NYS Music 202​2

Category: Regions

  • Turkuaz Releases Material From Band’s Final Albums

    Turkuaz has announced the release date for its last albums. Paradiso, inspired by the band’s recent sound, which draws on synth and electronic influences, and Apollyon, a funk-laden 12-track that pays homage to the band’s roots, will both be released on September 9.

    In advance of the band’s final release, Turkuaz has also shared the single “Strange People (Strange Times)” as well as its B-side “Feel No Pain.”

    The forthcoming albums were recorded before the 2021 exit of several band members amid the ensemble’s final tour, which left two founding members, Taylor Shell and Dave Brandwein, to polish these final albums,

    It’s bittersweet finally putting these records out. Taylor and I are obviously sad about the break-up of the band. Though we have our frustrations, what seems most important right now is to give something to the fans that have supported us all these years, and we hope that two full albums of new Turkuaz material will serve as a half-way decent consolation prize in lieu of being able to tour anymore…This release is a celebration of the legacy and sound that the nine of us built together.

    ~ Dave Brandwein

    According to Brandwein, the forthcoming albums show two very different sides of Turkuaz. The musician views Apollyon as an old-school take on the group’s sound, drawing on an increasingly raw edge that still allows room for elaborate grooves and the band’s true funky spirit. Whereas, Paradiso is a modern, synth-laden exploratory that captures elements of Turkuaz’s developed tone in more recent years. Moreover, these albums will allow fans to experience a certain totality for Turkuaz, with the precision of an understood ending.

    Bred out of what Brandwein has deemed a full circle experience, Turkuaz’s final albums deliver two unique sides to the band, which flex distinct facets that showcase a decade worth of hard work and expertise.

    For more information on Turkuaz, visit the band’s website here.

  • Basilica Hudson Celebrates Regional Creativity with Jupiter Nights

    Basilica Hudson, the internationally-renowned nonprofit arts center co-founded by musician Melissa Auf der Maur and filmmaker Tony Stone, is spotlighting area musicians, DJs, spoken word, visual artists and more with Jupiter Nights, a new weekly series taking place in its recently-renovated Gallery Building.

    basilica hudson jupiter nights

    “In astrology, Jupiter is the planet that rules Thursdays and also the planet of expansion,” says Auf der Maur. “Our Jupiter Nights are a gathering place and performance space where local creatives can showcase their talents, while also connecting with like-minded explorers in their own and other artistic disciplines. With the recent expansion of our Gallery Building, they present the first opportunity for year-round weekly programming here at Basilica Hudson. In their intimacy and frequency, they also offer a wonderful counterbalance to our large-scale seasonal events like 24-Hour Drone and Basilica SoundScape.”

    Peter Galgani, Cozy Oaks Productions

    Music, both live performances and DJ sets, are very much the anchor of Basilica Hudson’s Jupiter Nights, along with poetry and storytelling, visual art and even cuisine. 

    Peter Galgani, Cozy Oaks Productions

    The novel series kicked off May 5 with lovers x Navaja El Filo Tropical, an evening of Salsa, Cumbia, Ranchera, Reggaeton, Guaracha and Danzón music featuring artists from NYC, Mexico and Hudson. The night also boasted DJ sets by Adrian Is Hungry, Laura Se Fue and Sonido Talacha of the Barrio Collective, along with lovers, the duo of Hudson’s own DJ Uncle Rudy and Davon. This was complemented by a poetry reading by O Zotique and food by Casa Latina Pupusas Y Mas, a family-owned Hudson restaurant featuring authentic cuisine from El Salvador and Mexico. Murals made by local youth during a spray paint workshop led by Super Stories were also on display. 

    Avant-garde jazz was featured during a June 9 event produced by Melodius Thunk, a partnership between local artists and musicians Reggie Madison and Tshidi Matale. This evening featured the Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere Trio and a DJ set from Fulathela, AKA Mike Mosby. Ambient soundscapes and edge-pushing audio hijinks were the focus of the July 21 event headlined by claire rousay and Matchless (Whitney Johnson). The first season of Jupiter Nights concludes tonight, July 28, with performances by a trio of singer-songwriters Emily Ritz, Jackie West and Shana Falana.

    Peter Galgani, Cozy Oaks Productions

    Basilica Hudson’s Jupiter Nights will be on hiatus in August but return September 15 according to Allison Young, who co-curates the series with Sam Hillmer.

    “Jupiter Nights has brought a heightened localized focus to both our curatorial vision and community presence,” adds Young. “It has been met with a very positive response from folks all across the Hudson Valley. It is bringing in both first timers and returning visitors, ones who are delighted to have a unique performance space that they can patronize weekly for the best in music and other creative forms.”

    Peter Galgani, Cozy Oaks Productions

    Young continues: “Come September, we will continue our mission to showcase a different style of music each week, complemented with new gallery openings by local artists, spoken word and some of the finest food that the restaurant-rich Hudson Valley has to offer.”

    Doors open at 7 PM and performances begins at 8 PM Thursdays at Basilica Hudson, 110 South Front Street, Hudson.  Updates on events and the announcement of the coming Fall schedule can be found at the series’ webpage.

    Peter Galgani, Cozy Oaks Productions

  • St. Ann’s Warehouse Continues Get Back! Summer Concerts 2022

    On Wednesday, July 20, St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn began its summer series, Get Back! Summer Concerts 2022, which will continue every Wednesday through August 10 beginning at 7:00 pm.

    Get Back! Summer Concerts began in 2020 during the pandemic, and took inspiration from the Beatles’ 1969 rock event. The series aimed to provide and surprise people with live music and entertainment as they strolled through Brooklyn Bridge Park. Due to popular demand, the concerts have continued at St. Ann’s Warehouse.

    Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn provides the perfect scene for free live performances which include a wide array of talent and entertainment. The opening concert brought Nigerian-born, New York- and Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary sound artist, saxophonist, DJ, composer, and producer Eli Fola. Fola is a fan favorite and returns to the lineup after performing at Get Back! In 2020 and 2021.

    Two acts, the Queens-based band duendita, and DJ nicole misha, will take the stage for the night of July 27. duendita is a collaborative multi-medium project made with family and friends while nicole misha provides audiences with sets that span across categories.

    Melanie Charles with Zacchae’us Paul will bring the concert series into August on the 3rd. Audiences can expect jazz, soul, experimental, and roots music with Charles’ unique style and commitment to exploration. Atlanta-native Zacchae’us Paul’s original music takes inspiration from Marvin Gaye, and The Black Panther Party, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

    To close out the 2022 season of Get Back!, the program, Ode to the Black Fiddler, will showcase multiple professional string performers of color. These artists include dancer, vocalist, and violinist La Lulu; violinist Lee England Jr.; and immersive sounds by DJ Sunny Cheeba.

    One of the major highlights of producing these outdoor concerts with St. Ann’s Warehouse has been observing how free access to the arts naturally creates diverse spaces for different communities to come together—especially youth—and find sparks of joy, express themselves, and be present.

    – Curator Khadijat Oseni

    Be sure to check out the concert series as you wrap up the summer! More information about the most up-to-date schedule and inclement weather announcements can be found on the St. Ann’s Warehouse website, here.

  • Sweats Release Single “Whiskey Thursday” Ahead of Upcoming Album

    Hailing from the Finger Lakes region, rock & roll band the Sweats is set to release their upcoming single, “Whiskey Thursday,” out on streaming services on July 28. The single is the first off of their album, Summer Nights Begin, which will drop later this year.

    “Whiskey Thursday” is built on the foundation of dynamic drums, a great bass line, wonderful guitars, and synths, with a relatable storyline lyrically. Similar in sound to the Foo Fighters, Ted Leo, or Deer Tick, the track is the perfect hint at what to expect for the rest of the album.

    The song deals with the struggles of untruthful relationships and confronting dark times. Vocalist Travis Durfee sings passionately on the track, describing the confusion of a relationship as backing vocals and engaging beats carry you through the five-minute song. The rhythm, lyrics, and catchy beats keep you hooked and wanting more.

    Sweats, consisting of Travis Durfee (vocals, guitar), JM Sincock (drums), Rob Kurcoba (bass), Tony DeLuca (keys), and Nick D’Aloisio (guitar), released their first full-length album, Caught in Wave, in 2020. The album was well-received, but the band is looking forward to continuing to expand their live performances with this upcoming album, Summer Nights Begin.

    Audiences can find Sweats often playing at the wineries and breweries outside of Ithaca where they are committed to playing original music for fans to enjoy. Creating art and making their own tunes is how Sweats rolls, and “Whiskey Thursday,” is a prime example of this.

    It is like an underground network of sorts, this rural collective of DIY festivals and promoters. There are groups like Uncle Uku and the Guise and Technicolor Trailer Park and indie rockers like Jesse Bloodgood, punks like The Rooster, all supporting each other, playing shows together, and trying to make it work, pulling together festivals, such as Togetherness and Wonderland, bringing people out into the woods to hear the heartbeat of original music in rural Upstate New York. It takes a minute to find that heartbeat, but we’re on the pulse and the beat is pretty steady.

    -Travis Durfee on the Ithaca music scene

    Be sure to be on the lookout for when “Whiskey Thursday” drops on July 28. The single will not disappoint and stay tuned for the upcoming album, Summer Nights Begin, which was mixed by sound engineer Mike Capporizzo. Take a listen to more of Sweats’ music available below. 

  • This Week’s EQXposure On WEQX Features El Modernist, Jason Wolfman Martin, and More 

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9 pm 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, Jason Wolfman Martin, and Shane Guerrette.

    eqxposure on weqx

    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- “Something For The Weekend”

    El Modernist are 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.

    Jason Wolfman Martin -” Nobody Hears It”

    Jason Wolfman Martin is an artist/musician/curator, active from 1989 to now, with three decades of LPs, CDs, and tapes under his belt. He hasn’t made music in over seven years, and his brand new EP and single serve as a comeback.

    Shane Guerrette-“Lost Without”

  • Big Gigantic Sell Out Buffalo’s Town Ballroom

    EDM legends Big Gigantic wrap up their last dates of their Brighter Future Tour. The duo are no strangers to the electronic scene, especially in Buffalo where they sold out the Town Ballroom on July 27. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Buffalo had multiple DJ’s preforming for hours before Big G took over. Special guests Covex, MEMBA, and KASBO opened up the night getting the crowd pumped up. 

    Big Gigantic are veterans at mixing edm beats with multiple instruments to give a sound that is both danceable and intuitive. The Denver natives Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken utilize saxophone and drums to layer over samples. They don’t shy away from any style of music. Their range stretches from jazz to hip hop, and funk to dubstep. Alongside their cinematic production, Big G knows how to put on a show. Whether that be headlining a major festival like Electric Forest or filling up the Town Ballroom, these two do not disappoint.   

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    The duo opened up the show with their single “Future’s All I See” off of their latest 2022 album Brighter Future 2. They immediately captured the stage with their animated visuals and energetic crowd welcome. Their impressive instrumentation matched with their colorful lasers had everyone getting rowdy.  

    Big Gigantic never stopped once during their set. It was continuous beats and melodies blended into the next. This allowed them to play both old and new hits which left no one disappointed. Some of which included “The Little Things,” “Open Your Mind,” and “All of Me.” They managed to mix in some popular covers as well like Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Night.” 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    To top off the night Big Gigantic brought Covex back on stage to sing their song “Second Time” and closed out with “Love Unlimited.” No matter the size of the venue or location Big G proves again that they know how to put on a show. 

    Make sure to stay up to date with shows coming to the Town Ballroom. Joyce Manor has a show on August 10 and Cody Jinks performs August 17. 

    All photos by Maddie McCafferty

  • Willie Nelson & Family Come to SummerStage on September 20

    Country-folk artist Willie Nelson will perform at SummerStage this fall with special guest Charley Crockett, on September 20.

    The SummerStage concert will begin at 6:00 pm and the doors open at 5:00 pm at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. All ages are welcome, and tickets are available for purchase now. Willie Nelson is currently on his Outlaw Music Fest tour and will also stop in Bethel on August 13, Darien Center on August 14, and Saratoga Springs on September 18.

    At 89 years old, the country musician has long made a name for himself in the genre. Popular albums include 1973 Shotgun Willie, Red Headed Stranger (1975), and Stardust (1978). Willie Nelson’s most recent album, 2022’s A Beautiful Time, was released on the singer’s 89th birthday this past April and received positive reception. 

    Nelson is also expected to perform at Farm Aid Fest this September alongside other acts such as Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, and Charley Crockett, among others. Nelson currently serves as one of the board members for the festival.

    Willie Nelson is one of many guests who have come to Central Park to perform at the SummerStage Festival. Since 1986, the event has curated acts across multiple genres. Previous performances include pop duo Oh Wonder, jazz legend Roy Haynes, and many more.

    Tickets to see Willie Nelson & Family, and Charley Crockett, at SummerStage are available now at the City Parks Foundation website.

  • Buffalo Jazz Festival to Bring Live Music Labor Day Weekend

    On Sunday, September 4, Buffalo Jazz Festival brings four acts to the area for a full day of live music during Labor Day Weekend.

    From noon until 6:30 pm, the West Plaza of the Seneca One Tower in Buffalo will bring audiences live music, food trucks, refreshments, and entertainment for all ages. In the second year of the festival using the venue space, people can enjoy a free community concert.

    To open up the Buffalo Jazz Festival, NYC-based John Troy Quartet will perform from 12 noon until 1:15 pm. John Aaron Troy is a saxophonist, multiple woodwind musician, and educator. The artist picked up the saxophone at age 10 and his music is ever-evolving since then. 

    From 1:45 pm to 3:00 pm, Trigger & the Sermon will take the spotlight. Trigger & the Sermon Organ Jazz Quartet play classical soul-jazz while mixing in unique rhythm and groove. The group has played at multiple venues in the Buffalo area, including at the Four One Six and Duende at Silo City.

    Trigger & The Sermon

    The Dave Hill Group brings more entertainment to the Buffalo Jazz Festival, with a performance from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm. Dave Hill Group consists of Jim Linsler (drums), Pat Georger (keys), Tim Sheldon (bass), Colin Brydalski (bass), and Matt Harris on saxophone.

    To close out the festival Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble will play from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm. A Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductee who has played with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Arthuro Sandovar, and Ben Vereen, the performance is sure to be one to remember.

    Wendell Rivera

    JazzBuffalo promotes the genre of jazz in the Buffalo area with news, live performances, festivals, events, education, and more. The organization uses music and events to bring the community together and the Buffalo Jazz Festival is one such event. For more information about the organization and ways to get involved, visit the website available here.

  • Mitski Brings Laurel Hell to Radio City with Two Sold Out Shows

    Following the release of her latest full-length studio album, “Laurel Hell,” beloved indie musician Mitski returned to New York City the weekend of July 22, 2022 for two sold out nights at Radio City Music Hall. Originally scheduled for March, these and a few other tour dates were postponed due to COVID. Canadian indie folk band the Weather Station opened for Mitski both nights at Radio City.

    Mitski performs at Radio City Music Hall, Photography by David Reichmann

    The Weather Station mentioned “This show is by far the biggest venue we’ve ever played,” and thanked Mitski for bringing them along. Their signature soothing tones and melodies rang through the historic Manhattan hall. The crowd ate it up, anticipation for Mitski’s set rising as the energy in the room increased by the minute.

    The Weather Station performs at Radio City Music Hall, opening for Mitski, Photography by David Reichmann

    Mitski’s set began with her hit single, “Love Me More,” a pounding rhythmic anthem of desperation and desire. The crowd screamed as the first notes played, and screamed again when the track concluded.

    Mitski at Radio City Music Hall, Photography by David Reichmann

    Mitski’s hypnotic and intense dances were inspired by Butoh, a form of Japanese dance theater, and featured exaggerated motions and physical storytelling through dance. The stories of her songs came alive in her dances, especially with her second song of the night, “Working for the Knife.” The Butoh influence also made an appearance in the song’s music video.

    Mitski performs “Working for the Knife” at Radio City Music Hall, Photography by David Reichmann

    “Working for the Knife” was the first preceding single leading up to the release of “Laurel Hell.” This also marked her first major release since 2018, when she had taken a hiatus following the release of her last full-length album, “Be the Cowboy.” The album would go on to be a huge hit, but in interviews at the time Mitski had expressed discomfort with the massive mainstream attention the album had received, and she announced her hiatus from music at a concert at Central Park in 2019. “Working for the Knife” addresses these issues directly, illustrating the struggle between her artistic desire to create and the overwhelming demands of the music industry and capitalist work culture in general. The song is a hard-hitting and thoughtful meditation on the struggles of artists to stay creative and productive, and her vivid and evocative dance choreography captures just that.

    Mitski waves hands with crowd at Radio City, Photography by David Reichmann

    Despite saying very little to the audience throughout the evening, Mitski did open up about her experience as a New Yorker towards the end of the show. “I wrote a lot of these songs in New York,” she said. “I was unhappy here. It was so hard. And realized it didn’t have to be so hard, so I moved. But every time I come back, I realize, ‘God damn it, I miss it.’” She added, “You don’t have to be unhappy. You can change it.”

    Mitski at Radio City, Photography by David Reichmann

    Her massive 23-track setlist included many hits and deep cuts from her six-album catalog. Fans sang along at every opportunity and danced through every moment. Standout tracks included “Washing Machine Heart,” “Nobody,” “Should’ve Been Me,” and “The Only Heartbreaker.” For her encore, she performed “A Pearl,” and left the stage with a bow. The crowd cheered wildly and screamed their love for her. Mitski’s Laurel Hell Tour continues, and you can buy tickets for remaining dates here. Her catalog is available to stream here. And you can listen to the Weather Station here.

    Photography by David Reichmann

  • eberwine closes out July with DeadPhish weekend

    Buffalo-based fusion rock quintet eberwine will celebrate the music of the Grateful Dead and Phish this weekend. The band will play two sets each night, including one set of original music featuring songs from the project’s forthcoming studio album One Vision. The weekend takes the band to the Riverboat Bar in Alexandria Bay on July 29, Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs on July 30, and Flour City Station in Rochester for a brunch set on July 31. 

    The three-show run will highlight the band’s collective passion for the music of the two jam giants.  “Everyone in the band grew up on the Dead and Phish,” noted lead guitarist and frontman Todd Eberwine. “We’re looking forward to crafting sets that intermingle the two bands. So much of the bands’ respective histories are rooted in setlists that mixing their catalogs is exciting in an artistic and energetic way.” 

    eberwine will be joined in Saratoga Springs by Albany-based genre-bending improv quartet Hilltop, who will celebrate the music of the String Cheese Incident. Eberwine recently released Live at the Strand across all streaming platforms including Bandcamp and Spotify. 

    Known for innovative jams, soulful lyrics, and high-energy shows, eberwine is fronted by guitarist Todd Eberwine (Dive House Union, Todd Eberwine Band, Soul Roach). The five-piece pulls musicians from the Buffalo music scene into a Western New York supergroup featuring Aaron Ziolkowski (Little Mountain Band), Jay Race (Dead Alliance Buffalo), Scott Molloy (Lazlo Hollyfeld, BEU) and Paul Zabrycki (Dead Buffalo Alliance). For those who haven’t checked out the band, according to Eberwine, they can “expect plenty of hooks and plenty  of jams that range from a dance party to psychedelia.” More information about show details and tickets can be found through the band’s website at www.eberwineband.com.