NYS Music 202​2

Category: Alternative/Indie

  • Laurel Canyon release debut EP “Victim”

    Laurel Canyon released their debut EP, Victim, on January 14, featuring two brand new singles “Shove” and “Sade.” The album was produced by Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Hello Mary) at Trout Recording in Brooklyn. Along with this, the artist Savage Pencil, who has worked with Big Black and Sonic Youth, created the artwork for the EP. 

    Laurel Canyon EP “Victim”
    Cover artwork by Savage Pencil (Big Black, Sonic Youth).

    Laurel Canyon is a grunge band originally from Pennsylvania, however, they record their music and perform in Brooklyn. Nicholas Gillespie and Serg Cereja are the creators of this iconic band. To sum up, they met two years ago through a mutual friend in their hometown of Allentown. After that, through shared interests and collaboration, the two began writing and recording songs. Above all, creating the punk-rock band known today as Laurel Canyon.

    Photo of Laurel Canyon by @pielmelosa on Instagram
    Photo by @pielmelosa on Instagram

    Victim embodies the sounds of original 90s grunge/pun music. Likewise, along with its melodic vocals, the album creates a unique tone. In songs like “Daddy’s Honey,” the two yell repeatedly “off her broken plates” together. Similarly, the song’s lyrics are said to be inspired by the band’s “real-life experiences in a troubled home” (Thomas Gallo).

    Photo of Laurel Canyon by Alex Hall
    Photo by Alex Hall

    There’s no denying that this album has gained popularity online for its 90s-sound, with “Eczema” and “Daddy’s Honey” are featured in the Spotify playlists “All New Rock” and “Smells Like Stream Spirit.” 

    In October of 2020, Nick and Serg shared the song, “Two Times Emptiness,” released on May 1st, 2021. Both artists said they contributed equally to the music and the lyrics, thus creating a song neither could have written alone. 

    Photo by Nikola Burnett
    Photo by Nikola Burnett

    The band quickly found themselves with a lot of material to work with and established a relationship with producer, Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Hello Mary). With the help of bassist Dylan Loccarini and Chip Williams, in July and November of 2021 the group recorded the 5-track EP Victim. 

     Victim can be found on Spotify and Bandcamp.

    https://open.spotify.com/track/6ciEiH4RBAUYDRQkPS4GBR?si=f0048ac2d65f4345 https://linktr.ee/Laurel_Canyon

  • Governors Ball 2022 Lineup Announced: Featuring J.Cole, Roddy Rich, Halsey and more

    Governors Ball is back for 2022 and another year of star studded performers, featuring big-hitters like Kid Cudi, J. Cole and Halsey. The three-day event begins Friday, June 10 and concludes Sunday June 12 at the Citi Field complex in Queens.

    Governors Ball 2022

    After celebrating their 10-year anniversary this past fall, Governors Ball has returned with the perfect kick-off to the summer. The festival returns to its traditional early June dates and welcomes fans with performances from Migos, Jack Harlow, Roddy Rich, Skepta, Joji, Kaytranada, Clairo, Playboi Carti, Jazmine Sullivan, Japanese Breakfast, and many others. 

    This year’s Governors Ball will also have its signature line up of New York City’s best food, craft beers, surprise performances, stunning art installations and much more.

    Working in close coordination with the Mayor’s Office, the festival’s health guidelines for fans, artists and staff have been updated to stay in line with NYC requirements. A negative COVID test or full vaccination is required to attend. 

    As an added show of support for the city, Founders Entertainment, the organizers behind Gov Ball, will be making a $25,000 donation to the Mayor’s fund to help the victims of the Bronx apartment fire. Festival goers can also show support by donating to the relief effort here.

    Tickets are on sale starting 1/27 at 12 PM EST on GOVBALL.COM. Citi Cardmember presale runs from 1/25 at 10 AM to 1/27 at 11:59 AM. 

  • Alexa Dark finds herself on new single “Ungrateful”

    NYC-based artist Alexa Dark owns up to her mistakes in her new dreamy alt-country single and video for “Ungrateful.”

    Alexa Dark

    Raised between Barcelona, Munich, and London, Dark began writing songs at an early age, influenced by a wide range of artists, from Jack White to Patsy Kline.

    Alexa Dark’s new single, “Ungrateful.”

    Dark lived on both the west and east coasts and uses her experiences on both coasts to write her music. Dark explores the depth of her music, offering new singles like “Fade to Black and Blue” and “Blind Faith.” The song is produced by Matt Chiaravalle and mastered by Grammy-award winner Emily Lazar who has worked with the likes of Beck and Haim.

    Through the single, she admits to mistakes as she navigates the highs and lows of growing up, through her dreamy vocals and relaxed guitar.

    “Ungrateful” started off as a voice memo of me strumming the guitar. I wanted to bottle up the feelings brewing inside of me – feeling unsteady and unsure in my life, yet feeling like I had to figure it all out perfectly. Simultaneously navigating a night out and sifting through my past, “Ungrateful” became a kind of reclamation, an anti-apology, telling the world (and more importantly, myself) to accept my mistakes, because I’m never going to grow if I’m too scared to make them.

    Alexa Dark

    The new single “Ungrateful” by NYC-based artist Alexa Dark is out now and can be streamed here.

  • St. Paul And The Broken Bones to Play CMAC with Fitz and the Tantrums

    St Paul and the Broken Bones will be co-headlining a US tour with Fitz and the Tantrums, and are playing CMAC on June 14. They will only be playing one NY date this tour.

    St. Paul CMAC

    The octet group from Birmingham, Alabama will be releasing a new album The Alien Coast on January 28. The group will make TV performances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on the 27 and on CBS Saturday Morning the 29. Their last CBS performance granted them a Daytime Emmy nomination.

    The band performs on CBS Morning in 2014.

    St. Paul And The Broken Bones released several singles for the album including “Love Letter from a Red Roof Inn,” “Minotaur,” and “The Last Dance.” These singles show the versatility of the band as they are constantly changing. The album showcases the band’s interpretation of the human psyche, combining psychedelia, stoner metal, and funk.

    The band is one of Elton John’s favorites and has been featured on his Rocket Hour radio show. The band also has earned three Billboard 200 debuts, had an NPR Tiny Desk performance with over seven million views, and many TV performances.

    St. Paul CMAC

    St. Paul and The Broken Bones will be co-headlining with Fitz and The Tantrums and will be playing CMAC on June 14, and tickets can be found here.

    St. Paul & the Broken Bones X Fitz and the Tantrums Tour Dates 2022:
    *Local Presale: Thurs, Jan 20 (10 AM – 10 PM Local)

    *Public On Sale: Fri, Jan 21 (10 AM Local)

    Jun 1: Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit

    Jun 3: Nashville, TN – Ascend Amp

    Jun 4: Wilmington, NC – Riverfront Amp

    Jun 5: Doswell, VA – Meadowbrook Park

    Jun 7: Burlington, VT – Shelburne Museum Green

    Jun 8: Portland, ME – Thompson’s Point

    Jun 10: New Haven, CT – Westville Bowl

    Jun 11: Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony

    Jun 12: Bethlehem, PA – Steelstacks

    Jun 14: Canandaigua, NY- CMAC

    Jun 15: Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavillion

    Jun 17: Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavillion

    Jun 18: Indianapolis, IN – TCU White Water Amp

    Jun 21: Kansas City, MO – Grinders

    Jun 23: Rogers, AR – Walmart Amp

    Jun 24: Des Moines, IA – Water Works Park

    Jun 25: Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s

  • This Week’s EQXposure Features North Side Sound, The Grandstand Jockeys, River Costa And More

    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 North Side Sound, The Grandstand Jockeys, River Costa, and many more!

    North Side Sound

    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.

    North Side Sound

    Four-piece Albany band North Side Sound is gearing up to release their EP, Take My Time, on January 28. It’s unclear whether they’ll be on the project, but in 2021 they released singles “Five” and “Dive Deep.” The former centers around an upbeat guitar riff, with hints of reggae not unlike No Doubt. The latter is mellow for most of its runtime, before exploding in its final third.

    The Grandstand Jockeys

    Hailing from Waterford, the Grandstand Jockeys are preparing for their upcoming album Place, out February 12. “Now You Do,” the first track off their 2021 debut EP WIN, is expected to make the cut. The band has described their sound as a “Tom Petty joining Nirvana and Queens of the Stone Age.”

    River Costa

    Independent singer-songwriter River Costa has released her EP, Mallely’s Lonely Time on Makeout Point. The first song, “Tumultuous,” is about a relationship she has trouble defining. Even though she’s excited about what the future holds, she also has doubts, fears, and even occasional apathy. Costa has also performed as a backup singer for the band Niksen.

  • Ben Folds adds dates to his ‘In Actual Person Live for Real Tour’, including Rochester Show

    Returning to the US stages, Ben Folds has added additional dates to his 2022 tour ‘In Actual Person Live For Real Tour’ with solo piano and orchestral performances. The kick off to the tour begins on April 1st, 2022 at Powell Hall in St. Louis, MO and halfway through will be performing at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre in Rochester on May 6th.

    Ben Folds

    After numerous sold-out performances in Fall 2021 and spending much of 2020 and early 2021 in isolation in Australia due to COVID-19, Ben Folds is hard at work on his new album. Continuing to produce his podcast series, Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds from the spinoff from his book and is also scheduled to begin taping a new TV series.

    Hitting #1 on both the Billboard classical and classical crossover charts with his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Ben Folds is often referred as a major music influencer of his generation. Not only is music a big part of artist Ben Folds life, but also photography and debuting as a New York Times Best Seller for his collection of interrelated essays, anecdotes and lessons about art, life, and music – in 2019.

    An outspoken champion for arts education and music therapy funding for public schools in the nation while also performing with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras, Ben Folds continues to shine upon us in various lights.

    Tickets for the added shows go on sale this Friday, January 21st.

    Ben Folds “In Actual Person Live For Real Tour” 2022 Dates

    APRIL

    1 – St. Louis, MO – Powell Hall ^

    2 – St. Louis, MO – Powell Hall ^

    3 – Iowa City, IA – The Englert Theatre

    5 – Omaha, NE – Holland Center

    6 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall

    9 – Miami, FL – North Beach Bandshell

    10 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Event Center

    11 – Orange Park, FL – Thrasher-Horne Center

    13 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Gaillard Center

    14 – Savannah, GA – District Live

    15 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

    21 – Waukegan, IL – Genesee Theatre

    23 – Denver, CO – Boettcher Concert Hall ^


    MAY

    3 – Northampton, MA – Calvin Theatre

    4 – Concord, NH – Capitol Center for the Arts

    6 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre ^

    JUNE

    15 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall ^

    17 – Santa Clarita, CA – Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center

    18 – San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Theatre *

    19 – Chandler, AZ – Chandler Center for the Arts *

    22 – Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Hall ^

    24 – Detroit, MI – Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel

    26 – Nashville, TN – Brown County Music Center *

    30 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center ^

    JULY

    1 – Nashville, TN – Shermerhorn Symphony Center ^

    2 – Nashville, TN – Shermerhorn Symphony Center ^

    AUGUST

    26 – York, PA – Appell Center for the Performing Arts

    27 – Bensalem, PA – XCite Center at Parx Casino

    28 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall

    * New Date Added

    ^ Symphony Date

  • Buffalo’s Every Time I Die Announce Split

    Buffalo metalcore legends Every Time I Die announced their split across social media on Monday, January 17. The split comes with some controversy as members Jordan Buckley, Andy Williams, Stephen Micciche, and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak released a statement separate from lead singer Keith Buckley.

    Every Time I Die
    Every Time I Die Photo by Michael Watson

    Every Time I Die started back in 1998 and is an American metalcore band in Buffalo. Over the years they have released nine studio albums including their latest album Radical which dropped on October 22, 2021. Their latest lineup consisted of Jordan Buckley, lead guitarist (1998–2022), Andy Williams, rhythm guitarist (1998–2022), Stephen Micciche, bassist (2001–2005, 2011–2022), Clayton “Goose” Holyoak , drums (2017–2022), and Keith Buckley, lead singer (1998–2022).

    The band’s split was announced originally on Jordan Buckley’s twitter saying, “Andy, Jordan, Steve and Goose’s last show with Every Time I Die was on Dec 11, 2021. While we hoped to come to an agreed upon legal statement that outlined the truth, we were informed today of something planned to be released not mutually agreed upon that consists of inaccuracies and controls a narrative to benefit one.” The post continued saying that the band was not going to be replacing their singer and that they are forever grateful for their fans. The post also touched on some of the reasons behind the split saying, “There has been no direct communication with Keith, because it’s either impossible for direct communication with him solely or we’ve been cut off to any and all communication by him himself. Every Time I Die was these 5 members, and we were never budging or accepting any changes.”

    Keith Buckley responded to his former bandmates by posting a legal notice given to him in late December and by speaking his truth on what went down with the separation of the band on January 19, 2022. Prior to the split, Keith Buckley was currently on a break from the band for his own mental health. He stated on his twitter that this needed hiatus was due to talks from his bandmates replacing him, in particular his brother. He spoke on why he prioritized his mental health over the band after the band made an “official statement” indicating that they would finish the tour without their singer which has since been deleted. Keith Buckley said back on December 3, 2022 that his experience was quite different from the statement and that “while meditating in a side room yesterday I overheard my own brother tell an outsider that ETID had been in talks to replace me this entire time. I thought they were my biggest supporters. but Jordan had lied. his concern was a cruel trick. their statement is proof.”

    https://twitter.com/deathoftheparty/status/1483721043562975233?s=20

    Steve Miccich chimed in on January 19, 2022 saying it was actually Keith Buckley who wanted Jordan Buckley out of the band and that there were a lot of complications while on tour that played into the decision to split but that it was what was needed in the end. You can read the entire thread here. He said, “I know some people don’t want the fairy tail ruined, but the band is a business. And the 4 of us rightfully so, were setting boundaries and protecting our interests. That’s it. That’s all that is. And for this to have even gotten to where it is is soooo sad..”

    Every Time I Die was originally supposed to head out on tour with Underoath and Spiritbox next month but it has been confirmed that new support will be announced on Monday January 24, 2022 by Underoath on their social media. 

  • Premiere: Utican Nick Vanderwood Releases New Single “Little Vacation”

    Nick Vanderwood has finally announced a music video for his single “Little Vacation,” set to premiere on January 21st. Vanderwood, who wrote the song at the onset of the pandemic, shot the video over 24 hours, documenting his own stay-cation in California.

    Nick Vanderwood on the beach at sunset in a still from the “Little Vacation” music video. Photo via Nick Vanderwood.

    Vanderwood and his team from MSG Productions were satisfied with the “joy and beauty” they were able to capture in the video. But not everything is sunshine and beaches. Video co-director Luke Sunderlin described the narrative challenge of making sure the video was more than just a happy montage.

    “We didn’t want to have a video of Nick just frolicking in the sun,” Sunderlin said. “We wanted to tell a story. We wanted the audience to feel the way Nick was feeling.” 

    Sunderlin went on to state exclusively to NYS Music: 

    From the outset, the goal was to deliver a video that captures not only the sensations of a euphoric escape from everyday life, but also the simultaneously present forces of both nostalgia, and momentary bliss, that seem to paradoxically color the experience of taking a vacation. We wanted our visuals to demonstrate the ecstasy of being immediately present in these spaces, while at the same time participating in the crafting of a what-will-be memory. 

    Nick Vanderwood

    To create that paradox, Sunderlin said they decided to focus on Vanderwood’s journey to enter a new, beautiful space on a “Little Vacation.” The introduction of the video includes samples from candid audio recordings, which Sunderlin shared he used “to emulate the initial distress happening within our character that motivated his journey in the first place.”

    Currently, Vanderwood is hard at work on his debut solo album, recording at Big Blue North Studio in Utica. Outside of his solo work, Vanderwood is also the lead singer for Trampoline Jet Stream. Vanderwood released his most recent solo piece, a cover of “Because” by the Beatles, last year. The artist said he plans to continue exploring his musical narrative through music videos, and said he will continue to work under his solo name.

    You can stream “Little Vacation” above, and on all music platforms this Friday, as well as watch the official music video on his YouTube channel where Vanderwood will host a live video premiere.

  • Midlake Release New Single “Bethel Woods,” Set to Perform in Manhattan and Woodstock

    Folk-rock veterans Midlake are back with their new single ‘Bethel Woods’ from their upcoming album For The Sake of Bethel Woods. The official music video stars actor Michael Pena and is directed by filmmaker Brantley Gutierrez, who has also worked with the likes of Paul McCartney and Diplo.

    midlake bethel woods

    Inspiration for “Bethel Woods” came after the discovery of a documentary still of Midlake keyboardist Jesse Chandler’s father, Dave, at Woodstock 1969. Combining this photo with the idea of an eternal paradise, the song was written from Dave’s point of view with a hopeful message that we might all one day return to our special places to be with the ones we love.

    Director Gutierrez plays with these ideas in the music video by incorporating a ghost story concept, allowing for Michael Pena to showcase the emotions people experience when running through old memories.

    midlake bethel woods

    Midlake will also be embarking on an extensive world tour, including NA, UK and European tour dates. Tickets and more information are available here.

    Midlake 2022 Tour Dates

    5/8 – Nashville, TN – 3rd & Lindsley

    5/10 – Washington, DC – Union Stage

    5/11 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live (Downstairs)

    5/13 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios

    5/14 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

    5/16 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall

    5/17 – Lexington, KY – Headliners Music Hall

    5/19 – St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway

    5/20 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar

    5/21 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall

    The single is available now at all DSP’s and on all streaming platforms.

  • SNL returns with “West Side Story” star Ariana Debose, Bleachers, and Eric Adams in NYC-centric episode

    For the first episode of 2022, SNL welcomed Ariana Debose to host, along with Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers as musical guest. Debose won a Golden Globe earlier this week for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” and gained additional honors as the 200th woman since 1975 to host the NBC variety show.

    ariana debose SNL Bleachers

    During her monologue, Debose was joined by veteran cast member Kate McKinnon for a medley of “West Side Story” numbers, including “Tonight,” “Something’s Coming” and “America;” during “I Feel Pretty” the pair fist bumped following the famous line “I feel pretty and witty and gay!”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLOEKEwjGKk

    The show began with “Message from the President” and featured new cast member James Austin Johnson as President Joe Biden blaming the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 on too many people seeing “Spiderman: No Way Home.” Biden at one point wondered if there were other President Biden’s in the multiverse, leading Pete Davidson to arrive as a Biden variant from another universe.

    Local business commercials in the New York Metro area were spoofed by Davidson and Chloe Fineman, who advertised their shop for prom and formal wear in “Formal Emporium,” with featured player Andrew Dismukes as their nerdy son.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QoH_oYaN6M

    Chris Redd made his debut as new New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in a NY1 press conference sketch where Adams made his arrival to the podium with Mase’s “Feel So Good”as walk on music. Adams bragged about the swag he brings to the office and gave stark comparison to the predecessor, who was never parodied on SNL in his eight prior years in office. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7igRfDC1YQ

    Jack Antonoff’s NYC-based indie-pop group Bleachers performed an energetic “How Dare You Want More,” off 2021’s Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night, and was performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last year. Mark ‘Rat’ Ratner Antonoff was joined by singer-songwriter Blu DeTiger on bass, Claud on keys and Rick Antonoff, Jack’s dad, on guitar.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnn-pBhmUX4

    The Sound of Music has been a regular musical sketch number on SNL, appearing in sketches twice in the last four years. Debose’s Broadway chops were on display in “Governess” where a widower, Kenan Thompson, hired DeBose to teach his children, who sang a take on “Do-Re-Mi.”

    For Bleachers’ second song, Antonoff’s 2020 collaboration with Bruce Springsteen, “Chinatown,” was featured, with Claud shifting to guitar. Antonoff recently confirmed that he will release a new Bleachers album, the group’s fourth, by the end of the year.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3hEhMMfUJo

    Rapper Roddy Ricch was originally scheduled as musical guest this evening but had to withdraw due to members of his team being exposed to COVID-19. SNL returns on January 22 with host Will Forte and musical guest Måneskin.

    One sketch that was cut for time, “All On Me,” features a rapper (Chris Redd) performs a song with his entourage (Ariana DeBose, rapper Freddie Gibbs, Kenan Thompson) after signing a major deal.

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