NYS Music 202​1

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  • Folkfaces Fest V Announces Daily Lineup for Darien Center

    Folkfaces have announced the lineup for their fifth annual edition of Folkfaces Fest V. 2021: A Folkface Odyssey will celebrate roots music, community, and culture in Western New York and beyond.

    This year’s festival features a space/alien theme “2021: a Folkface Odyssey,” riffing on Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Held over September 30 – October 3 at Cherry Hill Campground in Darien Center, NY, located in between Rochester and Buffalo, the event features camping, raffles, a film tent, bonfires, yoga, open jams and much more.

    folkfaces fest

    The lineup for Folkfaces Fest V includes Scott H Biram, JD Wilkes, Bruce Molsky, Folkfaces, Andy Cohen, Mike Gantzer, Subsoil, Dirty Blanket, The Ditrani Brothers, and many more!

    The venue for Folkfaces Fest V, Cherry Hill Campground, is a beautiful location with well-manicured grounds, including a fire ring and picnic table at each campsite. On-site, there is a bathhouse with flush toilets and showers, as well as multiple spigots with potable water throughout the grounds. Firewood, snacks, blankets, soft drinks, coffee, and many other supplies are available for sale at the Cherry Hill Campsite.

    The daily lineups can be found below. Tickets are available for purchase here for only $95. Kids under 12 are free and puppy passes are available for just $25. You’re in for a treat full of endless music, camping, workshops, raffles, food vendors, artists, dancing, beer, artists, and more! Stay up on all new information via the Facebook Event here, and get out to Darien Center for the kickoff on September 30th.

    Thursday

    Friday

    folkfaces fest

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  • New TDE Signee Ray Vaughn Drops 3-Song EP “Peer Pressure”

    Long Beach, CA rapper Ray Vaughn, has shared a new 3-song EP, “Peer Pressure.” The release follows Vaughn’s recent signing to Top Dawg Entertainment, which represents acts like Kendrick Lamar, Isaiah Rashad and SZA. 

    ray vaughn

    In a press release, TDE said the EP serves as an “appetizer for the full feast ahead.” TDE first signed Vaughn in 2020, but “Peer Pressure” marks his introductory release on the label. The album announcement comes at a transitional time for TDE, after flagship artist Kendrick Lamar announced his departure from the label days earlier. 

    The three tracks on “Peer Pressure” focus on Vaughn’s lyricism, giving him an opportunity to tell his story. On opener “Not Allowed,” Vaughn lays out his success– money, Givenchy, women– not as possibility, but destiny. Repeating “Ain’t no way I’m gon’ die broke,” over breakneck production from Tariq Beats, the track feels at home with early work by label-mates ScHoolboy Q or Jay Rock. 

    The following two tracks don’t quite meet the pace set by “Not Allowed.” “Top Shottas” slows things down a bit, offering a digestible and titular hook, but far less sonic intrigue.“Tap,” the final track, comes accompanied by a cinematic, visceral visual that expands the experience of the track. “Tap” stays in the ears mainly with its mesmerizing beat, adorned with echoing strings and twinkling piano riffs. Vaughn knows this when he slyly spits “I hear the beat and sprinkle crack on it.” 

    The most interesting moments on the project appear when Vaughn explores the duality of his experience; watching the effects of police violence and drugs perpetually harm those around him, regardless of his success, then fade into just another cause for action. On “Not Allowed,” he spits: “Fuck a t-shirt, turn you to a trending topic/ Check my peephole ‘cause the devil always knockin.” A perfectly produced knock on the door ends the verse. It sounds so realistic one can’t be blamed for pulling off their headphones and checking their own front door for police, opps, or whatever new demons might be at the door today. 

    Though these first tracks are far from revolutionary, Vaughn’s insightful eye into his past and present will fit right in with the introspective class of hip-hop/R&B talent TDE is known for. The “appetizer” may not be filling, but isn’t that the point? Ray Vaughn certainly leaves enough on the table to warrant excitement for dinner. 

  • Larkin Poe to Headline Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, Dates in Tarrytown, Albany and Buffalo

    Larkin Poe, the Grammy nominated sister duo of Atlanta-bred, Nashville-based singer/songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Rebecca and Megan Lovell, will be hitting the road with the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour this Fall. They’ll bring their brand of gritty, raw, and in your face rock n roll on a 27-date cross-country tour that kicks off on September 15 in St. Louis and will continue through the fall and winter.

    Rebecca & Megan of Larkin Poe create their own brand of Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll that is gritty, soulful, and flavored by their southern heritage. Originally from Atlanta and currently living in Nashville, they are descendants of tortured artist and creative genius Edgar Allan Poe.

    larkin poe

    With all of the music for the band’s 2020 release Self Made Man originally written with live performance in mind, Larkin Poe is truly excited to finally let the songs breathe.

    We can’t wait to get back on stage with the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour this fall for the first time since our album, Self Made Man, came out! It’s going to feel so good to be back in front of people celebrating live music again!

    For their newest release, out September 17th, Larkin Poe partnered with innovative hybrid orchestra Nu Deco Ensemble for Paint the Roses: Live in Concert— a new album that reinterprets Larkin Poe’s music, including their 2020 release Self Made Man and more, through an orchestral lens. Paint the Roses documents a collaborative, livestreamed concert by the two artistic groups in December 2020 at Miami’s North Beach Bandshell. The performance was part of Nu Deco’s 2020-21 virtual and socially-distanced concert season, which featured the ensemble’s genre-bending orchestral music and its powerful first collaboration with Larkin Poe.

    In addition to the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, Larkin Poe has announced several festival dates they are expected to perform at throughout the late summer and fall including BeachLife Festival, San Diego Blues Fest, Telluride Blues & Brews, Treefort, Columbia Roots N Blues, Shaky Knees, Fort Worth River & Blues, Lancaster Roots & Blues and more. The duo will also be supporting JJ Grey & Mofro for one performance in Salt Lake City this September.

    For tickets visit LarkinPoe.com/tour.

    larkin poe

    LARKIN POE ON TOUR

    September 10 – Redondo Beach, CA – BeachLife Festival 

    September 11 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Blues Fest

    September 15 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall*#

    September 16 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown*#

    September 17 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre*#

    September 21 – Ketchum, ID – Argyros Performing Arts Center

    September 22-26 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Fest 

    September 24 – Columbia, MO – Roots N Blues Festival

    September 25 – London, KY – World Chicken Festival

    September 26 – Prestonsburg, KY – Mountain Arts Center*#

    September 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden supporting JJ Grey & Mofro 

    October 7 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts*# 

    October 8 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall* 

    October 9 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue*

    October 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre* 

    October 12 – Buffalo, NY – Forbes Theatre*

    October 14 – Albany, NY – Empire Live*

    October 15 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall*

    October 16 – Baltimore, MD – The Recher* 

    October 17 – Lancaster, PA – Lancaster Roots & Blues

    October 19 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVA*

    October 21 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre*

    October 22 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre*

    October 23 – Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees Music Festival

    October 28 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom*

    October 29 – Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre*

    October 30 – Grand Rapids, MI – Fountain Street Church*

    October 31 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues*

    November 5 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford*

    November 6 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues*

    November 7 – Jackson, MS – Duling Hall* 

    November 10 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theatre* 

    November 11 – Austin, TX – Mohawk*

    November 12 – Fort Worth, TX – River & Blues Festival

    November 13 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge* 

    December 3 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel* 

    December 4 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre*

    December 8 – Little Rock, AR – U. of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

    *Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Larkin Poe

    #w/ The Cold Stares

  • A One Million Dollar Donation Gives Caroga Arts Collective a Bright Future

    In a summer season celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Sherman’s Amusement Park, and the 10th Anniversary of the Caroga Lake Music Festival, Artistic Director and Founder Kyle Barrett Price was presented with a check for $1,000,000 for benefit of the Caroga Arts Collective.

    Caroga Lake natives Ted Farnsworth and Rod Vanderbilt donated the funds, which will allow Caroga Arts Collective to evolve Sherman Park into a top-tier entertainment venue in the Northeast.

    caroga arts

    This is the town I grew up in and this is the town I love … I will never, ever forget the people who were so generous to all the kids who grew up here. I am truly honored that I can give back to the town that has given so much to me.

    Ted Farnsworth

    A previous donation to the Caroga Lake Music Festival of the formerly known 10.5-acre property, Myhill, began The Caroga Arts Collective in 2016.  With Bruce and Richard Veghte’s donation, the Caroga Lake Music Festival had a rich history to build upon. The Myhill estate had previously featured music from Frank Sinatra, Irving Berlin, and Elvis Presley, among others. Myer and Hildegarde Schine owned Glove and Hippodrome Theaters in Gloversville, NY while still being previous estate owners of Myhill.

    caroga arts

    Today Caroga Arts Collective annually attracts on average 100 musicians whether that be from orchestras, ensembles, or music schools. Some notable names include David Cook (Music Director of Taylor Swift), Sawyer Fredericks (winner of NBC’s The Voice), and Sierra Hull (GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass virtuoso). 

    Farnsworth was recently named in Variety Magazine, Top 30 Visionary and Disrupter of the Entertainment and Media Business of 2021. A current project that Farnsworth is involved in is his short-from video platform. Lomotif has earned its recognition as being a top-ten competitor of TikTok worldwide in 2021. Lomotif not only launched their own record label, Lomo Records, but gained enough traction to receive the music rights of artists like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber through a deal with Universal Music. He believes the collaboration will raise the profile of Caroga Arts Collective to new heights in Hollywood and the entertainment industry.

    caroga arts

    The collaboration between Farnsworth and Caroga Arts Collective has already proved successful. Next year’s shows at for the Caroga Lake Music Festival will be featuring even bigger talent, as well as a film festival through the Caroga Arts Collective which will be an extension of the Myhill Film Series, honoring the Schine family who were movie theater magnates in the mid-twentieth century

    We have been fortunate to create a uniquely accessible, intimate, and sought-after experience for artists, audiences and community members alike during our ten years of programming. We look forward to curating unforgettable moments and experiences for the generation of today and tomorrow.

    Kyle Barrett Price, Artistic Director and Founder

  • CANVAS Unveils new Rock Anthem ‘Jealousy’

    New York-based alt rock trio CANVAS has recently released a new single titled “Jealousy.” With their soaring vocals and driving distorted guitar sound, CANVAS has been favorably compared to other rock contemporaries such as Mariana’s Trench and Muse. Living up to their experimental ways, the band melds sounds of Western-roots rock and old-school funk on this release. Lead singer Jerid Nowell’s vocals dance through steady guitars, a funky bassline and triumphant trumpets in what many fans may deem a new sound for the alt-rock trio.

    The emerging alt-rock trio consists of singer-songwriter Jerid Nowell, Billboard-charting producer/keyboardist Daniel Glavin, and drummer Jesse Rothman. Their divergent roots (influenced by bluegrass, folk, punk/metal and hip hop) have sparked a musical journey ranging from triumphant anthems to soulful ballads, and edgy fusions of alternative pop, rock and funk. When describing their creative process, the band states, “Our approach is different for every song. We are focused on bending genres and blending electronic/acoustic production to achieve an ever-evolving hybrid sound. We believe nothing is certain, including creation.”

    On writing this record, Nowell says, “Jealousy symbolizes the moment in our minds when we lose ourselves to the buried emotions that we tend to deny are there. It references the decisions we make at weak points in our lives that we know are less dignified, yet we make them anyway to regain any semblance of control.”

    CANVAS has also released “Jealousy” on YouTube that includes a full visual rundown of the lyrics which can be seen below. CANVAS has built up a loyal fan base in New York City, and their music has been streamed over 250,000 times across platforms and operate their own record label and recording studio Penthouse Studios. With their new single “Jealousy,” CANVAS lives up to their self-proclamation: Genreless, Timeless, and Relentless.

  • This Week’s EQXposure Features Paul Moody, The William Deuel Band, And More

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from Paul Moody, the William Deuel Band and many more!

    Paul moody

    WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

    Paul Moody

    Folk singer-songwriter Paul Moody is a recent Woodstock transplant from Chicago, who also performs under the name Moody Jr. His upcoming album Songs From Youth, out this October, is preceded by the contemplative, personal single “Breaking Into Cars.”

    Moody’s music is immersive and ambient, with detailed soundscapes you can almost meditate to. The best example is “All I Had Was You,” his most-played song on Spotify with almost 500K streams.

    The William Deuel Band

    Formed in Saratoga Springs in 2018, The William Deuel Band is a unique amalgamation of the Rolling Stones and Nirvana, with some country and blues thrown in for good measure. Their newest full-length effort, Moment in Time, features frontman William Deuel, drummer Chris Reed, Jr., and bassists Jason Brown and Ethan Henderson. Highlights include “Ballroom Bananas” and “Can’t Wait on Sunday.”

    The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

    “Situational Comedy” is the final track on The Great Pacific Garbage Patch’s debut album, You’ve Changed. Despite its title evoking images of Michael Scott or Leslie Knope causing hilarious hijinks at their workplace, this pop punk tune is bleak and anxious, referencing The Truman Show and a self-conscious feeling of being watched by an audience: “And it’s been a good run / I just hope that I could give the people what they want.” The Albany trio is made up of drummer Jordan Demarest, bassist Dan Haggerty and lead singer and guitarist Will Kachidurian.

    You’ve Changed by The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

  • Sticky Fingaz, Irv Da God & Bizkit Remain ‘Fearless’ for Holyfield vs. Belfort bout

    There’s a certain feel of adrenaline, intensity and excitement before a big bout. Surely the fighters experience their own range of emotions before they enter the squared circle, but for us fans who are counted on to set the tone within the arena, our passion helps create the “big fight” atmosphere that makes an encounter between two great fighters truly special. As the hours and minutes wane before four-time world champion Evander Holyfield takes on former multi-class UFC champion Vitor Belfort, the level of vigor and forecasting might make us feel as though we’re the ones putting the gloves on. 

    Here lies the beauty of music, for every emotion, there is an adequate melody, lyric, or song to match. With “Fearless,” Queens emcee Irv Da God, Onyx’s Sticky Fingaz and Grammy-nominated producer Bizkit manage to capture the feeling of “the moment we’ve all been waiting for.”  

    The record and music video is boxing/fighting themed, beginning with an introductory ring announcer — portrayed by Bizkit’s production partner, Butta — Fitting, as rap has always been described as a “contact sport,” for the competitiveness of the artform as well as the violence it is capable of inducing. Irv Da God’s round consist of a fluid and technical style of rapping, resembling that of a pacier, quicker fighter relying on his skill and brains rather than brute force. Beginning with successive boxing idioms and finishing each bar with clever world play.

    Rain on ‘em like April and give them Mayweather.

    Give me a headcount, get down for the 10-count. Whoever counted me out can get knocked out.

    In between each round, Bizkit serves as a pseudo corner man delivering an inspirational and anthemic hook, before Sticky Fingaz takes the proverbial ring for his own. The “Get It Up” emcee’s entire aura is based on the aggression that his raspy voice and boundless energy provides. And if Irv Da God’s verse was that of a technically proficient fighter, Sticky Fingaz represents the overwhelming knockout artist, as he delivers aggressive verbal attacks. 

    Representing Vitor Belford, Sticky goes on offense with his raw and vivid lyrics, while shouting out the former UFC heavyweight champion:

    You Punch like a soccer mom. I swear to God I’ll break your legs and drag you into the Octagon, when you boxing with The Phenom. 

    It just wouldn’t be a Sticky Fingaz record if he didn’t deliver any eyebrow raisers.

    It’s 9/11 the arena is ours and he goin’ down just like those towers. 

    Combined the trio put on a show, previewing the highly anticipated bout between Holyfield and Belfort.

  • DelFest postpones to Memorial Day Weekend 2022, citing regional staffing and industry fallout from COVID-19

    The organizers of DelFest, held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD, have announced they have no choice but to postpone the upcoming music festival until Memorial Day 2022.

    Despite best efforts from promoters in working with state and local governments, the postponement was shared on Thursday, September 9, citing specific staffing and COVID-19 safety requirements needed for the event to carry forward. Issues are noted in the announcement by Rob and Ronnie McCoury point to a lack of vaccinated staff among local workers, coupled with a general lack of available workers for staffing. Among these cited are local shuttle services and vendors.

    The music industry by and large has needed strict adherance to safety protocols, including daily testing and mask wearing at all times, to ensure that one band or crew member getting sick does not cause a show, let alone a full tour or festival, to be postponed or cancelled. The surge in the Delta variant of COVID-19 left DelFest 2021 no choice but to push back to Memorial Day 2022, when conditions may better warrant a full festival experience.

    More Venues Across NY To Require Proof Of Vaccination For Audiences

    This edition of DelFest featured headliners The Travelin’ McCourys, Béla Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and Railroad Earth. Other acts included Old Crow Medicine Show, Sam Bush, and Leftover Salmon.

    DelFest will offer refunds as requested through September 20, with all non-refunded tickets honored at the 2022 festival. While DelFest is held each year in Cumberland, MD, promoters were forced to cancel the 2020 edition, and then postpone the 2021 edition until this September. Two years without DelFest and fans shouting ‘Del Yeah!’ leaves a gap in the festival and travel schedule for many.

    Revisit NYS Music’s past coverage of DelFest, and read the letter from Rob and Ronnie McCoury below.

    delfest

  • FreshGrass 2021 will Hit Mass MoCa’s Multiple Stages

    FreshGrass 2021 will be hitting Mass MoCa’s multiple stages despite the delta variant of COVID-19 raging on. The festival will take place September 24-26, 2021 for it’s 10th anniversary. 

    FreshGrass 2021

    The 2021 FreshGrass festival takes place annually at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art or more commonly known as Mass MoCa in North Adams, MA.  The festival is a three-day bundle of fun that highlights bluegrass and progressive roots music. The festival is dispersed across the 16 acres sized museum which has 4 stages. 

    This year is featuring: Dispatch (acoustic), Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Béla Fleck My Bluegrass Heart (featuring Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz, and Bryan Sutton), Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), Sam Bush, Steep Canyon Rangers (FreshGrass Artist-in-Residence), Sarah Jarosz, Aiofe O’Donovan, Watkins Family Hour, Noam Pikelny, Bonny Light Horseman, Alison Brown, Amythyst Kiah, Darol Anger, Hawktail, Dedicated Men of Zion, A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe featuring Felicia Collins, Willi Carlisle, CJ Field, and more. 

    FreshGrass is also hosting other programming apart from the live concerts including: FreshScores (a silent film with original live music), FreshGrass commissions and world premieres, instrument and industry workshops, pop-up performances and retail, and local Berkshire food and spirits vendors. 

    Tickets are on sale now. 3 Day pass general admission weekend passes and single-day general admission day passes are available. A full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test will be required to attend the FreshGrass festival this year due to the ongoing pandemic. Tickets can be purchased here.

    For more information on the 10th annual FreshGrass festival visit their website here.

  • Catch Gabe Stillman at Funk ‘N Waffles on September 14

    Gabe Stillman, a national blues artists has been touring with his band since his newest record, Just Say the Words was released and began charting weekly on Roots Music Report. On September 14 at 8pm, you can see Gabe Stillman and his band make their debut at Funk ‘n Waffles in Syracuse.

    gabe stillman

    The Gabe Stillman Band is a three-piece machine that runs at full tilt for every performance. While their sound is unmistakably rooted in the blues, the band draws from the deep well of all American roots music. A graduate from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Stillman went on to form his band in 2015. Stillman proved his talent at the 35th Annual International Blues Challenge, managing to be in the final eight contestants earning him the esteemed Gibson Guitar Award in Memphis, Tennessee.

    Not only was Stillman’s EP The Grind self-produced, but his follow up EP Flying’ High was backed by the legendary blues band, The Nighthawks.

    His album Just Say The Word has a total of thirteen tracks with two covers. The album also features contributions Texas Horns and special appearances by Funderburgh, Sue Foley, and Greg Izor.  Stillman’s reputation as an accomplished guitarist and meaningful songwriter. Gabe Stillman has established himself as an accomplished guitarist through his latest album which not only appeals to blues lovers, but music lovers in general. You won’t want to miss this show in Syracuse. More info and tickets are available here.