NYS Music 202​2

Category: Brooklyn

  • The Strokes Revival Changed Early 2000’s Alternative

    The Strokes are an alternative rock band from New York City, often credited with influencing the revival of 1960s-style rock in the early 21st century. The band was formed in 1998 and was arranged by singer Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fabrizio Moretti. 

    How The Strokes became “The Strokes“

    Eventually, after playing in clubs throughout New York’s Lower East side, the Stokes revival began to make a name for themselves. For instance, The Strokes sold out shows such as The Capitol Theater. But why are the Strokes called The Strokes in the first place?

    The band’s bassist, Nikolai, revealed to NME, “We had a running joke that every time we met up, we had to have a certain number of names. Some were horrible. One day Julian said, ‘How about The Strokes?’ And it was the one name we all didn’t disagree on.” 

    Although The Strokes were becoming very popular in NYC, Albert Hammond Jr is the most business-like out of the band’s members. In the early days, he booked shows and harassed record executives claiming to be the band’s manager, and using the fictitious name, Paul Spencer. 

    While Tom Petty, The Ramones, Blondie, and Television have had a heavy influence on their early sound, The Stroke’s music has inspired numerous artists and created a distinct 2000s alternative sound.

    Bands such as The Killers, Artic Monkeys, The Kooks, MGMT, and more became inspired by their sound and broadened the alternative genre. Along with the White Stripes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes revival helped shape the sound and look of alternative rock in the 2000s. 

    “Is This It” and It’s Aesthetic

    In the 2000s, The Strokes’ unique sound sparked a revival of alternative rock within New York City. Primarily, their recording of “This Is It” has influenced younger teens to have a “late 90s grunge aesthetic.”

    Along with this, frontman Julian Casablancas embodied this look. The aesthetic consisted of using the social media staple Tumblr, worn leather jackets, tattered denim, and cigarettes.

    The Breakup of The Strokes

    The Strokes were big throughout the early 2000s, but over time began to lose their spotlight. The band members began to lose their harmony and took a break from performing together, some took their own ways and started other projects. 

    After some time apart, the band came back together and released their newest album “The New Abnormal” which has been a huge hit with all the millennials.  

    The era of “The New Abnormal” and its Fame

    The Strokes’ newest album, “The New Abnormal,” is a huge hit today. For instance, the song “The Adults Are Talking” is currently trending on social media like TikTok, inspiring kids across the new generation. The album was released on April 10th, 2020, and is their first album in seven years. It’s not every day that a band can come back strong, but using their signature sound and melodies, they have become popularized once again.  

  • Marco Benevento Announces New Tour Dates With Stop in Brooklyn This Fall

    Multi-instrumentalist Marco Benevento has announced additional tour dates to his upcoming fall tour including a stop at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn this November. The run is in support of the artist’s recent studio album released this June titled, Benevento.

    Based in Hudson Valley, Benevento begins his tour on Sept. 3 in Portland, Maine, at the Ghostland Festival before closing out in Holyoke, Massachusetts, at Race Street Live on Nov. 19. The newly added dates and Brooklyn stop will bring the artist back to the place where he was a resident for almost 20 years.

    Benevento recorded his recent album in the middle of the pandemic at his home studio in Hudson Valley. His solo jam sessions spurred inspiration as did the ability to experiment with instruments and equipment that had been unused for some time. While most of the record was solely Benevento, his wife and daughter contributed to the album as vocalists.

    Benevento looks out in the cover of his new album

    The album was released with rave reviews from listeners. The 11-track album includes elements of lo-fi dance jams, psychedelic, and West-African groove, and is a 40-minute record of creative experimentation.

    For the complete tour schedule of the upcoming shows, see below. Tickets are on sale now and available on the artist’s website, here.

    Marco Benevento Tour Dates

    9/3 – Portland, ME – Ghostland Festival

    10/7 – Pembroke, MA – Soundcheck Studios

    10/11 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriett’s

    10/12 – San Diego, CA – Casbah

    10/13 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom

    10/14 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall

    10/15 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel

    10/16 – Sonoma, CA – Sebastiani Theatre

    10/19 – Eugene, OR – Sessions Music Hall

    10/20 – Bend, OR – Volcanic

    10/21 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir

    10/22 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir

    10/23 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s

    11/17 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg

    11/18 – New Haven, CT – Space Ballroom

    11/19 – Holyoke, MA – Race Street Live

  • BSF Takeover At The Closing Knitting Factory

    The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn will be closing its doors at the end of this month. Benny The Butcher’s Black Soprano Family played one of the final shows at the venue on Aug. 15. In a statement posted to Instagram, the venue’s management wrote “it is time for the Knit to (once again) reinvent itself.” The last show will be on Aug. 21.

    BSF at the closing Knitting Factory

    The Black Soprano Family (BSF) consists of Heem, Rick Hyde, El Camino, Loveboat Luciano, Fuego Base, and founder Benny The Butcher. The collective has been gaining a lot of momentum lately. Benny had released Tana Talk 4 back in March which included one of the best hip hop songs of the year, “Johnny P’s Caddy” featuring J. Cole and produced by Alchemist. On Sept. 9, Benny and the BSF crew are releasing Long Live DJ Shay, a tribute to their mentor and collaborator who died of Covid-19 in August of last year. The first single from that project is a song produced by DJ Premier called “Times is Rough.”

    Their show at the packed Knitting Factory on Monday night was full of energy and emotion. Benny opened with 3 songs from his solo work including “Raw,” “97 Hov,” and “Survivor’s Remorse.” After that each BSF member had a chance to shine. Rick Hyde got into a track from his debut album called “Pandemic Flow” before he and Heem traded verses on “Da Mob” and “It’s Over” off the Respected Sopranos album. Then Rome Streetz made an appearance to perform “Poza” and “Peri Peri.”

    Next Loveboat Luciano stepped up to perform “Grams In Da Water,” “Lovey,” and “Parole.” Fuego Base got to show off his skills on three of his tracks “First Day Out,” “9.37,” and “Narcan.” Then newest BSF member El Camino came out to perform “India” with Benny and “Josh Allen” off his collaboration album with Chase Fetti titled Bethlehem.

    Next Benny brought out the “first lady” of Griselda, Armani Cesar. She performed “Drill A Rama” and Mac 10s for Everybody” off her album The Liz. Armani is releasing the sequel to this album titled The Liz 2 on Sept. 2. Stove God Cooks also made a quick appearance to perform “Back 2X ” with Benny. The show ended with a few more Benny songs including “Legend” from his Burden of Proof album produced entirely by HItboy, “5 to 50” and “Johnny P’s Caddy.”

    BSF Knitting Factory Setlist: Rubber Bands and Weight, 97 Hov, Survivor’s Remorse, Pandemic FLow, Da Mob, It’s Over, Poza, Peri Peri, 430, The Realest, Fell In Love With the Streets, Grams in Da Water, Lovey, Parole, Shine, Madonna, Wins & Losses, First Day Out, 9.37, Josh Allen, Money Feel Better, Drill A Rama, Mac 10’s Sunday School, Back 2X, Times is Rough, 18 Wheeler, Legend, One Way Flight, 5 to 50, Johnny P’s Caddy

  • Ghost Light Announces New Album ‘The Healing’ With New Song And Tour

    Ghost Light has announced their sophomore studio album The Healing, which will release on October 7 via Royal Potato Family with the new song “Take Some Time” and an accompanying tour. The Healing Tour will visit Brooklyn on October 14 and Albany on October 21.

    Ghost Light. The Healing Tour. (L-R): Scotty Zwang (drums)  Raina Mullen (guitar, vocals), Tom Hamilton (guitar, vocals), 
    Holly Bowling (piano), Photo: David Veltri

    Ghost Light is a five-piece American jam band formed in 2017 which consists of Scotty Zwang (drums) Raina Mullen (guitar, vocals), Tom Hamilton (guitar, vocals), and Holly Bowling (piano).

    “The story is less the fallout as it is the recovery. Sticking with it. Staying the course in the face of adversity, uncomfortable conversations or situations. The path to health and healing is often not the path of least resistance but the path of perseverance and doing the work.”

    Tom Hamilton

    Their new song “Take Some Time” is a syncopated synth-heavy indie-rock song following the release of “Don’t Say Goodnight Just Yet.” It contains an earworm of a chorus with a nasty bass line and sparkling guitar solos perfect for a top-down end of summer road trip. The music video is also available on their official website.

    Ghost Light will kick off The Healing Tour on October 6 and will play through the Midwest and East Coast and will back out west before their last stop in Los Angeles on December 16.

    THE HEALING TOUR

    OCT 6 @ TURF CLUB | ST. PAUL, MN

    OCT 7 @ BACK ROOM AT COLECTIVO | MILWAUKEE, WI

    OCT 8 @ PARK WEST | CHICAGO, IL

    OCT 9 @ MAGIC BAG | FERNDALE, MI

    OCT 12 @ THE WAREHOUSE | FAIRFIELD, CT

    OCT 14 @ BROOKLYN BOWL | BROOKLYN, NY

    OCT 15 @ BROOKLYN BOWL PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA

    OCT 16 @ THUNDERBIRD MUSIC HALL | PITTSBURGH, PA

    OCT 20 @ BANK OF NEW HAMPSHIRE STAGE | CONCORD, NH

    OCT 21 @ LARK HALL | ALBANY, NY

    OCT 22 @ XL LIVE | HARRISBURG, PA

    OCT 23 @ THE HAMILTON LIVE | WASHINGTON, DC

    DEC 8 @ WILD BUFFALO | BELLINGHAM, WA

    DEC 9 @ NECTAR LOUNGE |SEATTLE, WA

    DEC 10 @ REVOLUTION HALL | PORTLAND, OR

    DEC 11 @ WOW HALL | EUGENE, OR

    DEC 14 @ HARLOW’S NIGHT CLUB | SACRAMENTO, CA

    DEC 15 @ THE INDEPENDENT | SAN FRANCISCO, CA

    DEC 16 @ TERAGRAM BALLROOM | LOS ANGELES, CA

  • Brooklyn’s Industry City Concert Series Heats Up

    Brooklyn’s Industry City has just outlined its Hometown Bar-B-Que 2022 Concert Series at the Industry City Bandshell, in South Brooklyn. The diverse mix of culture and local businesses within Industry City is as authentic of a New York experience as it gets. “No visit to Industry City is ever the same” is a popular saying about the venue.

    Industry City Concert Series

    The concert series began on July 21, with a performance by rock n’ roll group Lizzie and the Makers during the venue’s Sunset Happy Hour. The series continued on July 29, when the signature sound of Club d’Elf took the stage.

    On August 13, Industry City welcomed a collective of New York City’s top musicians including Murderers’ Row. The band performed a tribute to some of the world’s best artists and albums.  

    The fun continued the next night on August 14, at 6 P.M. ET, when DJ Logic and Friends ascended upon the Brooklyn venue to deliver a one-of-a-kind super jam. Friends like Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin and Wood), James Casey, Natalie Cressman and Jennifer Hartwick (Trey Anastasio Band’s horn section), Jamie Shields, Dan Kurtz (The New Deal) and Ross Bellenoit (Muscle Tough) were all featured. 

    The penultimate event will take place on Sunday, August, 18 at 7 p.m. ET, with a performance from Levon Helm Studios’ Midnight Ramble Band, as Helm’s legendary songbook graces the Industry City stage. The final show will happen on September, 24 when Flight 467 and Summerfeet each deliver a 90-minute set of ’70s-infused jazz-rock and jammed-out yacht rock.  

    Although it will come to an end, Industry City is planning to add more events through Halloween. You won’t want to miss any upcoming events at this intimate yet wide-open outdoor South Brooklyn space.

    For additional information and to purchase tickets for Industry City’s summer concert series, visit the link here.

  • Glass Animals Brings The Euphoric Dreamland To Brooklyn Mirage

    The evening of August 9 will certainly be one for the books as hundreds of fans wait eagerly to enter Glass Animals’ Dreamland. The Brooklyn Mirage is known for hosting big events but nothing compared to what the Glass Animals put on.

    glass animals

    Glass Animals have come a long way since forming in Oxford in 2010 by childhood friends Dave Bayley, Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer, and Drew MacFarlane. In their live shows, they play re-worked, dance-heavy versions of their songs. Their song “Heat Waves” reached number one in Australia in February 2021 and was voted number one on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020. The song surpassed one billion streams on Spotify and eventually reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 and five on the UK Singles Chart. Recently, they received their first Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

    To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of their album, Dreamland.IRL, the band brought a one-of-a-kind celebration to Brooklyn Mirage. Dreamland is the album that brought us the global smash hit “Heat Waves.” The band now has over 5 billion global streams and 38 million monthly listeners, but it’s live events where Glass Animals come alive.

    As soon as guests entered the venue one can immediately tell this show would be like none other. Decorations, electronic displays, and a Pac-man game room were all part of the band’s numerous activations. As the band’s set time approached all patience was lost when the stage brought out pineapples. Fans have started bringing them to gigs and even dressing as them at shows – due to the lyric, “pineapples in my head” from the song “Pork Soda”. The detail and precision that went into the show’s visual displays were nothing short of astonishing.

    The band performed most of their set off their album Dreamland.IRL but also included fan favorites including “Life Itself” & “Youth”. As the sun set and night approached, fans refused to lower their energy level. Demanding 1 more song after the band wrapped up, Glass Animals couldn’t resist performing the staple song “Heat Waves”. Unfortunately, the band mentioned they won’t be in America for a while but the good news is they do not plan to slow down with live shows. Heading overseas, the band looks forward to several festivals including Mad Cool Sunset headlined by Rage Against The Machine.

    Setlist: Dreamland, Life Itself, Tangerine, Black Mambo/ Hot Sugar, The Other Side of Paradise, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Waterfalls Coming Out Your Mouth, It’s All So Incredibly Loud, Your Love (Deja Vu), I Don’t Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance), Youth, Helium, Gooey, Pork Soda

    Encore: Tokyo Drifting, Heat Waves

    glass animals

  • Brooklyn-based zannie Releases Hopeful ‘get that star’ Ahead of Debut Album

    Zannie Owens, a Brooklyn-based artist, has released their title track “get that star” ahead of their upcoming debut album, out Aug. 19 via Kill Rock Stars. Under the moniker, zannie, the artist has crafted a space-inspired single with a captivating music video to accompany it. 

    zannie crafted their new single based on the inspiration from the Voyager One Golden Record which Carl Sagan and Lynn Margulis sent into outer space in 1977. The Brooklyn singer-songwriter lyrically explores an alien who is trying to return home, and intertwines that story with a message of hope about human connection.

    With warm guitars, layered vocals, and whimsical instrumentation, “get that star” carries over hard-hitting but hopeful truths and lyrics of the human experience. zannie’s beginning vocals and dictation slowly draw you in before the melody takes off as the song builds. Despite being recorded in zannie’s bedroom, the video’s unique lighting effects, and focus on zannie, transform listeners into another space as they ponder over the song’s message.

    The single is just a glimpse at what may be to come off of zannie’s upcoming album, How Do I Get That Star. Written over the course of four years, zannie explores the unknown, the mystical, and more. During the process, they listened to artists such as Judee Still and Prince, and the album reflects some of those inspirations.

    If the single is any hint for what is to come on How Do I Get That Star, then listeners are in for some great new music to add to playlists on Aug. 19. To keep up with zannie as an artist, follow them on social media here. Listen to another single, “for a while,” off of the artist’s upcoming album, available below.

  • Beach Bunny Plays Two Nights at Brooklyn Steel w/ Sidney Gish and Ky Voss

    Chicago indie rock band, Beach Bunny, played two spectacular shows at Brooklyn Steel the weekend of August 7, 2022. The dates had originally been scheduled for May, but were postponed due to Covid. Initially a solo project by Lili Trifilio, Beach Bunny came into popularity when the song “Prom Queen” went viral on TikTok in 2019. The song has since gained more than a quarter billion streams, and Lili now tours with her four-person band. Ky Voss and Sidney Gish opened for Beach Bunny both nights.

    Beach Bunny plays Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann

    Multi-instrumentalist Ky Voss opened the shows with synth-pop beats, moody lyrics, and a textured industrial sound. Her third full-length record, “The After,” released earlier this year. During her set, Ky mentioned she had lived in New York for a year or so, but this was her first time performing in New York. The crowd basked in her performance, the pristine lighting, and the crisp sound Brooklyn Steel is most known for. She thanked Beach Bunny for having her, and left after an excellent set to wild applause.

    Ky Voss opens for Beach Bunny, photograph by David Reichmann

    Sidney Gish took the stage next, quipping with the crowd as she tuned her guitar and got settled on stage. Her performance was unaccompanied, but she used layers of looping pedals to fill the room with acoustic guitar riffs and drum loops. Sidney’s trademark charm and wit were present at all times. She joked between tracks, thanked Beach Bunny, and praised Ky Voss’s set. She played a number of hits from her catalog, including some tracks off her breakout record, “No Dogs Allowed.” After closing her set, she thanked the audience and left the stage to a burst of applause.

    Sidney Gish opens for Beach Bunny, photograph by David Reichmann

    Anticipation rose among the crowd as they waited for the headlining set. The venue was abuzz with energy as the house lights dimmed. Suddenly the stage was backlit by shining beams of blue and white light. After a brief pause, Beach Bunny walked onstage to massive applause. They opened their intense 90-minute set with “Oxygen,” the first single off their latest record, “Emotional Creature,” which was released in July 2022.

    Sidney Gish plays Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann

    After the second track, Lili told the crowd to crouch down and spring up when they started the next track, “Six Weeks.” By the time Beach Bunny finished the third track, the crowd had been worked into a frenzy by drummer Jon Alvarado’s driving beats, guitarist Matt Henkels’s energetic riffs, bassist Anthony Vaccaro’s pumping bass lines, and frontwoman Lili Trifilio’s catchy fan-favorite lyrics. Several times throughout the show, Lili encouraged fans to open up mosh pits, crowdsurf, jump, and dance. At one point, Lili even drew a tattoo on a fan’s homemade sign. She joked, “This is too much pressure!” to laughter and applause.

    Beach Bunny’s setlist included a number of hit tracks like “Good Girls (Don’t Get Used),” “Sports,” and their breakout viral singles, “Prom Queen” and “Cloud 9.” Towards the end of the band’s set, Lili told the audience, “I wrote this song about New York,” before playing “Fire Escape.”

    Beach Bunny jumps onstage at Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann

    They closed out the show by instructing the crowd to separate down the middle, and rush together at the start of their final track, “Painkiller.” The crowd gleefully obliged, and sang along every word as they moshed and jumped until the last notes played. Beach Bunny took their bows, thanked the audience, and walked offstage to one final swell of cheers.

    Beach Bunny is slated to play several more shows in the US before heading overseas for their tour. You can listen to their catalog here. Listen to Ky Voss here and Sidney Gish here.

    Crowd surfing during Beach Bunny’s set at Brooklyn Steel, photograph by David Reichmann
    Photography by David Reichmann
    Beach Bunny parts Brooklyn Steel crowd for final song, photograph by David Reichmann

  • Brooklyn Comes Alive at The Brooklyn Mirage on September 17

    On September 17th, Brooklyn Comes Alive will return to The Brooklyn Mirage for its sixth installment. This one-day festival brings together the best genres of live music ranging from jazz, jam and funk. Likewise, this event features some unforgettable collaborations, unique one-off performances and one-of-a-kind music experiences. 

    Brooklyn Comes Alive September 17th

    Inspired by New Orleans and its famed Jazz & Heritage Festival, Brooklyn Comes Alive has been breaking the mold of traditional festivals with unprecedented music experiences since 2015. This year, Brooklyn Comes Alive will feature STS9, Medeski Martin & Wood, Lettuce, and the debut of Cool Cool Cool, an unforgettable project from former members of Turkuaz.

    It is so rewarding to work with some of our favorite artists to deliver special performances, debut new projects, and create memorable experiences for fans and bands alike at Brooklyn Comes Alive. That we get to do this in one of the country’s best live music venues, in the best city in the world, is a dream come true. Brooklyn, we’re back, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you at the incredible and unique venue, The Brooklyn Mirage.

    – Festival director Gideon Plotnicki (GMP Live)

    Brooklyn Comes Alive was built from the fabric of the vibrant live music community of Brooklyn. Much like past “Comes Alive” events, Brooklyn Comes Alive 2022 will be full of exciting firsts and never-before-seen surprises. This event will mark STS9’s first show in NYC since 2019 when they last took over the Brooklyn Mirage. Similarly, Medeski Martin & Wood, who have not played on their home turf in NYC since 2019, will use the special appearance to celebrate their 30th anniversary as a band, which took place last year. 

    Lettuce will be notching both their Brooklyn Comes Alive debut and their Brooklyn Mirage debut as they celebrate the release of their latest album, Unify, but the band’s individual members are all Brooklyn Comes Alive veterans.

    Brooklyn Comes Alive 2022 Lineup: 

    STS9 
    Medeski Martin & Wood 
    Lettuce 
    Cool Cool Cool (former members of Turkuaz: Craig Brodhead, Chris Brouwers, Michelangelo Carubba, Shira Elias, Sammi Garett, Greg Sanderson and Josh Schwartz*) 

    General admission tickets are available in three tiers, starting at $65 and increasing as tiers sell out. The elevated VIP experiences, VIP and Super VIP, include expedited entry, access to the VIP Mezzanine with perfect sightlines to the stage and more. With the Super VIP package including exclusive limited edition merch item.  

    All tickets, including VIP packages, can be purchased at the link here.

  • Brooklyn-based Artist Hannah Sumner Releases First Video in Monthly Plus One Series

    On July 26, Brooklyn-based alternative artist, producer, and performer, Hannah Sumner premiered the first video from her new monthly series, titled Plus One.

    hannah sumner plus one

    The series includes live in-studio duets with different instruments highlighted in each. The first video, “Moments,” features bassist Adam Neely. Neely contributes great sound which intertwines wonderfully with Sumner’s beautiful voice. The video, carefully shot by Studio 42 Productions, is simplistic in nature. Just featuring the two artists, a microphone, and bass with dim lighting, the video allows all the focus to be on the music and the talent behind it.

    Every month, Hannah Sumner will release more Plus One videos featuring various artists and instrumentation. Listeners can expect to hear harp from Jacqueline Kerrod, guitar from Shubh Saran, drums from Josh Bailey, cello from Justin Abrams, and piano from Christian Li alongside Sumner’s vocals.

    Earlier this past year, Sumner received a grant and residency from Nancy Manocherian’s The Cell Theatre. The Cell Theatre, founded in 2006, is a not-for-profit in Chelsea that helps artists from all career stages with creative works. The Plus One video series was born out of this experience and will be pressed to vinyl and available digitally. The Cell and Martin Finkle produced the series and Studio 42 recorded the shots.

    hannah sumner plus one

    Sumner has previously released works such as the single “Only You,” and two EPs: To The Almost and Guesthouse. The singer and songwriter has made quite the name for herself in the New York community, with performances at Barclays Center and National Sawdust.

    Fans of the “Moments” video with Adam Neely can expect more video releases in the next coming month with some amazing talent. Stay tuned for the release of the next Plus One video, and take a listen to the first one, available below.

Built in Breakdance