Category: Regions

And the Winner of NYS Music’s 2021 March Madness is…

Buffalo’s Organ Fairchild is NYS Music’s March Madness 2021 Winner – a musical party that won’t quit. Take your old-school organ trio (organ, guitar and drums), add dance-heavy grooves and adventurous jamming, and shake vigorously. Enjoy all night long as this well-crafted jam-band cocktail has perked our musical taste buds.

When they spoke on their new single “Seepin,” the band said It’s been a LONG time coming… way back in January, having no idea it would lead to a March Madness crown.

We truly enjoyed being part of this series and are grateful to NYS Music for reaching out to us about it. We’re now hip to a whole bunch of new-to-us bands from around the state, which is kind of the whole point. As for being in the finals against Baked Shrimp, they had a whole lot of support and we definitely got a chance to check out their music, too. In fact, the two bands are now talking about collaborating on a few concert dates this summer/fall!
So kudos to NYS Music for all the good things you do to support the region’s musicians. You guys are true advocates for the music scene and we appreciate you.
Dave Ruch – Guitar

Congratulations Organ Fairchild – NYS’ March Madness Winner

Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness bracket delving into the musical harbors of our great state. As fans and musicians ourselves, we spotlight the great talent across New York in friendly competition and discovery. Its fury never loses sight of the underdog, a headliner’s humble beginnings, new musical discovery and rolling with the punches in our ever-changing industry.

March Madness 2021 Lark Hall Region: Albany’s mid-size music venue.

Organ Fairchild – Buffalo, New York.

Organ Fairchild – NYS Music’s March Madness Winner is:

Joe Bellanti – organ, keys – Corey Kertzie – drums – Dave Ruch – guitar

“Jan. 2021 marks the release of single, “Seepin’,” from long-time Buffalo jam band veterans Organ Fairchild. Members have a history on the jam scene dating back 40 years.”

LISTEN to Organ Fairchild’s debut single below, from the forthcoming May 2021 album release! Mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive.
&lt;a href=”https://organfairchild.bandcamp.com/track/seepin”&gt;Seepin&amp;#39; by Organ Fairchild&lt;/a&gt;
Chuck DeFilippo: How did Organ Fairchild come to be? What is the name origin?

Joe Bellanti: Dave called me and pitched the idea of an organ trio – I thought it was dumb – which – since we have known each other for so long – means it was a really good idea since I am always wrong about that stuff and Dave has a really good sense for projects that will work. It would be hard to characterize the amount of fun we have been having – just fantastic to be a part of this

Dave Ruch: I really wanted to name the band Organ Freeman (after Morgan Freeman), but it turns out that name was already taken! So Organ Fairchild was the next best choice….I think many of us had let’s say an affinity for Morgan F when we were young.

Check out more Jamcast on NYS Music

JamCast is a streaming platform that provides a unique experience using live, pre-recorded, archived audio & video performances, podcasting, vlogs, blogs, and more. JamCast has been centered around creating a digital network for musicians, promoters, and venues. It was designed to serve as a resource for all facets of the music industry. By offering weekly series, digital events, festivals, podcasts, archives, and more. An online resource and database for all music industry professionals.

CD: What was your first crossroads with music; how did it seep into your life?

JB: My dad was really into music and there were always records and cassettes playing. I was told I would start taking piano lessons when I was 8 – loved it for the first month until I figured out how hard it was going to be and promptly lost interest – until I was 13 – My mom would not let me quit and my 8th grade music teacher found out I could play the piano and made me play in front of the class – I was not happy about it – but – when I stopped, everyone started clapping and cheering – and here I am in the NYS finals. Thanks mom!

DR: I guess my first crossroads was the trombone in 4^th grade – I was too little to carry it home from school so that didn’t last long. Second crossroads was guitar at age 12 – I was learning the wrong music and it didn’t stick. Luckily I tried it again at age 15 and I haven’t put it down since! At age 27, I quit my white collar job and made music my full-time living, so definitely a happy ending!

Central New York promoters Creative Concerts bring fans together in the final four

CD: What does New York State Music mean to you? (Not our site, but rather the music community in the state or your specific regions )

JB: NYS Music – the Buffalo scene in particular – means the world to me – some of my greatest moments have come from being a part of it – certainly my very best friends. Too many incredible moments to even try to pick out one or 2 of the best.

DR: Interesting question, as one of the other “hats” I wear as a full-time musician and performer is researching and performing old 19^th-century traditional music from New York State! So NYS Music means a lot of different things to me, but in terms of the current music community, we are very fortunate here in Buffalo to have a rabid fan base of live music lovers who always come out to support our shows. The level of musicianship here if off the charts as well, and pretty much everyone involved in the local music scene is really supportive of each other. It’s a great place to be.

CD: What are the short and long term goals for the band?

JB: Short term – finish out first CD and get back to playing live shows as soon as we can. Long term – see if we can make it work long term – there is nothing I would rather do than play our own music with Corey and Dave.

CD: Any bands or new listening discovered from NYS Music’s March Madness series?

JB: Absolutely – bands and artists I never would have been exposed to without the competition – Girl Blue in particular – I listened to a bunch of her recordings during our first round match up and really thought we had no chance – really original songs and arrangements and a great voice

DR: I really enjoyed watching a bunch of these bands’ videos on the NYS Music website.

CD: Do you have a favorite COVID activity, since you have all this free time not gigging?

JB: I have practiced more in the last year than ever and started teaching online via zoom and also building a teaching web site. Also we have been writing new material, rehearsing when practical and recording our first CD

DR: Yes, practicing a lot, writing tunes, cooking, and recording.

CD: Anything in the works for the band?

JB: Two CDs in 2021 and hopefully a summer and fall of outdoor shows. Also – we will probably hit Denny’s at some point – I’m pretty sure we are the only band in the competition where all the members would qualify for the senior discount

DR: Is Denny’s still even a thing?!

March Madness 2021 Balbert Marketing Region:

March Madness would not be possible without our sponsors:

Central New York promoters Creative Concerts bring together fans at venues, stretching from Albany to Rochester and Syracuse to Utica. Lark Hall is the soon to open mid-sized venue in Albany that will host bands of all sizes, events and more. If you need to market your show, event, band or brand, Rochester’s Balbert Marketing has you covered. Need merchandise?

Homegrown Eastern New York’s 518 Prints makes quality goods for local, regional and national bands or tours. High Peaks Event Production is a team with years of experience, aiding in all your stage, lighting and sound demands. JamCast proves high quality streams for bands, podcasts and much more. Between these companies, bands will find a great deal of what they need, and support businesses from across New York and the Northeast.

NYS Music’s March Madness Round One

March Madness Round Two

Round Three: The Sweet 16

Round 4: The Elite 8

Round 5: The Final Four

Round 6: The Finals – Baked Shrimp Vs. Organ Fairchild

Congratulations Organ Fairchild, NYS Music’s 2021 March Madness Winner!

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING NYS MUSIC AS YOUR #1 MUSIC SOURCE.

March 31, 2021
Annie Scherer Releases Introspective Debut Album ‘Garden Bed’

On March 26th, Voorheesville-local Annie Scherer dropped her debut indie-pop album, an introspective collection of songs titled Garden Bed.

Photo credit: Sherry Kocienski

In the album, Scherer dives deep into her emotions, with each song tackling a different point in Annie’s life where she had to overcome hardship and ultimately grow as a person.

On each track, Annie takes the listener on an emotional journey, inviting them along on sonically exhilarating ride that expands as the album progresses.

We spoke with Annie and asked her a few questions about Garden Bed:

Aaron Ginsburg: The themes of your album have a lot to do with being introspective. Has COVID-19 given you time to be more introspective, and in what ways has it affected your creative process?

Annie Scherer: I’ve had a lot of time with my thoughts, which was mostly a good thing. I was finally able to relax and take a step back, which I never allow myself to do. At the beginning of quarantine, I had a hard time finding inspiration and seeking out creativity. But I also used the time I was given to find my sound and record my album.

AG: What artists have had the biggest influence on you, and can we hear any of their influence in your album Garden Bed?

AS: Artists who use a lot of visuals in their songs are always among my favorites, as are those who write tangible lyrics and catchy melodies. I really enjoy alternative artists, such as Lana Del Rey and Lorde, whose influence can be heard in my instrumentation. I also love the memorable melodies of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

AG: As a musician during the pandemic, it must be difficult to get the same
quality of outside feedback on your work due to the fact that you can’t play live and can’t gather in large groups. Has that been a problem for you?

AS: The pandemic has forced us to rely on social media, which is not a great way to get feedback. I never know if people are sick of seeing my promotional posts, but I don’t really have a choice nor do I let that stop me. Live music is nice because you’re surrounded by people who support you. It becomes a symbiotic experience.

AG: What do you want your listeners to feel when listening to your album Garden Bed?

AS: I want listeners to feel a mix of emotions when they hear my music. “Skyline” should arouse feelings of sentimentality, while I hope they feel inspired when they hear “Phases Grow.” All my songs were written to create an emotional response.

AG: What do you have in store for us next? Do you have a musical direction you are aiming to go to?

AS: I already have a vision for my next album. Garden Bed mostly consists of a brighter tonality, and lots of it is acoustic and light. The next one is likely to have darker and more minor elements. The contrast and change in theme will enrich the musical experience for my listeners.

“Andy Warhol,” a single from Garden Bed.

The tracks on Garden Bed were primarily written and produced by Annie in collaboration with David Finch, Aidan Sloppy, Kyle Robinson, Ryan Davis, Maggie Roberts, Ben Grant, Tom Evans, Brenden Beaver, Ali Genevich, Rosemary Michaud and Elizabeth Miller.

Over a period of three months, Annie recorded her vocals and digital instruments in her mother’s home. She hopes the music will
resonate with listeners and inspire them to persevere through their own hardships.

You can listen to Garden Bed, as well as other work by Annie Scherer, on all streaming platforms and on her website.

March 31, 2021
Steve Miller Band Releases 1977 Archive Concert Recording

Guitarist, multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and Songwriters Hall of Fame electee Steve Miller has dug deep into his archives, now releasing the recording on both music formats such as vinyl and CD as well as a full-length video available on Amazon Prime Video.

The original liner notes by music journalist David Fricke read:

Breaking Ground captures the Steve Miller Band on stage in one of their biggest years, 1977. They were at a perfect crossroads of psychedelic zeal and progressive, popcraft while staying true to Miller’s first love, the blues.

The year 1977 was a top year for the Steve Miller Band, playing theaters, arenas, and stadiums. It was recorded at the Capital Centre in Landover, MD on multi-track tape and newly mixed and mastered by Miller and his veteran audio engineer Kent Hertz.

Pre-order the album here. For more information about the Steve Miller Band, visit stevemillerband.com. The new archive concert Breaking Ground: August 3, 1977 arrives on Friiday, May 14, 2021.

March 31, 2021
Supergroup The Limit Release New Single “Death Of My Soul”

Heavy rock supergroup The Limit, consisting of former The Stooges and Pentagram members, release new single “Death Of My Soul” accompanied by a video in preparation for their upcoming album Caveman Logic – releasing April 9, 2021.

The Limit is an astoundingly fresh and hot-blooded shot to the veins that heavy rock needs in this day and age. “Death Of My Soul” sees the band go straight to the heart of rock to deliver a electric performance accompanied by some eerie visuals. The gothic mood of the track conjured forth by the intersection of all the various sounds from the band members background helps deliver a song that does the legacy of these rock mainstays justice.

This song and video is not something warm and fuzzy you can wrap your arms around and feel good about. It represents a deep feeling of alienation, loneliness, a sense of an unchangeable and Doomed timeline of life and world events.
Sonny Vincent, Musician

The Limit consists of several high profile members such as Ex-Stooges member Jimmy Recca on bass, Sonny Vincent an early NYC punk scene legend and member of Testors on guitar and vocals, Bobby Liebling from Doom Rock originators Pentagram on vocals, and Hugo Comin and Joao Pedro on guitar and drum from Portuguese band Dawnrider. The diverse range of musical influences come together and create a sound that respects the band’s Punk and Doom Rock origins while creating a whole new sound entirely.

The upcoming album Caveman Logic is set to be released on April 9, 2021, the album can be pre-ordered here.

March 30, 2021
Brooklyn Psychedelic Band Acid Dad Release New Track “BBQ”

Acid Dad have shared their new track “BBQ” off their sophomore album Take It From The Dead, due out on June 11, 2021

“BBQ” Single Artwork

The rock band hails from Bushwick and is composed of singer-guitarists Vaughn Hunt and Sean Fahey, and drummer Trevor Mustoe. Vaughn first started recording the band in his Bushwick apartment. Playing live in the New York City rock scene in 2016, Acid Dad quickly moved to a world stage with their self-titled debut album, released by Greenway Records in 2018.

Over 2020, Acid Dad rented studio time in Queens as well as built their own guitars. They also independently produce their music. This creativity and innovation led to their second LP Take It From The Dead. The record features a variety of influences ranging from 90’s neo-psych, modern post-punk, and 70’s rock. Their sound meanders the perfect musical boundary of brand-new and nostalgic.

The new album is accompanied by psychedelic and glitchy art videos in a collaboration with video artist Webb Hunt, adding an otherworldly visual counterpart to their dreamy music.

Artwork in collaboration with artist Webb Hunt

Listen to Acid Dad and their new track “BBQ” here. Watch the visualizer for the single here. Find out more information about Acid Dad at their website.

March 30, 2021
Bobby Páraknight Releases Disco-Infused Debut Single

NYC-based artist Bobby Páraknight reveals his musical creativity with his upbeat debut single titled “The Prelude,” releasing today, March 30.

Bobby Páraknight

Páraknight is 21-years-old and a jack of all trades with experience in many different art forms. His current endeavor is music but he has performed in other ways within his artistic journey. He is an actor who was trained in theatre and has been on television and film. He also is a dancer specializing in contemporary, jazz and ballet.

Páraknight’s professional music career is influenced by The Beatles, who are his heroes. Since his early teens he has been performing, writing songs and composing music. He performed with other musicians and played live shows at some popular venues, pubs and theatres in New York.

I felt capable, more than ever really being able to express my artistic vision, be it fabled story-telling, a call to action or simply an excuse for a good time! I have abundant words to say, art to create & limits to test as a young person, music seems to abide beautifully. You become choice-less and the venturing is the only obvious path. It’s a controlled and crafted sonic force I believe, a rare visceral element that moves us so effortlessly.
Bobby Páraknight

Páraknight describes his creative process when producing and writing his music as experimental and expansive. The sound he creates is dependent on the moment and his feeling during that time and it reflects through the instrument he plays. It can also depend on the vision that he has and is going for and his creative and imaginative thinking lays out a thematic outline. After figuring out the outline of the song, Páraknight fills the rest of the song up with a melody and lyrics that are either sensible or playful.

“The Prelude” is one of the many songs that Páraknight curated and it is his debut single. It begins as an upbeat pop song and transitions into a ballad. Páraknight produced the song on his piano during a private jam session and received inspiration from the late 70s’ motown and disco sound while infusing it with a modern pop beat.

I have been writing songs for years now and it does become tricky, deciding on the debut track as you want to express your true self while not drifting. I have a lot of selected material lined up for production with early mixes in the studio, The Prelude comparatively is a recent song which I composed in a spur of the moment on a piano during a private jam session, I believe it’s an apt launching point, in displaying my roots in music while complimenting the zeitgeist, simply being a great, upbeat and unique song.
Bobby Páraknight

Páraknight is available today on all platforms. “The Prelude” is his first release with more to come later.

https://youtu.be/6K9fDBFISzs

March 30, 2021
Heading Aide: Deveria “Suicide Forest”

You can ask many different people within the Albany area how the local music scene is, and no matter what style they’re into, they all say the same thing: Albany has a vibrant, collective, and interesting music scene and style.

One scene in particular has always been prominent, the metal, hard rock, alternative and hard-core genres in the Capital District. Those scenes have fluctuated in size and popularity, but members of this community have gone on to form bands, re-form bands into new projects, and they all share the same love for the music and keep the good times rolling.

Today, the spotlight goes to the Capital District metal band Deveria. Turning on the first track on their latest album Suicide Forest, and magically brought back to a time in the early 90’s, when shows graced the stage on the regular at Saratoga Winners, the radio stations WVCR, ZROCK and PYX 106 were delighted to sponsor shows, bands could be found in every club with a stage. A time where show bills and glasses were always full.

From the start of the album, Suicide Forest has the chemistry and workings of a band of friends working metal magic. With a tight sound production, as the first song kicks in the energetic and powerful drumming from John Suski lets you know it’s time to take notice and get your head and shoulders grooving. Christian Bivona’s guitar work is up front, exciting you and reminding you of the golden age of metal when Metal Church and Exodus albums showed the world that guitarists made songs rise above everything.

The rhythm section is rounded out with the impressive and tight bass work of Marvin Veeder, his full sound in conjunction with John Suski makes for a groove that makes you want to tap your foot wherever you may find yourself listening to this album.

Now, let’s address the crown jewel of this local-metal ensemble. Leading the band in a harmonic journey reminiscent of the great days of old Queensryche, Charles Woodward. His range and placement speaks of a veteran of songwriting. It was exciting to hear an album with this style that is not heard too often anymore. If you are a fan of heavy metal and wish to revisit an era that ruled the Capital District in a time of the late 80’s and early 90’s, do not sleep on Deveria.

Key Tracks: Miracles, Fate, Suicide Forest

March 29, 2021
Sarah King Dishes Out Five Wonderfully Uneasy Pieces with The Hour

Singer-songwriter Sarah King has released her debut EP, The Hour, a splendid, soulful voyage to the darkest corners of Americana. It’s the perfect showcase for her show-stopping vocals and gothic bluesy story songs, something made all the better by the smartly minimalist arrangements conjured by co-producers, Simone Felice and David Baron (The Lumineers, Bat for Lashes, Jade Bird, Felice Brothers).

photo by Arielle Thomas

The tune that will likely command the most attention is her reinvention of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” This take is as slow and minimal and softly acoustic as its gets – a thumb strummed solo guitar riding an E minor drone (sorry, Spinal Tap, this and not the D minor, is the saddest of keys/chords). Even though this guitar and voice spotlight is swaddled in a cathedral’s worth of cavernous reverb, it retains a crispness and clarity, like all the tracks on this impeccably engineered collection. This cover is further distinguished by the ghostly alternative melodies King conjures, she’s like a bebopper of acid folk. There’s shades of Nick Drake, Alexi Murdoch and Blue-era Joni Mitchell in the quietude and Dolly Parton, one of her inspirations along with Adele and White Stripes, in the controlled country crack in King’s voice.

The track “Poison” has a churchy gospel vibe. Here Sarah King responds justifiably likewise to a cruel lover who can’t take what he dishes out (“I’m not bent, I’m not broken by your crimes. I gave you a taste of your medicine and you say I poisoned you”). Like many tunes on the album, there’s great texture here – tiny sonic delights barely audible in the mix like the ghostly roto-speaker electric guitar in this tune.

My personal favorite, “Nightstand,” hammers home the spooky soulful vibe. It’s a murder ballad driven by a swirly Rhodes piano, guitar crunch, Hammond organ wail, rich background vocals and gut-punch lyrics. Case in point, the chorus:

I was born with the cord wrapped around my neck
It’s not something I could ever forget
The world’s been trying to take me out since the day I first arrived
There’s a darkness a-reaching for my hand
I keep a gun in my nightstand
Waiting for music to bury a body by

The funereal shuffle of “Cold Hard Ground” brings to mind the artsy country blues of Wrecking Ball-era Emma Lou Harris. It’s a minor blues articulated with a slurry snare-brushed beat, honey toned organ and minimalist piano. Co-producer David Baron, proprietor of Sun Mountain Studios in the Hudson Valley where the EP was recorded, is an analog synth collector. He adds some very outta-space keyboard swirl and ambience here, along with (possibly) a mellotron-treated vocal chorus. He’s a master of the less is more approach.

photo by Christian James

“Not Worthy the Whiskey” is a swaggering stomp-and-holler about making peace with your dark past. The tune is propelled by percussive handclaps and stomps and boasts a whistling-down-the-alley intro ala Billy Joel’s “The Stranger.” It’s another deep blue lament, ones that floats in and out like a dream.

Like much great music, King’s debut EP was born of loss. In the press notes she says: “My dog died, my ex-husband died and my mama died too. Life is too fucking short, I’d just spent almost a year traveling in a tent away from my instruments and facing so much loss, I realized I never wanted to be away from music again.”

King’s partnership with Felice came about when she sent him a shot-in-the-dark email containing a performance video of “Nightstand,” which to an invitation to record that tune and four more. We are lucky that King found the strength to put her loss into such fresh, emotionally revealing, brave music. And she’s lucky to have found, in Felice and Baron, producers who could bring her art to life is such a beautifully restrained and achingly gorgeous way.

Key Tracks: Nightstand, War Pigs, Not Worth the Whiskey

March 29, 2021
David Byrne Premiers SOCIAL!, The Social Distance Dance Club

Legendary Talking Heads front-man David Byrne has unveiled his lasted project, SOCIAL! This social distance dance club takes place in Park Avenue Armory as a part of the Social Distance Hall.

Park Avenue Armory

SOCIAL! is part of the Armory’s Social Distance Hall commissioning initiative, which provides artists with the space and resources to create and present to in-person audiences new works designed specifically for the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Armory, with its immense, 55,000-square-foot Wade Thompson Drill Hall and multiple airy rooms and entrances, featuring an air volume comparable to being outdoor. This hall is shaping up to be the shining example of how to re-open performing arts in New York and beyond.

SOCIAL! invites 100 participants, 10% of the Drill Hall’s normal capacity, to the Armory’s Drill Hall for a socially distanced dance club, where each member will have a six-foot diameter circle in which to dance and move, spaced out from surrounding circles to provide proper social distancing at
all times.

The curated playlist will include a recoding of dance directions narrated by Byrne. All participants are welcome to move freely or choose to follow David Byrne’s magical suggestions. A video of Byrne teaching choreography for a song on the playlist will be sent in advance to all participants can prepare their dance moves. Ultimately, the goal of this program is to provide a powerful healing moment that can be experienced individually and communally.

SOCIAL! will begin previews in the Drill Hall on April 9 and open April 13, running through April 22. Show times during the week will be at 7pm and at 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets can be purchased here.

March 29, 2021
Broadway Workers Eligible for Vaccination in Hopes of Broadway Fall Season

Broadway workers will be able to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in hopes of opening Broadway by Fall for in-person performances, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio. There will be mobile vaccination sights set up specifically for Broadway theater workers.

Photo by Kate Glicksberg

Broadway is a staple of New York City and has been unfortunately shut down since mid-March 2020. Mayor Bill de Blasio “We have to get the theater community ready for the fall,” de Blasio said. “By the time we get there, the world will be better.”

Current guidelines allow theaters to be technically allowed to be open at 33% capacity, with a maximum of 150 people who’ve tested negative for COVID-19 before the performance. The mayor plans to set up testing sites near the theaters to help facilitate and promote the testing. They will also set more detailed guidelines for handling crowds before and after performances.

According to the Office of the New York State Comptroller back in 2019, “New York City’s arts, entertainment and recreation sector employed 93,500 people in 6,250 establishments. These jobs had an average salary of $79,300 and generated $7.4 billion in total wages.” This type of revenue hasn’t been present in the last year due to the closers of the entertainment industry in the wake of COVID. Broadway reopening would bring back part of this revenue.

Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Employment by Subsector graph.

Mary McColl, executive director of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), spoke on this new development supporting theaters by vaccinating it’s workers in a press conference saying, “Mayor de Blasio clearly understands that we cannot socially distance in our work, making the availability of vaccines and testing critical for maintaining a safe workplace.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybIzM_XKos4

Reopening Broadway is still in the planning stages but the access to vaccines for Broadway works would start the ball rolling. The reopening process would involve rehearsals but also costume fittings, marketing campaigns, ticket promotions, and so on that in reality aren’t possible without vaccinations being available to Broadways workers.

For more articles on Broadway during COVID-19 by NYS Music click here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGMt7H6e164

March 29, 2021