New York based art punks Blonde Redhead are heading on tour to celebrate their first new album in nearly a decade. Sit Down For Dinner is due on September 29th via section1 Records and the band are warming up for the tour with intimate gigs in London, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right. Check out the dreamy lead single “Snowman” along with photos from the show at Baby’s on Wednesday, June 14th.
Blonde Redhead at Baby’s All Right, 6/14/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
Blonde Redhead’s catalog dates back to the mid 90s when the post-punk and shoegaze scene was thriving in New York City. The band, consisting of vocalist Kazu Makino and twin bothers Simone and Amedeo Pace, released nine records to their name with the last one, Barragán, coming back in 2014. After a mostly quiet hiatus with some scattered shows, the trio is back at it with a new LP and lengthy headlining tour. The band just played intimate warm up shows in LA and NYC, with the next one at The Lexington in London in July. The full tour kicks off in October with a North American run followed by a leg in Europe. Head over to the band’s website for the full itinerary.
Blonde Redhead at Baby’s All Right, 6/14/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
The excitement was palpable at Baby’s on Wednesday night. All the fans who made it out to the show knew they were in for a treat to see the legendary band in such an intimate setting. Housing only a couple hundred people, the venue quickly packed in tight. After the opening bands finished up, Kazu, Amedeo, and Simone took to the stage to meticulously set up their gear. The audience began to buzz with anticipation, and the trio was well aware of it. At one point, Simone asked a fan in the front to plug in his pedal board to an outlet he couldn’t reach, much to the fan’s delight.
Blonde Redhead leaned heavily into the more recent parts of their catalog, opening the show with “Falling Man” from 2004’s Misery is a Butterfly followed by the slinky darkwave of “Here Sometimes” from 2010’s Penny Sparkle. The trio played a few unrecognized songs off the upcoming record Sit Down For Dinner including two labeled “Sit Down For Dinner 1 & 2” on the handwritten setlist. The main set ended with lead single “Snowman” followed by an encore featuring “Silently” and “23.”
The trio breezed through the short but immensely captivating setlist with an effortless grace you would expect from a band playing together for 30 years. At one point, Kazu felt there was some feedback coming from her set-up, asking the crowd if they were hearing what she was. Someone yelled from the darkness “we don’t hear it, you all sound amazing!” The statement brought big smiles to the band, who continued to unleash their infectious art punk.
Blonde Redhead at Baby’s All Right, 6/14/2023. Photo by Joseph Buscarello
Aside from the warm up show next month in London, the band is opening for Phantogram on August 31st in Utah. Kazu, Simone, and Amedeo then take a short break before kicking off the tour in October in San Francisco. Blonde Redhead return to New York on November 10th for a show at Brooklyn Steel. Tickets are still available HERE and make sure to check out Sit Down For Dinner this September.
Harlem Stage has announced its 40th Anniversary Season, taking place from September 2023 to June 2024. It aims to celebrate Harlem Stage as an institution that has been a platform for emerging and established artists of color. Many of the events for the 2023-2024 season feature artists with whom Harlem Stage has built long-term relationships.
Credit: Harlem Stage
Aaron Davis Hall, Inc., later named the Harlem Stage, was opened in 1983 to provide resources, a platform, and an audience for artists of color due to their unequal treatment and recognition. For almost 40 years, the organization has championed the unique and diverse artistic legacy of Harlem. They continue to be a voice for justice as well as historical examination and denunciation of racism and its legacy.
Harlem Stage has hosted legendary artists, including Harry Belafonte, Max Roach, Sekou Sundiata, Abbey Lincoln, Sonia Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri, Maya Angelou, and Tito Puente. The organization has also won the Association of Performing Arts Presenters William Dawson Award for Programming Excellence and Sustained Achievement in Programming.
Harlem Stage began in a time of great inequity, resulting in a form of censorship by exclusion of visionary artists of color. Our intent was to level the playing field by supporting the development of their new work in new forms. Artists of color are constantly in a dialogue with their worlds—and Harlem Stage has always sought to be a place where all of our constituents can engage in the kind of transformative discourse that enriches our lives and broadens our horizons.
Artistic Director and CEO Patricia Cruz
Events
WaterWorks Commissions
A signature program of the Harlem Stage, WaterWorks is intended to identify and cultivate emerging or established artists of color. It engages with the community through residencies and educational activities.
On Dec. 9, 2023 is the “WaterWorks Emerging Artists Showcase,” which will feature artists such as: interdisciplinary performing artist and painter Shantelle Courvoisier Jackson; singer/songwriter Hannah Lemmons; choreographer and dancer Bobby Morgan; interdisciplinary artist, composer, and pianist Mary Prescott; and trumpeter and composer Kalí Rodríguez-Peña.
March 29 and 30, 2024 will have Ambrose Akinmusire performing “Banyan.” It is an intersection of griot, mentor, and oral historian in social history that culminates in this multi-part suite.
On May 3 and 4, 2024, Tamar-kali will be presenting excerpts from the work-in-progress opera “Black Damask.” The opera is about the life and times William Dorsey Swann, who is the first to dub himself as a “queen of drag.” Following the excerpts will be a discussion with the creators of the opera.
E-Moves
“E-Moves” is Harlem Stage’s flagship dance series and has showcased movement-based creations for over 20 years. For the 40th Anniversary Season, Harlem Stage is inviting back several artists critical to the institutions dance legacy.
On a yet-to-be-announced date is Kyle Abraham, who created “Pavement” through the WaterWorks program and first performed with E-Moves in 2006.
EVIDENCE and Ronald K. Brown will return on Oct. 13 and 14, 2023 for a not-to-be-missed performance featuring work from an emerging choreographer, as selected by Brown. EVIDENCE first performed with the organization in 1998.
April 19 and 20, 2024 will feature the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Their performance in 2024 will include an emerging artist selected by Jones. They performed at the opening of the Harlem Stage Gatehouse in 2006.
On May 17 and 18, 2024, nora chipaumire is presenting “ShebeenDUB” featuring three dancers and a dub DJ. A monumental sound installation, the “soundshitsystem” will be used for the performance. The installation was designed by Ari Marcopoulos and Kara Walker, and constructed by Matt Jackson Studio. nora chipaumire herself is based in Berlin, Germany and Harare, Zimbabwe.
Camilla A. Brown, first in E-Moves in 2004, is returning June 14 and 15, 2024. She is presenting her own work alongside the work of her associate choreographers: Rickey Tripp; Mayte Natalio; Chloe Davis; and Maleek Washington. The theme for the night is “BLACK JOY.”
Guest Curated Programs
On March 1 and 2, 2024, Vijay Iyer is returning to guest curate and perform in “Eternal Spirit: Vijay Iyer and Friends Celebrate the Music of Andrew Hill.” The ensemble includes: drummer Nasheet Waits; trumpet player Milena Casado; and saxophonist Mark Shim. Iyer originally wrote a commissioned work with the Harlem Hall called “Holding It Down.”
Jason Moran will guest curate and perform on April 26 and 27, 2024 for “Pianos for Duke Reimagined: Featuring Jason Moran, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Friends.” Moran originally played Duke Ellington’s music in 1999 with Harlem Stage for “Piano’s For Duke” alongside other superstars of piano. The event for April is to be presented on the 125th anniversary of Ellington’s birth.
Special Projects
Sept. 14, 2023 will have the “Harlem Stage 40th Anniversary Concert” in collaboration with Bryant Park. A thus-far unannounced major jazz artist will be performing.
On Oct. 20 and 21, 2023, Craig Harris will be presenting “TONGUES OF FIRE (in a harlem state of mind),” a combination of music, poetry, and movement. It is an exploration of the evolution of the Harlem community from the ’70s to present day.
“In the Court of the Conqueror,” performed by george emilio sanchez, will be on Nov. 3, 2023. It is a solo performance that revolves around the 200-year-old Supreme Court ruling that reduced sovereignty for native nations, juxtaposed against sanchez’s own experiences with Indigenous identity in an Ecuadorian immigrant household.
On March 22 and 23, 2024, Stew’s “HIGH SUBSTITUTE FOR THE DREAD LECTURER: Baraka Jones in Dub” will be featured. It is in the spirit of his other work, the critically acclaimed “NOTES OF A NATIVE SONG,” and is focused on the twin influences of his life and art.
Uptown Nights
To be fully announced in September 2023, “Uptown Nights” will feature “Uptown Nights Latinx Music Series” from Sept. to Dec. 2023. Uptown Nights is a music series that presents an array of artists from across genres.
The New York Philharmonic started off summer with a bang on Tuesday, June 13th in the Bronx.
For years, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra has had a yearly summer concert in Van Cortlandt park, and last night continued the tradition. This summer, music director Jaap van Zweden conducts iconic classical pieces Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Johan Strauss’ On the Beautiful Blue Danube. The orchestra also plays Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, the William Tell overture, and Strauss’ overture to The Bat.
Audience members got to the Van Cortlandt Parade Grounds in the afternoon early before the concert. Hundreds of people were out on the grass before the sun set. With the orchestra playing such famous pieces, everyone was excited. Plus, audiences this summer get to hear recent pieces composed by two graduates of the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers program.
Founded by John Deak, the very Young Composers Program (VYC) mentors kids and gives them the “tools they need to transform their musical ideas into finished compositions.” The kids also get to hear professional New York Philharmonic musicians—and sometimes the full orchestra—playing their work. The 12-week program works to empower children ages 8-15 and help them reach their full creative potential. Then, they can create art to express themselves and the world around them. The New York Philharmonic was founded in 1842, and it’s the oldest symphony orchestra in the country. Educational programs like the VYC ensure the future of music by making sure the next generation is given opportunities to learn. The two pieces that the orchestra are performing this summer were written when the students were in VYC.
Bronx resident Mio Mićić wrote their piece, Raft Dino Spies, in 2013 when they was just 9. “The title reflects the fact that I was 9,” they said to the audience last night. The piece depicts the experience of riding a rollercoaster that they went on as a kid. Mićić tried to compose it “as audibly realistic as possible” to make audiences feel the same experience. They even asks the musicians to do something unusual: to scream as loudly and long “as they’re willingly able.” Even though the music is memorable on its own, the screaming orchestra makes it stand out in audience’s minds.
Rodriguez wrote his piece in 2019. At the age of 12, he was inspired by the moon landing to write Trip to the Moon. He saw the moon landing footage and compared it to musical concepts. As the orchestra counts down from ten, they “[take] you for a ride and [give] you a perspective of such an amazing feat.” (Michael Rodriguez) Lately, Rodriguez has been inspired recently by Latin music, and how to compose for orchestras based in the style.
Just like always, the performance ended with a fireworks show. The New York Philharmonic is still performing free Concerts in the Parks this summer. On the 16th, they’ll be in Queens’ Cunningham Park, then Friday the orchestra plays at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Both of these outdoor shows start at 8PM. Although sold out, the Philharmonic wraps up their concerts in the parks on the 18th with an indoor concert in Staten Island’s St. George Theatre. Still, concerts in Brooklyn and Queens are open for all! If you can’t make it this summer, you can still listen to some of the NY Philharmonic’s great work online.
Dan Deacon brought his colorful glitch pop to No Fun in Troy on Thursday, June 8th. This is his first tour since the pandemic, he had a huge tour planned in support (he was scheduled to play Ithaca) of his studio album from 2020, Mystic Familar, and it was just about to kick off as everything shut down.
During the downtime, Dan turned his energy towards writing numerous film scores, including the Academy Award-nominated documentary “Ascension”, and the Adam Sandler Netflix film “Hustle.” The Troy show was almost at end of a scattered tour that started in March, and even though he was pulling double duty (there was an early and a late show) the passion of his performance had not faltered or aged from years past, once the music started, he still had the charm of a mad man possessed.
Joining Dan Deacon on the tour was drummer Jeremy Hyman. Hyman has played for Ponytail, Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks and also toured with Animal Collective when Panda Bear decided to sit out on drums during the Painting With tour. You know that if Panda Bear turned over the drumsticks to Jeremy for a tour, that he is an absolute monster behind the drum kit.
Starting out the night was Jeremy Hyman with a DJ set of some lovely ambient/house music that was the perfect appetizer for the night. His set entranced the crowd with some tripped out soundscapes, while occasionally locking into a deep house beat that would get the crowd moving. After his set he came back out with Dan to play drums, and since there were two shows and he played both sets, that made for an impressive 4 sets over the course of the night for Jeremy Hyman, a monster indeed.
Seeing a Dan Deacon show isn’t an average electronic music dance party, it is that, but it’s also an interactive slumber party with some like-minded strangers. It’s like going to a concert and all of a sudden that day in gym class breaks out where you didn’t have to play sports, and you just got to play silly games with a parachute. There is a lot of focus on the crowd and their dancing, which makes everyone feel silly and goofy, which is perfect mood for the kind of insane pitched up, ADHD-riddled, electronic pop music providing the soundtrack to all of this. Dan Deacon has really built up a nice catalogue of tunes to play live, and when you really distill down all of those earcandy electronic pop songs into a single show it’s a very impressive concert, musically, along with everything else going on. With the tour wrapped up and all of those scores under his belt, I think it’s a safe bet that Dan will be returning to the studio at some point in the near future for his next full length album.
Setlist: Become a Mountain, The Crystal Cat, Change Your Life (You Can Do It), Learning to Relax, Arp I: Wide Eyed, Arp II: Float Away, Arp III: Far From Shore, Arp IV: Any Moment, Wham City, Snookered, Sat By A Tree, Paddling Ghost, When I was Done Dying, Feel the Lightning
NYC‘s indie band Rebounder just released their newest lush single “Disco Ball Soul,” the first song off of their upcoming EP Sundress Songs, out August 25th. They have also announced a run of East Coast tour dates including stops in New York, DC, Philadelphia and Toronto.
The single is a widescreen, lush track that frontman Dylan Chenfeld explains was “initially about the frustrations of being a Knicks fan. Funny enough, the evening we shot the video, we were watching the Knicks lose in the playoffs. The song wound up being about the anxieties of living in a city at night, though the anxiety of being a Knicks fan casts a long shadow.”
Over the last few years, Rebounder has quietly become one of New York’s most successful young indie exports, supporting everyone from MUNA to Twin Shadow to the How Long Gone podcast. Their 2020 debut “Japanese Posters” has racked up over 14 million streams alone, a testament to the band’s work ethic and crisply-realized, overwhelmingly hooky indie-rock.
A winsome, wistful portrait of modern millennial life, their forthcoming EP Sundress Songs resembles a lot of classic 2000s indie-pop. Yet, the album feels like it exists miles away from the current of revivalism that’s in the air right now.
Led by stalwart songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dylan Chenfeld, Rebounder makes crisply-realized, overwhelmingly hooky indie-rock, sharpened to a fine point by years of touring. Sundress Songs is a set of preened, poised pop songs that speak volumes of Dylan and his bandmates’ stadium-level ambitions and enviable taste.
“This project is the culmination of a lot of the hard work we’ve done in the past year, in the studio and on the road,” says Dylan. “It feels overdue – but we wanted to make something that sounds really exciting and unique, because we’ve been writing songs and making demos our whole lives.”
Rebounder started as a high school band. Dylan, his brother Noah, and a handful of their friends were often recruited as hired gun musicians for small projects looking to tour locally. Being genuinely skilled musicians has been key to Rebounder’s success; they play with the tautness and tension of a rubber band pulled to its limits, despite the (on its surface) breeziness of their songwriting.
Dylan has omnivorous tastes and pays sharp attention-to-detail: Sundress dips into rakish funk (“Disco Ball Soul”), bedroom pop (“Second Serve Ace”) and skittish dance-rock (“Dreamland”). Produced entirely by Dylan, Sundress Songs is rich with production quirks and asides that speak to his years spent going on YouTube rabbit holes and tinkering in ProTools.
“There’s a lot of people who are doing, like, Greta Van Fleet for the 2000s,” says Dylan. “What’s the point of that? I’m not gonna do it better than those guys. But maybe we can do something new.”
Listen to “Disco Ball Soul” by clicking the link here.
Tickets for the upcoming tour are available for purchase here.
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame hosted a Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Show on Sunday June 11th. The show paid tribute to some influential artists and pioneers of hip hop. This event showcased the genre’s history, highlighted the achievements of renowned musicians, and provided a platform for insightful discussions. With the unveiling of an LL Cool J statue and a panel discussion featuring industry legends, the celebration was a memorable tribute to the cultural impact of hip hop.
Jazzy Jay, Son of Bazerk, Jazzy Jay, MC Glamorous, Aj Woodson
The event began with the unveiling of a stunning statue honoring the iconic rapper and actor LL Cool J. Created by sculptor Sherwin Banfield, the statue captured LL Cool J’s charisma, influence, and contributions to the hip hop industry. This immortalization of LL Cool J served as a powerful symbol of his lasting impact as one of the genre’s most influential figures. Banfield also has a monument dedicated to The Notorious B.I.G. located in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
Sherwin Banfield unveils LL Cool J statue
The 50th Anniversary Show featured a thought-provoking panel discussion that brought together several esteemed hip hop pioneers. Ralph McDaniels, a renowned video music director and host of the legendary “Video Music Box” program, joined forces with DJ Jazzy Jay, a trailblazing DJ, and Keith Shocklee, a member of the influential production team The Bomb Squad. They were joined by MC Glamorous, Dinco D, Aj Woodson, Johnny Juice, and members of Son of Bazerk, Tony Allen, and Cassandra Jackson.
The panelists reminisced about their experiences on Long Island and discussed the evolution of hip hop. Their wisdom provided attendees with a unique opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of hip hop’s cultural significance and its enduring impact on music and society.
The audience was treated to a energetic performance featuring some of the industry’s most celebrated artists after the panel discussion. DJ Jazzy Jay, a true turntable virtuoso, took to the stage followed by DJ Johnny Juice, MC Glamorous, Aj Woodson, Dinco D. A Son of Berserk reunion set was another highlight creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Son of Bazerk
The 50th Anniversary Show was meant to include the induction of the legendary hip hop group, the Fat Boys. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, Damon “Kool Rock-Ski” Wimbley was unable to attend, leading to the postponement of their induction. The organizers of The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame recognized the Fat Boys’ immense contributions and ensured that their induction would take place at a future event.
Jazz artist Benny Benack III has released the music video for his cover of “Gary, Indiana” ahead of his June 30 album Third Time’s The Charm. Additionally, the lead single for the project features pianist Emmett Cohen in the song and music video.
The cover for Benny Benack III’s June 30 album “Third Time’s The Charm.”
Benack’s rendition of “Gary, Indiana” from The Music Man holds a special place in his heart, with it being the first song he would ever perform as a professional. The performance truly comes full circle with the release of his new music video corresponding to the cover.
The significance of the classic song can also be tied back to his younger years and the musical bond with his mother when learning how to sing/perform.
“My mom played piano with me, and I would be like 8 years old, walking out onstage in the middle of my dad’s concert. My mom would hold my hand, and we’d go out and I’d sing ‘Gary, Indiana.’”
– Benny Benack III
An Emmy-nominated jazz musician, Benack comes from a long line of notable jazz and bandleader talents that started in Pittsburgh, PA.
Between His grandfather Benny Benack Sr., a trumpeter/bandleader, father Benny Benack Jr., a saxophonist/clarinetist, and mother Claudia Benack, a voice professor at Carnegie Mellon University, the family piles on the talent.
Past Albums and Accolades
Not only does Benack showcase his jazz and trumpeting skills, but he also pairs them with powerful vocals. Utilizing this dual talent has earned him accolades such as receiving second place for Rising Star Male Vocalist and winning Rising Star Trumpeter in the 2022 Downbeat Critics Poll.
With the rising stardom in the jazz music industry comes the excitement for Third Time’s The Charm, his first solo album since 2020.
The cover from Benny Benack III’s first album “One Of A Kind.”
The 2017 release One Of A Kind and sophomore 2020 project A Lot Of Livin’ To Do fully immerse the audience in his vocal and jazz music skills, something that will continue and display Benack’s full maturation in the music industry.
Premiering the music video for “Gary, Indiana” with Emmett Cohen, Benack’s journey towards the June 30 album is just starting, and is proud to present a glimpse into his next body of work. Third Times A Charm will drop via La Reserve/Bandstand presents.
On the cusp of releasing their latest album Emotional Contracts,Deer Tick performed two sold-out nights (June 9th and 10th) at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock. Both shows included performances of new songs while sharing favorites from the bands catalog.
Opening Saturday’s show, Rafay Rashid. A Providence R.I resident by way of Islamabad, Pakistan. Introducing songs from his debut solo album Kitchen Weapons, Rahid and his band (including a few members of Deer Tick) had a melodic grove intensifying as their set progressed. His excitement opening for Deer Tick was evident, calling them out occasionally between songs. Rafay’s performance set the groove, readying the house for what was to come.
Rafay Rashid
With the intimacy of Levon Helm Studios, the vibe between band and audience is beyond palpable. The moment singer/guitarist John McCauley, guitarist Ian O’Neil, drummer Dennis Ryan, bassist Christopher Ryan hit the stage, it was on. With dueling guitars, multiple lead vocals, a solid rhythm section, Deer Tick is a formidable part of rock and roll.
Opening with “Forgiving Ties” from their latest project, the night continued with a host of new material. Deeper into the set, the band maneuvered across the spectrum of Deer Tick. “Jumpstarting” from Dear Tick Vol. 2 had the crowd singing. It continued on from there with people clapping in time and jumping up to dance, because they had no choice.
On night two, their makeshift encore (at Levon’s, it is not logistically feasible to step off the stage to a backstage area), La Bamba leaped out to start it off. Closing, McCauley and company shared “The Real Thing,” the final track from Emotional Contracts.
Deer Tick with Robert Ellis
As a bonus, the Texas Piano Man Robert Ellis sat in with the band. Tucked into the corner of the stage, Ellis’s ticking of the ivories helped take the night to an even higher level. For both Deer Tick and those in attendance, this was a special weekend. Experiencing new songs while pulling out favorites. Quenching the Deer Tick fan palate to the fullest.
Standout singer, songwriter, and bassist Karina Rykman dropped her first single and title track from her upcoming debut album JOYRIDE. The project is set to be released on August 18 and marks Rykman’s first collection of songs since she’s put out a slew of acclaimed singles dating back to 2019.
Karina Rykman was born and raised in New York City. She found music at an early age, making her way around the city performing at and attending live music venues. By the end of her time at NYU she had appeared on America’s Got Talent and the TODAY show. As part of Marco Benevento’s band, Rykman performed dates with Vulfpeck, Dispatch, and The Claypool Lennon Delirium.
Photo Credit: Brantley Gutierrez
Rykman’s own band is made up of Adam November (guitar, loopers, effects) and Chris Corsico (drums). Together the group has made a name for themselves due to their strong instrumentation, funky groove, layered production, and often genreless sound.
All these elements help to make “Joyride” such an interesting and fun listen. The track features a strong vocal performance from Rkyman, whose breathy voice and wistful lyrics could compete with any indie-pop record. The song’s tasteful synths and syrupy bass drive the beat toward an almost psychedelic sound. Joyride also features a guitar performance from JOYRIDE co-producer Trey Anastasio.
’Joyride’ is about being driven insane as you’re kept awake by music in your head all night – so much so that eventually, you give up and ask your partner to take you on a joyride instead of tossing and turning
Karina Rykman
The connection between Rkyman and Anastasio goes back to childhood. Rykman went to middle school with the Phish star’s daughters and became family friends because of it. However, the two had no musical relationship until they both performed at Peach Music Festival in Scranton. Anastasio became interested in being a part of Rykman’s first album, offering the use of his iconic Vermont studio “The Barn.”
When I first heard the early demos, the first thing I said was more Karina… Turn up the bass, sing more, and step out. What makes me most happy about the finished album now is that to my ears, it sounds like Karina unapologetically. It has her nature. It has her incredible joyous outlook that I know is real because I saw it in her when she was a kid.
Trey Anastasio
Photo Credit: Jesse Faatz
JOYRIDE was written and recorded with Rykyman’s childhood friend, producer Gabe Monro. Trey Anastasio’s guitar appears on five of the album’s nine tracks. Legendary mixer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Swans, Ramones) also helped to create the project.
“You only get to make your first album once,” she adds, “and I couldn’t be prouder of what we created with this one. It’s a moment in time – the first of what I hope to be a lifetime of making records and touring behind them.
On Thursday June 8th, Hawthorne Heights started Albany’s Alive at 5 concert Series with tribute to their roots as Emo artists. The show was moved to Albany’s rain location under I-787, but the skies were as clear as could be for the show.
James Woodruff of Hawthorne Heights – Photo by Jarron Childs
Alive at 5 is a free summer concert series that the city of Albany has been throwing on annually for over 30 years. The series host artists from from the local area to national scene to bring the capital region some music from their favorite genre. Each week has a different theme; this one being Emo Pride Night.
The show’s opener was the band Bad Luck from New York City. They had just come off a spring tour to play a 45 min set. Bad Luck set the tone for what was to come for the headliner.
Hawthorne Heights formed in Dayton, Ohio a little over 20 years ago in 2001. They sent out their first song, “Silver Bullet,” to hundreds of record labels until one stuck with Confined Records. By 2006, they had two gold albums and were opening for Fall Out Boy during their Black Clouds and Underdogs Tour. The first stop on that tour, in fact, was in Albany, at what is now MVP Arena.
Hawthorne Heights is currently on a traveling festival around the US called the “Is For Lovers” festival. It has lineups of some of the best emo and pop-punk bands that could have ever been assembled, all in one place.
Hawthorne Heights played a long 90 minutes set to start Albany’s Alive at 5 for 2023. Lead singer, James Woodruff, said this was the longest set they have ever played. Though he proclaimed early on that they would rock out the whole night, there were a lot of speeches in between songs. Fans grew restless towards the end of the set as it could be felt that he was trying to fill up their time slot. Though the speeches did give their songs more meaning, and young fans got to understand emo better, it could be felt that fans just wanted to rock out the night.
Hawthorne Heights did come through with their promise as fans got to mosh to some of their favorite songs. At least two mosh pits that broke out on top of, crowd surfing and the audio engineer jumping into the crowd. The crowd screamed the lyrics to “Niki FM” and helped to close out the show with “Ohio is for lovers.”
Hawthorne Heights will continue their “Is for Lovers” festival on June 24th in Stateline, NV. There are currently no NY shows scheduled, but hopefully NY fans will get new music from them soon.
Don’t miss this week’s Alive at 5 with Mihali with special guest Side B opening. NYS Music will be on site so stop down and check out what the NYS Music team has in store!
Hawthorne Heights Setlist: Pens and Needles, Constant Dread, This is Who We Are, Lucerne Valley, The Transition, Crimson Sand, Saying Sorry, Rescue Me, Spray Paint it Black, Silver Bullet, Hard to Breathe, Blue Burns Orange, Stab Myself, We Are So Last Year, Niki FM, Dandelions, Ohio Is For Lovers
