FreshGrass | North Adams, MASS MoCA’s three day festival of bluegrass and progressive roots music, announces the initial 2022 lineup.
The lineup features Gary Clark Jr., Old Crow Medicine Show, Trampled by Turtles, Yola, and The Jerry Douglas Band. Artists such as Aoife O’Donovan, Sierra Ferrell, Alison Brown, The Lil Smokies, Sierra Hull, Willie Watson, Luca Ciarla, are also included. Also perfoming will be, Never Come Down, Misty Blues, California Bluegrass Reunion featuring Darol Anger, John Reischman, Bill Evans, Jim Nunally, Sharon Gilchrist & Chad Manning. More artists are being announced in the upcoming weeks.
The FreshGrass festival features bluegrass innovators on four stages and platforms throughout the 16-acre campus. Festival programming also includes FreshScores, a silent film with original live music; FreshGrass commissions and world premieres. There will also be workshops led by bluegrass veterans on the subjects of songwriting, producing, and music marketing.
FreshGrass is a beloved tradition at MASS MoCA, with more than a decade of music and memories.
MASS MoCA Director Kristy Edmunds
FreshGrass festival also holds a contest for emerging artists. The grand prize is a grant up to $20,000 in cash prizes and recording time at Compass Records studio in Nashville to unsigned talent. The annual award categories include band, banjo, guitar, and fiddle. Twelve finalists—three in each category—travel to the festival to perform for a panel of No Depression editors and artists. For this year’s festival, finalists will perform throughout the weekend on pop-up stages. The award winners in each of the four categories will earn a main stage slot at the 2023 FreshGrass Festival.
Ticket Information
3-Day tickets are now on sale for adults ($129), students ($99), and children 7-16 ($49). Admission is free for children 6 and under. All festival tickets include admission to MASS MoCA’s galleries. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount on ticket prices, excluding VIP FreshPass tickets.
Camping Information
As FreshGround is a camping field, they will be offering camping services. The camping ground is about a 12 minute walking distance from the festival, along with downtown merchants, bars, and restaurants. A shuttle bus runs continuously to the festival from the campsite. If you’d like more information on the camping services, you can visit FreshGrass website, www.freshgrass.com.
The David Bowie Glamour Fanzine and Sound City have come together to organize the first annual David Bowie World Fan Convention. From June 17th-19th, Bowie enthusiasts will have the opportunity to show their love for the iconic artist in Liverpool’s Mountford Hall.
The unconventional convention will have a number of events and performances to keep fans entertained. Hula-hoop artist Natasha Moonshine will make an appearance, along with dancer Joshua Hubbard and performance artist Pretentious Dross. Drag artist Jonny Woo will serve as a host for the Bowie Ball events. Woo, owner of the London LGBTQ+ venue The Glory, is also a founding member of Glastonbury’s drag scene at NYC Downlow.
The David Bowie Glamour Fanzine and Sound City have hand-picked the musical acts for the convention, with Bowie tribute band, Rebel Heroes, being the first group confirmed. DJs The MenWhoFell2Earth and Sonic Youtha will entice fans to come to the dance floor with Bowie deep cuts, familiar favorites and associated hits.
David Bowie during David Bowie’s 50th Birthday Celebration Concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Patti Ouderkirk/WireImage)
There will also be an array of art installations and displays. Painter Shaun Lowndes will be exhibiting his surrealist, comic book inspired work, while ceramic artist Maria Primolan will be displaying her series of sculptures, each piece modeled after a different Bowie era.
Some of Bowie’s closest friends and collaborators will make appearances during the two day event. Influential image makers like Tim Bret-Day and Brian Duffy will answer fan questions and give insight into Bowie’s creative processes and life.
This summer, Dead and Company will embark on a 20 show cross-country tour, including shows at SPAC and Bethel Woods, plus a two-night tour-closing run at Citi Field.
Summer 2022 marks the seventh tour for Dead and Company – Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, John Mayer, and Bob Weir, with Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti – since forming in 2015.
During the Dead and Company 2022 Summer Tour, the band will make stops at Bay Area at Shoreline Amphitheater, two nights at University of Colorado Boulder’s Folsom Field, two nights at Wrigley Field in Chicago, a night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, and a night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, before wrapping up with epic shows at Citi Field in New York.
Dead and Company are no strangers to New York, having kicked off their first ever tour in Albany at the Times Union Center in October 2015, along with annual stops in Saratoga Springs, New York City, and all points in between.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, April 8 @ 10 AM at deadandcompany.com
To ensure fans get tickets directly in their hands, Fan Registration is now available HERE until Sunday, April 3 at 12 Noon PDT, through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program.
Dead & Company 2022 Summer Tour
Sat Jun 11 Los Angeles, CA Dodger Stadium
Mon Jun 13 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Tue Jun 14 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Fri Jun 17 Boulder, CO Folsom Field
Sat Jun 18 Boulder, CO Folsom Field
Tue Jun 21 Maryland Heights, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Wed Jun 22 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Fri Jun 24 Chicago, IL Wrigley Field
Sat Jun 25 Chicago, IL Wrigley Field
Tue Jun 28 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center
Wed Jun 29 Clarkston, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
Fri Jul 01 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Sat Jul 02 Foxborough, MA Gillette Stadium
Tue Jul 05 Hartford, CT The XFINITY Theatre
Wed Jul 06 Saratoga Springs, NY SPAC
Fri Jul 08 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Sun Jul 10 Philadelphia, PA Citizens Bank Park
Tue Jul 12 Burgettstown, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
After a pandemic-induced two-year hiatus, the BUKU Music and Art Project made it’s triumphant return to New Orleans this past weekend. The 2-day music festival and art project took place at it’s usual location outside of Mardi Gras World on the banks of the Mississippi river. The project’s 10th anniversary featured a stacked lineup of EDM and bass music, rap, hip-hop, and indie rock. Back in March of 2020, as the stages and grounds were being built, project organizer Winter Circle Productions made the tough decision to cancel BUKU Project just over a week out. Being the first cancelled festival in 2020, it was only fitting that in 2022, a few weeks after Mardi Gras celebrations returned to New Orleans, that BUKU would be the first festival to kick off the season.
The 2022 lineup featured several hold over names from the cancelled 2020 edition including headliner Tyler, the Creator, Glass Animals, Alison Wonderland, Taking Back Sunday, and 100 Gecs. Over the years BUKU has grown into a 20,000 attendees per day festival and the location has proven ideal. A 100 year old power plant with graffiti covered smoke stacks and a vintage riverboat anchored on the Mississippi overshadow the project, reflecting the rich history of New Orleans’ warehouse district.
BUKU Project attendees were treated to a perfect sunny 75 degrees in New Orleans, a city that was eager to welcome music lovers back into their arms. New Orleans’ famous culture center of Bourbon Street is once again buzzing with music and activity and this was mirrored into the design of BUKU. Organizers weaved the experience of discovering local music into the fabric of the project.
As you walk around the grounds, you find pop-up musical performances, many which were not featured on the lineup. In the fields of the main stage area, there is a small vendor market with bands playing DIY style shows in the center of the market. A mobile rickshaw draped in hundreds of Mardi Gras beads was seen riding around the festival with massive speakers and a DJ playing music off the back. Outside of the ‘Ballroom’ stage, there was a boxing ring where rappers, bands, and interpretative performers played intensely experimental music.
Rickshaw and Boxing Ring “Stages”
Aside from the music, BUKU is also an Art Project that celebrates New Orleans artists. Art installations were scattered around the festival grounds and vendors were selling art and custom clothing. Modern sculptures and lighting pieces were found around every corner of the grounds, provided interesting backdrops to the music and for photos. There were also “live art” areas where graffiti and mural artists spent the two days creating beautiful pieces in the shadows of the music stages. Some of these were sold or auctioned for charity, but many fans just spent time watching the art being created while listening to the music in the distance.
Live Art Gallery
Bass Music and Underground Rap
The backbone of the BUKU Project lineup are the dubstep and bass music artists, with the ‘Wharf’ stage dedicated entirely to the genre for both days. The stage production was top notch and all of the performers took full advantage of the system’s power. Lasers from the stage were projected onto the nearby warehouse and the Louis Armstrong riverboat anchored in the river, creating the feeling of an intimate outdoor club while still housing thousands of fans. Liquid Stranger and Lane 8 headlined the stage on Friday and Saturday respectively, with Svdden Death, Mersiv, Clozee, and Wreckno filling in the days.
The Wharf Stage at BUKU Music and Art Project
“Multimedia aggregate” Lab Group also played the Wharf stage, only three months after the tragic death of member and producer Charlesthefirst. The 25 year old’s death shocked the community, but surviving members Potions and Supertask are keeping the aggregate alive and still performing the music that the group created together. At one point in their set Lab Group paid tribute by playing “Old Ways” which features rap verses from Charlesthefirst.
Lab Group Performs on The Wharf Stage. Photo by Buscar Photo
Underground rap and hip-hop played a large role in the 2022 edition of the BUKU Project in New Orleans. Odd Future founding member and now international superstar and fashion designer Tyler, the Creator headlined the project on Saturday. Ever since his solo debut Goblin back in 2011, Tyler, the Creator has been putting a fresh spin on his sound with each new release. 2019’s IGOR was an ambitious blend of rap and experimental R&B which debuted at No. 1 on the charts. Tyler, the Creator followed this up with Call Me If You Get Lost in 2021 which continued to propel his commercial success.
Tyler, the Creator at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Aside from the big name headliner, the rap lineup for both days of BUKU was stacked with rising stars and veteran artists. Friday featured ShyGirl and Tierra Whack in the Ballroom with Trippie Redd delivering a fiery set mid-day on the main Skyline stage. On Saturday, fans were treated to a full day of Flo Milli, Vince Staples, Baby Keem, Maxo Kream, and Tyler, the Creator. Another major success of the BUKU Project was that these individual genre lineups had no conflicts and fans who were there for the rap did not have to make any hard decisions.
Flo Milli at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Indie Rock and The Undefined
What festival would be complete these days without the indie kids? The best thing about music today is that anyone can listen to anything at any time. This has cultivated a generation of music lovers with a very wide palate. This was on clear display when Taking Back Sunday took the Skyline stage for their mid-day set. The band is on tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their seminal 2002 LP Tell All Your Friends and they split their set between newer material and classic songs “Cute Without the ‘E’” and “MakeDamnSure.” The band drew a large crowd for an early festival set and the injection of nostalgia was a beautiful way to kick off the weekend.
Taking Back Sunday at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Friday headliners and Australian psych-rock titans Tame Impala were the highlight of the indie side of the festival. The band is on the second leg of The Slow Rush Tour which was partially postponed due to the pandemic but is back on the road in full force. Featuring a massive lighting rig suspended from the stage, the band’s live production overwhelms any audience they host. The lighting gives the unsettling yet beautiful feeling of coming face to face with a UFO.
Tame Impala at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
The band cruised through reworked live versions of The Slow Rush songs “Breath Deeper” and “Borderline” while playing a driving, laser fueled rendition of fan favorite “Elephant.” Two extended releases of confetti during the last two songs “Let It Happen” and “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” felt like a celebration not only of Tame Impala or BUKU, but more of the return to live music in one of the richest musical cities in the world.
Tame Impala at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Given the seemingly endless creative outlets that exist today, there are so many artists out there that defy categorization and cannot fit within the typical genre classifications. 100 Gecs were an early highlight of the day on Friday. Described as “hyperpop,” the duo performs an aggressive and in your face punk-like pop music. Their chaotic style is a great show to see in a small club, but their gigantic sound reverberated across the main stage grounds as if that was their natural setting. Porter Robinson performed his Nurture live show and British indie rockers Glass Animals brought their iconic summer pool staging to same time slot on the main stage on Friday and Saturday respectively.
Glass Animals at the BUKU Music and Art Project. Photo by Buscar Photo
Our Impression
All in all, the return of the BUKU Music and Art Project to New Orleans was a major success. Organizers brought back some of the big names from the cancelled 2020 lineup and designed grounds that were well laid out and easy to navigate. Lines for food and drinks were never too long and there was plenty of free water and “BUKU Budz” throughout the festival supporting attendees. Most festivals with bass heavy electronic music suffer from sound bleed issues, but none of the stages interfered with each other at BUKU. The food lineup featured local mainstays and highlighted the signature creole cuisine of New Orleans.
NYS Music had a great time at the festival and we caught sets from so any different artists and styles throughout the weekend. We enjoyed seeing big names like Tame Impala in their prime, but also discovering new music that will become part of our rotation. Nothing is better than discovering new music live, looking over at your head-banging friends and asking “what song is this?” Moments like this are what we missed most during the pandemic and we are so happy to have back again.
Check out our artist galleries from the 10th edition of the BUKU Music and Art Project below, photographed by NYS Music photographer Buscar Photo.
In an effort to expose up-and-coming UK artists to American audiences, GREAT Campaign partnered with SoFar Sounds for the week of March 21, 2022 to put on numerous performances across New York City featuring some of the biggest names on the rise.
In an interesting way to gain access to the show, one had to pick up a ringing telephone within a classic English-looking telephone booth (many of which were spread across Manhattan). The phone would relay a message detailing the shows for the week and their locations.
Priya Ragu at Great Jones Distillery Co.
The purpose for this campaign was due to the UK still considered underrated, in terms of being a cultural musical hotspot. Massive current artists, like Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, and Ed Sheeran all hail from the UK, showing its constant relevance in the global music scene. There are many artists in the UK that are starting to rise and are nearly about to break into the mainstream American industry.
become incredibly popular in the past year, with the prestigious BBC Sound of Music giving her a nomination in 2021 and Vogue India listing her as one of the 6 artists that are going to blow up in 2021. On the other hand, Dan Croll (hailing from Liverpool) graduated from the Paul McCartney-founded Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and has been on the scene since 2011. Both of them put on an intimate show for an adoring crowd, wowing them with Dan Croll’s indie-pop crooning and Priya Ragu’s energetic pop performance.
Dan Croll at Great Jones Distilling Co.
Many of performances occurred that week, ranging from Penelope Isles to Rose Betts. All of which showcased these rising stars and their immense talents.
Riya Ragu at Great Jones Distilling Co.
Some of the UK’s most talented singers Anaiis and Obii showed their skills in a Red Hook ice cream factory on Friday, March 25. As you walk in the door behind the ice cream shop counter, you go into a room with views of the factory through the window. The room was full of music enthusiasts and people there for a good time. The artists held a captivating show and kept the audience involved throughout the duration of it. This showcase exemplified the powerful voices that come from the UK and gave an idea of the future of UK artists and their abilities.
Great Calling – The National Arts Club – March 29 (review and photos by Michael Dinger)
The last of four shows performed at iconic spaces in Manhattan and Brooklyn over the past week, the Great Campaign’s final act took place at The National Arts Club at Gramercy Park this past Tuesday night. A collaboration with SoFar Sounds, these intimate gatherings have showcased homegrown artists from Great Britain that are all on the verge of stardom. The featured musicians of tonight’s festivities included Rose Betts (singer/songwriter), Geo Jordan (multi-instrumentalist/producer/writer) and Hamzaa (R&B singer/songwriter). If witnessing the talent of these young musicianswas not enough, guests were also immersed in the expressive, wondrous paintings of the contemporary Cuban artist Carlos Quintana, which hung from the walls throughout the performance space. His exhibition, PHySIKA, is on view until April 8th.
Rose Betts, originallyfrom London, was the evening’s first performer. After being introduced by Adam (the night’s emcee) as having “a voice that melts like butter,” Betts sat down before a Steinway for the first of five songs, while accompanied by Emmanuel Ventura-Cruess on an upright bass. Featuring songs from her newly released debut album, White Orchids (RAB Records), Betts introduced “Foolish” as “one of the few songs [she’s] written about love.” The songstress concluded her opening set with “Think Of You” and “Recovery,” a tune that Betts exclaimed to the audience was “the first song where [she] allowed [herself] to be vulnerable.”
After a brief intermission, Geo Jordan was the second British artist of the night to entertain the intimate crowd of approximately 100 souls in attendance. While on guitar, Jordan opened the set with “Let Go,” taken from the 5-song EP Technicolour (August 2021). This EP was self-produced by Jordan, a Trans artist who uses his music to explore topics such as identity and acceptance. Moving over to the piano for “The Colour Of You” (the title track from his 2017 EP), Jordan revealed,“I never know quite what to do with applause, thank you.” With a guitar back in his hands, Jordan went on to perform what can best be described as progressive soul pop tracks such as “Forever,” taken from the EP titled The Colour Of You (2017)and “Irreplaceable,” from the album Remember Me Pt. 1 [MD1] (2019).
The final act of the night was Hamzaa, a soul artist from Hackney (East London) who has been writing her own songs before she was even a teenager. Accompanied by Jeffandy AllTogether (guitar) and Chad Selph (keys), the first of her 6-song set was “Unlucky,” taken from Phases EP (2019). After bringing back Emmanuel Ventura-Crues for a guest appearance on bass, the highlight of the night was still to come. Hamzaa’s blissful closing number titled “Sunday Morning,” also from Phases EP, captured the cheerfulmood of the event, with the audience singing the chorus in unison – “You make me feel like it’s a Sunday morning” . . . even on a Tuesday night.
Newport Jazz Festival is making its summer return with a packed 2022 lineup. From July 29th-31st, fans will be able to see performers like Norah Jones, PJ Morten, BADBADNOTGOOD, and more in Fort Adams State Park.
This year’s festival will celebrate the life of George Wein, founder of the Newport Jazz and Newport Folk festivals. Surprise special guests will join the tribute. Artist Director Christian McBride’s annual Jawn Jam will include performances from ensembles like Makaya McCraven, Chris Potter, Vijay Iyer, Brandee Younger & Mike Stern; the Jack DeJohnette Quartet with Don Byron, Matt Garrison, and Luisito Quintero; Pino Palladino, Blake Mills and Sam Gendel & Abe Rounds.
Alongside big names and ensembles, the festival will also feature Cory Wong, Sons of Kemet, Nubya Garcia, Jazzmeia Horn, Nate Smith + KINFOLK, Sampha the Great, Lady Blackbird, The Soul Rebels, Theon Cross, Samara Joy, The Nth Power and Jazzmeia Horn. More artists will be announced at a later date.
Newport Jazz Fest 2021
The Newport Jazz Fest works closely with the Newport Festivals Foundation to provide musicians with the support they need during tough times. The non-profit helps maintain music programs in Rhode Island and around the country.
Since 2018, the Artist Gives initiative has provided over 100 grants to music education programs in over 30 states, including instruments for public schools, funding for music instruction workshops for Veterans and after school music lessons for children with learning disabilities.
Newport Jazz Fest 2021
Tickets are on sale now. Student discounts are available. COVID-19 safety guidelines will be announced at a later date.
Taylor Hawkins, the drummer for the Foo Fighters, died unexpectedly at 50 years old. A statement released on the band’s Twitter confirmed his death shortly before they were scheduled to perform in Bogotá, Colombia.
Photo by Michael Dinger, MSG June 20, 2021
Hawkins, known for his signature long blond hair and technically proficient drumming, joined the band in 1997. Foo Fighters founder Dave Grohl first met Hawkins backstage at a concert in the ‘90s. After playing drums himself on the band’s first two albums he decided to call Hawkins to see if he would be willing to step in. As soon as he, got the call Hawkins accepted.
At the time he was on tour with Alanis Morrissette with her record setting album, Jagged Little Pill. Once the tour was over, he joined the Foo Fighters for their third album There is Nothing Left to Lose.
Hawkins grew up in Southern California after moving there from Fort Worth with his family. He started playing drums at 10 years old. At home he cites his mother as his biggest supporter.
Taylor Hawkins at Madison Square Garden, June 20, 2021 – photo by Michael Dinger
“When I first got drums, she was the one who would watch me play,” Hawkins said in an interview with the New York Times last year. ”She was a big supporter and told me I’d make it.”
His most important influence musically was Queen. In particular, a show he attended as a 10 year, having recently started to play drums.
“It changed everything, and I was never the same because of it,” he said in the same New York Times interview. “It was the beginning of my obsession with rock ’n’ roll, and I knew that I wanted to be in a huge rock band.”
Taylor Hawkins at Sonic Temple Festival, May 2019 – photo by Joshua Davis
His career started in his native Southern California where he would end up playing in the band for the singer Sass Jordan. His big break came when he landed the tour gig on Alanis Morrissette’s drummer.
Ultimately, it was his personal relationship with Grohl that would convince him to leave her band and join the Foo Fighters. Hawkins would later contribute songwriting and, even, did some vocals on a few songs. As a member of the Foo Fighters he was nominated for 29 Grammy Awards, winning 12. The most recent a 2018 win for Best Rock Song for their song “Run”.
A cause of death has not been announced, although Variety has reported that various drugs were found in Hawkins’ system by Colombian authorities. He is survived by his wife Alison and their three children.
Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from, Blur Beside You, New American Cuisine, 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.
Blur Beside You – “Nothing Feels Real”
Shoegaze indie rock trio from New York and Florida. Features 3 founding members of South Florida band, Mindlikewater, Jim Wells, Joseph Butera & Joseph Beaty. Check out “Nothing Feels Real” as well on EQXposure
New American Cuisine – “Drop”
Five-piece Saratoga Springs band New American Cuisine has two singles named after flowers: “Lily of the Aztecs” and “Daffodil.” The band met in high school, and while they’ve since graduated and gone to different colleges, they continue to collaborate on winter and summer breaks. Both singles have chill guitar riffs and catchy vocal hooks, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Philadelphia’s own The Disco Biscuits have announced the return of their two-day City Bisco festival. The mini-fest is scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19 and will once again be held at TD Pavillion at the Mann. This will be the fifth installment of City Bisco and it marks the 10-year anniversary of the festival since its inception in 2012.
This year’s bill also features performances from electronic duo Bob Moses, renowned DJ Shiba San and moe. It’s a promising sign for the jamband mainstay as it marks another scheduled gig for the band as guitarist Chuck Garvey continues to rehabilitate from a recent stroke. moe. is also slated to perform at their own Summer Camp music festival in Chillicothe, IL from May 27-29.
Other acts scheduled this year include fellow electronica icons The New Deal, TAUK, LP Giobbi and Township Rebellion with the Disco Biscuits capping off each night with two sets of music.
Presale tickets for the event will be available with the code CITYBISCO starting March 23 at 10 a.m. EST with the general on-sale beginning March 25 at 12 p.m. EST. Tickets can be purchased here.
San Francisco Bay Area drummer/musician Jay Lane gets antsy when he’s not on the road with one of the many bands of which he is a part. So it was not difficult to deduce that Lane, 57, had a tough time adapting to pandemic life, when the world shut down, venues closed their doors and bands put touring aside as we tried to get COVID-19 under control.
And just like so many other musicians trying to adapt to a temporary but new way of life, Lane had to figure out how to keep himself from going insane while essentially being in lockdown. Enter the Blue Bear School of Music, the Bay Area’s “preeminent school rock, blues, jazz, folk and pop music,” as described on its website. Lane, who is a member of Primus, Bob Weir and Wolf Brothers and countless other Grateful Dead associated acts, decided to put his expertise to use by providing online drumming lessons.
“I haven’t been involved in too much outreach or giving lessons in a long time,” Lane said in a recent telephone interview with NYS Music. “I’ve been doing this now for a few months and I love it. I actually used to take lessons as a child at Blue Bear. I felt I wanted to give back to kids and people of all ages.”
Currently, Lane said he is only giving online live video lessons, but said he has no idea what the future holds once COVID is in the rearview. Blue Bear, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1971 by rock band Wolfgang & Strauss, two brothers who set up shop in San Francisco seeking to build lives. Currently, Blue Bear has about 850 enrollees each quarter, as it aims to help musicians of all skill levels find their calling.
Prior to his time at Blue Bear, Lane said he had never played in an ensemble before, and that experience gave him the desire to learn as many styles of drumming as he could. How else would he so easily transition to the hard psychedelic rock that Primus plays, to the experimental and free flowing sound that the Grateful Dead made famous?
“There’s nothing like the experience (of playing in an ensemble,” Lane said. “That’s what I did as a kid, oon Port Mason, the smell of the rehearsal room was palpable, especially with the other kids.”
Lane was ecstatic when discussing how the country has opened up recently, allowing for live music and other gatherings. Lane, who lives in a condo in the Bay Area, said he loved spending extended time with his family, but added that he was raised on the road, and at times he became very restless without the daily grind of getting ready to play a different show each night.
On March 30, Bob Weir and Wolf Bros bring their cowboy folk/americana act to the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse for an evening of new songs, and their unique take on the Grateful Dead’s repertoire. They follow up the Central New York show with a pair at Radio City Music Hall over April 2-3. These shows will feature several unannounced special guests, including The Wolfpack, which consists of a dedicated strings section.
Weir, who played rhythm guitar with the Dead for 50 years, formed Wolf Bros a few years back and added Lane rather quickly. Lane and Weir have extensive history together including stints together in RatDog and Furthur, just to name a few, and Lane said he looks up to Weir on many levels.
“Bob, he really likes to paint with a long brush,” Lane said with a chuckle. “He does so many things that are not considered the norm, like turning all the stage monitors down at his shows so that he can hear what the audience hears and adapt to it. He’s such a dear, sweet friend to me and he is incredibly generous. His big thing is to gain experience by playing with anyone he can. He’s toying with the idea of performing a concerto, or playing with a symphony, to understand that dynamic. The guy has done everything you can do in rock music, yet he’s still pushing forward toward new and exciting ideas and collaborations.”
Lane couldn’t speak more highly about Weir’s impact on him.
“He constantly challenged me to get better and change up my concepts,” Lane added.
As for returning to the road, Lane said he cannot wait to be doing what he does best, providing the backbeat for several bands.
“COVID felt like a real prison cell,” he said. “After a while I think I began learning to be OK with it, like everyone else, but it’s been hard to make music through all this. Now I just need to find my relevance, my purpose again.”
Lane said he has gotten much better providing lessons online, which was a struggle at first because he still prefers older technology in many ways.
If you’re interested in seeing Lane perform with Wolf Bros in Syracuse, tickets are still available.
Bob Weir & Wolf Bros Spring Tour Mar. 9 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tenn. Mar. 10 – Orpheum Theatre – Memphis, Tenn. Mar. 14 – Orpheum Theatre – Wichita, Kan. Mar. 15 – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland – Kansas City, Mo. Mar. 17 – Riverside Theater – Milwaukee, Wis. Mar. 18 – Chicago Theatre – Chicago, Ill. Mar.19 – Brown County Music Center – Nashville, Ind. Mar. 21– Palace Theatre – Columbus, Ohio Mar. 24 – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium– Asheville, N.C. Mar. 25 – Tivoli Theatre – Chattanooga, Tenn. Mar. 26 – Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham, N.C. Mar. 29 – Roxian Theatre – Pittsburgh, Pa. Mar. 30 – Landmark Theatre – Syracuse, N.Y. April 2-3 – Radio City Music Hall – NYC
