Well before the doors to Essex opened on Friday night, a line rounded the corner and the energy was palpable. Not only would Rochester be gaining its first glimpse of a much-anticipated brand-new live music venue, Essex, but the lucky ones with tickets would also bear witness the return to a local stage to their now internationally revered darling Danielle Ponder. It was the first night of a sold-out two-night stand for the blooming soul-singing star.
As for Essex itself, entry was easy and efficient. The main area is nearly square, with four load-bearing posts defining an ideal center viewing area. This middle area was fairly packed up until about three-quarters back, with plenty of room to be found on the outer edges. Two easily-accessible bars resided in the back corners, selling a variety of beer, wine and liquor. The walls were painted black brick, with black curtains lining the back wall. Subtle downlighting surrounded the posts and walls, keeping the area well enough lit without distracting from the stage. The stage was intimately low but high enough to see from the back, and was well-lit with a variety of LEDs behind and in front. Two large TVs flanked the stage about a quarter way back. With private individual bathrooms, no one of any sexual orientation will be waiting more than any other.
Ponder took the stage solo, sitting with an acoustic guitar, just as she did twenty years ago when she was first giving the solo musician thing a whirl down the road at Java’s Cafe. Harking back to her very beginnings, she sang one of the tunes she sang then, “The Passion” by Lauryn Hill. Contrasting that immediately, she gave the crowd a glimpse of the future, and a glimpse of her songwriting process, playing “Thoughts,” a song dedicated to those struggling with self doubt, for the first time live, raw and unfiltered.
From there, her band entered, and it was back to the material the world has been falling in love with, “Some of Us Are Brave,” “The Only Way Out,” “So Long,” and more from her breakout hit album, and others from further back like “Be Gentle,” and “Holding Me Down.”
During “Someone Like You,” another Rochester legend, Grammy-winning saxophonist Jimmy Highsmith Jr. came out to add some of his signature horn work. She didn’t let him leave the stage without letting everyone know how instrumental Highsmith was in nurturing her career. As a young artist she attended one of his shows and asked for his advice. He sat with her and her band for over an hour encouraging them and giving them hope that people from Rochester could definitely “make it.”
She closed with her show-stopping rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep.” Thom Yorke may have abandoned it, but Ponder can now claim ownership with what must certainly be the best version of the song out there. She explained that she premiered the song years ago at the tiny UUU Art Gallery on State Street.
From Highsmith’s inspiration, to Java’s, to UUU Art Gallery, and now to Essex, Ponder connected the dots of her career and Rochester’s instrumental part in it. She explained that whenever she plays she always opens with, “I am Danielle Ponder from Rochester New York!” And after every show, no matter where she is, someone will invariably approach her to tell her that their friend from Rochester told them to see her.
Years from now, when the long-standing institution Essex is celebrating it’s own 50th anniversary, here’s a bit of trivia: the first artist to grace the stage was actually Chi the Realist, who opened the show. A local budding rap talent, he and his band also delved into history, celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop with his own unique take on the form, amply warming up the stage for Ponder and providing a proper kick-off for the newest hot spot on the block.
Here’s what’s happening in Essex’s immediate future:
10/27 – Essex Halloween Pop Off with DJ Pepi
10/28 – Mothership (The Led Zeppelin Experience)
11/9 – Lucero, with Jason Boland and the Stragglers
MetaMoon Music Festival, a celebration of Asian music and culture, is announcing its return to NYC with MetaMoon Block Party, a special one-night concert taking place on Sunday, Dec. 3 at the famed Hammerstein Ballroom.
MetaMoon Music Festival was founded in 2022 as a platform for Asian artists to have a consistent and prominent stage in the U.S., and for fans to connect with their favorite artists while also discovering new music. It is an annual series of shows throughout the year that empowers Asian artists and connects them with fans, influencers, and prominent brands, celebrating their diverse culture.
With the MetaMoon Block Party and upcoming MetaMoon Presents tours, artists from Asia and music fans across the U.S. will be able to connect and share in ways they may not have had before.
The NYC line-up includes some of the most exciting names in Chinese Hip-Hop and R&B as well as other notable API artists. Attendees can look forward to feature performances from PSY.Pof Higher Brothers and special guest MC Jin as well as AK LIU ZHANG, KIRE, MARF @COLLAR, MISS KO, NENE, NINEONE, and SUNKIS, who will all be making their U.S. debut at MetaMoon.
MetaMoon was born in NYC last year with a talented lineup supported by their incredible fans and followers of Asian pop culture. We are so excited to be expanding upon that this year with MetaMoon Block Party. We started MetaMoon with the belief that music is a universal language that can foster stronger understanding between cultures. Bringing the festival back in this new format and being able to tour it next year allows us to continue our mission of providing a platform for creating a genuine connection between Asian artists and global music fans.
Grace Chen, founder of MetaMoon.
Additional dates and line-ups in various cities across the U.S. will be announced in the coming months as MetaMoon expands its footprint across the country and continues to spotlight the best of Asian talent and culture.
Presale for the MetaMoon Block Party starts Friday, Oct. 6 with general on-sale starting Monday, Oct. 9.
Tedeschi Trucks band made their debut with a ‘Garden Party’ at Madison Square Garden (MSG) on Friday, September 29, with the help of friends Trey Anastasio, Lukas Nelson and Norah Jones. There was some intense rain causing serious flooding around this day, but luckily the show went on.
The performance recalled Derek Trucks sitting in with Phish, just a month prior for the Vermont Flood benefit. And now it looked like New York City would be flooding, but only an outpouring of love and music rained down at MSG this evening.
Lukas Nelson and Promise Of The Real opened up the night with a rocking, bluesy set full of originals including a heartfelt “Georgia” and a thumping “Something Real” to close up their set.
When it was time for the main act, the first reaction was “Boy do they have a large band even without three special guests!” The full Tedeschi Trucks Band played a memorable show with their guests, one that was full of surprises which included “The Seeker” & “Layla” with Trey sitting in, Susan killing it on “Sugaree”, Norah and Susan on “Have a Little Faith in Me”, TTB bangers like “Midnight in Harlem” and “Made up Mind”.
The encore included “A Song For You” with Lukas Nelson and “Soul Sweet Song”. The band brought out the whole crew including Trey, Lukas, & Norah for two Sly and the Family Stone songs including “Sing a Simple Song” and “I Want to Take you Higher,” an incredible ending to a phenomenal night.
Tedeschi Trucks Band – Madison Square Garden, NYC – Sept. 29, 2023
Setlist: Anyhow, Playing With My Emotions, Ainât That Something, Part of Me, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) (The Rolling Stones), I Am the Moon, Pasaquan, Have a Little Faith in Me (John Hiatt) [1] [2], You Wreck Me (Tom Petty) [1] [2], Midnight in Harlem, Made Up Mind, I Want More > Beckâs Bolero (Jeff Beck), Angel From Montgomery (John Prine) > Sugaree (Grateful Dead), The Seeker (The Who) [2] [3], Bell Bottom Blues (Derek and the Dominos) [3], Layla (Derek and the Dominos) [3] [4]
Encore: A Song For You (Leon Russell) [5], Soul Sweet Song, Sing A Simple Song (Sly & The Family Stone) [6] > I Want to Take You Higher (Sly & The Family Stone) [6]
[1] Norah Jones on keys, vocals [2] First time played by Tedeschi Trucks Band [3] Trey Anastasio on guitar, vocals [4] Lukas Nelson on guitar [5] Lukas Nelson on vocals; with Susan (vocals) and Gabe (keys) only [6] Trey Anastasio on guitar, Lukas Nelson on guitar, Norah Jones on keys
The Shakti Lounge in Buffalo announces their new live music series lineup for 2023-24, with their first show on October 7th, presented by Lavender Haze Collective.
The first show features Ravi Padmanabha & David Muse on October 7th. The music duo encompasses a new found musical language using crystal bowls, gongs, tabla, hand pan, clarinet and ocean drum to create an ambient meditation that traverses to an ecstatic musical trance.
The Shakti Lounge offers musicians with a space to open their skills and invites a comfortable environment of community to hear innovative music. Shakti creates a salon-like setting offering guests the freedom to recline on the heated floor or take a seat in a chair, welcoming all. Offering a live music experience truly like no other in Buffalo.
The live music series features a diverse group of artists performing all genres including jazz, folk, classical and world music. Musicians are mainly local to Buffalo with the exception singer-songwriter Cammy Enaharo and Seth Faergolzia’s Multibird both from Rochester. The series also includes storyteller Tyler Westcott, string quartet fra/ctured, alto saxophonist Elliot Scozzaro, guitar driven artist Adam Bronstein & ABtrio and drummer John Bacon with his cast for JBQ.
Shakti lounge in Buffalo welcomes people of all ages to come join the forthcoming live music series and experience the duo host monthly concert every Saturday. For more information visit here.
Shakti Lounge 2023-24 Concert Lineup, Presented by Lavender Haze Collective
Smokey Robinson graced the stage at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Canada, and from the moment he walked out to the introductory overture, the audience knew they were in for an unforgettable night of classic Motown magic.
“Being With You” set the tone for the evening, with Robinson’s velvety voice still as captivating as ever. He transported us back in time with “I Second That Emotion,” a nod to his days with The Miracles, and followed it up with “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” a soulful rendition of The Miracles’ classic.
As the night progressed, Robinson’s timeless hit “Quiet Storm” swept through the venue like a gentle breeze, and “Ooo Baby Baby” had the crowd swaying in their seats, relishing every note. The medley of “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “Get Ready,” and “My Girl” paid tribute to The Temptations, showcasing Robinson’s versatility as he effortlessly crooned through these iconic songs.
“The Tears of a Clown” brought a wave of nostalgia, and Robinson’s emotional delivery tugged at heartstrings throughout the venue. “I Love Your Face” was a tender and heartfelt moment, showing that even after all these years, Smokey’s ability to convey deep emotions remains unparalleled.
Robinson’s rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” was a testament to his vocal range and ability to infuse a timeless classic with his unique style. “If We Don’t Have Each Other” and “Beside You” showcased his more contemporary work, reminding us that his talent continues to evolve.
“Just to See Her” had the crowd on their feet, swaying and clapping along, and “The Tracks of My Tears” was a pure, unadulterated masterpiece, transporting us back to the golden era of Motown.
Closing out the night with “Cruisin’,” Robinson left the audience craving for more, his voice as smooth and captivating as ever. The energy in the room was electric, a testament to the enduring appeal of Smokey Robinson’s music.
In Niagara Falls, Canada, OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, Smokey Robinson delivered a concert for the ages, taking us on a journey through his illustrious career. His voice, still as mesmerizing as when he first graced the stage, left no doubt that he is a true legend of Motown. The setlist was a perfect blend of classics and newer hits, ensuring that both longtime fans and newcomers alike left the venue with their hearts full and their spirits lifted. Smokey Robinson’s performance was a musical experience that will be cherished for years to come.
Afropunk returned to Brooklyn for 2 days of music on August 26th & 27th. The festival took place at Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Terminal Market for 2023.
As on brand for Afropunk, the lineup for the festival was all black artists from various genres. Some notable names included Tobe Nwigwe, Baby Tate, and Vince Staples. The lineup also included New York’s own Joey Bada$$, and day 2 headliner, Teyana Taylor.
Unlike last year, this year had a theme, which was Circus of Soul. Motifs of this theme could be seen throughout the event. Both on stage and in the crowd, fans and artists dressed as though they were part of a circus. R&B artist Cleo Reed really leaned into the theme by dressing them selves and other stage performers in clown attire during their set. There were performers on stilts wearing kente cloth patterns walking throughout the crowd. There were also Aerial Ring performers periodically doing stunts throughout the weekend.
This year was truly one to be at, as there were many performances and attractions that festival goers could really interact with all day.
A festival of the Arts
Afropunk is a festival that is bigger than music. Though music may be the highlight, it also features art and artists from all over the globe that center their creativity around the African diaspora. Inside the Spin Thrift Market, there were vendors selling things like clothes, jewelry, books, and weed products. Outside the Market, there were spaces for health and beauty. Festival goers were able to get their hair and makeup done, henna tattoos, and facials. Most of the vendors were also African American owned and operated.
In addition to vendors that were selling merchandise, there were also areas for festival goers to interact. In the center between the two stages, there were tents set up for festival goers to play games and run through a bubble pit. It seems as though they learned from last year as most activities and vendors were set up under large tents to protect against any potential rain.
Nonetheless, as much as there was to do off stage, there was much to watch on stage. There was a two stage setup to accommodate for about 30 performances. In between performances on both stages were DJ SNS and DJ Mohogany. They helped to keep the party going as people awaited some of their favorite artists to take the stage.
Day 1 Highlights
Day 1 had strong performances from Cleo Reed and a collaboration from the Soapbox presents on the 3 Ring Stage. The Soapbox brought together vocalists and musicians to bring a rock, R&B, and gospel like performance. This was one of the many perfect displays of how African American music is has roots in so many different genres that tend to overlap one another. The performance had fans feeling cool in the end of summer heat.
One of day 1’s most notable and electric performances was from Tobe Nwigwe. Originally from Houston, TX, Tobe holds on to his Nigerian roots well as they could be seen in his performances. He is always recognizable with his seafoam green outfits and sets. He brought out his wife, Martica Nwigwe, for a few songs from his set. He also had Olu from Earthgang come out for a song. Olu came out on brand, wearing seafoam green wings to sing “WILDLINGS” with Tobe. The performance was full of energy and surprises that keep the audience screaming for an hour.
Tobe’s performance was evened out by a more mellow from Vince Staples. Vince stared as “Maurice” earlier this year in the Emmy award winning show, Abbott Elementary. His Long Beach, CA vibes really brought the crowd down from their state of choas from before. Though his set did not features as many theatrics like Tobe’s, he still had the attention of the crowd. Vince had the crowd singing along to his hit song, “Norf Norf,” before there was a mass exodus from the event.
An uneventful end to the hype
The first night was headlined by Flying Lotus. He is a producer and DJ who has worked on many projects on TV shows and film. One of the most notable projects was Netflix’sYasuke, an anime centered around the story of Japan’s first black samurai. He makes a lot of EDM and electronic rap songs primarily.
Flying Lotus did not receive much of an introduction which left many fans confused. Though his fans would be familiar with his music and style, this may have been many’s first exposure to him. He could barely be seen from behind his DJ booth and did not say a word for at least the first 20 minutes of his set. About halfway through, he was joined by rapper Smoke DZA, who he is working on a collaborative album with. Smoke DZA did bring some excitement and energy to his performance.
After Smoke DZA’s exit, Flying Lotus played a few more songs and was about to leave. He did not realize that his set was not over and played for about another 15 minutes. Flying Lotus had a pretty anti-climatic exit, as it was a pretty bleak end to day 1 of Afropunk 2023.
A stark turn around from Day 1’s mishaps
Day 2 still featured a full lineup that had Greenpoint full. What was nice about this year’s festival was the scheduling of performances. With the stage schedules pretty staggered, fans were able to see all their artists without really having to miss a performance. This really set Afropunk apart from other festivals as many usually have fans contemplating which artists they wanted to see more. If they wanted to, fans could see just about every artist and take in the full Afropunk experience.
Some notable performances from Day 2 were from Baby Tate and Joey Bada$$. Baby Tate brought a fun energy out of the crowd. With a lot of positive sexual messages infused in her lyrics, her music and performance made Greenpoint a safe space for women to express themselves. In the middle of her set, Baby Tate took a break and her DJ Sky Jetta tapped into a different side of her fans. Though Baby Tate makes rap music, Sky Jetta played alternative rock hits, including “I write sins not tragedies” that absolutely killed.
Baby Tate came back and continued to kill. She played unreleased song “Wig” and ended on her hit “I am” to leave things on a high. Joey Bad$$ proceeded her and continues to bring smiles.
New York showing out for New York artists
Joey Bad$$ was happy to be back in his hometown as he expressed his love for Brooklyn all through out his performance. The theme around his performance was love as he turned the camera toward the audience to celebrate black love. He had a kiss cam going on for a bit before singing “Love is only a feeling.” He dedicated a few songs to fallen black artists including, XXXTentacion, Nipsey Hustle, Pop Smoke, Young Dolph, and more.
Before he left, he expressed his happiness to be playing at an event where he could see so many black faces. He also threw a jab at Afropunk for being a bit unprofessional behind the scenes. He still left things on a high with “Devasated” before handing the stage over to Teyana Taylor.
The energy from day 2 was drastically different than from the previous day. Day 2’s lineup featured so many artist that people knew and loved. They had performances that people wanted to be a part of and sing along with. Day 2 was originally supposed to end with Grammy award winner Jazmine Sullivan. Due to some personal reasons, she could not perform, but Teyana Taylor was passed the torch to close out the weekend.
Rose of Harlem feeling the love
Nicked named the “Rose of Harlem”, Teyana Taylor closed out to packed audience in her city. Teyana had mentioned during her performance that she was nervous to headline a show as she felt as though no one would stay for her. Though some mic issues may have fueled those nerves early on, New York showed her so much love that it brought her to tears.
The sound was getting too much for Teyana as she asked for just the keys to play during one of her songs. She was able to get real close and emotional with the crowd before turning things back up. The crowd screamed “Issues” and ” Gonna Love Me” with Teyana.
She was joined on stage by her daughter ,”Junnie,” and husband Iman Shumphert, for a few songs. Her daughter helped her throw out free t-shirts to the audience. Teyana also had 3 outfit changes that synced up with the many different vibes of her performance.
She exited the stage, but quickly came back for an encore. Teyana ran into the middle column of the pit to slap the hands of her fans before closing out the night. She thanked New York for showing her so much love and making this performance one worth leaving retirement for.
Afropunk continued to bring peace, love, and education about African American culture to one of the biggest melting pots of the world. With Afropunk’s voice continuing to reach millions, it’s only a matter of time before it starts to expand to other cities across the globe.
John Legend, the 12-time Grammy award-winning artist performed at Tanglewood at the Koussevitzky Music Shed in Lenox, MA on Sunday, Sept. 3. This was a highly anticipated and long-awaited performance for local fans as well as those who traveled to the Berkshires during Labor Day weekend.
Fans arrived right on time to find their seats in the covered area of the Shed, while the lawn was filling up fast, finding their perfect spots to enjoy the evening. Everyone was bustling about with preconcert energy. Families gathering, friends visiting, and people exploring the beautiful grounds of Tanglewood.
The show began at 7 pm. Taking the stage, John appeared in a light-colored suit smiling as he made his way to the piano ready to share his story and music.
He started his story from the beginning. Formally introducing himself with his birth name, where he was from, his childhood, and through the years. He played well-known songs such as “All of Me,” “Stay with You,” “Wonder Woman,” and many others during the evening. His stories give an inspiring insight into his life and music.
“An Evening with John Legend” is exactly what this concert experience is – a wonderful evening indeed.
This year’s annual end-of-the-summer celebration of music in Lake George at the Adirondack Independence Music Festival saw two evenings with moe. and a one evening with Dark Star Orchestra. The three-day festival held over Labor Day Weekend saw day-long music with bands alternating between two main stages.
photo by Allison Marie
The festival is always a smooth event, and as attendees we get to see the machinations of soundchecks and the work of loading and off-loading a stage, thanks to side-by-side stages. Emcee Jeff Morad from WEQX gave hourly hydration reminders as he thanked each band and announced the next act. The organization has it down, and it’s great to be there catching all the jams.
Photo by Derek Java
Day One saw a mix of regional and national acts. Standouts during the day were the always jammy Dogs in a Pile, a super fun band, and if you haven’t seen them, consider New Years Eve at Putnam Place. Keller Williams was blissful as always, starting his set with a great version of “Breathe.” Throughout a great loop-filled set (he is a master at building songs solo using loops), he dropped covers and originals, and standing out was a fun-filled “Freeker by the Speaker.” You can’t count any of the daytime bands out, though, as all day was filled with fun jams, people dancing, and bubbles floating through the air. Other daytime acts included Hilltop, Sophistafunk, Eggy, Lucid.
Photo by Derek Java
Headliners on Friday were the always incredible Dark Star Orchestra (DSO). Bringing an authentic sound to the date they reinterpreted, DSO channeled the Grateful Dead’s show on April 16, 1978 show from Huntington, WV, with clarity and wisdom. The sound was spot-on and the crowd danced and sang along all evening. We know the term “nostalgia act” gets some negative connotations, but for DSO, that is the mission, who make every show fun for spectators to guess the date of the show, and the more knowledgeable in the crowd can guess the direction the show is taking by the equipment being brought out by the players. Super fun evening with a classic Dead show performed by DSO.
Photo by Derek Java
Saturday of Adirondack Independence Music Festival saw more attendees and a continuation of killer music. Star-on-the-rise Karina Rykman brought the jams throughout her set, working off her new album, Joyride.
For listeners at ADK Fest, the first half of her 60 minute set saw only three songs, as she and her two bandmates, Adam November on guitar and Chris Corsico on Drums, set the festival alight, taking risks and diving deep into the jammy sections of her bass-led compositions.
Photo by Derek Java
Saturday also had a particular reggae vibe to it. Roots of Creation brought their fiery dub-ska, blending a mythos of Bob Marley-esque roots with Grateful Dead covers including “Row Jimmy” and “Fire on the Mountain,” lots of fun for all seeing this band.
Mihali brought his reggae vibe, too, bringing out a new tune or two, with Twiddle fans all smiles singing reggae-tinged Twiddle songs and Mihali’s own songs from his album Effection.
Photo by Derek Java
There was also a “foodie” aspect to the daytime bands on Ssaturday, with a blend of rock and jam by Creamery Station, Baked Shrimp, and stretching the metaphor, Melt. Fans of these bands and new listeners alike had a great day of music. Rounding out the daytime acts were Dumpstaphunk.
photo by Chris De Cotis
moe. has made ADK Fest the spiritual successor to moe.down, with a feel of Labor Day weekends spent in Turin at Snow Ridge Ski Resort throughout the weekend. Opening up with a pair of tunes usually played in reverse – “Okayalright” and “Wormwood” – moe. could have opted for “Not Coming Down” to complete the Wormwood trilogy, but shifted to “Downward Facing Dog” before inviting Ivan Neville from Dumpstaphunk to the stage for “Happy Hour Hero.”
photo by Dave Decrescente
Set 2 saw Mihali come to the stage for an intense and exploratory “Recreational Chemistry” (see video below), and moe. breaking out a set nearly full of old school songs, capped off with a classic “Jazz Wank” > “Buster.” For an encore, the addition of Nate Wilson to the lineup has led to the fresh covers making their appearance in the last two years, this evening including Traffic’s “Light Up or Leave Me Alone.”
Set 1: Okayalright > Wormwood > Downward Facing Dog, Happy Hour Hero^, Yellow Tigers -> Mar-Dema > Brent Black Set 2: Recreational Chemistry* > Sensory Deprivation Bank > Seat Of My Pants > Ups And Downs, Jazz Wank > Buster Encore: Light Up Or Leave Me Alone, Spaz Medicine ^ With Ivan Neville on keys. * With Mihali on guitar.
photo by Chris De Cotis
Sunday saw Jimkata keep the crowd swaying in the sunshine and get pumped up for moe. later that evening. What made Jimkata’s performance even more remarkable was the fact that they had performed in Virginia for a late night show the evening before, making the seemingly impossible journey from Virginia to Adirondack Independence Music Festival for a mid-day performance a testament to their commitment to their fans.
photo by Allison Mariephoto by Allison Marie
Neighbor graced the stage and dropped an instrumental cover of The Beatles/Joe Cocker’s “With a Little Help from my Friends. Prince Bowie featured Twiddle/Marble Eyes/Breakfast/Kung Fu drummer extraordinaire Adrian Tramontano on drums along with the Cool Cool Cool horns. Luke Bemand from lespecial joined the all star tribute group for Prince’s “Controversy.”
For moe.’s weekend closing sets, they opened up with “Water” as a nod to Lake George, and closed the set with “Meat” featuring Schleigho guitarist Suke Cerulo joining his one-time bandmates. Set two had no let up, opening with a slow burn of “Tubing the River Styx” > “The Pit”, a cover of Allman Brothers Band’s “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” – featuring Neighbor/Pink Talking Fish keyboardist Ricky James – followed by “Silver Sun” and a solid 1-2 punch of “George” and “Lazarus.” An encore of “Gone” and “Plane Crash” capped a fantastic weekend of music in Lake George, an annual affair made for a band like moe. and live music fans from across the Northeast.
photo by Frankie Cavone
Set 1:Water, ATL, Donâtcha Know, In Stride, Skrunk, Meat^ Set 2:Tubing The River Styx > The Pit, In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed2, Silver Sun, George, Lazarus Encore: Gone, Plane Crash ^ With Suke Cerulo on guitar * With Ricky James on keys
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.”
“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!”
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
Essex, a new music venue, is coming to Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts in the fall, already booking two acclaimed Rochester-based acts Joywave and Danielle Ponder.
Photo credit Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Essex, a music hall and multi-events space, will open at 1048 University Ave. The venue said on its website that it aims to add vibrancy, culture, and life to the Rochester community.
The owners of Essex are Josh Miles, Zach Mikida, Mack Hartman, and Dave Drago. The first three deal with the hospitality side of the venue, while Drago handles the music. The venue features two bars and an industrial-looking outside, changing soon to be a little warmer and accommodating.
In an area that has very few venues, the music hall will be a nice addition to the area, and allow more bands to travel Upstate without going to such major cities as Buffalo or Niagara Falls. The main focus of the venue is to showcase various artists that come to the area, allowing people to enjoy good music and vibes.
Danielle Ponder announced shows for Friday, Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7. Both shows will begin at 11 p.m. and tickets cost $30. Indie rock band Joywave announced shows for Thursday, Nov. 16, and Friday, Nov. 17. Both shows will begin at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $35. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
