Category: Features

In Focus: BTBAM brings a packed house in Buffalo

Between the Buried in Me (BTBAM) is a progressive metal band formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2000, and played the Rec Room in Buffalo on March 4, 2022. This was the first time that the band has played Buffalo since 2015 where they played Town Ballroom. Rec Room is a smaller venue holding around 300 people so this was a very intimate show.

BTBAM’s tour is titled “Human is Hell” and has their opening band as Car Bomb. The tour has 30 dates and runs through the end of March. This is also opener Car Bomb’s first tour back from the COVID-19 pandemic, finally giving the mathcore band a chance to showcase their material from 2019’s Mordial.

Greg Kubacki -Guitars for Car Bomb (photo credit- Mike Miller)

Car Bomb is from Long Island and have been around since 2000. Their style is marked by an experimental and extremely aggressive approach to metal. They sound absolutely ferocious. Their psychotic turbo-thrash is disgustingly disorientating, ‘Frankensteining’ Meshuggah and The Dillinger Escape Plan into one relentless onslaught of time-chopping violence. BTBAM band members consist of: Michael Dafferner (vocals), Elliot Hoffman (drums), Greg Kubacki (guitar), and Jon Modell (bass).

The show started off earlier than usual for a metal show in Buffalo with two bands on the bill. The band kicked off the show right on time and gave the crowd their monies worth. The band’s 14 song setlist featured such songs as “Finish it” and “Lights Out”. The singer for Car Bomb tried to tell a joke in between songs about an item called a “Garbage Plate”, but was soon corrected by the crowd yelling that is a Rochester food item only. By the time Car Bomb had finished their set, the venue was mostly packed awaiting BTBAM’s start.

Paul Waggoner- Lead Guitarist for BTBAM (Photo Credit- Mike Miller)

Since the Covid pandemic started, there have not been many metal concerts like this in Buffalo. Especially at small venues like the Rec Room where you can literally reach out and touch the band. The fans were very eager to start mosh pits the second Between the Buried and Me hit the stage. You could feel the energy in the room from when the intro music was started by the drummers sample pad. The smoke machine went on and the lights went dark. You could feel the anticipation of the song starting. They opened with “The Double Helix of Extinction” off the album Colors II. BTBAM has grown and matured a-lot since their inception 22 years ago.

Tommy Giles Rogers- BTBAM Lead SInger (Photo Credit- Mike Miller)

Between the Buried and Me made use of their vertical light towers to put on an amazing synced bright light show. The fans were loving every minute of the show and being able to release their built up anger and stress in the mosh pit is not only fun, but should be considered exercise. BTBAM was very calm and collective during their set, focusing on playing their instruments while interacting with the fans.

BTBAM chose not to put song names on their setlist, but of Buffalo Bills players instead. This was done so fans up close to the stage would not know what song is coming up next.

BTBAM setlist (Photo Credit- Mike Miller)

Setlist: The Double Helix of Extinction, Revolution in Limbo, Fix the Error,Ants of the Sky, Dim Ignition, Famine Wolf, Informal Gluttony, Bad Habits, The Future Is Behind Us, Condemned to the Gallows, Selkies: The Endless Obsession

Encore: Voice of Trespass

Blake Richardson- BTBAM Drummer (Photo Credit- Mike Miller)

Remaining tour stops

Mar 06 – Cincinnati, Ohio @ Bogarts⁣
Mar 08 – Detroit, Mich. @ Crofoot⁣
Mar 09 – Grand Rapids, Mich. @ Elevation⁣
Mar 10 – Fort Wayne, Ind. @ Piere’s⁣
Mar 11 – Des Moines, Iowa @ Wooly’s⁣
Mar 12 – Kansas City, Mo. @ Truman⁣
Mar 13 – Tulsa, Okla. @ Cains⁣
Mar 15 – Denver, Colo. @ Summit⁣
Mar 16 – Grand Junction, Colo. @ Mesa Theater⁣
Mar 18 – Santa Cruz, Calif. @ Catalyst⁣
Mar 19 – Berkeley, Calif. @ UC Theater⁣
Mar 20 – Santa Ana, Calif. @ Observatory⁣
Mar 21 – Tucson, Ariz. @ 191 Toole⁣
Mar 23 – Austin, Texas @ Emo’s⁣
Mar 25 – New Orleans, La. @ House of Blues⁣
Mar 26 – Little Rock, Ark. @ The Hall⁣
Mar 28 – Destin, Fla. @ Club LA⁣
Mar 29 – Birmingham, Ala. @ Saturn⁣
Mar 30 – Athens, Ga. @ Georgia Theatre⁣
Mar 31 – Columbia, S.C. @ The Senate⁣

BTBAM (Photo Credit- Mike Miller)

March 7, 2022
Nation of Language Pave The Way Forward At Webster Hall

Brooklyn locals Nation of Language kicked off a six week North America tour earlier this week and on Thursday, March 3rd the band landed at Webster Hall for their fourth hometown show in the past 6 months. The trio has been rocketing in popularity ever since the release of their excellent sophomore album, A Way Forward, on PIAS Records.

The band played the 2021 edition of Governor’s Ball back in September and NYS Music’s Steve Malinski caught up with the group during the festival. Check out the full interview and photos from their Gov Ball performance HERE.

Nation of Language at Webster Hall, 3/3/22. Photo by Buscar Photo

Webster Hall is the largest headlining show Nation of Language has played in NYC since forming. The band played the significantly smaller Market Hotel for a one-off show in November but this tour has them playing larger clubs all across North America. Blending bright synth-pop beats with passionate vocals and an enormous stage presence from frontman Ian Richard Devaney the band captivates the audience with an extremely minimal backline. Leaning on recorded drum samples, the stage only contained Aidan Noell’s synth table on the far left, two microphones, and a handful of pedals. Ian used every square inch of open stage to dance and just keep moving while singing and playing guitar.

Nation of Language at Webster Hall, 3/3/22. Photo by Buscar Photo

Nation of language fittingly began the show at Webster with A Way Forward opening track “In Manhattan.” The set was roughly split with tracks from both of their albums including their self-released debut Introduction, Presence. Head over to their website to find details on the tour and check out our photo gallery from the show below.

March 6, 2022
NYS Music March Madness 2022 Round 2

We have arrived at Round 2 of NYS Music’s March Madness 2022. Below you’ll find 16 matchups between 32 bands and artists from across New York State, from numerous genres, all on the rise and ready to make a name for themselves.

Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness competition that spans all the musical harbors of the Empire State. As fans and musicians, the NYS Music team aims to spotlight the great talent found across New York in a friendly contest, bringing broader attention to the next generation of artists and bands on the rise. March Madness 2022 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 1 here.

Enter your email address, meet the bands and artists below, and vote for your favorites!

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Bearsville Theater Region

Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys vs Ampevene

Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys from Albany perform hard-driving, up-tempo acoustic Americana Roots music from the traditions of country, folk, and bluegrass with creative original story songs from Jim the main focus. Listen to their recent EP Hillbilly Rock n Roll here

Ampevene from Albany are a fresh, experimental fusion of original Progressive Rock, Psychedelic, and other genres. Ampevene’s music represents an amalgam of the mayhem of Mars Volta, the psychedelic sounds of Pink Floyd, the hypnotic trance-like quality of Tool, and the funk of a Frusciante-Chili Pepper jam. Listen to their David Bowie live set from November 2019 here.

Caity Gallagher vs Thanks!

Caity Gallagher is a folk singer songwriter based in Albany, with rootsy compositions and lilting vocal lines serve to showcase intimate lyrics that tell universally relatable stories. Caity has been likened to a modern combination of The Cranberries and Jackson Browne. Listen to her newest single, “Give It All,” here.

Thanks! From Saratoga Springs leave audiences with a show to remember whenever they hit the stage. What started out as three guys in a basement, has continuously built into a theatrical, reflective and dramatic performance that moves fans of all ages. Listen to their new single “I Choose You” here.

GRUB vs Fine Grain

GRUB is an Experimental Rock group based out of Buffalo/Niagara Falls. Their original catalogue can be described as uniquely inventive, adventurous, and welcoming to new listeners. Each song showcases a seamless blend of genres such as funk, psychedelic rock, electronic, hip-hop, metal, and reggae amidst a pop-esque composition, so there are elements on the table for all. Their website has videos and more.

Red pill or blue pill? Fine Grain took both with a Genny and got banned from Trader Joe’s. The girthy tones of this gritty, shoegazy punk band from Albany will remind you of late nights on a stoop in September, your first beer after work, weird questions about your parents cephalopods, and of course, the crushing weight of capitalism. Visit here for a link to all their different streaming options.

Cait Devin vs Frank Palangi

Cait Devin is a 20 year old alt-pop artist from Utica with a diverse range of audiences and experience in many genres of music. Cait is also a lead guitarist alongside being a singer songwriter, and has put together various shred collabs. No stranger to playing live, Cait has been booking frequent shows in Central New York since she was 15, and expanded to NYC and Nashville by age 16. Listen to her song “K9” here.

Frank Palangi is an indie rock artist from Queensbury, with a fuel and passion that makes his deep and gritty rock a must listen. Combine his vibrato voice and charismatic charm, and you’ve got a rock legend in the making. Palangi’s mission statement is “I have no plan B in backing down on my dreams.” Listen to his latest single “Dead Man” here.

Voting for Round 2 has closed. Stay tuned for Round 3 starting on Friday, March 11 at 10am!

Funk n Waffles Region

Glass Pony vs Rich Ortiz

Glass Pony, a jam band out of Albany have developed a unique sound in the past few years, with a wide array of originals with danceable grooves, unique setlists and compelling improv. Check out their most recent single “Daydream”

Rich Ortiz from Lake George has a style that is truly his own and music that is his soul. A product his family’s cultural diversity and strengths, Rich has focused all of his talents and time on his acoustic solo act since age 17. Watch a profile of Rich here.

Samsara vs Sydney Irving and the Mojo

Samsara hail from Long Island, with band members Charlie, Ben and John playing music together at any early age, drawing influence from several styles, including grunge, funk, metal and alternative. They are working on new releases with GRAMMY Award winning Producer Steve Adobbo and have upcoming spring and summer shows, including Rock Stock and Barrels Festival in Rockaway Beach (home of the Ramones) and the Great South Bay Music Festival. Samsara’s alt sound can be heard on their 2021 release Paralyzed in Paradise.

Sydney Irving and the Mojo, based in Syracuse, features 18 year old Sydney Irving, who has been named the 2020 young adult artist of the year by the International Singer Songwriters Assocation, where she will perform this summer in Atlanta, GA. They’ll be performing across New York and three other states this summer. Sydney received the Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist at the 2022 Syracuse Area Music Awards. Watch “Seasons Change” here.

Gooseberry vs Anthropic

Gooseberry is a 4-piece band from Brooklyn, born during the Fall of 2019. Their combination of blues, R&B, and indie rock is a recipe for a unique sound that Gooseberry delivers in each song. Listen to their recently released single “Sleep” here

Anthropic from Buffalo perform grinding death metal, inspired by1980’s grindcore, crust punk and death metal. They’ll play Doused in Death Fest in Buffalo in March. Listen to their 2020 release Architects of Aggression here.

Logan Whaley Band vs Alliteration

Logan Whaley Band from Long Island is a culmination of the best material & musicians Logan has written & met over the last 8 years since graduating from Music School. His music can be best described as having old-school sensibilities with a new-school vibe. He releases his debut album “On The Cusp” on March 4, 2022.

Alliteration from Poughkeepsie perform self-described weird boi punk rock and have recently released their LP Reject. Formed in February 2015, Alliteration combines the driving riffs of alternative and indie punk, elements of a diverse array of genres, and a fun stage presence that shows the passion they hold for their art. Listen here.

Voting for Round 2 has closed. Stay tuned for Round 3 starting on Friday, March 11 at 10am!

DSP Shows Region

Josh Casano vs E.R.I.E.

Josh Casano is a local acoustic artist who has been performing in the Capital Region for almost 8 years. Along with covers, Josh incorporates his own writing into each performance. He holds a degree in Music Education from The College of Saint Rose focused on classical guitar, voice, and piano. Josh is currently fronting the group Josh Casano & the Fam. Catch him at The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls on April 21 at 7pm. Listen to “You Said Hi” here.

A band called E.R.I.E. describe themselves as “Four dads from Upstate NY making indie rock” The Albany quartet released their debut project “Don’t Wanna Live, Don’t Wanna Die” just over a year ago on Mint 400 records. Listen to “The Dirt Inside Your Soul” here.

Dodongo vs Seize Atlantis

Dodongo is a funk/fusion band based out of Brooklyn. The group describes themselves as “six friends making it up as we go along.” Listen to their November 2021 performance from Brooklyn Bowl here.

Fueled by punchy bass, hard-driving percussion, melodic lead guitar, and pronounced moody vocals with meaningful lyrics, a truly dynamic range of soft to heavy Alternative Rock defines the unique, tight sound of Seize Atlantis. Formed in 2019 out of Glens Falls in upstate New York, Seize Atlantis is a four-piece band most closely influenced by bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, providing their own spin on a variety of covers from classic rock to modern pop in addition to their own original music. Listen to “The Unstoppable Groove” here.

Jess Novak vs DF3

Jess Novak takes no prisoners, performing with a fiddle on fire, powerful vocals and a fierce band behind her. The leader of a pop, rock, soul-pumped group from Syracuse brings passion to every performance, with energy, superb musicianship, engaging songwriting and ability to win any crowd. Listen to “The Joke” here.

Donny Frauenhofer Trio, also known as DF3, have been coined as “The Weirdest Music You’ve Never Heard.” Donny’s trio is creatively driven by spontaneity. The group travels through time signatures, styles, and key signatures with ease, making Frauenhofer’s complicated compositions sound like a walk in the park. The group plays a daring brand of original music with unique arrangements of popular tunes tastefully sprinkled in. Listen to “Daylight” here.

All Poets and Heroes vs The Sea The Sea

In the summer of 2015, Rob McCall & Corey Jordan met and founded All Poets & Heroes out of their hometown of Syracuse. That summer, the duo began crafting a sound that explored resonating folk melodies with that of the sensible nostalgia that filled the 90s alternative music scene. Since then, the duo has grown into a full-fledged band developing towards an introspective project that aims to challenge listeners to feel, and to feel deeply. Listen to Occhiolism here.

The Sea The Sea (Chuck E. Costa and Mira Costa) is an Upstate New York based indie folk-pop duo featuring what Bob Boilen (NPR’s All Songs Considered) calls “excellent harmonies” & Huffington Post calls, “Two of the loveliest male-female voices you might ever hear this or any other year.” The group’s 2020 release, Stumbling Home, dubbed “otherworldly” by RollingStone marks the duo’s third full-length album, and the duo’s first primary recording / engineering credits on one of their albums, as well as that of co-producers—teaming up with recent Grammy and Tony award winner Todd Sickafoose (Hadestown, Anais Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Andrew Bird).

Voting for Round 2 has closed. Stay tuned for Round 3 starting on Friday, March 11 at 10am!

The Helping Friendly Hemp Company Region

Jennie Angel vs The Pine Boys

Jennie Angel is an actress in the Hudson Valley who recently rediscovered her love for music. Started playing the guitar when she was 16 and has been singing she was born, now performing popular country hits! Jennie has most recently been added as a member of the Academy of Country Music and will be attending the awards show in March. She’ll perform on April 9 at Karl Hall in Wilkes-Barre, PA and on June 3 at The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie. Discover more on her website.

The Pine Boys reside in Albany and consist of three members: Andrew Cerone, Brett Maney and Sam Lasky. Musically, the group is an eclectic brew of Alternative Rock, Hip-Hop and Funk. They blend character driven story telling with memorable riffs and grooves resulting in something truly their own. They recently released their new album Vacationland and will perform at Pauly’s Hotel on St. Patrick’s Day.

Kyngjo vs HANZOLO

Kyngjo is not only about his melodies but he’s about his business and making his family proud. When he’s not working in Albany he’s networking in Atlanta or in the studio making music. As an independent artist, he is funding his dreams and making the sacrifice to reach his goals. Soon to be the go-to artist for hooks. Check out YouTube for an official video for “Calling Me.”

HANZOLO is a 7-piece band from Upstate New York, toting an explosive and emotional sound that mixes soul, jazz, rock, and funk. Their songs are dance-ably fun with thoughtful lyrics, backed up by a bright horn section. The band’s website contains videos and upcoming tour dates.

The Dirty Doves vs METASEQUOIA

You’d be hard pressed to find a more fitting description of Syracuse’s The Dirty Doves than what you’d find as Urban Dictionary’s top definition of a “Dirty Dove”: “Cute and cuddly as a dove, but down and dirty like a city pigeon.” The Dirty Doves – Jamie Cunningham and Anthony Saturno – have created Pure & Simple, an album that’s somehow sweet, sultry, and serene. Hear for yourself on their Spotify page.

METASEQUOIA sprouted in 2007, taking root in Ithaca and is getting set to release their new album In The Redwoods in April and partnered with their label, New Vine Records. Following the release, they will be trekking on an album tour, with dates set from April – August in CNY, Massachusetts, Connecticut and surrounding areas. Tour dates and cities to be announced soon! Check them out at metasequoia-music.com

Annie in the Water vs Big Time Kitty

Annie in the Water’s music is a groovy combination of Reggae, Funk, Rock, Blues and Jamstyle written with a conscious dose of positive vibes, unique melodies and intelligent lyrics. Their Upstate-centric music evokes the feeling of driving down mountain roads with longtime friends. As the sun rises in the rearview, an unwritten story awaits on the road ahead. Their new album Sun At Dawn is available for pre-order now and an upcoming gig is scheduled at The Hollow on March 4th, 2022.

Big Time Kitty (B.T.K.). Is a funky ass two man band based out of the Adirondacks. Their SoundCloud page gives you a taste of both their original hits and cover selections like “2001” and “Tubthumping.”

Voting for Round 2 has closed. Stay tuned for Round 3 starting on Friday, March 11 at 10am!

NYS Music has partnered with businesses across New York State to highlight these 64 up and coming bands. Regional sponsors include Funk n Waffles, a premiere music venue in Syracuse established in 2007 with a unique take on the culinary and entertainment industries, offering a wide variety of gourmet waffles and breakfast food, as well as offering live music every night! Bearsville Theater in Woodstock is where Americana was born – where Dylan took folk music and married it to Rock & Roll. where folk went electric, and where Janis took a breath and recuperated, before launching her hurricane energy and heart stopping songs out into the world. Renovated in 2019-2020, Bearsville Theater has an impressive calendar of shows for Hudson Valley music lovers.

DSP Shows based in Ithaca, NY and Northampton, MA, is one of the leading independent concert promoters in America, with shows at venues including State Theatre of Ithaca, Hangar Theatre, The Haunt, Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, Brewery Ommegang, Asbury Hall, The 9th Ward at Babeville, and Daryl’s House among others. The Helping Friendly Hemp Company offers a wide variety of industry leading products including tinctures, soft chews, and hemp flower, using only USA grown hemp extract.

The winners of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2022 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.

The XPerience Monthly is the greater Capital Region’s alt-monthly newspaper, bringing independent music and thought provoking articles to the area. The XPerience Monthly will feature the winning band in a newspaper profile and interview this summer.

Check out Past Years’ NYS Music March Madness Here

March 6, 2022
Charli XCX dazzles on Saturday Night Live

Charli XCX made her long awaited return to Saturday Night Live, alongside host Oscar Isaac of the upcoming MCU series Moon Knight.

Originally, Charli XCX was slated to be the musical guest for the Christmas episode of SNL in December 2021, but due to the omicron wave of COVID-19, the show was filmed with a limited cast and host Paul Rudd, and she was rescheduled for the March 5th episode.

Tonight marked Charli’s second time playing SNL, having first performed on the show in 2014 when her sophomore album Sucker was released. Now in 2022, she’s promoting her forthcoming album, Crash, due out March 18.

Charli XCX has been performing and writing music for other artists in her decade long career, including “I Love It” by Icona Pop and “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea, in addition to her hit “Boom Clap.” Toeing the line between mainstream pop and being an indie darling, Charli has built up a core fanbase and dabbles in the burgeoning subgenre of hyperpop. On the upcoming Crash, Charli collaborates with Christine and the Queens, Caroline Polachek and Rina Sawayama.

Before arriving on the Studio 8H stage, Charli showed up as a singing meatball in a disturbing pre-taped sketch, which doubled as veteran cast member Kenan Thompson’s 1500th sketch, an all time best for SNL.

Her first song, “Beg For You,” featured Charli dressed in a white gown and lengthy bedazzled nails amid a bright stage with flowing scrims, the song sampling the 2007 song “Cry for You” by September.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZKUEmT3J-k

Her second song of the night, “Baby,” was just released on Friday, March 4, and featured Charli in a black dress with two dancers flanking her and a full band backing her up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeO_f-Gbzzo

SNL returns March 12 with host and The Batman star Zoë Kravitz and musical guest Rosalia.

March 6, 2022
25 Years Later: Phish perform “Character Zero” on the Late Show with David Letterman

On Wednesday, March 5, 1997, Phish was the musical guest at The Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway, performing “Character Zero” on the Late Show with David Letterman.

The band had just returned from a tour of Europe a few days prior, with Trey Anastasio and Jon Fishman both sporting a post-international tour/vacation beard.

Following the performance, Letterman came over to shake the band’s hands, saying “Nice to see you again” to which Anastasio replied, “Hope you got the ice cream,” referring to the new Ben and Jerry’s ice cream flavor, Phish Food, just released nationwide a month prior. A concert at the Flynn Theater in Burlington, VT on March 18, 1997, would officially release the flavor, including an appearance by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield just before the show began.

Guests on the show this evening included Chevy Chase and Mary McCormack from the ABC show Murder One.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7frkMAW6-g

One of the arena rock songs in the Phish repertoire, “Character Zero” typically is found as a set closer in recent years, putting an exclamation point on a show and extracting jubilation from fans in the song’s refrain.

The band’s appearance on Letterman was their third overall, starting on December 30, 1994 with “Chalkdust Torture,” “Julius” on July 13, 1995, “Birds of a Feather” on October 27, 1998, “Heavy Things” on May 15, 2000, a multi-song performance on the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee on June 21, 2004, and “The Line” on June 25, 2014.

I was taught a month ago
To bide my time and take it slow
But then I learned just yesterday
To rush and never waste the day
Well I’m convinced the whole day long
That all I learn is always wrong
And things are true that I forget
But no one taught that to me yet
I ought to see the man Mulcahey
I was taught a month ago
To bide my time and take it slow
But then I learned just yesterday
To rush and never waste the day
Now I’m convinced the whole day long
That all I learn is always wrong
And things are true that I forget
But no one taught that to me yet
I ought to see the man Mulcahey
“Character Zero” lyrics

March 5, 2022
Iron & Wine Happy to Play Sad Songs for Intimate Egg Crowd in Albany

Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Sam Beam, better known by the stage name Iron & Wine, made a long overdue visit to the Capital Region Sunday night, bringing the “Back to Basics Tour” to a mostly sold out Swyer Theatre crowd at The Egg.  Delivering a masterful set of original music while simultaneously putting on a clinic of “cool”, the thought provoking and soul-searching show was the kind of thing every fan of modern folk music dreams of.  Straddling the line, but always finding the balance between intensely personal pain and lighthearted laughter, the stripped-down performance was nothing short of mesmerizing.

The evening began with a brief opening set from female singer/songwriter Hannah Cohen who was marvelous in her own right.   Quickly making mention of how nice and clean the venue was, for whatever reason, it made her want to be dirty and curse out loud.   “Fuckitdy fuck fuck fuck,” she blurted out, breaking the ice as the audience doubled over in laughter. After playing her first song, she told the crowd “This is not working for me, you guys are just way too quiet.  You always hope for an attentive audience, but what do you do when you actually get one?” she pondered.  Her beautiful and delicate voice juxtaposed with her raw sense of humor, foul language and a “tongue in cheek” invitation to pass one of her smelly shoes around for the room for anyone who wants a whiff all made for a memorable opening act for an artist worth keeping an eye on.

Hannah Cohen gets a leg up at The Egg

After a brief intermission and the customary dimming of the lights five minute prior to showtime, just a stool, a glass of water and a rack full of Taylor acoustic guitars set the stage for the evening’s headliner. No flashy lights, no fog machines, no video projections.  Just a soft-spoken man named Sam and his signature “Rick Rubin-like” beard.  Taking the stage to a hearty applause, Iron & Wine surveyed the audience while tuning up, asking where everyone was from and essentially letting them know it was ok to let their hair down a bit and interact. “They say I’m a folk singer, which isn’t exactly true.  But I don’t give a shit, if it fits, it fits.”

Papa died Sunday and I understood; All dead white boys say, “God is good” -Sodom South Georgia

After a bit of noodling on the nylon, Iron & Wine opened the set with some heavy subject matter in the form of “Sodom South Georgia,” likely in acknowledgment that it was a Sunday evening during the coldest month of winter. The well-mannered crowd hanging on every word in total silence from the get-go, then unanimously erupting in approval upon the song’s final note, an ovation so loud even Sam seemed surprised. “Oh, it’s gonna be that kind of night.  Ok Albany, I see you. As a performer, you have no idea how strong that kind of applause makes us feel,” Beam said.  “But no matter how many times I’ve played this next one, all the clapping in the world won’t stop me from messing up.”

Alone and vulnerable on darkened stage Sam did screw up, even stopping mid song at one point and telling us there were just so many chords to remember. “I probably should have practiced.”  Charming in his honesty, it’s part of what makes Iron & Wine so endearing and relatable to both new fans and old.  “It’s ok Sam, we still love you!” shouted a female voice near the front.  “Thanks for coming, Mom” Beam immediately responded with razor-sharp wit. “I’m so glad you could make it out tonight.”  A joke that had everyone laughing and one he’d play up for the remainder of the show.  Beam’s personality always showing through, despite a set made of mostly melancholy material. “Now I don’t know about you,” he joked, “but when I think about uplifting feel good albums, ones you can throw on at the gym, I think we know who’s right at the top. These little rooms are fun though, yeah? For some people.”

Some call it talking blues (talking blues)
Some call it bitter truth
Some call it getting even in a song
I can’t read it, didn’t mean it
As you would rage how I was wrong
Life is too short, and you’d stay too long
Let’s be honest, we were strongest till I let you drag me down
I was sorry then, I’m not now
You’d better love yourself, ’cause I tried
-Bitter Truth

“What a weird job. You can say bullshit and people will clap.  It’s amazing, you guys should try it.  Just go to your job and like totally fuck up everything that you try to do, curse, and see what happens.  You never know, you might be rewarded like me? It’s fucking crazy.” And with that confession, came perhaps the standout song of the night and also the biggest hit in the brilliant Iron & Wine catalog; a hauntingly unique, vocal only rendition of “Flightless Bird, American Mouth.” Prominently featured in Hollywood’s ultra-successful Twilight saga, the song currently has over 162 million streams on Spotify alone.   Claiming vampires have long been a great muse for songwriters, he is very aware of just how pretentious some people view his music. “It’s pretty crazy to write these songs and put them out. You don’t know who it lands on.  Sometimes it lands pretty hard though and you have no idea.    I just want to say ‘thanks.’”

Watch Iron & Wine perform “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” live at The Egg!

All tallied up, Iron & Wine played a total of 16 songs spanning across 10 albums. Fans were also treated to an as-of-yet unreleased song called “Why Hate Winter.” Other notable highlights included “Grace for Saints and Ramblers,” Each Coming Night, ”Autumn Town Leaves,” “Call it Dreaming,” and the set closing “Waitin’ for a Superman.”

The story the setlist doesn’t show, however, is what the audience brought to the table.  While it may have been a one man show mostly consisting of slow and sad songs, the crowd was fully invested and lively the entire night. A mutual back-and-forth- feeding of energy through off the cuff banter, a little beatboxing, and lots of mutual laughter, this was the variable that truly made the show something special. Combined with a carefully crafted setlist chosen specifically for Albany, you won’t get this same show the next time, or in the next city.  While Beam’s playing wasn’t aways perfect, he’s a perfect example of personality going a long way and that it’s somehow possible to turn sorrow into success.  A special kind of artist capable of changing the way you think and how you feel. I dare say anyone who was at Swyer Theatre on Sunday night left The Egg as a different, more complete person.

Up next for Iron & Wine, a few weeks of rest before returning to the road for the remainder of the Back-to-Basics tour. After that, Beam will join up with his ultra-talented buddy Andrew Bird for the recently announced Outside Problems Tour. The co-headlining jaunt is set to bring the two acclaimed artists to more than 25 cities later this summer, including stops at both Pier 17 in New York as well as Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard in LaFayette, New York. The smart money says you’re not going to want to sleep on this one.

Iron & Wine / February 27, 2022 / Swyer Theatre at The Egg, Albany, NY

Setlist: Sodom South Georgia, Follow the Water, Lion’s Mane, Bitter Truth, Lover’s Revolution, Each Coming Night, Flightless Bird, American Mouth, Autumn town Leaves, Woman King, Resurrection Fern, Rabbit Will Run, Grace for Saints and Ramblers, Why Hate Winter, Call It Dreaming, Waitin’ for a Superman.

Encore: Cinder and Smoke

March 5, 2022
Gooseberry Releases Melancholic Yet Electrifying Single: “Sleep”

Gooseberry show a ton of promise. The four-piece band met through the Brooklyn music scene and consists of Asa Daniels on guitar and vocals, Evin Rossington on drums, Sam Rappaport on keys and vocals, and Will Hammond on bass.

The band has played in classic venues across the city like The Bowery Electric and The Knitting Factory. They have also written and released several singles since they were formed in 2019. The synthesis of these factors have allowed Gooseberry to develop a definitive sound and a deep sense of confidence in their delivery.

This confidence reigns through on their newest indie release, “Sleep,” which highlights their potential. Much like “Come A Little Closer” from Cage The Elephant, the track has a soulful body over which a whimsical battle between melancholic vocals and electrifyingly chaotic breakdowns occurs. The sum of these genre-bending characteristics all equates to an indie culmination of sonic mastery.

The band blends and switches between sounds with such grace, you would think the four had been playing together for years. However, quite the opposite reigns true. Although the band has only been together for two and half years, they play like they have a decade under their belt. With that being said, “Sleep” is sure to become an underground indie classic and a staple piece in the band’s discography.

In association with the single’s release, the band has announced the release date for their debut EP, Broken Dance, which is set to release May 6th. So long as the contents on the EP are a fraction of what the band displayed on “Sleep,” it is sure to be a banger.

For more information on Gooseberry, check out www.gooseberryband.com.

March 5, 2022
This Week’s EQXposure Features Honey Suckle Vine, Patrick Sargent, The Young Love Scene

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, Honey Suckle Vine, Patrick Sargent, The Young Love Scene 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.

Honey Suckle VIne – “Painted Nights”

Honey Suckle Vine (HSV) is a high-energy 4-piece blues-rock band based out of the Capital District of New York State. The songwriting team of Joey Jaquez (vocals, harmonica) and Jeremy Silverman (guitar, vocals) have been creating original material for over 20 years across the USA. Joined in 2017 by long time friends Graham Espe (bass, vocals, recording and production) and David Snediker (drums, vocals), Their latest “Painted Nights” is featured on this week’s EQXposure.

The Young Love Scene – “Honey”

The music of The Young Love Scene was born in 2014, a year in which Gordon Goldsmith faced challenges he did not know he could surmount. After releasing the EP Haypenny Hashcandy under his own name, Goldsmith was burned out, jaded, and flat broke. TYLS began as a way for him to work through his feelings of loss and alienation after he moved back home to recuperate. Frustrated with Haypenny’s failure to portray the full range of his emotions, he started over. Listen to their later “Honey” below and on Sunday night between 7-9pm.

Patrick Sargent – “Rebel Yells”

Patrick Sargent was born in Phoenix, AZ and grew up in Concord, NH now resides in Sunderland, VT. An avid lover of music from an early age Patrick started playing music at three years old as well as doing theater and writing novels. After having gone through some ups and downs Patrick dedicated his entire life to music playing original songs and covers. Somewhat of a multi-instrumentalist Patrick plays bass, drums, guitar, and sings. Most known for his guitar skills and unique voice, Patrick is excited to finish up work with the local Old Mill recording studio.

March 5, 2022
The Stereo Release Music For First Time in 20 Years

Indie rock band The Stereo release new music for the first time in 20 years on Wednesday. “Kings of No Hope” is the first single from their upcoming album Thirteen, scheduled for release on May 13.

Along with the single and album announcement the band will also release five part podcast series about the band’s history. Also called “Kings of No Hope,” the podcast series details the band’s founding in 1999, it’s multiple dissolutions in 2001 and 2004, and subsequent reassembly in 2011. The podcast features interviews with the band members and notable music industry figures including Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional) and Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy).

The current iteration of The Stereo original members Jamie Woolford and Rory Phillips along with bassist Chris Serafini, and drummer Sam Hardwig.

While never receiving widespread critical or fan acclaim The Stereo was always well respected by other indie rock musicians. “I think that there’s about 600 to 1,000 bands currently that owe their career to The Stereo,” said Jack Antonoff, the lead singer of Bleachers.

As part of the album’s announcement The Stereo launched a Kickstarter campaign to support a vinyl production of both “Thirteen” and “The Kings of No Hope” podcast series.

March 4, 2022
Hearing Aide: Annie in the Water’s “Sun at Dawn” Tells A Beautiful and Intoxicating Story

Annie in the Water has released their third studio album, Sun at Dawn. After Michael Lashomb and Bradley Hester met at Hobart College in Geneva, the band has gone through a plethora of changes. Since its nascency in 2007, founders Michael Lashomb and Bradley Hester have led the band, and their newest album, Sun At Dawn, shows the band in a new light.

Beautiful & Figurative Storytelling

Sun At Dawn is a story that takes place in a tropical setting, yet it provokes much deeper thought than the sound that it embellishes. It tells a story of love and loss, and lust and gluttony, all over surf jam-rock instrumentation. An oxymoronic approach to a concept album is nothing particularly new or innovative to music at all, but it takes a certain level of mastery to execute it in a mature manner. Additionally, over what is essentially a beach playlist, this approach may be hard to execute. One can go the easy route and make an entire album over summer beach jams. However, with only a few minor criticisms to the album, Annie in the Water does an excellent job creating an invigorating piece of art.

The album starts with “Bloom,” leading with an intoxicating synthesizer and warm guitar progression that immediately hypnotize the listener. In a way, the song feels kaleidoscopic. The instruments work off of each other beautifully and transport you to a tropical setting. This is a skill that Annie in the Water demonstrates throughout the whole album, including “In The Sand,” a song about being lost in the desert.

Lyrics read “I’ve arrived it seems, but nothing here is green, no rain just shine, no roads in sight, to lead me to the land, I’ve yet to find.” They continue: “I’m lost in my plan, burning up in the desert sunset, pull the map out of the sand, although there’s nothing written there.” While these lyrics articulate and describe the situation our protagonist is in, the feeling extracted from the song would be nothing without the instrumentation’s ability to complete the story. The key the instruments work in completes the deserted feeling the protagonist feels. The guitar feels sandy and the sporadicalness of the keys adds a layer of confusion. On the other hand, the percussion and bass add the perfect amount of bounce to maintain an oxymoronic element of stoke in such a depressing song. “In The Sand” is a song about feeling lost after losing a partner you care deeply for, and it is a beautiful way to articulate this emotion.

Another song that transports the listener and contemplates an oxymoron is “Water.” Like the previous song, this song is also about losing a partner. The lead singer feels that their ex-partner is omnipresent and they feel an incredible, insatiable lust for them. They know, however, that they can never go back to them, and while this fact is never explicitly stated in the lyrics, the instrumentation communicates an entirely different story.

This song, a step away from the tropic jams on this album, also makes beautiful use of the mark tree. In every verse, the lyrics start off incredibly abstract, drawing metaphors to the rain and the moon when speaking about this person. As the verse progresses though, the lyrics get more and more real, at which point the singer eventually breaks and confesses that their former lover moved to California, a far detour from the Upstate New York-based band. At the end of each verse, however, the mark tree melodically transports both the listener and the protagonist back to a dream-like state, where they can feel free to live in the fantasy with this partner. Sounds of pouring water also play at the end of the song, suggesting this person will always be a part of this person.

Jam Bands Jam

As stated earlier, a major feat of the band is the ability to bounce their instruments off of each other. “Lights Up,” for instance, begins with a feeling of slight dissonance between the instruments. This is totally intentional; the instruments follow the same time signature, there is just a slight air in between them. Without even realizing it though, the instruments were jamming together in perfect unison. Notably, the instrumentalists seem like they are enjoying themselves and that joy is contagious for the listener.

Similarly, “In The Sand” ends in a beautiful cacophony of jam rock. The guitar solo reeks of swagger, sludge, and beautiful vibes. Accompanying it is a beautiful percussive beat and the two instrumentalists work off of each other in an infinitely excellent and masterful way. It is impossible to finish this song without bobbing your head.

Sun at Dawn definitely has a unique sound to it, however, this does not stop the listener from hearing some obvious influences, including the whammy guitar from “Seeds.” It sounds exactly like something Hendrix would have played, but Hendrix would have played better. The guitar of “Bloom,” on the other hand, doesn’t feel like a carbon copy. Instead, it more so pays a nod to Jimmy Page. In the same essence, “Water” draws a striking similarity to Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain.”

Now, every artist wears their influence on their sleeves from time to time. My only concern for Annie in the Water is that, even though this album displays incredible personality, whether or not that personality is distinct to the album only and not the band. Additionally, throughout the album, the presence of synthesizers, for the most part, at the very least add something of value, although on a song like “Water,” an incredibly introspective song about long-lost love, can be heavy at times.

Overall, Sun At Dawn is an excellent album with some minor flaws. The band’s contagious and figurative instrumentation alongside introspective lyricism makes for an enjoyable seven-track run. Sun At Dawn is available on Spotify and Apple Music now. For more information, check out their Facebook or Instagram.

Key Tracks: Turnaround, Water, Pleasure in Sin

March 4, 2022

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