Spaghetti Eastern Music, the solo venture of genre-fluid NYC/Hudson Valley guitarist Sal Cataldi has released “I Believe in Love,” a stripped-down, all-acoustic ballad previewing the spare narrative style of his forthcoming song-centric EP, Turpentine Valentines.
With “I Believe in Love,” Cataldi serves up his hard-earned take on romance: the pain it can cause and the beauty too… if one is willing to throw his/her heart back into the ring for another go-round after heartbreak. Two crystalline acoustic guitars and a solitary voice carry the tune whose narrative arc is reflected in the below, the first and concluding verses of the song:
I believe in love but not everlasting love Life has shown me, it’s just a temporary disease Attacks the heart, breaks it in two and does something funny to your knees But I believe in love… I believe in love but not everlasting love If you can accept these terms, maybe we can get the disease Warms the heart and make its whole At least that’s what life has shown me so I believe in love
“I Believe in Love”
The song comes with a counterpart video featuring some of the great screen kisses from the classic film era, seen below. It was recorded and engineered by Cataldi at his studios in Woodstock and a floating studio aboard his Houseboat Garlic Knot in Port Washington.
Critics from The New York Times, Time Out New York and Huffington Post have praised Cataldi’s debut album under the Spaghetti Eastern Music moniker, Sketches of Spam. This 16-track, 69-minute surf through a slew of contrasting moods, with largely guitar-driven instrumentals inspired by the acid funk of 70’s Miles, Krautrock, Ennio Morricone’s Spaghetti Western movie soundtracks as well as Fripp & Eno ambience and the sound of ECM guitar god Terje Rypdal.
These contrasted bare-bones acoustic vocal songs are reflective of the influence of John Martyn and Nick Drake, the mode showcased on his latest single. The discs’ acoustic titles included originals like “Wild One” and “Mama Called,” an instrumental cover of the Zappa rarity “Sleep Dirt” and a DADGAD-tuned, ballad paced reinvention of the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride.”
I have never understood the desire to shove musicians into tiny boxes, the belief that you only get to be and play in one genre. I love all sorts of styles – straight-ahead and avant jazz, post-rock, prog, metal and funk, world music, electronic experimentation and, yes, quiet acoustic ballads like my new single, something that is definitely a 360-turn from my recent releases.
I love it all equally, listen to it all and want to perform it all – and that’s what I do with Spaghetti Eastern Music, at gigs and on recordings. That might make it hard for the algorithms that govern everything in the music world these days, so I guess my genre is best stated as iPod Shuffle.
Sal Cataldi – Spaghetti Eastern Music
The new single is available as of June 7 as a digital download via Spaghetti Eastern Music’s Bandcamp site, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, CD Baby and other online stores.
After its absence in 2020 and 2021 attributed to the coronavirus pandemic, Boston Calling returned to the athletic complex of Harvard University in Allston, MA this past Memorial Day weekend for the first time in three years. Inaugurated in 2013, the eleventh edition of the festival (it was held twice per year from 2013 to 2015) was a welcome event not only for the 40,000 fans in attendance each day (who were able to roll their tickets over from the two previously cancelled years), but also for the musical artists, some of which had yet to play their new material to a live audience.
A 7-foot tall Boston Terrier sculpture, made of high-density polyurethane foam by Sean Roach, greets fans. | Photo: Michael Dinger
This year’s headliners were heavy metal legends Metallica (formed in 1981 in Los Angeles) and industrial rockers Nine Inch Nails (formed in 1998 in Cleveland). Nine Inch Nails replaced the previously announced headliner Foo Fighters who cancelled the remaining dates on their tour following the tragic death of drummer Taylor Hawkins back on March 25. Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and company also graciously stepped in for The Strokes on Day 2 of the festival after a late scratch Friday afternoon related to COVID-19. The coronavirus would claim one more casualty during the long weekend, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, the psychedelic rock band from Australia who were initially scheduled to perform Saturday evening.
The three-day festival lineup included forty-eight (48) other artists performing across four stages, including the following: HAIM, The Struts, Rüfüs Du Sol, Cheap Trick, Avril Lavigne and Oliver Tree on Day 1 (Friday); Black Pumas, Run The Jewels, Orville Peck and Glass Animals on Day 2 (Saturday); and Weezer, Modest Mouse, Goose and Japanese Breakfast on Day 3 (Sunday).
A replica of Fenway Park’s famed Green Monster displays the 3-day lineup across all four stages. | Photo: Michael Dinger
Across social media accounts related to Boston Calling, it was hard not to notice several festivalgoer posts voicing their displeasure with the line-up changes and merch lines – which did appear to be long every time I walked by. That aside, the festival was a welcome reprieve from the recent and very sad news regarding gun violence in our nation, with relatively few other hiccups.
Day 1 (Friday)
The gates to the festival grounds opened promptly at 1:00 pm and patrons had four stages (designated by color) from which to choose from throughout the day – Green, Red, Delta Airlines Blue and Tivoli Audio Orange (the smallest of the stages which showcased Boston-area acts). Being a fan of Nine Inch Nails since the early ‘90s and wanting to witness their set as close as possible, I opted to ‘camp out’ at the Green Stage where the band would be playing a mere eight hours later! And I was not alone, as I met Jeremy Dubiel and Scott Mack from Holyoke, Massachusetts and Stafford, Connecticut, respectively, who also had the same game plan as I did. Little did I know at the time, but these two gentlemen would be my concert cohorts for the entire weekend.
A map depicting the four stage locations throughout the festival grounds. | Photo: Michael Dinger
After devouring the first of four Tasty Burgers I would have this festival weekend (they are delicious and we don’t have these in New York!), I made the short walk over to the adjacent Red Stage where model/actress/singer Paris Jackson (daughter of the “King of Pop” himself) would be the first performer of the weekend. Nearing the end of her 30-minute set, I headed back to the Green Stage to catch Grandson, a Canadian-American singer that can best be described as an Eminem-Justin Timberlake hybrid. Of the fourteen (14) musical acts I was to see over the next few days, Grandson would be right near the top. I was blown away by his onstage energy as he repeatedly flew from the top of the drum kit riser, ran along the perimeter of the stage apron clutching the hands of his fans or climbing the security rail as he jumped into a sea of people.
Paris Jackson | Photo: Michael DingerGrandson | Photo: Michael Dinger
Shortly after Grandson’s set concluded, Rick Nielsen and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick appeared on the Red Stage, thrilling the crowd with their hits, including “Dream Police,” “The Flame,” “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender,” performed with Paris Jackson.
Up next on the Green Stage were The Struts, a British rock quartet fronted by their flamboyant frontman, Luke Spiller. Among several standout offerings from their 8-song set was the closing number “Could Have Been Me,” along with the ‘70s style pop duet “Low Key In Love,” performed with Paris Jackson. Ms. Jackson was making the most of her Boston Calling debut as she navigated back and forth between the Red and Green Stages, looking like she was having the time of her life.
Luke Spiller of The Struts | Photo: Michael Dinger
The third act to hit the Green Stage on Day 1 were HAIM, a pop rock band based in Los Angeles comprised of sisters Danielle, Este and Alana, the last of which who starred as an actress in last year’s Licorice Pizza, written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Clad in matching black bikini tops and stylish leather pants, all three young women displayed their musical prowess, each playing several different instruments (guitar, bass, drums, piano) with great proficiency.
HAIM (from left to right – Alana, Danielle & Este) | Photo: Michael Dinger
Right on schedule, Nine Inch Nails entered the main stage at 9:00 pm Friday night to thunderous applause from the audience grateful to have them there. Their first tour in nearly four years, this band holds a special place in the collective heart of Generation Xers, who first fell in love with Reznor’s studio wizardry more than 20 years ago. At that time, there were no other bands creating their now signature, chaotic sound of drum machines, keyboards and guitars, accompanied by dark and tormented lyrics.
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails | Photo: Michael Dinger
Side-by-side on stage with fellow composerproducer Atticus Ross, a frequent collaborator on numerous film scores, Nine Inch Nails’ performance was also visually stunning, set against high-intensity, flashing strobe lights. The 21-song set list covered a wide range of their discography, including “Closer,” “Sanctified,” “The Perfect Drug,” “Head Like A Hole” and “Hurt,” including a stirring cover of David Bowie’s “I’m Afraid Of Americans.” For any fans who missed Friday’s performance, or wanted to do it all over again, they had less than 24 more hours to wait for an encore performance on Saturday night.
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails | Photo: Michael DingerAtticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails | Photo: Michael Dinger
Day 2 (Saturday)
After spending most of the day at the Green Stage on Friday, I perused the entire festival grounds to take in the entire vibe of the festival. Arriving just as the Boston-based indie band Dutch Tulip’s last song was finishing up on the Tivoli Audio Orange Stage, I made my way to the Blue Stage where Charlotte Sands was set to perform at 2:20 pm. Shadowed by a 100-foot Ferris wheel that is a staple at Boston Calling festivals, the Blue Stage’s floor area was packed with mostly young adult fans waiting in anticipation for the hip-hop rapper with folk-style lyrics.
Charlotte Sands | Photo: Michael DingerFerris wheel | Photo: Michael Dinger
Not wanting to miss the end of Hinds’ set, a Spanish indie rock band from Madrid, formed in 2011 and comprised of Carlotta Cosials, Ana García Perrote, Ade Martin and Amber Grimbergen, I made the longest walk between stages back to the Green Stage. Near the conclusion of their set, I made the quick jaunt over to the Red Stage, weaving through the crowd until I was a few rows back to see Celisse, an R&B and soul singer-songwriter who plays face-melting, blues-tinged guitar with infectious hooks.
Ana Perrote of Hinds | Photo: Michael DingerCelisse | Photo: Michael Dinger
After a brief stop at one of the strategically-placed medic tents for a bandage wrap (my feet were already killing me early on the second day), I headed back to the Blue Stage to catch Frances Forever, best known for their song “Space Girl,” which became a viral hit on TikTok in 2020, at 3:30 pm. However, moments before their time on stage, it was then when I noticed that the skies above had turned an ominous gray, and the stagehands did too – as they quickly swooped in to cover up Frances Forever’s instruments under plastic sheeting.
Only a couple of minutes later, due to nearby lightning and thunderstorms, a directive came over the PA system that all fans and staff were to evacuate the festival grounds and take shelter in nearby Harvard Square or Harvard Stadium. I was one of the many thousands who headed to the stadium, packed into the historic concourse beneath the stands for nearly the next 2 hours. Time passed quickly, however, aided by a positive attitude from the collective people seeking shelter from the torrential downpour. It was in these damp and dark quarters where an impromptu sing-along erupted to the chorus of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” an eighth inning tradition at nearby Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Others passed the time by participating in random “Go Celtics” chants ahead of their Game 7 NBA conference final playoff game that was to take place at TD Garden the following night.
Concertgoers seeking shelter from the rain in Harvard Stadium | Photo: Michael Dinger
With the rain finally letting up, but before the fans and staff were permitted to return to the festival grounds, I made the decision to return to the main grounds in search of a ‘porta potty.’ It was there that I encountered an eerie, almost post-apocalyptic scene – a field that was once filled with thousands upon thousands of concertgoers earlier in the day, was now completely void of any souls (albeit two pink rain poncho clad girls). Seeking refuge in a beer tent until the last of the rain had finally dissipated, fans were allowed to return at approximately 5:30 pm. I watched as they trickled in, back through the main gate, while the Green and Red stages were being brought back to life by various staff and roadies.
Poncho-clad fans | Photo: Michael DingerA rainbow following Saturday’s downpour | Photo: Michael Dinger
With a revamped schedule for the remainder of the day, the musical festivities would resume with Black Pumas on the Green Stage at 6:30 pm, a psychedelic soul band based in Austin, Texas, led by singer/songwriter Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada. Coming off their first Grammy Award nomination in 2020 for Best New Artist, Mr. Burton thoroughly enjoyed himself, playing tag with the photographers in the pit as they chased him while he posed for the camera with the fans as a backdrop.
Eric Burton of Black Pumas | Photo: Michael DingerEric Burton of Black Pumas | Photo: Michael Dinger
Outside of Metallica and Nine Inch Nails, I was most excited to see the performance by Run The Jewels (a.k.a. RTJ) on the Red Stage, which commenced shortly after 7:30 pm on Day 2. RTJ are the hip hop duo composed of Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike and Brooklyn-based rapper and producer El-P. The former is a sociopolitical activist whose anti-establishment messaging and calls for peace and an end to police violence are evident throughout his lyrics. As the sun began to set halfway through RTJ’s set, the mosh pit opened up while a few crowd surfers rode the wave to the front of the stage where they landed into the arms of waiting security.
Killer Mike of Run The Jewels | Photo: Michael DingerEl-P of Run The Jewels | Photo: Michael DingerRun The Jewels Mosh Pit | Photo: Michael Dinger
After by-passing the Tasty Burger food tent, it was not easy (trust me), I had more than thirty other options from top, local area restaurants to choose my next meal from. I finally expanded my culinary horizons and opted for a mouth-watering pastrami Reuben from Mamaleh’s, a sandwich that would rival the famous Katz’s Deli, a Jewish institution in Lower Manhattan dating to 1888. After washing it all down with an Oatmeal Stout by Beer Geek Breakfast (7.5%), I maneuvered my way through the packed audience towards the rear of Harvard’s athletic field where I positioned myself to view the remainder of Nine Inch Nails’ set from the exact opposite vantage point from the previous night, taking in the enormity of the venue and the miraculous stage lighting. Hoping to grab an Uber ride back to my Airbnb before the local streets of Allston were crammed with others trying to do the same thing (a lesson learned from Friday night), I exited the festival grounds while Nine Inch Nails were nearing their set’s completion – mission accomplished.
Nine Inch Nails | Photo: Michael Dinger
Day 3 (Sunday) The festival’s final day arrived without any other surprises such as another line-up change or looming bad weather – aside from the size of the crowd, because James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo of Metallica would be concluding the festival weekend in epic fashion later this night.
But before Metallica, there was still a full afternoon of music to be had by all. The first band to play the Green Stage on Sunday were Peach The Rascals, an indie music collective from San Jose, CA who also achieved fame via TikTok with their song “Mariposa” last year. Cults followed next, the pop band duo of Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion hailing from New York City. Although their set was hindered with an apparently faulty guitar instrument cable that was not resolved until the final song, their heavily-layered instrumentation was still a joyful listen.
Tarrek Abdel-Khaliq of Peach Tree Rascals | Photo: Michael DingerMadeline Follin of Cults | Photo: Michael Dinger
The Green Stage’s penultimate act of Day 3 were Glass Animals, a jovial rock band from England that lead singer Dave Bayley formed in 2010 with childhood friends Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer and Drew MacFarlane. Easily one of the best performances of the weekend, their stage setup was the cover of their latest record Dreamland (released in August 2020), reincarnated with hanging neon signs, pastel purple palm trees, a giant television and pyramid, basketball hoop, and of course, their pineapple mascot.
Dave Bayley of Glass Animals | Photo: Michael Dinger
Not wanting to chance it by veering too far away from my coveted spot on the Green Stage’s rail, I made the difficult decision to sacrifice checking out performances by Japanese Breakfast (fresh off their Saturday Night Live season finale appearance) and Goose on the Delta Airlines Blue Stage, as well as Modest Mouse and Weezer on the Red Stage. A case of FOMO hit me hard as I glanced over in the direction of the Red Stage often, taking in the visual images of Rivers Cuomo and his Weezer bandmates as they appeared on the large, vertical video boards on either side of the stage.
On this very hot Boston afternoon, dehydration also hit me hard, as well as many others in the first several rows who were packed shoulder-to-shoulder like sardines in a tin can. Thankfully, security guard Scott Turner, who I had gotten to know earlier in the day from chatting with him, repeatedly pushed bottles of water into the waiting hands of desperate audience members.
As dusk approached, and Weezer’s encore offering of “Buddy Holly” having concluded, Tuukka Rask, the recently retired goalie who played for 15 seasons with the Boston Bruins, took a quick seat at Lars’ drum kit for a quick photo op, before he and his small entourage exited stage left to the crowd chanting, “Tuukka, Tuukka, Tuukka!”
Boston Calling Archway | Photo: Michael Dinger
Not before long, AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” played over the house speakers, signaling Metallica’s imminent arrival. However, as per tradition at every Metallica show since 1983, Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” played next, accompanied by video footage from the classic 1966 Western film starring Clint Eastwood, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. At 8:50 pm, drummer Lars Ullrich was the first band member to appear on stage in front of the largest Boston Calling crowd of all time, followed shortly by guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo. James Hetfield was the last to arrive, and equipped with his iconic white, well-worn Flying V, these metal gods launched into the first of sixteen songs, “Whiplash,” from their debut studio album Kill ‘Em All (1983).
James Hetfield of Metallica | Photo: Michael DingerRobert Trujillo of Metallica | Photo: Michael DingerKirk Hammett of Metallica | Photo: Michael DingerLars Ullrich of Metallica | Photo: Michael Dinger
Over the next two hours, diehard fans in attendance would be treated to hits taken from Ride the Lightning (1984), Master of Puppets (1986), …And Justice for All (1988) and Metallica (1991), better known as The Black Album. The unforgettable night culminated with a three-song encore of “Battery,” “Nothing Else Matters” (with a restart needed when Hammett humorously bungled the intricate guitar picking of the song’s introduction) and “Enter Sandman.”
The Great Blue Heron Music Festival in Sherman, NY, will happen once again during the first weekend of July. For nearly 30 years, the festival has drawn in thousands of fans from across the U.S. and has remained a tradition for people young and old to celebrate self-expression and music.
This year, the festival will expand the summer music series and implement “Beyond The Blue,” which will be weekend events running from the middle of July through Labor Day Weekend. The diverse and eclectic lineup will carry over into these “Beyond The Blue” events. Julie Rockcastle, festival’s co-founder, spoke about this new addition to the festival.
Our goal of this season, and the future, is to create a vibrant Great Blue Heron experience that honors both the traditions of the past and the land, by operating at a scale that doesn’t over-stress the natural and human resources we are entrusted to care for. The genre-focused Beyond the Blue mini-festivals present diverse and family-friendly experiences all summer long that enable us to welcome more people who share our passions for music, the outdoors, and sustainability.
Beyond the Blue I starts July 16 and is full of funky bluegrass, soulful rhythms, and sweet harmonies with artists like Dirty Blanket, Folkfaces, and Bella’s Bartok. Beyond The Blue II starts July 30 and it will be a full day of progressive Reggae beats, island music, and Native American sounds. The event headliner Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, will play on the main stage, along with Keith Secola, Root Shock, and Mosaic Foundation.
On August 20, Beyond the Blue III will have electrifying funk and electro-rock jams with headliner Jimkata. They are based in Ithaca, and Los Angeles that use bold arrangements and synthesizers to create their music.
To end the season, Beyond The Blue IV will happen on Labor Day weekend with more than 20 artists, including old-time country blues band Pokey Lafarage. Also headlining is acclaimed singer/songwriter Ryan Montbleau, who has spent much of his life going across the globe on a search for meaning and purpose, shown through his music.
The Great Blue Heron Music Festival sits on top of an award-winning campground. Voted the #1 campsite in the U.S. by HipCamp, The Heron is open daily for seasonal camping from May through October along with the Green Heron Growers Farm Store. For more information on the festival, go here.
North Country’s premier post-outlaw country band, Austin and the In-Laws, have just released their newest album titled “Songs From the Woodshed.” The album just came out on May 10th, giving their audience original tunes of cold weather country delivered in our signature post-outlaw style. They will be coming to play in Plattsburgh on June 24th, at Elf’s Farm Winery 5:00pm.
The band is formerly known as “Cash Journey,” due to their covers of the classic outlaw country style music by Johnny Cash. If you want an evening of country classics and original tunes, be sure to check out the upcoming show dates from the In-Laws.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXMopxSHi1o
Regardless of their covers of Johnny Cash’s infamous songs, the band has just released their first original album. The band produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered all the songs on this album. Check out these five new original tunes in the classic outlaw country style.
The band is made up of four talented members including Austin Petrashune (Vocals, guitar, piano), Matt Hall (Drums), Ann Petrashune (Bass), and Reggie Duncan (Pedal steel guitar on Dark As Dusk). They are often seen on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and more covering Johnny Cash’s infamous songs like “I Walk The Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”
Upcoming shows
June 17th, 6:00 pm, Austin and the In-Laws in Keeseville
June 24th, 5:00 pm, Austin and the In-Laws at Elf’s! in Plattsburgh
July 9th, 4:30 pm, Austin Petrashune plays the music of Austin and the In-Laws in Bloomingdale
You can find lyrics, upcoming shows on their Bandcamp page linked here.
NYC based indie sensations, Back to Yours, have released their highly anticipated single “MONSTER,” which came to Spotify on April 22nd. This is the first single off of their sophomore album, It’s Dangerous at Home, the band’s second full-length album which is scheduled for release this fall. Additionally, the band will be releasing two more singles coming this later this summer.
“MONSTER” is a catchy headbanger, consisting of pop and hard rock influences. Because of it’s up-tempo pace, the song was written from the perspective of someone being chased by their sleep paralysis demon. By blending the unique euphonious music taste of each band member, Back to Yours produces warm, nostalgic, and accessible indie rock with a range of genre-spanning influences.
This upcoming a five-piece indie-rock group began playing together in the Spring of 2019, right when the pandemic started. Consisting of Aiden Jones (bass), Bryce Kassalow (vocals, guitar), Daniel Luttway (vocals, keys), Jiaan Mansuri (drums), and Tommy Levin (guitar). Originally meeting at Georgetown University sophomore year, the boys would go on to preform Beatles covers for their locals. This quickly turned into sold out performances all along the East Coast.
The boys ended up graduating remotely, and have managed to stay together to create, perform, and publish music regardless of the Covid pandemic. Despite all of the challenges they’ve overcome, Back to Yours will be having a big NYC show at the Bowery Ballroom on June 10th. You won’t want to miss the newer direction the band has taken in order to evolve with the constantly changing indie-alternative scene.
For more information about Back to Yours and their upcoming shows, please visit the link here.
Their latest single “MONSTER” is available for download on Spotify, Bandcamp, and more. In check out this catchy headbanger, click the link here.
Venturing to the Village of Lake George is a typical Memorial Day Weekend activity for many in the greater 518 region, as the picture-perfect gateway to the Adirondacks offers a taste of summer up and down Canada Street. For those looking to start their summer with live music, the first annual Memorial Meltdown provided a fresh start to a season of live music in Lake George, with a lineup of regional favorites, highlighted by four sets of Twiddle.
Saturday began with The Whiskey Dicks, featuring Ryan Dempsey & Joe Cirotti, a self-described flaccid rock band from Burlington. Cirotti is a multi-instrumentalist from in Hackettstown, NJ who performs solo and with his rock band, Only Living Boy.
With the threat of rain passing the region, Marble Eyes filled in the late afternoon with rock and roll for the soul. Born in 2020 from the pandemic, Marble Eyes features a collection of New Hampshire Seacoast musicians, Eric Gould (Pink Talking Fish, Bass/Vocals), Mike Carter (Guitar/Vocals), Adrian Tramontano (Kung Fu, The Breakfast, Drums) and Max Chase (Keyboards/Vocals).
North Country legends Lucid brought the party into the early evening, with percussionist Lowell Wurster welcoming his father, George, to the stage to play harmonica on “Backwoods” and sang on The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues,” joining Ryan “Rippy” Trumbull (drums), Kevin Sabourin (guitar and vocals), Jamie Armstrong (saxophones, clarinet and vocals), Chris Shacklett (bass, trombone and vocals), and Andrew Dellar (keyboards, accordion and vocals).
Jack Brown (Sophistafunk) and Lowell Wurster (Lucid) – photo by Laura Carbone
Twiddle played their first two sets of the weekend with Adrian Tramontano filling in for Brook Jordan. If you’ve caught Twiddle in the past few months, you know the shift in their sound is apparent with the energetic Tramontano elevating the playing of his three on-stage counterparts. The second set closed with the newest single, the radio friendly “Beautiful,” off Twiddle’s upcoming studio album.
Set 1: Earth Mama, Stroganoff, Daydream Farmer, White Light, The Devil, Jamflowman [1]
Set 2: Enter -> [2] Orlando’s -> Apples -> Mamunes the Faun -> Dr. Remidis Melodium -> Orlando’s, Breakadidown, Beautiful [3]
Encore: Beethoven & Greene -> Frankenfoote
[1] – Contained Layla teases [2] – Contained I Dreamed a Dream teases [3] – First time played
Another gorgeous day in Lake George was accompanied by five sets of music, starting with Long Island’s Baked Shrimp. The group is on the heels of their recent release, Pork Etiquette, and just about to embark on a 50 show summer tour, capped off in September with their second annual LonCon Music Festival, held in Bethel at Yasgur’s Farm.
Sophistafunk, fresh from a trip to Los Angeles where the Syracuse funk group recorded an appearance for an upcoming TV show, dropped a funk filled set. Roots of Creation followed, opening up their set with a pair of Grateful Dead covers, “They Love Each Other” and “Scarlet Begonias,” a rousing response coming from the late afternoon crowd.
photo by Laura Carbone
For Twiddle’s first set of the evening, the upbeat opener “Collective Pulse” (which has a distinct ring of Warren Zevon’s “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead,” prior to the refrain) was followed by “Hattiebagen McRat” and Lowell Wurster joining the band on washboard. When he was introduced, Mihali was sure to give a nod to the many years Twiddle played at Backwoods Pondfest in Peru, NY, a festival favorite for many that elicited cheers from across the commons.
Following “Lost in the Cold” a jazzy segue into “Doinkinbonk!!!” evolved into a keys/drums segment that channeled Umphrey’s McGee with its velocity and new wave tone. The energy that Tramontano brought to the stage added greatly to the night, and was on display in a cover of Primus’ “Too Many Puppies.”
The final set of Memorial Meltdown began with “Milk” and was highlighted by “Wasabi Eruption” -> “The Box” and “Latin Tang” seguing into Led Zeppelin’s “Fool In The Rain.” An encore of Radiohead’s “Creep” -and the perennial crowd sing-along “When It Rains It Pours” closed out the evening at 11pm, the crowd dispersing into the night.
Promoter Dave Ehmann made the first Memorial Meltdown a rousing success, channeling the energy of the summer into two music-filled days. With ADK Fest over Labor Day weekend in Lake George, make plans to be visit the Queen of American Lakes later this summer.
Set 1: Collective Pulse, Hattibagen McRat [1], Lost In The Cold -> Doinkinbonk!!! -> Too Many Puppies -> [2] Doinkinbonk!!!, Zazu’s Flight, Frends Theme [3]
Set 2: Milk, Syncopated Healing, Wasabi Eruption -> The Box, Latin Tang -> Fool In The Rain -> [4][5] Latin Tang [5], Slippin’ In The Kitchen
Encore: Creep -> [6] When It Rains It Pours [7]
[1] Lowell Wurster (Lucid) on washboard [2] Primus [3] w/ Scott Hannay on keytar [4] Led Zeppelin [5] w/ Scott Hannay on guitar [6] Radiohead [7] Contained ‘My Heart Will Go On’ and ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ teases
Music Haven in Central Park in Schenectady is back for a lineup of summer concerts, as it kicks off its 32 season of “traveling the world one concert at a time.” The lineup features a variety of national and international touring artists and some theater and film and will be held from July 10–Aug. 27.
This Music Haven season is stacked with Grammy, Blues Music, and other award-winning and nominated artists. Producing Artistic Director, Mona Golub, spoke on the wide variety of music that is going to be at Music Haven.
Given the domestic journeys we’ve endured for the last couple of years, I set my sights on curating an uplifting and unifying season of world class music and events. On top of a boisterous itinerary that includes sun splashed reggae, South Louisiana Zydeco, Balkan party music, harmony-driven bluegrass and more, I am thrilled to present Finnish folk music for the first time, to expand the Blues BBQ to a mini-festival, to welcome DakhaBrakha back for a tribute to Ukraine, and to screen Questlove’s award-winning musical documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Fest in the company of neighbors and friends.
Sammy Miller & The Congregation’s main focus is to share global consciousness through joyful jazz. They expand and enhance America’s original musical art form. They will also have the SUNY Schenectady School of Music Faculty Jazz Combo as a guest.
DakhaBrakha will have a powerful tribute to Ukraine as the phenomenal Ukrainian ‘Ethno-Chaos’ quartet joins them with entrancing vocal roots music of Eastern Europe.
The SSO is performing “A Night at The Movies” – selections from your favorite films, along with some other surprises, with Artistic Director Glen Cortese.
Steep Canyon Rangers are a Grammy-winning, Billboard-chart-toping sextet that plays bluegrass with elements of pop, country, and folk-rock.
Aug. 20—Summer of Soul
Summer of Soulis a multi-award-winning music documentary that pays homage to the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. The festivities begin with soul food, music, art, and community.
The Finish fiddle band Frigg have carved themselves a top-notch spot in folk with their feel-good tunes and amazing musicianship.
Aug. 26–27—Will Kempe’s Players: A Comedy of Errors
Will Kempe’s Players has a twist on a classic Shakespeare comedy, with unexpected role reversals, mistaken identities, and a lot of slapstick humor guaranteed to make you laugh.
Brooklyn-based alt-rocker Moon Walker has released his new dark, synthy single “I’m Afraid I’ll Go To Heaven.” He also announced his sophomore album The Attack of Mirrors.
Moon Walker has been described as “Fuzzed-out 70’s rock bliss…politically charged rock music with a sound akin to the White Stripes. Lyrically, the songs are confrontational and sarcastic,” by Westword. He has also been compared to The Talking Heads by New Noise.
Formed during the height of the pandemic, Harry Springer created Moon Walker to pass time and get extra money through selling songs to song libraries. Now, he produces and performs under the name after his first album Truth To Power garnered a fanbase and hundreds of thousands of streams.
The single “I’m Afraid I’ll Go To Heaven” is sarcastic and sincere, with 70s-inspired dark-heavy synths and lyrics commentating on religion and the modern political system. They find humor in darkness as they sing “I’m afraid I’ll go to heaven / That’s why I’m hoping that I’m right / My biggest fear ain’t no red Devil / It’s being near you people all the time.”
Photo credit: Madison McConnell
The music video produced by Madison McConnell is inspired by Kubrick’s The Shining, and the infamous bar scene. Moon Walker gushed about the video in a statement.
This is my favorite music video I’ve ever made. Madi had the idea to base it heavily off of one of my favorite scenes in one of my favorite movies, which I think was brilliant. It also gave me specific references to base my performance off of, which is great if you suck at acting, like me!
His new album TheAttack Of Mirrors, due October 21, will elevate his nostalgic, alternative garage band sounds over ten tracks. He will be using a more experimental approach, expanding on the sounds shown on his first album.
Remember Jones has released a new single, “love will return” featuring The Horn Section.
The newest track promoting his new album HAHA BITCH! slated for July 8 release, features co-writing from Levy Okun and production from AGM3, a duo composed of Andrew Greacen and Max McKee.
Remember Jones and his band performing.
A simple dance pop song, “love will return” focuses on moving past personal hardship in aim of finding success and joy in the future with light, spacy verses contrasting loud, funky hooks. “Living in a bubble, it all seems like trouble, you just gotta think free,” Jones sings during the first pre-chorus.
Remember Jones’ vocal talents are on display with this track, flashing hints of Michael Jackson along the way.
The track’s premier source of flare comes from the aptly named Horn Section on well, horns. Their presence on the final two choruses amplifies the already funky song, only building its optimistic energy until reaching a conclusion.
“love will return” precedes a busy upcoming summer for Remember Jones. The release of HAHA BITCH! will also be supported by his first ever Summer Slay! Festival at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ on July 9. Also serving as a birthday celebration for Jones, a New Jersey native, it is one of many nationwide stops for his ongoing won’t you be my hater? TOUR.
Other acts of the festival include Quincy Mumford’s Lifted Laboratory, a long time collaborator with Jones, as well as Tor Miller, Zoe Sparks, and Levy Okun.
The event will be hosted by drag queens Jolina Jasmine, Miss Paradise of 2016 & 2021, as well as Tastie and Morrigan von Haunt, hosts of drag nights at Georgie’s Bar in Asbury Park. The three will also have performances of their own during the festival.
The event will include giveaways and audience-involved drag makeovers, and local restaurants Larry Cadillac & Mutiny BBQ will promote the festival with special menu items at their locations.
On Saturday, Sound Mind Live hosted their fourth annual music Sound Mind Live Music Festival, an event which aims to raise awareness and support for mental health programs.
Held in Central Park, performers included Outkast’s Big Boi, rock bands Cold War Kids and American Authors, KAMAUU, Wrabel, and Allison Russell.
Cold War Kids frontman Nathan Willett promoted the event in a CNN interview on Saturday.
Speakers at the festival included Talinda Bennington, widow of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington who passed away from suicide in 2017, New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann M. Sullivan, Matt Kudish, the Executive Director of NAMI-NYC (National Alliance on Mental Illness NYC), and Chris Bullard, the Executive Director of Sound Mind Live.
Sound Mind Live Executive Director Chris Bullard speaking during the event.
“Sound Mind is based on the premise that collectively our voices are stronger, and that by amplifying artists who are speaking openly about their mental health, we can elevate the conversation and build a community and culture that breaks the stigma that exists today,” reads the “Our Vision” page on Sound Mind Live’s website.
Non-profit partners of the organization include The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, the Trevor Project, and several others.
Big Boi of Outkast fame.Cold War Kids performing Saturday.American Authors lead man Zac Barnett.American Authors performing Saturday.Kamau Mbonisi Kwame Agyeman, better known by his stage name, KAMAUU.KAMAUU performing Saturday.Stephen Wrabel, professionally known by just his last name.Wrabel performing Saturday.Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Russell.Russell performing Saturday.Talinda Bennington, widow of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington.Bennington speaking during the festival.New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann M. Sullivan.Matt Kudish, the Executive Director of NAMI-NYC speaking during the festival.Chris Bullard speaking during the festival.
