Category: Regions

  • Consider The Source Releases “I Am Inevitable”; Maxx Power Tour Stops Announced for Lake Huntington, Saratoga Springs and Brooklyn

    Sci-fi fusion trio Consider the Source releases their newest album “I Am Inevitable” as they start to gear up for their Maxx Power Tour. The band is ready to get back to the electric shows they have become known for. Their upcoming Maxx Power Tour will feature material from throughout the band’s history, bringing back songs from the very beginning and some electric tracks from their latest effort “Hybrid Vol.1: Such As A Mule.”

    Consider The Source Releases "I Am Inevitable"

    With their blend of progressive rock and improvisatory jazz Consider the Source defy easy categorization. A relentless touring schedule has earned them a close following around the world, with fans ranging from tie dye covered hippies to metalheads.

    “Manipulating the juxtaposition between light and dark frequently, the song tells a story of conflicting emotions which paradoxically need each other to exist. We wanted to surprise and challenge the listener by shifting these moods harmonically and dynamically. Playing with contrasts in this way gives each section its own platform. The title comes from Marvel Comics super villain Thanos however in classic CTS fashion, we took the quote out of context and when you read these words and then listen to the song, it conjures hope rather than destruction which was the initial intention. We know…we are nerds” states CTS.

    MAXX POWER TOUR 

    10.13  Baltimore, MD – The 8×10 ! 
    10.14  Damascus, VA – Between the Vines 
    10.15  Burkeville, VA – Fly High CROPtober Fest 
    10.29  Lake Huntington, NY – CollaboWeen # 
    11.04  Portland, ME – Bayside Bowl $ 
    11.05  Hartford, CT – Arch Street Tavern % 
    11.10  Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Place ^ 
    11.11  Burlington, VT – Nectar’s 
    11.12  Asbury Park, NJ – Wonder Bar * 
    11.17  Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater ^ 
    11.18  Pembroke, MA – Soundcheck Studios + 
    11.19  Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Made * 
    12.01  Charlottesville, VA – The Southern 
    12.02  Asheville, NC – Asheville Music Hall 
    12.03  Charlotte, NC – Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts !! 
    12.08  Atlanta, GA – Smith’s Olde Bar ## 
    12.09  Raleigh, NC – The Pour House Music Hall $$ 
    12.10  Boone, NC – Boone Saloon %% 
    12.30  Brattleboro, VT – The Stone Church + 
    12.31  Worcester, MA – Electric Haze ^^ 

    For more information on Consider the Source Releases, tickets, and the show, click the link here

  • Sarah King A/B Album “Always an Almost” and “You Were Wrong About Me”

    Ripton, VT, artist Sarah King has recently just delivered a soulful new A/B sided release with “Always an Almost” and “You Were Wrong About Me.” There’s no arguing that King’s talents are being celebrated by some of the biggest names in music. Her music has a similar resemblance to artists like The Lumineers, Lana Del Rey, Lenny Kravitz, Michael Jackson, Shawn Mendes and more.

    Sarah King A/B Album "Always an Almost" and "You Were Wrong About Me"
    Sarah King A/B

    Just off the heels of her most recent EP The Hour, Sarah King shows her newest releases exuding a clear contrast to her previous works. Most which were originally inspired by loss of loved ones, grief and the heavier feelings that she had carried with her for years. In her newest releases, each song can be both musically and lyrically versatility. King does this through dynamic vocal delivery and refreshing heart-on-sleeve storytelling. 

    Sarah King A/B Album "Always an Almost" and "You Were Wrong About Me"
    Sarah King A/B

    The track “Always an Almost” describes the sudden chances we thought we just missed, much like the relationships that didn’t last, and all of the dreams we struggle to let go of in order to make space for what is really meant for us. King sings heartfelt lyrics with tears streaming down her face, solidifying the fact that she had an undeniable hit in her hands. 

    “Almost thought I couldn’t let go, But the pain’s how you grow / It gets better I know, Always an almost” ~ Always An Almost 

    Followed by a fierce rock companion “You Were Wrong About Me,” this release offers a bit of modern rock n roll. This release looks back on the situations that didn’t work out from a place of strength, growth and confidence. Originally the song was written in about 10 minutes; the two-minute-long rocker was inspired by a music venue that rejected King to perform before even listening to her music. Thus, King has written one of her most simple, yet impactful tracks that musicians will be able to relate to. 

    “Don’t need your permission now, Didn’t want it anyhow / Live my life the way I please, You’ll never be the boss of me” ~ You Were Wrong About Me 

  • Trauma Cat’s “The Truth Doesn’t Live Here” Album Release

    Local to Syracuse, the band Trauma Cat has recently just dropped their newest album The Truth Doesn’t Live Here, which we released on Friday, October 7th. Award-winning indie alternative band making a name for themselves by stating that they are “America’s sorriest power trio.” Along with this, they will be playing at The Range in Ithaca on October 22nd

    The Truth Doesn't Live Here" Album Release

    This LP marks the Syracuse-based band’s second full-length collaboration weighing in at a whopping 19 tracks. The unauthorized double album features six singles previously released in 2022: “Better Questions,” “Tsai Shen,” “Bunnyhole,” “Popcorn Machine,” “Get It All Out (Online),” and “The Reporter.” 

    Trauma Cat's "The Truth Doesn't Live Here" Album Release

    Songs like “The Truth Doesn’t Live Here” arrive also on the heels of a five-part online “dox-u-series” called “The Truth About Trauma Cat,” a cheeky satire of internet culture, deepfake technology, and simulation theory that teases a definitive identity reveal of the band’s members (known as Ralph Kojig, Roman Pando, and Rutger DiBoyere). 

    “When we say ‘the truth doesn’t live here,’ we mean that we are all inhabiting a post-truth world,” says guitarist Kojig, who shares primary songwriting and frontman duties with bassist Pando. “While it’s possible that the majority of our society once recognized an objective truth, it’s pretty clear now — in the face of so many false or dubious claims — that we never had a monopoly on reality anyway, I’m sorry to say.” 

    “And there’s something hilarious and freeing about that,” adds Pando. “That strange liberation is what provoked Ralph and I to write the songs that would end up on this record. The result is something deeply inquisitive, and yet, with apologies to our audience, we still have no answers — except, obnoxiously, that there are no answers. Sorry!” 

    The songs on the album that I recommend are “The Truth Doesn’t Live Here,” which doubles down on Trauma Cat’s signature blend of music taste. The song combines a progressive rock with shades of post-punk, shoegaze, and power-pop. Similarly, “Better Questions” and “Pray the Gay Away” are another two amazing blend of alternative genres that speak to the chaos of the record’s core theme. 

    “The Truth Doesn’t Live Here” is available now on all streaming platforms. To listen to their newest hits, click the link here.

  • Brooklyn Funk Essentials Release Video For “AA Side Single”

    NYC’s cult funk ensemble Brooklyn Funk Essentials have just shared a playful video for their irresistible new jazz-funk jam “AA Side Single.” The music video was just released October 16th, in follow up to the critically acclaimed recent single “Scream!” released on Dorado Records.

    The tongue in cheek video is full of vibes and features legendary lead singer Alison Limerick, BFE founder and bassist Lati Kronlund and the entire BFE lineup.

    Brooklyn Funk Essentials Release Video For "AA Side Single"

    Brooklyn Funk Essentials is a music collective who mix jazz, funk, and hip hop, featuring musicians and poets from different cultures. Across a career that stretches 28 years and six albums, Brooklyn Funk Essentials have established themselves as an audacious project fusing soul, hip hop, spoken word, jazz, Latin and of course, funk. BFE have built up a loyal international cult following on every continent since its inception in 1993 by iconic producer Arthur Baker and bassist Lati Kronlund.  

    The band was born out of New York’s buzzing hip-hop, jazz and slam poetry scenes in the early 90s, rotating some of the finest musicians, DJs, poets, rappers and singers. BFE’s debut album Cool & Steady & Easy is a classic underground hit with the version of Pharoah Sanders’ “The Creator Has a Master Plan,” while tracks like “Take The L Train” and “Big Apple Boogaloo” became DJ favorites. 

    “The cult funk ensemble Brooklyn Funk Essentials share the playful video for their infectious new jazz-funk jam “AA Side Single” today”

    – Ghettoblaster

    The songs “AA Side Single” and ‘Scream!’ are both taken from the BFE’s hotly anticipated seventh studio album Intuition, which will come out in early 2023 on Dorado Records. Thus, the original label who first signed Brooklyn Funk Essentials in 1994. 

    Brooklyn Funk Essentials Release Video For "AA Side Single"

    BFE are on a European Tour through summer to autumn, with European festival dates across Sweden, Norway, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Turkey and more. 

    To watch the video for “AA Side Single,” click here. To listen to Brooklyn Funk Essentials, click here

  • SLIFT Slays a Sold-Out Bug Jar

    A tick before midnight on Saturday October 15, brains splattered on the wall, a mix of sweat and beer wet the floor, as a stunned crowd shuffled out of the Bug Jar, eyes-glazed. Such was the aftermath from the headlining set from French trio SLIFT.

    slift

    Comprised of brothers Jean and Remi Fossat on guitar and bass, and high school friend Canek Flores on drums, SLIFT was rounding the home-stretch of their first ever North American tour. Their most recent release, Ummon, arrived just before the pandemic shutdowns. The set pulled exclusively from that material, though nearly 3 years old, it of course arrived to the sold-out Rochester audience farm fresh. Each note, each beat, every howl, served and consumed with reckless abandon.

    sliftslift

    After limb-loosening and ear-pleasing sets from local openers The Ginger Faye Bakers and Haishen, the trio took the stage. Jean dialed up an undulating drone from his electronics panel, which sped into an alien beam before the band exploded into “Ummon”. Guitar, drums and bass a raging ball of energy. The crowd responded in kind, jumping, fist pumping, bodies bouncing off bodies, feet stomping on feet, elbows jabbing chests. But there was no time for apologizing, just move or be moved.

    slift

    Digital patterns and images frenetically displayed behind the band. Like a sonic mood ring, they seemed to match the music’s energy. Reds and whites flashed during the heavier head-banging moments. When “It’s Coming” kicked into a more head-bobbing psychedelic groove, oranges and greys emerged. Mellower still, brought blues and yellows. A meaty “Century on a Satellite” > “Hyperion” mid-set had the band moving freely between high-energy metal, long bass-led grooves, electronics-heavy sections, and slow-developing climaxes. The colorful displays followed all along the way, yellows shifting to oranges intensifying into reds.

    When a band calls out their last song, it’s always welcome when that song goes for 15 minutes. A show-closing “Lions, Tigers and Bears” delivered on all fronts. Remi’s incredible bass playing reached a fever pitch, carrying a his brother through frenetic guitar solos and spacey electronics noodling. Flores’ drums built up to one final explosion and the whole ordeal collapsed gloriously. Then one last we’re-not-quite-done-yet droning exploration extended the evening until it all fizzled out for real. At just over an hour it wasn’t enough to sate the packed house, but pleas for an encore went unrewarded. Zut alors!

  • Iconic Folk Music Venue Caffe Lena to Host Free Healthcare Clinic for Musicians

    Most serious music fans know about Bob Dylan’s first show at Cafe Wha? in NYC. He was a 19-year-old college dropout, he had just hitched a ride with friends across the country, but even after his first gig, he hadn’t made it yet. Luckily, through the mutual friend of Dave Van Ronk, Dylan secured a second gig with Lena Spencer, Caffe Lena’s proprietor. He played his first out-of-town gig at the newly established folk music coffee house in Saratoga Springs, according to Andrew Nguyen for the Blackwing Music Foundation. Caffe Leena took on the unknown musician and invested in him, even though Dylan didn’t have much of anything to his name — no money, no fame, and — though we can’t know for sure — likely no health insurance. 

    caffe lena
    Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs

    According to Caffe Lena, 43% of professional musicians in the U.S. have no health insurance, and among full-time musicians, the numbers are even higher. To recognize and address this issue, and to increase accessibility for live performers unilaterally in accordance with their values that put Bob Dylan on over 50 years ago, Caffe Lena will host their first ever Musicians’ Health and Wellness Outreach pop-up clinic for uninsured musicians from the Capital District and Lower Adirondack region. The clinic will be on October 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    The clinic is funded by Caffe Lena, its (over 1,000) members, and Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center and Hudson Headwaters Health Network are providing funding and staffing. Medical Professionals are volunteering to check in on their local musicians. The clinic will include custom-fitted earplugs for onstage hearing protection, blood pressure screening, HEP-C/HIV screening, insurance navigator consultation, Tai Chi and kits for those aged 45-64 to self-administer a colorectal screening. 

    Taking care of this community is what we do—and we are proud of it,” said Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD, medical director of Saratoga Community Health Center. “We are delighted to partner with Caffe Lena and Hudson Headwaters to serve local musicians and keep them in good health.”

    If any conditions are diagnosed at the screening that will require follow-up or medicine the Saratoga Community Health Center will provide it for free until the musician can be enrolled in affordable health insurance. 

    This is just the latest of the legendary Caffe Lena’s work to support independent musicianship. Caffe Lena is guided by Lena Spencer’s staunch belief in music appreciation in live, intimate settings, without regard for the fame or station of said musicians. In 2020, Caffe Lena launched their School of Music, for adults and children to study folk music in new and old contexts. The school has a donor-funded scholarship to ensure accessibility. Caffe Lena is a 501 (c) non-profit organization, with music almost every day, live and live-streamed. The former wood shop, turned cafe, turned iconic venue has just undergone renovations to make the space 100% handicap accessible. See the calendar of upcoming events and shows here.

  • Dave Chappelle Makes History at Radio City Music Hall

    Dave Chappelle made history at Radio City Music Hall on Oct. 16 with the venue’s first comedy pop-up show. The momentous event featured an all-star lineup of special guests opening the night.

    Suggested Caption: From left to right – DJ Scratchator, Michael Che, Ronny Chieng, DJ Trauma, Busta Rhymes (kneeling over), Earthquake, Dave Chappelle, Spliff Star, Mo Amer and DJ Cipha Sounds on stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY on Sunday, October 16, 2022.

    Dave Chappelle is recognized as one of the greatest comedians of all time. He is the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. His work has earned more than 30 nominations and awards in television and film. Chappelle has received five Emmy awards including three for his Netflix comedy specials, and two for hosting Saturday Night Live. He has also won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album three years in a row, from 2018 through 2020.

    The comedy show was announced on Oct. 14 with tickets going on sale immediately after. The late-night set drew rave reviews with a packed house that arrived at 10:30 p.m. The show included all-star guests, including Ronny Chieng, Mo Amer, Michael Che, and Earthquake. The show concluded with a surprise performance from rapper Busta Rhymes with hype-man Spliff Star.

    Dave Chappelle’s history-making night won’t be forgotten. He is performing more shows in Dec. in Hollywood, FL, and Columbus, OH. Tickets for those and more that may be announced can be purchased here.

  • The Beach Boys ‘Tis The Season Tour with The Holiday Vibrations Orchestra Making Numerous Stops Across New York This Holiday Season

    Highlighting both newly-made holiday songs and traditional Christmas tunes will be the ‘Tis the Season with the Beach Boys tour performance event on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The featured album, Reason for the Season, having been produced by established musicians such as Sam Hollander from Panic! at the Disco and Train, and Steve Greenberg of Hanson and AJR, features artists like Hanson and Beach Boys co-founder Love’s children.

    Beach Boys Tis the Season
    ‘Tis The Season with The Beach Boys 2022 Tour Advertisement

    The 16-date tour starts on November 26th and takes place in several cities across the country, including at Carnegie Hall in New York on December 5th. Their following performance in New York will be held at The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater in Syracuse on December 7th.

    Tickets will be on sale on Friday, October 7th and may be purchased online at Ticketmaster or at the Solvay Bank Box Office at The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters.

    Tis the Season with the Beach Boys featuring the Holidays Vibrations Orchestra Tour Dates:

    10/8 – Syracuse Crunch vs Rochester Americans

    10/8-10/9 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Convention Center – RetroGameCon

    10/11 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater – FOCL Presents Yusef Salaam

    10/14 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinders Theater Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Scared Shitless

    10/16 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater – The Princess Bride – An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes

    10/18 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Convention Center – The Salvation Army’s 51st Annual Civic Celebration

    10/27 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater – Whose Live Anyway?

    10/29 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater – Zach Williams

    10/30 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinders Theater – Kevin James

    11/2 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater – Ray LaMontagne The MONOVISION Tour

    11/15 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater – FOCL Presents Casey McQuinston

    11/18 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater – Ancient Aliens Live

    11/18 – Syracuse, NY – Upstate Medical University Arena – Oncenter War Memorial – Trey Anastasio Band & Goose

    11/19 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater – Daryl Hall and the Daryl’s House Band

    11/26 – Mashantucket, CT – Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino

    11/27 – Medford, MA – Chevalier Theatre

    11/30 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center

    12/2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

    12/2-12/4 – Syracuse City Ballet Presents Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”

    12/3 – Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

    12/5 – New York, NY – Carnegie Hall – Isaac Stern Auditorium / Ronald O. Perelman

    12/7 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater

    12/7 – ‘Tis the Season with The Beach Boys featuring The Holiday Vibrations Orchestra

    12/9 – Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

    12/10 – Akron, OH – E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall

    12/11 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace

    12/11 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater -Championships of Magic

    12/12 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater -Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet

    12/13 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre

    12/14 – Saint Louis, MO – The Fabulous Fox Theatre

    12/15 – Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Civic Center

    12/16 – Welch, MN – Treasure Island Resort & Casino

    12/17 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater

    12/18 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre

    1/13/23 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinder Theater – Brian Regan

    3/21/23 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinder Theater – FOCL Presents Kate Quinn

    4/18/23 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinder Theater – FOCL Presents Garry Trideau

    5/9/23 – Syracuse, NY – The Oncenter Crouse Hinder Theater – FOCL Presents Jill Lepore

  • Budding NYC Artist Sid Seth’s New Single is ‘Simple Yet True’

    When Sid Seth moved to NYC from Ahmedabad, Gujarat in India five years ago to attend the Manhattan School of Music he shortly found that “the city that never sleeps” seemed to have gone into hibernation. In a new city, at a new school and without friends, Sid Seth turned to art and music, his longtime companions. It was during this time that Seth wrote “Simple Yet True,” his just-released debut single.

    “Simple Yet True,” trickles in with acoustic guitar and Seths clear vocals, before building to a cathartic emotional release. The song is yearning but bright, a song for slow mornings, paired with coffee and cream. 

    sImple yet true Sid Seth

    Seth made the song using his own multi-instrumentalist talents on guitar and piano and with the help of Kris Crawford — who has produced for Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes — and Alex Psaroudakis — who has won a Grammy for master engineering. In addition to these industry veterans at his back, Seth has experience playing live in NYC at such venues as the Bowery Electric, Feinstein’s 54 Below and the Green Room, and at venues in India as well. 

    But he’s not just a musician. Seth’s inspiration for “Simple yet True” actually came from painting first. In his room during the pandemic, when the city seemed to stand still, Seth felt drawn to the page, he said. He ended up painting a long-forgotten scene from his childhood onto the canvas, and that artful nostalgia translates in clean sweeps off the canvas and into his music. 

    Sid Seth’s next show is at Kobrick Coffee Co. in NYC on October 20 at 7:30. He will be playing with Justin Charles, an 18-year-old song-writer and producer. Tickets are available here. And, on December 8 Seth will play Rockwood Music Hall.

  • Puma Blue and Hamond Levitate Brooklyn with Baby’s All Right Performance

    London-based, indie-jazz artist Puma Blue performed alongside Houston artist Hamond at Baby’s All Right on Oct. 15, headlining two performances after supporting Arlo Park’s Collapsed in Sunbeams Tour. Returning to the venue where they first performed in the US over 3 years ago, Puma Blue supplied the audience with lush, lo-fi jazz and R&B music for the hour-long set.

    puma blue
    Puma Blue, 2022 Photo By Parker Alexander

    The night began with a similarly moving performance by Hamond, whose album, Pirate Radio, released this past June. Alone with a guitar and MIDI keyboard controller, he filled the 280-capcity venue of soul-stirring melodies with every chord. Hamond performed songs off the aforementioned LP, dazzling the crowd early in the night and showcasing his musical finesse, backed by cinematic pop beats.

    puma blue
    Hamond, 2022 Photo by Parker Alexander

    After a short break between sets, Puma Blue came on stage. They traversed an intricate 15-song set, featuring songs from their debut album, In Praise of Shadows, and two EPs released in 2017 and 2019. Two new, unreleased songs were played.

    “Pretty”, was gentle and tranquil, reminiscent of “Only Trying 2 Tell You”. “Light That Is Gone” featured a riff with glimmers of Jeff Buckley’s “Dream Brother”, who Puma Blue’s singer, Jacob Allen, has cited as a central influence on his work (even playing a Fender Telecaster that Buckley had regularly performed with).

    puma blue
    Puma Blue, 2022 Photo by Parker Alexander

    The group’s newly released song “Hounds” also made an appearance during the show. The brooding bass line reverberated across the snare and into the crowd, a highlight of the night. Finishing off with “(She’s) Just A Phase” and an accompanying raucous applause, Puma Blue concluded their fall supporting and headlining show schedule.

    More music was teased to come (likely next year) and they undoubtedly will make a stop in New York.

    Puma Blue | Baby’s All Right | Brooklyn, NY | October 15, 2022

    Setlist: Midnight Blue, Soft Porn, Velvet Leaves, Already Falling, Snowflower, Lust, Oil Slick, Pretty, Bath House, Bruise Cruise, Light That Is Gone, Hounds, Moon Undah Water

    Encore: Want Me, (She’s) Just A Phase