RODERIK, the Long Island pop-punk/post-hardcore band, debuted a new single titled “You’ll Never Know.”This is the band’s second single and the latest in a series of new tunes the band will be releasing this year.
The band name, RODERIK, derived from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, and fittingly formed during the early stages of a global pandemic, is comprised of remnants and fragments of bands that once reverberated through the vibrant Long Island music scene. Members include Alternative Press recognized band Approaching Troy, singer/songwriter Jake Anthony Salazar & guitarist Jay T. Sutherland set out with bassist David P. K., and drummer Danny Nugent, to rebuild and reformulate.
After years of writing and playing shows together, these four members have finally come together to not only make music, but build visual experiences that would mirror that of its dark origins. The band aims to combine musical elements with visual representation, showcasing the dark and honest truth of Salazar’s dark lyrics, which stem from his life experiences and ongoing battle with depression.
Of the new track, singer/songwriter Jake Anthony Salazar said, “In many ways, “You’ll Never Know” is a sequential follow up to our first single, “Save Me. Save Me” which was about my internal monologue during one of the most difficult times in my life. Whereas “You’ll Never Know” is about realizing I had to save myself, and reconciling with that. Only I could make the changes that were needed for me to be happy, but with change comes loss. “You’ll Never Know” is more focused on coming to the reality of my situation, and the grief that came with escaping it. Things that are good for us, in the long run, don’t always feel that great in the now, and this song is me trying to come to terms with that.”
To stay up to date with RODERIK follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
The Central Park mega concert announced on last month, in celebration of New York reopening and pulling back COVID-19 restrictions, now has a lineup. Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson and Bruce Springsteen will headline the concert. The show is tentatively set for August 21, 2021 on the Great Lawn.
Photo by Rafael Puerto of the Great Lawn at Central Park.
Mayor Bill de Blasio is planning this mega concert that will host multiple acts. Clive Davis has been chosen by the mayor to pull this mega concert together. Davis is a well known 89-year-old producer and music-industry eminence. Davis has quite a career that has spanned over five-decades. He has worked with big names like Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston. He has hosted the Grammy Gala annually since 1976.
It’s going to be one of the greatest Central Park concerts in history. This is something you do not want to miss. This is something for the ages.
Mayor Bill de Blasio
The New York Times had said Davis “is aiming for eight ‘iconic’ stars to perform a three-hour show for 60,000 attendees and a worldwide television audience.” Some details on the event have been released though including it taking place at the Great Lawn, Live Nation will be involved with the production, and the majority of tickets will be free, although there will be some V.I.P. seating. 70% of all tickets will go to those who have received their COVID-19 vaccination.
The Great Lawn at Central Park has hosted lots of famous concerts in it’s time. Some of the big names include Carole King who serenaded 70,000 people there in 1973. Elton John played back in 1980 and the following year Simon & Garfunkel reunited for an estimated 400,000 people. Diana Ross performed in 1983, Luciano Pavarotti in 1993 and the Dave Matthews Band in 2003.
The show is supposed to feel like a homecoming to New York City after the pandemic that has been gripping the world for the last year and a half. In an interview, Mayor Bill de Blasio said that, “This concert is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s going to be an amazing lineup. The whole week is going to be like nothing you’ve ever seen before in New York City.”
https://youtu.be/mefvCRU22oY
The concept for the Central Park mega concert came to fruition recently. Davis said that the mayor called him three weeks ago and asked him to present a show in partnership with the city that would celebrate New York’s reopening and emphasize the need to vaccinate more young people.
It is going to be a great moment for the city, marking our rebirth, marking our comeback. We’re very excited, and it’s going to be a historic event, to say the least.
Mayor Bill de Blasio
More details will be shared in coming weeks for the August 21 mega-concert. Stay tuned to NYS Music!
Update July 27, 2021: The full lineup was announced on July 27, 2021 by Mayor Bill de Blasio, Clive Davis, Live Nation/NYCEDC chair Danny Meyer. The free mega-concert will be taking place on the Great Lawn in Central Park on Saturday, August 21. Although Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson and Paul Simon were hinted as being the headliners previously now the expanded lineup has also been announced and includes big names like Jon Batiste, Andrea Bocelli, Kane Brown, LL COOL J, Elvis Costello, Lucky Daye, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Cynthia Erivo, Jimmy Fallon, Wyclef Jean, Journey, The Killers, Gayle King, Don Lemon, Barry Manilow, The New York Philharmonic, Polo G, Carlos Santana, Patti Smith, and Rob Thomas.
NYC-based indie dream-pop trio ALMA has entered the stage, with their latest single “Mornight.” The single is a realistic twist on your classic top of the pops hit, it takes the perspective of a bartender working the night shift in NYC. Showcasing the trio’s impressive production chops, “Mornight” is full of catchy melodic hooks, dreamy harmonies, and has an overwhelming danceability sound.
Photo Courtesy of Abbey Mackay
The song is from their LP Mosaic (coming out this fall). Mosaic, is a personal letter to NYC. Each song delivers the story of a moment in time in the city they call home. Mosaic invites you to sit beside them on the subway, walk with them through Astoria Park, and ride the Wonder Wheel at night as you feel what it means to be a New Yorker. They have been releasing singles from the album since September of 2020.
ALMA is comprised of Alba S. Torremocha (vocals, strings, bass, drums, guitar, uke) Lillie R. McDonough (vocals, piano, glock, violin, hammer dulcimer), and Melissa K. Carter (vocals, guitar). The trio formed in 2019 out of a shared delight in harmonizing and experimentation with quirky instrumentals and old-fangled synthesizers. They discovered certain alchemy in the combination of sensibilities as film composers and audio engineers that have made for a genre-bending offering to the wide world of indie-pop. Elements of Folk, Rock, Grunge, Pop, and even movie soundtracks are all at home in their songs.
ALMA was named an NYFA Fellow for their genre-pushing work in 2019, and later was an Awesome Foundation Grant recipient in 2020. They are currently in the process of producing a staged, theatrical musical of their freshman album in partnership with Savannah Repertory Theater.
Their newest single, “Sips of Oxygen” will be released on July 30th and is a marvelous stripped down track that guides listeners through the moments before you lose someone special to you. The track is admirably vulnerable and raw, and perfectly encompasses the vibe of ALMA.
“Sips of Oxygen” is about the moment before you lose someone, when the vibrancy of a life collapses into the act of breathing in and out. The entire song is a cinematic journey that is gentle yet also extremely heavy. The lyrics perfectly grasp the horrific pain of grief and proves to listeners how fast life runs away from us.
Their debut album, Mosaic, is to be released on September 7th. It is a personal letter to NYC that is a patchwork of personal experiences that the band members have endured while living in the city. What’s special about this album is it takes the listener on a citywide adventure through many of the five boroughs: on the subway, through Astoria park, and on the Wonder Wheel at night to feel what it’s like to be a New Yorker. More than that, the album transcends the limits of place and invites the listener to fully inhabit each song, no matter where they are.
Queens-based band The Forms released their first new new song “Southern Ocean” on June 21. This single marks The Forms’ return to music after a ten year hiatus.
The New York duo, made up of musicians Alex Tween and Matt Walsh, have two full-length albums to date, debuting Icarusin 2003 and critically acclaimed, self-titled, The Formsin 2007.
The last taste of new music from the group prior to ‘Southern Ocean’ was 2011 EP Derealization, that featured The National’s Matt Berninger and Shudder To Think’s Craig Wedren. Over the course of these releases, The Forms were invited to share the stage with a large collection of artists including St. Vincent, Nick Cave, The National, Dizzee Rascal, The Hold Steady, Kurt Vile, Jose Gonzales, Deerhunter and Bat For Lashes.
It might have taken a decade for The Forms, but “Southern Ocean” is worth the wait. The song provides a first hint of what is to come from The Forms’ upcoming third album.
The Forms’ style is a great representation of early 2000’s alternative, reminiscent of bands like Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire. This idea is most prevalent in their cover of Billy Joel‘s “We Didn’t Start The Fire.” The grungy electronic pop is iconic for the decade, and their current sound seems to be a more “grown up” version of the same intensity.
“Southern Ocean” is super upbeat and beachy, a similar vibe that electronic duo The Chainsmokers have. Fun-loving, yet reflective with lyrics like “Just another phase I’m in – Just another road I’m on – Doesn’t make a difference what I do.” This single definitely has potential to be on a pop-radio summer playlist.
The single arrives with a visualizer made up of a series of stunning shots of the Southern Ocean, the waters that inspired the name of the new track. Previously considered a part of the Pacific Ocean, the swift current off the coast of Antarctica is now being considered “too distinct” by National Geographic cartographers and is worthy of its own name.
In live music communities, you’ll find fans who put their talents to use for the benefit of all, thanks to their love of the music. One of those fans, Justin Treanor, has taken his love for the Disco Biscuits and playing guitar to a new level, with a website full of Biscuits’ guitar tabs, SickBarberLicks.net
Justin Treanor, a 32 year old from Babylon, NY has been a Disco Biscuits fan since 2007. He’s also been playing guitar for 20 years, and the two intertwined in 2016 when he started tabbing out the Disco Biscuits catalog.
“Sick Barber Licks,” named for Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig’s ‘sick’ guitar compositions and improvisation, has been a passion project of Treanor’s, one with a worthy cause and goal – promoting the music of his favorite band so more may learn to play the music of the Biscuits. For the last 5 years, he’s tabbed out all 207 Disco Biscuits songs as well as a handful of covers (“The Safety Dance” and “Run Like Hell” among them). Included in each song are scans of his handwritten tabs, song lyrics and in most cases, a video showing how to play the song.
A self-taught guitarist, Treanor has played in local bands over the years, playing for fun more than anything. He would watch guitar videos and later create his own videos, having tabbed out 207 songs. Treanor has had the benefit of band members supporting his endeavors, with Marc, Jon and Aron all giving him feedback.
The response has been overwhelming from the fans. People tell me they use the site all the time, and the site sees about 250-300 unique visitors a week. It’s truly amazing.
Treanor’s first Biscuits show was on May 25, 2007 at Highline Ballroom in Chelsea. He was hooked instantly, sharing that it was an “insane Mr. Don -> inverted Little Betty Boop they played to start the second set” that hooked him. For Treanor, “the mix of jam music and intense trance hooked me from the first few notes.”
Treanor has also made the most of this past year, adding to his site’s cache of tabs, and expanded to bass tabs with Sick Brownie Bombs (9 songs so far) and friend Justin Highland starting Sick Magner Melodies (2 songs so far).
SickBarberLicks.net is a fan created website featuring tabs for all 207 Disco Biscuits songs. Those looking to support Treanor’s work and help improve the fan-driven site’s continuing effort, can do so here, via Paypal here or Venmo (@treanorjustin88).
Born and raised in the New York City area, rising singer songwriter Ella Isaacson has been making waves with each new release.
Photo accessed from Bong Mines Entertainment
Isaacson was raised in the arts. As she started writing songs and discovering her passion for music around age 13, Isaacson made sure to infuse personal experiences and raw emotion into her lyrics. Isaacson does not shy away from addressing body image, mental health and other aspects of her inner monologue, making her music uniquely intimate.
I’ve always been an over-thinker, it’s my curse and my blessing. I’m not sure if there’s a moment where my brain really rests, sometimes words and concepts just come to me as I go about my day. If one strikes a chord with what I’m currently going through in my life then the stream of consciousness starts to flow.
Ella Isaacson
Once Isaacson’s career began taking off, managers and industry figures tried getting her to change her image and appeal to the pop landscape. Isaacson instead took a trip to Sweden where she began centering her authentic self. She has continued to release songs with a personal flair and does not fit into a strict genre box.
“Expectations”, one of Isaacson’s latest releases in collaboration with Gallant, saw viral success and has been featured in popular TikToks as well as Spotify and Apple editorial playlists like New Music Fridays, Young Wild & Free, Pop Edge, Pop Right Now, Mood Booster, and Fresh & Chill.
Isaacson’s latest single “Maybelline” explores a love story with truthful transparency. In her own words, her artistic process generally focuses on showcasing relatability and emotional confidence.
I can easily say falling in love for real for the first time, changed everything about my writing. It made me look at myself in a whole new way. I always need my music to say or question something real now. We all want to make the right choices, have the right job, the fairytale love, skyscraper high confidence, the right amount of success but reality exists in the grey and the nuance and I guess that’s something I hope people take away when they hear my music. That we all feel a little lost, a little behind, a little too rough around the edges when you get close.
Ella Isaacson
Isaacson now lives in Los Angeles but continues to take inspiration from her free spirited New York upbringing. You can learn more about her on her website and connect on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Her music is available on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
The Bronx Music Heritage Center held a percussion discussion on June 16, part two of El Tambor Arabe. The musicians participated in a live discussion on Facebook about what they enjoy the most about Arabic music.
The event started with a performance from the band followed by an interview that was conducted by NY-based drummer Bobby Sanabria. Each of the musicians shared their stories on how they got interested in Arabic music. Zafer Tawil is from Palestine and has worked at many pop records and movie soundtracks. He fell in love with music and instruments at an early age.
Michael Burdi is from Brooklyn and grew up in an Italian and Syrian family. He grew up listening to hip hop and rock music and played guitar. He developed an interest into heritage music and eventually started to play music with Tawil. Philip Mayer grew up in Miami and didn’t grow up listening to Arabic music. It wasn’t until he was in his 20s when Mayer moved to New York and became interested in Arabic music.
The artists also spoke about the drums that they use and how they are used to play music in many other cultures. They also spoke about the difficul parts in playing the drums.
The Bronx Music Heritage Center provides musicians from other cultures to speak about how music has influenced society. You can check out more information about other events on their website.
You can also watch the discussion at the Bronx Music Heritage’s Facebook page.
Warwick native and 18-year-old college freshman, Grace Yurchuk, released two singles from her dorm room at NYU during the Spring semester. Written, recorded, and produced all from within the confines of the Covid quarantine.
A student of the Vocal Performance program at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, she recently received The Josh Goldfaden Award for writing from NYU College of Arts & Sciences and expects to make the Dean’s List this year.
If you need a song to play in the car that your friends will actually like, Grace Yurchuk is an artist to watch. So far with two singles out, she hasn’t missed. Following the rise in feel good music, these bedroom pop tracks are a good addition to playlists with similar artists such as Beach Bunny, Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, and girl in red.
While it’s not unusual for a young musician to release a song, this effort was unique. When faced with the grim prospect of social isolation, online classes, and staying healthy, Grace turned to her music as a creative outlet. “Need Me” was a solo effort—written, recorded, mixed, mastered, and released from her dorm room without assistance from other artists or a professional studio.
The second single Grace released on May 21, titled “Good Together,” has careful thought put into everything from backing vocals to synth, which were still hand-picked, mastered, and everything in between by Grace herself. If you thought “Need Me” was good, wait until you hear “Good Together.” The progress made in between songs can be heard and it is a pleasure to know this is only the start.
“I think I had a lot of time, more time than usual– I’m sure everybody did because of the pandemic– to do different projects. The way that the first single happened ‘Need Me,’ it came to me kind of suddenly when I was out and about. When it became something I couldn’t put down and I spent all that time on it, I was just like you know what I worked really hard, this one feels ready. I felt it, I kinda knew.”
Both singles that have been released so far deal with interpersonal relationships, released at a time when those were hard to find and maintain for everyone. “I’m from a really small town and the city was different, it was jumping into a totally different experience especially in the middle of a pandemic, and all of my online classes,” Grace explained. “Making new friends was a struggle at first, all I wanted was to make something that was long lasting, meaningful, and making friends that would matter to me.”
When times were particularly tough for the college first year, she turned to music. “I’ve always fallen back on recording, that’s why I’ve done it for so long. I could always depend on it, so when it came down to that– in Manhattan living alone, I was like ‘This is it. This is what I do,’ I did what I know.”
A self-proclaimed Swiftie, Grace draws her inspiration from her pop idol. “I like different artists for different reasons and I like [Taylor Swift] because she has the ability to tell a story that I really admire, like with her lyrics. But then I also like bands like Beach Fossils, I like the atmosphere they create. Other than that I like Ariana Grande because who doesn’t like insane vocals like that. There are so many different factors that make a band or an artist great and for me whenever I make music I just want to tell a story somehow with the instrumentation or with the vocal, with the lyrics.”
But more important is the driving force that kept her going, and got her start, for all these years. “I record and I write alone, but the fact of the matter is, nobody ever does anything really alone. My parents have always pushed me to do this. They’ve never once told me to think about it, they’re always like, ‘No, this is your dream, go for it.’ All of my teachers along the way, I’ve played piano forever and my piano teacher was a big propelling force in that too. My sisters too. I say that I’m the big sister but I look up to both of them, more than they probably look up to me. They’re incredible and I play all of my music for them first. I love them.”
For her dream lineup to perform with, she chose Taylor Swift, obviously, and her new college friends. “I don’t want to sound cheesy but the first people I want to perform with are the people I met at school. Because I know I’ll get to see them again and they’re so insanely talented. As soon as I can go back to any New York venue I’ll want to perform with the people I’ve met and have encouraged me to do this too.”
As for future plans, “First thing, I just want to go out with all of my friends, I want to get a couple of gigs book. Everyone else has been not performing for a year but I am really desperate to get back in there. As long as I’m out and about and getting to live life again. Everywhere you look in the city there’s going to be something to do and I want to do everything.”
Look out for Grace Yurchuk and her debut EP before the summer is over. “I’m looking forward to getting the EP out because I think it tells a really cool story.”
The two released tracks are available on all major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora, TikTok, and Tidal. The song, entitled “Need Me,” has already been streamed thousands of times since its debut on April 16.
Westchester bred singer songwriter Thomas Pipolo (Pip) has collaborated with Dr. Dre’s production partner Sam Sneed on his newest single, “Sinatra Swag”.
With this release, Pip and Sneed set out to reimagine the sound of Frank Sinatra for a Gen Z audience. The summery single features trap beats while also showcasing old school influences.
“Sinatra Swag” was inspired by the desire to feel and explore a little bit of that old school magic, persona and sound that I feel has been missing in our culture. This song infuses an old classic sound with a modern pop feel — plus it was pretty easy to write about Frank Sinatra as an Italian American musician who is from the shadows of New York City like myself.
Pip
Before he officially became Pip, 25 year old Pipolo played Division I baseball in college. He left the sport following injuries and mental health struggles and began playing guitar and piano at age 18 to relax and unwind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbM9_yGnMoo
“Sinatra Swag” is not Pip’s first single. Along with his other tracks “2:22”, “Human Interaction” and “Dancin’ in the Rain”, Pip often shares his music on TikTok. Along with playing samples or acoustic versions of his own songs to his nearly 80,000 followers, Pip posts TikToks covering some of his favorite artists. He recently covered “Peaches” by Justin Bieber (someone he cites as a musical influence), “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys and “Daughters” by John Mayer.
Pip, photo accessed through @pipmusic_ Instagram
In creating his original music, including “Sinatra Swag”, Pip wants to blend diverse genre influences with authentic lyrics. Adorned in his signature baseball cap and sometimes simply strumming his acoustic guitar, Pip aims to create a timeless sound enjoyable for all generations.
While sipping on Loverboy in The Hamptons, Pip instantly thought the name would be a great title for a summer song.
Being a songwriter, I am always looking for unique titles and ideas to write about. The song captures the vibe of what it’s like to be outside by the pool, sipping on something cool and celebrating life with your friends in The Hamptons.
Pip
Pip perfectly captures the essence of The Hamptons magic with his flirty lyrics, smooth beats, Gatsby references and can-pop sounds. “This song will make you want to pop open a cool drink on a hot day and celebrate summer.” ‘Loverboy’ is penned by Pip and the GOOOD MOOOD collective, including 2AM, Gramz, Jake Eckhaus, Ali Soomro & EMME.
The Long Island Music Hall of Fame has announced the awarding of its 2021 student scholarships. This year LIMHOF acknowledged four students with the $500 Distinction in Music award for their accomplishments.
This year’s winners are Elias Giuliano of Northport; Emily Howell of Plainview; Lauren Enos of Riverhead; and Anthony Barone of Mastic.
“The Long Island Music Hall of Fame is honored to have the opportunity to support and acknowledge accomplished high school seniors who are pursuing a future in music… The talent that exists on Long Island is something we at LIMHoF want to celebrate. In addition to following their own dreams, we believe these students will encourage and inspire others.”
LIMHoF Education Chairman Tom Needham
Left to right, top to bottom: Elias Giuliano of Northport; Emily Howell of Plainview; Lauren Enos of Riverhead; and Anthony Barone of Mastic, were the recipients of the 2021 Long Island Music Hall of Fame Distinction in Music Award.
Here are the for LIMHoF award winners:
Elias Giuliano, who attends Northport High School, plays viola in the symphony orchestra and piano in the jazz ensemble. He received accolades for his original compositions of piano music. “Elias possesses the versatility of a first-rate composer, performer, and mentor to so many students. He is an outstanding musician and person,” said Dr. Frank Doyle — who was awarded by LIMHoF as Music Educator of Note in 2016.
“I am honored and thrilled to be a LIMHoF scholarship recipient,” Giuliano said. “As an aspiring music teacher who wants to make music a lasting part of my life — and hopefully the lives of many others — I am humbled to be recognized by some of Long Island’s most amazing talent.”
Giuliano plans to attend SUNY Fredonia this fall and major in Music Education.
Emily Howell, who attends Plainview Old Bethpage High School, plays the French horn. In addition to recognition as a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-Eastern Symphony Orchestra, she was also a member of the 2019 All-State Wind Ensemble and 2020 All-State Symphony Orchestra as a principal horn.
“Music provides a mode of expression and gives hope in a way that nothing else can; it truly enriches my life,” Howell said. “Music provides comfort and solace at all times — and especially in today’s unsettled times. Whether it might be at a funeral (where music truly heals), or a wedding (where music commemorates and celebrates), or simply in my living room or kitchen (where some type of live or recorded music is always going), music has an emotional role and influential presence. It is a vehicle for communication, an art of sound that expresses emotions, thoughts, and ideas through harmonies, rhythms and melody: The ultimate universal language that speaks to everyone.”
Howell plans to attend Julliard School of Music and major in performance on French horn.
Lauren Enos, who attends Riverhead High School, has been playing music since the third grade. She currently plays bass clarinet, and she participated in the All-State 2020 Wind Ensemble and was principal clarinet in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State 2019 Symphony Orchestra.
“It is a great honor to receive an award from the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and to be among some of the most distinguished musicians on Long Island,” Enos said. “I appreciate the generosity of this organization in their efforts to help musicians like me further their musical endeavors.”
Enos plans to attend Eastman School of Music in Rochester.
Anthony Barone, who attends William Floyd High School, plays double bass in the William Floyd High School Symphonic Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. He also participated in the All-State 2019 and 2020 Symphony Orchestra and the New York Youth Symphony. “Anthony is the real deal,” said William Floyd Symphonic Orchestra Director Christopher Shaughnessy about Barone, “…One of the hardest working students I have ever met.”
“Music has made me what I am now, and in my heart of hearts, music is who I am,” said Barone. “I will become a teacher to not only spread my appreciation of music, but to also help those, like me, through music.”
Barone plans to attend Ithaca College this fall and major in Bass Performance.
Students in Brooklyn, Nassau, Queens, and Suffolk counties are eligible to apply for the scholarships. This program is in addition to other education acknowledgments that the Long Island Music Hall of Fame sponsors, including the Music Educator of Note and the High School Recognition Awards. Learn more about LIMHoF’s scholarship program HERE.
