NYS Music 202​2

Category: Beyond NYS

  • Ramble Festival Lineup Announced, Including Keller Williams and Pink Talking Fish

    The inaugural Ramble Festival at Camp Ramblewood in Darlington, MD has announced its lineup, featuring the best in jam, grass, and brass performing on three stages from Oct. 7-9.

    ramble festival

    The community-centric music festival is located about an hour from Baltimore and Philadelphia, about two hours from Washington DC, and about 3 hours from New York. Camp Ramblewood is nestled on more than 200 acres in Harford County, MD.

    The Ramble Festival is born out of the idea that sharing the unique experience of live music with others is a powerful and unifying force that brings people from all walks of life together and builds community. We believe that live music is one of the most compelling catalysts to building meaningful connections with others, and that’s exactly what we are doing at The Ramble. Oh, and the lineup is killer too.

    festival co-founders Brandon “Brick” Lohr and Jason “J” Hubert.

    The three-day festival features a lineup of high-energy jam bands. On Oct. 7, the lineup features Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass featuring The Hillbenders. Williams’ band is inspired by the Grateful Dead, and his impact on the Upstate New York groove scene is large, often cited as the “one-man-jam-band.” Other bands on the lineup that day include Big Something, Abby Bryant & The Echoes, and Annie Sellick & Pat Bergeson.

    The second-day features Dogs in a Pile, Fishing for Hippies, Naptown Brass Band, and more. The third day features The Travelin’ McCourys and Pink Talking Fish along with more bands. The Travelin’ McCourys became the only group to have each member recognized with an International Bluegrass Music Association Award for their instrument at least once. Pink Talking Fish is a fusion tribute band that plays Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads, and Phish.

    The Ramble Festival is happening from Oct. 7-9 at Camp Ramblewood, and weekend and single-day tickets are on sale now.

  • This Week’s EQXposure Features Sinkcharmer and Power and Light Co.

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9 P.M. 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 Sinkcharmer and Power and Light Co.

    Sinkcharmer and Power and Light Co.

    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.

    Power and Light Co.- “Bottle Rocket Glow”

    Power and Light Co. are a new wave-inspired indie rock duo from Albany, and the members include Curtis Flach on vocals, keys, guitars, and drums and Chris Brant on bass and vocals. The band was formed in 2019 when they began work on their debut album Have Gun, Will Travel. The debut single off the album “Bottle Rocket Glow” is out now.

    Sinkcharmer- “The Ark”

    Sinkcharmer is a retro band from Ballston Spa, making electronic beat-driven rock music that draws influence from post-punk and industrial. The project was started by Paul Coleman and is framed as a band that was lost in time, happening back in the 90s.

  • Austin Jay Brings the Passion to R&B With ‘Loving on You’

    Manhattan-born pop/r&b singer, Austin Jay, brings the heat with his latest single, “Loving on You.” Released in anticipation of his debut EP, “Loving You” follows the release of “All I Wanna Do,” his debut single. In a short period of time the passionate wailer has amassed over 50 thousand streams on each of his singles.

    After graduating from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Austin Jay embarked on his musical career. Classically trained in piano and voice, he earned his promising newcomer status in 2019 with covers of Khalid’s “Location” and Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” gaining a significant following on Instagram for his soulful and imaginative Gen- Z reinterpretations of popular songs.

    Stylistically, Austin Jay can fill a void within the r&b realm. While the too-cool-for-school crooners have their place, they don’t fully encapsulate the love and vulnerability that r&b is rooted in. A proper love ballad requires a certain kind of indifference to public perception. A generational trend that Austin Jay is aware of, yet embraces.

    Loving on You is about the infatuation of new love. It’s about finding someone that you really care about and telling them, and not being ashamed of love. A lot of people think dramatic declarations of love are corny/cheesy, but really it’s healthy and needed more in life.

    – Austin Jay

    On “Loving On You” Austin Jay reverts to the impassioned, romance-laden croons of r&b’s heyday. In fact, the music video itself is a nod to r&b hits of the past, as Jay shirtless-ly serenades his love interest on a secluded California beach.

    Despite his r&b talents, Austin sees himself growing into the likes of Dominic Fike, Khalid, and Bruno Mars, an aggressive, all-genre artist with strong vocals. He performed as the lead singer of the nationally touring band ‘Earth to Mars’, growing his fanbase and earning his performance chops. Now a more complete artist, Austin Jay looks to cement himself as a player in the r&b world.

  • Made in America 2022: Philly’s Largest Music Festival Returns

    It may have been Philly, but the vibe was all “New York State of Mind” thanks to Jay-Z’s all-star lineup of the most influential acts for this year’s “Made in America” (MIA) festival. The festival took place on Benjamin Franklin Parkway on the 3rd and 4th of September. This year marked the 10th year of the festivals running and it was extraordinary. The Brooklyn rapper enlisted a hip-hop-heavy lineup, including Tyler, the Creator, Lil Uzi Vert, Don Toliver, and Bronx-born Pusha T. Although named “Made in America,” the festival featured acts from around the globe, including Nigeria, Sweden, Canada, Spain, Mexico, Colombia and The Dominican Republic.

    Fans climbing light post at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil

    Named after Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Frank Ocean’s hit record “Made in America,” this festival “sums up the superstars’ feelings about black history, America, Jesus, and revisiting their respective rises to fame.” With their dedication to social action, MIA featured a “Cause Village” giving various charitable organizations a platform for their various causes. With free swag, fun games, and music, Cause Village was a lively part of the festival.

    Cause Village, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil

    Day-one headliner Tyler The Creator, fresh off his 2021 Grammy-winning album, Call Me If You Get Lost, performed songs new and old. Including fan favorites “WUSYANAME,” “Boredom,” and “Yonkers.” The West coast rapper felt at home on the East, as he exchanged his usual witty, dry humor with the crowd. Before departing, he made sure to state that this was the “last show for this era.” Marking the conclusion of his extravagant Call Me If You Get Lost run.

    Tyler, The Creator at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil

    Day-two headliner Bad Bunny stopped at MIA amid his World’s Hottest Tour. Bad Bunny’s tour has already visited Yankee Stadium on August 27, where the demand for tickets was so high that they added a second show the next day. During the second Yankee Stadium performance Bad Bunny was presented with the MTV Video Music Award for Artist of the Year.

    Bad Bunny at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil

    Bronx-born rapper Pusha T made an appearance this weekend. He recently released an album titled It’s Almost Dry, which featured production almost exclusively from Pharrell and Kanye West. The album also included a feature from festival curator, Jay-Z. Pusha performed many songs from the album, including the scratchy “Diet Coke”, which includes production from West and New York’s own 88-keys. Pusha played hits records throughout his discography, crowd favorites included his verses on “Runaway” and “I Don’t Like.”

    Pusha T at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil

    Jay-Z called upon Lil Uzi Vert, Jazmine Sullivan, Zah Sosaa, and many others to represent Philadelphia at MIA. Uzi himself has been on a festival run as of late, having performed at Something in the Water, Rolling Loud Miami, and Outside Lands within the past few months. Uzi is also slated to appear in New York later this month at Rolling Loud NY. 

    Lil Uzi Vert at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil

    Full Festival Lineup: Bad Bunny, Tyler, the Creator, Lil Uzi Vert, Jazmine Sullivan, Burna Boy, Snoh Aalegra, Pusha T, Don Toliver, Tate McRae, Fuerza Regida, Toro Y Moi, Larry June, Babyface Ray, Rels B, Victoria Monét, Chimbala, Ryan Castro, Young Nudy, Kenny Mason, Coast Contra, GloRilla, Jeleel!, Jenevieve, Zah Sosaa, Ambré, Armani White, Kur, Kalan Fr.Fr.,Dixson, and Becca Hannah.

    JELEEL! at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil
    JID at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil
    Tyler, The Creator at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil
    Burna Boy at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil
    Fans at Made in America, Photo by: Lucas Kurzweil

  • Virgin Islands Shakedown Announced Featuring Members of moe., Lotus, Umphrey’s McGee and More

    The date and lineup for this year’s Virgin Islands Shakedown have been set. Running from November 17 to 20, the festival will take place at The Fred, a beachside resort in St. Croix.

    The lineup includes appearances from the Dire Wolves featuring Al Schnier and Vinnie Amico of moe., Jason Hann of String Cheese Incident, Mark Joseph of The Big Wu, and Steve Molitz of Particle along with Phil Lesh, all of whom will perform four sets across the festival’s run.

    Promotional poster for the Virgin Islands Shakedown.

    Other four set acts of the event include Blue Star Radiation featuring Rob Derhak and Vinnie Amico of moe., Tim Palmieri of Lotus, and Nate Wilson of Percy Hill. Special guests of the festival include Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee, Ashish “Hash” Vyas of Thievery Corporation, and Janis Wallin of Family Groove Company. VIP attendees will also be privy to late night DJ sets by Jason Hann.

    Footage from last year’s Virgin Islands Shakedown.

    The Virgin Islands Shakedown first ran in December 2020, featuring a socially distanced version of what was seen last year and is programmed for this November.

    Information regarding ticket/hotel room packages and more can be found on the festival’s website.

  • Khruangbin and Vieux Farka Touré Release “Tongo Barra” off Upcoming Album

    Musical trio Khruangbin and Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré have released “Tongo Barra,” a preview of their upcoming collaborative album Ali. The project honors Vieux’s late father, Ali Farka Touré, who helped shape African desert blues throughout his career.

    Khruangbin trio pose in front of blue wall with Vieux Farka Touré
    Photo Credit: Jackie Lee Young

    Over five minutes long, “Tongo Barra,” is accompanied by a visualizer of hypnotic patterns. Sung in the Malian Songhai dialect, the single is engrossing and captivating. “Tongo Barra” is a fuse of blues, dub, and groove, as is the highly anticipated album which releases on Sep. 23.

    The single release is the newest from the pairing, with the lead single “Savanne,” released earlier this year with widespread acclaim. All 8 songs included on Ali pay homage to Ali Farka Touré, with a renewed West African blend that Khruangbin and Touré hope reaches new generations and audiences. Ali Farka Touré’s music touched so many and is consistently ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

    Cover art based on the original work ”Homme Du Sahel” by Abdoulaye Konaté, 2015. Courtesy of Primo Marella Gallery, Milan. 

    Prior to the album’s release, the collaborators announced listening sessions at SEY in Brooklyn and Fringe in Paris. Attendees can immerse themselves in the music and enjoy bespoke tea in a respectful setting. Attendees will be selected at random through a ticket lottery with winners chosen on Sep. 9. The pairing will not be in attendance but the event will have voiceover introductions from the artists. For a chance to attend, visit here.

    “Tongo Barra” from Khruangbin and Vieux Farka Touré solidifies the group’s creativity and commitment to honoring a late musical legend. The single pulls you in and the album, Ali, is sure to include tracks created to do the same. Stay tuned for when the full album releases on Sep. 23.

  • Ethiopian Band QWANQWA Announce New Dates For Debut U.S. Tour

    Five-piece improvisatory group, QWANQWA is making their debut in North America this fall; travelling on their first tour in the U.S. in over 20 states. Their performance locations feature a variety of memorable places, including Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, Flushing Town of Hall in Queens, Beacon’s Howland Cultural Center, Saratoga’s Caffe Lena, Buffalo’s Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Centre, and more.

    QWANQWA, based in Ethiopia’s capital and largest city, Addis Ababa, are dedicated to furthering the country’s unique musical tradition rooted in string – classical music blended with new styles influenced by new compositions. Having recruited some of the most prominent names in the country’s music scene, they’ve created room for exploration of new sounds while implementing traditional and region-based beats and moods.

    QWANQWA Profile Diredawa 1.JPG

    QWANQWA’s released works include three critically-acclaimed albums, Volume One (2014) and Volume Two (2015); and Volume Three (2020). The group has performed at two major European tours with knockout shows at the Roskilde and WOMEX festivals in 2016 and 2017 and members of QWANQWA have performed with some of the biggest names in Ethiopian music and beyond: Getachew Mekuria, Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astatke, The EX, Thurston Moore, Fred Frith, Butch Morris, and more.

    QWANQWA 2022 U.S. Tour Dates

    8/28 Brooklyn NY– Bindlestiff Flatbed Follies

    9/1 Washington, DC – Bossa Bistro & Lounge

    9/3 Waynesville NC — FOLKMOOT 

    9/4 Black Mountain, NC — White Horse 

    9/8 Durham, NC — Motorco Music Hall  

    9/9 – 9/10 Greensboro, NC — NC Folk Festival 

    9/12 Atlanta, GA — The 529

    9/15 Champaign Urbana, IL — Spurlock Museum of World Cultures

    9/17 Boston, MA — Boston University Global Music Fest

    9/18 Cedar Rapids, IA — Legion Arts 

    9/24 Chicago, IL — Hyde Park Jazz Festival

    9/25 Milwaukee, WI — University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Recital Hall

    9/26 Minneapolis, MN — Cedar Center (Global Roots Festival)

    9/28 Boulder, CO — Dairy Arts Center  

    10/1 Ivins, UT — Kayenta Center For The Arts

    10/2 Springdale, UT — Z-Arts

    10/3 Las Vegas, NV — Sahara West Library 

    10/4 Las Vegas, NV — Whitney Library

    10/5 Las Vegas, NV — Winchester Cultural Center 

    10/7 West Hollywood, CA – Petit Ermitage

    10/8 Topanga, CA — Corazon Center for Arts

    10/13 Santa Cruz, CA — Kuumbwa Jazz Center  

    10/14 Berkeley, CA — Freight & Salvage 

    10/15 Healdsburg, CA — Little Saint

    10/16 Mount Shasta, CA – Jefferson Center  

    10/17 Eugene, OR — WOW Hall 

    10/18 Portland, OR — Mississippi Studios

    10/21 Seattle, WA — Town Hall

    10/22 Boise, ID — The Olympic

    10/27 Rochester, NY  — Eastman School of Music Presents 

    10/29 Flushing, Queens, NY  — Flushing Town Hall

    11/1: Bar Harbor, ME – College of the Atlantic

    11/2:  Brooksville, ME – Tinder Hearth

    11/2 Belfast, ME — Colonial Theatre  

    11/3 Portland, ME — Space Gallery 

    11/4 Keene, NH — Nova Arts Fiddle Madness

    11/5 Beacon, NY — Howland Cultural Center

    11/6 Saratoga Springs, NY — Caffe Lena 

    11/8 Buffalo, NY – Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Cente

    11/9 Pittsburgh, PA — City of Asylum

    11/10 Elkins, WV — The Old Brick Playhouse

    11/11 – 11/12 Marlinton, WV — Pocahontas County Opera House

    11/13 Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall

    11/14 Washington DC – Hill Center

    11/15 Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle

    11/16 New Haven, CT — Café 9

    11/17 Hartford, CT — Real Art Ways  

    11/18 Putney, VT — Next Arts

    11/19 Amherst, MA — The Drake

    QWANQWA performing in Berlin, 2018

  • Byron Bay Bluesfest Announces First Lineup Including Joe Bonamassa and Greensky Bluegrass

    The 34th annual Byron Bay Bluesfest Festival’s initial lineup has been revealed. Featuring international artists for the first time since 2019’s pre-pandemic festival, the first lineup released features over 40 artists.

    Joe Bonamassa

    Set for April 6-10, Bluesfest will see some of the finest contemporary and legendary blues, roots, soul, rock, hip hop, r&b, world and americana artists take the stage. This will be the first original style Bluesfest since the world re-opened. Last year primarily featured Australian and New Zealand Artists. Among those making their way down under are Utica’s own and renowned blues guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, bluegrass music innovators Greensky Bluegrass and jam-band favorites, Southern Avenue.

    Joe Bonamassa
    Bluesfest 2022 daytime

    What is Bluesfest All-About?

    Bluesfest is held over five days at the Byron Events Farm each easter long weekend. Event facilities include seven performance stages, nine licensed bars and two undercover food courts. There are many independent food vendors, car parking for over 7,000 vehicles and camping for up to 6,500 people.

    In the coming weeks, Bluesfest will release more of the line-up, along with artist performance dates so that both day-trippers and 3-day ticket holders can make an informed choice. There will also be further announcements on two special satellite events happening in Melbourne and Perth.

    And more good news is that ticket prices, camping and VIP tickets remain the same as 2022’s prices. That’s despite the significant increase in cost of international flights and freight logistics, with artist fees also on the rise. Bluesfest will also invest in upgrading the VIP area in order to give its supporters the best experience possible. For the campers that seek a “class above” experience you can upgrade to the Rainbow Tipi accommodation this year.

    Whilst there are still plenty of Aussie artists listed in this first and upcoming announcements it is wonderful to once again in 2023, after four long years be able to bring back some of the greatest Blues, Roots, Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, World and Americana artists (and so much more) back to our shores after so long. As well as, of course, the stars of tomorrow.

    – Peter Noble, Festival Director

    Tickets for Bluesfest are now available and can be purchased on their official website. While only the 5-day passes are on sale for now, Bluesfest also offers 3-day and single-day passes.

  • Accessible Festivals launch Dan Grover Memorial Ticket Grant Program

    Accessible Festivals officially launched its Dan Grover Memorial Ticket Grant Program this week, providing a limited number of free access tickets to recreational experiences like concerts, festivals, and conventions for disabled music fans and their loved ones. This marks a huge step forward towards accessibility for all throughout major events across the U.S.  

    Accessible Festivals launch Dan Grover Memorial Ticket Grant Program
    Pictured: Past recipient Cindy Navarro at Escape Festival 

    Accessible Festivals is partnering with the largest festivals in the country, such as Austin City Limits Music Festival, BottleRock Napa Valley, Electric Daisy Carnival, Lollapalooza, Rolling Loud NY, Stagecoach and more. The idea was born out of the organization’s founder, Austin Whitney’s own personal experience. In 2007, Whitney was injured in a car accident that severed his spinal cord and paralyzed him from the waist down. He became consumed with depression and anxiety about his new life living with a disability. 

    Accessible Festivals launch Dan Grover Memorial Ticket Grant Program
    Photo credit: Abbey Madrid Stagecoach

    After some time, Whitney attended his first music festival, Coachella. For the first time since his injury, he was able to simply enjoy life. With the realization of the importance of festival accessibility, he decided to devote his life to ensuring people of all abilities can have an equal opportunity to experience live music and recreational activities to the fullest extent possible.  

    Photo credit: TJ Hayes Lollapalooza

    Dan Grover was born on December 6, 1962, in rural New Jersey. At an early age, he was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic condition that deteriorates muscular strength over time, and began using a wheelchair for mobility at the age of 21. 

    Dan was responsible for implementing and improving ADA operations at some of the nation’s largest music festivals including Electric Forest, Outside Lands, Life is Beautiful, and many more. He helped ensure thousands of disabled guests were able to see the show safely and comfortably and was a fierce advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility for all.

    In an unfortunate turn of events, Dan passed away on July 27, 2022. This program is intended to keep Dan’s legacy alive and honor him by sharing his passion for music and continuing to help other people with disabilities see the show. 

    Photo credit: Kimy Churchhill HARD Summer

    Accessible Festival’s Ticket Grant Program currently has two dozen events this Fall which are currently accepting applications for complimentary admission. Upcoming events include Electric Daisy Carnival Orlando, Firefly Festival, Made in America Festival, Rolling Loud NY, and many others.  

    Find more information and apply for admission at the link here.

  • Pras Michel The Reason Behind Fugees Reunion Tour Cancellation Due to Money Laundering Charges

    In September, 2021 The Fugees and Pras Michel made headlines with a performance at Pier 17. It was their first show as a group in 15 years. With the trio later announcing a world tour of very selective dates and venues. In Fugees fashion, the tour was later canceled to the chagrin of fans. Lauryn Hill broke the news in January of 2022 with a statement.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Although a disappointment, Covid-19 complications seemed reasonable given the major cities the tour was due to hit. The addition of international stops in France, UK, Nigeria, Ghana along with their varied covid regulations made things more arduous. Rather, the Fugees, who each have gone through legal troubles, find another one of their own entangled with the law.

    This time it seems as if Pras Michel’s legal hardships are what is holding up the much-anticipated reunion tour. In 2019, Michel and Malaysian financier, Low Taek Jho (known as “Jho Low”), were charged  in a four-count indictment. The duo were accused of illegally funnelling (money laundering) foreign campaign contributions into the 2012 U.S. presidential election. After pleading not guilty and rejecting a plea deal in 2019, Michel was once again charged by the federal government. In 2021, Michel and Jho Low were accused of running a back-channel campaign to get the Trump administration to drop the investigation and getting a billionaire dissident returned to China.

    Pras Michel served as the group’s business mind. Executive producing their hit-album, The Score.

    Michel’s primary charges stem from the misuse and money laundering of Malaysia’s 1MDB slush-fund, run by Jho Low. According to the indictment, between June and November 2012, Low directed the transfer of approximately $21,600,000 to Michel. Michel’s role includes the disbursement of the money in $865,000 increments to about 20 different straw donors, whose jobs were to make the donations in their own name, in order to hide the source of the funds. Michel was reportedly paid at least $8 million and up to $40 million in his role assisting Low.

    Where Does Michel Now Stand?

    Despite his previous and latest charges, Michel performed alongside Hill at and Jean at the September, 2021 Pier 17 show and was scheduled to partake in the reunion tour.

    However, according to Puck, it was the Justice Department that would not allow Michel to leave on an international tour, which included performances in Paris and London. Michel’s trial will take place in Washington D.C. on November 4. Always considered the third Fugees, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean reunited at this summer’s Essence Festival in New Orleans. The duo performed a medley of hits without Michel.

    Embed from Getty Images