Tag: Annie in the Water

Annie in the Water Release Lake Placid-inspired “Frozen Lake”

On Friday, January 6, Annie in the Water released “Frozen Lake,” a song 369 days in the making, having been written on January 2nd, 2022.

The song’s genesis comes from keyboardist Matt Richards, who arrived home from a New Years Eve trip to Lake Placid with a few friends, and having been listening to indie artists like Snail Mail and Pinegrove, he was inspired to sit at his piano the moment he got home.

Richards explains the story behind the song:

This is about how over the summer of 2021 I went to Lake Placid with my then-girlfriend, and from the perspective of now being there again during the winter after we broke up, standing on the frozen lake, looking back at the docks where we were standing in the summer time, questioning the nature of our relationship and breakup.
Matt Richards, keys/vocals, Annie in the Water

Annie in the Water spent 2022 recording “Frozen Lake” mostly separately in their own creative spaces, rather than all together in the studio to try to give the tune a “bedroom” approach. When the recording was finished, the band had it mixed by recording engineer Corey Hayward in his self-made studio space.

The track released on January 6, 2023.

Annie in the Water recently also released Live at Artfarm, Vol. II, a collection of live versions of five songs recorded at Artfarm Recording in the Catskill Mountains. Most tracks on the live album were performed over the course of 2022, meant to highlight newer tracks that have yet to be featured on a studio release. Give a listen below.

December 27, 2022
Live Music at The Waterhole during Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 2023

The Waterhole in Saranac Lake will bring 12 different musical acts to the Upstairs Music Lounge from across the Northeast, keeping Winter Carnival-goers movin’ & groovin’, as the town celebrates the 126^thannual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

The 2023 musical lineup at The Waterhole features fan favorites and pairs them up with unbelievably talented opening acts, a perfect compliment to the fun and activities during Winter Carnival.

The Waterhole Winter Carnival 2023 lineup

Annie in the Water will kick things off Friday February 3^rdwith high energy jams, funky tones, and chill vibes. The Reflexions will open the night with their blend of Reggae and Funk vibes with world music grooves.

With a larger-than-life stage presence, Saturday February 4^th headliner, Underground System is a show not to be missed. This six-piece act hails from New York City, mixes dance club vibes with Afrobeat, Latin-style tunes and other musical themes from around the world. The group started in 2018 with a reimagining of Fela Kuti’s work, and grew into an internationally touring indie dance band. Expect flute, congas, sampling, and hypnotic, infectious grooves.

Midweek will feature a solo performance from Ryan Montbleu on Tuesday February 7^th. Ryan will fill the music hall with his eloquent and soulful songwriting for which he is known for. Haley Jane will open the night with a solo performance of her own. Expect raw intensity and linguistic prowess. She has a deeply emotive and highly magnetizing presence that combines a diverse sound with Vaudevillian style story telling.

Wednesday Feb 8^thDavid Sommerstein of NCPR will host a Beat Authority Dance Party! Listeners can expect a fresh, eclectic choice of dance music from all over the world. You may hear cumbia or bluegrass, afrobeat or jazz, it’ll keep your head a-noddin’ and your spirits up! Join in the groove and enjoy.

Thursday Feb 9^th, The Frank White Experience brings things to a new level. Bringing the sounds of Notorious B.I.G with live instrumentation to your ears in a way never head before! FWE brings listeners on a journey back through the beloved soundscape of 1990’s hip hop.

Friday February 10^thThe Mallett Brothers Band will return from the deep woods of Maine on Friday 2/11. You can expect alternative country, grunge, with a side of beards and flannels. Partnered with them is Saints + Liars a Vermont-based Americana group, blending variants of honky-tonk, folk, bluegrass, and rock n’ roll.

Saturday the 11^this sure to be the biggest dance party of the week! The post-parade party is free and will be led by Rose + The Bros. This 6-piece ensemble made their Saranac Lake debut in September 2022 at Northern Current: A Community Music Festival. Hailing from Ithaca, NY the band is rooted in southern dance tradition, with the addition of crooning vocal harmonies, and country music influence; listeners can expect distinctive rhythmic patterns based in a Louisiana sound, with additional reggae and melodic drum tones.

Later that same Saturday night, West End Blend will bring the FUNK + SOUL! Fronted by vocalist Erica Tracy Sullivan, WEB plays homage to classic throwback sounds while adding their own distinct vibe and flair. Behind her, the blend packs a four-piece horn section, two guitars bass, keyboards, and drums.
<a href="https://westendblend.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-waterhole">Live at The Waterhole by West End Blend</a>
Party goers will not want to miss Chestnut Grove opening the night! The Pennsylvania-grown quintet has continued seeing its efforts bear fruit since it formed in Perkiomenville, Pa. in 2011, growing a dedicated fan base and a songbook filled with truly heartfelt, groove-worthy original work. And when it comes to their abilities to groove within the canon of classic rock greats, well, they ain’t slouches there, either.

And on Saturday the 12^th, DiTrani Brothers will wrap things up with one final party! They hail from the woods of Vermont and play original songs from and about the dystopic present, ragtime and jazz tunes, the perfect complement to Bloody Mary Sunday.

The street level bar will be open every day of the week & boasts the largest selection of craft beer in the Blue Line. As you travel upstairs, you will find The Upstairs Music Lounge: a destination music venue. On the 2nd story there is a magnificent dance floor and a fully stocked bar. Make sure to keep going up and check out the 3^rdstory balcony. There you will find additional seating for when your dancing feet are tired, and a truly unbeatable birds-eye view of the stage & dance hall.  Concert tickets are available for purchase on the Waterhole website www.saranaclakewaterhole.com and in person by stopping into the venue. Winter Carnival Week Passes will be offered for $82. This pass guarantees access to every single show. As always, the Waterhole is a 21+ venue.

December 15, 2022
Quantum Cosmic w/ Eberwine in the Water

On Saturday, November 26th, two worlds collided and if you were lucky enough to be at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, you would know that doesn’t imply disaster. With Buffalo band Eberwine and 518-based Quantum Cosmic, it was an explosion of extraordinary talent, guitar riffs like you’ve never heard before, and a superjam by some of the best in the Northeast.

Annie in the Water drummer Josh West

Eberwine in the Water

Opening things up Saturday night was Eberwine in the Water, or Annie in the Wine – the name is a matter of debate. With members from both Annie in the Water and Eberwine, the name mattered far less than what was happening up on that stage. Todd Eberwine and his bassist Pablo Zabrycki joined members from Annie in the Water including Brad Hester, Matt Richards, Josh West, and Michael Lashomb.

Eberwine in the Water

The combination was an absolutely genius idea and the opening set was an epic superjam, unlike anything I have ever seen. The members of each band seemed to pull something extraordinary out of the others; it was like they were chasing one another around the stage, but with music.

Eberwine

Eberwine is new to the jam scene, especially here in Eastern NY. However, if you haven’t checked them out yet, you are really missing out on something incredibly special. These guys are a rock band that jams. And with Todd Eberwine on lead guitar, I promise you haven’t heard anything like this before. I highly recommend that you check them out as soon as possible. Check out their upcoming tour dates here.

Quantum Cosmic

Local band Quantum Cosmic closed out the evening, which included members of Annie in the Water. I haven’t gotten to see this band since well before the pandemic, and I was pleasantly surprised that they have gotten even better since I last saw them perform — and they were amazing even when they were brand new. They brought guitarist Mark Edwards from Eberwine out for a sit in and he can absolutely shred.

November 28, 2022
Alive at 5: Spafford and Annie in the Water Jam Out at Jennings Landing

Making their first visit to Albany since October 2017, Spafford returned to the Capital Region with a vengeance on Thursday, June 16. Headlining week two of Albany’s beloved Alive at 5 concert series, organizers could not have booked a more appropriate act for “Jam Night” than the Arizona improv quartet; a band that’s bolstered their reputation in recent years by occasionally surprising audiences with unannounced single-song shows.

Despite a tornado warning in areas of Western New York, mother nature played nice and so did the band. Indeed the jams at Jennings Landing on this night went long and strong and judging by the look on many of the first timers in the crowd, it was as if the music was hitting them over the head like a sonic sledgehammer, and they loved it.

Opening band and local legends Annie in the Water started the evening as only they know how. The whole band was delighted to be playing for Alive at Five and you could tell from the first note. Although it wasn’t the jam-heavy sets fans may be accustomed to, the Annie boys threw down a well-rounded set that had a large portion of people on their feet. They chose original songs as well as an excellent cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” that have brought their fans to fall in love with the band.

Setlist: Time to Play, In the Sand, Lights up, River, Dreams (Fleetwood Mac), Seeds, Dancing the Night Away

In an age where “jamming” is often viewed as a dirty word, Spafford makes no bones about what type of band they are. Comprised of Brian Moss (guitar/vocals), Jordan Fairless (Bass), Andrew “Red” Johnson on keyboards and Nick Tkachyk on drums, their social media bio simply says “We Jam.” But while the theme for this week was “Jam night,” this was anything but your typical Spafford show. For one thing it was totally free, thus attracting a lot of curious and first-time listeners. Second, due to the 8pm city curfew, there was only time for the band to play one set and no encore. Another key component missing was the bands elaborate light show, which due to the time of day was an impossibility.

Well aware of these limitations, Spafford played it smart and went with an almost “festival-like” setlist. With first time ears upon them, they decided to offer up a collection of some of their more well known and more accessible compositions. Kicking things off with one of the songs that put them on the map, the opening riff of “Electric Taco Stand” made it clear that despite the constraints, these Arizona cats came to Albany to boogie down. After a beautiful and contemplative version of the Andrew “Red” Johnson sung “Slip and Squander,” bassist Jordan Fairless had his chance to shine on what was perhaps the highlight of the night, “Leave the Light On.” Shifting gears from its reggae style structure, this version would drift into a delicate and blissfully sublime space before Jordan would reel it in and lead fans through the call and response portion of the song, so catchy even first timers could be seen mouthing the words in unison.

Worth noting is that the guys appeared to be having an absolute blast on stage. Smiles all around, Jordan in particular seemed more jovial than his usual self, even making all kinds of “bass faces” and playing off Brian’s tasty licks by sticking out his tongue during an absolutely epic version of “Back Door Funk.” Showcasing their versatility and flaunting their ability to blend various genres seamlessly into one, the evening had everything from filthy funk and up-tempo jamtronica, to rump-shaking reggae, introspective instrumentals and all out rock n’ roll shred fests courtesy of Mr. Brian Moss and his custom Thomas Milana guitar: The Raven. In fact, if there was an actual way to keep track of such things, I’d be willing to bet Moss played more notes during this set than any other performer in Alive at 5 history.

After working their way through “Mind’s Unchained,” the show would come to a glorious end by way of the anthemic “Salamander Song” in which the audience was encouraged to “dance the whole way home.” Judging by the look on some of the freshly melted faces of Albany’s first timers, that’s exactly what they may have done. While it may not have been your typical two-set Spafford show, there was still plenty to like about this performance. Savoring every minute of it, Albany fans can only hope it doesn’t take 5 more years for this very talented band to return.

6/16/22 | Alive at Five | Albany, NY

Setlist: Electric Taco Stand, Slip and Squander, Leave the Light On, Backdoor Funk, Mind’s Unchained > Salamander Song

Up next in the Alive at 5 concert series is Classic Rock night with Lita Ford headlining and up-and-coming New York band Candy Ambulance opening things up. The event is scheduled to take place on June, 23 at Jennings Landing on Thursday, June 23, 2022 and as always, is completely free.

June 19, 2022
Yard Amphitheater to features Keller and the Keels, SunSquabi, Mihali and many more

In an area of New York where the Mohawk Valley meets Central New York, you’ll find Bouckville, best known for Ray Brothers Barbeque and The Yard Amphitheater. The pairing of some of the best BBQ in New York State with a stellar summer lineup of shows makes the small town of Bouckville a must stop for locals and travelers across the Empire State this summer.

When establishing Ray Brothers Barbeque with his brother Tucker in 2014, Colin Ray embarked on another dream of his: to build an outdoor music venue. The Yard Amphitheater started with a simple stage of plywood screwed to pallets set in the backyard, and over the years has transformed into the robust community gathering space it is today.

The Yard Amphitheater holds up to 1,500 attendees and has featured acts including Keller Williams, Zach Deputy, Turkuaz, Ryan Montbleau, Montgomery Gentry, JJ Grey & Mofro, Hayley Jane and the Primates, The North Mississippi Allstars, Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People, Martin Sexton, Cassidy Lynn, and many more.

Attending a show at The Yard is like being in your own backyard for a concert, only this backyard has a fully stocked outdoor bar, delicious BBQ, and nationally touring acts.

When you’re headed to Bouckville this summer, be sure to grab a chair or blanket, a bite to eat at the restaurant, a cold beer, and get ready to dance. This year’s lineup will have you on your feet in no time.

Yard Amphitheater 2022 Lineup

May 30th: Annual Backyard BBQ featuring Annie in the Water, The Reflexions, and Feed the Fire

June 4th: Keller & The Keels with The Old Main

June 25th: Dogs In A Pile with Adam Brooks

July 2nd: Cassidy Lynn with Jason Wicks

July 16th: Root Shock with Chris Eves and the New Normal

July 23rd: Blue Star Radiation

August 6th: Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry with Blaine Holcomb

August 12th: Mihali of Twiddle with Mike Powell

August 13th: Ryan Montbleau with Giovanina Bucci

August 20th: SunSquabi with Vaporeyes

September 4th: Annual Hop Harvest Smoke Out featuring Mo Lowda & The Humble with additional acts TBA.

Stay up-to-date on Facebook and Instagram. Purchase tickets here.

May 24, 2022
In Focus: Annie in the Water Album Release show at The Hollow

On Friday, March 4th, fans gathered at The Hollow in Albany to watch as Annie in the Water celebrated their long-awaited album release with special guests The Pine Hill Trio. From start to finish, it was an incredible night for music lovers. Packed with extraordinary talent, these two bands brought new songs; a ton of surprises; and even some special treats for all of us lucky enough to be there.

Band to Watch: The Pine Hills Trio

To get the party started The Pine Hills Trio took the stage. If you haven’t heard of them yet, you’re going to. This trio of young college students is a brand new band and they are here to play. Ronan Dougherty (guitar/vocals) has a voice far larger and more developed than most musicians twice his age. With Dylan Neiderauer on bass and Chris Arcoleo on drums, it’s impossible to tell they have only been playing together a few months. And if you recognize that last name, Dylan’s brother is well-known guitar wunderkind Brandon ‘Taz’ Neiderauer.

Annie in the Water play an epic Two-Hour Set

Then it was time for the main event — and calling it an event is an understatement. Personally, I have seen this band play dozens of times and never heard them sound better than they did this night. For the first half of their set, they played their new album Sun at Dawn from start to finish.

Annie in the Water – Brad Hester (vocals/lead guitar), Matt Richards (keys/vocals), Brock Kuka (percussion/vocals), Michael Lashomb (guitar/vocals), Chris Meier (bass/vocals), and Ryan Trumball (drums) – stepped up on their jam game in a way that is truly mind-blowing considering the music hiatus of the two years.

For the second half of their set, the boys from Annie in the Water played whatever they felt like. Without a set break these dudes continued to bring the hammer down. They played everything from older Annie tunes to a hard-rocking cover from Rage Against the Machine. They topped off their set with a jam on their popular “Hey I’m on the Way” that transcended time and space.

March 8, 2022
NYS Music March Madness 2022 Round 2

We have arrived at Round 2 of NYS Music’s March Madness 2022. Below you’ll find 16 matchups between 32 bands and artists from across New York State, from numerous genres, all on the rise and ready to make a name for themselves.

Since 2015, New York State Music has crafted a March Madness competition that spans all the musical harbors of the Empire State. As fans and musicians, the NYS Music team aims to spotlight the great talent found across New York in a friendly contest, bringing broader attention to the next generation of artists and bands on the rise. March Madness 2022 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 1 here.

Enter your email address, meet the bands and artists below, and vote for your favorites!

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Bearsville Theater Region

Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys vs Ampevene

Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys from Albany perform hard-driving, up-tempo acoustic Americana Roots music from the traditions of country, folk, and bluegrass with creative original story songs from Jim the main focus. Listen to their recent EP Hillbilly Rock n Roll here

Ampevene from Albany are a fresh, experimental fusion of original Progressive Rock, Psychedelic, and other genres. Ampevene’s music represents an amalgam of the mayhem of Mars Volta, the psychedelic sounds of Pink Floyd, the hypnotic trance-like quality of Tool, and the funk of a Frusciante-Chili Pepper jam. Listen to their David Bowie live set from November 2019 here.

Caity Gallagher vs Thanks!

Caity Gallagher is a folk singer songwriter based in Albany, with rootsy compositions and lilting vocal lines serve to showcase intimate lyrics that tell universally relatable stories. Caity has been likened to a modern combination of The Cranberries and Jackson Browne. Listen to her newest single, “Give It All,” here.

Thanks! From Saratoga Springs leave audiences with a show to remember whenever they hit the stage. What started out as three guys in a basement, has continuously built into a theatrical, reflective and dramatic performance that moves fans of all ages. Listen to their new single “I Choose You” here.

GRUB vs Fine Grain

GRUB is an Experimental Rock group based out of Buffalo/Niagara Falls. Their original catalogue can be described as uniquely inventive, adventurous, and welcoming to new listeners. Each song showcases a seamless blend of genres such as funk, psychedelic rock, electronic, hip-hop, metal, and reggae amidst a pop-esque composition, so there are elements on the table for all. Their website has videos and more.

Red pill or blue pill? Fine Grain took both with a Genny and got banned from Trader Joe’s. The girthy tones of this gritty, shoegazy punk band from Albany will remind you of late nights on a stoop in September, your first beer after work, weird questions about your parents cephalopods, and of course, the crushing weight of capitalism. Visit here for a link to all their different streaming options.

Cait Devin vs Frank Palangi

Cait Devin is a 20 year old alt-pop artist from Utica with a diverse range of audiences and experience in many genres of music. Cait is also a lead guitarist alongside being a singer songwriter, and has put together various shred collabs. No stranger to playing live, Cait has been booking frequent shows in Central New York since she was 15, and expanded to NYC and Nashville by age 16. Listen to her song “K9” here.

Frank Palangi is an indie rock artist from Queensbury, with a fuel and passion that makes his deep and gritty rock a must listen. Combine his vibrato voice and charismatic charm, and you’ve got a rock legend in the making. Palangi’s mission statement is “I have no plan B in backing down on my dreams.” Listen to his latest single “Dead Man” here.

Voting for Round 2 has closed. Stay tuned for Round 3 starting on Friday, March 11 at 10am!

Funk n Waffles Region

Glass Pony vs Rich Ortiz

Glass Pony, a jam band out of Albany have developed a unique sound in the past few years, with a wide array of originals with danceable grooves, unique setlists and compelling improv. Check out their most recent single “Daydream”

Rich Ortiz from Lake George has a style that is truly his own and music that is his soul. A product his family’s cultural diversity and strengths, Rich has focused all of his talents and time on his acoustic solo act since age 17. Watch a profile of Rich here.

Samsara vs Sydney Irving and the Mojo

Samsara hail from Long Island, with band members Charlie, Ben and John playing music together at any early age, drawing influence from several styles, including grunge, funk, metal and alternative. They are working on new releases with GRAMMY Award winning Producer Steve Adobbo and have upcoming spring and summer shows, including Rock Stock and Barrels Festival in Rockaway Beach (home of the Ramones) and the Great South Bay Music Festival. Samsara’s alt sound can be heard on their 2021 release Paralyzed in Paradise.

Sydney Irving and the Mojo, based in Syracuse, features 18 year old Sydney Irving, who has been named the 2020 young adult artist of the year by the International Singer Songwriters Assocation, where she will perform this summer in Atlanta, GA. They’ll be performing across New York and three other states this summer. Sydney received the Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist at the 2022 Syracuse Area Music Awards. Watch “Seasons Change” here.

Gooseberry vs Anthropic

Gooseberry is a 4-piece band from Brooklyn, born during the Fall of 2019. Their combination of blues, R&B, and indie rock is a recipe for a unique sound that Gooseberry delivers in each song. Listen to their recently released single “Sleep” here

Anthropic from Buffalo perform grinding death metal, inspired by1980’s grindcore, crust punk and death metal. They’ll play Doused in Death Fest in Buffalo in March. Listen to their 2020 release Architects of Aggression here.

Logan Whaley Band vs Alliteration

Logan Whaley Band from Long Island is a culmination of the best material & musicians Logan has written & met over the last 8 years since graduating from Music School. His music can be best described as having old-school sensibilities with a new-school vibe. He releases his debut album “On The Cusp” on March 4, 2022.

Alliteration from Poughkeepsie perform self-described weird boi punk rock and have recently released their LP Reject. Formed in February 2015, Alliteration combines the driving riffs of alternative and indie punk, elements of a diverse array of genres, and a fun stage presence that shows the passion they hold for their art. Listen here.

Voting for Round 2 has closed. Stay tuned for Round 3 starting on Friday, March 11 at 10am!

DSP Shows Region

Josh Casano vs E.R.I.E.

Josh Casano is a local acoustic artist who has been performing in the Capital Region for almost 8 years. Along with covers, Josh incorporates his own writing into each performance. He holds a degree in Music Education from The College of Saint Rose focused on classical guitar, voice, and piano. Josh is currently fronting the group Josh Casano & the Fam. Catch him at The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls on April 21 at 7pm. Listen to “You Said Hi” here.

A band called E.R.I.E. describe themselves as “Four dads from Upstate NY making indie rock” The Albany quartet released their debut project “Don’t Wanna Live, Don’t Wanna Die” just over a year ago on Mint 400 records. Listen to “The Dirt Inside Your Soul” here.

Dodongo vs Seize Atlantis

Dodongo is a funk/fusion band based out of Brooklyn. The group describes themselves as “six friends making it up as we go along.” Listen to their November 2021 performance from Brooklyn Bowl here.

Fueled by punchy bass, hard-driving percussion, melodic lead guitar, and pronounced moody vocals with meaningful lyrics, a truly dynamic range of soft to heavy Alternative Rock defines the unique, tight sound of Seize Atlantis. Formed in 2019 out of Glens Falls in upstate New York, Seize Atlantis is a four-piece band most closely influenced by bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, providing their own spin on a variety of covers from classic rock to modern pop in addition to their own original music. Listen to “The Unstoppable Groove” here.

Jess Novak vs DF3

Jess Novak takes no prisoners, performing with a fiddle on fire, powerful vocals and a fierce band behind her. The leader of a pop, rock, soul-pumped group from Syracuse brings passion to every performance, with energy, superb musicianship, engaging songwriting and ability to win any crowd. Listen to “The Joke” here.

Donny Frauenhofer Trio, also known as DF3, have been coined as “The Weirdest Music You’ve Never Heard.” Donny’s trio is creatively driven by spontaneity. The group travels through time signatures, styles, and key signatures with ease, making Frauenhofer’s complicated compositions sound like a walk in the park. The group plays a daring brand of original music with unique arrangements of popular tunes tastefully sprinkled in. Listen to “Daylight” here.

All Poets and Heroes vs The Sea The Sea

In the summer of 2015, Rob McCall & Corey Jordan met and founded All Poets & Heroes out of their hometown of Syracuse. That summer, the duo began crafting a sound that explored resonating folk melodies with that of the sensible nostalgia that filled the 90s alternative music scene. Since then, the duo has grown into a full-fledged band developing towards an introspective project that aims to challenge listeners to feel, and to feel deeply. Listen to Occhiolism here.

The Sea The Sea (Chuck E. Costa and Mira Costa) is an Upstate New York based indie folk-pop duo featuring what Bob Boilen (NPR’s All Songs Considered) calls “excellent harmonies” & Huffington Post calls, “Two of the loveliest male-female voices you might ever hear this or any other year.” The group’s 2020 release, Stumbling Home, dubbed “otherworldly” by RollingStone marks the duo’s third full-length album, and the duo’s first primary recording / engineering credits on one of their albums, as well as that of co-producers—teaming up with recent Grammy and Tony award winner Todd Sickafoose (Hadestown, Anais Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Andrew Bird).

Voting for Round 2 has closed. Stay tuned for Round 3 starting on Friday, March 11 at 10am!

The Helping Friendly Hemp Company Region

Jennie Angel vs The Pine Boys

Jennie Angel is an actress in the Hudson Valley who recently rediscovered her love for music. Started playing the guitar when she was 16 and has been singing she was born, now performing popular country hits! Jennie has most recently been added as a member of the Academy of Country Music and will be attending the awards show in March. She’ll perform on April 9 at Karl Hall in Wilkes-Barre, PA and on June 3 at The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie. Discover more on her website.

The Pine Boys reside in Albany and consist of three members: Andrew Cerone, Brett Maney and Sam Lasky. Musically, the group is an eclectic brew of Alternative Rock, Hip-Hop and Funk. They blend character driven story telling with memorable riffs and grooves resulting in something truly their own. They recently released their new album Vacationland and will perform at Pauly’s Hotel on St. Patrick’s Day.

Kyngjo vs HANZOLO

Kyngjo is not only about his melodies but he’s about his business and making his family proud. When he’s not working in Albany he’s networking in Atlanta or in the studio making music. As an independent artist, he is funding his dreams and making the sacrifice to reach his goals. Soon to be the go-to artist for hooks. Check out YouTube for an official video for “Calling Me.”

HANZOLO is a 7-piece band from Upstate New York, toting an explosive and emotional sound that mixes soul, jazz, rock, and funk. Their songs are dance-ably fun with thoughtful lyrics, backed up by a bright horn section. The band’s website contains videos and upcoming tour dates.

The Dirty Doves vs METASEQUOIA

You’d be hard pressed to find a more fitting description of Syracuse’s The Dirty Doves than what you’d find as Urban Dictionary’s top definition of a “Dirty Dove”: “Cute and cuddly as a dove, but down and dirty like a city pigeon.” The Dirty Doves – Jamie Cunningham and Anthony Saturno – have created Pure & Simple, an album that’s somehow sweet, sultry, and serene. Hear for yourself on their Spotify page.

METASEQUOIA sprouted in 2007, taking root in Ithaca and is getting set to release their new album In The Redwoods in April and partnered with their label, New Vine Records. Following the release, they will be trekking on an album tour, with dates set from April – August in CNY, Massachusetts, Connecticut and surrounding areas. Tour dates and cities to be announced soon! Check them out at metasequoia-music.com

Annie in the Water vs Big Time Kitty

Annie in the Water’s music is a groovy combination of Reggae, Funk, Rock, Blues and Jamstyle written with a conscious dose of positive vibes, unique melodies and intelligent lyrics. Their Upstate-centric music evokes the feeling of driving down mountain roads with longtime friends. As the sun rises in the rearview, an unwritten story awaits on the road ahead. Their new album Sun At Dawn is available for pre-order now and an upcoming gig is scheduled at The Hollow on March 4th, 2022.

Big Time Kitty (B.T.K.). Is a funky ass two man band based out of the Adirondacks. Their SoundCloud page gives you a taste of both their original hits and cover selections like “2001” and “Tubthumping.”

Voting for Round 2 has closed. Stay tuned for Round 3 starting on Friday, March 11 at 10am!

NYS Music has partnered with businesses across New York State to highlight these 64 up and coming bands. Regional sponsors include Funk n Waffles, a premiere music venue in Syracuse established in 2007 with a unique take on the culinary and entertainment industries, offering a wide variety of gourmet waffles and breakfast food, as well as offering live music every night! Bearsville Theater in Woodstock is where Americana was born – where Dylan took folk music and married it to Rock & Roll. where folk went electric, and where Janis took a breath and recuperated, before launching her hurricane energy and heart stopping songs out into the world. Renovated in 2019-2020, Bearsville Theater has an impressive calendar of shows for Hudson Valley music lovers.

DSP Shows based in Ithaca, NY and Northampton, MA, is one of the leading independent concert promoters in America, with shows at venues including State Theatre of Ithaca, Hangar Theatre, The Haunt, Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, Brewery Ommegang, Asbury Hall, The 9th Ward at Babeville, and Daryl’s House among others. The Helping Friendly Hemp Company offers a wide variety of industry leading products including tinctures, soft chews, and hemp flower, using only USA grown hemp extract.

The winners of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2022 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.

The XPerience Monthly is the greater Capital Region’s alt-monthly newspaper, bringing independent music and thought provoking articles to the area. The XPerience Monthly will feature the winning band in a newspaper profile and interview this summer.

Check out Past Years’ NYS Music March Madness Here

March 6, 2022
Hearing Aide: Annie in the Water’s “Sun at Dawn” Tells A Beautiful and Intoxicating Story

Annie in the Water has released their third studio album, Sun at Dawn. After Michael Lashomb and Bradley Hester met at Hobart College in Geneva, the band has gone through a plethora of changes. Since its nascency in 2007, founders Michael Lashomb and Bradley Hester have led the band, and their newest album, Sun At Dawn, shows the band in a new light.

Beautiful & Figurative Storytelling

Sun At Dawn is a story that takes place in a tropical setting, yet it provokes much deeper thought than the sound that it embellishes. It tells a story of love and loss, and lust and gluttony, all over surf jam-rock instrumentation. An oxymoronic approach to a concept album is nothing particularly new or innovative to music at all, but it takes a certain level of mastery to execute it in a mature manner. Additionally, over what is essentially a beach playlist, this approach may be hard to execute. One can go the easy route and make an entire album over summer beach jams. However, with only a few minor criticisms to the album, Annie in the Water does an excellent job creating an invigorating piece of art.

The album starts with “Bloom,” leading with an intoxicating synthesizer and warm guitar progression that immediately hypnotize the listener. In a way, the song feels kaleidoscopic. The instruments work off of each other beautifully and transport you to a tropical setting. This is a skill that Annie in the Water demonstrates throughout the whole album, including “In The Sand,” a song about being lost in the desert.

Lyrics read “I’ve arrived it seems, but nothing here is green, no rain just shine, no roads in sight, to lead me to the land, I’ve yet to find.” They continue: “I’m lost in my plan, burning up in the desert sunset, pull the map out of the sand, although there’s nothing written there.” While these lyrics articulate and describe the situation our protagonist is in, the feeling extracted from the song would be nothing without the instrumentation’s ability to complete the story. The key the instruments work in completes the deserted feeling the protagonist feels. The guitar feels sandy and the sporadicalness of the keys adds a layer of confusion. On the other hand, the percussion and bass add the perfect amount of bounce to maintain an oxymoronic element of stoke in such a depressing song. “In The Sand” is a song about feeling lost after losing a partner you care deeply for, and it is a beautiful way to articulate this emotion.

Another song that transports the listener and contemplates an oxymoron is “Water.” Like the previous song, this song is also about losing a partner. The lead singer feels that their ex-partner is omnipresent and they feel an incredible, insatiable lust for them. They know, however, that they can never go back to them, and while this fact is never explicitly stated in the lyrics, the instrumentation communicates an entirely different story.

This song, a step away from the tropic jams on this album, also makes beautiful use of the mark tree. In every verse, the lyrics start off incredibly abstract, drawing metaphors to the rain and the moon when speaking about this person. As the verse progresses though, the lyrics get more and more real, at which point the singer eventually breaks and confesses that their former lover moved to California, a far detour from the Upstate New York-based band. At the end of each verse, however, the mark tree melodically transports both the listener and the protagonist back to a dream-like state, where they can feel free to live in the fantasy with this partner. Sounds of pouring water also play at the end of the song, suggesting this person will always be a part of this person.

Jam Bands Jam

As stated earlier, a major feat of the band is the ability to bounce their instruments off of each other. “Lights Up,” for instance, begins with a feeling of slight dissonance between the instruments. This is totally intentional; the instruments follow the same time signature, there is just a slight air in between them. Without even realizing it though, the instruments were jamming together in perfect unison. Notably, the instrumentalists seem like they are enjoying themselves and that joy is contagious for the listener.

Similarly, “In The Sand” ends in a beautiful cacophony of jam rock. The guitar solo reeks of swagger, sludge, and beautiful vibes. Accompanying it is a beautiful percussive beat and the two instrumentalists work off of each other in an infinitely excellent and masterful way. It is impossible to finish this song without bobbing your head.

Sun at Dawn definitely has a unique sound to it, however, this does not stop the listener from hearing some obvious influences, including the whammy guitar from “Seeds.” It sounds exactly like something Hendrix would have played, but Hendrix would have played better. The guitar of “Bloom,” on the other hand, doesn’t feel like a carbon copy. Instead, it more so pays a nod to Jimmy Page. In the same essence, “Water” draws a striking similarity to Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain.”

Now, every artist wears their influence on their sleeves from time to time. My only concern for Annie in the Water is that, even though this album displays incredible personality, whether or not that personality is distinct to the album only and not the band. Additionally, throughout the album, the presence of synthesizers, for the most part, at the very least add something of value, although on a song like “Water,” an incredibly introspective song about long-lost love, can be heavy at times.

Overall, Sun At Dawn is an excellent album with some minor flaws. The band’s contagious and figurative instrumentation alongside introspective lyricism makes for an enjoyable seven-track run. Sun At Dawn is available on Spotify and Apple Music now. For more information, check out their Facebook or Instagram.

Key Tracks: Turnaround, Water, Pleasure in Sin

March 4, 2022
Annie in the Water Announce Winter Tour Dates, New Album due in March

Annie in the Water have announced a slate of winter tour dates, ahead of the release of their forthcoming studio album, Sun at Dawn, set to be released Friday, March 4th.

Artwork by Tony Campono, based on a photograph taken by Matt Richards at dawn on Going To The Sun Road at Glacier National Park.

Recorded directly to tape at Artfarm Recording in the heart of the Hudson Valley and mixed by Corey Hayward, Sun at Dawn represents the band’s time spent independently at home, together in the Adirondacks, and on the road again with their fans.

Our forthcoming album Sun at Dawn represents the paths we took in life as individuals and how it brought us together in the band. The album consists of songs that were written along these separate life experiences and are joined by songs that were written together as a band. The sun at dawn illustrates that this is just the beginning of our adventures musically and as friends.

We have a lot planned for 2022. Beyond releasing our newest album we are lining up bigger tours than we have had in recent years. Not only that, but we have also began writing more new material after the recording process of the upcoming album ended. We are fully prepared to hit the ground running when the music scene begins to boom again and we can’t wait to show everyone everything we have been working on!…
Matt Richards, Annie in the Water keys

Annie in the Water’s sound has a groove filled combo of reggae, funk, rock, blues and jam, written with a conscious dose of positive vibes, unique melodies and intelligent lyrics. The group has the ability to fill an entire night with original music and also render well-known covers in their signature style, giving fans extraordinary experiences to share that can’t be seen anywhere else.

Comprised of members Brad Hester (Lead Vocals/Rhythm), Michael Lashomb (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Ryan Trumbull (Drums/Vocals), Chris Meier (Bass/Vocals), Matt Richards (Keys/Vocals) and Brock Kuca (Percussion/Vocals), each performance is another adventure, both exhilarating and everlasting. The group creates a blend of music and entertainment that is inspired by the audience and the moment; the fan-base grows with every single performance in large part due to the indisputable fact that Annie in the Water will make people dance and feel happier no matter their age.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKxG7B35Btg

Annie in the Water Winter Tour 2022 Dates

1.26 Buffalo Iron Works // Buffalo, NY ^
1.27 Parish Public House // Albany, NY ^ !
1.28 Sonia // Cambridge, MA ^
1.29 Nectar’s // Burlington, VT ^ !
1.30 Portland House of Music // Portland, ME ^
2.4 Waterhole // Saranac Lake, NY * !
2.6 Mercury Lounge // New York, NY ^
2.10 Funk ‘n Waffles // Syracuse, NY
2.11 Froggy Daze // Kerhonkson, NY

^ w/ Eminence Ensemble
! Annie in the Water Headlining show

January 15, 2022
Waterhole announces Live Music Lineup during Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 2022

It’s almost time for an annual North Country tradition as Saranac Lake Winter Carnival gets ready for the 2022 edition. The Upstate winter fest has been held since 1897, making 2022 the 125th annual celebration, with a theme of “Totally ’80s.”

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival features a great deal of events, including a Royal Court, arctic golf, ski and snowshoe races, curling and woodsman exhibitions, parades, fireworks and the annual highlight, the Ice Palace.

As always, the Waterhole will be the center for live music during Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival 2022. Appearing over seven nights are 14 bands from both national and regional touring artists.

Full week VIP passes for Winter Carnival at the Waterhole are available for $80, which grants entrance to every show of Winter Carnival from Feb 4th to Feb. 13th, 2022. The lineup can be found below, with tickets available here.

February 4 – Annie in the Water with Chestnut Grove

February 5 – High and Mighty Brass Band

February 9 – Kat Wright and Giovanina Bucci

February 10 – Ryan Montbleau Band and The Outcrops

February 11 – The Mallett Brothers Band and Folkfaces

February 12 – The Big Takeover (and post parade party)

February 12 – West End Blend and The Sideways

February 13 – The Wormdogs

January 3, 2022