NYS Music 202​2

Category: Genres

  • In Focus: Josiah Johnson and The Sea The Sea at Takk House

    On Friday, September 23rd, 2022, Josiah Johnson gave a heart-felt performance at the Takk House in Troy.

    Josiah Johnson was originally part of the indie-folk band, The Head and The Heart band from 2009-2016. He left after his realization that his struggles with drug addiction needed to be put in check. After entering rehab and working on himself, Johnson came back to begin his solo career in 2020 with his album Every Feeling on a Loop. Today, he continues making indie-folk music with his most recently released song “You Had One Job.”

    This was not a typical show were guests showed up, saw their favorite artist perform, and then went home. Before the music, there was an all vegan, four course dinner catered by Meadow Lark. The artists and the guests shared a dinner between four tables in front of the stage. The dinner lasted two hours before the opening act.

    The Sea The Sea is an indie-folk pop duo out of Troy with Chuck E. Costa and Mira Costa have released three full-length albums. Their most recent album being Stumbling Home released in 2020. They are currently on tour with their next show being in New York City on September 27th.

    The Sea The Sea opened up the night to an audience of about 50 people. The local artists played an hour long set with a mix of released and unreleased songs. After a fan yelled asking were they could find ” I Recorded The Sound Of Rain For You,” Mira replied that most of their music could be found on Patreon. They were anecdotes before almost every song and lots of jokes about making their songs “25 years ago in 2020.” The anecdotes combined with their Indie-Folk style of music made it feel as though a story was being told. The duo ended the set be going to the middle of the room and singing their last two fans with members of the audience.

    The stories continued when Josiah Johnson came to the stage. He also gave the audience a brief history of how the preceding song came to be. He mentioned his struggles with rehab and relationships that gave his performance a different meaning. The audience was already mostly comprised of friends of the artists, but once it over, it felt as if everyone had known Josiah for 10 years. His intimate feeling set lasted for about an hour and also ended with him and violinist M’Gilvry Allen playing in the middle of the room. In this instance, The Sea The Sea joined them to close out the night.

    Josiah Johnson continues his tour with a show at The Sultan Room in Brooklyn on September 27.

    The Sea The Sea setlist: Restless Heart, Rainstorm, I’ll Be Loving You, I Recorded The Sound Of Rain For You, A Thousand Years, Everybody, Let Our Kites Fly, The Story That They Gave To Us, Not The Same As Goodbye, Stumbling Home, LWAWL, This Is The Way

    Josiah Johnson setlist: False Alarms, Warm, Nobody Knows, Honey Come Home, Woman, Futile Devices, Josh, Hello Hello, I Wish I Had

    Chuck E. Costa (left) and Mira Costa (right) of The Sea The Sea
    Chuck E. Costa performing at Takk House
    The Sea The Sea performing at Takk House
    Mira Costa performing at Takk House
    The Sea The Sea performing at Takk House
    The Sea The Sea performing at Takk House
    The Sea The Sea performing in the middle of the audience at Takk House
    Josiah Johnson performing at Takk House
    M’Gilvry Allen performing at Takk House
    Josiah Johnson performing at Takk House
    M’Gilvry Allen (left) and Josiah Johnson (right) performing at Takk House
    Josiah Johnson performing at Takk House
    Josiah Johnson and M’Gilvry Allen performing at Takk House
    The Sea The Sea and Josiah Johnson closing out their performance at Takk House
    M”Gilvry Allen hugging Mira Costa

  • Guest artist Kuok-Wai Lio to perform Schubert’s final three sonatas at UAlbany

    Prolific composer Franz Schubert composed his final three sonatas just three weeks before he died at 31 years old in 1828. On October 3, University at Albany’s music department will host Kwok-Wai Lio to perform those three sonatas as a set. 

    Kuok-Wai Lio graduated from the Curtis School of Music and has gone on to perform across the world as a pianist and chamber musician. Kuok-Wai has been invited as far as Europe to attend Sir András Schiff’s Masterclass and as close as Caramoor for Leon Fleisher’s mentorship program. He’s performed for former President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao, and at Carnegie Hall. Now, Kuok-Wai will return to New York as University at Albany’s Guest Pianist.

    Kuok-Wai Lio will perform Schubert's final three sonatas
    Kuok-Wai Lio

    The three sonatas — Sonata in A major, D. 959; Sonata in B major, D. 960 and Sonata in C minor, D. 958 — represent a finality to Franz Schubert’s illustrious yet short career. Schubert wrote over 600 art songs, several symphonies, chamber and incidental music and an opera over his life. In these final three sonatas, Schubert swirled together formal compositional structures with structural inventions from his contemporaries and himself. 

    The show will be at 7:30 at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center, on the Uptown University at Albany campus — 1400 Washington Avenue. Advance tickets are $5 for the general public and $3 for students, seniors and UAlbany faculty and staff. Day of show tickets are $10 for the general public and $8 for students, seniors and UAlbany faculty and staff. All tickets must be purchased on-line from the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s site.

    https://youtu.be/zCToSGFuPcI

  • Jon Spencer & the Hitmakers Schedule Tour With Three NY Dates

    Jon Spencer & the Hitmakers have announced a two-part tour which features dates covering October and the early part of 2023. This includes stops at Brooklyn Made on October 23, Rochester’s Bug Jar on January 29, and Albany’s Lark Hall on January 29.

    jon spencer hitmakers tour
    Jon Spencer. (photo credit: Michael Lavine)

    The tour is in promotion of Spencer’s first Hitmakers album, Spencer Gets It Lit, which was released in April. It was preceded by three singles, “Junk Man,” “Primary Baby,” and “Worm Town.” “This is the most uncompromising album I’ve ever made,” he said of the record.

    Spencer, who has also worked with Boss Hog, Heavy Trash, and Pussy Galore, assembled the group after disbanding his previous act of 25 years, Jon Spencer’s Blues Explosion, in 2016.

    In addition to Spencer, the band includes Bob Bert, a fellow former member of Pussy Galore and one of Sonic Youth’s early drummers, as well as Sam Coomes, one half of Portland indie duo Quasi and a bassist for Elliot Smith’s Heatmiser during the group’s final years.

    Information regarding tickets for Jon Spencer & The Hitmakers’ tour can be found online.

    TOUR DATES:

    10/06 Lancaster, PA Tellus 360

    10/07 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom *

    10/08 Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe

    10/09 Columbus, OH Rumba Cafe

    10/10 Newport, KY The Southgate House Revival

    10/11 Lexington, KY The Burl

    10/12 Nashville, TN The Blue Room at Third Man Records

    10/13 Memphis, TN Hi-Tone Cafe

    10/14 Clarksville, MS Deep Blues Festival 

    10/15 Jackson, MS Martin’s

    10/17 Atlanta, GA The Earl

    10/18 Athens, GA 40 Watt Club

    10/19 West Columbia, SC New Brookland Tavern

    10/20 Charlotte, NC Snug Harbor

    10/21 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle

    10/22 Baltimore, MD The Ottobar

    10/23 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Made

    * w/ Southern Culture On The Skids

    2023:

    01/24 Cambridge, MA Middle East

    01/25 Portland, ME One Longfellow Square

    01/26 Burlington, VT Higher Ground Lounge

    01/27 Montreal, QC Bar Le Ritz PDB

    01/28 Ottawa, ON Club SAW

    01/29 Rochester, NY Bug Jar

    01/31 Albany, NY Lark Hall

    02/01 Hamden, CT Space Ballroom

    02/02 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s

    02/03 Atlantic City, NJ Anchor Rock Club

    02/04 TBA

  • In Focus: Shinedown At Darien Lake Amphitheater

    On a late summer night, with the summer concert season winding down, Shinedown brought their Planet Zero World Tour to Darien Lake Amphitheater on Tuesday, September 20.  

    Shinedown, hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, have become regulars on the New York State concert scene over the last decade.  Tuesday night marked the band’s third performance in Upstate New York over the past week.

    John Harvie opened the concert with a high energy, fast paced performance.  Harvie bounced from all corners of the stage as he worked his way through several of his alternative rock tracks. 

    Up next was Jelly Roll. He performed a mixture of hip hop and rock music blended with his strong, soulful voice.  The crowd was fully engaged at this point, belting along lyrics to many of the songs, including the powerful set closer “Save Me.”  

    Finally it was time for the main event.  After a brief video highlighting the band’s return to touring in a post-pandemic world, Shinedown took to the stage in a shower of fireworks and pyrotechnics.  Opening with “The Saints Of Violence and Innuendo,” the band followed with a mixture of songs old and new.   There are few frontmen as charismatic as lead singer Brent Smith, as the crowd hung on his every move. 

    As the show wound to a close, the band brought opener Jelly Roll back to the stage to join in a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” While the cover has become a staple in Shinedown’s set, the song took new life mixed with Jelly Roll’s powerful vocals. The crowd quickly engaged in a full-fledged sing along.  Shortly after, the band closed the evening with “The Sound of Madness.”  

  • Reggae Under The Bridge Will Return To Brooklyn

    Reggae Under The Bridge, part of the Coney Island Reggae Soundsystem Series, will take place on Sunday, September 25 from 12-7 p.m. at K Bridge Park (under the Kosciuszko Bridge) at 470 Scott Avenue in Brooklyn.

    This year’s edition features the return of Downbeat The Ruler, selector Tony Screw, one of the most beloved and celebrated selectors in global soundclash culture. Downbeat earned his name as the legacy selector for Coxson Dodd’s iconic Sir Coxson’s Downbeat Soundsystem in the 1970s. As a result of this relationship, Downbeat boasts the largest collection of Studio One exclusives of any selector worldwide.

    Other featured selectors at the event will be Lee Major from Earth Ruler, Digital English, and other guests from the Brooklyn and greater NYC community.

    Founded in 2010 by DJ Carter Van Pelt, Coney Island Reggae On The Boardwalk has earned an international grassroots following as a showcase for reggae vinyl and soundsystem culture. The series is an anticipated part of summer culture in New York City, with Reggae Under The Bridge as one of the spinoff events in the series, which also inaugurated the opening of K Bridge Park in June 2021.

    The series has featured more than 80 selectors from New York and beyond, including King Jammy, Jack Scorpio, Downbeat The Ruler, Tipper Tone, Jah Life, LP International, Sir Tommy’s, Earth Ruler, Digital English, and Federation Sound. Emcees and singers have included Luciano, Willi Williams, Al Campbell, Ranking Joe, Sister Carol, Mikey Jarrett, Screechy Dan, and Johnny Osbourne, among others. Brooklyn’s Chanter, The Timeless Sound has provided the soundsystem for the event since 2012. The events, which are free to the public, are supported by donations from individuals and in part by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council.

    Check out Downbeat with Carter Van Pelt in a Dennis Brown tribute at Coney Island in 2019.

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

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

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

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

    His New Single

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

    Jellz spends much of his time away from the States

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

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

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

    What’s the next Step?

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

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

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

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

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

  • In Focus: The Australian Pink Floyd Show

    Playing for over 4 million fans since 1988, The Australian Pink Floyd Show showed Rochester why they are the ultimate Pink Floyd tribute band after performing at the Kodak Theatre on September 21. Right down to the light show and lasers, Australian Pink Floyd, as they are sometimes called, got toes tapping and heads rocking right out of the gate.

    Immediately, fans were transported back in time with remarkable renditions of classics like “Obscured By Clouds,” “Time,” “Money” and of course, “Another Brick in the Wall Pt 2.”

    Hailing from Adelaide, group consists of Luc Ledy-Lepine (guitar), David Domminney-Fowler(guitar/vocals) Steve Mac (guitar/vocal), Jason Sawford (keyboard), Paul Bonney (drums), Ricky Howard(bass/vocals), Mike Kidson (sax), and the amazing Chris Barnes on vocals. Backup singers are Lorelei McBroom, Emily Lynn, and Lara Smiles.

  • Willie Nelson Gives An Intimate Central Park Performance At SummerStage

    Willie Nelson gave an intimate performance to 5,000 lucky fans at a sold out City Parks SummerStage show in Central Park on Tuesday night, September 20. The show was amidst the last few dates of Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival. The festival ends om October 16 at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, California.

    Willie Nelson at SummerStage 9.20.22

    Willie sounded and looked great as he ran through decades worth of hits in his hour and a half performance. He started his set with “Whiskey River,” a Johnny Bush song made popular on his 1973 album “Shotgun Willie.” He followed that with “Still Is Still Moving to Me” (from 1993) and “Bloody Mary Morning,” a song inspired by his struggle to become a better parent, released in 1970.

    Willie briefly turned the show over to his son Micah, aka Particle Kid. Micah told the crowd his dad once said to him, “If I die when I’m high, I’ll be halfway to heaven,” adding that it was the greatest song title he ever heard. Willie replied “Why don’t you write it”, so he penned “Die When I’m High (Halfway To Heaven.)” Continuing the theme of Willie’s well know pot smoking and cannabis activism, they also performed “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.” Willie has been arrested several times over the years for marijuana possession dating back to 1974. Fast forward almost 50 years and now marijuana is legal in many states. Willie even has his own weed brand called Willie’s Reserve.

    Other highlights included mega hits “Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “On The Road Again” as well as “Always on My Mind” and Georgia (On My Mind).” The show ended with “Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away” and “It’s Hard to Be Humble.”

    SInger-songwriter Charley Crockett open the show for Willie. His latest album, The Man From Waco was the second album he released this year. Crockett also won two Austin Music Awards this year. One for Musician of the Year, the other award was for Best Country Artist.

    Charley Crockett Setlist: Jukebox Charley, Jamestown Ferry, I’m Just a Clown, Baby don’t tell me that, Banjo Pickin Man, Going Back to Texas, The Man From Waco

    Willie Nelson Setlist: Whisky River/Stay a Little Longer, Still Is Still Moving to Me, Bloody Mary Morning, I Never Cared for You, (Die When I’m High) Halfway to Heaven, Mamma’s Dont Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys, Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground, On The Road Again, Always on My Mind, Everything Is Bullshit, Good Hearted Woman, Georgia (On My Mind), I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train, I’ll Love you Till the Day I Die, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, Write Your Own Songs, Truck Drivin’ Man, I Thought About You Lord, Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away, It’s Hard to Be Humble

  • Big Eyed Blues Festival Returns to Brooklyn for 12 Anniversary

    The Big Eyed Blues Festival returns to Brooklyn for its 12-anniversary celebration, featuring three days of blues with established and upcoming artists on Sept. 22, 24, and 25.

    big eyed blues festival

    The Blues Festival was created by Blues singer Beareather Reddy, who resides in Brooklyn to showcase talented Blues singers and provide a venue where these artists can be seen and heard. She noticed there was a lack of Blues venues in the city, and she wanted to create a solution to the problem.

    Her passion to help keep Blues music striving, inspired her to found the not-for-profit organization, the Brooklyn Blues Society. “In some way, I feel it is my purpose to open the gateway to some and to bring others back to the realization, that Blues music is an integral part of their rich heritage,” she said.

    Big Blue Eyed Blues Festival Schedule

    Sept. 22, 7-9 P.M.- “The Acoustics” The Jalopy Theatre, 315 Columbia Street Brooklyn

    The night features Junior Mack “Exploring The Blues And The Truth”, Mimi Block, and Keith “The Captain” Gamble will play “Blues in the Key of Violin”. Michael Hill’s Acoustic Blue Duo ends the night with electric blues. The event will be live streamed and is in partnership with the Jalopy Theatre.

    Sept. 24, 7-10 P.M. “Command Performance” The BKLYN Commons 495 Flatbush Ave. Brooklyn.

    Michael Hill is the MC for the event, which features talented singer/songwriter and guitarist from Paterson, NJ, Clarence Spady. Also performing are Beareather & The Brown Liquor Sounds as well as the musical and historically focused group the Antoinette Montague Experience. Brooklyn’s own The Alexis P. Suter Band will end the night with her earth-shattering vocals and electrifying rhythm. The schedule for the evening is as follows:

    7:00 P.M. – 7:05 P.M. – Master of Ceremonies – Michael Hill
    7:05 P.M. – 7:40 P.M.– Clarence Spady
    7:45 P.M. – 8:20 P.M. – Beareather & The Brown Liquor Sounds
    8:20 P.M. – 8:35 P.M. – Break
    8:35 P.M. – 8:45 P.M. – Citation Presentation & Board Members Introductions
    8:45 P.M. – 9:20 P.M. – The Antoinette Montague Experience & Band
    9:20 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. – The Alexis P. Band

    Sept. 25, 12-3 P.M.- “A Day in the Park” The Prospect Park Boat House Brooklyn.

    The free final event is The Tilden Senior Center Drama Club presenting their version of “The Classic Blueswomen,” written by Beareather Reddy and directed by Evria Ince Waldron, in partnership with NIA Theatrical Production and The Prospect Park Alliance.

    Tickets for the events on Sept. 22 and 24 are available here.

  • Harry Styles Makes History at MSG, Joins Legends With His Own Banner

    Harry Styles wrapped up his 15-consecutive night at Madison Square Garden, creating history at his “Love On Tour” dates and becoming the newest banner to be raised at the rafters.

    Harry Styles
    Photo: Lloyd Wakefield/MSG Entertainment

    Styles’ residency at The World’s Most Famous Arena wrapped up on Sept. 21, starting on Aug. 20. He joins only a few legends having their banners at the arena, presented to Styles by CBS Mornings host Gayle King during the encore of the final show.

    Selling out 15 consecutive nights at Madison Square Garden is a massive accomplishment and reinforces Harry Styles as one of the most impactful artists of his generation. It is a testament to Harry and his fans that a banner celebrating this remarkable achievement will hang from the rafters alongside some of the most legendary artists and athletes in history. Harry has already headlined The World’s Most Famous Arena several times in his skyrocketing career, and we’re honored that MSG was Harry’s House for these 15 incredible nights.

    Jim Dolan, executive chairman and CEO, MSG Entertainment

    Fans traveled from all over the world to see Styles at MSG and to celebrate his brand new album Harrys House, with interactive photo activations placed around the venue for fans to share their best “Love On Tour” styles; custom postcards distributed at each show with various designs, and exclusive specialty food and beverage options. His fans wore feather boas to each show, and the final show saw them being placed at each seat in the lower bowl, courtesy of the Garden.

    Harry Styles’ critically acclaimed single “As It Was” continues to smash records on the Billboard charts with a 14th week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a record 15th week atop the Billboard Global 200. It is also the first song to spend its first 24 weeks in the top three positions on the same chart, with 23 of the 24 in the top two, extending its record. 

    He joins only two other musical legends with banners at the arena, with Billy Joel and Phish occupying the rafters. It is a remarkable accomplishment for Styles, showing the new generation of artists are being loved by new and old, and his career is just beginning. He will continue his “Love On Tour” in cities like Austin, TX, and Chicago, IL.

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