NYS Music 202​2

Category: Genres

  • Bardavon Presents Announces Black History Month Events

    In honor of Black History Month, Bardavon Presents in Poughkeepsie has announced several events. Two of these events are announced as a way to educate and promote conversation surrounding race for kids and teens K-12, with other events celebrating Black history also scheduled.

    The first of these events is Virtual Step Afrika! The event is a 5-part series designed to educate the youth on stepping and its history. Stepping is a form of dancing that originated in African American colleges in the early 20th century. Steppers use their bodies as an instrument and often follow polyrhythmic time signatures. By doing so, the dance form created a way for people to musically express themselves through their bodies. Schools and teachers can register for Virtual Step Afrika! from now until Friday, February 18th.

    Step Afrika! Bardavon Presents
    Step Afrika!

    Bardavon Presents will also host Virtual Rhapsody in Black. The event is a one-man show written and performed by LeLand Gantt and developed at NYC’s Actors Studio by Estelle Parsons. The show follows Gantt’s personal journey to understand and eventually transcend racism in America. Teachers It seeks to stimulate deep and uncomfortable, yet necessary conversations about race. A free stream of the performance will be available starting Monday, February 7th til Friday, February 18th.

    Rhapsody in Black

    On Friday, February 25th, a dual screening of Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing, will be shown at both the Bardavon and Ulster Performing Arts Center. The classic 1989 film featuring Spike Lee, Martin Lawrence, Samuel L. Jackson, and Giancarlo Esposito, explores the racial tension in a Brooklyn neighborhood between African Americans and Italian-Americans. The movie has received unanimous positive reception in the way that it explores its themes, so much so that it has been admitted to the National Film Registry. Tickets for the screening start at just $6.

    Do the Right Thing Bardavon Presents
    Do the Right Thing

    On February 18th at 8 PM, BardavonPresents will host a free stream on their YouTube page. This stream will be a part of their HVP: Behind the Music series. The episode will focus on the Hudson Valley Philharmonic’s March 5th concert, which shines a spotlight on female composers. Notably, Composer Nkeiru Okoye will discuss her piece “Songs of Harriet Tubman,” dedicated to the abolitionist woman who helped free an estimated 70 slaves. The steam will also explore the broader title theme, Underground Figures. More information is available here.

    Nkeiru Okoye Bardavon Presents
    Nkeiru Okoye

  • Nora Brown, Rising Bluegrass Talent, To Play at Caffe Lena

    Nora Brown is not a regular teenager. The 16-year-old is quickly rising to stardom using her talent of one unorthodox instrument: the banjo. “It’s kind of a unique instrument compared to other stringed instruments,” she says in an interview with Brooklyn Magazine, “it has a very unique sound that I was drawn to.

    Nora Brown
    Nora Brown

    Unlike most teenagers her age, Brown finds musical enjoyment in traditional bluegrass music and her musicianship on the banjo pays homage to the greats before her. Moreover, the Brooklyn native was mentored by the late New York native and legendary Renaissance man John Cohen, and his mentorship shines through on the rising talent’s strings. 

    In her swift rise through the world of bluegrass, Brown has already collected a considerable amount of accolades. Her 2019 debut album, Cinnamon Tree, peaked at #7 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts. Moreover, her second record, Sidetrack My Engine, was released last year and debuted at #6 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts. Amazingly, the record was recorded in an underground brick arched cave under Brooklyn on an Ampex tape machine. The 16-year-old also has a Tiny Desk Concert on NPR Music, which is linked below.

    Nora Brown Caffe Lena

    The rising bluegrass talent has an exciting career ahead of her. She will be playing at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, Feb 12th from 8 PM to 10 PM. Tickets are available here.

  • False Pockets Are Ready to Experiment With Their Future

    Rochester trio False Pockets have returned with their new single ‘Quarter Life Crisis Diapers’, off their upcoming album, Selfish Prophecies. The album, out February 18th, features more of the math rock sound their fans love, along with some new elements.

    False Pockets

    After celebrating the release, Ben Chesnes and Erik Happ are here to share some behind the scenes of how it all came together. 

    Kamra Wint : So, the new single just came out, congrats! How do you guys feel about it? 

    Ben Chesnes : We’ve been listening to these for a while, so it’s nice that others can hear it, for sure.

    Erik Happ : It’s nice that it’s finally out, we don’t have to be in the processing stage anymore. 

    KW: When did the band start writing and coming up with the idea for ‘Quarter Life Crisis Diapers’?

    EH : Almost two years ago. During quarantine, we all got together and started making music.

    BC : I think one of the riffs in this song was one of the first things [Erik] sent me for the new album.

    KW : What made you guys want to release ‘Quarter Life Crisis Diapers’ as your first single?

    EH : I think, as a band, we all mutually agreed that it was the best one. 

    BC : There’s a bunch of catchy parts in it, and some of the other songs on the album are a little more long winded.

    False Pockets

    KW : How did you guys get together? How did you all find each other?

    BC : Erik and I originally met at FLCC because we were both studying audio technology, but we didn’t start playing music until years after. 

    EH : I think it was Fall 2018, I was wearing a Caddywhompus shirt and Ben was like “yo, nice shirt!”. I was like “we should really play some music together sometime.” I had just moved out here, and had nobody to play with so I was down.

    KW : Zach is your third member right? How did you guys meet him? 

    EH : We were looking for a bassist, so I asked my friend, who was an Eastman Kid [Eastman School of Music], if he knew anyone and he suggested Zach. I just got lucky finding the right people.

    KW : So what do you guys have in mind for the future? What are you thinking of?

    BC : Well, I feel like our writing process is generally more like Erik coming up with the starting points and then we get together and kind of work it out. We honestly don’t have much written for our next leap, I feel like we wanted to sit with this one for a little bit.

    EH : We have a bunch of stuff actually. We have like three songs in form and then a bunch of little ideas. I’m hoping to stray away from writing every single thing, and have us just like get into a room and just come up with ideas collectively.

    BC : I think this album definitely has a lot more of that though. Our first EP that we came out with in 2019 was more older stuff that Erik had written and this album that we’re coming out with soon is more collective.

    The math rock group has even more in store for their fans, with an upcoming New Paltz show in March and another show in Brooklyn. The future is very bright for False Pockets.

    ‘Quarter Life Crisis Diapers’ is available on all streaming platforms and more information can be found on the band’s website.

  • Catch Organ Fairchild on their Winter Tour Across New York State

    Buffalo’s Organ Fairchild, winner of NYS Music’s March Madness in 2021, will head out on tour this winter for 10 stops over February and March, 9 of which are in New York. They’ll kick off their tour on Thursday, February 3rd at Hickey Tavern in St. Bonaventure, then perform at Duende at Silo City on Friday, February 4.

    organ fairchild winter

    One year ago, the band marked the release of single, “Seepin’,” from the long-time Buffalo jam band veterans, whose members have a history on the jam scene dating back 40 years. Joe Bellanti (organ and keyboards), Corey Kertzie (drums and percussion) and Dave Ruch (guitar) make for a mean trio that has been years in the making.

    They’ll also link up with Syracuse’s Sophistafunk for a pair of shows in early March. With additional shows in Rochester, Ithaca, Albany, the Adirondacks and Southern Tier, there’s no shortage of shows for New Yorkers to get down with Organ Fairchild’s tasty Buffalo funk and grooves.

  • Dave Matthews Band Announces 2022 Tour With Shows at SPAC, Jones Beach and Bethel Woods

    Dave Matthews Band has announced its 2022 North American summer tour, with over 40 dates including Jones Beach, Bethel Woods and a two night stand at the SPAC in Saratoga Springs.

    Dave Matthews Band

    Over the years, Dave Matthews Band has contributed to many charity and fundraising campaigns, including the Nature Conservancy’s “Plant a Billion Trees” campaign, and more. This year, they will be partnering with Reverb to neutralize carbon emissions associated with band and fan travel. This work will ensure a climate positive tour, and minimize their environmental footprint.

    Concertgoers can also contribute to the Nature Conservancy’s efforts by adding an optional $2 to their concert ticket purchase. This contribution will lead to the planting of more trees by the Nature Conservancy. For more information, visit DMB Trees.

    On Friday evenings during the tour, fans will be able to tune into DMB radio on SiriusXM–Channel 30. The channel will be broadcasting the group’s “Friday Night Concert Series” each week.

    Dave Matthews Band

    Ticket presale is available for DMB Warehouse Fan Association members and Citi cardmembers. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on February 25th at 10 AM.

    5/11-Austin, TX-Moody Center at The University of Texas

    5/13-The Woodlands, TX-The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

    5/14-Dallas, TX-Dos Equis Pavilion

    5/17-Brandon, MS-Brandon Amphitheater

    5/18-Huntsville, AL-The Orion Amphitheater

    5/20-Charlotte, NC-PNC Music Pavilion

    5/21-Atlanta, GA-Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood

    5/25-Tampa, FL-MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

    5/28-West Palm Beach, FL-iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

    5/29-West Palm Beach, FL-iTHINK Financial Amphitheatr

    6/3-Charleston, SC-Credit One Stadium

    6/4-Charleston, SC-Credit One Stadium

    6/6-Jacksonville, FL-Daily’s Place

    6/7-Jacksonville, FL-Daily’s Place

    6/10-Cuyahoga Falls, OH-Blossom Music Center

    6/11-Bristow, VA-Jiffy Lube Live

    6/17-Mansfield, MA-The Xfinity Center

    6/18-Hartford, CT-Xfinity Theatre

    6/21-Clarkston, MI-Pine Knob Music Theatre

    6/22-Toronto, ON-Budweiser Stage

    6/24-Noblesville, IN-Ruoff Music Center

    6/25-Noblesville, IN-Ruoff Music Center

    6/28-Wantagh, NY-Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

    6/29-Holmdel, NJ-PNC Bank Arts Center

    7/2-East Troy, WI-Alpine Valley Music Theatre

    7/3-East Troy, WI-Alpine Valley Music Theatre

    7/8-Saratoga Springs, NY-Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    7/9-Saratoga Springs, NY-Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    7/12-Gilford, NH-Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

    7/13-Gilford, NH-Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

    7/15-Camden, NJ-BB&T Pavilion

    7/16-Camden, NJ-BB&T Pavilion

    7/20-Bethel, NY-Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

    7/22-Raleigh, NC-Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

    7/23-Virginia Beach, VA-Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach

    8/30-Stateline, NV-Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys

    9/2-George, WA-Gorge Amphitheatre

    9/3-George, WA-Gorge Amphitheatre

    9/4-George, WA-Gorge Amphitheatre

    9/9-Greenwood Village, CO-Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre                       

    9/10-Greenwood Village, CO-Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

    9/14-Phoenix, AZ-Ak-Chin Pavilion

    9/16-Chula Vista, CA-North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

    9/17-Mountain View, CA-Shoreline Amphitheatre

    9/19-Los Angeles, CA-Hollywood Bowl       

    9/20-Los Angeles, CA-Hollywood Bowl

  • Post-Punk Band Catcher release single ‘Behind a Bleeding Heart’

    Brooklyn-based post-punk band Catcher have released their newest single ‘Behind A Bleeding Heart’ off their upcoming debut album, The Fat Of A Broken Heart, set to release on February 18th.

    Catcher

    Diving into a successful career in their first year as a band in 2021, Catcher released five singles ‘Yesterday’s Favorite,’ ‘The Skin,’ ‘Only Advice,’ ‘Fallen Stones,’ and ‘Comparing Saviors and Friends.’ The band had their first headline tour with Been Stellar across the U.S. and sold-out numerous shows across the city.

    The band is still early in their career but some have been childhood friends like bassist and drummer Cameron McRae and Wilson Chestney. The vocalist of the band, Austin Eichler draws the fans in with his lyrical performance of emotion, powerful screams, chaotic presence, and the ability to create a world of their own.

    Catcher’s newest single is a wailing and anticipative treat, fit to soundtrack a dramatic scene on your favourite crime drama. The NYC five-piece have delivered a moody, grungy track that will make your hair stand on end. The track ends in a cacophony of percussion, planned to perfection.

    Safe and Sound

    Catcher’s newest single is the first song the band has written that sinks into the root of the band. Wanting to shake things up with their sound the band went in the direction of listening to music that was distinct from theres. The directions went from noisy chaos of Due Mary and T.P. Orchestra Poly-Rhythm, free jazz, and back to the bands southern roots with Johnny Cash.

  • Postponed – Gov’t Mule Spring Tour Stops in Syracuse, Albany, and NYC

    March 30 Update: Gov’t Mule has postponed their tour following an injury to Warren Haynes. Read the full band statement below.

    Gov't Mule postponed
    Gov’t Mule Tour Postponed

    Following the release of their 2021 album, Heavy Load Blues, Gov’t Mule will be touring this spring. Several dates, which were originally set for last December, have been moved forward to accompany this tour.

    The band will commence its tour in three New York cities over four nights. In their tour, they will hit the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, the Palace Theatre at Albany, and the Beacon Theatre in NYC. All dates can be found below.

    Gov't Mule postponed
    Gov’t Mule

    Warren Haynes, a former member of The Allman Brothers Band, leads the band. Moreover, the renowned musician also toured with The Dead and Phil Lesh and Friends, as well as the frontman for Gov’t Mule.

    As impressive as Haynes’ accolades are, the band would also be nothing without New York native Danny Louis. Born right outside Woodstock, the cultural epicenter of jam rock, Louis’ calling was always one for musical brilliance. An alumnus of The Berklee School of Music in Boston, Louis dances around his keyboard with energy, confidence, and grace. You can also find the multi-instrumentalist playing guitar and providing backing vocals throughout the band’s discography.

    Rounding out the band’s membership, Matt Abts drums with the soul of jam-rock legends before him, and Jorgen Carlsson’s bass guitar synthesizes perfectly. The jazzy atmosphere the band delivers would be nothing without the two of them.

    Gov't Mule postponed

    April 6 – Syracuse, NY @ Landmark Theatre

    April 7 – Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre

    April 8 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre (originally 12/30/21)

    April 9 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre (originally 12/31/21)

    April 11 – McKee Rocks, PA @ Roxian Theatre

    April 13 – Wilkes-Barre, PA @ F.M. Kirby Center

    April 14 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met (originally 12/29/21)

    April 15 – Erie, PA @ Warner Theatre

    April 16 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre

    April 17 – Grand Rapids, MI @ 20 Monroe Live

    April 19 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Clyde Theatre

    April 21 – Memphis, TN @ Soundstage at Graceland

    April 22 – Little Rock, AR @ The Hall

    April 23 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant

    April 25 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Jones Assembly

    April 27 – Mobile, AL @ Saenger Theatre 

    April 28 – Atlanta, GA @ SweetWater 420 Festival 

    April 29 – New Orleans, LA @ TBA

    April 30 – Tuscaloosa, AL @ Druid City Music Hall

    June 3-5 – Chattanooga, TN @ Riverbend Festival

    Artist presale tickets will be available on Wednesday, February 2nd at 10 AM EST. General sale tickets will be available Friday, February 4th at 10 AM local time. For more ticket information, as well as public health guidelines, visit mule.net.

  • “Rent” 25th Anniversary Tour is Coming to Proctors Theatre

    The world renowned and award winning musical RENT is coming to Schenectady for it’s 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour, as the musical will be at Proctors Theatre for back to back nights on February 11th and 12th.

    Rent Musical

    RENT, the musical created by Jonathan Larson, follows the lives of a young group of artists pursuing their dreams in Lower Manhattan. Debuting on February 13th, 1996 at the New York Theatre Workshop, RENT then went to Broadway in April of that same year, winning a Pulitzer Prize award as well as a Tony award.

    The musical was adapted into a movie in the year 2005. RENT also became one of the longest running musicals on Broadway, showcasing the production for 12 years.

    After its run on Broadway, RENT began to tour all over the United States and the rest of the world performing in six continents and 27 countries. For international tours, RENT was translated into different languages.

    RENT has toured around the world for 24 years and this year will be fans last opportunity to see it.

    To purchase tickets to see RENT for it’s 25th and final tour, go to Proctors.org. You may also purchase tickets in person at the box office or by dialing 518-346-6204, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-2 p.m

  • Brooklyn Band Endearments Share Video For Coldplay-Inspired “Delicate”

    Brooklyn synth-pop project Endearments have released a Coldplay-inspired music video for their original song “Delicate,” off their debut EP Father of Wands.

    Endearments and the video for “Delicate.”

    The video for “Delicate” is directly influenced by Coldplay’s video for their song “Yellow.” Speaking of the video, singer Kevin Marksson spoke about the influence.

    When we decided to make a music video for ‘Delicate’ I knew immediately that I wanted it to be an homage to Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ video. It’s one of my all-time favorite music videos: beautiful, earnest, simple. Thematically ‘Delicate’ is really the opposite of ‘Yellow’ though. It’s a song about walking away from a bad relationship, so setting the video on an idyllic beach didn’t feel right. Filming on the street in Bushwick felt like the perfect way to pay tribute to the original while still being true to this song.

    Kevin Marksson, Endearments.

    Marksson recently began writing and composing for himself for the first time in over a decade, after his previous band ended. He chose the name for this project because he wanted to convey a sense of affection, though the music he makes is sad.

    Father of Wands uses brilliant basslines and dream-pop aesthetics to tell the story of Marksson’s own heartbreak and healing. The title of the EP comes from tarot cards, as the Father (or King) is the ultimate card in the suit of Wands, which lets Marksson be guided to a place of healing.

    endearments delicate
    Endearments.

    Endearment’s Coldplay-inspired video for the new song “Delicate” is out now. Descrived as “irresistible and gratifyingly groovy” by Bands Do Brooklyn, your ears will transcend to a place of wonder.

  • Cory Wong, Antwaun Stanley and Sierra Hull Hit All the Right Notes in Rochester

    When funk mavens Cory Wong and the Wongnotes announced, over two variants ago, that mandolin phenom Sierra Hull would be opening their winter tour, it seemed like an odd pairing. With the tour finally getting underway, their recent stop at Anthology in Rochester on Sunday, January 30, proved it to be a brilliant choice.

    Cory Wong

    As Hull took the stage, the crowd was already near capacity, escaping the deep-freeze portion of the Rochester winter and taking advantage of what little scraps of live music could be found amongst the pandemic-ravaged scene. The audience was immediately rapt with Hull’s masterful playing as she strummed and picked through “Poison” off her 2020 release, 25 Trips. It didn’t take long for the bill to pay dividends as Wongnotes saxman Eddie Barbash came out to join her on a fantastic duet cover of “People Get Ready” and would stay out for the rest of her short set. After a blazing bluegrass number she brought out more Wongnotes: Sunny T on bass, Kevin Gastonguay on keys and Petar Janjic on drums. They played through Hull’s “Weighted Mind,” Del McCoury’s “Blues Rollin’ In” and closed out on blazing instrumental that showcased the groupings unique collective talents.

    After a short break, Cory Wong took the stage with his full Wongnote unit. A five-piece horn section including members of Prince’s New Power Generation Band and Jon Batiste’s Stay Human joined Janjic, Sunny and Gastonguay to round out the band. They blasted non-stop through high-energy funks, bluesy grooves and dancehall throw-downs, going five songs into the set before taking a breather. Wong was content to lay the groundwork from which his bandmates could shine. He was happy to play bandleader and not draw the spotlight to his own playing as much as one would expect. Then midway through the set he broke free on a ripping effects-laden solo. With the reins loosened, he would rock out a bit more liberally in the second half of the set.

    Cory Wong

    Nearing the end of the first set, it was time for Hull to come back to the stage. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are not a band that draws a lot of comparison, with good reason. But what Cory Wong and the Wongnotes pulled off with Hull on stage could worthily be described as “Flecktones-ian.” The unique blend of funk, soul, jazz and bluegrass with a splash of Irish jig highlighted in a brand new song Wong and Hull penned together, brought to mind the distinct sounds Bela and his band introduced to the world. Stunning stuff!

    As if backing a bluegrass mandolin and then a guitar-led instrumental funk band wasn’t enough of a flex for the Wongtones, they emerged after another short break for a closing set backing R&B singer Antwaun Stanley. Converted to a full bore party band, they ably kept pace with Stanley as he bounded and twirled and preached and effused love. The crowd, who were fully engaged since note one of the opening set, were easily molded into Stanley’s party-goers. They were at the ready, clapping the beat, waving arms in sync, or singing in call and response with only a hint of a prompt. Whether it was on originals like “Speed Of Night,” and “Where Are We Now” or on a Stevie Wonder Medley, the results were the same, this was Sunday night party and we were all invited.

    cory wong

    The moments unfolded in exciting and enjoyable fashion one by one, but the show’s dynamic presentation, when taken as a whole in the rearview, revealed a one-of-a-kind concert experience.

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