The long-running Peach Music Festival has returned with its official 2022 lineup. The four day festival will run from June 30 to July 3 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA, with a number of performances to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Headliners for the festival include Trey Anastasio Band, The Black Crowes, Billy Strings and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. They will be joined by acts like The Revivalists, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Duane Betts, Ripe, The Wailers, The Motet, Star Kitchen and many more. There will also be a reunion of The Word featuring Robert Randolph, John Medeski, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew. Additional artists will continue to be announced.
Goose Performing in 2019
After initially starting as the first-ever Allman Brothers Band-inspired festival back in 2012, Peach Music Festival has evolved into a one of a kind experience for all music lovers. Continuing with the Allman Brothers Band inspiration, there will also be performances from founding member Jaimoe performing with friends that includes Daniel Donato, Dylan Niederaurer, Jack Ryan, Lamar Williams Jr., Nikki Glaspie, Peter Levi and Roosevelt Collier to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their seminal album Eat A Peach.
The high energy music fest also has food and craft vendors, along with access to the Montage Mountain Ski Resort’s water park, zip line and ski lift rides. Tickets and travel packages, as well as camping, glamping tent and RV passes are available on the Peach Music Festival website.
The New York Youth Symphony have worked throughout the pandemic to create their first studio recording, set to release on April 8th. The recording features four pieces by Florence Price, Valerie Coleman and Jessie Montgomery.
The New York Youth Symphony has achieved something remarkable by creating and releasing their first studio recording. It features a number of member premieres, as well as work from three talented Black women composers. Recorded in the midst of the pandemic at the DiMenna Center in Manhattan, the orchestra had to be socially distanced, with one section recording at a time. The set up was created by Grammy winning producer, Judith Sherman.
A majority of the recording centers itself around different aspects of the Black experience. Price’s pieces blend African American folk with the European Romantic tradition she was trained in. Coleman transformed a simple song meant for a women’s chorus into an orchestral piece while maintaining the feel of a traditional drum circle. NYYS alum, Montgomery drew inspiration from MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech to create her piece, ‘Soul Force’.
The symphony is made up of some of the most talented young musicians available, ranging from ages 12 to 22. While focus is on the performance aspect of the orchestra, at its’ core, the NYYS is here to contribute to the musical education of young musicians. Executive Director, Shauna Quill cites the recording process as “an important and invaluable skill” for students to learn.
“We put a lot of thought and energy into creating a special project that NYYS students could accomplish during this difficult time. I couldn’t be prouder to have led this amazing orchestra in these performances, and for the resiliency of the students who always play at such a high level and with incredible spirit.”
Conductor Michael Repper
In addition to the new release, NYYS will be returning to the stage with performances at Dizzy’s Club on 3/7, Carnegie Hall on 3/13, Scandinavia House on 5/4 and the Times Center on 5/9. More information can be found here.
The Lumineers have returned with their “BRIGHTSIDE” 2022 World Tour. The extensive tour begins May 18th and features special guests James Bay, Caamp, Gregory Alan Isakov and Daniel Rodriguez.
The tour follows the release of the band’s fourth studio album of the same name, available now on all streaming platforms. The Grammy nominated album was produced by longtime collaborator Simone Felice and engineered by David Baron during winter and spring of 2021 at Sun Mountain Studios.
The band was credited with creating the world’s first climate positive tour back in 2020 and have continued this trend by collaborating with the environmental non profit REVERB to make the BRIGHTSIDE tour climate positive as well. The nonprofit has collaborated with a number of artists and bands to reduce environmental impact including Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Dave Matthews Band and Tame Impala.
General ticket sales start on 2/18 at 10 AM. Advanced ticket purchasing starts 2/14 for select club and Citi card members. Ticket bundles and premium packages are also available. For complete ticket information, visit The Lumineers website.
The Lumineers 2022 Tour Dates
5/18 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
5/20 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheater
5/21 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
5/24 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park
5/25 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
5/27 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC
5/28 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
5/29 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
6/1 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
6/3 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
6/4 – Camden, NJ – Waterfront Music Pavilion
6/7 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
6/8 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
6/10 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
6/11 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
6/14 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
6/15 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
On February 12th, The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance will be presenting a performance of “2x2x4” at Krause Recital Hall. The experimental dance and music collaboration brings together dancer Charles Dennis and musician Sal Cataldi, otherwise known as Spaghetti Eastern Music.
Sal Cataldi
During “2x2x4”, the duo will captivate audiences with their use of wooden 2×4’s, carefully building, destroying and creating landscapes for Dennis to dance through. This year’s performance will coincide with the exhibition “For the Love of Wood”, a group show with Eric Baylin and Bo Stevens.
Dennis, an interdisciplinary artist with many talents, has been an active participant in downtown NY dance and performance for many years. He has also cofounded Performance Space 122, one of the country’s most active presenters of new dance, along with creating and performing in several of its performances.
Charles Dennis
Cataldi, a Saugerties and NYC based multi-instrumentalist, is responsible for the creation of Spaghetti Eastern Music. This solo project takes musical notes from krautrock and jazz, which results in a sound that only Cataldi is capable of making. His live score for “2x2x4” has recently been released on Bad Egg Records.
This event is produced in cooperation with the NY State Council on the Arts and is a centerpiece of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance’s annual Salon Series. This year’s series focuses on the concept of creative construction and will be presented in person, as well as live streamed on the DVAA Facebook page.
Capacity for this event is limited so advanced registration will be required. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is needed for attendance, as well as masks. Registration and more information can be found here.
The South Bronx non profit Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation, has recently received a $2.5 million grant to finish construction of the Bronx Music Hall. The grant was awarded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The state of the art facility is 14,000 sq. ft. and will be the first music venue built in the borough in more than half a century. It is located on 438 East 163rd Street within WHEDco’s newest affordable housing development, Bronx Commons. The venue is currently capable of 250 occupants, and also contains a green room, studio, classroom and a lobby to host additional events. The Bronx Music Hall is capable of serving 20,000 in person audience members, post pandemic.
Davon Russell, president of WHEDco, cites the new venue as a “community cultural asset” that will respond to historic inequities that the borough has experienced through the decades. It will also help to bring funds to the borough, and greater NYC area to assist in its economic recovery.
Historians documented each wave of immigrants who settled in the Bronx spanning more than a century. The traditions and rhythms they carried have endured and inspired new generations and new forms of music. Inside and out, the Bronx Music Hall was designed to reflect and showcase today’s diverse contemporary culture
Nancy Biberman, WHEDco Founder and President Emerita.
The Mellon Foundation funding will allow for completion of the main elements within the music hall, including back end lighting, rigging and audio control, as well as cosmetic additions and necessary audience seating.
The Bronx Music Hall is scheduled to open later this year. For more information, visit the Bronx Music website. More information about the WHEDco organization can be found here.
The Egg has started their search for a new executive director as long time head, Peter Lesser, steps away. Since starting in August 2000, Lesser has brought together a wide variety of entertainment, from musical performances to comedy shows.
Peter Lesser in front of The Egg, October 2000. Photo by Paul Buckowski for Times Union.
Over the span of almost 22 years, Lesser has worked tirelessly to provide the Capital Region with culture and entertainment from around the world. Before the pandemic caused theaters to close, the venue hosted over 200 events each year. He has helped The Egg overcome a number of challenges, including security issues after 9/11, reductions in state funding and competition from other venues.
Prior to taking over at The Egg, Lesser served as executive director of Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy from 1992 to 2000.
In addition to expanding the music, dance and family programming, Lesser has also been instrumental in creating special projects that focus on developing a statewide performing arts presenter network, commissioning new work and community outreach.
These initiatives have elevated The Egg’s stature as an invaluable cultural asset for the Capital Region and the State of New York, and I am appreciative of the Board’s support as we have worked to enhance our mission and achieve our goals.
Peter Lesser
Lesser’s love for The Egg is evident as he leaves behind not only a legacy, but the tools necessary for the continuation of programming at the venue. The strong foundation he helped to build will spur future administrations on for decades.
In a letter to the Board of Directors, Lesser explains that he is relocating to spend more time with his family, but he will continue to work with The Egg remotely until a candidate has been chosen and transitioned in. Applications for the position are being accepted through February. The job description and information on the application process can be found here.
Christian Parker, a country artist from Canton, NY, marks his return with the new album, Every Passing Mile, a 13 track record inspired by Parker’s vision for the future.
The country record is packed with soothing songs, with themes ranging from fear of the unknown to hope for a pleasant future. Originally inspired by the effects of the pandemic, the attention grabbing opener, ‘Cast a Line’ showcases the full potential of this album and draws listeners in. Parker created this track with help from longtime friend and mentor, Peter Pendras.
The final line of the song, “Cast a line when a star falls in the sky, there’s no need to cry, cause it’s falling,” represents finding hope in a desperate situation.
Christian Parker
Other stand out tracks include ‘Fire With Fire’ and ‘This Time’. Both songs feature a consistent guitar as their foundations, along with Parker’s signature airy vocals. The sentimental ideas of peace and learning from past mistakes leaves listeners feeling energized and hopeful for their own futures.
A majority of the album was written by Parker, but he still had the chance to collaborate with other seasoned performers like Phil Hurley, founding member of Gigolo Aunts, Lisa Loeb and even Fountains of Wayne. Hurley contributed backing vocals, as well as guitar tracks. All of these contributions led to the creation of a unique country-pop experience.
While working on the creation of his unreleased album Best Kept Secret, Parker came to realize that he had more than enough material to make a separate album. Best Kept Secret is scheduled for release in June 2022.
Every Passing Mile was co-produced by Ron Keck and mastered by Larry Lachman of Kevorkian Mastering in NYC. The album is available on all streaming platforms and can be purchased here.
Key Tracks: Cast a Line, Fire with Fire, This Time
Rochester trio False Pockets have returned with their new single ‘Quarter Life Crisis Diapers’, off their upcoming album, Selfish Prophecies. The album, out February 18th, features more of the math rock sound their fans love, along with some new elements.
After celebrating the release, Ben Chesnes and Erik Happ are here to share some behind the scenes of how it all came together.
Kamra Wint : So, the new single just came out, congrats! How do you guys feel about it?
Ben Chesnes : We’ve been listening to these for a while, so it’s nice that others can hear it, for sure.
Erik Happ : It’s nice that it’s finally out, we don’t have to be in the processing stage anymore.
KW: When did the band start writing and coming up with the idea for ‘Quarter Life Crisis Diapers’?
EH : Almost two years ago. During quarantine, we all got together and started making music.
BC : I think one of the riffs in this song was one of the first things [Erik] sent me for the new album.
KW : What made you guys want to release ‘Quarter Life Crisis Diapers’ as your first single?
EH : I think, as a band, we all mutually agreed that it was the best one.
BC : There’s a bunch of catchy parts in it, and some of the other songs on the album are a little more long winded.
KW : How did you guys get together? How did you all find each other?
BC : Erik and I originally met at FLCC because we were both studying audio technology, but we didn’t start playing music until years after.
EH : I think it was Fall 2018, I was wearing a Caddywhompus shirt and Ben was like “yo, nice shirt!”. I was like “we should really play some music together sometime.” I had just moved out here, and had nobody to play with so I was down.
KW : Zach is your third member right? How did you guys meet him?
EH : We were looking for a bassist, so I asked my friend, who was an Eastman Kid [Eastman School of Music], if he knew anyone and he suggested Zach. I just got lucky finding the right people.
KW : So what do you guys have in mind for the future? What are you thinking of?
BC : Well, I feel like our writing process is generally more like Erik coming up with the starting points and then we get together and kind of work it out. We honestly don’t have much written for our next leap, I feel like we wanted to sit with this one for a little bit.
EH : We have a bunch of stuff actually. We have like three songs in form and then a bunch of little ideas. I’m hoping to stray away from writing every single thing, and have us just like get into a room and just come up with ideas collectively.
BC : I think this album definitely has a lot more of that though. Our first EP that we came out with in 2019 was more older stuff that Erik had written and this album that we’re coming out with soon is more collective.
The math rock group has even more in store for their fans, with an upcoming New Paltz show in March and another show in Brooklyn. The future is very bright for False Pockets.
‘Quarter Life Crisis Diapers’ is available on all streaming platforms and more information can be found on the band’s website.
Dave Matthews Band has announced its 2022 North American summer tour, with over 40 dates including Jones Beach, Bethel Woods and a two night stand at the SPAC in Saratoga Springs.
Over the years, Dave Matthews Band has contributed to many charity and fundraising campaigns, including the Nature Conservancy’s “Plant a Billion Trees” campaign, and more. This year, they will be partnering with Reverb to neutralize carbon emissions associated with band and fan travel. This work will ensure a climate positive tour, and minimize their environmental footprint.
Concertgoers can also contribute to the Nature Conservancy’s efforts by adding an optional $2 to their concert ticket purchase. This contribution will lead to the planting of more trees by the Nature Conservancy. For more information, visit DMB Trees.
On Friday evenings during the tour, fans will be able to tune into DMB radio on SiriusXM–Channel 30. The channel will be broadcasting the group’s “Friday Night Concert Series” each week.
NYC singer-songwriter Miles Francis is here to bring back old memories with their new single, ‘Let Me Cry,’ from their upcoming album Good Man, out March 4th. The album covers the topics of masculinity and Francis’s own struggles with identity.
Produced by Francis over quarantine and recorded in the basement of their Greenwich Village building, the single plays into emotions we’ve all had at one point or another. During the creation of the album, Francis came out as non-binary, which resulted in a deeper dive into the ideas of masculinity and all it entails.
Along with this self revelation came the desire to help others, with Francis assisting organizers during the height of NYC’s Black Lives Matter protests. They played the drums during marches as a way to help organizers keep beat and also helped to found New York-Based collective Musicians United. They plan on continuing their activism efforts by organizing a benefit concert for Trans housing in April.
“Everyone starts from the same place, regardless of gender. As children, we let our emotions go, uninhibited and in touch with our vulnerabilities. As we age, we go through a ‘boxing in’ by family or society – unless we can break out.”
Miles Francis
The one-shot music video utilizes the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the method of improvisation to perfectly mirror Francis’s inner feelings. Inspiration for the project was drawn from greats like Prince, David Bowie and the early 2000’s boy bands Francis had listened to in their childhood. Actor Jim Carrey and artist Marcel Duchamp have also impacted Francis’s work.
Good Man Album Cover
The single is available on all streaming platforms and the music video is available to watch on the Miles Francis youtube channel. Pre-order for Good Man as well as its’ vinyl and cassette forms are available here. Check out photos from Miles’ show at Baby’s All Right in October 2021.
