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 Julica Dann, Prom Sex, and Brian Kaplan.
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.
Julica Dann – “Side Grit”
Julica Dann is Erica Ann’s indie/electro music-making Gemini Twin. She has been making music and involved with bands for years but wanted to branch out to do completely solo music. She started with an old drum machine making beats along with her bass playing skills and has grown to include computer samples as well. Her song “Side Grit” off of her record On Hold, released in 2019, will be played on EQXposure.
Prom Sex – “The Thinker”
Prom Sex is a DIY noise rock project from Upstate New York. Originally starting as an experimental noise project fronted by Alex Furnia, it has since developed into an electric, rock-oriented group, enlisting the songwriting talent of Alex’s twin brother Nick on later EPs and their most recent album, DEATH OF THE BODY.
Brian Kaplan – ”Harder to Stay”
Award-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and recording artist Brian Kaplan has fronted his genre-bending original projects since 2001. His original music has made its way onto the playlists of some of the most prominent regional radio stations in the Northeast. His various projects have opened for or shared the stage with such monster acts as BB King, blink-182, moe., Widespread Panic, Jerry Garcia Band, and more.
Making their maiden voyage through Albany, Kendall Street Company had fans jumping for joy on Friday, April 28th when they brought their barefoot brand of high energy, jam-infused beach rock, along with their signature sense of humor, to Lark Hall for the first time. As enlightening as it was entertaining, it was the kind of show that sent you home thinking you’d just danced with the stars of tomorrow, today. The type of band that makes sure everyone is having fun, and If you didn’t this night, why were you even there in the first place?
Jumping for Joy: Kendall Street Company brought the fun to Albany for their Lark Hall debut on 4/28/23.
Based out of Charlottesville, VA, the band originally formed in 2013 and has been riding a steady wave of momentum since the end of the pandemic. Thanks in large part to constant touring, dedicated songwriting and finding a balance between humor, business and being the best of buds, Kendall Street Company consists of frontman Louis Smith on rhythm guitar and vocals, the dress wearing Brian Roy on Bass, Ryan Wood on drums, Ben Lederberg on electric guitar, and saxophonist/keyboard player Jake Vanaman. Their sound is often hard to categorize, a melting pot of various styles and influences ranging from soul-searching blues, to jazz inspired bluegrass, to psychedelic yacht rock, to straight up feel-good pop rock. Along with an equally diverse and impressive list of covers in their bag, Kendall Street Company showcased it all on this Friday night in Albany.
Kendall Street Company opened the show on 4/28/23 with their brand new single, “Becca’s Dad.”
Opening the performance with their latest single “Becca’s Dad,” followed by “Wineglass Television,” we got our first cover song of the night in the form of the Grateful Dead‘s “Bertha,” which the Lark Hall faithful happily ate up. Having reviewed several Lark Hall shows in the past, it never once occurred to me what the bird actually sounds like. Thanks to one of the most memorable and educational moments of the night, however, it’s now a chirp I don’t think I’ll ever forget. In deadpan poker face, KSC frontman Louis Smith would take us to school by calling up a Lark sound effect and piping it through the PA system long enough to where it was funny, then unfunny, then hypnotic and then funny again. Amusing themselves and the audience alike, make no mistake, these guys are serious musicians.
Barefoot Boogie: Kendall Street Company rocked Albany’s socks off on 4/28/23.
Continuing on with “Porridge,” “Unwind (Boiler Jam),” and a surprise cover of “Ode to Viceroy” by Mac DeMarco, the band would play another unreleased new song called “Trapeze”. The highlight of the night came next when fans in the crowd approached the stage and gifted the band a few containers of Aged White Cheddar potato chips, clearly a request for the guys to play their song of the same name. After taking a moment for a mid-set snack, as if the knock-off Pringles were communion wafers, not only would the band grant the request, they would jam it out using the chip containers as percussion shakers! While everyone in the audience was legitimately laughing out loud, the guys made note how the chips were a little dry and made them thirsty. Whether it was a planned bit, or spontaneous like I hope it was, it was effective and endeared the guys to the Albany crowd even more.
Shake It Up: Give an artist a can of chips and they’ll get you something out of it. 4/28/23
After “Sweet and Clean,” we got our third cover song of the night with “Doctor Worm” by They Might Be Giants. Speaking from the heart and getting a little sentimental, Kendall Street Company would then play the first song they ever wrote together, the irresistible “Cars.” Showing promise from the very beginning, on this night, KSC took a hard left during the song, detouring to the 5 boroughs and mashing it up with the Beastie Boys classic anthem “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.” “Laura, I’m Sorry About the Cobbler” would bring the main portion of the show to a close and leave the audience hungry for more. Happy to entertain the intimate crowd, Kendall Street Company would get a little sexy on the humorous encore of “Stanley Birddogmouth,” resulting in full audience participation similar to what you might see during a “YMCA” sing-along. As ridiculous as it was fun, it was hard not to get caught up in the charming antics Kendall Street Company provided to the unassuming Albany audience. This unteachable charisma and their innate ability to connect will surely help them go as far as they want to.
Kendall Street Company “cheesed” it up in Albany, Aged White Cheddar style on 4/28/23.
After taking a little time off to celebrate drummer Ryan Wood’s wedding, the band is set to make several east cost appearances later this summer. With upcoming stops in Pembroke, MA, Asbury Park, NJ and a late night Phish after party at The Cutting Room in NYC, Kendall Street Company will also take part in some major festivals like Strangecreek Campout and The Peach Music Festival in Scranton, PA. A band on the rise and one you definitely need to see live, if you’re looking for some good tunes, a good time and good company, Kendall Street has plenty to offer.
Kendall Street Company | 4/28/2023| Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Becca’s Dad, Wineglass Television, Betha [1] , Porridge, Unwind (Boiler Jam), Ode To Viceroy [2] , Trapeze, Aged White Cheddar, Sweet & Clean, Doctor Worm [3] , Cars > No Sleep Till Brooklyn (Albany),> Cars, Laura, I’m Sorry About the Cobbler
The Glove Theatre in Gloversville will receive an official NYS Historic Marker under the venue’s marquee, unveiling on Saturday, June 3 at 2 p.m.
The Glove Theatre.
The Glove Theatre opened in 1914 and hosted movies, music, vaudeville, and civic events, and in 1920 it became the flagship theatre and home office of Schine Enterprises until 1965. In 1971 the venue officially closed, though it did have a few civic engagements during that decade, and reopened in Oct. of 1997 with the “The Phantom of the Glove.”
It is a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing an accessible expression platform for the arts that engages, entertains, and educates the regional community, giving economic opportunities to the Southern Adirondack and Mohawk Valley regions. The historic Glove Theatre will be honored with an official NYS Historic Marker, only the second granted in Gloversville.
This historic marker honors the legacy of the Glove Theatre as an arts venue within the city for the past 109 years. Immediately following the historic marker’s dedication, the Glove Theatre Museum will reopen with a new exhibition, featuring newly discovered artifacts and photographs detailing the rich history of the Glove Theatre, its century of performers, important civic events, and headquarters of the Schine movie empire.
Glove Theatre Vice President and Historian Alex Miller.
The unveiling ceremony will be on Saturday, June 3 at 2 p.m. prior to the Southern Adirondacks Food and Wine Festival and Glove Cities Arts Alliance 2023 Arts Walk. For more information, visit here.
The Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fairgame announced that it has received $165,000 in grant awards to non-profit arts and cultural organizations in the Capital, Catskills, and Southern Tier districts.
Formed in partnership with New York and four casinos in the three gaming regions previously listed: Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, Resorts World Catskills, del Lago Resort & Casino (Waterloo), and Tioga Downs Casino Resort (Nichols).
11 additional theater/venue members also make up the Upstate Theater Coalition, with them being major local figures in the towns of Albany, Bethel, Binghamton, Elmira, Ithaca, Poughkeepsie, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, and Rochester.
27 counties were able to apply for $1,000-$5,000 dollar grants in order to help enrich the community and the respective shared spaces. Through its community engagement, the Coalition created Fairgame Arts Grants, a funding program published in 2019 to assist organizations in regions across New York State.
Since the 2019 mark, over 100 non-profit arts and cultural organizations have received grant awards, compiling a total of over $450,000 for these groups.
Jon Elbaum, Executive Director of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and President of Fairgame, is looking forward to revitalizing local theaters and businesses that have had trouble rebounding since the pandemic.
“So many programs were delayed or even cancelled because of the pandemic shutdown; this type of support often represents the difference between a great idea and a fully realized and measurably beneficial initiative. We are thrilled to be able to offer this funding once again.”
-Jon Elbaum
Between the Catskills, Capital, and Southern Tier regions, almost 40 venues will receive grant awards.
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy
Award Recipients
Capital Region recipients: 440 State St. Inc., Albany Center Gallery, Contemporary Circus and Immersive Arts Center, Frank Chapman Memorial Institute, Home Made Theatre, LAKE GEORGE Opera Festival Association, Inc. (dba Opera Saratoga), Media Alliance, Inc., Millay Colony for the Arts, Music Haven, New York Folklore, Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Saratoga Chamber Players, Inc. and The Orchard Project.
Catskill Region recipients: Arm-of-the-Sea Productions, Inc., Arts Mid-Hudson, Athens Cultural Center, Bridge Street Theatre, Catskill Mountain Shakespeare, Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, DENIZEN Theatre, Forestburgh Playhouse, Gardiner Library, Hudson Opera House, Inc. dba Hudson Hall, Kingston Midtown Arts District, Nego Gato Inc., NYTOS, Pan American Dance Foundation, Inc. dba Woodstock Playhouse, Roxbury Arts Group, The Vanaver Caravan and Voice Theatre, Inc.
Southern Tier recipients: A Magical Journey Thru Stages, Inc., Binghamton Philharmonic, Inc. Binghamton Theater Organ Society, Circus Culture, Community Arts Partnership of Thompkins County, Corning-Elmira Musical Arts, Inc., Grupo Cultural Latinos En Rochester, Inc., Southern Finger Lakes Pride and The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.
Today is May 18, or, 518 Day. The 518 is a huge region of New York State, an area code established in 1947 and covering 24 counties.
Extending from the Mohawk Valley just west of Utica, to the Vermont and Massachusetts borders, and north to Canada, the 518 includes Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Glens Falls, Plattsburgh and the entire North Country, Saranac Lake and the entire High Peaks region, plus Schoharie, Catskill, Hunter and Caroga Lake.
Among this wide swath of the state is a great deal of music, from bands to venues, festivals to promoters, concert series and figures in the scene, the 518 has a rich amount of music, so much that we thought a great way to celebrate 518 Day (May 18), was to come up with a list of Five Hundred Eighteen things that make the 518 a great place for music.
But we only had a week, so in working with our friends at 518scene.com, we came up with at least a start – 51.8 (rounded up to 52) music venues, bands, promoters, series and more, that make the 518 so great. Read our list below and their list here.
1. Caffè Lena
Founded in 1960 by Lena Spencer, Caffè Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the country. Home to an incredible array of folk, Americana, blues and international acts, this Saratoga Springs institution is a must for any music lover in the 518 and beyond
2. The Waterhole
Nestled in the Adirondack town of Saranac Lake, The Waterhole is a staple of the community, with concert series such as Party on the Patio, Saturday Night at the Waterhole, plus a packed calendar of music during Winter Carnival each year. If you’re in the Adirondacks for vacation this summer, stop in to see Eric and Kiki and catch a show at the fabled venue.
3. Tupper Lake Summer Sunset Concert Series
Just west of Saranac Lake on Route 3, you’ll find the town of Tupper Lake, and with it a pair of summer concert series, held on Monday and Wednesday nights. You’ll find unbelievable sunsets on Tupper Lake, a backdrop for music that photos just don’t do justice.
4. Ominous Seapods
A band that calls the greater 518 home, Ominous Seapods have long praised the region with songs like “Leaving the Monopole” and “Pull from Adirondack Blue,” the group have reunited in recent years to great fanfare, including guitarist Dana Monteith flying in from Australia for the shows.
5. The Park Theater
Glens Falls is undergoing a renaissance as of late, with a great deal of businesses, shops and restaurants peppering downtown and Glen Street, with the Park Theater a centerpiece to it all. The venue brings in national artist, comedy acts, jazz acts, Third Thursday and much more, as well as an educational partnership with nearby districts, bringing in a new generation of sound and light technicians.
6. Memorial Meltdown
Coming up over Memorial Day Weekend, the Charles R. Wood festival commons in Lake George will host the second Memorial Meltdown, featuring Twiddle and Frends, Dogs in a Pile, TAUK, One Time Weekend, Annie in the Water and much more. Tickets are on sale now.
7. Palace Theatre
Opened during the height of the Great Depression, Albany’s Palace Theatre shines brightly, entering its 10th decade and continues to host artists from all genres in a beautifully restored venue.
Artwork by Kelly Garrett
8. Annie in the Water
With a fanbase that is spread to every corner of the 518, and well beyond, Annie in the Water have established their catchy Indie/Americana sound all throughout the state, with fresh songwriting and energetic live performances a hallmark of their New York presence.
9. Caroga Arts Collective and Caroga Lake Music Festival
Located northwest of Amsterdam, the quiet town of Caroga Lake has woken up in recent years thanks to the Caroga Arts Collective bringing in music nearly year-round, as well as revitalization efforts on the century old Sherman’s Amusement Park. The lineup for music this year at Caroga Lake Music Festival is eye-opening too.
10. Greg Bell/Guthrie-Bell Productions
Local promoter Greg Bell has established the Albany jam-scene since the early 1990s, giving bands like moe., Ominous Seapods, Peter Prince and Moonboot Lover and dozens (if not hundreds more) a chance to make their name in a town rife with live music venues and crowds.
11. Freedom Park Scotia series
The annual series at Freedom Park in Scotia is flanked by Jumpin Jacks (great ice cream and burgers), the Mohawk River (with waterski performances) and a calendar of music that stretches from May to September each year.
12. Parish Public House
In downtown Albany along Broadway, you’ll find no better place for live music and cajun food than Parish Public House. Housed in a historic building and section of Albany, the legacy of live music in the 518 starts at the Parish door for bands looking to build their name and make fans in Albany.
13. Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Originally opened in the 1870s, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has some of the best sound in the region, hosting artists of all genres who praise the excellent acoustics of the room. The free Music at Noon series has recently returned, and is always worth checking out.
Artwork by Kelly Garrett
14. Mirth Films
The team at Mirth Films has been around for only five years, but in that time frame they’ve established themselves as the premier Audio/Video company, capable of covering shows in all corners of the Capital Region without blinking an eye. Its no surprise they recently won three Eddies Awards for their efforts. Check out their recent interview with harpist Mikaela Davis.
15. Indian Ladder Farming Man Festival
Returning in July for year two, Indian Ladder farms invites you to partake in great beer and cider, as well as great music and farm vibes at Farming Man Festival. This apple picking destination has the perfect summer getaway, well worth a trip towards the Heldeberg Escarpment.
16. moe.
You know moe. has made their name on the 518 when they get a street named after them, which is what happened in February on moe.day in Albany. Add in countless shows at Valentines, two snoe.downs in Lake Placid, and the roots established on Western Avenue in the 1990s, you’ll find members of moe. gigging around the 518 with BlueStar Radiation, Midnight Sun and more.
17. Putnam Place
Saratoga Springs is blessed with a wealth of history, but Putnam Place is where music history is written on a regular basis, as nationally touring bands are seen alongside regional artists, making the venue a must spot for fans looking for a break from the bars of Saratoga or just needing to see what the next big band is that’s touring through the area. Check out their calendar and don’t miss Prince/Bowie on May 20.
18. The Egg
Designed by Wallace Harrison, based on a concept from then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller (picture a half a grapefruit in a bowl, and you can see the origin), The Egg has two venues inside – The 900 seat Hart Theater, and the 450 seat Swyer Theater, both of which offer pristine acoustics for performances of all genres. Notably, Mike Gordon of Phish released a live album, The Egg, from a recording of a December 11, 2011 performance at The Egg.
19. Nanola
Looking for a quiet spot for loud music and great food? Malta is the spot for you, with Nanola located on Route 9, with excellent cajun food and a variety of musical offerings throughout the week and especially in the summer.
20. Lark Hall
The recently opened Lark Hall brings with it a century of music history, and has quickly established itself as a must-stop venue for musicans and fans alike. You’ll be able to catch performances of RENT in June, plus the reunion of Space Carnival on July 6, along with much more.
21. Cohoes Music Hall
Coming up on 150 years, the Cohoes Music Hall has been revitalized in the last 50 years, with renovations and restoration taking place, while welcoming musicals, live music, tribute bands and comedians.
22. MVP Arena
Whether you call it The Knick, The Knickerbocker, Pepsi Arena, Times Union Center, or MVP Arena, anyone in the 518 knows what you’re talking about. The downtown arena that opened in January 1990 and has played host to Billy Joel, Phish, NCAA Tournaments, demolition derbies, and even inaugurations of governors.
23. The Linda
Affectionately known as WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, The Linda is a restored 1926 art-deco bank that welcomes a widely-diverse roster of performing arts, concerts, debates, lectures, and also serves as a recording studio.
24. QE2
While not open under the name anymore, in the 1990s, the QE2 established Albany as a hotbed of the growing Alternative scene in the country. Grunge, hardcore and alternative rock acts could be found performing at the QE2 any given night in the ’90s. The venue has since been sold and renamed The Fuze Box, and continues to bring great music to the 518.
25. The Sembrich
The Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum, also known as The Sembrich, is an historic teaching studio located at Bolton Landing in Warren County. Built from 1922-24 as a teaching studio for New York Metropolitan Opera diva Marcella Sembrich, the 2023 “Trailblazers” Music Festival will celebrate the music of David Smith, Marin Alsop, Alma Mahler and Philip Glass.
26. Proctors Theatre
Originally a vaudeville theater, this Schenectady venue has welcomed legends of the stage and screen, as well as musicians to the stage. Proctors is nearing its centennial year in 2026, and always has the greatest hits from Broadway for fans looking to stay local as they take in a musical or play.
Artwork by Kelly Garrett
Ed note: new area code 838 is popping up in the 518, and we welcome a challenge to find Eight Hundred Thirty Eight things that make this region the best for music, but let’s take this one area code at a time.
Albany’s Alive at Five Summer Concert Series has announced its 2023 lineup, featuring a wide variety of artists and bands at Jennings Landing.
Photo provided by City of Albany Office of Cultural Affairs, credit to Andrzej Pilarczyk .
Alive at Five was created in 1990 with a performance by legendary folk artist Richie Havens and has since grown into a staple of the Capital Region. It is Albany’s signature free concert series, featuring eight weeks full of various artists, from big names to up-and-coming acts, and artists from the area. Concerts will take place on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., from June 8 to Aug. 3 (excluding June 29).
Alive at Five Lineup
June 8- Emo Pride Night with Hawthorne Heights and Bad Luck
Hawthorne Heights is a rock band from Dayton, OH formed in 2001. Their lineup currently consists of JT Woodruff, Matt Ridenour, Mark McMillon, and Chris Popadak. Their newest record The Rain Just Follows Me (2021) is out now. Bad Luck is a punk band from Brooklyn consisting of Dominick Fox, Joe Fox, Charlie Caruso, and Michael Sichel. They write music about life, with stories of heartache, growth, setbacks, and personal triumphs, as seen on their most recent album Summer of Pain, a 12-song collection that serves as a bridge between childhood ambition and adult realism.
Hawthorne Heights.Bad Luck. From left to right: Joseph Fox, Dominick Fox, Charlie Caruso & Michael Sichel.
June 15- Jam Night with Mihali and Side-B
Mihali is the frontman of Twiddle, who announced their hiatus last year, and a reggae singer/songwriter. He released his solo debut Breathe and Let Go, in 2020 to great acclaim. His most recent record Effection is out now. Born out of Albany, Side-B is an energetic four-piece alternative rock band that blends influences ranging from classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin and The Police to funk, blues, jazz, punk, folk, and modern alternative. The group has a few singles released, and is now working towards finishing their debut record.
Mihali.Side-B, from left-to-right: Dylan Travison, AJ Horton, Eric Mitchell, Ian Justino.
June 22- Country Night with Matt Stell and Skeeter Creek
Matt Stell has accumulated over 360 million streams across his catalog to date. He is adding to this tally with his newest single, “That Ain’t Me No More,” the follow-up to his back-to-back No. 1, Platinum-certified track “Prayed For You” and Gold-certified “Everywhere But On.” He was the first-ever artist to receive a virtual plaque from the RIAA for “Prayed For You,” one of NSAI’s 10 “Songs We Wish We’d Written,” and performed the National anthem for NASCAR and NFL events. Skeeter Creek is advertised as New York’s #1 Country Band. They were nominated for four awards at the 2005 Northeast Country Music Association awards: Bluegrass Band of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Instrumental Band of the Year, and the Sunrise Award, among many others since their creation.
Matt Stell.Skeeter Creek.
July 6- Rock Night with Plush and Super 400
Plush is an all-girl rock band with a mission to bring rock back to the forefront of the music industry. The band consists of lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Moriah Formica, lead guitarist Bella Perron, bassist Ashley Suppa, and drummer Faith Powell. Their debut album featured the Billboard Top 40 charting singles “Hate” and “Better Off Alone.” Super 400 is made up of drummer Joe Daley, guitarist Kenny Hohman, and bassist Lori Friday. The Troy-based trio formed in 1996 and their self-titled debut was released on Island Records two years later. They have toured internationally, and Troy’s mayor even declared February 25 as “Super 400 Day.” They opened Troy Music Academy in 2011 and have scored music for many TV shows.
Plush.Super 400.
July 13- Classic Rock Night with Sweet and Sly Fox & The Hustlers
Sweet is a classic rock phenomenon, creating music that will make you want to get up and dance. Sly Fox & The Hustlers is a New York-based rock band formed in 2010. They have been named Best Original Blues Rock Band multiple times by Albany’s Metroland magazine and have released two full-length albums, a live EP, a Christmas cover of the Ray Charles classic “That Spirit of Christmas,” and are finishing up their new album.
Sly Fox & The Hustlers.
July 20- Regose Night with The Skatalites and Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets
The Skatalites were formed in 1964 in Kingston, Jamaica by key studio musicians Tommy McCook, Rolando Alphonso, Lloyd Brevett, Lloyd Knibb, Don Drummond, Jah Jerry Haynes, Jackie Mittoo, Johnny Moore, and Jackie Opel. Since then they have released eight studio albums, including the two Grammy-nominated albums, Hi-Bop Ska The 30th Anniversary Recording and Greetings from Skamania. Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets have been bringing the reggae heat for over 25 years. Their original blend of conscious reggae and jam-band sensibilities have entertained audiences around the globe.
The Skatalites.Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets.
July 27- Hip-Hop Night with Rakim, DJ J-Ronin, and Camtron 5000
Rakim is a rapper from Long Island, widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled MCs of all time. He is a solo artist and was one-half of the golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. DJ J-Ronin is a multitude of things, ranging from a mixtape DJ to a manager, born and raised in Flatbush. He is the founder of the All Elements Crew, an international hip-hop organization that has chapters around the world. Finally, Camtron 5000 is a rapper from Albany, making music that is an extension of who he is as a person.
Rakim, photo by Jill Greenberg.DJ J-Ronin, photo by Jammi York.Camtron 5000, seen left.
Aug. 3- RSB Night with Montell Jordan and DJ TGIF
Montell Jordan is a singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his 1995 single “This Is How We Do It,” and was the primary male solo artist on Def Jam’s Def Soul imprint until leaving the label in 2003. DJ TGIF aka Craig Earle, is one of Upstate New York’s most in-demand DJs, performing regularly to both late-night sold-out crowds and family-friendly events alike. He was recently awarded the honor of the Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40.
Montell Jordan performs live on stage during the 2023 Freestyle Explosion Throw Back Jam at Watsco Center on March 11, 2023, in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)
For more information about Alive at Five 2023, visit here.
Empire State Youth Orchestra’s CHIME (Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence) program has announced that their students recently worked with the composer Adrian Gorson to create their own composition. The composition is called “Amplify Our Voice” (AOV) with a theme of “Stop Violence, Show Kindness” and the performance will occur on May 19th at 5:30 p.m. in the Schenectady High School Auditorium.
Amplify Our Voice offers CHIME students a powerful vehicle to create an original composition, process emotion, explore shared experiences, and “amplify” their voices to the world. The process begins with students choosing a theme. Once the theme is selected, students have workshops on improvisation later creating musical motifs and mini compositions based on the chosen topic. Students create an original, multi-level work in collaboration with a resident artist/composer through reflection, experimentation, and composition.
CHIME’s AOV initiative places youth in the driver’s seat, and opens the door to limitless innovation, and organic, creative expression. Its goals fundamentally change the traditional youth orchestra paradigm by empowering youth to exert personal influence over musical style. This transforms the traditional music education system into one that is culturally responsive, relevant, and equitable. AOV assists students in mastering their instruments and layering their artistic and experimental voice atop those who have preceded them, and to break new ground for others to follow in their footsteps.
“Over the course of this project, I’ve seen a lot of growth with the student’s confidence and ability to express themselves. Whether it was through improvisation sessions, composing their own pieces, or leading discussions, I certainly sense some healthy fearlessness to share their voice. The final piece of music that was created from all their work and inspiration is really beautiful and moving, but seeing this new feeling of empowerment in the students is the real goal.”
Dr. David Bebe, CHIME Conductor/ESYO Curriculum & Enrichment Coordinator
This year’s composer Adrian Gordon is no stranger to CHIME. In the fall students performed his piece “A Hero’s Journey” in the fall, and he has been collaborating with them virtually throughout the year. On March 13 Gordon visited the CHIME sites, Yates Elementary, Van Coralear Elementary, and Proctors and not only presented his first musical draft of this year’s AOV piece but also took feedback from the students.
No Fun, located on River Street in Troy, will welcome five live electronic performances on Saturday, July 29, featuring Atlas.B with friends and collaborators Waybach, Dito, Spike Right, and SM Ink.
Producer and DJ Atlas B combines elements of funk, soul and blues with a modern electronic synthesis technique, including sampling and live instrumentation. Downtempo beats and upbeat electronic bass make his live sets a journey through influences and inspirations.
Atlas B has opened for Maddy O’Neal, Manic Focus, Marvel Years, Michael Menert, 5AM Trio, Tvboo, Gspace, Luzcid and many more. Recently, Michal Menert and Atlas B played a three-night run in Albany, Portland and Worcester.
On July 29th, Atlas B. will be playing his set using Ableton Live, allowing him to “clip launch” sections of songs live and rearrange, add fx and remix songs in a live/interactive way.
For this show Atlas B brings with him Lighting Designer and VJ Riley Irving from Technical Video Inc in Colonie. A stage full of LED wall tiles will feature multiple programs and software such as Resolume, Synesthesia, and Microdose VR by Adroid Jones, for visual accompaniment this evening. These programs are fully freestyle and an interactive visual journey, bringing a human/freestyle element to the live visuals making them unique and different every set.
Atlas B has also curated a selection of friends and collaborators to support this show. Having worked on two songs with Waybach, hailing from CT/NYC, you can find collaborations here and here. Waybach and Atlas B both work in a similar realm of funky bass music, known to share the stage together to test out new songs and experiment with live fx and clip launching through Ableton Live.
Albany local DJs Dito, Spike Right and SM Ink will get the crowd moving and the party started, as these DJs are all known for playing shows around the area sometimes supporting large national touring acts.
A selection of retro video game tables will be going throughout the night, and was featured at the previous show from Atlas B at No Fun back in February. Expect battles, prizes, and increased games and consoles.
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 Jess Jones and E.R.I.E.
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.
Jess Jones- “Souvenier”
Jess Jones is a free spirit born and raised in Esperance. She studied classical voice and guitar at the Crane School of Music and has performed at venues such as the Hotel Cafe, the Orange County Fair, the 2019 NAMM Show, and Rockwood Music Hall. She loves to borrow the picking styles of Paul Simon, James Taylor, and John Denver.
E.R.I.E. is a Capital region-based indie rock quartet. What began as a passion project developed by singer/songwriter TJ Foster has turned into a fully formed quartet, bringing energetic live shows to eager audiences. Their most recent album Suburban Mayhem is out now.
The prog/jam sounds of Baked Shrimp will be found across the Midwest, South and Northeast this summer, with six July shows lined up across New York State. The Long Island power trio will perform in Alexandria Bay, Rochester, Cortland, Patchogue, Manhattan and Schtagatoke, including festival appearances and a Phish pre-show.
Baked Shrimp’s Summer Tour runs for 40+ shows and pushes the workhorse trio to west of the Mississippi for the first time in their six-year career. The band will perform at major festivals including Peach Music Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, Strange Creek Camp Out, Northlands Live, and more. An additional round of dates will be announced in June.
