NYS Music 202​1

Blog

  • Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live! Announces a Series of One Night Concerts

    The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance or more commonly known as just Grassroots announced the creation of the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live!: a series of limited capacity one night concerts on the Infield Stage of the festival’s Trumansburg, NY Fairgrounds. The series will start on July 9, 2021 and run throughout the month of July each weekend. 

    Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live

    The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival generally takes place the third weekend of July every year in Trumansburg, NY starting back in 1991 apart from last year (2020)  due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to COVID-19 the official festival won’t be back until 2022 but these one night festivities will bring the Grassroots spirit back to upstate New York. Donna The Buffalo, who is one of the original founding bands of GrassRoots, will be hosting a Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Festival Weekend, July 23-25.

    Railroad Earth w/ Aaron Lipp & Max Flansburg will be performing on July 9.  Galactic feat. Anjelika ‘Jelly’ Joseph w/ Danielle Ponder will be performing on July 10. Sam Bush Band w/ Driftwood will be performing on July 16. Cory Henry w/ Sophistafunk will be performing on July 17. Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Weekend will be taking place on July 23-25. The Return of Jimkata & Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad will be taking place on July 30. Spin Doctors will be wrapping up the fun by performing on July 31.

    Tickets will be sold as PODS capable of accommodating up to 4 people starting at $89 and an additional dance area in front of the stage and Dance Tent on GrassRoots Weekend will be available to those with a POD who are fully vaccinated and can prove it. 

    Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Festival Weekend will host the Infield Stage, Dance Tent, Sunday’s All Star Revue and Camping at our Across The Way Campgrounds. The full lineup and more information about Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Festival Weekend weekend can be found here.

    Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live

    In addition, camping will be available surrounding show weekends at our Across The Way Campgrounds. Details and reservations will be available soon. Previous 30th Annual GrassRoots Festival ticket holders and Dream Teamers may exchange their tickets to Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live! by emailing tickets@grassrootsfest.org.

    For more information on the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live! series visit the The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival’s website.

  • Arts for Art Announces Free Outdoor Concert Series

    New York City based arts organization Arts for Art is celebrating the return of live music by presenting free outdoor concerts on June 12 and 13. The concerts will take place from 3-5 PM at the First Street Green Cultural Park located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

    Arts for Art
    Photo from the First Street Green Park website

    The event will be in compliance with CDC and New York City Covid-19 guidelines. Notable performers include William Parker, Sam Newsome, Darius Jones, Steve Swell and many more. You can see the full schedule for the weekend below.

    Arts for Art
    William Parker, photo by Jimmy Katz

    Arts for Art was founded in 1996 and its “work is rooted in a commitment to social justice as equity and the promotion and advancement of FreeJazz, an African American indigenous art form in which improvisation is principle.” This upcoming outdoor concert series is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and City Council Member Carlina Rivera. You can learn more about Arts for Art on their website.

    SCHEDULE:

    Saturday, June 12

    3:00 Sam Newsome Trio: Sam Newsome – soprano sax / Hilliard Greene – bass / Reggie Nicholson – drums

    3:40 Darius Jones/ Francisco Mela: Darius Jones – alto saxophone / Francisco Mela – drums

    4:20 Behroozi / Parker / Thompson: Daro Behroozi – tenor saxophone / William Parker – bass / Michael T.A. Thompson – drums

    Sunday, June 13

    3:00 Trombone Insurgency: Steve Swell – trombone / Joe McPhee – trombone / William Parker – bass / Gerald Cleaver – drums

    3:40 Marcelo & Carter x 2: Alexis Marcelo – keyboard / Rashaan Carter – bass / Russell Carter – drums

    4:20 Knuffke / Parker / Wollesen: Kirk Knuffke – cornet / William Parker – bass / Kenny Wollesen – drums

  • Neckscars Reimagine Punk Rock With Debut Album “Don’t Panic”

    Emerging in late 2018 out of Downstate New York, Neckscars turned a variety of stylistic music ambitions into a seamless reimagination of punk. To listeners, their sound is reminiscent of classic punk rock and roll. In reality, the sound is independent of frayed nostalgia and standard song formulas.

    Neckscars

    Then, in March of 2020, Neckscars entered Nada Studios in Montgomery, NY. The band collaborated with producer John Naclerio and Sean-Paul Pillsworth for their first full-length recording. After ripping through 8 songs in just three days, the session came to a halt in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

    Eventually, the band returned to the studio in the fall to tie up loose ends and bring another two songs to the table. The album begins with an earthy introduction from “In Front of Me,” followed by an even grittier set of middle tracks, and finishes with more subtle melodic rock undertones espoused by songs like “Let You Down” and “First Time, Long Time.” Finally, the album and new tracks were completed with a mastering by Jesse Cannon followed by the release date announcement.

    Neckscars
    Courtesy of Neckscars – Labels: Sell the Heart Records (US) | Engineer Records (UK)

    Neckscars’ motive with their debut album Don’t Panic? To bring to life a blend of rock and melodic punk with gravelly vocal delivery. The band has teased a new single, “Jarring” to highlight the upcoming album release. Below, check out the official music video via Engineer Records.

    Don’t Panic will officially be available on June 18. Until then, stream “Jarring” and more by Neckscars on Spotify and Bandcamp.

    Key Tracks: Jarring, Let You Down, and First Time, Long Time

  • Superbloom Serve Brooklyn Grunge With Live EP & Album

    Brooklyn’s alternative rock band Superbloom has dropped Live at Studio G, a 3 song live EP made up of tracks off their upcoming studio LP ‘Pollen’ out June 1st. The EP includes the live version of a new single, in fact, the title track, off the upcoming LP Pollen.

    Superbloom: Live at Studio G

    Superbloom: Live at Studio G was recorded at Studio G in Brooklyn, engineered by Jack Counce, and mixed & mastered by Brian DiMeglio. The EP contains three songs off the new album Pollen including the title track itself, “Mary on a Chain,” and “Whatever.”

    Superbloom’s recent singles “Muzzle,” “Whatever” and “Mary on a Chain,” needed a good follow-up considering those landed on Spotify’s All New Rock, Alternative Noise playlists and more. They definitely lived up to the hype with both Pollen the single and the album.

    Recording at Studio G was a dream. We’re huge fans of live studio recordings like Audiotree, KEXP and Live at Studio 4 and we sort of threw ourselves at the idea with our own resources. The studio itself is unreal and Jack is a longtime friend of the band. We spent the day hanging out, messing with tones, playing through the songs and eating pizza. Can’t imagine a better day for a band.

    Their debut album, Pollen is a 12-track love-letter to heavy alternative music. A mixture of old and new make up every song, if you’re looking for something fresh that somehow still sparks nostalgia Pollen has got it. Perfect for road trips or hangs by the water.

    Pollen by Superbloom

    With all the vibes of Seattle moved to the east coast this Brooklyn based band brought grunge into 2021 in a great way. If you have any sort of Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, or Pearl Jam shaped hole in your heart Superbloom is the sound to fix that. Most of the album is face paced but if you want to slow it down Muzzle or Twig are the songs for you.

    The album was mastered by Will Yip (whose credits include projects with The Menzingers, Turnstile, Quicksand, Mannequin Pussy, Code Orange), mixed by Joe Reinhart (Beach Bunny, Remo Drive, Joyce Manor, Hop Along), artwork by Patrick Turk Collage Art, and produced by Superbloom. 

    While the album’s feedback-laced instrumentation is hard-hitting at every turn, the band’s sonic signature is embedded in the vocal performance that fills each track with complex layering, earworm melodies and lush harmonies that deliver discoveries of nuanced detail with each listen. The sounds span from infectiously bouncy hard rock, instantly nostalgic acoustic songs, sing-along choruses, and undeniable hooks.

    Pollen released on all streaming services on June 1, and is available for digital and pre-orders for the 180 gram blue with white marble vinyl, on June 14.

    Stream Superbloom Live at Studio G here. Digital Pre-order of Pollen available now on Bandcamp, Vinyl Pre-Order here, and for UK and EU orders, visit Thirty Something Records. Stream “Pollen” on Consequence, Spotify, and Apple Music.

  • In Focus: Twiddle, Aqueous and Dopapod drench fans in jams at Apple Valley

    Twiddle headlined 4 nights at Apple Valley in Lafayette, NY over Memorial Day weekend, and welcomed Dopapod and Aqueous for two nights each. It was a rainy run of shows just south of Syracuse, but the weather didn’t damper spirits one bit.

    Dopapod and Aqueous each opened two nights, with Dopapod taking the honors on Thursday and Friday, and Rob Compa & Eli Winderman joining Twiddle on night one for “Syncopated Healing.” The next night all members of Dopapod, including Chuck Jones and Neal ‘Fro’ Evans joined for the evening’s closing number, “Latin Tang.”

    twiddle dopapod aqueous
    photo by Dave Decrescente

    Aqueous would also join Twiddle on Saturday and Sunday, with Mike Gantzer sitting in for “Slippin in the Kitchen” and “All along the Watchtower.” Similar to their Dopapod counterparts, all of Aqueous joined in for “Shakedown Street” to close out the weekend.

    Apple Valley Park has a great lineup this summer, with Get the Led Out, Allman Betts Band, Billy Strings, Umphrey’s McGee, Tedeschi Trucks Band and many more arriving over in the next couple months. Get your tickets here.

    Amid the festivities in Lafayette, Long Island’s Baked Shrimp performed two afternoon shows at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, welcoming Ryan and Mihali from Twiddle, and Mike from Aqueous, to join them. Baked Shrimp are poised for a breakout year, especially after building up momentum during this last year and heading to the finals of NYS Music’s March Madness. Check out photos of the early afternoon action from Zak Radick.

    Dopapod Setlists
    May 27    : Mucho, Freight Train, Upside of Down, Bats in the Cave, Vol. 3 #86

    May 28: Cloudworld >PLSS >Braindead, We Are Not Alone, Trapper Keeper, FABA

    Dopapod photos via Dopapod Facebook page

    Aqueous Setlists
    May 29    : Origami, Little Something to Me, Aldehyde1, Random Company2
    1 – Puddle of Mud teases after Aldehyde
    2 – Rob playing half time through vocals

    May 30: Second Sight > Timmy’s Blades > Second Sight, Weight of the Word, Kitty Chaser (Explosions) > Funky Monks²³⁴ > Kitty Chaser (Explosions), Be the Same
    1) Featuring David Loss on tambourine
    2) Red Hot Chili Peppers
    3) MKDevo (Dave Peck) on vocals
    4)FYMFYD full band quote

    Aqueous photos by Jim Houle

    Twiddle Setlists

    May 27: Collective Pulse, Carter Candlestick, Second Wind, Hattibagen McRat, Beehop -> Ganja Medley -> Beehop Moments, Zazu’s Flight, Syncopated Healing%
    % w/Rob Compa & Eli Winderman of Dopapod

    May 28: Amydst the Myst, Jamflowman >Frankenfoote, Brown Chicken Brown Cow, White Light >WIRIP * D’yer Mak’er%, Latin Tang #
    % Led Zeppelin # with all members of Dopapod

    May 29: Enter > Orlandos > Apples > Funky town > Apples, Dr Remedies, Tiberius > River Drift> LITC, Honeyburste
    Encore: Slippin in the kitchen^, All along the watchtower^
    ^ w/Mike Gantzer of Aqueous

    May 30: Peas and Carrots -> Gatsby the Great -> Harry’s Pond -> Gatsby -> Bronze Fingers, My Truck, Machine, Beethoven and Greene, Milk%, Shakedown Street!
    % with Mike Gantzer
    ! with Rob Compa, Mike Gantzer, Rob Houk & Dave Loss

    Twiddle photos by Dave Decrescente

  • Slipknot’s Knotfest Roadshow Visits Darien Lake & Syracuse

    Slipknot has announced the resuming of the Knotfest Roadshow, with stops in Darien Lake and Syracuse. The 2021 edition of the tour will start on Sept 28 in Illinois. The 24-night trek will criss-cross the United States and artists such as Killswitch Engage, Fever 333, and Code Orange are all confirmed to join the run.

    Knotfest Roadshow 2021

    Following the exciting news of Knotfest Iowa, their massive production planned for September, as well as the confirmation from the band that they are in the studio working on the follow-up to We Are Not Your Kind, the masked nine will return to their caravan of chaos. Tour dates include two shows in New York, one at the Darien Lake Amphitheater in Darien Center on Oct 3 and one at the Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse on Oct 5.

    Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor weighed in on the kind of anticipation that is now building ahead of Slipknot getting back to the business of decimating stages again. “With the world opening up, it’s time to get excited about life again. To get back to life again. This tour is a long time coming and we hope you’re as excited to see it as we are to play it. Stay safe, stay (sic) and we’ll see you soon.”

    As for the band’s announcement of recording new music in the studio. Just last week, the band’s artistic architect and percussionist M.Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan confirmed to the U.K. media that the band was in fact, in the studio and in the thick of working on “God music” in the follow up to the universally-lauded 2019 release of We Are Not Your Kind. 

    Fan can to get an exclusive glimpse at ‘behind the scenes’ footage of the band at work by subscribing over at knotfest.com. Subscribers are also eligible to pre-order both Knotfest Roadshow and Knotfest Iowa tickets before the on-sale date to the general public.

    Tickets will be available on pre-sale to Knotfest subscribers from 10am local time on June 2nd, with a general on-sale from 10am local on June 4th, over at the official Knotfest Roadshow website.

    Slipknot 2021 “Knotfest Roadshow” Tour Dates with Killswitch Engage, Fever 333, and Code Orange:
    09/25 – Indianola, IA @ National Balloon Classic Field *
    09/28 – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
    09/29 – Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
    10/01 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
    10/02 – Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
    10/03 – Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater
    10/05 – Syracuse, NY @ Lakeview Amphitheater – Syracuse
    10/08 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
    10/09 – Hartford, CT @ XFINITY Theatre
    10/10 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
    10/12 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
    10/13 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
    10/15 – Burgettstown, PA @ S&T Bank Music Park
    10/17 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
    10/19 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
    10/20 – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
    10/22 – Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
    10/23 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
    10/24 – Pelham, AL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
    10/26 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP
    10/28 – Del Valle, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater
    10/29 – The Woodlands, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion **
    10/30 – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion
    11/01 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
    11/02 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion

    * = Knotfest Iowa Festival (no Killswitch Engage or Code Orange)
    ** = no Code Orange

  • Otto Botté new single “Dancing Company” ft. Emma Claye

    NYC-based Colombian producer, singer-songwriter, and sound engineer Otto Botté unleashed his vibrant new single, “Dancing Company,” featuring Emma Claye. The song is accompanied by a Pablo Morelo-directed lyric video and news that the rising artist will release his debut EP, Dancing Company Vol. I, on July 16. 

    Emma Claye and Otto Botté

    On the title offering of his forthcoming debut EP, Botté delivers a genre-defying track about passionate nights on the dancefloor while highlighting Claye’s dreamy vocals with an array of live instrumentation and house-leaning synths.

    With “Dancing Company,” the self-taught, multi-faceted sound engineer and artist demonstrates his ability to infuse traditional Colombian roots music and Latin pop with elements of house music. The dance influences he’s absorbed from a decade of immersing himself in NYC’s nightlife and music scene by working with a spectrum of rising and prominent musicians shine on this single. 

    The lyric video, which premiered via Bands Do Brooklyn, starred Botte himself and Emma Claye and displays both the Spanish and English translations of the song. The colorful background interposed with the black and white filtered shots highlights how well the video was color-graded. The high-energy cuts and continuous dancing replicate the clubbable vibe of the track.

    This song has freed me to express my unfiltered version through flirtiness and sensuality looking to portray the beauty in human connection, whether it’s instant and led by sounds or when it’s intimate and sensed through smells. I see God reflected in our ability to connect in community. There’s a line in the song that says, ‘I feel you watching me like if I got no clothes on’ and this takes place on the dance floor when I’m doing my thing, feeling watched by somebody else, desired, and vulnerable, yet comfortable in my skin.

    “This thought immediately made me draw a parallel in my relationship with God and how comfortable I can be when I feel naked or mess-up, when I dance or sing, just being my true self before God, knowing that he looks over and meets me no matter how lonely or fulfilled I may feel. It’s refreshing to feel his presence in my daily life, in and outside of music, on and off the dance floor,” he added.

    “Dancing Company” the third single released off of Botté’s debut EP after “Humbara,” which recently surpassed 100K global streams, received its first radio spin Wednesday on Los Angeles’s 88.5FM LatinAlt HD3. So far, this time around Botté has received support from Indie Criollo and EDM Nations. Previous support has come from NPR Music’s World Cafe, Acid Stag, Medium, Urban Latino, The Fox Magazine, and Kick Kick Snare, just to name a few.

    Tracklist for Otto’s debut EP, including unreleased remixes by Jacuzzi Jefferson:

    Dancing Company Vol.1

    Since arriving in NYC as a teenager from Bogotá, Botté has acquired a Best Remixed Recording – Non-Classical Grammy nomination in 2015 for his co-mastering of “Waves” by Mr. Probz, a remix of Robin Schulz. Credits on multi-platinum projects of Enrique Iglesias, Joey Bada$$, Trey Songz, Fedez, and more. Botté is also a member of the NYC-based electronic trio Pool Cosby, which most recently released its Day Breaks album in 2020 and has been featured on Billboard, Earmilk, GRUNGECAKE, and more.

    Stream or watch Dancing Company here. Follow Otto Botté on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Listen to Otto Botté on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

  • Performers In The Park, a Free Utica Outdoor Concert Series, Starts June 3

    Free outdoor concerts are coming to Utica on Thursday nights in June as Bagg’s Square Association presents Performers in the Park at Handshake.City.

    Performers In the Park

    The weekly series will feature live music, art demonstrations, spoken word, outdoor activities, food trucks and locally-made goods for sale, 6-8pm every Thursday from June 3rd to July 1st.

    Kicking off the series on June 3rd is blues, rock and jam group Uncle Charlie and the Meatballs with mural creation by Tony Thompson. June 10th features Handsome Bob, a new band to the Utica music scene playing rock, pop and punk tunes.

    June 17th brings electronic instrumental musician Zalatan to the stage and spoken word by Téa Parker. Progressive rock group Copper Vein Clones plays on June 24th. Closing out the series on July 1st is an American Car Show with music by singer/songwriter J. Schnitt.

    Performers In the Park

    Performers in the Park is a great event to start off the summer right. Get the family out of the house for an evening or four and enjoy the nice weather and music. Every week visits another genre of Utica jams to discover. Don’t forget to support your local businesses and get some snacks and goodies while you’re at it. There are sure to be activities everyone will appreciate at Performers in the Park.

    The Performers in the Park series is made possible by the Bagg’s Square Association, a non-profit organization of businesses and community members dedicated to generating and sustaining new life and activity in the Bagg’s Square neighborhood.

    The events will take place at Handshake.City in the heart of Bagg’s Square at 26 Whitesboro Street in Utica near Union Station. Handshake.City is a collaboration of green space, art gallery, urban marketplace, and event venue from community group Made In Utica. It offers a family and pet friendly outdoor experience.

    To learn more or get involved, visit www.handshake.city.

  • City Bisco returns this July while Camp Bisco takes a year off

    This week the Disco Biscuits announced that their annual festival, Camp Bisco, which has been held almost-annually since 1999, will take a year off. In its place, City Bisco will return to its original home, The Pavilion at The Mann Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia for 2 nights over July 9 & 10.

    City Bisco features both The Disco Biscuits and Lotus for two nights, with interlocking DJ sets from Orchard Lounge on Friday and Luke the Knife Saturday. 

    We’ve been lucky enough to have had a few opportunities over the last year to play shows to our hometown here in Philly – at Citizens Bank Park, the Fillmore and elsewhere – but none of them have had an in person audience. This is the first time we’ve been able to perform at home for a large audience in over a year. 

    It’s exciting, and there’s something very classic about Lotus and Orchard Lounge being there with us. Our fans are constantly asking us to team up with them – it’s an old school lineup. It’s going to be a special weekend.

    The Disco Biscuits’ Jon Barber.

    The return to The Mann will mark the fourth official City Bisco, after residing in both Philadelphia and New York City throughout the years since its inception in 2012. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 4 at 12 noon ET at Ticketmaster.com.

    While Camp Bisco takes a year off, the festival has a great history, spanning over 4 decades. Read our history of Camp Bisco IV, held in Van Etten, NY in August 2005.

    If you’re looking for your Biscuits fix this weekend, tune into Couchtour.tv and Fans.Live for a weekend simulcast of the the Disco Biscuits two-night run from the Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT.

    Couchtour.tv has been the virtual host for The Disco Biscuits’ fall and spring tours, presenting each broadcast in hi-definition audio and video in real-time and then making them available via video on-demand.

    Fans can purchase the livestreams through both platforms, which air Fri. June 4th and Sat. June 5th at 6:30pm ET/ 3:30pm PT. 

  • Grammy Winner Stephane Wrembel to perform at Caffè Lena on June 12th

    Stephane Wrembel is a composer, teacher, and one of the preeminent guitarists specializing in the Django Reinhardt style of guitar. Wrembel will perform at Caffè Lena on Saturday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

    Wrembel is most known for his Grammy award-winning composition “Bistro Fada” from the academy award-winning Woody Allen movie Midnight In Paris.  Since 2001, Wrembelhas released over a dozen critically acclaimed albums including a series of recordings in tribute to Django Reinhardt under the nom de plume, The Django Experiment.

    Stephane Wrembel
    STEPHANE WREMBEL

    Founded in 1960, Caffè Lena is a premiere concert venue located in Saratoga Springs, NY known around the world for fostering the preservation and growth of independent music rooted in tradition.

    Since 2003, Wrembel has produced the Django a Gogo Festival, bringing together some of the finest musicians in the world to celebrate the Sinti guitar style to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall. This year’s Django a Gogo is scheduled for early June.

    The performance at Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, are open to patrons of all ages. Seats will be sold in “pods” for 2-4 people.  Tickets are $25 per person plus fees. Tickets for the show can be bought here.