Brooklyn’s indie-dance band Underground System announced that the release of their latest EP, “Looking In” will be on April 26. The band also revealed their series of live spring performances stopping in Ridgewood NY, and Kingston.
Underground System is one of the most exuberant bands to emerge from New York City within the past few years. The five-member band is acclaimed for innovating a brand that fuses various genres of music. Listening to “Looking In”, gives fans the opportunity to see how Underground System recreates, redefines, and reconstructs elements of afrobeat, dance punk, disco and electronic music. The band has also received global attention from outlets such as Billboard, NPR, and The Rolling Stones, crediting them for their true New York eclecticism.
“It was a long form exploration of various genres we like to blend within the band, and a pointed lyrical climax that paints a picture of action in the face of inequality.”
– Peter Matson, Songwriter and Producer
Peter Matson revealed that to achieve the right sound, the band dug further into stylistic gestures first explored on their debut LP. The group opened with chopped rhythmic flute layers that featured the flute played by Domenica as reminiscent of minimalist music. The EP also features drums played by Chris Eggan.
In December 2018, following Underground System’s release of ‘What Are You’, the band dominated the stage at the French tastemaking festival Transmusicales. This launched the band into an 18-show European tour in 2019, rocking the stages at Eurockeennes de Belfort, Fusion Festival in Germany, and Laurent Garnier’s Festival Yeah as a headliner.
Additionally, Underground System’s partnership with Brooklyn based label Razor-n-Tape, and French label Heavenly Sweetness in the EU has led the group into their next era. After the release of “Looking In”, Underground System will drop club-ready remixes to further cement their penchant for clever songwriting that causes listeners to make their way to the dancefloor.
More information about Underground System and tickets to their live show can be found here .
Greene County-based multimedia artist and singer/songwriter Cyote has announced a batch of spring performance dates as well as an Earth Day fundraiser for the Coxsackie Community Garden on April 22nd at Ravish Liquors.
Photo credit: Jenna Petrone.
To help fund this year’s growing and maintenance supplies, Cyote (known to locals as Carter Lou McElroy) and Ravish’s Sarah Gray Miller will be donating all tip jar proceeds directly to the garden.
Cyote’s performance dates also include April 28th, May 5th and 20th at Ravish Liquors in addition to May 6th at Coxsackie’s The Grange, a 90-acre 1800’s farm estate, for their Spring Social and June 18th at Over Yondr Festival: a phone-free event where people can revel in live music without the constant pull of technology.
This month you can also check out Cyote’s mixed-media work in Friendly City Creative Club’s Trash Talk, an exhibition inspired by the city of Hudson’s iconic blue trash bags.Trash Talk artists were invited to create pieces that examine consumptive habits, and Cyote’s “emotional baggage” is a commentary on not only the volume of consumptive habits, but the bags themselves that bear the burden; on view now at 725 Warren Street Hudson, NY through May 11th.
Cyote Spring Dates
4/22: Earth Day Fundraiser at Ravish Liquors, Coxsackie NY
4/28: Coxsackie Block Party at Ravish Liquors, Coxsackie NY
Upstate NY’s The Parlor have just announced their newest LP You Are Love And I Am You, a psychedelic dream-pop record about ecstatic realizations associated with what some call the mystical experience, unitive consciousness, or loving presence.
In celebration to the release on May 19th, they will also be hosting an album release show May 20th at Indian Ladder Cidery & Brewery’s Upper Biergarten.
You Are Love And I Am You is like a dream-pop relief compared to their more recent release in 2018 titled Kiku which chronicled the experience of grief and loss. It is meant to be listened to as an album, front to back. There were many that influenced the making of this album, such as The Mamas and the Papas, Tame Impala, Broadcast, Warpaint, Mazzy Star, George Harrison, Velvet Underground, Khruangbin, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Len, Cults, and Fleetwood Mac.
As a neo-psychedelic dream-pop project made by husband and wife Eric Krans and Jen O’Connor, The Parlor was named after a room in the 19th century farmhouse where they live, farm, and create. The multi-instrumentalist, producer-composers express some of the most powerful aspects of the human experience. Immersive sound scaping and aural synesthetic composition is the vessel through which they share their existence.
The song that has been released as a tease for the album, “Underneath the Universe,” is an absolute hit. It is very reminiscent of Tame Impala, with pretty indie visuals in the video to accommodate the dreamy-like melodies in the song itself.
The band stated, “Things got gloomy for us while touring on the Kiku record. Playing songs about trauma on a nightly basis, and the grueling nature of touring just sort of wore us down. (Jenn Pelly wrote an incredible piece for Pitchfork that relays a lot of what we experienced). Together these experiences ushered us deeper down a dark tapering claustrophobic tunnel with only a pinhole exit. We squeezed through somehow, thanks to meditative practice and sharing our deepest vulnerabilities with each other.”
During the pandemic, additional darkness ensued, but there was only one way out and it was through. We found a deepened sense of presence that felt sacred. By accepting the seemingly unacceptable we were paradoxically filled with awe and wonder. Living was imbued again with light, love and gratitude. That’s the experience this album captures. Us finding ourselves again. The heart of this album is the enigmatic realization that we are and always have been the universe experiencing itself. We exist as manifestations of the universe just as everything else. And when we allow ourselves to be whole and unique, we express the universe in hi-fidelity authenticity. Something about holding that in imagination produces a sense of reverence and a desire to sing and share.
“We got into Carl Jung, archetypal symbolism, alchemy, medieval Christian mysticism, Taoism, Sufism and found hundreds of esoteric philosophical characters that seem to be sharing similar mystical experiences of their own. This album is for them. Our new long dead friends. And everyone we ever met or wished upon. You shaped us. And to anyone out there who has had, or who hopes to have, a mystical experience in their lives that orients them toward abiding presence, awe and wonder, and gratitude for all existence. We celebrate you as us. Everything and nothing is one shining-forth ineffable non-dual eminence. Like dust in the light // Both the dark and bright.”
To pre-order You Are Love And I Am You, click the link here.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra continued their four show run at New York City’s Webster Hall this past Friday night, April 14. Continuing through Sunday to complete their New York stop on The V Tour.
Throughout the night, the group led by Ruban Nielson, blasted through songs from all of their albums, self-titled to the recently released V.
The show slowly ramped up with only a solo keyboardist playing a minimal piano track, leading into the rest of the band coming out on stage to perform the newest album’s opener, The Garden. Some songs seamlessly transitioned between one another, leading to a perpetual sense of musical cohesion.
The whole night felt like a family get together. From the familial themes sung about on V to Ruban’s brother Kody on drums, even their Dad regularly emerging to play saxophone, among a variety of other brass instruments.
Alongside their original material, two memorable covers joined the setlist. The group played The Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street” and Billy Joel’s “Movin’ Out,” the latter being a first. The band’s unique melding of psychedelia, rock, and funk blended astonishingly well with these two songs.
The V tour continues on in North America this week, concluding in Boston, before traveling overseas for the remainder of the summer.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra | Webster Hall | New York, NY | April 15, 2023
Setlist: The Garden, From the Sun / Secret Xtians, Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark), Weekend Run, The Opposite of Afternoon, Thought Ballune / Little Blu House, Necessary Evil / Monki, Ministry of Alienation, In the Rear View, Nadja, So Good at Being in Trouble / Waves of Confidence, Layla, Multi-Love
Encore: Meshuggah, Shakedown Street (Grateful Dead cover), Like Acid Rain, Movin’ Out (Billy Joel cover), That Life, Hunnybee, Can’t Keep Checking My Phone
(Note: The tour had a film-only policy for photographers)
The Caroga Arts Collective announced the complete Caroga Lake Music Festival (CLMF) 2023 programming, featuring more than 125 artists for over 35 concerts, starting May 27 and ending Sept. 15.
Photo by Kevin Bacon.
The Caroga Lake Music Festival features many performances, as well as the second annual edition of the CLMF Lesson & Ensembles Program, providing music workshops and individual or small group lessons, led by Caroga Arts Ensemble artists, to community members looking to learn new instruments or hone their talent. “We’re excited to bring a robust lineup of artists to Caroga Lake for our 12th summer season,” said Kyle Barrett Price, Founder and Artistic Director of the Caroga Arts Collective. “Our concerts will feature a diverse array of genres, classical, jazz, rock, and everything in between, presented lakeside at Sherman’s Park and at other beloved venues across the region.”
The venue is important to the wider community, notes Dr. William Crankshaw, Caroga Arts board member and Superintendent of Schools at the Greater Johnstown School District. “Caroga Arts is breathing life into musical arts in our communities, and even in our schools. The potential to offer students the opportunities to experience a wide variety of world-class musical programs, not to mention exposure to string instruments and summer ensembles, excites me. There have been hundreds of educators in our region who have been pining for these types of opportunities, which, until now, were only available to communities with the resources and affluence to do so.”
Over the course of its five-week season, the Caroga Lake Music Festival 2023 will feature more than 20 touring guest artists and ensembles at Sherman Park. Well-known names include Grammy-nominated folk singer Judy Collins, group Baha Men, known for the Grammy-award-winning song “Who Let The Dogs Out,” husband and wife duo The War and Treaty, the Zac Brown Tribute Band, Queen tribute band: Almost Queen, and many more. CLMF will also highlight up-and-coming artists such as Laufey, an Icelandic musician and songwriter who recently ranked #1 on Billboard’s Alternative New Artist Chart. Returning performers include Eddie Barbash, performing at Sherman’s Jazz Fest; The Ultimates, back for a Labor Day concert with fireworks; and Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra at Fiesta Caroga, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
For the second time in its 12-year history, this year’s festival will include a full symphony performed conductorless by the Caroga Arts Ensemble, Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony on Aug. 11. Also happening are two world premieres, including “27 Steps,” an immersive theater experience presented in partnership with Utica Dance and family-friendly “Louie the Loon,” composed by Brian Shank based on a short story by Julian Muller, which will be performed at a Kids Carousel Concert. Caroga Arts will return with its five-week-long artist-in-residence experience, 100+ musicians living amongst the community and curating unique chamber music and orchestral collaborations as part of the Caroga Arts Ensemble. These artists hold positions as leading soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral musicians from across the country, performing in the Met Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Verona Quartet, KASA Quartet, and more.
In addition to collaborations at Sherman’s Park, CLMF resident artists will be featured at partnering venues and festivals across the region in the CLMF on Tour performances. These include Little Falls at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series at Charles Jenner Memorial Band Shell, Barge Concert at Canada Lake Store & Marina, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival at Otesaga Resort Hotel, shows at the Glove Theatre, and more.
Barge Concert at Canada Lake Store & Marina.
For the first time ever, Caroga Arts are offering a 2023 season pass, with discounted premium seats. To learn more about Caroga Arts and the Caroga Lake Music Festival 2023, as well as reserve tickets, visit here.
2023 SEASON SCHEDULE
Sherman’s Concerts
Sat, May 27 @ 7 PM – Zac Brown Tribute Band
Sun, June 4 @ 3 PM – Alex Moffat and Friends: A Comedy and Music Block Party
Sat, July 1 @ 2 PM – SAUNDERSFEST, artists to be announced
Sat, July 15 @ 7 PM – Tommy V Live
Wed, July 19 @ 7 PM – The Gibson Brothers
Fri, July 21 @ 5 PM – Caroga Arts Collective Gala, featuring Tony DeSare and the Caroga Arts Ensemble
Sat, July 22 @ 7 PM – Baha Men
Wed, July 26 @ 7 PM – Rich with Caroga Arts Ensemble
Fri, July 28 @ 7 PM – “27 Steps” World Premiere – Caroga Arts Ensemble, Utica Dance
Sat, July 29 @ 7 PM – Almost Queen: A Tribute to QUEEN
Sun, July 30 @ 7 PM – “27 Steps” – Caroga Arts Ensemble, Utica Dance
Wed, August 2 @ 7 PM – Laufey with Caroga Arts Ensemble
Fri, August 4 @ 7 PM – Musical Kaleidoscope: A Tribute to Jonah Poplove
Fri, August 4 @ 9:30 PM – “Dime-a-Dance” with Kyle Athayde Dance Party
Sat, August 5 @ 11 AM – Kids Carousel Concert – WARP Trio
Sat, August 5 @ 5 PM – Sherman’s JazzFest – Kyle Athayde Dance Party, Eddie Barbash with KASA Quartet, WARP Trio, Miriam Elhajli
Wed, August 9 @ 7 PM – Concert by Candlelight: An Evening of Encores
Fri, August 11 @ 7 PM – Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony
Sat, August 12 @ 11 AM – Kids Carousel Concert – “Louie the Loon” World Premiere – Composed by Brian Shank
Sat, August 12 @ 7 PM – Judy Collins with Caroga Arts Ensemble
Wed, August 16 @ 7 PM – Grace Kelly Quartet
Fri, August 18 @ 7 PM – The Coda: A Chamber Music Round-robin
Sat, August 19 @ 7 PM – The War and Treaty
Sat, September 2 @ 7 PM – The Ultimates (with fireworks)
Fri, September 15 @ 7 PM – Fiesta Caroga: Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra
Caroga Lake Music Festival on Tour
Thur, July 20 @ 7 PM – CLMF on Tour: Caroga Chapel
Sun, July 23 @ 3 PM – CLMF on Tour: SVAN at Mayfield Presbyterian Church
Thur, July 27 @ 7 PM – CLMF on Tour: Little Falls at Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Sun, July 30 @ 2 PM – CLMF on Tour: Pecks Lake at Pecks Lake Marina
Thur, August 3 @ 6 PM – CLMF on Tour: Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series at Charles Jenner Memorial Band Shell
Sun, August 6 @ 6 PM – CLMF on Tour: Barge Concert at Canada Lake Store & Marina
Thur, August 10 @ 7 PM – CLMF on Tour: The Glove Theater
Sun, August 13 @ 2 PM – CLMF on Tour: Lorenzo State Historic Site
Tue, August 15 @ 6 PM – CLMF on Tour: Cooperstown Summer Music Festival at Otesaga Resort Hotel
Thur, August 17 @ 7 PM – CLMF on Tour: Arkell Museum
Sun, August 20 @ 12 PM – CLMF on Tour: Brunch Concert at Paul Nigra Center for the Creative Arts
Sun, August 20 @ 6 PM – CLMF on Tour: Caroga Museum
Sat, August 26 @ 6 PM – Caroga Arts Ensemble: Maverick Concerts
The State Theatre of Ithaca has announced the inaugural “Benefit My State Variety Hour,” showcasing what the theatre has to offer and the stories behind why the historic venue truly matters to the Ithaca Community, featuring performances by many well-known acts.
The historic State Theatre of Ithaca is Tompkins County’s last remaining historic theatre, enriching the community since 1928, operated and preserved by the non-for-profit organization State Theatre of Ithaca Inc. The theatre is active and hosts many national, international, and community performances and programming, from comedians to world-class musicians. The Benefit My State Variety hour is being produced by The State Theatre of Ithaca and DSP Shows.
Dan Smalls of DSP Shows explains that “This event is a pretty amazing way to show off all the great things that happen at the State Theatre. Sure we do tons of great internationally touring music and comedy acts, but here we can show off the best of our local organizations side by side and also share a passion for this building. Every one of them has a fabulous State Theatre Story to tell and on May 17 we will hear all of them in addition to seeing their performances.” Performers include Sam Nelson of X AMBASSADORS, Richie Stearns, The Ithaca Ballet, Running To Places, Galumpha, Southside Community Center’s CUMEP, and more.
The “Benefit My State Variety Hour” is The State Theatre of Ithaca’s biggest fundraiser of the year. “Over the past decade, our “Benefit My State” concerts have been a fun and creative way to remind this community that The State Theatre of Ithaca is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. This year’s format will be much different than past ‘Benefit’ shows in that we look forward to offering a taste of all of the types of artists that grace our stage to enrich, inspire and connect us at The State Theatre of Ithaca,” said Executive Director, Doug Levine. “Since re-opening after a 20-month hiatus, all local arts organizations are still facing major challenges. There are some signs of improvement, but numbers are still far off from what they were before the pandemic. The funds raised through this benefit concert will directly enhance this organization and help ensure a healthy future for this important community asset.”
In addition to general admission tickets, VIP tickets are available for the event. VIP Ticket holders are invited to a cocktail hour after the performance and a meet and greet with the performers. Tickets are on sale now.
The Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) in Canandaigua has announced the 2023 Roc The Lake Festival with the renowned trio AJR as a headliner. On July 17, fans can jam to their favorite songs by AJR, and a lineup including Chelsea Cutler, Lawrence Blake Rose and Almost Monday.
AJR, is a renowned pop trio of brothers that has garnered an abundance of success since their formation in 2012. Over the past decade AJR has accumulated billions of streams, released a platinum album, double-platinum single, triple-platinum single, and four platinum singles. The band has also been ranked #1 on the Top Alternative Albums and Rock Albums Charts following their biggest first-week debut at the Neotheater in 2019. Apple Music and Spotify showed appreciation for the trio’s electric sound by placing AJR’s “Sober Up” & “Weak” among the Best Rock and Alt Songs of the 2010s. Fans can rock out to songs from the brother’s fourth full-length album, OK ORCHESTRA at the Roc The Lake Festival.
Chelsea Cutler is a singer, songwriter, and the producer of introspective EDM. After signing to Ultra Records in 2017, the vocalist released mixtapes such as Sleeping with Roses I and II and a full-length debut, How to Be Human. Lawrence Blake Rose is an upcoming Australian singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. The gifted musician recently released a new single “Rest Of Us.”
The San Diego based trio, Almost Monday quickly transformed from garage band to an upbeat pop sensation. While only having a few songs released, the boys gained a tremendous amount of fame and millions of streams since the release of their disco-infused track “Broken People” in 2020.
The Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) was founded by Marvin Sands. The arts center has been on a mission to unite communities through art and culture since 1983.
Tickets to the Roc The Lake Festival can be found here.
Each Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up-and-coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear new music from Reese Fulmer, Modern Fools, and Northern Faces.
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.
Modern Fools don’t fall into just one genre, creating music that can be classified as country, folk, alternative, or even indie. Last year they released the track “Misery,” tune into EQXposure on Sunday to hear it.
Reese Fulmer and his Carriage House Band are quickly rising stars in the Capital Region. Fulmer is a bit of an old soul, and his music is reminiscent of Justin Townes Earle, Jeffrey Foucault, John Prine, and Iron & Wine. He will be performing at the Hollow in Albany on April 22, and tickets are on sale here.
Northern Faces is a rock band formed in 2012 featuring Bryan Shortell and Marco Testa on vocals and guitars, and Matt Ippolito on bass. Their single “18” was released on March 17.
Radio Woodstock has announced that legendary singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant will be taking over the airwaves for a special Saturday Night Takeover on April 15th, at 10 pm.
Listeners can tune in from 10 pm to midnight to hear Jamestown, NY native Natalie Merchant curate her own playlist, sharing the songs and artists that have influenced her throughout her career. The night will be a unique opportunity for fans to get an intimate look at Natalie Merchant’s personal musical tastes and the stories behind some of her most beloved songs.
Natalie Merchant is a multi-platinum-selling American singer-songwriter and producer known for her distinctive voice and captivating literary-pop songs. She has released several critically acclaimed albums, including Tigerlily and Ophelia, and has received numerous awards and nominations for her work. Her music blends folk, rock, and world music influences, and she continues to be regarded as a pioneering figure in alternative music. Her newest record, Keep Your Courage, finds Merchant in peak form with songs about love and human connection in its many forms and a voice to keep you hanging on every word.
I moved to the Hudson Valley in 1988, but I started making records at Bearsville Studios and Dreamland around the same time.I have a long relationship as a listener but also over the years performed at a lot of benefit concerts. This is our hometown radio station. I love WDST. It’s really fun to be here and take over.
Natalie Merchant
Natalie Merchant’s career spans over four decades, from her early days with the band 10,000 Maniacs to her successful solo career. She has sold over 20 million records worldwide and is known for hits like “Carnival,” “Wonder,” and “Kind and Generous.”
Her newest record, Keep Your Courage, finds Merchant in peak form with songs about love and human connection in its many forms and a voice to keep you hanging on every word.
“We’re honored to have Natalie Merchant take over Radio Woodstock’s airwaves,” said Radio Woodstock principal owner & President, Gary Chetkof. “Natalie is not only a beloved musician, but she is also an activist and a champion for independent artists. Her takeover is a perfect fit for our station.”
Tune in for “Saturday Night Takeover” as Natalie Merchant takes over the airwaves on Saturday, April 15th, from 10 pm to Midnight on-air at 100.1, or listen online at RadioWoodstock.com or via the iHeartRADIO app.
NYC indie-pop artist Olivia Reid is getting ready to release her newest single “Wounds (Healing)” on Friday, April 14th. The track is an introspective, ethereal reflection that sees the budding singer-songwriter questioning the layered, complex healing process.
Olivia Reid stated about the single, “I recognized how much I had to heal from, but simultaneously feared that truly healing it would leave an absence or a blankness in me. When I’m in fight or flight mode long enough, wounds in the form of anxiety or sadness can mistakenly feel like a crucial part of who I am. The wounds feel familiar, so starting the healing process made me feel so much weaker at first.”
Based in NYC, Olivia 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, and listening to podcasts, she formerly hosted Spotify For Artists and Notable’s Song Start podcast where she interviewed artists like Sam Smith, Victoria Monet, Hayley Williams of Paramore.
As a self-proclaimed “chronic collaborator,” 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.
As stated in a previous article by NYS Music, Reid’s music serves as a self-reflection and dedication to her path to success, above all of the challenges. 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.
