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 for EQXposure and to hear new music from, Kirsty Rock, Seize Atlantis, E.R.I.E., and a world premiere from Joe Mansmen and the Midnight Revival, and many more!
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.
E.R.I.E. – “Can’t Stop Runnin’”
E.R.I.E. came on to the Albany, NY scene in 2020, the week a global pandemic began to rear its ugly head. What began as a passion project developed while singer/songwriter TJ Foster was unexpectedly laid up in a hospital bed for three days, has turned into a fully-formed quartet, winning over audiences with their catchy songs and energetic live performances.
Seize Atlantis – “Atlas Shrugged”
Formed in 2019, NYS Music March Madness 2022 Final Four artist Seize Atlantis is an Alternative Rock Band located in Upstate NY that plays a variety of genres, including originals and covers. The band includes James Mullen – Lead Vocals/Guitar, Mike Dardas – Bass/Vocals, Luc Bourgault – Lead Guitar, and Cody Platt – Drums.
Kirsty Rock – “Green Is”
Most notably know for her soaring vocals with internationally renowned reggae super group, Easy Star All-Stars, Kirsty Rock comes with her own distinctive, soulful & earthy reggae sound. Inspired by a deep love of Vermont, Rock brings us on a sonic and visual journey. Rock can also be heard on Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Dub Band, First Light & Thrillah.
Governors Ball Music Festival 2022 is less than a month away, and festival organizers have announced the stage layout and daily schedule. Initially available in the Gov Ball app for the first 24 hours, fans can now start putting together and sharing their own custom schedules.
The schedule this year does an excellent job of avoiding any major conflicts and the layout of the venue allows fans to move easily between stages. Some notable overlaps include JPEGMAFIA vs. Channel Tres on Friday, YG vs. Diesel or Flume vs. Halsey on Saturday, and Kaytranada vs. J. Cole on Sunday.
Post Malone at Gov Ball 2021. Photo by David Reichmann
Last year’s Governors Ball lineup included massive headliners such as Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky, and Post Malone. The festival’s first year at Citi Field was a massive success, despite their departure from the traditional Randall’s Island venue, with over 150,000 people in attendance reported. The more centrally located venue in the heart of Flushing boasts easy access to the subway, bus, and pedestrian throughways giving fans much easier accessibility.
Governors Ball 2022 Schedule
Returning to Citi Field from June 10th to June 12th, 2022, the stacked lineup features headliners Halsey, Kid Cudi, and J. Cole along with a slew of up and coming and long-standing artists. Governors Ball has always showcased local New York artists on the bill, and this year is no different.
Singer and songwriter Gus Dapperton was born and raised in Warwick, and ska-punk band Millington hail from Albany. Plastic Picnic features two duos from the Pacific Northwest who met in Brooklyn after moving to the city and formed a new band. The overall lineup represents a melting pot of musical tastes, styles, and regions, but that’s a story as old as New York itself.
Billie Eilish at Gov Ball 2021. Photo by David Reichmann
Governors Ball also successfully mimics New York’s long history of dive bar concerts with their Bud Light Seltzer Sessions. Embedded into the festival layout, this small stage features some of the names on the lineup who will perform a more intimate set at the casual dive bar style stage. The magic of a festival happens when you round a corner and bump into something unexpected, and these more casual performances provide just that.
Outside of the music, the star of the weekend will certainly be the food. Queens County is one of the most diverse municipalities anywhere in the world and a festival that calls Queens home must have the food to prove it. There will be classic NYC staples such as Roberta’s Pizza, Doughnuttery donuts, and Williamsburg’s finest fried chicken with Sweet Chick.
Choose between Destination Dumplings and Disos’ Italian sandwiches, Gordos Cantina tacos or Empanada Papas. And it wouldn’t be Queens without the largest Greek community outside of Greece represented with Efes Greek Kitchen and Souvlaki GR. Check out the entire food lineup below.
With the festival rapidly approaching, tickets are still available. Third and final tier 3-Day GA tickets are still on sale as well as single day tickets to all three days and the VIP and Platinum ticket packages. Full ticket details can be found HERE.
Read more about the official Governors Ball After Dark late night shows that take place after the estival HERE. NYS Music will be on the ground again this year at Governors Ball, so stay tuned for full artist photo galleries from this year’s festival. In the meantime, check out some highlights from the 2021 festival by David Reichmann and Steve Malinski.
Performing under the pseudonym Monkeys On Ecstasy, moe. treated 350 lucky fans to a performance at Empire Underground on Thursday, May 12. With guitarist Chuck Garvey on the mend, Suke Cerulo (Schleigho, Lynch) and Nate Wilson (Ghosts of Jupiter, Blue Star Radiation), the now-sextet of musicians warmed up for the summer shows that lie ahead, with a powerful 11-song performance.
photo by Frankie Cavone
A Monkeys on Ecstasy show provides moe. with the rare chance for a club performance, making for an intimate and intense show, one that diehard moe.rons gravitated to, selling the show out within 24 hours. Hundreds more would stream the show online as well, bringing a little bit of the magic of this show to the masses. Monkeys on Ecstasy shows have been played periodically over the years, allowing for surprise treats for fans, including a 1998 performance in Utica at Captain Trips Rainforest Cafe.
Fans in the Capital District will recall the August 18, 2005 performance of moe. as The Vinnie Amico Experience, where drummer Vinnie Amico took centerstage at a sweat-stained Revolution Hall.
photo by Frankie Cavone
For Thursday night, the band began at 8:13pm with fan favorite “Happy Hour Hero” segueing cleanly into “Silver Sun” and then the ever rare “Johnny Lineup.” For 42 minutes, there was not a single break in the action on stage, and prior to a lengthy intro to “Lazarus” did the band finally take a moment to breathe and thank the audience for joining them this evening. Just prior to “Buster,” the beginning of “Rebubula” was teased, before Rob Derhak took the reigns and played the iconic bass intro to “Buster.” The set ended up with “Downward Facing Dog” and a band that was tight and familiar, as two seasoned musicians to provided an ample substitute for Garvey.
photo by Frankie Cavone
The four song second set began with the heavy as ever “McBain,” allowing for plenty of improvisation between Wilson and Cerulo and guitarist Al Schnier. A patient fade into “Brent Black” paid off with a significant ‘drums’ portion from Amico and Jim Loughlin, which found its way into Pink Floyd’s “Interstellar Overdrive” and finally the classic moe. jam vehicle, “Recreational Chemistry.” To close the night, the relatively new “Skitchin Buffalo” served as a long encore, the audience pouring out to the alley behind North Pearl Street, having witnessed a rare as ever performance.
moe. will return to the Capital District on July 6 with a free show at the Empire State Plaza. Full tour dates can be found here. See more photos at Mirth Films.
Monkeys on Ecstasy – Empire Underground – May 12, 2022
Set 1: Happy Hour Hero > Silver Sun > Johnny Lineup, Lazarus > Buster* > Downward Facing Dog Set 2: Skrunk > Brent Black > Interstellar Overdrive > Recreational Chemistry Encore: Skitchin Buffalo
English electronic music duo, Disclosure, rocked the illustrious Elsewhere Brooklyn club and music venue on Wednesday, May 11th. The duo brought high energy and psychedelic sounds to Brooklyn as they started their four day Brooklyn run as part of their North American Tour.
The Grammy award winning duo, known for their electrifying single “Latch,” featuring Sam Smith and “Nocturnal,” featuring The Weeknd, performed new cuts from their new album Energy as well as their popular hits. After rising to prominence in 2013, Disclosure has cultivated a strong following that truly showed out for the English duo on Wednesday.
The stars were also out on Wednesday night with an appearance from Sam Smith, who was also in attendance that night. It was just a Wednesday, but it was definitely not a boring one. Disclosure brought electrifying energy accompanied by a beautiful light show that fully encapsulated a true out of body experience.
Doors opened at 11, but the duo performed in front of a full house with their set starting at approximately 1am. The opener was the talented Honey Bun, who definitely warmed up the crowd for what was to come.
The duo started their Brooklyn stint with a strong first show, and continues to carry this momentum to their sold out shows at Brooklyn Mirage this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The Catskill town of East Durham, NY will once again play host to Catskill Mountain Jubilee over August 11-14, 2022. Headliners for the festival include Dark Star Orchestra (performing four sets), The Disco Biscuits with two sets, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The New Deal and many more.
Catskill Mountain Jubilee 2021 – photo by Em Walis
Blackthorne Resort will play host for the second annual event over August 11-14, with four nights of music starting on Thursday and ending on Sunday.
Giving back is a big part of the Jubilee community, as the festival contributes a portion of its profits to charitable causes. In 2021, over $15,000 was raised for three different nonprofits. Catskill Mountain Jubilee is brought to you by Drop the Mics and Full Circle Music Productions.
Catskill Mountain Jubilee 2022Lineup
Dark Star Orchestra (2 Sets) The Disco Biscuits (2 Sets) Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe The New Deal Star Kitchen Chali 2na & Cut Chemist Dogs In A Pile DJ Logic & Friends featuring Billy Martin, Jamie Shields, Dan Kurtz, Jennifer Hartswick, James Casey, Natalie Cressman Aqueous & Friends featuring Craig Brodhead The Garcia Project (2 Sets) Sophistafunk Mark Farina (2 Sets) Orchard Lounge Spaga DrFameus featuring Glyfiks Julia Govor Muscle Tough Kick The Cat LionDub (2 Sets) Beg, Steal or Borrow Freegrass Union Sundub Mike Greenfield Yesmann (Craig Brodhead) Baked Shrimp Rose Ganache Mizeyesis Mara SMInk Kandyshop Nah Mean?
Grammy award winner and music Icon Barry Manilow has just announced a special six show arena tour, Manilow: Hits 2022. Manilow’s tour is taking place this August with special guest David Koz.
Having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide, Barry Manilow is one of the world’s all-time bestselling recording artists. Some of his hit recordings include “Could It Be Magic,” “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” and “Copacabana.”
The show will be located at the UBS Arena at Belmont Park, a place located in Queens that was made for music and built for hockey. The $1.1 billion multi-purpose, state of the art arena opened in November 2021 and has welcomed top artists including Harry Styles, Sebastian Maniscalco, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Genesis and TWICE.
He’s had an astonishing 50 Top 40 singles including 12 #1s and 27 Top 10 hits. Manilow is ranked as the #1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all-time, according to Billboard and R&R magazines. Growing up in a lower-class neighborhood in Brooklyn, Barry made a name for himself. His abilities made him a famous American pop singer and songwriter who specialized in elaborately orchestrated romantic ballads. Thus, winning him a wide audience in the 1970s.
MANILOW: HITS 2022 TOUR DATES:
Thu Aug 04 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Fri Aug 05 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Sat Aug 06 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
Fri Aug 12 – Allentown, PA – PPL Center
Sat Aug 13 – Providence, RI – Dunkin’ Donuts Center
Sun Aug 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Tickets go on sale starting Friday, May 13th at 11AM on Ticketmaster. For more information and to buy tickets, click the link here.
Host James Corden during the opening number of the 2019 Tony Awards.
The 2022 Tony Awards will mark 75 years for the award ceremony, which are bestowed upon theatre professionals for high achievements. It is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and one of the most prestigious award ceremonies on television.
Legitimate theatrical productions taking place in any of the 41 eligible Broadway productions, and the Tony Awards will be voted in 26 competitive categories by 650 designated Tony voters within the theatre community.
Nominations for the 2022 Tony Awards
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing
Best Book of a Musical
Girl From The North Country
Conor McPherson
MJ
Lynn Nottage
Mr. Saturday Night
Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel
Paradise Square
Christina Anderson, Craig Lucas & Larry Kirwan
A Strange Loop
Michael R. Jackson
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Flying Over Sunset
Music: Tom Kitt Lyrics: Michael Korie
Mr. Saturday Night
Music: Jason Robert Brown Lyrics: Amanda Green
Paradise Square
Music: Jason Howland Lyrics: Nathan Tysen & Masi Asare
SIX: The Musical
Music and Lyrics: Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss
A Strange Loop
Music & Lyrics: Michael R. Jackson
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy Adam Godley, The Lehman Trilogy Adrian Lester, The Lehman Trilogy David Morse, How I Learned to Drive Sam Rockwell, American Buffalo Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Lackawanna Blues David Threlfall, Hangmen
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Gabby Beans, The Skin of Our Teeth LaChanze, Trouble in Mind Ruth Negga, Macbeth Deirdre O’Connell, Dana H. Mary-Louise Parker, How I Learned to Drive
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Billy Crystal, Mr. Saturday Night Myles Frost, MJ Hugh Jackman, The Music Man Rob McClure, Mrs. Doubtfire Jaquel Spivey, A Strange Loop
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Sharon D Clarke, Caroline, or Change Carmen Cusack, Flying Over Sunset Sutton Foster, The Music Man Joaquina Kalukango, Paradise Square Mare Winningham, Girl From The North Country
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Alfie Allen, Hangmen Chuck Cooper, Trouble in Mind Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Take Me Out Ron Cephas Jones, Clyde’s Michael Oberholtzer, Take Me Out Jesse Williams, Take Me Out
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Uzo Aduba, Clyde’s Rachel Dratch, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Kenita R. Miller, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Phylicia Rashad, Skeleton Crew Julie White, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Kara Young, Clyde’s
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Matt Doyle, Company Sidney DuPont, Paradise Square Jared Grimes, Funny Girl John-Andrew Morrison, A Strange Loop A.J. Shively, Paradise Square
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Jeannette Bayardelle, Girl From The North Country Shoshana Bean, Mr. Saturday Night Jayne Houdyshell, The Music Man L Morgan Lee, A Strange Loop Patti LuPone, Company Jennifer Simard, Company
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Beowulf Boritt, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Michael Carnahan and Nicholas Hussong, Skeleton Crew Es Devlin, The Lehman Trilogy Anna Fleischle, Hangmen Scott Pask, American Buffalo Adam Rigg, The Skin of Our Teeth
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Beowulf Boritt and 59 Productions, Flying Over Sunset Bunny Christie, Company Arnulfo Maldonado, A Strange Loop Derek McLane and Peter Nigrini, MJ Allen Moyer, Paradise Square
Best Costume Design of a Play
Montana Levi Blanco, The Skin of Our Teeth Sarafina Bush, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Emilio Sosa, Trouble in Mind Jane Greenwood, Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite Jennifer Moeller, Clyde’s
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Fly Davis, Caroline, or Change Toni-Leslie James, Paradise Square William Ivey Long, Diana, The Musical Santo Loquasto, The Music Man Gabriella Slade, SIX: The Musical Paul Tazewell, MJ
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Joshua Carr, Hangmen Jiyoun Chang, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Jon Clark, The Lehman Trilogy Jane Cox, Macbeth Yi Zhao, The Skin of Our Teeth
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Neil Austin, Company Tim Deiling, SIX: The Musical Donald Holder, Paradise Square Natasha Katz, MJ Bradley King, Flying Over Sunset Jen Schriever, A Strange Loop
Best Sound Design of a Play
Justin Ellington, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Mikhail Fiksel, Dana H. Palmer Hefferan, The Skin of Our Teeth Nick Powell and Dominic Bilkey, The Lehman Trilogy Mikaal Sulaiman, Macbeth
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Simon Baker, Girl From The North Country Paul Gatehouse, SIX: The Musical Ian Dickinson for Autograph, Company Drew Levy, A Strange Loop Gareth Owen, MJ
Best Direction of a Play
Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Skin of Our Teeth Camille A. Brown, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy Neil Pepe, American Buffalo Les Waters, Dana H.
Best Direction of a Musical
Stephen Brackett, A Strange Loop Marianne Elliott, Company Conor McPherson, Girl From The North Country Lucy Moss & Jamie Armitage, SIX: The Musical Christopher Wheeldon, MJ
Best Choreography
Camille A. Brown, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Warren Carlyle, The Music Man Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, SIX: The Musical Bill T. Jones, Paradise Square Christopher Wheeldon, MJ
Best Orchestrations
David Cullen, Company Tom Curran, SIX: The Musical Simon Hale, Girl From The North Country Jason Michael Webb and David Holcenberg, MJ Charlie Rosen, A Strange Loop
Author: Martin McDonagh Producers: Robert Fox, Jean Doumanian, Elizabeth I. McCann, Craig Balsam, Atlantic Theater Company, Jon B. Platt, Len Blavatnik, Richard Fishman, John Gore Organization, Stephanie P. McClelland, David Mirvish, The Shubert Organization, Jamie deRoy/Sandy Robertson, Patrick Myles/Alexander ‘Sandy’ Marshall, M. Kilburg Reedy/Excelsior Entertainment, Playful Productions, The Royal Court Theatre
The Lehman Trilogy
Author: Stefano Massini, Ben Power Producers: National Theatre, Neal Street Productions, Barry Diller, David Geffen, Kash Bennett, Lisa Burger, Caro Newling, Ambassador Theatre Group, Stephanie P. McClelland, Annapurna Theatre, Delman Whitney, Craig Balsam/Heni Koenigsberg/John Yonover, Fiery Angel/Seth A. Goldstein, Starry Night Entertainment, Gavin Kalin Productions, Paul & Selina Burdell/Bill Damaschke, 42nd.club/Phil & Claire Kenny, CatWenJam Productions, Amanda Dubois, Glass Half Full Productions, Dede Harris/Linda B. Rubin, Kallish Weinstein Creative, Kors Le Pere Theatricals LLC, James L. Nederlander, No Guarantees, Mark Pigott KBE, KStJ, Playing Field, Catherine Schreiber/Adam Zell, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Richard Winkler/Alan Shorr/Dawn Smalberg, The Shubert Organization, Independent Presenters Network, John Gore Organization, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Jillian Robbins
The Minutes
Author: Tracy Letts Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Rebecca Gold, Carl Moellenberg, Spencer Ross, Louise Gund, Elizabeth Armstrong, Blakeman Entertainment, HornosBerger, Across the River Productions, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley/Leah Lane, Jayne Baron Sherman, Kathleen K. Johnson, Emily Dobbs, Robert Flicker, Jacob Soroken Porter, The Shubert Organization, Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Skeleton Crew
Author: Dominique Morisseau Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove
Best Musical
Girl From The North Country
Producers: Tristan Baker & Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Steven Lappin, Sony Music Entertainment/Sony ATV, David Mirvish, Len Blavatnik, The Dodgers, Eric & Marsi Gardiner, Dianne Roberts, John Gore Organization, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Tommy Mottola, Independent Presenters Network, Rod Kaats, Diana DiMenna, Mary Beth O’Connor, Barbara H. Freitag, Patrick Catullo, Aaron Lustbader, The Old Vic, Matthew Warchus, Kate Varah, Georgia Gatti, The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett
MJ
Producers: Lia Vollack, John Branca, John McClain, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Music Entertaiment, Roy Furman, Cue to Cue Productions, James L. Nederlander, Kumiko Yoshii, Naoya Kinoshita, Latitude Link, Candy Spelling, Stephen C. Byrd, John Gore Organization, Sandy Robertson, Ed Walson, Peter W. May, CJ ENM, Martin Bandier, Michael Cassel Group, Albert Nocciolino, Playful Productions, Ken Schur, Willette & Manny Klausner, Doug Morris, Michael David, Estate of Michael Jackson
Mr. Saturday Night
Producers: James L. Nederlander, Face Productions, Inc., Hunter Arnold, Michael Cohl, TEG Dainty, Candy Spelling, Steve Traxler, Marc David Levine, Caiola Productions, Crossroads Live, Jamie deRoy, Roy Furman, Arny Granat, Grove Entertainment, John Gore Organization, Wolf Gutterman, Van Kaplan, Larry Magid, Peter May, Carl Moellenberg, Beth W. Newburger, Albert Nocciolino, Eva Price, Iris Smith, The Shubert Organization, Howard Tenenbaum, Barry and Fran Weissler
Paradise Square
Producers: Garth H. Drabinsky, Peter LeDonne, Jeffrey A. Sine, Matthew C. Blank, Joe Crowley, RSR Finance LLC, Hunter & Mariana Milborne, Len Blavatnik, Joseph Coffey, Sherry Wright & Craig Haffner, Bernard Abrams, James Scrivanich, Rick Chad, Arthur M. Kraus, Broadway & Beyond Theatricals, Brian Luborsky, Gilbert & Elisa Palter, The Shubert Organization, Terry Schnuck, Urban One, Inc., Robert Wolf, Richard Stursberg, Mark W. Everson, Sanjay Govil, Jeremiah J. Harris, Amabel James, Sheila C. Johnson, Dennis Mehiel, Louise H. & John G. Beard, Henry R. Muñoz, III & Kyle Ferari Muñoz, Walter Swett, Zachary Florence, Berkeley Repertory Theatre
SIX: The Musical
Producers: Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes, George Stiles, Kevin McCollum, Chicago Shakespeare Theater
A Strange Loop
Producers: Barbara Whitman, Pasek, Paul & Stafford, Hunter Arnold, Marcia Goldberg, Alex Levy & James Achilles, Osh Ashruf, A Choir Full Productions, Don Cheadle & Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, Paul Oakley Stovall, Jimmy Wilson, Annapurna Theatre, Robyn Coles, Creative Partners Productions, Robyn Gottesdiener, Kayla Greenspan, Grove Entertainment, Kuhn, Lewis & Scott, Frank Marshall, Maximum Effort Productions Inc., Joey Monda, Richard Mumby, Phenomenal Media & Meena Harris, Marc Platt & Debra Martin Chase, Laurie Tisch, Yonge Street Theatricals, Dodge Hall Productions/JJ Malley, Cody Renard Richard, John Gore Organization, James L. Nederlander, The Shubert Organization, RuPaul Charles, Alan Cumming, Ilana Glazer, Jennifer Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Billy Porter, Page 73 Productions, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Playwrights Horizons
Best Revival of a Play
American Buffalo
Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Steve Traxler, Stephanie P. McClelland, GFour Productions, Spencer Ross, Gemini Theatrical, Chris and Ashlee Clarke, Suna Said Maslin, Ted & Richard Liebowitz/Cue to Cue Productions, Patty Baker/Good Productions, Brad Blume, Caiola Productions, Joanna Carson, Arthur Kern, Willette Klausner, Jeremiah J. Harris and Darren P. Deverna, Van Kaplan, Patrick Myles/David Luff, Alexander Marshall, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kathleen K. Johnson, Diego Kolankowsky, Steve and Jacob Levy, Morwin Schmookler, Brian Moreland, Jacob Soroken Porter, The Shubert Organization
for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Producers: Nelle Nugent, Ron Simons, Kenneth Teaton, Ellen Ferguson and Vivian Phillips, Willette and Manny Klausner, Hunter Arnold, Dale Franzen, Valencia Yearwood, One Community, Audible, Dennis Grimaldi, Terry Nardozzi and Tracey Knight Narang, Grace Nordhoff/Mickalene Thomas, Angelina Fiordellisi/Caiola Productions, The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett
How I Learned to Drive
Author: Paula Vogel Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove, Daryl Roth, Cody Lassen, Vineyard Theatre
Take Me Out
Producers: Second Stage Theater, Carole Rothman, Khady Kamara
Trouble in Mind
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Julia C. Levy, Sydney Beers, Steve Dow
Best Revival of a Musical
Caroline, or Change
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Julia C. Levy, Sydney Beers, Steve Dow, Lot’s Wife, Hunter Arnold, Caiola Productions/Willette & Manny Klausner, Chambers -D’Angora/Joseph & Alyson Graci
Company
Producers: Elliott & Harper Productions, The Shubert Organization, Catherine Schreiber, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Crossroads Live, Anapurna Theatre, Hunter Arnold, No Guarantees, Jon B. Platt, Michael Watt, John Gore Organization, Tim Levy, Grove – REG, Hornos – Mollenberg, Levine – Federman – Adler, Beard – Merrie – Robbins, LD Entertainment/Madison Wells Live, Benjamin Lowy/Roben Alive, Daryl Roth/Tom Tuft, Salmira Productions/Caiola Productions, Aged in Wood/Lee – Sachs, Berinstein – Lane/42nd.club, Boyett – Miller/Hodges – Kukieiski, Finn – DeVito/Independent Presenters Network, Armstrong – Ross/Gilad – Rogowsky, Boardman – Koenigsberg/Zell – Seriff, Concord Theatricals – Scott Sanders Productions/Abrams – May, deRoy – Brunish/Jenen – Rubin, Fakston Productions/Sabi – Lerner – Ketner, Maggio – Abrams/Hopkins – Tackel, Levy & Chauviere, Jujamcyn Theaters
The Music Man
Producers: Barry Diller, David Geffen, Kate Horton, Fictionhouse
Tony Nominations by Production
A Strange Loop – 11
MJ – 10
Paradise Square – 10
Company – 9
The Lehman Trilogy – 8
SIX: The Musical – 8
for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf – 7
Girl From The North Country – 7
The Music Man – 6
The Skin of Our Teeth – 6
Clyde’s – 5
Hangmen – 5
Mr. Saturday Night – 5
American Buffalo – 4
Flying Over Sunset – 4
Take Me Out – 4
Trouble in Mind – 4
Caroline, or Change – 3
Dana H. – 3
How I Learned to Drive – 3
Macbeth – 3
POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive – 3
Sadie Jean sold out the iconic Mercury Lounge in Manhattan, a venue that has historically hosted many up and coming artists, this past week on Saturday, May 7th, supported by artists Simone and David Alexander.
Sadie Jean is a 19-year-old rising singer-songwriter based in New York who recently found fame last year through the popular social media app TikTok, with her original song, “WYD Now?” The audio now has over 130K videos associated with it and has remixes, duets, and everything in between.
By halfway through the opening acts’ sets, the house was already packed with not much room between each other. Sadie performed her own original songs, as well as covers, but through it all, had her fans singing along with her. She often paused between each song to say the same line, “this is crazy you guys!” as her face revealed the same sweet happiness over her sold out NYC show. Sadie’s songs followed the same “coming-of-age” themes as her hit “WYD Now?” has, with the same infectious pop melodies.
Photo by Ambika Verma
Sadie Jean is certainly one to watch in the coming years, already gaining the attention of many influential artists, like Charlie Puth, and fans through her TikTok, which now has over 500K followers and over 13 million likes. Sadie recently played a show in L.A., and while there are no current shows coming up, she does have a few festivals lined up she is slated to play in.
Photo by Ambika VermaPhoto by Ambika VermaPhoto by Ambika VermaPhoto by Ambika VermaPhoto by Ambika Verma
We’re very opinionated when it comes to music. That stands to reason, since music is so much a guiding force in our lives. So, we listen to songs, and when we find one we love, we want to hear every song like it. That’s how we ended up with genres. And it is not easy for a band like NEQ that crosses genres to gain traction, because, essentially, they are creating their own, new genre.
NEQ, a.k.a. Nelson Esposito Quintana, is just such a band, and their new album, Nevertheless is a fine example of how to cross musical boundaries. The band is comprised of Todd Nelson, Kyle Esposito, Manuel Quintana, Mike Kelly and Carlos Valdez.
RRX: Okay, so not to bury the lede, you have a new album out, “Nevertheless.” It’s amazing. Tell us a little bit about it, if you will. How long did it take to put it together? And what was your concept for it going in, or was it more a collection that precipitated from some jam sessions?
TN: All told, it took a couple of years, although we weren’t working steady on it. We did a couple of tracks in 2018, and then the band kind of took a hiatus for a little while from live gigs, and we can talk about the reasons for that, but then we reconvened when COVID was getting kind of hard and realized we could keep working on this if we did it in such a way that the recording was done remotely. Rather than having such a large ensemble all playing together, we’d have maybe two or three people in the studio at a time. It was all put together in Manuel’s studio, although some of the recordings are done here at my house, and Manuel very expertly integrated all of those things.
KE: I think the concept sort of snowballed as it went along, as far as our approach, I mean, it became evident to us what it was like, what the strength of it was, which it became almost more of a cinematic approach where we weren’t really thinking about can the trio play this live? But more, what does the individual song call for? And we just went with it completely. So, in a way, that’s different from our previous recordings, where we kept it closer to a trio format. No holding back there as far as overdubs, adding what it seemed to need.
RRX: NEQ is so-called because of Todd Nelson, guitarist Kyle Esposito, and Manuel Quintana. And the great thing about the band is that, by listening, none of you are clearly ‘leading.’ It seems very much an equal contribution to the music. Now you usually think in a band like this, one person puts everyone together. Was that true with NEQ?
MQ: I think it was a team effort, but I think Todd led the way, as far as bringing in both full compositions and sections that were completed to some extent. But it was a big collaboration, I think we all put our stamp on it and what not.
TN: I have to say that you were the person that was the impetus behind the recording. If you didn’t have this great studio and the motivation to work on this stuff, because you did a lot of the work on your own. And as far as the composition of the stuff, it kind of just worked out that I’d written all of the composition of this particular album. We’d written together in the past, and I’m sure we will in the future. But usually, the way we would do that is through jam sessions, we would get an idea, and take it home and develop it, decide what needs another section. So, we would work that way. But we couldn’t really work that way with the COVID thing going on.
RRX: When I hear NEQ, I think fusion. I think Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, with a feel of a Friday Night in San Francisco – McLaughlin, Dimeola, DeLucia. A lot of references, but it’s a feel of musical exploration. But fusion is something more than simple experimentation. How does NEQ transcend ‘noodling around?’
Kyle: I’m a strong proponent for noodling around, but I think this is the least we’ve ever left to chance as far as putting the songs together. Solos are still solos, but even the sections that are their places are composes, not the solos but sections set aside for someone to improvise on, as opposed to just playing the song over and over again, different people soloing over the same form, that kind of thing, that’s what I’m getting at. There’s a lot more through-composed material, a lot more specific events set out to conquer in this batch of tunes, for the most part. That’s my impression.
Todd: That’s basically what I was going to say. I think that people want to hear soloing, I think they want to hear that kind of thing, but I also get tired of it. I think what we’re trying to do is tread the line between that jam-band thing and a totally composed approach, and not fall too heavily to either side. That might keep people’s interest, hopefully.
Kyle: And I think that the solos are interspersed with other sections which, to go back to my cinematic comment, there are a lot of scene changes going on in the songs that are pretty much designated. We’ll go from a keyboard solo to another section that’s composed for everybody to play their part and move on into another section where there’s space for a guitar solo, that kind of thing. It is kind of Weather Report-ish in that way.
Todd: Yeah, they were not head-solo-solo-head. A lot of that arrangement comes from jazz musicians – it’s their language, and that’s how they get together and play together even if they’ve never met each other, never played together before, makes it easy to gig.
RRX: One thing I would definitely say about NEQ is that it’s a very expansive sound. I had a very worldly signature. I imagine that having such an expansive sound is difficult, not just a matter of skill, but also a matter of vision. I mean, we’re talking about musical sources that evolved and intermingled globally. Are there any guiding principles to this?
Manuel: I don’t think we had any guiding principles, no. However the song came to be what we went with.
Kyle: It’s a bit of a mystery. I think it comes down to tastes and sounds and grooves that we all like as individuals, what overlaps, and really the essence of what Todd’s idea was to begin with. Things didn’t change that drastically; now that I think of it, wasn’t Camoplaid a jam?
Manuel: Yeah, that was a rehearsal from a long time ago. Rehearsal jam; Todd may have had it. Recorded piece for a while too. We definitely sat on that, and I do think it came from a jam.
Kyle: The beginning bassline thing I remember being out of the blue. Maybe I was working on a different song too; maybe it was that song.
Todd: Yeah, I remember writing the melody for it, but I don’t remember jamming on it.
Kyle: Getting back, that’s all to say that it’s stuff we’ve been influenced by that just comes out without too much intention.
Todd: One intentional thing for me is to not censor myself so much, you know? And as a band, we refrain from censoring ourselves, saying ‘oh that’s too Latin sounding,’ or too something else. We embraced it all, we didn’t look at something and say ‘that style doesn’t belong.’ We just let it happen.
New York band Monotronic release new single, “In Between”, on May 27. Monotronic is the brainchild of musician/producer Ramsey Elkholy. “In Between” was recorded in Costa Rica during the pandemic.
Monotronic defines itself as not just a band but “a music collective that defies genre”. Their punchy brand of electronic music features bouncy synths, energetic vocals, and approachable lyrics.
“My friend Dan Freeman has a studio in Nosara, which is on the coast and surrounded by lush jungles,” Elkholy explained. “It’s kind of a hippy place, lots of yoga going on, organic food, ayahuasca retreats. Very simple location, close to nature, which inspired a lot of creativity.
When Elkholy returned to New York he began working on the lyrics. Once they were complete he collaborated with vocalist Russell Graham to record the vocals for the track. Elkholy, Freeman, and engineer Killian Cruiser played and recorded all the instrumental parts on the track, which Cruiser mixed and produced.
Monotronic released its debut album in 2019, which it then followed up with the notable singles “Kids of Summer” and “Buy Yourself a Dream”. Both of which debuted at #1 on VEVO’s Incoming Indie playlist.
There are currently plans for an upcoming music video for “In Between”.
