NYS Music 2023

Category: Hudson Valley

  • New York Series: The True Story Behind Ace Frehley’s “New York Groove” 

    Ace Frehley turns 72 on April 27th, proving you are never too old to keep rocking and rolling. While the famed guitarist is most known for his prominent role in the hard rock group KISS, he has also enjoyed a fruitful solo career. 

    Perhaps one of his biggest solo hits is “New York Groove” – an anthemic encapsulation of Frehley’s youthful spirit and the city that drove him to new heights. But it might surprise you to hear that he didn’t actually write the tune. And that it was popular in Europe long before it ever reached America.

    Ace Frehley was born Paul Daniel Frehley in 1951. He grew up in the Bronx and first picked up a guitar at the age of 14. It was here in New York City that Frehley saw the Who and Cream perform live, further solidifying aspirations of rock stardom into his young, impressionable brain.

    Frehley cut his teeth on the local NYC scene throughout the late 60s and early 70’s. It was during this time that he answered an ad calling for a guitarist in a hard rock group. It read, “Lead guitarist wanted with flash and ability.”

    That fateful listing brought him into the fold of bassist/singer Gene Simmons, rhythm guitarist/singer Paul Stanley and drummer Peter Criss –  KISS was officially born.

    The band was signed to Casablanca Records in November 1973 and for most of the decade they toured around the world, skyrocketing to the top of their charts. Catchy choruses, searing guitar riffs and a flair for the theatrics helped the band stand out in more ways than one. A string of platinum albums and sold-out tours lasted throughout the late 70’s.

    KISS 1983 - Paul Stanley/Getty images ace frehley
    KISS 1983 – Paul Stanley/Getty images

    Despite the hectic schedule, all four members of KISS recorded and released respective solo albums on the exact same day in 1978. Frehley’s project was self-titled and featured what would become one of his most popular solo tracks: “New York Groove.”

    While the song feels representative of Frehley’s own experiences in New York, the track is actually a cover, originally written by Russ Ballard and recorded by a glam-inspired rock band called Hello. The original track achieved a fair amount of success in Europe, charting at #9 in the U.K. and #7 in Germany. It was reportedly recorded in less than 5 hours in a studio just north of London.

    Ballard said in an interview that he had the idea for the song while on a plane ride to NYC.

    I felt that’d be a good title for a song,” he said. “The whole idea was of someone going back to New York and singing about the experience.”

    The song encapsulates the feeling of a nostalgic return to a place once called home. It starts with the lyrics: 

    Many years since I was here
    On the street I was passin’ my time away
    To the left and to the right
    Buildings towering to the sky, it’s outta sight

    After years of relentless touring, one would think Frehley could relate to the feeling of coming home for the first time in a while. But apparently, Frehley was not enthusiastic about recording the song; he had never even heard the track before covering it. But alas, the label wanted a more commercial song on the album and so, Frehley went ahead with it.

    In an interview with Louder Sound in 2016, Frehley put it like this:

    “A lot of people think I wrote New York Groove. It’s not a myth that I’ve perpetuated, but that’s the way it is. I wish I would’ve wrote the song, though. I would’ve made a lot more cash out of it, ha-ha-hargh!”

    While most of Frehley’s solo album was recorded in a studio in Connecticut, “New York Groove” was a late addition and was recorded in Plaza Sound Studios, right above Radio City Music Hall. 

    Ace Frehley’s hit single “New York Groove,” released September 18th, 1978

    Frehley, Simmons, Stanley and Criss all released their solo albums on September, 18th 1978. But Frehley was the only one who managed a hit single, with none other than “New York Groove. “It stayed on the U.S. charts for 21 weeks, peaking at #13.

    Frehley told Louder Sound in that same interview that there was no competition among bandmates to have the best record. But he also revealed that he hadn’t really listened to his fellow bandmates’ projects. 

    “I did put Gene’s on once,” he recalled in the interview. “When I heard his version of When You Wish Upon A Star I had to pull it off the turntable, ha-ha-hargh!”

    Origins Vol. 2, released in 2020, featuring classic rock covers such as “Good Times Bad Times” and Jumpin’ Jack Flash

    Frehley has continued to release solo projects in the past few decades. His most recent solo album, Origins Vol. 2, was released on September 18, 2020. It is a follow-up to Origins Vol. 1, released in 2016. Both consist of covers of some of Ace Frehley’s favorite songs. Still, “New York Groove” remains a signature song.

    In an interview, Russ Ballard attributes the song’s success to its simplicity. “I guess it surprised me because it’s so incredibly simple. They say a good song will always sell, and there’s a lot of truth in that.”

    “New York Groove” Lyrics

    Many years since I was here
    On the street I was passin’ my time away
    To the left and to the right, buildings towering to the sky
    It’s outta sight in the dead of night

    (Ooh) Here I am, again in this city
    (Ooh) With a fistful of dollars
    And baby, you’d better believe

    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    Back in the New York Groove, in the New York Groove
    In the back of my Cadillac
    Wicked lady, sittin’ by my side, sayin’ “Where are we?”
    Stopped at 3rd and 43, exit to the night
    It’s gonna be ecstasy, this place was meant for me

    (Ooh) I feel so good tonight
    (Ooh) Who cares about tomorrow
    So baby, you’d better believe

    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    Back in the New York Groove, in the New York Groove

    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove

    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove

    I’m back, back in the New York Groove
    I’m back, back in the New York Groove

  • Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Announce World Tour with Three Stops at New York Music Venues

    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats begin their world tour at the end of April, which includes three performances at New York music venues.

    The band will have two consecutive New York shows, first on July 29 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts followed by the Darien Lake Amphitheater on July 30, and their third performance in the empire state will be on Sept. 20 at the MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport. The performances follow the release of the band’s latest EP, What If I, due for release June 2.

    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Credit: Danny Clutch.

    The band is also slated to appear at Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend, Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration, and Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson & Family. See below for full tour routing.

    Rateliff grew up in Missouri and his career spans more than two decades. His music career began with his first band, Born in the Flood, followed by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel, which only released one album in 2007, after which he released three solo albums: In Memory of Loss (2010), Falling Faster Than You Can Run (2013) and And It’s Still Alright (2020.) The Night Sweats released their self-titled debut album in 2015, and have released a total of three albums, most recently 2021’s The Future.

    The title track of What If I will have audiences anxious and ready to hear more music by The Night Sweats. The track’s lyrics speak to audiences at a crossroads in their lives, wondering “what if.” What if I’m taking too long? What if I just quit tomorrow? Listen to the track here.

    What If I will feature four previously unreleased songs recorded during The Future sessions as well as a newly written and recorded track called “Buy My Round.” All songs on What If I were produced by Bradley Cook (Bon Iver, Kevin Morby, The War on Drugs) and R.M.B.—the production trio of Rateliff, Meese, and James Barone (Beach House). In addition, the track “Slow Pace of Time” features The Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s leader and clarinetist, Charlie Gabriel.

    Tickets to see Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats on their world tour, which includes three performances at New York music venues, go on sale April 21 at 10 a.m.

    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Live

    April 29-April 30—Los Angeles, CA—Hollywood Bowl *
    May 12—Miramar Beach, FL—Seascape Resort
    June 3—Chattanooga, TN—Riverbend Festival
    June 4—Lexington, KY—Railbird Music Festival
    June 16—Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom—Black Deer Festival
    June 18—Landgraaf, The Netherlands—Pinkpop Festival
    June 20—Cologne, Germany—Live Music Hall †
    June 21—Berlin, Germany—Huxley’s Neue Welt †
    Jun 23—Vienna, Austria—Arena Wien Open Air †
    June 25—Munich, Germany—Backstage Werk †
    June 26—Zürich, Switzerland—Kaufleuten †
    June 28—Paris, France—Cabaret Sauvage †
    June 29—Rotselaar, Belgium—Rock Werchter
    July 2—Ferrara, Italy—Comfort Festival
    July 3—Milan, Italy—Magnolia Open Ai
    July 6—Madrid, Spain—Mad Cool Festival
    July 7—Algés, Portugal—Nos Alive
    July 23—Redmond, OR—Fairwell Festival
    July 28—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion ‡
    July 29—Bethel, NY—Bethel Woods Center For The Arts ‡
    July 30—Darien Center, NY—Dairen Lake Amphitheater ‡
    August 1—Pittsburgh, PA—Stage AE §
    August 3—Grand Rapids, MI—GLC Live at 20 Monroe §
    August 4—Rochester Hills, MI—Meadow Brook Amphitheatre §
    August 5—Columbus, OH—KEMBA Live!
    August 7—Madison, WI—The Sylvee §
    August 9-10—Chicago, IL—The Salt Shed §
    August 12—Minneapolis, MN—Surly Brewing Festival Field §
    August 15—Moorhead, MN—Bluestem Amphitheater §
    August 18-19—Missoula, MT—Kettlehouse Amphitheater ||
    August 22-23—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre ||
    September 16—Asbury Park, NJ—Sea Hear Now Festival
    September 19—Cleveland, OH—Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
    September 20—Newport, KY—MegaCorp Pavilion
    September 22—Milwaukee, WI—BMO Pavilion
    September 24—Franklin, TN—Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
    September 26—Asheville, NC—ExploreAsheville.com Arena #
    September 27—Raleigh, NC—Red Hat Amphitheater #
    September 30—Bridgeport, CT—Sound On Sound Music Festival
    October 1—Ocean City, MD—Oceans Calling Festival

    * Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration
    † with William the Conqueror
    ‡ with Willie Nelson & Family
    § with Thee Sacred Souls
    || with Waxahatchee
    # with Sierra Ferrell

  • The Rock And Roll Playhouse Announces Earth Day ‘Bob Marley For Kids’ Concert Series

    The Rock and Roll Playhouse has announced a special run of shows over Earth Day Weekend benefiting international non-profit Oceanic Global on Saturday April 22 and Sunday, April 23. Featuring the music of Bob Marley and The Grateful Dead, The Rock and Roll Playhouse will bring family fun to 13 different venues across the country where kids and parents can rock out to the classics.

    Included among the venues are Garcia’s in Port Chester, Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg and City Winery Hudson Valley in Montgomery.

    Rock and Roll Playhouse bob marley for kids

    The Rock and Roll Playhouse introduces the next generation to timeless music while providing kids with early music exposure and encouraging creativity. The Playhouse was founded in 2013 at its flagship venue Brooklyn Bowl by Peter Shapiro, entrepreneur and co-owner of the Bowl and owner of The Capitol Theatre, and Amy Striem, a certified Early Childhood and Elementary teacher.

    Designed to create opportunities for families to experience live music together in historic venues, The Rock and Roll Playhouse continues to unite families through music with hundreds of unforgettable shows nationwide as the largest national concert series for families where kids can “move, play and sing while listening to works from the classic-rock canon”. 

    Supporting Oceanic Global on Earth Day Weekend is not just about bringing families together through the power of music, but also about teaching the next generation the importance of preserving our planet. By creating unforgettable experiences for families while supporting a worthy cause, we can inspire a love for music and a passion for environmental activism in our children that will last a lifetime.

    Stephen Grybowski, Senior Director of The Rock and Roll Playhouse

    Founded in 2016, Oceanic Global reconnects humanity to the ocean as the beating heart of the earth, and provides tangible solutions and blueprints for coexisting in harmony with the natural world. The 501c3 non-profit builds tools, mobilizes communities, and develops educational resources and standards that inspire global action and catalyze cross-sector change.

    Tickets are available now, and admission is free for children one years old and under. For more information please visit The Playhouse’s website.

    Earth Day Schedule

    Saturday, April 22 Earth Day Celebration

    Rockefeller Center – New York, NY

    Bob Marley for Kids

    Garcia’s – Port Chester, NY

    Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA –

    Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA

    Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO

    Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH

    Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC

    Sunday, April 23

    Grateful Dead for Kids

    High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI

    Bob Marley for Kids

    Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL

    Far Out Lounge – Austin, TX

    Portland House of Music – Portland, OR

    Brooklyn Bowl Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY

    City Winery Hudson Valley – Montgomery, NY

  • Boy George and Culture Club ‘Letting It Go Show’ Summer Tour includes Bethel Woods, Jones Beach and Darien Lake Stops

    English pop band Boy George and Culture Club will headline a summer 2023 tour, the Letting It Go Show, which will stop at three New York Music venues.

    Culture Club will appear at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on July 22, followed by a performance at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theatre the next day, and lastly the Darien Lake Amphitheatre on July 29, before finishing the rest of their tour across the country throughout August. Culture Club will be joined by Howard Jones and Berlin for all dates of their tour.

    The members of Boy George and Culture Club, from left to right: Mikey Craig (vocals, bass, keyboards) Boy George (vocals, tambourine), and Roy Hay (guitars, vocals, keyboards.) Credit: Maya Sarin.

    Culture Club was initially formed in London during the New Romantic movement and consists of Boy George, Roy Hay, Mikey Craig, and formerly Jon Moss (drums and percussion.) They released their debut album, Kissing to Be Clever, in 1982 and, with the help of lead singer Boy George, achieved mainstream success in both the U.K. and the U.S. George dressed in flamboyant dresses and wore heavy makeup, creating a disarmingly androgynous appearance that created a sensation on early MTV, earning the band considerable media attention.

    During the 1980s, Culture Club released several hit songs, including “Karma Chameleon” which reached number one on both sides of the Atlantic, and “It’s a Miracle” and “Miss Me Blind” which reached the Top 10. The band initially broke up in 1986, before reuniting from 1998-2002 and again in 2011. Their sixth and most recent studio album, Life, was released in 2018, credited as “Boy George and Culture Club.”

    Howard Jones, born in Southhampton, Hampshire, England, began his career with his hit single, “New Song,” from his debut album, Human’s Lib, and has had a nearly 40-year career since. His most recent album, Dialogue (2022) is part of a trilogy of albums with Engage (2015) and Transform (2019.) Jones’ hits have been featured in high-profile series and films such as “Stranger Things,” “Breaking Bad,” “Watchmen,” “The Carrie Diaries”, “Superstore” and “Bumblebee.”

    New wave band Berlin formed in Los Angeles in 1978, founded by vocalist Terri Nunn, bassist John Crawford, and keyboard player David Diamond. The band’s career began with Information (1980), and they have since won twelve gold and platinum album awards. Berlin’s 1986 hit “Take My Breath Away” significantly appeared in Tom Cruise’s hit film Top Gun (1986) solidifying their ever-lasting place in American pop culture, and winning the award for “Best Original Song” at both the Golden Globe and Academy Awards.

    Nunn’s ongoing influence earned her the #11 spot on VH1.com’s “100 Greatest Women in Rock. As an actress, she played leading roles in films including Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold with Kim Basinger, and Thank God It’s Friday with Jeff Goldblum and Debra Winger. Along with comedienne Wendy Liebman, Nunn previously hosted the critically acclaimed radio show Unbound with Terri Nunn.

    Pre-sale for the Boy George and Culture Club Letting It Go Show, which includes three stops at New York music venues, starts April 19 with a Citi presale at 10 a.m., continuing until April 20 at 10 p.m., with additional presales continuing throughout the week and general on-sale tickets starting Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m.

    The Letting It Go Show 2023 tour dates:
    Thu Jul 13 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
    Sat Jul 15 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
    Sun Jul 16 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place Amphitheatre
    Tue Jul 18 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
    Wed Jul 19 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
    Thu Jul 20 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
    Sat Jul 22 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
    Sun Jul 23 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
    Tue Jul 25 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
    Wed Jul 26 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
    Fri Jul 28 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
    Sat Jul 29 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
    Sun Jul 30 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann
    Tue Aug 01 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
    Thu Aug 03 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
    Fri Aug 04 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
    Sat Aug 05 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
    Tue Aug 08 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
    Thu Aug 10 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
    Fri Aug 11 – The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
    Sat Aug 12 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
    Mon Aug 14 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
    Fri Aug 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
    Sat Aug 19 – San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
    Sun Aug 20 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion

  • Woodstock Rock Art Poster Show Announces Lineup of Artists for May 5-6 Exhibition

    On May 6 and 7, 2023 the legendary Bearsville Center in Woodstock will host the second annual Woodstock Rock Art & Poster Show (WRAPS).

    poster show woodstock

    WRAPS, started in 2022, is the first large scale, northeast expo exclusively presenting these works. Modeled on, and with the support of, the famous The Rock Poster Show (T.R.P.S.) held annually since 1988 in San Francisco, WRAPS is poised to become the premier event for poster collectors in the northeast. This year’s event promises to be a versatile and exciting show.

    WRAPS will feature a wide selection of art for sale ranging from vintage psychedelia and silkscreen prints, to modern digital artwork and photography. Exhibitors will include well known artists as well as newcomers making a splash on the scene. In addition to a formidable artist line-up, there will be multi-media productions, talks, and seminars/workshops throughout the event.

    Live music will be presented each night with Woodstock’s own Misty Mountain Ramblers on Saturday and Sabrina & the Gems on Sunday. There will also be live music throughout the day on Saturday (10 am – 6pm) and Sunday (10 am – 5pm) as well as food trucks providing delectable delights! See Synopsis below for full music schedule.

    Since the 1990s interest in artistic concert posters and flyers has increased exponentially. Promotional pieces from the classic rock era to the modern music age have become highly sought after collectibles. Rock poster art is an internationally recognized art form, featuring many talented artists spanning decades long careers from graphic design to commissioned works, garnering attention in fine art galleries and auctions.

    Held just a couple of miles down the road from the center of Woodstock, WRAPS is produced by local artists Mike DuBois and Kenny Schneidman with Lizzie Vann, owner of the newly renovated Bearsville Center. 

    The Woodstock Rock Art & Poster Show (WRAPS) will feature a wide selection of art for sale ranging from vintage psychedelia and silkscreen prints, to modern digital artwork and photography. Exhibitors will include well known artists as well as newcomers making a splash on the scene. In addition to a formidable artist line-up, there will be multi-media productions, talks, live music and seminars/workshops throughout the event.

    The location is the Bearsville Center, 291 Tinker Street, Woodstock is easily accessible by both car and public transportation out of NYC. Bearsville Center features a spacious bar and lounge in the theater, and an expansive lawn area for networking and socializing. The property also boasts two restaurants, an ice cream shop, a full bar, and patio with fire pit. The town of Woodstock and surrounding Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley offer a multitude of recreational and cultural activities, entertainment, hotels and dining in a beautiful natural environment.

    MUSIC SCHEDULE

    Saturday, 5/61:00 PM2:00 PMBarely Lace
    3:00 PM4:30 PMOne Eyed Jack
    5:00 PM6:30 PMRock City Junction
    8:00 PM11:00 PMMisty Mountain Ramblers
    Sunday 5/73:00 PM4:30 PMMr. Roper
    7:00 PM9:00 PMSabrina & The Gems

    Visit www.woodstockpostershow.com for tickets and more information. 

  • In Focus: Angelica Sanchez Solo Show at St. Andrew and St. Luke Episcopal Church in Beacon

    Pianist and composer Angelica Sanchez put on a brilliant performance this past Saturday, April 15th at the St. Andrew and St. Luke Episcopal Church in Beacon. Sanchez, following no particular setlist and rather letting the music come to her in the intimate venue, did not fail to put on an incredible show for her captivated audience. 

    Angelica Sanchez

    Sanchez, born in Arizona but now based in New York, is well-recognized for her jazz piano playing and has been featured in various publications like the New York Times, the Jazz Times, and the Chicago Tribune. She’s played multiple shows across NYC and the East Coast, and has another concert scheduled at Carnegie Hall for The Sophia Rosoff Concert Series: Jazz Piano Pairings 1. She is set to continue her tour until late November, playing venues across Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, and more. 

    Sanchez truly put on an outstanding performance in the dark-lit church venue. During one piece, she took out a drum mallet and began hitting the inside of the piano, adding a slow beat to her previously solo playing. The sheer silence of the crowd, coupled with the rain and thunder heard from the outside, beautifully matched the almost eerie ambiance of her piano playing. She masterfully blended dissonant chords and melodies together to create a panicky tone throughout her performance, with an incredible resolution toward the end. Her quiet humming to her crafted melodies entranced the audience members as they intently listened to her various eclectic compositions. The crowd stayed silent after each piece and waited to clap until the very end, making her one-hour set feel like a giant performance of a single piece. 

    Sanchez’s show was not something to miss. She is set to play many more shows across New York state throughout 2023, and her tour schedule can be found here.

  • Cable Ties Announce Tour, Stops at Woodstock and NYC

    Australian punk band Cable Ties are scheduled to embark on a North American tour, stopping at Colony Woodstock on Sept. 15 and the Bowery Ballroom in New York City on Sept. 16., in support of their new album All Her Plans, due for release on June 23.

    Cable Ties
    The members of Cable Ties, from left to right: Jenny McKechnie (lead vocals and guitar), Nick Brown (bass), and Shauna Boyle (drums) Credit: Kalindy Williams.

    Cable Ties are based in Melbourne and were formed in 2015 with Jenny McKechnie, Nick Brown, and Shauna Boyle. They released their self-titled debut album in 2017, and the forthcoming All Her Plans marks their studio release. A supporting single, “Time For You” is available now. All Her Plans has received considerable global praise from Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, NME, The Line of Best Fit, and Rolling Stone, to name a few. The album also marks the band’s first album since the pandemic began and their touring plans for 2020’s Far Enough were canceled.

    “I found the idea of writing a new album a little terrifying after all our touring plans got canceled just after we released Far Enough in 2020,” McKechnie says. “It felt as though that album had been lost. I thought I needed to write another album like that again, which wouldn’t be lost. This of course wasn’t true. I needed to write whatever album came out of me at this moment in time.”

    “Time For You,” definitely stands out as the best track on the album, and is made even better by its accompanying music video. The song highlights the solace found in the love of a partner, any partner, whether it be romantic, friendship, or otherwise. This message is reinforced at the end of the music video when the members of Cable Ties are lying down and embracing each other, reminding audiences of the power of friendship.

    “Thoughts Back,” sees Brown take the vocal reigns for the first time since the band’s formation, delivering a fierce take on the toll of mental health challenges. “I wrote this song mostly centered around my own experiences with mental illness,” she says. “It also plays into the themes of the record, such as caregiving and mental workload. So often people give up their own lives to help others and, as a result, rarely have their voices, their experiences or their history acknowledged.”

    All Her Plans is out June 23 via Merge Records. Tickets to see Cable Ties on their North American Tour, which includes a performance at Colony Woodstock before concluding at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City are available here.

    Cable Ties North American Tour Dates 2023

    Sep 8 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall

    Sep 9 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar

    Sep 10 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall

    Sep 12 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

    Sep 13 – Portland, ME – SPACE Gallery

    Sep 14 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom

    Sep 15 – Woodstock, NY – Colony

    Sep 16 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

  • 24 HOUR DRONE Festival Returns To Basilica Hudson For Memorial Day Weekend

    Experimental music festival 24 HOUR DRONE has announced their full artist lineup plus art installation details and food vendors for this years festival taking place at Basilica Hudson Saturday May 27 – Sunday May 28 from noon to noon as part of Drone Day.

    Featuring 24 hours of unbroken, immersive sound, 24-HOUR DRONE blurs the line between artist and attendee to create transcendence through communal experience. Presented by Basilica Hudson and Le Guess Who? In collaboration with Sarah Van Buren, the festival activates the entire Basilica Hudson campus through audio/visual art installations and food pop-ups, with music centered in Basilica Hudson’s 6,000 sq. ft. Main Hall.

    A total of 18 acts will perform, including six new artists announced today include Legendary experimentalist eucademix (Yuka C. Honda), Wolf Eyes performing in its latest incarnation as a duo, and renowned US-Based Balinese percussion orchestra Gamelan Dharma Swara returning to 24-HOUR DRONE for the first time in nearly a decade.

    Further additions include pioneering queer saxophonist Michael Foster & DC-based jazz luminary Luke Stewart performing as a duo, a solo set from “transcendental black metal” artist Liturgy (Haela Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix) featuring looped guitar counterpoint, vocals, and electronic percussion, and internationally celebrated sitarist Veena Chandra returns to DRONE with her son, accomplished Tabla percussionist Devesh Chandra.

    These artists join previously announced 24-HOUR DRONE acts including: 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Music winner Raven Chacon, C. Lavender, Fuji|||||||||||ta, and Photay with Celia Hollander and special guests Laraaji + Arji OceAnanda, each performing a special three-hour endurance set.

    Lisa Bernard Kelley, a close collaborator of the late great music and Deep Listening® pioneer Pauline Oliveros, will facilitate The Heart Chant (© Pauline Oliveros, 2001) sonic meditation to close out the festival.

    This will be the first 24-HOUR DRONE held in-person at the venue in four years. It will once again be streamed live on Wave Farm Radio broadcast live on WGXC 90.7-FM: Radio for Open Ears.

    For more information, a full lineup, and to purchase tickets, please visit the festivals website.

  • Natalie Merchant To Host Radio Woodstock “Saturday Night Takeover” April 15th

    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.

    Natalie Merchant

    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. 

  • Setting Sun Announces LP + Shares Single “Feelings Cure” 

    Hudson Valley based indie rock-folk band Setting Sun has just announced their sixth full-length studio album in ten years, The Feelings Cure due out on May 19th.

    Alongside the announcement, the band shares a brand-new hit single “Feelings Cure,” along with an accompanying music video. Setting Sun will also be playing live in Woodstock for their official album release show the day before the album drops.  

    The single “Feelings Cure” aims to resist feelings of pain and sadness through music. Levitt says the track is about “denial and playing music and finding a cure for sadness or pain.” Written three months into the start of the pandemic, Levitt was forced to confront the reality of diving back into music, only this time, in quarantine with his wife and toddler which presented new challenges.  

    Setting Sun Announces LP + Shares Single "Feelings Cure" 

    “Setting Sun create an Arcade Fire urgency, creating sweeping orchestrations, driving rhythms”

    –Pop Matters 

    Levitt adds, “It took a while to be able to turn on the creativity at will according to the clock, but I found it was actually possible. The limitations made me more productive. This song was one of the first I recorded for the new record and maybe it helped get out some of that frustration from being forced into a new life and future not made by my choice.” 

    Setting Sun Announces LP + Shares Single "Feelings Cure" 

    The band Setting Sun, led by songwriter Gary Levitt, began in San Francisco where the band’s first release, holed up, was recorded in 2003. From there, Levitt moved to Los Angeles, then to Brooklyn and now resides in the Hudson Valley.  

    With their newest, and most comprehensive body of work yet, Setting Sun is ready to re-introduce themselves to society. In the band’s current state, joining Levitt are long-time collaborators Lawrence Roper (keyboards, vocals), Jonathan Hambright (drums) and John Burdick(bass/vocals).

    Setting Sun Announces LP + Shares Single "Feelings Cure" 

    The Feelings Cure was recorded like no other Setting Sun record, diligently. Explaining the creative process and creating the album while now being a father, Levitt says, “I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get in the creative zone with set times of having to turn creativity on and off like a switch. I used to write and record in creative blasts when I felt it come on like a wave or virus. Having kids forced me to write, record, and mix in the gaps of being a father and the maturity shows on this record.” 

    Over 10 rich tracks, Levitt turns inward to blend genres and juxtapose upbeat instrumentals and production with melancholic lyrics. Unafraid to take risks and allowing himself to create without reserve, the album chronicles Levitt further discovering himself and his artistry, culminating in the band’s most realized work to date. 

    While producing the album, Levitt learned to listen to himself and how he was feeling to best use his time and play to his strengths. “I produced this record myself in my studio and enlisted friends to lay down some tracks like drums, harmonies, violins, etc. One trick I learned is to be aware of my mood. If I wasn’t feeling a creative wave, I’d then do some mixing. If I was in the creative zone, I’d sit and write and record a part to one of the songs.”  

    The creative process became casual, free-flowing and unforced. Levitt says, “Most of the sounds you hear on this record were written and recorded simultaneously, so you’re getting the raw thing, not a reenactment of the moment it was written, this is the moment.” 

    Setting Sun will celebrate the release of their first album in ten years with a show at Colony in Woodstock on May 18th. The following month, the band will perform at Riverside Concerts in Germantown on June 15th. 

    Tickets for the release show are on sale, to purchase click the link here.

    To pre-order The Feelings Cure, click the link here. 

    For more music by Setting Sun, click the link here.