Athletes have a long history of being great hosts on Saturday Night Live, and two-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce added his name to the list when he hosted this week’s episode, with musical guest Kelsea Ballerini.
Following a Fox News Morning Show spoof as the cold open, Kelce presented himself on stage, fitting in naturally from the start. With his mom, dad and brother Jason (a Center for the Philadelphia Eagles) sitting in the front row, he poked fun at himself and his reality show Catching Kelce, as well as the awkwardness in beating your brother in the Super Bowl.
After Travis Kelce showed his range in “American Girl Diner” and “Mama’s Funeral,” Kelce played it straight (literally) to Bowen Yang in “Straight Male Friend,” an instant classic of commercial parodies, this one doubling as a medication ad.
For Kelsea Ballerini’s first performance, the pop singer performed “Blindsided,” from Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, released on Valentines Day 2023. With a six-piece band backing Ballerini with three off to each side of her, the singer, clad in a skin tight black outfit with a silhouetted dancer mirroring her performance behind a changing blue and white screen.
During the song, the recent divorcee added in a jab at ex Morgan Evans, adding in a new line that referenced Evans’ new breakup single “Over for You.” As “Blindsided” ended, Ballerini sang, “Now you’re singin’ it loud on the radio like you’re the only heart that breaks / You would’ve searched the whole world over? Yeah, sure, OK.” Overall, an assertive and impressive performance by Ballerini.
For Ballerini’s second song of the night, she performed in a white floor-length gown with only a pianist on stage for a rendition of “Penthouse,” also off Rolling Up the Welcome Mat. Ballerini sang, “Kissed someone new last night / But now I don’t know where you’re sleeping, baby / We got along real nice, until I wanted out, now I know you hate me.”
Schenectady has hosted the Van Gogh Experience for nearly a year now, and while the exhibit itself is worth a visit, the art of the master painter was brought to new levels with the music of the Grateful Dead. Thanks to Sugar Productions and Exhibition Hub Entertainment, Gratefully Yours performed on Saturday, March 4th at the Schenectady Armory in a room lit up with the art of Vincent Van Gogh.
A packed house of fans experienced a surreal audio/visual delight, as the main room of the Van Gogh Experience – where for over an hour, attendees see a career retrospective of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings, brought to life with 3D animation of his work. Add in a full two hours of Gratefully Yours performing Grateful Dead songs, and the pairing was as perfect as could be.
Hearing the “Sunshine Daydream” portion of “Sugar Magnolia” hitting just as the walls were lit up with images of “View of Arles with Irises” and an added sun rising over the sky made for quite the pairing. While “Dark Star” and “Starry Night” did not sync up, there were moment of pure bliss that could not be anticipated as the walls continued to change and the songs progressed.
Gratefully Yours – Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience – Schenectady Armory – March 4, 2023
Setlist: One More Saturday Night, Casey Jones, China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider > The Music Never Stopped>Bird Song> Truckin’> Eyes of the World> Scarlet Begonias> St. Stephen> The Other One> Space> Franklin’s Tower> The End, Sugar Magnolia> St. Stephen> The Wheel> Sunshine Daydream, Shining Star> Not Fade Away
After three years of pandemic cancellations, Jam Cruisers were excited to sail again, and anticipation was high even before we got on board the Divina, as we met friends on land to plan our “must-see” performances while at sea on Jam Cruise.
Sunday Feb 5 – preparty show at the Citadel
The Jam Cruise preparty was at The Citadel the night before, hosted by GMP Live (founded by Gideon Plotnicki of Brooklyn Comes Alive, who recently created the Miami’s North Beach Music Festival). Karina Rykman’s power trio headlined, with Butcher Brown and Tand supporting. Rykman’s unique punk-flavored rock blew the roof off of The Citadel, preparing us for a wild week. Butcher Brown, a 70s style jazz-fusion mixture of funk and hip-hop got the crowd going, with local south Florida favorites Tand opening the night.Â
Monday Feb 6 – Embarkation
Getting on the MSC Divina was fairly easy this year, in spite of pre-boarding concerns about delayed cruise documents. While in line, I asked Reed Mathis about his Electric Beethoven plans, since his long-time cohort Brian Haas was playing his first Jam Cruise. Reed said he invited five different drummers, and was looking forward to the experiment.
On the Pool Deck, it was heart-warming to see Captain Toast, Cloud 9, and fans hoist our glasses in solidarity. Joined by Cloud 9’s Founder Mark Brown and Director of Artist Programming Annabel Lukins Stelling (along with other Cloud 9 top staff), the Sailaway Toast prepared us for the opening band, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners. A zesty “Cissy Strut” was launched, as fans dressed up for the Three Years of Sparkles (fan-voted costume theme) erupted. Jam Cruise Lifer extraordinaire, Karl Denson, surprised us on sax for Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine”, with an island vibe.
I left to see Jason Crosby play a breathtaking solo piano set in The Atrium (majestic 5-story central lobby of the ship boasting opulent Swarovski crystal staircase). I soaked in Crosby’s fountain of notes, then hopped over to the Black and White Lounge to catch the fun psychedelic Jersey Shore rock band, Dogs in a Pile, a fun, relatively new band.
I caught a sample of the much-talked-about Vulfpeck/Cory Wong offshoot, The Fearless Flyers, in the Pantheon Theatre, including a flawless cover of Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the Years”. I went topside to catch our favorite funkmasters, Lettuce, on the Pool Deck, who met gale-force winds head-on with largely old school classics, adding a handful of new masterpieces, like “Vamonos| from Unify. As the wind lashed the stage, techs frenetically gaffed down mic stands, as expert riggers took down the huge speaker banners that were now dangerously flapping in the extreme winds.
Neighbor was another new band I’ve seen recently, another fan favorite on the boat. I caught Neighbor in the Black & White Lounge, then slipped back topside for on the best performances of the week, by Toronto’s finest, The New Deal. Weeks prior, TnD tapped Scotty Zwang, a talented drummer from Dopapod, Ghost Light, & RAQ, who clicked like clockwork with their unique form of livetronica.
I swung back to the Theatre for a little SunSquabi before going topside again for The Word, a superband comprised of John Medeski, Luther & Cody Dickenson, and Robert Randolph. Medeski played fiercely, with Robert & Luther trading off slide solos with southern heat. I ducked into the Jam Room for Cool Cool Cool, with many sit-ins (Kanika Moore and dozens of others – but I could barely see, being completely packed by 3am).
Around 4 am, I took the glass elevator up to the Galaxy Disco for DJ Brownie’s first night, with a surprise sit-in on vocals by Karina Rykman. Brownie thumped the disco until almost 5:30 am, but I wasn’t sleepy, so I wandered the upper decks searching for signs of life. I heard music, where I found a fellow Jam Cruiser, Ethan Alpert, who somehow got his DJ rig on the boat to mix a surprise pop-up set on the balcony above the Pool Deck. That was one of many random pop-ups that happen on Jam Cruise. My first night ended at 7:15am.
Tuesday Feb 7 – Day at Sea – Costume Theme: Decade You Were Born
Pixie & the Partygrass Boys opened the pool deck with their infamous “Appreciate Where You Came From”, as fans yelled, “Go Vaginas!”. Afterwards, The Lil Smokies imported Montana bluegrass to the Pool Deck, who Annabel announced them as “her favorite band”, hugging the band’s dobro player, Andy Dunnigan, then dancing with fans.
Bad Boy Bingo by Little Stranger ensued in La Luna with a hilarious diversion from music. At 4pm, Amy & Dave had their wedding in the Atrium. Having met on a past Jam Cruise, they invited friends and Jam Cruisers, and Annabel announced it over the ship’s intercom. The sound crew delivered a cordless mic to the couple, whose speeches invoked tears and laughter across the Atrium. Laughter & congratulations greeted the newlyweds afterwards on the Pool Deck.
Several friends got their 4th-year Repeat Offender robes, so I joined the robe ceremony happy hours on the back of the pool deck at the Garden Bar (a smaller stage & bar next to an infinity pool). Drinks and appetizers flowed, as old friends and Lifers hugged after years of separation.
The most anticipated band, Cymande, from the UK & founded in 1971, had not played in roughly 30 years. Cymande drove classic 70s pre-hip-hop funk to our eager ears, but their set was cut short by winds, and the pool deck stage closed for the rest of the day & night. Like before, Cloud 9 staff deftly rescheduled & rearranged bands throughout the ship.
The Fearless Flyers’ pool deck set was moved to the Atrium, where fans packed the house, since some of us missed their Theatre set the first night. Doom Flamingo was a blast, another recent band many hadn’t seen until Jam Cruise. They’re fronted by the powerful vocals of Kanika Moore, who deserves the MVP award for most appearances, bringing her intense energy & poise to every performance. Doom’s bassist Ryan Stasik delivered the low end, with fans packing in the B&W Lounge as music schedules realigned.
I caught The Sweet Lillies in the Atrium, who also hosts “The Spot” (a pop-up stage started by Nathan Moore, then handed over to the Sweet Lillies as caretakers, on Promenade Deck 7). The Spot is an acoustic jam circle, assisted by fans who boisterously sing along to popular favorites and occasional originals.
Fruition in the theatre was joined by the legendary Mike Dillon, who’s performed on every Jam Cruise but one, taking every band he plays with into another dimension, with his punkadelic-driven vibraphones and manic energy. Andy Frasco & the UN in the theatre were joined by Kanika Moore on vocals and Richard James on keys from Neighbor, with the band and fans erupting at peak moments, as band members ran all around stage.
Jam Room that night was hosted by Shira Elias and Lamar Williams, Jr, with Nikki Glaspie on drums, D.J. Williams on guitar, with horns from various bands, as well as Adam Deitch on drums, among many others. My night ended with DJ AirWolf in the Disco – another fulfilling day & night of fun!
Wed Feb 8 – Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
I brunched on the ship, then strolled off the docks to check out local port facilities, finding tiki bars, squawking parrots, mischievous monkeys, then wandering further until finding the ginormous pool with swim-up bars. I ran into D.J. Williams, Brownie, and Dan Kelly (bassist for Neighbor), along with other artists and friends.The pool party was lit, and I got invited up to dance w/ Dan & friends in the middle of the pool to cheesy DJ music, partying just enough to not drown in the pool and make it back to the boat in one piece.
The Bamboos, a funk & soul band from Australia fired up the Pool Deck stage as everyone got situated back on the boat, and we sailed away from the DR, bound for Grand Turk. Just before this, Doom Flamingo had their new album preview at the back Garden Bar & pool. I caught Chris Spies on piano in the Atrium, joined by George Porter Jr, and many others.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, another one of my all-time favorite bands, fired up the Pool Deck that evening. I caught a little more New Deal in the Theatre, then set camp on the couch right next to Reed Mathis in the Atrium for the most inspiringly creative “planned improv” on the ship, Electric Beethoven. Brian Haas, a friend of Reed’s for thirty years, was elated to be on Jam Cruise for his very first time.
Five masterful drummers, including Nikki Glaspie, Mike Dillon, Dave Watts, and Stanton Moore, all joined Reed on different Beethoven songs. I was lucky to catch the full set, sitting right next to Reed, watching the magic & mystery unfold in front of me. I caught the tail end of lespecial, another recent add to Jam Cruise, and another favorite of mine who I’ve seen a few times, even recently in DC.
Trouble No More is another new superband who tore up the Pool Deck around midnight, with deftly-delivered Allman Brothers classics by the young guitar prodigy Taz & his brother on bass, Daniel Donato on guitar, Jack Ryan and Nikkie Glaspie on drums, Peter Levin on keys, and the masterful pedal steel fury of Roosevelt Collier. They were also one of the favorite bands on the boat and had a big crowd topside.
However, George Porter Jr. & Dumpstaphunk were playing a full Meters set in the Theatre, and Trouble No More also had a Theatre set on Friday, so I cut over to the Pantheon for some Meters magnificence. I zoomed all the way to the back of the ship for a little Delvon Lamarr, but came back to The Theatre for another incredible Lettuce set, with better sound (vs the wind storm topside the first night). I got to the Jam Room very late for Shawn Eckels, but being packed again, I listened from the perimeter and called it an “early” night around 4:30 am.
Thu Feb 9 – Day at Sea – Mardi Gras – Dogs in a Pile, Mihali, Fruition, Everyone Orchestra, Butcher Brown, Dumpstaphunk, Punkadelic, Peter Levin piano, Galactic Pool Deck, The Lil Smokies Theatre, Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit, Doom Flamingo Pool Deck, Neal Francis Theatre, George Porter Jr. Jam Room, DJ Brownie
Purple, Green and Gold blazed in the wonderful sun for Dogs in a Pile on the Pool Deck to kick off day 4, followed by Mihali’s band’s repertoire of reggae-flavored originals. Matt Butler’s Everyone Orchestra performed an inspired set in the theatre with a wide cast of musicians & singers, while Lebo played acoustic at the back Garden Pool.
Fruition played a lovely set in the afternoon on the pool deck, followed by Butcher Brown, with a sit-in by Nigel Hall. Inside, Eric Benny Bloom treated us to humor and music with his Really Really Tacky Show. Honey Island Swamp Band played their rescheduled “Dark Side of the Swamp” in the Pantheon Theatre during the slot destined for The Broadband (which was unfortunately canceled).
After their smoking set, Dumpstaphunk performed a Mardi Gras style second line march off the pool deck main stage, out into the crowd, then down around back into the cafeteria, much to the delight of diners. Galactic then played, followed by Doom Flamingo on the pool deck, with The Lil Smokies and Neal Francis in the theatre. I strolled over to the Black and White Lounge to catch some of Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit, with George Porter Jr. on bass & vocals, who then hosted the Jam Room after. It was super packed, so I caught some of it, then headed up to the Galaxy Disco to see DJ Brownie’s 2nd set, who met with a comically ginormous bottle of champagne that was shared by friends.
Fri Feb 10 – Grand Turk – Andy Frasco and the UN, phoffman, Trouble No More, Ivan Neville piano Atrium, Dogs in a Pile Bikini Bottom Jam, Honey Island Swamp Band, Fackin’ A, Oteil & Friends Pool Deck, Cymande Theatre, Umphrey’s McGee Pool Deck, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Theatre, Taz Jam Room, DJ Yesmann
A jaunt off the dock brought us to pristine beaches in Grand Turk, where we swam with tropical fish 100 yards out. Vendors sold marginally cold beers, playing Biggie Smalls and other hip-hop legends, while catamarans patrolled the shore blaring cheesy dance classics. Some cruisers took taxis to find other bars & food at the Sand Bar and other local hangs, while a family of blue whales swam near the boat.
Back on board, Andy Frasco & The U. N. kicked off more insanity on the pool deck, while another catastrophe hit the Atrium in the form of Dogs in a Pile Bikini Bottom Jam, with a mixture of stunts, songs, and random acts of humor in a spin-the-wheel game show format, with Karina Rykman playing bass on Ween’s “Ocean Man”.
Ivan Neville packed in the Atrium for heartfelt solo piano set, followed by Greensky’s Paul Hoffman and his band on the pool deck. Taz’s superband Trouble No More fired up in the Theatre, while Honey Island performed “Dark Side of the Swamp”, with Pink Floyd classics, reimagined. Lespecial joined forces with Mike Dillon for Facn’ A in the Jazz Lounge.
Oteil and Umphrey’s closed out the pool deck Friday with inspired sets, while Cymande and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe rocked the Theatre, with Taz hosting the Jam Room, and Little Stranger on the Brews at Sea Stage.
Saturday Feb 11 – day at sea – Neighbor, Karina, Yacht Rock, Dave Watts Super Jam, Umphrey’s McGee, Oteil & Friends, Butcher Brown, Costume Contest w/ Sammi & Shira, Silent Auction, SunSquabi, Galactic, lespecial, Roosevelt Collier Jam Room
Rising at 6 am, I fueled up, strolling to the back of the boat to find Touch of Class hosting the final winner-takes-all Kickball Championship, a yearly fan ritual. The Sports Deck was empty, so I searched the Garden Bar, finding another pop-up jam, Chris Sgammato’sDisplace, a jazzy 4-piece delivering tasty funk to early-risers and up-all-nighters. After Safety gave Displace a half hour notice, we grabbed frozen drinks, heading up to the topmost deck to play kickball.
Neighbor opened the pool deck, debuting Burt Bacharach’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love”, then Karina Rykman played her best set on the final day as we soaked in the last rays of the tropical sun on board. During and after Karina, Paul Hoffman (Greensky Bluegrass) and Mihali played their own acoustic sets by the backside Garden Pool.
Dan Lebowitz’s Yacht Rock was the most fun set, playing Rupert Holmes’ “Pina Colada”, The Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes” (Jenn Hartswick), “Hey Nineteen” with Joel Cummins on lead vocals, “Somebody’s Baby” (Jackson Browne), Magic (Olivia Newton-John), Ivan Neville & Nigel Hall on George Benson’s “Give Me the Night”, “Lowdown” (Boz Scaggs) w Karl Denson on flute & vocals, with The Horn Section on all songs. Dave Watts Super Jam hosted 46 musicians, possibly a new Jam Cruise record. Judith Hill and Kanika Moore brought their vocal prowess to “Higher Ground”. Midway through, Watts’ super jam covered Led Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” (appropriately) and “Trampled Under Foot”, but “Grease” was the crowd-pleaser, with Shira Elias singing lead vocals, backed up by Sammi & Josh, Mike Dillon on percussion, Adam Deitch and Scotty Zwang, and others.
The last night, Umphrey’s McGee played another two-hour-long set on the pool deck, with irreverent humorous banter and a song for Andy Frasco’s birthday (joking that his body’s ashes we’d line up to smoke later, briefly teasing B.O.C.’s Don’t Fear the Reaper). A pinnacle of their set was Radiohead’s “Creep”, with Kanika Moore adding her mournful voice.
One of the biggest jam conflicts, Oteil and Friends played around the same time as Umphrey’s in the Theatre, treating loyal fans to the ARU staple, “Fixin’ to Die” (Bukka White), with “Blue Sky” into Franklin’s Tower, Allman Brothers covers “Dreams” and “Hot ‘Lanta”, with Vaylor Trucks joining on guitar and Karl D on sax, finishing up with The Peacemakers’ original, “Rooster”. Galactic closed out the Theatre, while SunSquabi played their hottest set to close out the Pool Deck.
Roosevelt Collier hosted the last three-plus-hour-long Jam Room with his talented friends, including Taz, Shawn Eckels, D.J. Williams on guitar, with Adam Deitch on drums & percussion, Nikki Glaspie on drums, who also flexed her rap skills, along with Shira Elias and other vocalists, The Horn Section as well as members of KDTU horns, and many others.
DJ AirWolf closed out the disco, thumping us into dawn. Over-satiated and exhausted from seven days and nights of reckless abandon, we crawled to our rooms to pack and catch a few z’s before rising at 8:30 am to amble back to the vastly overrated land society that we sometimes call “civilization”.
Each year, I exclaim that this Jam Cruise was the “best one yet”, and this year was no exception. From the superb planned performances to the surprise sit-ins and random pop-up jams, there is really nothing like it on land or sea.
Capital Region native DJ Hollyw8d has collaborated with fellow artists from the area to bring fans his debut single, “Revelation.” The single, featuring vocals by Chaz Money, who has worked with rappers such as Jadakiss (“What If”), and singer L.Y.S., is DJ Hollyw8d’s first of many songs to come. Speaking to the power of hope and perseverance, “Revelation” is a modern-day gospel that many will want to sing along to.
The first single by the Capital Region native is sure to leave fans wanting more. The track is a unique kind of rap that can put audiences in touch with their soul and feelings, not just put them in a party mood. Artists had the following to say about their experience with DJ Hollyw8d:
It says a lot about you as an artist when you can collectively come up with something while maintaining your character and style. It usually takes one to take the lead during a collaboration and DJ Hollyw8d to that lead and set us up with a very dynamic catchy hook.
– Chaz Money
Originally from Brooklyn, Hollyw8d performs for crowds all throughout the Upstate New York Capital Region. He hosts a radio segment on WCDB 90.9 FM to promote the arts and music. In honor of his dedication and commitment to the Capital Region music scene, DJ HollyW8d was the recipient of a 2022 4th-annual Capital Region Thomas Edison Merit Award. Presented by local legend DJ Trumastr, the award gave recognition to the impact HollyW8d and his organization, More Music Less Violence, has made on the community since its conception.
Trying to find the notes with such a contrast of voices was actually a little hard but I’ve always loved a challenge and working with Chaz and Mario on this was not only a pleasure but a privilege. This piece of work, (like all my art) is special to me, but this one especially reflects on the journey and where I’m personally at now.
– L.Y.S.
“Revelation” comes on the heels of DJ Hollyw8d’s first successful Annual Gala for his organization More Music Less Violence. Filmed in Cohoes, the bare church setting emphasizes the single’s message of hope it seems like nothing else is left. Ultimately, the song is set to inspire and uplift those at their lowest.
I Feel when other people see just as much value in your beats as you do, it can boost your confidence tremendously. But the meat and potatoes are when the producer, artist, and engineer get in one room and just lock in. That is when the magic happens. -Producer Phantom ODE
Stay tuned for more information about DJ Hollyw8d, including the announcement of an upcoming East Coast Tour. Watch the “Revelation” music video on Youtube.
On Friday, March 4th at The Linda in Downtown Albany, Sarah King and Sydney Worthley kicked off the venue’s month-long event celebrating Women’s History month with their Women’s Voices Concert Series. Despite the impending snowstorm, nearly every seat was filled, yet it was still an intimate and delightful show.
Sydney Worthley
Local phenom Sydney Worthley kicked things off. This young lady (only 17!) can write the types of songs that most people double her age would struggle to write, let alone understand, and her voice sounds like she has been training for decades, except that’s impossible. She played with guitarist TJ Foster and the pair’s chemistry on stage was delightful.
If you haven’t gotten a chance to see or hear Sydney, she just released her first full-length music video called “Heart Shaped Mess.” Or you can catch her playing with Lucid Street at Putnam Place on March 10th.
Sarah King
As someone who has been covering shows for quite some time, it is a struggle to find the words to describe just how delicious it was to watch Sarah King perform. First of all, her voice is incredibly unique — she started off training in opera and it shows despite the fact that she doesn’t sing in that style at all anymore. Her range is unlike anything I have heard before. She can go from a Janice Joplin-type growl to a stunning high note within a millisecond and she makes it look easy.
Like Sydney, Sarah is a songwriter and a storyteller and her lyrics are so powerful it felt like she was speaking for every woman when she was up on that stage. If you missed last night’s performance, it won’t be your last time to hear from Sarah. She has released four new tracks recently and is recording an album in May that is due out this summer. Friday’s show was her kick-off to a month-long series of shows celebrating Women’s History Month.
Setlist: Wedding Rings, Not Worth the Whiskey, Oh Mama, Nightstand, Cold Hard Ground, Crazy People, Always an Almost, You Were Wrong, War Pigs (Black Sabbath), Blame it on the Booze.
Check out the full gallery from the evening with Sarah King and Sydney Worthley below.
On February 28, Joe Bonamassa performed at the historic Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. Two fans shared their thoughts from the show, accompanied by photos by Zachary Todtenhagen.
Since opening for B.B. King at age 12, Joe Bonamassa has continued to grow and display his unparalleled guitar skills. Out of the 16 shows I’ve seen, Joe always has a unique theme, 70’s funk, big band, old time blues, etc. the show on Tuesday, February 28, was reminiscent of good old rock and role. Joe played a bunch of new songs with some of his older hits mixed in.
The crowd was whooping and hollering when “Dust Bowl” was played and everyone was on their feet for the encore, “Sloe Gin”. It seems like Joe’s ability to play the guitar somehow evolves and improves at every show he plays, keeping the audience surprised, entertained, and always coming back for more. – Kailey Gyorffy.
My uncle first introduced my mother and I to Joe Bonamassa about a year before this show. He played a show at The Tralf that I unfortunately missed. When I heard he was coming back to Buffalo and to Shea’s I knew it was a show I couldn’t miss. My mom took me to the show for my birthday with my brother. The music was comforting. It brought me back to the time I was young and covered me with a warm blanket. A time when I was picking my parents brains for that quality old school rock and roll, blues, you name it. If I had to compare this to anything it would be that. A feeling of what it was like to be alive through the 70’s.
He busted out beautiful guitar after beautiful guitar and had some really great banter in between. His stage presence was one of experience and confidence. Joe used that presence to bring you in closer rather than intimidate, with fun body movements, gestures, and words. It was definitely one of those shows that you wish never stopped, but end up saying ‘WOW That went fast.” – Doug Recore
Araya, a Thai-Chilean NYC native and multi-hyphenate artist announced the release of a track from his forthcoming ARENA EP, “Poison”.
If you have recently experienced a gruesome heartbreak, “POISON” is the song for you. Araya’s new track brings life to the feelings you cycle through while healing from challenging breakups. This is especially for instances where although someone isn’t right for you, they still have a strong hold on your heart. The drop in bass along with Araya’s voice symbolizes a sinking heart along with the remembrance of the relationships’ highs and lows.
Araya’s music video of “POISON” is an introduction into the world he’s created with this new music. It warns listeners of the deeply felt emotions that the lyrics replicate.
“Poison is one of the most honest songs on ARENA as it acts as a sort of confessional for me, acknowledging my part in toxic cycles that I felt like we’re bigger than me. I’m realizing both in my writing & in this song specifically that I always leave myself a trail of hope for a better me, even if in that moment I can’t project that into my actual life. Poison is my submission to a cruel love; accepting that & my previous choices, in hopes of eventually growing from it all.”
-Araya
Born and raised in Long Island, Araya attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and trained to become a graphic designer while dreaming of a career in music. Araya’s struggle with purpose, identity, and spirituality are visible through his music in how he mixes vintage and futuristic sounds into a mesmerizing blend of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and electronic music. The young star uses music as an outlet to comprehend and channel life experiences into reflective tales of self-acceptance and understanding.
In the February of 2022 Araya released his sophomore LP, Ethos. Following the release of Ethos, Araya has collaborated with a myriad of producers & artists such as CLIP, Y2K, Yeek, Monte Booker, Junior Varsity and Cautious Clay. “POISON” can be bought or streamed here.
The Winery Dogs (TWD) took the stage at the Agora Theater in Cleveland on Thursday, March 2nd. They delivered a spellbinding performance that had the crowd on their feet from the first notes of “Gaslight”. The band consists of Richie Kotzen on guitar and vocals, Billy Sheehan on bass and backing vocals, and Mike Portnoy on drums and backing vocals. Known for their incredible musicianship and infectious energy, TWD did not disappoint. This show was their closest to Western New York this tour cycle and a great deal of fans took I-90 West from Buffalo to Cleveland.
Billy Sheenhan and Richie Kotzen
Kotzen’s guitar playing was nothing short of breathtaking. His fingers flying over the fretboard as he effortlessly transitioned between intricate riffs and soaring solos. Meanwhile, Sheehan’s bass work was nothing short of incredible, with his signature style of playing providing a funky backbone to the band’s sound. And Portnoy’s drumming was as rock-solid as ever, with his beats and fills driving the band’s performance forward. You can say he is the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time).
Mike Portnoy
The band’s setlist was a masterclass in rock and roll, featuring songs from their entire catalog. Classics like “Captain Love” and “Hot Streak” had the crowd singing along at the top of their lungs, while newer tracks like “Mad World” and “Stars” showcased the band’s versatility and range. The inclusion of a bass solo and “The Red Wine” allowed Sheehan to shine, showcasing his incredible technical skills and unique style.
But it wasn’t just the music that made the night so special. The Winery Dogs’ stage presence was magnetic, with each member exuding a sense of joy and passion for the music they were playing. The chemistry between the band members was palpable, with each musician feeding off of the others’ energy and elevating the performance to new heights.
As a music photographer, I was thrilled to be in the audience capturing the magic of the night. From Kotzen’s intense facial expressions to Sheehan’s lightning-fast fingers, there was never a dull moment on stage. And Portnoy’s playful interaction with the crowd and his bandmates made for some truly memorable moments.
The encore of “Regret” and “Elevate” was a fitting end to an incredible night, with the band leaving everything on stage and the crowd cheering for more. The Winery Dogs proved once again that they are one of the most exciting and talented bands on the rock and roll scene today.
The Winery Dogs’ concert at the Agora Theater in Cleveland was a breathtaking display of musicianship, energy, and passion. The band’s technical skills, infectious energy, and undeniable chemistry made for a truly unforgettable night of rock and roll. It’s no wonder that they continue to amass a loyal following of fans and are regarded as one of the best live acts in the business. The Winery Dogs are currently touring in support of their new album III.
Setlist: Gaslight, Xanadu, Captain Love, Hot Streak, Desire, Breakthrough, Time Machine, Stars, Damaged, Mad World, The Other Side, Bass Solo, The Red Wine, I’m No Angel, Oblivion
NYC-based indie-pop artist Olivia Reid has just released her newest single “Runner’s High,” on March 3rd. This new eclectic single serves as a self-reflection of Olivia’s dedication to her path to success, above all of the challenges.
Olivia grabs the attention of her listeners with potent lyrics and a pumping beat. “Runners High” carries you through a musical journey perfect for a windows-down drive or an outdoor festival. She states, “’Runner’s High’ describes the way I’ve conditioned myself to be a workhorse. A product of growing up in America, I guess.”
Based in NYC, Reid’s production style blends indie acoustics with exploratory electronic pop soundscapes, landing listeners in a visceral sonic world. Reid’s interests are diversified, exploring areas such as screenwriting, neuroscience, digesting current events, advocating for nature.
Currently, Olivia is involved with Brian Eno’s charity EarthPercent, she also formerly hosted Spotify For Artists and Notable’s Song Start podcast. Thus, where she interviewed artists like Sam Smith, Victoria Monet, Hayley Williams of Paramore.
As a self-proclaimed “chronic collaborator,” Olivia Reid has connected with audiences around the world via collaborations such as “Time is Mine” with Kidswaste, “What You Came Here For” with Jae Luna, and “Above the Clouds” with SŸDE. Her music has been featured in Flaunt Magazine, Brooklyn Vegan, The New Yorker, and American Songwriter and has been added to several official Spotify playlists like Happy Pop, Metropolis, Chill Tracks, Sunday Session, Dance Hits, and Golden Hour, garnering her over 40 million streams.
Olivia Reid’s debut EP Earth Water hit streaming platforms in 2021, with new songs on the way in 2023. Fueled by deeply personal lyrics and boundary-pushing production, the new project conceptually details an artist’s slow descent into madness.
To listen to “Runner’s High,” click the Spotify link here.
For more about Olivia Reid, click the link to her website here.
Regina Spektor made her long awaited return to Ithaca on Wednesday, March 1, playing to a sold-out crowd at the State Theater. The much-anticipated performance was Spektor’s first in Ithaca since 2016 and was the first stop on her spring solo tour. The show, originally scheduled for October 2022, had been postponed after Spektor contracted Covid-19.
As the clock approached 8:30, excitement in the theater became palpable, with the sold-out crowd eagerly awaiting Spektor’s arrival. Moments later, the house lights dimmed, and Spektor strutted to the front of the stage. She greeted the crowd with an excited wave and a curtsy before launching into the a-cappella track “Ain’t No Cover.” Spektor immediately had a captive hold of her audience.
Following the opening number, Spektor took her familiar seat in front of her piano and continued her diverse musical journey. A classically trained pianist at heart, Spektor has been performing on the piano since the age of six. Tracks like “Folding Chair” and “Better” took new life while being stripped to their piano-laden foundation. She delighted the audience with the quirky “Reginasaurus” (while her guitar was being tuned for “That Time,”), sang in three languages on “Apres Moi”, and showed off her storytelling abilities with the cryptic and political “Ballad of a Politician”. Despite the emotional nature of her music, Spektor kept the mood light between songs, telling comical stories of failed rehearsal attempts prior to the evening’s show.
With the evening winding to a close, Spektor delighted the crowd with “Fidelity,” a standout track from her 2006 album Begin To Hope. The audience joined in, singing along on the catchy chorus. Following the song, Spektor left the stage briefly, to a standing ovation. She returned moments later, and obliged the audience with a previous request; by performing the emotional ballad “Samson”. The audience, in complete silence, hung on her every word until the end.
It is a rare feat in this day and age to see an audience so fully immersed in a live performance, but Regina Spektor clearly held a captive spell over the theater. A glance around the room was not met with the glow of cellphones, but rather audience members hanging on Spektor’s every note. It is a true testament to her talents as a songwriter and performer.
