NYS Music 202​1

Category: NYC Metro

  • Sulene Releases Chill Version of Destiny Child’s ‘Say My Name’

    Brooklyn-based indie-pop artist Sulene, releases her twist on the famous Destiny’s Child song, “Say My Name”, following the release of her EP, he•don•ic.

    Sulene

    Sulene was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa but when she turned 19, she came to the U.S with plans to start her music career. In 2013, she graduated from Berklee College with a degree in film scoring and moved to Brooklyn and began to sing and write songs.

    The following years consisted of her playing the guitar for Betty Who, Candy Hearts– now known as Best Ex, and for Nate Ruess of the band Fun. She’s performed on live television, her music has been featured on television shows and films. Her music has been a hit in clubs throughout the city and has made an impression on President Obama. In 2017 Sulene released her first solo EP titled, Strange— which she wrote in hotel rooms and tour buses. 

    On March 5, 2021, Sulene dropped he•don•ic, which she wrote, produced and recorded in her apartment in Brooklyn. He•don•ic tells the story of her relationship with hedonism and addiction which was a difficult process for her. The dark and candid lyrics were accompanied by beats consisting of synths and guitars. The EP allowed her to express herself in a different way, and she kept that going with her new spin on Destiny Child’s “Say My Name.”

    Sulene grew up listening to their music and admired it. She covered the hit song about two years ago during a live show but wanted to switch up its energy. With the pandemic putting a halt on live music shows, she decided to record the cover and release it. While her version slows down and strips away the beat and takes a chill route, the lyrics and emotions behind the song remain the same. Sulene’s cover of “Say My Name” is available on all streaming platforms along with a visualizer on Youtube.

  • Mondo.NYC Adds 11 Artists to Showcase at Upcoming Festival

    Mondo.NYC announces that 11 new showcase artists will perform at their Music, Arts and Technology Conference and Showcase Festival, from different places all over the world.

    Mondo.NYC

    For a few years, Mondo.NYC has been around to combine tech and live music in a conference to unite musicians, fans and tech disruptors. This year marks the six year anniversary of the festival and despite the changes that COVID-19 has brought about for both industries, the goal remains the same. Rather than being an in person event, it will be an interactive virtual event that can be streamed all around the world. Mondo 2021 focuses on the experiences and changes everyone has faced during the past year and looks toward solutions for the future. The conferences have panels revolving around post-covid financial wellness and survival, music supervision, music tech, racial and gender equality in the music industry and a number of others. 

    The showcase for the Mondo.NYC 2021 showcase comprises artists from Brooklyn, Barbados, Brazil, Indonesia, Italy and more. Some of the newest showcase artists added to the list include, Andrew Weiss and Friends, Julie’s Haircut, Lightcraft, Like Water, Rubytech, She’s Excited!, Single By Sunday and The Living Strange. Along with these performances, Mondo presents a showcase focused on an individual territory called Minas-Brazil x Mondo and will feature three Minas-Gerais based groups: Ancestral Diva, Baladeva Nitai, and Carolina Serdeira. The emergency fund that provides relief for venues affected by the pandemic, NYC Nightlife United, will have a panel at the event as well. For the third year in a row, RAP at Harvard Law School, is hosting live virtual pro bono sessions, to give free legal services to local and national artists.

    The Music, Arts and Technology Conference and Showcase Festival occurs from October 12 through October 15. Tickets for the four-day event are available on Mondo.NYC’s website, with an early bird sale up to 37% off the original prices. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaC9CyeXBP4

  • Brooklyn Rapper Jellz Looks to Put a Scare in the Rap Game With “Ghost”

    The drill music scene has a certain connotation attached to it. The kind the public is accustomed to is violence laden, with expectations of braggadocious laced money talk. It’s been that way from the beginning and while we have seen success stories, there have been far more casualties of the antagonizing and deadly sub-genre. 

    Enter Jellz, the Brooklyn-bred emcee who embarked on his musical journey just over a year ago. 

    I don’t think drill has to be just violence. There’s a different part of the streets that isn’t tied to violence and that’s fast money. That’s more my speed. I think that it may deter some people, but not everyone. As an artist, I’m just trying to get the fans that like my style and aren’t looking for me to be someone else. Plus, I wouldn’t even consider myself a drill artist, I have so many vibes that I’m waiting to show, drill is just the outlet.

    Shot while on vacation in Los Santos, Colombia, the music video for “Ghost (Freestyle)” sees the up-and-coming rapper bring much more flair than the drill scene is accustomed to. Drill rap music videos are often shot on location, in the neighborhoods where the artists have familiarized themselves with. Of course, many of those records are diss tracks or namedrop gangs who operate out of those areas. With no such ties, the Bedstuy-bred Jellz sees this as an opportunity to showcase his own vision as an artist. 

    I think that like everything else, anything that’s over done [or] repetitive gets boring. So, I wanted to switch up the scenery. How many up-and-coming artists are traveling on vacations to rollout a single  and make videos there? Not too many. In order to separate yourself, you have to be a little different.

    The “Bulls**t” rapper presents himself with a Jefe-like persona, as he spends the music video surrounded by local women in bathing suits and ski masks, insinuating promiscuity and danger. Jellz then proceeds to list the avenues in which he makes money, possibly making history as the first drill record where the artist admits to having worked a job. 

    jellz

    Stuff like 20 in a box, did a like 30 on the stocks, don’t forget I had a job, if I make a M off rap I’m movin’ wock.

    He accentuates his fast-money style of drill rap several times during the 1:48 video, rapping,

    I really get to the money but hang with some demons, lurking, scheming, searching, fiending, they’ll do you for no reason.

    And 

    We ain’t gotta hug a block, we ain’t gotta touch a rock.

    jellz

    If Jellz’s style of rap doesn’t put him at an advantage, his quality of work and transparency might just do the trick. 

    For the videos I shot in Colombia, I actually just went on a trip and decided to record a video there honestly. I just needed a vacation at that point, and I wanted to mix business and fun, so I did 2 videos out there. I don’t think it puts me at a crazy advantage, but visuals are important , so I do want to give the best quality that I can.

    As much as violence and warfare sell, so too do tales of frivolous expenditures, when mixed with Jellz’s showmanship and earnestness, it may result in a very promising future. 

  • Curtains Up: Broadway will Reopen this September

    Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced exciting news about the return of Broadway. As of now, Broadway shows can reopen at 100% capacity starting September 14, with some ticket sales starting today, May 6.

    Even though Broadway theaters will open later this month, none of the regular shows can start until mid-September. Mayor de Blasio hopes for NYC to open on July 1, but Broadway curtains won’t rise again until the Fall.

    broadway reopens
    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 12: A view of the “Hamilton” marquee at The Richard Rogers Theater during the “We Will Be Back” Broadway Celebration in Times Square on March 12, 2021 in New York City. “We Will BeBack” was a special pop-up performance and commemoration of Broadway’s “lost year.” One year ago, on March 12, 2020, Broadway was shut down in an effort to slow thespread of the coronavirus and has not reopened. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

    Unlike other industries, Broadway can’t afford to open with social distancing. With the amount of cast and crew required to work on a show plus time for rehearsals and marketing, it isn’t possible for Broadway to open this Summer. COVID-19 is already hurting Broadway financially, and opening at limited capacity would do even more damage.

    broadway reopen

    Even though Gov. Cuomo said Broadway can reopen on September 14, some shows will not. Shows open on a rolling basis, and most have not released their schedules. The longest-running show in Broadway’s history, Phantom of the Opera, opens October 22nd and will start selling tickets this Friday (5/7) at 9AM ET. The three highest-grossing shows, Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King, will release their plans sometime next week.

    Reopening will be easier for popular shows – like these and Chicago, Aladdin, and Come From Away – than newer shows like Mrs. Doubtfire and Six, which were only in previews when the pandemic began.

    broadway reopen

    Cuomo also announced that ticket sales start today, but not every show has its schedule released. Still, some shows have tickets available today. Check each show for its availability, and check broadway.org for more updates.

    “We are thrilled that Governor Cuomo clearly recognizes the impact of Broadway’s return on the city and state’s economy and the complexity of restarting an entire industry that has been dormant for over a year. Nothing beats Broadway. The theatre owners, producers, and other League members will continue to work with the NY State Department of Health and the Governor to coordinate the industry’s return and the related health and safety protocols required to do so. We remain cautiously optimistic about Broadway’s ability to resume performances this fall and are happy that fans can start buying tickets again.”

    Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League

    Everything still isn’t certain, but Broadway’s being confident enough to sell tickets is a great sign. We don’t know all the plans, but the return of theatre to NYC will likely be done in the safest way possible. Masks will probably be required at first, and although Gov. Cuomo said that he wants 100% vaccinated audiences, but that will be up to the theatre industry. Still, the return of Broadway is closer than ever!

  • Flushing Town Hall Announces Virtual Jazz Jam for Mother’s Day

    Flushing Town Hall has announced a virtual Jazz Jam in honor of all mothers for Mother’s Day. The celebration will take place on May 12, 2021 at 7 PM EST for free on Facebook or Zoom. 

    In May, the cultural nonprofit’s Virtual Jazz Jam: Celebrating the Legacy of Louis Armstrong returns to Flushing Town Hall with the theme “Hey Momma! Grandma! Bobe!” with songs by and for mothers or about motherhood, especially Jewish mothers as it is also Jewish-American Heritage month. 

    Flushing Town Hall’s monthly Jazz Jam is supported by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and has been led since 2016 by Astoria resident Carol Sudhalter. House band members include illustrious musicians such as Joe Vincent Tranchina, Scott Neumann and Eric Lemon, who pay tribute to the great Louis Armstrong, performing songs associated with the legendary trumpeter/vocalist every month. Every month, jazz musicians have come together to play tunes reflecting each month’s theme. 

    Since Flushing Town Hall went online back in April 2020, the Jazz Jams have been popular monthly features, reaching more than 7,000 viewers, and exceeding 1,700 engagements online. Over time it has become a haven for jazz lovers from around the world with musicians joining from across the U.S. and from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Trinidad and Japan.

    Flushing Town Hall is putting the call out to musicians interested in participating in the celebration. Those interested should email education@flushingtownhall.org with the suggested three- to four-minute tune they intend to play in line with this month’s theme. The performance can be live or a pre-recorded audio or video (but not a professional, edited recording such as a CD or YouTube video). Musicians who performed in 2020 are now welcome to return. Each month, up to five returning musicians and up to 15 new musicians can participate. Selection is on a first-come, first-served basis.

    The virtual Jazz Jam for mothers day will air on the Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page or Zoom on Wednesday, May 12 at 7PM EST and will be open and free to the public. For more information visit the Flushing Town Hall’s website.

  • GarciaLive Vol. 16 features Jerry Garcia Band Debut at MSG

    For Volume 16 of GarciaLive, the archival series looks back at the debut of Jerry Garcia Band at Madison Square Garden (MSG) on November 15, 1991.

    jerry garcia band MSG

    GarciaLive Volume 16 finds the world’s most recorded musician in the world’s most famous arena at the midway point in one of his longest and most celebrated solo tours. While Garcia was no stranger to MSG, November 15th marked the Jerry Garcia Band debut in the vaunted venue. Though just two months removed from the Grateful Dead’s sold-out 9-night residency at the Garden, the crowd’s eruption as the houselights dimmed revealed the immense excitement for Garcia’s return.

    jerry garcia band MSG
    Poster by Mike DuBois

    The buoyant set-opening “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” signaled the feeling was indeed mutual. Love remained a central theme throughout the evening with stunning versions of Smokey Robinson’s “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” Van Morrison’s “He Ain’t Give You None” and “Bright Side of the Road,” and Dylan’s “Simple Twist of Fate,” among others.

    A near-automatic highlight of any latter era Jerry Garcia Band set, this performance of The Manhattan’s “Shining Star” is so poignant it became the centerpiece for the 2001 compilation of the same name. The extended takes on “Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox” and “Don’t Let Go” which followed offered the band plenty of room to stretch out with the latter yielding the deepest improvisations of the evening. Not one to treat encores as de rigueur, Garcia finds the perfect sentiment to close the night with the timeless “(What A) Wonderful World” sending everyone home walking on air.

    Included in the physical copy are detailed liner notes written by Relix editor-in-chief and Jambands.com founder Dean Budnick, which includes reflections from Melvin Seals, Jacklyn LaBranch, Dennis McNally and John Popper. Popper’s band, Blues Traveler, was the opening act for the 1991 show. GarciaLive Vol. 16 is set for a June 25 release.

    Disc One // Set One:
    1. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
    2. Struggling Man
    3. He Ain’t Give You None
    4. Simple Twist of Fate
    5. Lay Down Sally

    Disc Two:
    1. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
    2. My Sisters and Brothers
    3. Deal

    Set Two:
    4. The Way You Do The Things You Do
    5. Waiting For A Miracle
    6. Shining Star
    7. Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox

    Disc Three:
    1. Don’t Let Go
    2. That Lucky Old Sun >
    3. Bright Side of the Road

    Encore:
    4. (What A) Wonderful World

  • Governors Ball Announces 2021 Lineup

    Founders Entertainment has announced the lineup for the 2021 edition of Governors Ball Music Festival. The NYC-based festival celebrates its 10th Anniversary and is set to take place Friday, September 24 through Sunday, September 26 at the Citi Field complex in Queens.

    Governors Ball 2021

    Working in close consultation with the City of New York, the festival will follow all state and federal guidelines mandated at the time of the event. The festival will mark the milestone with an incredible lineup of 60+ performing artists including Billie Eilish, Post Malone, A$AP ROCKY, J Balvin, DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Ellie Goulding, Leon Bridges, 21 Savage, Young Thug, Portugal. The Man., Burna Boy, Future Islands, Phoebe Bridgers, Jamie XX, Carly Rae Jepsen, Big Thief, Bleachers, and many more. 

    The 2021 Governors Ball Music Festival will celebrate the return of live music, and 2021 also marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, a major milestone for an event that originated as a shared pipe-dream between New Yorkers in their early 20s who wanted to see their city play host to a music festival on par with the world’s best live music events.

    As more New Yorkers become vaccinated by the day, we’re proud to support arts and culture and welcome back Governors Ball and their fantastic lineup, including New York City’s own Princess Nokia, A$AP Rocky, and King Princess, among others

    Bill de Blasio, Mayor

    In 2021 Governors Ball will be moving to the Citi Field complex in Queens, NY, a site with incredible accessibility via multiple transportation options, including the MTA’s 7 train line, the LIRR, and limited parking for attendees who choose to drive to the event. The festival venue will be modeled upon the one of a kind 360° layout featured at the fan favorite and also Founders Entertainment produced The Meadows Music and Arts Festival

    Three-day and single day General Admission and VIP tickets will be available to All Ages via GovBall.com beginning Thursday, May 6 at 12:00 PM ET.

  • Gawain and The Green Knight Releases Mythological “Birds & Wine”

    Literary-folk duo, Gawain and the Green Knight, have unveiled their latest single, “Birds & Wine,” with a premiere on Folk Alley, along with an animated lyrics video.

    Gawain and The Green Knight Birds & Wine

    The song comes from the forthcoming EP, A Sleeping Place, which will be released on June 21, 2021. Like many of the songs on A Sleeping Place, “Birds & Wine” takes inspiration from Greek mythology—a nod to singer and guitarist Alexia Antoniou’s Greek heritage.

    Antoniou examines the connection between Aphrodite, whose name comes from the Greek word for foam, and the sea:

    There’s something I really like about taking the abstract and divine – a god – and distilling them into these concrete images. It’s part of the reason why, when thinking about what supplicants might bring to a sacrifice for Aphrodite, I went with ‘birds and wine’ instead of ‘doves and wine’ – I liked the image of someone pulling up to Aphrodite’s altar with a roast chicken, grease and bones.

    Originally written in a moment of insecurity, the song evolved into “a big, completely over-the-top boast from the perspective of the goddess of love and beauty herself.”

    Antoniou’s bandmate, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Mike O’Malley elaborates, “I referenced neo-soul tracks (like those from Lake Street Dive and Alabama Shakes) for the percussion textures and Vulfpeck for joyous clarinet solos.”

    “Alexia’s choice of chords lent a lot of opportunity for melting, diminished harmony, so there’s a lot of that in the winds – the feeling of being perpetually gooey-eyed in someone’s presence.”

    Inspired by the etymology of the Greek word for cemetery, which simply means “a sleeping place,” the record sits comfortably in the deep, sometimes dark, parts of the subconscious, arranged in such a way that you remember why life can be so joyful in the first place, its tempo anything but sad.

    “I think of this EP as a love letter, full of desperate affection, to anyone who has ever been alive and been scared to die,” Antoniou states. “Death is loud, but it doesn’t mean you were never heard.”’

    “Birds & Wine” from Gawain and The Green Knight is available for listening on all streaming platforms.

  • Luke Bryan Announces Proud to be Right Here Tour

    Luke Bryan will kick off his ‘Proud to be Right Here’ Tour on July 8, 2021 in Syracuse. Special guests include Dylan Scott, Caylee Hammack and Runaway June along with DJ Rock.

    luke bryan tour
    Luke Bryan (lukebryan.com)

    Tickets are on sale now for the Proud to be Right Here Tour. Luke’s announcement comes a day after his Crash My Playa 2022 concert vacation event set for January 19-22, 2022 sold-out due to record-breaking demand from returning event alumni and Luke’s fans through pre-sale access. The sell-out is the event’s fastest in its seven-year history.

    “There is nothing more gratifying about writing and recording music than getting to play it live for the fans. There’s several songs off my new album that I’ve never performed live” shared Luke. “I can’t believe this moment is nearly here when we get to hop on the tour bus and roll into towns across America and get back to doing what we do best. What we live to do!”

    Luke Bryan is critically acclaimed with several #1 albums on the Hot Country Albums and Hot Country Songs Charts. He has won multiple awards, ranging from Billboard, American Music Awards, and the Country Music Association.

    Luke Bryan’s fanclub information can be found at here and tickets at lukebryan.com.

    2021 PROUD TO BE RIGHT HERE TOUR DATES:

    July 8   Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview

    July 9   Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium

    July 10 Boston, MA – Xfinity Center

    July 16 Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre *

    July 17 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

    July 18 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

    July 22 Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center *

    July 23 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

    July 24 Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

    July 30 Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

    July 31 Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf *

    Aug 5   Bangor, ME – Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion

    Aug 6   Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion            

    Aug 7   Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

    Aug 8   Philadelphia, PA – BB&T Pavilion

    Aug 12 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion

    Aug 13 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

    Aug 14 Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater *

    Aug 19 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater

    Aug 20 Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center

    Aug 21 Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

    Aug 27 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP

    Aug 28 Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion

    Aug 29 Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater *

    Sept 3   Welch, MN – Treasure Island Amphitheater

    Sept 23 San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

    Sept 24 Phoenix, AZ – AK-Chin Pavilion

    Sept 30 Bend, OR – Les Schwab Amphitheater              

    Oct 1    Bend, OR – Les Schwab Amphitheater

    Oct 2    Portland, OR – Sunlight Supply Amphitheater

    Oct 8    Los Angeles, CA – STAPLES Center *

    Oct 9    Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre

    Oct 10  Sacramento, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre

    Oct 14  Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre

    Oct 15  Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center *

    Oct 16  San Bernardino, CA – Glen Helen Amphitheater *

    *indicates concerts that have been rescheduled to these dates
    Dylan Scott on all dates except July 8-18
    Caylee Hammack on all dates through August 14
    Runaway June on all dates beginning August 19
    DJ Rock on all dates

  • Flashback: Eric Clapton Celebrates 70th Birthday at The Garden

    In 2015, Eric Clapton celebrated his 70th Birthday with a pair of sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. Although his birthday is March 30, the shows didn’t actually take place until May 1 and 3. Clapton was joined by special guests Derek Trucks, John Mayer, Doyle Bramhall II and Jimmy Vaughan on both nights.

    eric clapton birthday

    Clapton was backed by a band featuring drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Nathan East, keyboardists Paul Carrack and Chris Stainton, and vocalists Sharon White and Michelle John. After a quick salutation to the crowd, Clapton started the show with “Somebody’s Knocking,” and “Key to the Highway.”

    The setlist was pretty much the same both nights with John Mayer being the first guest. Clapton and Mayer traded fiery guitar solos with an outstanding version of “Pretending.” Other highlights included a Billy Preston cover of “You Are So Beautiful” with Paul Carrack on lead vocals and an electric version of “Before You Accuse Me” with Jimmy Vaughan.

    eric clapton birthday

    Trucks and Bramhall helped Clapton close the main set with “Let It Rain.” Late in the night Clapton addressed the crowd “Thank you very much for helping me celebrate this wonderful gift with these wonderful friends.”

    For the encore, Eric Clapton brought all the guests back to the stage and ended his ‘birthday’ night with a cover of Joe Cocker’s “High Time We Went.”

    Setlist May 1, 2015

    Somebody’s Knocking (J.J. Cale cover), Key to the Highway (Charles Segar cover), Pretending (With John Mayer), I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man (Willie Dixon cover), You Are So Beautiful (Billy Preston cover), Can’t Find My Way Home (Blind Faith cover), I Shot The Sheriff (Bob Marley cover), Driftin Blues (Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers cover), Nobody Knows When You’re Down and Out (Jimmy Cox cover), Tears In Heaven, Layla (Derek and the Dominos cover), Before You Accuse Me(Bo Diddley cover), Wonderful Tonight, Let It Rain (With Trucks and Bramhall II), Cross Road Blues (Robert Johnson cover), Little Queen of Spades (Robert Johnson cover), Cocaine (J.J.Cale cover), High Time We Went (Joe Cocker cover)

    Setlist May 3, 2015

    Somebody’s Knocking (J.J. Cale cover), Key to the Highway (Charles Segar cover), Pretending (With John Mayer), I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man (Willie Dixon cover), You Are So Beautiful (Billy Preston cover), Can’t Find My Way Home (Blind Faith cover), I Shot The Sheriff (Bob Marley cover), Driftin Blues (Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers cover), Nobody Knows When You’re Down and Out (Jimmy Cox cover), Tears In Heaven, Layla (Derek and the Dominos cover), Before You Accuse Me (Bo Diddley cover), Wonderful Tonight, Cross Road Blues (Robert Johnson cover), Little Queen of Spades (Robert Johnson cover), Let It Rain (With Trucks and Bramhall II) (J.J.Cale cover), High Time We Went (Joe Cocker cover)

    • eric clapton birthday
    • eric clapton birthday
    • eric clapton birthday
    • eric clapton birthday
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