Coming this summer to rest stops along Interstates 81, 84, 86, 87, 88 and 90, New Yorkers and other travelers can discover new bands and artists thanks to the State Division of Tourism sponsoring the “Rest Stop Pop Up NY” Thruway Concert Series.
At the state’s Welcome Centers, multiple bands will be featured throughout the day, offering a small but distanced festival feel. Service Areas along I-90 and I-87 will feature top rock and jam acts performing on stages set up in parking lots, starting at 10am and going until 10pm.
moe. will give a nod to their New York roots by make appearances at rest stops near Buffalo, Utica and Albany. And provided their drummer can catch a ride, The Assortment of Crayons will reunite at the Plattekill rest stop on I-87 North.
Heading along I-88 and I-81, a broad selection of bluegrass and metal bands will perform at the more rustic rest areas located on these comparatively lesser traveled highways. Meanwhile, I-84 will feature singer-songwriters from the Hudson Valley at each of the four rest stops. Don’t miss July 4 with Don McLean at the Brewster Rest Area.
I-86, the state’s newest highway, will feature Buffalo’s Organ Fairchild. Much like the band, I-86 was years in the making and brings together many great parts of the state in one solid collective.
The new ‘Text Break’ stops will feature acoustic performances only, with requests taken by texting your song request to 38262. There will be no shows along I-495 on Long Island.
When the State Division of Tourism was asked what could go wrong with these Pop Ups, a representative admitted there would be some issues.
For one, there’s only so much parking, and while we will allow you to park on the grass for that true festival feel, some folks may need to park on the side of the road and walk into the festival. This state has a great history of parking cars and walking miles to see music, whether it’s the original Woodstock festival, Summer Jam 1973, or The Clifford Ball. We want to give people the real music experience, including, but not limited to, fatigue and mild exhaustion upon arrival at your destination.
Judith McCarty, State Division of Tourism
McCarty also discussed safety measures, saying “Of course people will socially distance. And if they don’t we hope they’re spending money and we feel that trade off is worth the risk.”
Alcohol will not be sold at any Thruway Rest Stop, per usual, but CBD vendors will be on hand for to provide attendees with an energetic natural high. “We strongly encourage CBD use. Please don’t drink and drive. That would make us look really, really bad,” said McCarty.
The State Division of Tourism feels that the Rest Stop Pop Up concert series will encourage travel across the state, and also allow travelers to learn about the history that happened here.
Additionally, toll money will be used to help balance the state budget.
Thank you for reading. This was an April Fools article, published on April 1, 2021.
In a move sending shockwaves through the Empire State, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has annexed the entire state of Vermont. The move makes Vermont’s maple syrup industry, ski towns, and the entirety of Lake Champlain, all a part of New York.
A map showing the borders of New York with the addition of Vermont. Source: Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Despite the recent accusations and calls to step down, the Governor seems emboldened, ordering National Guard Troops to stand back and stand by, hinting that more than the Green Mountain State may become part of New York.
Cuomo said in a brief statement on the takeover of Vermont, “I just felt that we needed to get Allthe great music scenes together, and since New York has so many, we should add in Burlington. So Allthe great music scenes are here now. Then I thought we have great skiing, so let’s get All the great skiing in the Northeast here in New York. So now we have All the best ski areas here.
Vermonters can deal with it. Go enjoy your Twiddling or whatever it is you do there. Welcome to New York.”
Governor Cuomo, arriving to see Twiddle in their new homestate of New York
With this statement, the Governor continues to give no indication he will resign, despite numerous allegations of bullying, sexual harassment and unwanted touching. See the whole list of accusers here.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival announces it’s 2021 lineup including big names like Megan Thee Stallion, Foo Fighters, Lizzo and many more. The festival will take place September 2nd through 5th in Manchester, Tennessee.
The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has been around and kicking since 2002. The festival takes place on the Bonnaroo Farm sprawling across seven acres, located just 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, TN. The festivities sprawl out across 10 stages over four days and over 100 performances.
Some of the big names include Andy Frasco, Larkin Poe, Nubya Garcia, Foo Fighters, Megan Thee Stallion, Run The Jewels, Glass Animals, Deftones, Young Thug, Tipper, Lizzo, Tame Impala, My Morning Jacket, G-EAZY, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Phoebe Bridgers, Incubus, Seven Lions, Tyler, The Creator, Lil Baby, DEADMAU5, Leon Bridges, Young The Giant, Britanny Howard and more.
Festivals are slowly starting to creep back into existence. One of the main and real concerns with festivals coming back to life though is how they will handle the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival’s website they, “will continue to update Bonnaroovians with the important information needed to plan your[their] trip to The Farm, including any changes to policies and procedures you need to know before entering the festival and campgrounds. Updates will be shared on this page, through our social media channels and via our email list. If you haven’t already, sign up for our E-mail list to have the most current information sent directly to your[their] inbox.”
Any public space where people are present has an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying media conditions are especially vulnerable. They state very clearly that by attending Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, people voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. In time the festival will release more information on the safety precautions people should expect.
Tickets for Bonnaroo went on sale on March 31, 2021 and can be found here. Options for tickets include General Admission (4-Day), GA+ (4-Day), VIP (4-Day), Platinum (4-Day), General Admission Camping & Parking, VIP Camping, Platinum Camping, and more. Bonnaroo is presenting an array of affordable options, with tickets starting at $35 down and accommodations available for as low as $99 per night. Car Camping Passes are priced at only $60 (plus fees) per car, not per person, allowing fans to both save money and reduce their carbon footprint by carpooling.
On July 28, Bonnaroo 2021 announced the lineup for its famed Campgrounds and Plazas, once again promising the most inclusive and original camping experience of any festival, anywhere in the world.
Strategically located and well-lit public places throughout the campgrounds, Bonnaroo’s communal areas, known as Plazas, include shade, free public Wi-Fi, showers, activities, charging stations, Clean Vibes Trading Post redemption centers, cooling stations, medical, safety stations, information, and portable restrooms. The 2021 Campground Plazas lineup features several returning favorites along with several all-new experiences:
CENTEROO For the first time ever, Bonnaroovians can say “I roo” at the House of MatROOmony. Produced by iamsound, Bonnaroo’s new House of Love will host romantic activities like Lovesick Karaoke Happy Hour, interactive photo booth installations, and daily wedding ceremonies where attendees can get hitched by very special guests. Registration is available now HERE.
PLAZAS & CAMPGROUNDS “Sanctuary Of Self Love,” curated by Hayley Williams in collaboration with iamsound and Conscious City Guide, will be back and better than ever. Bonnaroovians can relax and rejuvenate themselves through the weekend with mindful movement practices (including a newly expanded meditation forest, tea ceremony gazebo, and yoga space), hairstyling by the new Good Dye Young on-site Hair Salon, deep sound bath rituals, talks, and panel sessions offering powerful tools for mental clarity and personal transformation, and, for the first time ever, a healers village offering pre-booked one-on-one sessions spanning massage to aura photography and reiki.
Presented by BACARDÍ, the totally re-imagined and re-oriented “Where In The Woods” stage will feature DJs and surprise headliners in a new magical treehouse environment where Bonnaroovians can chill during the day and party all night on a spectacular dance floor that comes to life after dark with kaleidoscopic lights and sounds. New additions also include immersive cabanas and a massive conga line hosted by NPI and Puzzle.
Plaza 3: House of Yes and Little Cinema return in 2021, bringing Brooklyn magic to Bonnaroo with epic spectacles, immersive movie screenings, circus shows galore, and of course all-night dance parties for the weird, wild, and wonderful. In addition, House of Yes will host Bonnaroo’s second annual Pride Parade, a rainbow celebration of diversity, sexuality, and humanity this year presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Plaza 5: The all-new Groop’s Galactic Giddy-Up is where interstellar vibes meet rhinestone-ridiculous. Located inside the Groop Camping area in the GA Campground and presented by iamsound, Galactic Giddy-Up is the space cowboy dive-bar built to empower the awesome and wonderfully weird Bonnaroovian community via groop and community-oriented games, activities, parties, mixers, and more, including catch competitions judged by celebrity guests, talent shows, Bonnaroovian battles of the bands, line dancing and more. In addition, Galactic Giddy-Up will bring all the usual plaza amenities to Groop Camping, including bathrooms, showers, shade and chill spaces, fans and misters, food and beverage vendors, charging stations, info booth, medical, security, and more.
Plaza 6:Killer Mike’s Swag Shop will showcase a cool, casual, and artistic approach to self-care, offering good music, casual conversation, and a great haircut.
Plaza 7:The Grove is a fantastical wooded oasis, filled with mythical creatures by Brett Douglas Hunter and live harp performances by Yomí That Harpist.
Plaza 9:VEEPS House – Exclusive intimate performances from some of Bonnaroo 2021’s artist streamed live from the farm to the world.
The new Rootanical Garden invites fans to see the world through the lens of a bug as they wander into a spectacular maze garden, produced by iamsound.
Last, but very definitely not least, the newly revamped VIP Campground Plaza will feature air-conditioning, private bars, complimentary Wi-Fi, daily yoga classes, games, live video feeds of the festival performances, and some special surprises. The VIP Campground Plaza is available exclusively to VIP patrons.
For more information on the 2021 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival visit their website.
The Complete Bonnaroo 2021 Lineup:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Grand Ole Opry Featuring Special Guests 99 Neighbors Andy Frasco Big Something Briston Maroney Dabin Devon Gilfillian The Funk Hunters HE$H Joy Oladokun Larkin Poe Liz Cooper & The Stampede MIZE Nubya Garcia Scarypoolparty Spock Sweet Crude Taska Black Too Many Zooz ZiA
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Foo Fighters Megan Thee Stallion Run The Jewels Glass Animals Deftones Young Thug Tipper Jack Harlow Grace Potter Primus Nelly The Disco Biscuits Dashboard Confessional Big Wild TroyBoi Marcus King Band Lennon Stella Orville Peck Kim Petras Turkuaz w/Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew: Remain In Light SVDDEN DEATH Omar Apollo Lucii Waxahatchee The Weather Station Resistance Revival Chorus LP Giobbi ATLiens Mija Detox Unit Rome In Silver Jac Ross Mdou Moctar Tripp St. NotLö
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Lizzo Tame Impala My Morning Jacket G-Eazy Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Phoebe Bridgers Incubus Seven Lions Superjam: Sylvan Esso Presents “WITH” Kevin Gates Marc Rebillet Goose Subtronics Surfaces JID Jon Batiste The Band Camino Ashnikko Yaeji Ekali Tate McRae Pinegrove Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats Remi Wolf Wooli Dr. Fresch William Black Christone “Kingfish” Ingram Flamingosis Hero The Band Level Up DJ Mel Almost Monday Lick
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Tyler, The Creator Lil Baby deadmau5 Leon Bridges Young the Giant Brittany Howard Flogging Molly Boombox Cartel Greensky Bluegrass The Struts CAAMP Oliver Tree PEEKABOO Julien Baker LSDREAM Colony House Flo Milli Breland Niko Moon Jamila Woods Bill Frisell: Harmony featuring Petra Haden, Hank Roberts & Luke Bergman LUZCID Elderbrook Makaya McCraven
To support the #SaveOurStages foundation during the pandemic, artist Phil Robinson today releases a video for his song “Transcendental Cowboy” from the renowned The Bitter End venue in New York City.
Phil Robinson
Robinson’s live performance is another in his efforts to fundraise for live music venues that have suffered astronomically throughout the pandemic. In September 2020, he created, hosted, and performed in the “Save The Bitter End!” livestream fundraiser. It ended up raising over $24,000 towards The Bitter End’s $100,000 GoFundMe campaign, and ensured the venue’s April 9, 2021 reopening.
In addition to his venue fundraising efforts, Phil Robinson has organized and performed livestream events that benefit the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, local food banks, and more.
“Transcendental Cowboy (Acoustic)” is out March 31st via Phil’s label Roomful Of Sky. His debut album Through the Middle is set for release later in 2021. His soulful rock music is a balm for the struggles of the pandemic, garnering comparisons to Cat Stevens and Bruce Springsteen.
Robinson shares: “‘Transcendental Cowboy’ is usually my encore song – it gives audiences the chance to yell at the top of their lungs, so it’s always a lot of fun to play live! I thought it’d be a great fit for the #SaveOurStages campaign because it highlights that LIVE engagement between audience and performer that we all live for. Performing the song in an empty venue as I do in this benefit video highlights exactly what’s been missing this past year and what we hope to get back once the pandemic’s over and our music venues can hopefully re-open.”
It’s been over a year since music venues had to shut down, and signs of life are starting to be seen this spring. With the passage of the COVID relief bill, which provides $15 billion for music venues across the country, small businesses are able to breathe a sigh of relief. Warm weather allows outdoor venues, both new and old, to utilize space to accommodate socially distanced shows while we wait for the country to get vaccinated and infection rates to subside
photo by Joseph Buscarello
Looking back on the February installment of this photo series, we can see the seasons changing and venues coming to life, if not getting a facelift. By the time we bring you the next edition, we hope to see fans in the crowd and venues back to business, with a greener summer to come.
A list has been circulating on Facebook recently, one well worth sharing. As you check out the current state of venues across New York State, courtesy of NYS Music’s photography team, consider these rules moving forward for the post-pandemic live music scenes across New York and the country.
RULE #1: No guest list. Don’t ask. Not now. Not ever. Everyone in the live music industry has been out of work for 13 months and we all need your support now more than ever. Buy the damn ticket.
Rochester – photos by Corinne Cummings
RULE #2: Support local. Before you buy that high priced ticket to see that big name artist at that big corporate venue, consider putting that money back into your own community. This is the best way to ensure that a thriving arts & culture scene will return to cities across America.
RULE #3: Wear a damn mask. If you’re going to a show, tiny cloth go over mouth & nose. Period. Vaccinated? Don’t care. Already had it? Don’t care. Rona is a hoax? Also don’t care. We only get one shot at restarting this machine. Please don’t be the one that messes it up.
RULE #4: We are not babysitters. We get it. Social distancing sucks. Masks suck. You’re tired of washing your hands. After more than a year of isolation, all you wanna do is lean in close and spew your spittle on friends and strangers alike. But it’s been 13 months. You know the rules by now — please follow them.
RULE #7: Support the scene. Can’t make the show? No problem. It costs $0.00 to support us in other ways. Share the posts. Listen to the music. Invite your friends to the event page. In order for this to work, we need all hands on deck.
RULE #8: Be kind. Look — it’s been awhile. We’re gonna be a little rusty. Plus, so much of what needs to happen in order to bring back live music safely is new for all of us — fans, venues, promoters and artists alike. There will be hiccups. There will be lines. There will be unforeseen circumstances. Be nice anyway.
Plattsburgh – photos by Jerry Cadieux
RULE #9: Go to the merch table. Support the artists. Buy the t-shirt. Buy a sticker.
RULE #10: Have fun. You’ve been waiting for this moment for more than -fully. Come out early. Stay out late. Dance. Laugh. Make a new friend. Discover a new band.
Albany photographer Zach Culver went on a road trip this month and shares his photos of venues in Denver, CO and Las Vegas, NV.
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.
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.
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 4th 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 promotersCreative 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 19th-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
March Madness would not be possible without our sponsors:
Central New York promoters Creative Concertsbring 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
