Jones Beach
Trey wastes no time getting this show up and running, with the wah pedal at the ready for a bouncy “Burlap Sack and Pumps” opener. It also features an extended saxophone solo from Dave “The Truth” Grippo that helps fuel the high intensity start. The crux of the first set is a 20-minute “Last Tube” that gets smoothed out nicely after some early feedback issues. Everyone gets a turn to solo on this one in a jam that slowly but steadily picks up steam throughout. Jennifer Hartswick’s enchanting harmonies shine through on “Flock of Words” before “Cayman Review,” a song that debuted only weeks ago, picks things back up. This early version is played a step or two slower than its contemporary one, but the funk is still very much evident, showing why it’s remained a staple of TAB setlists. A spirited “Moesha” later caps off a first set that, with the exception of “Words,” never comes to a full stop.
Much like “Last Tube” in the first, TAB’s second set at Jones Beach is heavily influenced by one song. “Money, Love and Change,” another new to TAB song only debuted a handful of shows ago, opens the set and doesn’t let up until well after 25 minutes later. The opening composed section sounds a little shaky as one would expect for a new song, but soon another Tony Markellis-led groove heaps fuel onto the improvisational fire and the jam is off and running. After a brief Trey/Ray duel on guitar and keys, the main theme re-emerges briefly but instead of coming to a close, the horn section leads a direct charge into “Plasma,” cementing a powerhouse start to this set. Newcomer Russ Remington shines when given the chance to lead the way on flute for a little while. Afterwards, Trey makes note of the venue’s new upper level of seats that wasn’t there the last time her played Jones Beach before launching into a scorching “Mr. Completely.”
After closing the second set with “Sand,” the tangible Phish vibe only grew stronger as bassist Mike Gordon came out and joined Trey for a three-song acoustic encore. With Phish still in the midst of their first self-imposed hiatus at this time, this helped to quell any unfounded rumors of the band’s early demise. The “internationally acclaimed movie director” (Gordon had recently releasedOutside Out) showed off his versatility and joined Trey on acoustic guitar for “Back on the Train” before switching back to bass and closing out the evening with a “Bathtub Gin” that had large swaths of the Jones Beach crown clapping and/or singing along at various points.
Trey Anastasio Band – Jones Beach Amphitheater – Wantagh, NY 8/3/01
Set 1: Burlap Sack and Pumps, Acting the Devil, Last Tube, Flock of Words, Cayman Review, Sidewalks of San Francisco, Moesha
Set 2: Money, Love and Change -> Plasma, Mr. Completely, At the Gazebo, Sand
Encore: Mountains in the Mist, Back on the Train, Bathtub Gin
Mike Gordon sat in for entire encore.
August 5, 2001 SPAC
After a quick dip into Massachusetts on August 4 for a gig at the Tweeter Center, TAB was back in NY two days later for the tour closer, this time Upstate and visiting another old friend, SPAC. With this still very much being the “early days,” a lot of the song pairings and sequences that were seen in Jones Beach would reappear here as the band’s musical repertoire was nowhere near where it is today. But much like snowflakes, no two TAB shows are completely alike.
The band drops “Last Tube” right away this evening as the opener. While it doesn’t quite reach the range of the Jones Beach version, it serves as more than an apt opener that has the band in peak form early and the Saratoga Springs crowd up and dancing immediately. Another sterling solo from Grippo and a rousing peak led by Anastasio again highlight this one. Then it’s right back into the still fledged “Cayman Review,” with Pazckowski moving nimbly between both the clav and organ. “Burlap Sack and Pumps” rounds out the opening trio, enabled by a pulsating Tony Markellis bass line that doesn’t quit. Although the order differed, the only new song in tonight’s first set from two nights prior is the calypso-infused “Alive Again” that appears later in the set, another (now) classic TAB song that was only first played earlier this summer.
Greg Haymes’ Times Union recap of TAB at SPAC
The second set at SPAC has a familiar start but does finally begin to offer a little variety. At this point of the tour, it’s evident that Trey knows which songs are the heavy hitters. Thus, the second stanza begins with a return to “Money, Love and Change.” Once more, it doesn’t quite reach the depths of the Jones Beach version, but Trey still uses the groove-filled jam that ensues as a vehicle to transition right into “Plasma” again.
The setlist then starts to offer a little variety, starting with an exquisite take on the TAB original “Drifting” where the harmony between Anastasio and Hartswick again reigns supreme. Another familiar tune to the Phish faithful emerges after this as the band doubles up on “tubes” for the evening and drops a pulsating mid-set “First Tube.” One of the gems of the entire show is TAB’s take on the soul classic “Ooh Child,” a rare polished cover that dates all the way back to the days of the original trio.
The show, and tour, is closed out in proper fashion with a set-ending “Push On ‘Til the Day” that follows along in the early TAB tradition of locking into an early groove supplied by the rhythm section of Markellis and Lawton and then expanding from there. With the entire horn section locked in as well, it’s a joyous sendoff and a fitting set closer. The instrumental “Mozambique” serves as as the encore, wrapping up a successful tour and two nights in NY for TAB.
Friends and family gathered at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Long Island on Monday, August 2 to bid farewell to music legend Biz Markie, with a funeral attended by hip hop icons including Busta Rhymes, Kid Capri, Treach (Naughty by Nature), Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Ice-T and more. The eulogy was delivered by the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Markie was born in Harlem but raised on Long Island. He is best known for his 1989 single “Just A Friend.” His career took off after that. He acted, performed comedy, DJ’d and produced music for numerous artists. He also had a radio show on SiriusXm on LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells Radio.
In April 2020, Markie was hospitalized for complications of Type 2 diabetes. He died at a Baltimore hospital surrounded by family on July 16th at age 57. R.I.P. Biz!
Ithaca-natives X Ambassadors have shared a new song called “Okay” in preparation for their third album, The Beautiful Liar, which is set for release on September 24. X Ambassadors have also announced their upcoming U.S./European Tour, including a stop at Webster Hall in October.
X Ambassadors made their full-length debut in 2015 with VHS, that transitioned the band from Ithaca alt-rockers and Brooklyn-indie-scene outsiders to Billboard chart-toppers. Now certified platinum, VHS delivered X Ambassadors’ popular hits “Unsteady” and “Renegades,” which launched them into mainstream success. Most recently, the band released EP Belong, inspired by ’60s and ’70s soul and R&B, in March 2020 as well as three-song project (Eg) in January 2021.
“Okay” follows the June release of their darkly cinematic track “My Own Monster” whose black-and-white visual finds lead vocalist Sam Harris performing a choreographed routine with his own shadow. Both songs will be featured on the band’s third studio album The Beautiful Liar.
“Okay” marks the start of a compelling new lyrical direction for X Ambassadors. With the same emotional intensity as 2015’s “Unsteady,” “Okay” adds deeper poeticism with verses like “We’ll make no mistake, whatever may come… We’ll rise up, it’s true and we go down this road…”
Written during a period of such uncertainty, “Okay” has the ability to connect with and validate the worries of today while sending the reassuring message that things will work out eventually.
Life is unpredictable… things happen that are out of control all the time. We all are living in a constant state of uncertainty. And yet… I say it all the time. ‘Everything’s gonna be okay.’
Sam Harris, lead vocalist
“Okay” is now available for streaming on all major platforms. Preorder The Beautiful Liar album here.
Tickets are on sale now for X Ambassadors’ “The Beautiful Liar” tour, which will hit New York’s Webster Hall on October 27. Scarypoolparty and Taylor Janzen will open the show on all North American dates. For ticket information, visit xambassadors.com/tour.
Check out their U.S. tour schedule below:
X Ambassadors 2021 “Beautiful Liar” Tour
Scarypoolparty direct support, Taylor Janzen will open.
October 15 – House of Blues / San Diego, CA
October 16 – Phoenix AZ / Marquee
October 18 – Tulsa, OK / Cain’s
October 19 – Austin, TX / Emo’s
October 22 – Nashville, TN / Brooklyn Bowl
October 23 – Louisville, KY / Mercury Ballroom
October 25 – Asheville, NC / Orange Peel
October 27 – New York, NY / Webster Hall
October 28 – Boston, MA / Big Night Live
October 29 – Philadelphia, PA / Theatre of the Living Arts
October 30 – Washington, DC / Lincoln Theater
November 1 – Toronto, ONT / Danforth
November 2 – Detroit, MI / St. Andrew’s
November 4 – Chicago, IL / Vic
November 5 – Indianapolis, IN / Deluxe
November 6 – Milwaukee, WI / Rave
November 8 – Kansas City, MO / Truman
November 9 – Minneapolis, MN / Varsity
November 11 – Denver, CO / Ogden
November 12 – Salt Lake City, UT / The Depot
November 13 – Boise, ID / Revolution Concert House
The City Parks Foundation has announced that the 2020 SummerStage Jubilee benefit concerthas been nominated for a New York Emmy. The documentary film shows off the impacts of the City Parks Foundation free programs in New York City parks, which was originally aired in September 2020 on WABC-TV, as well as digitally streamed. The Emmy nomination is for the Documentary Cultural Category.
The film follows the story of a young girls journey throughout the five boroughs while enjoying musical performances by Sting, Norah Jones, Trey Anastasio, Rufus Wainwright, Leslie Odom Jr., Rosanne Cash, Emily King and PJ Morton with appearances by comedian Louis Black and musical artists H.E.R., Paul Shaffer, Jimmy Fallon and many more.
Along with the City parks Foundation, SummerStage founder Joe Killian is nominated as the Executive Producer of the film. SummerStage has been around for 35 years and is a music and entertainment powerhouse.
Oscar winning producer and now Emmy-nominee Jonathan Olson breathes life into the SummerStage Jubilee at a time when public programs were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. NYC parks remained open as some of the only public areas available to all.
Donations to SummerStage help ensure New York’s largest free outdoor performing arts festival is able to remain free and available to all New Yorkers, giving residents a chance to converse and hang out with others while attending this terrific event. For more information, visit www.SummerStage.org.
Gear up for a night of music, dance, and community on a rooftop in Brooklyn! “Rooftop Rock,” a live-music fundraiser event for local artists, will be held at the Bogart House in Bushwick on Sunday, August 15.
Starting at 11 a.m., various Brooklyn-based bands will take the stage at the Bogart House’s roof-deck in hopes to bring the Bushwick community together by sharing and promoting local music. New York City visual artists will also have some pieces on display and for sale. All proceeds from the event will be evenly distributed amongst all performers.
By giving back to the artist community, we give to the community as a whole. The fundamentals of creativity are essential to the well-being of every New Yorker and the city’s vibrancy at its core.
Alyssa Martin, Founder of Chelsea Records NY
Hosted by non-profit organization Chelsea Records, Rooftop Rock seeks to uplift new musical acts by relieving the pressures and financial burdens of booking shows. This more lighthearted approach allows for a concert experience where artists can express themselves without hesitation and the art can speak for itself. Especially after a year of isolation, collaboration and networking is essential to bring life into local music scenes again.
We began using a personal roster of musicians to book full line-up shows at local venues and used our own individual contacts to fill the room. (Musicians) were also exposed to a brand new audience that soaked in all of their incredible work.
Alyssa Martin, Founder of Chelsea Records NY
A full bar will be available on site and more artists are to be announced. Tickets are on sale now for $25 each on Humbler.
Rooftop Rock Details
Date: Sunday, August 15th, 2021
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Bogart House – 230 Bogart Street Brooklyn, NY (Rooftop)
The Blind Boys of Alabama and Béla Fleck have joined together on record for the first time to release a special 45RPM 7” on Alabama-based label Single Lock Records. The powerful and uplifting cover of Nina Simone’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” marks their first release of 2021, and it is one to remember.
Jimmy Carter (center) and the Blind Boys Of Alabama
American Christian/Gospel icons Blind Boys of Alabama and banjoist extraordinaire Béla Fleck, have collectively earned 20 Grammy Awards and scores of other accolades. Now, they share the A-Side of this historic collaboration in, “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free.” A Billy Taylor and Dick Dallas classic popularized by Nina Simone, it continues to serve as an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement to this day. The Blind Boys of Alabama and Béla Fleck revitalize the song in a masterful cover that fans around the world will not want to miss.
Jimmy Carter (center) and The Blind Boys perform live at Nelsonville Music Festival | Photo by Rubato
Leader and oldest member of the Blind Boys of Alabama, Jimmy Carter, has helped define American Gospel music over the past eighty years. The Blind Boys are not only five-time Grammy winners, but they are Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Carter sang with the original group, including Clarence Fountain in the 1940s while they attended the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind together. However, he was deemed too young to tour with them at that time. Following his time with the Dixieland Blind Boys and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, Carter then joined the Blind Boys of Alabama. He has become a beloved member with the group for over forty years.
We’ve crossed paths with Béla Fleck on stage and socially for many years. He’s an incredible talent. This is one of the most unique collaborations for the Blind Boys. I’m excited for the song and 45 to be shared with the fans.
Blind Boys’ Jimmy Carter
Eric “Ricky” McKinnie (center) and The Blind Boys of Alabama
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia Eric “Ricky” McKinnie began his musical career from a young age. His gospel roots propelled him to greatness after he, his mother, and his brother formed the Ricky McKinnie Singers in 1978. Later, In 1989, Clarence Fountain invited McKinnie to join the Blind Boys of Alabama as a drummer, vocalist, and tour manager. Since then, Ricky has been performing with the iconic group, leading them to awards while inspiring millions of fans across the nation. Learn more about the rest of the Blind Boys members HERE
After sharing stages with Béla Fleck in the past years, I find it to be both exciting and a pleasure to sing on a track with him. Anyone that misses this collaboration is missing one of the best.
Ricky McKinnie of the Blind Boys on Fleck and their latest release
Béla Fleck performing live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Bluegrass artist and master banjo player, Béla Anton Leos Fleck is a true legend in his field. Born in New York City, Fleck discovered his love of music at a young age through TV, radio, and a newly bought banjo. Years later, his relocation to Kentucky instilled within him a uniquely majestic sound that not only helped revitalize modern bluegrass, but also great success over the years. Now, he teams up with the Blind Boys to once again bring even more life to the Civil Rights classic.
I loved having the chance to work with the Blind Boys. I’ve dug their music since I first heard them, and it was such a thrill to be in the band!
Single Lock Records has released this special song on all major listening platforms. Check out the release YouTube below:
For more from the Blind Boys and their legacy visit HERE along with their Spotify and YouTube. Also, be sure to listen to more of the iconic Béla Fleck via Spotify and YouTube:
Brooklyn-based funk band Turkuaz has announced their safe and triumphant return to the road with a 2021 fall tour across the United States alongside the Los Angeles-based quintet, Thumpasaurus.
Turkuaz and Thumpasaurus will be kicking the tour off at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 8 with shows continuing throughout the South for the majority of October. The band then comes home for two Halloween shows at New York City’s own recently renovated and reopened Webster Hall before they make their way down the East Coast through November until early December. They will be making Two more stops in New York on November 16 at Empire Live in Albany and on November 18 at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo. Following their East Coast stint, Turkuaz will then hit the Midwest and West with plays in Omaha, Nebraska, and Denver, Colorado before they wrap up in Chicago at Park West.
“We’re ready to be back on the bus, trekking around the country, and bringing that energy that only live (and loud) music brings to us and our fans alike.”
Turkuaz frontman Dave Brandwein following the band’s recent summer tour
To top off the year, Turkuaz will also be celebrating 2022 with their annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop event in Hartford, CT for two nights at Infinity Hall. General tickets are is now on sale via the band’s website with some free showings available. Be sure to listen to Turkuaz’s latest music and releases on Spotify HERE
Turkuaz Fall 2021 Tour Dates, with Special Guests Thumpasaurus
Aug. 11 – Livingston, MT – Pine Creek Lodge * Aug. 12 – Victor, ID – Music On Main Series * Aug. 14 – ParkCity, UT – Canyons * Aug.15 – Huntsville, UT – Blues, Brew, & BBQ * Aug. 16 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up * Aug. 17 – Vail, CO – Hot Summer Nights Series * Aug. 18 – Cheyenne, WY – The Lincoln Cheyenne * Aug. 24 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Plaza Aug. 26 – Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum Art Company Aug. 27 – Austin, TX – Mohawk Aug. 28 – Houston, TX – Last Concert Cafe Oct. 8th – New Orleans, LA – Tipitinas * Oct. 19th – Charleston, SC – Pour House Oct. 20th – Savannah, GA – District Live Oct. 21st – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West Oct. 22nd – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel Oct. 23rd – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Oct. 24th – Birmingham, AL – Saturn Oct. 27th – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre Oct. 28th – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club Oct. 29th – New York, NY – Webster Hall Oct. 30th – New York, NY – Webster Hall Nov. 4th – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Nov. 5th – Boston, MA – Big Night Live Nov. 6th – Portland, ME – State Theater Nov. 16th – Albany, NY – Empire Live Nov. 17th – Harrisburg, PA – HMAC Nov. 18th – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom Nov. 19th – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Nov. 20th – Detroit, MI – El Club Dec. 2nd – Richmond, VA – The National Dec. 3rd – Philadelphia, PA – TBA Dec. 4th – Columbus, OH – Bluestone Dec. 5th – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation Dec. 9th – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line * Dec. 10th – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room * Dec. 11th – Denver, CO – TBA Dec. 14th – Madison, WI -Majestic Theatre * Dec. 15th – Louisville, KY -Gravely Brewing * Dec. 16th – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall * Dec. 17th – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue * Dec. 18th – Chicago, IL – Park West * Dec. 30th & 31st – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall *
Located just a stone’s throw from the Brooklyn Bridge, the Get Back!: The Dock Street Concerts continues at St. Ann’s Warehouse in DUMBO. The series invites New Yorkers to listen and dance to free live music and poetry by genre-spanning artists in the waterfront Brooklyn Bridge Park.
St. Ann’s Warehouse, photo from charcoalblue.com
Get Back! The Dock Street Concerts kicked off earlier this month and brings an exciting and diverse lineup to round out July and August.
Thursday, July 29 (7PM) (Postponed due to inclement weather): Brooklyn poet multi-hyphenate writer and artist Cyrus Aaron—whose poetry is featured in Khadijat Oseni and Julian Alexander’s acclaimed public art project Supremacy Project, currently installed on the exterior walls of St. Ann’s Warehouse—brings the BLK HRS collective of musicians he leads back to St. Ann’s Warehouse by popular demand.
Thursday, August 5 (7PM): Siblings Marcus Machado and Vicky Casis, aka Mach-7 Muzik, blend hip hop with rock, funk, and soul. They lead a jam session called The Cypher that convenes musicians, singers, rappers, poets, and other creatives.
Thursday, August 12 (7PM): NAACP Image Award-nominated poet and Urban Word NYC Artistic Director Mahogany L. Browne, who is also featured in Supremacy Project and was recently named Lincoln Center’s first-ever Poet in Residence at Lincoln Center, returns to St. Ann’s with her show Mahogany L. Browne’s Rhythm Section, including Jive Poetic on turntables and special guests: singer JP Reynolds, singer/poet Adam Falkner, and poet L Ash.
Thursday, August 19 (7PM): The celebrated South Africa-born, New York-based, vocalist, performer, and composer Vuyo Sotashe recently wowed St. Ann’s Warehouse audiences in The Bengsons’ The Broken Ear Setlist: Songs from Ohio. He now headlines a show with his quintet.
Tuesday, August 24 (7PM): Sunny Jain performs music from his “Wild Wild East” project, which recasts the immigrant as the modern-day cowboy and cowgirl. Jain sources inspiration from the scores of Bollywood classics and Spaghetti Westerns, Indian folk traditions, jazz improvisation, and rollicking psychedelic and surf guitar styles.
Thursday, August 26 (7PM): the duo SaaWee is made up of the Latin Grammy-winning New York-based violinist Sita Chay and the provocative London-based percussionist Jihye Kim. They collaborate with Brooklyn singer-songwriter J. Hoard in this performance honoring Elijah McClain and other victims of police violence and hate crimes.
Get Back!: The Dock Street Concerts are supported by Con Edison as part of the #ArtsAlFrescoNY series, which presents free and safe outdoor arts experiences across the five boroughs, and Westchester, Orange and Rockland counties. St. Ann’s Warehouse first presented Get Back!last year as New Yorkers sheltered in place. Inspired by the Beatles’ iconic 1969 rock event, artists perform on St. Ann’s roof balcony.
St. Ann’s is an iconic space for artists to foster their craft. Signature flexible, open space allows artists to stretch, both literally and imaginatively, enabling them to approach work with unfettered creativity, knowing that the theater can be adapted in multiple configurations to suit their needs.
Get Back! 2021: The Dock Street Concerts take place 7-9pm at the top of Dock Street, between St. Ann’s Warehouse and Jane’s Carousel. St. Ann’s Warehouse is located in Brooklyn Bridge Park at 45 Water Street |DUMBO| Brooklyn. For updates, check out St. Ann’s Instagram and Twitter pages.
Fair Visions, a Brooklyn-based pop-punk act led by songwriter Ryan Work, has announced their sophomore EP. The Modern Kids EP comes out September 1 but in the meantime, fans can listen to their title track and lead single, “Modern Kids.”
Photo by Rita Iovine
“Modern Kids” has received praise from critics like Under the Radar and Indie 88. The track certainly evokes an 80s sensibility, complete with synths and pulsing rhythms. Fair Visions brings a new wave sound into a new era, inspired by icons like Bowie, New Order and Depeche Mode.
Fair Visions’ last project was their 2020 EP, A Way Out. The upcoming Modern Kids EP will bring a darker, more melancholic sound with new sonic textures. Work and the band have stated that their forthcoming LP, slated for release in 2022, thematically addresses “family issues and apocalypse feelings”.
Work came to New York by way of his Tennessee hometown. In 2018, Fair Visions opened for fellow post-punk revivalists Nation of Language, which led Work to align with studio collaborator Abe Seiferth (LCD Soundsystem, Guerilla Toss, Car Seat Headrest). Seiferth had a large role in the studio production of Modern Kids.
“Modern Kids” is available to stream now while the titles of the five other EP tracks have been released. In advance of September 1, be sure to connect with Fair Visions on Facebook and Instagram and listen to “Modern Kids” below.
