Brooklyn-based band Le Big Zero released their third single, “Coda,” off the anticipated album A Proper Mess that is set for release on April 8, 2022.
The forthcoming album is filled with a high-energy cocktail of garage rock and off-kilter punk. Le Big Zero’s previous album was released back in 2019 called Ollie Oxen Free. Since the prior album, Michael Pasuit and Carolina Aguilar the vocalists of the band continued to explore the humorous energy of monotony and anxiety in the modern age for the new album.
The new album gives the outlook of uncertainty of a messy love-letter and the ability to just keep moving forward. The third single, “Coda” comes from the story of Michael Pasuit’s previous band, X-Ray Press’s discarded track with correspondence to band breakups such as Fleetwood Mac, the Clash, or Oasis.
With “Coda” we were looking to create a live band concept that didn’t take place in a traditional venue and had a bit of a playful vibe. The creative process for the video was pretty collaborative with Michael and I sharing ideas back and forth before landing on the final concept of Le Big Zero playing their hearts out for an underwhelmed kid.
-Jeanette D Moses (Music Video Director)
Le Big Zero’s second album is a blend of ’90s garage rock with a twist of poppy structures. The band was originally founded by Michael Pasuit (vocalist and guitarist) and later Carolina Aguilar joined him an additional vocalist.
Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, the band began recording the new album. The tracks on the album are paired together, fo example the first two singles that have been released “Horror Movie Pie Fight” and “Beach Seance” both give a sense of absurdity and abstraction. The uniqueness of the album, “A Proper Mess” offers an edge that can’t be broken down.
Brooklyn native, Darro, has returned with his newest single ‘Phoning In’. The pop punk track features artist Michael Meaney.
Produced by Kris Crummett, who has also worked with artists like Dance Gavin Dance and Sleeping With Sirens, ‘Phoning In’ embodies the anxiety of an ending relationship. Darro brings his personal experiences into the writing process, but still allows Michael Meaney to incorporate his own technique.
By incorporating early 2000’s inspired pop punk with electric instrumentals, this relatable single is the perfect addition to your breakup playlist. The deep Paramore influence brings listeners back to their most juvenile breakup to reminisce on the final moments of an ill-fated relationship.
Darro’s 2020 album, Song of Recovery, has received praise and critical acclaim from the likes of Billboard and Medium, as well as ranking #11 on the iTunes Rock Album chart.
Fans can expect Darro’s next album, Accidents, to drop this coming Fall. He will also be going on tour this July and fans can keep up with all his activities here.
Tampa, Florida natives and metal-core innovators, Underoath, stopped at Brooklyn Steel on St. Patrick’s Day as part of their Voyeurist North America Tour. Voyeurist, Underoath’s ninth LP and second from Fearless Records, showed the band staying true to the hardcore/screamo sound they helped fashion in the early aughts, while also modernizing the production and adding electronic and futuristic elements. The band refers to this enhanced sound as “high-def violence” and are in peak form on this tour.
Underoath at Brooklyn Steel, 3/17/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Underoath brought some new and long time favorite heavyweights to Brooklyn Steel to fill out an incredible hardcore quadruple bill. Long Island natives, Stray from the Path, opened the show, playing songs from a nearly 20-year catalog including their 2019 LP, Internal Atomics. Next up was Richmond, Virginia band, Bad Omens, who recently released their third LP, The Death Of Peace Of Mind, this past February on Sumerian Records. The penultimate performers were the incredibly exciting, Spiritbox, who released their debut LP, Eternal Blue, last September. Featuring vocalist Courtney LaPlante and her husband Mike Stringer on guitar, the band creates the perfect blend of etherial and melodic post-rock with crushing waves of heavy screaming hardcore. LaPlante stretches the vocal range with stunning beauty on the live stage.
Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox. Photo by Buscar Photo
Underoath were thought to be permanently retired after their farewell tour in 2013. Founding drummer and clean vocalist Aaron Gillespie had left the band in 2010 and the remaining members went on to release a record without him, 2010s â (Disambiguation). Gillespie ended up performing with the band on the last show of the farewell tour in Florida in January, 2013 but the band seemed finished at the time. A few years later, they returned with Gillespie in the lineup and have since released two records, including Voyeurist, which has instantly become a staple in the band’s catalog.
Underoath at Brooklyn Steel, 3/17/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
The show at Brooklyn Steel was Underoath’s first time playing in New York since August, 2019 when the band played in Saratoga and Wantagh with Korn and Alice In Chains. The Voyeurist Tour is nearly complete as they are set to close the run with two hometown shows in Florida on March 26th and 27th. Find the remaining show details on the band’s website. Spiritbox on the other hand have gained so much momentum with this new album that their tour schedule is just beginning. After these shows with Underoath, they have numerous festival appearances and a European tour stretching throughout the summer. Head over to their website for the full dates and see our photo galleries from Underoath and Spiritbox below.
Critically acclaimed rap group, Cypress Hill, has a busy year ahead of them, not only having just released their tenth studio album, Back In Black, but a new video for album highlight “Certified” and months of touring ahead.
Cypress Hill is a rap group from South Gate, California that have been active since the late 1980’s. They have paved the way for the rappers that followed, especially considering their desire to use Spanish lyrics in songs. This group stood their ground during a time when rappers had trouble getting booked to perform live. Cypress Hill shifted the culture of the music industry and for that their accomplishments did not go unnoticed. In fact, they earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, sold more than 9 million albums, and were nominated for three Grammy Awards.
Considering, Back In Black is their first full-length album since Elephants on Acid in 2018, Cypress Hill had to adapt to today’s culture and were pushed creatively as artists. Their newest work has reconnected the group with Black Milk (Slum Village, Lloyd Banks, Pharoahe Monch), who produced the entire album.
Within Back In Black, the group raps about cannabis but in an educational way. Knowing the impact it has had on people of color, as well as where it stands with the federal government, Cypress Hill believes it is a significant conversation to have and what better way for them to vocalize that than through their lyrics.
We can talk about smoking, but there’s still a lot of people out there that need to be educated. As the scene has progressed and evolved into what it is now, there still are some road bumps out there. It’s not federally legal across the United States. It’s legal here in California and other states, but we still face a lot of obstacles in terms of the federal government. A lot of us are pushing to finally get it recognized federally. There’s still a whole lot of work to be done, so we just keep pushing along.
B-Real
Furthermore, their video for “Certified” was directed by Tillavision, who have a great reputation for creating 3D, augmented reality and virtual reality content for well-known artists such as Swae Lee, Pop Smoke, JuiceWRLD and Young Dolph.
However, Cypress Hill’s agenda for 2022 does not end there. The rap group has plans to embark on a massive slate of touring including performances at Slipknot’s Knotfest Roadshow 2022.
With the visionary photographer and director Estevan Oriol, Cypress Hill has developed a documentary titled Insane In The Brain: Cypress Hill. It will debut as part of Showtime’s HIP HOP 50 banner on April 20 at 8pm ET/PT. This film will take viewers on a cannabis filled journey of the lives of the rap group, highlighting their relevancy for 30 years, unique sounds, and genre-shifting sonic tapestry. With never before seen footage, Insane In The Brain: Cypress Hill, will most importantly reflect the group’s everlasting brotherhood.
Tickets and VIP Packages for Cypress Hill’s tour are now available. For more information visit the Cypress Hill website.
CYPRESS HILL LIVE 2022 3/18 – Kings Of The West – Rio Rancho, NM %
With Spring just around the corner, Green-Wood Cemetery launches its spring and summer calendar with a dynamic array of tours, exhibitions, and concerts. From Concerts in the Catacombs to fascinating history tours, this unique venue will present an array of events coming up.
The Green-Wood Cemetery New Spring and Summer Events
Established in 1838, The Green-Wood Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark, is recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful cemeteries. The Green-Wood Cemetery located in Brooklyn is constantly transforming the urban green space. Being much more than a cemetery, serving as a unique venue for a wide range of fascinating programs.
The Green-Wood Cemetery New Spring and Summer Events
Visitors can ride along on the trolley to Discover Green-Woodevery Saturday. Or, for those who prefer to walk, walking tours provide connoisseurs of all sorts an opportunity to indulge: Early-morning Birding, Great Trees, Green-Wood at Night, and many more.
Green-Wood Cemetery at Night
Visitors can also attend a diverse line-up of arts and cultural programs—performances and exhibitions drawing on the Cemetery’s history and landscape for inspiration. Green-Wood is also an outdoor museum, an arboretum, and a repository of history.
“Events, concerts, and installations highlight the beauty and history of the Cemetery, with artists and performers engaging the site in dynamic never before seen ways.”
– Harry Weil
Secret Mausoleum Music Club
Among The Highlights of the Season Are:
Hanami Festival:(Wednesday, April 20th) Translated from the Japanese as “flower viewing,” the Hanami festival celebrates the spring season with music and entertainment set among Green-Wood’s extensive collection of flowering trees as they come into full bloom.
A Day in the Life of a Mortuary Science Student: (Thursday, March 31st) Hear from mortuary science students and graduates as a part of Green-Wood’s “A Day in the Life” series, which brings together those in the death-care field for lively conversations on the intricacies of their trade and to answer your questions about end-of-life care.
A Night at Niblo’s Garden: (Thursday and Friday, July 28th and 29th) A Victorian extravaganza like none other! Set around beautiful Crescent Water this evening features a dazzling array of nineteenth-century showmanship under the starry summer skies. Bring a blanket and a picnic!
Concerts in the Catacombs: (April–September, various dates) Curated by acclaimed composer, Broadway star, and vocalist Gelsey Bell, this series features a diverse range of musicians—including Palestinian Kanun (Mediterranean Zither) player and composer Firas Zreik and electro-acoustic composer and improviser Zeena Parkins—in a space rarely open to the public.
Gardens as Cosmic Terrains, an art installation by Heidi Lau: (May 7th–June 26th; open Saturday & Sundays) Heidi Lau, Green-Wood’s first-ever artist in residence, will present the sculptures she created during her residency at the Cemetery. These were created specially for the Cemetery’s Catacombs.
Memorial Day Concert: (Monday, May 30th) After a two-year hiatus, Green-Wood’s annual Memorial Day concert is back to kick off the summer. Bring a picnic, sit back, and enjoy the music by composers who are interred at Green-Wood, including Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson, selections from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, and many more, plus patriotic favorites of course. Fred Ebb, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Leonard Bernstein, and others.
Revolutionary Spirits: (Saturdays, April 9th, May 14th, and June 11th) This special event in partnership with Fort Hamilton Distillery kicks off with a trolley tour of the Cemetery to discover the Who’s Who of the Revolutionary War and the distillers who made their mark on the young Republic, followed by a whiskey tasting in Industry City.
Gay Green-Wood:(May 15th) A themed trolley tour highlighting important LGBTQ+ figures including “It’s Raining Men” co-writer, Paul Jabara; sculptor of Bethesda Fountain, Emma Stebbins; activists and founders of the Hetrick Martin Institute, Drs. Emery Hetrick and Damien Martin, among others.
These latest events are for everyone and provide family-friendly activities. All can be found on Green-Wood’s website at www.green-wood.com/calendar and many are either free or reasonably priced.
Revered reggae band, Easy Star All Stars, has announced their Spring 2022 tour, with stops in Brooklyn and Philadelphia. Their Brooklyn show will be their first 4/20 show in the borough since 2015.
After taking a break from touring due to the pandemic, Easy Star All Stars is welcoming fans back with their favorite tracks, as well as some new material. The group will be performing full versions of their best selling album, Dub Side of the Moon, along with songs from Radiodread, Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Club and Easy Star’s Trillah.
Special guests Jah People, The Far East and SunDub will add their own twists to the shows as they perform fan favorites like ‘Take Your Time’, ‘Magic Moments’ and ‘Close To Me’.
Easy Star Allstars – Rock N Roll Resort
Fans will also be happy to hear that the group has been working on their next tribute album, although it’s currently unknown which classic album has caught their attention. This latest release will be their first album since 2012.
And then there were four…. Welcome to the Final Four of NYS Music’s March Madness 2022, featuring up and coming bands from around New York State, all coming to a local music venue near you.
Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness friendly competition that spans all the musical harbors of the Empire State. As fans and musicians, the NYS Music team aims to spotlight the great talent found across New York in a friendly contest, bringing broader attention to the next generation of artists and bands on the rise. March Madness 2022 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 4 here.
Enter your email address, get to know the bands, and vote for your favorites below!
Fine Grain, a shoegazy punk band from Albany took both the red and blue pills with a Genny and got banned from Trader Joe’s. The girthy tones of this gritty group will remind you of late nights on a stoop in September, your first beer after work, weird questions about your parents cephalopods, and of course, the crushing weight of capitalism.
Fine Grain is currently in the studio at Brunswick Recording, working on new music, and have been incorporating visual projections that sync up to their music, intensifying the experience for fans.
Gooseberry is a 4-piece band from Brooklyn, born during the Fall of 2019. Their combination of indie rock and soul is a recipe for a unique sound that Gooseberry delivers in each song. The band consists of Asa Daniels (formerly of Baked Goods) on guitar/vocals, Evin Rossington (drums), Sam Rappaport (keys, vocals), and Will Hammond (bass). The band is a genre-bending alchemy of many disparate elements. They are often referred to as having “two bands in one.” This phenomenon can be attributed to the distinctly different approaches of their two chief songwriters—Asa and Sam.
New on the block, Gooseberry has already begun developing a devoted following in and around New York City, running the full gamut of venues from The Bowery Electric to DROM to house shows across the boroughs, quickly staking their claim in the ever-lively Brooklyn music scene. Fans know they’ll be kept on their toes, as the band moves in and out of genres and styles, always keeping the crowd engaged. Upcoming shows include Thursday, March 24 with Grady Spencer & The Work at Hill Country in NYC, then at Bowery Electric on April 14 and at The Knitting Factory on May 21.
Seize Atlantis has a unique, tight sound fueled by punchy bass, hard-driving percussion, melodic lead guitar, and pronounced moody vocals with meaningful lyrics, a truly dynamic range of soft to heavy Alternative Rock. Formed in 2019 out of Glens Falls, Seize Atlantis is a four-piece band most closely influenced by bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, providing their own spin on a variety of covers from classic rock to modern pop in addition to their own original music.
Catch them on Friday, March 18 at Mean Max Brew Works in Glens Falls, April 10 at Fitzgerald’s in Fort Edward, and on April 22 at Empire Underground with Under the Den, Bad Mothers, and Sydney Worthley. Watch “The Unstoppable Groove” below.
The Helping Friendly Hemp Company Region Winner HANZOLO
HANZOLO won the EQX Battle of the Bands and opened Albany’s annual Pearlpalooza music festival in 2021. They have opened for bands like Lawrence, Wild Belle, and *repeat repeat. The boys released their first album Table Butter in 2019 and followed it up with their second, HANZOLO, in the fall of 2021. Hanzolo’s music has been compared to Table Butter: soft enough to spread yet hard enough to keep its shape.
Upcoming HANZOLO shows include April 8 at Madison Theater in Albany, April 14 at Pauly’s Hotel, April 24 at The Range in Ithaca and April 27 at Lark Hall.
Voting for the Final 4 has closed. Stay tuned for Championship Round starting on Saturday March 26 at 10am, ending Sunday, March 27 at 11:59pm!
NYS Music has partnered with businesses across New York State to highlight these 64 up and coming bands. Regional sponsors include Funk n Waffles, a premiere music venue in Syracuse established in 2007 with a unique take on the culinary and entertainment industries, offering a wide variety of gourmet waffles and breakfast food, as well as offering live music every night! Bearsville Theater in Woodstock is where Americana was born – where Dylan took folk music and married it to Rock & Roll. where folk went electric, and where Janis took a breath and recuperated, before launching her hurricane energy and heart stopping songs out into the world. Renovated in 2019-2020, Bearsville Theater has an impressive calendar of shows for Hudson Valley music lovers.
DSP Showsbased in Ithaca, NY and Northampton, MA, is one of the leading independent concert promoters in America, with shows at venues including State Theatre of Ithaca, Hangar Theatre, The Haunt, Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, Brewery Ommegang, Asbury Hall, The 9th Ward at Babeville, and Daryl’s House among others. The Helping Friendly Hemp Companyoffers a wide variety of industry leading products including tinctures, soft chews, and hemp flower, using only USA grown hemp extract.
The winners of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2022 include Mirth Filmsfrom Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at The Palace Theatre in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.
The XPerience Monthly is the greater Capital Region’s alt-monthly newspaper, bringing independent music and thought provoking articles to the area. The XPerience Monthly will feature the winning band in a newspaper profile and interview this summer.
There won’t be any half-stepping from legendary MC, Big Daddy Kane, as he is set to perform while aboard the Antiguan shores. Hosted by travel association, The Ultimate Soul Escape, the storied hip hop veteran will see himself, beatboxing pioneer Greg Nice of Nice & Smooth, as well as comedian Majah Hype — known as the King of Caribbean Comedy – in the ultimate mixture of business and pleasure.
Set for July 21-25, The five-day cruise/excursion will see the performers and attendees alike enjoy live musical performances, comedy concerts, music jamborees, and beach parties that will be held throughout the tropical island of Antigua. The event is expected to bring revelers to Antigua and contribute an estimated $10 million to the local economy.
Big Daddy Kane began his career as a member of the fabled Juice Crew and is considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MCs in hip hop. Known for his advancement of hip hop lyricism and multi-syllabic rhyming, Kane has been an inspiration for many historic rappers that have come behind him. His proteges include the likes of Jay – Z, whom Kane mentored and took on tour during the late 1980’s, exposing him to a much greater audience.
The Ultimate Soul Escape is a travel association that brings together professionals, event planners, promoters, entrepreneurs, and friends. Up to 400 people from around the country travel to exotic destinations such as St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Aruba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and St. Maarten, to expand their networks, socialize, and have fun.
It is always an honor to work with Ultimate Soul Escape. The professionalism of their staff and the 5-star quality of services, visually energizes their guests. It is such a worthwhile travel experience!
Big Daddy Kane
Ticketing information and further announcements on Antigua Takeover 2022 can be found here.
The ultimate soul escape is the ultimate escape for Grown folks to congregate. You can wine and dine maybe even meet a new playmate. The hospitality is straighter than straight so get your tickets now because you don’t want to miss this date July 21st-25th Greg Nice Approved!
British indie rock sensation Wet Leg played to a sold out audience at Brooklyn Steel on Thursday (March 10, 2022) with support from Lowertown. Originally scheduled for Music Hall of Williamsburg, the band was forced to change to a larger venue when the show sold out almost immediately. Their meteoric rise in popularity came through their viral hit “Chaise Lounge” released in 2021, which garnered millions of views (and sparked endless memes).
The Atlanta based alternative duo Lowertown opened the evening with an animated and hard hitting set. They whipped the crowd into a frenzy leading up to Wet Leg’s set, and despite this being Lowertown’s first time on tour, they were a highlight in an action packed evening.
With their debut album still on the way, Wet Leg played several unreleased tracks during their nonstop set, as well as crowd favorites “On No,” “Wet Dream,” “Angelica,” and their breakout hit “Chaise Longue.” Throughout the set frontwomen Rhian and Hester interacted with the crowd and each other with genuine charisma and charm. The band played straight through with no encore, ending on their viral hit, “Chaise Longue.” This sold out show of 1800 people marks their biggest North American show to date.
Venice Beach rock duo, Movie Club, will be honoring Frank Zappa’s legendary residency with a three-day residency of their own in Brooklyn. The tribute to Zappa will run from March 23rd to March 25th.
PC : Nick Cuneo
Frank Zappa’s month-long residency came about following an unsuccessful stint within the West Coast music scene. After getting in contact with Garrick Theatre in NYC, Zappa set up a month-long residency, starting March 23rd, 1967 which would eventually turn into a piece of musical history. His residency featured spontaneous performance from his band, The Mothers of Invention, as well as visits from other musicians including Jimi Hendrix.
Zappa’s residency lives on in memory due to its purely creative and bizarre nature. During performances, the band would improvise their acts and pull people from the crowd to come on stage. These one-of-a-kind nights are exactly what Movie Club aim to bring to life within their own performances at the all inclusive, queer owned venue, C’mon Everybody in Crown Heights.
PC : Nick Cuneo
The duo, consisting of guitarist Vince Cuneo and drummer Jessamyn Violet, will be performing for three nights, with musical guests ranging from rappers, to drag queens. Guitarist Vince Cuneo says that “The goal of these shows is collaboration and to make each night a one-of-a-kind experience for both the audience and the artists on stage”
Tickets, as well as more information, are available here.
