Tucked away in the hills of Coeyman’s Hollow, NY at Magic Forest Farm, artists, vendors, and fans alike came together for the first ever Diggin’ Roots Festival. Sugar Productions, Lyons Den Productions, and co-founder Koryn Shear put in countless hours, days, and months making this cozy little farm with a name to match a haven for the few hundred fans who would descend upon it.
The two-day festival started Friday evening with solo artist Matt Cosgrove covering plenty of 90’s rock hits and some amazing originals. Local Favorites, Raisinhead, were the first to grace the main stage with a few sit-ins from harmonica extraordinaire, Junebug. Ted Grey of Raisinhead stayed on stage for the next set as Quantum Cosmic came on, comprised of him and members of Annie in the Water, The Switch and the Reflexions. Last but surely not least, the Deadbeats rounded out the night with two hour long sets.
Saturday, music began at the crack of noon with the Token Locals. And no, not the heads just waking up from the night before. The wonderful Laura Leigh Band was on next. Laura and companions put on and amazingly whimsical and beautiful performance, setting a light mood for the remainder of the afternoon for Hilltop and the Lousy Slaughters.
As the day grew dark, local legends, the Wheel rolled out a classic set of Grateful Dead tunes before stepping aside for Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets. These two Captiol Region favorites have been playing here for many years, Dr. Jah looking at close to 30 years of incredible Reggae.
Hailing all the way from Harrisburg, PA, you might remember Yam Yam from their recent set at Alive at Five, Albany’s free summer concert series. Shane Spillinger of Sugar Productions noted how well they were received that night, making sure to bring them back for this festival. As the band came on stage the crowd chanted “Yam Yam! Yam Yam!” continuing, whether they liked it or not, after every song.
Long Island’s Baked Shrimp was the last band of the night, playing a quick hour set before giving way to Danish DJ David Maros who played deep into the night.
Their inaugural year was an absolute success and we at NYS Music hope there will be plenty more in the years to come as the new festival continues Diggin’ Roots.
The inaugural LonCon Music Festival took place over August 27-29, 2021 at the legendary Arrowhead Ranch and Retreat in Parksville, NY. Organized by Long Island up-and-comers Baked Shrimp, the two day event served as a tribute to the late Lon Gellman, a well-known and beloved supporter of live music.
Fans attending LonCon 2021 saw performances by Twiddle frontman Mihali, Dogs in a Pile, RCA, Creamery Station, and artist-at-large, Hayley Jane. Unfortunately just two acts into day one, torrential rains and an intense lighting storm forced all music to be suspended due to safety concerns. Originally scheduled headliners Aqueous were unable to play their set. While gloomy and on the cusp of rain throughout all of Saturday, LonCon managed to rock on without a hitch.
RCA, comprised of Dopapod’s Rob Compa and Kung Fu members Chris DeAngelis and Adrian Tramontano, played mostly songs off Compa’s 2019 debut solo album, Same Damn Thing. In a set filled with more teases than you could count, including moe.’s “Rebubula” and the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood,” the undisputed highlight came when artist at large Hayley Jane sat in for a ferocious take on Alanis Morissette’s ‘You Oughta Know.”
Due to their opening day set being cut short by lightning, event organizers Baked Shrimp played an extra long mid-day set to make up for lost time. Picking up right where they left off by completing a “Rosa” jam, the ambitious young band also debuted “Hurricane Jane,” which saw both Hayley Jane and Rob Compa sit in.
Jersey Shore jam band Dogs In A Pile immediately raised the energy on the farm to a whole new level. Distinguished by their colorful outfits, two guitar-attack and otherworldly sounds courtesy of multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Kaplan, the band managed to turn the soggy farmland into a veritable dance floor. Making her third appearance of the afternoon, Hayley Jane returned to the stage once again, this time with a washboard draped around her neck, joining Dogs in a Pile on a rollicking version of the beloved The Band classic “Ophelia.” Not done with sit in’s just yet, Rob Compa would later join the band for an extra funky rendition of ‘Boogie on Reggae Woman.”
With nightfall now upon LonCon 2021, Day 2 headliner Mihali Savoulidis took the stage shortly after 8pm. Before starting his set, Mihali spoke candidly about his special connection to the late Lon Gellman and explained just how much of an honor it was for him to be there at this inaugural event. He would go on to play a sentimental set, highlighted by Twiddle staples “Apples,” “Mamunes the Faun,””Every Soul,”and “Hattie’s Jam” > “When It Rains It Pours,” and “River Drift.” Other highlights included an impressive mashup medley of “Glycerine” > “No Woman No Cry” > “Farmhouse” > “Wagon Wheel” and Hayley Jane joining on a cover of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak.” The set also featured sit-in’s from Kung Fu/RCA drummer Adrian Tramontano and Baked Shrimp members Jared Cowen and Jager Soss.
Mihali Setlist: Be There (1), Collective pulse (1), Glycerine -> No Woman No Cry ->Wagon Wheel -> Farmhouse-> One Day, Ballad of the Broken (2), Living is the Lesson, Don’t Speak (3), Cali Roads (3), Open House (4), Heart Song, Apples, River Drift, Empty Overflow, Mamunes the Faun (5), Every Soul (6) Encore: Hatties Jam (1) -> When it Rains it Pours
(1) Dedicated to Lon Conscious (2) Formally known as CaliRado (3) W/ Hayley Jane (4) Formally known as Castle in the Sky (5) w/ Jager Soss (Drums; Baked Shrimp) Jared Cowen (Guitar; Baked Shrimp) (6) w/ Adrian Tramontano (Drums; RCA / Kung Fu)
Baked Shrimp Setlists
Friday, August 27 Setlist: NO2-4U, Molly Ann, Tulu, Melting Over Nothing, Pork Etiquette, Rosa (1) (1) Cut short due to lightning storm.
Saturday, August 28 Setlist: One Set: Rosa (1), Weird Times, Who are You and What am I?, Ollie Blu, Hurricane Jane (2), Stomatopoda, Level of Gold, Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts, Super Human Mutant, Benny, Down the Drain -> Equinox (1) Ending jam only; completes 8/27/21 version
On a steamy Friday night, Lark Hall played host to two of the fastest rising jam bands in New York, Long Island’s Baked Shrimp, and Albany’s own Glass Pony, as a warm up to the former’s LonCon Fest.
For the opening set of the night, Glass Pony tore in with “Maximus” that segued incredibly into Oasis’ “Morning Glory,” but so smooth you wondered ‘is this a new song inspired by the 90s, or are they deep in a 90s cover?’ Sure enough, as guitarist/singer Eddie Hotaling belted out the lyrics, you knew the story. After the high energy and upbeat lyrics of “Something Good,” bassist Jeff Picarazzi sang lead on Leo Sayer’s “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.” With a new album coming down the road, and a crowd that was getting down from start to finish, Glass Pony has a lot more music in store.
Setlist: Maximus > Morning Glory, North Bound (unfinished) -> Something Good, Check it Again, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing -> Daydream (unfinished) > House on the Hill, Doppler, Bottom of the Ocean
Baked Shrimp, a jam power trio from Long Island put on a prog/funk clinic. For their entire 90 minute set the band moved seamlessly through complicated chord progressions and never lost a beat or the attention of the crowd. The young trio has great potential in their three members, bassist Scott Reill, guitarist/singer Jared Cowen, and drummer Jager Soss, a doppelganger for Andy Frasco. Their festival LonCon will be held in Parksville, NY over August 27-28. Find out more details on the festival here.
Setlist: The Manatee, Numpty, Synth, The Method -> Now’s Your Moment -> The Method, Four Corners to Every Side, Orpheus, Down the Drain
Two of the hottest, up and coming New York bands, and 2021 NYS Music Music Madness finalists, Baked Shrimp and Glass Pony will share the stage at Lark Hall on July 9th. With festival pass giveaways, free ice cream and an incredible night of music on tap, this is one show you won’t want to miss.
Since forming in January 2017, Long Island’s Baked Shrimp has established a name for themselves across the Northeast region of the United States and beyond. In just three years the high-energy rock trio has performed multiple extensive tours, released two albums, and is a name being consistently added to the festival circuit.
Currently in the middle of a massive summer tour which finds the band performing across the East Coast, Midwest and throughout the southern United States, Baked Shrimp is rapidly making new fans outside of their home-base of New York. The trio keeps it fresh from night to night with a catalogue of over one-hundred songs of mostly original material and deep, inspired improvisational playing.
Kicking off the evening’s festivities will be Albany’s very own Glass Pony. Encapsulating influences stretching across decades from psychedelic and jam-focused rock, to funk, post-punk, and even modern indie and post-rock, Glass Pony offer a sound that truly translates through generations, with a stylistic blend built to engage a broad listenership.
With a focus squarely set on delivering the most captivating live performance possible, the band utilizes infectiously danceable grooves colored with virtuosic individual performances that deftly blend into a cohesive whole. To accentuate their creative songwriting, they place a great value on improvisation and fluid set lists that change from show to show.
Baked Shrimp will be giving away a pair of FREE tickets on this special night to their inaugural music festival LonCon, taking place at Arrowhead Ranch on August 27th & 28th in Parksville, NY. The incredible lineup features two nights of Baked Shrimp in addition to Mihali (Twiddle), Aqueous, Dogs in a Pile, and more. You must be present at the end of the night to claim your tickets if you win the raffle!
Additionally, Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop on Madison Avenue in Albany will be providing free ice cream for all who purchase tickets to the show. Lark Hall will have a dairy and non-dairy option starting shortly after doors open at 7pm on Friday, July 9.
On March 26th, Long Island funk trio Baked Shrimp released their second studio album, Conscious. Known to many as Long Island’s best kept secret, Baked Shrimp has been expanding their audience and have had sit-ins from Brandon “Taz” Niederauer and Ryan Dempsey of Twiddle.
Cover art by Scott Reill
The band, who were among the finalists on NYS Music’s March Madness bracket, intended to release Conscious in time for their 2020 summer tour, but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Within this time gap, Lon “Conscious” Gellman—a close friend and loyal fan of Baked Shrimp—passed away. To honor Lon’s memory, the band named their album after his nickname.
Conscious has been in production since February of 2020, and was recorded in Patchogue, NY with help from Nick and Mike Rufolo of The Brothers Nylon who assisted in recording, mixing, and performing on all 10 tracks. The album’s final mix was done by Anthony Cimino at Mojo Music Studio in Franconia, New Hampshire.
Throughout Conscious, layers of horns, strings, keyboards, and synthesizers create musical textures that come together to create the defining ‘Baked Shrimp sound.’
The first track of the album, “NO2-4U,” is a fitting start, beginning with a classical acoustic guitar introduction that captures the listener and builds into a lively jam full of funky horn lines that drive the energy of the song.
Across the album, one thing you will always notice is the proficiency of each musician. The rhythm is always locked, the bass is grooving and locked in with the drums kick.
Each of the many instrumental, jam sections found in songs throughout the album fit the moment well and create bridges that effectively link to later sections. These moments help keep the energy of the track, but also allows the band to breath a little bit and show their chops.
Baked Shrimp performing in April 2021
“Rosa” is a good example of the dynamic instrumentals mentioned in the last paragraph. The track begins with a mellow but upbeat instrumental section that is carried by the spacey sound of the guitar and keyboard.
This instrumental section returns later in the track, except this time with more layers of keyboard and synthesizer parts that lift the energy, which is carried through the rest of the song until its end.
“Down the Drain” is riff heavy and has a very progressive-rock influenced sound. It definitely has a harder sound than most of the tracks on the album, but it shows the versatility of Baked Shrimp’s sound.
Now we can only look forwards to the days when more venues reopen and tours start rolling again, so Baked Shrimp can showcase the work they put into Conscious to a larger audience.
While opportunities for gigs are sparse now, Baked Shrimp was lucky enough to play at Lambrou’s Hall in Island Park, NY on April 3rd. In this show, the band was able to play through all of Conscious, as well as debut three other original songs. Baked Shrimp will soon be releasing full video and audio of the event.
There are big things in store for fans of Baked Shrimp. The band is eager to show their hard work to audiences around New York state and the country.
Safe & Soundz festival will take place June 11-13, 2021 at Magic Forest Farm in Coeymans Hollow, outside of Albany, NY.
The festival lineup includes Space Bacon, Wax Future, Escaper, Leon Trout, Pheel, Pi Wrecks, Weird Phishes, Ampevene, Baked Shrimp, Boogie knights, Chyld, Bobby Ganache, Father Figure, The Business, and Saturday morning yoga with Ilas.
Held at Magic Forest Farm and produced by Shepheard Productions, the festival is a small event with only 150 tickets sold and 9 campsites. Each campsite came with their own fire-pit and 2 Car-side parking spots and is good for up to 8 campers maximum. They also offer 3 rental options: Tipi (4 people), Yurt (3 people) and Cabin (6 people), each with its own charm and amenities. Attendees are also encouraged to find a nice secluded spot away from others to pitch their tent, hang their hammock and relax on any of the beautiful 230 acres in the Catskill mountains.
The Safe & Soundz festival will be taking many COVID-19 safety precautions. The stage will have socially distanced viewing pods. These pods will be on a first come, first served basis throughout the day/night and capacity will not exceed 1 group per pod (8 people max). People are also expected to wear a face mask anytime they leave their campsite or their viewing pod. In addition to following all state and local safety guidelines the festival will also be checking attendees temperatures upon admission, supplying sanitation sites throughout the grounds, masks will also be required when moving around campsites. These rules are subject to change come mid-June, but for right now, they’re taking the most precaution to ensure everyone’s safety.
Although the festival is sold out, Safe & Soundz festival tickets may be available on resale sites and groups. For more information visit Shepheard Production’s Facebook Page.
What the f*ck is up Denny’s? The Finals are here. NYS Music’s March Madness is about to get rowdy. One on one with Baked Shrimp, Long Island against Organ Fairchild, Buffalo – These bands are ready, and hungry, for the NYS March Madness crown.
Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness bracket delving into the musical harbors of our great state. As fans and musicians ourselves, we spotlight the great talent across New York in friendly competition and discovery. Its fury never loses sight of the underdog, a headliner’s humble beginnings, new musical discovery and rolling with the punches in our ever-changing industry.
JamCast is a streaming platform that provides a unique experience using live, pre-recorded, archived audio & video performances, podcasting, vlogs, blogs, and more. JamCast has been centered around creating a digital network for musicians, promoters, and venues. It was designed to serve as a resource for all facets of the music industry. By offering weekly series, digital events, festivals, podcasts, archives, and more. An online resource and database for all music industry professionals.
Jared Cowen – Guitar/Vox – Scott Reill – Bass/Vox – Jager Soss – Drums/Vox
“An impressive musical and technical feat from start to finish. The opening track, “The Vision That I Can See,” is a jaw-dropping epic that really showcases the prowess of this band” – Baked Shrimp ‘Bubble Suit’
“Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts” was released March 12, and is the single off of Baked Shrimp‘s second studio album Conscious, set for release on March 26th, 2021. The new single features Nick Rufolo on saxophone, trumpet, and keyboards. The track also features Jager Soss on percussion.
Chuck DeFilippo: What does New York State Music mean to you?
Baked Shrimp:
New York is home to us, always has been and always will be.
When we’re not playing Long Island we’re in Albany or Syracuse or New Paltz, and all around the state. We’ve met so many amazing musicians and people from all over this state that have a real passion for what they’re doing. Anytime we revisit a city in New York we always know we can count on seeing a bunch of familiar faces who we’ve met on the road and have become friends with over time. We’re lucky enough to be able to host our first multi night, multi-band outdoor music event in our home state this Summer (LonCon), and we just can’t wait to see so many of our close friends come from their individual parts of the state and meet in one central location. It’s going to be two incredible nights for the New York Music community.
CD: Any bands or new listening discovered from NYS Music March Madness series?
Oh man well we have to give a shout out to all of our friends in Glass Pony,Specialists, Hilltop, and Ampevene, all who we’ve played with and wish all of them could have won the competition. Check each one of these out if you haven’t yet.
CD: Favorite COVID activity, hobby. Since you have all this free time not gigging?
Baked Shrimp actually had a busy COVID year. When things were really bad and locked down from March through June of last year, we recorded and released “Bubble Suit,” which was all done from our own individual bedrooms and cars. Self-recorded, produced, everything, so that was a huge undertaking. Then when were able to get back in the studio we finished up the Conscious sessions from Summer through Fall.
And mid-December through mid-January we did some intense practices 20+ hours per week just working on listening exercises, new material, vocal warmups, and also preparing for the Live for Lon stream, which was probably the biggest task as a band we ever took on by ourselves. So we found ways through all the mayhem going on to still play music together whether if it’s in the same room with masks on or sending files back and forth to one another over Google Drive.
March Madness 2021 Lark Hall Region: Albany’s mid-size music venue.
Organ Fairchild – Buffalo, New York.
Welcome to the Finals.
Joe Bellanti – organ, keys – Corey Kertzie – drums – Dave Ruch – guitar
Organ Fairchild is a musical party that won’t quit. Take your old-school organ trio (organ, guitar and drums), add dance-heavy grooves and adventurous jamming, and shake vigorously. Enjoy all night long.
“Jan. 2021 marks the release of single, “Seepin’,” from long-time Buffalo jam band veterans Organ Fairchild. Members have a history on the jam scene dating back 40 years.”
Chuck DeFilippo: What does New York State Music mean to you?
Joe Bellanti: NYS Music – the Buffalo scene in particular – means the world to me – some of my greatest moments have come from being a part of it – certainly my very best friends. Too many incredible moments to even try to pick out one or 2 of the best.
Interesting question, as one of the other “hats” I wear as a full-time musician and performer is researching and performing old 19th-century traditional music from New York State! So NYS Music means a lot of different things to me, but in terms of the current music community, we are very fortunate here in Buffalo to have a rabid fan base of live music lovers who always come out to support our shows. The level of musicianship here if off the charts as well, and pretty much everyone involved in the local music scene is really supportive of each other. It’s a great place to be.
Dave Ruch – Guitar
LISTEN to Organ Fairchild’s debut single below, from the forthcoming May 2021 album release! Mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive.
CD: Anything in the works for the band?
Two CDs in 2021 and hopefully a summer and fall of outdoor shows
Also – we will probably hit Denny’s at some point – I’m pretty sure we are the only band in the competition where all the members would qualify for the senior discount
Central New York promotersCreative Concerts bring fans together in the final four
March Madness would not be possible without our sponsors:
Central New York promoters Creative Concertsbring together fans at venues, stretching from Albany to Rochester and Syracuse to Utica. Lark Hall is the soon to open mid-sized venue in Albany that will host bands of all sizes, events and more. If you need to market your show, event, band or brand, Rochester’s Balbert Marketing has you covered. Need merchandise?
Homegrown Eastern New York’s 518 Prints makes quality goods for local, regional and national bands or tours. High Peaks Event Production is a team with years of experience, aiding in all your stage, lighting and sound demands.JamCast proves high quality streams for bands, podcasts and much more. Between these companies, bands will find a great deal of what they need, and support businesses from across New York and the Northeast.
Polls are now closed! Check back on Tuesday, March 30 to find out the winner of NYS Music’s 2021 March Madness!
New York State’s Final Four all sit on the free-throw line in dead silence. All eyes are on them. As the bead of sweat rolls down their faces, before the first notes strike, there is pure silence.
A wise man, and musician, once told me about the space between the notes; good music should start and end in silence. When there is silence, there are people listening. One breath before it all begins. I would like to take this time to highlight the spaces in-between, where all of our NYS Music March Madness bands deserve a tip of the hat. And, for the Final Four, the pressure is on. Go Vote. Enjoy the upcoming special Jamcast BOTB between the Final Four.
Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness bracket delving into the musical harbors of our great state. As fans and musicians ourselves, we spotlight the great talent across New York in friendly competition and discovery. Its fury never loses sight of the underdog, a headliner’s humble beginnings, new musical discovery and rolling with the punches in our ever-changing industry.
VOTE FOR THE FINAL FOUR BELOW
Final four voting is now closed. Stay tuned for the Finals, starting Friday, March 26!
Stay tuned with Jamcast for a virtual Battle Of The Bands between our March Madness Final Four musicians: Albany’s Glass Pony, Buffalo’s Organ Fairchild, Rochester’s The Dirty Pennies and Long Island’s Baked Shrimp.
JamCast is a streaming platform that provides a unique experience using live, pre-recorded, archived audio & video performances, podcasting, vlogs, blogs, and more. JamCast has been centered around creating a digital network for musicians, promoters, and venues. It was designed to serve as a resource for all facets of the music industry. By offering weekly series, digital events, festivals, podcasts, archives, and more. An online resource and database for all music industry professionals.
Central New York promotersCreative Concerts bring fans together in the final four
Glass Pony – Albany, New York.
Chanda Dewey – drums* – Eddie Hotaling – Guitar* – Jeff Picarazzi – bass* – Greg Pittz – lead guitar* (*vocals)
If you aren’t into long songs, Glass Pony might not be the band for you; about half of their songs hit in the 8-10 minute mark and take their time to get in the groove with long intros and outros. Their second song on the album, “Swing That Maximus,” has a full two-minute instrumental intro.
With tempo changes up the wazoo throwing the listener from dance beats that make you want to get up and boogie, to slow sections you would barely move your body, they are definitely the type of band you can let loose to live or shamelessly-groove-to on your daily commute. Glass Pony brings you out of the mundane with some chaotic, yet systematic rhythms and beats that make Glass Pony one of a kind.
“The gritty song features staple driving guitar riffs that the Pennies are known and loved for. It’s a more aggressive song…fueled by the times in which we are living. The video gives fans an opportunity to follow along to the lyrics. Learn those words, because when live music resumes and The Dirty Pennies can play live, this is an anthem we’ll want to sing along to.” Video Premiere: ‘I’m Your Man’
You’ve been a live band for so long, what was it like when you finally got into the studio?
RK: It’s strange because people think of us as a live band, but we did an EP that took the course of three years. I was up at school, living in the Adirondacks, and I would come back and just play a show every once in a while, not really knowing where all of this was going. But what I will say is Kick Out The Rocks was the first time I’ve felt like going into the studio and hammering something out.
JM: For me it was return-to-my-roots. When I lived in Geneva, my hometown, I was in another band, my friend and I, and we were setting up a studio. It was a very grassroots thing in a basement. I think we played four shows total, so all the time we were playing it was in the studio setting. So it was nice to go back to that. But it was a completely different experience because Blue Brick Recordings is a legitimate studio with different rooms and things set up. It was really fun to have the professional setting.
Jared Cowen – Guitar/Vox – Scott Reill – Bass/Vox – Jager Soss – Drums/Vox
“An impressive musical and technical feat from start to finish. The opening track, “The Vision That I Can See,” is a jaw-dropping epic that really showcases the prowess of this band” – Baked Shrimp ‘Bubble Suit’
“Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts” was released March 12, and is the single off of Baked Shrimp‘s second studio album Conscious, set for release on March 26th, 2021. The new single features Nick Rufolo on saxophone, trumpet, and keyboards. The track also features Jager Soss on percussion.
March Madness 2021 Lark Hall Region: Albany’s mid-size music venue.
Organ Fairchild – Buffalo, New York.
Joe Bellanti – organ, keys – Corey Kertzie – drums – Dave Ruch – guitar
Organ Fairchild is a musical party that won’t quit. Take your old-school organ trio (organ, guitar and drums), add dance-heavy grooves and adventurous jamming, and shake vigorously. Enjoy all night long.
“Jan. 2021 marks the release of single, “Seepin’,” from long-time Buffalo jam band veterans Organ Fairchild. Members have a history on the jam scene dating back 40 years.”
LISTEN to Organ Fairchild’s debut single below, from the forthcoming May 2021 album release! Mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive.
Don’t forget about our amazing sponsors:
Central New York promoters Creative Concertsbring together fans at venues, stretching from Albany to Rochester and Syracuse to Utica. Lark Hall is the soon to open mid-sized venue in Albany that will host bands of all sizes, events and more. If you need to market your show, event, band or brand, Rochester’s Balbert Marketing has you covered. Need merchandise? Homegrown Eastern New York’s 518 Prints makes quality goods for local, regional and national bands or tours. High Peaks Event Production is a team with years of experience, aiding in all your stage, lighting and sound demands.JamCast proves high quality streams for bands, podcasts and much more. Between these companies, bands will find a great deal of what they need, and support businesses from across New York and the Northeast.
Our last installment hooked your ears. This one will sink its teeth. New York State bands are in bloom, and you are (still) here to discover. While halftime has come and gone, the tunes are still raging from last week’s round three, where we exposed each bands sound.
Now its time for NYS Music to lay it out for you, see what our Sweet 16 winners have been up to, and play a game of old school, heads-up, one-on-one.
Yet music discovery – the deeply subjective process of sifting through everything out there to find new audio candy – has never been harder. Quite frankly… the process of music discovery really sucks. Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness bracket to showcase some of the hardworking, up-and-coming musical talent in the Empire State.
Central New York promoters Creative Concertsbring together fans at venues, stretching from Albany to Rochester and Syracuse to Utica. Lark Hall is the soon to open mid-sized venue in Albany that will host bands of all sizes, events and more. If you need to market your show, event, band or brand, Rochester’s Balbert Marketing has you covered. Need merchandise? Homegrown Eastern New York’s 518 Prints makes quality goods for local, regional and national bands or tours. High Peaks Event Production is a team with years of experience, aiding in all your stage, lighting and sound demands.JamCast proves high quality streams for bands, podcasts and much more. Between these companies, bands will find a great deal of what they need, and support businesses from across New York and the Northeast.
NOTE: Make sure you vote in ALL matchups for each region. And Vote once per device, duplicate votes will not be counted.
One of Rochester NY’s hottest bands blending the Blues with Garage Rock
“The gritty song features staple driving guitar riffs that the Pennies are known and loved for. It’s a more aggressive song…fueled by the times in which we are living. The video gives fans an opportunity to follow along to the lyrics. Learn those words, because when live music resumes and The Dirty Pennies can play live, this is an anthem we’ll want to sing along to.” Video Premiere: ‘I’m Your Man’
(A. you get to discover new music the old fashion way, using your brain and (B. there are all sorts of gems, like this badass music video from Rochester’s own The Dirty Pennies – a little bit of surf rock, a little bit of gritty Americana.
Collectively, we’re a musical representation of the sounds floating around in our heads. We use the instruments of our ancestors, but play music of our time” – Co-founder Eric Munley (mandolin, vocals).
“After harnessing the rawness of traditional bluegrass instrumentation, the band has taken the genre into an entire new dimension. The fast-fingered, high energy, cohesive group explores their live performance with an element of improvisation, gaining energy from their audience.” Blind Owl Band Host a Halloween Bash
https://youtu.be/zijC6QdIomY
Elite 8 Polls are now CLOSED. Final 4 voting will BEGIN on Sunday, March 21 at 8:00am!
“On this classic Black Sabbath tune. Sarah King adds to the field of great artists who have brought a twist on this brilliant anti-war song.Sarah King’s acoustic rendition is chilling, and cuts to core of the song, a treatment so honest and pure that it is as powerful as the original.” Pete Mason on Sarah King
And now you're greeted by a day you knew would come
Staring down everything we both know you done
And I can only be good for so long
You done me so wrong
You're not worth the whisky
Chanda Dewey – drums* – Eddie Hotaling – Guitar* – Jeff Picarazzi – bass* – Greg Pittz – lead guitar* (*vocals)
If you aren’t into songs long songs, Glass Pony might not be the band for you; about half of their songs hit in the 8-10 minute mark and take their time to get in the groove with long intros and outros. Their second song on the album, “Swing That Maximus” has a full two-minute instrumental intro.
With tempo changes up the wazoo throwing the listener from dance beats that make you want to get up and boogie, to slow sections you would barely move your body, they are definitely the type of band you can let loose to live or shamelessly-groove-to on your daily commute. Glass Pony brings you out of the mundane with some chaotic, yet systematic rhythms and beats that make Glass Pony one of a kind.
These four young men, Bryan Davies on tenor banjo, guitar, wash tub, bass, and vocals; Tim Slusarcyzk on upright bass, harp, and vocals; Ben carrier on guitar, mandolin, harp, 5 string banjo, and vocals; and Chris Taylor on Gatling harps, mouth harp, harmonica in a beer can (yes you read that correctly) and vocals bring something unique with their bluegrass, Americana sound.
Playing a mix of original music, such as “Over You Darlin” and “Am I Best” along with some all time favorite covers such as “Stuck In the Middle With You” by Stellars Wheel, they had the crowd wound up and ready for their day long of music and fun. – RSC at Oak Mountain Bluegrass
Joe Bellanti – organ, keys – Corey Kertzie – drums – Dave Ruch – guitar
Organ Fairchild is a musical party that won’t quit. Take your old-school organ trio (organ, guitar and drums), add dance-heavy grooves and adventurous jamming, and shake vigorously. Enjoy all night long.
“Jan. 2021 marks the release of single, “Seepin’,” from long-time Buffalo jam band veterans Organ Fairchild. Members have a history on the jam scene dating back 40 years.” Debut Single”Seepin”
LISTEN to Organ Fairchild’s debut single, from the forthcoming May 2021 album release! Mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive.
Elite 8 Polls are now CLOSED. Final 4 voting will BEGIN on Sunday, March 21 at 8:00am!
Jared Cowen – Guitar/Vox – Scott Reill – Bass/Vox – Jager Soss – Drums/Vox
“An impressive musical and technical feat from start to finish. The opening track, “The Vision That I Can See,” is a jaw-dropping epic that really showcases the prowess of this band” – Baked Shrimp ‘Bubble Suit’
“Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts” was released March 12, and is the single off of Baked Shrimp’s second studio album Conscious, set for release on March 26th, 2021. The new single features Nick Rufolo on saxophone, trumpet, and keyboards. The track also features Jager Soss on percussion.
“But before you close your eyes and float away, the band changes things up, shaking the listener from the dream state. On “Donye Wump,” Cadley (drums) turns the tempo up and brings everyone along.”
“Cantrips is an old Scot word that basically means a magical spell of any kind” says Jonas Reddy-Nicholson (keyboards, vocals) when asked about the meaning of the name. He goes on to say, “Cantrips is also what they call the type of spells one can cast at any time in the game Dungeons & Dragons.” The band ended up tying the new album thematically to a D&D campaign that they played together.
And play together, they do. Stylistically they fit snugly into the jam genre.
Elite 8 Polls are now CLOSED. Final 4 voting will BEGIN on Sunday, March 21 at 8:00am!
Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness bracket delving into the musical harbors of our great state. As fans and musicians ourselves, we spotlight the great talent across New York in friendly competition and discovery. Its furry never looses sight of the underdog, a headliner’s humble beginnings, new musical discovery and rolling with the punches in our ever-changing industry.
Put on your rock n’ roll tiaras as we begin to crack these bands open at the seams. NYS Music’s March Madness 2021 Sweet 16 will be your one-stop-shop for audio playlists. Not only will the series feature snippets from NYS’ Hearing Aide’s and reviews, but also spotlight each artists music. Turn on, tune in, go vote, and let records spin.
Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness bracket delving into the musical harbors of our great state. As fans and musicians ourselves, we spotlight the great talent across New York in friendly competition and discovery. Its furry never looses sight of the underdog, a headliner’s humble beginnings, new musical discovery and rolling with the punches in our ever-changing industry.
“Vocals bring something unique with their bluegrass, Americana sound. Playing a mix of original music, “Stuck In the Middle With You” by Stellars Wheel, they had the crowd wound up.” – RSC at Oak Mountain Bluegrass
“This recording session was among the most rewarding and creatively fulfilling projects I’ve ever been a part of – self producing these tracks has the band energized and excited for more!” Adam Bronstein, Intrepid Travelers
“Jan. 2021 marks the release of single, “Seepin’,” from long-time Buffalo jam band veterans Organ Fairchild. Members have a history on the jam scene dating back 40 years.” Debut Single”Seepin”
“Laying down funky New Orleans-style street beats across the United States and Canada. Formed in 2014 at the University at Buffalo, The Brass Machine provides a unique blend of hip hop, funk, and R&B, all in an infectious and energetic package.”
Sweet 16Polls are now CLOSED.Round 4 voting will BEGIN on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:00am !
“On this classic Black Sabbath tune. Sarah King adds to the field of great artists who have brought a twist on this brilliant anti-war song.Sarah King’s acoustic rendition is chilling, and cuts to core of the song, a treatment so honest and pure that it is as powerful as the original.” Pete Mason on Sarah King
“They pull inspiration from Son Volt, Wilco, Neil Young and other heavy hitters of the sixties folk-rock genre. Not many aspiring musicians make music like this anymore. Harmonic Dirt delivers that.” – Hearing Aide: ‘Anthracite’
This was just released Feb. 5, 2021, but their last album, Live At The Ridge, was named Best Americana Album of 2020 by Syracuse Area Music Awards.
“Swing That Maximus” has a full two-minute instrumental intro. With tempo changes up the wazoo throwing the listener from dance-y beats that make you want to get up and boogie, to slow sections you would barely move.” Hearing Aide: Glass Pony ‘Glass Pony’
“The harp has been known since antiquity in Asia, Africa and Europe, early as 3000 BCE. ‘Learning Live Dead was really fun and difficult, we rehearsed like twice a week for a month because we really wanted to play through like the record with no stops,’” Mikaela Davis.
Sweet 16Polls are now CLOSED.Round 4 voting will BEGIN on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:00am !
“The psychedelic rock band with a heavy blues bent delivers heady grooves laden with symbolic imagery. It’s the kind of music that is best heard live – but if not live, then on a turntable in a room with curtains drawn and incense burning.”
King Buffalo is Releasing three albums for 2021. Repeat: Three. And, it needs to be said, to take the place, momentum-wise, of touring.
“The gritty song features staple driving guitar riffs that the Pennies are known and loved for. It’s a more aggressive song…fueled by the times in which we are living. The video gives fans an opportunity to follow along to the lyrics. Learn those words, because when live music resumes and The Dirty Pennies can play live, this is an anthem we’ll want to sing along to.” Video Premiere: ‘I’m Your Man’
“After harnessing the rawness of traditional bluegrass instrumentation, the band has taken the genre into an entire new dimension. The fast-fingered, high energy, cohesive group explores their live performance with an element of improvisation, gaining energy from their audience.” Blind Owl Band Host a Halloween Bash
“At the intersection of Rock, Reggae, Funk, Blues and Jam written with a conscious dose of positive vibes, unique melodies and down to earth lyrics. The innate ability to fill an entire night with original music or cover in their signature style, fans share extraordinary experiences that can’t be seen anywhere else.” The Palace Sessions
“An impressive musical and technical feat from start to finish. The opening track, “The Vision That I Can See,” is a jaw-dropping epic that really showcases the prowess of this band” – Baked Shrimp ‘Bubble Suit’
Stay tuned for an update of Baked Shrimp’s new single release this Friday, off their upcoming album, Conscious.
“New York City’s post-punk, pop outfit, The Goodnight Darlings, are cutting edge. Bred from the William Faulkner quote ‘murder your darlings,’ nothing stands on safe ground. At any moment an explosion of creative energy, or sound, propels the band into an epic dance-rock performance on stage. “
“With the glam of a fairytale princess, frontwoman, Kat Auster, commands the stage instantaneously while her counterpart, Wilson Jaramillo stretches the soundscapes of rock guitar. Bonded by The Goodnight Darlings, and marriage, Auster and Jaramillo are one anothers’ creative spark.” – The Goodnight Darlings
“But before you close your eyes and float away, the band changes things up, shaking the listener from the dream state. On “Donye Wump,” Cadley (drums) turns the tempo up and brings everyone along.” Vaporeyes ‘Cantrips’
Vaporeyes’ new album, CANTRIPS, out now!
“His inspiration came from his 4-year-old daughter during a hike when he saw her look to the sky and blow a kiss. She was blowing a kiss to the future. That accidental yet wholesome moment resulted in the song’s creation in 15 minutes… The song is the first step towards Slevin’s solo career after fronting Brooklyn’s artpop group, The Color Bars. Slevin aims to do different and new things with every creation resulting in the band exploring vocals, art and instruments.” Gerald Slevin Begins Solo Journey
Sweet 16Polls are now CLOSED.Round 4 voting will BEGIN on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:00am !
Don’t forget about our amazing sponsors:
Central New York promoters Creative Concertsbring together fans at venues, stretching from Albany to Rochester and Syracuse to Utica. Lark Hall is the soon to open mid-sized venue in Albany that will host bands of all sizes, events and more. If you need to market your show, event, band or brand, Rochester’s Balbert Marketing has you covered. Need merchandise? Homegrown Eastern New York’s 518 Prints makes quality goods for local, regional and national bands or tours. High Peaks Event Production is a team with years of experience, aiding in all your stage, lighting and sound demands.JamCast proves high quality streams for bands, podcasts and much more. Between these companies, bands will find a great deal of what they need, and support businesses from across New York and the Northeast.
We’re also proud to present a bracket designed by the good folks at Wook+ Media, who have been keeping brackets going strong throughout the year, with unique topics and incredibly artistic designs. Check out the Round 2 graphic below:
