Singer-songwriter Sam Kogon released a music video for his single “Barbed Wire” today. The track is the first single from his upcoming EP “Sam Kogon” releasing on April 1.
The music video for “Barbed Wire” was shot in Kingston at Kogon’s family’s pawn shop, “Sam’s Swap Shot.” In the video, a middle-aged man see’s a guitar on sale at the pawn shop that reminds him of fond memories from his youth. The video then alternates between a current and past timeline as the guitar causes the main character to reminisce.
My grandpa Lonnie gave me my first guitar from the store, so naturally I wanted the story to focus around a guitar, in this case it’s a 1963 Danelectro Convertible that came from Sam’s. The guitar represents lost love, regret, but also a fresh start.
Sam Kogon
Director Jeff Mertz said the decision to shoot in Kogon’s pawn shop was intentional and part of the narrative he wanted to tell with “Barbed Wire”.
The shop itself was also charged with nostalgia,” Mertz said. “So the story kind of naturally evolved into being about an older Sam Kogon (played by Lou, Sam’s dad) who’s reflecting on missed opportunities and regret, but is ultimately given a second chance, which he proudly takes.”
To add another personal touch to the video Kogon’s father plays the music video’s main character. Who is supposed to be a semi-fictional version of Kogon (the songwriter) himself.
New York-based singer-songwriter Rachel Bard released her new single titled “Brooklyn.” Bard’s voice has been compared to the likes of Nico and Björk, and her solo performances were compared to those of Regina Spektor. She has played in various gigs around NYC.
The song “Brooklyn” encompasses the New York experience, with rapid changes and unexpected turnarounds. The song is written about her two close friends who had to leave Brooklyn during the winter of 2021. The recording was inspired by the power ballads of the 1970s and 1990s, and more specifically the album Double Fantasy (Stripped Down) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and artists like The Pixies and Beck.
Speaking of the song, Bard says she is excited to share it.
I am thrilled to share the song ‘Brooklyn’ with the world. It is a love song to music, friendships and to New York City. To me it is a racehorse of a song.
Every wonder what David Bowie classics might sound like if they were reset to the jingle jangle style of America’s folk-rock pioneers, The Byrds? Now you can thanks to “mysterioso rocker” David Byrdie has a new mashed up cover of the Thin White Duke’s 1983 # 1, “Let’s Dance.”
Byrdie is actually a nom de sound of Jeff Keithline, a Woodstock-based bassist best known for his stints with the bluesy Jon Butcher Axis and the band Silverado. His new cover merges Bowie’s lyrics and layered vocal style with the driving music of The Byrds’ 1967 hit, “So You Want to Be A Rock’n’Roll Star.” For good measure, the tune’s outro even features a quote from John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.” This is the jazz masterwork that helped inspire the style of this Byrds’ mid-career classic and their even more modal and improvisatory “Eight Miles High.”
Byrdie/Keithline plays all the instruments on the track. He does a fantastic job of nailing and marrying the many stylistic flavors of these two rock icons – from The Byrds’ jangly 12-string guitaring to Bowie’s over-the-top vocal delivery and stacked harmonies. The single, which will hit the artist’s Bandcamp site March 1, has been preceded by a playful video produced by Tonus Maximus (aka Anthony Sunseri). It boasts a boatload of psychedelic visuals, the spirited go-go dancing by Hudson Valley choreographer Laura V. Ward and Byrdie himself, who looks like a cross between White Album-era John Lennon and the bearded L.A. bass legend Leland Sklar. There is also a second video up now on YouTube where a costumed Keithline provides the humorous (and entirely fictional!) backstory on his musical alter-ego.
The brains behind the collaborative group project Nova Charm release their first track “Bozo’ off their forthcoming album. Two artists, DIE the Monk and N.O.I.S.E.W.I.Z.A.R.D. have created a 7 track album, Bracelet, that is set to release on all streaming platforms on March 4th.
Back in 2020 the two artists DIE the Monk and N.O.I.S.E.W.I.Z.A.R.D recognized the potential in one another and decided to bring to life the project Nova Charm. The new album Bracelet features artists Trono and Lenard the Rat both on individual tracks.
The seven instrumentals chosen from artist N.O.I.S.E.W.I.Z.A.R.D. came from the various manipulated samples from sounds of everyday objects. The sounds allowed for DIE the Monk to begin writing the lyrics for the songs on the album. The inspiration behind the Project Nova Charm comes from artists like Shabazz Palaces, Oneohtrix Point Never, and clipping.
The label/collective Pain Management Group consists of various members and collaborative projects that continues to generate new collectives into 2022. N.O.I.S.E.W.I.Z.A.R.D. and Lenard the Rat created the first project under Pain Management Group called Disc.rot back in July of 2021 with the album ‘I.’
Nova Charm’s new music video along with new single ‘Bozo’ is now playing on all streaming platforms.
Long Island Pop Punk band Card Reader have released a new music video called Reminder. The music video consists of Card Reader experiencing the city in their most enjoyable way and contains some footage from their first show performed at the Caribou Room back on Sept 23rd, 2021.
The band is carrying into the new year with some momentum from last year. Card Reader participated in the championship of the Interstate Music Awards in 2021. From there on, Interstate Music made card reader an official brand ambassador.
Tom Petito, Card Reader’s guitarist/vocalist weighed in on the Interstate Music artist experience:
This video is a reflection of Interstate Music’s commitment to helping artists like us. We played our concert right before the shoot. The next day their film crew took us all over MKE. We really enjoyed ourselves in the process. The folks at IM introduced us to an incredible music scene. They fully embraced our band and made us feel at home. Thanks to Interstate Music we are a band with more tools, more confidence and unlimited optimism moving forward. We can proudly say we have two home bases now! Long Island AND Milwaukee.
Interstate Music directed and produced the video in Milwaukee, WI. Along with their new music video, the Pop Punk Band are going a weekend Northeastern Tour next month, and here are the dates:
3/4 – Ram’s American Pub – Holbrook NY
3/5 – The Mosh Pit – Philadelphia PA
3/6 – The Church – Lebanon PA
To catch more of Card Reader, you can find their music on DSP’s such as Apple Music , Spotify, Amazon music, and more.
After initially teasing their upcoming, self-titled seventh album with the single “Think,” Dopapod rides on an intergalactic groove on “Grow,” released on palindromic date of 2/20/22. With an intergalactic groove punctuated by a head-nodding bassline, “Grow” features all the staples of the Dopapod sound – slick guitar, simmering cymbals, and smooth vocals.
2019 found Dopapod performing select shows in Syracuse where the band assembled what would become Dopapod. But with music shut down in 2020 and into 2021, the band spent their time perfecting the music en route to a Spring 2022 release.
“Grow” captures Dopapod’s signature blending of styles and sonics. A deep groove and tight rhythm section grounds the song in a frantic funk territory, until the clouds part to usher in the epic heights of Dopapod’s frenzied psych/prog-rock wizardry. Soaring keys and synth lines crescendo as the song accelerates before returning to where it started, true to Dopapod’s palindromic existence. The group’s knack for dense, multi-layered suites across their material is a testament to their range of influences and styles, and their live show amplifies the momentum you hear on record. Each song is a journey of cosmic proportions.
The lyric ‘big things have small beginnings’ is from the movie Prometheus. Microscopic particles are the start of life. This is how we evolve. The song could be about a character time traveling back to the Big Bang.
Eli Winderman, on “Grow”
Dopapod is Eli Winderman [keys, vocals], Rob Compa [guitar, vocals], Chuck Jones [bass], and Neal “Fro” Evans [drums], a quartet who present albums as experiences meant to be shared out of your speakers and on stage. Traversing time travel, palindromic labyrinths, and binary pairs in a greater cohesive mystery, Dopapod’s forthcoming self-titled album ties the conceptual ends of the group’s discography, while charting a path forward.
“Grow” is about tackling binaries, and not letting failure distract you from sticking to the plan, and prioritizing your own growth. Organisms multiply and build. A seed overcomes the odds in its journey to becoming a billowing behemoth. The line borrowed from Ridley Scott’s Prometheus echoes throughout “Grow,” and shows that the band is as honed in as ever almost fifteen years into their journey.
After six long years, Federico Aubele is back with his sixth studio album, The Holographic Moon, which will be released Friday, May 27, 2022. Additionally, he has released the album’s first single, Pink Spray Painted Clouds, along with the official video.
Not only did Aubele reside in Buenos Aires, Berlin and Barcelona before moving to Brooklyn, but within each city, he fused the music of the cultures to find his own wave. In fact, Aubele blended a variety of genres from electronica to alternative and rock, as well as Latin. Considering his music career began at 11, he has great knowledge of the evolution from when he was a child up to present day.
Aubele’s 11-track EP stamps a footprint in his ability to be dynamic and multicultural with his music. He is known to join the Spanish and English language on songs, while his harmonious baritone voice and the soft sounds of his guitar captivate listeners. During his NPR Music Tiny Desk performance in 2014, he demonstrated these talents.
From constant turmoil with marital issues, to moving overseas, to falling in love again is what motivated Aubele to create The Holographic Moon.
I needed the long pause to make sense of things, discard what wasn’t needed anymore, appreciate what I was going to keep and make space for the new. I couldn’t do the same thing again, like a ghost, trapped in a moment. Like trying to keep a relationship that’s reached its end artificially going based only on fear of what’s next. I needed to shed several layers, on all levels. With my music I needed to start from scratch, from guitar arpeggios, vocal melodies and different lyrics. The only way to do the cleansing needed for the new songs to emerge was at home, not in the open. You can’t make sense of things if you’re constantly distracted by voices, color lights and mirrors.
Federico Aubele
This 11 track EP, which is now available for pre-order, was first 52 songs full of expression through all the different changes and obstacles Aubele faced. Throughout this period, he found hope, curiosity for what is next to come and reached his “7th stage” of the I Ching, which is a return home. This album prioritizes not only falling in love, but self-love.
I always feel like many artists prioritize the breakup song over the falling in love theme. Those first moments when you realize what’s going on are as powerful and intense as the end of a relationship. The song came to me very spontaneously at a time when my relationship with my partner was starting to bloom and we both felt like we were inside a beautiful film, or a cloud in the magic hour.
Federico Aubele
Aubele wishes to push boundaries of what traditional genres are supposed to sound like. Instead, he combines new sounds to develop new genres. He’s capable of doing so with his great sense of music and multicultural knowledge, along with the help of several guests on his album. In fact, on The Holographic Moon musicians and vocalists range from: from Mauro Refosco (David Byrne, Atoms for Peace) on percussion, Iain Cook (Chvrches) and Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto) on synths, Melissa Mary Ahern (Sulfjian Stevens) on vocal harmonies, the YMusic Ensemble (Paul Simon, Jose Gonzales) on orchestra arrangements andKenny Wollensen (Tom Waits) on drums.
With the help of Audele’s Spanish guitar and baritone voice, along with poetic lyrics about love, hope and quiet perseverance, The Holographic Moon is born.
On Friday, Manhattan-based pop artist MuMu released “Brooklyn Tonight [Unplugged],” a stripped-down, acoustic version of a single that she released last year.
MuMu
As can be deducted, queerness, women’s rights, and other themes relating to gender and sexuality are imperative to MuMu’s persona. In fact, you may already know the NYC-based artist from her viral song “Free the Nip,” which features the artist doing just that on the streets of the Big Apple. The music video has since racked up over a million streams on YouTube and counting.
‘Brooklyn Tonight Unplugged’ was initially inspired by a friend asking me to write a song about being the only queer person in the room. Then my love brain took over and it turned into a queer lady love song because, well, we need more of those. This is an acoustic version of the original for those queer lady slow jammers.
MuMu
Growing up in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, MuMu has been surrounded by the arts her whole life. At an early age, she attended a performing art high school studying Musical Theatre. She then went on to continue her studies at NYU.
MuMu
Since then, the artist has appeared in plays, movies, and television shows such as Nurse Jackie and Law and Order SVU. MuMu also makes sure to stay loyal to New York during her tours, having a history of performing in Rockwood Music Hall, Arlene’s Grocery, The Bitter End, and Bowery Electric.
Peter, Paul, and Mary were an iconic 60’s folk group formed in New York City. The trio was composed of Peter Yarrow, Mary Travers, and most notably Noel Paul Stookey. Amidst the revival of American folk music, they were incredibly popular in the era that they performed.
Noel Paul Stookey in studio, Photo by Sally Far
The group was initially formed in 1961 after each individual member was cast for their talents. They went on to perform in The Bitter End in Manhattan and quickly gained notoriety and attention. So much so, the group caught the attention of Warner Brothers. After recording, the group released their first self-titled debut album through the media giant and went on to lead successful careers.
Each of us is searching for our own authenticity and the more honest we are, the less we have to hide. My attempt to infuse folk music with what might be considered unusual chord structures has always focused on fulfilling what I see as the promise of a lyric’s emotional content.
Noel Paul Stookey
Six decades later, and at 84 years of age, Stookey is still recording solo albums. The icon’s upcoming release, FAZZ:NOW&THEN, is a twenty-track collection that seeks to infuse traditional American folk with jazzier and more colorful chords. Stookey speaks on the album.
The album will be available on Stookey’s website for a limited time from February, 22nd 2022 to March 22nd, 2022. For that limited period of time, pre-release purchasers will receive autographed copies of the new CD. They will also receive a link to access a private repository of unreleased Noel Paul Stookey songs and performances. After which, the album will be available on streaming services. For more information visit noelpaulstookey.com.
The new single, “That’s Not Love!”, from Richie Quake is nakedly melancholic and at the same time, somehow, pure vibes. Just like the hook-up he sings about. It can make you feel good but only if you don’t look any deeper.
“That’s Not Love!” is about drowning in shallow emotions,” said Richie Quake. “The idea that when you live a surface level life for enough time, you start to forget what real depth looks like and feels like.”
Photo Credit: Mark Bijasa
Richie Quake is an independent based in Brooklyn and his new single continues to showcase his penchant for blending together the best parts of different genres—here pop, rock, and modern R&B—to create a single that’s a foot-tapping earworm. Richie Quake’s lilting croons are interwoven with floating production as he sings about superficial relationships, lamenting the emptiness they inevitably leave behind.
The soft drums and smoothness of his voice are interrupted by an aggressive, electric guitar riff before the final bridge that suggest someone who is, if not, outright angry, then fed up. He cuts an unquestionably solemn figure. One who’s plagued by the distinctly contemporary phenomenon of having your emotional love unrequited with a partner who is still, very much, interested in your physical love. Despite the late-night, drunken calls from the song’s subject he still feels unloved. A feeling that he’s been familiar with for too long.
“Being removed from love for so long, it becomes a blur from the past with no defining characteristics,” explained Richie Quake. “I don’t know what love is anymore, but love is not constant numbness, it’s not getting high in your room alone, it’s not a downward spiral, and it’s not a drunk hook-up on a Friday night.”
“That’s Not Love!” is Richie Quake’s latest music since his EP “Voyager” released in the summer of 2021. He is scheduled to go on tour in April of 2022.
Richie Quake US Tour Dates
April 19 – Toronto, CAN – Velvet Underground
April 21 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
April 23 – Washington D.C. – Union Stage
April 26 – Vancouver – Vogue Theatre
April 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
April 30 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
