NYS Music 2023

Author: Cara Denton

  • New Recording of Cyndi Lauper’s “Come On Home” to Benefit Mental Health and Drug Addiction Non-Profit

    A new recording of Cyndi Lauper’s “Come On Home” was released on September 1, with proceeds benefitting the Sound Mind Network, a non-profit organization helping those battling mental health issues and drug addiction. The recording features Billboard-charting artist Danni Baylor, with vocals by Cyndi Lauper.

    Come On Home by Danni Baylor and Cyndi Lauper

    Written by Lauper in collaboration with Jerome Baylor, “Come On Home” was produced by Sound Mind Network founder Joe Nicolo. Lauper originally released the song on her 1994 greatest hits album Twelve Deadly Cyns… And Then Some. 

    Proceeds from the song’s release will benefit Sound Mind Network’s Foundation and mission to break the stigma surrounding addiction, while helping those in need fulfill their potential.

    “Come On Home” will feature alongside 10 other tracks on a compilation album for the Sound Mind Network. It will include artists such as The Bacon Brothers, Joan Osborne, Kathy Sledge, Taj Mahal and others.

    The more we learn about mental health, the better we are as a society.  This is an issue we have swept under the rug forever. My hope is that ‘Come On Home’ can raise money to eliminate the shame around mental health that has caused a lot of people to needlessly suffer.

    Cyndi Lauper

    Recorded at Joe’s Garage in Audubon, NJ, the song features Andy Meyer on drums, Jerome Baylor and Mitch Beer on bass, Glenn Hale on keyboard, Brian Fitzy and Bo Rains on guitar, Jay Davidson on horns, and Ryan “Gooch” Nelson on percussion.

    I’ve been fortunate to spend an entire career witnessing the power of music and personal creativity. I am excited and honored to help empower the recovery community through Sound Mind Records. What Cyndi and Danni have done with this beautiful song, and what the other amazing artists are contributing, is truly something special. Their gifts of music are going to help so many others overcome their demons.

    Joe Nicolo

    The Sound Mind Network is dedicated to changing the way the world looks at drug addiction and mental health through music and the arts, according to Nicolo. The organization funds partner programs that empower those struggling to overcome their personal challenges and lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

    “Come On Home” is available on all digital formats and for digital download as part of Sound Mind Network’s Healing Through the Arts program.

  • New Saugerties Venue, The Local, Announces Upcoming Series

    Hudson Valley Live haas announced their first concert series showcasing 15 acts at The Local, Saugerties’ new year-round, multi-arts venue. The series will run from September 20 through December 17.

    Housed in a restored Dutch chapel from the 1800s, The Local recently opened as a space for arts, culture, and community. It began under the guidance of Isabel Soffer and Danny Melnick, co-founders of Hudson Valley Live. As experienced music producers and performing arts professionals, Soffer and Melnick have devoted over 30 years to producing festivals, concerts, and curated arts experiences.

    The Local

    “We’re excited to bring world-class talent from around the world, and from our own community, to the stage at The Local. Having a venue in Saugerties has been a dream for Danny and me, and we see it as an incredible opportunity to bring people together through the arts, to encourage musical discovery, and to inspire visitors to spend time in Saugerties.

    Isabel Soffer
    Isabel Soffer and Danny Melnick inside their new venue The Local

    The Local’s upcoming concert series will feature something for everyone. Audiences can see world renowned artists such as The Wazumbians, an Afropop group from Ghana (October 7, 8pm), or Troker, a Mexican group blending psych jazz, rock, funk, and traditional Mexican music (November 12, 7pm). 

    Additionally, local Saugerties favorites will take the stage frequently. I’m Your Man: A Birthday Tribute to Leonard Cohen with Robert Burke Warren & Friends will happen on September 30, and the John Street Jam, an in-the-round performance series will feature local folk, blues, bluegrass, and country musicians (November 10, 8pm). Audiences will even have an opportunity to dance the night away at the Silent Disco Dance Party with live DJs (December 9, 8pm). 

    The Local fall season lineup (doors open one hour prior to showtime). Tickets may be purchased at this link.

    Wed., Sept. 20, 7 pm: Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp – A border-defying, big band mix-up performing jazz and kraut rock to West African funk with brass, strings, and powerful lyrics 

    Wed., Sept. 27, 7 pm: Tablao Flamenco – Spanish flamenco with award-winning dancers, vocalists, and guitarists will transform the theater into an intimate nightclub like those found in Andalusia. 

    Sat., Sept. 30, 8 pm: I’m Your Man: A Birthday Tribute to Leonard Cohen with Robert Burke Warren & Friends – Celebrate what would have been The Bard of Montreal’s 89th birthday. 

    Sat., Oct. 7, 8 pm: The Wazumbians – High life music from Ghana, West Africa with deep rhythmic dance grooves.

    Wed., Oct. 11, 7 pm: Jazz with Orrin Evans Trio – Featuring Jazz pianist Orrin Evans, who nabbed the number one ranking of “Rising Star Pianist” in the DownBeat Critics Poll.

    Fri., Oct. 13, 8 pm: Trio Messiez w/ Dancers Mariela Franganillo and Guillermo Merlo – This acclaimed Argentinian Tango trio features renowned dancers to accompany their vibrant sound.

    Thurs., Oct. 19, 7 pm: Jazz with Julius Rodriguez –  Multi-instrumentalist and composer Julius Rodriguez is a rising star at the intersection of jazz, soul, gospel, hip-hop, and blues.

    Sat., Oct. 28, 8 pm: Jazz: Allison Miller presents Rivers In Our Veins – Drummer/composer Allison Miller embraces the concept of flow and renewal through an immersive multimedia environmental song cycle. 

    Sat., Nov. 4, 8 pm: Emel – This Woodstock-based, Tunisian-born singer-songwriter and producer layers honeyed vocals with guitars and electronica. 

    Sun., Nov. 5, 5 pm: Jazz with Tim Berne/Hank Roberts/Aurora Neeland – New jazz work, Oceans And, has been deemed “profound, probing, intricate, raw, courageous, mysterious, and thoughtful” by critics. 

    Fri., Nov. 10, 8 pm: The John Street Jam – This long-held Saugerties tradition features Hudson Valley-based musicians performing folk, blues, bluegrass, and country in-the-round. 

    Sun., Nov. 12, 7 pm: Troker – This hot act from Guadalajara, Mexico fuses psych jazz with elements of rock, funk, ska, and traditional Mexican music. 

    Sat., Dec. 2, 8 pm: Bach Cello Suites for Violin – Grammy award-winning violinist, composer, and producer Johnny Gandelsman performs his own take on this classic.

    Sat., Dec. 9, 8 pm: Silent Disco Dance Party – Grab headphones and dance alone or with friends for an incredibly fun experience with live DJs.

    Sun., Dec. 17, 2 pm: High Low Duo with Jack Petruzelli and Cameron Greider – Ravel and Bartok arranged for electric guitars. An additional artist will be announced soon.

  • Autumn Lights Festival Returns For 27th Annual Celebration

    New Jersey’s 27th annual Autumn Lights Festival will return on Oct. 7 in West Milford, NJ. Under the direction of Festival Works, the event will feature over 300 vendors, live music, three Biergartens, food, children’s activities, rides, and more. 

    Autumn Lights Festival

    The Vendor Village will include a wide range of goods, including jewelry, wood crafting, candles, clothing, and more. Live performances feature Mr. Lovejoy, Rob Cannillo, Wicked Garden, The 3M band, and Mike & Kristie.

    Nearing the NJ/NY state line, the festival expects to draw over 30,000 in attendance from nearby areas.

    The Autumn Lights Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at 1 Marshall Hill Rd, West Milford NJ, from 11 am-6 pm. Free parking is available at multiple locations with shuttle buses running to the festival site. More information is available here.

    Applications for sponsors/partners, advertisers, and vendors are still open for registration until Sept. 22, 2023.

  • Stewart’s Shops & Dake Family Foundation announce $25,000 gift to Albany’s Palace Theatre

    Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family Foundation have announced a $25,000 contribution to the Palace Theatre’s Community Engagement Initiative. The Initiative is a widespread effort to expand the Palace Theatre’s accessibility to the nearby community.

    The grant will focus on widening the Palace’s presence as a resource for communities around the Capital Region, subsidizing expenses associated with using the space, helping groups to participate in various arts programs to use the Threatre for practice and rehearsal.

    Stewart's Shops Public Relations Specialist Claire Flannery presents Palace Theatre Executive Director Kevin Johnson & PPAC Board Chairman Stephen P. Baboulis with a check for Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family Foundation's support of the Palace's Community Engagement Initiative. (Summer in the City Free Movie Series | Palace Theatre | Tuesday, August 29, 2023)

    Stewart’s Shops is committed to giving back to all our shops’ communities. We are proud to support the Palace Performing Arts Center’s Community Engagement Initiative. Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive Albany, harnessing the transformative power of the arts to uplift lives and inspire positive change.

    Susan Dake, President of Stewart’s Shops & Dake Family Foundation

    The Dake Family Foundation’s gift will also support the Initiative’s workforce development training, which assists individuals with becoming trained NYS certified security guards. In addition, it also offers paid internship opportunities to expose candidates to the arts and entertainment business industries. It also allows for collaboration with other community organizations that serve youth and families throughout the summer, providing safe spaces to enjoy family-friendly programming. 

    Live entertainment is the cornerstone of what we do at the Palace, but collaboration and community engagement are also pillars of our success. When an organization has great partners like Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family, we are able to provide access to the Palace Theatre and present it as not just a place for great entertainment, but also a community resource to the Capital Region.

    Kevin Johnson, Executive Director of the Palace Theatre

    The theatre has many summer offerings including a Summer in the City Movie Series, an Annual Block Party, a Safe Trick or Treat even, and other community-centered programs throughout the season.

  • Dave Matthews Band Announces MSG Shows On Upcoming Fall Tour

    Dave Matthews Band announced a fall tour across the U.S., featuring two shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Nov. 17 and 18.

    Dave Matthews Band

    The headline run will kick off on Nov. 7 in Savannah, GA, and will include a stop in the band’s hometown Charlottesville, VA, as well as Uncasville, CT, and Greenville, CT.

    From their hometown show at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, the band will donate a portion of proceeds to the resident-led redevelopment of Charlottesville’s public housing. The contribution will add to the five million dollars that Bama Works, Dave Matthews Band, and Red Light Management have already committed to the project.

    Dave Matthews Band’s ongoing partnership with The Nature Conservancy has resulted in three million trees being planted since 2020. This year’s partnership, which will continue with the fall tour, will raise the total to four million trees. Fans can contribute by adding an optional donation of $2 per ticket to plant a tree with The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign. The campaign is a forest restoration effort with the goal of planting a billion trees around the world by 2025. For more details, visit here. 

    Following the upcoming fall tour, Dave Matthews Band will head to South Africa for shows in Pretoria and Cape Town. Matthews and guitarist Tim Reynolds will travel to Mexico’s Riveria Maya in 2024 for their seventh all-inclusive concert vacation from Feb. 15-18. 

    Online presale tickets are available now for members of the DMB Warehouse Fan Association, available here. Citi Bank cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Sept. 12 at 9 AM ET until Sept. 14 at 10 PM ET through the Citi Entertainment Program. For more information visit here.

    Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Sept. 15 at 10 AM local time.

    DAVE MATTHEWS BAND – 2023 FALL U.S. TOUR DATES

    11/7 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena

    11/8 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena

    11/10 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena

    11/11 – Charlottesville, VA– John Paul Jones Arena

    11/13 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena

    11/14 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena

    11/17 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

    11/18 – New York, NY  – Madison Square Garden

  • Brooklyn-Based PEAK Announces Fall Tour, Live Recordings

    Brooklyn-based group PEAK announced their first round of Fall 2023 tour dates, playing new locations as well as returning to old favorites. They’ll stop for a hometown show at the Brooklyn Bowl on October 5, as well as shows in Syracuse, Albany, and New Paltz.

    The self-described psychedelic indie-funk group recently released large archives of live audio on their Bandcamp page, as well as select live performances on YouTube from recent shows in Burlington, VT, Bridgeport, CT, and more.

    PEAK Tour Announcement

    PEAK also announced that the group has begun recording their third studio album, set to release in early 2024.

    UPCOMING TOUR DATES

    8.26.23 Oxford, CT, Black Hog Brewery

    9.8.23 Syracuse, NY Wescott Theatre # 

    9.15 Albany, NY, The Hollow *

    9.29 New Haven, CT, Stella Blues

    9.30 Harmony, ME, One More Harvest Fest

    10.5 Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn Bowl $

    10.7 Burlington, VT, Nectar’s ** 

    10.13 Manchester, New Hampshire, The Shaskeen ^^

    10.20 South Kingston, RI, The Pump House @

    10.27 Syracuse, NY, Funk ‘N’ Waffles @@

    10.29 Baltimore, MD, The 8 x 10 %

    11.17 New Paltz, NY, Snug Harbor

    # Pink Talking Fish

    * The Jauntee

    $ Underground Springhouse, Flowmingoes

    ** Space Bacon

    ^^ Jabbawaukee

    @ Mystic Dead

    @@ Annie In the Water

    % Sam Cochran’s Dark Side

  • PRONOUN Returns With Style On New Single “SLAP ME IN THE FACE”

    PRONOUN is back; the moniker of Brooklyn-based Alyse Vellturo released a new single and video for “SLAP ME IN THE FACE.” It’s her first release in over two years, following the 2021 release of her OMG I MADE IT EP.

    PRONOUN is Alyse Vellturo

    “SLAP ME IN THE FACE” is an upbeat alt-pop single with a distinct diction and vocal style that adds flair to a tried-and-true pop rhythm. Contrasting an optimistic sound with rueful, gloomy lyrics, the single carries a captivating, earworm guitar track that shows Vellturo’s technical skill in the realm of simple, but effective. Evoking images of 2000s coming-of-age cinema, the single sets a strong tone for PRONOUN’s upcoming era.

    “SLAP ME IN THE FACE is about a crazy night in with someone that turned into an internal joke of what if the world was literally fucking you. It’s about wanting a better situation but giving in and getting stuck in a moment where everything doesn’t feel horrible. This song poured out of me in one sitting; written, recorded, and produced in one day. The songs I feel the most about, always seem to come this way.”

    The accompanying video shows Vellturo being absolutely pelted by dodgeballs coming at her from every angle.

    Given the title, I always imagined getting somehow slapped in the face in slow motion. When putting a mood board together for the new PRONOUN era I was reminded of one of my favorite scenes in a movie. I Heart Huckabees is a film I could watch everyday until the end of time and discover a new easter egg. At one point Mark Wahlberg and Jason Schwartzmen end up on a log in the park together taking turns thwacking each other in the face with a red rubber ball until they feel a moment of nothingness. They call it ‘the ball thing.’ It fit how I was feeling perfectly when making this song. From that moment I knew it needed to be me standing in a studio getting absolutely destroyed with red dodgeballs.

    PRONOUN

    PRONOUN recently announced upcoming both headline shows and dates supporting SLOTHRUST. The tour boasts five shows across New York State, including Rochester, Albany, New York City, Syracuse, and Jameston. Tickets are on sale now.

    UPCOMING TOUR DATES

    * PRONOUN Headline

    ^ supporting Slothrust

    August 20 – Keene, NH – Nova Arts ^

    August 22 – Boston, MA – Deep Cuts *

    August 23 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall ^

    August 24 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground ^

    August 25 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground ^

    August 26 – Portland, ME – Portland House of Music ^

    August 29 – New York, NY – Heaven Can Wait *

    November 12 – Syracuse, NY – Song & Dance ^

    November 13 – Jamestown, NY – Skatepark ^

    November 16 – Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall ^

    November 17 – Omaha, NE – Reverb ^

    November 18 – Wichita, KS – Wave ^

    November 19 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep ^

  • Magic Beans To Rock The Hollow in Albany On Upcoming Fall Tour

    Colorado band Magic Beans has announced a span of fall tour dates, including a stop in Albany on October 26. Spanning all along the East Coast, this is the group’s most extensive tour yet, with more dates to be announced and a New Year’s Eve event in the works.

    Magic Beans Tour Announcement

    The self-described funk-soul-rock group has released a number of new singles this summer, including “Northland,” “Memory,” “You & Me,” and “Better Man.” Their latest album, Unzipped, released in 2022, takes significant influences from lo-fi recording techniques, hip-hop, and 90s neo-soul. 

    Magic Beans currently operates out of Colorado, where they will play hometown shows to begin the tour. Bassist Chris Duffy hails from Brooklyn, and the group will stop at Albany’s The Hollow on Oct. 26. Magic Beans is Scott Hachey (Guitar/Vocals), Casey Russell (Keyboard/Vocals), Chris Duffy (Bass/Vocals), and Cody Wales (drums). 

    Tickets and more information are available here.

    UPCOMING TOUR DATES

    09.01.23 – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom / Denver, CO

    09.08.23 – The Caribou Room / Nederland, CO

    10.05.23 – Riverfront Live / Cincinnati, OH

    10.06.23 – Ramble Festival / Darlington, MD

    10.07.23 – Ramble Festival / Darlington, MD

    10.11.23 – Pour House / Charleston, SC

    10.12.23 – The Music Yard / Charlotte, NC

    10.13.23 – The Foundry / Waynesboro, VA

    10.19.23 – Lunasea Live / Virginia Beach, VA

    10.20.23 – The Camel / Richmond, VA

    10.21.23 – Wonder Bar / Asbury Park, NJ

    10.26.23 – The Hollow / Albany, NY

    10.27.23 – Nectar’s / Burlington, VT

    10.28.23 – Nectar’s / Burlington, VT

    10.29.23 – The Met / Pawtucket, RI

    11.02.23 – PHOME / Portland, ME

    11.03.23 – Soundcheck Studios / Pembroke, MA

    11.04.23 – Soundcheck Studios / Pembroke, MA

    11.05.23 – Park City Music Hall / Bridgeport, CT

  • Caribbean Music Awards announces star-studded lineup

    The Caribbean Music Awards announced a star-studded lineup of live performances for the upcoming event on August 31, boasting many artists of the genre’s biggest names.

    The awards will take place at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, with performances by Alison Hinds, Jada Kingdom, Dexta Daps, Kranium, Nailah Blackman, Ding Dong, Rupee and Romain Virgo, as well as others to be announced.

    Last month, The Caribbean Music Awards announced Grammy Award-winner and Haitian-born Newark artist Wyclef Jean as the host for the event. Along with a full range of live performances, the night of celebration for Caribbean Music will feature appearances from Spice, Baby Cham, Toni-Ann Singh, and more.

    Awards span across in 26 categories in many genres, including Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Kompa, and Zou. Trinidadian group Kes leads with five nominations, including Performer of the Year, Video of the Year, and Artist of the Decade. Following with four nominations are Masicka, Ding Dong, Machel Montano, and Shenseea.

    Trinidadian singer, songwriter, and producer Machel Montano will accept the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions as a leader of the sound and style of Soca music worldwide. In addition, reggae legend Beres Hammond will accept the Elite Icon Award. The esteemed award commemorates Hammond for his contributions in elevating and enriching the face of Reggae music for decades.

    The Caribbean Music Awards will take place on August 31, 2023 at 8pm EST at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, and will be streaming worldwide on YouTube.

    For the latest updates and information, visit the official website CaribMusicAwards.com or follow on IG @CaribMusicAwards. Get ready to experience the best that Caribbean music has to offer at the Caribbean Music Awards.