Canadian-born and NYC-based singer-songwriter Jenny Kern has released the heartfelt and lyrically rich song, “Where Did the Time Go.” The new single follows a string of acclaimed singles that will precede the release of her long-awaited self-titled EP I Never Thought You Were Listening, due out on October 1.
Jenny’s career began when she was still in University, performing around Montreal. Eventually, she gained more confidence in her sound, leading her to move to NYC in 2013. NBC welcomed Jenny as a Page seeing her true potential, where she would late work for acclaimed filmmakers Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, allowing her to make the leap into film and television. Her love for music became so apparent that in 2018 she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue music full time.
In her rise to fame Jenny found herself performing at notable venues around New York City like Rockwood Music Hall, Pianos, and Mercury Lounge. Her debut EP was not only down to earth but intimate; a self-reflection on her personal experience with self-doubt, regret and the search for comfort in painful seasons. Jenny lures her audience through a confession-like delivery portraying her vulnerability through each lyric.
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for Jenny’s writing style. Her anticipated self-titled EP I Never Thought You Were Listening will be released this October 1st, with her new single “Where Did the Time Go” giving her audience a tease of what we can expect from her.
“Where Did The Time Go” is an intensely personal and self-reflective song about dealing with anxiety. I started writing this song in quarantine while having an existential crisis, and not knowing what my purpose was, or why I was existing. While it’s dark in nature it was very cathartic to write. There’s something powerful in laying out your fears and anxieties and admitting that you don’t have all the answers.
Jenny Kern on Rock and Roll Globe
Jenny’s first single of 2021, “Coming Back For Me” released this January has spun on XPN and NPR’s World Café and earned a spot on Spotify editorial playlists like New Music Friday, Fresh Finds, and Indie All Stars.
Watch Jenny’s new music video below, produced by Tashaki Mikyaki, with a focus on the reality of isolation that pushes us to question ourselves.
In celebration of the upcoming religious holidays, FANS.live and The Friday Night Jam present High Holidays, a spiritual and musical celebration. Now in its tenth year, the website will present four services broadcasted live for free led by Rabbi Daniel Brenner and musical director Jeremiah Lockwood, featuring Antibalas‘ Jordan McLean, Yuli Beeri and a full live band.
Streams on September 6 and 7 are set for Rosh Hashanah and will take place at Brooklyn Bowl, with a limited number of tickets also available for those who wish to attend. Two more services on September 15 and 16 will be in celebration of Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur, streamed live from Relix Studios.
The services will feature a mix of live music and remote video contributions from a mix of musicians including Alex Bleeker (Real Estate), Eric Slick (Dr. Dog), Dan Lebowitz (ALO), and Eric Krasno (Soulive and Lettuce). CEO of Mindfulness Consulting, Yael Shy, will be leading guided meditations at each event streamed from the Brooklyn Bowl, while Jewish mindfulness teacher Michael Bilick will lead meditations at the events streamed from the Relix Studios.
Links for tickets and streams are below. For those wishing to attend services at Brooklyn Bowl, all guests ages 12 and over must show proof of at at least one vaccine shot prior to entry.
The BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! summer festival continued on Friday, August 27th with a hometown show headlined by Brooklyn native and deep house producer & rapper Yaeji. Support for the night was curated by Yaeji herself, and featured sets by writer, rapper, and producer Nappy Nina followed by singer-songwriter KeiyaA. Celebrate Brooklyn! came back strong in 2021 with a stacked lineup of free concerts. Friday night was another celebration of the return to live music by many in attendance as well as Yaeji.
Yaeji at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Photo by Buscar Photo
Thunderstorms threatened the show, even delaying the opening of doors by about 30 minutes while a quick shower passed by. After that, we lucked out the rest of the night without any rain but the delay unfortunately shortened the opening sets a bit. Nappy Nina was on first, delivering a high energy rap performance to an already large crowd at the bandshell. KeiyaA followed; backed by a full band she performed a set of soulful R&B. Walking around the crowd you can hear KeiyaA’s powerful voice echoing through the park.
KeiyaA at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Photo by Buscar Photo
When Yaeji took the stage, she was visibly humbled by the enormous reception she received from the crowd. She was born in Flushing, Queens to a Korean family and spent much of her young life living in Korea. She moved back to the United States to attend Carnegie Mellon University where she learned to DJ as a hobby at after-hours parties. This culminating in Yaeji combining her love for music and collaboration with electronica to forge her distinct deep house (hip-house?) sound. Now a Brooklyn resident, her debut came in 2017 with a self-titled EP, but notoriety came flowing in 2020 after the release of the mixtape What We Drew. This mixtape includes the track “Waking Up Down” which features Yaeji’s subtle rap style over light and airy house beats.
Yaeji at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Photo by Buscar Photo
Yaeji packed in the bandshell, even without having any ‘full length’ albums to her name. In the true nature of being an artist in today’s internet age, Yaeji has been steadily releasing music since her debut in 2020. This has been in the form of singles and collaborations, two EPs titled Yaeij and EP2, remixes, and most recently a single featuring DiAN called “PAC-TIVE.” You can see the music video for this single below, featuring an immersion into a modern day PAC-MAN universe. Other songs included in the set at Celebrate Brooklyn! were “Raingurl” from EP2 as well as “Guap” from the self-titled EP.
Yaeji has been prolific over the last few years, and this will most likely continue. After breaking the ice with a hometown show on Friday night, there is no doubt that more creative energy and live shows will be in the near future. A last minute, early Sunday morning DJ set has just been added at Nowadays in Ridgewood – more info for that show is HERE. There is no official tour on the books as of now, but you can see Yaeji on the festival stages in September with appearances at Bonnaroo, Pitchfork, and Life is Beautiful.
Yaeji at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Photo by Buscar Photo
The BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! festival continues on Saturday with San Fermin and Son Little, followed by Glass Animals on Tuesday. Find the full schedule HERE.
Dead and Company continued their Empire State run on Wednesday, August 25 at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, with the amusement park behind the venue giving the performance an county fair vibe. John Mayer sported a pair of headphones after noticing a slight ringing in his ears post show in Bethel Woods and wanted to protect his hearing. The headphones also allowed him to hear the band better and in turn, play in the band better.
photo by Josh Davis
Mayer immediately lit up the show with opener “Viola Lee Blues.” In a Tales from the Golden Road conversation with NYS Music, Mayer said he loved bringing his approach to the Grateful Dead’s mixolydian blues catalog. “A song like ‘Viola Lee Blues’ I can really pull the Hendrix thing to it. It’s not that different.” Thus, “Viola Lee Blues” jammed and was weaved into both sets. Mayer stayed out front vocally on “Cold Rain and Snow” that hit inland from Lake Ontario to cool off the summer crowd. Bob Weir got on the mic for “Feel Like A Stranger” to remind the crowd that it’s “gonna be a long long crazy silky night” with Oteil Burbridge really fueling the funk level. He told NYS Music earlier this year “Well I mean there is so much funk in the Grateful Dead’s music. The Jerry Bands’ music. It’s just like there for the picking. So I just lean into it” Oteil and John really bring a new energy to this celebrated catalog and traded lead vocals on a swaying “Ship of Fools.”
The New York western plain vibe continued with “Friend of the Devil” that had Jeff Chimenti leading with saloon style piano – Chimenti has been playing with Bobby in “Ratdog” for a reason for over 20 years. Bob Weir started howling vocally on “Loose Lucy,” with a tone that night very in the moment and full of raw emotion. Mayer got another stab at the mixolydian blues to close the set with “New Speedway Boogie”. Mayer said of the musical concept in Dead and Co., “It’s very ascending and descending that’s what’s allows people to ride it”
photo by Josh Davis
The second set started with a nod to the western terrain of Darien, with “Truckin’” (up to Buffalo), followed by the first song Dead and Company ever played as a group, naturally, “Playing in the Band.” A beyond welcoming composition for Mayer, Burbridge, and Chimenti who joined the 3 core members on this musical journey six years ago. Burbridge said in an interview with NYS Music in Miami about the band’s first gig: “That was a harrowing night. That was a trip. That beginning time. But when Bill Walton says you’re good, you stop worrying.”
The ensemble then unfolded a “China Cat Sunflower” into a “I Know You Rider” that shone the light back on Weir’s vocals, taking on the spirit animal of an old wolf howling under the night tent at Darien. This sole survivor momentum lead into the band’s tribute to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts who passed earlier this week with a cover of “The Last Time”. Again Bob Weir lead the pack in the moment, “This could be the last time, I don’t know.” Billy and Mickey’s “Drums” segment opened up some chakras with their vibrations, and the band returned for “Space.” After orbiting it was time to bring the children home with “Uncle John’s Band” The final song of the evening brought great imagery to a late August night with “Wharf Rats” and the band came full circle by closing the show with a reprise of “Playing in the Band.”
The encore was truly chilling as they covered Bob Dylan’s “Knocking on Heavens Door.” Although Bobby and John both sported cut off tees like Guns & Roses, this was truly their take on this song, a very heavy way to end a show. A night of music like this brings all your feelings to the surface. Jerry Garcia once said of music’s effects “I don’t know why. It’s the same reason why you like some kind of music and not others. There’s something about it YOU like. Ultimately I don’t find it’s in my best interests to try and analyze it. Since it’s fundamentally emotional.”
Dead and Company – Darien Lake Amphitheater, Darien Center, NY – 8/25/21
Set 1: Viola Lee Blues > Cold Rain and Snow, Feel Like a Stranger, Ship of Fools, Friend of the Devil, Loose Lucy > New Speedway Boogie
Set 2: Truckin’ > Playing In The Band > Viola Lee Blues > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > The Last Time* > Drums/Space > Uncle John’s Band > Wharf Rat > Playing In The Band (Reprise)
It was a calm, quiet Wednesday night in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. With the streets hardly packed, some headed home to end their evenings early, others made their way to the Subway for their night shifts, while scattered groups searched for a potential brouhaha to jumpstart their night. New York City has a suis generis aura because not only is it one of the world’s marquee Metropolitis, but it is also the cultural hub of the world. And on any given night something amazing could be happening around the corner.
Such was the atmosphere inside the intimate setting of Blue Note Jazz Club. Founded in 1981, Blue Note’s motto is centered around preserving the history of jazz, according to their website. “The club is a place where progression and innovation – the foundations of jazz – are encouraged and practiced on a nightly basis…while regularly showcasing up-and-coming jazz, soul, hip-hop, R&B and funk artists” and has seen the likes of Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Liza Minelli, and Quincy Jones grace their stage.
But on this night, Blue Note did not play host to any developing talent, but rather two established hip hop legends. For two consecutive nights on August 24 & 25, GZA of the Wu Tang Clan headlined the culturally historic club accompanied by Talib Kweli and of course live music as the Phunky Nomads shared the stage with the two hip hop greats.
Thus, on a cozy summer night the two Brooklynite’s performed a medley of records that reminded those in attendance of a simpler time in the world. Fans lightly serenaded the club, singing along to some of GZA and Wu Tang Clan’s more recognizable records and even some album cuts.
GZA is a master of his craft, so it came as no surprise that he had memorized not only his rhymes, but those of his groupmates as well, performing several verses from the deceased Ol’ Dirty Bastard and other Clan members. In one sequence in particular, the Liquid Swords emcee began performing the Clan’s hit record, “Triumph.” You know, the one where Inspectah Deck “lyrically performs armed robbery” before transitioning into “Shame on a N***a” and performing ODB’s verse.
The live music only added to the atmosphere as the Phunky Nomads took command of each record, seamlessly sequencing between jazz, classical, funk, hip hop and rock instrumentation. They made each record their own, evident when GZA began performing “C.R.E.A.M.” backed with classical sounding music (They even did a rendition of The O’Jays’ “For The Love of Money”). Their choice of musical direction often kept the audience on edge, wondering what new possible twist they would put to classic Clan records.
Up and coming artist, Nick Vivid, released his new single “Hush Money (Straight to the Bribe)” on August 18, 2021 off his upcoming album No More Secrets.
Nick Vivid hails from Buffalo, NY and creates music that is a blend of indie electronic funk that has blends of soul and blues throughout it. Between his father being a radio DJ and his mother loving glam rock Nick Vivid was always surrounded by music which shaped and formed his musical style and taste. He currently resides in New York City and works with Bill Aucoin who is the original manager of KISS and Billy Idol.
The single “Hush Money (Straight to the Bribe)” was released in anticipation of his upcoming album No More Secrets which will drop on November 12, 2021. He has two albums out Nicksploitation which was released in 2017 and Blissed Out which was released in 2019 but his new album is going to be a bit different than these previous albums. This album will revolve around themes of the loss of both of his parents in recent years and the life lessons he’s learned from what he calls “intensive meditative pandemic soul searching.”
Nick Vivid spoke on the newest single to his repertoire saying that the single is about what he’s learned from observing people making decisions based on self-serving fear and greed. He elaborated on this saying, “The ‘bribe’ in the song is the alluring ‘shortcut’ to the fake ‘easier’ solution. But for me, that doesn’t work. I’ve tried.”
The new single “Hush Money (Straight to the Bribe)” definitely plays into multi-instrumentalist Nick Vivid’s indie electronic funk sound. It almost sounds like a blast right out of the past. It features a simplistic yet captivating beat that goes around and around in your head and you will find yourself bobbing side to side without even meaning to it while listening.
For more information on Nick Vivid and his upcoming album No More Secrets and new single “Hush Money (Straight to the Bribe)” check out his website.
Lake Street Dive performed for a sold-out crowd Sunday night at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, VT. The show marked their third date on a U.S. tour promoting their acclaimed new record Obviously.
Formed in 2004, Lake Street Dive first gained viral recognition after a series of sidewalk singing videos and a jazzy, lilting cover of “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5, highlighting lead singer Rachael Pierce’s powerhouse voice.
The group has always incorporated aspects of jazz, pop, soul and R&B into their offbeat covers and originals, and on Obviously the blend has never sounded more seamless. With production from Grammy-winning hip-hop producer Mike Elizondo, each song delicately showcases each band members mind-blowing musical capability while keeping a brisk, light pace. Though the production quality is notable, the “magic in a bottle” the quartet captures live has energized their fan base for years. Sunday was far from the first time the band has drawn a crowd to Shelburne or Burlington.
Though Hurricane Henri’s clouds were especially menacing on the eve of the show, they didn’t stop attendees, lawn chairs in hand, from flocking to the outdoor venue. Canadian musician Allison Russell, who will open for LSD on a few tour dates, kicked the night off with songs from her latest album, Outside Child. Supported by Larissa Maestro on the cello and Mandy Fer, of the band Sway Wild on electric guitar, Russell’s mesmerizing voice anchored the opening set. A light rainfall at sunset got the crowd excited. Many shouldered on rain jackets and rushed to the stage to celebrate the imminent rainbow as Russell belted her soul out on “Nightflyer.”
As mentioned, Vermont is no stranger to a good LSD show. The excitement for their set was palpable as fans of all ages rushed the barrier, eagerly awaiting the group to step on stage. The bounce of Pierce’s red hair as she strutted onstage sent waves of cheers through the crowd, soon replaced by dancing as the band jumped onto the steppy, yacht-rock tempo of opener “Know That I Know.” Pierce’s unique and show stopping voice does front flips over the bands steady, physical grooves.
Leading into an older song, “Mistakes,” Pierce took the mic to speak about the band’s return to touring.
“We’re a little rusty, and we’re gonna have to make some mistakes,” she said. “But we have to play through the mistakes. You play through the mistakes because you don’t want to teach yourself to fear the mistakes.”
The statement felt deeply relatable and also ironic, as the group went on to play a harmonious, heart-pumping 19-song set. Lake Street Dive have been playing together for nearly two decades, and their musical bond and attunedeness to each other were apparent with every beat.
Though founding member Mike “McDuck” Olsen departed the band after 17 years this May, the music feels anything but lacking. Touring keyboardist Akie Bermiss, who officially joined the band in 2017, is the perfect foil to Pierce’s vocals, apparent on the soaring and playful duet “Same Old News.” As both a keyboardist and vocalist, Bermiss is as versatile as he is singular.
Performing “Alone Again,” a Bermiss release with Greg Mayo, his vivid scenes and casually bleak humor are an exciting contrast to an initially mourning piano riff. The line “I’m learning how to microbrew” struck a chord in craft-beer heavy VT. “He knows his audience,” a woman laughed to her friend as they swayed to the beat.
Bassist Bridget Kearney, a commanding force within the band from the start, inarguably showed her prowess, absolutely shredding an upright bass as nimbly as an electric guitar. On standout performance of “Neighbor Song,” a track from Lake Street Dive’s 2010 self-titled project, Kearney’s gentle performance was expressive and haunting, psychically in tune with Pierce’s lilting cabaret-style performance.
After the emotional “Nobody’s Stopping You Now,” the band came together at the center of the stage and performed three quieter numbers, “Stop Crying,” “Feels Like The Last Time,” and “Neighbor Song,” every one of them to lush harmonies. In moments like these, it’s clear how the band can combine and defy genres so smoothly; they have the skill to do so.
After closing their main set with the arena-worthy crowd favorite “Good Kisser,” the band happily came on for a 2-song encore. They performed Obviously’s stunning closer “Sarah,” the complex harmonies of which could comfortably fit over a full symphony. As the band closed with a cover of The Beatles’ classic “Don’t Let Me Down,” a full moon peeked out from behind the clouds.
Lake Street Dive’s Sunday show captured what makes them so great: their playfulness and skill, their eclectic interest in genre-bending rhythms and the pure joy they capture in so many of their songs. One could even say the band captured what’s so great about live music in general – a band and their audience, grooving together in heartbreak, happiness or healing over the same beat.
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 Senior Living, Fenton Hardy and many more!
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.
Senior Living
Senior Living is a punk and shoegaze band from Albany, NY. Like the best of both worlds, their music is meant to be listened to with the volume cranked all the way up (their Instagram bio makes note of this, simply stating “bring earplugs yo”). On Senior Living’s debut album, Anniversaries, they combine both genres with ease, offering a plausible answer to how Green Day might sound covering My Bloody Valentine, or vice versa. The best tracks to showcase this fusion are the album’s shortest and longest tracks: opener “Carousel,” and penultimate song “Sourir.”
Fenton Hardy
Fenton Hardy’s five-minute “Morose” is much sunnier than its title suggests. The opening track from his EP, The Ghost, it references those Mondays where we don’t feel like getting out of bed: “Friday, you taste like honey / Oh Monday, like tequila and regret.” Nevertheless, it encourages the listener to face the day ahead. The keyboard and bass have lots to do here, acting as the intro and outro respectively.
Sarah King
Vermont singer-songwriter Sarah King puts a feminist spin on folk ballads with her EP, The Hour. She describes “Poison” as “a soul-country anthem inspired by [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] and her strength dealing with men belittling her.” The title stems from the lyric, “I gave you a taste of your own medicine, and you say I poisoned you.” Each of The Hour’s five songs approach feminism, empowerment and trauma from a different angle, including a cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” The EP was produced by Simone Felice (The Lumineers, Jade Bird), who was impressed after King cold-emailed him.
Under the hazy light of 2021’s August Full Moon, it became apparent that attendees of Fred The Festival at LOCKN’ Farm were, in fact, getting involved. Fred, a festival hosted by Goose, included side projects of the band itself like Vasudo, Elephantproof, and the aGOOSEtic trio, as well as Peter Anspach’s debut acoustic solo performance. The festival provided a refreshing and wholesome interpretation of what a music festival could look like without ever compromising on the quality of production and music.
Stormy weather
Is It The Wind Upon My Neck?
Turned Clouds
Despite threatening skies that seem to always make for the most beautiful sunset, security guards seemed disinterested in the potential weather and said that the storms always passed behind the farm. They did.
Is It The Glowing Of The Moon?
On the weekend of August 20-22. the full moon illuminated the rolling fields at Lockn Farms in Arrington, VA.
It is said that if a seeker perceives their environment to be safe, then the light of a full moon can illuminate new intuitive understanding about how to navigate through darkness or uncertain times. New and excellent music can be medicinal in properties. ElephantProof gave the entire crowd a dose of the rare form of stoke that only comes from that ear-tingly reserved only for future favorite artists.
Sam Bardini and Andrew Goedde making Garcia’s Forest a safer, brighter, more musical place
The real magic of this moon, this gathering, and this grand reveal was that many found out just how loved they were by their chosen family. The plot twist theme seemed to be that the haze hills and dark pathways were much easier to navigate when in the company of others.
Oasis in the depth of the night illuminated by the Lover’s hoops and serenaded by the wise minstrel himself
It proved to be especially helpful when that company happened to be carrying an illuminated hula hoop at a silent disco half way back to camp. Doey Joey and Becky provided more than just a boogie-down pit stop. They offered their love and shared their creativity without hesitation. Those wise guiding lights and silent dances helped some of those that might have been lost to find their way.
The more time I spend with this (Goose) community the more I realize⦠the people you do things with become a part of you and who you will be. In your blood, family.
Doey Joey
Seekers On The Ridge
LOCKN’ Farm hosted Fred the Festival. At about a day’s drive for most participants, the rolling hills are located in the midst of the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. The environment allowed for all seekers on the ridge to separate themselves completely from everyday responsibilities. To truly detach allowed for the examination and reevaluation of moonlit discoveries.
Get Involved
The rolling hills and open fields provided the perfect place for games. The “Get Involved Games” were held on the lawn adjacent to the main stage and in front of the much smaller Porch Stage. Color coded teams assembled every morning to play games like tug-of-war, noodle hockey and giant Jenga. Band and crew members captained the teams and provided support from afar due to Covid restrictions.
Participants were actively partying less because they did not want to let their team down during the games. One team member recalled meeting with the captain bright and early to discuss potential strategies for the games ahead. A festival that had games scheduled during an hour that required early bed times with dedicated participants begs the question of if Fred the Festival itself have been an illusion.
In Search Of An Honest Place To Call My Home
Elmeg in Love
One dedicated couple chose Fred to be the place for wedding vow renewals in celebration of their five-year wedding anniversary. After enduring years of tumultuous societal overtones, this couple learned what it truly meant to find meaning in the grounding comfort of the earth and all it has to offer. They live and love in harmony with the land and have honed the ability find joy in the most uncommon places (hint: turn over a rotting log and watch her lose her mind at all the fungi growing). Multi-tiered snow forts and multi colored livestreams filled their time together until restrictions were lifted enough to dawn their chef and spaghetti costumes for Halloween at South Farms in Connecticut way back in November. Goose helped them stay involved with each other.
Adorable Hour
One benefit to waking up early, regardless of game status, was seeing Goose Guitarist Keyboardist, Vocalist Peter Anspach deliver his first solo set on the extremely intimate Porch Stage setup. What could easily make a fabulous segment on a TV show, some fans had their heart strings pulled at the music so much that they lovingly came up with the segment intro that goes a little something like, “On this episode of The Adorable Hour with Peter Anspach: Things that make you say, “Aww.” Peter’s set truly showcased a side of vulnerability and artistic ability in himself that created a bond between the crowd and the man in only the way accepting someone when they try something new can. To lead by example in that difficult and personal way set a precedent for others to take into consideration what can be gained with honesty and vulnerability.
Danny taking a compliment
It is said that the moon represents illusion and that what might have been seen under the moonlight could have been skewed. Fred the Festival revealed the depth of misinterpretation held about what a music festival should look like. Many traveled far and wide to attend even just a day of FRED, but it was not simply a music festival to which they were so drawn. The seekers were drawn to an evolution from participants to chosen family that has occurred over the last year as a result of what Goose likes to call “getting involved.” A little over a year ago, many seekers met in chat boards during the virtual interactive Bingo Tour. As reopening began, many of the people that met and remained in contact through message boards and streaming chat rooms got to meet in person and form more personal connections.
Many felt the undying support and safety of this familial bond. Conditions like these made it possible for some to consider seeing their own inner beauty. Fred was a safe place to consider possibilities like being more athletic, or to smile genuinely in a photo.
So Ready
Disco gaggle
Fred the Festival was special because this time, it seemed like not only were most of the usual subjects present, but it was like some sort of family reunion. Those that were meeting for the first time appeared to connect through shared love for a mutual fan friend or their favorite show. The amount of streaming music Goose has put out over the last year has been a great unifier for fans.
Fearless leader and contributor to the “El Goose Times” Marc Komito, aka “Scarf Guy”
Attendees of Fred the Festival truly appeared to begin to reveal their true nature of filling familial gaps for those lonely or in need. Goose cane-wielding uncles were able to connect with grandparents of tie dye wearing sloth mayors.
Children attended and parents were rejuvenated by remembering what it was like to see live music for the first time and connect with others that shared the same values. Walking the pathways during the day or night seemed like endless reunion after reunion. Grand reunions, quick catchups and then boogying down to a song seemed to be the pattern repeating over and over.
Take Your Troubles
Brothers at boards
The complete synergy among the crew illuminated group flow with familial bonds stretching out further than the Goeddes. At front of house, the flow between Sam Bardini and Andrew Goedde was reminiscent of a synchronized wingsuit team. Sound and light existed as one and because Sam and Goedde can pivot and finesse knowing the other will by right there without having to speak. If they did take the time to talk about what adjustment they might make next, the moment would have been long gone.
Goedde flexing
This healthy, family relationship atmosphere reflects in both the product as well as the constant inspiration and motivation for everyone on crew to push their craft to the next level. This transcends the band, the crew and the attendees. Everyone seemed to be excited for another’s new venture as if they were a proud grandma.
Having a chance to be away from “real life” created a new space for gratitude as well as a space to accept new music. Fred removed any stress that might disallow the space to give new music a try. Some attendees recalled a time where listening to one song or one set helped sooth anxiety during shutdown. The signs of curiosity indicated for many that their mental space was improving as the country began some semblance of a reopening.
Cory finding optimal position for photosynthesis
Stand out performer Cory Wong captivated the audience with attention grabbing musical know-how, a charismatic band and his charming personality. There were no still feet to be found because everyone seemed to be up and dancing for Cory’s set. To win over an audience largely filled with fans that have only been out to see one act and one act only spoke volumes for those that took notice. One die hard “Gong Gang” member recalled giving Cory’s set a few minutes because the nautical shirt was reminiscent of Jeff’s sailor hat. That person ended up staying the whole set and could not wait to listen to more of Cory’s music on the way home.
The Don
Mayor Little Baby Crepes making his rounds
To travel far and wide to be with people that mean a lot and for one common connector, like Goose, had words like “family” and “vacation” being used a lot. It was rare to hear the words “music festival” because it felt like so much more than that.
Guess the song you think this face happened for!
Fred the Festival was the result of the entire Goose community working hard over the last year to cultivate an atmosphere that is conducive to those that might not normally consider a music festival an option. The Hot Tea Party on Facebook had a showing of fans in recovery and made sure to provide support for anyone that might have been struggling.
Metamorphasis
The festival allowed for participants to come together, play games, be themselves and have a safe space for contemplation. Led by a strong production and management team, the three-day music family vacation event felt extremely wholesome and like “pure happiness.”
Aptly named “Santa Todd” on instagram, one outlier story must not be overlooked. One couple found at one of the cornhole stations admitted to never having heard Goose before and shared that they were attending to see Dawes.
New fan Santa Todd
Santa Todd and Mrs. Santa (Michelle) ended up staying for both sets of Goose and quickly understood the draw.
Goose recently announced that their annual Goosemas show will be on December 12 at Mohegan Sun. Be sure to coordinate with Goose Family to get everyone covered for tickets. The presale lottery was reported to move slowly which is usually an indicator of a quick sell out.
Griselda head honcho, Westside Gunn, is back releasing music. After teasing retirement from rapping with 2020’s Who Made the Sunshine (his third release of the year), the FlyGod is back with his first release in 10 months (long breaks between projects is a rarity in Griselda land). This is the 8th edition of the popular mixtape series which played a big part in his and Griselda’s ascension.
The 13-track, 40-minute EP features usual Westside Gunn collaborators in Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, Stove God Cooks, AA Rashid and 2020 Griselda records signee, Boldy James. The mixtape also sees appearances from Jadakiss, DJ Clue and Lil Wayne, who is making a habit of teaming up on tracks with the boys from Buffalo.
In Griselda fashion, Westside Gunn also managed to tease more music while promoting his incoming project. In an Instagram post disclosing the track-list, Westside Gunn captioned the image “Side A,” teasing a possible double album for fans to look forward to. He subtly disclosed his plans for a two-sided project in an Instagram post promoting his GXFR jean brand.
Late Night Work!!!!!! GXFR x @purple_brand jeans getting made and shipped, we’re down to the last 100 pair so if your waiting thank you for your patience it’s worth the wait these are all made by hand that’s why it was a preorder … but this Fri. I’m starting to do online drops again limited and ART sale, I’m going back to doing what I love the most Fashion, ART, and Curation, I just had to take some time off to make an AOTY contender and classic NO SKIPS on a double album BLIENTELE.com this FRI. #GXFR#ART#CULTURE#ICON#PURPLEBRAND
“Side B” of HWH8 will presumably release next week, while the unconventional rollout is exactly the kind of outside-the-box thinking that the FlyGod prides himself on.
The latest Griselda release can be streamed through all available services.
