NYS Music 202​2

Category: Regions

  • Phish Unleash The Tweezer For Night Two Of Garden Run

    Every Phish fan knows the meaning of “the night before”. Tomorrow is a big show like Halloween or New Year’s Eve and the band drops an absolute scorcher of a show to get us pumped for the massive event to come.

    Photo by Rene Huemer

    After Wednesday’s slightly uneven and messy opener (still a really fun show – check out my review here), expectations were high for what was originally slated to be the 12/30/21 show. The last few December 30th Phish shows have included incredible moments like the legendary 35-minute Tweezer in 2019, the Glide II bustout and overall insane show in 2018, and a 27-minute Down with Disease in 2017 that stands as one of my favorite versions of the song.

    4/21/22 established itself as “one of those nights” right from the jump, with Trey shouting out THE Suzy Greenberg for her first show as the crowd erupted with an insane burst of energy. Two strongly-played versions of 46 Days and Plasma followed the blazing opener with short but concise jams in each.

    The first WOW-inducing moment of the night came next with a pretty clean reading of The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday, complete with the Avenu Malkenu sandwiched in between. After a quick check of the last two times this song was played (9/1/21, 7/14/19), I was then certain that the rest of the show would continue to be legendary.

    The jamming began in the Wolfman’s Brother late in set 1, continuing its 2022 streak after the absurd 22-minute version played in Mexico in February. Sticking to the bouncy groove of the song, Page worked the Rhodes beautifully as Trey took the reins toward the end and erupted into a massive peak to end the song. The crowd fed off of and loved EVERY SECOND of it, and I truly began to understand why MSG is Phish’s home court and the best place to see them.

    Continuing with a rare and well-executed Esther (another first for me!), the band closed the set with a powerful Ghost. Taking the now-traditional bliss modulation, Trey seemed to be heading for the end around the 14-minute mark, but the band egged him on and he assertively drove into a manic and rocking jam that almost hinted at Tweezer Reprise to close the song and set.

    When the band walked onstage for the second set and ripping directly into Chalk Dust Torture, there was no doubt about this version going deep. As has been the trend for this run so far, Phish stuck to major-key themes throughout instead of the more Sci-Fi Soldier-ish weird jams that dominated 2021. Trey confidently soared through the driving and beautiful Chalk Dust before smoothly transitioning into Tweezer (see 8/7/15 for the last amazing second-set opening CDT -> Tweezer). Beginning the jam with a relaxed vibe, Phish really leaned into the groove, working in aspects and themes of both Your Pet Cat and the Free jam (at least to my ears). Mike then led the band into an absolutely perfect modulation to major key.

    Here’s where the jam got crazy.

    Trey continued to play the Your Pet Cat-like riff, but it took on different meaning in the gorgeous bliss soundscape. Page’s gentle Wurlitzer playing and Fish’s insistent drumbeat pushed the jam as Trey gently began to solo in an incredibly patient and gorgeous theme. Seeming to stretch for much longer than its 14 minute runtime, Tweezer was absolutely perfect and the crowd ate up every second, absolutely captivated by the beauty of what was being produced in front of us. There was one moment around the 13-minute mark where Trey sustained a long note overtop of a silky bed of electric piano that provoked a loud cheer from the crowd. Absolute madness.

    As Tweezer faded, Fish dropped into the familiar 2001 drumbeat and Madison Square Garden erupted as over 20,000 people began to aggressively dance at the same time. Trey played some fantastic funky rhythm guitar as Page took advantage of his synths throughout the patient jam. After the get-down dance break of 2001, Phish ripped through an incendiary Maze > About to Run pairing before taking the first real breather of the set in The Mango Song.

    When an absolutely spectacular Hood came next, most people (myself included) assumed that the set would end there. The band wasn’t done, however, and Trey emphatically ripped the opening riff to Character Zero.

    As much as people like to hate on this song to close second sets, the crowd absolutely RAGED for this tune and sang along to every word. Led by Page shifting to clav, Zero got dark and filthy for a couple of minutes before Trey dropped into Tweezer for a minute before cleanly transitioning back to Zero to close the set.

    Let that process for a minute. Character Zero -> Tweezer -> Character Zero to close the second set.

    A great encore of power ballad A Life Beyond the Dream and the best three minutes in rock music (Tweezer Reprise) closed this legendary show with more incredible energy from both the band and crowd.

    This band is nearly 40 years into their career and continues to blow minds in unexpected ways. Tonight we celebrate New Year’s Eve in April and I could not be more excited to see what Phish has in store for us across three sets.

    Phish Madison Square Garden – New York, NY 4/21/22

    Set 1: Suzy Greenburg > 46 Days, Plasma, The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday > Avnenu Malkenu > The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday, Wolfman’s Brother, Esther, Ghost

    Set 2: Chalkdust Torture -> Tweezer > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Maze, About To Run, The Mango Song > Harry Hood, Character Zero -> Tweezer -> Character Zero

    E: A Life Beyond The Dream, Tweezer Reprise

    This was the rescheduled date for the show that had been postponed due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 surge in New York City in December of 2021. Suzy Greenberg was dedicated to “the hero of the song,” Suzy Greenberg, who was attending her first Phish show. Chalk Dust Torture was unfinished. Trey teased Super Bad in 2001. Mike quoted Kung and Trey teased Plasma in Harry Hood. The conclusion of Character Zero contained a Third Stone from the Sun tease from Trey

  • With The Punches Return After Nine-Year Hiatus

    With The Punches has dropped a new single “Stoneham Blues.” This single comes following their signing with Mutant League Records, an independent record label based in Chicago. Their new EP, Discontent, is set to drop on May 27th.

    With The Punches was initially formed in 2008 out of Newburgh. The band released two consecutive EPs, one in 2009 and one in 2011. In 2012, the band released their first and only full-length studio album titled, Seams and Stitches. Now, after nine years of silence, the band is ready to make a big return.

    With The Punches

    Their newest release takes the listener back to the height of skater-influenced pop-punk. The opening of the track powerfully draws you in as a bright guitar gloss fully floats over bulldozing percussion. The lyrics, contrarily, take on a more mature theme.

    Capturing the feeling of emptiness may be the hardest emotion to replicate in art. Death, addiction, and everything in between are experiences that everyone has dealt with in their life. With The Punches do not hold back in discussing these feelings and they manage to beautifully capture these emotions through excellently constructed metaphors with a slight Midwest emo twist.

    Pre-order for the vinyl EP is available at withthepunches.presspressmerch.com

  • Swedish House Mafia Announce First Tour in 10 Years with 2 MSG shows

    Swedish House Mafia will journey around the world in their first tour in 10 years. The tour follows the release of their first full length album, Paradise Again, which is also their first major release in 10 years.

    Swedish House Mafia has added a series of new dates to their world tour following the release of their 2022 album, Paradise Again. This move was announced shortly after their Coachella performance with The Weeknd, this past weekend. They will travel through the US, from the Bane of California Stadium in Los Angeles to Madison Square Garden in NYC.

    The trio will be joined by supporting acts ZHU, Alesso, Grimes and Kaytranada. Fans will have the opportunity to hear iconic songs like ‘Don’t You Worry Child’ and ‘Save the World’, along with cuts from Paradise Again. The album has a number of features including A$AP Rocky, Ty Dolla $ign and 070 Shake.

    The dj trio consists of members Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Axwell. After separating in 2012, the group took some time apart before coming back together in 2018 for their surprise set at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival. 

    Tickets for the added dates go on sale 4/21 at 10 AM. {https://swedishhousemafia.com/#tour}

    Jul 29 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena+

    Jul 31 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center

    Aug 2 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden!

    Aug 3 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden!

    Aug 5 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena!

    Aug 7 – Montreal, QC – îleSoniq Festival

    Aug 9 – Boston, MA – TD Garden!

    Aug 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center!

    Aug 11 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena!

    Aug 13 – Chicago, IL – United Center

    Aug 17 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena!

    Aug 21 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

    Aug 25 – Austin, TX – Moody Center+

    Aug 26 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center!

    Aug 27 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center!

    Sep 2 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena

    Sep 4 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena!

    Sep 9 – Los Angeles, CA – Banc of California Stadium!

    Sep 13 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena!

    Sep 14 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena!

    Sep 16 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center

    Sep 17 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center! 

    Sep 29 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena!

    Sep 30 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro Arena!

    Oct 2 – London, UK – The O2!

    Oct 6 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena!

    Oct 8 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham!

    Oct 10 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena*

    Oct 14 – Madrid, Spain – IFEMA Madrid Live*

    Oct 15 – Lisbon, Portugal – Altice Arena*

    Oct 18 – Milan, Italy – Mediolanum Forum*

    Oct 19 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion*

    Oct 21 – Krakow, Poland – Tauron Arena*

    Oct 22 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena*

    Oct 25 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena*

    Oct 27 – Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle*

    Oct 29 – Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis

    Oct 31 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome

    Nov 3 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle*

    Nov 5 – Frankfurt, Germany – Festhalle*

    Nov 6 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena*

    Nov 8 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclaycard Arena*

    Nov 9 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena*

    Nov 11 – Oslo, Norway – Telenor Arena

    Nov 13 – Tampere, Finland – Uros Arena

    *With Support From Alesso

    !With Support From Zhu

    ^With Support From Vintage Culture

    +With Support From Grimes

    ~With Support From Kaytranada

  • Phish Blazes On in Return to MSG

    For the first time in just over two years, Phish returned to the familiar stomping grounds of Madison Square Garden (MSG), kicking off a four night run postponed from late December 2021.

    This was also the band’s first show on April 20 since 1994, and first show in April in the NYC Metro area since 1998, setting up a night full of potential, the rescheduling notwithstanding.

    Wasting no time, Phish began the run with 19 minutes of “Carini,” that helped set the tone for the evening. Riding the early wave of energy, Phish parlayed this into a crowd favorite in “Possum” that helped shake the Garden to its core. A funked out, but unfinished, “Moma Dance” then found itself batting third in the lineup. 

    “Stash” and “Blaze On” satiated fans expecting cannabis-themed references for 4/20, with the former in usual mid-set placement and delivering a blistering jam.

    “Sigma Oasis” opened Set 2 and gave way to 22 minutes of “Down with Disease”, an all too prescient combo of ‘take off your mask’ and ‘down with disease / three weeks in my bed. Somewhat surprisingly, Phish didn’t use the “Disease” jam as an immediate launchpad into something else and instead rounded back into completion. 

    “The Howling” seems to be one of the more popular selections from the band’s Sci-Fi Soldier experiment recently unleashed in Vegas last Halloween and made another appearance mid-second set. A clean segue into “Twist” followed which brought another momentous jam along with it before Phish throttled it back down again once more with ever poignant “Mountains In The Mist.”

    To the delight and surprise of many, a late set “Reba” then emerged that yielded a mesmerizing, slow build jam that was rife with euphoria, getting a well deserved cheer from the Garden crowd. The newer Ghosts of the Forest tune “Drift While You’re Still Sleeping” then capped off the emotional second set.

    In another surprise of sorts, a rolicking “Gumbo” started off the encore before Phish tapped into the feels once more with a “Slave To The Traffic Light” closer that hit just the right notes, ending the first night of the four-show run in grandiose fashion.

    Setlist via Phish.net

    Phish – MSG – NYC – April 20, 2022

    Set 1: Carini > Possum, The Moma Dance[1] > Leaves, Strange Design, Stash, Blaze On

    Set 2: Sigma Oasis > Down with Disease > The Howling -> Twist > Mountains in the Mist, Reba, Drift While You’re Sleeping

    Encore: Gumbo, Slave to the Traffic Light

    [1] Unfinished

  • Patterns of Decay Drop Thrashy Self-Titled Project

    Patterns of Decay, a five-piece heavy metal band from New York has dropped their self-titled, second studio album. Their newest project continues to showcase the thrashy and violent metal they have founded themselves on.

    The band was first formed in 2014. Moreover, in 2014, Patterns of Decay released their debut EP Malicious Intent. Four years later, the band would go on to release their first studio project, Suicide Notes In Comic Sans.

    Patterns of Decay

    The band consists of Christian Contello on vocals, who throughout the album showcases his impressive death metal scream. Moreover, Dan Gold is on guitar and Matthew Stirrat is on guitar and vocals. Lastly, Antonio Romano provides the drumming for the band and Jesse Herman plays the bass guitar. Since 2014, the band has kept its same lineup.

    Notably, some of the best work on this project comes from the lead guitarist. Throughout the album, the tone of the guitar is rather brittle and harsh. However, the speed and precision at which it is played harmonize every song in a thrashy fashion. One such song, “Ru(m)ination,” goes as far as to showcase this excellence in its entirety.

    These skills can also be found on “Of Famine and Plague,” which is easily the best song on this album. Excellent drumming, harsh strings, and demonically screeching vocals all make this track a total moshpit essential.

    This project still comes with many flaws, however. Most notably, for every good song on this album, there is also an equally as bad one. Sometimes the instrumentation is too harsh like on “Reguirtate”, and sometimes there may be displeasing dissonance like on “Ocean Black”. However, that should not deter any metal fan from listening though, because there are definitely some hidden gems amidst the filler.

    Patterns Of Decay is available on streaming platforms now. For more information on the band, visit patternsofdecay.com.

    Key Tracks: Of Famine and Plague, House of Doors

  • Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts announces grant winners

    The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (ALCA) announced the recipients of the Restart NY Regrants 2021-22 “Mini-Grant” awards. The grants issued by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) support regional live musical performances whose ability to play in front of audiences was curtailed by the COVD-19 pandemic. The funds were part of the state’s Round 2 Restart NY pandemic relief fund.

    adirondack lakes center for the arts

    The ALCA will distribute the funds across Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton counties. A total of $45,500 across 20 projects will be distributed in the four counties. All of which are served by the ALCA.

    By working alongside statewide a governmental organization like NYSCA the ALCA is able to distribute funding to parts of the state that otherwise might not receive public funding. The goal of doing so is to attempt to provide access to the arts in all parts of New York state.

    Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts Grant Winners

    • Adirondack Wind Ensemble, Inc., fiscal sponsor for sponsored applicant Frontier Saxophone Quartet: “Frontier Saxophone Quartet concert” – music (Clinton [C])

    • Ballard Park Foundation: “Ballard Park Concert Series” – music (Essex [E])

    • Clinton County Historical Association: “The Haudenosaunee Creation Story & Sculptures” – storytelling [C]

    • Community String Orchestra of the Adirondacks: “Music for Contemplation” – music [E]

    • CVW Long Lake Public Library: “Café Livre” – music & visual arts (Hamilton [H])

    • East Branch Friends of the Arts: “Pride & Prejudice: An Original Musical” – theater and music [E]

    • Foothills Art Society, Inc.: “The King’s Brass” – music (Franklin [F])

    • Hill and Hollow Music, Inc.: “Hill & Hollow Music Performance Series” – music [C])

    • John Brown Lives!: “The Agitators—Presenting Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony” – theater [E]

    • John Brown Lives!, fiscal sponsor for artist applicant Peter Seward of Lake Flower Landing:  “Sound & Vision”: music [E]

    • Keene Valley Library: “Something for All Ages” – theater and music [E]

    • Paul Smith’s College: “Music Over the Marsh at the Paul Smith’s VIC” – music [F]

    • Piano by Nature Inc.: “Harp String Eternal” – music [E]

    • Schroon Lake Arts Council: “Schroon Lake Live!!! Concert Series – A World of Music on Schroon Lake” – music [E]

    • Tupper Arts: “Summer at the Sunset Stage!” – music [F]

    • Society for Strings, Inc./Meadowmount School of Music: “Meadowmount at The Grange” – music [E]

    • St. William’s on Long Point: “Music in the Adirondack Winter” – music [H]

    • Town of Indian Lake: “Indian Lake Music in the Park(s) and More” – music [H]

    • Town of Wilmington, fiscal sponsor for artist applicant Carl Rubino: “Three concerts by Carl Rubino” – music [E]

    • Whallonsburg Grange Hall, Inc: “Grange Winter/Spring 2022 Concert Series” – music [E]

  • Celebrate Autism Awareness Month With Tiktok Star Cory Singer

    Singer-songwriter Cory Singer has recently risen as an advocate for the autistic and neurodivergent. During Autism Awareness Month, Singer serves as an inspiration to those with disabilities around the world. 

    As an individual with Autism, the New Jersey native has worked hard on social media platforms like Tiktok and Instagram to spread awareness and raise support for his community. He has become a social media sensation and gained over 13 million likes on Tiktok, coining the phrase “Let’s Normalize Autism”. 

    Cory Singer also promotes positivity through his music. Following his win on Kandi Burruss’s singing competition, The Kandi Factory, he released a number of singles including ‘Someone’, ‘Goodbye Felicia’ and ‘Blind in Love’. His newest single ‘Break of Dawn’ aims to give hope to those who with disabilities and show them that they are loved. 

    Singer appeared in Joe DiPietro’s  play “The Last Dance” and was nominated for “Best Vocal Performance” in 2013. He went on to continue his theater performances with his 2019 participation in Westfield Community Players “Follies” and the award winning musical “They Call It Gravy, We Call It Sauce”.

    Singer has recently joined forces with the “I Am Able” Foundation. As part of their advisory board, he will provide fresh insights and help bring forth new ideas. “I Am Able” is a fast growing movement created to show the world that those with disabilities are able to live the life they’ve always dreamed of.  

  • Buffalo band eberwine Release New Single “Worlds Away”

    The Buffalo-based rock/blues/jam fusion group eberwine released a new single “Worlds Away.” The single is their first from the upcoming debut studio album One Vision.

    eberwine band picture

    “Worlds Away” is a 7-minute tune that showcases the band’s rock medley sound. “It’s about understanding the nature of reality,” noted lead guitarist and front Todd Eberewine, “The knowledge that we’re here now and that we’re not guaranteed anything beyond this moment.”

    Eberwine originally started as a solo act in 2016. The band is known for his soulful lyrics and high energy shows. When he started performing live in 2019, Eberwine looked to secure a permanent lineup to accompany him on the road.

    In its current live performances Eberwine (guitar, vocals) by Donny Frauenhofer on keys (Intrepid Travelers), Aaron Ziolkowski on guitar (Little Mountain Band), Jay Race on drums (Dead Alliance Buffalo), and Paul Zabrycki on bass(Dead Buffalo Alliance). The released single, which was recorded in the Strand Theatre, features Ryan Nogle (drums), Keith Lindner (bass), Eric Crittenden (keys), and Aaron Ziolkowski (backing vocals).

    “Worlds Away” is available on all streaming platforms.

  • National Recording Registry Inducts Music From NY Greats

    The National Recording Registry has announced its list of inductees for 2022, including material from NY natives Alicia Keys, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan and more. Inductions are based on cultural, historical or aesthetic importance. 

    National Recording Registry

    The 2022 class features inductions of Hip Hop and Latin sounds, as well as historical radio broadcasts, a podcast interview and presidential speech. After receiving over 1,000 nominations, the Library of Congress announced the finalized list of recordings that will be inducted this year.

    Harlem native Alicia Keys will receive the honor of having her 2001 debut album, Songs in A Minor, immortalized in the LOC registry. The album became a critical success immediately after its release and won Best R&B Album at the 2002 Grammys.

    A Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 album The Low End Theory will also be inducted, due to its innovative fusion of jazz and rap. The group’s sophomore album was championed by critics as a milestone for alternative rap, opening doors for future artists like Pharrell, Mos Def and The Roots and launching Busta Rhymes’s career. 

    Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) shaped the sound of hardcore rap and changed the way East Coast rap would sound for years after. The group’s impact on pop culture runs deep and wide as members have launched their own projects. The Staten Island collective has launched the careers of many members including Method Man, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Ghostface Killah

    James P. Johnson’s ‘Harlem Strut’ cemented the jazz pianist as one of the best of his time. He composed many hit songs including ‘The Charleston’ and inspired a number of great acts to follow including Duke Ellington, Pat Flowers and Cliff Jackson. The pioneering artist was seen as the bridge between ragtime and jazz.

    Max Roach’s 1960 album We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite covered a crucial time of racial injustice and civil rights in America. The five track album was found to be “too controversial” at the time of its release, but has finally been recognized as an important aspect of Black peoples’ fight for equality and liberty. It has been called a “jazz landmark” and “enduring civil rights statement”.

    Public radio station, WNYC, will make an appearance thanks to their courageous coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The NPR station broadcast the first details of the World Trade Center attacks, even as they struggled to keep the signal live. The station would continue to give updates throughout the day. 

    The full list of National Recording Registry inductees can be found here.

  • Ghost of Paul Revere Bittersweet in Bearsville; Announce Breakup

    Holler stompin’ their way back through the Northeast, The Ghost of Paul Revere made a spirited stop at the historic Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on Friday, April 15. It may also have been their last.

    Joined by longtime friend and frequent collaborator, Jackson Kincheloe (of Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds) on harmonica for the evening, the band displayed all the hallmarks and charisma that once made mainstream success seem like a “sure thing.” Playing with passion and purpose and like their lives depended on it, you could almost feel there was something more to this performance; something bubbling under the surface that the band already knew but wasn’t ready talk about yet.

    They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and if that’s really true, The Ghost of Paul Revere should be ready for WrestleMania.  Indeed, things have never been “easy” for the hard working alt-Americana folk rockers based out of Portland, Maine.  Seemingly faced with one set back after another, things came to a literal crossroads this past Februrary in Colorado when their tour van — along with all their instruments, sound gear, swag and merch — was stolen from a hotel parking lot.  With everything necessary to make a livelihood suddenly ripped away, the guys had two choices: either head back east with their tails between their legs, or take a chance and travel on into the unknown while relying on the kindness of strangers and fans.  With an overwhelming show of support via a GoFundMe page set up for the band, they choose to travel on and were miraculously able to complete the tour without missing a single date.  Even more inspiring, after reaching their estimated GoFundMe goal of $20,000 in just two days, GOPR gave back all extra donations, paying them forward to a charity of each band members choosing.

    Riding into Bearsville on Friday, it was the first time many fans in attendance were seeing The Ghost of Paul Revere. After being treated to an intimate opening set from singer/songwriter Daniel Rodriguez, one of the founding members of critically acclaimed folk act Elephant Revival, the ‘boys from Buxton’ took the stage shortly after 9pm.  Comprised of Griffin Sherry on guitar and vocals, Max Davis on banjo and vocals, Sean McCarthy on bass and vocals and drummer Chuck Gagne, GOPR wasted no time in planting foreshadowing seeds, opening the set with “Love at Your Connivence,” a song about reckoning with the emotions of walking away from someone you love.  Up next came the Davis sung “Two Hundred and Twenty-Six Days” before the band welcomed an old friend to the stage, multi-instrumentalist and New York native Jackson Kincheloe. A lanky long-haired cowboy, covered in tattoos and armed with a harmonica, Kincheloe allegedly “just showed up looking like this, knowing all the songs and was ready to go,” immediately making his presence felt on the rocking, up-tempo rendition of the seldom played “Fire in the Sky.”

    I lost my will to carry on the day you walked away
    Now I’m chained to a bottle of whiskey praying the levees goin’ break
    Just burn my home and take all my things, send me to the lord above
    Because I know on the day that the judgement comes sure as hell not going up

    Lyrics from “Fire in the Sky”

    A few songs in and guitar player Griffin Sherry couldn’t help but comment on how well behaved the crowd was, almost daring them to cut loose a little. It was easy for fans to do just that on one of the stand out songs of the night, an extended take on the 2015’s “Two Weeks,” which easily doubled the length of the studio recording and featured the entire band locking in on a groove lead by drummer Chuck Gagne, who appeared to be having an absolute blast playing behind the kit. 

    After working their way through career spanning staples like “Good at Losing Everything,” “Little Bird,” “San Antone” and “Wild Child,”  Ghost of Paul Revere would introduce one of the songs they are most proud of, “Ballad of the 20th Maine” which earned them national attention in 2019 when it was named Maine’s official ballad. 

    Between songs, banjo player Max Davis took the opportunity to talk about what it felt like playing there that night.   That there are certain rooms that have a magic about them, a rich musical history, and that this is one of them and he could feel it, stating “There’s just certain feelings and there’s no lying about it. The people that have been in this space have charted in unknowns and you just hope that you’re also charting in one of those unknowns.” He would then introduce one of his favorite songs to play, “Montreal.”

    Well the grass may be greener and the scenery cleaner, but your heart never found a home; Are we growing apart or are we growing up? Are we stuck in a dream or are we waking up?

    Lyrics to “Montreal”

    One of the things that has helped GOPR gain so many new followers since forming in 2011 has been their tasteful selection of cover choices.  Known for putting their unique Holler-folk twist on classics like “Baba O’Riley,” “War Pigs ,”Nothing From Nothing” and even newer songs like Dr. Dogs “Shadow People,” considering we were in Levon Country, a betting man would have probably placed his chips on them doing something like “I Shall Be Released,” a song GOPR has played rather frequently over the years.  However, on this night, the band upped the ante and took things in a meta direction, opting to play a cover-of-a- cover in the form of “Atlantic City,” which received one of the biggest ovation of the evening.

    Watch video of Ghost of Paul Revere covering “Atlantic City” in Bearsville, NY 4/15/2022

    Ghost of Paul Revere would also play “Travel On,” a “yet to be named” new song that featured Sean McCarthy handling the bulk of singing duties before closing out the performance with one final bit of foreshadowing, a powerful and thought provoking song called “This is the End.”     

    Tell my father it was worth it; Tell my sister not to wait for me

    Just don’t ask me if I’m doin’ okay (’cause I’m not okay)

    Tell my friends that I love them
    Oh, my friends, this is the end, this is the end”

    Lyrics to “This is the End”

    The following day, Ghost of Paul Revere would play a show in Jersey City, NJ before making an announcement on social media Monday that nobody saw coming.    “It has been a wild ride filled with an abundance of trials, tribulations and joy. When we first got together eleven years ago, we never could have imagined that we would be given the incredible opportunity to share our music with all of you for this long. Over 1200 shows, 400,000 miles, 46 states, 6 countries and (soon to be) 9 albums later, our journey has finally brought us to the here and now,” the band wrote.  “Change is hard, it can be a subtle breeze that pushes you in a specific direction, or a rogue wave appearing without warning from the darkness. For the sake of our own health, our families and you, our fans, we have decided that this year’s Ghostland festival will be our last show – the end to a fantastic journey performing together – as The Ghost of Paul Revere,” the post continued, describing a mix of sadness and gratitude that comes with the decision, and encouraged fans to join them for shows as they finish their final last ride together.

    “Although it may seem like it, we want you to know that “This is [not] the end.” The songs and music will always be there to share and enjoy with one another. We are excited to journey into the next chapter of our lives and will continue to keep everyone posted about our future, individual endeavors. We hope to see each and every one of you throughout spring and summer for “The Last Ride,” our final tour, which will include a number of new and exciting announcements and show additions coming soon! We hope to see you there so we can sing the songs we all love and share these final moments with you at least once more.

    Love you all and thank you for believing,

    Griffin, Sean, Max, & Chuck”

    Following the announcement, long time fans flooded the internet with photos and personal memories they’ve shared with the band. Coming from a small town in Maine, it’s clear the Ghost had a far greater reach and meant more to people than they probably realize. Honest songs with beautiful harmonies, the universal appeal of the hard-working everyman and full of untapped potential.  With a handful of new dates already announced before their final show in September, you’re encouraged to go see this band while you still can. 

    NYS Music would like to thank The Ghost of Paul Revere for the music, memories, good times, and for always making time for us over the years.  We wish each member the best of luck and success in all their future endeavors.     

    4/15/22 | Bearsville Theatre | Woodstock, NY

    One Set (partial): Love at Your Connivence, Annabelle, Fire in the Sky, Two Weeks, Little Bird, Good at Losing Everything, Travel On, New Song, Ballad of the 20th Maine, Atlantic City, Wild Child, San Antone

    Encore: This is the End

    For more photos from their final performance in Bearsville, NY, check out the galley below, courtesy of Rock Journalist and NYS Music contributor Zak Radick.