NYS Music 202​2

Author: rachel burton

  • King Vagabond Releases New Single, “Rule The World”

    New York’s entirely independent alt-pop, King Vagabond released their debut single on a platform that helps to build a kingdom for the queerdos with their brand new single “Rule The World” along with music video which premiered on March 27th.

    Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic while the world seemed to be falling apart, King Vagabond looked thoroughly for a long time into a different path that could help them to create a natural flow of creative subconscious which led to the creation of their debut single.

    “That’s what ‘Rule the World’ is all about. It asks listeners to unsheathe their swords—the ‘weapons’ they keep hidden—and lean into them hard. Only after you face, love, and own every part of yourself can you become the ruler of your world.”

    -Joey Dean

    The duo behind King Vagabond are familiar with the NY area since Joey Dean (vocalist) is from Hudson Valley and Niko Vaude (producer and guitarist) is from Queens. The inspiration to create the duo came after their previous band of seven years that ended at the start of the pandemic which as a result created King Vagabond. King Vagabond mission is to help build a kingdom for those wandering the shadows, searching for light. Before the creation of the group, they have performed with massive pop artists like Shawn Mendes, Charli XCX, and Todrick Hall, and festivals such as Vans Warped Tour.

    The single, “Rule The World” comes from 80s-inspired synths with gritty guitar leads. A queer misfit and a catholic Egyptian-American became a turned rockstar tells a tale of poetic triumph with their songs to create an alternative sound introduced into pop and electronic.

  • Watch Sy Ari Da Kid and Jadakiss Team Up For “Unbreakable Promises”

    The Bronx-bred rapper/singer Sy Ari Da Kid released his newest debut album, The Shadow In The Shade which features multiple artist throughout the album. Sy Ari Da Kid features Yonkers hip-hop icon Jadakiss on the album with track, “Unbreakable Promises” along with recently released music video.

    Sy Ari Da Kid and Jadakiss met up in Virginia to shoot the music video for “Unbreakable Promises” that would celebrate their success while also shedding light onto the hurdles they faced with the soulful track produced by Vtng Jag.

    The new album, “The Shadow In The Shade” appeared on New Music Friday select playlists by XXL, Brooklyn Vegan, and Essence. A variety of artists are showcased on the debut album that helped Sy Ari Da Kid bring his project to life, artists like Jadakiss, T.I.. Benny The Butcher, Big K.R.I.T., Trouble, Lloyd Banks, Ransom, Mickey Factz, Cyhi The Prynce, Shawn Ellery, JR Writer, Raekwon and Bumpy Knuckles are featured on the tracklist.

     “Some rappers sprint to the tape but Sy is running a marathon with no finish line in sight. He just keeps going.”

    -RapReviews

    Growing up between the Bronx and Atlanta, he quickly started his career right after high school and became a battle rapper. Working on numerous of other projects throughout his career such as Alone but Not Lonely, S.O.O.N, Better Safe Than Sy Ari and others, which led to him releasing his own that he had in the works for long time for his rap fans.

    The album consists of 21 tracks with brazen but vulnerable lyrics that allows for fans to connect and relate with. Sy Ari Da Kid’s sound is versatile which ultimately makes his fans equally crave his deep hip hop cuts and his continue uphill climb will keep his fan wondering what will be next for him.

  • Le Big Zero Releases Third Single “Coda” Off Upcoming Album ‘A Proper Mess’

    Brooklyn-based band Le Big Zero released their third single, “Coda,” off the anticipated album A Proper Mess that is set for release on April 8, 2022.

    The forthcoming album is filled with a high-energy cocktail of garage rock and off-kilter punk. Le Big Zero’s previous album was released back in 2019 called Ollie Oxen Free. Since the prior album, Michael Pasuit and Carolina Aguilar the vocalists of the band continued to explore the humorous energy of monotony and anxiety in the modern age for the new album.

    The new album gives the outlook of uncertainty of a messy love-letter and the ability to just keep moving forward. The third single, “Coda” comes from the story of Michael Pasuit’s previous band, X-Ray Press’s discarded track with correspondence to band breakups such as Fleetwood Mac, the Clash, or Oasis.

    With “Coda” we were looking to create a live band concept that didn’t take place in a traditional venue and had a bit of a playful vibe. The creative process for the video was pretty collaborative with Michael and I sharing ideas back and forth before landing on the final concept of Le Big Zero playing their hearts out for an underwhelmed kid.

    -Jeanette D Moses (Music Video Director)

    Le Big Zero’s second album is a blend of ’90s garage rock with a twist of poppy structures. The band was originally founded by Michael Pasuit (vocalist and guitarist) and later Carolina Aguilar joined him an additional vocalist.

    Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, the band began recording the new album. The tracks on the album are paired together, fo example the first two singles that have been released “Horror Movie Pie Fight” and “Beach Seance” both give a sense of absurdity and abstraction. The uniqueness of the album, “A Proper Mess” offers an edge that can’t be broken down.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIwBQRoYnRQ

  • Carly Pearce Gives a Heartfelt Performance At The Egg

    After winning female artists of the year at the American Country Music Awards this past month, Carly Pearce headed to Albany to perform at The Egg to give a heartfelt and award-winning performance on Friday, March 18.

    Hannah Ellis opened up the show with her guitarist Kevin Monahan where they sang her first hit single “US” and a cover of The Band Perry’s fire starting song, “Better Dig Two” which got the crowd stopping their feet back to their southern roots while singing along. The set list consisted of nine songs with three being covers.

    Carly Pearce, left and Hannah Ellis, right

    The lights dimmed low while the fog began to emerge out onto the stage and just when Carly’s band finished setting up, she strutted onto the stage in her vibrant red outfit and glitter boots. Without hesitation she opened up her show with the first song off her current album 29: Written In Stone, “Diamondback.”

    The songs were uplifting everyone in their own way. As you looked around the venue you could see the hand on the heart swaying motion and the hand in the air emphasizing the heartbreaking words Carly sang that touched the individual. Heading into the fourth song on her 29 album she paused to explain to the crowd the meaning behind her album and how the order of the songs were intentional in order to tell the story of her life.

    Halfway through the show it was time for the track named after the album “29” and this was where the crowd began showing its vulnerability and intimacy. As Carly explained the meaning behind the song and how she came from a line of very strong women in her family, so she didn’t want to shy away from the truth and embarrassment she felt during the emotional year of her marriage. A women in the crowd made a cheers to all the women in the room prior to the start of the song and everyone followed her as well as Carly.

    There was an instant connection with this shows crowd and Carly Pearce. She brought two girls to the stage who held a sign up about their troubles and Carly didn’t let them go unnoticed or unheard as she talked to them on the stage about the struggles a lot of women face.

    As the last song of the show began to be strummed and the cords of “Every Little Thing” began, the crowd stood up and swayed along feeling every soft lyric Carly sang. All a sudden at the half way mark of the heartfelt song they stopped and switch the beat to “Hide The Wine” a song from her first album that led to the crowd to begin jumping up in down at their seats to the all too familiar girl power song.

    Waving goodbye to her fans as they stood and cheered for her, Carly left everyone with an adreanline rush. As the fans headed out of the venue the singing didn’t stop, a few women walked down the stairway singing the last song “Hide The Wine” lyrics and cheering.

  • The Dust Devil Band Announce First Live Concert of 2022 at Unity Hall

    A long-time favorite of local music fans and supporters of Unity Hall, The Dust Devil Band returns to Unity Hall for their first live concert of 2022 on Saturday, April 2nd at 8pm.

    The Dust Devil Band is a part of Central New York’s musical history for their music scene from the 70s and 80s. The band’s style originated from the Waylon and Willie genre of Outlaw Country Music and later adopted style of a southern rock, blues, Americana and alternative country sound.

    The band consist of George Deveny (NYS Blues Hall of Fame member) on lead guitar, slide guitar and vocals; Darryl Mattison on drums; George Newton on pedal steel guitar, lap steel and vocals; Dan Porter on bass guitarand vocals; and Ed Rosenburgh on lead vocals, rhythm guitar and harmonica.

    “We have been forced to cancel multiple gigs since March 2020. Being able to finally play live on stage at Unity Hall is a gift. Our last gig there was a virtual concert of New Year’s Eve. That was great, but nothing like having music fans in the audience!”

    -Ed Rosenburgh

    The talented veteran musicians of The Dust Devil Band are longtime fans of Unity Hall’s performance space for them to play at and for the fans to hear live music at.

    Advanced tickets for the concert are available at www.unityhall.com and the Adirondack Cheese Company on Rte 12 in Barneveld. Tickets will also be available at the door. COVID vaccinations required. Masks recommended.

  • The Cast Before the Break Drop New Album, “Where We Are Now” First in 10 years

    After 10 years, quintet The Cast Before the Break, who began their career tracking at a Connecticut-based studio on Red Cedar Lake is back with their finished album, Where We Are Now.

    The Cast Before the Break

    The five members of the post-rock band, The Cast Before the Break formed in college in Upstate New York back in 2007. Four years later in 2011, the band signed with Deep Elm Records who helped to re-release As Your Shoulders Turn On You.

    The 10 year anniversary of their album Still that released in 2011 and the pandemic led to the beginning discussions of the band rekindling to finish the old album.

    Experiencing these past few years of collective loss is a lot of what brought us back to each other. While Where We Are Now deals with some of these same topics, it also exhibits a newfound catharsis. It acknowledges the pain we’ve experienced, but also how far we’ve come.

    Jordan Stewart, guitarist

    The long-awaited third album from The Cast Before the Break will bring back old memories from old listeners and spark the interest of new ones. The album, Where We Are Now brings together the emotions and everything the band had from their first two records, which help create the band’s most dynamic, raw and epic album yet.

  • The Town Pants Announce Final Tour, Buffalo Iron Works show on March 18

    The Canadian Celtic-Folk Rock Band, The Town Pants have announced their final tour as a band with their 25th Anniversary Tour. In March, the band will perform a pair of St. Patrick’s Day shows – on March 17 in Ottawa, Ontario at the Hard Rock Casino on March 17th, and in Buffalo at Buffalo Iron Works on March 18th.

    Town Pants

    The Town Pants were created in 1997 in Vancouver by brothers Duane and Dave Keogh. For the last 25 years the Celtic-Rock Band released eight full length albums, toured Europe five times, headlined major music festivals throughout North America, led three tours of Ireland and Scotland with fans along and now finishing with their 25th Anniversary Celebration Tour for 2022.

    Throughout 2022, the band will return to the regions that have shown tremendous support to the band over the years with their final shows. The band will finish their Anniversary Celebration with a bus tour of Scotland which fans are welcomed to join them on.

    The Town Pants are hosting their online event of the month on March 13th through the platform Side Door Access. Event tickets for all March shows are available by visiting thetownpants.com

    The Town Pants 25th Anniversary Tour Dates:

    3/12: Geneva NY – Smith Opera House

    3/17: Ottawa ON – Hard Rock Casino

    3/18: Buffalo NY – Buffalo Iron Works

  • The 2022 Uncharted Residency and Concert Series at Greenwich House Music School

    The annual Uncharted Residency and Concert Series returns to the Greenwich House Music School for their live and in-person performances from Thursday April 7 to May 12.

    A variety of performances from artists such as Adi Myerson Trio, Michael Mayo, Dana Lyn, Charlie Burnham, and Marika Hughes, Alea, Val-Ince aka Val Jeanty, and Raquel Acevedo Klein and Friends.

    The Uncharted concert series started back in 2014 and has given the opportunity for many New York-based musicians to develop their original material, create new collaborations and perform in an intimate concert setting while giving an inside look into their projects.

    Greenwich Music School looks to teach their students about the beauty and long lasting impact of music, art, dance, and theater. During the pandemic, Greenwich House Music School kept their commitment to their 2020 Uncharted series artists by bringing them back for a series with collaboration with Joe’s Pub with a professionally-produced full-length streaming concerts.

    “Even during the darkest days of the pandemic, GHMS never wavered in its support for local performers. By continuing with our in-person concert performances and on-site residencies, we are thrilled to be moving forward with our commitment to artists and to audiences to showcase and support some of the greatest musicians that New York City has to offer.”

    Rachel Black -Uncharted co-founder

    The artists being showcased in the 2022 Uncharted lineup will be joined by various multi-genre artists who have contribute to the past eight years of the Uncharted series like jazz pianists Aaron Diehl and Dan Tepfer; guitarist Binky Griptite of The Dap-Kings; the founding member of Grammy-award winning Flor de Toloache and many more found on https://www.greenwichhouse.org/music-school/concerts/uncharted/

    Uncharted Residency and Concert Series 2022 Show Dates:

    4/07 – Adi Myerson Trio

    4/14 – Michael Mayo

    4/21 – Dana Lyn, Charlie Burnham, and Marika Hughes

    4/28 – Alea

    5/05 – Val-Inc aka Val Jeanty

    5/12 – Raquel Acevedo Klein and Friend

  • Brooklyn Artist Becca Stevens releases first single “45 Bucks” off upcoming album

    GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Becca Stevens and GRAMMY Award-winning Attacca Quartet announce their collaborate album, Becca Stevens | Attacca Quartet will drop April 22nd. The first song off the collaborative album, “45 Bucks” along with accompanying live performance video are out now.

    Becca Stevens

    The album’s track-list reflects Becca’s journey and growth as an artist. Ready for the challenge, Attacca joined Stevens decade’s worth of music that continues to prove her music capabilities. The tracklist consist of 14 songs with arrangements from Liam Robinson, Bill Stevens (Becca’s brother), Stephen Prutsman, Becca Stevens, William Stevens (Becca’s father), Michael Ippolito, and Nathan Schram.

    The song started as an attempt to ‘take the high road’ by putting frustrations to music rather than escalating a no-win situation with a next-door neighbor, and evolved into an ode to several folks who have let me down throughout my life.

    Becca Stevens

    A Brooklyn-based artist, Stevens established a career back in 2013 with pianist, composer, and conductor Steven Prutsman who sparked the idea of initial string arrangement. The Attacca Quartet is filled with stylistic versatility that arranges perfectly with Becca who’s inspiration comes from pop, jazz, indie-rick, and Appalachian folk music.

    Becca’s 2020 “Wonderbloom” album landed the artist her first GRAMMY-nomination and Attacca’s first GRAMMY Award-win in 2019 with their album “Orange.”

  • Universal Preservation Hall announces Fleetwood Mac Tribute and Ladysmith Black Mambazo Pperformances

    The Seven Wonders – Fleetwood Mac Tribute and Ladysmith Black Mambazo take the stage in Saratoga Springs at the Universal Preservation Hall the first week of March. On Friday, March 4th at 7pm, the The Seven Wonders will perform and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Saturday, March 5th at 7pm.

    The seven premier musicians from Western New York make up the Fleetwood Mac Tribute band, the Seven Wonders who play homage to Fleetwood Mac’s music. The Seven Wonders shows are packed full with liveliness that creates energetic energy and passion into the renditions of the timeless tunes performed by the band.

    The Seven Wonders – Fleetwood Mac Tribute draws fans from all over the region as they continue to have numerous sold out shows with packed venues from now and back to when the band was established in 2017.

    For over 60 years, the uplifting harmonies, the signature dance moves, and the onstage teasing remarks from Ladysmith Black Mambazo has touched the hearts of their audiences tremendously with their message of peace, love, and harmony.

    The group caught the public eye after the late former South African President, Nelson Mandela named the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world.”

    The young farm boy, Joseph from Ladysmith Black Mambazo assembled the group in the early 1960s where he constructed the groups name from familiar things he surrounded himself with. Joseph’s hometown where he grew up was Ladysmith, Black is a reference to the farms strongest animal that was an Oxen and Mambazo being the Zulu word for chopping axe.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCfoyYKUM20

    The Seven Wonders – Fleetwood Mac Tribute, UPH at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4; $20-45 and Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be at UPH at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 5; $35-65. 

    For tickets and information, call the Box Office at Proctors 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday-Friday at
    518-346-6204 or visit https://universalpreservationhall.org