Category: Genres

“The Bay Strikes Back Tour” with Testament, Exodus and Death Angel play to sold out Town Ballroom

On Friday May 6th 2022, Testament brought their “The Bay Strikes Back Tour” to Town Ballroom in Buffalo. The tour features Death Angel and Exodus as support for Testament. This show was originally scheduled for a different date last year but had to be rescheduled because of Covid-19. Testament has not played New York in many years, but that has now changed.

Death Angel

Vocals-Mark Osegueda. Photo credit-Mike Miller

Death Angel is an American thrash metal band from Daly City, California, initially active from 1982 to 1991 and again since 2001. Death Angel has released nine studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set and three live albums. The band has gone through several line-up changes, leaving guitarist Rob Cavestany as the only constant member; he and vocalist Mark Osegueda (who joined the group in 1984) are the only members of Death Angel to appear on all of their studio albums.

Death Angel is often referred to as one of the key bands in the Bay Area thrash metal movement of the 1980s, and secured opening slots at club venues in that decade, including opening for their peers Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, Testament and Overkill.

Setlist: The Ultra-Violence, Evil Priest, Voracious Souls, Seemingly Endless Time, Claws in so Deep, The Dream Calls for Blood, The Moth, Humanicide and Thrown to the Wolves.

Photos by Mike Miller

Exodus

Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Their current lineup consists of guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting, and lead vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza. There are no original members left in Exodus other than Hunting, who has departed from the band twice, in 1989 and 2004, but rejoined in 2007. Exodus is also notable for its inclusion of guitarist Kirk Hammett in its initial lineup; he eventually left the band in 1983 to join Metallica as Dave Mustaine’s replacement.

Vocals-Steve “Zetro” Souza. Photo Credit-Mike Miller

Setlist: The beatings Will Continue, A Lesson in Violence, Blood in, Blood Out, The Years of Death and Dying, Deathamphetamine, Blacklist, Prescribing Horror, Bonded by Blood, The Toxic Waltz, and Strike of the Beast.

Photos by Mike Miller

Testament

Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band’s current lineup comprises rhythm guitarist Eric Peterson, lead vocalist Chuck Billy, lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Dave Lombardo (formerly in Slayer).

Bassist- Steve Di Giorgio. Photo Credit-Mike Miller

Testament has experienced many lineup changes over the years, with Peterson being the only remaining original member, though they have since been rejoined by one of its songwriters Skolnick, who was out of the band from 1992 to 2005. Billy has been a member of Testament since 1986, when he replaced original singer Steve “Zetro” Souza, who had joined Exodus as the replacement of Paul Baloff. He and Peterson are the only members to appear on all of Testament’s studio albums, with the latter being the only constant member overall.

Testament’s fan base is mostly older fans, but the younger generation was peppered in the crowd for The Bay Strikes Back Tour. Their set featured 14 songs for the sold-out crowd. Playing such hits as “Children of the Next Level”, “Eyes of Wrath” and “Disciples of the Watch”. Their stage show used co2 air blasts, and arena LED stage lighting with strobes that was changing colors often.

Drummer Dave Lombardo sat atop his high rise drum platform hidden from camera and the crowd but with his playing technique he sits really low on his drum throne so it is hard to get a glimpse of him. There were many mosh pits happening and crowd surfing all night. The fans really enjoyed the show because they needed a way to release their stress from the current world situation happening. Parking was cheap, drinks were cold and cheap, and fun was had by everyone the whole night.

Setlist: Children of the Next Level, The Pale King, Practice What You Preach, The New Order, WWII, Eyes of Wrath, D.N.R, Legions of the Dead, Electric Crown, Souls of Black, Night of the Witch, Over the Wall, Into the Pit and Disciples of the Watch.

Photos by Mike Miller

Upcoming Testament shows

Sept. 9 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Van Buren
Sept. 10 – Albuquerque, N.M. @ Sunshine Theater
Sept. 12 – Wichita, Kan. @ Cotillion
Sept. 13 – Kansas City, Mo. @ Truman
Sept. 15 – St. Louis, Mo. @ The Pageant
Sept. 16 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Brooklyn Bowl
Sept. 18 – St. Petersburg, Fla. @ Jannus Live
Sept. 19 – Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. @ Revolution
Sept. 21 – Asheville, N.C. @ Orange Peel
Sept. 22 – Silver Spring, Md. @ Fillmore
Sept. 23 – Stroudsburg, Pa. @ Sherman Theater
Sept. 26 – Hartford, Ct. @ Webster Theater
Sept. 27 – Albany, N.Y. @ Empire Live
Sept. 28 – Portland, Maine @ State Theatre
Sept. 30 – Montreal, Quebec @ Mtelus
Oct. 1 – London, Ontario @ London Music Hall
Oct. 3 – Ft. Wayne, Ind. @ Piere’s
Oct. 4 – Milwaukee, Wis. @ The Rave
Oct. 6 – Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Burton Cummings Theatre
Oct. 8 – Calgary, Alberta @ Palace Theatre
Oct. 10 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ Commodore
Oct. 12 – Ventura, Calif. @ Majestic Ventura Theater
Oct. 13 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Wiltern
Oct. 14 – Reno, Nev. @ Cargo
Oct. 15 – San Jose, Calif. @ San Jose Civic

May 9, 2022
Hearing Aide: Jake Huffman’s Debut EP “Adderall & Whiskey”

Jake Huffman’s debut EP Adderall & Whiskey was released in April 2022. Huffman views the release of this EP as one of his proudest triumphs as an artist, with each song written about a different moment from his past and arranged chronologically.

As stated in an interview with NYS Music, Adderall & Whiskey is inspired by his early 20’s. Lyrically, he writes about the story of the rise and fall of love along with experiencing life in a rock band. Two songs – “Giving it a Try” and “Just a Little More” – preview the intensity of Huffman’s newest project.

As mentioned in a profile in Relix, Huffman said, “Over the last few years, mostly in isolation, I was forced to look inward and found creative inspiration in the process. I always tell aspiring songwriters that the best songs are honest, simple and specific. “Giving it a Try” is my way of practicing what I preach. I took my own emotional arc of living with so much uncertainty in the world and produced and engineered the song myself from my home studio.”

Jake releases his first solo song “Giving It A Try,” a preview of his full EP

The two songs “Giving “it a Try” and “Just a Little More” are two emotional yet comforting pieces. Huffman goes from drums to keys to guitar all while communicating to an audience with deeply personal lyrics and stony vocals. Jake has managed to create a sound with the uniqueness of Arcade Fire, the drive of Tom Petty, and the honesty of Death Cab For Cutie

Tour dates:

May 19 – State House, New Haven CT
May 20 – Mercury Lounge, NYC
June 24 – Richmond VA, Richmond Music Hall
June 25 – Washington DC, Pearl Street Warehouse
August 26 – Burlington VT, Foam Brewers

Get tickets for the Mercury Lounge show on May 20th here, located on the Lower East Side of NYC.

May 9, 2022
Eastbound Throwdown 2022 Lineup Announced

Eastbound Jesus & Guthrie/Bell Productions have announced the lineup for the 2022 installment of the Eastbound Throwdown, planned for September 9-10 on Irwin Farm in Salem, NY.

Friday’s Lineup includes host-band Eastbound Jesus, The Mallett Brothers Band, Folkfaces, Muddy Ruckus, and Ginger Roots. Saturday features Cabinet, Saints & Liars, Deadgrass & Friends, The Honey Smugglers, Steadman’s Landing, Wild Leek River, Dan Johnson, The Button Men, Turf ‘n’ Turf and two more sets from Eastbound Jesus.

Weekend Passes (include camping) have been on sale since April 1st and are already more than half sold out. Last year’s festival sold out well in advance and organizers anticipate the same this year. Tickets are available here.

Eastbound Throwdown 2022 is an all-ages event with children 15 and under free to enter. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

May 9, 2022
In Focus: Eli Young Band at Sharkeys Bar + Grill

Eli Young Band kicked up some dust bringing their Love Talking Tour to Sharkey’s in Syracuse. The multi-platinum country four man band sang their number one hits from the past two decades and fans also got to enjoy their brand new single, “Break Up In a Bar.” In addition the song will be featured on the bands sixth upcoming studio album, Love Talking, set to release on June 3, 2022.

Eli Young Band at Sharkey’s Bar + Grill in Liverpool. Photo by Allison Marie.

The Denton, Texas band was formed while members attended college together and is composed by Mike Eli (lead singer, guitar), Jon Jones (bass guitar), James Young (guitar) and Chris Thompson (drummer).

Lead singer Mike Eli. Photo by Allison Marie.

Whether you’re a crazy girl or you got a little drunk that night, the Eli Young Band always delivers all the love songs. Energy radiated from the stage and was felt by the crowd as they sang and danced the night away. One of the most notable performances of the evening was their cover of “Come Together” by the Beatles. After two hours of relentless hits the band closed the show out with a personal favorite of mine, Guinevere.

You can learn more about the Eli Young Band on their website.

Eli Young Band. Photo by Allison Marie.

Setlist: Drunk Last Night, Break Up In a Bar, Where Were You, Always The Love Songs, Love Talking, Skeletons, Skin & Bones, When It Rains, Medley, Lucky For Me, Dust, Even If It Breaks Your Heart, Come Together (the Beatles), Saltwater Gospel, Love Ain’t, Crazy Girl, Guinevere.

Love Talking Tour 2022 Tour Dates

May 13 – Fayetteville, AK – Georgies Majestic Lounge
May 14 – Meridian, MS – Meridian City Hall
May 19 – Denton, TX – The Dive
May 20 – Helotes, TX – John Floore Country Store
May 21 – Amarillo, TX – Starlight Ranch
May 27 – Caney, KS – Fourth & Live
May 28 – Austin, TX – Lonestar Jam
June 2 – Dewey Beach, DE – Bottle & Cork
June 3 – Washington, D.C. – The Bullpen
June 4 – Angola, IN – Eclectic Room
June 9 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre
June 10 – Kamas, UT – Dejoria Center
June 11 – Burley, ID – King Fine Arts Center
June 17 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amp
June 18 – El Campo, TX – Greek Bros
June 22 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up
June 25 – Sante Fe, NM – Hilton Buffalo Thunder

May 9, 2022
Stella Blue’s Band To Play Free Show In Central Park

New York’s own Stella Blue’s Band, one of the premiere Grateful Dead tribute acts, will play a free show in Central Park on May 17. Starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Naumburg Bandshell on 72nd Street, the show will both raise funds for a good cause and also commemorate a Dead show at this very same location 54 years ago.

Donations can be made to Riverkeeper, which supports programs that protect the Hudson River, its watershed and the drinking water for New York State. Exclusive t-shirts featuring original art work by Jerry Garcia himself can be had for $40 donations. There’s also a poster available, done by Kenny Schneidman, for a $20 donation. Donations can be made through the event’s website as well.

The music pays tribute to the Grateful Dead’s show in Central Park on May 5, 1968. It’s one of the earlier Dead shows ever played in New York, with a rumored attendance near 5,000, but unfortunately no known recordings exist. And the exact set list is spotty as well, but can be reasonably pieced together.

The Dead were joined that day by their friends Jefferson Airplane who announced a free show in Central Park the night before at a show at the Fillmore East. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band also served as the opener, with Airplane following and then the Dead. Although the documentation of the actual set list is incomplete, there was a known “Morning Dew” played as well according to one eyewitness who also provided some detailed audio intel.

The Dead opened 5/5/68 with Bob Weir saying to the NYC crowd, “Welcome to San Francisco.” Then Phil hit the opening chords to Morning Dew on his Guild Starfire Bass, played through a bunch of Fender Showman and or Dual Showman Amplifier heads and Sunn 2000S Speaker Cabinets with 15″ JBL Speakers, reinforced through a PA with JBL and or Altec Lansing Speakers. Garcia played his ’52-early ’53 Gibson Les Paul Gold top, plugged into maybe 6-8 Fender twin Reverb Amplifiers with 12″ JBL Speakers. He had an octopus chord going to all the inputs of the amps.
– Steven Ross, eyewitness

As for the rest of the music, there’s a rumored “The Other One” that was played and sandwiched between “Cryptical Envelopment.” And “Alligator” was also allegedly performed as well, with Pigpen undoubtedly taking center stage.

And renowned Dead Head Gary Lambert, as told in This Is All A Dream We Dreamed, one of the more reputable Grateful Dead chronicles, fills in some other details as well.

“The Dead were terrific. They were the best band of the three that day… They played some of the material that would turn up on Anthem of the Sun: The Other One, New Potato Caboose, though I didn’t know those songs by name. I recognized Morning Dew from the first album. They finished with Turn On Your Lovelight, which I loved.
– Gary Lambert

Using all of this, a presumed a set list for this legendary Central Park gig might look something like what’s listed below. For more information on tomorrow’s show, check out the event website here.

Grateful Dead Central Park – New York, NY 5/5/68 (rumored)

Morning Dew, Cryptical Envelopment > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment, Alligator, New Potato Caboose, Turn On Your Lovelight

May 8, 2022
Florence + The Machine Set For 2022 Tour, Add Second Show at Madison Square Garden

Florence + The Machine has announced their North American Tour for 2022, with stops at Madison Square Garden on September 16 and 17. The Tour will center around Florence Welch’s upcoming alternative album Dance Fever, which will be released May 13.

Arlo Parks, Sam Fender, King Princess, Yves Tumor, Japanese Breakfast and Wet Leg are set to be guest appearances for select dates of the tour. Welch will also have two intimate shows this Spring, at the Los Angelos Theatre in LA and the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in NYC.

Dance Fever is an album centered around what people missed out on during the lockdowns of the pandemic like clubs, festivals, dancing, going outside, living in the moment and making new memories.

Choreomania, a concept from the Renaissance era of dancing manically to the point of exhaustion, is a foundation of Welch’s album. The imagery and concept behind dancing lifted her spirits especially during her first days of sobriety. From then on she began to form poems and ideas that ultimately led up to the completion of songs, as she took inspiration from the gothic fiction of Carmen Maria Machado and Julia Armfield, as well as folk horror films like The Wicker Man and The Witch to Midsommar.

As of now three songs from the album: My Love, King and Heaven is Here have already dropped. Additionally, for each song there is a music video directed by the infamous Autumn de Wilde and choreography by Ryan Heffington.

Pre-order the album here and visit Florence’s website for more information concerning the tour and/or the album. American Express Card Members can purchase tickets in select markets before the general public from March 29 at 10 am through March 31 at 10 pm. Additionally, one dollar from every ticket sold will be used for the benefit of Choose Love, an organization that supports refugees and focuses on spreading love around around the world.

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE LIVE

April 29                                                Los Angeles Theatre                                  Los Angeles, CA

May 6                                        Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center                          New York, NY

September 2                                                  Place Bell                                             Montreal, QC*

September 3                                             Budweiser Stage                                         Toronto, ON*

September 7                     Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island                    Chicago, IL†

September 8                                          Xcel Energy Center                                       St. Paul, MN†

September 10                                   Pine Knob Music Theatre                                  Clarkson, MI†

September 12                                          Capital One Area                                 Washington, D.C.†

September 14                                               TD Garden                                               Boston, MA†

September 16                                     Madison Square Garden                                New York, NY†

September 17                                     Madison Square Garden                                New York, NY

September 20                                       Ascend Amphitheatre                                    Nashville, TN‡

September 21                                  Ameris Bank Amphitheatre                             Alpharetta, GA‡

September 23                                            Amway Center                                            Orlando, FL‡

September 24                                               FTX Arena                                                 Miami, FL‡

September 27                                            Moody Center                                              Austin, TX§

September 28                          The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory                            Irving, TX§

October 1                                                     Ball Arena                                                  Denver, CO

October 4                                                   Rogers Arena                                      Vancouver, BC**

October 6                                            Climate Pledge Arena                                       Seattle, WA†

October 7                                             Theater of the Clouds                                   Portland, OR**

October 9                                           Shoreline Amphitheatre                        Mountain View, CA†

October 12                           Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre                  San Diego, CA†

October 14                                              Hollywood Bowl                                     Los Angeles, CA

*with Arlo Parks

†with Sam Fender

‡with King Princess

§with Yves Tumor

**with Japanese Breakfast

††with Wet Leg

May 8, 2022
Flyday Music Festival 2022 Lineup Headlined by Ghost-Note, Screaming Headless Torsos

Flyday Music Festival will return this fall, September 29 through October 2, 2022 at Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, NY in the heart of the Catskills.

Flyday Music Festival, in its fifth year at Blackthorne Resort, is a non-corporate, intimate festival put on by two musicians who love great music. A celebration of life and creativity, freedom, spirit, heart and soul, and friends and family through music, art, and movement, Flyday has grown since inception in 2017, and brings together a stellar lineup and community.

The 2022 Flyday Music Festival lineup includes more than 20 bands, with a variety of genres including funk,

The lineup includes Ghost-Note, Black Rock Funk Allstars, Yam Yam, Schleigho, Gnarbot, Space Junk is Forever, Shwizz, Baked Shrimp, Glass Pony, The Magnetic Pull, Screaming Headless Torsos, Honker, Ampevene, Level:Memory, Eugue Tyler Band, Children of the Judge, Laura Leigh and Denise Parent, Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets, Sungazer, Now vs Now, Nigel Felony and K-Weef.

Artists will perform on two side-by-stages at the 100+ acre Blackthorne Resort, with 80+ rooms on site, camping and RV sites, a pool and tiki bar, in addition to a creek, hiking, a bar, a restaurant, a playground and play fields and courts, and a haunted house. Amenities include free showers, flush toilets and charging stations for all campers.

The quality of the music and the coming together of friends and the ever-growing Flyday Family is the main focus of Flyday today. Besides some of the best music the Northeast has to offer, there will be workshops (tie-dye, juggling, and more), vendors (massage, artisan, clothing, food, microbrew) and glass blowing and other artisan demonstrations. There will be live, interactive art exhibits as well as a black-light art gallery/lounge.

More info and tickets for Flyday Music Festival 2022 are available at flydaymusicfestival.com.

May 8, 2022
Arcade Fire Join the Five-Timers Club on SNL

Arcade Fire returned to Saturday Night Live for the fifth time, and first since 2018, alongside host and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Benedict Cumberbatch.

With their fifth performance, Arcade Fire joins a Five-Timers Club of their own, alongside Miley Cyrus, James Taylor, Kanye West, Rihanna, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. (Arcade Fire had also served as backing band for Mick Jagger’s performance on SNL in 2012)

Following their memorable 2013 appearance, Arcade Fire aired a 30-minute concert special directed by Roman Coppola, and featuring cameos from Bono, Ben Stiller, James Franco, Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis, and more. During the special, the band performed new songs “Here Comes the Night Time,” “Normal Person” and “We Exist.” Watch the unique performance below.

The band released their latest album WE on Friday, May 6, as well as announcing a world tour that finds them back in the Big Apple in November.

For tonight’s Saturday Night Live, the show stayed in step with the week’s news as the cold open mocked the root centuries-old argument Justice Alito references in his leaked Dobbs v. Jackson draft. This is SNL at its best, mocking the establishment and bringing to light the modern morality of social issues.

Cumberbatch celebrated mothers in his monologue, including his mom as well as his wife, but no overt Dr. Strange references were found tonight. Although, Cumberbatch was joined later in the show with a surprise appearance by Multiverse of Madness co-star Elizabeth Olson in “The Understudy.“

Noting two of his favorite words are “Arcade Fire”, Cumberbatch introduced the musical guest, who dove into “Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)” off WE. With wacky waving inflatable tube men in front of the stage, Win Butler and Régine Chassagne led the band through the enchanting number, ending with Butler saying “I Love you Mom.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ownPVvCY5Us

On Weekend Update, Kate McKinnon made an appearance as Justice Amy Coney Barrett to discuss the apparent intention to overturn Roe v. Wade (against public opinion) citing laws from the 1600s.

Arcade Fire’s second songs, “The Lightning I,” and its album counterpart “The Lightning II,” were accommpanied by a purple backdrop projecting shadows of the 9-piece band. The uptempo “The Lightning II” raised the vibe on a dime, building a froth while pouring everything into “A day a week a month a year, every second brings me here,” cresting with repitition, and closing with “Waiting on the lightning, waiting on the light, what will the light bring?”

In keeping with the Mother’s Day episode theme, Butler had “Call Your Mom” written onto his guitar during these songs, saying at the end ““A woman’s right to choose forever and ever and ever. Amen.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEHTTp20gz0

To close the show, Cumberbatch and a half dozen cast members wore shirts bearing 1973, a nod to the year of Roe v. Wade. Arcade Fire then took the SNL stage for a third and final song, “End of the Empire I-IV,” as the credits rolled.

Saturday Night Live returns on May 14 with host Selena Gomez and musical guest Post Malone.

May 8, 2022
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! 44th Lineup Summer 2022

Brooklyn-based leading arts and media institution, BRIC, announced its festival lineup for this summer’s BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! 2022, taking place from Wednesday, June 8th through Saturday, August 6th.

This year’s lineup features artists including Phoebe Bridgers, Erykah Badu, Kamasi Washington, Vic Mensa, and more to who will perform at the Lena Horne Bandshell at Prospect Park.

For the past 44 years, this festival presented in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks has been the summer-long outdoor concert. BRIC celebrates talent spanning global music icons to chart-topping indie bands, including benefit concerts, family days, and movie nights.

“This summer is about being together – the power of gathering in this moment of human history,” said Diane Eber, Executive Producer of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! “Artists can show us the way to heal through creative expression and there’s no better place to experience that than the Bandshell. We are so honored to bring another season of magic to our communities at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!”

It wouldn’t be summer in Prospect Park without the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival at the Lena Horne Bandshell. This festival brings a wide range of free music and family programming to Prospect Park, and gives Brooklyn’s diverse community a chance to come together—we’re excited for the season to begin.
James Snow, Prospect Park Alliance Interim President

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! 2022 will also offer a movie night featuring the iconic 1980 musical film Fame, which follows the lives and hardships of the faculty and staff at the (fictitious) New York City High School for the Performing Arts. This season will also feature an evening dedicated to dance with Ragamala Dance Company, showcasing a performance of Sacred Earth. This iconic group draws their inspiration from South Indian American artists and uses multi-disciplinary dance works to epitomize intercultural and immigrant narratives that evoke a shared sense of humanity.

BRIC celebrate Brooklyn! 2022 Season Lineup

Opening Night: Kamasi Washington | Ravyn Lenae | DJ Reborn
Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Maxi Priest | Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra
Saturday, June 11, 2022

Benefit Concert: Phoebe Bridgers
Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Benefit Concert: Phoebe Bridgers
Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Benefit Concert: Davido
Thursday, June 16, 2022

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! meets NPR Tiny Desk Contest On The Road
Saturday, June 18, 2022

Juneteenth UNITYFEST 2022
Sunday, June 19, 2022

Fonseca | La Cumbiamba eNeYé
Friday, June 24, 2022

Family Show: Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique En Cirque | Natu Camara
Saturday, June 25, 2022

Vic Mensa | aja monet
Friday, July 8, 2022

Crumb | Slauson Malone 1
Saturday, July 9, 2022

Kronos Quartet & Sam Green: A Thousand Thoughts | Roomful of Teeth
Thursday, July 14, 2022

Chicano Batman | Charlotte Dos Santos
Saturday, July 16, 2022

Ragamala Dance Company: Sacred Earth
Friday, July 22, 2022

John Cameron Mitchell & Amber Martin | Bridget Everett & The Tender Moments | Special Guests
Saturday, July 23, 2022

The Beths | SASAMI | Charlotte Cornfield
Friday, July 29, 2022

Film Night: Fame | Sing Harlem
Saturday, July 30, 2022

Benefit Concert: Khruangbin
Thursday, August 4, 2022

Benefit Concert: Erykah Badu
Friday, August 5, 2022

Closing Night: Yemi Alade | Amindi
Saturday, August 6, 2022

To RSVP, click the link here. For more information, visit the link here.

May 7, 2022
Folk Artist Ryan Leddick Releases New Single “State of Mind”

Capital District queer folk/rock artist Ryan Leddick released a new single, “State of Mind,” on Thursday, May 5.

“State of Mind” fuses the acoustic folk-rock sound that Leddick regularly employed in his previous releases with synth-ladened overtures. The single marries his penchant for the simple and driving melodies of folk music with the complexities of synth-80/90’s pop.

When I was creating this song all I could think about were sold geometric shapes from the 80’s and 90’s and cutting acoustic guitar rhythms and how they balanced each other.
Ryan Leddick

Leddick calls his single a fusion of folk and synth pop but upon listening to it you might find that his booming voice and imposing percussion sound more like a rock ballad. Or we discovered that rock music is actually what you get when you combine folk and synth pop.

Photo: Mike De Socio //Design: Courtney Mann

This expansion of Leddick’s sound came after her reconnected with his guitar during the pandemic. The synth sequences were in an effort to recreate what he called the “geometric shapes” of 80s and 90s pop music. “This mixture of acoustic guitar, electric drums, and synths always seemed to paint a geometric landscape in my mind,” Leddick explained.

It might just be modesty on Leddick’s part but the most notable part of “State of Mind” is Leddick’s careening voice which when it first surges onto the track appears Adele-esque in its depth and control. His voice often quavers as if he’s getting choked up sharing something personal with us, giving his music an emotional introspection.

The hook repeats the lyrics “this is my state of my mind”. It might be slightly heavy-handed, but you certainly can’t say Leddick didn’t put his heart into it.

“State of Mind” marks his second collaboration with producer and musician Carl Blackwood of the band Bendt and Mastering Engineer Carl Staff. Blackwood also received instrumental and mixing credits on the single.

As of now, the single is expected to be part of a larger body of work Leddick plans to release either this year or in early 2023.

May 7, 2022

Built in Breakdance