NYS Music 2023

Category: New York Singles

  • Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire Release Music Video, Upcoming NYC Show

    Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire released a video for their new track “Here We Go Again,” alongside an upcoming Eastern US tour this September. The group will make a stop at New York City’s Bowery Electric on Sept. 9, and will continue with stops across Washington, DC, Winston-Salem, NC, and more.

    Tommy Stinson's Cowboys in the Campfire Upcoming Tour

    “Here We Go Again” is the first track off Cowboys in the Campfire’s debut record, WRONGER. As a founding member of The Replacements, Tommy Stinson and his close friend Chip Roberts combined their talents to form the group alongside touring member Chops LaConte this year. “Here We Go Again” features Stinson on the ukulele, with the quirky video showing clips of tour life, Stinson getting a haircut, and the group across chicken coops and living rooms.

    Tommy Stinson's Cowboys in the Campfire

    In a previous interview with NYS Music, Tommy Stinson discussed his love of performing, saying, “I gotta play for the peoples a little bit because it’s what keeps me alive.” Keeping Cowboys in the Campfire on the road is the group’s current priority, as they embark on their tour this September.

    Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire is Tommy Stinson and Chip Roberts, with live accompaniments by Chops LaConte.

    More information and tickets for the upcoming tour are available here.

    Upcoming Tour Dates

    Sep 6 – Cambridge, MA – Q Division Studios

    Sep 7 – Sandy Hook, CT – Backyard Show  

    Sep 8 – Lambertville, NJ – More Than Q

    Sep 9 – New York, NY – Bowery Electric

    Sep 12 – State College, PA – 145 Recording Studio

    Sep 13 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Government Center

    Sep 14 – Washington, D.C – Backyard Show

    Sep 15 – Norfolk, VA – Sanctuary DMZ

    Sep 19 – Knoxville TN – Next Level Brewing 

    Sep 20 – Louisville, KY – Spanish Fly Barbershop

    Sep 21 – Dayton, OH – Blind Rage Records

    Sep 22 – Akron, OH – BuzzBin

    Oct 1 – Halifax, NS – The Carleton

    Oct 4 – Charlottetown, PE – Trailside Music Hall

    Oct 6 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti

    Oct 7 – Bolton, QC – The Thirsty Boot

    Oct 8 – Kingston, ON – The Mansion

    Oct 10 – Kitchener, ON – The Hub

    Oct 11 – Toronto, ON – Bovine Sex Club

    Oct 12 – St. Catherine’s, ON – The Warehouse

    Oct 13 – Windsor, ON – Dominion House Tavern

  • Maya Donovan Drops Newest Single “The Company”

    Maya Donovan, released her newest single, “The Company,” on September 8, a song sure to appeal to audiences that share similar struggles, and with her blending of folk, jazz, and pop, it’s sure to perk up the ears of music listeners.

    Maya Donovan in warm lighting in front of blank wall.

    Maya Donovan has been expressing her emotions through music since she was a little girl. She mastered piano at seven years old, while also learning how to bring her melodies to life.

    This song is no exception. Maya Donovan’s, “The Company” is a song that addresses her anxiety directly, personifying her fears and struggles as a real person. She discusses the constant feeling of being in limbo: unsure if the symptoms she experiences are just “in her head,” or a genuine illness.

    The title, “The Company,” has two meanings, one being the unexpected companionship Donovan finds in her anxiety, and the other suggesting something more insidious. Donovan explains, “anxiety sometimes feels like it’s being orchestrated by this sinister network that I’m always trying to outsmart, a ‘company’ if you will, with a conspiracy to overthrow me from my own body.”

    Maya Donovan crafts a powerful, relatable story for those who also struggle with their mental health, and the journey it takes to rediscover yourself on the never-ending mental health journey.

    Donovan graduated from the prestigious LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts in New York City. The skills she learned while at this school are prevalent in all her performances at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village.

    Maya Donovan’s latest single, “The Company,” is now available for streaming and download on all digital platforms. For more information on Maya Donovan, visit her website MayaSings.com.

    Catch Maya Donovan this fall

    Tuesday, September 12 – City Winery – The Loft , with Song Suffragettes

    Thursday, September 28 – The Bitter End, NYC

  • Josh Schwartz Unveils Solo Project “JOSCH” with Soulful Debut Single “Icarus In Motion”

    Josh Schwartz, well known in the jam scene as the tall baritone saxophone player and occasional singer from Turkuaz and Cool Cool Cool, has announced his solo project, JOSCH. Pronounced like his first name, JOSCH debuts with his soulful debut single, “Icarus In Motion.”

    Josh Schwartz JOSCH Icarus in Motion

    “Icarus in Motion” features Schwartz alone on all vocals and instruments, with the entire track his brainchild. With pre-production support from producer/songwriter Rob O’Block, Schwartz makes a grand entrance as a solo performer, channeling the likes of James Blake and Hosier.

    A modern day reimagining of the ancient Greek myth of Icarus – who ignored his father’s warning and flew too close to the sun, melting the wax that held his wings together and plummeting him to his death into the ocean – Schwartz was inspired by “The Power of Myth” by Joseph Campbell, and spoke to NYS Music, sharing deeper insight into the lyrics of the track.

    The lyrics are basically a modern-day retelling of the classic Icarus myth. I was partially inspired by Trump’s rise and (hopefully eventual) fall. The character in the song supposedly pulled himself up by his bootstraps (“You come from such humble beginnings/rough hands and dirty shoes/stranger to silver spoons”) but similarly to how some people in this country seem to think Trump did that, the details often tell a different origin story.

    I was also envisioning the main character, Patrick Bateman, from American Psycho and typical Wall Street bros in general. I grew up with and went to college with lots of those types and was always amazed at the degree of materialism they had. 

    With the legend of Icarus taking on a deeper meaning, JOSCH presents “Icarus in Motion” has a departure from the high-energy power funk that Josh Schwartz is known to deliver on stage. “This song and the other tunes I have ready under JOSCH are more in the vein of electro-pop. Lots of synths, lots of emotions. If you’re expecting horn-driven funk, you’re certainly in for a surprise!”

    Josh Schwartz

    Over hard-hitting drums and droning bass, behind-the-beat vocals on “Icarus” sing of a man with a hard upbringing (“rough hands and dirty shoes/stranger to silver spoons”) who rises to great financial success (“you soar on guilded wings/keep score with gods and kings”); in the process, he becomes addicted to and obsessed with the material goods and pleasures he can now afford (“hungrily grasp for more/the endless spoils of war”). Will the man in the song succumb to his own hubris and greed or will he realize the folly of his ways and get a grip on his dangerous habits? You’ll just have to listen to find out.

    JOSCH is available on all streaming platforms now. Listen on Spotify.

    In addition to the single, JOSCH will release an accompanying music video shortly after. Shot on 8mm film and directed by longtime collaborator Dani Barbieri of Two Truths Production, the video brings the imagery of Schwartz’s lyrics to life.

    “Icarus in Motion” Lyrics

    High above it all

    Far from the commotion

    But you’re about to fall

    Icarus in motion

    You come from such humble beginnings

    Rough hands and dirty shoes

    Stranger to silver spoons

    And now you’re drowning in your winnings

    You soar on gilded wings

    Keep score with gods and kings

    No time for self-reflection

    When striving for perfection

    Ambition suits you like the labels that you wear

    (Labels that you wear)

    On the way up, it’s all so thrilling

    ‘Til you remember nothing is under you but air

    High above it all

    Far from the commotion

    But you’re about to fall

    Icarus in motion

    High above it all

    Far from the commotion

    But you’re about to fall

    Icarus in motion

    The universe just keeps on giving

    Hungrily grasp for more

    The endless spoils of war

    They say that life is for the living

    You’ve burned through twenty lives

    Almost as many wives

    The same universe that gave you wings

    Can snatch them back before you blink

    Your narcissism is a dangerous affair

    (Dangerous affair)

    On the way up, it’s all so thrilling

    ‘Til you remember nothing is under you but air

    High above it all

    Far from the commotion

    But you’re about to fall

    Icarus in motion

    It’s always sunny when you’re flying high above the clouds

    Nothing to see below so up and up you go

    No one but yourself can stop you now

    As the sun destroys your wings

    See the angels beckoning

    High above it all

    Far from the commotion

    But you’re about to fall

    Icarus in motion

    High above it all

    Far from the commotion

    But you’re about to fall

    Icarus in motion

  • GWAR Releases Final Recording feat. Oderus Urungus, “Tammy, The Swine Queen”

    GWAR have released a 10th Anniversary Edition of Battle Maximus. fully remixed and remastered, this edition features the final recorded vocal performance of Oderus Urungus on the previously unreleased and never-before heard song “Tammy, The Swine Queen.” 

    Tammy the swine queen

    10 years have passed since the release of GWAR’s masterwork known as Battle Maximus, which served as a tribute to fallen Scumdog Warrior Flattus Maximus (AKA Corey Smoot) and was also the last album recorded with vocalist Oderus Urungus (AKA Dave Brockie) before he departed the planet Earth in 2014.

    “Musically, ‘Battle Maximus’ is a great debut work by Pustulus Maximus, and lyrically, it is the final word of lead singer and band founder Oderus Urungus, The record is run through with the desperate, dangerous, and fully bananas imagination of Oderus. In fact, this re-release includes a song so nutty we named it twice, and then promptly forgot to put it on the record the first time around. ‘Tammy, Queen of Dirt,’ or, ‘Tammy the Swine Queen’ is the final performance of the maestro of mayhem, Oderus Urungus, and for our fans, it does not disappoint,” 

    Blothar the Berserker

    This Fall, GWAR declares war on humanity (again) on their upcoming “Age of Imbeciles” Tour. The infamous Lords and Masters of Shock Rock will return to the road wreaking havoc, and laying waste to audiences across the US and Canada this Fall. Shows in New York include at the Palladium Times Square and The Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls.

    The tour features support from Negative Approach, X-Cops and Cancer Christ on select dates. A complete list of dates can be found below.

    Age of Imbeciles Tour Dates

    10/11: Hampton Beach, NH @ Wally’s*

    10/12: S. Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground*

    10/13: New York, NY @ Palladium Times Square*

    10/14: Reading, PA @ Reverb*

    10/15: Niagara Falls, NY @ The Rapids Theatre*

    10/17: Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix#

    10/18: Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts

    10/19: Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave

    10/20: Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note

    10/21: Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom

    10/22: Huntsville, AL @ Mars Music Hall

    10/24: Richmond, VA @ The National

    10/25: Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz

    10/26: Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel

    10/27: Gainesville, FL @ The Fest, Bo Diddley Plaza

    10/28: Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall

    10/29: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)

    10/30: Orlando, FL @The Beacham

    10/31 – 11/4: Lamb of God’s Headbangers Boat – Sold Out

    11/5: San Mateo Otzacatipan, MX @ Hell & Heaven Festival

    *No X-Cops

    Listen to “Tammy, The Swine Queen” below.

  • NYC Goth Metal Band Nefariant Release “Beg” from Upcoming EP “Noct”

    New York’s goth metal band Nefariant have released their new single “Beg” this August. The first single from their upcoming EP Noct scheduled to release on February 9th, 2024.

    The band includes quartet members vocalist Jason Lekberg, pianist Paul Cibrano, bassist Daniel Martinez, and drummer Andrew Maciejewski. They’ve created a new expression of music they call ‘brutal elegance’ that allows metal to work without a guitarist. The band defines their music by using vocals, piano and bass elements to produce an intense and powerful genre of hard metal.

    ‘Beg’ begins with an instrumental build up that provokes the listeners as Lekberg emits strong and powerful vocals accompanied by the drums. Nefariant once again produces the sound of heavy metal with an array of growled vocals. Thematically darker and deeper with a progressive theme of self-realization and independence.

    Nefariant has begun the release process for Noct by releasing one song a month, starting with “Beg”. In addition, the band has announced an upcoming show in Brooklyn on October 21st at The Meadows. Not only did they release just a new single but a music video as well, highlighting how the song adopts strong vocals, drums and invokes an emotional response that connects the fans to the band.

  • New Recording of Cyndi Lauper’s “Come On Home” to Benefit Mental Health and Drug Addiction Non-Profit

    A new recording of Cyndi Lauper’s “Come On Home” was released on September 1, with proceeds benefitting the Sound Mind Network, a non-profit organization helping those battling mental health issues and drug addiction. The recording features Billboard-charting artist Danni Baylor, with vocals by Cyndi Lauper.

    Come On Home by Danni Baylor and Cyndi Lauper

    Written by Lauper in collaboration with Jerome Baylor, “Come On Home” was produced by Sound Mind Network founder Joe Nicolo. Lauper originally released the song on her 1994 greatest hits album Twelve Deadly Cyns… And Then Some. 

    Proceeds from the song’s release will benefit Sound Mind Network’s Foundation and mission to break the stigma surrounding addiction, while helping those in need fulfill their potential.

    “Come On Home” will feature alongside 10 other tracks on a compilation album for the Sound Mind Network. It will include artists such as The Bacon Brothers, Joan Osborne, Kathy Sledge, Taj Mahal and others.

    The more we learn about mental health, the better we are as a society.  This is an issue we have swept under the rug forever. My hope is that ‘Come On Home’ can raise money to eliminate the shame around mental health that has caused a lot of people to needlessly suffer.

    Cyndi Lauper

    Recorded at Joe’s Garage in Audubon, NJ, the song features Andy Meyer on drums, Jerome Baylor and Mitch Beer on bass, Glenn Hale on keyboard, Brian Fitzy and Bo Rains on guitar, Jay Davidson on horns, and Ryan “Gooch” Nelson on percussion.

    I’ve been fortunate to spend an entire career witnessing the power of music and personal creativity. I am excited and honored to help empower the recovery community through Sound Mind Records. What Cyndi and Danni have done with this beautiful song, and what the other amazing artists are contributing, is truly something special. Their gifts of music are going to help so many others overcome their demons.

    Joe Nicolo

    The Sound Mind Network is dedicated to changing the way the world looks at drug addiction and mental health through music and the arts, according to Nicolo. The organization funds partner programs that empower those struggling to overcome their personal challenges and lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

    “Come On Home” is available on all digital formats and for digital download as part of Sound Mind Network’s Healing Through the Arts program.

  • PRONOUN Returns With Style On New Single “SLAP ME IN THE FACE”

    PRONOUN is back; the moniker of Brooklyn-based Alyse Vellturo released a new single and video for “SLAP ME IN THE FACE.” It’s her first release in over two years, following the 2021 release of her OMG I MADE IT EP.

    PRONOUN is Alyse Vellturo

    “SLAP ME IN THE FACE” is an upbeat alt-pop single with a distinct diction and vocal style that adds flair to a tried-and-true pop rhythm. Contrasting an optimistic sound with rueful, gloomy lyrics, the single carries a captivating, earworm guitar track that shows Vellturo’s technical skill in the realm of simple, but effective. Evoking images of 2000s coming-of-age cinema, the single sets a strong tone for PRONOUN’s upcoming era.

    “SLAP ME IN THE FACE is about a crazy night in with someone that turned into an internal joke of what if the world was literally fucking you. It’s about wanting a better situation but giving in and getting stuck in a moment where everything doesn’t feel horrible. This song poured out of me in one sitting; written, recorded, and produced in one day. The songs I feel the most about, always seem to come this way.”

    The accompanying video shows Vellturo being absolutely pelted by dodgeballs coming at her from every angle.

    Given the title, I always imagined getting somehow slapped in the face in slow motion. When putting a mood board together for the new PRONOUN era I was reminded of one of my favorite scenes in a movie. I Heart Huckabees is a film I could watch everyday until the end of time and discover a new easter egg. At one point Mark Wahlberg and Jason Schwartzmen end up on a log in the park together taking turns thwacking each other in the face with a red rubber ball until they feel a moment of nothingness. They call it ‘the ball thing.’ It fit how I was feeling perfectly when making this song. From that moment I knew it needed to be me standing in a studio getting absolutely destroyed with red dodgeballs.

    PRONOUN

    PRONOUN recently announced upcoming both headline shows and dates supporting SLOTHRUST. The tour boasts five shows across New York State, including Rochester, Albany, New York City, Syracuse, and Jameston. Tickets are on sale now.

    UPCOMING TOUR DATES

    * PRONOUN Headline

    ^ supporting Slothrust

    August 20 – Keene, NH – Nova Arts ^

    August 22 – Boston, MA – Deep Cuts *

    August 23 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall ^

    August 24 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground ^

    August 25 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground ^

    August 26 – Portland, ME – Portland House of Music ^

    August 29 – New York, NY – Heaven Can Wait *

    November 12 – Syracuse, NY – Song & Dance ^

    November 13 – Jamestown, NY – Skatepark ^

    November 16 – Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall ^

    November 17 – Omaha, NE – Reverb ^

    November 18 – Wichita, KS – Wave ^

    November 19 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep ^

  • The Bones of J.R. Jones Releases Single and Video for “The Good Life”

    New York-based artist The Bones of J.R. Jones have released the single and music video for their newest song “The Good Life,” the third leading song for his October 13 album Slow Lightning.

    Photo Credit – Chloe Horseman

    Preparing for his first project in five years, Jonathon Linaberry’s (best known by his stage name The Bones of J.R. Jones) “The Good Life” arrives alongside a music video featuring actress Maggie McDowell who encompasses many of the song’s free-thinking themes in the visual form.

    Across the music video, McDowell ditches the past and thrives on her own, flees the chaos of a day job, explores the open fields of life, and overall indulges in moments of pure joy, the song’s central message.

    Prior to “The Good Life,” Jones dropped “The Flood” on July 17 and the lead single “Heaven Help Me” on June 20, further setting the stage for the 12-track Slow Lightning coming this October.

    When it comes to the creative process for “The Good Life” music video, Linaberry discusses how he “wanted this video to walk the line of joy and heaviness of life,” utilizing McDowell’s acting skills to create the additionally help build the song’s storyline.

    “’The Good Life’ was definitely a product of me trying to break through and learn to enjoy the moment I am in. Even if that moment is hard. Even if it is frustrating. Even if it feels like treading water, which in my mind is a synonym for death. I suppose I wrote ‘The Good Life’ to help remind myself of that. That we can always find a way out.”

    – Jonathon Linaberry (The Bones of J.R. Jones)

    Serving as his first album in five years and the artist’s first collective release since the 2021 EP A Celebration, Slow Lightning expects to display The Bones of J.R. Jones’ folk talent and evolution over the years.

    On top of the upcoming project are his U.S. and European tour from September 2 to November 18 (including four stops in New York) and an album release show at Mercury Lounge in New York City on October 13.

    The Bones of J.R. Jones Tour Dates

    United States –

    9/2 – Fairmont, WV – Palatine Park 

    9/7 – Buffalo, NY – Ninth Ward 

    9/8 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe 

    9/9 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop 

    9/10 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark 

    9/12 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi 

    9/13 – Chicago, IL – Schubas 

    9/14 – Columbus, OH – Basement 

    9/15 – Syracuse, NY – Funk N’ Waffles 

    10/12 – Washington, DC – DC9 

    10/13 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge

    10/14 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios

    10/16 – Richmond, VA – Camel 

    10/17 – Charlottesville, VA – The Southern Cafe and Music Hall 

    10/18 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop

    10/19 – Charlotte, NC – Evening Muse 

    10/20 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic

    10/21 – Nashville, TN – The Basement 

    Europe –

    11/8 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso 

    11/9 – Luxembourg, LUX – Gudde Wellen 

    11/10 – Paris, FR – No.Pi 

    11/11 – London, UK – Omeara 

    11/14 – Cologne, DE – Jaki 

    11/15 – Hamburg, DE – Uebel & Gefährlich 

    11/16 – Berlin, DE – Kantine Berghain 

    11/17 – Leipzig, DE – Naumanns 

    11/18 –Frankfurt, DE – Brotfabrik

  • Nick Vanderwood Returns To Utica For New Single “Shimmy”

    Utica artist Nick Vanderwood dropped his latest single “Shimmy” accompanied by a music video on August 19. “Shimmy” ushers in the next phase of Vanderwood’s artistic journey, as the track signals the incoming release of his September EP Reload. The music video premiere and subsequent live performance headlined the opening ceremonies for the first annual Dreamland Theatre Music and Arts Festival.

    The release of “Shimmy” marks the second audio-visual collaboration between Nick and Utica-born filmmaker, Lukas Sunderlin. The two friends joined forces years ago for Nick’s project “Little Vacation.” Since then, the duo have moved to Los Angeles and have been consolidating their creative visions under their new media production label known as “Monomaniac.” 

    Reload has been in the works for many years, as Vanderwood has struggled with a chronic neck injury that has hindered his performance behind a microphone. “Shimmy” started as a product of Vanderwood’s efforts at putting together a debut album. Recorded at the artists’ home in New York Mills, the track escalated from a brief demo to a full seven-minute cinematic short film. 

    The project not only attests to the creativity of Sunderlin but also the strength of “Shimmy” as a song. Funky, syrupy, and full of attitude, the track is a masterful blend of guitar and bass. The song perfectly fits the mysterious sci-fi world that comes alive in the video. Directed by Sunderlin with cinematography from Scott Sweitzer, the short film is fun and genuine. The duo cultivates an intriguing and imaginative visual experience that helps to showcase Vanderwood’s unique artistic vision. 

    We didn’t want to just throw something together and do something cute. The new work Nick is creating has an amazing amount of energy behind it, so we wanted to make  this a truly cinematic experience that could represent it appropriately.

    Lukas Sunderlin

    Click here for more on Nick Vanderwood, and visit here to listen to “Shimmy.”

  • NYC-Based Black Rose Burning Releases New Single “Night Terrors”

    NYC-based band Black Rose Burning released their latest single, “Night Terrors.” The new song precedes the release of their upcoming album Ad Astra on September 15.

    Formed in 2018 by instrumentalist, producer and engineer George Grant, Black Rose Burning also involves guitarist Frank Morin (World Inferno Friendship Society) and drummer Luis Infantas (Monster Zero).

    “Night Terrors is pretty much straight forward – if you have them, then you know,” Grant said. “If you don’t, imagine being in the middle of sleep but feeling wide awake and in a nightmare. There can even be ‘monsters’ that sometime remain in your consciousness even after you’ve woken up. Nasty business this. I tried to encapsulate the feeling in a song, but I’m not sure you could ever REALLY explain the experience. I haven’t had this happen to me in years, and I hope it never happens again honestly.”

    Ad Astra is Black Rose Burning’s third studio album. In 2021, the post-punk band released their second album The Wheel, one year after debuting with The Year of the Scorpion.

    Black Rose Burning is a very unique combination of Goth, Postpunk, Synthwave, Rock and Shoegaze. The project comes bearing multi-generational influences accepting no boundaries, but still maintaining an overall succinct flow and feel. Grant’s soulful vocal delivery, instantly recognizable voice, and solid instrumentation crossing several genres are standout features of this music. Roughly 40 years of songwriting across various styles helped Grant embellish on clever hooks, drive, and the gothic-pop sensibilities of The Cult’s early years.

    ‘Night Terrors’ is out now exclusively via Bandcamp. The Ad Astra album will be released on September 15 and available digitally on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. That same night, Black Rose Burning will be playing their album release show at NYC’s Mercury Lounge for The Red Party.