Category: Regions

  • Fritz’s Polka Band releases 20th Recording, “The Hands of Time”

    Hailing from Verona, NY, Fritz’s Polka Band has released their 20th recording, The Hands of Time, on October 1, 2021. Recorded at SubCat Studios in Syracuse, the new album features 11 original tunes features appearances by Utica blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa and drummer Deen Castronovo, and a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower.”

    Fritz's Polka Band

    Fritz’s Polka Band (FPB) was formed in 1978 by lead accordionist, the late Fred Scherz Sr. and his eight-year old son, Fritz, for whom the band was named. Despite Fred’s death in November 2009, Fritz’s Polka Band has vowed to carry on his legacy, playing everything from modern-style polka to country, rock and even blues.

    Performing an eclectic mix of musical styles, Fritz’s Polka Band is not an oom-pa-pa band or a stereotypical “polka” band, but rather broke the stereotype regarding Polka music, performing at Woodstock ’99, and was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

    Fritz's Polka Band
    The first ever gig for Fritz’s Polka Band on October 14, 1978, at Beck’s Grove in Rome, NY. Via FSB Facebook page.

    Songs on the album fit the mold of a Polka band, with titles “Chicken Wing Breakdown,” “Hey!,” “Come Home Safe” and “Oktoberfest Is Here Again.” Notably, the late Fred Scherz Sr. is featured, alongside Joey Miskulin, on “Tommy’s Lendler.” Fritz told the Utica Observer-Dispatch “One special guest I’m extra excited about is my son, Freddy, who’s just 7 years old. He played so nicely on a Swiss tune that his grandpa – my Dad – Fred wrote!”

    I’m so thrilled this recording has finally been released. My band has been playing some of the tunes that appear on this album at gigs and they’ve really been going over quite well with the various audiences we’ve played for. I think the fact that the styles of songs on this album being so eclectic is a good thing, because there’s basically a tune for every mood someone might have.

    If you’re in the mood for a festive, party-type song, then a song like “Oktoberfest Is Here Again” will fill that need. If you’re saddened by the loss of a loved one or close friend, then a tune like “The Hands Of Time” and/or a ballad like “I Know I Should” will resonate with you. The special guests on this album really made it extra special, too! Whether folks choose to buy the CD at a gig, via mail order and/or download, I hope they enjoy it as much as my band enjoyed recording it!”

    Fritz Scherz

    FSB appears on the DVD of “The Manchurian Candidate” (2004) and had two songs – “Grandparent’s Polka” and “Here Is Fritz’s Polka Band” – included in two episodes of “Breaking Bad.” The group was nominated for a Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMYs) for their 19th album, Hey, and in autumn 2019 were nominated for Band of the Year as well as New, Original Polka Song by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame. Additionally, Fritz Scherz was nominated for Musician of the Year and Button-Box: Artist or Duo awards.

    You can find more info on Fritz’s Polka Band on their website and order The Hands of Time at various on-line outlets here.

  • Watch Young Thug Perform ‘Punk’ On Saturday Night Live

    Saturday Night Live returned this week with rapper Young Thug as the musical guest. Young Thug’s highly anticipated new album Punk was released in the early morning hours on Friday. Actor Rami Malek hosted the episode; Malek stars in the latest James Bond film, No Time to Die. 

    Photo via NBC

    The episode’s cold open featured a “Message from the NFL.” Colin Jost performed as Roger Goodell, addressing coach Jon Gruden’s offensive and racist emails. The skit played on the NFL’s history of scandals. As a press conference passes through coaches like game-show contestants (they all resign, most in Twitter scandals), the joke settles in. 

    Malek’s opening monologue skewered his lack of comedy experience; after all, he usually plays villains. In fact, according to Malek, villains are misunderstood. Was the shark in Jaws not just hungry, after all? Malek’s self-aware humor and strong stage presence shone through. He was high-energy and charming. 

    Young Thug took the stage for his first televised performance since Punk’s release. Wearing a tinseled, pink leopard-print jacket, he opened with the album’s lead single “Tick Tock.” From his outfit to his energy with the band,  he brought his traditional in-your-face swagger to the performance. “Tick Tock” especially benefits from a live band and drummer, elevating the laid-back trap song to a throttling punk banger. Iconic Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker jumped on the kit to support the song. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml3Bp4veA1A&list=PLS_gQd8UB-hKJRnrMAKVhKGFIPYFAHPFi&index=5

    Other sketches included Bowen Yang as a vogueing, glittery spider, and a sketch where Malek competes with Pete Davidson and guest Daniel Craig in a Prince biopic. The latter plays on the late auteur’s iconic guitar licks, hollers, and thrusts. Weekend Update segment featured standout turns from Kenan Thompson and Mikey Day as an erring hypnotist and his subject. 

    Young Thug returned for his second track accompanied by protege Gunna and FUN! Frontman Nate Reuss. They debuted their collaboration from Punk, the syrupy love song “Love You More.” Though Travis Barker again stood out on drums, the song felt lackluster. On top of that, the performer’s energies didn’t match; while Ruess worked too hard to hype the crowd, Gunna never moved from his perch on a bright red grand piano. Though Thug’s voice sounded smooth as ever, his sweeping new project has stronger tracks. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14tO_zMjC9U&list=PLS_gQd8UB-hKJRnrMAKVhKGFIPYFAHPFi&index=8

    Next week, Brandi Carlisle will take the SNL musical guest spot, with Ted Lasso star and long-time former cast member Jason Sudeikis hosting.

  • Phish Opens Fall Tour, Honors ‘Billy Breathes’ in Lake Placid: October 16, 1996

    With the Clifford Ball and their first massive festival now in the rearview mirror, Phish began their fall tour just two months later in Lake Placid, NY. Conveniently, the tour opener was scheduled for the day after the release of Billy Breathes, their sixth studio album which was recorded in Bearsville, NY earlier in the year.

    This show would seem to serve as a celebration of that, with a whopping nine songs pulled from it for duty this evening. Combined with the usual tour opening gaffs, it doesn’t make for the most free-flowing of shows in the world, but certainly offers more than a good glimpse of Phish at a time when they are skyrocketing in popularity while still trying to find ways to innovate and explore new musical paths. After two acclaimed shows at the Olympic Center last year, Phish would return for their third and final show at Lake Placid to date.

    Phish Lake Placid

    Accordingly, the show begins with the first of many selections from Billy Breathes in “Cars Trucks Buses.” A feisty Page McConnell piano solo highlights this one and gets a serious round of applause from the Lake Placid crowd. This immediately gives way to the familiar ambient noise and iconic bass lick opening of “Down With Disease.” Trey flubs a few of the early lyrics but still manages to nail his signature guitar riff before the band is off and running with a first set jam that stalls early before picking up speed instantly and coming to rousing climax.

    After a standard run through of “Wilson,” Jon Fishman cranks up the percussive intro to “Buried Alive” which yields another hearty Anastasio guitar solo. The tempo goes up even another notch with the juiced up “Poor Heart” that follows and is played to perfection. Then it’s back to the Billy Breathes catalog with album’s title track, which was also played in soundcheck before the show. McConnell, Anastasio and bassist Mike Gordon nail the complex vocal harmonies before going into the instrumental section that doesn’t stray too far from the studio version.

    Phish Lake Placid
    Fall tour postcard via PhanArt

    “Mound” and “Sample In A Jar,” two traditional first set building blocks, are each played with precision, with the latter garnering another giant round of applause from the Lake Placid faithful. In addition to “Mound,” the rest of the first set is peppered with more cuts from Phish’s acclaimed Rift album like “It’s Ice,” which has a little trouble on the dismount, and the traditional “The Horse” and “Silent In The Morning” pairing. The “I think that this exact thing happened to me just last year” lyric in “Morning” is especially apt here, with two Phish shows occurring at this very same venue just eleven months ago, technically last year. And as it tends to do, “Character Zero” closes out the first set with its customary panache.

    Phish Lake Placid

    Tonight’s second set begins with “Wolfman’s Brother” which produces another mild jam that doesn’t veer too far. This is succeeded by “Taste,” another Billy Breathes tune that goes a little deeper and features some wonderfully dissonant guitar phrasing from Trey. Things then slow down tremendously as Mike Gordon leads the band through his contribution to the new album, “Train Song,” only the fifth one ever performed at this point.

    Phish Lake Placid
    Lake Placis fan poster, image courtesy Warren Baker

    Phish then revs the Lake Placid engine back up with the opening licks to “Simple.” This features, by far, the most exploratory improvisation of the night with another jam that has good intentions but never seems to really lift off the ground. An extended ambient-sounding section soon gives way to heavy drum and bass with Anastasio feverishly working his guitar’s funky “wah” tone. Meanwhile, Page is rotating between organ fills and pounding on the piano before Trey jumps on his percussion kit that was on stage these days. As the lone extended jam of the evening, it failed to strike a chord with at least one attendee this evening.

    That Simple is by far the most interesting song of the night, foreshadowing that it will be one of the top-tier jam vehicles for the rest of the year. But a large span of its 16 minutes are spent with Trey on his percussion kit, with Page switching between organ and piano to try to keep it afloat, unconvincingly. It’s an example of the mini-kit as momentum-killer, and more broadly, of Trey’s well-meaning but wrong-footed attempt at forcing band democracy.

    Rob Mitchum

    Phish then goes back to the Billy Breathes playbook in a big way with the three songs that follow, starting with the first ever performances of “Swept Away” and “Steep.” Both go off without a hitch and at the explosive end of “Steep,” the opening chords of “Prince Caspian” immediately begin. McConnell leads the way on this one with some thunderous play on piano early before it winds down. “Run Like An Antelope” then rears its head, much to the delight of the crowd, starting a vintage show-closing sequence. The band takes their time with this one and delivers a mesmerizingly dark jam that gradually gains intensity and a slew of audio effects before peaking.

    “The Squirming Coil” has a few rough edges as well but is bailed out by its customary delightful piano solo ending from McConnell. And in a show full of original material, some of it brand new, Phish does throw one cover into the mix with a ferocious take on Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” This allows one last chance for Trey to lay down another few blistering runs on the fretboard and he takes full advantage. The encore for this evening should come as no surprise. It’s “Waste,” the ninth and final selection from Billy Breathes for the evening. With the tour opener now under their belt, Phish would then travel to Pennsylvania for two gigs before returning to Upstate New York in Buffalo for a show at Marine Midland Arena three days later.

    You can listen to this 25th anniversary show at Relisten or Phishtracks.

    Phish Olympic Center – Lake Placid, NY 10/16/96

    Set 1: Cars Trucks Buses, Down With Disease, Wilson > Buried Alive > Poor Heart, Billy Breathes, Mound > Sample In A Jar, It’s Ice, The Horse > Silent In The Morning, Character Zero

    Set 2: Wolfman’s Brother, Taste, Train Song, Simple > Swept Away > Steep > Prince Caspian, The Squirming Coil, Johnny B. Goode

    E: Waste

    Phish Lake Placid
  • Courtyard Sessions from Mirth Films highlights Capital District Artists in an Intimate Setting

    Earlier this year, as the weather thawed and there were early signs of the coming easement of pandemic restrictions, a small courtyard in the Center Square neighborhood of Albany became the home to intimate sessions from a variety of Capital District artists.

    courtyard sessions
    James White. Photo by Frankie Cavone

    Produced by Frankie Cavone of Mirth Films, the Courtyard Sessions provided an opportunity for a variety of musicians from across the 518 to step into a private outdoor space and play acoustic renditions of their tunes.

    courtyard sessions
    Brad Hester of Annie in the Water. Photo by Frankie Cavone

    Starting in May 2021, Cavone started the Courtyard Sessions as a way to help promote solo musicians in a creative form. Combining his video skills and a new courtyard at his recently moved into house, it was a match made in heaven.

    For myself this was a way to stay creative learn and try new things. I don’t like being stagnant and after the big live streaming boom that we experienced in 2020 and early 2021, I wanted to try something different something less sterile.

    Frankie Cavone, Mirth Films

    The lineup was curated by Cavone, working with musicians he had worked with previously, as well as hoped to work with for the first time. The response was strong, with musicians coming to the courtyard for an afternoon or evening session, with enough interest and response from viewers to continue the series this fall and into 2022.

    I did not know if this was something that would last as long as a did, but after 14 episodes, it’s something that I want to continue doing. As a creator it definitely helps me learn and build my skills.

    Frankie Cavone, Mirth Films

    Cavone’s end goal with Courtyard Sessions, now that it is established, is to have not only local musicians but national touring musicians as well who are coming through the Capital Region step into the courtyard.

    An official Mirth Films series, Courtyard Sessions is one of a handful of new series that will be coming out before the end of 2021,

    The Fall season will end later this month, with local singer/songwriter Caity Gallagher, who has a voice comparable to Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries, as the penultimate guest, premiering Wednesday, October 20 on the Mirth Films YouTube Channel.

    Watch all episodes of Courtyard Sessions from Mirth Films below.

  • Henry Rollins to make 5 stops in New York on his “Good To See You” Tour

    Henry Rollins has lived many lives to say the least. His “Good To See You” 2022 Tour will recount the events of his life in the brief pre-COVID-19 period since the last tour as well as the reality of living through a pandemic. It’s been an interesting time to say the least and he’s got some great stories to tell.

    Henry rollins

    Lived many lives is completely an understatement. You may have seen his face in perhaps his own show, The Henry Rollins show which aired in 2006-2007. Or maybe his featuring on shows like Portlandia, Dreamland, or Sons of Anarchy. Or maybe you’ve heard him on TV shows like American Dad, Legend of Korra, or Adventure. Or maybe you heard his music from Black Flag or Rollins Band. It’s also possible you’ve read one of his many books that won a GRAMMY or heard his spoken word. Whatever the case may be, Henry is a well versed man. 

    Punk Rock icon. Spoken word poet. Actor. DJ. Is there anything this guy can’t do?

    Entertainment Weekly
    Henry rollins

    Rollins likes to keep his schedule packed. Perhaps this is how his autobiography won a GRAMMY because he’s just all around an interesting guy. On top of a relentless schedule full of work, with gigs as an actor, author, DJ, voice-over artist and TV show host he likes to travel too. After touring the globe with Rollins Band and Black Flag, he’s traveled alone to places such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Siberia, North Korea, South Sudan and Iran.

    Henry Rollins 2022 World Tour Dates

    1/9/22 Berlin, DE Huxleys Neue Welt 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/10/22 Hamburg, DE Friedrich-Ebert-Halle 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/11/22 Copenhagen, DK Studie 2, DR House 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/12/22 Stockholm, SE Gota Lejon 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/13/22 Oslo, NO Kulturkirken Jakob 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/15/22 Helsinki, FI Kultuuritalo 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS 

    1/17/22 Athens, GR Lera Odos TBD BUY TICKETS

    1/19/22 Trondheim, NO Byscenen 8:00 PM

    1/21/22 Stavanger, NO Folken 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/22/22 Bergen, NO USF Verftet 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/23/22 Gothenburg, SE Stora Teatern 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/24/22 Malmö, SE Palladium 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/25/22 Leipzig, DE Felsenkeller 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/26/22 Warsaw, PL Palladium 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/27/22 Prague, CZ Divadlo Archa 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/28/22 Ludwigsburg, DE Scala Ludwigsburg 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/29/22 Munich, DE Muffathalle 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/30/22 Winterthur, CH Casino Theater 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    1/31/22 Mannheim, DE Capitol 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/1/22 Antwerp, BE De Roma 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/2/22 Ghent, BE Vooruit 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/3/22 Brussels, BE Ancienne Belgique 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/4/22 Cologne, DE Kulturkirche 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/5/22 Amsterdam, NL Paradiso 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/6/22 Tilburg, NL 013 Poppodium 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/7/22 Groningen, NL Stadsschouwburg Groningen 8:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/8/22 Essen, DE Lichtburg 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/9/22 Nurnberg, DE Z-Bau 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/10/22 Dudelange, LU Opderschmelz 8:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/11/22 Frankfurt, DE Alte Oper Frankfurt 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/12/22 Paris, FR La Gaîté Lyrique 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/15/22 Moscow, RU Izvestia Hall 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/18/22 Bexhill-On-Sea, UK De La Warr Pavilion 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/19/22 Buxton, UK Buxton Opera House 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/20/22 London, UK London Palladium 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/21/22 Cardiff, UK Tramshed 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS & BUY TICKETS

    2/22/22 Bath, UK Komedia Bath 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/23/22 Whitley Bay, UK The Playhouse, Whitley Bay 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/24/22 Nottingham, UK Albert Hall 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/25/22 Cambridge, UK Cambridge Corn Exchange 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/26/22 Birmingham, UK Town Hall 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/27/22 Liverpool, UK Grand Central Hall 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    2/28/22 Manchester, UK The Bridgewater Hall 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/12/22 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Hall 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/13/22 Cincinnati, OH Bogart’s 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    3/14/22 Columbus, OH Southern Theatre 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/15/22 Cleveland, OH Playhouse Square Center 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/16/22 Munhall, PA Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    3/17/22 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    3/18/22 Homer, NY Homer Center for the Arts 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/19/22 Northampton, MA Academy of Music 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    3/20/22 Boston, MA Wilbur Theatre 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/21/22 Albany, NY The Egg PAC 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/22/22 Pawtucket, RI The Met 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/23/22 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/24/22 Huntington, NY The Paramount 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    3/25/22 Red Bank, NJ The Vogel 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    3/26/22 Brooklyn, NY Warsaw 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/27/22 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre 7:30PM BUY TICKETS

    3/28/22 Annapolis, MD Rams Head On Stage 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    3/30/22 Richmond, VA The National 7:30PM BUY TICKETS

    3/31/22 Raleigh, NC Fletcher Opera House 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/1/22 Charlotte, NC Neighborhood Theatre 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/2/22 Columbia, SC The Senate 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/3/22 Charleston, SC Charleston Music Hall 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    4/4/22 Gainesville, FL High Dive 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/5/22 Fort Lauderdale, FL Parker Playhouse 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/6/22 Clearwater, FL Capitol Theatre 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/7/22 Orlando, FL The Plaza LIVE 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/8/22 Ponte Vedra Bch, FL Ponte Vedra Concert Hall 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/9/22 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/10/22 Chattanooga, TN Walker Theatre (Mem’l Aud) 7:30PM BUY TICKETS

    4/11/22 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    4/12/22 Nashville, TN Marathon Music Works 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/13/22 Louisville, KY Headliners 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/14/22 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    4/15/22 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    4/16/22 Madison, WI Barrymore Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    4/17/22 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/18/22 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/20/22 Iowa City, IA Englert Theatre 7:30 PM

    4/21/22 Burnsville, MN Ames Center 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/22/22 Lincoln, NE Rococo Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    4/23/22 Des Moines, IA Hoyt Sherman Place 7:30PM BUY TICKETS

    4/24/22 Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    4/25/22 Wichita, KS Orpheum Theatre 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/26/22 Oklahoma City, OK Tower Theatre 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    4/27/22 Saint Louis, MO The Pageant 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    4/28/22 Memphis, TN Graceland Soundstage 7:30PM BUY TICKETS

    4/29/22 Little Rock, AR Revolution Music Room 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    4/30/22 Dallas, TX Kessler Theater 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    5/1/22 Houston, TX The Heights Theater 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    5/2/22 Austin, TX Paramount 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/3/22 San Antonio, TX The Carlos Alvarez Studio 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    Theater at the Tobin Center

    5/4/22 Odessa, TX Ector Theatre 7:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/5/22 Albuquerque, NM Kimo Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/6/22 Fort Collins, CO Aggie Theatre 8:00PM

    Colorado Sprs, CO The Black Sheep 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/8/22 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/9/22 Grand Junction, CO Avalon Thearer 8:30PM BUY TICKETS

    5/10/22 Salt Lake City, UT State Room 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/11/22 Boise, ID Egyptian Theater 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/12/22 Bend, OR Tower Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/13/22 Portland, OR Aladdin Theatre 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    5/14/22 Eugene, OR McDonald Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/15/22 Medford, OR Armory 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    5/16/22 Portland, OR Aladdin Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/17/22 Seattle, WA Neptune Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/18/22 Spokane, WA Bing Crosby Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/19/22 Vancouver, BC Rio Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/20/22 Nanaimo, BC Port Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/21/22 Victoria, BC Alix Foolden Perfrmance Hall 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/24/22 Calgary, AB Mouth Royal Uni-Bella Crt Hall 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/25/22 Edmonton, AB VENUE TBD ON SALE TBD

    5/26/22 Saskatoon, SK Broadway Theatre 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/27/22 Winnipeg, MB Park Theatre & Lounge 8:00PM BUY TICKETS

    5/30/22 Kingston, ON The Grand Theatre 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    5/31/22 Ottawa, ON Algonquin Commons Theatre 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    6/1/22 London, ON London Music Hall 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    6/2/22 St Catharines, ON FirstOntario Perf’ing Arts Ctr 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS

    6/3/22 Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS

    6/4/22 Montréal, QC Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre 8:00 PM BUY TICKETS

  • Hearing Aide: Anthony Casuccio Returns with ‘Emotional Lockdown’ EP

    Buffalo-area native Anthony Casuccio has returned with his first solo effort in over 20 years, Emotional Lockdown. Created last year during COVID-19 lockdown, Casuccio said he used music as an outlet to deal with isolation, composing over a dozen songs that became the six-track album. He plans to include some of the additional tracks in live DJ sets.  

    Casuccio, a guitarist and veteran Grammy-winning producer, has gained accolades for remastering albums for icons like Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Tony Bennett. But he took a new turn with his latest project, opting for EDM-infused pop with flourishes of 80s rock. The music merges classic pop vocals with experimental synths, feeling from many eras at once.  

    Photo via Anthony Casuccio

    Casuccio combines an acoustic sound with diverse and genre-spanning dance beats. Something about the tone gives the music the feel of coming from your childhood. In fact, this could be widely applicable, as the music feels simultaneously from many different eras at the same time. Opening track “Love is the Answer” could easily soundtrack a Hands Across America ad. “My Destiny” with vocalist Laura Aiisha transports you to a 70s rave, practically conjuring the glitter and silk chiffon. And the penultimate track “I’m Free” brings to mind the Y2K energy of early Daft Punk and Darude’s “Sandstorm.” 

    Though he experiments with his favorite elements of many different genres, sometimes Casuccio relies too heavily on the constraints of radio pop. Beats-machine lines weaken the sound, and the vocal production often feels disjointed from Casuccio’s instrumentals. Casuccio has not yet mastered the immersive and feral nature of today’s electronic music. Yet his take still feels unique and new, if rough around the edges. 

    Casuccio’s taste for combining unusual elements from across pop eras can pay off. When his music leans into a more experimental and heady approach, exciting things happen. Electronic yet retro influences on songs like “Not Alone” bring to mind indie-pop auteur Alex Cameron. The songs’ standout guitar solo, which leads into the beat falling to pieces before disappearing, was a favorite moment on the album. “Not Alone”’s lyrics repeatedly question: “I’m on my own/ I hope I’ve grown.” Over the devolving beat, the track feels the most personal, and also the most arresting, of the entire project. 

    Though the focus is Casuccio’s production, he recorded his own vocals and recruited others to contribute. For “Love is the Answer,” Casuccio recruited veteran vocalist Cynthia Moore, who toured and recorded for 16 years with James Brown. Two songs also feature Buffalo-based singer Laura Aiisha, whose dreamy vocals on “My Destiny” elevate the pulsating disco track.  

    Final track “I Am Drowning” is the most modern pop hit on the project. The track features singer Maddie Radwan, a former student of Casuccio’s. Her raw vocals match pop’s current moment, dominated by artists like Billie Eilish and Willow Smith. The charming collaboration flows nicely and comes in at a chart-appropriate 3 minutes 34 seconds. But some of Casuccio’s production still feels unexpected and experimental, and the influences of a younger student are clear. 

    For all the ways in which COVID-19 crippled the music world, a bright spot was the wave of exploration and creativity that came from isolation. Artists across genres, cooped up, released experimental, raw work that will stand out for a long time. Cassuccio’s choice to experiment with a new sound and explore the bounds of his musicality shines through. Though the EP can falter, Casuccio’s taste for combining unique elements of dance music across time leaves the ear curious.  One can only hope he will continue to use his skill with production to continue to explore what pop and EDM have to offer. 

    Key Tracks: Not Alone, I’m Free, I Am Drowning

  • Experience Night of The Living Musical at The Hangar Theater in Ithaca

    On Saturday, October 23, Ithaca’s Hangar Theater will host a fall day to remember. Broadway Jazz Star Julie Benko will headline the day’s festivities. She was awarded the Gold Metal and Johnny Mercer award at the 2017 American Tradition vocal Competition as well as the Wilde Award for best leading actress in a musical as Girl in Once. Julie Benko said “I think this is for everyone to enjoy ,it draws from the entertainment of the Broadway world, the vibrancy of the hot jazz tradition and the emotional vulnerability of theater.

    hangar theatre

    The music will be handled by accompanist Jeff Theiss, with a very appropriate October vibe as Jeff was the musical director for the romantic story of “Ghost the Musical” at The Merry-go Round Playhouse on Owasco Lake. Julie’s voice, who has been part of the 85th Academy Awards and the 70th Academy Award ceremonies, will carry soft across Cayuga Lake next Saturday evening. She just welcomed a new cat into her family named Thelonius Monk. Musical chameleon Benko said “I want the listener to know exactly where they are and feel like they have been dropped in the middle of a scene”.

    The scene at The Hangar Theater on October 23 will be fitting for you to win best costume by dressing as your favorite musical character. On July 11, 1975, the Hangar Theatre opened with Man of La Mancha, thanks to more than a decade’s effort by impassioned citizens in Ithaca. So this week put the same craft in planning your Saturday nights look. You will have chances to win many getaway evenings at Williams Henry Miller Inn, Firelight Camps, and Cayuga Lake Cottage. You can board the Cayuga Lake Boat Cruise. A pair of tickets to a show at The Hangar and State Theater will also be experienced in “Gorges” Ithaca and more.

    Hangar Theater

    The show will be held on the heated outdoor stage for one more Saturday night October 23rd 2021. Arrive by 3PM to begin with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. 3:30 will be the Hangar news welcome. Julie Benko will perform songs from beloved musicals, classic and contemporary performances from 4:00 to 4:40. By 5 PM the evening’s best musical costume winner shall be crowned and Summer 2022 special announcements.

    Hangar Theater

    Hangar artistic director Shirley Serotsky said “We hope to have your support in increasing access to arts education programming for all young people, allowing them the opportunity to express their most authentic and joyful selves through theatre, storytelling and movement. The funds we raise will help enhance the experiences of young artists and their ability to pursue their best paths”

    Get tickets to the event on Saturday October 23rd at the Hangar Theater, starting at 3 PM, here

  • Josh Lumsden Debuts “Love Me Back” Music Video

    Josh Lumsden has released a new music video, “Love Me Back,” on Friday, October 1. The eccentric, vibrant, and sci-fi inspired video could only be filmed in the New York City. Lumsden continues to work on new music with more visual media to be later released in the new year.

    Josh Lumsden

    Josh Lumsden is a self made musician born & raised in Austin, Texas, now based in New York City and “Love Me Back” is his newest futuristic single. Lumsden’s new music video features his charming and intriguing persona complimented with a pop-beat heavy chorus that will get your feet moving. It doesn’t take long for Lumsden smooth vocals to become stuck in your head all day long.

    Complete with four uniquely varying looks in the video directed by Mikey Harmon, we can learn a few fashion tips from the mesmerizing Josh Lumsden. Inclusive with a team underneath the entirety of LGBTQIA umbrella, Josh gives queers an opportunity to be in the forefront of the music industry once again.

    The highly anticipated video is finally released where Josh Lumsden and Mikey Harmon had planned to collaborate for many months unfortunately delayed due to the pandemic. Harmon was sure to showcase Lumsden futuristic and sci-fi performance stylistically driving the down to earth narrative of lust and love embedded into the song’s lyrics.

  • Béla Fleck Announces My Bluegrass Heart Album Celebration show at Carnegie Hall

    Béla Fleck has announced the My Bluegrass Heart album celebration show at Carnegie Hall in NYC. The show will take place on January 9, 2022 and will feature big names in Chris Thile and Billy Strings, Jerry Douglas, and many more. 

    Béla Fleck Carnegie Hall

    My Bluegrass Heart is the third album in Béla Fleck’s trilogy that began with 1988’s Drive and continued in 1999 with The Bluegrass Sessions.  Produced and written by Fleck, My Bluegrass Heart continues the tradition of sharing music between generations. The album debuted at number one on the Bluegrass Album Chart and number three on the American / Folk Album Chart. 

    Béla Fleck who was born and raised in New York City spoke on the upcoming concert saying, “Calling something the ‘concert of a lifetime’ sure sounds like hype, and in many cases it would be. But not this time!  At least for my world and my music, this is an unprecedented opportunity to bring some of the brightest instrumental lights in bluegrass—or any other music for that matter—to the incredible Carnegie Hall stage.”

    The show will feature artists like Chris Thile and Billy Strings, the legendary Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer and Stuart Duncan, as well as members of the next wave of virtuoso players, Sierra Hull, Molly Tuttle and Michael Cleveland.  

    The show is part of the Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart Tour. Tickets are on sale now for the show and can be purchased here. 

    For more information on Béla Fleck and his new album My Bluegrass Heart celebration show at Carnegie Hall, visit his website.

    Full Béla Fleck:  My Bluegrass Heart Tour Lineup bellow: 

    11.27   Grand Rapids,  MI  //  DeVos Performance Hall 

    11.28   Fort Wayne, IN //  Clyde Theatre 

    11.29   Milwaukee, WI //  Riverside Theater 

    12.01   St. Louis, MO // The Sheldon Concert Hall 

    12.02   Des Moines, IA //  Hoyt Sherman Place 

    12.03   Salina, KS // The Stiefel Theatre 

    12.04   Denver, CO //  Paramount Theatre*

    12.05   Jackson, WY // Center For The Arts 

    12.07   Portland, OR // Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall 

    12.08   Seattle, WA // Paramount Theatre* 

    12.09   Eugene, OR //  Jaqua Concert Hall – 2 shows!

    12.10   Redding, CA  //  The Cascade Theatre*

    12.11  Reno, NV //   Silver Legacy Resort Casino 

    12.12   Berkeley, CA  // The UC Theatre

    12.13   Carmel, CA  // Sunset Cultural Center 

    12.14   Costa Mesa, CA  //  Segerstrom Center for the Arts

    12.16   San Diego,  CA  //  Balboa Theatre  

    12.17   Los Angeles, CA //  Theater at the ACE Hotel

    12.18 Tempe, AZ // Tempe Center for the Arts  

    12.19   Tucson, AZ //  Fox Tucson Theatre

    1.7.22   Ryman Auditorium  //  Nashville, TN – SOLD OUT

    1.9.22  Carnegie Hall, NYC

    Featuring Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, & Bryan Sutton

    * = Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton

  • Phil Lesh Announces All His Friends for October Run at The Cap

    Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh is making up for lost time from last year with an essential October residency at the legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. Three different Phil & Friends lineups will perform over three different three-day spans throughout the month, with the nine-night run coming to a close on Halloween. Each lineup brings a little something different to the table, with friends both old and new joining the fray.

    Phil lesh

    The first three-night run is slated for October 11-13 and is set to play host to The Phil Lesh Quintet, aka The Q, the longest running version of Phil & Friends to date. It features longtime friends John Molo on drums and Rob Barraco on keys as well as the guitar stylings of Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring.

    The second run is scheduled for the following week, October 18 – 20. This one will see Stuart Bogie and Amy Helm join Phil on the first and last night of the run, with Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, Elliot Peck and Phil’s son Grahame set to play on the 19th. This run will also feature Joe Russo on drums and Benmont Tench on keys.

    Lastly, a three-night run leading up to Halloween is set to play host to a plethora of musical stars. This includes Nicki Bluhm, Larry Campbell, Grahame Lesh, M.C. Taylor of Hiss Messenger Service, Teresa Williams and various members of Dawes.

    Start making those October plans now. Tickets can be purchased here. All patrons 12 and over must show proof of either full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of entry.

    Check out all setlists from the run so far below.

    Friday, October 11

    Set 1: Mason’s Children, Doin’ That Rag, The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys > So What > The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, She Said She Said, Night of 1000 Stars

    Set 2: Shakedown Street, Viola Lee Blues, New Speedway Boogie, Broken Arrow, Cryptical Envelopment > Wharf Rat > The Other One, I Know You Rider

    Encore: The Real Thing

    Saturday, October 12

    Set 1: St. Stephen > The Eleven > Eyes of the World > Mountains of the Moon, Acadian Driftwood, The Wayfaring Stranger > Angel Band

    Set 2: Uncle John’s Band > No More Do I, Bird Song, The Wheel > Terrapin Station > Morning Dew, Donor Rap

    Encore: Sunshine of Your Love

    Sunday, October 13

    Set 1: Celebration, Not Fade Away, China Cat Sunflower, New Potato Caboose, Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

    Set 2: Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain > Scarlet Begonias, Unbroken Chain, Dark Star > So What, The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Dark Star > I Am the Walrus > Dark Star, Wharf Rat, Stella Blue > Franklin’s Tower, Donor Rap

    Encore: Patchwork Quilt