Category: Features

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
Gotham Jazz Announces 5th Annual GothamJazz Festival at The DTA

Gotham Jazz announced their Gotham Jazz Festival at The DTA in lower Manhattan on Sunday, April 16. Fans can enjoy their favorite hot jazz, swing and blues tunes from 1pm-12am.

The Gotham Jazz Festival is an annual celebration which features New York City’s best hot jazz, swing, and blues bands. The DTA, otherwise known as the exquisite and exclusive private club from the Gilded-Age, contains four ballrooms and lounges that will showcase performances with over 100 musicians & 20 bands.

The commemoration was founded in 2017 by Prohibition Productions. In the following year, Prohibition Productions partnered with New York Hot Jazz Camp to exhibit performances by their splendid faculty, students, & alumni. The camp is a seven-day educational experience that allows adults to connect with the city’s top traditional jazz players. It is located at the Greenwich House Music School and has been running for six years. Prohibition Productions and The New York Hot Jazz Camp have now announced their partnership with The Gotham Jazz Festival.

All music enthusiasts are encouraged to attend and savor the eleven-hour musical marathon of harmonious jazz featuring an eclectic star-studded line-up.

Tickets and more information about The Gotham Jazz Festival can be accessed here.

NYHJC All-Star Band:

Catherine Russell, Bria Skonberg, Dan Levinson, Ron Wilkins,Cynthia Sayer, Rossano Sportiello, Tal Ronen, Kevin Dorn.

EYAL VILNER BIG BAND

FRANK VIGNOLA & VINNY RANIOLO

DANNY JONOKUCHI & THE REVISIONISTS

MONA’S HOT FOUR – led by Dennis Lichtman

STÉPHANE SÉVA SWING ONDULE 4TET (from France)

TERRY WALDO’S GOTHAM CITY BAND feat. Tatiana Eva Marie

HOT TODDIES JAZZ BAND feat. Hannah Gill & Queen Esther

DAVID OSTWALD’S LOUIS ARMSTRONG ETERNITY BAND

SVETLANA & THE NEW YORK COLLECTIVE

MIKE DAVIS & THE NEW WONDERS

CYNTHIA SAYER’S JOYRIDE

OUR BAND w/Justin Poindexter

MIMI & THE PODD BROTHERS

ADRIEN CHEVALIER GYPSY JAZZ 5

MICHELA MARINO LERMAN & FRIENDS

MOLLY RYAN & MANHATTAN PREMIERE

MISS MAYBEL AND THE JAZZ AGE ARTISTS

CALVIN JOHNSON & NATIVE SON

solo pianists:

TERRY WALDO, DALTON RIDENHOUR, MIKA NISHIMURA

DJ ANDRIUS

April 5, 2023
The ‘Wilco Weekend’ Finale at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester was a Show for the Ages

Kicking off the spring with a tour in support of their twelfth studio album (Cruel Country, dBpm Records) released in May 2022, recorded live at their studio known as The Loft, Wilco played three consecutive sold-out performances this past weekend at The Capitol Theatre located in the center of downtown Port Chester. As one of 1,800 lucky participants to attend the Chicagoans residency finale on Saturday night (April Fool’s Day) and witness their multi-genre talents, all were treated to an eclectic blend of experimental rock, indie art rock and alternative country.

Dubbed the “American Radiohead” due to their stylistically diverse catalog, Wilco’s career-spanning trio of shows at the iconic concert hall constructed nearly a century ago boasted no repeat songs. Their setlists from Thursday, Friday and Saturday night included a whopping total of sixty-nine different offerings, making for the perfect recipe of deep cuts and crowd favorites that were presented to their adoring fans.

Promptly at 7:30 pm, fellow Chicago natives Horsegirl unassumingly strolled onto the stage. Formed a little more than three years ago when they bonded over their shared love for acts like Sonic Youth, Stereolab and Pavement, the punk-infused trio of indie-rockers comprised of Nora Cheng (guitar, vocals), Penelope Lowenstein (guitar, vocals) and Gigi Reece (drums) have been providing support each night of Wilco’s residency at The Cap, including Wilco’s three night residency a couple of weeks back at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago.

Speaking of Pavement, I first witnessed the immense talent of these young women back in October 2022 when they also opened for said band at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. Although it was merely six months ago, their growth as a live act has blossomed since then, and they are surely on the right path to a bright future in the music business.

With a palpable, undeniable chemistry, Horsegirl performed a 28-minute set filled with guitar feedback and hypnotic melodies during a collection of songs taken from their debut album (Versions of Modern Performance, Matador Records) released in June 2022, including Homage to “Birdnoculars,” “World of Pots and Pans,” “Option 8” and “Anti-glory.”

As I stood in the photo pit talking with fans along the steel barricade, all of whom were waiting with eager anticipation for the roadies to finish preparing the stage and Wilco’s instruments, I reminisced about the very first time I witnessed the greatness of Wilco. It was here at The Cap, way back on October 30, 2014, when Wilco were celebrating their 20 year anniversary as a rock ‘n’ roll outfit. The night I was in attendance, like tonight, was also the third consecutive sold-out evening of a residency stint that has hosted legendary artists the likes of Janis Joplin, Traffic, Pink Floyd and the Grateful Dead.

At 8:30 pm sharp, when the house lights suddenly went dark, I raised my trusted Nikon “Kamera” to my eye as the sextet of frontman and guitarist Jeff Tweedy, guitarist Nels Cline, bassist John Stirratt, drummer Glenn Kotche, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone and keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen took the stage to thunderous applause. Tonight’s two-hour, 23-song set that would bridge nine studio albums altogether – only offerings from 1995’s debut album (A.M.), 2015’s Star Wars and 2016’s Schmilco would be absent – commenced with two tunes from their fifth studio album (A Ghost Is Born, 2004), including “At Least That’s What You Said,” followed by “Spiders (Kidsmoke).”

As I remained in the photo pit for the third song of the night (“The Universe”), taken from the newest addition to their discography Cruel Country, I reminded myself to unglue my eyes from the band in front of me and occasionally glance at the thousands of fan faces behind me. The expressions I witnessed included sheer joy and complete awe, and even one guy headbanging incessantly as he clutched the rail in front of him with both hands. Then, with the song nearing its end, Cline’s guitar tech quickly emerged from the dark shadows at stage right and began working on what appeared to be the pedal board.

While the technical snafu lasted for several minutes until it was successfully resolved by either a repair or a complete change-out of the rig, it resulted in an impromptu setlist change as “Jesus, Etc.” (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, 2001) moved up to the fourth song slot – it was originally slated to be the last song before the encore. Tweedy, taking advantage of the rare down time, also executed a “Tight Five Comedy Set” where he explained the rules behind winning the “Best Behaved” trophy awarded to only one lucky audience member each night. He also enlightened us that even Horsegirl claimed the top prize back at one of Wilco’s recent Chicago gigs.

The bulk of the main set, which included one musical treasure after another, had Wilco fans dancing with each other, as well as in the aisles. Whereas queues of fans had inundated the venue’s bars and merch tables earlier in the night, they were non-existent now that Wilco was playing. With too many incredible tracks to dive into for this concert review, a few highlights (to name but a few) included the title track from 2011’s The Whole Love, two more songs from Cruel Country (“Mystery Binds” and “Tired of Taking It Out on You”), “Impossible Germany” from 2007’s Sky Blue Sky (there were six total tracks performed tonight from this formative LP) and “Laminated Cat,” a cover song dating back to 2003 by the indie rock supergroup of Tweedy and Kotche, along with multi-instrumentalist Jim O’Rourke of Sonic Youth.

After nearly 100 minutes on a non-stop musical journey, Tweedy and his bandmates, in prime form all night long, collected their breath backstage. After a short recess, our heroes reappeared onstage with Tweedy exclaiming, “I hope you all had as much fun as we have,” before launching into “The Late Greats” (A Ghost Is Born). The gifts kept on coming in the four song encore with “Heavy Metal Drummer” (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot), “A Shot in the Arm” (from 1999’s third studio album Summerteeth) and the final number, “On and On and On” (Sky Blue Sky).

From the box office to the security personnel to the bartenders to the ushers and of course, to the fans, it’s always a memorable time at The Cap, and Saturday night’s closing show was certainly no exception. One of America’s most critically acclaimed acts, Wilco’s rich history of music for nearly the past three decades has made them a beloved band on a generational scale. My NYS Music colleague Chris McShane, a diehard fan since 2007 who attended all three residency shows at The Cap and has seen them perform live more than forty times, proclaimed “What’s amazing is that Wilco is still getting better and better over time, and their three-night run at The Cap had all of their incredible skills on full display. If and when they return to the venue, you’ll want to grab a ticket, whether you’ve never seen them before or are a seasoned veteran of a Wilco show.”

Next up for Wilco is a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland for another three night, sold-out residency on April 6-8. The spring tour continues back in the United States with a stopover at the High Water Festival in North Charleston, South Carolina (April 16), followed by eleven more dates culminating in Athens, Ohio on April 30. Additionally, Tweedy will be performing solo at the Vic Theatre in Chicago, Illinois for a pair of dates on May 19 and 20.

Wilco are also set to release an alternate version to their seminal album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot for Record Store Day on April 22, dubbed Crosseyed Strangers: An Alternate Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Only 4,500 copies of the vinyl will be available to purchase through participating record stores, so you’ll have to act fast!

Wilco Setlist: At Least That’s What You Said > Spiders (Kidsmoke) > The Universe > Jesus, Etc. > You Are My Face > Whole Love > Mystery Binds > I’ll Fight > Side With the Seeds > One and a Half Stars > Tired of Taking It Out on You > Everyone Hides > Impossible Germany > Sunken Treasure > Laminated Cat (Loose Fur cover) > Reservations > Either Way > Hate It Here > Dawned on Me > Encore: The Late Greats > Heavy Metal Drummer > A Shot in the Arm > On and On and On

HORSEGIRL GALLERY

WILCO GALLERY

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
Sid Seth Drops Sizzling “Hopeless War,” More Music to Come

Singer-songwriter Sid Seth has a new single “Hopeless War,” out now, and announced that more new music is coming. The new single, released via Earmilk, was accompanied by a music video in support. If “Hopeless War,” is any indication, Seth will have a long and successful career ahead of him.

Singer-songwriter Sid Seth. Credit: Dara Ó Cairbre

Sid Seth is originally from India and moved to New York City to pursue a career in music in 2018, studying at the Manhattan School of Music. His music is a combination of soul and pop, drawing inspiration from The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Boney M, and Abba, while his father introduced him to the rhythm and melodies of Bollywood, Hindustani Folk Music, and Indian Classical music. Seth’s enriching sound can be honorably compared to the likes of Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Since moving to New York City, Seth has performed at several music venues, including the Rockwood Music Hall, Parkside Lounge, the Bowery Electric, Breaking Sound, Feinstein’s 54 Below, and the Green Room, on top of multiple cities in India. Seth has received acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone India, Earmilk, Celeb Mix, Variance, and Atwood Magazine, and, with thousands of streams across his repertoire, we are likely to see much more of him in the future.

The strength of “Hopeless War,” comes from its versatility. Almost everyone can relate to that feeling, whether it be in a romantic relationship, friendship, or even familial relationship, when something is just not working anymore, and you have to let each other go. Enough is enough. With Seth’s powerful lyrics, hopefully, anyone struggling with whatever situation they’re in can find the courage to do whatever they need to do. Because of this, it’s safe to assume future music by Seth, which has already been confirmed by the singer, will similarly resonate with audiences.

Of his newest track, Sid wrote: “‘Hopeless War’ comes from a classic situation: a battle of ‘you did this, I did that.’ Both parties go crazy, and after a certain point in the argument, it doesn’t even make sense anymore. Someone takes the lead and is like, ‘Okay, let’s just end this, it’s pointless.’ It’s that scene. And after all that, it leaves you with silence and the question lingering ‘where do we go now?’

The latest single by Sid Seth, “Hopeless War,” is now streaming. Stay tuned for more music coming soon.

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
JAWNY Electrifies New York City’s Bowery Ballroom

On Friday March 31st, lo-fi pop rocker JAWNY took over Manhattan’s infamous Bowery Ballroom. JAWNY and his opener Wallice had performed their first night in New York City at Brooklyn’s Baby’s Alright just a couple nights before, but they expressed their bottled excitement they withheld for the ballroom. Just over half way through their North American tour, the JAWNY and his crew still had lots of energy to rock with.

Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

The opening act, Wallice, put on a full indie-rock concert of her own. The crowd was immediately responsive to her sound, as they sang all her lyrics right back to her. Her stage presence was inviting, and commanded a sort of confidence most artists aim to possess. The Bowery Ballroom show was Wallice’s last with JAWNY, because as he revealed later in his set, she will be supporting The 1975 on their Australian leg of tour set to start on April 8th. She kicked off JAWNY’s North American Tour at the start of March, and concluded her contribution with an electric bang.

When Wallice bid her farewells, the floor of the ballroom volumized tight with fans. Conversation was buzzing under the fluorescent blue lights, and the clock ticked down meticulously to JAWNY’s set. Finally, the lights dimmed and the universal music-listener’s hype song “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers took over the speakers. The conversational buzz erupted into an animated sing along. When the first chorus fell into silence, the crowd jumped and called out for JAWNY.

Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

The instrumental intro mimicked the “Twin Peaks Theme” song. The eerie guitar riff turned hype as it successfully revved up the crowd. On the stage was a tall mannequin with a long-haired platinum wig adorned in a suit to mimic JAWNY’s presentation, a green electric guitar, a bass, and a drumset. Out came JAWNY’s supporting band members, Gambee on the bass and Curtis Kelley on the drums, and they took to their instruments. They played their own welcoming intro for JAWNY before he ran onto the stage, pumping his arms to elicit screams from the crowd. He wanted noise, and unsurpassable volume is what he got.

It seemed as though the crowd’s volume exceeded Bowery’s usual noise capacity. As the strobe lights cascaded onto the crowd and the percussion pounded against the venue’s foundation, the building’s body began to shake. Before singing his first song, JAWNY affirmed into the mic, “It feels good to be home in New York City baby.”

Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

He dove into his setlist with one of his most popular songs “strawberry chainsaw.” The song’s lyrics preached the paradoxical sweet violence of young love, as did many of the songs on his setlist. JAWNY’s lyrics paid ode to the blissful oblivion of being young and the tumultuous and continuous transition into the awareness that’s only awarded to a person by time. His rocker presence invoked a surge of movement in the audience. As he jumped and kicked around on stage while shredding his guitar, members of the crowd bounced on and off of each other.

In between songs, he paused to tell a story he “hasn’t told on tour yet.” He reminisced on a Whitney concert he saw at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, another renowned New York City venue, in 2016. He told his girlfriend at the time that he was going to sell out a venue like this. She and his friends laughed at him, because he had never put out a song. The crowd also collectively laughed in response, but he interjected and declared his dreams fruition, “But you all made that dream come true. I just sold out two nights in New York City!”

Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

His music held such an individual sound, but shared the affectivity of artists like Twenty-One Pilots, COIN, Still Woozy, and Peach Pit. This promised a night of dancing and scream-singing various fan-favorite lyrics. JAWNY revealed that the Bowery Ballroom show was going to have “the longest set on tour.” He went on to play new and old songs, like his aged song “4Tounce,” that weren’t usually on his setlist.

Photograph by Sophie Gurwitz

As the night flowed on, JAWNY expressed his gratitude for New York City. “Y’all are f*ckin’ fun,” he praised. Sadly, the neon lights had to fade and the high energy had boiled down to a steaming simmer. When JAWNY made his final departure and the ballroom lights turned on signaling the crowd’s exit, there was a brief moment of the surreal. Music was still playing in everyone’s ears and the lights danced behind their eyes. Everyone stood still.

Photographs by Sophie Gurwitz

April 4, 2023
How IDK Used Jazz And Formula 2 To Make His Best Project To Date

Wow, what can be said about IDK’s F65 Listening Party? From beginning to end, IDK made it an intimate, beautiful, and thought-provoking experience. Studio 368 in Tribeca was the setting for this intimate gathering, where guests were served drinks and food in a kitchen-like setting before being led through a private screening of his comprehensive and movie-like project.

The name F65 has a specific meaning. 65 represents the year of Malcolm X’s death, and F represents Formula One (also known as F1), the highest class of international single-seat car racing in the world. IDK, whose name stands for “Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge,” drew inspiration from both these elements to create a unique and powerful project.

IDK’s decision to make jazz the foundation of his new project while also infusing it with the fast-paced energy of F1 racing resulted in a unique and powerful listening experience. The thought-provoking and emotional tracks that address the difficulties faced by black people when interacting with the police, such as “Mr. Police,” are a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. The inclusion of club-rocking hits adds an element of fun and excitement, ensuring that the album appeals to a wide range of listeners. This perfect blend of social commentary, musical skill, and entertainment value sets IDK apart as an artist who is unafraid to tackle important issues while still delivering a memorable and enjoyable experience.

The project as a whole was truly incredible and is proving to be a defining album in IDK’s discography. He is planning strategic brand partnerships with F1 and recently released his first single on MSNBC as part of his rollout. IDK proved to be a force in music before, and after this listening party, it is very clear he is about to shock the masses once again.

Learn more about IDK on his website here

April 3, 2023
A Little Touch of Nathaniel Rateliff at Lincoln Center

On April 1st, the stage at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center was set for a truly special night of music, as Nathaniel Rateliff took the stage to perform Harry Nilsson’s album A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night. Backed by a full orchestra, Rateliff brought new life to these classic songs and captured the essence of Nilsson’s unique and captivating sound.

A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night is an album of classic 20th century standards. Originally released in 1973, the album features Nilsson’s interpretations of tunes from the Great American Songbook, including “As Time Goes By,” “Makin’ Whoopee,” and “Always.”

Rateliff’s performance of these songs was nothing short of spectacular, his powerful voice soaring above the arrangements of the orchestra. But he didn’t stop there. He also performed a selection of Nilsson’s other hits, including “Everybody’s Talkin’,” “Gotta Get Up,” and “Jump Into the Fire.” These songs are well-known for their catchy melodies and memorable lyrics, and Rateliff did them justice with his heartfelt performances.

Phil Cook opened for Nathaniel Rateliff, showcasing his musical abilities as he played the piano with great proficiency. His soulful and emotive piano playing captured the audience’s attention.

Overall, Nathaniel Rateliff’s performance of Harry Nilsson’s A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night was a night to remember. His soulful voice, backed by a full orchestra, brought new life to these classic songs and captured the spirit of Nilsson’s timeless music.

Nathaniel Rateliff – David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center – April 1, 2023

Setlist: Lazy Moon, For Me and My Gal, It Had to Be You, Always, Makin Whoopee, You Made Me Love You, Lullaby in Ragtime, I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now, What’ll I Do, Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You), This Is All I Ask, AS Time Goes By, Everybody’s Talkin, The Moonbeam Song, Gotta Get Up, Many Rivers To Cross, Jump Into the Fire, Turn On Your Radio

April 3, 2023