NYS Music 2023

Category: Special

  • Samara Joy, Grammy Winner for Best New Artist, Announces ‘A Joyful Holiday’ EP

    Bronx native and two-time GRAMMY winner Samara Joy is set to release A Joyful Holiday, a 6-song EP of beloved seasonal favorites.

    Photo credit: Ambe J. Williams

    This extension of her latest album, Linger Awhile, features accomplished jazz musicians and includes singles like “O Holy Night,” “Warm in December,” and a new take on Stevie Wonder’s “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me.”

    A Joyful Holiday, produced by Matt Pierson, will drop on October 27 via Verve, with an exclusive emerald green color variant LP available.

    The holiday EP comes after an extraordinary year for Samara Joy, who clinched the prestigious Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album awards at this year’s Grammys.

    Samara Joy has shared a delightful rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” which you can listen to here.

    “Singing alongside my family has always been a special time kept between us, but this December, I’m excited to share that special feeling with you all! This holiday season, it brings me great joy to present my first role models, the McLendon Family, on a month-long tour throughout the US. Join us for a show you’ll never forget!”

    Samara Joy

    Samara Joy has also announced the Verve Vinyl Collection, comprising her three Verve LPs, Linger Awhile, Linger Awhile Longer, and A Joyful Holiday. This collection will hit the shelves on November 17 and can be pre-ordered here.

    A Joyful Holiday Tracklist

    “Warm In December”
    “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me ft. Sullivan Fortner”
    “The Christmas Song”
    “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
    “O Holy Night”
    “The Christmas Song (Live)”

    Samara Joy 2023 Tour Dates

    9/28 – 10/1 – Seattle, WA @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley Jazz

    10/4 – Davis, CA @ Mondavi Center

    10/6 – 7 – New York, NY @ Rose Hall at The Lincoln Center

    10/14 – Kansas City @ Folly Theater

    10/15 – Denver, CO @ Newman Center

    10/18 – Easton, PA @ Williams Center for the Arts / Performance Series

    10/20 – Storrs, CT @ Jorgenson Center

    10/22 – Brookville, NY @ Tilles Center

    10/24 – Columbia, MO @ Missouri Theater

    10/25 – Iowa City @ Hancher Auditorium

    10/27 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    11/3 – Zurich, Switzerland @ TVD

    11/5 – Athens, Greece @ Megaron Athens

    11/7 – Hamburg, Germany @ Elb Philharmonic

    11/8 – Berlin, Germany @ TBD

    11/12 – Paris, FR @ Le Trianon

    11/17 – Bologna, Italy @ TBD

    11/18 – Milan, Italy @ TBD

    11/19 – London, UK @ Barbican Center, London Jazz Festival

    12/3 – Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall, UT Austin

    12/4 – Nashville, TN @ Nashville Symphony

    12/7 – Los Angeles, CA @ Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts

    12/8 – Santa Barbara, CA @ The Granada Theater

    12/12 – Chesterfield, MO @ The Factory

    12/14 – 12/15 – New York, NY @ Apollo Theater

    12/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Symphony Hall

    12/22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kimmel Center

    12/23 – North Bethesda, MD @ Strathmore

  • Nick Vanderwood Releases a Visionary New Single “Shimmy”

    Utica-born and Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Nick Vanderwood has released his latest single “Shimmy”, a song preceding the recent EP entitled ‘Reload‘ released on September 29th.

    Nick Vanderwood encapsulates alternative indie in new single “Shimmy” using a blend of guitar and bass creating a mysterious sci-fi world that is brought to life in the music video. The short film is fun and cinematic which cultivates an imaginative visual experience, showcasing Vanderwood’s artistic vision.

    While “Shimmy” excludes a vocal aspect, the song in itself does more than enough without relying on vocals to make it complete. The build up of bass and guitar offers a blend of funk, syrupy and track mixed with an upbeat attitude, and recorded at Big Blue North Studio in Utica.

    Following the release of his single and music video “Shimmy”, Nick’s EP Reload became the sum of many years as Nick labored to overcome a chronic neck injury that impeded his ability to sing. Nick was kept at a distance from the microphone, as the EP title suggests, he is more than ready to come back with a bang.

    Vanderwood is not just a vocalist but writes and performs all instruments included in his solo projects. Over the course of the year, he took this period of silence and healing seriously while creating a silent short film/music video for “Shimmy” included in the EP. His collaboration with monomaniac studios allowed Nick to lean back into acting and sound design.

    Follow Nick Vanderwood on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram for more information on all-things such as future releases and music videos.

  • Sound On Sound 2023 Day 2 Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, Sound On Sound Music Festival returned to Bridgeport’s Seaside Park in Connecticut over September 30 – October 1, 2023.

    sound on sound 2023 john mayer

    The two-day festival’s lineup this year featured headlining performances from Red Hot Chili Peppers on Saturday and John Mayer on Sunday. Additional performers included Alanis Morissette, Hozier, Trey Anastasio Band, Mt. Joy, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Dispatch, Ben Harper, Gin Blossoms and the Night Sweats among others.

    Heavy rain in the area Thursday caused a three-hour delay in opening the Festival on time on Friday. I had the pleasure of attending the second day of the Festival. The schedule was pretty tight giving each act a full 45min set, with a 10min change over time and things ran on time like clock work.

    The three main acts on Sunady each got a full hour and by mid day the grounds were packed with over 30,000 people leading to the highlight of the evening to most, John Mayer, who is a Bridgeport native, born and raised.

    My personal highlight of the day was Alanis Morrissette (who did not allow photos from the pit so we could not feature her), Ben Harper was in top form (same as Alanis, no photos), and I was impressed by how fresh Dispatch sounded and enjoyed their set. Below are some highlights from the day.

    JOHN MAYER

    HOZIER

    DISPATCH

    MT. JOY

    MARGO PRICE

    CAUTIOUS CLAY

    GIN BLOSSOMS

  • NYC Designer and Musician Dylan Seeger Has Released Vulnerable Single “Writer/Pretender”

    Dylan Seeger, a designer and musician living in New York City, and has just released his latest single: “Writer/Pretender,” where he explores themes such as writer’s block and betrayal.

    With family roots in New York’s folk scene, Seeger’s interest in music was immediate and profound. After discovering The Beatles‘ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in his parents’ CD collection, he was inspired to write and record his own music, releasing his first album of original songs when he was just fourteen years old. A few years later, he started performing at clubs on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

    At nineteen, Seeger released his seminal album, Claye, and dropped out of art school in search of independence. He moved to Manhattan and founded Lovably, a graphic design firm which has since served hundreds of clients across a diverse range of industries including architecture, art, fashion, and interior design. He remains the firm’s director and spends his weekdays in the design studio and with clients.

    Dylan also runs Adequate Records, a label where he has released several original albums including Moon House, Metropolitan Hospital Center, and Claye.

    In his spare time, Seeger performs in Central Park, studies old records and prints, and bikes around the city taking pictures of bridges, buildings, and the minutia of daily life in the bustling city.

    Dylan’s single “Writer/Pretender” is 2 songs, one “Writer” and one “Pretender.” The song “Writer” is a little more laid back compared to “Pretender,” and seems to explore how it feels being an artist and not liking anything you create, stuck in a constant feeling of artistic block: “So you say // That you’re a musician // Got lost between the notes // To find that // They’ve all been played before.”

    “Pretender” takes on a rock vibe with much more movement, and it strikes me as someone talking about a past lover or friend who wasn’t their authentic self, potentially involved in cheating, and how the speaker wants them regardless.

    “Writer/Pretender” is available for streaming now. Listen to the single here.

  • Jeremy Button Crafts Regional Anthems for the Finger Lakes and Delaware Valley

    Finger Lakes musician Jeremy Button of Americana band Growl Bear, has penned a few tunes as of late that celebrate two distinct regions of New York State, the Delaware Valley and the Finger Lakes.

    Among them are the comedic tune, with a dash of regional pride, “Fingerlakes Wine,” and the history-infused “The Ballad of Orrin & Squire.”

    Growing up in Wayland, NY, Button attended SUNY Fredonia, and currently works for NYSDOT. A guitarist and songwriter in Americana band Growl Bear, Button has learned a variety of instruments, among them fiddle, mandolin, bagpipes, and banjo as well as writing music for both Growl Bear and his solo performances.

    Speaking of “Fingerlakes Wine,” Button says, “I just wanted my area to have a song like this. I love Rochester and the Fingerlakes area and I like writing songs about where I live, we don’t have a lot of them and we need more, creating lore, making us feel more in touch with this place we call home.”

    Button’s tune “Fingerlakes Wine” comes in both a classy (above, for all ages) and original versions, while “The Ballad of Orrin & Squire” is ripped from the history books and lyrics mention various stops in the Southern Catskills.

    Button’s Great-great Grandfather and his brother fought in the Civil War for the Union Army, part of the NY 56th Regiment of Volunteers, also known as the 10th Legion. A tune that comes right out of Button’s family tree, the song tells of their travels from small towns near the New York-Pennslyvania border to New York City before heading south to fight. Button says of the song’s historical accuracy, “95% true. Not many songs about NY regiments going to go kick butt.” 

    Another tune from Button, “Goodbye Fredonia,” the reluctance that he found in moving onto the next stage of his life, post-college.

    You can catch Jeremy Button performing solo and with Growl Bear this fall around the Finger Lakes. Growl Bear plays at Lovin Cup, near Rochester Institute of Technology at 8:30 on Friday, October 6 and the trio version of Growl Bear plays at the B-side in Fairport on October 25. For more info visit the band’s website.

    jeremy button

  • The Bones of J.R. Jones Drops New Single “Animals” Ahead of NYC, Woodstock Shows

    New York-based artist The Bones of J.R. Jones released a new single, “Animals,” the final single from his upcoming album Slow Lightning. The release comes alongside his upcoming tour, featuring a show at NYC’s Mercury Lounge and Woodstock’s Levon Helm Studios. 

    The Bones of J.R. Jones

    “Animals” is an upbeat, soulful folk track, supporting the musician’s upcoming record, Slow Lightning, slotted for release on October 13. That day will feature a hometown show at NYC’s Mercury Lounge for a special album release show, followed by a full US and European tour this fall.

    The new track follow the release of the musician’s previous single, “The Good Life,” which dropped last month alongside an official music video featuring actress Maggie McDowell. In addition, the first promotional single, “Heaven Help Me,” debuted to great success, and has now garnered over 250,000 streams.

    Slow Lightning by The Bones of J.R. Jones

    Known off-stage as Jonathan Linaberry, The Bones of J.R. Jones is a one-man band, songwriter, storyteller, and visual artist. 

    Animals’ is about letting yourself go and giving into another version of yourself. Going out, getting into trouble, letting whatever may happen, happen and finding out you’re happier that way.

    Jonathan Linaberry, The Bones of J.R. Jones

    Tickets for The Bones of J.R. Jones’ upcoming tour are now on sale. More information and tickets are available here.

    Tour Dates:

    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 

    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

  • Listen To Alex Northrup’s Newest Single, “What Did I Miss”

    Alex Northrup, a Rochester composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, has released his newest single “What Did I Miss” as part of his bigger album, Turning Point, set for release this January.

    Alex Northrup what did I miss

    You may recognize Alex Northrup from other Rochester-based groups in the past such as Northern Spies, Brindamor, Jon Lewis Band, and the Demos. More recently, he has been touring the keyboardist for Kill Rock Stars artist Sean Barna.

    Locally, he has made appearances in the bands of Katie Morey and Overhand Sam. Recently, he’s been performing around Rochester both solo and with his latest backing group of the Darlingtones– anchored by Ryan Yarmrel on bass and Sam Hirsh on drums, with a revolving cast of guests.

    A follow-up to his album, Popular Songs That Will Live Forever, Alex Northrup’s Turning Point follows in the same home-made vein, with more guest appearances and a more soothing vibe. Popular Songs That Will Live Forever featured 10 songs, including the single “The Only Thought I Need,” released in June of 2020, with a quirky and whimsical tone via an upbeat tambourine from beginning to end.

    “What Did I Miss” follows that same psychedelic rock genre, but with a more relaxing feeling from an upbeat guitar and soothing vocals. “What Did I Miss” is a single that reminds me of the COVID shut down, where everyone was encouraged to take breaks from social media when it became “too much.” I love the sound but I, as always, am drawn to the lyrics: “What did I miss? // Don’t tell me – I don’t want to know // What did I miss? // This absence was to help me grow // What did I miss?” It’s like when you take a break from social media, but part of you– the addicted part of you– wants to know what is going on despite knowing it’s for the best that you don’t.

    “…I was distracted by things such as life and contributing to other people’s bands and recording projects. Actual songwriting was the furthest from my mind – I thought I had totally lost that part of me, and with the way things were going with the world, I wondered what the point even was. But after a couple years of that, the fog started to lift and the words started to come again. And soon enough, out of the mess of unfinished tracks and jams, a dozen actual songs emerged! Nearly half were written fresh at that point, and one 11 year old song that had never been properly recorded was revived. So now I’m back to writing and playing again (with my live band the Darlingtones) and there are definitely more songs that will be coming out! So Turning Point is hopefully the start of something bigger.”

    Alex Northrup

    Turning Point’s lead single “What Did I Miss” is available now to preview what’s to come from Northrup’s album set for release come January, which has been nearly three years in the making.

    To find out where Alex will perform next, or for any other info, check out his Instagram.

    For his single, “What Did I Miss,” click this link.

  • NYC Alt-Pop Artist Nicolas McCoppin Drops Single “more like u”

    Nicolas McCoppin, the NYC-based alt-pop artist released a brand new single, “more like u,” a synth-pop track that delves into body acceptance and rebirth. The single is part of the rollout for McCoppin’s sophomore album mind motel, to be released November 10.

    Nicolas McCoppin

    “more like u” is a catchy alt-pop track full of synth and fun rhythm, but the lyrics delve into meaningful topics. McCoppin sings about bodily acceptance as a gay man, referencing pressures and insecurities that led him to a new feeling of rebirth and acceptance.

    ‘more like u’ is by far one of the most vulnerable tracks on the record. it was a very intentional contrast to have the production feel so big against the intimate details of the relationship I had with my body at the time. I think everybody can relate to a breakup driving you a little crazy. however, as a gay man, there is an added layer of social pressure in terms of my body image. ‘more like u’ is the story of my destruction and rebirth into the person i am today – which is someone i’ve finally grown to love. I hope this song can first and foremost be a banger, but second something that offers a little comfort to people that don’t feel at home in their body. this song allowed me to reckon with myself and my image of my body and come out the other side as a more whole person.

    Nicolas McCoppin
    Mind Motel album art

    “more like u” follows McCoppin’s previous single, “L.E.S. boy,” marking a new era for the up-and-coming artist. He made an official US radio debut in 2021 with his single “Heaven,” and has since skyrocketed with billboards in Times Square, becoming an Instagram Official Pride Creator, and creative collaborations with the likes of Bonnie McKee (Katy Perry – “Teenage Dream”). 

    Nicolas McCoppin’s new album mind motel will be released worldwide on November 10th. Album release shows in NYC, LA and Boston will be announced soon, along with vinyl and merch pre-orders. You can stream “more like u” and keep up with Nicolas on social media here. 

  • Great Lake Swimmers To Perform in Albany This November

    Though a Canadian band, Great Lake Swimmers are set to have one show in Albany at The Linda come November, touring their newest album, Uncertain Country. This is the band’s first new album in five years, and is sure to impress all of their fans and newcomers.

    They also released an official music video which includes four videos for the album’s singles: “Uncertain Country,” “Swimming Like Flying,” “When The Storm Has Passed,” “Moonlight, Stay Above.”

    Great Lake Swimmers, fronted by lead singer/songwriter Tony Dekker, released their newest album  Uncertain Country (Harbour Songs/Fontana) this spring. The new album is the band’s first new music in almost five years, and richly compliments their two-decades-deep musical catalogue.

    The band has also announced Uncertain Country (Deluxe) that is set for release on September 29, and will feature new acoustic versions of six album tracks: “Uncertain Country,” “When The Storm Has Passed,” “Swimming Like Flying,” “Riverine,” “Respect For All Living Things,” and “Flight Paths.”

    Uncertain Country features 11 songs that track a prolonged period of collective anxiety. Though recorded in different locales—largely around the Niagara region, and with a variety of musicians—a theme of questioning runs throughout. Even before the world turned upside down, Dekker felt mired in uncertainty: from the climate crisis and the ever-changing political landscape to deep shifts within the music industry. The “uncertain country” Dekker chose as the album’s theme is not a specific place. Rather, it’s a territory we inhabit in the 21st century — a world that is confusing, unfamiliar and unsettling.

    What started out four years ago as a 10-day trip to the north shore of Lake Superior, inspired a collection of musical field recordings at various locations around the Niagara region (where Dekker now lives) and served as the album’s organic recording studio.

    “Long-time Great Lake Swimmers listeners will find much that they know, from a strong current of nature imagery to Dekker’s wistful & emotive vocal delivery, but also plenty of new territory to discover. Those who are new to the band will find a rich variety of emotional dynamics & musical approaches that still has a coherent core. ‘Uncertain Country’ stands as some of the strongest & most consistent work by one of Canada’s best bands…”

    Review from Great Dark Wonder

    GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS – UNCERTAIN COUNTRY TOUR

    September 13 @ Biltmore Theatre – Oshawa, ON 

    September 14 @ Isabel Bader Theatre – Kingston, ON 

    September 16 @ Le Ritz – Montreal, QC 

    September 27 @ Dominion Telegraph – Paris, ON

    September 28 @ Royal City Mission – Guelph, ON 

    September 29 @ Bridgeworks – Hamilton, ON 

    October 3 @ Hi-Fi – Indianapolis, IN

    October 4 @ The Southgate House Revival – Newport, KY 

    October 5 @ The Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI 

    October 7 @ Ignition Music Garage – Goshen, IN

    October 10 @ Park Theatre – Winnipeg, MB 

    October 11 @ Broadway Theatre – Saskatoon, SK 

    October 12 @ Festival Hall – Calgary, AB 

    October 13 @ Festival Place – Sherwood Park, AB 

    October 14 @ Rocky Mountain House, AB – Rival Trade Brewing Co 

    October 15 @ Bo’s Bar & Stage – Red Deer , AB 

    October 18 @ Dream Café – Penticton, BC 

    October 19 @ Biltmore Theatre – Vancouver, BC 

    October 20 @ Capital Ballroom – Victoria, BC 

    October 21 @ Waverley Hotel – Cumberland, BC 

    October 22 @ Bez Arts Hub – Langley, BC

    October 25 @ Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

    October 26 @ Café Du Nord – San Francisco, CA

    October 27 @ Volcanic Theatre Pub – Bend, OR

    October 29 @ Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA

    November 1 @ Globe Hall – Denver, CO

    November 2 @ The Slowdown – Omaha, NE

    November 3 @ xBk – Des Moines, IA

    November 4 @ Turf Club – St Paul, MN

    November 5 @ Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI

    November 6 @ The Bur Oak – Madison, WI

    November 7 @ SPACE – Evanston, IL

    November 8 @ Rumba Café – Columbus, OH

    November 9 @ Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH 

    November 10 @ Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, PA

    November 12 @ Sellersville Theatre – Sellersville, PA

    November 13 @ The Linda – Albany, NY

    November 15 @ TD Music Hall, Massey Hall – Toronto, ON 

    November 17 @ Aeolian Hall – London, ON

    For more information on Great Lake Swimmers, click here, or follow their Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Spotify, or YouTube.

  • Brooklyn-Based Band Every Us Drops Sophomore Single “Fool’s Gold”

    Every Us, a new NYC-based music collective released their new single, “Fool’s Gold,” a catchy track that marks the group’s second-ever release.

    Fools Gold by Every Us

    “Fool’s Gold” is an crowd-pleaser that captures the essence of a jubilant, carefree night out on the town. The track features catchy, anthemic vocals and a distinct vision of energized crowds clapping to the beat. 

    Every Us is a new music collective based in New York City, founded on the idea of capturing moments that make us feel a part of something greater than ourselves. The group has three more singles to come, with a full EP set to release in the spring. 

    Every Us

    Every Us boasts a lineup of collaborators including Olivia Reid, Michael Tighe (Jeff Buckley, Adele, Mark Ronson), Charlie Klasfield (Clean Bandit, Branchez), and guitarist Dan Sagher (Charlie Burg). 

    Through community events in the past year, they have curated a lineup of artists in the NYC and Brooklyn area, spanning genres like folk, R&B, jazz, and electronic. Their mission and outlook are to uplift new voices while sharing their music and fostering a larger community. Instead of being known as a singular figure or group, Every Us is a community sound and style.