Fair Visions, a Brooklyn-based pop-punk act led by songwriter Ryan Work, has announced their sophomore EP. The Modern Kids EP comes out September 1 but in the meantime, fans can listen to their title track and lead single, “Modern Kids.”
Photo by Rita Iovine
“Modern Kids” has received praise from critics like Under the Radar and Indie 88. The track certainly evokes an 80s sensibility, complete with synths and pulsing rhythms. Fair Visions brings a new wave sound into a new era, inspired by icons like Bowie, New Order and Depeche Mode.
Fair Visions’ last project was their 2020 EP, A Way Out. The upcoming Modern Kids EP will bring a darker, more melancholic sound with new sonic textures. Work and the band have stated that their forthcoming LP, slated for release in 2022, thematically addresses “family issues and apocalypse feelings”.
Work came to New York by way of his Tennessee hometown. In 2018, Fair Visions opened for fellow post-punk revivalists Nation of Language, which led Work to align with studio collaborator Abe Seiferth (LCD Soundsystem, Guerilla Toss, Car Seat Headrest). Seiferth had a large role in the studio production of Modern Kids.
“Modern Kids” is available to stream now while the titles of the five other EP tracks have been released. In advance of September 1, be sure to connect with Fair Visions on Facebook and Instagram and listen to “Modern Kids” below.
Three bands are set to perform in local parks around the town of Geddes in Onondaga County over the next few weeks as the town continues with its 2021 Summer Concerts in the Park series.
Join the parks of Geddes as the community comes together to celebrate live summer music continuing through early August. Bring out those lawn chairs, blankets, evening snacks, and good spirits to enjoy the musical festivities every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm until August 12. So far, three bands have debuted during this series, including the Mario DeSantis Orchestra, The Cobblerockers, and the Flyin’ Column.
Be sure sure to catch the final three performers – The Lisa Lee Band, The Horn Dogs, and Little Queen – these few upcoming weeks! View the Geddes announcement flyer at the end of this page.
Lakeland Park, Lakeland
Both The Lisa Lee Band and The Horn Dogs will be performing live evening shows at Lakeland Park, Lakeland on July 29 and August 5, respectively. For the final concert of the series, Little Queen will close out with a performance from Woods Road Park, Solvay on Thursday, August 12.
PhanArt shows are back and in person, with the first installment coming to Caesar’s Atlantic City on Saturday, August 14. The event showcases more than two dozen artists, featuring posters, clothing, ceramics, photography, fine art and much more–all with a Phish inspired flair.
The last in-person PhanArt show was held on December 30, 2019 in NYC. After this long hiatus due to the pandemic, organizers and vendors are eager to enjoy another great event. Much like the last show, the Atlantic City event will present morning yoga sessions, live music by (this time by Sweeping Views), and “phan philm” screenings. This is the first new PhanArt show, with others planned for Lake Tahoe and Denver in September.
This year’s “phan philm” screenings include “We’ve Got it Simple“, a documentary exploring the wonderful world of Phish fans, and “Cirque du Cambodia“, which tells the story of two Cambodian teenagers with dreams of joining the Cirque du Soleil company.
As always, admission is free. The show will run from 12-5 PM at Caesar’s. The art show, yoga and film screenings are all located on the 3rd floor of the Centurion Tower, above the Palladium Ballroom, in Empire A & B. Check out the video below to get hyped up!
Few bands have a relationship with the state of New York like the Grateful Dead. Outside of California, the Grateful Dead have performed more shows in New York than any other state.
With 309 unique shows performed across the Empire State in a 28 year span, beginning at Tompkins Square Park on June 1, 1967, the Grateful Dead made New York a home away from home, with venues of all sizes welcoming them during their career.
Over the past few years, NYS Music has looked back on some of these shows, whether they be archival releases, or an iconic show worthy of a closer look. In 2020, we began to look intently at the history of the Grateful Dead in the Empire State, and in doing so, discovered some overlooked diamonds in the rough.
While performances at Madison Square Garden, The Knickerbocker Arena and Barton Hall garner the glory, there are shows that are equally compelling which we took a second look at. Whether the performance was in The Bronx, Alfred State, Oswego, Glens Falls, Lake Placid or Watkins Glen, each show gets a thorough analysis, with first-hand accounts and memorabilia, as well as audio and/or video of each performance.
We’ve taken all these articles that examine the long history of the Grateful Dead in New York State, as well as Jerry Garcia’s solo and JGB performances, and created an interactive Google Map that allows you to observe the history of the Grateful Dead in New York – So MaNY Roads. You can find info on each of these shows (were you there?), and dive into shows you may or may not have known about.
With more than 300 shows to include in this series, we so far have looked at more than 50 of these shows, all searchable in the map below. More will be added each month as we continue looking at the Grateful Dead and their history in NY.
We welcome Section 119 as a sponsor for So MaNY Roads, our Grateful Dead in New York series. Section 119 takes you from beachfront to stage front with the highest quality merchandise celebrating the Grateful Dead. Shop for a variety of officially licensed clothing and accessories including board shorts, polos, button-down shirts and more at Section119.com.
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, the one-of-a-kind 7th studio album from the Wu Tang Clan, is in the hands of a new owner. Martin Shkreli, the previous proprietor of the covert album, had the project seized in 2018 and recently sold by the U.S. government as a part of a $7.4 million forfeiture judgement.
Shkreli purchased the 31-track album in 2015 for a reported $2 million and subsequently began a public feud with Wu Tang’s Ghostface Killah, threatening to erase his contributions to Once Upon a Time.
The dishonored pharmaceutical executive known as “Pharma Bro” first came under public scrutiny for raising the price of the drug Daraphin — used to treat aids and cancer patients — from $13.50 to $750. He was later convicted of securities fraud and sentenced to seven years in prison, in a matter unrelated to his skyrocketing of drug prices. In essence, his prison sentence is a result of being “accused of repeatedly losing money for investors and lying to them about it, illegally taking assets from one of his companies to pay off debtors in another.”
Shkreli’s possession of a suis generis Wu Tang Clan album did not come without its own controversy. Initially intended as a one-off sale with the group wanting to bar public consumption of the album for 88 years. After it was announced that Shkreli who purchased the album, the group changed its tune and began vouching for the project to be heard by the masses. When Martin Shkreli was announced as the album’s buyer, RZA announced most of the proceeds were donated to charity.
The announcement was made by Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Shkreli has been held accountable and paid the price for lying and stealing from investors to enrich himself. With today’s sale of this one-of-a-kind album, his payment of the forfeiture is now complete.
While the buyer’s identity has yet to be revealed, they are represented by NYC based lawyer, Peter Coolidge, who confirmed that he has indeed listened to the project.
It didn’t disappoint at all. It was pretty reminiscent of the ‘90s stuff. The first album was really good. All the first solo albums were good, like, Return to the 36 Chambers, Liquid Swords, Ironman, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, whatever,” he said. “And then they did some albums after that, that were perhaps not their best work. But this is like, up there with the best stuff.
He later confirmed that the buyer was an entity and not an individual, and that they planned to reveal themselves and do a round of press in the next 30 to 60 days.
The small Catskills village of Athens is sharing a late summer concert series. The series, put on through the Athens Performing Arts Corporation (APAC) begins July 30 and runs every Friday until September 3.
The concerts will take place in Athens Riverfront Park from 7-9 PM. Admission is free and performances are rain or shine. The lineup boasts diverse acts and genres, from Led Zeppelin cover acts to blues, soul and Americana.
Photo by SleepyHollowLake.org
Located in Greene County, the village of Athens, located within the larger town of Athens, is home to just under 2,000 residents. The village has multiple sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places and sits scenically on the west bank of the Hudson River. Athens has an eclectic and artistic feel with residents passionate about sharing music and art.
Be sure to check out the concert series starting this Friday. The full lineup is below and APAC has been posting updates and information on their Facebook page.
Village of Athens Summer Concert Series Lineup
July 30 – Zozo
August 6 – GA-20
August 13 – Paper Sun
August 20 – Tommy Castro and the Painkillers
August 27 – Classic Stones Live
September 3 – Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen
Enjoy this throwback performance by SouthSide Johnny!
Nestled deep in the hills of Virginia, Floyd Fest 2021 kept true to its theme ‘Odyssey” when it provided a dreamy, cantina-like oasis for curious seekers and seasoned travelers alike. Artists including Goose and Andy Frasco & The U.N. blended into the crowd for Billy Strings and waited patiently for Leftover Salmon between their own sets in order to bask in the familiar and the favorites.
Fire ritual spoiler alert
But what really happened that weekend? Why were there mystical creatures? What was that thing that happened with the full moon and the fire ritual performed by Goose on Friday?
The Quest
Most that have traveled that far from home for a beach with tented structures that barely qualify as “chair”. Beverages served inside the protective outer layer of a large fruit elevate one’s lounging experience.
Attendees resorted to extreme measures by day 3 of hiking the hill from camp to the main stage.
Others have always felt the magnetic pull of the electrical currents flowing through consoles responsible for light and sound. The wise were beckoning.
Lockn’ The Wise looks prepared for Fred the Festival
Nestled down in a small valley of rolling hills, tents lit like little huts in a shire. Moon, red like a western sun, rising through the faraway wildfire’s haze. After hours upon hours of travel, it seemed like a mirage, or a figment of imagination.
The Village
Floyd traveler familiar with the midday sun and opts for shade and to see Chupacabra’s set.
Uncertainty and overwhelm upon arrival. The seeker arrived to a new town, hustling and bustling as it has for many years. Floyd Fest attendees in 2001 seem more like townsfolk in a small village nestled far away from any industrious city. Everyone goes about their business. No questions. Each and every person appears to have a job, a home, and a role within the community.
This staff security member has been collaboratively painting with the same group for over 10 years.
There might have been plans to have a meeting of the minds and spirits, but the lack of cell service created a mentality of embracing what was, not what could have been. Any plans to meet friends were let go at which point, the true experience began.
Moon is tight
The Celebration
Off in the distance, there was music. Light began seeping onto the edges of the forest. Following blindly on the trail, the hero contorted their way through campsites, following weaving trails until a light began to show.
As the path opened up, a mass of people gathered in the shape of a bowl became illuminated by a flood of beautiful shapes and colors. Attendees entered the area with joy and music. It felt like a dream, looked like a dream, and had the soundtrack of Billy Strings. Everyone was there.
Certain supernatural laws seemed to morph when moving through the dimensional force field that was the gate of Floyd Fest 2021, Friends seemed to appear, exactly at the perfect time, by sheer luck and with a dash of synchronicity. It was often in those moments that we would miraculously have our friends cross paths right in front of us.
Roger Gant composing ideal combinations of shapes and colors for the moment.
It was great to run into friends that I have no seen since shutdown. Usually we get to see each other when I stop in their city for tour. I was not expecting so many reunions.
Roger Gant, lighting director, Billy Strings
A patient Goose (member) Jeff Arevalo waiting for Leftover Salmon to begin.
This was more than just a little town, it was a place for many woodsfolk, elvish types and wizards to gather and celebrate the diversity that has successfully coexisted.
Billy Strings’ bassist Royal Masat
It was a place for young warriors to display the fruits of their training and for elders to inspire support within and between communities.
Goose Connections
One wiser, more experienced female traveler easily recognized the look of wonder and amazement on a young couple’s face. She approached the two after Billy’s encore and asked “Is this your first time?” The two cautiously nodded, unsure of why this was being asked. The elder was elated and welcomed the couple. She had spotted the newcomers early in the night and just had to know if her gut instinct was correct, then promptly welcomed the two. She shared that she had been attending Floyd Fest for more than a decade and it felt just as good in 2021 as it did her first year.
This long time fan of the Grateful Dead was blown away by the kindness of Goose Fans at her first show.
The beautiful thing about gathering for Floyd Fest 2021 is that the travelers and the seekers were able to share Goose through one of the highest energy ultra marathon birthday celebrations to date. Many Floyd regulars had only studied Goose through youtube and live streams, but Friday night, they were able to experience a proper southern Goose Flodown. Feet stomped. Crowd pulsed. Andrew Goedde’s smoke with white lights during “Arcadia” awakened the spirit of Tennessee Ted for the first time since Pelham. It could not only be seen, but also heard thanks to the masterful sound engineering by Sam Bardini.
Bathing in light thrown by Andrew Goedde. It would not have been the moment it was without these lights.
After two and a half hours of anthem after anthem, the young couple ran into the elder as one would in that fantasy fiction we seemed to be living in at Floyd and they were able to ask knowingly, “first time?”
Peter Anspach giving a warm and friendly greeting.
Convergence and Birth
On the eve of the full moon, there was a ritual burning of candles for one chosen bassist. This converged with a chemical reaction from energy between musical newcomers with the wise seasoned ones. The next breakout band emerged from the garden stage around the same time Turkuaz performed their Talking Heads set.
An Empress of Organos
Melt
Melt from NYC had a full and engaged crowd despite fierce competitors at the main stage. Empresses Veronica (vocals) and Marlo (guitar) seranaded the garden stage with dynamic melodies.
An Echo of A Rose, Marlo
Keys and horns dances perfectly with bass and drums. Respect for one’s bandmates for melt looked like laying down during a member’s solo. This band enchanted anyone within earshot.
Melt showing respect for their bandmates
The traveler returned home with tales of strings and salmon as well as intel on Melt for ‘heard them first’ stock brokers everywhere.
Cody the Wise
At the end of the day, Floyd Fest was summed up best by traveler Cody Wimer when he shared his thoughts on Floyd:
Home festival. Best place. Hot days. Cold nights. Music fire.
Editor’s Note/Update: Due to concerns over Covid-19 Delta Variant, theSound Waves concert with Sxip Shirey at White Feather Farm is being rescheduled from August 5 to September 9.
Sound Waves at White Feather Farm is a new global music series that will be held Thursdays, from August 5 – September 23, at Broken Wing Barn in Saugerties. The open-minded line-up will present world-class artists in genres ranging from Gypsy jazz and Afropop to Latin Boleros and Native and African-American folk, soul and gospel.
The Sound Waves series is being produced by Saugerties-based Isabel Soffer of Live Sounds and globalFEST and Olivier Conan of Barbés Brooklyn, in partnership with White Feather Farm, the site of the acoustically-resonant, 280 year-old Broken Wing Barn. The Sound Waves line-up includes:
August 5 – The World of Sxip Shirey
Sxip Shirey tests the edge of music using his vast imagination to create playful and mischievous songs using familiar objects, mutant instruments and reconfigured sounds. he acoustic beauty. “Sxip Shirey’s imagination for sounds, sound combinations and textural color makes him one of the most curious combinations of composer-sound designer-performer meets storyteller-curator.” — CD Baby “Eclectic and original” – NPR’s Fresh Air.
August 19 – West Africa Dance: Mandingo Ambassadors
The Mandingo Ambassadors was founded by griot-guitarist Mamady Kouyaté in 2005. A veteran of the great orchestras of the golden age of Guinean dance bands in West Africa, Mamady is a living library of musical science inherited from his ancestors and from a half century of experience as an arranger, band leader, accompanist and soloist. Representing a musical tradition that stretches back hundreds of years, Mamady plays with a melodic virtuosity that pulls in listeners. “Dazzling vocal and guitar patterns over a rhythm section that is like a perfect system” – NYTIMES.
August 26 – Martha Redbone: Native American and African American Soul, Blues and Gospel Martha Redbone is a Cherokee-Choctaw and African-American singer-songwriter, composer and educator known for her unique gumbo of folk, blues, and gospel fused with elements of traditional Native American music from her childhood in Harlan County, Kentucky and infused with the eclectic grit of pre-gentrified Brooklyn. “Americana’s next superstar”– Village Voice.
Wrembel may be the foremost interpreter of Django Reinhardt in North America. Whether sticking to the French master’s arrangements or taking the music into new territory, Wrembel has always treated Django like a classical composer rather the cliché paragon of swing and speed the master guitarist has often been portrayed as. In addition to Wrembel’s work as a film composer and performer (he wrote the theme song to Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris and scored Allen’s last movie) Wrembel has delved into the study of Django’s “Improvisations” – the solo pieces that Django recorded throughout his life which were precisely scripted and more akin to classical preludes than jazz improv. Wrembel painstakingly transcribed and memorized the entire cycle, highlighting the influence of Ravel and Debussy on the music, as well as the original compositional approach. Wrembel released the album Django L’impressionniste back in October 2019 – a stunning work, which he premiered at the prestigious Lyon Opera house, in France. “A revelation” – Rolling Stone Magazine.
Sept 23 – Miramar: The Golden Age of Latin American Boleros
Miramar draws its inspiration from the golden age of romantic music, primarily that of the Latin American genre known as the bolero which was made popular by Mexican, Cuban and Puerto Rican combos of the 1950’s. Also referred to as “trio music,” the term bolero became synonymous with various slow to medium grooved Latin American dance rhythms. As the popularity of the bolero thrived, it also expanded and fused with other musical styles to create sub-genres of bolero-rock, jazz and disco. Miramar simply furthers expands the tradition through their own interpretations and exploration through new compositions with hopes to enrich a new audience that may be previously unaware of the genre. “Turn the lights down low, clear out the living-room carpet and find your dance partner for this one”—NPR Music
Limited tickets are available for Sound Waves. Please consider carpooling as parking is limited. Doors open at 7, show at 8, hang out with us after the show! Ticket buyers must show a vaccination card or negative covid test within 72 hours to attend without a mask, otherwise a mask is required.
Grace Yurchuk, a lifelong musician and current NYU student, released her first EP, Footsteps On the Moon, on July 23rd. After her first two professional releases “Need Me” and “Good Together” hit all major streaming services in the spring, Grace Yurchuk has announced a follow up EP called Footsteps On the Moon. A true labor of love, this collection was conceived as dorm room pop during a pandemic.
With influences you can hear in every note, the musical storyteller has made five indie/pop hits with a little something everyone can enjoy. All written, composed, performed, and produced by herself, Grace spent many nights with the cool glow of a Mac screen illuminating her face as she tinkered with her latest creation. Her mission is to inspire other girls to discover the producer pathway, which can be just as meaningful as other “more glamorous” musical pursuits. There are so few female producers in the studio system, Grace is determined to raise that number, at least by one.
You’re Cute When You’re Mad
The opening track deals with asking for positive attention despite the other party only contributing unhealthy things to the relationship. The backing is interspersed with electric guitar riffs that add a deep robust sound to an otherwise light pop song. Following the story, it tells of a know-it-all, teasing boy who thinks it’s cute to be rude to a potential partner. Fitting for the soundtrack to the culminating prom scene in a show when the protagonist finally realizes the popular boy isn’t worth the trouble.
Good Together
The second release from the album, a hopeful look at two young people hanging out and enjoying their time together, has been filling playlists since its debut in May. With the strong synth and beautifully layered vocals, this is the perfect feel good song.
Need Me
The first ever professional release from Grace, “Need Me” slows down the EP. A melodic track that breaks up the dance hits and allows the listener to breathe for a second. Sticking to the title of the album, it feels like slow dancing in the moonlight or on the moon itself. By the third song on the EP, this is where the story of love gained and lost (or not reciprocated) really cements itself.
Walk In the Rain
With a tad more folk influence on this track, the guitar instrumentation is the star of this lamenting of unbalanced love. The build of the music into deep vocals filled with emotion pairs immaculately with the added piano. This is the song to listen to if you’re looking for a nice ballad.
Supernova
The closing track, aptly named for its otherworldly opening, feels almost ethereal. A lyric that could describe the running motif throughout the whole release is this line from the song “If I’d have known my heart would break I would do it again with a smile on my face.” A great bittersweet track to close out the EP that also leaves a feeling of wanting to keep repeating the music to find more meanings to the words.
Overall this EP lived up to the expectations leading from the two first releases. A wonderful end of summer listen and a magnificent start to a career. To follow Grace in her future projects check out her social media, website, and Spotify.
Pink Talking Fish have announced a 2021 tour that will make multiple stops throughout New England. The tour begins in August and will run through December.
Pink Talking Fish, a fusion tribute band that plays Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads, and Phish, is comprised of Eric Gould on bass, Richard James on keyboards, Zack Burwick on drums and Cal Kehoe on guitar.
Although the band has been performing since COVID-19 playing a handful of show including outdoor pod style events, two trips to Colorado, a Beach Road Weekend Pre-Party in Martha’s Vineyard and sold out performances in Connecticut and New Hampshire this will be their first real tour.
The tour will kick off in August with 2 night Grand Opening of the new indoor venue at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, MA. This venue kept live music going through the pandemic with socially distant outdoor performances and, during that time, they developed a premiere indoor concert experience. Two of New England’s rising acts are supporting Pink Talking Phish for this event: The New Motif and Marble Eyes. Marble Eyes features Pink Talking Fish bassist, Eric Gould.
The band will be making two stops in New York while on tour. The first stop will be on 10/16 at the Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn NY and the second stop on 10/22 at Cohoes Music Hall at Cohoes NY.
For more information on Pink Talking Phish and their upcoming tour visit their website.
Full List of Pink Talking Fish 2021 Tour Dates:
8/06: Pembroke MA at Soundcheck Studios – w/s/g The New Motif
8/07: Pembroke MA at Soundcheck Studios – w/s/g Marble Eyes
8/14: Atlantic City NJ at The Tropicana – Phish AfterParty
8/22: Norwalk CT at Wall Street Theater – Outdoor Pod Event
