NYS Music 202​2

Category: Capital Region

  • Joe Jencks and Kray Van Kirk trade songs at Caffe Lena

    Joe Jencks and Kray Van Kirk traded songs at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on Sep. 16. The night was divided into three sets: a solo set by Van Kirk followed by a solo set by Jencks, then both singers came on stage to trade songs back and forth for a story-filled hour plus from these two singer songwriters. Joe Jencks was last featured on NYS Music at the folk music Old Song Festival of Traditional Music and Dance.

    In the solo sets, Kray Van Kirk started the night off. A highlight from Van Kirk for this listener was when he introduced a song with this: “I am going to spend my time rejecting my heritage.” He then sang a song of solidarity with people of all kinds. Van Kirk said after the show that his “ancestors were slave owners in this country.” He finished his solo set with the title track from his most recent album Midnight Commander.

    Kray Van Kirk

    Joe Jencks took the stage for his solo set and began by saying that he was standing in solidarity with the workers of Amtrak. Jencks mentioned that his friend Van Kirk, who lives in California, was fortunate that he took a plane over to the Northeast, as a trip via train could have been tricky. The highlight for this listener was also a title track. This time it was Jencks singing the title track to his new album The Coming of the Years. Jencks mentioned how this song was an homage to “getting together” and how nice it was to get together with an audience considering the past couple years of the Covid pandemic.

    Joe Jencks

    During the combined set, Van Kirk told an incredible story/legend about Irish Selkies. These are the Irish people’s version of Mermaids. Jencks continued the theme of water-related storytelling. He sang a song of acceptance that centered on “The Lady of the Harbor” (Statue of Liberty). Both singers spun tales of politics and bravery. Concluding the night, the two singer songwriters invoked Pete Seeger telling the US Congress that he was not invoking his 5th Amendment rights; he was invoking his 1st Amendment rights. Then the crowd sang along to a swelling rendition of The Youngbloods’ Smile on Your Brother. 

    Photos by Derek Java Photography

    Joe Jencks
    Joe Jencks
    Joe Jencks
    Joe Jencks
    Joe Jencks
    Joe Jencks listening to Kray Van Kirk.
    Joe Jencks

  • Chestnut Grove Releases New Single, Announces NY Shows

    Chestnut Grove, a Pennsylvania-based rock band, is on the road in support of a new single, with some New York dates in the near future. “All For You” is now available on streaming platforms and the band plans to release an EP titled Can’t Stand The Music sometime early next year.

    Chestnut Grove

    Last month, Chestnut Grove performed a “revved-up” Free at Noon set at Philadelphia’s World Cafe Live for a lively audience who danced, sang along and got a preview of the new EP. Click here for pictures and an audio recording of the performance. This comes in advance of their scheduled gig this weekend in Camden, NJ for WXPN’s Xponential Music Festival on September 18.

    In late October and early November, Chestnut Grove will make their way throughout New York State. Shows in Syracuse and Saranac Lake are scheduled for October 28 and 29, respectively. And the band’s show on November 3 at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs will receive support from Consider the Source. Additional tour dates can be seen below.

    Chestnut Grove 2022 Fall Tour
     
    September 18th Xponential Music Festival, Wiggins Park – Camden, NJ
     
    September 24th Pro Re Nata Brewery – Crozet, VA
    w/ Disco Risque
     
    October 8th Pick Fest – Boyertown, PA
    w/ The Manatawny Creek Ramblers
     
    October 28th Funk N’ Waffles – Syracuse, NY
     
    October 29th Waterhole – Saranac Lake, NY
     
    November 3rd Putnam Place – Saratoga Springs, NY
    w/ Consider the Source
     
    November 17th Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA
    w/ Consider the Source
     
    November 23rd The Soundback – Phoenixville, PA
    w/ Hunter Root
     
    November 25th Jeremiah’s Banquet Hall – Williamsport, PA
     
    November 26th King’s Rock Club – Erie, PA
    w/ Medusa’s Disco

  • Johnny Cash Tribute Show Coming to Plattsburgh, Sugarloaf and Albany

    The Man in Black, a Johnny Cash tribute show, has announced a 17-date North American fall tour that includes three stops in New York State.

    The nearly two-month tour begins Sept. 15 at the Strand Center for Arts in Plattsburgh, with later shows at the Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center in Chester on Oct. 6 and the Swyer Theater at the Egg in Albany on the 7.

    man in black
    Shawn Barker as Johnny Cash (photo credit: Ed Gregory)

    Led by Shawn Barker’s portrayal of the American country icon, The Man In Black’s first show was performed in 2004 in a Niagara Falls casino. Since then, the show has seen over 1,000 performances in 12 different countries.

    “With the recent passing of Cash and the biopic film Walk The Line having recently been released around then, our show delivered a new outlook into Johnny Cash’s music and career that people really seemed to want to see,” said Barker of the show’s success early on.

    The Man in Black features Barker in character during the entire show, portraying each stage of Johnny Cash’s life and career. Performance of Cash hits such as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Hurt” include a full backing band.

    Information regarding tickets and more can be found on The Man In Black website.

    Snippet video of the show in promotion of a 2019 performance.

    Thu. September 15 Strand Theatre for the Arts Plattsburgh, NY

    Fri. September 16            The Cabot                                                                            Beverly, MA

    Sat. September 17           The Flying Monkey                                                           Plymouth, NH

    Thu. October 6                  Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center                             Chester, NY       

    Fri. October 7                    Swyer Theater at the Egg                                             Albany, NY

    Sat. October 8                    Mohegan Sun Arena                                                       Uncasville, CT

    Sun. October 9                  Beacon Theatre                                                                 Hopewell, VA

    Wed. October 12              Rams Head On Stage                                                       Annapolis, MD

    Thu. October 13                Birchmere                                                                           Alexandria, VA

    Fri. October 14                  Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre                       Red Bank, NJ

    at the Count Basie Center for the Arts

    Sat. October 15                 Keswick Theatre                                                                Glenside, PA

    Sun. October 16                American Music Theatre                                               Lancaster, PA

    Wed. October 19              Carnegie of Homestead                                                 Munhall, PA

    Fri. October 21                  Pabst Theatre                                                                    Milwaukee, WI

    Sat. October 22                 Mystic Lake Casino Hotel                                              Prior Lake, MN

    Thu. November 10           Le Capitole                                                                          Quebec, Canada

  • Coupons Share New Album “Wasted Intimacy”

    Earlier this summer, Albany-based band Coupons released their 3rd full-length record, Wasted Intimacy, via Counter Intuitive Records.

    Coupons cover art with tan background, drawn city buildings.

    The indie-rock band consists of Dan LaFave, Collin J Reynolds, Shannon Straney, Dylan Depice, and Dan Maddalone. The 11-track album is upbeat, unique, and a great listen with different styles intertwined throughout the project. Wasted Intimacy also showcases the band’s creativity and talent, with various members contributing to vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation.

    The album includes songs for everyone to enjoy, with the first single released, “Waiting,” giving listeners an intense rock track with powerful vocals whereas other singles, such as “Milk,” slow things down. Produced by Scoops Dardaris, Wasted Intimacy highlights Coupons’ range of melodies, rhythms, and beats on this release. 

    Throughout the duration of Wasted Intimacy, listeners are met with catchy lyrics, and songs seemingly perfect for the stage. In the song “Break a Leg,” written by band member Collin Reynolds, the lyrics “do you wanna celebrate, do you even know my name, are you getting home okay, it’s not too late” are relatable and work perfectly to hook listeners in.

    With the snappy guitar on “Mardi Gras,” beautiful vocals from Straney on “Milk,” and the building piano track “Anyone Else,” this album from Coupons shines. Every track holds your attention and leaves you captivated.

    In support of the album release, the band recently played a show at Empire Live Underground in Albany. Joining the group included music from the likes of Oso Oso, Another Michael, and Laveda. Be sure to take a listen to Coupons’ full discography, and stay tuned for their next live show.

    Fans of Coupons music can keep up with them on Instagram and Twitter. The new record is also available to purchase on vinyl as well as to stream across platforms.

  • Flamenco Rhythms Performance to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at UAlbany PAC

    In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts on Thursday, September 15th, the UAlbany Performing Arts Center presents Flamenco Rhythms. The show will be held on Wednesday, September 28th, at 7:30pm on the UAlbany campus located at 1400 Washington Avenue. The program features virtuoso guitarist Maria Zemantauski, percussionist Brian Melick, and dancer La Nina. 

    musician with guitar, dancer with shawl, musician with drum

    Guitarist and composer Maria Zemantauski is one of the world’s few heralded female flamenco-style guitarists and one of even fewer female flamenco composers. She is a nylon-string guitarist and composer whose style is influenced by a variety of musical genres, most notably, Spanish classical and flamenco.

    Flamenco Rhythms Performance at UAlbany Performing Arts Center for Hispanic Heritage Month 9/15

    She has performed Flamenco Rhythms in Spain, Italy and across the continental United States to great acclaim. By embracing the classical and traditional flamenco repertoire for her foundation, she takes her audience on a musical journey inspired by her flair for experimentation and pure love of the instrument. Zemantauski’s relationship with the UAlbany Performing Arts Center goes back to 2012 when she was involved in the first residency by NYC-based Flamenco Vivo at the venue. 

    Flamenco Rhythms Performance at UAlbany Performing Arts Center for Hispanic Heritage Month 9/15

    Musician, educator, author and designer Brian Melick has been professionally involved in music since the early age of 13. He is a featured recording artist on over 400 commercially released recordings on independent as well as major labels in addition to his seven solo projects. Melick is a highly active drummer performing locally as well as around the United States and Canada.

    Lastly, La Nina is a native of Colombia who studied flamenco in Spain at the Academia de Flamenco de Mariquilla and in New York City with master teachers Jose Molina, Jorge Navarro and Mariano Parra.

    Admission to the Flamenco Rhythms performance is free. No reservations or tickets are required.  For further information, contact the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s main office at (518) 442-3995 or click the link here. 

  • The Last Waltz Tour to stop in Port Chester, Schenectady and Huntington this November

    Warren Haynes, Don Was and Jamey Johnson will reunite this November for The Last Waltz 2022 Tour, a live celebratory tour that pays homage to The Band’s 1976 farewell concert. The 13-show tour will see these three artists, along with an all-star lineup, to recreate moments from Martin Scorsese’s 1978 film The Last Waltz.

    the last waltz tour

    The concert event is presented by Robbie Robertson, his son Sebastian, and Keith Wortman of Blackbirds Presents. The aforementioned all-star lineup joining Haynes, Was, and Johnson includes Anders Osborne, Kathleen Edwards, Dave Malone, John Medeski, Cyril Neville, Terrence Higgins, Bob Margolin, Mark Mullins, along with the Levee Horns, who will play the original arrangements of the late Allen Toussaint.

    The tour kicks off with two nights at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on November 3 and 4, then head up I-87 to Schenectady for a performance at Proctors Theatre. After a stop at The Met in Philadelphia, the tour heads to Huntington, Long Island for a show at The Paramount. The tour will conclude with a performance at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida on November 20.

    Tickets go on sale here Friday, September 16 at 10 am ET.

    The Last Waltz Tour 2022
    Nov. 3 & 4 — Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre
    Nov. 5 — Schenectady, NY @ Proctors Theatre
    Nov. 6 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia
    Nov. 8 — Long Island, NY @ The Paramount
    Nov. 9 — Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theatre
    Nov. 11 — Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
    Nov. 12 — Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
    Nov. 13 — Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater
    Nov. 15 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
    Nov. 17 — Pompano Beach, FL @ Pompano Beach Amphitheater
    Nov. 18  — St. Augustine, FL @ The St. Augustine Amphitheatre
    Nov. 20 — St. Petersburg, FL @ Mahaffey Theater

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KbKd7ni7ik

  • WAMC’s Wanda Fischer to Celebrate Four Decades of “The Hudson River Sampler” at The Linda

    On September 18, 1982, WAMC debuted “The Hudson River Sampler” on Saturday nights. Hosted by Wanda Fischer, the show featured folk and acoustic music from 8-10 PM. Now, after four decades, the show is still running, and with the same host. 

    wanda fischer

    To mark the occasion, on Saturday, October 8, The Linda – WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, will host a show to celebrate the occasion, featuring several prominent national and local folk music acts, including Anne Hills, Reggie Harris, Christine Lavin, Sawyer Fredericks, John Kirk and Trish Miller.

    The Linda is pleased to welcome the artists who will be here on October 8. These performers present a cross section of the music Wanda plays every week. This will be a special night.

    Peter Hughes, The Linda

    With a background that goes back many years, Fischer has been involved in this type of music since her father introduced her to it as a child. She’s also been a singer herself, having appeared at coffeehouses in the Boston area in the 1960s and ‘70s and has recorded an album titled Singing Along with the Radio. She and her husband Bill relocated to the Capital District in 1979. She held full-time jobs in the region while doing “The Hudson River Sampler” on Saturdays until her retirement from full-time work in 2014. During lockdown from the pandemic, she did her show live from the WAMC studio. 

    Fischer has been a volunteer on several boards of directors in the region, including Old Songs, Caffe Lena and the Eighth Step. She’s also a volunteer reader for the Reading is Fun program in the Schenectady City Schools and has published a novel and several short stories. A competitive local tennis player, she’s served as the captain of a United States Tennis Association team since 1988. 

    Additionally, the show will be broadcast live during The “Hudson River Sampler’s” normal time slot of 8-10 PM on WAMC’s network and streaming on wamc.org.

    Tickets for Wanda Fischer 40th Anniversary Live! Hudson River Sampler live at The Linda: WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio are $25 and on sale now through thelinda.org.

  • Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn and Sarah Jarosz to Perform at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

    The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall will welcome Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn & Sarah Jarosz: Together in Concert, on February 22, 2023. Coming together for this special evening, this is one show you don’t want to miss.

    Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn and Sarah Jarosz to Perform at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

    A singular and enduring talent, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin’s songs like “Sunny Came Home” are slow-release works of craft and catharsis that become treasured, lifetime companions for their listeners. 

    After winning a Grammy for his soulful ballad “Walking in Memphis,” Marc Cohn solidified his place as one of this generation’s most compelling singer-songwriters, combining the precision of a brilliant tunesmith with the passion of a great soul man.

    Though just barely in her thirties, Texas native Sarah Jarosz has compiled a remarkable career, winning four Grammy Awards in both the Americana and Folk categories.

    Tickets are on sale now at troymusichall.org.   

  • Caroline Shaw & Sō Percussion to Perform at Skidmore College

    Skidmore College and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center have announced a concert with violinist Caroline Shaw and NYC quartet Sō Percussion at the school’s Tang Teaching Museum.

    Slated for Friday, September 23 at 7:30 pm, the free-to-the-public show will feature Shaw and the group performing their 2021 collaborative album, Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part. This record marks Shaw’s debut, a Pulitzer Prize winning instrumentalist, singer, and composer. The concert stamps a return to the Tang for the Grammy-winning Sō Percussion, who performed at the Museum in 2014.

    Caroline shaw
    Left to right: Eric Cha-Beach & Jason Treuting of Sō Percussion, Caroline Shaw, Josh Quillen & Adam Sliwinski of Sō Percussion.

    Shaw, along with winning the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Music, has won three Grammy awards in addition to receiving an honorary doctorate from Yale and a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. She’s worked with artists such as Rosalia, Yo-Yo Ma, and Kanye West and has contributed music to movies such as Bombshell and TV shows such as Beyonce’s Homecoming.

    Sō Percussion, having formed in 1999, has over 20 albums to their name in addition to collaboration with artists such as The Dirty Projectors along with score performance for works such as HBO’s The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, a 2015 documentary mini-series.

    Additional information regarding the event and more can be found on the Tang’s website.

  • 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.