NYS Music 2023

Category: Photo Gallery

  • Dopapod and Baked Shrimp Light Up Saratoga Springs with Help from Members of Moe and Twiddle

    It was a hazy, high-energy night of other worldly soundscapes, prog-inspired improv, funky dance grooves, and surprise sit-ins in Saratoga Springs on April 19th, as revered indie jam rockers Dopapod and charismatic up-and-comers Baked Shrimp joined forces for a wild time at Putnum Place, a show presented by Hartstone Productions.

    Kicking off the festivities was red-hot Long Island crustation sensation Baked Shrimp. The fiery trio wasted no time getting the party going, launching into mythical beast mode early with “Chimera.” “Is this all a dream or am I awake?” crooned guitarist Jared Cowen, as the band magnetically pulled you into an exploratory and surreal type-two realm before the opening 16-minute number would reach its impressive peak.

    Drummer Jager Soss would take over on vocal duties during the up-tempo swing of “Molly Ann” and then trade them off to bassist Scott Reill on the equally energetic “Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts.” Playing this particular show using Dopapod drummer Neal Evans massive kit, Soss was like a kid in a candy store here, clearly having a blast while utilizing all the bells, blocks and cymbals that were at his disposal.

    The prog-heavy technical chops of the band were on full display once again during “Missing Midnight,” which by now, everyone that had been standing in the back, had collectively moved forward to get a better look at the young sorcery taking shape before their eyes. Celebrating the one-year anniversary of his custom Forshage guitar, Cowen and his trusty new ax known as “The Wrench” sounded particularly potent during the set closing “Wannabe,” which also included an “I Am The Slime” tease by Frank Zappa for good measure. Despite the time constraints, it was another impressive set by this talented young band from New York. As early believers, tracking Baked Shrimp’s continued growth over the last few years has been an absolute joy and it seems like their hard work is beginning to pay off.  With a massive summer ahead that includes making their Peach Festival debut, along with high profile slots at Northlands and The Rye Bread Music Festival, it’s safe to say these talented nice guys are right on the cusp of busting out of their proverbial shells.   

    After a brief intermission followed by several minutes of sci-fi ambiance, it was finally time for our headliners Dopapod to take over.  No stranger to the Putnum Place, the band has played several memorable shows here, including joint gigs with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, a “Grateful Sabbath” themed Halloween show, and just last year playing a single-song set covering Pink Floyd’s “Echoes.” On the eve of April 20th, it felt like anything was fair game.

    Kicking things into high gear off the rip was “Numbers Need Humans” from the bands 2019 album Emit Time. Consisting of Eli Winderman on keys, Rob Compa on guitar, Chuck Jones on bass and Neal “Fro” Evans on drums, Dopapod had the whole room vibing right from the start. The dank grooves continued as the band seamlessly transitioned into the always coveted “New James,” which took on a far more sentimental feel here as Dopapod worked in a significant “Wax” tease, paying tribute to their peers and friends in Lotus. Still fresh in everyone’s mind, fans of both bands continue to grieve the suddenly loss of Lotus’ percussionist Chuck Morris and his son Charley who tragically lost their lives on a recent kayaking trip.

    “Wheazy” and “Test of Time” would then follow suit before segueing nicely into “Imaginary Friend.” From there, Dopapod would get some help from a real-life friend in moe. drummer Vinny Amico, who would trade seats with Neal Evans to sink his teeth into “Dracula’s Monk” and bring the hour long first set to a pummeling close.

    Following a 25 minute intermission, Putnum Place popped off once again when Dopapod returned with a dynamic “Sonic” > “My Elephant vs. Your Elephant” combo to get the second frame rolling. The band would then invite another longtime friend, Adrian Tramontano of Twiddle/Kung Fu/ The Breakfast fame out to play drums on the popular old-school track “Indian Grits.” The heavy hands of Tramontano both brought the thunder and the house down during his extended solo, wowing the crowd to rowdy new heights.

    Accompanied by a spectacular light show, the energy level would go through the roof on the next song “Vol. 3 #86” which would flow through  “Man or Machine” and finally land on “Black Holes”; the only song from the band’s latest self-titled studio album to be played on this night.  

    With just 5 minutes to go before the stroke of midnight, the band opted to go with the appropriate “Nuggy Jawson” to officially ring in the 4/20 holidaze and put a bow on yet another memorable performance at the Putnum. 

    A jam packed show from start to finish, in a room full of longtime fans and friends, complete with surprise sit-ins from members of moe. and Twiddle, it was everything you could have hoped for on this mid-week throwdown in Saratoga Springs.  Up next for Dopapod, the band will take a few weeks off before returning to the road for a lengthy run of shows that will see them through the end of May.  Their only confirmed summer festival appearance thus far is set for the last weekend in June at the annual High Sierra Music Fest in Quincy, California.

    Dopapod | 04/19/2023 | Putnam Place | Saratoga Springs, NY

    Set I: Numbers Need Humans >New James * ->Wheazy, Test of Time ^ > Imaginary Friend.  Dracula’s Monk +

    Set 2: Sonic ^ -> My Elephant vs. Your Elephant, Indian Grits %, Vol. 3 #86 > Man or Machine ->  Black Holes

    Encore:  Nuggy Jawson

    * Wax (Lotus) tease

    ^ Unfinished

    + with Vinnie Amico of moe. on drums

    % with Adrian Tramontano of Twiddle, The Breakfast, and Kung Fu on drums

    Baked Shrimp | 04/19/2023 | Putnam Place | Saratoga Springs, NY

    Setlist: Chimera, Molly Ann -> Pig Hearts and Mechanical Parts, Missing Midnight, Wannabe*

    *”I am the Slime (Frank Zappa) tease

  • Zach Nugent’s Dead Set kicks off NY Tour at Garcia’s

    Zach Nugent’s Dead Set kicked off a six-show run across New York State at Garcia’s in Port Chester on Wednesday, April 19.

    zach nugent garcia's dead set

    Performing with members of Swimmer and Corey Wilhelm on Percussion, a wide range of Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia songs were featured, with a crowd filling the room and enjoying one of the freshest takes on the music of the Grateful Dead you’ll hear.

    zach nugent garcia's dead set

    In concert, Nugent is exhilarating and unforgettable, energizing and inspiring fans, uplifting the crowd from the moment he and the band take the stage, Nugent’s virtuosic guitar playing and deep connection to the music of the Grateful Dead captivates the audience and transports them to another realm.

    Don’t miss Zach on tour this month

    April 21st – Flour City Station, Rochester, NY – Tickets:

    April 22nd – Deep Dive, Ithaca, NY – Tickets:

    April 23rd – The Colony, Woodstock, NY – Tickets:

    April 29th – Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, NY – Tickets:

    Zach Nugent’s Dead Set – Garcia’s at the Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – Wednesday, April 19, 2023

    Set 1: Jack Straw, Jack-A-Roe (1980), Me and My Uncle > Big River, Dupree’s Diamond Blues, Queen Jane Approximately, Althea, Feel Like a Stranger

    Set 2: Estimated Prophet > He’s Gone, Playin’ in the Band > Drums > Space > West LA Fadeaway, Promised Land

    Encore: Ramble On Rose

    zach nugent garcia's dead set
    dead set
    dead set

  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra Lay Claim to Webster Hall With Four Show Run

    Unknown Mortal Orchestra continued their four show run at New York City’s Webster Hall this past Friday night, April 14. Continuing through Sunday to complete their New York stop on The V Tour.

    Webster Hall
    Unknown Mortal Orchestra, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

    Throughout the night, the group led by Ruban Nielson, blasted through songs from all of their albums, self-titled to the recently released V.

    The show slowly ramped up with only a solo keyboardist playing a minimal piano track, leading into the rest of the band coming out on stage to perform the newest album’s opener, The Garden. Some songs seamlessly transitioned between one another, leading to a perpetual sense of musical cohesion.

    Webster Hall
    Unknown Mortal Orchestra, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

    The whole night felt like a family get together. From the familial themes sung about on V to Ruban’s brother Kody on drums, even their Dad regularly emerging to play saxophone, among a variety of other brass instruments.

    Alongside their original material, two memorable covers joined the setlist. The group played The Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street” and Billy Joel’s “Movin’ Out,” the latter being a first. The band’s unique melding of psychedelia, rock, and funk blended astonishingly well with these two songs.

    Webster Hall unknown mortal orchestra
    Unknown Mortal Orchestra, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

    Several times over the course of the night, the crowd accompanied Ruban’s singing, but not as much as during “So Good At Being In Trouble.”

    Webster Hall unknown mortal orchestra
    Unknown Mortal Orchestra, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

    The V tour continues on in North America this week, concluding in Boston, before traveling overseas for the remainder of the summer.

    Unknown Mortal Orchestra | Webster Hall | New York, NY | April 15, 2023

    Setlist: The Garden, From the Sun / Secret Xtians, Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark), Weekend Run, The Opposite of Afternoon, Thought Ballune / Little Blu House, Necessary Evil / Monki, Ministry of Alienation, In the Rear View, Nadja, So Good at Being in Trouble / Waves of Confidence, Layla, Multi-Love

    Encore: Meshuggah, Shakedown Street (Grateful Dead cover), Like Acid Rain, Movin’ Out (Billy Joel cover), That Life, Hunnybee, Can’t Keep Checking My Phone

    (Note: The tour had a film-only policy for photographers)

    Webster Hall unknown mortal orchestra
    Webster Hall unknown mortal orchestra

  • In Focus: Angelica Sanchez Solo Show at St. Andrew and St. Luke Episcopal Church in Beacon

    Pianist and composer Angelica Sanchez put on a brilliant performance this past Saturday, April 15th at the St. Andrew and St. Luke Episcopal Church in Beacon. Sanchez, following no particular setlist and rather letting the music come to her in the intimate venue, did not fail to put on an incredible show for her captivated audience. 

    Angelica Sanchez

    Sanchez, born in Arizona but now based in New York, is well-recognized for her jazz piano playing and has been featured in various publications like the New York Times, the Jazz Times, and the Chicago Tribune. She’s played multiple shows across NYC and the East Coast, and has another concert scheduled at Carnegie Hall for The Sophia Rosoff Concert Series: Jazz Piano Pairings 1. She is set to continue her tour until late November, playing venues across Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, and more. 

    Sanchez truly put on an outstanding performance in the dark-lit church venue. During one piece, she took out a drum mallet and began hitting the inside of the piano, adding a slow beat to her previously solo playing. The sheer silence of the crowd, coupled with the rain and thunder heard from the outside, beautifully matched the almost eerie ambiance of her piano playing. She masterfully blended dissonant chords and melodies together to create a panicky tone throughout her performance, with an incredible resolution toward the end. Her quiet humming to her crafted melodies entranced the audience members as they intently listened to her various eclectic compositions. The crowd stayed silent after each piece and waited to clap until the very end, making her one-hour set feel like a giant performance of a single piece. 

    Sanchez’s show was not something to miss. She is set to play many more shows across New York state throughout 2023, and her tour schedule can be found here.

  • Tesla Electrifies Seneca Niagara Casino

    Tesla rocked the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls with an incredible performance on April 15th. They last played the Niagara Falls area in 2019 and the Buffalo area in 2015. The legendary hard rock band has been a staple in the rock world for over three decades. The crowd eagerly anticipated the show from the moment the band took the stage. Tesla began with “Ladyluck,” a high-energy classic that set the tone for the night.

    One of the show’s highlights was the band’s tribute to their former bandmate, Tommy Skeoch. Jeff Keith’s powerful vocals soared over Frank Hannon and Dave Rude’s heartfelt guitar work during the touching rendition of “What You Give.” Fans sang along to the emotional lyrics, paying their respects to the late musician.

    Throughout the night, Tesla played hit after hit, including “Modern Day Cowboy,” “Love Song,” and “Love Me”. Fans sang along to every word, their voices blending together in a chorus of appreciation for the band’s incredible music.

    But it wasn’t just the music that made the night special. Tesla’s connection with the audience was undeniable, and the crowd responded with cheers and applause. Brian Wheat’s bass and Troy Luccketta’s drums provided a rock-solid foundation for the band’s sound. Frank Hannon and Dave Rude traded blistering solos, their fingers dancing across the fretboards with ease.

    As the night came to a close, Tesla launched into a rousing encore, playing “Little Suzi” and “Signs” to the delight of the crowd. Fans sang along, their voices blending together in a powerful show of appreciation for the band’s incredible talent.

    In conclusion, Tesla’s performance at Seneca Niagara Casino was a masterclass in classic hard rock. The band’s musicianship was impeccable, their showmanship undeniable, and their connection with the audience was electric. It was a night that will be remembered by all in attendance, a testament to the enduring power of rock and roll.

    fans

  • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Kick off Weekend at Brooklyn Bowl

    The most prolific and exciting band in the jam scene, this side of Phish, is Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (PPPP), and they brought their rabid flock of fans and patented bevy of groovy tunes to the famous Brooklyn Bowl for the opening night of a 3 night run on April 13th. The 3 hour show showcased the band’s vast talents and was buoyed by a fervent fan base happy to see their favorite band return to New York City. The show was brought to us by Dog Fish Head and Record Store Day.

    photo courtesy of Lee Melnikoff

    Baltimore-based, Pigeons has been around longer than one might suspect.  The members have been performing as a unit for over 15 years.  The band formed at University of Maryland when Greg and Jeremy were in the dorms together in 2007 –  the boys inform me that Wikipedia has this wrong.  Drummer Gator was hired in 2015 to complete the current lineup of Scrambled Greg Ormont (Vocals, rhythm guitar), Jeremy Schon (lead guitar) and Ben Carrey (bass.)  Some acts PPPP has opened for include Umphrey’s Mcgee, Moe.,  Disco Biscuits, String Cheese Incident, and Lotus. Some acts that have opened for PPPP include Goose, Kitchen Dwellers, Tauk, Karina Rykman and Magic Beans. PPPP present their own festival, Domefest, which is highly respected and regarded in the scene.. The band serves up a lively chat of all things PPPP in their FB group appropriately titled, “The Flock.”  There is another FB group for merchandise and tickets. The band has released an initial EP and then 5 full length albums that all start with the letter P.

    photo courtesy of Lee Melnikoff

    Over a tasty dinner, I was able to ask Jeremy and Greg some questions.  Greg ordered the salmon – a dish he orders almost every night for dinner on the road because it packs on protein and energy while being easy to digest before the show.

    Chadbyrne:  What’s the most challenging song you play live and why?

    Greg: I find our newest songs are most challenging, especially when they have vocals. I’ve been focusing more on lyrics these days, sometimes finalizing them right before showtime, which makes them tricky to memorize. Instrumentally, our new song “Miyagi” is a doozy.

    Jeremy:  You’ll know when you hear it!

    Chadbyrne: PPPP has blown up in recent years, is there a specific moment when you felt like you “made it”?

    Greg: That’s really nice of you to say. I don’t know if I’ll ever truly feel like we “made it” per se, but it was so exciting when we decided to quit our day jobs to pursue music full-time about 12 years ago. I held a few jobs after college, but we were simultaneously touring almost every weekend of the year. We would go on these epic weekend runs and then I’d show up for work just so beat. Eventually we decided it was time to give this thing a real shot and tour full-time, and the fun hasn’t stopped.

    Jeremy:  Every time I look into the crowd and see people smiling and/or losing themselves to our music, I get that amazing feeling that “we made it”.  We’ve had so many awe-inspiring moments at shows and festivals that it’s hard to just pick one, but a few big ones that come to mind are some of our Peach Festival sets, our first headlining shows at the 9:30 Club, and All Good Festival in 2015.

    Chadbyrne: As a songwriter, what song are you most proud of and why?

    Greg: All of them! Writing music is so fun because you always remember each song’s origin and development. Some ideas develop quickly, others take years, but in both cases it’s so exciting when they’re finally played live because you remember the journey.

    Jeremy:  I try not to pick favorites, but it’s always a proud moment when I hear people singing along with our songs!

    Chadbyrne: If music hadn’t worked out, what profession do you think you would have undertaken?

    Greg: I was in sales after college. I had a knack for it, but I wasn’t passionate at all. I don’t know if I could go back to a 9 to 5, but I could see myself getting into real estate as a means to an end to spend more time with my family.

    Jeremy: If I didn’t find myself somewhere in the music industry, I’d probably be working some sort of IT job. I have degrees in Marketing and Business Information Systems, in case anyone is wondering the secret behind my playing.

    Chadbyrne: Who is your favorite guitarist and why?

    Greg: I always keep my ears open for inspiration and don’t play into the favorites game much. That said, I love Nile Rodgers, but I also love Shmeeans from Lettuce, Ryan from The Motet, Dan from Kyle Hollingsworth Band and countless others. They’re all great listeners, unique players, always melodic and in the pocket. Also since we don’t have a keyboardist, I often listen to those elements live. Huge fan of Joey Porter from The Motet and his funky approach on the clavinet, and everything Page from Phish plays.

    Jeremy: I’m a huge Phish fan, so I can’t deny that Trey Anastasio has been a huge inspiration – he’s a master of tension/release.

    photo courtesy of Lee Melnikoff

    “Let Your Cup Overrun”

    Yam Yam opened the night.  Pigeons took the stage just after 9pm.  This was the only night of the run anticipated not to sell out but that was just as well for the hard core members of The Flock in attendance as they were afforded more dancing room. “Distant Times” was the perfect up-tempo opener and the crowd knew all the lyrics.  But it was “Live it Up” that was the highlight of the first set.  The popular Pigeons staple builds and builds until Jeremy and Greg get locked into a tight call and response ultimately paying off with an exquisite crescendo. 

    After a Chili Peppers cover, as usual, Fun in Funk provided a spark near the end of the set.  PPPP are masters of no matter the genre or the song – they can always find a groove and it is usually danceable. Manny Newman again demonstrated why he is one of the best LDs in music.

    photo courtesy of Lee Melnikoff

    PPPP is like going to the Circus.  Greg is the affable and enthusiastic carnival barker who lures in patrons, Jeremy is the lion tamer guiding and patient who leads the posse to the next level and Ben is the charismatic clown always entertaining the masses with zest. 

    A highlight of the 2nd set was Gator on the drums – he is a heavy hitter adept at keeping impeccable time behind the kit as best exemplified by his bombastic extended drum solo at the end of “Water.”  PPPP should do the soundtrack to a sci-fi film as the music is not of this world.  Jeremy continues to demonstrate that he is the most underrated guitarist around – with the fastest fingers in the scene.  The show was complete, with even Ben singing a tune.  The encore was special with arguably the band’s best tune, “Dawn a New Day.”  Upbeat and packed with lyrics ala “Strawberry Letter 23,” it is a lengthy joyous romp and a proper way to end the epic night on a positive note.

    Pigeons Playing Ping Pong – Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg – Thursday, April 13

    Set 1: Distant Times, Henrietta, Live it Up, Hit the Ground Runnin, Around the World, Overrun, Fun in Funk>Skinner  

    Set 2: Fall in Place, Water, Beneath the Surface, Bad for You, Melting Lights, Ha ha ha yeah, su casa, schwanthem

    Encore: Dawn a New Day

  • In Focus: Laufey Plays a One Time Show at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

    Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter Laufey played a sold out show with opener Laura Elliot at the historical Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Massachusetts this past Friday, April 7th.

    Fans of all ages wearing fancy attire attentively listened to Laufey’s captivating vocals as she sang multiple songs from her latest jazz album, Everything I Know About Love. People traveled from Puerto Rico, Florida, and New York City for this one time show.

    Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center Laufey
    Laufey

    Laura Elliot opened the show with an incredible set, singing multiple songs off of her first album People Pleaser to celebrate one year since its release. Born and raised in the Hudson Valley she gained recognition after collaborating with Lizzy McAlpine on “weird,” and joining artists like The Walters on tour before having her own People Pleaser tour in 2022. 

    Laura Elliot

    After a twenty minute intermission, Laufey took the stage at 9:05, causing a stream of excited screams to erupt from her eager crowd. The 23-year-old jazz-pop artist got her start in 2020 when her singing videos gained huge recognition on TikTok. Growing up in Iceland and now living in LA, Laufey attended Berklee College of Music and grew up around classically-trained musicians. Since she was young, she listened to jazz artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, who largely inspired the type of music she writes today. Laufey is currently off tour, but previously played at the Bowery Ballroom in 2022 during her Everything I Know About Love tour across North America and Europe. 

    Laufey writes a majority of her songs about heartbreak, which is evident in both her raw and meaningful lyrics and in the short spoken monologues she gave to introduce each song. Her performances of tracks like “James,” “Let You Break My Heart Again,” and “Dear Soulmate” touched on her difficult experiences with past partners, breakups, and feeling lost in the realm of love. Lit by the starlike backdrop of the beautiful Mahaiwe theater, Laufey ran onto the stage with her shiny red guitar and played an incredible show with just her voice and her instruments. Her awed fans—consisting of elders, middle-aged adults, teenagers, and children wearing suits, ties, long flowy skirts, dresses, heels, and intricate updos—stayed completely silent during each performance. No phones were present, as people went to truly enjoy the show. Nearing the end of her set, Laufey announced the workings of a second album, and even performed two unreleased songs for the first time that would feature on it. 

    After playing her last song, “Falling Behind,” Laufey made a quick exit before re-entering to play an encore. She performed a beautiful rendition of “Two Sleepy People” on the stage’s grand piano, and called it a “lullaby” for her audience of one thousand. 

    Setlist: Fragile, Street by Street, Best Friend, I Wish You Love, Dear Soulmate, Valentine, Let You Break My Heart Again, Like the Movies, Promise (unreleased), From the Start (unreleased), Beautiful Stranger, James, Magnolia, Falling Behind
    Encore: Two Sleepy People (Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser cover)

    Mahaiwe

  • In Focus: Melody’s Echo Chamber astound at Music Hall of Williamsburg

    If Melody’s Echo Chamber were to release a recording of their performance at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Sunday, April 2, the second of back-to-back sold out shows, I would buy it immediately. This was their first show in New York City in nearly eight years, and based on how the crowd responded to this one, they won’t have trouble selling out more whenever they come back.

    The band was an absolute force on stage from the moment they kicked off their set with “Endless Shore.” And throughout their set, they brought already-excellent songs to life in rollicking fashion while staying true to the vibe established in the studio versions. It’s one thing to listen to a band’s records, but when a band is this good live, getting to feel the music and have it played loud hits harder.

    Hailing from France and led by Melody Prochet on vocals in both French and English, synth, and tambourine, the band featured Reinhardt N. Fischer on guitar, bass, and synth, Frederik Swahn on bass and guitar, Johan Holmegard on drums, and Jay Pich on guitar and backing vocals. And all five of them were excellent.

    Not that there were any doubts about where the night was going after the first few songs, but “Some Time Alone, Alone” off the band’s self-titled 2013 release was an early standout in the set, showcasing the band’s collective and individual talents. And the setlist was very well crafted, with a mix of songs from all of the band’s studio releases intertwined, with songs from the self-titled album serving as the backbone.

    “Quand les Larmes D’un Ange Font Danser la Neige” closed out the main set, and about halfway through the song, Prochet exited the Music Hall of Williamsburg stage, allowing the full focus of the audience to remain on the rest of the band as they blasted through a jam that felt like it could last forever.

    Music Hall of Williamsburg

    As for the encore, the band kicked into the super popular “I Follow You,” one of their catchiest. And they closed out with “Cross My Heart,” the first track off Bon Voyage, another one that felt like time had stopped specifically for the audience to bask in the sound of this incredible band.

    If you’re looking to catch the band live and happen to be out west in the fall, they’re playing Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. Those shows are just days before Desert Daze, and while there’s no lineup info about the festival yet, it wouldn’t be surprising if they wound up playing there, too.

    Setlist: Endless Shore, Looking Backward, Mount Hopeless, The Hypnotist, Some Time Alone, Alone; Personal Message, Quand vas-tu rentrer?, Pêcheuse de Lune, Bisou Magique, Unfold, Where the Water Clears the Illusion, Crystallized, Shirim, Visions of Someone Special, on a Wall of Reflection; Alma, Quand les larmes d’un ange font danser la neige

    Encore: I Follow You, Cross My Heart

  • 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

  • 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.