Tag: buffalo

  • Petrucci, Portnoy and LaRue rock Chill Crowd at Town Ballroom

    Sunday, October 9th brought progressive metal heavyweights to Buffalo. John Petrucci, considered by many as the greatest guitarist of his generation, has just released his first solo effort in 15 years, Terminal Velocity. For the first time in 12 years, he is joined by his longtime musical collaborator, one of his closest friends, and undoubtedly one of the greatest drummers on the planet, the incomparable Mike Portnoy. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, moments like this don’t come around all that often, and for longtime fans of Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment, this moment could not have come soon enough. If you’re reading this review because you’re wondering if JP and MP were able to recapture their storied musical chemistry, catalogued on over a dozen classic Prog Metal albums, then let me make it clear that they did indeed—and then some. Dave LaRue joins them on bass for the tour. He has played many times with JP and MP on past G3 tours.

    What is special about this tour is their three wives are in the band Meanstreak, opening for Petrucci and company every night. Formed in 1985, Rena Petrucci is on lead guitar, Marlene Portnoy is on rhythm guitar, and their bassist Martins Myung is the wife of John Myung who plays bass in Dream Theater. The band also consists of singer Bettina France and drummer Yael Rallis.

    The atmosphere of the show had a very calming presence to many fans in attendance. The floor of Town Ballroom which is usually standing only, had 40 chairs for fans to watch the show, while the rest of the upper level was standing room only. Fans watched with their jaws dropped when Rena Petrucci shredded solos just as well as her husband John Petrucci does. It was an amazing sight to see for sure.

    Rena Petrucci

    Meanstreak’s set was 45 minutes in length where they played eight songs from the album released in 1988 titled Roadkill.

    Petrucci/Portnoy/LaRue

    John Petrucci

    After a 30 minute changeover, John Petrucci and company took the stage to the Sopranos theme music. The crowd screamed intensely as the band took the stage. Mike Portnoy counted off the title track “Terminal Velocity” and that went into “The Happy Song.” John Petrucci then spoke to the crowd and said “How about that number 17?,” referencing Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and their big win earlier in the day. All of the fans cheered in excitement for the local connection.

    Mike Portnoy

    “Jaws of Life” was next on the setlist. From his original album Suspended Animation. This song is a nonoffensive and rather straight-beat opener that at least lets unsuspecting listeners know what kind of guitar trio this is; the players are pros. Other memorable songs played were “Damage Control” and encore “Glassgow Kiss.”

    Dave LaRue

    Shredding and art tend to be mutually exclusive by nature, since too many chord crunchers refuse to let the music be more important than they are. It often doesn’t help when a member of a well-known group undertakes a solo project, since standing out becomes even more urgent. John Petrucci avoids the land mines and delivers more depth than many listeners will likely appreciate.

    Setlist: Terminal Velocity, The Happy Song, Jaws of Life, The Oddfather, Gemini, Out of the Blue, Tunnel Vison, Damage Control, Snake in the Boot, Temple of Ciracida

    John Petrucci’s 2022 North American Tour Dates:
    10/13 – New York, NY @ Town Hall
    10/14 – Glenside, PA @ The Keswick Theatre
    10/15 – Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theater
    10/17 – Richmond, VA @ The National
    10/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theatre
    10/20 – Nashville, TN @ CMA Theater
    10/21 – Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall
    10/22 – Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre
    10/23 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Café
    10/26 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
    10/27 – San Antonio, TX @ Charline McCombs Empire Theatre
    10/28 – Houston, TX @ Stafford Centre
    10/29 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theatre
    10/30 – Dallas, TX @ Factory Deep Ellum
    11/02 – Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theater
    11/03 – San Diego, CA @ The Magnolia
    11/04 – Los Angeles, CA @ Ace Hotel
    11/05 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
    11/07 – San Francisco, CA @ Palace of Fine Arts
    11/12 – Minneapolis, MN @ Pantages Theatre
    11/13 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic
    11/14 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theater
    11/16 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
    11/17 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall

  • Guitar Solos Abound on eberwine’s Debut Album ‘One Vision’

    Buffalo jam rock group eberwine has stepped forward with their record debut One Vision, an hourlong escapade of winding guitar riffs, invigorated drumming, and accessible melodies.

    Led by vocalist and guitarist Todd Eberwine, his band of the same name is a five-piece featuring drummer Ryan Nogle, bassist Keith Lindner, backing vocalist Aaron Ziolkowski, and keyboardists Evan Laedke and Eric Crittenden.

    Eberwine
    Album art for eberwine’s One Vision.

    The album, which was “six years in the making,” was preceded by single, “Worlds Away” in April, a catchy roots rock track which serves as a proper preview to One Vision.

    Opener “Get On” is an eight minute piece that does the same, giving the listener a good idea of what to expect from the record with a couple verses, a couple hooks, and lots of instrumental time. A bouncy song which sticks to a traditional blues rock format, a spacy keyboard solo in the track’s first couple minutes adds an ethereal element.

    Songs on the album generally touch topics of romance, such as the title track where Eberwine sings “the stars are complete in their galaxies, when they explode they become more like you and me,” alluding to the cover art’s imagery.

    Eberwine
    eberwine

    While Eberwine’s flashy guitar playing on display nearly every song, and Ryan Nogle’s drumming always keeps pace, and the keyboard section adds a sense of atmosphere, Keith Lindner’s bass playing is right there with them, entertainingly holding up the groove on songs like the instrumental “Real Good” And along with plenty of dazzling musicianship, Eberwine’s polished vocals help push forth songs that are primarily instrumental.

    “Lies” is an album highlight, with its high tempo and funky guitar riff working well with an odd and uncomfortable melody. Eberwine’s shrieky vocals complement the moody track, with him singing “life deceived me as I’m falling down again.” This is coupled by one of the most engaging solos of the record, one which goes on for five minutes and reaches speed and intensity unique to the tracklist.

    While this album knows when to heat up at the right times, it also knows when to settle down. “Lies” is fittingly followed by the subdued, solo-free “Divided,” with wistful lines such as “so the story goes but no one knows, and so we go on through the great untold.” “Fever,” the only other song under five minutes, follows up the raucous opening track with a nice blend of piano rock and acoustic guitar.

    Stretches of subtlety also prove valuable on the 11-minute closer “In Flight Movie,” with Eberwine’s watery lead riff guiding the slow song to its more active moments like its exciting and powerful chorus where he sings “the moment’s okay, the moment’s gone, it makes us blind to what matters, it makes connection impossible.” The song’s nearly six-minute solo hits nicely as well, with dynamics alternating in a way to create a uniquely emotional performance here, giving a fitting end to the album.

    While One Vision is eberwine’s first album, it doesn’t come short of displaying the expertise of Todd Eberwine and his band. On top of showing off plenty of mercurial musicianship, the group shows plenty of aptitude for emotional performances and stylistic versatility in a record that fills out its 68-minute runtime.

    Information about future eberwine tour dates can be found here.

  • Ian McCuen Introspects on New Single “Lonesome Homesteader”

    Buffalo singer-songwriter Ian McCuen has returned with their first song in almost nine months, “Lonesome Homesteader,” a melancholy and quiet folk track that spans five minutes. The song was released in promotion of their upcoming fifth album Westward, to Nowhere, slated for November 11 release.

    ian mccuen lonesome homesteader
    Cover art for “Lonesome Homesteader.”

    “Lonesome Homesteader” starts at its loudest point, with a noisy organ intro which stands in contrast from the rest of the subtle track. The song orients itself around a soft, melodic guitar melody and McCuen’s withdrawn falsetto.

    Musicianship-wise it’s not perfect, with a number of muted guitar notes here and there, but nothing bothersome enough to hold back the emotional display of Ian McCuen. The lyrics are vulnerable and clear to the listener, with them flashing an isolated and distressed side to the listener. “I’m trying so hard to prove my self worth, make something from nothing on this God-forsaken earth,” they plead on the second verse.

    The instrumentation on “Lonesome Homesteader” is sparse but not empty, with a small string section adding a bit of character in between the verses. The song demonstrates a significant change-up here on the final chorus, where it transforms into a swinging banjo rhythm that makes McCuen’s words feel a little closer to home.

    For someone with experience writing and creating music about difficult emotions, McCuen demonstrated it here. “Lonesome Homesteader” by Ian McCuen is a vulnerable and down-to-earth song that shows how difficult being human is sometimes.

  • Fernway Announces Fourth Annual Halloween Show

    Buffalo-based Fernway has announced the return of their fourth annual Halloween Show on Oct. 29 at Buffalo Iron Works.

    Fernway Halloween show poster with ghosts, graves, pumpkins, announcing tickets and acts.
    Poster by Francesca Bubb

    Fernway’s Halloween Show features stacked performances, including Vertigo Child, The Safest Ledge, Amateur Hockey Club, and Roy G Biv. In addition to the musical performances, attendees can also participate in a costume contest to win prizes.

    Fresh off of the release of their debut album, Autocrave, Fernway has been on the road with shows across the U.S. The group recently supported Ohio-based band The Safest Ledge earlier this September and will reunite with them for the Halloween Show on Oct. 29.

    Fernway band crowds together in front of a red background.
    Photo by: Matt Sledziewski

    Formed in 2017, Fernway consists of five Buffalo natives: RJ DeMarco, Brett Robertson, Jonah Wrest, Alec Dube, and Tanner DeMarco. The five musicians blend together pop rock, alternative emo, jazz, and more for a sound uniquely their own.

    Tickets for the Halloween Fernway show at Buffalo Iron Works go on sale on Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. EST. The price for an advanced ticket is $15 and $20 for a ticket at the door. The show will open at 6 p.m. with music starting at 7 p.m. Fans of Fernway’s music can find them and keep up with them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

  • Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration Begins This Weekend in Buffalo

    On Aug. 28, the sixth annual Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration will return to Buffalo Central Terminal for a full day of programming.

    Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration poster with comedian and cartoon art.

    Beginning at 2 P.M. and ending at 9 P.M., the festival is a one-day event but will hold various activities to enjoy in the days leading up to the annual fest on the 28. Known as one of Buffalo’s most diverse festivals, the event hosts multiple genres of music, art, and culture for attendees to enjoy.

    The Beau Fleuve Music & Arts celebration will bring international musical acts across multiple stages including Stove God Cooks, DNTWATCHTV, Q Brock, Lindsay Niccs, Grace Greenan, and many more. Audiences can expect the festival to represent multiple genres throughout the day.

    Festivalgoers can also enjoy art installations, a silent disco, poetry-spoken word, speaker events, fashion, backyard games, street art, and a family-fun area. Food and drink will also be available with a beer and wine garden and food trucks.

    In addition to the traditional Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Festival on Aug. 28, there will be fun events for attendees to enjoy leading up to the event in Buffalo. Entertainment includes a comedy show on Aug. 25, a happy hour on Aug. 26, and a field day with a softball game on Aug. 27.  

    For more information about additional music performances, art curators, and ticket purchasing, visit the Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Festival’s website. Single and group general admission tickets are now on sale.

  • Metallica rocks Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium in front of 40,000 fans

    Thursday, August 11, will be fondly remembered by many people in Buffalo. Not only were there massive, record breaking traffic around Highmark Stadium, but it marked the return of Metallica to Buffalo. Metallica played their second out of three shows in the USA this year at Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills. For support they brought Ice Nine Kills and Greta Van Fleet.

    Ice Nine Kills

    Ice Nine Kills (sometimes stylized in all capital letters or abbreviated to INK, and formerly known as Ice Nine) is an American heavy metal band from Boston, Massachusetts who are signed to Fearless Records. Best known for its horror-inspired lyrics, Ice Nine Kills formed in its earliest incarnation in 2000 by high school friends Spencer Charnas and Jeremy Schwartz. Charnas is currently the only remaining founding member. Their drummer Patrick Galante, is from Buffalo so this was a special show to be opening for the biggest metal band in his hometown.

    Greta Van Fleet

    photo credit- Mike Miller

    Greta Van Fleet is an American rock band from Frankenmuth, Michigan, formed in 2012. It consists of Kiszka brothers Josh (vocals), Jake (guitar) and Sam (bass guitar, keyboards); and Danny Wagner (drums). They were signed to Lava Records in March 2017, and a month later they released their debut studio EP, Black Smoke Rising. Their debut single, “Highway Tune”, topped the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts in September 2017 for four weeks in a row.  

    Metallica

    The last time Metallica played this stadium, it had a different name and was on July 25, 1992. It has been many years since then and Metallica has vastly grown their fanbase and released many popular songs and albums since then. Most of their setlist was older songs. This is because a majority of their fanbase grew up with their older material. Metallica is Lars, James, Rob and Kirk.

    Metallica hit the stage at 9pm sharp once dusk came. When the Ecstasy of Gold video intro started, the place went nuts. Packed with 40,000 screaming diehard fans, you could feel the energy in the air and tell this was going to be a special show. As the first song “Whiplash” started, Lars Ulrich the drummer, appeared from below the stage on his drum set on a lift. There were microphone stands all over the stage for Metallica to sing from. A second drum set was in the middle of the stage which Lars would use later in the set. There was a “snakepit” in the middle of the stage filled with fans. The walkway circled around them so any fan inside it had the perfect view of the whole show. These tickets were given away to their fan club members. 

    photo credit- Mike Miller

    There were also huge vertical video screens to show the rest of the stadium the action on the stage. Custom banners hung from each side of the stage with the date and the city on the bottom. Two spidercams (remote controlled camera) moved in the sky above the crowd. Metallica also was selling special Buffalo only merch and had special guitar picks made with the date and city on them. Metallica also used pyro many times from atop the stage and on the sides in the empty seats.

    photo credit- Mike Miller

    We would also like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Pegula Sports Entertainment. Mike Whitney and Dominic Verni were great hosts. They supplied a great landing area in between bands for the photographers and supplied drinks and food which made the experience more enjoyable for a summer Buffalo day. 

    Metallica setlist

  • Buffalo’s Timothy Alice & the Dead Star Band Release “Winning Number” Ahead of New Album

    Buffalo-based Timothy Alice & the Dead Star Band is back with another excellent music release. The band released “Winning Number,” on Aug. 12 as the first single off of their upcoming album, Used Cars.

    Formed in 2018, the band consists of longtime friends Timothy Patrick Henderson, Matt DiStasio (drums), and Bub Crumlish on bass. The trio released their debut album, SpaceStation AM500, in 2019, and is set to release their sophomore record, Used Cars, later this season.

    As a single, “Winning Number,” showcases the passion, talent, and promise of what is to come from the upcoming Timothy Alice & the Dead Star Band release. With Alice’s raspy vocals, guitar riffs, and settled drums, the classic rock single shines. 

    Alice’s lyricism intricately molds the story of a relationship through the eyes of a partner who wants more for both of them. The melody gets one singing along as Alice heads into the chorus, “I swear you’re gonna see what I mean, ‘cause I bought a winning number and they’re gonna call it out tonight.” Alice’s vocals and lyrics make it easy to imagine the vivid scene he paints as the instrumentation contributes to the longing feeling.

    Timothy Alice & the Dead Star Band recorded the single and upcoming album in the middle of a Buffalo snowstorm during the pandemic. The area has always impacted the group’s music, but Timothy Alice described this record as “distinctly Buffalo” with its tone, sound, and concept. 

    Timothy Alice & the Dead Star Band single cover art with a house and parked car.

    With catchy hooks, a unique combination of sound, and authentic lyricism, “Winning Number,” shines and Used Cars is sure to as well. Stay tuned for when the full album releases later this year for more and keep up to date with the Buffalo-based band on Instagram, Tik Tok, and Bandcamp

  • The Stadium Tour 2022 Brings 80’s Rock to Buffalo

    On Wednesday, August 10th, The Stadium Tour 2022 made a stop at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo. This tour was delayed for two years due to Covid. It features Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard as the headliners, who rotate as the main acts each night, and Def Leppard was the headliner for this show. Poison, with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were direct support, and Classless Act was the opening band.

    Classless Act

    Classless act singer. Photo credit- Mike Miller

    The show kicked off right on time at 3:55 P.M. with Classless Act jumping onto the stage filled with lots of energy. The band members were all over the stage trying to warm the crowd up. Formed in 2019 and consisting of five former strangers who met via TikTok and Instagram, they are a straight up rock and roll band. Many fans in the crowd enjoyed their short but memorable set. Some fans thought they played better than some of the other bands on the bill. Usually after their set, they will play in a small venue in the same city they are in, really showing dedication to their craft.

    Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

    Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Photo credit- Mike Miller

    Joan Jett and the Blackhearts went on at about 4:30 P.M. Their set length was about 60 minutes. Joan has been described as the “Queen of Rock ’n Roll,” and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. She has three albums that have been certified platinum or gold. 

    Poison

    Drummer Rikki Rocket. Photo credit- Mike Miller

    Next was Poison, who is a famous glam metal band formed in 1983 in Mechanicsburg, PA. The band consists of lead singer Bret Michaels, drummer Rikki Rocket, bassist Bobby Dall and lead guitarist C.C. Deville. The band achieved huge commercial success in the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s and has sold 16 million records in the United States and over 50 million albums worldwide. From the start of their set, the band was filled with energy, running up and down the catwalk ramp. The fans in attendance loved that the band was wearing Buffalo Bills items (shirts, hats, and jerseys) for their hour-long set.

    Mötley Crüe

    Photo credit- Mike Miller

    Next was Mötley Crüe, who had many stage props and visual effects, with multiple metal pieces hung around the stage. The drum riser was encompassed in a metal circle, with inflatable women robots, unique mic stands, and multiple lyric teleprompters around the edge of the stage for the lead singer. These teleprompters made it very difficult for the photographers to get photos. They also blocked the view of some fans in the front rows at the end of the catwalk. A video screen was then lowered.

    They started their set at 7:30 P.M. sharp, with the whole floor filling with thick white fog/smoke. An intro video played to get the crowd’s adrenaline pumping (dubbed as a breaking news report). During their first song “Wild Side” many women dancers joined them on stage to sing and dance. “Shout at the Devil” used lyrics on the large screen behind them to have the crowd join along in chanting the lines. Every song they played seemed to be a fan favorite as it appeared every fan knew all the words. Mötley Crüe’s set ended 90 minutes later at 9 P.M., with a set full of classic hits and a cover medley of songs.

    Def Leppard

    Singer Joe Elliot. Photo credit- Mike Miller

    To close out the show was Def Leppard with an insane lighting display. The stage had huge vertical video screens, massive light bars, and a long walkway connected to the stage. The fans in the crowd sang along to each and every word of their classic hits. They used the stage walkway into the crowd to give the fans up close, the best view money can buy. 

    Setlists:

    Classless Act

    “This is for You,” “Give it to Me,” “Time to Bleed,” “All That We Are,” “Classless Act.”

    Joan Jet and the Blackhearts

    “Victim of Circumstance,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Light of Day,” “Do You Wanna Touch Me,” “You Dry Me Wild,” “Everyday People,” “Fake Friends,” “Crimson & Clover,” “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,” “I’m Gonna Run Away,” “I hate Myself for Loving You,” “Bad Reputation.”

    Posion

    “Look What the Cat Dragged In”, “Ride the Wind”, “Talk Dirty to Me”, “Your Mama Don’t Dance”, Guitar solo, “Fallen Angel”, Drum solo, “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn”, “Nothin’ but a Good Time”.

    Mötley Crüe

    “Wild Side,” “Shout at the Devil,” “Too Fast for Love,” “Dont Go Away Mad,” “Saints of Los Angeles,” “Live Wire,” “Looks That Kill,” “The Dirt,” “Rock and Roll, part 2/ Smokin’ in the Boys Room/ White Punks on Dope/ Helter Skelter/ Anarchy in the U.K,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Same Ol’ Situation,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Primal Scream,” “Kickstart my Heart.”

    Def Leppard

    “Take What You Want,” “Let It Go,” “Animal,” “Foolin,” “Armageddon It,” “Kick,” “Love Bites,” “Promises,” “This Guitar,” “Two Steps Behind,” “Rocket,” “Bringin’ on the Heatbreak,” “Switch 625,” “Hysteria,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Rock of Ages,” “Photograph.”

  • 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

  • Mindy Davey and Her Inspirational Story Behind Single “Destiny”

    Buffalo-based recording artist Mindy Davey released her newest pop and hip-hop single, “Destiny,” earlier this summer which grew out of her story of addiction and eventual recovery. The artist and full-time mom hopes her music inspires people to find purpose and brings about more awareness.

    Davey began playing music before the age of 10. Her love of the craft helped her through some of the toughest times, including her four-year battle with opiates and arrest for possession in 2012. The singer-songwriter found out she was pregnant with her daughter while in rehabilitation. This experience pushed her forward, led her back to music, and she now dedicates her time to helping others. In a few short months, Davey will celebrate 10 years of sobriety.

    Mindy Davey and her daughter, who saved her life. Photo Courtesy of Mindy Davey

    Davey began writing the energizing and inspirational track “Destiny” with producer and vocal coach Mama Jan. The duo worked on the piece with weekly video calls until the track was ready to be recorded and finalized in Atlanta, Georgia, at Jan Smith Studios. Jesse Owen Astin also contributed to production on the track.

    Davey in 2012 after her arrest. Photo Courtesy of Mindy Davey

    Davey graciously took the time to answer some questions about her music and her story, via email. Here are some of her thoughts.

    Abigail Baughan: What advice do you give to those maybe going through tough times or struggling with addiction? 

    Mindy Davey: Honestly, the biggest thing for me was getting rid of anyone or anything that triggered me to use or brought me down in any way. When we’re going through tough times the last thing we want is toxic people or an environment to make things even worse. So finding that positive outlet, surrounding yourself with good people, and a good environment that will inspire, keep you grounded and bring you up is key to happiness and change within your life. 

    AB: How has music contributed to your healing process and the way you view the world?

    MD: It was everything to my healing process. If I had any urge to use at all I’d pick my guitar up and write about it. I’d just sing and use music to really take away those urges. So music is truly everything to me and I firmly believe music can heal the world.

    AB: What do you hope audiences take away from listening to the track?

    MD: I really hope people feel happy and inspired in some way. I wrote it about everything that’s happened along the way from my addiction, recovery, my daughter, and just who I am as a person. I hope when people listen to it, it helps them find their own destiny and understand their own path and journey to what they’re meant to be.

    Davey in the recording studio. Photo Courtesy of Mindy Davey

    To listen to more of Mindy Davey’s music, and keep up with her story, follow her on Facebook and Instagram. She is currently working on her upcoming album, Destiny, out later this year, and planning a show at Lost Music Studios in Jamestown for September 17. Audiences can expect a performance of new music, covers, and celebration.