New York Public Radio will host its annual fundraising event at Brooklyn Bowl on Sept. 21 to celebrate 40 years of “New Sounds” with John Schaefer.
Starting at 7 P.M, the event will celebrate the radio host’s career on WNYC and his contributions to the city’s music scene.
John Schaefer. (credit: Daniel Randall)
The night will feature performances by Brooklyn bhangra fusion group Red Baraat and tropical futurism band Combo Chimbita, as well as a DJ set by Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley. The fundraiser will support New York Public Radio brands such as WNYC, WQXR, Gothamist, and WNYC Studios, and tickets can be found online.
Schaefer has been cited by New York Magazine as one of “the people whose ideas, power, and sheer will are changing New York” and was honored in 2003 with the American Music Center’s prestigious Letter of Distinction for his “substantial contributions to advancing the field of contemporary American music in the United States and abroad.”
Airing every night at 11 P.M. on 93.9 FM and wnyc.org, “New Sounds” was first brought onto the airwaves in 1982. After John Schaefer was brought to WNYC the year prior to read newscasts and introduce classical music, he found his calling at the station by engaging with the city’s music scene through his now renowned radio show.
“New Sounds” was expanded to include the New Sounds Live Concert Series in 1986 and the Soundcheck Podcast in 2002, having included prolific guests such as Mavis Staples, Mark Ronson, Norah Jones, and Danger Mouse, among others.
24kGoldn headlined at The Great New York State Fair on Friday, September 2. Following performances on Wiz Khalifa and Logic’s Vinyl Verse Tour, the rapper debuted on the Chevy Park stage within the New York Experience Festival Grounds. Under the yellow stage lights, 24kGoldn presented an incredible show to a large interactive audience.
A San Francisco native, 24kGoldn burst into the music industry with the success from the release of his single “Valentino” in January 2019, receiving over 371 million streams on Spotify. His music genre ranges from punk and alternative to pop and rap. Driven by a TikTok viral trend, 24kGoldn’s song with Iann Dior, “Mood,” set music chart records by becoming the first song ever to top four Billboard Music Charts at the same time.
The lights dimmed and 24kGoldn ran on stage full of energy to “Valentino.” Immediately, fans in the crowd jumped out of their seats. He worked each side of the stage equally, especially during the performance of “Coco,” featuring DaBaby where he assigned each side of the audience to chant “Coco” or “Chanel.”
Closing the show, 24kGoldn performed “Mood,” and the crowd sang along. His stage presence is outstanding, with an effortless way of working an audience.
It has been three long years since Local Natives have toured and the wait was worth it. The Inside An Hourglass Tour started late-July with Jordana and made it’s second to last stop at New York’s Pier 17 on a beautiful summer night.
Local Natives’ Kelcey Ayer on keyboard playing a sold out show at New York’s Pier 17.
Jordana opened the show with “Pressure Point”, the first song off their latest album, Face The Wall, which was released in May. The singer-songwriter had a comedic way of addressing the crowd throughout the set with her trusty Gumby on the mic stand. Before closing with “Why”, Jordana exclaimed “I love you dude!” to her new friend in the crowd, Kenny, who she briefly chatted with earlier in the set. Lastly she went on to say “This one…you know what’s funny is that we started the set with the first song on the album I just released in May…and now we’re ending it with the last song on the album, so it’s kind of artistic in that way…you know what I mean? Kind of meta, artsy, any way it’s about not giving a damn.”
Sing-songwriter Jordana and Gumby playing a sold out show at New York’s Pier 17.
Local Natives took the stage shortly after sunset, kicking off with “Statues in The Garden (Arras)” which has a dreamy, psychedelic music video to accompany it. After a few songs, vocalist and guitarist Taylor Rice remarked that it has been three years since they have toured and “we missed you very, very, very much!” Taylor continued to share that their tour bus caught fire two weeks prior and they weren’t sure they were going to make it to New York, proudly stating “…but we are here! We didn’t cancel anything!”
Overall the group’s mix of songs off their full discography along with newer tracks “Desert Snow” and “Hourglass”. During the encore, Kelcey commented “…this is such an amazing night, and I just think about the first time we ever played New York City was at Pianos…this little place somewhere over there⦔ as he gestured off into the distance. “It feels fucking great! And this song is dedicated to New York.”
Local Natives at Pier 17, Friday, August 26
Setlist: Statues in the Garden (Arras), Megaton Mile, I Saw You Close Your Eyes, Coins, Ceilings, Desert Snow, Past Lives, Wide Eyes, Sun Hands, Wooly Mammoth, Heavy Feet, Fountain of Youth, Colombia, Lemon (with Jordana), Dark Days, Who Knows, Who Cares
Encore: Hourglass, Airplanes, When Am I Gonna Lose You
Jordana at New York’s Pier 17Jordana at New York’s Pier 17Jordana at New York’s Pier 17Jordana at New York’s Pier 17Jordana at New York’s Pier 17Jordana at New York’s Pier 17Jordana at New York’s Pier 17Jordana at New York’s Pier 17Jordana at New York’s Pier 17Local Natives Taylor Rice at New York’s Pier 17Local Natives Kelcey Ayer at New York’s Pier 17Local Natives Ryan Hahn at New York’s Pier 17Local Natives Nik Ewing at New York’s Pier 17Local Natives Matt Frazier at New York’s Pier17Local Natives’ Taylor Rice at New York’s Pier 17Local Natives Nik Ewing at New York’s Pier 17Local Natives’ Ryan Hahn at New York’s Pier 17Local Natives’ Kelcey Ayer at New York’s Pier 17Local Natives’ Taylor Rice at New York’s Pier 17
Five-piece improvisatory group, QWANQWA is making their debut in North America this fall; travelling on their first tour in the U.S. in over 20 states. Their performance locations feature a variety of memorable places, including Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, Flushing Town of Hall in Queens, Beacon’s Howland Cultural Center, Saratoga’s Caffe Lena, Buffalo’s Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Centre, and more.
QWANQWA, based in Ethiopia’s capital and largest city, Addis Ababa, are dedicated to furthering the country’s unique musical tradition rooted in string – classical music blended with new styles influenced by new compositions. Having recruited some of the most prominent names in the country’s music scene, they’ve created room for exploration of new sounds while implementing traditional and region-based beats and moods.
QWANQWA’s released works include three critically-acclaimed albums, Volume One (2014) and Volume Two (2015); and Volume Three (2020). The group has performed at two major European tours with knockout shows at the Roskilde and WOMEX festivals in 2016 and 2017 and members of QWANQWA have performed with some of the biggest names in Ethiopian music and beyond: Getachew Mekuria, Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astatke, The EX, Thurston Moore, Fred Frith, Butch Morris, and more.
Art Bernstein has been playing, recording, teaching and writing about drumming for over 30 years. As a contributing writer to “Drumhead Magazine”, a teacher with The Empire State Youth Orchestra, and performer on over 40 albums, Art is a master at his craft, whose teachings, publications and performances have undoubtedly enriched the lives of so many drummers.
To top it off, Art is a terrific guy; very down to earth and humble. I am proud to call him my friend, and a terrific drummer. His work with jazz guitar virtuoso Chuck D’Aloia is exceptional in every way. Art has written several lesson books, including “Kangarudiments”, which is one of the best lesson books that I’ve ever read. Art is a true gem in the world of percussion. So please welcome, my friend, Art Bernstein!
RRX: Hey man. Let’s start out with the basics; How old were you when you started playing?
AB: I started playing in sixth grade as I remember. I started on snare, and quickly moved to snare drum and drum set. In seventh grade I played in the concert band and jazz ensemble. In eighth grade I started playing in both the middle school and high school jazz band. My eighth grade year was very busy, doing both jazz bands, concert band, as well as some drum set work on upop” tunes at the time. The jazz ensemble material was almost always focused on swing, jazz/funk and fusion; really all over the map, and this really helped me grow as a drummer. I am so thankful for the time I had with all that material. In the summer of 1984, I was full time at the Eastern US Music Camp at Cortland State University, playing in multiple ensembles all day every day, and studying privately with Tom Brown. In high school I studied with Kathleen Lowry, who is Tom Brown’s daughter! I am so happy to have had the opportunity to study with those gifted players, as well as my private instructor at the time, David Bitner. I am so thankful for having these wonderful teachers while growing up.
RRX: It sounds greatl Who inspired you early on in your drumming life?
AB: Too many to list! I was a very young drummer, but would cite Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, Chad Smith, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, David Garibaldi, Chick Webb, Gene Krupa, Philly Joe Jones, Louis Benson, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams…the list goes on.
RRX: A long list! Tell me about your “dream kit”.
AB: As an Ayotte guy I have to say pretty much what I am playing right now. Custom Ayotte four or five piece. I would love to add a 20″ x 14″ kick that could be tuned like a 22″ or 24″ kick if needed. A separate vintage wish list would include a vintage Ludwig Black Beauty, Supraphonic, and anything Gretsch Round Badge!
RRX: Nice! You’ve been teaching, writing, and playing your tail off for years; is there anything that you prefer to do?
AB: I truly love it all.
RRX: It shows! I like to ask jazz players about rock and roll drummers like Charlie (Watts) and Ginger (Baker) who preferred to be known as jazz players. So, having played several different styles of drumming, in your opinion, what is it about jazz that seems to attract even the most “rock and roll” type drummers?
AB: I could go on for hours but let me boil it down and try to be succinct. First, I think that this is our history, as drummers. I think that we are drawn naturally to find out where we came from. If it were not for jazz, would there be rock? Second, to know as much as you can about where you came from historically with your craft, will assist you in so many ways, to help you figure out where you’re going. Third, outside of straight rock playing all 8th and 16th notes completely straight and playing triplets in strict orchestral fashion, everything swings to a varying degree. From totally swung to a James Brown funk feel, or a New Orleans jazz feel, and all things in between, they’re all related, and there is no right or wrong in my eyes, As Duke Ellington once said, “If it sounds good, it is good!” Fourth, in my mind, music is language, music is communication, most importantly as drummers, as we are listening, reacting to what we’re hearing, and subsequently being a supportive player with what we choose to play/say. No matter what we are doing stylistically we are always listening and communicating as we play. In all music, but particularly in jazz, we are supporting the other players, often through “comping” (which means to compliment) the other players. It makes a lot of sense to me that drummers are so drawn to this kind of improvised musical communication. I don’t mean to imply that jazz is the only musical style where this occurs, but it does seem to provide more opportunities for this type of playing. Finally, jazz drumming welcomes playing that incorporates four way independence and can span many genres within one tune when applied in a jazz fusion setting. That, combined with all my previous points creates a super fun, musically expanding and rewarding experience,
RRX: So true. Ok; worst gig ever?
AB: OMG too many to mention! I won’t name names though. Even the worst gig has its rewards. It’s all about the music.
RRX: Do you polish your cymbals?
AB: I absolutely understand why some drummers do, but I don’t. Something about the sound of an aged cymbal that is fairly well cared for seems to work for me.
RRX: Tell me your feelings on roto-toms.
AB: Wow! Roto-toms! I have not played them since the mid 80’s. I did own a set though. Benefits in my eyes include, easy to tune, simply swivel the head, three toms to one stand, and cost effective to add three toms to a kit! Drawbacks? Well, it’s a distinct sound, but probably has a place. Maybe there will be a roto-tom revival! That might be quite cool and fun!
RRX: t am waiting for the roto-tom Revival. That’s a good name for a band. Is there one drummer in history that you would like to sit down with and interview?
AB: Again, too many to narrow down to one.
RRX: Ok Professor, as a teacher, performer, author etc., what is your favorite warm-up before playing?
AB: A cup of java and mixing things up with something different every day. Always rudiments, followed by a specific style, rotating every day. One day, Afro Cuban, the next day Brazilian, the next day swing/jazz, next day New Orleans, and then slow blues, funk, the next day…
RRX: Art Bernstein is not only a tremendous player, author, and teacher, but also a wonderful guy. Check out his work at “Drumhead Magazine”, or any of his recordings, especially the ABCD albums, or at his website, artbernstein.com. You will not be disappointed!
The 34th annual Byron Bay Bluesfest Festival’s initial lineup has been revealed. Featuring international artists for the first time since 2019’s pre-pandemic festival, the first lineup released features over 40 artists.
Set for April 6-10, Bluesfest will see some of the finest contemporary and legendary blues, roots, soul, rock, hip hop, r&b, world and americana artists take the stage. This will be the first original style Bluesfest since the world re-opened. Last year primarily featured Australian and New Zealand Artists. Among those making their way down under are Utica’s own and renowned blues guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, bluegrass music innovators Greensky Bluegrass and jam-band favorites, Southern Avenue.
Bluesfest 2022 daytime
What is Bluesfest All-About?
Bluesfest is held over five days at the Byron Events Farm each easter long weekend. Event facilities include seven performance stages, nine licensed bars and two undercover food courts. There are many independent food vendors, car parking for over 7,000 vehicles and camping for up to 6,500 people.
In the coming weeks, Bluesfest will release more of the line-up, along with artist performance dates so that both day-trippers and 3-day ticket holders can make an informed choice. There will also be further announcements on two special satellite events happening in Melbourne and Perth.
And more good news is that ticket prices, camping and VIP tickets remain the same as 2022’s prices. That’s despite the significant increase in cost of international flights and freight logistics, with artist fees also on the rise. Bluesfest will also invest in upgrading the VIP area in order to give its supporters the best experience possible. For the campers that seek a“class above” experience you can upgrade to the Rainbow Tipi accommodation this year.
Whilst there are still plenty of Aussie artists listed in this first and upcoming announcements it is wonderful to once again in 2023, after four long years be able to bring back some of the greatest Blues, Roots, Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, World and Americana artists (and so much more) back to our shores after so long. As well as, of course, the stars of tomorrow.
– Peter Noble, Festival Director
Tickets for Bluesfest are now available and can be purchased on their official website. While only the 5-day passes are on sale for now, Bluesfest also offers 3-day and single-day passes.
Accessible Festivals officially launched its Dan Grover Memorial Ticket Grant Program this week, providing a limited number of free access tickets to recreational experiences like concerts, festivals, and conventions for disabled music fans and their loved ones. This marks a huge step forward towards accessibility for all throughout major events across the U.S.
Pictured: Past recipient Cindy Navarro at Escape Festival
Accessible Festivals is partnering with the largest festivals in the country, such as Austin City Limits Music Festival, BottleRock Napa Valley, Electric Daisy Carnival, Lollapalooza, Rolling Loud NY, Stagecoach and more. The idea was born out of the organization’s founder, Austin Whitney’s own personal experience. In 2007, Whitney was injured in a car accident that severed his spinal cord and paralyzed him from the waist down. He became consumed with depression and anxiety about his new life living with a disability.
Photo credit: Abbey Madrid Stagecoach
After some time, Whitney attended his first music festival, Coachella. For the first time since his injury, he was able to simply enjoy life. With the realization of the importance of festival accessibility, he decided to devote his life to ensuring people of all abilities can have an equal opportunity to experience live music and recreational activities to the fullest extent possible.
Photo credit: TJ Hayes Lollapalooza
Dan Grover was born on December 6, 1962, in rural New Jersey. At an early age, he was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic condition that deteriorates muscular strength over time, and began using a wheelchair for mobility at the age of 21.
Dan was responsible for implementing and improving ADA operations at some of the nation’s largest music festivals including Electric Forest, Outside Lands, Life is Beautiful, and many more. He helped ensure thousands of disabled guests were able to see the show safely and comfortably and was a fierce advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility for all.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Dan passed away on July 27, 2022. This program is intended to keep Dan’s legacy alive and honor him by sharing his passion for music and continuing to help other people with disabilities see the show.
In September, 2021 The Fugees and Pras Michel made headlines with a performance at Pier 17. It was their first show as a group in 15 years. With the trio later announcing a world tour of very selective dates and venues. In Fugees fashion, the tour was later canceled to the chagrin of fans. Lauryn Hill broke the news in January of 2022 with a statement.
Although a disappointment, Covid-19 complications seemed reasonable given the major cities the tour was due to hit. The addition of international stops in France, UK, Nigeria, Ghana along with their varied covid regulations made things more arduous. Rather, the Fugees, whoeach have gone through legal troubles, find another one of their own entangled with the law.
Pras Michel’s Legal Troubles Come to Light
This time it seems as if Pras Michel’s legal hardships are what is holding up the much-anticipated reunion tour. In 2019, Michel and Malaysian financier, Low Taek Jho (known as “Jho Low”), were charged in a four-count indictment. The duo were accused of illegally funnelling (money laundering) foreign campaign contributions into the 2012 U.S. presidential election. After pleading not guilty and rejecting a plea deal in 2019, Michel was once again charged by the federal government. In 2021, Michel and Jho Low were accused of running a back-channel campaign to get the Trump administration to drop the investigation and getting a billionaire dissident returned to China.
Pras Michel served as the group’s business mind. Executive producing their hit-album, The Score.
Michel’s primary charges stem from the misuse and money laundering of Malaysia’s 1MDB slush-fund, run by Jho Low. According to the indictment, between June and November 2012, Low directed the transfer of approximately $21,600,000 to Michel. Michel’s role includes the disbursement of the money in $865,000 increments to about 20 different straw donors, whose jobs were to make the donations in their own name, in order to hide the source of the funds. Michel was reportedly paid at least $8 million and up to $40 million in his role assisting Low.
Where Does Michel Now Stand?
Despite his previous and latest charges, Michel performed alongside Hill at and Jean at the September, 2021 Pier 17 show and was scheduled to partake in the reunion tour.
However, according to Puck, it was the Justice Department that would not allow Michel to leave on an international tour, which included performances in Paris and London. Michel’s trial will take place in Washington D.C. on November 4. Always considered the third Fugees, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean reunited at this summer’s Essence Festival in New Orleans. The duo performed a medley of hits without Michel.
Each Sunday evening from 7-9 P.M. you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up-and-coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from El Modernist and Stellar Young.
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience and showcases new music on EQXposure. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.
El Modernist – “Red State” “Lines”
El Modernist is an indie band from Albany, delivering new takes on what is considered indie rock. They mix genres and have a psychedelic sound with pulsating hooks and melodies. Their brand new album, Eras is out now, and their songs “Red State” and “Lines” will be played on EQXposure.
Stellar Young – “Hitting Reset”
Stellar Young is an indie-rock band from Albany, comprised of John Glenn (vox/keys), Erik Flora (guitar/vox), Kyle Hatch (guitar), Dave Parker (producer), and Tim Brosnan (drums). Their song “Hitting Reset” off of their 2015 record Vessels will be played on EQXposure Sunday Night.
Make sure to tune into EQXposure on Sunday from 7-9 P.M. on WEQX to hear these songs, and more.
Darien Center will host Folkfaces Fest 6 from September 29th through October 2nd at Cherry Hill Campground, a perfect fall music festival in Western New York.
Folkfaces Fest is an emerging grassroots-style music festival hosted by Tyler Westcott & his band Folkfaces. Situated 40 minutes from Buffalo and less than an hour from Rochester, Folkfaces Fest welcomes a variety of bands and vendors with activities for kids of all ages.
The festival has three areas for performances – The Greystone Stage (main stage), The Gage Stage (side woods stage), and the Slyboots Tent (a large circus tent for performance, workshops, activities and more).
Folkfaces Fest curates unique national and regional acts mostly of the roots music or world music variety. Over the last half a decade the festival has hosted many notable performers including Grammy award winning co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops Dom Flemons “the American Songster,” champion fiddler & ragtime banjoist Aaron Jonah Lewis, Viral YouTube sensation Abby the Spoon Lady, folk hero Bruce Molsky, ragtime blues guitarist Andy Cohen, Kentucky Colonel and front man of the Legendary Shack Shakers – JD Wilkes, Texas one man band, Scott H. Biram, Innovative folk duo Richie Stearns & Rosie Newton, freak folk legend Baby Gramps, and many many others…
Food vendors will be on hand with healthy options as well as standard fair fare. Don’t miss art and craft vendors in the artist village, where there will be held the yearly film fest, square dance, art installations, a paint wall, mycology foray, & workshops with artists. This years theme has been announced as “Denim & Dogs” so dress up in your best Canadian Tuxedo and bring your pup to the fest.
The festival will be accepting donations of lightly worn winter coats, unopened packages of socks and underwear, canned good and non-perishables at the gate to benefit Friends of Night People!
In a slight change from years past, camping is now a separate fee. Once you purchase your festival pass, visit cherryhillcamp.com to book your campsite. While RVs sites and Cabins are sold out, plenty of tent sites remain.
Cherry Hill Camp is a well manicured campground with 50 campsites scattered through out its 63 acres. Each with their own picnic table and fire ring. A few unfurnished barebones cabins. A bathhouse with 6 flush toilets and two showers, laundry and vending machines. There are numerous spigots with potable water spread throughout the festival grounds. A camp store with all your camping supply needs, snacks, drinks and more. Cherry Hill Campground is located at 1516 Sumner Road, Darien Center NY 14040
Folkfaces Fest 6 is sponsored by Sportsmens Americana Music Foundation, Jack Rabbit, Rigidized Metals, The Big Easy In Buffalo, The Fretted Buffalo, Bernunzio’s Uptown Music, The Hotel Crittenden, Allentown Music, 42 North Brewing Company, ANIAH, Slyboots School of Music, Art & Dance, Lavender Haze Collective and Meier’s Creek Brewing.
