NYS Music 202​2

Tag: albany

  • Coupons Share New Album “Wasted Intimacy”

    Earlier this summer, Albany-based band Coupons released their 3rd full-length record, Wasted Intimacy, via Counter Intuitive Records.

    Coupons cover art with tan background, drawn city buildings.

    The indie-rock band consists of Dan LaFave, Collin J Reynolds, Shannon Straney, Dylan Depice, and Dan Maddalone. The 11-track album is upbeat, unique, and a great listen with different styles intertwined throughout the project. Wasted Intimacy also showcases the band’s creativity and talent, with various members contributing to vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation.

    The album includes songs for everyone to enjoy, with the first single released, “Waiting,” giving listeners an intense rock track with powerful vocals whereas other singles, such as “Milk,” slow things down. Produced by Scoops Dardaris, Wasted Intimacy highlights Coupons’ range of melodies, rhythms, and beats on this release. 

    Throughout the duration of Wasted Intimacy, listeners are met with catchy lyrics, and songs seemingly perfect for the stage. In the song “Break a Leg,” written by band member Collin Reynolds, the lyrics “do you wanna celebrate, do you even know my name, are you getting home okay, it’s not too late” are relatable and work perfectly to hook listeners in.

    With the snappy guitar on “Mardi Gras,” beautiful vocals from Straney on “Milk,” and the building piano track “Anyone Else,” this album from Coupons shines. Every track holds your attention and leaves you captivated.

    In support of the album release, the band recently played a show at Empire Live Underground in Albany. Joining the group included music from the likes of Oso Oso, Another Michael, and Laveda. Be sure to take a listen to Coupons’ full discography, and stay tuned for their next live show.

    Fans of Coupons music can keep up with them on Instagram and Twitter. The new record is also available to purchase on vinyl as well as to stream across platforms.

  • Albany’s Doctor Baker to Release Album “Trespassers”

    On Sept. 9, Albany-based rock band Doctor Baker will release their album, Trespassers, produced by Don Fury at Don Fury Studios in Troy. 

    Consisting of Ed Schwarzschild (guitar, vocals), Iggy Calabria (guitar, vocals), Chris Gockley (bass), and Danny Goodwin (drums, percussion), Doctor Baker originally started as an acoustic duo before expanding. The complete band brings a strong sound to audiences within the Capitol Region and beyond. 

    An award-winning short story writer and novelist, Schwarzchild’s lyricism on Trespassers is evocative and compelling. The band’s sound on the album spans various emotions with the first single and lyric video, “Exhausted,” released on Aug. 30.

    The album is like a story collection, but they’re stories that fit in with what’s going on in the world at the moment … the songs on the album acknowledge that there are some real problems, but we’re trying to stay lit up, we’re still trying to love, still trying to figure out what love is, still trying to maintain relationships with the people we’re close to.

    – Ed Schwarzschild

    The title of the album, Trespassers, came to Gockley and Schwarzchild after a performance by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. The duo got lost on the way back to Albany and found themselves in a remote spot with “NO TRESPASSING” signs and the name of the album came to them. Of the title, Schwarzchild shares, “‘Hey we’re all trespassers now, let’s try to do things together, see each other clearly, see ourselves clearly.’”

    Legendary producer Don Fury propelled the band’s sound forward, with the 11 songs ranging in instrumentation and tone. Backing vocals from Zan Strumfeld (Zan and the Winter Folk) and Melissa Thorne (Fol Chen) also strengthen the songs on the record. 

    Doctor Baker’s Trespassers includes heavily distorted tracks such as the title track and slows to pieces such as “Holiday Lights” as a change of pace. The instrumentation of the album at times sounds light and cheerful but after closer inspection of the lyrics, the band adds depth to each of the tracks including vivid descriptions and reflections of politics, climate change, and the human condition. There is a relatable song for every listener on this album.

    In celebration of Trespasser’s release, Doctor Baker will be performing at The Linda on Sept. 10, and Albany Distilling Company on Sept. 23. Fans of the band can keep up with them on Instagram, here.

  • The Uncle Louie Variety Show to Come to The Egg in October

    On Oct. 15, The Uncle Louie Variety Show will come to The Egg in Albany for a night of comedy, original music, and more.

    Comprised of two comedians, Lou Greco and Carlo Russo, the show takes a hilarious and unique look at what it is like growing up as an Italian-American. Originating from Syracuse, Greco and Russo grew up together and began writing comedy during their high school Italian class. 

    What first started as a few ideas on tape grew to hilarious shows on video. Fans can find the pair on YouTube and Facebook, where they make millions of viewers laugh with their writing. Characters such as “Uncle Louie,” “Pasqualino,” “Zia Maria,” and “Zia Rosa,” are always getting into trouble and causing great reactions from crowds.

    Attendees of The Uncle Louie Variety Show can expect two hours of original music, sketch comedy, and stand-up by Greco and Russo. After 30 years as friends, the duo’s stage presence brings a unique energy to their performance. 

    Over the year, the pair have traveled around the East Coast with “The Hard Comedy World Tour,” which Greco and Russo resumed in August. The tour will take the friends to the West Coast, southern United States, Canada, Australia, and England. 

    For tickets to The Uncle Louie Variety Show on Oct. 15, visit The Egg’s website, here.

  • State Champs Announce New Tour With Two NY Stops

    State Champs have announced their Kings Of The New Age tour which will begin in November and end in the band’s hometown of Albany in December. The tour is in promotion of the group’s new album and special guests Hunny, Between You & Me, Young Culture, Games We Play, and Save Face will join for select dates.

    State Champs Tour poster with cartoon of person spray painting.

    State Champs released their 4th studio album, Kings Of The New Age, earlier this year. Comprised of Derek DiScanio, Tyler Szalkowski, Ryan Scott Graham, and Evan Ambrosio, the group has been on the pop-punk scene for years. Guest vocalists on the newest album include Chrissy Costanza, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Four Year Strong. At 35 minutes long, the 11-track work doubles down on the vibrant sound State Champs has produced for over a decade.

    Kings of The New Age is our fourth album, the one that we spent the most time on, and the one that makes the biggest statement. After writing over 30 songs, we narrowed it down to 11 that best represent our mission as a band, and sonically, match the energy level we wanted to captivate heading into this new chapter.

    – State Champs

    State Champs began in bedrooms and basements in 2010 and grew into a band with a faithful legion of fans. The upcoming tour brings the Albany band to various states and cities across North America for great nights of pop-punk sound. On Nov. 13, the group will play at the Brooklyn Steel before returning to New York for the final show at Empire Live on Dec. 10.

    Photo Credit: Alex Mcdonell

    I’m particularly excited for the KOTNA Tour because of how much we as a band are focusing on the aesthetic and flow of the show … this will be the first tour where it feels more like an experience rather than just a band on stage playing songs. The stage production is by far the most unique and badass it’s ever been, and you bet the mixture of songs in our catalog (new songs, old songs, and some surprises) will create a wild setlist. Best night ever.

    -Vocalist Derek DiScanio

    Tickets are available now at the band’s website and for the full list of tour dates and special guests see below.

    Upcoming State Champs Tour Dates

    Sep 10 – Washington, PA – Four Chord Music Festival

    Sep 13 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit^

    Sep 14 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center^

    Sep 30 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre Berkeley^

    Nov 11 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues *

    Nov 12 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live *

    Nov 13 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel *

    Nov 15 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre *

    Nov 18 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall *

    Nov 19 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag *

    Nov 20 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater *

    Nov 22 – Denver, CO – Gothic #

    Nov 23 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union #

    Nov 25 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues #

    Nov 26 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues #

    Nov 27 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren #

    Nov 29 – Austin, TX – Empire Garage #

    Nov 30 – Dallas, TX – South Side Music Hall #

    Dec 2 – Orlando, FL – Plaza Live +

    Dec 3 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore +

    Dec 4 – Nashville, TN – Eastside Bowl +

    Dec 6 – Richmond, VA – The National +

    Dec 7 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom +

    Dec 9 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner +

    Dec 10 – Albany, NY – Empire Live +

    ^ with blackbear

    * with Young Culture

    # with Games We Play

    + with Save Face

  • UAlbany Performing Arts Center Announces Performances for 2022-23

    The UAlbany Performing Arts Center has announced its 2022-23 season performance schedule including the previously announced Dance in Albany and Creative Life series, spotlighting local artists, events celebrating Hmong culture and other diverse touring artists’ performances.

    Godspell at Univeristy at Albany

    A local trio consisting of flamenco guitarist Maria Zemantauski, dancer La Nina and percussionist Brian Melick will perform Flamenco Rhythms on September 28 to celebrate of National Hispanic Heritage month. The guitarist and dancer will also offer Tacones y Manos Calientes on September 29 & 30 for high school student groups.

    In October, Captial Trio, UAlbany’s ensemble-in-residence will offer two programs on October 25th to celebrate its 25th anniversary. They will also offer high school student groups Life Hacks: Classical Music Edition, as well a public concert. On February 8 & 9, there will be several screenings of The immersive film a love letter to Brian, Lesley and Michelle will be screening in Februrary. Director and Skidmore College faculty member Hettie Barnhill will lead a discussion after each of the screenings. Original contemporary Iran play White Rabbit, Red Rabbit will perform in March to clebrate the World Theater Day.

    In late October and early November, the project Celebrating Hmong Culture through the Arts will take place. It includes Paj ntaub in cooperation with the Hmong Museum in St. Paul from October 24 through November 4, Hmong culture film Being Hmong Means Being Free, and a Literature to Life verbatim stage adaptation The Latehomecomer.

    More music performances will also be held in this season. UAlbany Physics professor Keith Earle and local choreographer Ellen Sinopoli will collaborate on the ChoreoPhysics: Demonstrating Concepts through Dance the PAC’s annual artist-in-residence exchange program will host the Stockton Chamber Players on February 22.

    Other fascinating performances such as Pang!, the triptych of live radio plays by Dan Froot and Company which involved a forest of microphones, sound effects, props and musical instruments. Selected Shorts, Public Radio International’s wildly popular series and podcast, will be offered on April 29 as a unique evening of literature in performance.

    Tickets for those events with admission charges can be purchased through the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s web site at www.albany.edu/pac.

    Schedule for UAlbany Performing Arts Center 2022-23 season

    Urban Bush Women – 9.20 & 9.21 7:30pm
    Urban Bush Women lec/dem for high school student groups- 9.21 10am
    Flamenco Rhythms – 9.28 7:30pm
    Tacones y Manos Calientes for high school student groups -9.29&9.30 10am
    MOMIX at The Egg – 10.6 7:30pm
    The Creative Life: A Conversation with Lucy Sante – 10.18 7pm
    Limón Dance Company – 10.21 8pm
    Display of Paj ntaub (Hmong story cloths) – 10/24 thru 11/4 various
    Life Hacks: Classical Music Edition for high school student groups – 10.25 10am
    Capital Trio – 10.25 7:30pm
    Being Hmong Means Being Free – 10.27 4:30pm
    The Latehomecomer – 11.3 7:30pm
    The Latehomecomer for high school student groups – 11.4 10am
    ChoreoPhysics for high school student groups – 11.9 10am
    La Serpiente – 11.13 7:30pm
    The Creative Life: A Conversation with Maira Kalman – 11.16 7pm
    ODC/Dance – 1.27 7:30pm
    a love letter to Brian, Lesley and Michelle for high school student groups – 2.8&2.9 10am
    a love letter to Brian, Lesley and Michelle – 2.9 7:30pm
    New York Theatre Ballet with Bridgman|Packer Dance – 2.17 8pm
    Stockton Chamber Players – 2.22 7:30pm
    Paul Taylor Dance Company – 3.4 8pm
    Dublin Irish Dance – 3.18 7:30pm
    White Rabbit, Red Rabbit – 3.26 7:30pm
    White Rabbit, Red Rabbit for high school student groups 3.27 10am
    Pang! for high school student groups – 4.20&4.21 10am
    Pang! – 4.20&4.21 7:30pm
    SaViON GLOVeR and The CeLeBRaTeD ORCHeST’DaNCE RA – 4.22 8pm
    Selected Shorts – 4.29 7:30pm
    Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company – 5.13 8pm

  • Ghost Light Announces New Album ‘The Healing’ With New Song And Tour

    Ghost Light has announced their sophomore studio album The Healing, which will release on October 7 via Royal Potato Family with the new song “Take Some Time” and an accompanying tour. The Healing Tour will visit Brooklyn on October 14 and Albany on October 21.

    Ghost Light. The Healing Tour. (L-R): Scotty Zwang (drums)  Raina Mullen (guitar, vocals), Tom Hamilton (guitar, vocals), 
    Holly Bowling (piano), Photo: David Veltri

    Ghost Light is a five-piece American jam band formed in 2017 which consists of Scotty Zwang (drums) Raina Mullen (guitar, vocals), Tom Hamilton (guitar, vocals), and Holly Bowling (piano).

    “The story is less the fallout as it is the recovery. Sticking with it. Staying the course in the face of adversity, uncomfortable conversations or situations. The path to health and healing is often not the path of least resistance but the path of perseverance and doing the work.”

    Tom Hamilton

    Their new song “Take Some Time” is a syncopated synth-heavy indie-rock song following the release of “Don’t Say Goodnight Just Yet.” It contains an earworm of a chorus with a nasty bass line and sparkling guitar solos perfect for a top-down end of summer road trip. The music video is also available on their official website.

    Ghost Light will kick off The Healing Tour on October 6 and will play through the Midwest and East Coast and will back out west before their last stop in Los Angeles on December 16.

    THE HEALING TOUR

    OCT 6 @ TURF CLUB | ST. PAUL, MN

    OCT 7 @ BACK ROOM AT COLECTIVO | MILWAUKEE, WI

    OCT 8 @ PARK WEST | CHICAGO, IL

    OCT 9 @ MAGIC BAG | FERNDALE, MI

    OCT 12 @ THE WAREHOUSE | FAIRFIELD, CT

    OCT 14 @ BROOKLYN BOWL | BROOKLYN, NY

    OCT 15 @ BROOKLYN BOWL PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA

    OCT 16 @ THUNDERBIRD MUSIC HALL | PITTSBURGH, PA

    OCT 20 @ BANK OF NEW HAMPSHIRE STAGE | CONCORD, NH

    OCT 21 @ LARK HALL | ALBANY, NY

    OCT 22 @ XL LIVE | HARRISBURG, PA

    OCT 23 @ THE HAMILTON LIVE | WASHINGTON, DC

    DEC 8 @ WILD BUFFALO | BELLINGHAM, WA

    DEC 9 @ NECTAR LOUNGE |SEATTLE, WA

    DEC 10 @ REVOLUTION HALL | PORTLAND, OR

    DEC 11 @ WOW HALL | EUGENE, OR

    DEC 14 @ HARLOW’S NIGHT CLUB | SACRAMENTO, CA

    DEC 15 @ THE INDEPENDENT | SAN FRANCISCO, CA

    DEC 16 @ TERAGRAM BALLROOM | LOS ANGELES, CA

  • Albany Latin Festival to Return For 25th Year

    The Albany Latin Festival will return to Washington Park in Albany on August 27 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with live music, dance, art, raffles, Latino craft and food vendors, and more.

    Albany Latin Festival Association logo with decorative writing and a sun.

    Ritmo Caliente will headline the Latin Festival music showcase with other performers in the lineup including Hip Hop Jibaro, Grupo Los Costeños, Bronte Roman with a Celia Cruz tribute, and R&B artist Mirage. The lineup includes a diverse set of Hispanic music genres for all to experience and enjoy.

    The Latino culture, specifically music, art and dance are beautiful. Some friends and I came up with the Albany LatinFest years ago to develop an event to share the culture, but more importantly an event that Latino families would be proud to experience. We knew from the beginning that this would not only be a celebration of art and culture, but also a statement of inclusion because the Latin Fest is for everyone.

    -Pedro Diaz, founder and President of the Albany Latin Festival Association

    The Albany Latin Festival Association aims to promote and develop Hispanic cultural events in the capital region. The Latin Festival is one way for the organization to honor the contributions of Hispanic performing artists and promote an appreciation for multi-cultural diversity. 

    Previous talents at the festival have included Bachata Heightz, Don Sonero, Tony Vega, Ray de la Paz, Jorge Blanco, Raulin Rosendo, Hector Tricoche, Alex Torres & his Latin Orchestra, Tito Rojas, Tony Swing, Anissa Gathers, Michael Stuart, Ismael Miranda, among many others.

    In the case of rain, the festival will be held near the Corning Preserve Boat Launch. For more information, and upcoming events, visit the Albany Latin Festival Association website.

  • Soulful Ali McGuirk Announces Tour with 5 NY Dates

    Blues and soul singer Ali McGuirk has announced upcoming shows in promotion of her new album, Til It’s Gone, which is set for release on September 16 via Signature Sounds. The songwriter shared her single, “All Back,” on July 20 ahead of the album.

    McGuirk grew up outside of Boston before calling Burlington, Vermont, home. The singer-songwriter always knew she wanted to become an artist and her inspirations include Lauryn Hill, Aretha Franklin, Sarah Vaughan, and Abbey Lincoln. McGuirk’s music has explored multiple genres, but the upcoming album leans into its blues foundation.

    Celebrated folk-blues songwriter Jonah Tolchin helped produce Til It’s Gone alongside McGuirk, allowing for emotional tracks, guitar interludes, and delicate moments in the album. “All Back,” the first single off of the record, is an easy groove. McGuirk wrote the track about the end of the pandemic, and the track combines a vintage sound and a recent event into one. 

    Surviving the pandemic as an artist required some faith and this song felt like a little prayer of hope and resilience … we are faced with pandemics, climate chaos, ever-deepening inequality, and so much ignorance, but we learned a lot in March 2020 about our ability to adapt and I need to believe that it’s going to be alright, but we’ve got to do something right now.

    – Ali McGuirk on “All Back”

    McGuirk recorded much of the upcoming record in Los Angeles and included collaborations with an impressive lineup of artists. Legendary guitarist Fred Tackett of Little Feat, organist Larry Goldings, singer Valerie Pinkston, percussionist Lenny Castro, and more helped finalize the complete sounds of the album.

    The nine-track album, with intimate introspections, and thoughts on oppression and justice, would not be the same without McGuirk’s signature, hypnotic vocals. Take a listen to the first track, “All Back,” and see the full list of tour dates for the upcoming record, below.

    Ali McGuirk On Tour:

    Sept. 16 – Nashville, TN – Five Spot (AMERICANAFEST)

    Sept. 17 – Easthampton, MA – Arcadia Music Festival

    Oct. 1 – Albany, NY – The Linda

    Oct. 2 – Portsmouth, NH – The Press Room

    Oct. 5 – Lancaster, PA – Tellus360

    Oct. 6 – Brooklyn, NY – The Bell House

    Oct. 7 – Somerville, MA – The Crystal Ballroom at the Somerville

    Oct. 8 – New Haven, CT – Cafe Nine

    Oct. 14 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Lounge

    Oct. 19 – Syracuse, NY – 443 Listening Room

    Oct. 22 – Rochester, NY – The Abilene

    Oct. 23 – Buffalo, NY – Sportsmen’s Tavern

    Oct. 29 – Portland, ME – One Longfellow Square

  • Robert Fripp and David Singleton Announced Fall “An Evening Of Conversation” Tour

    Legendary King Crimson founding member Robert Fripp and producer David Singleton announced their speaking tour this fall. They will present an “Evening of Conversation” at the Carrier Theater in Syracuse on September 19, the City Winery in New York on September 23, and the Swyer Room in Albany on September 24.

    Robert Fripp and David Singleton

    Likely topics that will be explored during their time on stage will include: Where does music come from? What does it take to survive the music business? When does the impossible become possible? Can music change the world? Why did Fripp put on a tutu and dance to Swan Lake at the end of his garden? Who is The Vicar?

    Robert Fripp is a British musician, songwriter, and record producer, also known as a founding member of the progressive rock band King Crimson. He is also a session musician, contributor and collaborator with Brian Eno and other excellent people, and originating director of the Guitar Craft and Guitar Circle program.

    David Singleton is an English record producer, audio engineer, record label director, musician, songwriter, author, and Internet entrepreneur. He established DGM with Robert Fripp in 1993 and has reluctantly managed King Crimson since 2018. David is King Crimson’s producer and author of The Vicar Chronicles.

    Robert Fripp and David Singleton Tour Dates:

    Sept. 16 – Toronto, ON – Royal
    Sept. 17 – Montreal, QC – Club Soda
    Sept. 18 – Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell
    Sept. 19 – Syracuse, NY – Carrier Theater
    Sept. 21 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
    Sept. 22 – Boston, MA – City Winery
    Sept. 23 – New York, NY – City Winery
    Sept.     24 – Albany, NY – Swyer Room
    Sept. 26 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Cafe
    Sept. 27 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogel
    Sept. 28 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
    Sept. 30 – Washington, DC – City Winery
    Oct. 1 – Annapolis, MD – Ram’s Head Live
    Oct. 2 – Oakmont, PA – Oaks Theater
    Oct. 4 – Ferndale, MI – The Magic Bag
    Oct. 5 – Cleveland, OH – Music Box Supper Club
    Oct. 8 – Milwaukee – Wilson Theater-Marcus Center
    Oct. 9 – Chicago, IL – City Winery

    For more information:www.dgmlive.com

  • Beach-Hop Artist, Cully, Quenches Summer Thirst on ‘Aquafina’

    The best summers are commemorated with a great soundtrack. Often times the memory is triggered by what songs were playing during the late night strolls, road trips and summer parties. Traveling beach-hop artist, Cully, looks to capture this very essence with his latest single, “Aquafina.” A snazzy, laid-back record, “Aquafina” has all the feels of a staple summer hangout song, with its infectious chorus, Cully’s effortless flow and quick-witted rhymes.

    If Cully’s style seems more refined than others, it’s because he’s been working on it nearly all of his life. The musical seed was planted at just two-days-old when he attended his first music festival with his mother and father. An intoxicated onlooker proclaimed him “the smallest baby” they’d ever seen.

    Yo I was Frontin’ on a beach like I was lying in the sand. And I was trying to keep the peace and now she crying in her hands.

    Developing an early knack for free-styling, Cully would hone his skills at his catholic elementary school playground (which in reality was just a parking lot) about the strife of a 10-year-old. No one could really beat-box yet, so he did it mostly a-cappella. Why a pasty 10-year-old attending catholic school was remotely talented at free-styling is anyone’s guess.

    His high school years saw him for a rap trio with friends Patio and Sammy V. Their group, Tribe Style, earned thousands of views on Youtube. Cully’s musical journey saw him earn a a B.A. in Music Industry in 2017. While in university in upstate New York he met friend and frequent collaborator MC Righteous and joined Professor Joe Pignato’s avant-garde jazz troupe, Bright Dog Red, for two albums on Ropeadope Records. Cully has now come full- circle, as he quenches his musical thirst with “Aquafina,” as this beachy bop is a sleeper hit waiting to catch a wave.

    “Aquafina” is also getting the splattered color vinyl treatment. Four remixes of “Aquafina,” produced by a slew of Cully’s college buddies who are successful musicians in their own right, will also be featured on the vinyl as well as released digitally.

    Additionally, “Aquafina’s” upcoming video — set to drop on August 5 on Cully’s Youtube channel — is executively produced by Cully and co-directed by Salvatore Rubino (whose worked with the likes of Dom Kennedy, Smoke DZA, Cozz) and Dave Prokopec (Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller), channels a classic California aura with a ’62 Impala strolling down the Pacific Coast, chipped toothed model in tow.