Classical musician turned hip hop producer, Michael Vincent Waller, returns with another entry into his budding catalogue. This latest effort, titled “Oscar,” sees the NYU grad team with frequent collaborator and Good Music artist, Valee. Since dropping his debut project, CLASSIC$, in November, 2021, MVW has not let up. “Oscar” is his one of several singles from the classical producer in anticipation for his second album. His rollout includes the Matt Ox assisted “Check In,” a collaboration with Desiigner, as well as a feature from Detroit rapper, Babyface Ray.
On “Oscar,” MVW’s minimal expressionist style meshes with Valee’s laidback delivery, as he flows his way onto the track. While MVW’s production is laced with his aristocratic sound, Valee juxtaposes it with his own brand of luxury as he raps about the glamours of living the “Oscar” lifestyle.
Yea, but that Mercedez Benz much better for my posture Bad B**** with me, Actress no Oscar.
Valee’s unique set of flows and beat selection have helped him establish a niche fanbase in the luxury rap scene, yet his collaborations with MVW have seen the Chicago native find his perfect pocket. MVW’s relaxed production and Valee’s easygoing style of rap go hand-in-hand. On “Oscar” he rhymes about his cars, trips to luxurious fashion houses and his bank account, all with a devil- may-care attitude. His style isn’t forceful yet makes it mark.
Yeah, definitely noticed that. It happened fast. It started happening, then it happened fast. More and more people. But I guess I’m happy that people noticed it. I didn’t have to call it out.
Celebrating its 11th anniversary, Governors Ball Music Festival took over Flushing, Queens for the weekend of June 10-12, 2022. Returning to Citi Field for a second year, the lineup featured headliners Kid Cudi, Halsey, and J. Cole, as well as a slew of other talented acts across three stages. NYS Music contributors David Reichmann and Joseph Buscarello were on the grounds covering the three day event. Full festival coverage and photo gallery below.
Governors Ball in a Nutshell – Iconic Festival Returns to Citi Field
Each year fans are treated to performances by some of the biggest names in music. The 2021 Festival was headlined by Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky, and Post Malone while other notable acts from included, Rüfüs Du Sol, Future Islands, J Balvin, Megan Thee Stallion, Phoebe Bridgers, and Carly Rae Jepsen. Before the pandemic, Governors Ball was always held on Randall’s Island. It was moved to Citi Field for the first time last year, following 2020’s pandemic-related cancellation. The new festival location offers fans easier accessibility via mass transit; a welcome change for those familiar with traveling to and from the old location.
This year’s production boasted a three-stage setup in the parking lot of Citi Field, dozens of local food and drink vendors, smaller experiential booths, lounge areas, and a space for intimate acoustic sets from artists on the bill. Governors Ball has always highlighted diverse local food vendors that represent the melting pot of New York City. NYC born and family-owned Doughnuttery was at the festival this year serving their iconic, coarsely sugared mini doughnuts and cold brew coffee.
Performances encompassed a wide range of genres across the festival’s three stages, some highlights including: Black Pumas, Jack Harlow, Channel Tres, Flume, Joji, Chelsea Cutler, Playboi Carti, Clairo, Japanese Breakfast and 100 Gecs.
This year’s festival started strong, with a warm and sunny Friday leading up to Grammy Award-winning headliner Kid Cudi’s main stage performance. Fans traveled from both near and far to come to the festival, with one fan telling staff contributor David Reichmann, “I came in from Chicago for the weekend today! I asked around, ‘What’s there to do for a weekend in New York City?’ I saw a post about the festival and bought my ticket!” Other fans came from throughout the Tristate Area and beyond, representing the typical “melting pot” experience New York is known for. The first day ran smoothly, and fans enjoyed dozens of their favorite artists during this action packed weekend event.
Crowd at Governors Ball at Citi Field, Photograph by David Reichmann
Earlier in the day on Friday, the mainstage was dominated by indie rock. Plastic Picnic opened the day, followed by Julia Wolf, New York City native Samia, and Beabadoobee with her indie pop stylings. Over on the GoPuff Stage, punk bands Ultra Q and Aly & AJ kicked off the day before the stage transitioned over to hip-hop and EDM with Channel Tres, Skepta, and Louis The Child. Experimental rap dominated the Bacardí Stage with Coi Leray, Paris Texas and JPEGMAFIA.
About a week before the festival began, Migos announced they would no longer perform and were replaced by Lil’ Wayne. Only a few hours before his set, the festival announced that Weezy would not make it due to “flight delays” and would be replaced by Harlem native A$AP Ferg. Joking with the crowd during his set, A$AP Ferg said he was on his couch when Governors Ball called, asking him to save the day. He did not miss a beat, delivering a fiery performance to a packed crowd eagerly awaiting Kid Cudi.
Black Pumas are a soul and psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas. The group found immediate, worldwide success with their self-titled debut EP released back in 2019. The band has since won three Grammys, including ‘Best New Artist’ in 2020, and ‘Best Rock Album’ in 2022. Only a couple days after their mainstage set at Governors Ball, the group are heading out on a lengthy European tour. Barely a minute into their show, frontman Eric Burton leapt from the very tall stage into the pit, posed for the cameras, and walked the center aisle while singing and greeting fans from the front all the way to the back of the crowd. The future is extremely bright for Black Pumas, whose sophomore record will be one of the most highly anticipated rock albums when it comes to be.
The Bacardi Stage hosted Between Friends, Paris Texas, and Coi Leray before JPEGMAFIA went on to deliver a powerful set. The crowd went wild for each track in his set, and he interacted with them frequently. He joked before playing his song, “BALD!” that he sees “lots of beautiful heads of hair,” but “this one is for the bald” people in the audience. New York founded electronic duo The Knocks delivered the next hour of music before Jack Harlow closed out that day for the stage with massive pyrotechnics.
Jack Harlow at Governors Ball, Photograph by David Reichmann
Channel Tres Continues Meteoric Rise
Hip-hop and house music have a long history of coming together to create dance floor anthems spanning different generations. Channel Tres leverages that relationship and creates a hard-hitting yet cool and laid back sound. Thunderous bass and house beats provide the backdrop for his equable vocal delivery, all while dancing flanked by a crew of backup dancers. Channel Tres has collaborated on songs with the likes of JPEGMAFIA, Tyler, The Creator, Tinashe, and Robyn all while climbing the ranks and becoming more and more popular with each new song he releases.
As the daylight began to fade leading up Kid Cudi’s mainstage set, fans at the Gopuff Stage were treated to a special sunset. The sky glowed red, pink, and orange over the festival as Louis the Child played and fans reveled in both the increasing prominence of the light show and the gorgeous sunset. Fans still enjoyed a few more hours of music even after night fell, but this picturesque sunset came as the perfect way to punctuate a great first day of Governors Ball Music Festival 2022.
Louis The Child Sunset Set, Governors Ball. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
Kid Cudi Plays Classic Hits, A New Single, And A Live Debut
Although there were plenty of great acts spread across the three stages, diehard Kid Cudi fans waited by the mainstage for nearly the entire day, to secure a spot as close to the front as possible. With frequent hydration reminders displayed between sets on the stage screens, security and paramedics onsite worked constantly to distribute free water throughout the festival grounds, focusing on fans who were stuck waiting at the very front of the crowds. Kid Cudi closed out the first night with a powerhouse performance of tracks spanning his expansive Grammy Award Winning, seven-album catalog. His set featured a number of hit singles, deep cuts, pyrotechnic fireballs, and waves of emotion from his devoted fans in attendance.
Kid Cudi has just announced the premiere date for his new Netflix animated series Entergalactic. The show follows the story of a young artist (voiced by Cudi) as he finds love and success in New York City. He also played the new single “Do What I Want,” which saw its official release earlier that day and serves as the lead single for the album accompanying the series. Entergalactic premieres on Netflix later this year on September 30th; no official release date for the album has been set.
His setlist included fan favorite tracks, “Memories (David Guetta cover),” “Mr. Rager,” and “Surfin’.” Cudi brought out King Chip (a.k.a. Chip Tha Rapper) mid-set to join him for a performance of their track, “Just What I Am.” Cudi also treated fans to the live debut of his Travis Scott collaboration “THE SCOTTS.” Kid Cudi closed out the first night of the festival by playing, “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) – Steve Aoki Remix.” You can Listen to his latest single here.
Kid Cudi walked off-stage to a thunderous applause and a fully-satiated fanbase. Now that Governors Ball takes place in the heart of Flushing, fans were able to exit the grounds and hop on the subways, buses and ride shares that awaited them. Local food trucks and vendors were eagerly awaiting the departing crowd, offering an authentic array of the rich Latin food from the neighborhood.
Saturday – Halsey Can’t Resist Playing “Running Up That Hill,” Debuts New Single
The second day of the festival started strong, with another sunny day and some weather reports of minor scattered showers and thunderstorms. Festival staff were on alert in the event of a sudden storm, to maintain crowd safety and all costs, but thankfully only a few light raindrops dared to rain on the festival goers. And the second day went off without a hitch, with numerous excellent acts leading up to Halsey’s incredible and jaw-dropping headlining performance.
The Mainstage featured standout acts, Benee, Tove Lo, and Still Woozy. Tove Lo wished the audience a happy Pride Month during her set, and played a number of her hit tracks, including “Bikini Porn” and “Habits (Stay High)”
There is little NBA legend Shaquille O’Neil is not involved in after retiring from basketball. The CEO of Papa John’s and ubiquitous spokesperson has cultivated a second life and a cult following as a dubstep producer and DJ. DJ Diesel just released “Welcome To The Playhouse,” a collaboration with EDM giant Steve Aoiki, and is curating (and headlining) two weekends of Shaq’s Bass All Stars which features surging names in the underground bass music scene.
It’s hard for a 7 foot NBA hall of famer not to cast a big presence in everyday life, but behind the decks at Governors Ball, DJ Diesel took on an even larger persona with his hard hitting musical style and frequent cries of “where’s my mosh pit” into the microphone. Drawing one of the largest crowds of the weekend on the second stage, DJ Diesel dropped a wide palate of crowd pleasing favorites and underground bangers. Jerseys from the Lakers, Heat, and Magic littered the crowd, and many were brought onto stage for Shaq to sign and return to his fans.
Roddy Ricch had been scheduled to perform on Saturday, but apparently was forced to cancel at the last minute. A few minutes before he was scheduled to begin his set, a message displayed on the screens alerting the crowd of the cancellation. There was a momentary upset among the crowd, but they picked up from their spots and went on to enjoy the other upcoming sets, Joji, Ashnikko, and Flume. Flume put on an amazing set, with stunning visuals and lighting as the sun went down. Towards the latter half of his set, he brought Tove Lo onstage to join him for a song. The crowd loved it.
Halsey took the stage to a packed crowd of fans who had waited for hours to get the best possible spot. During her set, she mentioned having attended Governors Ball 8 years ago, on the day she signed her record label deal. She told the audience how much of an impact that moment had on her life, signing the deal with her Governors Ball wristband on.
Halsey debuted a new single, “So Good” towards the end of her set. As she began to wrap up, she thanked the crowd again and began a cover of the trending Kate Bush song, “Running Up That Hill.” The song recently made it to the top of the charts for the first time in decades thanks to its inclusion in Netflix’s fourth season of Stranger Things. At the end of the song, she laughed and said, “I couldn’t resist.”
She ended the set with her powerhouse single, “I Am Not a Woman, I’m a God.” Fans once again exited the festival in an excited buzz, talking with friends about the long and full day of performances. With the second festival day over, only one more day remained. And fans would have to savor it. Weather reports looked mixed, and there was no telling whether New York would have clear skies or daylong thunderstorms for Sunday. Fans would just have to wait until the morning to find out.
Sunday – J. Cole and Playboi Carti Close Out Governors Ball with a Bang
Despite some ominous weather reports and a passing storm overnight, fans enjoyed mostly sunny weather and moderate heat for the festival’s final day. J. Cole and Playboi Carti were set to close out the festival, with fans in eager anticipation of what was to come on the last day of 2022’s Governors Ball Music Festival. Although many fans complained of sore feet, lack of sleep, or responsibilities they had been shirking all weekend, they all did so with gleeful smiles and laughs.
Clairo’s mainstage set featured some technical issues with her microphone, but she played it off very well with her charming laugh and smile, to huge applause from the audience. The rest of her set went off smoothly, with fans packed to the front of the barricades, singing along for every song. She apologized to fans for the technical difficulties as she exited the stage, but the audience didn’t seem to mind, cheering and thanking her for the moving set.
Clairo checking her mic at Governors Ball, Photograph by David Reichmann
JID Takes One for the Team, Breaks Wrist Onstage
Atlanta-born rapper JID filled a mid-day slot on the main stage on Sunday. At this point in the day, fans were packing into the main stage grounds to claim their spot for J. Cole. JID is a relative newcomer to the scene, releasing his debut LP The Never Story back in 2017, but the fans who were there to see him were quite familiar with his music and rapped along with him throughout his set. Towards the end of his set, he brought out Kenny Mason for an energetic performance of fan-favorite “Stick.” Unfortunately, JID fell and fractured his wrist while moshing onstage during his performance, but continued on despite the minor injury. It wasn’t made clear the extent of the injury until he was brought onstage for a guest spot during J. Cole’s performance where he admitted he “went too hard, don’t be like me!”
JID also treated the Governors Ball crowd to the live debut of his just released new single, “29 Freestyle.” JID’s flow is as cohesive and vibrant as ever on the new song, which is being teased as a lead up to a new album, The Forever Story. The single and music video were officially released Friday, June 17th.
Japanese Breakfast Returns to Citi Field – the “Scene of the Crime”
Twice-Grammy-Nominated artist and New York Times Bestselling author of Crying in H Mart, Michelle Zauner and her band performed to a dedicated audience of her most hardcore fans. Japanese Breakfast had played Governors Ball once before, and a huge crowd of adoring fans came to their set to cheer and sing along through nearly every song. “I didn’t know if you would all come today,” Michelle told the crowd, “but you came through, New York. As you always do.”
Japanese Breakfast at Governors Ball, Photograph by David Reichmann
Michelle threw out the first pitch at Citi Field just a few weeks prior. She joked, “We’re from Philly […] I know I am returning to the scene of the crime, where I threw out the first pitch here for the Mets.” Japanese breakfast recently featured on SNL as the final music guest of the year for season 47. They also released a two-song EP for Spotify Singles this year, featuring a cover of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” and an acoustic rendition of Japanese Breakfasts’ hit single, “Be Sweet.” During their set, a newly-turned fan was overheard saying, “Wow, they’re amazing. This is amazing, I have to check them out later.”
Japanese Breakfast at Governors Ball, Photograph by David Reichmann
Playboi Carti Moves the Earth
Playing opposite J. Cole on the GoPuff Stage, Playboi Carti brought his signature staging and rap style and offered a fiery closing to the weekend. Some fans lamented having to choose between the J. Cole and Playboi Carti, but both acts drew impressively large crowds. Playboi Carti spent a good portion of the show rapping from atop a tall pyramid while a singular guitar player patrolled the stage. Featuring constant pyrotechnics and a rabid, near heavy metal-like performance, the set was one of the most chaotic and in-your-face moments of the weekend. Carti’s fans were raging, causing a noticeable bounce in the parking lot of Citi Field while screaming along to the lyrics.
J. Cole took the mainstage for the final performance of the festival’s 2022 year. He came out swinging, starting the opening track, “95 South” from his latest LP, “The Off Season” without wasting a second to introduce himself or greet the crowd, which he only took the time to do before moving into his next song, “Amari.” The crowd let out massive cheers and their dancing literally shook the ground beneath their feet throughout the set. He also included classic tracks “G.O.M.D.,” “Wet Dreamz,” and “No Role Modelz” in his expansive setlist.
J. Cole took on a more wistful tone between songs, pausing for a moment to listen to the sound of a nearby passing 7 train. He then talked about living in Queens writing songs “just down the street from here,” listening to the sounds of the trains while looking out his window. He thanked the audience and said, “New York is like a second home to me.”
J. Cole and JID at Governors Ball, Photograph by David Reichmann
JID and Kenny Mason joined J. Cole on stage to perform “Stick.” Before they started, JID told the crowd, “I want you to be safe out there.” He held up his hand, wrapped in bandages, and said, “I broke my hand earlier during my set because I was raging too hard. Don’t be like me.” He asked the crowd if they felt comfortable with some mosh pits, and told any fans who weren’t comfortable or interested to move back from the pits before they began. “I see fun. I see mosh pits. I see safety.” He held up his hand one more time, “Listen, I’m serious, don’t be like me. Have fun.” The crowd obliged, and a massive wave of movement took over the excited crowd. The three artists flew around the stage.
J. Cole at Governors Ball with JID and Kenny Mason, Photograph by David Reichmann
J. Cole played a few more songs before walking off to an instrumental version of “Hunger on Hillside.” He thanked the audience once more as he walked off. As the fun of the weekend came to a close, fans shuffled off from Citi Field in a happy daze of exhaustion and excitement. They told stories of their day to each other as they found their way to the buses, cars, trains, and bikes that would see them home. Although each fan had their own unique experience, with their own mix of artists and activities, they all shared in this singular one moment that was Governors Ball Music Festival 2022.
Another year of the Governors Ball music Festival has come and gone. Fans were treated to dozens of massive acts who may not typically share a stage together, and were – hopefully – exposed to plenty of new styles, genres, and artists as a result. Governors Ball has and always will be a definitive New York experience, and although New York concert-goers may have to wait another year for the upcoming 12th installment of the festival in 2023, music fans in the Tristate area will have plenty of great options until then. Summer concerts and festivals continue strong in New York City, with Rolling Loud Music Festival, Central Park’s Summerstage Concert Series, and Celebrate Brooklyn’s Summer Concert Series just to name a few.
You can listen to all artists mentioned wherever music is streamed, and see the full photo Gallery featuring coverage from David Reichmann and Joseph Buscarello below.
HalseyJ. ColeKid Cudi at Governors BallJPEGMAFIAJPEGMAFIAJPEGMAFIAJPEGMAFIAGovernors Ball Hydration StaffBlack PumasBlack PumasBlack PumasA$AP FergJack HarlowJack HarlowJack Harlow Kid Cudi takes the mainstage at Governors BallKid Cudi Kid CudiKid CudiKid CudiKid Cudi Kid CudiTove Lo Tove Lo YGYGDenzel Curry backstageDenzel CurryDenzel CurryDenzel CurryFlumeFlume FlumeFlumeHalseyHalseyHalseyHalseyHalsey Halsey Halsey singing Kate Bush cover with Stranger Things inspired lightingHalsey HalseyHalseyHalseyHalseyHand held up during J. Cole’s setJ. Cole ClairoClairo checks her micJ. ColeJ. ColeJ. ColeJ. ColeJapanese Breakfast backstage portraitJapanese Breakfast Japanese Breakfast Japanese BreakfastJapanese BreakfastAudience for Japanese Breakfast cheeringJazmine Sullivan performsKaytranada KaytranadaKaytranadaBeneeBeneeDJ Diesel (Shaq) BackstageDJ DieselChelsea CutlerRoddy Rich Cancelled!Soccer MommyJIDCoin100 Gecs100 GecsPippin!Glass AnimalsGlass AnimalsSamia
On Friday, 10 June, Brooklyn quartet band Living Room released their new album, New Years. After their growth in the last decade, the band performed their surprising leveling up in this album.
Living Room
Based out of Brooklyn, Living Room is anchored by a decade-long friendship between their members, and now joined indie label Fear Icon Records. It has Scott Fitzpatrick and John Nicholls on guitar/vocals, Kevin Dobbins on bass, and Fred Trumpy on drums.
Influenced by late ’90s and early aught acts, Living Room released a rich discography that blends emo, shoegaze, and post-punk. Their discography displays their evolving and precise musicianship with lyrics that reflect the complexity, vicissitude, and euphoria of life.
The first powerful impression of this album is its strong sense of rhythm. Based on the intense drumbeats, “Mauve Frame” successful built a cheerful but absurd environment. And the drum is the spine to support the emotional storytelling from the lyrics and vocals.
Guitar and bass played an important role in performing their shoegaze style. The long and droning riffs in “Flood” expressed the shoegaze style of the band. This album widely used such sound in guitar and bass performing.
Stand out tracks like “Petrol Head” and “Flood” have big choruses that shine with the production work of Gary Cioni. Cooperated with the Scott and John’s vocal, the big choruses amplified the emotion embeded in the songs.
Lyrically the album used metaphor to express their feelings. Written by the two vocals, the lyrics told the feelings of romance and life experiences. “All I saw was the mauve frame. It all looked burnt orange to me. I’m sorry, it’s not funny. A world so colorful yet so boring”, they sang in the “Mauve Frame”, with the bright melodies reflected the loneliness in the song.
The Harlem Gospel Travelers will release a new full-length album, Look Up! on September 16, via Colemine Records. Ahead of the album’s release, the trio shared their empowering title track and fun-filled music video, which you can see below.
With production by acclaimed soul singer-songwriter, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, the new album gives the trio their first collection of completely original material. The trio consists of Thomas Gatling, George Marage, and Dennis Bailey, all of whom grew up in different areas but refined their talents in Harlem. While the group is greatly influenced by the gospel quartet tradition of the ‘50s and ‘60s, they give a modern edge with this recent release.
Travelers Gaitling and Marage met producer Reed through an after-school program that grew their appreciation and knowledge of the deep history of the gospel quartet. The program allowed them to gain new perspectives, and tap into their true talents. After the 2019 release of the LP He’s On Time, Bailey joined the two, completing the group.
He’s On Time garnered rave reviews in 2019 along with high-profile fans such as Elton John, who invited them on his Rocket Man radio show. The LP also gave way for the group to perform at festivals like Pilgrimage and Telluride Jazz.
This newest title track, “Look Up” empowers listeners and the upcoming album is sure to not disappoint. The Harlem Gospel Travelers are reviving old sounds and reminding listeners how prevalent the music is still today. While gospel is always at the root of their music, the group also incorporates country, folk, rock, soul, and blues.
Check out The Harlem Gospel Travelers live, with the performance dates below.
Tour Dates:
July 23 – Staten Island, NY – Maker Park Radio
Aug. 3 – Bloomington, IN – Buskirk Chumley Theater
Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from, Scotchka, Phantom Suns, Witch Culture and many more.
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.
Phantom Suns – “Probably Wrong”
From Burlington, Phantom Suns perform riffy and melodic Alternative Rock, and released their last album, Cordyceps in July 2021. On EQXposure you’ll hear “Probably Wrong,” a new tune from the group consisting of Seth Gundersen, Chris Mathieu, Chris Knauer, and Tristan Baribeau.
SCOTCHKA – “Corinthians”
From Albany, Scotchka is a rock band blending emo, pop punk, and alternative influences for an energetic, introspective style. The band includes Dominick Murdock (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals), Brian Fahey (Drums, Juul Master), Maiya Campbell (Lead Guitar, Backing Aux), and Jacob Hite (Bass, Producer)
Witch Culture – “You”
Witch Culture is a rock band based out of Nashville. Their music can best be described as intimate and emotional, yet energetic. “You” was released on released June 10, 2022 and the band includes Dan McGarr (Vocals/ Guitars), Aaron Messina (guitar), Joe Moran (bass), and Ryan Bedlack (drums)
After three years together, Rock ‘n Soul band FARROW, from Buffalo, is gearing up to release their first album, Agitate, on July 9. With joyous music and infectious melodies, this diverse group of musicians excels on this newest project.
Agitate will be the first of three EPs in a series. To accompany the sound component of the album, FARROW will have video releases for each song every month. These videos will be available to the Farrow Fan Club on Patreon.
FARROW is made up of seven talented musicians and artists. Led by André Pilette (producer/bass) and Michael Farrow (lyricist/singer), the band released two previous singles on Spotify, “Rise Up” and “Insoluble” in 2020. Other members feature Tim Webb (drums), Michael Ruopoli (percussion), Cory Clancy (guitar), Rufus “Breezy” Cole Jr. (keys), and Danielle Johnson (backing vocals).
The new album is filled with joyous, empowering lyrics and snappy beats. The second track, “Steal My Joy,” opens up with laughter and the lyrics “you ain’t gonna mess with me today!” – a phrase that seems to encapsulate a theme of the album.
Just one listen and it is easy to move to the rhythm. FARROW’s Agitate explores different beats and instrumentation on the album, and all 6 tracks are energetic and thought-provoking.
The group has a history of performing around Western NY, with other performances including Buffalo Iron Works, Sportsmen’s Tavern, Bowery Electric, Rockwood Music Hall, and more. In the future, they will extend their reach, including a performance at the North By Northeast Festival in Toronto.
To celebrate the release of their first album, FARROW will hold a party and concert at Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo on July 9.
Key tracks: Steal My Joy, In This Place, Love Me For Me
FARROW is also performing at the following upcoming events:
June 18 – NXNE Music Festival – Toronto
June 26 – Elmwood Summerfest – Buffalo
July 7 – Thursday & Main – Buffalo
July 9 – Sportsmen’s Tavern – Buffalo
July 22 – Sunset at the Stables at Knox Farm State Park – East Aurora
Aug. 19 – The Erie County Fair – Hamburg
Sep. 17 – Borderland Music + Arts Festival – East Aurora
Despite the relief Jason Isbell felt not playing in 125 degree heat for once, it was hot and humid for the western New Yorkers settling in at CMAC on Wednesday night. Isbell, along with Sheryl Crow, and Waxahatchee, incredible songwriters across three generations, would prove their inter-generational appeal over the course of the evening. Each brought their arsenals of songs and their own bands to aid in fleshing them out to their full splendors.
Waxahatchee, the brainchild of Katie Crutchfield, won over the early attendees, stuffing her 40 minute set to the gills with a expansive overview of her material. Gently lilting folk songs that floated upon Crutchfield’s angelic voice. The catchy-as-heck “Lilacs” was dedicated to both Isbell and Crow. You could just imagine each of them stopping her backstage earlier in the day to let her know how great it is. A late set “Witches” had some big 80’s energy that could have easily threaded into Crow’s ensuing set while “Fire” added more modern splashes of electronic pop into the mix. Crutchfield and her five-piece confidently commanded the stage for what could be perceived as quite a difficult position.
Indeed when Sheryl Crow strutted out on the stage in her hot pink leather jacket and sparkling pink cowgirl boots 20 minutes later, with the aid of an engaging light show, a full house, 40 years of experience and a few #1 hits in her pocket, it wasn’t even a fair comparison. The eldest performer of the evening matched both her tour mates in youthful energy, sounding as good as in her prime, or maybe her prime is now. As Isbell correctly pointed out, seeing Crow perform was “just great song after great song after great song,” a deceptively deep catalog.
She hit the crowd early with two of her biggest hits, “Happy” and “All I Wanna Do,” then delved deeper into her catalog where she was more prone to delve deep into their exploration. She brought along a strong 5-piece backing band including the great Audley Freed on guitar, who ripped some mean guitar solos in “Steve McQueen” and “Cross Creek Road.” Aside from the great songwriting and beautifully aged (or not at all) voice, Crow also boasted some great musicianship. She picked up bass duties for “My Favorite Mistake” and “Soak Up the Sun,” strapped on the guitar and even blew some impressive harmonica. And just when you thought she had played all of her hits, she still had “Everyday is a Winding Road” waiting in the wings for the big set closer. She also endeared herself to the locals with tales of taking her kids to the Museum of Play, the Rochester Museum and Science Center and out for some Pittsford Dairy Ice Cream. What, no Wegmans?!
Nestled generationally between Waxahatchie and Crow, Isbell came out for the knockout closer set. Him and his 400 Unit band were of course well up to the task. “Dreamsicle” was an early set highlight, with guitarist Sadler Vaden slinking back into a nuanced groove above an infectiously watery bass line. “Be Afraid,” played for Isbells’s 6.5 year old daughter before she had to get to bed, featured some guitar pyrotechnics with both Isbell and Vaden dueling it out. Though bassist Jimbo Hart proved to be the MVP of the set, providing a consistently powerful presence throughout, blasting bass bombs left and right while more than ably directing the rock and roll traffic. His playing was particularly and uniquely noteworthy on “If We Were Vampires,” evoking deep spacey moans, building in both intensity and eeriness. A thing of beauty.
Isbell’s respects to Crow boomeranged around to describe his set just as well, “great song after great song after great song.” The night closed with his Drive-By Truckers classic “Decoration Day,” “an old one, written 20 years ago.” When Crow was 20 years into her career while Crutchfield was a preteen, possibly dreaming of the day she would one day share the stage with rock stars.
It was an evening exhibiting song craft of the highest order. Each artist has a vision and a voice to share it with and we’re all the richer for it. Even so, they each saw fit to share an other’s song as well. To fit into a set with their own incredible works, they had to choose wisely, and that they did. Waxahatchee closed their set with a beautiful rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Light of the Clear Blue Morning,” strong enough to stick itself into your head across two sets and a night’s sleep. Crow tossed a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Live With Me” in the middle of her set, culminating in a raging jam featuring her aforementioned impressive harmonica playing. Sadler Vaden led the 400 Unit through Isbell’s cover choice, “Honeysuckle Blue,” from Kevn Kinney’s great band Drivin’ N Cryin’, of which Vaden was a member. The song was also featured on Isbell’s 2021 release Georgia Blue, an all covers album benefiting voting rights in Georgia.
By the end of the night the only heat and humidity was emanating off the CMAC stage, though mother nature kept the entertainment going with a wild lightning display that lasted well into the wee hours.
Setlists:
Waxahatchee: Oxbow, Recite Remorse, Can’t Do Much, The Eye, Hell, Lilacs, Ruby Falls, Witches, St. Cloud, Fire, Light of the Clear Blue Morning (Dolly Parton)
Sheryl Crow: Happy, A Change Will Do You Good, All I Wanna Do, My Favorite Mistake, Leaving Las Vegas, Strong Enough, Forever, Steve McQueen, Live With Me (Rolling Stones), First Cut is the Deepest, Cross Creek Road, Soak Up the Sun, Everyday is a Winding Road
Jason Isbell: It Gets Easier, 24 Frames, Dreamsicle, Be Afraid, Hope the High Road, Alabama Pines, Elephant, Overseas, Honeysuckle Blue (Drivin N Cryin), If We Were Vampires, Super 8, Cover Me Up E: Tour of Duty, Decoration Day
The 19th edition of the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival returns to Rochester’s East End June 17 to 25. For Rochester’s music fans there’s no better way to welcome summer. After two years bereft the best nine days of live music of the year, this year’s festival is going to feel extra special.
The festival producers are constantly tweaking the formula every year, and this year is no different. The Hyatt Regency Ballroom joins as the new Club Pass venue this year and the Little Theater and Theater at Innovation Square (nee Xerox Auditorium) return after renovations. But the biggest change this year is the headliner program. Usually ticketed events held at the gorgeous Eastman Theater, this year they will be provided for free at Parcel 5. While we still maintain the best way to enjoy the festival is with a Club Pass (available in both 9- and 3-day options), we won’t fault anyone from going the free route this year. There are many great options, a whopping 130 free shows across five stages, ranging from fresh local talent to seasoned international megastars.
But as you head out to enjoy your free concerts, stick some cash in your pocket, say $30 or $60, and sneak in a club show or two. Tickets for the Club Pass concerts are $30 (or $35 for Kilbourn Hall) and can be purchased at the door right before showtime. Here are some can’t-miss artists you can catch before (or after) hitting the big outdoor shows.
All headliners are at the Midtown Stage at Parcel 5, unless otherwise noted.
Friday June 17 Chris Botti at 9pm, CMD at 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Giveton Gelin Max of Eastman Place, 6:15pm & 10pm
Young self-taught Bahamian trumpet player Giveton Gelin is a rising star, one of those you saw-em-when Jazz Fest stories you’ll be telling in a couple years to anyone that will listen.
The Cookers Kilbourn Hall, 6pm & 10pm
Just across Gibbs Street, the exact opposite show will be happening, but no less riveting. A supergroup of well-seasoned players, Billy Harper, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, and Billy Hart, will present one of the most impressive collective resumes of the festival.
https://youtu.be/Gh-PL6OWfks
Saturday, June 18 Devon Allman Project (with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band) 9pm, Samantha Fish 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Ranky Tanky Kilbourn Hall, 6pm & 10pm (also at the Hyatt Regency Rochester Ballroom Sunday June 19, 7:45 & 9:45pm)
This South Carolina-based quintet actually channel the music of West Africa adding in some American roots elements for a lively and infectious sound that is spiritual and uplifting.
Kind Folk Wilder Room, 6pm & 10pm
A young group with no defined leader, this Brooklyn-based quartet fuses styles and melds their talents to create a four-headed monster of jazz.
Sunday, June 19 Tommy Emmanuel 9pm, Andy McKee 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Bill Frisell Temple Theater 7pm, 9:15pm
Despite returning for his festival-leading 9th time, he, his magical guitar, and whatever group he brings, will never not top our list of must-see shows. This year his trio will include Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston.
Under the Surface Glory House International 7:30pm & 9:30pm
Heavily improvised and full of that mystical ethereal quality that seems to always emerge from the Global Jazz Now Series year after year, this multi-generational trio of Danish musicians is going to turn some heads at this year’s festival.
Monday, June 20 Spyro Gyra 9pm, Bill Tiberio Band 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Sammy Miller and the Congregation Kilbourn Hall 6pm & 9pm
Drummer Sammy Miller leads this septet that plays what they appropriately call, “joyful jazz.” If you want to leave a set with a smile on your face, this is your place.
Ana Egge Little Theater 7pm & 9:15pm
Egge is a singer-songwriter that has lived a life and isn’t afraid to sing about it, with some honest and rich folk tunes that will stick with you. She’ll round out her trio for these shows with Alison Shearer on sax and the RT’s Alden Harris-McCoy on guitar.
Tuesday, June 21 Robin Thicke 9pm, The Dip 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Oskar Stenmark Trio Glory House International 730pm & 930pm
Music is in his blood, literally tracing back to 1762. Trumpet, cornet and flugelhorn player Stenmark leads his trio fusing sounds of his native Sweden with those of his adopted home of New York City.
Jeremy Beck and the Heavy Duty Horns RIJF Big Tent 8:30pm & 10pm (also on Monday at Montage 6pm & 10pm)
Keyboardist Jeremy Beck brings an eight-piece horn-heavy band that blends gospel, soul and rock into a funky stew. The Big Tent will be jumping.
Wednesday, June 22 Sheila E. 9pm, Sy Smith 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Arturo O’Farrill Quintet Kilbourn Hall 6pm & 9pm
Grammy winner and founder and director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, O’Farrill most often plays with his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, he brings his smaller Quintet to the festival, but we still imagine there will be plenty of chair dancing.
Stephane Wrembel Theater at Innovation Square 6:30pm & 8:30pm
A Rochester favorite, Wrembel is one of the leading curators of Gypsy jazz guitar and other than just plumbing and recreating it’s history, he also redefines it with incredible guitar wizardry. If you seen him before, you won’t miss it, if you haven’t, here’s your chance get aboard.
Thursday, June 23 Booker T Presents: A Soul Stax Revue 9pm, Soul Stew 7pm
Recommended club shows:
Big Lazy Montage Music Hall 6pm & 10pm (also on Friday at the Little Theater 7pm & 9:15pm)
A trio of guitar, bass and drums, Big Lazy has honed their craft in the small spaces of New York City, arriving at a sound that overextends their number and instrumentation, simultaneously noir and pastoral, gothic and modern.
Itamar Borochov Quartet Wilder Room 6pm & 10pm
Israeli-born trumpet player blends influences, both religious and secular, from the Middle East and North Africa with more traditional jazz for a uniquely satisfying sound.
Friday, June 24 New Power Generation 9pm, Con Brio 7pm (also at MLK Park: The Bacon Brothers 9pm, Julia Nunes 7pm)
Recommended club shows:
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra Montage Music Hall 6pm & 10pm
Has there been a steel pannist at the festival before? Regardless, Jonathan Scales will be the best to have played it, and it won’t be a mere novelty act either. This might be your favorite discovery of the festival.
The Huntertones RIJF Big Tent 8:30pm & 10pm (also on Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Rochester Ballroom 7:45pm & 9:45pm)
The Huntertones return to the festival with their horn-heavy big sound funk party that seems custom built to fill the RIJF Big Tent.
Friday, June 24 G. Love and Special Sauce 9pm, Danielle Ponder 7pm (also at MLK Park: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors 9pm, Ward Hayden and the Outliers 7pm)
Recommended club shows:
Immanuel Wilkins Temple Theater 7pm, 9:15pm
Wilkins’ debut was named the #1 jazz album of the year by the New York Times, and his 2022 follow-up with the same quartet was described by Pitchfork as “ocean-deep jazz epics.” This is a young saxophonist with a lot to say and contribute to the jazz world, an apt artist to close out the festival with.
Kurt Elling “Super Blue” with Charlie Hunter Kilbourn Hall 6pm & 9pm
Seasoned and renowned jazz vocalist Kurt Elling will be featuring his new blues-based project, Super Blue, featuring none other than Charlie Hunter on his custom bass/guitar.
The Hudson Valley based band, monarch. release their EP, Sweet Little Things, on June 17, a stunning debut with five tracks sure to get you dancing. The project comes after the release of the single “Faces In Crowded Places,” in November 2021.
Comprised of Sarah Hartstein (vocals), Johnny Lu (drums), Nick Pappalardo (guitar), and Jesse Hartstein (bass), the band pulls inspiration from multiple genres and influential artists, like Fiona Apple and Amy Winehouse. The group began Sweet Little Things in the summer of 2021 and is currently touring throughout New York.
monarch. originally formed in 2017 and consisted of just Sarah Hartstein and Lu. As the duo started writing this most recent project, they knew they needed more, and the band’s debut EP represents that full evolution.
The EP is sonically cohesive without being repetitive, as monarch. explores a range of tempos, instruments, and melodies. Themes of love, passion, growing up, and letting go of hardships make up the EP, the lyrics honest and relatable for any listener.
With a strong start on vocals from Sarah Hartstein on “Morning Coffee,” the opening track on the EP grabs your attention and then keeps it with catchy lyrics and upbeat instrumentation. The introspective lyrics over a bubbly tune make it easy to get swept away in the music.
The title track slows things down, at first. Soulful, the track drives the group to explore their blues roots and encompasses the overall theme for the project. Guitarist Pappalardo shines with an engaging solo over an energetic drum track.
Overall, the EP showcases the immense growth of the band, expanding on their talents and experimentation in their first single, “Faces In Crowded Places.” Energy and spirit intertwine throughout the EP, making it a joy to listen to.
The last of the five tracks, “Naive,” reminds audiences we can easily get lost in harmful relationships. Heart-wrenching lyrics from Hartstein pull you in, and intense instrumentation builds up for a passionate ending to the debut EP.
monarch. shines on this project, and certainly warrants one dancing around screaming the lyrics on repeat. The band has shows across NY in the promotion of their newest project, with dates well into the summer.
Key Tracks: Morning Coffee, Sweet Little Things, Naive
Peter Hughes is a man of many talents, serving as both General Manager and Programmer for The Linda, WAMCs Performing Arts Studio, as well as on-air host of “Live at the Linda” on WAMC Northeast public radio. A former market manager for Talmi Entertainment, Peter has overseen the he growth, development and operations of the Park Theater in Glens Falls, and before that spent two decades at Proctors Theater in Schenectady.
Rob Smittix of RadioRadioX spoke to Hughes about The Linda, the history of the building, and the best lunch options in Albany.
RadioRadioX: I’m actually here at The Linda in the green room, which is behind a bank vault.
Peter Hughes: It’s in the bank vault, it is actually the bank vault.
RRX: In the bank vault, sitting with Peter Hughes. Peter what is your official title?
PH: I am the… it’s not that exciting, I am the General Manager and Programmer of The Linda which is WAMC’s performing arts studio here on beautiful Central Avenue in Albany, New York.
RRX: This really is really prime Albany, this is right in the center of everything.
PH: This is the heart of Albany. This is the Central Avenue business district, there are at least 17 different languages spoken just within two blocks of this building. It is a cultural milieu and it’s got the absolute best restaurants, most authentic and wonderful places to eat from all around the world just within walking distance. Lunch is a gorgeous buffet of options, it’s pretty remarkable.
RRX: Yeah, there is a… I forget the name of the place, there’s a Jamaican spot a few blocks down on Quail and on Wednesday’s they have mannish water soup.
PH: We’re addicted here to Afghan kabob, the number 12 beef and lamb over rice is the staple of my diet at this point.
RRX: That’s why I came here really to talk about food because we all love food!
PH: Let’s talk about food!
(Both laugh)
RRX: Well, the Linda. I love this place. I played a show here myself; it was one of my absolute favorite shows my band has ever played and we’ve played hundreds of shows.
PH: Thank you.
RRX: This room right here in the vault, this is where all the magic happens.
PH: Just to describe in case people that are reading this don’t know what the Linda is. The Linda is short for The Linda Norris Auditorium, and it is WAMC Northeast Public Radio 90.3FM, I think 17 other stations and 28 other broadcasters that is available in seven states. WAMC’s performing arts studio, with emphasis on the word studio. It is a live recording studio for the performing arts for Northeast public radio. This is not something that’s been happening recently strictly because of the shutdowns of Covid, we were closed for a year and a half to live audiences, so that filters out everything that we do. But traditionally and we will again…this is a place where live interviews happen, the roundtable with happen occasionally from here with a live audience and fund drives and occasionally Live at The Linda which is my radio show eight o’clock on Wednesdays and Sundays. Which for four hours every week on local radio you can hear concerts either recorded or sometimes live done right here and broadcasted from this building. So, when you are here for a music concert (which is not everything we do) you’re not just here for the music, like a club or a bar or other venues, the uniqueness of The Linda is that you are part of the show. There are microphones recording you as part of the broadcast audience and that is completely unique in the Capital Region. Completely unique for an NPR station and that is a one of a kind, one in the world type situation we have here.
And if we keep saying things about the vault. This building is 100 years old (which was converted 20 years ago), it was originally one of the gorgeous giant, huge, hard lock, concrete, art deco banks. The vault which is (bangs on wall) 30 inches of American steel and concrete is where the green room is. There’s no safer guest/green room in the State of New York with the sketchiest Wi-Fi signal ever.
So, if you come here and you can get back stage (there’s some public access here), you can spy the incredible, heavy, meticulous bank door which is something straight out of an old time gangster film. You expect to see someone with a tommy gun and a bag with a dollar sign on it. It’s very cool and that’s one of the unique things about this place.
RRX: Now how long have you been with The Linda?
PH: I’ve been here just over a year. My personal history, you know straight out of the womb (laughs) out of college. I worked for Proctors in Schenectady, and I was there for almost 23 years. I started out making five bucks an hour at the box office and eventually made my way up to heading the marketing team. I was in programming and producing of events. Producing of a film series, Broadway marketing, entertainment marketing, producing, all of that. You do everything over that amount of time. That was a long time, so I moved on to other ventures, bounced around a little bit and then Covid hit. I was working for a wonderful organization in Massachusetts The Talmis who produce the great Nutcracker around the country. We were working on that, and everyone was just devasted, everyone was laid off, everyone was unemployed. Every job I ever had was gone. You know this as a musician, we’re all just on the sidelines. The sitting on the bench part was too difficult.
One day last April, a year ago, I get an email from a really good friend of mine who said “Hey, WAMC is looking for a new guy to run The Linda and you should go for that.” I’m so depressed at that point, I’m thinking I’m never going to get it because I’ve been let down so many times. So, I apply on a Friday, I get a call on Monday, I get interviewed, hired on Wednesday and start on Thursday. Boom I was back in the game!
They told me my first day that I had a radio show. I thought great! Immediately started working on virtual concerts at that point which was what everyone was doing at that moment. We made a transition into winding those down because we had to look towards re-opening for live humans. There were a mountain of restrictions and social distancing rules, so we needed a very detailed plan in order to do that. We did that last June.
RRX: I am so glad you did.
PH: So back to music, cinema events, speakers, authors, scientists and political debates (again we are an NPR affiliate). All of that is part of what The Linda is. It was built to be a community asset and a room dedicated to the concept of free speech.
RRX: I don’t remember exactly when The Linda became The Linda.
PH: I think 20 years ago. From what I hear, and this may not be the total story so don’t quote me as this being fact, it’s just the story that I’ve heard. Dr. Alan Chartock, who is our Executive Director, would walk by this bank building on his way to get lunch (likely Ichiban) and would say one day we’re going to turn that into a performing arts center.
RRX: Well, I hope that is the story because I can just envision Alan Chartock and his dream coming into fruition. That’s pretty neat.
For more on The Linda WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio visit thelinda.org
