NYS Music 202​1

Category: Western NY

  • NEO Project Funk Up Ithaca at the Upstairs

    NEO Project crushed their set at The Upstairs on Friday, October 22 in Ithaca. NEO Project is a professional six piece, high energy dance band rooted in funky R&B grooves, Afro Cuban/Caribbean rhythms & jazzy, bluesy soul music. The members are music professors, a former Motown sideman and soul practitioners with years of experience.  

    NEO Project

    Their eclectic repertoire will get you body movin’ with new arrangements of established hits and irresistible original party grooves. NEO Project reimagines some of the best funk, jazz and soul music out there, always delivering a powerful dose of deep pocket grooves supporting soulful melodies & juicy improvisation.

    This band grooves hard as they weave irresistible R&B rhythms around Afro-Cuban & world beat syncopations. And they do it all on their toes as they re-shape their arrangements on the fly, vibing off the energy of their audiences. 

    Friday at the Upstairs NEO Project laid down the energy of the ’90s New York club culture. They covered “Groove is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite. The song came from a fan letter Deee-Lite sent with a demo to Bootsy Collins. The original track featured Bootsy Collins on bass, Maceo Parker on saxophone, and Fred Wesley on trombone, as well as a young Q Tip on backing vocals. The song made its way to the 1990 scene as a radio hit.

    Drummer Adam Deitch from the funk band Lettuce told NYS Music this summer a similar experience with Bootsy Collins. Bootsy’s Instagram story featured a clip of him snapping his fingers whispering “keep that funk alive…keep that funk alive.” This inspired Deitch to sample the message. From here he immediately laid down a drum beat to Bootsy’s vocal tempo. The rest of Lettuce got in on the session and it was sent to Bootsy’s camp. He replied with delight and his signature bass line & vocals to boot that finished the collaboration.

    NEO Project stands on the same “Shaky Ground” as many other live New York performances. When Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead played Syracuse Landmark Theater in November 2018, his wolf pack trio covered “Standing on Shaky Ground” by The Temptations which is co written by Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic, “ever since you put me down.”

    When Tony Hall of legendary New Orleans band Dumpstaphunk played the 2019 New York State Blues festival he made his way to Funk N Waffles after the performance. Tony and Drummer Deven Trusclair were able to to sit in with the house band for “Shaky Ground” as well. NEO Project brought the same energy with their take on the classic throwing some Stevie Wonder Halloween Superstition spirit at the end.

    The NEO Project kept the audience on the same beat, all stopping on the 1 and ending on time to close the show Friday. The Upstairs crowd all fell in line like Thriller.

    When Oteil Burbridge of Dead & Company was here and check out The Upstairs venue for other live acts by Kevin Black Presents. The Upstairs is located in the heart of Ithaca and is the area’s most intimate venue providing dynamic entertainment weekly.

    NEO Project Touring Act: Elly Holiday: Vocals, Jimbo – lead vocals, Prof. John White – keyboards & vocals, Franklin Henry Jr. – 5 string electric bass, Mike McCoy – drums, Dwight Carroll – guitar & vocals,

    NEO Project – The Upstairs Venue, Ithaca, NY – October 22, 2021

    10:30pm

    1. Gentle Thoughts/Lovely Day 106 G Ji Dw/El Herbie Hancock /Bill Withers
    2. I Was Made To Love Her 076 Db El/Ji Dw Stevie Wonder
    3. Come Together 090 C- Ji/El Dw The Beatles
    4. Tennessee Whiskey 067 A/C Ji/El Chris Stapleton
    5. Stir It Up/3 Lil’ Birds/Bend Low 176 A Dw/Ji El Bob Marley
    6. Make Me Feel 115 E El Ji/Dw Janelle Monae
    7. Fire 124 A Ji/El Bruce Springsteen, Des’ree
    8. Higher Ground 127 E El Stevie Wonder

    11:30pm

    1. Brown Eyed Girl 152 Ab Ji Van Morrison
    2. Valerie 106 Eb El Amy Winehouse
    3. Ain’t Too Proud To Beg 115 Bb Ji The Temptations
    4. Crazy In Love 095 F El Ji Beyonce
    5. Seven Nation Army  112 E Ji Jack White
    6. Groove Is In The Heart 121 G El Deee-Lite
    7. I Got You (I Feel Good) JB 144 Bb James Brown
    8. Uptown Funk 115 D- El Ji/Dw Bruno Mars

    12:25am

    1. Addams Family Theme 126 Bb Ji All
    2. Killing Me Softly With His Song 093 E- El The Fugees
    3. Shaky Ground/Superstition 094 E Ji/El Temptations/Stevie Wonder
    4. Manchild 119 A- Ji original
    5. Freeze Frame Stop on a dime ending

  • A Stormy Monday Blues Sermon with Eric Gales Band at Homer Center for the Arts

    Eric Gales brought his incredible five-piece touring band to the Homer Center for the Arts on Monday, October 18, 2021. Gales starts his shows in a similar manner on the microphone by himself discussing the hardships he and all of us have taken on over our lifetime. Eric told the crowd, “If you haven’t cried the blues the past 18 months then god forgot to pass you out a soul.”

    Eric Gales Band
    Photo by Out Loud Pictures, LaDonna Gales, Eric Gales, Nick Hayes

    From this angle, Eric began his performance on the acoustic guitar talking about the same blues that his grandfather had. His grandfather used to play with Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters. Gales said he wanted to spread the spirit and the inspiration his grandfather instilled in him. During the fitting titled “Grandaddy Blues,” the rest of the band appeared behind him on stage following suit to the groove. On percussion and backing vocals was his wife, LaDonna Gales, Nick Hayes on drums, and on bass from Brooklyn, Nil Jones.

    Eric Gales Band
    Photo by Out Loud Pictures, Eric Gales band

    Eric made sure the microphones and sound were on point chuckling at the familiarity of its resonance in an old church. Gales is no stranger to Jimi Hendrix’s electric church. Eric was part of the cast touring with Jimi’s bassist Billy Cox, the jellyfish Buddy Miles on drums, and Stevie Rays’ Chris Layton for the “Experience Hendrix Tour.” Robert Ranndolph was there too,

    He even educated the crowd that Jimi played a right handed guitar but strung it left handed. For clarification, Gales and bassist Nil Jones were playing completely upside down and backwards.
    So naturally as a salute they played Gales original “Southpaw Serenade.”

    In between songs, Gales inner tales were serenading the crowd to a wide range of stories. From his funk playing days in Minnesota that caught the eye and ear of the legendary Prince to his overall approach on life. Eric told the crowd “I believe laughter and music are the best forms of communication and medication.” Gales took one four-minute break the whole night, while Jones helped rattle the brick inside Homer for a bass solo.

    Gales returned to the stage fired up saying, “I’m getting tuned up I feel a sermon coming on, it’s been far too long.” At the end of a two and half hour performance, Eric treated the crowd to a bouncy funked up version of “Voodoo Child” that led to a blended jam of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and AC/DC’s “Back in Black” to remind the audience it is still Rocktober. Tony Hall told NYS Music after seeing Gales footage, “Hes a bad mother fucker”

    Jimi Hendrix once said “When I get up on stage -well, that’s my whole life. That’s my religion. My music is electric church music.” Robert Cray looked to the ceiling at the Homer Center for the Arts last month during his performance and said “Jimi Can you hear me?” Eric Gales and his band channeled the same energy on a stormy Monday to start the week at the electric church in Homer.

    Ana Popovic crushed the European leg of Experience Hendrix and The Center this year. Samantha Fish killed at the center Wednesday November 3rd. Mississippi’s Christone “Kingfish” Ingram took the Delta Roads from Mississippi to Homer, New York the night before Samantha. They are all blues disciples.

    NYS Music loved that Eric started the week in Homer to only link up with Gary Clark Jr On “When my Train Pulls in” down the road in Greensboro. Flotations groovy I said a jelly fish will tell ya that. NYS Music agrees with Santana on Gales…its all a piece of the blues disciples history. Tony Hall and Arsenio Hall said it best “Yea he’s bad”

    Photos by Out Loud Pictures:


  • Donny Frauenhofer Trio (DF3) to Celebrate Debut Album Release at Sportsmens Tavern

    Buffalo’s Donny Frauenhofer Trio will celebrate the culmination of a decade of work as they take the next step as a live band, releasing their debut album on Friday, October 22. The night before, the trio will perform at Sportsmen’s Tavern.

    Donny Frauenhofer Trio, also known as DF3, consists of Isaiah Griffin on drums, Colin Brydalski on bass, and Frauenhofer on keys. Coined as “The Weirdest Music You’ve Never Heard,” Donny’s trio is creatively driven by spontaneity. The group travels through time signatures, styles, and key signatures with ease, making Frauenhofer’s complicated compositions sound like a walk in the park. The group plays a daring brand of original music with unique arrangements of popular tunes tastefully sprinkled in. 

    Donny Frauenhofer Trio Debut Album

    With an album full of originals, two notable covers get a jazz treatment, with DF3 approaching Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” and Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar We’re Goin Down” as though they are entirely new compositions,

    The album has taken 10 years to get here, although the trio didn’t start until about 2016, playing consistently starting in 2018. There is also the factor of capturing the music, learning the language of music and studying all the aspects of playing and performing it. 10 years ago, Frauenhofer did not see the dream of being signed on a label and just making music as possible or as probable as many of his peers. He saw where things were heading with the music business and how to monetize it, so he set out to learn as much as possible about recording, engineering, mixing, mastering, and producing as much as I could.

    Frauenhofer didn’t want to release an album until he felt he was somewhat capable of doing the quality he wanted for himself. 10 years of digging into jazz and trying to find his own sound, that is when many compositions took root. He would often tell friends “I had this sound in my head I couldn’t describe,” and a lot of artists he was a fan of were in that realm, but Frauenhofer had a particular vibe, an air or atmosphere that he wanted to capture.

    Regarding the jazz scene in Buffalo, Frauenhofer notes the great deal of talent in the scene, with a small but passionate audience that is continuing to grow.

    My goal is to get more of my generation involved. A lot of this album reflects that – using contemporary styles from my generation and putting that in a jazz setting, or vice-versa. Electronic music styles and hip-hop in particular can really get young crowds excited and be a great window into more traditional styles of jazz

    Donny Frauenhofer, on the Buffalo Jazz scene

    The album release show will take place on Thursday, October 21st at Sportsmens Tavern in Buffalo. The show kicks off at 7pm with the band playing two sets of music, with physical copies of Uppin’ the Ante available at the show. Guest musicians will also be performing with the trio.

    The release of this upcoming album marks the distinctive transformation of #DF3 from a local live act to a burgeoning national touring force. Uppin’ the Ante will be available on all streaming platforms on Friday, October 22nd. Along with this exciting release, the band will soon be announcing tour dates for the remainder of 2021. 

    Donny Frauenhofer Trio perform on Thursday, October 21 at 7:00 PM Sportsmens Tavern. Tickets are $12 and available here, with additional info available via the Facebook event.

  • In Focus: The Struts At The Main Street Armory in Rochester

    Show-stopping, astounding, and phenomenal are just a handful of words you can use to describe The Struts, whose ‘Strange Days Are Over’ tour hit Rochester at the Main Street Armory on October 15th and the glam rock band brought the house down.

    the struts rochester
    Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

    Lead singer, Luke Spiller, is an electrifying showman. Luke nailed every single note of every single song as the energy kept up. He ran back and forth and eventually had to remove his shirt, which naturally sent the fans into a frenzy. Accompanying Spiller was Adam Slack on the Jed Elliott on the bass, and Gethin Davies on the drums.

    the struts rochester
    Fans of The Struts packed the Main Street Armory. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

    Each musician brought their own personality. This mixed with a killer performance and the die-hard fans that knew every word created an atmosphere that was intoxicating in the best way possible.

    If you ever have the chance to see this band, don’t walk, strut.

    Setlist: Primadonna Like Me, Body Talks, Kiss This, I Hate How Much I Love You, Fire, One Night Only, Dirty Sexy Money, Low Key In Love, Mary Go Round, Medley, Am I Talking To The Champagne (Or Am I Talking To You), Wild Child, I Do It So Well.

    Encore: Strange Days, It Could’ve Been Me

    • Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
    • Adam Slack of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
    • Jed Elliott of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
    • Gethin Davies of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
    • Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
    • Adam Slack of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
    • Jed Elliott of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
    • Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
    • Adam Slack of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki
    • Luke Spiller of The Struts. Photo by Samantha Rychlicki

  • 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

  • Hearing Aide: Exit Atlas “The Unknown”

    The highly creative collaboration from Paul McArdle and Zack Brinn has welcomed a refreshing form of new alternative rock music to New York State. The duo operate as Exit Atlas just releasing their new record The Unknown. The writing, production, and instrumentation for the album were composed in the state and sent to Nashville for finishing touches. The two Canandaigua natives have been collaborating for twenty years. This project came to life in the past two years.

    Exit Atlas

    Paul McArdle has spent this time as a guitarist on the Nectars stage circuit scene of the Northeast and Austin, Texas. When Dopapod guitarist Rob Compa formed his solo project, he told NYS Music “Without exaggeration, Paul is one of my favorite guitar players ever, and a huge influence for me, so I’ve always wanted to put something together with him” Paul sat in with Dopapod for a killing cover of the Derek Trucks tune “Kickin Bach” at a special leap year show dated 2/29/20 at the sold out Anthology venue in Rochester, NY. Monroe County’s Steve Gadd told NYS Music the secret of any great gig: “If you can trust the audience is hearing it the way you are, it gets to a spiritual level. In Japan or wherever you are. That’s the goal.”

    Dopapod, Paul McArdle, 2/29/20

    Paul’s signature tone can be heard on acoustic and electric guitar for every track as part of Exit Atlas. It’s no wonder that Zack Brinn who wrote all the lyrics and handles vocals for The Unknown wanted to weave them with McArdle’s musical style. Zack also takes care of the bass lines, drums, keyboards, programming and synthesizers. Brinn sprinkled some Brian Eno-like ambient sound trails on certain numbers as well.

    Zack’s vocal tones are reminiscent of Peter Gabriel from inside the studio. His lyrics on “Annual” also set a familiar vibe, “The autumn sun it falls behind hills and we can watch it go down from here, we are safe, we are home.”

    The production on this album reflects the same quality credits as a Peter Gabriel record. Listen for the various textures placed inside “Rain Chant.” The ticking clock intro on “Your Job” immediately addresses the time sacrificing your real dreams for the often required conformity to the machine. The song’s music video has an animation concept that Roger Waters would appreciate.

    The seize the day feeling is grasped by the duo from an “Old Park Bench”… “I don’t believe in luck we’re given a choice each new day… sitting here on this old park bench I sing it out like millions are with me. We’re gonna make it.“

    The walk from the bench into the great wide open is captured on “Make Some Memories”. Zack’s words resonate, “Time to throw caution to the wind, we’re going on an adventure for the ages, don’t you have a worry about a thing, look around at all your friends waiting.” And very fitting for Halloween, “Did you think I couldn’t tell? Put that costume on the shelf.“

    The title track to the The Unknown album starts the record full circle for you, “When the past is knocking on the door, the present comes collecting tolls. A bright future seems to come and go. It’s the only place to stake our hope.” Brinn’s vocals bounce off McArdle’s chilling riff like Chris Cornell on Soundgarden’s 1994 Superunknown album.

    Exit Atlas

    Paul McArdle and Zack Brinn told NYS Music the origin of the duo’s name came from the expression “To carry the weight of the world on one’s shoulders.” This comes from the Greek myth of Atlas as his sculpture represents. Exit Atlas new album is a way to help relieve the beast of burden for the unknown scenes that lie ahead for us all.

    It’s clear during this record it’s a coming of season combination of the duo’s life and music from the past two decades. In similar style Peter Gabriel officially put out his Woodstock 94’ live set last year with Rochester’s Tony Levin on bass. He is releasing his first studio record since 2002 next year. Twenty years seems to be a good time frame to let great art come to its musical fruition.

    Key Tracks: Your Job, The Unknown, Make Some Memories




  • The Montage Music Hall host Attila Day Drinking tour

    Rochester is home to some long standing music venues, one in particular is Montage Music Hall. This venue has seen many acts from locals to national artists ever since it opened its doors many years ago, it has been host to bands such as Tantric, All That Remains, Clutch, and many other big names. On October 5th, Montage Music Hall hosted Attila on their “Day Drinking Tour,” along with Jynx and with local support from Destroy//Create, and Perspectives. The show had a great turnout and energy throughout the night, especially for the show being on a weekday. Head over to the Montage Music Halls site to find out what shows are next.

    attila
    Attila

    Perspectives

    Destroy//Create

    Jynxy

    Attila

    attila
    attila
    attila
    attila
    attila

  • The Darkness Has Given: Venues Welcome Back Crowds Across New York State

    The phrase ‘this darkness has got to give’ originates in the Robert Hunter penned Grateful Dead song “New Speedway Boogie,” a line that speaks of hope and aspirations of a brighter future ahead.

    In June 2020, NYS Music started the series “This Darkness Has Got to Give,” amid uncertain times where we did not know what the next few weeks or months would provide for the musicians, venues, music industry staff and employees, as well as patrons across New York State. We hoped for the best, and while the era of streaming sufficed for a time and is permanently ingrained with bands and venus, live music has returned.

    new york state venues

    Sort of, at least. We have had some false starts, with tours cancelled shortly after they are announced, tours scaled back, and artists opting to require patrons to show proof of vaccination, as well as wear a mask inside venues. All of these are not major asks for patrons who have been deprived of live music, just as musicians have been deprived of audiences in the last year and a half. Given the tight COVID-19 protocols in place for touring musicians and at music venues, especially here in New York State, the result has been the return of live music to many venues, the arrival of crowds to outdoor and indoor events alike, and a feeling of normalcy, even if things don’t seem all the way normal just yet.

    We are still not out of the woods yet. So long as mask policies are abided by and those eligible to be vaccinated do so, the full live music experience – at venues, music festivals, on cruise ships or in basements of college houses – can return in all parts of the state and country.

    This edition of “This Darkness Has Got to Give” has a different angle to it. While we are looking at the music venues that dot the landscape all across the Empire State, we take a look this time not just at the venues, but at the crowds of fans who have flocked back to support their favorite artist and venue, and recharge ourselves through the power of live music. We begin where we started the series in June 2020, in Western New York, courtesy of Contributing Photographer Samantha Rychlicki.

    Buffalo – photos by Samantha Rychlicki

    Hudson Valley – Photos by Mickey Deneher

    Westchester and Manhattan – Steve Malinski

    Albany – photos by Conor McMahon

    Brooklyn and Manhattan – photos by Joe Buscarello

    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)
    • Photo by: Buscar Photo (www.buscarphoto.com)

    Lake George – photo by Zak Radick

    ADK Fest – September 4-5, 2021 in Lake George

    Hudson Valley – photos by Em Walis

    Plattsburgh – photos by Jerry Cadiuex

    Saratoga Springs and Albany – photos by Zach Culver

    Utica – courtesy of Stanley Theatre

    Long Island and Manhattan – photos by Rob Tellerman