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  • Two Years Later and Electric Forest is Back

    After two years off, the heavily anticipated Electric Forest Music Festival made a renowned comeback in Rothbury, Michigan. Musicians in various genres gathered on this 4-day event from June 23 to June 26 alongside people from all around the world. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    Electric Forest goes beyond so-called norms that other music festivals are known for. In the seemingly middle of nowhere a sense of community is built. This festival has countless activities, events, and secret rewards that feel endless. It’s impossible to experience every single thing Electric Forest has to offer. Every hour of the day has something going on. From DJs playing until 6am, meditation sessions during the day, and secret sets popping off if you’re lucky enough to find them. The Forest does not disappoint and that’s why we compiled a list of some of the top things it has to offer. 

    Top 10 Things at Electric Forest 

    1. Saturday Night The String Cheese Incident Signature Shebang

    The String Cheese Incident are no strangers to the event as they have been major contributors since Electric Forest was first beginning. It is because of this epic reputation they have built that they continue to play multiple sets throughout the weekend. However, it is their Saturday Night set that always draws the biggest crowd due to their signature “Shebang.” For EF 2022 they brought out other artists on stage, had lasers, giant inflatables, confetti, and fireworks. As if that already wasn’t enough, this year the band had a massive disco ball be lifted over the stage with a crane. This group definitely lives up to their reputation!

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    2. The Brainery Events 

    All weekend a designated event center called the Brainery compiled a list throughout each day where numerous experiences were available to partake in. These included, crafts, yoga sessions, mediations, sound baths, CPR training, sharing circles and much more. This provided a great space to re-center and connect with others.  

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    3. The Giving Tree

    The Giving Tree is located inside the festival where people get the opportunity leave and take various gifts of your choosing. From jewelry, to lighters, to whatever treasure you can find surrounding the area is open to communal sharing. This tradition has been around for a while and seems to be a popular one as individuals are constantly gathered around the tree. 

    4. The Outfits

    Walking around the forest feels as if you entered a new world! People are dressed in such cool outfits that it makes it feel like a constant party. Performers walk around in groups as well, some even on stilts. The funny coordinated group outfits are a great addition too.   

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    5. Exploring the Forest at Night

    Electric Forest lives up to their name but specifically at night. The lighting, buildings, lasers, and art installations are overflowing throughout the woods. Walking around during the day compared to the night is two different experiences. Night time brings a sense of magic into the air as the colors fill the skies and trees. Even laying down in your hammock is entertaining as you stare up into the fairy oasis of lights.  

    6. Carousel Club 

    Various musicians performed at Carousel Club which was a fun stage surrounded by entertaining stands. The walkway to Carousel Club was filled with a golf course, massage areas, a hairstyling room, and a tattoo shop. Seeing a set inside the Carousel Club made for even more fun due to the hot air balloons going up around it and sand filling half of the venue.  

    RKS at EF Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    7. The Scavenger Hunt 

    Every year the forest has a secret scavenger hunt. People get to explore the performance stages, phone booths, secret fairy houses, and hush rumors to figure out the puzzles. Collaborative teams can go around trying to find the missing pieces which honestly is a lot harder than it sounds, but it makes for a fun time.

    8. Statues 

    Each year of Electric Forest has a designated statue. These sculptures are massive and beautiful to look at. A new one comes every year but they still display the ones from past years throughout the woods you just have to find them. 

    Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    9. DJ Sets at the Observatory

    The observatory is a festival and environment stage located in the middle of the lit-up forest. This makes it a prime spot to catch new artists whether your dancing on top of the tall stairs beside it or swinging in your hammock next to it. The stage is built like a castle and is surrounded by art installations. The visuals in this area are a must see. 

    GRiZ at EF Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

    10. The Community

    The forest brings so many people from different walks of life and perspectives together in one place. The way this environment is able to strip stresses from real life away and open the door for connection is unlike no other. Everyday presented new experiences and significantly those where you’re always interacting with strangers. Electric Forest is a place for love and connection to flourish. The community it is able to establish is incomparable to any other and really unexplainable. But it’s something that keeps drawing people back every year.  

    All Photos by Maddie McCafferty

    Taz
    GRiZ
    GRiZ
    GRiZ
    Louis The Child
    Surf Mesa
    Surf Mesa
    Surf Mesa
    Surf Mesa
    RKS
    RKS
    RKS
    RKS
    RKS
    RKS
    Disco Biscuits
    Disco Biscuits
    Disco Biscuits
    Disco Biscuits
    Disco Biscuits
    Disco Biscuits
    Goth Babe
    Goth Babe
    Big Gigantic
    Marcus Schultz
    Marcus Schultz

  • Caroga Lake Music Festival Begins, Announces Sherman’s Legacy Campaign

    The Caroga Arts Collective began its 11th season of the Caroga Lake Music Festival, featuring 35 concerts, 20 guest artists, and almost 100 resident artists. The collective also announced its new Sherman’s Legacy Campaign.

    Caroga Lake Festival begins for its 11th season

    This season’s festival marks the first time since 2019 that the Caroga Arts Ensemble returns as a full orchestra. The orchestra will perform a variety of music, including Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

    Guest artists include the talents of The Bacon Brothers, guitarist Cory Wong, vocalist Robyn Adele Anderson, and electric guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, among others. Saxophonist Eddie Barbash, Rushad Eggleston, and Mike Block Trio will also all return to Caroga Lake during the season.

    Bill Charlap Trio at Caroga Music Festival – 8-4-2019

    Local artists, such as Jocelyn & Chris, North & South Dakotas, FLAME! The Band, Erin Harkes, and others will also make an appearance throughout the summer. Caroga Arts will also be visiting various venues in the area, including The Glove Theatre, The Arkell Museum, Sacandaga Valley Arts Network, Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, and more.

    In addition to the festival going on its 11th season, the Caroga Arts Collective also recently launched the public phase of its Sherman’s Legacy Campaign. As part of phase 1 of a multi-phase project, a new amphitheater is set to be built next to the original Sherman’s building, as is a new year-round artist’s home at Myhill.

    New renderings of Caroga Lake amphitheater
    Ariel view of the new amphitheater and stagehouse after phase one is complete. Rendering by Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson

    The new amphitheater offers audiences, artists, and visitors a new space and iconic landmark to visit within the town of Caroga. The Myhill property will allow for critically-needed housing for artists, offices, teaching spaces, and spaces for the community to gather.

    We are thrilled that these state-of-the-art venues will carry forward the legacy of the Sherman’s Park, attracting artists and audiences of all genres and backgrounds to Caroga for world-class entertainment and a slice of the Adirondacks … both properties have incredible artistic roots, drawing artists such as Fletcher Henderson, Jimmie Lunceford, Irving Berlin and Elvis Presley to the shores of Caroga during the early- to mid-twentieth century.

    – Kyle Price, Founder and Artistic Director of Caroga Arts Collective

    The new Sherman’s amphitheater and the Myhill residence are expected to start in the spring of 2023, as long as the collective is able to raise enough money for the $5 million-dollar project. Currently Caroga Arts Collective has already raised $2.7 million. For more information about the festival, or Sherman’s Legacy Campaign, visit Caroga Art’s Collective website.

    Artist renderings of Sherman's Park

    Sherman’s Park at Night with new Amphitheater. Rendering by Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson. 

    For the full list of events that the Caroga Arts Collective offers, see below.

    Sherman’s Concerts

    Sat, May 28 – Memorial Day Weekend Concert, Jocelyn & Chris, Insolent Willies

    Fri, Jul 1 – American Modern Opera Company, Utica Dance with Keir GoGwilt

    Sat, Jul 2 – Red, White, BLUES & BLUEGRASS, North & South Dakotas, FLAME! The Band, Erin Harkes

    Sat, Jul 16 – 80’s Metal Night: The Ultimate 80’s Rock Show with Tommy V Live

    Wed, Jul 20 – Sam Reider & The Human Hands

    Fri, Jul 22 – Caroga Arts Gala with Eddie Barbash & KASA Quartet

    Sat, Jul 23 – Cory Wong with Caroga Arts Ensemble, Mike Block Trio

    Wed, Jul 27 – Rushad Eggleston

    Fri, Jul 29 – Caroga Arts Ensemble Reimagining Beethoven and Shostakovich

    Sat, Jul 30 – The Bacon Brothers Out of Memory Tour with Caroga Arts Ensemble

    Wed, Aug 3 – Robyn Adele Anderson 

    Sat, Aug 6 – Kids Carousel Concert: Bill & Finnegan Ackerbauer

    Sat, Aug 6 – Sherman’s JazzFest (Artists to be announced)

    Wed, Aug 10 – Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective

    Fri, Aug 12 – Caroga Arts Ensemble plays Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7

    Sat, Aug 13 – SAUNDERSFEST (Artists to be announced)

    Fri, Aug 19 – Scenes & Stories from the Opera, Caroga Arts Ensemble conducted by Matthew Aucoin

    Sat, Aug 20 – Kids Carousel Concert: Cara’s Caterpillars 

    Sat, Aug 20 – Marvin and his Music: A Celebration of America’s Composer featuring guest vocalists and the Caroga Arts Ensemble led by J. Ernest Green

    Sun, Aug 21 – Brandon “Taz” Niederauer

    Sat, Sep 3 – Labor Day weekend concert, The Ultimates! with fireworks following the show

    Fri, Sep 30 – Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra with salsa dancing lessons prior to show and more

    Linda Chesis, Alexandre Moutouzkine, Romie de Guise-Langlois “For the Birds” – 10-6-2019

    Caroga Lake Music Festival On Tour

    Thu, Jul 21 – Caroga Arts Ensemble featuring Eddie Barbash at Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts

    Sun, Jul 24 – Caroga Arts Ensemble featuring Eddie Barbash at Peck’s Lake Marina 

    Thu, Jul 28 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at The Glove Theater

    Thu, Aug 4 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at The Arkell Museum

    Fri, Aug 5 – CLMF Returns to its Roots: Caroga Chapel 100th Anniversary

    Sun, Aug 7 – Caroga Chapel 100th Anniversary Service

    Sun, Aug 7 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at Mayfield Presbyterian Church, presented by SVAN

    Thu, Aug 11 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series

    Sun, Aug 14 – The Barge at Canada Lake Store & Marine

    Tue, Aug 16 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at The Otesaga Resort Hotel, presented by Cooperstown Summer Music Festival

    Thu, Aug 18 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at Caroga Museum 

    Sat, Aug 27 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at Maverick Concerts

    Sun, Aug 28 – KASA Quartet, Postlude at Maverick Concerts

    Lysander Trio “Slavic Serenade” 8-18-2019

    Caroga Arts Special Events

    Fri, Jul 22 – Caroga Arts Gala with Eddie Barbash & KASA Quartet

    The Caroga Arts Collective Gala is the largest fundraising event of the year, providing vital support for the daily operations of the organization. For more information and tickets, visit: www.carogaarts.org/gala

    Sat, Aug 13 – Caroga Cornhole Classic hosted by WCLA & Caroga Arts Collective

    Sun, Aug 21 – Fourth Annual Caroga Arts Golf Outing

    Support Caroga Arts and join us for a fun day of golf at the beautiful Nick Stoner Municipal Golf Course! For more information, visit: www.carogaarts.org/golf

    Sat, Sep 24 – Summer Wine Down

  • Music on the Point to Begin in Speculator on July 6

    The village of Speculator’s Music on the Point concert series is set to return this summer beginning on July 6.  The free concert series will occur every Wednesday night from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm through August 31.

    Audiences listen in for Music on the Point on the shores of Lake Pleasant

    Music on the Point will take place at Osborne Point in Speculator with beautiful views of Lake Pleasant in the scenic Adirondacks. There will also be drinks and food available to purchase during each night of the series. The returning event is sponsored by Oak Mountain and Charlie Johns Speculator Department Store as a way to say thank you to the community for years of continued support.

    Performers include a range of genres, including Wayward Folk, a roots-rock band known as The Insolent Willies, bluegrass musicians Two Shoes, and many more.  For the full lineup of performances, see below.

    Speculator Music on the Point Concert Series Lineup:

    July 6 – The Wayward Folk

    July 13 – Kim Buckley & Rob West

    July 20 – Willie Playmore Band

    July 27 – The Rollin’ Rust

    August 3 – The Insolent Willies

    August 10 – The Old Main

    August 17 – Two Shoes

    August 24 – Blind Rhino

    August 31 – The Wayward Folk

  • The Whistles Drop EP “I Come From The Future” and Open New Recording Studio

    Singer and songwriter Terrence Brennan of Cousin Earth and BELT and his wife, Wendy LaManque, make up the folk duo The Whistles and recently released their EP I Come from the Future. The project was fully recorded in their newly opened studio space, The Party Farm, in Roscoe.

    The Party Farm in Roscoe, NY.

    The duo began making music together under the name The Whistles a few years ago and started recording their newest EP in the winter of 2021. Both Brennan and LaManque are equally responsible for the songwriting on the album, and Brennan engineered, mixed, and mastered the record right in their brand-new recording studio.

    The time-travel-themed EP I Come from the Future is some of the couple’s best work with a surprise release on Tuesday, June 21. With elements of alt-rock, country, metal, dance music, and more, the album takes listeners on a journey through genres. The music video for The Whistle’s country ballad, “Hay,” features a beautiful violin solo from Michael Hunter and can be seen below.

    The Party Farm, nestled in the Catskills, offers a peaceful mountain environment for any recording artist to take advantage of. The space includes many amenities, including a bowling alley, bar, and walking trails not far off.

    Brennan acts as the studio’s mixing engineer, with 20 years of experience as a recording artist and producer. The recording studio also offers photography and video editing for those who wish to share the work they may do in the studio with the outside world.

  • The Brother Brothers To Play At Caffe Lena On July 28 In Advance Of New Album

    The indie folk duo, The Brother Brothers, comprised of identical twins Adam and David Moss, will play on Thursday, July 28 at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. Meanwhile, their Cover to Cover album will be out on August 5 via Compass Records.

    The Brother Brothers credit to Kaitlyn Raitz

    On tour in support of Cover to Cover, the Brother Brothers’ third release on Compass Records is a requisite album of covers, featuring Sarah Jarosz and other notables and some eclectic cover choices. Among their eclectic picks: Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis,” Jackson Browne’s “These Days,” James Taylor’s “You Can Close Your Eyes,” Hoagy Carmichael’s “I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes),” Robert Earl Keen’s “Feelin’ Good Again,” Richard Thompson’s “Waltzing’s for Dreamers,” Judee Sill’s “Rugged Road” and Tom Waits’ “Flowers Grave.” They also chose Harley Allen’s “High Sierra,” popularized by Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt on their Trio II album, and “If You Ain’t Got Love,” by Chas Justus of Lafayette, Louisiana dance band The Revelers.

    Adam and David Moss are acclaimed for their vocal symmetry as the harmonies they create don’t get any closer. The twins, raised in Peoria, Illinois, started singing along to the artists their dad played for them at a toddler age. Inspired by such inward reflection of the roots of their inspiration during a time of great uncertainty and creative insecurity, they decided their songs for the third album “Cover to Cover”.

    Each of their chose song has a story, a connection. “I Will” reminds them the lulled time with The Beatles’ White Album, “Feelin’ Good Again,” represent the latter of their years in Austin, Texas, during which they caught many REK shows when they weren’t performing (Adam in Green Mountain Grass and David in Blue Hit). Regarding “These Days,” on which they mesh crystalline harmonies and gorgeous guitar interludes, is their reason for doing a duo.

    The thoughtful selections and filters from the brothers’ unique musical mix of folk, bluegrass, jazz and other idioms on Cover to Cover, this album undoubtedly will earn them more. They are also connecting with the songs. According to David, they only they just picked the ones that they enjoyed doing the most.

    More information could be found on https://www.caffelena.org/. Stream this show live at caffelena.tv. with one week of access with $5 live stream ticket.

    Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, Caffè Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the United States. With the renovation in 2016, their expanded occupancy and updated kitchen, brought better experience to enjoy diverse extraoridinary musicians’ performances in the longest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States.

  • Moon Walker Releases Confrontational New Single and Video “The Price of Life Itself”

    Brooklyn-based alt-rock artist Moon Walker has released his newest single, “The Price of Life Itself,” off of his upcoming sophomore album, The Attack Of Mirrors, set for release on October 21, 2022.

    Moon Walker Sophomore Album Cover
    Photo credit: Madison McConnell

    With reverberated vocals, electric guitar, and gritty lyrics, the new track sheds light on injustices in American society. Moon Walker, also known as Harry Springer, wrote the track in the midst of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 after seeing first-hand the militarized response to a peaceful protest.

    Moon Walker shares that the track is one of his most proud moments lyrically. The music video, directed by returning Madison McConnell, conveys an uneasy sense of reality to its viewers, channeling the themes of Alice in Wonderland.  Taking place in a house covered in ivy, with warm outfits, hazy lighting, and a fish-eye lens, the music video combines groove and defiance into one. 

    It was a moment where I really realized how much my sense of safety, freedom and protection was a facade. Our country’s institutions are all so deeply broken and flawed, that not only do none of them actually accomplish what they set out to, they likely have the opposite effect. The entire ethos of the song can be summarized in one of the final lyrics: ‘We can stay above the water, while still lending a hand to those who sink.’ That is the price of life itself.

    – Moon Walker

    Harry Springer coined Moon Walker at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, passing the time by selling songs to various sound libraries. All of his music is composed, produced, and performed in his bedroom, but the sound is fit for much more than that. 

    Moon Walker photoshoot for new album
    Photo Credit: Madison McConnell

    After sudden success on the viral video-making app Tik Tok, Moon Walker’s first seven-track album, Truth to Power, rose to light. Artists such as Justin Hawkins praised Moon Walker for his work, and he is back with his sophomore effort on The Attack of Mirrors out early this fall.

    The second album from Moon Walker will see a more maximalist, experimental approach than compared to his previous work. With powerful, thought-provoking lyrics and a unique sound, the new album is sure to have success.

  • Northwest Jazz Festival Returns In 2022 With Exciting Lineup

    After a two-year hiatus, Northwest Jazz Festival returns celebrating 20 years in Historic Lewiston. This year the festival will highlight local, international, and North American jazz artists including Sally Terrell, John di Martino, Stacey Kent, and more. 

    Northwest Jazz Festival
    Northwest Jazz Festival in Historic Lewiston, NY returns after a two-year hiatus celebrating 20 years.

    The last Northwest Jazz Festival took place in 2019 with a two-year break due to NYS (New York State) COVID-19 restrictions. In 2021 there was not a full festival, however, local musicians were hired to perform in Lewiston. This year’s event brings live music to Center Street with a selection of the region’s finest food and beverage vendors including local wineries, distilleries, and breweries. 

    Northwest Jazz Festival
    Jazz Vocalist / Pianist Sally Terrell with acclaimed jazz pianist/arranger John di Martino

    “The headliners this year are all incredibly shining stars in the jazz world who have demonstrated creative resourcefulness in overcoming the pandemic.  We are excited to have Grammy® Nominees and a Juno Award winner on the Main Stage this year,”

    states Tony Zambito.

    “This year we will celebrate the festival’s 20th anniversary and we could not be happier to welcome Joey DeFrancesco back to the Niagara Falls region where his father, Papa John, cemented the DeFrancesco legacy. In addition, we welcome back jazz vocalist Sally Terrell, who is also from this area and has a fabulous new album being released with jazz pianist extraordinaire John di Martino. We are excited to share that we will have a rare appearance and debut performance by Grammy® Nominee and jazz vocalist Stacy Kent. If anyone embodied perseverance during the pandemic, it was Emmet Cohen, and we are excited to have him, and the trio perform. Having Juno Award winner, the Allison Au Quartet from Canada is a chance to welcome our Canadian fans back to the festival. We are also delighted to have the opportunity to showcase an up-and-coming jazz vocalist, Corinne Mammana.” 

    2019 American Pianist Award Winner and “Live from Emmet’s Place”, Emmet Cohen Trio

    Each year, the festival relies on the support of donors and sponsors to remain the largest free jazz festival in the region alongside hosting an annual fundraiser in the Spring.  

    “We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have already received from the generosity of sponsors to make sure a 2022 event takes place. We are hard at work on the anniversary celebration and plan to give you another two days of spectacular entertainment featuring international stars as well as some of our own local super talents.  It is clear that everyone loves and misses the jazz festival and wants it to continue to be a success” says Carol Calato, the Chairwoman of the Jazz Festival Board of Directors. 

    5-Time Grammy® Nominee and Downbeat Critic’s Poll #1 Jazz Organist, Joey DeFrancesco.

    The Jazz Fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 1 from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Brickyard Brewery in Lewiston, NY. The event will feature music by the Stu Weissman Trio, Saranaide, and the Buffalo Dolls.  

    Tickets for the Fundraiser are available at the festival website linked here. 

    For more information about the fundraiser and the festival, as well as, to sign up for alerts on the jazz festival news, please visit the link here.  

  • Cortland Repertory Presents “Kiss Me, Kate” For 50th Anniversary Season

    Cortland Repertory Theatre proudly presents the third show in their 50th Anniversary season, the well-known backstage musical Kiss Me, Kate. The show was last produced at this theater in 1984, Kiss Me, Kate is a hilarious and tuneful show with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. 

    Cortland Repertory Presents "Kiss Me, Kate" For 50th Anniversary Season
    Jahmar Ortiz as Fred Graham and Briana Gantsweg as Lily Vanessi in Cortland Repertory Theatre’s production of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate”, running from July 6 – 16.

    Sparks fly both onstage and off when actor/director Fred Graham attempts to mount a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew with his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi in the leading role. Added to the mix is a flirtatious ingenue, her gambler boyfriend and some musically inclined gangsters, creating a sharp, witty and riotous evening of big laughs, dancing and some of Cole Porter’s most classic tunes.

    Cortland Repertory Presents "Kiss Me, Kate" For 50th Anniversary Season

    Familiar favorited tunes by include Cole Porter include “So In Love,” “Too Darn Hot,” “Always True to You (In My Fashion),” and “Tom, Dick or Harry.” You won’t want to miss this high energy musical. 

    See all show dates and times below. 

     July 6, 2022 7:30 pm  

    July 7, 2022 7:30 pm  

    July 8, 2022 2:00 pm  

    July 8, 2022 7:30 pm  

    July 9, 2022 7:30 pm  

    July 10, 2022 2:00 pm  

    July 12, 2022 7:30 pm  

    July 13, 2022 2:00 pm  

    July 13, 2022 7:30 pm  

    July 14, 2022 7:30 pm  

    July 15, 2022 7:30 pm  

    July 16, 2022 7:30 pm 

    George Sidney’s terrific film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical “Kiss Me, Kate”

    Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or by visiting the CRT Box Office at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Visit the link here to purchase tickets online.

    Visit the link here for more information on all upcoming performances. 

  • Billy Strings Confirms Fall Tour Dates with Stops in NY

    Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician Billy Strings is set to continue his North American Tour and has recently announced more New York tour dates for the fall.

    Billy Strings smiling in back of a car
    Photo Credit: Joshua Wilkins Black

    Strings will be back in the NY area on September 18, with a show for the Outlaw Music Festival at Saratoga Performing Arts Center alongside Willie Nelson & Family and The Avett Brothers, among others. After multiple shows all across the U.S., the famed musician will also stop in Rochester and Uniondale in early November.

    This most recent tour promotes Strings’ highly-acclaimed 16-track album, Renewal, whose bluegrass rhythms and engaging hooks landed it a well-deserved spot upon several “Best of 2021” lists.  Strings also performed “Hide And Seek” off of the album during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

    Billy Strings Renewal Album Cover
    Album Cover for Renewal

    Strings is originally from Michigan and is now based in Nashville, TN where his music has taken off – much to critics’ notice. He was awarded “Best Bluegrass Album” at the 63rd Grammy Awards, and has performed on shows show as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Bluegrass Underground, and most recently on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

    https://youtu.be/NS6WrFex1uY

    A musician with respect in multiple genres, Strings has worked and collaborated with artists such as Bill Kreutzmann, Luke Combs, Del McCoury, Fences, RMR, and others. Renewal gave the singer experience across genres, with a mix of elements of rock, metal, and psychedelic music while still honoring the genre of Bluegrass music.

    Many of the tickets go on sale on Friday, July 1 at 10:00 am local time. See below for the full list of US tour dates.

    June 30 – Scranton, PA – Peach Music Festival

    July 2 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion (SOLD OUT)

    July 3 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion (SOLD OUT)

    July 22 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

    July 23 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

    July 24 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

    July 27 – Chicago, IL – Metro (SOLD OUT)

    July 28 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza

    July 29 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park

    July 30 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park (SOLD OUT)

    August 4 – Saint Charles, IA – Hinterland Music Festival

    August 5 – Minneapolis, MN – Surly Brewing Festival Field (SOLD OUT)

    August 6 – Moorhead, MN – Bluestem Amphitheater

    August 9 – Bonner, MT – Kettlehouse Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

    August 10 – Bonner, MT – Kettlehouse Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

    August 12 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield (SOLD OUT)

    August 13 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield (SOLD OUT)

    August 14 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Park

    August 27 – Tisbury, MA – Beach Road Weekend

    September 9 – Alpharetta, GA – Outlaw Music Festival at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

    September 10 – Charlotte, NC – Outlaw Music Festival at PNC Music Pavilion

    September 11 – Virginia Beach, VA – Outlaw Music Festival at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

    September 13 – Bridgeport, CT – Outlaw Music Festival at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater

    September 16 – Boston, MA – Outlaw Music Festival at Xfinity Center

    September 17 – Asbury Park, NJ – Sea.Hear.Now Festival

    September 18 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Outlaw Music Festival Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    September 23 – Buena Vista, CO – Renewal at The Meadows

    September 24 – Buena Vista, CO – Renewal at The Meadows

    September 28 – Sacramento, CA – Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

    September 30 – Stanford, CA – Frost Amphitheater at Stanford

    October 1 – Dana Point, CA – Ohana Fest

    October 2 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

    October 7-9 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits 2022

    October 14-16 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits 2022

    October 15 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion

    October 29 – Asheville, NC – ExporeAsheville.com Arena

    October 30 – Asheville, NC – ExporeAsheville.com Arena

    October 31 – Asheville, NC – ExporeAsheville.com Arena

    November 3 – Kalamazoo, MI – Wings Event Center

    November 4 – Saginaw, MI – Dow Event Center

    November 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center

    November 9 – Rochester, NY – Blue Cross Arena

    November 11 – Uniondale, NY – Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

    November 12 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met

    November 13 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met

    November 16 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union LIVE!

    November 18 – Washington, DC – The Anthem

    November 19 – Washington, DC – The Anthem

  • Wilder Maker Release New Single “A Professional” Featuring Felicia Douglass

    Brooklyn-based indie-rock band Wilder Maker released their newest single, “A Professional” on June 27 from their upcoming album, Male Models, out on July 29 via Western Vinyl. The single features guest lead vocalist Felicia Douglass of Dirty Projectors and Ava Luna.

    Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz

    Made up of musicians Gabriel Birnbaum, Nick Jost, and Sean Mullins, Wilder Maker began with a series of self-releases and home recordings before debuting music such as “New Streets” (2017), and Zion (2018) to much acclaim. Their upcoming Male Models album was live-recorded over several days and includes an impressive lineup of guest vocalists.

    The track, “A Professional” is one of twelve songs on Male Models. Although the lead vocalist and songwriter of Wilder Marker, Birnbaum, does not sing on the track, Douglass’ vocals shine right in the start. Her voice carries the song’s message of isolation with feeling. With simple chords eventually overlaid with drum beats and other instrumentation, the track blends together beautifully.

    ’A Professional’ dips into the feeling of digital isolation … the way the physical world has become less real and more ghostly, less mysterious and more quantifiable. It’s inspired by this recurring experience I have, usually traveling, where I’ve been alone all day and I suddenly want to connect very badly with people I care about. I fire off several texts and sit there waiting for the phone to light up, with this strange feeling that everyone I know might have vanished.  As soon as I imagined Felicia singing this song, I knew she’d be perfect for it, and she was. I’m so happy and grateful she was able to do it.

    – Songwriter Gabriel Birnbaum

    The upcoming Male Models features more guest lead vocalists, including an impressive line-up of Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Katie Von Schleicher, Felicia Douglass, Alex Schaaf (Yellow Ostrich), V.V. Lightbody, and Mutual Benefit. Across the 12 songs on the album, audiences will find electrified soul, heartfelt folk songs, indie rock, and more.

    Birnbaum drew from a wide array of inspirations for the album, including everything from American novelist James Salter, the NBA playoffs, to Thin Lizzy and the topic of masculinity. After making music for nearly a decade together, Wilder Maker is set for the release of yet another energetic album – stay tuned for July 29.

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