NYS Music 202​2

Category: Artist Profile

  • Gene Casey’s Alt-Country Music Captivates

    The simple definition of a troubadour is that of a poet bringing lyrics to song. Gene Casey’s music has been captivating the East-end of Long Island for decades. During the first week in November, I had the honor to interview Gene Casey on The Long Island Sound podcast. A self-defined Roots-Rock, Alt-Country musician, Casey and the Lone Sharks deliver a show to behold. Gene’s deep baritone voice smoothly moves between covers of Cash and Presley to his vast catalog of original songs. 

    Gene Casey

    The Lone Sharks – The Bar Band of the Hamptons

    Most of my interviews are done virtually, which provides a speed-dating type of vibe, which allows a deep dive into the artist behind the music. As luck would have it, Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks were playing in my backyard, at a venue in Bay Shore, called Fire Island Vines. The crowd thoroghly enjoyed the show and could not wipe the smiles off their faces.

    Well-known as the “Bar band of the Hamptons” Gene and his troupe ventured West. The Lone Shark’s lineup includes Chris Ripley (drums), Tom Hopkins (Upright Bass), Paul Scher (Tenor Sax)  and Gene Casey (Lead Guitar). Gene’s performance harkened my mind back to a time when a 1950’s  four-piece could provide the big sound and the simplicity of arrangement that draws you into another time and place, allowing you to forget the troubles of the day. 

    Stellar Performance

    I was captivated by Friday night’s performance. Gene is a master entertainer, connecting and cajoling the audience as several danced to his Rockabilly rhythms. His song, “I love what I do”, is a memorable diddy well worth the download. 

    The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame

    During Gene’s podcast episode, we were able to gaze into his songwriting process, his sojourns to Nashville, and adventurous career.

    In 2014, Gene and the Long Sharks received the Long Island sound Award by the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, “for contributions to the Island’s musical landscape.”  Over the years, Gene’s music has been on the soundtracks of television shows and featured films. Gene Casey has shared the bill backing legends of Rock & Roll acts such as The Band, Wanda Jackson and Bo Diddley

    Songwriting Style

    I queried Gene about his Alt-Country and Roots-Rock writing style:

    Writing a country song. And I liked that, because, you know, just get to the point, back up the point and move along. Lyrically, yep. And it’s not easy to do. Because there’s no filler, no waste, you got to be every syllable, every syllable in a Hank Williams song is there for a good reason. There’s nothing, no waste.

    Gene Casey

    Gene and the Lone Shark’s dance card is full these days. Besides the various gigs and shows Gene hosts “Down Home Country” on WUSB 90.1FM, as the alternate host for this long running radio program covering a century of Country Music every other Sunday. 

    If you want to Rock the Town during the holiday season, there’s one Rock & Roll Christmas show not to be missed at the Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, NY. This annual holiday event dubbed “A Rockabilly Christmas” features the great Jason D. William, his pumpin’ piano along with Gene and the Lone Sharks.

    You can find Gene Casey’s music right here on Spotify. Be sure to visit Gene’s website to find out where he’s playing next, and enjoy his episode on The Long Island Sound podcast. 

  • Fifteen year-old Ukranian Refugee to play at Carnegie Hall with NYYS

    For most 15-year-old musicians, playing Carnegie Hall is a feat, marked by years of strife, effort, apprehension and excitement. It’s the event of a lifetime, a venue that represents decades of tradition in music and excellence. Most 15-year-olds won’t know the pressure of playing Carnegie Hall. But for bassoonist Dmytro Tishyn, playing Carnegie Hall on November 20 with the New York Youth Symphony is far from the first thing on his mind. In February 2022, Dmytro Tishyn hoisted a backpack and his bassoon onto his back and boarded a 24-hour train ride to Poland as a refugee, leaving his Ukranian home, parents, grandparents and brother behind. 

    Dmytro Tishyn,

    Instead of looking at it as an evacuation, Tishyn looked at his three month departure from Ukraine — the days long train ride, the cab ride across Poland’s border, the three month long stay in Berlin — as an adventure. 

    That adventure has culminated with Tishyn taking the stage with the New York Youth Symphony, under Music Director Micahel Repper, with violinist Francisco Fullana. The concert will feature Gabrieela Lena Frank’s “Escaramuza,” Édouardo Lalo’s “Symphonie Espagnole,” featuring Fullana, Ari Sussman’s First Music Commission “I hope this finds you well” and Georges Bizet’s “L’Arlésienne Suite 1 & 2.”

    The show is on Sunday, November 20 at 2 p.m. and tickets are starting at $18. Even though Carnegie Hall is a long way from Ukraine, Tishyn still manages to keep his family close. When he takes the stage on Sunday, it will be with his father’s bassoon.

  • Gregory Dwane: A Music Industry Veteran Worth Emulation

    After interviewing dozens of music industry up-and-comers to bonafide professionals, there is certainly much to learn from Gregory Dwane who is a music industry veteran worth emulating. I was captivated by his song, “When You Say California”, which has a Tom Petty feel to it and was a great introductory track exposing me to want to dive deeper into his catalog. You can find Gregory Dwane on Spotify. 

    Gregory Dwane Smiles

    I had the pleasure to interview Mr. Dwane on The Long Island Sound podcast. This minstrel hails from a small town in North Carolina and ultimately settled into the New York City music scene in the 90’s.

    He’s a sort of a utility man in the music industry where the road to success is littered with its own detours and off ramps, Gregory Dwane is a survivor whose skill was to not only be good at his craft, but through an honest demeanor, made the best of the opportunities set before him.

     A Road Well Chosen

    Touring the world with Alanis Morrisette, Gregory Dwane worked with David Navarro, Macy Gray, Jane’s Addiction and Joan Osborne. The serendipitous twists and turns, set him on a trajectory from alcohol abuse to sobriety.

          “I went from thinking my world was over to touring the world”

    Gregory Dwane

    Dwane’s resume would detail skills in record engineering, producing, fine art,  singer/songwriting, jingle writing, and Country music entertainment. Sojourning from New York to Nashville, and from L.A. to Connecticut, provided this multi-talented music industry professional with a multi-dimensional group of experiences. HIs keen ear manages to guide an artist through the wormhole of production frustration to a fully produced album ready to launch on the market. 

    Alternative Country, a place worth the visit

    With a firm footing in the Alt-Country genre, Gregory Dwayne’s songwriting presents an artist weathered by life’s experiences moving from rebellion to redemption. After a short hiatus from the music business, it was his reinvention as a fine-art painter that would eventually lead him back to songwriting. 

    I want my MTV

    When I read Gregory Dwane’s EPK, I thought I spied a misprint. How could this rural North Carolinian be inspired by a combination of MTV, and the movie Beat Street and then move to New York City in the 90’s, finally settling in as an Americana and Alt-Country Singer/Songwriter?

    I believe what separates the creatives in our world from the rest of us, is that an artist acts on the muse and opportunities they find within reach. Gregory Dwane’s humility and good-nature seemed to open doors, as his cohorts recognized his honed craft, ultimately opening doors to further expose his art. 

    Gregory Dwane is unstoppable. While continuing to produce his own music, he has also applied his expertise as a producer for Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls as well as other artists. 

    During the interview, I found a skilled artist whose creativity could not be contained. Dwane mirrors the desire we have to find understanding and equilibrium in our lives. Enrich your playlists with his music, and you will not be disappointed.

  • Joanie Leeds and Fyütch are Redefining Christmas Music

    Yes, it’s only October, and yes the high in Syracuse today was in the 60s, but some might say it’s never too early for Christmas music. On October 21, NYC-based Grammy winner Joanie Leeds and Grammy-nominated Fyütch released their first original song, “Every Day’s a Holiday.” The two released the song with an accompanying music video in advance of their holiday music project, Oy Vey! Another Christmas Album, releasing on November 4.

    Joanie Leeds Fyütch Christmas

    When Joanie Leeds discovered that most of our most-loved Christmas songs were written by Jewish people, it was particularly inspiring to her as a Jewish singer much lauded for her songwriting prowess — in addition to her Grammy, Leeds claimed first in the USA Songwriting competition and International Songwriting Competition as well as finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting competition.

    Leeds was moved by the dichotomous spirit behind those Christmas tunes and thought the perfect way to honor the work of their original Jewish songwriters was through continuing their practice; so she started writing her own holiday music. The upcoming album will feature four covers of classic Christmas songs written by Jewish songwriters and two originals, co-written with Fyütch. 

    Though it feels early for Christmas, this new angle on the holiday season couldn’t come sooner, with Ye’s recent interviews and tweets that spread anti-semitic rhetoric to an avid audience of music devotees. 

    “I love our contribution to the holiday season and was excited to share my passion project with the world and write some new ones too, especially as anti-Semitism is on the rise,” Reeds said.

    “Every Day’s A Holiday” is a fresh and fun take on a traditional Christmas song. It retains the classic choral sounds of the classics, but with a twist: it’s not just a Christmas song, it’s a song dedicated to all holidays. In “Every Day’s A Holiday,” Christmas trees, dreidels, thanksgiving turkeys, fireworks, easter eggs all exist in musical harmony. The video itself is campy and engaging, with Leeds and Fyütch dancing around each other, with props and instruments as cartoon holiday animations flash over the green screen behind them. 

    The album will be out November 4, and you can stream the single here and watch the video below.

  • NY Rapper Dylan Owen Produces and Scores Film Pairing for Album

    How To Find Yourself is a new film produced by rapper Dylan Owen and directed by Brian Petchers. In it, the two try to answer that very question by following teens through those familiar coming of age film tropes: traipsing through wheat fields, impromptu fight clubs, screaming for joy on a roof in slow motion, motorcyling through back alleys. The characters speak over those portraits of adolescence in interviews — airing the regrets, joys and discoveries their juvenile years brought them.

    And playing underneath it all is a heartfelt acoustic score by Dylan Owen, of the same name, made for the film and featured on the artist’s upcoming EP, Take Care Of Yourself.

    Dylan Owen

    Dylan Owen found himself moving all around Upstate NY as he grew up. He’s from Orange County, NY, and has lived in Goshen, Middletown, Circleville and Chester; Owen now calls himself proudly a “nowhere kid from a nowhere town.” Now living in NYC, Dylan Owen’s poetic songwriting and sensitive style has found him a wider audience and prompted comparisons to icons such as Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa. How to Find Yourself is Owen’s foray into film making, and fans who know of Topaz Jones’ short film – that paired with his album Don’t Go Tellin Your Momma which looks at Jones’ own upbringing in Montclair, NJ – will connect with Owen’s film.

    Through the testimonies from the film’s characters and the emotionally evoking scenes of innocence juxtaposed with violence and sudden danger, the film creates a space for people to openly share their stories of growing up, with an emphasis on those working through mental health problems. How to Find Yourself focuses on the harrowing journey to love and know other people and yourself while working through obstacles of anxiety and depression.

    The short film will be released on October 25, and Owen’s album will be out in November. 

  • How to Reinvent Community with a Rock Choir

    They say there is no such thing as coincidence, well that was before Artificial Intelligence was deployed in our browser searches. In the case of Rock Voices and Tony Lechner, its founder, I’m grateful either way. 

    The Collision of AI & Coincidence

    Rock Voices

    The impact of harmony cannot be denied when you discover a new ways to connect in community with Rock Music. I spied the Rock Voices advertisement on Facebook, combing the Internet for potential guests on my podcast The Long Island Sound. Intrigued by the YouTube video of various people singing a choral arrangement of Rock songs, I am reminded of the Playing for Change, Songs Around the World videos, which began on the web during the Covid quarantine. Leave it to the musician community, who will not be deterred from delivering their art to the masses, while endeavoring to draw communities together. Ever amazed at the seeds of creativity, I am drawn to unpack Rock Voices, an amazing program. Taking a stab at an invitation and reaching out to Tony Lechner, we were drilling down on the particulars after a couple of days for an interview.

    Follow the full conversation with Tony Lechner, a music professor turned entrepreneurial rock coral arranger on The Long Island Sound Podcast. 

    Professor Tony planted the seeds of a rock coral group ten years ago in Hadley, MA.  Our cousins across the pond in England had flushed out the idea and Mr. Lechner knew the time was right to start a no-audition Rock chorus in America. He was so amazed with the early impact and results, he told the pioneers of Rock Voices that he’d quit his full-time job as music teacher and pursue the dream of bringing a Rock-based choral group to life.

    Recalling the many Zoom calls we all engaged in during quarantine, and recognizing the need to stay connected to the community, Rock Voices is well worth investigating. The program seems to be a prescription to allow singers of every skill level re-enter the local collective and have some fun along the way.

    I don’t even like to call it a choir, I’d like to call it a Rock Band with a ton of singers

    Tony Lechner

    Communities Making Connections

    Today, Rock Voices has chapters in six states, and there is a waiting list for new locations as the vetting process for directors continues.  New York State has chorus’ in Albany, Brooklyn Heights, Saratoga Springs, Syosset, and Syracuse.  They perform concerts in the Spring, Summer and Autumn seasons.

    The various Rock Voices Choral Groups have performed selections from the Beatles, James Taylor and the Foo Fighters to name a few. 

    I was amazed at the arrangements, in particular, the cover of “Somebody to Love ” by Queen, raised the hair on my arms and pulled at my heartstrings.

    A choral group is a great place to hide and learn in a no judgment zone

    Tony Lechner

    Healing Harmony

    Tony spoke about the various studies which highlight the mental health benefits for the participants who engage in harmony singing. The positive feedback from the choral group members is an endorsement of the healing powers that music can bring to a community. Rock Voices flings the door wide open and provides an easy entry point for everyone to participate in a fun-loving learning experience. So if you’re ready to Rock, this just might be the therapy you need.

  • Budding NYC Artist Sid Seth’s New Single is ‘Simple Yet True’

    When Sid Seth moved to NYC from Ahmedabad, Gujarat in India five years ago to attend the Manhattan School of Music he shortly found that “the city that never sleeps” seemed to have gone into hibernation. In a new city, at a new school and without friends, Sid Seth turned to art and music, his longtime companions. It was during this time that Seth wrote “Simple Yet True,” his just-released debut single.

    “Simple Yet True,” trickles in with acoustic guitar and Seths clear vocals, before building to a cathartic emotional release. The song is yearning but bright, a song for slow mornings, paired with coffee and cream. 

    sImple yet true Sid Seth

    Seth made the song using his own multi-instrumentalist talents on guitar and piano and with the help of Kris Crawford — who has produced for Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes — and Alex Psaroudakis — who has won a Grammy for master engineering. In addition to these industry veterans at his back, Seth has experience playing live in NYC at such venues as the Bowery Electric, Feinstein’s 54 Below and the Green Room, and at venues in India as well. 

    But he’s not just a musician. Seth’s inspiration for “Simple yet True” actually came from painting first. In his room during the pandemic, when the city seemed to stand still, Seth felt drawn to the page, he said. He ended up painting a long-forgotten scene from his childhood onto the canvas, and that artful nostalgia translates in clean sweeps off the canvas and into his music. 

    Sid Seth’s next show is at Kobrick Coffee Co. in NYC on October 20 at 7:30. He will be playing with Justin Charles, an 18-year-old song-writer and producer. Tickets are available here. And, on December 8 Seth will play Rockwood Music Hall.

  • Happy Birthday To Harlem’s Very Own A$AP Rocky

    Happy Birthday to one of Harlem’s most influential public figures, A$AP Rocky. The Grammy nominee was born on October 3, 1988 and since has made his mark globally as a fashion icon, trendsetter as well as a versatile rapper. Before reaching double digits, he began rapping, however it was not until 2007 when Rocky’s professional career took off as a member of A$AP Mob. In the years to come, he cemented himself within the music and fashion industries forever.

    A$AP Rocky

    In 2011, Rocky released his first mixtape LIVE.LOVE.A$AP and from then on out, the sky was the limit. If people did not know of the talent within Rocky’s words and his delivery, then they knew from that very moment. His psychedelic album changed the game as he broke away from traditional New York rap. His hit songs “Peso” and “Purple Swag” had everyone talking about who Rocky is and wondering what’s next on his agenda.

    In 2012, he made his first guest appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show, to reveal his talents to an ever-growing fanbase, where he performed his newly released top single “Goldie”. All within the same year, he extended his discography with another hit song, featuring the legendary Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar, on “F**kin’ Problems”. There was no surprise when both topped the charts and went platinum.

    As his debut studio album, LONG.LIVE.A$AP dropped, Rocky, was accoladed with being an essential component of today’s rap game. On this album, he released the record “Fashion Killa”, which accentuated his capability to intertwine rap with fashion so effortlessly. His debut, along with his sophomore album AT. LONG. LASt. A$AP, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts.

    Although Rocky stayed true to himself, he undoubtedly improved throughout the longevity of his career. Unlike others within the music industry, Rocky allocated his time to maintaining his status as a fashion muse, alongside his rapping career. In 2014 he appeared in the DKNY Spring campaign, as well as the Dior Homme’s fall campaign in 2016. Additionally, collaborations with Guess, Under Amour, J.W. Anderson, Calvin Klein and more revolutionized the way rappers, especially from New York were perceived. His cultural influence on the music and fashion industries were nothing less than monumental.

    As for now, Rocky is cherishing a new beginning with his iconic girlfriend, legendary artist, businesswoman and creative genius, Rihanna, a description which only scratches the surface of how powerful she is. The two first collaborated together in 2012 on her single “Cockiness”, whereas he later joined her during Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour. In Rocky’s hit song “Fashion Killa”, Rihanna was featured as the “It girl” and the rest was history. Today, Rocky welcomes his first child with whom he describes as the “love of my life.” He recently released his debut directional video called “D.M.B.” featuring Rihanna, which showcases “a ghetto love tale”.

    Although Rocky is a new father, his career is from over. In fact, his upcoming album is almost ready to be introduced to the world, as he wraps up his visuals for it. Back in 2018, Rocky released his third studio album Testing, but now he has declared to be pushing himself to the limit with his latest masterpiece.

    Going from that industrial, subversive sound from Testing and then graduating with a more polished sound…I just like where it is.

    Asap Rocky

    As a significant representative of this generation’s hip hop artists, his elevated style will always live on. His creative ability to synthesize rap history, while staying true to his own unique sound is what led him to the success he has today. Once again Happy Birthday to A$AP Rocky, and may his impact forever live on.

  • Jellz Is Back and Wants to Run it up til ‘Infinity’ With Newest Single

    After a hiatus in-between singles, Brooklyn bred rapper Jellz is back with his latest effort, “Infinity.” In his return from his musical sabbatical, he introduces a new version of himself. His prior releases like “Bullsh*t” and “Ghost” saw Jellz try his hand at his own wave of drill music. Bringing an extravagant feel to the violent-laden sub-genre. With a renewed focus and plan, Jellz returns to show fans that he has more in his bag.

    Shot while on vacation in Los Santos, Colombia, the music video for “Ghost (Freestyle)” saw Jellz bring much more flair than the drill scene is accustomed to.

    I still have drill music in the bag, but I’m more than just a drill artist. I have a lot of different flows, and feel like I’m just an artist honestly. So I wanted to give the fans a little something different this time around. In the future you’ll be hearing a lot of drill type beats mixed with my own melodies.

    His New Single

    The auto-tune laced “Infinity” brings the feel-good ambience of life’s never ending chase for success. In an enticing opening chorus, Jellz raps, “I done made some friends made some enemies, I can’t f**k with ni***s that move finicky, I just wanna ball with my day ones, know we got the sauce keep it A1.”

    Jellz spends much of his time away from the States

    The song’s theme of never-ending success keep in theme with what he wants to bring to the rap game. Since his initial release, he has amassed over 400 thousand streams and another 400 thousand in YouTube views, while remaining self-funded. Contrary to other rappers, rap isn’t the means to success, it’s one of the many avenues in running it up til infinity.

    It’s been a while since I wrote it, but I think it’s just a culmination of life and what I want from it. One of my biggest values are friends and family, and I plan on living a great life with them in the future, and we all plan on achieving the goals we set for ourselves. In the song I talk about what the song has already brought and taught me. I’m also manifesting a lot of my future self in it.

    In like manner, Jellz has operated his short rap-career as an extension of the life he has created for himself. The music video for “Ghost” was shot while on vacation in Los Santos, Colombia. In it, Jellz presents himself with a Jefe-like persona, surrounded by local women in bathing suits and ski masks. In the “Bachata” visuals, he channels his inner Escobar while in the South American republic, segueing between a game of soccer and a night out with a dame.

    What’s the next Step?

    Although brimming with career know-how beyond his years, Jellz’ obstacle remains his consistency. Despite success on visuals and streams from his singles, months usually go by in-between Jellz releases. Something he knows can be the difference in career trajectory.

    I want to be more consistent this time around, with the releases and with the content. So, I was just taking time off to build my arsenal so I can be more consistent this time around. Because I know consistency is the final piece to the puzzle to get me where I want to be.

    Expect a few more singles from Jellz until a project is released

    Although family oriented, Jellz spends much of his time away from the states, citing New York City’s cold weather as the reason for his long respite’s. “I can record from anywhere in the world, but I still have my engineer from back home mix it for me,” he divulges. As cold temperatures near, expect Jellz to be somewhere warm, where he can create better. As for the next drop? Expect a slew of singles until he feels the time is right. Much like on “Infinity,” Jellz’ success cannot be rushed.

    I don’t really do empty lyrics, a lot of the time my words do have a lot to of with my situation, or what I want my future to bring

  • Rising Like a Phoenix, Kelli Baker Never Fails to Impress

    The Long Island music scene has a star with a trajectory rising like a Phoenix out of the music halls around town. Meet Kelli Baker, a transplant from Arizona, who has momentum unlike anyone.  This soulful singer is a cross between Amy Winehouse and Susan Tedeschi. Her original music erupts in an emotional whirlwind as she draws you in. 

    I had the chance to interview Kelli Baker on The Long Island Sound podcast back in June and her rise to prominence has been something to behold. After the passing of her dad several years ago, Kelli packed her bags and headed for Huntington Village, on the Northshore of Long Island.  Her energetic live performance is insync with her go-for-it attitude and work ethic.  Continuing with skills in hospitality, Kelli worked several jobs while gigging around the village with her bag of cover songs and an occasional original song snuck into the mix. 

    With a chuckle in her voice, this starling belts out emotional verses with the ease of a carnival barker. She connects with her audience as she calls us into the curiosity of her sideshow.  The circus of sideshow gigs as a result has landed Kelli on the main stage. She was recently signed to the parade of Sony Music artists this past January under the Bad Jeu Jeu CDX Record label.  

    The hard work and song writing has seemed to have payed off, as she landed Monster Cables as a sponsor and just a few days ago She also landed a spot on Spotify’s Editorial Playlist, Blues Roots among some of the top names in the business, Jon Baptist, Tedeschi Trucks, and The Black Keys.

    Blood on the Nile 

    Her recent single release, Blood on the Nile hit the airwaves on September 9th. Recorded in Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, It features another guest on the podcast, Brother Dave (Solomon) . Dave is an excellent slide and lap steel guitar player also featured as a guest on the podcast. 

    Kelli Baker acoustic guitar
    Kelli Baker
    Kelli Baker – Blood On the Nile

    The song, Blood on the Nile invites you in with the call of a pedal steel guitar, and slowly builds to a crescendo of emotion as Kelli exudes a passion that only a heart with scars can comprehend. Her catalog of songs are deep and insightful. The track, Cathedral released early in 2020 sets a scene as the bells toll for thee and me. The exploration of Kelli’s music has just begun for me. She tailored her sound both as a solo performer in the music halls, wineries, bars and pubs, from North Shore to the South Shore and to points East on the Island. 

    Gathering excellent band members around her, Ms. Baker embarked on a Summer tour along the East Coast to excellent reviews.  This past month the Kelli Baker duo opened for the all female Swedish band, Thundermother at the Paramount in Huntington.  

    This exploration into Kelli Baker’s music has just begun. I could wax poetic with flowery prose, but after seeing her performance at the Blue Point Brewery, this past August, I left the venue having gone through a memorable experience, weary with emotion and thirsting for more.

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