Category: NYC Metro

Nerd Salad Drop Explosive New Single “Dogmeat”

Brooklyn-based progressive rock band Nerd Salad has released a new single, “Dogmeat.” The song is the lead single in promotion of their debut album Press Start coming June 3, is the group’s first new music since their 2018 release Your Father and I Aren’t Angry, We’re Just Disappointed.

Artwork for “Dogmeat.”

“Dogmeat” follows a highly transformative structure over its seven-and-a-half minute runtime, going from basic verse-chorus format to instrumental breakdown before returning to its original melody in the song’s conclusion.

The song’s dreamy opening riff gives off a nice warmth that contrasts the apocalyptic subject matter on the verses. “Our future is grim and bleak, all alone to find what you seek,” they sing in the track’s opening lines over a funky blues guitar rhythm. The song’s verses paint a detailed Mad Max-like picture of a world past salvage. “Found you in this desolate wasteland, digging through trash and scraps of old tin cans,” they sing in the second verse’s opening lines.

The melodic chorus gives release to this tension, where all instruments crash together on top of the song’s defining words, “the ceiling’s now the ground, we’re all just dogmeat now.”

The instrumental bridge after the third verse fully plays into the chaos described here, with a long disjointed guitar solo being paced by hyper-frenetic drumming. This part of the song keeps up with the track’s understanding of tension and release, as this section closes out with a heavy blues jam. We then hear the chorus one more time, reinforcing the song’s musical identity before the song’s outro.

All members of Nerd Salad are very talented musicians, and while the song displays this clearly, no part of “Dogmeat” leans into self indulgence. This is even true during the “Paranoid Android” reminiscent freakout which closes the song, as every part of the track properly serves its purpose of detailing a world in havoc.

“Dogmeat” is a creative and chaotic piece of progressive rock, and is a good sign of what’s to come from Nerd Salad next month.

May 23, 2022
Bacon Brothers Announce New EP “Erato”, Summer Tour Dates

The Bacon Brothers have announced bi-coastal tour dates for this summer in support of their new EP Erato, to be released July 8.

The tour includes three performances in New York, with the band stopping in Rochester for the Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 24, New York City at City Winery on the 25th, and Caroga Lake at Sherman’s Park on July 30.

Cover art for Erato by the Bacon Brothers.

Erato, the five song EP, is slated to be the brothers’ 11th studio release. They call their sound “Forosoco – a blend of folk, rock, soul and country influences.” “We’re still exploring the sound we began making 25 years ago; we’ve just gotten a lot better at it,” says Michael Bacon, an Emmy-winning composer whose found success alongside his brother Kevin, an A-list Hollywood actor.

For the EP’s lead single, “In Memory (Of When I Cared),” the brothers collaborated with Desmond Child, a Songwriters Hall of Fame member whose credits include Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Aerosmith’s “Crazy,” and Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself For Loving You.”

The Bacon Brothers also found collaboration from Kevin’s son Travis, who produced the track “Karaoke Town.”

The Bacon Brothers Tourdates

Jun 24—Rochester, NY—Rochester International Jazz Festival
Jun 25—New York, NY—City Winery
Jun 26—Atlantic City, NJ-–Sound Mind Music Festival
July 14—Minneapolis, MN – Dakota Jazz
July 30—Caroga Lake, NY – Sherman’s Park
July 31—Waterville, ME – Waterville Opera House
Aug 2—-Ocean City, NJ – Ocean City Music Pier
Aug 5—-Plymouth, NH – The Flying Monkey (Rescheduled)
Aug 6—-Brownfield, ME – Stone Mountain Arts Center (Rescheduled)
Aug 7—-Beverly, MA – The Cabot (Rescheduled)
Aug 24–San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House
Aug 25–Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
Aug 26–Agoura Hills, CA – The Canyon
Aug 27–Napa, CA – Blue Note Napa
Aug 28–Napa, CA – Blue Note Napa
Sep 9—-New Braunfels, TX – Gruene Hall
Sep 10–The Woodlands – Dosey Doe
Sep 11—Lubbock, TX – Cactus Theater

May 23, 2022
Ghost ‘Imperatour’ to Appear at Belmont Park’s UBS Arena

Swedish rock band Ghost has announced dates for Imperatour, a trek across North America that features Atlanta metal band Mastodon as a special guest.

The tour, which is in promotion of their fifth album released in March, Impera, begins August 26 in San Diego and finishes September 23 in Green Bay, WI. This includes a stop at Belmont Park’s UBS Arena in Elmont, NY on September 10.

Information regarding tour dates and tickets can be found on Ghost’s website.

Produced by Klas Åhlund and mixed by Andy Wallace, Impera‘s subject matter focuses on the fall of empires. Upon release it swept album charts internationally, debuting at number one in five different countries including Sweden and coming in at number two in the U.S.

Singles from the record also found commercial success, with “Call Me Little Sunshine” and “Hunter’s Moon” both hitting number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.

Mastodon has had recent success of their own as well. Their ninth album Hushed and Grim, released in October 2021, debuted at number one on Billboard’s Hard Rock Albums chart and number 20 on the Billboard 200.

Ghost Imperatour Tour Dates:

Fri Aug 26 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena San Diego

Sat Aug 27 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Convention Center Arena

Tue Aug 30 – Austin, TX – Moody Center

Wed Aug 31 – Corpus Christi, TX – American Bank Center Arena

Fri Sep 2 – Huntsville, AL – Von Braun Center’s Propst Arena

Sat Sep 3 – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena

Sun Sep 4 – Asheville, NC – ExploreAsheville.com Arena

Tue Sep 6 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Arena

Thu Sep 8 – Danville, VA – BLUE RIDGE ROCK FEST*

Fri Sep 9 – Trenton, NJ – CURE Insurance Arena

Sat Sep 10 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena

Mon Sep 12 – Providence, RI – Dunkin Donuts Center

Tue Sep 13 – Bangor, ME – Cross Insurance Center

Thu Sep 15 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre

Fri Sep 16 – Laval, QC – Place Bell

Sat Sep 17 – Toronto, ON – Coca Cola Coliseum

Mon Sep 19 – Saginaw, MI – Dow Event Center

Tue Sep 20 – Youngstown, OH – Covelli Centre

Wed Sep 21 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center Arena

Fri Sep 23 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center**

*Ghost and Spiritbox only **Ghost, Spiritbox and special guest Carcass

May 23, 2022
Restless World release lyric video for “Second by Second”

NYC band Restless World Music have recently released their new single “Second by Second.” The group is no stranger to melodic beats and emotionally driven lyrics, as they blend different musical styles and carefully-chosen words into a restless whole.

“These days I’m rebuilding my life / You could say I’m refilling my life” – how many have thought or said that over the past few years? So many self-empowerment songs make it all seem so easy – this song isn’t one of them.

For many on the road from doubt and despair to self-appreciation, one’s “gotta fight for every inch” and “Second by Second” makes the joy at the end of the journey, and this song, so much sweeter. “Second by Second” features stellar female vocals over an atmospheric fusion of trap, pop and a touch of jazz.

The lyric video for “Second by Second” builds on the song’s themes of rebuilding oneself after a crisis, and moving from doubting yourself to new heights of self-confidence. Produced by Restless World Music using Adobe After Effects software and a rich selection of 1080p video clips, the video delivers a cinematic feel that enhances the mood and meaning of the song.

Restless World Music’s songs have earned awards from the Great American Song Contest four times and have been recognized twice as top-five songs of the month in online music magazine SongwriterUniverse.com.

May 22, 2022
Phish Make Their Radio City Music Hall Debut : May 21, 2000

Today we celebrate the anniversary of the first Phish show ever held at New York City’s esteemed Radio City Music Hall. Fresh off the heels of a New Year’s Millennium celebration in the Everglades that made headlines worldwide, Phish was ready to take on the year 2000 with a Spring Tour of Japan on the books. But first, they would play a few gigs in New York City to dust off the cobwebs and help support their album Farmhouse which was released just days earlier. On this the first of a two-night run here, Phish would wind up playing about half of the new album’s songs while mixing in other classics in a show that certainly lived up to the anticipation surrounding it.

Phish seems to soak in the applause for a bit from a raucous Radio City Music Hall before starting the show with thunderous “First Tube” that seemed to move the ground itself. Mike Gordon’s constant, unwavering bass line dominates this one pulled from Farmhouse that continues to be a mainstay at shows to this day. A familiar first set face in “Wolfman’s Brother” gets played next, adding a veritable dose of funk to the revered music hall, with sound coming through in pristine fashion thanks to Radio City’s amazing acoustics.

An early show “Squirming Coil” then makes an appearance. The “Little Jimmy’s off to camp” line seems to get a noticeable roar of approval from the crowd, perhaps in respect to last summer’s legendary (and sweltering) Camp Oswego festival in Upstate New York. After a fairly brief Page McConnell closing piano solo, the opening to “Possum” emerge which reenergizes Radio City and then some with the floor once again seeming to have a discernable bounce to it, especially on the upper levels of the building. After a brief pause, the funk returns once more, this time courtesy of a bubbly “Moma Dance.”

Once “Moma” comes to a rolling stop, the opening chords to “Limb By Limb” ring out, a fellow Story Of The Ghost selection. “Limb” elicits one of the finer jams of the first set, one that slowly increases in fervor and intensity, with McConnell and Trey Anastasio on guitar musically sparring back and forth, before it closes with Jon Fishman alone on drums. “Character Zero” then wraps a bow around the much anticipated first Phish set at Radio City, a spirited and well-played one with fairly standard selection of songs for 2000.

The second set stays very much in that same vein, beginning with a “Gotta Jibboo” that produces the next standout moment of the evening. The band is instantly locked in on a blissful jam that takes off right away, aided by Anastasio’s signature digital delay loop running underneath it the entire time. This momentum carries squarely into the “Down With Disease” that comes next. The band rips through the composed section and jumps immediately into an aggressive high-octane jam that starts strong and never really lets up, with Fishman pushing both the tempo and the limits in a masterclass of drumming. Eventually, Trey reintroduces the digital delay loop with Page adding in some harrowing organ fills as the band takes their time crafting this one. It all adds up to a 20-minute “Disease” that’s the highlight of the show and one of the better ones ever played to date.

In a true case of juxtaposition, Phish lets the crowd catch their breath a little and trots out the introspective “Dirt,” yet another Farmhouse selection. This would actually begin a three-song run from the new album (and four of five including “Jibboo”) in the second set as “Twist” follows and brings with it a mellow, groove-infused jam that turns into near ambience.

This lays the foundation for “Piper” and its customary (at the time) slow build introduction. “Piper” goes from slow to lightening quick in a hurry, with Anastasio shredding out the main chords in rapid fashion with Fishman, once again, doing some otherworldly business on the drums. Instead of stretching “Piper” out further, it comes to a rather abrupt stop and Phish pivots to “Harry Hood,” much to the delight of the Radio City crowd.

Phish doesn’t mess around with “Hood” and delivers a splendidly euphoric version of one their signature songs, a slow build of emotion before cresting perfectly. A second set full of music and memorable jams could have easily ended right there with few complaints. But from the ashes of “Hood,” McConnell emerges alone on piano and begins “Wading In The Velvet Sea” to add another emotion-provoking song to the list. Afterwards, both he and Trey expressed their appreciation for being able to play at Radio Music Hall, where they had both been able to see the great Stevie Wonder perform, with Trey making some especially poignant and heartfelt remarks about the current state of Phish and the scene it has created.

With that said and done, the resurrected “Guyute” then closes out the second set in grand fashion. The “I hope this happens once again line” at its completion gets another extra round of applause from the crowd. For an encore, Phish trots out one last Farmhouse selection with the acoustic “The Inlaw Josie Wales” before “Loving Cup,” the lone cover song of the night, sends the Radio City crowd home glowing, eagerly anticipating what’s to follow in round two tomorrow.

Take a listen to the whole show below or song by song at PhishTracks.

Phish Radio City Music Hall – New York, NY 5/21/00

Set 1: First Tube, Wolfman’s Brother, The Squirming Coil, Possum, The Moma Dance > Limb By Limb > Character Zero

Set 2: Gotta Jibboo, Down With Disease > Dirt, Twist > Piper, Harry Hood > Wading In The Velvet Sea, Guyute

E: The Inlaw Josie Wales, Loving Cup

May 21, 2022
In Focus: Griselda Records’ “Claires Back Tour” Arrives at Terminal 5

Griselda Records’ Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher are currently on the “Claires Back Tour” with special guest Doe Boy. On Thursday May 18th, they played a sold out show at Terminal 5 in NYC.

Conway The Machine at Terminal 5

The two and a half hour show started with a set from Westside Gunn that featured Stove God, Rome Streetz, Yn Billy and Armani Caesar. At the end he brought out Benny to start his set with a collaboration of “Lotto” from Gunn’s Fourth Rope album.

Westside Gunn at Terminal 5

Benny’s set included songs from Tanya Talk 3, The Plugs I Met and his newest album Tanya Talk 4 as well as appearances by Stove God and members of BSF. Benny ended his set by introducing Conway with a “Tito’s Back” collaboration from Conway’s Look What I Became mixtape.

Benny The Butcher at Terminal 5

Conway’s set included songs from his newest album God Don’t Make Mistakes as well as his collaboration album with Alchemist Lulu, and his 2020 debut solo album From King To A God. His set also included appearances by 7xvethegenius and Jae Skeese. The show ended with songs all three members are featured on including John Woo Flick and Dr Birds.

The 10-city tour from the Griselda Records artists includes stops in Rochester, Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles. You can see the rest of the tour dates here.

May 21, 2022
Prodigy’s Solo Catalog Returns to Streaming, Posthumous Album Announced

Fans of Prodigy will once again be able to enjoy his solo catalog on streaming services, as reported by Billboard. In what was described as “legal disputes between the estate, which is run by the late artist’s family, and former associates of the artist,” his solo work remained off streaming services for the past three years. Only 2007’s Alchemist collab, Return of the Mac, 2008’s Product of the 80s, with Big Twins and Un Pacino, along with the Mobb Deep discography were made available.
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Prodigy’s returning solo catalog includes his classic debut-album H.N.I.C and its two sequels, 2012’s The Bumpy Johnson Album, his 2013 collaboration with The Alchemist, Albert Einstein and 2017’s Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation). His 2014 release with Boogz Boogetz, Young Rollin Stoned, can also now be streamed.

This is the result of a new management deal Prodigy’s estate signed with The NorthStar Group’s L. Londell McMillan and a distribution deal with Warner Music Group’s ADA. Prodigy’s estate also announced a new album, The Hegelian Dialectic: The Book of Heroine and a new single, “You Will,” out June, 10.

Prodigy is a once-in-a-generation rapper,
-ADA president Cat Kreidich

It’s hard to put into words the impact he had on the world — his sound completely changed the game and influenced so many that came after him. His legacy will live on forever through his music and we’re grateful his estate has entrusted ADA to bring his iconic catalog back where it belongs — with his fans.
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With his partner, Havoc, Prodigy served as one-half of Mobb Deep. After releasing their debut, Juvenile Hell in 1993. A year later, they released their classic second LP, The Infamous, to critical-acclaim.

As a rapper, Prodigy was known for his opening bars that would set the tone. Encapsulating an entire record with his first couple of lines. When hip hop went full glitz and glamour during the “shiny suit era,” of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Prodigy would double down and release more raw grimy street music. Plateauing him and his partner Havoc’s commercial-appeal, but remaining true to themselves.

May 20, 2022
New York State Senate Passes Bill to Limit Use of Song Lyrics as Evidence

The New York State Senate passed a bill that will limit prosecutors from using song lyrics as evidence in criminal cases, as first reported by Pitchfork. The bill was introduced this past November by Senator Brad Hoylman, Senator Jamaal Bailey and assembly member Catalina, and it is recognized as Senate Bill S7527 . It is designed to “limit the admissibility of evidence of a defendant’s creative or artistic expression against such defendant in a criminal proceeding,” according to the New York State Senate’s official website.
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This bill has long been a point of contention from many within hip hop culture. Before coming to fruition, it was touted by the likes of Jay – Z, Meek Mill and Killer Mike.

In a letter signed by the aforementioned artists, Jay – Z’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, had this to say about the new legislation:

“Rather than acknowledge rap music as a form of artistic expression, police and prosecutors argue that the lyrics should be interpreted literally—in the words of one prosecutor, as ‘autobiographical journals. The genre is rooted in a long tradition of storytelling that privileges figurative language, is steeped in hyperbole, and employs all of the same poetic devices we find in more traditional works of poetry.”

This new legislation comes as Atlanta-bred rappers Young Thug, Gunna and other YSL affiliates were arrested and are facing charges under Georgia’s RICO act. It was reported that their lyrics were used by authorities as part of their criminal investigation.
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Rapper’s lyrics have long been a point of contention in the courtroom. The likes of Boosie Badazz, YNW Melly, Mac Phipps, Tay-K have all had their words play a part in their criminal proceedings. In a rather famous instance, Snoop Dogg’s “Murder Was The Case” was played in the courtroom while he faced trial for murder in 1993. Now, rapper’s in the state of New York will have an extra creative freedom knowing their song lyrics won’t be used against them aimlessly.

May 20, 2022
2022 Jersey City Jazz Festival Lineup Announced

The Jersey City Jazz Festival has returned for its ninth annual celebration on the weekend of June 4th and 5th in the Powerhouse Arts District.

Just across the Hudson River, the free-to-the-public event will include performances from fourteen bands on two stages, food trucks, a full bar, and a VIP experience at the parking lot on 107 Morgan Street. The festival will also coincide with Bike JC’s annual Ward Tour on the 5th, with there also being an “after-party jam session” at Moore’s Place.

Jazz group Nation Beat will lead off the festival with their performance at noon on the 4th. (photo by Carolina Mama)

Brazilian-inspired group Nation Beat will lead off performances at noon on the 4th, followed by singer & WBGO radio host Lezlie Harrison at 1, pianist David Kikoski at 2, Winand Harper and his band the Jeli Posse at 3, flamenco guitarist Andreas Arnold at 4, Afro-Cuban jazz group Santi De Brian’s Arkestra Bembe at 5, and acclaimed vocalist Svetlana at 6.

The next day, award-winning duo Sounds of A&R will lead off at noon, followed by guitar-driven ensemble Walter Parks and the Unlawful Assembly at 1, modern gypsy jazz artist Gonzalo Bergara at 2, New Orleans-based trad group Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses at 3, and guitarist Julian Lage at 4.

Both days will close out with dancing to salsa performances by percussionists Little Johnny Rivero on the 4th at 7, and Johnny Rodriguez and the Dream Team the following day at 5. Shows will alternate on an hourly basis between the Bank of America and Exchange Place stages.

Little Johnny Rivero’s career watermarks include the eighteen albums he recorded with the La Senora Ponceña Band and having performed with names in Latin Music such as nine-time Grammy Award winner Eddie Palmieri.

The festival, which was first held in 2013, is produced by Jersey City-based non-profit Riverside Jazz, and is presented by Exchange Place Alliance. “We have some of the best players in the world here – and it’s not just one style of music or jazz, it’s everything!” says Riverview Jazz director Brian Beninghove. “Not everyone has access to great music and art, but we do here – and we want to celebrate it with a big, free party for the people.”

Information on purchasing VIP tickets, directions, parking, volunteering, and links to the artists can be found on Riverview Jazz’s website.

May 20, 2022
Multicultural May Events at Bronx Music Heritage Center

The Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC), located at 1303 Louis Nine Blvd. in New York City’s northern-most borough, will close out their May programming with a series of events featuring dancing, Latin music and a multicultural celebration. Events will also be held at Bronx Music Hall Plaza, located at 438 E. 163^rd St.

Although the Bronx was once a hub for music creation and performance, the disinvestment in the 1970s and 1980s destroyed many performance venues, devastating the music scene. As a result, access to arts and cultural programming has become scarce in the Bronx.

The BMHC, created by WHEDco, is committed to preserving and promoting Bronx music, cultivating Bronx artists, spurring neighborhood revival, and providing free cultural programs for the community. T The BMHC hosts music performances, art exhibits, artists-in-residence, workshops throughout the Bronx.

On Saturday, May 21, the Bronx Rising! program will feature Irish, U.S. and Cuban traditional traditions highlighting percussive dancing with the groups OYU ORO and CITY STOMPERS. The show starts at 8:00 pm at the BMHC, and the cost is $7 at the door.

On Friday, May 27, BMHC will present ABAZOS ARMY as they gear up to promote their upcoming CD release. ABAZOS ARMY combines music in a fusion of funk, reggae, Latin music, jazz and hip hop. This is a free show starting at 8:00 pm.

BMHC ends the month with a concert in partnership with the Multicultural Music Group featuring FELIPE FOURNIER & SUPERMAMBO on Saturday, May 28th. This is as free show, held at BMH Plaza. If it rains, the concert will be held at the BMHC.

See more upcoming events here.

From the BMHC archives, watch the last program held before the pandemic began. In February 2020, celebrating International Mother Tongue Day, the video features the Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts performing a Bengali folk dance. BAFA is a Bronx-based group and led by Margia Shiriti.

May 19, 2022