Category: Media

Shayfer James delivers Shipwreck to Photo City Music Hall in Rochester

Indie artist, composer, and New York native Shayfer James brought his Shipwreck tour to Rochester’s Photo City Music Hall on April 2. Opening the show for the mostly under 30 crowd was Rochester based Bellwether Breaks and Atlanta’s Sarah and The Safe Word.

Bellwether Breaks opened the show right about 7pm and immediately got the crowd into it. Lead singer, Elyse Coughlin was donning a 70s style wardrobe, and had some vocals reminiscent of the era. Her range and smooth sounds were similar to Amy Winehouse, with some early cabaret hints being tossed around. Playing a 9 song set, including newly released The Oracle, the band consists of: drummer Dave Goebel, guitarist Peter Goebel, vocalist Elyse Coughlin, keyboardist Chris Coon, and bassist Eugene Bisdikian. Chris Coon also plays a mean sax, as displayed at this show.

Having only been around for a few years, BB has developed a great following and in 2022 both Elyse and Chris received nominations for local “best of…” competition and the band was nominated for best rock band as well. Pretty damn good for this newly formed quintet.

Setlist: Say it Like it’s True; Headed Home; Peaches; About a Girl; Perfect Universe; The Oracle; I Put a Spell on You; The Prime Directive; Blow the Roof Off.

Following Bellwether Breaks was Sarah and The Safe Word. While not normally the music I gravitate to, this group from Atlanta left it all on the stage, with the crowd looking for more. Sara Rose is the leader and made their presence known. Smooth, clean vocals with a story behind every song, the band had the crowd moving all over the place.

Not normally politically charged performers, the band is strong advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and promotes support groups on their website. While they don’t necessarily put it on the forefront of the show, they are not afraid to slip in the well-placed political jab between songs, which also work as segways for next song.

The band consists of: Sarah Rose (vocals), Kienan Dietrich (guitar, vocals), Susy Reyes (violin, vocals), Beth Ballinger (keys, vocals), Maddox Reksten (bass, vocals), and Carlos Gonzalez (percussion, vocals).

As stated before, this is not normally the music I gravitate towards, but Susy Reyes absolutely blew me away. Jumping around on stage while playing violin, Lindsay Sterling-esque, Reyes stole the show for me. Amazing voice, with the occasional deep scream (think Jinjer), Reyes will leave you in awe every time.

Shayfer James. If you aren’t familiar with him, you need to be. James has released 10 albums, including his newest, Shipwreck.

James is known for his silky piano skills as well his thought out lyrics. Sometimes dark, sometimes sentimental, sometimes cliche. Regardless of how you hear them, James will leave you tapping your feet or bopping your head before you even realize what he is singing about.

The crowd at Photo City Music Hall had dissipated by the time James took the stage, but those who were still there, crowded the front of the stage almost within arm’s reach of this talented composer. They were treated to an amazing, intimate performance, as James played songs from most of his albums, including Welcome Back, Misery; For the Departed; and Weight of the World.

Follow Shayfer James and check out his music: Shayfer James

April 5, 2023
In Focus: Morgan Heritage Brings Us Back To “The Homeland”

On Tuesday, the world-renowned reggae group, Morgan Heritage, performed their upcoming album, The Homeland, for a group of fans and friends at the illustrious Platinum Sound Studios. The event was an electrifying preview of the highly anticipated album, which is set to be released on April 21.

The Homeland is a masterpiece that blends Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Reggae, creating a project that aims to be a bridge from Jamaica to Africa. As the title suggests, the album references Africa as the ancestral home of reggae music. The project is meant to bring together different cultures and sounds in a way that promotes unity and inclusivity.

The Homeland features collaborations with some of the most prominent West African artists, such as Shatta Wale, and Jamaica’s own Popcaan. This collaboration of different sounds and cultures is a testament to Morgan Heritage’s creativity and their commitment to expanding the reach of reggae music beyond its traditional roots.

Sonically, the group is in rare form on this project, as they seamlessly blend East African instrumentation with beautiful horns and flutes. This creates a unique sound that is both fresh and appealing to younger audiences while still honoring the roots of reggae music. The group’s ability to blend different musical styles in such a cohesive manner is a testament to their versatility as musicians.

Morgan Heritage’s performance at Platinum Sound Studios was a remarkable display of their musical prowess. The group delivered an energetic and captivating performance, leaving the audience in awe of their talent.

The Homeland is a project that is sure to be a hit among reggae fans worldwide. The album’s release on April 21 is highly anticipated, and fans are eagerly waiting to hear the full album. Morgan Heritage’s ability to bridge different cultures and sounds in a way that promotes unity and inclusivity is a message that is sorely needed in today’s world.

The Homeland is a beautiful fusion of different musical styles and cultures, making it a testament to Morgan Heritage’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of reggae music. The album is a must-listen for anyone who loves music and wants to experience the power of unity through music. The release of The Homeland on April 21 is a date that should be marked on every music lover’s calendar.

April 5, 2023
The Sleeping Announce First Album in 13 years, “I Feel Like I’m Becoming A Ghost”

Long Island’s The Sleeping has just announced the upcoming release of I Feel Like I’m Becoming A Ghost, out July 28th. After coming down from the high of two sold out reunion shows in Brooklyn and on Long Island, the post-punk outfit band has announced their first new album in nearly 13 years featuring their original lineup that hasn’t written together in over 16 years.

“Now that this is the original lineup, it feels like a massive evolution,” says vocalist Douglas Robinson. “I would describe this new record as a band that stayed true to who they are while completely reshaping the approach to their sound. This record feels way more focused from every angle, but it’s us at its core. We were never a band who copied our influences. Everything that we put out is influenced by our love for music as a whole, and not just particular bands or artists.”

On I Feel Like I’m Becoming A Ghost, The Sleeping dials in their eccentric and erratic blend of ambient indie rock, post-punk, and melodic hardcore. The abum overall shines a light on mental instability. It was written, recorded, and produced at Applehead Recording in Woodstock, NY with the infamous production duo Mike Birnbaum and Chris Bittner (Coheed and Cambria, Bad Brains, Weerd Science, Team Sleep) with insight from the band.

The Sleeping formed in 2003 in Long Island, founded by Cameron Keym, Sal Mignano, and Joe Zizzo. After auditioning twenty-two potential vocalists, they came across Douglas Robinson, former singer/guitarist of the band Stillwelle.

Their live performances are known for their emotive, high-energy and tight-knit sound. They’ve toured with infamous bands like Jimmy Eat World, Taking Back Sunday, Bayside and ALEXISONFIRE. Their music has been featured in video games including Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam, Madden NFL 07, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Guitar Hero: World Tour, and FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage.

I Feel Like I’m Becoming A Ghost is due out on July 28th and is now available for preorder on here. Along with this, there will be items and limited-edition bundles available as well.

For more on The Sleeping, click the link here.

April 5, 2023
Romi O Releases Punk/Aesthetic Single “M2M”

Brooklyn’s Romi O has just released her second ever single “M2M” on Friday, March 24th, a ballad you won’t want to miss. The single is brilliant, having a truly one-of-a-kind musical journey feel to it; retaining more immediate elements from punk and alternative music.

Understanding the flow of “M2M” requires a bit of a backstory about the artist. This is the second single from her upcoming debut album, which is expected to be released later in 2023. Hailing from Tel Aviv, Israel, Romi O has been making music ever since she can remember. She continued to develop her songwriting chips, eventually switching from singing and writing in Hebrew to performing in English.

Romi O’s sound is unique because of the juxtaposition of understated textures, relatable lyrics, and hard-hitting grooves. By the time she turned 22, the artist had relocated to Brooklyn, where she had sought a fresh start in music. She co-founded the band “PowerSnap” to pursue high-octane punk and garage aesthetics.

Eventually, Romi O circled back to her initial fondness for ballads. The resulting sound she made is truly one-of-a-kind, still retaining more immediate elements from punk and alternative music. But this time, in “M2M,” she comes to light in a soothing, softer way that makes her sound more intriguing and dynamic.

Her chosen stage name comes from the beloved figure of “Romeo,” from Shakespeare’s timeless “Romeo and Juliette” play. Being a huge fan of Shakespeare herself, Rome O felt a truly special connection to the character.

The single stands out as an example of her art and musical craft. The song deals with the idea of always being ready to question life choices and decisions and approaching everything without the fear of taking things too seriously. It’s important to find a balance, and the song is a very poignant observation of the fleeting nature of the path we carve for ourselves in life with our choices.

The song’s music video feels like another layer. In a way, it is another approach to telling the story, and it offers a visual representation of the core concept that drives this release. Overall, it features some punchy electronic sounds, as well as organic elements such as vocals and guitars to round up the wide palette of sonic colors on this song.

To listen and watch the music video for “M2M,” click the link here.

To listen to more music by Romi O, click the link here.

April 4, 2023
Natalie Merchant Debuts Singles/Videos for “Tower Of Babel” & “Big Girls”

Jamestown, NY’s Natalie Merchant debuted her new single “Tower of Babel” recently, alongside a soul-infecting indie video to paired alongside. The single anticipates Merchant’s forthcoming album Keep Your Courage, set for an April 14^th release. Merchant stated, “For the most part, this is an album about the human heart.”

“Tower of Babel” is soul-inflecting, featuring horn arrangements by trombone player Steve Davis, and follows the first single and video, “Come On, Aphrodite.”

As much as I had wanted to not let events in the world intrude, I couldn’t disregard the prevailing atmosphere of fear and confusion that we have been living in as a result of the pandemic, climate crisis, economic instability, insane politics, violent insurrection and the shocking fallout from the conservative-stacked reactionary Supreme Court.
Natalie Merchant

Keep Your Courage is the Natalie’s ninth solo studio album, and the latest new material since 2014’s self-titled record. In the words of Uncut, “‘Keep Your Courage,’ almost a decade in the making, finds Merchant as witty and welcoming as always, turning her gaze to what helps us endure life’s ups and downs.”

The eclectic album features contributions from Celtic folk group Lúnasa, Syrian virtuoso clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and jazz trombonist Steve Davis. There are lush orchestrations by seven composers throughout, including: Gabriel Kahane, Stephen Barber, Colin Jacobsen and Megan Gould. The new record is comprised of nine original songs by Merchant as well as an interpretation of “Hunting the Wren” by Ian Lynch of the Irish band Lankum.

In celebration of the new music, Merchant will embark upon an extensive tour this spring, going into the fall of 2023.

NATALIE MERCHANT TOUR—U.S.

April 14—Poughkeepsie, NY—Bardavon, 1869 Opera House‡

April 15—Poughkeepsie, NY—Bardavon, 1869 Opera House‡

April 18—Pittsburgh, PA—Byham Theater

April 19—Charlottesville, VA—The Paramount Theater‡

April 21—Philadelphia, PA—Kimmel Cultural Campus

April 22—Hershey, PA—The Hershey Theatre

April 24—Greenville, SC—Peace Center Concert Hall

April 26—Clearwater, FL—Ruth Eckerd Hall

April 27—Fort Lauderdale, FL—with The South Florida Symphony Orchestra

Au-Rene Theater – Broward Center for the Performing Arts†

April 28—St. Augustine, FL—The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre

April 30—Atlanta, GA—with The Atlanta Symphony at Atlanta Symphony Hall†‡

May 9—Portland, ME—Merrill Auditorium

May 10—Boston, MA—Emerson Colonial Theatre‡

May 11—Boston, MA—Emerson Colonial Theatre

May 13—Cleveland, OH—Keybank State Theatre

May 14—Cincinnati, OH—Taft Theatre

May 16—Carmel, IN—The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts

May 17—Ann Arbor, MI—Michigan Theater

May 19—Chicago, IL—Chicago Theatre

May 20—Milwaukee, WI—The Pabst Theater

June 2–3—New York, NY—Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts—Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center†

June 25—Newark, NJ—New Jersey Performing Arts Center†

June 28—Providence, RI—Veterans Memorial Auditorium†

June 30—Washington, DC—John F. Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts†

July 1—Washington, DC—John F. Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts†

July 8—Chautauqua, NY—Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater†

September 20—Spokane, WA—Martin Woldson Theatre at The Fox

September 22—Seattle, WA— Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery

September 23—Portland, OR—Keller Auditorium

September 26—San Francisco, CA—The Masonic

September 27—Saratoga, CA—The Mountain Winery*

September 29—San Diego, CA—Humphrey’s‡

September 30—Los Angeles, CA—Walt Disney Concert Hall

NATALIE MERCHANT TOUR—EUROPE

November 2—London, UK—London Palladium

November 3—London, UK—London Palladium

November 5—Glasgow, UK—Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

November 6—Manchester, UK—O2 Apollo Manchester

November 8—Dublin, IE—Olympia

November 11—Bath, UK—The Forum

November 13—Amsterdam, NL—Carré Theatre

November 14—Brussels, BE—Cirque Royal

*On-sale timing TBA

†With symphony orchestra

‡Sold Out

To listen and watch “Tower Of Babel,” click the link here.

Pre-save/pre-order the forthcoming album here.

April 4, 2023
Che Pranks Jost, Quinta Praises Teachers and Lil Yachty gets Psychedelic on SNL

Emmy-winning Abbott Elementary star Quinta Brunson hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL) this week, with genre-blending musical guest Lil Yachty. Brunson used her monologue to talk Abbott Elementary and praised teachers, mentioning her Philadelphia upbringing and mother who was an educator. Brunson used her first SNL hosting gig to call for better pay for teachers, reminding parents to not take teachers for granted.

A trio of solid sketches followed, with a “Drug Dealer” sketch with bathroom dealers trying to one-up each other, a Netflix Bridesmaids cult documentary that sends up the cult doc Wild Wild Country, and a gameshow ‘Couple Goals.’

The first song from Lil Yachty, “The BLACK seminole.,” found an all-female band in a starlit field/swamp, the moon backlighting them. The first track off Let’s Start Here, “The BLACK seminole.” offered rap merging with psychedelic rock and hip hop, including autotuned Yachty singing, the guitarist dropping a solo that would make Slash smile, and singer Diana Gordon taking the spotlight as LED wall projections intensified. Lil Yachty put the band front and center, with a Pink Floyd influence clear in Gordon’s singing and samples of “One of these Days” and “Speak to Me.”

https://youtu.be/XYdE4HAsXpI

On Weekend Update, Michael Che pulled “the meanest thing you’ve ever done” on Colin Jost, by getting the audience to not laugh during the first few jokes Colin told. Someone could then be heard shouting ‘you suck’, and Jost breaking his ever-stiff persona on Update, laughing at the lack of laughs, wondering if his mic was on, and Che admitting it was his April Fools. Jost replied with “You are evil!” laughing all the while, sweating too. Meanwhile, Che’s couple of early jokes got big laughs to stoke the flame.

Having set the tone for the rest of Update, the guests that joined the desk made this the funniest Update of the season so far. Michaelangelo’s David (Michael Longfellow) and featured player Marcelo Hernandez praised Short Kings, dragging Jost again, this time for being short (he’s really 6’0″).

Lil Yachty’s second song “drive ME crazy!” dropped a Disco beat thanks to an even-handed drummer and Diana Gordon taking the lead this time, singing about finding her perfect match. At first, the song is minimalist, with the stage becoming lighter as the song progressed, with Yachty joining in, wearing a hat that Shock G would have loved.

https://youtu.be/lrF32zOszgg

Tune into Saturday Night Live next week with host Molly Shannon and musical guest Jonas Brothers

April 2, 2023
Homeschool Announces Authentic EP And Releases Single “Loving You To Death”

NYC-based singer-songwriter and actor, Homeschool, has just announced the release of his newest EP Just Now. As a follow-up to the EP’s first track and lead single which documents D’Agustino’s burgeoning sense of self, today finds the release of another new track entitled “Loving You To Death.”

It has been a tumultuous year for Tom D’Agustino, also known as “Homeschool,” a solo project of NYC singer-songwriter. As an independent artist with unfettered control of the creative process, Homeschool has spent the past year experimenting with music and masculinity, inching closer to what they feel is an “authentic” way of being in the world. As a newcomer to acting, D’Agustino is reveling in the opportunity to explore the worlds of different characters, to “experiment with who I’m able to become,” he states.

Formerly known as the front person of the garage pop quartet, Active Bird Community, Homeschool pokes fun at traditional masculine rock archetypes by blending bedroom pop textures with anthemic, self-aware hooks to tell detailed stories of loss, identity, and self-exploration.

Just Now, the new 6-track EP slated for May 19th, is the result of this new exploration. AsD’Agustino’s first foray into self-producing his own music, Just Now showcases their independence and shameless autonomy as a gender-fluid person, while taking ownership over all aspects of their creative life, whether it be songwriting, production, acting or writing.

In celebration of these new releases, Homeschool sold out their debut headlining show at Mercury Lounge in NYC and received positive press from outlets such as Ones To Watch, Brooklyn Vegan, FLOOD, Under The Radar, Paste, Stereogum, Our Culture. Now, D’Agustino announces the upcoming release of a long-awaited brand new EP entitled Just Now, due May 19^th. As a follow-up to the EP’s first track, he has also relased the single “Loveing You To Death.”

D’Agustino wrote, “‘Loving You To Death’ was written during the tail-end of the Covid lockdown when my partner and I had just moved into an apartment together. We had spent a year living with her parents before that, and this song explores my neediness, clinginess, and overall attachment to her. It’s a fun, upbeat way to interrogate my constant need for love and reassurance that I have value. I think by reminding someone how much I love them, I can be sheltered from how I don’t love myself enough. I’m sure all that affection can get annoying though, so in the song I am trying to convince her of all of these positive things about me so she won’t think I’m a needy little baby. But I so am.”

To celebrate the EP on its release day, May 19, Homeschool will play an EP release show at Baby’s All Right with fellow NYC rocker and queer/non-binary TikTok champion Libby Larkin. Tickets are on sale this Friday, March 31th click the link HERE to purchase.

Homeschool’s Just Now weaves genre-bending stylings into self-aware reflections that paint the pain of life with a surprisingly upbeat and humorous brush. “While some of these topics are heavy, I think a lot of this record turned into me poking fun at myself,” they say. At the end of the day becoming “just now,” doesn’t have to be a bummer. It can be a dance, a laugh. It can be the glitter on your eyes that make the tears sparkle.

To listen to “Loving You To Death,” click the link here.

For more music by Homeschool, click the link here.

Just Now is available everywhere on May 19th.

April 2, 2023
FRIDAY Shares Clown-like Grunge Single/Video “Dear God”

NYC-based multihyphenate creative Nicole Daddona, also known as FRIDAY, has shared her new single and music video, “Dear God.” The grunged-out ballad is a punk reclamation of emotions, paired with a video that shows her dressed up as a crying, cigarette-smoking clown as she takes over an empty indoor children’s entertainment facility.

When Nicole Daddona preforms as her alter ego FRIDAY, she channels her creativity in each moment and brings a sense of nostalgic fun to each track. Daddona catches her audience with an emotionally deep sound that when you listen, you’ll transport you to a world where the weekend never ends.

With each song, FRIDAY captures different aspects of the human experience, adding her unique, colorful perspective. When listening to “Dear God,” her hook-filled songs and playful melodies will get stuck in your head and your heart.

Besides Nicole’s new project FRIDAY, she is the founder and designer of the “lowbrow, high fashion” clothing and accessories company Magic Society, creating iconic, playful, and maximalist designs like the Judy Bag (a purse made from deadstock blow-up dolls). She’s also one half of the production company Magic Society Pictures, who just debuted their most recent film The Mundanes at this year’s SXSW.

It’s well known that FRIDAY is a true creative powerhouse. This talented artist is not only a visual artist and filmmaker but also a fashion designer who has turned her hand to music. Through her whimsical and eclectic solo musical project, FRIDAY explores themes of love and loss with a touch of nostalgia and DIY aesthetics. In fact, she once described her music as “Harry Nilsson meets Nirvana,” which gives you a taste of the unique sound she brings to the table.

FRIDAY’s music draws inspiration from a range of artists, including Marc Bolan, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Nirvana, and Harry Nilsson. Her sound is an accumulation of multiple genres, inspired by Art Rock, 70s power pop, grunge, bubblegum pop, and NU-Disco influences.

From the influences of NYC, her music is inspired by vintage horror films, unrequited love, dreamcore, and weirdcore. It’s a cross-genre project that has something for everyone. FRIDAY channels her creativity in each moment and brings a sense of nostalgic fun to each track.

To listen to “Dear God” by FRIDAY, click the link here.

To watch the music video for “Dear God,” click the link here.

For more on FRIDAY, click the link here.

March 31, 2023
In Focus: The Furious Bongos Deliver Fabulous Show At The Westcott Theater

The sounds of Frank Zappa were in the air on Sunday, March 26, as The Furious Bongos took the stage at The Westcott Theater, in Syracuse.

Based out of Wisconsin, The Furious Bongos are a nine-piece progressive rock band who focus on delivering quality renditions of Frank Zappa songs. The band consists of Lo Marie (vocals, rhythm guitar, Conrad St. Clair (bass guitar, music director), Chris Huntington (lead guitar), Flip Fjellstrom (drums), Zachary Bowers (percussion), Scott Fischer (vocals, keyboard), Jonathan Sindelman (keyboards), Willow Dougherty (vocals), and Vince Szynborski (saxophones).

At promptly 8pm the house lights dimmed and the band took the stage. The theater was quickly filled with the groovy bass notes of the opening number, Chunga’s Revenge. The song built layer upon layer of sound, with each band member joining along until the theater was filled with a symphony of sound.

Through out the evening, the band would perform various songs from the Frank Zappa catalog. Lo Marie, Willow Dougherty and Scott Fischer would delight the crowd with their vocal deliveries, while each band member traded turns putting their musical talents on display. The band’s stage manager, Mike Stehr, would join in the fun, taking lead vocal duties during the Zappa classic, Cosmik Debris. Through out the evening, the audience sang and danced along, even earning muffins from the band to reward their participation.

Through out the two and a half hour set, the band put on display the qualities which made Frank Zappa a legend; complex and diverse musical arrangements along with comical, satirical, and at times racy song lyrics. The band delivered on these concepts with the precision and the eccentric delivery which made Zappa famous. They are a must band see for any music fan.

The Furious Bongos – The Westcott Theater, Syracuse – March 26, 2023

Set 1: Chunga’s Revenge > Zoot Allures > Zomby Woof > Uncle Remus > Let’s Move To Cleveland > Find Her Finer > Heavenly Bank Account > Andy > Inca Roads > Cosmik Debris

Set 2: Dirty Love > Doreen > What’s New In Baltimore > Peaches En Regalia > Montana > Village of the Sun > We Are Not Alone > Advance Romance > Sam with the Showing Scalp Flat Top > Black Page #2 > Hot Plate Crew Slut Heaven > City of Tiny Lites

Encore: The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing > Willie the Pimp

March 31, 2023
In Focus: Papadosio Find Their Cloud on 4-Day Northeast Tour

Papadosio just wrapped up a four day tour in the Northeast, stopping in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York City, and Bridgeport, CT. For the NYC show, they played at Sony Hall on Saturday, March 25 with 5 A.M Trio as the opener.

5 A.M Trio got the crowd dancing and grooving. The band consists of Sam Andrus, Aaron Harel, and Keith Wadsworth.

Papadosio opened up with “Cubensis.” They displayed their talents through intricate, danceable jams as they weave in and out of grooves. Their captivating visuals greatly accompany their unique sound and leave the audience in a trance like dance for most of the show.

Speaking with some of the members of the band, it seems like their sights are set on sustainability and maintaining healthy family lives.

March 30, 2023